USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 35
USA > Pennsylvania > Bedford County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 35
USA > Pennsylvania > Cumberland County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 35
USA > Pennsylvania > Dauphin County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 35
USA > Pennsylvania > Franklin County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 35
USA > Pennsylvania > Perry County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 35
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The streams now noticed and other smaller ones, afford water power to rising fifty flouring mills, twelve or fifteen grist mills, between sixty and seventy saw mills, several oil mills, fulling mills, clover mills, woollen and other factories.
Natural curiosities .- Among the natural curiosities of this county may be appropriately classed a well known cave on the banks of the Conedogwinet, about a mile and a half north of Carlisle. The entrance to it is a semi-circular archway, about eight feet high, in a limestone cliff of about twenty feet perpendicular elevation. There is such perfect symme- try displayed in the arch to this subterraneous cavern, as to strongly incline the visitor to the belief that art must have given it the finish ; and such an opinion receives some sup- port from the fact that the surface of the interior has, at some time, received a dressing, or smoothing. From the vaulted passage, or ante-chamber which is first entered, there is a nearly straight passage of about two hundred and sev- enty feet to a point where it branches into three directions. The passage is high enough to admit the visiter erect, till he reaches the tri-furcation. The passage on the right is broad and low, and not easy of access, owing to the great humidity of the stones. It leads to a chamber as large as the first, which bears the singular name of his satanic ma- jesty, " The Devil's Dining Room." The centre passage from the ante-chamber is very narrow and tortuous, some- what similar to a winding-stair, and cannot be entered more than about thirty feet, where it terminates in a perpendicu- lar excavation ; the height of which, has not, as I know, yet been measured.
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
The left hand passage, at a distance of three or four feet, turns, at a sudden to the right, and measures in length about ninety feet, with a sufficient opening to permit a small lad to creep along it, but it becomes thenceforth too strait for fur- ther progress. About seven feet from the entrance of this gallery are several small pools-Those fond of poetical sem- blances, say, there are " seven springs." Those pools are formed by the drippings of the roof, which have been mis- taken by the credulous for springs.
The Carlisle Sulphur Springs, of some celebrity, are three miles north of the borough in North Middleton township .- It is a place of some considerable resort in the summer season.
Public Improvements .- The Cumberland Valley Railroad passes through the centre of a finely cultivated part of the county. It was required by the charter of the company, in- corporated in 1834, that it should pass by way of Carlisle and Shippensburg. It not only passes through these towns, the points named, but hard by Shiremanstown, through the borough of Mechanicsburg ; one half mile south of Newville. The whole length of the road from the borough of Harris- burg is fifty-one miles. It was estimated that this road, when completed would yield a handsome per centage on the capital stock invested. The local trade of Cumberland val- ley was estimated, to make an aggregate of carriage, of fif- ty-one thousand nine hundred and fifty tons, annually. We have not the data to determine, whether these anticipations were fully realized. The aggregate receipts were estimated at $254,647.60 annually. The road has now been in opera- tion for eight or nine years; and the stockholders have met with some reverses; for in December 1844, that noble su- perstructure across the Susquehanna, was destroyed by fire. One man lost his life at the time.
Turnpikes .- The turnpike road from Harrisburg to Cham- bersburg, made by an incorporated company, was began in 1816; and crosses the county southwest by way of Hogues- ton, Kingston, Middlesex, Carlisle, and Shippensburg, and was, before the completion of the rail road, much travelled.
The Hanover and Carlisle turnpike road, commenced in 1812, runs from the borough of Carlisle southeast by way
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
of Petersburg, in Adams county, to Hanover, thence to Bal- timore. The Harrisburg and York turnpike road, passes along the west side of the Susquehanna. These roads and all the highways, are usually kept in good order, by means of which, and the numerous bridges in the county every portion is easily accessible by wagons, or vehicles for plea- sure.
The modes of transporting or conveying produce and other articles of commerce, have been, like the highways, thorough fares, or public roads, much improved within the memory of many now living, west of the Susquehanna. Six- ty or seventy years ago five hundred pack horses had been at one time in Carlisle, going thence to Shippensburg, Fort Loudon, and further westward, loaded with merchandise, also salt, iron, &c. The pack-horses used to carry bars of iron on their backs, crooked over and around their bodies- barrels or cags were hung on each side of these.
