28 THE JOURNAL

S. Duss and his wife, Susie, cook charge of (obtained from some distant neighbor) to affairs, and still continue, though Dubs is keep the cold out at night. In the morning very old. they found their window gone, and upon looking out saw some deer were walking The community of Economy prospered until their estimatedwealth became twenty away af ter having eaten then: straw. millions. When the original leadersdied the Doctor Holler during his winter in Ger- oi:ganization became corrupt and is now mantown had become a Dunker. and al- rapidly disintegrating though his company were reformed Luther- ans (bur nicknamed Pietists) they were In the colony at Economy were relatives of settlers in blooming Grove, and one of easily persuaded to accept this form of fain) them, Samuel Hendricks, came occasionally, and practice which was an easy transition, so that they came to Lycoming county when an old than, to visit among his friends, known as Dunkers. and, as though uneasy as to the disposal of his estateafter his death.wanted his kind- red to visit him in order to establisha claim. O]UGINAL COLONISTS None would go, until after he had passed The colony of 1804 comprisedthe f allow away, when on [wo occasions about 1890, SamuelGoetz and Conrad Solomon wcnt to ing named persons: John and Gottlieb Heim, Leonard Ulmer and family, Leonard rhe community authorities to claim their Steigerand fatnily, John GeorgeWaltz and inheritance.After being royally entertained family, John GeorgeKiess and family, Da- f or a week, they were presentedwith a bot- vid Young and family, Wendel Harmon and tle of wine, tickets for their return and po- family, Michael Gross and family, Michael litely conductedto the Crainfor Williams- Diehl and family, Ford. FrederickSchell port. The courtesy of their hosts was so and family, Michael Burghardt and family. overwhelmingthat no opportunitywas ever In 1806 came Christopher Kress, George offered for so much as alluding to che ob Kiess and Michael Waltz with their fam- cect of their visit. Omer people froiaa ilies. From this time emigrationwas pm- Blooming Grove have been in Economy and hibited for ten years,after which Johi} were entertained with lavish hospitality, Heim returnedto Germanyand brought n,hen they made themselvesknown to the out the families of Christian Heim, Jacob authorities. Heim, Frederick Schafer,John Wagner, Ja- THE The remaining members of the ship's cob Guinther, Jacob Srreile, Abraham 'Sch- company spent the winter at Germantown. iedt, Jacob Kurtz, John Kurtz, Uhich Stab- les, Abraham W'olf. and Michael Stroble. During this time their pastor, Rev. Doctor Conrad F. Holler. who had come over the Other families came also from time to time. Some became converts with the Dunkers. previous year, now joined with Wendel Harmon in organizing a colony to settle in bu-t many only settled near by and inter- married b/ the interior part of the state. It is probable JOURNAL that Doctor Holler, Wendel Harmon, John Previousto this time ohetraffic in human and Gottlieb Heim and perhapssome others souls by the "Newlanders" as depicted by OFTHE who were unmarried, accompaniedthe land Gottleib Mittelberger (an organ builder agent to locate their purchase, later in the fall after their arrival in America. There is from Wurtem-burg) known [o us as the "Re- a tradition to this effect and also that the demptioners," had been broken up. Thou- sands of children too young, or parents too young men remained all winter and were old for use as servants ha;i perished from LYCOMING HISTORICALSOCIETY almost starved. They girdled some heavy starvationand exposureafter being turned timbers to help along the clearing, but found adrift at Philadelphia. Buc the emigration in the following spring that tile dealened treeswere hardenedand becamemuch more agents, or as they would now be called, promoters' or ''steelers" worked up parties difficult to cut thanwhen green. In their of colonists in the interest of ship owners, little cabin there was one window hole and Wurremburg continued tc t; one of which they stuffed full of buckwheatstfau the most fruitful fields ur-ti! as :lte as 1835. VOLUMEIV SUMMER NUMBER ONE 1967 the J OURNAL of the

LYCOMING HISTORICAL SOCIE'lY

PUBLISHED BIANNUALLY IN WlllIAMSPORT, PENNSYLVANIA

1)aNAl.D M. CARSON, PRESIDENT WM. A. TURNBAUGH, JR., 3l\D V'ICE PIIESIDENT DR. R. MAX GINGnICn, IST. VICE PRESIOENT MARY B. RIDDEN.L, SECRETARY JAMES P. BltESSLER, 2ND VICE PIIESIDENT ABI\Ab£ M. SNYDER, 'j'I\EASURER

DIRECTORS 1966-1968 DIRECTORS 1967-1969 hIllS. JOAN M. LINT)EMU'm blISS MARGARET B. CORYEI.L EDWARD J. DUI\RWACHTER SAR[UEL J. DORNSIFE MBS. EDITH L. WRIGHT MRS. J. W. BITTER THOXtAS T. TAPER DR. L. F. DORR

EDITOR MR. L. RODbIAN WURSTER

ASSISTANT EDITOR NII\. WII.LIANG JACOB REYNOLDS

Extra Copies of The Journal Fif ty Cents Each llm. NlLemory of CONTENTS Lloyd E. Wml'st:er,X't. D.

The untimely death of Lloyd E. Wurster, M.D. will leave a blank spacein the In Memoriam 3 lives of alJ who knew him. During the busy yearsof his professionalwork he made a host of friends, not only in his belovedmedical profession,but amongstthe popula- A Letter of Yesteryear Author ? 4 tion at large.

Robert Covenhoven Compiled by Carlton E. Fink, Sr. 8 He alwaysseemed to havethe energyand find the time to aid in carryingon the work of the civic and cultural activities of the local community. We will especially Larrys Creek Plank Road Milton W. Landis 8 miss his influence and guidance in our own Lycoming Historical Society. W'e can only say,''well done, [o a busy and useful life Beauty's Run Carlton E. Fink, Sr. 12 Berton E. Beck,D.D.S Presidents Who Visited Williamsport -- Louise Nicholson 13

History of Montoursville -- ElizabethChampion King 16

Parc I of "Blooming Grove ' 24 4 THE JOURNAL 5

A LETTER OF YESTERYEAR V('e might wish the writer had been a Catharine was welcomed in the Beck fam- Editor's Note Tha name of the conti'ibutor of this a.Ride has been lost due to circum- little more specific regarding the accident ily, sharing the love and joys, also the hard stclllcesbeyond ouf colttrot.Wit! stw pleasecoiblaunicate with the socetfy far credit al\c] in which "Mises"Webster died, but we can work. With the family she worsMppedin ta n.;ttscl'ipt be sure it was not causedby an automobile; the Friedens Lutheran Church. and with the The nl)t. t that is printed here was toritteit bu Mute M. Taylor to her sister Catharil e but horses and even oxen have been known Beck children attended the subscription A. Ta!/Zof on. August 1, 1840. It { p feted here, tooth tio changes. to ''run away," causing fatal accidents. school, the parents of the community had August che Ith Liberty Tioga (A post script but not so indicated.) established in 1820. The parents erected S Mary had receivedher sister'sletter only the log schoolbuilding, and paid the I)ear sisterI embracethe precencopper- . !his eveningwhen me and.julian went the day before, and here she was writing teacher.Each family was to furnish the tcxt tunity to inform you that we are all midline before the dore i seen some thing i.sed to her reply the very next day. How of ten aU books f or their children. This was fif teen of us are not so prompt in answeringour years before the State set up its public edu- well 'and hope that these few lines may julian there is somethin the dore stood open: friends letters. find you well [oo we was glad to hearfran) ed and we both run in the houseshe sed cation systemin 183). but I would be much pleasedto have you calf then i took the candleand went ta Thoughthe two girls were not fifteen A short conversationwith you and if it was che dore and seen it was only A bunch of Other than being called subscription miles apart, we note that Catharine'sletter schools, they were known as ''blab schools, not more than two ours our grain and gar- smart weed was written on the preceding Monday, and den is midling good we finished curing the now i will go [o bed for the teacher taught the alphabet [o the not received until Friday. Buc then this }'oung "scholars"by reciting aloud and in was long bef ore the days of Rural Free deli- unison a-b, ab, a-d, ad, i-b, ib, and so on week ago lace commenced makenghedyl A nvirenty-five..nis ,letteryears takes to usan backerathat .oneis hund:led all but very, and Mary had to travel three or four throughthe alphabet.Until the late eigh- miles to Liberty for the mail. teen hundreds, all young persons attending iRg£R':}.U'h\31?£j!1?g1?"'2: .['t.::]E! t,'E':W.;j!.]'. !gq:i: school were called scholars, which accord is not doe vet but it looks good we have in the dark recess of a .partition between Let us turn backthe calendarto 1840,and ootatoes beens cowcumbers and Dcas and two rooms in a farm house in Jackson read "betweenthe lines," by consulting the ing to Webster is correct. But the moderin Taylor genealogy.We find that Jonas Tay- usage of the word scholar indicates one of H:;12..=:s"..!\.u"u;:R;=:: lor and his wife Mary Eschbach,were bout great learning," or a person of advanced education- Students or pupils is now the 1??p= =d .h!?iiE91:.TFF,kTT ' w?ly.:!il! in Muncy in 1781 and 1784. At that tin)e $B$$gu$H:$ accepted term to indicate persons attending oooertunitv i wiH semi vou A few i did not be in its resting place .had not a. carpenter Muncy could have been most any place elementary and high school 'l'rto church last sundaybut iwill go 'to !Emovedthe partition, bringing the missive between Northumberland at the confluence 8' flow if it doesno( min i wasglad'lash to the light of day. of the two Branches of the Susquehanna Though many of the people living in the River and Loyalsock Creek. Block House Settlement were of German week when sunday came. for we was very At that time they did nc( have envelopes, buisy at .our hay and julian. was taken sick but the paper was folded and sealed' with It has been found that the Eschbach and origin and spoke only German at home. on mondayand was not able to help me wax,"leaving a blank spaceon which to Taylor families lived in ParadiseValley, the instruction in the school was in English. any till saturday she peaked potatoes for write the address As ths was before pre- f ive or six miles eastof Milton. Here in the Frequently children came to school who paid postage stamps were devised the post home of Jonas and Mary three of their four knew no English and had to learn the lan- #=:'=W..F'a.:m4UJ!=:: master drew a small square on the upper children were born. Jesse,in 1816, Mary M. guage from the teacher. the writer of our letter in 1818 and Cath- As Catharine had had several years of #Sm.f£)phil Ih arine A. in 1820.In 1826the Taylor family schooling" she was in the advanced classes, pay on receipt of the letter. moved to a small farm near Nauvoo, Tioglt and told in later years that her reading County where later that year the third book was the New Testament. i ges it was I before we got to bed so i The contentsof the letter are only those daughter, Jullianne was born. think iwas as wide awake as you was iany young woman might write to an absent At the age of eighteen in 1838, Cathar- cannot come to see you yet for some tilde sister who has been away for a nutnber of Five yearslater in 1831,Catharine at the ine left the Beck home and was employed but if nothing turnsup iwill come after years,but is still interestedin, and glad to age of eleven went to live in the home of by two different families in Blossburgfor harvest but for mother and julian hot iearn what her loved onesat home are doing. Jacob and Catharine Beck in Jackson Town- a period of seven years.In 1845, she was think that the can comefor ithink mother ship. At that time this was called, "taking married to George Beck, a nephew of Ja- is not as carty as she was in the winter you There seemsto be an unwritten law that a child to raise' cob and CatharineBeck. Now her foster have heard about the accident that happen- all letters should be dated, as to the month, parents were her uncle Jacob and aunt ed but perhapsyou have not that Mises day and year,but herethe yearwas not The young personswere to remain in Catharine. with her f oster brothers and sis- Webster is dead and was buried last 'Sat- given. Noting the letter was written on their new home until age eighteen, receiv ters her cousins. with a close tie of relation urday she left a family of six children one Saturday evening, August first, and that ing their clothes and board in payment for the work they were able to do. In some ship between the two families during their only an infant babeireceived your letter the motherwas not as ''harry"as she had entire life time. Forty years after this marri- yesterdayi was still in hopes you would be been the preceding winter, we checked the caseswhere children were orphans and wards of the courts, they were "bound" to a age in 1845, George and Catharine Beck be- my companyto church to morrow now iTaylor genealogyand found the mother had came my grandparents wi[[ c]osemy letterfor this time but our diedMarch 3, ]842.With accessto a per- family [o be reareduntil age eighteen.[n bets ]-ove to all petual calendar,we f bund that August the Catharines case,the parents gave their con In 1846 the young couple bought one Catherine Taylor much from your sister first came on Saturday, 1840, establishing sent for her to live in the home of Squire hundred acres of virgin forested land, and Mary M. Taylor the year when the letter was written. Beck. few yearslater they built their farm home. 6 THE JOURNAL 7

