History of the Pan-Handle, Marshall County, West Virginia
 
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                         HISTORY OF MARSHALL COUNTY

From:  History of The Pan Handle; Being Historical Collections of the
Counties of Ohio, Brooke, Marshall and Hancock,  West Virginia. Compiled
and written by J. H. Newton, G. G. Nichols, A. G. Sprankle.  Published
by J. A. Caldwell,  1879.

                          EARLY HISTORY.
   
     Very little, of course, is known with regard to the period that
preceded the advent of the whites in this county.  The space indicated
comprehends an indefinite rule of darkness and barbarism.  How long the
untutored savage had made this his home and hunting-ground is unknown.
Hundreds of years he evidently tarried in these rich hills and pleasant
valleys, hunting game, nursing papoose and smoking his rudely constructed
pipe. The life he led was joy to him, and his worship to the Great Spirit
was unquestionably sincere.  The hunting grounds were changed from place
to place, but he was untraceable only by a few hieroglyphics coarsely
engraven upon some rock, or by an occasional pipe or flint.  His history
is a mystery not solvable. There are many speculations, conjectures and
opinions, but like the author that rounds them into language, they die.
The Indian never thought to preserve his own history; but before he ever
traversed these hills and valleys-before his whoop echoed and re-echoed
there lived another race of beings.  Traces of their footsteps through
the country are seen.  They have received the appellation of mound
builders.  They were of large stature. Whence they came?  we ask, but
no answer.  Many of the acres of Marshall county have doubtless been
the theatre of events that would render them classic ground were the
history known.  The mounds tell in their silence of a people that lived
here perhaps thousands of years ago. They were a people or nation that
revered their dead, and built lasting monuments  of  earth above their
deceased to mark their resting place for generations to  come.  Where
Moundsville now stands may have been the home of their great, for it
contains the largest mound known in this country.  Here some great king
or personage was laid away to rest, followed by a  solemn cortege of
people.  But they, like ever nation, have had their day and now are
totally extinct.

                      PIONEERS AND THEIR TIMES.

     Over one hundred years have elapsed since the first settlement was 
made within what is now Marshall county.  A century is a large measure
of time for this nation.  Compared with Egypt, Greece or Rome, our
our republic is yet in its veriest infancy.  What changes have been 
wrought within that period of time, the first pioneer found the country
without market, road, merchant, mechanic, and the virgin soil
undisturbed, excepting for a few spots that may have been marked by the
crude efforts at tillage by the uncivilized and barbarous red man.  Wild
beasts and the Savage Indian were in deadly conflict through the vast
wilderness.  The earth teemed with venomous and loathsome reptiles,
except when winter withdrew them to their caverns.   A wilderness
filled with antagonistic creatures.  Such, in brief, was its condition 
when that band of moral heroes, the pioneers, entered the country 
and grappled with privations and dangers, altogether unknown to the 
generation who now live here enjoying themselves off the abundant 
products the well cleared land yearly bears.  No churches, schools,
merchants, or mechanics were then found.
     The early settlers made their way higher from their eastern homes 
a foot  and on horseback, carrying enough food to last them for a few
days, and when that run out they were obliged to hunt wild game, which,
however, was plentiful.  They set to erecting cabins and clearing ground,
all the while guarding themselves from the savage beasts and Indians.
They raised corn and lived on coarse food.  The pioneers did their own
grinding, in many instances. Mills were few and very far apart.  They
used what is called handmills for a number of years.  It was a cheaply
arranged appliance.  Simply two flat stones.  The corn was placed on
the largest stone, whilst the smaller one, with its flat surface down,
was turned about by the hand and pulverized by friction.  After being
perfectly triturated it was then ready for use.  In 1791, the nearest
mill was at Shepherd's, a distance of sixteen miles from Moundsville.
The next mill was built by Tomlinson on Grave creek. 
     The settlers used to pack salt, on horseback, from Hagerstown, at 
the great distance of two hundred miles.  Two bushels of salt carried in 
this manner was considered a load.  The sale costing then, at this early 
period, the sum of  $10 per bushel.  What marketing they had was 
carried to the river and sometimes was disposed of at a trivial or paltry  
sum, and sometimes a great many things given away to keel boats that  
passed up and down the river.  Many of these boats were from New 
Orleans.  They were loaded with freight, which was carried for $10 a
hundred.  Chickens, eggs and butter were the products for market.
The cattle were driven to the east for market, and sold at Philadelphia
and New York.  Hogs were driven to Baltimore.  Then potatoes sold for
twenty-five cents per bushel at retail, and twelve and a half wholesale.
Chickens sold for six-pence a piece.  Butter and eggs the same per 
pound.   Cattle and horses sold for cent a pound.  Horses found slow
sale at from $20 to $40.  In 1810 salt sold at $6 per bushel.  The 
traveling done on foot those days were at great distances, and thirty- 
three miles were considered a day's journey.  A great many of the 
pioneers often walked to Cincinnati, Louisville, Nashville and 
Memphis.
     Thus the author has summed up in a brief manner a mere outline  
of pioneer life.  Many stories of hardships, privations and suffering of  
the pioneer have never been related and neither can they now be told,  
for they that moved about then have all been gathered to their long    
homes.  The present generation can only imagine the frontiersman's 
life and dangers they were continually exposed to.

                            FIRST SETTLERS.

     The following were among the first settlers of what is now Marshall 
county:
Joseph Tomlinson settled on what is since known as the Grave Creek  
Flats in the year 1770.
     Con. O'Neal settled on what is called Fork Ridge in 1770, and  
herded Tomlinson's cattle and took care of his premises, whilst he
(Tomlinson) returned home, and he was then the only white man in the  
county.  He received for his compensation a tract of land.
     In 1770, James McDonell and Bartholemew McDonell settled in  
Yankee Bottom.
     Nathan Masters settled on what is known as Roberts' ridge, in 1777.
     John Riggs and James Riggs settled the same year a short distance 
from Nathan Masters.
     James Freeland, also settled on Roberts' Ridge, in about 1777.
     In the year 1790, Benjamin Fish, Jonathan Roberts, Reuben Roberts, 
Gay Roberts, settled on same ridge.  John Roberts, a brother settled  
several years later on Yankee bottom, on the property now owned by 
Captain David Roberts.
     Old Peter Yoho, settled on Fish creek, in about the year 1792.
     An old gentleman by the name of Sims, settled on Big Grave 
Creek, in 1795, on the James Markley farm.
     Harry Clark, settled on the old Clark farm, known as the Riley 
farm, in about the year 1771.  He refused to settle in the valley, on 
account of ague, and located on the hills.
     George Dowler settled on what is known as Downer's ridge in 1796.
     In 1790, John Bonar, James Bonar, David Bonar, all settled on  
Bonar's ridge, or Fork ridge, and there located a great deal of land.
     Benjamin McMechen, settled in what is known as McMechen's
bottom, about the year 1777.
     Jonathan Purdy settled on Grave creek in 1798.  He built the first
distillery on the flats, that was built in this county, and the second
distillery was built by Henry Baker, in the lower end of Round bottom.
     Zeke Lewis settled in the Round bottom, in 1798.
     In about the year 1805, Hugh Nixon, William Nixon and James 
Nixon settled on Robert's ridge.
     The Jeffersons settled on the same ridge, about the year 1810.  
     There was a number of others that settled before the last named 
date, and a great many since, which cannot be enumerated.
     When Dunmore was Governor of Virginia, there was a large territory  
lying here unoccupied, and he wanted the land taken up, and offered as an  
inducement to emigration a clear title, if they would come and tomahawk 
their way.   A proclamation to that effect was issued, and it caused quite
a large number of people to settle here.  The country and the lands were  
favorable.  Some of the titles did not hold good, and as a consequence. 
some of the early settlers lost their claims.  It took an effort to tomahawk 
their way among the Indians in the location of tracts, and in many
instances took an effort to retain what they located on.

                   INDIAN TROUBLES-EARLY REMINISCENCES.

     From an article published in the Wheeling Intelligencer, of May,   
1866, the following is obtained:
     Colonel Samuel P. Baker, from whom these facts were ascertained,  
lives near Benwood, Union district.  He is the second son of Henry Baker,  
and was born in the year 1798.  In the year 1825 he married Caroline,  
oldest daughter of Samuel Tomlinson.  He now lives on a part of the 600
acre tract of land formerly owned by Tomlinson, and is now in his 81st  
year, and is the oldest native born citizen living in Marshall county.  
He is a very intelligent old gentleman, and what he relates is authentic.
The following was written nearly verbatim:  "John Baker, my grand-
father, was a Prussian, and he came to the United States in the year 1755.
He landed at Philadelphia, where he married a German lady by the name 
of Elizabeth Sullivan, in the year 1760.  Immediately after his marriage 
he moved to the Shenandoah  valley, Virginia, where in the year 1773 
Henry Baker, my father, was born.  In the year 1767 he emigrated from  
there to Dunkard creek, Greene County, Pennsylvania, and settled among  
the Indians, four tribes of whom were then living there in peace with the   
whites, viz: the Deleware, the Wyandots, the Swanees and the Mingoes. 
     He remained there until the breaking out of Dunmore's war, when he
took refuge with his family in what was then called Redstone Old Fort,
now Brownsville, Pa.  
                
                         IN THE YEAR 1781.

     He went to where Washington, Pa. now stands, then known as 
Catfish Camp.  About this time the country about there was very much  
alarmed, and the people were on the look out for the Indians, who were 
reported to have crossed the river near Holliday's Cove, and were
expected to make inroads upon the settlements. .An express was sent to 
Wheeling fort to give the alarm concerning it.  The party sent consisted
of  Henry Baker, my father, (then 18 years of age),  Henry Yoho,  and
_______ Starnater.  They traveled in safety until they came to the 
Narrows, on Wheeling creek, near where Col. Woods lived and died.  
Here they were ambushed by a party of Indians.  Starnater shot the Indian 
nearest him and in return he and his horse were immediately killed. Yoho's
horse was shot and fell but arising almost immediately it dashed through  
the Indians, carrying him away in safety to Wheeling fort.  Baker's horse  
was shot but ran some hundred yards when it fell on him.  Extricating 
himself as soon as possible, and throwing away his arms to lighten  
himself, he ran for about a quarter of a mile before seeing a very large  
red skin approaching him directly in front with a pistol in one hand and a 
tomahawk in the other, he saw that escape was impossible and stopped. 
He said the Indian took him by the hair of the head and shook him till he 
almost thought he would shake his head off, telling him at the same time 
in good English

                        YOU ARE A PRISONER.

     He was taken back to the body of the Indians, among whom was
a brother of the one killed by Starnater.  This Indian was raging mad,
and was determined to kill Baker in revenge for the death of his
brother, but he was prevented from doing so by the chief.  They came
rapidly down this ridge where I live, no doubt thinking they would
be pursued.  They struck the river at Kate's Rock, where they found
several canoes filled with Indians, who seemed to be waiting for
them.  From this point, after rowing a short distance down the river,
they left the stream, and going back of the Grave creek flats they
crossed the creek near where the water station now is and struck 
the river again at the lower end of the Round Bottom.  Here they
crossed the river and encamped for the night at the head of  Captina
Island.  All this time he carried his own and Starnater's and the
dead Indian's rifles strapped to his back.  He was tied to a sapling
and passed the night without food.  
     They started early next morning and traveled three days and
three nights without stopping to camp, or with scarcely anything to 
eat.  At the end of this time they arrived at Chillicothe.  Here, thinking
they were out of danger of pursuit, they traveled more leisurely and
killed some deer, they had plenty to eat.  Arriving at Sandusky they
found a band of at least three hundred warriors, and there were nine
other men from Kentucky as prisoners.  They were all compelled to
run the gauntlet.  My father being young and active ran it easily,
which so enraged a young Indian that he knocked him down with
his club after he had entered the house.  He witnessed the burning of
the nine Kentuckians,  one being burned each day, all the time being
warned that his fate was to be the same as theirs.  On the tenth day
he was ordered to be taken out and tied to the stake by an old Indian.
He resisted somewhat, and tried to parley with them, but on starting
out toward the stake he saw a horseman  rapidly approaching.  When
the horseman came up he saw a man dressed in the uniform of a
British officer.  He immediately ran to the man.  He told him that the
Indians were about to burn him, and he wanted him to save him.  He
found out the man to be 

                            SIMON GIRTY,

     who, on finding who Baker was and where he was from, plead
with the Indians for two hours to spare his life, and finally succeeded.
My father always supposed that Girty anticipated making an attack
on Wheeling and expected him to be useful to him as a guide, for he
took him aside and asked him all manner of questions concerning
Wheeling and vicinity.  Through the interposition of Girty he was
sent to Detroit and reported to the Governor.  He was then set at
liberty.  Hiring himself to an Indian trader, he remained with him 
some time trading with the Indians.
     At length he started with two others for Virginia, and after a
tedious march,, getting lost at one time for near three weeks, they
arrived at a point where Bridgeport now stands.  The inhabitants of
Wheeling were some of them on that side of the river, making sugar
and selling it.  They supposed them to be Indians and fled to the fort
and gave the alarm.  Finally, when the inhabitants of the fort found
out who they were, they welcomed them within its walls.  
     Baker here found that during his absence his father had moved 
To the Round Bottom, whither he went, and when summer opened
They all went to Fort Tomlinson.

                         IN THE YEAR 1784

my father built what was long known as Baker's station, near Cresap's
grove.  In the same year a family by the name of Parr settled in the
Flats, and a short time thereafter Henry Baker married one of his
daughters.  After marriage he settled at Tomlinson's fort, and in the
year 1786 his first son, John Baker, was born.  (He was the father of
Captain A. O. Baker, present clerk of the circuit court.)  He lived at
the fort until Wayne's treaty in 1791, when he moved to Round bottom,
including also Captine island.  Here he lived and died.  His oldest son,
John, married Elizabeth, daughter of Jonathan Roberts.
     Joseph Tomlinson left his house, near Fort Cumberland, Md., in
the year 1770, in company with his older brother, Samuel, traveling
on horseback, until reaching the valley, since known as  Grave creek
flats.  Being delighted with the beautiful appearance and the rich soil,
they took possession of it and much of the hill lands, deciding to make
it their future home.  They erected a cabin near where the residence of 
the late Judge Caldwell now stands.  He remained during that summer,
then returned to Maryland and married a Miss Elizabeth Harkness,
and removed back to his land in the spring of 1773.  The journey
was made by the young couple on horseback, the bride using as a
saddle-cloth, the only piece of household goods she possessed, a 
bed-tick.  When they arrived at their destination, she found in one
corner of the cabin, a pile of wild turkey feathers, with which she
filled her bed.  This constituted all her household goods.
     There was a fort erected here between the years 1784 and
1793, which was known as Tomlinson's fort at Grave creek.  
DeHass says, "among those forted at Grave creek in the year 1791,
was William McIntosh, his wife and child.  Early one morning the
cry of a turkey was heard against the hill-side, across the river.
McIntosh, although warned against the deceptions of the enemy,
started with his gun and dog.  He landed with his canoe at a point
nearly opposite the fort, and commenced ascending the bank.  
Before taking ten steps, the "turkey," from his concealed position,
fired and shot his victim through the head.  McIntosh remaining
much longer than was right, some men from the fort went over on
the third day and there found the unfortunate man scalped, with
his faithful dog sitting by his side."
     DeHass also tells an occurrence which took place the year
previous to this-1790-by which a nephew of Joseph Tomlinson,
named Robert Carpenter, came very near losing his life.  "He had
gone out early in the morning for the horses, and while hunting near 
Grave creek was fired on by a party of Indians who were concealed 
near the bank.  The ball took effect in his shoulder, breaking the
bone and inflicting a severe wound.  Thus disabled, the Indians soon
overtook and made him prisoner.  Anxious to get possession of the
horses, but being unable to catch them, the Indians concluded to let
Carpenter try it, as the animals knew him and would be less difficult to
capture.  Accordingly Carpenter was untied and started in pursuit.
Going about two hundred yards, he determined to escape, and instead
of catching the horses, ran toward the house of a friend, but his flight
was so greatly impeded by the old shoes which he wore and his
disabled arm, that the savages soon overtook him.  Another attempt was
then made by the Indians to get the horses, but utterly failing, Carpenter
ventured to offer his services, declaring that he would not again try to 
escape, but do his best to catch the horses and go along with them to
their country.  Finding they could not get near the animals, they
concluded to trust Carpenter once more, threatening him with all manner
of horrid deaths if he attempted again to escape.  This time he adroitly
drove the horses before him a considerable distance, and then kicking
off his shoes and taking a firm hold of his maimed limb, started off on
the race of life or death.  He safely escaped to the house Nathan Masters,
living on the farm now owned by Jesse Lydick and others.

                         THE FOREMAN MASSACRE.

     At the extreme end of Washington township, just on the line between
it and Union township, at the head of Grave Creek narrows, may be seen a
monument erected to the memory of Captain Foreman and his brave men,
who were killed by the Indians on that spot September 27, 1777.  The
incident is given in DeHass' words.
     Captain William Foreman, a brave and meritorious officer, organized
a volunteer company in Hampshire county, Virginia, and marched to
Wheeling in the fall of 1777.  It was known that Patrick Henry, governor
of Virginia, had determined early in the spring of that year to send an 
expedition against the Indian towns at the head of the Scioto, and with this
view ordered three hundred men to be raised in the counties of 
Youghioghany, Monongalia and Ohio.  Some of the most patriotic of the 
citizens east of the mountains, thinking  the west in this emergency might 
stand in need of  aid, determined to go to her assistance.  Of this number 
was Captain Foreman, who soon raised a company, and by the middle of
September was at Wheeling.  A gallant soldier, but wholly unfamiliar with 
Indian warfare, he proved himself unfit for the service, and in his very 
first expedition suffered the deplorable ambuscade, an account of which
we will now give.
     After the withdrawal of the Indians from Wheeling, nothing more was
seen of them, or heard of their movements up to the time of which we now
speak; and the impression became general that they had retired to their 
towns.
     On Sunday morning, September 26, 1777, a smoke was noticed by some
persons at Wheeling in the direction of Grave creek, which caused an
apprehension that the Indians might be burning the stockade and houses of
Mr. Tomlinson.  In order to ascertain this fact and afford protection if  
any was necessary, Captain  Foreman, with his company and a few  
experienced scouts, were dispatched by Col. Shepherd for the purpose.
     
The party proceeded without interruption to Grave creek and found all
safe, and remaining over night, they started early on the 
following morning to return.  When they had reached the lower end of
Grave creek narrows, some of the more experienced frontiersmen
suggested the expediency of leaving, the river bottom, and returning by
way of the ridge.  The commander, however, hooted at the idea as so
much caution, and ordered the party to proceed. The order was obeyed
by his own men, including several of the volunteer scouts, but some
declined to go with him, and of these there was a man named Lynn,
whose great experience as a spy, added to his sagacity and judgement,
should at least have rendered his opinions valuable and entitled to
weight.  His apprehensions were that the Indians, if lurking about,
had the movements of the party, and would most likely attack them at
some point on the river.
     He said that in all probability they had been on the opposite side
of the river and noticed the party go down; that they had crossed during
the night and most probably at that time were lying in the ambush for
their return.  How fearfully were his apprehensions realized.
     During the interchange of opinions between Foreman and Lynn, a man
named Robert Harkness, a relative of Mr. Tomlinson, sat on a log near the
parties and afterwards said the controversy ran high.
     Foreman, who prided himself on being a thoroughly disciplined 
officer, was not disposed to yield to the suggestions of a rough back-
woodsman.  Lynn, on the other hand, convinced of the fatal error which
the other seemed determined to commit, could not but remonstrate with
all the power of persuasion at his command.  Finally, when the order to
march was given, Lynn with some six or eight others struck up the 
hill-sides, while Foreman with his company pursued the path along the
base.  Nothing of importance occurred until the party reached the extreme 
upper end of the narrows.
     Just where the bottom begins to widen those in front had their 
attention drawn to a display of Indian trinkets, beads, bands, & etc.,
strewn in profusion along the path.
     With a natural curiosity, but a great lack of perception, the  
entire party gathered about those who picked up the articles of decoy,
and whilst thus standing in a compact group, looking at the beads,
& etc., two lines of Indians stretched across the path, one above and
the other below, and a large body of them simultaneously arose from the
bank, and opened upon the devoted party a most deadly and destructive
fire.  The river hill rises at this point with great boldness, presenting
an almost insurmountable barrier.  Still those of the party who escaped
the first discharge attempted to rush up the acclivity, and some with
success.  But the savages pursued and killed several.
     At the first fire Capt. Foreman and most of his party, including 
his two sons fell dead.  The exact loss cannot with certainty be 
ascertained, but is supposed to have been about twenty, including
the captain.
     The presumption is however, that most of those whose names are 
mentioned, suffered death on the occasion referred to.  When Lynn and 
his party heard the guns, they rushed down the side of the hill,   
hallooing as though they were five times as numerous.  This had the 
effect of restraining the savages in pursuit and perhaps saved the lives 
of many.  Of those who escaped up the hill, were Robert Harkness and
John Collins.  The former in pulling himself up by a sapling, had the
bark knocked into his face with a ball from an Indians gun.  Collins
was shot through the left thigh, breaking the bone and completely
disabling him.  Lynn and his companions carried him to a spring, said
to have been just over the hill, and throwing together their supply
of provisions, left him in a sheltered position, promising to send
a messenger on the following day with a horse.
     Those who were so fortunate as to escape this terrible affair, made 
their way in safety to Wheeling.
     On the second day, a party went down and buried the dead.  Colonel 
Shepherd, Colonel Zane, Andrew Poe and Martin Wetzel, were of this 
number.  They were thrown into one common grave, and the place of  
their interment is still pointed out to the passer-by.
     Collins, the wounded man, was taken off on horseback the second 
night.  They carried him to Shepherd's Fork. * * *
He suffered greatly with his wounded limb in riding, but finally recovered  
and lived for many years."

              DEATH OF CAPT. JOHN BAKER BY THE INDIANS.

     Captain John Baker, who located here in the early settlement of the 
country, was captain of a company of men fighting the Indians, and about  
1778 met with his death.  He was in company with the Wetzels, three in
in a block  house that had been erected at the head of Cresap's bottom.
They were watching Indians who sauntered around on the opposite
banks of the Ohio river, evidently waiting an opportunity to kill the
whites that had taken refuge in the fort.  Baker, seizing the first chance
fired and killed an Indian that was in range of his gun.  The Indians
pretending they were frightened, scattered and ran in different directions,
leaving their bleeding and dying brother on the ground.  Baker seeing at
once that his shot had proven fatal, and being somewhat daring, 
suggested to the Wetzels to cross the river and examine their dead foe.
No Indians then, of course, were in sight---all tranquil and every
appearance of safety.  But the savages were using strategy.  They
secreted themselves not far from their dead companion.  He was left there
for a bait, and Baker was thus decoyed.  A canoe was secured and they
crossed to the opposite bank to take a look at their dead victim.  Whilst
reconnoitering him, several shots from the Indians were unexpectedly,
fired, and one taking effect on Baker, who fell and was captured by the.
Indians.  The Wetzels recovered the body shortly afterwards---they 
found he had crawled partially under a log, lying insensible, with both
eyes gored out---and he was carried across the river on the canoe, only
surviving but a short time after reaching the fort, or block-house.  He
was buried at that  place.  The following named persons attended the
funeral: Henry Baker, the old Indian warrior, and family; Reuben Roberts,
and family; George Baker, Leonard Raigor and two brothers; Aaron Hughes,
and Capt. Roberts.  There were three canoe loads went from the Round
bottom to Baker's Station, where the blockhouse stood.  Col. S. P.
Baker and Capt. Roberts are the only two persons now living that
attended on that occasion.
     In about the year 1804-5, John Wetzel migrated up the Missouri with 
Jonathan Clark, and whilst there his brother Martin, who remained here,
died in the fall of 1812, and before his death he requested that his 
remains be laid along the side of John Baker's, which request was
granted, and accordingly his body was interred there.  Before he
breathed his last he told his brother Lewis, who bent over him, to
encourage John, and tell him never to bury the tomahawk.        


             ABOUT COLONEL BEELER AND THE MOHAWK TRIBES.

     When Colonel Beeler emigrated to this section (Cameron) he located 
a great deal of land, the greater part of which was about the fort.  The 
entire neighborhood where Cameron now stands, and a wide scope of the
country extending to the forks of Fish creek, also, was owned by him that
early day.  Shortly after  his coming to this point, in company with
other men, they were permanently located at the fort.  A great many
Indians from the Shawnese and Mohawk tribes, who were then stationed
about Wheeling and the Flats of Grave creek, came to prowl about the
fort to annoy Colonel Beeler in every conceivable way they could, and,
if possible, drive him from the dominions, which they claimed the "Greatstation, at that time, was
indeed a situation of sadness.  The sun rose in the morning, and as its
glittering beams gleamed down upon the earth, through the heavy timbers
that then clothed the hills and vales of Virginia, its dawning
influence came in contact with a solitary fort, standing in the midst of
a desolate wilderness. Evening came, and the inmates of Beeler's fort
look with eyes expressive of the saddest reluctance to see the sun sink
down in the west. The curtain of darkness is drawn over creation and
darkness settles around and envelopes the fort.  The women and children
of this secluded structure shudder with awe to think of the monotony
of the night.  And truly the nights were terrible.  The valley of Grave
creek sloped off to the west.  The deep, dark valley of Wolf run stretched
far to the north.  In the darkness and stillness of the night, birds of
"evil omen" flew from one valley to the other, and as they passed over
the fort they flapped their wings and uttered their unearthly shrieks.
In the deep valleys and ravines, on all sides, the howls of the wolf, the
fierce shrieks of the panther, and the yells of the wild cat could be
distinctly heard.  
     The harsh toned voice of the terrible "Redman" could be heard on every
hill-top as they echoed and re-echoed their answers to each other.  These  
were the agencies and elements that surrounded Beeler's station in the 
night time during the primeval ages of Virginia.
     During the summer of 1780, it is said that Colonel Beeler became 
discouraged, and  I presume it was no wonder; for where is the man of 
this day and date that could have faced what Colonel Beeler did, and 
live?
     New obstacles were constantly being conceived and brought into 
existence day after day to barricade his pathway, to frustrate and hinder 
him from accomplishing the great designs he had undertaken.
     His enemies were so numerous, and they were so terribly disfigured 
with evil design, that the lives of Colonel Beeler and his family were
constantly endangered whenever they went outside of the fort.  Under  
these terrible circumstances, for Colonel Beeler to establish a colony in 
this neighborhood presupposed to him the idea that he must have 
additional aid.
     Accordingly, in the dead of winter, 1780, he, accompanied by  
Tomlinson, of the fort at Moundsville, and Ryerson, of Ryerson's 
Station, Pa., walked through the deep snow, in the dead of winter, over
the mountains of Pennsylvania to the city of Philadelphia.  He there  
laid in a complaint to the chief officers of that state regarding his sad
situation in the wilds of Virginia.  He requested them to send him
assistance.  They were moved by his story and agreed to furnish the  
desired aid.  So, in the spring of 1781, fifty-three men, under the 
command of Captain Jeremiah Long, arrived at Beeler's fort.  They 
assumed the name of "six months men," and their duty was to guard
the different forts which were than located at different points in this
country, and to pilot and protect men who wished to go from one
station to another.  Braver and nobler men never lived than were these 
who composed Captain Long's company.  They were all in the prime of 
manhood, except Captain Long, who was a tolerably old man.  They 
staid in the wilds of Virginia for a number of years, and the greatest 
respect was manifested toward them by those early settlers whom they
then protected.  And the services which these six months men rendered
were the very instrumentalities which enabled these early frontiersmen
to colonize this neighborhood and bring about settlements of civilized
people.
     During the year 1782, spies were appointed by the different parties 
throughout this country.  Thomas Younkins was appointed a spy for
Beeler's Station.  Martin Wetzel was appointed by the people at 
Wetzel's fort to act as a spy in conjunction with the spy at Beeler's
Station.  These two men were not only well acquainted with the Indians
and their language, but understood thoroughly their customs and places 
of warfare.  The energy, bravery and perseverance these two men 
possessed, did not only secure for them the position of spies, but won
them destinies which will live, as history bears on record the account
of great deeds and daring feats performed by the heroes of an early
frontier.  Their history is one repeated scene of combat, bloodshed and
massacre with the Indians, and that degree of success which attended
them on all occasions and under all circumstances, has gone far toward 
characterizing them as among the bravest and most daring men that 
that ever walked the face of the earth.
     The duty of Younkins and Wetzel, when acting as spies for Beeler's 
Station, was to scout through the woods round about the fort, to ascertain,
if possible, the exact strength of the Indian forces, and to determine
determine whether they were making any signs indicative of an attack on
the fort.
     The year in which Colonel Beeler died, is not known, but the spot
of ground that now contains his smouldering ashes, is only a few rods
distant from where his old fort stood.  The graves of many others who 
had undergone the terrible ordeals which surrounded and afflicted the
early settlers of this once distracted neighborhood, can plainly be seen
near the fort.
     But what a change has taken place in this vicinity since they have
passed away.  One hundred years ago, and the fort could have been seen
standing alone in solitude-today can be seen two magnificent church-
houses, where men, women and children come up each Sabbath to worship---
not an imaginary spirit as the Indians once did-but to worship the true
and the living God.

      KILLING OF THREE INDIANS AT THE MOUTH OF GRAVE CREEK.

     The sketch of John Wetzel, Jr., in another part of this volume, 
relates his capture the second time by the Indians, and his rescue
on the last occasion, by an event which took place at the mouth of
Grave creek.  The event is said to have occurred about the spring
of 1786.  Early the next morning after the Indians had captured
young Wetzel, they struck the Ohio river at a point near the mouth
of Grave creek, and just below the clearing of Mr. Tomlinson.  Here
they found some hogs, and killing one of them, put it in a canoe they
they had stolen.  Three of the Indians took possession of the canoe
with their prisoners, while the other was busied in swimming the
horses across the river.  It so happened that Isaac Williams, Hambleton
Kerr, and Jacob, a Dutchman, had come down that morning from 
Wheeling, to look after the cattle, etc., left at the deserted settlement.
When near the mouth of little Grave creek, a mile above, they heard
the report of a rifle.  "Dod rot 'em," exclaimed Mr. Williams, "a
Kentuck boat has landed at the creek, and they are shooting my hogs."
Quickening their pace, in a few minutes they were within a short 
distance of the creek, when they heard the loud snort of a horse.  Kerr,
being in the prime of life, and younger than Mr. Williams, was several
rods ahead, and reached the bank first.  As he looked into the creek, he
saw three Indians standing in a canoe; one was in the stern, one in the
bow, and the other in the middle.  At the feet of the latter, lay four rifles
and a dead hog; while a fourth Indian was swimming a horse a few rods
from the shore.  The one in the stern had his paddle in the edge of the 
water, in the act of turning and shoving the canoe from the mouth of 
the creek into the river.  Before they were aware of his presence, Kerr
drew up and shot the Indian in the stern of the boat, who instantly fell
into the water.  The crack of his rifle had scarcely ceased, when Mr.
Williams came up and shot the one in the bow, who also fell overboard.
Kerr dropped his own rifle, and seizing that of the Dutchman, shot the
remaining Indian.  He fell over into the water, but still held on to the
side of the canoe with one hand.  So amazed was the last Indian at the
fall of his companions, that he never offered to lift one of the rifles 
which lay at his feet, in self-defense, but acted like one bereft of his
senses.  By this time the canoe, impelled by the impetus given to it
by the first Indian, had reached the current of the river, and was some
below the mouth of the creek.  Kerr instantly reloaded his gun, and
seeing another man lying in the bottom of the canoe, raised it to his
face as in the act of firing, when he cried out, "Don't shoot, I am a
white man!"  Kerr told him to knock loose the Indian's hand from the
side of the canoe, and paddle to shore.  In reply, he said his arm was
broken and he could not.  The current, however, set in near some rocks
not far  from land, on which he jumped and waded out.  Kerr now
aimed his rifle at the Indian on horseback, who by this time had
reached the middle of the river.  The shot struck near him, splashing
the water on his naked skin.  The Indian seeing the fate of his 
companions, with the utmost bravery, slipped from his horse, and 
swam for the canoe, in which were the rifles of the four warriors. 
This was an act of necessity as well as of daring, for he well knew he
could not reach home without the means of killing game.  He soon
gained possession of the canoe, unmolested, crossed with the arms to
his own side of the Ohio, mounted the captive horse, which had swam
to the Indian shore, and with a yell of defiance escaped into the woods.
The canoe was turned adrift to spite his enemies, and was taken up 
near Maysville, with the dead hog still in it, the cause of all their
misfortunes.

             NATHANIEL PARR'S FIGHT WITH FIVE INDIANS.

     About the year 1770, a man by the name of Parr settled in what 
is now Marshall county, on the flats of Grave creek, at Parr's Point
(which afterwards took his name), and included all the lands that
Burley's estate comprised.  He came out after Dunmore's proclamation
had been issued, the substance of which was, that any person who might
come out and tomahawk all the land they could settle on, the same 
would be given them as a possession, , and that of course caused rapid
immigration here.  Mr. Parr was a man who wished to pursue a civil life,
and led a peaceable one with the Indians.  He also kept free from civil
feuds, or quarrels, with his neighbors.  He had two sons, Nathan and
Samuel.
     One day Nathan was sent out for the purpose of hunting deer, and 
had gone upon what is called Little Grave creek, and there came across
a fine large deer, standing at the water's edge drinking.  It had not
noticed the approach of the hunter, who cautiously slipped within range
of his gun, and as the animal raised its head, he fired and brought it
to the ground.  He proceeded at once to skin the deer, and as it was
growing late, concluded to hang it upon a tree, out of the reach of 
wolves, and let it remain for the night.  After he succeeded in getting
it hung up safely, he picked up the hide and his gun and returned to his  
home undisturbed.
     The next morning Nathan started, bright and early, for his game. 
     In the meantime, five redskins chanced that morning to pass by this
deer, and suspecting that the person who placed it there would soon
come along to secure it, they ambushed for their prey.  It was not long
before Nathan made his appearance, little dreaming even of danger.
After reaching the spot, he began leisurely taking down his venison,  
when several shots were fired at him by the Indians from their
concealed places, which so startled Nathan, that for the moment, he 
did not realize that one shot had taken effect in his right hip.  The
Indians, for some reasons, ceased firing and jumped from their
hiding places, and made for him.  He grabbed his gun, which stood
against a tree, then discovering for the first time that he was shot.  He
fired at the approaching Indians twice, each load taking effect on his
enemies, but leaving three for encounter.  Nathan was a muscular man
and full of pluck, and standing on one foot, defended himself against 
the three redskins, who were striking at him from all sides with their
tomahawks  but not approaching quite within reach.  The unexpected
repulse the Indians received at the loss of two of their companions, so
frustrated and confounded them that they were unable to accomplish
anything.   The unsuspected bravery and strength of their opponent
seemed to completely unnerve them.  Nathan then finally fell to the 
ground and was unable to rise again.  He happened to fall in between
some stone which protected him from his enemies on one side.  He
seized the loose stone that were plentifully lying about, and thus
warded the Indians off.  When they found there was little chance of
killing him, and a couple Indians having received several slight bruises
from the stones which were hurled at them by Parr, left him lying there
and proceeded to carry off their companions.  It is thought the reason
they did not shoot him was because they ran out of ammunition.  They
had thrown down their guns and had used their tomahawks against him.
The two that were killed were evidently the older ones, and three were
young and cowardly.  Perhaps their fear of other whites coming may
have may have hastened their footsteps from the place.  His father
becoming alarmed at his long stay, started out in pursuit of him with a 
horse.  A diligent search was made for several hours, when finally he
was found nearly exhausted, lying near a large rock.  With considerable
difficulty he was placed upon the horse and carried to his home.  Next
day, it is said that two Indians were seen by different parties, skulking
about the forests, apparently out of ammunition, carrying guns.  It was
supposed that they were the Indians that had fought Nathan Parr.  He
recovered from his wound, but remained a cripple.  He lived to be 
about ninety years of age, and raised a family of ten boys and two girls.
His death occurred in 1862, and his remains are resting in what is known
as the Long Reach, in Washington county, Ohio, twenty-four miles
above Marietta.
     His brother, Samuel Parr, was in the battle of Tippecanoe, under
General Harrison, and was shot twice.

                  MURDER OF THE THREE MISSES CROW.

     Next to the Tush murder, perhaps the most melancholy occurrence 
on Wheeling Creek was that of three sisters-the Misses Crow, which
occurred in 17.85.  The parents of these girls lived about one mile from
the mouth of Dunkard, or lower fork of the creek.  According to the
statement of a fourth sister, who was an eye witness of the horrid
tragedy and herself almost a victim, the four left their parents' house
for an evening walk along the deeply shaded banks of that beautiful
stream.  Their walk extended over a mile, and they were just turning
back, when suddenly several Indians sprang from behind a ledge of
rocks and seized all four of the sisters.  With scarcely a moment's
interruption, the savaged led the captives a short distance up a small
bank, when a halt was called and a parley took place.  It seems that
some of the Indians were in favor of immediate slaughter, while
others were disposed to carry them into permanent captivity.
     Unfortunately, the arm of mercy was powerless.  Without a 
moment's warning, a fierce-looking savage stepped from the group,
with elevated tomahawk, and commenced the work of death.  This
Indian, in the language of Lena, "Began to tomahawk one of my
sisters-Susan by name.  Susan dodged her head to one side, the
tomahawk taking effect in her neck, cutting the jugular vein, the blood
gushing out a yard's length.  The Indian who held her hand jumped
back to avoid the blood.  The other Indian then began the work of 
death on my sister Elizabeth, and a third on Katie."
     Lena thus describes her escape: "I gave a sudden jerk and got
loose from the one that held me and ran with all speed, taking up a 
steep bank, but just as I caught hold of a bush to help myself up, the
Indian fired and the ball passed through the clump of hair on my head,
slightly breaking the skin.  I gained the top in safety, the Indian taking
round in order to meet me as I would strike the path, that led home-
ward.  But I ran right from home and hid myself in the bushes near the
top of the hill.  Presently I saw an Indian passing along the hill below 
me; I lay still until he was out of sight; I then made for home.
     She lived to be an old woman.  Her brother Jacob was afterward 
slain by the Indians while out hunting on Fishing creek, in what is now
Wetzel county.  He and his two brothers were together.  Jacob was shot
nine times.  Martin and Frederick were wounded, but they both 
escaped.

                  MASSACRE OF THE TUSH FAMILY.     

     The valley of Wheeling creek, one of the most beautiful and
productive in West Virginia, was the theatre of many a painful and
drama.  Scarcely a quiet bend, or a surrounding hill, or a rippling
tributary, that is not memorable as connected with the wars of the
Indians.  To one unacquainted with its tragic history, it would indeed
be difficult to imagine that those clear waters were once tinged with 
the blood of helpless women and children, and those stern old hills
ever echoed to the terrible whoop of the savage.  Of those who
settled at an early day in this region was George Tush.  He located
at the mouth of Bruce's run.  His residence was about twelve miles 
from the river, and his family consisted of himself, wife and five
children.  During the year 1794 the settlements on Wheeling creek
had been almost entirely exempt from Indian visitation, and many of
the inhabitants began to console themselves with the reflection that
day was about to dawn upon their long night of terror.
     On the evening of Saturday, September 6th, as George Tush was in
the act of feeding his hogs, in a sty close to his cabin, he was fired upon
by three savages, who had concealed themselves and waited until he
should leave the house.  A ball struck him transversely upon the breast,
cutting a deep gash and inflicting a serious and painful would, as it
carried off a portion of the bone.  It lodged in the shoulder blade.  Tush,
losing entirely his presence of mine, or, in all charitableness, we may
allow that his pain deprived him of self-control, rushed madly by his
own door, in the direction of the forest, leaving his helpless family to
the mercy of relentless savages.  The next moment the Indians were in
the house.
     The mother was instantly made prisoner, and in powerless, but
quivering agony, compelled to witness the horrid butchery of her
innocent children.  In an instant the youngest born was dashed against
a tree, and the other four fell beneath the reeking tomahawk.  Pillaging
the house of such articles as they could carry off, a hurried retreat was
made, lest the escaped husband should follow in pursuit.  The feeble
woman was brutally urged on before them.  But, alas! The scenes which
she had just witnessed, together with her own situation, rendered her
movements both slow and painful.  Fearing discovery, the wretches
tomahawked their helpless victim and left her at a point about two miles
from the place of captivity.  Her bleached remains were found some 
years afterwards by her husband while hunting.
     Of the children tomahawked and scalped, one, a little girl of four
years, recovered, and the infant, whose brains were supposed to have
been  dashed out, was found alive on the following day, lying upon its
dead sisters and brothers.  That child lived and became the wife of
George Goodrich, residing near Shelbyville, Ind.  The children had, a
few days before, gathered a quantity of acorns, which, it is supposed,
prevented the hogs disturbing the remains.

            THE GRAVE CREEK MOUND-ITS STONE AND HISTORY.

     The Grave creek mound is situated on the left bank of the Ohio
river, near the centre of Moundsville.  It is located on an elevated
table land, and is an artificial truncated mound, some seventy feet
high and nine hundred feet in circumference at its base.  The mound
evidently was built by a race superior and anterior to the Indians,
and is the most celebrated and largest mound in this country.  The
first settler that discovered the mound was Mr. Joseph Tomlinson,
who came here in 1770.  Early one morning, but a few days after the
erection of his cabin, he went hunting, and having shot a deer, he
started homeward; but going in a westerly direction, he was suddenly
stopped in his course by a strange looking hill rising abruptly in front
of him.  Laying down his burden, he started to walk around it, and
soon found himself again in the very place whence he had started.
After going home, he in company with his wife returned, ascended
The side of the hill until he reached the summit, and then, for the
first time, the first settler of this county stood on the top of America's
most noted mound.  S. D. Peet, A. M., in speaking of it, says:
     "The cubic contents of the Grave creek mound are equal to the
third pyramid of Mycerinus, but was heaped up by a people destitute
of the knowledge of iron, and who had no domestic animals or machinery
to aid them.  They were evidently people like the Egyptians, ruled by
some one monarch who was able to combine vast numbers in the erection
of one structure, and, at the same time, able to provide food in abundance.
The mound-builders cultivated the soil like Egyptians, and had maize for
their food, as the date and leek and onion supplied the wants of the
laborers on the Nile.  No Indian was ever known to toil in this manner.  
No government existed among the Indians that could bring them to such
servitude.  The authority of a chief or sachem is too slender a thread for
such a people."
     Buckle says of the pyramids:
     "No wealth, however great, no expenditure, however lavish, could 
meet the expense which must have been incurred, if they had been the
work of free men.  It took two thousand men three years to carry a single
stone from Elephantine to Sais.  The canal of the Red Sea cost the lives
of one hundred and twenty thousand Egyptians, and to build one of the
pyramids required the labor of three hundred and sixty thousand men
for twenty years."
     This mound was visited by white men at a very early date, for, in
1818, one of the large trees growing on the mound bore the date of 1734,
and several names cut in the bark were yet distinguishable.  
Mr. A. Tomlinson, the owner of the mound, was induced-by his neighbors 
and friends in Wheeling-to open the mound, which he did in 1838.
Mr. Tomlinson, in his tract, says:
     "From the north side we excavated toward the centre an adit ten feet
high and seven feet wide, along the natural surface.  At the distance of 
111 feet we came to a vault that had been excavated in the earth before
the mound was commenced, eight feet by twelve square, and seven feet
in depth.  Along each side, and across the ends, upright timbers had been
placed, which supported timbers thrown across the vault as a ceiling.
These timbers were covered with loose unhewn stone, common in the
neighborhood.  The timbers had rotted, and the stone tumbled into the
vault.  In this vault were two human skeletons, one of which had no
ornaments.  The other was surrounded by 650 ivory beads and an ivory
ornament about six inches long."
     A shaft was also sunk from the top of the mound to meet the other.
At thirty-four feet above the first or bottom vault, was another, similar
to the first.  In this vault was found a skeleton which had been 
ornamented with copper rings, plates of mica, and bone beads.  Over
2,000 dices cut from shells were found here.  The copper rings, or
bracelets, found weighed about seventeen ounces.  There were also 
about 200 pieces of mica, and about seventeen bone beads.  About two
feet from this skeleton was found the "Inscribed Stone."  Much has
been said and written about this stone, and it is the intention of the writer
to submit the views and opinions of some of our most eminent 
archaeologists on the subject.  What we want is truth, and the truth must 
in time prevail.
     Schoolcraft, who visited the mound in 1818, speaking of it says:
"It was covered with forest trees of the native growth, some of which were 
several  feet in diameter.  On ascending the flat summit of the mound I
found a charming prospect around.  The summit was just fifty feet across.
There was a cup-shaped concavity in the center, exciting the idea that
there had been some internal sub-structure which had given way and
caused the earth to cave in."  Speaking about the opening of the mound,
and the discovery of the stone, he continues his narrative as follows:
"The occasion would not indeed have justified the high expectations
which had been formed, had it not been for the discovery, in one of the
vaults, of a small flat stone, of an oval form, containing an inscription in
ancient characters.  This inscription, which promises to throw new light
on the early history of America, has not been deciphered.  Copies of it
have been sent abroad.  It is thought by the learned at Copenhagen to be
Celtiberic.  It is not in their view Runic.  It has apparently but one
hieroglyphic, or symbolic figure.  A good deal of interest clusters about
this discovery of the inscribed stone.  Tomlinson, the grandfather, settled
on these tracts in 1772, two years before the murder of Logan's family.
Large trees, as large as any in the forest, then covered the flats and mound.
There stood in the depression I have mentioned in the top of the mound a
large beech tree, which had been visited earlier, as was shown by several
names and dates cut on the bark.  Among these was one of the date of 1734.
This I have seen stated under Mr. Tomlinson's own hand.  The place was
much visited from 1770 to 1790, as was shown by newer names and dates,
and indeed, continues to be so still.
     "There was standing at the time of my first visit, in 1818, on the very
summit of the mound, a large dead or decayed white oak, which was cut
down, it appears, about ten years afterward.  On counting the cortical layers,
it was ascertained to be about five hundred years old.  This would denote 
the desertion of the mound to have happened about the commencement of
the thirteenth century.  Granting to this what appears quite clear, that the
inscription is of European origin, have we not evidence, in this face, of the
continent having been visited prior to the era of Columbus?  Visited by
whom?  By a people or individuals, it may be said, who had the use of an 
antique alphabet, which was much employed (although corrupted, varied
and complicated by its spread), among the native priesthood of the
western shores and islands of the European continent, prior to the
introduction of the Roman alphabet."
     Under a later date, that of 1843, the same writer, in writing for 
the New York Advertiser, speaks of the mound and its stone in the 
following language:
"I have visited and examined seven mounds, situated within a short 
distance of each other.  Stretching on the left, or Virginia bank of the 
Ohio, between the junctions of Big and Little Grave creeks with that 
stream, they appeared to have been connected by low earthen 
entrenchments, of which plain traces are still visible on some parts of 
the commons.  They included a well, stoned up in the usual manner,  
which is now filled with rubbish.  The summit of this plain is probably 
seventy-five feet above the present  summer level of the Ohio.  It
constitutes the second bench, or  rise of land, above the water.  It is 
on this summit, and on one of the most elevated parts of it, that the  
great tumulus stands.  It is in the shape of a broad cone, cut off at the
apex, where it is some fifty feet across.  This area is quite level and 
commands a view of the entire plain, and of the river above and below,  
and the west shores of the Ohio in front.  Any public transaction on this 
area would be visible to multitudes around it, and it has, in this respect, 
all the advantages of the Mexican and Yucatanese teocalli.  The most 
interesting object of antiquarian inquiry is a small flat stone, inscribed 
with  antique alphabetic characters, which was disclosed on the opening 
of the large mound.  These characters are in the Ancient rock alphabet,   
of sixteen right  and acute angled single strokes, used by the Pelasgi and 
other Mediterranean nations, and which is the parent of the modern Runic
as well as bardic.  It is now some four or five years since the completion
of the excavations so far as they have been made, and the discovery of
this relic.  Several copies of it soon got abroad, which differed from each
other, and, it was supposed, from the original.  This conjecture is true;
neither the print published in the Cincinnati Gazette, in 1839, nor that
in the American Pioneer, in 1843, is correct."
     From a pamphlet issued by P. P. Cherry the following is obtained:
     Below I give a communication from Col. James Wharton, an eye
witness of the opening of the mound and the discovery of the inscribed
stone:

                              PORTSMOUTH, OHIO, April 7th, 1876
     I will give you the full facts, with such incidental relations as bear
upon it.  In all I say, except in regard to the taking out of the stone,
I am fully sustained by Hon. W. C. Howells, Consul-General to Canada,
dated Quebec, Sept. 28th, 1875.
     I went to Wheeling, Virginia, in 1835, over forty years ago, and 
there edited and published a daily paper for twenty years.  Although it
is a long time since, as this was my first knowledge of archaeology, the
circumstances are all strongly impressed on my mind.  Grave Creek is
on the south bank of the Ohio river, twelve miles below Wheeling.
     The large mound was about seventy-five feet high, by three hundred
in diameter.  On the top was a fallen tree about three feet in diameter,
which had evidently been decaying one hundred years.  There were 
large trees also growing on the surface.  The mound and a large tract of
land were owned by Abelarde Tomlinson, a man of but moderate capacity
and little culture, but honest, and he was urged by neighbors and persons
in Wheeling to open the mound; and some money was given to aid him.
They  commenced by an entry on the north side, and subsequently by a
shaft from the top.  Learning of this, Dr. Morton, of Philadelphia, then
preparing his work on Crania Americana, wrote Dr. Clemens, of Wheeling,
requesting him to visit the mound and report.  He ascertained the day the
workmen would reach the centre, and went down.  I accompanied him, by
his invitation.  There was no one present but about twenty citizens of Grave
Creek, the laborers, Dr. Clemens and myself.
     In the forenoon they struck the centre of the valley, and brought out
decayed wood, stones rings, beads, mica and bones---one skull, nearly
perfect, found in Morton's work.  Among this dirt was brought out the
inscribed stone, and picked up by one of us from the loose dirt.  A fraud
was impossible.  There was no one present who would have done so if
he could, or could if he would, while its whole appearance proved its age.
After the stone was examined, Mr. Tomlinson handed it carelessly to
Dr. Ganns, who had it most of the time, till in 1850 Dr. W. DeHass placed
it in the Smithsonian Institute.  The fact is, few of us then regarded the stone
of much importance, and none of us appreciated its value as a link in the
chain of evidence respecting the people and condition of those who built
the mound.  You will find a correct copy of that and some other matters
in Mr. Schoolcraft's great work, vol. l, plate 3, page 123.
     Dr. Clemens was a very careful writer, and did not finish his account
of the opening for four months.  In the meantime, Mr. Tomlinson had, as
an afterthought, sought to make some money by opening the mound to
visitors for a shilling fee.  Dr. Morton looked upon the stone as a fraud, as
he afterward wrote me, and omitted it with nearly all of Dr. Clemens' 
report.
     Copies of the stone had been published, and much written upon it,
when, some years after, Mr. Squiers, returning to the east to publish the
"Monuments of the Mississippi Valley," (of all of value in which he 
had cheated Dr. Davis, of Chillicothe,) requested me to go with him to
Grave Creek, to see the stone.  We went; but it had been stolen from
Dr. Ganns.  Some months after I found it and sent him a copy; but he
ignored it.  From these facts, other writers have done the same; who
never saw the stone.  Thus a falsehood had become prevalent.
     Col. Whittlesey, in one of his letters to me, gave as his main reason
for supposing it a fraud that the letters were partly Phoenician and partly
Runic.  That fact I regard as conclusive that it is genuine.  Anyone 
attempting a fraud must have written a pure language, while all ancient
languages became corrupted by the mingling of peoples.  The Israelites
and the Runes had probably been many years together, when they reached
Grave Creek, where many of them stayed, while many other towns existed
elsewhere.  There are, perhaps, others living, who saw the stone taken
out; but I do not know them.  There are several who saw it soon after.
     Turning to the sketch, you will find, between the fort and the large
mound, a small one.  This one Dr. Hullihen, of Wheeling, and myself
spent a day in opening.  It was little more than a foot high, and ten feet
across, but in it we found two tibiae, some teeth, part of a skull, and some
quarts of copper beads, chipped from the native copper.  Some two years
later I heard of an inscribed stone taken from the large mound toward 
the east of the fort, in 1832, and sent to the University of Virginia.  I
procured a copy-found it broken at one end.  I procured men and opened
that mound, which was about six feet high and eighteen in diameter.
We found nothing above the surface level, but a foot below, on the
centre of a neatly-laid circle of granite boulders, we found the
other piece of the stone---ashes, beads, bones, and one pipe.  The whole
stone was about eight inches by four, and the inscription a counterpart
of those in the Patent office, brought by Mr. Stevens from Central 
America.  On Lake Superior, in 185-, I saw two chisels of tempered 
steel that had been used in cutting the native copper and beads---the
counterpart of those we had found at Grave Creek.  How do I read these
facts?  That some portion of the Hebrew tribes who used the Phoenician
language, and had learned from Egypt to temper copper, wandered here
with other friendly people, and scattered themselves from the lakes over
the Mississippi valley; they were annoyed by hostile tribes, built their
fortifications---the large mound for dead chiefs, the smallest for common
persons, and that the eastern mound was built by hostile tribes who 
burned their dead and buried them below the surface; that both were
ultimately conquered by a hostile race, many driven off to the south,
others submitting to the conquerors, and mingling with them as did the
Saxons with the Normans after the conquest of 1066.  The conquerors
were the ancestors of our Indians.  It is known that our Indians have
some of the rites and usages of the Jews of old.  These mounds were
not built by our Indians, but by an industrious race who were more
civilized and advanced; yet in the big mound were found several
pieces of mica.  In a mound opened a few years ago in Ceredo, W. Va.,
there were bones, beads and mica found.  In all the modern Indian graves
I have ever seen opened, and they are many, there was a piece of mica on
the breast of the body, sometimes four inches square, and a half-inch
thick.  This must have come from the mines of North Carolina, from
which comes our mica of commerce.
     Trusting that I have furnished the information required, though in a 
hasty manner.
                                 I remain yours, truly,
                                                   J. E. WHARTON

     In a private letter to me, under a later date, the same writer continues 
his narrative:
     "The stone was doubtless on a shelf in Dr. Ganns' office, where I 
saw it more than once, and was taken by some loafer and pawned for
whisky at a grocery half a mile above Grave Creek.  It was perhaps
three months after I went down with Squiers, when the grocery-man
called to me that he had the stone I had been hunting for, and brought
it to me.  I paid the 25 or 50 cents the man had pawned it for and took
it back to Dr. Ganns.  I presume the man knew it was stolen when he
took it, and I told him so.  I knew it was the same stone I saw taken out,
and, it had not been tampered with.  It is one of those things you cannot
mistake.  Every mark on it was a thousand years old.  It had been
handed  to Dr. Ganns when it was found at the mound; afterward it 
was placed in a case in the mound, and later with other curiosities in
Dr. Ganns' office.  In 1850, it was taken by Dr. Wills DeHass and
sent to the Smithsonian Institute.
     "The position of the second stone of which I spoke, which was
found in 1832, (by whom I do not know), was sent to the University
at Charlottsville, Va.  Hearing of that, I obtained from a professor
there a copy, procured  laborers, and proceeded to open that mound,
and myself found the other piece.  After comparing that with the stones
Stevens brought from Central America, then in the Patent Office in
Washington, I sent my piece to Charlottsville, that the stone might be
perfect.------Whether their collection was damaged by the troops
during the late war, I do not know.  I remember something of the 
burning of some of the buildings."
     Schoolcraft, in his work entitled "The American Indians," speaks
of the stone just mentioned by Colonel Wharton, in the following
language:
     "Among the articles found in this cluster of mounds, the greater
part are commonplace in our western mounds and town ruins.  I have
noticed but one which bears the character of the unique type of
architecture found by Mr. Stevens and Mr. Catherwood in Central 
America and Yucatan.  With the valuable monumental standards of
comparison furnished by these gentlemen before me, it is impossible
not to recognize in an ornamental stone found in one of the lesser
mounds here a specimen of similar workmanship.  It is the heavy
feather-sculptured ornaments of Yucatan-the material being in a wax-
yellow sandstone, darkened by time."
     "In examining a work relating to the chirography of the ancient
Britons, I was astonished and gratified to discover a striking similarity
between the facsimile of their style of writing and that found at Grave
Creek.....The ancient Britons cut their alphabet upon a stick with a knife
which, thus inscribed, they call "billet of the signs of the Bards," or the
Bardic alphabet.  Compositions and memorials were registered in this 
way on long narrow boards, several of these being connected together,
forming a connected composition.  Although there are but a few 
characters on the flat stone of Grave Creek, several of that few exactly
resemble the stick book of the ancient Britons."
     Below we give a communication received from the Hon. W. C.
Howells, Consul-General to Canada:

                                   "UNITED STATES CONSULATE,
                                      Quebec, April 26, 1876

"P. P. CHERRY, Esq., Wadsworth, O.

