USA > West Virginia > Harrison County > History of Harrison County, West Virginia : from the early days of Northwestern Virginia to the present > Part 46
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The writer was present on both occasions referred to.
Pigeons.
Sometime in the early forties a wild pigeon roost of immense propor- tions established itself for several days, on Jacob's Run near Salem in the Fall of the year.
The birds would leave their roost in the morning and fly to all parts of the compass, and in the evening the sky would be almost darkened by the enormous flocks of pigeons coming to their roosting grounds.
For acres around all small trees and the limbs of larger one were bent almost to the ground by the weight of the birds.
And it is said that if a shot was fired into one of these trees at night it would rise up and assume its natural position, having been vacated by its occupants.
The whole neighborhood for miles around flocked to this roost at night and slaughtered the birds by the thousands.
After remaining several days they gradually disappeared and never returned to that point again.
This bird seems to have become extinct, as none have been seen in the County for many years.
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OF HARRISON COUNTY
HISTORY
The First Wagon in Harrison County.
It has always been handed down that John Reynolds brought the first large or four horse wagon to the County.
The records show that he purchased three hundred acres of land from James Bartlett the deed being dated February 19, 1798.
This land was situated on the West side of the West Fork River three miles north of Clarksburg and it is presumed that he came here in that year.
When it was announced that a wagon was approaching on Main Street down the Jackson Hill, Court adjourned, and the whole town turned out to give it a welcome. Willing hands dug down the banks of the creek on each side and assisted in pulling the vehicle through the stream and up the hill into Clarksburg.
On the morning after Mr. Reynolds had arrived on his new purchase, the settlers living in the neighborhood collected for the purpose of lend- ing a helping hand to the new comers.
Mrs. Reynolds at first was very much alarmed thinking they were Indians, but their mission was a friendly one, and they turned in and commenced cutting down trees and cut them into suitable lengths and began the construction of a log cabin, which was finished the next day and the young couple moved in and began life in the wilderness.
One of the party killed a fine turkey and presented it to Mrs. Rey- nolds. This incident is given as an example of the friendly and kindly feeling existing at that time among the pioneers, and the help they ex- tended to each other in time of need without money and without price.
Graduates of the U. S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, from Harrison County.
John Jay Jackson graduated number eleven in his class in 1818. Was appointed Second Lieutenant Corps of Artillery July 24, 1818. Trans- fered to 4th. Infantry December 1, 1819. Adjutant February 10, 1821, resigned January 1, 1823.
Forbes Britton, graduated Number 33 in his class in 1834. Was ap- pointed Brevet Second Lieutenant 7th. Infantry July 1, 1834. Second Lieutenant 7th. Infantry November 18. 1835, First Lieutenant July 7. 1838, Captain February 16, 1847. Served in the war with Mexico, resigned July 16, 1850.
Thomas Jonathan Jackson, graduated Seventeen in his class in 1846, appointed Brevet Second Lieutenant 1st. Artillery, July 1, 1846. Sec- ond Lieutenant March 3, 1847, First Lieutenant August 20, 1847, resigned February 29, 1852. Brevetted Captain for gallant conduct in the battle of Contreras and Churnbusco and Brevetted Major for gallant conduct at the battle of Chapultepec in the War with Mexico.
Served in the Confederate Army, and obtained the rank of Lieutenant
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HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY
General and died May 10, 1863 of wounds received at the battle of Chan- cellorsville, Virginia, May 2, 1863. Was known as Stonewall.
George Jackson graduated number thirty in his class in 1856. Ap- pointed Brevet Second Lieutenant First Dragoons July 1, 1856. Second Lieutenant Second Dragoons February 2, 1857. First Lieutenant April 25, 1861. Resigned June 1, 1861.
Served in the Confederate Army.
James Bassel graduated in 1867, number 31 in his class. Appointed 2nd. Lieutenant 2nd. Artillery June 17, 1867. Resigned November 4, 1870. Served in the Egyptian Army as Lieutenant Colonel.
Melville S. Jarvis graduated in 1891 thirty-two in his class. Ap- pointed Second Lieutenant 4th. Infantry June 12, 1891. First Lieutenant 5th. Infantry December 16, 1897, Captain First Infantry June 18, 1900. Transferred to the 4th. Infantry January 23, 1902. Is still in service (1909).
Civil Appointments in the U. S. Army.
Jacob Jackson appointed Second Lieutenant Corps of Artillery March 6, 1806. Resigned November 23, 1807.
Thomas P. Moore appointed Captain 12th. Infantry March 12, 1812. Major 18th. Infantry Sept. 20, 1813. Honorably discharged June 15, 1815. Served in Canada during the war with England.
