Page images
PDF
EPUB
[ocr errors]

walls before the attack on the fort commenced. The heroism of Elizabeth Zane during the siege is worthy of record. This heroine had but recently returned from school at Philadelphia, and was totally unused to such scenes as were daily transpiring on the frontier:

"The stock of gunpowder in the fort having been nearly exhausted, it was determined to seize the favorable opportunity offered by the suspension of hostilities to send for a keg of gunpowder which was known to be in the house of Ebenezer Zane, about sixty yards from the gate of the fort. The person executing this service would necessarily expose himself to the danger of being shot down by the Indians, who were yet sufficiently near to observe everything that transpired about the works. The colonel explained the matter to his men, and, unwilling to order one of them to undertake such a desperate enterprise, inquired whether any man would volunteer for the service. Three or four young men promptly stepped forward in obedience to the call. The colonel informed them that the weak state of the garrison would not justify the absence of more than one man, and that it was for themselves to decide who that person should be. The eagerness felt by each volunteer to undertake the honorable mission prevented them from making the arrangement proposed by the commandant; and so much time was consumed in the contention between them that fears began to arise that the Indians would renew the attack before the powder could be procured. At this crisis, a young lady, the sister of Ebenezer and Silas Zane, came forward and desired that she might be permitted to execute the service. This proposition seemed so extravagant that it met with a peremptory refusal; but she instantly renewed her petition in terms of redoubled earnestness, and all the remonstrances of the colonel and her relatives failed to dissuade her from her heroic purpose. It was finally represented to her that either of the young men, on account of his superior fleetness and familiarity with scenes of danger, would be more likely than herself to do the work successfully. She replied that the danger which would attend the enterprise was the identical reason that induced her to offer her services, for, as the garrison was very weak, no soldier's life should be placed in needless jeopardy, and that if she were to fall her loss would not be felt. Her petition was ultimately granted, and the gate opened for her to pass out. The opening of the gate arrested the attention of several Indians who were straggling through the village. It was noticed that their eyes were upon her as she crossed the open space to reach her brother's house; but seized, perhaps, with a sudden freak of clemency, or believing that a woman's life was not worth a load of gunpowder, or influenced by some other unexplained motive, they permitted her to pass without molestation. When she reappeared with the powder in her arms the Indians, suspecting, no doubt, the character of her burden, elevated their firelocks and discharged a volley at her as she swiftly glided toward the gate, but the balls all flew wide of the mark, and the fearless girl reached the fort in safety with her prize. The pages of history may furnish a parallel to the noble exploit of Elizabeth Zane, but an instance of greater selfdevotion and moral intrepidity is not to be found anywhere."

Sixteen miles above Wheeling on the river is the thriving business town of Wellsburg. Eight miles east of this place in a healthy, beautiful site among the hills, is the flourishing institution known as Bethany College. It was founded by Elder Alexander Campbell, and is conducted under the auspices of the Disciples or Christians. Their peculiarity is that they have no creed-just simply a belief in the BIBLE as the sufficient rule of Christian faith and practice; thus leaving its interpretation free to each individual mind.

Below Wheeling eleven miles, at the village of Moundsville, on the river flats, is the noted curiosity of this region, the Mammouth Mound. It is 69 feet in height, and is in full view of the passing steamers. An aged oak, cut down on its summit some years since, showed by its concentric circles that it was about 500 years old.

[ocr errors]

Point Pleasant is a small village at the junction of the Kanawha with the Ohio. It is noted as the site of the most bloody battle ever fought with the Indians in Virginia—the battle of Point Pleasant-which took place in Dunmore's war, Oct. 10, 1774. The Virginians, numbering 1,100 men, were under the command of Gen. Andrew Lewis. The Indians were under the celebrated Shawnee chieftain Cornstalk, and comprised the flower of the Shawnee, Wyandot, Delaware, Mingo and Cayuga tribes. The action lasted from sunrise until sunset, and was contested with the most obstinate bravery on both sides. The Virginians at length were victorious, but with a loss of more than 200 of their number in killed and wounded, among whom were some of their most valued officers. This event was made the subject of a rude song, which is still preserved among the mountaineers of western Virginia:

SONG ON THE SHAWNEE BATTLE.

Let us mind the tenth day of October,
Seventy-four, which caused woe,
The Indian savages they did cover
The pleasant banks of the Ohio.