     "DEAR SIR----In reply to your note of the 10th inst., asking me
for views of the genuineness of the engraved stone found, or said to
be found on opening the famous mound at Grave Creek, W. Va., I can
only give you qualified views.  Till within a few years, in common with
many who take an interest in the Mound-builder question, I believed this 
stone to have been found in the mound along with the other articles there
found, when it was opened by Mr. Tomlinson, and that it then bore the
characters with which it was marked.  In 1839, I visited the mound, which
had been opened some time, and was fitted up for the reception of visitors,
who paid 25 cents for admission to the interior, which had been built up
with brickwork so as to form a chamber at the centre of the foundation of
it, where the skeletons and other relics found when it was opened were 
arranged so as to form a kind of museum.   The man in charge seemed to 
be ordinarily intelligent, and familiar with the general history of the mound
and its opening.  He made no parade of this stone, and showed it along
with the beads, etc.  I handled it, and scrutinized it as well as I could by  
two dimly burning candles,  for the vault was otherwise dark.  It appeared
to be a piece of thinly stratified sandstone, quarter of an inch thick, water- 
worn, so as to give it a nearly oval form, and to make the surface tolerably
smooth.  There was a small desk in the vault, on which was kept a book
for registering the names of visitors, and the relics were kept in that desk.
At my request he gave me a loose piece of paper out of the book, on which
I made a copy of the inscription.  That copy I have either lost or given 
away.  Many copies have been made and published that I have recognized
as correct, and which have differed very slightly.  In the library of the
historical Society of this city, I found a copy in an English work on the
Pre-historic man, which I will transcribe for you.  It is said to have been
made from an impression on wax.  I should say it is correct.  Mr. John S.
Williams, in his American Pioneer, published in Cincinnati in 1844 or
'45, gives an account of the opening of the mound by Mr. Tomlinson, to
which I would refer you.  It is a very simple and straightforward narrative,
apparently free from any fraudulent purpose.
     In a conversation I had with Col. C. Whittlesey on this subject a few
years ago, I found him firmly set in the belief that this and the engraved
stone, said to have been found in Licking county, were both frauds.  I
could not accept his unbelief, though he affected me with doubts.  From
my knowledge of the community near Grave Creek, I have always felt
pretty sure that there was nobody in that region capable of making the
inscription on this stone who was sufficiently dishonest to commit such a
fraud.  It might have been done for a trick, to hoax some enthusiastic
antiquarian, or the like; but in that case somebody would have been 
invited to share the fun, and in time it would have leaked out.  That Mr.
Tomlinson, or any one interested, had it made to draw visitors to the
museum, I regard as the least probable of theories; for he was not the
man to do so; and then, he never "made a run" on the engraved stone.
The Licking county stone was found by an eccentric man, who likely
had a theory on hand, and unfortunately the inscription was in Hebrew!
Mr. Tomlinson was not eccentric, and had no theory.  The mound was 
on lands that he inherited, and he wanted to improve the place.  He
certaintly did not lose money on it."  
     Of the actual identity of this stone with the contents of the mound, 
I regard James E. Wharton, Esq., of Mansfield, Ohio, as the best witness.
He was present when the stone was found, and knew the persons present
with him.  Of this he published a in the Cleveland Herald, last September.
To him for one I refer you.  In his article in the Herald he refers to Dr.
Hullihen, of Wheeling, who was cognizant of the finding of the stone.
Dr. H. was an exceedingly sharp and sarcastic fellow, who would only
have been too well pleased to expose a fraud of the kind, and quite as
ready to suspect any trickery.  The fact that G. W. Clemens, in 
corresponding with Dr. Morton, of Philadelphia, about the crania of the
mound, does not refer to the stone---that has been cited in proof of a 
fraud---would not affect my confidence in its genuineness, for the doctor
was writing about skulls, and I doubt if he thought of anything else; or if
there had been readable tablets found there, and they said nothing about
the crania, it is questionable if he would have referred to them.
     I think the evidence favors the genuineness of this stone, or the
inscription on it; and if it be genuine it will stand alone as the only
lettered relic of the mounds.  But even then it is of little value in any
point of view, since it is isolated from all other literature to which it 
might possibly have belonged.  It tells no story, even if it could be 
deciphered.  If we could read it, it would disclose no secrets of the
mysterious prison-house of Mound-builders' history.  The most that can
be drawn from it is a conjectural date of the era of the mound, or a period
when some Indian chief used them for a burial place.  I incline to think
the stone may be proved to be genuine, and possibly might cast a ray of
light upon the subject upon the subject in question.  But I incline to adopt
the French proverb:  "Le jeu ne vaut pas la chandelle."
                                        Respectfully yours,
                                               W. C. HOWELLS

     The next communication is from the pen of Peter B. Catlett, a resident
of Moundsville, W. Va., a living witness of the opening of the mound and
the discovery of the inscribed stone.  His letter is particularly valuable
from the fact that he is the second living witness of the discovery, he in
fact being the first man that saw and picked it up.  But we will let him tell
his story in his own quaint style.

                                                  May 6, 1876

Dr. P. P. Cherry:
     DEAR SIR,----Your letter was received and contents noted.  In the first
place, I will say that I have been living in this place sixty-three years, and I
know all about the mound alluded to from that date.  In answer to the 
question, "Were you present at the opening of the mound?" will say that
I was, and helped to do the work.  Question: " Is there any other person
or persons living at or near your place."  Answer:  There are none.  In
answer to the third question, I will say that there was a stone in the 
mound that had engraving on it.  One side was filled with engraving, and
about half filled on the other.  I was the man who found the stone.  In
answer to the question, "Was there a matrix, or in other words, an
impression of the stone where it lay?"  I would say that the engraved
stone was found in the inside of a stone arch that was found in the
middle of the mound, and in that stone arch was found a skeleton that
measured seven feet and four inches.  When the bones were placed upon
wires, I took the lower jawbone, and put it over my chin, and it did not
touch my face, and I was at that time a man who weighed one hundred
and eighty-one pounds.  There were beside this skeleton some thousand
of ivory beads, and five copper rings, two and a half inches in diameter,
and about the thickness of a crayon pencil, and a lot of other things, such
as pipes manufactured out of sandstone, but very neatly done.  In regard 
to the nature of the soil all I can say is that the whole of the mound is 
mixed with charcoal and bones, and on the top of the stone arch was 
found a skeleton of common size, and at the side of it there was charcoal
the size of a man's fist.  From the appearance of the coals, and the 
quantity of them, it was intended to burn the skeleton, but was 
extinguished before it was burnt.  In the stone arch alluded to there was
no mechanical work.  It was twenty-two feet in diameter, and we took
the stone out, and put a frame in its place, and plastered it.  AS FOR
ANY ONE PLACING THE INSCRIBED STONE THERE, IT COULD NOT HAVE BEEN DONE.
We found that the other stone arch had a common-sized skeleton but very
few trinkets in it. There are a great many other things that are
connected with this mound that have slipped my memory, and I am so
nervous that I cannot write. I owned a square lot about the centre
of the town, that had two small mounds.  They were about twenty feet
high, and sixty feet in diameter. They were of coarse sand, and I
made use of them for laying brick. There were some trinkets in them,
such as darts and tubes.  The tubes were about fifteen inches long,
and about one inch in diameter.  They were neatly made, and as smooth
as glass on the outside.  I gave them to a man who came from New York,
who belonged to the antiquarian society, and the version that he gave
of them was that they were used as breathing tubes in times of danger,
by hiding themselves in water.  Col. William Alexander tells me that
his wife has a copy of the diary of her grandfather, old Joseph Tomlinson,
the man who first settled in this country, and who owned the mound.  I
believe I have said all that is necessary to your questions.  Hoping to
hear from you again,
                                               I remain yours,
                                                 P. B. CATLETT
     Moundsville, W. Va.

     The following letters are respectfully submitted in the cause of 
the truth, and show why Dr. Clemens has been maligned, and the true
reason why Dr. Morton did not publish an account of the Grave creek
stone.  Under ordinary circumstances, I would not publish them, but every
art and device has been brought to bear to prove the Grave creek stone a
forgery and Mr. Tomlinson and Dr. Clemens guilty of Punica fides.
     The first and second letters following are from the Hon. Sherrard
Clemens, of  St. Louis, from whose eloquent lips fell the burning,
scathing words of warning, in the halls of congress, in 1861.

                           WHEELING, MAY 4, 1876
     DEAR SIR:  I have received your letter, directed to me in St. Louis.
My father's papers are here.  I will try to find the original report to Dr.
Morton.  My father complained very bitterly of the discredit Dr. M. threw
on the sculptured, or inscribed stone found by him in the mound at Grave
creek, and ignored by the doctor in his "Americana."  He demanded the
return of his manuscript, and my impression is that he received it.  I have
seen the stone myself, as have hundreds of others, at Wheeling, W. Va.,
and Moundsville.  A copy, or facsimile, was printed in the Wheeling Times
soon after the discovery.  The fact of its existence is as undeniable as the
opening of the mound itself, and I presume it will not be difficult to prove
all the facts by living witnesses.
     Some correspondence took place between Dr. Morton and my father
in regard to the discredit with which the stone was received; and, if I can
find the correspondence, I will send it to you.

                                        SHERRARD CLEMENS

                                       WHEELING, MAY 18th, 1876
     DEAR SIR:---I was called here from St. Louis by the death of my
sister.  It seems rather providential that, under your call, I can vindicate 
the sacred shade of her father and mine, in regard to the inscribed stone
found in the Grave Creek mound.
     I sent you yesterday a letter from Dr. Frissell, of this city, giving his
ideas of the character of Dr. Morton.  I have found the abstract of what I
suppose was the original communication from my father to him.  The
relative characters of the two men come in relation to each other, in 
regard to this controversy.  The circumstances which led to the 
acquaintance between my father and Dr. Morton were as follows:
Thomas Johnston, of this city, was born with club feet.  His father was
wealthy, and he desired to have an operation performed to cure the 
defect.  My father accompanied Mr. J. to Philadelphia, and remained
until he recovered sufficiently to return to Wheeling.  Dr. Morton,
with the intense vanity and arrogant opinionativeness of himself and
his endowments, in which nobody ever concurred but himself, took to
himself the whole credit of the operation-although I know, from the
declaration of Mr. Johnston to me, that my father was of the utmost
importance to him, not only in the actual result, but before it.  So in
regard to the inscribed stone.  When my father, after months of labor,
and through his influence with Mr. Tomlinson, of Grave Creek, had
the mound opened, and, after long exertions in the midst of professional 
and pressing duties, prepared his report for Mr. Morton, he ignored all 
parts of the same which did not square with his preconceived opinions
in regard to the theory of "Crania Americana," and therefore suppressed
all my father said in regard to the inscribed stone.  My father's
manuscripts are very voluminous, and I was engaged all day yesterday
in the examination of them.  I will continue to search today, and until
I leave for St. Louis.
                                          
                                             SHERRARD CLEMENS

                            DR. CLEMENS' MANUSCRIPT

     "The great mound, situate on the flats of Grave creek, Marshall 
county, Virginia, was opened and examined by myself and Abelard
Tomlinson, grandson of A. Tomlinson who came to the flats in 1771.
Abelard Tomlinson was assisted in the workings by Thomas Biggs 
and such other persons as could be hired during the month of March,
1838.  The examination was commenced on the north side of the
mound, four feet above a trench which surrounded it.  From this point
they made a horizontal opening-or tunnel-about ten feet high, which
was afterward arched with brick, and continued it until it reached the
centre of the mound.  This opening, or tunnel, was seven feet wide 
ten feet high.  After going ten or twelve feet from where the work
commenced, the original surface of the earth appeared.  It was covered
by a stratum of bluish-looking earth, varying from one to one and a 
half inches thick.  This bluish stratum had an inclination upward of
about fifteen degrees, and can now be very distinctly seen by any one
visiting the mound.
     When going five or six feet further toward the center, blue bunches 
of  earth were observed above this blue streak, but none below it.  These
blue bunches were of an oval shape, and varied in size from six to ten
inches.  At first they were scattering, but, as the centre of the mound was
approached, they became more numerous, so as to nearly touch one
another.  The blue bunches contained pieces of charcoal and bits of 
burned bone.  On the breaking up of these bunches, no traces of leaves,
stalks, weeds, or any other burned vegetable remains could be observed.
But in the yellow and brownish loam sand, or earth, used to fill up 
between these blue bunches, the impressions of leaves with the stems 
attached to them, as well as the stalks of weeds and blades of grass---
some lying the same way, and others crosswise, as if bruised together.
They could be very distinctly seen.
     These impressions of leaves were of the oak and beech, but the most
perfect were those of the polamonium reptaus, or Greek valerian, which
grows plentifully around the base of the mound.  These impressions
were found frequently in the whole of the excavations, as well  in the 
one through the centre as the one made twenty-eight or thirty feet above
the base of the mound.
     In carrying this horizontal opening inward, an appearance was
observed, showing that when the mound was small, say sixty paces at
the base, a covered passway, inclined ten or fifteen degrees downward
from the north to the base of the vault.  The trace of its existence were
indubitable.  This passway was originally covered with timber.  The
impression of the bark in the earth could and can still be seen distinctly.
this passway was in a measure filled up by the timbers giving way, and
the earth from above falling.  The timbers were, from the impression
left in the earth, originally from four to five inches in diameter.
     The direction of this covered passway agreed with the direction of
the horizontal runnel, or excavation, made under the direction of Mr.
Tomlinson-save that the natural passway had an inclination from 
above downward to the base of the vault, which could be distinctly seen
after the vault was reached and cleaned out.  Distinct and unequivocal
evidences of this passway can now be seen by any persons curious to
visit the mound.
                                *******
     In the vault a large skeleton was found, with a necklace composed 
of perforated shells, two copper bracelets, and a curiously inscribed, or
hieroglyphic stone, the characters of which are distinctly traced in
parallel lines.  These curiosities were all found together, near the 
skeleton.  The stone is now in my possession, and I have had an exact
facsimile of it taken.  The characters are perfectly copied, and it may,
if ever deciphered, reveal something which to science is not now known.
Abelard Tomlinson, Thomas Biggs, myself, and others were present when
the stone was discovered with the copper bracelets and the shell necklace.
I retained the stone for the purpose of sending it to some scientific person,
for the purpose of having it solved or explained."
     I hereby certify that the foregoing is an exact copy of my father's
manuscript in regard to the subject to which it relates.
                                          
                                    SHERRARD CLEMENS

     Wheeling, W. Va., May 13, 1876

     The following letter is the one mentioned by the Hon. Sherrard
Clemens in his second letter:
Mr. Clemens,--
     DEAR SIR:--In answer to your note, I would say, what I remember
is that your father spent nearly two weeks at Moundsville in collecting
the material for his paper-that he spent much time for several weeks
in writing up the history of the mound, fortifications, etc., about the
place.  He often read portions of the paper to me, so that I was, at that
time, familiar with the whole subject.  He took great pains to have his
account of the Indian relics full and accurate.  He sent his paper, and I
do not remember what else, to Dr. Morton, in Philadelphia.  He 
expected Morton would publish most of the paper, but he made only a
short and unsatisfactory notice of it.  Your father was not pleased with
the way Dr. Morton treated his paper.  The manner in which Dr. Morton
passed over so large a section of the most important information in regard
to Indian antiquities made an unfavorable impression upon me in regard
to the man.  I came to the conclusion, from what I saw of his work, and
learned of him after it was published, that he was a vain man of large
pretensions, and with only very moderate capacity.  This work, so far
as I know, attracted attention and gained notoriety mainly before it was
published.  It was talked of much before publication, but never much
after.  I am sure that your father sent to Dr. Morton everything he could
gather up on the subject, for he was doing his best to do him a great favor.
I am sorry I can not remember more, but I have hardly thought of the
subject since 1838.

                                          JOHN FRISSELL    

     The next letter is introduced to show what the leading men of 
Wheeling think about the matter.

                                        WHEELING,  June 6, 1876
Mr. P. P. Cherry,----
     DEAR SIR:----Your letter to J. C. Hupp, containing a letter from
S. Clemens, Esq., was by the former transferred to me.  I can only say
that, soon after the mound at Moundsville was opened I visited it, and
was shown an inscribed tablet of stone by the proprietor, said to have
been taken from the mound during the opening.  Many other articles
were with it, said to have been found during the excavation, and I
never entertained a suspicion that there was any fraud in any way
connected with it, nor do I now.  I have a cast of it, and my faith of its
genuineness is undoubted.  I have no reasons to doubt it.
                                                  A. S. TODD
     As the vindication of Dr. Clemens seems to be complete, we now
now introduce a letter from A. B. Tomlinson, the man who opened the
mound, and who is yet able to speak in his own vindication, and in a
vindication, and in a manner that must bring conviction.

             FOLSOM, SACRAMENTO COUNTY, Cal., August 3, 1876.

    Sir:---Yours of April 9 has just come to hand, in which you inform
me that I am charged with having fraudulently produced the inscribed 
stone that I found in the mound at Grave Creek.  Sir, I will in the presence
of God, before whom I must expect shortly to appear, being now sixty-
eight years old, give the event of my finding it, according to my
recollection, which is clear and distinct, although thirty-eight years have
elapsed since the event.  There had been two vaults in the centre of the
mound.  This stone was found in the upper vault, which was about
thirty feet, perpendicularly, above the bottom of the lower vault.  Each
vault had been supported by timbers or rude stones.  On the floor, and
under the confused mass of rock, were found all the relics of each vault.
I was engaged in removing the rocks of the upper vault, and at the same
time gathering the relics.  The relics lay confusedly, commencing near
the east wall, and promiscuously inclined to the centre of the vault. 
Being thus engaged, and near the side of the vault, the stone spoken of 
was found. I removed it with my own hands, as I supposed from its ancient bed,
believing it to be a genuine antiquity.  I have entertained that belief as
firmly as I believed that the accompanying beads and bracelets were of
ancient origin; and, if it was even possible that, the stone was 
fraudulently imposed upon me, it was no less a foul slander to impute
it to those interested in the enterprise.
	                                  A. B. TOMLINSON
     The first doubt was cast by Dr. Morton's refusing to make mention
of the stone.  The reason of this has been clearly explained.  The next
doubt, and the largest stumbling-block, is the course taken by E. G.
Squires.  The cause of this is also fully explained.  Dr. Wills DeHass
says that it was in a fit of pique against Mr. Schoolcraft, while no
doubt the greatest cause was his not being able to find the stone when
he sought it, consequently he ignored it when found, jumping at the
conclusion that there was something underhanded about it, but Mr.
Mr. Squires has withdrawn his objections and admitted the authenticity
of the stone.  Are not his followers generous enough to admit that the
bottom has fallen out of their pail?
     The next gentleman falling into the errors and prejudices of his
predecessors is Mr. Foster, who was inclined to rather overdo the matter
by perpetuating a falsehood, to the effect that the stone was not produced
until two years after the mound was opened.  This is so palpably false that
it needs no comment.
     Next comes Colonel Charles Whittlesy, whom I regard as an able-
headed, candid and cautious investigator, but I have no doubt that but that
Colonel W.'s first doubts came from the above sources, and consequently
that perhaps his investigation of this subject has not been entirely free from
prejudice; as the wish is often father to the thought.  I do not think that
Colonel W. could by any means be influenced to willingly and knowingly
perpetrate a wrong; but human nature is often imperceptibly leavened with
prejudice; a person whose sensibilities are so tender that he is continually
in fear that a fraud will be inflicted upon the public, will sometimes go to 
the opposite extreme, and regard a tangible truth as an untruth unless backed
up by the most incontestible evidence.
     Whether this is so in the case of  Colonel W. I do not know, but he has
frequently asked for the man who saw the stone in the mound, and I take
great pleasure in presenting him, believing the man's statement true, as he
had no cause to misstate it.  Thus you see the mistakes of a few have been
perpetuated by succeeding writers, until the stone is regarded by many who
have not given this subject an earnest investigation, as a fraud.  As a general
thing, our scientific men are too willing to rely on the word of some  
predecessor whom they regard as authority, and consequently do not 
use the powers they possess to investigate for themselves.  This is 
wrong, and we should take no man's say-so if we are able to prove
it ourselves.  I regarded this stone as a fraud, but was led to investi-
gate, and the more I investigated the clearer did I see the truth, until
I am firm in the conviction that the stone and its inscription are
authentic and of great antiquity.  Another argument which has been
used against this stone is that there has been other inscribed stones
found, which have been proven frauds.  This is no argument against
the stone in question, but rather for it, as this was the first production
of the mounds in the line of inscribed stones.  The conception is the
most difficult, but after an idea has been conceived, imitators become
plenty.  Before the false prophets came the true prophet.  Neither are
the differences found in the many (said to be) correct engravings of
stone an argument against it, as the fault lay in the draughtsmen and
in the engravers, not in the stone.  The stone remains, and is capable
of demonstrating the fact to those who are skeptical.
     Dr. Willis DeHass, in a letter to me, under date of August 7, 1877,
 says:
     "Quibbles have been raised by ignorant and presumptuous writers as
to the authenticity of its discovery, but there is now no question as to the
genuineness of the inscription, or to the existence of the huge tumuli from
which it was taken.  E. G. Squires never took the trouble to inquire
whether the tablet was genuine or not, beyond some doubt, and 
attempted to discredit the discovery in a fit of pique against a Mr. 
Schoolcraft, toward whom he cherished personal animosity.  Certain
novices in archaeology, and one or two careless writers on pre-
historic America, have taken E. G. S. as authority, and marred their
works  by recording his mischievous notions on the subject.
                              *****
     The Grave Creek inscription was carefully described in a paper
which I read before the American Ethnological Society, New York,
February, 1858, at which meeting Mr. Squires was present, and
took back all of his objections, moving in conclusion a vote of
thanks for the value of the contribution.  His few followers have not
been candid enough to do the same.  I have repeatedly, in lectures 
and various contributions to the press, affirmed the genuineness of
the Grave Creek inscription.  I may say in this connection, that no
investigator, whose opinions are worth noticing, doubts the 
genuineness of the inscription.  The tablet forms part of my large
and valuable collection."
     In the last tract issued by Colonel Whittlesey on Archaeological
frauds, Colonel Wharton was placed in the position of telling two
stories, but in the following letter he fully vindicates himself, and
explains any apparent discrepancies that may exist.  Colonel
Whittlesey must have been misled about the authorship of the article
in question.

                            PORTSMOUTH, O., August 31, 1877

     DEAR SIR:---I did not write for the Pioneer in 1843; Mr.
Abelarde Tomlinson did.  He states, as Mr. Whittlesey says-I do
not remember, not having seen it for a number of years-that it was
taken from the upper crypt, or grave.  I have never stated that it
came from the lower grave.  I have never described the place from
which it came in any private letter to him, and in all my public
statements have simply said that it was brought out with other
matter from the drift.  A drift was run in from the north side of the
mound, high enough for the tallest man to walk after it was arched
with brick, say eight feet high.  This was run to the centre, where
they came to decayed wood, which was evidently put up in a square
box, or enclosure.  A shaft was sunk from the top till they struck the
same evidences.  Then Dr. Clemens was sent for to see it opened,
and report, and took me down to witness it.  Grave Creek was a small
and scattered village, twelve miles below Wheeling.  The workmen
went on taking out the debris, or grave-dirt, and wheeling it out for
inspection.   After looking at the work, I spent most of the time in
hunting amongst the dirt, as did most of the others.  Dr. Clemens 
and Tomlinson, perhaps others, occasionally went into the drift, but
did not stay long, as they were in the way of the workmen.  As the
lower grave was taken out the dirt gradually fell, until at last the
whole came down, opening a communication between the shaft and
drift.  This dirt was all removed and showed two separate graves,
similarly enclosed, one having been above the other, and, I think,
some feet apart.  Whether the stone was taken from the lower or 
upper grave I do not remember, and have never stated, even in the
publication I made in the Wheeling Times, so far as I remember, be-
cause I did not regard it as of much importance.  I simply knew it
came out with the debris through the drift, as there was no dirt taken
from the shaft that day, nor could it have been wheeled down the steep
side of the mound.  I presume Tomlinson found it as he states, in the
upper or fallen grave, or enclosure.  Mr. T. seemed to regard it as of
little importance compared with bones, mica, beads and spear heads,
and no one else seemed to, except Dr. Clemens, while I looked at it
as curious, but presumed other specimens of the kind had been or
would be found, and so they will, when other mounds are properly
opened.  As to the stone having been a genuine relic, there can be no
more question than of the light of day.  No one who saw it doubted
it.  There is an unmistakable difference that no sensible man can 
mistake.  A man who could be deceived, I would not trust to buy a
common hatchet, for he could not distinguish between cast iron or
wrought steel.  A stone must be handled to cut it as that was.  The
handling makes it darker, and fills the interstices in the sandstone.
This is changed, and the sand resumes its natural color, by long
lying in the earth.  Nothing else will do it.  The form of making the
letters in ancient times can never be imitated.  The very corruption
of the language which Mr. W. regards as evidence of fraud is strong
evidence of its genuine character.  A fraud would have been made in
Phoenician as we know it.  Mr. W.'s most ridiculous effort is in his
half dozen engravings showing the different copies made by tyros
in drawing.  One might as well contend that there was no Washington
because an attempted likeness had been a thousand times daubed on
country signboards.  The cut by Schoolcraft is the only true one.
                                  Yours truly,
                                            J. E. WHARTON

                      THE PRESENT.

     The following letter is from G. S. McFadden, the present owner
of the Grave Creek mound.  It will be found full of information, and 
of a very interesting nature.

                          MOUNDSVILLE, W. Va., April 14, 1876

P. P. CHERRY:

     SIR---A description of the stone has been published in Wills
DeHass' history of the western borders; there has nothing new
developed.  To give you some idea of the mound and its
surroundings, there are several small ones in the valley, not of any
importance, all having been plowed over but "the mound."  It stands
back from the Ohio river one-third of a mile, and is supposed to have
occupied, at an early day, the centre of our valley, which contains six
thousand acres of the most productive land on the Ohio river.  Our town
bears the name of Mound.  I believe that in 1867, the Legislature of our
State consolidated Elizabethtown and Moundsville, both being called
Moundsville, now.  We have a population of about 2,500, two steam
gristmills, one rolling-mill, the West Virginia Agricultural Works and
the Penitentiary, with one of the best graded schools in the state.
Excuse my digression---to the mound again: The base of the mound
covers an acre in surface, and was as round as could be made (without
turning.)  The elevation is now seventy-five feet, and about seven feet
in diameter at the top.  The sides are covered with forest trees of 
seventeen varieties, all of thrifty growth except one large black oak 
which stands near the summit.  This particular tree girths fifteen feet
and four inches, a very straight body and thirty feet to the first limb. 
When I came to this part of the country, nineteen years ago, it was
thought by the old settlers that this vast pile of earth had been
carried from a certain locality known as the basin.  The basin as it is
called, was formed by a very short bend in the little Grave Creek.  My
theory is, that the mound as it now stands is a monster tomb, where
thousands have been cremated.  The mass as it now stands is a pile of 
human bones, ashes and charcoal, all of which can be seen at any time.
I became proprietor of the mound over two years ago, and since that
time or shortly after, the old theory exploded about the dirt being
carried from the basin.  The substance of the mound and the earth
of the basin are about as much alike as coal cinders and rotten tanbark.
The Board of Directors of the West Virginia Penitentiary talk of
purchasing the mound for the purpose of putting a basin on the top
to supply the prison with water.  The property should really belong to
the State, and be beautified for a pleasure ground.  There are now
very few stone hatchets, hammers, arrow-heads,  or what is termed
Indian relics, to be found in this vicinity.  My wife is still able to hole on
to a few beads (bone) that were strung on copper wire, around the neck
of the large skeleton which was found in the shaft thirty feet from the 
top of the mound.  Dr. Ganns has passed to the other shore.  He died
suddenly while in the Union Army.  Dr. Clemens has also gone.  The
names of some of the old settlers are Captain David Roberts (quite old)
and Peter B. Catlett; he did the brick work, and helped to excavate the
mound, and I believe it was he who found that stone.  He is over sixty
years of age.
                            I am yours, etc.
                                            G. S. McFADDEN.

                    
                         THE PAST.

                          MOUNDSVILLE, W. Va., June 23, 1876

MR. P. P. CHERRY:
     DEAR SIR----My wife's grand-father came here in the year 1770,
and located his land and built a cabin.  He left the cabin in the care of
Con  O'Neal, and returned to Allegheny county, Md., where he
married Elizabeth Harklas.  He and his wife came here in 1772.  While
he was gone O'Neal killed turkeys, the feathers of which made them
their first bed.  He first discovered the mound in the west.  He was out
hunting and killed a deer south of the mound, and in coming home he
found it.  He then brought his wife and they went to the top of it.  The
ground on which it stands is called the flats of Grave creek.  It was 
covered with large trees, and the timber on the flats was very thick, so
you could not discern the mound till you were close to it.  The land
and mound, under the will of Joseph Tomlinson, were left to his son,
Jesse, in the year 1837 or 1838.  Jesse, and  A. B. Tomlinson, a grand-
son of Joseph, opened the mound.  There was a large oak tree standing
on the centre of the mound which they had to remove.
                                        WM. ALEXANDER.
     The article referred to in the foregoing, from the American 
Pioneer, was published in the May number for 1843, and is as follows:

               AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES AT GRAVE CREEK.

     "The following graphic account of the mammoth mound, at Grave
Creek, was obtained from A. B. Tomlinson, the proprietor.  Great
praise is due him for his careful preservation of that tremendous
structure of ancient American aboriginal industry.  His museum
will, with care, become one of the most interesting in the west.
Many of our towns, vandal-like, have destroyed their ancient
curiosities.  What a pity!
     "From A. B. Boreman, of Elizabethtown, we received a 
fac-simile of the engraving on the stone.  We extract from his
letter the following, but as Mr. Tomlinson's account is the most
full, we give it entire:
     "The facsimile gives the true shape and size of the stone; it's
color is dark and of a grayish cast.  It was found in the above
mentioned mound by Mr. A. B. Tomlinson in 1838, while
excavating it, a short distance from the centre, and near one of the
skeletons found therein.  The characters engraved on this stone have
produced excitement in the different parts of the United States, into
which the fac-similes have been transmitted, and also in Europe.  I
have been informed  that the antiquarians of England, more 
particularly, have been exerting their minds and historical faculities,
in order to decipher those characters, and discover something by
which they can trace them to their origin.  This is a problem which,
if solved, would no doubt throw some light upon the antiquities of
America.  There are a great many mounds in the vicinity and country
surrounding Elizabethtown, some of which have been dug down, in
which there has been found a great many bones of human beings,
among which are skulls, &c; copper beads have also been found, and
a number of stone tubes ten and one-half inches in length, having a
calibre of three-fourths of an inch, some of which were full of some-
thing which might be called red paint of a light shade, with other
things of a similar character.  But I will proceed to the description of
the mammoth mound.  It is beautifully situated in the same extensive
plain, and within the suburbs of Elizabethtown, two hundred and
fifty yards from the court-house, and a quarter of a mile from the Ohio
river.  Its altitude is sixty-nine feet, the circumference of its base is a 
little more than three hundred yards.  Its shape is that of a frustrum of
a cone, being flat on the top, and the distance across is fifty feet."

                     MR. TOMLINSON'S LETTER.

Flats of Grave Creek---Settlement---Elizabethtown---Mammoth
Mound---Its Antiquity---Horizontal Excavation---Lower Vault---
Its Contents---Perpendicular  Excavation---Upper Vault---Its
Contents---Trinkets---Skeletons---Their State of Preservation---
Their Character Beads, &c.---How Situated---Kinds of Earth---
Preservation of Vaults---Arrangement of Curiosities---Observatory---
Stone Image and Other Relics.

J. S. WILLIAMS, Esq.,
     "SIR:---The flats of Grave Creek are a large scope of bottom lands
in Marshall county, Virginia, and on the eastern shore of the Ohio
river, which here runs due south.  They extend from north to south
about four miles, and contain about three thousand acres.  Big and
Little Grave creeks both empty into the Ohio river at these flats, from
which they derive their names.  The creeks themselves doubtless
derive their names from various tumuli or mounds, commonly called
Indian graves, which are found on these flats, and especially between
the two creeks.  Little Grave creek enters the flats at the upper end and
runs parallel with the Ohio about three miles, and then turns at right
angles and enters the river one mile above Big Grave creek, which
occupies the lower termination of the flats.  These creeks are what
are called mill streams, and, of course, are not navigable.  These
flats are composed of first and second bottoms.  The first bottom is
about two hundred yards wide, and runs the whole length of the flats.
The great flood of 1832 was about ten feet deep on the first, but
lacked from ten to twenty feet of the height of the second bottom, on
which all the ancient Indian works and mounds are situated; no signs
of them being on the lower land,  It may reasonably be inferred that
the brow of the second bottom was the bank of the river, when the 
ancient works were erected.  This, I believe, is not an uncommon
circumstance where mounds and ancient works appear near the
streams that have first and second bottoms.
     "The flats were early settled.  My grandfather settled on them in
1772, two years before the murder of Logan's family.  It was on these
flats that young Cresap pursued the Indians, as related by Col. Ebenezer
Zane in his affidavit, published in the appendix to 'Jefferson's Notes
on Virginia.'  There are many interesting incidents connected with
the settlement of these flats, which I may at another time communicate
from the life of my father, but as these incidents are not my present
subject, I will proceed.
     "Elizabethtown is about twelve miles below Wheeling, and is
situated on the second bottom, near the mouth of Little Grave creek,
and at the widest part of the flats; it is the seat of justice for Marshall
county.
     "In the suburbs of Elizabethtown stands what is called Mammoth
Mound, which with its contents is made the subject of this narrative.
This mound is surrounded by various other mounds and ancient works,
and in respect to the surrounding localities, the situation, as respects
defense was well chosen, on the brow of the second bottom, and
partially encompassed  by steeps and ravines.  The Mammoth Mound
is sixty-nine feet high.  Its circumference at the base is over three
hundred yards.  It is the frustrum of a cone, and has a flat top of fifty
feet in diameter.  This flat on the top of the mound, until lately, was
dish shaped.  The depth of the depression in the centre was three feet,
and its width forty feet.  This depression was doubtless occasioned by
the falling in of the two vaults, which were originally constructed  in
the mound, but which afterwards fell in; the earth sinking over them,
occasioned the depression on the top.
     "The mound was discovered by my grandfather soon after he
settled the flats, and was covered with as large timbers as any in the
surrounding forests, and as close together.  The centre of the hollow on
the top was occupied by a large beech.  This mound  was early and 
much visited.  Dates were cut on this beech as early as 1734.  It was
literally covered with names and dates to the height of ten feet; none
of a more remote period than the above; most of them were added
after the country began to be settled-mostly from 1770 to 1790.  On
the very summit of the mound stood a white oak, which seemed to die
of old age fifteen years ago.  It stood on the western edge of the dish.
We cut it off, and with great care and nicety counted the growths,
which evidently showed the tree to have been about five hundred years
old when it died.  It carried its thickness well for about fifty feet, where
it branched out into several large limbs.  Top and all, it was about
seventy feet high, which, added to the height of the mound, it might
well have been styled the ancient monarch of the flats, if not of the
forest.  A black oak stands now on the east side of the mound, which is
as large as the white oak was, but it is situated on  the side of the mound
about ten feet lower than the throne of the white oak, to which it may 
now be proclaimed the rightful heir.
     "Prompted by curiosity or some other cause, on the 19th of March,
1838, we commenced an excavation in this mound.  I wrought at it my-
self from the commencement to the termination, and what I am about to
tell you is from my own personal observation, which, if necessary, could
be substantiated by others.  We commenced at the north side and 
excavated toward the centre.  Our horizontal shaft was ten feet high and
seven feet wide, and ran on the natural surface of the ground  or floor
of the mound.
     "At the distance of one hundred and eleven feet we came to a vault
that had been excavated in the natural earth before the mound was
commenced.  This vault was dug out eight by twelve feet square and 
seven feet deep.  Along each side and the two ends, upright timbers were
placed, which supported timbers that were thrown across the vault and
formed for a time its ceiling.  These timbers were covered over with 
loose unhewn stone, of the same quality as is common in the neighbor-
hood.  These timbers rotted, and the stone tumbled into the vault; the
earth of the mound following, quite filled it.  The timbers were entirely
deranged, but could be traced by the rotten wood, which was in such a
condition as to be rubbed to pieces between the fingers.  The vault was
as dry as any tight room; its sides very nearly correspond with the
cardinal points of the compass, and it was lengthwise from north to south.
     "In this vault were found two human skeletons, one of which had no
ornaments or artificial work of any kind about it.  The other was 
surrounded by six hundred and fifty ivory beads, and an ivory ornament
about six inches long, one and five-eighths inches wide in the middle,
and half an inch wide at the ends, with two holes through it of one-
eighth of an inch in diameter.  It is flat on one side and oval shaped on
the other.  The beads resemble button molds, and vary in diameter from
three to five-eighths of an inch.  In thickness they vary from that of a
common pasteboard to one-fourth of an inch; the size of the holes through
them varying with the diameter of the beads from one-eighth of an inch
to the largest.  Some of the beads are a good state of preservation, 
retaining even the original polish; others, not so favorably situated, are
decayed-some crumbled to dust.  Above I count only the whole ones
left.  The large ornament is in a good state of preservation, but is some-
what corroded.  The first skeleton we found on the 4th of April, and the
second on the 16th, but I shall speak more particularly of these further on.
     "After reaching this vault, we commenced a shaft ten feet in diameter,
at the center of the mound on top and in the bottom of the depression
before spoken of.  At the depth of thirty-four or thirty-five feet above the
vault, at the bottom, we discovered another vault, which occupied the 
middle space between the bottom and the top.  The shaft we continued
quite down through the mound to our first excavation.
     "In the upper vault was found one skeleton only, but many trinkets,
as seventeen hundred ivory beads, five hundred sea shells of the involute
species, that were worn as beads, and five copper bracelets  that were
about the wrist bones of the skeleton.  There were also one hundred and
fifty pieces of isinglass [mica] and a stone.  The stone is flat on both
sides, and is about three-eighths of an inch thick.  It has no engraving on
it, except on one side, as sent you.  There is no appearance of any hole
or ear, as if it had been worn as a medal.  The drawing is the exact size 
of it.  It is sandstone of a very fine and close grit.  The beads found in this
vault were like those found in the lower one, as to size, materials,
decay, &c.  The shells were three-eighths of an inch long and one-
fourth of an inch in diameter at the swell or largest part.  The
bracelets are of pure copper, coated with rust as thick as brown
paper.  They are an oblong circle.  The inner diameter of one is two
and one-fourth inches one way, and two and five-eighths the other.
They vary in size and thickness; the largest if half an inch of round
bars bent so that the ends came together, which forms the circle.  
The five bracelets weigh seventeen ounces.  The pieces of isinglass
are but little thicker than writing paper, each piece had two or three
holes through it about the size of a knitting needle, most likely  for
the purpose of sewing or in some way fastening them to the 
clothing.
     "The beads were found about the neck and breast bones of the
skeletons.  The sea shells were in like manner distributed over the
neck and breast bones of the skeleton in the upper vault.  The
bracelets were around the wrist bones.  The pieces of isinglass were
strewed all over the body.  What a gorgeous looking object this
monarch must have been!  Five bracelets shining on the wrists,
seventeen beads, and five hundred sea shells, that we found whole
about the breast and neck, besides one hundred and fifty brilliants of
mica on all parts of his body!  No doubt oft the object of the throng's
admiring gaze.   The stone with the characters on it was found about
two feet from the skeleton; could it be read, doubtless would tell
something of the history of this illustrious dead, interred high above 
his quite gorgeous companion in the lower story.
     "The skeleton first found in the lower vault, was found lying on
the back.  The feet were about the middle of the vault; its body was
extended at full length; the left arm was lying along the left side;
the right arm as if raised over the head, the bones lying near the 
right ear and crossed over the crown of the head.  The head of this
skeleton was toward the south.  There were no ornaments found 
with it.  The earth had fallen and covered it over before the ceiling
fell, and thus protected it was not much broken.  We have it preserved
for the inspection of visitors; it is five feet nine high, and has a full 
and perfect set of teeth, in a good state of preservation; the head is
of a fine intellectual mould; whether male or female cannot be
ascertained, as the pelvis was broken.  Opinions differ as to sex; my
own is, that it is that of a male.
     "The second skeleton found in this vault, and which had the 
trinkets about it, lay on the left side, with the head to the east, or in
the same direction as that on the opposite side.  The feet of this one
were likewise near the centre of the west side.  The earth had not
crumbled down over it before the ceiling fell, consequently it was
not much broken (as was also that in the upper vault).  There is
nothing in the remains of any of these skeletons which differ
materially from those of common people.
     "The skeleton in the upper vault lay with its feet against the
south side of the vault, and the head toward the north-east.  It is
highly probable that the corpses were all placed in a standing
position, and subsequently fell.  Those in the lower vault most
likely stood on the east and west side, opposite to each other, and
the one in the upper vault on the south side.
     "The mound is composed of the same kind of earth as that 
around it, being a fine, loamy sand, but differs very much in color
from that of the natural ground.  After penetrating about eight feet
with the first or horizontal excavation, blue spots began to appear in
the earth of which the mound is composed.  On close examination,
these spots were found to contain ashes and bits of burnt bones.  These
spots increased as we approached the centre.  At the distance of one
hundred and twenty feet within, the spots were so numerous and
condensed as to give the earth a clouded appearance, and excited the
admiration of all who saw it.  Every part of the mound presents the
same appearance, except near the surface.  I am convinced that the
blue spots were occasioned by depositing the remains of bodies
consumed by fire.  I am also of the opinion that the upper vault was
constructed long before the lower one, but for this opinion, I do not
know that there is any evidence.
     "We have overlaid the excavation, from the side to the centre,
with brick, and paved the bottom.  We excavated the vault in the
centre twenty-eight feet in diameter.  It is well walled with brick
and neatly plastered.  The rotunda, or shaft in the centre, is also
walled with brick.  The foundation of the rotunda is in the is in the
centre of the lower vault, and around this we have made departments
for the safe-keeping of the relics nearly where they were found; this
vault we light with twenty candles for the accommodation of visitors,
many of whom have never seen it.
     "Upon the top of the mound, and directly over the rotunda, we
have erected a three-story frame building, which we call an
observatory.  The lower story is thirty-two feet in diameter; the
second story is twenty-six feet, and the upper story ten.  The manner
of constructing the building, accommodates the visitor with a walk
quite around on the top of each story, and a good stand for 
observation on the top.  From either of these elevations, the visitor
has an unobstructed view of the surrounding country and river to a
considerable distance.  It is our intention to run a winding stairway
from the bottom of the mound through the rotunda and observatory
on the top.  The height of this stairway will be over one hundred
feet.  The observatory was built in 1837.
     "In addition to the relics found in the mammoth mound, I have
a great number and variety of relics found in the neighborhood; 
many of them were found with skeletons which were nearly decayed.
I have some beads, found about two miles from this great mound, that
are evidently a kind of porcelain, and very similar if not identical in
substance with artificial teeth set by dentists.  I have also an image of
stone, found with other relics about eight miles distant; it is in human
shape, sitting in a cramped position, the face and eyes projecting 
upwards; the nose is what is called Roman.  On the crown of the head
is a knot, in which the hair is concentrated and tied.  The head and
features particularly, is a display of great workmanship and ingenuity-
it is eleven inches in height, but if it were straight would be double
that height.  It is generally believed to have been an idol.
                                     Your friend,
                                                A. B. TOMLINSON

     The following article is from the pen of W. B. Canning:
     Among the most mysterious antiquities of our country are the
ancient tumuli, or, as they are commonly termed, Indian mounds, which
are commonly found scattered over large portions of the states west of
the Alleghanies.  Volumes have been written concerning their probable
builders, and still the question has not been satisfactorily settled.  These
structures are of various dimensions; they occur isolated, and again in
groups, or forming, apparently, portions of military fortifications, more
or less extensive, of a former intelligent but forgotten people.  
Explorations into their interiors have proved them to have been, almost
universally, burial places of solitary tenants, or of multitudes, and 
erected either at once or by protracted accumulation.
     One of the largest of these remarkable structures stands near the
banks of Grave creek, West Virginia, at its confluence with the Ohio
river, twelve miles below Wheeling.  It rises directly out of the level
plain, a regular cone, eighty-four feet in height and about one hundred 
in diameter at the base.  In 1834-40, when I was accustomed to visit
it, it was covered by the primeval forest, and on its top stood a huge 
oak, seemingly the growth of centuries.  It is entirely alone, and no
appearance around its base justifies the belief that it was constructed
of the neighboring soil.  On account of its size the early settlers
considered its natural rather than artificial, and many held to this
opinion until the investigations, which I am about to describe, were
made in 1836 or 1837.  The former owner of the land on which it
stands, honoring it as a relic of a bygone race, persistently refused,
during his life-time, to have it violated by curious explorers  or 
scientific men, or to sell the locality at any price.  After his death a
division of his estate placed it in the possession of an heir, in whose
eyes such memorials of the past were less sacred, and who determined
to admit himself and the public to its contents, though preserving it
from demolition or even unnecessary injury.
     The summit of the mound being regularly sunken toward the
centre, suggesting a falling in of the earth over some internal cavity,
and the investigation commenced by probing from the top with iron
rods screwed one upon another and thrusting perpendicularly into the
loamy material composing it.  In so doing, about half way down to the
level of the plain the implement met some obstruction which hindered
its further progress.  Directly opposite this impediment, a horizontal
opening was made from the surface to the centre of the mound.  There
the explorers discovered an enclosure built of stone, eight of ten feet
square, which had evidently been once covered with some wooden
material, now fallen in and turned to dust, but having formerly rested
upon cross beams, whose ends still remained in a powdered state in
the stony niches made to receive them.  The sides were some three feet
in height and rather loosely laid of stone, whose water-worn appearance
indicated their having been taken from the neighboring bed of the
Ohio.  In the centre of the space they enclosed, lay a male and female
skeleton in tolerable preservation, and of ordinary size.  Beside them
had been placed several articles of dress of furniture, which decay had
rendered indistinguishable.  A few implements of stone, weapon-like,
were perfect, and also a quantity of ivory beads, made by sawing a 
stick of that substance into the requisite lengths and then perforating
each piece.  Around the wrists and ankles of the male skeleton were
copper rings, about three-eighths of an inch in thickness, roughly
hammered out and bent together.  Beneath these rings, preserved 
doubtless by the chemical properties of the metal, the mummified 
flesh and sinews were perceptible. 
     All these having been removed, the rod was thrust downward
again, and at the bottom of the mound met a second obstacle.  Another
gallery was accordingly opened on a level with the plain, and directly
beneath the above mentioned chamber another, similar in all respects,
was encountered.  It contained but one skeleton, a male, no larger, but
in better preservation than those occupying the upper enclosure.  Re-
mains of weapons and clothing surrounded it, with similar ornaments,
and something like two quarts of the same kind of beads.  Here, too, 
was found a dark, flat, oval stone, rudely inscribed with unknown
characters.  Much interest attached to this relic, as it was supposed to
give some information concerning the lonely tenant of this ancient
sepulchre.  It was visited and inspected by the most eminent antiquarians
of the west, but none could throw any light upon the mysterious cipher.
From some resemblance to the characters upon the famous Dighton
rock in our state, they were suspected to be of Runic origin, the stone
was sent to the Royal Antiquarian Society of Copenhagen, to be
deciphered.  As I left the vicinity shortly after, I have never learned what
report, if any, was returned thereon.

