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 OF THE SAGE ENDOWMENT 
 FUND GIVEN IN 1891 BY 
 
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 ^'*'°iiilfiiiiiiiiiii9S!fi''''''^ *'°""fti Pennsylvania 
 
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 tine Cornell University Library. 
 
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A 
 
 HISTORY 
 
 OF 
 
 COLUMBIA COUNTY, 
 
 PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 n^OHiviC THE E.&.I^XjIEST TIIi^ES. 
 
 COUNSELLOR AT LAW. 
 
 ELWELL & BITTENBENDER, Pttblisheks, 
 
 Bi.oo.MSBtjEG, Pa, 
 
 1883 
 
Entered according to Act ol Congress In the year 18:6, t)y 
 
 JOHN G. FREEZE, 
 In tne office of tlie Librarian ol Congress, at Washington. 
 
S=Z^EX^.iLCE. 
 
 IF the time and labor which have been required to prepare this 
 volume for the press had been fully foieseen, it would not have 
 been undertaken. Those who are the most competent judges of 
 what has been done, will be the first to excuse and overlook what 
 may have been left undone. If it had been attempted many 
 years ago, while the actors in our early history were still alive 
 much valuable information might have been recovered which is 
 now forever lost. We have at this day only glimpses of the ear- 
 ly times and the actors in them. Diligent inquiry has in some 
 oases been rewarded, but in most cases no information has been 
 vouch safed. For substantial reasons the publication could 
 not be longer delayed, and what has been gathered is here pre- 
 sented. 
 
 An examination of the table of contents will give full knowl- 
 edge of the subject matter ; and the extended and exhaustive in- 
 dex win enable the reader to turn readily to any subject he may 
 wish to look over. The body of the book will sufficiently show 
 the authorities and persons to whom I have been indebted for as- 
 sistance and information in the compilation of the work ; and it 
 is only necessary here to tender them my most sincere thanks. 
 
 The publishers have been at considerable expense in illustrating 
 the work, thus rendering it more valuable and entertaining. 
 
 18^3. 
 
TJL.'BXjIS OI" COiTTEiTTS. 
 
 SUBJECTS. PAGE. 
 
 Early History 1 1 
 
 The Rivers 9 
 
 The Forts 13 
 
 Indian Purchases 35 
 
 Organization of the County 39 
 
 Streams and Mountains 46 
 
 Improvements and Productions 52 
 
 Townsliips and Boroughs 55 
 
 Population 59 
 
 Removal 65 
 
 Election Returns 74 
 
 Bloomsburg 85 
 
 Berwick: 96 
 
 Oatawissa 101 
 
 Jerseytown 1S8 
 
 Smaller Towns 113 
 
 The Courts 122 
 
 Biographies of President Judges 130 
 
 Normal School 151 
 
 Common Schools 167 
 
 Agricultural Society 181 
 
 Poor Houses 184 
 
 Bibliography 187 
 
 Madame Montour 195 
 
 Post Offices 206 
 
 Legislative ^Representation 209 
 
 Military Record 235 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 SUBJECTS. PAGE. 
 
 Military Occupation 392 
 
 The Arrests 898 
 
 The Trials 442 
 
 The Rantz meeting. .'. .• 472 
 
 The Club meeting of 1863 483 
 
 Special cases 487 
 
 Wm. Kessler 
 
 D. L. Chapin 
 
 Leonard R. Cole 
 
 The Fishingcreek Confederacy 496 
 
 Captain Silvers' Statement 497 
 
 Appendix No. 1. 
 
 Plea of John Rantz 500 
 
 Herman Ahick's Review '. . 506 
 
 Appendix No. 2. 
 
 Argument of Judge Black , 514 
 
 Opinion of the Court 550 
 
Brower's Building 86 
 
 Moyer Brothers' Building 88 
 
 Columbia County Prison 89 
 
 Sanitarium , 91 
 
 Bloom Fui nace 92 
 
 Exchange Hotel 94 
 
 Reay's Paint Works 113 
 
 Orangeville Aoademy 116 
 
 Columbia County Court House 1 22 
 
 Hon. Warren J. Woodward 142 
 
 Hon. William Elwell 146 
 
 Normal School Building 153 
 
 Columbian Building 189 
 
 Hon. Charles R. Buckalew 211 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 CHAPTER T. 
 
 EARLY HISTORY. 
 
 TiEIE VJ^XjXjE"3rS, 
 
 IT is hardly possible to write the history of any county lying 
 within the Forks of the Sns(]uehanna, without giving as an 
 introduction to it, a. sketch, more or less extended, of the celebra- 
 ted valley in which it lies ; and that is especially the case with 
 the territory now known as Columbia county, because it is com- 
 prised within a region of country, which from Fishingcreek to the 
 upper end of what is now called Lackawanna Valley, was origi- 
 nally known as Wyoming, or in Indian, Maughwauwame, signi- 
 fying "large plains." jV number of tribes inhabited the region 
 now composing the counties lying on the North and West Branch; 
 but the earliest historical bands in Columbia county seem to have 
 been the Shawanese, who had a village on the flats below Blooms- 
 burg near the mouth of P^ishingcreek, another at Catawissa, near 
 the site of the present village, and also another near the mouth of 
 Briarcreek below Berwick. The Delawares were also settled 
 within the valley, and with some others, were under the control of 
 the Six Nations, and were ordered by them from point to point, 
 at will. 
 
 The Shawanese came from the Carolinas, and kept moving 
 north, until by agreement they were allowed to settle upon the 
 Susquehanna, about 1697. They were a brave and warlike tribe, 
 and gave the Proprietary Government a good deal of trouble. 
 
2 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 They were quick to resent an injury, and quite as quick to accept 
 one. The Delawares became sureties for them, and seem to have 
 kept them within bounds. 
 
 Over the whole country watered by the Susquehanna, the Six 
 Nations claimed the rights of a conqueror, and from Shamokin 
 to Diahoga (Tioga) they reigned supreme, as well as between the 
 West Branch and the Juniata, which had likewise been assigned 
 to the Delawares and Shawanese for hunting gi'ounds. 
 
 In Pennsylvania the Susquehanna River is known and distin- 
 guished as the North Branch and West Branch. The North 
 Branch however, which rises in Otsego county. New York, is the 
 principal stream, and originates the name; the West Branch be- 
 ing but an effluent, rising in the mountains of Clearfield county 
 and the springs of Cambria, and comes to be known as the West 
 Branch of the Susquehanna, after it has attained considerable 
 size. It receives several large streams before it pours its waters 
 into the Susquehanna proper at Northumberland, among which 
 are Muncy Creek, Loyal Sock, Lycoming, Pine Creek, and others 
 ■of lesser size ; whereby, in a course of something over two hun- 
 dred miles among the mountains of the interior, its volume of 
 water has been swollen so as to equal that of the North Branch. 
 Of the North Branch an eloquent writer observes : 
 
 "Other streams have their beautiful points and intervals, but 
 the Susquehanna has every form of beauty or sublimity that be- 
 longs to rivers. We have seen them all — Connecticut, Hudson, 
 Delaware, Ohio, Mississippi, Missouri — there is nothing like the 
 Susquehanna on this continent. Its peculiar character depends 
 upon its origin in the New York meadows, its passage through 
 the magnificent Pennsylvania mountains, and the richness of the 
 valleys that lie between those mountains. Every where its course 
 is deflected ; it begins a wooded lake ; it winds with the charac- 
 ter of a limpid brook by meadows and over silver pebbles ; it 
 makes its way through mountains ; it loiters restingly by their 
 base ; it sweeps in broad curves by the valleys. Its vast width 
 in its mad spring freshets, when swollen by the melted snows it 
 rushes from the mountains with irresistible force, sometimes caus- 
 ing frightful inundations, leaves, with its fall, island after island 
 in its mid-channel, of the richest green and most surpassing beauty; 
 while those passages through the mountains afford points of 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 3 
 
 scenery far finer than any one would believe them to be from any 
 description, if they have not seen them." 
 
 It is not generally admitted which valley bears off the palm of 
 beauty. The denizens of each are strenuous in the praise of their 
 own locality, and point with exultation to many an historical spot. 
 The counties properly included within The Forks of the Susque- 
 hanna should perhaps lie south of a line, to be drawn from the 
 west line of Clinton county at the river, to the point where the 
 North Branch strikes the Pennsylvania line ; and would incliule 
 Clinton, Lycoming, Bradford, Sullivan, Wyoming, Luzerne, Co- 
 lumbia, Montour and Northumberland. 
 
 No region of Pennsylvania has been written over with so much 
 care and vim and zest. The historian, the poet and the roman- 
 cist have labored to illustrate its valleys, and to heighten, if pos- 
 sible, the charms of its scenery. C'omprising many rich and po])- 
 ulous counties, to which, years ago, the hardy settlers flocked for 
 cheap lands, the pleasures of the chase and the fishing-rod, its 
 local history is peculiarly rich. A fierce warfare raged between 
 our own people for the possession of its rich alhivials, and at 
 last the Legislatures of the several States were obliged to interfere 
 to stop the feud. Within its borders occurred some of the most 
 bloody battles in which the white and red man contended for life 
 and subsistence. Fierce and protracted were the struggles ; and 
 we find marks of them not only on their very sites, but so tena- 
 cious was the hold of the Indian, that he has indelibly stamped 
 his nomenclature upon almost every one of the streams, the moun- 
 tains, the passes, and the valleys. 
 
 Here no cockney has built his Londons, Liverpools, or Man- 
 chesters ; no matter-of-fact emigrant from "Der Faderland" has 
 be-Rhined or be-Khoned our most beautiful river ; nor have the 
 creeks and valleys to play second fiddle to some European local- 
 ity. Their musical, aboriginal names still cling to them, and will 
 cling to them forever. 
 
 Hark to the music of a few of them • We have Wyalusing, 
 Tunkhannock, Lackawanna, Wyoming, Nanticoke, Catawissa, 
 Mahoning, Shamokin, Chillisquaque, Muncy, Loyal Sock, Lycom- 
 ing, Towanda, Kittaning, Sheshequin, and many others. 
 
 The Indians seem to have called what is now Towanda, "Awan- 
 dsB ;" and perhaps what is known as Pine Creek is a little easier 
 
4 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 of pronundatioii than the aboriginal "Tiadaghton." So, also, 
 what is known as Munt-y Creek was, in the native dialect, "Oc- 
 cohpocheny," and by some of the tribes was called"Longeserango." 
 The name Muncy was doubtless given by the whites as easier of 
 ))ronunoiation, or because the tribes inhabiting the region were 
 called the "Monseys,'' or Wolf tribes. 
 
 Lycoming was in Indian "Loeomick ;" and "Stonehauge'' is by 
 some given as the Indian name of Loyal Sock. It, as well as 
 JVIuucy, may have been known to different tribes by different 
 names ; for Loyal Sock is undoubtedly Indian, and signifies ''Mid- 
 dle Fork" — the explanation being that it enters the Susquehanna 
 about midway l)etween Muncy Creek and Lycoming Creek. There 
 is reason in this, and the authority for it, though mislaid, satis- 
 fies my mind. 
 
 t'hillisi|uaque, -'The Frozen Duck," is named from the legend 
 of a beautiful squaw having met an untimely death u[>on the 
 banks of that quiet stream. 
 
 Nanticoke and Lackawanna are most certainly Indian, and I 
 am informed by a Welshman that the roots of both w>iids are 
 certainly Welsh. He explains them to have reference to streams 
 of water, in his own language, and their peculiarities answer ex- 
 actly to those of the streams which they here designate. It is 
 impossible to say if the meaning of the words in both languages 
 is the same : but it is a little remarkable, that in both, the woi'ds 
 should have reference to water, rather than woods, fields or 
 mountains. 
 
 Born witiiin the Forks of the Susquehanna, on the very bank 
 and directly a\ the mouth of one of its romantic tril)utaries. with 
 the temjjest roar and sunny s])arkles of both streams, the most fa- 
 miliar soimds and sights of my childhood, and the i)eculiar, sweet- 
 sounding Indian name of each in my young ears, it is no wonder 
 that the region watered by "the river of the winding shore" 
 should be to me the loveliest spot on earth, and from which God 
 grant that wai-, pestilence, and famine be ever absent. And 
 there is no \alley in the world which for beauty of scenery, fer- 
 tility of soil, salubrity of climate and facility of access — for the 
 mineral wealth of its hills, the moral health, hospitality, and in- 
 telligence of its inhabitants — surpasses that lying in the Forks of 
 the Susquelianna, in the good old commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 
 
HLSTORY OF COLUMBIA VOUNTY. 5 
 
 But it is not only for the things mentioned that this valley is 
 oelebrated. Its historical associations and recollections are fully 
 worthy of its high character in other respects. Within that ter- 
 ritory lies the beautiful Valley of Wyoming, the plain tale of 
 the massacre of whose citizens brings tears to the eyes of the 
 most careless reader, and whose charm-* and horrors have been 
 painted but not heightened, by the magic jjen of Campbell. 
 Here, too, the celebrated Van Cainpen followed the trail of 
 the Indians, or suffered as a prisoner in their cruel hands; 
 a narrative of whose adventures, some of them occurring almost 
 in sight of where I write, would be more exciting than a ro- 
 mance. In this charmed region. Captain Sanniel Brady perform- 
 ed many of his famous exploits, and made his hairbreadth escapes. 
 And no greater name than his brightens the roll of Indian 
 fighters. 
 
 The celebrated Montour family, of which Madame Montour, the 
 interpretess, seems to have been the head, and whose name is in- 
 delibly stamped upon one of our most beautiful ranges of hills, 
 lived, acted, died, and some of them are buried in the forks of the 
 Susquehanna. Catharine Montour, whose head quarters were at 
 Catharine's town, at the head of Seneca lake, and whose sons are 
 alleged to have been at the massacre of Wyoming, and also at 
 the butchery at Fort Freeland, and a woman called Queen Esther, 
 sometimes confounded wjth them, and who is alleged to have been 
 the executioner at the bloody rock of Wyoming, all have helped 
 to give to the Forks of the Susquehanna a romantic history. 
 
 Here dwelt the Le»ni Lenape, "the original people ;" and the 
 council-fires of Tamanend, their most illustrious chieftain, were 
 kindled in its forests. For many years annually on the Urst of 
 May throughout Pennsylvania, his festival was celebrated. In 
 Philadelphia, the members of the "Tammany" society walked the 
 streets in procession, their hats decorated with bucks' tails, and 
 upon reaching the wigwam, had a talk, smoked the "peace pipe-," 
 and performed Indian dances. From him also the celebrated. New 
 York society took its name. Here, too, in his early youth came 
 Logan, the famous chieftain and orator of the Iroquois. He has 
 left a name that can never be forgotten while eloquence and 
 pathos are admired. "Who is there to mourn for Logan ?" "Not 
 one," sayest thou, O old man eloquent ! Thou art mistaken, most 
 
6 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 disconsolate chieftain ! Who has not read of thy beloved Alvar- 
 etta, and shed a tear over her sad and untimely fate, adding to it 
 a copious flood for the great grief that rent thy heart ? 
 
 Would that I had a pen that could fitly narrate the story of the 
 Forks of the Susquehanna ! How could a Cooper or an Irving 
 people its hills and valleys with ever-living characters ! Not one 
 of the localities made everlastingly famous by those magic writers 
 had half the natural beauties and adaptations to romance and song, 
 which lie uncelebrated and almost unknown within the windings 
 of this exquisitely beautiful stream. What withering satire lies 
 in the fights of the Pennamites and Yankees over the Connecti- 
 cut surveys ! What romance in the history of Madame Montour, 
 the Canadian half-breed, liberally educated, and mixing in the 
 best society of Philadelphia, and anon leading the life of the 
 tramping squaw, with the roving tribe of her husband. What 
 room for incident and adventure, not the imaginings of romance, 
 but the narratives of sober truth, in the lives of Van Campen and 
 of Brady ! 
 
 For although thinly populated before the Revolutionary war, 
 that portion of the Forks of the Susquehanna embraced within 
 the original limits of Columbia county was by no means destitute 
 of a place in its history. It had its Fort Rice, located near the 
 head waters of the Chillisquaque — Fort Bosley, located at Wash- 
 ingtonville, on the Chillisquaque — MoClure's Fort, on the flats be" 
 low Bloomsburg — Fort Wheeler, three miles above Bloomsburg, 
 on Fishingcreek — Fort Jenkins near Briarcreek, about Jacob 
 Hill's present residence— Fort Freeland on Warrior's Run— Boone's 
 Mills about seven miles distant from the last — Yoxt Montgomery 
 about twelve miles below Fort Muncy and not far from Bosley 's 
 Mills — Fort Meninger at the mouth of Warrior's Run — and 
 P^ort Swartz about one mile above the present Borough of Milton. 
 Each of these forts has its local history which will be spoken of 
 in its order. 
 
 The valley must have been very thickly populated by the In- 
 dians, for many remains of Indian towns are pointed out. Very 
 extensive burial grounds are known to exist at several places 
 within the Forks. Curiosities of various kinds — mounds, excava- 
 tions and fortifications, of undoubted Indian origin — are found in 
 large numbers. Through this valley ran some of the most impor- 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 7 
 
 tant and frequently traveled "war-paths" known in the history of 
 the race. Shall 1 trai-e them out for you by existing roads and 
 villages ? You can put your linger on the "paths" on almost 
 any map. 
 
 "The Shamokin Path" began at the place now called Sunbury, 
 and continued up the West Branch by the mouth of Warrior 
 Run and an Indian town there located, thence through the gap 
 in Muncy hills to the town of Muncy, where the public road now 
 passes. 
 
 "The Wyoming Path" left Muncy on the West Branch, ran up 
 Glade Run, thence through a gap on the hills to P^'istiingoreek, 
 which empties into the North Branch at Bloomsburg, twenty 
 miles above the junction, crossed the creek, passed into (now) 
 Luzerne county through the Nescopeck gap, and up the North 
 Branch to Wyoming. 
 
 "The Wyalusing Path" was traced up the Muncj' creek, near 
 where the Berwick turnpike crosses, then to Dushore, thence to 
 Wyalusing creek and to the Hats above. 
 
 "The Sheshequin Path" ran up Bouser's Run, thence to Lycom- 
 ing Creek, near the mouth of Mill Creek, thence up Lycoming to 
 the Beaver Dams, thence down Towanda Creek to Sheshequin 
 fiats. 
 
