USA > Pennsylvania > McKean County > History of the counties of McKean, Elk, Cameron and Potter, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections; including their early settlement and development; a description of the historic and interesting localities; sketches of their cities, towns and villages biographies of representative citizens; outline history of Pennsylvania; statistics > Part 7
USA > Pennsylvania > Potter County > History of the counties of McKean, Elk, Cameron and Potter, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections; including their early settlement and development; a description of the historic and interesting localities; sketches of their cities, towns and villages biographies of representative citizens; outline history of Pennsylvania; statistics > Part 7
USA > Pennsylvania > Elk County > History of the counties of McKean, Elk, Cameron and Potter, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections; including their early settlement and development; a description of the historic and interesting localities; sketches of their cities, towns and villages biographies of representative citizens; outline history of Pennsylvania; statistics > Part 7
USA > Pennsylvania > Cameron County > History of the counties of McKean, Elk, Cameron and Potter, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections; including their early settlement and development; a description of the historic and interesting localities; sketches of their cities, towns and villages biographies of representative citizens; outline history of Pennsylvania; statistics > Part 7
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At 4 o'clock on the morning of the 3d of July, Gen. Geary, who had been ordered away to the support of Sickles, having returned during the night and taken a position on the right of Green, opened the battle for the recovery of his lost breastworks on the right of Culp's Hill. Until 10 o'clock the battle raged with unabated fury. The heat was intolerable, and the sulphurous va- por hung like a pall over the combatants, shutting ont the light of day. The fighting was in the midst of the forest, and the echoes resounded with fearful distinctness. The twelfth corps was supported by portions of the sixth, which had now come up. At length the enemy, weakened and finding themselves overborne on all sides, gave way, the Union breastworks were reoccupied and the Union right made entirely secure. Comparative quiet now reigned on either side until 2 o'clock in the afternoon, in the meantime both sides bring- ing up fresh troops and repairing damages. The rebel leader having brought his best available artillery in upon his right center, suddenly opened with 150 pieces a concentric fire upon the devoted Union left center, where stood the troops of Hancock, Doubleday and Sickles. The shock was terrible. Rarely had such a cannonade been known on any field. For nearly two hours it was continued. Thinking that the Union line had been broken and demoralized by this fire, Longstreet brought out a fresh corps of some 14,000 men, under Pickett, and charged full upon the point which had been the mark for the can-
45
HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
nonade. As soon as this charging column came into view, the Union artillery opened upon it from right and left and center, and rent it with fearful effect. When arrived within musket range, the Union troops, who had been crouching behind slight pits and a low stone wall, poured in a most murderous fire. Still the rebels pushed forward with a bold face, and actually crossed the Union lines and had their hands on the Union guns. But the slaughter was too terrible to withstand. The killed and wounded lay scattered over all the plain. Many were gathered in as prisoners. Finally the remnant staggered back, and the battle of Gettysburg was at an end.
So soon as indications pointed to a possible invasion of the North by the rebel army under Gen. Lee, the State of Pennsylvania was organized into two military departments, that of the Susquehanna, to the command of which Darius N. Couch was assigned, with headquarters at Harrisburg, and that of the Monongahela, under W. T. H. Brooks, with headquarters at Pittsburgh. Urgent calls for the militia were made, and large numbers in regiments, in companies and in squadrons, came promptly at the call to the number of over 36,000 men. who were organized for a period of ninety days. Fortifications were thrown up to cover Harrisburg and Pittsburgh, and the troops were moved to threatened points. But before they could be brought into action. the great decisive conflict had been fought, and the enemy driven from north - ern soil. Four regiments under Gen. Brooks were moved into Ohio to aid in arresting a raid undertaken by John Morgan, who with 2,000 horse and four guns had crossed the Ohio river for a diversion in favor of Lee.
