USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 45
USA > Pennsylvania > Bedford County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 45
USA > Pennsylvania > Cumberland County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 45
USA > Pennsylvania > Dauphin County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 45
USA > Pennsylvania > Franklin County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 45
USA > Pennsylvania > Perry County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 45
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The Presidency of the Institution at the beginning fell by the election of the Board of Trustees, on Dr. Frederick A. Rauch. In point of per- sonal dignity, scholarship, and general cultivation, few men could have been found more worthy of the station. He had enjoyed and improved all the advantages of a thorough and complete education in Germany. No one could well be more devoted to the interests of sci- ence. For philosophy in particular, his zeal might be said to amount to a passion. He was fully at home in the metaphysical speculations of modern Germany ; beyond all other men probably in this country. He was admirably qualified moreover for the business of teaching ; being full of order himself, and having a happy talent for inspiring
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others, young men especially, with similar animation. All his pupils remember him with more than common respect. His interest in the college was large and constant, and terminating only with his life .- He has left behind him a very favorabie monument of his scholarship in his Psychology, or View of the Human Soul, which was published the year before his death. This may be regarded as the first creditable at- tempt to present the German style of thinking, in the department to which it belongs in this country, under an English form. Nor is it saying too much, to affirm that no work equal to it, on the same subject, has yet been produced in the country. The system indeed owes much to the philosophy of Hegel ; but cannot be charged properly with He- gel's errors. It was a favorite object with Dr. Rauch, to transfer the fruits of German speculation, so far as they may be considered whole- some, into English forms of thought, and to make them available thus, for the interests of science and religion, particularly in his adopted country. His Psychology, in accordance with this idea, was intended to be followed by a System of Moral Philosophy, and a System of Ethics. It is to be regretted that he was not spared to carry this pur- pose into execution. Few men have been so well qualified for writing on these subjects with advantage. When we remember that his know- ledge of the English language was all acquired after his removal to this country, and consider at the same time the nature of the work, and the peculiar difficulties that were to be encountered in bringing English terminology to adjust itself to ideas of foreign growth and structure, the Psychology must be regarded as a production of more than common genius as well as talent and learning.
In these circumstances, the death of Dr. Rauch was a loss to the country, and well as to the college which honored him as its head .- This took place to the great grief of all his friends, on the 2d of March in the year 1841. His grave is found in a secluded corner of the tract of ground belonging to the college, which has been set apart as a place of burial for the use particularly of the institutions. It is surrounded and overshadowed with forest trees, and is ofter visited as a consecra- ted spot.
On the removal of Dr. Rauch, by the special request of the Board of Trustees, Dr. John W. Nevin consented to act as President of the College, and this relation has continued from that time to the present. According to the late catalogue, the Faculty consists now of the fol- lowing Professors and Instructors. Rev. John W. Nevin, D. D., Pre- sident and Professor of Intellectual and Moral Philosophy ; Samuel W. Budd, jr., A. M., Professor of Mathematics and Mechanical Phil- osophy; William M. Nevin, A. M., Professor of Ancient Languages and Belles Lettres, and Rector of the Preparatory Department ; Traill Green, M. D., Professor of Natural Science ; Rev. Philip Schaf, Ph. D., Professor of Aesthetics and German Literature ; Theodore Apple, A. B., First Tutor ; George D. Wolff, A. M., Second Tutor ; Maximilian Stern, German Teacher ; Jeremiah H. Good, A. B., Sub-Rector of the Preparatory Department; George L. Staley, A. B., and George W. Aughinbaugh, A. D., Asssistants. To these must be added also, the Hon. Alexander Thompson, L. L. D. as Professor of the Law School, which is a separate department of the Institution kept at Chambers- burg. The number of students connected with the Institution during the year is given in the summary ; Resident Graduates 18, Law Stu-
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dents 4, Under Graduates 102, Preparatory Department 80. Total 204 The number in actual attendance is about 150. Of the Under Gradu- ates, 6 belong to the Senior Class, 23 to the Junior, 22 to the Sophio- more, and 36 to the Freshmen.
