Washington County, Ohio - Chapter 23: Reminiscences by Hon. George M. Woodbridge, 1902 (part 1 of 2)

Chapter 23: Reminiscences by Hon. George M. Woodbridge

Sketch of Mr. Woodbridge's Life - A Watch Night Meeting of Fifty Years Ago^- Early Floods in the "Ohio Basin" - Revolutionary Record - A Report of the Early Burials in Waterford Township - Some Distinguished Visitors During the Past Century - Recollections of Some Men of Former Years - Some Early Recollections - Mound Cemetery - Monument to Mark the First Landing of the Pioneers - The Old Court House - Corn Husking Times - A Hunt in 1832 - The Past - The First Sunday-school - A Genuine Pioneer - Defense of the Pioneers and Their Successors.

In tlie last 10 or 12 years of his life, Mr. Woodbridge, having; then retired from, active business, wrote many interesting sketches describing early events in Washington County, and it had been the hope of many that he would collect these sketches and publish them in book form. Olir hope has not been realized. Fortunately the most of his articles, published as they were w,ii'itten in the local papers, have been preserved. From them we make liberal extracts, believing that th^y contain many items of general interest stated by one who was a keen ol3ser\-er and a careful writer. The persons and events described represent nearly every part of the county. As an introduction to the chapter we give a short biography of the writer, from the pen of Rev. David H. Moore, Bishop of the ]\rethodist Episcopal Church :

Hon. George MbRGAN Woodbridge. - Tills distinguished Ohioan died in Marietta, March 23rd inst. ( 1900), in his 86th year. In the Western Christian Adz'ocate of January 24, 1894, we printed his cut, a sketch "by a long-time friend," and editorial comment.

Now that he has entered into rest we cannot do better than to draw upon these for this niemiorial to his worth. He was born in [Marietta, October 3, 1814. His grandfather, Dudley ^^'oodbridge, came from Connecticut with the early colonists of Ohio, in 1790. His son, Dudley ^X'oodbridge, Jr., father of George M., was a great merchant and business man of IMarietta for about 50 years ; of the courtly and gracious dignity of the old school.

From childhood George Woodbridge was a prince among his companions, honored for his wit, loved for his good-heartedness. He wias an early graduate of the Ohio' University, and was even then a brilliant orator, with prophetic promise of the eloquence that in after years captivated and swayed the multitude.

A politician born, he was elected to the Ohio Legislature in 1842. As Representative from \\'ashington County, 1842-43, he ranked well up among the remarkable young men of that General Assembly - such mien as Robert C. Schenck (General Schenck) ; Caleb J. Mc- Xulty, of Knox (died on the Mississippi in 1846); LeGrand Byington, of Pike; John A.;

Smith, of Highland ; Udt Id mentii ni the famous Dr. Eclson B. Olds. .Alir. Wo(>dl)ridge was not a candidate for re-election. He continued ti:» take an active interest in political affairs for m'}re than thirty years, until the shades of his evening were dra\\ ing nigh. He was a delegate to the first National Republican Convention, which nominated John C. Fremont for I'resident : and he 'became assessor of internal revenue in 1862, in time of the War oif the Rebelli'in. .'ind continued in that position to the pulilic -aiistacliim till about 1873. or a period o-f some 10 _\ears.

It was while in the Legislature that he met and won his bride, Miss Lizzie Hensley, of Kentucky, who for more than half a century graced his hoar/e, and added an unsurpassed charmi to the society of iMaiietta. She preceded him into the rest for which both toiled and li\'ed.

His oratorical powers were put toi noble use at the outbreak oi the Civil war, when, witii his fellow-laborers, designated by the Military Commission of Washington County, he was largely instrumental in recruiting the Thirtysixth, Sixty-third, and Seventy-seventh Regiments of Ohio Volunteers. Dinging the entire struggle, his voice, influence and substance were on his country's altar.

He was a life-long and loyal JNtehodist. For more than seven months he was a great sufferer. During all that time his patience was unbroken and mlarvelous ; and he never was aught but the same courteous Christian gentleman that he was in the class room, on the hustings, in the place of business, in the circle oif his family. He talked freely, with his daughters, who w'ere constantly with him. MEss Woodbridge writes :

"He said that he was not afraid to die, and that he had 'a conscience void nf offense toward God ami n-an.' X(.>thing hurt my dear father n'j^re than a word against the Bible or the Divinity of Christ. Any man who had such ideas he seemed to fear, and really had a horror of. The A]jostles' Creed, he said, expressed his belief."

In the second year of my ministry I was his pastor, and learned to love him as a son might love a father. In 1896 I feared he would slip away from us, and so had the biographical sketch prepared in advance, from which I have drawn today. But I used it at once, explaining my decision by the editorial note wlhich follows, and whicii, hetter than anything I could write today, tells the story of his worth and Wirihiness :

"Why should tlie a]j(i\e be tiled to be used w^ien the s]3lendid genius it commemorates is no more?. Rather let the incense of its sincere compliment regale the li\ing; and let the young men of Plymouth and of our Ohio Company's purchase look for inspiration while they may upon a direct and iminediate descendant oif the Ohio Pilgrims.

"What a ]5ricele5s privilege to be a Paul at the feet of such a Gamaliel - to be postgraduate in his unchartered school of oratory and Christian statesmanship!

"The chrism of the beginning of the Northwest Territor}- was upon his brow, and he taught of the past of our country as one rehearsing his own experience. A careful student of the Constitution, he knew each man's relation to that imperishable document, and could point with inerrant finger to the parts contrilnited b}" Jefferson and Hamilton. Following '.lim, ^nr hist, iry was not as the weird wonders <>i half-explored ca\trn> dimly lighted by the smoking torch of garrulous pride; but as the wide landscape seen from mountain summit when the sun bathes it in cloudless splendors. For such a country as he saw and described, it were sweet to die.

"In that earlier time there were sparkling and inexhaustiljle fountains of poetry in his nature. His sinil deepened from boyhood. When a lonesome student at the old Ohio Uni- \-ersit\-, he tlirew himiself weeping on the worn horseshoe tracks that marked his fathers homeward journe}-. E\'er within him was a holy place of tenderest feeling, in wdiose se-.

elusion he might hide and weep alone. This it was which surcharged his speech with magnetic currents that leaped from heart to heart, and gave to his cogent reasoning and fertile fancy the unpurchasable spell of eloquence.

"After all, his life has heen an outline. As when some artist crayons his grand conceptions on the waiting canvas, and passes on, nor ever returns to fill in the sketch with details that make its possibilities immortal in the finished painting- : so he, poet, philosopher, statesman, orator, each in all and all in each, outlined his chef d'oeuvre. and then scorned to pay the price a selfish world would have exacted for the easel-stores its completed glories required."

At an early period in the history of Methodism: that society adopted the plan of holding what was called a "watch-night meeting,"" including the last hours of the going-out year, and the segment of an hour of the incoming" year, in which were held religious ser\'ices. In accordance \vith this custom, pufilic notice was given, the preceding Sunday, that at nine o"clock on the e\-ening of the 31st of December rehgious services would be held in the church, to which all well-tlisposed persons were invited.

In accordance with this time-honored service, such a meeting was held in the Centenary Methodist Church of tliis place, commencing at nine o"clock on the evening of the 31st of Diecember, 1842, and continuing until after midnight. The pastor. Rev. Frederick Merlick, was the conductor, aided by the local preachers of his charge and ministerial bretliren fromi adjoining circuits.

^^'hen the hour came for the commencement of the exercises, tci the surprise but gratification of the pastor and his official brethren, the church was filled to (iverflowing. The exercises were opened by the singing of that almost universally well-known hymn, commencing :

The conducting of this exercise was by W'yllys Hall, and almost the entire congregation joined in the singing. After prayer by one of the visiting brethren, and the singing of an appropriate hymn^ three short sermons were listened to by the congregation, after which an hour was spent in prayer and praise by the religious people assembled; which was followed by a general experience meeting, led off by the official members of the church and others of other denominations. As usual such opjXDrtunities open the way for varied talks, some of which would naturally lead to^ criticism. One speaker, in a vainglorious way, spoke of his reformiation, and of his ha\'ing turned over a new leaf. A wide-awake but not irreverent listener remarked : "I trust he will pay me the $3.00 that he has for a long time owed mie." "Amens" were here frequent, and it is probable that most of them proceeded from those who had long since learned that the habit of the speaker had been onlv to pay his honest debts at the end of an execution.

The next speaker was one who announced to the audience that he was once more converted, anil intended to follow in the footsteps of his Master. ]\Iore than one of the listeners, in their hearts, felt, when he announced his conversion and good intentions, to exclaimj "shoot him on the spot." But the talking was not all of that sort. Holy men and woiwen, who by their lives and conversations, gave evidence that they were "boVni again,"" told of the goodness of God and the joys of His service.

