a few saplings that were not twisted off. At the base of the
hill stood a log cabin, the home of Royal Hysell. There were
nine persons inside when the storm began, Mr. Royal Hysell
and family, and Mr. James McGuire, Sr. The house was
leveled to a log or two at the bottom, but no one was hurt.
Passing over Thomas Fork, near the residence of Charles
Russell, the wind felled all the heavy timber on the hillside,
and then passed on to the Ohio river, where the Whitlock's
lived, and across the river into Virginia, and report came of
its destructive path many miles into the country.
The first school in the first school-house in Salisbury town-
ship was taught by Samuel Denny, from Massachusetts, who
also helped build the school-house. The school cosisted of
nine scholars, viz.: James Smith, John Smith, Sarah Kerr
and Christena Niswonger, these four from near the mouth of
Leading creek, and five children from Judge Higley's family.
This term of school was in the winter of 1801-1802. Miss
Electa Higley, afterwards Mrs. Benjamin Williams, was the
woman to teach in that school-house. Mr. Denny taught one
year in a house that belonged to Widow Case.
Mr. Denny delivered the first oration at a celebration of
the 4th of July, in 1806. He stood on a mound not far from
the Case house.
Mr. Denny left Ohio in 1810, and returned to Massachusetts,
where he married and died there.
Miss Fanny Smith taught school there, in 1811. She was
married afterwards to Mr. Asa Maples. Probably the next
school in the order of time was taught by James G. Green, a
preacher, from Kentucky in 1809.
Miss Uretta Benedict had a school in a blacksmith's shop,
built by Mr. Rufus Wells, but who had moved to Wilkesville.
This was in 1811. The teacher was afterwards the wife of
Cornelius Merrill. In 1812, Elisha Rathburn taught a school
in a house belonging to Samuel Danforth that stood near the
