Gc M. L.
975.401
M53d
1954205
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL
^:^ENEALOGY COLLECTION
1833 02258 7304
HISTORY AND PROGRESS
COUNTY OFMRlOi
WEST VIRGINIA, J^,
FEOM ITS
Earlikst Settlp:ment ry the Whites, do\Vx\ to
THE PkESENT, together WITH BtOGIJAPHI-
CAL Sketches of its Most
Prominent CiTizENri.
GEO. A. DUNNINGTON.
Aided by Notes and Mc.tuoranda left by the late UICIIARD P. LOTT.
FAIRMONT, W. VA:
GKOllGE A. DUNNIXGTOX, rUIJLISIIE II.
18S0.
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1 X
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PREFACE.
'JA^T'E have designed in the following })ages
^ to relate in detail the principal events
that have transpired in Marion county from
its first settlement to the present. We are
aware that the work has many imperfections,
but they could not be helped. To write a
history without having any authentic or w^rit-
ten records to aid us, was almost akin to ''creat-
ing something out of nothing." The early set-
tlers of this section have all died, their children
have, with a few exceptions, followed them;
and many events of interest in connection with
the early history have been lost in oblivion.
We have endeavored to rescue as many as
possible, however, and herewith present them.
In giving the history of the county since its
organization, we have aimed to incorporate
only the princij^al events which have trans-
4 Preface.
pired, and which are worthy of being preserv-
ed. This part of the book is necessarily writ-
ten in a somewhat rambling manner, for
reasons which tlie intelligent reader can plainly
discern.
A considerable amount of the information
connected with the formation of the county, and
on down to the present has been gleaned from
the memoranda loft by the late Richard P.
Lott, whose purpose was to write a histor}" of
the county during that period, having been
solicited to do so by the undersigned. The
hand of Death interrupted him, however, ere
he could commence the work.
In the narrative proper, we h.tx\o made but
little reference to the political history of the
county — this will be found largely in the bio-
gra2)hical sketches annexed. They are mostly
of the men who have taken the most promi-
nent jmrts in the politics of the county.
For much of the information re(-eived, we
are indebted to Gov. F. II. Pieri)oint, 3Iessrs.
Charles ]Morgaii. William Cochran, Robert P.
Nixon, Zebulon Musgrove, George Merrill,
AH'
Preface. 5
Luther Haymond and others ; besides AYither's
Border' Warfare, Doddridge's Xotes on Wes-
tern Virginia, old liles of county newspapers,
etc.
Hoping that this little volume will prove all
that is expected of it, and thanking the public
for their encouragement in the past, we are,
Your O'bt Servant,
G. A. D.
Fairmont, Feb. 1, 1880.
Introductory,
First Settlements,
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
CHAPTER n.
CHAPTER III.
About the I,and Titles held by the Settlers, - - - 18
CHAPTER IV.
The Characteristics and Hardships of the Early Settlers, - 22
CHAPTER V.
Commencement of the Indian Troubles — Forts established, etc. 2S
CHAPTER VI.
Murder of Josiah Prickett — Continuation of Indian Atrocities —
Murder of Miss Coon — Attack on Fort Harbert, - - 32
CHAPTER VII.
Captain Booth killed— Capture of Captain Cochran— David
Morgan's encounter with two Indians, - - - 39
CHAPTER VIII.
Horatio Morgan — Massacre of the Thomas Family, - - 48
CHAPTER IX.
Continued Hostilities of the Savages — Attack on the Cunning-
hams and Capture of Mrs. (unningliam, - - - 53
CHAPTER X.
A Boy's Adventure — The Indian's on BufTalo Creek— Levi
Morgan's Adventure, - - - - - - 60
'iiifZ •ijuu'i
8t>
8 Contents.
CHAPTER XI.
Murder of the Mclntires — End of Indian depredations, - 66
CHAPTER XII.
Progress of Civilization from 1785 to 1S19. - - - 70
CHAPTER XIII.
The Towns of the County, - - - - - 73
CHAPTER XIV.
Organization of the County -The First Cuiut— The Jail— The
Court House, etc. - - - - - - 78
CHAIT'ER XV.
The Irish Riot— The Great Freshet— Cotnpletion of the rail-
road—Suspension Bridge built, etc. - - - - 85
CHAPTER XVI.
The Churches and Schools of the County, - - - 95
CHAFrER XVII.
The First Steamboat— The Ranks of Marion County— Journal-
ism in the County, -...-. 103
CHAPTER XVIII.
The War of the Rebellion— Division of the State. - - 110
CHAPTER XIX.
The Mining Interests — The Fire at Fairmont — Marion Militia,
etc. 116
CHAPTER XX.
The Resources of the County— Its Politiral Cumplexion— Con-
clusion, -------- 126
PEN SKETCHES OF PROMINENT CITIZENS.
Hon. William S. Morj;nn, Hon. Zedekiah Kidwell, Hon. Francis
H. Pierpoint, Col. Thomas S. Ilaymond, Hon. 15 F. Martin,
Hon. A. Brooks Flen\ing, John W. McCoy, Esi| , Hon. J.
C. Bceson, Hon. U. N. Arnott, Judf,^' A. F, Haymoii<l,
James Morrow. Jr., E.-(|., Robert H. Lett, ICsq , Ricbard P.
Lott, Esfj.. Fontain Smith, Ei.4., Albert S. Huyden, Escj.,
C. M. Davison, Esci. Other Promineut Men, - - 134
HISTORY
County of Marion
CHAPTER r.
IXT1U)DUCT0UY.
T tlic time wlien thip sccticni of Virginia wiis
lirst known to the whites, it was occupied hy a
trihf of Indians known as tlie Maf<sawonie(^s. As set-
th'Mients were extended westward and over thr inoun-
tains, the Massawoniees g:radnally retired until the
country between tlie AUeghenies and the Ohio river
was almost entirely unused by them as a regular place
of h:ibitatii)n. There soon remained but few Indian
villages, and those that did ex.ist contained but small
numbers of inhabitants. What is now thf Stiite of
West N'irginia, however, was usi>d us a hunting giound
by the savages, anil as a battle ground by eont<'nding
tribes.
in many parts of Clarion and adjoining countu;s
evidences of a }>reinstoric people are found. Imple-
10 History of >rAR[ON County.
ments of war, crockery, and curiously shaped instru-
ments of various kinds are occasionally pLjwed up in
the fields, and, in short, the signs are upon every side
that some of the race of semi-civilized people, who in-
habited this country ages before its discovery, dAvelt
in this immcKliato vicinity. Some years ago, some
workmen, in preparing to build a bridge which spans
Paw PaAV creek, at the upper end of tlie village of
Rivesville, unearthed three skeletons, wliich were
those of giants, each measuring over seven feet in
length. Upon " Fort Hill,"' about two miles nortli of
Fairmont, were found traces of an aboriginal fort.
Along the l)ank of the Monongaliela riv.er, and run-
ning through Palatine, wlien^ the eartli has been
washed away by fresliets, can be setui traces of an (jld
McAdamized road. It is some feet below the surface
and can hn traced for quite a distance. The l>ed of
the road seems to vary from ten to fourteen inches in
thickness, and tlie stone is broken with great regu-
larity. The earth al)ove the )>cd is black and pre-
sents somewhat the appearance of an alluvial deposit.
It is very probable that this deposit formed the bed
of what we now call a M(?Adamized road, at some
former period of the world. Since the settlement of
the county, skeh.'tons have been found at various
times in the vicinity of Poothsvillc and otiier towns.
Traces of tlie Massawomees are also found in many
places. For instance, a mile b<>low IJivesvillc near
HtsTOKV OF Marion County. 11
the Mor^'autowu and Fairmont pike, upon the farm
of Mr. Wm. Arnett, there is a very interesting relic
in the shape of a large rock, upon whicli is roughly
cut a picture of an Indian leading a bear. Kepresen-
tations of turkey and bear tracks, and other figures
are also upon the rock. About twenty-five years ago
a large wild cherry tree was by a storm torn up by the
roots, leaving tliis rock with its inscription exposed
ti> view. < )tlier interesting relics may also be found
in the county.
After tlie ^[assawoiuees retired from the country
lying between thi^ mountains and the Ohio river, tlie
sole permanent inhabitants of that region were the
boasts and birds of tlie forests, until the white settle-
ments were made. During the winter the Buli'alo
would had their way into Kentudk\', and live among
the cane-brakes to be found there. As spring ap-
j»roached they woidd again seek our luxuriant pas-
tures, where they, witii the abundance of other game,
would full victims of the savages from Pennsylvania
and tire countr}' west of the Ohio, who came here in
• [Uest of food. As the various tribes who made this a
hunting ground were at constant enmity, tiie fact that
they all claimed the territory was sufficient to make
it a field of contention; consequently, it was often
made tin- scene of carnage and bloodshetl.
rp to the year 17;>8 all that part of ^'irginia west
uf the l>lue liidt'e mountains was included in the
12 History ok Maiuon County.
county of Orange. At tlie fall session of the Colonial
Legislature, in the above year, the counties of Freder-
ick and Augusta were foi'med out of Orange. Fred-
erick county was bounded on the north b}- the iVjto-
mac river, on the east by the Blue IJidge, and on the
south and west by aline drawn from the head spring
of Hedgenian's to the licad spring of the Potonuic.
Augusta county consisted of all the remainder of the
State west of the J]lue Ridge, and within the limits
were included much of Virginia and West A'irginia
as they now are, and the territories embraced in Ohio,
Indiana and parts of Western i'ennsylvania, Michi-
gan, Illinois and Kentucky. Nearly forty vears after-
wards, in 177C), the counties of Ohio, Monongalia and
Youghiogania were formed out of the distrie-t of West
Augusta, and at the same time the boundary between
Augusta county and the district of West Augusta
was fixed as follows: "Beginning on the Allegheny
mountains, between the heads (»f Potomac, Cheat and
Greenbrier rivers; thence along the Ividge which di-
vides the waters of C'heat river from those of (Jieeu-
brier, and that branch of the Monongahela called Ty-
gart's Valley river to the Monongahela: thence up
the said river, and the West Fork thereof to Binga-
nion's creek, on the northwest side of said West Fork;
thence up the said creek to the head thereof: thence
in direct course to the head of Middle island creek, a
branch of the Ohio; and tiience to the Ohio, iuclud-
HisTOKY OK Marion County. 1-^
ing all the waters of the said creek in the aforesaid
district of West Augusta — all that territory lying to
the northward of the aforesaid boundary, and to the
westward of the States of Pennsylvania and Mary-
land, shall be deemed, and is hereby declared to be
within the district of West Augusta."
And to render the benefits of government and the
administration of justice more easy and convenient to
the people, this act formed out of West Augusta the
three counties above mentioned. Several years after-
wards, tiie greater part of Youghiogania county, by the
ext<;nsion of the western boundary between IVnnsyl-
vania and Virginia, fell within the limits of the form-
er State. The residue was, by an act of 1785, added
to tlie county of Ohio, and Youghiogania became
extinct. All that part of the district of West Au-
gusta lying to the northward of the county of Augusta,
to the westward of the meridian of the head fountain
of thf I'otomac, to the southward of the county of
Youghiogania, and to tlie eastward of Ohio t-ounty, was
comprised in the limits of Monongalia county. In
17>!4 Harrison county was formed out of Monongalia
and West Augusta. As Clarion county, nearly seventy
years afterwards, was taken from the counties of Mon-
ongalia and Harrison, we will give an account of the
early settlement of the territory in the two latter,
now comprising the former.
CHAPTER II.
FIRST SETTI.E^IENTS.
DT^X the beginning of the foregoing chapter mention
(^ was made of the Indians who occupied Western
Virginia previous to the coming of the whites, and of
their abandonment of the country as a pLace of resi-
dence. When, in 17-')4, David Tygart and a Mr. Files
made the first attempt to settle this section of the
State, the only Indians to be found composed the (jc-
casional hunting or war parties from the north and
west. The two gentlemen named were probably the
first white men who ever built cabins in Virginia
west of the Allegheny mountains. Files settled at
the mouth of the creek whicli now bears his name —
where the town of lieverly now is — and Tygart settled
a few miles further up tlie river, (winch has since
been called Tygart's Valley river,) in wiiat is known
as Tygart's Vallc}-. They st)on determined to aban-
don their settlements on aci-ount of the hostility of
the Indians, and the ditllculty experienced in obtain-
ing breadstutVs for their families. Before they were
enabled to earrv out their determination th(> family
History of Marion Cointy. 15
of Files fell victim? to savage (>ruelty A strolling
party of Indians fell upon them and massacred them
all save one — -a hoy — who escaped and warned theTy-
gart's of the danger in time for them to save them-
selves by flight.
Not long after this a settlement was made on Cheat
river, a few miles east of where stands ]\Ioi-gantown,
by a party of Dunkards, comprising Dr. Thomas Eck-
erly and his two brothers. Dunkard's creek owes its
n;ime to the circumstances of their having camped at
its mouth while they were engaged in (exploring the
vicinity for a suitable place to settle. They finally
located in Dunkard's bottom, wliich lies on Cheat.
They spent some years there unmolested l)y the In-
dians, although a bloody war was then waging. Tlu-
Doctor left Cheat once to visit a trading post on the
Slicnandoah, to procure ammunition and other ncediMl
supplies. Hi.s story that he had lived on Cheat so
long unmolested by the Indians, seemed so improba-
ble to the people on the Shenandoah that they ac-
cused him of telling an untruth, and suspicioned him
of being a confederate of the enemy. Ho was a<-coi-d-
ingly arrested and placed in confinement. In vain
did he declare that he had n(n'er even seen a savage
during his sojourn in Dunkard's bottom. He tin;dly
retpiested that a guard be sent with him to his little
?ettlen)ent, that he might be able to prove the truth of
his statements. His re(]uest was complicMl with, and
16 History of Marion County.
upon arriving at the spot, only a heap of ruins were
found where had stood the cabin, and the mutilated
bodies of his brothers were lying upon th^ ground.
Thus his story that they were not confederates of the
Indians was awfully confirmed.
In the fall of 1758 Thomas Decker and others com-
menced a settlement on the Monongahela river, at the
mouth of the creek since called by his name, but in
the spring following it was broken up by a war party
of Delawares and Mingoes.
These were the only attempts to effect settlements
upon the Monongahela or its branches prior to the
French and Indian war, and it was not until the year
1772 that any permanent settlements were made.
About the year 1772 settlements were made upon
the upper branches of the Monongahela river. Cap-
tain James Booth and Mr. John Thomas established
themselves upon what is now known as Booth's creek,
near the i)resent town of Booths ville, this county.
Captain Booth settled at the place known as the "old
Jesse Martin farm," and Mr. Thomas on the "old
William Martin place." Withers, in speaking of this
latter farm, in lS:n,said: "It is perhaps the most
valuable landed estate in Northwestern Virginia."^!= •
About this time David Morgan, afterwards cimsj-icu-
ous for his personal daring and prowess, during the
hostilities^of the Indians, established himself upon
*" Bonlor Wnrfnre "— page 'J.;. "
History of Makion County. 17
tlie Monougalielu about five miles ht-low Fairmont,
near the month of Prieketfs ereek. Amunt!; other
emigrants settling hero al)ont this time, were tlie
I'rieketts, Ice^, Halls, Coclirans, llavcs, Cunninghams,
Hartleys, Barns. Haymonds, Flemings. Springers and
many others, whose descendants now eomiirise the
greater ])art of the |)<»j)ulation of Mtii'ion county. A
great number of them eaiu(? from tin' then colonies i»f
Maryland, Virginia and Delaware, crossing the nuMin-
tains by a route called Jlradduck's trail.
NoTK. — In a burying ground at IJarracksville is the
grave of the first white child ever burn west of the
Allegheny mountains. His name was Adam Ice, and
he was bcn-n in 17G7, at Ice's ferry, on Cheat, a short
time previous to the removal of the Ice family to the
."Hettloments here, and died in IS-ll.
CHAPTER III.
ABOUT THE LAND TITLES HELD P.Y THE
SETTLERS.
y^\F course, the tnaiu object of the early settlors in
^t)^ coming into this region was to procure for theni-
:<elves and families homes, for land could be secured
upon easy terms. Bnilding a cabin and raising acroj)
of grain entitled the occupant to four hundred acres
of land and a ])re-cmi)ti(»n right to one thousand or
more adjoining, to be secured by a hnul ollico warrant.
At first there was a kind of land title, denominated
the " tomahawk right." This was made by deaden-
ing a few trees upon tiie premises, and marking the
bark of one of them with the initials of the i>erson
making the improvement. A narration of tlie cir-
cumstances under which these land titles were lield
by the settlers, is here in order.
In the year 1754 (h»vernor Dinwiddle, of Virginia,
issued a prt)clamation by authority of his council,
authorizing a fort to be built at the continence of tiu;
Monongahela and Allegheny rivers (Fort Duqucsne.)
to opjjose the encroaclirnents of the French and tiieir
History of Marion County, It)
Imliiin alliei:^, and for tlie protection of his majesty's
subjects in liis colony — providing for sufficient mili-
tary force to protect the same. In order to encourage
volunteers to enter the military service, he set apart
•iOOjOCK") acres of land above tlieir pay -100,000 acres
contiguous to the fort, and the other 100,000 acres on.
or near the Ohio river — to be laid oif and granted to
such persons " who by thidr v(jluntary engagements
and good bel\avior in said service shall deserve the
same." Tiie said lands were to be free of (piit rents
for the t(M-m of fifteen years.
After the conclusion of tlie French and Indian war,
in ITH's Dr. Franklin, with a number of associates,
petitioned the king of England for a grant of that
territory lying west of the water slieds of the Alle-
gheny mountains and south of tlie Ohio river, extend-
ing southwest along the Ohio to the mouth of tlie l>ig
San<ly, and up the same to the water sheds of the Alle-
glienies. (ieorge the Third refused the petition on tlie
grounds of luiving retained that territory for hunt-
ing grounds for the friendly Indians, in consideration
of their valualde services, and issued his proclamation
granting the erection of tlie governments of (Quebec,
Ka.>^t Idorida, West Florida and (rranada.='= The colony
of (Quebec lay nortiieast of New York and New Eng-
land : l']ast Idoritla constituted what is now tlie east-
ren part of the State of Florida; West Florida extended
•Set- llciiiiiiiK'sSiatules— .Vi.pen.lix t.. vol. 7.
20 Hl><T()RY OF MAfiiON C(»rNTV.
from the Aiialarhacola river, along tlic ( Julf of Mexico,
westward to T>akr Poiitchartrai)i, and tlionce north-
ward to r.ake Mauripas and tln^ Mississij^pi rivor to
31° north hititndo ; thence dnc east on the line of this
latitude t(^ the Apalachacola river.
It will be -seen that none of these grants include
any territory west of the ^li.ssissippi river, nor we.st
of the Allegheny n^nintains, except that region east
of the Mississip])i and helow the thirty-first degree of
north latitude, wliich conij)rises small portions of the
States of F.ouisiana, .Missis>ippi, Alahama and Florida.
In this proclamation (n-orge the Third forbids any of
the new colonies from gi-anting any warrants of sur-
veys or patents for any lands beyond the boundaries of
their respective governments as described. Also, no
governoi' or comnian<ler-ia-chief of any of our other
colonies or plantations in America do presunui for the
present, and until our furtiier pleasure be known, t<>
grant warrants of surveys, or pass patents for anv
lands beyond the heads or sources of any rivers which
fall into the Atlantic ocean from the west, northwest,
or up<jn any lands whatever, which not having been
ceded to or purchas(Ml by us, as aforesaid, .are reserved
lo the said Indians, or any of them.
It will be seen that tlu'rc; is a conlliet betwe<'n the
proclamation of (iovernor Dinwiddle and that of the
King. The (iovernor [)romises liOU,(XX> aen-s adjacent
to Pittsburgh. These lands, with a large amount of
History of Marion County. 21
others, were settled in West Virginia immediately
thereafter. The Revolutionary war came on soon af-
terwards. The lands of the settlers were held under
different rights, and the Legislature of Virginia, in
order to settle all these titles, and to secure the set-
tlers, passed the act of 1779, in which they recognized
both proclamations, and gave no validity to that of
the King. By this act of the Virginia Legislature,
the previously uncertain titles of the lands settled
here were made good, and the titles of many of the
estates in Marion and adjoining counties are held un-
der this law.
CHAPTER IV.
TlIK CllAKACTKKL^TK'S AND IIAUDSHIPS OF
THE EAIiJ.Y SKTTLKKS.
tS soon as it wus known east that this field of
. ^^ wealth hiy west of tht^ mountains, that " the
land could lie had for the takin>; uii." and that settle-
ments had heen comnienced here, hundreds lioeked in
from dillerent parts of I'^astt-i-n N'irginia and Mary-
land. The spii-it of emigration began to develop it-
self, and the motives which have .^inee induced the
peopling of our far West prompted the adventurer to
overcome his youthful attachments, and wend his wav
into this dreary waste to assist in tin? foundation of
what is now a i)owerful and j)rogressive State. As
has been wtdl said, "former homes, encircled by the
comforts of civilization, endeared by tiie gratel'ul re-
collections of by-g(tne <lays, and not unfr(.'4uently as
the spot where their tenants had first inhaled the
vital fluid, were readily exchanged for the variety of
untried being, the new seenes and changes which
were to be passed bt;forc the trees of tin; forest could
be supplanted by the fruits of the field, or society be
lIisTOKv OF ^Fahion CorxTV. 2;')
reared in the solitude of the desert." With the same
cheerfulness, hardihood, and adventurous davin» that
characterized the pioneers years before in the layin»
of the corner stone of this vast empire, these brave
men and women faced the hardships and dangers that
presented themselves, and surmounted them all in a
comparatively l)rief space of time. It was a natural
consequence of their situation that their morals should
suffer, and that their manners should become rough
and uncouth. This lias been the state of things in all
new colonies.
Some of the early settlers, according to Doddridge,
took the precaution to come over the mountains in
the spring, to raise a crop of corn, leaving their fami-
lies behind, and then return and bring them out inthe
fall. Others, whose families wer(^ not large, brought
their wives and cliildrcn witli them in the spring.
Sometimes, those wlio took the latter course would
suffer for it, for the Indian meal they brought over
the mountains with them would b(^ expendcul too soon,
and they were obliged to live without bread until the
corn was ready to pull. Venison and the breast of the
wild turkey then served them as a substitute for bread,
and the tlesh of the bear was denoujinated meat. Kut
this was a hard way to live — it did not satisfy the
cravings of the stomach, " which seemed to be always
empty, and tormented with a sense of hunger.''—
" Light" bread was a luxury th<'y seldom indulged in
■24 History of Marion Couxty.
or could get hold of, as was also butter. The venera-
ble VV^iUiam llaymond, in a letter to Luther Hay-
mond, in 18i2, referring to the manners of living of
the early settlers, as he remembered them, said •''" I
remember brother John and myself went to Ruble's
mill, in Pennsylvania, distant eleven miles, and re-
mained all night. Next morning, when we were on
our horses to start for home, Ruble, or some other per-
son, brought each of us a piece of light bread spread
with butter. This I thought such a great feast that I
have it in my mind to this day."
Of course, in these primitive times there were no
carpenters, tailors, cabinet-makers, shoemakers, wea-
vers, or any of the tradesmen who are now considered
indispensable to a community. Every familv was
under the necessity of doing everything for 'itself.
Hand-mills were used in most <,f the houses, with
which each family grouud its own corn. Their cloth-
ing was all of domestic manufacture. Linsey was the
most substantial cloth they <:.n.l.l make, and the wo-
men did the weaving. Every family t.nned its own
leather, made its own shoes and manufactured its
own clothing. In short, these were the days of bridle-
ways, pack-saddles, rope-bri.lles, tread-mills, wooden
plows, and Hails. Ahnost every house contained a
loom and a spinning wheel. All the women k.iew
ii..w to knit, spiu, weave and sew, and with rare
ceptions, they all wore narro^v-skirted flannel dresse^
ex-
History of Marion County. 25
The men were usually habited in doer or coon-skin
caps, red flannel jackets or hunting shirts, blue linsey
breeches and moccasins. They knew nothing of our
present McAdamized roads and elegant mud-pikes,
neither had they any conception of the luxury of a
cushioned saddle, a leather bridle, a nice buggy or a
tine carriage; or the iron plow, threshing machine,
reaper or steam mill. The nearest place where sup-
plies could be procured was east of the mountains, and
it was often that the barest necessities of life were
^uf}e^ed for when extremely heavy snows or freshets
prevented any communication between the settle-
ments and the stores.
