USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Brookville > A pioneer history of Jefferson county, Pennsylvania and my first recollections of Brookville, Pennsylvania, 1840-1843, when my feet were bare and my cheeks were brown > Part 63
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Common hands on the river received one dollar per day and board ; pilots, two and three dollars per day and board. Lebbeus Luther kept the Red Mill boarding-house in 1843-44. Then the " head" sawyer on the Red Mill received twenty-five dollars per month and board ; the assistant, eighteen dollars a month and board ; and common hands, fifteen dollars a month and board.
Mr. John S. Barr, who is still living, informs me that the usual re- ligious exercises on Sunday at the Red Mill in 1844 were wrestling, fish- ing, pitching quoits, shooting at mark, running foot-races, and " jumping by the double rule of three."
The Bear Creek mill was run by Alvan H. Head, and the Beech Bot- tom mill by Cobb & Ruloffson. The logging was conducted with cattle. Cobb & Ruloffson had that year an advertisement in the paper for hands to drive oxen. The diet at these old mills was bread, potatoes, beans, flitch, and molasses, brown sugar, old-tasted butter, coffee and tea with- out cream, and, for dessert, dried apple-sauce or pie. Labor was cheap. Pine boards of the finest quality sold in Louisville, Kentucky, at seven and nine dollars per thousand. If the operator cleared twenty-five or fifty cents on a thousand feet he was thankful.
What pilots and hands on the river received, I cannot recall. All goods and groceries were dear ; they had to be hauled from Olean, New York, or Watterson Ferry, on the Allegheny River. Money was scarce, the people social and kind. Whiskey and New England rum were three cents a drink. The landlords, being generally hard up, were always a little short, but managed to get a fresh supply of whiskey for court week,-I suppose for the judges.
In 1855 the township officers were :
Assessor .- Horace Warner.
Assistant Assessors .- M. L. Ross, D. S. Luther.
School Directors .- H. A. Pattison and H. Souther for three years each, and Isaiah Cobb for two years.
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PIONEER HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNA.
Supervisors .- P. T. Brooks and Harvey Henry.
Auditor .- H. A. Pattison.
Justice of the Peace .- Matthew L. Ross.
Judge of Election .- Caleb Dill.
Inspectors of Election .- H. A. Parsons, R. Maginnis.
Overseers of the Poor .- Horace J. Thayer, Charles McVean.
Town Clerk .- M. L. Ross.
Constable .- A. H. Head.
In this year the first Protestant church was commenced in the county. All I know about that is this : One day a large, fine- looking, well-dressed man came into the office and requested Mr. Powell to subscribe some- thing for a church. Mr. Powell was poor, and demurred. The man per- sisted, but Mr. Powell further objected, whereupon the stranger became indignant, and vehemently declared, " It is a God damn shame there isn't a Protestant church in the county, and I'll be God damned if I stop till there is one !" At the end of this Christian exhortation Mr. Powell subscribed five dollars. The scene was so dramatic and ridiculous, I inquired who the stranger was, and Mr. Powell told me he was Alfred Pearsall, from Jay township. I understood afterwards Mr. Pearsall suc- ceeded and erected his church, called Mount Zion Methodist Church.
FOURTH OF JULY IN RIDGWAY IN 1854 .*
" As usual, the Fourth was a happy day in Ridgway, on Tuesday last. The old baby-waker proclaimed about eleven o'clock the night previ- ously that the Fourth was coming, but it did not actually arrive till about twelve o'clock, when it caught some of us napping. The 'wind-fall' boys say the Fourth arrived there about eleven o'clock ; but we don't believe it, for it generally gets here about as quick as anywhere else.
" When it had become light enough to see, and the smoke from the thousand battle- fields of the Revolution had cleared away, the patriotic old Fourth was seen, sweating and foaming with heat, smoking with the fires of '76, and roaring like a lion, seeking a Britisher whom he might devour. General Frank Dill had charge of the flying artillery, and Clark, the judge, and Hank controlled the small arms, such as fire- crackers and torpedoes, making in all an effective force, which, under charge of Field Marshal Maginnis, might well spread panic and confusion among the enemies of the 'glorious Fourth.'
" Soon after daylight the people from the surrounding country began to flock in, and long before noon the streets were thronged with an in- telligent and happy people. At eleven o'clock the citizens assembled at the court-house, where the exercises were as follows : Hon. James L. Gillis was chosen president of the day. The chaplain, Charles Mead,
* By Jerome Powell.
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PIONEER HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNA.
