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A Quarterly Journal of History for Adams, Brown, Clermont, & Highland Counties I I

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Diuiiii hji Henry Uoii^e, 1846.

RIPLEY, FROM THE KENTUCKY SIDE OF THE OHIO. In This Issue: John Parker: Ripley' s Black Abolitionist Of Taverns, Travel & A Fat Dog Innkeeper of Adams County

••*»• ^f ag -ag ag ag .ag -ag ag- -gg- jr. ae^ -av n^^^^^^m^^^KK, Help protect Ohio's natural heritage! Ohioans! You can help preserve and protect part of Natural Aneas your rich natural heritage. The Otiio income tax form aliows you to make a tax-deductible donation by designating part of your TAX REFUND -Check UsF to support Oliio's efforts to protect nature preserves, scenic rivers and endangered species. Your support is needed to assure that the state's most important natural areas, scenic rivers and endangered plants and animals are preserved for future generations of Ohioans to see and enjoy. Please join us in protecting your natural heritage before it is too late!

For information, contact: Ohio Department of Natural Resources ODNl Division of Natural Areas and Preserves OHIO DKI'XKTMKNT OF Fountain Square, Bldg. F .NAIl HAI. Ht:SOl R( KS Columbus, Ohio 43224 (614) 265-6453 (Voice) or Richard F. Celeste • Joseph J. Sommer (614) 265-6994 (TDD) Governor Director The One Account Plus Earn interest on every dollar you keep with Fifth Thirds unique package of financial services. FIFTH THIRD BANK The only bank you'll ever need!

m©Fidh Third Ban k 1985 Member F.D.I.C. 'Service Mark owned by Fifth Third Bank. West Union 544-5526 Manctiester 549-3038 Lynctiburg 364-2321 Peebles 587-2615 Russellville 377-3901 Greenfleld 981-2148 Georgetown 378-6111 1 Hillsboro 393-4204 Leesburg 780-2261 Ohio Souttiland"3

Vol. 2 No. 1 Winter, 1990

Table of Contents

A Black History conducror on 4 John Parker: Ripley's Black Abolitionist the Underground 14 Of Taverns, Travel & A Fat Dog Railroad in Ripley... 40 Murder On The Square 43 Ohio Southland In The Eighteenth Century: A Conversation With A Forgotten Frontiersman-Christopher Gist 51 Bridges To Our Past

Genealogy 29 The Roads Family Of Highland County

Archaeology 36 Please...Don't Call Them Tomahawks!

Natural History Page 4 27 Drummers & Bumps On A Log

Features A new inn for 52 Innkeeper Of Adams County Adams Countv..

Ohio Southland is a quarterly publication dedicated to perpetuat­ ing the cultural and natural heritage of Adams, Brown, Clermont and Highland Counties, Ohio. Published at 301 Columbia Ave­ nue, R, P.O. Box 208, Seaman, Ohio, 45679-0208. Publisher and Editor Stephen Kelley. Ohio Southland invites but cannot be held responsible for unsolicited manuscripts and photograpfis. To ensure their safe return, manuscripts must be accompanied Page 52 by a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Copyright 1990 Kelley Publications. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher. 4~Ohio Souttiland

John Parker

Ripley isn't just any town; it came close to being big-time. In the mid-19th Cen­ tury, Ripley was second only to Cincinnati as a pork-packing center. And, in selling tickets on the Underground Railroad, Ripley's Ripley again was second only to Cincinnati as a Black "first station." Yet. in both areas, time passed Abolitionist Ripley by; and it has ever since been in a "long sleep," unseen by most of the world. If you take a leisurely walk around Ripley's riv­ erfront, you can begin to get a feel for both these things that brought Ripley by Paul Young close to the big-time. Start with the cannon on the grounds of the pub­ lic library (see Ohio Southland, Fall, 1989). The plaque tells you enough to whet your appe­ tite about Ripley's notori­ ous reputation as an "abo- Ohio Southland"5 the North Star, Canada (during low-water periods, and freedom. High over which were many), swam, the town is Rankin House walked on ice (not uncom­ (Liberty Hill), where mon then, when the water Reverend John Rankin and was much lower than it is his nine sons helped as in the "lakes" created by many as 2,000 fugitives the many dams up and get on that famous Under­ down river), or rowed ground Railroad and es­ across in skiffs that "just cape their bondage. happened to be" on the Then, walk north along Kentucky shore. Tlie Ripley Cannon Front Street and check the Keep walking. All the houses, many of them way to the end of Front built during the first half Street, where you can go litionist hell-hole," that of the 19th Century and no further, except up a John Morgan (of Morgan's occupied by families like three-step set of concrete Raiders) threatened to the Campbells and stairs that lead nowhere burn it to the ground, Collinses who had left but which—before 1900— though—when he had the slave states to migrate to led to the old Ripley opportunity—he marched Ohio, the first actual gov­ Foundry. They were put east and north and kept ernment subdivision in the there by John Parker, his matches in his pocket world to ban slavery (as owner of the foundry for some reason. part of the Northwest Ter­ but—more importantly— From the cannon, go ritory that initiated such a Ripley's indefatigable directly west to the monu­ ban in 1787). So, those black abolitionist. ment that gives credit to famous old houses look As you look at those those who risked every­ down on the Ohio River, steps, turn around in your thing to help runaway over into Kentucky, from tracks and notice the red slaves get a bearing on where many a slave waded brick house that stands in

"...walk north along Front Street and check the houses..." 6"Ohio Southland

less blacks escaping from And finally, a well-to- Kentucky masters. do citizen of Ripley? Stand on the iron steps All of these, true, and of that house (though that dimensions of an unusual is officially trespassing on man who "just happened the private property of to" wind up in Ripley. one Ratliff of Frenchburg, Born in Norfolk, marched Kentucky who owns the barefoot to the cotton Parker House along with fields of Alabama, sold to the coal yard). a doctor there whose sons Those iron steps were taught him to read, hired cast in Parker's own foun­ out to work in a foundry, dry. determined to save his And, out of that foun­ money and buy his free­ dry came a long list of dom, John Parker sailed inventions that probably up the Mississippi, then ranked Parker as the lead­ the Ohio to New Albany, ing black inventor (in­ Indiana, then to Maysville Liberty Monument—dedicated deed, inventor of any to help a friend who was during Ripley's Centennial kind) during the late 19th in turn helping two black in 1912. Century; tobacco presses, women escape bondage, soil pulverizers, water then to Ripley where he miserable disrepair on the valves, etc. got a job in a foundry in north side of Front Street An inventor? 1845. beside the coal yard. The owner of a foun­ From there, Parker That is John Parker's dry? launched upon what must house, and often the first Black? have been the most un­ station on the Under­ A former slave him­ usual work a man ever ground Railroad for count- self? engaged in: literally kid-

The Parker House, erected circa 1850, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Ohio Southland"?

I Ko Modr) • ; Stacatf—Sbitt J. P. PARKER. PORTABLE SCHEW PRESS. Patented May 19. 1885. Original patent illustrations for two of Parker's many inventions are shown here.

3. P. PAEKEB. FOLIOWB* lOlSW FOa TOBACOO FgESICS. IJo. 304.6B2. _ _ - -i PrtiatBd S»>t 3. 1881.

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Parker's patented tobacco presses became very popular in southern Ohio and northern Kentucky.

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Collinses, Campbells, etc., who helped slaves once the slaves had made it to the Ohio shore, Parker went deep into slave coun­ try to spirit these would- be-fugitives northward. Parker's primary ship­ ping point was "Reverend Gilliland and the Red Oak Chapel," a few miles up Red Oak Creek, from where the railroad branched either to Decatur 77ie Parker House features a set of unique iron or to Russellville, and steps cast in John Parker's foundry. from these points north­ ward still through Tran­ quility and Sardinia and napping Kentucky and they wanted to escape but Locust Grove, and West Virginia slaves who (b) were afraid to do so. Hillsboro. and Sicily, and let it be known that (a) Unlike the Rankins, Samantha, and Greenfield,

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do Mo4«i. J. P. PABKER. BOIL PULVEBIZER. Ko. 442.538. ry^fy Patented Deo. 9, 1800.

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Another successful invention of Parker's was the Soil Pulverizer patented in 1890. 10"Ohio Southland The Red Oak Presbyterian Church—erected in 1817—was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. Many members of this church were in­ volved in Under­ ground Railroad activities.

onward to the Quakers in Parker, who didn't often ing slavery as it had al­ Clinton County...a long, get involved in white most destroyed him. tedious, always-at-night Underground Railroad Far south of Ripley, in journey under hay, or in activity, personally helped the rare books section of tight, hidden compart­ 1,000 blacks to freedom. the Duke University li­ ments at the bottom of Perhaps they took his brary is a handwritten wagon beds, sometimes in name, in appreciation, and document that belongs, the garb of pioneer today trace their lineage rightly, in Ripley. women, sometimes even in back through him...as It is an autobiography the dark, unnerving con­ black Rankins do. Cer­ of Parker penned by a man fines of a coffin, which tainly they could not named Frank Gregg, who even slave catchers were forget his size, counte­ grew up in Ripley, then unwilling to open. nance and demeanor...a went to Connecticut and His friends say that man committed to destroy­ Cleveland where he be-

ANTIOtJES PRIMmVES COLLECTIBLES SEAMAN OLDE PIANO FACTORY FLOWER SHOPPE & CRAFTS ANTIQUE MALL 17425 St. Rt. 247 HOURS Seaman, Ohio 45679 - Phone (513) 386-2245 Monday Saturday 10:00-4:00 "Beauty & Quality At Down-Home Prices" Sunday 12:00-5:00 U.S. HIGHWAY 52 307 NORTH SECO^fD STREET PHONE Jim and Jo Hall RIPLEY. OHIO 45167 513-392-9243 Ohio Southland"11 came wealthy and retired, returning to Ripley to interview people who had "much to do" with the early history of that river town. As Parker related his adventures to Ripley's leading banker, Frank Stivers, Frank Gregg put it all down—but never published it. And, some­ how, it got into Duke Uni­ versity possession. Its pages are electrify­ ing with adventure, in­ trigue and danger. Some Parker-Gregg quotes: "How I hated slavery. But it was not the physi­ The Gregg House, located on Second Street, was built cal part of slavery that circa 1840. This was the childhood home of Frank made it cruel and degrad­ Gregg, Ripley historian, who presented Liberty ing; it was taking away Monument to the village in 1912. from a human being the initiative of thinking, of was born, to Richmond, Parker as he helped an­ doing his own way. There Virginia. The old man other slave boy against a was not so much brutality was kind to me; he made bully, and thereby proba­ in slavery; the real injury my weight of the chain as bly made up his mind to was the making of a hu­ light as he could; he do everything he could to man being into an animal talked to me kindly, be­ destroy slavery. without hope...not the cause I was broken­ But it was in Ripley pain of the body, but pain hearted at leaving my that Parker began in ear­ of the soul." mother. He was the only nest his Underground "I was sold away from human being interested in Railroad work. my mother as a child of me." That old man was He explains: eight, chained to an old severely whipped and "The Underground man and walked from died, and this "rankled Railroad had its origin in Norfolk, Virginia, where I and festered" within Ripley, shortly after the •Xf- -Q-