As stated in the beginning of this chapt(>r, the
manners of society were very rude in those days. As
an illustration of this, it may be in place to give
an account of how a marriage was conducted. As a
general rule the settlers married quite young, and,
with very rare exceptions, their's were real " love
matches." On this account their marriagfS proved
mostly happy ones. The whole neighborhood would
turn out en ma.s.se to a wedding, and considering tlie
fact that a marriage celebration was about the only
gathering " which was not accompanied with the la-
bor of reaping, building a cabin, or planning some
scout or campaign," this is not surprising. The cere-
mony u.sually took place before dinner, which wa.s a
substantial feast of beef, pork, venison and bear meat,
26 ItisTORY OF Mariox CorxTv.
potatoes, cabbage and other kinds of vegetables. The
tables would perhaps bo e(instruet(>d of a large slab of
timber, hewed out with a broad-axe, supj)orted by four
sticks set in augur holes, and its furniture would con-
sist of pewter dishes, wooden bowls and trenchers.
The spoons were of pewter and often much battered.
If knives were scarce, the scalping knives were
brought from their sheathes and used to supplv the
deficiency. After dinner the dancing would com-
mence and last until the next morning, while occa-
sionally the jug would be passed around among the
com])any. The figures of the dances were three and
four handed reels, or scjuare sets and jigs. The mazy
waltz, the enchanting j)olka, or the enlivening schot-
tische they knew nothing of. About nine or ten
o'clock a dej)utation of young ladies would steal oft
the bride and put her to bed. The l)iidal chamber was
usually in the loft of tiie cal)in, and was reached by a
ladder instead of a pair of stairs. The floor of the loft
or chamber above was g^>n('rally made of cla{)-boards
loosely laid down and without luiils. The hulder
leading upstairs was hidd<'n from- view, being in a
corner of the room, curtain(^d otf with huiiting shirts,
petticoats and otluu- clothing, so tin' exit of the bride
was unnoticed. After this a d(>putation of young men
in like manner made way with the groom, whom they
would place beside iiis bride, and the dauee would
continue.
History of ^Marion County. 27
It'soat;^ were scarce, it was cii.>^tomary, and consid-
ered the height of u-aUanti'v, for the young men to
otter their hijjs to the young hidie.s, and the girls ac-
<'epted the proffered seats with i)erfect propriety. Oc-
casionally during the niglit, tlie bottle would be sent
up the ladder to the i'ou])le in the loft, and it would
often be accompanied with i-efi'cshments of other
kinds, such as bread, beef, pork and cabbage. The
feasting and dancing would last for several days, un-
til tlic company, from sheer exhaustion, would return
to their honit-s to rest.
Such was the rude state of society in Marion county
a hundred years ago.
CHAPTER V.
' COMMENCEMENT OF INDIAN TROUBLES-
FORTS ESTABLISHED, Etc.
jm^OR a period of neaiiy ten years after the close of
,:ii;§. tlie French and Indian war in 1765, and pre-
vious to 1774, thei-e were no outbreaks among the
Indians of Northwestern Virginia, and the settlers
were free from tlieir depredations. This state of
things would have doubtless continued had it not
been for the unprovoked murder of three Indians by
John Ryan, on the Ohio, Monongahela and Cheat
rivers, at different periods during these years. The
first of Ryan's victims was a chief of some distinction,
known as Captain Peter, and the others were warriors
on friendly terms with the whites. Several Indians
were likewise killed in the vicinity by other settlers,
while they were upon friendly visits.
Bald Eagle was an Indian on very friendly terms
with the whites in this vicinity, and was in the habit
of associating with them. While on one of his friendly
visits to the white settlements, he was waylaid by
three men, .Jacob Scott, William Hacker and Elijah
History of Marion County. 29
Runner, and murdered in cold blood. Their wanton
thirst for Indian blood thus gratified, they seated the
b(xly in the stern of a canoe and set it afloat in the
Monongahela river, after thrusting in the mouth of
the dead warrior a piece of *' journey cake." Several
persons noticed the canoe and its ghastly burden de-
scending the river, but supposed he was merely re-
turning from a visit to his Avhite friends at the settle-
ments at the head of the stream. Finally, below the
mouth of George's 3reek, the canoe floated near the
shore, where it was observed by a Mrs. Province, who
recognized the unfortunate old man, had him brought
to shore and decently buried.
These, and various other murders of a like charac-
ter, in different parts of the colony, aroused the pas-
sions of the heretofore peaceful Indians, and they very
soon re-opened hostilities and visited their terrible
vengeance upon the heads of the innocent settlers,
whenever opportunity afforded. Men, women and
children everywhere fell victims to the savage ferocity
thus excited. It was the opinion of many, however,
that the hostilities of the Indians upon the American
frontier at this time were not provoked by these or
other massacres — that they were urged to war by
emissaries of Great Britain and Canadian traders. It
is true that the agents of Great Britain aided and en-
couraged the Indians in the war commenced by them
in 1774, but that their prime incentive was the out-
4
30 History of Marion County.
rages perpetrated by the whites, together with the
realization that the settlers were crowding them out
of their lands — their rightful inheritance — there can
be no doubt.
As soon as it was manifest that the Indians were
intent upon waging a bloody war, the inhabitants on
the frontiers of Northwestern Virginia proceeded to
put themselves in a state of defense. Some took refuge
in the forts, and others collected together into certain
houses, which were converted into temporary fort-
resses. Many made their way to Fort Pitt, at the con-
fluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela river —
the present site of Pittsburgh. It was then that
there were a number of private forts established in
various settlements. In Tygart's Valley the princi-
pal forts erected were Westfall's and Cassino's. About
five miles below Fairmont on the Monongahela, at the
mouth of Prickett's creek was erected Prickett's fort,
which afforded protection to all the settlers on the
upper Monongahela, in the vicinity of where now
stands the towns of Fairmont, Palatine, Rivesville
and Newport. Nutter's fort, near Clarksburg, afforded
protection to the inhabitants on the West Fork from
its source to its confluence with the Valley river.
Jackson's fort was also established on Ten Mile, and
was a rendezvous for the settlers in that neighborhood.
These were the most important stations in this vicin-
ity, but there were quite a number of private strong-
History of Marion County. 31
holds, in which two or three families only would take
refuge, when signs of the Indians appeared in their
immediate neighborhood.
The region of the upper ]\Ionongahela and those set-
tlements now embraced in ^Marion county were not
the scenes of active Avar, but suffered from occasional
depredations by straggling parties of savages, who
would detach themselves from the main bodies and
descend upon our settlements. The great chief, Lo-
gan, justly celebrated for his prowess and eloquence
led a party through the country from the Ohio to the
West Fork, and committed several massacres in the
vicinity of Simpkins. This was about the nearest
that any regular war party came to this region. The
straggling bands mentioned above, however, com-
mitted more dreadful deeds than did the regular war
parties. Their acts of vengeance were accompanied
with more terror to the unfortunate victims, because
they were unlooked for. They would steal upon the
settlers when least expected, and when they were not
in a state of defence — when they were at work in
their fields, or upon the unguarded family at home,
and massacre them in cold blood.
CHAPTER VI.
MQHDEIi OFJOSIAH PlUCKETT-CO\TINr A
TION OF IXDIAX ATKOCITIICS-MURDFROF
MISS COON-ATTACK OX FORT PIARBFRT.
S soon as the new. of the depredations connnit-
^ ted by Logan and his band became knou-n in
the settlements of this vicinity, the inhabitants very
much alarmed for their safety, retired immediately
into the forts and other places of refu.^e. Strolling
parties of savages were heard of ooeasionally : but no
acts of violence took place in our settlements until
the month of Se^.tember. One day during that month
Josiah Prickett and Mrs. Susan Ox left Pricketfsfort
near Newport, for the purpose of driving up their"
cows. A party of Indians, attracted by the tinklin. i
of the cow-bells, waylaid the.n on their return to th^ I
for and succeeded in killing and scalping Prickett I
and taking Mrs. Ox prisoner. '
It may be a matter of astonishment to tlie reader
that the,.ottlers could thus recklessly expose them-
Bolves, by leaving the fort, knowing that Indians were
lurking in the vicinity. Son.e explanation may be
History of Marion County. 33
found in the fact, that previous to this our settlers had
been accustomed to come and go at will, hence the
confinement of the forts was very irksome to them,
and rather than pine under this present restraint
the}' would hazard their lives in pursuit of their prin-
cipal means of existence— game, or to attend to some
duty connected with their farm work. Often, for
weeks not a hostile sound would disturb the peaceful
quiet reigningover the surrounding liills and valleys,
until some settlers, deceived by the quiet stillness,
ventured from his retreat, only to meet his death at
the hands of the wily savage, who had awaited all
this time for an unguarded moment in which to
spring upon his deluded victim. Others, unwilling
to risk the danger, would rcunain within the fort, tor-
tured with the thought that their crops, long ago "ripe
unto the harvest," and for tiie production of which
they had toiled many weary days, were rotting in the
fields. This latter fact, coupled with the necessity of
procuring the necessaries of life, would cause many to
brave even death itself
On the 10th of October of this year U""-!), tl'<' l>:it-
tle of Point Pleasant virtually put an end to what has
since been known as Gov. Dunmore's war, but the
outrages by these strolling bandsof Indians continued.
Instead of following up the victory of Point Pleasant
by a raid into the Indian territory and reducing their
towns, the army disbanded, leaving the Indians at
34 History of Marion County^
liberty to make further inroads upon our frontiers, in
the pursuit of vengeance on those who had recently
sent-so many of their bravest warriors to the "happy
hunting grounds." ■ The character of therehitions be-
tween Great Britain and the American colonies was
becoming more and more unfriendly, and the whole
attention of the colonists was directed to it, leaving
the frontier settlements for a time forgotten. The In-
dians, knowing that Virginia needed all her available
strength to defend herself from the invading hosts of
Great Britain, and could not extend any aid to the
frontier settlements, took advantage of this state of
affairs and re-opened hostilities, utterly ignoring the
treaty of peace made after the battle of Point Pleas-
ant. The respite, then, after the close of the Dunmore
war, was but momentary.
Between Wheeling and Point Pleasant, a distance
of nearly two hundred miles by the Oiiio river, there
was no obstacle to prevent the raids of the Indian war
parties from their territories west of tiie river upon
our settlements on the upper Monongahela and its
branches; yet, for two years after the killing of Josiah
Prickett, there were no serious outrages in this imme-
diate vicinity. Subsequent to this, the next import-
ant event of the kind occurred in a settlement near
the West Fork, in Harrison county, at the house of
Charles Grisby. During the absence of Mr. Grisby, a
party of Indians entered his house, and after plunder-
History of Marion County. B5
ing it of everything valuable, departed, taking with
them Mrs. Grisby and her two children as prisoners.
The husband and father returned soon after, compre-
hending instantly what had been done, and knowing
the terrible danger of his wife and little ones, he has-
tily gathered together some of his neighbors and set
out in hot pui'suit. After following the trail about
six miles, they suddenly came upon a ghastly scene,.
which put to flight all the hopes they had entertained
of being able to recover at least two of the captives ;
for lying on the ground were the bodies of Mrs. Grisby
and her younger child, both scalped and killed by
their inhuman captors. The settlers, leaving two of
their number to take care of the remains of the unfor-
tunate victims, pushed forward with renewed exer-
tions in pursuit of the Indians, earnestly desiring to
overtake them and avenge the bloody deed ; but they
did not succeed, and were obliged to give up in despair
and return home. i954I205
Shortly after this, two Indians secreted themselves
near Coon's fort on West Fork, waiting an opportu-
nity to do some mischief; the occasion was not long in
presenting itself, for a daughter of Mr. Coon came out
of the fort for the purpose of performing some slight
labor in a field near the roadside. Two men, P^noch
Jones and Thomas Cunningham, came down the road,
and after a short conversation with her, walked on.
In the meantime tlio Indians were waiting for her to
36 History of Marion CorNTv.
come near enough for them to capture her without
alarming the people in the fort ; but sh(.', turning
suddenly, observed thera and started to run home ; in-
stantly one of the savages shot at her, while the other
rushed to her, tomahawked and scalped her heforo the
eyes of the horrified men who had only gone a short
distance down the road, yet were not near enough to
render any assistance. The settlers immediately
turned out in pursuit of the murderers, but no traces
of them could be discovered.
In the month of March following, a party of Indians
came suddenly on a number of children playing in a
yard on Ten Mile. The children ran screaming to the
house (which was serving as a place of refuge for the
settlers in that neighboi-hood, and was known as Fort
Harbert,) and apprised the inmates of the Indians
approach. John Murphey, rushing to the door to
see if danger reall}- was near, was instantly shot
and fell bac^k into the house; tlu? Indian who iiad
fired the shot, not knowing there were other men
in the house, sprang in and was instantly grappled
by Mr. Harbert, who threw him upon the fioor and
struck him with his tomahawk. While maintaining
his position over the prostrate savage, two shots were
fired at Harbert fi-om without — the first wounding
him, and tiie second, passing tlirough his head, killed
him. In the meantime, Kdwarti (Uinningham was
having a terrible stru^tile with a warrior who had
History of Maiuox CorNTv. o7
entered innuediately after the first one. He drew up
his gun to shoot the !?avage, but it flashed, and tlie
two men closed in a hand-to-liand encounter. .Vfter
a contest of some moments, Cunningham wrenelied
froTu the hand of tlie Indian his tomaliawk, and
buried the spike end of it in l>is hack, while ^Nlrs.
Cunningham, rushing up to the savagi^, struck him
with an axe, causing him to release his hold upon
Mr. Cunningham and retire bleeding from the house.
The third Indian who entered the door wore a cap
made of the unshorn front of a buffalo, witii the ears
and horns still attached to it, presenting the most
hideous aspect ; a Miss Reece was standing near him
and at her he aimed a blow wincii wounded her
severely. Mrs. Reece seeing her daughter's terrible
danger, seized the horrible head-dress of the savage
by its horns, hoping to turn aside the blow, but it
came off in her hands and the blow fell on the head of
the girl. The father of the girl then attacked the In-
dian, but was quickly thrown to tiie floor, and the
savage would have made short work of him had not
Cunningham rushed to the rescue and tomahawked
his assailant. During this time the rest of the In-
dians, who had been prevented from entering the
door by the women, were engaged in securing such of
the children in the yard as were capable of being
carried away prisoners. These, evidently not relish-
ing the idea of furth9r attack, retreated, carrying
38 History of Marion County.
with them the children they had captured. In this
attack one white person was killed in the house and
four wounded.
In the yard eight children were either killed or
taken prisoners, while the Indians had one killed and
two wounded. This was the most serious of the In-
dian depredations of that year in this section, and,
althougli it did not transpire within the boundaries
of what is now called Marion county, but in Harrison,
it is given here for reasons that are obvious. Some
of the settlers concerned in the incident belonged to
this vicinity, or were inhabitants of this county; it is
therefore appropriate as well as interesting to give it
in this connection.
CHAPTER VII.
CAPTAIN BOOTH KILLED-CAPTURE OF CAP-
TAIN COCHPvAN-DAVID MORGAN'S EN-
COUNTER WITH TWO INDIANS.
^N the 16th of June, 1778, Captain James -Booth
- and Nathaniel Cochran were at work in a field
on Booth's creek, near where the little village of Brier-
town is now situated. They were surprised by a party
of Indians, who fired upon them killing Booth, and
slightly wounding Cochran, who betook himself to
flight, hoping to get beyond the range of the Indians'
guns and escape ; in this he did not succeed, for he
was overtaken by them, made prisoner and carried
into their towns.
The death of Captain Booth was mournfully regret-
ted by the settlers, for he was a man of great energv,
good education, and possessed extraordinary talents.
He was probably the most prominent man in the set-
tlements, and his death was felt to be a very great loss.
Cochran was afterwards taken by the Indians from
their towns in Ohio to Detroit, where he was sold and
remained a captive for a long period. While at De-
40 History of Marion County.
troit he made an attempt to escape, and would have
succeeded had he not unfortunately taken a path
which led him directly to the old Maumee towns,
where he was recaptured, and, after being detained
for a time, was sent back to Detroit. After enduring
many hardships and suffering many privations, being
traded backwards and forwards among the Indians of
that section and Canada, he was finally exchanged,
and found his way home.
A youth of scarce eighteen when taken by the In-
dians, he returned a man of thirty-five. He was after-
wards a Captian in the militia, and lived to a ripe old
age. Five of 'his children arc still living in this
state. They are William Cochran, the oldest, ago
91, living at Worthington; James, father of Nathaniel
Cochran of Fairmont, who lives in Jackson county;
John, living near the mouth of Booth's creek ; Mrs.
Hannah Rowan, and Mrs. Polly Bowman, who live
near Booth's creek.
Two or three days after the killing of Capt. Booth,
the same party of Indians met Benjamin Shinn, Win.
Grundy and Benjamin Washburn returning from the
head of Booth's creek, and Grundy fell a victim to the
savages ; going on farther, the Indians saw a boy
about sixteen years old standing in the path leading
from Simpson's to Booth's creek, mending his saddle-
girth. They fired at him, and the ball passing di-
rectly through him, killing both him self and his horse.
History of Marion County. 41
These inrouds made by the Indians in 1778 led the
inhabitants to make greater preparations for security
than ever before, fearing that when the winter was
over hostilities would be again renewed. Many of
the settlements received accessions to their number
from the emigrants who were constantly arriving,
and the population gradually increased until it was
evident that the time was rapidly approaching when
the progress of civilization would be .so great that the
uncivilized must give way before it, for every settler
lessened the dangers of frontier life as he increased its
power to repel them.
Their troubles were not yet over, however, for early
in the year 1779, the settlers were alarmed by circum-
stances which led to the belief that Indians were lurk-
ing in the neighborhood. The inhabitants around
Prickett's fort especially became alarmed and entered
the fort ; yet their fears seemed groundless, for days
passed and no signs of the Indians were seen. A sense
of security began to take possession of them ; but as
spring was rapidly approaching, the season when the
savages usually commenced their depredations, they
continued to make the fort their place of abode at
night, but attended to their farm duties during the
day. Among those who .sought refuge in Prickett's
fort was the David Morgan mentioned in a former
chapter, who at the time was upwards of seventy
years of age. About the first of April, being unwell
42 History of Makiox CoUxNty.
himself, he sent his two children — Stephen, a youth
of sixteen (afterwards the fatlier of the late Hons.
William S. and Charles Morgan,) and Sarah, a girl of
fourteen— to feed the cattle on his farm, which was
on the opposite side of the river about a mile distant.
Unknown to their father, who supposed tiiey would
return immediately, the children took with them
tJread and meat for a lunch, and resolved to spend the
day on the farm, preparing the ground for watermel-
ons. Accordingly, after feeding the stock, Stephen
set himself to work, his sister helping him in various
ways, and occasionally going to the cabin, a short dis-
tance west of where they were, to wet some linen she
was bleaching. After the children left the house
Morgan, whose illness increased, went to bed, and fall-
ing asleep, dreamed that he saw Sarah and Stephen
walking about the yard of the fort, scalped. This
dream, which under any circunistances would not
tend to produce a (comfortable fctding in the mind of
the dreamer, causeil Morgan no little apprehension,
when on awaking he found the children were still
absent. Taking with him his gun he immediately
set out for the farm to see what detained tiiem. Im-
pressed with the fear that he would find his horrible
dream realized, lie ascended a slight eminence which
overlooked the Held where the children were, and was
overjoyed to see them safe talking busily as they
worked. Unobserved by them, he sat down to rest on
History of Marion County. 43
an old log, comiuanding a full view of them and the
cabin, he had been there but a short time when,
happening to look towards the house, he saw two In-
dians stealing from it towards the children. Fear-
ing a sudden alarm would deprive them of their self-
possession and unfit them for escape, Morgan retained
his seat upon the log, and in a low voice, with as
careless a manner as he could assume, told them o*f
their danger and said, •' run to the fort." The
children instantly started and the Indians with
hideous yells immediately pursued them. At this
moment Morgan made himself known, and the Indians
giving up the chase, sheltered themselves from his
bullets behind two trees. Believing that discretion
is the better part of valor, and not wishing to fight
against such odds, Morgan then attempted to place
himself out of danger by flight, but age and infirmity
prevented his making much headway, and he soon
realized that he would be speedily overtaken by the
Indians, who were following in hot pursuit. Resolved
to die game, he suddenly wheeled and made ready to
fire at them, but seeing. the motion they instantly
sprang behind trees, and Morgan, wishing to save
himself in the same manner, got behind a sugar sap-
ling, but finding it insufficient for his protection lie
quitted it for a large oak a short distance further on.
One of the Indians then took possession of the sap-
ling he had just left, but seeing it could not shelter
44 History of Marion County.
him, threw himself down behind a log which lay at the
root of the tree. This also was not sufficient to cover
him, and Morgan seeing him exposed, fired at him.
The ball took effect and the savage, rolling over on
his back stabbed himself twice. Having thus rid
himself of one of his pursuers Morgan again took to
flight, the surviving Indian close upon him. There
were now no trees to shield him, and the Indian could
readily overtake him ; and his gun being unloaded he
had no means of defense. The race had continued for
about ten yards, when looking over his shoulder Mor-
gan observed the Indian almost upon him with his
gun raised. Morgan watched closely the Indian's
finger upon the trigger and as he pressed it sprang
to one side, letting the bullet whiz harmlessly by.
Seeing that a hand-to-hand encounter was inevitable,
Morgan then aimed a blow with his gun at his ad-
versary, who in return hurled his tomaliawk at him,
cutting ofFthree fingcM's of his left hand and knockino-
the weapon from his grasp. They then closed, and
Morgan, being a good wrestler in spite of his years,
succeeded in throwing the Indian. He was not
strong enough to maintain his position, however, for
the Indian was soon on top of him, and with a yell of
triumph began feeling for his knife, with which to
dispatch him. Fortunately for Morgan, the sava^^e,
while in the house had seen a woman's apron, and,
pleased with its bright color, had taken and bound it
History of Marion County. 45
around his waist above the knife ; this hindered him
from getting at the knife quickly and while he con-
tinued fumbling for it, Morgan succeeded in getting
one of the Indian's fingers in his mouth. Finally the
Indian found his knife, grasping it near the blade,
while Morgan caught hold of the extremity of the
handle, and as the redskin drew it from its scabbard,
the old man closed his teeth on the finger he held
with terrible force, causing the savage involuntarily
to relax his grasp, Morgan quickly drew the knife
through his hand and in an instant plunged it into
his body; then, feeling the Indian sink lifeless back
in his arms, he loosed his grasp and started for the
fort. Meantime, Sarah, unable to keep pace with her
brother, who by this time had reached the fort,
followed in his footsteps until she came to the river
where he had plunged in and swam across. She was
making her way to the canoe when her father over-
took her and they crossed to the fort together. After
relating his adventures to the occupants of the fort,
Morgan, well nigh exhausted, retired to rest, while a
party of men went to the farm to see if traces of any
other Indians could be found. On arriving at the
place where the struggle had taken place the wound-
ed Indian was not to be seen. They trailed him by
the blood which had flowed from his side, and
presently found him concealed in the branches of a
46 History of Marion County.
tree. As they came towards him he greeted them
appealingly with the salutation, " How do do broder,
how do broder," and surrendered himself into their
hands. Then occurred a most shocking scene. The
vindictive passions of the men were fully aroused, so
that they tomahawked and scalped the wounded In-
dian— a proceeding worthy of savage warfare — and as
if the measure of their revenge was not filled, they
flayed him, tanned his skin, and converted it into shot
pouches and belts.
The above incident took place on that part of Mor-
gan's plantation which is a short distance north-east
of the residence of the late George P. ^Morgan. David's
cabin stood near where the burying ground of the
Morgan family is now situated, and his body, with
those of his family, rest within the inclosure.