The companionship, friendship and example of such people as the last could but bear one toward the heavenly country. They are gone now, but from their blessed habitations above they beckon us onward and upward. The honr of 12 o'clock was approaching, when the preacher in charge, evidently weighing the seriousness of the hour, invited all present, who had assumed the Christian name and resolved that in the coming year they would do more to advance the Master's kingdom,, heavenly assistance being given them, to manifest such resolve by rising. A large proportion of the audience responded to this call,- and while they were still upon their feet, the same gentle, heavenly-minded man asked that all those present who had never assumed the Christian character, ihut who had resolved upon leading a new life should rise. Nearly every seat was vacated. With tears of joy streaming down his cheeks, he looked over the audience, and then, with eyes turned heavenward, for a moment seemed engaged in silent prayer; and then he said: "Brother Crawford, you pray." Such a prayer was never uttered in my hearing. I have heard bishops and far-famed clergymen of many lands offer petitions to hea\'en, but I think I never heard a prayer so impressive, the utterances of which were so suggestive and that seemed miore like direct communication with the Almighty. To those who have heard this holy man pray, the aljove will not appear as an exaggeration. No language that the writer commands can explain the power and pathos of his utterances. He asked that all who had by rising expressed the resolve, strength being gi\-en them from above, to live lives of righteousness ; and that they w'ho had declared the purpose to seek redemption, he nerved on to duty.

i The last words of that inimitable prayer still ring in my ears: "If there is one who is joined to his idols, and defiant, I pray God that he remeniiljer that the time is coming when the voice of pardoning and redeeming mercy will be silent throughout the universe of God." As if horror-stricken with this last thought, he exclaimed: "O Lord, that is not yet! Save themi now."

The good pastor, that holy man of God, w;ho but the other day laid down the cross to take up the crown, after a few touching remarks, said to the audience: "The last fifteen minutes will be spent in silent prayer. The old year has nearly gone, and a new year will soon commence."

May God be with the few who remain, probably ne\er again to meet such a cruwd of earnest worshipers until they reach the circle where the saints and angels meet to join in songs of praise to the Great Redeemer.

It is presumable that there are few subjects of more interest to the general reader than that of the overflow of our rivers. This is a hackneyed subject, and tn intrciduce anything particularly new is attended with difficulty.

There has rccentl)- fallen into my hands the journal of a Mr. \\'alcutt, who, in the year 1790, was a visitor among our people. Among the no\eIties encountered during a stay in this wilderness was a flood. Having the account of his journey before me I cpiote as follows :

"February 18, 1790. - I went out in the evening before I went to bed and found the back-water of the Muskingum had come into the creek at the door and above the bridge so as to cover our dam and fill the pond high. Toward night and in the evening, it rained very hard with thunder and lightning. Expect til be muted again with the high water.

"February 19. - We got up at sunrise this morning, the doctor calling, and telling us the water rose so fast that it would soon be in the house, when I immediately got up. We soon had the tea-kettle on, and got our coffee boiled, and before we could get our breakfast done, the water came in so fast that the floor was afloat, and we stood in water up to our buckles to drink the last dish. \\'e had before got such articles upstairs as the water might injure. Everybody on the point below the great bridge is obliged to move. Only three houses are out of the reach of the water, owing to their being placed so high. Messrs. Woodbridge (merchant), Rockwell and Wells (tailors), Mr. Bent, Prince, Webster, Moody, Skinner, Mixer, Mills, Lucas, Neal, Tuttle, Barber, Landon. and ]\Iathews were flooded sufferers. The flood carries away fences, barrels and everything that will float.

The ice almost all passed down. But it is supposed there have been heavy rains, as well as the Allegheny probably broke up, that cause the present rise, which several besides Col. Gilman say.it is about one foot higher than \\ was last May."

"Some seventy years ago, wdi'en the Ohio basin was involved in its native wildness of wood and wild grass, there occurred a remarkable 'Fresliet,' \\ hich, according to the relics and traditions indicated by Dr. Hildreth, was higher and more tremendous than any one since.

"In about thirty years after, say to the beginning of the year 181 3,. including some twenty years after the settlement of Marietta, such floods were frequent ; but prior to December, 1808, we hear of none of such height and power as to be of any marked annoyance to settlers along the banks. Structrvres and fences, unfortunately placed on low bottoms, were sometimes invaded and misplaced, but no flooding to cause much disturbance on the higher bottoms along the beautiful river, where settlers almost uniformllv chose to locate their dwellings, till the Christmas "Fresh,' 1808.

"That flood at Marietta was two feet higher than any l^efore, since "the settlement.' This was alarming, in Belpre, the elder and most interesting of the 'company's' agricultural settlements, where the substantial farmers had begun to erect along 'the bank' their commodious farm houses, similar to those of New England. It was distressing to think of being driven back frcsm the near view^ of the river, which had long been the main thoroughfare, where they could be gratified by gazing on the down-floating arks, with their freights of hopeful immigran.ts, or of up-river produce, or on the rarer sights of up-bound keelboats, where the hardyboatmen tugged at the weary oar. But they had comfort in the hope that as no such 'Fresh,' had before occurred since the building of Fort Harmar, 1785, so, in all likelihood, no other such uprisings might be apprehended for one or two generations hereafter.

"The fluvial history of the upper Ohio, in the last forty years, has by no means realized the hopeful anticipations. In midwinter, 1813, came the tremendously destructive "ice Fresh," four and a half feet higher than the 'Christmas.'

"There had, indeed, been two intervening 'Freshes,' - a moderate one in the winter of 181 1, and the 'Pumpkin Elood,' very destructi\'e on the waters of the Allegheny. The pumpkins' and the cornstalks floated past jMarietta from above, but there was no flooding here. The ]\Iuskingum did not sympathize with the Allegheny. It was so low that the back-water from the Ohio pushed back it current about twenty miles. Driftwood ran up, along the shore of Point Harmar, seemingly as fast as it ever ran down. Some down-river boats, in a foggy night, were interdraw'n into this up-river current, and the navigators, when the morning sun dispersed the fog, found themselves drifting many hundred yards up the ]\Iuskingum. Marietta escaped, unharmecl, this outburst of waters, while Pittsburgh suffered severely. But ^Marietta abode not long in its fancied impunity. The tremendous 'Ice Fresh,' with its signal inflictions was had.

"The first half of winter in 1812-13 was severe and snowy like New England. Good sledding endured for weeks. The snow, about Marietta, accumulated and condensed to the depth of one and a half or two feet : in higher altitudes, and more northern districts, the deptli may have been much greater. There were some apprehensions of high water. The proverbial 'thaw of January' began about the I2th. A week of sunshin}-, April-like days took away the earth's winter coating about the mouth of the ^luskingum. No rain yet, snow agoing finely. On a fair Sunday eve the Muskingum, still low, began to rush and swell. The ice was not broken, but the dreaded rush of snow-water was running rapidly away, but the ]\luskingum 'saw another sight' by Mon- day's lingering dawn of light. Tlie horizon was densely shrouded, and the rain descended in torrents, and held on through the day and night. The ice was broken and was fearfully crushing and crowding down the currents. During Sunday night the water had swollen up to within lo or 12 feet of overflowing the banks, from which almost every 'raft' was swept away.

"Tlie light of Tuesday morning exhibited the waters swelling up towards the height of 'Christmas Fresh,' and pressing up the streets across Marietta 'Point,' where the people were in great trouble. The rising continued through the day, which was mild, but the temperature changed very suddenly at night. There fell about six inches of snow^ The rain-water was arrested in descending the slopes. As the side current up the streets was checked by a downward current across the bottoms toward Duck Creek and down the valley between "the Point' and 'the Plain,' nearlv the whole surface of water among the houses at 'the Priint' above Front street, was frozen over. This was a check to intercommunication, but saved many things from floating o£f.

"Xothwithstanding the icy check, the rising continued till Tliursday morning, when it had overpassed the 'Christmas Fresh' four and a half feet. It was the opinion of Gen. Rufus Putnam that if the mild weather had continued, the rise might ha\-e been from three to five feet higher.

"Much damage was done to the towns and the farms along the Ohio. But it was hoped that as this visitation was owing to peculiar circumstances, especially the sudden melting of immense masses of snow, the like might not again occur for an age or two.

"But the lapse of twenty-seven months showed the futility of these hopes. The light of 'All Fools Day,' so called, April i, 1815, exhibited an overflow at Marietta, as high as the 'Ice Fresh.' Some twenty miles up the Muskingum it was said to be about seven feet higher than in Januar}-, 1813. March had been mild, peach trees were in bloom, and it may be doubted whether snow-water added much to its over-flow.

"Within about three years thereafter, three overflowings of the Ohio occurred, - one in November, 181 7, one in June, preceding or following, another which came within eighteen ijiches of the 'Ice' and the 'April,' perhaps after the wonderful snowfall of February of 1S18. The three occurred, it is believed, within less than twelve consecutive months. After this was an intermission of nine or ten years, till January, 1828. when about the 8th, there was an ordinary flood at Marietta. But the crowning flood, hitherto, was that of February, 1832. t Winter closed in severely by the first of December, 183 1. The Ohio was soon frozen over, and so continued, with fine sleighing till near the middle of January, 1832, when there was a 'January thaw,' which sent off the ice and snow-water to our great comfort. But Old Winter rallied directly, with severe cold and snow. The Ohio was icebridged, till some days into February, w'hen the ^uii-1iin'e and the gulf winds dissolved the sm.w. and then a general rain, commencing probably at head waters, deluged the Ohio basin and raised the waters at ^Marietta five feet above the 'Ice Fresh' and the 'April.' Immense damage was done to the 'river towns' especially to- the Queen City, less proportionately to the town of ^Marietta than to almost any other. A long intermission followed, al- 'most sixteen years. There were threatening high waters almost every year, coming quite near to an overflow ancl then receding-. The extensive clearing of the banks, removing the o-\-erhanging and interposing growth of brushes, and the removal of treetops, drift piles and snaggery and last, mayhap not least, the enlargement of the river bed by abrasion, principally from steamboat surfings, have rendered the beautiful river less susceptible of moderate overflowings, such as occurred in the first twenty years after the first settlement of Marietta.'' of earth for drainage purposes in West Marietta. And no little interest has been manifested in the inquiry which has followed the finding of an ancient silver spoon. It was found imbedded in the earth three feet below the surface in a lot fronting on Post street, this city. But I confess to a more lively interest in being allowed the privilege of examining the record of his regiment kept by Lieutenant-Colonel Grosvenor.

