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خصم
وطية
صينى
לאלץ
APFAL. PMI.
LIBRARY WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY
GE
A FLOHR LIBRARY CO DEC 27 1974 BINDERS
West Virginia University Libraries F 157.G8B3
aprm History of Greene County, Penn
3 0802 000844597 3
DATE DUE
wist
2002 S & Nhr MAY 0 4 2002
WISE
5-21-2010
DEMCO, INC. 38-2931
HISTORY
OF
GREENE COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA,
BY
SAMUEL P. BATES.
Hills, vales, woods, netted in silver mist, Farms, granges, doubled up among the hills And cattle grazing in the watered vales, And cottage chimneys smoking from the woods, And cottage gardens smelling everywhere, Confused with smell of orchards. See! I'said, And see! is God not with ns on the earth? -ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING.
ILLUSTRATED.
NELSON, RISHFORTH & CO., CHICAGO. 1888.
ARTAL RAL
Library West Virginia University
xiii
CONTENTS
PAGE.
Martin, Prof. George F
Mestrezat, Jean Louis Guillaume
Mestrezat, Frederic. 413
Millikin, Robert.
Millikin, J. L., M. D
Minor, Otho W
Minor, John S .
475
Provins, J. Y 776
Ross, Silas
Titus, Eli N ..
Titus, E. L ..
Weltner, J. D
Williams, Benjamin G.
MORGAN TOWNSHIP.
Adamson, Joseph. 479
Adamson, Smith ,89
Bell, J R. 780
Bell, B. F
Braden, S. II. ៛80
Buckingham, Henry
Bnrson, A. S
Cary, Cephas
Clayton, John,
Cox, JJohn B
723 783
Crayne, Miller.
Crayne, Stephen
Crayne, David.
Fulton, Samuel.
785
Greenlee, James
785 786
Harry, C. C ..
~86
Hatfield, William
Hawkins, John (.
787
Iławkins, R. ('
788
Hawkins, J. F.
Holder, Thomas .J 788
Horner. O. C ...
789
Keys, Henry.
Lewis, Samuel.
Montgomery, Samuel ..
790
Montgomery, Thomas II
791
Murray, Samuel.
791
Mccullough, Able
791
Pollock, J. C.
Pyle, William.
Randolph, W. II. F.
793
Rogers, W. D., M. D 793
Rose, John ...
794
Rush, JJacob ..
794
Rush, James
795
Stewart, W. B ... 795
296
Virgin, W. H
796
Walton, Amos. 797
Watson, Henry ..
MORRIS TOWNSHIP.
Auld, Hugh. 798
Bane, Jasper 798
Bradbury, Cyrus 798
Brooks, Enoch
Cary, Stephen C 799
Conklin, John M. 800 Goodwin, A. J.
Drier, H 800
Dunn, Joseph. 801 Gray, Thomas L.
Dunn, William
801
Hays, Jesse L. 801
Hopkins, Samuel
802
Hopkins, D. W ..
802
Huffman, Joseph. 803
Inms, Otho. 803
Iams, J. L.
803
Lightner, Henry 804
Loughman, Daniel. 804
Longhman, William 805
Loughman, Daniel 805
McCullongh, Silas M 805
McVay, Oliver
806
Patterson, Thomas
806
Pettit, Elymas 807
Pettit, Matthias
Ross, Thomas M. 80%
Sanders, Reuben.
808
Shoup, Jacob
Simpson, Hugh. 809
Simpson, J. W 809
Swart, Jacob. 810
Throckmorton, William S., M. D.
810
PERRY TOWNSHIP.
Blair, Ilon. John. 811
Boydston, T. W. 812
BoydNton, Thornton E.
Brown, O. J ..
813
Rrown, Reuben.,
513
Cowell, S. A.
S14
Donley, D. L ..
81-1
Fox, Dennis.
815
Guthrie, Samuel.
815
Guthrie, George W
815
Ilaines, Cyrenins
816
Hatfield, Jacob, M. D.
816
Ileadley, G. F .. 81
Ileudlee, W. O. 818
lleadlee, Joseph 818
lloy, I. S .. S19
Lemley, Morris 819
Lemley, Clark ..
819
Lemley, Asherry 820
820
Long, William
800
Luellen, Coleman.
821
Morris, Spencer, M. D.