 "The Fishingrreek Path" started on the Hats near Bloomsburg, 
 on the North Branch, uj) Fishingcreek to Orangeville, on to near 
 Long Pond, thence across to Tunkhannock Creek. It was on 
 this very path that Van ('iimpen, the most prominent Indian figh- 
 ter on the North Branch, was captured, and within six miles of 
 wheie I write. 
 
 Several other less important paths led into these great thorough- 
 faiTs, and are well known in their neighborhood. 
 
 Such are the materials for a liistory of The Forks of th Sus- 
 quehanna. In detached pieces and from other points of view it 
 has been written ; but there is the more interesting one of perso- 
 nal adventure which it seems is lost for ever. The many books 
 and narratives which have been written prove the eagerness with 
 which the public desired to know whatever was remembered of 
 the different localities which, by love and war, have been made 
 famous. 
 
 Some day justice will be done to our most beautiful river; some 
 
8 HLSTOEY OF (WLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 day au Englisliinan or a German, an Italian or a Russian, will 
 travel along its '-winding shore" and celebrate its beauties : after 
 which our countrymen will awaken to its romance, and consent to 
 admire its valleys and love its hills. From the lake in which it 
 rises, to the bay into which it discharges its waters, it is the most 
 beautiful stream on the continent ; the history of the ))e()ple who 
 lived upon its banks is the most mournful and ronuintic ; the ad- 
 ventures of its heroes the most thrilling and exciting, and the 
 most worthy of that ancient race who roamed through its 
 forests. 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 THE I^I^TEI^S- 
 
 THE Susquehanna was always a favorite stream among the In- 
 dians, and a residence upon its banks was coveted by all the 
 tribes. We find the Delawares, the Shawanese, the Gangawese, or 
 Conays, the Monceys and others on the two branches and in the val- 
 leys lying in the Forks of the Susquehanna. But above the P^orks 
 the west side of the West Branch was much better known than 
 the west side of the North Branch. On the former, almost eveiy 
 stream can be identified by its Indian name, but not in the lattei-. 
 Fishingcreek and Hemlock and Green and Huntingdon seem to 
 have lost all trace of the aboriginal title, and in no authority 
 which I have been able to consult, have I found any certain clue 
 to the Indian name. 
 
 And that is the more singular, because the war and hunting 
 paths of the different tribes lay through Columbia county, and 
 across and along the streams I have mentioned. 
 
 Van Campen tells us that when in 1778 he headed a scouting 
 party, they started from McClure's Fort, went up Fishingcreek 
 about three miles to Wheeler's Fort, thence to the head waters of 
 Green Creek, crossed over through Eves' swamp to Little Fishing- 
 creek, thence to the Chillisquaque Creek, and from that stream to 
 the Muncy hills, and crossing them struck the waters of Muncy 
 Creek, and thence ascended or descended as the exigencies of the 
 service required. 
 
 Subsequently, in 1780, a party of Indians came upon the set- 
 tlers about Wheeler's Fort, killed Van Campen's father and 
 brother, and taking Moses prisoner, went up Big Fishingcreek to 
 Huntingdon creek, thence to the mouth of Little Tunkhannock 
 Creek, thence up the river to Big Tunkhannock, and on to Mes- 
 hoppen, Wyalusing and so by the Painted Post to Albany. In 
 none of the narratives of such expeditions which I have i-ead,doeB 
 
10 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA OOUKTY 
 
 the original Indian name of Fishingcreek or any of its affluents 
 appear. There must be such a designation and any authentic in- 
 formation upon the subject will interest all our citizens. 
 
 It is perhaps proper to add here that the Historical ^[aj) of 
 the Pennsylvania Historical Society gives the Indian name of 
 P'ishingcreek thereon, from some old authority, as being Xames- 
 cesepony. 
 
 Xescopeck was the only southern Indian route for travel be- 
 tween Wyoming and Shamokin. Coming down the Susquehanna 
 on their way to Easton, Chester, Lancaster, Conestoga, Philadel- 
 phia, or other places for holding councils, they left the river at 
 Wyoming or at Kescopeck, and only predatory raids for nmrder 
 or plunder came down the river on the west side. Consequently 
 we have less knowledge of that than of other jjortions of the 
 \' alley. The name of the Shawanese village located near where 
 Bloomsburg now stands has never turned up amongst all my 
 lesearches. 
 
 Catawissa is '-ye most ancient" village of which we have any 
 knowledge, and was known by that name to whites and Indians 
 in 1728, and doubtless much earlier. James Le Tort writes under 
 date of "Catawasse, May ye 12, 1728," concerning a difficulty 
 . near that place — "We always thought that the Governor knew 
 nothing of the ffight between the Shawaynos and the white peo- 
 ple." And the famous chieftain Lapackpitton, who left his name 
 temporarily upon the place, was thej'e in 1754. 
 
 The West Branch, as it is now called, was known to the In- 
 dians by the name of Otsinaehson ; and I refer to some of the 
 localities ujion that river because all the territory above Point 
 Township to the Lycoming county line was once a part of Colum- 
 bia county. In 1755 Mr. Weiser writes to the Governor that a 
 company of Indians had informed him that they intended to build 
 a town on the river Otsinaehson, at a place called Otstuagy, or as 
 given elsewhere, Otstuacky, and desiring him to send some men 
 to fence a cornfield for them. This place is believed to be Loyal 
 Sock, and it is said that a large Indian village was located at the 
 mouth of the creek on the north side. And acccn-dingly, in 
 June following, we find him writing to the Governor as follows : 
 "Last night I anived safe at my house from Otstuachy, an Indian 
 town about 45 miles above Shamokin, on the north-west branch 
 
ril.STORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 11 
 
 of Susquehanna river, where T have been with ten hired men to 
 fence in a corn-field for the Indians, according to your Honor's 
 order." Farther along in his letter he says : "I left one sack of 
 Flower with them, the same I did to the Indians at Canasoragy, 
 about ten miles on this side of Otstuaohy." 
 
 So, in another letter from the same Conrad Weiser, from the 
 same place, dated May 2, 1754, he says : "Last night 1 arrived 
 safe from my journey to Shamokin and Wyomink, of which I 
 think I am obliged by your Honor's orders to lay before you a 
 just and distinct account, which is as follows : April the seven- 
 teenth I set out from home and went by the way of John Har- 
 ris's and Thomas McKee's, being afraid of the two high moun- 
 tains and the bad road that leads from them to Shamokin. I ar- 
 rived at Shamokin the twentieth of April, found that two of the 
 Shick Calamys being about thirty miles off on the north-west 
 branch of Sasquehannah, commonly called Zinachson, I sent a mes- 
 sage for them, there being a great number of Indians at and about 
 Shamokin. I thought tit to send my son with James Logan, the 
 lame son of Shick Calamys, with another Indian to Oskohary, 
 Nishkibeckon and Woyamock, three Indian towns on Sasquehan- 
 nah (North East Branch), with your Honor's message. They set out 
 from Shamokin on the twenty-second, by water, because there was 
 no fodder to be had by the way for horses. On the twenty-sixth 
 they came bacji again and reported that they lodged the first ■ 
 night at Oskohary with Lapackpitton, the chieftain, and Sammy 
 interpreted your Honor's message in Mohock to James Logan,and 
 he to Lapackpitton in Delaware. That Lapackpitton was well 
 pleased with the message, thanked them very kindly, and gave 
 them the string of wampum Vjack again which they had given 
 him, and told them that it was best to leave the string at Niski- 
 beckon, where there were more Indians, with old Nutimus, their 
 chief. When they arrived at Niskibeckon, old Nutimus was from 
 home, but the rest of the Indians received the message very 
 kindly, and said they would lay it before Nutimus and the rest of 
 their Indians after they should come home. At Woyamock it was 
 just the same, Paxanosy, the chief man there, was from home 
 also, the message with another string of wampum was taken well 
 by those that were at home." 
 
 It seems altogether likely that the points mentioned are Cata- 
 
12 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 wissa, Xescopeck and Wyoming ; and also that Oskohary was a 
 Delaware name of Catawissa, and tliat the other two names are 
 the same dialed. So I have sometimes been disposed to think 
 that "C'henastry," an Indian town on the Sns(|uehanna, sj)oken of 
 in Colonial Records III, page 295, togetlier with the Indian Man- 
 aukyhickon, ibid 205, 304, M'i and Pennsylvania Archives I, 214, 
 21.'), 21(i, compared with the letter of James Le Tort from '•('ata- 
 wasse,'' all referred to the same ))lace aiid the same difficulty, 
 and that by "fheuastry" Catawissa may be intended. 
 
 There was an Indian town about half way between the mouth 
 of Catawissa creek and the mouth of Koaringcreek which by 
 some authorities is given as the town of the chief La[iackpitton, 
 and may have been the place called Oskohar}'. 
 
 No two men spell the same Indian name alike, and the same 
 man scarcely ever spells it twice the same way. The different 
 tribes called the same place by different names, as Catawissa and 
 Oskohary, as Wyomock and Seahautowano and Maughwauwame 
 for Wyoming ; distances are given by mere guess, and seem to 
 depend on the strength of the rower or the swiftness of the horse 
 making the journey. 
 
 Fifty years ago much was known which is now lost ; but 
 amongst old letters and old newspapers some things may yet be 
 recov^ered and made to contribute to the personal interest and lo- 
 cal and chronological correctness of this attempt. 
 
HIHTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 13 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 TECE :foi5.ts. 
 
 THE territory originally composing Columbia county was of 
 considerable extent. It comprised all that portion of North- 
 umberland county which lay west of the North Branch, except the 
 single township of Point. Within its first described limits were 
 three townships now in Schuylkill county, the whole of Montour, 
 and the townships of Chillisquaque, Turbot, Lewis and Delaware, 
 now in Northumberland county. All this, its cause and history 
 will be more particularly referred to and given hereafter ; but it 
 becomes necessary to state the fact here, because in giving some- 
 what of the revolutionary history of the county, it is proposed to 
 include sketches of all the forts and military stations within its 
 original boundaries. 
 
 It had at least ten such forts or military stations within its bor- 
 ders, named and located as follows : 
 
 Beginning on the North Branch, we have "Fort Jenkins," loca- 
 ted on Jacob Hill's faim, near Briarcreek — "Fort Wheeler," on 
 Fishingcreek, about three miles above its mouth — "McClure's 
 Fort," located just below Bloomsburg on the site of the Douglas 
 Hughes farm buildings — "Fort Rice," on the bead waters of Chillis- 
 quaque creek, about thirteen miles from Sunbury — "Montgomery's 
 Fort,'' twelve miles below Muncy, on the West Branch — "Bosley's 
 Mills," on the Chillisquaque, and supposed to be where the borough 
 of Washiugtonville now stands — -"Freeland's Fort," on the War- 
 rior Run, between four and five miles above its mouth — "Boone's 
 Mill," said to be about seven miles from Fort Freeland, at the 
 mouth of Muddy Run — "Fort Swartz," situate about one mile 
 above Milton — and "Fort Meninger," at the mouth of Warrior 
 Run. 
 
 Bosley's Mills seems to have been an important militai-y station. 
 
U HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 stockaded and held by the neighborhood militia. The earliest 
 information as to this post is of the date of August 10, 1778, in a 
 letter from Col. Hartley to the Council of War. Speaking of the 
 posts at Jenkins on Briarcreek, and Wallace's at Muncy, and at 
 the head watei-s of Chillisquaque which was no doubt Fort Rice, 
 he adds : "I have a body in the Forks of Chelesquaque," which 
 the maps show to be where the borough of Washingtonville 
 stands, and was Bosley's Mills. The Chillisquaque and the forks 
 of that creek are very frequently mentioned, for the forts on that 
 stream were ia the line of posts from Wyoming to Muncy. No- 
 vember 9, 1778, writing to the Executive Council the Colonel says : 
 "The enemy have come down in force and invested Wyoming. 
 They have burnt and destroyed all the settlements on the North 
 East Branch as far as Nescopeck. Fort Jenkins where we have 
 a small garrison has supported itself for the present. About 70 
 Indians were seen about '1'2 miles from here [Sunbury] yesterday 
 evening, advancing towards the Forks of (Chillisquaque, they took 
 some prisoners yesterday. * * * I am drawing some 
 
 little force together, and to-morrow will endeavor to attack those 
 Indians on Chillisquaque, if they keep in a body and make a move- 
 ment towards Fishingcreek, which will probably be of use to the 
 people of Wyoming." The Colonel advanced to the relief of Wyo- 
 ming, and on November 14, was at Fort Jenkins. 
 
 On the 26 of June, 1779, Capt. Thomas Kemplen was stationed 
 with the few men under his command, at "Bosley's Mills on Chill- 
 isquaque.'' The letter conveying that information also mentions 
 that the muster roll of Capt. Kemplin is enclosed, but it has not 
 been preserved. It would be now a most interesting document. 
 Under date of November 27, 1779, Col. Hunter recommends re- 
 building Fort Miuicy and putting in a garrison of one hundred 
 men, tweuty-five men at Fort Jenkins, and a "serjent's guard at 
 Bosley's Mills on Chillisquake." At this time Capt. Kemplen was 
 stationed at Mineger's place on the West Branch about seventeen 
 noiiles from Sunbury. Lieut. Col. Weltner, under date of North- 
 umberland, April 9, 1780, says : "I have manned three material 
 outposts, viz : Fort Jenkins, Fort Montgomery, and Bosley's 
 Mills." On the 14th of October, 1782, the Indians killed and 
 scalped an old couple of the name of Martin, living on the Chillis- 
 quaque about one mile and a half from Col. James Murray's, and 
 
HlfiTOR Y OF COL UMBIA GO UNT Y. 1 5 
 
 took three young women prisoners, being all the family that was 
 in the house. "This old couple, Col. Hunter says, being map and 
 wife, I saw laying killed and scalped, and was one that helped to 
 bury tliem." He complains bitterly of the pei-fidious enemy, and 
 of the falsehood of British assui'ances that no more parties of sav- 
 ages should be permitted to be sent against the frontiers. He fears 
 also that these murders will prevent settlers from returning, and 
 adds tbat the Martin family had been back only a few days. After 
 the summer of 1780 we hear nothing more of Bosley'a Mills, but it 
 would seem that the post was maintained throughout the Indian 
 hostilities. Of Capt. Kemplin, who appears to have been a good 
 and active officer the Hon. John B. Linn in his "Annals of Buffalo 
 Valley," gives the following paragi'aph, [page 198]. "In a letter 
 to General Potter, Colonel Hunter states that Captain Thomas 
 Kempling, as he writes if, and his eldest son were killed by the 
 Indians at the mouth of Muricy Creek, in March 1781. In the pe- 
 tition of his widow, who writes her name Mary Campleton, pre- 
 sented to the Assembly, September 23, 1784, she says . My hus- 
 band aud son, with others, went on a tour of duty up the West 
 Branch, early in the spring of 1781, and lying one night at the 
 mouth of Muncy Creek, in the morning the savages came on them, 
 when ray unfortunate husband and son with one William Camp- 
 bell, fell a sacrifice to all the cruelties and barbarities that savages 
 could inflict, leaving your petitioner and six children. We were 
 driven from house and home, and so reduced that I am unable to 
 return to the place we had improved upMi." 
 
 Fort MoNTGOMERr was twelve miles below Fort Muncy, and 
 about two miles from Bosley'a Mill, and in November, 1779, there 
 were forty men stationed there. The place is mentioned in a letter 
 from Col. Weltner to the Board of War, Dec. 13, 1779, as being 
 well situated for the defense of the frontier, and that the detach- 
 ment sent there had erected barracks and other necessary defences. 
 On the 9th of April, 1780, he writes again to the Board of War, 
 and speaks of Montgomery's as a material out-post, which with 
 Fort Jenkins and Bosley's Mills he had manned. After the latter 
 date I do not find the place again mentioned. 
 
 Fort Mbninger, the place at which Capt. Kemplen was sta- 
 tioned in November, 1779, is reported to have been at the mouth 
 
16 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 of Warrior's Run on the West Branch, about seventeen miles from 
 Sunbury. At this time the Captain had but fourteen men. It is re- 
 ported to have been a military post previously, and to have been 
 abandoned in June 1779, when McDonald made his raid into the 
 county. Nothing further seems to be known of its history. 
 
 Fort Schwartz was located about one mile above Milton. The 
 first mention of the place occurs in a letter from Colonel Hunter to 
 President Re;'d, dated "Sunbury, 17th April 1780," in which he 
 says . "Last Saturday a party of twenty Indians struck at Peter 
 Swartz's plantation about twelve miles from here on the West 
 Branch. They killed one man and wounded three which are now 
 in this town under Dr. Alison's care." He adds that a party in 
 pursuit came within sight of the enemy, who dropt their packs and 
 turned up the mountain, and so escaped. Between the above date 
 and September 18, 1780, the place must have been fortified; for 
 under that date Gen. Potter writes from Sunbury, that on receiv- 
 ing mformation of the attack on Fort Rice, he assembled some 
 forces, and the next morning marched with 170 men to Fort 
 Swarts. On the 21st of the same month Col. Hunter writes to 
 President Reed and says : "When'the German Regiment marched 
 off from here I gave orders to the Frontier Companys to embody 
 and keep one fourth of the men constantly reconnoitering, after 
 garrisoning P^ort Jenkins, Fort Rice, and Fort Swartz with twenty 
 men in each of them.'' 
 
 Fort Rick is stated by£ol. Sam Hunter to have been erected 
 by Col. Weltner's troops on the head waters of Chillisquake about 
 thirteen miles from Sunbury. It is first mentioned by Col. Hart- 
 ley in a letter to the Council of War, August 10, 1778, where 
 speaking of maintaining posts at Muncy and Fort Jenkins, he adds 
 that he "was resolved to hold posts at both these extremes, and 
 have an intermediate one on the head waters of Chelesquaque.'' It 
 seems not to have been molested for a considerable period of time, 
 . but it was attacked about the 6th of September, 1780. by 300 In- 
 dians, who were repulsed by the 20 men by whom the fort was 
 manned. In this attack on Fort Rice the enemy had killed but 
 one man and taken one prisoner. It was at this time and by a por- 
 tion of this force that Fort Jenkins at Hill's place was burned, hav- 
 ing been evacuated by Col. Hunter upon information of the con- 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 17 
 
 templated attack on Fort Rice. Col. Hunter says "the enemy at- 
 tacked the Fort, (Rice) about sundown and fired very smartly, the 
 garrison returned the fire with spirit, which made them withdraw 
 a little off, and in the night they begun to set fire to a number of 
 houses and stacks of grain, which were consumed. In the mean- 
 time our militia had collected to the number of one hundred men 
 under the command of Col. John Kelly, who marched to the re- 
 lief of the garrison, and arrived the next day. The people in the 
 garrison acquainted Col. Kelly there must be two hundred and fifty 
 or three hundred of the enemy, which he did not think prudent to 
 engage without being reinforced." Expresses were sent out and 
 Col. Purdy on the Juneate, turned his forces toward Sunbury, to 
 engage in the pursuit of the enemy. Volunteei's and militia to 
 the number of several hundred poured into Sunbury. Gen. Potter 
 coming to Sunbury at this time took command of the militia, hav- 
 ing dismissed the volunteers, and pursued the enemy. He marched 
 on to Muncy hills, but did not find the route taken by the enemy 
 till the 13th, and then followed on across the country, up Fishing- 
 creek, and to nearly opposite Wyoming, where the General writes, 
 the enemy were found to be so far ahead as to make it useless to 
 follow them. At the same time, he writes that another band 
 "crossed the Moncey hill near one Eveses and went up the Monoey 
 creek." 
 
