The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1878-02-06
FRAGMENTS OF TIE EARLY HISTORY
OF OHIO COUNTY.
nj n. u TAYLOR.
CHAPTER XXXIX

CHAPTER xxx
Tae reader. perhaps, may consider the
last chapter DEPRESSION FROM the true
limits Of history. but The evils which
naturally arise from what we are pleased
TO call advanced improvement and civili~
zaiiOD, are a fit sequel to the history of
any community. aud which evils can al
ways he traced from the beginning OF all
rspubiics, which have their foundation Ia
the patriotism. simple-hes rted. honest
integrity. and plain, transformations. econ
omical manners and customs OF their first
founders, which presumes the equal
rights of all until long prosperity pro-
ducrs wealth-wea'ih luxury and amhi-
lious rivalry. and all their concomitant
evils 81 bribery corruption and their naiur-
nj results, which sap tie foundation OF
al: cod government Thus Greece and
Rome fc!, Are We not making hearty
strides on their inoi>tepS2
To determine whether we have adj
vanced or refrigerated in moral aud social
worth, We will trace the moral ard social
history of the country from its earliest
traditions 20 the present time
As proof that our ancestors had re-
ard for each other'- lives. is proven hy
the tact that tradition does not speak OF
a single Gaze Of murder save one. which
occurred on the Ohio river, in which fiat
bna;men alone were engaged, until Bill
Smothers' :tse. of which an account has
been given in 3 former chapter
Every msn was dependant upon his
neighhors FOR help sgainst a savage foe
hence 1t was his interest to not make hrs
neichhor sn enemy il, however. the in
jury or insult WAS too great trial OF
physical manhood WAS the result. which
was generally postponed TO mustrrIay
or 3 m- oiher public gathering al which
time a -ui:nb.e ground was selecied tn
frienis of each forming a ring. T. insurr
fair Iny, and the fsticnG commenced and
lasted until one Of the parties cried enough
when the battle ended, and in most case
terminated in shake han1- and mutual
reconciliation.
Neither tradition or the early rccor,i-
give any sccouni Of either Islander or
divorce suit, and TO the present day M
party in the county has ever applied to n
court Of Justice for damages to heal
lacera,ed heart for a breach of marriage
contract. from which it NAV he Inferred |
that either lovers have always proven
true to their vows. or that from the
crowded matrimonial market, CupIfs |
victims have always coasoled themselves
with the assurance that there is as goo! |
fish in the sea OF mstrimOnv as have ever |
been hooked and dragged ont, and So
they adjust their bate and try again.
The very earliest settlers were perhap-
not possessed of much refinement in their
m n,rs but were honest. social. and
friendly towards each other; ready {"
join in anything that was fun and frolir
IL is said that while ell were living to-
gether in the town, it was great source
Of amusement for the men and bows To- |
take any slattetnly, dirtv-faced woman |
to the spring of Sunday morning, and
wash her face anu hands thoroughly |
One lady who was remarkable for her
dirty habits. was the subject of their pc
culiar care; but as che was stout and |
muscular. she never yielded kindly to the
proffered favor. but had always 10 be led |
or dragged TO the spring. whilst her good
husband. pipe in mouth, accompanied
the procession, enjoying the fun as much |
as any one else.
About the beginning Of the century a
large emigration set in, mostly from
Mar, land and Virginis. Of peacesble.
orderly, and wel-to-do families: the
greater portion "f them being church |
members, from which families = large
portion OF the present population have
descended. These emigrsnts infused
large amonni of industry. decorum and
good order into the population. and grad
uslly supplsnted the trsppers and hunters
pressing them further west; and in =
short period after the great revival. which
ewept over the west, set. in. church
membership was greatly increased, and
although the heart may not always have
been purified and regnerated. the outward
department was greatly improved.
Although this religious excitement
died away. and its Strange concomitsnt
the jerks, Of which an account is given
in former chapter. entirely disappeared
great revival again set 10 during the
period Of the great earthquakes Of
I8ll-l2 These earthquakes were q
strange and almost unheard-of phenom,
enon to that generation and filed the
whole community with dread and alarm
The REVEALS continued at different in
teryals of time for a number of years
and nearly always proved general in
their nature; spreading over whole COM