INTERESTING FACTS CONCERNING THE RIGHT TITLE OF ROUND BOTTOM.

Suit Between George Washington and Colonel Cresap's Heirs------
Washington Sells the land to Archibald McLean---The Courts Sustain
the Father of His Country---A Letter of Washington Filed in the Case.

     The following are extracts from the old records in the chancery cause
of Cresap vs. McLean, in the old chancery court of Harrison county,
in which Washington is charged with improperly locating a tract of land,
now in Marshall county, known as the Round Bottom.  There are several 
other papers in the case, among them the depositions of Mark Harden,
of Washington county, Ky., and of George Cox, of Brooke county, Va.,
who were with Colonel Crawford in his surveying expedition spoken
of by Tomlinson in his deposition, and corroborate him as to the survey
being made at Round Bottom, and as to only one line being run along
the river.
     Also a copy of the proceedings of the privy council of the colony of
Virginia, upon the petition of Colonel Washington and others, granting 
them 200,000 acres of land in the western part of the state for services
rendered in the French and Indian wars.
     The memoranda, in the writing of Washington, is written in a distinct,
plain business hand, indicating that attention to neatness and accuracy of
detail, which was characteristic of the great man who wrote it.
     You will observe by the proceedings of this court that the bill was
dismissed, as untenable, by the lower court, which action, upon an
appeal was sustained by the Court of Appeals of Virginia.
     This decision of course approves the legality of the survey and grant
to Washington, sustains his course in the matter, and virtually denies
that he was guilty of any wrong.

                      CRESAP'S BILL OF COMPLAINT.

Michael Cresap
       v.
Archibald McLean          In Chancery
     and
Jonathan Roberts          Bill filed December, 1822

To the Hon. Dabney Carr, Judge of the Supreme Court of Chancery
   holden at Clarksburg:

     Your Orator, Michael Cresap, sheweth that in the year 1770 or 1771
his father, Michael Cresap, caused a settlement to be made in the Round
Bottom, on the Ohio river (in the now county of Ohio) adjoining and
below lands claimed by Joseph Tomlinson.  That in the year 1775 he
departed this life, having made and published his last will, by which he
devised to his daughters, Mary Elizabeth and Sarah, the aforesaid land,
who at the death of their father were infants of tender years.   That Luther
Martin inter-married with one of the said daughters, and in the year 1781
obtained a certificate in the right of the settlement of the said Michael
Cresap, and on the 24th of February, 1784, caused a survey to be made of
said land, and on the 5th of April, 1784, the plot and certificate of survey
was returned to the Register's office.  On the 29th of July, 1785, the late
General George Washington entered a caveat to prevent the issuing of
a grant upon said survey, and in April, 1787, said caveat was dismissed,
and a grant issued to the said Luther Martin and Mary his wife, and the
said Elizabeth and Sarah Cresap.
     Your Orator further begs leave to show that in the distribution of 
the estate of his father, the said Michael Cresap, an arrangement took
place by which your orator acquired the right of the said Luther Martin
and the other patentees by conveyances duly recorded, and in pursuance
thereof he was regularly and peaceably invested with the possession of 
said land, and continued in such peaceable possession for a long time.
     Your Orator further shows that he was an infant at the death of his
father, and it was not until many years had transpired after his death,
that your orator first heard of a claim to said land by the late General
Washington.  Upon application to the late Luther Martin, who was an
acute and learned lawyer, he ascertained that a state of facts existed in
relation to the claim of said Washington as seemed to forbid the idea
that the claim would ever be asserted, or, if so, that it could not be an
available one.
     That in fact, and your orator so charges, that said Washington 
caused a private survey to be made of Round Bottom (containing 
altogether 1,200 or 1,300 acres); that the person who made said survey
avowed at the time of making the survey, that it was not upon the
authority of any warrant or location; that he was instructed to make a
survey for the said Washington, but for what purpose he did not know;
that the said surveyor was at the time of making the said survey shown
the improvement and settlement made by your orator's father, and
admonished not to make the survey, and further, that it was a fact that
said survey was  unauthorized by any warrant or location, is manifested
by reference to the certificate of survey upon which the said Washington 
obtained his grant, by which it appears that at the time said survey 
purports to have been made, the warrants by which it is alleged the 
survey was authorized were not in existence.  It is likewise manifested
that it was the intention of the said Washington after having obtained
the field notes of the aforesaid unauthorized survey to procure land
warrants sufficient to cover the whole of the Round Bottom, (1,200 or
1,300 acres) but being only enabled to procure 587 acres of warrants he
fraudulently concealed the fact that his boundaries embraced 1,200 or
1,300 acres, but had the area stated so as to correspond with his quantity
of warrants, viz: 587 acres.  That the grant to the said Washington could
not be available to pass to him said land, seemed to have been established
by and in fact acquiesced in by said Washington after the decision of the
caveat, prosecuted by the said Washington to prevent a patent from 
issuing to the devisees of said Michael Cresap.  It seems to your orator,
as an inference fully warranted by the circumstances, that the dismissal
of the caveat resulted from the conviction that the grant to the said
Washington could not impair the equitable or legal claim of the 
caveatees to the land for which they were endeavoring to obtain a grant.
     Your orator also begs leave to show that after he had been for a long
time in the peaceable possession of the land derived by him as aforesaid
from the said Luther Martin and the other patentees, or those holding
under them, and not suspecting an attempt would ever be again made to
assert the claim of the said Washington, one Archibald McLean, under
the authority of a conveyance from the said Washington, finding the
said land unoccupied, entered into the possession thereof against the
will of your orator, and continues in such possession, and availing
himself of his having the oldest grant for the land, threatens to retain
the possession to the exclusion of your orator's right thereto; 
notwithstanding he, the said McLean, had full notice at the time of his
contract with the said Washington, of the nature of your orator's claims
thereto, and has since sold, or in some manner disposed of part of said
land to one Jonathan Roberts, who had also full notice of all the
circumstances connected with the claim of your orator.
     Your orator further states that he is advised, and so relies for the
confirmation and establishment of his title to the aforesaid 400 acres
of land, granted to the said Luther Martin and others, that the grant to
the said Washington, from the fraud by which it was obtained, is void
so far as it regards the part covered by your orator's claim.  That the
prosecution and decision of the caveat prosecuted as aforesaid by the
said Washington is a judicial recognition by a competent tribunal of
the validity of your orator's claim thereto.
     Or if it should be alleged that it was the duty of those claiming,
under your orator's father, to have caveated the issuing of a grant to
said Washington, a satisfactory answer would be found in the fact that
your orator's father died before the grant was issued to said Washington,
and that his heirs were infants at that time, and that on February 24th,
1784, they caused a survey to be made of their land, and on April 5th,
1874, before the grant to said Washington was issued, the plat and
certificate of survey was returned to the Register's office, the money
paid and a grant applied for.  A further excuse for not caveating the
grant to the said Washington is in the history of the country---the
revolutionary war having just terminated, the scarcity of money and
the dangers and difficulties in traveling from the western part of the
state to Richmond, all tended to throw impediments in the way of the
actual settler of the frontier in perfecting his title to lands he was 
invited to settle, and which was accomplished at so much peril.
     Your orator further begs to remark, as a reason for his failure to
assert judicially his right to the said land before the present period,
that he was advised that the grant to the said Washington was void in
the law from the fact appearing upon its face; that the warrants were 
dated subsequent to the survey, and a suit at law having been instituted
by Joseph Tomlinson, who claimed a part of the land covered by the
grant to the said Washington, in which the question as to what would
be the legal question of said grant would be decided, and after pending
a long time it was at length determined in the Court of Appeals, thus
reversing the judgement of the inferior court that adjudged the said
grant to be void, and is the same case reported in 5th Munford.  Your
orator still hoped, notwithstanding said decision, that said Archibald
McLean and Jonathan Roberts would surrender possession of said land,
but they still refuse to do so, and your orator resorts to the interposition
of a court of equity, and prays, etc.

Deposition of Joseph Tomlinson, taken before J. H. Fitzhugh, 
   commissioner for Ohio county, January 9, 1823.

     Joseph Tomlinson being sworn says that he came to Ohio county
about the year 1771, in the month of March, with two of his brothers to
search for places on the Ohio river where he might establish settlements
for his father's family.  In the spring of 1771 he made improvements on
the Grave Creek flats, and proceeded down the river to the Round Bottom,
and finding no claim on that land he and his brothers made several
improvements along the river bank.  From that place he went on down
the river, and someplace between there and the mouth of the Little
Kanawa he fell in with Col. William Crawford, who was on his way
with several persons in his employment to survey the military land
between the Little Kanawa and Big Sandy rivers.  That he engaged with
Col. Crawford to serve him by the month as a hand, and continued 
with him until he made surveys of a considerable quantity of lands and
returned with him to the Round Bottom.  That before he arrived at the
Round Bottom he was informed that Col. Crawford intended making a
survey of the land there, and when he arrived there he stopped on the  
lower end of the bottom and said he wanted to make a survey there.
This deponent then told Col. Crawford that he must not survey there,
because himself and brothers had made settlements on that land and
intended establishing the improvements on it immediately.  Col. 
Crawford replied that it was Col. Washington's request that he should
make a private survey of that land and pledged his word that the survey
should do this deponent no harm, for it was no more than a private 
survey, and should be so returned.  This deponent as far as he could
opposed the survey, but the Colonel went on to make the survey of the
land, and ordered one Charles Morgan, a surveyor in his employment,
to survey the bottom, who did as he was directed, and William Jackson
carried the far end of the chain, and this deponent thinks that one Mark
Harden or George Cox carried the other end.  This deponent went along
as a spectator, and they surveyed the river line to the upper end of the
bottom and no other line.  That Michael Cresap, from Old Town, sent
out about fourteen hands to settle Round Bottom, who arrived there,
to the best of deponent's recollection, in the spring of 1772.  They
settled in two different places near the river, and about the middle of
the bottom cleared two pieces of ground, but did not fence them.  The
hands then went on down the river to improve other lands, and in the
spring of 1773, Cresap sent out one Francis Purcell and his family,
who settled there, cleared about six acres of ground, fenced and planted
it, built a house on it and raised corn, and remained there until the fall
of 1773, when he removed on the coming in of the Indians.
     This deponent remained at the Flats of Grave Creek, where he now
lives, from 1771 until 1774, at which time he left his settlement and
went to the Monongahela, above Fort Redstone, where he was in fort
with the inhabitants of the county.  In February, 1775, this deponent
returned to Grave Creek.  That although Cresap had a claim on the Round
Bottom, this deponent insisted on holding his improvements made there
against Cresap until the commissioners for adjusting the claims to lands
in the western country sat at or near Morgantown in 1779, at which
time he sent a message to the widow of Michael Cresap, requesting her
to appear before the commissioners and have their claims to the Round
Bottom decided; that one Michael Cresap, a young man, son of Daniel
Cresap, the brother of Michael Cresap, Sr., appeared on behalf of Mrs.
Cresap, before the commissioners, and then the said Michael Cresap
and this deponent agreed to divide the bottom as equally as possible,
without respect to improvement, by a line from the river to the hill.
Mrs. Cresap was to have the lower end, this deponent the upper end,
and the commissioners ordered their clerk to make out the certificates
according to the agreement, and to state the same in the certificates,
which was done, and they take date from 1771.  This deponent further
states that he resided at the Flats of Grave Creek, within three and a
half miles of the Round Bottom, from the year 1771 until Dunmore's
war in 1774.  That his brother James lived on the Round Bottom in
1772 and 1773, and kept possession of the same; that there was a
constant intercourse between his brother and himself, and that Francis
Purcell lived on the bottom, holding under Cresap and taking care that
no surveys were made on the bottom.  That Colonel Crawford never
was in the neighborhood of the Round Bottom from the year 1771 
until 1775, when David Rogers went after him to where he lived, upon
the Big crossing of Yough river, a distance of more than seventy miles,
to survey his military location on the Ohio river at the Flats of Grave
Creek and Fish creek bottoms.  This deponent knows that Crawford
never made any other survey than that in July, 1771, upon the Round
Bottom, until McLean came in with his claim under Washington.
     That this deponent has resided here at the Flats of Grave Creek 
from 1771 until the present time, and was never absent from the same 
save when driven off by the Indians in 1774, and occasionally upon
business for short periods, and a survey could not have been made on
the bottom without his knowledge, because he was constantly on the
watch for fear one would be made.
                                      JOSEPH TOMLINSON
The Answer of Archibald McLean to the Bill of Michael Cresap.
     Respondent states: That he purchased from the late General George
Washington, August 8, 1798, 587 acres of land, situate on the Ohio
river, in Ohio county, known as the Round Bottom; that the boundaries
of said deed, which corresponds with the boundaries set forth in the 
grant to Washington, contains 2,293 acres; that the consideration to be
paid for said land was $5,870; that at the time of the purchase he was
ignorant of the claims of Michael Cresap, but shortly after arrival in
the neighborhood, he was informed that the heirs of said Cresap set up
a claim to said land; that in the fall of 1798, and the following spring,
he placed tenants on said land, and has cleared a great part of it and
made valuable improvements thereon; that on the 30th October, 1785,
General Washington obtained a patent for the land aforesaid, and that
the patent includes within its boundary 1,293 acres, the whole of which
the respondent claims by virtue of the deed aforesaid, and that it is
purely a question between the Commonwealth and the patentee and his
alienee as to the surplus land; that he knows nothing of the settlement
alleged to have been made by Michael Cresap in 1770 and 1771; that
the survey whereon the patent aforesaid was issued to said Washington,
was founded on military warrants, and was made long before the Act
appropriating lands to actual settlers.  That as to the caveat, respondent
knows nothing, and suggest that it does not appear whether the said 
caveat was dismissed by the said Washington or by the court upon a 
final hearing, and that the grant aforesaid had been issued to said
Washington previous to the date of the caveat aforesaid, and previous
to the Act of Assembly respecting the filing and trial of caveats.
     Respondent knows nothing of the charge in the said bill of the said
Washington causing a private survey to be made of the said land, but
insists that the survey on which the grant was founded, was made by 
a lawfully authorized surveyor and not by a private person.  That
altogether in fact it appears from the face of the grant aforesaid, that
the survey was made upon warrants subsequent in date to the date of
the survey; yet it is manifest that some mistake must have been made
by the surveyor, and it is most certain that no fraud was meditated or
intended, as the discrepancy of dates would detect any such attempt if
any were intended; and as a further evidence that the said Washington
never intended or meditated a fraud, as in the bill charged, this 
defendant says that during the negotiation between him and the said
Washington in relation to said purchase, the said Washington, by a
letter addressed to him, which is here filed, proffered to this defendant
to take the land aforesaid at 587 acres called for in said grant, or to 
have the land surveyed, and pay for the quantity found by actual
measurement; that respondent closed with the first branch of the
proposition, and took the land for the said 587 acres.  This respondent
denies that the said Washington fraudulently concealed any fact or
or facts in relation to the survey on which said grant was founded, or
in relation to the boundary, or lands included in the survey.
     Respondent further states that he leased a portion of said land to
Jonathan Roberts for a term of years, and denies all fraud and 
combination as charged in the bill, &c.

             ADJUDICATION OF THE CASE BY THE COURTS.

At a Superior Court of Chancery held at Clarksburg, on the 17th of
   May, 1826, present the Hon. Henry St. George Tucker, Chancellor
   of the District

            Michael Cresap,
                  v.
          Archibald McLean

     This came on this day to be heard on the Bill, answers, depositions
and exhibits, and was argued by counsel, on consideration whereof, it
is adjudged, ordered and decreed, that the plaintiff's bill be dismissed,
and that the defendant recover against the plaintiff his costs here 
expended, from which decree the plaintiff prays an appeal to the next 
term of the Court of Appeals which is granted upon his executing bond
conditioned according to law.
                         VIRGINIA:
At a Court of Appeals held at the Capital, in the City of Richmond,
                  on Monday, April 28, 1834.
                 Michael Cresap
                         v.
                Archibald McLean.
     Upon an appeal from a decree pronounced by the Superior Court
of Chancery held in Clarksburg on the 17th of May, 1826, in a suit in
which the appellant was plaintiff and the appellee was defendant.  It
is considered by the Court that there is no error in said decree, there-
fore it is decided and ordered that the decree in the court below be
confirmed.
     A Memorandum at Clarksburg by our Father G. W.
     The note or memoranda, filed in the case, in the hand writing of
Gen. Washington, in reference to the sale or lease of the land to 
McLean, states the quantity to be 587 acres at the price of $5,870
"be the quantity more or less," and says:
     "It may be taken now at that quantity, or now be determined to
abide by the quantity that shall be found therein if resurveyed."
     The note closes in the following words:
     "I have set too low a price on my land in the opinion of a very
judicious gentleman (well acquainted with the land) whom I have
seen since I concluded the bargain with you."
                                     GEO. WASHINGTON
     Mount Vernon, 6 Aug. 1798
                GENERAL WASHINGTON'S LETTER
     The following is a transcript from the original letter of General
Washington to Archibald McLean.  The letter is now in the possession
of Mr. Linsey T. Gray, of Moundsville.  It pertains to the land known
as the Round Bottom:
                                   Mt. Vernon, 6th Aug.1798
     SIR:  The annual meeting of the Potomac Company requires my
attendance in Alexandria today.  It will be held, I presume, at Gadsby's.
If so, I shall be there from ten o'clock until three, and shall be ready to
see you at any hour between---the earlier the better.
     Enclosed is the Patent for the 587 acre tract (with a plat thereof on
the back), and memorandum of my understanding of our agreement by
which the writings are to be drawn.
     Mr. Keith has usually done this kind of business for me and I 
presume would draw the writings between us as accurately as any other,
but it is indifferent to me who the draughtsman is, if professional, and
can be correct.
     If a lease is preferred to an absolute sale, the usual covenants to
enforce buildings, Planting Orchards, making meadow, Reentry in
case of non-performance, &c., must be inserted-for although the
privilege of becoming the purchaser in fee in seven years is granted
it is not less incumbent on me to attend to the Property while the
right remains unalienated.  To render it unnecessary hereafter, to see
that these are complied with, and to avoid difficulty in securing the
Rents, were my inducements for suggesting the alternative of a final
bargain, on the terms proposed in the mem'm (memorandum), but
I repeat, that I am equally ready to execute the other.  I am, Sir,
                                   Your Very Humble Servant,
                                       G. WASHINGTON
     MR. ARCH. McLEAN.

                        THE FIRST ROADS.

     It was a number of years after the first settlements in different
parts of this section of the country, before a road was located.  The
whites followed the Indian trails and made paths to different points.
The traveling was mostly on foot and a horseback.  In 1800 there
was a general order for a road, by the court of Ohio county, to run
from Wheeling to Middle Island creek, but was not opened until
Captain Roberts, in company with his father, assisted Morgan
Jones, the surveyor, in locating the road from Grave creek
to Fish creek.  The road from Paris Point to Waynesburg was
located in about 1811.  The river road was located about 1820.

                   AN OLDEN TIME FUNERAL.

     The following narrative concerning the burial of two large and
corpulent persons is obtained from Capt. Roberts, who served as
one of the pall-bearers, and, although rather a peculiar circumstance,
is perfectly authentic:
     In 1824 there was living in Round Bottom a family by the name 
of  Craig, who had settled there several years previous to the date
mentioned, and who were both taken sick with a fever.  There were
but man and wife, and he weighed 300 pounds and she 303.  Both
taking the fever in the worst form, nearly at the same time, and only
survived a week, dying an hour apart.  They were dressed and laid
out by their friends.  A large grave, six feet and a half square, was
dug to receive them.  There being at that early date no practical
cabinet maker, rough boards were nailed together as nicely as
possible, making only a coarse coffin.  The funeral was set for
Saturday afternoon.  The corpses were carried out and placed in a
wagon, and the funeral moved toward Moundsville (then Elizabethtown,)
for interment, followed by five persons.  It was high meridian when
they left the house, and the roads being in very bad condition they
made exceedingly slow time.  When they reached the lower Grave
creek narrows the wagon upset and threw the coffins over a steep
embankment, bursting them open, and the corpses rolled out, down
over stones and brush to the water's edge of the Ohio river.  They
gathered them together and carried them up the almost perpendicular
bank and replaced them into the coffins.  The lines of the horses were
taken and tied about each coffin, there being no nails or anything else
with which to fasten them together.  Considerable time was lost in
this unfortunate accident, and it grew quite late before they were
enabled to reach the graveyard.  It was in the month of August, and
the people were holding camp-meeting near the burying place.  
Several men from the meeting came to their assistance as the team
halted in front of the grave.  Then it was after the hour of twelve
o'clock at night.  Rails were placed in a slanting position into the
grave, for the purpose of lowering the coffins.  Whilst in the act of
letting down the first corpse the rails gave way, precipitating the
corpse down into the grave rather abruptly, causing the line that had
been wrapped around the box to tear and the coffin to fall apart.  It
was arranged as well as possible under the circumstances, and then
the other one was lowered.  Fortunately, no accident attended this one.
The grave was filled in, and the parties separated to their respective
homes.  This is the only funeral that has ever taken place in Marshall
county at so late an hour.  While the story is rather a diverting one, it
nevertheless must have been a sad affair for those who witnessed it.

            MUSTER ROLL OF A COMPANY OF VIRGINIA MILITIA.

     The following is the muster roll of a company of Virginia militia
under the command of Capt. John Bennett, at Norfolk, in the service
of the United States, commanded by Lieut. Col. Henry E. Coleman,
from the 30th day of May, 1814, when last mustered, to the 28th of
June, 1814:
     Officers---John Bonnett, captain; James Ewing, first lieutenant;
Peregrine Wells, second lieutenant; Jacob Keller, ensign; Daniel
Wells, ensign; John Boner, Vachel Harding, Johan Porter, Jonathan
Thomas, James Vanscyal, sergeants; Daniel Toviel, Thomas Adams,
Jacob Crow, William Bills, Cornelius Ogden, corporals.
     Privates---Augustus D. Alten, James Aikine, William Ankrum,
Aaron Ankrum, John Betts, Spencer Biddle, John Baker, William
Bell, Francis Burris, Daniel Bludgett, John Bond, Benjamin Baker,
John Bogard, Isaac Blake, Barney Belford, James Buchanan, Isaac
Brown, John Bulliman, John Caroll, Daniel Carland, David Craig,
Joseph Cox, John Carmichael, Thomas Clegg, Justice Chanot,
John Cline, Daniel Day, Daniel Darling, William Dougherty, James
Denison, Levi Darnel, Chage Doty, Archibald Neal, John Evans,
George Evans, Robt. Edging, Bruce Enoch, James Francis, William
Fletcher, Levi Gregg, Neal Gwin, James Gray, George Goodrich,
Moses Grindstaff, John Glaspy, John G. Hicks, Jonathan Howell, 
Richard Hanlan, James Jefferson, Abraham Jones, Samuel Hover,
John Kyger, Andrew Kyger, Thomas Kiggins, James Knox, David
Lyon, Daniel Lyon, Aaron Lewis, Samuel Martin, John Maly,
Jacob McVay, Asa Martin, William Melong, David Medly, William
McClelland, Morgan Morris, Uriah Morgan, Horace McCardle,
James McCrerey, David McCarty, Thomas More, Ferdinand More,
William Murphy, Nicholas Moreland, Andrew Marvis, Alexander
Martin, Elijah Martin, William Orr, John Owens, David Patterson,
Jacob Price, Bethnel Rush, James Robinson, Levi Roberts, Henry
Riggle, Henry Ryan, Pardon Starks, John Stone, Joseph Stone, John
Sims, William Smith, John Smith, James Taylor, William Taylor,
Isaac Underwood, John Vansyoc, Nicholas Vandwender, William
Watson, James Weekly, Daniel Ward, Samuel Westbrook, Jacob
White, John Whitkanach, John Wayman, Robert Barclay, James
Burns.
     The above militia company was composed of men in what is now
Marshall county.  It is copied from the original roll now in the hands
of attorney J. Alexander Ewing, at present a member of the House of
Delegates.  It belonged to James Ewing, his grandfather.  Out of this
entire company there remains but two, James Knox and Jacob Crow.
The former resided in Wheeling and the latter in the southern part
of Marshall county.

[Note, Nov 2009, from Jan Knox, Knoxcolorado@earthlink.net: "The author has the
wrong James Knox serving in a War of 1812 unit from Wheeling. It was my husband's
ancestor. The other James Knox had not arrived from Ireland yet."  ----- This means that the
James Knox who served in the War of 1812 was the man of that name who died 18 Jun 1845,
age 52 yrs; buried at Blair's Ridge Cemetery. He was, therefore, not alive at the time of the
writing of the Pan-Handle book in 1879. The James Knox who was still alive in 1880 was born
in Ireland and not in the US at the time of the War of 1812.]      
 

                        CHAPTER L I V.

         MARSHALL COUNTY, COMMENCING WITH ITS ORGANIZATION.

     The law to erect the county of Marshall passed the Assembly of
Virginia, March 12, 1835.  It originally belonged to Ohio County, and
was taken therefrom in the year mentioned.  The act of forming it is
herewith appended, which reads as follows:
     An act forming a new county out of a part of the county of Ohio.

     -Be it enacted by the General Assembly, That all that part of the
lower end of the county of Ohio, lying south of a line beginning on
the Ohio river at a stone to be fixed on the bank of said river, one
half mile above the mouth of Boggs' run, thence a direct line to
the northern boundary of the town of West Union, and thence
continuing the same course to the Pennsylvania line, shall form
one distinct and new county, and be called and known by the name
of Marshall county.
     -The governor shall commission eight persons as justices of the
peace in and for the said county of Marshall, and the justices now
in now in commission residing in that part of Ohio county which
will be in Marshall county, after the commencement of this act,
shall be of said number, all of whom shall, before entering upon
and executing the duties of said office, take the several oaths now
required by law of persons commissioned as justices of the peace
which oaths may be administered by any justice of the peace now
in commission for either of the counties of Ohio or Tyler.
     -A court for the said county of Marshall shall be held by the
justices thereof, on the first Thursday after the third Monday in
every month, after the same shall have been organized, in like
manner as is provided by law for other counties, and shall be by
their commissions directed.
     -The place for holding courts and erecting public buildings for
the said county of Marshall, shall be on the lots in Elizabethtown,
selected by the commissioners appointed by the Act, entitled, "an
Act to provide for the location of a site for the permanent seat of
justice for Ohio county," passed on the (8th ) eighth day of
December, eighteen hundred and thirty-two; and the county court
of said county of Marshall, shall proceed to cause the necessary
public buildings to be erected on said lots; which when completed
shall be the permanent place for holding courts for the said county
of Marshall.
     -The justices of the peace, commissioned and qualified as
aforesaid, for the said county of Marshall, shall meet at the brick
school house in Elizabethtown, on the first Thursday after the
the third Monday in May next, and a majority of them being
present, shall proceed to the appointment of a clerk of the said
court; shall nominate to the governor suitable persons to be
commissioned as sheriff and coroner of the said county, and fix
upon a place for holding the courts of the said county until the
necessary buildings shall be constructed on the lots aforesaid.
     -It shall be lawful for the sheriff of the county of Ohio, to
collect and make distress for any public dues or officers' fees
which shall remain unpaid by the inhabitants of the county of
Marshall at the time when this Act shall commence and be in
force, and shall be a constable for the same in like manner as
if this act had never been passed:  Provided, however, that 
nothing herein contained shall be construed to prevent the
present sheriff of Ohio county and his deputy, or deputies, from
acting as such in both counties during the remainder of his term
of office.  And, moreover, until a jail shall be erected in the
county of Marshall, the jail of Ohio county shall be used as the
jail for the said county of Marshall.
     -The courts of the county of Ohio shall have jurisdiction of
all actions and suits depending before them on the first Thursday
after the third Monday in May next, and shall try and determine
the same and award execution thereon.
     -The said county of Marshall shall be in and attached to the
same judicial circuit with the county of Ohio, and the circuit and
superior courts of law and chancery thereof shall be holden on the
fourteenth day of May and on the fourteenth day of October in
every year, and be of the same brigade district with the county
of Ohio.
     -The said county of Marshall shall belong to the same senatorial,
congressional and electoral districts as the county of Ohio.
     -The said county of Marshall, and the county of Ohio, shall each
send one delegate to the house of delegates of Virginia, until a
future re-appointment of representation shall take place.
     -The courts of quarterly sessions for the said county of Marshall
shall be holden in the months of March, June, August and
November in every year.
     -Robert C. Woods, of the county of Ohio, and Joseph McClean,
Sr., of the county of Marshall, are hereby appointed commissioners
to run and mark the line between the said counties of Ohio and
Marshall, as designated by this act, which, when run and marked,
shall be taken and considered as the dividing line between the said
counties; and the said commissioners are hereby required to make
a report of their proceedings in writing to the county courts of
Ohio and Marshall respectively; which reports shall be recorded in
the clerk's office of each of said counties, and in all controversies
which may hereafter arise touching said lines, shall be conclusive
evidence.  The said county courts of Ohio and Marshall shall allow
the said commissioners a reason compensation for their service, to
be paid out of the county levy of each of said counties respectively,
in equal proportions.
     -It shall be the duty of the county court of the county of Ohio,
at their next May term, or at any term as soon thereafter as
may be practicable, to levy on and cause to be collected of the
tithables of the county of Ohio, as well as the tithables of the
county of Marshall, the sum of six thousand dollars, to be collected
by the sheriff of the county of Ohio, and paid one-half to the order
of the county court of the county of Marshall, for defraying the
expenses of constructing the public buildings thereof, and the
other half of said six thousand dollars to be paid by said sheriff
to the order of the county court of the county of Ohio, to be used
for county purposes, under the control of said court of Ohio
county.
     -Be it further enacted, That all separate elections heretofore
authorized to be holden in the county of Ohio, and falling within
the county of Marshall, shall be conducted in the same manner as 
heretofore for the county of Ohio.
     -Be it further enacted, That the circuit superior court of law 
and chancery for the county of Ohio shall, after the commencement
of this act, be held on the twentieth day of May and the twentieth
day of October of every year.  And no abatement or discontinance
of any process, recognizance, or notice heretofore issued, given or
taken, before the commencement of the next term of said court,
shall take place, but the same shall be returnable to the time fixed
upon fixed by this act for holding said court, and shall be as
available and binding as if this act had never passed.
     -This act shall be in force from and after the first day of May
next.

                           TOPOGRAPHY.

     The land is generally hilly, and the valleys formed of greater
or less width and depth by their indentation.  Hence the county
presents a rolling character, and, although not belonging to the
class called mountains, yet may be termed hilly.  These hills rise
to an altitude of from six hundred to eight hundred and fifty feet
above the Ohio river, and they are cultivated on their summits 
and part way down their slopes, the ground in many places 
being nearly as rich as the alluvial soil along the river bottoms.
The soil is calcarious and argillacious.  Owing to the general
fertility, little of the land lies uncultivated, and in point of
agriculture and grazing are not inferior to any part of the state.
     The undulating surface of the county presents scenery 
unsurpassed and picturesque, supporting thousands of sheep,
cattle and horses, and is truly deserving the name of being a
fine grazing and agricultural county.

                   GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION.

     Marshall county is nearly twenty miles long and eleven
miles wide at the northern and extending to eighteen at the
southern end.  It derived its appellation in honor of Chief
Justice Marshall.  It is the extreme southern county forming
the district known as the Pan-Handle.  The county is bounded
on the north by Ohio county, on the east by Pennsylvania, on
the south by Wetzel  county and on the west by the Ohio river.
It is divided into nine townships or districts, viz:
         Washington, Union, Webster, Sand Hill, Clay, Cameron,
Franklin, Meade and Liberty.
     They are bounded respectively as follows:
     Washington is bounded on the north by Union, on the east
by Webster, on the south by Cameron and Clay, and on the
west by the Ohio river.
     Union township is bounded on the north by Ohio county, on
the east by Sand Hill and Webster, on the south by Washington,
and on the west by the Ohio river.
     Webster is bounded on the north by Sand Hill, on the east
by Pennsylvania, on the south by Cameron, and on the west by
Washington and Union.
     Sand Hill  is bounded on the north by Ohio county, on the
east by Pennsylvania, on the south by Webster, and on the
west by Union.
     Clay is bounded on the north by Washington, on the east by
Cameron and Meade, on the south by Meade and Franklin, and
on the west by the Ohio river.
     Cameron is bounded on the north by Webster, on the east by
Pennsylvania, on the south by Liberty and Meade, and on the
west by Clay.
     Franklin is bounded on the north by Clay, on the east by
Meade, on the south by Wetzel county, and on the west by the
Ohio river.
     Meade is bounded on the north by Clay and Cameron, on the
east by Liberty, on the south by Wetzel county, and on the
west by Franklin.
     Liberty is bounded on the north by Cameron, on the east by
Pennsylvania, on the south by Wetzel county, and on the west
by Meade.

                  ELEVATIONS ABOVE OCEAN LEVEL.

     The following shows the elevations above the ocean level in
Marshall county.  This gives nearly all the highest points within
the county. 
                                                    Feet.
Benwood Station (P. O.)                             648
Moundsville Station (P. O.)                         640
Opposite Rosbey's Rock                              786
Rosbey's Rock Station (P. O.)                       773
East Portal of Shepard's Tunnel                     838
Cameron Station (P. O.)                            1050
West portal of Welling Tunnel                      1195
East portal of Welling Tunnel                      1203
Belton Station  (P. O.)                             886
West portal of Board Tree tunnel                   1077
Mt. Olivet M. E. Church, in Union District         1300
Sherrard (P. O.)                                   1300
John Goudy's residence in Washington district      1365
Limestone                                          1350
Pleasant Valley, at school house                   1353
Pleasant Valley, at store (Beeler's Station P. O.) 1308
Poplar Springs, John Ingram's residence            1354
Rock Lick, at store                                1418
Highest Point-Laughlin's hill                      1505
Cameron fair grounds, (highest point)              1410
Seatonville, seven miles from Rock Lick            1300
West Union (Dallas P. O.), at Bane's hotel         1340
West Union, highest point                          1400
Sand Hill                                          1345

                         RIVER, CREEKS AND RUNS.

     The water advantages are good.  The Ohio, that beautiful stream,
washes its entire western border.  Then there are four creeks, with
their numerous tributaries flowing through its interior, enriching
and making glad its soil.  Wheeling creek heads in the western part
of Pennsylvania and runs in a northwesterly course, and empties
into the Ohio immediately below Wheeling.  Big Grave creek forms
in Pennsylvania's western border, and flows a northwesterly direction,
reaching the Ohio river at Moundsville.  Fish creek likewise flows
into the Ohio below island by same name in the Ohio river.

             THE COURSE OF THE BALTIMORE AND OHIO RAILROAD.

     The Baltimore and Ohio railroad, which was completed December
28, 1852,follows the meanderings of the river in Marshall from 
Benwood to Moundsville, where it takes a southeasterly course along
the banks of Big Grave creek, until it reaches the Welling Tunnel in
the southeastern border of the county, thence an immediate southern
course to Grafton.

                     MARSHALL GEOLOGICALLY CONSIDERED.

     In a geological view, the rocks belong to the upper series of our
bitumous coal formation, consisting of alternate stratas of sandstone,
shales and limestone, with interposed beds of coal from three to six
feet in thickness.  These nearly level stratas extend along the Ohio
river and Wheeling creek, in the northern part of the county, and are
sometimes cut through by the deep valleys of the streams, and are
exposed in varied succession in the steep banks and along the hill-
sides, in situations favorably to access, and affording great facilities
for mining and quarrying.
     The Pittsburgh coal is worked as far south as Moundsville, 
though at this place it is a little below the water level.  It can easily
be reached by shafting as we go south.

                       COAL, IRON ORE AND LIMESTONE.

     Coal and iron ore are found cropping out along the river bottoms.
The latter is only seen occasionally, and is not, as thought by some, 
in large quantities.  Coal abounds more freely, and stratas are found
at an elevation in the county of 1,100 feet above the level of the ocean.
Limestone is plentiful throughout the county.  The stone in the hills
adjacent to the river is quarried, and shipped extensively to the blast
furnaces at Benwood and Martin's Ferry.
     Freestone is also found in abundance.  Moulding sand has been
shipped from this county to different points in Ohio and other states, 
and is considered by many as being unexcelled for that purpose.

                            GOOD CLAY FOR BRICKS.
 
     The clay that is so plentiful here, is of an excellent quality for
brick.  The brick manufactured in Marshall, are being sought after
from various points, and are becoming quite noted for their
superiority over a great many other counties.  Many thousands
lately have been shipped out of Marshall. 

                            FORESTS, TREES AND SHRUBS.

     Although nearly a century has elapsed since the first ax was
applied to the wild forests of what is now Marshall county, there
is yet scattered over the county plenty of good timber.  On the
hill tops and sides are seen trees in almost all their native variety
swinging their branches "to the will of the winds" and growing
more stately each year.  Such as ash, white ash, black, water or
hoop ash, blue ash, green ash, beech, water beech, sweet buckeye,
feted buckeye, wild cherry, chestnut, cotton wood, dogwood, red
or slippery elm, white or rock elm, wahoo or witch elm, red maple,
red mulberry, white oak, post oak, burr oak, chestnut oak, swamp
white oak, willow oak, laurel or shingle oak, blackjack oak, Spanish
oak, scarlet oak, red oak, black oak, pin oak, poplar, yellow poplar, 
sassafras, sycamore, black walnut, white walnut, white willow,
yellow willow, leatherwood, mountain laurel, great laurel, 
(rhododendron), persimmon, service or shade bush, spice wood.

                               AGRICULTURE.

     As an agricultural county Marshall stands well.  In the early 
settlement the bottoms, or low lands, were first taken up, whilst 
the uplands, in a majority of cases, were last sought.  But by and
by the monarch oaks and luxuriant herbage, which adorned the
sides and summits of the lofty hills, suggested to those who had a
better knowledge of agriculture as a science that such productions
could not spring from a soil naturally sterile.  The idea of its non-
productiveness was soon abandoned after a trial was given.  Now
the hills, in many instances, produced as abundantly of the great
cereal staple of the county as the valley lands.  All other things
being equal, this county produces as largely, for her area, as any
other in the state.  What ever farming is done here yields a large
return upon the capital and labor invested.  The market for her
produce is right at home, and, consequently, need not seek their
market over land and sea, hundreds of thousands of miles away,
as some counties in the west.  The following census, of 1860, 
shows the number and value of live stock in the county:

Number of horses,                     2,413
Number of mild cows,                  2,501
Number of work oxen and other cattle, 3,686
Number of sheep,                     10,002
Number of swine,                      8,447
Total valuation of live stock,     $252,063

     The following statement is the principal items of farm produce,
according to the census of 1860, of the county:
Wheat,                               74,759 bus.
Indian corn,                        241,911 bus.
Oats,                               133,617 bus.
Tobacco,                             10,590 lbs.
Irish potatoes,                      46,634 bus.
Value of slaughtered animals,       844,944

Improved farms, (acres of land,)     59,136
Unimproved farms, (acres of land,)   62,543
Cash value of farms,             $2,489,909
Value of farming implements
& machinery,                         58,262

Number of pounds of hemp,               146
Number of pounds of flax,             7,722
Number of bushels of flax seed,         675
Number of pounds of silk cocoons,        20
Number of pounds of maple sugar,     19,520
Number of gallons of maple molasses,  1,958
Number of gallons sorghum molasses,  13,954
Number of pounds of beeswax,            213
Number of pounds of honey,            7,709
Value of home-made manufacture,     $14,179

     Below is give the census of the wealth and taxation, taken
in 1870:
Assessed value of real estate,                      $3,358,151
Assessed value of personal estate,                   1,283,830
                                               - - - - - - - -
Total assessed value of real & personal property,   $4,641,891
True valuation of real & personal property,         $7,543,945
    
The following shows the census of the number of manufactories,
employees, capital and products, taken in the year 1870:
Number of establishments, 44
Hands employed,          427
Capital,        $238,870
Products,      1,468,921

According to the Census of 1870 on the number of acres of land,
valuation of farms, products, live stock, and value, the following
exhibit is shown:
Improved land,                  78,852
Woodland land,                  68,992
Other improved land,               601
Cash value of farms, land,  $3,511,574
Value of livestock,            550,730
Horses,                          3,109
Mules and asses,                    32
Milk cows,                       3,076
Working oxen,                      515
Other cattle,                    3,366
Sheep,                          37,508
Swine,                          10,968


                      AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS.

     Indian Corn is by far the most important crop in the county.
The first is, that the soil and climate are more generally adapted to
the production of corn than of any other grain.  The soil is usually
light, quick, easily penetrated by the heat of the sun.  In such lands,
corn produces abundantly with the very poorest cultivation.
     Wheat.----Crops of thirty bushels are frequently raised.  The 
kind of soil and climate suited for the successful raising of wheat is
not found so generally as that suited for corn and oats.  A well
drained clay, or clay loam with calcareous matter, suits it best.  An
equable winter climate, dry weather about ripening time, and a
freedom from heavy rains when the bloom is on, are all required for
the heaviest yields.
     Oats.----Their productiveness, adaptiveness to the soil and
climate, and the ease with which they are raised, render the crop a
favorite one.
     Barley.---Has received but little attention, owing to the lack of 
a good market.
     Rye.----Is not much cultivated.  It is well adapted to the soil 
and climate.
     Buckwheat.---It thrives with little or no care in every part of
the county.
     Sweet Potatoes.---The sweet potato, to obtain perfection, 
requires a sandy soil, of moderate fertility, and a hot sun during the
period of growth.
     Irish Potatoes.---They are a favorite crop, and are grown in
comparatively large quantities.  They grow in great perfection all
over the county.  In size, mealiness and delicacy of flavor, our
Irish potatoes are unsurpassed.
     Turnips.---They are another valuable production, well suited to
the soil and climate.  They do well on virgin soils full of vegetable
matter and ashes, and require a mere scratching of the surface.
     Sorghum.---The Chinese sugar cane is cultivated to a 
considerable extent.  It is used entirely for the manufacture of
molasses for home consumption.
     Fruit Culture.---The nature of the soil and the climate of
Marshall county permits the cultivation of any fruit which can be
grown in the cooler parts of the temperate zone.  A failure of any
of these fruits must depend upon special or local causes, or on
conditions other than those of soil or climate.  The apple being a
pretty sure crop, is cultivated everywhere.  Peaches, pears, quinces,
and most of the small fruits that are cultivated in the temperate 
zone, seem to do well.  Grapes---While every character of soil,
whether limestone, clay loam, calcareous, sandy or gravelly loam,
vegetable mound or alluvial, appear to be almost equally well
adapted to the grape, the summer suns are amply sufficient to
secure superior strength and quality to the wine.
     Grasses.---From the peculiarity of the structure of the hills,
grass does not suffer from dry weather on their summits.  There
is lime in the soil, as is the case with most of our lands, decaying
vegetable matter is favorable for the improvement of the land, as
the carbonic acid formed, brings the lime into a condition in which
it may be used for the plant.  Many of our shales which show no
lime to the eye, contain enough of it to derive a great benefit in
the soils which they form, from a course in grass, and it is not
necessary to have, in such cases, ledges of limestone among the
rocks, in order to have a calcareous soil produced.  But whether
there be calcareous matter present in the soil or not, a sound system
of agriculture teaches the farmer to discontinue at certain intervals
the cultivation of grains on his land, and to allow it to rest in grass.
Orchard grass, timothy, English blue grass, and red clover, all do
well.  Red clover and timothy are preferred to all others in the
production of hay.  White clover, this favorite lawn grass of the
apiarian, may be considered a natural product of our soils.

                      VALUE OF LAND IN 1835.

     The value of the lands in Marshall county in the year 1835, was
as follows:  The wild lands were worth from three to eight dollars
per acre.  The cultivated hills sold at fifteen to twenty dollars per
acre; and the river bottoms, on the Ohio and the streams generally,
were valued at from thirty to forty dollars per acre.

                 POPULATION OF THE COUNTY IN 1840.

     In the year 1840 the county was sparsely populated.  At that
time the population did not exceed 7,000.  It was estimated----
whites   6,854, slaves 46, free colored 37; making in all only 6,937.

                 THE FIRST OFFICIALS OF THE COUNTY.

     The justices of the peace were recommended and appointed
by the governor.  Every two years the oldest justice became the
sheriff.  Those who were justices of the part that was taken off for
Marshall when organized, remained so.  But the law regulating this
changed, and instead of appointment the judiciary was elected.
     Under the old system they had a coroner, but this likewise has
been done away with, and the justices of the peace fill that office.
     Sheriff----Blair Moran.
     Deputy Sheriffs.----James Burley and William Alexander
     Prosecuting Attorney---D. H. Caldwell
     Clerk of the Court----Jacob Burley, Benjamin McMechen, 
     Jacob Parrot, Samuel Howard and Thomas Buchanan.
     Circuit Judge----Jos. L. Fry

                   MARSHALL COUNTY JUDICIARY IN 1835.