821
Morris, Levi.
Patterson, Joseph.
Reumer, Minor N .. 823
Shultz, Z. T. 821
Snider, A
821
Spitznagel, Jesse.
Stephens, Spencer 825
Whitlatch, Lewis
RICHHILL TOWNSHIP,
Baldwin, F. W
Bane, Ellis 826
Barnett, A. B,
827
Bebout, John.
Booher, I. C. 827
Braddock, James HI. 828
Braddock, Newton II. 828
Braddock, F. M 829
829
Bristor, Robert 829
Clutter, Abraham. 830
830
Conkey, J. M. 831
831
Day, Iliram .. 832
831
Drake, W. S.
832
Fletcher, II. B.
833
Fonner, William R
833
Goodwin, Daniel. 834 835
Gribben, Elias K .. 835
836
Ilanna, Rev. William. 836
Hughes, James. 837
Jacobs, William.
837
Knight S.
838
Lazear, Jessc.
838
Leslie, John J.
839
Loar, Jacob ...
839
Loughridge, J. K. 810
Marsh, Phillip. 841
Milliken, William G 811
Murray, John M.
834
Braddock, D. A.
Clutter, William
Conkey, James Harvey.
Ferrell, George W.
Grim, Capt. Samuel.
808
Shape, George 809
Pennington, T. F.
PAGE.
Greenlee, James
Grimes, Henry ..
Long, J. W
Vankirk, Edward, Sr
xiv
CONTENTS.
PAGE.
MeCleary, T. J.
842
Mitchell, Asa ... 869
McClelland, M. M.
870
Pettit, John. 870
Pettit, Joseph H. 870
Ross, John 871
Ross, Thomas 871
Shirk, Benjamin. 872
Smith, J. Hf 872
873
WAYNE TOWNSHIP.
Bell, George W. 874
Brant, Ilon. Matthias 874
Brant, Kendall J 8,5
Calvert, Richard T 875
875
Cole, Ephraim
876
Cole, James L ..
876
Cole, Henry.
870
Conklin, Henry.
877
Cumberledge, A. J
878
Ileadley, Sam II.
878
Johnson, William II.
879
Kent, J. S.
829
Knight, JJames
880
Lantz, William.
881
Phillips, Hon. Jesse
882
Phillips, John Mc ..
882
Spragg, Caleb A.
884
856 Stewart, Israel.
884
Tustin, Abraham
884
White, Reasin ..
885
Worley, John I. 885
Zimmerman, Robert. 886
WHITELEY TOWNSHIP.
Bailey, A. M. 88
Bare, David
887
Bowers, Henry
883
Brant, M. C ...
Cowell, David L.
889
Cowell, John M.
889
Cummins, John A. S90
Fox, John. 890
Fuller, John S. 891
891
Fulton, Stephen
863
Garner, Spencer B.
864
John, Christopher. 892
893
Morris, Henry.
891
Morris, Elijah 894
891
Shriver, Arthur.
845
Smith, A. J ..
895
Johns, Jacob
867
895
Stephens, Lindsey ..
896
Martin, John M 868
Meek, L. W.
868
Meek, Cephas.
869
Zimmerman, James R.
898
PORTRAITS.
PAGE.
PAGE.
Adamson, Thomas.
265
Donley, D. L ..
Barnes, James.
125
Fordyce, A. G.
385
Beall, Emanuel.
335
Fox, Dennis. 355
Biddle, N. II .. .
165
Fuller, John S
65
Black, Hon. C. A
25
Gordon, Hon. John B. 16
Braddock, F. M ..
235
Grimes, P. M. 245
Clayton, John.
85
Hatfield, Jacob, M. D. 155
Conklin, John M
451
Hinerman, Lindsey 135
1
864 Hatfield, G. W. 892
Huffman, G. W
865
Inghes, Andrew.
865
Johnson, Zephaniah
865
Johnson, George W
866
Johnson, Zenas
866
Johns, D. W.
858
Strope, Thomas.
White, W. T. 858
Whitlatch, Joseph 858
Wildman, William ..
859
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
Barnes, Silas. 859
Boyd, James 860
Bristor, Robert. 860
Cary, Sylvester 861
Closser, J. W 861
Craig, Jesse. 862
Durbin, Enoch 862
Durbin, G. W
863
Edgar, John 863
856
Rinehart, W. II
Stiles. James S57
852
Hamilton, Enoch ..