We can imagine they lived in rhe house be- placed with other old letters and documents. might be expectedbefore long on the head- Sudbury, returned in a keel-boat to secure waters of the Susquehanna. Near che close his household furniture. fore it was completelyfinished, and Cath- In the post script to the letter - though arine having kept the letter from her sister, it is not so indicated- we note a senseof of the seasonthe Indians killed a settler by He was eminently useful in obtaining it becamelost in the unfinishedpartition rhe name of Saltzburn. on rhe Sinnema- intelligence at Fort Freeland the day before humor in the youngerJullianne, who called honing, and Dan Jones at che mouth of the ]'herelike Rip van Winkle, it slept, not for her sister a "calf'' when the bright glow of his capoure. He was the guide to Colonel twenty years,but for six times twenty. rhe candlerevealed the causefor their Tenagascootac. Hartley's expedition up the North Branch In 1965, Fred Marshall and Sons pur- fright. In the spring of 1778,Colonel Hepburn, after the battle of Wyoming, and he was chasedthe former farm home of George and af terwards Judge Hepburn, was stationed in several bloody skirmishes with Indians on Our appreciationof this old letter is in- with a smallforce at Fort Muncy,at the Loyalsock and Pine Creeks. Catharine Beck. and Mr. Marshall's brother mouth of Wallis Run, near which several Melvin was employed to remodel the house creased by the beautifully executed Spen- On one occasion(af ter the return of Col- cerian penmanship, that could only have murders had been committed. The Indians Finding rhe letter the Marshall brothers onel Hepburn to Fort Muncy), a detach- been produced at that time by a carefully t-eadit with interest. Knowing the relation- had killed Brown's and Benjamin's families. ment was started out. under the command carved quill from a wing feather af "Old and had taken Cook and his wife prisoners ship between the Taylor and Beck f amines, of Captain Berry, to recover some horses Mother Goose." The ornate shading of the on the Loyalsock Creek. stolenby the Indians,reported to be up on they sent the letter to Leon Taylor of Cogan down and backward strokes, the straight House Township, and a shot:ctime later it Colonel Hunter, of Fort Augusta, alarm- Loyalsock. lines on the unruled paper and the neatness ed by these murders, sent orders to Fort was passedon to me. Taken to Hoyers of of the whole composition amply compen- Covenhoven, for some reason, was sent Willhlmsport it was photographedand the sate f or the lack of punctuation and tile Muncy that all settlers in that vicinity out to adviseBerry to return, but the latter original was laminated for its preservation few misspelled words. should evacuateand take refuge at Sunbury. would not acknowledge the colonel's author- With the consentof all concerned,this Colonel Hepburn was ordered to pass on ity, and persisted in going f onward. Who of us using a modernball point pen the order to Anus's and Horn's Forts above. memento of a bygone age has been given can produce a more legible letter? None would volunteer to carry this message Several of Covenhoven's brothers, and to the LycomingHistorical Society, to be except Covenhoven and a young Yankee his Uncle Wyekoff, were in Berry'sde- millwright, an apprenticeto Andrew Cul- tachment, and a friendly Indian by the name bertson. of CaptainSkerpahins. As so manyof his ROBERT COVENHOVEN family were in this expedition, Robert 1876 Purposely avoiding all roads, they took Covenhoven determined to go along as a their route along the top of Bald Eagle A Biographical Sketch guide,but he couldnot persuadeBerry to Ridge until they reachedAnus Gap, where keep to the woods, and bef ore long they they descended towards the f ort at the head found themselves ambushed. A bloody strug- About f our miles east of Jersey Shore, paigns under General Washington. He was of Nippenose Bottom. At the bottom of gle commenced,in which a brother of Mr. a little south of the road to Williamsport, in the battles of Trenton and Princeton the hill, near the f ort, they were startled Covenhoven was killed. another brother was resided, a few years since, the venerable His younger brother had also enlisted, but by rhe report of a rifle, which had been taken prisoner, with several of his cousins subject of this sketch, at the advanced. age his father took his place,and the general, f fred by an Indian at a girl. The girl had and his Uncle W ekoff of eighty-eight. Mr. Covdnhoven was born with his characteristic kindness, permitted Just scooped to milk a cow. The harmless rhe boy to return to protect his mother bulle't passed through her clothes, beoA,ee;l The latter had been previouslybald, but, of Low Dutch parents in Monmouth Co., strange enough, after the hardships of im- New Jersey. He was much employed dur- In the spring of 1776, Robert returned to lim:bs and the ground. Milking bows in those prisonment, he retumed with a fine head ing his youth as a hunter and axemanto his home on the West Branch, whet:e his days was dangerous work. The Indians had services were more needed by the defense-- of hair. the surveyorsof land in the valleystribu- lust killed in the woods Abel Cady awad tary to the North and West Branches of the less frontier than on the sea-coast. Zephanich Miller, and tnorcally wounded Robert Covenhoven, after hard fighting, Susquehanna. Mr. Covenhoven was one of those men young Armstrong, who died that night. The was chased some distance along the bank of messengers delivered their orders that all the creek, dodging up and down the bank The familiarity thus acquiredwith all who were alwaysput forward when danger and hard work were to be encountered,but should evacuate within a week, and thee, alternately,that his pursuersmight get no the paths of that vast wilderness rendered were also to send word up to Horn's Fort shot at him. He escaped and returned to his serviceseminently useful as a scout and forgotten when honors and emoluments were to be distributed. Nevertheless, he On his way up Covenhoven had stayed the fort. Brave as he was, the old man often guide to the mill'cary parties of the Revolt: spoke of the fluttering of his heart during bon. which commencedabout the time of cheerfully sought the post of duty, and all nightwith AndrewArmstrong, wha this chase. his arriving at manhu)d. never shrank from danger, although it then lived at the head of the long reach. might be a humblepost. Few men have Covenhoven warned him to quit, but he The skirmish occurs:edin Loyalsock, lust It is unnecessary to say thad the graduate passed through more hairbreadth escapes, did not like to abandonhis crops,and gave aboveScore's, one mile abovethe bridge. of such a school was fea'rless and intrepid, few have encountered more personal perils no heed to rhe warning. The Indians cHIle The old man told a queer story about his that he wasskillful in the wiles of Indian in daily encounterswith savages,than Mr. upon him suddenly, and took him prisoner, surroundings", in company with Robert warfare,and that he possessedan iron con Covenhoven. with his eldest child, and Nancy Bunday, King, a party of Indians and refugees,who stltution. his wife concealed herself under the bed were working a loaded boat up the North in the Autumn of 1777,Job Galloway,a and escaped. Branch, from the depredations of 'Wyom- With thesequalifications, at the call of friendly Indian had given intimation that Covenhoven hastened down to his own ing. The party in the boat out-numbered his country,in 1776,he joined the com- a powerful descent of marauding Indians family and, having taken them safely to them,but the price wastoo temptingto be 8 THE JOURNAL 9 resisted. King, remaining in the bushes, work. Af ter the cessation of hostilities, and w'as a costly item in those days. were sold at Twenty-five Dollars per share. the settlementof the people into the quiet- What was needed was a man of vision, We havebeen able to get trackof a few of kept up a prodigious hullabaloo,whooping the officials and stockholdersin the Com- and shouting to his imaginary comrades to ude of their domestic affairs, our hero drop- a man with imagination, a man of practical come on. Covenhoven rushed out with his ped from public view. experience and such a man appeared in the pany. From The History of Lycnming gun in hand and orderedthe fellows in the His efforts in behalf of his neighbors person of James Williamson who settled County, by John F. Meginness (1892) we boat to surrender,which they did, and per- were herculean, when the emergencies de- along Larrys Creek and becamea successful copy the following mitted themselves to be secured. King made manded courage and skill; but as soon as businessman. James Williamson. (page 1049) He build his appearance,and the two, forcing the the necessity for him had passed he modestly one half of the Larrys Creak Plank Road and prisoners by threats to assist them, arrived retired inca oblivion, and never sought, at JAMES WILHAMSON was one of the stockholdersof the improve faith their prize at Wyoming, where, said the hands of those he had so faithfully ser- Providence usually provides the right man ment. (He was a director and at times ser- Mr. Covenlioven. the officers and soldiers ved, any recognition of his services. at the right time when a leader is needed to ved as president of the Company.) Gideon of the Continental army cheated the poor In the year 1832,he applied through the do His bidding. Mr. JamesWilliamson had Brenenman. (page 1051) He was born provincialsout of their shareof the plun- Hon. Mr. Gamble then a young attorney at rhe insight and experience necessary to solve Nov. 1837. He served as secretai:y of the der e Jersey Shore, and received a government the problem and it was to him that the Plank Road Company f or a number of In 1796-97. a Mr. Williamson of New pension for his services in the border war. people and businessmen turned when he years. Col. Jacob Sallada. (page 719) He York, agent for Sir Wm. Paultney, opened Robert Covenhoven died. October. 1846. first expoundedthe theoryof buildinga was born in Lycoming County Feb. 26, a rough wagon road from the mouth of at the residence of his son-in-law. Mr. Pf plank road. 1817. He was engaged in f arming, business Lycoming Creek to Painted Post, in New outs, near Northumberland, aged 90 years, Mr. James Williamson was born June 17, and sei:ved in the Army. He was one of the projectors and builders of the Plank Road York, and Mr. Covenhoven next appears 10 months, and 22 days. He was buried at 1812 in Buffalo Valley, Union Count ', He was a directorof that roadfor a num- upon the scene as superintendent of the rhe grave-yard at Northumberland. Pennsylvania. He came to Lycoming County in 1824.Nlr. Williamson was born in Presi- ber of years. Robert Wood. (page 1228) dent Madison'sAdministration and in the He was born Dec. 3, 1832 in Yorkshire, THE LARRYSCREEK PLANK ROAD first year of the Second War with Great England. He came to America with his par- Britain. We do not know whereMr. Wil- ents, James and Mary (Caldwell) Wood BY MILTON W. LANDIS liamson first located in Lycoming County in 1842 in Wilmington, Delaware. In 1849 but history records that in 1850 he located the Woods came to Cogan House Township in 1858. Larrys Creek becamean important on a farm along Larrys Creek. He built and tnd purchased 400 acres of forest land. They A remarkable and unusual type of road, engaged in lumbering and built several saw- the Larrys Creek Plank Road, was built shipping center and remained so f or many operated three sawmills on the creek, estab- lished a store in Salladasburgand another mills. Robert Wood was electedJustice of sometime in the years preceding the Civil years. the Peace in 1864. In 1881 he was elected War. It startedat a little hamleton the at English Center. We believe M.r. William- The old dirt roadwas inadequate for the son might have traveled through some of County Register and Recorder. Mr. Wood banks of the Susquehanna River called traffic it had to carry. Complaints about the northern tier counties, especially Tioga n'as one of the original stockholders of the Larrys Creek and extended up creek through the road were loud and long. Businessmen Plank Road and also a director for some County, before settling in Lycoming County Larrysville, Salladasburg, Mifflin Township, wanted an all-year road but no one seemed years. to Brookside and White Pine in Cogan to know how to build sucha road. If this be true, he had an opportunity [o House Township, and to English Center, observe and study the construction of the Cogan House Township. (from an old Road building was still in a primitive Pine Township, on Little Pine Creek, where plank roads which were built in Tioga Minute Book) Auditor's Minute Book, on a very large tannerywas in operation. state of development. The pick and shovel County during the 1800's. History does not page 9, reference to the Larrys Creek Plank were about the only available tools. A hand- recordthis fact and is just a suppositionon Roads "Certificate of Plank Road Stock No A large tannery was located in Salladas- dump scraperwas just coming into use. our part. However, it is lust as reasonable 106, in name of Supervisors of Cogan burg besidesother businessfirms. ]n .fact, Hauled by a ream of horses, the handles of to assume that the Tioga roadbuilders may House Township, and dated November 2, ,ll 'along Larrys Creek from Salladasburg the scraperwere held by a workman who have found favor in Mr. Williamson's ideas 1878;20 sharesat $25 per share.... $500.00 to the village of Larrys Creek at the mouth tilted the scraperhigh enoughso that the and therefore modeled their plank roads signed, Abraham Myer, Town Clerk. of the creek were to be f ound tanneries, leading edge bit into the earth and fined after the Larrys Creek Plank Road. sawmills, flour mills and firms making the scraper with a small load of earth. The Another item on same page reads; "To shoes, boots, and other leathers(x)ds besides amount dividend on Stock. 20 Shares scraperwas then leveled and hauled on its THELARRYS CREEK $40.00 number of grocery stores. All this business bottom [o the spot in the road where a fill PLANK ROAD COMPANY along the creek createda large volume of was [o be made. Dirt was hauled on wagons Mai:y W. Grafius. (Newspaper clipping traffic on the old, winding dirt road with to fill ruts and holes in the road. Road- On May 8, 1850, The Larrys Creek Plank from The Grit - late 1850's) "A sixteen its deep mud and snow for half the year making machinerywas unknown. Road Company was incorporated. Officers share stock certificate of the old Larrys and deep sand the other half. All the hauling on roads was done with and Directors were elected.stock certificates Creek Plank Road Company, worth $25 The village of Larrys Creek in Piart reams of horses or oxen moving at a slow were ordered printed and were sold to in- a share at the time of issue, is h.eld by Townshipserved as a port on the West pace.At times, when roads were all but im- vestors, and a survey was made of the new KennethMcbride. of Endicott. N.Y.. who Branch Canal and as a depot on the Jersey passable,only part of a load could be moved road. James Williamson was awarded the once lived in Hillsgrove, Lycoming County, ShorePine Creek and Buffalo Railroad. A over them. Often. two teams were hitched contract to build half of the road. As near Pa. The certificate made out to Mary W. pose office was established at Larrys Creek to a wagon or sled.Transportation on roads as we can ascertain, the stock certificates Grafius, a relative of Mr. Mcbride three 10 THE JOURNAL 11 generations removed, is of parchment-like building materials were being cut and the number of horses hitched to the vehicle fell incessantly for nearly f arty-eight hours, with the wind from the southwest.It seem- paper in an excellent state of preservation shipped by canal and railroad to distant and che weight of the load they hauled. The and still bears the internal revenue stamp markets. The demand of canneries f or mol:e writer does not have a scheduleof tolls ed that the windowsof heavenhad been The date of the stock issue, according to hemlock bark increased. There was a de- charged for using the Larrys Creek Plank opened and the water descendedin a solid the certificate. is Nov. 20, 1868. At the mand f or everything but hemlock logs. Con- Road but hopes than some reader of this sheet.The river mse rapidly and at Wil- time James Williamson was pi:esident of sequently, hemlock logs by the hundreds of article will be reminded of an old keep- liamsport anained the unprecedentedheight the L;rrys Creek Plank Road Company. thousands were left lying in the forest to sakelike a scheduleof tolls, a picture of of thirty-threeker oneinch, or nearlysix decay away. the plank road or a newspaper clipping and feet higher than in 1865." Mr. Meginness There were many stockholders in the James Williamson was therefore able to will passit alongto be includedin this then goes on to describe the damage suffer- Plank Road Company but most of them are story. ed in Williamsport. He noted that all che forgotten. The company'srecord books pro- buy up thousandsof fine hemlocklogs for .'song". He set crews to work sawing the county bridges over the principal streams, bably lie f orguten in some old attic along For many years this plank road venture as well as the river bridges, were swept logs to proper length. Other crews hauled prospered and stockholders received profit- Larrys Creek. Tbe legal aspects of the Lad:ys able dividendson their investments.The away, entailing a loss of over $500,000 Creek Plank Road Company are probably the logs to the local sawmillswhere the There is ac least one exception [o that recorded in some old record-book some- hemlock was sawed into planks eight feet plank road was extendedup-stream [a Brookside and then to White Pine and froth statement.The coveredbridge below White where in the Courthouse at Williamsport, long and four inches thick and varied wid Pine Church, on Larrys Creek, known at ths. Stringers were sawed from long logs. there down Licks Run to English Center. Pa present as che Larrys Creek Covered Bridge, This plank road was built very much on It is said that a branch of the plank road withstood the full fury of the June FI(x)d A PLANK ROADISBUILT the order of a raikoad. The ground was and was the sole remainingbridge left graded.Ties were first laid down partly was built beginning at the upper end of Enthusiasm ran high over che building of SaUadasburgand following the main branch standing in that township of Cogan House. imbedded in the ground. On rough terrain, of Larrys Creek through Anthony Town- this novel type of mad. Investors boughs large blocks of wood or stones were first Old-timers told about the miles and shares in the newly incorporated company. ship but we do not know how many miles miles of plank road that was washedawad ' anchoredin the ground and ties placed on it extended in this direction. James Williamson who had been awarded them for firm footing. When a section of by the June Flood. The damagewas so ex- the contractto build the plank road set [o tensive that whole sections of the road ties had been placed on the ground, another The Larrys Creek Plank Road Company work organizing his road-building crew in crew began spiking stringers to the ries. enjoyed a fairly lucrative businessfor many were never repaired or replaced. In the the sum.merof 1850 and by the end of 1851 These stringers were placed about six feet years. A steady scream of bark and hides years to f allow the upper portion of the part of the new road had been built from sparcon the ties, so that, to the beholder, were hauledover the plank road to the plank road was abandoned and township Larrys Creek depot, on the river, to Salle: it looked exceedinglylike a wooden rail- canneries and they in turn hauled leather ;oad supervisors took over the duties of dasburg and possibly some distance beyond road. To complete the road, eight foot maintaining the road. Whenever a section the town back over the mad to Lad:ys Ci:eek R.R. planks four inches thick were spiked to the station and the canal pore. Lumber: went of the remaining plank road wore out, the It might be well to pausehere in this stringers. Now, it readily can be seen that in the samefashion. New gaxls camefrom supervisors removed it and graded a dirt narrative and explain how the author cn.n an eight f oot plank road is wide enough f ar away markets over the plank road to re- toad in its place. describe,ac this late date, how the plank for only one vehicleat a time. Traffic moved plenish the shelves of the stores and shops road was built. In the 1950's when this By the year 1900 all chat remained of in both directions over the road so provision located along the road. Businessmenfroth the plank road Was a section fmm Salladas- uthor becameinterested in the plank road, nas made for turn-offs or sidings. Where Wellsboro and nearby communities in Tio burg to Larrys Creek station on the river there were still quite a few older people the plank road had beenbuilt nearly level ga County traveled over a portion of the Old StateRoad to Little PineCreek where On Friday, April 27, 1900 the following living who had traveledover the old plank with the ground, it was relatively easy to article appeared in the Williamsport news- road in their youth and who remembered construct turn-offs. Over rough terrain it they entered che plank road and continued papers; Harvey W. Whitehead, attorney, much of the detail of the appearanceand was necessary to build a turn-off much in to Larrys Creek station or the West Branch the fashionof the main mad itself. will pi:esent a petition to the court Sat- structure of the road. There are a few peo- Canal.During the yearsof the Civil War, urday, signed by 46 taxpayers,asking for ple still living who well rememberthe plank Toll-houses were erected at each import- the government purchasing agencies must the opening f or free use of the toll plank road and eagerlyrecall with vividnesstheir ant intersectionalong the plank i:oadand have made heavy demands on che tanneries toad between Larrys Creek station and Sal- experiencesof traveling over the road in a movable barricade called a toll-gate hung and sawmills for leather, leathergoods and ladasburg. their youth, and with a bit of longing and across the toad thus effectively barring shoes and lumber products, in particular, wistfulness they relate stories of the old those located along the plank road The June Flood destroyed long sections road. access to the road. A toll-gate keeper was hired to tend each toll-gale. It was his duty of the West Branch Canal and damaged to collecta toll or fee from the traveling THE JUNE FLOOD much of the railroad roadbed.The railsoad The contractor, James Williamson, took was restored to service but the canal was full advantageof the times and conditions customer in exchange f or the use of the A vivid word picture of the June Flood existing in his day. There was a plentiful plank road. After the keeper had collected abandoned supply of woodsinen looking for jobs. the toll, he raisedthe toll-gateand the tra- is given in the History of Lycoming Count ' Wages were low. The forests were full of veler continued on his journey. The amount by John F. MeGinness, 1892: "The mem- After some legal jockeying the court de- hemlock logs going to waste. In fact, all of toll chargedvaried. A manwalking on orable flood of June 1, 1889, has passed clared the plank ,oad a free road. Thus, an conditionswere ideal in 1850 for the con- the plank road might pay several pennies into history as che highest and most des- era come to a close. The Larrys Creek struction of this plank road. Lumbering toll. A manon a horsewould pay a bit tructive to life and property ever known to Plank Road Company closed its books after was going on at an acceleratingpace. Fine more. The rates increased,all according to n,hire men in the West Branch valley. Rain a half century of serviceto the public. 12 THE JOURNAL 13