Henry Haymond appointed Captain 18th. Infantry October 26, 1861. Transferred to the 27th. Infantry Sept. 21, 1866. Resigned November 1, 1870.
Brevetted Major September 20, 1863 for gallant and meritorious services at the battles of Murfreesboro, Tenn. and Chickamauga, Georgia.
Brevetted Lieut. Colonel for gallant and meritorious services during the war to date from March 13, 1865.
Wounded at the battle of Murfreesboro, Tenn., December 31, 1862.
Henry H. Link enlisted in Company G, 6th. West Virginia Cavalry organized as the 3rd. Infantry June 21, 1861. Appointed 2nd. Lieuten- ant October 3, 1862. Honorably discharged August 12, 1864. Appointed 2nd. Lieutenant 18th. U. S. Infantry February 23, 1866. First Lieut. July 28, 1866, transferred to 36th. Infantry Sept. 21. 1866, transferred to 7th .Infantry May 19, 1869. Honorably discharged January 1, 1871. Wounded at the second battle of Bull Run.
Alstorpheus Werninger, Jr. Enlisted in Company B, 6th. West Virginia Cavalry. Organized as the 3rd. Infantry June 25, 1861. Ap- pointed 2nd. Lieut. March 25, 1865. First Lieut. April 21, 1865. Hon- orably discharged May 22, 1866.
Appointed Second Lieut. 3rd. U. S. Cavalry February 23, 1866, trans-
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HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY
ferred to 2nd. Infantry Sept. 28, 1866. First Lieutenant Aug. 15, 1867. Resigned November 1, 1870.
NAVY.
Charles A. Morgan graduated from the Naval Academy in 1899. Served on the Indiana at the battle of Santiago.
The Seventeen Year Locust.
Bulletin No. 68 issued in September 1900 from the Agricultural Ex- periment station of the State University at Morgantown by Professor A. D. Hopkins, gives an interesting account of the Cicada or Seventeen year locust, which appears in swarms of countless numbers throughout the State. They do not appear at the same time generally over the State but by district or certain boundaries in different years, but the swarms appear in each district always seventeen years apart.
In the District in which Harrison County is included the swarm ap- pears during the latter half of the month of May.
They emerge from the ground in appearance like an uncouth worm, in the evening, usually between sundown and ten o'clock and proceed to the nearest upright object, which may be a tree, fence, post, weed or the side of a house, anything upon which they can climb and expose their bodies to the open air. In about an hour after emerging the skin on the back splits open the adult insect works its way out.
The wings, which are short and soft at first rapidly develop, the body wings and legs harden and by the following day it is ready to take its flight and enter upon its short aerial life of about thirty days.
The males sing almost constantly and owing to their numbers with their shrillpiping voices make a deafening uproar.
Each female deposits from three to five hundred eggs in numerous ragged punctures, made by her powerful ovipositors in the twigs of shrubs and trees. These eggs hatch in about six or eight weeks from the time they are deposited and the young cicada larvae, emerges from the twigs and fall to the ground, burrow beneath the surface and enter upon their long residence of seventeen years.
The following letter written to the University gives record of 102 years of the coming of the Cicada :
CLARKSBURG, W. VA., January 18, 1898.
DEAR SIR :- I have received your letter of the 14th. inst. asking for such information as I can furnish in regard to the periodical Cicada gen- erally known as the Seventeen Year Locust.
The Cicada of this county commenced coming out of the ground on the dates following.
May 15, 1795. May 25, 1812.
May 25, 1829. May 14, 1846.
May 25, 1863. May 17, 1880. May 21, 1897.
The first two dates I procured from my father, the others are the result of my own observations. I was three years and three months of
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HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY
age when the Cicada appeared in 1812, but I do not recollect that I saw them.
The date of their first appearance is influenced somewhat by the weather and the temperature. In 1897 it was cold about the 22nd. of May and many of them perished. They continued to come up for about two weeks this year, and by the 21st. of June appeared to have disap- peared in this neighborhood.
I have endeavored to ascertain the extent of this locust district but have made poor progress. I am informed that they did not appear at Charleston but were numerous in Nicholas County. They appeared in Meig's County. Ohio. I suppose in this State that the district does not extend to the Great Kanawha River and is bounded by an irregular line North of that river. It is said that they appeared in Grant County in this State. I had previously supposed that this district did not extend east of the Allegheny Mountains. It extends quite extensively into the State of Ohio.