The battle beginning in the morning,

Throughout the day it lashed sore,
Till the evening shades were returning down
Upon the banks of the Ohio.

Judgment precedes to execution,

Let fame throughout all dangers go, Our heroes fought with resolution Upon the banks of the Ohio.

Seven score lay dead and wounded

Of champions that did face their foe,

By which the heathen were confounded,
Upon the banks of the Ohio.

Col. Lewis and some noble captains
Did down to death like Uriah go,
Alas! their heads wound up in napkins,
Upon the banks of the Ohio.

Kings lamented their mighty fallen
Upon the mountains of Gilboa,
And now we mourn for brave Hugh Allen,
Far from the banks of the Ohio.

O bless the mighty King of Heaven
For all his wondrous works below,
Who hath to us the victory given,
Upon the banks of the Ohio.

Ceredo is a new town established by Eli Thayer, of Massachusetts, just before the rebellion, and settled by New England emigrants. It is on the Ohio river, about five miles above the line of West Virginia and Kentucky. The settlement was nearly broken up by the rebellion. A few miles above it is Guyandotte, which was mostly burnt in the war.

CHARLESTON is the most important town in West Virginia excepting Wheeling and Parkersburg. It is in the rich valley of the Kanawha, 46 miles east of the Ohio river, and contains several thousand people. The mineral wealth of this valley is immense in salt and coal. In coal alone, it has been said, this valley could supply the whole world for fifty years, if it could be had from no other source. The Kanawha salt works commence on the river near Charleston and extend on both

sides for nearly fifteen miles. Millions of bushels of salt are annually manufactured. The salt water is drawn from wells bored in solid rock from 300 to 500 feet in depth. Bituminous coal, which abounds in the neighborhood, is used in the evaporation of the water.

LEWISBURG is an important town near the southeastern line of the state, on the direct road from Charleston to Richmond, about 100 miles east from the former, and 200 west from the latter; near it and in the same county, are the Blue Sulphur and White Sulphur Springs: the latter, the most celebrated watering place in the south: long the favorite resort of the wealthy planters and prominent politicians of the south.

The situation of the White Sulphur Springs is charming. it is in a beautiful valley environed by softly curving mountains. Fifty acres or more are occupied with lawns and walks, and the cabins and cottages for the guests, built in rows around the public apartments, the dining-room, the ball-room, etc., which give the place quite a village air. The rows of cottages are variously named, as Alabama row, Louisiana, Paradise, Baltimore, Virginia, Georgia, Wolf and Bachelor rows, Broadway, the Virginia lawn, the Spring, the Colonnade, and other specialities. The cottages are built variously, of brick, wood and logs, one story high. The place is 205 miles west from Richmond, and 242 southwest of Washington City.

In the northern part of the state, in the rich valley of the Monongahela, are some thriving noted towns, as Morgantown, Clarksburg, Weston, etc. At the latter place is the state Asylum for the Insane. The Baltimore & Ohio railroad is doing much for the development of this region of the state. This great work of engineering skill is here given a more than passing notice.

The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, 379 miles in length, extending from the waters of the Chesapeake, at Baltimore, to those of the Ohio, at Wheel

TRAY RUN VIADUCT, B. & O. RAILROAD.

This elegant structure is of cast iron, 600 feet in length, and 150 feet above the level of the stream.

ing, is one of the greatest works of engineering skill on the continent. This important undertaking owes its origin to the far-reaching sagacity of Philip E. Thomas, a Quaker merchant of Baltimore, who lived to see its completion, although nearly thirty years had elapsed from the time of its commencement. At that period, Baltimore city was worth but $25,000,000, yet it unhesitatingly embarked in an enterprise which cost 31,000,000. The first stone was laid on the 4th of July, 1828, by the venerable Charles Carroll, of Carrollton, who pronounced it, next to signing the declaration of independence, the most important act of his life.

[graphic]

"This was at a very early period in the history of railways; and during the progress of the work, from year to year, old theories were exploded and new principles introduced, increasing in boldness and originality as it advanced. Its annual reports went forth as text books; its workshops were practical lecture rooms, and to have worthily graduated in this school, is an honorable passport to scientific service in any part of the world. In its struggles with unparalleled difficulties—financial, physical, legislative and legal—the gallant little state of Maryland found men equal to each emergency as it arose, and the

development of so much talent and high character in various departments, should not be esteemed the smallest benefit which the country has derived from this great enterprise.