ANliCDOTES OF THE BAND CONCERT PRESIDENTS WHO HAVE VISITED WILLIAMSPO-RT THE OLD PLANK ROAD The Cogan House Band was organized AND THESURROUNDING AREA During the era of the plank road, it wls about 1886. It was taught and conducted by BY LOUISE NICHOLSON the custom f or a }'aung fellow to take his Mr. Calvin Harmon, the teacher of Cogan School.At one time there were twenty-m'o girl for a ride on the plank road. On a INTRODUC'HON pleasant Sunday afternoon, with a horse members in the band. This band gained put water in the engine.7Although the local fame and as a consequencethey were }. train was here only a short cameMayor hitched to a cart or a team of driving horses, often invited to distant communities to A president has a life like an open book ill decked out in flynets, tassels and other Williams and city officials made arrange- with very little privacy.As Hoover said in ments to honor Ehe late president.8 Busi- harness ornaments hitched to a buggy, the play a concert.One autumn the band was his book Ff;#f g Fof F##, "Presidents have nesses were closed, the public meeting was young couple entered the plank road at invited to play at a big celebs:anonat Sal- only two moments of personal seclusion. the nearest toll gate and set oif for a distant ladasburg. cancelled, a proclamation was issued, and One is prayer: the other is fishing - and the Post Office. Court House. banks, and village for an afternoon outing. On the appointed day, the members ga- they cannot pray all the time." Williams- schools were draped in black.0 While the thered together and climbed aboard the wa- port has been important in different as- Many good people of the times believed train was at the stationon West Fourth pects of many of the president's lives. For that it was to "break the 'Sabbath" to go gon which was to transport them to Salla- Street the chimes at Trinity Church played joy riding on Sunday.They stayedat home dasburg. Curt Sweely, a member of the band. some it has given them a chance to get the had two good teams of horses that worked votes they wanted and for others it has Ne.pref A y God /o 7#ee.lo Plans were made to rest. On pleasantafternoons they sat on for the schools to go as groups to the near- v/ell togetherand often Curt took the band given them the rest and relaxationthey est railroad tracks to see the funeral train the front porch visiting or reading and on any distant concerts.He would whip up watching the rigs go by. Some of the young needed. In any case it is interesting to learn the horsesand away they would go, mostly of the presidentswho have visited in or pass.n My grandmother, a pupil at Curtin fellows in their flashing carts and buggies School,then at the triangle of Market and u:auld whip up their horseswhen passing at a gallop. Curt was a "hot-fodder" of his around the Williamsport area. day. Packer Streets, remembers students putting a dwelling. The rolling wheels and pound- Many people think Williamsport is back pennieson the cracksto be run over by Mc- ing hoots of their speedsraised quite I Arriving at White Pine, they enteredthe in the bushor off the beatenpath, but after kinley's train. As usual there were many racket causing the older generation to raise plank road, passed the toll-gate and headed reading about the presidents that have been security measurestaken, such as having a their arms to high heaven and complain for Salladasburg.Curt whipped up the hor- here, I think Williamsport has aaractions pilot train preceedthe funeraltrain and aloud about what this younger generation sesand away they sped down the plank of which we aren't aware. not permitting any trains on the track thirty was coming to - just as they do now. road. 'lthe thunder of the horses hooves on minutes before the pilot train.i2 Both trains the planks and the rumble of wagon wheels The convenient location of WilliamsporE were also given the right of way over all BLOCKHOUSE HORSES raised such a commotion as to alarm the was the reason Benjamin Harrison passed other trains.13 Mckinley's train was sched- residentsalong the road clear from White through Williamsport 'Saturday, May 28, uled to arrive here at 2:30, an hour and An old fellow.Mr. M. Pautot,who lived Pine to Brookside. Curt was in his glory. 1892.:He was on his way to Rochesterto 20 minutes af ter it left Renovo. arrive at near the plank road on his farm a short dis- give an address for the dedication of a tance above Brookside. claimed he could Some distance below Brookside, still go- Harrisburg 2 hours and 10 minutes later monument in honor of the soldiers who died and finally arrive at 8:38 in Washington.i4 always tell when a team from Blockhouse ing at a fast clip, misfortuneovertook the for the Union in the Civil War.ZAccom- speeding vehicle; a wheel flew off, the wa- In addition to being in Williamsporr was coming down the road even when the panying Harrison were Sec. Noble, Sec. team was not yet in sight. When askedhox.' gon pitched over, men and ins.truments salford, Gen. and Mrs. Scholfield. and with Mckinley's funeral train, Theodore spilled all over the roadside. Some of the Roosevelt was here October 26, 1914.IS He he could recognize a Blockhouse team, he Congressmen Leafland, Blunt, Outwaite, replied, ''A Blockhouseteam always crocs bandsmenwere injured. Every instrument Locwood. Hooker, Handerson. Raines. and was helping Pinchot, who was running f or was dented, bent or broken and the Bass senator on the Washington Progressive on the plank road. The teams around here Drum had a big hole in it. That is as far as E. B. Taylor.3Hlarrison's schedule was as always keep to a walk on the planks. Party ticker.t6-With Rooseveltand Pinchot the band got that day. They patched up the follows: departure from Washington (by were State Chairman Detrich. William train) 7:00 A.M., arrival at Harrisburg wagonand madetheir way back home 10:45, Williamsport 1:06, Elmira 3:00, and Draper Lewis, Fred E. Lewis, Percy F. Smith, again far less juvial than before Rochester at 7:00 P.M.4 candidate for Secretary of Internal Affairs, Harry Watson, candidate for Lieutenant The train bearing William McK.inlet's Governor, and Judge Charles N. Brumun, BEAUTY'SRUN body passedthrough Williamsport, the half- and Lex N. Mitchell both candidates for way mark on PennsylvaniaRailroad's Buf- Congressmen-at-large.17A group of people CARLTON E.FINK,SR. falo to Washington run. The funeral train from here left to meet Rouse;elt aid Lis traveled through here on September 16, party at Sudbury and escort them to Wil- Before the Revolutionary War Alexander Beauty. So generally did he become known 1901, after Mckinley's assassinationin Buf- liamsporr-i8 W. Clyde Harer, then Chair- Irvin located on the big sandy scream then by this name,that it was given to the stream falo.S in the funeral parry were, Mrs. Mc- man of the Lycoming County Progressive known as the Lycoming River. Many years that ran throughpart af his land and emp- kinley, President Roosevelt, the cabinet. Party and now County Commissionerwas later this land was owned and occupiedby ties into the Lycoming,which yet perpetuat- except for SecretariesHay and Gage, and one who welcomed the ex-president.19 On J. R. Hayes,Esq., who was known far and es the cognomen of ehe homliest man evcr prominentofficials of the Army and the their arrival at Williamsport they were near for his ugliness. His neighbors, in a [o inhabit Lycoming CourLty. Navy.6The funeral train stayedat William- llonorfd by a parade headed by the Repasz spirit of derision, nicknamed him Captain sport only five minutes,long enoughto Band.ZORoosevelt and Pinchot spoke at' the 14 THE JOURNAL 15

