[162] What adds to the beauty of Mr. Tannehill’s seat is, a handsome grove of about two acres of young black oaks, north-west of his dwelling, through the middle of which runs a long frame bowery, on whose end fronting the road, is seen this motto, “1808, Dedicated to Virtue, Liberty and Independence.” Here a portion of the citizens meet on each 4th of July, to hail with joyful hearts the day that gave birth to the liberties and happiness of their country. On the opposite side of the road to the bowery, is a spring issuing from the side of the hill, whose water trickles down a rich clover patch, through which is a deep hollow with several small cascades, overhung with the willow, and fruit trees of various kinds.—Cramer.
[163] This rivulet derives its appellation from the circumstance of a woman named Susan, nicknamed Suke, having either hung herself in a thicket of plum trees here, or drowned herself in the run, about thirty-five years ago.—Cramer.
[164] Major Abraham Kirkpatrick, a Marylander by birth and a Revolutionary officer, was one of the earliest settlers of Pittsburg. A brother-in-law of John Neville, he aided the latter in his difficulties with the insurgents in the Whiskey Rebellion. Nevertheless, he was popular in his vicinity, and left a number of descendants who became useful citizens.—Ed.
[165] We are sorry to have it to acknowledge that horse racing, contrary to an express law of the state, has been more or less practised within the vicinity of this place a few years back, but are pleased with the prospect of having it totally abolished by the influence of its evident impropriety, danger, and wickedness, operating on the minds of the more thoughtful and judicious.—Cramer.
{232} Notes made in descending the rivers Ohio and Mississippi in the spring of 1808—from Maysville.
CHAPTER XXXVIII
Columbia—Newport—Cincinnati—Port William—Louisville and the falls.
May 7th, at 8 P. M. departed from Maysville—8th, the Ohio is safe and clear of obstructions from Maysville to the Little Miami river, fifty-six miles.
Little Miami is a beautiful river, sixty or seventy yards wide, falling into the Ohio on the right from the northward.
The village of Columbia just below, is beautifully situated on an extensive bottom. Seven miles lower we passed on the left the village of Newport, containing a large brick arsenal and magazine, the property of the general government. It is just above the conflux of Licking river, which is about one hundred yards wide. The banks of the Ohio display a great sameness so far, they having a gentle slope, and rich soil, thickly wooded and thinly inhabited.