USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > History of the counties of Lehigh and Carbon, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Pt. 1 > Part 67
USA > Pennsylvania > Carbon County > History of the counties of Lehigh and Carbon, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Pt. 1 > Part 67
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The names of the heads of families who built the new church are as follows :
Michael Ohl.
Johannes Hunsicker.
Simion Wehr. Johannes Grnm. Caspat Poter.
Bei phard Nett. George Bloss.
leiarleh Ohl.
Rudolf' Peter. George Haf.
Conrad Bloss.
Andreas Boder.
Friederich Schneider.
Johannes Selmeider.
Jacob Riedy.
Johannes Farr.
Jacob Peter.
Friederich Kern.
Johannes Reinschmidt.
George Remely.
Simon Kreilz.
Michael Remely.
Conrad Lintz.
Jacob Peter, Jr.
Christian Schmidt.
Heintich Nell'.
Johannes Reber. Philly Hammel. Johannes F'rey. Christof Hoffman. l'eter Seidel:
Heinrich Reinhard. Peter Mayer. Ulrich Neff. Lorenz Wehr.
Johannes Peter. Sammel Schneider. Hemrich Hottman.
Johannes Reber. Philipp Wehr. Jolmnnes Filler. Heinrich Ferber.
Conrad Rieily. Johannes Nell'. Daniel Borger.
Jacob Daubenspeck.
Wilhehn Fenstermacher. Philip Mertz.
Jacob Freiman. Simon Rerig. Franz Grum.
Jacob Ferber.
Heinrich Geiger.
Jacob Himsicker.
Conrad Miller.
Wilhelm Keru. Jobannes Kern.
Not until 1758, the year, following the building of the second church, did the congregation make efforts to obtain a fee-simple deed and lawful possession of their church- and school-lands. To accomplish this Michael Ohl, a son of Heinrich Ohl, and Simon Wehr were appointed a committee on the Reformed side to obtain the requisite papers in Philadelphia. At the same time the Lutherans acted in the matter. The following members of the Reformed Church obli- gated themselves to furnish the money for the pur- chase of the lands, viz .: Jacob Peter, Johannes Hunsicker, Johannes Grum, Rudolph Peter, George Haack, Bernhard Neff, Jacob Riedy, Heinrich Neff, and Heinrich Ohl. Nancy Ohl, an ummarried dangh- ter of the last named, had the church weatherboarded at her own expense in later years.
In the war of independence, this congregation fur- nished a number of soldiers, the names of only two of whom, unfortunately, have been preserved for his- torians, namely, those of Christian Schmidt and - Krumbach.
The first church reeords were, according to the state- ment of Father Johannes Himsicker, who died when upward of ninety years of age, and who is the au- thority for most of the foregoing information, de- stroyed by fire with the first church building. The minutes of the Reformed Church record begin in 1764, and are still in existence; of the Lutheran, in 1768. On the title-page of the latter appear the names of Wilhelm Rex, Casper Schnerr, Tobias Ebert, and Samuel Michl as the Lutheran consistory.
A new cemetery was opened in the year 1832. The old graveyard was filled to its entire capacity. The congregation decided to use the ground to the cast of the church, and this has been increased in size a nim- ber of times since.
In the year 1849 the congregation held an election to decide the question whether the schools should be joined in one, to abrogate the difference in the creeds. All the votes but three were cast in favor of uniting the schools. At this time Ferdinand Berkemeyer taught on the Reformed side, and Joseph Folban on the Lutheran. The latter resigned, and Berkemeyer was chosen as the common teacher.
A centennial festival was held for two days in the year 1845, upon the occasion of the hundredth anni- versary of the founding of this congregation.
Christian Grum. Nicolans Wehr.
Jolimines Rockel.
The third church was built in the year 18449. On the 17th of May in that year the consistory and mem- hers of the church assembled for the purpose of adopt- ing a constitution, according to which the church should be built, and by which the congregations should in the future be ruled according to the estab- lishment of their fathers.
276
HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
The new church was placed on the other side of the little brook, hardly one hundred paees from the spot where the other stood.