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Bill Sullivan-Director Ohio Southland-13 textbook on abolition and him out the back door to Street many people used laid the foundation for the Tom Collins' house, and to loaf and watch the New England movement hijacked him to freedom, riverboat traffic. under William Lloyd Gar­ much against his (and his One day an out-of- rison, who quietly gave master's) wishes. town visitor approached a Rankin credit for having black man seated on the made him into the fiery Finally, Parker sets the waterfront and asked, "Is abolitionist he was. record straight on Eliza's this where Eliza crossed Two episodes show the crossing. the ice?" to which Booker kind of a man Parker was:

1. Going by boat all the way to the Charleston Bottoms (now called Frazier's Bottom) to help a band of runaways, he found they had stolen everything of the master's that they could lay their hands on, and were deter­ mined to carry it away. When Parker told them that his little boat would not carry all of them, let alone all their booty, they began to argue so among themselves as to who had the most right to go that Parker decided it was best for him to flee. As he did, along the Kanawha River, he passed a poster Ripley's waterfront: Did Eliza make her famous crossing that read. Reward $1,000 on the ice here? for John Parker, Dead or Alive! Levi Coffin takes T. Richmond said, "Lady, 2. At his own home, a credit for not only her I don't know. I was off black man saying he was escape but giving her a blackberrying." "out of Kentucky" name (Harris), but Parker But Nick Reynolds was knocked at the door, ask­ says that the Rankins even funnier, saying to ing refuge. Parker admits deserve full credit, and the gullible visitor: he smelled "a nigger in that not only Eliza but her "You're looking at the the woodpile" (perhaps a husband George went via very baby she carried in phrase that got its start Red Oak, Russellville, her arms." with the Underground Sardinia and Hillsboro to Railroad episode above); Greenfield, where they hid Paul Young is the former Parker was convinced that in fodder shocks for three editor of Perspective this man had been sent by days. magazine. He is an avid collector of antiques and a slave owner to lure Americana and lives in a Parker to his death, so restored 1836 log house Parker jerked the man near Belfast.i~ through the door, took On Ripley's Front 14-Ohlo Southland

Tavern-keeping in Ohio has come a long OF way. Baby, since that winter of 1798-99 when Colonel George Newcom lit the fires of Dayton's hospitality to travelers TAVERNS and opened his log house as the first tavern in a raw settlement that had begun two years earlier as three cabins and two roughed- TRAVEL out roads in a wilderness clearing on the Great Miami's south bank. George wouldn't rec­ & ognize his settlement today, destined though Dayton was to become a metropolis of industrial inventiveness imaginable A FAT DOG only to the Wright broth­ ers of our world. Newcom's tavern origi­ nally stood at Main and Water (now Monument) Streets where now the 1990s glitz of downtown Dayton's "cityscape/city- shape" renovation shim­ mers in the waters of the city's pioneer landing site, where the first set­ tlers brought their poled piroque ashore, April 1, 1796. By The glossy hotels of Elouise E. Postle today, with their compu­ terized reservation sys­ tems, would boggle the frontiersman of Newcom's era who never dreamed of finding a mint on his pillow, but looked only Ohio Southland-15 for simple favors: a night's clean lodging say, because it had already eaten its way at a fair price. The canny traveler had through one cask) and, as the discussions ways of sighting the best taverns. He grew hotter, some men began to take the would look for hay well-strewn over the side of the slain Jones. hostel grounds and a fat dog at the door­ Fists, cups and merchandise were step. The hay meant other wagoners, banged about the tavern as each man who knew good food, stayed there and tried to prove his point. The tavern- the fat dog indicated enough victuals for keeper, a gentleman of intelligence who all at the table if there were scraps knew when to retreat, beat it out his enough to keep the dog well-fed. back door, yelling "Help!" and "Sheriff!" And it didn't hurt a tavern's reputa­ But the frontier tavern was more than tion if the beds were comfortable and the a mere watering-hole in the community. weary sojourner could look forward to a The tavern was at the center of business, satisfactory sleep, without too much hell- social, even military happenings, until

A picture post card view of Newcom's Tavern as it appeared in 1909. This old structure was used as Dayton's first post office, jail and courthouse.

Log Cabin, Fin; IfjuiemOeyTon, Orim\

raising around the place. appropriate public buildings could be Mayhem and noise were not uncom­ erected. Dayton's first church services, mon at early taverns, according to one town councils, school and court sessions 1823 innkeeper's story. It seems an were held in Newcom Tavern. allegedly-wronged young wife, Sally Early tavern-keepers were often the Jones, had filed suit against her husband post office clerk and the community's for wife-beating. Her mother grew impa­ bulletin board for relaying messages and tient with the court system's drawn-out locating the lost and found. The Western red tape and settled the case on her Spy & Hamilton Gazette in 1802 ran such own—by whacking her offending son-in- ads as "James Gillaspie had a strayed or law over the head with her meat cleaver, stolen horse which, if found, deliver to killing him. the care of George Newcom in Dayton at As news of the Jones ruckus spread, the mouth of the Mad River." Another men gathered at the tavern to discuss the Spy notice requested "those indebted to details over cups of Old Monongahela the editor PLEASE settle their accounts Double-Distilled (double-distilled, some at the house of George Newcom." And The Ohio Southland contains several extant inns and taverns of yesterday. The Treber Inn was erected in 1798 on Zone's Trace by John Treber. This National Register landmark is among the oldest log buildings in Ohio and stands about four miles north of West Union on Ohio 41.

The Dayton Repertory of 1809' printed: to enter and help himself. The note "Attention. The troops of Light Dra­ specified where the door key might be goons are requested to meet at Colonel found. Use of this note is said to have John Grime's Tavern on Saturday, the eliminated fear of inadvertantly inviting first of April, at ten o'clock AM in com­ in a marauding Indian pack since, gener­ plete uniform." ally, the Indians could not read and Gathering around the tavern eased the thereby learn the whereabouts of the key. burden of loneliness in socially isolated The stranger, after helping himself to his settlements, if only to hear what one's absentee host's larder, would then leave neighbors had been up to and if anyone a note of gratitude. Thus, some homes, had to go to jail for it. Strangers and perhaps by happenstance at first, opened travelers stopping at the taverns were their doors to such an extent that such eagerly welcomed for news they might homes became our first taverns. bring of the outside world. Another key to the early development In settlements not yet having "publik of the tavern/inn/hotel lay with the de­ entertainment «& lodging," it was an velopers and land companies who bought unwritten courtesy in this wall-to-wall up land patents and large tracts of wil­ wilderness that no traveler in need be derness (for as little as 25 cents per turned from your door. When families acre) ahead of the westward migration. were gone from their homes for the day, To attract buyers to his holdings the it was customary to post a note near the speculator advertised his land of paradise front door, welcoming any stray person in eastern newspapers and welcomed all Ohio Southland-17 to share his cabin while the prospective hot wood fires until the lime ash could buyers were being lured to settle on the be pounded to a fine powder. site. As his acreage was sold and more A young lad, sidewalk-superintending cabins built, the developer's single the construction, observed the workmen cabin/trading post became the nucleus of as they mixed the lime dust into a white­ a newly-laid-out town, bringing fame and wash and, in wonderment, reportedly ran fortune to at least the promoter, who had home with the news that "Colonel New­ now become the town's innkeeper. com is plastering his house with flour!" Before taverns, in wealthier, more Arriving at Newcom's Tavern was no commodious homes, an upstairs room picnic in the late 1700s. Rivers being was reserved as a "traveler's bedroom." our first routes for travel, Dayton was The room was accessible by a separate auspiciously laid out as a river town and, backstair, off the kitchen, and if there as such, made much commercial use of were a door to this bedroom opening to the Miami waterways. But the first the upper hallway of the main house, that roads leading to Dayton were only traces door was kept locked from the outside, through tangles of forest said to have as we see at Locust Grove, the Louis­ been so thick that on the sunniest days ville, Kentucky, home of Colonel George the great tree canopies overshadowed the Rogers Clark. Otherwise, the traveler's trails with constant twilight. room was furnished with all the ameni­ The buffalo, in search of the shortest, ties and was as comfortable as the easiest path to his watering hole and owner's finances allowed. feeding ground, was our earliest surveyor In 1796, when Colonel Newcom's log of roads. Some railroad tracks today house was under construction, it was the (those, for instance, along the Ohio talk of the town, a marvel of refine­ River's edge near Otter Creek, Kentucky) ments: two-stories, with a real stair­ follow original bison trails. Indians case—not just a ladder to the loft; six- recognized the merit in following these over-six windows with panes of glass in herd paths and Dayton's pioneers, in place of skin or paper that had been turn, widened the Indian trails to acco­ weather-proofed with bear grease and modate wagons. fastened over a window opening. When Water and Main Streets were Newcom's was also Dayton's first log laid out as Dayton's first roads, the rule building (squarely-hewn for smooth was, to speed road clearing, that anyone walls) to be chinked with lime mortar was welcome to cut for his own use any and whitewashed. Lime for the white­ tree in the designated path of the road wash was burned on the premises, using improvement. However, the tree must be river-bed limestone that was "kilned" in cut low enough on the trunk that no

CHAMBERS REALTY BOB & w^m MALCOM • SALES • StHVlUk • KAHIS AUCTION Co. SALES: MON-WED-FRI (-7:30 |CHI\YSLEK TUES • THURS «-$:3a SATURDAY 8-5:00 SERVICE: MON-FRI t-$:00 Ill EAST MAIN ST. HILLSBORO, OH 45133 SATURDAY S-12.00 513-393-1948 Ohio Toll Free 1-800-686-4186 1 Oodge NEW & USED CARS & TRUCKS Tlymoutfi 587-2621 ^^•^^^^^^^^Hig_^^^^^^^R 213 RARDEN RD PEEBLES, OHIO This log taveni was built circa 1810 on the Anderson- ville Road (U.S. 50) in Perry Township. Brown County. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Stump was left to catch on the axle of a bana Road, advertised his tavern in The passing wagon. City fathers also decreed Dayton Repertory at "the sign of the that "Main Street is to be laid out wide Arch, Square and Compass, with unremit­ enough to turn a coach and four,"a wide, ting attention to business...his house one hundred and thirty-two feet. being large and with considerable im­ As travel increased with the westward provement about to be made to it. He push of pioneers through Ohio, one-room has an extensive stable, divided into cabin/taverns gave way to those of at separate stalls, well-stored with hay, oats least four rooms. and corn—And he pledges himself that In 1809, George Fithian, on the Ur- no exertion shall be wanting to render

The Wickerham Tavern is among the oldest brick structures in Ohio. Com­ pleted in 1801, it was built for Peter Wickerham, a soldier of the American Revolution. It M'as erected on Zane's Trace and became a noted stage­ coach stop. This land­ mark is on the National Register of Historic Places and stands in Franklin Township in Adams County on Ohio 41.

