USA > Pennsylvania > Annals of Buffalo Valley, Pennsylvania, 1755-1855 > Part 44
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The names of the delegates having been called, the following gentlemen were present, representing the different townships, as fol- lows :
Union-John S. Ingram, Michael Benfer.
Hartley-James Madden, Esquire, George Ruhl.
West Buffalo-Robert Taylor, John Stees, junior. Mifflinburg-Henry Yearick, John Montelius. East Buffalo-Philip Ruhl, Peter Voneida. Lewisburg-George Schnabel, Jacob Zentmire. White Deer-Jacob Sypher, Samuel Baker. Kelly-John Hummel, Joseph Spotts. Chapman-John Snyder, Frederick Kremer. Penn's-Peter Richter, George Miller. Perry-George Shetterly, Joseph Schnee.
Centre-George Kremer, Henry Bolender.
Beaver-John Highley, John Shipton. Washington-John Boyer, Henry Hilbish.
On motion of James Madden, Esquire, a committee of nine dele- gates were appointed by the chair to draft a preamble and resolu- tions, expressive of the sentiments of the delegation.
Whereupon, the chair appointed George Kremer, John S. Ingram,
517
ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY.
1834.]
Peter Richter, Henry Hilbish, George Schnabel, James Madden, Jacob Sypher, Philip Ruhl, and John Reber, junior.
The committee retired a short time and reported the following, which were unanimously adopted :
Preamble and Resolutions.
FELLOW-CITIZENS: Your committee view with deep interest the law of our last Legislature, creating a system of education by com- mon schools. They consider it as affecting the interests and en- croaching upon the rights of the honest and industrious citizens of the Commonwealth. They view the system as unwarranted by the Constitution, and at war with the interests of every useful member of the community ; as a system of education was only asked, and not one of unjust and unequal taxation. For these reasons, and others, we oppose the bill, urging our constitutional objections, and will merely here state its local effects upon the county of Union.
The $75,000 appropriated for common school purposes, of which Union county will be entitled to about $1, 100, is a fund arising from the unpatented lands in this Commonwealth. Owing to the scarcity of money, the law has, from year to year, been extended ; but as this amount is now appropriated, and will be drawn out of the treasury, consequently, all those whose lands are unpatented, will now be compelled to pay, as the finances of the Commonwealth will not warrant a longer credit. All men know its enormous debt and embarrassed condition.
By the law in question, Union county must raise $2,200, double the amount of the appropriation, to entitle them to the proffer made by the Legislature. To this add our already exhorbitant State tax, of about $3,000, and we have upwards of $5,000 to pay by taxa- tion, for merely receiving the bill.
Agreeable to the law, the six directors are to divide each town- ship into as many school districts, and build as many school-houses as they may think proper; and this additional debt you will be bound to pay by taxation, which will amount to at least $800 for every township in the county, making a sum total of $17,000, adding the other taxes imposed by this bill.
To this may be added the teachers. Suppose each township have six teachers, who cannot be engaged at a less expense than $250
518
ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY.
[1834.
per annum, each, making a gross amount of $1,500 per annum for each township, the whole cost for this purpose in the county would be $22,500. Deduct from this the $1, 100 proffered by the Legis- lature, and the people have $21, 400 to pay for teachers, $17,000 for buildings, $2,200 for accepting the proffer-making a sum total of $40,600, all to be paid by the people by various taxations.
Resolved, That five persons be appointed a committee to draw petitions to be signed by the citizens of this county, praying the Le- gislature to repeal the school law for Union county.
Resolved, That the chair appoint two persons in each township, who shall have authority to appoint as many more as may be neces- sary in each township to solicit subscribers to said petition.
Resolved, That the chair appoint a committee of five persons, a corresponding committee to correspond with other committees in this Commonwealth to procure a repeal of the school law in this Commonwealth.
On motion George Kremer, John S. Ingram, and Philip Ruhl were appointed a committee to prepare and publish a petition for a repeal of the law in question.
The chair then appointed Peter Richter, John S. Ingram, George Kremer, George Schnabel, and John Reber, junior, a committee of correspondence, in accordance with a resolution of the committee of nine.
