USA > Pennsylvania > Lackawanna County > Ransom > History and directory of Newton and Ransom townships, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania; > Part 18
USA > Pennsylvania > Lackawanna County > Newton > History and directory of Newton and Ransom townships, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania; > Part 18
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I had always been ambitious to become a teacher, and now that my ambitions were to be realized 1 commenced my work with high hopes and lofty ideas. Among my pupils were many who were much larger, and some of them sev- eral years older than myself, for I was but a boy, not quite eighteen years old, and small for my age. I had not taken my examination when I commenced the school, but a few days after I began work, Mr. John L. Richardson, the coun- tv superintendent, called at the school and con- dueted the examination orally before the school, which was customary at that time, and I re- ceived my first certificate. I think I felt larger then. than I had ever before or since. Mr.
Richardson. I think, was the first county super- intendent elected in Luzerne county, which at that time included the territory that is now Lackawanna and Luzerne counties, his prede-
cessor having been appointed by the Governor.
The first thing that impressed me was that with so large a family it would be necessary to have thorough discipline, and I started to fight it out along that line. Among the large boys that I have mentioned, there was one over- grown fellow over six feet tall who seemed de- termined to be disagreeable to the small schol- ars. I had spoken to him about it, but he gave no heed. One day I told him if he did not stop it I would whip him, but he continued. Fin- ally I sent one of the boys for a whip; he brought a fine birch, and I gave him such a thrashing as I think he had never had before. It never occurred to me at the time that he could have picked me up and thrown me out of the door easily. Some of the other large boys told me later that they expected him to fight, and they had planned to take care of me and give him what he needed if necessary, but he took his medicine like a man, and did not mo- lest the little ones after that.
Teaching in those days was very different from now. There was no uniformity of text books, consequently it was impossible to classify the pupils, and we were forced to adopt the per- sonal method as they do in Commercial Schools. While there has been many changes in our schools since those days, and many so called ad- vanced methods introduced, yet I question whether we are getting any better results in many ways. I was talking a short time ago with a teacher who had fourteen scholars. She said she had so many classes she could not get around to all of them, and some had to be neg- lected. In my first school of sixty-four pu- pils, there was not a day that the little ones did not get four lessons. I call to mind a little girl of nine years to whom I taught the A B C's and at the closing of the term she could read fluently in Sanders' Third Reader. How does this compare with the progress made by your advanced methods? I know of no way to judge of methods except by the results obtained.
In those days one of the requirements of a teacher was to be able to make a good quill pen ; he was also required to board around, and while there were things about this custom that were unpleasant, and at times embarrassing, yet there were many pleasant features about it : vou formed many acquaintances that in after life you look back to with pleasure. I was al- ways well fed and always slept in the spare bed. As a rule I like to sleep in the spare bed, but there are exceptions. I recall an instance; I was invited to the home of a very pleasant family, but the weather was extremely cold, twenty below zero. I was put in the spare bed far from the fire, and between a pair of snowy white linen sheets. Oh, the shivers I exper-
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HISTORY OF NEWTON TOWNSHIP
ienced when I got into that bed. I can almost feel them yet. I would have been glad to have exchanged places with the dog and slept under the stove.
I often think of that winter and my first school, and now, at the age of seventy-three, it would be interesting to me could I follow the history of my pupils in their after life, but I cannot. Many, I presume are dead, others have gone to other places. A few, I have been able to keep in touch with ; among them are George S. Snover, a retired farmer living at Mill City ; Horace Rozelle, who was county commissioner of Wyoming county, and George W. Beemer, who. is occupying a very responsible position as superintendent of the Hillside Home.
While this was my initial school, I very much doubt if I ever taught a better one. I know I worked hard to make it a success, and I only wish now that I had some of the compositions that were written for the closing exercises that von might see how my pupils regarded it. I know that I did not get fat in doing the work, either in body or pocketbook. At the close of school I tipped the scales at one hundred and twenty pounds. I received $16 per month and my board while teaching, so after paying $2 a month for Sunday board and washing it did not leave me enough to take a trip to Europe.
In giving the account of the school-house { forgot to mention its name. It was known as the "hog-pen school-house." I do not know who gave it that name or just why it was called that, but I do know, that some who attended that school have much better houses in which to feed their hogs.
