USA > Pennsylvania > Tioga County > History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, with Illustrations, portraits and sketches of prominent families and individuals > Part 24
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printing office, issued the Blossburg Register with new |Hollands, 2 years, 232; Jacob Jones, 2 years, 244; A. T. type and an eight-column sheet.
The business of Blossburg and vicinity was depressed until the summer of 1879, when it gradually commenced
For school directors 'six to be elected - John Weaver, 3 years, 268; Michael Ely, 3 years, 278; Henry James, r year, 227; J. Phillips, 1 year, 222; scattering, I.
The first meeting of the burgess and council was held September 18th 1871. J. C. Horton, who had acted as reviving, and Blossburg now seems on the high road to attorney in securing the incorporation of the borough, was continued wealth and prosperity. It possesses admirable elected its first clerk. Thomas Martin at a subsequent meeting was appointed police constable. The muncipal machinery of the borough was thus put in motion. facilities for trade and manufactories, and there is no reason why it should not become a great manufacturing center. The late purchase of the Tioga and Elmira State The office of burgess has been filled by L. H. Shat- tuck, A. H. Gaylord, Henry Hollands, Charles H. Gold- Stephen Bowen. The clerks of the council have been Line Railroad and the coal lands and mines of the Bloss- burg Coal Company at Arnot, by the New York, Lake |smith, T. J. Mooers, O. F. Taylor, Joseph Vonkin, and Erie and Western Railroad Company, and the building
IO2
HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.
J. C. Horton (three terms), R. B. Freeman (twice), J. H. Shaw and H. W. Roland.
The officers in 1881-2 were: Burgess, Stephen Bowen; councilmen, N. Ingram, Alexander Hutchinson, W. S. Scott, A. D. Husted, S. F. Landon, E. J. Evans; clerk, John C. Horton; school directors-Edward Garigan, William Hyde, Robert Davie, I. M. Horton, J. L. Davis, George A. Lewis; president of the board, Edward Gav- igan; secretary, William Hyde; treasurer, Robert Davie; justices of the peace, R. B. Freeman and H. P. Erwin; constable, S. P. White; high constable, Samuel Vaughan; assessor, Isaac Bosworth; judge of election, George W. Morgan; inspectors of election-David Clement, D. J.
Kniffin; auditors-Mark Hirsch, A. E. Botchford, I). H. and the edifice was built on contract by Perry Nittrauer. McIntyre.
The vote for the present board was as follows:
Burgess-H. T. Shattuck, 225; George W. Morgan, 148. Councilmen-A. F. Gaylord, 230; Robert Hutchinson, 229; N. Ingram, 217; W. S. Scott, 171; John Evans jr., 141; S. H. Hollands, 156; S. A. Wing, .146; Charles Knight, 147; James Mold, 117; Alexander Hutchinson, 200; Asa Husted, 212; James Highland, 196.
School directors-F. A. Higgins, 341; George A. Lewis, 249; Edward Gavigan, 188; S. F. Landon, 167; B. N. McCoy, 140.
Justice of the peace -- John Cook, 155; R. B. Freeman, 218.
Constables-S. P. White, 252; I. Bosworth, 121.
High constable-James Ryan, 375.
Assessor-H. W. Roland, 241; Isaac Bosworth, 99.
Assistant assessors-H. W. Roland, 138; L. S. Clem- mons, 156; Thomas Morgan, 204; Henry Gilbert, 208. Judge of election-David Clement, 218; S. Bowen, 155. Inspectors of election-D. J. Kniffin, 161; John Mc- Manus, 207.
Auditor-Samuel Trull, 135; D. H. McIntyre, 152; Frank Stratton, 172; W. H. McCarty, 185.
SCHOOLS.
in the great fire of March 6th 1873, and in writing up the history of the schools in the carly settlement of Bloss- burg we have to depend to a great extent on the memory of the old settlers.