•^ -^ -^ ^^ Ohio Southland"19

Greenfield's Travellers Rest was erected in 1812 by Noble Craw­ ford. Built of native stone, it is used today as a museum.

satisfaction to those who may please to lished into longer stories of derring-do favour him with their business." and perils along the trail. Some innkeepers catered to drovers, An ancestor, on my husband's side, who passed along the roads, driving their owned such a tavern where it is said the livestock on foot to market. At the end Whig Party of Franklin County, Ohio of daylight (for taverns were built one organized in the smoke-filled back room day's journey's apart, depending on the of Postle's Checkers Tavern on the old terrain) the drover hopefully found him­ National Road. Which is how I became self settled in a tavern; his livestock interested in early taverns. I discovered penned and fed by the owner's stableboy, in court house records an 1830s license himself ready for refreshments in the * that had been issued to my father-in- taproom. law's great grandfather. Job Postle, to Here the fellow sojourners relaxed operate a tavern and "sell liquor by the and traded news. The used-wagon sales­ dram." man in the plaid buckskin and the land Proud of my newly-found knowledge speculator could wheel and deal and and thinking to ingratiate myself with outdo one another with short tales embel­ my father-in-law, I presented him with a

,3sssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss?:; Lafferty Funeral Home One Family Serving You Since 1848 DRYDEN'S QUIK SERV MARKET 308 Main Street JOHN T. LAFFERTY Phone 513-544-3977 West Union, Ohio 45693 Store Hours Monday thru Saturday — 9:00 to 9:00 WEST UNION Sunday — 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. 544-2121 kAMA«A«M 20--Ohio Southland framed, certified copy of the license. in case you needed a clean one for sec­ "Job owned a what? " He couldn't onds—and no fair throwing the bones on believe it. My father-in-law harrumphed the floor just because the dog was under and, with all the august dignity of his the table. considerable years, rapped his gold- The tavern maids served great plat­ headed cane close to my feet and de­ ters of venison, fried rabbit, squirrel clared, "Young lady, I'll have you know stew, possum with sweet potatoes and, there never was a Postle who touched a after a long, hard winter, no one would drop!" speak harshly of a tavern keeper if he So much for that attempt to gain served baked ground hog before the favor with the clan. creature could see his shadow and fore­ Another find among the family papers cast more freezing weather. was a day book of prices for 1833, list­ After one such repast, one guest, in a ing: dinner served at the tavern, 25 burst of conviviality, picked up the tab cents; lodging and breakfast, 37 1/2 for twenty-nine treats of bonded whiskey cents; two treats of whiskey, 56 cents; (for $1.43 total) and, the next morning, half-bushel of oats (presumably for your ordered with his breakfast "rye coffee horse), 12 cents; shoeing of horse, 40 strong enough to make one feel frisky." cents. Vegetable and fruits were served in Lodging guests were summoned to season and innkeepers cultivated large meals by the tavern bell or sounding of a gardens. Especially a corn patch, to pro­ long, tin horn, stage-coach style. Tables vide the staple diet of corn pone, hom­ were set with steel knives and forks, iny, johnny cakes and mush. metal plates—sometimes with two plates Puddings, pies and sweet cakes

BLAKE PHARMACY, INC. Peebles, Ohio Phone 587-3100 Manchester, Ohio ^ Phone 549-3773 BLAKE PHARMACY West Union, Ohio , Phone 544-2451 W BLAKE PHARMACY HALLMARK SHOP West Union & Manchester | s^^^^sssssssssssssssssssssss^ssssssssssssssssss&ssssssssssssss^

The Olde Wayside Inn, located in downtown West Union, was erected in 1804 by General David Bradford. Originally known as the Bradford House, it served weary travelers on Zane's Trace.

The LeForge Tavern still stands in Fairfax in southern Highland County. Erected by John and Susan Pulliam Leforge, it was first licensed as a tavern on August 12, 1850. 22-Ohio Southland topped off the meal. But sugar was dear and honey was a more common sweet­ ener. For fear undissolved sugar would remain wasted in a cup of tea, a lump of the sweetener was placed in the front of the mouth, behind the teeth, and the tea sipped over the sugar. Tea was expensive, sixty dollars a pound at the beginning 1800s, and was rationed and stored under lock and key. The keys to all precious larders were carried by the innkeeper's wife in a sort of chatelaine pocket. Pioneer skirts had no pockets, but a slit opening in a side seam allowed the lady to reach inside her skirt for keys and other valuables she kept on her person in a pocket sewn to a band that was tied about her waist. Sleep was often upon your own pack roll or a tavern pallet. It was easy to spot the seasoned traveler: he slyly man­ aged to bed down in a choice spot where his feet could be towards the fireplace. Some taverns had sleeping lofts with pallets of straw or cob-filled ticking. More elaborate Hiltons-of-the-period fur­ nished bedrooms, as Colonel Newcom did, although you seldom had a bed to yourself. More often, three or four trav­ elers shared a bed and you could only The Highland House, built in 1828 in New pray that your bed-fellows slept soundly, Lexington (now Highland) by Solomon without too much snoring or thrashing Adams, was a popular inn and tavern for several years. It is among the oldest around—and hope they didn't hog the structures that stand in the village today. covers. You were truly sleeping in luxury if some frosty night you found yourself in excursions offered by the canal boats sinking into a deep feather bed, the mat­ that slipped casually through the city, tress plumping up to enfold you in its bringing passengers to parties at the warmth. Swaynie House. Before checking out, there might be a In Dayton's peak year of canal travel, gift shop to entice you, for some taverns in 1851, more than four hundred boats were licensed to retail merchandise: a brought travelers (and a revenue of calico piece or a bonnet for your wife, a $351,897) to the city. muslin bag of horehound rock candy for The holiday-bound lady, on her way 1/2 cent, or you could try the frontier to the Swaynie House from downriver, equivalent of Godiva chocolate—a maple sat on deck, unfurled her parasol and sugar lump at 30 cents. nibbled a box lunch as the boat leisurely The traveler took his leave, on his followed the canal waterways that curled way by whatever mode of travel fit the their way through post card-pretty vil­ era in which he lived. Dayton has seen lages punctuated by stately spires of them all; from the solitary backwoods baroque court houses, through country­ horseman, to stagecoach, to the ultimate sides where a boy with a fishing rod Ohio Southiand"23

V 'II "V f V

#----»--*--^*----^AAA<>AAifcA^A»^A* John B. Mahan, better known for his abolitionist activities, operated a tavern in his home which still stands in Sardinia. Opened to the public "about the year 1835," it is one of the oldest remaining structures in the village. —*>»—-«»-—"

Your local Indvpandsfllly ownad Tlua Vklua* 7hml/allu£,Hardwara Slor a haa national chain-buying powar. ~ HARDWARE STORES A MEMORIAL Wuei&l

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Peebles Monument Co. OPEN MONDAY - SATURDAY 8:00 A.M.-5:30 P.M 544-3151 172 N. Main St. Peebles, Ohio 587-2210 WEST UNION 222-4-6 NORTH MARKET STREET 236 N. Market St. West Union, Ohio 544-2931 24-Ohlo Southland

A contemporary view of Newcom's Tavern. This steeple-notched log house stood on its original site until 1895 when moved to Van Cleve Park for Dayton's centennial celebration the following year. It remained there until 1965 when it was re­ moved to its present location in Carillon Park.

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Young, Caldwell & Bubp

Attorneys At Law Vernon L. Young John B. Caldwell Danny R. Bubp Gregory A. Carroll

lis North Cross Street West Union, Ohio 45693 (513) 544-5095 (513) 544-2152

1 t^H^V.<^t^Tt^lt^1t^V^^«^^t^»t^^*^^t^X^>t^^t^^t^T«^>^t^^ta^J I^ Ohio Southland"25 1 could sit on the canal's grassy slope and cast for dreams. Traveling by canal, you had the time to savor, to reflect and become a part of what you saw. You disembarked for a night's lodging at a local hostel and Travel could peacefully fall asleep and awaken the next morning without that traveler's panic of where am I? For you did not Newcom Tavern suffer from that frenzied syndrome of herded tours, the if-it's-Tuesday-it-must- be-Belgium pace. You knew where you had been. You remembered. Come see what neighboring DAYTON The canal is now paved over in Day­ has to offer history buffs: ton; the concrete of Patterson Boulevard stretches over part of the old Miami and CARILLON PARK Erie Canal bed. Seen by night, Patterson where you will find a collection of restored Boulevard now wears a necklace of red historical buildings—including NEWCOM jewels: tail lights, bumper to bumper, TAVERN—in a village-like setting. twisting into strands of super highways. But part of early Dayton still stands. There are also several buildings of extensive transportation exhibits Newcom Tavern, the city's oldest build­ from Conestoga wagons to rare locomotives, ing extant, nestles in a site protective of antique autos and engine inventions, its history; moved, restored and pre­ canal and railroad history—and a replica served in Carillon Park in a village-like of the Wright brothers' 1905 airplane. setting where the streets of the park are No admission fee. a theatre of Dayton's past, a museum of Trained interpreters conduct free tours how-it-all-began in the Miami Valley. during the week. Park facilities include May you, in your travels, find a New­ ample parking and picnic grounds near com Tavern, a hostel of your choice, the 50-bell Deeds Carillon Tower that with grounds well-strewn with hay and a rings concerts at 3 P.M. most Saturdays and every Sunday, fat dog at the doorstep. Open to the public May 1 - October 3l. Elouise Postle is a storyteller/lecturer Closed Mondays except when Monday is whose writings frequently reflect her a holiday. HOURS: 10:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M. interest in history. She is a graduate Tuesday through Saturday. of the University of Arkansas and _ Sundays 1:00 P.M. through 6.00 P.M. makes her home in Hillsboro. W For group tours or more information: CARILLON HISTORICAL PARK 2001 South Patterson Boulevard DAYE'S Dayton, Ohio 45409 TO GET THERE: Travel 1-75 north, exit 51 IDEPARTMENT STORE onto Edwin Moses Boulevard; from Moses turn right onto Stewart Street; then right again into south bound Patterson Boulevard. Phone 513-544-2743