     The following synopsis is extracted from the Court Journal
No. 1, showing the formation of its first court, in connection
with a few of its important proceedings for that year.
                                        JUNE 18, 1835
     In pursuance of an act of assembly passed March 12, 1835,
forming Marshall county out of the lower part of Ohio county,
Jacob Burley, Benjamin McMechen, Jacob Parrot, Samuel Howard
and Zadoc Masters met at the brick school house in Elizabethtown,
in said county, and producing commission from the governor of 
the commonwealth, commissioning them justices of the peace for
said county, and having severally taken the required oath, a 
certificate whereof under the hand and seal of A. Woods, Esq., of
Ohio county, took their seats upon the bench, and proclamation
being made by the sheriff the court proceeded vivi voce to the 
election of an attorney for the commonwealth, and Elbert H. 
Caldwell, Esq., was declared appointed commonwealth's attorney.
     The court then proceeded to the election of a clerk, which
resulted in the appointment of James D. Morris.
     Here Moses C. Good, William McConnell, Zachariah Jacob,
John McFerren, Francis C. Campbell, Lewis Steenrod, Morgan
Nelson, Isaac Hoge, James A. Clarke, J. Y. Armstrong, Esq.,
were licensed to practice the law in this commonwealth, and on
their motion were given leave to practice.
     It was then ordered that the court meet after dinner, at four
o'clock, at Mrs. Susan Parriott's, in Moundsville, and that that
be the place for holding the courts of the county in future until
the public buildings shall be erected.

                        AFTERNOON SESSION.

     Walter Gray, gentleman, foreman, Jesse Burch, John Cris-
well, John Riggs, Vincent Cockayne, John Ward, Samuel, Burris, 
John Barto, John Huggins, James Dunlap, Reuben Roberts,
Edward Gregg, James Riggs, John Taylor, Zachariah Wayman,
John Anderson, William McFarland, Benjamin Cockayne,
Samuel Vencies, William Woodburn and John Brown were 
sworn a grand jury for the body of this county.
     License was issued to Samuel Cockayne to keep an ordinary
(hotel); also, to Benjamin Harvy to keep private entertainments
at his house.
     John Parrot was authorized to celebrate the rites of marriage
in the county.
                                  FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 1835.
     The court present.  License was granted William R. 
McClurg and Susan Parrot to keep an ordinary.  Michael Wilson
licensed to keep a house of private entertainment at his house.
     Robert Shoemaker, Joshua Burley, Samuel Gatts, Jesse V.
Hughes, and Thomas Stewart were appointed constables to 
serve for the term of two years.
     Van Caldwell was licensed to keep an ordinary.
     Richard Morton and William Woodburn were commissioned
to execute the office of coroner.
     Thomas Buchanan was appointed to celebrate the rites of
marriage.
     Isaac Hoge, Jr., was commissioned by this court in chancery
to take depositions for the court.
     John Riggs, Jacob Leives and George Dowler were appointed
overseers of the poor, of this county.
     The following persons were appointed by the court as

                        SUPERVISORS.

     Edward Gregg, James Ramsey, Bennet Logsden, David Lutes,
R. B. Howard, Thomas Howard, John Ward, Wm. O. Rowell,
Samuel Venice, Richard Ruling, John Barts, Joseph Mayers, Joshua
Garner, Job Smith, Andrew Jenny, David Jenny, David Wells,
Miner Burge, James Standiford, Jacob Reed, James Chambers,
James Ewing, Ebenezer Gorby, David Rush, Henry Ewing, John
Stricklin, Edward Dowler, John Gray, Silas Price, B. S. Gregg, John
Minson, James Nixon, Thomas Pollock, William Vanscoyoe, John
Rine, Michael Dowler, Samuel Dowler, Phillip Jones.
                                 SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 1835
     The court present.
     Ordered, that the sheriff summon the justices of this county to
appear here on the first day of next July term of court for the
purpose of making a recommendation of other persons to be 
appointed and commissioned justices of the county.
     Ordered that the $200.00 laid in the levy for this year for the
improvements of the navigation of Fish creek, be paid to the
future order of this court.
     Ordered, that Samuel Howard, Esq., and Joseph McClean, Jr.,
be and they are hereby appointed commissioners to examine the
improvements made by Jacob Burley, Esq., in navigation of Fish
creek and make a report thereof to the October term of this court.
     The court proceeded to lay the county levy of the year of 1835,
which is as follows:
To E. H. Caldwell, attorney for the commonwealth .   .    .   .$ 50.00
To J. D. Morris, clerk,   .    .    .    .       .     .    .    40.00
To Blair Moran, sheriff,    .    .    .    .    .     .    .     30.00
To J. D. Morris, clerk, for books and stationery,   .    .    .  90.00
To Joseph McClean, running Co. line,    .    .     .    .    .   45.00
To George Carrothers, jailor,    .    .    .    .   .    .    .  12.00
For the improvement of the navigation of Fish creek,    .    .  200.00
To B. Moran, sheriff's commission,    .    .    .    .    .    . 35.00
                                                          -------------
                                                                $502.00
     It appearing to the satisfaction of the Court, by the return of the
commission of the revenue, that there are 1,305 tithables in this
county.  It is ordered that the sheriff collect off each tithable in this
county the sum of forty-eight cents, as a county levy for the year
1835.
     Thomas Buchanan was appointed a Justice of the Peace for the
county of Marshall, by a commission under the hand of Littleton
W. Tazewell, Governor.
     A vote was taken for County Surveyor, for this county, by the
Court.  There being five candidates, and the Court failing to elect, 
it was referred to the Sheriff of Ohio county, who was the Sheriff
of this county by an act of Assembly forming this county, was 
called to give the casting vote, and Joseph McClean was chosen
and commissioned to execute the office.

                Samuel Dorsey
         vs.      Attachment
                Thomas J. Baltzer
         This day came the plaintiff by his attorney, and the 
constable having returned upon the warrant of attachment awarded
against the defendant's estate, "that he had executed upon one large
box of medicine; one small box of medicine; one box of glass
tumblers and glassware; one small box of glass tumblers; one small
box of glass bottles; seventy-two glass jars of different sizes, with
the medicine in same; fifty stem glasses; forty-eight glass cream
cups; eighty Liverpool cream cups; eighteen glass bowls; fifty small
pepper jars; eight dozen cup plates; three dozen glass butter plates; 
one small box of oils, blacking, &c.; two jars of wafers; one half keg
of madder; one half keg of salts; six kegs of medicines or dye-stuffs;
one box of castor oil bottles; five large tin vessels for turpentine;
two kegs of glass tumblers; one box of glass, &c., one copper soda
fountain; the property of defendants.  On motion of plaintiff, it is
considered by this court that the said plaintiff recover against the
said $73.28, the debt in the said attachment mentioned, with interest
on the sum of $70.00, parcel thereof, from the 19th day of June 1835,
until payment, and his cost in this behalf expended.  And it is ordered
that the sheriff make sale of the property so attached as aforesaid,
according to law, and pay the money arising from such sale to the
plaintiff towards satisfying this judgement, and that he also return an
account of the sale to the court.

                    Philo W. Stockings
                          vs.                  Attachment
                    Thomas J. Baltzer
     This day came the plaintiff by his attorney, and the constables
having returned upon the warrant of attachment awarded against
the defendant's estate, that he had executed upon 227 glass jars of
different sizes, with their contents of drugs, medicines, dye-stuffs,
&c., and ten show bottles, the property of the defendant.  On motion
of the plaintiff, it is considered by the court that the said plaintiff 
recover against the defendant $145.29, with interest on $100, parcel
thereof, from the 3d day of July, 1835, and interest on $45.29,
parcel thereof, from the 23d day of July, 1835, till payment, and 
his costs in this behalf expended.  And it is ordered that the sheriff
make sale of the property so attached as aforesaid, according to
law, and pay the money arising from such sale to the plaintiff, to-
wards satisfying this judgement, and that he also return an account
of the sale to this court.
     The court appointed the following persons as commissioners
to superintend the election for a senator to fill the vacancy 
occasioned by the death of Colonel John McCoy, to be held in this
county, at the several precincts in said county, on the ---day of
October court, viz:  At Elizabethtown----James C. Bonar, Joseph
McClean, Jr., John Biggs, Simon B. Purdy and Walter Gray.
At Fish creek---C. P. Wells, Nicholas Wykart, Timothy Myhall
and Joseph Alexander.  At Howard's----Jesse Burch, John 
Wilson, Sr., and Edward Dowler.  At Buchanan---James Ewing,
John B. West and Lewis Bonnett.
     The clerk of the overseer of the poor, presented in court a
settlement with their collector, which is as follows:
     this day the overseer of the poor of Marshall county met, and
it appears that there is no money in the hands of their collector
unappropriated.
                                   WALTER GRAY, Clerk
     December 24, 1835
     On Monday, June 20th, 1836, court convened in the county
jail.
     The court proceeded to lay the county levy for the year 1836,
as follows:
To the Bank of Mt. Pleasant,                              $1,500.00
To Joseph McClean, for books,                                 11.00
To J. Masters, for county seal, &c.,                          17.00
To Benjamin McMehen,                                          26.41
Bridge at Jim's Run,                                         150.00
One dozen and a half chairs (common),                         18.00
Tables for the court,                                         15.00
Benches for the jury room,                                    12.00
James Dunlap, for costs,                                       3.00
Thomas Clegg, for three days' work on road,                    1.50
R. B. Howard, seven days' work on road,                        3.50
Robt. Davis, two days' work on road,                           1.00
Isaac Hubs, work on road,                                      3.00
James Nixon, work on road,                                     3.00
E. Lambert & Co., advertising for public buildings,            7.00
L. H. Davis, same,                                             7.00
Wm. Airey,                                                    50.00
Public buildings,                                            665.00
Jacob Crow, two days on road,                                  1.00
Samuel Venies, five days on road,                              2.50
Joshua Garner, two days' work on road,                         1.00
Samuel Dorsey, three days' work on road,                       1.50
John Scott, five days' work on road,                           2.50
Benj. S. Gregg, five days' work on road,                       2.50
James D. Morris, clerk,                                       40.00
E. H. Caldwell, Attorney for commonwealth,                    50.00
S. Howard, sheriff,                                           50.00
S. Howard, jailer,                                            35.00
James D. Morris, stationery,                                   5.00
S. Howard, sheriff, for commission,                          200.00
David Rush, seven days' work on road,                          3.50
                                                       ---------------
                                                          $2,887.91
     It appearing to the satisfaction of the court by the return of the
commissioners of the revenue that there are thirteen hundred and
thirty-four tithables in this county, it is ordered that the sheriff
collect off each tithable in this county the sum of two dollars and
fifty cents as a county levy for the year 1836.
     In 1837, the court made a levy of $2,952; and in 1838, a levy
of $3,347.96.
                         (Session 1838.)
     Ordered, that E. H. Caldwell proceed as attorney for this court
to enforce, according to law, the payment of $3,000 which the
county court of Ohio county was required to levy, collect and pay
to this court by the act entitled "an act forming a new county out
of part of Ohio county," passed March 12, 1835.

                         FIRST ATTORNEYS.

     The following named gentlemen were the practicing lawyers
in 1835:
     Moses C. Good, Lewis Steenrod, J. S. Wheat, Wm. McConnell,
Isaac Hoge, E. H. Caldwell and Albert Clark.

                         EARLY MARRIAGES.

     The following are among the first that were married after the
organization of the county, as appear on record for 1835 and
part of 1836:
     Alexander Ogle and Julia Ann Baker, November 22, 1835;
William Tounds and Ruth Muison, November 22, 1835; Joseph
Logsden and Sally McGarry, October 25, 1835, William Cavalt
and Hannah Garner, October 11, 1835; John Williams and
Prudence Richardson, December, 1835; Frederick Bane and 
Martha Hervey; November 22, 1835; James W. Crerey and Sarah
Snider, October 29, 1835; Daniel Snider and Nancy Caldwell,
November 26, 1835; Frederick Smith and Mary Doty, September
17, 1835; Adam Morrow and Jane Harry, August 22, 1835;
William White and Mary A. Linsey, October 10, 1835; Hamilton
Johnston and Elizabeth Holliday, December 17, 1835; Sherman
Terrel and Amanda Potter, August 27, 1835; John Billiter and
Lucy A. Crow, November 12, 1835; Isaac Brown and Elizabeth
Davis, October 31, 1835; Peter Orum and Margaret McHenry,
January 28, 1835; Andrew Smith and Elizabeth Higgs, June 5,
1836; Simeon Arnell and Elizabeth Ward, October 13, 1836;
Joseph Marple and Sarah Adams, October 13, 1836; David
McConaughy and Sarah A. Mitchetree, November 3, 1836; David
Allen and Elizabeth Brown, September 8, 1836; John Dausey and
Catharine Bonar, April 28, 1836; Jeremiah Jefferson and Jane
Wright, April 3, 1836; William Gosney and Jane Wilson, March
17, 1836; Adams Helmes and Elizabeth Bonar, April 21, 1836;
Thomas Davis and Elizabeth Crow, May 13, 1836; Smith Richmond
and Rebecca Garner, October 23, 1836; Samuel Gamble and Ann
Carver, January 10, 1836; Peter Shaver and Jane Nay, October 20,
1836; Stephen Workman and Margaret Gatts, October 27, 1836;
George Gray and Mary Ann Doty, August 10, 1836; Nathaniel
Blake and Susanna Richardson, February 15, 1836; John Maslander
and Nancy Moore, January 22, 1836; George Davidson and Eliza
Purdy, January 14, 1836.

                             PAUPERISM.

     The building used at present for the Marshall County Infirmary
is on what is known as the poor farm, situated about four miles
northeast of Moundsville.  The house was not built for this purpose,
but was an ordinary farm residence.  The farm contains about 130
acres.  There are at this time (1878) twenty paupers in the Infirmary,
and about as many more that are partially supported throughout the
county.  The levy made for the support of the poor for the year 1878
was $3400.  A number of years previous to this date it has averaged
almost $3,000.  The present board of the overseers of poor are as
follows:
President----John S. Riggs, Washington district; David Montgomery,
Union district; W. A. Knox, Webster district; J. W. Winters, Sand
Hill district; M. Dunn, Clay district; Thomas Allen, Cameron district;
James Grimes, Liberty district; Henry Mason, Meade district; G. W.
McKinney, Franklin district.
     It was customary about half a century ago to sell the paupers of
the county (then Ohio) to the lowest bidder.  At these sales amusing
incidents often took place.  The following obtained from an authentic
old gentleman, is given as a specimen:
     A pauper standing nearly six feet in height was set up for sale.
Being in the prime of life, he looked as though he might be able to do
considerable labor, and as a consequence, of course, soon disposed
of.  During the progress of the bidding the pauper hung his head and
said nothing.  When the auctioneer cried "sold," the man's head came
up erect, his face overshadowed with a melancholy look, and in half-
sobbing tones said:  "It's darned hard to be sold this way, but I reckon
it's all right.  But it does make me mad when such a man as I am, 
must be sold by no better person than W-----(the auctioneer).

                MARSHALL COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

     In the spring of 1853, the farmers and mechanics of Marshall
county met in pursuance to notice and organized an agricultural
society by the election of the following officers:
     President-----James Burley
     Vice Presidents-----Jeremiah Shepherd, Joseph McLain, 
Vincent Cockayne, Samuel Dorsey, 'Squire D. Martin, Robert
               Hunter, John H. Dickey, George Dowler, sr., John Scott, 
Ezekiel Caldwell, Wm. Holliday, sr., James C. Bonar, Esq.,
Isaac Hoge, Esq., Colonel John Parriott, Isaac Fish, Henry
Sockman, sr., John Winters, James Campbell, Esq., Noah
Harris, Wm. McFarland, Esq., James Jimeson, Martin Bonar,
Jonathan Lockwood, Allison Morris, Major Phillip Barry,
James Alexander, Marshall county; T. M. Gally, Exq., and
Thomas Sweeney, Ohio county; R. W. Cox, Wetzel county;
Eli Wells, Tyler county; Dr. Edward Smith, Brooke county;
Colonel T. S. Haymond, Marion county; W. T. Willey,
Monongalia county; Hiram Pennington, Belmont county, Ohio;
Peter Dillon, Monroe county, Ohio; Rezen Welsh, Harrison 
county, Ohio; Samuel Vannatta, Greene county, Pa.; Wm. Wyley,
Washington county, Pa.
     Corresponding Secretary---Wiley H. Oldham.
     Recording Secretary---James M. Hoge
     Treasurer-----Joseph W. Gallaher.
     Executive Committee---Jeremiah Shepherd, Jacob Jefferson,
Joseph Alexander, jr., Joshua Burley and Walker Thompson.
     General Superintendent----Captain David Roberts.
     Assistants----Walker Thompson, Joseph W. Gallaher, Elbert
H. Caldwell.
     This society leased about six acres, known as the Mound field,
from T. H. Bakewell, who was then the guardian for the Tomlinson's
heirs, for a term of five years, James Burley, Jeremiah Shepherd and
W. H. Oldham, who acted as their agents.
     The first fair was held on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday,
October 18th, 19th and 20th, 1853.
     At this exhibition Capt. David Roberts was awarded the first
premium ($5.00) by the society, in accordance with the rules, on a
piece of meadow land, that had been down in grass for forty years.
Below is given their statements:
     "I, David Roberts, of Marshall county, Virginia, do certify that
the *  *  *  *  *  ground, containing two and a quarter acres and
twenty poles, has been owned by me since 1837.  I have known the
ground well since 1812.  Forty years ago it was sowed in red-top
grass, and has never been plowed since.  The soil is black and heavy,
and hard to cultivate.  It is almost one foot or eighteen inches above
the level of the floods of 1832 and 1852.  I had it mowed this season
(in the latter part of July, 1853,) and stacked on the ground."
Marshall County, To-wit:
     Before me, Simeon Arnett, a Justice of the Peace in and for said
county, in the state of Virginia, came Franklin Roberts who, being
duly sworn, says;   That he is the son of David Roberts, and has
known the plat of ground surveyed by Joseph Alexander, Jr.,
containing two and a quarter acres and twenty poles, for the last
twelve years.  He has helped mow it for several seasons, and put
it up.  He helped mow it this season, (in July 1853.)  I did not see
the hay weighed, but at the time we mowed it and stacked it I
considered there were not less than seven tons of hay on the lot.  I
have, for the last ten years, had a good deal of experience in mowing
in mowing and handling hay, and consider myself a pretty good 
judge of the quantity of hay on the ground.
                                   FRANKLIN G. ROBERTS.
Sworn to, and subscribed before me, this 26th day of September, 1853.
                                   SIMEON ARNETT, J. P.
     This meadow still remains unplowed.  It is now sixty -five years
ago since its soil was turned.  In 1812 it was put down in red-top
grass, says Captain Roberts.
     The next season the society held their fair nearly a month earlier,
which came off on the 6th, 7th and 8th of September, 1854.  They paid
out about $200 in premiums that year.  The fair was poorly patronized.
     In 1856 another exhibition was given.  This time the fair continued
but for two days.  It was held on the 16th and 17th of October.  The
premiums awarded did not exceed $100.  the interest year by year
kept gradually waning until the year 1857.  That was the last fair given
by the society.  It occurred on the 14th, 15th and 16th of October.  There
was a large list of awards that year, but the receipts were small.  The
society feeling that all their efforts to build up a good county fair
seemed to be availing nothing and further attempt to agitate this was
only a waste of time and money, so the society mutually dissolved
and their exhibitions discontinued.

                         FROSTS AND SEVERE WINTERS.

     In the year 1816 there was frost in every month of the year.
     A heavy frost occurred on the first day of June, 1834, doing
great damage to grain and other things.
     On June 5, 1864, frost destroyed all the grain, except here 
and there where fields were protected from the storm by timber
or hills.
     The first severe winter of which any knowledge can be 
obtained was in 1818.  The snow fell to the depth of three feet,
laying about a month when the rains descended and the flood
came causing it to melt and leave.  The winter set in early in
November and the flood occurred in the latter part of December.
It was termed the pumpkin flood.  By waters overflowing the 
banks of the Monongahela river and carrying in its course to the
Ohio hundreds of pumpkins on its turbid bosom, it thus derived
its name----"pumpkin flood."  There was great damage done.
The winter broke rather early that season, after the high waters
passed off, which continued three or four days.  When the waters
subsided quite a number of drowned cattle were found conveyed
out in the low lands and they were skinned for their hide by 
persons finding them.
     The next flood was in 1822, but the damage was not so great
as that of 1818.
     On the 9th of February, 1832, another flood occurred, over-
flowing all the bottoms and doing immense damage.  It washed
fences and buildings down.  There were three or four buildings
washed away from Elizabethtown (Moundsville).  The houses
were not of any very great value; however, they were occupied
nevertheless.  The household goods were secured and no lives
lost.
     The next high water came in 1852.  It was of short duration 
and did no damage particularly.
     The following is gleaned from a memorandum:
     Jan. 1, 1856---Thermometer at Zero; gusts of snow.  9th---
16 degrees below Zero.  12th-heaviest snow occurred today
known within the memory of the oldest inhabitant.  Snow on the
ground to the depth of sixteen inches.  Thermometer ranging from
zero to eighteen degrees below zero during the week.  15th---The
snow is the heaviest since 1818.  30th---thermometer ranging from
ten to fifteen degrees below zero.  Snow has been on since December
24th.  Feb. 4th---thermometer ten degrees below zero.  Feb. 5th---
twenty degrees below zero.  Had six week's nice sleighing.  Feb. 13th
---thermometer twelve degrees below zero.  Feb. 22---snow on the
ground for nine consecutive weeks; river crossable for teams eight
weeks.  Feb. 28th-Ohio river commenced breaking.  March 10th---
snowed to the depth of four inches.  Thermometer at twelve degrees
below zero at six o'clock.  March 14th---ice, ice, snow, cold
weather.  22nd---weather moderating.

          MARSHALL COUNTY'S WAR RECORD OF THE REBELLION.

       It was a dark cloud that overhung old Virginia in 1860.  A
portion of its people sought to and did withdraw from the Union.
Whilst West Virginia, like a father to a wayward child, said 
remain with us.  But she only chided with this part of the state.
They were advised to leave not the parental roof, as it were, and 
go out not knowing whither, for they could not well get along with-
out West Virginia's need and counsel.  Stay!  Stay!  was her last
words to the state.  But prodigal like they receded from their home
and would fain have eaten of the husks before they returned.
     When the war of the states began Marshall was among the
first counties to respond to the call for troops.  There were twelve
different companies recruiting here and served during the war, viz:
     One company in the First Infantry for three months service,
afterwards recruiting again for three years, one company for the
First Cavalry, one for the Sixth Cavalry, one for the Ninth Infantry,
three for the Twelfth Infantry, one for the Fourteenth Infantry, one
for the Sixteenth Infantry, one for the Fourth Cavalry, one for the
Seventh Infantry.
     The county had enrolled 1,635 men.  The amount levied and
paid as local bounties for volunteers mustered into service and
money for the relief of soldiers' widows was $181,325 65, $1,500
of which was appropriated so soldiers' families.
     Aside from this, there were many individual enlistments in 
different regiments.  Marshall county had about sixteen hundred 
men in the field, and they have a good record for it.  The county
deserves the highest encomiums for the gallant service her brave
soldiers rendered in that perilous and trying hour of her country.
     Here and there over the county are found those that still carry
the scars indicative of hotly contested battle-fields.  The soldier
is proud of his wounds.  Although he may have lost a limb or
health, still he refers with pleasure, and even enthusiasm, to the
rough campaigns of his soldier life.  They love to recount those
days, and to impart to their friends and families their experience
of the hardships and deprivations of a soldier's career.
     But there are some who left their homes just as joyful as any,
but never returned again.  Where are they?  Ah!  Ask their
companions, and they will tell you, perhaps, that their blood 
flowed out on the field at Bull Run, or before Richmond, or Fair 
Oaks, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville or Antietam, or purchance
starved in some prison, or fainted away and died in the hospital,
causing a thousand streams of affection to flow back in an Alpine
torrent upon as many hearts, because they were not.  But there is
a hope of another union of hearts and hands.  The poet says:
     "There is a realm where the rainbow never fades; where the
stars are spread out before us like islands that slumber on the
ocean, and where the beautiful beings which pass before us like
shadows, will stay forever in our presence."

                       RATE OF TAXATION.

     The rate of taxation for the county, commencing from 1864
to 1878, is as follows:
1864,     . .          $2.00    .    $100
1865,     . .          3.00     .     100
1866,     . .          1.33 1/3       100
1867,     . .          1.33 1/3       100
1868,     . .          . 60     .     100
1869,     . .           .20     .     100
1870,     . .           .30     .     100
1871*     . .           .00     .     100
1872,     . .           .40     .     100
1873,     . .           .30     .     100
1874,     . .           .30     .     100
1875,     . .           .50     .     100
1876,     . .           .45     .     100
1877,     . .           .45     .     100
1878,     . .           .35     .     100

                  CENSUS OF 1870.

     According to the last census which were taken in the year
1870, the county contained an aggregated population of 14,941.
Below is given the population by townships or districts:
Cameron District-- 1,627 Total; 1,565 Natives; 64 Foreign; 1,623
Whites; 2 Colored.
Clay District-1,005 Total; 967 Natives; 38 Foreign; 1,004 Whites;
1 Colored.
Franklin District---1,610 Total; 1,574 Natives; 36 Foreign; 1,603
Whites; 7 Colored.
Liberty District---2,062 Total; 1,954 Natives; 108 Foreign; 2,034
Whites; 28 Colored.
Meade District---1,308 Total; 1,246 Natives; 62 Foreign; 1,308
Whites; 00 Colored
Moundsville District---1,500 Total; 1,397 Natives; 103 Foreign;
1,444 Whites; 56 Colored.
Sand Hill District---951 Total; 915 Natives; 36 Foreign; 945 Whites;
6 Colored.
Union District---2,742 Total; 2,336 Natives; 406 Foreign; 2,736
Whites; 6 Colored.
Washington District---993 Total; 971 Natives; 22 Foreign; 979
Whites; 14 Colored.
Webster District---1,143 Total; 1.109 Natives; 34 Foreign; 1,143
Whites; 00 Colored.

             ESTIMATED CENSUS FOR 1878.

     From the tithables of the several districts taken from the 
assessor's report, the following estimate of the population is
given:
Cameron District---345 Tithables; 1,725 Population.
Clay District---387 Tithables; 1,685 Population.
Franklin District---338 Tithables; 1,690 Population.
Liberty District---363 Tithables; 1,815 Population
Meade District---263 Tithables; 1,315 Population
Sand Hill District---239 Tithables; 1,195 Population
Union District---660 Tithables; 3,300 Population.
Washington District---202 Tithables; 1,010 Population.
Webster District---317 Tithables; 1,585 Population.
Washington, Ind., District-250 Tithables; 1,250 Population.
Total---16,570
*The county of Marshall instituted suit for 1864, '65, '66, '67,
'68, '69 and '70 against the Baltimore and Ohio railroad for
county purposes, but the suit, by mutual arrangement, was
dismissed, the road paying the county $25,000.  This sum was
sufficient to meet the expenses of the county, and for that 
reason no levy was made for that year.  Marshall is out of debt,
and the levies that are made each year are for its annual incurred
expenses.

             THE LEVY FOR THE YEAR 1878.
     The levy for the county was made for the year 1878, for the
following purposes:
Salary of Sheriff,                                      $  200.00
Salary of Clerk of the circuit court,                      200.00
Salary of Clerk of county court,                           200.00
Salary of prosecuting attorney,                            400.00
Jailer and janitor,                                        100.00
Salary of two assessors,                                   900.00
For pay of grand jurors,                                   150.00
Civil jurors,                                            2,500.00
Sheriff's commissions, &c,                               1,500.00
Support of poor,                                         3,400.00
Stationery and books,                                      150.00
Pay of justices,                                           650.00
Support of prisoners in jail,                              400.00
Roads and bridges,                                         700.00
Bill of F. W. Brown,                                       110.00
For drainage for jail,                                     575.00
Witnesses in misdemeanor cases,                            300.00
Stenographer,                                              400.00
Election expenses,                                         250.00
Court expenditures and pay for outstanding orders,       4,696.65
                                                     ---------------
                                                       $17,832.76

              VALUE OF REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY.

     The value of real and personal property within the county of
Marshall, for the year 1877, is $4,703,075.  The Baltimore and
Ohio railroad property is assessed at $372,000, making a total of
$5,075,075.
     The number of acres in Marshall county is 187,639.  Value of
lands and buildings for 1878 is $3,881,960.00, and the amount of
personal property is $703,510.00.  The total is $4,585,470.

                           JUDGES.

     Joseph L. Fry, from 1835 to 1854; G. W. Thompson, from 
1854 to 1862, *R. L. Berkshire, from 1862 to ------; E. H.
Caldwell, from 1862 to 1866; Thayer Melvin, from 1866 to
1880.
*R. L. Berkshire died after serving but a short time, and E. H.
Caldwell was appointed to fill the unexpired term, and then 
elected.

                          SHERIFFS.

     The following list shows who were sheriffs from the
organization of the county up to the present time:
     From 1835 to 1837, Jacob Burley; from 1837 to 1838,
Samuel Howard; from 1838 to 1840, John Parrott; from 1840
to 1842, Zadoc Masters; from 1842 to 1844, Thomas Buchanan;
from 1844 to 1846, Jacob Burley; from 1846 to 1848, Wm.
McFarland; from 1848 to 1850, Francis Kelly; from 1850 to
1854, Joshua Burley, deputy for S. B. Purdy; from 1854 to 1856,
Enos Howard; from 1856 to 1858, Jacob Jefferson; from 1858 to
1862, Jackson Reed; from 1862 to 1863, A. O. Baker; from 1863
to 1867, Jackson Reed; from 1867 to 1871, Henry Keltz; from
1871 to 1873, Linsey T. Gray; from 1873 to 1877,  John P.
Wayman; from 1877, H. W. Hunter, whose term of office expires
in 1880.

                   JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

     First Justices.---In 1835---Jacob Burley, Benjamin McMechen,
John Parrott, Samuel Howard, Zadoc Masters and Thomas
Buchanan.
     Present Justices (1878)---William Alexander, President.  Union
district, Frank McJilton and A. L. Pelly; Sand Hill district, Wm.
Bane and David Lutes; Webster district, Isaac Gorby and George A.
Jones; Washington district, Reuben Zink and G. W. Evans; Clay
district, Jonathan Purdy and Joseph Wallace; Cameron district,
O. Moore and S. L. Bloyd; Liberty district, A. J. Mathews and J. H.
McGlumphy; Meade district, J. W. Richmond and William Lutes;
Franklin district, John Nixon and Jason Parsons.

               COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF FREE SCHOOLS.

     1863---Dr. Alexander, elected for two years.  1865---John
Lorain, elected for two years.  1867---John Lorain, re-elected
for two years.  1869---J. W. P. Reid,  re-elected for two years.
1871---S. R. Hanen, elected for two years.  1873---S. R. Hanen,
re-elected for two years.  1875---W. M. Wirt, elected for two
years.  1877---W. M. Wirt, re-elected for two years.

                         REPRESENTATIVES.

     The following named persons have served Marshall county
in the House of Delegates:  Zadoe Masters, E. H. Caldwell, 
Jefferson T. Martin, Alexander Newman, Wiley H. Oldham, 
R. C. Holliday, Wellington Jenny, Robert Alexander, Garrison
Jones, B. W. Price, J. D. Morris, Remembrance Swan.
     Restored Government---Joseph Turner and Michael Dunn;
Michael Dunn and Col. William Alexander; Col. William
Alexander and T. H. Trainer; T. H. Trainer and Townsend
Armstrong; Townsend Armstrong and John Ferguson; Dr. S.
Stidger and Dr. Marshman; George Edwards and John Reynolds;
Dr. E. C. Thomas and William Howe; H. S. White and George
Bier; Lewis Newman and Wm. McDonald; Capt. A. O. Baker
and H. S. White; H. S. White and Alfred Turner; W. E. Parriott
and G. S. McFadden; John Nixon and J. A. Ewing.
     Mr. Swan served out his time under the reorganized state
government.  At the formation of the new state, Marshall county
was allowed two members of the House of Delegates.

                  THE PRESENT COUNTY OFFICIALS.

Circuit Judge----Thayer Melvin
Sheriff----H. W. Hunter
Clerk Circuit Court----A. O. Baker
Clerk County Court----Thomas Finn
Prosecuting Attorney----J. E. Hooton
President County Court----W. Alexander
Assessor, 1st district----J. C. Wayman; 2nd dis., Jer. Mason
Surveyor----E. H. Criswell
School Superintendent----W. M. Wirt

                       TERMS OF COURT.

     County---For trial of causes, the second Mondays of January, 
April, July and November.  For police and fiscal business, second
Mondays in May and August.
     Circuit---The fourth Mondays in March and September.


                       CHAPTER L V.

            HISTORY OF THE TOWNS AND DISTRICTS OF
                     MARSHALL COUNTY
          
                       MOUNDSVILLE.

MOUNDSVILLE, the county seat of Marshall is beautifully
situated on a rich and fertile valley on the east bank of the Ohio
river.  It contains a population of about two thousand.  The
advantages of this growing little city, both natural and artificial,
are excellent.  The scenery around it is picturesque and grand.
On its west flows that beautiful river, and, all around it, in the
distance, rises the natural hills in their grandeur, and is well
intended to excite pleasurable emotions in him who views or
contemplates it.  No wonder Moundsville is sought out by
pleasure seekers for not only being the seat of ancient mound
builders, which invites such curious interest, but for other
reasons.  Its healthy location and the general hospitality of its
people; its delightful surroundings, &c., all combine to make
it a place of note and resort.

                      WHEN LAID OUT.

     The town was originally known as Elizabethtown, and laid
out by Joseph Tomlinson in the year 1798.  He named it after
his wife Elizabeth.  The first sales of lots occurred in 1799.  The
first lot was deeded by Tomlinson to Andrew Rogers, November
15, 1799, containing one hundred and twenty feet square, in
consideration of $8.00.  Joseph Riggs purchased the next lots, which
were two in number, at $8. each.  Then James O'Neal purchased the
next, in 1800, for $11.  In the same year Wm. Ward bought a lot
"containing sixty feet front and two hundred and forty feet back,"
for $8.  Again, the same year L. Harris contracted for a lot at the
same price.  These were the first persons that purchased lots in the
town.  When it was originally laid out it contained forty-five acres,
one rod and twenty-seven perches.  Joseph Tomlinson died in 1825.
     In the year 1815, James Nixon opened the first store in the town,
and in 1817 John List started the second store.  He was also the first
post master.  The post office went by the name of Grave Creek.  The
town at that early day numbered about one hundred houses.  All were
log buildings and mostly one story, and very small at that.  The
population did not exceed 300.  One post office, one hotel, two stores
and several small shops comprised the business houses of Elizabethtown.
     In the year 1830 the widow of Joseph Tomlinson laid out an addition 
to Elizabethtown of eighteen acres and thirty perches.  Near about this
time, or little earlier, Simeon Purdy also laid out a town immediately
above the confluence of Big Grave creek and the Ohio river, which he
called Moundsville.  A rivalry sprang up between these two towns, 
but the former took the lead.  This competition existed between the
towns for a number of years.
     In 1830, the former town, then having a population sufficient for
incorporation, thought best, for the regulation of disorderly conduct,
to have the town incorporated.  Proper applications were made and,
accordingly, it was incorporated by an act of the legislature, passed
Feb. 17th, 1830.  The act is herewith appended:
     An act concerning Elizabethtown, in the county of Ohio, Passed
Feb. 17th, 1830. 
     Be it enacted by the General Assembly, That Elizabethtown, in
the county of Ohio, as the same has been heretofore laid off into
lots, streets and alleys, or as the same may be hereafter further laid
laid off and extended into lots, streets and alleys shall be, and the
same is hereby made a town corporate, to be known and distinguished
by the name of Elizabethtown, in the county of Ohio.  And for the 
better governing and well ordering the affairs of said town, it shall be
lawful for the free-holders and house-keepers thereof, to meet at
some convenient place in said town, annually, on the second Monday
in May, and elect twelve fit and able men, being free-holders or
inhabitants of said town, to serve as trustees thereof.  The persons
so elected shall, annually, before they enter upon the duties  of their
respective offices, take an oath, or make solemn affirmation, before
some Justice of the Peace of the county of Ohio, well and truly,
faithfully and impartially to do, execute and perform the duties of
their several offices according to the best of their skill and judgement.
The persons so elected as trustees shall, within ten days after their
election, proceed to choose out of their own body one person to
preside at their meetings, and give the casting vote at any meeting
of the trustees, when they are equally divided.  And the said trustees
shall have power and capacity to receive and hold any and all
tenements which may be, or which have been given or granted to
said town, and the same to give, let, grant, sell or assign again.
     Be it further enacted, That the president, or any two of said
trustees, shall have power to summon a meeting of said trustees so
often as occasion may require, which shall be composed of seven
members at least, including the president, or in his absence, a 
president pro tempore, elected by any seven of said trustees who
may be present; and all questions before a meeting of said trustees
shall be decided by a majority of the trustees present, each having
one vote, except the person who presides, who shall vote only when
the others are equally divided.
     Be it further enacted, That the trustees of said town shall have
power and authority to establish markets and regulate the same; to
lay out the streets, walks and alleys of said town, and to improve the
same; to provide against and prevent accidents by fire; to erect school
houses and other public buildings necessary for said town; to prevent
and punish, by reasonable fines, the practices of firing guns and 
running horses in said town; to license and regulate shows and other
public exhibitions; to appoint all such officers as may be necessary
for conducting the affairs of the said town, not otherwise provided
for by this act, and to allow them such compensation as they may
deem reasonable; and to make all such by-laws, rules and regulations
as they may deem necessary and proper for the good government of
said town; provided, they be not contrary to, or inconsistent with, the
constitution of laws of this commonwealth, or of the United States;
and the same to enforce by reasonable fines and penalties, not 
exceeding, for any offense, the sum of ten dollars, to be recovered
with costs, at the suit president and trustees aforesaid, and by them
applied in aid of the taxes imposed upon said town.
     Be it further enacted, That the said trustees, or a majority of them,
shall have power to assess and levy an annual tax within the said town,
for the purposes before mentioned, not exceeding in any one year the
sum of 25 cents on every tithable, and 50 cents on every hundred
dollars value of taxable property therein.  And the said trustees, or 
a majority of them, shall have power to appoint a sergeant or town
collector, who shall have and possess the same right of distress, and
powers in collecting the said taxes, and executing process, that
sheriffs of the county have and possess in collecting taxes due the
commonwealth, or serving process.  And the said sergeant or town
collector, shall execute to the said president and trustees for the 
time being, bond with approved security, payable to them and their
successors in office, conditioned for the faithful discharge of his
duties, and payment of said taxes by him collected, and he and his
securities, his and their executors and administrators, shall be subject
to such proceedings, by motion or otherwise, before the court of said
county, for enforcing payment of such taxes at the suit of the said
president and trustees, or other persons entitled, as collectors of
county levies are by law subject to, for enforcing payment of the
levies by them collected.
     Be it further enacted, That all fines, penalties and amercements,
and all other monies received or raised by virtue of this act, or any
by-law in pursuance of this act, and not otherwise directed to be
applied, shall be subject to the disposal of the said president and
trustees for the benefit of the said town.
     Be it further enacted, That the strip of land lying on the north
side of said town, between the northern boundary line thereof, and
Parr's run shall be, and the same is hereby made, a part of said town,
and subject to the same by-laws, rules and regulations, as if the said
land, included within the following boundary lines, to-wit; beginning
at the center of the western and northern boundary line of said town 
as now established; thence a straight line to the north of Parr's run;
thence up said run opposite to the eastern line of said town; thence,
a straight course to the said eastern line; had been included within
the original limits of the said town at the time it was established.
     Be it further enacted, That the trustees of said town, or a majority
of them, shall, so soon as convenient, under their own superintendence,
cause the land hereby added to said town, as well as the land within
the former or original boundaries thereof, (wherever the same has not
been already done,) to be laid off into lots, with convenient streets 
and alleys, and shall mark with convenient and lasting signs, the
divisions, metes and bounds, the relative situation and distance of the
lots, streets and alleys thereof; and they shall cause to be made, a full
and complete survey of the same, and a plat or drawing of the plan
thereof, with such remarks and explanations thereon, or thereunto 
annexed, in writing, as they may deem necessary and proper; which
plat, together with the remarks and explanations so made, they shall
produce to the county court of Ohio county, and if no sufficient
objection be made thereto in open court, the said court shall order 
their clerk to enter the same of record.  But, if any sufficient objection
be made thereto, by any person or persons interested therein, then
the said court shall order the said trustees from time to time, to make
other survey or surveys, until such objection or objections be obviated,
and to return a true and correct plat or drawing thereof, until no 
sufficient objection be made thereto in open court, which shall be then
recorded as aforesaid.  And after such plat or drawing of the plan of 
said town shall be recorded, any true copy thereof, attested by the clerk
of said court, shall be read as evidence in any controversy relating
thereto, in the same manner, and shall have the same weight, as if it
were the original
     Be it further enacted, That in all suits or prosecutions, arising 
under any by-law or ordinance, made by the president or trustees of the
said town, or a majority of them, where the constitutionality or validity
of such by-laws or ordinance shall be contested, appeals shall lie from
the judgement of any justice of the peace for the said county of Ohio,
to the superior court of law for the said county of Ohio, without regard
to the sum, or amount in controversy; such appeals to be taken within
the same time, and upon the same terms as are prescribed by law, for
taking appeals from the judgement of justices of the peace, to the
several county and corporation courts within this commonwealth; and
the said superior court of law, shall try and decide such appeals, in the
same manner, as the several county and corporation courts within this
commonwealth, are by law directed to try appeals from the judgement
of justices of the peace; and, judgments of the said superior court of
law, rendered upon such appeals, shall be executed as other judgements
of the said court are executed.  
     This act shall be in force from its passage.
     On the second Monday in May, an election was held in Elizabeth-
town for the purpose of electing twelve men to serve as trustees.  On 
that day the following named persons were chosen as officers of the 
town:
     Thomas H. List, S. P. Baker, Dr. Thomas McCormick, Joseph
McClean, James McKean, David Nace, J. B. Roberts, Walter Gray,
John Jefferson, sr., Thomas Nichols, Benjamin Cockayne, B. W.
Price and Governor Price.
     The first ordinance that was passed by the common council was
for the laying out of streets and regulating sidewalks.
The ordinance is as follows:
     " The president and members of the common council of 
Elizabethtown, in general meeting, ordained that the streets of said
town be thirty-six feet wide between the curbstones, said curbstones
running in a direct line the whole length of said streets, allowing
twelve feet on each side of streets as sidewalks-only in such cases
when the buildings have been built previous to any accurate survey
or the act of the general assembly incorporating said town, and in
such cases where buildings have encroached on said streets, the
sidewalks thereof in front of said buildings shall be reduced agree-
able to their encroachment on said streets.
                            THOMAS H. LIST, President"

                BUSINESS OF ELIZABETHTOWN IN 1830. 

     In this year the town had a population of about three hundred.
Thomas H. List, John Gallaher, Ebenezer McGuire and B. W.
Price were the merchants.  Mrs. Alice Morris, best known as Aunt
Rachel, and Mrs. Parker dealt in groceries.  Colonel S. P. Baker
and Jackson Robert kept an ordinary.  David Nace, E. H. Blair,
William Rains and Robert McClean carried on blacksmithing.  
John Jefferson and the Bakers followed wagonmaking.  Benjamin
Cockayne, G. M. Price and George Roberts engaged in shoemaking.
Buffington & Hogan carried on tailoring.  William Kearns, O. T.
Koch and Joseph McClean were bricklayers.  Carpenters---Adam
Granstaff, E. Clegg, John Rose, Jonathan Moore, Thomas Blakemore
and Steinburg.  W. M. Nichoal carried on the saddlery trade.  Joe
Hagar followed hat-making.  Thomas G. Barrett and Daniel Cady
run tin stores.
     In the year 1832, there was an act to amend an act entitled "an
act concerning Elizabethtown," which was passed by the general
assembly, February 7, of that year, as follows:
     An act to amend an act, entitled, "An ace concerning Elizabeth-
town, in the county of Ohio."  Passed February 7, 1832. 
     Be it enacted by the General Assembly, That if the freeholders
and housekeepers of Elizabethtown, in the county of Ohio, fail to 
elect, on the second Monday in May, in any year, twelve fit and
able men qualified to serve as trustees thereof, according to the
provisions of the act, entitled "an act concerning Elizabethtown,
in the county of Ohio," passed February 17, 1830, the president
and trustees in office, or last elected, shall remain in office with
their powers and duties, as in said act prescribed until a new
election shall be had.  And it shall be lawful, notwithstanding
such failure, for said freeholders and housekeepers to meet as 
therein provided, on any subsequent day, and make such election;
provided, ten days previous notice of such subsequent meeting
shall be publicly given by the president, or any two of said trustees
in office.
     Be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the said 
president and trustees to appoint, annually, in the month of April,
three discreet and proper persons, whose duty it shall be to 
superintend and conduct the election of trustees for said town, 
fairly and impartially, according to the provisions of the act herein
before cited; and when the election shall have been closed; to
examine the votes thereof, and expunge from the poll the name of
any person who may have voted contrary to the provisions of said
act.  And if any two or more persons shall have an equal number
of votes, (and not being elected,) it shall be the duty of the said
superintendents, or a majority of them, forthwith to determine and
say which of the persons voted for as aforesaid shall be returned
elected, together with the names of all the trustees elected, and 
shall certify such return from under their hands and seals, which
certificate shall be lodged with the clerk of said town, or other
persons having the legal care of the papers and records thereof, be
entered on the journal of the proceedings of the said president and
trustees of said town.
     Be it further enacted, That the president and trustees in office, 
or a majority of them, shall have full power and authority to fill
any vacancy that may happen in the office of trustee of said town,
from death, resignation, refusal to act, or otherwise.  And any
person or persons, so appointed or elected, shall be a trustee or
trustees of said town, as fully and amply with all the powers and
duties conferred or imposed upon them by the act aforesaid, as if
elected at the time prescribed in the act herein before cited.
     Be it further enacted, That the limits of Elizabethtown, in the
county of Ohio aforesaid, shall be, and the same are hereby ex-
tended, so as to include within the same so much land as lies
within the following boundary lines, to-wit:  Beginning at a stone
at or near the present south line of said town; thence running south
fourteen hundred and sixty-eight feet; then west, eight hundred and
seventy-four feet; thence south, four hundred and fifty-six feet;
thence west, one hundred and twenty feet; thence north, thirty feet;
thence south, eighty-four degrees west, one thousand eight hundred
and six feet, to the Ohio river; thence north, four degrees west, one
thousand and ninety-eight feet; thence north, thirty-nine degrees
west, one hundred and sixty feet (crossing little Grave creek;) thence
north, thirteen degrees west, one hundred and twenty feet, to a sugar
tree; thence north, fifty degrees east, two hundred and forty feet; 
thence south, thirteen degrees east, one hundred and twenty feet;
thence north, (crossing again little Grave creek,) seventy-eight degrees
east, three hundred and ten feet; thence south, thirty-three degrees east;
four hundred and twenty-nine feet; thence north, fifty-four degrees east,
one hundred and sixty-five feet; thence north, eighty-four degrees east,
three hundred and twenty feet; thence north, four degrees east, two
hundred and thirty-one feet; thence north, thirty-four degrees east,
seven hundred and twenty-six feet; thence north, five hundred and
ninety-four feet; thence east, eight hundred and seventy-four feet, to 
the beginning; containing seventy three acres, be the same more or less.
     And the said land, so taken into the limits of said town, shall be, 
and the same is hereby made a part of Elizabethtown, subject to the
same by-laws, rules and regulations as if the same had been included
within the original limits thereof, and as if the same land hereby
added had been included and made a part of said town by the act
aforesaid, passed on the seventeenth day of February, one thousand
eight hundred and thirty, and expressly made subject to the provisions
thereby enacted.  The proprietors of the land hereby added to
Elizabethtown, and the person or persons residing upon, or owning or
occupying the same, or who may hereafter reside upon, own or 
occupy the same, shall be entitled to enjoy all the rights and privileges,
and be subject to the same or like fines, penalties, forfeitures and tax
in relation to the land or lots, and in relation to their persons and other
property, as persons, residing upon or owning or occupying the same
or who may hereafter reside upon, own or occupy the same, shall be
entitled to enjoy all the rights and privileges, and be subject to the
same or the like fines, penalties, forfeitures and taxes, in relation to
the land or lots, and in relation to their persons and other property, as
persons residing upon, owning or occupying lands or lots within the
original limits of said Elizabethtown or within the limits as extended
by the act aforesaid.
     Be it further enacted, That nothing herein contained, or in the act
aforesaid, passed on the seventeenth day of February, eighteen
hundred and thirty, shall be construed to affect, hinder, or in any
manner whatsoever abridge the rights or privileges of the owner of 
the ferry or landing in or near the limits of said town, either as hereby
or any former act extended.
     This act shall commence and be in force from and after the passing
thereof.

                      THE VILLAGE OF MOUNDSVILLE.