Lycoming Opera House, now the State his secretarytraveled leisurely to enjoy the visited W'illiamsport, the bands were cheer- near Williamsport. Franklin D. Roosevelt Theater. the Court House, and were ached SusquehannaTrail.3S They left Washington ing for him but there were also placmds f or was in Wilkes. Barre f or the dedication of uled to speakat the Park Hotel, now the at f0:30 A.M. and arrivedat 6:00 P.M. Eisenhower.Truman was not running for che dikes.60 Crowds wel:e lined on either Park Home. but Roosevelt was exhausted Saturdayat the Park Hotel where they stay- president himself beciulse his wife preferred side of che streets of Kingston and Wilkes- and didn't speak at the last stop-ZI it was ed that night.36 Hoover and his Clompanions that he didn't Barre to seehim as he rode for in his open not necessaryto havea ticket to sit in the left Sunday at 9:00 A.M. and two hours touring car covered by secret police.el Lyndon B. Johnson was in Williamsporc Eisenhower was at Penn Skate seven:al times later arrived at Ogontz, where Hoover w?! October 18, 1960, campaigning foi: vice E'U'.::- '"';:.'l.:':H=::='T=.::£ the guest of Jay' Cook of Philadelphia.37 while his brother was President of Penn- Three hundred'of the 580 seatsat the Op- Coors estate was three miles from 'Salladas- \ president.SI Unlike his predecessors he sylvania State University.62 lke was there came by plane, a four engine American era House were for people from Williams- burg,30at the first fork of Larry's Creek !2 for May Day one year and was there another turbo-jet.SZ Welcoming him were Governor port and the remainder were f or other: peo- Cummings Township, Lycoming County.39 J time when Milton's wife died.63 Kennedy ple in this district. Eleven hundred seats David Lawrence, Mayor Thomas Levering. was campaigning in this area twice, once in Hoover was glad for the rest and was as- Dean R. Fisher, Candidate for Congress were reserved at the Court House f or pec- sured peace becausethe nearest phone was Scranton64 and once in Harrisburg.OS from the seventeenth district, Assemblyman ple who wanted to hear Roosevelt.2sit three miles away.au Howard M. Burns. and Morris Good both was said. "Col. Rooseveltis the last bet Several candidates for high offices have party cand-idares for General Assembly.S3 come to Williamsport to electioneer. Blaine, of the Progressive Party, their trump card On his second trip on May 31, 1930: Hoover was president.4iHe came on his Between the airport and the front of the known f or the slogan: Rum, Roman, and and one with which rhe parry hopes to take Court House there were an estimated 3,500 Rebellion was here January 1886.66I re- the trick which is necessary to prove the way from Gettysburg where he gave a Mem- people who saw Johnson, about the same memberthe different times Nixon, Lodge, winning one. " orial Day speech.4Z He was welcomed by crowds at Washington Boulevard,West number that saw Lodge the Saturday be and Rockefeller were here campaigning. The ProgressiveParty fell that under the Fourth Screed,Campbell Street, Park Ave- fore.S4 The Montoursville schools permitted Nixon was here when he was electioneer- Republicans a few people gor everything nue, the Park Hotel, and Newberry.43 Gov- the studentsto have a recessin order to ing f or vice president. He was near the and under the Democratsno one got any- ernor John S. Hurley and Hoover's private see and hear Johnson.SS The band of the Rialto Theater where Little League Boule- thing, but under: the Washington Progress- doctor. Dr. Bu)ne. were with him.44After Montoursville High School was on hand vard is now. Lodge was at the Coup:tHouse for the music.SCAlso the St. Boniface School ive Party everyone would prosper alike and traveling four hours from Gettysburg, Hoo- and Rockefeller spoke from the churcll they felt Roosevelt was the one who could ver stayedin Williamsport only long enough was permitted to go out to see Johnson.S7 across from the Bethune Douglas Center. For ten minutes Johnson signed autographs make it possible.2S to pick up J. Cook at the Park Hotel.4S Williamsport isn't far off the beatenpath. At 7:30 P.M. they arrived at Ogontz,the for the three hundredpupils and talked Roosevelt'strain left New York at 7:53, to the nuns.58 Continuing on his trip he Its' location in route to some of the larger sameplace they had been two years earlier.46 cities brought several presidents here and and arrived at Easton at 9:35. The train went to Montgomery, Muncy, Lewisburg, left Sudburyat 5:37, Lewisburgat 5:57, The security measures included a nine car its' opportunities f or fishing brought one Milton at 6:20 and arrivedat the Pine calvacade. 36 secret servicemen, a 20 man Sunbury, Shamokin, Pottsville, and Allen- escort of Slate Police and SkatePolice at tOWD.ou for a return visit. The fact that many can- Street Station at 7:20.26 didates came here to campaign shows they every crossroads.47 When we pass the un- There were presidentswho were in towns felt Williamsport is important. Also here becausehis train came through dergrads at the turn off to Salladasburg my was 'William Taft.27 He was on his way mother often tells of the time her family back fr om Jackson, Michigan where he was stopped by the po]ice to ]et Hoover's l Daily Gazetteand Bulletin, May 28, 1892,p. I 25. Ibid. 2. Daily Gazetteand Bulletin,May 30, 1892,p. i. 26 Willi a m spo rt Gazette and Bulletin. October spoke at the celebration of the birth of car go by. 3 Daily Gazetteand Bulletin, May 28, 1892,p. I 26, 1914, P. 2 4 27 Gazette and Republican Party June 1854.ZS Ibid. Willie mspo rt Bulletin. June 4, the on 4, 5 Daily Gazette and Bulletin. September 16, 1910, P. 5 He was here only a few minutes on June Sunday, June 1, 1930, on his way home, 1901, P. 6 28. Ibid. 29. Ibid. Hoover 'paid a surprise visit to the Epis- t 6 Daily 'Gazette and Bulletin, September 16, 4, 1910, but Mayor Wolfe and che crowd 1901, P. 6 30 Williamsport Gazette and Bulletin, June 4 persuaded Taft to say a few wards.29 With copal Church in Liverpool.48The church 7. Ibid. 1910, P. 5 8. Ibid. 31 Ibid. Taft were Senator Burrows of Michigan, which can accommodate200, but usually on- 9. Ibid. 32. Daily Gazette and Bulletin May 14, 1928, p. I Assistant Sec. of the Treasury Hills, The ly had 50 present, was soon overflowing.4g 10. Ibid. 33. Daily Gazette and Bulletin May 31, 1930,p. I 11. Ibid. 34. Daily Gazette and Bulletin. May 14, 1928, p. I Rev. John Wesley of Brooklyn Tabernacle The minister, The Rev. Mr. Jarrett conduct- 12. Ibid. 35. Ibid. and Captain Archibald Butt, Taft's aid.30 ed the serviceas usual except for an added 13. Ibid. 36. Daily Gazette and Bulletin. May 14, 1928,p. I 14. Daily Gazette and Bulletin, September 16, 37. Ibid. Taft arrivedat Harrisburgat 5:10, he left prayer for the president.SO 1901, P. 6 38. Ibid. 15. Williamsport Gazette and Bulletin, October 26, 39. Daily Gazette and Bulletin. May 15, 1928, p. 16 for Washington at 5:35 and arrived there at 1914, P. 2 40. Ibid. 8:44.3i Hazy S. Truman was here twice cam- 16. Ibid. 41 Daily Gazette and Bulletin.May 31, 1930,p. I paigning. In 1948, he was running for 17. Ibid. 42. Daily Gazette and Bulletin.May 31, 1930, p. 5 18. Ibid. 43. Ibid. P. I Herbert Hoover was attractedby the president and in 1952, he was electioneering 19. Williamsport Gazette and Bulletin. October 44. Ibid. good fishing around Williamspoi:t. He was f or Stevenson, a candidate for president. 27, 1914,P. I 45. Ibid. P. 5 20 vVilliamsport Gazette and Bulletin. October 46. Ibid. heretwice May 16, 192832and May 31, According to membersof my family Tru- 26, 1914, P. 2 47. Ibid. P. I 1930.33}ioover was Secretary of Commerce 21 Ibid. 48. Daily Gazette and Bulletin June 2, 1930, p.'l man made a whistle stop from che obser- 22 Williamsport Gazette and Bulletin. October 49. Ibid. and candidate for Republican nomination vation car, talking as the train kept moving. 26, 1914, P. 2 bo Daily Gazetteand Bulletin June 2, 1930, p. I 23. Ibid. 51. Willie msport Sun Gazette. October 18, 1960, for presidenton his first trip fishingin Four years later Truman and his daughter 24 Williamsport Gazette and Bulletin. October P. I this area.34 Hoover and Lawrence Richey, Margarethad a mixed welcome when they 27, 1914,P. I 52 Ibid. 16 THE JOURNAL 17

