Centennial history of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, Part 119

Author: Stocker, Rhamanthus Menville, 1848-
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : R. T. Peck
Number of Pages: 1318


USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Centennial history of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania > Part 119


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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Starrucca Division, No. 137, Brotherhood of Loco- motive Engineers, was instituted in 1871, with twen- ty-two charter members, viz .: W. J. Hull, R. H. Day, W. D. C. Outwater, R. Halloran, F. Thomas, P. Halloran, S. C. Fuller, John King, John O'Ncil, N. R. Bennett, H. N. Howell, J. J. Simmons, J. R. Bravo, John Donahue, W. C. Thurston, M. L. Rose, L. R. Pettit, George Pettit, H. Kinsley, E. Haskins, C. L. Bravo, George Casey. The first officers were W. J. Hull, C. E .; L. R. Pettit, F. E .; R. H. Day, S. E .; J. R. Bravo, F. A. E .; C. L. Bravo, S. A. E .; R. Halloran, T. A. E .; W. D. C. Outwater, G .; Geo. Pettit, C. The present officers are W. J. Hull, C. E .; M. Clancey, F. E .; Frank Robins, S. E .; John Keena, F. A. E .; H. C. Pettis, S. A. E .; J. Buckley, T. A. E. ; John King, G .; Joseph Galloway, C .; W. D. C. Outwater, S. I. The present membership is fifty-eight. Since the division was instituted six have died; eighteen withdrew in 1874, to organize No. 172, at Binghamton, N. Y .; and twenty-two withdrew in 1886, to organize No. 305 at Great Bend.


Keystone Lodge, No. 208, Brotherhood of Locomo- tive Firemen, was instituted in 1854 by S. M. Stevens, grand organizer. The charter members werc M. Feign, J. J. Lannon, J. P. McDonald, Charles Anderson, J. S. Elston, A. Halloran, Paul Salmon, J. J. Keys, Frank Houk, R. M. Brown, P. Harri- gan, E. Pettis, M. M. Kane, R. L. Dwight, H. R. Alden, W. B. Smith, James Barry, J. C. Barnes, C. E. Bliss, Samuel Messereau. The first officers were J. J. Lannon, M .; M. Feign, V. M; J. P. McDonald, S .; Charles Anderson, F .; Augustine


Halloran, W .; Paul Salmon, C .; J. J. Keyes, C .; Frank Houk, I. G .; R. M. Brown, O. G .; P. Harri- gan, R. M. Brown and E. Pettis, trustees. The present officers are C. A. Allen, M .; M. Feign, V. M .; J. J. Lannon, S .; A. Dunlap, R .; A. Jordan, C .; J. Foley, W .; C. D. Fox, Con .; F. Delaney, C .; M. N. Cree- gan, I. G. ; E. Pettis, O. G. ; J. J Lannon, P. M. ; M. M. Kane, F. Delaney and J. J. Lannon, trustees. The membership now is forty. In 1886 eighteen members of this lodge withdrew therefrom, and or- ganized a new lodge at Hallstead, as a matter of con- venience to themselves and expediency to the order, as many new members could be obtained at the latter place. Since Keystone Lodge was instituted two members have died.