Esq., offered up a fervent prayer to the throne of grace. The audience were for a few moments highly entertained by a few patriotic songs by the choir. The Declaration of Independence was then read by William B. Gillis. Albert Willis, Esq., was then introduced as the orator of the day, who entertained the audience with a highly instructive and interest- ing address, which was listened to with marked attention by all present.
" After the oration was concluded, Henry Souther, Esq., was called upon, who made a few remarks.
" H. A. Pattison, Esq., and others also were called upon, and enter- tained the audience with interesting, pointed, and appropriate speeches.
" After the performance at the court-house was closed, a procession was formed, under the direction of Major Maginnis, marshal of the day, and marched to the Bowery prepared by Joseph Grandprey, Esq., pro- prietor of the Exchange, where a dinner was served up that did honor to Mr. Grandprey and his excellent lady, and to which the company did ample justice. The table fairly groaned under the weight of good things that were spread before the hungry multitude.
" After the removal of the cloth, the following regular toasts, which had been previously prepared by the committee, were announced by the president of the day :
" REGULAR TOASTS.
"I. The day we celebrate : a day around which will cluster sacred memories, while liberty has a resting-place in a single human heart. (Three cheers and three guns.)
" 2. George Washington. (Drunk standing and in silence. )
" 3. The signers of the Declaration of Independence : men who had the heart to desire, the mind to conceive, and the nerve to execute. Their memory will ever be cherished.
" 4. The heroes of '76 : they will soon all be in heaven.
" 5. The Star-Spangled Banner : may it continue to wave until its ample folds encircle the world.
"6. The Constitution and the Union : the Gibraltar of strength and national glory.
" 7. The President of the United States: President of the whole Union.
" 8. The governor of Pennsylvania : a Pennsylvanian all over.
" 9. The citizen soldiery : the right arm of our nation's defence.
" (Major Maginnis, being called upon, responded to this toast, in a few appropriate and timely remarks. )
" Io. The ladies : 'God bless them.'
"II. The orator of the day : may he live to a good old age, and in the evening of his days may the fires of patriotism burn in his bosom as brightly as now in the morning of his life.
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PIONEER HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNA.
" (Mr. Willis returned his thanks to the audience in a very neat and appropriate manner.)
" 12. The reader of the Declaration : may he ever be guided by the immortal principles set forth in the Declaration he has read to us to-day.
" 13. Mine host : we seldom meet with as good fare.
" The toasts were received with cheers and guns. The aged seemed to have their youth renewed by memories of the past, the young were fired with the spirit of '76. All seemed to enter into the spirit of the day and the occasion. Even the old gun, which has stood the test of ' five hundred Fourths of July,' felt as young as on the day it came from its maker's hands, and spoke in eloquent tones of the times that tried men's souls, until patriotism got so thick throughout this whole valley that it could hardly be cut with a two-edged sword.
" A number of volunteer toasts were then announced, only a part of which we can now remember. The following were among them :
" By William B. Gillis. The Elk Advocate and its editor. The Elk being called upon, responded in ' his usual happy style.'
"By a young lady. The gentlemen : may the ladies bless them. (Cheers and guns.)
" There was no response to this, but it is hoped they will all respond by giving the ladies a chance to-' bless them.'
" Judge Gillis was toasted by some one, and responded only as he can respond to a Fourth of July sentiment. Each returning 'Fourth' finds the judge 'at home' and on hand with any quantity of patriotic speeches. He is worth a whole regiment of ordinary men at a Fourth of July celebration.
"By H. A. Pattison. Thomas Jefferson : the author of liberal prin- ciples, as embodied in the Constitution and government of the United States. (Cheers and guns.)
" By a lady. The young gentlemen of Ridgway: may they be blessed with good wives and fat babies. (A 'fat baby' eloquently responded.)
" By J. Powell. The Fourth of July : may it be celebrated five hundred million years from now by a free and happy people.
" The president announced five hundred million cheers and a like number of guns for this toast.
" By a guest. The gunner : may rejoicings always attend his labors. (The gun responded in a very eloquent speech. )
" There were many other volunteer toasts offered, which were lost to our reporter, and we are consequently compelled to omit them.
" After the toasts were concluded, those who enjoy such recreations adjourned to the ball-room of the Exchange, where, we are told, they had a very happy time. It is suspected that they 'ran all night.'
" The day was pleasant, and the celebration, from beginning to end,
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PIONEER HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNA.
passed off in an unexceptional manner. The celebration was a sober one, no intoxicating liquors being used.
" The fireworks, under the direction of Captain Souther, went off admirably."
