USA > Pennsylvania > Greene County > History of Greene County, Pennsylvania > Part 46
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CHAPTER XLVI.
RICHHILL TOWNSHIP.
NAME SIGNIFICANT-GRAYSVILLE-JACKSONVILLE-THOMAS LEEPER- CAMERON STATION-RYERSON'S FORT-OLD SEA CAPTAIN SEARCHES FOR HIS TOWN-FORT-THE DAVIS MASSACRE-DAVID GRAY-BRADDOCKS-ABNER BRADDOCK DROWNED-THE TEA- GARDENS-JACOB CROW-HEADLESS HUNTER-MASSACRE OF THREE SISTERS-RETURN OF THE MURDERER-SCHOOLS-DI- RECTORS.
INHIS township undoubtedly takes its name from the characteristics 1 of its surface, for it is one stretch of hills throughont its broad domain, and the soil is everywhere deep and rich. This section early assumed importance from its being on the direct trail from Wheeling to the Muskingum country, down Ten Mile Creek to
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
Braddock's road, and was frequented from the earliest times by the savages, and later by droves of cattle, sheep and swine on their way eastward. Graysville is quite a thriving little village situated on the Waynesburg and Wheeling road thirteen miles from Waynes- burg and three and a half miles from Jacksonville. James Mc- Lellan built a brick store here, which was occupied by Garret Garri- son, subsequently by James W. Hays, and at present by Smith Brothers. Jacobs and Hardy are just opening a place of business here, April, 1888. The United Presbyterians have a fine church edifice, where the Rev. Sammuel Graham ministers, and has a school of high grade. The postoffice is known as Harvey's. Jacksonville, near the center of the township, is located on a pleasant elevation known as Elk Ridge, the postoffice having the suggestive name of Windridge. The tract was originally acquired by Thomas Leeper, his patent bearing date of February 15, 1798, issued by the State of Pennsylvania. Robert Brister bought the land where the village is now located and surveyed and laid out the plot of the town. Will- iam Super had a hotel here forty-four years ago, and Bryan and Tupper have succeeded in business. Daniel Walton, Garret Garri- son and Charles Pettit have carried on trade at successive periods. Sowers and Drake and A. J. Goodman now do a prosperous busi- ness. The Cumberland Presbyterian and Methodist Episcopal churches have commodious places of worship. Masonic Hall and Odd Fellows Hall are pretentious structures, the former bearing the name of George Connell, once a leader in the Pennsylvania Senate, conspicuously displayed upon its front. Merchandise is largely brought to this town from a station on the Baltimore & Ohio Rail- road.
Ryerson Station, once the site of an important rallying point in times of danger known as Ryerson's Fort, is situated on the great Indian war-path leading across from the Ohio River to the Mononga- hela, at the confluence of the north and south forks of Dunkard branch of Wheeling Creek-a fine streteli of valley with lines of in- terminable hills sweeping up on all sides in graceful curves, and covered with luxuriant foliage. So suitable did it appear for a town that the original owner, Thomas Ryerson, bethought him to make the drawing of such a place as he pictured in his imagination would be a suitable concomitant to such a location, and taking it to Phila- delphia, sold out his would-be city for a reality, to an old sea captain by the name of Connell, father of the late George Connell. Great was the astonishment of the purchaser of this city on paper to find only a few huts at the forks of two wild streams, the ground not even cleared of the trees and bushes, and the dense, primeval forest resting on all the hills.
It was recognized from the very first as an important strategic
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
point of defence for the settlers against the incursion of hostile In- dians from their villages across the Ohio. Here the authorities of Virginia had a fort built, to the defence of which Captain James Seals was sent, having in his company the grandfather, father and uncles of Isaac Teagarden, and Thomas Lazear, father of Hon. Isaac Lazear.