 Nothing further worthy of mention seems to have occurred at 
 this post, until October 24, 1782, when it is related in a letter from 
 Capt. Thomas Robison to the Executive Council, that Sergeant Ed- 
 ward Lee and Robert Carrethers were sem out from Fort Rice as 
 spies ; and when about two miles from the fort fell into an ambus- 
 cade of about eleven Indians, were fired on, and Lee was killed 
 and scalped —Carrethers was missing and supposed to be taken 
 prisoner. Subsequent mentions of Fort Rice are merely incidental. 
 
 Boone's Foet was located about two miles above Milton on 
 Muddy Run, and was about seven miles from Fort Freeland. The 
 fort at Muncy having been evacuated, the Indians made an incur- 
 sion in July 1779, and on the 3rd killed three men and took two 
 prisoners at Lycoming — on the 8th burned the widow Smith's mill 
 — on the 17th burned Starret's mill and all the principal houses in 
 Muncy township — and on the 20th killed three men at Freelaud's 
 
18 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Fort and took two prisoners. Col. Hunter writes "that unless 
 succour arrives, the forts at Freeland's and Boone's cannot stand 
 long, but that he has never seen the people behave more spiritedly." 
 At that time every thing above Muncy Hill was abandoned, and 
 the scouting and scalping parties of the Indians having driven in 
 all the inhabitants, gathered themselves together and on the 28th. 
 of July a large party of British and Indians attacked Fort Free- 
 land. The firing was heard at Boone's, and Capt. Boone and 
 Capt. Kemplen marched off with thirty-four men to reinforce the 
 fort at Freeland's. Before they arrived it had surrendered, and a 
 detachment of the enemy met the company under Capt. Boone 
 at a little distance from the fort and cut them to pieces. It is re- 
 lated that the enemy were within the fort, the women and chil- 
 dren being outside and unguarded, and Capt. Boone thus fell into 
 the ambuscade, thinking nothing wrong. The women made signs 
 to him to retire, but it was too late. Though surprised, the thii-ty- 
 four men fought desperately, and Col. McDonald, the British 
 commander, long after, spoke of Capt. Boone and his heroic 
 bravery. 
 
 The following are the names of the killed belonging to Capt. 
 Boone's party : Capt. Boone, Capt. S. Dougherty, J. M. Mc- 
 G-laghlen, Natt Smith, John Jones, Ezra Green, Samuel Xeel, M. 
 W. McClintock, Hugh MoGill, Andrew Woods and Edward Cost- 
 ikan. 
 
 These are all the names of killed which are given, but another 
 account says that thirte^ scalps of Capt. Boone's party, were 
 brought into the fort in a handkerchief, Capt. Boone's among 
 them; and Col. Hunter writes under date of "August ye 4th., 1779,'' 
 that there were of the relieving force, fifteen killed and two 
 wounded. "William Maclay writes on the 5th. of August, that 
 none of Boone's men were made prisoners. The list above given 
 is furnished by Matt'w Smith, who says : "This aect. I Believe is 
 the Fact as the party out yesterday have Bury'd the Dead, gave 
 me the List.'' 
 
 Nothing further appears relative to this out-post, though it was 
 btless maintained as such so long as danger from roaming 
 ds of Indians made such points of refuge necessary. 
 
 Fort Freei.and was situated about four miles up Warrior's 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 19 
 
 ruii, which empties into the Susquehanna about five miles above 
 Milton. It is said by Col. Hunter to be "a little fort near Muncy 
 hill, called Fort Freeland." It was six and a half miles north of 
 Milton, and half a mile from "Warrior's Run Presbyterian church. 
 It is first spoken of as a fort in 1779. There was a gristmill 
 built near there by Jacob Freeland in 1773 or 1774. The Free- 
 land two story log dwelling house, which constituted the fort, 
 seems to have been picketed in the fall of 1778. It contained 
 within the pickets half an acre of ground. The timbers were set 
 close and were about twelve feet high. The Freeland 
 party were from Essex county, New Jersey. On the 26th. 
 of April 1779, a scouting party of Indians killed or captured 
 seven of the militia men stationed there, but it was not until the 
 28th. of July following that the real attack on the Fort was made. 
 There were at the time forty or fifty women and children in the 
 fort, and by some accounts thirty-two men, and by others only 
 twenty-one. At daybreak on the 28th. of July 1779, a party of 
 about three hundred, consisting of British and Indians, com- 
 manded by Capt. McDonald, surrounded the fort. There was 
 but little ammunition, and Mary Kii'k and Phebe Vincent inmie- 
 diately commenced to run their spoons and plates into bullets. 
 The distress of the women and children and the want of ammu- 
 nition made successful resistance hopeless, and about nine o'clock 
 a flag of truce was raised. John Little and John Vincent con- 
 ducted the negotiations, and after consultation agreed ujjon the 
 following articles : 
 
 Articles op C.u'rrur..vTiON, Fort Freelaxd 1779. — Articles of 
 capitulation ent'd into Between Capt'n. John McDaniel on his 
 Majesties part and John Little on that of the Congress. 
 
 Article 1st. The men in Garrison to March out and Ground 
 their Ai-ms in the green, in front of the fort, which is to be taken 
 in Possession of immediately by his Majesty's Troops. Agreed 
 too. 
 
 2dly. All Men Bearing Arms are to Surrender themselves Pris- 
 oners of war and to be sent to Niagara. Agr'd too. 
 
 3d. The Women and Children not to be Strip'd of their cloatli- 
 ing nor Molested by the Indians and to be at Liberty to Move 
 down the country where they Please. Agr'd too. 
 
 Jimx McDON.M.D, 
 
 Capt. of Rangers. 
 John Lit'tlk. 
 
20 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Col. Samuel Hunter, under date of " Sunbury August ye 4th. 
 1779," gives the following graphic account : "There was in the 
 garrison at the time twenty-six men and fifty women and children, 
 who is all come iu safe ; the fireiug at Freeland's was heard at 
 Boon's Mill, about seven miles distance, where a number of the 
 inhabitants had collected. Captains Boon and Kemplen march- 
 ed off with thirty-four men to reinforce the Fort at Freeland's, 
 but was met a little way on this side by a number of the savages 
 who surrounded them immediately ; our men behaved with great 
 bra^•e^3' for some little time, but being overpowered by numbers 
 was almost cut to pieces ; our loss there was fifteen killed and 
 two wounded. Among the dead is Capt. Boon and Cnpt. Saml. 
 Dougherty, two very good men." 
 
 It was after the surrender of the fort that Capt. Boone's party 
 came up, so many of whom were uselessly slaughtered by the en- 
 emy. 
 
 In the fort but five men were killed, viz : James Watts. John 
 MoCliutock, William McClung, James Miles and Henry Gilfillen. 
 Thirteen scalps of Capt. Boone's party were brought into the fort 
 in a pocket handkerchief. Among them was Capt. Boone's. 
 
 The whole garrison left the fort by twelve o'clock, and the wo- 
 men and children reached Northumberland, about eighteen miles 
 distant, that night, not having eaten a bite during the 
 whole (lay. Col. Smith writes to President Reed from 
 Sunbury, August 3rd, 1779, that he is there "with sixtj' Paxtang 
 boys and intends to follow the savages. He reports that fifty 
 two women and children and four old men came safely from Fort 
 Freeland. He says the distress of the people is great — the town 
 now composes Northumberland county — houses, barns, wheat, 
 stacks of hay, all is consumed. Such devastation he has not yet 
 seen. The surrender of Fort Freeland and the defeat and death 
 of Capt. Boone left every thing exposed." Col. Hunter writes 
 under date of July 29th, "The town of Northumberland was the 
 frontier last night, and I am afraid Sunbury will be to night," 
 And he begs for assistance, as well he might, seeing the helpless 
 women and children flying down the river, many of the husbands 
 and fathers slain, and those yet ali\'e going off into hopeless cap- 
 tivity. 
 
 It would be interesting now to know who were taken prisoners. 
 
SISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 21 
 
 and who returned from the captivity. We have only the names 
 of Benjamin Vincent, Michael Preeland, Bethuel Vincent, Daniel 
 Vincent and Capt. John Little. 
 
 Daniel Vincent had been married a short time before he was 
 taken prisoner,to Miss Angelica Heuif of New Jersey. Upon the 
 capture of her husband she returned to the home of her parents, 
 and for a period of something like four years, heard nothing from 
 him. One evening she was out with a sleighing party, and hav- 
 ing stopped at a tavern, a roughly dressed stranger hapjsening 
 there, inquired if a Mrs. Vincent lived in that vicinity. She was 
 pointed out to him, whereupon he introduced himself to her notice, 
 and soon convinced her that he was her long lost husband. The 
 hilarity of the party was doubtless much increased by this unex- 
 pected but joyful reunion; which as I am informed by a descend- 
 ant, took place at the tavern, and not, as reported, after the party 
 had broken up and on the return home. 
 
 Capt. Little returned to find his wife, deceived by false infoi'- 
 mation of his death in captivity, married to another man. Ex- 
 planations ensued. Letters detailing his death were proved to 
 have been received, their falsehood was evident — the false hus- 
 band fled the country, and the pair so long and cruelly separated 
 were re-united. ■ 
 
 To this sketch of Freeland's Fort I add a most interesting and 
 graphic narrative of Benjamin Patterson, the hunter, published in 
 Judge Mc Master's History of Steuben county. He says : At the 
 skirmish of Freeling's Fort in 1779, he and his younger brother 
 Robert fought in the party of Oajjt. Hawkins Boone, and narrow- 
 ly escaped with their lives. Freeling's Fort on the West Branch 
 of the Susquehanna, had been taken by a party of Tories and 
 Indians, the former under the command of McDonald, a noted 
 loyalist of Tryon county in New York, and the latter led by 
 Hiakatoo, the husband of Mary Jennison, the white woman. Capt- 
 Boone's party of thirty two, volunteered to scout in the neighbor- 
 hood of the captured Fort, and to attack the enemy if it could be 
 advantageously done. They advanced cautiously and succeeded 
 in concealing themselves in a cluster of bushes overlooking the 
 camp of the enemy. Both Tories and Indians were engaged in 
 cooking or eating, while a single sentinel, a fine tall savage, with 
 a blanket drawn over his head, walked slowly to and fro. Boone's 
 
22 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 men commenced firing by platoons of six. The sentry sprang in- 
 to the air with a whoop and fell dead. The enemy yelling fright- 
 fully ran to arms and opened a furious but random fire at their 
 unseen foes. Their bullets rattled through the bushes where 
 Boone's men lay hid, but did no mischief. The slaughter of In- 
 dians and tories was dreadful. The thirty two rangers firing 
 rapidly and coolly by sixes, with the unerring aim of frontiers- 
 men, shot down one hundred and fifty (so the story i-uns) before 
 the enemy broke and fled. Boone's men with strange indiscretion, 
 rushed from their covert in pursuit, and immediately exposed their 
 weakness of numbers. Hiakatoo with his Indians made a circuit 
 and attacked them in the rear, while McDonald turned upon their 
 front. They were surrounded. "Save yourselves, men, as you 
 can," cried Capt. Boone. The enemy closed with tomahawks and 
 spears. This part of the fight occurred in the midst of the woods. 
 The rangers broke through their foes and fled with such success 
 that many escaped, but their Captain and more than half his men 
 were killed. 
 
 Patterson further relates the particulars of his own escape, with 
 others of the rangers, and their pursuit by a party of the enemy, 
 while on the return trip to Niagara. 
 
 The discrepancies in these several narratives are in a great 
 measure reconciled by the fact that each writer told what he saw 
 and knew, without observing what was the condition of affairs at 
 other points; and having no persons with whom to compare and 
 correct their respective remembrances. But the killing of one 
 hundred and fifty Indians and Tories at Fort Freeland on that 
 occasion seems to need confirmation, and is certainly not sustained 
 by any authority which I have consulted. "The hunter" seems to 
 have been drawing upon his imagination. 
 
 McClure's Fort wms located on the North Branch of the Sus- 
 quehanna, "on the farm of Mrs. MoClure, about one mile above 
 the mouth of Fishingcieek.'' It was built by Lieut. Moses Van 
 Campen in 1781, and occupied the exact site of the present dwell- 
 ing house on the farm of Douglas Hughes, below Bloomsburg. Sev- 
 eral families had settled along the river and on the Fi.shingcreek and 
 this was a central point for the daiiiig Indian fighter. Heie he gather 
 ed his stores, and from this point proceeded on his excursions through 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 23 
 
 the woods. It was while he held his headquarters at McClure's 
 Fort, which was no doubt a pleasant rendezvous to him, as he 
 married a daughter of Mi*. James MoCIure subsequently, that news 
 was brought him of the assembling of a body of three hundred 
 Indians at Sinnemahoning, with the intention of making a de- 
 scent on the frontier. They were to divide into small parties and 
 fall upon all the settlements on the same day. Lieut. Van Cam- 
 pen communicated the intelligence to Col. Hunter, who selected a 
 party of five to go out in disguise, reconnoitre and ascertain their 
 movements. The company consisted of Capt. Campbell, Peter 
 Qrovp, Michael Grove, Lieut. Cranmer and Lieut. Van Campen. 
 It was called the Grove party and was under thf command of 
 Van Campen. This statement made in the life of Van Campen is 
 corroborated in a l-'tt;er from Cv^\- Robinson, to whose company 
 Van Campen belonged, in a letter to President Reed, dated Sep- 
 tember 8th., 1781. The expedition was highly successful, and 
 soon after the return from the Sinnemahoning, the Lieutenant 
 returned to his headquarters at McClure's fort, and entered again 
 upon the service of conducting scouts around the line of the 
 settlements. No further mention is made of the fort. Van Cam- 
 pen was made prisoner in the spring of 1782, about the Bald 
 Eagle creek on the West Branch, and was not paroled until near 
 January 1783, and upon his exchange he was ordered to Wilkes- 
 Barre, where and above which post, he remained until November 
 1783, when the Treaty of Peace was ratified and the army dis- 
 banded. Mr. James McClure was dead, and the family was then 
 living near Northumberland. Major Van Campen followed, and 
 McClure's was again his headquarters. He remained with the 
 McClure family and farm for several years, and then removed to 
 Briarcreek where he remained for five years, whence in 1795 he 
 removed to the state of New York. He died in Livingston 
 county between 1845 and 1850, aged nearly ninety years. I find 
 no acciiunt of any adventures or any hair V)readth escapes related 
 about this fort, and if there is a tradition of any I should be glad 
 to have it put m writing. 
 
 Wheeler's Fort. In the spring of 1778 Lieut. Van Campen 
 was in command under Col. Hunter, of a company of six months 
 men, raised for the protection of the frontiers, and with these he 
 
■M HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 was ordered to proceed up the North Branch of the Susquehanna 
 to the mouth of Fishingcreek, and following up this three miles 
 to a compact settlement located in that region, build a fort for 
 the protection of the inhabitants. He selected for a site the farm 
 of a Mr. Wheeler, whence it was called Wheeler's Fort. It was 
 built with stockades, and was sufficiently large to accommodate 
 all the families in the neighborhood. Before the fort was entirely- 
 completed, a runner brought word of an approaching band of In- 
 dians. The inhabitants fled to the fort, and their houses' and 
 barns and grain and furniture were delivered up by the savages 
 to the devouring flames. Then the fort was attacked, but it held 
 out against them. By evening the ammunition being nearly ex- 
 pended. Van Campen sent two men to Foit Jenkins, about eight 
 miles off, on the river at Hill's place for a supply. They return- 
 ed before morning amply provided, and the remainder of the 
 night was spent in running bullets and preparing for a renewal of 
 the fight on the approaching day. The attack was not resumed. 
 This was in May, 1778. "What loss they sustained we could not 
 ascertain, as they carried off all the dead and wounded, though, 
 from the marks of blood on the ground, it must have been consiil- 
 erable. The inhabitants who took shelter in the fort had built a 
 yard for their cattle at the head of a small flat at a short distance 
 from the fort, and one evening in the month of June, just as they 
 were milking them, my sentinel called my attention to some 
 movement in the brush, which I soon discovered to be Indians 
 making their way to the cattle yard. There was no time to be 
 lost — I immediately selected ten of my sharp-shooters, and under 
 cover of a rise of land got between them and the milkers. On as- 
 cending the ridge we found ourselves within pistol shot of them 
 — I fired first, and killed the leader, but a volley from my men 
 did no further execution, the Indians running off at once. In the 
 mean time the milk pails flew in every direction, and the best 
 runner got to the fort first. The poor cattle equally frightened, 
 leaped the fence and ran off in every direction into the woods, 
 with their tails in the air and bellowing at a most terrible rate. 
 It was, continues Van Campen, a scene of confusion as wild, and 
 to us who knew there was no danger, as laughable as can well be 
 imagined. But though it was an amusing scene to us ; to the 
 timid women and girls it was a serious fright, for when we return- 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 25 
 
 ed, we found them trembling with agitation, and their faces pale 
 from fear. Yet they soon recovered their accustomed feelings, 
 and as soon as they learned that there was no danger, were ready 
 to laugh with us at the display which they had made of their 
 bravery." 
 