I soon had a reputation for keeping order, and my services were in demand where they had trouble in the schools. I remember after I had married and had decided to not teach any more, Squire Ferguson, from the Falls, came to my house and said that "the school above the Falls had broken up," and he wanted me to take charge of it and complete the term. I did so, taking a good whip with me. I gave them but few rules, but gave them to understand that I expected them to be obeyed to the letter. One morning when I entered the school-house quite early, as my custom was, to make fire and write copies before the scholars came, I noticed some writing on one of the slates. I picked it up and read it. It proved to be an effort to write poetry about the teacher. After looking it over I thought to answer it in as near the same strain as I was able. The spelling was bad, and I had intended to strike at every word misspelled, but did not have time before the pupils began to arrive. I herewith give his effort and my answer.
We have a teacher in this hous ( house)
He sometimes looks quite kros; ( cross ) He has some hair about his mouth
That makes him look a good deal wurs ( worse).
Yes, and he has a great long arm, And in it carries a ten-foot pole, And if a child does any harm He cuts him to the sole. (soul)
ANSWER.
We have a boy within our school Who sets up for a poet;
And though I'll not stoop to call him fool, I'm sure his poetry will do it.
His brain, I'm sure, is very small, Like any ordinary mouse, For when in poetry he tries to spell,
"H-o-u-s," he thinks, spells honse.
Now a word of caution 1 would give Unto this upshot poet ; 'Tis when he feels like writing verse, He'd better never do it.
Lest in hopes of sudden gain That narrow mind of his he strain.
And burst the prison wall that bind The simple powers of a sickly mind.
I finished the school all right, and did not have to dig any graves either.
All of which is respectfully submitted by ve olden school-master. D). W. RICHARDS.
SCRANTON AND NEWTON TURNPIKE COMPANY
This road was completed Sept. 1, 1869, and was owned and managed by the company till February, 1891, when it was purchased by the county. David Cosner was the first president. Joseph Melhbaum was the gate keeper. The toll charged for a horse and buggy was 10 cents : horse and buckboard, 8 cents; horse and rider, 5 cents: two horses and wagon, 15 cents.
CLOUD BURST AND FLOOD OF 1909.
On Friday, June 25, 1909 the most disastrous flood ever known in this section swept through Newton and Ransom townships. It began raining about one o'clock in the afternoon, and the water fell in torrents for over three hours. Every bridge along Gardner's creek was washed out. On the main road between Newton Cen- tre and Scranton, near the residence of Thomas Veety, the road was washed out to a depth of from six to ten feet for a distance of nearly one- fourth mile. Deep ditches were washed through valuable meadow land and large trees were up- rooted and carried to the river. Many of the houses and other buildings were flooded.
Part of Curtis P. Smith's saw-mill, contain- ing valuable lumber, was carried over a quarter of a mile and wrecked, and several hundred dol-
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HISTORY OF NEWTON TOWNSHIP
lars worth of lumber lost. The mill-dam at Milwaukie was washed out. and the mill dam- aged. Arthur Jacoby had five acres of pota- toes entirely washed out. A smoke house, with about 250 pounds of meat, belonging to Henry Summerhill were carried away by the stream and lost.
LAKE VIEW POOR FARM
This institution was incorporated under an Act of Assembly approved April 4, 1868, under the name of "Luzerne Poor Farm," for the townships of Newton, South Abington and North Abington. About 1904 the name was changed to Lake View Poor Farm.
The Lake View Poor District now includes eleven townships and boroughs, namely : North
of the farm and buildings is $16,000 and the personal property, $3,000. The building is heated with hot water, and is equipped with hot and cold water.
There were fifteen inmates June 7. 1912; the youngest ten years and the oldest eighty- four years of age.
DEPUTY U. S. MARSHAL SHOT
There are many conflicting rumors about the shooting of Hosey by Noah Smith, which has made it very difficult to prepare this short narration. It is claimed by a few persons that the Deputy Mar- shal was James Hosey; others claim his name was Hosey Phillips.
Noah Smith enlisted as a drummer boy at the beginning of the Rebellion. when only
LAKE VIEW ALMSHOUSE
Abington, South Abington, West Abington, Benton, Greenfield, Newton and Scott town- ships, and Dalton, Glenburn, LaPlume and Waverly boroughs.