On motion, it was then Resolved, That the delegates of this con- vention act as township committees to circulate and procure signers to the petitions praying for a repeal of the school law.
On motion of John S. Ingram, the secretary was called upon to report the votes at the different township elections held on Friday, the 19th instant; which was carried, and the following result ex- hibited, viz :
Town ships.
Against For School. School.
Townships.
School. School.
Perry,
63
Hartley,
144
30
Centre, .
170
West Buffalo, .
187
7
Beaver, .
192
Mifflinburg,
67
41
Washington, .
85
East Buffalo,
87
3
Lewisburg,
55
71
1620
267
White Deer,
26
52
Kelly,
70
7
( hapı
71
-
Penn's,
198
55
Against
For
Union,
205
-
-
267
Balance vs. school, 1353 votes.
519
ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY.
1834.]
Political,
Delegates to the 4th of March convention, " to oppose executive usurpation," Simon Shaffer, William Cameron, Ner Middleswarth, William L. Harris, George Weirick, and R. P. Maclay.
Delegate Meeting .- On Tuesday last the delegates from the dif- ferent townships of Union county, representing the Anti-Masons, assembled at the court-house, in New Berlin. Samuel Paulding, of Penn's, was called to the chair, and Solomon Engle, Esquire, of Centre, appointed secretary.
As soon as the meeting was thus organized, George Aurand, Esquire, of Centre, rose, and moved that no delegate be received in this convention, unless he be a pure Anti-Mason. This motion, however, was postponed until after the credentials had been pre- sented.
The credentials were then presented, in regular order, which com- prised the following delegation :
Centre-George Aurand, Solomon Engle.
Union-Henry Frock, George Schnee.
Mifflinburg-Jacob Haus, David Eckstein.
Lewisburg-Doctor I. S. Vorse, G. F. Miller.
East Buffalo-Peter Wise, Robert Laird.
West Buffalo-Samuel B. Barber, John Kutz. Hartley-William Glover, Jacob Snyder.
Kelly-John Hummel, Joseph Lawson.
Penn's-Samuel Paulding, Philip Gemberling.
Beaver-Archibald Thomas, John Reger.
Washington-J. P. Hackenberg, Jacob Garman.
Perry-Michael Gougler, John Weimen.
Centreville-Jonathan Farnsworth, S. Bruce.
The credentials being thus presented in due order, when Lewis- burg came in turn, Doctor Vorse rose and stated that a motion had been made to expel any member of the convention who was not an avowed Anti-Mason. He said he did not wish to act the hypocrite, and consequently he would inform the convention that he was not an Anti-Mason-that he was an anti-Jackson man-that he came here to represent that portion of the borough of Lewisburg who were opposed to Jackson, and that while he would perform such
520
ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1834.
incumbent duty, he wished it to be distinctly understood that he had no claims to the character of an Anti-Mason.
Mr. Aurand then stated that as he was not a political Anti-mason, he would move that he be not permitted to occupy a seat in the convention.
Mr. Miller, his colleague, then rose, and hoped that the conven- tion would not act rashly on this subject; that Doctor Vorse was not in an individual capacity, but serving as the representative of the party in Lewisburg ; that he had his instructions and would conform to them. He hoped such a vote would not be taken.
Mr. Aurand, however, persisted in the vote, which was taken, and resulted as follows :
For rejection, 23 votes.
For retention, 2 votes.
Doctor Vorse was, therefore, ejected from the convention. He rose, and returned his thanks to the meeting for their kind treatment ; and while he expressed his regret at having put the gentlemen to so much trouble, he retired from any participation in the proceedings, considering the decision a very curious one.
Mr. Miller then moved that Lewisburg be entitled to a full repre- sentation, by suffering the remaining delegate to have two votes ; but on the question, " Shall Lewisburg have a full representation ?" it was decided in the negative.
The convention then proceeded to make nominations, which re- sulted in the following ticket :
For Congress-Samuel J. Packer.
For Senate-Robert P. Maclay.
For Assembly-Simon Shaffer and Ner Middleswarth.
For Coroner-Jacob Aurand and Daniel Winter.
For Commissioner-James Harrison.
For Auditor-Jacob H. Hummel.
For Trustees-Israel Gutelius, John Kutz, and Samuel Wright.