853
Hoskinson, W. P
853
Isiminger, Josephus
854
INiminger, Jacob
851
Miller, John II., M. D ..
854
Miller, John ...
855
Morford, J. L. 855
McNeely, John .. 856
Rinehart, J. II., M. D.
851
Ferrell, James M 851
Griffith, F. II ....
852
Griffith, Samuel 852
Hamilton, Lewis W
847
Wright, G. W
847
White, P. J .. .
847
SPRINGHILL TOWNSHIP.
Ayers, J. R. 848
Barger, John 848
Burdine, James 849
Burge, W. L .. 850
Carpenter, Thomas M 850
Dinsmore, P. C., M. D.
Smith, Robert. 845
Smith, James L ... 846
Supler, Martin 846
Wright, John M.
PAGE.
MeNay, B. II.
843
Orndoff, John 844
Parry, II. H .. 844
Patterson, J. E., M. D 844
Scott, Mason.
845
Scott, Iliram 845
Coen, John F
Freeland, John.
Moore, George W'
881
Phillips, William D 882
Spragg, David 883
Spragg, Henry M.
Gump, Abraham
Guthrie, Solomon 892
IInffman, T. J.
Moss, G. W., M. D
Patterson, Rufus
Staggers, Lisbon
Keigley, George 868
Strosnider, Simon R. 897
Temple, A. M ..
897
Walker, John
xi
CONTENTS.
PAGE.
Gwynn, Josiah
619
C'wynn, J. F.
620
Crawford, David.
655
Ilertman, William 620
Cross, A. G., M. D
656
Hathaway, J. W. 621
Day, William G. W
652
Hamilton, Joseph.
621
Day, Harvey. 6:8
Jackson, I. R ...
622
Denny, B. B. W
658
Kerr, William.
622
Donley, Hon. J. B.
638
Kerr, James
623
Dongal, Thomas E
659
Kerr, John (.
623
Kerr, Archibald.
623
Laidley, Norval ..
624
Laidley, J. B., M D
624
Laidley, Hon. T. II
Long, R. S ..
6225
Long, Milton.
626
Minor Family.
618
Murdock, James.
626
Murdock, William M.
626
Moredock, Simon ..
6:27
Mcclintock, Rev. John 622
6:28
Nickeson, Prof. W. M
629
Patterson, I. B.
630
Patterson, J. G
630
Rea, J. II ..
631
Rea, Samuel W.
631
Reeves, Joseph
632
Rich, Daniel.
632
Richey, Albert M.
633
Rinehart, Thomas
633
Rogers, Thomas W
634
Sharpnack, A. J. 63-4
635
Stewart. Thomas L
635
Stone, Elias
635
Stephenson, D. C . 636
636
Warne, T. P
637
Wiley, Lem II. 637
Jennings, Col. James S
176
Jordon, Rev. C. P
577
Kent, Col. John M
Kimber, Capt. W. E.
679
Knox, I. H
680
Knotts, Ira D., M. D.
640
Mason, John B. 641
Miller, George G.
641
Miller, Asa.
642
Morris, I. A.
643
McClure, James
643
Roberts. Thomas B.
644
Steele, David.
6-14
Steele, Thomas B.
644
Mitchell, Isaac ..
685
Moore, John A ..
686
Morris, William Il
686
McConnell, Hon. Robert A
68~
McConnell, Joseph L. 688
688
Orndoff, Jesse B ..
6-8
Parshall, Nathaniel
689
Patterson, W. W.
689
Patterson, Rev. Albert E
659
Allum, J. P. 648
Ankrom, A. I. 648
Axtell, 11. B ... 649
Barb, William H.
649
Bell, JJason M.
650
Blachly, Stephen L., M. D.
650
Black, Hon. C. A ...
651
Pratt, D. B ... 692
Purman, A. A 693
Ragan, Z. C ..
694
Brock, R. E., M. D ..
652
Bower, C. E
652
Buchanan, James A. J. 652
653
Rhodes, William
696
Call, John 653
Rinehart, S. S. 697
Chapman, G. W. 654
Cooke, A. I 654 Rinehart, Prof. A. I. P.
698
1
DUNKARD TOWNSHIP.