Among all the writings and valuable papers that I have, through the courtesy and kindness of the owners, been allowed to examine, none have given me more pleasure and instruction than the record of his regiment kept by Lieutenant-Colonel Grosvenor during the years of 1776 to 1782, of the Revolutionary War. This record wisely cared for by the colonel's son and in later years by his grandson, Capt. Samuel Grosvenor, is worth the most careful examination of the curious, and indeed of all who care for the particulars of that noblest of all struggles, - that of our forefathers for liberty.

I feel that to have in your hands a book once held by a patriot, and read the record of a regiment celebrated for its country-loving character, is a pleasure beyond the ordinary.

Tio-day I shall return this book to its owner and in his possession it will probably be subject to the readers' inspection. I note a few among many things of interest gathered from its pages : above, as he would in the entire record of the regiment, names quite familiar to old citizens, and indeed many of the original Ohio Company shareholders.

T|he men of the regiment were chiefly farmers and mechanics from the counties of Hartford, New London, Springfield, Windham, New Haven. West Morland, Fairfield, Litchfield, West Chester, Hampshire, Providence, Dutchess.

Of very great service would this record book of departed heroes be to those, their descendants, who are now engaged in the attempt to establish their rights as Daughters of Revolution, Colonial Dames, or Sons of the Revolution. I know not of another record in private hands.

A report of a recent visit made to the liurial-grounds in Waterford to^'uship, by Henry Brokaw, of the Marietta Academy, gi\-es us information witli regard to early burials in that part of the county. The reader will observe that among the names here given are three of the 48 pioneers who first landed at ^larietta, viz., Maj. Haffield White, Capt. William Gray and Peltiah White.

5. "In memory of Mr. Sherman Waterman, who was wounded by the savages, being shot through the bodv on the 2if.t, and died on the 22d of May, 1795. a,ged 25 years."

In the spring of the year 1795, some young men who had drawn "donation"' lots on the south branch of Wolf Creek, about three miles fr(.im Waterford garrison, decided to clear their land in company. Their names were William Ford, William Hart, Jacob Proctor, John Waterman and Sherman Waterman. On the 1 5th of June, the fore part of the day was ! wet with heavy showers of rain at intervals so as to discourage them from their common work of chopping, and they decided to spend the forenoon in a little enclosure occupied as a garden near the house (a small block-house which they had built ) . During a hard shower they retreated into the house. Sherman Waterman, wanting some fresh bark to put in the bottom of his sleepinig berth, had gone down to the creek, a few rods distant, to procure it, and a few moments thereafter the report of a rifle was heard. Each man seized his gun and stepped to a port-hole to discover the enemy. Directly Waterman came running toward them, and fell down exhausted from loss of blood, a few rods from the house. William Hart and one other man rushed out amid the shots of the enemy and brought him into the house, themselves unharmed, Hart then \-olunteered to go and carry news of the disaster to the fort at \\'aterford. A party of men, led by jNIcGuffy, soon came up and took the wounded man in a bark canoe down the the creek to Tyler's block-house, where he died that night.

Simultaneously with the settlement at Plainfield, a companv of three men. Col. Robert Oliver, Maj. Haffield White, and Capt. John Dodge, with a number of laborers, commenced operations for the erection of a mill on Wolf Creek, about a mile from its mouth.

By great industry and perseverance the dam and mills were built in the course of that }'ear and by ]\Iarch following, the grist-mill as well as the sawmill was in operation. The millstones were procured from Laurel Hill, in the vicinity of Brownsville, which affords a hard, conglomerate rock, \ery suitaljle for grinding Indian corn and rye, but not of a proper texture for the manufacture of ,fiour. The iron crank for the sawmill was manufactured at New Haven, Connecticut, and is said to have been transported across the mountains to Simrell's Ferry on the back of a pack-horse and thence by water to the mills. When put in operation, they fully answered the expectations of the Iniilders. From tradition we learn that the grist-mill, with good head of water, could grind a bushel of corn into fine meal in four minutes. In the summer of 1790, it furnished a large portion of the meal, used by the people of ^Marietta and the surrounding country. Early in the following year the Indian war broke out and the settlement at the mills was liroken u]) and the mill company removed their families to Marietta. During the war parties C(jnip( -sed of twenty or thirty men sometimes went up by water with their grain, a part of them marching by land in sight of the boats as guards. \\'hile the load was_being ground, sentries were placed in the adjacent forest to protect the workmen from an attack of the Indians. It is a curious fact that the mills remained unmolested during the four years of the war, though signs of the savages were often seen in and around them. After the war closed, the mills were repaired and put in use again. They were the first ever luiilt within the bounds of the State of Ohio.

from Wenham, Mass., in 17SS, to the Northwest Territory, and suffered many hardships in the five years' Indian blockade at Marietta. He died Feb. 17th, 1832, in the 63d year of his age."

3 "Sacred to the memory of Peleg Springer, a native of RhVide Island, and a pioneer of the Western forest. Endured many privations and encountered many hardships during the five years' Indian blockade in the fir=t settlement of Marietta, Ohio. He died Sept. 28th. A. D. 1S28, in the 63d year of his age."

IJmuch want other reports. I, at this time, will designate only two, one of which is in the neighborhood of Aliller's schoolhouse in Marietta township, the other on the Henry Sheets farm, Newport township, not far away from the Barker schoolhouse.

Some Distinguished Visitors During The Past Century

F.ditor of the Register: If any complaint is made by your readers that the signature "G. M. W." so often appears in your columns, it may be charged to the promptness w-ith which what I write appears. For instance, scarce was the ink dry with which was penned the article styled "Old Titles, Etc.," than I read it in print.

The ladies of the "Woman's Centennial Association" having planned a course of articles to be read before the Association, which embraces subjects of general interest. I have not the program before me, but I belie\e that the topic of one paper is to be "The Celeiirities Who in Old Times have ilade ^Marietta a Visit." I shall enlarge this theme by adding the names of some who have lieen mere passer sby.

In the year 174Q. "Si.. Celeron de Bien\'ille, with three hundred men, was directed by the French government to traverse the country as far as the Appalachian Mountains.

This oflicer was furnished with leaden plates with the arms of France engraved on them : and he was ordered to bury them at particular stations. In accordance with this order M. Celeron de Bienville buried one of these plates on the west bank, near the mouth of the Muskingum River. This leaden plate is now

On October 27, 1776, George \\'ashington, in descending the Ohio River, made the following entry in his journal : October 27. - "Left our encampment a quarter before seven, - and after passing the creek near which we lay and another near the same size and on the same side, and also an island about two miles in length, but not wide, we came to the mouth I f the [Muskingum, distant from our encampment about four miles, and there \'iewed some ancient earth-works."

In the year 1795, Gen. Anthony Wayne n'lade Fi;;rt Harmar the place of assembling his troops, before his celebrated and successful campaign against the Indians.

In the year 1796 \\ illiam Henry Harrison (afterward President of the United States), as a lieutenant in the military service, was for more than a year a figure in the circles of [Marietta society.

Tecumseh, the great Indian warrior, in the year 1792, after the murder of the Carpenters less than seven miles distant from this place, from the Virginia hill tops saw the ascending smoke from the cabins of the picket point.

In the year 1820, the great statesman and orator, Henry Clay, on his way to Washington City, spent several hours at the home of his friend and admirer. Col. Levi Barber.

Gen. La Fayette, the noble friend of this country in its struggle for independence, in the year 1825, was entertained at the hospitalile home of our fellow citizen, Xahum \\'ard, and was honored, as no man since has been honored, by the turning out of every living being in the town to greet his coming.

John Quincy Adams, in the year 1S43, '^^''^s received by an overflowing house at the Congregational Church by the multitudes who felt proud to honor one of our greatest statesmen.

Thomas Ewing, Sr., one of Ohio's most distinguished men, honored us by his presence and made one of the greatest speeches ever listened to by a Marietta audience. He tried his first penitentiary ofifense here, in 1816.

Thomas Corwin, President Hayes, Senator William Allen, Gov. John Brough, President Garfield, Governor Hoadly, Governor [Morton, of Indiana, Senator Thurman, Senator Sherman, President [McKinley, Senator Hanna, and Foraker have addressed our people. C. Vallandigham, an opponent of the War of 1861, also made his presence here and made a speech in 1863.

Among the distinguished divines who have honored us with their presence and filled our pulpits are Bishops [Mcllvaine and Hamline, Rev. Dr. Plumer, Dr. Lyman Beecher, each entitled to a chapter of many pages, but here is not the place to record their greatness.

[Marietta has also been honored by visits from Generals Turchin. Crook and Steadman. Later on Senators Hoar and Daniels have been the honored guests of our city, and to assembled mulitudes delivered addresses, the thoughts contained in which will dwell in the minds of listeners, as long as life lasts.

On one cheerless morning, many years ago, a steamer landed at Hall's wharfboat, which lay near the Third street landing, and w-as taking on wood for boiler fuel. Soon upon the shore was seen a man in foreign dress. [Meeting a boy on Ohio street, he asked, "What place is this?" In reply the lad answered, "[Marietta, the oldest settled place in the Northwest." To which the interrogator remarked (at the same time looking at the dilapidated, tumbled-down buildings on Third street), - "This does look settled." The speaker was no less a person than Dickens, the celebrated English author.