53. Ibid. 60. Miss Olwen Rosier He kept a diary and notes that they very little about the town and its beginn- 54. Ibid. 61. Mrs. W. T. Nicholson 55. Ibid. 62. Ibid. visited the Indian Village of Ostuagy,situat- ings.Where did he live? Was it in a log 56. Ibid. 63. Ibid. ed near the site of Moncoursville, and so cabin on the main street between Loyalsock 57. Williamsport Sun Gazette, October 18. 1960. 64. Ibid. P. I 65. Williamsport Sun Gazette. September 16, 1960; namedfrom a rock on the opposite side of Avenue and the first alley to the West, or 58. Ibid. P l 59. Ibid. P. 4 66. Mr. Paul Gilmore the river. Meginnis in his History saysthat did he live, again in a log cabin, on the site this conspicuous landmark was destroyed by of the airport? Wherever he resided, he BIBLIOGRAPHY the constructionof the Philadelphiaand was an influential man and undoubtedly a Dunaway, Wayland Fuller, A HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA, P.rentice -. Hall,. Inc.,.New York, 1935 Erie Railroad. well-to-do man. He was involved in farm- Durrant:'John. THE SPORTS OF OUR PRESIDENTS,Hastings House. New York. 1964 Muzzey, David Saville, OUR COUNTRY'S HISTORY,.Ginn and.Company! New York, 1957 ing, real estate,built the first grist mill, was DAILY GAZETTEAND BULLETIN. May 28. 1892;May 30, 1892;September 16. 1901 Here it must be noted that John H. a politician. In his early days in Penns- vVILLIAMSPORTGAZETTE AND BULLETIN, June 4, 1910;October 26, 1914;October 27. 1914 Meginnisis the foremostauthority on the DAILY GAZETTE AND BULLETIN. May 14. 1928; May 15, 1928; May 31, 1930; June 2. 1930 borough he was a distiller, an occupation WILLIAMSPORT SUN GAZETTE, September 16, 1960; October 18, 1950 History of Lycoming County, and while his that seemed to be in high regard in those hf.r. W. Clyde Harer Mr. Paul Gilmore accuracy has been doubted at times - one early days. Mrs. B. C. Jones Mrs. W. A. Nicholson must turn to him for information. Miss Olwen Rosser Mrs. W. T. Nicholson General Burrows. at his death. left the Weiner states that ''bef ore we came in greaterpart of his land to his son, Nathan- sight of the village we reachedthe large iel. He was an ambitiousson, f ollowing in THE H ISTORYOF MONTOURSVI LLE creek(Loyalsock) which looked more his father's footsteps. He was a farmer, d dreadful than the one yesterday."All of contractor with the canal, which could BY ELIZABETHCHAMPION KING which leads the reader to believe that the mean many things - he furnished 'food, he Indian Village was situated on the west furnished men and materials,he did hauling. presentedat the July 1966 meeting side of the creek and near the river. of the He was the father of six, a contributor to General John Burrows, che Founder of all local projects,a good citizen and fl Montoursville Garden Club churchman. As a lumberman he, at one Montoursville, was a native of New Jersey. As a young boy he servedas a mail rider time, owned 4,000 acres of timber at Sandy TEATOWN TOPI(5 can recall the early days of the Boi:ough. between New York and Philadelphia. He Bosom on the loyalsock.This area (in served with General Washington tllrough 1966) is being eyed as a recreational area. Topics, according to the Dictionary, are The very early knowledge of the area is It will always remain in my mind as the quite vague. It is believed that Etienne the trying winter at Valley Forge. thingsto be discussedor written about.I Brule was the first white man to visit this section where one could see an eagle or two am sure that most of you are aware of the He came to Muncy ( then Pennsborough) soaring high above the valley, and a nest fact thatfor a numberof years,when we section. He was entrepreneur (Organizer) with a wife and five children. no friends high up on the mountain side had a local newspaper, Ihad a weekly and guide to Champlain, the French Gov- and no money, in 1794. The family moved column called "Teatown Topics". Why ernor of Canada,and in 1615 he made a in with some of his wife's relatives for a Nathaniel was a merchan-t,opening the first general store in the town. Where? Teatown? in the early days of our town, visit to the Andastes,urging them to help a short time, and by dine of hard labor he Vaguely I recall being told by "Auntie so the story goes, teamsters driving througll French expedition against the Iroquois. managed to purchase some land which he later sold to George Lewis of Eagles Mere, Paulhamus, his daughter, that it was on the were askedby the housewives to bring them The Andastes were believed to hold this south side of the main street, in the vicinity and with this money he bought 516 acres a "Quarter of Tea" or a ''Pound of Coffee pai:t of the country, particularly f or hunt- of the present State Liquor Store. He built upon their return. Those living in the east- and 17 perches of land from Peletiah Pent ern end favored coffee and those in the ing and fishing,but verylittle is knownof and Joshua Lathrop. The price was $9,500.- the first brick housein the town, my home, them. War was waged throughoutthis 00 and the year 1812. The land he pur- and the family possessedthe first set of nescern section asked f or tea. The dividing section by the various Indian tribes for at chased was along the Susquehanna River, china dishes, rhe first piano and the first line was a small run, now covered over. least a century. bathtub. located in the vicinity of the 'Sylvania Plant, on the Great Road leading from Muncy to known as Coffeetown Run. In 1737 Conrad Weiner made his first Williamsport,and was a portion of the As I find inevitable, I must wander in my grant given to Andrew Montour by William As a Teatowner, lchose that name. The journey through the valley, journeying from nanative. As a child, my family moved his Tulpehocken home to the Headquarters Penn, for his services as a guide and inter- from Jordan Street to Loyalsock Avenue, name is not too common now, but as a preter. child and young adult, we invariably spoke of the Six Nations at Onondaga,New York. acl:oss from my present home, and as a of Montoursville as Teatown, and one bit The month was March, the ground was So Montoursville was born - a piece of youngster I was mail carrier, errand girl and snow covered, the rivers and streams were land cleared here. another there. This was of local history notes that General Burrows apparently general nuisance to the Stetler consideredthe name as suitable f or his swollen. He was accompanied from Sham- land where the Indians had roamed, hunted family who then owned the Burrows home. okin by Shikillemy, af terward Vice-King and lived. So my acquaintance with the house goes town. Incidentally, Marie Bait, looking f or of the Six Nations at Shamokintwo other a name for his first show dog chose "Tea- back many years. There was an outside town Belle ' Indians and a German. W'eiser was one of General Burrows and the title ''General" cellar entrance on the porch, and a story the few white men who servedas an inter- stemmedfrom the fact that he was a lieu that there had beena store next door to tile The histoi:y of Montoursville has been too preter and intermediarywho was trusted tenant general in the PeennsylvaniaNa- house at one time, and the outside cellar long neglected- and the time has come almost implicitly by both the Indians and tional Guard f or many years - wrote the entrance was to provide easy accessto the when there are very few old timers left who the whites. story of his early life and travels, but said barrels of vinegar, etc. stored in the cellar 18 THE JOURNAL 19

When Mary Burrows married 'William This formed a neat little porch and gave ple who crowded around the windows and The firm of L. 1. Meyer and Co. annually Paulhamus. Nathaniel built her a house the building a touch of che southern colon- i)n the porch to hear. ibis service, doubtless, turn out a large amountof work in their next to the brick mansion,and there she re- ial style of architecture. From the portico was more solemnand impressivethan any overall manual;ctory. S. S. Jarrett. Chief sided until she was past 90, and I must l:e- mere was a double entrance. each door f ic- since char day. Such were someof the scenes Burgessof the Village, is a large manufact- gretfully note that Elie many stories she told ing an aisle which extended to the back and events,aside from the regular and urer' of horse collars, which find a ready me were not appreciated and recorded. part of the interior. The middle block of stately worship, which transpired on this market for their superiority of workman- seats was divided by a low pai:tition, which spot made sacred by hallowed associations ship. The pork packing establishment of The town was laid out in 1812,and in ran parallel with the aisles.In eachside of 1814 James Moore build the first bridge and joyous fellowships in the days of long John Peters does an extensive business in this partition, abouthalf way back from the ago. butchering and che curing of meats, sup- across'the Loyalsock. The Great Road to front part, was a boxed pew, almost square, plying a largepart of the trade in Williams- Williamsport had been authorized in 1772 which was entered from rhe aisle througll On March 31, 1875 the building was port and the vicinity. Meginnis says in 1898 - "che drab t of the L swinging door. One of these was known sold by the trustees to John A. Bennett, survey which is still in existence shows as the Family Pew of ex-Governor 'Shulzc. J. C. Bryan and Harrison Moyer, for $450.- Miontoursville had four churches, six that the road was mostly laid on the Indian The pulpit was locatedin the front part of 00. The interior was altered and it lost its schools, a weekly paper, four hotels, con- Path which ran through Montoursville, and che room, midway between rhe doors, and churchly appearance.The Grangers used it nectedwith the outer world by the Reading over which trolley cars now dashl I wonder waselevated 5 or 6 feet from the floor. f or a meeting place. The first high school Railroad, with the contemplated road of che Wilkes-Barre and Western Railroad. what he would think of present day speed Entrance [o it was gained by means of two was organized here in 1880 by Professor The village is soon to enjoy the electric John Else is reputed to be the first settler ascending stairways, one on each side. Be- John Mason Duncan.Later it was sold neath it was a small closet where books were again and converted into a dwelling, still car service from Williamsport. (The Fox He was a builder of no.teand history has it Hotel was the first, later called the Central kept, and to the front of it was a small en- standing and bearing the number - 717 chao he built the first house at the age of Hotel. Others were the Montour House. closure in which stood a plain table used as Broad St. 18 for ThomasWallis who openeda black- abner House, Gellinger House and the smith shop. In 1816 the first school house an altar. A high ceiling arched in circular Montoursvillewas incorporatedunder a Seaside Hotel) . was built an eight sided building. The form fmm both sidesof the building elim- specialact of the Legislaturein 1850 as a ground on Broad Street - now a school inated rhe need of a customarysounding Borough,but the first officerswere not The original areaof the Borough,as park, is said to have been donated for a board. purchased by General Burrows, extended elected until 1853. William Dewars was from the Loyalsocktwo milesalong the burial placeand a schoolhouse, by Wil- The officers occupied the sears to the the first burgess. liam Rockafellow.This was also the first left of the pulpit; and men and boys sat on Great Road to Muncy. How the boundaries Church. From 1833 to 1838 the Presbyter- the western side of the middle partition, Let me quote from Anthony's Standard were established is - to ine - a question. ians and Methodists used it. It was aban- while the women and girls worshippedon Business Directory Guide and Reference The Charter of the Borough statesthat the doned as a school when. in 1838, the free the eastern side. It had an estimated seating Book of Williamsport, Montoursville, Mil- Borough of Montoursville be bounded and school law was accepted. The building was capacity of two hundred. The singing was ton, Munch, Jersey Shore, Hughesville, limited as follows: ''Beginningat a post at used as a hospital during a smallpox epi- the corner of the land of CharlesLloyd and done without an instrument.The only light Montgomery, Pennsylvania, 1893-1894. demic, and Helen Harding Shearer tells was the light of day, which entered the the free schoollot '. Later, in 1862,the me that her grandfather,James Harding, building through six large, heavy shuttered The Village has a population estimated limits were extended- beginningat a but- carl:ied smallpox scars on his face through- windows, three on each side at fif teen hundred and on every hand the tonwood on the eastern bank of the Loyal- out his life, having cared f or patients and marks of progress can be seen. sock Creek. The description goes on to a contracted the disease. in this same build- The old "White Church" was the center stone near the public road - south to a post ing. Finally, in 1886, rhe crumbling walls of community life, and many interesting The industries of the village consist of near a road - south to a stone - south to were torn down and the stone used in scenes and memories migh-t be related. three flouring mills, the largest Hayes, Pid- rhe Susquehanna River at low water. Among them, mention migh-t be made of other building projects. coe and Company has a reputation of turn- The reading of the Borough Charter and the singing schools held within its doors, of ing out one of the finest brands "The Ban- In 1838, J. Andrew Sheets donated a the jolly country festivals held under the ner" soldon the market.The mills are ordinancesis most entertaining. parcel of land to the Lutheran and Presby- Who settled in this area and where did trees on the lawn, of sad burials. as soldier spacious and have a capacity of 75 barrels terian churches. In this year on the lot at they come from? The Lloyds, rhe Rawles, che easternend of the town was built a drEiEr soldier was brought home during the a day. A. H. Heilman and Company operate Civil War and laid to rest in the adjoining an extensive furniture manufactory, em- the Harris Families, came from Philadel- buildingfor all denominationsto use. As phia - manycame from New Jersey,and as such it was called the Union Church. Later cemetery:. and then, saddest af all, perhaps, ploying a large number of hands.The Em- of the first Memorial I)ay ever held 'in ery Lumber Company operates large saw could be expectedwhen one family settled it was painted white and was called the at a certain place other relatives and friends White Church. Montoursville. It was held on a Sunday, mills, and they manufacture15,000,000 ker somedays after the close of the War while of hemlock annually. There are two other joined them, particularly i-f land was cheap The building was rectangular in shape, rhe misery and sorrow was still fresh in the saw mills the Fisher, 12,000,000,Caufield The namesof many of those early resi- approximatelythirty-six feet wide and f or- minds of the people. Many loved ones had Mill, turning out large quantities of lum- dents are but a memory, but they are of ty-five feet in length, and of medium hei- been.given.to the nation, that it still might ber. The MontoursvillePantaloon Man- interest John Rockafellow, Aaron Patchin, ght. The gable roof extendedover the front be the Union and a great crowd gathered ufacturing Co. employ a large force of help to give honor to their memories. Bernard Buser, George Gucker, Jesse part several feet and rested on four tall in the manufacture of pants, sellding their Haines, Henry Bastian, the Tomlinsons, massive columns, eighteen or twenty inches The Address was delivered in the Church. goods to every part of the United States Burrows, Coders, Epley, Hollingsworth, in diameter which reached to the ground which was much [oo small to hold the peo: Goldstein and Novensky, proprietors. Wallis, Hepburn. 20: THE JOURNAL 21