The Seminary edifice is used at present for the purposes of the col- Jege. Many of the students of course board in private families, in the town. A large tract of ground however has been purchased, ad- joining the village on the south, for the separate use of the college ; on which a fine edifice has already been erected to accommodate the Pre- paratory Department, and also a Professor's house; and where the other college buildings are expected to appear in due time. The two literary societies are now engaged in putting up, on this ground, se- parate Halls for their own use. These when completed, as they will be in the course of a few months, will form a great ornament to the ground. They are built to correspond with each other, one on either side of where the main building is expected hereafter to stand ; each of Ionic structure, 40 feet in front and 55 in depth, with a portico and pillars.
This enterprise of the Diaguothian and Goethean Societies is enti- tled to special admiration. The following notice of it is extracted from the College Catalogue : "Never before has the country beheld such an example of daring zeal for the interests of learning, in the same cir- cumstances. There is but one other College in the land, it is believ- ed, where such Halls have been erected by its literary societies ; and that is one of the oldest among the whole, with its Alumni, rich and influential in all parts of the Union. But in the present case, the en- terprise proceeds from the youngest of all our Institutions. Bold how- ever as the undertaking may appear, it is already in the way of being crowned with triumphant success. One of the Halls is now under roof ; while the other is expected to go forward with equal rapidity in the spring. The friends of the Institution have responded generously to the call which has been made upon them by the students for their assistance, thus far ; and full confidence is felt that this will continue to be the case, till the work is completed. The enterprise is worthy of the patronage of all who take an interest in letters. These Halls cannot fail, when completed, to give powerful support to the general interest comprised in the college; while each of them may be expect- ed to become hereafter separately, by means of its library and muse- um, an ornament to the State. Great account is made of the socie- ties, in the general conduct of the college. They include a department of education, that is, to say the least, fully as important as any other belonging to the system. By having their separate Halls, it is believ- ed they will be borught to feel still more than before their true weight and dignity ; and that in this manner much will be gained, in the way of promoting among the students that manly sense of self-respect and personal responsibility, which the government of the college is so much'concerned to cultivate, as well as in the way of literary improve- ment generally. Each Hall will furnish room for a large museum of some sort, as well as for an extensive library, on the first floor; the second being appropriated altogether, as a stately chamber, to the re- gular sittings of the society."
The Seminary and College have an interest in a new, large and handsome church, on Seminary street, recently erected. It is owned
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exclusively by the German Reformed. The edifice measures seventy feet in front, and is fifty feet in breadth. The site is a very eligible one, about half way between the Seminary and the town, exhibits a more than common fine appearance. Altogether the village has been greatly improved, in an indirect way, through the influence of the in- stitutions, as well as by the edifices erected immediately for their use. During the past year, the Presbyterian church has been remodelled, within and without, and so much improved as hardly to look like the same building. A number of fine brick houses besides have been put up, at different points in the town ; and others still are expected to be put up from year to year.
As it regards the peculiar character of Marshall College, and the claims it is supposed to have upon the favor of the public, we cannot do better perhaps than to present in conclusion the following state- ment which we find in its recent catalogue :
The Institution has been called to struggle with many difficulties and trials. These, however, have been thus far happily surmounted; and its friends now feel themselves fully authorised to commend it to the attention of the public, as an interest in all respects worthy of its con- fidence and patronage. On the State of Pennsylvania it may be said to have special claims. Never before, it is believed, has a better foundation at least been presented in the State, for the creation of a literary interest that may be expected in the end to be worthy of its name. The grounds on which the college may be recommended, are in general the following :
Ist. Its advantageous location, in a merely outward view. The whole State probably could not furnish one, in all respects, more eli- gible. Mercersburg, is a village of about twelve hundred inhabitants, situated in Franklin county, in the midst of a fertile limestone region, at the distance of an hour's walk from the base of what is called the North mountain. The scenery formed by the mountains, which bend round it like a vast crescent or amphitheatre, contrasting as it does with the rich open country below, is absolutely splendid. This itself is of high account. Scenery is always educational ; and no parent, who is possessed of proper intelligence and right feelings, can be in- different to its influence in selecting a school or college for his son .- The objects that surround the spirit in the years especially of college life, work upon it continually with a plastic force, the impression of which can never afterwards be wholly lost. They stamp their image into the very constitution of the soul. It is a matter of immense ac- count, therefore, whether a student shall hold communion during his college course, with the loveliness and freedom of nature in her brightest forms, or be shut up to the irksome prosaic fellowship of mere brick and mortar in a large town, or some insipid flat prospect of barren sameness on all sides in the country. In this respect Mar- shall College is highly favored. Strangers, who are possessed of any taste, are always much taken with the attractions of the place. It might well be selected indeed for a summer retreat, by such as wish to make their escape from the city during the hot months, without caring to follow the crowd to more fashionable, but less graceful places of resort.
