USA > Pennsylvania > Greene County > History of Greene County, Pennsylvania > Part 40
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Wm. P. Hoskinson, April 1, '71, Springhill.
Zadock Gordon, April 1, '71, Centre. Henry Jacobs, April 9, '72, Franklin. George W. Ullom, April 9, '72, Centre. Andrew Lantz, April 9, '72, Greene. James M. Shroyer, April 9, '72, Perry.
Corbly Ornduff, April 9, '72, Whitely.
David H. Paul, April 9, '72, Dunkard.
William Clovis, April 9, '72, Gilmore. Salem Lemmons, April 22, '72, Gilmore. John P. Williams, April 15, '73, Monongahela.
Benjamin Mapel, April 15, '73, Monongahela.
Isaac C. Booher, April 15, '73, Richhill. Stephen J. Day, April 15, '73, Morris.
Samuel Felton, April 15, '73, Franklin.
Jacob John, April 15, '73, Washington. Greenberry Wade, April 15, '73, Perry. Franklin Seaton, April 15, '73, Greene.
James G. Patterson, April 15. '73, Borough of Carmichaels.
John B. Johnson, April 15, '73, Centre.
Enoch H. Denny, April 15, '73, Borough of Jefferson.
Solomon B. Wise, April 15, '73, Morgan. Enoch Estle, April 15, 73, Borough of Jefferson.
Hiram C. Cloud, April 15, '73, Jefferson. Simon Rinehart, March 17, '74, Marion.
Cephas Craig, March 17, '74, Washington.
George Howard, March 17, '74, Dunkard.
Hiram L. Granlee, March 13, '75, Wayne.
William Estle, March 13, '75, Jackson. William Johnson, March 13, '75, Wayne.
George W. Daugherty, March 13, '75, Borough of Carmichaels,
472
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
John T. Elvin, March 13, '75, Aleppo. Peter M. Grimes, March 13, '75, Jackson. J. K. Bailey, March 13, 175, Cumberland. Norman Powers, March 13, '75, Morris. James Stiles, March 13, '75, Springhill. Archibald Kerr, March 13, '75, Cumberland.
Stephen Knight, April 3, '75, Richhill. Peter A. Myers, May 31, '75, Greenc. D. M. Silvens, March 13, '75, Whitely. John Munnel, March 9, '76, Marion. James Hoge, March 11, '76, Centre. J. Monroe White, March 11, '76, Aleppo. Thomas H. Meighen, March 11, '76, Springhill.
William Burson, March 11, '76, Morgan. A. F. Ammons, March 11, '76, Jefferson.
A. C. Pennington, March 11, '76, Monongahela. John Munnel, March 17, '77, Marion. Minor L. Carpenter, March 17, '77, Gilmore. Milton Worley, March 17, '77, Franklin.
James Murdock, March 17, '77, Borough of Carmichaels.
William Clovis, March 17, '77, Gilmore. Corbly Ornduff, March 17, '77, Whitely. Manassa Wildman, March 17, '77, Dunkard. Andrew Lantz, March 17, '77, Greene. John Blair, March 17, '77, Perry. Lester Kughn, April 4, '77, Jackson.
Thomas L. Lincoln, March 25, '78, Borough of Carmichaels.
Thomas Tuttle, March 25, '78, Washington.
William Kincaid, March 25, '78, Jefferson.
Henry Bell, March 25, '78, Morgan. Andrew Dunlap, March 25, '78, Monongahela.
Enoch Estle, March 25, '78, Borough of Jefferson.
Warren Mankey, March 25, '78, Morris.
James M. Scott, March 25, '78, Franklin. Isaac C. Booher, March 25, '78, Richhill.
E. H. Deuny, March 25, '78, Borough of Jefferson.
John B. Johnson, March 25, '78, Centre. John A. Billingsly, March 25, '78, Perry.
Simon Rinehart, March 4, '79, Borough of Waynesburg. Cephas Craig, March 27, '79, Washington. James A. Black, March 27, '79, Borough of Greensboro. Alfred Maple, March 27, '79. Dunkard.
John Fox, March 27, '79, Whitely. Simon Rinehart, Jr., March 27, '79, Borough of Waynesburg. Jolın H. Carson, March 27, '79, Marion.
473
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
John Munnel, March 27, '79, Borough of Waynesburg. Allen J. Neel, May 13, 79, Monongahela. Peter M. Grimes, March 30, '80, Jackson.
Archibald Kerr, March 30, '80, Cumberland. David II. Brewer, March 30, '80, Richhill.
