USA > West Virginia > Wetzel County > History of Wetzel County, West Virginia > Part 11
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HISTORY OF WETZEL COUNTY.
ous and well-idrected kick soon put an end to the Indian's in- tentions for a while; but after recovering from the shock he had received by the kick, the Indian again raised his toma- hawk, but this time Poe saved himself by throwing up his arms, as the blow was aimed at his head. Poe now realized that he was menaced by a terrible danger, and freeing himself from the grip of the chief, he arose, picked up a gun and shot the smaller Indian through the stomach. By this time the big chief had regained his feet, and seizing Poe by the shoulder and leg threw him up in the air like a man would throw a small baby. Poe, however, was soon on his feet, and engaged in a close struggle. By this time they were both at the water's edge; the question now was to drown the other, and the efforts to accomplish this were continued for a long time without any success. At last Poe grasped the long hair of the chief and held him under the water until he thought he was dead and relaxed his hold, but too soon; in an instant the gigantic sav- age was again on his feet and ready for another combat. In this they were both taken beyond their depth and had to swim for safety; both swam for all their might toward the shore. The Indian was a more expert swimmer and succeeded in reaching the shore first. By this time Andrew Poe (his bro- ther), who had just returned from a conflict with the other members of the band, killing all but one, getting worried about his brother, went in search of him and there appeared in the nick of time to save his brother. Adam, seeing that the In- dian would reach shore first, turned and swam back into the river, thinking that he could get beyond the reach of the gun of the heartless savage, and some other member of the gang taking him for an Indian, shot and wounded him severely. He then called upon his brother to shoot the big Indian on the shore, which he did, and immediately sprang into the river af- ter his brother, who was so severely hurt that he could not swim. The wounded chief then rolled into the river to save a trophy that is so dear to every Indian warrior.
SAD DEATH OF CAPTAIN VAN BUSKIRK.
Early in June, 1792, occurred the last conflict on the upper Ohio, between an organized party of Virginians and Indians. In consequence of the numerous depredations on the settle- ments now embraced in Brooke and Hancock counties, it was determined to summarily chastise these marauders; and, ac- cordingly, a party of men organized under the command of Captain Van Buskirk, an officer of tried courage and acknowl- edged efficiency. A party of Indians had committed sundry acts of violence, and it was believed they would endeavor to cross the Ohio, on their retreat, at some point near Mingo Bot- tom. Van Buskirk's party consisted of about forty experi- enced frontiersmen, some of whom were veteran Indian hun- ters. The number of the enemy was known to be about thirty.
The whites crossed the river below the mouth of Cross Creek, and marched up the bottom, looking cautiously for the enemy's trail. They had discovered it along the run, but missing, con- cluded to take the ridge, hoping thus to cross it. Descending the ridge, and just as they gained the river, the Indians fired upon them, killing Captain Van Buskirk and wounding John Aidy.
The enemy were concealed in a ravine amidst a dense cluster of paw paw bushes. The whites marched in single file, headed by their Captain, whose exposed situation will account for the fact that he was riddled with thirteel balls. The ambush quartered on their flank, and they were totally unsuspicious of it. The plan of the Indians was to permit the whites to advance in numbers along the line before firing upon them. This was done; but instead of each selecting his man, every gun was directed at the Captain, who fell with thirteen bullet-
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HISTORY OF WETZEL COUNTY.
holes in his body. The whites and Indians instantly treed, and contest lasted more than an hour. The Indians, however, were defeated, and retreated towards the Muskingum, with the loss of several killed; while the Virginians, with the exception of their Captain, had none killed, and but three wounded.
Captain Van Buskirk's wife was killed just eleven months previous to the death of her husband. They lived about three miles from West Liberty. She had been taken prisoner by the Indians, and on their march towards the river her ankle was sprained so that she could not walk without pain. Finding her an incumbrance, the wretches put her to death on the hill just above where Wellsville now stands. On the following day her body was discovered by a party who had gone out in pursuit.
MURDER OF THE TWO MISSES CROW.