2nd. The location is besides, to a proper extent, retired. It is indeed within a few miles of the great thoroughfores of travel on different
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sides ; and has the advantage moreover of a daily mail through which to communicate with the world at a distance. But in other respects, it forms a full retreat from the stir and noise of public life. So it should be always in the case of a college. The less :excitement and distraction it may be exposed to from without, the better. Students cannot fail to suffer, where their situation brings them into daily con- lact with the busy world. Few Seminaries of learning are so well situated, in this respect, as the college at Mercersburg. All its con- nections and relations are favorable to the great object for which it is established ; while occasions for intellectual or moral dissipation, are wanting almost altogether. .
3rd. There is not, at the same time, a more healthy location in any part of the State. In point of air, water and general climate, it is all in this view that the most anxious parents could desire.
4th. The Faculty of the Institution is well filled. All who are ac- quainted with it know it to be worthy of the position it is called to oc- cupy, and justly entitled to the reputation it has begun to win in every direction.
5th. The government of the college is paternal and free. It is con- ducted on the principle of training the students to govern themselves. Pains are taken to win the judgment and the heart in favor of what is right, and to invigorate character by treating it with proper confidence and trust. More is lost than gained, in any case, by a system of rigid college police. A discipline which tends to overthrow self-respect on the part of the student, must ever be pernicious and false. No attain- ments can compensate for the injury that is inflicted in this way. No part of his education, in the case of a young man is halt so important, as that by which he is taught to become a law to himself.
6th. The spirit which reigns among the students of Marshall college is in all respects answerable to the favorable influences thus far des- cribed. The institution is characterised by a tone of order, regulari- ty, and gentlemanly feeling, beyond what is common in colleges gen- erally. A wholesome public sentiment prevails, that serves to dis- courage what is wrong, more effectually than any disciplinary res- traints that could be employed for the same end. The relation between the students and the Faculty, is one of mutual confidence and love .-- It is worthy of remark, that during the whole of the last collegiate year, there has been no occasion for what is ordinarily understood by an act of discipline. A striking peculiarity with the Institution, is the inter- est which is taken in it almost universally by the students themselves. One of the surest omens of its future prosperity, is presented in this fact. The honor of the college is felt generally to be a personal in- terest, and all seem inspired with a common zeal to do as much as in them lies to carry forward the enterprise, towards the glorious desti- nation it is expected ultimately to reach. Such a feeling itself speaks volumes for the institution. There is no college in the country, it is believed, in which the same zeal, at once so general and so ardent, is found to prevail. The power of it has been exemplified, on a large scale, in the spirit with which the two literary societies have recently embarked in the great work of erecting Halls, for their separate use.