West Union, Ohio 45693

Bill Hackworth, Owner j Back Issues Available "III iMiiiiiiMiiiiiiii iiiiMiiiiiMi iiiiiMiiii nil nil Winter, 1989 Clennont County's Goldrush; The Black King of the Air; Growing Up in Highland County in the 1840s; Tragedy on the Frontier; A Pioneer Photographer; The Marryin' Squires of Aberdeen; Murder on Rube's Run. Spring, 1989 Of Gladsome Events & An 1807 Gingerbread Lady; The Last Letter Home; Murder of A Quarterly Journal of History for Adams, Brown, Clermont, & Higtiland Counties a Sheriff; The Pie Supper; Painting The Past; Longknives; At The Edge Summer, 1989 Tranquility: Quiet, Calm, Undisturbed; Utopia Focusing on the Appalachian heritage of Perfection In Clermont Brown, Clermont, Highland and Adams Counties, County; A Greene Countrie Towne; Cedar Falls; Chron­ Ohio Southland includes articles on the area's ology of Ohio's Prehistory history, archaeology, genealogy and people A Comparison. and places of interest. Fall, 1989 Manchester's Birdman; A Ring-Tailed Roarer Carver; Women Are Here To Stay; Visiting "Buckeye Station"; An Annual Subscription (4 issues) of Ohio Southland for yourself or Lynx Prairie; Mystery a friend is only $9.00 per year Mansion At Fort Hill; The Ripley Cannon. f iiiiiilliMlllllllillilliiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiillllilillliliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii Please enter my subscription for OHIO SOUTHLAND beginning with the Spring, 1990 issue: Send Check or Money Order to: Ohio Southland P.O. Box 208 Seaman, Ohio 45679 NAME I am ordering copies Winter, 1989 issue ADDRESS

I am ordering copies CITY, STATE, ZIP Spring, 1989 issue

I am ordering copies Please send a gift subscription for OHIO SOUTHLAND Summer, 1989 issue beginning with the Spring, 1990 issue to: I am ordering copies Fall, 1989 issue @ $2.50 per copy NAME

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Please mail all orders to: Ohio South/and, P.O. Box 208, Seaman, Ohio 45679-0208. State . . . Zip. ^^gsssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssP Ohio Southland-27

B r B m m © ir

By Paul E. Knoop, Jr. Buflmpg

On A Log

I am sitting in a small The "thumping" increases able woodland habitat to Virginia Pine grove in a in tempo until it turns into carry out basic activities. remote part of Adams a drumming roll, like far- The drumming activity is a County, Ohio. The sur­ distant thunder. The sound remarkable bit of bird be­ rounding wooded hills have has a curious penetrating havior and usually takes taken on the deep green effect on me and causes a place on a fallen log. The color of late spring and pulsing sensation within bird stands erect with neck turkey vultures float lazily my ears. I yearn to hear it ruff raised and spread and against the late afternoon again and within minutes tail trailing behind. The sky. A stillness pervades the rolling sound is again wings are raised quickly these wide open spaces; filling the woodland. until they almost come to­ stillness that, in combina­ The drumming of the gether over the back and tion with the encompassing male ruffed grouse is a then are struck forward beauty, brings to me a deep common spring sound in until they nearly touch the feeling of peace. I sud­ this southern Ohio hill breast. This rapid wing denly hear a distant, deep- country. Here, this beating creates the drum­ toned "thump," "thump," chicken-sized bird, with ming sound and has to do "thump," like the muffled the "ruff" of feathers with the mating season; it beating of a great heart. around its neck, finds suit­ denotes virility and com- 28-Ohlo Southland responds just outside my have seen whippoorwills on tent. The call sounds like the road at night. The first "whip-poor-will" with the hint was the red glow of accent on the "will." their eyes as they reflected The whippoorwill is a the headlights of my car. mysterious bird, a voice in These eyes are large and the night. During the day highly efficient in the dim this bird lies close in the light of the forest. deep woods, either on the I awaken at 3 a.m. and leaf-covered forest floor or stick my head out of the on a fallen log or branch. tent. A full moon is peek­ It almost always perches ing from behind thickening lengthwise on the limb and clouds. The whippoorwills blends in as if a "bump on are still calling and, much The Ruffed Grouse a log." When at rest, its to my surprise, I again hear leaf-colored plumage al­ the drum roll of the ruffed bativeness. It is both a call lows it to blend perfectly grouse. Again, I feel a to the female and a defi­ with its surroundings. sense of great peace. ance to rival mates. When flushed, it gets up as I hope there will always One must exercise ex­ silently as a shadow, be places where ruffed treme patience to observe spreads it long wings, and grouse can drum on fallen a ruffed grouse drumming. flutters off in an erratic logs and whippoorwills can The bird can only be ap­ fashion soon to drop down call their names on warm proached while drumming again just out of sight. spring nights. As our tech­ is in progress as it is very The whippoorwill feeds nological society closes in watchful any other time. on night-flying moths and on us, we need these places Moving forward while the other insects. I once had where we can return to get bird is drumming and then the opportunity to hold one back in touch with our ori­ stopping and then moving of these birds in my hand gins. forward again may take the for close examination. The better part of a morning or mouth has an enormous Paul E. Knoop, Jr. is the Education Director for the afternoon. Even though it gape and is fringed all National Audubon Society's is tedious, I guarantee that around with long bristles. Aullwood Audubon Center the observer will be well A more perfect insect trap and Farm in Dayton, Ohio. rewarded once the per­ could not be imagined. He makes his home in former is observed on the On several occasions, I Dayton. drumming log. As the sun begins to sink below the forested hills I crawl into my tent. Aullwood Audubon The fresh aroma of pine Center and Farm needles permeates the air and I look forward to a Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm offers a unique night of quiet rest. Dark­ opportunity to get in touch with the out of doors. Aullwood's 200 acres are rich and varied. Bring your ness descends and as if on class or youth group and look for wild animals which cue the silence is broken abound in our woodlands, meadows, prairie, ponds and by the snappy calls of sev­ streams. In addition, you may visit the farm and see eral whippoorwills. I soon organic croplands, farm buildings, pastures, an historic became mesmerized by barn, herb garden and farm animals. their incessant calls. First, 1000 Aullwood Road one calls far down in the Dayton, Ohio 45414 Ph. (513) 890-7360 wooded valley and then one Ohio Southland-29

In a small cemetery located on a coun­ try road in Paint Township overlooking the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains stand two tall slabs of marble. Weathered by time and the elements, the words are still quite legible. Here, in this lonely spot, rest two of Highland County's early The pioneers: Abraham and Ann Maria Roads, the writer's fourth great grandparents. From the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia to Highland County came the Roads family in the early years of the Nineteenth Cen­ Roads tury. Abraham Roads (or Roth, as it was known in the German tongue) was born February 7, 1750 in Pennsylvania, thought to be the son of Valentine and Maria Mar- Family garetha Roth. He grew to manhood along with his brothers Jacob, John, George and Valentine. Tradition says he served in the American Revolution; however, no proof has been found to substantiate this. of One thing is certain: in the early days of the Revolution he married Ann Maria who was born circa 1753. By the 1780s, Abraham had moved his family from Penn­ sylvania up the Shenandoah Valley settling Highland in Shenandoah County, Virginia. On March 30, 1786, Abraham pur­ County chased from Henry and Ann Fravel 127 acres, and on March 10, 1789, he, with his brothers Jacob and John, patented an ad­ joining tract of 251 acres. This land lay in the northern part of Shenandoah County, near Cedar Creek. Some eighty four years later during the Civil War, Cedar Creek would be the scene of con­ flict in which "Sheridan's Ride" changed the tide of battle and brought victory to the Union army. By Jean Wallis In 1791, Abraham sold his interest in

Pages 30, 31 A panoramic view of the Barrett Mill neighbor­ hood in Paint Township near the old Abraham Roads homestead. This photo, taken circa 1876 by Finley Black, features the Barrett Mill Covered Bridge spanning the Rocky Fork with the Barrett Mill and David Barrett Home behind it.

32~Ohio Southland these properties and moved to Rockbridge the long journey to Highland County. County, Virginia, where, on September 6, They brought their cows with them, tied to 1791, he bought 318 acres from James the wagons, and family tradition states Davis. George Roads, brother of Abra­ that for a long time afterward, whenever ham, also moved from Shenandoah to the horses were hitched up and the wagons Rockbridge County about the same time. started, the cows would follow. In the year 1805, Abraham resolved to Arriving in Highland County, they first emigrate from Virginia to the land that lay settled in Brushcreek Township. Here, in beyond the mountains. His decision may 1806, the Roads were found by the Rever­ have resulted in part from a question end Paul Henkel, a Lutheran minister from about his title to the 318 acres purchased Virginia. He had journeyed to Ohio to from Davis. On leaving Virginia, he con­ preach to his flock and encourage the or­ tracted to sell the property to one. Dickey ganization of congregations and the build­ Beard, but was not able to deliver a clear ing of churches for Lutheran families with title until 1820 as shown in the records of German background. He had known Abra­ both Rockbridge County, Virginia and ham Roads well in Virginia and therefore Highland County, Ohio. stayed with him while in Brushcreek Abraham, with Ann Maria and their Township. Henkel kept a diary in which married as well as unmarried children he shows a high regard for Abraham and (with the exception of Catherine who had Ann Maria as well as Abraham's nephew, married George Gall in 1800) started out Phillip (son of Jacob Roads, Sr.) who had from Virginia with two four-horse teams settled in the neighborhood. and drove through by way of Knoxville, In 1812, Abraham bought a tract of Tennessee. They were nine weeks making 160 acres on Rocky Fork in Paint Town-

CASTOR & FOSTER ATTORNEYS

CotnpCitnents ROBERT D. CASTOR ALAN W. FOSTER OF General Practice AmeriStop Of Law

DECEDENTS ESTATES - WILLS 226 North High Street DOMESTIC RELATIONS - PERSONAL IN.IURY Hillsboro, Ohio 45133 CIVIL - REAL ESTATE BUSINESS LAW INCOME TAX PREPARATION Phone: 393-4884 CONSULTATION - WORKERS COMP.

