USA > Pennsylvania > Mifflin County > History of Mifflin County : its physical peculiarities, soil, climate, &c. ; including an early sketch of the state of Pennsylvania Volume I > Part 21
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39
· What we are doing and what we can do. How quickly and cheat ly and well. You can see at a glance, look which way you will,
That the printing art has never stood still Since the devil helped Dr. Faustus.
But it has fallen to the lot of our own country to render it a popu- lar institution, and so cheaply executed that the poorest of the people of this country are abundantly supplied with reading mat- ter of the latest date, at a mere nominal rate. The mechanic and 14
210
HISTORY OF MIFFLIN COUNTY.
the laborer, as well as the professional man and the man of leisure, can read in his daily the yesterday's proceedings of Congress, the British Parliament, or the doings in Rome, Costantinople and Egypt. To the printing press of our country is due the general diffusion of intelligence that is so characteristic of the American people. This enterprise and intelligence has earried the press and the English language, and the newspaper, to every country on the globe. Our American-English language is this diffused, American enterprise made notorious, till Americans officer the armies of Egypt, and hold high positions in its Government. Illinois furnishes the head of the Department of Agriculture for Japan, and Ohio, her Post- master General. Americans are the civil engineers of Russia and Turkey, and many in China are teaching our language and our arts, and she looks out from all.
"Her mystic past, and opens wide the fast barred doors that once her empire hid," and an American built railroad invades her long secluded 'domain. The railroad engineers of the United States have overrun South America in all her fastnesses, probed the An- des, and traversed the plains of Columbia and Brazil, " and where the Amazon's deep tide full-hearted glides throngh banks of green." The American engineer, stimulated by his characteristic enterprise, and guided by that intelligence that ever in human history has followed in the wake of the printing press, is marking his lines of railroad, and directing the nominally-priced labor of the country in its construction.
We find it impossible to note the different newspaper enterprises in Mifflin county ad seriatim ; but, having referred to a few of the primitive enterprises, we will note them as we can.
We find a copy of a paper called " The Gazette," published here, in 1819 and 1820, by William Mitchell. from which we make a few extracts, so as to enable our readers to contrast the "then " and "now " of the work :
"By adjournment .- A regimental court of appeals will be held, on Saturday, the 15th day of January next, at the tavern of Mrs. Jane Elliott, in the borough of Lewistown, by the field officers of the Twenty-second regiment, commanded by Col. Horrell; where collectors of exempt and militia fines, and others concerned, are re- quested to attend. By order of the board.
"H. KULP, Paymaster.
December 21, 1819."
211
HISTORY OF MIFFLIN COUNTY.
" Storing and Boating.
" The subscriber respectfully informs the farmers, merchants, millers and stillers that he has rented a part of the new stone honse at the month of Kishacoquillas creek, in the borough of Lewistown, where he will store produce of every description, in the best man- ner, and on the most moderate terms. He has provided himself with good boats, suitable for every stage of water; and, from his attention, he feels confident that he will be able to carry produce in a manner satisfactory to all concerned. He may always be found at his house, west end of Water street.
"PHILIP MARKS.
" December 28, 1819."
It will be observed this was ten years before the construction of the canal to this point.
C. S. Waltars advertises : "New clocks made by me warranted during life, and watches repaired and warranted for one year."
"December 23, 1819, Benjamin Lise forewarns all persons from trusting his wife, Mary Lise, on his account, as he will pay no debts of her contracting."
Naughty Mary, to leave poor Benjamin in this way, and to his discomfiture.
"E. Banks, prothonotary," December 7, 1819, advertises a special term of court of common pleas, to continne two weeks, for the trial of cases, in which Judge Houston is concerned as " council," by order of Hon. Charles Smith, president of the ninth judicial district of Pennsylvania.
" For sale. A tract of land in Wayne township, adjoining lands of Kaplin's heirs and others, now in the occupancy of Valentine Rothrock. If not sold before January court at private sale, will then be offered at public sale at the court house.