James Stiles, March 30, '80, Springhill. II. S. Granlee, March 30, '80, Wayne. William H. Johnson, March 30, '80, Wayne.
Norman Powers, March 30, '80, Morris.
Daniel Rich, March 30, '80, Cumberland.
Jesse S. Hinerman, March 30, '80, Aleppo.
P. A. Myers, March 30, 'S0, Greenc. Jesse Ullom, April 19, '81, Centre. Thomas II. Meighen, April 19, '81, Springhill.
A. F. Ammons, April 19, '81, Jefferson.
J. M. White, April 19, '81, Aleppo. John Matthews, April 19, '81, Morgan.
W. II. Laning, April 19, '81, Borough of Greensboro.
Manassa Wildman, April 8, '82, Dunkard.
John Lemley, April 8, '82, Whitely. Milton Worley, April 8, '82. Franklin. George W. Lantz, April 8, '82, Greene.
William Knox, April 8, '82, Borough of Carmichaels.
Jefferson Dye, April 8, '82, Gilmore.
Thomas Pennington, April 8, '82, Borough of Greensboro.
John Lantz, April 8, '82, Gilmore.
Hiram Hatfield, April 8, '82. Perry.
George Rinehart, April 8, '82, Jackson.
James Iloge, April 6, '83, Centre. Thomas Tuttle, April 6, '83, Washington.
James M. Scott, April 6, '83, Franklin.
Thomas L. Lincoln, April 6, '83, Borough of Carmichaels.
William Kincaid, April 6, '83, Jefferson.
Warren Mankey, April 6, '83, Morris.
Andrew Dunlap, April 6, '83, Monongahela.
Michael C. Monroe, April 6, '83, Perry. Isaac C. Booher, April 6, '83, Richhill.
William Pollock, April 6, '83, Borough of Jefferson.
James L. Corbett, April 6, '83, Morgan. James A. Black, April 7, 84, Borough of Greensboro. Alfred Maple, April 7, '84, Dunkard. Hamilton Kuhn, April 7, '84, Whitely.
W. T. Webb, April 7, '84, Borough of Waynesburg.
Ingram Rush, April 7, '84, Washington. M. M. McClelland, April 7, '84, Washington,
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
Simon Rinehart, April 7, '84, Borough of Waynesburg.
A. J. Neil, April 7, '84, Monongahela. W. H. Laning, April 7, '84, Borough of Greensboro.
Enoch Estle, May 15, '84, Borough of Jefferson.
Archibald Kerr, April 16, '85, Cumberland.
Peter M. Grimes, April 16, '85, Jaekson.
Enoch Mapel, April 16, '85, Wayne.
Daniel Rich, April 16, '85, Cumberland.
Jesse S. Hlinerman, April 16, '85, Aleppo.
David H. Brewer, April 16, '85, Richhill.
II. L. Granlee, April 16, '85, Wayne.
James Stiles, April 16, '85, Springhill.
P. A. Myers, April 16, '85, Greene.
Elias C. Stone, April 16, '85, Borough of Greensboro.
William Clevenger, April 16, '85, Monongahela.
John H. Carson, October 30, '85, Borough of Waynesburg.
J. M. White, April 17, '86, Aleppo.
A. F. Ammons, April 17, '86, Jefferson.
John H. Smith, April 17, '86, Morris.
Perry Teagarden, April 17, '86, Jefferson.
John L. Matthews, April 17, '86, Morgan.
Franeis Barger, April 17, '86, Springhill.
Jesse Ullom, April 17, '86, Centre. Win. M. Nickerson, April 17, '86, Borough of Carmichaels. A. L. Montgomery, April 17, '86, Franklin.
J. H. Carson, April 17, '86, Borough of Waynesburg.
Robinson John, April 17, '86, Whitely.
James F. Morris, April 25, '87, Jackson.
George W. Lantz, April 25, '87, Greene. Hiram Hatfield, April 25, '87, Perry.
Jefferson Dye, April 25, '87, Gilmore. J. W. Rinehart, April 25, '87, Franklin. Salem Lemmon, April 25, '87, Franklin.
Benjamin Stone, April 25, '87, Dunkard.
L. F. Stentz, April 25, '87, Borough of Greensboro.
Thomas Montgomery, April 25, '87, Morgan.
John W. Hays, November 29, '87, Borough of Waynesburg. Warren Mankey, April 5, '88, Morris. Thomas L. Lincoln, April 5, '88, Borough of Carmichaels. W. H. Faddis, April 5, '88, Jefferson.