Next to the Tush murder, perhaps the most melancholy oc- currence on Wheeling Creek was that of two sisters-the Misses Crow, which occurred in 1785. The parents of these girls lived about one mile above the mouth of Dunkard, or lower fork of the creek. According to the statement of a third sister, who was an eye-witness to the horrid tragedy and her- self almost a victim, the three left their parents' house for an evening walk along the deeply-shaded banks of that beautiful stream. Their walk extended over a mile and they were just turning back, when suddenly several Indians sprang from be hind a ledge of rocks and seized all three of the sisters. With scarcely a moment's interruption, the savages led the captives a short distance up a small bank when a halt was called and a parley took place. It seems that some of the Indians were in favor of immediate slaughter, while others were disposed to carry them into permanent captivity.
Unfortunately, the arm of mercy was powerless. Without a moment's warning, a fierce-looking savage stepped from the group, with elevated tomahawk, and commenced the work of death. This Indian, in the language of the surviving sister, "Began to tomahawk one of my sisters-Susan by name. Su- san dodged her head to one side, the tomahawk taking effect in her neck, cutting the jugular vein, the blood gushing out a yard's length. The Indian who held her hand jumped back to avoid the blood. The other Indian then began the work of death on my sister Mary.
"I gave a sudden jerk and got loose from the one that held me and ran with all speed, taking up a steep bank, but just as I caught hold of a bush to help myself up, the Indian fired and
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HISTORY OF WETZEL COUNTY.
the ball passed through the clump of hair on my head, slightly breaking the skin. I gained the top in safety, the Indian tak- ing round in order to meet me as I would strike the path that led homeward. But I ran right from home and hid myself in the bushes near the top of the hill. Presently I saw an Indian passing along the hill below me; I lay still until he was out of sight; I then made for home."
FOURTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT.
The Home of Thrift, Enterprise and Industry in the State of West Virginia. Its Wonderful Past, Its Present and Future-A Great and Progressive Country, With Pen Pictures of the People Who Have and Are Con- tributing to Her Industrial, Financial, Mercantile and Commercial Importance-Some Facts About Tyler County.
In the study of the history of the Fourth Judicial Circuit it is necessary that we understand something of the causes which have acted in producing and advancing or retarding and de- stroying, the various institutions, civil and otherwise, of the Commonwealth. That we may study intelligently the history of West Virginia-"The Little Mountain State," the "Daughter of the Old Dominion," born amid the throes of civil war-it is important that we look to the causes which have led to its set- tlement and organization as a State.
In 1634, twenty-seven years after the founding of Jamestown, Virginia was divided into eight counties or shires similar to those in England. These, the first in the New World, were named James City, Henrico, Elizabeth City, Warwick River, Warrosquyoake-now Isle of Wight-Charles River and Aco- mack. Virgil A. Lewis, who wrote a history of West Virginia, says: "Virginia ever tried to keep civil government abreast of her most adventurous pioneers, and to accomplish this, her House of Burgesses continued to make provision for the forma- tion of new counties. After the eight original ones came oth- ers in the order named: Northampton and Gloucester, in 1642; Northumberland, in 1648; Surry and Lancaster, in 1652; West- moreland, in 1653; Sussex and New Kent, in 1654; Stafford and Middlesex, in 1675; Norfolk, Princess Anne, and King and
AN OIL DERRICK.
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HISTORY OF WETZEL COUNTY.
Queen, in 1691; Richmond, in 1692; King William, in 1701; Prince George, in 1702; Spottsylvania, King George, Hanover and Brunswick, in 1720; Goochland and Caroline, in 1727; Amelia and Orange, in 1734; Augusta, in 1738; Albemarle, in 1744; Amherst, in 1761; and Botetourt, in 1769.
From 1732 to 1750 many pioneers found homes in the Ope- quon, Back Creek, Little and Great Cacapon and South Branch Valleys. These settlements were made principally within the present limits of Jefferson, Berkeley, Morgan and Hampshire counties and were the earliest in West Virginia. Quite a num- ber of those who settled in Berkeley and Jefferson were Quak- ers, and to them is due the credit of being established the first religious organization, not only in West Virginia, but west of the Blue Ridge. That they had regular meetings as early as 1738, is proven conclusively by a letter written by Thomas Chauckley on May 21, 1738, and addressed to "The Friends of the Monthly Meeting at Opequon."
