Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1935-06-20
RIennerhassett Island Gaining
Attention

Attention
Is Blennerhassett island emerg-
ing from the pail which has hung
over it from the time that Aaron
Burr touched its Ohio river shores?
At first glance, the answer might
be no. Rank growth covers this
whisky makers favor it for their
activities 1t could hardly be called
officially recognized.
But interest in the island is
growing. So many people have
made inquiries as to it's exact loca-
ton, and SO many have wanted to
visit it that a regular ferry service
across the river has been started
This interest is expected to lead to
development of the island, which is
situated in the river II miles below
Marietta.
There is no story in the annals
of Ohio that has excited SO much of
human sympathy as that of the
Blennerhassetts. The romance of
it and it's pathetic finale make an
impress where events Of greater his
toric importance fade from the
memory.
Herman Blennerhassett was born
in 1867, of Irish parentage, in
Hampshire, England, while his
mother was there on visit. He re-
ceived a finished education, gradu-
ating from Trinity college in Dub
lin in the same class with Thomas
Adds Emmett, the heroic Irish
patriot. These two studied law to-
gether and were admitted to prac-
tice on the same day in 1890.
In 1896, Blennerhassett's father
died and he came into a fortune.
He married the beautiful and ac-
complished Margaret Agnew, daugh
ter of the governor of the Isle Of
Man.
In 1898, the Blennerhassetts ar
rived at Marietta ard for the site of
a new home purchased the island in
the river, which had originally be-
longed to George Washington, pay
ing $4, 500 for it's ia acres.
Here they built a beautiful home,
and here they lived an ideal life,
devoting themselves to the pursuit
of science and music, and cultivat-
ing their sylvan retreat. Their
section of the Ohio valley.
Mrs. Blennerhassett was striking
ly beautiful. we'll proportioned and
agile as an athlete, and an expert
horsewoman. She could leap five
rail fence, walk 10 miles at a
stretch, and ride a horse with the
boldest dragoon. Robed in scarlet
broadcIoth, with a white beaver hat,
on a spirited horse she excited ad-
miration wherever she appeared.
In April, 1905, Aaron Burr first
visited this island Eden. He was
accorded every distinction beflttine
one who had been vice president of
the United States. Very soon after
his arrival he succeeded in interest
ing Blennerhassett in his scheme
for the establishment of a western
empire and when Burr left for the
east to pursue his plans further, the
impulsiye Irishman was fully com
mitted. He supervised and paid
for the building of 5 large boats,
capable Of transporting 500 men,
and provisioned them.
Getting wind of Burrs inten-
tions the United States government
ernor Tiffin Of Ohio, sent a company
of militia under command of Capt.
Timothy Buell. to seize the island
and any boats found there.
A company of Virginia militia
under command of Col. Reuben
Phelps. acting under similar orders,
had preceded the Ohio troops, and
found Blennerhassett and his wife
both absent The former had been
warned of impending arrest and es-
capped to the south.
Mrs. Blennerhassett returning
from Marietta, found her island
home in possession of drunken and
riotous soldiers. The house was
ransacked and furniture and
grounds despoiled.
With her three children, she left
her ruined home and after a pro-
longed voyage down the Ohio and
Mississippi rivers joined her hus-
band at Bayou Pierre in Louisiana.
Here Blennerhassett was arrested
charged with treason and secession,
but following weeks imprison-
ment was discharged.
The house on the island was new
er occupied again and in 1911 was
destroyed by fire. Extensive search
has been made by relic hunters for
even the foundation stones, but
none have ever been found.
Blennerhassett sought to retrieve
his shattered fortunes by operating
a cotton plantation in Mississippi,
but miserably failed. He died in
1881 at the age of GA, in the home
of his sister on the Isle of Guernsey.
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