"E. W. HALL.
" November 27, 1819."
The same papers contain some of the adventures and experiences of Lewis and Conely, robbers that infested this region at that time, and that near here met their death.
The paper also contains a long story of Adam Poe's encounter with the Indians. When Adam and the Indian in their fight on the bank of the Ohio river, both fell over the bank into the water, when the current carried them into the stream beyond their depth, and they were compelled to loosen their hold on each other and swim for mutual safety. Both songht the shore to seize a gun to shoot
212
HISTORY OF MIFFLIN COUNTY.
his rival, but the Indian was the best swimmer and seized the gun first, when Poe turned back into the river hoping to escape the In- dian's fire by diving, but fortunately for him the Indian caught up the rifle that had been discharged on the breast of his companion. At this juncture Andrew Poe, his brother, returned, having left the party in pursuit of the other Indians, and who had killed all but one of them, at the expense of three of their own lives, and hear- ing that Adam was in peril came to his rescne, and another man in the rear of Andrew mistook Adam in the water with his bloody hand for the wounded Indian, and fired a bullet into his shoulder. Adam cried ont to his brother on shore to kill the big Indian, but Adam's gun had been discharged and the fight now was between the In- dian and Andrew, and each labored to load his rifle first. The In- dian, after putting down his powder and hurrying to force down his ball, drew out his ramrod with snch violence as to throw it some yards into the river, and while he ran to pick it up, Andrew got the advantage and shot him as he was raising his gun for his deadly aim, and then jumped into the river to assist his brother. This In- dian was one of the noted five brothers of the Wyandotts, and the writer hereof knew the Wyandotts for years, and has attended the preaching of Andrew Poe, and he and Adam both became noted ministers of the M. E. church, and again sought the Wyandotts on their reserve in northern Ohio, where the writer knew them. Sought them not with rifle and tomahawk with murder in their hearts, but with the gospel of salvation to induce them to adopt the plan of redemption they had themselves esponsed, and to unite their hands not in bloody warfare's struggle, but in helping each other on the way of eternal life. The Wyandotts, ever noted for their kindness, gave them and their labors a most kindly reception. It might here be truly said, " behold what wonders hath God wrought," The reading of this account of these early struggles in this old news- paper, brought most vividly to the mind of the writer the mission- ary labors of the Poes among the Wyandotts long years ago, when we met them both, the Indians and the Poes. The fight above referred to was in the year 1782, on the Ohio river, in sonthern Ohio.
Further on in this same old paper, we find fifty-six cases adver- tised for trial at the coming term of special session of court, to be held in Febauary, 1820.
213
HISTORY OF MIFFLIN COUNTY.
" FROM WASHINGTON TREASURY DEPARTMENT, December, 1819.
Expenses reported to Congress, civil list, miscel- laneous and foreign, - $2,404,593 90
Military, Indian and revolutionary pensions, - 10,292,831 03
Navy and marine, - 2,702,028 76"
They then advertise to their patrons that they will publish a counting-house almanac next week.
Then follows a letter from Iowa.
The McVeytown Journal.
Started in 1873. Published every Thursday by E. Conrad. Office on Canal street, Mc Veytown, Mifflin county, Pennsylvania. Terms, $1.50 per year, in advance. If not paid within three months after subscribing, $2 will invariably be charged.
No paper discontinued until all arrearages are paid, unless at the option of the editor.
No paper sent out of the county, unless paid for in advance.
The Lewistown Gazette.
Established 1809. Is issued every Wednesday morning, at cor- ner of Main and West Third streets, opposite town hall, and at book storc, 28 East Market street, Lewistown, Pennsylvania, by George R. Frysinger, local editor and publisher, and George Frysinger, editor and proprietor. Terms, $1 50 per annum in advance, $2 00 at end of year.
Newspapers in Mifflin County.
The first paper published at Lewistown is like the one at Mifflintown -- its very name has perished. It was prior to 1800 and was published by John Doyle. This information I got from Major W. P. Elliott, now 87 years of age. Nothing more is known of it.
The next paper was called The Western Star (an expressive name at the time no doubt) and was published by Edward Cole. It was started about March 12, 1801, four columns, $2 per annum. Only one copy is known to be extant and it is in the hands of Major Elliott, vol. v, No. 27, September 9, 1805. The editor an- nounces that he is going two or three months to the north-western Territories which was in Ohio, near Lake Erie. He speaks of the Huntingdon Gazette, calling it the Huntingdon Quid. He made the astounding announcement that there are 1,577 postoffices in the United States. The following is credited to a Baltimore paper:
214
HISTORY OF MIFFLIN COUNTY.
"Arrived at Charleston, S. C., Angust 9, the ship Abriel, Captain Paine, from Africa, with 260 slaves ; also, the British ship Esther, Captain Erving, with a cargo of human flesh to Charleston market." Cole's office was totally destroyed by some persons to whom he gave offense.
The Mifflin Eagle, removed from Mifflintown, was published in Lewistown by D. W. Huling and Levi Reynolds from May 1826 to 1832. How much longer I cannot tell, but it seems that papers in those days died of the same disease as some do in our days, for a contemporary paper which always called the Eagle the " Mifflin Crow," gave this notice of its death :
"Caw, caw, caw, caw, we did cry, For want of money we did die."
In one of its issues the Eagle has this marriage notice :
"On Thursday, the 5th inst., by Joseph McMeens, Esq., Mr. Samuel MacNew to Miss Mary Ressler, both of Milford township, Mifflin county.
May heaven's blessings crown their joys, And fill their arms with girls and boys,"
The Juniata Gazette was started by James Dickson and William P. Elliott in the fall of 1811. The material was brought from Carlisle. Major Elliott served in the company of Captam Mat- thew Rogers in the war of 1812, and he yet lives at the advanced age of 87 years, the oldest printer known. After four or five years Elliott retired and Dickson was sole editor, and after some time was succeeded by William Mitchell, who had it in Angust, 1819, from whom it probably passed to George W. Patton. The exact succession and dates could not be ascertained, but in 1833 William P. Elliott again became the editor and continued two or three years, when his son, Richard Smith Elliott, succeeded for a year.
About March 11, 1840, Henry Liebert published the paper under the head of Mifflin County Gazette and Farmers' and Mechanics' Journal. A year later F. C. Merklein became associated with Liebert, and subsequently Merklein alone conducted it, and from him, March, 1842, it passed to Adam Greer, father of A. J. Greer, who published it a year and sold it to William Ross, from whom it passed to George Frysinger, in October, 1846, who conducted it till March 1865, when David Over purchased it and after nearly a year sold back again to George Frysinger, G. R. publisher and George editor. G. R. had charge of the paper from 1870 to 1872, then from 1872 to 1874, George was editor and publisher. In
215
HISTORY OF MIFFLIN COUNTY.
March, 1875, G. R. and W. M. Frysinger became publishers. W. M. Frysinger retired in March, 1876. Since then G. R. is local editor and publisher, and George editor and proprietor.
The Lewistown Republican probably grew ont of the defunct Eagle. It had been published from September, 1832, for a number before me says - " Lewistown Republican and Workingmen's Advocate, volume 4, number 1, September 29, 1835, by John W. Shugert." In August, 1836, he was succeeded by C. C. Hemphill, who probably after a year was succeeded by James A. Cunningham from whom it passed, December, 7, 1842, to Henry Eisenbise and a year later, H. J. Walters became the editor, who conducted it until January 1, 1845, when the name was changed to the True Democrat under James Cunningham, with H. J. Walters as editor. In 1849 or 1850, Walters and William R. McCay conducted the paper until the death of the latter in 1855, when Walters continued until he was succeeded by H. Frysinger in 1854, and the paper was conducted by him until August, 1879, when it passed to D. L. Sollenberger.