Mon. thru Fri. 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. David Roades Sat. 9 A.M.—12 Noon Jan. 1—AprillS Manager Evenings By Appointment 228 N. Market, West Union 544-5251 Or Call 544-3867 Ohio Southland"33

I. CATHERINE, the eldest, was born circa 1777 in Pennsylvania. On May 27, 1800, she married in Rockbridge County, George Gall, Jr. He was born June 28, 1766 in Berks County, Pennsylvania and at the age of 15 enlisted in the continental army and witnessed the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. He was first married to Susan­ nah Nicholas by whom he had eleven chil­ dren, seven of whom grew to maturity. After her death, he married Catherine and they became the parents of thirteen chil­ dren: 1. Maria (named for her grand­ mother) married George Countryman and moved to Cass County, Indiana; 2. Re­ becca married John Turner; 3. Lydia mar­ ried John Jarnigan; 4. Elizabeth married George Shoemaker; 5. David married Cath­ erine Ann Hammon (David was the last child born in Virginia). In the fall of 1809 the Gall family emigrated to Highland County and their first child born here was 6. Anna who married Jacob Hammon. (After Anna's death, Jacob married her sister, 7. Sophia); 8. Rhoda married Wil­ liam Hammon (a brother to Jacob, above); Ann Maria Roads' headstone marks her final 9. Isaac married Sarah Turkeyhiser Turner resting place in the Roads Cemetery. (Sarah had married John Turner after the death of 2. Rebecca, above, and it was ship. His son, Jacob, bought an adjoining following the death of Turner, Sarah mar­ ried Isaac); 10. Catherine married Henry tract of 170 acres. Both farms were near Williams; 11. Abraham married Mary Ann the Baldwin Mill. Dutton; 12. Matilda married Isaac Jarnigan Abraham and Ann Maria were the par­ and moved to Iowa; 13. Julia Ann married ents of ten children. One child, Lydia, Levi Williams (brother to Henry, above). died in infancy while the other nine lived Julia Ann became a "Real Daughter" of to maturity and married:

ijhe JVational Sank of cTfdanii County. 218 NORTH MARKET STREET P.O. BOX 368 Weil Union, Okio 45693 34-Ohio Southland the Waw-wil-a-way Chapter of the DAR. George Gall died October, 1851; however, the date of Catherine's death is unre­ corded. They are buried in the old Dutch Cemetery in Brushcreek Township.

II. JACOB ROADS was born April 25, 1779 in Pennsylvania. He died July 28, 1844 in Paint Township, Highland County. He married April 2, 1807, in Brushcreek Township, Jane Williams, daughter of James and Mary Ann Legg Williams. Jane was born in Virginia circa 1786 and died March 13, 1878 in Paint Township. Jacob and Jane are buried in the Roads Ceme­ tery. There is a monument for Jacob but none for Jane. They are said to have had five sons and five daughters. Among these were: Sarah Jane, married Reverend George Murphy; Daniel S. Roads, married 1. Maletha Spargur and 2. Catherine Haigh; and James W. Roads married Cath­ erine Karnes.

III. JOHN ROADS was born circa 1780 '^^^^M>^0i and died in 1848 at Hillsborough. He The headstone of pioneer Abraham Roads. married December 8, 1807 Mary Ann Hies- tand, daughter of Jacob and Mary Hies- tand. She was born December 30, 1782 10, 1808, in Highland County to Henry and died May 3, 1845 in Hillsborough. Baldwin. She had one son, Samuel, and John Roads was acting Captain of a com­ two daughters, one of whom was named pany of militia during the War of 1812. Hannah, by this marriage. She married John and Mary Ann were the parents of: secondly, on February 18, 1824 to Sarah, married Claiborn Lea; Amy, mar­ Amaziah Hiatt (born circa 1793). They ried Lewis F. Boerstler; Elizabeth, married were the parents of three sons: Isaac; John M. Swain; Absalom, married Louise Ellis; and one who died in infancy. I. Miller; Josiah; and Mary Ann married George Workman. VI. PHILIP ROADS was born circa 1792. He married on November 11, 1813 in IV. MARY ANN ROADS was born April Highland County, Barbara Ann Combs. 30, 1783 and died June 6, 1858. On June They moved west in the 1830s or '40s. 15, 1802 she married in Rockbridge They had children but their names are County, Virginia, Captain John Palmer. unknown. He was born December 23, 1778 and died December 26, 1858, in Brushcreek Town­ VII. ISAAC ROADS was born December ship. They are buried in the Olive Branch 22, 1793. He died January 2, 1864. He Cemetery in Brushcreek Township. They married, December 25, 1816, in Adams had no children. County, Ohio, Nancy Stitt. She was born March 8, 1797 and died September 17, V. ELIZABETH ROADS was born circa 1864. They are buried in the Roads Ceme­ 1790. She was first married on October tery. Their children were: Samuel; Ra- Ohio Southland-35 chel, married Philip W. Smalley; Cor­ Simpson; Lewis, married Martha Cowgill; nelius, married Elizabeth Pulse and moved Eva, married Henry Cowgill; Mahala, to Iowa; Levi, married Julia Ann Pulse married Edwin Keller; Sarah, married Turley (Julia Ann was a sister of Elizabeth David Skeen. Martha, predeceased her Pulse, above, and was first married to parents. Giles Turley), also moved to Iowa; Eliza­ beth, married John W. Pulse (a brother to IX. GEORGE ROADS was born circa 1802 Elizabeth and Julia Ann); Harrison, mar­ in Rockbridge County. On September 18, ried Elizabeth Hixon; William, married 1822 he married, in Highland County, Sarah Turley; Thomas, a twin of William, Elizabeth Boyd. They moved west circa married Rebecca Karnes. 1840. They had several children but their names are not of record in Highland VIII. DAVID ROADS was born April 6, County. 1798 and died April 18, 1868 in Paint Township. He married, circa 1818, Bar­ Ann Maria Roads passed away on July bara Grabill who was born February 2, 31, 1823. Abraham survived until October 1800 and died February 15, 1871. They 7, 1825. The Roads Cemetery, where both are buried in the Roads Cemetery. Shortly are buried, was part of the farm that Abra­ before Abraham Roads died, he made ham had bought in 1812. David a deed of gift for the 160 acres on which he lived in return for David's car­ Jean Wallis is well known throughout High­ land County for her weekly newspaper col­ ing for him in his last days. The children umn, "Highland Guideposts," which focuses of David and Barbara who survived their on the heritage of her home county. parents were: Lydia, married William

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Ohio Southland is a quarterly publication dedicated to perpetuating the cultural and natural heritage of Adams, Brown, Clermont and Highland Counties, Ohio. Published at 301 Columbia Avenue R, P.O. Box 208, Seamen, Ohio 45679-0208. Publisher and editor Stephen Kelley. Individual copies $2.50. subscriptions $9.00 per year mailed in the U.S. Ohio SoutMand invites but cannot be held responsible for unsolicited manuscripts and photogrophs. To ensure their safe return, manuscripts must be accompanied by a self- addressed, stamped envelope. L^>t^T<^1I.^T<^>^'<^'<^'<^^ 36~Ohio Southland

One of the most recognizable prehistoric artifacts to be found in the Ohio Southland is the grooved stone ax. It is unfortunate, but when the pioneers began tilling the soil and discovering these relics, they called them tomahawks. Please... Since most contact between the Whites and Indians up to that time had been in warfare, it was easy for those first settlers to assume that these grooved stone pieces had been fashioned for battle. Although their assumption was incor­ rect, the term, tomahawk, has endured to the present among Don't many collectors. Most, if not all, ground stone artifacts such as the grooved ax, are pre-historic, made by cultures that lived hundreds and thousands of years before Whites ever discov­ ered the New World. The intended function of the grooved Call ax, no doubt, was working wood. Prehistoric man, like our own generation, used large quantities of trees for their daily living requirements. Poles were cut to build shelters; there was always a need for firewood for heating and cooking; shafts were needed for spear handles; and a number of utili­ Them tarian objects (including axes) required wooden handles. Therefore, a wide range of axes was needed from large speci­ mens for felling trees to lesser, refined examples used for T cutting and shaping smaller pieces of wood. o m a h a w k

t

Three-quarter grooved axes from Adams and Scioto Counties, Ohio. The largest is seven inches in length. by Stephen Kelley Ohio Southland-37

Full grooved axes from Adams and Fayette Counties, Ohio. As a general rule, full grooved specimens are not as well made as three-quarter grooved examples. The middle ax is four and three-quarter inches long.

There are two basic types of grooved axes: the full grooved and three-quarter grooved specimens. Full grooved axes, as can be guessed, are totally encircled by the groove which facilitated the hafting of the handle. Full grooved axes were made by the Archaic (8,000 B.C. 500 B.C.) and Adena (800 B.C. 50 A.D.) Cultures. Three-quarter grooved axes have one flat side which interrupts the groove. It is theorized that this flat side was used to accomodate a wedge that could be used for tightening the ax head to the handle

These two full grooved axes fall into a special category known as the Miami River Ax. They are characterized by very small bits in pro­ portion to their poles. This distinctive style ax is generally found in southwestern Ohio. The larger specimen measures five and a half inches in length. 38--Ohio Southland

Because their flat side permits a three-quarter grooved ax to "stand," collectors sometimes refer to them as "stand-up axes."

-If- -ty-' -y- as it would tend to loosen during use. Archaeological evi­ dence to date indicates that three-quarter grooved axes were solely made by the Archaic peoples. Although it is quite probable that grooved axes were used from time to time in acts of violence Gust as hatchets

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Mr. Thomas Hughes of Seaman is shown holding a large three-quarter grooved ax that he inherited from an uncle over forty years ago. His uncle, Fred Bloom, found the ax around the Turn of the Century near Russellville in Brown County. Mr Bloom was plowing with a team of horses when he discovered the ax. In later years, after becoming an ardent Mason, Mr. Bloom had the Masonic emblem cut on each side of the ax's blade and his name, initiation dates and other data carved on the pole end and even in the groove. An unusual specimen, indeed! This ax weighs over eight pounds and was highly polished by its aboriginal craftsman. It measures eight and a quarter inches in length.

and axes are occasional murder weapons of our time) their intended purpose was apparently utilitarian. So, the next time you see grooved stone axes, please... don't call them tomahawks!

"I I I I COMPLIMENTS OF :* I I ADAMS COUNTY * I I BUILDING & LOAN 1 Alan W. Foster I ! I 201 W. Main St., West Union, Ohio I 513-544-2842 I 95 S. Main, Peebles, Ohio I Prosecuting Attorney 513-587-3594 I I Member FSLIC « Adams County, Ohio I ^^ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssS 40"Ohio Southland

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Georgetown was just too quiet around the Turn of the Century. Or, at least that's what some young nnen thought! To "liven" things up a bit, they decided to pull a prank in the middle of town that would definitely "create excitement." There is no date on the news clipping reproduced here, but from the names of some individu­ als mentioned, this stirring event must have occurred about May, 1907.