J. C. Booher, April 5, '88, Richhill.
Jesse MeNeeley, April 5, '88, Centre.
William Pollock, April 5, '88, Borough of Jefferson.
George Frazier, April 5, '88, Borough of Waynesburg.
475
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
John Milliken, April 5, '88, Perry. J. O. Kennedy, April 5, '88, Gilmore.
COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS OF SCHOOLS.
John A. Gordon, May, '54. A. J. McGlumphy, May, '57. G. W. Baker, May, '59. John A. Gordon, May, '60.
A. B. Miller, May, '61.
T. J. Teal, May, '63.
T. J. Teal, May, '66.
T. J. Teal, May '69.
T. J. Teal, May, '72.
A. F. Silvius, May, '75.
S. F. Hoge, May, '78.
William M. Nickerson, May, '81.
James S. Herrington, May, '84. A. J. Waychoff, May, '87.
DISTRICT ATTORNEYS.
Cornelius Darrah, 1850.
Wm. H. Babbit, 1850 to 1855, two terms.
A. A. Purman, 1855 to 1861, two terms.
R. A. McConnell, 1861 to 1864.
G. G. Ritchie, 1864 to 1866.
D. R. P. Huss, 1866 to 1870. Geo. W. Ingraham, 1870 to 1873.
W. A. Hook, 1873 to 1879, two terms.
B. W. Carpenter, 1879 to 1882.
W. II. Barb, 1882 to 1885. D. R. P. Huss, 1885 to 1888. D. R. P. Huss, 1888.
COMMISSIONERS.
Geo. Estle, January, 1871, to January, 1873.
Stephenson Garard, January, 1872, to January, 1875.
Wm. P. Cosgray, January, 1873, to January, 1876. Robert Smith, January, 1874, to January, 1876. Wm. L. Pogue, January, 1875, to January, 1876. Wm. L. Pogue, J. P. Morris, January, 1876, to January, 1879.
John Morris, Jacob Coll,
Stephen M. Knotts, Thomas Lucas,
January, 1879, to January, 1882.
476
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
William Hickman, Thomas Ross, S. H. Adamson,
January, 1882, to January, 1885.
Stephen Acklin,
Corbly Ornduff,
Jannary, 1885, to Jannary, 1888.
Hiram White,
William Blair,
Thomas Courtwright,
January, 1888.
William Clovis,
AUDITORS.
David A. Spragg, January, 1871, to January, 1874.
Samuel Montgomery, January, 1872, to January, 1875. Lester Kughn, January, 1873, to January, 1876.
Corbly Ornduff, January, 1874, to January, 1876. John R. Bell, January, 1875, to January, 1876.
Edward W. Wood, John R. Bell, January, 1876, to January, 1879.
W. C. Leonard, F. M. Shriver, Eli Titus,
January, 1879, to January, 1882.
Richard Zollars, John A. Knisely,
J. M. White,
January, 1882, to January, 1885.
J. W. Gregg,
C. H. Fraker,
Jesse Courtwright,
January, 1885, to January, 1888.
Harvey Day,
M. M. Shirk,
Isaac I. Ferrel,
John C. Hampson,
POOR HOUSE DIRECTORS.
Richard Iams, January, 1871, to 1874.
Valentine Nichols, January, 1872, to 1875.
Thomas M. Ross, January, 1873, to 1876. Isaac Mitchell, January, 1874, to 1877. John Scott, January, 1875, to 1878. James M. Adamson, January, 1876, to 1879. Thomas Smith, 1878 to 1881. George McVay, 1879 to 1882. James Kelley, elected 1879. Resigned.
Joseph Webster, 1881 to 1884. Isaac Mitchell, 1881 to 1883. Short term. Samuel Braden, 1882 to 1885. C. W. Scott, 1883 to 1886.
January, 1888, present board.
477
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
Isaac J. Hupp, 1884 to 1887. H. P. Rinehart, 1885 to 1888. Stephen U. McNeely, 1886, ) Cephas Grimes, 1887, Present Board.
Emanuel Beall, 1888,
JURY COMMISSIONERS.
George W. Connor, Jacob Greenlee-1871 to 1874.
Thomas McClenathan, Isaac Teagarden-1874 to 1877.
William P. Scott, Josiah Gwynn, 1877 to 1880. A. M. Temble, Cephas Guthrie -- 1880 to 1883. Samuel Roberts, John L. Ray-1883 to 1886. J. P. Allum, W. II. Virgin -- 1886 to 1889.