As to Pennsylvania I have no information in regard to the Cicada. All the harm this insect is properly chargeable with is in puncturing the small branches of trees with their ovipositors to lay their eggs for the next brood in 1914. They do not eat anything and the males do the singing.
In old times there was a supersition that sometimes the Cicada had the letters P. and W. on their wings indicating Peace and War, but I find the same character appear on the wings every year generally resem- bling the letter "N."
I regret that I cannot furnish you with more valuable information but such as it is I furnish it cheerfully.
Very respectfully, LUTHER HAYMOND.
The next brood will appear in Harrison County in May 1914, the dis- trict for this year comprising nearly the northern half of the State.
Boat Yard.
Before the building of the railroads large flat boats were built along the West Fork river and loaded with old iron, whiskey, grain, flour, lum- ber and produce and floated down to Pittsburg.
A boat yard was established on the bank of the River a short distance above the bridge leading to Adamston where this kind of craft was con- structed.
A short distance above this yard and near to the old Point Mills, Benjamin Wilson, Junior, built a furnace for the smelting of iron ore.
Mr. William Powers told Luther Haymond that the first settlers West of the mountains did not intend to remain permanently, but would leave when the game was exhausted as they considered the country non- supporting.
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HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY
Thomas Williams who lived on Coburn's Creek was a great hunter and paid for his farm with venison and deer skins. His wife kept ac- count of the number of deer he killed until she reached the number of two thousand, got tired and quit counting.
Lewis Bond killed one thousand deer with one gun.
Isaac Coplin, according to his letters to his wife, was a member of the Legislature during the years 1805, 1810, 1811, 1812, 1813.
In 1810 speaks of Britton publishing a newspaper in Clarksburg called "The Bystander."
In that year says James Pindall was a member of the State senate.
In letter of December 2d. 1812, refers to Capt. Prunty being defeat- ed for Sergeant at arms of the House by Colonel Louden by 10 votes. Feels sorry for the old gentleman, notwithstanding his great injustice towards me.
In January 13, 1813, speaks of Job Dix recovering from his wounds. In a letter to his wife dated Fredericksburg, Va., 1808 speaks of a drove of hogs he had there for sale.
December 26th. 1807 writes from Romney, refers to a drove of hogs he has for sale, says the market is on the rise in Baltimore.
In a letter dated January 16, 1810, he says "I got leave to bring in a bill to establish the Court House on Benjamin Wilson's lot in pursuance to an order of the Court and notwithstanding a strong opposition made by John G. Jackson I had it passed through our House yesterday, and ex- pect it will pass the Senate tomorrow. Tell Benjamin Wilson of the pro- gress of the bill.
Salt Works.
John Haymond and Benjamin Wilson commenced the manufacture of salt at Bulltown on the Little Kanawha River now in Braxton County in the year 1809 and discontinued it in 1823. A great quantity was made during the war with Great Britain.
The salt qualities of the waters became known by a lick being fre- quented by the cattle of the neighborhood.
It has always been said that Conrad's cow discovered the salt deposit.
Silk Factory.
In 1841 or 1842 a company was organized in Clarksburg to propogate the silk worm and manufacture silk.
The silk worm is fed on Mulberry leaves and at the approach of cold weather spins a web of fine threads which covers it over completely, mak- ing an oblong sack called a cocoon and when unwound from around the worm is used to make silk. When the cocoon is undisturbed a butterfly comes from it in the Spring which lays eggs and creates the silk worm.
The building used for this purpose was located near the Barnes' Crossing and was called a co-coonery.
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HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY
The result was unsatisfactory only about enough silk being made to make the town Editor, McGranahan a vest.
An Early Journey.
Thomas Wallcutt of Massachusetts who had been to Marietta and re- turned East by the Virginia route in 1790 in company with one or two companions describes the discomforts and difficulties of traveling through the woods without roads.
Monday March 8, 1790. Crossed the river to Williams', and pro- ceeded to go on our journey. We had gone but little way, when we found the path so blind that we could not proceed with certainty, and I was obliged to go back and get a young man to come and show us the way. Traveled twenty miles.
The Country after about five or six miles from the Ohio is very brok- en and uneven with high sharp hills.
March 9. We walked about twenty-three miles and slept near the 44th. mile tree. Country very rough one-third of the road goes over and on the ridges and another third through the valleys.
March 10. To-day crossed several of the large creeks that fall into the Ohio. The Country much the same but rather better to-day, except that a great deal of the road runs along and through the streams. Two of the streams we crossed as often as twenty times each. Traveled fifteen miles.
