Wheeling compiler. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [i.e. W. Va.]) 1829-1831, 1829-12-02
MISCELLANEOUS.
From the Natcde7 GALAXY.

TIE ROBBER OF TIE WILDERNESS
THE application of steam 10 the pur
poses Of navigation, has been no where
attended with results at once so useful and
magnificent, as upon the gigantic rivers OF.
the west. These rivers, tayersIng many
degrees Of latitude, with irregular courses,
rapid currents, and no tides, presented for
midable obstacles to the ordinary facilities
Of navigation. The productions ofvariOus|
climates, and soils, were almost ia vain
offered to the avarlco or luxury of theure
mote borders. Now, their exchange is ct
'ected with the utmost celebrity; yoyages
that ouce occupied from 3 to 6 months, are
performed now within 20 days. For sub
stanhal supplies furnished to the southern
planter, the farmer returns from the rich
mart of New-Oreans, laden with the va
rous productions of foreign countries
Sugar and Coffee, once rarltes In the ives
I tern states, transported with difficulty, and
at great cost, are now familiar 20 every
family within reach ofnavigation. a fort
night scarcely ela7ses from the rpenIugo OF
the orange, TO Its appearance at Louisville,
Cincinnati, Wheeling and Pittsburgh. The
oyster Of Barrataria is carried fresh to ev-
cry landing on the western waters, and
the ice Of New England aliays the thirst
Of the voyage of the Mississippi and Ohio
through a wilderness of 1900 miles.
Ten years ago, the steam engine was
supposed to have attained its highest state
of Improvement, and such "a supposlton
was altogether natural,-for ancient magic
and miracles, had wrought nothing more
wonderful than the conquest Of the tormld
able currents of these rivers, in the short
period of 20 days; accordingly public
dinner was given at Louisville to the enter
prislng commander, who first made the
voyage within that time. Now 1t is per
formed easily IN tenl The Tecumseh, the.
HuDuess, and halfa dozen other steamers,
have run the distance 10 less than nine
The application of this simple though pow
erful agent, has wrought most powerful
change IN the commercial prospects of the
west: and a moral revolution no less won
derful and salutary. As the name of the
Idiscoveror of the mariners compass, is
identified with that period, IN which the
umJ sailor, quitting the coasts, and har-
bors of his native land. went forth upon
the unknown deep 10 pursuit of wealth or
glory. so the name of Fulton must be as
perpetual as the mighty floods he has SUBJ
dued, and enduring as those resources of
wealth and power, he has opened to ms
country.
The personal security, afforded by the
steamboat, to the adveuturer upon the o.
Ihio and MisslsssIppl who IN returning TO.
/ his family was obliged to encounter the
hazards of 1.-THE WILDERNESS" The coun-
try SO deuominated, extended at that early
period, from a point far within the present
| limits of the State of Mississippi, near to
/ Nashville. In Tennessee, covering space
/ ofJ0O miles, inhabited solely by sayages,
and ii few desperate rufhans more bloody
than they. intent on violence and plumber.
/ a well mounted horseman occupied from
/ ID to 10 days in performing the Journey;
but pedestrians, forming by far the great
er number if they escaped the hand of the
robber and the pestIlence otthe swamps,
required from 20 to 30.
The facilities OF bank paper, and ex-
change were then unatiaInabe, and each
Individual, carried the returns Of his toll
and enterprise, IN gold and silver. Great
temptations were thus held out to the rob.
Der. who concealed In the Businesses of the
forest. perpetrated his acts OF violence
and cruelty, with little fear Of detection.
| The rich trader in produce and slaves, aud
the poor boatman, bearing back to his fam
Iny. his hard earned pittance; were alike.
the victims of rapaclty; and life was fire.
ouentlv sacrificed TO the passions or fears.
of the bandIttI.
About the year 1902, the wilderness
was infested bv a notorious freebooter.
who with two sons, and a few other des-
perate mlscreauts, were the terror of the
oeaceful traveller From the morasses of
! Inc southern frontier, to the silent shores
of the Tennessee river, the name of Mason
and his band, was known and dreaded
Their depredations became at length so
/ frequent and daring, that the citizens of
the adjoining territories, were driven to
adopt measures for their suppression; but
the knowledge Of the wilderness possess
ed BIZ the bandittI, their circumspection
and enterprise, not surpassed By the saw
ares among whom they wandered, bafled
every attempt concerted for their capture.
One of these incidents, as detailed BY
contemporary, possesses some interest: