USA > Pennsylvania > The Historical journal : a quarterly record of local history and genealogy devoted principally to Northwestern Pennsylvania > Part 14
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Colonel Matlack's observation to Capt. Lowdon was ill founded. Because the appointment was made with Col. Matlack, not with Council & Matlack had neither wrote or Even sent a Message to Inform 'Mr. Maclay that a Disapointment had prevented them at- tending ; therefor, Mr. Maclay, if he waited at all, Certainly waited for those Persons with whom he had made the appointment. An- other Consideration still Places this matter in a Stronger point of View, Viz., Colonel Matlack called on Council for a much Larger sum of Money than what was agreed on by the commissioners when the appointment was made to meet on the first of May at Lebanon. .
THURSDAY, May, 20th .-- Rained hard the greater part of the day. which obliged us to continue at MeLaughlin's all that day.
FRIDAY, May 21st .- Set off early in the morning. Pushed up about 6 miles where we stopped and Breakfasted & Reached that night, about 2 o'clock, about 2 miles above Wallis's Island.
* The thrifty Borough of Watsontown now stands near the mouth of Warrior Run.
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SATURDAY, 22d .- Set off; Passed up the Race Ground * Early in the morning; Stopped ; Leveled the Race Ground.
Fore Sight 394
Back " 781
387 Difference in 102 perches Distance.
In this place there are 2 large flat Stones and a number of Losse ones, to be Removed which when done Boats can with Ease and Safety be Towed up this place. From thence to Loyal Sock Ripples a fine Easy current. Loyal Sock Ripples.
Back Sight 915
Fore 4 535
380 Difference in 102 perches.
At Loyal Sock we waited some time for Mr. Adlum, and at length set off without him; he overtook (us) in the afternoon, and we took up our camp for the night opposite a small I'ld called Toner's Island. +
SUNDAY, May 23d .- Set off early and the men worked hard all day, and Reached the mouth of the Bald Eagle a little before sun- set, where we incamped.
MONDAY, 24th .- Spent the day in Baking Bread, and providing horses for the expedition; Saw Several, but none that suited our purpose.
TUESDAY, May 25th .- The morning threatens Rain; we went and Breakfasted with Mrs. Don.# Looked at several horses but could not buy any that we thought Exactly suited our purpose ;
.
*The Race Ground Island, well known to raftsmen, lies in the river about a mile below the mouth of Loyalsock Creek. It was so named because the water runs swiftly around it on the side next Bald Eagle Mountain. It always was a dangerous place for raftsmen, and many rafts have been wrecked on the head of the island, as the water in rushing around to the right side, or channel, is treach- erous and requires great care on the part of pilots to avoid being drawn on the bar.
+ A small island in the river opposite the present town of Linden. The water has encroached upon it very much and it is almost entirely washed away.
#She resided on the Great Island, which her husband, William Dunn-ac- cording to tradition-purchased from the Indians "for a barrel of whiskey, a rifle and a hatchet." It contained about 300 acres and was a favorite place of resort . for the aborigines. It lies in the river a short distance east of Lock Haven.
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we at length purchased three, and left Gersham Hicks and Mathew Gray to get them Shod, and prepared to start with the Boat.
WEDNESDAY, May 26th .- Started with the Boat, and found it Good Boatable water up as far as Tangascutack,* but between that and Baker's there were a number of Ripples and Sholes, which took up so much time that it was nearly night when the Boat arrived there where we encamped for the night.
THURSDAY, May 27th .- Started Early and arrived at Bennet's before sun set. In this day's push we found much difficulty occasioned by Ripples & Sholes.
FRIDAY, May 28th .- Set off and Passed through several Sholes and one sharp Ripple, and about 1 o'clock came to Shin Townt where we spent the Remainder of the Day in Baking & Cooking.
SATURDAY, May 29th .- Breakfasted and set off. I this morning felt much out of order; the Evening before after I drank tea, I was taken with a severe pain in my Left arm, Which I took for an attack of Rheumatism, but in a short time it Removed from my arm and fixed in my Breast. and continued Very Painful at night. We had not Traveled far before it began to Rain ; we, however, kept moving Slowly along; we met with some sharp Ripples and some Sholes, but the sholes we had this day were not as had as those between Shin Town & the young women's# town. We ar- rived at the mouth of the Sinnemahoning River $ about 1 o'clock, and proceeded up the River about one mile and a half, and en- camped. It still Continued Raining.