Mr. Aurand then offered the following resolution ; which was adopted :
Resolved, That a committee be appointed to address James Mer- rill, Esquire, on the subject of Masonry, and to request an explana- tion on that subject, in terms which he may think most proper.
521
ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY.
1834. ]
Whereupon the chair appointed George Aurand, J. P. Hackenberg, and J. H. Horning, Esquires.
On motion, William Glover and George F. Miller were appointed conferees, to meet other congressional conferees at Milton.
On motion, David Eckstein and Solomon Engle, Esquire, were appointed senatorial conferees, to meet similar conferees at Lewisburg.
The following persons were then appointed a standing committee for the ensuing year, viz : Jacob Fryer, Jacob Haus, Joseph Lawson, Matthew Brewer, S. Weirick, George Schnee, and Jacob Snyder.
It was then
Resolved, That the convention adjourn, and that the proceedings be published in all the papers .- Times, August 8.
Democratic Convention.
On Tuesday last, the following delegates, from the different town- ships of Union county, met at the court-house, in New Berlin, to form a ticket for support at the next general election, viz :
Union-Jacob Spangler, Jesse Beaver.
Buffalo-Hugh Wilson, junior, Samuel Reber.
West Buffalo-Robert Taylor, Thomas Forster.
Penn's_C. M. Straub, Isaac Hottenstein.
Chapman-John Snyder, Philip Herold.
Mifflinburg_Michael Schoch, Thomas McCurdy.
Lewisburg-John Nesbit, Joseph Hutchinson.
Centre-George Kremer, John Bower. Hartley-George Roush, Andrew Cook.
Beaver-George Swartz, Thomas Youngman.
Perry-Philip Benner, George Shetterly.
Kelly-Alexander McClure, John Young.
White Deer_Samuel Baker, William Mackey.
The convention was organized by electing Captain Alexander Mc- Clure, president ; Robert Taylor, Esquire, vice president, and Joseph Hutchinson, secretary.
On motion, it was unanimously
Resolved, That no candidate, for any office, should be considered nominated, who had not a majority of all the votes of the delegates present.
522
ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY.
[1834.
The following nominations of candidates were then made, and re- sulted as follows : Senator, Isaac Slenker. Assembly, Captain Jacob Hummel and James McClure. Commissioner, Peter Beaver. Auditor, Martin Dreisbach. Coroner, Jacob McCorley. Trustees of the Mif- flinburg Academy, Philip Pontius, Samuel Barber, and William Ir- win .- Times, August 15.
OFFICIAL ELECTION RETURNS.
1
CONG'SS. SENATE.
ASSEMBLY.
SHERI'F
DISTRICTS.
Anthony.
Packer.
Slenker.
Maclay.
McClure.
Hummel.
Middleswarth.
Shaffer.
Cummings, jr.
Barbin.
Union,
216
120
241
88
150
220
188
101
207
142
White Deer,
93
47
105
31
55
79
79
55
95
47
Kelly,
45
43
134
17
100 186
122
174
96
123
148
West Buffalo,
117
86
114
78
101
90
106
104
135 84
34
Centreville,
6
73
5
73
12
7
71
66
25
80 60
Peun's, .
254
124
141
148
233
216
143
281
133
Centre,
76
171
55
189
61
77
181
173
69
187
Beaver
61
242
49
253
33
76
249
247
99
230
Washington,
109
68
100
76
95
102
82
78
129
73
Chapman,
115
31
102
32
108
120
31
24
122
29
Perry,
82
41
84
40
78
85
. 42
40
88
46
Total,
192
112
191
99
153
169
138
132
230
66
Mifflinburg,
86
48
75
56
88
78
41
58
125
27
East Buffalo,
158
137
148
24
21
56
74
34
61
Lewisburg,
105
55
85
73
45
123
Hartley, .
1716 1398 1700 1320 1389 1599 1745 1396 1866 1324
Honorable Joseph B. Anthony was elected to Congress in the district composed of Union, Northumberland, and Lycoming, by a majority of 2,218, and Mr. Slenker in the district composed of Union and Northumberland, by a majority of 1602. September 12, John S. Ingram retires from the Times, and James M. Kuester took charge. He retired December 19, and Gabriel Yearick became editor.