Colonel Snyder of Chambersburg, in a conversation with the writer (August 1845) said, that he cleared many a day from six to eight dollars in crooking, or bending iron, and shoeing horses for western carriers, at the time he was car- rying on a blacksmith shop, in the town of Chambersburg.
The pack horses were generally led in divisions of twelve or fifteen horses, carrying about two hundred weight each, all going single file, and being managed by two men, one going before as the leader, and the other at the tail, to see after the safety of the packs. Where the bridle road passed along declivities or over hills, the path was, in some places, washed out so deep that the packs or burdens came in con- tact with the ground, or other impeding obstacles, and were frequently displaced. However, as the carriers usually tra- velled in companies, the packs were soon adjusted, and no great delay occasioned.
The pack horses were generally furnished with bells, which were kept from ringing during the day drive, but were let loose at night, when the horses were set free and permitted to feed and browse. The bells were intended as guides to direct their whereabouts in the morning. When wagons were first introduced, the carriers considered that mode of " transportation," an invasion of their rights-their indignation was more excited and they manifested greater
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HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY.
377
rancor, than did the regular teamsters when the line of sin- gle teams was started some thirty years ago.
CHAPTER XXV.
THE WHITES INTRUDE UPON INDIAN, OR UNPURCHASED LANDS, &c.
Influx of immigrants increased ; Irish and some few Germans intrude upon Indian lands north of the Kittatinny mountain, &c .; Indians become irritated and threatened to do themselves justice ; Confer- ence held in Pennsborough touching the Indians' complaints ; Rich- ard Peters and others proceed to remove the intruders ; Several cabins burnt on Juniata river, Shearman's creek; Peters and others proceed to Shippensburg, thence to Tuscarora Path, and burn several cabins ; Proceed to Big Cove, &c .; Brief sketch of early settlements.
Immigrants in their westward course entered the " North Valley " about the year 1730 or 1731 ; their number stea- dily increased till it had reached, in 1740, several thousand ; for in 1749, the number of taxables were eight hundred and seven ; and so rapid was the increase of first settlers that in 1751, the taxables numbered eleven hundred and thirty-four. So great was the number, and rapid the progress of settle- ments, as to alarm the Indians; for many of the pioneers were so impatient of the delays of the land office, that they pushed settlements beyond the bounds of the purchase of October 1736 (see pa. 32, ante,) and were viewed, by the Indians, and justly too, as intruders. These were chiefly Irish, and some few Germans, who seated themselves on the Juniata river, Shearman's creek, Tuscarora Path, or Path Valley, in the Little, and Big Cove, formed by the Kittatin- ny and Tuscarora mountains; and by the Big and Little Conolloways. The first of the intruders commenced settle- ments on the unpurchased lands about the year 1740; "and
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
increased despite the complaints of the Indians, the laws of the Province, and the proclamations of the governor.
The Six Nations having consulted in council on this sub- ject, sent a grand deputation from every tribe to Philadel- phia, to present their remonstrances. The Senecas arrived first, and having been attentively heard, were dismissed, with a present of one hundred pounds, and with instructions, should they meet their compatriots, to report what they had done, and to persuade them to return. But the Senecas either did not meet the other deputies, or were unable to . change their determination. They arrived shortly after- wards in the city, and on a short conference, were dismissed, with a present of fifty pounds. Upon their return, the ef- fect of the rival attentions of the Europeans was plainly visible upon the Indians. Their respect for the whites was much diminished, and their conduct was marked with wan- toness and insolence. They killed the cattle of the inhabi- tants as they passed through the country, and mischievously wasted their orchards. Even the property of Conrad Weiser (residing near the present site of Wommelsdort, Berks coun- ty) who was personally known to, and esteemed, by them, was not respected by the Tortuloes ; who were, on his com- plaints, driven off by the Seneca chiefs. The depredations they committed along their route were repaired by the As- sembly, that the people, satisfied with their indemnity, might bear more patiently the insolence of their visitors.