The Democratic Sentinel was established September 1. 1871, by the Democratic County Committee, Hon. A. Reed, C. P. Dull and T. M. Uttley being a sub-committee to arrange for its issue. H. J. Walters became and has since remained editor.
The True Democrat and its predecessors, the Republican, &c., had always been the organ of the Democratic, and the Gazette of the Whig and Republican parties. The Sentinel grew out of the contest of 1871, and was started because the True Democrat would not join in the contest to defeat Judge S. S. Woods.
The Aurora was established in 1852 by W. F. Shaw, and had a career as an organ of the American party of some five years. The materials were purchased and taken West.
The Independent Press was a small paper printed for about six months by Henry Leibert, and edited by F. C. Merklein, assisted by Dr. T. A. Worrell. The material was divided between the Gazette and Democratic offices.
The Teachers' Friend was started in McVeytown by William D. McVey, in 1843. After three months the office passed to General T. F. McCoy, who for some time published the Village Herald.
216
HISTORY OF MIFFLIN COUNTY.
COUNTY INSTITUTIONS,
COUNTY OFFICERS - BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES - GEOLOGY, MINES AND MINERALS-MOUNTAINS AND VALLEYS.
The County Poor Farm.
There is a bird, God bless its feet, It chirps a music very sweet Upon the snow.
Let other warblers come in spring, Amid the flowers their notes to sing, And plumage show.
But give me yet that little bird, Whose cheerful voice is often heard In winds that chill.
Blest emblem of God's child of grace, Whose soul the storm of life can face And carrol still.
W HILE it is true that "man's inhumanity to man makes. countless thousands mourn," it is also true that in no age nor country has the poor unfortunates of God's creatures been cared for as in the United States; and in none of the States is this more carefully done than in the great State of Pennsylvania; and in no county in this State is that commendable work better done than in Mifflin county. We do not claim that no other county does as well; we simply state the fact that none does this work better.
There is no more commendable object to which a State can appropriate means of support, nor one deserving the approbation of every philanthropist, than that which is expended in the crection of those noble edifices, in which the deaf and dumb, the blind, insane and feeble minded, are housed and fed, educated and ten- derly cared for.
For the unfortunate poor of our own county of Mifflin, the county authorities have most amply provided for. In contrast with the above-described condition of affairs in this county, we
217
HISTORY OF MIFFLIN COUNTY.
here insert a description of A PARISH POOR HOUSE in England. We quote from an old work issued from the press nearly a hun- dred years ago :
"Behold yon house, that holds the parish poor, Whose walls of mud scarce bear the broken door ; There, where the putrid vapors flagging play, And the dull wheel hums doleful through the day, There children dwell who know no parents' care; Parents who know no children's love dwell there; Heart-broken matrons on their joyless beds, Forsaken wives and mothers never wed, Dejected widows, with unheeded tears, And crippled age, with more than childhoods' fears; The lame, the blind, and, far the happiest they, The moping idiot and the madman gay.
Here, too, the sick their final doom receive; Here, brought amid the scenes of grief to grieve Where the loud groans in some sad chamber flow, Mixed with the clamors of the crowd below. Here, sorrowing, they each kindred sorrow scan, And the cold charities of man to man, Whose laws, indeed, for ruined age provide,
And strong compulsion plncks the scrap from pride.
But still that scrap is bought with many a sigh, And pride embitters what it can't deny.
Such is that room, which one rude beam divides, And makes the rafters form the sloping sides, Where the vile bands that bind the thatch are seen, And lath and mud are all that lie between, Save one dull pane that, coarsely patched, gives way To the rude tempest, yet excludes the day. Here, on a matted flock, with dust o'er spread, The drooping wretch reclines his languid head. For him no hand the cordial cup applies, Nor wipes the tear that stagnates in his eyes; No friends with soft discourse his pains beguile, Nor promise hope till sickness wears a smile."