A century and a half have passed away since the first white men found homes in West Virginia. It is not a long time, yet, when they came Washington was an infant in his mother's arms; no Englishmen had been on the banks of the Ohio; no white man had found a home within the confines of Georgia; New Hampshire was a part of Massachusetts, the French had a cordon of forts extending from the St. Lawrence to the Mis- sissippi and savage tribes roamed all over the country from the Blue Ridge to the Pacific. It was five years before the founding of Richmond, 23 years before the French and Indian war, and 43 years before the Revolution. Truly this is the old part of West Virginia.
At the beginning of the Revolution but two of the counties of West Virginia had an existence. These were Berkeley and Hampshire. In 1775 the former extended from the Blue Ridge to the Ohio, while the latter stretched away from the North mountain to the western limit. South of Hampshire lay Au- gusta county, reaching from the Blue Ridge to the Ohio, and
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HISTORY OF WEZTEL COUNTY.
including all territory between the Little Kanawha and Great Kanawha rivers, while all that part of the State lying south of the latter was included within the bounds of Fincastle county. The district of West Augusta was all that territory west of the mountains, the boundaries of which as defined in 1776, included all the territory west of the mountains, the boundaries of which as defined in 1776, included all the territory north of Middle Is- land Creek, and lying west and south of the Monongahela river to the Ohio. During the Revolution a small rebellion broke out in the Augusta district, and this insurrection was known as "Claypole's Rebellion," as John Claypole, a Scot, was the leader. The trouble was caused by Claypole refusing to pay his taxes and getting others to join him in resisting the officers. He was finally arrested, some of his stock appropriated, and his band of insurgents broken up.
Concerning the Augusta district of West Virginia, of which Tyler county was a part, Washington once said during the darkest period of the Revolution: "Leave me but a banner to place on the mountains of Augusta and I will rally around me the men who will lift our bleeding country from the dust and set her free.
Of the men who helped to free America, many of the best were from the hills and valleys of this part of West Virginia. Their names have been consigned to oblivion, but their memory shall live as long as there is an American flag to wave over the land of the free and the home of the brave.
"When Augusta county was formed it included all of the 'ut- most parts of Virginia' and extended from the Blue Ridge mountains on the east to the Mississippi river on the west. From its original limits have been carved the States of West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Michigan, Its western boundary was the French possessions of Louisiana.
"Botetourt was formed from the southern part of Augusta, from which it was separated by a line drawn westward from the point at which the James river breaks through the Blue
BURNING OF AN OIL TANK.
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HISTORY OF WETZEL COUNTY.
Ridge, and terminating near the present site of Keokuk, on the Mississippi. In 1772, Fincastle county was formed from the southern part of Botetourt, but its existence was of short dura- tion, for it was extinguished in 1776, by an act of the General Assembly, which created from its territory the counties of Montgomery, Washington and Kentucky, the boundaries being almost identical with those of the State now bearing its name.
"In 1778, Virginia made her first effort to establish civil gov- ernment west of the Ohio river. In October of that year the Assembly passed an act creating the county of Illinois from Botetourt. It included all of Virginia west of the Ohio, by which it was bounded on the south and southeast; Pennsylva- nia lay on the east; the great lakes on the north; and the Mis- sissippi washed its boundaries on the west. John Todd was appointed county lieutenant and civil commandant of Illinois county. He was killed at the battle of Blue Licks, in Ken. tucky, August 18, 1782, and his successor in office was Timothy de Monthbrunn.
"But Virginia's authority was not long to continue beyond the Ohio. On October 20, 1783, the Assembly passed an act en- titled 'An act to authorize the delegates of this State in Con- gress assembled all the rights of this Commonwealth to the ter- ritory northwestward of the river Ohio.' This offer the United States accepted, and the deed of cession was promptly made March 22, 1784, and signed on the part of Virginia by Thomas Jefferson, Samuel Hardy, Arthur Lee and James Monroe, mem- bers of Congress from Virginia. This deed may be seen in "Henning's General Statutes," Vo. xi, p. 571.