The threats of the Indians to do themselves that justice they despaired to receive from the government, produced prompt and decisive measures. The Secretary of the Pro- vince, Mr. Richard Peters, and the interpreter, Mr. Conrad Weiser, were directed to proceed to the county of Cumber- land, in which the new settlements lay, and to expel the in- truders. They were joined by the magistrates of the county, the delegates from the Six Nations, a chief of the Mohawks and Andrew Montour, an interpreter from Ohio. The com- missioners met with little resistence in the execution of their duty ; a few only of the settlers, under an apprehension of imprisonment, making a show of opposition. All readily en- tered into recognizance for their appearance at the next ses- sions, and many aided to reduce their own habitations to ashes in the presence of the magistrates and attendant In- dians.
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
Mr. Peters displayed on this occasion great pruduce and humanity. To the needy he gave money, and proffered an asylum on farms of his own; and to all he granted permis- sion to establish themselves on a tract of two millions of acres, purchased from the Indians on the east side of the Susquehanna, in the preceding year, for the proprietaries - But, notwithstanding this evidence of the resolution of the government, and the determination of the Indians, new of- fence was given to the latter, by new encroachments, within a few months .- Gordon.
The proceedings alluded to above, are inserted at large, as being full of interesting and historical incidents.
To James Hamilton, Esq. Governor of Pennsylvania.
May it please your Honor :
Mr. Weiser and I having received your Honor's orders to give information to the proper magistrates against all such as had presumed to settle and remain on the lands beyond the Kittochtinny mountains, not purchased of the Indians, in contempt of the laws repeatedly signi- filed by proclamations, and particularly by your Honor's last one, and to bring them to a legal conviction, Jest for want of their removal a breach should ensue between the Six Nations of Indians and this Province. We set out on Tuesday, the 15th of May 1750, for the new county of Cumberland, where the places on which the trespassers bad settled, lay.
At Mr. Croghan's we met with five Indians, three from Shamokin, two of which were sons of the late Shickcalamy, who transact the business of the Six Nations with this government; two were just arrived from Allegheny, viz : one of the Mohock's nation, called Aaron, and Andrew Montour, the interpreter at Ohio. Mr. Montour telling us he had a message from the Ohio Indians and Twightwees to this government, and desiring a conference, one was held on the the 18th of May last, in the presence of James Galbreth, George Croghan, William Wilson, and Hermanus Alricks, Esqs., justices of the county of Cumberland; and when Mr. Montour's business was done, we, with the advice of the other justices, imparted to the Indians the design we were assembled upon, at which they expressed great satisfaction.
Another conference was held, at the instance of the Indians, in the presence of Mr. Galbreth and Mr. Croghan, before mentioned, wherein they expressed themselves as follows :
Brethren, we have thought a great deal of what you imparted to us, that ye were come to turn the people off who are settled over the hills ; we are pleased to see you on this occasion, and as the council of Onondago has this affair exceedingly at heart, and it was particularly recommended to us by the deputies of the Six Nations, when they parted from us last summer, we desire to accompany you, but we are afraid, notwithstanding the care of the governor, that this may prove like many former attempts ; the people will be put
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
off now, and next year come again ; and if so, the Six Nations will no longer bear it, but do themselves justice. To prevent this, there- fore, when you shall have turned the people off, we recommend it to the governor, to place two or three faithful persons over the mountains, who may be agreeable to him and us, with commissions, empowering them immediately to remove every one who may presume after this to settle themselves, until the Six Nations shall agree to make sale of their land.
To enforce this they gave a string of wampum, and received one in return from the magistrates, with the strongest assurances that they would do their duty.
On Tuesday, the 22nd of May, Matthew Dill, George Croghan, Benjamin Chambers, Thomas Wilson, John Finley and James Gal- breath, Esqs., justices of the said county of Cumberland, attended by the under sheriff, came to Big Juniata, situate at the distance of twenty miles from the mouth thereof, and about ten miles north from the Blue Hills, a place much esteemed by the Indians for some of their best hunting ground; and there they found five cabins or log houses, one possessed by William White, another by George Cahoon, another not quite yet finished, in possession of David Hiddleston, another pos- sessed by George and William Galloway, and another by Andrew Lycon ; of these persons, William White and George and William Galloway, David Hiddleston and George Cahoon appeared before the magistrates, and being asked by what right or authority they had possessed themselves of those lands, and erected cabins thereon ? 'They replied, by no right or authority, but that the land belonged to the Proprietaries of Pennsylvania. They then were asked, whether they did not know they were acting against the law, and in contempt of frequent notices given them by the governor's proclamation ? They said they had seen one such proclamation, and had nothing .0 say for themselves, but craved mercy. Hereupon the said William White, George and William Galloway, David Hiddleston and George Cahoon, being convicted by said justices on their view, the under sheriff was charged with them, and he took William White, David Huddleston and George Cahoon into custody, but George and William Galloway resisted, and having got at some distance from the under sheriff, they called to us : You may take our lands and houses and do what you please with them; we deliver them to you with all our hearts, but we will not be carried to jail.