Beall, Emanuel 639
Coalbank, Thornton 639
Dilliner, Ambrose .. 640
Knox, P. A.
680
Lemley, J. S
681 681
Levino, Morris.
681
Lindsey, HI. II
682 682
Lippencott, William, Sr
683
Miller, A. B., D. D. LL. D ..
685
Sterling, Abraham 645
South, Joseph. 645
South, Rev. Frank
645
Vanvoorhis, L. G.
646
Vanvoorhis, Isaac .. 616
FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP AND WAYNES- BURG BOROUGH.
Adamson, Thomas .. 647
Adamson, Cyrus 648
600
Patton, Hon. Alexander
690
Patton, Joseph .. 690
Panley, W. T. II
691
Phelan, Zadock W
691
Phelan, R. II.
Piper, John R 692
Blair, William 651
Boyd, James. 652
Randolph, James F
Randolph, J. A. F 625
Ray. Joseph W 695
Rinehart, James R .. 697
665
Grimes, H. M.
666
Harvey. Samuel ..
666
Hays, William Thompson
667
Hertig, Joseph S
670
Hoge, Norval.
671
Hoge, James M.
Ilooper. Isaac ..
672
Hook, Thomas
Hoskinson, Thomas
IInghes, William R 6.3
Iams, John T., M. D. 671
Illig, Frederick. 671
Inghram, William 615
Inghram, Hon. James
Johnson, William R
Young, A. J. 638
Young, Morgan.
638
Kent, Hiram ..
Lantz, W. T.
Lindsey, Hon. James
Lucas, H. C ...
683
Moffett, T. P
670
Gordon, Hon. Basil.
66 1
Gordon, Hon. John B.
C64
Downey, R. F.
660
Ely, J. W., M. D. 660
Ely, Jonas, 66if
Evans, W. W 661
Funk. J. M. 662
Garard, J. C .. 663
Gordon, Captain John .1.
663
Gordon, Solonion ..
664
Goodwin, Thomas 665
McMillan, Rev. John
Ilainer, D. II . .
Herrington, B. F.
Hill, Jesse
Iloge, Asa B.
IIcok. W. A.
Sharpnack, Levi A
Toppin, Johnson
PAGE.
Cole, Jacob. 655
P
Call, Harvey.
McNay, Samuel J
xii
CONTENTS.
PAGE.
Ritchie, J. G
698
Ross, Morgan.
699
Ross, Joseph B.
699
Ross, Hon. Abner. 700
Haver, Charles II.
738
Hays, Isaac. 739
Hughes, Charles.
739
Hughes, John H ..
740
Jordan, Robert II. 740
740
Long, Eli. 741
741
McCleary, Ewing.
742
Scott, W. G.
705
Shipley, E. II.
706
Silvens, A. F.
,06
Simpson, Rev. J. L
706
Smalley, A. C ..
707
Smith, J. M ...
Smith, JJames B 208
Scott, James
Shape, Milton S. 746
746
Sharpnack, T. H., M. D.
747
Sharpnack, Stiers. 217
748
Smith, Sylvanus, M. D 748
Tilton, Rev. Charles W. 749
Wise, F. B ... 719
JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
Carpenter, James 250
Graham, William .. 750
Grimes, Harvey Allison
751
Grimes, George W.
751
Grimes, P. M 651
Groves, John.
752
Huffman, William
Johnson, N. H.
753
Keener, Lindsey 753
Kiger, Alexander. 753
Kughn, Lester. 251
Kughn, Jackson. 754
Meek, James.
755
Mitchell, L. II. .
~55
Mitchell, Rufus C ~56
Mitchell, A. J 756
Morris, Jacob. ~56
757
Smith, Ingh.
158
Smith, Johnson T 258
758
Weaver, Iliram
660
Weaver, David.
259
Webster, Joseph
760
White, Hiram .
$61
Williams, T. T., M. D.
761
Wood, James 762
MONONGAHELA TOWNSHIP AND GREENS- BORO BOROUGH.
Atchison, II. K. THE
Barb, John W 763
Birch, George F., M. D
“63
Black, James A 764
Black, J. S.
Blackshere, James E 765
265
Cooper, O. P ...
765
Donaway, A. B.
766
Dulauy, J. H.
760
Dunlap, Samuel.
766
Evans, E. S
767
Flenniken, Elias A
267
Gabler, A. K.
