Historical view of Clinton County : from its earliest settlement to the present time : comprising a complete sketch and topographical description of each township in the county

CHAP. IV. Special Acts of Assembly — List of County Officers 25

CIIAP. V. "'Lock Haven — Grant to Dr. Allison — The First Settlers — The Big

Runaway..? 31

CIIAP. VI. Luck Ilaven (continued) — Purchase of land and laying out the

town by Jerry Church — Sketch of his Life — First Building ’ 42

CHAP. VII. Lock Haven (continued) — Various “Additions” to the town —

Extracts from the Charter 57

CHAP. VIII. Lock Ilaven (continued) — Natural and acquired Advantages — Saw Mills and other Manufacturing Establishments— Public and Private Corporations and Institutions — Secret Societies. &c 67

CIIAP. IX. Lock Haven (continued) — Newspapers — Churches 75

CIIAP. X. Lock Ilaven (concluded) — Highland Cemetery — Public Schools —

Central Normal School — Fire Department 04

Cn.VP. XI. Bald Eagle Township — Mill Hall Borough 100

CHAP. XII. Beech Crock Township — A Great Ring Hunt — Beech Creek

Borough 1 1H

CHAP. XIII. Colcbrook — Farrandsville 12*

CHAP. XIV. Chapman Township — Rcnovo Borough — North Point ....134

CHAP. XV. Crawford Township — Nippenose Valley 144

CHAP. XVI. Dunnstable Township — Purchase of Great Island 147

CIIAP. XVII. Grugnn Township — Glen Union — Ritchie Station — Whetham. 150

CHAP. XVTII. Gallauher Township — Irish Settlement 157

CHAP. XIX. Green Township — Logan Mills — Carroll 16^

CHAP. XX. Keating Townships (East and West — Keating Station — Wistar —

Round Island 10*

CHAP. XXL Leidy Township — Kettle Creek 174

CHAP. XXII. Logan Township— Sugar Valley — Logan, the Indian Chief —

Boouevillc — Tylcrsville. 180

CIIAP. XXIII. Lamar Township — Nittany Valiev — Salona — Hamburg — Flat

Roek 190

CHAP. XXIV. Noyes Township — Westport. 197

CIIAP. XXV. Pine Creek Township— ^Cliail ton — Riehvillc 207

CHAP. XXVI. Porter Township — Clintondale — Yankcetown (Lamar Post

Office) — Washington Iron Works 213

CHAP. XXVII. /Wayne Township— Wayne Station (McElhattan Post Office)

('amp Grounds — Pine Station 218

CHAP. XXVIII. Woodward Township — Queens Run — Lock port — Dunnsburg — German Settlement • 225

Preface

On Novembers, 1874, the publication of the “Historical View op Clinton County ** wan commenced in The Enterprise, one of the weekly newspapers of Lock Haven, and continued through nearly every issue, until a complete sketch of the county had been given. In order to insure accuracy and thoroughness the following note was appended to each chapter :

Any one discovering errors In our History of Clinton County, in regard to names, dates, locations. Incidents, or in any other respect, will confer a favor by Immediately notifying us of the same. It Is our intention to publish this History in book form, and desire to have It as tree from mistakes as possible ; and we call upon all who are interested in the matter, (every citizen of the county should be) to assist us In accomplishing our object.

Notwithstanding, after appearing in The Enterprise, the matter was carefully revised, and many errors corrected, it is not to be presumed that absolute accuracy has been attained, that is an impossibility ; but it is right to say, that, probably the work contains as few iiu)>ortant mistakes as could be expected in a publication of its character.

The difficulty in procuring the facts contained in these pages can not be fully understood by any, except those who have been engaged in a similar work. The principal draw-back in gathering facts, was the scarcity of reliable records, except such as related to land titles. Very few’, if any, of the citizens of the county have ever taken the trouble to keep a diary of passing events, not even of those occurring in their own neighborhoods or families. In many instances births, marriages, and deaths have uot been recorded.

It has been the aim of the compiler to give all the leading facts and incidents connected with the history of the county, omitting everything that would do the slightest injustice to any person, family, or community. Hoping he has accomplished his purpose to the satisfaction of those who have manifested so much interest in the undertaking, he submits the result of his labor to the citizens of Clinton county.

D. S. M.

Lock Haven, Pa., Jan. 1, 1876.