About two months after this occurrence, as John
Owens, John Juggins and Owen Owens were going to
their corn field on Booth's creek, they were attacked
by Indians, who killed and scalped John Owens and
John Juggins, but Owen Owens succeeded in making
his escape. A son of John Owens, who had been sent
to the pasture for the horses, to use in plowing, heard
the report of the gun, and not suspecting anything
was wrong, came riding along on one horse, leading
another. lie was first observed by the Indians, and
made aware of their presence by the bullets that came
46 History of Marion County.
tree. As they came towards him he greeted them
appealingly with the salutation, " How do do broder,
how do broder," and surrendered himself into their
hands. Then occurred a most shocking scene. The
vindictive passions of the men were fully aroused, so
that they tomahawked and scalped the wounded In-
dian— a proceeding worthy of savage warfare — and as
if the measure of their revenge was not filled, they
flayed him, tanned his skin, and converted it into shot
pouches and belts.
The above incident took place on that part of Mor-
gan's plantation which is a short distance north-east
of the residence of the late George P. ^Morgan. David's
cabin stood near where the burying ground of the
Morgan family is now situated, and his body, with
those of his family, rest within the inclosure.
About two months after this occurrence, as John
Owens, John Juggins and Owen Owens were going to
their corn field on Booth's creek, they were attacked
by Indians, who killed and scalped John Owens and
John Juggins, but Owen Owens succeeded in making
his escape. A son of John Owens, who had been sent
to the pasture for the horses, to use in plowing, heard
the report of the gun, and not suspecting anything
was wrong, came riding along on one horse, leading
another. He was first observed by the Indians, and
made aware of their presence by the bullets that came
History of Marion County. 47
whistling past him. Xone of them took effect, how-
ever, and the Indians made a futile attempt to capture
him by catching hold of the bridle reins, but he urged
forward his horse and escaped unhurt.
CHAPTER VIII.
HORATIO MOIKrAN— MASSACRE OF THE
THOMAS FAMILY, Etc.
tHP] bloody deeds committed by the Indians, crea-
ted within the hearts of the settlers a bitter en-
mity toward them, and often led them to retaliate by
the commission of about as barbarous acts as the sav-
ages themselves were guilty of, as in the case of the
Indian with whom Morgan had the encounter, related
in the last chapter. Their vindictive passions once
aroused they would forget for tlie moment that they
were civilized men, and the bare sight of an Indian,
whether friimdly or otherwise, woukl arouse this spirit
of revenge in their hearts, and they would be led to
commit acts wliich in their thouglitful moments they
regretted. A striking incident of tliis kind occurred,
in which Horatio Morgan, of Prickett's fort, was the
principal actor.
Wliile hunting one day, lie unexpectedly c;iine
upon an Indian seated near a fire built on the river
bank. Concealing himself behind a tree. ^Morgan
watched the scene for some moments. Over the fire
History of Marion County. 49
was suspended a pot in vvhicli an Indian boy was
stirring a mixture of herbs and water. The lirst
mentioned savage— an old man — sat upon a log Avith
his liead bowed in his hands, evidently very sick, and
the boy was boiling the gruel to relieve his sutl'erings,
which appeared to be intense. Not a considerate
thought for the pitiable condition of the old Indian
seemed to enter tlie mind of Morgan, but raising his
gun, after watching the scene awhile, he fired. The
ball went crashing throngli the brain of the sick man,
and he was forever freed from his sufferings. The
boy, frightened at this sudden evidence that an enemy
was at hand, took to the woods and made his escape.
Morgan was overcome with remorse the moment
after he had fired the shot, and would have given the
world to have been able to recall it. So stricken witli
shame was he at the cowardh- advantage he had taken
of the Indian, that it was not until years afterwards
that he related the circumstance; and then it was
with a feeling of deep regret at what he had so
thouglitlessly done.
ICarly in the month of March, 1781, a party of In-
dians raided upon tlie settlentents of this neighbor-
hood, and on the niglit of the fifth arrived at the
hou.se of Captain Jolm Thomas, on Booth's creek, near
the site of the town of Ikiothsville. Elizabetli .lug-
gins, daughter t)f tlie .lohn -Juggins whose murder is
chronicled in a previous chapter, was visitintr at tlic
0
50 History of Marion Cointv.
liouse at the time. When the Indians arrived at the
house the occupants were engaged in family devotion
to God, and Captain Thomas was in the act of repeat-
ing the lines of the hymn, " (tO worship at Emanuel's
feet." Scarcely had he commenced when a gun was
fired at him from without and he fell. The Indians
then forced o])en the door and commence<l the most
dreadful tragedy that had yet taken place in this
neighborhood. It was in vain that Mrs. Tliomas im-
plored the mercy of the savages for herself and ehil- .
dren. She was answered with a blow from a toma-
hawk in the hands of a l)rawi\y warrior, and in quick
succession six of her children lay weltering in their
blood around her body and that of her husband. The
savages then i)roceeded to scalp their victims, and to
plunder the house, after which they left, taking with
them one little boy as a prisoner. Miss Juggins, as
soon as she observed Cnjitaiii Thomas fall, realized the
danger and threw herself under a bed, where she re-
mained hidden from the view of the Indians all
through the terrible tragedy. When the savage.s had
departed she came out from her hiding place, and
found that ^Irs. Thomas was still alive, though unable
to move. She asked Miss .Juggins to hand her the
body of her murdered infant that lay a short distance
from her, and the young lady afterwards said that lier'
pitiful glances around upon the bloody seene were
enough to melt ti\e stoutest heart. What a terrible
History of Marion County. 51
contrast between the scene now and the one of a half
hour before I The unfortunate mother of the murder-
ed family begged Elizabeth not to leave her; but,
anxious for her own safe t}', the girl left the house and
took refuge the rest of the night between two logs.
In the morning she spread the alarm among the
neighbors, who hastened to the scene of the enormities.
Mrs. Thomas was found lying in the yard, where she
had crawled and died during the night. Her body
was terribly mangled by the tomahawk, and had been
torn by hogs. The Indians had evidently made the
place a second visit, for all that remained of the house
and the bodies of Captain Thomas and his children
was a heap of ashes.
After this massacie, the settlement on Booth's creek
was forsaken ; the settlers becoming alarmed for their
safety, they went to Simpson's creek for greater secur-
ity. Not long afterwards, John Owens, accompanied
by some young men of the latter settlement, returned
to his farm on Booth's creek for the purpose of thresh-
ing some wheat, and while Owens was upon a stack
throwing down sheaves, several shots were fired at
him by a party of Indians who were concealed a short
distance off. He leaped from the stack and the men
placed themselves on the defensive. It was soon evi-
dent that the savages had departed, and they con-
cluded to go ba(;k to Sim])Son's, j)rocure reinforce-
ments and pursue the enemy. This resolve was acted
52 History of Mauiox County.
upon and the trail of the Indians was afterwards fol-
lowed to a point some distance beyond Sliinnston,
where the savages were observed in camp and lying
about their fires. The whites fired at them, but with-
out effect, and the Indians took to flight, one of tliem
turning and firing at the pursuers. The sliot was re-
turned by Benjamin Coplin, and it was supposed the
Indian was icilled, though his body Avas not afterw ards
found. The pursuit was finally abandoned, and the
settlers returned to the place where they had found
the Indians encamped, and took possession of the
horses and plunder they had left behind them in their
flight.
t iiu.
CHAPTER IX.
CONTINUED HOSTILITIES OF THE SAVAGES
—ATTACK ON THE CUNNINGPIAMS AND
CAPTURE OF :\IRS. CUNNINGHAM.
tMONG the settlers who came into the county
. ^__ about this time (1780-5,) were David Evans,
one or two families of Witemans, Henry Leeper,
Benjamin Veach, the Holbcrts and others. The
tirst three settled in the vicinity of Yellow Rock
ford on the West Fork. Veach settled upon the farm
now occupied by Mr. Zebulon ^Nlusgrave, a short dis-
tance west of Fairmont. Jonathan Nixon, from whoin
the Nixons of this county are descended, also located
at this time near Boothsville. A great many other
immigrants came into this region during these years
following the close of the revolutionary war, and the
population was thereby greatly increased, but the In-
dians did not cease their depredations.
Up to the middle of the year 17^2, the knowledge
of the surrender of Cornwallis, which virtually ended
the War of Independence, had been kept from the In-
dians by their British friends ; but it was now known
^"^ History of Marion County.
to them, and they began to fear that Virginia, now
being rid of the English invaders, would concentrate
her forces on her frontier and exterminate them at
once. A grand council of several tribes convened at
Chillicothe, and it was determined, by the advice of
Simon Girty— a renegade white— to make the best of
tlie present time, and prosecute with greater effort
their war against the frontier, which resolve thev
carried out. More terrible raids than ever were made
upon some of the frontier stations by large bodies of
Indians,=i= but our more secluded and less important
settlements did not suffer so much as formerly.
There were no serious depredations in this imme-
diate neighborhood until the year 17S5, when six In-
dians came to the farm of Thomas and Edward
Cunningham, on Bingamon creek, which empties
into the West Fork a short distance above Worthing-
ton. The two brothers lived with their respective
families in separate houses almost adjoining each
other. Thomas was east of the mountains on a trad-
ing visit at this time, and his wife and four children
were engaged in eating dinner, as was also Edward
and his tamily in their house. Suddenly an Indian
entered the former house and closed the door after
him. J:dward Cunningham, from his cabin, observed
the proceeding, and after fastening his own door,
♦The celel.ratcl att:,ck7;^n Whc■clin^^ (irTwhich i^ai;..tirz;.neTlis^
mshed herself,) ICi.c-Vs for,, ..., .hoOhio river. ...d t he inU.r.n..liate sottlcmenu
»H^t«e.-n Fort Pitt an.l Wheeliu^-, occurred during these raids
History of Marion County. 55
stepped to a small window in the wall next the other
house, and stood ready to fire the moment he should
catch sight of the Indian. But the savage saw at once
that if he retired from the house as he went in he
would be exposed to Edward's fire; for, through a
similar window, he had observed the latter's actions.
As soon as he saw Cunningham at the window of the
other house he fired at him, but Edward saw the aim
of the savage in time to avoid it. The moment the
redskin saw he had missed his mark he seized an axe
standing in the room and commenced cutting his way
out of the house through the back wall, so as not to
expose himself to a shot from the other building by
going out the front way. In the meantime another
Indian came into the yard, and Edward fired at and
wounded him.
All this time Mrs. Cunningham and her chihlren,
who were in the house with the Indian, had remained
perfectly quiet, knowing that an attempt to escape
would arouse his fury, and that if they succeeded in
getting outside they would be killed by the savages
in the yard. She hoped that he would withdraw
without molesting any of them, af(fer creating the
aperture he had commen(;ed. In this she was doonud
to be sadly disappointed. When the opening was
made suHiciently large, the savage approached the
frightened group, and sinking his tomahawk into the
brains of one of the children, threw the body into the
^^ Hi.sTORY OF Marion Cointv.
yard and ordered Mrs. Cunningliam to follow. She
obeyed, holding an infant in her arms and with two
other screaming children clinging to her. She was
then made the unwilling witness of the scalping of
her murdered son. After setting tire to the house, the
Indian retired with his prisoners to an eminence in
an adjoining field, where two of his brethren were with
the one wounded by Edward. The other two were in
the yard watching for the opening of the door of the
other house when the fire should drive the family from
their shelter. When his cabin caught from the one
already burning, however, Edward Cunningham and
his son ascended to the loft, and throwing off the loose
boards which formed the roof, extinguished the flames.
In doing this they were "in great risk of losing their
lives, for the savages were shooting at them all the
while, and the balls would frequently strike very
clo.se. Satisfied with the damage already done, the
Indians finally abandoned fur a time their designs
against Edward and his family and made preparations
to depart. They first tomahawked and scalped the
remaining son of Mrs. Cunningham, and sank the
hatchet into the head of her little daughter, whom
they then took by the legs and beat her brains out
against a tree. Mrs. Cunningham and her babe were
carried off into captivity. The party crossed at JJing-
amon creek and concealed themselves in a cave,
where they remained until after nightfall. Thev then
History of ^NIaiuox County. 57
returned to Edward Cunningham'.^, and finding no
signs of life, plundered and set fire to the house.
Fearful lest the Indians should renew the attack,
the Cunninghams sought shelter in the woods, where
they remained through the night, there being no other
settlement nearer than eight miles. As soon as morn-
ing dawned they proceeded to the nearest house and
gave the alarm, and a company of men was formed to
go in -pursuit of the Indians. After burying the
bodies of the murdered children, a search for the sav-
ages was instituted, but the wily foe had so covered
up their retreat that it was found impossible to dis-
cover any traces of them, and the men returned to
their homes. Several days afterwards the search was
renewed, owing to circumstances which induced the
belief that the Indians had not yet left the country.
The trail was found and followed nearly to the cave
before mentioned, where it was lost, because of the
great care the savages had taken to cover it up.
Night finally compelled them to desist. One of the
party — Major Robinson — happened to think of the
cave that niglit, and mentioned to his companions
his suspicions that the savages were concealed there.
Early next morning the cave was examined, but
the Indians had departed during the night, and were
by that time far be^'ond the reach of pursuit. During
the search the day previous the Indians were in the
cave, and so close were the men to its mouth several
-.8
lIlSTUIiV (-K ArAl;[<».\ ColXTV.
tiiiu.s, tluit Mrs. Cunuiiiwhaiii, a.s sin' afttTvanls saiJ
could hear their voices. The .sava-cs stood ready to
liiv in ca^e they shoidd he diseovcTed, and compelled
1'^^'" ^" l^'''!' tl"' I'ahe to her hreast that its crying
ini-lit not attraet the attellticjli ,,1' the white,^.
It is hcyond Ihe ]H.w,:r nl^ pen to.lesuihe fhesuirer-
''^-"'•''•^f'-^- <'nniiiii-ham.ii,eolal and physieal, .lur-
ill- thc' joiiiuey ((- (he Indian ei-iiutry. ohji-ed to
walk Uie entire distance, ,^he sulliTed internally from
i"ati-ue. Deprived of the ne(;es>ary lo^ni, .sj,e herscdl'
almost pcrislied from Imn-er, while the hahe at Jier
l'iea>t>on-ht in vain for the milk it needed to sustain
■tsliltlelife- hloodonlveame. I'ere.ivinjr thi., one
'•I llie Indians, with a tomahawk, ).ut an end to its
-uu; rinu. while it was still elm-in- to the hreast.
!•'■ ll'-i' ca>l it toth<. sid...,f the path, where it was
''■'■^ 't prev lor heasts. Ihit the,>. were not (he wor.t
"I' Mrs. Cunuinghanrs trials. 11, .r an-uish (..f mind
■""' til- intensity of hrr hodily sulferin-s durin- the
I't'xt ten days, eauunt In- <le.erihed. Durin-- this
whole time her (udy food eonsi>ted of three paw paws
and the head of a wild turkey. WUeii .she arrived at
-'" li"iian town an. I was permitte.l I'uv the lii'st tinu,
t"'li''\vuirher.toekim,s the skin and i,ai Is of h,_.r l\.et
'•^""'•"'I'^vith theoi, \,y reaMui nf the .sealdin;... they
l''i'l ie,-,.i\',,,| hy fre(|U.u,t wadin-^ ,,f uatei'.
'A'hen they linally ari'ived at th.^ir own town, the'
I'l'lian.deliviued .Mr>. Cunnin-ham over 1,, the fat her
Hh'I'ok^' (»!■ .Mai;1(».\ ('<i1:NTV.
59
of tlu; savni,^e \vlio had hccii wouuilcd ]>}• l^hvaid. IL
soon bucauu; ai)pai'cut to her that sho was ii.'scrvud
lor soiiiu tunihh; tuitiin;: loi- slic was lu.t inTiuittcd
tochaii,-L' her rh.thrs, hut wa-nhli-cd to wear tho.M-
she li;nl oil, Ihoil-h ilu-y Wm- ext ivnirl _v dirty/:- Oiu;
(.;\'(.'iii 111;- Simon ( i irty an i \'i'(l at Ihc \' ilhi,uc, and she
i-ooIvimI (u ph'ad with him to iji tcivc.],. toi- li.-i- dcliv-
eranrc, wijii Ji I'l sulve >hr at'tid ui)ou tlu' next day as
soon a -^ the oiiiHii'tiinity ..ir.Trd. At lir.<t lu' was in-
rlinrd to njakf li.iild (A' her i.ctitiou ; |,ut llnally
lici' tears an. 1 ph-a.lin-s melted the haid hrait of the
wretelied whlti; sa\a,Lr(.' and lie relentnl. lie jiaid hei'
ransom and had her (■miducled In the e.ajimissi.niers
f..i' negotiating- with (he Indians, and hy tlnnn she
was talom to a .-talion in Keiitiu-ky. ih'r.: she was
l'nrni>hed with a horse, and atlcr ex |»erien(nnjj,- iiian\-
liard-hi|H, reaehrd ijol^teiii, and Iniin tlimicc .sh,.
IHOrce.lcd lip the ValleV and lio,,p'. 1 1 er h ud.aiid was
not llii-ie lo wi-lemne lirr, ha\in;4- [eaiiu'd -^diiic days
l>Ol'ui-e that sill- had heen ransomed and taken to Keii-
tU(d<y, and had ,-et out in (|Uestot' her. lleai'inii; at
llolsddn of hci- lia\in- l)ecn thrre, In; rcHuriUMJ, ami
the merlin- hctwi.MMi lue-haiid ami w itr in a lew days
was a -lad mie, tlmuuh ihe icrwl lerl i.,ns ol' th.- sad
fale of iheir cliihlreii eaiisrd ih.-m al'lrrward^ many
hour.-, ot hilhr -ri.rl'.
CHAPTER X.
A BOY'S ADVENTURE— THE INDIANS ON MVF-
FALO CREEK— LEVI MORGAN'S ADVEN-
TURE.
I MONO the ni;iny inciilcnts; which serve to show
the hanJ.-;liips to which the settlers were ex-
posed, the following- irr not the least interesting:
Early in the month of March, ITSO, Jonathan Nix-
on, with his eltlest son, George — then a lad nine years
of age— went from Edwards' fort- to his farm, for the
purpose of building a house and improving the land.
After wm-king two days in the woods, hite on the
second evening, -lonathan started for tiie house of
John Tucker, where he spent the night, and directed
his son to go hack to tiie fort, a <li^tance of iive miles.
The boy started but soon lost his way, and after wan-
dering about in the forest for som.' time, he returne<l
to the camp and laid down for the niudit. Next morn-
ing he awoke to iind that a siK.w ha<l fallen to the
i'lAlwards' f..it «:is l.Kl.it. .1 m.-.n tlio (J.-.>r>;.' T. M:i
of l?unlliMiIlo.
History of Marion County. 61
depth of eight or ten inches. After a second unsuc-
cessful eftbrt to find his way to the fort, the little fel-
low returned again to the camp and lay down, cover-
ing himself with a blanket.
In the meantime, his father, on awakening at
Tucker's and finding that the snow' had fallen, con-
cluded not to return to his work, ))ut to go hunting
instead in company with Isaac Tucker. Sometime
during the day, the hunters happened to come near
the camp where George was, and observed the boy
lying there almost frozen and unconscious. It Avas
only by great exertions on the part of the men that
the brave little fellow was resuscitated.
In the fall of the same year (17SG), .lohn Ice and
James Snodgrass, left home to look for some horses
they had lost while hunting buffalo on Fishing creek,
and were attacked by the Indians, killed and scalped.
The particulars of this tragedy were never known.
Their remains, when afterwards found, were torn
very much by the wolves.
A few days after this occurrence, a party of Indians
came to Buffalo creek. ^Nfrs. Dragoo and her son were
in a cornfield gathering l)eans, when the savages sud-
denly came upon them and took them prisoners. In
hopes that the detention of their captives would bo
noticed, and parties from the house come to look for
them, the Indians concealed -themselves in ambush
by the side of the path leading from the house. They
5
62 History of Marion County.
were not disappointed, for, uneajiy at the continued
absence of Mrs. Dragoo and licr son, Nicholas Wood
and Jacob Straigiit came out to ascertain the cause.
The Indians tired at tliein, killing Wood, and Straight
took to llight, but was after a short chase, captured.
The wife and daughter uf Mr. Straiglit heard the
firing, and seeing the savages in })ursuit of the hus-
band and father, also tied — not, however, unobserved
by the Indians, who gave chase. The daughter con-
cealed herself in a thicket, and Mrs. Straight sought
shelter under a shelving rock, neither of them being
afterwards discovered by the pursuers, though they
passed very close to where the mother was sheltered.
After Straight had been captured he said to a warrior,
"don't kill me, and I will go with you." " Will you?''
said the monster, and raising tii<i fatal hatchet, he
sank it into the brain t)f the wretched captive. j\[rs.
Straight could hear ail this from her {)lace of conceal-
ment.
Mrs. Dragoo was afterwards murdered, being too in-
firm to travel to the towns of tlie Indians. Her
son, who was tiien a lad of seven 3'ears, was taken
into captivity and remained with the savages nearly
twenty years. lie married a squaw and became the
father of four children by her. At length he forsook
the Indians and returned to his home on Buffalo
creek, bringing with him two of his children.
In the following year (,17S7), the Indians came
History of INFarton Coi:nty. 63
again to the settlement on BufFalo creek, near where
stands the town of Farmington. Levi Morgan was
not far from his 'home engaged in skinning a wolf
which he had just caught in a trap, and on looking
up from his occupation, observed three Indians com-
ing toward him. One of them was mounted upon a
horse, which Morgan recognized as belonging to a
near neighbor, and lie supposed at first that the rider
was the owner. A second glance showed him his mis-
take, and seizing his gun, he sprang quickly behind a
large rock near by, the Indians taking refuge behind
a tree. Looking out from his shelter, he observed the
savages watching tlie far side of the rocks, evidently
expecting him to make his appearance there. He
fired at them and killed one, and on attempting to
reload his gun, was obliged to deVsist, owing to his
powder having all been wasted, by reason of the stop-
per coming out of the horn while he was engaged in
skinning the wolf. His only recourse then was flight,
and he started oil', one of the savages pursuing him.
Finding his pursues- rapidly gaining on him, Morgan
threw down his gun, lioping that it would tempt the
Indian to delay a moment, but in vain. He then
threw off his coat and shot pouch, ])ut this design fail-
ed, and the Indian still gainiMl upon him. Morgan
finally thought of another plan to arrest tlie pursuit,
and immediately acted upon thr idea. Arriving at
the summit of a hill up which he had taken his flight,
64 History of Marion County.
he halted, and making motions as if he observed some
friends approaching from the other side, he shouted :
" Come on ! come on — make haste ; here is one ! " The
Indian, supposing there were really some friends of
Morgan ascending from tlie other side, turned and
fled as precipitately as the latter had run from him,
Levi, overjoyed at the success of his ruse, kept up the
deception by shouting, " shoot quick, or he will get
away ! " hearing which tlie Indian seemed to redouble
his exertions, and was soon out of sight. Morgan then
hastened home, leaving his gun and coat for the
savage.
Sometime after this, Morgan attended the treaty of
Au Glaize, and met with this same Indian, who still
had his gun. After good-humoredly talking over the
circumstance, Levi proposed that they test each
other's speed in. a friendly race, to which the Indian
assented and was beaten. Whereupon he rubbed his
limbs and said, " stiff, stiff; too old, too old." Morgan
laughed, and replied, " Well, you got my gun by out-
running me then, and I should have it back now for
outrunning you," and he took it from the Indian, who
yielded it cheerfully.
About this time (in the year 1791,) a small com-
pany of settlers, including Horatio and Levi Morgan,
Jacob and John Hayes, and several otliers made an
expedition from here to an Indian town on Sunfish
creek, in Ohio, for the ])urpose of destroying it. Ar-
History of Marion County. 65
riving there they found the vilhigo deserted by the
warriors, and the only remaining inhabitants a few
women and children, and old men. They stole up to
the outskirts of the town, where they could obtain a
good view of the situation. Observing an old man
sitting quietly smoking a pipe in the door of his wig-
wam, Levi Morgan told the rest of the party to watch
him exhibit his extraordinary marksmanship, and
taking steady aim at the center of the old man's fore-
head, fired. The ball did not vary a hair's breadth
from the spot, and the Indian rolled over dead. This
was a signal for the attack, and the men plundered
the village and returned home, bringing with them
several prisoners.