Susquehanna Council, No. 140, of the Royal Ar- canum, was instituted August 6, 1878, by Dr. J. H. Wright, of Allegheny, Pa. The charter members were G. A. Post, E. W. Jackson, W. S. Beebe, B. F. Field, Geo. Van Wormer, C. F. Curtis, L. M. Dartt, R. C. Woodruff, I. A. Post, J. Hope, Geo. Scoffin, H. Brown, T. West, J. H. Brock, M. H. Pope. The officers elected and installed at that time were I. A. Post, P. R. ; Thomas West, R. ; George Scoffin, V. R .; J. Hope, O .; B. F. Field, C .; J. H. Brock, G. ; E. W. Jackson, S .; C. F. Curtis, C .; Geo. Van Wormer, T., R. C. Woodruff, W .; Herbert Brown, S .; B. F. Field, M. H. Pope, L. M. Dartt, trustees ; and Dr. W. S. Beebe, medical examiner. The past regents are I. A. Post, Thomas West, E. W. Jackson, C. T. Thorpe, S. S. Simmons, L. M. Dartt, M. H. Pope, C. H. Kanolt. The council has paid out, on account of death claims and sick benefits, about thirteen thou- sand dollars. Its membership is now seventy-six. The present officers are M. H. Popc, P. R. ; C. H. Kanolt, R .; H. C. Benson, V. R .; Wells Harris, O .; C. T. Thorpe, S .; Charles Sabin, C .; S. S. Simmons, T .; E. S. Whitney, G. ; J. Hope, Chap .; H. Brown, W .; Wm. Watkin, S. C. H. Kanolt is the representative, and C. T. Thorpe, C. H. Kanolt and Thomas Graham are the trustees. During the past three years a commit- tee appointed by the council has conducted a series of lectures and literary and musical entertainments, in which lecturers and artists of excellent ability have appeared. These lectures and entertainments have been largely attended and highly appreciated by the public. C. T. Thorpe is the chairman of this com- mittee, and Dr. S. S. Simmons is the secretary.


Canawacta Tribe, No. 246, I. O. R. M., was insti- tuted August 16, 1883, by Thomas A. McDowell, G. S. The tribe began with sixty charter members, and now has a membership of eighty-seven. The first officers were F. H. Barnes, S .; B. C. Stoddard, Sr. S .; Thos. Higson, Jr. S .; C. C. Langford, P .; J. S. Wal- lace, C. of R .; J. G. Bailey, K. of W. The trustees were Sheldon Pierce, Henry Kinsley, J. R. McCauley. The present officers are C. M. Tingley, S .; Geo. Shappe, Sr. S .; A. E. Shipman, Jr. S .; Henry Kinsley, P .; J. S. Wallace, C. of R .; J. G. Bailey, K.


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HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.


of W .; and the trustees are C. B. Falkenbury, George Benson, M. H. Pope.


Local Branch, No. 252, Order of the Iron Hall, was instituted May 7, 1885, by Conrad Klee, of Bingham- ton, N. Y. The charter members were T. A. Hay- ward, S. S. Johnson, Charles Boynton, W. S. Kistler, J. G. Bailey, H. Sperl, Jr., Joseph Best, J. J. Keefe, Valentine Miller, J. W. Taylor, H. Bohn, C. H. Knise, Frank Weinman, John Mess, D. Z. Wilson, L. S. Gilbert, A. P. Rowley, O. T. Smith, E. B. Clark, A. H. Falkenbury, H. C. Miller, C. F. Wright, G. N. Shappee, Albert Wagner, J. C. Burns, H. A. Dillon The first officers were D. Z. Wilson, P. C. J .; J. G. Bailey, C. J. ; J. W. Taylor, V. J .; T. A. Hayward, Ac. ; C. F. Wright, A. ; O. T. Smith, P .; A. H. Falk- enbury, C .; W. S. Kistler, H .; J. Best, W .; V. Mil- ler, V .; F. Weinman, A. Wagner, L. S. Gilbert, trustees. The present officers are J. G. Bailey, P. C. J .; J. O. Graves, C. J .; H. C. Miller, V. J .; T. A. Hay- ward, Ac .; A. H. Falkenbury, C .; C. H. Knise, A .; Charles Boynton, P .; A. S. Langford, H .; John Montgomery, W .; G. F. O'Neil, V .; F. Weinman, A. Wagner, L. S. Gilbert, trustees. T. A. Hayward is deputy supreme justice of this district.


Susquehanna Lodge, No. 39, Knights of Columbia, was instituted January 21, 1887, by E. A. Kellogg, S. G., of Elmira, N. Y. There were twenty-two charter members. The officers are O. T. Smith, G .; E. W. Estabrook, V. G .; George E. Barton, P .; P. H. Ludwig, S .; L. R. Pettit, F. S .; S. S. Simmons, T .; A. E. Shipman, G .; D. T. Sprague, G .; W. E. Wester- velt, S .; Dr. S. S. Simmons, Med. Ex .; P. H. Lud- wig, Sr. P. G .; George N. Brown, Jr. P. G. The trustees are George N. Brown, George E. Barton, E. W. Estabrook. The present membership is sixty- two.