Recollections Of Some Mex Of Former

Just outside the north corporation line, long years since, there lived Deacon AMlliam Rufus Putnam, a son of Gen. Rufus Putnam. He cultivated the land now owned by ]\Iarietta College. He was a member of the first Constitutional Convention, and afterward repeatedly honored by his fellow citizens in being elected to places of trust. He died in the year 1854, leaving an only son to inherit his possessions. This son, \\'illiam Rufus Putnam, after receiving a liberal education, settled down upon the home farm and by a life of quiet, good behavior gained the confidence of his fellow citizens, and soon after the breaking out of the War of 1861, was made commander of the post at Marietta with the title of colonel. Whilst he was an ardent and determined supporter of the Union cause, yet he was a lover of peace rather than warfare, and his peace-loving disposition was sometimes amusingly apparent during his career as a military officer.

At the time of Morgan's raid, when it was considered almost certain by the people of ]\Iarietta, that Morgan's troops would cross the Muskingum here. Colonel Putnam ordered that a large number of bales of hay should be placed in the bridge to impede their progress. Had Morgan's men ever reached this point they would doubtless have been rejoiced to find an abundant supply of food for their horses in waiting for them, whilst the waters of the Muskingum were then so low that they would have found not the slightest difficulty in crossing anywhere.

The story has been often told of how Col. David H. Moore, then at Athens, started out, mounted upon a fine horse and carrying a handsome gold watch, to fight ^lorgan's men, and of how he entered in a few da}-s on foot and without his watch. A message was sent him from ^Marietta over the wires, asking him the time of day, and this response was soon received : "How many bales of hay was it that Colonel Putnam ordered put on the bridge for the use of Morgan's cavalry?"

Upon another occasion, during the war, the people of Parkersburg called upon the people of the surrounding country to aid them in their defense. A number of brave and enthusiastic young men from college here, volunteered their services, but before the party set out, the writer, who was to have charge of the expedition, was called aside by Colonel Putnam, who exacted a solemn promise from him that he would have his boats in readiness so that if the enemy should really come, all the students might be quickly transferred to this side of the river. "For," said he, "their parents would feel dreadfully, and would blame me if anything should happen to them."

Leaving the residence of Colonel Putnam and coming down ]\Iain street at the corner of that street and Sacra J'ia, at an early date was the home of John Newton, a most estimable citizen. Having been successful in the accumulation of property in the Cow Run oil district, he had much leisure in the later years of his life and spent many hours each day in caring for and guarding [Nlound Cemetery. A few rods below on the sam?: street, in a large frame house still standing, lived Harry Shipman, a most worthy, industrious mechanic, much respected by everybody.

Recollection brings us next in view of the homes of two of the most honored and well known citizens. Col. Ichabod Xye and Gen. Rufus Putnam. A newspaper article would not allow of my writing of their meritorious lives and extended usefulness. Fortunately an abler pen than mine has recorded much of their history. Passing on down Front street, at the corner of Knox street lived Rev. Pardon Cook, who for many years was a traveling minister who preached the Gospel for the Gospel's sake.

Still further down the street, at the lower west corner of ^^'ooster street, was the home of Azariah Pratt, who at a very early date located here, pursuing the following of a gunsmith and locksmith. His son, Elisha Pratt, later occupied the same house and pursued the same business. Both were very worthy men.

quite a prominent citizen. For se\eral years he was clerk of the court and an active member of society. On the adjoining lot was the home of Judge Joseph Wood, who in the last century moved from Belleville. Virginia, to Marietta and for many years was registrar of the U. S. Land Office. ' He lived to a great old age, always social and kindly. His home was a fa\-orite resort for old and }'iHing alike, and his daughter, Miss Xancy, was in her day cjuite a belle.

Passing on down the .street, in the house now occupied by ^Irs. Hickock, li\ed Benjamin Putnam, an accomplished accountant and cashier of the Bank of Marietta.

In the square just below, in the house now occupied by Judge Follett, lived Gov. R. J. Meigs, of whose life and history much has been written. The dwelling house next below at that period was the home of Col. Ebenezer Sproat. His father-in-law, Commodore Whipple, was an inmate of the household.

In this same dwelling for many years resided Capt. Daniel Greene, a man of very character. His title as captain was won upon the ocean, where he commanded a merchantman for many years. He, like others in the same service, encountered not only the danger of the ocean, but of piratical attack. On one occasion, when near mid-ocean, his vessel was attacked by the crew of a pirate schooner, and while upon deck giving orders for defense, Captain Greene was shot through both cheeks. He bore the marks to the day of his death, and they are plainly discernable in his portrait, which now hangs in the "Relic Room." His fondness for the water was such that in after years he for many seasons commanded steamboats upon the Ohio. In the early days of which \\1e write, there was no dwellinghouse upon this street below those named until we reach Butler street. On the right of ]Main street, inxmediatelv south of Butler street, dwelt Dr. John Cotton, a man of rare mental qualities and superior medical education. For years he was the chairman of the Whig Central Committee. At the period of this service, the custom was to send cut circulars to different parts of the county, and ne\er once was there a misstatement of facts or an unkind attack upon any opposing candidate or upon the party in oppposition. He never sought an office, but was repeatedly honored by his fellow-citizens in being selected to fill positions of responsibility.

On the left-hand side of the street, passing do\vn. we first encountered the dwelling-place of Capt. Thomas Baker, who probably did more keel-boating on the Ohio and Muskingum rivers than any man of his day. Although strictly honest and a man of great industry, he became involved in debt, chiefly to a business firm in ^^d^eeling. To that firm, Knox and ]\IcKee, he deeded about fifteen acres of gr(.)untl. ^NIcKee had it laid oft" in lots, which he sold at a small price and, unless the writer is mistaken, it was added to the city corporation as McKee's addition. This part of the city has latterly been known as Texas.

Tdie next dwelling below on the east side was the home of Jason R. Curtis, a man of various employments and great industry. He was especially prominent during the War of 1812, being upon the staff' of Governor ]Meigs.

The remaining houses on that side of ^Nlain street were occupied bv John Cunningham. Bailus Phillips, Titus Buck, L. Edgerton, Sr., and John Gibson. On the west side of the same street was the home of Nathaniel Holden. Next below lived Joseph Holden and family, and, if my recollection is correct, there was no other dwelling house until you reached the corner of Main and Ohio streets. On the ground where now stands the Bellevue Hotel was the dwelling of Joseph Lincoln, Esq. Not one of the persons named as inhabiting these dwellings at the time of which we write is now living.

Some Early Recollection.S.

Editor of the Register: Chiefly for the relief of my mind nowadays I write, and at times take up subjects, perhaps treating them in an uninteresting way. I shall not be dis-

The death of James Holden, as announced in your columns a few days since, has led to a train of thought which but few now living can verify. j\ly recollection of men and their pursuits, in the twenty years succeeding 1828, is most vivid. Even previous to that date I have clear recollections of many things. South of the foot of Front street, over the Ohio River bank, sustained by wooden pillars, was a frame building divided into two store rooms, one occupied by Joseph Holden, the other by Nathaniel Holden. Perhaps it was in the year of 1833 that these gentlemen erected what was then considered a large building, where previously had stood the tavern-house of Shepard Mcintosh. For many years the Holdens, in separate rooms of the building, sold merchandise. At a later date, Joseph Holden built a storehouse upon the corner of Front and Greene streets, the building latterly remodeled and now occupied by the First National .Bank. At different periods dry goods, groceries and hard\vare were sold in that building by Joseph Holden, Sr., and for many years business was continued there by the father and his three sons, William, Joseph, and James. The building formerly mentioned as having been built by Jospeh and Nathaniel Holden was the brick building owned and occupied of late years by Mr. Best.

As far back as memory goes, Casper Smith and wife sold goods in a building on Ohio street, between Second and Third, where at a later period the business was continued by John Broughy, who married the widow of Casper Smith. It was in the employ of the latter that G. C. Best had his business training, afterward becoming one of the most accurate, honest, and honorable of all Marietta dealers.

In two of the frame buildings on Ohio street, between Second and Front, John Mills sold merchandise. Upon the same street, near the corner of Second, a store was kept for many years by Weston Thomas, who aided much in gi\'ing to Marietta business men the reputation for justice and fair dealing. At a later period he was associated with David C. Skinner. They built and occupied as a storeroom the large, brick building near the corner of Second and Ohio streets. At a suljsequent date, year not remembered, John Mills bought the Lincoln House at the corner of Front and Ohio streets, where now stands the Bellevue Hotel, transformed it into a business house and there sold merchandise, associated successively with Luther Edgerton, Noah L. Wilson, Rufus P. lams, and others, during a portion of that period, prol'ably doing the largest business on this side <jf the Muskingum River.

Dudley \\'oodbridge first commenced mercantile business as early as 1798, in a storehouse long since torn down; standing at the corner of Ohio and Muskingum streets. x-\5 early as 1818 he fitted up and occupied as a storeroom the building at "Flat Iron Corner," at different periods doing business under the names, Dudley Woodbridge & Co., D. T. ]\Iorgan & Co., ^lorgan & Wioodbridge. \\'oodbridge & Racer. In the year 1835. the building then occupied was torn down and the building which now stands upon the ground was erected.

^^'illiam F. Curtis for many years was in the mercantile business, occupying the storeroom on Front street. Robert Crawford also sold goods in a storeroom on the ]\Iuskingum bank, just below the mouth of Tilier Creek. R. J. Meigs and Henry P. Wilcox were for several years eng'aged in the sale of merchandise, in a buildings at the corner of Front and Putnam.