Prior to the erection of the union school-house which stands on the premises of Jacob Jones, and which was vacated when the new brick and stone building was erected in 1874, there were three school-houses in Bloss- burg in the present limits of the borough. One stood in the rear of Crowell's Hall, near the bank of the river; another on the north bank of Bear Creek, near where afterward was the inclined plane; and one was on the west side of the river, near the present residence of Mar- tin Stratton. The one near Mr. Stratton's was erected in 1843, and among the early teachers were Maria Hark- ness, Mary Lawrence, Charlotte Harkness, Mr. Salone, John Jacobs, Jerusha Lownsberry and Maria Knowlton. The time of the erection of the one on the bank of Bear Creek is fixed at about the year 1839, and among the
teachers there are remembered David Lewis, Margaret Young and Maria Rathbone. The date of the erection of the up-town school house is put down by old settlers as much earlier than the two preceding. Old residents are confident that there was a school-house in that part of the town as early as 1835.
Among the teachers recollected are William Allsworth, who was afterward a civil engineer; John Jaquish, Miss Margaret Young and Miss Henrietta Gray. Miss Hens- ler, afterward the wife of C. Jacquemin, gave private lessons in French.
The union school-house was erected in 1850. The site was given by Hon. Horatio Seymour, of Utica, N. Y.,
The school board consisted then of Martin Stratton (president), Patrick Bannon, Lewis Loshe, John Ferguson, John Williams and James H. Gulick. Among the teachers were R. E. Cross, Clarendon Rathbone, Miss Martha Yeomans, Myra Horton, William Humphrey, William Gaskill and H. M. Beeles. The house was a good one for that time. It had two stories and would accommodate about three hundred children. It was used twenty-four years, serving at times as a place for public meetings, an Odd Fellows' lodge, a town hall, and even for dancing parties. It cost about $1,400.
The school-house of the Blossburg graded school stands on the western hillside, commanding a fine view of the town and the valley. It was built in 1874. The architect was A. N. Dabb, of Elizabeth City, N. J .; contractors and builders, Samuel H. Gaylord and J. B. Denmark, of Blossburg. The school board consisted of Michael Ely (president), A. T. James (secretary), Henry Hollands (treasurer), J. Weaver, J. J. Blair and E. Wat- terson.
The building, completed and furnished, cost $12,000, and the site 81,000.
Few boroughs of the size of Blossburg have so fine an edifice or one more substantially constructed. The number of pupils in attendance is greater than at any
The township records to a great extent were destroyed other graded school in the county. In addition to this, and considered in the matter of grading, is another school building in the southern portion of the borough, under the charge for the past six years of Professor Theodore F. Williams, where 75 or So primary scholars are in attendance.
The teachers at the large graded school are: Pro- fessor F. M. Smith, principal; Lucy Hollands, Mary E. Horton, Lizzie A. Gavigan, Fanny Curran and Joanna Hyde. The principal is a gentleman of experience in educational affairs, and is ably assisted by his corps of competent teachers. Through his exertions an organ and quite an extensive library have been furnished for the school. Blossburg is justly proud of its school facilities.
CHURCHES.
St. Andrew's Roman Catholic Church .- St. Andrew's congregation was organized in 1841, and then consisted of twenty members. They held their first services in one of the public halls. Rev. John O'Reilly, of St. Joseph's,
1C3
CHURCHES OF BLOSSBURG.
Susquehanna county, Pa., was appointed by Bishop
Presbyterian Comey -- A Presbyterian clarel Was Kendrick of Philadelphia to attend Blossburg and other built in Blossburg 39 1853. in the goflue style of archi- missions. A circuit of sixty miles was his ordinary field tecture. James H. Gullik was prominently connected with its erection, advancing a consider &h portion of the money and securing contributions from ex. Governor Seymour and others for its completion. The congrega- tion was small. of duty, and this zealous priest frequently encountered opposition and ill treatment. This state of things was soon changed by his pious works, winning eloquence and exalted virtues. Liberal donations were made toward building a church by Mr. Calket, of Philadelphia, and In 1862 the church was burned, and it was rebuilt in 1863. A controversy arising between the congregation and Mr. Gulick. it was sold by him to the Baptists, and has since been owned and occupied by them. Flon. Horatio Seymour, of Utica, N. Y. The foundation trenches were dug by Patrick Bannon, James Mooney, Thomas Dissing and Simon Golden, on the 9th of Oc- tober 1850. In January 1851 the corner stone was laid by Bishop Kendrick. Rev. F. Ahern at that time had pas- toral charge of the mission. The contract for building the church was awarded to John L. Evans, of Blossburg. It was a plain wooden edifice, 50 by 30.