1835
DEBATE IN THE LEWISBURG TEMPERANCE SOCIETY-COLONEL KELLY'S MONU- MENT ERECTED WITH IMPOSING CEREMONIES-FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRA- TIONS.
HE winter of 1834 and 1835 was very severe. On Shade mountain, a pack of twenty wolves were found frozen after the melting of the snow. They appeared to have huddled together, perhaps exhausted with a long march, and perished of cold and hunger.
On Friday evening, the 13th of February, the Lewisburg Tem- perence society again met, and resumed the discussion of the pro- priety of adopting the resolution, " that the distillation and vendi- tion of ardent spirits, as a drink, is morally wrong," which, it must be known, had been discussed before by the society, and adopted by a majority of four votes ; but the opponents of the resolution, not being satisfied with the proceedings, on account of illegal votes having been taken, as they alleged, it was, therefore, agreed by both parties to re-consider the resolution.
The debate was held in the Methodist church. Mr. Merrill, Mr. Marr, and Mr. Aiken for affirmative. General Green, Doctor Joyce, Mr. Barber, and James P. Ross in the negative.
The first resolution : Resolved, That the distilling and vending of ardent spirits, as a drink, is morally wrong. Second, that it is expedient that the temperance societies of Pennsylvania adopt the above resolution.
The vote on the first, yeas, 70; nays, 36. Second, yeas, 58 ; nays, 30.
523
524
ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY.
[1835.
February 24, Isaac G. Jones admitted to the bar.1 April 8, the monument to the memory of Colonel John Kelly was erected with impressive ceremonies, in the Presbyterian burial-ground, in the borough of Lewisburg. A company of cavalry from Northumber- land county, one from Union, with three infantry companies, par- ticipated. Abbot Green was grand marshal, with Michael Brobst, General R. H. Hammond, Colonel Philip Ruhl, and Doctor J. S. Dougal as aids. The procession was formed by the adjutant, Colo- nel Jackson McFadden, with the military, in front, followed by the revolutionary soldiers and citizens ; after whom came the monu- ment, drawn by four gray horses, flanked by cavalry ; then the mar- shal and aids, preceding the orator, clergy, and relatives ; lastly, the ladies, and a section of cavalry brought up the rear. On its ar- rival at the ground, the cavalry were stationed outside the burial- ground, and the infantry formed a square about the grave, inclosing the relatives, clergy, &c. The monument was set by the architects, William Hubbard, F. Stoughton, Samuel Hursh, and Charles Penny ; after which the grand marshal performed the rites of dedication, and James Merrill, Esquire, delivered an oration.
On the 12th of April, Mr. Hood preached his farewell sermon to the Milton congregation, and on the 19th, to the Buffalo congrega- tion, thus closing with the latter a pastorate of thirty-one years. On the 3d of May, Reverend Isaac Grier succeeded him at Buffalo Cross-Roads. On the 31st of May, the German church in Lewis- burg was dedicated. A great number of people in attendance.
The 4th of July was celebrated at Buffalo Cross-Roads by a meet- ing, at which Colonel Philip Ruhl presided and James D. Cham- berlin acted as secretary. Colonel Henry Noll delivered an oration, and James C. McCreight read the Declaration of Independence. The citizens of New Berlin and Hartleton united in a celebration at Mifflinburg. James A. Cummings was grand marshal, and there was a grand parade, in which Captain Forster's infantry, the Jack- son guards, and the Lafayette troop, under the command of Cap- tain Eilert, took part.
A fourth of July sentiment, of a partisan character, appeared in the proceedings of the Mifflinburg celebration, contrary to an under-
Isaac G. Jones, Esquire, moved to Beaver, Pennsylvania, where he practiced law until his death, March 30, 1853.
525
ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY.
1835.]
standing that all political toasts should be suppressed. It appeared among the proceedings, and was published accordingly. The fol- lowing is the toast :
By J. H. Fries : Democrats, Jackson, and Anti-Bank men of Pennsylvania, will you, or can you, suffer to be beaten after such a glorious victory as you achieved in 1834? Lay all personal and family desires aside, and think on the true and faithful saying : " United we stand, divided we fall."
Military Election.