"About the year 1790," says Evans, "a family by name of Davis resided on the north branch of Dunkard Wheeling Creek, about three miles above Ryerson Station, and a short distance below Stall's or Kinkaid's mill. The family, with the exception of one fortunate lad who had been sent to drive up the horses, were seated around the breakfast table, partaking of an humble but substantial repast. Sud- denly a party of warrior savages appeared at the cabin door. The old man and his two sons sprang up as by instinct to reach for their guns which hung on convenient pegs by the cabin wall; but the de- sign was detected by the Indians, who instantly shot the three dead on the spot. After scalping the victims, despatching the breakfast and pillaging the premises, they made captive the mother and only daughter, and departed on their way up the creek. The boy managed to elude them, and escaped unharmed. It appears that they captured a horse. One of the Indians mounted it, and taking the girl before him, and the woman behind him, was traveling gayly along. How- ever, they had not proceeded far when a shot from the rifle of John Henderson, who lay concealed in an adjoining thicket, knocked the jolly savage off. But whether the wound was fatal or not, Henderson did not remain to find out. IIe had to provide himself safety from the infuriated savages." Some time after the decaying body of the daughter was found, but no trace of the mother was ever discovered. The mutilated bodies of the slain were buried near the cabin, and their graves are still marked. The skeleton remains of an Indian were afterwards found, supposed to have been the savage shot by IIenderson.
David Gray settled on the Ephraim McClelland farm, a short dis- tance east of what is now known as the Brick Tavern at Graysville. Upon one occasion the dreaded savage having made his appearance in that vicinity, Mr. Gray with his wife, each with a child to carry, abandoned their home in the night and fled, the wife and two chil- dren on horseback, himself on foot, all the way to Jackson's fort, a distance of about fifteen miles. He was one of the commissioners to locate and plat the town of Waynesburg for a county seat, and was appointed one of the first associate judges. He was appointed a justice of the peace for Richhill in April, 1792, while yet a part of Washington County.
Anna Gray, one of the daughters of Judge David Gray, married Frank Braddock and had a family of five sons-Harvey, David, Frank,
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
Joseph and Green, the three last becoming quite eminent Presbyterian ministers. Abner Braddock, a brother of Francis, was an Indian scout, and settled on Crabapple Run, where David Braddock now lives. He went on an expedition against the Indians beyond the Ohio River. On returning his comrades arrived at the right bank of the river, and began the construction of a raft on which to cross. Being an expert swimmer and not desiring to wait for its completion, he placed his clothes and gun on a slight support, and plunged in, pushing it before him. Near the middle of the stream he was seen to leave his raft and pass on down the current; soon he disappeared beneath the surface and was seen no more. Among the scouts who witnessed his death were Shadrach Mitchel, James Brownlee and William Gaston. John Gray was a brother of Judge David Gray, and Matthew was one of the scouts with Abner Braddock, and one of Capt. James Seals' soldiers. He had two sons, William and John. The latter is still living in Richhill Township.
William Teagarden sold his possessions on the Monongahela, but receiving his price in Continental scrip (the inflation currency of that day), it fell as flat on his hands as Confederate legal-tenders after Sherman's march to the sea. Financially he was ruined. His home was gone, his money of no value, but his spirit was undaunted, and he began life anew by again braving the untried forest. Exploring the country inland, he made another tomahawk improvement on Wheeling waters, near Ryerson Station, to which he removed. Here he remained the remnant of his many days, and reared his large and thrifty family. Here he experienced many a hardship, witnessed many a sad scene in murdered friends, and made many a hair-breadth escape. Here he and two of his boys, Abraham and Isaac, enlisted in Capt. James Seals' company, and served honorably under Gen. Anthony Wayne in his eventful but successful campaigns against the hostile tribes. Capt. Seals and his brave company ren- dezvoused for some time at Ryerson Station, and afforded security to the much harrassed settlements in that vicinity.
The entire life of that generation of Teagardens was a continual warfare. They were soldiers from the cradle to the grave. Con- stantly on the frontier, which was either in a state of defence or engaged in actual vigorous warfare in repelling a most blood-thirsty invader, they lived at a time that tried men's souls, and endnred hardships and braved dangers almost beyond belief. Isaac Teagarden inherited the spirit of his forefathers, and though superannuated long ere the war of the Rebellion broke out, he enlisted in the Eighty- fifth regiment and served honorably throughout the long and terrible years of that civil war.