BURGESSES OF WAYNESBURG.
A. G. Cross, 1862. G. W. G. Waddell, 1868.
A. G. Cross, 1869.
W. T. E. Webb, 1872.
G. W. G. Waddell, 1873-1874.
R. F. Downey, 1876.
J. W. Ray. D. S. Walton. John Gniher. W. E. Miner. T. R. Purman. Robt. A. Sayers, 1887-1888.
478
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
-
CHAPTER XXXIII.
ALEPPO TOWNSHIP.
SPECULATORS-BOUNDARIES-OUTLOOK ON THE HIGIILANDS-LEWIS WETZEL-HAVE A SCALP OR LOSE MY OWN-NOTE OF THE TUR- KEY GOBLER-A PRICE SET ON HIS HEAD-PUT IN IRONS- AGILITY IN RUNNING-" CONRAD MAER"-SCHOOLS-DIRECTORS.
LEPPO was organized as a township in 1821, and formerly A embraced Springhill. It was, however, late in becoming gen- erally peopled, from the fact that speculators had bought up large blocks of land and prevented their being opened to settlement except at high prices. The surface is broken, and though it has no large streams it is well watered, the copious springs along its high- lands forming the source of water-ways that flow to almost every point of the compass, the South Fork of Wheeling Creek and its tributaries flowing to the north and east, and those of Fishing Creek to the south and west. It is bounded on the north by Richhill, on the east by Jackson, on the south by Springhill, and on the west by the State line, which separates it from West Virginia.
Tenants are found here, as they are found spread all over the southwestern corner of the county. The Fletchers, the Hinermans, the Mitchells, and Güllenstines, and the population generally are in- dustrions, enterprising and prosperous, the farms being under a good state of cultivation, the highways well kept, and the houses and out- buildings in good condition. In the western part of this township, on the highlands which divide the head waters of Long Run from those of Herod's Run, is one of the most beautiful and picturesque views that gladdens the eye of the traveler in any part of the world. The road winds along the very summit of the ridge, past the pleas- ant seat of the Centennial Church, the outlook from the entrance to which commands a wide view of all this delectable country. For grand- eur, and quiet serene loveliness, not the hills of the Rhine, nor the valleys of the Arno can match it. On a clear autumnal day, when all the forests are painted in their matchless colors, and the roseate tints of the morning are softening into the golden light of noon, the traveler pauses to revel on the enchanting view and is loth to quit this bewitching region. It was in the month of May that one who had trod the highlands of Scotland, and the margins of her
479
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
lakes renowned in story, the green lanes of merry England, the goodly heritage of France, tilled like a garden, the towering moun- tains of Switzerland, and the classic shores of Italy, paused upon this elevation to brush from his brow the dust of travel, and inhale the refreshing breeze beneath the ample shade. The forest, now in full leaf, sweeps down through the deep valley and up the oppos- ing hills, interspersed with patches of wheat and long stretches of green meadow. Soft wooled flocks gladden the hills, and foals with their dams lay stretched at full broadside after their morning feed upon the fresh pasturage. The bird sings his gladsome note, and from far away in the valley comes the monotonous call of the quail, and the quickened drumming of the partridge. On the far distant height of the well rounded hill at the very summit is left a single tree, tall and stately, rejoicing in dense foliage, around which the kine gather to chew the quid of content. And here he thought is the delectable spot, more charming than any that has ever greeted lis eye before.
From the fact that the land in this township was held back from settlement, it was for many years the favorite haunt of game and the chosen tramping ground, in the proper season, of huntsmen, both whites and Indians. A celebrated hunter, Lewis Wetzel, though his home was on Wheeling Creek, outside of the township, spent much of his time in roaming up and down its spacious forests. A notice, therefore, of some of his exploits may not inappropriately be given here. His own experience with the cold blooded massacres of the red men had taught him swift revenge, and he lived to be the avenger of their cruelty.
