EARLY MANNERS, CUSTOMS, ETC.
Luke Kelley’s Reminiscences #3
Submitted by Bob Davisson
Ironton Register August 10, 1854
Mr. Kelley relates that the first settlers of this region were all peaceable, industrious, temperate, and well-disposed people–would mind their own affairs if let alone, but were quick and decided in action if stragglers and evil-doers interfered with them. They were hospitable and neighborly and never made any charges for entertaining strangers and ferrying them across the river, or assisting movers, unless in cases where certain strangers, as Mr. Kelley says, “would go to putting on airs.”
The first settlers assisted one another in clearing up their lands, and they used to have “great times” at log rolling. One spring Mr. Kelley says he rolled logs for his neighbors sixteen days in succession, Sundays excepted. At a log rolling, the people of the neighborhood would assemble, and after designating two of “the best men” (physically, of course) as Captains, they would choose sides and “go at it.” They would tumble the logs into piles, each party striving to outdo the other. A drunken man could not come in at a log rolling as he was not considered a safe hand. The actual settlers were all sober men.
There was no law to suit the exigencies of the times. Consequently, lynching used to be practiced, not to the extent of taking life. If a worthless scamp came into the neighborhood and stole or made any disturbance, as some would, he was immediately arrested, tied to a tree, and whipped until he would leave the parts. For instance, a man near Hecla Landing was detected stealing hogs. He would not leave and was finally tied to a tree but whipped “mercifully;” he laughed at it. John Stover sang: “By piper, he has not got enough!”–when they “tanned his jacket” so severely, he promised to go if they would let him. He was placed in a canoe with provisions and started down the river–the last I ever heard of him.
The last case of this kind of law here was in 1819 or 1820 after the county was organized. A man stole a rifle from Amaziah Davisson; he was followed and overtaken at Wheelersburg but begged hard not to be taken back, and in consideration of his begging, and perhaps to save trouble, as the rifle was recovered, he was taken out a short distance, a small crowd collected, and the whipping took place.
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