Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1879-11-06
Other Days Recalled.
Capt. jas. NicolPs Recollection Of
Pioneer Life in Pultney Bottom.

Pioneer Life in Pultney Bottom
EDITOR CHRoNICLE-When Capt. Jas
Nlcoll came to Pultney Bottom in 1925
| he describes the country as bearing in
every respect the appearance of a new
woodland country. The old log cabins
that had been first erected by the carrier
settlers yet remained. and the country
was nearly all In woods, very little hay
ing heen cleared. The town of Pultney
mad nearly disappeared, there being only
about four or five hOuseS-lOne sentinels
to note its presence upon the face of
the earth. The Bottom of Pultney was
occupied by tenants of Samuel Spriggs
the lawyer, there being about twenty OF
them.
SAMUEh SPRIGGs
is described by our narrator as having
been man of great force and energy,
having the merit of earnestness in every
thing he undertook, and withal of ex-
cellent Judgment and liberal endoW-
ment OF good common sense, liberal in
his views, patriotic, and well posted in
all the current topics of his day. His
tenants loved him and respected him as a
father, and whenever he appeared in
their midst, they were wont to flock
around him like children of one common
family, and the revered, honored, and
gray-haired sire, having an almost un-
limited confidence in his integrity. This
man owned at one time about 1000 acres
of land i'll Pultney Bottom, extending
from the lands of Col. John Thompson,
i'll Mead,t to Indian Run, in Pultney town.
ship, now the northern limit of the
Fourth WaId, and back to the range
line. Think of that, ye howlers and
dlsconSolates, who are perpetually whi-
ming about the Capitalization of the
money power of this country! Here
was well educated and Il remarkably
energetic business man of his day, who
a few years ago controlled in his own
right 1000 acres Of the best land in the
most noble county of Belmont, and
whose footprints have almost disappear
ed in the shifting sands of this thriving
community. There is no Capitalization
here. These 1000 acres have been divi-
ded and sub-divided into numerous
farms and town lots, and in a few years
hence the individual tracts will still
grow smaller and beautifully less, until
the memory of Samuel Spriggs' vast
landed estate will become obliterated
from the minds of man, and lost on the
dusty pages of antiquated records.
MR.. MUCKELHERNE,
according to Capt. Nicoll, acted as an
agent for the sale of lands. and came in
to possession of Pultney Bottom, by ac-
tual purchase, at a public sale of govern
ment lands, at New York, instead as for
hire for services, as supposed by David
Smith, Esq. The Captain states that
when this pioneer agent became insane,
he was for a time confined in strong log
house, and eventually taken to New
Jersey, for medical treatment, and there
died soon after his arrival. Mr.. Muckel-
herne also owned Il large tract of land
neal Steubenville, and at other points,
being accounted very wealthy. In his
will, the property was to be equally di-
vided between his two daughters, whom
he left, in case they both Survived, but
should one die, the remaining one fell
heir to the vast estate. Three executors
were appointed and empOw2reI to sell
the lands, if, in their judgment, it would
best SubServe the interest of the heirs.
One daughter died, and Jacob Shriver
married the survivor and heir, Samuel
Npriggs having previously married the
mother, and reared the child
Mr.. SpriggS cOntrived to convince the
that the best course lay in sell
ng the land. There were about 275O
acres in this farm-the one we presume
referred to by our esteemed friend, David
Smith. This farm was sold in 1905 or 6
sor $4,000, Mrs Spriggs buying it in, but
lot paying for it, at that time. In the
year 1927, Mr.. Shriver, by advice from
some Wheeling lawyers, (conSpicuously
Noah Zane,) became dissatisfied at this
state of affairs, and asked for a settle
nent on an equitable basis, threatening
litigation if refused Messrs. Spriggs
md Shriver, living i'll the same house, |
md very agreeably, Mr.. Spriggs prepared
l compromise. His proposition was to
he effect that three appraisers be ap-
and the farm as appraised to be
'old to Mr.. Shrlver, after deducting
whatever was due Mrs. Shriver This |
was accepted, and the land |
appraised at $4,000; Mr.. Shriver's |
friends then claimed the price to be too
arge, and this gentleman bOlted the |
but, however, final COM
promise was made at $4,000, and upon |
settlement there was found due the heir, !
Mrs. Shriver, $4,000, leaving only So 900 |
o be paid i'll cash. But between these |
appears In interesting era:
n the year 1919, this farm was sold to |
! couple of gentlemen by the names of !
Taylor and Dillie, for $4,000, in pay
nents of $4,000 per year, secured by |
mortgage. Mr.. Dillie moved on the |
premises, and farmed the land until the
all of 1920, when becoming discouraged, |
me mOrning,the neighborhood was set in
great commOtiOn and uprOar by the re-
,ort that Mr.. Dillie had fled the previous
light, in a tiat-boat, down the river,
which proved to be true. Mr. Taylor
icing irresponsible, Mr.. Spriggs had |
japt. NicOll, as his agent, to take pos
ession of the premises, and save the re-
naming crops, which was. it is needless
o say, promptly done.
THE OHIO PHALANX AGAIN.
This appears to have been an
organization, patterning after
! similar one organized in France some |
ears before by a wealthy nobleman.
This society came to the Bottom, the
captain states, IN about 1912 or 3, chuck
ull of great expectations, and dreams
If immense future prosperity. The
Jhio PhalanX leased the Shriver farm,
It basis of $SO,OOO, agreeing to pay roy
llty for the first year of four per cent on
his amount; the second year five, and
he third year six per cent, reserving
he privilege of purchasing the land at
my time for the $4,000; but the institu-
ion did not live to see the the third year
md pay its six per cent. At one time,
II the height of its prosperity it numbered |
lbout 140 persons, and represented con-
capital in stock, farming i'm
dement's, &c, but being composed more |
If loafers than of workers, adversity set
II, and the society, becoming unable
o pay its rent, which was secured |
~ chattel mortgage, Mr.. Nicoll, in ODE
Hence to orders from Mr. Shriver, fore
,losed the lien, sold off the stock, crops, |