In the beginning of July, 1864, Gen. Early invaded Maryland, and made his way to the threshold of Washington. Fearing another invasion of the State, Gov. Curtin called for volunteers to serve for 100 days. Gen. Couch was still at the head of the department of the Susquehanna, and six regiments and six companies were organized, but as fast as organized they were called to the front, the last regiment leaving the State on the 29th of July. On the evening of this day, Gens. MeCausland, Bradley Johnson and Harry Gilmore. with 3,000 mounted men and six guns, crossed the Potomac, and made their way to Chambersburg. Another column of 3,000 under Vaughn and Jackson advanced to Hagerstown, and a third to Leitersburg. Averell, with a small force, was at Hagerstown, but finding himself over-matched, withdrew through Greencastle to Mount Hope. Lieut. McLean, with fifty men in front of Mc- Causland, gallantly kept his face to the foe, and checked the advance at every favorable point. On being apprised of their coming, the public stores at Chambersburg were moved northward. At 6 A. M. McCausland opened his batteries upon the town, but, finding it unprotected, took possession. Ring- ing the court-house bell to call the people together, Capt. Fitzhugh read an order to the assembly, signed by Gen. Jubal Early, directing the command to proceed to Chambersburg and demand one hundred thousand dollars in gold, or five hundred thousand dollars in greenbacks, and if not paid to burn the town. While this parley was in progress, hats, caps, boots, watches, clothing and valuables were unceremoniously appropriated, and purses demanded at the point of the bayonet. As money was not in hand to meet so unexpected a draft, the torch was lighted. In less than a quarter of an hour from the time the first match was applied, the whole business part of the town was in flames. Burning parties were sent into each quarter of the town, which made thorough work. With the exception of a few houses upon the outskirts, the whole was laid in ruins. Retiring rapidly, the entire rebel army recrossed the Potomac.
The whole number of soldiers recruited under the various calls for troops from the State of Pennsylvania was 366,000. In May, 1861, the Society of
46
HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
the Cincinnati of Pennsylvania, an organization of the officers of the Revolu- tionary war and their descendants, donated $500 toward arming and equip- ping troops. By order of the legislature the sum was devoted to procuring flags for the regiments, and each organizaton that went forth was provided with one emblazoned with the arms of the commonwealth. These flags, seamed and battle-stained, were returned at the close of the war, and are now preserved in a room devoted to the purpose in the State Capitol. When the war was over, the State undertook the charge of providing for all soldiers' orphans in schools located in different parts of the territory, furnished food, clothing, instruction and care, until they should be grown to manhood and womanhood. The number thus gathered and cared for has been some 7,500 annually, at an average annual expense of some six hundred thousand dollars.
At the election in 1866. John W. Geary, a veteran general of the war, was chosen governor. During his administration, settlements were made with the general government, extraordinary debts incurred during the war were paid, and a large reduction of the old debt of forty million dollars inherited from the construction of the canals was made. A convention for a revision of the con- stitution was ordered by the act of April 11, 1872. This convention assem- bled in Harrisburg November 13. and adjourned to meet in Philadelphia, where it convened on the 7th of January, 1873, and the instrument framed was adopted on the 18th of December, 1873. By its provisions the number of senators was increased from thirty-three to fifty, and representatives from 100 to 201, subject to further increase in proportion to increase of population; biennial in place of annual sessions, making the term of supreme court judges twenty-one in place of fifteen years, remanding a large class of legislation to the action of the courts, making the term of governor four years in place of three, and prohibiting special legislation, were some of the changes provided for.
In January, 1873, John F. Hartranft became governor, and at the election in 1878, Henry F. Hoyt was chosen governor, both soldiers of the war of the Rebellion. In the summer of 1877, by concert of action of the employes on the several lines of railway in the State, trains were stopped and travel and traffic were interrupted for several days together. At Pittsburgh conflicts occurred between the railroad men and the militia, and a vast amount of prop- erty was destroyed. The opposition to the local military was too powerful to be controlled, and the national government was appealed to for aid. A force of regulars was promptly ordered out, and the rioters finally quelled. Unfor- tunately Gov. Hartranft was absent from the State at the time of the troubles.
At the election in 1882 Robert E. Pattison was chosen governor. The legislature which met at the opening of 1883, having adjourned after a session of 156 days, without passing a congressional apportionment bill, as was required, was immediately reconvened in extra session, by the governor, and remamed in session until near the close of the year, from June 1 to December 5, without coming to an agreement npon a bill, and finally adjourned without having passed one.
James A. Beaver was elected governor of Pennsylvania in November, 1886, and is the present incumbent. He is a native of Perry county, Penn., and a graduate of Jefferson College. He read law, and was admitted to practice in 1859. In April, 1861, he went into the army as a first lieutenant, and served with distinction. being mustered out in December, 1864, with the rank of brigadier general. The most prominent law enacted during his administration is the Brooks license law, passed in 1887. The proposed amendment to the constitution, prohibiting the manufacture or sale of intoxicants within the State, was voted on in the spring of 1889, and was defeated by a large majority.