     The same year the above amendment passed the Legislature,
Moundsville was incorporated.  In the year 1831, Simeon Purdy 
purchased a large tract of land lying on the Flats of Grave creek
which had been conveyed to Jonathan Purdy from David Jones in
Mr. Purdy thought he would lay out a town and call it
Moundsville, which he did, and had it incorporated in 1832.  In
1830, there were only three houses.  In 1812 a house was built by
Mr. Purdy for a warehouse, but was used very little for that purpose,
and finally in 1816 was washed away by the flood.  In 1832, Simeon
B. Purdy erected a brick tavern, which still remains and has been 
used pretty much for that purpose ever since.  The same year John
Riggs built a brick house which is also standing.  It is the third house
below Mr. Gallaher's store.  John Parriott and James Taylor started
the first store in said building.  From 1830 to 1840 the town built up
rapidly.  The following is the act of incorporation:
     An act to establish the town of Moundsville, in the county of Ohio,
passed Jan. 18th, 1832.
     Be it enacted by the General Assembly, That, not exceeding 
seventy-three acres of land, the property of Simeon Purdy, lying near
the mouth of Big Grave creek on the Ohio river, in the county of
Ohio, shall be, and the same is hereby established a town, by the name
of Moundsville, so soon as the same shall be laid off into lots, with
convenient streets and alleys; and that John Riggs, Lewis D. Purdy,
John B. Roberts, Blair Morgan, Samuel Dorsey, Samuel Tomlinson,
David Lockwood, Christopher Parriot and James Ramsey, gentlemen,
be, and they are hereby appointed trustees thereof, who shall, before
they enter on the duties of their appointment, take an oath, before some
Justice of the Peace for the county of Ohio, to execute the same faith-
fully and impartially, according to the best of their skill and judgement,
any three of whom may form a quorum, and proceed to business under
the authority of this act.
     Be it further enacted, That the trustees of said town or any three of
them, shall be, and they are hereby empowered to make such by-laws 
and ordinances for regulating the police thereof, and for the regular
building of houses therein, as to them shall seem best, and the same to
amend, enforce, alter or repeal.  Provided, however, that such by-laws
and ordinances shall not be repugnant to or inconsistent with the
constitution and laws of the United States, or of the commonwealth.
     Be it further enacted, That the said trustees or any three or more
of them, shall have power to remove or abate nuisances, or cause the
same to be done, and to improve and repair the public streets and
alleys, and to do or cause to be done, all other things necessary or
proper for the general good of the said town, within the limits of the
powers conferred by this act; and to enable the said trustees, to carry
into effect the said powers, they are hereby authorized annually to
levy a tax, if deemed necessary, on the houses, lots, slaves and horses
within the limits of said town; and to appoint a clerk and collector,
(taking from the latter, bond and security, for the due and faithful
discharge of his duties, as they shall be prescribed by the trustees;)
provided, however, that the said tax shall not exceed, in any one year,
one dollar on each one hundred dollars value of such property.
     Be it further enacted, That in order to afford the citizens of said
town, an opportunity of knowing, at all times the proceedings of
said trustees, there shall be provided, a well bound book or books,
as they become necessary, in which shall be recorded, in a plain
hand writing the several certificates of the qualification of said
trustees, and all their by-laws, ordinances and other proceedings;
which book shall be kept in said town at all times accessible for
the inspection of the citizens thereof.
     Be it further enacted, That every free white male citizen of
this commonwealth, who shall be possessed of a freehold estate,
or such other interest in any lot in the said town, having a house
thereon, the superficial contents of the foundation whereof is
twelve feet square, or equal to that quantity, as will entitle him to
vote for delegates to serve in the general assembly under the 
amended constitution, and who shall have been so possessed for 
the time prescribed by law, shall enjoy the same rights and 
privileges, that freeholders and others qualified as aforesaid, of 
other towns in this commonwealth not incorporated are entitled
to.
     Be it further enacted, That so much of the act, entitles "an
act to reduce into one act, all acts and parts of acts concerning the
office of trustees or directors of the several towns within this 
commonwealth, and for supplying vacancies in the same," as is
of a public and general nature, shall be recorded as the law in
relation to the town of Moundsville, hereby established.
     Be it further enacted, That the trustees of said town, or any
three of them, shall so soon as convenient, under their own
superintendence, cause the land, so allotted for said town, to be
laid off into lots, with convenient streets, lanes, walks and alleys,
and shall mark with convenient and lasting signs, the divisions,
metes and bounds, the relative situation and distances of the lots,
streets, lanes, walks and alleys thereof; and they shall cause to be
made a full and complete survey of said town, and a plat or 
drawing of the plan thereof, with such remarks and explanations
thereon, or thereunto annexed, in writing, as they may deem
necessary and proper; which plat, together with the remarks and
explanations so made, they, the said trustees, shall produce to the
county court of Ohio county, and if no sufficient objection be made
thereto in open court, the said court shall order their clerk to enter
the same of record.  But if any sufficient objection be made thereto
in open court, by any person or persons interested therein, then the
said court, shall order the trustees from time to time, to make other
survey or surveys, until such objection or objections be obviated,
and to return a true and correct plat or drawing thereof, until no
sufficient objection be made thereto in open court, which shall then
be recorded as aforesaid.  And after such plat or drawing of the plan
of said town shall be recorded, any true copy thereof attested by the
clerk of said court shall be read as evidence in any controversy
relating thereto in the same manner, and shall have the same weight,
as if it were the original.
     This act shall commence and be in force from the passage thereof.

                   THE BUSINESS OF MOUNDSVILLE IN 1860.

     The town at this date had a population of nearly 400.  Col. John
Thompson, Purdy & Gray, M. Dunn, and Jos. Gallaher composed
the merchants.  George Roberts and Billy Morrow, carried on shoe-
making.  Adam Morrow, John Nuller, and David Staley were running
blacksmith shops.  John Wherry carried on the milling business in the
Mound City Mills, and John Thompson owned and carried on the lower
mill.  Old Garrison Jones kept the first hotel in the place, and at this
date John Higgins and Samuel Gamble were engaged in the business.
There were a few other small business places and these comprised the
business for 1860.

                   THE CONSOLIDATION OF MOUNDSVILLE AND
                              ELIZABETHTOWN.

     In 1865 it was thought advisable to consolidate the towns of
Moundsville and Elizabethtown with the addition into one corporation
and to be known as Moundsville.  Accordingly, early in 1866 the towns
were consolidated.  The following is the act:
An ACT to consolidate the towns of Moundsville and Elizabethtown.
                 Passed February 23, 1866
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
     -That the towns of Moundsville and Elizabethtown, in Marshall
county, are hereby consolidated into one corporation under the name
of the town of Moundsville.
     -The corporate limits of the town of Moundsville, shall be and
remain the same as are now fixed and defined by existing laws as the
corporate limits of Moundsville and Elizabethtown.
     -The council of said town shall consist of a mayor and eight
councilmen, who, with the sergeant and two, at least, or more
aldermen, if the council shall so direct, shall be elected annually
on the fourth Thursday in May, and shall continue in office for one
year, or until their successors shall be elected and qualified. 
     -The first election for mayor and councilmen, sergeant and
alderman, shall be held at the court house on the fourth Thursday
in May next, under the supervision of the sheriff, and succeeding
elections under the supervision of the sergeant, and the mayor   
and councilmen so elected shall constitute the common council
of the town of Moundsville.  And all the powers, rights, capacities
and privileges vested in the council of a town by the fifty-fourth
chapter of the code of Virginia, shall be vested in the council of
the town of Moundsville.
     -The council of the town aforesaid, and all the other officers,
shall continue in office with all their existing powers, rights and
duties, until the first election is held as hereinbefore provided, and
the council of the town of Moundsville shall have been duly
qualified, and no longer, and when the council of the town of 
Moundsville is elected and duly qualified, all the real and
personal estate, and all the funds, rights, titles, taxes, credits and
claims, and rights of action of the town of Moundsville, and also
of Elizabethtown, or which have been appropriated for the benefit
of said towns, or either or both of them shall be and the same are
hereby transferred to and vested in the said corporation created by
this act.  And all contracts with, and all rights, claims and demands
against the corporations of Moundsville and Elizabethtown shall be
good in law against the corporation hereby created.
     -The lands lying within the corporate limits not yet laid off
into lots, streets and alleys, shall not be subject to town taxes so
long as they remain in their present state, but when they shall have
been so laid off by the proprietors thereof respectively, no lots
remaining unsold in the hands of such proprietors shall be subject
to taxation by the corporation until assessed, unless improvements
of the assessed value of one hundred dollars shall have been erected
thereon.
     -Every male citizen of the state, of the age of twenty-one years
or upwards, and who, for sixty days preceding any election, has re-
sided in Moundsville  or Elizabethtown, or the town of Moundsville
hereafter, and is qualified to vote for members of the legislature, and
no other person, shall be qualified to vote at all town elections.
     -The mayor and aldermen, in addition to the duties and powers
conferred by the fifty-fourth chapter of the code of Virginia, shall have
cognizance of any claim to a fine or penalty under any ordinance or
by-law of the said town, and any other claims in or against the 
corporation or any person residing therein, if the same be not of
greater value or amount than one hundred dollars, exclusive of interest,
and shall have power to issue writ of fiere facias upon any judgement
obtained on any such fine, penalty or claim.
     -In any civil case in which the amount in controversy, exclusive
of interest, shall exceed ten dollars, either party feeling aggrieved by
the decision of the mayor or aldermen, shall have the right to appeal
to the circuit court of Marshall county in the same manner and on the
same terms, and subject to the same limitations, as appeals are now
allowed from the judgment of a justice of the peace.  And in any case,
not civil, in which a fine exceeding five dollars, or imprisonment in
the county jail, shall be imposed, the person against whom such
judgement is, shall have the right to appeal from such judgement to
the circuit court of said county, on the same terms and subject to the
same limitations that appeals are now allowed to said court from the
judgement of a justice of the peace.  But in all cases of appeals,
other than for fines, the mayor or aldermen shall fix the penalty in
an appeal bond to be entered into by the appellant with good security,
conditioned that the said appellant shall, in case such judgement or
license be affirmed, abide by and perform the same.
     -The sergeant of said town shall in all criminal cases, as well
as in the service of warrants and execution of writs of fieri-facias,
have the same powers, duties and fees, and be subject to the same
penalties that are prescribed by law for constables in similar cases,
and shall give bond, with good security, in a penalty to be approved
by the council and payable to the town of Moundsville, conditioned
for the faithful discharge of the duties of his office, and may, with
the consent of the council, appoint one or more deputies.
     -For the purpose of carrying into effect the police regulations 
of said town, the town shall be allowed the use of the county jail for 
safe keeping and confinement of all persons who shall be sentenced to
imprisonment under the ordinances and laws of said town, and all
persons so confined shall be under the charge and custody of the
sheriff of said county, who shall receive, keep and discharge such
persons in such manner as shall be prescribed by the ordinances of
said town, or otherwise shall be discharged by due course of law.  
But the town shall in all cases be liable to the sheriff for the fees and
expenses so incurred.
     -The council of said town shall have power to tax dogs, and
subject them to such regulations as the council may deem proper.
The council of said town shall have power and authority to
change the streets and alleys, and to lay off and open additional
streets and alleys in any part of said town, upon making just
compensation to the owners of lots or ground taken for such purpose
or affected thereby; and also to sell and convey in fee any street or
alley which said council may deem of no public utility.

                      THE FIRST TOWN OFFICERS.

     The first town officers elected after the consolidation of the
towns, at an election held on the fourth Thursday of May that year,
as prescribed in the act, were as follows:
     Mayor---Robert McConnell.
     Clerk and Treasurer---H. W. Hunter.
     Councilmen---Wm. L. Roberts, Wm. Allum, W. K. Wade, Morris
Rulong, Richard Shadduck and J. P. Shimp.
     Sergeant---David Brantner.
     At a regular meeting of the council, held Dec. 20th, 1867, the
following resolution was passed:
     Resolved.  That the committee on ordinances be instructed to
draft an ordinance dividing the town into wards.
     The following ordinance was then drafted.
An ordinance for dividing the town of Moundsville into wards, and
for other purposes.
     Sec. 1.  Be it ordained by the common council of the town of
Moundsville, That that part of the town formerly called Moundsville
shall constitute the First Ward, and shall be represented by three
members in the town council.
     Sec. 2.  That part of the town adjoining the above and extending
north to E street, shall constitute the Second ward, and shall be
represented by two members in the town council.
     Sec. 3.  All that part of town lying north of E street shall 
constitute the Third ward, and shall be represented by three members
in the town council.
     Sec. 4.  And be it further ordained, That at the annual election
for mayor, two aldermen, sergeant and eight members of the common
council, the polls shall be open at the Latrobe House, in the First ward,
for the voters of Clay district, and also at the court house for the 
voters of Washington district, including the second third wards, and
the council shall appoint two inspectors of election for each voting
place.
     Sec. 5.  Be it further ordained by the Common Council of the town
of Moundsville, that the regular meeting of the council shall be held on
the first and third Fridays of every month throughout the year, at such
place as the council shall, from time to time, fix, at its regular 
adjournment or otherwise.  His honor, the mayor, shall preside at all
council meetings, and whenever he deems it necessary may call a
special meeting, and in case of his absence the council may appoint one
of their number to fill the chair pro tempore.
     Sec. 6.  Be it further ordained, That a majority of the members of
the council being present shall constitute a quorum to do business.
     Sec. 7.  Be it further ordained, That unless otherwise provided
therein, all ordinances passed by the council shall commence and be
in force from and after their passage.
     Sec. 8.  Be it further ordained,  That the mayor, councilmen,
aldermen, sergeant, clerk of the common council or any other officer
appointed to any office in this town, each and every one of them shall,
before proceeding to exercise the functions of their respective offices,
take the accustomary oath prescribed by law, which oath may be
administered by any officer authorized to administer oaths in the
corporation.
     Sec. 9.  Be it further ordained, That there shall be appointed
annually by the council, a clerk of said council, who shall, in addition
to the oath prescribed by law, take the following:
"I _____ do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will well, truly and
impartially, to the best of my ability and judgement, perform the
duties of clerk of the council of the town of Moundsville; that I will
carefully keep and preserve all the books, papers, records and other
documents appertaining to said office, which may be committed to 
my charge, so help me God."
     Sec. 10.  Be it further ordained, That the common council shall
be present at all meetings of the council at its respective meetings,
draw all orders on the treasurer, and countersign them after having
been signed by the Mayor, and attend to all other matters appertaining
to the office of clerk of the common council, for which service so
performed, the council shall pay him a salary as they may direct.
     Sec. 11.  Be it further ordained, That the common council of the
town of Moundsville shall, at their first regular meeting, or as soon
as possible thereafter, appoint a superintendent of roads, streets and
alleys, whose duty it shall be to see that the streets, alleys, pavements,
sidewalks, gutters, bridges, etc., are kept in good repair, and be here-
by empowered to perform said duty; the council shall appoint at the
same time, of their number, three members, who shall act as a sanitary
committee for the town, whose duty it shall be to see that the regulations
for the health of the town, as hereinafter provided, are duly carried into
effect, and to suggest any new measures to the council they my deem
necessary to insure the health of the town; the council shall further
appoint at the same time, of their number, three members as a committee
on ordinances, whose duty it shall be to suggest any new ordinances, or
amendments to ordinances they may deem necessary for the preservation
of the good order, peace and prosperity of this town; each of the above
committees to report to the council from time to time, the result of 
their doings.
     Sec. 12.  Be it further ordained, That each of the aldermen of this
town shall, before proceeding to exercise the functions of his office;
take the oath of office as prescribed by law, and enter into a bond in
the penalty of five hundred dollars, payable to the town of Moundsville,
for the faithful performance of his duties; said bond to be subject to
the approval of the common council, &c., &c.

             THE PRESENT OFFICERS OF THE TOWN OF MOUNDSVILLE.

The common council is composed of the following named gentlemen:
     Mayor---L. B. Purdy.
     Aldermen---B. T. Meighen and W. C. Criswell.
     Sergeant---J. L. Hanen.
     Council, First Ward---W. J. Purdy, Adolphus Weidebusch and
     S. R. Hanen.
     Council, Second Ward---D. L. Logan and S. W. Dix.
     Council, Third Ward---F. W. Brown, G. W. Evans and J. A. Ewing.

                            COUNTY BUILDINGS.

     The first improvement made after the formation of Marshall county
was the erection of a jail, which was built early in 1836.  It was a small
but substantial building.  Its dimensions were 39 x 20.  Built of brick
and gray sandstone.  The stone was quarried at Kate's Rock.  The walls
were three feet thick and the cells lined with heavy sheet-iron.  The
court held its sessions here until the completion of the court house.  On
Monday, June 20, 1836; the first court convened in this structure.
     The old court house was erected in 1836, by Elisha Linsey.  It was
fifty feet square, and built of brick.  It was two stories high.  Located
very near the middle of the public square.  Court was held on the
first floor, and the second floor used for jury rooms.  It cost the county
$4,200.

                        NEW COURT HOUSE AND JAIL.

     In 1875, the county commenced replacing the old court house
and jail by erecting new ones, and in 1876 they were completed and
ready for occupancy.  The court house is one of the finest and neatest
county buildings in the state of West Virginia.  
     It is located near the center of the public square, and presents a
commanding appearance.  The building is of brick and the outside
walls are twenty-seven inches in thickness.  These walls rest on
solid masonry four or five feet high, of the best of stone.  There is a
large hall running through the center of the building on the first floor,
measuring about nine feet at the lower end.  In front, as you enter, 
there is a large recess and on either side of this is a winding stairway
leading into the court room on the second floor.  the first floor is
divided off into eight neat offices, and are occupied by the county
officials.  The ceilings in the lower rooms are sixteen feet high.  There
is also a stairway in the back end of the building leading into the court
room and jury rooms.  Both clerks of the court are supplied with a 
vault each leading from their offices, for the security of books and
papers.  These vaults are 19x16 feet.  The walls are twenty inches
thick and lined with a wall of fire-brick nine inches in thickness, with
an air chamber of six inches between wall and wall.  The floor is four
feet in depth, graveled and grouted, with a smooth cement floor
covering that.  Over head there are three large iron girders or joist.
Between each and from the outer walls are arches made of fire-brick
nine inches thick, over which there is placed about sixteen inches of
sand and lime core, reaching almost to the floor of the court room.
Immediately below the ceiling there are four iron rods extending
lengthwise to support the walls.  These vaults have double iron doors
with combination locks.  In these vaults papers and books are perfectly
safe from fire and burglars.  
     The court room up stairs is furnished in the most modern and
approved style.  The seats, which are iron-trussel and of walnut and
ash, commence with a gradual ascent until reaching the other end of
the room, and will seat about six hundred persons.  The ceiling in the
court room is twenty -six feet high.  Besides the court room there
are three jury rooms, one witness room and the judges' rooms.  The
furniture was purchased of a firm in Richmond, Ind., at a cost of
$4,500.  The court room is heated with two furnaces.  In front of 
the building on both sides are two towers, rising above the roof
some distance.  These are seventy feet in altitude, and are beautifully
bracketed and finished on top with sheeting.  The rooms throughout
are carpeted in matting.
     Judge J. H. Dickey held the first court in it December 27, 1876.
     The sheriff's residence is two stories high and measures 44x32.
It is built of brick also.  The jail part is attached to the building, in
rear of residence.  The cell part is 28x35, and the corridors 12x28.
The water closet is 12x14.  It cost $1,200.  It is a good substantial
building.  There are eight cells completed.  The jail is intended to
contain sixteen persons.  These cells are made of iron and are well
calculated to hold prisoners in security.  It also has a female 
department.  These public buildings are all covered with tin roofs.

                   THE WEST VIRGINIA PENITENTIARY.

     The West Virginia Penitentiary is located in Moundsville, and
is one of the finest and most imposing structures in the state.  In
architecture, magnificent.  It is built of gray sandstone, shipped
from Grafton, Wheeling and Steubenville.
     In the month of July, 1866, they commenced the erection of
this building.  The warden's apartment is 70x70 feet and five 
stories high, including the basement.  To this is added wings, or
cell buildings, the dimensions of which are 180x50 feet each.  The
south wing contains 224 cells.  These cells are seven feet long,
seven feet high and four feet wide.  Each one has a separate ventilator.
There will be 448 cells when the prison is completed.  Ten acres of
ground belongs to this institution, and five are enclosed with a stone
wall four feet in thickness at the base and two at the top, where it is
mounted with brackets and coping, making the entire wall twenty-
four feet high.  On each of the four corners of the wall is a round
tower in which are stationed guards, who from their lofty positions
can see all that passes within the enclosure below.
     The warden's building is also surmounted on each front corner
by round towers.
     The present workshops consist of two brick buildings 240x40
feet, and two stories high.  The other one is 215x40 feet, one story,
and is used as an engine and boiler room, and blacksmith shop.
     There is a reservoir located in the center of the yard, whose 
capacity is estimated at 30,000 gallons.
     The water to supply the building is forced from the Ohio river,
a distance of 3,000 feet, at the rate of 8,000 gallons per hour.
     The number of convicts at present confined is 251.
     The state expended in the erection of this institution, for labor
and material, $363,061.15.
     The present officers of the penitentiary are the following named
persons:
     President---Joseph W. Gallaher.
     Superintendent---Joseph M. Bridges.
     Directors---J. K. Smith, of Taylor county; Thomas Smith of Wood
county; Nathan Goff, of Harrison county; Andrew Wilson of Ohio
county.
     Clerk---Frank W. Brown.

                             SCHOOLS.

     The first school opened in Moundsville in the year 1799, and was
taught by Wm. Ransom, a native of Ireland.  It was taught in a small
log cabin.  From his death, which occurred in 1804, until 1812, there
were no schools.  A man by the name of Greene then opened a school,
but as to how long he continued it the author is not advised.  Hiram
Coffin started teaching in 1826, and run a school for two years.
William Morgan taught during part of the year 1828 and perhaps 1829.
John McCulloch, father of Samuel McCulloch, of Wheeling, taught in
He was followed in turn by Mr. and Mrs. Harris, of Hagerstown,
Md.; Frederick Stevens, of Eastern Virginia; Thornton James, Elisha
Moss, Joseph McClain, Messrs. Carson & Murray, and McKenna &
Chattuck.  These all taught before the free school system.  The free
schools opened in the year 1867, and was taught in the town by 
Messrs. Russell, McFadden, Chattuck, Lorain, Miss Lizzie Finn and
J. W. P. Reid.  In the fall of 1873, the present principal, F. H. Crago,
took charge of the schools.  He was assisted during the first year by
his wife,Messrs. J. F. Parsons and Hanen, and Misses Belle M. Steele, 
Mary Peck and Maggie McGaw.  The following year Miss Emma 
Moore succeeded Mrs. Crago, and Miss M. C. Wallace, Miss Belle
Steele.  In the fall of 1875, the teachers elected were as follows:
     F. H. Crago, principal; S. R. Hanen, assistant principal; Maggie
McGaw, Mary Peck, Lizzie Sloan, India Evans and Ada Wallace, who
continued teaching until the fall of 1878, with the one exception, that
in the spring of 1876, Mr. Hanen resigned his position and Mr. E.
Bonar was appointed in his stead.  The present corps of assistants are
as follows:  Miss S. L. Orr, of Pittsburgh, assistant principal; Miss
Ollie McClaskey, room 5; Cora Myers, room 4; Lizzie Sloan, room 3;
Jennie St. Clair, room 2, and Mary Peck, room 1.
     The school now numbers about 450, with an average attendance
of nearly 400.  The higher branches are taught, and a regular course of
normal training is taken by those wishing to become teachers.  Diplomas
are issued to those finishing the common school course and passing a
creditable examination therein.  The diplomas are signed by the county
superintendent and principal of the board of education.
     The schools bid fair to become better year after year, and with the
proper encouragement from the patrons they will soon be an institution
of which all may feel proud.
     The act of the legislature establishing the schools contemplates 
that the higher department shall be a preparatory school to our best
colleges, and pupils have been and are still being taught in all those
branches necessary to this end when desired.
     The seminary at one time, before the days of free schools, was
in a very flourishing condition; but after the graded school was
established, it soon went down, as the citizens preferred to educate
their children where the cost was least.
     Moundsville may well feel proud of its school.  Under the
management of Professor Crago, who certainly deserves great
credit for his indefatigable labor in bringing them up to their
present standard, the schools have been unusually successful, and
the pupils make rapid progress in their studies.

                            JOURNALISM.

     Before the formation of the county, in about the year 1831,
Dennis Parriott began the publication of a twenty-column sheet,
styled The West Virginian.  The town, at that early day, was not
quite ready for such an enterprise and, in consequence of this, the
publication was soon abandoned.
     A short time after the erection of the county, in 1835, Mr. 
David McLain started the Sentinel, which was also a financial
failure, and lived but a short time.
     The Marshall Beacon then superceded and was first edited by
Archibald McLain, who continued the publication until about 1840
and then sold out to M. M. Blakemore.  In 1850 R. C. Holliday
purchased the office, and several years afterward cut down the size
from a six to a four column folio, and changed the name to Herald.
Mr. Holliday sold out to a couple of young men, after a few years
experience.  They started the Reporter, under the firm name of
Wallace & Co.  In 1871 Hanen & Bonar bought, and took charge of
the paper for a couple of years.  Dawson & Evans followed them, 
and then Evans & Rook, the present proprietors, and under their 
management it is being made a success.
     The National was first started by T. B. Taylor & Co., and then
afterward edited by R. G. Patrick.  Its circulation was very limited,
and was published for a short time and then discontinued.
     J. Remington started a paper in 1872 called the Moundsville
Democrat.  It had a short existence here, and then removed to 
Parkersburg.
     The New State Gazette was started in Moundsville by its present
proprietor, G. A. Creel, in 1874, and has existed about four years 
and is beginning, it is thought, a successful career.

                               CHURCHES.

                     THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH 

     The first Methodist society formed in or near Moundsville, was
organized in about the year 1820.  They held divine worship in an
old log church which was erected for that purpose.  The building was
twenty-five feet square, and had three windows.  The church stood in
the old grave yard northeast of Moundsville.  Little is known of its
history until 1831, any more than the society was composed of 
energetic christians and devoted to the espoused cause.  There were
only about fifteen members when first established.
     In 1831, Rev. Cook commenced his services with them and 
continued for two years, and then Rev. Knox; Rev. J. W. Minor in
1834; Rev. J. Summerville and J. Boyle in 1835; William Summers
and John J. Smyze in 1836; Rev. Moses Tichenell in 1837-8; Rev.
R. W. Lauck in 1839; John Flowers in 1840; B. F. Sedwick and 
John Flowers in 1841; William McFarland in 1842; Rev. William
Summers in 1843; Rev. Peter M. McGowan in 1844 and David R.
Hawkins in 1845.  These were among the early ministers that took
charge over this little flock at the periods indicated.
     In the year 1841, a new church edifice was erected in Moundsville,
and dedicated in 1844.  Built of brick and cost between three and four
thousand dollars.  Its size was 50 by 60; had twelve large windows, and
ceiling eighteen feet in the clear.  The walls were substantially built,
measuring eighteen inches in thickness.  In 1878, the building was
condemned and at present writing is being torn down.  They hold divine
worship now in the free school hall.  They will soon commence the
erection of a new edifice which will be 45 by 75.  Audience room to be
on the second floor.  Sabbath school and lecture room in basement.
Daniel Ross, Samuel Mount and William Night were the first class
leaders.  Hugh Nixon, John List and T. H. List were the first stewards.
The present pastor is Rev. James M. Warden.  Membership 200.

              EPISCOPAL CHURCH----(TRINITY CHURCH PARISH.)

     The first Episcopal services held in this parish were by the Rev.
William Armstrong, who occasionally preached in the court house
between the years 1837 and 1847.  Rev. Mr. West and Rev. Mr. Gray
preached in the court house in the winter of 1841.  On one occasion
the latter clergyman, who was then stationed at St. James' Cross creek
Parish, Jefferson county, Ohio, came from that place on a winter day.  
The snow was descending rapidly and the weather intensely cold the
night he arrived at the house of Mr. Curtis.  On this trip he almost
perished.  He preached, however, according to appointment to a
congregation of four persons in the court house.  A number of families
attached themselves to the church and it increased gradually.  For ten
years services were held at irregular periods in the above named place
and the Presbyterian church.  During that long period the Lord's supper
had not been administered.  In 1849 the Bishop sent a Rector to this
Parish in the person of Rev. William H. Hyland, who remained eight
years as their Rector.
     The building now occupied as a church was erected in 1853, at a
cost of $1,700.  It was consecrated by the Right Rev. Wm. Meade, D. D.,
in the year 1854.
     Among the first members, the following named persons are found;
Mrs. A. A. Curtis, John Thompson, Sarah A. Thompson, Mrs. Ellen
Caldwell, Mr. Isaac Hoge, Mrs. R. M. Hoge, Miss Eliza M. Hoge, Mrs.
Rebecca R. Thompson, Mrs. Nancy J. Nickols, Mrs. Mary Bruce.
     The Rev. Mr. Hyland organized a Sabbath school in the Academy
building, where the congregation held divine worship a short time
previous to the construction of their church building.  In the spring of
1858 their Rector was called to a new field of labor and the Rev. W. F.
M. Jacobs was appointed for this charge.  He remained until 1859 when
Rev. David J. Lee succeeded him.  In 1864, Rev. J. T. Woods took
charge of the Parish, and is at present in charge, having, in 1876, taken
charge the second time.  Present membership numbers about sixty.

                         DISCIPLES CHURCH.

     An organization of this society was effected on December 16, 
1868, with twenty-seven members.  Their pastor was E. Doolittle.  The 
elders were Hanson Criswell and J. B. Colvig.  S. H. Inman, A. Brown 
and J. C. Beam, deacons.  Divine worship was held in Liberty Hall, since 
known as Odd Fellows' Hall.  Under the pastorate of Doolittle, there were 
thirty-nine accessions, nineteen removals by letter, two deaths and four 
removals for disorderly conduct.  Elder White supplied this church for a 
short time.  In August, 1870, the congregation was deprived of a house
in which to meet, and not being able, financially, to build, was scattered
and did not meet again until June, 1873, when a reorganization was 
effected with 21 members.  Since which time they have rented and used
the Odd Fellow' Hall.  Elder S. R. Wilson, was pastor during 1875 to
Since 1877, they have had no regular pastor.  The present officers
are, J. P. Wayman and S. R. Hanen, elders; J. C. Beam, A. Brown
and J. W. Floyd, deacons.
     Since the reorganization, there has been forty-four accessions,
making a total membership at present of about sixty-five.  Social meeting
every Lord's day.  Sunday school at 9 A. M., and Prayer meeting every 
Tuesday evening.

                        PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

     It is now almost a half century since a few trembling christians
who clung to the Presbyterian faith, organized under the direction of
Revs. Weed and McClasky, in Elizabethtown, now Moundsville, in
an orchard near and southeast of where Blake's store stands.  There
were only a few names of them, numbering, perhaps about twelve.
William Cochran, Elijah Clegg, and Cady were elected elders.  Among
the early ministers were Revs. Linsey, Smith and Knox.  In 1837 a
church edifice was erected.  From that time forward the church received
an impetus and has gradually grown into a large and able congregation.
In the year 1871 the church was rebuilt.  They now have a pleasant place
to worship in.  The present officers are as follows:  R. C. Holliday, 
William Calhoon, and John Kile, elders; John C. Simpson, John Clegg,
R. C. Whittingham, and R. H. Holliday, deacons; Robert McConnell,
Joseph Haring and R. C. Holliday, trustees.
     Their present pastor is Rev. J. A. Pomeroy.
     The following are among the more recent ministers that used to 
supply them; Revs. McKenan, Karson, Murry, Gilmore, Wishut, Todd,
Doolittle, and Alexander.
     The membership at present numbers about eighty.

                           CATHOLIC CHURCH.

     As to the exact date of the organization of this congregation the
author cannot definitely ascertain, there being no very reliable source
to depend on.  It is thought by some of its members to have been formed
in about the year 1848 or 1849.  Services were held for several years
after its temporary organization at Major Barry's and also at Mr. Hugh
McGuire's house.  Mass twice a month alternately at these places,
Fathers Braizel and O'Neal officiating.  A church edifice was erected in
the year 1854, by Rev. James V. Cunningham, and dedicated in 1856 by
Bishop Whelan, the first bishop of West Virginia.  The edifice is a neat
brick building 30 x 40 feet, with vestry in the rear.  This church for a
long while remained as a kind of a missionary one.    Rev. J. T. Sullivan,
at present rector of the Cathedral at Wheeling and vicar general of the
diocese of Wheeling, supplied this congregation from 1859 to 1862.  In
1862, Rev. Ed. Delahuntz succeeded to the pastorship, and ministered
for several years, being followed by Rev. D. V. Collins, who is now
assistant pastor of the Wheeling Catholic Church.  Since 1872 or 1873,
there has been no resident minister, but the services have been conducted
by Rev. Keleher, Jos. Mullen, P. F. McKernan and Rev. John Elligott,
from Wheeling.  From 1855 to 1861, the noble Major Philip Barry (so
favorably known by the older citizens of Moundsville) with his 
excellent lady was the most prominent member of the Catholic 
congregation.  The church building was put up at a cost of $1,200.
Present membership, 70.

                    SECRET SOCIETIES OF MOUNDSVILLE.

     Marshall Union Lodge, No. 8,* A. F. & A. M.----This lodge 
received its charter from the Grand Lodge of Virginia and was
organized December 11, 1849.  The following named persons comprised
its charter members and first officers:
     J. W. Ney, W. M.; W. S. Lane, S. W.; Michael Dunn, J. W.; O. G.
Koch, Treasurer; A. H. Smith, Secretary; John H. Dickey, S. D.; J.
Alexander, J. D.; P. McGill, Tyler.
     The lodge was re-chartered after the division of Virginia, and on
November 25, 1868, was re-organized by the authority of the grand
officers of the state of West Virginia.  The charter members and
officers were as follows:
     W. H. H. Showacre, W. M.;  S. G. Martin, S. W.; Harry Cox, J. W.;
Thomas Medford, Treasurer; J. W. Ney, Secretary; E. P. Richardson,
S. D.; R. G. St. Clair, J. D.; Joseph Wallace, Tyler.
     The present officers of Marshall Union Lodge are:
     W. H. H. Showacre, W. M.; T. S. Bonar, S. W.; J. B. McPeek, J. W.;
D. L. Logan, Treasurer; F. H. Crago, Secretary; J. H. Purdy, S. D.; Wm.
McConkey, J. D.; Joseph Wallace, Tyler.
     Membership number forty-three.  Nights of meeting, the first and 
third Tuesdays of each month.  Place of meeting, above the auditorium
of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
     Moundsville Lodge, No. 425, of Knights of Honor.---An organization
of this institution was effected on January 13, 1877, by a special 
dispensation from the Supreme Lodge.  The charter members are as
follows:
     Hanson Criswell, H. W. Hunter, S. R. Hanen, J. Alex. Ewing, W. W.
Evans, A. J. Martin, W. H. Strauss, William Harris, Thomas Finn, Dr. G.
W. Dodd, Dr. W. Z. Phillips, Hugh Harris, J. Z. Hanen, W. L. Bridges,
J. N. Comly, A. X. Shyler, Thomas S. Bonar and Dr. J. R. Davis.
     The following named persons were the first officers elected and
installed into their respective stations:
     Past Dictator, Hanson Criswell; Dictator, H. W. Hunter; Vice-
Dictator, S. R. Hanen; Assistant Dictator, J. Alex. Ewing; Guide, Thomas
S. Bonar; Reporter, W. H. Strauss; Financial Reporter, William Harris;
Treasurer, Thomas Finn; Chaplain, W. W. Evans; Trustees, Hugh Harris,
Thomas Finn and J. Alex. Ewing.
     Two motives that prompts its members are:
To unite fraternally all acceptable men of every profession, business
or occupation.
To give all moral and material aid in its power to members of the
order, by holding moral, instructive and scientific lectures, by 
encouraging each other in business, and by assisting each other to obtain
employment.
To establish a Benefit Fund, from which a sum not to exceed
$2,000 shall be paid at the death of each member to his family, or to
be disposed of as he may direct.
To establish a fund for the relief of sick and distressed members.
To ameliorate the condition of humanity in every possible manner.
     Below is a list of the present officers:
     Past Dictator, F. H. Crago; Dictator, James E. Hooton; Vice-
Dictator, Thomas S. Bonar; Assistant Dictator, A. O. Baker; Guide,
D. L. Logan; Reporter, W. M. Warden; Financial Reporter, J. W. Lowe;
Treasurer, A. J. Martin; Chaplain, Jos. Walters; Trustees, Hugh Harris,
Thomas Finn and J. Alex. Ewing.
     At this time they have a membership of forty.  No deaths since
their organization.  Examining physician, W. Z. Phillips.  Meets in
Odd Fellows' Hall, second and fourth Thursdays in each month.
     Mound City Lodge No. 13, I. O. O. F.----The first organization
of this Lodge was under a charter from the Grand Lodge of the state
of Virginia, bearing date October 1st, 1852.  It was known as the Mound
City Lodge, No. 115.  The charter members are as follows:  F. T. Frye,
George Frank, James Arie, M. M. Blakemore and Wm. Lane.
     The following persons were the first officers installed:
     F. T. Frye, Noble Grand; George Frank, Vice Grand; James Arie,
Recording Secretary.
     After the breaking out of the war, there seems to have been no
regular meetings until about the 9th of October, 1865.  The Lodge was
then reorganized, and elected George Edwards, Noble Grand; N. W.
Wurber, Vice Grand; J. H. Sheets, Secretary; and Elijah Clegg, Treasurer.
     The order had regular meetings from this date on, until the 5th of
December, 1865, when the Society was again reorganized under the same
name, but No. 13.  The new charter members were, George Edwards,
N. W. Wurber, John H. Sheets, Elijah Clegg, A. O. Baker and W. L.
Roberts.  Since that time, the order had regular meetings.  The best of
harmony has prevailed and as a consequence, the Lodge is prosperous.
They now own a large two story brick building and have several hundred
dollars in their treasury.
     The present officers are:
     J. L. Parkinson, N. G.; J. Alex Ewing, V. G.; G. W. Evans, 
Secretary; L. B. Purdy, Treasurer.
     George Edwards held the offices of Grand Marshal, Grand Warden,
Deputy Grand Master and Grand Master.
     Number of members, 36.  Meets every Monday evening.
     White Oak Lodge, No. 25, I. O. F.---A formal organization of
White Oak Lodge was made on Wednesday evening, April 3, 1878,
in the court house, in Moundsville by the following named persons:
     W. L. Bridges, J. E. Hooton, A. J. Martin, Thomas Finn, J. A. 
Ewing, James P. Park, A. O. Baker, C. A. Weaver, J. W. Low, W. B.
Umphries, J. L. Parkinson, H. W. Hunter, Adolph Weidebush, Alonzo
Winters, J. H. Baird, Timothy Stilwell, J. A. Gamble, G. W. Dodd,
L. W. Hedrick, George A. Creel, L. B. Purdy and Melvin Jobes.
     The following members were elected, temporarily, to the offices
indicated:
     W. L. Bridges, president; Thomas Finn, secretary; J. W. Low,
treasurer.
     The club adopted the name of Court White Oak, and Dr. Mayer,
R. W. H. C. R. for the State of West Virginia, being present, numbered
the Court in its order, No. 25.
     Another meeting for permanent organization was affected in Odd
Fellows' Hall, Tuesday evening, April 9, 1878, upon the call of Dr. D.
Mayer, R. W. H. C. R. for the State of West Virginia, W. L. Bridges
in the chair and A. O. Baker, recording secretary.
     An election was had for permanent officers, which resulted as
follows:
     W. L. Bridges, C. R.; L. B. Purdy, V. C. R.; A. O. Baker, recording
secretary; H. W. Hunter, financial secretary; J. W. Low, treasurer.
     The R. W. H. C. R. appointed J. E. Hooton, District Deputy H. C. R.
for Marshall county.  On the 13th of July, 1878, W. L. Bridges was 
elected to represent this Court in the Grand Court of the State.
     An election was held June 8, 1878, and the present officers were
elected for the following positions:
     L. B. Purdy, C. R.; H. W. Hunter, V. C. R..; A. O. Baker, recording
secretary; W. J. Purdy, financial secretary; J. W. Low, treasurer; J. A.
Ewing, chaplain, whose several offices expire on the 31st day of
December, 1878.
     Nights of meeting---every second and fourth Saturday of each month.

                THE WEST VIRGINIA AGRICULTURAL WORKS.

     This corporation, a joint stock company, known as the West
Virginia Agricultural works, is located in Moundsville, and was
incorporated November 23, 1875, for the purpose of manufacturing
and selling farming implements.  The charter will expire in 1895.  The
shares of stock are $100 each.  Its charter members, with number of
shares each, were as follows:
                                 Number of Shares     Value
R. H. Gee,                            30             $3,000
E. C. Thomas,                         40              4,000
J. D. Ewing,                          10              1,000
Wylie Arnold,                         10              1,000
John Jefferson,                       10              1,000
B. W. Price,                           3                300
Jacob T. Cox,                          3                300
John Nixon,                            5                500
R. G. Rosenbarger,                     5                500
H. B. Yoho,                           10              1,000
S. R. Hanen,                           5                500
H. D. Whipple,                        10              1,000
Joseph Harris,                         5                500
J. C. Roberts,                         4                400
                                                   ----------
Making a total capital of                           $15,000
     The main building of this establishment is 150 feet long and 45
feet wide, and was erected in December, 1875, by H. S. White, of
Bellton.  The machinery, engine, cupola, &c., was purchased and
put in place under the management of H. D. Whipple, who also built
a paint shop 45 x 31, engine house, core room and an additional 
blacksmith shop.  In December additional stock was sold to J. N.
Jefferson, three shares; J. C. Roberts, six; David Roberts, five; J. S.
Eakin, five; Wm. Lutes, five; R. J. Zink, five; and in the following
April, B. B. Newman, five; Jacob T. Cox, two; J. S. Eakin, five; J. C.
Roberts, two; David Roberts, five; and H. W. Rook, two shares.  
Making in all a capital of $20,000.  During the year 1876 the Company
engaged in the manufacture of the well known Crawford improved
mowing machine.
     The first board of directors were:
     E. C. Thomas, President and Treasurer; J. D. Ewing, Secretary;
John Jefferson, R H. Gee, and Wylie Arnold.
     At the January election of directors the number was increasing to
seven, and J. C. Roberts and David Roberts with the first elected
members constituted the board for the year 1876, with E. C. Thomas,
President; J. C. Roberts, Secretary and Treasurer.  The present board
consists of nine members, constituted as follows:
     S. R. Hanen, President and Superintendent of Works; H. W. Rook,
Secretary, and J. C. Roberts, Treasurer; E. C. Thomas, Joseph Harris,
David Roberts, Wm. Lutes, John Nixon and John Jefferson.
     In November 1878 the capital stock was again increased $5,500,
being now over $25,000.  The works have connected with them a very
fine foundry, where all kinds of castings are made.  The principal work
in which this company is engaged is in the manufacture of the Crawford
Improved Mower, but they do all kinds of jobbing work, building engines,
mill gearing, hot and cold water pumps, coal cars, rolling mill castings
of all kinds, build cast and wrought iron fences, stove castings and
plow points, heating-stoves, and repair all sorts of machinery and do a
general jobbing trade, under the management of John Scott, one of the
best mechanics in the Ohio Valley.  The principal moulder, William
Stoop, has no superior in his department.  The hands now employed
in the shops are nearly all stockholders.  These works are shortly to be
enlarged, and supply a need long felt in this county.  The works have
been under the immediate supervision of S. R. Hanen since March 1877.

                    THE OHIO VALLEY IRON WORKS.

     These extensive iron works are located directly opposite the
Baltimore and Ohio railroad depot and immediately on the bank of the
Ohio river.  An organization was effected in 1872, by the choice of the
following officers:
     V. L. Cockayne, president; G. S. McFadden, secretary; H. D. 
Whipple, superintendent.
     The same year of its incorporation, the company erected the present
building, the dimensions of which are 110x160.  The ground upon which
these works are situated was donated to the company by Charles 
Thompson.  The concern is admirably located as to receiving and shipping
facilities, whether by rail or river, and has a territorial domain of some
four or five acres, giving ample room for future enlargement and all other
necessary buildings.  The machinery consists of one nineteen-inch muck
train, one sixteen-inch and one eight-inch guide train, and one hoop mill,
which are driven by a direct acting engine, twenty-four and a half-inch
cylinder and seven-feet stroke.
     Steam is furnished from a battery of three boilers, twenty-eight 
feet long and forty-four inches in diameter.  There are ten furnaces in
operation, eight boiling and two heating.  The capacity of the mill is
ten tons of finished iron per day.  The furnaces consume eight hundred
bushels of coal in each day's run.  Their pig iron is purchased from
Wheeling and Bellaire.  The capital stock invested in these works is
over $60,000.  The aggregated sales exceed $200,000 annually.  This
establishment gives employment to from fifty to sixty hands.  Their
trade is extensive.  They manufacture all kinds of merchant, bar and
hoop iron; supply the Camden Consolidated Oil Company, at 
Parkersburg, W. Va., with oil barrel hoops, the Pittsburgh Barrel and
Stave Company, located at New Martinsville, W. Va., and numerous
small works throughout western Virginia and Ohio.  The machinery
placed in the works cost about $45,000.  The present officers of this
concern are as follows:
     J. W. Gallaher, president; S. T. Hersey, secretary; L. H. Joy,
superintendent.
     Under these officers this establishment is looking up, and great
credit is due these gentlemen for their energy.  The company is
realizing larger sales every year, owing to the good management
of the business affairs.

                               CAMP GROUND.

     These grounds are situated about half a mile north of the town and
is a point of some historic note.  In the year 1850, in the fall, Rev.
Callender held the first camp meeting on the ground, which at that time
was leased for that purpose.  Meetings were held there annually without
intermission for nine years, the last one being held in 1859.  From that 
time until 1867, no meetings were held on the ground.  In that year the
ground was re-leased, and the present Camp Meeting Association was
formed.  From that time until the present meetings have been held, and
generally great success has attended the preaching of the word.  Very
many of the Christians of the surrounding country point to the old camp
ground as the place of their conversion.  The ground has been enclosed
with a substantial paling fence, and is very tastefully decorated.  Large
and substantial buildings have been erected, and the enclosure for the
assembling of the public congregation is beautiful by the planting of
shrubbery, which in a few years will give it a very fine appearance.  All
the houses that have been erected for the past few years are permanent
buildings, and will stand for many years.  The camp meeting may now
be considered an established institution and a part and parcel of the 
town.

                              COUNSELLORS AT LAW.

     Below is given a list of members of the Marshall county bar, at
present residing in Moundsville, and the year of their admission to
practice:
     Robert McConnell, 1834; R. C. Holliday, 1850; J. D. Morris, 1852;
J. W. McCarriher, 1855; Hanson Criswell, 1860; J. B. McLure, 1866;
J. L. Parkinson, 1862; J. E. Hooton, 1868; J. P. Reed, 1868; J. Alex
Ewing, 1871; B. F. Meighen, 1874; N. C. Criswell, 1877; O. L. Holliday,
1877; F. M. Hugus, 1878; Charles R. Oldham, 1878.

                             PRACTICING PHYSICIANS.

     The following is a list of the practicing physicians at present re-
siding in Moundsville:
     J. W. Ney, G. W. Bruce, E. C. Thomas, G. W. Dodd, W. L. Phillips.


                     SUMMARY OF THE BUSINESS OF MOUNDSVILLE.

     The following shows the number of business houses that are now
in the town of Moundsville:
     Eleven dry goods stores; two hardware stores; three tin stores; six
hotels; five shoe shops; two printing offices; two tanneries; one rolling
mill; one agricultural works; four groceries; two drug stores;  two 
flouring mills; one tailor shop; three millinery stores; one feed and
livery stable; three butcher shops; six physicians; eleven lawyers; five
saddle shops; one silver smith; two cabinet shops; three wagon maker
shops; three carpet weavers; one cigar manufacturing shop; six black-
smith shops; four hot houses; one post office; two barber shops; one
marble shop; one school house, and five churches.

                              THE CENTENARIAN.

     Michael Edwards was born in 1767.  In the year 1801 he migrated
from York to Washington, Pa.  Whilst at that place, in 1805, he was
married to Miss Eleanor Cady, a lady nineteen years his junior.  They
had a family of four children, all boys, who are still living, the eldest
is now in his seventy-second year.  He remained in Washington until
1835, then removed to Moundsville.  He learned gunsmithing and
followed that vocation until he advanced to the age of ninety years.
When ninety-three years of age he walked from Wheeling to
Moundsville, a distance of twelve miles in about two hours and a half.
He possessed a healthy constitution and was seldom ever severely
sick, although he frequently exposed himself, never taking extra care
of his health.  His wife, a find lady, kind and affectionate, died in the
year 1858.  Over a half century these two shared each others pleasures
and sorrows---the sunshine and murky trails of life.  His general habit
was to rise and retire at an early hour.  During the most of his life he
seldom slept after four o'clock in the morning.  He comes from a long
lived ancestry, as do most persons who attain great age, his mother
having lived to be upwards of 103 years of age.  He believed he 
remembered the time when the news was heralded through the land of
the Declaration of Independence and the joy and enthusiasm that 
permeated the people and the great pealing of bells that filled the air
with their tones, when it reached York.  Being very young it is thought
he might possibly have confounded this event with the news of the
restoration of peace in 1783.  He heard Washington make a short
address in York, after the war, among other things, he said that there
was likely to be sometime in the future, a war, caused by office-seekers,
that would be worse than the revolution.  His first vote was for 
Washington for the presidency.  He voted for him both times, afterwards
for John Adams.  He died March 17, 1866, at the advanced age of 109
years.  His funeral was one of the largest, and the occasion one of the
most solemn ever witnessed in Moundsville.  He was a kind and faithful
friend, an indulgent and affectionate father, and an upright man in all 
the relations of life.  To the poor he was kind and liberal and many a
penniless beginner, as he started on his voyage to fight the battles of
life has been cheered on by the kind assistance and good counsel of
Michael Edwards.  He was strictly honest and he has left behind him a
bright record and illustrious examples.  Cheerfully he bore his 
sufferings, waiting patiently and trustingly for his release, ever looking
to the author and finisher of his faith.  He passed away
         "Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch about him
          And lies down to pleasant dreams."

