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Story
July 5, 1820
The Hillsborough Recorder
Hillsboro, Orange County, North Carolina
What is this article about?
A traveller recounts the origin of the name Ohio from early settlers: the river was named by warring Indian tribes, signifying 'war river,' 'bloody river,' or 'dream of war.' Shared via Salem Gazette correspondent.
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THE OHIO.
An obliging correspondent has communicated to us the following curious information respecting the origin of the name Ohio.
Salem Gaz.
As one of the finest ships in our navy bears the name of Ohio, it may be gratifying to some of our gallant officers to know the definition of the word. During my travels through that state, a few years since, I became acquainted with some of its earliest settlers, men of good information, who gave me the following history or origin of the word Ohio. That noble river, from which the state derives its name, was formerly inhabited on its banks by several warlike Indians, who were very numerous, and almost always at war with each other. Consequently rival tribes would frequently meet in canoe on the river, and during the immense struggle made, they gave it the name of Ohio, which signifies the war river, or, as some of the Ohioians express it, the Bloody river; and others that it is the dream of war. This is the tradition handed down by the chiefs to the first settlers, and as given to me by them, and I believe, the Ohio bears the warlike name of any state in the Union. If this explanation is deemed a curiosity, by giving it publicity you will much oblige
A TRAVELLER.
An obliging correspondent has communicated to us the following curious information respecting the origin of the name Ohio.
Salem Gaz.
As one of the finest ships in our navy bears the name of Ohio, it may be gratifying to some of our gallant officers to know the definition of the word. During my travels through that state, a few years since, I became acquainted with some of its earliest settlers, men of good information, who gave me the following history or origin of the word Ohio. That noble river, from which the state derives its name, was formerly inhabited on its banks by several warlike Indians, who were very numerous, and almost always at war with each other. Consequently rival tribes would frequently meet in canoe on the river, and during the immense struggle made, they gave it the name of Ohio, which signifies the war river, or, as some of the Ohioians express it, the Bloody river; and others that it is the dream of war. This is the tradition handed down by the chiefs to the first settlers, and as given to me by them, and I believe, the Ohio bears the warlike name of any state in the Union. If this explanation is deemed a curiosity, by giving it publicity you will much oblige
A TRAVELLER.
What sub-type of article is it?
Curiosity
Historical Event
What themes does it cover?
Exploration
What keywords are associated?
Ohio Origin
Indian Tradition
War River
Bloody River
Ohio Settlers
What entities or persons were involved?
A Traveller
Where did it happen?
Ohio River And State
Story Details
Key Persons
A Traveller
Location
Ohio River And State
Story Details
Traveller learns from early Ohio settlers that the river's name Ohio originates from warlike Indian tribes who fought on it, meaning 'war river,' 'Bloody river,' or 'dream of war,' a tradition from the chiefs.