The next morning being Wednesday, the 23rd of May, the said justices went to the log house or cabin of Andrew Lycon, and finding none there but children, and hearing that the father and mother were expected soon, and William White and others offering to become security, jointly and severally, and to enter into recognizance, as well as for Andrew's appearance at court, and immediate removal, as for their own ; this proposal was accepted, and William White, David Hiddleston and George Cahoon, entered into a recognizance of one hundred pounds, and executed bonds to the Proprietaries in the sum of five hundred pounds, reciting, that they were trespassers, and had no (manner of right, and had delivered possession to me for the Proprietaries. When the magistrates went to the cabin or log house of George and William Galloway, (which they had delivered up as aforesaid the day before, after they were convicted, and were flying
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
from the sheriff ) all the goods belonging to the said George and William were taken out, and the cabin being quite empty, I took possession thereof for the Proprietaries; and then a conference was held, what should be done with the empty cabin ; and after great deliberation, all agreed that if some cabins were not destroved, they would tempt the trespassers to return again, or encourage others to come there, should these trespassers go away; and so what was doing would signify nothing, since the possession of them was at such a distance from the inhabitants could not be kept for the Proprietaries ; and Mr. Weiser also giving it as his opinion, that if all the cabins were left standing, the Indians would conceive such a contemptible opinion of the government, that they would come themselves in the winter, murder the people, and set their houses on fire. On these considerations the cabin, by my order, was burnt by the under sheriff and company.
Then the company went to the house possessed by David Hiddleston, who had entered into bond as aforesaid, and he having voluntarily taken out all the [things which were in the cabin, and left me in possession, that empty and unfurnished cabin was likewise set on fire by the under sheriff, by my order.
The next day being the 24th of May, Mr. Weiser and Mr. Galbreath, with the under sheriff and myself, on our way to the mouth of Juniata, called at Andrew Lycon's, with intent only to inform him, that his neighbors were bound for his appearance and immediate removal, and to caution him not to bring himself or them into trouble by a refusal. But he presented a loaded gun tn the magistrates and sheriff; said he would shoot the first man that dared to come nigher. On this, he was disarmed, convicted, and committed to the custody of the sheriff. This whole transaction happened in the sight of a tribe of Indians, who by accident had in the night time fixed their tent on that plantation ; and Lycons' behavior giving them great offence, the Shickcalamies insisted on our burning the cabin or they would burn it themselves. Whereupon, when every thing was taken out of it (Andrew Lycon all the while assisting) and possession being delivered to me, the empty cabin was set on fire by the under sheriff, and Lycan was carried to jail.
Mr. Benjamin Chambers and Mr. George Croghan had about an hour before separated from us; and on my meeting them again in Cumberland county, they reported to me they had been at Sheerman's creek, or Little Juniata, situate about 6 miles over the Blue mountain, and found there James Parker, Thomas Parker, Owen M'Keib, John M'Clare, Richard Kirkpatrick, James Murray, John Scott, Henry Gass. John Cowan, Simon Girtee and John Kilough, who had settled lands and erected cabins or log houses thereon ; and having convicted them of the trespass on their view, they had bound them in recognizances of the penalty of one hundred pounds, to appear and answer for their trespasses on the first day of the next county court of Cumberland, to be held at Shippensburgh, and that the said trespassers had likewise entered into bonds to the proprietaries in five hundred pounds penalty, to remove off immediately, with all their servants, cattle and effects, and had delivered possession of their houses to Mr. George Stevenson for the proprietaries use ; and that Mr. Stevenson had ordered some of the meanest of those cabins to be set on fire, where the families were not large, nor the improvements considerable.