Ex-Governor John Andrew Shulze was Montoursville's transportation problems leave the local station in the morning, latest design. The new bridge was to be probably our most distinguished resident. present an interesting story. The first known Journeying to W'illiamsport and return in opened to 'traffic about December1, 1897 (I wonder why more of our streets were trail through the area was that from Mun- the late afternoon - the 5.09, as I recall. In March. 1898, it was announcedthat not named f or early settlers - Wouldn'r cy a continuationof the path from Nortll- Then there was an evening train into the the trolley line would be extendedto the umberland which continued up the river city at 5:30, returningat 11:30.This train Hollingsworth Drive have more local inter- proposed park up the Loyalsock. est thin Fairview Drive? Hollingsworrhs on the line of the present(1966) highway was a favorite with rhe young men who were living on the spot now occupied to Ostonwakin where it crossed the Loyal- had girl friends in the city. This late train The trolley company had summer and by the William Monroe house when sock. carried a sleeping car for Philadelphia, and winter cars -' the latter'had seatsextending the length of checar on either side,with a Mary Hollingsworthwrote her diary in The Coup:t of Quarter Sessionson MaJ' earlier in the day, around 4 the Cannonblll 1814-15. If I am not mistaken the house went through, en route f or Philadelphia, vestibule front and rear. They were heated 26, 1772, authorized, the laying out of a underneath the seats, and ones' legs en- was built by the Lloyds. road from Fort Augusta to Lycoming Creek. stopping only on signal. Mail wasaccelerated by the arrivalof cased in heavy underwear and woolen stock- John Andrew Shulzewas the Sixth Gov- The Susquehanna River, which, undoub ings, got awfully warm. The late comers ernor of Pennsylvania, retiring from office teddy, had been the main route of travel the trains. Passenger service was discon- hung on to straps There was a motorman in 1829, coming to this area. In 1831 he tinued someyears ago, but freight is still and' a conductor. The cars received their from the New York Stateline to Sunburn' carried. I recall that in my childhood we purchased from John Cowden "a splendid on the North Branch, West as far as navig- power through a pole that ran along an trace of land lying in Fairfield Township, able on our West Branch and South to the hung over the fence at the real of Grand- overheadelectric wire and at the end of the motiler Bird's farm, an the Old Montours- containing a fraction over 500 aci:es(535) Chesapeake Bay, was declared a public line ohe pole was disconnected and turned in for $12,000. Interestingly, you may recall, highwayby the Act of March 21, 1783. ville Road, and watched the "datos" who the opposite direction. were building a double track to replace John Burrows had bought 516 acres and 16 From 1809 until about 1838 there was perches for $9,500. the single. Living quarters in box cars, ca- One of the delights of the pranksters il stage coach from Northumberland to booses and shanties lined the right of wal ', was to pull the pole away from the wire Quoting from John of Lancasterin 1898 Williamsporr. Starting with a weekly trip it together with builders equipment. The pole could also slip off while rounding Having become the owner of this splen- advancedto three trips per week.Tne stone On March 27, 1897, the Montoursville a corner, particularly in bad weather.The h-fuse at the eastern edge of town, now oc- cars.in the winter, travelledfrom the in- did farm with its rich undulating acres, Trolley Companyoffered rhe County Com- sweeping off the rivet:, the Governor, nat- cupied by the Robert Raymonds, is reported tersection of Montour Street and Loyalsock to have been a stage depot. missioners $1,500 f or a right of way over a Avenueone trip and from below Arch urally, becamea man of consequencein the proposednew bridge. The offer was re- community. 'Soon after making the pur- James Moore built the first bridge over fused. Street, where there was a car barn, up Broad chase he built a large and handsomebrick the Loyalsock. What type of bridge it was Street,across the bridge on a track attached houseon the farm. On accountof its size I do not know. but at one time there were On April 3, 1897, newspaper reports to the side of the bridge and overhanging che creek. Across the creek there was a and stately appearanceit attractedmudd two bridges - a covered one and the scher show that William C. abner president of attention. There was nothing to equal it in an open span. rhe Montoursville Borough Council, con- rather sharp turn and a climp up Sand Hill the neighborhood. Residents back in the In 1827 the Great Road was continued ferred with the County Commissioners and Snowand ice causeda great deal of trouble llills looked upon it with awe on account local people interested in a trolley company and sand was standard equipment. North to Williainsport and Jersey Shore. on the proposed construction of a new of its magnificent appearance and it re- Between the top of Sand Hill and the ceived the name of the Governor Shulze The canal reached Williamsport in 1833 bridge over the Loyalsock. City line there were three switches,per- residence,which it bearsto this day. It and was abandonedfollowing the Flood On June 4, 1897, the Commissioners and mitting the running of more than one car stands near the trotting course, but has been of 1889.The story of the building of the the trolley operators were nearing agree- in each direction. Summer cars were open greatly beautified since rhe day of its build- canal its trials and tribulations, together ment on the proposedbridge. June 8 the with the seats running crosswise, with the er'. But the purchase of this farm and the Rich the stories of the local people who trolley official agreedto pay $3,000f or erection of such a fine residence marked backs flippable. There were canvascur- worked the canal is another interesting tale. additionaliron work on the new bridge tains tllat could be pulled down in stormy the beginning of his financial ruin and downfall and in 1844 the land was sold at The building of a railroad, known as the On June 29, 1897 the Montoursville Pass- weather. The favorite seat was that in the sheriff sale.The areawith the housewas Sunbury and Erie between Sunbury and enger Railway Company, to operate by sin- fr ont directly back of the motorman - a Williamsport in 1855 also was a contribu- gle or double track over the state road fmin purchased by John Ott Rockafellow for wonderfulway to cool off on a hot day ting factor to the declineof the canal.In Williamsport through LoyalsockTownship, and the fare to Williamsport was seven $9,900, and the balance by General George 1861 the railroad was leased to the Penn was chai:tered by the Stare. cents. Tomb af Jersey Shore. We today, know the sylvania Railroad and the name changed to By July 16 the trolley line had progressed Starr Island Park, later known as Indian Governor's home as that of the Eck family the Philadelphia and Erie and our airport was formed in part from) severalsquares and rhe ties were in posi- Park, was a popular place - in those days the Tomb farm. Incidentally,there has al- In 1871 the Catawissa railroad was ex- tion. On July 23 it was announcedthat the it had everythingll I had my first roller ways been some question as to whether pended to Williamsport from Milton via Williamsporc Company would join the Montoursville Companyat the City line. coasterride there.It had a roller skating the Burrows home or the Shulze home was Montoursville, giving local residents trans- rink, shooting gallery, merry go round, a th first brick house. The Burrows home portation in two directions.In 1872 the On September 27 it was announced that dance hall, baseball field, and swimming. was the first brick house in the Borough, railroad was leased to the Philadelphia and the lines were completed and ready for the Every church, every organization, every the while the Shulzehome. at that time. was in Reading Railroad Company, later to be installation of the cars. three of which arr fawn, had annual picnics.Sometimes you Fairfield Township. known as "The Reading". Patrons could ived on October 13 - reported [o be of the ate your own food, other times the tables 22 THE JOURNAL 23