SUNDAY, May 30th .- Proceeded up the Cinamahoning with the Boat, Got up the falls without much Difficulty. In them there are a few Stones that appear to be loose, that must be removed, that may be don for about £10. We got about 34 (miles) further up to the
* A small stream emptying into the river two miles west of Farrandsville. Coal was formerly mined on this stream.
TA hamlet a short distance above Renovo. At that time it could not have been more than a cabin.
#The village of North Point is now located at the mouth of Youngwoman's Creek.
2. Now called Keating. At this point the West Branch runs from the south- west, and the Sinnemahoning, which empties into it, runs from the west.
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point of an island, where is a shole, when we were obliged to put out about half our loading, and then got up with the Boat and pro- ceeded up the River about 34 of a mile, unloaded the Boat, and sent her back for that part we had left at the Ripple. As soon as she returned we got our load on board and pushed up the River about half a mile, where we meet with another shole, which we could not pass. We then pushed our boat a little back and en- camped for the night. About Dark it thundered, and in the night it rained a little ; and though we had near three days of cloudy weather and some rain, the river continued to fall.
MONDAY, May 31st .- The morning cloudy with a misty rain. About 8 o'clock it cleared up, then all hopes of the river rising at the time were ended. We then, as the last resource, set James MeLaughlin with 4 other hands to work to make us canoes. Af- ter this was agreed on Mr. Adlum and myself set off, and climbed to the top of a mountain that lay to the northeast of our camp and came close to the river. As we passed along its foot. (it) did not appear high, but when we attempted climbing it, we found it a verry high mountain, and the country to the north appeared to be pretty level, and the soil of a middlin quality. We traveled about 2 or 3 miles and then came down the mountain to the river abcut 2 miles below our camp. We on our way took up MeLaughlin's Broad ax which had been forgot the day before, where we loaded our boat after getting up the ripples. We got to camp about 2 o'clock. After dinner colonel Matlack and Mr. Adlum walked up to see how the canoe making came on, and I assisted the boys at Baking Bread. This with a dish of tea concluded the month of May.
TUESDAY, June 1st, 1790 .- The hands were employed in work- ing at our canoes and baking Bread. Mr. Adlum and myself walked down the river near three miles, but met with no game. Returned, Got Dinner and then walked up to see the canoe making.
WEDNESDAY, June 2d .- Spent the fornoon in Lineing the River up as far as our camp. About 1 o'clock one of our canoes was launced, but I have not yet seen here since she was put in the water.
THURSDAY, June 3d .- Loaded our canoe and proceeded up the river, Surveying it as we went: we surveyed it up as far as the
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second fork, where we arrived about 4 o'clock. We spent the re- mainder of the day in pitching our tent and unloading our canoe, and unpacking some of our stores which had got wet.
FRIDAY, June 4th .- In the morning sent off James Carney and Edward Sweney with the canoe to go back to where we had left James McLaughlin and the other hands to finish the other canoe. Carney and Sweney were ordered to return this day with another Load of our stores, but are not yet Returned.
Carney and Sweney Returned in the evening and brought with them a small load of stores.
SATURDAY, June 5th .- Sent of Saml Gibbons and Matthew Gray in the morning early for another load; they returned at 2 o'clock. unloaded the canoe and set off for the old camp in order to bring the remainder of our stores. On the way they met Mclaughlin and Reynolds with the new canoe loaded, on their way.
SUNDAY, June 6th .- Mclaughlin and Reynolds had come part of the way on Saturday and came to camp at 10 o'clock, and Brought with them a large she Beaver, that Mclaughlin had caught at 2 small islands that are about a mile below the first forks. At one o'clock the other canoe with the Remainder of our Stores arrived : the Residue of the day was spent in preparing provisions, Packing tents, etc.
MONDAY, June 7th .- The canoes were Loaded and all hands set forward with them, Hicks and myself Excepted. I chused to stay with Hicks in consequence of my having been much indisposed for the two Preceeding days, as Hicks had to take care of the horses and make pack saddles: I amused myself in assisting him ; I still felt Rather unwell; some remains of my head ach continued with a pain or rather soreness cross my kidneys.
Mr. Adlum with three hands intends to run a line cross the com- ing place to the Alegina," and get some of our people set to work at making our canoes on the Alegina. Before he returns to this camp, as soon as that can be accomplished, we intend to survey the West Branch as high as it will admit canoes, and then examine what kind of communication the country will adinit of Between it and Toby's Creek. +
* The Allegheny River west of the mountains of that name.
t Now called the Clarion River.