I. O. G. T .- A Good Templars' lodge was organized liere in 1867, by Thomas Roberts. The charter- members were Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Gregg, Mr. and Mrs. William Emery, Mr. and Mrs. P. H. Rafter, Mr. and Mrs. O. T. Smith, M. B. Wright, Mr. and Mrs. George A. Guernsey and Miss Laura Wilmot. The officers were S. B. Gregg, C. T .; Laura Wilmot, V. T .; M. B. Wright, S .; William Emery, T .; George A. Guernsey, P. C. T .; Mrs. O. T. Smith, R. H. S .; and Mrs. G. A. Guernsey, L. H. S. For a number of years this lodge was very prosperous, at one time having a membership of four hundred. The past chief templars were G. A. Guernsey, J. B. Gregg, William Emery. Among those who were prominent in this lodge only one is at present an active mem- ber of the lodge now existing, namely: Mr. O. T. Smith, who is a deputy grand chief templar.


Susquehanna Lodge, No. 456, I. O. G. T., was insti- tutcd November 19, 1876, by Grand Chief Templar Rev. George C. Hart, with the following charter members : R. T. Dodson, C. T .; Miss C. M. Dodge, V. T .; F. V. Whitney, Sec .; Rev. W. J. Judd, C .; Mrs. C. E. Whitney, A. S .; F. S. Williams, F. S .; M.


Gilman, T .; W. J. Perry, M .; Carrie Frith, D. M .; W. S. Snediker, G .; George Perry, S .; Mary Perry, R. H. S .; Mary Gilbert, L. H. S .; Harvey Holdridge, P. C. T .; and J. H. Cook, James Leahy, Lillie Jurisch, Mrs. George Brown, members. The past chief temp- lars are R. T. Dodson, Harvey Holdridge, Job Mal- pass, W. H. Dodd, Dennis Tinsman, L. Finckenior, C. M. Tingley, Rev. W. B. Kinney, James Leahy, A. Comstock, A. R. Forbes, W. O. Graham, H. Reisman, H. A. Purple, O. T. Smith, Blanche Dodge, William Epes. The present membership is one hundred and six. The lodge is in good financial circumstances. The officers at present are William Lyons, C. T .; Mrs. C. E. Whitney, V. T .; G. P. Ross, Sec .; Dr. W. W. Fletcher, F. S .; Colonel W. H. Telford, C .; Mrs. Lottie Munger, T .; Frank Davenport, M .; Miss Lizzie Malpass, G .; William Malpass, S .; A. C. Brooks, A. S .; Alpha Sperring, D. M .; Mrs. William Lyons, R. H. S .; Mrs. Belle Johnson, L. H. S .; Wil- liam Epes, P. C. T .; and James Montgomery, L. D.


Juvenile Temple, I. O. G. T .- Purity Temple, No. 10, was organized July 8, 1880, by Dr. S. S. Sim- mons. The officers installed at that time were Harry Bravo, C. T .; Minnie Hull, R. H. S .; Lizzie Mitch- ell, L. H. S .; Alice Irving, V. T .; Leslie Frank, S .; Maggie Ottinger, A. S .; Ada Hull, F. S .; May French, T .; Lula Pope, C .; Charles Ottinger, M .; Katie John- son, A. M .; Katie Finckenior, G .; Gussie Leal, S. The present membership is one hundred and forty- one, with the following as officers: Charles D. Graves, C. T .; Grace Whitney, R. H. S .; George Thompson, L. H. S .; Willie Taylor, V. T .; Edward Bush, S .; Allen C. Brooks, A. S .; Carrie Kane, F. S .; John Barnes, T .; Lottie Yelvington, C .; Frederick Barnes, M .; Lena Tiffany, A. M .; C. Meeker, G .; May Jurisch, S .; Eva Whitney, P. C. T.


CHAPTER XLI.


1 NEW MILFORD TOWNSHIP.


NEW MILFORD is one of the larger as well as earlier settled townships of Susquehanna County. It is centrally situated in the second tier from the State line, bounded on the north by Great Bend, on the east by Jackson, on the south by Harford, and on the west by Bridgewater and Franklin. Length from east to west, seven and one-half miles ; breadth, six and one-half miles. A notch is made in its north- west corner by the township of Franklin, which takes out about a square mile. Its entire area is about thirty thousand two hundred and forty acres.


GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES, SURFACE, SOIL, ETC .- The surface is moderately hilly, though there are few


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NEW MILFORD.


elevations that are not susceptible of cultivation throughout their whole extent. In most cases consider- able flats are met with on their summits, and here the best land is often found. The soil is generally of a liglit loamy nature, of a rich chocolate color denominated " Red Shale;" and is well adapted to both grass and grain. The valleys through which the streams flow are usually level, but, with the exception of those along the Salt Lick Creek, are not very wide. Here the soil is somewhat heavier, and of colder nature, though in many places there are rich alluvial bottoms of recent formation, which yield all crops abundantly. Some of the larger flats are stony and sandy. As a general thing they do not produce as well as the hillsides and elevated table lands. " Hard- pan " is commonly found underlying the clay soil around the base of the hills, and here the ground is often wet, especially in the spring, and early culti- vation is sometimes retarded. These lands are well adapted to grazing purposes, and with proper top dressing make excellent meadows. Higher up on the slopes, which comprise the greater portion of the surface, the soil is warm and dry, underlaid by a rocky strata, and with favorable weather produces excellent crops.


The most considerable elevations are Mott Hill, over which passes the Great Bend and Cochecton turnpike ; Peck Hill, west of the borough ; Shay Hill; the two hills east of the borough ; the Rice and Jen- nings Hills, on opposite sides of the Salt Lick Creek, about three miles east of the borough ; and the Van- Fleet Hill, to the eastward of the Mott Hill. From the summits of some of these elevations extensive views are afforded. From Peck Hill a good view of the eastern part of the county may be had. During clear, cold days the smoke of locomotives on the Jefferson Railroad may be seen for a long time, mov- ing like white spectral pillars along the distant water- shed range in Thomson, Ararat and Herrick. Mott Hill affords a splendid view of the valley of the Salt Lick, at the northern extremity of which appears


the busy town of Great Bend, eight miles distant. Beyond, the higher range of hills forming the north- ern banks of the river, in New York State, make up the extreme objects of the picture. The scenery to the south is varied and extensive. The view from VanFleet Hill is far extended and especially interest- ing.


AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIONS .- Formerly large quantities of wheat and rye were grown in this town- ship; but as the land became older and the protecting forests were cut away, winter grain was more liable to damage from winter frosts, and gradually decreased in yield and quality. With proper cultivation good crops of wheat may be grown on the dry hill lands in protected situations, where the snows of winter will not blow off and leave the ground bare; but it is at- tended with considerable expense, and since railroad communication has been opened with the West a su-


perior grade of flour is furnished cheaper than the farmer can produce it here. As a consequence, this branch of grain-raising has been nearly abandoned. Fair crops of corn are usually grown, though Western competition has been slowly driving this product from the field, until scarcely one-half enough is now grown for home consumption. Oats have become the leading cereal crop, and they are now grown much more extensively than they were a few years since. Potatoes and buckwheat generally do well. The township is well supplied with pure spring water, free from limy or mineral impregnations, and has all the natural requirements for a first-class dairy re- gion. Long since, this became the principal industry of the agricultural population. Most of the more prominent dairymen have patent creameries, and manufacture their own butter, which is shipped in large quantities to New York City, where it scarcely ever fails to bring the highest market-price. A great number of veal-calves are shipped every spring, and many neat cattle and sheep.


