RIVALRY BETWEEN EARLY OHIO AND KENTUCKY
SETTLERS.
[The following article, by a well-known
historical writer, recently
appeared in one of the daily prints. It
throws an interesting side-light
upon the early settlements on the
Ohio.-EDITOR.]
The very first road that was laid out by
engineers to lead to
Cincinnati was referred to in the
following advertisement in an
issue of the Kentucky Gazette, published
at Lexington and
edited by John Bradford, dated September
6, 1788; three months
before actual settlement here:
"NOTICE-The subscribers, being
proprietors of a tract of land op-
posite the mouth of the Licking River on
the northwest side of the Ohio,
have determined to lay off a town upon
that excellent situation. The
local and natural advantages speak its
future prosperity, being equal if
not superior to any on the bank of the
Ohio between the Miamis. The
in-lots to be each a half an acre, the
out-lots to be four acres, 30 of each
to be given to settlers upon paying $1.50
for the survey and deed of each
lot. The 15th day of September is
appointed for a large company to meet
in Lexington and mark out a road from
there to the mouth of the Lick-
ing, provided Judge Symmes arrives,
being daily expected. When the
town is laid off lots will be given to
such as may become residents before
the first day of April next.
"MATTHIAS DENMAN,
"ROBERT PATTERSON,
"JOHN FILSON,
FREE OF CHARGE.
"The conditions for settling the
town are as follows: That
the first 30 in or out lots of said town
to so many of the most
early adventurers shall be given by the
proprietary, Messrs. Den-
man, Ludlow and Patterson, who, for
their part, do agree to
make a deed in fee simple clear of all
charge and incumbrance
except the expense of surveying and
deeding the same so soon as
Judge Symmes can obtain a deed from
Congress.
"The lot holders, for their part,
do agree to become actual
settlers on the premises; they shall
plant and attend two crops
(30)