By Jeff Barger
I am writing in response to an article that appeared in the Sept. 4 edition of The Pendleton Times, regarding the renaming of Redman Run in the Smoke Holes and the possible derivation of the name.
I have grown up hearing bits and pieces of countless stories from Smoke Hole. Several of those stories included Solomon Shirk and his wife, Mary (Full) Shirk, my great-great-great grandparents. They were married on March 19, 1849, and went to housekeeping soon after.
Solomon’s name is referenced several times in Judge Calhoun’s book, “Twixt North and South.” He was, as far as I know, not a slaveholder. He was a Union sympathizer, but was accommodating to both sides during the war to protect his home and family from raids and destruction. He provided food and supplies for soldiers coming through, including the McNeil’s Rangers, who raided his home anyway.
The following excerpt is taken from a 1974 interview with Harman Hartman of North Fork. The article appeared in a Petersburg High School class project titled “Country Roads” under the direction of Ollie Arnold.
“It is particularly interesting how Redman Run got its name. Redman Run got its name originally from the Redman family who lived in Petersburg. That family was at one time slaves of a fellow by the name of Clark who owned most of the Clark Pastures on the North Fork Road, where Mr. Archie Ours used to live near the American Legion building. My great-great grandfather (Solomon Shirk) was doing some work for Mr. Clark at one time. He caught one of the ladies with one of the servants, slaves, eating from a plate she was not supposed to, so he took her out to the whipping post, tied her up and gave her so many lashings. The blood was running down her back and all over and my great-grandfather (Solomon) bought her from Mr. Clark for $400. Then she and her husband moved back in the Smoke Holes on the Shirk land and they named that run (stream) after the Redman family and that’s where it got its name, Redman Run.”
There is no indicator that she was ever Solomon’s slave. He gave her or allowed her to live on a portion of his land down the way from his house. The path or road to the property passed through Deep Hollow or Shirk Hollow.
This is a simple account which leaves as many questions as answers. The 1860 census lists the Redman Dwelling as #835, the next household from Solomon Shirk, #834. They are listed as an independent household; therefore, they must have been freed. I am not sure if they were “legally” emancipated or still owned by Solomon and just given freedom. The roster lists Sanford-46 (years), Harriet (Triplett)-32, Susan-12, and John S.-7. The family is not listed in this location in the 1850 census nor the 1870 census. It is not clear how long they lived here during this 20-year window. In 1870, they were listed in Luney’s Creek Section of the census; I assume this is now Petersburg. He is buried on Town Hill in Petersburg.
There is nothing derogatory or offensive about this story or about the naming of Redman Run in the Smoke Holes. History, when based in truth, should be left unaltered.