The first farm, containing 126 acres, was pur- chased in 1868 from Olney Bailey, and in De- cember, 1910, 28 acres more were purchased from the Alfred Reed estate, making a total of 154 acres, of which 120 acres are cleared. The first steward was A. M. Pelham. Burton Vande Bogert has been the Steward since July 1, 1907, and Mrs. VandeBogert, Matron. A. J. Thomp- son was Steward for eleven years, from Febru- ary 10, 1896 to July 1, 1907.
The building is a wooden structure, two stories and basement, size 28x71 feet for the inmates, with an addition on the front, size 26x36 feet, for the Steward and his family. This new part was built in 1893, during the Stewardship of George Vosburgh. The value
twenty years of age. It is asserted that after he enlisted, the superior officers insisted that he should enter active service as a private and not as a drummer. Smith was a bold and courage- ous young man, and took advantage of the first young man, and took advantage of the first opportunity he had for escaping, which was a daring feat. He ran pass the guards who were stationed on all sides. After making his escape he went to a farm house, where the family was away. A card was tacked on the door contain- ing these words: "Visiting at Uncle John's." The door was unlocked, and Smith improved the opportunity by entering the house and ex- changing his "suit of blue" for a suit of citizen's clothes which he found hanging in one of the rooms. He then started on his journey reach- ing his home in Ransom with very little diffi- culty. He was captured several times after de- serting, and each time escaped. He lived in a
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IIISTORY OF NEWTON TOWNSILIP
cave in the rocks in the woods back of his fa- ther's house for several weeks.
One day in February, 1865, Smith and John Raife, another deserter, were invited to spend the day and night with Levi Rosenkrans, in Newton (where Amzi Rosenkrans is now liv- ing), and while there about three o'clock in the afternoon, Hosey Phillips, a Deputy U. S. Mar- shal, with a sleigh load of other men, came to the Rosenkrans home to capture the deserters. Smith and Raife went upstairs when they saw the officers coming. Hosey entered and began searching the house. He opened the stair door swearing that he would take Smith either dead or alive. Smith met Hosey at the top of the stairs warning him to stop or he would shoot. Hosey advanced farther, when Smith shot and killed him. then turning to the window he shot and injured one of the men standing outside the house. Smith and Raife then fled, going to Falls through the snow in their stocking feet. Ilere Amos Beemer, a merchant, gave each a pair of boots; then they went to Ransom and hid in John Stout's barn for about two weeks, and then went West. Later they returned to Ransom where Smith was married March 23, 1866 to Miss Catherine E. Jacoby. About two years later. one Sunday in February or March. a Mr. Casey and another man from Scranton, drove to the Smith home, arrested Smith, and took him to Scranton without hat or coat. The same day he was taken to the Wilkes-Barre jail. About six months later he was tried before Judge John M. Cunningham for the murder of Hosey. G. M. Harding was his attorney. The jury brought in a verdict of not guilty. that Smith fired the fatal shot in self defense.
Noah Smith was born March 13. 1841 and died June 4, 1900. He was a son of Peter and Sarah (Compton) Smith of Ransom. (Sec Mrs. Catherine Smith of Ransom.)
NEWTON AND RANSOM MAIL ROUTES
In the early days a mail route was established between Wilkes-Barre and Tunkhannock, via of Pittston and Falls. John Pruner was one of the first mail carriers. The postage was five cents for each letter, to be paid when the letter was delivered. Postage stamps were not intro- duced until 1847.
The first post-office in Newton township was established in 1835, at Bald Mount. The mail was carried on horse back from Old Forge to Falls, making a trip once a week. About 1857. Chauncey Sherwood, and a few others, made an effort to have it changed to twice a week, in which they were successful.
The mail is now carried daily by Solomon VanSickle, over a "star route," from Clarks Summit, via of Schultzville. Three rural de-
livery routes complete the system, two starting from Ransom, and one from Clarks Summit.
Route No. 1, from Ransom. was established Feb. 1. 1907. with Peter Bedell, Jr .. mail car- rier. This route serves about one hundred and twelve families in Newton. Ransom, and Falls townships, traversing about eighteen and a half miles of road.
Route No. 2. from Ransom, was started Mar. 16, 1907. and David H. Bedell was appointed carrier. This route serves over one hundred families in Ransom and Newton townships.
Route No. 2. from Clarks Summit. was es- tablished April 1, 1908 and serves the families along twenty-four and a half miles of road in South Abington and Newton townships. Orrin S. Sharpe is the mail carrier.
Six post-offices have been established in the two townships, as follows:
Office Date Estab.