Before entering upon the history of Wetzel county, it is pro- per to notice what was for some time known as the "District of West Augusta." The boundaries, which will be best under- stood by the reader with a map of the State before him, were defined by act of Assembly in 1776, as follows: "Beginning on the Alleghany mountains between the heads of the Potomac, Cheat and Greenbrier rivers; thence along the ridge of moun-
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HISTORY OF WEZTEL COUNTY.
tains which divides the waters of Cheat river from those of Greenbrier and that branch of the Monongahela river called Tygart's Valley river, on the northwest of the said West Fork, thence up the said creek to the head thereof; thence in a direct course to the head of Middle Island creek, a branch of the Ohio river; and thence to the Ohio including all the waters of the aforesaid creek in the aforesaid District of West Augusta, all that territory lying to the northward of the aforesaid boundary and to the westward of the States of Pennsylvania and Mary- land, shall be deemed and is hereby declared to be within the boundaries of West Augusta."
The boundaries thus defined, if delineated on a map of the present State, would begin on the summit of the Alleghanies at the northwest corner of Pocahontas county, and run thence southwest between that county and Randolph to Mingo Flat in the latter, thence north through that county, thence north- west through Barbour and Taylor into Marion with the mean- derings of Tygart's Valley river to its confluence with the Mo- nongahela, thence up the West Fork of that river to the mouth of Bingamon's creek in Harrison, and thence west with the stream to its source. And thence southwest through the latter county to the head of Middle Island creek in Doddridge; thence northwest centrally through that county and Tyler to the Ohio; thence northeast with that river to the present site of Pitts- burg; thence with the Monongahela and Cheat rivers through the Southwestern part of Pennsylvania and Preston and Tucker counties to the beginning.
The territory thus embraced included two-thirds of the coun- ty of Randolph, half of Barbour, a third of Tucker, half of Tay- lor, a third of Preston, nearly the whole of Marion, Monroe and Monongalia, a fourth of Harrison, half of Doddridge, two-thirds of Tyler, and the whole of Wetzel, Marshall, Ohio, Brooke and Hancock in West Virginia, and the whole of Greene, Washing- ton and parts of Allegheny and Beaver counties in Pennsyl- vania.
SCENE ON THE OHIO RIVER.
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HISTORY OF WETZEL COUNTY.
A succeeding section of the same act provided for the divi- sion of West Augusta into three counties, to be known as Ohio, Yohogania and Monongalia. By the westward extension of Mason and Dixon's line in 1784, the great part of Yohogania fell into Pennsylvania, and the remainder was by act of Assem- bly in 1785, added to Ohio county. Thus Yohogania became extinct.
Having thus noted the efforts of Virginia to establish civil government in her western domain, we proceed to Tyler county in detail.
Tyler county was formed from Ohio, by act of December 16, 1814, by which the boundaries were defined as follows: Begin- ning at the south and Pennsylvania line; thence a due west course to the Ohio river; thence with said river to the Wood county line; thence with said line to the line dividing Mononga- lia from Ohio county; thence with said line to the Pennsylvania line, and with it to the place of beginning. The commissioners to locate the seat of justice were Dudley Evans and Levi Morgan, of Monongalia, Moses Congleton and Samuel Chambers, of Brooke, and Benjamin Robinson and Davidson, Jr., of Harri- son. The county was named in honor of John Tyler, who was born in James county, Virginia, February 28, 1747. He grad- uated at Williams and Marys college, then studied law in the office of Robert Carter Nicholas, at Williamsburg. He was long a member of the Assembly and commanded a body of Charles City troops during the Revolutionary war. In 1870 he became a member of the Council of State, and December 1, 1808, was elected Governor of Virginia. Before his term expired Presi- dent Madison appointed him to the judgeship of the District Court of the United States for Virginia, in which capacity he served until his death January 6, 1813. He was the father of John Tyler, tenth President of the United States.