768
Gray, J. R.
269
Greene, Wilson, M. D
769
Jones, John
Cree, Ilgh D. ₩36
Dowlin, Jesse.
Goodwin, William ~37
Gwynn, Marshall.
737
Haver, John ..
Haver, Jacob.
738
Rogers, J. H 700
Ryan, Rev. W. M
"01
Sayers, E. M ...
702
Sayers, James E
702
Sayers, Robert A
703
Sayers, Henry C.
Scott, J. M.
704
Scott, S. W
705
McGovern, Michael.
742
McMinn, Thomas R. 743
Moredock, Daniel. 743
Price, Jeremiah 741
Rex, George .. ~14
745
Spragg, D. A. 708
Sproat, T. Ross
709
Stoy, Capt. W. II
710
Taylor, George.
~10
Tempie, J. F.
Teagarden, John P.
713
'Throckmorton, F. B
Ullom, J. T., M. D.
71.4
Vandruff, W. S.
714
Walton, D. S. .
715
Wisecarver, George W 215
Wood, Rev. Joel J
717
Wood, Hiram C.
717
Zimmerman, Ilenry. 718
Zollars, R. S ..
:18
GILMORE TOWNSHIP.
Clovis, William. 719
Dye. Jefferson ~19
Eakin, Jacob M 720
Fordyce, John G.
Gilmore, S. W ..
Tagen, Hon. John
Hennen, 'T. M ..
Lantz, John
Lemmon, W. M.
Lemmon, Salem 723
Lemmon, Salathiel
Meighen, Peter 724
Shriver, Jacob L., M. D 726
Shongh, Philip .... 725
Taylor, Abraham
726
GREENE TOWNSHIP.
Bailey, W. C.
Denny, B. W., M. D 727
Flenniken, W. C.
Jarerd, Stephenson.
Keener, Charles 729
Lautz, Hon. Andrew
729
Lantz, John F.
729
Lautz, George W
Myers, P. A ..
730
Reamer, Jacob
731
Roberts, J. B
731
Sedgewick, T. H., M. D.
731
South, Benjamin. 732
Vance, Joseph
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP AND JEFFERSON BOROUGH.
Ammons, A. F. 733
P ne, N. M .. 734
Bayard, Samuel.,
Burson, J. C ..
Cotterrel, William ... 235
Cotterrel, John, Sr.
Cotterrel, John, Jr
Kramer, T. P.
Kramer, John C ..
Kramer, John P
PAGE.
Kendall, John ('
Love, Martin J.
Rinehart, II. P
Sharpnack, Thomas
Strosnider, M. L
Throckmorton, Job.
Shaw, Alva C ...
Milliken, W. E
Scott, Capt. John
Staggers, Abraham 759
Weaver, Jacob.
Bonghner, A. V.
Gabler, J. W
CONTENTS.
I'AGE.
PAGE.
Inghes, James.
315
Mc Minn, T. R
255
Iams, Hon. Thomas
105
MeVay, James
295
Johns, Jacob, Sr.
205
Parry, W. M., M. D.
437
Lindsey, Ilon. James
55
Phillips, O. S
469
Lippencott, William.
325
Sayers, E. M.
35
Long, Eli.
225
Scott, Capt. John
Loughridge, J. K.
505
Scott, James
285
Meek, James
365
Spragg, David
1.45
Mestrezat, John Louis Guillaume 135
Swart, Jacob.
305
Miller, Asa .... 395
Thompson, Samnel
215
Millikin, John L., M. D 375
Tilton, Rev. C. W
95
Morris, Isaac A
415
Throckmorton, W. S., M. D
175
Moss, G. W., M. D.
195
Wisecarver, George W
45
McClelland, M. M
345
Worley, John I 115
McConnell, Robert A. .
185
Young, A. J.
405
Map of Greene County
15
PREFACE.
