the vernacular of the modern harvest-field hand, "Rehoboth has
gone by."
Bristol was laid out in 1816, and was then called Burlington. Its
citizens were ambitious, and made provision for the new court-house.
A gallant struggle for the prize ensued, but neither the charms of
THE OLD COURT-HOUSE, SOMERSET
Bristol nor the energy of its citizens availed. Since then the town has
lapsed into what the late Mr. Cleveland described as "innocuous
desuetude."
New Lexington, the city on a hill, commanding magnificent views
of the surrounding country, was laid out in 1817. James Comly was
the founder. Jacob Barnthistle, a tanner, builded the first house, and
it stood just back of the present City Hall. The modesty of early inhab-
itants is no doubt responsible for the absence of a public square, and
they do not seem to have had the presumption to aspire for the county
seat. Nevertheless, in 1857, New Lexington's claims to the distinction
were successful, and the court-house was finally located here.
Wolfe Town is the name given to a hamlet north of Junction City.
It was never platted, but once had a tannery and several stores. It is
best known to-day as "Hardscrabble."
Crossenville was laid out in 1817, and for many years was the center
of a large tobacco trade.
Mount Perry had its origin in Hendrick's Mill, in 1820. The mill
has gone, and the town has become a pretty village on the Zanesville &
Western Railroad. It is surrounded by a fine agricultural section, but
has no industries.
Millertown, Monroe Township, was platted in 1834. During the
Civil War, General Morgan, the Confederate cavalryman, slept there one
night. No other claims to distinction mark this place.
Straitsville, now Coal, was laid out in 1835 by Jacob
Isaac Strait. Its chief claim to notice was its coal mines. New
Straitsville succeeded it, and is now quite an animated village
on a branch of the Hocking Valley Railroad. Coal mining is
still the chief business of its people.
Jackson Township once had a town known as Mount Hope.
Its site is where the Somerset and Logan roads cross the Lan-
caster and Harmar road. The mount is there, but the "hope"
of a town has died out, though old neighbors affectionately call
the place "Mount Hope."
Oakfield was platted in 1835, and still survives.
Thornport was laid out in 1839. It once had a canal, a
grain warehouse, and made many claims to commercial great-
ness. The canal has dried up, the grain elevator is dismantled,
and Thornport reposes in a reminiscent mood. It is the station
on the B. & O. and Z. & W. to which you purchase tickets for
Thornville.
"Stringtown on the Pike" is a name given to a collection of
houses three miles southwest of Crooksville. General Ritchie,
who secured Phil Sheridan his West Point cadetship, lived
here, and it once was the home of Dr. Thompson, president of
the Ohio State University. Here its history ceases.
Sayre, a village on the Z. & W. branch from Crooksville
to Shawnee, is a place of two stores, and some very pretty
homes. It was once the junction place of two railroads. Many years
ago a railroad connected Sayre with Shawnee Junction, twelve miles
east on the Muskingum River. The road-bed, falling trestles and rotten
bridges, mark the right of way of this once active enterprise. Opera-
tions were gradually suspended, but did not cease abruptly. At first,
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trains ran three times a day; then once a day; then, every other day;
then twice weekly; then, when traffic warranted; finally, the iron horse
was spirited away, and Porterville, two and one-half miles west, which
was greatly benefited, was left without a railroad, and has had none in
nine years.
Porterville was platted in 1848 by John Porter. Near here was
born and reared "Uncle" Jerry Rusk. former Secretary of Agriculture,
and Governor of Wisconsin. Porterville is nearly in Morgan County.
It is a pretty village, and around it is a rich farming section of the county.
Saltillo is a small village on the Z. & W., four miles north of Crooks-
ville, by rail. By road over the hills, which are as high as mountains,
and nearly perpendicular, nobody knows how far it is. The mining of
coal and the manufacture of stoneware are the principal industries.
It is now the home of the coroner, Dr. F. A. Axline.
Whippstown is near Moxahala. There is nothing like a town except
the name. The country about is fertile and prosperous. Many fine
farms add to the charm and value of this section.
Clarksville, in Jackson Township, was laid out in 1854. Here is
located St. Patrick's Church and one or two houses.
Junction City, in the valley to the north, at the junction of the B. &
O., the T. & O. C. and the Pennsylvania railroads, looked more like a
town than Clarksville, so that the latter never got beyond its swaddling
clothes. Junction City, however, has become a busy, bustling place,
having many large industries, a bank, fine schoolhouses, many stores,
two hotels, lumber yards and machine shops. It is the scene of a rich
oil field, and the sinking of wells, many of which have been great pro-
ducers, has stimulated activity in all lines. Junction City has become
the busiest place in Perry County.
Middletown is between Somerset and Logan. The building of the
tunnel is responsible for the founding of the place. It was laid out in
1853. It is still "laid out." having attained to little commercial distinction.
McLuney was platted and organized in 1855. It is the centre of a
rich coal field, and mining is the principal business.
One of the oldest towns is McCuneville, which had an existence as
early as 1829, and was the scene of extensive salt works. It was platted
in 1873. Coal mining has given place to the making of salt.
Shawnee was laid out by T. J. Davis in 1872, and is a place of many
industries, fine stores, a bank, brick works and coal mines.
Glenford, on the B. & O. and Z. & W. between Somerset and Thorn-
ville, is a thriving village of many stores, a bank, fine church edifices
and an imposing new high school building.
Corning, known as the Oil City of the county, was laid out in 1878
by Joseph Rodgers. It is a live place, on the T. & O. C., having fine
stores, brick works, coal mines and other industries.
Rendville adjoins Corning on the north. It was platted in 1879 by
Captain T. J. Smith and W. P. Rend. Coal mining has always been the
principal industry. During a strike, many years ago, the operators
secured colored people from Virginia. These soon became in
PERRY COUNTY INFIRMARY
the majority in the town, so that Rendville may be called "Dark-
Town." Its people are thrifty, enterprising and have made good citizens.
While most of them work in the mines, many have become merchants,
doctors and preachers, and are demonstrating in a quiet way what edu-
cation and environment may do for the colored people.
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