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At night Hicks was taken with a cold fit which lasted about a quarter of an hour, and then complained of a hard lump in his stomach, and Likewise that his stomach was sick. He drank water and vomited and then the chillness together with the sickness went off. I caught as many chub in a short time, at the junction of the two branches, as made our supper.
TUESDAY, June 8th .- Hicks and myself Bussey in finishing our Pack Saddles. This morning we saw a deer in the River coming to a small Island ; I immediately went after it; but could see no more of it this day. Likewise be it remembered that I made a Plumb Pudding in a Bag at the second forks of the Sinemahoning, and had it for dinner, and thought it as fine a one as I ever ate. A slight showr this evening, but not sufficient to raise the River ; about 5 o'clock a canoe with two men and two boys, came to our camp; they said they had come from Pine Creek in four days. They discovered an inclination to stay all night at our fire, without either being invited or asking leave; their conversation was of hunting, and though in general fond of hearing hunting Feats, they in order to appear Singular made themselves Exceedingly disagreeable. I have not yet learned any of their names. and if they would push their Boats I would feel more happy than either their company or acquaintance could make me.
WEDNESDAY, June 9th .- My disagreeable guests were gone this morning before I got up. Got Breakfast; shot my gun at a mark ; saw a large wolf Crossing the Left hand branch about 150 yards above our camp: hearing the guns fired he, I suppose, expected either to find the offall of some game or find some game wounded.
The time is now arrived at which I expect the return of our canoes, 3 o'clock ; 4 o'clock, the canoes returned; the men com- plained that they were fatigued; (in) order that they might rest a little, I undertook to bake some bread. They in the mean time took the canoes out of the water, and made fires under their Bot- toms to Dry them, that they might run lighter and carry a greater Burthen. Last night MeLaughlin caught a second Beaver, and so the day concluded with cooking and the other usual avocations.
THURSDAY, June 10th .- The morning rained until about 9 o'clock ; in the time of the rain Thomas Semor * came up to our
* Seymour, properly. .
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camp. As soon as the Rain began to abate I ordered the hands to begin to put our Baggage on Board and Got ready as quick as Possible and set off. As our canoes were unable to take all our baggage along, in the State the water was, I put our tent and sev- eral other things on Board of Semor's canoe, and went on Board with him & told him that he should be paid a reasonable compen- sation for his trouble. We were as Diligent as possible until night, and were only able to get eight miles that day; the water was so low that we were obliged to Drag our canoes through every ripple, and in Several of them were obliged to Quarrey a passage through for our canoes.
FRIDAY, June 11th .- Rose early, had the Breakfast Got Ready as soon as Possible, and started this morning. I felt myself unable to work in the canoe with Semor; I have felt the Rheumatism for several days in my right arm and sholder, and the workin the Preceding day had increased my pain. I continued on shore alone until about one o'clock, and then Expecting that the heavy canoes could not reach the uper camp that day, I got my Blanket put on Board of Senior's Light canoe, and desired him to push on for the uper camp, and I kept along shore with him for some time, when finding the water to get worse, and not being in condition to give him much assistance, I determined to walk on to the upper camp. I did so and Reach(ed) the place about 5 o'clock. Hicks, who. had brought the horses, got there a few minutes before me; him, I sent back to assist Semor in Bringing up his Canoe. They re- turned with the Canoe Before sunset. I need scarcely ad that I was Sufficiently Fatigued to go to Bed early.
SATURDAY, June 12th .- Sent Hicks and Semor off early this morning with Semor's canoe to meet the other Canoes and to take a part of their loads, and to assist in Bringing them up. They met them about 2 miles Below the camp and took a part of their loads and returned with them. In about 3 houres it began to rain and now Rains pretty fast ; Mr. Adlum not yet returned.
[TO BE CONTINUED.]
THE Philadelphia and Erie Railroad, which begins at Sunbury and ends at Erie, is 288 miles long. The highest point reached in crossing the Allegheny Mountains is at Kane. The elevation above tide is 2,220 feet.
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NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY PRISONS.
BY R. HI. AWL, M. D., SUNBURY.