In 1769 Jacob Crow, a German, settled near where subse- quently Crow's Mill was built, some five miles below Ryerson
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
Station. Michael, his youngest son, was but three weeks old when he came, but Martin, Fred and John, older boys, were also of the family. He was a thrifty farmer, and gradually added traet after tract until he owned a beautiful and valuable domain. While the Crow family was thus living in the seclusion of this delectable val- ley, two men, whose names have not been preserved, came in and established a hunting camp two and a half miles below Crow's cabin, on lands now owned by the Harshes. Here the two were surprised by the Indians and one of them killed. The other made his escape and roused the settlers. On returning to the eamp, they were horri- fied to find that the head of the murdered man had been cut off, and the most diligent search failed to disclose the place of its conceal- ment. On the following winter while Jacob Crow was drawing wood in this vicinity, what was his astonishment and horror to find, when arrived at his destination, that a man's head was caught fast in the hook of his log chain. The chain left dragging through the leaves had caught firmly in the under jaw-a ghastly spectacle. In this visit to the camp for the burial of the dead, and pursuit of the Indians, two of the sons of Jacob Crow, Fred and Martin, joined, leading their little brother Michael. Thinking the tramp too long for him they left him at a vacant cabin intending soon to return. But for three days he was left alone, a faithful dog keeping him company.
On the first day of May, 1791, four daughters of Jacob Crow, Elizabeth, Susanna, Katharine and Christina, from ten to sixteen years of age, started ont on a pleasure excursion to visit the family of Thomas Lazear, then living on lands now owned by Thomas Gray. Proceeding leisurely along the creek, they discovered a shad-bellied snake, which, having disabled, they were teasing. While thus en- gaged their brother Michael came riding down the creek, and called to the youngest to mount behind him and ride home; but this she declined to do, and he rode away. Scarcely had he gone, when two hideous savages, and a heartless renegade white man, by the name of Spicer, darted out from their covert, and motioned the girls to silence. Hurrying them away up the rugged hillside to a dark ravine they were made to be seated upon a fallen tree. After making inquiries about their home and its means of defense, a powerful sav- age seized a hand of each of the younger girls in one of his, and with uplifted tomahawk prepared to deal the blow of death. Chris- tina, by a sudden movement, released herself and dashed away. The Indian pursued, and gave her such a thrust with his gun as sent her headlong down the declivity. Thinking that she was dispatched, he returned to have a hand in the slaughter of the other three. But Christina still lived, and recovering herself, she saw one of the In- dians deal repeated blows upon Elizabeth, felling her to the earth.
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
Crazed by the appalling sight, she darted away to seek for help. Taking the alarm, the families of the settlers were hurried off to Lindley's fort, and Isaac Teagarden, a lad of ten years, was mounted upon a fleet horse and sent to Inlow's block house for help.
" Next morning," says Evans, "a company was organized, and repairing to the place of death, beheld a spectacle, the like of which only frenzied demons could have produced. There lay Betsy and Susan literally butchered, mangled, dead, scalped. But Katharine was not there. Soon, however, traced by stains of blood, she was dis- covered near the water's edge, whither she had crept to slake her fever- ish thirst. She, too, had been hewn down by the fierce and infuriated savages, her scalp torn off, and left for dead. Weltering in her gore she lay all that dreary, terrible night, unconscious of her wretched state. Next morning, awakened to consciousness by the gobbling of the wild turkeys, she found herself writhing beneath the scorching rays of a clonldless sun, and almost perishing of thirst. She was tenderly removed to the shadow of a large rock, which, but little changed, yet remains in a patch in a bottom land a few rods down the creek. Here she revived somewhat, and faintly related what little she remembered of the terrible affair, and gently chided her brother Michael, saying, ' I thought you would have come to me sooner.'" Her scalp was hitched on a haw bush but a few steps from the rock, supposed to have been drawn from the Indian's belt as he dashed through in pursuit of Christina. The scalp was fitted into the place from whence it had been torn, but the wound had become so irritated that it would not again adhere. Katharine survived in torment for three days, when she was relieved by death, and the three sisters were buried side by side. John, a favorite son, afterwards shared a like fate at the hands of the savages, and Jacob's hearthstone became desolate indeed. Christina lived and became the wife of John Mc- Bride. She preserved her scalp, and carried the print of the muzzle of the Indian's gun between her shoulders to her dying day.
Years after at a log-rolling at Jacob Crow's, two strangers, one an Indian, called at the house, and asked for food. Christina recog- mized the Indian as one of the murderers of her sisters. Scarcely had they left when her brother Michael and a trusty friend pursued. They were tracked to the neighborhood of Jackson's fort, where the trail was lost. The young men encamped for the night, and in the morning started to return. They had not gone far before they dis- covered the trail of their game, leading up a dark ravine. Following it up, their forsaken camp was soon found. Finding that the cul- prits had escaped and were far out of the way, Crow and his com- panion returned to their homes. This was after a treaty of peace had been coneluded with the Indians. Michael Crow was afterwards ap- prehended, on suspicion of having murdered these travelers. But
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
on proof that the men had subsequently been seen, he was released, though his neighbors were wont to darkly hint that the hunt of Michael was not gameless.