The first resident pastor was Rev. Francis Maguire, who also attended at Troy, Union, and other missions. Many of these missions have become separate parishes, Kern, who built up a flourishing congregation and Sun- with churches and pastors of their own Father Maguire was succeeded in 1862 by the Rev. Francis McCarty, and the Rev. John Laughlin was appointed pastor in October 1864. In June 1866 Rev. Michael Murphy took charge of the parish. In 1869 Bishop O'Hara, of Scranton, appointed Rev. Gerald McMurray rector of Blossburg and missions. The church edifice proving too small, he undertook the erection of an addition of fifty feet, in which he was successful. Afterward he built the present pastoral residence, at a cost of $2,000.
In July 1872 Rev. John Wynn was appointed pastor and Rev. J. C. McDermott assistant. During his ad- ministration St. John's of Fall Brook was built, a struc- ture 50 by 32 feet. Father Wynn died in Blossburg in March 1879, esteemed not only by his own congregation chase of the church for the use of the Baptist denomina- but by all with whom he was acquainted.
The present pastor. Rev. P. J. Murphy, of Blossburg, unite in the measure. Rev. N. L. Reynolds became the in addition to St. Andrew's also has charge of St. John's pastor, II. Hollands was chosen clerk and deacon, and at Fall Brook, and St. Patrick's of Arnot. The church L. B. Smith and H. Hollands trustees in behalf of the at Arnot was erected in 1880, under the charge of Father church and A. H. Gaylord for the congregation. The Murphy. It is 45 by 28 feet and cost about $1, 500. The three churches are free from debt and are valued at $7.000. They are attended by 1,ooo communicants and 300 Sunday-school pupils. The church in Union was erected in March 1880, and Father Murphy attends ser- vice there.
In connection with these churches there is a valuable cemetery in Blossburg, regularly laid out and neatly cared for.
Christ Church .- On the 18th of January 1842 Miller Fox, Thomas Turner, Clarendon Rathbone, James H. Gulick, J. Jones Smith, James Jenkinson, Franklin Wright, James A. Van Ness, J. G. Taylor, Jacob G. Scudder, Samuel W. Lord, Clement H. Smith, John W. Johnson and. Charles E. Smith made an application to the court of common pleas to be incorporated under the title of " The Rector, Church Wardens, and Vestrymen of Christ Church Blossburg." On the 2nd of May 1842 the church obtained its charter. This was the first church chartered in Blossburg.
St. Luke's Episcopal Church was duly chartered in 1867, with the following officers: Philip Dykins, senior warden; Isaac E Ross, junior warden; vestrymen, James H. Gulick, O. F. Taylor, Samuel H. Thompson, J. C. Evans and John Adams. The present church edifice was erected in 1867-8 and consecrated by Bishop Stevens in September 1868. The first minister was Rev. M. L. day-school. He remained only a short time after the church edifice was completed, and was succeeded by Rev. Messrs. Hartley, Rockwell and Fugette. The church is paid for, but of late there have been no stated ministrations. It is situated on the west bank of the Tioga River, on North Main street, in one of the pleas- antest localities in town.
Baptist Church .- As we have stated in the history of the Presbyterian church, in 1862 its building was con- sumed by fire, and rebuilt in 1863 by the late J. H. Gu- lick. He offered it to the several church denominations in Blossburg. In May 1865 Judge I .. B. Smith and Henry Hollands invited Rev. Messrs. Watrous and N. 1 .. Reynolds to consult with them in relation to the pur- tion. Eight persons were found who were willing to
church was recognized in May 1867 by a council of the Baptist churches of the Tioga Association. Mr. Reynolds remained as pastor till 1871. The membership increased during the pastorate of Mr. Reynolds to 67, 35 of whom were baptized by him. He removed to Wellsboro and was succeeded by Rev. J. A. Baskwell, who occupied the pulpit from June to September 1872. Rev. E. S. Millis accepted the pastorate in December 1872 and re- mained in charge until he was succeeded by Rev. F. K. Fowler, the present pastor, in 1878. The trustees are now Dr. Henry Kilbourne, B. J. Guernsey and A. T. James; deacons, H. Hollands and D. H. Stratton; clerk, Henry Hollands; superintendent of Sunday-school, Al- fred J. Shattuck.