N the "Pennsylvania Archives" is a letter written by Conrad Weiser to James Logan, dated September 29, 1744, in which he makes mention of a " locke-house," that he with eight young men built for Shekalamy, the Oneida chief, the father of Logan the Mingo chief, who afterwards figured so prominently in the In- dian history of our State. The " locke-house," or supposed prison, was finished in seventeen days, being 172 feet wide and 493 feet long and covered with shingles.
The second jail or place of keeping the lawless was the " Old Magazine" at " Fort Augusta," which still may be seen. This "Old Magazine " answered the purpose of a prison for a number of years. But in 1773 William Maclay, my grandfather, wrote a letter to J. Tilghman, at Philadelphia, then Secretary for the Colony, in which he complained of the smallness and insecurity of this place "for the confinement and punishment of villains."
The third jail was commenced on the corner of Market Street and Center Alley in 1775, and finished in 1776. It was built of stone and brick and used for both a prison and a Court House. The building is still standing and is known as the Pleasant property. Tradition places the old whipping post opposite this jail, in the middle of Market Square, east of the place where the old Market House stood.
The fourth jail was built on the southwest corner of Arch and Second Streets. From what information I can get it was com- menced in 1801. and completed in 1803. Including the two lots, number 149 and number 150, the cost was about $8,000.
The fifth, or present prison, was built on the site of the previous structure in 1876. The original contract for the structure was $91,936, but some alterations from the original plan ran the cost up to about $125,000. I quote what Mr. Biddle, General Agent and Secretary of the Board of Public Charities, says of this prison in his report of 1885: "We here find one of the best county jails in the State. It is in charge of a warden elected by the com- missioners, and contains ninety-six cells in two corridors. Weav- ing is taught and looms provided, upon which the men make car-
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pets. cre. A profit over the cost of more than twelve hundred dollars was yielded from the work last year, and the good con- dition of the prisoners more than proved its beneficial effects. Every place was clean and in good order. The contrast between this jail and many of those in adjoining and near counties was very great, and it is surprising that with such an example so near at hand, others are willing to be satisfied with such wretched and censurable accommodation." With such commendations coming from such a source, the people of the county should be proud and appreciate the faithful discharge of duty as performed by our com- missioners. It is their management that gives our county either a high or low standing among the neighboring counties. Our pres- ent commissioners thus far need not seek for praise. Their work stands to show for itself. This is an office that is more difficult to fill than is commonly thought. The county commissioners have the power of levying taxes upon the citizens and the collection of the same. They are charged with the disbursement of all the revenues of the county as well as the control and management of the public property. They must oversee county improvements. keep a watchful guard of the treasury. and at all times turn an attentive ear to adjust petty grievances and troubles. In the commissioner should be found the good qualities of a man ; un- bounded patience, a good disposition, the control of temper, and above all good, sound judgment he is daily called upon to exhibit. And beyond doubt the remuneration for the possession and mani- festation of these powers should be more. Good men with good pay is a rule that will prove itself to be as true to the county as it does to corporations and individuals. The present prison is de- clared by all who visit it to be a very good and secure one. And especially is this so when compared with the previous jail, which the following anecdote will illustrate :
Two men, one Jake, for assault and battery, the other, John, a chronic chicken thief, were confined in the old prison about thirty years ago. The old jail at that time was considered by expert thieves to be only a place to rest and stay over night, unless they were chained and hobbled to the floor. The night before Christ- mas, hearing the bells ringing and a great commotion outside, and not being hobbled or chained, John and Jake opened the back
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door letting them into the yard, where they made an opening in the wall large enough to let them out. After they were out they first went to the lower end of town, where they got quite drunk : having been informed that a dance and jollification was to come off at " Het Coley's" (who lived in a small house on the corner where the First National Bank stands), they next went there. They were not in the house long till they were accused of putting croton oil in the darkey's jug of whiskey, which soon brought on a free fight, ending in John being thrown out head foremost, lighting with his face on a poplar stump, cutting and bruising it severely. With some trouble Jake got John back into jail again. where he placed him on a bed, and then went the third time through the opening in the wall and brought the doctor. The sheriff, on seeing Jake, was greatly surprised and asked, " How is this, Jake?" who answered that hearing fun outside, and wanting some them- selves, John and he made an opening in the wall, which they in- tended to fix in the morning before the sheriff was up. John's face was dressed. a few stones and a little mortar placed to repair the opening in the wall, and the affair was soon forgotten.
