southeast Ohio road trip

mosaic above front entrance St. John the Evangelist Logan Ohio

glazed brick fired in Logan, in front of St. John's (1897)

2007 Mural of Mingo leader Logan the Orator 1780†, on side of bank next to park on the chief intersection. Quotation is covered up. Only the words “not one” are visible. 

Logan's Lament delivered near Circleville

“I appeal to any white man to say, if ever he entered Logan's cabin hungry, and he gave him not meat; if ever he came cold and naked, and he clothed him not. During the course of the last long and bloody war, Logan remained idle in his cabin, an advocate for peace. Such was my love for the whites, that my countrymen pointed as they passed, and said, Logan is the friend of the white men. I have even thought to live with you but for the injuries of one man. Col. Cresap, the last spring, in cold blood, and unprovoked, murdered all the relations of Logan, not sparing even my women and children. There runs not a drop of my blood in the veins of any living creature. This has called on me for revenge. I have sought it: I have killed many: I have fully glutted my vengeance. For my country, I rejoice at the beams of peace. But do not harbor a thought that mine is the joy of fear. Logan never felt fear. He will not turn on his heel to save his life. Who is there to mourn for Logan? Not one.”

Southeast Ohio mined coal, and clay. The towns produced glass, ceramics, pipe, and brick. The coal mine owners were harsh, and greedy bastards. The formation of unions were necessary, and were put down by all means available. I remember reading, Nelsonville was Local #1 of the United Mine Workers (i do not have the citation here). Most of the coaling was done after the War for the Union (1861-5), and ended after World War II.

Public Square of Nelsonville Ohio has this two-sided marker concerning the Hocking Valley Coal Strike of 1884-5. There has been periods of time, in which the recounting of such history was not approved. We still have powerful forces that want such recollections not to be public knowledge.

Karma did a circuit around this fountain, and was miffed there was no opening. She enjoys a dip in such pools. It was in the mid-80s at the time.

On a hill above, Betty's Cross [click] stands above town, and yes Nelsonville is a town again (5,000).

Piggly Wiggly is the best name in the grocery business. Always thought, they were a southern chain. Ohio has five stores, and the most northerly one is in The Plains. The store had been a Big Bear, and then a Foodland. Inside The Plain's store is the banner infra.

Athens High is in The Plains. The football stadium is now named after Joe Burrow, Class of 2015. In 2019, he was awarded the Heisman Trophy for being the best college football player. The vote was a rout, he had won by the greatest margin in its history. More importantly, is what he said,

“Coming from southeast Ohio, it’s a very, very impoverished area. The poverty rate is almost two times the national average. There are so many people there that don’t have a lot, and I’m up here for all those kids in Athens and Athens County that go home to not a lot of food on the table, hungry after school. You guys can be up here, too.”

In a few days, a few hundred thousands of dollars came to charities in Athens County, including the county food bank. The county school board voted to name the stadium after him.

This sundial is on the spot of the first building of Ohio University Athens. It sees very little sun, so it is largely inoperative. Many thousands of people have walked by it, and did not notice.

The Ohio Coal Miner. Alan Cottrill. 2012. Byesville.

Cassius is posing in front of the statue. The miner has the tools of his trade with him. Historical details alluding to the history are on the statue:  half of a fore finger is missing, in a jacket pocket there is a medallion numbered 382, for the number of miners dying while working in Guernsey County. There is a coal miners' museum to the left, and a train exhibit to the right.

signs on a garage, Byesville