The line of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, traversing the Alleghanies, has already become somewhat classic ground. The vicinity of Harper's Ferry, old Fort Frederick, Cumberland, and other portions along the Potomac River, have long been known to the world for their imposing scenery, as well as for their historical interest. It is beyond Cumberland, however, that the grandest and most effective views on this route are presented. The Piedmont grade; Oakland, with its inviting summer atmosphere; Valley River Falls; the Monongahela, and other attractive points, inspire wonder in all who witness them.

Nor should the grand scientific features of the Baltimore and Ohio Road be overlooked. To say nothing of its unique and most successfully planned grades (by which an elevation of nearly three thousand feet above tide is reached), there are its numerous splendid bridges of iron, and brick, and stone; its massive buildings of all kinds; its solidly arched tunnels, and numerous other features, developing the greatest skill and ingenuity upon the part of the strong minds which wrought them. The longest finished tunnel in America is Kingwood Tunnel, 261 miles from Baltimore; it is four fifths of a mile in length, and cost more than a million of dollars!

Our engraving of 'Tray Run Viaduct," says Leslie's Pictorial, from which this is copied, "is from an accurate and faithful drawing, made upon the spot, by Mr. · D. C. Hitchcock, our artist, who has also been engaged in taking numerous. views on this attractive route for the London Illustrated News. Appropriate to our notice of the Tray Run Viaduct, we may quote the following paragraphs from the Book of the Great Railway Celebration of 1857,' published by the Appletons: Cheat River is a rapid mountain stream, of a dark coffee colored water, which is supposed to take its hue from the forests of laurel, hemlock and black spruce in which it has its rise. Our road crossed the stream at the foot of Cranberry grade by a viaduct. This is composed of two noble spans of iron, roofed in on abutments, and a pier of solid freestone taken from a neighboring quarry. Arrived at this point, we fairly entered the 'Cheat River valley,' which presents by far the grandest and most boldly picturesque scenery to be found on the line of this road, if indeed it is not the finest series of railroad views on our continent. The European travelers in our party were as much enraptured by it as were those of us who have never visited the mountains, lakes and glens of Scotia or Switzerland. For several miles, we ran along the steep mountain side, clinging, as it were, to the gigantic cliffs, our cars like great cages suspended-though upon the safest and most solid of beds-midway, as it were, between heaven and earth. At one moment the view was confined to our immediate locality, hemmed in on every side, as we were, by the towering mountain spurs. At the next, a slight curve in the road opened to view fine stretches of the deep valley, with the dark river flowing along its bottom, and glorious views of the forest-covered slopes descending from the peaks to the water's edge. Amazed at the grandeur of the ever-varying scenery of this region, a French gentleman is said to have exclaimed in ecstacy,Magnifique! Zere is nossing like zis in France!' The engineering dif ficulties, overcome in the part of the road within the first few miles west of Cheat River bridge, must have been appalling, but for us the rough places had been made smooth as the prairie levels. After crossing this river itself, at Rowlesburg, the next point was to ascend along its banks the 'Cheat River hill.' The ravine of Kyer's run, a mile from the bridge, 76 feet deep, was crossed by a solid embankment. Then, after bold cutting along the steep, rocky hill side, we reached Buckeye hollow, which is 108 feet below the road level, and finally came to Tray run, which we crossed at a hight of 150 feet above its original bed by a splendid viaduct, 600 feet long, founded on a massive base of masonry piled upon the solid rock below. These viaducts are of iron--designed by Mr. Albert Fink, one of Mr. Latrobe's assistants-and are exceedingly graceful, as well as very substantial structures. When we reached the west end of the great Tray run viaduct, the cars halted, and the company alighted for a better view of the works. A walk of a few feet brought us to the brow of the precipice overlooking the river, nearly 300 feet below. The view from this spot, both of the scenery and the grand structure which so splendidly spanned the immense mountain ravine, was truly inspiring. From our great elevation the stream appeared to be almost beneath our feet, an illusion promptly dispelled when the strongest and longest armed among us failed to throw a stone far enough to drop in its bed. With the entire train full of guests, the band also, alighted here, and taking position near the cliff, struck up the popular air of Love Not,' in sweet harmony with the emotions inspired by the scene.

« PreviousContinue »