The tavern-keepers of that day were: Samson Cole, Amos R. Harvey. Isaac Miner, John Broughy, JNIoses McFarland. Alexander Hill and John Lewis.

grandfatlier of W. G. \\'ay ; Count Debonny, J. L. Reckard, father of J. L. Reckard, Jr., Alvin Reckard, and Joseph Ghnes, grandfather of Charles GHnes.

These are some of the business and professional men of that early day. though in this hastily written sketch there are undoubtedly manv omissions.

Mound Cemetery

Messrs. Editors : Trusting that neither you nor your readers will conclude that we have Mound Cemetery on the brain, we venture once more to write upon that subject.

After spending a full half day in looking over the grounds and reading epitaphs on numerous gravestones, and realizing that there lay buried there at least 5,000 of those who once claimed citizenship among us. and that that number embraced soldiers of all wars, statesmen of all parties, our own fathers and mothers and brothers and sisters, the d^ar companions of our youth, whose joy could not be complete unless we participated, we felt impelled to further effort to remove any objection in the way of proper care and protection of those graves.

The first difficulty, the apparent lack of interest in many lot-holders, was brushed aside by the large attendance at the meeting of last week, at which a spirit was manifested that promises immediate action on the part of many to do all in their power to give a presentable appearance to that most beautiful spot.

it authoritatively announced that there was more than $2,000 in the hands of the Cemetery Trustees, by them to be properly expended. Following this statement came the declaration of one who should know and whose statement is corroborated by a recent examination of the records, that there was nothing in the city ordinances forbidding the use of a necessary portion of said fund for placing in proper condition this most hallowed place.

This in conjunction with the fact that the funds on hand arose entirely from the sale of portions of Oak Grove Cemetery, two-thirds of the money for the purchase of which was paid by those whose gra\-es we now desire to protect.

x-\ reply to one more objection, and we have done. Many have feared that the title by which this property was held was incomplete. To the great pleasure of the writer an examination of the early records of the Ministerial Trustees gives conclusive evidence of the appropriation of this square for burial purposes.

The Town Council of Marietta made -application for a permanent lease oi the Mound Square as a pub- He burying- ground, for the use of the town of Marietta.

N^ow, therefore, be it resolved by the Board that the above named square be reserved to -the town of Marietta, for the purpose above mentioned free of rent for the term of ninety-nine years, renewable forever, subject to the contract of said town and laid out in such form and under such regulations as they may think proper, an i be 'it further resolved, -that the clerk be. and lu-rc'-y i-. directed to make out to -the Town Council '-i Miru-tta, for the time being, a certificate of the ,il;i-\i- re^^luiion under the seal of itlie corporation.

What is left to be done? Let all join hearts and hands and unitedly and with spirit see that the desired work be done. Who are meant by all? The one thousand lot-owners, the Ladies' Improvement Association who deserve credit for being largely instrumental in this prospective work, the Cemetery Trustees, two of whom, viz., William Westgate and George Elston, are honored citizens of Marietta, and Mr. Devine of the west side; the latter the writer does not know so well, but believes that his head and heart are right; in fine, all citizens of Marietta who are proud of their home and the attractive, historic spots about it.

Monument To Mark The First Landing Of The Pioneers

An examination of the early maps of Marietta will show the observer that a small rivulet, passing from the southeastern outskirts of the town in a northwesterly direction, crossed Front street near where Buell's drugstore now stands, and wound its way thence to the Muskingum River, near the foot of Monroe street.

The observer of today will liave difficulty in realizing that it was necessary, in early times, to cross this little stream upon a plank causeway in driving down Front street.

The action of the water at the terminus of the stream made quite an excavation in the bank: this impression was quite marked and observable. So much by way of introduction.

In the year 1858, Amos Porter, the then only surviving member of the little band of 48, who arrived at JMarietta April 7, 1788, then quite an old man, at the request of the writer, that he would show him the exact spot where the pioneers landed, took him and others to the bank of the Muskingum, and the mouth of the above rivulet, stating that the "Mayflower" landed on the lower side of the rivulet, and then he and his companions there disembarked . On the opposite side, the bank being somewhat shelving, stood Indians, with their squaws, and some few soldiers from the fort across the river.

The monument erected by the Historical Society, on Friday last (April 7, 1893), to mark the landing of the pioneers of April 7, 1788, was placed at about this spot.

The Old Court House

An obliging, competent friend prepared for me an annotated paper embracing all the laws of the Northwest Territory, and the State of Ohio at an early date, autliorizing the iinprisoiuncjit of debtors. - This paper it was my purpose to use in preparinig my article for this week's paper - but to my great annoyance I find that the much valued paper is mislaid and therefore I shall be compelled in as brief a manner as possible to write on this subject.

During the Territolial government any resident, holding a claim against any citizen which he declined to pay, could after obtaining judgment have the debtor imprisoned, the creditor paying all expenses.

At an early date subsequent to the enactment of the first territorial law allowing imprisonment for debt, jail bounds were established and the debtor was allowed under certain conditions in the daytime to roam within the fixed bounds. After a time the law extended to all the hours of the day or night. As remembered, the conditions were that the debtor was to give an approved bond, signed by two good and sufficient securities, that he would not pass out of the bounds; if he violated this agreement, his bondsmen were held for the debt.

At an early date the Court of Quarter Sessions was authorized to appoint a committee to lay of¥ the prison bounds for Washington County. In accordance with such an appointment the following paper was presented to the court, after which, it will be observed, the lines were run by surveyors, and report made:

We, the subscribers, appointed by the Court of General Q. Sessions to lay out the Prison Bounds, report that they are contained within the following bounds, viz. :

Beginning at the Northwesterly corner of Square No. 52. across Putnam street, to the corner of City Square No. 48, thence a direct line Northwesterly to a stake on t'he Westerly side of Second street, 144 yards from the Southeast corner of City Square No. 45. thence a direct line across Second street, to stake, thence on a direct line across to a post, at the Southwesterly corner of City Square 43, thence across Putnam street, to the Nortliwestcrly corner of City Square 50, thence in a direct line to a stake, nn the Easterly side of Second street, 177 yards from the Southwesterly corner of the jail, thence across Tlurd street, to a stake, thence a direct line to tlie Xuriliwest corneT of Square 52. the place of beginning.

We beg leave further to report that in our opinion there ought to be a committee and Surveyor appointed to survey the same accurately, and erect sufficient monuments .Tt the corners, and to deliver an accurate plan of the same to the Clerk of the Session.

It may be observed that the ground enclosed was nearly square. These lines enclosed not a building or dwelling of any kind, except the old Court House and Jail, which was situated near the center. To the east and south was a sugar tree camp; to the north and west were cultivated fields.

It will take but a segment of an hour to trace these lines : Commence then at the City Hall and go suutlnvesterly about 500 feet to Second street, then southwest about 500 feet to the junction of Front and Putnam streets, thence northeast about 500 feet to the junction of Second and Butler streets, thence a distance of about 500 feet in a northwesterly direction to the place of beginning.

I have an indistinct recollection of the confinement within these lines of one debtor, whose home was in Wood County, Virginia. Another case I speak of with some hesitation, especially as to give it l^oint I must name the parties - both of whom I highlv esteemed and knew they were valued citizens. But as the parties themselves are long since dead, and their families either far removed, or with the silent majority, I will proceed:

Col. Augustus Stone, a pioneer merchant of very extensive trade, had sold to Tallx)t, a maker of hats in ^larietta, a bill of goods, payable in wool hats and ginseng. The time of payment having long been past and no attention paid to letters asking settlement. Colonel Stone obtained judgment before a magistrate. :\Ir., Talbot was arrested and sent to jail. It is very doubtful whether he was locked up, as the jailor and constable liked him. A bond was signed and he was entitled to jail bounds. Mr. Talbot was an honest, good natured, stubborn man. Three weeks of his confinement followed, his wife many days bringing up his dinner to him, and when the weather was pleasant they would sit on a log down Second street and eat together, then, she, employed with her knittinig and by reading, would' while away the hours. Tlie last three days of his confinement she was absent at her old home on Duck Creek.

For some reason or other the Colonel relented, and Mr. Talbot went to his home. The first evening of his freedom, he .said to his wife, - "We must plan in some v.-ay to pay Colonel Stone; it is an honest debt, and if possible must be paid."' After listening to his. plans and rather enjoying his vexation, she said : "See here, old fellow, haven't I often told you I was the best manager. Whilst you were away I employed a journeyman who wanted work. In the other room are a dozen or more wool hats of all sizes, and you know the three days Clum and I were at the old place, we dug sang and brought home a great lot. It was easy work, I can tell you ; there was sang enough there back of the old farm to fill all the pipes in Germany. Now if you say so, we will gO' over tomorrow and pay this debt off." His heart was full and he thanked God for such a helpmate.

The morrow came and so did the couple gij to Cijliinel Stone's store, and now I will let him tell the rest : "I was a little scared when I saw the woman, she was a Broome, and I had always heard they were smart. The amount of the account was asked for, then came the hats and the ginseng, not only for the account with interest but the board bill. I was never so whipped in my life. I tried to talk and explain."

Alonths passed on, the making of hats, hereabouts became unprofitable. Honest Talbot quit the business and bought a yoke of oxen and did general hauling. He had no bettei amployer than Colonel Stone, who gave him all the work he could, and furnished him gratis with ferry tickets that he should have an extended range.

We have had much to say of the Old Court House and iU our next will say something of -the .Viti' Court House. Iniilt only sci'Oity years ago.

