The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-09-18
BLENNERaAssErr ISLAND.
This Historic Bit of Ground Is Grad
ually Disappearing in the River.
From the Boston Beacon.

From the Boston Beacon.
History that has recorded the romances
and intrigues Of Blennerhassett Island will
soon have to devote another page to the dis
appearance OF the celebrated isle itself.
For many years the sandy soil has been
suocumbing slowly, but surely, to the
waters, and every successive rise in the
Ohio has reduced the size of the plot more
and more; but very lately it has met with
its worst disaster. Running south into
about the center the river has cut a channel
which has now caused an immense washout
almost directly in the middle Of the
island. A great excavation has been
created, and there are signs Of similar
holes appearing in other parts of the farm
One or the three grRngers residing there is
trying hard to sell his property. He is
about frightened Off. Steamboat captains
tell their passengers of the fate with which
other Islands have met, and in pointing out
the sites OF lost land predict the on tire
swallowing up of Bleunerhassett's before
many years have passed away. Only the
other day vessel steamiDG toward Pitts
burg caught on the branches of a tree which
had been undermined at the edge of the
island and had hard tussle to get away
uninjured. As if prophetic of it's doom, the
crops of the island grow poorer each year ,
and it has always been regarded as among
the most valuable agricultural property ia
West Virginia.
Perhaps no spot along the Ohio has such
"a Interesting history as Blennerhassett's
Island. Its lore is that of the nation itself
1t was here that Aaron Burr's tire aohery
was practically checked, and the triu mph
of that event is mellowed by the sadness Of
the fall Of poor old man Blennerhassett-
the dupe of Burr. Over a century ago this
gentleman settled on the island, building
himself a delightful residence and ever
arterward dispensing most elegant hospi-
tality. Hartman Blennerhasset5 was born
In 1859 in England. He was bred TO the
law in Ireland, but sold his estate in that
country for more than 100000, and came
TO the United States. After remaining 10
New York short time he emigrated 10 the
west and took up the island. which ia just
few miles below Parkersbarg, W. Va
Here 1t was that Aaron Burr interested
him In his scheme for seizing Mexico, where
lp case Of success, Burr was to be emperor.
Fheodosia Aston, Burr's daughter was to
be empress, and Blennerhassett was to re-
celve the title OF duke and appointment as
ambassador to England. Blennerhassett
expended large sums IN fitting out an expe-
dition, and, though discouraged when he
learned OF Burr's real designs the intriguer
had such influence with Bennerhassetts
wife that the old man still adhered to him.
After becoming thoroughly interested in
Burr's visionary enterprise, Blennerhassett
took him over to the town of Marietta, o.
for the purpose Of purchasing supplies for
the voyage.
At the counting house Of Dudley, Wood
bridge & Co. he left memorandum of such
provisions as he wanted. They included
pork, flour, whisky, bacon and Kindred
meal They also made contract with this
firm for the building Of fifteen boats. They
were to be on the Scheme 5tady model, such
as were then used on the Mohawk river.
Only eleven of the boats were completed
These were built on the Muskingum river
about seven miles above Marietta, to be de-
livered on Dec 9, 1906 At that date
further work was interrupted by the
militia, who. discovering Burr's plans, took
possession of the boats. The days following
were lively times on Blennerhassett's Island
Burr and Blennerhassett both having to 90
heavily armed to protect the mselves against
suspicious citizens. When, later on, they
fled to Cincinnati and the south, Mrs Blen-
nerhassett showed her loyalty to her hus-
band by sending her trustworthy servant
Peter Taylor, after the old gentleman to
bring him back.
Blennerha lsett was arrested in 1907 and
held for trial as traitor, but Burr's &c
qutttal set all suspected people free. His
beautiful island and home had been sacri-
Fl cd to creditors, and be went to Natchez a
bankrupt. He undertook a cotton planta-
ton, but the war with England ruined com
merce and he then removed to Montreal
where he practiced law. In 1929 he went
to ireland, but here be failed to secure
certain property and continued to fail in
every project he undertook. In the last
years Of his life he was supported by his
sister, who had left a small estate to his
wife and children. Blennerhassett had
married the daughter Of Gov. Agnew OF
the Isle Of Man.