47
HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
TABLE SHOWING THE VOTE FOR GOVERNORS OF PENNSYLVANIA SINCE THE ORGAN.
IZATION OF THE STATE
1790.
Thomas Mifflin
27,725 George Wolf.
78,219
Arthur St. Clair.
2,802
1793.
Thomas Mittlio
18,590
F. A. Muhlenberg
10,706
1796.
Thomas Mifflin
30,020
F. A. Muhlenberg.
1,011
1799.
Thomas Mckean.
38,036
James Ross.
32,641
1802.
Thomas McKeao
47,879
James Ross, of Pittsburgh 9,499
James Ross ..
7,538
1808.
Simon Snyder.
67,975
James R .ss
39,575
John Spayd
W. Shields
Charles Nice.
1
Jack Ross.
2
W. Tilghman
1811.
Simon Snyder 52,319
William Tighlman ... 3,609
Scatt'ring, no record for whom 1,675
1814.
Simon Snyder 51,099
Isaac Wayoe 29,566
G. Lattimer
910
J. R. Rust
4
1817.
William Findlay 66,331
Joseph Hiester
Moses Palmer
59,272 1
Aaroo Hanson
1
Joho Setfer.
1
Seth Thomas.
1851.
William Bigler 186,489
William F. Johnston 178,034
Kimher Cleaver.
1,850
1854.
James Pollock 203,822
William Bigler ..
.166,991
B. Rush Bradford.
.
2,194
1857.
William F. Packer. 188,846 David Wilmot .. 149,139
Isaac Hazlehurst. 28,168
James Pollock
1
George R. Barret
William Steel.
1
F. P. Swartz.
1
Samuel McFarland
1
George F. Horton ..
1860.
Andrew G. Curtin
262,346
Heory D. Foster.
230,259
1866.
John W. Geary
307,274
Hiester Clymer
.290,097
Giles Lewis.
1869.
John W. Geary
.290,552
Asa Packer.
.285,956
W. D. Kelly
W. J. Robinson
1
1872.
John F. Hartrauft.
.353,387
Charles R. Buckalen.
... 317,760
S. B. Chase ..
1,197
William P. Schell.
12
1875.
John F. Hartranft. .304,175
Cyrus L. Pershing ..
292,145
R. Audley Brown,
13,244
1
Phillip Wendle
1
J. W. Brown
7
G. F. Reinhard
1
G. D. Coleman
1
James Staples
1
Richard Vaux Craig Biddle .. 1
Francis W. Hughes 1
Henry C. Tyler.
1
W. D. Brown
1
George V. Lawrence.
1
A. L. Brown
1
1878.
H. M. Hoyt ...
.319,490
Andrew H. Dill.
.297,137
Samuel R. Mason.
81,758
Franklin H. Laue
S. Matson ...
3,753
John McKee.
1
D. Kirk.
1
R. L. Miller.
1
.J. II. Hopkins.
1
Samuel H. Lane
1
John Fertig.
1
.James Musgrove. 1
silas M. Baily
A. S. Post ..
C. A. Cornen
Seth Yocum
1
Edward E. Orvis
1
1882.
Robert E. Pattison. 355,791
James A. Beaver.
415,559
John Stewart.
43,74:
Thomas A. Armstrong ..
21,090
Alfred C. Pettit.
5,14*
Scattering
35
1886.
James A. Beaver .412,285
Chauncey F. Black
369.634
Charles S. Wolfe.
32,48
Robert J. Houston.
4,835
Scattering
65.
1863.
A. G. Curtin 269,506 George W. Woodward. .254,171
1,175
John Hickman
1
Scattering (no record;
3,174
Thomas M. Howe .....
1
Joseph Ritner
51,776
George E. Baum
G
Frank R. Williams
3
George Wolf.
1832.
91,335
Joseph Ritner
88,165
1835.
Joseph Ritner.
94,023
Goorge Wolf ..
65,804
Henry A. Muhlenherg.
40,586
1838.
David R. Porter.
127,827
Joseph Ritner.
122,321
1841.
David R. Porter 136,504
John Banks
113,473
T. J. Lemoyne
763
James S. Negley
George F. Horton.
18
Samuel L. Carpenter.
4
Ellis Lewis
1
1844.
Francis R. Shunk .160,322
Joseph Markle.
.156,040
Julius J. Lemoyne. 10
Joho Haney.
2
James Page ..
1
1847.
Francis R. Shunk 146,081
James Irvin ..