Corn Hl'Skixg Times

Having spent the summer of 1823 in the hospitable home of A\'illiam Dana, Esq., of Newport, in my rambles during that summer many hours were spent under the shade of his beautiful sugar tree camp, and, by invitation, spent part of the succeeding February at the same hospitable home. It was sugar-making time and all the girls and boys for miles around assembled in the camp, where the trees were bored, the sap collected in troughs and then conveyed to kettles, some boiled down to sugar and the rest to molasses. It' must not be understood that the young folks did all this work, but they enjoyed many happy hours in aiding others. This was continued for days and nights, and we would spell one another for sleep and meals. During that season there were made 500 pounds of sugar, and many gallons of molasses. \\'ork and amusements were- continued through the night season, and the boys went home with the girls in the morning.

An acquaintance then commenced, it gives me great pleasure to sa_\', has ever been continued, having always been happy and proud to claim as acquaintances ancl friends the Danas, Greenwoods, Battelles, Greens Barkers, Bosworths, Littles, Reas, Aaron Edgell, Dr. Mcllhenny. Ezra O'Neil, and others too numerous to mention. I must not fail to say here that the girls of that day, in after years grown to womanhood, became eminent and useful as the wi\-es and mothers of prominent men. For instance, Miss Dana, who marrieil Thomas \\\ Ewart, Esq., they are the parents of Thomas Ewart of this city, and \Villiam Ewart of Chicago, the world known discoverer and patentee i of the Endless Eziwt Chain. Miss Phoebe Battelle, in early life a successful teacher in the Marietta schools, married Rev. ]Mr. Browning, making their home in St. Louis, Missouri, and exercising for more than a century an almost magnetic influence for good throughout the State. Another of this set. as brilliant and beautiful as any of her companions, chose the fortunes of a Methodist minister's wife, marrying Rev. Israel Archbold, numbering among their cliildren John D. Archbold, the accomplishdd and successful vice-president of that mammoth concern, the Standard Oil Company.

But enough of the sugar camp and the companions of those days. Others have written their accounts of corn huskings, and the doings of assembled neighbors on such occasions, but I shall venture briefly to give my own recollections of one of these once popular assemblages.

In the earlv spring of 1826, as well as I can recollect, the young people of ]\Iarietta were promised that after the growing crop of that year was gathered, they should be of the number invited to a corn husking on the farm of Mr. Devol, residing up the Muskingum River about four miles from town. I must not allow this opportunity to pass without saying that in the far back years, as well as at the present time, the Devol s have been distinguished for their generous hospitality and kindly entertainments, especially to young people.

The growing corn was watched as it approached maturity, its cutting up and being placed in shocks. In fine, every stage of advancement to the earnestly looked for period was marked with interest.

St 11)11 after llie scliools closed in tlie afternoon of that day, the young folks of [Marietta and Harmar, began to gether by appointment, at what was then known as "Post Office Corner." The girls with their baskets of nrovisions, and the young men. dressed for the occasion, were there assembled, when two farm wagons, strewn with straw, were soon filled bv the eager waiters, leaving at least one half of the crowd unprovided with any conveyance. As the distance was short, an agreement was soon reached that the old fashion of travel should be adopted, ride and tic; this by some was understood, the wagons dro\e mi, aii:l the walkers, girls and boys, which ci:i;>lituted the larger number, followed, meeting with no detention, and only halting for a few minutes' conversation with Deacon W'illiam Putnam, who. knowing some of us, inquired where \\'e were bound? Told that we were going to a corn husking, he replied, in a cute and kindly way, "I feel sorr_\- fur llw cuni." His son, William, and Abner (iuitleau joined us there. After this slight detention, we all eagerly listened to the recital of John Hill, who was of our number, who told us that during the Indian war, on the ridge immediately to our right, was killed and scalped a famous, faithful scout by the name of Rogers. The hearing this tale, the recital of which quickened our steps, soon brought us to the mouth of Mill Creek. It was about here that those, who were acquainted with what ride and fie meant, began to look for the farm wagons, but so much did the parties in possession of the wagons enjoy the ride that they did not suggest to fie till they arrived at the Devol farm. On our arrival some of the kind-hearted ones of those who had rode promised that we should ride back, but such was not the arrangements of the- wagoners.

All thing were in readiness when we reached the appointed spot; the neighbors for miles around being gathered together. The corn in husks was placed in heaps of about 250 bushels each, the captains, Lu Putnam and Bill Devol, afterward known as Maj. Louis Putnam, and Judge \\'illiam Devol.

Soon was our party di\-ided, and added to the already two lists for the promised contest. Before commencing the evening's work, a few moments were allowed us for looking about. Under an extended bower were placed the provided eatables, consisting of all the goocl things of those days. I remember among them baskets or doughnuts, hundreds of pumpkin pies, and in cHie corner an immense heap of beautiful apples, and a barrel of cider on top; the hill-tops seemed to be all ablaze with brush tires lighted for the occasion.

Corn husking soon began and a busier set of workers I never saw. Some green ones, such as I, who had never husked an ear of corn before, knew not at which end to begin. The piles of the corn grew smaller, and so did the wee hours of the night, before it was apparent which side would win. But as all things must have an end, so did this frolic, and Captain Devol's company was declared the victor. After a few songs came the entertainment which was the best of all. For the first time in my hfe I had all the doughnuts I wished to eat. After this eating and drinking, an hour was spent in listening to interesting recitals of Revolutionary times by old father Devol, and Indian stories by old Solomon Dickey and others.

After all this. Jack Brough, one of our town boys, who belonged to the beaten side of buskers, challenged the other side to a game of foot ball, in order that the sport should continue. The challenge was accepted, upon condition that suitable ground should be found, and a ball should be forthcoming: Brough, always on the lookout for this kind of sport, suggested a neighboring pasture field, and from his pocket drew a leather covering, in which was a bladder, soon blown to its full and tied at the neck. His captain allowed him to conduct this game. Soon were the parties arranged for the contest, Brough and his competitors in the center of the field to commence the game. No sooner was high buck and low down pronounced, than Brough being successful in securing the ball, kicked it as if aiining at the moon, over the heads of his opponents.

and making his way through their ranks, bore the ball to the goal without the aid of one of his forces. Amazement seized all and general acclaim followed the great surprise. Nothing but Brough's avoirdupois (his weight then being near 200) prevented his being seized and borne on the shoulders of the victorious party. Music and dancing on the lawn wound up the night's adventures, and we all made our way to our homes by the light of the moon.

A Hunt In 1832

It was earl}- in the morning of a pleasant Oct(jber day in 1832 that a party of us boys, six or more in number, assembled at the old "Post Ot^ce Corner" to place in a rickety old wagon articles supposed to be necessary for two days" camping, fishing, and hunting on the hill tops, woods, and water streams of the center part of the northerly township of this county. I will name a portion of the articles thus gathered : Bedding, guns of all kinds then in use, skillets, bake-pans, ovens, butcher-knives, coffee-boilers, tin cups, bacon, ham, coffee, a bag each of flour and corn-meal, a small vial of laudanum, besides an antidote for snake-bites.

"Tlo ride and tie" was the order of the day. Some of the more experienced ones of our party understood the meaning of this arrangements, and chose first to ride, leaving at least half of the party to do the walking. As was not unusual in those days, the party wdio first rode made the distance over the Cjuite long hills and crossed the creek at White's Mill before tying; those on foot, coming to tlie streams were boated over l)y a neighboring farmer at the small cost of a cent each ; the party making the second drive continued on the road, soon coming up with their companions, near what is now Caywood's station, our objective point being the clearing at Esquire Dye's. We were Cjuite willing to give the reins to one of the party who had once before been over the road. Our arrival was anticipated by the 'Squire and his good wife, and we soon sat down to a table loaded with the luxuries of Lawrence township. A lamb had been killed and was served up in various forms; sweet and Irish potatoes, cabbage, and turnips, succeeded by pumpkin and peach pie, delicious pears, and peaches, and apples with cider just from the press made our entertainment. Nothing but the fact that we had for months talked about a hunt and camping out was 'inducement strong enough to take us from this hospitable home. Here our party was joined by two of the sons of the old 'Squire, and a number of other neighboring youngsters, who, bringing their dogs with them, made, with the hounds we had brought from town, our hunting equipment complete.

Advised by those who knew the country best, we determnied to camp on what is now called "Potato Knob," wdiich is the highest point of land in Washington County. To reach this point with our wagon required almost the cutting of a new road-way; fortunately, we found the bed of Bear Creek much of the way bare, which allowed us many times to take the bed of the creek as our road-way, and we were all quite willing that the foremost of those in the outset who proposed riding and tying should drive. This high point of land reached, and our stores safely packed away, after preparing our evening meal, our arrangements were made for the night hunt. It was said that bear and wolves and foxes inhabited the surrounding woods, which extended many miles in either direction, with only here and there a habitation on the lowland.

Our 56-pounder { which was a scale weight, having a hole drilled in it about eight inches in depth and one inch in diameter with a small hole drilled upon the top, near the butt, in which to place priming) was put in position on the brow of the hill, and loaded with blank shot; the purpose of this was that an early hour in the morning the firing should give notice to all the hunters the direction of the camp.

game : all night long this racing was continued and when the signal gun of the morning was fired, one by one, our party, tired and warm, and yet excited, returned to camp. Some had undoubtedly been on the waters of Archer's Fork; some on Cow Run; and others on the Little Muskingum. Our breakfast, served on a fallen log, consisted of a tin-cup each of strong, hot coffee, a slice of baker's bread, and some ham broiled on the embers of a hickory fire, was enlivened by the spirited accounts of each one, in detail speaking of his night's adventures. After these experiences were related, in a council held with our comrades, who were conversant with the territory, the conclusion was reached to partly retrace our steps, cross the Little Muskingum, making our way up to the mouth of Rocky Fork, a tributary of Fifteen 'MWt Creek. After reloading our wagon, and by vote selecting the driver - one who knew the country best - others were assigned to different duties for the day, such as hunting, fishing, and cooking. Before night, the signal gun brought us all into the new camp; after the enjoyment of a hearty meal, prepared by our cook and his assistants, the luxuries of which were fish from the mountain stream, squirrel and pheasants frnm the forests, and a cup each of fresh-made cider, from the press of our old friend, which one of our successful liuiifcrs had secured in his round for the day.

