USA > Pennsylvania > Butler County > History of Butler County, Pennsylvania > Part 69
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The Equitable Aid Union was organized in 1879. and incorporated March 22, that year. On April 12, 1852, almost ten years after the " Fannie Jane" was drilled and three years after the exodus of the oil men, Florence Union, Number 435, was organized with thirty-seven members.
CHAPTER XLVII. KARNS CITY BOROUGII.
EARLY HISTORY-THE CELEBRATED MCCLYMONDS FARM-THE TOWN NAMED-RAPID GROWTH-INCORPORATION-POPULATION-POSTMASTERS -- PRESENT BUSINESS IN- TERESTS-FIRE AND FLOOD-BOROUGH OFFICIALS AND SCHOOLS-CHURCHES- SECRET SOCIETIES.
W HEN, in December, 1871, the Cooper Brothers leased fifteen acres of land from Hugh P. McClymonds and fifteen acres from Samuel L. Riddle, these farms were destined to be the site of a remarkable oil town. The first well was located in the valley on the McClymonds farm, near the west line, and was named the " Shasta." In June. 1872, it was producing 120 barrels a day. On May 29, of that year, S. D. Karns, having great faith in this venture of the Cooper Brothers, leased the entire 214 acres of the McClymonds farm at a bonus of $200 per acre and one-eighth oil royalty, the owner reserving the Cooper lease and fourteen acres surrounding his farm buildings. On June 1, he leased, on the same terms, 204 acres from Samuel L. Riddle, who reserved the lease given to Cooper Brothers and ten acres about his farm buildings. Oil was then selling at $4 per barrel, and the new strike was attracting the alert producer. A fierce dispute arose among several operators as to the possession of the McCly- monds farm, but a compromise was effected, and June 18, 1872. he sold his farm, reserving the farm buildings and surface of fourteen acres, for $60,000, the pur- chasers being O. G. Emery, S. D. Karns, William Thompson, William Parker and John H. Haines. Excitement was now intense. Derricks were looming up on every side, and buildings were rapidly erected.
552
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
In honor of S. D. Karns the new town was named " Karns City." Lots on the McClymonds farm sold at $100 to $500, while many were leased for an annual rental of $25 to $150. Dwellings, stores of all kinds, hotels, restaurants, livery stables and machine shops lined the streets. Business was booming, and during this year, 1872, Ralston, McQuaide & Company established a banking office, and transacted a large business until they suspended, in 1880. With the advent of the "Fourth sand gushers," the excitement was intense, and the rapidly accumulating fortunes of many oil producers were amazing.
Believing that a permanent town would be built, the owners of the McCly- monds farm. in February, 1871, made a plat of their land, and on January 4, 1875, the borough was incorporated, the boundaries embracing all of the McCly- monds farm and about ten acres of the Riddle farm. Karns City being the terminus of the Parker and Karns City railroad, it became the depot of supplies for points at the " front." On the arrival of trains passengers were greeted with boisterous invitations to be transported by all kinds of vehicles to Barnhart's Mills, Greece City, Angelica, Troutman and Modoc. On June 13, 1874, the McClymonds farm was sold to James H. Abrams for $30,000, and since that time has been owned by various persons, but on June 18, 1879, it was purchased by E. E. Abrams, the present owner.
Of the five remaining oil wells on this farm that have produced over twenty years, one is the famous "Rob Roy," which has produced more than 200,000 barrels of oil, and is yet pumping about four barrels per day. The total value of oil from this farm is estimated to be over $1,500,000, much of the oil having been sold at four dollars per barrel. The Riddle farm was not sold, but the leases and producing wells formed large transactions. It was on this farm that in 1878 E. O. Emerson drilled an exhausted Third sand well in search of the Fourth sand, and struck the "Teaser," which flowed 500 barrels per day and surprised every person. Mr. Emerson sold this well and others on the Riddle farm to H. L. Taylor & Company for $90,000.
In 1876 Karns City had a population of over 2.000, with an excellent fire department, good schools, churches, crowded stores, glittering saloons, fountains of oil and a general whirl of excitement, but the exodus to the " upper country " rapidly decreased the population. In 1877 an opera house was built, which was afterwards torn down and moved elsewhere. In 1880 less than half the popula- tion of 1876 remained, and in 1890 the total was 427, which is about the present population.