STREAMS AND WATER-COURSES .- The principal streams are the Salt Lick, Beaver and Martin's Creeks. Salt Lick Creek, which may properly be set down as the leading stream, has its main source in Jackson township, near the head-waters of Drinker's and But- ler Creeks; and flowing in a southwest direction, enters the old Page Pond, in East New Milford ; thence deflecting to the west and southwest, it passes through Rice's, Moon's and Keep's Ponds to New Milford Borough, receiving a considerable branch at Keep's Pond, from the East Lake, on the north. At New Milford Borough, in the central part of the township, it receives the united waters of the Meylert and Wellman Creeks from the south, and turning to the north, receives another tributary from the Moss Pond on the east, after which it passes on to Sum- mersville. Here it is further augmented by the waters of Beaver Creek from the west, and another small stream from the east, when it crosses the north line of the township and continues in a north course to the Susquehanna River, at Great Bend. Its banks are generally not very high, or steep, except in certain places where they converge close together ; and it is naturally fitted for a series of mill privileges, or water- powers. Several saw and grist-mills have been built along its course, and in former times, when timber of all kinds was abundant, immense quantities of lumber were manufactured. Before many saw-mills had been built fine trout were often caught along its still, dark course, beneath the sombre hemlock that overshadowed its silent pools. Eels, cat-fish or bull- heads, pickerel and bass are common in the ponds, and suckers are abundant throughout the whole course of the creek in the spring.


Near the Summit Bridge, one mile west of the borough, where the Delaware, Lackawanna and West- ern Railway passes through a deep cutting to over+ come the height of ground between the Salt Lick and


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HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.


Martin's Creek valleys, are two springs but a short dis- tance apart, the waters of which flow in opposit- directions. One flows north to enter the Salt Lick and finds its way into the Susquehanna at Great Bend while the other, which forms the source of Martin's Creek, flows southward to enter the Tunkhannock Creek at Nicholson, and eventually finds its way to the Susquehanna at Tunkhannock. The course of Martin's Creek in New Milford township is through a narrow winding alder swamp, interspersed with beaver meadows and long ponds, closely hemmed in by frowning, precipitous banks, which ever cast their lofty shadows upon the smooth, mirror-like surface. The railroad follows the stream on the east side, the steep and rocky bank having been sliced down to the depth of many feet to form the road-bed. The trav- eler on the train passing down this narrow valley looks out of the car-window upon a succession of rapidly-changing pictures, almost rivaling the shift- ing scenes of the kaleidoscope. Every turn presents new surprises and ushers in different scenery, much of which is romantic and picturesque. Wauneka Glen is a wild and romantic spot, which, strange to say, has until recently been scarcely known outside of its immediate neighborhood.


The martin, which was once said to be numerous in this place, and which probably gave rise to the name of Martin Creek, has long since been nearly exterminated. A small stream has its source in two branches in the southeast quarter of the township, which flows south to unite with Butler Creek, near Burrows Hollow. Partner's Creek, one of the main streams of Harford township, has its source in three small branches in the southern part of New Milford. One of these originates in Hunt Lake, a small sheet of water situated on elevated ground about one mile from the south line of the township. East Martin's Creek, which unites with the main stream at Kings- ley's, in Harford, rises in the southwest quarter of New Milford. Near the source of this creek there is a chain of natural ponds, known as the Three Lakes. The upper lake is wholly and the middle lake partly in the township. The west line of the township crosses Heart Lake, a beautiful sheet of clear water which probably derives its name from its peculiar shape, and which has become famous as a summer resort and picnic-ground. Its outlet flows southward, across the corner of Bridgewater, forming the Hopbottom Creek, the principal stream of Brooklyn township, which unites with Martin's Creek at Hopbottom, in Lathrop. Beaver Creek, which flows in a northeast direction to unite with the Salt Lick Creek at Sum- merville, has its source in the southeast corner of Franklin. Mitchell's Creek, which flows north through a wilderness section of Great Bend to the river above Red Rock, finds its head-waters in the northeast corner of New Milford. East Lake, in this part of the township, and Hunt Lake, in the southern part, near " Tennant Town," are said to be very deep.


TIMBER AND VEGETATION .- New Milford was once an eminently well-wooded region. Considerable chest- nut timber was found on the elevated lands in various localities, and in some places it was the prevailing wood. It was generally thrifty and sound and often grew to a great size. Solid stumps which were cut fifty years ago may yet be seen, some of which meas- ure three or four feet in diameter. The ridges around the head-waters of the Meylert Creek were once cov - ered with chestnut.