The Reformed Consistory at this time was composed of Rev. Johannes Helffrich, the minister, George Peter and Michael Peter, elders, and Reuben Peter, Daniel Peter, Stephen Bachmann, and Johann Dor- ward, deacons. The Lutheran, of Rev. Jeremias Schindel, the minister, George Sensinger and Fried- erich Kraus, elders, and Daniel Ross, Georg Schnei- der, Nathan Wuchter, and Nathan German, deaeons. The building committee consisted of Johannes Schmidt, Gottfried Peter, Jaeob Klauss, and Philip Krauss.
The number of those who contributed to the eree- tion of the new church was three hundred and sixty- three, all of whom, with some few exceptions, as, for instance, certain widows, were the heads of families. What an increase in a hundred years! Especially when we reflect that besides these, at least one-fourth of the whole number had moved out of the limits of this congregation and helped to establish neighbor- ing churches, such as the Friedens Church, and those at Slatington and Lobarsville.
The cost of building the new church was 86279.95. Scarcely was the church finished when the desire arose to possess an organ. The matter had already been agitated before this time, but the majority were always opposed to the idea. They preferred singing without the accompaniment of an organ. Upon the election held upon this matter, only sixty-three votes were cast in favor of purchasing an organ, while fourteen resolute ones were found against it. The construction of the organ was intrusted to Charles Hanzelman, an organ-builder, who had removed to these parts from Philadelphia. The organ was dedi- cated in 1853, and was for those times a perfect work.
A renovation of the church took place in 1882. The entire church was repainted, the interior was frescoed, and the pews were made better. In 1883 the organ also received a complete repairing at the hands of Messrs. Bohler, of Reading.
A new schoolhouse of brick, with two rooms for the schools of the congregation and the State, was built in the year 1888, by the aid of the church, and was dedicated the same year.
The ministers of the congregation were: upon the Reformed side, Peter Miller, the teacher, from Lynn township. He was reader, and served before the con- struetion of the first church, while services were still held at the homes of the members. With the building of the first church came Philip J. Michael, who resided near Dr. Long's church in Maxatawny township. He was followed by one Roth, who also elevated himself withont ordination from reader to preacher, and then served in the latter capacity here and elsewhere. For some time during the year 1760 the Reformed part of the congregation must have been without any minister. The old Swiss reflected that
it was better to have no preaeher than a poor one. They petitioned the Coetus (Synod) for help, and that body sent them in the years 1770 and 1771 one of their ministers, named Jaeob Weymer, who stayed but a short time, however. The church records still show his handwriting. Together with this congregation, Rev. Weymer served also those in Lynn (the Eben- ezer, formerly also ealled the Organ Church), Albimy, Lowhill, and Greenwich township, as the records of the Coetus still testify. Rev. Weymer was afterwards ealled to Elizabethtown ( Hagerstown), Md., where he died and was buried in 1790. He was an able, useful man.
The Rev. Johann Heinrich Helffrich took charge of this congregation in the year 1772. He had been summoned by the Coetus to the Maxatawny (Kutz- town) Church. Scarcely was his arrival known, when the Heidelberg and Lowhill congregations turned with one voice to him, as the Coetus records show, which call was heard and heeded by the Coetus. Heltfrich was from Mossbach, on the Neckar, in the Palatinate, and was sent with his brethren, Helffenstein and Gebhard, by the Holland Synod as a missionary to America. Rev. Ilelffrich served this congregation up to the time of his death, in 1810. When it became known after his death that his son had begun the study of theology with him, but that it would still take five or six years to prepare him for the ministry, Rev. Henry Diefenbach was chosen to serve during this interim, and he took charge of the congregation. In the year 1816, after he had been examined and accepted by the New Holland Synod, Rev. Johannes Helfrich began his ministry here, and continued in the same until his death, in 1852. His son, Rev. William A. Helffrich, was appointed his assistant by the Synod in 1845, and served as such until May, 1852, when he was unanimously chosen to succeed his father. He preached in his pulpit till the year 1879, when his son, Rev. Nevin A. Helfrich, was ap- pointed his assistant by the East Pennsylvania Classis. The Helffrich family have served this congregation for more than one hundred years. "
The Lutheran ministers begin with Jacob Frieder- ich Schertlein, who was followed by a reader of the name of Freitag, undoubtedly the school-teacher of the congregation. The following-named ministers, Revs. Schellhard, Lehman, and Schumacher, served here, but in what succession cannot be told. The Rev. Daniel Lehman was first introdneed into the ministry in America by the Rev. Buschkerch ( Bos- kerek), at Macungie. The Rev. Daniel Selonmacher removed from Reading to Weissenberg about the year 1750, and served as missionary to nearly all the con- gregations in this entire region. He is said to have preached in sixteen churches. The Rev. John Georg Jung served here, beginning in 1768; later he went to Hagerstown, Md. Revs. Doring and Wartman preached here from the year ---- till 1837. Rev. Jeremiah Schindel was chosen pastor in that year,
277
HEIDELBERG TOWNSHIP.