CHAPTER XL
MURDER OF THE McIXTIRES— END OF
INDIAN DEPREDATIONS.
SHORT distance above Worthington, near the
^^/:/^ mouth of Bingamon creek, occurred the last of
the depredations committed by the savages in this
immediate neighborhood.
In May, 17'.)1, as John Mclntire and his wife were
returning from a visit, they j)assed through the yard of
Uriah Ashcraft. A few minutes afterwards, Mr. Asli-
craft was startled by tlie growling of one of his dogs,
and stepped to the door to see what had aroused him.
He had scarcely reached the entrance when he espied
an Indian on the outside. Hosing the door he ascend-
ed the stairs and attempted three times to tire from a
window at the redskin, Init his gun snapped. lie
then observed that there were other Indians clo.se at
hand, and he raised a loud shout for help, hoping that
friends in the vicinity might hear and come to his
relief. The Indians presently retreated, and shortly
afterward.^ three brothers of Mclutire came up. Ash-
craft explained the situation, and the four set out to
History of ^[AR^ON County. 67
follow the trail of the savages. About a mile oil' they
found the body of John Mclntire, whom the Indians
had overtaken, tomahawked, scalped and strip})ed ;
and concluding that Mrs. Mclntire, whom they knew
to have been with her husband, was taken prisoner,
they sent to Clarksburg for assistance to follow the
murderers and recover the captive.
A company of eleven men, led by Col. John llay-
mond and Col. George Jackson, started shortly after-
wards in pursuit of the Indians, and followed the trail
to Middle Island creek, where it appeared fresh. Col.
Jackson proposed that six men should be chosen, who
would strip as light as they could, and goaliead of the
horses. William Haymond, of Palatine, who was one of
the number, in a letter to Luther IIa3'mond, lifty 3'ears
afterwards, thus gives an account of what followed .
"George Jackson, Benjamin Robinson, N. Carpen-
ter, John Haymond, John Harbert and myself (the
sixth,) were those chosen. We stripped ourselves as
light as we could, tied handkerchiefs around our
heads, and proceeded as fast as we could. The In-
dians appeared to travel very carelessly, and as it was
in May, and the weeds were young and tender, we
could follow a man very easily. Arriving on a high
bank, Jackson turned around and said, " where do 3-ou
think they have gone ?'' With that, lie jumped down
the bank, and we proceeded down on tiie ])each a
short distance, when suddenly we were tired upon by
68 History OF Marion County.
one of the Indians. We started in a run and had
gone ten or fifteen yards when the other three fired.
John Harbert and brother John caught sight of them
first running up the hill and fired at them. Robinson
and myself ran and jumped upon the bank where the
Indians left their knapsacks, and I fired the third
shot, the savages then being about fifty yards distant.
* * * The Indian I shot bled considerable,
and we trailed him for about a quarter of a mile,
where he had cut a stick, which we supposed was to
stop the blood. We followed him for about a mile,
but the men thought it dangerous to go farther, think-
ing he had his gun with him, and would hide and
kill one of us, and we returned. '''- * * The
other Indians we did not follow, but on arriving at
the place of attack found all their knapsacks, a shot
pouch, four hatchets and all their plunder, including
the woman's scalp.* ''' * * I have since
heard that one of the Cunninghams, who was a i^ris-
oner with the Indians at that time, on his return said
that an Indian came home anil said he had been with
three others on Muddy river (West Fork,) and killed
a man and a woman ; that they were followed ; that
they fired on the white men ; and that the white men
fired on them and wounded three, one of whom died
*It was thus iiSL'ertiiiued tluU Mrs. Mclntirc had been iminlerea with her
husband, and on the rotiirn of the party her body was found noar whero that
of her husband had bcon.
History of Marion County. 69
after crossing the second ridge at a run). Wo were
on the second ridge and near the second run). If this
account be true, and the Indians we followed the same,
we must have shot wt:!!."
After the murder of the Mclntires, there were no
more massacres by the Indians in, this vicinity,
though it was not until the year 1795 that Indian
hostilities ceased altogether in Northwestern Virginia
— when the rapid increase of the white population,
and the determined measures adopted by the govern-
ment, soon put an end to the Indian wars, and drove
the tribes further west.
CHAPTER XII.
PROGRESS OF CIVILIZATION FROM
178.5 TO 1811).
FTFU the close of the Indian hostilities, noth-
ing of importance transpired for several years,
except the rapid progress consequent upon the re-
moval of all danger from attack by the savages.
Every month brought new comers who took up
claims and began the work of clearing and fencing
their farms. Tlie population rapidly increased, and
the counties of ^lonongalia and Harrison (which lat-
ter county had been formed in 1784,) were devrdoping
into wealthy and thickly populated communities. In
October, 1785, Morgantown had been regular!}' estab-
lished ui)on the lands of Zackquell ^hu'gan. Fiftv
acres of his land lying upon a beautiful bottom on the
Monongahela river, was " vested in Samuel Ilanway,
John Evans. David Scott, Michael Kfarnes, and James
Dougherty, gentlemen, trust((\s, to be by them, or any
of them, laid otV in lots of half an acre each, with
convenient streets, which shall be, and the same are
hereby established a town by the nanie of A[organs-
town."
HrsTOKY OF Marion County. 71
At the same time an act was passed establishing
the town of Clarksburg, in Harrison county. Wil-
liam Raymond, Nicholas Carpenter John Myers,
John McAlly, and John Davison, were appointed trus-
tees. These two towns were the only ones in this vi-
cinity for some years, and they were made the mar-
keting head-quarters for all the settlers of the sur-
rounding country.
From time to time after this, other various improve-
ments were made. ^lills were erected along the riv-
ers, the buildings constructed not so rough as those
formerly put up, and stores began to be established.
On December 5th, 1793, an act was passed by the
General Assembly providing for the clearing and ex-
tending of the navigation of the ]Monongahela and
West Fork rivers, in the counties of Monongalia and
Harrison, and trustees were appointed to receive sub-
scriptions for the ])urpose. This was the first move
ever made towards the improvement of the Upper
Monongahela. Tlie act also directed that "any person
who shoidd erect any dam across the said Monongahela
or West Fork rivers, sliould at the time of making
the same, erect a slope in or through the said dam, in
such a manner as should admit the easy passage of
fish ; and also erect a siifiicient lock at such dam for
the convenient pas.sage of canoes, batteaus and flat-
bottomed boats, at least twelve feet wide, and keep
72 History of Marion County.
the same iu good repair." Such improvements as
these after a while became more frequent.
Owing to tlie advances made in civilization, many
of the inconveniences incident to pioneer life, began
to disappear and better accommodations were found on
every hand. The mail facilities, especially, were
much improved, a regular route being established,
which allowed the citizens to communicate with the
outside world at least once a month! Previous to
this there had been no regular mails, and the inhabi-
tants of the new country were not made aware of what
transpired away from home, save through the medium
of travelers that would be passing, or some settler
who had been away visiting, or upon business, and
would bring with him on his return a budget of news-
papers or letters.
The war of 1812 with Great Britain did not affect
this part of the country. Indeed, the inhabitants
might scarcely have known tliat the war was waging,
so little were its effects felt by them. A few volun-
teers, however, went from this region, but very few.
The settlements here had furnished but few Revolu-
tionary soldiers, owing to the fact that the men were
all needed at home to defend their families from the
savages just at that time, and now, in this second
war, there was not so great a demand for volunteers ;
besides, we were so far removed from the immediate
scene of the difficulties.
CHAPTER XIII,
THE TOWNS OF THE COUNTY.
DTlN the year 1811), Fairinoiit (then called Middle-
(^ town) was established and regularly laid out.
The people of this vicinit}^, feeling a need of a town,
determined to locate one, and held a meeting to de-
cide upon a site. The farm of Boaz Fleming was
considered by them tlie roughest and poorest, and
least adapted to farming purposes, and having little
idea that the new town would ever be more than a
small hamlet, they finally selected his land. The new
place was named Middletowu, because it was about
half way between the towns of Clarksburg and 'Mov-
gantown, and served as a stopping i^lace for travelers
going to and fro between the two latter places. At
that time much of !Middletown was a laurel thicket,
the only house being a log cabin occupicMl by Mr.
Fleming, which stood near the corner of -lelierson
street and Decatur Alley, or near where Mr. John
Crane now resides. The old pear tree wbi(th stands
in Mr. Crane's garden was planted by Mr. Fleming
about the year 1800. A wolf trap stood n(>ar his house
74 History of Marion County.
at the time Middletown was Laid out. The first house
built after the laying oft' of the town was by Mr. Sam-
uel Jackson, father of Messrs. Oliver and James R.
Jackson, of Fairmont. The first child born in Mid-
dletown was E. M. Conaway, who is now in his fifty-
ninth year. -j
From this time on to the organization of Marion
county there were no events worthy of note happened
within the territory now embraced therein, save the
occasional laying out of a town, as the increase in
l.)opuLation, and the need of a headquarters, would
make it necessary.
In 1837, Rivesville was hiid out upon the land of
Elisha Snodgrass, and named in honor of Hon. Henry
C. Rives.
In the year 1833, there had been a postotfice estab-
lished at Robert Reed's tavern, near the forks of
Booth's creek, and named Boothsville, in honor of Cap-
tain Booth, whose murder by the Indians is related
in a former chapter, and in 18;V,) a small town was laid
oflF by Reed, adjacent to the postoftice, and has since
grown to be quite a flourishing village, with a popula-
tion of one hundred and fifty.
In 1838, Palatine was established opposite Middle-
town on the east bank of the Monongahela river, when
the land owned by William Haymond ana John S.
Barns, sr., who had jointly purchased it frotn Daniel
and John Paulsley,the sons of Jacob Paulsley, who had
History of Marion County. 75
moved upon the land in 1798. The tract was originally
purchased by William Haymond, sr., for $140. Pala-
tine is now the second town, in point of size and pop-
ulation, in the county. It contains at present about
six hundred inhabitants, and is in a very flourishing
co'ndition. Here are located the Marion Machine
Works, the oldest manufacturing establishment of any
kind in the county. These works, over thirty years
ago, manufactured the iMcCorniick Reaper, the first
reaping machine ever built for sale in the United
States — a fact Avorthy of note. The Palatine Pottery
is another very important branch of industry, which
is located at this place. A large number of the male
population of Palatine are employed in the several
coal mines in the vicinity of Fairmont.
Fairview, one of. Marion county's most flourishing
villages, was laid otf in the summer of 1845. The
only houses now standing upon the ground embraced
within the limits Avere those built by Isaac Cotton
(now occupied by Dr. Knos Amos) and David Iliggins.
Fairview is about eleven miles northwest of Fairmont,
and is a picturesque town of over one hundred and
fifty inhabitants. It contains one of the largest
steam llouring mills in this section of the State, and
is the center of the trade of (luite a large scope of sur-
rounding country. Basnettsville is a small settlement
lying about half a mile south of Fairview.
The third town in the county in population anil
76 History of Marion County.
importance, and the second in point of wealth, is
Mannington, lying eighteen miles west of the county
seat, on the B. ct 0. R. R. It is also the youngest
place, for previous to the year 1850 there were but few
houses on the ground of what is now a beautiful and
prosperous town. All the land upon which Manning-
ton is built belonged to Geo. H.J. Koon and James
Furbee, the descendants of whom constitute a large
portion of the leading inhabitants. Mannington is
one of the most prominent towns of this section of
West Virginia, considerable business boing done there.
One of the most important branches of trade carried
on is that of the manufacture of leather. ^Mannington
sole leather received a prize at the Centennial Expo-
sition at Philadelphia, in LS7G. Quite a large lum-
ber business is also carried on here.
Worthington, Glover's Gap, Farmington and Bar-
rack ville are other villages of considerable importance
which have sprung into existence.
Newport, Wiufield, Forksburg, Valley Falls, Nu-
zum's Mills, Texas, Benton's Ferry, Basnettsville, Bob-
town, Houlttown and Ijarnesville may be classed among
the smaller villages, some of them older than the coun-
ty itself, but the majority are merely small stations
upon the railroad which have been established since it
was built.
Benton's Ferry takes its name from Mr. Benton,
who keeps the ferry upon the Valley river at that
History of Marion County. 77
point. This ferry was established by Asa Bee, father
of Ephraiiii Bee, of Doddridge county, who was suc-
ceeded by a family of Pettijohns, wlio gave way to
John Mellett, which gentleman's son-in-law, Thomas
Veach, afterwards had charge of it until Mr. Benton
took possession.
Valley Falls takes its n«me from the falls that are in
theTygart's Valley river at this point. The river is a
beautiful winding stream of gentle current, but at
these falls the river descends, principally by three or
four perpendicular pitches, some seventy feet in about
a mile. They were discovered b}^ Jonathan Nixon, in
the summer of 1785, while he was upon a hunting
excursion.
CHAPTER XIV.
ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY— THE FIRST
COURT— THE JAIL, COURT HOUSE, &c.
jfS^ ARION County was funned in 1.^42 from parts
ci^^:: of Monongalia and Harrison counties. From
the time of the close of the Indian depredations the
population had increased so rai)idly that it was found
necessary, for the conveniences of government to or-
ganize a new county, and the people of the southern
part of Monongalia and the northern part of Harrison
counties accordingly petitioned tiie Legislature for
the formation of what was afterwards called Marion
county, in honor of General Francis Clarion, of Revo-
lutionary memory. The choice of thi.-^ name eviden-
ced that the projectors of the new county had not for-
gotten their patriotism. Doubtless a foretaste of the
ardent patriotism, so common about tbat time in Vir-
ginia, and especially of tiie mode of giving vent to its
pulsations, acted as a stimulus in those davs in keep-
ing alive the names of tbo>e who tlourished conspicu-
ously in the great War of Independence, and in caus-
ing cities, towns and counties, as well as babies, both
History of ]\[auion County. 79
black and white, to be named for them. At about
that period there was no State in the I'nion had more
burning patriotism than \'iriiinia, and it usually
manifested itself in feasting on ginger-bread and beer,
hard cider and good wliisky, at big musters and on
Fourth of July occasions, and in naming chihlrtMi and
corporations for great and reninvned military men.
The delegate in the Virginia Legishiture from this
end of ^Monongalia county, in 1842, was William S.
Morgan, and it was he wlio introduced the bill in the ^
House. The measure met with considerable opposi-
tion, especially from the other delegates from ^^lonon-
galia and oriC membei' from Harrison, but Mr. Morgan,
assisted by Hon. William .J. Willey, the State Sena-
tor from this district, and .lohn .J. Moore, Es(i., a lobby
member, he linally con(|Uored all opposition and se-
cured tlu' passage of the bill, January 14th, 1S42.
jNIiddletown was mad*; the county seat, A year or
two afterwards the name of the town was changed to
On the 4th of April following, the fTrst county :;^^?^
court was held at the house of Willia^n Kerr, father
of E. C. Kerr, of Fairmont, which stood on the corner
of Main and JetVerson streets. John S. Barnes, Sr.,
Thomas S. Haymond, Thomas A\''atson and William
Swearingen, justices of the peace, eom])osed tlie court.
John Nuzum, William .1. \\'illey, Matthew' L. Flem-
ing, Isaac ^Tcans, Leouard Lauib, (Jeorgc Dawson, Le-
80 History of Marion Couxty.
andor S. Laidlcy, Elias Bhickshere, David Cunning-
ham, Abraham IIoss, Jolm S. Chisler, Absalom Knotts,
Benjamin J. l>rice, Albert ^h)r<ian, David Musgrave,
Hillcry Boggoss, \\'illiani T. ]\hjrgan, John Chiyton,
Thomas Rhea, William Cochran, Jolm S. Smith, .lohn
Musgrave, William I>. Snodgrass, William Uradley,
Thomas A. Little, Je^se Sturm, John S. Uarnes, Sr.,'
Sixi'd Henry J>t)gg('ss were the justices of the peace of
the county. Zehulon Musgrave was appointed crier
of the court, anil the following attorneys were permit-
ted to practici^ in court : Cidcon Camden, William
C. Haymond, lUirton Despard, Charles A. Harper,
James M. Jackson, John J. Mortrc. (ieorge H. Lee,
Waitman T. Willcy, Moses A. Harjx'r, and Eusebius
Lowman. The court adjourned to meet in the Meth-
odist Episcopal (th(> reciMitly diinolishetl Protestant
Episcopali.ui) C'hureh, wIktc the future S(\'^sions of
the court were held until the court house was built.
Thomas L. Boggess was elected the lirst clerk of the
county court, William C. li.iymoud was the lirst i)ros-
ecuting attorney, and iMiijamin J. lirice the first
sherift" of the county.
Tlie crier of the court wa- ordeicd to enter into a
contract with Daniel >L 'riiomj>son for tiie upper
room of his dwelling house for a j.iil, •■ provided said
Thompson >honld make such improvements as would
make it secure." The i.nt was live d(»lhirs ])er month
and Thompson \\a> ai»i)ointed jailor. The j.risou was
History of Marion County. 81
a queer structure, to be sure. It was situated on
Washington street, the same site whereon stands the
dwelling now occupied by William E. Hough. It
was a small log house, and tbe upper room, which the
court ordered to be used as a jail, was only a half story
ry high ; had holes sawed out at the gable ends, giving
it the appearance of an old fashioned Indian fort.
Whether prisoners really stayed within the enclosure
any longer than they were watched by sentinels from
the outside is doubtful. Then, however, jails were
mostly used for confining failing debtors, and it mat-
tered but little whether they remained in or out of the
enclosure of the jail. If they got out they were too poor
to abscond. Some years afterwards, and when it had
ceased to serve as a jail, the house Avas moved, and now
stands some distance east on the same street — owned
and occupied by .Jame^ Murphy.
F. H. Pierpoint, attorney, wa.^ qualified at the May
term of the court, and Dan'l M. Thompson was awarded
the contract for building the court house for the sum
of 63,150.75, which were the principal items of business
transacted that term. The court liouse was considered
a fine building when it was completed. It bore such
a contrast to the other buildings in Fairmont at that
time that it no doubt presented an imposing appear-
ance. Since the recent improvements inihe county
seat, however, and tin? erection of so many handsome
82 History of Marion County.
business houses, the contrast is the other way. The
court house, together with its gi'ouuds, occupies about
one-tliird tiie space between Jeticvson and Monroe
streets, on tlie North side of Main, and is u large two
story brick, surmounted by a cupohi, containing a
splendidly toned bell. Si.x. heavy columns grace the
front of the building and support the gable, which
extends over a pavement in front of the door. In the
first story are contained the county ollices— that of the
clerk of the county coui-t on the right of the entrance,
and the circuit court clerk's oliice on the left. On
either side of the hall-way leading to the back of the
building are various other offices. In the second stor}'
isthe large court room. and. two jury rooms. In front
of the building is a large yard, containing sliade trees,
and in the rear is the jail, with the shcriti's residence,
which buildings are new, having been erected in 1.S77
at a cost of about -S'^^jOOO. The business of the county
has increased, and continues to increase, to such an
extent that it will soon be found necessary to tear
down the present court house and build a greater and
more convenient one — which, it is hoped, will be more
creditable to the county in point of architectural
beauty, than the one ni>w standing.
In those days everybody that could possibly make
it convenient came to town during tlie sitting of the
county court. Especially was this tlie case on the
History of Marton' (Bounty. 83
first and secoiid days of each term. They were set
apart as general trading days. On tliese days, men,
women and children came to town v\-ith their horses,
cattle, grain, butter, eggs, chickens, and soap, and ex-
changed them for such articles as supplied their de-
mands and necessities. Court days, were famous, too,
for ending disputations in fisticuffs and drinking
whisky. All the <[uarrels and wranglings among the
baser sort of the people of the county were refen-ed
to county court days for final adjustment, and they
usually ended in knock-downs and bloody noses.
Thomas S. JIaymond and .lohn ('. Clayton were the
first representatives of the county in the House of
Delegates, and William J. Willey in tlie Senate. Mon-
ongalia, Preston, IJandolph and Marion, composed the
Senatorial district. Messrs. Haynioud and Clayton
were delegates of more than average abilitv; espec-
ially is this merit accorded to Mr. Hayinond.
Mr. Willey, the Senat(»r, was a resident of the
county ; was noted for his many eccentricities, an<l for
his abilities as a legislator. He was by no means a
handsome man, an<l for this reason was not called up-
on to divide his time with the ladies of Richmond,
but was enabled to devote himself solely to the best
interests of his constituency, It is related of Mr.
Willey that when he used to go to iiichmond as a rep-
resentative he was as fond of i)ersonating the pecu-
84 History of Marion County.
liar style of dress of the people as he was of repre-
senting their local interests in the Legislature. On
one occasion he went to Richmond dressed in blue
linsey breeches and brown linsey hunting shirt.
CHAPTER XV.
THE IRISH RIOT— THE GREAT FRESHET-
COMPLETION OF THE RAILROAD— SUS-
PENSION BRIDGE Bl^ILT," Etc.
Ifs^/A ARION county made no rapid strides in the
l^^ " March of progre.^s," until the year 1849,
when a decided increase in her population com-
menced, the tide of immigration following closely in
the footsteps of the engineers of the Baltimore and.
Ohio Railroad, who completed their survey during
this year. Some of the immigrants, however, were
not of the most desirable character, and the history of
Marion county at this time teems with stories of the
feuds of the Irislimcn who were employed in con-
structing the railroad. These Irishmen, fresh from
the bogs of Connaught and the Lakes of Killarny,
brought with them all their local feuds and predju-
dices. They had not been in this country long
enough to learn that *' all men are born free and
equal," so that in their work it was necessary to keep
the men of the ditlerent elans apart, for certain as a
Fardowner met a Connaughter, a light ensued — the
86 History of Marion County.
fact that they were of different clans being sufficient
cause for the most active liostilities. The Con-
naughters who were employed at Benton's Ferry con-
cluded one morning to make an attack on the Far-
downers at Ice's ]\rills, a few miles distant, settle all
old scores, and by one grand stroke drive them from
the county. Accordingly they formed themselves into
a band two hundred strong, and made a descent on
Ice's Mills. The Fardowners, taken entirely by sur-
prise, threw all work aside .and fled in dismay to
Fairmont for protection. The Connaughters pursued
them closely, firing oft' an occasional gun, or stopping
to beat a poor fellow who was down, until, with shouts
and Irish yells, they came rushing down the hills into
•the town. Here pursued and pursuers were brought
to a stand still, for the citizens soon recovering from
their astonishment turned out c?/ mcis^r, and arrested
every assailant they saw, so tliat in a very short time
eighty-eight men were in jail. Not a very remark-
able feat, when it is known that the raw Irishmen
offered no resistance when being arrested. So great
was thier terror of the law that a negro slave captured
six men b}' simply grasping each by the arm and
saying, "I arrest you, sir, you must go to jail." The
prisoners were kept until the next da}' when nearly
all were released. Shortly after, the remaining few
were given their liberty, thus ending the Irish riot,
long famous in the annals of Fairmont.
History of Marion County. 87
In the summer of this year, 184U, the construction
of three turn pikes — one leading to Weston, another
to Beverly and the third to Fishing Creek — was be-
gun. This enterprise, coupled with that of the rail-
road, was the greatest incentive to industry and pro-
gress the people of Marion had ever received.
The year 1852 is notable in the history of Marion
county for three important events : The great flood,
the completion of the Baltimore and (Jhio Railroad
and the building of the wire suspension bridge con-
necting Fairmont and Palatine.
The great tlood, whi(;h destroyed thousands of dol-
lars worth of property, occurred on Monday the 5th of
April, 1852. ]>}' reason of the heavy rains that had
fallen the day before the West Fork and Mononga-
hela rivers rose with fearful rapidity until o o'clock
on Tuesday, rising at the rate of five feet per hour
during part of the time — when the Monongahela at
Fairmont attained a perpendicular height of forty-
three feet above an ordinarily low stage of water, and
eight feet higher than a great rise in 1807. The de-
struction of i)roperty, particularly on the West Fork,
was very great. On Monday about forty houses
floated by Fairmont. How many passed during the
night was unknown. Among them were the mills of
Mr. Griflin, of Harrison county, and Mr. I.ucas, of
Worthington, and the mill and carding machine house
of a Mr. Brice, of this county.