March 11. Walked about 15 miles today, took dinner at Carpen- ter's. They appear to be good livers and good farmers. Have a good house and seem very clever people. Mr. Carpenter has gone down the country. They have been on the frontier here for fifteen years and have several times been obliged to move away. I got a dish of coffee and meat for dinner. We crossed over the West Branch of the Monongahela over to Clarksburg. We went to Major Robinson's and had tea and meat for supper at nine pence each.
March 12. Weather pleasant. Got out of our road into the Morgan- town road but soon got right again.
We breakfasted at Webb's Mill, a good house and clever people. Had coffee and meat, paid six pence each.
Stopped at Wickwire's, who says he is a Yankee. Supper cost a shill- ing each and was of tea made of mountain birch, stewed pumpkins and sodden meat. Appetite supplies all deficiencies.
March 13. Beautiful day. Set off not so early this morning as yes- terday.
Met Mr. Carpenter on his return home. He appears to be a very clever man. When we had come to Field's I found Mr. Dodge had left his horse for us to ride, and to help us along, which we could not have done without. We got a dish of tea without milk. Some diced smoked meat and hominy for dinner, and from about three o'clock to nine at night got to Ramsey's. Seven miles of our way was through a new blazed path where they propose to cut a new road. We got out of this at sundown or
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HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY
before dark into the wagon road and forded Cheat River on our horses. Tea and meat for supper.
Sunday March 14, 1790. Remained at Ramsey's.
March 15. Waited and got some tea for breakfast before we set out. Settled with Ramsay and paid him nine pence a meal for five meals and half pint of whiskey six pence. The whole came to eight shillings.
We walked to Brien's about half past six o'clock which they called twenty-four miles. Crossed the Big and Little Youghiogeny.
The party reached Cumberland on Wednesday the 17th. of March where we shall leave them.
The route traveled by this party from Clarksburg as near as can be ascertained was by or near Fetterman, Rowlesburg and Oakland to Cum- berland.
An Interesting Law Suit.
Harrison County Court March Term, 1791.
George Jackson
Vs.
Slander
Isaac Peterson and Daniel Davisson.
A jury upon the issue joined last August Rules.
Verdict for the Plaintiff for seven (7) Shillings damages and do ex- onerate Daniel Davisson.
Judgment thereon.
In a letter from George Jackson to Gov. Randolph dated Harrison County, July 2, 1791.
"Complains of the High Sheriff of that County. In a suit for slan- der this officer had caused to be carried to the Jury concealed in a tea kettle a quantity of ardent spirits with which they made merry over his case. The Jury found a verdict in his favor but set the damages at only seven shillings."
"Ill disposed persons at the last election had used this circumstance to his injury, by saying the County of Harrison was represented by a gentleman whose character was valued at seven shillings. Having found this out, only within the past ten or twelve days he has thought it proper to report the facts to the Executive and ask for redress in the premises &c."
At a County Court held for the County of Harrison on the 15th. day of August 1791.
George Jackson Vs.
1
The Jury on his trial at last March Court between him and Peterson & Davisson.
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HISTORY
OF HARRISON COUNTY
On motion of the plaintiff by his attorney to fine the Jury for con- tempt whilst in their retirement.
It is the opinion of the Court that the said Jury is to be fined, to-wit :
John Bartlett, 2 Shillings, John Reed 2. Shillings, William White 2 Shillings, Jacob Paulsly 2 Shillings, David Hewes 2 Shillings, Sylvester Lyon 2 Shillings, Robert Plumber 2 Shillings, Thomas Wilkinson 2 Shill- ings, John Brown 2 Shillings. Samuel Wilkinson 2 Shillings, George Car- son 2 Shillings and Francis Patton 2 Shillings for drinking one quart of apple brandy whilst in retirement.
Ordered that process doth not go forth for said fine until next Court.
August Term. 1791.
George Jackson Vs.
Slander.
Isaac Peterson and
Daniel Davisson.
On motion of the plaintiff by his attorney for a new trial in his suit wherein he obtained judgment against said defendants at last March Court on account of the Jury having drank one quart of brandy whilst in their retirement, and said judgment is set aside and a new trial is granted.
NOTE :- This amusing case seems to have ended here. The plaintiff who was a man of sterling worth then a member of the Legislature, after- wards elected to Congress, and an Indian fighter of renown, got all the vindication he wanted by having the Jury fined two shillings or thiry- three and one-third cents each, the verdict set aside and a new trial granted.
Killed by Indians in Texas.
Sometime previous to 1839 a party consisting of John Webster, who for a long time had been a prominent merchant in Clarksburg and wife, Paulson Flesher, brother of Mrs. Webster, John Stillwell and a colored man removed to Texas and were all, except Mrs. Webster and child, killed by Indians.