First Post Master
Ransom,
Apr. 9, 1850 Isaac D. Gulick
Bald Mount, Dec. 23, 1835 Solomon C. Strong
Milwaukie, July 16, 1855 Nicholas G. Reed
Office discontinued Mar. 30, 1907
Moosic, About 1860
Henry Kern
Office discontinued about 1866
Schultzville. June 2, 1864 John B. Schultz
Mountain Valley, Aug. 7, 1868 Edward B. Trivley Office discontinued June 25, 1894
The Moosic post-office was located at Kern's Corners, where P. P. Vosburg now lives.
There are now three post-offices, as follows:
Bald Mount. Andrew Collum, postmaster. Schultzville, George Sherman, postmaster. Ransom, James P. VanOstrand. postmaster.
POPULATION OF NEWTON AND RANSOM TOWNSHIPS SINCE 1850
Year
Newton
Ransom
1850
819
797
1860
916
509
1870
1,057
603
1880
1,027
646
1890
1,059
650
1900
1,281
894
1910
1,417
849
The above figures include the inmates at the Hillside Home and the Ransom Home
BALD MOUNT.
The highest point in Ransom and Newton townships, and surrounding country for many miles is Bald Mount, being 2,223 feet above the sea level. The "pinnacle" or highest point is located in Ransom township. a short distance east of the Newton line, and about five miles westward from Scranton. At its western base lies the village of Milwaukie.
The top of the mount is shorn of its larger trees by the force of the wind, which many
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HISTORY OF NEWTON TOWNSHIP
times sweeps over it with great fury, making il comparatively bald, thus giving it the name. When the day is clear a wide view of field. forest and lake is offered, and ten or twelve towns and villages can be seen from its high altitude. One large rock, prominently located on the pinnacle, is perforated with several holes of the capacity of from a quart to a gallon. These were probably used by the Indian women for pounding their com into samp. This theory is substantiated by the large number of stone pestles found near it many years ago.
Bald Mont has become a popular resort during the hot summer months for persons from the crowded city loving the romance of mountain life. It is reached by a long, steep, zigzag road. A short distance below the piuna- dle emerges a spring, cool and sparkling, where many weary and thirsty pedestrians have been refreshed by its pure and nover-failing waters.
INDIAN GOLD SPRING.
There is a tradition of an Indian gold spring in this locality where the red man obtained the precious metal. Explorers have searched upon every side of Bald Mount for the hidden treasure, which has never been found.
"In 1778, a young man who had been cap- tured by the savages in Wyoming Valley, was carried to the top of a mountain where the Wilkes-Barre settlement could be seen in the distance. Here they built their camp fire. A transaction took place at this time which, from its novel character, excited the surprise and over afterward impressed the mind of the young, unharmed captive. A venerable chief, to whom the young man owed his safety, and subsequently his release, removed a large flat stone covering the spring. The waters of this were so conveyed by a subterranean conduit, constructed for the purpose, as regard to the real source of the spring. At its mouth a roll of bark, forming a spout, was placed in such a manner as to direct the current into a hander- chief held under it by two of the Indians. For some moments the chief, reverently attended by the warriors, arrayed with bow and arrow, and forming a circle around him, stirred up the spring with a conscious knowledge of its gainful results. After an hour had elapsed, every stone previously disturbed was restored to its former condition ; earth and leaves were left as if never touched, and no one. without ocular knowledge, would suspect the existence of a water-course. The handkerchief, covered with yellow sedi- ment, was now lifted from the spout. The glittering product thus gathered by the chief was placed in a stone vessel with great care. After the fire was extinguished, and certain in- cantations performed with ceremonial exactness,
the Indians left the spot in charge of the wild rocks surrounding it, and resumed their march toward their land of maize among the lakes.
"Six days' walk led the party to Kingston, New York, where the treasures of the moun- tain, thus artfully obtained, were exchanged with the whites, for such articles as want or ca- price suggested to the occupants of the forest.
"In after years the returned hero often re- lated the incident to his family and friends, some of whom thoroughly traversed every por- tion of Bald Mount and Campbell's Ledge with- ont discovering the secret channel or the golden spring."-Hollister's History.
HILLSIDE HOME
On April 9th, 1862, a law was enacted by the legislature "to authorize the erection of a poor- house by the borough of Dunmore, borough of Scranton and township of Providence." The corporators and first commissioners were Ed- ward Spencer, of Dunmore; Joseph Slocum and David K. Kressler, of Scranton; and Henry Griffin of Providence.
