PREFACE.

The object in writing the following pages has been to perpetuate the memory of our oldest settlers, and to rescue from oblivion such as is of interest to our citizens, by giving a faithful narrative of the most important events which have occurred within the limits of the county.

We had at first prepared a limited sketch, which was intended for publication in one of the county papers; but at the suggestion of our very esteemed friend, Mr. JAMES GRAY, of Melmore-and as, upon investigation, it was found that much matter might be added which would interest the public, we have produced this volume.

Much of the materials have been furnished us by those who are residents of, or have resided within the county; and while we have sought the homes of early settlers for information, we have been greeted with a frank welcome, characteristic of its inhabitants.

As our pleasant, though arduous task is now finished, we take this opportunity to acknowledge the many obligations due to those who have been pleased to render us assistance, and the work is now respectfully submitted to the public, for their careful and candid perusal.

C. W. B.

INTRODUCTION.

Ohio* derives its name from the river which washes nearly all of its eastern and southern boundary. The name is of Indian origin; and some writers have imagined it to signify handsome river; as, about the middle of the eighteenth century, some French explorers of the country, who found the stream a pleasant one to sail upon, and fine lands along its borders, called it, "la-belle-riviere," or the beautiful river. But that circumstance could have had no influence with the Indians, at an earlier period, in inducing them to give it a name of that signification. Another, and more probable meaning of the word Ohio, is bloody. This was applied by the Indians to the river, from the circumstance of numerous bloody battles having been fought along the shore, by different tribes, in centuries past. This signification is corroborated by the white woman whose history has been given to the world, and which would seem to establish the fact beyond a doubt.

* The Shawanese called the Ohio river, KIS, KE, PI, LA SEPE―i. e., Eagle river. The Wyandots were in the country generations before the Shawanese, and consequently their name of the river is the primitive one, and should stand in preference to all others. Ohio may be called an improvement on the expression, O, HE, ZUH, and was, no doubt, adopted by the early French voyagers in their boat songs, and is substantially the same word as used by the Wyandots; the meaning applied by the French, fair and beautiful, “LA BELLE RIVIERE," being precisely the same as meant by the Indians-great, grand and fair to look upon. COL. JOHN JOHNSTON

The present state of Ohio, is a part of that vast region, formerly claimed by France, between the Alleghany and Rocky mountains, and first known by the general name of Louisiana. The earliest civilized inhabitants were Frenchmen. As early as the year 1673, two French missionaries penetrated from Canada to the Mississippi, and they may be regarded as the discoverers of that mighty river. Their names were Marquette and Joliet. They commenced their journey of discoveryfrom Quebec, with five men; traversed the rivers, forests and immense inland seas, and arrived at last at Green Bay. From Green Bay, they pursued their course up Fox river, crossed the Portage from its head to that of the Wisconsin; when, with no companions but the two, they embarked upon its bosom and followed its course, unknown whither it would lead them.. Solitary they floated along till in seven days they entered, with inexpressible joy, the broad Mississippi. Sailing on their solitary way, the discoverers heard afar, a rush of waters from the west-and soon the vast Missouri came down with its fiercer current, to hasten on the more sluggish Mississippi. They discovered and passed the mouth of the Ohio; nor did they stop till they had descended the river a thousand miles, to its confluence with the Arkansas; and ascertained, as well from its general course as from the information of the Indians, that its mouth must be far west of the English colonies on the Atlantic coast.

We

The day of the discovery of the Mississippi river, an era which should be so memorable to this country, was June 15th, 1673. We can imagine the sensations of these explorers, when they first beheld that broad and beautiful river. can fancy how their imaginations kindled at the view of the romantic bluffs, the grand forests, the flowering prairies, the tangled grape vines on the trees, the beautiful birds that fluttered among the branches, the swans, sailing in their stateliness on