88 History of Marion County.
"In the town of Worthington every house, except
one and the parts of two others, was swept away, and
with them a large quantity of household goods. We
insert the following, clipped from the account of the
fresliet, which appeared in the Fairmont Trae Virgin-
ian the Saturday after the flood :
"The apothecary shop of our friend Dr. P. Davis, was
seen passing by our town with cases, books and med-
icines apparently uninjured. A cat was in a window,
seemingly surveying, with much composure, the roam-
ing element on which it was riding. A portion of his
property was rescued and brought to shore. The only
house which remains in Worthington, is the brick
standing back from the river, and a part of that of R.
Parish, occupied by T. P. Lilly as a hotel, and a part
of W. Hood's house. Mr. Hood lost his store house,
and the greater part of his goods. The mill of Mr.
Hoult, below town, has also been carried away by the
flood. But little damage, comparativel\', has been
sustained by the citizens of this place or Palatine.
The greatest sufferers are the Messrs. .Tacksons and
William Gallahue. The mill pro{)erty of the former
has been consideral)ly injured, but it is supposed that
$700 will cover the loss. The house of Mr. Gallahue,
near the lower ferry, with all his household goods and
much of his provisions laid in for the year, and a
small house below his, on the river l)ank, were swept
away. It is impo.^siblc to enumerate all the cases of
loss and suffering. One hundred thousand dollars
will hardly cover the damages sustained by the citi-
zens of this county alone. The railroad has also been
History of Marion Coi'nty. 89
greatly injured, and it is apprehtmded tliat its com-
pletion to this point will be delayed some two weeks.
What has been the injury in Taylor county, we liave
not learned, but not much, we hope and suppose.
And we sincereh' hope it may not be as bad in Harrison
as has been estimated by persons up the river. The
5th of April, 1852. will long be remembered as an
important epoch in the history of this county, b.dng
the date of, by far, the greatest freshet witliin the
memory of our oldest inhabitants, or known to them
by tradition.
" P. S. — Rivesville also has sustained very great
damage. Several of the best houses tliere have been
carried away. Among them are the house and shop
of S. F. Morri-^. the warehouse at the Pawpaw bridge
ahd the bridge, all the stabling and out-buildings of
Mr. Snodgrass, besides smaller tenemimts and sho[)S.
"Newj»ort, a little village on the opposite bank of
the river, b(!tween this and Morgantown was com-
pletely inundatei], and we learn that one or two of
the houses tliere wt>re floated off. Almost every
hour since tlie fresbet we havt- received intelli-
gence of sonu^ additional disaster. There seems in-
deed to be no end to the destruction of property.
"The Tygart's Valley river was not so high as it
was in 184G, and but little or no damage, therefore, has
been sustained on that river. The great rise w\is in
the West Fork."'
On the 2od of June of the same year the comple-
tion of the railroad to Fairujont was celebrated. The
President and Directors of the Company, together
with a large number of gentlemen from tiie cities of
90 History of Marion County.
Baltimore, Cumberland, Wheeling, Martinsburg, etc.,
and a large number of ^[arion county citizens, assem-
bled in an arbor erected for tlie occasion, at a place
now known as *' the Y," about half a mile beloAv town.
We again clip from the True Virginian of June 26th,
1852 :
"According to appointment the President and Di-
rectors of the BaltiuKtre and Ohio liailroad. a portion
of the Cit}' Council, with a large number of other gen-
tlemen from the city of J>altimore, from Cumberland.
Wheeling, Martin.sburg, c^-c, and also a portion of our
county men as the guests of the Company assend)led
at the arbor erected for the occasion, about half a mile
below town, near Mr. U. Barns", on the evening of the
22d inst., to celebrate the com])letion of the road to
this point. The train from I>altiniore did not arrive
until about S o'clock in tlic cvtMiing, owing to a tem-
porary obstruction at tlie Big Tunn(4. This was a
disappointment to many of our citizens who had come
a long distanci> to see tbc oars arrive, but who were
compelled, in consequence of tlie lateness of the liour,
to leave without gratifying tlieir curiositv.
" Immediately after the arrival of the cars the com-
pany were seated at the table which was well filled
with the choicest viands and every luxury of the
season — not omitting that •' which brings aood cheer."
The company was a very large one, consisting of sev-
eral hundre.j. In ;i short time the Hon. Mr. Swann,
the President of the Railroad Company, was called out
for a speech, and most ably did he respon.l to tht; call.
We would like to give, at least, the head of his chaste
History of Marion County. 91
and elegant address, but the want of time and room
forbid at present. He was followed by Mr. Young, of
the Baltimore City Council, who introduced to the
audience Mr. H. D. Brooke, of the Fourteenth City
Ward, and in a speech, rich, racy and musical, he put
the crowd in the very finest humor. He was fol-
lowed by Mr. F. H. Peirpoint, and him by Mr, A. F.
Haymond. These gentlemen made most excellent
and appropriate speeches in their usual eloc|uent style.
Mr. B. H. Latrobe was then called to the floor and
made a highly interesting spec^ch. He was followed
by a Mr. Grey, who dilated upon the services- of Mr.
George Brown, of Baltimore, which brought that gen-
tleman to his feet, but only to call out Mr. Latrobe,
the distinguished attorney for the Company. This
gentleman made an eloquent and beautiful speech.
He was followed ])y Col. T. S. Haymond, which wound
up, to the best of our knowledge and belief, the truly
agreeable and interesting entertainment. It was the
feast of reason and tiow of soul. Between the speeches,
that fine and justly celebrated brass band from Balti-
more discoursed some of the sweetest music, employing
none but sweetest notes for the occasion. Every at-
tention was shown the visitors and strangers, and
the regret was that their stay could not have been pro-
longed. They left about 10 o'clock on Wednesday
morning. The occasion was one which merited the
celebration, and the celebration was worthy of the
occasion."
Shortly afterward the road was completed through
to Wheeling, passing through the following towns
and villages in Marion county: Valley Falls, Nu-
92 History of Marion (Bounty.
zum's Mills, Benton's Ferry, Texas, Flemiugsburg,
[Johntown], Fairmont, Uztown, Barnesvillo, Barrack-
ville, Farniington, Mannington and Glover's (jap. At
Flemingsburg, which lies a short distance below the
confluence of the Tygart's Valley and West Fork riv-
ers, one mile west of Fairmont, the Monongahela is
•crossed by the railroad by means of a magnificent iron
bridge, constructed at great cost to the company. The
viaduct is 6oU feet long and 35 feet alwve low water
surface. This bridge was destroyed by the Confeder-
ates during the War of the llebellfon, but shortl}' af-
terward was rebuilt.
The suspension bridge across the j\[onongahela riv-
er, connecting Fairmont and Palatine, which was fin-
ished during this year, was built under the direction
of Mr. James L. Randolph, assistant engineer of the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad ; at a cost of about thirty
thousand dollars. The State of Virginia subscribed
twelve thousand and the citizens of Fairmont and
Palatine eight thousand dollars of stock. The resi-
due necessary to complete the bridge was borrowed
and afterwards ail paid from the tolls of the company.
This bridge, seen from a distance, is a most beautiful
structure, hanging like a spider's web from the mas-
sive stone towers that rise aijove, suj) porting it on
either side — a very long and high web, however, for
the distance from tower to tower is five hundred and
sixty feet, while the bridge is fifty feet above the wa-
History of Makion County. 9<5
ter at its ordinary stage. The platform which con-
nects the bridge proper with the land is eighty-five
feet in length.
April 22d, of this year, the county was divided off
into seven districts or townships, pursuant to an act
passed April 3d, by the Legislature. The commission-
ers who performed the work were Austin Merrill, r>en-
jamin Fleming, George M. Ryan, Elijah B. Ross, Z.
Musgrave, M. Vangildor, .John Conaway, J. C. Beaty,
Aaron Hawkins, and .Jacob Straight. The names of
the districts were: Boothsville district, No. I — voting
place at William Shaver's; Palatine district, No. 2 —
voting places at the store of Hezekiah Boggess, and
the house of Enos Nu7um ; Eastern district. No. 3 —
voting places at ^Meredith's tavern, and the house of
Henry S. I^ride; Fairmont district,' No. -1 — voting pla-
ces at the court house in Fairmont, and Conaway &
Son's store in Barrackvillo; Pawpaw district. No. 5 —
voting places at Basnett's store in Basnettsville, and
at the house of Amus Snodgrass in Milford; Worth-
ington district. No. G — voting places at Thomiis P.
Lilly's tavern in Wortliington, and Col. W. J. Wil-
ley's store in Farmington; Mannington district, No.
7 — voting places at the tavern of Alexander Talking-
ton in Mannington, and at the tavern in Beaty'.s
Mills.
Afterwards the names of the districts were changed
to those they now hold and they were called toi(m.'<hips;
94 History of Marion County.
they are now, however, called districts as before. The
names of the districts at present are as follows : Fair-
mont, Union, Grant, Winfield, Pawpaw, Lincoln and
Mannington. The name "township,'' was changed
to "district" by a new constitution made in 1872.
CHAPTER XVI.
THE CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS OF THE
COUNTY.
5TLN the year 1815, a Presbyterian minister, who had
@^ been holding a series of meetings in the neigh-
borhood of Fairmont, preaching wherever he could
obtain a room jarge enough to contain the people,
effected a regular church organization. This event
took place in a barn on the farm of Asa Hall, near
Barnesville, and is believed to be the first permanent
church organization within the bounds of Marion
county, though there is one at Gilboa which claims to
have a prior existence. The former organization, now
known as the Presbyterian Church of Fairmont, in
1822 built a frame church on the ground afterwards
occupied by the old brick building that has recently
been demolished, which stood on Jefferson street, op-
posite the Mountain City House. This frame church
was of the most primitive description. No lath or
plaster covered its walls, and no ceiling reflected the
light of the tallow candles in their dim candle-sticks
fastended to the posts, or held in position against the
90 History of Marion CoUxNtv.
wall by two nails driven into the studding. In 1850,
this church gave place to the old brick that, in turn,
has been pulled down to help furnish material fur the
handsome Presbyterian Church that now stands on
the corner of Jefferson and Jackson streets, built in
1879.
The first brick church built within the town
of Fairmont was the recently demolished Protestant
Episcopal Church, which was built by the Methodist
P]piscopal denomination, and used by them until the
building of their present commodious place of wor-
ship on ^lain street, in the year 1<S52. Among the
events which took place wichin its walls, are some of
secular as well as of religious interest, for here the first
court that ever convened in the county, held its regu-
lar sessions, and it continued to be used for that pur-
pose until a court house was built.
In 1834, the ^Methodist Protestant denomination
built a frame church on (^uincy street, and after a
lapse of seventeen years, it was pulled down to make
room for the substantial brick structure which now
stands on the same ground. This latter churchy
erected in 1851, is still used as a place of worship by
the Methodist Protestant denomination.
It seems hard to realize, on looking at an old log
building, now used as a barn, standing at Yellow
Rock Ford, two and a half mil(!S from the mouth of
the West Fork, that tb.is was ever a church. It was^
Hlstory of JNIariox County. 97
however, the first Baptist Church ever built in this
region, though the exact date of it.s erection is un-
known. Here Josluui Hickman, and other celebrated
clergymen, })reached the Word to the inhabitants of
the surrounding country.
The Runian Catholic Churcli, of Fairmont, was
biiilt in 1858, and i> tlic only regular organization of
the kind in Marion county, though there are quite a
number of that faith, especially along the route of the
Baltimore and Ohio railroad.
As time passed on other churches began to dot the
green hills and vales of the county, until now there
are a great number of all denominations, and all are
prosperous, com})rising in their membership the bulk
of the population. There is scarcely a home in the
county that is inaccessible to a church of some kind.
The only African church in the county is in Fair-
mont, and is called the African M. E. Church.
For many years Marion county has had good schools,
and especially is this true sinc(> the establishment of
the free schot)l system, .\uiong the principal instruc-
tors of her youtii during the few years previous to and
during the civil war, were J. L. ]M(_)rehead, George W.
L. Kidwell, B. F. ^fartin, Alexander Steele, Miss Mary
J. Shore, Prrtf. Lanigan, and others. The Fairmont
Male and Female Seminary, under Prof. W. R. White,
from I80G to 1804, was a very successful institution,
being an educational power in the community, and
1^'
98 History of Marion County,
having students from all parts of the State, man}' of
whom now occupy prominent positions in life. Prof.
White is the author of the "Alphabet Made Easy" —
a very popular primmer in general use throughout the
country.
Since the establishment of the free school system
the progress of Marion county in educational matters
has been rapid, until now every advantage to gain a
common school education is afforded the youth. T"p-
on every hand are neat, convenient school houses, pro-
vided with first-class teachers. The following table
from the report of the county superintendent, J. N.
Satterfield, for 1879, will serve to show the reader the
condition of the schools in Marion county in that
year, financially and otherwise :
Total value of all school property in county, $70,002.75
Aggregate value of buildings, . . 60,825.00
Number of common schools in county, . . 103
Number of graded schools in county, . .5
Number of high schools in county, ... 1
Total number of schools, .... 109
Whole number of buildings, .... 105
Number of districts, 5
Number of sub-districts, 102
YOUTHS BETWEEN THE AOES OF 6 AND 21.
Number of white males, .... 3,304
Number of white females, . . . 2,927
Number of colored males, .... 15
History of Marion County. 99
Number of colored Females, ... 18
Total number of males, .... 3,319
Total number of Females, . . . 2,945
Whole number of youths between ages of 6 and 21, 6,2G4
Of these, the whole number attending school is 4,710
Number of males, 2,644
Number of females, 2,066
Average daily attendance, . . . 3,164
Average age of pupils, . . . . 11.5
Number of male teachers ... 94
Number of female teachers, . , . . 26
Whole number of teachers, . . . 120
A branch of the State Normal Scho(jl is located in
Fairmont, and as it is celebrated tliroughout the
State for its excellence, and an institution of which
Marion county may well be proud, it deserves special
mention : The act establishing a system of free
schools was passed December 10, 186^, and it was im-
mediately found that there was need of well trained
teachers. The State did not at first provide for a
school for teacliers and many such institutions were
started as private enterprises. Tlu^ first of these was
the Fairmont Normal School, whicli was opened in
in 1865, by J. N. Boyd, then editor of the National, in
the basement of the .M. P. (""hurch. The success of
this school prom})ted the citizens to take stej)s t(»wards
securing such an institution permanently in Fair-
mont, and in the winter of 18(55-6 a bill proposing to
establish a State Normal School at that place was in-
100 History of Marion County.
troduced into the I.p,<j:islature, but that body adjourned
without taking any action upon the bill. The citi-
zens of Fairmont formed a joint stock company un-
der the tith^ of -'The Regency of the "West Virginia
Normal Sidiool," and secured a ciiarter for the same.
The incorporators were Oliver Jackson, Jacob C. Bee-
son, Ellery R. Hall, John N. Boyd, Dennis B. Dorsey,
James J. Burns, T. A. Fleming, J. H. Browntield, T.
A. Maulsby and A. Brooks Fleming. A board of di-
rectors was elected, of which Oliver Jackson was Pres-
ident. Ellery R. Hall, Secretary, and J. J. r>urn.«. Treas-
urer. A lot was purchased of Judge E. B. Hall for
$1,500 and the wing of the present building was be-
gun in the summcu- of ISG?. It was GSx40 fec't and
two stories high. In P'ebruary, l.S()7, the l.egislature
voted 65,000 to this school, on condition that 82,000
additional be paid by citizens of Marion county. The
condition was complied with and tlie institution
passed into the hands of the State. In 1872 the main
building, whi(di is 80x40 feet, and thn-e stt>ries high,
was erected. The entire cost of the building has been
about S2U,()00, of which the State gave 610,000
and the distrii;t of Faii'mont the remainder. After
its purchase by the State, Prof. W. R. White, who
had been the first state superintendent of free schools,
was the first principal of the Normal School. Prof.
White secured of Dr. Sears, agent of the Peabody
fund, a gift of 6500 for the normal department and
HisTOKY OF Marion County. 101
$1,000 for the model school, which donation was con-
tinued through the four years following. In 1870,
Prof. White resigned, and was succeeded in the Prin-
cipalship by Prof. J. C. Gilchrist (now Principal of
the State Normal School located at Cedar Falls, Iowa),
who continued in office until the late Dr. J. G. Blair
received the appointment, in 1871. The latter gen-
tleman retained the ofhce until his death, December
22d, 1878. In 1874 the Normal and Public Schools
were separated, and from this time on the benefits of
the separation have been felt by both schools. On
the death of Dr. Blair, Miss M. L. Dickey, who had for
eight years been the first assistant teacher, was ap-
pointed to fill his place, which position she now holds.
Dr. Blair was a man of profound learning and bore an
almost national reputation as an instructor, and it is
conceded by the friends of the school everywhere that
Miss Dickey, whose reputation for talent and tact in
discii)lining and teaching a school of this kind is en-
viable, is well worthy to lill his place. The lowest
number of students attending thv school at any one
time during its existence was ;'(), and the highest 221.
They come from all j)arts of the State, and many have
been from Ohio, Penney 1 vania and Maryland. In 1879,
19 counties of West Virginia were represented in the
school. The faculty at present consists of Miss M. L.
Dickey, Principal; Mi.-s Lucy Fleming and Prof. U. S.
Fleming, assistants; and Mrs. A. ^1. J. Pinnell, teacher
10
102 History of aVfARioN County.
of music. The building is provided with a commodious
hall or chapel, contaiuiiig an organ, and is capable of
holding five hundred people, a large main school
room, library and ai)paratus room, the several neces-
sary class rooms, and a music room, appropriately fur- i
nished with a piano, etc. The school has two pros-
perous literary societies — the Mozart Society and the
Normal Lyceum. This latter organization has re-
cently laid the foundation of a library.
The Normal School is worthy the encouragement
of the county, for it not only reflects great credit
upon the community, but it is a source of considera-
ble revenue. •
CHAPTER XVII.
THE FIRST STEAMBOAT— THE BANKS OF
MARION COUNTY— JOURNALISM IN THE
COUNTY.
,N the 11th of Fehruary, 1850, the first steamboat
that ever followed tlie Monongahela river to
its head arrived at Fairmont. It was called the Globe,
and its appeararice created intense excitement among
the citizens. Fairmont is the proper head of naviga-
tion of the Ohio river, for it is here that the ]\Ionon-
gahela is formed by the confluence of the two smaller
streams, tlie Tygart's Valley and West Fork rivers;
and the Gl-ohe, in making the trip, proved successfully
that the river was navigable to this point. At
various times during several years following, other
boats came this far up the river, and during the high
water of 1852, the T/tomns P. Ray and others made
regular trips for some time. It was no unusual thing
for the Fairmont newspapers of those days to contain
reports like the following, which are clip])ed from the
True Virglntan of March 13th and April 10th, 1852,
respectively ;
104 History of Marion County.
" PORT OF FAIRMOXT.
"Arrival, March 6th,
"Steamer Tnos. P. Ray, departed same day.
"Our town was cheered with the welcome ichistle
of the Steamer Thomaa P. Ray., on Saturday last.
The river, though unusually high for boats to run
above the slack water, seemed to offer little resistance
to her powerful engines. The trip was made in less
time, we are informed, than any boat that has prece-
ded her. Her principal lading was salt and whisk3^"
"PORT OF FAIRMOXT.
" The favorite Steamer, T/ioma.<i P. Ray, Captain
Hughes, arrived on Wednesday, the 7th inst., about
10 o'clock in the evening, with a heavy cargo of gro-
ceries, salt and merchandise of different descriptions
for various persons.
" She left this port on Thursday morning about 10
o'clock with tobacco fTOm Logan &, Carr's and other
articles of traffic. The Thomas P. Ray is a finely
finished boat, antl the officers are spoken of as gentle-
men and are accommodating men.""
The most recent arrivals of this kind at the " Port
of Fairmont " were the West Virrjinia, a small boat,
which landed July 5th, 1873, and returned to Morgan-
town the same evening, and the Klertor, a large side-
wheel steamer, arriving January "iltli, 1876, and de-
parting the following day.
The arrival of the Globe aroused considerable en-
thusiasm in the breasts of the people of Marion
History of Marion County. 105
county on the subject of slack-water. Meetings were
held, and steps taken to secure permanent navigation.
Major O'Bannon, editor of the Demorrntic Banner,
agitated the question in the columns of his paper,
and took a strong personal interest in the matter. A
company was formed called the Monongahela Naviga-
tion Company, and books were opened to receive sub-
scriptions of stock, Major O'Bannon, making journeys
to Pittsburgli, Wheeling, Baltimore and other places,
delivering addresses before the Boards of Trade, and
endeavoring to interest capitalists in the project.
The matter did not receive suOicient and substantial
encouragement from the people of tlie county, how-
ever, and the enterprise soon fell through. The fol-
lowing, clipped from a lengthy editorial on the sub-
ject in the Bannrr, will show how the. press labored to
secure slack-water; and the reader may infer from it
that the citizens did not encourage the thing as they
should — after the excitement incident to the arrival
of the Globe had worn off:
'•Improve this river, and this place becomes at once
the grand entrepot for all the trade on the line of the
railroad for thirty or forty miles, and south of us for
fifty miles, intended f(M- the Pittsburgh market, and
all the trade within striking distance of the river,
intended for Baltimore. This is not all: this place
becomes the mart for the entire region of country
south and south-west, and north and north-east of this
for some forty miles, lieal estate within ten miles of
106 History of Marion County. 0'
this river, would immediately advance from twenty-
five to fift}' per cent. Omit to make this ijnprove-
ment and that same property is bound to depreciate
in the same ratio. Is it not time then for the people
to wake up? We would like to see a lively interest
felt and evinced on the subject. Too great lethargy
has been resting on the people in relation to this mat-
ter. There is too much at stake to slumber over'."'
In the year 185:'., and the month of October, the
First National ]>ank of Fairmont was organized as a
State Stock Bank. It was afterwards, in 1858, changed
to a free banking system, with Oliver .lackson as
President, and Thomas F. (!onaway, Cashier. It was
made a National Bank on the 2d of April, 18(55, with
Jacob C. Beeson as President, and .Joseph E. Sands,
Cashier. The handsome banking house and cashier's
residence now occupied 1)y tlie bank, was erected in
1875, at a cost of $35,000.
The Mountain City Bank began business August
1st, 1874. ;
In 1875 the Farmer's Bank, of Fairmont, began bu-
siness with William Ridgely as President, and Jacob
N. Gould, Cashier, the latter gentleman having been
previous to this time a teller in the First National
Bank.
These are the only banks in the county.
The first newspaper issued in Marion county was
published at Fairmont, and called the Marlon County
Pioneer, Lindscy Boggess, editor and propri(>tor, and
History of Marion County. 107
afterwards R. Fulton Cooper took charge of it. It was
issued about the year 1S40. Tliis was followed by the
BaptUt Recorder, of which Dr. \\\ D. Eyster was pub-
lisher and proprietor, Joseph Walker, editor, and
Daniel S. Morris, printer. Then caiuc the Democratlr
Banner, edited and publisht^d by Morris, which. com-
menced publication in March, 1850. Mr. Morris sold
the Banner in 1851 to A. J. O'Uannon, who in a short
time changed the name of the paper to The True Vir-
ginian and Tran-i-Albglteiiij Adcertixer, associating with
him in the publication Benjamin F. Beall. After-
wards Beall's interest was transferrtjd to George P.
Morgan, when the last j)art of the name was dropped,
it being called then simply The True Virginian. W.
F. Drinkard purchased tlie paj>er in 1853, and contin-
ued to publish it until b'^Hl, when it ceased to exist.
During the last years of its existence William Mac-
Donnell, celebrated for his humorous style of writing,
was the local editor. The political complexion of the
paper was Democratic.
In 1858 the Fairmont R'puhli/an was issued by J. M.
Scrogin, and edited by Dr. W. W. Granger, during
the following year. Next tlie Methodist Protestant Sen-
tinel made its appearance, conducted b}' Dr. D. B. Dor-
sey, then by Rev. Samuel Young. In 1862, Col. A. F.
Ritchie launched upon the sea of journalism the Fair-
mont National, whose corps of editors comprised J. T.