In the summer of 1786 the Indians became very troublesome in the neighborhood of Wheeling. A purse of $100 was offered to the man who would bring in the first Indian sealp. The families of Wetzel and Bonnet dwelt at this time on Wheeling Creek, and the two youths, Lewis Wetzel and Lewis Bonnet, joined the company which volunteered to hunt the savages. Having trailed them across the Ohio into the Indian country, and come upon an encampment greatly outnumbering the volunteers, it was decided to return with- out attacking. When the return march had commenced, Wetzel was observed to be sullen, and on being asked by the commander, Major McMahan, if he was not going back, "No," was the response, " I have come to hunt Indians, and I shall have a scalp, or lose my own." Moving stealthily through the forest he came upon a hunt- ing camp occupied by two Indians. After cooking their supper they sat down to amuse themselves by telling stories and indulging in boisterous laughter. Finally one of them started out with a torch, as if to watch at a deer lick. When the other had sunk to profound slumber, young Wetzel entered the camp, plunged his knife to the
24
480
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
heart of the savage, and departed with his victim's scalp. He reached home on the following day and claimed the prize.
[] A favorite method practiced by the Indians to decoy the settlers to their death, was to go near a settlement and imitate, at early dawn, the gobble of a wild turkey. . This was almost sure to draw forth the settler with his rifle to secure the bird. There was a cave on the hill-side overlooking the creek, and from the neighborhood of this cave Wetzel had heard the familiar call and suspected it to be the decoy of an Indian. Crawling from his cot before the dawn, he went by a circuitious route out of view of the mouth of the cave, until he had reached an opening from which he could observe it without at- tracting attention. He had not been long in position-the gray dawn now breaking-before the top-knot of an Indian emerged from the cavern, and a very good imitation of a turkey gobbler's note was uttered, when the wily savage slunk back into his secure hiding place, to watch for the approach of some luckless hunter. Soon the polished head of the savage was again seen issuing from the cave. But now Wetzel was prepared for him and taking deliberate aim sent a bullet through the brain of the cunning denizen of the woods. The song of that turkey lured no more huntsmen to their doom.
When bloody massacres had been perpetrated, Wetzel never hes- itated to follow single-handed and attack the savages wherever found. On one occasion, having pursued across the Ohio into the Muskingum country, he came upon a camp occupied by four braves. Waiting till they were all in profound slumber, he leaned his rifle against a tree, and seizing his tomahawk in one hand and his long knife in the other, crept noiselessly into their midst and buried his hatchet in the skull of one, and quick as thought hewed down another, ac- companying his movements with unearthly yells. A third shared a like fate. The fourth, seized with a mortal terror, rushed wildly into the forest and escaped. With three Indian scalps to grace his belt he returned home.
On another occasion, while out hunting, he entered a deserted cabin and crawling up into the rafters, laid down to sleep. He had not been long there before six marauding Indians entered to pass the night. Waiting till all were asleep he noiselessly descended, and placed himself on guard for the morning. Early one of the Indians came out, yawned, stretched, and at that instant a ball from Wetzel's rifle pierced his heart. Not trusting to further adventure Wetzel lost no time in placing himself at a safe distance from the rest of the party.
Having shot an Indian after terms of peace had been concluded with General Harmer, he was seized and placed in irons; but having excited the pity of IIarmer, the shackles were struck from his feet, and he amused his guards by showing his fleetness of foot. One day
481
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
he ran so swiftly that he forgot to return. £ Ile was fired upon, but escaped unharmed to the river bank, where he was ferried across by his old friend, Isaac Wiseman, when the handcuffs were knocked from his hands and he returned to his home. Harmer subsequently offered a reward for his apprehension, and while on a visit to Kentucky he was again captured and put in irons, but was released on bail. Judge Foster describes him in 1789, " as a man 26 years old, five feet ten, full-breasted, very broad-shouldered, long arms, dark-skinned, black eyes, face pitted deep with small-pox, and hair, of which he was very careful, when combed, reaching to the calves of his legs."
Having lived for some time in Kentucky he returned to Wheeling Creek, and having been invited by a young friend and relative to accompany him to Dunkard Creek, he went. Arrived at his friend's cabin, what was their surprise to find a mass of smoking ruins, the work of a party of savages. Examining the trail, Wetzel decided that it was a party of three Indians, a renegade white, and a girl whom they were carrying away captive, and whom they rightly guessed was the affianced of his friend. The young men were not long in preparing to follow the trail. The Indians had crossed the Ohio be fore they were come up with, and had their camp near the mouth of Captina Creek. Swimming the stream at evening they reconnoitered . the camp, but prudently decided to await the dawn. As soon as day broke, Wetzel singled out the largest Indian, and his friend the white man, and fired simultaneously, both bringing down their victims. The two Indians took to the woods, and the friend rescued the maiden dear to his heart. Wetzel pursued the savages, and to draw them from their hiding place, fired at random. With uplifted tomahawk they rushed from their concealment after him. Reloading as he ran, he suddenly turned and shot the foremost Indian. The remaining savage, thinking that his gun was now empty, rushed after him; but by dodging from tree to tree Wetzel foiled his antagonist till he had another charge in his gun, when the remaining foeman fell an easy prey to his trusty rifle. This incident has been made the subject of a thrilling romance entitled "Conrad Maer."