In 1854, Dr. C. R. Earley lived at Kersey. The year he came to Elk I do not know. He was energetic, kind, and industrious. He had to keep himself busy, and for some time he and Jesse Kyler, rival pioneers, were the baron soft coal kings of the county. The following is Earley's card as it appeared in the Advocate :
'. IMPORTANT FROM THE MINES.
" Having recently commenced operations at the new 'placer' in the ' San Francisco' coal-mine, the subscriber wishes to inform the public that he is prepared to furnish those wishing it an article of coal far supe- rior to any ever before offered in Elk County at his mines in Fox town- ship. He would also say that he has a lime-kiln in full blast at the . mines aforesaid, and will keep constantly on hand a superior article of lime. All of which will be sold on reasonable terms.
" SAN FRANCISCO, February S, IS51."
"C. R. EARLEY.
The following is Kyler's announcement as it appeared in the Advo- cate. He was the pioneer dealer.
" COAL.
" The subscriber, thankful for the very liberal patronage he has hitherto and is still receiving, takes this opportunity to inform his friends and the public generally that he still continues the mining and sale of coal at his old establishment, being the centre of the coal basin, and the identical bed recently opened in another place. He is unwilling to admit inferiority, nor is he bombastic enough to claim superiority, where neither one nor the other can possibly exist. In respect to the quality of coal, it is true, by removing the dirt from the top of the out- crop coal may be got in larger chunks and will seem to burn more free, because the air circulates through it better. But he that buys a bushel of coal by measure, mixed fine and coarse together, gets more for the same money in mining under. However, no section of the country has an advantage over another, and but little can be obtained without. He will therefore furnish coal as usual in quality and price, and abide the judgment of a discerning public.
" Fox, February 10, IS51."
" JESSE KYLER.
In 1854 there lived in Ridgway one Major Robert Maginnis. He was full of military enthusiasm, and through his exertion a military company
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PIONEER HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNA.
was organized in August,-viz., the Elk County Guards. Captain, R. Maginnis ; first lieutenant, Harvey Henry ; second lieutenant, William N. Whitney ; ensign, J. F. Dill. I think its life was of short duration, if it ever mustered. Maginnis, failing in war, bought a few medical books from Dr. Farwell, and left town in the spring of 1855 to practise the healing or killing art somewhere in the West.
The result of the election on the second Tuesday in October, 1854, resulted in the choice of the following county officers : Prothonotary, Charles McVean ; Commissioner, Wm. A. Bly ; Auditor, W. N. Whitney.
In the winter of 1854-55,-
" There was snow, snow everywhere, On the ground and in the air, On the streets and in the lane, On the roof and window-pane."
It snowed every day for thirty days,-
" Until over the highways, And over the byways The snowdrifts were ever so high."
The supervisors had to shovel turnouts along the public roads so that teams could pass.
In December, Mr. Powell wrote an editorial on the weather, a part of which I reproduce :
" Yes, winter is here. The season for the hunter to don his white cap and shirt and, properly armed and equipped, hie to the woods away, intent on depriving the innocent denizens of the forest of 'life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.' Our hunters are now reaping their har- vest. The . tracking snow' never was better, and it is too early in the season for the rascally York State hunters to molest the deer or make them afraid. Crack ! crack ! goes the rifle, and at every flash down comes an antlered monarch, which is soon ' hung up,' and off goes the hunter in search of another. Fine sport to the hunter, but death to the deer. So goes the world, -- the weaker must ever fall a victim to the rapacity of the stronger. In vulgar parlance, the 'big fish always eat the little ones.'
" In this country winter is the season. As we are seated in our sanc- tum, made comfortable and cheerful by the glowing heat of McCready's black diamonds, listening to the wind as it whistles through the old court hall and moans dismally for admission, and as the space between the brick fire-proofs is turned into an eddy of snow-flakes, the feathery rafts floating about in such beautiful confusion that it is impossible to tell whether the current runs up-stream or down, we are almost inclined to become poetical, but will endeavor to keep cool. We once read some
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PIONEER HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNA.
poetry written by a love-sick swain, upon seeing a snow flake fall upon the bosom of his lady-love. It seemed by his description that a snow- flake couldn't begin to compare with ' that whiter skin of hers than snow, and smooth as monumental alabaster,' yet it had the temerity to place its charms in competition with the lady's, with the most disastrous result, for the snow-flake had no sooner laid itself upon the more than snowy breast than it saw that its own charms were suffering by the comparison, when, ' grieved to see itself surpassed, melted into a tear.' Served the snow- flake right. It had no business there. Another chap, less poetical and more practical, perpetrated a similar one upon his 'gal' and snow-flakes. He said the snow kept falling upon her bosom and melting, ' until at last, at last, oh, dear, her shirt was wet as water !' "'
One of the modes of Mike Long and other pioneer hunters on the Clarion River was to ride a horse with a cow-bell on through the woods over the deer-paths. The deer were used to cow-bells and would allow the horse to come in full view. While the deer was looking at the horse the hunter usually shot one or two. I don't know whether Daniel Da- vison, of Portland, ever practised this or not.