Corrections : — Page 29, in the list of Representatives, the name of Isa^e Benson should appear instead of Henry L. Dieftenlmch. Page 15, 15th line^from beginning of chapter should read, “was taken” instead of “was formed.”

I

HISTORICAL VIEW

or

CLINTON COUNTY,

PENNSYLVANIA.

Chapter 1

INTRODUCTORY — SKETCH OF THE TERRITORY NOW COMPRISED IN CLINTON COUNTY PREVIOUS TO ITS OCCUPATION BY THE WHITES — MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF TnE INDIANS — THE “BIG ISLAND” — OIIANT OF CHARLES II. TO WILLIAM PENN — TREATY OF FORT 8TANWIX — HARDSHIPS ENCOUNTERED BY THE EARLY SETTLERS — THE v “BIO RUNAWAY” — ADVENTURES OF MOSES VAN CAMPF.N — PIONEER AMUSEMENTS — HOUSES OF THE EARLY SETTLERS— KEEL-BOAT NAVIGATION— LEWIS AND CONLY. TIIE HIGHWAYMEN.

In presenting a historical view of Clinton county it is proper, and in fact necessary, to begin at the time when the Red Men of the forest held undisputed sway over the West Branch Valley and the entire region of country comprised in the county now under consideration. This takes us back in imagination to a period a few years prior to tho Revolutionary war; the time when the great Chief Bald Eagle bathed his swarthy limbs in the beautiful stream which bears his name, the timo when the war whoop resounded from hill top to hill top in defiance to all xvhodarcd intrude on these wild domains. Various tribes at different times had possession of this region, but the most prominent of tho more recent aboriginal inhabitants were the Delawares and Iroquois. These tril»cs were composed, so to speak, of many other smaller ones, the whole forming two powerful confcdcraions. Previous to their intercourse with t l.o whites, while roaming unrestrained, ud unmolested among their own niounins and streams — their God-given possvions — the Indians were very different j in many respects from what they became after coming in contact with the “pale faces,” whom they looked upon as intruders and cucmics. To tho introduction and use among them of “firewater,” may he attributable to a great extent their deterioration and final demoralization.

Forty years ago an author, who was well acquainted with tho manners and customs of the American Indians, wrote concerning the tribes which inhabited this portion of the country, as follows:

The Indians were hospitable to strangers. To refuso the act or kind office of hospitality was looked upon as a flagrant violation of a laudable practico in vogue among the tawny sons of tho forest. Hospitality, they counted a most sacred duty, from which none was exempt. “Whoever,” said they, “refuses relief to any one, commits a grievous offence, and not only makes himself detested and abhorred by all, but liable to revenge from the injured piprson.”

In their conduct towards their enemies, as will be seen from the sequel, they were “bloody cruel,” and when exasperated, nothing but the blood of their enemy could assuage, or allay anger, which rankled concealed in their bosom, waiting

HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNT Y.

L i »s ; v : ji- ..convenient opportunity to strike the fearful blow, inflicted with fury that knew no hounds. So determined on revenge upon their enemies were they, that they would solemnly enjoin it upon their friends and posterity to resent injuries done them. The longest space of time, the most remote place of refuge, afforded no security to an Indian's enemy.

Drunkenness, after the whites were dealing with them, was a common vice. It was not confined, as it is at this day, among the whites, principally to the

trong-:ninded” the male sex ; but the Indian female, as well as the male, was infatuated alike with tho lovo of strong drink; for neither of them knew bounds to their desire: they drank while they had whiskey, or could swallow it down. Drunkenness was a vice, though attended with many serious consequences, nay, murder and death, that was not punislinblc among them. It was a fashionable vice. Fornication, adultery, stealing, lying and cheating, principally tho oilspring of drunkenness, were considered as heinous and scandalous offences, and were punished in various ways.

Tho Delawares and Iroquois married early in life; tho men usually at eighteen, and tho women at fourteen; but they never married near relations. If an Indian man wished to marry, ho sent a present, consisting of blankets, cloth, linen, and occasionally a few belts of wampum, to tho nearest relations of the person he bad fixed upon. If he that made tlio prescut, and the present pleased, tho matter was formally proposed to tho girl, and if tho answer was affirmatively given, the bride was conducted to tlie bridegroom's dwelling without any further ceremony; but if the other party chose to decline the proposal, they returned the present, by way of a friendly negative.