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
On Monday the 28th of May we were met at Shippensburg by Sam- nel Smith, William Maxwell, George Croghan, Benjamin Chambers, Robert Chambers, William Allison, William Trent, John Finley, John Miller, Hermanns Alricks and James Galbreth, Esqrs., justices of Cumberland county, who informing us that the people in the Tuscaro- ra Path, in Big Cove, and at Aucquick, would submit, Mr. Weiser most earnestly pressed that he might be excused any further attendance, having abundance of necessary business to do at home; and the other magistrates, though with much reluctance, at last consenting, he left us.
On Wednesday the 30th of May, the magistrates and company, being detained two days by rain, proceeded over the Kittochtinny mountains, and entered into the Tuscara Path or Path Valley, through which the road to Alleghany lies. Many settlements were formed in this valley, and all the people were sent for, and the following persons appeared, viz; Abraham Slach, James Blair, Moses Moore, Arthur Dunlap, Alexander McCartie, David Lewis, Adam McCartie, Felix Doyle, Andrew Dunlap, Robert Wilson, Jacob Pyatt, Jacob Pyatt, jr., William Ramage, Reynolds Alexander, Samuel Patterson, Robert Ba- ker, John Armstrong and John Potts, who were all convicted by their own confession to the magistrates, of the like trespasses with those at Shearman's creek, and were bound in the like recognizances to appear at court, and bonds to the Proprietaries to remove with all their fami- lies, servants, cattle and effects, and having all voluntarily given pos- session of their houses to me, some ordinary log houses, to the number of eleven, were burnt to the ground; the trespassers most of them cheerfully and a very few of them with reluctance, carrying out all their goods. Some had been deserted before, and lay waste.
At Ancquick, Peter Falconer, Nicholas De Long, Samuel Perry and John Charleton, were convicted on the view of the magistrates, and having entered into the like recognizances and executed the like bonds, Charlton's cabin was burnt and fire set to another that was just begun, consisting only of a few logs piled and fastened to one another.
The like proceedings at Big Cove (now within Bedford co.) against Andrew Donnaldson, John Macclelland, Charles Stewart, James Dow- ny, John Macmean, Robert Kendell, Samuel Brown, William Shepperd, Roger Murphy, Robert Smith, William Dickey, William Millican, Wm. Macconnell, Alexander Macconnell, James Campbell, Wm. Carrell, John Martin, John Jamison, Hans Patter, John Maccollin, James Wil- son and John Wilson ; who coming before the magistrates, were con- victed on their own confession, of the like trespasses as in former cases and were all bound over in like recognizances and executed the like bond to the Proprietaries. Three waste cabins of no value were burnt at the north end of the Cove by the persons that claimed a right to them.
The Little Cove (in Franklin co.) and the Big and Little Conollo- ways, being the only places remaining to be visited, as this was on the borders of Maryland, the magistrates declined going there and de- parted for their homes."
About the year 1740 or 1741 one Frederick Star a German with two or three more of his countrymen made some settlements at the very place where we found William White, the Galloways and Andrew Lycon (on Big Juniata, situate at the distance of twenty miles from
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
the mouth thereof and about ten miles north of the Blue Hills, a place much esteemed by the Indians for some of their best hunting ground .- Votes Assem. vol. iv. p. 138.) which (German settlers) were discovered by the Delawares at Shamokin, to the deputies of the Six Nations as they came down to Philadelphia in the year 1742 to hold a treaty with this government; and they were so disturbed at, as to enquire with a peculiar warmth of governor Thomas if these people had come there by the orders or with the privity of the government; alledging that if it was so, this was a breach of the treaties subsisting between the Six Nations and the Proprietor William Penn, who in the most solemn manner, engaged to them not to suffer any of the people to settle lands till they had purchased them from the Council of the Six Nations .- The Governor, as he might with great truth, disowned any knowledge of these persons' settlements ; and on the Indians insisting that they should be immediately thrown over the mountains, he promised to issue his proclamation and if this had no effect, to put the laws in exe- cution against them. The Indians in the same treaty publicly expressed very severe threats against the inhabitants of Maryland for settling lands for which they had received no satisfaction ; and said, if they would not do them justice they would do justice to themselves; and would certainly have committed hostilities if a treaty had not been on foot between Maryland and the Six Nations under the mediation of Governor Thomas ; at which the Indians consented to sell lands and receive a valuable consideration for them, which put an end to the danger.
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