Though there was a private postal route prior to 1874, in that year the postoffice department established an office with E. S. Harvey postmaster. He was succeeded by A. N. Hamor, who was followed by Miss M. B. Morse. In 1887 P. R. Burke was appointed, and next came Miss Anna Rigney, whose successor was Miss Mary N. Corts, who managed the office until the appoinr- ment, in August, 1893, of E. II. Jewell, the present incumbent.
The general merchants in 1894, were McElroy Brothers, John Wersh, Mrs. M. Hilliard, and the druggist, T. R. Storey. The Duprey Ilouse furnishes hotel accommodations. The Star Light and Producers oil refineries are in operation.
553
KARNS CITY BOROUGH.
The National Transit pump station continues to force oil through the various pipe lines, there being five large lines near it. P. D. Sherwin's Enterprise Coal Works ships several cars of coal daily over the Pittsburg & Western Railroad.
FIRE AND FLOOD.
The fire of May 26, 1873, which destroyed much of the Karns City property and threatened the new oil town, was followed in June of that year by a second fire, when a 1200-barrel tank, belonging to S. D. Karns, in the Stone House neighborhood, burst, and the oil catching fire, destroyed the Union Line pump house, two rigs owned by a Butler syndicate and a large quantity of oil.
The fire of December 2, 1874, burned sixty-four buildings in the business center; and in September, 1876, another fire destroyed sixteen buildings between the present postoffice and the machine shop, including P. R. Burke's two buildings.
The burning of the Bateman House, March 5, 1877, was the most terrible in its results, Mrs. Bateman, three of her children and one of the guests perishing in the flames, while F. E. Bateman, his son and another guest died of burns within a few hours. Notwithstanding this series of destructive events the citi- zens renewed their exertions, so that. by the close of the fiscal year in June. 1878, a sum of over $2,913 was received for taxes, together with various sums for local improvements.
The flood of July 26. 1879, which wrought such havoc at Petrolia, was pro- portionately unmindful of the interests of Karns City. At 11 o'clock in the fore- noon the waters of Bear creek began to claim the valley for their bed, and as the rain increased in volume they attacked the small buildings and then Luther's stable. The old Conduit Pipe Company's office, occupied by the Toy family, Mrs. Emerick's house, the kitchen of the Primrose Hotel and A. D. Hall's farm house were moved from their foundations, and some of them carried down stream to mingle with the wieckage.
The burning of the tank belonging to the National Transit Company, June 1, 1884, was one of the awe-inspiring scenes of this field. The tank contained 26,000 barrels of oil, and though much of it was drawn off, what remained sup- plied fuel to keep the flames alive for twenty-four hours.
BOROUGH OFFICIALS AND SCHOOLS.
The borough was incorporated January 4, 1875. in answer to a petition of September 12, 1574, with L D. Akin, burgess ; A. J. Elliott, J. C. Shay, J. E. Criswell, H. Rodgers, John S. Kane and Dr. S. H. Pettigrew councilmen, and T. P. Brown clerk. The burgesses and councilmen elected since 1875 are as follows :
1876-L. D. Akin, burgess, and same council with the exception of J. E. Criswell, who made way for D. F. Kellerman.
1877-C. Taber, burgess ; F. H. Roberts and J. II. Luther.
1878-C. Taber, burgess ; A. J. Salisbury, J. D. Peters, N. B. Parker, Henry W. Wathy and Perry Houghton.
Special-Luther Stone, burgess ; Joseph Bell and S. H. Gordon.
1
554
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
1879-Luther Stone, burgess ; J. J. Bell, G. D. Hamor, A. M. Ross, P. R. Burke. A. T. Mead and S. Traven.
1880-P. R. Burke. burgess : A. Messimer, S. M. Ros-, T. P. Lardin, A. W. Gordon, A. A. West and J. 11. Murtland.
1881-Joseph Thomas, burgess; S. M. Ross, Al. II. Simpson, W. S. Will- iams, Luther Stone, W. M. Randolph and David Harper.
1882-Joseph Thomas, Jr., burgess ; 1I. A. Moorhead, William Walker and T. G. Brown.