7th. The peculiar genius of the college as an Anglo-German insti- tution, should commend it to favor, especially in the State of Pennsyl- vania. It is well known that the colleges of this country generally ex-
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hibit only the English system of thinking. The case, however, plainly requires, that the education of the country should not be restricted to these limits. The German order of thought especially, should be brought into combination with the English. And particularly might this seem to be demanded, by the German spirit of Pennsylvania .- Such a union, or marriage of these two different interests accordingly, is aimed at in the course of education established in Marshall college. The college has more of a German character, than any other in the country. This does not consist simply in the encouragement that is given to the study of the German language. It is of little account in- deed to provide for the study of the language, as is done now in a num- ber of American colleges, if the entire system of instruction at the same time, be exclusively English in its spirit and form. To make such study of any value, it must be surrounded, to some extent at least, with the life and power of German thought. It is in this sense, that Marshall college aspires to the distinction of being a German Institu- tion. The English language forms of course the regular medium of instruction, as in all other American colleges. But the literature and philosophy of Germany are expected still to shed their influence large- ly on the whole course. At the same time provision is made for the delivery of lectures, in interesting departments of literature before the higher classes, in the German language itself; and on every alternate Sabbath the same language is employed in the religious services of the chapel. These exercises are all conducted in such a style as to be worthy of the highest cultivation of Germany itself; the language, un- der its finest form, serving its prsper purposes as a vehicle of rich in- struction for the soul. In such circumstances, the study of the Ger- man language, as a part of the regular course in the lower classes, may be expected to proceed with due life and spirit. Every student finds himself urged to master it, at least so far as to be able to under- stand the German exercises of the Junior and Senior years; and this is an object which all can accomplish with very little difficulty. Then the exercises themselves prove subsequently the best help that could be had, for rendering the acquisition still more large and complete. It is not easy to conceive of circumstances, in an American Seminary more favorable to the cultivation of the German language and Ger- man literature, in a living and effective way.
Dr. Schaf, to whose hands the care of this interest may be said more immediately to fall, has probably no superior as a German scholar in this country.
There may be some probably, who still entertain the prejudice that whatever bears the German character and name, must be of inferior worth ; to whom accordingly the advantage here urged in favor of the college at Mercersburg, will seem to have little weight. But the time of such ignorance, it is to be trusted, is fast passing away. It is coming to be generally understood, throughout the country, that to be at all thorough and complete, an education must now embrace some acquaintance with German learning. No modern language so well deserves to be studied as the German, in view simply of its own con- stitution and life. The claims of the French in comparison, are en- titled to no respect whatever. But as a key to the literature and science of Germany, it is of course, more important still. Say what we may, the course of thought in the land of the Reformation forms
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still an essential part of the main stream, in the onward flow of the world's true historical life ; and it is perfectly idle to dream of a solid culture in art, science, or religion, where it is left out of view. The signs of the time show clearly, that this is likely to now to be felt and acknowledged more fully every year.
It may be proper to add, that where parents desire it, the student can be excused from studying the German. The course is as com- plete in other respects, as is usual in the best colleges of the country; while the opportunity is furnished at the same time for all to secure this accomplishment besides, under the most advantageous form .- Such an opportunity, it is believed, few intelligent parents will be dis- posed to undervalue.
8th. It may be noticed lastly, in recommendation of Marshall college, that the expenses, to which a student is subjected in the institution, are low. By referring to the statement of the terms and rates, it will be seen that the cost of an education is brought within the compass of the most moderate means.
In the early days of this county, Smith's (Mercersburg) was an im- portant place, where an extensive trade was carried on with the In- dians and first settlers on the western frontier. It was nothing uncom- mon to see here from fifty to one hundred pack horses in a row, laden with salt, iron, and other commodities, for the Monongahela country.
In the life and travels of Colonel James Smith, an interesting inci- dent, having some relation to this place, is mentioned .- The King's proclamation was then circulated, prohibiting any person from trading with the Indians until further orders.