BenGough, J. N. Boyd and Timothy B. Taylor. Then
108 History of Marion County.
followed, in 1866, the Vedette, a Republican paper, ed-
ited and published by J. N. Boyd and Timothy B.
Taylor, in turn, who disposed of the paper to Josiah
Dillon, who changed the name to The Went Virginian,
and it was afterwards puicliased by Henry W. Rook
and Charles M. Shinn. In 1873, Mr. Shinn assumed
entire control of the journal, and in 1875 sold it to
the present i)roprieters, A. H. Fleming and Lamar C.
Powell. The paper is now in a prosperous condition,
and is the organ of the Republican party of Marion
county. The otiice was destroyed in the great tire of
1876. A new one was speedily purchased by the pro-
prietors, and tlie paper continued, being much im-
proved in appearance by reason of its new dress.
After the suspension of the True Virginian, in 1861,
the Democratic party of >iarion ct)unty had no paper
again until 1870, when the Libenilist was started bj'
Fontain Smith it Son, who in a few weeks disposed of
it to J. R. Gros'C. James ]\h)rrovv, jr.. then became its
editor and William S. Iluymond it> kx-al editor. The
Liberalid lived bavdy througli the Presidential cam-
paign of 1872. In February. 1874, Maji)r \V. P.
Cooper commenced the publi(;ation of the Fairmont
Index, which lias since been the organ of the Marion
county Democracy. In April, 1876, the fire which
destroyed the W^t Virginian otlice, likewise almost
totally burned the Judex material. The little that
was saved from the tlames, together with the books of
History of Marion County. 109
the office, and the good will of the business, were pur-
chased of Major Cooper by Clarence L. Smith and
George A. Dunnington, who continued the publica-
tion of the sheet, enlarging it to its present propor-
tions. In February, 1877, after having conducted the
paper through the Presidential campaign of 1S76,
Smith and Dunnington disposed of the Index to
the present proprietors, William A. Ohley. and
Albert J. Dick. This paper has also quite recovered
from the effects of the lire, and the Democratic party
can at last boast of one organ which is permanently
established.
The Mannington Ventilator, an Independent paper,
was published by E. S. Zeveley in 1875 and 1876, but
it did not live but a portion of each year.
The West Vlrrjlnla Real Estate Journal, published
monthly at Fairmont, by Thomas H. B. Staggers and
Charles J. Corbin, was started in August, 1879, and
isthc latest journalistic venture in the county. It is
principally devoted to the real estate interests of Ma-
rion and surrounding counties.
With this last exception all the journals men-
tioned above have been weeklies. The only daily pa-
per that has ever been published in the county was
the Normal Srfiool Dail>i. pubhMied by R. S. ^Miller
and W. S. Meredith, at Fairmont, during the progress
of commencement at that institution in June, 1S79.
U
CHAPTER XVIII,
THE WAR OF THE KEBELLIOX— DIVISION OF
THE STATE, Ftc.
ETEK tlie events rduted in the sixteenth chap-
ter nothing i){ great interest trans])ire(l in tlie
county for several years. The War of tlie Rebellion,
which broke out in ISdl, attracted the attention of
citizens to other seen(\< than the ct)niparatively in-
significant things that were ha[)|)ening in Marion,
and many of those who wei'e fit for s'M-v'ice enlistetl in
the conflict either upon one side or upon the other.
Those whose sympathies were with the South (and
they comprised a large numlier of the most i)rominent
men in the county) left their farms and houses and
joined the Coniederate Army — many taking with
them their families, and leaving their pn^perty to be
confiscated by the Government. After the elose of the
war tlie majority of them returned, while a few re-
mained in the South, having taken up their perma-
nent residence there. During the four years struggle
which followed the passage of the Ordinance of Seces-
sion in Virginia, Marion countv furnished manv
History of ^rAfuox Covsty. Ill
bnive soldiers for Ijotli sides. Some left home never
to return alive, and their bones lie in the fields of the
Sunny South, or upon the mountains and in the
valleys of their native State. Others returned battle-
scarred veterans, and have lived to see the chasm,
which divided the opposing hosts, bridijed, and to
forgive and try to forget the bitter past. Men who for
four long years fought upon op[)ositc sides — each
striving for what he eoneeived to 1»e the right — now,
as in days of old, partake of one another's hospitality,
and calmly and g(x")d-naturedly discuss their political
differences of the past and of the present.
The county of Marion fortunately was not em-
braced in that part of \'irginin which was so long the
seat of active war; conseiiuently her citizens were in
a measure spared the terrible scenes which were en-
acted in other portions of tlie State. The only event
of any special interest whidi transpired within the
county was the raiil of the Confederate General
Jones on the 2!)th of April, 1^6:1 The principal ob-
ject of th(; raid, wliich was extended throughout the
State — was to destroy property and obtain for the Con-
federate Army horses and ])rovisions. On the morn-
ing of the da}' above mentioned tbe army entered
Fairmont and proceed(Ml at once to take possession of
the town. Tbe railroad bridge, mentioned in a
former chapter, wiiicji crosses the Mcmongahela one
mile above Fairmont, was destroyed, and at this place
112 History of Marion County.
the Confederatos had a short skirmish with a com-
pany of Union men. There was also considerable
skirmishing during the entire day in and around the
town. It was the intention of the Confederates to
burn the suspension bridge between Palatine and
Fairmont, but the idea was finally abandoned. Gov-
ernor F. H. Pierpoint was at this time the Union
Governor of the State, and his home being in Fair-
mont, it was sought out by the raiders, and his library
taken from the house and burned in the street. The
arrival of Mulligan's Union battery in the evening
was too late to do effective service, for Jones and
his men had taken their departure. This was the
nearest Marion county came during the war of having
anything like a battle within her borders. In the
skirmishes during the day several men on both sides
were wounded, but none were killed.
As this county is within tlio limits of what is now
the State of West Virginia, it is proper to give in this
connection a brief account of the formation of the
State, which occurred in 1S63, and the causes which
led to it.
For many years before the adoption of the new
constitution of 1852 there had been considerable dis-
satisfaction among some of the b:^st men of Virginia
on the subject of equal representation, and threats of
dividing the State had been made by those of the wes-
tern portion. This alarmed the eastern men, and in
History of Marion County. 113
1847 they passed in the Legislature an act making it
treason for any person to instigate others to establish
a usurped government within the State. Any person
so doing, either by writing or speaking, were liable
to be confined in jail not exceeding twelve months,
and fined not exceeding one thousand dollars. This
law was intended to suppress the discussion of the
subject of a division of the State. In order to satisfy
the people of the west on the subject of equal repre-
sentation, the constitutional convention of 1851-2
fixed the basis of representation in the House of Del-
egates on tile population. This gave the western part
of the State a majority in the House; but in the Sen-
ate the representations were still by districts, and
some of the districts of western Virginia, witii popu-
lations of from fifty to sixty thousand were represented
by one Senator — no more than the districts in tide-
water with populations of less than twenty thousand
each. Tlie westerners, in order tt) procure this com-
promise from the east, were obliged to consent to a
clause in the constitution to the etlcct that all slaves
under the age of twelve years should not be taxed,
and all over that age were to be valued at three hun-
dred dollars for the purposes of taxation. This pro-
duced great dissatisfaction in the west. They had
but few slaves, and the constitution provided that all
other property shcjuld be taxed ad vahrum—so that a
pig or a calf, a month old on the first day of Februa-
114 History of I\rARiox County.
ry, was taxed at full value, while young negroes were
not taxed. The constitution did not prohibit the tax-
ing of incomes and salaries, and the Legislature taxed
incomes of over one thousand d(^llars at two per (tent,
while negroes Avero taxed at forty cents on the hun-
dred dollars; so to give an extreme case, a merchant's
clerk with a salary of eleven hundred dollars paid
twenty-two dollars tax, and a negro valued at three
hundred dollars, ])aid one dollar and twenty cents —
the clerk paying as much as about fifteen sUives. The
slaves might b; hired out at two hundred and tifty
dollars a year, and thereby yield their master an in-
come of nearh^ four thousand dollars, but this income
was not taxed because the slave had already been
taxed. These inequalities of taxation produced, as
above mentioned, great dissatisfaction. It was oppres-
sive, and prepared the minds of the people to throw
off the yoke at the first opportunity. The war gave
them this opportunity, and they took advantage of it.
The Union citizens of the State called a convention
composed of the members elected to the General iVs-
sembly, on the fourth Thursday of ^[a\-, 1801, and in
addition thereto, doubled the number of delegates
that each county was entitled to in the popular
branch of the Legislature. The Capital of the State,
being in tlie hands of the Secessionists, the conven-
tion assembled at Wheeling on the lltli of .Tune, 18(51,
to t'dke into consideration what was best to be done
History of Marion County. 115
for Virginia. The convention declared the offices of
Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General
vacant, (^becau:<e the inciinibents had joined the Con-
federacy; and proceeded to elect officers to fill their
places for the term of six niontlis, until tlieir succes-
sors shouhl be duly elected. Francis II. Pierpoint, of
Fairmont, was chosen Provisional (iovernor, and at
the expiration of the term named he Avas regularly
elected Governor of what was known as the " Restored
Government of Virginia.'' After the State was divi-
ded Pierpoint removed the seat of Government from
Wheeling to Alexandria.
On the 20th of June, ISGo, West Virginia was made
a State. It passed tiirough the forms of legislation
prescribed in the Constitution of the United States
for the formation of a new State, and was made one of
the States of the Union. Thus were the threats of
the past fully carried out, and the erection of the
State of West Vii'ginia was not altogether one of the
results of the Rebellion, but of oppression in the days
previous to tlie Rebellion. Wheeling was made the
temporary Capital, and the business of the new State
was immediately entered upon, with Arthur I. Bore-
man as Governor.
CHAPTER XIX.
THE MINING INTERESTS— THE FIRE AT FAIR-
MONT—MARION MILITIA, Etc.
FTER the war liad ceased, and the discharged
soldiers returned to their homes, they went to
work with energy upon the farms or in tlie shops
which had so long remained idle. During several
years following, until about the year 1870, very little
was done, however, towards the development of the
resources of the county, and the people of Marion
lived a comparatively humdrum existence. About
the year mentioned capitalists became interested in
the mineral resources of the county, and large amounts
of coal lands were purchased by tlieni along the line
of the railroad. In quick succession the West Fair-
mont, the American, the New York, the Marion and
the Central Mines were opened and set to work, each
employing quite a number of miners and making
large shipments of coal. The three first named mines
were owned by Eastern companies. The Pierpoint
and Watson and the O'Donncll are tlie oldest mines
in the county, having been in operation for several
HisTOEY OF Marion County. 117
years previous to the opening of the others. The
West Fairmont and the Central (the hitter owned by
an individual, Mr. 0. Jackson, of Fairmont,) do quite
"a large coke business — the West Fairmont especially,
burning and shipping large quantities. The latest
coal mine of any importance which has been opened
in the vicinity of Fairmont is the Gaston Mine, owned
by Mr. J. 0. Watson. It is ut present doing a large
business and employing a considerable number of
hands. Shortly after the opening of the Marion
Mine it was consolidated with the West Fairmont,
and they were afterwards known as the West Fair-
mont and Marion Gas Coal and Coke Company.
The comm-jnccment of these industries did more to
bring wealth and population into the county than
anything since the buikling of the raih'oad, and had
it not hi'on for the memorable " panic," which brought
such distress upon the commercial interests of our
country generally, and the high rates of freight charged
by the Baltimaro and Ohio Railroad for carrying coal
to the markets, they would have, ere this, reached
gigantic proi:)ortions. For some time the American,
New York and Picrpoint S: Watson Mines have been
idle, partly for the reasons above mentioned, and
partly for reasons known only to the proprietors. The
O'Donnell, the Gaston, the West Fairmont and Ma-
rion, and the Central, have recently received fresh
13
lis History of Marion County.
contracts, and are at present running .steadily, giving
employment to quite a number of men.
On September 21st, 22d and 23d, 1S70, wa.-^ held the
first annual fair of the Marion County Agricultural,
Mechanical and Mineral Association, upon their
grounds near Fairmont. The Association continued
to hold annual fairs until 1877, when the last one Avas
held — it being unsuccessful. For the first three or
four years the exhibitions were very creditable and
the receipts of the Association were good. A new in-
terest in the products of the county seemed to be
awakened and the spirit of competition interested the
farmers to such an extent that the good effects of the
fairs were materially felt. Owing to the lack of in-
terest on the part of some of the Association, how-
ever, and to other reasons, there have been no exhi-
bitions for three years, and the splendid grounds
owned by the company are lying comparatively idle
— used only for picnic and holiday celebration pur-
poses.
Passing over a period of nearly six years, during
which time Dothing of importance transpired within
the bounds of the county, and the industries men-
tioned in the beginning of the chapter were daily
proving of great benefit to Marion, and the citizens
generally were hard at work improving their lands,
and enjoying universal prosperity, we come to the
year 1876 — memorable in the history of the United
History of Marion County. 1J.9
States as the great Centennial year, and also in the
history of Marion county for other reasons. In this
year, on Sunday morning, the second of April, occur-
red the great fire which destroyed the principal busi-
ness portion of Fairmont, the county seat, besides ren-
dering eleven families homeless. When discovered,
the fire was burning up the steps leading to Foreman's
photograph gallery and Bean's furniture room, be-
tween Swisher 6i Carpenter's and Pendergrast's store
rooms, on Main street, and before the alarm could be
given the two latter buildings were wrapped in flames.
Efforts to quench tlie fire were futile, and nothing of
importance within the buildings were saved. The
stores of T. F. Brock and M. A. Chisler and the resi-
dence of Dr. Brown field were then destroyed, and,
spreading across the street, the flames, with fearful
rapidity burned tlie entire block between Jefferson
and Bridge streets down to Decatur Alley, except the
residence of Mrs. Sommers (now occupied by Mr.
John Crane). A strong wind from the north-east
blew great flakes of burning shingles as far as across
the river into Palatine, and the scene was one of
great excitement.
There being no fire engines in the town, the only
means at hand by wliich the flames could be extin-
guished were buckets of water in the hands of the
citizens — and even the women and children worked
steadily currying water and salt and assisting to
120 History of MAnioN County.
remove goods from burning houses, or to pull down
buildings. The wind finally changed and the flames
Averc brought under control. The principal losers in
the fire were Dr. J. 11. Brownficld, residence ; M. A.
Chisler, grocery store: Swisher & Carpenter, dry
goods store; Israel Foreman, photograph gallery;
Barton Bean, stock of furniture; A. R. Mencar, furni-
ture store ; J. W. Lott, produce dealer; John Fisher,
meat market and residence ; Francis Christy, dwelling
and tailor shop; Stone ..t Bcbout, hardware store;
Mrs. Fitzgcrakl, dwelling and millinery store; Mona-
hon heirs, three buildings ; .John Schubach, bakery ;
E. C. Kerr, shoe store and dwelling; Jane Laidley's
heirs, dwelling; Thomas ]M. Fleming, household
goods; ]\Iiss ]\Iaria Van/andt, millinery goods; Mrs.
Ella Horan, millinery and notion store; A. G. Ilnll,
post oince, book store and residence; J. E. Fleming,
grocery store ; Iiulcx newspaper oflicc ; J. 0, Watson,
business house; F. M. Fleming, shoo and hat store ;
M. A. Chisler, busim-ss house; Chas. Corbin, cif^ar
manufactory; Stephen Cakes, barber shop; i\[rs. E.
Arnett, building containing millinery and notion
store; M. M. Comerford, drug store; C. B. Carney,
drug store; dVo..' Vinjinian newspaper ofllce ; Mrs.
Anna Turney, business house and dwelling.
In addition to the above property, which was to-
tally destroyed, the following persons had property
BCorcheJ by the flames or damaged considerably by
HrsTor.Y of M.vnioN County. l2l
wator: Mrs. M. M. SDmmors, rosidenco; B. A. Flem-
ing, residence; Captain T. A. Manlsby, steam mill;
R. C. Dunnington & Co., stock of dry goods.
Tho fire was thought by many to be the work of an
incendiary, and circumstances were strong to induce
this belief, but the guilty parties were never brought
to light. A large portion of the loss, which was about
S75,000, was covered by insurance, the money from
which helped the losers by the fire to replace tho
burned buildings with new and handsome ones. Al-
most the entire burnt district has been rebuilt, and
in the places of the old structures are elegant modern
brick business blocks and residences, so that now
there is no town in West Virginia the size of Fair-
mont, th.at can boast of as fine business houses. Tho.
citizens of the town scarcely consider tho fire of 1S7G
as a calamity, since, from that time, they date an era,
of improvements in Fairmont. Large and costly
buildings have been erected, streets have been graded,
new streets have boon opened, old buildings have
been improved, and other important improvements
have taken place. The town and its suburbs have a
population of probably two thousand, which is con-
stantly increasing. Besides its coal interest.', the
county scat contains other branches of trade which
contribute largely to tho revenue of tho town and
county. Cabinet shops, a foundry, a planing mill,
and steam and water power saw and flouring mills
122 History of Marion County.
arc amon;? the most important, while a mile north of
town is situated the Barnes villo Woolen Factory and
flouring mills, and within a mile, on the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad, up the river, is a large saw mill
and lumber yard and a brewery.
The Fourth of July, 1S7G, is memorable throughout
the country for having been the one hundredth anni-
versary of the Declaration of Independence. On this
day the citizens of Marion county assembled at the
county seat and celebrated the event by an immense
procession, and a grand picnic upon the fair grounds.
Addresses were delivered, the Declaration of Inde-
pendence read and patriotic airs were played by the
bands. At night a grand display of fireworks took
place from Hamilton's Hill in Fairmont. An im-
mense crowd of people took part in the celebration,
and it was a day long to be remembered in the an-
nals of Marion county.
Since the war there had been no military organiza-
tions in this county, owing to the poor provisions
that the State had made for its militia, but in the
summer of 1877, a military spirit seemed to take pos-
session of many of the young men in Fairmont, and
the organization of a company was effected. This
company was named Davis Light Guards, in honor of
Hon. Henry G. Davis, United States Senator from
this State, and E. \V. S. Moore was elected captain,
with S.vmuel N. Jackson and Ed. L. Watson first and
History of Marto:v County. 123
Recond lieutenants, respectively. The company soon
grew very proficient in drill, well disciplined, and cel-
ebrated in military circles throughout the State.
Captain Moore, removing from the State, resigned in
1878, and Sergeant J. W. Lott became captain. Upon
Captain Lott's promotion in the summer of 1879 to
the position of major in the First Regiment, in which
regiment the company holds the position of Company
"B," Lieutenant Jackson became captain. Shortly
afterwards Jackson resigned, having received an ap-
pointment in the postal service, and Lieutenant Wat-
son Avas made captain, with Clarence L. Smith as
first lieutenant, and J. M. McCoy as second lieuten-
ant. Shortly after the organization of the Davis
LiglU Guards, the Delaplain Guards, of Manning-
ton, were organized and named in honor of Col. R.
M. Delaplain, of Wheeling. Charles E. Wells was
made captain, with A. N. Prichard and A. N. Parish,
as first and second lieutenants. In the fall of 1879
Lieutenant Prichard wa.-=! elected captain, Captain
Wells resigning. A. N. Parish shortly after also re-
signed, after being elected first lieutenant, and Ever-
ett Koon was elected second lieutenant. This com-
pany has also gained considerable notoriety for its
proficiency in drill and the excellent and soldierly
conduct of its men. The Martin Guards, of Fairview,
named in lionor of Hon. B. F. Martin, M. C, was or-
ganized in 1878. Cax>tain Clarke is the commandin<T
124 History of Marion County.
officer, and James Seals and A. B. Yost the lieuten-
ants. The company is composed of a fine looking
body of men, is v/cU drilled and in a prosperous con-
dition. Tlie last and largest military organization
effected in Marion county was the Garrett Rifles,
named for John \V. Garrett. President of the Balti-
more and Ohio Railroad Company. This company
was organized in 1878, with Ellis A. Billingslea as
captain, E. L. Basnctt, first lieutenant, Waitman Sat-
terficld, second, and Joseph P. Fleming, third. About
the first of January, 1880, the ofiice of third lieuten-
ant was abolished, and Billingsloa and Satterfield
having resigned their offices. Lieutenant Basnett was
made captain of the corapan}-. Third Lieutenant
Fleming was promoted to the ofiice of first lieutenant
and George W. Merrill was made second lieutenant.
Thus. Marion county possesses four excellent mili-
tary organizations, all well equipped, uniformed and
armed with breech-loading rifles. Two of tlic com-
panies, the Davis Light Guards and the Martin
Guards, wear grey uniforms, and the remaining two
companies wear blue. In October, 1878, a grand
Military Reunion and Sham Battle was hehl on the
Marion County Fair Grounds, under the auspices of
the Davis Guards, at which time the military from
Wheeling, Burton and Mannington, and tho Uni-
versity Cadets and battery from Morgantown wcro
present and x^^i'ticipatcd. On the 17th of October,
History of Marion County. 125
1879. a similar entertainment was held at the same
place, at which time the Davis Light Guards were
awarded a prize sword for their proficiency in drill
over the Waynesburg (Pa.") Blues, who had previously
won a sword at a competitive drill in their own State.
The militia of Marion county, and, indeed, of the
entire State, is self-sustaining, the State furnishing
them nothing save arms and company equipments.
13
CHAPTER XX.
thp: resouuces of the county — the
political complexiox— conclusion.
j^Vr ARlON county is about forty miles long, with
cJ^^S^ ^ mean width of fifteen miles. It is watered
by the upper Monongahela, tlie West Fork and Valley-
rivers and their branehes. At the time of its organ-
ization, in 184"_', it contained between six and seven
thousand inhalntants, and at present the population
Avill probably reach seventeen thousand.
The surface of the county is hilly and well timbered ;
much of the soil is fertile, producing wheat, corn, oats,
rye, tlax and potato<'S and beans — and, in fact, almost
all kinds of vegetables and grain, while its adaptation
to grazing is une.Kcelled. No better grass growing land
can be found anywhere. The finest gras.«! for grazing
purposes may be grown upon its highest hills — some
of which rise over 1,000 feet above the meadow lands
of the valleys. The soil is generally of a rich loamy
clay and will produce all the staples common to the
Middle States of the Union. There is but little land
in the county too rough for cultivation. Such of it as
cannot be used for the production of grass, wheat,
History of Marion County. 127
corn, oats, etc., can be profitably turned into vine-
yards and orchards. The county is abundantly,
watered, thus affording an ample supply of pure
water for all kinds of live stock.
The earth is stored with iron ore, line stone of
various kinds, glass sand of a superior quality, and
with coal of different kinds, and of the very best
quality. Excellent potter's clay is also found in many
sections of the county. ^Farion lies within the
boundaries of the great Monongahela Valley coal
fields. In some places in the cf»unty the veins of coal
are from ten to twelve feet in thickness, below which.
and separated chiefl}' by a heavy bed of sand stone,
there lies a thinner stratum of a more higlily l)itu-
minous character. Prof. Rogers, in speaking of these
coal fields, says; "We may form some idea of the
vast extent of these coal seams fmm the faet that from
some distance above Clarksl>urg [the southern borders
of Marion county] they may be followed with scarcely
any interrui)ti()us throughout the whole length of the
Valley of the Monongahela down to Pittsburgh."
In the fall of 187"), Captain T. P. Rolterts was em-
ployed by the Government to survey the river from
Morgantown to Fairmont. Tpon his arrival at the
latter place the citizens tendered to him and his men
a reception at the Continental Hotel. Being called
upon there for an expression of his views, he mailt;
128 History of Marion County.
some remarks, from which the following extracts are
taken:
"The improvement of our navigable rivers is a sub-
ject worthy of very careful consideration, and I am
glad that I have the opportunity to express to j'ou,
gentlemen, the warm sympathy I have, as an Ameri-
can citizen, for this present proposed undertaking,
namely, the improvement of the Upper INIonongahehi
from Morgantovvn to Fairmont by means of locks and
dams.
