Valley Township (part 1 of 2)

Valley Township

This county takes in the entire valley of Hocking from a point a few miles above JSTelsonville to its junction with the Ohio at Hocking port, a distance of nearly forty miles. It lies wholly within the productive coal measures. More or less coal has been developed over the principal portions of the county. For present use we shall have to confine our investigations to the Sunday Creek Valley, including the northen part of Athens County and the southern townships of Perry County. We select this district for various reasons:

1. Of the three eastern tributaries of the Hocking River, Monday Creek, Sunday Creek, and Federal Creek, Sunday Creek is the middle stream. Monday Creek is the stream where the great coal seam is high, and is mined by drifting; and, consequently, there must be a large amount of crop coal, and worthless. On Federal Creek the great vein, if there, is deep and would require very heavy expenses to obtain it by shafting. On Sunday Creek we have the mean between the crop coal and expensive shafting.

ties, affords the best shipping facilities that can be found anywhere. Capitalists desiring to invest in coal and mineral property are interested to know what they are purchasing.

In a vertical section 1,100 feet of vertical face, extending below the surface of the valley of the Waverly group, 500 feet; and from the creek to the summit of the most elevated hill, 600 feet, we have the vertical section of 1,100 feet. Beginning at the Waverly and passing upward, we can count the various geological formations. We shall not, at present, enumerate the strata, but simply the different formations:

1. The rock containing brine, from which a vast amount of salt has been manufactured. We then alternate between the limestone shales and sandstone till we reach (2) fire-clay, of which there are many horizons.

3. Above the first fire-clay we have our first coal formation. The entire coal formation of this section measures about twentyseven feet. Another valuable formation we discover in the face of the section.

6. Alternating with coal and iron ores, we have heavy shale deposits - still-water formations. There can be seen ( 7 ) various layers of sandstone? some of these layers are more than fifty feet thick and excellent for the manufacture of glass. Others are excellent for building stone. There are also beds of flagstone. Flowing in two porous blue ( 8 ) sand rocks is petroleum.

9. Illuminating gas flows with the oil and with salt water. All these mineral products are seen in the Sunday Creek Valley, and are found within the 1,100 , feet. Let us form them into a list:

On Federal Creek and continuing eastward to the rim of the Hoeking Valley basin is the Pittsburg coal seam, measuring about eight feet of coal. Above this coal are very heavy horizons of limestone, shales, marls, sandstone and iron ore. On Federal Creek, and on the East Branch of Sunday Creek are oil wells which have produced many thousand barrels of rock oil. The disintegration of the higher limestone formations has made for Federal Creek and other eastern tributaries of Hocking a soil of great productiveness.

History Of Hocking Valley

Their waters-sheds are full of lime, which being washed down the - slopes and into the valleys, produces a black soil, equal to any on the globe. Such is a brief outline of the geological formations of Hocking Valley, between the Waverly and Drift of Fairtield and the buff limestone of the eastern water-sheds. Our space will not allow us to say more about its geological formations. We now come to examine another interesting feature of the Hocking Valley; it may be termed the analysis of its geology.

Its Stratigraphical Features

In our geological sketch we described each formation as a whole, such as shales, sandstones, limestones, fire clays, marls, iron ores, and coal. We shall now view these formations in their distinct horizons, or layers.

All the formations native to the Hocking Valley are what may be termed sedimentary. The particles of which they are composed were held in solution by the waters of the ocean once covering the entire globe. Hocking Valley cannot date beyond the Waverly. Its age is that of the lower productive coal measures. The valley is, geologically, young. Ages after the Laurentian Mountains of Canada and the Adirondack Mountains lifted their snow heads above the primeval ocean the Allegheny Range quietly slept be neath its turbid brine. In the revolving cycles, the loftiest peaks struggled into atmospheric life; through a series of risings above the sea surface, and fallings beneath it, the mountains stood forth to sink no more. By the upheaval of the Allegheny Mountains and the Cincinnati Arch, the Ohio River trough was formed, the western side of which has, in part, been grooved out into what is now called the Hocking Valley. The valley itself has, therefore, been formed since the deposit of all its eroded strata, and is more recent than the Cincinnati Arch and the Allegheny Mountains. The strata that form the lower coal measures are sedimentary deposits from the ancient ocean. And since coal is of vegetable origin, the forests which produced the coal must have grown above the waters; and afterward, submerged, and made the floor of later deposits. All the other strata, such as shales, fire-clay, limestone, sandstone, iron ore, were submarine deposits.

In our division it is our purpose to notice these distinct sedimentary deposits, which aggregate about 1,100 feet in thickness. The lowest strata in the valley are the Waverly, in Fairfield County, covered by the glacial drift of a more recent date. This floor dates, geologically, far baok of the coal moa me , incu the coal measures v<- i upon the upper Waverly as iti floor; our theme requires us to notice each layer lill we reaob tlie en item water lied. These strata rega/te aboul 1,600 feet, in vertical height; by this we mean thai i be oresi of i bo eastern water shed of i be I locking Valley is, geolog* ioally, 1,500 feel bigher than the Waverly floor of Fairfield, and thai the mouth of Flocking al I'lockingport is, stratigraphioally, at least L,000 feel bigher than il fountain source in Fairfield County, When speaking of strata ii musl nol be supposed thai each stratum is found iu every pari of the valley, nor thai they are of uniform thickness Shales vary in thickness from a few inohos to fifty feet. As thev were still water deposits, the duration of the si illness and the amount of theolay sedimenl and day and sand determine the amount of deposil Limei tone formations are nol uniform; nor are the sand rooks, iron ore and ooal deposits; the} often lie in pockets and lagoons We shall name suoh strata only as may be found Bomewhere In the valley, describing only where they are of speoial value. A:, we pass down the valley we shall pass up the strata, as one ascends a High I ofstairs, eaoh stratum being a step, or, as the shelves of a mineralogioal oabinet, eaoh stratum formings shelf, Commencing with the Waverly, as the floor of our cabinet, lei us note each shelf and its oontents a i we ascend tend over the entire valley, still it is a large deposit in certain lo oalities, and is of oon iiderable value, I '- is n valuable deposil <>f the cabinet, The Bhale stratum is nexl inorderin the ascending stral igraphioal shelves, ^s the shales have nol been utilised, only by n 1 1 me in forming the ba lis of many of its soils, we shall pass them with o general remark, i hat they being still water deposits predom

The alternation of mineral rook deposits require sandstone Che i indstone strata are numorous, and vary exceedingly in their texture, Some aro i"'1 wfl for building atone, othors bard ami shellj ; seme nre conglomerate and coarse grained, The ridges have specimens of glass rook over Aft} feel thick, rim Hooking Valley abounds in uxcollonl frees to jig belonging to th'i lowoi ooal measures Some of the rooks resemble the besl Wavorlj sands to no Phe valley tins extou ive beds of excellent fiagstono We therofbre plaoe our freestone stratum among our \aiuahle minerals. There are man\ hen ous of flre-olay Theeare in plaoos of oxoellont quality,

The> form the floors of our iron oro bods, ooal seams, and somo linn-, underlie limestone formations. Tin- tire olays are, therefore, of grout commercial value Hie str.ua thai lies bolow tin- ooal reins wo pass without furthor uotioo. Our mining operations will, porhaps, extend onl\ to tho lowor coal veins, which oropoul near Nelson villo, in tho Hooking \ ' al'e\ . along Monday Oroek, md Lowor Snow l'\»rlv, :ii New Stfaitsville, Shawnoe, and is al tho dopth of aboul eight) feet in Lowor Sunday Crook Valley; al Corning, about forty foot; and :ii Rondvillo, but a low feel benoath the surface

L'ho seams of coal in tho Hooking Valley, including its eastern tributaries, number in all six. Tho ftrsl is about twenty ox feet bolow tho ' groat ve n," known as the Nolsonvillo seam. It tnoas u res about three foot. The second vein is tho Nolsonvillo seam. It measures in tho [locking Valley proper about six foot. On Mom >!:i\ Creek it is six to ton fool thick; on tho v aters >>t' Upper Sunday Greek it measure. from seven to tnn foot, at one point thirteen feet, tn tho Lowor Suuday Crook Valloy, in tho shafts, il averages nine foot. This istheonlv coal whioh,from Hooking Valley, Has reached successfully tin- general market, rts excellent quality is admitted, ami tin1 vastnoss of i he deposit places its v.iluo m tin- front rank of all tho mineral deposits of tho valle\ l?ho third seam of coal is about so von I y H> o feel abo\ o the Nolsonvillo seam. It averages, in thickness, about four and one-half feet. It is oallod the Bailey's Run ooal, and bolongs principally tt> Sunday Crook ami. as u has been tho only ooal over used in tin- 1 . >wor Sunday Crook \ralloy,and lies at the baso of its hills, il may bo oallod the Sunday Crook ooal. It is not yol known in tho goueral market, It 1ms often been una d and coked, b\>r steam generation it is excellent, makes coke, and fordomestio uses it is not readily excelled Should it oomo into .".en ise tor ookingil will become of i in mouse value, A fourth seam of coal i^ found thirty Bovonfoot above the Bailey's Run coal, too thin, however, for mining oxcepl in mining a seam of ore ol which it forms tho floor, A tifth coal seam, two and one-half feel thick, lies ami remove ami nt :li o its vast deposits Alternating with our ooal seams and limestone strata are counted thirteen her; onset iron ore, Hooking Valloy Is looatod within the iron bolt of Ohio half a century. Its veins of ore are, in certain localities, rich and productive. They vary from six inches to five and one-half feet in thickness. They yield by analysis from twenty-five to sixty per cent, of pure iron.