Middlebourne was established a town by legislative enact- ment January 27, 1813, on the lands of Robert Gorrell, then in Ohio counuty, and Wallace Wells, Sr., Joseph Martin, Joseph
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HISTORY OF WEZTEL COUNTY.
Ardor, Thomas Grigg, Daniel Haynes, William Delashmult, and Abraham S. Brookhead, trustees.
The town was incorporated February 3, 1871. One of the first pioneers of the banks of the Ohio, below Wheeling, was Charles Wells, who settled near the present site of Sistersville in 1776. He was residing here in 1812 when a gentleman vis ited him and the same year published a work descriptive of the Ohio Valley. From it we extract the following:
"Charles Wells, Sr., resident on the Ohio river, fifty miles below Wheeling, related to me while at his house in October 12, the following circumstances: 'That he has had two wives (the last of which still lives and is hale, smart, young looking woman) and 22 children, 16 of whom are living, healthy, and many of them married and have already pretty large families. That a tenant of his, a Mr. Scott, a Marylander, is also the fa. ther of 22 children, the last being still an infant, and its mother a lively and gay Irish woman, being Scott's second wife. That a Mr. Gordon, an American German, formerly a neighbor of Mr. Wells, now residing on Little Muskingum, State of Ohio, has had by his two wives 28 children. Mr. Gordon is near So years old, active and hale in health.'" Thus these three wor- thy families have had born to them 72 children, a number un- exampled perhaps in any part of the world, and such as would make Buffon stare, when he ungenerously asserts, as do several other writers of Europe, that animal life degenerates in Amer- ica.
Tyler was the only West Virginia county created during the second war with Great Britain.
Sistersville, which was formerly only a ferry, was established from the lands of John McCoy January 28, 1918. The town was incorporated February 2, 1839.
BUILDING AN OIL TANK.
THE PHILIP G. BIER G. A. R. POST.
The Philip G. Bier G. A. R. Post was organized August 21, 1883, with the following charter members:
J. E. Hart,
C. L. Yager,
J. E. Baker.
R. T. Richardson,
J. M. Francis, Martin Buskirk,
Wm. Schrouder,
Jas. Shriver,
Elijah Morgan,
W. H. McEldowney,
John Fowler,
Bruce Briggs,
Harmison Criswell,
Jos. Cutshaver,
N. Martin,
Basil T. Bowers,
Geo. B. Woodcock,
Stephen Daugherty,
W. H. Hitchcock,
E. W. Lauck,
T. B. Carothers,
T. M. Higgins,
Marshall Whiteman,
G. H. Hitchcock, Frank Evans,
Jas. Gardner,
C. D. Dolby.
The Past Commanders are as follows:
1. R. T. Richardson. 2. J. E. Hart.
3. B. T. Bowers. 4. Jas. Baker.
5. J. T. Rohrbaugh. 6. J. K. Gorby.
7. W. H. McEldowney. 8. J. M. Francis.
9. G. B. Woodcock, 10. F. C. Harvey.
11. Robt. McGee.
The present Commander is Thomas Mills. F. C. Harvey is Adjutant.
WETZEL LODGE No. 39, A., F. & A. M.
Amont the secret orders having lodges in Wetzel county, a leading place must be given to Wetzel Lodge No. 39, Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons, of New Martinsville.
The first meeting of Wetzel Lodge U. D. was held July 28, 1868, the Rev. R. A. Claughton, of Middlebourne Lodge No. 34, officiating as W. M. The first officers of the Lodge U. D. were as follows: John S. Monroe, Henry S. McCabe, Thomas Cellers. John H. Moore, John Snodgrass and William McMunn. The first work was done September 1, 1868, when John C. McEl. downey, William W. Hall, John A. Shriver and John S. Rider were initiated. The first work in the third degree was October 6, 1868, when John C. McEldowney, Robert McEldowney, and William W. Hall were raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason. The first funeral service conducted by the Lodge was September 18, 1868, when William M. Bartlett was laid to rest.