and ministered till the year -, when he was sue- ceeded by the Rev. Thomas Steek. The latter was followed by Rev. Renninger.
The teachers of the congregation were - Freitag, Thanges Lupp (as the baptismal register gives his name), who taught between 1770 and 1780, and Jost Heinrich Müller, who served in the last-nameit year. A certain larn was also teacher, as also Tatem, Fulton, Ferdinand Berkemeyer, and from 18- to 18- Joel P. Geiger.
Common Schools .- Heidelberg township has ten school distriets, in each of which there is a good school-house. With four exceptions these were built. in 1855, the expense being met with funds bequeathed by Frederick Miller. These exceptions are the houses in the Hawks, Water Ponds, Central, and Church districts. Following is a list of the districts, with cost of houses, ete. :
Number.
Name.
Description. COF !.
1
Mautx
Frame.
$800
. Harters.
Frame ..
800
3 .. .Gernmnsville
Franle.
800
4
Shegersville.
Frame. 800
5
Church
Brick (1883)
2000
6
. Pleasant Corner.
Frame ..
800
7
.. Peters,
Frame
8
Hawks
Fraue
800
9
Water Pouds.
Frame .. 800
10 .Central ...
Brick (1881). 2000
The school directors serving since the free school law was accepted have been as follows:
1848,-Nathan Germon, Casper Handwerk, Jonas l'eter, John Kressley, Jacob Heusinger (president), l'eter Miller (former secretary).
1849 .- Elias Bittner, John Kressley (secretary), Nathan Fritzinger, Peter Miller, Nathan Clouise (president), Jonas Peter.
1850 .- Andrew Peter (president), Jacob Harter, Michael Roach, Nathan Krum, Elias Bittuer.
-
1851 .- Jacob Harter (secretary), Elias Bittner, Michael Rauch, Nathan Krum, Frederick Kranse (president), and Joseph Smith.
1852 .- Christian Hunsicker, Nathan Wachter, Michael Ranch, Lorentz Ilejutzleman, John Jacob Peter, Jacob Horter.
1853,-Abraham Peter, Nathan Clause, JJohn Kressley, Martin Hand- werk, Ehas Mautz, John Jacole Peter.
1854 .- Nathan Clanse, Elias Mantz, Martin Handwerk, Samuel Gehry, Andrew Peter, and John Jacob Wahr.
1855 .- Nathan Clanse, Andrew Peter, Joseph Hunsicker, Elias Bittner, Elias Snyder, Samuel Gehry.
1856 .- Andrew Peter, Samuel Gehry, Jacob Horter, Elias Bittner, Elius Snyder, Christian Honsicker.
1857 .- Andrew Peter, Christian Hunsicker, Jacob Horter, Elias Snyder, Elias Bittner, and Jonas Sonsinger,
Isco. Andrew Noter, Jacob Horten, Godfrey Peter, Jonas Seusinger, David Suath, Paniol Krause
1859 .- Andrew Feter, Godfrey Peter, David Smith, Nathan Hoffman, Jonas Sonsinger, Levi Kranso.
1860,-Godfrey l'eter, Nathan Hoffman, David Smith, Jonathan Miller, Levi Krause, Jonas Krum.
1861,-Nathan Hoffman, Levì Kranse, Samuel Gehry, Levi Handwerk, Jouas Krom, Jonathan Miller.
1862 .- Nathan Hoffman, Lovi Kranse, Samnel Gehry, Levi Handwerk, Wilson K. Peter, Jonathan Miller,
1863,-Levi Kranse, Nathan Hoffman, Sanmel Gehry, Levi Handwerk, Elias Suyder, and Wilson K. Peter.
