Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1942-11-19

community center for amusements
and school and church activities.
the whole countryside Is now quiet.
Here only the names and dates on
the grave markers speak mutely OF
the past. These names and dates
open up past thrills and heart
throbs for the few who remember
these names as real people and
these dates as events in days OF
their own life, and only through
their eyes can we peek into the
past as they re-live some Of their
early experiences. Lightner's com.
munity is fortunate in having few
of these people still amongst them
These people have seen life de.
develop from the simple to the COM
plex. Grave markers and old hous.
es are practically all the land.
marks left and even the earliest
graves are unmarked.
Lightner ridge got its name
from the family, Lightner. 1t was
settled between 1884 and 1910.
Amongst the early settlers were
Barak Yarnell on the Harry Waite
farm; Carr Geddes and Tanner Ged-
des (sister Of Barak YarnelD on
the Harlan Mills farm; Revenaugh's
on the Ed Adrian farm; Isaac Pur~
Vance on the John Purviance farm !;
Walkers on the Willard Fox farm.
and Stephen Millner on the Murray
Geddes farm.
Four of the original houses are
still standing. The Oscar Hooper
house which is over 100 years old,
the Willard Fox house; the Murray
Geddes house, and the Harry Waite
house The old log school house
was known as "Revenaugh," named
for the family of Revenaugh. This
was replaced by a frame structure
which was used both as church
and school house. For many years
this building was an entertainment
center for the community. At one
time, there was blacksmith shoI
as well as a general store on the
isaac PufVldnce IdfIu.
Only 16 family names appear on
the markers in the cemetery, some
of which are hard to fit into the
community picture. Walker, Light.
ner, Rogers, Davis, Scott, Fox, Ged.
des, Newton, Hooper, Adrian, Bro.
kaw, Coulson, Medley, Golden
White, and Choguill are the family
names which the grave markers
show. One grave bears only the
mark Mother"
Life was quite simple during this
early period Amusements were
free to all. Log rollings, spelling
bees, taffy pullings and Seedlings
but best of all the human fellow.
ship which these gatherings made
possible.
Oxen furnished the power tC
supplement the human energy and
snow was an important factor relied
upon to make hauling easier. Each
family was practically self-sustain-
ing and expenses were kept low
Sand or ashes were used to scrub
floors. Wood ashes were the source
Of lye from which soap was made
Matches were scarce-if the fire
went out folks went to the nearest
neighbors to borrow some Goals.
Hominy was made by using wood
ashes (lye) and corn. Drying was
the chief method of preserving
fruits and vegetables. Even wild
blackberries and tomatoes were
dried and beef was dried.
But new ways filtered in. Hen.
ry Geddes was perhaps the first on
this ridge to own new binder
The Oldest residents of the com.
munity are: Mrs. Esther Calvert
Barak Russell, and until recently
Ed Adrian, who was actively en-
gagged in farming until last spring
"hen he moved to Stockport.
The outstanding tragedy of the
community seems to have been the
drowning Of young girl who at
Harlan Mills place on a foot-log
during high water.
I'm so glad I've lived during
this period" Mr.. Russell concluded
When asked to amplify this state
ment he enumerated the many me-
chanical developments-the tele-
phone, the automobile, the radio
and the airplane, "but best of all
I've lived during the age of human
fellowship when we could enjoy