Mills.

The first manufacturing establishment of our county was the grist mill. The mills were called "corn crackers." Their motive power was the horse. Then were dozens of these in the county. A little later mills were built along the streams. They were water mills and they not only ground corn and wheat but also sawed lumber. The saw resembled our modern cross- cut saw, and it stood upright. The boards could not be sawed off the logs entirely, and an ax was used to complete the work. There was hardly a stream in the county that had not several mills upon it. Jonathan Creek was "lined" with them. Hood's Run that flows from Somerset toward the Moxahala had five within as many miles. The best known of these were those of 113

Parkinson and Hood, near Somerset. Little Monday- creek had three within three miles. Big Mondaycreek had several, while Sundaycreek and its tributaries and the South Fork of the Moxahala and Rush Creek had their quota. These old mills have disappeared as far as their being used is concerned. The dilapidated ruins of some are yet to be seen, while in many a far- mer's field the boy of to-day looks with wonder at two great, round pieces of rock with a hole in the center of each. These are the burr stones that ground the grain for our forefathers. The presence of so many mills along our streams in former days shows how abundant the running water was and what a change has taken place. Few of our creeks could now furnish enough water. The cutting of the timber is thought to be the cause of this change. To James Moore of Bearfield Township, belongs the honor of being the inventor of the portable saw mill. It did its first work in Bearfield Township, It was only an eight horse power mill, but it was a great step in the evolution of the manufacture of lumber. 114

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