Abbot Green, Esquire, of Lewisburg, in this county, was, a few days ago, elected to the honorable station of major general of this division. We believe this selection has given general satisfaction. Henry Noll was elected colonel; Samuel Reber, lieutenant colonel ; John Gundy and George Roush, junior, majors of the forty-third regiment .- Times, July 6.
At September court, politics were lively in New Berlin. A Wolf meeting was held on Monday, a Muhlenburg meeting on Tuesday, and a Ritner meeting on Wednesday. September 24, John Sargent and family left Lewisburg, moving eight miles west of Meadville. November 27, an explosion occurred in Charles F. Schaffle's drug store at Lewisburg, in which he was badly burned. December 24, Beck's tannery burned down.
1836.
POLITICAL APPOINTMENTS-ACCIDENT ON THE FOURTH OF JULY.
INTER of 1835-6 was very severe; snow frequently over twelve inches deep, and the river frozen to the depth of two or three feet. Joseph Ritner having been elected Governor, appoints his friends to office. Robert P. Maclay succeeding Joseph Stillwell as prothonotary, and George Aurand succeeding Samuel Roush as register and recorder. Ner Middleswarth was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives. On the Ist of April, the Lewisburg, Penn's Valley, and Hollidays- burg railroad was incorporated, and on the 16th of June an act was passed re-districting the State. Juniata, Mifflin, and Union a dis- trict, entitled to three members.
May 23, James Reasoner died. He had hitched his horse to a post in Hartleton ; the horse frightened and pulled out the post, and Mr. Reasoner, in trying to catch the horse, was struck with the swinging post, and died from the effects. James McClune com- menced his classical school in Lewisburg.
16th June, Charles de Haas, engineer, commenced surveying the Lewisburg, Penn's Valley, and Hollidaysburg railroad. He ran his line up Cherry alley, Lewisburg.
4th of July celebration terminated unfortunately. Towards even- ing, a party were firing a cannon at the foot of St. John street. They had fired twice, when, in the act of ramming the third charge, it exploded. Joseph McCool had his right hand blown off, and his arm had to be amputated below the elbow. John Bower lost his two forefingers. Peter Bower had his thumb torn off.
August 24, Kirkham, the grammarian, delivered a lecture in Lewisburg.
526
527
ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY.
1837.]
October 5, heavy snow-storm ; one and a half feet deep in Penn's valley and on Buffalo and White Deer mountains.
November 4, James Merrill, Esquire, and William P. Maclay, elected Senatorial delegates, and William L. Harris, Ephraim Banks, and John Cummin, Representative delegates to the Convention to propose amendments to the Constitution of the State.
1837.
FIRST ABOLITION LECTURE IN THE VALLEY-SHOWS -- REPORT OF THE UNION COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
EBRUARY 5th, Philip Rorabaugh buried in the German grave-yard, at Lewisburg, with military honors, aged eighty-five. He was a hero of three wars, the Revolu- tion, the whisky insurrection, and the war of 1812.
March 15, Mrs. Dunlap's house, on Buffalo creek, a mile below Chamberlin's mill, was burned last night ; Sally Gray and her son, (both deranged,) John Young, about seventeen years old, and a son of Joseph G. Wallace, eight years old, burned. There were eight in the house ; four escaped.
April 17, Doctor Thomas Vanvalzah, and others, left the Valley to settle in Illinois. This was the start of an emigration which has made Stephenson county, Illinois, a counterpart of Buffalo Valley.
November 10, Miller McKim delivered his first lecture in Lewis- burg on the abolition of slavery. Ou the 14th there was a meeting which, upon a motion made to determine whether McKim should be allowed to speak, ended suddenly in a small riot.
Shows,
Shows have changed in character with the increase of population. Welsh & Purdy's came through the county. They have collected upwards of one hundred beasts, birds, and reptiles, in a great cara-
.
528
ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY.
[1837.
van of wagons ; have an excellent band of musicians, and held their exhibition under a huge pavilion, capable of containing five thousand people. It is quite a grand spectacle to see them entering New Ber- lin. In front marches the elephant, clad in red housings, with a lofty saddle, on which are mounted two musicians ; next, came a band of musicians, mounted upon gray horses, gaily caparisoned, followed by a train of wagons, containing the animals. The whole establishment embraced one hundred horses, all grays, and eighty men. The hotels were open before daylight, and people gathered in from the country as soon as it was light. The largest room in the house was thrown open for dancing, and the fiddles only ceased with the news of the entrance of the procession, to be resumed after the procession, and continued until the call for dinner.