Instead of the conditions above described, the poor of Mifflin county are most amply cared for. A commodions home is provided for them. A most, healthful and beautiful location on a farm, the best surroundings in the county, is their location.
An ample amount of healthful food is provided for them. The best medical attention is furnished those who may need it, and cleanliness, quiet and order, is the characteristic of all their ap-
218
HISTORY OF MIFFLIN COUNTY.
pointments. This feature of American philanthropy finds no counterpart in any country in the world, however boasted its civili- zation or its advancement. It is with no feeling of regret that we can record that the United States, Pennsylvania, and Mifflin county are high up on the roll of humanitarians. To the object of these charities, the question is never 'asked, how came ye here ? Enough for the public, who is the dispenser of them to know, is, that that the subject needs their assistance, and it is freely and gen- erously granted ; hence as much a blessing to the donor as the re- cipient when donated with this feeling. Their intellectual and moral wants, as well as their physical necessities, are most amply provided for. Religions services are held there, and the present keeper of this county institution, feels it a moral duty, and one not to be neglected nor suspended, that they be continued with prompt- ness and regularity. For this, he deserves the high regard, the as- sistance and encouragement of the people of Mifflin county. This he merits, this he receives.
Officers of Mifflin County in 1879.
Sheriff, George Buffington ; Prothonotary of Court of Common Pleas, William S. Settle; Register of Wills, Recorder, &c., Willis V. B. Coplin ; Associate Judges, Reed Sample, Samuel Belford ; County Commissioners, R. J. McNitt, R. F. Cupples and John Henry ; J. K. Rhodes, Commissioners' Clerk ; County Treasurer, J. A Fitchthorn.
Benevolent Organizations.
LEWISTOWN LODGE, No. 203, F. AND A. M.
Originally known as Jackson Lodge. Was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, June 6, 1825. Present officers : W. M., W. K. Platt ; S. W., Charles O. Redelin , J. W., K. H. MeClintic ; Treasurer, Nathan Kenedy ; Secretary, R. H. Junkin; Represent- ative to Grand Lodge, J. M. Selheimer.
LODGE DIRECTORY OF MOVEYTOWN.
Mc Veytown Lodge, No. 82, I. O. of G. T., meets every Friday evening, in I. O. of O. F's hall.
Mc Veytown Lodge, No. 276, A. Y. M., meets every third Friday of each month, on Market street.
Bright Star Lodge, No. 705, I. O. O. F., meets every Saturday evening in their hall, on Market street.
219
HISTORY OF MIFFLIN COUNTY.
Mattawana Tribe, No. 71, I. O. R. M., meets every Tuesday even- ing in I. O. O. F's hall, on Market street.
LODGE DIRECTORY OF MILROY I. O. O. F.
Organized October 29, 1875. N. G., John Barge; V. G., S. V. Dye; Secretary, W. S. Dellett ; Treasurer, S. R. Spangler.
MASONIC ORDER.
Organized June 7, 1871. W. M., William R. Camp; S. W., Sam- nel A. MeClintic; J. W., Joseph L. Marks; Secretary, John L. Russler ; Treasurer, Ira Thompson.
LEWISTOWN LODGE, No. 255, K. OF P.
Instituted June 2d, 1870. C. C., Abner Robbins; V. C., Harris H. Mateer ; Prelate, John Kinley ; M. and A., J. W. Bonsum ; K. of R. and S., Thomas Strang; M. of F., Orren Brannen ; M. of E., H. A. Felix ; I. G., John B. Hess ; O. G., Jos. M. Owens ; Trus- tees, J. M. Alter, James W. Starr, Thomas H Brannen ; Represent- ative, Jos. S. Wearem.
LEWISTOWN CASTLE, No. 58, A. O. K. OF M. C.
