by Marie Bundy

At the very center of the crossing of Main and Chestnut streets in Barnesville was a very strong spring and out from it to the south extended a marsh. This marsh was a great bear wallow. John Shannon, when a boy, shot a bear at this wallow which when cleaned weighed over four hundred pounds. Later the spring was dug up and walled up like a well, boxed in, with windlass and bucket and iron ladle chained at its side. The "Duck Creekers" and "Captiners" used to assemble here after exchanging their ginseng and pelts for salt, coffee, muslin and whisky. A signboard pole was planted on the northwest corner pointing the way to McConnelsville, Old Wheeling Road, Cambridge and the Flats of Grave Creek.

Source: The History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties

 

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