In Hocking Valley are found twelve horizons of limestone. Four of these spread through half of the valley, the other strata lie along the eastern rim. One deposit is about thirty feet thick, and very pure. Our eastern ridges are formed of heavy limestone layers. The principal strata, which we have enumerated, are found in the higher portion, and in the eastern division of the valley, commencing at the tops (top shelf in our mineral cabinet) of our eastern hills and counting the strata as we descend the rock slopes: (1) The buff limestone; (2) Shales; (3) Sand rock; (4) Limestone; (5) Sandstone; (6) Iron ore; (7) Shale; (8) Pittsburg coal seam; (9) Fire-clay; (10) Rich nodular ore in thirty feet of red marl, nodules yielding fifty-five per cent, of pure iron; (11) Limestone; (12) Sandstone; (13) Iron ore; (14) Ames limestone; (15) Shales; (16) Ferruginous clay stone; (17) Coal, two and one half feet; (18) Ferruginous limestone; (19) Black limestone; (20) Ferruginous limestone; (21) Shales; (22) Black band ore; (23) Coal, one and one half feet; (24) Big vein ore, five and one half feet; (25) Shales under fire-clay; (26) Bailey's Run coal, four and one half feet; (27) Fire-clay; (28) Limestone; (29) Iron ore; (30) Sandstone; (31) Shales; (32) Limestone; (33) Sand rock; (34) Shales; (35) Limestone; (36) Sandstone; (37) Black slate; (38) Nelson ville coal; (39) Fire-clay; (40) Sandstone; (41) Limestone; (42) Shales coal, two and one half feet thick. Here ends the coal seams of the valley.

This inclined plain, which was, by erosion, constructed into the Hocking Valley by the rising of the Land, must have had six formative periods when the surface was abjve the sea and remained above water until the growth of vegetation prepared materials for a vein of coal, when it again subsided, thus rising and falling till the last coal vein was formed, when, after the various strata were deposited, it arose to sink no mure. Such appears to be the process by which the Hocking Valley plain was formed. The valley was grooved into this inclined plain by running water. The Ohio River flowed toward the gulf down a series of inclined plains 100 feet b3low the plains down which its waters now flow. Rain falling on this Hocking plain, the river, as a short river, begins to form by grooving out the strata, and floating the debris, suspended in the running water, till the river had its head waters at Coolville, then as tar as Athens, to Chauncey, Nelsonville, Logan, Millville, Sugar Grove, and finally a few miles beyond Lancaster. The tributaries were formed by a similar process, the eroded materials being carried into the main stream. In like m inner the branches of the branches, even to the smallest rills, were eroded. This process of erosion is still in progress, and would finally carry all the hills to the ocean, unless a new era should change the order of things. What a vast amount of eroded particles have been taken out of the valley. For the purpose of drainage, irrigation and exposure of the mineral resource, what a work has been, and is being, accomplished in the Hocking Valley. The earth truly is standing out of the water and in the water, and was thus formed; the strati, coal excepted, were formed in or under the water, and the coal elements growing out of the water, but converted into coal under the water. Thus has the Architect of all the created universe, in his laboratory in the ocean caverns, constructed a rich cabinet of minerals for exposition and future use. After constructing the materials for ages to come, and placing his mineral merchandise upon their appropriate stratigraphical shelves, he raises the entire materials above the deep, and begins the process of opening his grand exposition. We have seen his erosive work. It is our duty to examine the effects that we may discover their intelligent, all-powerful cause. We have now examined the geological make of the Hocking Valley. We have walked up and down its strata, and noted their variety, their position, and searched into the modes of their formation. The age of the valley we have not given, and for the reason of our inability.

Archaeology Of The Hocking Valley

What races of men occupied the Hocking Valley before the white man entered it, and its forest began to retire before the march ot civilization? To answer this question intelligently, and with entire satisfaction, requires more data than we are able to command.

When the Europeans first entered the Hocking Valley they found it occupied by the Indians. But who were the Indians? Were they indigenous to the soil, natives, barn out of the earth of the valley, or were they exotics? Elias Bondinot, LL. D., held that the Indians were of the ten lost tribes of Israel. He made a collection of many of their traditions, manners, and customs, and, from testimony which he deemed sufficient, came to that conclusion.

Be hi* theory true or false, they were not aborigines of that valley. They came into the valley from some distant country. Their mode ot living originated their peculiarities of color and peculiar modes of thought. The Indians were not the Mound-builders, since they do not appear to have any knowledge of the time when the mounds were built, nor by whom they were eredted. It is very generally conceded that the mounds are tumuli. Another point is, perhaps, equally true: that they were built over distinguished chiefs, fallen in battle. The mounds occupy grounds, once battle-fields, since they are covered more or less profusely with flint arrow heads. These heads strewn over the ground indicate a battle-field. These mounds are quite numerous in Hocking Valley, on what is called Wolfs Plains, between Salina and Athens, were a number of very large tumuli. Two have been particularly noted. One of these mounds was quite demolished to make room for a school-house, an act of desecration to the tomb oi' the ancient dead.

One that is now standing is not less than thirty feet high, and quite regular in its form, it being a cone. It was once not less than forty feet high.. The materials of which the mounds are composed vary according to the geological formations of the districts where they are erected. On the plains they are formed, principally, of the drift sand and gravel, these materials composing the plains. The materials were carried by many persons, and well packed, or storms of so many centuries as they hive seen would have washed them almost to a level with the surrounding plains. Tiie mound of which we are now speaking is in an excellent state of preservation. Though times have been set to have it opened. Providence has defeated all the intentions of the mound desecrators. How long its once living human remains will be allowed to remain in their long and unbroken slumbers is not revealed.

On the firm o( Daniel Weethee, in Dover Township, Athens County, two mounds have been opened; the one, about fifty years ago; the other, recently. The one tirst opened was on the Sunday Creek bottom. It must have been originally twelve or fifteen feet high and about twelve feet in diameter. It was surrounded, when first seen (1798) by a shallow ditch, formed by the removal ot' the dirt to construct the tumulus. It had on its slope bushes and a large tree. The surrounding lands were thickly Sprinkled with flint arrow-heads of all sizes, colors and shapes. Here and there were Btone-axes, black and gray. One implement was metallic, and answered, perhaps, for a sword. It has been so many years since I saw it that I cannot describe it intelligently. In the center of the mound's base was a circular heap of dark mold, about two feet in diameter, evidently the dust of the person over whom the mound was erected. In that pile was found a ring, composed of metal, large enough to clasp the human wrist. It was rust-eaten and broken. The mound had been raised around and over the person standing.

This must have been a battle-field, since the implements were those of war. Whether the field, at that time, was cleared, or covered with a dense growth of timber, cannot be clearly ascertained at this late period. We should suppose that the land was then under cultivation, since it would have been difficult to construct such a tumulus in the midst of an unbroken forest of beech, sugar tree, oak and hickory, as it was when Mr. Weethee, the first white man, entered it. If it were a cultivated field, the Mound-builders must have been advanced beyond the purely savage state. They might have been semi-barbarians as their arrow-heads and stone implements indicate. The second mound opened is on a hill. Its size and shape were about the same as those or" the one just described. It was constructed of materials that had to be conveyed about one half of a mile, as they could not have been found any nearer.

The contents of this mound were in a much better state of preservation. Near the top were bones of what appeared to be a young child. Three skeletons were found resting on its base. Two o the skeletons were human; the third skeleton resembled that of a dog. This might have been for a fallen chief and his family.

On an adjacent hill, overlooking the 270-acre field first described, is another mound, not opened. It is about the same size as that of the other two. Another mound, of similar size, and unopened, is located on a hill south of the battle-field. Relative to these four mounds and those on Wolf's Plains, if we be allowed to conjecture the occasion of their construction, it would be about as follows: The Sunday Creek Valley and the plains were two great battlefields, chosen as the ground on which to decide the claims of great rival powers. On the plains was fought the first bloody battle. The defeated army retreated up the Sunday Creek Valley. Being recruited from the north they made a stand. On the North Dover field was fought another engagement, more destructive than the first. Till the dead of those battle-fields can utter their true history, our conjecture will, perhaps, come as near to the facts as our data will allow. The fortifications of the Mound- builders show about the same skill. In a cave, on the same farm cm Sunday Creek, is a vessel, worked out of the rock, which was used as a kettle for boiling; whether it was constructed by the Indians or by the Mound -builders we have no means to decide.

The materials out of which their arrow-heads and axes were made came from some other region, since we have no such strata belonging to the valley. They might have obtained their granite from the drift found in the Hocking River terraces, but this ti rift is foreign. It is true that they might have obtained their black Hint from Rush Creek, but whether they found their white and red flints in this locality we are unable to say; perhaps they did.