After the marriage, tho present made by the suitor, was divided among the friends of the young wife. These returned the civility by a present of Indian coni, beans, kettles) baskets, hatchets, &c.; brought in solemn procession into the hut of tho new married couple. The latter commonly lodged in .a friend’s house till they could erect a dwelling of their own.

An Indian liut was built in the following manner: They peeled tho trees

abounding in sap; then cutting the bark into pieces of six or eight feet in length, they laid heavy stones upon them, that they become flat and even in drying. The frame of the hut was made by driving poles into the ground, and strengthening them by cross beams. This frame was covered both inside and outside with the pieces of bark that had been prepared for that purpose, and fastened tight with the bast or withes of hickory. Tho roof ran upon a ridge, and was covered tho same way. An opening was left in tho roof to let the smoke pass through; and one in the side as a door, which was fastened with neither lock nor bolt — a stick leaning against it ou the outside, as a token that no one was at home, was the only bolt to prevent intruders. A lesson to whites !

There was some difference in tho huts of tho Delawares and Iroquois; tho roofs of tho former bcin^ angula *, and the fitter round or arched — the Delaware families preferring to live separately, their huts were small; tho Iroquois preferred living together, they built their houses long, with soveral lire places, and corres- Kmding openings in tho roof and sides, n their dress they displayed more singularity than art. Tho men wore a blanket, which hung loose over tho shoulders, and generally went bare-headed. Tho dress which distinguished tho women, was a petticoat, fastened tight about the hips, and liauging down a little below the knees. A longer one would have proved an incumbrance in walking through tho woods, or working iu tho lichls.

As soon as a child was born, it was laid upon a board or straight piece of bark, covered with moss, and wrapped up in a skin or piece of cloth; and when the mother was engaged in her housework, this rude cradle, or bed, was hung to a peg or branch of a tree. Their children they educated to Jit them to get through the world, as did their fathers. They instructed them in religion, &c. They believed that Manitto , their God, “the good spirit,” could be propitiated by sacrifices, lienco they observed a great many superstitious and idolatrous ceremonies. At their general and solemn sacrifices, the oldest men performed the office? of priests; but in private parties, each man brought a sacrifice, and offered it himself as priest. Instead of a temple, they fitted up a large dwelling house for the purpose.

HISTORIC A 1* VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY.

The aborigines of the West Branch Valley, fled before the encroachments of civilization, and deserted their hunting grounds, as the sons of tho forest always do on the advance of* their white brethren; not, however, without leaving unmistakable evidences of their existence, many of which remain to this day. ' Within the present limits of Clinton county, have been found at various times, many curious and interesting relics, which, taken in connection with tradition, have been the means of throwing considerable light upon some very important questions concerning t lie every-day life, manners and customs, religious ! rites and ceremonies, and warlike tendon- | cies of the “noble red men.*’

During the thirty years previous to the Revolutionary war, the Indians of the West Branch Valley were visited by different whites, acting as missionaries, traders or agents, and many and interesting arc the accounts given by these men, of the mode of life of the savages, and the manner in which they treated their visitors. In their palmy days of “prosperity,” when indulging in the pleasures of the chase, and the war path, the “sons of the soil'’ deemed the West Branch Valley a sort of terrestrial “happy hunting ground,” and the Great Island, located about two miles below where Lock Ilavcn now stands, was to them a mundane Elysiuin.

In speaking of this favored spot, J. F. Meginness, author of the History of the West Branch Valley, says:

I j

The Great Island was a very important placo with tho Indians ono hundred years ago. It was to them a. perfect Paradise — an clysian home — where they loved to dwell and '•ffer up their orisons to the Great Spirii. No lovelier spot can be imagined— a luxuriant alluvial soil — widespread ing trees — enchanting scenery — humble wigw ams — tho smoke gracefully curling on the breeze. Near this spot, oucircled by tho crystal waves of the Otzinachson, on the opposite side, was a village where the chief, Bald Eagle, frequently dwelt. The mountain range from Lock Haven to Muncy takes its name from him.

