Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-03-30
BLENNERHASsETTS ISLAND.
BY W. II. WATKINS

BLENNERHASsETT'S ISLAND.
BY W. II. WATKINS.
In these days of biographies, autobiogra-
phies and ssliveS and tines of departed
lcbrities it is somewhat dangerous to occupy
hitherto universally conceded grounds, lest
some ambitious author preceding you may
have disentombed the subject, and smoothing
his asperi,ies, and discovering virtues which
the world had been blind enough to call Uices,
he may suddenly convert the traitor into pa
triot, and the murderer into a noble -souled
benefactor. To reach this desperate goal, old
landmarks displaced, virtue assumes dis
gusting wantonness, and innocent perSonageS
suffer moral and Intellectual depreciation. A
work recently issued from the press partakes
of this character. In it futile, though Stren-
nous effort is made to pallate the crimes OF
Aaron Burr, and throw around them garb OF
virtue. Waving all reference to the career
of Burr in the United States Army, TO his po-
litical course and contest with Thomas Jefter-
son, and his duel with Alexander Hamilton,
we shall only incidentally notice his connec-
rion with nnerhassett's Island and its
cupants.
ssPrevious 10 his retirement from the Vice
Presidency, in March, 1905, Burr had formed
the design of seeking home in the south
west. Little more than year before Louisi-
ana had been annexed, and then offered a wide
field TO an ambitious man. Encouraged by
some acquaintances, he projected various po
litical and financial speculations. In April,
he repaired to Pittsburg, and started on
Journey down the Ohio and Mississippi. On
the way curiosity led him to the house of Her
man Blennerhassett, and he thus accidentally
made the acquaintance of a man whose name
has become historic by its association with
his own.''
Concerning the nativity of Blennerhassett,
histories do not agree. Some allege that he
was born in England in 1867, and others that
he was an Irshman by birth but all agree in
saying that his parents were Irish. lie was
educated for the bar, though his scientific at
tainments were not neglected. In subsequent
wears, his experiments in chemistry, and his
study of botany and astronomy, served to en-
liven, and even render happy, many an hour
that otherwise would, in his retirement, have
worn heavily upon him.
Some time before leaving his native coun-
try Biennerhassett led to the altar his gifted
and beautiful bride, grand daughter OF Cen
cral Agnew, who WAS with Wolfe at Quebec.
In an eminent degree, she possessed many OF
the qualifications of true woman. Setting
aside her remarkable personal beauty, which,
when combined with soul imaging forth rare
womanly virtues, is often too lightly estima-
ted; with an intelligence, and even erudItlon,
which are scarcely to he met with, she threw
charm into conversation that universally called
forth the encomiums of the favored partici-
pants Reared in the lap of luxury, instruct
ed in all that dignifies womanhood, and IN her
nature possessing a spice OF romance ana poe
try, she was not long in deciding to quit her
native isle for the unknown, and because un-
known, charming, scenes OF the western woriu.
Judping that in the American forests ne would
find the solitude most congeniat to the pur-
suit of his favorite studies, and also being
strongly imbued with republican principles,
BIennerhassett fed from the storms OF his own
country, to find repose and qnictness In ours.
In 1898 he purchased and began to make
improvements upon the beautiful island now
called aBlennerhassett's,' situated in the o.
hio river near the mouth Of the Little ka-
nawha. and about two miles below where the
town of Parkersburg, Virginia, now stands.
This island, as it then appeared, has been va
riously described. and in all uniformity is
observed in ascribng rareness OF beauty ana
correctness Of taste in its whole appearance.
Writ has thrown arsuad it beauty only sur
passed by that of Eden; and though all evi-
denees of its former glory may fade from the
island this eloquent description, as an lrnper-
1shable monument, will still remain-
An English traveller named Ashe, Eee Vas
here in 1906, thus describes the island
ssThe island hove in sight to great adVan-
taee from the middle of the river, from which
point of view little more appeared than the
simple decorations of nature-trees, shrubs,
flowers of every perfume and kind. The next
point of view on running with the current, on
the right hand side, varied to scene OF en-
chautment. lawn, in the form of fan ln-
yerted, presented itself, the nut forming the
center and summit of the island, and the broad
sepment the borders of the water. Inc lawn
contained one hundred acres OF the best pas
ture, interspersed with towering shrubs ana
elumps of trees, in a manner that conveyed a
strong conviction of the taste ana Judgment
of the nro,,;etor Yhe house came into view
the instant was signfying wish that such
lawn had mansion. 1t stands on the imne-
diate summit of the island, whose ascent Is
very gradual; is snow white three stories
high, and furnished with wings which interiors;
the adjoining trees, confine the prospect anu
intercept the sight of barns, stables, ana OUT
offices. which are often suffered to destroy
he effect of the noblest views of Eng land.
Alas that so fair picture should have ever
been marred-so brilliant sun should have
set forever in the murky cloud of sudden
gloomI As we have before intimated, in the
midst of ali this happiness and peace, Aaron
Burr appeared. Defeated in his political as
pirations in the east, he projected a pagnif
cent expedition against Mexico, and the es