They had stone implements whose uses we are not able to discern. There is a mound on Minor's Branch of Federal Creek which possesses some peculiar features worthy of special notice. A circular area about twelve feet in diameter is sunk about two and one-half feet below the surface of the earth, around the circumference of which were found lying, heads to feet, six skeletons; in the center of the area rested the seventh and the largest skeleton. Over these the mound was erected. These must have died at the same period, since the seven rest on the same horizontal level and were covered at the same time. This account we have from Dr. Dennis Newton, of Trimble Township, Athens County. It is said that there are 10,000 mounds, and 1,500 eircumvallations in Ohio. Of what race were these Mound-builders has not been satisfactorily ascertained. That they were originally from Asia we feel quite sure. From a skull obtained from one of the mounds we are inclined to give them a Mongolian extract. They evidently came to America over Behring's Straits, which they could have crossed on the ice, or in small crafts. It would require centuries to have gone as far south as Central or South America. As they moved toward the south they advanced in their arts. That they came from Northeastern Asia and from that quarter peopled America will appear from this: that the American continent, between the great mountain range (consisting o( the Rocky Mountains in North America and the Andes Mountains in South America) and the Pacific Ocean, was first peopled and grew into powerful empires. The memory of the Mound-builders lias perished from the earth, and the rude monuments give us a tar more imperfect sketch of their being and character than that o\' the fossils whose tombs are in the earth's strata.

Bistort Of Hocking Valley The Fauna Of Hocking Valley

We are requested to describe the Hocking Valley in its three departments, or, kingdoms: Mineral, Animal and Vegetable. We have described its mineral or geological formations; and have dropped a few thoughts relative to its aboriginal inhabitants in their monuments; it now remains to consider its original animal and vegetable kingdoms. What beasts, birds, fishes, and reptiles originally occupied the valley ? This department we now propose to investigate.

The Beasts Of The Valley

When the first white man entered within the limits of the Hocking Valley, it was a dark, unbroken wilderness. The silence of its continuous forest was broken by the piercing cry of the eagle, the howling of wild beasts, and the whoop of the savage. The co-mingling of such wild, unusual, and discordant voices produced a sense of loneliness to which the present occupants of the valley are utter strangers. Far from the cheering smiles of quiet civilization he is resolved to take up his abode with these untamed denizens of the valley.

(a.) Pum/i or Cougar, Fells concolor, leopard us concolor or puma concolor - one of the largest of the American folios, rivaled only by the jaguar. It is called panther {Felis pai'dus) called by the vulgar u painter." It is sometimes called the American lion. It does not often attack man, but has an unusual thirst for blood. One puma has been known to kill fifty sheep in one night, drinking a little blood of each. These monarchs of the forests were not numerous in the Hocking Valley, but their name always carried terror with it. When it was reported that a panther (painter) had been heard or seen in any district, the whole country turned out for a hunt, each man hoping to be the fortunate one to give it the death shot. This animal was the prince of beasts, though sometimes mastered and killed by a single dog.

(b.) Bear - American black bear ( Ursus Americanus) were found in abundance, all over the valley. It was rather timid, but had great muscular power. It usually fed on berries;- seldom made an attack on man; but, when attacked it was very dangerous. The bear was hunted for the value of his fur and oil. Bear-hunt- ing was a chief pursuit in the early settlement of the valley, and a successful ''bear hunter" was enrolled among the honorable. Bear meat was a great relish. Long since has the American black bid adieu to his favorite haunts in the Hocking Valley, and retired to Western lands, from the face of his human foe, there to pursue in secret his own natural calling.

(c.) The Wolf. - The gray wolf (Canis occidentalis) was the wolf usually found in the Hocking Valley, though now and then a black wolf was caught. The wolves roved in packs, and when hungry disputed with the early settlers the right of possession of the flocks, and at times challenged man to mortal combat. Their barking howl, breaking upon the ear at noon of night, reminds one of those fabled monsters that are said to guard the entrance to the realms of Pluto.

Wolf hunts were very common and quite necessary. They, too, have been driven from the valley, and in a few more years even their name will not be known in the valley.

(d.) Deer (Gervidce). - Deer were, in early times, very numerous in the Hocking Valley. They were hunted for their skins and flesh. Many families lived, principally, on venison, and made deer-hunting their chief occupation. The deer have also retired from the valley. Here and there one may be seen, but they are so scarce as to render their hunting quite unsuccessful. The four kinds of animals formed those classes which were, perhaps, the most noted. While these haunted the valley, hunting formed one of the chief occupations. When they disappeared hunting became more of a sporting business. Other wild animals were numerous, some of which were valued for their furs, such as the beaver, foxes, otters, muskrats, minks; others may be enumerated, as the hares, squirrels, mice, rats, weasles, porcupines, badgers. These animals occupied the valley at the time when the white mm first entered it. The smaller animals still continue. Foxes have been very numerous and often destructive on the poultry. The opossums were numerous.

Birds Of The Valley

The Eagle Family (Aquila) - deserves the first notice as it is the royal family among birds. The eagles were, in the early settlement of the valley, quite numerous, there being many species. The eagle has always been a noted bird. Its extraordinary powers of vision, the height to which it is able to rise, its love tor wild scenery, and its longevity constitute it as a bird of poetic associations. " It was associated with Jupiter in the Roman mythology ; its figure on the standards of the Roman legions expressed and animated their confidence in victory." It is the emblem of our standard. The American eagle inspires the American soldier in the day of battle. The species of eagles formerly numerous in the flocking Yalley are: (a) The white, or bald-head eagle of America; the chosen emblematic eagle of American States, is also an erne, one of the eagle group; (5) The forked-tailed eagle was another species quite common in the early settlement of the valley. On almost any clear day of summer its piercing cry would call your attention. Looking toward the sun you would discover the eagle, with expanded wings immovable, and forked tail circling in a spiral path upward till it disappears in the boundless expanse above. That bird has also forsaken the valley. The bald eagle did much damage in the way of carry ing-off pigs, lambs and other small animals. Sometimes infants have been stolen.

The Hawk {Falconidm) - is an " ignoble " bird of prey. This family has always had a full representation in the Hocking Yalley. The two most noted species are the (1) "'hen hawk," so called from its larger size; and (2) the " chicken hawk," one much smaller. A third species may be added, the " blue hawk." The three species are " ignoble " birds of prey. The}' are tar-seeing, and have always been disputants for a large share of the domestic products of the poultry. Our good and wise law-makers placed the family, for a time, under legal restrictions, but, for some reason, wise, perhaps, have signed for them, a reprieve. This large family is pleased with its treatment and fare, and has concluded to continue its residence in the valley.

The Owl {StrigidcB). - This family is the nocturnal section of birds of prey. It was once a very large family in the Hocking Valley, and made the nights hideous with its hootings. The owl family has always been one of poor repute, being a family of " evil omen." It has this bad reputation from gloominess of its haunts, such as old, dilapidated buildings, caverns, and the dark solitudes of the woods; and, especially, from its cry, " hollow and lugubrious," but loud and startling, " heard during the hours of darkness, and often by the lonely wanderer. It is evidently from this cry' that the name owl is derived, as well as many of its synonyms in other languages, and of the names appropriated in different coun- tries to particular species, in most of which the sound oo or ow is predominant, with great variety of accompanying consonants. Many of the owls have also another and very different cry, which has gained for one of them the appellation screech owl, and to which, probably, the Latin name Strlx and some other names are to be referred." Between the settlers and the owl family there has been a continued struggle as to the right of certain kinds of property, the owl being a noted thief and robber, sleeping in the light of day, but wide awake during the hours of darkness - having such a big eye and so peculiarly constructed', that it can see without light. The owl family still remains in the valley, following its old occupation. The eagle, the hawk and the owl were the principal families of prey; what the eagle and the hawk failed to accomplish in the light, the owl finished in the darkness.

Birds of other families abounded in the valley. Enter the dark valley of the primeval forests in the hot and shady months, and the notes of a great variety of "feathered songsters " always salute the listening ear of the lonely traveler. These families prefer the retired wilderness abode to the cultivated lands of civilization. Other families soon formed an intimacy with the new comers of the valley. As the forests removed and the lands were made productive they came in for their share in payment for their "gabble " and musical entertainments. Of these there was a great variety, such as the buzzard, the raven, the crow, the dove, the lark, the quail, the partridge, the black-bird, blue-bird, the humming-bird, the wild turkey, water-fowls, and a great variety of swallows, martins, American mocking-bird (cat-bird),robin , whip-poor-will, yellow-hammer, woodcock, wood-pecker, and many other families; these continue in the valley, and prefer the haufits of civilization. One other family of birds should not be overlooked, since it outnumbered the sum of all others, viz., the wild pigeons. Flocks of pigeons often in their flight darkened the whole heavens. Their roosts were so crowded and large that they broke down forests. This family have now deserted the valley for homes more retired.

The Hocking River and its tributaries, were abundant in their supply of excellent fish. Some have been caught weighing fifty pounds. They were of many varieties, and of nearly all sizes. Those prized mist for food were the pike, weighing from one pound to ten pounds; the black perch, sometimes called bass; white bass; the sucker and salmon. The cat fish, sometimes called " mud cat," is now, by far, the most abundant in the Hocking waters. It grows, sometimes, to a very large size, and affords an excellent supply of choice food for the inhabitants of the water courses. During early spring, fishing is made a pleasing and profitable amusement. To fish with a hook and line, standing in the water up to the middle, was one of the early pioneer spring and summer occupations. Should our waters be supplied with foreign varieties of choice fish, the time may come when Hocking River and its affluents will yield the citizens of the valley a satisfactory income. Fish culture, in point of commercial value, will, perhaps, compare favorably with grain products, provided, however, that the culture is properly guarded.