In November the following-named physician located in Ridgway, and published his card in the Advocate :
"DR. S. S. FARWELL,
" Having changed his residence from Second Fork to Ridgway, ten- ders his professional services to the citizens of the town and vicinity. Office in the Oyster House, where he can be found at all times, unless professionally absent.
" November 13, 1854."
The doctor was a good-looking little man ; he stuttered and stam- mered and received no encouragement from the people. He had a good medical library. There were but few people sick, and nearly everybody employed either Dr. Earley, Dr. A. M. Clarke, or Dr. W. C. Niver. In January, 1855, Dr. Farwell brought into the office this poem. It was given to me to " set up." Here it is :
" SAY NOT MY HEART IS COLD. " BY DR. S. S. FARWELL. " Say not my heart is cold, Because of a silent tongue ; The lute of faultless mould In silence oft hath hung. The fountain soonest spent Doth babble down the steep ; But the stream that ever went Is silent, strong, and deep.
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PIONEER HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNA.
" The charm of a secret life Is given to choicest things ; Of flowers, the fragrance rite Is wafted on viewless wings. We see not the charmed air Beating some witching sound ; And ocean deep is where The pearl of price is found.
" Where are the stars by day ? They burn, though all unseen,
And love of purest ray Is like the stars, I ween. Unmarked is the gentle light, When the sunshine of joy appears ;
But even in sorrow's night 'Twill glitter upon thy tears."
A few weeks after notifying the people in this poetry that he had a warm heart the doctor left for parts to me unknown.
In 1854 or 1856, Elk County had no medical society, but they had an adopted fee-bill, which I here reproduce :
"TO ALL CONCERNED.
"We, the undersigned, physicians of the county of Elk, would re- spectfully announce the following as our lowest fee-bill, -to wit :
I. Call and medicine near residence, or medicine in office . . $ .50
2. At night 1.00
3. Visit in country one mile 1.00
4. Each subsequent mile under 12 .25
5. Visit of 12 miles
6. do. 20 miles 5 00
7. do. at night, fifty per cent. to be added to the ordinary charge above. 10.00
8. All necessary medicine to be included in the above.
9. Consultation with additional mileage (as above) 5.00
10. Obstetrics, natural labor (with additional mileage) 5.00
II. Instrumental, or by turning 7.00
12. Cupping in office 1.00
13. Vaccination (including after attendance) 1.00
14. Reducing fractures and dislocation of the femur (with mileage as above) 10.00
15. All other fractures and dislocations 5.00
16. Amputation of inferior extremities 40.00
17. Amputation of superior extremities . 30.00
18. Operation for strabismus 25.00
19. Strangulated hernia 30.00
20. Hydrocele 10.00)
21. Single hairlip 20 00
22. Double do. 30.00
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PIONEER HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNA.
23. Paracentesis abdominis . $10.00
24. Excising enlarged tonsils 10.00
All necessary after attendance, surgical and obstetrical cases, to be charged for at the usual rates.
25. Examination of persons for certificates to exempt from mili- tary duty 1.00
"C. R. EARLEY.
A. B. PULLING.
LEWIS IDDINGS.
G. BACHMANN.
" May, 1851."
Dr. Fuller, a root and herb doctor, lived in Jones township, and in 1855 came to Ridgway, boarded at the hotel, and practised medicine. His panacea for every ill was lobelia and capsicum. He was there, I think, when I left in 1856. He "called" for the cotillon parties, and was himself a fiddler. Jim Harm and Frank Dill composed the orchestra for all dancing parties. Dr. Fuller was a genial, pleasant old gentleman, and if his remedies were not compounded with the highest skill or pre- scribed accurately, his intentions were good.
Like a great many men of that time, he never permitted himself to get too dry. I have only kind words for him.
" Let us speak of a man as we find him, And heed not what others may say, And if a man is to blame let us remind him That from faults there are none of us free. If the veil from the heart could be torn, And the mind could be read on the brow,
There are many we've passed by in scorn We would load with high honors now."
In January, 1855, I carried the mail one trip on horseback to Warren from Ridgway. A man by the name of Lewis was the proprietor, and he boarded at Luther's. I performed this service free, as I was anxious to see Warren.