and principally, I would believe, because cions, deeds and events need but the gen- corner Broad and Loyalsock; Samuel Bow- were loaded with the contents of every- er - booksand shoemaker - Broad St.; 1. D. one's baskets, and what foods of the existence of daily and Sunday news- tle touch of fond imagination to develop Buck - boots and shoe maker - Broad St.; papers in the area. My own involvement heroic possibilities in him who will studs, Here, too, I saw my first illustrated songs, in a local newspaper revealed those who and analyze them.' J. Smutzinger, boots and shoe maker, Jordan the f orerunner of the movies an evenitJg would have no part of it because it was Ave; P.A. Konkle, building, moving and to be remembered,color slides with tenor small time operation - news af the kind he CHURCHES OF MONTOURSVILLE raising, Jordan Ave.; George Martenas, Car- accompaniment. or she was interestedin was stale by the pet weaving - Mulberry St.; G. W. Coff- Methodist Episcopal- Broad St., Rev. A. time the paper was printed, and those who man - Arcl{ St., Cupenter, contractor, build- As we grew older, we graduated[o the E Taylor, Pastor. dances,always waiting for the day when we loved it and helped in every way - by sub- ing; Jacob Coffman - Builder - Corner could stay until the last trolley. scribing - by news items and even by send- Episcopal- Church of Our Savior - Loy Cl;erry and Montoul St.; H. Else Builder; ing copies to family and friends away from alsock Ave. No rector. J- C. Else - Broad and Montour; Hoffa and Oneof thestories that belongsto the home. I am sure all editors and publishers Lutheran Church Broad St., Rev. J. R. Swinehart - builder - Mulberry St.; George trolley era, is of the young man en route have had the same problems. Sample, Pastor. Horlacher - Loyalsock Ave., carpenter; H. to call on his girl friend - the trolley was Montoursville Presbyterian Church H. Kennedy, boards Temperance House; The PastoralVisitor, edited by B. R. William Grafius, Loyalsock Ave., Confec- crowded - he had imbibed a bit too freely, Smi.th, in 1869. is recorded as the first Cherry, corner Washington, Rev. J. Ludlow was standing on the step, hanging on to the Kendall, Pastor tionery, tobaccoand cigars; H. B. Konkle, seat handle, and as the trolley was crossing local paper. In 1891 The Echo was pub- Broad St., confectionery, tobacco and cigars; lished by M. Doyle Marks and Frederick S. the creek bridge he lost his hold and land- INDEPENDENT ORDERS Mrs. Cline Quigley, Broad St., confectionery ed in the creek- neverlosing his derby hai Kelley. Back in 1898 there was the Globe and ice cream; J. B. Weaver, Broad St., con- J. S. Murphy, editor; - then the Republic, Eurekit Lodge No. 335 F. & A.M. - Reg- fectionery; Susan Konkle, dressmaking, Jor- Floods took their toll- the automobile with H. G. Phillips, the Montoursville ular communications the Friday evening dan Ave.; Thomas Griffith, druggist, Broad came to be the means af going places and News was published by E. J. Walkman in Indian Park becamea memory.The trolley before each full moon, over store of John St.; G. S. 'Saeger, druggist, Broad St.; James tLe 1930's - the Montoursville Monitor Horlacher. Harding, early vegetables,florist - Wash- company wcnt out of existence when a bus flourished from 1955 to 1961, followed by company took over the franchise in 1925. Fairfield Lodge No. 236, 1.0.0.F. meeks ington Ave.; Fisherand Fisher,fire insur- the Montoursville Merchandiser in 1962 ance, insurance Cherry St.; Hayes, Pidcoe There hay have been others. every Saturday evening of each week in the As I think backover the yearsI wonder L 1. Meyer and Co. building, Broad St and Co. Flour, feed grain, flour mill how we managed - the trolley tracks ran Broad St.; Heilman and Co. furniture From the early papersone gets a picture Bald Eagle Encampment,No. 289, 1.0.0. through the center of the screed and there of the social life of the day, guests for din- manufacturing Foot of 'Washington St.; was dust to navigate in the summer, snow O.F. Meets first and third Friday evenings ller, descriptions of weddings, including the of each month in Meyer building. John J.ones- grape culturist - monumental in the winter, and mud in between.Boots wedding gif ts, illness, births and deaths, all works, Broad St.; Thomas Bubb - grocery, as winter wear are a recent innovation. in great detail. Washington Camp No. 299, P.O.S.of A. BroadSt.; R. E. I)ietrick - grocery,Broad Rubbers we had, but what good were rub- meets every Tuesday evening in Meyer St.; S. Mendenhall and Son, hardware, paint, bers when one had to cope with inches Montoursville's history isn't world shak- building. ing - in face - as I have said before, irs oil, grease,glass, plumbing; S. S. Jarrett, of mud. Jr. O.U.A.M. Abraham Lincoln (:ouncil, harness, horse, clothing - Broad St.; James early beginnings are fuJI af blank spaces, No. 513 - meets every Thursday evening Dawson, hats and caps, Broad St.; George The main street was paved, on bo(h sides bur has progressed through the years. We of the track, in 1918.so the mud and dust over store of J. B. Weaver, Broad 'Street. WZ.Weaver. horses.Broad St.: Central Ho- hay no-t have had many outstanding per- Montoursville Lodge No. 270, 1.0.G.T. tel, William Lucas. Broad St.: Montour problem was eliminated, although the mid- sonages, not many millionaires, but we House, H. S. Weaver. corner Broad and dle section remained a problem for some meets every Monday evening in Lodge have a good heritageof hard working, Loyalsock; Temperance House, Mrs. C. Gel- time. Frank Dalburgh askedme one day if God-fearing people who have brought us rooms in Montour Hotel Block, Broad St. I remembered Doc Born's Salve - some- linger, proprietor; The Ebner House, W. C. [o our present, pleasant existence. Mon Ebner, Creek Road: L. M. Weaver. ice cream thing that Councilhad put betweenthe toursville will never set the world on fire. BUSINESS DIRECTORY Broad St.; J. R. Heaney, insurance, real Cracks, resulting in a slick black substance but as a place in which to live, to work, to when it rained. Weaver and Callahan - Agricultural im- estate - Broad St.; H. B. Konkle, jeweler, raise a family, to retire to, what more can plements, wagons,carriages, coal; O. P. Broad St.; I)'avid Lichrenrhaler, Justice of Transporration in Montoursville has run one ask chan mountains, fresh air, good Nicely, Broad St., Architect. Electrical ap rhe Peace, Cherry St.; R. H. Hunt - lath and the gamut - those missionaries and early loads, good schools, churches for all, good pliances; L. M. Weaver - Bakery, Broad pickets - Jordan Ave.; G. T. Cressel - lum- travellers journied on foot or on horseback neighbors. St.: M. B. Harman Barber. Broad St.: W. ber, Jordan Ave.; J. R. Fisher and Bros. the Indians had their canoes.then came the To close, may I again quote from John H. Righter - Barber,Broad St.; Barratt and lumber, wholesalewood - Cherry St.; Wca canal boats, followed by the steam loco of Lancaster, written in 1889: ''Philoso- Reed - Blacksmiths, Broad St.: C. F. Han xer and Bennett lumber. Broad St.: L W. motive - the trolley car, the electric autc- pers tell us that history is a review of the her - Blackslniths, Cherry St.; George Shirm Cole - sausage manufacturer - Loyalsock mobile, the gasoline automobile, buses, air- past, of what has been suffered and achiev- Blacksmith, Broad St.; L. I Meyer and (b Ave.; John M. Day - mason contractor planes of various kinds, diesel engines ed by our ancestors,that we can fairly Books and stationery, boots and shoes,gents CherrySt.; GeorgeHall - 40 foot; J. S. maybe there is a cycle and we will be walk- count upon what may be anticipated from furnishings, grocery, pants manufacturing, Murphy - Broad St.; J. F. Konkle - meat ing again who knows? future action.It is truly said that the years Broad St.; James Dawson boots and shoes; market - Broad 'St.; John Peters - meat Montoursville has had a number of news have voices for those that will hear. and Bartley Lose - Boot and shoe maker - Broad market - Broad St.: S. T. Buck merchant papers over the years none has survived the simple annals of commonplace habira- St.; G. H. Woolever Boot and shoemaker tailor Broad St.; C. M. and A. P. Rogers, 24 THE JOURNAL 25 millinery - Broad St.; Mary A Tamer F. Betts - plasrerer- Jordan Ave.; Jefferson is it intended to bracerhe wandering of the They bought a tract of eight thousand acres of land of William Penn and settled Ger- Broad St., millinery; Montoursville Echo Hartman - job printing - sign writer; G. devour people, of whatever name, who fled W. Konkle and Son - undertaker Broad from persecution to become scattered abroad mantown in 1683. Although so poor that J. S. Murphy, Editor; W. J. Scccc - painter to leaven the whole earth. It is rather meant they lived in cavesand huts, yet after five Cherry St.; Montoursville Pantaloon Man St.; J. B. Rogers - undertaker Broad St.; to offer a simple, unbaised narrative of rhe years they, first of all, protested against ufacturing Company Cherry St.; R. H C. F. Hanner - wagon maker - Cherry St.; experienceof one small party of emigrants negro slavery in America. The m'elve Born - Physician Broad St.; W. B. Konkle George Hyde wagon maker - Cherry St.; who settled together in the wilderness of branchesof the Mennonitesin the United A. F. Fackenthall washing machines BroadSt.; G. C. Saeger,Broad St.; Wool Central Pennsylvania in the early parc of States now number 41,541 members. ever Bros. - Planing mill - near depot; H Mulberry. tne nineteenth century. The Pietists as a body, of whom Philip Harrassed and tormented until the land Jacob Spener was leader, settled in German- of their ancestorsbecame intolerable, this' town and on the Wissahickon in 1694. They B LOOM I GROVE NG fled to a strange country, xx,here they hoped were noted for their extreme pity and mys- Fhs is tbe tbsp ot a seriesot selectionsto be rePinked from BloonLing Gvowe' to "live apart from the world and its wick- ticism. }be bistorim] work ot Joseph H. Zach\init printed at Willialnsport Z/z 1901 edness,and worship God with joy and fer vor, unmolested Christopher Sewer one of their number, It was donated tor ase i@ tbe "Journal" by Mrs. Carrie Flick, R. D. 2 jWoto fl- af terward a bunker, was a wonderfully ver- tlille, PennsTlpmLia. The apparently easy task of compiling the satileman, and amongother things he es record of this emigration has required years tablished a publishing house that has con- Tell mc a tate ot tbe timber hams, of inquiry and investigationin order [o tinued until ch'isday. In 1743 he published AIM tbe oid dime }ioneevs, get in-rothe currentot eventsand try to the first German (or any other kind of) Somtepina poor Tian wnd s di s reconcile statements of public record with Bible in America. He either invented or Pib bis meetingsas well a! ears; the testimonyof individualswho lived on generally introduced the ten plate stove, reit ot tbe old tog bowie---abozlt the ground, which was frequently at var- the greatest domestic invention of that time. 1.be lott--tbe pz&wcbeowfloor-- iance, owing to rhe traditions being mis I'be atd fireplace with crane sw %g owt leading, and through imperfect local records THE TUNKERS OR GERMAN And tbe Latch-st ing tbroagb tbe door. ]. Wbitcoplb Rile) While the original colonists were edu- BAPTISTS OR BRETHREN cated men, much beyond the average of The German Baptists first became a dis- INTRODUC'HON telligent and most useful of the inhabitants their time, yet the lack of opportunities and of Germany.It is estimatedthat thirty the intense labor imposed upon them, depri- tinct body of believersin rhe year 1708, From the very dawn of history Southern ved their childrenof the schoolingthey near Schwarzenau,Germany. The origin of millions of the best people of Europe have should have had, and it was not until their this sect forms an impressive incident in Germany has been inhabited by a people emigrated to foreign ' lands within the las! possessing strong powers of enduf ance, century,mostly to escapethe tyranny of ch-ildren's children or the third generation religious history. During the turmoil in prong determine;ionand patient, plodding came on, that the public school system and Germany among the adheren-tsof the var- military despotism ious reformers a few families who had fled perserverance. home comf orcs permitted the cause of edu- The original trend of the emigration .to cation to become unit orm and general from persecution to live under the toler- The peopleof what we now call Wurr- Pennsylvaniais probably due to the prosely- ance of the ruler of the place above men- embui:g were known to the Romans as the ting tour of William Penn in 1677,when The result of this imperfect work is offer- tioned (which was called even by some of SUEVL from which camethe namesSuabia. he visited the Pietists, German Baptists, ed as a centennial souvenir for the descen- themselves, "the village of hurd ') met in Swabia, and Swopes. Mennonites, Quakers and other religious dants of the original sealers; to remind each other's houses to study the Bible to- The armies of Rome found that it re- sects whom he invited to come to America them of the mighty power for gu)d their gether,and decidefor themselvesthe re quired a policy of extermination to conquer where his refuge for conscience sake became ancestors have unconsciously exerted to- quirements of a pure christian. life. They founded in 1682. these people, and this same rne'shod has ward establishingthat fundamentalelement agreed in the essential tenets of the Bap- been resp;ted to by numerous despot of The topography and climate of Southern in our nacional government which accords tist denomination and assumed the name Europe since the downfall of Rome, and Germany resembles in a marked degree the the privilege to all its citizens of worship of 23fe/Bfe#,from Matthew XXl11:8. "For their successors. the Alemanni, who have conditions in Central Pennsylvania, so that ing God and obeying His will, according one is your Master even Christ; and all ye destroyed by massacre, pillage, disease and there has been a natural drifting toward to their individual understandingof it. are brethren. famine many thousandsof the inhabitants this part of our country.It is said that fully The eight persons who formed the first in order to maintain their standard of au- threefourths of the German population of ETC. THE MENNONITES, PIETI'STS: congregation: were George Grebi, front thority; until Wur temburg has finally come Lycoming County is from the Kingdom of Hesse-CassellLucas Vetter. also from Hes- [o be a part of the Great German Empire. Wurtemburg. The Mennonites, as a sect were organized sia: Alexander Mack. from Schrisheim: An by Simon Merino, of Friesland, Holland, in In the development of christian civiliza- It is not che purposeof the f allowing 1536 na Margarecha Mack, his wife; Andrew tion the doctrines of the reformers came pages to analyze the various shades of re- Bony, of Basie, Switzerland, Joanna Noe- into conflict with the demandsof military ligious belief that were advocatedby the In 1682 the Frankfort Company sent Rev rhingen, his wife; John Kipping, of Bareit, service. and made outcastsor victims of numerous leaders or teachers in Germany F. Daniel Pastorious with oventy German Wurtemburg; Joanna Kipling, his wife bigoted rage, of multitudes of the most in- during the time of the great Napoleon; nor and Dutch Mennonist families to America. They held sacred,as their successorsto this 26 THE JOURNAL 27 day have done, the non-resisting principle Libe, Becker gathered together twenty pious land in the densewilderness, eleven miles through the canals they finally boarded the of the Apostolic Church. They refused to go f amines and sailed f or America in 1719. from the city of Lancaster, on Cocalico ship Lulu on the eveningof July 3d. Sail- to war.Neither did they swearthe civil or They dispersedinto the surrounding country Creek, where he took the dissenters. They ing on the morningof the 12thday of July, any other oath before a magistrate or in a and wil(iernees.s.Becker had been elected called the settlement das langer (the camp) 18C}4,landing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, court of justice. They were noted f or mod- their elder and leader. In 1722 there was a until 1738, when it was named Ephrata, and on the 18th af September of the same year. esty of apparel, plainness of speech, and revival spirit aroused,and in the f allowing a regular conventual fellowship adopted The story of the journey and voyageis distinguishedhospitality. In connection wnh year on Christmas day six persons were They dressed like the Copuchin Monks. briefly told by George Kress, Sr., one of the feet washing,or when surroundingthe baptized in rhe Wissahickon Creek, which Many preferred a solitary life, but about party, whose diary conveys an impressive communion table, they extended the hand of nas the first immersionin the churchin 300 men and women lived (separately) in senseof the deep religious fervor which per- fellowship and saluted one another with tile America. In the evening at the house of buildings prepared for them. They acevege- vaded these people. It will be noticed in the holy kiss. In conferring the rite of baptism John Gomerry they (23 in all) assembled tables, touched no animal f ood, slept on record that the company of men, women. they dipped the candidate kneeling, f ace and washed one another's feet. then ate the bencheswith a block of wood for a pillow, and children were on the way for one hun- downward. three times. "In the name of the Lord's supper, passed the kiss of charity and in other ways punished the body for dred and one days, sixty-eight of which were Father,and of the Son, and of the Hair with the right hand of fellowship, partook sins they could not avoid while living in this spent huddled together upon an overcrowd- Ghost' of the holy communion, sang a hymn and unnatural condition. They were very gloomy ed emigrant ship at sea.It can be safely in- went out. The congregation of Germantown and very religious,acrracring much ridi- ferred that they paid their passage,includ- In the longlist of dissentersfrom the was thus organized, and the good work has cu.leand levity when at times they appeared ing subsistence, for they complained char established church, among the latest sects to gone forward until the denomination flour- upon the screedsof Germantown or Phila- the food was poor, the water bad, and the arise were the Tunkers, who occupied a ished in all parts of our land, and now num- delphia. But with all their Asceticism thee beer soul." in spi-ce of this unsanitary sit- place of moderation among the various ber 73,601 members. were the most advanced thinkers in the uation and the terrorizing experiences, there beliefs. After long and careful preparation The Tunkers have been confused with the country They printed forty religious books, were but two deaths,small children, and one by self-examination and prayed:, one morn- tracts, etc., and the continental money. child was born ing in 1708 the eight persons named went Pietists, the Mennonites, the Ephrata com- munity of Seventh Day Baptists, the Amish, Their schools attraaed pupils from Phila- It is related chat during the tedious days together in solitude to the scream called the delphia and Baltimore. They started the Eden and were baptized by the rriune im- the W'issahickon Hermits of Kelpius, the of the voyage religious discussion occupied Separatists,the New Born, and all sectsof first SundaySchool in America. Peter Mil- much of the tinge, of ten becoming very ani- mersion, and thus began the German Baptist ler, the secondfriar of the monastery,trans- Anabaptist societies arid sects. In name, too, mated and intenselyearnest. The different Brethren church as a separate and distinct lated the Declaration of Independenceinto ideas of the most effeaive method of ser- organization. they have been strangely and variously de- signated. The word Tunker in German, sevenlanguages. ving God eventually settled upon two dis- Alexander Mack was born in Schries- Baptismin Greek, and Dipped in English, tinct lines. One of theseled to the declara- heim un der Bergstrasse, in 1679, and died have the same significations. The sect has THEBLOOMING GROVECOLONY tion of celibacy, as being the correa doct- in Pennsylvania, February 19, 1735. In 1700 been variously designated as I)ompelaers, rine. Those who favored adopting it, when he was married to Anna Margaretha Kling- lj:om the forward action or "ducking"; Ana- Harmony, Economy, etc. it should become practicable, selected en. He was a wealthy man, owning mills and baptists, becausethey do not believe in in- The authorities in Wurtemburg conlin George Reap, assistedby his son, John, as vineyards, bur he became converted to the fant baptism; Taufers, Tankers, Tunkards, ued to be imperious and cruel to the non- leaders. These men took their followers to Separatist, then the Pietist doctrines, and Dunkers, Dunkards, Dippers, and Witgen- conformistsand imprisonedJohn and Goat Butler county, Pa., where they established contributedall his possessionsto the com- stein or Schwarbenau Baptists, among them- lied Heim in 1803for refusing to beararms a town which they called Hsr7/zo#y. Lager munity. Lager on, with Choseat Schwarzenftu, selves Bfe/Bfe#, officially as the Gef z.z/z in the levies being made for Napoleon; buc on they were joined by many other German he declared that baptism should be "in Baptist Brethren Cbzfrcb. after a year, the prisons being overcrowded, emigrants. Soon disagreeing among them- selves.the leaderstook their adherentsto flowing water with complete submersion. Although given in derision they have releasedthem upon promising to leave the He becametheir pastor and guide, and in country. They at once joined a large com- Posey county, Indiana, in 1814, where they 1726 fled with the others to West Fries- acceptedthe name af Taufers(taeuffer, Plungers) to distinguish them from other pany who through religious scruples or remained until 1825. Becoming dissatisfied land, where they remained nine years.Mack sectsof sim-iliar belief and practices among dread of military service, were preparing with the place, they returned to Pennsylvan- then orgitnizedhis colony f or emigration ia and established Eco/z07/ZJ/,in Beaver coun- to America. There were 59 families and 126 n*hom they have lived in America. It is to go to America. They left Moehringen on claimed that the name Dunked or Tunker the 9th of June, 1804,spending the first ty about 18 miles below Pinsburgh, on a souls in this company. After a tempestuous 300 acre farm of bottom land, 90 feet above (from Tunken to sop) originated among night in Vaingenon the Enz.On the loch voyage af 71 days, they landed in Philadel- they passedthrough Bruchsal to Langen Bru- rhe Ohio river. The first written contract as phia, September15, 1729. unsympathetic countrymen in Lancaster county about the year 1719 ecken, on the llth they reached Saxlieim, the a community was signed in 1805, and about Creyfelt, Westphalia, Germany, was then 12th Allen Heilige, and on the 13th Frank- [wo years later the doctrine of celibacy was promulgated. The theory of perpetuating famous as a silk and velvet centre, estab EPHRATA fort on the Main. obey remainedhere un- lashed by Mennonite weavers who had fled til the 16chwhen they took ship for Muin- the life of this colonywas basedon emi- from their homes and met here as a refuge In theCommunity of Brethrenin the den (for 1,275florins). They set sail at gration, but their inability to control the from religious persecution. Peter Becker was Pequa Valley a dissension arose on the ques- 7 a.m.,spending the night at Elsfeld,and religious or even moral convictionsof the newcomers worked their ruin born in Dillsheim in 1689, and joined the tion of the observance of the seventh day con.tinuedon until noon on the 20th. when Tunker church at Creyfelt, Germany in for the Sabbath, when Conmd Beisel in they arrived at Arnheim, Holland. After George Raap died in 1847, when Jacob 1714. Upon the disagreementwith Elder September,1733, purchased250 acres of numerous delays and tedious windings Henrici becamehis successor.In 1890John 28 THE JOURNAL