The Reptiles Of Hocking Valley

When first discovered, the valley was full of reptiles. (1) Ophidia, or serpents; (2) Sauria, or lizards; (3) Chelonia, or tortoises. The serpents were of many species: (1) The rattle-snake; (2) Cop" perhead; (3) The black-snake; (4) The striped snake; and (5) The "racer." These were the most common of the serpent family. The rattle-snake and the copperhead were very poisonous. The rattle-snake always gave warning, and was not, therefore, so dangerous as the copper-head, which accomplished its deadly work from an ambush. The racer was not poisonous; still it was dangerous in its mode of attack, coiling about its victim, and, sud denly, and with great power, crushing the object. There were combats between the rattle-snake antl the racer which resulted in the total destruction of the former. The serpents of the poisonous species have become scarce, except in a few localities. Lizards in the Hocking Yalley are small, and without any special interest. About the same may be said of the tortoises; some few species are used as food.

The insects of the valley were also numerous, some of which are useful. The wild honey-bee belongs to that class. Many species may be placed in the rank of pests. Our space will not allow further notice.

Before closing our notice of the Fauna of the Hocking Valley, it may be well to notice some ancient animals that once occupied the valley but are now either extinct or have long since retired to other regions.

Among these we may reckon the buffalo, and the mastodon. That both of these species once made Hocking Valley their homes, we have sufficient proof. On some of the points of the spurs, on the east of Sunday Creek, in Trimble Township, Athens County^ are buffalo beats - spaces covering several square rods of ground. These are trodden very hard. They were localities where, in hot weather, buffaloes congregated to beat Hies. The points of ridges were selected by them as watch towers, to give alarm at the approach of an enemy. What proof, it maybe asked, is there that the mastodon ever inhabited the Hocking Valley? About fifty-one years since, the Hocking River, during a high flood, on its east bank, on the farm of William Courtney, one mile above Athens, washed out part of the skeleton of a mastodon. It was in the alluvial bank, about thirteen feet below the surface. Its molar teeth and some parts of the jaws remained; still', exposed to the air they began to slack. They were removed to the museum of the Ohio University, where they remained for many years. From the size of those parts obtained the size of the animal was approximately estimated at about eleven feet high and sixteen feet long. It was deposited in the water, or mud of the river. Whether it died there, or washed there from some other part of the valley, cannot be ascertained. It was not found, however, in the glacial drift. That the buffalo and the mastodon once fed upon the banks of the Hocking River, passed up and down its numerous branches, roamed over its ridges, and stood upon its spurs, cannot be a matter of any doubt.

They had left the valley before the white man entered it; how long before is a matter of conjecture. From the condition of skeletons, the mastodon and the Mound-builders might have been face to face.

But, aside from the ancient denizens of the Hocking Valley, let us view the inhabitants of the valley when first seen by the Caucasian. Not a tree has yet fallen before the ax of the white man. Among the waving branches of the heavy timbered bottoms, and on the stately oaks of the hills, are heard the notes and cries of birds of various plumage, new and Btrange. The Indian whoop, the panther's cry, the hoarse growl of the bear, the howl of the wolf, mingled with thousands of notes of living organism, fall upon his ear, as from the animated beings of a new world. Is he dreaming^ or, does he behold the animated beings of a literal country, like the one left behind him?

Are these numberless organisms indigenous to the soil, like the trees that grow out of it? or, are they the offspring of an eastern ancestry, that, in ages long-passed, found their way over a pathless ocean? Have the human family one center, or many? Do animals follow the same law of unity? These points are unsettled in the minds of many learned men. The animals of the new world had their laws of natural combination corresponding with a new human development, each to move in unison as another great whole in the divine government.

The Flora Of The Hocking Valley

The flora concerns those trees and plants which are indigenous to the district. We shall, under this term, include the botany of the valley, as it was when first settled by Europeans. A few general remarks will be of use to a proper understanding of what shall follow. The Arctic flora of Europe, Asia and America resemble more closely than that of the equatorial regions. The same holds true of their fauna. This affords an argument in favor of the idea of one floral center. Species in the three grand divisions are not alike. Trees of the same name differ in America from those in Europe and Asia. These variations are mostly the result of climate and soil, and not because of different original centers; the families are more alike than their species. The family name is not changed, but the species differ. The American forests, as in Europe and Asia, consist of pines, oaks, birches and willows; but they are not like those that cover the plains and mountains east of the Atlantic. The same is true of other trees, such as poplars, elms, planes, maples, hazels, and other families of trees, and, also, it holds good with roses, brambles, strawberries, bilberries, etc.; it is true also of grasses, common flowers, and weeds. Each zone, therefore, has its peculiar flora. The change in the species is evidently the result of a change in the soil and climate. The oaks and pines on the mountains of Mexico differ from the Arctic oaks and pines of America. Geological formations vary the features. Look at the white oaks, growing on thin hill land, rich north side hills, southern and western exposures, on rich bottom lands, on lands containing much iron, lime or sand, those that are on wet, cold and sour soils. We conclude, therefore, that the flora of a country varies with its geological formation, temperature, light and heat. We speak of a white oak soil, a walnut soil, buckeye soil, beach soil. Each soil is adapted to its peculiar flora. The seeds being in the soils will not germinate unless the laws of germination are met. This is true of all floral seeds. Put a heavy coating of lime on afield and, without sowing, clover springs up from seed already in the earth. These laws of germination understood, we proceed to investigate the flora of the Hocking Valley.

Its Forests

No one passing for the first time (18S3) through the various sections of the Hocking Valley, noting carefully its cultivated fields; its railways, villages, towns and cities; its coal, salt, and iron establishments, can form any fair picture of Hocking Valley and its tributaries one century since. All its bottom lands were then shaded by a very dense, high, and heavy growth of green, healthy trees, composed of immense sycamore, poplars, black and white walnut, black and white ash, buckeye, beech, soft and rock maple, white, black, red and yellow oak, standing so dense when clothed with foliage, as not to allow the sun's rays to penetrate to the earth; turning bright noon-day into twilight. What immense labor to consume those primeval forests. The hills were covered with a dense growth of oak, hickory, ash; here and there pine, poplar, maple and some few other species of forest trees. The ravines, slopes, and plains were covered with a mixture of the bottom and upland growth. These dense forests have given way to the march of civilization. Over a large portion of the valley there is nothing left to teach the rising generation the majestic beauty of nature's original clothing. What is a cornstock beside a venerable oak, or poplar, or ash, or sycamore? What are our steepled houses beside the beauty and the glory of "God's first temple"?

These forests, so wantonly mutilated and destroyed, have been the necessary servants of the citizens of the valley, by supplying them with fuel, bridge, fencing and building materials, and by satisfying various other wants. There has been, however, a great waste of timber; thousands of acres of choice timber were burned. The "log rollings" of early times are sufficient testimony of the truth of the assertion. Could that choice timber have been sawed into lumber and protected it would have supplied the wants of many generations, but where then were their portable saw-mills and the men to work them? Steam itself was yet slumbering.

History Of Hocking Valley

particular habits. Many families, each consisting of several members or species of trees, formed the vast wilderness of the Hocking Valley. Sometimes miles were occupied by the members of a single family, such as the oak family; in other localities the family of hickories held almost exclusive possession; in another poplar; beech, another, and so on through the catalogue of families, each family occupying the land that best suited it, forming all over the valley "little squatter'1 sovereignties. Other localities were covered with family mixtures. Nut that they amalgamated, but that they were not exclusive in their habits; they grew up quietly in the same beautiful grove. Such habits do not come by chance; they must spring from philosophical causes. Why such habits among the more noble families of the floral kingdom? Be it true or false, we venture an explanation. Seeds, the parentage of vegetation, were the result of an original creation. Whether they were created in one place and distributed or were formed where they afterward germinated, we do not say. The seeds, through some agency by the waters of the flood, by birds, or by some other means, entered the soils in every quarter of the globe, waiting there for favorable conditions of germination, each variety or family varying in its conditions. They may have been placed there in the original creation. The ground is full of seeds not sown by the hand of man; how long sown there is not known. Seeds retain their vitality many centuries; instances are given which would show that some varieties (grains of wheat about Egyptian mummies) have held their vitality forty centuries. Corn in the tombs of the Incas has vegetated. "After the great fire of London, in 1666, plants not previously common sprang up abundantly on the waste ground; certain plants previously unknown there are sure to appear after a fire in the American forests, in deep trenching of land, or turning up of the soil, by railway or other operations, producing a crop of some kiud of plants unknown or rare in the locality." The seeds then that have produced these families may have been in their localities ages before exposed to their various conditions of germination. The seed of the oak might germinate in one place; those of the beech in another; of the poplar in another, each variety of seed germinating in that locality best adapted to its growth. Thus we call one soil a beech soil, another oak, another walnut, because best adapted to that peculiar growth. These tree preferences and habits are well understood, and followed in the purchase of lands. Each geological formation has its distinct flora. It is not our purpose to discuss fossil botanjr, but simply to give some account of what might be the origin of the Hocking Valley forests. These forests sprang up among the debris ot the lower coal measure, yet they are infants in age compared with the duration of those measures. To the cretaceous formation many of the genera now living are said to belong. "They formed the forests of that period, and the fossil remains show that their appearance was much the same as now. Among the living genera represented were the oak, poplar, plane, willow, beech, sassafras, magnolia, fig, maple, walnut, tulip tree, etc." That the seeds were long in their various localities, and were not therefore brought from the Old World, will appear when we learn that many are natives of America, such as maize (Indian corn) and the potato.

