The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-02-11
For the Democratic Advocate.
The American Log Cabin.
by CHARLES l.. SIMPLIFY.

of dwelling in use among the early pioneer
settlers of the country, particularly so OF
the western frontier of our domain.
Perhaps in no part Of the country could
their construction be better studied than
in the first settlements of Kentucky, the
famous Ozark and Bloody Ground OF the
American savage. The title is peculiarly
appropriate one, for in no part of our vast
domain were there more bloody battles.
fearful massacres or desperate struggles
that characterized the settlement Of new
territory as occurred on the soil OF the state
of Kentucky From the first invasion OF
the whites under the leadership OF the
most famous of all American pioneers
Daniel Boone-in 1869, until the admit
lance of the territory as state in 1872,
there had scarcely been any cessation
of hostilties between the two races so
antagonistical in their habits and principles.
Whenever favorable opportunity pre-
scented itself the Indians would steal down
from their ENTHUSIASTICALLY situated
on the bottom lands of the principal rivers
IN the present state of Ohio-cross over
the Ohio river into Kentucky, and. having
committed as many murders and other hor-
rible acts as were thought prudent for their
safety, would return in triumph, II sue
sessful. to their villages, taking along with
them scalps of both sexes and all ages,
from the infant to the gray-headed old
man of four score years, and not unfre-
quently a few prisoners, who were in most
cases put to death with the most horrible
tortures.
But now for the description of the log
cabin. We will take the year lIs2, and
select typical one of that period for our
model. 1t stands at the base of hill, on
the margin of beautiful little valley, and
within fifty yards of lucid, bubbling little
stream that flows along sparkling before it,
murmuring gentle songs to all who choose
TO stop and listen. The building itself,
though rough both externally and inter
nalIy. was what at that period was termed
a Ddouble cabin, and in this respect was
slightly superior to its brethren. The
sides of the cabin were composed of logs,
rough from the woods where they had
been felled, with the bark still elingiug to
them, and without having undergone other
transformation than being cut to proper
length and notched at either end, so as to
sink into each other, when crossed at right
angles. until their bodies met, thereby
forming astructure of eompactness, strength
and solidity. Some ten or twelve feet
from the ground the two upper end logs
of the cabin projected foot or eighteen
inches beyond the lower and supported
what were termed the butting poles-pole
which crossed these projections at right
angles, and, extending along the front and
back of the building, formed the caves OF
the roof. This latter was constructed by
gradually shortening the logs at either end,
until those which crossed them, as we said
before, at right angles, came together at
an angle of forty-fve degrees, and the last
one formed the ridge-pole or comb of the
whole. On these logs. tapping one over
the other, and the lower tier tier resting
against the butting-poles, were laid Stats
of clapboard-a species of plank split from
some straight-grained tree, about four feet
long and from two to three inches thick.
These were secured in their places by logs
in turn resting on them, at certain inter
vals and answering the purpose of rails.
As the cabin was double, two doors gave
entrance from without, one into either
apartment These entrances were formed
BY cutting away the logs for space oil
three feet by six, and were closed by rude
doors, made Of rough slate, pinned strongly
20 heavy eross-bars, and hung on hinge.
of the same material. These, like the resi-
of the building, were rendered by thei
thickness bullet proof-so that when closed
and bolted the house was capable OF with
standing an ordinary Indian attack.
With the exception Of one window
opening into the apartment occupied by thu
family, and guarded by heavy shutter
the doors and chimney were the only mean
through which light and air were admi tilted
These were all firmly secured at night, al
the unsettled and exposed state of thu
country and the dangerous proximity Of
the pioneers to the blood thirsty redskin
particularly those who lived without thu
block houses, rendered on their part the ex
ercise of the most vigilant caution.
The internal appearance of the cabil
correspondent well with the external. TIL
apartment occupied by the family durin.
the day. where the meals were cooked AM
served, and the general household affair
attended to was very homely; and if con
paredto some of the present time, be terme
almost wretched: though considered at tn
period of which we write. rather above tn
ordinary.
The floor was composed Of what wer
termed puncheons, which were made b
splitting in half trees of some eightee
inches in diameter, and hewiDg the faces {
them regular as possible with the broadax'
Tbess were laid, bark-side downwards. upo
sleepers running crosswise for the purpos'
and formed dry, solid and durable foo
At one end Of the cabin was the chin
ney, built of logs, outside Of the apar
ment, but connecting with it by spac
cnt away far the purpose. The bacI