Through the County

[For the Register] 
Through the County.
Ironton Register, April 1, 1869 
Author: T. A. Walton 

Going northward from modern Rome, by the way of the new road, I found it dry traveling until I reached C. Forgey’s farm, on Wolf Creek. Here I saw lumber ready to build a dwelling house for the Captain. He has a good farm, it lies well and produces good crops. Next to him is M. Songer, who has been making some improvements on his farm, such as stables and other small buildings, and has a good pile of lumber for other buildings – the effect of having a portable mill near him.

The next thing to note is the Wakefield bridge across Indian Guyan, which is considered (by some) unsafe for teams – the effect of building on a sandy foundation. Mr. E. W. Wakefield seems well fixed to enjoy life in his snug little home; but he and the public need a repair of the Pike in the narrows just above his house. Something must be done there soon by old Lawrence or its managers.

• Next, we notice, is the grade on the Pinkerman Hill, done by order of Commissioner Wilgus. It is a good job and was much needed.
• Next, we met was Mr. Enochs, the father of the General. He is the same go-ahead man that he was when I first saw him, fifteen years ago.
• Next, was Mr. Z. Wells, who has been moving about from north to here, and from here to Iowa, and finally back to the hills of Lawrence and settled down well satisfied with poor little Lawrence.

We laid out a road from R. Walls’ farm on Robinson branch, to W. Moredick’s on the ridge, passing through the lands of Z. Wells and a part of Mannon’s. Found the road to be one very much needed.

• Next, we met was C. Dillon, who says he has sold out and bought over in Lincoln, W. Va., where he can have plenty of room.

We found here that Mr. Wilgus and Massie had been having some more work done on the road. Then down Long Creek, where we found more mud than the law allows; and at the Clark bridge, on Long Creek, there is great need of a fill.

• Next, we notice is Arabia, where there have been great improvements; and Rising Sun which joins it, is trying to rise and shine, in hopes that its light will come, for they are now preparing to build a church. The stores at Arabia seem to be doing their share of business.
• Next, we met was S. R. Vermillion, who is as clever as ever, and seems to be climbing up. – He had a lot of No. 1 Rome Beauty Apples from his orchard last year.
• Next, we come to the nice new mansion of L. A. Griffith, who seems to be preparing to live at home. He is one that can enjoy life; the Squire has a nice grazing farm. May cattle never fall on his hands.
• Next, we come to Sam Burke’s. – Here we feel at home. He has a nice place for a residence, a convenient house, barn, stables, and many other buildings; has fine fruit trees, vines and bushes, and plenty of them; has a good garden, and a home-made fish pond. He raised his own fish, fruits, vegetables, grain, fowls, butter, animals and honey, and takes the papers, and if he don’t enjoy life I would like to know who does. The next to note is the new bridge across Johns’ Creek. May there be a constant increase in bridges on this creek until there is at least six.
• Next, we notice the fine farms, orchards, and new houses of Absalom Stewart, C. M. Stewart, Thos. Griffith and George Stewart. They have been spreading out like a green-bay tree, and their children have some of them grown up and married since I last saw them.
• Next, we notice is Upper Buffalo, which is in very much need of a bridge or two. We came then to Alexander Massie’s, on the Shope farm. Here we find that he has been improving the farm, and says he makes it pay. The whole family seem busy. The women do a great deal of weaving and dyeing. Here we began the road which we surveyed to Olive Furnace, passing up Buffalo and Indian Creeks, crossing the Jackson road, and long the ridge to the lookout, then down Kimble Creek, and over the hill to Olive branch of Pine, at the Furnace.

Having had Sam. Burke, Sam. Clarkson, and Sam. McGugin, Charley Nevius and John Powers with us on the road, we could not help having a good time of it, notwithstanding the thunder storm, the hail, rain and snow which we had to go through. We were very tired and cold, but Sam. (I like that name) had a good fire and supper prepared ready for us, and here we met Squire Griffith, who was ever ready to assist us.

After being well entertained by Mr. McGugin, we started to Buckhorn Furnace. – Here is where, just 29 years ago, we first saw iron “run like molasses.” – These who were here then are all gone. We next noticed the ore above the furnace, where they are drifting for an 18 inch or strata; if it will pay to drift for 18 inches what would it do for ore 6 feet? Then we went on top of the high divide, where we could see for miles around; could see the smoke of boats at Ironton, and from thence to Sciotoville, or below. This is a nice place to see Nature’s formations. – We came down Bear Run, where they are preparing to raise big crops of corn.

• Next, we noticed was Centre Furnace, now owned by W. D. Kelly & Sons. Here we found J. O. Griffith, who has served his life nearly at a furnace. He and three of his sons each have a position at this furnace. Lindsey Kelly is chief of this department.

From here going westward came to Pine Creek – the crookedest, dirtiest and laziest stream in Southern Ohio – where we found a good bridge, but we soon came to Cooney Creek, where there is a bridge, but it needs a fill of nearly a half mile to make it accessible at all times.

• Next, we met was John Holliday, who seems to appreciate the value of a good road, and with others is trying to get a free turnpike (gravelled) road from Ironton to the county line near Empire Furnace, or G. B. Porter’s.) I with them think it is much needed, and would be of great benefit to the county, and especially to Ironton, and the citizens along the route. – Next we notice is Squire Porter’s farm and dwelling house. He too seems to be in for improvements in farms and roads.

We came then to Empire Furnace where we found Messrs. Fosythe and three sons-in-law, (E. Crandel, L. T. Murfin, and J. Fulsom) and their families, who was all very kind and good company too, so we stayed over Sunday.

On Sunday, we attended their Sabbath School, where we heard some good singing by the children, and noticed that the school worked like a clock, all regular. At 2 1/2 p.m., we heard T. W. Wakefield preach a very good sermon. His subject was the “Love of God.” The people seem to be very well pleased with Thomas; I predict that he will do a great deal of good. He is holding a protracted meeting at Etna Furnace, where I hear that there have been some conversions.

Empire Furnace is in the most Western part of Lawrence county – the county line running through the pot-house, and one corner of the stack – and the manager’s house being part in Lawrence and part in Scioto County at about a quarter of a mile north and two miles south of the stack. The company is selling off tracts to suit purchasers, for farming purposes. I think it will be a good thing for them and the county too. Now, having traveled from the southeast corner to the extreme west point of the county and spun rather too lengthy a tale, I will close for the present and perhaps may start eastward again.

Yours, &c.;,

T. A. Walton.