Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-07-15
FORGOTTEN HISTORY
Recalled by Man Who Has Been a
Wanderer for SiXty-seven Years,
AR0MANCE OF THE EAST ANDWEST
Richard N. Langhurst Returns to Attend
Allegheny's Semi-Centennial.
TIE DESTRUCTION OF SMOKY ISLAND
TIE DESTRUCTION OF SMOKY ISLAND

Seated In Union station last evening was
O fine looking man, about 20 years Of age,
although his appearance did not indicate it.
His face WAS Drowned by the sun, and yet
It had a rosy tinge OF health which con-
trasted pretuly with his white beard and
hair. His only occupation was in watching
the people who crowd in and out Of that
railroad center.
Il never dreamed Of seeing such hustle
and so many people," he said to DIS
PATCH reporter, whom good fortune had
given a seat beside him. Then followed
story which was strange even to a news
paper man. The name OF the old
man was Richard NJ. Langhurst.
He left Allegheny county ip a
prairie schooner in 1888, and after romantic
life in the West, he is returning in time to
be present at the semi-centennial of ALLIE
gheny City. The story he told was about as
follows:
"When left here Pittsburg and ALLIE
gheny were but little towns. Ny home was
in Carlisle. Both of my parents died there,
and when was IL years old / went West
with party of emigrants AT Allegheny l
found work with a farmer and stayed there.
In 1888 started further West.
A VIVID RECOLLECTION.
81 can remember as well as il it were yes
terday how we went out the old Ohio road.
But the most vivid memory have is the dis
truction of old Smoky Island. suppose there
are few people here who remember anything
about that island. It commenced about a quar-
Nf mil hal lao
the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers join
and extended up the Allegheny river almost
TO Federal street 1t had even reached up
further than that 1t is said. in former years,
ana there a hill at the upper end,
but the flood had washed that part away
long before my time. can remember
of the tannery that was located on the lower
end. 1t did good business until the flood of
February, 1882. 1t had been an open winter,
but very cold When the ice broke there was
an immense gorge at the Seven-Mile Island.
The greater part of Pittsburg and Allegheny
were flooded. The day IL broke was awful The
water and ice seemed to tunnel the banks of
the island, and we could see great sections of it
break, ana then it was washed away by the
Hood. There must have been other gorges
above, for the water kept running heavy for
several days. The big blocks of ice ground
together until there was a constant roar.
Piece by piece the island melted away
before our eyes, and when the water fell, only
had disappeared entirely, and am told that
subsequent floods have washed away even the
remnants of the Smoky Island
You ask whyit was named that? Well,
don really know. but there was a tradition
that in the early history of the county-long
before the building of Fort Pirt-it was q
stronghold of the Indians. The hill at the
upper end was used both as place for hold
ing councils and as signal station, where the
smoke signals to the Indians on the hillsides
were fired. and it is from that the name was
given"
THE ROMANCE OF HIS LIFE.
But beyond this there was a romance in the
old mans life. The party with whom he went
West settled in the wilds of Indiana. As
pioneers they had to face the indians MANY
were the troubles they had In the settlement
where they lived was James Trimble and his
charming wife. Sarah, and with bright-eyed
2-year-old boy made up a happy household
'One day in the early spring the Indians sur
prised' sald.Mr. Langhurst MANY of the
settlers were put to flight. got an arrow in
my shoulder, and fell for dead. William
taken a captive, but escaped the same piebt'
I had lain don't know how long, when
II was Sarah Trimble who, with tubs and
water. dressed my wounds For weeks she
nursed me, and. to tell the truth, two wears |
later she took my name as her own. |
us further West. Our Tesidence
was at the mining camps in California, Nevada.
New Mexico and Utah. Though 1 did not |
strike It rlch, was prosperous. and now have |
a stock ranch in Utah, about 40 miles from salt |
Lake City. We had children who are still liv- |
ing, but last year my partner died and it |
was then yearned again for the East and |
have no relations in Allegheny, but l am glad |
to be back here in time to witness the celebra- |
tion Of Allegheny City's half century of exist |
ence The only thing that don't like is that |
cities"