128,148
Emanuel C Reigart 11,247
F. J. Lemoyne
George M. Keim.
1,861
1
Ahijah Morrison
3
1848.
William F. Johnston. .168,522
Morris Longstreth. .168,225
E. B. Gazzamı
48
A. G. Williams
Scattering (no record).
24
1 3
Benjamin R. Morgan.
2
William Tilghmau
1
Andrew Gregg.
1
18.0.
Joseph Hiester. 67,905
William Findlay. 66,300
Scattering (no record).
21
1823.
J. Andrew Shulze 81,751
Andrew Gregg. 64,151 Andrew Shulze.
John Andrew Shulze 112
Andrew Gragg
Andrew (ireg ..
53 1
John A. Shulze
754
Nathaniel B. Boileau.
Capt Glosseader
Johu Gassender.
Isaac Wayne.
1
George Bryan.
1826.
J. Andrew Shulze 72,710
John Sergeant.
7,311
L
1
1
1829.
4,006 2
1
Nicholas Wisemao
1
AKE ERIE
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MAP SHOWING THE VARIOUS PURCHASES FROM THE INDIANS.
C. C. Mam Cia
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY
3
MCKEAN COUNTY.
CHAPTER I.
TOPOGRAPHY AND NATURAL HISTORY.
BOUNDARY AND AREA-LAND CESSIONS AND PURCHASES-POPULATION-ASSESS- MENT STATISTICS-GENERAL DESCRIPTION-TOPOGRAPHY-CREEK NOMEN- CLATURE-VEGETATION-LUMBER MANUFACTURE-GAME AND FISH-FOSSILS -COAL MINES-GAS WELLS.
T HIS county is bounded on the north by the New York-Pennsylvania line; east by Potter county; south by Cameron and Elk counties, and west by Warren county. The area is placed at 640,000 acres, a tract the most interest- ing in the country, owing to its mineral resources and railroad systems; and the most picturesque, on account of its ten thousand hills, many of which are still clothed in their suits of hemlock.
Under the treaties of 1784 the lands of Mckean and adjoining counties were ceded to Pennsylvania by the Six Nations Indians, and within a year thousands of acres were sold by lottery. In 1796 John Keating made his first purchases here (buying 300,000 acres for $80,000 from the original buyers), and a year later a line was traced for a road from the head of Pine creek to the Oswayo. Surveyors Lightfoot, King, Ayers and others were on the ground at an early date, so that before the close of the first decade of the nineteenth century the territory was explored, and a few villages established, Ceres and Instanter being the most important.
In 1810 there were 142 inhabitants; in 1820, 728, and in 1830 there were 1,439, of whom 764 were white males and 674 white females, two deaf and dumb and two blind persons. In 1840 the population increased to 2,975; in 1850 to 5,254; in 1860, exclusive of Shippen (added to the new Cameron county), 7,651, and in 1870, 8,826. The population in 1880 was 42,578, the remarkable increase being due to the development of the great oil field from 1875 to date of census. The total vote in 1888 was 7,709 or 4,066 Republi- can, 2.922 Democratic, 426 Prohibitionists and 295 Labor Unionists. The population estimated on this vote of November. 1888, is 40,424, as shown in the sketches of the townships and boroughs.
By the assessment of 1829 the seated lands were valued at $39,340; the unseated at $490,740, and personal property at $32, 707.25. The tax levy was 5 mills with $17.26 collected for duties on foreign merchandise amounting to $102.26. The valuation of trades and occupations in 1889 was $434, 710; of seated real estate, $4,756,923; of unseated real estate, $1,650, 620; of 4,064 horses, $94,- 035; of 4,547 cows and neat cattle, $48,735, or a total of $6,985,033. The moneys at interest were estimated at $1,296,911, and for the luxury of keeping 2,228 canines the owners paid a tax of $2,512. The amount of money at interest,
54
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
including stocks, bonds, etc., assessed at the rate of three mills on the dollar, was $1,296,911. Smethport leads with $594,903. Bradford comes next with $264,162, and Port Allegany third with $94,228. Wetmore township stands fourth with $83,004, and Kane seventh with $28.893. In January, 1889, the com- missioners of Potter, Mckean and Cameron counties agreed to value unseated lands per acre for the next three years as follows: Barren lands, 50 cents to $1.50; sparsely timbered hemlock, $2.50 to $4; good hemlock, $5 to $8; sparsely timbered pine, $6 to $8; good pine, $10 to $20. The assessed value of real and personal estate in the boroughs of Mckean county stand in the following order: Port Allegany, $161,836; Smethport, $159,585; Kane, $100,538; Eldred, $97,046; Kendall, $85,382.