Martin and Frederick Crow were noted hunters, and fearless In- dian sconts. Michael married Nancy Johnson, and was the father of ten children --- William, John, Jacob, Michael, Nancy, Mary, Eliza- beth, Margaret, Susan and Charlotte. About the year 1845, he and his son Michael built the popular mills known as " Crow's " mills. He died in 1852, at the age of eighty-three. Ilis sons, Michael and Jacob, now old men, still inherit portions of the original Crow lands. Michael owns the home farm, npon which the mill now stands. Michael married Sarah Jane Lucas, and has nine children, among whom is John M. Crow, professor of languages of Waynesburg College, who has given much of the information detailed above.
The soil of all this section is well watered and very fertile. The farm houses are commodious and comfortable, and the barns are among the largest and best planned of any in the county. The town- ship is bounded on the north by Washington County, on the east by Morris, Jaekson and Center, on the south by Aleppo, and west by West Virginia. The principal streams are the several tributaries of the Dunkard fork of Wheeling Creek. By the report of 1855 Rich- hill is credited with eighteen schools and 900 pupils. In the report of 1859 the superintendent says, "The directors of this district mani- fest an interest in the general eause of education, highly commend- able. They have also taken considerable eare in selecting competent teachers." The directors for the current year are: Stephen Knight, President; N. H. Braddock, Secretary; Elias Gribbin, George Mc- Cullough, "Abner Phillips and William Carpenter.
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
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CHAPTER XLVII.
SPRINGHILL TOWNSHIP.
CORNER STONE-SURFACE AND SOIL -- NEW FREEPORT -- ISAAC J. HUPP-DEEP VALLEY-THE CROWS -- MASSACRED BY INDIANS- SCHOOLS -- DIRECTORS.
(PRINGHILL TOWNSIIIP is located in the extreme southwest S corner of Greene County and consequently of the State of Penn- sylvania. At its southwest extremity is that corner bound of the State that was so long sought and contended over by the authorities of Virginia and Pennsylvania, and was finally discovered by ereet- ing an observatory and finding by repeated astronomical observa- tions the true longitude of the place. This method was adopted upon the recommendation of Thomas Jefferson, then Governor of Virginia. Mason and Dixon had attempted to find it by reducing the distance over mountains and down the valleys to horizontal measurement after having found the length of a degree of longitude at the parallel of their line. The two methods, however, substantially agreed.
The surface of this township is seamed by the Pennsylvania fork of Fish Creek and its tributaries, which drain every part and afford ample power for mill purposes and for its numerous flocks and herds. The soil is fertile and the yields of grain are abundant. Though the country is very broken, and the hills rise almost to the propor- tions of mountains, springs of pure water are found even to their very summits, and there is scarcely a foot of sterile land throughout all its borders. Cattle, sheep and liog's are the most profitable pro- ducts, though dairying is carried on to some extent. Quantities of hay from its rich bottom lands and timber from the hills are shipped away and afford a good income.
This township was not organized until 1860, and was taken from Aleppo and a part of Gilmore townships. It is almost the only township in the county that has a regular outline, being in the form of a parallelogram. It is bounded on the north by Aleppo, on the east by Gilmore, on the south by Mason and Dixon's line which separates from West Virginia, and on the west by the State line which separates it from the Pan Handle of West Virginia. New Freeport is the most considerable village in the township, and is a
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
place of business and rapidly growing. Isaac J. Hupp, son of Ever- hart Hupp, one of the earliest settlers on Ten Mile Creek, came to this place in 1854, when there were only three houses here, one of which he occupied, and kept a hotel. William Elder had a small store. Judge Thompson resided at Wheeling, and was accustomed to pass through here on his way to Morgantown on his circuit. His was the only buggy seen in these parts for many years. He was accustomed to stop over night at Hupp's. William P. Hoskinson came after an interval and succeeded Elder in mercantile business. James Berdine, Jackson Barker, Edward Fence, James Styles and Solomon White have from time to time been engaged in business here. Peter Bradley & Co. are still engaged in business here. This valley was once a sugar camp, the sugar maple being very prolific. A Baptist church edifice was built here in 1856, and the church was ministered to by Rev. G. W. Archer. A new edifice is to take the place of the old one this season. The Rev. Joseph Clark, an Eng- fishman, preceded Archer in ministrations to this church, and Rev. Morgan Tilton succeeded. Deep Valley, a few miles below on Fish Creek, has a postoffice, and is a place of considerable business, the steam mills located there giving it an air of importance.