The wild flowers of the Hocking Valley were exceedingly numerous and of many varieties. We have no data by which any botanical description can be given, neither will our limited space permit such a scientific notice. We simply describe it as the first settlers saw it. Wherever the sun was permitted to warm the earth, seeds of unknown plants germinating sprang up in profusion. The deep soils of the river and creek bottoms soon brought them into bloom. One of nature's flower gardens would extend many miles, showing every size, shape and shade of color.

Such a profusion and co-mingling of odors and tints can exist only in the gardens of nature's planting. You might walk seventy miles and still be surrounded with this wild Eden bloom. The rose, the pink, the violet, the tulip and the lilies! Who could count the numbers or tell their varieties? We have floral exhibitions of our times, but they would not favorably compare with one of Nature's exhibitions in the Hocking Valley of those early days. Over hills, up ravines, along the slopes, on the plains, in the valleys, over a space of 2,000 square miles, from April till September, was this beautiful flower garden on exhibition. How true to nature are these lines:

Meteorology Of The Hocking Valley

Meteorology discusses atmospheric phenomena. We shall confine our remarks to those phenomena that relate to weather and climate. This department of nature has, so far, refused to submit

History Of Hocking Valley

The element that we breathe, and in which we live and move and have our being, is too intimately associated with our health and happiness to allow us not to be familiar with its nature and habits. Let us look into the character of this constant companion. Pure atmosphere is the element of life. Impure air is a death angel. Whatever, then, affects its purity or condition as a breathing element, or as a faithful servant and companion, should be made familiar. The atmosphere is the home of those meteors that so much affect the human family, viz.: Dew, clouds, fog, rain, hail, frost, lightning, and storms of wind, rain, hail and snow. Its temperature and weight are constantly varying. Whatever chauges its weight, its temperature, its moisture or its motion or direction has a direct bearing on our health and our enjoyment. We speak, also, of its electricity. In every light, therefore, atmospheric changes affect our happiness more sensibly than any other natural department. All nations are watching its changes, that, if possible, they may discover the laws which govern its greatest meteor storms, how to forecast storms, and, consequently, to avoid their terrible effects. If its tornadoes, or cyclones could be seen twenty-four hours in advance, much ot their damages could be avoided. To prevent rains when too abundant, or to cause showers in times of drought, would be a great achievement. We hold that the atmosphere is like water, under the control of specific laws; that these laws will finally be known, and meteorology will be brought under the theorems and problems of all true sciences. This, however, will not be accomplished until the influence of disturbing causes are distinctly ascertained. Then storms will be accurately predicted and their forces ascertained. The 2,000 daily observations taken in all parts of the world is bringing about an important era in the history of meteorology. All that aid in that work are public benefactors.

Every river system has its own meteorological peculiarities . The course of the river and its branches, and the nature of its soils, determine the character of its atmosphere. These, united with temperature and the rapid or tardy flow of the streams - all these combined - make its peculiar atmospheric features, The atmosphere of the Mississippi is subjected to two currents of air, between which there exists a continuous struggle; a cool, dry wind from the north and northwest, and a sultry wind, charged with vapor, from the south and southwest. Were it not for the struggle for the ascendency between these opposing winds the Mississippi Valley would long since have been a desert waste. The reason of this will appear when a third atmospheric current is traced.

A west wind, saturated with vapor, starts from the Pacific, eastward, direct for the Mississippi Valley, in the same latitude. Passing over the Coast Range, with the fall of temperature its capacity to hold moisture decreases. There it parts with a portion of its vapor. It does not recover its full capacity when it meets with its second mountain range (the Nevada), where it makes its second deposit, this range being higher than the coast range. Having passed the third range (the Rocky Mountains) it descends the eastern slope a dry wind. Crossing a vast extent of country with a higher temperature it has no moisture to precipitate, it reaches us a dry west wind. Should there be no north and south winds we should have no rain. Two currents, one cool, the other warm and saturated with vapor, make a general rain fall - what we call k' steady rains." Summer showers are produced by the law of condensation, but in another way; a warm, saturated current moving upward meets a cold stratum of air, part of its vapor being condensed is precipitated in the form of rain or hail. The law is the same in each, but they differ in mode and direction; the one is horizontal, the other vertical. With this view before us let us examine the lay and peculiar features of the Hocking Valley. Its course is northwest and southeast, the direction of the two contesting currents of air - the line of advance and retreat of the contending elements. The storm belt is where the contending winds meet. If the wind is southeast the storm is further north; if south, then we have a northwest wind. Our various winds have the following characteristics in Hocking Valley: A south wind, east wind, or southeast wind in the spring, fall and winter bring a storm, because the}' being warmer and saturated with vapor meet a cold wind which precipitates a portion of its moisture, and will continue to storm till they are driven southward, and the wind, in common language, shifts to the north, northwest. The true expression is, the colder or opposite wind prevails and Iris driven the warmer wind and, consequently, the storm belt , to the south. The rains in the valley are local, often covering less than a mile square. Severe and protracted droughts are seldom known in the Hocking Valley. The reasons are obvious : The valley has so many hills and ridges that they serve to introduce heated rising currents of moist air; these rising currents carrying their vapor with them it is condensed and falls in rain. Hence it is said that turning up so as to show the under surfaces of the growing leaves is a sign ot rain. It shows the existence of upward currents of air, which indicate rain. A west wind is usually a dry wind for reasons already given. East winds, those due east, bring rain only when they are heavily charged with vapor - for meeting a cool, dry west wind, much of its vapor will be absorbed.

The winds of the Hocking Valley are very much broken, owing to so many breaks. Every hill is a wind-break. In the North Fairfield division the winds are more uniform, the country being level. The north and west winds have no obstruction, but in every other section the hills, spurs and ridges " chop " the winds. Among the hills it is difficult to determine the general course of winds, except by the clouds. "Within one mile square the wind at different points blows at the same time from every quarter, it meeting with obstructions. Four persons meeting after a heavy blow, might thus speak: A. - We had a severe north wind this morning. B. - No, sir; it was a west wind. C. - You are both mistaken; it was an east wind. D. - You must all have been dreaming, for I was on a hill and know that it came from the south. They were all correct, for (chameleon like) it had a course for each. In this manner the valley in a hot summer's day, when upward currents are forming, is full of eddies or local whirlwinds. The winds of the valley are, therefore, peculiar.

Its climate, for the same reasons, is peculiar also. It has every kind of exposure. On the same farm there are summer gardens and winter gardens, summer fields and winter fields in one locality, owing to the exposures being nearly a month earlier than another. This climatic variety gives Hocking Valley an advantage in fruit culture, since there is scarcely ever a season in which the fruits ot all its localities are destroyed.

From its conformation it has its share of f >gs and clouds, rains, snows and storms. The valle}r, at times, has had its tornadoes, yet they have been quite limited, since all the hills combining soon put an end to their devastations. The evaporation of the valley is also very unequal. The whole structure of the valley tends to destroy atmospheric equilibrium. Storms must be the result.

One question deserves further notice : Has the valley civilization changed or modified its meteorological phenomena? What atmospheric changes have resulted from clearing, draining and culti-

The writer of this article has kepi a weather journal for aboul fifty years foluob of thai time he has been e citizen of the Hooking Valley. He speaks, therefore, from positive knowledge when Baying: The seasons are nol now whal they were one half a century ago. The four seasons have been changed, nol thai they are opposite In character, but that there has been many atmos pheric changes and modifications.

The valley evaporation has been made over and vastly aug mented. The letting of the sun's rays, unobstructed by dense foresl i, falling upon the earth lias greatly increased evaporation. Streams thai once flowed during the entire summer are dry, only after shown- 1, This vapor, floating in the at mosphere, must change ii density and tend to produce local rains.

The cultivated fields are great absorbents, so thai the size of the streams, except in heavy rain ''all;, i; reduoed. Much of the land since the removal of it- forests lies in its unite I suffers o msumption Thi i epidemic tendency is oommunicated to the at mosphere, robbing i1 of its freshness and vitality. We breathe a cultivated air, impregnated with a thousand malarial impurities The improvements of the valley have changed its atmospheric phenomena, Prof. J. P. Espy, the "storm king," used t<> say : "Give me fuel enough and I can break up any drought." A greal up every day in mil around London; bo many fires in suoh a small space produce upward rain ourrents. These disturbing elements are increasing in Eooking Valley, and their results are apparent. Am cause thai tends to breakup the atmospheric equilibrium Introduces :i storm element. Mm has, therefore, introduced meteorological ohanges. These disturbing causes will i nor ease a the valle\ till, up with m working, enterprising population. A coil district is subject lo a greater flow of water, and, therefore, atfeots the atmosphere. Human industrj so muoh ohanges the meteorological phenomena thai it is diilicult to prediol aoourately ooming ohanges of weather. Every person should learn the names

The natural history oftho Eiooking Valley has boon briefly <>ui lined, li now remains to aggregate its principal features and sketch it future.