1864 .- Levi Krans, Klias Suyder, Wilson K. Peter, levi Handwerk, Samuel Gehry, Nathan Hoffinan.
1865 .- David Wehr, Michael Handwerk, Levi Peter, Wilson K. Peter, Nathan Hoffman, Klins Mantz.
1866,-Levi Peter, Nathan Hoffinau, Elias Mautz, David Wehr, Thomas K. Moser, louas Corman.
1867 .- Levi Peler, Nathan Hoffinan, David Wehr, Elins Maatz, Thomas K. Moser, Janas German.
1868 .- Levi Peter, Nathan Hoffman, Elias Mantz, David Wehr, Thomas K. Moser, Jonas German.
The following were annually elected :
1869 .- Thomas K. Moser and Nathan Gehry.
1870 .- Aaron Peter and Nathan Hoffman.
; 1871 .- Charles Engel and Panl Krmn.
1872 .- Thomas K. Moser and Sunuel Gehry.
1873 .- Joseph Clauss and Aaron I'eler. 1874 .- David Clanss and Charles Engel.
1875 .- Thomas K. Moser and Reuben Ranch.
1876,-Aaron Peter and Moses Kressley.
1877 .- Phaon Schaffer and Wilson German.
1878 .- Thomas K. Moser and Levi Kranse.
1879,-Frank Fritzinger and Wilson Kuukel.
1880,-Frank Krause and Jacob Frebolin.
1881 .- Phaon W. Mantz and Manrer Geiger.
1882 .- Amos Robenolt and Levi 11. Hunsicker,
1883 .- Williaur Metzger and Lewis K. Peter.
1884,-Phaon W. Mautz and Amandes Bachman.
.
Roads .- The first entry in the Northampton County records concerning the laying out of a road through Heidelberg is under date of March 20, 1770, and reads as follows :
The inhabitants of Heidelberg and Lynn petitioned court for a road, "setting forth that divers of the petitioners are euclosed with plantations having no outlet. or road to travel from their Habitations to places when they have business (only private Roads which may be stopped at the pleasure of the owners of the lands through which they pass), and suffer many inconveniences thereby that the Petitioners humbly conceive that a publick Road would be of great service to the inhabitants in general as well as to Travelers if laid out in the following manner: to Begin in the Great Road leading from Michael Ohl's Plantation to Philadelphia, about a quarter of a mile from said Oll's house, thence to or near Barnet Gilt- ner's house, thence between Tobias Everith ( Eberts) and John Everts ( Eberts) Plantation, and from thence to John Hartman's Mill, from thence to or near to Martin Eilers or Jacob Bachman's, thence to John Bear, thence to Michael Seip's place, and into the Great Road leading to Philadelphia by Michael Meyer's Plantation, praying the Court would be pleased to take the same into consideration and grant them such relief as in their wisdom shall seem meet, etc. "Whereupon it is considered by the Court and ordered that Peter Haas, William Haintz, Daniel Knows (or Knonss), Valentine Kromlich, Jacob Mohr, and Jacob Gentzer (or Yentzer), do view and if they or any four of them see occasion to lay out the said road thro' such convenient places as may be least to the Damage and Inconveniences of the neighborhood or parties concerned, and least injurious to the settle- ment thereabouts, and that they make return thereof to the next court after it is laid ont."
June 19, 1770, the viewers made return to the court. " But it not appearing to the Court that all the persons appointed had viewed the said Road, there- fore the court did quash the said return and did order and appoint Paul Balliet, Adam Deshler, Peter Bark- holder, Joseph Showalter, John Shadt, and Jacob Bear to view the road, and if they see occasion to lay out road and report to the Court."
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1
278
HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
There is nothing in the records to indicate when final action was taken in laying ont this road.
Information concerning the laying out of another early road is conveyed by the following extract from the records of Lchigh County, which, though it does not bear date, must have been recorded about the year 1814:
" Lehigh County, 88.
