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Border Settlers of Northwestern VirginiaBorder Settlers of Northwestern Virginia. Lucullus Virgil McWhorter. Paperback, (1915), repr. 2004, New, Index, 520 pp. In the contest for land Jesse Hughes bore a part far beyond that of the average settler. He was one of those woodsmen in whom was concentrated the hardihood, the daring, the fierce and uncontrollable spirit of our barbarous ancestors in the fens and on the swamp shores of Northwestern Europe. It was war, danger, adventure. On the trail of the wild Indian his soul was hardened to iron and Jesse's nature grew more savage than that of the man he hunted. He was grim, cruel, relentless, and bloodthirsty. But he was the product of the age in which he lived.
This vast work comprehends the first explorations, settlements, and Indian wars, as well as notes, anecdotes, and biographies of the Border scouts and pioneers, with copious memoranda and remarks concerning the military careers--mostly Revolutionary--of numerous Border settlers. Sown throughout the work are biographical sketches, genealogies, and thumbnail portraits of the early pioneers and settlers. With judicious impartiality the narrative surveys the depredations of Indian and pioneer alike, correcting a good many errors and misconceptions put by previous writers. Incident builds upon incident, anecdote upon anecdote, hair-raising account upon hair-raising account, until the whole incredible narrative of Trans-Allegheny frontier life becomes as evocative as if it had been lived at little remove. MC-M2609 |