Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-22
EPHRAM L. BLAINE
MARIA GILLESPIE BLAME.

These were the father and mother OF the
great statesman. Here at West Brownsville he
was born January 81, 1880. His father was
elected prothonotary Of Washington county.
and the office required a change Of residence
to the county seat. James G.. Blaine has occa-
sionally visited the home of his youth. He has
valuable landed interests in this valley, particu-
larly coal lands. Several years ago he pur-
chased valuable tracts near Elizabeth.
Another great secretary once lived in this
attractive valley and engaged IL active indus
try. Albert Gallatin resided at Geneva. which
he named for his Swiss home. He established
glass manufactures and engaged largely in the
local industry Of the Monongahela valley.
Natural gas has been developed ut several
points along the acknowledgement, Eliza
beth. Belle Vernon, DC. Great industry il
manifested wherever oil and gas has been
discovered and many localities revolu-
tionized. At this writing much excite
ment exists at Mcdonald, a few miles
south Of this city, by the strike Of well repre-.
sented to run 5000 barrels per day. In that
immediate locality over 200 wells have been
bored within the last six months and g, OOO. 900
expended. This appears marvellous but the
statement is made on reliable authority.
Throughout the entire extent of the Monon-
gahela valley oil and gas have been discovered
whenever the test has been fully made.
THE WHISKY WAR.
The Monongahela valley acquired certain
notoriety as the scene Of the famous whisky
instruction of 1874. About every settler Of
prominence or influence could boast a still. or
had three, in Hopewell township. The CONVEX
sion Of rye products into whisky was about the
only means the rude frontiersman had Of real
izing ready cash, whereby to purchase salt and
other commodities for home. The cost of trans
porting wheat and rye TO market was about as
much as the articles would bring, but q key of
whisky was found to pay well. This was the
condition Of things in the Monongahela valley
toward the close Of the last century.
The excise law Of 1871, framed by Alexander
Hamilton, then Secretary of the Treasury, laid
four pence per gallon on all distilled LIQUORS.
Albert Gallatin, residing in Fayetts county,
opposed the law, as did the Representatives in
Congress, Findley and Smith. Public meet
ings were promptly called, and the people as
sembled en- niasse to oppose the ubiquitous
law" The first was held at Red Stone, Old
Fort, July "a, 1871, when it was resolved to have
county committees meet at their respective
court houses: Uniontown, Pttsburg, Greens
burg and Warrington to concoct measures.
The committee of Washington county.
August %, passed resolutions "thst any pastor
who had accepted or might accept an Office
under Congress in order to carry the law
into effect should be considered immoral TO
the intents Of the county," and recommend
ing the people to treat any such with contempt
and refuse all intercourse with them.
The instruction soon became general and
many acts Of violence were committed.
Congress finally ordered an army to be sent
to subdue the tnsqrrection and dispense the
insurgents. Gov: Harry Lee was place in COM
mand, with Gen. Daniel Morgan Commanding
division. Washington himself came rs far as
Bedford. The efficiency and discretion Of the
army had the desired eject.
Coming west via Baltimore and Ohio road
the traveller follows Braddock's field, the scene
OF the great and disastrous battle on the Mo-
nonGahela, July 8, 176S. It Is discreditabls that
some action has not been taken to commence
rate BY appropriate monument the scene Of
this disastrous defeat. w. Deb.