Thursday, March 30, 1899
Sugar making is now the order of the day in Buckeye, and the chimneys of smoke ascend from every camp on hillside and in valley, denoting the industry of the good housewife, while the doughty husbandman loiters at the corner grocery speculating on the probability of rain.
FATAL ACCIDENT
John Sharp, of Dry Branch, was struck by a falling limb and instantly killed last Wednesday near Linwood… John Sharp and his son, Alvy, sawed down a cherry tree and in falling, a very large and heavy dead limb was detached and came down. It struck him on the back of his head and mashed the skull. His neck was broken. Tom Moore, Floyd Ware and Charles Showalter were present at the time of the accident.
The deceased was about 50 years of age. He was a son of John Sharp, a Confederate soldier who fell in Captain Hill’s raid on Beverly, near the close of the war. He leaves a wife, who was a Wamsley, and eight children.
AN INDIAN TRAIL
But few vestiges of Indian trails can be identified in our county, so effectively have they been erased by the plow and the grubbing hoe. There is, however, near Squire Kee’s residence, a very satisfactory trace that is highly interesting and suggestive. It leads from the spring and passes to a large tree in the edge of the woodland, in the direction of the William Kee place.
It is the opinion of persons who have studied Indian history that the Ohio Indians never reared winter lodges in this county, but merely occupied temporary lodges in seasons of hunting and fishing, or while on the warpath for hostilities with the tribes in the South and Southwest. The clear and shallow waters swarming with fish and the forests overflowing with buffalo, elk and deer, attracted by the mineral waters and the succulent vegetation that abounded in such marvelous profusion in the valleys and rich hollows, made this region the choicest of places for easy and plentiful supplies…
Col. Henry Haymond, of Clarksburg, spoke upon the Indians of West Virginia at the banquet of the Sons of the Revolution at a recent meeting. The following is an excerpt from his speech:
“The flint out of which their weapons and tools were made is found in Ritchie, Randolph and Pocahontas counties.
“While they constructed no roads, they had regular routes of travel, which were beaten into well-defined paths by the passing feet of many generations of pedestrians which were as plain to the Indian as a turnpike to the white man.”
YELK ITEMS
Plenty of rain and mud. Sugar making in full blast.
L. D. Sharp sells three boxes of cobbler’s shoe nails for a nickel.
S. M. Gibson has just returned from the depot at Huttonsville. He says he knows there is a bottom in the road, but he couldn’t find it.
Died, at his home on Elk, Mr. John Hannah, aged 83 years. He was one of the early settlers of this neighborhood, and was the oldest citizen of this community. Peace to his ashes.
DILLEY’S MILL ITEMS
Weather fine, frogs cheep, birds sing.
Amos Friel lost a horse some days ago.
Harry Shrader is nursing a very bad sprained ankle.
We learn that S.J. Boggs expects to run a branch store at Frost.
DEATHS
Colonel John W. Ruckman died at his residence near Mill Point Thursday, March 16, 1899, aged over 70 years. During his life, he was a citizen of prominence in county affairs, and was especially successful as a farmer and stock dealer. As a person of strict integrity in his business relations, his reputation ranks with the highest… Thirty-six years ago, he was suddenly deprived of the faculty of hearing in a mysterious manner that has puzzled the medical profession. His decease was preceded by a lingering illness and his departure calm and peaceful as the setting sun of a still autumnal evening. He was a devout and consistent member of the Oak Grove Presbyterian Church. He is survived by his son, Matt-hew Ruckman, and daughter, Mrs. Kenney Hogsett.
– – –
John Hannah died on Elk, the 15th instant, more than 80 years of age. Mr. Hannah was a very industrious citizen and made a good living for a large family of sons and daughters, most of whom survive him and revere his memory, and all are respected for their industry and self-reliance… Mr. Hannah took a lively interest in the welfare of his large family and he had the privilege of seeing them nicely situated for life. He and his sons have done an important and valuable service in developing one of the most prosperous sections of our county, in the face of obstacles of climate and rugged forests that none can appreciate until they try it by actual experiment. Such citizens richly merit the lasting remembrance of those who enjoy the fruits of the faithful toilings. ~ W. T. P.