 Wm. Maclay writes to President Reed from Sunbury, April 2, 
 1780. "I will not trouble you with the distress of this county. 
 They will no doubt be painted to the council in lively colors, and 
 indeed the picture cannot be overcharged, nor should I at this 
 time write to you, but for a strong belief and persuasion that a 
 body 01 Indians are lodged about the head of Fishing and Muncy 
 creeks. They were with us to the very beginning of the deep 
 snow last year, they are with us now before that snow is quite 
 gone. This country might b6 examined. This is what we wish. 
 Many of our hunters who went late last fall into that country 
 (which is a fine one for hunting) were so alarmed with constant 
 reports of guns, which they could not believe to be white men's 
 that they returned suddenly back. We are not strong enough to 
 spare men to examine this country and dislodge them." Mr. 
 Maclay's conclusion seems to have been correct. But the inhabi- 
 tants in and about Fort Wheeler, do not appear to have had any 
 apprehensions of danger, and early in the spring began to return 
 to their farms. The only narrative we have of that raid upon our 
 settlements is the one given by Lieut. Van Campen, which is here 
 added : "My father's house having been burned in the Indian de- 
 predations of 1778, he requested me to go with him and a younger 
 brother to our farm, about four miles distant, to make prepara- 
 tions for building another, and raising some grain. But little ap- 
 prehension was entertained of molestations from the Indians this 
 season, they had been so completely routed the year before. We 
 left the fort about the last of March, accompanied by my uncle 
 and his son, about twelve years old, and one Peter Pence. We 
 had been on our farm about four or five days, when on the morn- 
 ing of the 30th. of March, we were surprised by a party of ten 
 Indians. My father was lunged through with a war-spear, his 
 throat was cut and he was scalped, while my brother was toma- 
 hawked, scalped and thrown into the fire before my eyes. While 
 I was struggling with a warrior, the fellow who had killed my 
 father drew his spear from his body and made a violent thrust at 
 
26 HIS TOM Y OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 me. I shrunk from the spear, and the savage who had hold of 
 me turned it with his hand, so that it only penetrated my vest and 
 shirt. They were then satisfied with taking me prisoner, as they 
 had the same morning taken my uncle's little son and Pence, 
 though they killed my uncle. The same party, before they reach- 
 ed us, had touched on the lower settlements of Wyoming, and 
 killed a Mr. Upson, and took a boy prisoner by the name of Ro- 
 gers. We were now marched off up Fishingcreek, and in the af- 
 ternoon we came to Huntington, where the Indians found four 
 white men at a sugar camp, who fortunately discovered the In- 
 dians and fled to a house. Having encamped and made their fire, 
 we, the prisoners, were tied and well secured, five Indians lying 
 on one side of us and five on the other ; in the morning they pur- 
 sued their course, and leaving the waters of Fishingcreek,, 
 touched the head waters of Hunlook's Creek, where they found 
 one Abraham Pike, his wife and child. Pike was made prisoner, 
 but his wife and child they painted and told Joggo Squaw, "go 
 home." They continued their course that day and encamped the 
 same night in the same manner as the day previous. It came into 
 my mind that sometimes individuals performed wonderful actions 
 and surmounted the greatest dangers. I then decided that these 
 fellows must die, and thought of the plan to dispatch them. The 
 next day I had an opportunity of communicating my plan to my 
 fellow-prisoners. They treated it as a visionary scheme for three 
 men to attempt to dispatch ten Indians. I spread before them 
 advantages that three men would have over ten when asleep ; and 
 that we would be the first prisoners that would be taken into 
 their towns and villages after our army had destroyed their corn, 
 that we should be tied to the stakes and suffer a cruel death. We 
 had now an inch of ground to fight on, and if we failed it would 
 only be death, and we might as well die one way as another. 
 That day passed away, and having encamped for the night we lay 
 as before. In the morning we came to the river and saw their 
 canoes up Little Tunkhannock Creek, so called ; they crossed the 
 river and set their canoes adrift. I renewed my suggestions to 
 dispatch them that night and urged that they must decide the 
 question. Disarm them and each take a tomahawk and come to 
 close work at once. There are three of us ; plant our blows with 
 j udgment, and three times three will make nine, an d the tenth 
 
HI8T0ItY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 27 
 
 one we can kill at our leisure. They agreed to disarm them, and 
 after that take possession of the guns and fire at the one side of 
 the four, and the other two take tomahawks on the other side and 
 kill them. I observed that would be a very uncertain way, the 
 first shot fired would give the alarm, they would discover it to be 
 the prisoners, and might defeat us. I had to yield to their plan. 
 Peter Pence was chosen to fire the guns, Pike and myself to tom- 
 ahawk ; we cut and can-ied plenty of wood to give them a good 
 fire. The prisoners were tied and laid in their places. After I 
 was laid down one of the Indians had occasion to use his knife ; 
 he dropped it at my feet, and I turned my foot over it and concealed 
 it ; they all lay down and fell asleep. About midnight I got up 
 and found them in sound sleep. I slipped to Pence, who rose ; 
 cut him loose and handed him the knife ; he did the same for me 
 and I in turn took the knife and cut Pike loose, and in a minute's 
 time we disarmed them. Pence took his station at the guns. 
 Pike and myself with our tomahawks took our stations ; I was to 
 tomahawk three on the right wing and Pike two on the left. 
 That moment Pike's two awoke and were getting up. Here Pike 
 proved a coward, and laid down. It was a critical moment, and 
 I saw there was no time to be lost ; their heads turned up fair ; I 
 dispatched them in a moment, and turned to my lot as per agree- 
 ment, and as I was about to kill the last on my side. Pence shot 
 and did good execution. There was only one at the off wing 
 that his ball did not reach ; his name was Mohawke, a stout, bold, 
 daring fellow. In the alarm he jumped off about three rods from 
 the fire ; he saw it was the prisoners that made the attack, giving 
 the war-whoop. He darted to take possession of the guns ; I was 
 quick to prevent him — the contest was then between him and 
 myself. As I raised my tomahawk he turned quick to jump from 
 me ; I followed him, struck at him, but missing his head my tom- 
 ahawk stuck in his shoulder, or rather the back of his neck ; he 
 pitched forward and fell — at the same time my foot slipped, and 
 I fell full length by his side ; we clinched, his arm was naked ; 
 he caught me around my neck, at the same time I caught him 
 with ray left arm around the body, and gave him a close hug, at 
 the same time feeling for his knife, but could not reach it. 
 
 In our scuffle my tomahawk dropped out. My head was under 
 the wounded shoulder, and almost suffocated me with his blood. 
 
28 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 I made a violent spring, and broke from his hold ; we both rose 
 at the same time, and he ran ; it took me some time to clear the 
 blood from my eyes ; my tomahawk was covered up, and I could 
 not find it in time to overtake him ; he was the only one of the 
 party that escaped. Pike was powerless. I always have had a 
 deference for christian devotion. Pike was trying to pray, and 
 Pence swearing at him, charging him with cowardice, and say- 
 ing it was no time to 23ray — he ought to fight ; we were masters 
 of the ground, and in possession of all their guns, blankets, 
 match coats, &c. I then turned my attention to scalping 
 them, and recovciing the scalps of my father, brother, and others. 
 I strung them all on my belt for safe keeping. We kept our 
 ground till morning, and built a raft, it being near the bank of the 
 river where they had encamped, about fifteen miles below Tioga 
 Point ; we got all our plunder on it, and set sail for Wyoming, the 
 nearest settlement. Our raft gave wa}', when we made for land, 
 and we lost considerable property, though we saved oar guns and 
 ammunition, and took to land ; we reached Wyalusing late in the 
 afti'\-noon. Cam': to the narrows, discovered a smoke below, a 
 raft lying at the shore, by which wc were certain thai a party of 
 Indians had passed us in the course of the day, and halted for the 
 night. There was no alternative for us but to rout them, or go 
 over the mountain ; the snow on the north side of the hill was 
 deep ; we knew from the appearance of the raft that the party 
 must be small ; we had two rifles each ; my only fear was of 
 Pike's cowardice. To know the ■ worst of it we agreed that I 
 should ascertain their number and give the signal for the attack ; 
 I crept down the side of the hills so near as to see their fires and 
 packs, but saw no Indians. I concluded they had gone hunting 
 for meat, and that this was a good opportunity for us to make off 
 with their raft to the opposite side of the river. I gave the sig- 
 nal ; they came and threw their packs on the raft, which was 
 made of small, dry pine timber ; with poles and paddles we drove 
 her briskly across the river, and had got nearly out of reach of 
 shot, when two of them came in ; we soon got under cover of an 
 island, and went several miles ; we had waded deep creeks through 
 the day ; the night was cold ; we landed on an island and found 
 a sink hole, in which we made our fire ; after warming we were 
 alarmed by n cracking in the crust ; Pike supposed the Indians 
 
HIHTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 29 
 
 had got on the island, and was for calling for quarters ; to keep 
 him quiet we threatened him with his life ; the stepping grew 
 plainer, and seemed coming directly to the fire ; I kept a watch, 
 and soon a noble raccoon came under ■ the light. I shot the rac- 
 coon, when Pike jumped up and called out, "Quarters, gentlemen ; 
 quarters, gentlemen.'' I took my game by the leg and threw it 
 down to the fire. "Here, you cowardly rascal," I cried, "skin that 
 and give us a roast for supper." The next day we reached Wyo- 
 mi)ig, and there was much joy to see us ; we rested one day, and 
 it being not safe to go to Northumberland by land, we procured a 
 canoe, and with Pence and my cousin, we descended the river by 
 night ; we came to Fort Jenkins before day, when I found Col. 
 Kelly and about one hundred men encamped out of the fort ; he 
 came across from the west branch by the heads of Chillisquaque 
 to Fishingcreek, the end of the Knob Mountain, so called at that 
 day, where my father and brother were killed ; he had buried my 
 father and uncle, my brother was burnt, a part of him only was to 
 be found. Col. Kelly informed me that my mother and her chil- 
 dren were in the fort, and it was thought that I was killed like- 
 wise. Colonel Kelly went into the fort to prepare her mind to 
 see me ; I took off my belt of scalps and handed them to an officer 
 to keep. Human nature was not sufficient to stand the interview. 
 She had just lost a husband and son, and one had returned to 
 take her by the hand, and one, too, that she supposed was killed. 
 
 Fort Jenkins was built on the farm of Jacob Hill, about six 
 miles above Bloomsburg, and about twenty rods from the river. 
 The fort was probably a dwelling house originally built by the 
 man after whom the fort was named, for Mr. Hill says that a low 
 place where he built his house was said to be the cellar of a house 
 built by Jenkins. It is first mentioned as a fort in a letter of 
 August 9th 1778, addressed to Lieut. Col. Zebulon Butler by Col. 
 Hartley : he says — "I have established a post and a work is built 
 at one Jenkins' about six miles below the Niscopeck Falls. There 
 is now a garrison there which is to be strengthened to-morrow; 
 when I am reinforced my wish is to extend our post to Wioming — 
 should you not think yourself able to maintain yourself at Wio- 
 ming, you are to march your troops to Jenkins' Fort, at the place 
 I have mentioned." In a letter from Col. Hartley to the Council 
 
30 HI8T0RY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 of War, dated Sunbuiy, August 10th. 1778, he says :— "All the 
 people of the West Branch above Wallace's (vfrho lives near Murj- 
 cy) had fled and evacuated their settlements — so on the North- 
 east Branch, all above Nescopeck Falls were gone. I was re- 
 solved to hold posts at both these extremes, and have an interme- 
 diate one on the head waters of Chellesquaque — ther« had been a 
 small work began near one Jenkinses about five miles from Nesco- 
 peck Falls, near Briarcreek, this I have garrisoned." In Novem- 
 ber, 1778, information was brought to Col. Hartley that the 
 Indians were in force about Wyoming, and that another band was 
 moving towards the forks of the Chillisquaque and had taken 
 some prisoners. He says : — "I am drawing some little force 
 together and to-morrow will endeavor to attack those Indians on 
 the Chillisquaque if they keep in a body and make a movement 
 towards Fishingoreek, which will probably be of use to the people 
 of Wyoming." The enemy does not seem to have approached the 
 settlements on the Chillisquaque and the Fishingcreek, owing 
 doubtless to the Colonel's promptness ; and on the 14th of Novem- 
 ber he writes to the Council from "Fort Jenkins, near Nescopeck :" 
 "The enemy are in force between here and Wyoming. They seem 
 very intent on plunder, by their desolations near this place ; they 
 expected the Frontiers to give way, but the good countenance of 
 this garrison has saved all below." In April, 1779, Mr. Maclay 
 writes that "Massacres and depredations have been committed at 
 Wioming, Foit Jenkins, Fishingoreek [Fort Wheeler], Freeland's 
 Mill, Fort Muncy and Loyal Sock, almost at one and the same 
 time." And Lieut. Hunter writes on April 27th that on the Sun- 
 day preceding, the Indians attacked the inhabitants near Fort 
 Jenkins and had taken two or three families prisoners, but about 
 thirty men from the fort turned out and rescued them. The 
 Indians, however, drove them under cover of the fort with a loss 
 of three killed and four badly wounded. They burned the houses, 
 killed the cattle and drove off a number of horses. In May 1779 
 there was a family of four persons killed and scalped on the North 
 Branch opposite to Fort Jenkins. Nothing of their name or his- 
 tory has come to my knowledge. In July following, Col. Hartley 
 moved his regiment towards Wyoming and left Fort Muncy and 
 Fort Jenkins vacant. But in November Lieut. Hunter proposes 
 to send 25 men to Fort Jenkins for "the support of the distressed 
 
HIBTOBY OF COLUMBIA OOXINTY. 31 
 
 inhabitants." Col. Lund. Weltner writes to the Board of War, 
 December 13, 1779, in reference to the posture of several forts on 
 his taking command : — "I found Fort Muncy on the West and 
 Fort Jenkins on the East Branch, with the magazine at Sunbury, 
 to have been the only standing posts that were occupied." In 
 March, 1780, another raid was made, the Indians carrying away 
 seven or eight prisoneis from about two miles above the fori, 
 and in writing of it Lieut. Hunter says : — "Now we have but 
 about 30 men at Fort Jenkins which was not able to spare men 
 enough out of the garrison to pursue the enemy that carried off 
 the prisoners." Who they were I have not been able to ascertain. 
 The few men at the fort were unable to maintain it. It was daily 
 becoming more insecure. The Indians were gathering round and 
 the terrified inhabitants were fleeing for their lives. They seem to 
 have strengthened the place shortly after, for, on the 9th of April, 
 1780, writing from Northumberland, Col. Weltner says: — "I have 
 manned three material out posts, viz. Fort Jenkins, Fort Mont- 
 gomery and Bosley's Mills." 
 
 In September, 1780, a descent was made by about 300 Indians 
 and Tories, and an attack made on Fort Rice, on the upper Chil- 
 lisquaque, which was repulsed ; but the Indians burned and de- 
 stroyed everything in their power along the whole frontier, and 
 Lieut. Hunter hearing of the advance on Fort Rice, ordered the 
 evacuation of Fort Jenkins, which, with all the buildings about it, 
 was burned by the detachment of the enemy which moved up the 
 North Branch. It seems never to have been rebuilt. Mr. Jacob 
 Hill furnishes the following information in relation to Fort 
 Jenkins : — "Its location was about twenty rods from the river, and 
 about half the distance from the North Branch canal. It stood 
 upon the very spot upon which my house now stands. There are 
 no remains left above ground, but I think there might be some 
 pieces of the logs buried in the ground. There is a very low spot 
 between my house and barn which is said to have been the well 
 inside the fort. There is also - another such a spot near my house, 
 and about four rods from the formei', which is said to be the cel- 
 lar of a house built by Jenkins, and in digging the cellar for my 
 house my hands found a quantity of stone which I took to be the 
 foundation of some building, among which were some brick of 
 rather singulai' dimensions about four or five feet under ground. 
 
32 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 I well recollect when the poets of the fort stuck out of the ground, 
 but they can no more be seen. The posts were oak. The fields 
 in the vicinity are scattered with arrows such as Indians use. 
 This is all I can tell you about it. There has been so much build- 
 ing upon and around this spot that all marks of the fort are 
 almost invisible." 
 
 This is all the information concerning the forts in Columbia 
 county which I am able to present here, but this is enough to 
 stimulate inquiry and produce additional history of them, if any 
 exists, not already in print. In his "Annals of Luzerne county," 
 the Hon. Stewart Pearce mentions a "Fort Freudly, on the North 
 Branch, below Bloonisburg," and in another place speaks of it as 
 "Fort Freedley, near Bloomsburg, where Capt. Boone and others 
 were slain." It is most evident that Mr. Pearce is mistaken. 
 There was no Fort Freedley near Bloomsburg, and the fort where 
 Boone was killed was Fort Freeland, on Warrior's Run. Mr. 
 Pearce also says that Capt. Walker erected Fort Jenkins, and 
 charges that Van Campen claims that honor. Certainly no such 
 claim is made in the "Life of Van Campen," and I cannot account 
 for the inadvertence. Mr. Pearce asserts that Fort Muncy was 
 built by Capt. Walker. It was so built in 1778, under Col. Hart- 
 ley, but it was also as certainly abandoned and substantially de- 
 stroyed, and remained so, in December, 1779. Maj. Van Campen 
 says that in March, 1782, at the head of Capt. Robinson's com- 
 pany he was ordered "to march to a place called Muncy, and there 
 rebuild a fort which had been destroyed by the Indians in the 
 year 1779." I see no reason to question Major Van Campen's 
 veracity in this matter. He was certainly with Capt. Robinson in 
 June 1781, and in September 1781, and in April 1782 Col. Hunter 
 writes to Vice President Potter that Captain Robinson is then at 
 Muncy and is repairing the Fort. Besides, Van Campen's Nar- 
 rative was written and published at a time when, if false, it could 
 and would have been contradicted by many a living witness. I 
 am furnished with the following letter by a gentleman who shows 
 himself competent to speak on the subject: "You are no doubt 
 aware that certain sapient historians have endeavored to make 
 Abraham Pike the Hero of the killing of the Indian captors in- 
 stead of the hated and despised Pennamite, Van Campen. Abra- 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 33 
 
 ham Pike was a rather worthless fellow, doing but little good for 
 himself and still less to others, wandering around from house to 
 house retailing his Munchausen tales, thereby securing his whisky, 
 bread, and a warm corner by the fire, on the strength of his won- 
 derful exploits as related by himself. I have heard an incident re- 
 lated of him for which at this distant day I cannot vouch. He had 
 procured the services of some oue of the many "historians" of the 
 Wyoming Valley to write his "memoirs"; the ready writer pro- 
 ceeded until he came to a case of sheejt stealing in which Pike 
 had been engaged; the writer as an honest man insisted upon in- 
 serting the transaction, while Pike swore roundly that it should 
 not be put down, which cut the "memoirs" of this wonderful man 
 short, and deprived the world at large of a full knowledge of his 
 heroic deed-i. iVIy father was well acquainted with the boy Rod- 
 gers, who Van Campen relates was captured from the Wyoming 
 settlements and was present at the killing of the Indians. He told 
 the same story that Van Campen did, and furthermore said he 
 did not contradict Pike unless specially appealed to, as the poor 
 old fellow's whisky and living depended in a great measure upon 
 his self glorification. Pike died as he lived, a pauper. The ab- 
 surdity of Pike's claim to killing the Indians in ordinary times 
 would have been hooted at, but at that time the passions of Yan- 
 kee and Pennamite ran so high that almost any tale reflecting to 
 the discredit of the Pennamite was received without question. 
 Moses Van Campen was a man of considerable ability, great ener- 
 gy and undoubted courage, as is seen and proved by his being 
 chosen to command in such dangerous times, and his continuance in 
 positions requiring courage and ability. His friends and associates 
 were mostly men of daring courage, among them old Colonel 
 Salmon and others of our county, who would never have counte- 
 nanced a man with the slightest tinge of cowardice in a position 
 of command". 
 
