Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1933-01-05
The sycamore :.
A Story Of Bristol Township Folk
By C. B. RAY

downcast spirit takes up again the
burden, with the thought that men
and women are never appreciated
in life. Even rogue sometimes
goes through life. without being
found out-but who wants to be
fondled, only babies and poodle
dogs.
While we have talked much Of
the fert lity Of the soil. of the coal
stone and so on, we perhaps
should tell of the riches untapped
the oil and gas. During the past
60 or 20 years, oil and gas interests
have leased the land in Bristol time
Lend was leased for anywhere from
hree mon hs to two years, without
rental. During the years 1926-27
9ear every &C in the township
was lie sed Since that me the
companies have surrendered farm
by fam Until at the presen. time
Oh about one h Ii of the land IS
pnder lease, the Ohio Fuel owning
1T least controlling interest in
.heSe leases.
In the early days of the oil ex-
element, several wells were tramp
ed down This was sort of spring
board affair on which men tramped.
4.yen with this rude affair as it
would seem today, with the ma
II merry new in use, one of these
we Is was drilled on the farm now
owned by G.. NJ. Garrett, formerly
the Daniel Merwin farm, near the
old Election school house Another
was near the mouth of Mouse Run,
but we are not sure of the exact To-
cation. One thing we do remember
about this well was that they told
Of going through seven foot vein
of coal at a dep,h of 80 feet When
they talked railroad, some of the
farmers imagined they could see
coal companies sinking shafts and
bringing the coal to the surface, and
perhaps some could see long trains
loaded with the coal, pulling up and
down the valley But not yet. Per
haps the Almighty is saving what is
underground, for the coming gen
erations. Pioneers have told Of the
burning of giant trees-timber that
if standing today would be worth
many times more than the land
from which it was cleared.
Several shallow wells have been
drilled with steam power, and we
IA1 nf haS
shown oil or gas, or both. Some
wells on the southwest side of the
township produced gas in sufficient
quantities that they were turned
into the main line. Some day some
enc with nerve and cash will test
the deeper sands, and then some
body will go on easy street.
Will of James Mcdowell
Some time ago we mentioned the
will of James Mcdowell, and prom
ised to give it to you. So while the
snow is on we will copy it:
I, James Mcdowell of the county
of Morgan, in the state of Ohio, do
make and publish this, my last will
and testament, in manner follow
ing: First: l will that my funeral
expenses and just s'debts' be paid.
Second / give and devise to my be-
loved wife Charlotte Mcdowell, in
lieu of her dover, all the household
and kitchen furniture. one horse,
two cows, IL head of sheep and six
hogs, ~and sufficient quantity of
hn Of
herself and family for one year.
Third: I will that all the personal
not mentioned above be
appraised and sold, excepting two
horses and gears for the same; one
shovel plow, which are to remain
unsold until July next, and then to
be appraised and sold. and the
after paying all as stated |
above, with all necessary expenses,
to be equally divided amongst my |
then surviving children and be put I
out to interest. Fourth: l will that
the farm l now reside on, contain
ing about 254 acres, be rented, re-
serving to my widow the mansion
house, and pasture for her stock,
and that my widow receive the rent
excepting what will be necessary
Tor repairs, until my son William
Mcdowell arrive at the age of eight
years, for the support of her and
amily, so long as she remains my
widow. Fifth: | will that the farm
Is stated above be sold at the de-
ease of my widow, in case she
hould live until the youngest child
lrrive at the age of 2l. If widow
hould marry, then the farm to be
old when the youngest child arrives
t the age of 21. and to be equally
ivided amongst my then surviving
hildren or their heirs. Sixth: l do
ereby nominate and appoint my
riend John McIntire of Muskingum
ounty, Ohio, guardian for my sons
William Mcdowell, John Mcdowell,
amuel Mcdowell and James Nc
lowell, until they arrive at the age !,
t eight years, and guardian for ,,
elizabeth Mcdowell and Ann Nc
'owell, until they arrive at the age
f 18 years. Seventh: do hereby
ominate and appoint Bazaleel
7ells of Brook county. Virginia,
uardian for my sons William Nc
DWELL, John Mcdowell, Samuel Nc
DWELL and James Mcdowell. from
ae time they arrive at the age of
Ight years, until they arrive at the
ge of 21 years. and when my son
lillian Mcdowell arrives at the age
7 eight years. that said Bazaleei
Tells Is to take him and John Nc
DWELL and keep them until they