MI. E. Church .- There was existing in 1867 a Wesley- an Methodist church, with Rev. J. G. Crane as pastor. In the winter of that year Rev. H. Lamkin, of Mansfield, was called to form and organize a Methodist church. Mr. Crane and nearly all the members of his congrega- tion joined with Mr. Lamkin in the church organizatior,
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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.
Rev. M. F. Kymer becoming pastor. In 1868 Mr. Kymer was reappointed. In 1869 the church was without a regular pastor, but in 1870 Rev. H. Lamkin was appointed, and reappointed in 1871. In 1871 the present church edifice was erected by Samuel H. Gaylord for the society, at a cost of $5,590. The board of trustees at that time consisted of George R. Rooney, B. N. McCoy, R. M. Seeley, E. S. Schofield, S. H. Gaylord, Francis Welch and J. L. Davis. The church is finely situated on North Main street, on the west bank of the Tioga river. A large Sunday-school meets in the basement. The pres- ent pastor is Rev. R. N. Leake; trustees-B. N. McCoy, John Cook, S. H. Gaylord, T. C. Peck, William Dodd jr., J. L. Davis (secretary , Henry Boyles.
Since Mr. Lamkin's pastorate Rev. C. G. Lovell has ministered here three years and Rev. Charles H. Wright three years.
The Sunday-school has a fine library. The superin- tendent is H. H. Clayson.
Mount Zion Welsh Congregational Church .- There was a church organization of this denomination as early as 1840, but no edifice except a small chapel until 1870. During the year 1870 a nice little church was erected, which was dedicated on the 4th of December. The cost was 83,400. The following clergymen took part in the dedicatory services: Rev. Mr Evans, of Hyde Park; Rev. N. L. Reynolds Baptist), of Blossburg, and Rev. H. Lamkin (Methodist), of Blossburg. Since the organ- ization of the church, in 1840, there have been in charge the following named pastors. Revs. Daniel Lewis, R. Parry, John Davis, Evan Davis, Philip Peregrine and F. Tilo Evans, the present pastor. Mr. Evans is an earnest and zealous worker, and his church and the Sunday- school connected with it are in a very prosperous condi- tion. The church has recently been repainted and fur- nished. The trustees are Jacob Jones, Evan Jenkins, and T. J. Evans; deacons-Jacob Jones, William J. Richards, T. J. Evans; secretary, W. J. Richards; treas- urer, T. J. Evans; superintendent of Sunday-school, Jacob Jones. There are nine teachers and the average attendance is 64.
Polish Catholic Church .- The church edifice, costing about $3,000, was erected in the year 1873. The first minister was Rev. A. Claveter, succeeded by Rev. B. Gramlenricz and Rev. L. Sprysziki. The attendance is quite large and there is a Sunday-school of about 50. The church is in the bishopric of Scranton, Pa., and under Bishop ()'Hara. He visited the parish in the summer of 1879.
There has been erected a small school-house, where the children were instructed both in the Polish and Eng- lish languages. There are communicants of the church who reside at Morris Run and Arnot.
LODGES AND ASSOCIATIONS.
Arbon Lodge, No. 489, I. O. O. F. was organized in Blossburg, May 20th 1853, with the following officers: John James, N. G .; J. B. Husted, V. G .; John Lang, secretary; Thomas Hanson, P. S .; Evan Bowen, treasurer.
The lodge was in a very flourishing condition for several years; but, many of its members withdrawing and moving away, it suspended work in 1859, and was re- organized March 10th 1865. This lodge has been the parent of lodges at Morris Run and Fall Brook. As those towns developed, members of the Arbon Lodge were instrumental in establishing lodges in their midst. The lodge is strong in numbers, and owns the block in which it assembles, and a cemetery. The value of the property is from seven to ten thousand dollars.
The past grands are Matthew Waddell, William Wal- lace, Thomas Trimble, J. W. Evans, John Hughes, Celestin Jacquemin, John Hill, George H. Brown, S. P. White, W. A. Shields, Martin Van Houten, James H. Mold, I. W. Aldrich, Edmond Doane, J. N. Patterson, Charles E. Husted, H. W. Roland, Robert Pendleton, Henry Boyle, Isaac Keagle and E. W. Aldrich.
