The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1871-07-08


For all that we could sec, the Island
might have been as destitute of inhab.
itants as the Fernandez of Robinson Cru.
soc. A stretch of pebbly beach, ridge
Of white sand, then deep belt of wild
weeds higher than our heads were tray.
ersGd, n water.worn bNrrlCade of flood.
wood; we climbed them, plunged into q
thicket Of underbrush, all pushing ahead
"lndian.illc," those behind grumhling
disapproval Of the route chosen, and those
ahead uncertain until "by Awkwardncss
and main strength" path was struck that
led through skirting Of sycamores and
forest trees, which We had observed from
distance, forming curtain In sGmi.Cir.
Cular shape across the upper portion Of
the island. This passed, aud we found
ourselves in spot Of such rare beauty OF
surroundings rs might well have kindled
the eloquenCc of Writ The island Is
about three miles in length by one third
ol mile in width. The Ohio river di.
vdes above, the streams flowing by in
about equal volume on either side, though
Government dam constructed from Il 10
the Virginia shore throws the deeper cur.
rent to the Ohio side. It IL, territorially,
u part Of West Virginia There are lew
houses upon the island, but none to rival
in grandnCss the former residence of It's
former proprietor. We traced our way
along toward the lower end OF the island
the thick stubble Of u recently garnered
harvest Of wheat, then vast field Of corn,
green, luXurlant, waving gently in the
June breeze, beyond other cultivated
fields, All evincing the greatest fertility Of
soil and the kindliGst climate. Away In
the distance, whichever way tlle eye
turned, were the unduating green clad
hills that bound the Ohio, and overhead
u sky Of azure brightness The sluggish
fall Of water over the dam at the head of
the island sent sort Of diapason to the
music Orbirds in the trees about us-all
most grateful to the senses. ut Is the
gem 0fthc Ohio" " said the poetic man of
our party, md TO him we all agreed.
II was our good fortune 10 meet Mr..
Neil, the proprietor Of the upper half Of
the island, and from him VIC gained some
points Of information eagerly sought by
our party. A little, onc.story wooden
dwelling, n quarter Of n mile or more from
the upper end Of the island, and located
on sort of backbone ridge, occupies the
very site of tho old mansionhouse Of the
Blannerhassctts, where, in order, once,
we're n happy, blissfnl home, dark in.
trigtic, nm inCxcusable treason and sad
catastrophe. A Atwostory cdiflCe in semi.
circular FORM elegant, luxurious for the
time, extended away from this point to
the west and south, the open portico look.
ing out toward the rising sun, and the di.
viding place Of the waters Of the beauti.
lul river. All trace OF the old mansion
has long since vanished. The well Is still
there, and, Of course, we all drank Of the
water. A huge sycamore tree, not less
than twelve feet in circumference, three
feet from the ground grows from where
was once the cellar. The orchard has oil
disappeared. The handsome growth Of
forest trees TINT we passed through at the
upper end Of the island has all sprung up
since the days Of the FOOLISH illstated man
whose name the island bears.
The account given ia by Mr.. Neil Of
the destruction Of the old mansion dif.
iCrs from TINT limited nj by some Of our
historians who have associated II with the
operations Of the United States soldiers.
Mr.. Neil was living in the house
at the time, which was in the year
1911, and to our questions replied that its
destruction was due to the Carelessness of
q "nigger" carrying candle among bales
Of flax stored on the premises. Whether
| or moi the "CaTelesgnpgs' was accidental
appeared somewhat uncertain TO his mind.
We heard the horse whistle Of the
Emma Graham sounding of the island,
and cut short the interview, remarking
that a spot so favored by nature was well
worth the trouble Of a visit, and with the
romantic intereStgiven It by the historian,
must long prove attractive TO the tourist
and the man of leisure, who takes his re.
creation by the waters of tho Ohio.