Thai seotion of Ohio known as the [looking Valley was once an irregular block of mineral doposits, about eighty miles long by thirty miles wide, and L.200 feel deep, resting horizontally on the Waverly group, oomposod ofaboul six geological formations, via Sandstones, sb ties, limestones, Bre day, coal and Iron ore) consisting of nearly LOO layers or strati) resting upon eaoh othei hori :ontally, as they were deposited ft'orn the primeval ocean, and, al thai time, under its waters. Its upper surface was smooth, horizontal and level. Thai plain was some feel above the Irishes! poinl of the eastern water-shed, the hills being lowered by ages of erosion When these stral i were ftui ihod to the smooth surface of the lasl and highest stratum, a great goologioal change took place The Cincinnati A.rch and the Allegheny Mountains arose out of the bosom of the waters, carrying up with them the strata intervening to an elevation above the sen level, and inclining so n - to form the longitudinal trough, the bottom of which is now oooupiod by the waters of the beautiful Ohio. Since thai noted upheaval which oxtendod over thousands of miles, there was uo Further submora ence of the Hocking \ ralle) section. The work oi the valley formation by erosion then commenced. The Ohio River flowing in a channel LOO feel lower than its present ohannol, made its tribul irios and sub tributaries orod - vi ry rapidly. 11 >ok u -- R ver then ran in a channel about LOO feet l »«>l. »w its present bed, A.11 ii - tributaries noar their mouths wore LOO feel lower than now. This made their il >w much more rapid , :m 1 the growing proi w is very active. Every flood carried oul of the tributary val

:ui immenso amount of eroded debris. Thus w:»s the 11". \ alloy form id and fu ihionod into il i pre icnl I an l ihape * I - other mo litication of the depth and face of the chief \ alle^ des >r\ o i notice. A glaoial epoch followed with a temperature of Greenland In the II »okin -; Valley an J over I h - c intin mt. [mmeuse ma isos ol loo were formed, binding up in their glacial fetters millions ol tons of land, gravel and boulders This was followed by a 10 far as to detach icebergs, whioh, floating louth, south east, by melting, deposited their drift, boulders, clay and gravel. All the Western and Northwestern Ohio was leveled up with this drift. A large amount was deposited along the Hocking Valley, through which the river has cut its modern channel.

Such is a brief sketch of the formation and shaping of the present Hocking Valley. Had it not been for the upheaval there would still have been a sea to occupy its present site; there could have been no erosion; and without erosion, the geological and stratigraphical formation of the valley would never have been known . This great upheaval gave birth to the valley, with all its living organisms. It wis evidently elevated above the ocean waters and made and shaped by erosion for some wise purposes. The immense mineral deposits of the Hocking Yalley, exposed by the upheaval and erosion, are sufficiently indicative of the intention of its Creator.

The topography of the Hocking Valley is peculiarly varied. It would be a difficult task even to count its ridges, spurs, hills, m.umds, gulches, ravines, slopes, valleys and plains; its fountains, rills, rivulets or creeks; and its various bodies of water. Such a pleasing variety never tires the eye. But, to the geologist preparing to benefit mankind by his untiring researches, the Hocking Valley is a theater of unusual interest. Its mineral formations are remarkably rich and exceedingly varied. Of these, its early inhabitants knew but little. There are no remains of any structures in Hocking Valley that indicate any extended use of its sandstones, limestones, shales, fire-clay, coal or iron ores. Flint supplied the place, principally, of iron; cones of earth, that of m irble m >nu nents. h\ the midst of untold mineral wealth, they pursu the chase, and, resiling in forests, they subsisted on nature's most simple fare.

Its fauna and 11 ira have changed, and we now beholl a valley fast filling up with a population capable of appreciating and utilizing the resources treasured for their u^e by natures' architect.

Who knows its future ? "Secret things belong to the Lord our God." We forecast only as he furnishes the data and ability. Three terms given, a fourth readily follows. Hocking Valley's future depends upon its mineral resources, the capital to develop and the will ; their actual development necessarily follows as the fourth term. In this term is the future of the Hocking- Valley. Its future, therefore, can be readily ascertained.

Its Mineral Resources

We shall name no mineral that is not found in the valley, and as herein described. We do not say that each one extends over the entire valley. This would not Jbe true. What we describe is in the valley, and is equal in quantity and quality to our estimates. This is all that any one should require. We would further say that our estimates cover a compact territory of about 600 square miles. We have selected a part of this territory as the basis of our estimates, with which we are quite familiar, Sunday Creek Valley, a mean between the out-crops and deep shafting. What, then, are the mineral resources of the Hocking Valley?

1. Petroleum, - The Hocking Valley has its fountains of petroleum. On some of its eastern tributaries, such as Federal Creek and Sunday Creek, thousands of barrels have been obtained- How extensive are its fountains, if properly tested, we cannot say. There is money in it, if diligently worked.

2. Stlt. - The brine of Hocking Valley comes from the Upper Waverly. It is from 570 feet to 1,000 feet below .the surface. It has produced a largo amount of salt. Should the brine be drawn up by the power that elevates the coal, and evaporated by the slack of the shaft seam, it could be manufactured with profit. We reckon salt as one of the mineral resources of the valley.

3. Fiwstoiie. - Building stone is in greal abun lance. In Fairfield and Hocking comities are the Waverly sandstone. Some of the strata are of excellent quality. In Perry and Athens counties we have the heavy sandstone formations of the coal measures. They are in some localities fifty feet thick, fine grained and sharp, white and pure - a glass-making rock. We have districts where the flag-stone is well developed. The quarries consist of many layers, varying from one inch to six inches thick, sound, and with surfaces as level and smooth as the sawed flag of the Euclid A.venue, Cleveland. A vast amount can be obtained.

4 Fire-clay. - This deposit is very abundant in the valley, and much of it is said to he of superior quality. It will, in time, add much to the mineral wealth of Hocking Valley. Three minerals remain, which, from their joint use, should stand as a whole relatively : iron ore and limestone, and coal employed in their redaction. Profitable iron-making requires that these three minerals should be found in the same localities. This is true of the Hocking Valley.

5. Limestone. - Three veins of limestone extend over the most of Hocking Valley, but in the Federal and East Sunday creek hills, that limestone has its heaviest developments. The divide between those two streams is formed principally of limestone of an excellent quality, for quick lime, and for a flux. It may be truly said that the limestone is ample for all its practical uses. Furnaces erected on Federal Creek or on Sunday Creek will have limestone within easy range.

6. Iron Ore. - Deposits of iron ore can be found in nearly all sections of the valley, especially in the coal measures. One vein of coal is the floor of an iron ore seam. They occupy different horizons of the same territory. In Sunday Creek Valley we have examined thirteen horizons of iron ore within a vertical space of feet. These veins vary from six inches to five feet. Three veins are, severally, two and a half feet, four feet and five feet thick. One vein, on analysis, yields thirty-three per cent, of pure iron; another, fifty-five per cent., and a third, sixty per cent. These seams extend for miles, and crop out in the opposite slopes of the same hills. Two men of great experience in iron-making, made the following remarks: One from the Cambria Iron Works said: "There is iron ore enough; the per cent, is fair.,, The one from Mahoning Valley said: "One bushel of the coal should not be taken out of the valley, for it will all be wanted in smelting its ores. Neither of these practical iron masters had seen all the horizons. Such declarations from practical men must have meaning.

7. Coal. - We have reserved this mineral to the last, because it is first in value, and well deserves the name of " King of minerals." It is the motive power - the motor of the world's machinery, for its heat generates the steam that moves the world; the treasured sunlight of the carboniferous age; the world's renovator; the fuel for man in his high intellectual life. The value of coal is measured by the power generated in its combustion.

-'The power developed in the combustion of a pound of coal is reckoned by engineers as equal to L,500,000 foot-pounds. The power exerted by a man of ordinary strength during a day of labor is about the same, so that a pound of coal may be regarded as equivalent to a day's labor of a man. Hence, 300 pounds will represent the labor of a man for a year." It has been estimated that 20,000,000 tons of the annual coal product of Great Britain (100,000,000 tons the whole product) is devoted to the development of motive power, and that is equivalent to the labor of 133,000,000 of men.

"These men, in this calculation, are considered as exerting merely brute force,' but they all may be regarded as producers only, and not consumers, the profit on the balance of her coal product (80,- 000,000 tons) fully covering all expenses, we are safe in estimating the contribution made to the wealth of Great Britain, by her annual coal product, as equivalent (equal) to that of 133,000,000 skilled operatives laboring for her enrichment." - J. S. Neiobemj. Chief Geologist of Ohio.

Making this calculation the basis of our estimates, we will examine the coal treasured up on 600 square miles of the Hocking Valley. Prof. E. B. Andrews estimates the coal of that district, situated on the waters of Monday Creek and Sunday Creek, to average eight feet thick. On 600 square miles, 640 acres to the square mile, would give 600x640 = 381,000 acres. But a vein of coal of eight feet thick yields about 10,000 tons of coal to the acre, or 384.000x10,000=3,840,000,000 tons. This is thirtyeight and two-fifths times larger than the annual coal product of Great Britain. It would require 133,000,000 men thirty-eight and two-fifths years to produce the same motive power, which would be equal to that of 133,000,000 skilled operatives laboring thirtyeight and two-fifths years for the enrichment of the Hocking Valley. This " Nelsonville " coal vein has its greatest development on Sunday Creek and Monday Creek. Still, more territory is required to make the 600 square miles. Allowing one half of this productive value to exist in its ore veins, the productive value of these two minerals is immense. To these we may add the productive value of the other five and we have an amount truly overwhelming. What a vast amount of labor to utilize the minerals of the Hocking Valley ! it would make a Birmingham of every coal valley for centuries. Capitalists begin to see these inevitable results, and are investing their money in these mineral lands. The future, therefore, of the Hocking Valley, as we forecast it, is one of a vast working population, immense labor, and of vast pecuniary resources.