The Gazetteer, giving a description of MeKean connty in 1832, says:
It is everywhere hilly along the streams, but nowhere mountainous, and abounds with coal, iron and salt. The first is found in every township, and works have been erected for manufacturing salt at the small village of Emporium, on a branch of the Sinnema- honing. * * * The only places that can claim the slightest pretention to be cou- * sidered as towns are Smethport, Emporium and Ceres; neither of the two last named con- tains six honses. * * There is not a church in the county; yet an academy, endowed by John Keating and others, and further receiving $2,000 from the State, was incorporated January 19, 1829. There are in this town also a very substantial brick court-house, and a stone prison; there is also a newspaper published here. Lumber seeks the western market at Pittsburgh by the Allegheny, and the eastern markets by the Sin- nemahoning creek.
The measured elevations of the county are given as follows [However the average elevation must not be based on such figures; as, within short distances of the points named, mountain peaks rise abruptly to heights of from 300 to 700 feet above the track. ]: Sergeant, 1,716 feet above mean ocean level; Clar- ion summit, 2,025: Kane, 2,020; Cumming's siding, 1,878; Wetmore, 1,808; May's siding, 1,739, and Ludlow, 1,604. in the southwest corner on the Phil- adelphia & Erie Railroad. The elevation at the Forks of Kinzua creek is 1,304 feet above tide level; at the sulphur spring, near Kane, 1,619 feet, and at Morrison's mill-dam, 1,264 feet.
Keating summit, 1,876 feet above tide: Liberty, 1,641; Port Allegany, 1,477; Sartwell, 1, 447, Larrabee, 1, 476: Mckean & Buffalo Railroad junction, 1,472, and Eldred, 1,438 feet above tide, the track of the Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad being the measured elevation, which is comparatively level from Eldred to the State line, except below Duffy's tannery, where the elevation is more marked than at Eldred.
The Eldred or Dennis hill is at least 250 feet above the track: Frisbee. 1,459; Farmers Valley, 1,470; Smethport, 1,488; Crosby, 1,535; Colegrove, 1,538; Hamlin, 1,552; Wernwag, 1,855; Clermont, 2,074; Bishops Summit, 2, 108; Bunker Hill, 2,095, and old Instanter, 2,200; Carrollton, N. Y., 1,394 feet; Limestone, 1,405: State Line and Babcock, 1,414; Tarport or Kendall Creek, 1,433; Bradford, 1,439 (Mount Raub is 2,250 feet at summit); DeGol- ier, 1,496; Lewis run, 1,560: Big Shanty, 1,667; Crawford's, 1,959; Summit, 2.133; Alton, 2,067; Bond View or Gilesville, 2,025, and Buttsville, 1,996; Creek water at Kinzua crossing, 1,796; Howard Hill Hotel, 2,225; Kane and Howard Hill road crossing. 2.196; Clarion crossing, 1.734; Schultz gas well and Wilcox well No. 2, 1,646; Lanigan run, 1,634, and county line, 1,605 feet. The places named, south of Buttsville, were measured in 1879 for the proposed continuation of the road to Wilcox, in Elk county, the elevation of which is 1,526 feet; Dalton summit is 2,249 feet above ocean level; Seven Mile sum- mit, 2,200; crossing of Wilcox and Smethport State road, 2, 186; head of west branch of Warner brook, 2,210; Port Allegany depot, 1,477; Smethport depot, 1,488; cross roads (on warrant 3,064), 1,643; summit near southeast corner of
55
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
No. 2,083 warrant, 2,140 feet; southwest part of No. 2,073 warrant, 1,725 feet; the Devil's Elbow, on warrant 2,063, is 2,060 feet, and the highest point in Pennsylvania west of the fifth coal basin is Prospect hill, or the summit on warrant No. 2,063, which is 2, 495 feet above tide.