On June 30, 1862, the district purchased a farm of 127 acres from Abraham Polhemus, for $6,730.50. This property is located in Newton township (part of farm in South Abington ), Lackawanna county, nine miles from Scranton, on the old turnpike from Clark's Green to New- ton Centre. It is also two miles west from Clark's Summit station on the Lackawanna Railroad, and the Binghamton and Scranton Electric Railway. No better location could have been selected. The wide and extended view of the landscape for many miles westward, toward the mountains along the Susquehanna river is a never ceasing source of joy and admiration to all inmates and visitors.
Since the purchase of the first farm in 1862, there has been added by purchase, 373 acres, making a total of 500 acres, and -28 buildings have been erected, including the large concrete dairy barn now being built. This building is 38x184 feet, one-story high, built of concrete and steel. The window-sash are made of steel, no wood being used in the entire structure. It will accommodate 100 cows, and will be equip- ped with all modern improvements for scientific dairying. No hay nor feed will be kept in this barn. Another concrete barn, for fodder and grain, is being built near.
The first almshouse was built in 1863. This was a wooden structure, size 30×60 feet, two stories high. It cost $1,800. This building now stands just west of the insane asylum, with a basement added, and is used for epileptics. In 1878 another almshouse was erected. This is a three-story and basement brick building, and.
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HISTORY OF NEWTON TOWNSHIP
since the erection of the new almshouse, com- pleted in 1906, it is used for the insane inmates.
The rapid increase of insane patients made it necessary to vacate all the buildings formerly occupied by sane inmates, within the eleven acres inclosed, and devote them to the use of the insane. The Directors were unanimous in the belief that the sane and insane inmates should be kept separate and apart from each other. This could only be affected by the erection of a new building, outside of the fenced enclosure. This was finally decided upon, and a site was selected about one thousand feet from the asy- lum.
E. H. Davis was chosen as the architect to prepare plans and specifications, which were adopted by the Board in the spring of 1903. The building was completed and occupied in the fall of 1906. Its capacity will provide for four hundred inmates. The frontage is about 500 feet, two stories high. besides basement and attic : is fireproof and thoroughly equipped with the latest and best known modern improve- ments, the male and female departments being entirely separate. The entire cost of the build- ing, including foundations, plumbing, electric work, heating system, etc .. was $262.946. 59.
In 1910. a fine brick residence for the Super- intendent was erected directly in front of the new almshouse, near the road, at a cost of about $10,000.
The Asylum and Hospital for Insane con- sists of a group of buildings enclosed by an iron fence eight feet high, under lock and key. The space thus enclosed, comprises eleven acres of ground, within which are the following build- ings :
Administration Building, with wings, for in- sane wards. The basement under each wing, formerly used as wards for insane patients, have been converted into dining rooms with connect- ing corridors to other buildings occupied by pa- tients, thus permitting all to enter the same without going out of doors. There are two other large buildings separate from the Admin- istration Building, also connected by corridors to the dining rooms. These dining rooms are a model in every respect, each having a seating capacity of 200, being 90x50 feet in size, total capacity 400. The old dining room was located on the second floor of the Administrtion Build- ing. Within this enclosure is the Epileptic Building (formerly the old Almshouse), also the cold storage plant, large play grounds (en- closed), store house (from which all goods, gro- ceries and supplies are furnished), laundry, bakery, chapel, conservatory and morgue, a base ball diamond and tennis court.
The capacity of the asylum and hospital for the insane will provide for 500 patients. The
male and female departments are entirely sep- arate from each other, and the patients classified and graded as to wards, as far as possible, ac- cording to their mental condition, whether of a mild, chronic or violent form.
Too much credit and praise cannot be given George W. Beemer, the present Superintendent. for the excellent management of this institu- tion, and the manner in which he has carried out the various improvements at the Home, the work having been done by the inmates, under his supervision.
The Superintendents since the beginning of the institution in 1862, follow: William Cole, from July 1. 1862 to January, 1864; R. Ileffle- finger, from January to AApril. 1864. He died April 8th; J. V. Decker, from April 12, 1864 to January 1, 1877 : J. W. Boice. from Jannary, 1877 to April. 1883: G. W. Beemer, from April 6. 1883 to April 1. 1888; Charles S. Fowler, from April 1, 1888 to January, 1891; G. W. Beemer, January, 1891 to present time.
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