Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1935-12-19


Orleans It was an important ship
ping point, by virtue of proximity
of the salt operations, most OF
which were confined to wells, the
salt being extracted from the saline
fluid which they gave forth
Stockport, one of the towns near |
er to the county seat at McConnels-
Vile, last year passed its centen-
NAL year, having been laid out III
1S43. But on the road farther one
comes upon a spot which is one OF |
the most historic in Ohio history
the site of the Big Bottom massacre.
In 1890, colony of Sc men settled
on the left bank of the Muskingum
at Big Bottom. 1t is said to con-
tain more fine land than any point
along the river below GAINESVILLE,
and thus took its name, being four
or five miles long and about three |
quarters of mile wide.
The settlers erected block
house and made their homes there |
while they built their cabins. But
they lacked leadership and organi- |
zation and, taken unawares on Jan
2, 1891, virtually all were killed |
and their bodies burned under the
wood flooring of the block house.
The Hidden Spring is natural
beauty spot. Apparently coming
from the solid rock, crystal-clear
water flows into natural pan in
the rock. The spring is not visible
until you are within about three
feet of it and it's natural camoufiage
is slight waterfall which at one
time was strong enough to carve
out fairly large cave. From Point
Lookout is gathered an inspiring
view Of the river and surrounding
territory and the Devils Tea Table
furnishes an interesting study in
rock formation. Another tour out
of McConnelsville takes in, within
distance Of IS miles, Cannon Ball
knob, from where militia fired on
Morgan and his raiders during the
Civil war. One cannon ball went
through the barn on the Ethan
Greer farm and the hole it left may
still be seen. A third trip includes
visits to the birthplace Of General
Charles G.. Dawes father, the pres
ent residence OF James Ball Nay
lor, author, the picturesque Poplar
IlQS6 IOdu WIFI It's
view of the river, another view Of
the once-thriving salt industry, the
Oil Springs bird and wild flower
haven. the dam at Eagleport, where
Morgan and his raiders crossed the
Muskingum into Morgan county,
through Deavertown, past the farm
where Morgan spent the night Of
July %, 1868, and other spots of
interest, the entire trip consuming
33 miles.
The fourth route is largely a ma
ture tour. 1t includes visits to the
Douda hollow bird haven and ma
ture lovers retreat, the "fisher- |
mans PARADISE along the river, |
Council Rock, beavers Gulch, an
other nature retreat, the round |
stone house. through Stockport, |
past Big Bottom park, Hidden |
Spring and Ghist's tavern. the first |
stop out of Marietta in the stage |
coach days, the stage having follow
ed this road Scenic Knob, where |
one can view five counties, Morgan.
Washington, Noble, Guernsey and |
Muskingum; past coal mines and
other points of interest, including |
Christy, noted artist.
In McConnelsville and Malta, |
there are a number of men whose |
not only for their town
but for their county is contagious.
Harry Phillips, superintendent of
the Rocky Glen sanatorium, holds 4
veritable encyclopedia of informa-
ton about Malta, McConnelsvillel
and Morgan county. He recounted
this bit of local color: History rec
ords a very interesting narrative of
an Indian scout who operated be-
tween Steubenville, GAINESVILLE and
Marietta, confining most of his
to the immediate Morgan
district. High up in the
nils overlooking the river and the
broad countryside, there is large |
'ock inscribed with the name and
1irthdate Of this scout, Lewis
Whetzle. This inscription reads as
'ollows: Enjoy the peace / have
prepared for you. Engraved by me,
lewis Whetzle, born in Virginia,
Feb %, 1882 1t is authentically
stated that this inscription was cut
~ Whetzle himself and that he
lsed this spot, which contains rock
walls and large, roomy rock caves.
Is rendezvous for his scouting.
There has been a desire on the part
# the local people to have this site
ct apart as state relic, marked
With an enclosed iron fence and a
uitable tablet that future genera
ions might enjoy and profit by the
york of this early frontiersman.
Prominent in this work are Miss
augusta True and Mrs. Evelyn True
Sutton, granddaughters of the late
ZEN. Robert Mcconnell, founder of
1cConnelsville."
With such a fine setting of his
orical points, there is a movement
ow afoot to reorganize the Morgan
'ounty Historical and Scientific So
iety. This group, which existed a
lumber OF years ago, numbered
lany leading men and women
mong it's members, among them
)r. H. L. True, authority and au
hor whose writings on the glacial
eriod are accepted text books.
'thers were contributors OF infor-
lation on ornithology, geology, as
music, archaeology and
indian lore.
1t has often been said that great
len came from small communities,
nd Morgan county points with
ride to the natives of that area
'ho have been monuments in the
lany fields of art, sciences and
iviI affairs. Ill
Among the past and present con- III
-ibutors in these fields are Jere-
liah Rusk, first secretary of agri- II
Francis B. Pond, attorney HI
eneral for the state of Ohio; Ell II
Ter Dover, secretary to Senator Il