The charter of Wetzel No. 39 is dated November 10th, 1869, and is signed by William J. Bates, Grand Master, and Thomas H. Logan, Grand Secretary. The Lodge was constituted Jan- uary 25th, 1870, by Odell S. Long, the most eminent of West Virginia Free Masons, J. V. L. Rogers officiating as Grand Marshal. The first officers under the charter were as follows: John S. Monroe, John S. Rider, John C. McEldowney, Josephus Clark, George E. Boyd, William W. Hall and Thomas J. Hill. The first stated communication under the charter was held February 1st, 1870.
The following is a complete list of the Worshipful Masters of Wetzel Lodge No. 39: John S. Monroe, John S. R.der, B. M. Welch (three years in all), John C. McEldowney (two years), John Cherry, J. P. Dunlap, John McComas (two years), M. R.
FRANK WELLS CLARK, W. M. of the Masons.
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HISTORY OF WETZEL COUNTY.
Crouse, Thomas Perry Jacobs (five years in all), F. C. Bucher (four years in all), F. E. McEldowney (two years), Robert Mc- Eldowney (three years), W. McG. Hall (three years), Frank W. Clark (three years).
For many years the Lodge met in the old Court House, torn down to make way for the new temple of justice now being erected by the county. About three years since the Lodge re- moved to its present pleasant quarters in the third floor of the McCaskey Building.
The Lodge membership at present is about one hundred, comprising many of the most prominent men of the town and county. The roster of Lodge officers for the year 1901 is as follows: Frank W. Clark, W. M .; John W. Kaufman, S. W .; A. B. Morrison, J. W .; F. E. McEldowney, Treas .; James Bish- cp, Secretary; O. L. Haught, S. D .; L. V. McIntire, J. D .; Wil- liam Debolt, Tiler; John Stamm and J. U. Dayton, Stewards; Rev. W. H. Burkhardt, Chaplain.
Perhaps the "biggest day" in the history of the Lodge was August 31st, 1900, on which date the corner stones of the new Wetzel county Court House and of the new M. E. church were laid under Masonic auspices, E. M. Turner officiating as Grand Master, and a large body of Knights Templar acting as escort for the Grand Lodge.
Wetzel Lodge has been a most important factor in the de- velopment of the county, and will continue so to be as long as its members cherish those bright jewels of the Order, "Friend- ship, Morality and Brotherly Love."
West Virginia Monumental Works.
We here present a fair likeness of Rev. T. H. Hawkins. Man- ager and sole owner of the West Virginia Monumental works.
REV. T. H. HAWKINS, Manager of the W. Va. Monumental Works.
The West Virginia Monumental Works is situated at New Martinsville and is one of the largest concerns of its kind in the State. They work all kinds of marble and granite. having a steam power apparatus for polishing their work, both granite and marble. Twelve men are constantly employed at the works. C. W. Beck is foreman. The workmen are: Cutters. Holly Sayre. Roy Corbet. James McClain. James Debolt. Harry Hawkins and George Huff. Other workmen are Turner Wells. Quincy Moore. Earl McIntire. Frank Tarter and C. M. Mathes. J. A. Kramer is transfer man.
JACOB KOONTZ, Of the firm of Koontz & Philips.
KOONTZ & PHILLIPS.
PLANING MILL ..
The largest planing mill and lumber yard in the county is owned by Koontz and Philips, and is situated near the Ohio River R. R. on the Big Fishing creek bank. Charles Koontz is General Manager. The company employs thirty-eight men, of whom are J. Koontz and E. F. Philips, Thos. Fink, Arch Gil- bert, Geo. Showalter, Sr., Geo. Showalter, Jr., Wm. Showalter, Harry Showalter, Ezra Daugherty, Theo. Clegg, Wm. Hammell, Dave Hammell, Charles Koontz, Harry Evans, Frank Waits, Jere Waits, Joseph Minor, Thos. Minor, Frank Workman, O. S. Beaver, Wm. Yager, Simon Potts, Frank Shaffer, Albert Rist, George Snodgrass, Chas. Enslow, Chas. Waits, John Har- igan, Basil Hill, John Harman, Elias Gilbert, Wm. Findlay, L. Zessiger, W. W. Carr, Ury Minor, Carl Kappel, Robert Smith, Simon Brothers.
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