In intelligence and sobriety the people of Aleppo Township hold a commendable rank. The school report of 1855 credits it with nine schools with 149 pupils, and the report of 1887 with ten schools and 448 pupils. Superintendent McGlumphy in his report of 1859 says " This district is poor, the land being but recently disposed of in par- cels and consequently not much improved. It is hoped that better times are coming." Twenty years have wrought a marvelous change. The school directors for the present year are: Samuel Evans, Pres- ident; Frederick Wise, Secretary; George Murray, Blair Michel, J. M. Houston and William B. King.
482
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
CENTRE TOWNSHIP.
LOCATION-HOW WATERED-PRODUCTIONS-OSAGE ORANGE HEDGE --- ROGERSVILLE-BUSINESS -- CHURCHES - CLINTON MARKED FOR COUNTY SEAT-HUNTER'S CAVE -- THE HARVEYS-DANIEL THIROCK- MORTON-SOUTH TEN-MILE BAPTIST CHURCH-RUTAN-OAK FOR- EST-SCHOOLS-THOMAS PURSLEY - MOLLY SELLERS -- ATTACKED BY INDIANS-THOMAS HOGE.
YENTRE, the largest in territory of any township in the county, is C situated in the western central part, and is almost exclusively de- voted to agricultural pursuits. It was organized in 1824. It is bounded on the north by Morris, on the east by Franklin, on the south by Wayne and Jackson, and on the west by Jackson and Rich- hill. The surface is very broken, or rather heavily rolling, but the soil is deep and very fertile. It is well watered by South Ten-Mile Creek, and Pursley, one of its tributaries. The waters are pure and sparkling, the springs everywhere copious, and the farms in a high state of cultivation. In no part of Pennsylvania is there seen greater evidence of thrift. Grain and hay are produced in great abundance, fine-wooled sheep are pastured on all the hillsides, the finest blooded horses are bred, and cattle and swine of the best stock are brought to perfection here. Sugar maples formerly grew luxuriously in all the valleys and up the deep ravines; but, influenced by a mistaken policy, the sugar orchards have nearly all been swept away. Along the high- ways in some parts are seen hedges of the Osage orange. This also is probably a mistaken policy. Of all the kinds of fences which the husbandman employs to hem in his fields, this is one of the most ex- pensive and unphilosophic. It must be planted and fenced several years before it ean be relied on to stop flocks and herds, and when grown the beast if determined to do so will find a place to break through. It must be annually pruned, which is anything but an agreeable occupation, and hence is one of the most expensive fences to keep in repair that is in use. Besides, it is a nursing place for every foul weed, bush and bramble, sucks the fertility from the soil for a considerable distance into the field, and is an ugly barrier for a human being to eross, especially when chased by a mad bull, an in- furiated ram, or a cunning horse.
483
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
Rogersville is a thriving village situated at the confluence of Lightner's Run with Ten-Mile Creek, on the great trail from Waynes- burg to Wheeling. Archer and Tinens originally owned the tract where the village is now located, but it was subsequently acquired by Henry Church. Fifty years ago he had a large distillery here. John Rogers, who died eight years ago, and for whom the place was named. once owned most of the land. Mrs. Nancy Sellers, wife of George Sellers, a former justice of the peace, resides here and has a remark- ably retentive memory of everything pertaining to the history of the town for a long period. A Methodist Church was organized at an early day, but for several years had no house of worship, holding services in the school-house and in barns. Mr. Church once had a protracted meeting in his barn. Wilson Braddock was one of the early pastors. James Turner, who died at a great age during the year 1887, also ministered. In 1874 a new house of worship was built. The first store opened here was kept by Cephas Coe, an orphan boy who was in delicate health and unfit to endure the hardships of frontier life. It is now owned by Jesse Uhlom, the present justice of the peace. A fort for protection against the Indians had an existence here at an early day. Clinton, a small place a short distance down the creek, was originally owned by the grandfather of Mrs. Jesse Uhlom, and here it was understood that the county seat was to have been located, quite as central and even more suitable than that chosen; but by some chance it missed that fortune. Hopewell, now known as Hunter's Cave, a small village in the northern part of the town- ship, also has a Methodist Church and a Christian Church.
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