Not for many years have auburn hair, a lady's shoe thronged with people, for the people of Brown County heel, glove, lace collar, the word had gone out that been aroused to a greater locket, and other articles. a murder shrouded in mys­ pitch than last Sunday. The trail of blood led to the tery had been committed in Upon passing through the near-by pump. From there the center of Georgetown court house yard at Geor­ north to the fire cistern on during Saturday night... getown early Sunday morn­ the northwest corner of the In the meantime the ing a citizen discovered public square was a continu­ county and town authorities pools of blood in various ous trail of blood. The iron were busy notifying sur­ places. In a flower bed on top had been sprinkled with rounding places to be on the the south side of the court blood leading to the belief lookout for suspicious char­ yard were evidences of a that a body had been thrown acters. Detectives came struggle which had the ap­ therein. Everywhere was from Cincinnati and every pearance of a murder hav­ blood, and the crime looked department of the police ing been committed. The horrible in every detail. system within a radius of town was aroused and fur­ Hundreds of people from 100 miles was put in motion ther search revealed an open Brown and adjoining coun­ to round up the murderers. knife and club, both smeared ties visited the scene. All Sheriff Miller and Deputy with blood, tufts of long day long the town was Edgar Neu, Prosecuting At- Ohio Southland-41

The north side of the courthouse square in Georgetown as photographed on December 5, 1895. torney Markley and Marshal "create some excitement" Will Whisner and Harland Kendle were active and un­ several of our young men Mischler with disturbing the ceasing in their efforts in conceived the idea to stage peace. The cases were heard the performance of their a murder scene,^ as revolt­ by Mayor Pobst, who found official duties. The fire ing and horrible in its de­ the boys guilty as charged, department was called out tails as the real thing. The and imposed fines as fol­ and the cistern above men­ pig blood was obtained at a lows: Bier and Barnes were tioned pumped dry, in local slaughter house, and each fined $30 and costs; search of further evidence, all the trimmings in the way Whisner $5 and costs; Mis­ but nothing was found. of a knife, club, and other chler filed motion for a new Excitement ran high, and articles were added. The trial which was taken under many theories were ad­ court yard was selected as advisement by the Mayor. vanced as to the cause, the the spot to pull off the In addition the boys are motive, etc., concerning the scheme, and sometime be­ required to pay the expense mystery. tween midnight and morning incurred in the matter, And then came the se­ the hoax was laid. amounting to $36.55. quel. Marshal Kendle swore His Honor, at the conclu­ It developed that in or­ out warrants charging Jesse sion of the trial, gave the der to perpetrate a joke and Bier, Rob Henry Barnes, young men some very timely 42"Ohio Southland

The original headlines of this story.

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The Brown County Courthouse ^'>-' c^Bi^:-= > v^ .'7^ ^"^ -^ 3^-*;'- / as it appeared in 1974.

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advice. His talk was in the reproved them strongly for Sabbath, and especially last nature of a reprimand and disturbing the peace of the Sabbath—Mothers' Day.

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Number 4:

iA Conversation WitFi *4 Forgotten Frontiersman—CfiristopFver (list

by on Allegheny Trader

"Betwixt the Forks and the Oubache'

On February 12, 1751, an expedition The story of Christopher's involvement in composed of English colonials, Indian early western development is rather scouts, and an untold number of pack- lengthy. It can best be handled by intro­ horses left the mouth of the Scioto River ducing only his life herein. In a follow­ on the Ohio. During the next week, this ing issue. Gist's adventures in the four packhorse train slowly drifted toward the county area will be retold with exerpts northwest. Their destination was the from his original journal. Miami Indian town called Pickawillany on Gist's visit was the result of his in­ the Great Miami River. This expedition, volvement with mid 18th Century land under the authority of the Ohio Company speculation. So, to understand Gist, one of Virginia, was being led by Christopher must be aware of the events of the period. Gist. Gist, or the "Long Knife," was Just before the French and Indian War, or previously introduced in this series (see during the 1740s, Virginia's western Ohio Southland, Spring, 1989). interests steadily grew. The imaginations Christopher Gist not only traversed of these men were not solely transfixed our region, but his travels led him on the fur trade with the natives. It in­ throughout the Upper Ohio Valley. The cluded the broader interest of many expedition leader was probably one of the prominent Englishmen. The direct result most important 18th Century visitors who was the formation of the Ohio Company traveled through Ohio's "Southland." of Virginia by a group of colonial inves- 44~Ohio Southland

tors and land speculators. Although the in the west was limited to these few American Revolution was many years Pennsylvania traders. These men and the away, these men would not let the impe­ Pennsylvania colony had their own west­ rial powers in Europe decide their fu­ ern interests. Obviously, the Ohio Com­ tures. pany was hesitant to draw on these men The Ohio Company of Virginia had as resources. Information about the west, two major objectives. For one, this group at least for the average Virginian, was wanted to secure a share of the Indian more rumor than fact. trade. More importantly, the agrarian The Ohio Company needed and began economy of the period demanded inexpen­ looking for a trusted ally, who had some sive land. The men of this company were knowledge of the wilderness and who had interested in controlling vast tracts of experience dealing with native popula­ land for eventual development. These tions. More importantly, they needed a speculators feh that the establishment of man who also knew how to survey land permanent settlements west of the moun­ and who could communicate this informa­ tains would also aid in the protection of tion accurately. The company became eastern coastal settlements. However, the acutely aware of this problem as the re­ greatest enticement was the opportunity sult of a previous but entirely unsuccess­ to share in great financial rewards. Mem­ ful expedition west in 1749 led by Barney bers of the Ohio Company hoped that Curren, Hugh Parker, and Thomas Cresap. western development would undermine the These men had plenty of experience in French presence, curtail Native hostili­ the west but were unsuccessful in locat­ ties, and be economically beneficial to ing or at least describing land suitable for the share holders. the purposes of the Ohio Company of Although these Virginian speculators Virginia. Though Gist may have been conceptualized western development, they lacking in firsthand experience regarding needed concrete evidence and data from the upper Ohio Valley, the Ohio Company the region. Ultimately, the company was more in need of a surveyor who would turn to Gist to gather this informa­ could survive a trip through the moun­ tion. Previous knowledge of the area was tains and return with a detailed regional limited to a few traders who were work­ description. ing out of the Pennsylvania area. These Though information is sketchy. Gist traders had followed the natives into the must have been acquainted with at least a mountains to maintain trade with areas few individuals of the Ohio Company. far removed from coastal Euro-American The Ohio Company of Virginia was made settlements. Most first-hand experience up of some of the most important men in

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Shelby Wilson Home for Funerals, Inc Oil Company -tr -ft- -ty~ "XT

_k A* Heating Oil-Motor Fuel-Lubricants 35 West Second Street Manchester, Ohio 45144 (513) 549-3363 Seaman, Ohio > Founded in 1897 386-2130 Ohio Southland--45

Virginia, including landholders, men in by them, although he never became a folk politics, and important English merchants. hero like his successors. It is unfortunate There were, however, other investors that his life has never overshadowed from Maryland and the frontier. These them, since many of the paths walked by Ohio Company members probably knew these later men had previously been trod Gist prior to the formation of the com­ by Gist. pany. Investors from outside Virginia included the Cresap family. Though not wealthy like the coastal planters, Thomas Cresap was a well known trader conduct­ ing business with the Indians. He also owned a considerable amount of land along the Upper Potomac River. Christo­ pher Gist was also a long time trader and fur merchant himself. Having been born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, he would have known the Cresaps and the other investors living in Maryland. Gist's home was not that far from the Po­ tomac where a number of powerful planta­ tion owners lived. It would not be unrea­ sonable to think that these Potomac River families either knew Gist or were indi­ rectly acquainted with him. In addition to being well educated and from a prominent family from Bahimore, Gist was a businessman with experience dealing with Indians. He was also a surveyor, and had military experience on the fringes of settlement. Gist was uniquely qualified to lead an Ohio Com­ pany exploratory expedition west. Other men probably had more experience west of the mountains, but Gist's unique exper­ An old engraving depicting two trappers. tise provided a relatively accurate ac­ Trapping and trading with the Indians count which heretofore had not or could brought some of the first Whites into the not be recorded by lesser men. Ohio Valley. Although Gist was very instrumental in describing the west and stimulating its eventual settlement, most people today Christopher Gist was born in the Bal­ are unfamiliar with his exploits. Simply, timore, Maryland area about 1705 and, as Gist has been forgotten unlike such fig­ previously indicated, a member of a very ures as Daniel Boone, Davy Crockett, and prominent Maryland family. His father, Simon Kenton, who owe much to this Richard Gist, helped found the town as previous explorer/surveyor. It would one of the original commissioners and seem that the exploits of these later fron­ was an early businessman in the commu­ tiersmen were handed down orally or re­ nity. A faction of Richard's business membered because they were more closely dealt with the fur trade. The family must involved with successful settlements. have had a long involvement in dealing Gist's historic stature was never excelled with Indians or at least with itinerant 46--Ohlo Southland traders and the resources from unsettled national guard. The rangers not only parts of Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsyl­ provided some security for the settlers, vania. Young Christopher must have they explored the western fringes of set­ developed an interest in the Indian trade tlement and collected general data about very early which continued throughout his unsettled areas. Their responsibilities life. The Gist family was well grounded also included the development and main­ in the Maryland area and Christopher tenance of new roads. Obviously, a could have been satisfied with a position ranger would learn wilderness survival in the community, which he could have skills. Surveying and map making would easily assumed. Considering his accom­ also be a valuable talent for a ranger. plishment and where his desires led him Gist's father had been a surveyor and a later in life, one is only left to imagine young Christopher probably learned this that Christopher Gist was not interested art from his father. Obviously, all of in living out his life in Baltimore. these skills would be needed during his While living in the Baltimore area. later explorations for the Ohio Company Gist served as a Maryland Ranger, or of Virginia. While a ranger. Gist proba­ what today we would call the militia or bly maintained and developed trading

Locational map of points of interest in Christopher Gist's life.