1888-J. B. Sherman. burgess ; A. B. Evans, H. A. Moorhead and James O'Hara.
1884-Joseph Thomas, burgess ; J. N. Titus, W. C. Lenfesty, W. W. Wal- lace, J. C. Nevills, John Beck and William Howland.
1885-Luther Stone, burgess ; J. C. Nevills and William Howland.
1886-Luther Stone, burgess ; O. S. June and George Strance.
1887-Joseph Thomas. Jr., burgess ; W. Il. McGaffic and J. W. Pennell.
1888-J. W. Glossner, burgess; George Beck, J. H. McElroy and G. E. McGill.
1889-J. W. Glossner, burgess ; George Strance and W. W. Wallace.
1890-J. W. Glossner, burgess : W. S. Kean and J. H. McElroy.
1891-J. W. Glossner, burgess : George Beck and 11. C. Johnston. 1892-J. W. Glossner, burgess ; N. S. White and Joseph Mechling. 1893-J. W. Glossner, burgess ; D. M. Carroll, T. R. Storey and W. S. Kean.
1894-John Neuber, burgess ; George Beck and B. O. June elected, with D M. Carroll, W. S. Kean, T. R. Storey and N. S. White of the old council, and "Squire King clerk.
The following justices of the peace have been elected since 1875: T. P. Brown, 1875: David J. Stewart, 1875 and 1880; Robert Dunn, 1878; James Il. Lewis, 1879; W. H. McGaffic, 1882 and 1885; Luther Stone and J. B. Sher- man, 1886; M. J. King. 1886, 1887 and 1892; J. N. Titus, 1888; W. H. McGaffic, 1889; Isaac Weible, 1890; E. W. Jewell. 1891 : Isaac Weible, 1892 : W. W. Wallace, 1893. 'Squire King was the only justice elected since 1886 who qualified as such.
The present school house was erected in 1878, to replace the old school house erected in 1874 and burned in 1876. The school statistics of June, 1893, show thirty-eight male and sixty-one female pupils of school age ; the total revenue for school purposes, $910.95, including $469.88 appropriated by the State. For many years the excellence of this school has been recognized by the people and endorsed by every county superintendent.
CHURCHES.
The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1874 by Rev. G. J. Squire, and in 1876 Mrs. J. H. Abrams donated land on which the church build- ing and pastor's residence were erected. This borough was selected in preference to Fairview as the home of the pastor-in-charge of the two congregations, and thus the Methodists, of this period, obtained privileges which the older members of the Fairview class of 1817. resident in and near Karns City, never enjoyed.
555
KARNS CITY BOROUGH.
Among the old members were A. M. Hamor. Thomas Lardin, James Tarbell, W. Mckenzie and Luther Stone. AAmong the pastors were Revs. D. C. Planet, C. Peters, J. C. Rhodes, J. P. Slattery, E. Ryan, I. N. Clover, who resigned and was succeeded by Mr. Gordon, W. P. Graham. Mr. Merritt, Mr. Canfield, Mr. Linn, I. G. Pollard, A. J. Teets and Frederick Fair, the present pastor, who were also pastors of the Fairview church.
The Presbyterian Church of Karns City had its beginnings in the autumn of 1875, when Rev. I. D. Decker began preaching to the people of that borough and Fairview. He continued the work throughout the following year, and on November 16, 1876, the church at Karns City was organized, and D. N. Bran- dow, C. S. Leslie and W. W. Randolph chosen elders. These with Mrs. Bran- dow, Mrs. Randolph, Robert and Maggie Walker, N. S. Williams, Mrs. C. Stetson, S. M. and Maggie Ross, John .1. Bolhan and Mrs. Margaret Fithian constituted the original membership. A church was completed and dedicated August 6, 1876. It stood on the farm of Harrison Riddle. In April, 1877, Rev. John Rutherford began holding services at Karns City, Petrolia and Millerstown, and he was succeeded by Rev. W. D. Patton, who preached here for a couple of months. On October 2. 1877, Mr. Decker again took charge of this church and was installed pastor October 30. AAt the beginning of 1878 the congregation con- tained fifty members. It was incorporated June 7. 1880, by Charles S. Leslie, W. W. Randolph, S. M. Ross, E. G. Harvey and N. R. Blair, trustees. Adam Miller was made an elder May 3, 1SS4, and three or four years later Joseph Ear- hart and Thomas Evans were added. Mr. Decker was pastor of this church until his removal to New Jersey. in October, ISSS. The decline of oil production had a depressing effect on most all the churches in the oil towns, and Karns City suffered with the others. Prior to 1>91 the church disbanded and its member- ship united with the church at Fairview and elsewhere. During its existence it had enrolled 113 members.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
Karns City Lodge, Number 931, I. O. O. F., was chartered February 28, 1876, with P. R. Burke. A. S. Messimer, J. L. Henry, S. H. Pettigrew. and J. L. Philips, officers in lodge rank. The hall near the Duprey House was erected in 1875 for society purposes, the lower floor being intended for the fire depart- ment, borough and school officials' offices. The past grands of this lodge are P. R. Burke, R. E. Darling, R. L. Gibson, Albert Godfrey, George Strance, F. W. Jackson, N. F. Mattison, R. F. Ruch, B. S. Rankin. John McClean, George Beck, Joseph Bezler, II. C. Johnson and T. R. Storey.