The Future Population Of The Hocking Valley

based upon its coal, its iron ores and its limestone. We assume, what can be readily established, that Hocking Valley has, within itself, all the materials which are necessary to utilize all of its own mineral products, and, consequently, that the entire labor can be more economically done in the valley than anywhere out of it. That being true, we conclude that work, whether by men or machinery, or by both, will be accomplished in the valley. How much work, then, must be done in the Hocking Valley, to utilize its entire mineral deposits, including its petroleum, salt, tire-clay, freestone, limestone, iron ores and stone-coal? We shall base our calculations on the products of three minerals - limestone, iron ore and coal, limestone being necessary as a flux..

If all the coal and limestone (according to the views #of a distinguished iron master) will be wanted to reduce the iron ores deposited in that valley where are the heaviest seams of coal and limestone (Sunday Creek Valley), it is safe to say that this will be true of the entire Hocking Valley.

What a vast amount of labor will be required to mine and utilize these three minerals? But the miners and those engaged in placing minerals where they are to be used do not constitute over one fifth of the population.

We know of one district in the Hocking Valley which is about ten miles square, where it would require 2,500 persons, including miners, their families, and necessary help, to mine and remove and utilize each square mile of the minerals in 100 years. Such a population would make a city of the hundred square miles.

We do not propose the above-named districts as a sample for the entire valley, for there are districts in the valley much larger than the one named that are without coal, yet the coal measures of tin' v. lley form so much of its surface that we are justified in saying it will have a population far beyond any other district ot equal size in the State.

Its Institutions. - There can be no special reasons why its institutions should not occupy a position equally advanced. Mining communities, it is true, have not been celebrated for their love of science or for their elevated morals. We are considering what might be, not what is, or has been. Miners have been degraded in the old, aristocratic countries. Having no means to rise in society, they have formed habits corresponding to their de- graded position. Coming to a land of freedom, they, having brought their habits with them, have often become still more debased, giving a bad reputation to the entire business. This state of morals will pass away as the rising generation becomes educated and moral. If miners had no idle hours, there would soon be no drinking, and mining communities would soon occupy an elevated position in society. Hasten that happy day.

Chapter And Canals, Senators And Representatives

Lands a:nd Valuation - County Buildings and Valuation - Miles of Railway - Area of Valley - Population and Wheat Growing - Cities and Villages, and Population - Boundary of the Mineral Field - Coal Production - Hocking Valley - State Senators of the Hocking Valley and Representatives - From Organization to Date - Railroad History - Marietta & Cincinnati - Columbus, Hocking Valley & Toledo - Ohio Central - River Division of the C, H. V. & T. - Thanks to Chas. M. Walker - Medical Society.

Total value of lands and buildings in the Hocking Valley, as returned by the State Boards of Equalization in the years 1S40. 1S53, 1859, 1870 and 1880:

Relative Position

The relative position of the three counties in their assessed wealth as passed upon by the Board of Equalization in 1881, was: Athens County. $5,267,770 ; Hocking County, §3.601,695; Vinton, $2, 436,106.

History Of Hocking Valley Boundaries Of The Coal Field

The coal basin in Ohio is bounded on the west by a continuous but irregular line running from the Ohio River in Scioto County, to the Pennsylvania line near Sharon, within a line running from that place to Ravenna, Akron, Wooster, Dover, Brownsville, Logan and Hanging Rock. The general course is southwesterly from the northern boundary of Mahoning County to the interior of Licking County, with the exception of two well-defined narrow spurs extending into Geauga and Medina counties. From the southern part of Licking County it passes near the line between Fairfield and Perry counties, with a deep indentation at the Hocking River Valley, extending to the west line of Athens County; thence westward and southwest to include the southeast part of Hocking County, three fourths of Vinton, nearly all of Jackson, and the eastern part of Scioto County.

Hockino Canal

This was the first public improvement which opened up the resources of the Hocking Valley. The short lateral canal, or, as it was then called, the " Side Cut," proved of so much value that the Board of Public Works concluded to purchase it for the State and extend it down the Hocking Valley. This information gave intense joy to the people, and in March, 1S3S, the news was corroborated by an Act passed by the Legislature, authorizing the then* Canal Commissioners to purchase the "Side Cut." This was effected Dec. 22, 1838, and the canal purchased for the sum of $61,2-11.01. The Hocking Valley Canal, which had been projected in 1836, and a portion put under contract, being some sixteen and one-half miles from Lancaster to Bowner's lock in July, 1837, was now rapidly pushed forward, and the work completed as per contract in 1839. A further contract was also let the same year, October, 1837, to build from Bowner's lock to Nelsonville, a further distance of sixteen and one-half miles, the same to be completed within two years. This last, however, was not finished until 1810. In September of this latter year it was opened for business, and the first canal boat, loaded with coal, came out of the Hocking, and the canal was a veritable fact. The boat and its load was a great curiosity to the people along the line and in the upper valley of the Hocking. There were but few of them at that time who knew much about stone coal. Early in 1841 the canal had reached Monday Creek, and later in the same year to Athens. Boats then commenced running the entire length of the canal, from Carroll to Athens, some sixty miles. The canal has thirty-one locks, eight dams, thirty -four culverts, and one aqueduct, with a span of eighty feet.

State Senators From The Hocking Valley

Washington, Gallia, Muskingum and Athens Counties - 1805- '6, Joseph Buell and Hallem Hempstcd; 1806-7, Hallem Ilempsted and Leonard Jewett; 1807-8, Leonard Jewett and John Sharp. Washington and Athens Counties - lS0S-'9, John Sharp; 1S09-'11, Leonard Jewett; lSll-'U, Wm. Woodbridge; 18U-'15,

Representatives In State Legislature From The Hocking

The Mineral City - Rather Elongated - Hills of Coal and Iron - Where Located - Some Account of its Early Settlers - First Bridge over the Hocking River - First Library and Society - Some old Papers of Value - Settlers in 1827 - J as. Knight's Prophecy - Letter to Dr. Hildreth - The Completion of the Canal - Coal Operators - Heavy Work - Manufactures - City Officers - Churches - Public Schools - Lodges and Societies - Business Interests - 1866 - 1883.

Nelsonville is not only the largest city in the Hocking Valley, but is also the most important point in mining interests in Southeastern and Southern Ohio. It is located on the Hocking River, in the midst of one of its most fertile portions, and extends back to the hills, which rear their majestic proportions, giving from their bold outlines a pleasing view in contrast to the valley in which the town lies, and which has extended itself for nearly a mile in length - still growing and still elongating, with but little prospect of stopping until another mile or so of the valley is wrapped in its loving embrace. It is so rich in its mineral surrounding, so inexhaustible in its coal supply, and so fertile is the valley upon whose bosom it lies, that Nelsonville is destined to retain the prestige she now holds of being the largest and most important city in the rich and beautiful valley of the Hocking River. She has not so commanding a site as Athens, neither can she show so wide a plain, gentle elevations and handsome drives as Logan, but the wonderful wealth of those massive hills which surround her gives a very beautiful look to the eye of the man of business and practical knowledge when he gazes upon them, which, with but a flimsy covering of a few feet of earth, hold within their embrace a world of wealth. So Nelsonville, confined in the narrow valley, will gradually extend herself up and down for miles, while her breadth will scarcely, at any point, exceed a quarter of a mile. And under her black and unprepossessing look she carries a warm heart, and he who wishes to make a home here is received with open arms, and the race for a competency or wealth is opened to him, free, to exercise his own best talent and judgment to win the prize. Nelsonville is situated in the northern part of York Township, a small portion of the incorporated land lying over the border in Hocking County. It lies on the left bank of the Hocking River, on the line of the C, H. Y. & T. Railway, and the Hocking Canal. The Monday Creek branch of the C, H. Y. & T. Railway leaves the main line at this point, connecting it with New Straitsville and other mining towns in Perry and Hocking counties.

Early Days

Prior to 1814 two families, named Johnson and Hurlbert, had settled in the wilderness of the Hocking Yalley, building their log cabins within sight of each other, very near to the present site of Nelsonville. This was the only interruption to an unbroken wilderness between the then scanty settlement of Athens and the early settlements near Logan. In 1814 Mr. Daniel Nelson, an intelligent and prosperous citizen of Shrewsbury, Mass., purchased a large tract of land from an agent of the Ohio Company, and came with his family to settle and improve it. He reached the site of Nelsonville in August, 1814, and, as soon as possible, erected a double log-cabin for a dwelling, on the ground where now stands the dwelling of Mr. John Burberry, just west of W. B. Brooks's store.