ATLANTIC OCEAN Ohio Southland--47 partnerships which he would be able to in North Carolina. This move is impor­ draw on later in life. tant because it re-established Gist on the A fire in 1718, which consumed the western fringe of settlement. It can be Gist store and warehouse, may have shown that many prominent western set­ marked the end of Richard Gist's involve­ tlers had lived in the area before their ment in the fur trade. However, eventual move beyond the mountains into Christopher's early experience seems to Tennessee, Kentucky, and western Vir­ have directly led to his continuation in ginia. In fact, another prominent western this line of work. By the age of 19, pioneer family, the Boones, lived for a Christopher was working for the British time on the Yadkins River. Fur Company. His responsibilities proba­ The lives of Christopher Gist and bly included receiving European manufac­ Daniel Boone are so intertwined, it would tured goods on credit and assembling be hard to imagine that they did not have massive quantities of furs for eventual some direct contact. This contact was not shipment to London. Obviously, such limited to homes on the Yadkins, though business practices were highly risky be­ it should be pointed out that Daniel was cause of slow or imperfect transportation younger and about the age of Gist's sons. systems. Credit was extended one year Dually, the two participated in with a shipment of manufactured goods Braddock's ill-fated military expedition from Europe. Credit, once extended, in 1755, Boone as a wagoner and Gist as might not be repaid until the next year a scout. Surely Boone must have heard with a return shipment of fur. of Gist's western exploits in Kentucky at Within eight years the Gist family's least indirectly, if not directly from the renewed efforts in the fur trade crumbled. A second fur warehouse fire consumed Christopher's business in 1732. Esti­ mates suggest that he lost 10,000 English pounds in the fire. Throughout his life he was unable to totally repay his debtors for the loses. Gist, still a young man in Of his early 20s with a wife and at least four West Union children, was dealt a set-back that only his ambition and his abilities could over­ McDonald's come. Fortunately, his family held consider­ able land in the Baltimore area. Christo­ pher was probably able to draw on these assets and his position to keep him from debtor's prison. These resources seemed Open: 7A,M,-11 P.M. to have kept him associated with the Baltimore area until his father's death in 1741. In fact, land transactions involving Breakfast - Monday thru Saturday Gist continued until about 1745. This 7 AM.-10:30 AM. date probably coincides with a move the Gist family made to northwestern North Breakfast - Sunday Only Carolina to an area along the Yadkins River. 7AM.-11AM. However, there is evidence suggesting that Gist may have been trading with the 11325 State Route 41 Cherokee Indians before the mid-1740s or West Union, Ohio before he and his family were established 48--Ohio Southland latter. It is a little hard to imagine why eastern Ohio. The journey generally Boone is better known than his predeces­ followed a line southwest across the sor. However, Gist must have had some Muskingum River through modern day notoriety, at least with his contemporar­ Coshocton, Ohio and the Buckeye Lake ies. area. Gist then crossed the headwaters of While living on the Yadkins, Gist was the Hocking River and at the Scioto approached and began his employment River, he turned southward to its mouth. with the Ohio Company. The prominent His trip then led him across the south­ undertaking was of course his two west­ western quarter of Ohio to modern day ern surveys. The first survey was com­ Piqua, Ohio. Returning to the Ohio pleted during the winter of 1751-1752, River, he continued by traveling south­ with the next commenced the following west as far as the "Falls" near modern fall. These trips began on the upper day Louisville, Kentucky. He returned Potomac River at Cresap's settlement or home cross country, a trip which led what is today call Old Town, Maryland. through eastern Kentucky and southwest­ The first exploration led Gist to the Forks ern Virginia. When Gist emerged, he of the Ohio then west across what is now found himself quite near his home on the

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FIRST WHITE MAN OF THE WEST,

OR THE LIFE AND EXPLOITS OF COL. DAN'L. BOONE,

THE FIRST SETTLER OF KENTUCKY ;

INTERSPERSED WITH INCIDENTS

TN THE

EARLY ANNALS OF THE COUNTRY,

©^synsiii scscssjUa BY TIMOTHY FLINT. CINCINNATI: Pl'BLlSHED BY E. MORGAN & CO., NO. Ill MAIN STREET. 18 50.

I Gist's mid 18th Century exploration of the Ohio Valley fired the imagination of | I later pioneers like Daniel Boone. | ^IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIMIIIIIIIIIIIMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIM I Illlllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll Illlllllllllllllllllllllllltllllllllll Illllllllllllllllllllllllimilllllllllllllllllllllllllllll''^ Ohio Southland-49

Yadkins. Considering the perils which he experience in the west, young Washington describes in this rugged area and the solicited Gist's help and expertise. This undeveloped nature of the region, one trip was not important for its accomplish­ would be hard pressed to find a more ments, although from that time on the skilled woodsman. His dead reckoning western encounters of these two European exploits are on par with the likes of even powers can be described as more hostile. Christopher Columbus. However, an accident that could have Gist's second expedition west, though changed history, was averted by Gist. much shorter, was more intensive or thor­ Near modern day Pittsburg at a place ough. He made a detailed survey of the called Washington's crossing, a small raft lower Monongahela River valley in south­ was built on the bank of the Allegheny western Pennsylvania. Later, he turned River. An unsuccessful crossing was westward and explored the eastern side of attempted during which Washington fell the Ohio in modern day West Virginia as into the icy water and was nearly far south as the Kanawha River. After drowned. In short. Gist saved providing detailed information about this Washington's life allowing the young region to the Ohio Company, Gist soon officer to eventually fight in the Ameri­ returned to the west with the bulk of his can Revolution and later to be the first family and began what is now considered president of our country. the first major settlement in the Ohio The British government became more valley. Much of his time in 1752 was acutely aware of the importance in having employed in marking and cutting a road the Indians as allies. They learned their from the Potomac River to the Mononga­ lesson the hard way at Braddock's defeat hela. It was near the western terminus of this road where Gist established his new home in the west. This settlement called Gist's, or later Gist's Plantation, was established in 1752 near modern day Uniontown, Pennsylva­ PRATHER'S nia. Detailed accounts of this settlement are sketchy. However, it is known that several of Gist's children followed him IGA westward, and that Gist was in the proc­ ess of soliciting other families to move to the area. At the beginning of the French 107 E. Walnut St. West Union, Ohio and Indian War, this settlement was aban­ doned and soon destroyed by the French PHONE: 513-544-2643 on July 5, 1754. Christopher never re­ turned after the war. One of his sons and a daughter eventually resettled in the area but only after the conclusion of the French and Indian War. FULL SERVICE DELI/BAKERY Another important visit took place at Gist's Plantation before the war. A Party Trays — Baked Goods young officer by the name of George Washington visited the upper branches of Complete Catering — Wedding Cakes the Ohio Valley during the winter of 1753-54. His objectives included the delivery of English demands to the DELI - 544-2228 French residing in the region. This trip began on November 15, 1753, and with no 50~Ohio Southland r * ¥ y T ^

Packhorse trains like Chistopher Gist's frequently came to Pickawillany. This packhorse shoe was found at this famous Indian town on the Great Miami River.

at the beginning of the French and Indian who lived there made him a confidant of War. The now prominent and knowledge­ the wealthy, an advisor to the govern­ able Gist was called into service to help ment, and a liaison to the natives. His­ in the development of these relations with torically, Gist may have only been the Indians. Gist was appointed Deputy right man at the right place. I hardly Agent of Indian Affairs of the Southern think so. Gist's skills, including his Department in 1757. He served in this integrity and his tenacity, must not be capacity until his untimely death in 1759. underestimated. Gist made history. He made his last home in the Winchester, Christopher Gist's life work obviously Virginia area while in this service. Much holds an important place in the history of of his time was spent traveling particu­ the Upper Ohio Valley. I like to imagine larly between his home and Williamsburg, that a dialog does exist between Gist and the colonial capital of Virginia. Gist's any later reader of his journal. Today, death was as fitting as it could possibly our conversation with Gist includes more be. He died on route between Wil­ than just rhetorical questions. Any study liamsburg, Virginia and Winchester. He of his journal might be described as an was, of course, in the service of England. ongoing discussion of the Ohio Valley Gist's ambitions in the west made him and Appalachian plateau in the 18th Cen­ more than just one of the first English tury. Through his journal. Gist is still explorer/settlers in the Ohio valley. Gist responding to our inquiries. One might had not only spent many years trading ask, what was the "Southland" like during with the Indians, but his experience his travels or what was found there? across the mountains provided some in­ These questions and Gist's observations sight into their lifestyle. His personal of the regions will be the forthcoming knowledge of the west and the people focus of this series. ^ Ohio Southland--51

3i.

Bridges Mf 'V to Our Past [•;?.^^ ,:~4-i>- '';'^^m^|fSf.7»4ii

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The Columbus Young Covered Bridge in 1974

You can no longer visit this fornner Brown County landmark. Known as the Columbus Young Covered Bridge, it spanned White Oak Creek about three miles north of Higginsport and connected Ohio 221 with Loudon Road. It was constructed circa 1870 and had a span of 158 feet. The wooden truss structure faithfully served the public until 1964 when floodwaters damaged it precipitating its closure for several months. It was reopened to traffic in 1965 but closed a final time in 1974 due to serious structural problems. It rapidly deteriorated for the next five years and collapsed under Its own weight on September 7, 1979. One nearby resident testified of hearing the old bridge "cracking and popping for over an hour" before it fell into the creek and onto the pages of Brown County's history. 52-Ohio Southland

An old brick home, once declared "unrestorable," is now the centerpiece of a fascinating new inn...

Innkeeper Of Adams County

By Marcia Baker Rogue

The Murphin Ridge Inn Dining House serenely sits in a grove of hard­ wood trees. One of the three dining rooms in the Dining House.

The long history of. Adams County, from Indian times to the present day, may rec­ ord numerous innkeepers, from pioneer cabins made available for lone travelers, to larger hostelries, as the movement from east to west became more extensive. It is safe to say that none of the innkeepers could be more interesting, more unusual, or more hospitable than the newest inn­ keeper in Adams County: Bob Crosset; this must include also the innkeeper's lovely wife, Mary Crosset. The new estab­ lishment is known as the Murphin Ridge Inn and the Dining House is now open to the public. The Revolutionary War soldier who was given a Virginia Military Land Grant in the future Adams County would be quite 54--Ohio Southland

The guesthouse, still under construction, is modern in design and will be com­ pleted this spring.