SEA1 .. " The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to the Supervisors of the Public highways of the townships of Heidelberg and Lowhill in the county aforesaid. Greeting
" Whereas at the May Sessions of the court of Quarter Sessions of said county, The Viewers appointed to lay out a road from the old road leading to Northampton near the Houses of Jacob Hardman & Peter Ferwer, to the great road leading to Philadelphia near the land of Jacob Becker, mude their Report in writing to the court, as follows, viz. "To the Honorable the Judges within named. We the Persons appointed by the within order of court to view and lay out the road therein men- tioned, Do Report. That we have viewed laid out and return for public use the following road. Beginning in a public road leading from the Blue mountain to Northampton. Thence on a line between Peter Fer- wer and Jacob Hardman Sonth sixty three Degrees East sixty three perches to a public road leading from Lehigh Cop to Kutztown. Thence along the same Sonth fifteeu Degrees West twenty four perches to a post. Thence through Jands of said Jacob Hartman South twelve De- grees East thirty two perches East of a Hickory. South twenty six de- grees West thirty four perches South forty nine Degrees East sixty four perches to a post East of Jacob Schneider's mill-race, Thence along the said race through land of said Jacob Schneider South thirty one Degrees East Twenty one perches South forty seven Degrees East twenty one perches Sonth seventy one Degrees East twenty three perches to u line of John Gressly's land. Thence on the said lino South fourteen perches to a Gmin-tree. Thence crossing Jordan creek on said Gressly's land South thirty five Degrees East seventeen perches to a small flickory. Thence Through land of Peter Hollenback Sonth fifty one Degrees West thirty perches to a Hickory South twenty our degrees West Iweuty one perches to a post. Theuce crossing said Jordan creek Sonth fifty three degrees East thirteen perches Sonth eight degrees West sixty seven perches to a post. Thence through the same and land of Jacob Backer south sevent degrees East sixty two perches to a small white oak. Thence Through suid Baker's land South twelve Degrees East fourteen perches East of a chesnut. Thence along said Baker's mill-race South thirty two Degrees East thirty six perches South forty two Degrees East thirty three perebes and South eighty Degrees Kast eleven perches to a public road leading from the Blue mountain to Philadelphia.' Which said Heport was at the succeeding September Sessions, confirm'd nisi. These are therefore to authorize and require you the Said Supervisors to make and open the said road according to the courses and distances above laid down, according to law, aud for so doing this shall be your Sufficient warrant.
" By the court, "HEXEN WILSON, el."
The last half-century was a period prolific of road- making in this township. At a court of Quarter Sessions held at the borough of Northampton, in and for the county of Lehigh, Feb. 2, 1831, a public road was ordered to be laid out in Heidelberg town- ship, beginning in a public road leading from Easton to Orwigsburg, near the house of Caspar Handwerk ; thence by land of the same and land of Henry Kistler, Henry Ebert, John German, Michael Smith, Henry Hunsieker, crossing the Jordan Creek in another publie road leading from the Heidelberg Church to Allentown.
At a Court of Quarter Sessions of the Peace of Lehigh County, held Feb. 4, 1835, before the Hon. Garrick Mallery president, John Fogel and Jacob Stein associate judges, a petition was presented, where-
upon a jury was appointed to view and lay out the following public road leading from a public road lead- ing from German's mill in Heidelberg township; thence through land of Samuel Gery, John Neff, George Neff, John Hunsicker, Conrad Roeder, John Hand- werk, George Handwerk, Abraham Handwerk, Martin Handwerk, Michael Harter, George Sensinger, An- drew Kemmerer, Henry Bloss, Philip Hess, Sr., Philip Jess, Jr., Solomon Walter, Philip Hess, Sr., and Ste- phen Balliet to a public road leading from Kutztown to Maueh Chunk.
At a Court of Quarter Sessions held at Allentown, Sept. 6, 1838, a publie road was ordered to be laid out leading from Henry Bloss to the Blue Mountain by lands of Daniel Roeder to the public road leading from Saegersville on land of Daniel Roeder to the Heidel- berg Church, which road was confirmed by the court and afterward opened.
At a Conrt of Quarter Sessions held at the borough of Northampton the 5th day of September, 1837, a public road was ordered to be laid out, beginning in a public road leading from German's mill to Mosser's mill, on land of Reuben Rauch, Nathau Fritzinger, Michael Smith, Henry Hunsicker into a public road near the land of Michael Smith. This road was also confirmed by the court and opened.