Mrs. Webster escaped and finally returned to Clarksburg where she published a narrative of her captivity in pamphlet form.
It is a matter of regret that diligent inquiry has failed to find a copy of this publication, which would be very interesting reading.
Colonel Brown who has been writing sketches relative to the Indian wars of Texas has published the following account of the massacre of the Webster party :
In January 1839 a Mr. Webster who was living in the Hornsby neigh- borhood. decided to move to his head right league of land, lying upon the North Gabriel. Mr. John Harvey, the land surveyor collected fourteen men to accompany him in surveying and laying off adjacent land. The men were to accompany Mr. Webster and board with his family while sur- veying. Mr. Harvey having some business to detain him the Company of men, with the family, started on several days in advance of him. When they were within only a few miles of their destination they were attacked
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HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY
by a large band of Comanches, who were, however, repulsed, after a con- siderable fight, without any loss of life to the surveying party, though one or two were wounded. They immediately retreated to Brushy determin- ing to wend their way back to the settlements, after encountering a force so strong, being too small a number. Anticipating an attack from In- dians that night before retiring they took every precaution to be ready, barricading or fortifying themselves behind their wagons. Sure enough early next morning, before sunrise, reinforced and protected on all sides by timber, the Indians attacked them. The fate of the little party was of course sealed in the face of such odds, but from all the signs left after- wards, they made a brave and desperate fight for their lives. Arrow spikes and bullets had almost riddled the spokes and tongues of the wagons, and it seems at last the fight was hand to hand, for guns broken and laying around had evidently been used as clubs in the struggles. It was soon over, however, and in a few days Mr. Harvey, knowing nothing of the fate of his party went on to join them at Mr. Webster's, and came upon their skeletons lying in a circle of thirty feet around the wagons. Returning in haste and making report, Gen. Edward Burlson immediately raised fifty or sixty men and hurried to the scene of carnage. A strange unreal sight of horror met their eyes. Only fleshless bones scattered around re- mained of a brave and courageous band of men. In the absence of coffin, box or even plank, we collected them into an old crate, which was found near, and buried them. Only one skeleton could be recognized, that of Mr. Hicks, who had his leg broken in the battle of Analnac in 1832.
We supposed Mrs. Webster and little girl had shared the terrible fate of the band, though could find no skeletons which we could possibly sup- pose were their's, and we afterwards learned that the Indians had carried them off into captivity.
Having buried the bones of the slaughtred band, we followed the In- dian trail some miles and seeing nothing to encourage us in pursuit we finally came home, unsuccessful as usual.
To Mr. Jenkins recital must be added the fate of Mrs. Webster and her child. In 1840 after having for over a year endured the most brutal treatment, she resolved if possible to escape, and while a party were ab- sent to attend the proposed council in San Antonio on the 19th. of March 1840, she silently slipped from the camp early one night.
Commending herself and infant to God and holding the little treasure to her bosom, she traveled rapidly till dawn and then found concealment in a dense thicket. Resting by day and traveling by night she persevered. On one occasion while concealed, she saw the Indians in pursuit and as they came nearer, crammed rags in her child's month to prevent it from crying and revealing her presence. On the seventh day she came in sight of San Antonio, supposing it to be a town on the Rio Grande, but having lost every semblance of apparel, she sought refuge in a cluster of bushes, and only when night came, ventured to a Mexican hut in the suburbs, the occupants of which screamed in affright, speedily attracting others. Gentle hands soon supplied her with raiment and conducted her to the house of one of the American residents, when for the first time she realized and thanked her God for the fact that she was among her countrymen.
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HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY
It is recalled that Mrs. Webster stated in her pamphlet that she saw John Stillwell break the breech of his gun over the head of an Indian.
Old Letterr, Describing the Burning of the Richmond Theatre.
RICHMOND, December 27th. 1811.
DEAR P -:-
It becomes my duty to give you the earliest information in my power respecting the dreadful occurence which took place in this City last night. About eleven in the evening, the new theatre took fire in the scenery, towards the latter part of the play, and so rapid was the ravages in the scenery that in the course of two or three minutes the whole inside of the house was on fire, which did not give the people time to escape the flames. There were a great many consumed in the horrid scene. It is not ascer- tained how many but the general belief is that there is from one hundred to one hundred and fifty persons, among whom to be lamented is our Gov- ernor, Mr. Botts and lady, and a part of his family, Mr. Venable, the President of the Bank, and a great many of the most respectable people in the city.
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