The highest measured point between Ceres and Port Allegany is near the cross-roads on the northeast corner of warrant 2,220, which is 2,185 feet above tide. The lowest point is at Turtle bridge over Rock run, on No. 115 war- rant, being 1,445 feet, or ten feet below the elevation of hotel at Ceres. The highest measured point between Ceres and Eldred, except Dennis hill, is 1.558 feet above tide-water, being 120 feet above Eldred and 103 feet above Ceres. Up Lillibridge creek from Port Allegany an elevation of 1.770 feet is reached at the crossing of creek near warrant 2,236 or near the Ames farm, but at the head the elevation is 2,260 feet. On warrant 2,203, near Annin Creek post-office, the altitude is 2,255, and at the office 1,723; at Cooper's saw- mill, southwest part of No. 3.444 warrant, 1.665 feet, and at the Methodist building on same warrant, 1,740 feet. Between Port Allegany and Norwich post-office the highest measured elevation above tide is 1,785 feet. the bridge over Wolcott creek being the point measured. At the old Dennis well, near Brad- ford, the elevation was found to be 2.055 feet above ocean level; Two Mile run summit is 2,375 feet, and Comes creek summit, on road. is 2,255 feet. The ridge between the branches of Brewer's run shows an altitude above tide of 2,232 feet.
The Allegheny river enters the county in the west center of Liberty town- ship coming down from the heights of Potter county, receives the waters of the Portage at Port Allegany, and of Nunundah creek south of Larrabee. Hundreds of small streams enter the creeks named, while other hundreds feed the main river directly. The river leaves the county at the State line, flows for a short distance through New York State and, returning to Pennsylvania, forms the natural, but not the political. boundary of the north half of the county's west line. The Tuna river and feeders water the central part of the northern half, while the Kinzna and headwaters of the Clarion, fed by hundreds of streams, are found in the south and southwest.
Over thirty years ago Orlo J. Hamlin completed his historical notes on this county. From his unpublished manuscript, referred to in the chapter on pio- neers, the writer learns that Kinzna creek is named from the Indian word Kinzu (fish); Tuna or Tunuanguant creek, from Tunuan (big) and guant (frog or bull- frog). Nun-un-dah (Potato creek), from the Indian word for potato; Marvin creek, from the pioneer of that name who settled on its bank. Blacksmith run and spring were named from the pioneer blacksmith's shop near the spring in the western part of Smethport; Cole's creek from Squire Cole, the pioneer of its valley; Tobey, now known as the Clarion, and other creeks derive their names in a similar manner. Mr. Hamlin, speaking on the name of Potato creek, stated that Indians in the long ago lost some potatoes in this stream through the upsetting of their canoe, and they called it Nun-un-dah. In 1832 he placed a potato before an Indian school-teacher, asking for its Indian name: the teacher replied, "nun-un-dah." In after years he interviewed members of the Cornplanter and Seneca bands, who gave it the same name. The stream was also called " Six's creek." a Quaker name conferred likely by Francis King; Conondaw and Cononondaw were titles conferred by some old surveyors, likely in honor of some Indian who accompanied them, and in John Keating's letter to the county seat commissioners, he gives it the name " Cononoclan," undoubtedly reading " ondaw " as " oclan." Up to the period of Mr. Ham- lin's death he always regretted the action of his fellow-citizens in adhering to
56
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
the anglicized form of the euphonious Indian name-Nun-un-dah. It is not too late yet to reform. The commissioners and courts may order the Indian title to be used henceforth, authorize the change on the maps, and a few years will banish the present barbarous name from a beautiful valley.
All the trees and shrubs common to northern Pennsylvania find a congenial home on the hills and in the valleys of this county. Most of the pine has fal- len beneath the ax of the lumberman, but great areas of hemlock remain al- most untouched, while beech, birch, maple, elm, cucumber, iron-wood, butter- nut, cherry, ash, walnut and other species of the hard-wood family present themselves everywhere. The hemlock however may be said to be the pride of the modern lumberman. Those dark-green forests of the once despised giants now look admirable in his eyes, and he speaks of these great trees as the jockey would of his pet racer, the pugilist of Sullivan, the oilman of his wealth- giving well. or the engineer of his favorite locomotive. To point out the quali- ties of this hemlock, the following story is told: On February, 28, 1835. B. H. Lamphier, his father, and Squire Wright cut down a cucumber tree with the object of making from its wood troughs for sap. In falling it lodged against a hemlock, which had also to be cut down. In 1885 B. H. Lamphier found this hemlock in sound condition, and used part of it in his building of that year. In 1849 an estimate of lumber manufactured here showed 14,500,000 feet of pine boards and 5,000,000 of cherry boards; 2,500,000 feet of square timber (board measure) and 5,000,000 shingles. In modern times one mill- ing concern aims to do even more than all the mills in this county, forty years ago, accomplished in a year.
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