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HISTORY
OF GREENE COUNTY |
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The original houses built by the first settlers were rude log
structures, with puncheon floors, clapboard roof, held down by weight
poles, and doors made of split puncheons hung with wooden hinges,
greased paper for window glass, and furniture to correspond. Of these,
two are still standing upon their original foundations (1881); one, a
two story log, on the north side of west Main Street, on the first lot
west of James M. Cooper’s hardware store. This house was built in 1805
by Mr. Bonner, father of Frederick Bonner, for Rev. James Towler, as a
parsonage. The other, the first house east of Samuel Holmes residence,
was built by James Buntin, in 1806. He shortly afterwards sold it, and
left the town. These houses are not both weather-boarded, and would not
be recognized as the original cabins.
At this period, 1803 to 1805, the whole country around Xenia was one unbroken forest, beneath whose sylvan shades the timid deer lay day to rest; among whose branches the playful squirrel sported in freedom, the songs of birds made the forests redolent with music, and altogether a scene of natural beauty and harmony presented itself to the senses-delightful and enchanting. But as if nature could not blend in such harmony, the charm is broken by the dismal midnight howl of the wolf, or the blood-curdling whoop of the red man. Amid such surroundings our forefathers hewed a resting place for themselves, and planned for us the beautiful homes we now enjoy. When the family of Mr. Bonner moved into their cabin, in 1803, there was a family about two miles south of them by the name of Price. Two miles north, on or near, the present villa of the Roberts heirs, lived Remembrance Williams and his family, in a small log hut. On the west, from the Little Miami to the crossing at Caesar’s Creek of the Wilmington and Xenia pike, there was but one cabin. Near Oldtown run, about a mile and a half from Mr. R. Williams’ hut, stood a cabin, the only house this side of Massie’s Creek, occupied by a family of Stumps. (END) |
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