 It may be as well to add here, upon the general subject of these 
 forts, the following extract from a letter of Col. Weltner to the 
 Board of War, dated Sunbury, December 13th, 1779. He says: 
 
 "On my being ordered down from Wyoming the first considera- 
 tion which engaged my attention with regard to posting the 
 troops under my command was to find what position Col. Hartley 
 and the other gentlemen who had preceded me in this ^commaqd 
 
34 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 had taken. I found Fort Muncy on the West and Fort Jenkins 
 on the East Branch with the magazine at Sunbury to have been 
 the only standing posts that were occupied. This position (which 
 I have never since heard censured) I endeavored to revive. Col. 
 Hunter whom I consulted was of the same opinion; the only dif- 
 ficulty was to fix on some place equally well adapted to cover the 
 frontier as Fort Muncy was; Fort Muncy having been evacuated 
 and destroyed — McClung's was agreed on, and a detachment of 
 the troops accordingly took post there the 5th of last month. 
 The troops, howevei', found this place so void of shelter and so 
 barren of timber that they were obliged to abandon it, the in- 
 formation given to council of the defences erected at this place 
 being totally false and groundless. This detachment accordingly 
 moved to a place called Montgomery's, nearer to Bosley's Mill and 
 equally well situated for the defence of the frontier as McClung's. 
 At this place, the troops having erected barracks and other neces- 
 sary defences, and their vicinity to Bosley's Mill being not more 
 than about two miles distant, makes another post there quite un- 
 necessary at present.'' 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 35 
 
 CHAPTER IV 
 
 iasri3iJ^i<r zp-cj^^csi-a^ses. 
 
 THERE were various attempts, more or less successful and 
 more or less honest, to divest the title of the Indians to 
 the soil of the State of Pennsylvania. The first purchase was 
 in July, 1681, and the last, under the proprietaries, at Fort 
 Stanwix, on the site of the present town of Rome, on the Erie 
 canal, in the State of New York, in 1768. The final purchase 
 of lands within the charter bounds was made by and in the 
 name of the Commonwealth, at Fort Mcintosh, now Beaver, 
 in October, 1784. There were repeated and persistent allegations 
 of fraud and forgery made by the Indians, and some of them were 
 apparently well founded. 
 
 A general discussion relating to all the matters in dispute was 
 had at the council at Easton in July and August, 1756, when and 
 where the Governor, Hon. William Denny, and four members of 
 his council and about forty citizens of Philadelphia met Teedyus- 
 cung, the Delaware chief, king of the Lenapi and Wanami, two 
 Delaware tribes, and of the Monseys and Mohickons. At an ad- 
 journed council at the same place in November, 1756, the same 
 subject was brought up, and when the Governor asked the chief- 
 tain to state his grievances, the Delaware said : "This ground 
 that is under me, (stamping -n-ith his foot,) is mine and has been 
 taken from me by fraud and forgery," and he proceeded to ex- 
 plain and insist upon his view and construction of the treaties and 
 deeds of conveyance. At a subsequent council at Easton in 
 July, 1757, between the same principal parties, the same charges 
 were made and pressed home. Again at Easton,in October, 1758, 
 a deed was executed releasing to the Indians a large amount of 
 the territory embraced in that of July, 1754 ; but the whole diffi- 
 culty was not settled, and it was up again in 1761. 
 
 At the council in July, 1757, at Easton, Teedyuscung discus- 
 
36 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 sing the question of unsold lands, said, among other things ; "As 
 we intend to settle at Wyomen, we want to have certain bounda- 
 ries fixed between you and us, and a certain tract of land fixed, 
 which it shall not be lawful for us or our children ever to sell, nor 
 for you or any of your children ever to buy. We would have the 
 boundaries fixed all around agreeable to the draught we give you, 
 (here he drew a draught with chalk on the table,) that we may 
 not be pressed on any side, but have a certain country fixed for 
 our own use, and the use of our children forever.'' 
 
 To this the Governor replied : "As to the lands between Sha- 
 mokin and Wyomen, the proprietaries have never bought them of 
 the Indians, and therefore never claimed them under any Indian 
 purchase; that he was pleased with the choice they had made of 
 that place, and would use all the means in his power to have 
 these lands settled upon him agreeable to his request,'' &c. 
 
 The draft made by the Delaware chief, as nearly as it can be 
 traced from the copy before me, begins on the west bank of the 
 Susquehanna opposite the mouth of Shamokin creek below Sun- 
 bury, thence to the mouth of Lycoming creek, thence along the 
 east bank of it, by what were known as Burnett's hills, south 
 of Towanda creek, and in an easterly circular direction to near 
 Honesdale, and from that point in a southwesterly direction to 
 the beginning. The territory thus demanded and agreed to be 
 set off to him for the tribes he represented, comprised about 
 2,000,000 of acres, and included, in whole or in part, the counties 
 of Union, Lycoming, Bradford, Sullivan, Wyoming, Wayne, Lu- 
 zerne, Columbia, Montour and Northumberland. Houses were 
 built for them at Wyoming, and missionaries sent to them. 
 But the great chieftain did not long enjoy his rest. He was 
 burned to death in his own house at Wyoming in 1763, but 
 not without suspicion of arson and murder ; and within five 
 years thereafter, was held the treaty at Fort Stanwix, already 
 mentioned, whereby not only the aforesaid Wyoming Reserva- 
 tion, but also a large body of other lands were purchased. 
 This treaty included the territory, in whole or in part, of the 
 counties of Northumberland, Columbia, Luzerne, Wayne, Sus- 
 quehanna, Bradford, Lycoming, Cleai-field, Indiana, Armstrong, 
 Cambria, Somerset, Fayette, Westmoreland, Allegheny, Wash- 
 ington, Greene, Clinton, Montour, Sullivan and Wyoming. 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 37 
 
 Even before this date, 1768, the country between Shamokin 
 and Wyoming must have been pretty well known. It is not 
 my purpose to enter upon any examination or narration of the 
 Pennsylvania and the Connecticut claims to the lands within 
 the chaiter limits of our State. If Connecticut had succeeded 
 in her claim, most of the present county of Columbia would 
 have been included within her boundaries ; the line passing 
 west would have crossed at the mouth of Fishingcreek, which 
 is as near as possible on the 41st parallel of latitude, which 
 was claimed to be the southern boundary of Connecticut. But 
 it is referred to here mainly because it introduces to us for the 
 first time the name of a prominent settler in the county. 
 
 In January, 1769, Charles Stewart, John Jennings and Amos 
 Ogden took possession of the lands claimed by Connecticut, in the 
 name and on behalf of Pennsylvania, and on the 8th of February, 
 1769, a body of Connecticut men appeared on the ground. Dis- 
 putes and bloodshed succeeded, each party being reinforced from 
 time to time; and among the most determined opponents of the 
 Pennsylvania government were some Lancaster county men, who 
 probably had some personal grievance. Be that as it may. Captain 
 Charles Stewart continued to hold possession, and in pursuance of 
 his duties travelled frequently from Shamokin to Wyoming. On 
 "Friday, May 12th, 1769," he writes to "The Honorable John 
 Penn, Esquire," a letter from which I make the following extract : 
 
 "Sir: This afternoon about three o'clock, one liundred and 
 forty-six New England men, and others, chiefly on horse-back, 
 passed by our houses and are now encamped on the east side of 
 the river. Among them is Benjamin Shoemaker and John Mc- 
 Dowell, with several of their neighbors. I spoke to McDowell, 
 who informed me that at least as many more are on their way, 
 and will be here to-morrow. And I have other intelligence- that 
 they will in a few days be five hundred strong. If this be true 
 we can only act defensively until reinforced. At present we are 
 but twenty-four men. 
 
 "On my way up the river from Shamokin, on Wednesday eve- 
 ning last, I was hailed by a man at the mouth of Fishing creek, 
 named James McClure, who told me he and four others, then at 
 a fire hard by, was an advance party of one hundred going to 
 join the New England men, and that they would chiefly be from 
 
38 
 
 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Lancaster county; that he would be at Wyoming as soon as us, 
 but he is not yet come.'' 
 
 It does not appear whether Mr. James McClure and the one 
 hundred men marched on to Wyoming or not. In the progress 
 of this history we shall find him next at the same mouth of 
 Fishingcreek as a settler, taking up a tract of land under the 
 Pennsylvania authorities and holding his title from the proprie- 
 taries. 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 39 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 t:h:e oi^G-^sL-asris^A^TiON. 
 
 THE county of Northumberland, from the territory of which 
 Columbia county was taken, originally extended northward 
 to the borders of New York. It was organized March 27, 1772, 
 and took in all the valley of the West Branch, and with small 
 exception the whole northeastern portion of the state. It con- 
 tained 28,922 square miles, a territory almost as large as Con- 
 necticut, Delaware, Massachusetts and New Jersey combined. 
 
 At the first Court held in that County, April 9, 1772, I find 
 the following minute of the formal opening: 
 
 "At a court of private sessions of the peace held at Fort Augusta 
 for the county of Northumberland on the ninth day of April 
 in the twelfth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord George 
 the Third, by the Grace of God of Great Britain, France and 
 Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, and in the year of om- 
 Lord God one thousand seven hundred and seventy-two, before 
 William Plunkett, Esq.," &c., tfcc. 
 
 And among other matters of business transacted, "on motion 
 made, the said county of Northd., or as much of the extent of the 
 same as is now purchased from the Indians, is divided into the 
 following townships, to be hereafter called and known by the 
 names of Penn's twp., Augusta twp — Turbutt twp — Buffalo twp 
 — Bald Eagle twp — Muncy twp — and Wyoming twp." 
 
 Columbia and several other counties were comprised within the 
 three townships following, to- wit : 
 
 "Augusta — beginning at the mouth of Mahantango, on the 
 west side of Susquehannah, thence with the county line crossing 
 Susquehannah to the mouth of Mahantango, on the east side,thence 
 with the same county line up Mahantango to the Sjjread Eagle in 
 the forks of said Mahantango, thence into the said county line, 
 east northeast to the old line formerly run for a division between 
 
40 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Berks and Northampton Counties, thence by the same old line 
 Northwest to the East branch of Susquehanna, thence down the 
 same to Fort Augusta, thence crossing Susquehannah and down 
 the same to the place of Beginning.'' Thus including all or nearly- 
 all that portion of the county lying east of the river. 
 
 "Tnrbutt — beginning on the east side of Susquehanna at 
 Fort, Augusta thence up the easterly side of the northeast branch 
 to the old line formerly run for a division between Berks and 
 Northampton counties, thence by the same line northwest to the 
 top of Muncy Hill, thence along the top of the same westerly to 
 the west branch of Susquehannah and crossing the same to the 
 west side and down the same to the junction of the branches and 
 crossing Susquehannah to the place of beginning so as to include 
 the Forks and Island." 
 
 And so including with other lands the whole, or nearly so, of 
 what is now the County of Montour. 
 
 "AVyoming- — Beginning at the heads of Lycoming, thence 
 southeast to ]\Iuncy Hill, thence along the top of the same west- 
 erly to the old division line between Berks and Northampton, 
 thence southeast along the same line to the present County line, 
 thence by the lines of the County to the bounds of the present 
 piu'chase near Chenango, thence westerly by the bounds of the 
 present purchase to the beg-g at ye heads of Lycomiug aforesaid." 
 
 Comprising the greater portion of Columbia County, and at 
 least four of the northeastern counties besides ; all which latter 
 were, however, included in Luzerne, which was cut off from North- 
 nimberland, September 25, 1786. 
 
 In the year 1772 Mr. James MoClure settled upon the west bank 
 of the north branch of the Susquehanna river, about one mile 
 above the mouth of Fishingcreek, in what is now Columbia 
 county. He obtained a patent for his farm from the heirs of 
 William Penn under the name of "McClure's Choice." The Mc- 
 Clure tract was originally in the application of Francis Stewart, 
 dated Ajsril 3, 1769, and is described as follows : "On the west 
 side of the north east branch of Susquehanna near the mouth of 
 Fishingcreek, adjoining land applied for by William Barton." 
 The survey was made June 3, 1769 and contains 298f acres and is 
 called "Beauchamp." The McClure Patent is dated November 
 6, 1 772. A large part of West Bloomsburg is built upon the old 
 
HISTOItY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 41 
 
 McClure survey. On the 8tli of February, 1776, among the commit- 
 tee of safety we find named as the members for Wioming town- 
 ship, Mr. James MoClure, Mr. Thomas Clayton, Mr. Peter Mel- 
 ick, whose families are still here. Col. James McClure, who 
 died upon the old homestead on October 4, 1850, was the young- 
 est son of the original proprietor, and was the first white child 
 born in this section of Pennsylvania. His mother was a Miss 
 Espy, and his eldest sister married Major Moses Van Campen, a 
 famous Indian fighter in this neighborhood, whose exploits bor- 
 der sometimes on the marvelous. 
 
 Within the same year of 1772, Evan Owen located himself on 
 a faiTU at the mouth of Pishingcreek, and above Mr. James Mc- 
 Clure came in their order Thomas Clayton, John Doan, John 
 Webb, George Espy, the proprietor of Espytown, and the Gingles 
 family. There was also, previously to the Revolution, a settle- 
 ment at the mouth of Briar creek. The majority of these settlers 
 belonged to the Society of Friends. McClure's house was made 
 use of as a fort from the commencement of the war, as was also 
 the building at Briarcreek. In 1781 McClure's was surrounded 
 by an enlarged stockade, occupying the very spot of the present 
 homestead upon that farm. 
 
 Columbia county was taken from Northumberland and separ- 
 ately organized by act of Assembly of March 22nd, 1813, with 
 the following boundaries, to wit; "Beginning at the nine mile 
 tree on the bank of the northeast branch of the Susquehanna, and 
 from thence by the line of Point township to the line of Chillis- 
 quaque township, then by the line of Chillisquaque and Point 
 townships to the west branch of the river Susquehanna, thence up 
 the same to the line of Lycoming county, thence by the line of 
 Lycoming county to the line of Luzerne county, thence by the 
 same to the line of Schuylkill county, thence along the same to 
 the south-west corner of Catawissa township, thence by the line of 
 Catawissa and Shamokin townships to the river Susquehanna, and 
 thence down said river to the place of beginning." P. L. 1813. 
 p. 150. 
 
 There can be no doubt that the townships of Chillisquaque and 
 Turbot were originally incorporated into Columbia county in 
 order to secure the location of the county buildings at Danville; 
 for the commissioners appointed by the Governor to select a site 
 
42 HI8T0BT OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 for the county town were required to fix it "as near the centei' 
 as the situation thereof will admit,"' and Danville having been 
 named in the report of the said commissioners, and the object 
 being thus achieved, an act was passed, and approved the 21st 
 day of February, A. D. 1816, by which it was provided "That 
 from and after the first day of May next, the townships of Turbot 
 and Chillisquaque, in the county of Columbia, be, and the same 
 are hereby annexed to and made part of Northumberland county." 
 P. L. 1815 p. 38. 
 
 On the same day an act "To run and mark a line dividing the 
 counties of Columbia and Luzerne" became a law. P. L*. 1815 p. 43. 
 
 The seeming trick by which the county seat of the new county 
 had been fixed at Danville, and the prompt re-annexation of the 
 two townships of Chillisquaque and Turbot to that from which 
 they were taken, provoked a spirit of indignation and opposition 
 in the upper part of the county. An agitation for the removal of 
 the seat of justice from Danville to Bloomsburg, as a more central 
 location and more in accordance with the letter and spirit of the 
 act erecting Columbia county, immediately commenced, and con- 
 tinued until success crowned the endeavor, by an act approved the 
 24th day of February, 1845, just thirty years after, authorizing a 
 vote upon the question of removal. The detailed result will be 
 found under that chapter in this volume. 
 
 In the meantime, however, so active and detei mined was the 
 new movement become that it became necessary to conciliate the 
 "removal" party. Accordingly, on the 22nd day of January, A. 
 D. 1816, an act was approved, providing "That from and after 
 the first d'iy of May next, that pait of the Chillisquaque and Tur- 
 bot townships, in the county of Northumberland, lying within the 
 following described bounds, viz : beginning at the corner of Point 
 and Chillisquaque townships in the line of Columbia county, 
 thence by the lines of said townships along the summit of Mon- 
 tour's mountain, to where what is called Strawbridge's road crosses 
 said mountain, thence by said road to where the road from Wil- 
 son's mills to Danville intersects said road, thence to the bridge 
 over Chillisquaque creek at John Murray's, thence by what is 
 called Harrison's road past Chillisquaque meeting house to the 
 corner of Turbot and Derry townships in the line of Lycoming 
 county, thence by the line of Columbia county to the place of 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 43 
 
 beginning, be, and the samf? are hereby annexed to and made 
 putt of Columbia county." P. L. 1816, p. 6. 
 
 The parts of Chillisquaque and Turbot which were thus re- an- 
 nexed to Cohimbia became the townships of Liberty and Lime- 
 stone, now in Montour county. This action of the Legislature 
 took, for a time, much of the vim out of the removal party, but 
 the snake was only scotched, not killed, and as the northern town- 
 ships increased in population and wealth, and citizens found them- 
 selves obliged to travel nearly the whole lengi;h of the comity to 
 reach the court house, the question again loomed up. 
 