Notwithstanding all this, about the 1st of March, 1765, a number of wagons loaded with Indian goods, and warlike stores, were sent from Philadelphia to Henry Pollen's, Conococheague, and from thence, sev- enty pack horses were loaded with goods, in order to be carried to Fort Pitt. This alarmed the country, and Mr. William Duffield raised about fifty armed men, and met the pack horses at the place where Mercersburg now stands. Mr. Durfield desired the employers to store up their goods and not proceed until further orders. They made light of this, and went over the North Mountain, where they lodged in a small valley called the Great Cove. Mr. Duffield and his party follow- ed after, and came to their lodging, and again urged them to store up their goods : he reasoned with them of the impropriety of their proceed- ings, and the great danger the frontier inhabitants would be exposed to, if the Indians now should get a supply : he said, it was well known that they had scarcely any ammunition, and were almost naked, to supply them now would be a kind of murder, and would be illegally trading at the expense of the blood and treasure of the frontiers. Notwithstand- ing his powerful reasonings, these traders made game of what he said, and would only answer him by ludicrous burlesque.
When I beheld this, and found that Mr. Duffield would not compel them to store up their goods, I collected ten of my old warriors, that I had formerly disciplined in the Indian way, went off privately after night, and encamped in the woods. The next day, Smith and his men brought the traders to their own terms-prevented them from carrying the goods to their place of destination-Incidents of Border Life, S.c. p. 61 und 62, as published by Joseph Pritts, Esq.
CHAPTER XXXII.
LOUDON.
Loudon-Numerous incidents at, &c .- Gen. Forbes here, writes to Gov. Denny-Smith and others assaulted Indian traders-Assault Major Grant-Letters showing the " spirit of the time," viz : Grant's and other letters-Singular advertisement-Thomas Gage's letter-Cal- lender's letter.
Loudon, a post town in Peters township, on the turnpike road from Chambersburg to Pittsburg, twelve miles from Chambersburg and five from McConnells town, near the base of the Cove mountain, contains about seventy dwellings, several stores and taverns, and one church and school house. It is in a highly inproved limestone valley, bound- ed by mountains from 900 to 1200 feet high. Here or near was for- merly the site of a fort, one of a line of forts during the French and Indian war. Some of the prominent military characters of that day were here occasionally. Numerous are the incidents that transpired here and in its vicinity, of which however, little has been preserved except by " doubtful, uncertain, and conflicting tradition," upon which one cannot safely rely. The earliest records, and subsequently printed accounts, seem to be discrepant. Passing by many traditions, I have preferred to present the reader extracts from public records, and let- ters, written at the time, and carefully preserved in the Secretary's office at Harrisburg.
Captain Thompson, in a letter to Col. Armstrong, under date at Lou- don, April 7, 1758, mentions the arrival of forty Cherokee Indians at Fort Loudon, and that more were daily expected, and desires Governor Denny's immediate directions, in what manner the Indians were to be treated and how to be supplied, as they had come without arms or clothes. These Indians had come for the general service of the colo- nies .- Votes Assem. iv. 816.
General Forbes, on his way to Fort Du Quesne, to expel the French and their savage allies from the frontiers, while here addressed a letter to Gov. Denny, urging the importance of a hearty co-operation of the governor and people of the province of Pennsylvania, to ensure suc- cess against the enemy. On the 9th of September, 1758, he wrote the governor, " Every thing is ready for the army's advancing ; but that I cannot do, unless I have a sufficient quantity of provisions in the magazines at Raystown." Soon afterwards he steadily advanced till he reached Fort Du Quesne, which the French evacuated, Nov. 24, 1758.
It has been stated that Smith brought certain Indian traders to his terms. The next day, says Smith, as usual we blacked and painted, and waylaid them near Sidelong hill. I scattered my men about forty
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rods along the side of the road, and ordered every two to take a tree, and about eight or ten rods between each couple, with orders to keep a reserve fire, one not to fire until his comrade had loaded his gun- by this means we kept up a constant, slow fire upon them, from front to rear. We there heard nothing of these traders merriment or bur- lesque. When they saw their pack horses falling close by them, they called out " pray, gentlemen, what would you have us to do !" The re- ply was, collect all your loads to the front, and unload them in one place ; take your private property, and immediately retire. When they were gone, we burnt what they left, which consisted of blankets, shirts, vermillion, lead, beads, wampum, tomahawks, scalping knives, and so forth.
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