The following are some of the important diseases treated during the past two years: Epilepsy, 2: paralysis, 4; neuralgia, 5; in- somnia, 6; insane, 4; conjunctivitis, 6: ulcerated sore throat, 7; nasal catarrh, 4: hypertrophy of the heart, 2; valvular affection of the heart, 1: phthisis, 2; hacmoptysis, 1 ; pneumonia, 7 : gastritis, 3; dyspepsia, 4; colica, 7; constipation, 10; dysentery, 1; diar- rhœa, 2: hemorrhoids, 2; strangulated hernia of the bowels, 1 : hepatitis. 3; cystitis, 1; orchitis, 2; stricture of the urethra, 1 ; gonorrhea, 5; syphilis, 9; rheumatism, 11; lumbago, 2; bilious fever, 6; intermittent fever, 3 ; abscess, 5; erysipelas, 3; scabies. 7; two pistol shots causing a compound fracture of the fibula. and tibia, 1; artery of palmar arch cut, 1; frozen foot with loss of toes, 1; punctured wound followed by erysipelas, 1: contused wound of scalp, 1: bruised face from falling down stairs. 1; in- cised wound of leg, 2: incised wound of thigh. 1: sprained ankle, 3: deaths, none. The average number of prisoners was about fifty- five ; three-fourths of these were sentenced to close confinement. Considering the number confined, and that a great many are afflicted with some complaint before their confinement, the prison has been
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kept in a good and healthy condition. The commissioners deserve great credit for the manner in which they have discharged this part of their manifold duties. To oversee the supply of food, clothing, etc., to manage the sale of manufactured articles, and to make the various appointments, is of itself not an easy task. The clean and good condition in which the warden keeps the prison and the successful way the carpet weaving is carried on is noticed by all the visitors.
I attended the old prison ten years and the new or present one two years as physician ; which, including this year (1887), makes thirteen years in all.
RECOLLECTIONS OF PETER PENCE.
One article in THE HISTORICAL JOURNAL puts the date of the death of Peter Pence. one of the great Indian fighters, at 1829. He died in 1812, at his residence on the north side of Nippenosc Valley, near the west end in (then) Wayne Township. He left a will, which you will find recorded in Williamsport, appointing John Stine and my father, Robert Hamilton, Esq., executors. Stine refused to serve and administration papers were made out for my father. He left the one-third of the rents of his estate to his dear and loving wife; to his son, John Pence, the place he (John Pence) lived on, and an equal division of the rest of his estate, real and personal, to Susan Pierson, Elizabeth Pence, Mary Stine, Catherine Showers, Hannah Gyeen (Gheen), and Peter Pence, Jr., and adding :
" My choice is to have for my executors Robert Hamilton and John Stine."
(Signed)
RIS
" PETER X PENCE."
MARK.
Among the papers found with Pence's will was one, the assign- ment of a bond to Belen Bener, dated November, 1768,
.. (Signed)
HIS " MICAH B. X PERCEL." MARK.
Witnesses : "ANDREST BLACKHART, GEORGE OUERDEN, DAVID EVARTS."
·
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Another note for the full sum of £900 current money of Penn- sylvania. dated 1778, given to Peter Pence by William Taylor. Witnessed by Daniel Montgomery. These are notes, as I suppose, that never were paid. There are some other papers with Pence's name connected.
In my father's docket is a suit, John Stine against Henry Pence, 1809. The docket shows a suit by Samuel Morrison against Peter Pence under date of 1800.
I have no remembrance of seeing Peter Pence. I have seen his son Peter, and a number of the first settlers of Nippenose, then often called " Hard Scrabble : " Stines, Gheens, Clarks, William Shaw, Abraham Andrews, the father of Moses Andrews, an humble but distinguished Methodist.
There was a Justice of the Peace in the upper end of Wayne, but my father's residence was nearer, being opposite Love's Gap, on the road to the river, and it seemed to be the seat of justice for the valley.
NOTE-"April 9, 1811, Thomas Gheen and Hannah Pence were legally joined in marriage by me.
ROBERT HAMILTON."
The marriages of his children prove that he was something more than a boy during the Revolution.
My father bought some things at Pence's vendue and took me with him, over the mountain, to bring them home. There were a parcel of small tools, such as a worker in wood would use-a great many gauges of different sizes, and among the rest a wheelbarrow, which my father was going to leave, but I fancied it and insisted on bringing it, saying I could wheel it. He told me I couldn't : but we brought it along.
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