 It received a new impetus when the L'-gisbiture, in 1818, by an 
 act approved March the 3rd, provided "That all ihac pan of 
 Columbia and Luzerne counties lying within the following lines, 
 viz. : 
 
 Beginning at a corner in the line dividing the county of Col- 
 umbia from the county of Schuylkill, thence extending through 
 the township of Catawissa north ten de>.;rees ea<t four miles and 
 a half to a pine tree on the little mountain, thence extending 
 through the townships of Catawissa and Mifflin north forty -five 
 degrees east five miles to a stone on Buck's mountain anrt in a 
 line dividing the county of Columbia from the county of Luzerne, 
 thence through the township of Sugarloaf in the county of Lu- 
 zerne, south seventy degrees east eight miles to the line between 
 the county of Schuylkill and the county of Luzerne, thence along 
 the said line and the line between the county of Cohimbia and the 
 county of Schuylkill to the place of beginning," should be annexed 
 to the county of Schuylkill, and be called "Union'' township." P 
 L. 1818, p. 130. 
 
 Thus shorn of her fair proportions upon the one side and the 
 other, once more, in the year 1850, we were dismembered, and the 
 county of Mimtour was erected from the territoiy of Columbia, by 
 an act approved May 3rd, by the following boundaries: "All that 
 part of Columbia county included within the limits of the town- 
 ships of Franklin, Mahoning, Valley, Liberty, Limestone, Derry, 
 Anthony, and the borough of Danville, together with all that 
 portion of the townships of Montour, Hemlock and Madison lying 
 westward of the following line : beginning at Leiby's saw mill on 
 the bank of the Susquehanna, thence by the road leading to the 
 Danville and Bloomsburg road, at or near Samuel Lazarus' house. 
 
44 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 thence from the Danville and Bloomsburg road to the back valley 
 road at the end of the lane leading from said road to Obed Ever- 
 ett's house, thence by said lane to Obed Everett's house, thence 
 northward to the school house near David Smith's, in Hemlock 
 township, thence by the road leading from said school house to 
 the state road at Robbins' mill to tjie end of the lane leading from 
 the said road to John Kinney's house, thence by a straight line to 
 John Townsend's, near the German meeting house, thence to 
 Henry Johnston's near Millville, thence by a straight line to a post 
 in the Lycoming county line near the road leading to Crawford's 
 saw mill, together with that part of Roaringcreek township lymg 
 south and west of a line beginning at the south-eastern corner of 
 Franklin township, thence eastward by the southern boundary line 
 of Catawissa township to a point directly north of John Yeager's 
 house, thence southward by a direct line, including John Yeager's 
 house, to the Schuylkill county line at the north-east corner of 
 Barry township." P. L. 1850, p. 658. 
 
 On the first of November following the act was to go into (^per- 
 ation. The excitement over the matter was intense, heightened by 
 the recollection of old contests over the question of the removal of 
 the seat of justice from Danville to Bloomsburg. Every interest 
 succumbed to the dominant question of "Repeal," and the people 
 went into the election contest on that issue. Finally by an act ap- 
 proved the 15th day of January, 1853, the division line was chang- 
 ed, and now remains as follows : "The township of Roaringcreek 
 in Montour county, and such parts of the townships of Franklin, 
 Madison and West Hemlock in the same county as lie eastward of 
 the adjusted line between Columbia and Montour counties herein- 
 after prescribed and established, shall be, and the same are hereby 
 re-annexed to the county, and shall hereafter compose a part of 
 the territory of the said county of Columbia as fully and effectually 
 as if the same had never been included within the limits of Mon- 
 tour county. That the line between the said counties of Columbia 
 and Montour shall be changed and re-located as follows, to-wit : 
 beginning at the Northumberland county line, ai or near the house 
 of Samuel Reader, thence a direct course to the center of Roaring- 
 creek in Franklin township, twenty rods above a point in said 
 creek opposite the house of John V( ught, thence from the middle 
 of the stream of said creek to the Susquehanna river, thence up 
 
HI8T0RY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 45 
 
 the centre of the same to a point opposite where the present county 
 line between Columbia and Montour strikes the north bank of the 
 river, thence to the said north bank, thence by the present division 
 line between said counties to the school house near the residence 
 of David Smith, thence to a point near the residence of Daniel 
 Smith, thence to the bridge over Deerliok run on the line between 
 Derry and Madison townships, thence by the line between said 
 township of Madison and the townships of Derry and Anthony to 
 the line of Lycoming county." By the same .act, what was then 
 Madison township in Columbia county was re-named Pine, and the 
 parts of Madison which had been set off to Mount Pleasant and 
 Hemlock were re-annexed to the old territory of Madison by this 
 act reverting to Columbia county, and remain Madison township. 
 P. L. 1853, p. 2. 
 
 As at present constituted, Columbia county contains an area of 
 a little over four hundred square miles, and a population of nearly 
 thirty-thi-ee thousand. 
 
 -!-^^ 
 
46 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 mi 
 
 1HERE is, perhaps, no County in the State which is so well 
 I watered as Columbia. This is doubtless owing to the liills 
 which diversify its surface, and which, shedding their waters in 
 all directions, leave no part of the County arid or unfertile. It is 
 impossible to designate, even by name, the multitude of runs and 
 brooks which, through the dry summer season, feed from their 
 mountain springs the larger streams which pour their waters into 
 the beautiful Susquehanna, which traverses the County for a dis- 
 tance of nearly twenty miles, entering it at the line of the Bor- 
 ough of Berwick, and leaving it at the Montour County line. 
 Bounding upon it on the north-west side are Berwick, Briarcreek, 
 Centre, Scott, Bloom, Montour; and on the south-east Mifflin, 
 Main, Catawissa and Franklin. The river is crossed at Berwick 
 by a bridge, at Mifflinville by a rope ferry, at Stonytown, in 
 Centre township, by another rope ferry, with a third at Espy, in 
 Scott township, with a fourth opposite Bloomsburg, by a bridge 
 at Catawissa, and with a rope ferry near the mouth of Roaring 
 creek. 
 
 Catawissa Creek rises in Schuylkill county and runs through 
 the entire length of the townshij)s of Beaver, Main and Catawissa 
 and empties into the North Branch Susquehanna at the point 
 where the townships of Catawissa and Franklin strike the river. 
 Its largest feeder is Scotch run, which, rising in the township of 
 Beaver, drains the Scotch Valley, and after passing the whole 
 length of the township, enters the Catawissa in INIaiu township. 
 
 Roaring Creek rises in the township of Roaringcreek, thence 
 through Locust into Catawissa, thence back into Locnst, thence 
 through Franklin, striking the line between Franklin and May- 
 berry in J\[onto>ir County, and becoming the boundary line to 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 47 
 
 where it empties into the Susquehanna ; about three miles below 
 the Catawissa. The south branch of Roaring creek rises in Con- 
 yngham township, running its entire length, and at its confines 
 striking Northumberland County, becomes the boundary line be- 
 tween Locust township in Columbia County and Northumberland, 
 and thence turning north into Franklin, empties into Roaring 
 creek about six miles above its mouth. The Indian name of the 
 stream is "Popemetung." 
 
 Hemlock Ckeek rises in Madison township, runs through Hem- 
 lock and becomes the boundary line between Montour and Hem- 
 lock for a short distance, and empties into Big Fishingcreek 
 about one mile above its mouth, and about one mile from the 
 town of Bloomsburg. 
 
 Scotch Run rises just beyond the Columbia County line in Lu- 
 zerne county, at the foot of Nescopeo mountain, and runs along 
 Its base the whole length of Beaver township, and empties into 
 Gatawissa creek, near Mainville in Main township. The Sunbury, 
 Hazleton & Wilkes-Barre railroad lies on the bank of Scotch run 
 from its mouth to its source. The stream is about fifteen miles in 
 length. Long ago, but no longer known, as a fine trout producer. 
 
 Be.v\-ek RrN rises in Beaver township on the Luzerne County 
 line, and after a course westwardly for a distance of ten miles or 
 more falls into Catawissa creek not far from the Beaver Valley 
 post oflftoe. 
 
 Little Fishingcreek enters the county at the Lycoming county 
 line, and in its course becomes the boundary line between the 
 townships of Pine and Jackson, then Pine and Greenwood, then 
 Greenwood and Madison, then Madison and Mount Pleasant, then 
 Mount Pleasant and Hemlock, and entering Big Fishingcreek 
 about four miles from its mouth, at a point where Bloom, Mount 
 Pleasant and Hemlock join, and receiving in its windings various 
 small streams, as Black run. Spruce run, Bear run, and others. 
 
 Big Fishingcreek, west branch, enters the county from Ly- 
 coming at the north corner of Jackson township,and the east branch 
 through a gap in the mountains from Sullivan county into the 
 township of Sugarloaf on the lands of Craig, Blanohard & Co.; 
 
48 IIISTORT OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 thence south through Sugarloaf to about the centre on the west 
 side, where the two branches meet, thence nearly to the south 
 end of Sugarloaf where it receives Cole's creek, thence into Ben- 
 ton, near the south-west side of which it receives West creek, 
 thence through and into Fishingcreek township, nearly to the 
 south point, where it receives Huntingdon creek — a large affluent 
 from Luzerne county — thence by a westerly course into Orange 
 where it receives Green creek, thence south-west to the boundary 
 line between Orange and Mount Pleasant, thence to the Susque- 
 hanna river as the boundary line between Orange and Mount 
 Pleasant, Scott and JMovmt Pleasant, Bloom and Hemlock, and 
 Bloom and Montour; reaching the river about two miles below 
 Bloomsburg, at Rupert, on the C'atawissa and Lackawanna & 
 Bloomsburg railroads. 
 
 Bkiaroreek, Big and Little, have their heads in the county. The 
 larger stream rises in Centre, flows eastwardly through its whole 
 length, into and through Briarcreek township, and empties into 
 the Susquehanna about three miles below the borough of Berwick. 
 The smaller rising in Briarcreek townshi}) and flowing through 
 it nearly south, emptying into the main stream about two miles 
 from its mouth. The Indian name of the stream is "Kawanisho- 
 ning." 
 
 Huntingdon Creek rises in Long Pond, in Sullivan county, and 
 is fed by springs and runs in Fairmount and Ross townships in 
 Luzerne county. It enters Columbia county near the south-east 
 corner of Fishingcreek township, and falls into the Fishingcreek 
 a few miles above Orangeville. 
 
 Cole's Creek rises in Sugarloaf township, in Columbia county, 
 and runs south, entering Fishingcreek at Alinas Cole's mill, 
 Cole's creek post-office. 
 
 Green Creek rises in Jackson township, and runs south, meeting 
 the Fishingcreek near Orangeville. It was one of the Columbia 
 county coal oil locations. 
 
 Ten Mile Run rises in Mifflin Township and after meandering 
 variously through its rich soil and absorbing several little brooks 
 on its winding way, falls into the Susquehanna, a mile below the 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 49 
 
 village of Miffinville. Grist mills and saw mills are found on its 
 route. 
 
 Many beautiful and sparkling little streams brighten the mead- 
 ows and pasture lands, giving to the citizen health, to the soil 
 fertility, and to the air salubrity. Some of those whose names are 
 known are given. 
 
 Painter Run in Sugarloaf township is also one of the tributaries 
 of big Fishingcreek. 
 
 Late's Run rises in Pine and flowing south-east falls into Fish- 
 ingcreek not far from Luther German's in School District No. 3- 
 
 Lick Run rises in Pine, takes a south-east course and enters 
 Fishingcreek at Sereno post office. 
 
 Shingle Run, rises in Pine and gathers up several smaller 
 brooks, and meets Fishingcreek in School District No. 1. 
 
 Spencer's Run rises in Benton and falls into Fishingcreek. 
 
 Raven Creek, which is quite a stream, rises in Benton township, 
 formed by two considerable branches, and running south through 
 its entire length into Fishingcreek township, falls into the Fish- 
 ingcreek at Stillwater. 
 
 Pine Creek rises in Luzerne county and running southwest falls 
 into Huntingdon creek in Columbia county, in Fishingcreek town- 
 ship, at Jonestown. 
 
 Bear Run rises in Mount Pleasant and empties into Little Fish- 
 ingcreek at Mordansville post office. 
 
 Stont Brook rises in Orange township and falls into Fishing- 
 creek a mile above Lightstreet. 
 
 Spring Run rises in Madison, at the upper end and falls into 
 Little Fishingcreek at the corners of School Districts Nos. 5 and 
 8. 
 
 Mugser's Run rises in Locust township and running westwardly 
 falls into the south branch of Roaringcreek tiear ' the junction of 
 Franklin township and Northumberland county. 
 
 Mill Creek rises in Roaringcreek township and falls into a 
 branch of Roaringcreek near Cherington's. 
 
50 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Cabin Run rises in Centre township and empties into the Sus- 
 quehanna on the farm of Levi Aikman. 
 
 Kinney's Run, a little stream emptying into the Susquehanna 
 at the foot of Market street, and by which the locality of Blooms- 
 burg was once known to the raftmen and others. 
 
 Mud Creek, which is in fact, properly, the East Branch of the 
 Chillisquaque, rises in Madison and joins the Chillisquaque at 
 Washingtonville in Montour county, and passing through the 
 township of Liberty empties into the West Branch of the Susque- 
 hanna, in Chillisquaque township, near the foot of Montour Ridge. 
 
 Limestone Run rises in the township of that name in Montour 
 county, and runs westwardly through Turbut township, into the 
 West Branch at Milton. 
 
 Bevee Run rises in Limestone and runs eastwardly into Chill- 
 isquaque. 
 
 Toby Run rises in Mahoning township and falls into the Sus- 
 quehanna at the Gas Works of the State Lunatic Asylum, above 
 Danville. 
 
 Beaver Run rises in Liberty township and runs into Northumber- 
 land County and empties itself into the Chillisquaque. 
 
 The Catawissa mountains give character to all that part of the 
 county lying east of the river. Between Bloomsburg and Cata- 
 wissa, the river, which has been running a south-west course, sud- 
 denly turns south and breaks through the mountain range instead 
 of passing down the valley. Some terrible convulsion must have 
 caused the chasm through which the winding Susquehanna pours 
 its floods, and the scenery along "The Rocks" is beautiful and 
 picturesque. The hill gradually breaks downi as it stretches into 
 Montour county, and is finally lost in the gentle depression. But 
 on the east side of the river, casting off a spur here and there, it 
 breaks the whole face of the county into great irregularities. Be- 
 tween Catawissa and Centralia two distinct ranges of mountains 
 bar the way, and upon the farther side of the second we strike 
 the coal measures of the Schuylkill region, and enter upon a coun- 
 try differing materially from all other parts of the county. 
 
 Upon the opposite or west side of the county the vast ranges 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 51 
 
 of the Munoy hills strike in, and seem to enclose us within their 
 protecting convolutions ; and passing on to the north end we en- 
 counter another branch of the great Allegheny range enveloping 
 us on that side. 
 
 Nob mountain rises abruptly in the township of Orange, 
 and extends north-eastwardly into Luzerne county, where it also 
 declines to the level of the sun-ounding country. Along its base 
 rushes Huntingdon creek, which rises in Long Pond in Sullivan 
 county, and, passing through a part of Luzerne, empties into 
 Fishingcreek just at the edge of the township of that name, 
 whence together they continue to, and pass round its western end, 
 leave its wooded sides and seek the green valleys that lie on the 
 Susquehanna. 
 
 Nescopeck mountain extends from Black creek in Luzerne coun- 
 ty westward into Columbia county, and breaks down at Mainville. 
 It is beautiful and regular in its formation, and is now being pros- 
 pected for coal. Scotch Valley lies south of it, and beyond the 
 narrow slip rises McCalla mountain, in which there is a large de- 
 posit of coal. It breaks down at about Mifflin Cross-Roads. Be- 
 yond McCalla mountain comes Beaver Valley, and beyond that 
 Buck mountain, which slides down into the valley some distance 
 above Shuman's. A map of the county, giving plainly the names 
 of streams, hills and mountains is greatly needed. 
 
 Montour's ridge extends from the West Branch above North- 
 umberland eastward, by Danville, to a point north-east of Blooms- 
 burg, where it breaks down and sinks away to the level of the sur- 
 rounding country. It is a beautiful ridge and rich in minerals ; 
 and derives its name from a celebrated Indian family of that name 
 whose history and exploits will be related as fully as they have 
 been rescued from oblivion, in a subsequent chapter. 
 
52 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 IMPKOVEIIENTS AND PRODUCTIONS. 
 
 THE public roads of the county are numerous, and new ones 
 are constantly being opened, making access to all parts of the 
 county possible by the shortest routes. They are generally in 
 good condition, well supplied with index boards, and the bridges 
 over the various streams safe and plentiful. 
 
 The North Branch Canal passes through the county. Since 
 the sale of the canals, that portion of them running from North- 
 umberland to Wilkes-Barre, 64 miles in length, has come into the 
 ownership of the "Pennsylvania Canal Company." 
 
 The capital stock of the company is five millions of dollars, 
 and the whole length of canal owned by it is 338 miles. The 
 officers are all Philadelphians, except Thomas T.'Wierman, the 
 chief engineer, who resides in Harrisburg. In this county Hugh 
 D. Quick, of Rupert, and Hudson Owen, of JBerwick, are the ac- 
 tive, vigilant and competent local superintendents. 
 
 The Catawissa Railroad runs from Tamanend to Williamsport, 
 94 miles ; having depots in Columbia county as follows : Rupert, 
 Catawissa, Mainville, Beaver Valley, Girard Manor, and others. 
 It is now under lease to the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad 
 Company. 
 
 The Danville, Hazleton & Wilkes-Barre Railroad, now under 
 lease to the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and known since its 
 sale and re-organization, as the Sunbury, Hazleton & Wilkes- 
 Barre Railway, runs from Sunbury to Tomhickon ; and in Col- 
 umbia county on the east side of the river, having a depot at Cat- 
 awissa, Mainville, Miflilin X Roads and Glen City. It is 40 miles 
 in length, and is a new and important outlet for coal and produce 
 heretofore mostly inaccessible. 
 
 The Lackawanna & Bloomsburg Railroad, from Scranton to 
 Northumberland, on the west side of the river, is 80 miles in 
 
MIS TOM Y OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 53 
 
 lenglili, and has depots .in Columbia county at .Berwick, Willow 
 Spriuga,- Lime Ridge, Espy, Bloomsburg, Rupei;t , and Catawissa 
 Bridge. .It is now owned by the Delaware,. Lackawanuatt West- 
 ern Railroad Company. 
 