The representatives to the grand lodge have been Matthew Waddell, Sumner P. White and James N. Pat- terson. The present representative is Robert Pendleton. The present officers are: Noble grand, Robert Baird; V. G., John J. Evans; S., Robert Jones; A. S., T. J. Evans; treasurer, Celestin Jacquemin; R. S. N. G., Thomas Morgan; warden, John Jennie; C., Adam Richter; O. G., Fred Neubert; I. G., W. H. Williams; R. S. V. G., James B. Husted; L. S. V. G., Isaac Harris. I. O. O. F. Encampment No. 193 was instituted April 13th 1867, with the following officers: C. P., T. B. An- derson; H. P, Matthew Waddell; S. W., John Dunsmore; J. W., David Harris; scribe, John Evans; G., James Wighton; G., William Lenhart.
The past chief patriarchs have been T. B. Anderson, Matthew Waddell, John Nelson, William Stewart, E. W. Aldrich, I. W. Aldrich, Robert Pendleton, John Rennie, James N. Patterson, Robert Lees, Adam Heist, William Orr, Thomas Morgan, W. H. Williams, William Patterson.
The present officers are: C. P., Robert Jeffrey; H. P., William Patterson; S. W., John Auld; J. W., John Baird; scribe, E. W. Aldrich; assistant scribe, William Crichton; treasurer, I. W. Aldrich; guide, Thomas Williamson; Ist W., John Rennie; 2nd W., Robert Pendleton; 3d W., Thomas H. Williams; 4th W., Joseph H. Martin; ist G. T., H. W. Roland ; 2nd G. T., John Berg.
This encampment has upon its rolls some of the oldest members of the order in the county. It has ever been distinguished for its good works and the character of its members.
Faith Degree Lodge, No. 96, Daughters of Rebekah was instituted, with 38 charter members, October 20th 1874, by District Deputy Grand Master O. S. Gerould, of Covington, Pa. The past grands have been Thomas Trimble, C. Jacquemin, M. Van Houten, H. J. Marvin, James Mold, E. Evans, S. Cowen, Matilda Jacquemin and Julia M. Jones. During the years 1874-76 the membership was quite large, numbering from 70 to 80. The present membership is 32.
At the session of the grand lodge of the I. O. O. F. of the United States Hon. Schuyler Colfax was appointed chairman of a committee to prepare a degree to be con-
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BLOSSBURG SOCIETIES.
ferred on the wives of Odd Fellows, and was instructed to report at the next meeting, in 1851. This Mr. Colfax did, writing the lectures of the degrees in July and Au- gust 1851, just as they now appear, in the charge book, without consultation with any one, or suggestion from any quarter. In regard to the working of the degree he received suggestions from a past grand in Maryland, and a few of these suggestions he adopted in a modified form. The honor, therefore, of the working and ritual of the degree of Rebekah belongs to him.
In Blossburg the Rebekah Lodge No. 96 has been the source of much good, alleviating the sufferings of the sick and in various charitable and friendly acts contrib- uting to the relief of the poor and needy.
Its present officers are: Noble grand, Thomas Trim- ble; vice grand, Mrs. Marion Sturdevant; secretary, Mary M. Marvin; treasurer, Eliza Evans.
Bloss Lodge Ancient York Masons, No. 350 .- This lodge was organized March 9th 1865. The charter mem- bers were: James P. Taylor, W. M .; Alfred T. James, S. W .; A. L. Bodine, J. W .; T. B. Anderson, treasurer; Israel G. Wood, secretary; Daniel H. Stratton, S. D .; Rufus Farr, J. D .; William M. Butler, S. M. of C; L. Auerback, tiler.
The following have been past masters. James P. Tay- lor, Rufus Farr, Nathan Clegg, G. V. Putnam, William P. Parker, George C. Fuller, A. T. James, Rufus Farr, Ste- phen H. Hollands, Nelson Ingram.
The present officers are: Nelson Ingram, W. M .; Da- vid F. Evans, S. W .; Frank Stratton, J. W .; A. T. James, treasurer; Robert Davie, secretary; Augustus E. Botch- ford, S. D .; David H. McIntyre, J. D) .; Robert Hutch- inson, S. M. of C .; Evan T. Evans, J. M. of C .; Rev. F. T. Evans, chaplain; Charles Boehm, tiler.