                         BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

                          CAPTAIN A. O. BAKER,
a son of John Baker, was born June 11, 1828, in the Round Bottom,
on a farm then occupied by his grandfather, Jonathan Roberts.  His
father died in 1831, when he was three years of age.  In the spring of
1833, he removed with his mother to Elizabethtown.  At the age of
six years he went to live with his uncle at Cincinnati, where he
remained for the most part of fourteen years.  In 1848, he migrated
to Bonharber, Ky., where he was employed by Triplet & Barret, who
were engaged in the lumber business, and remained there one year.
In 1849, he returned to Elizabethtown, and followed merchandising
with his brother Henry.  Thus he was engaged until 1854, when he
received the appointment as Deputy Sheriff for Enos Howard, who
was then sheriff of Marshall county.  He was married to Miss
Elizabeth Kountz, an affable young lady, in 1851.  As the result of
their union, they had a family of four children, viz: Flora V., Frank,
Clara and Ella.  Flora V., the eldest, was united in marriage in 1872,
to Orlando Stevenson, a son of Ex-Gov. Stevenson.  In 1857, our
subject received the appointment of deputy clerk of the court, for 
Judge E. H. Caldwell, and in 1858, he was again appointed deputy
sheriff for Jackson Reed, in which capacity he served for four years,
and at the termination of that time, was elected sheriff of the county.
He served as sheriff until the division  of the state of Virginia, which
which occurred in July, 1863.  When the rebellion broke out he then
received the appointment of provost marshal, for this county, held
that office for about a year, and upon the reception of a commission
as Captain in the volunteer service of the United States, from Gov
Boreman---he resigned his marshalship.  He recruited Company A, 
of the 17th West Virginia Infantry, in this county, and served in that
position till the close of the war, and was honorably discharged with
his regiment in August, 1865.  In 1867, he received the appointment
of warden in the West Virginia Penitentiary, serving four years.  In
August, 1872, after the adoption of the new constitution of West
Virginia, he was elected to the legislature in his native county, by
an overwhelming majority.  He served in the house of delegate two
years.  In 1876, he was elected clerk of the circuit court, to fill an
unexpired term of two years, and was re-elected in 1878, for the term
of six years, which office expires in 1885.  He has been elected to a
number of minor offices at different times in his life; was mayor of
Elizabethtown in 1858-9, and of Moundsville in 1876-7.  He was
also school commissioner for the independent school district of
Moundsville, and drew up the article and received the proposals for
the first public school building built in Moundsville in 1866.  He is an
obliging and accommodating officer, with hosts of friends.

     J. E. HOOTON, prosecuting attorney of Marshall County, was
born in Kingwood, Preston county, W. Va., in the year 1838, and is the
son of Colonel Charles and Ann Hooton.  He was educated in a common
school and studied law with his father at that place.  He served three
years as deputy clerk of Preston county.  In 1861, he emigrated to
Wheeling, where he received a clerkship in the auditor's office, 
remaining about a year.  At the breaking out of the rebellion, he
enlisted as regimental quartermaster of the Fourteenth West Virginia
Infantry.  He was through the entire valley campaign with Sheridan,
and was there when he made his famous twenty-mile ride.  He was
mustered out of the service in July, 1865.  After the close of the war
he located at Littleton, Wetzel county, W. Va., and was for three years
engaged in the mercantile business there.  In 1866, he was married to
Miss Ella E., daughter of George Sawtell, of Short creek, Ohio county.
They have a family of three children, one boy and two girls, all of whom
are still living.  He was admitted to the bar in 1868, whilst residing in
Littleton.  He was assistant clerk of the state senate in the sessions of
1868 to 1871.  He removed to Cameron in 1868 and remained until
April 1, 1877, then settled in Moundsville.  In the year 1870, he took
the census of Marshall county, and in 1876 was elected prosecuting
attorney by a handsome majority.  He is an estimable gentleman and a
good lawyer.

     H. W. HUNTER, sheriff of Marshall county, was born in the city 
of Wheeling, June 7th, 1837.  His parents were Robert and Artimasa
Hunter.  His father removed to Marshall county in 1844, and settled
on a farm.  He received his education in the Marshall county Academy,
under Prof. Shattuck.  In 1859 he commenced clerking for George
Edwards, where he remained until January 1861, when he removed
to Pittsburgh and hired on a steamboat, and made two trips down the
river, as far as Madison, Indiana, and back.  He returned home in May
1861, and engaged with Capt. W. J. Purdy, as salesman in his store,
remaining until July of the same year.  When the war broke out, he
assisted in recruiting company I, Third West Virginia Volunteer
Infantry, and received the commission of Lieutenant.  In 1862 Capt.
W. J. Purdy resigned, and he was then promoted to the position of
Captain.  The first engagement was at McDowell, May 8th, 1862, under
Gen. Milroy, and was defeated.  Joined Gen. Fremont and marched to
Strasburg, in the valley, to cut off Jackson, who was advancing, but he
got ahead of them.  On the 9th of June another engagement took place
at Cross Keys, which continued for three days, and neither party were
successful, Gen. Jackson retired to Richmond and Gen. Fremont with-
drew to the valley, when Gen. Pope took command.  In August 1862,
he was detailed on Gen. Milroy's staff.  He was in Gen. Pope's retreat,
and at the second battle of Bull Run.  In the latter part of that year he
acted as Provost-Marshall of the second division of the eighth army
corps, remaining in that position until 1863, at that time he joined his
regiment at Phillippi, W. Va.  In December they started on what was
known as the Salem raid with Gen. Averill, and finally fell back and
went to Grafton, and thence to Martinsburg, where they remained until
April.  The regiment to which he was attached was converted to the
Sixth West Virginia Cavalry.  He was then commissioned as Major of
that regiment.  He was sent to Beverly, in command of a body of troops,
remaining there until mustered out of service, August 1864.  On the 22nd
of February, 1865, he was married to Miss Jane Edwards.  Their union
has resulted in a family of two children---a boy and a girl.  In that year
he went into partnership with George Edwards in the mercantile business,
which firm continued for nearly four years.  He received the appointment
as deputy sheriff, under Henry Keltz, in 1877, and was elected sheriff the
following year.  His term of office does not expire until December 1880.
He has served in minor offices to which he was elected.  Has always
proved faithful to his trust.

     G. W. EVANS, is a native of Iowa, and was born near Burlington in
1844, and is the son of Walter and Sarah Evans.  His parents emigrated
to Virginia when he was a mere child, and located about six miles east
of Moundsville, near what is now known as Roseby's Rock.  He lived 
with his father until December, 1854, assisting on the farm and attending
subscription schools, (there being no free schools at that time), and then
after the death of his mother, which occurred at that time, he was bound
out to a Mr. Roberts, at the age of ten years.  He only remained with him
one winter, when he went to his grandfather Evans', who was living at
Roseby's Rock.  In 1856, his father married again, and he then went 
back to live with his father.  He enlisted in 1861, and was a member of 
a Company D, First West Virginia Infantry.  Was in the engagement at
Blue's Gapin that year.  In the spring of 1862, he took a commercial
course under Professor Hitchcock, of Wheeling Commercial College.
Married Miss Mary L. Edwards in 1872.  They have a family of two
children, a boy and a girl.  He has followed various vocations.  He is
at present serving as justice of the peace.

     MARSHALL JACKSON, proprietor of Campbell House, Moundsville.
Born in what is called Barnes' Mills, Marion county, in 1819.  His parents
removed to Middletown in the same year.  He assisted his father at cabinet
making.  In 1837, his father purchased a mill on the Monongahela river, at
Fairmont, which he enlarged and improved.  Our subject was married in
1840, to Miss C. J. Hamilton, an estimable lady.   In 1847, his father
deeded the mill property over into his boys' hands---three in number, our
subject being the oldest.  The boys paid their father a stipulated amount
as an income for life.  The subject removed to Cameron in 1857, but
still retained his interests in the mill for several years after that.  He
erected a grist mill at the last named point in the same year he settled 
in the place.  After a residence of five years in Cameron, he moved to
Wheeling, and built a mill there also.  He disposed of his mill in
Marshall county several years afterward.  He engaged in the milling
business in that city from 1862 until 1873, when he sold his interests
there, took up a short residence in Bridgeport, and in 1875 he came to
Moundsville and took charge of the Campbell House, and is now
running a first-class hotel.  He is an accommodating landlord, and his
lady knows how to cater for the wants of the traveling public.

     JOHN L. PARKINSON, attorney at law, Moundsville, was born
at Ryerson's Station, Greene county, Pa., September 3, 1834.  He
removed with his parents, John and Elizabeth Parkinson, to Marshall
county in 1842.  He attended the Waynesburg College, and graduated
there in September, 1858, remaining with R. W. Downing, of that town,
and read law a short time; then going to Cleveland, Ohio, he attended
the law school of that city.  He was admitted to practice in his
profession in 1862.  His father was United States assessor for the First
congressional district for the state of West Virginia, and our subject
transacted the business for him, and  consequently did not practice
law for four years subsequent to his admission to the bar.  In October,
1864, he was married to Miss Mary M., daughter of John Elliott, of
Cameron, W. Va.  As a result of their marriage, they have a family of
six children---four boys and two girls.  His family is identified with
the Presbyterian congregation, whilst he is a supporter of the same.  In
April, 1867, he located at Moundsville and began the practice of law.
He has twice been elected prosecuting attorney, and a third nomination
was tendered him, which he declined.  He is a stockholder and a director
in the rolling mill at this place, also attorney for the same.  Is mostly
employed in all the important cases in court.  He is strictly temperate,
a fine lawyer and a gentleman.

     G. W. DODD, M. D., druggist, Moundsville, was born near Beeler's
Station, April, 1842, and the son of George and Mary Dodd.  He attended
the Franklin College for nearly four years, then took a course of lectures
at Cleveland and Cincinnati, and finally graduated in the Physico Medical
College in 1873; then removing to West Middletown, Pa., engaged in the
practice of medicine.  In 1875, he migrated to Strasburg, in the 
Shenandoah valley, practicing medicine there one year, and then came to
Moundsville, where he has been practicing ever since.  In August he
engaged in the drug business in connection with his practice.

     LEWIS B. PURDY, miller, was born in Moundsville, May 3rd, 1841.
His parents were Simeon B. and Jane Purdy.  He enlisted in July, 1861,
in Company I, Third West Virginia Infantry.  Was engaged in all the
West Virginia battles and went through the second Bull Run fight.
Served three and a half years in the army.  He assisted in the recruiting
of his company and was commissioned 2nd lieutenant, and afterward
promoted to captain.  When he returned home from the army he 
engaged in various vocations until about 1873, when he rented the Mound
City Mills, and in the year following purchased two-thirds interest in it.
In 1867 he married Miss R. V. Lindsey.  Their family consists of three
children.  He is at present holding his second term as Mayor of
Moundsville.  He is a member of the Disciples congregation.  In November,
1878, he became sole proprietor of the Mound City Mills.

     JOHN SCOTT, a native of Norristown, Pa., was born in the year 1830.
Remaining with his parents until fourteen years of age, when he learned
the machinist and engineering business at Pittsburgh.  In 1847 he went 
on the river as an engineer, engaging in that for about three years.  He
quit the river and worked journey work for Phillips and Co., and after-
wards for Sweeney & Son, acting as foreman under their employ for
eighteen years.  In 1867, he migrated to Moundsville and is now engaged
in the agricultural works, in which he has an interest.  He was married
to Miss Elizabeth Dunn, in 1853.  Has only two children living.  His
family belongs to the Presbyterian church.  In 1861-2 he was elected a
member of the City Council.  At present he is school commissioner of 
the agricultural works.

     S. R. HANEN, was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, in 1839, and
removed with his family to Washington county, Pa., in 1840.  He
remained there until he reached his twentieth year when he emigrated to
Marshall county, W. Va., locating in Glen Easton, and engaged in school
teaching until 1861, then he enlisted in Company I, Third Regiment,
West Virginia Infantry, serving in the infantry two years, and was then
transferred to the Sixth West Virginia Cavalry.  He received a wound at
Ashby's Gap, in the foot, which crippled him for some time and is not
entirely free from the effects of it yet.  In 1864, he was commissioned
second lieutenant of Company D, same regiment.  In 1865, he was
appointed provost marshall of the second brigade, second army division
of West Virginia, acting aid-de-camp to Colonel Higgins, commanding
brigade.  Served also in the same capacity with Colonel Lightburn.  He
was promoted to first lieutenant.  He commanded the guard at the trial
of the conspirators in Washington city.  He resigned in July, 1865, at 
Fort Leavenworth.  When he returned he engaged in school teaching in
Marion county, W. Va., where he remained something over a year, and
came back to Marshall county, employed in farming and school teaching
for several seasons.  In 1872, he was elected school superintendent for
the county.  Was for a couple of years publisher of the Moundsville
Reporter, under the firm name of Bonar & Hanen.  He disposed of his
interest in the summer of 1874.  In 1864, he was united in marriage to
Miss Margaret J. Titus, who died that same year.  In 1868, he was
married again to Miss Elizabeth A. Titus.  They have one child living.
He is president, superintendent and one of the directors, and also book-
keeper of the West Virginia Agricultural Works.  He taught school in
Moundsville about three years.  He is identified with the Disciples
Church.

     J. R. CARNEY, architect and engineer, Moundsville.  Born in the
above named town, September 26, 1853.  He is the son of James and
Susan Carney.  He invented the design for the jail at Moundsville.  He
has engaged in this business for several years.  Is at present employed
on a design for the extension of the capitol at Charleston.  He also 
follows civil engineering.

     REV. J. M. WARDEN was born in Marshall county, W. Va., June
20, 1833.  Educated at West Alexander, Washington county, Pa., where
he attended school about three years.  He was married in 1856 to Miss
Joanna Carman.  They have a family of seven children.  He was ordained
as Deacon in the Methodist church, at Fairmont, March 22, 1863, by
Bishop T. A. Morris; and ordained as an elder, March 25, 1866, by Bishop
D. W. Clark, Morgantown.  He is the present pastor of the Methodist
Episcopal church of Moundsville, and a member of the West Virginia
Conference.

     H. W. ROOK.---The subject of this sketch was born in Pittsburgh,
Pa.  At an early age, he was apprenticed and learned carriage making,
but as this was not congenial to his liking, he secured a position in the
mercantile job printing establishment of Barr & Myers, and learned all
the branches in the art of "preservative of all arts."  He received a
public school education, and improved his leisure hours in patient study
when his day's work was accomplished.  For two years he was on the
corps of the Evening Chronicle, and in the winter of 1866, emigrated to
Fairmont, W. Va., and in the summer to Moundsville, where he conducted
the editorial columns of the National, for the Marshall County Publishing
Association, where he continued until the fall of 1868, when he married
Miss Eliza R., daughter of Capt. D. Roberts.  In the following spring, he
formed a partnership with Mr. C. M. Shinn, in the purchase and publication
of the West Virginia, at Fairmont.  After remaining there three years, he
disposed of his interest and returned to Moundsville, purchasing an
interest in the Reporter with Mr. W. W. Evans in 1873.  New type was
purchased and the improvement of the paper commenced.  Shortly after
doing so, business increased so rapidly, that it was deemed expedient to
supercede the old style hand press by more modern inventions, and
accordingly a large cylinder press and two "jobbers" were added to the
establishment.  The wisdom of doing these things proved correct, for
soon the Reporter was on a solid basis, receiving a hearty support, in a
field where its predecessors had pined and died after a short existence.
After a short life of wedded bliss, death took his wife in its cold 
embrace, and in 1876, he married Miss Fannie B. Davis, of Marshall
county.  His father Frederick G. Rook, was a native of New York, and
his mother, Clarissa J. Campbell, of Scotland, came to the America at
the age of twelve years, with her father and family.  In 1874, he was
brought prominently before the public as a republican candidate for
congress, from the first district of the state.

     WILLIAM W. EVANS, senior editor of the Moundsville Reporter,
is a son of Rev. Walter Evans, and was born in Marshall county in 1851.
The first twelve years of his life was passed on a farm.  In 1863, his
father moved to Moundsville, having been selected recorder of the 
county.  This afforded better opportunities for schooling, which was 
improved and a liberal education was acquired by W. W. Evans.  In
In 1867, he was apprenticed to the printing trade in the National office.
Having completed his trade, he went to Waynesburg, Pa., where he
attended college several terms, and having but little encouragement in
this, he abandoned the idea of completing a collegiate course, and re-
turned to his former home, and was employed on the Reporter by Bonar
and Hanen.  By industrial and frugal habits he was enabled to purchase
the paper in 1873, and in the fall of the same year, H. W. Rook was
taken into the paper as a partner.  In April, 1874, he married to Miss
Mary Webb, daughter of W. T. E. Webb, Esq., of Waynesburg, Pa.  In
1876, he was elected a member of the town council and served as city
clerk.  In 1867, he became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
since which time he has held an official position in said church, having
been chosen as leader of class No. 2, besides occupying other positions
of trust and responsibility in the same.

     W. L. BRIDGES, superintendent of the West Virginia Penitentiary,
is a son of Wm. M. and Mary E. Bridges, and was born in King and
Queen county, near the banks of the Rappahannock river.  His father
taught school and practiced law for a livelihood.  At the age of eight
years his mother died and he was taken by an aunt to raise, who lived
near Richmond, where he lived until eighteen years of age, during
which time he had attended the Fleetwood Academy of that county.
In 1852, he migrated to Baltimore, Md., and clerked between one and
two years in a wholesale clothing house,  He then went to Augusta, Va.,
a short time and taught a school.  In 1854 he removed to Mercer county,
where he remained for several years teaching, and whilst there formed
the acquaintance of an estimable young lady, Miss Rebecca J. Thompson,
and they were united in wedlock.  When the war broke out he enlisted into
the service on the Confederate side and served during the war.  He held
the position of first lieutenant and was then promoted to captain.  In the
years 1867, '68 and 69, he was engaged extensively in the mercantile
business, running a line of stores from Bland to Wyoming county, W. Va.,
a distance of about one hundred miles, having six establishments in 
operation, with a capital stock invested of over $15,000.  He was elected
to the legislature from Mercer county in the year 1871 and re-elected in
1872, and upon his appointment to the superintendency of the West 
Virginia Penitentiary, April, 1873, he resigned his position.  In 1875 he
was reappointed, and again in 1877, for the same.  He has an interest 
in the Boone Mining, Mineral and Railroad Company, running through
Mercer and Summers counties.  He has a family of three children.

     Wm. McCONKEY, manufacturer and dealer in tobacco and cigars,
Moundsville.  Born in Fetterman, Taylor county, W. Va., in May 1856.
Emigrated with his parents to Moundsville, in 1867, and hired on a farm
for two years, and then engaged in the cigar and tobacco business.  He
married Miss Flora M. Lee, of his native town, on July 4th, 1878.  He
manufactures the McConkey's celebrated seed stogies.

     G. C. GORDON, Miller.  Born in Wellsburg, Brooke county, Va.,
February 14th, 1830.  He is a son of David and Elizabeth Gordon.  He
removed with his parents near Lockwood's Landing, in 1842, where 
he worked with his father on a farm until he reached the age of twenty
years.  He learned milling, on Captina creek, Belmont county, Ohio, in
1851, after which time he led a migratory life until the rebellion broke
out, and then he enlisted, in 1864, and was commissioned First 
Lieutenant of company C, Seventeenth Ohio National Guards, serving
six months.  In 1866, he migrated to Moundsville, and rented the River
Shore Mill for a short time, then purchasing the same, which he has had
in possession ever since.  In 1870 he was married to Miss Judith Burch.

     D. L. LOGAN, dealer in furniture, undertaking a specialty,
Moundsville.  Born near Adamsburg, Sept. 16th, 1836.  When he was
but six years of age his parents removed to Wheeling, where he lived
until 1865, then he located at Moundsville, and engaged in the furniture
and undertaking business, having learned his trade with William Seamon.
In 1856, he married Miss N. J. Burton, of Pittsburgh.  They have a family
of seven children---four boys and three girls.

     RICHARD FARREL, dealer in hardware, Moundsville.  The subject
of this sketch was born January 25, 1853, at Lebanon, Monroe county,
Ohio, and emigrated to Moundsville in 1871.  In 1877, he was united in
marriage to Miss Mary, daughter of George Edwards.  They have one
child.  He has never aspired to office and has repeatedly declined to be
a candidate.  He carries a fine stock of hardware, having about three
thousand dollars invested in goods all the year round.

     J. W. NEY, M. D., was born near Columbiana, Columbiana county,
Ohio, October 8, 1817, and was educated in Salem, Ohio.  Commenced
reading medicine in Minerva in 1835, where he remained one year and
then removed to East Fairfield, same state, and completed his study with
Sylvanus Fisher, after which time he attended Willoughby Institute one
term.  He subsequently practiced with his preceptor for four years.  He
emigrated to Moundsville in September, 1844.  In 1840, he married Miss
S. K. Wallahan, who died in 1843.  He formed the acquaintance of Miss
Mary J., daughter of S. P. Purdy, and was married to her in 1846, she
only survived two years, when death clasped her also in its cold embrace.
He married the third time to Miss Mary J., daughter of H. J. McClean,
in 1849.  He was the father of several children, but one only is living.
He is the oldest practicing physician in the place, and has been a 
remarkably successful one.  His general courtesy as a man, and his
ability as a physician, has won for him a host of friends.

     REV. JOSEPH A. POMEROY was born in Lawrence county, Pa.,
and educated at Jefferson College, Canonsburg, Pa.  He was licensed
to preach in 1849.  Ordained in April, 1850.  Preached in Fairview
twenty-two years, and is now pastor of the Presbyterian Church of
Moundsville, W. Va.

     J. ALEX EWING was born October 11, 1845, on the waters of
big Wheeling creek, in what is called Sand Hill district, in the county
of Marshall, and state of West Virginia (then Virginia); lived on the
farm with his parents, William and Martha Ewing.  At the age of
fifteen years his father died, and the late civil war coming on his two
oldest brothers then at home went into the federal army.  On their
return, in 1865, he left home and joined his eldest brother, J. Dallas
Ewing, in the county of Wetzel, in this state, who was then practicing
law at that bar.  After clerking some months in a store in which his
brother was a partner, he attended an academy for three months.  In
the year 1866, they removed to Catlettsburg, Ky.  There again his
brother engaged in merchandising, and he again entered the store as
salesman.  In the year 1868, his brother closed out his store and 
removed to this place early in the year.  In May of that year he returned
here to his native county and commenced the study of law, and was
admitted to practice in 1871, and has been engaged in the practice of
his profession in this and adjoining counties ever since.  In May, 1876,
he was elected a member of the city council for the second ward of
Moundsville, and in the fall of that year (on the resignation of Captain
O. Baker, as mayor,) was appointed mayor to fill the vacancy, and
in the spring of 1877 and 1878 was re-elected a member of the city
council from the third ward, and during those three years has been
annually employed and appointed by the city authorities as city
solicitor, and on October 8, 1878, was elected a member of the state
legislature for the county of Marshall for a term of two years.  He was
married May 14, 1872, to Miss Mary V. Blake, daughter of William
and Ann H. Blake, of Moundsville.  They have a family of five
children, one boy and four girls.  Is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church.  He is a promising young lawyer, and with his
integrity to clients and his affability to all he is making rapid progress
in practice.

     CAPT. DAVID ROBERTS, the fifth son of Jonathan and Rebecca
Roberts, was born near Moundsville, Marshall county, West Virginia,
January 1, 1801.  His father was a native of Virginia, and was born in
Culpeper county, in the year 1756.  He migrated to Oldtown, Maryland,
in 1780, and in 1787 came to this county, locating in Davis' settlement.
He raised a small crop the same season, but owing to the hostilities of
the Indians and their depredations on the whites, was driven back as
far as Red Stone on the Monongahela river, taking refuge in a memorable
fort situated there.  He returned however in a short time and resided here
until his death.  He passed quietly and peacefully away in 1827, with a
blessed hope of an abundant entrance into "that building not made with
hands eternal in the heavens," at Round Bottom, aged seventy-two years.
     The subject of this sketch engaged in farming with his father until
he advanced to his eighteenth year, then went to keel-boating on the
Ohio river in the summer season, and in winter was employed at clearing
land for about three winters.  In the spring of 1821 he built a flat-boat
and made a trip down to New Orleans, taking with him a cargo of produce
which was disposed of advantageously.  The trip was made in five months.
In the spring of 1822 he took passage on the Manhattan, commanded by
Capt. Story, the third boat that ever came up the Mississippi.  They were
twenty-two days coming from New Orleans to Louisville.  From the 
latter place he took voyage in the Rufus Putnam, and reached home ten
days later.  He followed keel and flat-boating from 1822 to 1831, and
in that year built a steamboat at a cost of over $4,000.  He ran it down
as far as Tennessee, and made trips up the Hatchee river for one season,
and brought her back in the fall of 1832, and after his return he was
united in wedlock to Miss Ann C. McClane, a resident of Wilmington,
Delaware.  He left his wife and went up to Wheeling, just as the cholera
broke out there lying anchored for three days, and when loaded with
merchandise, started for the lower country, but was impeded on his
course by the cholera at Louisville, where they lost two of their crew.
They were all down with the disease except the subject and his wife.
After they had journeyed southward and near the mouth of the Ohio
river, the Captain took down with the cholera and they were delayed
several days there, in consequence, after which time they pursued their
course down the river about two hundred miles to the mouth of the
Hatchee, and worked on that river until the first of February, carrying
up produce and bringing back cotton; then he started for Red river,
above the raft, reaching the foot of the same on the 15th day of February.
The raft at that time was nearly two hundred miles in length.  It took
them forty days cutting and hauling through, before they reached the 
upper end, where Shreveport now stands.  Roberts, in company with a
McKane, first discovered the big spring at this place, which now supplies
the entire city with water.  From that point they journeyed up to Fort
Townsend, a distance of about six hundred miles---cutting wood through
the day for fuel, to run during the night, and reaching it on the 10th of
April.  Two hundred miles above Shreveport they overtook a keel-boat,
loaded with government freight, flour, whisky, beans and pork, that was
lying there "tide shore."   The crew had all taken sick and were unable to
go any further.  The goods were placed on their boat and carried to the
fort, for which he received $1,000.  He remained at Fort Townsend four
days, then returned, stopping at Long Prairie, situated about four hundred
miles below, taking in the second load for Fort Townsend.
     Here our subject left the boat in charge of his brother, and started,
accompanied with his wife and part of his crew, for home.  They took
voyage on a keel-boat, that was owned and steered by the Indians, and
came down on that boat as far as Natchitoches.  They met Mr. Shreve,
the founder of Shreveport, about sixty miles up the river in the raft, at
a place called Log Bayou, where he was engaged in clearing out the
same, with nearly a hundred men.  The party remained with him for
several days, sharing his hospitality.  Mr. Shreve was two years in
cleaning out the logs in the river.  At Natchitoches the party took
passage on a steamboat about the middle of May.  At this time the cholera
prevailed all along the river and hundreds died with it.  When they 
reached the mouth of Red river they got aboard a larger steamer and
arrived at their destination June 1st.  On the first of September he again
started  back for Red river.  The river at this season being very low he
was obliged to take a flat-boat to Louisville.  He was accompanied with
an engineer.  At Louisville he purchased two horses and with his
engineer started on horseback, through Tennessee to Memphis, crossing
the Mississippi and on to the Arkansas river, crossing at Little Rock,
striking the Red river at Lost Prairie, camping out after leaving Memphis.
On the 20th of October they arrived safely at their destination.  Upon 
their arrival they found the boat sunk.  She had run aground shortly after
he left her and never made a trip after that.  The crew, who had the 
vessel in charge, took sick and deserted it, returning home.  In the spring
of 1834 he loaded his keel-boat with cotton and made a trip to the mouth
of the river, delivering his goods to the owner at that point, and returned
home about the 1st of April.  In the summer of the same year, he built
another steamboat at a cost of  $5,000, styled "The Denmark," and 
navigated up and down the Hatchee river for several years.  He sold that
boat in 1838, and in 1839 the parties purchasing it made a trip up the
Red river and there it sunk near where the first one went down.  In 1839
he and his brother built another one, "The Walker," which they held for
about one year and disposed of it at New Orleans.  In 1840 his brother
died at Randolph, Tenn., and in 1841, the subject got out timber for
another, but it was not built until 1844, and cost $9,000.  It was styled
"J. E. Roberts;" named in honor of his deceased brother.  It was run on
the Tombigbee from Mobile to Cotton Gin.  On the last of May, 1845, 
he returned home with a load of sugar and molasses for Pittsburgh.  In
1846 it was loaded for Red river and run that season from New Orleans
to Shreveport.  The latter place had then grown to be quite a town.  The
distance between these two points is about a thousand miles.  In the fall
of that year he sold his boat to some parties that carried General Taylor
and his men from Red river to the Rio Grande, in the commencement of
the Mexican war, and were the first troops sent from there around.  In
1846 he retired from the river and paid his entire attention to farming,
in which he has been engaged ever since.  He heard the celebrated Davy
Crockett make his first speech at Bolivar, Tenn., in the year 1828, and
remembers well how he looked when he came riding up to the court
house on a mule, with a Spanish saddle, no blanket or any thing else under
him.  He carried a saddle-wallet full of papers to prove, as he said, his
cause, but in the course of his remarks forgot to refer to his papers.  
When he had finished Mr. John H. Bills, who had been listening 
attentively, spoke up as follows:
     "Davy, why didn't you produce your papers to prove your politics?"
     Davy scratched his head a moment, and then in his eccentric manner
said:
     "Every man knows that I am a Jackson man."
     That fall he was elected to congress by a small majority.
     Captain Roberts is next to the oldest male settler born in the county
now living here.  He is seventy-eight years of age, and is yet half and
hearty, with an excellent memory, and bids fair to live many years yet.
He has always been temperate---never using tobacco in any shape.

     WALTER EVANS,  a native of Maryland, was born near Baltimore
city in the year 1815, on the 15th day of September.  In the fall of 1816
his parents removed to western Virginia, now the state of West Virginia,
Marshall county, and as can well be imagined in those days, had hard
times and poor chance for obtaining an education.  He was sent 
occasionally to the country school, taught in a log cabin with but two
windows on either side, and instead of glass the windows were made of
paper.  He always had an inclination to learn, and a love for books,  He
joined the M. E. Church at the age of twenty-one years, under the
ministration of Rev. Joseph Boyls, an excellent young man.  At the age
of twenty-two he commenced teaching school, and taught for two years.
In the fall of 1838 he emigrated to Iowa.  He was married in the fall of
1839 to Miss Sarah Roberts.  In March 1847, with his sick wife and family
of four children, he started to Virginia, where his wife died in the year
1854, with a full triumph of a living faith.  At that time his family had
increased to seven children.  On January 25th, 1853, he was licensed to
exhort.  In January 1855 he was licensed to preach.  In 1855, he married
again, to Mrs. Susannah Hutchison, an excellent woman.  In 1862, he
buried his eldest son who had been killed at the battle of Winchester,
on the Strasburg road.  In 1863, he was elected to the office of recorder,
for Marshall county, being the first under the new state organization, 
and in 1864 was re-elected to that office.  He was elected clerk of the
Circuit Court in 1866, and was re-elected in 1870.  He is at present
engaged in the mercantile business.

     JUDGE WM. ALEXANDER, was born in Ohio county, now West
Virginia, May 10, 1814.  His father, of Scotch-Irish, emigrated to
America, landing at New York harbor, and subsequently settled at
Short creek in the above named county.  His mother's maiden name was
Margaret Davis, who was born in Ireland in 1781.  Joseph Alexander was
married to her in 1803.  She died in 1853, and in 1870, his father died
on the Flats of Grave Creek, in his 90th year.  In the early part of his 
life, our subject followed farming with his father.  Received a limited
education in the subscription schools.  Attended one term in Franklin
College, of New Athens, Ohio.  In August, 1835, was sworn in  deputy
sheriff of Marshall county.  Engaged in the mercantile business in
Moundsville, in 1837, which he followed until 1842, and then went back
again to farming.  In October, 1844, he married an affable lady, Miss
Ellen C. Tomlinson.  He retained the office of deputy sheriff from 1835
to 1852, when the constitution of the state was changed, after which,  he
was appointed aid to Gov. Pierpoint, and served under the restored
government up till 1863.  Was then appointed aid to Gov. Boreman-
colonel of Cavalry, remaining in the service until the close of the war.
Elected to the legislature for two terms, during the years 1864 and 1865.
In 1876, was elected presiding justice of the county, which office he 
still holds.
     In the year 1845, he built where he now resides, on gravel bottom,
one mile west of north from the court house, Moundsville.

                            CAMERON DISTRICT.

     From what little records that are now extant, we are only able to
procure a meager and very indefinite account of the organization of
Cameron district.  It appears the commissioners met at Glen Easton on
the second of September, 1865.  Thomas Wilson's name being the only
one on the book as commissioner.  The name of Luther Rice occurring
in said record as clerk, and it is presumed an organization was affected.
     Borders on the south on Liberty district, on the east on Greene
county, Pa., on the north on Webster district.  It is irregular in shape,
the lines following roads and streams.  The land is hilly, soil is good
and produces excellent crops of grass and grain of all kinds.  This
district is also well adapted for raising sheep.  Many of the farmers are
turning their attention to raising wool in preference to grain, the former
proving the more profitable, with the least amount of labor.  Fine wooled
sheep are preferred to the coarser ones.  This district furnished at the
Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia, 1876, ten fleeces of fine combing
wool, raised by John Ingram, Esq., that received a medal and diploma for
length, fineness and density of fiber.  The district is well watered by 
never failing springs, and several springs such as Upper North Fork Grave
creek, Straight run, Burche's run, French run, and several smaller streams.
The public roads are generally good.  In most cases they are located on
high ground, and where they descend to the streams or low ground are of
easy grade.  The Waynesburg pike leading from Wheeling to Waynesburg,
is located through the northern portion of this district.
     Cameron is watered by Big Grave creek and its smaller streams.  The
surface of the country is hilly but the soil is very fertile and productive.
Perhaps no other district in the county of Marshall contains as many good
farms as this one does.  Its arable acres number 19, 825 and a fraction.
No minerals of any consequence are found here.

                            EARLY SETTLERS.

     The oldest settlers in the immediate neighborhood were Reason B.
Howard, John Ryan, John Welling, Long John Chambers, George Kerr,
James Howard, Abram Mackey and Wm. Cecil.  Of these men R. B.
Howard and James Howard are the only ones living at present.  R. B.
Howard is in his eighty-fourth year.
     The oldest inhabitants at present are R. B. Howard, James Howard,
Samuel Kettle, John Coe, Brice Howard, Joseph Loudenslager, John
Parker, Levi Boyd, Wm. McDonald, John Riley and George W. Byrnes.

                                EDUCATION.

     Since the introduction of the free school system her educational
interests are carefully looked after.  In an educational point of view,
this district will compare favorably with the best.  In 1865 the number
of youths between the ages of six and twenty-one years reached 585.
At present the township has an enumeration of 611 youths.  It has ten
school houses, and employs eleven teachers.  Expends annually for
educational purposes about $2,212.  The valuation of school property
is estimated at $8,000.

                        WEALTH OF CAMERON DISTRICT.

     The following is obtained from the assessor's report.  The value of
land is $327,439; on buildings on the lots, $29,617; and the value of
lots including buildings is $45,167.  This we find makes an aggregate
sum of $402,223.

                                  VILLAGE.

     In this district is found the village of Glen Easton, Loudensville,
Cameron and Rock Lick.  Cameron is the most important of these.
Since the building of the Baltimore and Ohio road these places have
sprang into existence.  Prior to this, so we are informed, the territory
now comprising Cameron district was sparsely settled, and there were
no towns.

                                GLEN EASTON.

     derived its name from an early settler who owned the land upon
which the village is now built.  Lots were disposed of to a few parties
during the construction of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad.  It contains
two dry goods stores, one steam grist mill, one shoe shop and a post
office.

                                  CAMERON.

     This enterprising little village lies in a narrow valley and on 
either side of Grave creek, on the line of the B. & O. R. R.; seventeen
miles east of Moundsville, the county seat of Marshall county, and
twenty-seven miles east of Wheeling, being three hundred and fifty miles
west of Baltimore, Md.  It is acknowledged to be the best business centre
between Wheeling and Grafton.  On both sides of this place rise very steep
hills.  To the south, and up against the base of which the town is built, 
is a mountainous hill, over a hundred and fifty feet in altitude, and 
almost perpendicular in places.  To the north again appears a steep bluff,
debarring the town's expansion in either of these directions.  In fact, the
town now covers all the really eligible land for village property.  Its
trade is extensive, reaching Wetzel county on the south and Pennsylvania
on the east, being the most acceptable shipping point for Greene and
Wetzel counties, east and west.

                                WHEN STARTED.

     The town was not regularly laid out with streets and alleys at first.
Lots were sold by David McConaughey, the original owner of the land,
in parcels and localities to suit purchasers, and the price estimated by
the quantity and locality of the territory desired, until in 1858, when
Oliver and Marshall Jackson, with Dr. S. B. Stidger, bought and laid
our in streets and alleys one hundred and eleven acres on the south side
of the B. & O. R. R., which is known as Jackson's and Stidger's addition
to the town of Cameron.  Subsequently Wm. McConaughey laid out and
numbered a row of lots on the north of the county road and railroad.  The
first building was erected by Wm. McConaughey, for a store-room, in
Mr. Martin Dunlap was the contractor and builder thereof.  The
eastern section of this house is now known as the Corcoran house.
     Goods were sold in this building by him for a few years.  An addition
was made to it when McConaughey removed to the R. R. company's
ware-house, which had been built by one Cameron, the right-of-way
agent for the Baltimore and Ohio R. R., and was the second house put
up in the place.  It was from this gentleman that Cameron received its
name, and who in 1853 took the cholera and died suddenly at
Moundsville, and was carried to Charleston, Jefferson county, W. Va.,
for interment.  He was a very prominent man at the time of the 
construction of the railroad.  Dr. D. B. Stidger built the third house,
which was used for an office, but which has since been town down, and
the hardware store built upon its site.
     In 1855 there were only four good buildings in the place.  Andrew
Clark was the second merchant.  He sold to John Miller in 1864.  In 1869
Mr. Woodburn commenced the mercantile business, and in 1872 Hicks &
McDonald began.  Alexander Black carried on a small dry goods store for
a short time, then went to buying grain and shipping.
     Jacob Rit and John Marshall started the first blacksmith shops in
the village in 1855.

                                SCHOOLS.

     The first school building in Cameron was built in 1854, for both
church and school purposes, the dimensions of which was 20x22 feet.
Samuel Patterson, John Pipes, Lloyd Parkinson and Eli Brant, were 
among the first teachers.  In 1865 a new school building was erected
and the old one town down.  It was built at a cost of $2000, and is a
good substantial house.   In 1878 the board of education bought a
church edifice which is used also for school purposes.  The schools are
in a flourishing condition and the citizens of Cameron are much de-
lighted to know that the children are well provided for, educationally
speaking.
     The two school buildings, both of which are frame, cost about
$3,00.  The schools have enrolled 250 pupils, with a daily average
attendance of 200.  Expends annually for teachers, &c., about $500.
The schools are graded.  Mr. John Lorain, the first superintendent of
the schools of Marshall county was probably the first who taught in
the graded school.

                          THE OLDEST SETTLERS.

     The oldest settlers in the town of Cameron, were Reason B. Howard,
John Ryan, Wm. Gosney, Isaac Hubbs, Isaac Coe, Philip Coe, John
Welling, John Chambers, D. McConaughey, and George Kerr.  In 1851,
all the land lying south of the south branch of Grave creek was in woods.

                              POSTMASTERS.

     David McConaughey was the first postmaster at Cameron village,
having received the appointment under President Pierce.  He held the
office for several years.  In March, 1857, J. R. Bell, received the post
office under Buchanan's administration, and held it until 1861.  E.
Whitemire, was then commissioned postmaster, retaining the office up
to 1865.  In January of the year 1867, M. C. Todd, was appointed by
President Johnson, and filled the office until March 4, 1867, when John
W. Davis, under the same administration, was placed in his stead.  Mr.
Davis has been holding that office ever since.

                                 HOTELS.

     Mr. J. A. Fry, started the first hotel in the building erected by
McConaughey for a store in 1852.  Some time afterwards John Fitzgerald
started a hotel, where Scott now keeps.  In 1873, Mrs. Marling started a
hotel in the property now known as McDonald's, where she remained
until 1875, and then purchased the Fitzgerald hotel, and continued for a
while, and then removed to the present stand.  The names of the present
hotel keepers are as follows.  Scott, Marling, Wells and Cochran.

                            THE FLOURING MILL.

     In 1857, Oliver and Marshall Jackson erected the steam grist mill,
which is still in operation.  Reese, Dunlevy & Co., are proprietors of
this mill at present.

                             STAVE FACTORY.

     This establishment is run by Miller & Boerner.  It was built in
They can manufacture staves sufficient for one thousand kegs
per day.  These works find ready sale for their staves.

                            THE FREE PRESS.

     In 1875 in the latter part of December the first number of a five
column quarto journal styled The Free Press made its first appearance
in Cameron, which was the primitive and only newspaper printed in
the village.  It was printed by J. R. Faulkers but was short-lived.  Mr.
F. issued the Free Press for about a year and a half at a subscription
price of $1.50.  For want of proper support he was obliged to 
discontinue this little journal, which, it is said, was a spicy paper
during its lifetime.

                              SHIPPING.

     As a shipping point for stock, Cameron surpasses many towns
along the line of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad of more than double
its population.  In 1878 over one hundred and seventy-five car loads 
of stock, (principally hogs) were shipped from Cameron.  For passenger
and freight the receipts averaged $1,200 per month.  It is thought that
fifty car loads of grain would not be too large an estimate to place upon
the shipments as an average for each season.  The station agent reports
for the month of February, 1878, alone, the shipping from Cameron of
forty cars of stock, grain, &c.  Although the trade of the town is not
quite as large and extensive as it was several years ago, owing to the
fact that country stores have been started through the territory which
cut off a certain portion of trade from the town, nevertheless the
shipments remain the same with some times increasing proportion.  A
great deal of grain and stock is wagoned to this station from Greene
county, Pennsylvania, and carried here for the eastern markets, and
often, too, from a portion of Wetzel county, shipments are made at
this place.

                             INCORPORATED.

     Cameron at one time was incorporated.  This occurred about the
out-breaking of the war and only remained incorporated for several
years.  It received its charter, so we are informed, from old Virginia.
The village is again making an effort for incorporation, and it is
thought likely to succeed before long.

                    VALUATION OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

     The valuation of public buildings in Cameron, namely: Churches
and school property is estimated at $12,000.00.

                               FAIR.

     The first fair held in Cameron was in the fall of 1871.  It is 
styled "The Western Pennsylvania, Eastern Ohio and West Virginia
Agricultural Society."  Dr. Stidger and Criswell originated the fair and
it was run by them for two years, with very flattering results, clearing
$1,200.00 the first year after paying liberal premiums.  In 1873, Dr.
Stidger sold his farm upon which the grounds were situated, and then
a company of twenty persons took it in hand and one fair was had
under that association.  Since which time Squire Keyser has held two
fairs.  The two first exhibitions paid for the enclosure of the grounds
and the erection of the necessary buildings, which cost $2,100.00.
Other improvements have since been added to the amount of $700.00,
making the total cost of fair grounds $2,800.00
     In connection with the history of Cameron, the following anecdotes
have been related:  There lived a family by the name of Hines near
what is now Cameron Station.  About the year 1788, a bushel of apples
was procured by one of the family in Washington, Pa.  Being thought
considerable of a luxury at that time, they were sparingly distributed
among the members of the family.  A little _____ had finished one and
accidentally choked on the core.  After some time it was relieved, and
through curiosity a member of the family procured the heart seed and
planted it.  It grew to a large tree, and is still standing on the farm now
owned by Mr. David McConaughey.
     The Hines brothers, Joseph, Christopher and John, built a block-
house for defense against Indian depredations.  Near it at one time,
they had a nice lot of hogs fattening for use.  A band of savages
suddenly came upon them and took quite a fancy to them, and asked
permission of the Hines brothers to kill one.  Permission was readily
granted and the Indians assisted by the family soon killed and dressed
the hog.  The circumstance afterwards proved to be of material benefit
to the Hines family.  It was the means of sustaining friendly relations
between them and the savages.
     The following is related of Christopher:  On one occasion he
climbed a poplar tree for the purpose of procuring bees.  He ventured
too far out on a limb; it swung down, and he was unable to reach the
body of the tree.  With great presence of mind he asked his companions
to clear away the stones to give him a soft place to light.  "Clear away
the stones and stones, and never mind the prayers," said he.  The logs
and stones were finally cleared away.  Christopher unlimbered and
reached the ground in safety.  "Now", said he, "If I had waited to pray
there would have been a dead man about here; we must do something
as well as pray."

                             CHURCHES.

                   METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

     The Methodist Episcopal Society at Cameron, was organized in the
year 1854 by Rev. A. A. Reager, pastor of the Grave creek circuit, of
which it continued to form a part for some fourteen years.  The following
named persons were among its earliest members:  George W. Merchant,
Daniel Anderson, William Steele, Joshua Fry and John Marshall.  Services
were held sometimes every two weeks, and frequently only once a month.
It was under the pastorate of Revs. F. Guthrie, William R. Howe, J. L.
Irwin, D. H. K. Dix, T. H. Trainor, R. L. Woodyard, J. A. Kibbee and
R. M. Wallace.
     In the year 1868, it became a station, with one hundred and forty
members, J. P. Farmer being pastor.  Since the time referred to above,
it has been served by the following ministers:  F. M. Hughes, M. Dowler,
H. C. Sandford, T. B. Hughes, J. L. Clarke and A. Hall, the present pastor.
     The first officers of the church after it became a station were as
follows:  Dr. S. B. Stidger, William Clouston, John Marshall and John
Burley, stewards.  The two former, with Dr. John Pipes, were trustees.
     The society, under the pastorate of their courteous and agreeable
minister, is in a flourishing and prosperous condition, with a member-
ship of 250, and a good Sabbath school---the nursery of the church.
Where you find an active Sabbath school, there can also be found a live
church, as is the case in the above church.

                       PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
     
     The Presbyterian Church of Cameron was organized September 23,
1867, by a committee of the Presbytery of Washington, consisting of
Revs. J. S. Pomeroy, Jonathan Crosse and Samuel Graham.  The
following named persons united with the church in its organization, viz:
Mr. Wm. Hosack, sr., Mrs. Nancy Hosack, Mrs. Mary Marling, Mrs.
Sarah Grey, Mr. Gustavus Bowers, Mrs. Mary Ellen Bowers, Mrs. Minerva
E. Davis, Mr. Milton McCuskey, Mr. John B. Kilpatrick, Mrs. Mary Kil-
patrick, Miss Rebecca Fisher, Mr. Martin B. Cummins, Mrs. Clarinda
Cummins, Mr. John Fry, Mrs. Rebecca Fry, Mr. Geo. W. McCuskey,
Miss Mattie McConoughey, Mrs. Ann McConoughey, Mr. Ernest Cully,
Miss Caroline Cully, Miss Nancy J. McCuskey, Miss Elsinda Cummins,
Mr. James Miller, Mrs. Elizabeth Miller, Mrs. Mary Cunningham, Mrs.
Mary McCuskey, Mrs. Mary Pearsons, Mrs. Nacy M. Wallace, Mr. David
Murphy, Mrs. Eleanor Grey, Mr. Samuel Wallace, Mrs. Maria Burley,
Mrs. Susan Murphy, Mrs. Kane, Mr. J. H. Goshorn, Mr. C. C. Turner,
Mrs. A. M. Turner, Mr. Virgil L. McCuskey.
     Messrs. Wm. Hosack, Sr., Gustavus Bowers and George W. McCuskey
were elected ruling elders.  Efforts were immediately put forth to erect a 
church edifice.  The building was begun early in the spring of 1868, and
was completed and dedicated in autumn of the same year, at a cost of about
$3,000.00.  It is a brick structure, fifty feet long, thirty feet wide and 
sixteen feet in height, from the floor to the ceiling.  The interior of the 
building is well arranged, and will comfortably seat about 225 persons.
The congregation has lately taken measures to erect a belfry.
     The first minister of this church was Rev. D. H. Laverty, who 
labored here, half of his time, from January 1st, 1868, until April 1871.
During the two following years the church was without a pastor, but
was supplied occasionally by ministers of the Presbytery, chiefly through
the efforts of Elder J. B. Kilpatrick.  In April 1873, Rev. J. S. Pomeroy
began to labor here a portion of his time, and continued for three years.
On May 1st, 1876, Rev. R. B. Farrar, the present pastor, who is a genial
and scholarly gentleman, began to labor as ministerial supply for this
church, in connection with the Church of Unity.  The church here has
been weakened by the removal of Elder J. B. Kilpatrick and other members,
occasioned by the removal of the R. R. engines and repair shops.  It has
sustained a flourishing Sabbath School ever since its organization.  The
elders are Messrs. Milton McCuskey, Wm. Keyser, Isaac Moose and
Dr. M. R. Boyd.

                         SECRET SOCIETIES.