"About thirty-five years ago my father, W. Milnor
Roberts, superintenaed the improvement of the Mon-
ongahela from Pittsburgh to Brownsville, as the com-
pany's chief engineer. I recollect hearing him say that
upon the occasion of the opening of the slack-water
navigation, he prophesied that before thirty years
would pass by, the demand for coal in the southern
cities along the Ohio and Mississippi to the Gulf
would be so great that at least fifteen million bushels
of it would be shipped annually from the ports above
Pittsburgh. * -'^ * His prophecy was ridiculed
by some; but the facts showed that instead of fifteen
million bushels being shipped from the Monongahela
Valley, in 1870 the quantity was nearly ninety mil-
lion bushels.
"Gentlemen, I propose to follow in my father's foot-
steps, and attempt a prophecy also, and it is not so
hard now in the light of experience, which is this:
That in less than twenty years the shipment of coal
from the ^Monongahela Valley will exceed three hun-
dred and tifty million bushels per annum. Already
there are engaged in the trade one hundred and twen-
History of Marion County. 129
ty-five staunch steain tow-boats, and three thousand
barges and boats, forniin.;^; an aggregate of one million
three hundred thousand tonnage, owned in Pitts-
burgh ; a tonnage greater than all the rest afloat in
the Mississippi ^■'alley from the Gulf to the lakes,
greater than the combined tonnage of New York and
Boston, our great maritime centers."
After stating several other important facts, he pro-
ceeds to say :
"As 3'-ou West Virginians mine coal for about one-
half of what is paid in Pennsylvania, I am firmly
persuaded that it woul pay to extend the slack-water
up to the eleven-foot vein between ]\Iorgantown and
Fairmont. At least I shall certainly, in my report to
Colonel Merrill, of the United States Engineer Corps,
urge the extension of the slack-water to Fairmont. It
is only here, in my opinion, that it should terminate.
Here, properly speaking, is the head of navigation of
the Ohio river. Here there is an outlet to the sea-
board over the grand-trunk line, the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad.''
An important branch of industry carried on in
Marion county is the raising of live stock — h.orses,
cattle, .-iheep and mules, and selling of the same. It
has become quite a business as well as an extensive
source of revenue. Taking into consideration the
wonderful adaptation of tlu< soil for grass, it would
not be surprising that the future attention of the
farmer is chiefly turned to raising horses cattle and
sheep. Since corn is a more sure crop than wheat in
130 History of Marion County.
nearly every part of West A'ir^inia, it is thought that
our farmers will speedily see the iiuportaiice of using
more of their lands for its production. Corn fed into
hogs would yield a nuicli larger profit than wheat.
Fruit growing is rapidly becoming a source of
profit. Apples and grapes are each year becoming
more and more an object of consideration. Much of
the upland, which is unsuited to the production of
grain, is admirably adapted to the planting of or-
chards and vineyards.
At the Centennial E.^hibition at Philadelphia, in
1876, Marion county resources were well represented
in the way of exhibits. The following report is from
the catalogue of West Virginia exhibits :
MARION COUNTY.
Bituminous coal, from the " Pittsburgh Seam," as
worked by the Gaston Mine, at Fairmont. Seam is
eight to nine feet thick. The coal is especially
adapted to gas.
Coke, 67.5
Volatile matter, 32.5
100.0
Ash in coal, 2.1
Sulphur in coal, 0.95
Sulphur in coke, 0.69
Sulphur in volatile matter, , . . . 0.27
Two thousand two hundred and forty pounds of
coal has a maximum, production of 11,043.12 cubic feet
of sixteen candle power.
Bituminous coal from the "Redstone " seam, which
History of Marion County. 131
in Marion county lies fifty to eighty feet above the
"Pittsburgh," on the land of R. S. Radcliffe. The
thickness at the place whence the specimen was taken
is six feet four inclies.
Water, l.OOD
Volatile combustible material, . . 40,967
Fixed carbon, 50.327
Ash, 7.797
100.000
Sulphur in coal, .... 4.263 per cent.
Sulphur in coke. .... 2.86-5 per cent,
346. Carbonate of iron, from IS-inch seam, II miles
from Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and 2^ miles from
Nuzum's Mill, on the land of A. E. Garloe.
349. Limestone, from a heavy stratum on the land of
R. S. Radcliffe.
351. Fire-clay, from (Hade Fire lirick Company,
Nuzum's Mills. Seam -ih, great heat is required.
Capacity of the works, 4,000 bricks per day. This
clay is superior to that from Mount Savage, as it con-
tains no trace of oxide of iron (the greatest enemy to
a refractory nature in tire-clay), while Mount Savage
has 1.5 per cent. (C. K. l^wight, chemist.)
Hygroscophic water, 0.70
Combined water and organic matter, , 8.35
Silica, 45.86
Alumina, 44.23
Lime, 0.24
Magnesia, 0.36
Oxide magnese. trace.
Oxide of iron none.
Potash and soda trace.
Loss, 0.26
100.00
132 History of Marion CoUxNty.
352. Potters' clay, uised at Palatine. From land of
R. M. Hill.
353. Yellow corn. } p ,^ vu^iricr
.3o4. Wheat. | '^
355. Pupils' work. Fairmont Normal School.
356. Pupils' work. Public School, Fairmont.
Taking into consideration all the resources of Ma-
rion, and the advantage it holds out fcp new-comers,
it is safe to say that the future (;f the county is a
bright one. There are few counties in the State of
West Virginia, in whose hills are stored more wealth,
and which possess greater advantages or offer better
inducements to immigrants, than Marion.
At present the political complexion of Marion
county is Democratic, by a small majority — the voting
population being slightly over three thousand. In
some parts of the county tlie Greenback party polls a
considerable vote. There is but little feeling of ani-
mosity existing between tlio difierent factions — the
voters generally casting their votes for their favorites
without respect to party. From the fact that the
lines are not drawn closely, several Republicans hold
oflice in the county, notwithstanding the Demcratic
majority.
Among those who have represented the county in
the Legi.^latnre,and who did good service while there,
are David Cunningham, Richard Thomas, Benjamin
Fleming, F. H. Pierpoint, Z. Kidwell, William T. Wil-
History of Marion County. 133
ley, U. N. Arnett, sr., Charles Wells, A. W. Knotts,
Robert Lowe, A. B. Fleming, W. B. Ice, Alf. Prichard,
John S. Barns, Jesse Flowers, John Righter, and many
others. Much of the political history of the county
will be found in the biographical sketches which
follow this chapter.
The times for holding courts in the county are as
follows : Circuit Court, Judge Fleming, April 18th
and October 28th ; Clarence L. Smith, Clerk. County
Court, Colonel Austin Merrill, President, second Tues-
days in January, March, 'May, July, September and
November ; John B. Crane, Clerk ; H. Manley, Sheriff.
H
Pen Sketches of Prominent Citizens.
HON. WILLIAM S. M()K<;A\,
The subject of this sketch was Ijorn near the pres-
ent site of Rivesville, this county, (then Monongalia)
Septeml)er 7, 1801. He was a son of Ste])lien Mor-
gan, whose father, David Mori^au, liuurcil prominently
in the early iiistoi'v of the county. He passed most
of his life up^n liis father's estate, until he arrived at
the age of twenty-one, when he entered the ministry
of the Methodist Church, and was a circuit rider
from 1822 to 18-_'7. ^Ir. Morgan was a self-made man
in the strict sense of tlu^ term, bcin,^ self-educated,
with the exception of the little learning he received
at the old time country sc1k)o1s.
In 1835, he was chosen to represent his district in
Congress and was re-elected in 18;>7. While a Rep-
resentative he was chaii'inan of the C'(»mmittee on
Revolutionary Pensions. ][^e did not seek for office
and decliiied the nomination fur a third term, after,
which he was appointed a clerk in the House of Rep-
resentatives. In 1841, he was sent to the Virginia
Legislature, and secured the passage of the bill form-
ing Marion county in 1842, and was idected a member
of the Legislature from the new county, the same
year. In 1844, Mr. Morgan was rrcsidential l']lector
History of Marion County. 135
for this district u})0u tlie Democratic ticket, and in
the year followincr received an appointment to ;i, clerk-
ship in the United States Treasury Department,
which position he held until ISOl. During the two
years following (lS6l-3t he was engaged in painting
in water colors for th.e Smithsonian Institute, at
Washington, and produced numerous illustrations For
the works on Oology, by Prof. S. F. Baird and ^Ir.
Elliott. These illustrations were pronounced by crit-
ics to be the most accurate that f'(Hdd be procured.
He invented and presented to the Institute a machine
used in drawing the outlines of eggs, which is still
in use there.
He was a man of extraordinary endowments, and
his knowledge of th(^ sciences was very accurate.
American natural histoi-y and botany wer.e his favorite
studies, and he was one of the best botanists .in the
country. Mr. Morgan numbered among his personal
friends some of the most distinguished of American
scientists.
After leaving Washington, he lived with his broth-
er-in-law, Colonel Austin ^Merrill, at Rives ville, until
his death. While on a visit to his son, in Washing-
ton, on the 3d of Septend)er, 1>>78, he died of malarial
fever, and was buric(l in the Congressional Cemetery,
of that city.
Marion county has [troduced few such men as Wil-
liam S. ^Forgan. for he was, indeed, an extraordinary
character, as his career shows. Possessed of noble im-
pulses, a great intellect, and many christian virtues,
he was universally l»eloved, and died mourned l)y all
who knew him.
136 History of Marton County.
tion, zedekiah kidwei,l.
Dr._ Zedekiah Kidwell, was one of the prominent
characters whose life was closely identified with the
political history of Marion county, and the entire
Congressional district which he represented in Con-
gress twice in succession. He was born in Fairfax
county, Virginia, January 4, 1S14, and died in Fair-
mont, West Virginia, April 26, 1872. He belonged to
one of those old Virginia families whose ancestry
were English emigrants of noble blood. The Doctor
was a son of Captain Kidwell, who figured in the war
of 1812, and contributed no little in various ways to
the opening up and improvement of West Virginia,
his business being that of a contractor and bridge-
builder.
Whea a youth, Zedekiah received nothing more
than a practical English education in the schools of
his native county, but he was a good scholar, ac-
quiring knowledge with ease, and was proficient in
his studies. In after years he read and wrote a great
deal, proving himself a rapid thinker and writer. At
the age of nineteen he entered upon the study of med-
icine with Dr. Grinnell, of Fairfax Court House. In
the fall of 1884 his father rcnjoved to Clarksburg, and
here the student was interrupted in his professional
studies, two or three years being spent in teaching,
clerking in a store and assisting his father in his
business. In lS;i7, he resumed the study of medicine
with Drs. Wilson and Carr, of Fai;:^iont (then Middle-
town), an(:T.\i:pon the death of T>r."Carr he entered
upon the practice of his profession in partnership
with Dr. Wilsuu. .
History of Marion County. 137
In 1S41 and 1842, Dr. Kidwell took a very active.
part in procuring; the formation of Marion county,
and entered political life as a delegate to the Virginia
Legislature in 1814 — being re-elected several times.
He now became an active and influential politician
in the Democratic party, and in the Presidential cam-
paign of 1848, was elector for his district, upon that
ticket. His labors, about this time, were enormous
for one man, and he brought on hemorrhage of the
lungs from speaking in the open air while hoarse,
which came near terminating his life. After a long
illness, he rallied, and entered again upon the active
duties of life, being obliged, however, to give up the
practice of medicine. He entered upon the study of
law. and it was not long until he was admitted to the
bar. In 1852, he was again drawn into politics and
was elected to represent his district in Congress. He
served two terms — frcim ISo'i to 185U. At the close
of the second term he was elected a member of the
Board of Public Works of Virginia, which office he
filled until the breaking out of the War of the Rebel-
lion. He was never a defeated candidate and was the
most popular man in his district. President Buch-
anan tendered him the office of sixth auditor of the
Treasury, but he declined to accept it.
Dr. Kidwell stood higli in Congress, and was a faith-
ful legislator. His report in opposition to the con-
struction of the Pacilic Piailroad, on the route and un-
der the circumstances tlien proposed, was considered
an able document, and elicited high praise from many
of the leading papers of the country. He also made
an able speech in Congress upon what was known as
the " Louisiana question." It was through his agency
138 History of ^Marion County.
that Wheeling;- was made a port of <,'iitry in 1854. Ke
was one of the "immortal seventy'' who held out so long
pending the fierce struggle which resulted in the elec-
tion of Banks as Speaker of the Ifou'^e. He was an
able stump speaker, and the late Governor Wise, of
Virginia, pronouncxl him the ablest campaign mana-
ger in the State. His public life terminated with the
commencement of the War. He was a hearty sympa-
thizer with the Soutli and Sontliern principles in the
great struggle, and the coui'se he took was a pure mat-
ter of conscience with him.
Of his private character, mucb that is gtjod can be
said. He was an earnest christian, and a member of
of the M. P. Church, Fairmont. He gave liberally of
his means to the support of various charitable insti-
tutions, and was widely celebrated for his kindness
and benevolence to the })oor.
HON. FRANCIS H. riERPONT.
The subject of this sketch is a man whose history
is inseperably connecsted with that of Virginia during
a period when the eyes of the whole world were di-
rected upon her. ICx-Governor Francis H. Picrpi^it
was born on the 2')t\[ of June, l-Sll, and is the son of
Francis and Catliarine Pierpont,-'= the former a son of
John Pierpont, wlio settled near Morgantown about
the close of the Revolutionary War. His parents re-
moved to a i)lantation oi\ West Fork while he was
<'PlKRPi)NT is the coriont name, thoui^li it ii <irten spt-Ilcd Pikui'OINT. In
giving Joliii PiorpoiH :i titli", a ciirelfss cIitIc tluis ii>is-i(ii'lle(l tlw iianu', aii'l tlm
infant Ihmcs wore rtllirw.inls obligtil lu .i.s.siinie the .-upcilUious "i" iu coii-
sequeuce.
History of Marion County. 130
quite a child, where they lived some twelve years, at
the end of wliicli time they moved to Fairmont.
Here ho worked upon his f.ithei-'s farm and in his
tan-yard until he arrived at the age of twenty -one
years, when ho (letcrminc(l to acquire a colegiate edu-
cation, and S(dceted Allegheny College, at ?>[eadville.
Pa., distant ISO miles from his h(jme as the place
where he would })rosoeute his studies. ^N'o railroads,
and scarce a stage coach tlien ccmnected the little
village of Fairmont with tlie outside world; hence
this journey was undertaken and accomitlished on
foot. Up to this time he had had hut the advantages
of a common school education, pursuing his studies
under many adverse eircumstanei\-.;, and he entered
the preparatory de})artment of the college — graduat-
ing in four years and a half. Cordon P>attelle, Jiishop
Simpson, Bishop Kingslea and Homer Clarke were
connected with the college at that time, and hetween
them and Mr. Fierpont a strong and lasting friend-
ship was formed.
After graduating he taught school in West Virginia
for eight months, and for a year in Mississippi, dur-
ing which time he stu'lietl law. The failing health
of his father hrought him home from Mississippi, and
lie enter(;d upon the ju'actice of law in Fairmont, in
which he was engaged until tlie hreaking out of the
llehellion. He was dui'iug tliis time actively engaged
in politics, tiiough nev'er a candidat(\ nt)r held any
office, except that of Frc-idential IClector, until he
was made Goveiuor. lie was a thorough .Vholition-
ist, and did more' than any other man in West \'ir-
ginla to cultivate anti-slavery sentiment. l>y puhlic
speeches and through the press, Mr. Fiei'pont de-
140 History of Marion County.
nounced the oppressive clause in the new constitu-
tion, regarding the taxation of the slaves of the east,
and the unjust taxation of the free labor of the west,*
and attached to it all the odium possible. After the
passage of the Ordinance of Secession in 1861, he ad-
dressed the people at all places he could reach in the
western part of tlie State, urging them to resistance,
and was threatened with arrest for resisting the civil
authorities of the State; but with extraordinar}-
pluck he defied all threats in the very face of the mil-
itary organizations.
Mr. Pierpont was strongly in favor of a division of
the State, but at the convention of May 12, 1861, he op-
posed a movement to organize Western Virginia into
a new State, giving for his reasons that it was prema-
ture. He then induced the convention to appoint a
Committee of Vigilance to determine " what was best
to be done for Virginia." He laid his plans before
this committee — which were to ask the General Gov-
ernment to organize the State Government by de-
claring vacant the offices of all Secessionists holding
office in the State, call a convention at Wheeling,
June 18th, to elect a new Governor and State officers,
and call it tlie "Restored Government of Virginia.''
The matter was decided feasible and the programme
was carried out. Mr. Pierpont was unanimously
made Provisional Governor by the convention, and at
the end of the year he was regularly elected Governor
by the people. At the expiration of two years he was-
re-elected for four years more. After tiie division of the
State, in 1863, Governor Pierpont removed the seat of
■•''See Cbapter xvill.
History op Marion County. 141
government from Wheeling to Alexandria, where he
had a small Legislature. After the surrender of
General Lee he removed the seat of government to
Richmond, arriving there in the spring of ISGo.
Here his old neighbors and fellow citizens who had
joined the Confederacy, greeted him cordially. The
long and cruel war that lay between them and him
was forgotten, and they greeted each other with al-
most dramatic feeling.
In a few months after his arrival, Pierpont had
completely restored the State Government. Nearly
the whole Judiciary was changed, and it has been
said by the leading journals and statesmen of the
south that he gave Virginia the best Judiciary it ever
had. It is worthy of note that there never was a
word of suspicion, or any dishonest transaction about
any oflicers connected witli the State Government
during his administration. He was the first Gov-
ernor of Virginia who ever proclaimed a Thanksgiv-
ing-
At the expiration of his term of office, Governor
Pierpont returned to his boyhood's home in Fairmont,
where he has since resided. During these years he
has served one term in the Legislature, and was a
Judge in the shoe and leather department of the Cen-
tennial Exposition, at Philadelphia, in 1876. In 1871,
he was elected President of the General Conference of
the M. P, Church, held at Pittsburgh, being the only
layman that has ever held that position, and for
which lie received many eongratuhitions from tlie
press anil clergy throughout ICugland and America.
The position is e<iuivalont to that of a bishop in the
E])iscopal Cluucli.
15
142 History of Marion County.
COL. THOMAS S. lIAY.Aro.NJj.
Thomas S. iiayuiond was oiio of the luost promi-
nent characters of his clay in the county. He was
a son of William Haymonil, jr., whose father was one
of the earliest settlers of this region of the country —
and a man who was ceh^brated for his intelligence and
benevolence. Colonel Haymond was born upon his
father's estate, in this county, .January !•"), 1794, and
died in Richmond, Virginia, in the spring of 1869-
He received a fair education, and his studious habits,
coupled with his rare natural e ndowments, soon won
for him a great and good rci)utation, which clung to
him through life. When quite a young man, scarcely
thirty years of age, he represented his native county
in the Virginia Legislature, and while there held the
respect and gained the admiration of his constituency
for the admirable manner in whicb he discharged tiie
duties of his ollicc. In the fall of 1840, Mr. Haymond
was .sent to the United States House of Representa-
tives by the people of bis district, and while there
he proved himself an able legislator and an efh-
cient worker for the best interests of his State. At
the breaking out of the W^ar of the Rebellion, he
removed south, and was in Richmond at the time of
his death. For sometime previous to the Avar, Mr.
Haymond held the office of colonel of a regiment of
militia; bonce the title which is generally prefixed
to his name.
nON. BENJAMIN F. .MARTIN.
Though at present not residing in Clarion, Mr,
Martin is a native of the county and spent a great
portion of his life here. He was born near Farming-
History of Marion- County. 143
ton, October 2, 182.S. He is a son of Jesse Martin, of
that place, upon whose farm he lived and worked un-
til he was twenty-one years of age. He was chiefly
educated at Allegheny Collesre, at Meadville, Pa".,
where he graduated with college lionors in .June,
1854. xVfter returning from college he taught school
in Fairmont for eighteen months, during which time
he studied law. Tie was admitted to th(^ bar and
commenced to praetiee iu :\rarch, ls56, removing in
the following November to I'runtytown, where he
has since resided. In 1^72, ]Mr. :\[artin was a mem-
ber of the Constitutional Convention of West Vir-
ginia, and was a delegate to the National Democratic
Convention at Baltimore the same yotlr. votiu"-
against the nomination Mf Horace Greeley. In the
campaign which followed, however, he yielded him
active and earnest support. In 1872, he was a candi-
date for Congress from this distcrict, on the Democratic
ticket against Hon. J. M. Hagans. Both candidates
claimed the election and the .seat was contested re-
sulting in the declaration of the election of Hagans.
In 187G, Mr. Martin was elected to the Forty-sixth
Congress, and in 1878 he was re-elected. His term of
office expires .lanuary 1, ISSl. Mr. :Martin is an effi-
cient and faithful lleprescntative and is very poi)uiar
among the people of his district.
HON. A. RIJOOKS FLK.\IL\(
Tlic subject of this sketch, .ludgo A. B. Fleming,
was born October l:',, 18:^.9. upon his father's farm, two
miles west of Fairmont. He is the .sou of lienjamin
F. and ilhoda Fleming, tiie latter. a daughter of Uev.
144 History of Marion County.
Asa Brooks. Until ho arrived at the age of j^wenty lie
worked upon his father's farm about half of each 3^ear,
attending school the other half. In 1859, he com-
menced the study of law at the University of Vir-
ginia; was admitted to the bar and commenced to
practice at Fairmont, in 1S62. In the year following
(1863) he was elected Prosecuting Attorney of IMarion
county, which office he held until 1867. He was
married September 7, I860 to Carrie M., daughter of
James 0. Watson. In 1872, Mr. Fleming was elected
on the Democratic ticket a member of the West Vir-
ginia Legislature, and was re-elected in 187-0. While
in the Legislature he rendered much important ser-
vice to the State, fulfilled faithfully his duties as a
legislator, and worked earnestly for the best interests
of Marion county. In February, 1878, he was, b\' the
Governor, a})pointed .Fudge of the Second Judicial
Circuit (composed of the counties of Taylor, Harrison,
Doddridge, Wetzel, JMunongalia and Marion), to fill the
unexpired term of Judge Lewis, deceased, until a suc-
cesssor could be elected, and in the October following
was elected by the people to fill the vacanc3\ His term
of office will expire January 1, 1881.
For a number of years past Judge Fleming has
been engaged in mining (uiterprises in connection
with his father-in-law, Mr. Watson, and in farming,
and has succeeded in accumulating (^uite a compe-
tency. He is an able jurist, and is a gentleman of
fine literary and business attainments, while his en-
tire political and private life liave been above re-
proach, ])eing v(a-y popular among his fellow citizens
of all parties.
History of Marion County. 145
JOHN w. m'coy, esq.
The above named gentleman is a member of the
Marion county bar, and is a lawyer of considerable
reputation throughout the State. He was born near
Middlebourne, Tyler county, Virginia (now West Vir-
ginia), on the '14th of September, 1826; worked on
his father's farm until he arrived at the age of twen-
ty-one, going to school in the winters; was princi-
pally educated at the Clarksburg Academy; was ad-
mitted to the bar in 1854, and commenced the prac-
tice of law at Middlebourne. He lived there until
the spring of ISGS, when he removed to Fairmont,
Marion county, and has since resided there. In 1858,
Mr. INIcCoy was elected prosecuting attorney of Tyler
county, and was re-elected in 1860. In 1870, he was
elected to the oflice of prosecuting attorney of Marion
county, and at the expiration of his term was re-el-
ected. In 1870, a bill organizing the county courts of
Marshall, Wetzel and Marion into a circuit with a
judge, was brought before the Legislature, and by that
body put to the vote of the prople of the three coun-
ties. Mr. McCoy was .almost unanimously nominated
for the judgeship of the new court. At the polls he
received an overwhelming vote for the office, but the
bill — known as the "County Court Bill" — was de-
feated, thus leaving 'Sir. McCoy a judge without a cir-
cuit. The large vote he received upon this occasion
served to show his exceeding popularity among the
people. Mr. McCoy is considered one of the best read
lawyers in the State, and, as a counsel, has but few
equals.
146 History of Mariox Cousty.
hon. j. c. beeson.
Jacob Clark Boeson, son of Jesse and Anna Beeson,
was born in Martinslnirg. Berkeley count}', this State
on the 29th (hiy of January, 1S14, where he passed his
life until March, ISoy, when he came to Fairmont and
engaged in the hardware business. He has since re-
sided in that })lace, tilling many important places of
public trust. He was mayor of Fairmont, and mem-
ber of the council at various times from 1862 to 1878,
and in 1853, was elected Treasurer of Marion county.