Sept. 4, 1841, a petition was presented to the court of Lehigh County, in response to which a road was laid out leading from a road leading from Lowhill to New Tripoli in Heidelberg township, on line of the lands of Bernhard Kressley, Jacob Kressley, and thence through land of Bernhard Kressley, Samuel Snyder, Elias Lentz, into the State road leading from Kutztown to Mauch Chunk, near the house of Elias Lentz, which road was afterward confirmed by the eourt.
Daniel Saeger, John Saeger, Henry Smith, David Ross, and Adam German, jurors, appointed by the court April 15, 1856, laid out a publie road leading from a road leading from Balliet's Furnace to Allen- town, in the township of Washington, near the line of Heidelberg township, on land of George Rex ; thence by land of said Rex, Daniel Krauss, and Ste- phen Peter to the public road leading from Kutztown via Saegersville to Lehighton, which road was con- finned by the court Aug. 5, 1856.
Samuel Kistler, Godfrey Peter, Frederick Kranss, Adam German, George Vliet, and Thomas Fatzinger, jurors, appointed by the court Nov. 15, 1857, laid out a public road leading from Pleasant Corner (late Holhenville), Heidelberg township, to New Tripoli, on land of Daniel Rex, Abraham Rex, Allen Hoader, Elias Snyder, Michael Roach, George Greenwalt, and Benjamin Roach, to a public road leading from Germansville to New Tripoli, in the township of Heidelberg. This road was confirmed by the court May 20, 1859.
At a Court of Quarter Sessions held at Allentown, Nov. 10, 1859, Samuel J. Kistler, Jacob German,
279
HEIDELBERG TOWNSHIP.
Edwin Rauch, Adam German, Daniel Peter, and David Kuerr, jurors, appointed by the court, laid out the publie road beginning in a public road leading from Saegersville to New Tripoli in land of Elias Snyder, Benjamin Rauch, Jacob Smith, Nathan Ger- man, Philip German, Elias Clouse, Frederick Spicher, Joseph Smith, to land of Reuben Rauch, to a publie road leading from Germansville to Mosserville in said Heidelberg township. This road was confirmed on Nov. 10, 1859, and ordered to be opened.
A wooden bridge was built in 1866 across the Jordan Creek, on the road leading from Christian Wehr's houses to Caspar Handwerk's, to which the township allowed the sum of forty-five dollars, and another bridge was built in 1871 across the Jordan Creck in the publie road leading from Pleasant Corner to New Tripoli, to which the township allowed five thousand dollars, the rest of the costs being paid by the neigh- bors.
Noted Localities .- The roek ealled the Bake Oven is situated on the summit of the Blue Mountain, at about the centre of the dividing line between Lehigh and Carbon Counties. Its elevation is about one thou- sand five hundred and sixty feet above the level of the sea. It has for years been a signal station in the United States Coast Survey, and has been of vast benefit for that cause. The Bake Oven has attained great fame as a place from which grand views can be had. Those who delight in the works of nature can here behold a sight that will never be forgotten. The rock has been visited by many, not only by those living in the vieinity, but by strangers who came from our larger eities.
Soon after the discovery of the Bake Oven it was found that about two miles west of the Bake Oven, on the summit of the mountain, was another height. This point is ealled the Bear Rocks, and has an ele- vation of fifteen hundred feet from the level of the sea. There are three large rocks standing in a row and connected by smaller ones piled on top of each other. This is the point from which the dividing line between Carbon and Schuylkill County starts, and this the counties of Carbon and Schuylkill are upon the north and the county of Lehigh on the south. The townships extend to the summit of the mountain as well as the eonnties, so that the summit formis a dividing line between them. The greater portion of the Bear Rocks is situated in Lynn township, and the remainder in Heidelberg township. Since the dis- covery of the Bear Rocks they have become a great attraction, and people have been drawn to that point by the fame of the wonderful scenery of which this eminence commands a view. Looking southwest from the rocks the city of Reading can be distinctly seen, and the smoke as it pours forth from the staeks of the numerous work-shops is visible to the naked eye. Looking over our own county, one can see with the naked eye the church steeples and other high objects in the city of Allentown, which is at a distance of
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