Instituted August 5, 1873. Present officers: S. K. C., Thomas Strong ; S. K. V. C., Orrin Brannen ; S. K. F. L., Charles Kitting ; S. K. Secretary, W. W. Trout; S. K. Assistant, John M. Noite; S. K. Treasurer, George S. Hoffman ; S. K. O. G, Henry High ; S. K. I. G., E. Bœhner; S. K. C. of S., James J. Dalley ; S. K. Assistant C. of S., D. Z. Comfort ; S. K. Chaplain, C. Stratford, jr .; S. K. Trustees, W. W. Trout, D. Z. Comfort, Charles S. Marks ; Repre- sentative, Orrin Brannen.
JUNIATA LODGE, No. 270, K. OF P.
Instituted October 20, 1870. Present officers : C. C. Jacob Youtzy; V. C. William Riden; P., G. H. Rodgers; M. at A., E. R. Hil- debrand ; K. of R. and S., G. W. Goddard; M. of E., A. Penny- paeker; M. of F., A. T. Hamilton ; Trustees, W. W. Trout, R. C. Patterson, G. W. Meyers ; Representative, W. W. Trout.
Though much desiring that this department should be full and perfect, yet we have been unable to obtain full data of some of the organizations of our county. Those who have furnished us the data here given, will accept our thanks.
220
HISTORY OF MIFFLIN COUNTY.
Geology of Mifflin County.
The geology of Mifflin county is second to no other county in the State, and has been very thoroughly investigated by the State authorities in their surveys ; and to Mr. Dewees, of this county, who is connected with the surveys, we are largely indebted for the information in this department of our work. Transit lines were run along the south foot of Jack's Mountain from Logan's gap to. Jack's narrows, and short lines branching off at many points; from the base line are run to the crest of the mountain, and in the opposite direction, to the Juniata river, affording materials for a contour line map of the flank of the mountain and the valleys in front of it.
Here the ore openings are located. The vertical sections of the measures were then constructed, the curves calculated, and the thickness of the formations were thus obtained. A close study was made of all the strata outcropping along the banks of the Kishaco- quillas creek, from Lewistown northward, past Logan furnace and through Logan Gap into Kishacoquillas valley. Specimens for study and for the State museum, were taken from every layer, were numbered and labeled. A similar section was made at Mount. Union, extending along the banks of the Juniata river, into Jack's narrows. These two sections will suffice to establish, on the seenrest- basis, a systematic geology of Middle Pennsylvania, from the top of the Hamilton to the bottom of the Oneida formation.
During the year 1875, the instrumental survey was extended Westward to Orbisonia, and afterwards across the country, north- westward around the end of Jack's mountain.
Our knowledge of the geology of the Juniata river district of Pennsylvania previous to 1874, was due to the surveys made by Prof H. D. Rodgers, by Dr. A. H. Henderson, in the seasons of 1839 and 1840. The northern limit of Dr. Henderson's researches was made on the east side of Shade mountain, Jack's mountain and Sideland ridge; its southern limit was the Blue, North or Kittatiny mountain. Between these limits, they stretch from the Susquehanna range to Maryland. Since then, the erection of large iron works within the district, the enlarged demand for stock, from the growing iron manufacture of Eastern Pennsylvania, and the in- creased facilities for transportation afforded by the extension of our railway system, have combined to stimulate local explorations, and lias excited farmers and miners to search for ores, which has given rise to the discovery of valuable outcrops of brown hemanite ore
221
HISTORY OF MIFFLIN COUNTY.
belonging to the Hamilton formation. New horizons of fossil ore have been made known, so that now, the number of fossil ore beds lying at different stages in the the column of the Clinton Grange, is so much greater than was once supposed, so that the difficulties of the systematic geologist are greatly increased, as well as the hopes of the land owner and the iron worker. There is a geographi- cal belt about eighty miles long and ten miles wide, practically isolated from a similar belt running across the Juniata River, further south, and from the belt of fossil ore that outerops in Union, Centre, and Blair counties, further north and west.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.