It is well known to every intelligent citizen in the country, that the territory constituting the State of Pennsylvania, was granted to William Penn, by ti e British Crown, the original patent bearing date March 4th, 1G81. In relation to the contract made between Charles Il.and Penn, Sergeant in his Land Law of Pennsylvania, published in 18J8, gives the following:

All lands in Pennsylvania were held under the proprietaries by the tenure of free and common socage, and the service of fealty and certain rent. The charter of Charles II. granted the Province to William Penn, his heirs and assigns forever, to be lioldcn of Charles II. his heirs and successors. Kings of England, as of his Castle of Windsor, in free and common socage, by fealty only for all service, and not in capitc, or by Knights service; yielding and paying therefor two bear skins, to be delivered at liis said castle, on the 1st day of January in every year, and also the fifth part of all gold or silver ore which should, from time to time happen to be found within the limits of the province, clear of all charges.

After having obtained in the charter of 1GS 1 , afryrtJriglit to the lands of Pennsylvania, Penn’s religious principles would not allow him to take by force front the Indians the soil which nature gave them; but without the shedding of blood, bv treaties and contracts, lie thoroughly and conscienciously established his title to the woody realm which bears his name.

In his intercourse and transactions with the Indians, Penn always treated them fairly and honorably, never intruding upon their rights, never encroaching upon the territory they claimed as their own, never taking possession of their hunting grounds, without rendering them a satisfactory equivalent.

In eairying out their peaceful and peaceable determinations. Penn and his

HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY.

associates actually purchased from the Indians all the land included in the grant of , 1681 thereby securing a double right to their American possessions.

According to Sergeant, one important purchase was made from the Indians by the Penns:

At Fort Stanwix, (now Rome, N. Y.,) in November, 1768, and took in the lands lying east of the North Branch of the Susquehanna, beginning at Owego, down to Towanda, thence up the same and across to the headwaters of Pine Creek; thence down the same to Kittanning, and from Kittanning down the Allegheny and Ohio rivers to the south line of the province, and thence by said line to the Allegheny mountains, and up the same and across the Susquehanna to the Delaware, and thence by the Lackawaxen creek and a line to the place of begininng. ;

This purchase did not include that portion of the present county of Clinton lying on the north side of the river, which was embraced in a subsequent treaty, that of 1784, or the Big Island, containing about three hundred acres, which had been purchased from an Indian, by Mr. William Dunn, “for a barrel of whiskey, a rille, and a hatchet.” Immediately after the first treaty of Fort Stamvix, adventurers, attracted by the fertility of the soil, penetrated the wilds of the West Branch Valley for the purpose of securing permanent locations. The first actual settlement being made about the year 1 769, concerning which Meginncss says:

The earliest settlement, of which I have any account, that was made up the river on tho south side was by a man named Clarey Campbell, from Juniata, llis cabin stood on the river, in the upper part of Lock Haven. In 1776 a trial took place between him and William Glass, who claimed his land. Charles Lukcns, Deputy Surveyor, of Berks county, being a witness, testified as follows: “When I ; went up in March, 17C9, to make the of- { li eer's surveys, I found Clarey Campbell I living on this land with his family.”

As is always the case in pioneer life, the ’

early settlers of this region endured great privations and encountered many hardships. Many stories of their thrilling adventures and terrible sufferings have been told; and numerous are the semitraditional accounts of hair-breadth escapes and perilous encounters with wild beasts and wilder men. Though by the terms of the Fort Stanwix treaty the Indians were required to relinquish their claims to these lands, the early settlers, for a number of years, were by no means free from their incursions and depredations. A favorite route taken by predatory bands of Indians in their descent upon the frontier settlements, lay along tho Sinuemahoning creek and the Susquehanna river, and during the years intervening between 1768 and 1785, on many occasions, the hardy “squatters” were roused from their slumbers in the dead of night and forced to fly to their arms and defend their homes, or leave them to be plundered and destroyed by the merciless savages. In alluding to the state of affairs then existing iu the valley of the West Branch, Sherman Day, in his “Historical Collections,” gives the following account of the “big runaway,” obtained from Robert Coveuhaven, an aged pioneer who, in 1843, was still living iu the neighborhood of Jersey Shore:

In the autumn of 1777, Job Gilloway, a friendly Indian, had given inthnation that a powerful descent of marauding Indians might be expected before long on the head-waters of the Susquehanna. Near the close of the season, the Indians killed a settler by tho name of Saltzburu, on the Sinuemahoning, and Dan Jones at the mouth of Tangascootac. In the spring of 1778 Col. Hepburn, afterwards Judge Hepburn, was stationed with a small force at Fort Muncy at tho mouth of Wallis’ run, near which several murders had been committed. Tho Indians had killed Brown’s and Benjamin’s families, and had taken Cook and his wife prisonera on Loyalsock Creek. Col. Hunter, of Fort Augusta, alarmed by these murders, sent orders to Fort Muncy that all

HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COtNTY.

the settlers in that vicinity should evacuate, and take refuge at Sunbury. Col. Hepburn was ordered to pass on the orders to Antis’ and Horn’s forts above. To carry this message none would volunteer except Covenhoven and a roung Yankee millwright, an apprcntiee*o Andrew Culbertson. Purposely avoiding all roads, they took their route along the top of Bald Eagle ridge until they reached Antis’ gap, where they descended towards the fort at the head of Nippenose bottom. At, the bottom of the hill they were startled by the report of a rifle near the fort, which had been fired by an Indian at a girl. The girl had just stooped to milk a cow — the harmless bullet passed through her clothes between her limbs and the ground. Milking cows in those days was dangerous work. The Indians had just killed in the woods Abel Cady and Zephaniali Miller, and mortally wounded young Armstrong, who died that night. The messengers delivered their orders that all persons should evacuate within a week, and they were also to send word up to Horn’s fort, (near mouth of Chatham’s Hun.)

On his way up, Covenhoven had staid all night with Andrew Armstrong, who then lived at the head of the long reach, where Esq. Seward now lives. Covenhoven warned him to quit, but he did not like to abandon his crops, and gave no heed to the warning. The Indians came upon him suddenly and took him prisoner with his oidest child, and Nancy Holiday, his w’ife concealed herself under the lied and escaped.

Covenhoven hastened down to his own family, and having taken them safely to Sunbury, returned in a keel-boat to secure his household furniture. As he was rounding a point aboyc Derrstowu (now Lewisburg,) he met the whole convoy from all the forts above; such a sight he never saw in his life. Boats, canoes, hog-troughs, rafts hastily made of dry sticks — every sort of floating article had been put into requisition, and were crowded with women, children, and plunder— there were several hundred people in all. "Whenever any obstruction occurred at a shoal or ripple, the women leaped out and put their shoulders, not indeed to the wheel, but to tho flat boat or raft and launched it again into deep water. The men of tho settlement, came down in single flic on each side of tho river to guard the women and children. The whole convoy arrived safely at Sunbury, leaving the entire line of farms along the "West Branch, to the ravages of the Indians. They destroyed Fort Muncy, but did not penetrate in any force near Sunbury, their attention having been soon after diverted to the memorable descent uim*ii the Wyoming.

Among those who figured conspicuously in various encounters with the Indians, and rendered important service to the early settlers of tho West Branch Y;*I1cy. by their deeds of heroism, were Moses and Jacobus Van C’anipcn. Moses was promoted to a Lieutenancy in 1781. and served a long time as a leader of scouting parties. On many occasions he displayed remarkable bravery, and proved himself to be a genuine hero.

The following account of one of his exploits is given iu his ow n language:

In the summer of 1781, a man was taken prisoner in Buffalo Valley, but made bis escape. He came in and reported that there were about .°»00 Indians on Sinnemahoning, hunting and laying in a store of provisions, and would make a descent on the frontiers; that they would divide into small parties, and attack the whole chain of the frontier at the same time, on t lie same day. Col. Samuel Hunter selected a company of live to reconnoitre', viz: Capt. Campbell, Fetor and Michael Groves, Lieut. Cramer, and myself. The party was called the Grove party. We carried with us three weeks’ provisions, and proceeded up the West Branch with much caution and care. We reached the Sinncmahoning, but made no discovery except old tracks. We marched iqi the Sinnamahoniiig so far that we were satisfied it was a false report. We returned; and a little below the Sinncmalioning, near night, wo discovered a smoke. We were confident it was a party of Indians, which we must have passed by, or they got there some other way. Wc discovered there was a large party — how many wc could not tell — hut prepared for the attack.

As soon ns it was dark we new-primed our rifles, sharpened our flints, examined our tomahawk handles; ami all being ready, we waited with great impatience

UI8TO&1CAL VIEW OE CLINTON COUNTY.

till they all lay down. The time came, and with the utmost silence we advanced, trailed our rifles in one hand, and the tomahawk in the other. The night was warm; we found some of them rolled in their blankets a rod or two from the fires. I laving got amongst them, we first handled our tomahawks. They roso like a cloud. We now fired our shots, and raised the war-yell. They took to flight in the utmost confusion, but few taking time to pick up their rifles. Wo remained masters of the ground and all their plunder, aud took several scalps. It was a party of 25 or 30, which had been as low down as Penn’s Crack, and had killed and scalped two or three families. We found several scalps of different ages which they had taken, and a large quantity of domestic cloth, which was carried to Northumberland and given to the distressed who had escaped the tomahawk and knife.