Karns City Lodge, Number 106, A. O. U. W., was chartered March 31, 1877, with A. D. Mead, J. Moorhead, A. T. Mead, A. J. Rheinhart, F. J. Painter, J. L. Henry, F. S. Houghton, J. M. McCandless, J. Wilcox and W. H. Phillips, officers in order of lodge rank, with P. R. Burke, W. II. Hoffman and others unofficial members. The past master workmen are P. R. Burke, Dominick Mclaughlin, II. Z. Wing, W. W. Cather, Paul Campbell, S. B. Loveless. J. B. Sherman, O. S. June, B. O. June, Aaron Gamble and A. G. Zuver.
Derrick Lodge. Number 456, K. of P., was organized under charter of May
556
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
1. 1877, with eleven members. The past chancellors are John McMillen, A. M. Akin, Albert Godfrey, John Geyer, Joseph Thomas, R. R. MeDermott, II. C. Johnson and J. M. McCollough.
Gold Lining Union, E. A. U., Number 463, was organized in July, 1882, and instituted on the seventh of that month with forty charter members. The society has passed out of existence.
The Good Templars organized here at an early date and subsequently, about 1884, the Sons of Temperance, the present postmaster and Luther Stone being among the organizers.
The Knights of Labor organized here in the eighties, with P. R. Burke, E. W. Jewell, J. H. Thomas, Jr., W. R. Page, P. D. Sherman and others-the lodge at one time embracing 100 members.
CHAPTER XLVIII.
OAKLAND TOWNSHIP.
ORGANIZATION-STATISTICS-PIONEERS - SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS -CHURCHES AND CEMETERIES-JUSTICES OF THE PEACE-VILLAGES-SECRET SOCIETIES.
T HIS township formed a part of the original Buffalo and Middlesex townships down to 1804, when it became a part of the original Donegal and Butler townships. In the forties, when the partial re-subdivision of northern Butler was effected, the territory was in North Butler and Donegal, and so remained until 1854, when it was established under its present name and within its present boundaries.
The population in 1860, was 919; in 1870. 926; in 1880. 1.039, and in 1890, 1,198. In June, 1893, there were 102 male and 119 female children of school age reported. The assessed value on January 1, 1891, was $275,181; the county tax levied, $1,100.78, and the State tax, $171. For the year ending June 1, 1893, a sum of $2,611.98 was received for the six schools, of which the sum of $1,280.81 was appropriated by the State.
PIONEERS.
The settlement of Oakland township may be said to have been contempo- rary with that of Butler township, and almost contemporary with that of Donegal. The honors of pioneership belong, in the first instance, to the O'Donnells, of Donegal county, Ireland, and the Whitmires, of Berks county, Pennsylvania. Connell O'Donnell immigrated from Ireland in 1798, and selected 500 acres in this divison of Butler county the same year, but he only survived his coming fifteen
557
OAKLAND TOWNSHIP.
years. In the same year Francis Whitmire arrived, settled and resided here until his death in 1832. Thomas Dugan, a native of Ireland, may be said to have located here before the close of the century with his wife, Grace ()'Donnell. For a few years after his arrival in this country he worked in the Bear Creek furnace, but it is said made his home in what is now Oakland. John Green and John Lowe are said to have been here in 1798.