Twelfth Regiment Band .- This organization was orig- inally known as the Blossburg Cornet Band. It com- pleted its organization in August 1873. The members then were Harry T. Graves (leader), Frederick L. Graves (secretary), I. W. Aldrich (treasurer), John C. Horton, E. W. Aldrich, H. P. Erwin, T. V. Keefe, I. M. Horton, John Keefe and Charles Ely. In the spring of 1876 it was sworn in as the 12th regiment band of the National Guard of Pennsylvania, and it has since been known by that name, not having as yet been discharged, although the Repasse band is acting at present as the 12th regi- ment band. Harry Graves remained leader of the band until the fall of 1876; John C. Horton was then chosen leader, and occupied the position until the fall of 1877. Since that time Dr. Nelson Ingram has been leader. George W. Morgan has been the major since the fall of 1876, and is a gentleman of fine physique and soldierly manner. The present officers and members are: Dr. Nelson Ingram (leader), James Flynn (secretary), I. W. Aldrich (treasurer), Charles Ely, J. C. Horton, James Evans, H. P. Erwin, J. Saks, David Bradshaw, Charles Bennett, Carodog Jones, William Daniels, S. H. Hol- lands, John Keefe, E. W. Metherell, John Nieupert, George W. Morgan (major).
This band has ever been distinguished for the quality
of its music and the gentlemanly conduct of its mem- bers. A few years since the citizens of Blossburg erected a band stand on Main street, and when the evenings are fine the band returns to the citizens for their good works strains of melody and harmony. The men are finely uniformed, and when upon duty present as fine an appearance and render as good music as any band in northern Pennsylvania. They occupy good rooms on Main street for practice.
Temperance Organisations .- An organization of the Catholic Total Abstinence and Benevolent Association was effected August 16th 1874. and in November 1875 a petition to the court of common pleas of Tioga county for a charter was granted, and the society was duly incor- porated. The petitioners were Michael Ely, James Kelley, William Clohessy, James Kernan, Henry Gilbert, James Conlon, Thomas Brennin, James Maher, Patrick Finnell, Matt Downs, John Cox, William Ward, Daniel Ahern, Edward Bambury, Thomas Ahern, Edmond Ahern, Thomas Tuckey, Stephen Clisham, John Branni- gan, Stephen Hiland, E. F. Shelley and Pat Tahany. The directors for the first year were Patrick McGuire, Charles Condon and Joseph Murray, of Antrim; Wil- liam O'Neil, James Junk and John Dwyer, of Fall Brook; James Cleary, Michael Fauls and John Donahue, of Arnot; John Miller, James Conlon and James Kelley, of Blossburg; David Hayes, Morris Supples and Timothy Donavan, of Morris Run.
Michael Ely was president of the association for seven years in succession, and has every time been one of the representatives to national or State conventions. The other representatives have been John J. McCarty and Patrick Woods.
Branches of the association have been organized in Fall Brook, Morris Run, Arnot and Antrim. Its mem- bers are chiefly Irish, and the influence exerted over this class of our fellow citizens has been salutary. There is nothing prescriptive in its management, but the associa- tion rather seeks to win men and women to sobriety by moral suasion.
The association in Blossburg has five rooms, well furnished, and meets every Sunday afternoon. Its mem- bership is now 50. Its, present officers are: President, James Kerwin; vice-president, E. F. Skelley; recording secretary, William Amey; financial secretary, James Hart; corresponding secretary, John Ely.
The Murphy movement, as it was called from Francis Murphy, the great apostle of temperance, in the year 1877 spread over the mining regions and elsewhere in the county. At Blossburg, Morris Run, Fall Brook and Arnot thousands signed the pledge, and as a result many liquor establishments were closed. The principles taught by Mr. Murphy were good will, kind treatment, Christian and moral suasion, and while these principles were adhered to the Murphy movement was exceedingly popular and was the means of leading thousands into the paths of sobriety. Societies were formed, and the blue ribbon, which was the badge, was to be seen upon almost every man, woman and child, the high, the low, the rich
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