surprised at the 1990 development, as rooms upstairs. would James and Eleanor Spurgeon, who "We are trying to be as authentic as bought the land in 1806. The record possible in the re-creation of the Dining shows that the next year they divided the House and lodge (a separate new struc­ acreage among their four children. John ture). We hope that when people walk in R. Spurgeon and his wife Catherine be­ they can see what it might have been like came the owners of this section on in the late Eighteenth or early Nineteenth Murphin Ridge. Century. Mrs. Crosset says, "The Zane Trace, a "We are making it as nearly as possible pioneer road built in the 1790s (from like what the original owners would have Maysville, Kentucky to Wheeling, West seen in Virginia. They had whitewashed Virginia, now part of state highway 41) walls and colored woodwork. We know passed near Murphin Ridge. This road that Catherine Spurgeon came from Vir­ enabled the early settlers to reach the ginia because she was still living when present location and build. We think a they took the 1850 census and her birth­ large log cabin came first, and we believe place is listed as Virigina. We will name the cabin presently enclosed in the barn is one of the rooms after Catherine. Another the original. It has not been moved; it is room will be named for the local Harsha very old with pegged construction." family, with others yet to be decided." In discussing the brick house now being The tables and chairs for the Dining used as the Dining House, Mrs. Crosset House were crafted by Mr. David T. Smith states, "I imagine the bricks for the 'new' of Morrow, Ohio, and, he has provided the house were made on the place. There is a chandeliers. The chairs are an arrowback Virginia feel to the house—it is a classic Windsor adaptation, comfortable and example of a central passageway Virginia sturdy for commercial use. Bob Crosset "I" House, four rooms downstairs and four tells that a similar chair was dropped from Ohio Southland--55 a dormitory window at Harvard University afternoon tea or after dinner coffee, etc. and didn't break! He says, "I thought we The Crossets speak highly of their needed furniture that was very sturdy, but kitchen operator: "We have a local also looked right in an old inn." cook—she is very good—her name is Carol The table tops have a cherry finish; the Moore. She is experienced and has underneath part is "black green over red," worked in the restaurant business. Carol and the table legs are similar to what is bakes the pies, and she makes lovely, called a shaker leg. The Crossets say that lovely biscuits. in addition to the fine woodwork by David "Tammy Nichols and Mike Conaway, Smith, he is also very skillful in applying who were hired to do buildings and color finishes to give, not only a beauti­ grounds work, 'change hats' and help us ful, but a very old look. This is in keep­ with everything—they wait tables, take ing with the authenticity which will be a care of people, and help with the clean-up. hallmark of Murphin Ridge Inn. Tammy is even responsible for 'Leon,' the The wood parts of the chandeliers are inn cat." different colors, such as dark red with Mary Crosset smiles as she says, "Leon gray-blue over it, and dark green over lives in the barn. He is a lovely, big cat dark red. The draperies for the dining with wonderful whiskers—we list him un­ rooms were obtained from a Pittsburg der 'Inn Employees.' I think the guests company called "Period Creations." They will enjoy him. are simple, in a fishtail swag design. The "As far as our menus are concerned," fabrics (prints, checks, plaids and solids) Mary confides, "we are doing what we are are authentic reproductions. Mrs. Crosset comfortable with and what we know will says, "Everything—colors, draperies, fur­ be successful. As we become more experi­ niture—blends to give a feeling of taking enced, we'll put into practice some of the a step back in time." ideas we dream about now." A modern kitchen has been added to the The Crossets placed an ad in the news­ back of the Dining House. There are three letter published by The Culinary Arts dining rooms and a reception area on'the Institute of New York, a prestigious train­ first floor. Each dining room has a fire­ ing school for chefs and all matters relat­ place, in addition to central heating and ing to cuisine. They consider it almost a air conditioning. There is room for 45 or miracle to have had Lori Bulk respond to more diners at one seating. Upstairs there their ad and to live with them for two are two rooms which may be used for months. She is a farm girl from Vermont private meetings. Food will not be served and loves being in the country. upstairs, with the possible exception of Lori is a graduate of the Culinary Arts

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It^fc^ t^C^t^M.^t^l.^C^lt^>tt<^tH^1V^V2' ^ 56--Ohio Southland

Institute and has been responsible for the the United States Air Force, Bob Crosset operation of several inns. She loves to returned to Cincinnati and accepted a posi­ help people get started and will teach the tion as a teacher in the Cincinnati Public Crossets and their local employees how to Schools. His forte is Elementary Educa­ operate the dining room efficiently and tion, with a special interest in the teaching economically. of reading. He taught at several Cincin­ Just who are the Crossets? How did nati schools, including inner-city schools, they become interested in being innkeep­ before becoming an administrator. ers, with dining rooms for dozens of Dr. Crosset served as Principal at Ken­ people, and a guesthouse of ten rooms, nedy Heights and Washburn Schools. He each with private bath and fireplace? Why was appointed as Director of Elementary

The Dining House as approached from the front with a covered well in tHe foreground. One of the stone lintels on the second story of the old home has the year 1859 prominently carved upon it. Presuming this is the construction date of the house, it would have been built for John Carskaddon, Sr. and his wife, Ann, who purchased the farm from the Spurgeons in 1826.

did they choose Adams County for this Education for schools in the eastern area exciting project, and leave their Cincinnati of Cincinnati, a position from which he home to build a new "innkeeper's house" retired, although he prefers to think of it at Murphin Ridge as their permanent as a job change. home? The answers to these questions are Bob Crosset had always thought of being an interesting story. an innkeeper and when he knew the time Dr. Robert Crosset, Jr., has not always would soon come that he could make a job been an innkeeper. His chosen pursuit as change, he and Mary spent about two an educator has accounted for most of his years considering alternatives. time and energy until his about-face in Mrs. Crosset says, "When Bob knew he careers in the recent past. could change jobs, he thought of all sorts Dr. Crosset received his BA degree from of things...one week, he would do this; the Northwestern University; his Master's and next week it would be that. Always the Doctorate in Education were earned at the thought of being an innkeeper was present, University of Cincinnati. After a stint in but we didn't know enough at that point— Ohio Southland--57 that was in the early '80s. We weren't the fall of 1986, I had stopped to buy ready." some bakery goods from Amishman Roy So, Dr. Crosset decided that the thing he Keim at his stand on Highway 32. I asked really wanted to do most at that time was him if he knew of any land that was avail­ to return to classroom teaching—^just to able. Roy said, 'Yes, I know of a farm see if he could still do it. He taught in that's for sale.' He directed me and that Covington, Kentucky at Holmes High was the first piece of property we School; giving special help to students bought—across the road from Murphin lacking in reading skills. Then they Ridge Inn, the first of several hundred needed him as an administrator; he became acres we now own." principal of two different schools and The Crossets continue: "I think what trained principals to succeed himself. He first attracted our attention was the Nature then taught in the sixth grade, and ended Conservancy interest. We're on the edge up teaching second grade. So he accom­ of Appalachia here, and about 15 minutes plished that—he knew he could teach! from land purchased by the Conservancy, In 1986, always eager for new worlds to where there is a lovely trail that goes up conquer. Dr. and Mrs. Crosset became to Buzzard Roost. We'll have a van and seriously interested in the innkeeper pro­ take groups of people over there to take fession. They went from inn to inn, learn­ the trail. ing all they could, looking for the right "We will also have trails on our land, location, before finally deciding upon because we have 538 acres. For people Murphin Ridge in Adams County. who aren't serious walkers, we can take Mrs. Crossett tells, "One of our criteria them to one of the trails—they can take a was to be in Ohio. We wanted to be on short trail or a long trail, one that suits kind of familiar territory and we love Cincinnati and didn't want to locate too far from home. We couldn't really find a location we wanted—we actually looked at some urban locations, but nothing seemed Pee Pee m appealing. Then we learned about Adams County and decided this would be the chosen place." Gas Mart Bob Crosset takes up the story. "We were talking with some friends of ours in St. Rt. 32 & 247 Cincinnati one day in 1986, and Adams County was mentioned, and that's how it Seaman, Ohio started. By that time we were ready. In "An American Company Serving America" Peebles Flower Shop

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Larry & Pat Shiveley Tfelenora OPEN 24 HOURS 58--Ohio Southland the individual's pleasure. Wherever one wanders, or wherever one looks from a comfortable room in the guesthouse, there is rural beauty to be savored. "Another reason that was important in our selection of Adams County is that we feel there is a need here, that we can make a contribution to the economy and in other ways. We're sure that we made the right decision because the neighbors are so nice to us and the whole community has been extremely supportive. We think they have shown that they want the Crosset venture A peaceful view of the surrounding countryside to be successful. I think they're all inter­ is enjoyed from the back porch of the ested and they want it to work. Dining House. "We have had several parties or get- togethers for the local people, at their could have been a farmer—hard work, but request, and more are scheduled. This is a very satisfying!" happy surprise for us. We thought this The Guesthouse at Murphin Ridge is might happen, but it is coming more coming along nicely and the Crossets hope quickly than we anticipated. Word gets it will be ready for guests in April or around that it's a nice place to have a May. The swimming pool was installed party, and our phone begins to ring. We last fall. The various outbuildings such as feel it is filling a need for the community. the smokehouse, corn crib and barn, and "Senior groups have met here, and busi­ sheep in a nearby pasture, are reminders ness parties. We have had a bridal of farm life. shower. When we have a tea, we're going The Crosset family "christened" to make it as English as possible—banbury Murphin Ridge Inn at Thanksgiving time tarts, cucumber sandwiches and so forth. in 1989. Mary Crosset fairly glows as she We had a very informal 'tea party' not remembers: "We invited all nieces and long ago. Four Amish young ladies came nephews on both sides of the family and over to see the inn." we had 25 people for Thanksgiving week­ Bob Crosset emphasizes, "Our place is end. We took ten rooms at a motel in basically a farm and we will continue to Winchester and it was wonderful to have farm it. We hope that people will come the family. and enjoy being a part of our farm. I "At that time we didn't have central

"Think" McFARLAND COX'S IGA FORD-MERCURYINC. Fresh bakery products, Tablerite meats, 123 N. Main Street 735 E. Main Street crisp fresh produce. Peebles, Ohio West Union, Ohio I Everyday Low Prices Deli Available 513-587-2626 513-544-5515 I 403 Main St. Manchester, Ohio 45144 | I 513-549-2626 t Toll Free 1-800-345-4909 Ohio Southland-59 heat at the inn, but we had the fireplaces and our family christened the inn! Wasn't Murphin Ridge Inn - How To Get There that special? They came from the East In Bob Cresset's own words (more or less), Coast and the West Coast, from Detroit •Driving the Appalachian Highway {Ohio 32) and from Chicago. There were a lot of east from Cincinnati, In about 45 minutes you will come to Winchester, then Seaman. little pre-schoolers, the grandchildren and About four minutes beyond Seaman you will children of nieces and nephews. The come to Unity Road. Turn right, proceed whole occasion was a real thrill. less than a quarter mile and turn left keep­ "It was fun—they were the first people ing on Unity Road. In about five minutes you will come to a four-way stop in the town to sit at the tables and to cook in the of Unity. Turn left here on Wheat Ridge kitchen. The stove was installed on Road and in about four minutes you will Wednesday afternoon and we cooked the pass Tater Ridge Road on the left. The next turkey on Thursday morning. That was a road on the left is Murphin Ridge Road- BIG moment and everyone had a wonder­ there will be a sign that says 'Raber Shoes.' Turn left and after a sharp turn and about ful time." two minutes, you will see our mailbox, #750, That auspicious christening is no doubt on the right and you will see a house with a prophetic of more good times to come at red roof; turn into the lane and we will be so Murphin Ridge Inn. happy to see you." The Murphin Ridge Dining House schedule is Marcia Baker Pogue is a free lance writer as follows: Wednesday through Saturday, and at one time worked as secretary of the Lunch, 11:30-1:00 p.m.; Dinner, 5:30-9:00 Education Center of the Cincinnati Public p.m. Sunday Brunch, 11:30-4:00 p.m. Schools. She_ presently makes her home in For more information and reservations, Cincinnati. call: (513) 544-2263.

STATE BANK OF ADAMS COUNTY Four Locations to Serve You With over 150 Years of Service to the Community

WEST UNION OFFICE 409 W. Main St. A FULL West Union, Ohio 544-5252 SERVICE BANK MANCHESTER OFFICE 210 Pike St. Manchester, Ohio 549-2621

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