 The North and We^t Branch Railroad, a most, important one 
 in this region, was authorized by act of Assembly approved May 
 13, 1871, empowering the company- "to construct a railroad from 
 thC' borough of Wilkes-Barre in the county of I^uzerne, along the 
 south side of the North Branch of the Susquehaima river, to a 
 point opposite the town of Bloomsburg, in the - county of Colum- 
 bia, and thence by a bridge over said river and by the valley of 
 Little Fishingcreek to the city of Williamsport, by the name, 
 style and title of the North and West Branch Rah.road Com- 
 pany, with power to construct a branch from near the town of 
 Bloomsburg up the valley of Big Fishingcreek to connect with 
 any existing or projected railroad m Sullivan county, with the 
 right to connect with or cross at grade any railroad now made or 
 hereafter to be made within the counties of Luzerne, Columbia, 
 Montour, Sullivan or Lycoming, and with the right to build 
 branches not exceeding ten miles, each in length." The road has 
 been constructed* from Wilkes-Barre to a point on the river, op- 
 posite Bloomsburg, and thence down the river to Catawissa, con- 
 necting with the Sunbury, Hazleton and, Wilkes-Barre at that 
 place. The route from Bloomsburg to Williamsport has been 
 surveyed and some further work done, and it is in contemplation 
 to begin the construction of the road at an early day. 
 
 Hunlock's Cr^ek is another projected road, "from near the 
 mouth of Hunlock's creek in the county of Luzerne, through the 
 township of Huntingdon to the borough of Muncyin Lycoming 
 county, by the name, style and title of the Hunlock's Creek and 
 Muncy Railroad Company, with the right to connect with the 
 Philadelphia & Erie, the Lackawanna & Bloomsburg, or any 
 other railroad now made or hereafter to be made within the coun- 
 ties of Luzerne and Lycoming, with the right to build branches 
 not exceeding ten miles in length." 
 
 Several rou.tes have been examined , and surveyed, all of which 
 go for a shorter or longer distance through the county of Colum- 
 bia- .It seems to us impossible to build th^ road without passing 
 through Benton or Sugar'.o.if or both. ., Qur people ^re thei:efore 
 
o4 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 greatly interested in the construction of the road, which with the 
 North and West Branch road will give to us a positive and per- 
 manent advantage in the coal, iron and lumber trade of this re- 
 gion of country. 
 
 It is hardly necessary to add that nearly all the business places 
 in Bloomsburg are connected by telephone, and many of them 
 also to the residence of the respective business houses. The line 
 has been extended to Danville, Catawissa, Rupert, Millville and 
 Orangeville, from the central office at Bloomsburg. 
 
 The Tide Water Pipe Line Company are constructing an oil 
 line through the county, and are accompanying it by a telegraph 
 line, which connects Buckhorn, Jerseytown and other places, di- 
 rectly with Bloomsburg. 
 
 The limestone trade of the county is very large. The railroads 
 have transported annually one hundred thousand tons, and a very 
 large tonnage has been shipped on the canal, but the separate items 
 of freight are not made up, so that the number of tons cannot be 
 ascertained. The amount used in the manufacture of iron is given 
 in the statistics of that trade ; and there are no data for estimat- 
 ing the immense number of bushels of lime annually burned and 
 delivered to fanners at the kilns. 
 
 It is imposible to tell what amount of coal may exist in Colum- 
 bia county. Even in the region of Conyngham and Beaver it is 
 only partially developed; and there are claimed to be abundant 
 and satisfactory evidences of the existence of coal in the 
 northern townships of the county ; in Nob mountain and in the 
 mountains of Sugarloaf. In this latter township it is claimed that 
 there are large and rich deposits of iron ore, and if coal is also de- 
 veloped, with the lumber thereabouts, there must shortly be a large 
 access of wealth and population, increased and stimulated by the 
 building of the railroads through there which have been mention- 
 ed under the proper heads. But the production of coal is so un- 
 certain that it is hardly worth the while to make any statement 
 about it. It is sufficient to say that as much as 400,000 tons has 
 been mined in one year within the county. And the same may be 
 said of the manufacture of pig iron ; but which in any thing like 
 a fair commercial year averages about 20,000 tons. For each ton 
 of iron manufactured there is required 2.05 tons of coal, 3.25 tons 
 of ore, and 1.59 tons of limestone. 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 55 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 TO^iT^iTSHIFS <Sc BOI2,0"CJC3-I3:S. 
 
 WHEN in 1813 the county of Columbia was separately organ- 
 ized, it consisted of the twelve townships following, to-wit : 
 Bloom, Briarcreek, Chillisquaque, Catawissa, Derry, Fishingcreek, 
 Greenwood, Hemlock, Mahoning, Mifflin, Sugarloaf and Turbut. 
 
 Turbut township was declared at April sessions, 1772, by the 
 Court, one of the townships into which Northumberland county 
 was divided. 
 
 Mahoning township was erected at February sessions 1775, out 
 of part of Turbut. 
 
 Catawissa township was erected at August sessions 1785 out of 
 Augusta. 
 
 Chillisquaque township was erected at May sessions 1786 out of 
 parts of Turbut and Mahoning. 
 
 Derry township was erected at May sessions 1786, out of Tur- 
 but. 
 
 Fishingcreek township was erected at August sessions 1789 out 
 of part of Wyoming. 
 
 Briarcreek township was erected at August sessions 1797, out 
 of Fishingcreek township. 
 
 Bloom township was erected at August sessions 1798 out of 
 Briarcreek. 
 
 Greenwood township was erected at August sessions 1799, out 
 of part of Fishingcreek township. 
 
 Of Hemlock, Mifflin, and Sugarloaf the records fail to give me 
 any information. 
 
56 MISrOEY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 The portions of Chillisquaque and Turbut re-annexed to Col- 
 umbia county by the act of January 22, 1816, were erected into 
 the townships of Liberty and Limestone, both now in Montour 
 county. 
 
 Madison township was erected out of part of Derry, now in 
 Montour county, by petition to the court at the April sessions, A- 
 D. 1817. 
 
 Mount Pleasant was formed out of parts of Greenvrood and 
 Fishing-creek and, we believe. Bloom, at the January sessions, A. 
 D. 1818. 
 
 Berwick was created a borough by act of Assembly, on the 29th 
 day of January, A. D. 1818. 
 
 Roaringcreek was cut off from Catawissa, and became a town- 
 ship at the January sessions, A. D. 1832. 
 
 Montour township was erected out of territory taken from 
 Hemlock at November sessions, A. D. 1837. 
 
 Jackson became a township at the November sessions, A. D. 
 1838, being formed out of parts of Greenwood and Sugarloaf. 
 
 Valley, now in Montour county, was stricken off from Mahon- 
 ing and Derry, also both now in Montour county, at the August 
 sessions of 1839. It was proposed by the petitioners to call the 
 township "Baldy,'' but it was finally organized by the name of 
 Valley. 
 
 Orange was for a long time a separate election district, but not 
 a township. But at the April court, 1839, after some opposition, 
 parts of Bloom, Mount Pleasant and Fishingcreek were carved 
 out and the name Orange given to the territory. 
 
 Franklin township, including what is now known as Mayberry, 
 in Montour county, was stricken off from Catawissa at the April 
 court, A. D. 1843. 
 
 Main was erected at the January court, A. D. 1844, out of por- 
 tions of the townships of Catawissa and Mifflin. 
 
 Centre was formed at the same court, January, 1844, out of 
 parts of Bloom and Briarcreek. 
 
 Beaver was for a considerable time called the "Paxton Dis- 
 trict," in respect, we believe, to Col. Joseph Paxton ; but in the 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. ru 
 
 year 1845, at November sessions, it was erected into a townshij) 
 by the name of Beaver. It belonged formerly to Mifflin. 
 
 Anthony, now in Montour county, was struck ofF from the upper 
 end of Derry at the November sessions, 1847, and' named in hon- 
 or of Joseph B. Anthony, the then President Judge. 
 
 Benton was cut ofE from Sugarloaf at the August session, A. 
 D. 1850. 
 
 Pine was brought into existence by an act of Assembly of 15 
 January, 1853, the fruit of the division process. 
 
 Locust came by its present name by an act of Assembly of 
 April 18, 1853. It had been received from Montour county in the 
 straightening of the division line, where it had been known as the 
 township of "Scott." It had formerly been a part of Roaring- 
 creek, and upon being received back into Columbia was named 
 Locust. 
 
 Scott township was formed out of a part of Bloom at the Sep- 
 tember session A. D. 1853. 
 
 Conyngham, named in honor of the then President Judge, was 
 formed out of part of Locust township at the February sessions, 
 A. D. 1856. 
 
 Centralia Borough, in said township of Conyngham, was con- 
 firmed after a warm contest, at the February court in A. D. 1866. 
 
 "The Town of Bloomsburg" was organized by an act of Assem- 
 bly of March 4, 1870. It embraces all that had been left of the 
 territory of Bloom township at the date of the act. The organi- 
 zation is quasi borough. More than one eif ort had been previ- 
 ously made to secure a borough charter, but the bad shape of the 
 remaining portion of the township had defeated the applications. 
 The act of organization was a sjsecial one, embracing some of the 
 sections and provisions of the general borough laws. In the elec- 
 tion of its municipal officers the principle of the free vote as ad- 
 vocated by Senator Buckalew was applied. The working of it 
 was practically tested at our first election on the twelfth day of 
 April, A. D. 1870 ; which was also the first time that the system 
 had been applied in the United States, and at that election Mr. 
 Buckalew cast the first vote in illustration of his system. 
 
58 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 RECAPITULATION. 
 
 Turbut, original, May session 1772 
 
 Mahoning, original, February session 1775 
 
 Catawissa, original, August session 1785 
 
 Chillisquaque, original. May session 1786 
 
 Derry, original, May session 1786 
 
 Fishingcreek, original, August session 1789 
 
 Briaroreek, original, August session 1797 
 
 Bloom, original, August session 1798 
 
 Greenwood, original, August session 1799 
 
 Hemlock, original, no date of erection 
 
 Mif&in, original, no date of erection 
 
 Sugarloaf, original, no date of erection 
 
 Liberty, by Act of Assembly 1816 
 
 Limestone, by Act of Assembly 1816 
 
 Madison 1817 
 
 Mount Pleasant 1818 
 
 Berwick Borough 1818 
 
 Roaringcreek 1832 
 
 Montour 1837 
 
 Jackson 1 838 
 
 Orange 1839 
 
 Franklin 1843 
 
 Main 1844 
 
 Centre 1844 
 
 Beaver 1845 
 
 Benton 1850 
 
 Pine 1853 
 
 Locust, theretofore "Scott" 1853 
 
 Scott, out of Bloom 1853 
 
 Conyngham 1856 
 
 Centralia Borough 1866 
 
 The Town of Bloomsburg 1870 
 
HIHTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 59 
 
 CHAPTER IX 
 
 I=OI=TJIj.fi^mOiT. 
 
 IN 1820 the population as then existing was 17,621, and in 1850 
 after the erection of Montour county the population remaining 
 was 17,700; and at the same period Montour county had within its 
 borders 13,493 persons. 
 
 Since 1850 Columbia county has almost doubled in population, a 
 portion of which increase is, however, due to the readjustment of 
 the lines in 1853. The county having been, up to within a very 
 short time almost entirely agricultural, the growth in population 
 has been less rapid than in those localities wherein manufacturing 
 is largely pursued. The influence of special industrial pursuits 
 may be shown by the following figures. In 1850 the population 
 of Berwick was 486, in 1880 it was 2095. — In 1850 Catawissa was 
 1143, in 1880 it was 2003— In 1850 Bloom and Scott, then to- 
 gether, had 3122, in 1880 they make 5049— In 1850 Danville 
 Borough was 3302, in 1880 it was 7899. So too, Beaver town- 
 ship, which had in 1850 a population of 672, had in 1880 increas- 
 ed to 1221. Take it all in all, however, the increase in population 
 has been healthy and satisfactory. It has not been stimulated by 
 any undue excitement, nor by any unsubstantial and transitory in- 
 dustry. It is therefore permanent, and no greater than can be 
 properly absorbed and usefully employed. Such settlers give 
 strength and stability to manufactures, and aiford a constant and 
 remunerative market for the produce of the farmer, and the goods, 
 wares and merchandise of the shopman. 
 
 We give the census by townships for every decade since the 
 erection of the county. The curious discrepancies that ap- 
 pt aj- will be properly referred by the reader to tbe forujation of 
 new townships and to the erection of Monlour county and the 
 
6') 
 
 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 correction and rearrangement of the division lines. The blanks 
 opposite the townships for some of the years indicate their non- 
 existence at that date, except in the case of Roaringcreek, which 
 in 1850 was in Montour county. 
 
 The time of the erection of the different townships and tlie ter- 
 rit')ry out of which they were formed will be found under the 
 head of "Township-i and Boroughs," an.d the coinpariffon of p<.p- 
 nlation can as well be made by the reader as by the compiler. 
 
 In 1S30 the taxables in the counry, inclnding Mot. tout-, were 
 2486. They will be found below for 1882, for Columbia county 
 alone, as well as some estimate of acreage and values; of course ihe 
 ter is constantly fluctuating and is consequently only a basis for 
 future comparisons. 
 
 T OWNSHIPS. 
 
 Taxa- 
 bles 
 
 Acres ot 
 unseated 
 lands. 
 
 Acres of Value of 
 sea'd lands unseated 
 
 Value of 
 seated 
 
 Bi-aver 
 
 Benton ... 
 Berwick . . . 
 Bloorasburg 
 Briarcreek . . 
 Catawissa. . 
 Centralia. . . 
 
 Ceiitre 
 
 Conyngham 
 Fishingcieek.. 
 
 Franklin 
 
 Greenwoorl . . . 
 
 Hemlock 
 
 Jackson 
 
 Locust 
 
 Main 
 
 Madison . . . . . 
 
 Mifllin 
 
 Montour 
 
 Mt. Pleasant.. 
 
 Orange 
 
 Pine 
 
 Roaringcreek . 
 
 Scott 
 
 Sugarloaf .... 
 
 Total 
 
 8.326 
 
 139,449 
 
 12965 
 
 11699 
 
 448 
 
 2091 
 
 11134 
 
 5691 
 
 226 
 
 11643 
 5733 
 
 15622 
 7243 
 
 16621 
 9150 
 9399 
 
 22343 
 6320 
 
 18585 
 9975 
 6155 
 9584 
 7543 
 
 13503 
 9518 
 4032 
 
 12185 
 
 239,408 
 
 $139,449 
 
 $102829 
 141856 
 132272 
 629142 
 248390 
 253963 
 120915 
 282994 
 418755 
 181764 
 
 99665 
 203295 
 186785 
 
 47699 
 243372 
 114881 
 173018 
 172150 
 160449 
 126761 
 146463 
 
 65425 
 
 75580 
 239236 
 
 69388 
 
 4,607,047- 
 
HIISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 CI 
 
 The census figures for the year 1850 are a little confused in 
 both counties, because of the division that year, and some uncer- 
 tainty about the lines. But for 1860, 1870 and 1880 they are 
 substantially, perhaps exactly, correct. 
 
 CENSUS. 
 
 TOWNSHIPS. 
 
 1820 
 
 1830 
 
 2081 
 1706 
 3130 
 
 1688 
 568 
 
 iiio 
 
 1681 
 
 liii 
 
 540 
 
 1796 
 
 1554 
 1791 
 
 '715 
 
 '678 
 
 1840 
 
 452 
 1774 
 1451 
 2060 
 
 1753 
 902 
 
 1217 
 957 
 265 
 
 1329 
 646 
 
 1927 
 
 1700 
 
 2143 
 
 809 
 
 609 
 
 843 
 
 1842 
 
 630 
 934 
 
 1850 
 
 I860 
 
 1870 
 
 1880 
 
 Beaver 
 
 1626 
 1719 
 2520 
 
 1662 
 502 
 
 1078 
 1464 
 
 1146 
 426 
 
 1478 
 
 1330 
 1492 
 
 '673 
 '505 
 
 672 
 
 486 
 3122 
 1091 
 1143 
 
 1019 
 
 1110 
 
 1260 
 
 1087 
 
 374 
 
 581 
 714 
 
 1024 
 409 
 708 
 
 1077 
 
 519 
 1316 
 
 901 
 
 893 
 
 « 
 
 2668 
 1734 
 1176 
 
 1360 
 1326 
 
 1266 
 
 533 
 
 1470 
 
 1037 
 
 539 
 
 1897 
 
 529 
 
 1146 
 
 1021 
 
 485 
 
 776 
 
 930 
 
 555 
 
 509 
 
 1562 
 
 752 
 
 25065 
 
 969 
 1050 
 
 923 
 3340 
 1080 
 1627 
 1340 
 1320 
 1960 
 
 1370 
 
 550 
 
 1585 
 
 1170 
 
 565 
 
 1550 
 
 'eoi 
 
 1090 
 1043 
 624 
 750 
 910 
 760 
 485 
 1465 
 
 '76'l 
 
 28766 
 
 1221 
 
 Benton ........ 
 
 1062 
 
 Berwick 
 
 2095 
 
 Bloorasburg 
 
 Briarcreek 
 
 Catawipsa. 
 
 Centralia 
 
 3702 
 1172 
 2003 
 1509 
 
 Cenlre 
 
 1256 
 
 Couyngham 
 
 Derry 
 
 Fishingcreek 
 
 Franklin 
 
 2183 
 
 1447 
 543 
 
 Greenwood 
 
 Hemlock 
 
 1710 
 1080 
 
 Jackson 
 
 Liberty 
 
 675 
 
 Limestone 
 
 Locust 
 
 2014 
 
 Mahoning 
 
 Main 
 
 626 
 
 Madison 
 
 1077 
 
 Mifflin 
 
 Montour 
 
 1038 
 662 
 
 Mount Pleasant.. . 
 
 Orange .... 
 
 Pine 
 
 760 
 901 
 911 
 
 Roaringcreek 
 
 Scott 
 
 533 
 1347 
 
 Valley 
 
 
 Sugarloaf 
 
 869 
 
 Total 
 
 17621 
 
 20149 
 
 24243 
 
 17700 
 
 32439 
 
 *With Briarcreek. 
 
62 
 
 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 MONTOUR COUNTY. 
 
 Though not separately organized until 1850, -we give the census 
 of Montour county, before and since its erection, complete. In 
 the chapter on "Townships and Boroughs" there will be found 
 some other interesting matter. 
 
 Townships. 
 