Samuel Hamilton and John Robb owned 1,200 acres before the county was organized. William Robb purchased in 1810 a tract of 260 acres from Samuel or Robert Riddle, with the cabin thereon. Riddle had made a small clearing some years before, and Samuel Riddle resided there prior to its sale. John Moser, Sr., a Revolutionary soldier, and son John, a single man, had some in- terests here even before the establishment of the county in 1800, and. it is said, they were here as early as 1797-98. William Hutchison and his brothers, George and Alexander, came before the close of the century and took a leading part in civil and military affairs.
John Neyman brought his family from Westmoreland county during the War of 1812. Ilis brother William had been living near the mouth of Bonny Brook, in what is now Summit township, since 1799, where he conducted grist, saw and carding mills for several years before removing into Oakland. John first located on the Millinger farm, and subsequently erected a grist and carding mill on Stony run, where the MeGrath mill stands, in Center township, but many years later returned to his original settlement in this town-hip. William Neyman also removed into Oakland, and erected a mall on the Thomas MeKissick farm, known as the Phillips grist mill.
James Douglass, the owner of a distillery in 1803, moved into Oakland about 1814. made a clearing and erected a cabin. Robert Hamilton took possession of the land and cabin when he came here in 1818. Henry Hoon came after Hamil- ton; Daniel MeElwee settled on Enoch Varnum's pre-emption in 1822; James Patton arrived in 1829, and another branch of the Patton family in 1536; the Stroups came from Germany in 1934, and the Eyths in 1839; and during the quarter century following a large contingent of Germans from Bavaria, Wurtemburg and other Teutonic countries flocked hither to seek for and find homes, and numbers of pioneer families of other townships, such as the Balph- and Martins, also came here at an early period. In later years representatives of the old families of Clear- field and Donegal selected lands in this township. The sketches of the Catholic, Presbyterian and Baptist churches give the names of about all the oldl residents of Oakland.
SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS.
The first school was established by " Connoquienes-ing John," or John Thompson, in 1817. in the abandoned cabin of James Dougla-s. How long " Connoquenessing John " presided there is not known. Seventeen years after his coming the common school law was adopted, and a newer order of teachers took the place of John Thompson and his brother pedagogues. Two houses were erected in 1834, one near where Martin Eyth located in 1839. Herein the faces of William Greer, John and Robert Thorn, Jacob Boyd, Abraham Stephen-on,
558
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
William McClung, John O'Donnell, John L. Neyman, David Scott, James Reid, William Christy, Isaac Hill, John McPherrin, Abraham Fleeger, Zachariah Phillips, Thomas Balph, William Ray, Isaac Hilliard and Mrs. Hood were familiar ones to the children of the pioneers. Prior to 1847 George Muller taught the Catholic school near the line of Summit, and other teachers followed him, the system being patronized by the Catholic people, who had also to pay taxes for the support of the common schools. To-day there are six school houses in the township, and its educational interests will compare favorably with other portions of the county.
CHURCHES AND CEMETERIES.
St. Joseph's Catholic Church (German) dates back in its personnel to the very beginning of the township, or at the close of the missionary period in this particular part of Pennsylvania. There was no church building here, however, until 1847, when a frame edifice was erected in the cemetery lot of two acres, donated by John Heppert and Wendel Scholl. Among the German families in the new parish were those of Conrad Angert, Michael Angert, Joseph Ball. John Ball, P. Blatt, Joseph Graham, Philip Heinz, Peter and Philip Hildebrand, M. Klaus, Joseph Munster. John Neff, Egid Neff, Joseph Oswald, Carl Oswald, Con- rad Ritzert, Ilerman Ritzert, Frank Ritzert, Jacob Scherer, Joseph Schultes, An- drew Schmidt, John Stein, Lorenzo Witte and Adam Will. The following named priests of St. Mary's Monastery have had charge of the parish since 1877 : Fathers Fidelis Maria, 1877; Pancraz, I-79; Andres, 1852; Pancraz, 1884; Anselm, 1855; Bonifaz, 1885, and Pancraz, the present pastor, all of the order of Capuchin priests. Prior to 1877 the priests named in the history of St. Joseph's Church ( English ) officiated here. In 1872 a Gothic building. in brick, was erected by the German, French and English-speaking Catholics of the district east of the old church, and therein the congregation worshiped until 1877, when the English-speaking people asked for a separate parish government. The de- mand was granted, and the German-speaking people re-possessed the old church of [>47, enlarged and restored it and built a parsonage and school house. Thus, to IS77, may be credited the foundation of St. Joseph's German Catholic parish, for on July 15 that year, the Right Rev. Richard Phelan dedicated the restored church. In 1883 the nave was frescoed by Adolph Stubner, of Pittsburg; in 18>> the roof was raised to permit an increase of seven feet in the height of walls, and the same year a steeple, seventy-five feet high above the tower. was con- structed. In the cemetery adjoining are interred many of the men and women whose industry converted the wilderness into a garden of peace and plenty.