S. Duss and his wife, Susie, cook charge of (obtained from some distant neighbor) to affairs, and still continue, though Dubs is keep the cold out at night. In the morning very old. they found their window gone, and upon looking out saw some deer were walking The community of Economy prospered until their estimatedwealth became twenty away af ter having eaten then: straw. millions. When the original leadersdied the Doctor Holler during his winter in Ger- oi:ganization became corrupt and is now mantown had become a Dunker. and al- rapidly disintegrating though his company were reformed Luther- ans (bur nicknamed Pietists) they were In the colony at Economy were relatives of settlers in blooming Grove, and one of easily persuaded to accept this form of fain) them, Samuel Hendricks, came occasionally, and practice which was an easy transition, so that they came to Lycoming county when an old than, to visit among his friends, known as Dunkers. and, as though uneasy as to the disposal of his estateafter his death.wanted his kind- red to visit him in order to establisha claim. O]UGINAL COLONISTS None would go, until after he had passed The colony of 1804 comprisedthe f allow away, when on [wo occasions about 1890, SamuelGoetz and Conrad Solomon wcnt to ing named persons: John and Gottlieb Heim, Leonard Ulmer and family, Leonard rhe community authorities to claim their Steigerand fatnily, John GeorgeWaltz and inheritance.After being royally entertained family, John GeorgeKiess and family, Da- f or a week, they were presentedwith a bot- vid Young and family, Wendel Harmon and tle of wine, tickets for their return and po- family, Michael Gross and family, Michael litely conductedto the Crainfor Williams- Diehl and family, Ford. FrederickSchell port. The courtesy of their hosts was so and family, Michael Burghardt and family. overwhelmingthat no opportunitywas ever In 1806 came Christopher Kress, George offered for so much as alluding to che ob Kiess and Michael Waltz with their fam- cect of their visit. Omer people froiaa ilies. From this time emigrationwas pm- Blooming Grove have been in Economy and hibited for ten years,after which Johi} were entertained with lavish hospitality, Heim returnedto Germanyand brought n,hen they made themselvesknown to the out the families of Christian Heim, Jacob authorities. Heim, Frederick Schafer,John Wagner, Ja- THE The remaining members of the ship's cob Guinther, Jacob Srreile, Abraham 'Sch- company spent the winter at Germantown. iedt, Jacob Kurtz, John Kurtz, Uhich Stab- les, Abraham W'olf. and Michael Stroble. During this time their pastor, Rev. Doctor Conrad F. Holler. who had come over the Other families came also from time to time. Some became converts with the Dunkers. previous year, now joined with Wendel Harmon in organizing a colony to settle in bu-t many only settled near by and inter- married b/ the interior part of the state. It is probable JOURNAL that Doctor Holler, Wendel Harmon, John Previousto this time ohetraffic in human and Gottlieb Heim and perhapssome others souls by the "Newlanders" as depicted by OFTHE who were unmarried, accompaniedthe land Gottleib Mittelberger (an organ builder agent to locate their purchase, later in the fall after their arrival in America. There is from Wurtem-burg) known [o us as the "Re- a tradition to this effect and also that the demptioners," had been broken up. Thou- sands of children too young, or parents too young men remained all winter and were old for use as servants ha;i perished from LYCOMING HISTORICALSOCIETY almost starved. They girdled some heavy starvationand exposureafter being turned timbers to help along the clearing, but found adrift at Philadelphia. Buc the emigration in the following spring that tile dealened treeswere hardenedand becamemuch more agents, or as they would now be called, promoters' or ''steelers" worked up parties difficult to cut thanwhen green. In their of colonists in the interest of ship owners, little cabin there was one window hole and Wurremburg continued tc t; one of which they stuffed full of buckwheatstfau the most fruitful fields ur-ti! as :lte as 1835. VOLUMEIV SUMMER NUMBER ONE 1967