Union County Agricultural Society.
It is with regret that we notice so late the reports of three com- mittees of this society, made on the 20th of October. They were the reports of the committee on grain, on hogs, and on butter and cheese. The way in which these reports came to be omitted in the report published in the Union Times, of the 4th instant, was, that they were handed to the former treasurer, who supposed that they would be called for, and the present treasurer, not knowing that such reports existed, they were omitted to be laid before the committee on premiums. Consequently, the articles recommended in those reports as worthy of premiums had no premiums awarded them out of the funds appropriated for that purpose. These reports are now noticed, because it is due to the producers of the articles noticed in them. It is only to be regretted, that the funds of the society will not afford them the premiums they merited. The following is an abstract of the reports :
The committee on grain reported, that John Wilt, of Hartley town- ship, produced evidence of the best yield of wheat per acre, accord- ing to the quality of the soil, having raised thirty-five bushels off an acre, selected out of a field of about eight acres, the wheat having been cultivated alike. They report the soil as being of second-rate land-a gravel shale-adjacent to limestone soil.
That Colonel Samuel Barber, of West Buffalo township, exhibited
529
ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY.
1837.]
evidence of the next best specimen of wheat, having raised forty bushels off an acre, selected out of a field containing eleven acres, all cultivated alike. That the soil is of first rate limestone. Con- sidering the quality of the soil, the committee awarded the first premium to Mr. Wilt, and to Colonel Barber the second. The committee also considered Colonel Barber worthy of a premium for the best specimen of summer wheat. Francis Wilson's corn, being
seventy bushels of shelled corn to an acre, was also deemed worthy of a premium. The committee also notice in terms of commenda- tion Mr. Wilt's yield of corn ; as also Philip Seebold's grapes; Sam- uel Templeton's potatoes, having yielded eighty bushels per quarter of an acre, (one single potato weighing four and three quarter pounds ;) Mrs. Merrill's sugar-beet, and Mrs. Shroyer's red-beet, and Mrs. Schoch's cabbage. To some of these small premiums are recommended, especially Mr. Seebold's grapes.
The committee on hogs awarded to John Clemmens a premium for the best breed of hogs, considering their size and age.
The committee on butter and cheese recommended a specimen of butter exhibited by Mrs. Margaret Pontius, as of a superior quality, both in color and taste.
JOSEPH STILWELL, Recording Secretary.
Philadelphia Prices Current, October 21, 1837-Grain : Wheat, Pennsylvania, bushel, $1 55 ; Rye, 80 ; Corn, yellow, 93 ; Barley, inferior, 83 ; Oats, 35 to 38. Spirits : Whisky, rye, 33 ; hogsheads, 3I. Wool : American, full blood, lb. 50 to 63.
At the October election, Yearick, for Assembly, received 1,381 votes in Union county ; Boyer, opposition, 1,666.
34
1838.
LOCUST YEAR -- BUCKSHOT WAR.
HIS is the " locust year." I saw and heard them for the first time this year on the 17th of June, and the last of them were heard in the last week of July. They were very numerous, and most of the oak trees in this neigh- borhood bear witness of their labors; the present year's shoots of the branches being killed by the punctures this creature makes in laying its eggs. The common opinion is that they re-appear every fourteen years, (some say seventeen,) but I incline to think they are by no means regular in their visits. The first time I saw them was in 1804, when they were very numerous about Selinsgrove. In the year 1817, I saw them at Princeton, N. J. ; in 1821, at Sunbury ; at Selinsgrove, in 1832 ; and, lastly, here, (Milton.) A gentleman who had a contract on the canal in 1827-28-29, informed me that the laborers frequently dug up this insect in the aurelia state, in the flats. Their size diminished according to the depth beneath the surface. Some were found at the depth of four feet, and were small, soft, and entirely white. They do not make their appearance in all parts of the country at the same period .- G. A. S.
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