The section of country, of which Greene County occupies a central position, has more vitally interesting problems in its history, than any other portion of the United States. The nationality which should occupy the great Mississippi Valley-Spanish, French, or English; the narrowed struggle between the French and the English, inaugurated by Marquette and LaSalle, in their pious ceremonials, and by Celeron in planting the leaden plates; the fierce military contest led by Washington, Braddock, Jand Forbes for possession of Fort Pitt and the final banishment of the French beyond the lakes; the long and wasting conflict with the natives in which isolated pioneers with their families were exposed in their scattered cabins in the forest, to the fiendish arts of the stealthy and heartless savage, who spared neither the helpless infant, the tender female, nor trembling age; the protracted controversy with Maryland over the possession of territory which both States claimed; the settlements of a Virginia company on Pennsylvania soil, and the claim of the former State to the whole boundless Northwest; the chances by which the final settlement of possession was invested, and the finding of the southwest corner of the State finally accomplished by astronomical observations at the instance of Thomas Jefferson; the subtle influences which swayed the location of the National road, and the Baltimore and Ohio railway-these were all questions which nearly touch the ultimate reaches of its history. ic has been thought best accordingly, to give generous space in this volume to these vital subjects, which will ever command the attention of the thoughtful, will daily increase in interest to the oncoming genera- tions, and by means of which we trace the philosophy of the vital events of history that are really useful.
t In preparing these pages for publication it has been decided not to Fencumber the text with marginal notes, and references to authorities; but ifto name authors where their investigations have been used, and to make nacknowledgements in a general way. It would be impossible to name Wall, but the following have been found especially useful and have been freely consulted: The Histories of the United States by Bancroft, Hildreth, Spencer, Bryant, and Lossing; Irving's Life of Washington; Life and Writings of William Penn; Colonial Records, and Pennsylvania archives;
al tl la History of Pennsylvania Volunteers; the Western Annals; History of
1V
PREFACE.
Western Pennsylvania; Redstone Presbytery; McConnell's Map of Greene County; The Historical Atlas; the State Reports of Education from 1837 to 1887; and Crumriné's History of Washington County.
Especial acknowledgements are due to L. K. Evans, Esq., who, during the Centennial year of American Independence, published in the Waynes- burg Republican, which he then edited, a series of articles running through an entire year of weekly issues, embracing investigations which he pushed with singular perseverance and marked success, covering much of the early history of the county. In a spirit of generosity and kindness, he not only placed at my disposal a complete set of these articles, but alsc a mass of manuscript which had been addressed to him by aged citizens in various sections of the county, bearing upon the subject of his investi- gations. From these sources matter has been freely drawn; and though it has not been possible, on account of the limits prescribed to this work, to use as much as might have been desired, in the interesting style in which it appears, yet in a condensed form it has been freely appropriated.
Probably no equal portion of any part of the United States has been the scene of so many cold-blooded and heartless murders by the Indians as this county; not because the pioneers here provoked the natives to re- venge, nor because they were the special objects of hatred, but because they happened to be in the way of the savages in their march to and fro upon their war expeditions, and because this was their ancient hunting ground. The Indians never made this section their home, having no vil- lages nor wigwams in all its limits; but from time immemorial had kept this as a sort of park or preserve for the breeding of their game. They may have felt aggrieved in seeing their favorite hunting grounds broken in upon, and the game scared away by the ring of the settler's ax, the echc of his gun, and his frequent burnings; but it is probable that this had less influence than the fact that their war-paths happened to cross here. and they found in their way subjects on whom they could glut their savage instincts. There are over one hundred well authenticated records in the State archives of murders committed within the limits of this small county alone.
Hoping that the work will prove useful to the citizens of the county, and especially to the rising generation, and will serve to stimulate to further inquiry into the subjects which it touches, it is respectively sub- mitted to their considerate judgment.
Waynesburg, Nov. 13, 1888.
S. P. B.
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
CILAPTER I.
PICTURESQUE BEAUTY OF GREENE COUNTY-WORDS OF ALEXANDER CAMPBELL-ITS LOCATION-389.120 SQUARE ACRES -- STREAMS DRAINING IT-WATER-SHED-TREND OF THE HILLS-FERTILITY OF THE SOIL-LIMESTONE-FORESTS-REMARKS UPON FORESTRY -A GIRDLED FOREST-CONSEQUENCE OF WAR UPON THE FOR- ESTS-JUDICIOUS PLANTING-THE SUGAR MAPLE -- AS SEEN IN SOUTHERN ITALY-QUESTIONS TOUCHING ITS EARLY OCCUPATION.