After performing valuable service in various parts of the country, under direction of the “Continental Congress,” Van Campen and others were onlered to Muncy, for the purpose of re-building Fort Muncy, which had been destroyed by the enemy.

In recounting what subsequently befel the party, he says:

We reached the station, aud built a small block-house for the storage of our provisions. About the 10th or 11th of April, Capt. Bobinson came on with Esq.

1 Culbertson, James Dougherty, William M* Grady, and a Mr. Barkley. I was ordered to select 20 or 25 men with these gentlemen, and to proceed up the West Branch to the Big island, and thence up t he Bald Eagle to the place where a Mr. Culbertson had been killed. On the 15th of April, at night we reached the place, and encamped for the night. On the morning of the lOtli we were attacked by £5 Indians. It was a hard-fought battle. Esq. Culbertson and two others made their escape. I think we had nine killed, and the rest of us were made prisoners. We were stripped of all our clothing excepting our pantaloons. When they took off my shirt they discovered my commission. Our commissions were written on parchment, and carried in a silk case hung with a ribbon in our bosoms. Several got hold of it; and one fellow cat the ribbon with his knife, and succeeded in obtaining it. They took us a little distance fromghe battle-ground, and made the prisoners sit down in a small ring; the Indians forming another around us in close order, each with his rifle and tomahawk in his hand. They brought up live Indians we had killed, and laid them within their circle. Each one reflected for himself— our time would probably be short; and respecting myself, looking back upon the year 1780, at the party I had killed, if I was discovered to be the person, my case would be a hard one. Their prophet, or chief warrior, made a speech. As I was informed afterwards by tho British lieutenant, who belonged to the party, lie was consulting the Great Spirit what to do with the prisoners — whether to kill them on the spot, or spare their lives. He came to the conclusion that there had been blood enough shed; and as to tho men they had lost, it was the fate of w’ar, and we must be taken and adopted into tho families of those whom we had killed. We were then divided amongst them, according to tho number of fires. Packs were prepared for us, aud they returned across the river, at Big Island, in bark canoes. They then made their way across the hills, and came to Pine Crack, above the first forks, which they followed up to the third fork, i and took the most northerly branch to the bead of it — and thence to the waters of the Genesee river.

Van Campen and his companions were marched over a long and tedious route, and filially delivered to the British at Fort Niagara. During the entire journey neither tho Indians who had him in charge, or those whom he met on the way, had the least suspicion w ho lie was, or he would have been fputto death in a cruel manner, as he had long been an object of their especial hatred, for his name was known among the Indians as belonging to a successful fighter against them. Soon, however, after falling into the hands of the authorities at Fort Niagara, his identity was established, whereupon his surrender to his captors was demanded of the officer in command of t lie fort.

HISTORICAL VIEW OK CLINTON COUNTY il that ho might be burnt at the stake. The officer informed Van Campen that there was but one way for him to save his life, and that was by swearing allegianeo to the British, and light for their cause, to which ho heroically responded:

“No sir, no — my life belongs to my country ; give me the stake, the tomahawk, or the scalping-knife, before I will dishonor the character of an American officer.”

J^oon after, Van Campon was sent to Montreal and exchanged, when lie returned to the service of his country'.

The lives of the pioneers wero by no means monotonous, neither were they devoid of pleasure; in fact they were made up of a commingling of romance, matter-of-fact, and enthusiasm, and there is no doubt whatever, that notwithstanding their hardships, privations, and unfavorable surroundings generally, the first settlers, at times, took “solid comfort.” Their work was toilsome, and their faro exceedingly plain, though wholesome. Their amusements were essentially limited, and consisted in hunting and fishing, (which, by the way, were important means of obtaining subsistence,) and occasionally a dancing “frolic,” when a party sufficiently large to “form a set” could bo got together. Sometimes it happened on such occasions that, owing to the inability of the “ladies” to be present, the dance was conducted entirely by “gentlemen,” who, however, chose their partners from their own sex, and entered into the spirit of the “hoc-down” with zest, and manifestations of supremo enjoyment.