In 186G-7, Mr. Beeson represented this county in the
West Virginia Legislature, being elected on the Re-
publican ticket. Among other positions which he
has held are those of President of the l)oard of super-
visors of the county, and President of the First Na-
tional Bank of Fairmont, which position he now
holds and has held for some years. Mr. Beeson,
having accumulated a competency, some years ago
retired from the mercantile business, and has since
lived a comparatively inactive life at his beautiful
home in Fairmont. ?Ie is a popular and influential
citizen of the town and county.
HON. U. N. ARNETT.
This gentleman is well known throughout the State
of West Virginia as a politician, having for some
years taken an active part in the politics of his
county and State. .He was born March 7, 1S2U, and
is, therefore, now sixty years of age. ile is a son of
Jonathan and Elizabeth Arnett, who lived near
Rivesville, this county, where Mr. Arnett now re-
sides, his calling being that of a farmer and grazier.
History of Marion County. 147
His boyhood was passed upon the farm,, working at
that calling in the summer, and in the winter attend-
ing the common schools of the day. He entered pub-
lic life in LSol, as a representative of ^Marion county
in the Virginia Legislature, serving in that capacity
for a period of six years. From that time up to 1870.
he served at various times as a justice of the peace
and as foreman of the grand jury, wliich latter posi-
tion he held for over twenty vears. In 1872, Mr.
Arnett was a memher of the constitutional conven-
tion of West Virginia, and was soon afterwards elected
State Senator from his district, which office he held
for four years, two years of the time serving as
President of the Senate. Mr. Arnett is a Democrat,
and is one of the most popular men of his party in
the county. He also possesses many friends belong-
ing to other i)arties, they recognizing in him an hon-
est opponent, and a faithful and distinguished legis-
lator during the time he served in the Senate. He is
one of our most wealthy citizens, and is the proprie-
tor of a beautiful home, upon his estate on the Mon-
ongahela river, near the towi\ of Rivesvillc.
.irD(;E A. F. IIAYMONO.
The subject of this sketch was born on the loth
day of December, 182:). upon his father's farm, about
three miles from Fairmont. He is a son of Colonel
Thomas S. and Harriot .V. Haymond. He attended
the country schools in tlie neighborhood of liis liome
until he arrived at the age of thirteen, when his
father sent him to sdiool at the .Morgantown Academy,
which institution he attended for about t\vo\'ears,
and was then sent to the William and Marv College,
148 History of Marion County.
at Williamsburg, Virginia, for a term of nine months.
He did not return to the college after this session, on
account of ill health, but began the study of law at
home, and in the ofBce of Edgar E. Wilson, at Mor-
gantown. In 1842, when he was but nineteen years
of age, he was admitted to the bar, and immediately
commenced the practice of law in Fairmont, which
profession he continued to follow here until the
breaking out of the Rebellion, serving in the mean-
time for several years as Prosecuting Attorney of Cla-
rion county. In the spring of 1853, he was elected a
member of the Virginia Legislature from this county,
and again in 1857. He was a delegate from ]\[arion to
the Virginia Convention of 18G1, and strongly opposed
all movements towards Secession. He continued to
oppose Secession until after that ordinance was passed
and the war had fairly commenced, when he felt in
his conscience that it was his duty to acquiesce, and
go with his native State. He accordingly acted upon
the promptings of his conscience and entered the field
against the Union early in January, 18G2. He re-
mained in the military service of the south until the
surrender of General Lee at Appomatox Court House,
in April, 18G5, when he was surrendered and paroled
with Lee's army. He returned to Fairmont in June,
1865, and shortly afterwards resumed the practice of
law. Mr. Haymond, however, was soon prohibited
from the practice of his profession in the State courts
by the "lawyer's test oath." S<nnetime afterwards,
on a petition of Union citizens of ^farion and Monon-
galia counties, the Legislature of \\^,•st X'irginia
passed a special act permitting him to practice in the
State courts without taking the test oath, this being
History of MarioxX County. 149
the first act of the kind passed by the Legislature.
By an act of Congress he was afterwards relieved
of his political disabilities, incurred by reason of his
participation in the Rebellion. In 1S72, Mr. Hay-
mond was a member of the constitutional convention
at Charleston, West V^irginia, and on the 22d of Au-
gust, of the same year, was elected a Judge of the Su-
preme Court of Appeals of the State. In October,
1876, he was re-elected to this high office for a term
of twelve years, commencing .January 1, 1877. He is
one of the most popular men in the State, and at the
late election received a very large majority over his
opponents, running considerably "ahead of his ticket."
He was ever popular as a law\'er and as a citizen, and
in the position which he now holds, he gives uni-
versal satisfaction, being one of the ablest jurists in
the State, and one of. the most dignified and learned
Judges upon the bench. He is a man of whom his
fellow citizens in Marion county are proud, because
of his many intellectual and social qualities, as well
as of his great popularity throughout the State.
JAMES MORROW, JR., ESQ.
The position which the above named gentleman oc-
cupies among the legal fraternity of West Virginia is
second to none. He is one of the brightest and best
known lawyers in the State, and is a distinguished citi-
zen of ^[arion county. Mr. Morrow was born in that
portion of Brooke county, Va., which now comprises
Hancock county. West Virginia, in theyear 1837, and '
passed his boyhood days upon his father's farm, at-
tending school in the neighborhood, and laying the
16
150 History of Marion County.
foundation of his after life of usefulness. He received
a classical education in the neighboring States of
Pennsylvania and Ohio — "the people of the Northern
Pan-Handle being in that day," as ^Nlr. Morrow himself
humorously expresses it, " obliged to resort to their
more highly cultured neighbors for the humanizing
agencies of higher education and harvest whisky."
At the age of twenty years he commenced the study of
law and continued to prosecute his legal studies until
the year 18G2, when he was admitted to the bar in Illi-
nois. Three years afterwards, in 1S65, he located in
Fairmont and has since engaged constantly in the
practiceof his profession in Marion andadjoiningcoun-
ties. In 1871, he represented Murion county in the
West Virginia Legislature — the first session of that
body after the removal of the C'apital to Charleston —
and was a member of the Committee on the Judiciary.
He was a member of the Special Court in the con-
tested election case of Harrison against Lewis for the
office of Judge of this circuit, and wrote the opinion of
the majority of the Court ; he was also counsel for
Auditor Bennett and Treasurer Burdette in their im-
peachment trials before the West Virginia Senate.
In 1870-71, he occupied the editorial chair of the Fair-
mont Liheralifit for some months.
There are few such men as .James ^Morrow in the
State. He possesses rare legal abilities, and as an
orator has few superiors. By his quiet humor, spark-
ling wit, cutting sarcasm, eloquent and dignified lan-
guage and manners, as well as by his great knowledge
of the law, he has attained an enviable reputation as
a pleader in court, while as a public speaker he is ex-
History of Marion County. 151
ceedingly popular. Aside from his abilities as a law-
yer, Mr. Morrow is a gentleman of culture and refine-
ment from a literary and social standpoint.
ROBERT B. LOTT, ESQ.
In these days of political trickery and thirst for of-
fice, it is a rare thing to see a man who, for almost a
score of years, has held one office and proved satisfac-
tory to his fellow citizens of all parties, and against
whom there was never a word uttered, but whose
praise is sounded by all men, be they friends or foes.
The subject of this sketch was such a man. Robert
B. Lott was born June 19, 1835, at Washington, Penn-
sylvania, and when he was about three years of age
his parents removed to Fairmont (then Middletown)
where he passed nearly all the remainder of his life.
Here he received a common school education and al-
ways bore a reputation for studious, sobsr and indus-
trious habits. This reputation, formed in his youth,
clung to him through life. When a young man he
worked some as a tanner, but finally gave that busi-
ness up, and became engaged as a grocer, which call-
ing he followed until elected clerk of the Circuit
Court of Marion county in 1861, which office he con-
tinued to fill for several terms in succession, and un-
til a few months previous to his death in 1S79. Dur-
ing the latter part of the War of the Rebellion he
served in the Union army, leaving the office in charge
of a deputy, but after his discharge in 1S65, he again
assumed control. Although of Ki-publican principles
in his politics, he was very popular throughout the
county among citizens of all parties, because of the
152 History of Marion County.
excellence and faithfulness with which he discharged
the duties of his office. During the last few years of
his life he was afflicted with hemorrhage of the lungs,
and in the summer of 1878, in the hopes that it would
benefit him, he visited Colorado, the fame of whose
health-giving climate had reached him. This being
the year for the election of clerks, he was pressed to
become a candidate for re-electi(jn. He refused, how-
ever, giving for his reasons, the poor state of liis
health. So earnest Avas the request of his Repub-
lican friends, (in which they were joined by many
Democrats) that ho finally, but reluctantly, consented
to become a candidate. He was in Colorado during
the entire campaign, and the fact of his absence and
non-participation in the canvass, together with the
bad state of his health (many feeling sure that he
would not live to fill the office should he be elected)
contributed largely towards his defeat, by the Demo-
cratic nominee, Mr. Chirence L. Smith, who defeated
him by twenty-six votes. After the election, Mr.
Lett's health being somewhat improved by the west-
ern climate, he deemed it prudent to take up his resi-
dence there with his family until he should recover
sufficiently to again make Fairmont his home. He
accordingly returned for his family, and bidding his
many friends in the county adieu, he departed for
Greeley, Colorado, where on the fifth of ISlarch, 187'.),
following, he died, his disease having made too much
headway for the climate to prove permanently bene-
ficial. His remains were brought to Fairmont, where
they were followed to the grave by an immense con-
course of friends, besides the masonic and military
organizations of the town. In speaking of his death,
History of Marion County. 153
the Fairmont lVe>it Virginian said among other things:
"Having few faults and many virtues; possessing a
character above reproach, and a name blemislied by
no unworthy act, 'Bob' Lott goes down to the grave
in honor, his memory cherished by warm personal
friends in every quarter of Marion count}-, and
throughout the State."
RICHARD p. LOTT, ESQ.
Richard P. Lott, a brother of Robert B. Lott, was
born in the town of Washington, Pennsylvania,
March 16, 1833; he died in Fairmont, West Virginia,
September 7, 1879, in the fort \'-se vent h year of his age.
This brief statement compasses the life history of a
remarkable man, 3'et the task of appropriately elabo-
rating that statement is b}- no means an easy one.
He who occupies a position in his community so
prominent as that occupied by Richard P. Lott, can-
not have his connection with that community sev-
ered, whether by death or other cause, and pass away
beyond the portals unregrettcd, his deeds forgotten.
As viewed from the active field to which our common
humanity is summoned, his was largely an isolated
existence. From his early youth through a life full
of work and a career of much usefulness, he was the
weary bearer of the burden of deformity, and, to
a great degree, of physical helplessness.
At the early age of three years he fell a victim to an
uncontrollable disease, the eilects of which proved to
him a grievous misfortune, since thenceforward he
was a hopeless cripple, utterly unable to walk. The
despair he felt when his terrible afiliction became
154 History of Marion County.
fully confirmed, and as even in his youthful fancy he
confronted himself with a future barren of those pleas-
ures found only in equal participation with his fel-
lows in life's pursuits, can be imagined, but not fully
realized by one not similarly situated ; and none but
those who held his most intimate confidence in his
manhood can estimate the intensity of the dark
shadow that seemed to cloud his life when he allowed
himself to contemplate his limited sphere. Yet pos-
sessed of a rare faculty for suppressing his emotions
he seldom betrayed the thouglit. For reasons obvious
he was never able to attend school, excepting occa-
sionally during one term in his early youth, when he
was conveyed to and from the school house by others;
he was, therefore, a self-educated man. Without other
occupation he early turned his attention to books;
and as he progressed in his studies, a strong desire for
knowledge was engendered. He soon became master
of the elementary, then of the more advanced
branches; and not content with these he took up the
more diflicult studies, including the languages, and
his zeal and ambition found reward in success. As
he grew older lie became a close observer of public af-
fairs, and entered intelligently and with force into
discussions of all topics demanding public attention,
none enjoying an "intellectual battle" more than he.
Having a taste for newspaper writing, he used the
press as the channel through which to present his
views upon questions of public import, and was ever
welcomed as a contributor by all the journals in
whose columns ho sought space. He was a logical
reasoner in debate, wielding a vigorous pen, yet wri-
ting with a graceful freedom that won respectful at-
History of Marion County. 155
tention from friend and opponent. Since he so closely
identified himself with the politics of the day, he
may be regarded as having been a " public man " in
this respect, and in that field evidenced ability that,
had he been favorably situated, would have won him
distinction, and honors at the hands of the people.
Originally he was of the Democratic school and an
ardent admirer of Stephen A. Douglas— entering up-
on political thought and action at the most brilliant
period of that eminent gentleman's career, Mr. Lott
took an active interest in his fortunes up to the as-
sembling of the Charleston Convention of historic
fame. With a clear perception, he foresaw the disas-
ters awaiting the "Little Giant,'" and, in common
with thousands of others, he recognized in the pro-
ceedings of that convention the gathering of the clouds
portending the storm of civil war, and with an earnest
desire for peace, he regretfully transferred his alle-
giance elsewhere. Espousing the cause of the Union,
he addressed himself to the task of assisting in the
perpetuation of the Federal Government. He was
not prepared to endorse Mr. Lincoln, however, and
cast his ballot for Bell and Everett. He afterwards
became a warm supporter of the Lincoln administra-
tion. During the campaign of ISfiO, and the years of
turmoil that followed, Mr. Lott was a constant con-
tributor to tlie political literature of the day. He
vigorously opposed the ordinance of secession, and to
him, probably, as nmch as to many others more pre-
tentious, is due the large vote cast in opposition to
that measure in the western part of the Old Dominion.
When Virginia seceded, and war was inevitable, he
156 History of Marion County.
was among the foremost advocates of the proposition
for a new state.
Though a constant writer for the press, Mr. Lott's
name rarely appeared in print, he preferring to em-
ploy a nom de jAume for all his productions. He
was, however, at one time the recognized local editor
of the Fairmont National. Early in the year 1861, he
was placed in charge of the Fairmont Postoffice, and
throughout the war, and for a period of eight years
thereafter, as deputy and as chief, lie discharged the
duties of the position with signal ability, and to the
satisfaction of the public. This was the only office
he ever held.
For several years preceding his death, ]\[r. Lott was
the subject of a disease emanating principally from
his previous affliction, and he was finally compelled
to abandon all occupation, which he did with great
reluctance. At last, yielding to the summons, he
passed away, closing an honorable life with the same
practical stoicism that had characterized him 'midst
his long years of suffering. A firm, true hearted
friend, an intelligent, high-minded man and patriotic
citizen, he passed into the unknown realms, leaving
impressed upon the hearts of a whole community, en-
dearing remembrances of " Dick Lott."
FONTAIN smith, ESQ.
The subject of this sketch is a native Virginian.
He was born and reared in the interior of the state,
and is now upwards of fifty years of age. He com-
menced the study of law in 1848, and was admitted
to the bar in 1830. He came to Marion county in the
Spring of 1857, locating at Mannington, where he
History of Marion County. 157
engaged for a short time in school teaching, while he
practiced in the courts of this and adjoining counties.
The Marion county bar at that time was composed of
a number of gentlemen of eminent ability — such men
as ex-Gov. F. H. Pierpoint, who has since attained a
national reputation, James Neeson, Esq., now one of
the most distinguished members of the Richmond bar,
Hon. A. F. Raymond, at present a member of the
Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, Hon. E.
B. Hall, who afterwards presided over the Eleventh
Judicial Circuit of West Virginia, (since made the
Third,) now a resident of California, Hon. B. F. Mar-
tin, present Representative in Congress, Albert S.
Hayden, EUery R. Hall, and others. In 1860, Mr.
Smith, being conservative in his political opinions,
espoused the cause of Stephen A. Douglas, for Presi-
dent, and was appointed by the Douglas convention,
elector for the Senatorial district, composed of Marion,
Wetzel and Tyler counties. In the following year he
was nominated u candidate for a seat in the memora-
ble convention, which convened in Richmond in Feb-
ruary, 1861, and passed the Ordinance of Secession.
He was defeated, however, in the contest by Hons.
A. F. Haymond and E. B. Hall. He was a pronounced
Union man, and ardently opposed to secession. In
the Spring of 1S61, lie was elected to the Legislature
of Virginia, but refused to take his seat in that body,
the convention having passed the ordinance of seces-
sion. However, when the State Government was re-
organized at Wheeling, he co-operated with the
authors of that movement. In the organization of
the I^egislature under the restored government, he
was made Chairman of the House Committee on
17
158 History of Marion County.
Courts of Justice. In the year 1S68, ^Ir. Smith, at the
Grafton democratic convention, was tendered the
nomination for Congress from his district, but de-
clined it. He was, in 1872, with Messrs. A. F. Hay-
mond and U. N. Arnott, elected a delegate to the con-
stitutional convention of West Virginia, and for a
short time in this year was engaged with his son in
the editorial management of the Liberalist. Since
1872, Mr. Smith has been living a comparatively
quiet life in Fairmont, and has taken no very active
part in politics. He is one of the leading members of
the Marion county bar, and controls a large practice
in this and surrounding counties. He is a gentleman
of considerable literary and legal attainment ; is
fluent and forcibh^ in an argument, and a popular
and eloquent speaker. He is one of the most promi-
nent men of his county, and is the father of Clarence
L. Smith, the present clerk of the circuit court, who
is a young lawyer of acknowledged ability.
ALBERT S. HAYDEN, ESQ.
Albert S. Hayden, Esq., was born in Fayette county,
Pa., in the year 1825, and lived there until he arrived
at the age of twenty-two years. He removed to Fair-
mont in June, 1847, where he has since resided, en-
gaged in the practice of his profession, which is that
of a lawyer. He received an excellent education in
the schools of his native county, and studied law in
the office of Hon. Robert P. Flenniken, afterwards
United States Minister to Denmark, during the ad-
ministration of President Polk. Mr. Hayden, being
of a very modest disposition, and having no political
aspirations or desire for office, has never held any im-
History of Marion County. 159
portant public offices, except that of district court
olerk, which position lie held from 1852 until 1861, a
period of nine years. In his political beliefs he is
democratic. He is one of the most popular lawyers at
the Marion county bar, and is respected throughout
the county as a man and a citizen. Mr. Hayden's
genial disposition has made him many personal
friends, and his acknowledged superior legal and
literary attainments, have distinguished him among
his fellow citizens as one of the most prominent men
of the county.
CHARLES M. DAVISON, ESQ.
Mr. Charles M. Davison, Superintendent of the West
Fairmont Mines, is a prominent business man of the
county, to whom is due, in a great measure, the suc-
cess of these mines, and the fact that they are now in
operation, employing a large number of hands. He
was born on the 2od of February, 1840, in the city of
Bogota, United States of Colombia, South America;
his parents, who wore citizens of this country, resided
there at that time. His father and mother returning
to the United States of America, when he was between
three and four years of age, he accompanied them,
and was raised in the city of New York. Mr. Davison
is a gentleman of culture, having received in his
youth a good education at the public schools of New
York, and at the Irving Institute, at Tarrytown on
the Hudson, close to Washington Irving's residence.
At the age of twenty-one he was married to a BrooK-
lyn lady, and after spending some years in traveling,
during wliich time he made several trips to different
portions of the Globe in search of fortune, he finally
160 History of Mariox County.
came to Fairmont, in 1870, to take the business man-
agement of the West Fairmont gas coal and coke
mines, which position he has since held. During his
residence in Marion county, he has gained a reputa-
tion as a man who is foremost in the advocacy of any
business enterprise which tends to the development
of the resources of the county, and is very popular as
a citizen. Socially, he is one of the most popular men
of the county. He is a member of very high standing
in the Masonic fraternity, and one of the few men in
the state who have attained to the thirty-second de-
gree. He is also a member of high standing in the
I. 0. 0. F. lodges of Fairmont, the Patrons of Husband-
ry of the county, and Knights of Honor of Fairmont.
OTHER PROMINENT :MEN.
In addition to the foregoing citizens, there are in
Marion county many others who are also deserving of
special mention in this connection. The space at our
disposal, however, will not permit us to give even a
short life sketch of each one separately. Those whose
biographies appear in the foregoing papers are Marion
county men who have been most conspicuous in
politics, or Avhose intellectual attainments and valua-
ble services, rendered from time to time, entitle them
to be called the leading men of the county. There are
others whose names are closely identified with the
political and business interests of the county, who
may be classed among the prominent citizens of Ma-
rion. Among the latter is Mr. James 0. Watson, pro-
prietor of the Gaston coal mines. ■=' Mr. Watson luis
"•■■Mr. James Boyci-, of UaUiiiiorc, and JiH]i;e A. H. Fleiuinp, of Fairmont, are
associated with Mr. Watiou iu tlie owuLTaliip of ttic Ciaslua mines.
History of Marion County. 161
been engaged in developing the mineral and agricul-
tural resources of the county for a number of years,
and is one of the leading land holders. He is a man
of great enterprise, and is probably the best known
business man in this community. Shortly after the
organization of the county, he was clerk of the circuit
court, and took some part in politics, and was, at the
same time, engaged in the mercantile trade at the'
county seat. For some years, however, he has taken
no active interest in political affairs, but has diligent-
ly applied himself to his mining and agricultural pur-
suits, and has contributed largely to the opening up
of the county. His present mines, which are situated
on West Fork, are connected witli the Baltimore and
Ohio railroad, at the forks of the river, by a railroad
about one mile in length. Mr. Watson's handsome
residence is near his mines, and situated about a mile
from Fairmont. He communicates with his office in
town by means of a Bell telephone, the first and only
telephone line used in Marion county. Mr. A. J.
Stone is the superintendent of the Gaston mines, and
is one of the leading business men of the community.
Mr. Morgan D. Orr, of the O'Donnell mines, is another
prominent man who is very popular for having con-
tributed largely to the business interests of the county.
Mr. Oliver Jackson, proprietor of the Central mines,
is and has been for years one of the leading business
men of the county. Previous to the opening of his
own, he was for some time superintendent of the West
Fairmont mines, and was for some time engaged in
the dry goods business in Fairmont. Among other
prominent business men may be named ^Ir. Joseph
E. Sands, cashier of the First National Bank of Fair-
162 History of Marion County,
mont ; Jacob N. Gould, cashier of the Farmer's Bank ;
Captain N. I). Helmick, superintendent of the Marion
Machine Works, Pahitine : William Ridgely, presi-
dent of the Farmer's Bank ; Peter Amos, of the firm
of Peter Amos it Son ; Daniel Tennant, of the firm of
Tennant & Co., of Fairview, proprietors of the two
largest steam flouring mills in the county; F. H.
Burt, of the firm of F. H. Burt tt Sons, Mannington,
proprietors of the jMannington Tannery; George W.
L. Mayers, of the Mountain City Planing Mills ; John
Wiggiuton, proprietor of the Iron Foundry, Fairmont;
Joseph and Elias Nuzum, of the Fairmont Furniture
Company ; James Barnes, superintendent of the
Barnesville Woolen Factory, and many others.
Among the men who have held office, or figured most
prominently in the political affairs of the county in
the past, (in addition to those whose biographies are
given,) and those who are at present conspicuous in
politics, and may consequently be classed among the
men of prominence and influence, we may name
Messrs. Thomas L. Boggess, Thomas G. Watson, Wil-
liam J. Willey, James Neeson, John S. Barnes, David
Cunningham, Richard Thomas, William B. Ice, Ben-
jamin Fleming, Ephraim B. Hall, P^llery R. Hall,
John J. Moore, Frank Conaway, William C. Brice,
W. M. Dunnington, Jesse Sturm, John C. Clayton,
Alfred Prichard, James H. F'urbee, Alfred Hood, A.
W. Knotts, C. E. Wells, William C. Haymond, Amos
Prichard, Robert Lowe, S. W. Hall, Elias Blackshere,
John B. Crane, Lindsey B. Haymond, C. L. Smith, U.
N. Arnott, jr., Thomas IT. B. Staggers, Jacob Hayden,
and others.
THE END.
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