The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1885-03-17
Gke QatelIfqetr9rs
oaisel Nos.es and a5fouFteenth Street.
WEST AUGUsTA.

Il -. -. I ! ~ y
onlsel Nossss and s5Ifo aTtesnil Street.
/ ,.i,s WEST AUGUSTA.
Some Extracts From an Old Diary of
Pioneer Ministsr. ,.s.as
10 ths Editor 81 tss latssiiSaea.
siR;-West Virginia has never fully n
i preciated the heroic work Of the fin
travellers and settlers among her mour
tains4 those who brayed t,unpathe
waters, undreamed shores, most certain
miseries enough.''e Perhaps it isBecaus
West Virginia, as such, never had an
colonial history, no early romance in lie
own name. Everything was done in Iii
name Of the Old Dominion until the grea
trying time OF 1853 came and theregiol
west Of the mountains set up shop 70
itself with these words on the shingl
over It's door: Montdai 9saper liberi. I
.Some crank once said that Companion
are odious," and Il has been in every
body's mouth until 1t has lost the it'll
flavor II may have had in the beginning
Quit this process Of making comparison
and the great world might "alide foreve
down the ringing groves Of change AM
nobody would know the difference. II,
So much by way OF preface! to afew ex
tracts from o very old diary which
found in rummaging around among somt
time-worn volumes. The full title OF tn,
book Is as follows: "a journal Of Two
Visits made TO some Nations OF Indians OF
the West Side OF the River Ohio, in thu
Years 1772 and 1908; BY tho Reverence
David Jones, Minister Of the Gospel n
Freehold, in New Jersey ls,.s. b r Z
This Reverend David Jones, Minister O
the Gospel at Freehold, determined tc
leave his flock for a season and go among
the Shawnee and Delaware Indians and
do what he could to shed among them
the light that lightens the world. Leay,
ing Philadelphia early in the spring, he
and two or three othersp pass through Baltf
more, which was then a small town, with
three churches, and reach Harper's Ferry,
which he calls "Knowland's Ferry"
thence they cross the mountains toward
the setting sun. The diary says: 81
HMay q, 1772-C Come TO sRomney and
there took breakfast. Thistownis situated
on the south branch Of. the Potomack,
and consists OF few log houses and a
goal; morris it likely, from its situation,
that ever its appearance will be great
Nay 25p-This day we began TO ascend
that mountain, from others distinguished
by name, Aliegiii. Foreigners are much
mistaken concerning this mountain, for 1t
is commonly thought that we ascend from
one part till near the middle we arrive TO
the summit, and from thence descend TO
the foot--whereas in ascending We are
near as high in going ten miles as in any
part oft. This mountain is truly worth
notice, the greater part Of which abounds
with excellent timber. In passing this
mountain we cross many crystal streams,
the principal are called the Little and
Greater Crossings; with more propriety
these streams are called Little and Greater
Dochogini. They unite and empty them
selves into the NIonongehela south OF the
Mace where General Braddock was de-
feated. There are many creeks which
empty into the river commonly called
Monongehela, the proper name OF which,
according to the Indian pronunciation, is
liltilRaonaudngeheld, which signifies Fall
ing in Bank Rirer. The country along the
Monongehela is very fertile, exceeding
most to be met with, in the eastern
colonies. It's certain that part Of tits too
rich for wheat, though other parts pro-
duce 1t tolerably well. Corn and potatoes
are raised to admiration. A person Of
credit at Muddy Greek said that one large
potato cut into several pieces produced
the first year one bushel and ahalt; the
second year the return was sixty-iour
bushels. neither was any dung used, for
the earth is sufficiently strong without
it."
June 2-Went on my way toward Fort
Pitt is situated where the rivers Mon.
ongehela and Allegini meet; from thence
the united stream is called Ohio, which
signifies fair, gentle or pleasant river.
The Shawannees call it Pellewaa Theepee,
/. q. Turkey river.n
June l0-Set out for tho Little Can.
hawha and arrived to it on Thursday, Is,
Went up this about ten miles. Went out
to view the land on each side and to kill
provisions. Mr.. Owens killed several deer
and a stately buffalo bull"
"June 30-Crossed the desert to Ten
Mile creek, which empties into Monon,
gehela. The season was very warm. Nc
yictuals was ever more acceptable than
some buttermilk given by the kind in,
habitants, VIII ch greatly raised my esteem
Of cows"
A MASTER OF ARTS hurled IN THE WILDER,
NESS,
"July PA few days ago the Rev
John Davis came here to go with me t.
Davis seemed to forget his complaints and
his heart was exhilarated upon seeing the
Ohio after such tedious journey. But
alas dear man, his time wal short, for or
the 18th day OF December he departed THU
life, and left his remains to commit to the
earth. My distress. was not small on thil
occasion for materials to make coffin ant
for spade to dig the grave. Found {
few carved boards at q cabin and assisted
by man alittle used TO tools, made hin
q coffin. Happily 1 had carried samt
nails with me, SO that he was hurried witt
some decency. BEING conscious tina
poetry Is not my gilt, yet as the following
verses are expressive Of Mr.. Davis faith
thought 1t not amiss 10 insert them here
as an epitaph to that worthy man, viz.
"IIow lesrpH, how tsmll, now ayails me notl
AyWhom admired, by whom forgotl
0hinS hank my body now confines
In safe repose, till Christ In tflAIaph Ahlnest
Rut when the lat tTNmpa alarming Saund
Shall shake The tnlpdA nons n Tue ground;
Aud Christ In full glory shall descend,
Tile rights Of pure luStice 70 defend: %.
i Then II bright honor thall the btdy rise
10 meet my dearest Lord up In the skies,
@The remains OF this worthy man ar
Inferred near q brook az the north end Q
the level land adjacent to Grave Greek
About sixteen feet north Of his gray
stands large black. coax tree, on thia th
name Of Mr.. Davis, the date Of the yea,
and tho day Of the month are cut witt
my tommehock. This Is the presen
monument, but DR.. McAIeehin intends
tomb for him. He was the ilrst whit
man buried In this part OF the country
but not long alter q child was laid by him
Il y 4 4.