     Cameron Lodge, No. 17, A. F. and A. M.---This society was originally
organized February 22, 1858.  Upon the petition of the following named
persons: John H. Dickey, David W. Gray, Dr. S. B. Stidger, Solomon Kraus,
John Fitzgerald, John Woodburn and Francis Gray, a dispensation by the
Grand Lodge of the State of Virginia, was granted.  A charter was received
on December 15, 1858, by them from the Grand Lodge of Virginia, signed
by Powhatting B. Stark, Grand Master, and John Dobe Secretary.  It was
then styled Cameron Lodge, No. 180.  In 1863, West Virginia was formed,
and then in the year 1867, a new charter was granted under the new state,
which was dated January 24, 1867.  This was signed by William J. Bates,
Grand Master, and Thomas H. Logan, Grand Secretary, and then re-
numbered 17.
     First officers and members under the charter granted by the Grand
Lodge of Virginia, December 15, 1858:
     John H. Dickey, W. Master; David W. Gray, S. Warden; Francis Turner,
J. Warden; William T. Head, Secretary; John Fitzgerald, Treasurer; William
H. H. Showacre, S. Deacon; John Woodburn, J. Deacon; John W. Allen,
Tyler.
     First officers and members under the charter granted by the Grand
Lodge of West Virginia, January 24, 1867:
     John H. Dickey, W. Master; John Miller, S. Warden; Charles A. Wood-
ward, J. Warden; Martin C. Todd, Secretary; Charles Boenar, Treasurer;
Francis M. Reynolds, S. Deacon; John Kilpatrick, J. Deacon; Sample Parker,
Tyler.
     Present Officers.----James W. Dunlevy, W. Master; Francis M. 
Reynolds, S. Warden; Robert McConaughey, J. Warden; James McCuskey,
Treasurer; Darwin A. Woodburn, Secretary; E. Perry Richardson, S. Deacon;
Josephus Hicks, J. Deacon; Samuel Mellon, Tyler.
     The society has been very successful since its organization.  Every-
thing seemed to work for its good, and nothing to impede its onward
movement in numerical strength and in the accumulation of means.
Today, it has realty to the amount of $3,000.00, and a rental income of
$200.00 per annum.  Membership at present numbers 60.  Since the
organization of this institution, it has initiated about one hundred.  
Meets on the first and third Tuesdays in each month in their Hall.
     Cameron Lodge, No. 36, I. O. O. F.---This society, which has for
its principles "Friendship, Love and Truth," was organized October 18,
The charter members were as follows, viz: W. R. McDonald, Jr.,
J. M. Pipes, David Dickey, J. W. A. Lily, and B. W. Andrews.  The first
officers elected after its institution were for Noble Grand, Capt. J. M.
Pipes; Vice Grand, J. W. Lily; Secretary, W. R. McDonald; Treasurer,
W. Andrews.
They organized in the Mason's Hall, but held the first meeting over
McConaughey's store, and then removed to the Fitzgerald Hall.
     The following named persons are the present officers:
     Noble Grand, P. Willard: Vice Grand, James McCuskey; Secretary,
O. Moore; Treasurer, D. A. Woodburn.
     This body has met with success, both financially and otherwise.  
Its present membership is fifty-one.  Since its formation here it has
initiated about 122, and five deaths have occurred.  The society now
meets in its own hall, which is tastefully furnished.  Lodge property
is estimated to be worth $2,000.  Meets every Wednesday evening.
     Pearl Lodge, No. 427, K. of H.---This lodge was instituted on
the 18th of January, 1877.  The society organized with nine members,
as follows:  M. M. Pipes, J. W. Dunlevy, W. H. Hicks, W. H. Reese,
J. H. Fitzgerald, E. S. Davis, H. Pipes, C. F. Boerner and Dr. M. R.
Boyd.  The following officers were then elected and installed into
their respective places:  Past Dictator, J. M. Pipes; Dictator, J. W.
Dunlevy; Vice Dictator, W. H. Hicks; Chaplain, W. H. Reese; 
Reporter, T. C. Pipes; Financial Reporter, E. S. Davis; Treasurer, C.
F. Boerner.
     The subjoined list shows its present officers:  Past Dictator,
J. M. Pipes; Dictator, J. H. Fitzgerald; Vice Dictator, Isaac Moose;
Reporter, T. C. Pipes; Financial Reporter, J. L. McDonald; Treasurer,
F. Boerner; Chaplain, J. R. Jones; Trustees, J. W. Dunlevy, Isaac
Moose and C. F. Boerner; Representative, J. M. Pipes; Medical Examiners,
Drs. S. B. Stidger and M. R. Boyd.  It has, at this writing, Jan. 1869, a
membership of twenty-five.  Meets in the Fitzgerald hall twice a month,
on Saturday evenings.
     Lodge of the Knights of Pythias.---This guardian brotherhood, the
Knights of Pythias, was organized September 1st, 1873.  The charter
members, petitioning for a lodge here, were as follows:
     John Miller, C. A. Woodward, Charles F. Boerner, W. T. McGhan,
T. C. Pipes, T. L. Davis, Hyder Riley, F. M. Reynolds, J. S. Lemon, J. A.
Fitzgerald, E. W. Fitzgerald, C. H. Mackin, John T. McGhan, A. J. Booher,
M. R. Boyd, and William Collins.
     First Officers.---C. A. Woodward, P. C.; John Miller, O. C.; F. H.
Mackin, S. C. F. M. Reynolds, P.; L. C. Pipes, K. of R. and S.; T. L.
Davis, M. of F.; C. F. Boerner, M. of E.; W. T. McGhan, M. at A.
     The following named members comprise the list of the last officers
elected:
     J. B. Hicks, P.C.; John T. McGhan, C. C.; T. L. Davis, S. C.; 
T. C. Pipes, P.; William M. Nowels, M. of E.; F. M. Reynolds, K. of R.
and S.; D. T. Murphy, M. at A.; Wilford Emery, O. G. 
     Stated meetings on Monday evenings.  Hall in Fitzgerald building.
Membership at present about 20.  The principles inculeated in this
institution are to soften the pillow of its deceased and dying brethren,
and cheering the widows and orphans by assisting them with means for
their support.

                          CAMERON CEMETRIES.

     These grounds were purchased of Robert Crawford, and contain
two acres.  On the 11th of May, 1868, it was incorporated.  The officers
names of this incorporation are as follows:  John Miller, William Franklin,
W. B. Williams, sr., J. B. Kilpatrick, Wm. Hosack, sr.; Josiah Lydick, B.
Parkinson, J. H. Pipes and C. A. Woodward.  This beautiful cemetery is
located at the west end of town.

                        THE SUMMARY OF BUSINESS.

     Cameron contains a population of about 600.  It has four hotels,
four dry goods stores, one clothing store, two tin shops, one drug store,
two furniture stores, four saloons, two saddler shops, three blacksmith
shops, one steam mill, one stave factory, one hardware store, two tailor
shops, one jewelry shop, two shoe shops, four physicians, three churches
---Methodist, Presbyterian and Catholic, three secret societies and post 
office with daily mails.

                            LOUDENSVILLE.

     This village is situated in Cameron District, and received its n
name from a Mr. Louden, the original owner of the site upon which the
place now stands.  It is a very small village, even if it can be called
such.  Contains one wagonmaker shop, blacksmith shop, dry goods
store, a steam grist mill with saw mill attached.  It has a population of
about fifty inhabitants.

                             ROCK LICK.

     Another small place, with a post office, shoe shop, wagonmaker
shop, and one blacksmith.  Population about eighty.  The Cumberland
Presbyterian Church and a school stands adjacent to the village.

                   ROCK LICK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

     In 1866, a small congregation, then being a branch of the Harmony
Church, Jacksonville, Greene county, Pa., erected a church edifice at this
place, at a cost of $2,375.  The house was dedicated on the first Sabbath
in June, 1867.  Rev. A. B. Miller, D. D., preached the dedication sermon.
A permanent organization was effected on the 20th of June, 1868, Rev.  A. 
W. White, delivered the sermon on that occasion.  Revs. P. Axtell, G.
W. McWhorter, J. B. Nail, (now in Japan,) and P. R. Danley have
ministered unto the congregation since its establishment.  Messrs. John
Laughlin, Joseph Snider, J. White, Adam Earlywine, Wm. Keller, James
Buchannon and Mrs. John Parkinson, Mrs. John Laughlin, Mrs. Eliza
Snider, Mrs. Mary Earlywine, Mrs. Jane Keller, Mrs. Margaret White,
Mrs. A. Barney, Mrs. James Buchannon, Mrs. Mary Archer and Miss
Mary Parkinson were the primitive members.  The congregation is a
prosperous and active band of christians.

                  "THE BLOCK HOUSE ON THE FRONTIER."

     On Liberty Ridge, about two miles east of Cameron, stood for many
years an old church building known as the "True Wesleyans," but referred
to oftener as "The Block House on the Frontier," being the primitive church
there.  The building stood on the farm of Mr. Z. G. White.  Nothing now
remains of the church but a little debris scarcely sufficient to mark its
site.  It was built about the year 1848.  Among the first members Z. G.
White and wife, William Clyde and wife, Rachel Clyde; Sarah Jane Clyde,
Benjamin Chambers and Elmer Chambers and wife; Nancy Piles, David
Clyde, Noah White, sr., and wife, Elmer White, Reason and Elizabeth
Riggs, Andrew Murdy, and Mrs. Chambers.  The church building was not
erected until several years after its organization was effected.  Prior to
this meetings were conducted around in private houses among its members.
Rev. William Crooks was the first minister who remained with this
congregation two years.  He was followed by Revs. J. P. Belker, Caleb
Preston and others.
     Mr. Solomon Hendrickson was also one among the first members of
this congregation and who subsequently became an itinerant local preacher.
Whilst engaged in preaching in a church located about a mile from the 
above, was attacked by a posse of enraged men and mobbed as he stepped
from the church door.  He had been showing up the evils of slavery and 
made the remark in the course of his sermon that, "We should do unto
others as we would they should do unto us; and if that was obeyed, it
would destroy slavery."  For this observation he was mobbed.  He
received such internal injuries from the hands of the mob that he died in
three weeks from the effects.

                             CLOUSTON CHURCH.

     The first Methodist Society in what is now called Cameron district,
was organized in 1836, by Moses Tichenell, pastor of the Marshall
circuit, assisted by a local preacher named Edward Dowler.
     The congregation was composed of the following persons:
William Clouston and Jane, his wife; John Ryan and wife, John Tarr and
wife; Mrs. Isaac Coe, Mrs. Philip Coe, Edward Strickland and Elizabeth,
his wife; John Merrical and wife, Zuby Gosney, Silas B. Kittle and Susan,
his wife.
     William Clouston was class leader and held meetings in his own 
house, which was open for preaching twice a month.  Through his efforts,
mainly, a chapel was built in the year 1841, which still bears his name.
It is situated two miles north of the village of Cameron, built of logs
in the old style.  There worships in it a small but active congregation.

     Dr. S. B. Stidger was born December 1, 1830, in Springfield, 
Jefferson county, Ohio.  Educated in the common schools of that day.
Read medicine in his father's office at Moundsville.  In 1851, he located
for practice at Jacob Burley's, near the present site of Cameron, where
he remained one year.  After the closing of the track of the Baltimore &
Ohio railroad, in 1852, he removed to, and built the second house in
Cameron.  On the 12th of September, 1804, he was married.  In 1856 he
migrated with his family to Iowa, where he practiced, in partnership
with his father, for one year.  In 1858 owing to the sickness of his wife,
he concluded to return to Cameron, where he continued to have a large
practice until the breaking out of the rebellion.  At the commencement
of the war he raised a company and was mustered into the service of the
United States army in 1861, was elected Captain, but declined on account
of inexperience, in favor of Captain James Donly, who had served in the
Mexican war, and accepted the position of first lieutenant, serving three
months, the time for which he enlisted.  Under the President's call for
three months men, most of this time he served in the medical department
with detached forces reporting to Dr. Thoburn, then surgeon of the First
West Virginia Volunteer Infantry.  At the expiration of three months the
regiment was re-organized and Dr. Thoburn was promoted to colonel and
wrote to our subject requesting him to go out with him as surgeon of his
regiment.  He then went before the board for examination and passed, and
received the position of assistant surgeon, serving until July 1862, when 
he resigned on account of having been appointed administrator of his
father's estate, before entering the service, and thinking the war would
not last long, when it could be closed up; but finding that it would be
prolonged, and that the estate was losing by parties entering the army
indebted thereto.  He had charge of the post hospital at Cumberland, Md.
He returned from the field to the regular routine of hospital duty.  Since
the war he has had a large practice.  In 1866-7 he attended his last
course of lectures at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia.  In 1868
was elected to represent his county (Marshall) in the legislature.

     M. C. Todd, tailor; born in Ireland, 1829; migrated with his parents
to America, when a mere child; learned tailoring in Pittsburgh; moved
to Moundsville in 1853; married in 1860; removed to Cameron in 1861,
where he is engaged in tailoring.

     F. M. Reynolds, furniture dealer, was born in Greene county, Pa.,
October 15, 1830.  At the age of seventeen, he apprenticed to learn the
cabinet making trade.  After serving four years at the business with his
"boss," he then lead a migratory life for several years.  In 1853, he was
married to Miss Sarah M. Harris.  He is the father of six children.  
Removed to Cameron, and started in the furniture and undertaking
business, and in the year subsequent, removed his family to this place.
He is a member of the Presbyterian church.  Was elected, and held the
office of mayor of Cameron, one year.  Elected and held the office of
township treasurer from 1867 to 1870.  He drives a good trade, making
a specialty of undertaking.

     W. S. Pipes & Bros., dealers in watches, clocks, jewelry, 
spectacles, silver and silverware, &c.  This firm started in 1874, and has
been carrying on a good trade ever since.  They keep a fine stock and
sell at reasonably low prices.  One year ago, a branch office was started
at Waynesburg, Pa., where they are also establishing a good business.
They are gentlemanly fellows and deal fairly with all customers.

     E. S. Davis, druggist, was born in Richmond, Va., in 1850.
Migrated to Cameron on the 3rd of August, 1877, and opened out a drug
store, which business he has carried on ever since.  He keeps on hand
constantly a find stock of goods, and sells lots of medicines.

     A. S. Harris, harness maker, Cameron, was born in Prince William,
 Virginia, in 1800.  Migrated to above village in 1857, and started the
first saddle shop in the place.  Was married in 1825, and is the father
of seven children.  He manufactures harness and saddles, and does
general repair work.

     Samuel Householder was born in Morgan county, W. Va., in August,
1828.  He was married August 11, 1853, and raised a family of seven
children.  His business is repairing telegraph.  Post office, Cameron, 
W. Va.

     George A. Stidger, M. D., was born in Moundsville, W. Va., 
December 27, 1844, and moved to Cameron May 10, 1864.  He is the
father of three children.  Post office, Cameron, W. Va.

     Lee Wells was born in Marion county, W. Va., July 16, 1850;
came to Cameron, W. Va., in 1871, and was married April 15, 1875.  He
has one child.  Business, hotel keeper.  Post office, Cameron, W. Va.

     Joseph Snyder was born in Somerset county, Pa., May 10, 1833,
came to Cameron township, Marshall county, W. Va., in 1851, and was
married October 5, 1854.  He raised a family of three children.  Business;
blacksmith and wagon maker.  Post office, Rock Lick, W. Va.

     W. M. Glumply, M. D., was born in Ohio county, W. Va., September
3, 1850, and moved to Rock Lick, Cameron township, Marshall county,
W. Va., in 1873.  He was married May 28, 1874, and has one child.
Post office, Rock Lick, W. Va.

     Charles E. Bell was born October 23, 1851, in Marshall county, W.
Va.  He was married November 20, 1872, and has one child.  He is
employed in farming.  Post office, Rock Lick, W. Va.

     Joseph Hubbs was born in Webster township, Marshall county, W.
Va., August 7, 1828.  He was married in September, 1848, and raised a
family of ten children, seven of whom are living.  He is a farmer and
stock raiser.  Post office, Cameron, W. Va.

     J. D. Coe was born in Marshall county, W. Va., July 13, 1833.
Business, farmer and stock raiser.  Post office, Cameron, W. Va.

     Elijah Adams was born in Greene county, Pa., May 24, 1841, and
moved to Cameron township, Marshall county, W. Va., in 1871.  He was
married May 24, 1873, and had four children, three of whom are living.
He is a farmer and stock raiser.  Post office, Cameron, W. Va.

     Jesse Bane, Jr., was born December 5, 1842, was married March 29,
1866, to Hannah Rayl who was born April 11, 1841.  Their children are 
as follows:  John Bane, born February 13, 1867; Mary Bane, born April
1, 1868; Jesse Bane, born November 15, 1869; Lenileota Bane, born
April 26, 1872.

     John A. Burley was born in Marshall county, W. Va., May 30, 1848.
He moved to the farm on which he now resides in Cameron township in
1873, and carries on farming as his vocation.  He was married September
19, 1867, and is the father of five children.  Post office, Cameron, W. Va.

     John Laughlin was born in Washington county, Pa., January 27, 1827.
He was married, April 8, 1857, and moved to Rock Lick, W. Va., in 1848.
He raised a family of four children.  Business, merchant.  Post office,
Rock Lick, W. Va.

     Thomas Hill, was born in Washington county, Pa., September 16, 1818.
He was married September 12, 1844, and moved to Cameron district,
Marshall county, W. Va., in 1872.  He raised a family of ten children, nine
of whom are living.  He carries on farming as his vocation.  Post office,
Glen Easton, W. Va.

     John Ingram was born in Washington county, Pa., May 17, 1819.  He
moved with his parents to West Virginia in 1829.  Has been engaged in
farming and stock raising the greater part of his life.  When a boy he
worked out at times at low wages, but always succeeded in saving money,
keeping his expenses below his income.  Notwithstanding he was 
economical, he was generous, and always appreciated a kind act.  He
married his second wife and raised a family of seven children, four living
at present.  Of late years his attention has been turned to raising fine
wooled sheep.  In the fall of 1866 he purchased from Childs, of Vermont,
sixty-eight head of ewes at thirty-five dollars per head; one ram at three
hundred and twenty-five dollars, one at three hundred, one at one hundred
and fifty, two at seventy-five each, and five at forty-five dollars per 
head.  Six ewes at one hundred dollars each, twenty ewes at eighty dollars
each, making nearly six thousand dollars invested.  His home farm at
Poplar Springs, Cameron district, Marshall county, W. Va., contains 
872 acres, with a find large brick dwelling and good barn.  His farm in
Wetzel county, W. Va., contains 500 acres.  This he keeps for a summer
range for his flocks.
     Below we give his certi8ficate of award and diploma received at
the International Exhibition at Philadelphia for fine wool.
                  INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION,
                                1876
                   CERTIFICATE OF AWARD
                         JOHN INGRAM,
            Poplar Springs, Marshall county, West Virginia.
                              Wool.
                      No. 175----Group IX.
     United States Centennial Commission.  In accordance with the act
of Congress, Philadelphia, September 27, 1876.
     John S. Campbell       A. T. Goshorn      Jas. R. Hawley
         Secretary             Director Gen'l.       President
          INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION  (No. 233)
                    PHILADELPHIA, 1876
     The United States Centennial Commission has examined the report
of the judges and accepted the following reasons, and decreed a reward
in conformity therewith.  
                          PHILADELPHIA, September 20, 1878
            REPORT ON AWARDS----PRODUCT, WOOL.
     Name and address of exhibitor---John Ingram, Poplar Springs,
Marshall county, West Virginia.
     The undersigned examined the product herein described, respect-
fully recommend the same to the United States Centennial Commission
of award, for the following reasons, viz:  For ten fleeces of excellent
merino combing and beautiful merino clothing wool.
                                           JOHN L. HAYES,
                                           Signature of Judge.
     Approval of group of judges.
          ELLIS H. COWDEN,             HAYAMI,
          GEBHARD,                      A. DAMINOS,
          CHARLES J. ELLIS,             A. BEHMER,
                    CHARLES LeBOUTELLIER
     A true copy of the record,              FRANCIS A. WALKER
                                   Chief of the Bureau of Awards.
     Given by authority of the United States Centennial Commission.
     A. T. GOSHORN,     J. R. HAWLEY,     J. S. CAMPBELL,
     Director Gen'l.           President             Secretary
            INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION, PHILADELPHIA.
                         MDCCCLXXVI.
     

                           UNION DISTRICT.

     Those acquainted with the history of Union District will find it
difficult to realize, in traveling over its territory, the wonderful
transformations which have taken place within the short space of twenty
years.  Nothing appears to indicate that the condition had ever been other
than what it now is, viz: that of a quiet and prosperous farming section,
conservative, as such regions invariably are, and opposed to every inn-
ovation upon the old order of things.  Until a few years ago agriculture
was the only pursuit of that robust and intelligent population, but the
iron manufacturers of Wheeling, having their attention directed to the
natural advantages of this district, have erected a large furnace and 
nail mill, and the thriving village of Benwood has sprung to life.  its
growth has been, to use a hackneyed expression, like Jonah's gourd,
or, better, like the towns in the oil region, or, better still, like the
thriving towns of the fertile west, which are laid out and build in a
day, and which endure, despite the predictions of "Old Probabilities,"
and against which the rains descend and the floods come in vain.  Its
rapid rise in prosperity and importance has been as healthy and
substantial as it was sudden, and no better proof of this need be
offered than that it has continued to grow and prosper through all the
financial prostration of the past few years.

                            SETTLEMENT. 

     Long after Sand Hill was a thriving settlement, what is now Union
was only knows as the "woods."  Colonel Strickler and the McMechens
were the first to settle on the bottom lands in the vicinity of what is now
Benwood.  They, like all men of those days, first improved the level land,
the hilly parts being considered worthless, and only fit for timber and
hunting grounds.  Henry and John Stupe came in 1790, and made a 
clearing and built a cabin on the farm now owned by Mrs. Allen of
Sherrard.  Near to where this clearing was made was a block house,
built some time previous to this settlement, but as it was about the close
of hostilities with the Indians, it was of but little use.
     Henry Clark came soon after the Stupes, and made a settlement near
them.  A man by the name of Burch was a pioneer in Union District also,
and settled at the head of Burch's run.  These men opened up the forest
and others soon followed.  The McHenrys, the McCombs, the Allens, the
Dowlers, the Blacks, the Barteaux, the Caldwells, are among the prominent
who first settled here.  But the first settlers have all passed away and 
their traditions are perishing with them; but printed pages will bear 
testimony of their existence in early days.
     It was in this district, near the line of Washington, that Captain
William Foreman and his party lost their lives on the 27th of September,
This was the only massacre of any note committed by the Indians
within the limits of Union district.

                                COAL.

     Coal is found in abundance in almost every part of the district.  On
the farm of Mr. E. Conners, is a vein locally known as block or splint
coal.  It was first discovered by accident, cropping out of the hillside,
lying immediately east of the Ohio river, in the year 1878; an analysis
was made of it and it was found to be of a superior quality.  It possesses
a laminated appearance, splitting into sheets, and is very difficult to
break on the opposite of the lamina.  The faces of the layers are often
covered with a soft, dead, carbonaceous material, like charcoal, and the
whole seam throughout is marked by alternate layers of dead and bright
looking coal.  In the act of combustion it neither swells or changes form.
In the furnace the blocks retain their shape until they fall to ashes;
neither does it cake by running together.  Possessing these qualities
it is fit for the furnace in its raw state.  Taken directly from the mine
and thrown into the furnace without preparation, it is claimed that it
produces the best pig iron made in America.  The mills in Benwood 
are all supplied with coal from the river hills near by.
     Iron Ore is found on the farm of Mr. Conners; it has been 
represented as a three foot vein and of as good quality as any native
ore in this part of the state.

                              SCHOOLS.

     It was a number of years after the first settlers came in before
their attention was directed towards schools.  The remains of one of 
the old -time school houses is still standing on the farm of M. D. 
Campbell, but the exact date of its erection is not known; it was built
of logs, about 18 by 20 feet, with chimney occupying one whole side
of the house; it was capable of taking in a log twelve feet long.  But
these ancient log houses have about disappeared, and their places 
taken by magnificent brick or frame buildings, costing from five 
hundred to ten thousand dollars.  There are two graded schools, number
1 and number 10, the latter having an addition put to it in 1878, and
has ample accommodation for one hundred and fifty pupils.
     The following is the enumeration of each sub-district in Union, for
the year 1878:
No. 1,     . .          .298 Males   .   .269 Females   .   . 4 Teachers
 "    2,     . .          68     "     .   .  56     "   .    .    . 1     "
 "    3,     . .          41     "     .   .  45     "    .   .    . 1     "
 "    4,     . .          24     "     .   .  23     "    .   .    . 1     "
 "    5,     . .          46     "     .   .  34     "    .   .    . 1     "
 "    6,     . .          49     "     .   .  33     "    .   .    . 1     "
 "    7,     . .          21     "     .   .  35     "    .   .    . 1     "
 "    8,     . .          13     "     .   .  19     "    .   .    . 1     "
 "    9,     . .          13     "     .   .  18     "    .   .    . 1     "
 "   10,     . .          15     "     .   .  68     "    .   .    . 2     "
     Much credit is due to the following board of directors, for the
improvement in educational matters, especially the president of the
board, who has given much time and attention to the promotion of
education in the district.
     Henry T. Ford, president; Richard Allen, Isaac Shepherd; H. U.
Bumgardner, secretary.
     Union, like other parts of Marshall county, is fast improving in 
her schools, and is keeping pace with her sister towns, both in school
buildings, and in the manner of teaching pupils.

                THE ALLEN GROVE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

     This church organization was effected in 1852 with a membership
of sixteen.  Their first pastor was the Rev. John R. Duncan.  After him
followed Dr. James Alexander, Rev. Samuel Graham, Rev. D. H.
Loverty, Rev. W. C. Smith, Rev. J. F. Curtis, Rev. J. A. Brown.
     First Elders----William Kyzer and John McCombs.
     Trustees----Joseph Harris, C. Kemple, James Standiford and John
Allen.
     The present membership is thirty-six, and has a flourishing Sunday
school of about sixty scholars.  The church edifice is frams.

              PLEASANT HILL METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

     This society was organized at the house of Mr. Salters, in 1808.
Meetings were held at this house for a number of years, and in other
houses throughout the neighborhood.  In 1835 the first church building
was erected on the site of the present edifice.

                MOUNT ZION METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH.

     The first meeting of the society, which is now extinct, was held
at the house of Rev. George Dowler in 1833.  Burnes then succeeded
Dowler.  In 1848 a log church was erected.  During the rebellion it
united itself to the Methodist Episcopal Church.  It was only a mission
field.  The building is still standing, but is unoccupied.

                  GRAVE STREET CHAPEL (CHURCH OF GOD).

     This was organized in 1873 with a membership of twenty-seven.
The first minister was Rev. J. Hickwell; second Rev. R. L. Burnes;
third Rev. J. S. Marple; fourth, Rev. S. Wood, and the present 
incumbent is Rev. D. L. Leech, and the present membership fifty-five,
with a Sabbath school of seventy-seven scholars.

                         SHERRARD P. O. 

     Sherrard is situated on the Wheeling and Waynesburg road.  It
contains one store and post office, two churches, two wagon and
blacksmith shops, one shoemaker shop, one doctor and two ministers.
There is no hotel in the place, and, consequently, no accommodation
for travelers.  The spirit of enterprise does not run at a very high rate
in Sherrard; Unlike its sister village Benwood, it is in the yellow leaf,
and will soon be one of the things of the past.  Its close proximity to
Wheeling renders it unfit for a commercial point, except in the smallest
way.
     The farming community of this district are an industrious and
reading class of people, and the growth of its population and the rapid
rise in the value of property are witnesses of the energy of its
inhabitants, and the style of the improvements made is such as to almost
dispel the thought that the territory comprised within its bounds was, so
short a time since, covered with heavy timber, and its forest paths roamed
by savage men and beasts.
     The following are short biographical sketches of the most prominent
and enterprising men of Union district:

     HENRY T. FORD, M. D.---The subject of this sketch was born in
Monroe county, Ohio, in 1843.  At an early age he inclined towards a
professional life, and his parents wishing to qualify him, he was 
educated for the medical profession.  After completing his course in a
classical school, he commenced his favorite study, medicine, and in
1864 completed his course.  Finding his profession full in his native
county, he moved to Noble county, and commenced practice, but by
his arduous labor while a student, his health became impaired and he
was therefore compelled to give up his practice for a time.  He then
moved to Benwood, his present residence, and engaged in the drug
business, where he soon regained his health; finding such a demand
for his professional aid, he gave up his drug business and again 
devoted his whole time and attention to practice, in which he has been
a success, and he now stands among the leading men of his profession
as a skilled physician.  He is an earnest patron of education, and is 
well informed, and has conversational powers.  In pursuing his 
profession he never fails to respond to the call of the sick, whether in
sunshine or storm, and for the poor, without the means of remuneration,
or the wealthy, he is equally ready to devote himself.  He is one of
Benwood's most enterprising citizens, always ready in any improvement
or matter of charity.

     PROFESSOR LEONARD ESKEY was born in Marshall county in
He was raised a farmer.  He received his first instruction in a 
school near his home, and afterward attended the State Normal School
at West Liberty, W. Va., and finally graduated at Union College, Ohio.
On completing his collegiate course, he was appointed principal of the
Benwood school, which position he has filled with entire acceptance
to the public and honor to himself.  He has chosen the profession of
medicine, and is a student of Dr. Henry T. Ford.  He has attended one
course of lectures at Ann Arbor, Mich., and intends to complete his
course at Jefferson College, Philadelphia.  The Professor is a close
student and gentleman of high culture, and with his energy is sure of
a success.

     OSCAR N. CARR, M. D., was born in Northfield, Ill., in 1849.
He was educated at Sandwich High School, in his native state.  After
completing his education at this place, he commenced the study of
medicine under Dr. Charles Winn, a learned and skillful physician;
and when advanced sufficiently in his studies, he entered Rush Medical
College, Chicago, and graduated in the class of 1874.  He came to
Benwood and commenced practice, and his efforts have been crowned
with success.

     HIRAM McMECHEN.---Mr. McMechen was born near Benwood
in 1807, and was a son of Benjamin McMechen.  He was educated at
home, by attending such schools as they had in his young days; when he
was about seventeen years of age he went to Moundsville and engaged
as clerk with his brother-in-law, Thomas List; he afterwards became a
partner in the store.  Some time after he went south with a boat load of
goods, and remained some time.  He returned and went into the grocery
business with Thomas List, on Market street, Wheeling, and remained
for some time, and then moved to his farm near Benwood.  He was a
Justice of the peace for a number of years.  In 1853, he married Miss
Hannah Armstrong, daughter of the Rev. J. Armstrong, of Wheeling.
They have two children.  Mr. McMechen died in 1876, in his sixty-
eighth year.

     NICHOLAS DOWLER, was born in Ohio county, in 1832, and
was a son of Michael Dowler.  He was raised a farmer, and received
a common school education.  In 1856, he engaged in the mercantile
business in Bellaire, and remained there until 1861.  At the age of
twenty-six, he married Miss Harris.  They have four children.  After
leaving Bellaire, in 1861, he moved to a farm in Union district, where
he still resides.

     ISAAC DOWLER.-----The subject of this sketch was born in Ohio
county, Virginia, in 1824.  He was a son of George Dowler, who came
from Maryland, in 1790, and settled at Brownsville, Pa., and remained
until 1811, when he came to the Ohio county, and settled in Union
district, where he lived until his death in 1862.  Isaac was raised a 
farmer, and educated at the common school.  He married Catherine
Caldwell, in 1851.  They have four sons and two daughters.

     W. S. DOWLER, was born in Ohio county, in 1832.  He was a son
of Michael Dowler, and grandson of George Dowler.  He received a 
liberal education when young, and learned the cooper trade, but finding
it unprofitable, he engaged in farming.  He came into possession of the
old homestead of his father, and still occupies it.  He is a farmer and 
stock raiser, and has made many improvements in the old homestead,
and has one of the finest improved farms in Marshall county.

     THOMAS DOWLER was born in Ohio county, in 1820.  He was
a son of George Dowler, a pioneer preacher in that part of the country,
having come from Pennsylvania in 1811.  Thomas was educated at
such schools as they had then, log cabins with greased paper windows.
He married Miss McHenry, of Union District.  Mr. Dowler has been a
public man for several years, having served as Justice of the Peace, 
and held other offices; he is a prosperous farmer and a good neighbor.

     MRS. MARY OREM, widow of the late William Orem, was a
daughter of George Dowler; she married Mr. Orem in 1840, he was a
native of Brooke county, and was born in 1819, he learned the cooper
trade and followed it for several years, and then engaged in mercantile
business, which he continued for eleven years, he then moved to the
farm where his family now live; he died leaving a large family.

     SHEPPARD McMECHEN was born in Ohio county, in 1827.  He
was a son of Benjamin McMechen, and was raised a farmer; he received
his education in Wheeling and Marietta.  After leaving school he engaged
in farming, and continued it until his death, Oct. 24th, 1874.  He was 
among Virginia's most prominent and successful farmers, having 
accumulated a large fortune.  He married, March 18th, 1868, Miss A.
Cockayne, daughter of Col. V. L. Cockayne; they had one son and one
daughter-Mary L., born Jan. 12th, 1869, and Sheppard V., born Sept.
16th, 1874, who died Nov. 7th, 1878.

     C.C. McMECHEN  was born two miles below Benwood, in 1844.
He was a son of Benjamin McMechen; he was educated at Morgantown,
and upon leaving school engaged in farming; he married Miss A. E.
Hickernell, daughter of the Rev. John Hickernell, of Westmoreland
county, Pa., they have had two sons.

     REV. JOHN ALLEN BROWN was born August 7, 1822, near
Youngstown, Westmoreland county, Pa.  He graduated in the class of
1850, at Jefferson College, Canonsburg, Pa., and in 1852, married Miss
Amanda Christy, a graduate in 1850, at Washington Female Seminary,
Washington, Pa.  Rev. Brown, assisted by his wife, taught the Saltsburg
academy for three and a half years.  Was licensed by the Presbytery of
Blairsville in 1854, and ordained and installed pastor of Ligonier church
at Ligonier, Pa., in 1856.  Took charge of the Presbyterian Church at
Fredericksburg, Ohio, in 1860.  In April, 1864, he took charge of the
church at West Liberty, Ohio county, W. Va., and at the same time 
leased the academy there for five years.  Before this lease expired, the
academy was sold to the state in order to pay off an old debt; but 
continued in charge of the congregation at that place until 1876.  In the
spring of 1877, Rev. Brown took charge of the congregations at Allen
Grove, Limestone and Wolf Run, in Marshall county, where he still
remains.  He has five children living, one son being a student of Union
Theological seminary, New York, and another a student of Lafayette
College, Easton, Pa.

     EDWARD CONNER.---The subject of this sketch was born in
Trent county, Delaware, October 19, 1817.  He came to the Pan-Handle
in 1823, with his father, William Conner, and settled at West Liberty,
Ohio county.  He was educated at West Liberty, and on completing his
education, he engaged in farming.  He married, in 1840, Sarah Dowler,
daughter of George Dowler, and has five sons and four daughters.  He
was at one time captain of a militia company, in old militia days.  Mr.
Conner is an enterprising and energetic farmer, and has one of the
finest improved farms in the county.

     GEORGE McCOMBS---Mr. McCombs was born in County Derry
Ireland, and immigrated to America before the revolutionary war, leaving
his family behind him, in the Emerald Isle with the intention of returning
for them.  But the high seas being blocked at that time, he was compelled
to stay.  He enlisted in the American army, and braved the trials and 
hardships of a true soldier, until the close of the war.  The blockade
being raised, he sent for his family, who joined him soon after.  He
settled in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and remained there until
his death.  His family then moved to Ohio county, West Virginia, about
the year 1800.  His two sons, James and John, grew up to be men of
unusual size, James being considered the most muscular man in the state.
It is told by some of the family that he at one time lifted fourteen 
bushels of wheat, the weight being 840 pounds.  James and John were
married here, and each had a family of twelve children.  Many of the
family are still living in Marshall county.  John joined the Presbyterian
church when quite young and was a devout christian.

      JAMES McCOMBS was born in Ohio county in 1812.  He was a son
son of John McCombs and grandson of Geo. McCombs, a revolutionary
soldier.  James was educated at such schools as they had in those days,
and upon reaching manhood engaged in farming, which he continued
until 1864, when he engaged in the mercantile business at Sherrard.  He
remained there until 1875 when he moved to the farm where he now
resides.  He married Mary Caldwell, daughter of Ezekiel Caldwell, in
They have seven children, four sons and three daughters.

     ALEXANDER CALDWELL was born in Ohio county in 1802.  He
was a son of John Caldwell, who was one of the first settlers in the Pan-
Handle.  They were a large family, and as they grew up they all moved
to different parts of the country, and have all died excepting the subject
of this sketch, and one sister, Mrs. Laura Tidball, Millersburg, Ohio.
Alexander was educated at the common schools of his boyhood.  Being
brought up on a farm he chose that as his occupation and has spent the
life of a quiet and prosperous farmer.  In 1821 he married a daughter
of Martin Wetzel.  They had ten children, six sons and four daughters.

     JOHN CALDWELL was born in Ohio county in 1835.  He received
a limited education and has been in the farming business all his life.  He
married Miss Sidney McCrary, daughter of Thomas McCrary.  They have
five children, two sons and three daughters.

     MARTIN CALDWELL was born in Ohio county in 1824.  He is a
son of Alexander Caldwell, who, having a large family to support and
being of limited means, did not educate his son Martin to any great extent.
He, like all the rest of the family, chose farming as a means of making a
living.  He married Miss Jane Clendenning in 1855.  They have one son
and one daughter.

     CHARLES SEABRIGHT, the subject of this sketch, was born in
Germany in 1828, and immigrated to this country in 1849 and settled
in Wheeling.  He first worked with Mr. George Hartman, in a brick-yard,
at common labor.  He remained there one year, then went to work in the
glass-house and continued to work there until 1863.  Having saved his
earnings during that time, he purchased a farm in Union district, since
which time he has made some of the finest farm improvements in the
district.  In 1870 Mr. Seabright made a trip to his native land for the
purpose of getting some rare kinds of fruit trees.  He remained three
months, and returning brought with him various kinds of trees.  Finding
that many of them bore fruit the first or second year, and that they were
adapted to this climate, he returned to Germany in 1873 and purchased
a large quantity of trees, among which were apple, pear, peach, German
prune, fourteen different kinds of cherry trees, various kinds of apricot,
quince and other fruit trees.  He also brought various kinds of straw-
berry, gooseberry and raspberry vines, a quantity of ornamental
shrubbery, and sixty different varieties of roses, besides many other 
plants, too numerous to mention.  Mr. Seabright intends, if possible,
to improve the culture of fruit in West Virginia.

     ISAAC GOUDY was born in Brooke county in 1817.  He is a
son of Isaac Goudy, a pioneer carpenter of Brooke county.  Isaac, jr.,
received a liberal education, and at the age of eighteen commenced to
learn the carpenter trade under his father.  He served two years and 
then started out as a journeyman, getting the pay of older hands, In
1839, he married Miss Sarah Stewart.  They lived in Wheeling until
1866, when they came to Marshall county where they now reside.

     GEORGE KIMPLE was born in New Jersey, in 1812.  When he 
was six years of age, his father died leaving a family of nine children,
George being the seventh child.  His father being a poor man, without
property, the consequence was that George received a very poor
education, but by close application to study acquired sufficient to
enable him to do ordinary business.  He worked on a farm until he was
seventeen years of age, when he apprenticed himself to learn the tailor's
trade.  After serving three years he engaged in business in Harmony,
N. J., on his own account.  In 1837, he came to Westmoreland county,
Pa., and there worked at his trade until 1839, when he moved to Marshall
county to the farm he now occupies.  In 1833, he married Miss Foster.
His first wife having died, he married Mrs. Garland in 1845.  They had
a family of ten children.

                        SAND HILL DISTRICT.

     Many years, probably many centuries, before the western world
became the home of the eastern explorer, the territory now embraced 
within the limits of Sand Hill was a favorite resort of that race whose
monuments in the shape of various mounds and stone implements
remain in profusion throughout the greater part of the Mississippi
Valley.  The wild and romantic beauty of the scenery allured them,
and the clear waters of Wheeling creek and its tributaries, for which
the district is justly noted, furnished numerous watering places for the
deer and other animals, which were pierced by their stone arrows as
they wandered to the banks to drink.  The speckled trout darted through
the brooklets, which were, then, seemingly inexhaustible depositaries
of food, and the beaver sported in his meadow, inviting capture.  All
that uncultivated nature ever furnishes in this northern climate was
produced in abundance, and it may be supposed that the pre-historic
man found here enjoyments adapted to his rude tastes, and as elevated
as he was capable of appreciating.  The superior polish of the weapons
that he has left, and the pieces of ancient pottery exhumed in this 
district indicate that he had attained a degree of civilization never
reached by the Indian tribes which succeeded him, and the fact that 
these remains are invariably found in the greatest abundance in the most
charming localities may lead to the conclusion that, like many of the
Indians, their appreciation of the sublime and beautiful in nature was
by no means undeveloped.  Their traces are very numerous in all parts
of Marshall county, but in Sand Hill, which is incontestibly the most
picturesque region, they abound in unusual numbers.  Darts, and arrow-
heads, hatchets and skinning knives, pipes and ancient fragments of
pottery have been found upon the farm of David Dague, in sufficient
number to form a very respectable collection, and there are, no doubt,
equal numbers on adjoining farms.
     Mr. Dague has preserved a number of these relics of a by-gone
age, which are generally passed by unnoticed.  Several of the specimens
in his possession are of peculiar interest, and their use is not known 
with certainty.  On the farm of Mr. Dague, on Big Wheeling creek,
opposite the mouth of Wolf run, may be found several mounds or stone
piles, varying in size from eight by ten feet to seventy-five feet in
circumference, the largest of which was removed a few years ago, and
a number of skeletons were found, but they were in such a decayed
condition that their size could not be determined; but it was evident that
they were the remains of some of the pre-historic race.  This is only one
of the many such burial places that have been opened in this vicinity.
When the writer visited the spot human teeth could be found in 
abundance where the mound had stood.  Mr. Dague thinks that there
were probably five to six hundred bodies buried here.

                       ANCIENT MANUFACTORY.

     A short distance from the residence of Mr. Dague, on the bank of
Wheeling creek, may be seen what was once a village and manufacturing
place. Fragments of ancient pottery may be found here in great quantities,
in some places they are at least two feet thick on the ground. The ancient
race displayed considerable skill in the manufacture of their vases, 
judging from the many different patterns that have been found, and the
way in which they were decorated.  The composition of their pottery is
supposed to be of muscle shells, charcoal and fire clay.  These remains
cover about three acres of land, and at the time the farm was settled by
Mr. Dague's father, in 1793, there was no large timber on this spot,
except one large walnut tree.
     It is supposed from the number of human bones found here, that 
the inhabitants of this village had been slain in battle and their remains
left unburied.
     On the homestead of the once noted Wetzel family, of Indian times,
may be seen one of those sacred burial places of the aborigines, who
trod the soil of Sand Hill many years ago.  The property is now owned
by David Lutes.  A magnificent hill rises  just back of his house, and
overlooks the surrounding country; as you ascend toward the summit,
about one-third of the way up, the stones which formerly were abundant
upon the lofty table, have been collected and piled in an oval shaped
mound.  The stones are in their natural shape, and the mound, though
having been disturbed at different times by early settlers, still has its
original shape; it extends east and west, like all the graves of that
race, and was probably the monument of some celebrated chieftain or
warrior, built "where the earliest light of morning might gild it, and
parting day lingers plays on its summit."  The above are merely the
more prominent remains of the stone age, which appear to the casual
observer in passing through the district.
     After these mound builders had all disappeared in the ocean of 
time, that part of Sand Hill lying along Big Wheeling creek, became
no less a favorite hunting ground for the Indians, who are said to have
been the manufacturers of the rudely chipped arrow heads, in such
striking contrast to the elegantly polished implements of their
predecessors.  The same causes which operated to people the valley of
Big Wheeling creek with mound builders, viz: Abundant game and fish
led the Indians to make it a resort for years, the evidences of which
are as common as those of the people whom they designate as their
"grandfathers."
     Game was abundant in this district for several years after it had
became settled by the whites; it was the contested territory for several
years between the Indians and the white men, on account of its being
the great hunting ground of this region, and for this reason why the
many murders committed upon the whites by the Indians in this district.
Game in this locality consisted of bears, deer and turkeys.  "Painters"
were numerous, and wolves were so plenty that it was extremely 
difficult to protect sheep, hogs and even young cattle from their ravages.
Small game was also abundant, such as partridge, wild duck, quail,
squirrel and rabbit.  Foxes are still numerous, and their pursuit is a
favorite amusement, while the small game still make their home here
and furnish sport during the hunting season.
     Among the remarkable curiosities in this district are the footprints
of deer, turkeys and human beings in the sand rock, on the farm of
Mr. Dague.  According to tradition, these footprints were made by the
Indians for a landmark, pointing in the direction of some hidden treasure.
In the same rocks may be seen round holes, several in number; it is
supposed they were used for moulding lead in, although there has never
been any found here.

                            SETTLEMENT.

     From the first settlers in Sand hill, in 1769, until the 
ratification of the treaty of "Greenville," sometimes called "Wayne's
treaty."  In 1795, the attitude of the Indian tribes toward the settlers
was that of extreme, unrelenting hostility.  The military organization
which had marched against them before the establishment of civil
government in the great northwest, had signally failed to subjugate
them, or secure a permanent cessation of hostilities.  The disastrous
expedition of General Braddock in 1755, of Major Wilkins in 1763,
of Colonel Bradstreet in 1764, of Colonel Lochry in 1781, and of
Colonel Crawford in 1782, and the massacre of the Moravian Indians
on the Tuscarawas, in the last named year, only tended to inflame the
hostile Indian tribes, and inspire them with greater courage in their
hostile movements against the white settlers.  The fruitless, if not,
abortive, campaigns of Colonel McDonald in 1774, of General 
McIntosh in 1778, and of General Broadhead in 1781, of course, led
to no salutary results.  Even the successful campaigns of Colonel
Boquet in 1763-4, of Lord Dunmore and General Lewis in 1774, of
General George Rodgers Clark in 1778, failed to secure a permanent
peace with the western Indian tribes.  The inhabitants of what was then
"West Augusta District," were therefore, from 1769, when the first
immigrants arrived at the mouth of Wheeling creek, until the treaty of
Greenville was concluded in August, 1795, constantly liable to the
stealthy but deadly attacks of the savage tribes of the northwest.  But
they met their relentless foes in the spirit of genuine manhood---of 
true, determined, unflinching heroism.  They were men worthy of the
heroic age of the west.  Bravely did they bear themselves during these
many years of toil and privations, of dread and apprehension, of
suffering and sorrow, of blood and carnage.
     Among these may be mentioned, John Wetzel and family, who came
to this district in 1769, from Pennsylvania, and made a small clearing
and built a cabin on Big Wheeling creek, just opposite to where
Alexander Caldwell now lives.  Wetzel's was a tomahawk right, but by
actual settlement, his letters of patent right was granted in 1785, to the
land now owned by E. and D. Lutes, Alexander Caldwell, Hiram 
McCombs and others.  The entire history of the Wetzel family may be 
found in another another portion of this work.  The Earlywines and
Siverts came about the same time, making their settlement on the ridge
near Sand Hill post office.  Fredrick J. Earlywine, son of Jacob
Earlywine, was captured by the Indians, in company with John Wetzel
while out hunting their horses, the Indians secreting themselves in the
bushes and rattling the bell that they had taken from the horses to decoy
the boys.  Fredrick being of an obstinate disposition, was determined not
to accompany them as a captive, and in spite of the entreaties of his
companion to go quietly along and try to escape afterwards, resisted
all efforts made to take him, and was consequently left behind in charge
of one Indian, who killed him and left the body lying in the woods.  It
was not until John Wetzel had made his escape from the savages that
the sad fate of young Earlywine became known to his friends.  His body
was found and buried on the spot where he was killed.
     The Siverts were a loyal family; Jacob served as a soldier in the
revolutionary was, and his son Jacob in the war of 1812, and he
(Jacob, jr.,) had six sons in the late rebellion.  Adam Grandstaff came
from east of the mountains in 1780 or 1781, and made a settlement on
Wheeling creek, where Samuel Grandstall now lives.  The Rodafers came
also while this part of the country was almost an unbroken wilderness.
     After wandering over an extensive territory and considering the
comparative advantages of various localities, Richard Campbell, a native
of County Down, Ireland, concluded to cast his lot in this district in 
1793, whole Thomas Buchanan settled land where James, his son, now
lives.  He cut the first road from Elm Grove to Haneytown in 1794.  On
the present site of Samuel Alley's store, at Majorsville, stood the block
house of Robert Whortem, or Wortem, but at what date it was built could
not be ascertained.  He was compelled to flee from here several times
to Ryerson station for protection from the Indians before the country
was sufficiently settled to get aid from his neighbors.  In 1795, Henry
Conkle came from Pennsylvania and bought the land at present owned by
Henry Harsh.  In 1801, he built what was probably the first grist mill in
this part of the country, and there has been a mill in constant operation
on this site ever since.  Philip Conkle still lives on part of the old 
homestead.
     According to Daniel Dague's statement, his father came in 1793,
but there is some doubt as to the actual date.
     The Caldwells and Lutes were also among the first to settle in 
this district, and their descendants occupy the old Wetzel farm.
     Many were the hardships and privations endured by the first
settlers in this district, and even the later settlers, until 1815, were 
here soon enough to obtain some notion of the manners, customs, and
inconveniences of pioneer life.  The Davises, Winters and Jamisons
were obliged to wear buckskin clothing before their fields were
sufficiently cultivated to raise flax and the wild beasts permitted them
to keep a few sheep.  The well-known linsey-woolsey clothing was then
adopted, being a combination of home-spun and home-woven flax and
wool, for the manufacture of which each house was provided with those
musical instruments, the spinning wheel and loom, and upon these the
young ladies received their early instruction in fine arts.  Log-rolling
and raising was one of the common amusements of the day, and it was
not uncommon for help to come to them for a distance of five miles.
Moccasins of deer-skin were the common dress for the feet in winter, 
and in summer all sexes and ages went barefooted for better comfort and
less expense.  It would be difficult to portray, in sufficiently gloomy
colors, the privations of these early pioneers and the straits to which 
they were reduced.  These hardships were especially severe during the 
first season of their emigration.  They were never wealthy, and were, more
often than otherwise, families who were unable to gain a comfortable
sustenance in the more cultivated parts of the country.
     Stern necessity compelled them to emigrate, and they brought but
little food with them.  They were, therefore, obliged to return to some
of the older settlements many times before their grain was ready to
harvest, and at those places supplies were sold at an enormous profit,
and at prices beyond their means.  They were never able to purchase
large quantities of provisions at a time, as there were no means of
transportation more convenient than the backs of horses or men, and
thus it happened, more than once, that the last loaf in the cabin was
eaten, the barrel of meal exhausted, and famine knocked at the door.
It was a fortunate circumstance that the supply of small game never
failed, and deer were generally abundant.
     The surface of the district is a succession of forest-crowned hills,
wide spreading meadows and fertile valleys, whose soil is second to
none.
     The scenery is beautiful, beyond all description, and would require
the pen of an Irving to give an idea of its charms.
     The district is well watered by Wheeling creek and its tributaries.
     Coal is found in abundance along all the streams in the district,
and is of a good quality.
     The industries of Sand Hill are exclusively agricultural, and the
land is admirably adapted to farming and grazing.