I had to start from Ridgway on Friday night at nine P.M., ride to Montmorenci, and stop all night. A family by the name of Burrows lived there. I stopped on Saturday in Highland for dinner with Town- ley's. There were living in that township then Wells, Ellithorpe, Camp- bell, and Townley. I arrived in Warren Saturday after dark, and stayed over night at the Carter House. I returned on Sunday from Warren to Ridgway, and, the weather being intensely cold, " I paid too dear for my whistle."
In 1855-56, Ben. McClelland, then a young man, was driving team for Sheriff Healey. In the winter he was sent to Warren with two horses and a sled. On his way home he expected to stop over night at High- land. Before Ben. reached " Panther Hollow"-a few miles north of Townley's -- it became quite dark.
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PIONEER HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNA.
At the hollow Ben.'s horses snorted, frightened, and ran. In the dark Ben. quickly recognized the form of a panther after him. The horses had the beaten track, the panther the deep snow alongside, and afraid to attack the heels of the horses on account of the sled, the horses crazy and furious.
It was a neck-to-neck race for Highland. The panther never gave up the race until the cleared land was reached. Ben. was a hunter, but was unarmed and almost dead from fright. When Townley's farm was reached the horses were all in a lather of sweat and nearly exhausted. A posse of hunters started in the early morning, and found the big brute near the hollow and killed him.
This was Ben.'s ride, not Sheridan's. Had Ben. been on a horse he would never have seen Highland.
Lebbeus Luther, with whom I boarded, was a great old joker. He was president of the school board in 1854. I spent many an hour hear- ing his reminiscences. He migrated in 1820 to Clearfield County from Massachusetts and settled in what is now Luthersburg. Luthersburg took its name from him.
In what year he moved to Ridgway I cannot exactly recall. He was appointed postmaster in 1855, and lived where P. T. Brooks now re- sides. Lebbeus Luther, Sr., kept a hotel while in Luthersburg, and was an active proprietor. In addition to his jovial good qualities, he was a great marksman. Bill Long, the king hunter of Jefferson County, visited this hotel frequently for pure air and when he had a dryness in his throat. On these occasions he used to try his hand with Grandpap Luther shoot- ing at target. Luther's coolness always counted.
D. S. Luther, a son, and Jim Harm, a grandson of 'Squire Luther, were hunters, killing wolves and a great many deer. Jim lived with his grandparents, and used to furnish us venison.
In 1854, William B. Gillis was elected county superintendent. He was the pioneer. Pennsylvania in school matters was behind New York and some of the Western States, and in that year adopted the county superintendent idea from these States. The foreign population of the State was bitterly opposed to this change, to this advance. The law of 1854 also required orthography, reading, writing, English grammer, geography, and arithmetic to be taught in every district. The State superintendent also recommended the adoption of uniformity in books.
The law of 1854 was a dreadful blow to the old log school-house, with its poor light, high boards around the walls for writing-desks, un- qualified and incompetent teachers, short terms, and diversity of books. The appropriation from the State to the township in that year was forty- two dollars and eighty-four cents.
W. C. Niver taught the summer and winter terms of 1850, '51, '52, '53. Miss Statira Brown, now Chapin, a summer term in 1853. A Mr. Buck-
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PIONEER HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNA.
ley, from New York State, a winter term in 1853-54. C. M. Matson, from Brookville, a winter term in 1854-55. S. J. Willis, from New York State, summer and winter term in 1855-56. I give below a roll of the scholars who attended the summer term of the Ridgway school, com- mencing May 6, 1850, W. C. Niver, teacher.
Males .- James Harm, Barrett Cobb, Roland Cobb, John Ross, George F. Dickinson, Benezette Dill, Robert Gillis, Ezra Dickinson, George W. Connor, Patrick Cline, Calvin Luther, Claudius Gillis, Joseph Fost, Franklin Dill, Bosanquet Gillis.
Females .- Esther J. Thayer, Augusta Gillis, Clarissa D. Thayer, Mary E. Thayer, Mary Weaver, Sarah Ann Thayer, Albina E. Thayer, Ellen C. Gillis, Lovina Harm, Angeline Wilcox, Clementine Harm, Phœbe M. Wilcox, Anna E. Connor, Sarah Weaver, Alzinah Weaver, Semiramis Brown, Louisa V. Brooks, Mary M. Meddock, Ann Eliza Goff, Ardissa Wilcox, Elizabeth Luce, Martha Dill, Amanda Mead, Elizabeth Winslow, Laura Cook, Emily Cook.
The winter term commenced October 14, 1850, under W. C. Niver, teacher, and had on the roll, in addition to the above enumerated scholars, the names of, --
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