St. Joseph's Catholic Church (English) was founded in ISI7, as related in the history of the present German parish ; but it was a mere mission or station. attended from St. Mary's, of Summit township; St. Patrick's, of Armstrong county; St. Peter's, of Butler, or St. John's, of Clearfield township. for many years. Father Long, it is said, offered the midnight mass on Christmas, 1847. Father Leander Snerr was the first resident priest, making his home at North Oakland for three years. Father Gregory succeeded him ; then came Father Devlin; next, Father Stegher, and then in order of administration, Fathers
559
OAKLAND TOWNSHIP.
John Ritter, Thomas Davin, Edward Dignam, Robert Waters, Walsh and Bren- nan, Among the English-speaking members of the congregation were the McGinleys, O'Donnells, Gillespies, Conways, Bradys, and, in fact, all the English- speaking Catholics in what is now St. Joseph's parish. On July 29, 1869, there was deeded to Bishop Domenec, in trust for St. Joseph's Catholic congregation of Oakland township, a tract of five acres and 130 perches of land, the consider- ation, $1,000, being paid to Daniel S. and Eleanor II. Rodgers. In 1872 meas- ures were taken to provide a new church, the Germans lending every aid to the undertaking, and the present Gothic building was dedicated in 1873. The style is rather of the Norman-Gothic order, with central tower and symmetrical spire. Red brick is used throughout, in walls, buttresses and tower, and the whole exterior bears evidence of what the people contributed toward raising a house worthy of Him whom they worship. The interior shows the nave, aisles, tran- sept, chancel and vestibule of this order of architecture. The altars are works of art ; while a few of the windows show how the glass stainer's art is appreciated in Oakland. The congregation is composed of 350 persons. In rear of the church is the parochial residence, erected in 1877 or 1878.
St. Wendelin's Catholic Church, on or near the line of Summit township, was founded in 1847, for the German and English-speaking people who had set- tled in the neighborhood. The congregation comprised originally, the families of Hubert Grim, Jacob Gerstner, John Kirch, John Sander, John Pistorius, Peter Hesedens, Matthias Kihn, Peter Leinenbach, John and Peter Sprecher. Christian Geibel, Peter Baldauf, Henry Geibel, Charles Geibel and George Miller. In 1849 a log chapel was constructed, and at the same time, a house for the school teacher, George Miller. When a priest would not be present on Sundays, the people would visit the primitive church for prayer, and this system was observed down to 1876, when Father Alphons Brandstetter, O. C. C., became pastor. The priests of St. Mary's took charge of the parish in 1880, when Father Joseph L. Becker, O. M. Cap., succeeded Father Brandstetter. The names of his successors are :- Fathers Angelus Baumgartner, ISS1; Trenaeus Kolb, 1852: Boniface Rosenberger, 15 3 ; Andrew Eisenhut, IS-5; Lawrence Beck, 1986-92 ; Godhard Friedman 1892, and Philian Lutz, 1893. In 1860 a new chapel, now used as a school house, was built ; but in 1875 a frame building, seventy-two by thirty- seven feet. was erected, which was blessed that year, Father Alphons, O. C. C., saying the mass therein on Christmas day. There were then twenty-one families in the congregation, including the Neu, Weiland, Hinterlang, Thoma and Krebs fam- ilies, with those who belonged in 1847. In 1894 there were thirty families or 120 individual members forming the congregation.
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