Our first movement after night-fall was to the near-by burning spring, very near to which in earlier days a company residing in ^Marietta had bored two wells, attempting to find salt water. (The date of this transaction was settled to the satisfaction of the writer in an interview with an old lady, the daughter of the contractor; an account of this interview will be given in the future, we here only stating that the attempt to get salt at this point was made in 181 6.)

Leaving (lur burning spring can>p, the whole party, with the dogs in the rear, made our way southward to the hill-top, between the waters of Fifteen ^Dile Creek and AIoss Run.

From that high point we started our dogs, and we all. unsportsmanlike, scattered, each one to continue his night's adventures; caverns were explored ; buffalo beats were examined; bear wallows were, by many of us, for the first time visited. The night, being bright moonlight, allowed careful investigation of all these spots. Being nearby the most experienced hunter of the crowd, the writer followed his footsteps, and soon found himself on a high point of land, from which could be witnessed the doings of the dogs and their game; this was exciting beyond all description.

As it neared daylight, our party were all called into camp and notified b}- our leader that the dogs were gathered near the mouth of a cavern, and the indications were that in that cavern would either be f(.iund a wolf or a bear, with her }-oung. Around this spot we soon collected ; finding here, as reported, all the hunting di'gs. evidently much excited; very soon it would ha\'e been difficult to determine whether the hunters or d'ogs were more excited. It seemed pretty certain that a wild beast of some magnitude and fierceness was in the cavern. A council was held, and it was determined that the only way to accomplish the death of the animal would be by the crawling of one of the party intO' the cave; the cpestion then was, who slujuld attempt this supposed hazardous undertaking; we were not long in determining that point as one of our number liore the name of "the Celebrated W'oli Hunter of the Spelling Book." -

Finding' that the lot had fallen upon him, our hero soon prepared himself for the adventure; he tightened his belt, picked the flint of his gun, tied a long rope about his body, and had a few words of undertone conversation with his nearest friends ; the clear understanding with those surrounding the entrance was that a certain movement of the rope should be the signal for drawing out the adventurer ; scarcely had he disappeared from sight before the signal was violently given, and he was hastily drawn to the entrance ; soon as he could - coiUrol his voice, "Goshens," he exclaimed, "but she gave me a snorter." He had hardly got through witli his words before there appeared from the same opening an animal about the size of a cat, who evidently resented the intrusion, and left with us all positive evidence of her presence and displeasure. W'e all breakfasted together ; there was no use to divide, for all had been besprinkled with the same pungent odor. \\'e broke camp and made for our homes, where each buried his garments until the kindl}' earth cleansed them of the offensive smell. We were descendants of Putnam, the old hunter of Pomfret ; but after that misadventure were cjuite modest in laying claim to the honor.

In the months just passed how sorrowful have been Death's doings among our dear friends and life-long associates! They have not only gone from our sight, but they have carried with them much knowledge of the past. Who is left to treat upon the themes and relate the incidents of events with accuracy, upon which they discoursed with familiarity? Alas, they are forever gone, and bore with them to the grave knowledge, of which we will now all be forever ignorant.

I have in mind many of whom I would write - they each deserve a chapter. I can but name them, as the chief object of this article is to forcibly set forth the danger of delay in rescuing what is left. Today I *beg you, commence to put on paper zchat the old folhs say of the past. Don't delay. They soon will have joined the majoritv wdio have left us.

We first name William D. Emerson, for 70 years a student, a lawyer Jjy profession, most thoroughly acquainted with the history of our early lawyers and statesmen. Who that now lives has such knowledge?

Henry Armstrong, the cattle buyer and butcher of long years ago. Now that he is gone, who can tell us of the cattle dealers and stock raisers of early years?

Rufus E. Hart - well posted was he in the bar and the bench, in this locality, for the last 50 years. Who that lives can com'municate to us such knowledge now ?

Jonathan Dye, like his father, was bighearted and generous. It was said of the latter, while he was magistrate in Lawrence township, that he sold his favorite cow to meet the obligation of a debtor against whom there was a jucigment on his docket in favor of an urgent creditor.

Dr. Seth Hart, of Harmar. that good old n-||an whom e\-er},'body lo\'ed, had knowledge of the practice and success of all of his profession, for near a hundred years, hereabouts. \\'ho can tell us this history now? Dr. Add}-, an examlple of Christian character, must thoroughly posted in the history of liis church, from the beginning until now, in the Northwest.

George Irish, identiiied with our husiness interests fi:r many years; in later years a most extensive dealer in timber, under whose commands the ginnt forest trees have fallen ; the test authority on timl^er and its growth.

Harvey Laflin, the wheelhorse of the Democracy of the west side, of long ago, the contemporary of Brough, Joline, Flood, ^\'ood, Humphreys, Skinner, Di:ke\- and Ross. He died the other day. A\'liii lives now to tell this place. When quite young, he Ijecanie a clerk for John I\l5lls, and was for many years identified in his mercantile business, a portion of the time as partner. In very early life he attached himself to the Methodist Church. As teacher and superintendent he made himself \ery useful in the Sabbath-school. As a meniber of the official board, he was much loved and respected by his associates, made up of such men as Whitney, Crawford, Daniels, Hall, Pd'otsman, Jennings and others. He dies far away fromi his old home and associates. No doubt a suitable stone will mark his grave. But better than on granite or glass tablets his record is on high. ^ How- very much it would interest the Methodist of the future to know what he has left unwritten.

' Bwt whilst I linger at the graves of these, my friends, I remember that woman, that was last at the cross and earliest at the grave, has been stricken by the shafts of death as well.

In Oak GroA^e Cemetery the upturned sod tells me that here lies Mxs. Abigal Hook, the wife of John Hook, Esci., and daughter of ilr. and Mrs. Joseph Kelly. At this home she was taught the ways of righteousness, and in early life learned to know the dear friends of her mother, Mirs. Curtis, Mrs. Whitney, Mrs.' Crawford, the Methodist ministers and their wives and families. Mrs. Hook lived tO' be near 80 years of age; with a retentive memory, much did she know. But where is the record ?

A few1 days since, beneath a spreading hemlock, in the Union township cemetery, there was laid to rest one aged and ma.ich beloved, Mrs. Helen Putnam De\'ol. In life an honor to both surnames. She knew xtry mjuch of the past history of the Miiskingumj Valley. And it was her pleasure ofttimes to entertain her relatives and visitors with accounts of the earlier days of this region. Her's was a happy old age, and every hour she was imparting pleasing instruction to her children and grandchildren and scores of acquaintances who enjoyed being in her presence. But is there any record left of this long life of acquired knowledge ?

slow tramp of the funeral procession, as they l:)ear to the gra\-e the remains of one who longyears ago, was a resident here. jNI'rs. Smith, wiio died in the East on the 14th day of t'.iis month, and at her request is ibm'ied in Oak Grove' Cemetery, by the side of her husband, the former president of Marietta College, eloquent and learned. Mrs. Smith and her husband were attendants at the Congregational Church of this city, in the j-ears wlien Deacon Williami R). Putnam, Deacon John Cotton, Deacon Anselmi T. Nye, Dudley W^odbridge, Samuel Shipman, Daniel B. Bosworth were prominent. If she has left a record of those days it will Init aid the present pastor in his untiring work of compiling a history of liis church.

Mr. Edit.)!-. - As there probably will be considerable interest r.mong the Sunday-school delegates assembled here this week from all parts of Ohio, in regard to Mrs. Nancy Frost, who ua> a nionhcr of the first Sundayschool e\er held ill ihr XMrihwc-t. I send you herewith an article written -^mic nnu- -ince. after a personal interview witli her of several hours.

The statements therein made are interesting, containing the recollections of a person tlien over 100 years of age. and at this date, possessing most of her faculties unimpaired, although 106 years of age.

A Genuine Pioneer

The most remarkalile woman, in many resi>ects, in the State of Ohio, is Mrs. Xancy .-Vllison Frost, who lives a dozen miles from [Nkirietta, upon the banks of tb.e ]\IliskiiTc;um Rivei.

Mrs. Frost is remarkable on account of her age, having completed her first century se\eral months ago. She is esi>ecially interesting, ho\\ever. for the reason that her memoryis something extraordinary, and that she has such an immense collection of facts connected with tlie early history of Ohio stored away in her recollection. It seems alniost past belief that one can talk with a person who was born only one year after the Revcilution was over, who was three years of age at the time the celebrated ordinance of 1787 was passed, five years old when onr Constitntion went into effect, and 15 years old at the time of the death of Washington.