The quiet hills and valleys along this stream at an carly day were the favorite tramping grounds of the whites as well as the Indians.
Sometime in the year 1780 John, Frederick and Martin Crow, V sons of Jacob, who had settled at Crow's Mill, together with one Dickson, went out on the waters of Fish Creek and established a camp for the purpose of hunting elk. Going out by twos or singly they separated during the day and returned at evening. Fred and Martin came in late, and Fred having shot a duck, and observing a bright fire in the camp, thought to surprise his comrades by throw- ing the duck into their midst. At the instant, they were fired on by savages concealed near by. Martin had his ear shot away, and Frederick was shot through the shoulder. Dropping forward, his comrade supposed him killed, and fled for safety. Thinking the way was now clear, Fred pulled some sassafras leaves and was chew- ing them in order to make a decoction to apply to his wound, when, looking up, he saw an Indian levelling his gun at him. As if by instinct he fell to the ground just at the instant that the bullet passed harmless over him. Both guns being empty, Fred escaped across the creek and the savage did not follow. In the meantime John, hearing the firing, ran up to ascertain the cause, and was pierced by seven bullets aimed at his heart by the lurking red skins, and so accurate was the aim that they entered his body so as not to make a wound larger than a man's hand. The wounded Fred signaled long for his comrades to come to his assistance, using the
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
call of a wolf which had been agreed on; but, fearful of Indian treachery, they dared not for a long time to come. Returning cautiously they found Fred, whom they supposed to have been dead, still alive. Organizing a party to search for John, his body was found where it had fallen, scalped and mutilated in true Indian fashion. The body was buried at the foot of a beech tree, which was duly marked and lettered, and was visible for many years; but was finally girdled and destroyed.
Springhill was among the latest of the townships settled, and even now there are large tracts of forest which have never been cleared away. This township has eleven schools with an average attendance of 378 pupils. The following are the school directors: John Sellers, President; Peter Bradley, Secretary; John Minor, Lindsay Caseman, Wilson Miller, Owen Chancy.
CHAPTER XLVIII.
WAYNE TOWNSHIP.
LOCATION -- BOUNDARIES -- WELL WATERED -- DYE'S MILL-SCHOOLS -FURNITURE FOR A CABIN-DRESS OF PIONEERS-MASSACRE AT STATTLER'S FORT-BURIAL OF AN INFANT.
MIXHIS township is located in the southern portion of the county, and it was here on Dunkard Creek that Mason and Dixon were stopped in running their line, at a point where the great Indian war path erosses it. It is one of the largest townships in the county, and is bounded on the north by Center and Franklin, on the east by Whiteley and Perry, on the south by West Virginia, and on the west by Gilmore and Jackson. The water shed in the northern part sends its waters to nearly all points of the compass; by Pursley Creek and Smith's Run to the north, by the Whiteley to the east, by Randolph's, Robert's, Shepherd's, Hoover's and Tom's runs to the south, and by the tributaries of Wheeling Creek to the west. It is, however, substantially in the valley of Dunkard Creek which touches lightly its southern border and receives the numerous tributaries. It has no villages, though Blacksville, a thriving little town, is lo- cated just across the line in West Virginia, the northern tier of lots reaching into Pennsylvania. Nearly a century ago James Dye built
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
a flouring-mill here, the remains of which are still visible, which was frequented by the early settlers. Caleb Spragg, John McGee, Uriah Spragg. John Roberts, John Piles, Lences Jackson and Jolin Lantz are mentioned as the pioneer settlers in the township. The surface is broken, as is nearly every part of the county, but is under a good state of cultivation, and the farms present an air of prosperity. The earliest report of the schools gives this township nine with 352 pupils. The report of 1887 credits it twelve schools and 522 pupils, a marked increase. The directors for the current year are J. Morris, President; John King, Secretary; Richard Thralls, Marion Minor, Thomas Hoge and Mathias Brant.
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