INDIANS .- There is scarcely any aboriginal history to record in connection with this township, though there is plenty of evidence to show that the Indians once existed here, and that it was at one time a por- tion of their favorite hunting-grounds. Numerous flint-pointed arrow-heads have been picked up in plowed fields in many places, and several spear-heads and stone pestles for pounding corn have been found. There is a place of some five or six rods in extent, near the source of the Meylert Creek, where hundreds of broken arrow-heads and scales of flint have been plowed up. It is thought to have been the site of an arrow-factory. Where their flint was obtained re- mains a mystery. Another similar place is said to have been found near the east line of the township. Not far distant a regular series of mounds were found, which were thought by some to have been an Indian burying-ground.


SETTLEMENT AND EARLY HISTORY .- The first white men who visited the present limits of New Mil- ford township were probably the surveying parties of 1784 and 1788 ; but they only passed through, mark- ing their lines as they went, and leaving little to re- cord respecting them. The earliest work tending to a real settlement was the first cutting through of the Great Bend and Cochecton road, in 1791. Quite a number of sturdy pioneers were engaged in this work for a considerable time, chopping and clearing out the old logs by day and camping in the thick woods at night ; and it is probable several of the bark - covered cabins found by the early settlers along the line of this unworked passage through the great woods, and which were supposed to be hunters' cab- ins, were erected by them, and occupied by hunters afterwards. Robert Corbin was then living in the present limits of the borough, and his family was probably the only one in this section. Rough and uneven though this pathway was, and full of knolls and roots, it formed a primitive passage-way for those who had the courage to brave the trials of frontier life, and who did not mind the slow pace of the ox team or the jolting and sliding of the cumbersome sled, and it may be said to be the advance work of civilization in the wilderness.


In 1793 there was a solitary cabin somewhat resem- bling an Indian wigwam, standing under the thick canopy of great hemlocks, near where James Sum- mers afterwards had his residence, in Summersville. It was the temporary home of a hunter by the name


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NEW MILFORD.


of Houck, and was believed to be the first hut erected in the township. Although extremely rude in con- struction, consisting of poles and bark, it furnished a sort of shelter from the wild beasts and beating storms, where the hunter could retreat when not en- gaged with his traps and gun. He made no clearing, and when he vacated the place it is thought he was succeeded by one Smith. In the fall of the above- mentioned year David Summers, from Greene County, N. Y., but originally from Connecticut, passed through this section, and being favorably impressed with the locality, he secured the cabin, and in May, 1794, brought his family to their backwoods home. As soon as they were fairly settled, the father and elder sons commenced work with their axes, and in a short time there was a break in the great forest, and their exceedingly primitive shelter and immediate sur- roundings were greatly improved, At this time Rob- ert Corbett had quite a clearing in the southern part of what is now the borough, and Benjamin Hayden was just beginning in the northern part. Aside from these, there was no settlement nearer than Great Bend. The season was so far advanced before Mr. Summers' arrival, that he could have no garden on his own place that year ; but he obtained the privilege of planting and cultivating a few vegetables among the logs and stumps in Mr. Hayden's clearing, a mile and a half away. Herds of deer were seen almost every day, bears were common and the howling of wolves during dark nights was often fearful. Mrs. Summers, as well as her husband, was possessed of iron nerve and great energy, and many times she used to rise from the loom or spinning-wheel, and, regardless of surrounding dangers, flit through the woods to the distant garden, to return before the noon hour with vegetables for dinner. Mr. Summers had purchased four hundred acres of land, which gave early promise of a wise selection and an excellent farm. It took in most of the extensive Summersville flats, which, aside from those in the borough, are the largest in the township; and it was covered through- out its whole extent with a very heavy growth of hemlock timber. Having erected a more commodious log house, he, in 1801, kept a hotel, where travelers passing this way found very hospitable entertainment. A few years afterwards he built the first grist-mill in this section, on the Franklin road, some forty or fifty rods from the Sutphin store building of later years. It was a frame building of considerable size, but crude in design, with an elevated race-trough, which carried the water from the Beaver Creek to the wheel and which often dried up in summer and froze up in winter, causing much disappointment and perplexity; but nevertheless it soon became famous, for there was no competition, and it was many times taxed to its utmost capacity to supply the settlers with bread. Previous to this, the people of this vicinity had carried their grain to Binghamton to get it ground, and the rude old Summersville mill was deemed a wonderful




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