Nancy Allison was born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, O'ctober 22, 1784. She. with her father and his family, moved to Marietta in the fall of 1789, the year after the tirst settlement of O'bio at that point, and consequently she has been a dweller within the boundaries of the State almost from its beginning. Two years after the arrival of the family, the terrible Indian war - 1 791- 1795 - broke ont, and these fearful years of anxiety and peril were passed by the residents of Marietta in the two forts they had built for their protection. The Allisons li\-ed during this time in the celebrated Cam'pus ]\Iartius. Of all those ea.rly pioneers who suffered and hoped together during those tedious years, Xancv Allison Frost is the last survivor, and it is thought that she is the only li\'ing [lerson in Ohio who has an}- personal rec<illecti(in of the Indian war. She remembers ilistinctly the consternation of the garrison upon the arrival of the news of the massacre oi 14 persons at Big Bottom. Court was in session at Marietta at the time, and the feelings of the husbands and fathers, who h.ad left unprotected wives and children in their little defenseless cabins, cann(jt be described.

Mrs. Frost speaks familiarl\- of Gen. Rufus Putnam ancl Maj.. Anselm Tupper, the leaders of the 48 pioneers who made the great State of Ohio a possibility, and she saw them every day of those long years of incarceration in the fort. She speaks with si^ecial interest of Maj. Anselm Tupper. afterward commander of the garrison, but at this tinxe the teacher for at least three years in the Campus Martins, and the first person to show the young idea how to siioot in the Northwest Territory. She talks in saddened tones, even yet, when slie tells of the death of a little schoolmiate, and how ]Major Tupper had helped herself and three other little girls pass long handkerchiefs under the box which contained their little playmate, and carry her, themselves, to the grave, followed by all the sorro\\ing inmates of the garrison.

She remembers well Arthur St. Clair, first governor of the Northwest Territory, and his beautiful daughter. Louisa, who at the time wns 18 }-ears old. and the helle of the garrison. Full of health and animal spirits, ready u> enjciy anything, a fine horseback rider, a beautiful skater, an excellent markswoman, is it any wonder that half the }-oung m.«n in the garrison were madly in love with the brilliant girl, v.-ho seemed formed for the life she led?

I\Irs. Frost remenrbered Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Williams, and their pretty daughter, Drusilla," well. My readers may not recollect that this family, as early as 1786, were living in (West) Virginia inimediately opposite Marietta. Nothing could exceed their kindness, Mrs. I'ros'i said, to the Marietta pioneers. Isaac Williams, in "the starving year" of 1790, had a goi id ci-iip of ciirn, for which he refused the offer, made by a S]3eculator, of $2 a bushel, that he might sell it. at 50 cents a bushel, to each family, as they had need of it, as long a-^ it lasted. After this was gone, though, the people had a weary time for months, some of them having to eat even nettle-tops, and the weed known as pigeon berry. Mrs. Williams shov.'cd her kind heart by the salves and lotions the made for the weary, bruised pioneers, and by the readiness with which she nursed the sick, and put in place the broken limibs of unfortunate woodsmen.

MV'S. Frost attended what was probably the first Sunday-school taught in the Northwest Tferritor}-. IMrs. Mary Lake, a most estimable, benevolent ^^-oman, was the instructor, and gathered every Sunday afternoon, 15 to 20 young people in her room at the garrison. Here she taught them the \^'estminster Catechism, the Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and told her little listeners about John Rodgers and many a winning story about the Bible. Their accommodations were the simplest im- aginable, - a chair, even, being- quite a rarity in tlie Caniipus Al'artius, Init :\Irs. Frost doubts wlietlier, with all tlie organs, and lesson leaves, and libraries and Christmas trees of the present day, there are more interesting schools now than this primitive one taught Ijv good Mrs. Lake.

Airs. Frost laughed as she told of a little playmate named Alaria Green, who ^^-as the hiippy possessor of the only doll in the garrison. Mts. Frost described this ntuch-envied treasure as minutely as if she had seen it only yesterday, whereas 90 years have flown siuce slie left the Campus ADartius. In 1795 her family moved up on the IMuskingun-t, almost opposite w'here the village of Lowell novr stands. Five years after, when 16 years old, Nancy Allison married Stephen Frost, who lived upon the farm adjoining her fath.er's. and this spot has been her home almost ever since.

In the course of nature one would think that Mrs. Frost's course must be nearly run. but her activity, both physical and nrental, is something astonishing. To see a woman 100 years old shovel up and carry in a bucket of coal with entire ease to herself is certainly wonderful. She sews and reads with ease, and makes most of her clothing, her dresses included. She showed the writer, with great pride, the pretty white curtains at her bedroon; windows, which she had made herself. She uses no spectacles, but has been enjoying her second sight for some years.

Mrs. Frost's only infirmity seems to be a slight deafness, but it is scarcely of enough consequence to be mentioned, as she hears readily all conversation directed to herself.

Upon the occasion of her looth birthday she rijde eight or ten miles to the house of a relative, and did not seem very much fatigued by the trip.

It is really beautiful to observe the relations existing between herself and her grandson's family, with whom she li'.es. Mrs. Frost told me of the loving, tender care with which the whole household treated her, and the famjly in her absence spoke of her with the utmost freedom. Religion, however, is the great abiding comfort of this remarkable wonian and she told mfc that while she was willing to stay her allotted time on earth, she was ready whene\er the summons came to go. Als her grandfather Allison lived to the age of 104, Mrs. Frost may still have years of usefulness before her.

For years and down , to the present, the writer has heard many things derogatory to the pioneers and their successors. At once to gi\'e the reader to understand ^^-hat it mteans by this article, below will be found a sample of the inuendoes of an old and a later date. MtMaster. in a recent work entitled "MtMaster's Histdry of the United States," Vol. i, page 145, in speaking of the early comers here, says :

"\\'heeling was a place of fifty log and frame houses, boasted of a stockat'le. and, in troubled times, of a garrison of one hundred and fifty troops.

"Below it, near the Muskingum,, was Alarietta. In the official language of the time it was described as being in the territory of the United States northwest of the rive'r Ohio. But the phrase was too long for the boatmen and settlers, and as they expressed it. Marietta was on the Indian side of the Ohio. Two hundred wooden houses of boat planks, or of logs, nuide up the towin.

"The inhabitants were /(7.:_\' and given to drink, cultivated little land, a'nd lived ehieUx on venison, n'ild turkeys, and bread made of Indian corn. Food, therefore uvs scarce and dear; nor 7vas it always that the owner of a few bushels of 'red potatoes' or a half dozen barrels of flour could be induced to part with one even for money. ]\Iian_\- a flat-biiatman, who stopped at the place to buy food, went away disappointed."

says "The inhabitants were lazy and given to drinlc. cultivated little land, and lived chiefly on venison, wild turkeys, and bread made of Indian corn. Food was therefore scarce and dear ; nor was it always that the owner of a few bushels of 'red potatoes' or a half dozen barrels of flour coulcl be induced to part with one even for money. ^lany a flat-lioatman who stopped at the place to buy food went away disappointed."

The inhabitants oi AKarietta had barely closed their trials and anxieties with the smallpox, when they were assailed by a more obstinate and unrelenting, if net nuire dangerous, enemy. It was a trial in which all. whether rich or poor, ^\-ere more or less in\-olved and that was a scarcity of wholesome food. It was as late as the fore part of June, 1789, before the inhabitants had finished fencing and planting the great corn-field on the plain. The increased number of horses and oxen had made it necessary to enclose the field with a fence, while the year before it had been without one. A brush fence from the Muskingum to Duck Creek, had afi^orded a sufficient range for the stock then in the country. A frost on the first of October had seared the corn, when it was not fairly out of that soft and succulent state, called the milk. It was gathered and put away, and supposed by many that when fairly dried it wo-uld make good bread, but wJien tried, it almost invariably produced sickness and vomiting; even the domestic animals could not eat it with safety. The effect was similar tO' that of a fungus grain, or "sick wheat," as it is generally called. Eatable corn rose from 50 rents to Si. 50 and $2 a bushel; the poorest was $1.

By the middle of Alay, the scarcity was felt generally ; there were but few cows in the country tO' afford milk; no oxen or cattle to spare for n-Jeat. and but very few hogs. The woods, which were full of game in 1788, were nowt nearly as bare of it as an old settled country - the Indians having killed or driven away nearly all the deer within 20 miles of Marietta. In the great scarcity it was wonderful how little there was of selfishness, and how generally kindness and good-feeling abounded ; those who had more resources, lent or gave to those who had less, using at the same time the strictest economy themjselves, that they might be more able to- do so; occasionally a turkey or a piece of bearmeat was procured from the hunters which was put intO' the kettle and boiled up with hominy or coarse m!eal ; those who had cows divided the milk with their neighbors, especialh' Avhere there were children ; sugar or ntolasses they had little of, as they had no kettles to boil the sap of the maple which grew in great abundance on the rich lands, and would have afforded a valuable source of nourishment in the general scarcity. The river furnished a tolerable supply of fish, and aided much in preventing starvation, especially in very poor families. Nettle-tops, and the tender shoots of pigeon berry ( Phytolacca dccai'.dra) as soon as they appeared were gathered up and boiled with a little flour or meal and salt and eaten by many persons ; potato tops were eaten in the same way. Salt was scarce, and sold in small parcels for 50 cents a cjuart. Spice bush and sassafras afforded an elimentary drink in the place of tea and coffee.

The Ohio Company, with a liberality worthy of all praise, assisted many poor families with small loans of money, or the suffering would have been much greater. With this they could occasionally get provisions from boats descending the Ohio. Thus they struggled along until the j-oung beans and early squashes appeared, when green corn and potatoes, which \\as considered a perfect relief, and finally the ripened corn, with a little wheat, ground in hand-mills, furnished bread that was thought a luxury. The matrons of the colony, in a little sober chitchat over a cup of spice-wood tea, without any sugar and very little milk, concluded if they lived ever to enjoy a supply of wholesome food for their children and selves, they would never complain of their fare be it e\'er so humble.