The following is from the Centennial address of W. C. Hickman at Nelsonville, July 4, 1876. " In June, 1818, York Township was organized, and on the 16th of the same month Daniel Nelson laid out the village of Nelsonville, which was properly named in honor of the founder, who well deserved that and greater acknowledgment, for his public-spirted energy of character, and for his foresight and generosity to the then weak, struggling village. Let me say here, that no selfish act nor an instance of close exacting dealingis shown, by such items of history as we can now gather, to have been perpetrated by Daniel Nelson toward the village he founded, or toward those who had cast their lot in it. He has long since passed to his final account; but these words can truthfully be said of him, and it is his due that they be thus publicly expressed. His death occurred on the 20th of May, 1835. The original plat comprised fifty-seven lots, numbering from one to fitty -seven. Two streets were named - Columbus and Mulberry. In the month of October, 3d day, 1825, Mr. Nelson laid out twenty additional town lots, numbering from fifty-eight to sevent}T-seven, both inclusive. At that time the town had not developed to any great extent; but those who lived here had taith in its future, and were getting ready for its growth. When Captain John Hull came there were but eight houses here. The oldest of these, a cabin, belonging to Johnson, stood south of Steenrod ife Poston's mill,

Early Settlers

Mr. Nelson was a man of great energy, and was soon making more permanent improvements than were common to new settlements, and drawing about him men of an enterprising disposition. In 1816 Mr. Josiah Coe located near and built a flouring mill on the river bank, the same one now owned by Mr. Chas. Bobbins. Soon after, in about 1820, Mr. Thomas Thompson came and kept a hotel on the south side of the public square, only a few rods from the present Dew House. He was succeeded in the hotel business by Mr. Claudius L. Fisk, who built a brick tavern on the site ot Mr. Chas. A. Cable's residence. Mr. James Knight, an ener getic and enterprising Englishman, came in 1822 and inaugurated the mercantile business, bringing a small stock of goods with him on his first arrival. His store was a small frame building, standing on the lot now occupied by his son, Wallace W. Knight, the building now being attached to and forming a part of the store of Mr. A. H. Carnes. Thus gradually but slowly the infant settlement grew. Although but a few people had gathered in, a town was laid out by Mr. Nelson in 1823, he at that time deeding to the village the public square and the lot on which now stands the public school building, the latter to be used for a church and school lot. Between 1816 and 1820 Mr. George Conrtauld, a wealthy Englishman, purchased land and settled on what is now a part of Longstreth's Addition, about one mile from the original village ot Nelsonville. He brought with him among others a family of grown children, some of whom were married, all of whom began earnestly to prosecute the plan of establishing a village. Considerable land was cleared,a store was kept by Mr. Courtauld, and through his efforts a postoffice was established in 1821, which he kept in his store. This community prospered and bid fair to fulfill the anticipations of its proprietor, until, when on a business trip to the East, Mr. Courtauld suddenly died and the remainder of the company soon gave up the enterprise and returned to England. Coal was known to exist in the hills about Nelsonville even at this date, but it was not mined and did nothing toward developing the village until several years later. Inhabitants were attracted by the beauty and convenience of location, and the fertilitv of the soil. The principal industry was clearing and cultivating the land and transporting the products to market. An avenue tor this nurpose was supplied by the Hocking River, on which plied the flatboats of active tradesmen, transporting goods to and from the greater markets. The growth of the village in its early days was due, however, in a great measure to the efforts of Mr. Nelson and a few others; through their efforts roads were opened connecting the village with other settlements in this part of the State, a bridge was built across the river, said to be the first to span the Hocking and many other efforts were put forth to secure prosperity and growth.

After the death of Mr. Courtauld in 1823, Mr. Nelson was appointed to succeed him as Postmaster, and he removed the office to his own village Jan. 1, 1824, the name of the office being changed to Nelsonville.

First Bridge Over The Hockiiocking

The next move of importance was the building of a bridge across the Hocking River. This was started in 1827. May 21 of that year an advertisement was put up on trees and other places, saying a committee of four persons would receive proposals to build a bridge across the Hocking River, and that plans, etc., would be found in the hands of Mr. James Knight. The plans and specifications of this, the first bridge ever built across the Hocking River, is now in the hands of W. W. Knight, his son, and are well worthy of examination. A subscription paper was taken around for contributions. The largest donation was $20, and the smallest 50 cents. The subscription paper read, that those wishing to pay their subscriptions in labor could do so, and they would be allowed the munificent sum of 50 cents per day, and they board themselves. Corn would be received at 25 cents per bushel, wheat at 50 cents per bushel, whisky at 25 cents per gallon, and pork at

$2 per 100 pounds. There was one man from Columbus who subscribed $5, one from Marietta $5, four from Lancaster, in all $10, being two of $5 each and two of $3, and the township of York $10 from the road fund. There were some four bids, but Mr. Nelson secured the job by agreeing to take the subscription paper at par and do his own collecting. The subscription amounted to $442.50, and Mr. Nelson got $400 out of it, and made to the commissioners the following statement : Bridge, per contract, $410; extra work, $85; total $495; subscription list, $440.50; bad, $40.50; net, $400; out of pocket, $95. The bridge was completed and accepted by the commissioners Oct. 23, 1828, and on May 5, 1829, that bridge started down the Hocking River on a vojage ot discovery, and, so far as the people of Nelsonville know to the contrary, is still prosecuting its search. It was to stand one year, and resulted in a lawsuit and loss to the contractor. Some years later, in 1832, another bridge was erected.

First Library

In 1827 there was also a movement for the establishment of a village or town library, and a report of this was made Sept. 7, 1828, when it was shown they had forty-seven volumes of miscellaneous works in their possession.

Mr. Knight has in his possession, in the original, an i : ; . several of them, headed, "An Essay on the Deity of Jesus Christ," by Thos. Scott, Rector of Aston Sanford, and dated Nov. 5, 1774. Part of these writings are in short-hand, and some of the passages are strikingly original. Some of the reverend gentlemen of Athens County might find food for thought in perusing this manuscript, or at least get some idea of what was the belief or the doctrine held over 100 years ago.

The first settlers of Nelsonville have been given, but the following named persons were residing in the village Jan. 1, 1827, as their names were found on the subscription paper in January aud February of that year, to the Hocking Bridge: Jas. Knight, C. L. Fisk, Win. Biggerstaff, Wm. Harper, Robert Thompson, Amorn Entsminger, Jas. Pickett, Jos. Brett, Saul Pickett, Jonathan White, Daniel Nelson, Jas. Tenants, Wm. Long, John Rochester, M. B. Lovewell, Samuel K. Harrington, Jacob Feirce, Jacob

Original Tapers Of Valde

The first society organized in Nelsonville was in the fall of 1823, and was called the " York Township Amicable Library Society." No person living outside of York Township was allowed to become a member. It flourished for several years, held debates on various subjects, and was really the foundation of what was called the " Nelsonville Library," which assumed the name in 1827. The original papers of this library are in the hands of W. W. Knight, left him by his father, Mr. James Knight. Mr. Knight has man}7 other papers of interest left him by his father, but there is one of singular importance and prophesy, a copy of a letter written to Dr. Hildreth, of Marietta, Ohio, by Mr. Knight, which shows him to have been one of the shrewdest men of his time, and had he lived (he died Aug. 26, 1836) would have held a prominent, if not the foremost, one, in the history of the town and county. He at that day, 1833-'34, had alread^v divined the future of Nelsonville and the Hocking Valley, and he prophesied truly when he said, "These hills were not placed here without design, nor without their uses; man has not yet found out their value." He was indeed a prophet, a man of clear sense, a mind given to analjrsis and tracing effects from causes. In the light of the facts which have been developed the past few years, and the future which may now be considered known of this great valley, Mr. Knight's prophesy has come true, and only his observing eye and clear mind were able at that time to grasp the future of the valley of the great Hockhocking. Here is the letter, and it is well worthy a place in the historic pages of Ohio history :

"Dr. S. P. Hildreth, Dear Sir: - Yours of the 25tli of December came safely to hand. I have to thank you for your very complimentary communication. I assure you nothing would give me more pleasure than to give you a reply in full to all your queries, did I feel myself sufficiently qualified to answer them in such a scientific manner as would be understood. The only answer I could possibly give you at this time is in general terms, as the time (1st of February) which you wish to have all the queries answered is so near at hand, and the season of the year so unpropitious for actual observation or research, as to render it impossible with me to do half justice to so interesting an enquiry. I thought it best to give a general answer without delay, and at the same time to say that as soon as the season of the year will allow you to leave home with any degree of comfort, to just take your horse and ride out here and pass a few days with me. In the interval I will make minutes where will be found the most interesting spots for our attention to be directed. I shall take great pleasure in spending a few days in this way - it is what I have long wished to do in company with some person of science. I believe here will be more found that relates to the mineral kingdoms worthy of particular notice than is generally known, or than you can form any correct idea of.

" In the first place we have the coal strata, aud those which are most particularly known to us are such as have presented themselves by the washings ot runs and hollows in the hills. Veins are to be found from one to ten feet thick, in this vicinity, above the level of the bottom land. I believe I could show you at least 100 that have presented themselves. I opened a bank the other day, on the side of a hill (at a lick), which was certainly from twenty to twenty-five feet higher in the strata than one which I knew only about one quarter of a mile distant. The one I opened was only two feet to two feet, three inches in thickness. The one referred to a quarter of a mile distant has a strata of from five to six feet. The quality of our coal is better than I ever had on my fire in England. I learn also that in sinking the salt well on Sunday Creek, that the first strata of coal was a few feet below the surface, and that another was passed through eleven feet thick, 100 feet below the first. My personal observation has not been sufficiently particular to state for a fact on what level the thickest stratas are to be found, but I believe it is to be in general just above the bottom lands level.

" We have limestone, also, on most of our hills, in some places in considerable quantity, and I have observed it, also, in several gulleys that are far below the usual line of level of the hill-tops.

"Iron Ore, I believe in quantity inexhaustible will be found here. My impression is, that in the hills there are large quantities, from the pieces that have presented themselves in plowing, etc. In many other places not far distant I know it exists in large quantities and easily attainable.