A N English nobleman of the last generation, schooled by travel in many lands, in a book which he wrote descriptive of an extended tour in the United States, deliberately declared that of all the lands which had gladdened his vision by their picturesque beanty in any part of the globe, none excelled those along the upper waters of the Ohio and its tributary streams. Indeed, so fascinated were the early French visitants, accustomed in their own land to scenes of enchant- ing natural beauty, that when they beheld the Ohio, they designated it, and ever after called it in all their books and writings, La Belle Reviére.
Of that portion of country, which, by its lines of beanty and grace, has justly won these generous and just encominms, to none can they more fairly be applied, than to that territory included within the limits of Greene County; for it will be remembered that the French knew less of what is now designated the Ohio River, than its two principal tributaries, to which they applied the one common name. To the traveler who passes on over its network of highways. winding among its crown of hills, or by the margin of its sparkling streams, on every side are presented the elements of beauty; and the artist who seeks for worthy subjects of his brush, cannot fail to find them here. The monotony which plagues the traveler in a prairie land, and in many portions of the Atlantic shores, is unknown to
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
him here. Scarcely one field in all its broad domain is like another. Nor is there here the other extreme,-the bald and shaggy mountain with its inaccessible summits, forbidding intercourse from its op posing sides, given up to barrenness and sterility.
But everywhere is pleasing variety. In spring time the whole sur- face of the landscape is gladdened with the verdure of the fast spring- ing wheat, and rich pasturage links the margins of the quick flowing streams to the summits of the farthest hills. In summer time num- berless flocks and herds lick up the morning dew of the valley, repose at the heated noontide beneath ample shade, or slake their thirst at the cool and abundant fountains, and find rest at night-fall on some breezy knoll or sheltered nook. In autumn shoeks of well ripened grain gladden all the valleys, and along the hills are ridges of golden corn. When winter comes with its hoary breath, and river, and creek, and brooklet are bound in icy adamant, and the great clouds of snow- flakes come whirling over hill-tops and down the valleys, wrapping all the earth in a drapery of white, the sun, though with far-off slanting rays, peers into happy homes, sheltered from the biting blast by massive hills that rise up in giant form on every side, like trusty sentinels to keep back and break the force of the blizzards that come with their deathly embrace to torment the dwellers on the western plains.
That I may not seem extravagant in my estimate of the beauties of a Greene County landscape, or the fertility of its soil, I quote the language of one who well knew of what he was writing, and was not accustomed to speak in terms of exaggeration, -- the Memoirs of Alex- ander Campbell. "As we follow the descending waters, the hills and upland regions, which in reality preserve pretty much the same level, seem gradually to become higher, so that by the time we ap- proach the Ohio and Monongahela Rivers, their sides growing more and more precipitous, rise to a height of four or five hundred feet. These steep deelivities inclose the fertile valleys, through which the larger streams wind in graceful eurves. Into these wide valleys small rivnlets pour their limpid waters, issuing at short intervals upon each side from deep ravines formed by steep hillsides, which closely approach each other, and down which the waters of the springs, with which the upland is abundantly supplied, fall from rock to rock in miniature cascades. Upon the upland not immediately bordering upon the streams, the country is rolling, having the same general elevation, above which, however, the summit of a hill occasionally lifts itself, as though to afford to lovers of beautiful landscapes most delightful views of a country covered for many miles with rich . pasturages, with grazing herds or floeks, fruitful grain-fields or orch- ards, gardens and farm-houses, while upon the steeper sides of the valleys still remain some of the ancient forest growths of oak and
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
ash, walnut, hickory and maple. Frequently as the traveler passes along the roads upon the upland, he sees suddenly from some dividing ridge, charming valleys stretching away for miles with their green meadows, rich fields of corn, and sparkling streamlets. At other times, as he advances, he admires with delight in the distance, the ever varying line of the horizon, which on all sides is formed by the summits of remote ridges and elevations, sometimes conical in form, but mostly defined by various arcs of circles, as regularly drawn as if a pair of compasses had traced the lines upon the sky. Every- where around him he sees lands abounding in limestone, and all the necessary elements of fertility, and producing upon even the highest summits abundant crops of all the cereal grains. To enhance the natural resources of this picturesque country, its hills conceal im- mense deposits of bituminous coal, which the descending streams here and there expose. * Such for nearly two hundred miles west of the Alleghanies, is the general character of this region especial- ly of that portion of it lying along the Monongahela and Ohio, a region whose healthfulness is not surpassed by that of any country in the world."
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