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| Title | The Allegheny Pilot
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| Full Text | THE ALLEGHENY RIVER. Probably no river in the world, rolls for the same distance, such a clear and pure current; hence it received its name, "Allegheny, " from the Seneca Indians, meaning ''Fair Water." For the same cause, it was called by the French, "La Belle Rivere." It rises in the northern part of Pennsylvania, passes through a small portion of New York, and winding its way back into Pennsylvania again, runs with its meanderings, not less than fifty miles within the county of "Warren. It also flows through the centre of Venango county, in a direction so very curvical, that there is not a point of the compass to which it does not direct its course. The country along its banks is exceedingly wild and rugged; the river hills being high and precipitous, rising into bluffs and cliffs, sometimes to the height of 300 feet. These bluffs exhibit a wild and picturesque grandeur, well calculated to call forth from the reflecting lover of nature, "Oh! Lord how stupenduous are thy Works." The country on the head waters of the Allegheny yet contains almost inexhaustible supplies of first rate pine lumber. It is supposed that from thirty to fifty million feet of plank and boards, and from fifty to seventy million shingles, descend tne river annually. Further down, the hills are rich with Iron ore of an excellent quality, and Bituminous coal, by which Iron is manufactured in immense quantities. There is not hardly a point on the river, below Franklin, that the sound of the steam whistle of the furnace engine, cannot be heard. The country along the Allegheny, from Warren to Pittsburgh, is now inhabited by an intelligent, industrious, hospitable, and friendly people. Roll back a centary! What a contrast!! Instead of the present enlightened people, this whole region was occupied by the Seneca Indians, The untutored Indian and his rude wigwam is substituted for the sacred Preacher and house of God; the scalp yell for the steam whistle; the bark canoe for the steamboat. Traces are to be found, in almost every direction, of a numerous Indian population once inhabiting this region; and a more appropriate one could hardly be found for their residence. The rugged hills clothed with forest, and abounding with game—the pure sparkling streams flowing among the hills, furnished them excellent fishing grounds, bordered |
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