                              MILLS.

     In 1801 the first grist mill in the district was erected by Henry
Conkle, on big Wheeling creek; it stood on the site of the mill owned
at present by Henry Harsh.  A few years later, there was a large mill
erected about four miles and a half below the first one, on the same
creek; it is owned and operated at the present time by E. & D. Lutes.
This is one of the finest mills in the country, and is run by steam, when
the water is too low to operate it by water power.  It is known through-
out the country as the "Wheeling Valley Mill."  There is one other
small mill in the district, but it can only be operated during high water.

                             SCHOOLS.

     The education of this district has been well cared for.  It was
reorganized as a softening and elevating influence, without which, other
labor was regarded as comparatively useless.  Upon the clearings there
was work for all.  The child could gather brush, watch the corn from
all depredators, bring home the cows, and ride to mill with the grist,
yet the necessity for instruction in the essentials of learning was
apparent and the want soon supplied.  Voluntary action followed timely
suggestion, and if families were not many, they were large, and where
seven or eight children were not uncommon, the little rude school
building was generally filled, and the foundation was laid upon which
the general free school system has been built.  The school building has
been described in the general history of this work; it was consistent
with the homes of the children and youth in attendance.  The same
necessity which substituted greased paper for glass at home, was
apparent here.  The long foot-paths for miles was made by the pupils,
who brought their dinners, corn dodgers being an essential and staple
portion.  The nooning was employed in games of base and drop- ball,
or, if the weather shut them in, many an old, well remembered play was
had, and cheerily the voices mingled in "The needles eye that doth
supply," etc.  Traps for game were set between home and the school
house, and visited morning and evening, and some times, when the
school was late in closing, and evening's darkening shadows fell, the
children hurried homewards, fearful of the beasts which ranged the
roads by night.  Sand Hill was one of the first districts in Marshall
county, to adopt the free school system, and has become one of the
leading districts in the county in its educational interests.  It has 
eight school buildings, and one joint building, between it and Webster
district.
     The following is the enumeration for 1879:
School  No. 1,     ....          Males    30   .     Females    20
     "      2,     ....             "     44   .          "     23
     "      3,     ....             "      8   .          "     16
     "      4,     ....             "     31   .          "     23
     "      5,     ....             "     29   .          "     28
     "      6,     ....             "     27   .          "     23
     "      7,     ....             "     16   .          "     28
     "      8,  Joint District,     "     14   .          "     12
     "      9,     ....             "     19   .          "     13
     School Board for 1879.---President, James Wilson; Joseph
Fuller, John Trussel; Clerk, John Rosberry.

                           POST OFFICES.

     Sand Hill is well supplied with post offices.  Dallas was established
first.  Fair Hill post office is situated on Wheeling creek, at Harsh's
mill; Sand Hill, situated in the centre of the district; Wheeling Valley,
on Wheeling creek, at Lute's mill; Turkey Run, situated on Wheeling
creek, at the mouth of Turkey run; Majorsville is near the forks of
Wheeling creek, at Alley's store.  There is a tri-weekly mail carried
between Wheeling and Ryerson's station.

                              DALLAS.

     Dallas was settled in 1815 by Thomas Haney.  It is situated on the
Wheeling and Waynesburg turnpike, sixteen miles east of Wheeling.  It
contains about one hundred inhabitants.  Has two churches, one
Presbyterian and one M. E. church, three physicians, two ministers, two
stores, one drug store, two hotels and a post office.  The first school
house was built in 1815.

                             PROGRESS.

     Wonderful have been the changes in habits and customs since the
days of the early settlers in this district, and great the advancement in
prosperity and wealth, and in the innumerable conveniences which
characterize a well-established and progressive civilization.
     Though Wheeling was much earlier in her settlement than Sand
Hill, at the time when the Davises, Lutes, Buchanans, Campbells, and
Caldwells came, her settlers had not emerged from that semi-primitive
condition of society found in all border counties, and their manners were,
of necessity, imparted to a great extent to the immigrants whose district
adjoined them.  Some of these customs were unique.  One in particular,
in which a reliable resident of Sand Hill assures us that he has 
participated, will make the belle of 1879 faint to contemplate.
     Before fulling mills were extensively established in Ohio county, it
was common to have bees for the fulling of flannel, as for log-rollings
and raisings.  At these interesting gatherings, the barefooted young men
and women would seat themselves in two rows, upon the puncheon
floor, facing each other, so that the feet of each of the former would 
just reach those of a fair damsel, the ladies being, of course, gallantly
accorded seats with their backs against the wall.  The flannel was then
well soaked and laid between them, and by successive kicks in concert
from each side, the same object was accomplished that was afterward
gained by the more modern inventions.  There was nothing objectionable
in this performance at that time, and nothing vulgar or shocking in the
row of graceful ankles, so bare or brown, for propriety is but the slave
of popular opinion, and Venus, arrayed like the Syrian women-"Unda
jenu, modoque sinus collecta, fluentis"----appeared no less modest than
the American lady of the day, closely enveloped by the art of the modern
dressmaker.
     There were few law suits in those early days.  When a dispute arose
between two neighbors it was settled in a very different manner, and 
sometimes as much to the satisfaction of both parties as by the more
civilized methods of obtaining redress.  Each would strip to his 
pantaloons, and have a "knock down," in which they would fight with
the ferocity of "painters" and bears, until one of the combatants cried
"enough," when common usage forbade his antagonist to strike another
blow.  It was considered allowable during these combats to bite, scratch
or inflict any other bodily injury, provided, that no weapons were used
except those which nature had furnished.  It was not uncommon for the
friends of either party to prepare for a contest, when in any public
gathering an affair of this kind arose, which demanded "settlement,"
and if any unfair play was resorted to, as to striking after a call for
quarter, or the using of sticks, stones, or knives, a general war would
ensue.
     An old settler informs us that they were terrible fighters, and that
a man was not considered anybody who would not fight if given the lie.
After one of these primitive courts of justice ended, friendly relations
were frequently resumed.
     Yet with all the rudeness incident to the lives of these men and
women, and notwithstanding the existence of some customs which
were little above barbarism, they were a noble race.  Their ideas of
honor were actually romantic; no people in the world were ever more
hospitable, and their patriotism was glorious.  Many of their admirable
traits of character have been continued in their prosperity, while the
ruder features have disappeared.
     Hospitality is as general as in the earlier history of the district,
and there is always a welcome for the stranger.  This is almost
remarkable in people who have made such advancements, as that virtue
too often dies with the first settlers.
     In conclusion, we will give short biographical sketches of some
of the most prominent men of the district, and we respectfully
acknowledge our obligations to those who have generously aided us
in collecting material for this work, and trust its merits will be fully
equal to their expectations.

     ALEXANDER CALDWELL was born in Ohio county, on Big
Wheeling creek, near the old Wetzel homestead.  The Caldwell's were
among the first to settle on the frontier of West Virginia.  He was
educated at the common schools; at the age of twenty-one he married
Miss Amanda Price.  Mr. Caldwell is a farmer, has a find improved
farm; his post office address is Wheeling Valley.

     JAMES BUCHANAN was born in Ohio county, Dec. 16th, 1805;
his father, Thomas Buchanan, came from Pennsylvania in 1794, and
settled on the farm now owned by his son.  James, the subject of this
sketch, was educated at the common school---and they were then very
common, log houses, with greased paper for windows.  Mr. Buchanan
has devoted his entire life to his farm.  In 1852 he married Nancy
McConnell.  He has filled the office of Justice of the Peace several
years.  His post office address is Sand Hill.

     ALBERT DAVIS was born in Ohio county, in 1805.  His father,
Isaac Davis, came to this county from Maryland in 1804, and remained
until his death in 1849.  Albert was the oldest of ten children, and, like
most people in those days, had a limited education, but by close
application to study he acquired a fair education.   At the age of twenty-
two he married Mary Rodefer.  He has held the office of Justice of the
Peace, school trustee and other similar offices of trust.  He is a devoted
Christian and a worthy citizen.

     JAMES CAMPBELL was born in Ohio county in 1806.  He was a
son of Richard Campbell, one of the pioneers of the county.  He received
a limited education when young, but as he grew toward manhood acquired
sufficient to do ordinary business.  At the age of eighteen he went to 
learn the hatter's trade at West Liberty, with a man named Holliday.  
After serving three years, he opened in business for himself in West
Liberty, and remained there four years, when he moved to West
Alexander, Pa., where he remained for two years, when he again moved
to Wheeling.  He remained in Wheeling three years, when he moved to
the farm where he now resides.  In 1828 he married Margaret Dement.
They have raised a family of children, most of whom have settled in
the vicinity.  Mr. Campbell has been a representative man, having served
in almost every office in the gift of the people in his township, and is
respected by all the citizens of the county.

     JAMES SMITH.---Mr. Smith was born in Sand hill district, in May,
He received his education here and has lived in the district ever
since his birth.  His father was born in Pennsylvania, and came to West
Virginia in 1794; he died in the ninety-first year of his age.  Mr. Smith
married Miss Jane Hand, February 17, 1848.  They have two children.
Mr. Smith was elected justice in his district in 1863, and served for ten
years, when his health failing he gave notice that he could not serve
any longer, but by some misconstruction of the law, was compelled to
serve four years more.  Mr. Smith is engaged in farming.

     WILLIAM DOUGLAS was born in Allegheny county, Pa., in 1809.
He is of Scotch descent, and was brought up on a farm, receiving a common     
school education.  In 1830, he married Mary A. Stewart, daughter of Hugh
Stewart of Pennsylvania, but at present a resident of Ohio county, W. Va.
They have had eleven children, seven of whom are living, three sons and
four daughters.  They had two sons in the Union army, Alexander M. in
the Fifth Artillery, Pennsylvania Volunteers, and Joseph, who enlisted
in the First Virginia Cavalry.  He died in Philadelphia of typhoid fever,
October 3, 1864.

     JOHN MOONEY was born in Ohio county in 1819.  His father came
to this county from Easton, Va., in 1796.  John was raised on the farm,
and in 1845 married the daughter of Albert Davis, of Marshall county.
In 1846, they moved to Wetzel county, where they remained until 1855,
when they returned to Marshall county and settled where they now reside.
They have three children dead and six living, one son and five daughters,
all of whom are married but the youngest daughter.

     M. W. GLASS, M. D., was born in Brooke county, in 1854.  He
received his education at West Liberty Normal School.  After completing
his classical education, he entered the study of medicine under Dr. Cooper
of Wellsburg.  He afterwards attended Jefferson Medical College, in
Philadelphia, and graduated in 1878, when he located in Sand Hill and
began the practice of his profession.

     SAMUEL GRINESTAFF was a son of Jacob, and grandson of Adam
Grinestaff.  The Grinestaffs first settled in Ohio county in 1780 or 1781.
Samuel was born in 1823, on the farm where he now resides, in Marshall
county.  He received a common school education, and engaged in farming
as a business.  In 1855, he married Rosanna Black, daughter of Abner
Black, of Marshall county.  They have seven children, three sons and
four daughters.

     CHARLES McCARREHAN was born in Ireland.  He came to
America about 1795, and settled in Ohio county, and cleared a farm on
which he lived until his death in 1847.  He had a family of six children,
who all settled in different parts of the state.  Charles A. remained on
the old homestead.  He married Nancy McCausland in 1851.  They have
three children.

     D. A. L. SIVERT was born in Ohio county in 1830.  He is a son of
Jacob Sivert, who was a soldier in the war of 1812.  David, the subject 
of this sketch was reared a farmer and educated in the common schools
of his native county.  In 1861 he enlisted in the Union army in Company
A., Third Regiment of West Virginia Cavalry.  He was in seventy-six
engagements, and wounded September 4, 1864, at the battle of Winchester,
Va.  He received a gunshot wound through his right breast.  He was 
discharged June 6, 1865. The Siverts are a patriotic family, as the father
was in the war of 1812, his grandfather served in the revolutionary war,
while he and five brothers were in the late war.  All the six brothers
were wounded and disabled for life.  In 1856, David married Miss Maria
Culver.  They have seven children living, five sons and two daughters.

     PHILLIP CONKLE was born in Ohio county, April 11, 1812.  His
grandfather, Henry Conkle, emigrated from Germany and settled in
Washington county, Pennsylvania.  In 1795 he moved to Ohio county 
and purchased a large tract of land which has remained in the Conkle
family ever since.  Phillip received a limited education, and at an early
age engaged in farming.  On April 9, 1836, he married Miss B. Dunsmore,
of Greene county, Pennsylvania, and moved on a part of the old homestead
where he still resides. They were never blessed with any children of their
own, but have raised ten children who had been left orphans at different
times.  They have all grown to be men and women, and have received 
good educations.  Mr. Conkle's house is always open to the homeless and
friendless.

     JAMES THOMPSON.---Mr. Thompson was born in Washington 
county, Pennsylvania, in 1827, and came to Marshall county, in 1839,
with his father, James Thompson.  In 1860 he married Miss M. J. Long.
Mr. Thompson received a common school education, and by his energy
and industry, has became possessed on a finely improved farm.  He is a
citizen who is highly esteemed in his own neighborhood and by all who
know him.

     HARRISON THOMPSON, was born in Washington, county, Pa, in
1826, and came to Marshall county in 1839.  He came with his father, 
who after being here for a time purchased a farm and improved it.  He
received his education at the common schools of the county, and in 1868
married Miss A. E. Carroll, of Washington county, Pa.  They have three
children.  Mr. Thompson is a devoted Christian and member of the
Presbyterian Church.

     SAMUEL TURNER was born in London, England, in 1831, and
came to America in 1840, with his father, William Turner.  Samuel
received a common school education and learned the blacksmith trade,
but never worked at it much, preferring to work on the farm.  In 1861,
he enlisted in Company I, Fifteenth Regiment Infantry, West Virginia
Volunteers.  He was captured near Maryland Heights, in 1864, and
afterwards taken to Libby Prison, where he remained eight months.  In
1860, he married Sarah J. Davis.  Mr. Turner is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church at Sand Hill.

     JAMES H. RONEY was born in Marshall county, W. Va., on the
place where he now lives, December 29, 1840.  He received a common
education and has acted as school director.  Mr. Roney owns 340 acres
of land, which is in a good state of cultivation, well watered, abundance
of fruit, &c.  He married Rebecca, daughter of William Lucas, of Ross
county, Ohio, November 19, 1866.  They have one child, Margaret
Fadella.  William and Lydia Roney, parents of James H. Roney, were
born in Washington county, Pa., and settled in Marshall county, W. Va.,
in 1834.

     WILLIAM BANE was born in Amwell township, Washington county,,
Pa., March 18, 1814. His grandfather with four brothers came to Washington
county even before the Revolution, and settled on the waters of Ten Mile
creek.  His grandmother, Hannah Bane, was a sister of Sergeant Jasper, who
immortalized himself at Fort Moultrie.  His grandfather built the first 
brick house ever erected on Ten Mile, and this same house was the birth
place of the subject of this sketch.  William Bane's father owned a farm
and grist mill, so he was necessarily employed at farming and milling.
He received a common school education, and married for his first wife
Mary Patterson, December 15, 1836, which union was blessed with seven
children, four sons and three daughters.  Two sons served in the late war,
one of whom died at Sandy Hook, Maryland, of typhoid pneumonia, and
the other returned home.  Our subject has two sons of extraordinary
stature, one being six feet and nine inches in his bare feet, and the 
other six feet and four inches, and weighs 200 pounds.  Mr. Bane's wife
died December 21, 1862, and November 7, 1867, he married his second
wife Helen M. Power, of Marshall county, W. Va.  He moved to Dallas
in 1871, where he has been keeping the hotel known as the "Bane House"
ever since.  In 1876 he was elected justice of the peace for a term of 
four years.

     J. C. McAFEE, was born in Washington county, Pa., and lived in
West Alexander until he moved to Haneytown, Marshall county, W. Va..
He studied and practiced dentistry a number of years.  He married
Rachel Sullivan, of Washington county, Pa.  They are the parents of five
children, four sons and one daughter.  Mr. McAfee has invented and 
secured a patent on a valuable compound for grinding and polishing
marble, &c.

     JAMES JAMESON, was born February 2nd, 1805, on the place
where he now resides on Turkey run, Sand Hill township, Marshall
county, W. Va.  He was educated in the common schools of the early
days of the county.  He married for his first wife, Jane McCurdy, of
Butler county, Pa.  She had one child.  Nancy Miller, of Ohio county,
W. Va., was his second wife.  She left three children.  His third wife
was Elanore Baird, of Ohio county, W. Va.  His fourth wife was Jane
Reed, of Ohio county, W. Va.  They had one child, a son.  Lucy 
Williams, from near Harrisburg, Pa., is his fifth wife.  Mr. Jameson
is the owner of 180 acres of land.
     Samuel Jameson, father of James Jameson, was born in Ireland,
emigrated to America, in 1790, and settled in what is now Marshall
county, W. Va., when it was all a wilderness.  He married Margaret
Harper, of Claysville, Pa.  They were the parents of six children, viz:
Sarah, James, William, Mary, Samuel and Margaret.

     JOHN McCRACKEN was born September 5, 1835, on the place
where he now lives, in Sand Hill township, Marshall county, West
Virginia.  He received a common school education.  Married Nancy E.
Spilman, of West Finley township, Washington county, Pennsylvania,
in November, 1852, and reared a family of four children, viz:  James W.,
John C.,  Quintilla J., and Sarah M.  Mr. McCracken owns 108 acres of
land, and follows farming as his vocation.

     H. M. DAGG, M. D., was born in Washington county, Pa., July 26th,
He graduated at Washington College in 1868, then studied medicine
three years with Dr. McCracken, at Dallas, and graduated at the Cleveland
Medical College, in 1875.  He immediately commenced practice in Dallas,
where he now resides, and married Josie Kimmins in the fall of 1875.  
They are the parents of one daughter, Nora.  James T. Dagg, father of the 
doctor, was born and lived in Washington, Pa., and was engaged in the
grocery business for many years.  He held several town offices, was a
prominent mason for many years, and also an elder in the church.

     J. B. HENDERSON was born in Sand Hill district, Marshall county,
West Virginia, April 10th, 1837.  He received a common school education, 
and has always followed farming, as his occupation.  He married Margaret E.
Jones, November 28, 1861.  They are the parents of three children---two
daughters and one son.  David Henderson, father of J. B. Henderson, was
born on Short Creek, Ohio county, West Virginia, in 1790.  He served in
the war of 1812, and held several town offices.  He died at Sand Hill,
Marshall county, West Virginia, in 1850.

                    LIBERTY DISTRICT BIOGRAPHIES.

     H. S. WHITE, was born in Monongalia county, W. Va. on July 12,
Married July 11, 1865; also June 5, 1877.  He has six children,
four living.  Business, merchant and manufacturer.

     WM. RIGGS, was born in Greene county, Pa., July 21, 1838.  Married
February 22, 1865, and moved to Marshall county, W. Va. in 1871.  Has
had six children, five of whom are living.  Occupation, farmer and stock
raiser.

     JAMES R. DICKSON, was born in Allegheny county, Pa., May 17, 1842.
He married December ___, 1862, and moved to Marshall county, W. Va., in
Raised a family of seven children-six living.  Teacher and farmer, 
also writes for journals.

     ANDREW GILL, was born in Belmont county, Ohio, December 15, 
1823; moved to Ohio county, W. Va., 1824, thence to Marshall county,
Married June 7, 1852, and raised a family of 14 children-13 living.
Occupation, farmer.

     ROLLEY QUIGLEY, was born September 17, 1829, in Monongalia
county, Va.  Came to Marshall county, in 1834, and married June 3, 1853.
Has eight children.  Follows farming.

     ANDREW GILL, was born in Belmont county, Ohio, December 15,
1823, and may with propriety be classed among the early inhabitants of
Liberty district, Marshall county, W. Va.  He came with his parents to
Ohio county in the spring of 1824.  (Marshall county at that time had not
been stricken from Ohio county.)  He lived with his parents until within
two years of his marriage.  In June, 1852, he married Annie Birch and
began married life on the farm of Isaac Richmond.  A large portion of
the work then consisted of making shingles, getting out hoop-poles and
making ties for the railroad, very little land being cleared.  These were
the days when chestnuts were dried and used as a substitute for coffee.
Chocolate was made from chips taken from the roots of the sycamore
tree and boiled.  Grain was ground on the old-fashioned hand mill.  
Wolves, bears, panthers, deer and wild game were plenty.  Mr. Gill
raised a happy family of fourteen children, thirteen of whom are now
living.  Two sons and two daughters are married.  Robert B. Gill lives
in Greene county, Pa.  The other son and two daughters live in Liberty
district.  The remainder of his family is still with him, three boys and 
six girls.

                             WEBSTER DISTRICT.

     This district contains 22,323 arable acres, and is a fine farming
country.  It ranks third in size, and the surface is undulating, like most
of the lands lying in Marshall county.  It has seventy-two miles of
public road.

                            FIRST SETTLEMENTS.

     Peter Crow settled, where his son Samuel now lives, one mile east
of Limestone, in the year 1796.  Peter Crow was a spy employed by
the government.  He was born in 1763, and died in 1826.
     Robert Martin came from Pennsylvania, in 1819, and built a mill
on  Steele's run.  He had a large family of children, and some of them
are still living in Marshall county.  John Martin is living on the old
place.
     George Beeler was the first settler in the central part of Webster
district.  He located where Andrew and James Wilson lives.  He came
in 1784.
     The Blair's emigrated from Maryland, and settled on what is called
Blair's Ridge, in 1824.

                             BEELER'S STATION.

     Beeler's Station was built on the farm owned by Andrew Wilson, 
and has been the scene of Indian troubles, an account of which can be
found in the early history of Marshall county.  Mr. and Mrs. Beeler 
died and were buried on the farm.  Their resting place is barely 
discernable.  The first postmaster at this station was John Wilson.

                             WOLF RUN P. O.

     Was started in 1875.  W. B. Robinson was the first postmaster.
James L. McCombs is the present one.  It contains one store, one
blacksmith shop and one saw mill.

                         TRADING AXES FOR LAND.

     William Scott, a blacksmith, purchased one hundred acres of land,
and agreed to pay for it in axes.  He was able to make three yearly
installments, giving seventeen axes each year.  His first payment
became due April 1823; second, 1824; third, 1825.  The axes were to
average six pounds each.  He fulfilled the contract promptly.

                        HEWED LOG SCHOOL HOUSE.

     The first hewed log house for school and church purposes was
erected in 1826.  It was built on Steele's run.  Thomas Dakin, a
Baptist minister, was the first preacher.  At present there are eleven
schools taught in the district.  The school board is J. M. Blair,
president; J. G. Phillips T. M. Pedley, secretary.

                             KNOX'S MILL.

     The first mill was built by James Knox, in 1835, on Middle Grave
creek.  After the death of Mr. K., his widow and a Mr. McMellen built
a larger one on the site of the first, in 1855.  It is a large three story
frame building, with three run of stone.  It is owned at present and run
by Wm. Knox, son of James Knox.  The Knoxville post office takes its
name from him.

                      BLAIR'S RIDGE M. E. CHURCH.

     In 1835 a log house was erected for the worship of different 
denominations.  In 1869 it was replaced with a frame.  It has a member-
ship of seventy, with a good Sunday School.  The land was donated by
Mr. Blair, and in 1868 the people got up a petition, and had it presented
to the legislature, to have the ground deeded to the M. E. Society, and
by that means they became the legal custodians.

                        MT. HOPE  M. E. CHURCH.

     Was organized and dedicated October 28th, 1871.  The congregation
erected a frame building, at a cost of $1,100.  The first ministers were
Revs. Feather and Steward.  James Black was the first class leader.
Present class leader, George Seaton; minister, Rev. Mr. Sandford.  During
the summer months they hold Sabbath School; was organized with twenty-
two members---enroll about sixty-five at present.

                     WEBSTER DISTRICT BIOGRAPHIES. 

     SAMUEL CROW, farmer, was born in Marshall county, W. Va., 
October 5, 1814.  He was the son of Peter Crow, and a grandson of 
Michael Crow.  The Crow family was among the first settlers in the
Pan-Handle.  Samuel the subject of this sketch, like other old settlers,
received a limited education, having never attended school but a few
months.  His father died when he was young.  He commenced work 
on the farm at an early age to help support his mother and sisters.  In
1836, he married Miss Fannie Hadsell.  They had a family of seven
children, four sons and three daughters.  The eldest son, John Crow,
was in the late war.  Enlisted in the Twelfth West Virginia Volunteers,
captured and held as a prisoner of war at Andersonville for nine months
before he was exchanged.  Peter Crow, the father of Samuel, was an
Indian spy, employed by the government, serving in that capacity for
several years.

     JOHN MARTIN, farmer, was born in Greene county, Pa., August
3, 1805, and came with his parents to Marshall county, locating near
where John now lives.  Robert S. Martin, our subject's father, had a
family of nine children, John being the seventh child and fourth son.
John learned the trade of millwright, and followed that until twenty-
nine years of age, when he married Miss Mary Rush, in 1834.  He then
set out to clear land and make a home for himself and wife.  He first
cut logs and built a cabin, and then began clearing the land.  The first
year he cleared five acres and planted the land in corn, and the following
winter he put that in wheat, and cleared five acres more.  In this manner
he continued until his land was cleared.

     DR. S. B. McKENEHAN was born in Greene county, Pa., in 1847.
Educated at Waynesburg.  Studied medicine with Dr. S. B. Stidger, of
Cameron, W. Va.  Graduated at the Medical College in Cincinnati, Ohio,
in 1876.  He married Miss Crow, daughter of Samuel Crow.  He built
up a good practice.  Has been very successful in his profession.

     DR. G. W. HASKINSON was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania,
in 1842.  Came to West Virginia, in 1868, and located on Fish Creek.  In
1876 he came to Beeler's Station and commenced the practice of his
profession, where he has continued with success ever since.

     JOHN WETZEL was born on Big Wheeling creek, in Ohio county,
in 1797.  He was a son of Martin and a grandson of John Wetzel.  Martin's
father was a brother of Lewis Wetzel.  They were of German descent on
their father's side, and their mother was of French extraction. Her maiden
name was Bonnet.  The subject of our sketch is the oldest Wetzel now
living.  He has a family of seven children---five boys and two girls, but
three sons living in Marshall county: Lewis, Martin and John.  He
married Miss Elizabeth Prince, daughter of Captain William Prince, who
served as such in the war of 1812.  He had two sons out in the late war,
Martin and John Wetzel.  The latter was the youngest son and was born
in 1847.  Married Miss Mary Purdy.  They have two children---Elbert
and Florence C.

     MAHLEN RIGGS was born in Ohio county, in 1815.  Educated at
such schools as they had at that early day.  He was reared a farmer.
Married Miss Lydia Dickinson, of Washington county, Pennsylvania.
The same year he located on the farm now occupied by him, near
Pleasant Valley.  They have seven children---only three remaining at
home.  Had one son in the late war, Thomas G. Riggs.  He was a member
of Company B, 12th West Virginia Regiment, serving three years.  Our
subject received the appointment by the county court of Marshall county,
in 1876, as road surveyor and has filled said office up to the present 
time.  He is a member of the M. E. Church at Pleasant Valley.

     MARTIN WETZEL was born in Ohio county, in 1834.  He is a grand
son of the celebrated Lewis Wetzel.  He was reared a farmer.  In 1855, he
went to learn the carpenter trade and follows that trade yet.  In 1857 he
married Miss M. Haynes, of Marshall county.  They have six children,
three boys and three girls.  In 1862 he enlisted in the Twelfth West
Virginia Regiment.  Served three years; was in several engagements, but
escaped without a scratch.

     J. G. PHILLIPS was born in Washington county, Pa., in 1847.  Came
to Marshall county in 1869.  Elected a member of the Board of Education
and served as secretary for four years.  Was educated at Waynesburg,
Greene county, Pa.

     G. A. JONES was born in Marshall county in 1836.  In 1872 he was
elected justice of the peace, and in 1876 was re-elected.  Is still holding
the office.

     JACOB CROW was born in Greene county, Pa., near the Virginia
line, on the old Crow homestead, where the Crow girls were murdered
by the Indians, in 1815.  They were of German origin.  His mother's 
maiden name was Johnson.  Jacob was reared a farmer.  He lived on 
the farm he now occupies.  Married Miss Susan Lazear in 1845.  They
had three children, two boys and one girl.

     OLIVER CALDWELL was born on Wheeling creek, Ohio county,
in 1831.  Educated in a common school.  In 1854 he married Mary A.
Shook, of Marshall county, W. Va.  They had a family of seven
children, five girls and two boys.  He is an enterprising farmer.

     JAMES STANDEFORD, son of Skilton Standeford, was born in
Harford county, Maryland, January 25, 1800, and came to West
Virginia with his parents when quite young.  James, when a young
man purchased 896 acres of land from John McLee, of Wheeling,
November 27, 1827, a part of which he cleared and erected a cabin.
He married to Miss Eliza Smith, July 16, 1827.  She died and he
married again in 1844, to Sarah Henderson.  He had a family of four
children, one girl and three boys.  He died January 17, 1877.  John
Standeford, the oldest son, is living on the old homestead.  He was
born in 1832, and in 1866, he was married to Miss Rebecca
Cunningham.  They have a family of four children, three boys and
one girl.  William, a brother of John's enlisted in Company B., Twelfth
West Virginia Regiment, and was killed in action at the battle of
Winchester, Va.

     G. W. LIVINGSTON was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, in 1846.
Came to Marshall county in 1858.  Married in 1875.  Has a family of
two children.

                       WASHINGTON DISTRICT.

     This district lies immediately south of Union, and its western
border is washed by the Ohio river.  Grave creek forms its southern
boundary.  It is watered by those two and their tributaries.  Surface
is unusually hilly, although as fine valleys are formed in this district
as anywhere in the limits of Marshall county.  It was here the 
memorable Tomlinson discovered the home that he sought.  The
richness of the soil attracted his attention and he located and held
as much of the land as he could.  The district, generally speaking, is
quite fertile and productive.  Excellent farms are numerous.  It
contains 14,837 arable acres.  It is not the largest in area, but is first
in wealth, or nearly so.  It has been the scene of several incidents
with Indians.

                            EDUCATION.

     Education is especially looked after in the district.  A number of
school houses dot the hill-sides and valleys, and the education of her
youth is carefully attended to.  The township authorities employ
competent teachers as instructors, and, as a consequence, realizes
great benefit therefrom.

                              TOWNS.

     There are two towns in this district, Moundsville, the county seat,
and Limestone post office.  The former is the leading town in the county,
whilst the latter is but a small station with a store and a few houses.
Population about one hundred.

                 THE LIMESTONE PRESBSTERIAN CHURCH.

     On the 24th of May, 1871, a few persons, numbering in all fifteen,
who had adopted the Presbyterian faith, met and organized this
congregation under the supervision and direction of Rev. D. H. Lafferty.
Wm. C. Smith succeeded him, and he was followed by Rev. J. F. Curtis,
Rev. J. A. Brown.  John K. Francis, Daniel Wilson, James Standiford
and John Allen are elders.  The church has a membership of thirty-two,
with a good Sunday school of about fifty scholars.

                  WASHINGTON DISTRICT BIOGRAPHIES.

     JOHN GOUDY, farmer, was born in Washington county, Pa., in
Removed to Brooke county with his parents in 1807.  In 1812, he
married Rebecca Morgan, and had a family of three children.  Moved to
Wheeling in 1848.  From the latter place he removed to Marshall county,
in 1869.  William M. Goudy, his son, served three years and three months
in the rebellion.  He was a member of the First West Virginia Infantry.

     JOHN JEFFERSON, farmer, was born March 7, 1819 in (now) 
Marshall county.  Married Rachel Lowrey, February 24, 1842.  They
have eleven children living and two dead.  His father served in the
war of 1812.

     JOHN S. RIGGS, farmer, was born in then Ohio county, November
29, 1821.  On September 11, 1841, was married to Eliza J. Murphy.
His second wife, Mary Burley, was united to him March 9, 1871.  They
have three boys.

     BENJAMIN HILL was born in Ireland.  Migrated to America and
settled in Wheeling in 1818.  Lived until 1872 and died.  His son, 
Joseph B. Hill, lives on the old homestead.  He married Miss Mary
White in 1871.

     JOHN G. CALDWELL, farmer, was born in Marshall county in 1851.
Was a grandson of John Caldwell.  He was married to Miss Sarah Clayton.
They had three children---all girls.  He is a descendant of one of the old
settlers of the Pan-Handle.

     JEREMIAH JONES, farmer, was born in then Ohio county in 1805.  
He was a son of George Jones, who migrated from Maryland to Ohio
county as early as 1785.  Our subject married Miss Jane Perry in 1833.  
He has a family of eleven children, five boys and six girls.  He had three
sons in the late war.

     GEORGE W. BLAKE was born in Marshall county in 1848.  Married
Miss J. E. Keyle in 1869.  Has one child, Nancy C.  He is a farmer.

     WARREN BLAKE was born in 1846.  Is a son of Robert Blake.  He
follows farming as his occupation.

     W. J. BURLEY, farmer, was born in Marshall county in 1842.  Enlisted
in the Twelfth West Virginia Infantry as a private, in 1862.  Was promoted
to first lieutenant in 1863, and to captain, December, 1864, and February
1865, he was lifted to major.   Served with distinction.  He was in a 
number of engagements during the service.  He married Miss Emma Dunn
in 1863.  He has two children, a boy and a girl.

     L. L. NEWMAN, farmer, was born in 1834, in Marshall county, W. Va.
Was educated at the Moundsville Academy.  After completing his course he
engaged in farming.  In 1864, he married Miss Pecket.  They have seven
children, three boys and four girls.  Mr. Newman is a very active politician.
Having received the nomination for state senator by the democrats, in 1878,
he was elected by a large majority.

                        RIVER VIEW HOTEL.

     This hotel is located in the lower town, near the steamboat landing,
on Water street.  James Haniaty, proprietor.  It is a first-class hotel;
charges moderate and accommodations pleasant to a traveling public.

                          MARBLE WORKS.
     P. Cawfield is the proprietor of this establishment.  he came to
Moundsville in 1845.  Deals in monuments and tombstones.


                         CLAY DISTRICT.

     Clay, like the other districts, was organized soon after the act
directing the several counties in the state to be divided into townships.
It is, perhaps, the smallest district of any in the county or territory.  
It contains 16, 843 arable acres.  Total value of lands and buildings,
$408,368.

                           TOPOGRAPHY.

     Big Grave creek and its tributaries, water this district.  The land
is very rough; hills rise to considerable altitude.  The soil, is, however;
quite fertile for the most part.  The Round Bottom, once the property of
General George Washington, is very fine land.  The scenery is beautiful,
being well diversified with hills and valleys.  Coal is found in different
parts of this district.

                          EARLY SETTLERS.

     Probably Nathan Masters was as early a settler in this district
as any.  It is claimed he came out early in 1777.  The same year came
John and James Riggs, and James Freeman.  Benjamin Fish settled in
The Bakers, McLains and Roberts were also among the earliest
settlers.  Zeke Lewis settled  in Round Bottom in 1798.  In about 1805
the Nixons---Hugh, William and James, came.  And the Jeffersons
located in 1810, then came the Martins, Boners and Evans.

                 THE BALTIMORE & OHIO RAILROAD.

passes through Clay up the narrow valley of Grave creek.  The only
station is Rosby's Rock.  It having taken its name from an early
settler---Rosby.  Some claim he was murdered by the Indians soon
after his migration here.  Three stores, post office, blacksmith shop,
one shoe shop and one grist and saw mill comprises the business
of the place.  It was started about 1852.

                         SCHOOL HOUSES.

     Clay has six school houses---all of which are frame, and furnished
in the latest modern style.  The educational interests are well cared for.
What is known as Lower Town, in Moundsville, lays in Clay.

                    CLAY DISTRICT BIOGRAPHIES.

     WILLIAM S. PIERCE, farmer, was born in Ohio county, W. Va., 
in 1817.  His father migrated from Deleware in 1806, and settled
near Wheeling.  William received a common school education.  He
married Miss Susan Bonar in 1842.  They had a family of three children,
all of whom are married.

McGARY, farmer, was born in Belmont county, Ohio, in 1823,
came to Marshall county with his father, William McGary, in 1835, and
located on Fork Ridge.  Arthur was brought up on the farm.  In 1854, he
married Miss L. Perkins, of Belmont county, Ohio.  He has a family of
nine children.

     GEORGRE TAYLOR, farmer, was born in Ohio county (now Marshall)
in 1820, and settled on Taylor's ridge at an early day.  He married Miss
Elizabeth Pelley. They have a family of five children.  Mr. T. has a large
farm, and well improved.


                             MEADE DISTRICT.

     Meade borders on Wetzel county on the south.  Its organization was
effected in about 1864, in conformity to an act passed by the general
assembly of the state of West Virginia, in July, 1863.  At the last census,
taken in 1870, the district contained a population of 1,308.  Has 21,746
arable acres.  The total value of lands and buildings, $222,978.

                           FIRST SETTLERS.

     The earliest settlement made in what is now Meade district was by
a man named Eanie.  He settled on Fish creek, where Conrad Thayer
now lives, in about 1780.  A Mr. Boman came in about the same time,
locating on the land now in the possession of the Kelleys; but soon after
his migration here he was captured by Indians and was subsequently
murdered by them.

                            TOPOGRAPHY.

     This district is watered by Fish creek and its smaller branches. The 
face of the land comprising this locality is exceedingly rough and hilly.
In many places, however, the soil is rich and quite productive.  The
scenery is not altogether without interest; the narrow valleys and pointed
hill tops present some beautiful features, whilst to the poet it might
suggest excitable fancies.

                            BLOCK HOUSE.

     In about 1787, a block house or fort, as it was called, stood on the
land owned now by Thayer.  Soldiers at one time were stationed in
this building, to watch the movements of the Indians and to prevent
them from attacking the whites and massacreing them.

                    STONE PILES----ANCIENTLY BUILT.

     Along the banks on either side of Fish creek, still remain at 
prominent points, stone piles, evidently built up by the Indians or a
of beings inhabiting the country prior to them.  Judging from the
appearance of these piles, one could conclude that they had been
placed there for fortifications.  The stones are piles to the height of
about three feet.  These are found, commencing at the land owned by
the Kelley's extending up, towards the head of said stream, a distance
of about four miles.  At the mouth of Lynn camp and Maggoty streams,
these occur more prominently.  Several of these stone piles have been
torn down, and discovered to contain the remains of human bones.

                            COAL,

is found in different parts of the township, on Lynn Camp run, Fish
creed, and all its tributaries, but now in paying quantities.  The veins
run from fifteen inches to two feet in thickness.

                          IRON ORE,

is also found in this district, but not to any great extent.


             ST. JOSEPH"S GERMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.

     The St. Joseph's Catholic congregation was organized in 1851, at
Linn Camp, with little over a dozen members.  In the year 1853, they
increased in membership to twenty-five, and a church edifice was 
erected by them that year.   The building is 25x50 feet.  Father Huber,
a German minister, supplied this little flock in its primitive days.  At
present it has a large membership.  The church runs in connection with
it a good school, which has acquired considerable reputation.  This
enterprise was started about the time of the organization of the church, 
and has kept up continually, with the exception of about six months.

                          LINN CAMP.

     At this point is found a store kept by A. Bishop, Esq., who is also
postmaster.  The name of the post office is St. Joseph, and was
established in 1877.


                    FAIRMONT M. E. CHAPEL.

     Was organized in 1848, in the house of John Gorbey.  Martin Bonar
was the first class-leader.  The first minister was Philip Greene.  They
now have a good church building to worship in, and the congregation
is in a flourishing condition.

                 NEW BETHEL DISCIPLES' CHURCH.

     In 1848 this society erected their first house of worship, built of 
logs.  David Anguish supplied them, as pastor, at that time, remaining
with them until October 5th, 1872, when death called him from his field
of labor.  The membership at present numbers about seventy.

                 MEADE DISTRICT BIOGRAPHIES.

     WILLIAM LUTES, farmer, was born in Ohio county, in 1825.  He
was the son of David Lutes.  Received a common school education when
a boy.  Married Nancy Jefferson in 1847. Was the father of eight children,
seven of whom are still living, viz: Mary A., Elizabeth, John J., David C.,
James J. and Amanda M.  Mr. Lutes was supervisor from Meade town-
ship for five years, and justice for three years, first receiving the 
appointment by the court and was subsequently elected by the people.

     ABLE BONER, farmer, was born in Ohio county, in 1814, and is a son
of James Boner, who migrated to this county about the year 1798.  Our
subject was married to Mary Vance in 1841.  They had a family of nine
children, five of whom are still living, viz: William M., Sarah E., Nancy
B., Mary V. and James A.  William M. was in the Twelfth West Virginia
Volunteers, Company B, and served three years; was wounded in the
engagement at Hatcher's run.

     JOHN ALLEY, a native of Ohio county, W. Va., was born in 1807.
Educated in the common schools.  In 1830, he married Miss Mary Gibson.
They had a family of seven children, four boys and three girls.


                       FRANKLIN DISTRICT.

     This district was created agreeably to the act of the General Assembly
of West Virginia, passed on the 31st of July, 1863.  Soon after the passage
of this act an organization was effected.  It was then called Franklin 
township, but not long afterward the present name took the place of 
"township."  Has 28,393 arable acres.  Total value of lands and buildings
is $461,222.

                         TOPOGRAPHY.

     Franklin is watered by Fish creek and its tributaries, affording
excellent mill privileges.  The surface is very hilly and sometimes
quite rough, especially so along the meanderings of said creek.  
Very little land uncultivated.  Scenery in many places picturesque 
and beautiful.  The land lying along the river is rich and productive, 
suitable for gardening.

                       PRIMITIVE SETTLERS.

     When the pioneers were going westward in search of land for
tillable purposes and looking up a suitable place where they might
locate and have a home, Cresap being among that number found
his way into the rich valley now comprised in the territory forming
Franklin district, in 1785.  This place has since been given the name
of Cresap's Bottom.  The Cresaps migrated from Maryland.  After
them followed Lazarus Rine, who came in about 1794 and settled
near where John Hornbrook lives.  Philip Heep came at the same time,
who were all of German descent.  The Wells, the Sims, the Bakers and
Burtches also came early.
     Taylor bought land from a man named Blackford, who was probably
one of the first white settlers on what is now known as Taylor's ridge.

                         INDIAN MOUNDS.

     There is found one of these artificial elevations of earth on 
Cresap's bottom and three on Wells'.  The largest one on the latter, is
about thirty feet in height.  Wherever excavations were made, they were
found to contain skeletons along with pipes, flints, implements of Indian
warfare and other relics.  Smaller mounds of less notice are seen, here
and there, in this vicinity.  For ages, perhaps, these have been here.

                            MINERALS.

     Coal and iron ore are found in all parts of the district, but the
latter mineral is not in as large quantity, as the former.  Coal is not
worked to any extent.  Probably the largest vein of coal found in the
county, was discovered at a depth of four hundred feet below the
surface at the mouth of Whetstone creek, being fourteen feet in
thickness.

                        AN OLD BURIAL GROUND.

     On the farm of Thomas McFarland, near the river's edge, is an olden
time burial place, and, is probably, the oldest in Marshall county.  This 
is the resting place of John Wetzel, father of the famous Lewis Wetzel.
Above his remains, was placed a plain stone, simply bearing the initial
inscription, "J. W. 1775."  This still is seen, although nearly hid in the
ground.
     Baker's station or fort, stood on this spot.  There are a number of
other graves here, barely noticeable by a slight elevation of the ground,
or an occasional indentation.

                              SUMMARY.

     There are two post offices, three stores, two grist mills, two
physicians, four churches, and thirteen school houses, some of them log.
Population about 1,690.  The education of this district is about the same
as in other parts of the county.

                           M. E. CHURCH.

     The first organization of the M. E. society, in this district, was
effected at the residence of George Baker, about 1810.  In 1833, the
first church edifice was erected and dedicated by Rev. Philip Green.
In 1874, a new church building was put up at Hornbrook's mill.  The
people generally assisted with liberal hands in its completion.  The
dedicatory ceremonies were conducted by  Dr. Riley, October, 1874.

                     FRANKLIN DISTRICT BIOGRAPHIES.

     JOHN NIXON was born in Ohio county, W. Va., February 28, 1828.
His parents came from Washington county, Pa.  He was educated by
going to school a few weeks in winter.  As the schools were not very
plenty those days, and rather poor at best, he received but a limited
education.  By close application to study he became sufficiently educated
to do his own business.  He engaged in farming in early life and has been
successful in that direction.  In 1848 he married Miss Eveline McCollough.
They have three children, one son and two daughters.  In 1876, Mr. Nixon
was elected justice of the peace from Franklin district, on the republican
ticket, and having filled that office with entire acceptance, he was 
elected to the Legislature from Marshall county, W. Va., in 1878, with-
out opposition, leading his party by a handsome majority.

     WILLIAM CROW was born in Marshall county, W. Va., in 1836.  
He is a son of William Crow, of Webster district, same county, and a 
grandson of Philip Crow, one of the first settlers of the state.  He 
received a limited education in his younger days, as those sturdy old
pioneers thought that it was more beneficial to develop the muscle than
the mind.  In 1859, he married Miss Melvina Cunningham, daughter of
John Cunningham.  They have three children, two girls and one boy.
Alice was born March 30, 1860, and married Wesley Boner March 29,
Thomas W. was born July 22, 1864.  Rachel A. was born April
21, 1868.

     JOHN Z. TAYLOR was born in Ohio county, W. Va., in 1828.  He is
a son of Paterson Taylor, and a grandson of John Taylor, who came from
Westmoreland county, Pa., in 1802, and settled on Taylor's ridge.  The
subject of this sketch received a common school education while young,
and as soon as he entered manhood he engaged in farming.  In 1854, he
married Miss Ellen C. Martin, daughter of S. D. Martin, of Clay district,
Marshall county, W. Va.  They have ten children, five boys and five girls.

     W. F. HAYNES was born in Hagerstown, Maryland, June 19th, 1847.
He came to Marshall county, W. Va., in 1878.  He married Miss Jane
Sippet on the 4th of September, 1869.  They have one child-Cora E., was
born April 30th, 1872.  His father, James E. Haynes, was born in England,
August 14th, 1809, and came to America with his father in September 1819.

     JANE HARVEY was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania,
February 27th, 1853, and came to Marshall county in 1876.  Has been
engaged in school teaching for four years.

     R. H. McFARLAND was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania,
in 1832, and came to Marshall county with his parents in 1835, and
settled where T. B. McF. now lives.  His father, William McFarland, was
a very energetic man.  He cleared a large tract of land and made the best
improvements in Franklin District.  The spirit of enterprise 
continues with our subject.  He has an improved farm of 230 acres, and it
may be said that he has one of the best in the township.  In 1859 he 
married Miss S. J. Swam.  They had a small family.

     T. B. McFARLAND, farmer, was born in Washington county, Pa.,
in 1829; came to Ohio county (now Marshall), W. Va., with his father;
received a common school education at Moundsville; served in the late
war of the rebellion in the Fourth West Virginia Volunteers.  In 1865,
he was married to Miss Mattie Hogan.  They have a family of two
children---Sarah and Mary.

     HIRAM LUTES, farmer, was born in Washington county, Pa., in
1824; migrated to Marshall county in 1858; was married to Miss
Casey Dobbs in 1852.  In 1861, after the death of his first wife, he
married a second time.  He is the father of three children living, viz:
one boy and two girls.

     CHARLES C. WELLS, farmer, was born in Wells' Bottom, Ohio
county, in 1809.  Received a common school education.  In 1852, he
married to Miss Anne S. Scott.

     THOMPSON SIMS was born in 1815.  Married Miss Elizabeth
Scott in 1840.  Was a pilot on the river for thirty years.  Made his first
trip in 1832.  After leaving the river he engaged in the coal business.
He has a family of seven children---three boys and four girls-living.

     R. N. WELLS was born in what is now Marshall county, in 1807.
He married Miss Drusilla McMahon in 1836.  They had a family of
eight children---four boys and four girls.  Mr. S. died in 1871, at the
age of sixty-four years.

     JAMES CRESAP was born in Marshall county, in 1845.  He was
a grandson of Michael Cresap.  In 1870 he married Miss Margarert
Whitaker.  They have a family of four children.

     D. H. CRESAP was born in Franklin district, in 1847.  Married and
has one daughter, who was born June 1, 1877.

     HENRY MILLER, farmer, was born in Westmoreland county, Pa.,
in 1816; came to now Marshall county, W. Va., in 1826; married Miss
Sarah A. Wayne in 1839.  They had a family of six children.  On the
7th of September, 1851, his wife died.  In 1853 he married his second
wife, Miss E. Templeton, who also bore him six children.

     MILES BONAR was born on Fork ridge, in Clay district, Marshall
county, W. Va.  In 1853, he married Miss S. A. Gibson.  They have
three boys and two girls.

     QUINCEY CRESAP was born in Marshall county, W. Va., on the
4th of July, 1844.  He was a grandson of Michael Cresap.  On the 15th 
of December, 1875, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Price.  They have
two children.