The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1873-07-22
Written for The Spirit of Democrac,
ON THE ONO RIVER.
. i ICnNTINUED i

Written for Ihe d lrlt OF Democracy.l
ON THE ONO RIVER.
JcoNrISUED
Our last communication left us at the
foot of "Buckhill Bottom" Here arun
empties into the river, formerly known as
Ollom's Run. Near the mouth of it years
ago lived old Mr.. Jacob Ollom, one of the
early pioneers of the country. He used
to supply the settlement with salt, which
he brought from Harper's Ferry and
Williamsport on the Potomac River, on
horse back. He would load three or four
horses with furs, ginseng &c, which were
laden on pack saddles on the horses, and
would cross the mountains by trail or
path, exchange his commodities for salt
and few other necessaries, such as tea,
coffee, &c, and then return to the settle
ment with his supplies. 1t would take
him several weeks to accomplish the trip
When night overlook him he would hslt,
anload his horses, and turn them loose to
feed. with his flint and punk strike fire,
and with his gun procure enough Of game
for his supper, then lay down by his fire
and rest till morning. After partaking
of his meal he would gather up his hor-
ses and load them, and start on his jour
ney. I have heard the old settlers say
they often paid him five dollars bushel
for salt
Back of the bottom is a hill which used
to be called "French HilL" and is still "a
miliarly known by that name by the ole
settlers Here Frenchman by the name
of Mozeny settled at an early day. Some
of his descendants are still lising <D the
county. The Mozenys, Harrisons and
others, all relatives, formed settlement
here many years ago. Old Mr.. Isaac
Harrison, father of Capt Jack Harrison
is the oldest descendent Of the family liv
ing. think he is over 80 years of age
has good land is quite smart or
| foot.
Abont mile below here, at place now
called Rockport, about SO years ago, {
fatboat laden with fire brick struck rocl
in the night and sunk, with four men OF
board. Two were drowned and two
reached the shore. Mr.. Lewis Schaal the
owner of the boat, and one hand were
saved; the others, one hand and brothe
of MFR S, were drowned Mr. Schaa
had on his person about %, 800 in money
The body was found some time after
above Newport, Ohio, but the money wa.
gone. The marks Of the belt containing
the money could be plainly seen. Th'
dead body had been robbed.
Mr. Lewis Schaal is still living. 81,
keeps the Western Hotel at Sistersville
West Va, which. by the way, is one o
the best hotels along the river.
We shall not have time to notice sll th,
incidents that occur to our mind as ",
pass along, and will leave some for fu
ture article. We are now at Baresville
and opposite where Father Williams liv
ed, of whom we will have more incidents
to relate hereafter. Just above New Mar
tinsville, here on the bank, used to be
mound. Some 80 years ago the mount
caved into the river. John McEldown,
and his brother Robert, when small boys
here found brass crucifx about six in
ches long. The cruciix was very mic
specimen. This mound was made o
sand, about four or FIVE feet high, an,
perhaps II to Is feet in diameter. In tn
bottom WAS layer Of charcoal and ashe
about 2 inches deep; on the top Of thi
were a great many human bones, sppa
rently about the size Of the present gene
ration.
! A little farther up the river, and bac'
of the bottom, used to be another mount
built entirely OF stone, and was muc
higher and larger. Upon the top Of thi
mound stood the stumpl or snag Of
black walnut about 8 feetin diameter
Some IS years agoa party OF about
dozen, in company with Dr.. Humphrey
went there to examine this mound, sn
..ound great number of human bone.
many Of which were entire. Many {
these bones were measured and compare
with similar bones OF the largest person:
snd found to be much larger than thos
OF our present generation The bone. i
the finger called the second phalange wei
three-fourths of an inch longer than tbs
OF the largest person in the company
The conclusion wss that these bone
we're OF much larger race ofpeople tha
those Of the former mound. Father Wi
liams remembered Of seeing the walnr
some so years before this time, ,and it VS.
a snag or broken off tree then. The tire
was perhaps 200 years old when it ws
broken off, which would make it near sc
years old at that time How long it woul
require the falling leaves upon the noun
of stone to form sufficient vegetah
mould for tree to grow, no one can tel
4 TO BE CONTINUED