 1820 
 
 1830 
 
 1840 
 
 1850 
 
 1860 
 
 1870 
 
 1880 
 
 Derry 
 
 Liberty 
 
 Limestone 
 
 Mahoning 
 
 Valley 
 
 Roaringcr'k 
 
 1662 
 
 1146 
 
 426 
 
 1478 
 
 1688 
 
 nil 
 
 540 
 1796 
 
 1753 
 1329 
 
 646 
 1927 
 
 638 
 
 853 
 
 1232 
 
 763 
 
 867 
 
 760 
 
 2000 
 
 1255 
 
 3302 
 
 956 
 
 1000 
 
 193 
 
 312 
 
 933 
 1173 
 850 
 744 
 901 
 
 888 
 1234 
 
 711 
 1033 
 1062 
 
 950 
 1166 
 
 733 
 1198 
 
 890 
 
 
 
 
 Madison 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Danville 
 
 6385 
 965 
 
 8129 
 960 
 
 7899 
 
 Anthony 
 Franklin 
 
 
 
 
 953 
 
 
 
 
 
 W. Hemlock 
 
 
 
 
 433 
 396 
 273 
 
 398 
 414 
 215 
 
 379 
 
 Cooper 
 Mayberry 
 
 
 
 
 380 
 
 
 
 
 229 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Total 
 
 4,712 
 
 5,135 
 
 6,288 
 
 13,493 
 
 13,053 
 
 15,044 
 
 14,777 
 
 Note. — In straightening out the division lines in 1853, Roar- 
 ingoreek and Franklin were brought back into Columbia county, 
 except part of Franklin which became Mayberry in Montour 
 county. Madison was brought back, except a small corner added 
 to West Hemlock. 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 63 
 
 THE ST-a-TE'S -^OTEI^S. 
 
 POPULATION OF PENNSYLVANIA BY COUNTIES, AND CITIZENS OVER 
 TWENTY-ONE. 
 
 1882. 
 
 Population. 
 
 Counties. B '£, S. 
 
 H ^ Q 
 
 Adams 32455 31984 471 
 
 Allegheny 355869 347968 7901 
 
 Armstrong 47641 47363 278 
 
 Beaver 39605 39163 442 
 
 Bedford 34929 34346 583 
 
 Berks 122597 122146 451 
 
 Blair 52740 52257 483 
 
 Bradford 58541 58003 538 
 
 Bucks 68656 67107 1549 
 
 Butler 52536 52408 128 
 
 Cambria 46811 46602 209 
 
 Cameron 5159 5151 8 
 
 Carbon 31923 31882 41 
 
 Centre 37922 37574 348 
 
 Chester 83481 76402 7079 
 
 Clarion 40328 40228 100 
 
 Clearfield 43408 43287 121 
 
 Clinton 26278 25992 286 
 
 Columbia 32439 32264 145 
 
 Crawford 68607 68112 499 
 
 Cumberland 45977 43867 2170 
 
 Dauphin 76148 72364 3784 
 
 Delaware 56101 51487 4614 
 
 Elk 12800 12779 21 
 
 Erie 74688 74345 343 
 
 Fayette 58842 56952 1890 
 
 Forest 4385 4373 12 
 
 Franklin 49855 47304 2551 
 
 Fulton 10149 10020 129 
 
 Greene 28273 27770 503 
 
 Huntingdon 33954 33674 280 
 
 Indiana 40527 40299 228 
 
 Jeffereon 27935 27898 37 
 
 Juniata 18227 17966 261 
 
 Males of 21 and 
 
 OVER. 
 
 ^^ 
 7315 
 
 46418 
 
 9328 
 
 7834 
 
 7447 
 
 27364 
 
 10625 
 
 13877 
 
 16360 
 
 10126 
 
 7581 
 
 1145 
 
 4805 
 
 8297 
 
 17467 
 
 8091 
 
 8348 
 
 5453 
 
 6968 
 
 14891 
 
 10375 
 
 15624 
 
 9343 
 
 2094 
 
 13523 
 
 12198 
 
 950 
 
 10677 
 
 2144 
 
 6590 
 
 7251 
 
 8668 
 
 5550 
 
 6904 
 
 60 
 
 O 
 
 312 
 
 41051 
 
 1382 
 
 1903 
 
 445 
 
 2721 
 
 1938 
 
 1964 
 
 2009 
 
 2310 
 
 3457 
 
 329 
 
 2767 
 
 603 
 
 2956 
 
 1234 
 
 2864 
 
 1130 
 
 829 
 
 3030 
 
 385 
 
 2196 
 
 4003 
 
 1582 
 
 6147 
 
 2133 
 
 228 
 
 500 
 
 108 
 
 96 
 
 616 
 
 614 
 
 727 
 
 133 
 
 "o 
 
 125 
 
 2510 
 
 68 
 
 112 
 
 133 
 
 121 
 
 150 
 
 146 
 
 429 
 
 37 
 
 67 
 
 4 
 
 16 
 
 98 
 
 1789 
 
 26 
 
 36 
 
 685 
 
 40 
 
 137 
 
 515 
 
 1068 
 
 1288 
 
 7 
 
 109 
 
 477 
 
 2 
 
 599 
 
 31 
 
 114 
 
 8S 
 
 59 
 
 14 
 
 62 
 
64 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Population. 
 
 Males of 21 and 
 
 OVEK. 
 
 Counties. 
 
 o 
 
 Lackawanna 89269 
 
 Lancaster 139447 
 
 Lawrence 33312 
 
 Lebanon 38476 
 
 Lehigh 65969 
 
 Luzerne 133065 
 
 Lycoming 56486 
 
 McKean 42565 
 
 Mercer 56161 
 
 Mifflin 19577 
 
 Monroe 20175 
 
 Montgomery 96494 
 
 Montour 15468 
 
 Northampton 70312 
 
 Northumb'd 53123 
 
 Perry 27522 
 
 Philadelphia 847170 
 
 Pike 9663 
 
 Potter 13797 
 
 Schuylkill 12974 
 
 Snyder 17797 
 
 Somerset 33110 
 
 Sullivan 8073 
 
 Susquehanna. . . . . 40354 
 
 Tioga 45814 
 
 Union 16905 
 
 Venango 43670 
 
 Warren 27981 
 
 Washington 55418 
 
 Wayne 33513 
 
 Westmoreland . . . 78036 
 
 Wyoming 15598 
 
 York 87841 
 
 'T3 
 
 5 
 
 88971 
 
 9 
 298 
 
 ? CB 
 
 9946 
 
 136596 
 
 2851 
 
 30411 
 
 33076 
 
 236 
 
 6776 
 
 38391 
 
 85 
 
 9005 
 
 65851 
 
 118 
 
 13913 
 
 132310 
 
 755 
 
 16468 
 
 56508 
 
 978 
 
 4838 
 
 42211 
 
 854 
 
 11801 
 
 55735 
 
 426 
 
 10799 
 
 19362 
 
 215 
 
 4298 
 
 20020 
 
 155 
 
 4579 
 
 94731 
 
 1763 
 
 20632 
 
 15361 
 
 107 
 
 3060 
 
 69987 
 
 325 
 
 14732 
 
 52929 
 
 194 
 
 10636 
 
 27368 
 
 164 
 
 6150 
 
 815362 
 
 31808 
 
 133470 
 
 9579 
 
 84 
 
 1755 
 
 13770 
 
 27 
 
 3442 
 
 129616 
 
 358 
 
 18118 
 
 17778 
 
 19 
 
 4155 
 
 32994 
 
 116 
 
 6908 
 
 8070 
 
 3 
 
 1663 
 
 40135 
 
 219 
 
 9224 
 
 45699 
 
 115 
 
 10177 
 
 16772 
 
 133 
 
 4036 
 
 43120 
 
 550 
 
 8480 
 
 27784 
 
 197 
 
 5759 
 
 52774 
 
 2644 
 
 11998 
 
 33482 
 
 31 
 
 6081 
 
 77349 
 
 687 
 
 15661 
 
 15577 
 
 21 
 
 3843 
 
 86481 
 
 1360 
 
 19087 
 
 '53 
 o 
 
 11862 
 
 3762 
 
 1532 
 
 687 
 
 2719 
 
 16170 
 
 2397 
 
 3057 
 
 3000 
 
 270 
 
 449 
 
 484 
 
 874 
 
 3172 
 
 2266 
 
 237 
 
 88987 
 
 688 
 
 494 
 
 12162 
 
 44 
 
 844 
 
 479 
 
 1776 
 
 2387 
 
 105 
 
 1882 
 
 2215 
 
 1625 
 
 2599 
 
 3333 
 
 312 
 
 1581 
 
 kecapitdlation. 
 
 a> 
 o 
 'o 
 
 o 
 
 102 
 
 772 
 
 62 
 
 28 
 
 37 
 
 216 
 
 274 
 
 143 
 
 113 
 
 61 
 
 43 
 
 551 
 
 21 
 
 98 
 
 63 
 
 43 
 
 8967 
 
 27 
 
 8 
 
 93 
 
 6 
 
 76 
 
 3 
 
 70 
 
 41 
 
 32 
 
 146 
 
 56 
 
 651 
 
 10 
 
 180 
 
 6 
 
 359 
 
 Population. 
 
 White 4,197,016 
 
 Colored 85,875 
 
 Total 4,282,891 
 
 Males over 21. 
 
 Native white 797,532 
 
 Foreign 272,860 
 
 Colored 23,892 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 65 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 X^ElK^O^^-fi^L. 
 
 IMMEDIATELY after the location of the seat of justice at 
 Danville, th§ agitation for a removal thereof to Bloomsburg 
 commenced, and it was carried on without intermission and with 
 more or less intrigue, excitement, diversion and asperity, for a 
 period of thirty years. It is hardly worth while to wi'ite up 
 the history of that long and bitter contest. Its track is strewed 
 with the wrecks of unfortunate local politicians who had mistaken 
 the temper of the people, or were themselves the mere tools of 
 more designing intriguers. Thus the astute politicians of Dan- 
 ville played off the Borough of Berwick against Bloomsburg ; at 
 one time by proposing a new county to be composed of parts of 
 Columbia and Luzerne, with the Capitol at Berwick, at another 
 by threatening to go solid for removal, but making it to be to 
 Berwick instead of to Bloomsburg. Party politics were lost 
 sight of in the election of county oiRcers, and year after year re- 
 moval and anti-removal candidates tested the strength of the re- 
 spective localities. 
 
 But the steady friends of removal had no cause for filibuster- 
 ing. Their object was plain and pronounced, and led by such 
 men as Daniel Snyder, William McKelvy, Charles H. Doebler 
 and Thomas A. Funston, their partisans stood up to the work, 
 and every year showed an increasing vote for the re-location of 
 the seat of Justice. The legislative lobby prevented the necessary 
 action, and the weary years dragged on and on. As a somewhat 
 curious document, I copy a statement by citizens of the county in 
 favor of the measure, which very fully sets out the course of the 
 struggle, and furnishes some matter for thought. 
 
66 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 "removal or THE SEAT OF JUSTICE OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives of 
 the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 
 
 The undersigned, agents in behalf of the petitioners for re- 
 moval of the seat of justice in Columbia county, beg leave to lay 
 before you the following statement of the principle facts in the 
 case, and the grounds on which they rely, to procure the equita- 
 ble interference of your honourable bodies. 
 
 By an Act of Assembly approved the 22d day of March 1813, 
 the county of Columbia was erected out of a part of Old North- 
 umberland. Its bounds by that act, were extended to the West 
 branch of the Susquehanna, and included two large townships, 
 (Chillisquaque and Turbut,) which were, soon after the county 
 town was fixed at Danville, by an act of Assembly, struck off 
 from Columbia, and re-annexed to Northumberland county. 
 
 By the 9th section of the Act first above mentioned, it is pro- 
 vided' "That the Governor shall appoint three discreet and disin- 
 terested persons, not resident in the counties of Northumberland 
 Union, or Columbia, whose duty it shall be, after being sworn or 
 affirmed before some Judge or Justice of the Peace, to fix upon a 
 proper and convenient site for a Court house, prison, and county 
 offices, within the aforesaid county of Columbia, as near the cen- 
 tre as the situation thereof will admit, and the said persons or a 
 majority of them, having viewed the relative advantages of the 
 several situations contemplated by the people, shall on or before 
 the first day of July next, by a written report," &c. See act of 
 Assembly session 1812-13, page 146. 
 
 But two of the Commissioners appointed by the Governor at- 
 tended ; and they did not comply with the requisitions of the act 
 of Assembly, to place the seat of Justice "as near the centre as the 
 situation thereof would admit," although the two townships above 
 mentioned were at that time, a part of the county. It was known 
 to some, and believed by all, that improper and unfair means 
 had been used to procure the location at Danville — ^the most ob- 
 vious of which was, the taking in the said townships, against the 
 will of nine-tenths of the inhabitants, and retaining them until 
 after the location was made. A large majority of the people im- 
 mediately expressed their dissatisfaction with the decision of the 
 Commissioners, and commenced operations to procure a proper 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 67 
 
 location of their seat of justice, as will be seen by the following 
 appeals to the Legislature. 
 
 January 11, 1814, Mr Rupert presented nineteen petitions of 
 similar tenor, from inhabitants of Columbia county, praying, for 
 reasons therein expressed, for the removal of the seat of justice of 
 said county from the town of Danville to the town of Bloomsburg; 
 and said petitions were read and referred to Messrs. Rupert, Milli- 
 ken, Bollinger, Forster and Dingman — See Journal H. R. session 
 1813-14, page 126. 
 
 February 2, 1814, Mr. Rupert from the committee to whom 
 were referred on the 11th ult. sundry petitions praying &c, Re- 
 port, That they have attended to the same, and on examination 
 find that 1046 of the citizens of Columbia county have signed pe- 
 titions praying the Legislature to pass a law removing the seat of 
 justice from the town of Danville to the town of Bloomsburg. 
 The petitioners state that the people of the county of Columbia 
 have not been relieved from the numerous grievances which they 
 labored under, inasmuch as the seat of justice fixed by the com- 
 missioners, at Danville, is on the very verge of the county, and 
 only twelve miles from the old county town, [Sunbury] and that 
 the town of Bloomsburg on Big Fishing Creek, a pure and navi- 
 gable stream of water, and only one mile from the river Suso'-e- 
 hanna, will be more convenient and much more central. From a 
 view of the map and the knowledge some of your committee have 
 of Columbia county, they are of opinion that the seat of justice 
 being fixed at Danville, does not comport with the meaning and 
 spirit of the law, which declares in the ninth section, that the 
 seat of justice shall be fixed as near the centre as the situation 
 thereof will admit. Believing as they do, that the town of 
 Bloomsburg is more central, and considering that it is in a fertile 
 country and convenient to permanent streams of water suitable 
 for water works, [so beneficial to country towns] they are of 
 opinion that the prayer of the petitioners ought to be granted. 
 They reported the following resolution. 
 
 Resolved, That a committee be appointed to bring in a bill 
 agreeable to the prayer of the petitioners. Laid on the table. 
 See Journal H. R. session 1813-14, pages 270, 271. 
 
 December 14, 1814. On motion of Messrs. Owen and Shaffer, 
 ordered that an item of unfinished business, relative to the re- 
 
68 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 moval of the seat of justice of the county of Columbia from Dan- 
 ville to Bloomsburg, be referred to the members from the counties 
 of Northumberland, Union and Columbia. See Journal H. R. 
 session 1814-15, page 54. 
 
 March 1, 1815. Mr. Owen presented twenty petitions of simi- 
 lar tenor from sundry inhabitants of Columbia county, praying 
 the removal of the seat of justice of said county from Danville 
 and said petitions were read and recommended to the early atten- 
 tion of the next Legislature. See Journal H. R. page 498. 
 
 While the foregoing proceedings were pending, the Citizens of 
 Chillisquaque and Turbut townships were not inactive — with but 
 one voice they had applied to be reannexed to Northumberland 
 county ; and the Legislature by an act approved the day of 
 detached them from the county of Colum- 
 bia, and annexed them to Northumberland, thereby rendering 
 Danville still more out of the centre, both of territory and popu- 
 lation. 
 
 The people under this new aspect of affairs, recommenced their 
 application to the Legislature for redress, and the following pro- 
 ceedings were had. 
 
 December 8, 1815, January 4, 1816, January 16, 1816. Peti- 
 tions presented for removal &c. and referred to a committee, re- 
 port unfavorable. See Journal of H. R. session 1815-16, pages 
 15, 105, 210, 206. 
 
 [On Thursday the 15th of February 1816 a meeting of delegates 
 from a number of townships in the county, elected pursjj,ant to a 
 call of the standing committee, was held in Bloomsburg' 'for the pur- 
 pose of devising measures to obtain a removal of the seat of justice" 
 for said county from Danville to a more central situation." The 
 ■ meeting was organized by appointing Col. Leonard Rupert, Presi- 
 dent, and Samuel Webb Jr. Secretary. The townships were rep- 
 resented as follows: 
 
 Bloom — Levi Aikman, Samuel Webb Jr. 
 Briarcreek — John Stewart, George Kelchner. 
 Catawissa — Major Joseph Paxton, William Brewer. 
 Derry — Jacob Swisher, Marshal Girton. 
 Fishingcreek — Daniel Bealer, William Robbins. 
 Greenwood — Abner Mendenhall, Henry Miller. 
 Sugarloaf^-Philip Fritz, William Wilson. 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 69 
 
 The meeting unanimously resolved to petition the legislature 
 to pass a law granting the citizens a right to vote "for the seat of 
 Justice in said county,'' and Paxton, Mendenhall, and Webb Jr. 
 were appointed a committee for the purpose of procuring the nec- 
 essary legislation.] 
 
 February 22, 1816. Mr. M'Glure presented a petition praying 
 that a law may be passed to suspend the erection of public build- 
 ings for the county of Columbia for one year, and that the citi- 
 zens of said county may be authorized at a special or at the next 
 general election, by their votes to fix on a place for the seat of 
 justice for said county. Read and referred. See Journal H. R, 
 session 1815-16, page 439. 
 
 Report that they have had the same under consideration and 
 are of opinion that, Danville is not a suitable place for the seat of 
 justice, being in a remote corner of the county of Columbia, and 
 that there is another site quite as eligible, much nearer the centre 
 and probably much more acceptable to the citizens generally. 
 The committee are aware that the choice of a county town by the 
 mode proposed, is somewhat novel, but at the same time the 
 choice of the majority is the principle on which all our laws are 
 made and our government depends ; a principle which may be 
 always lodged with safety in the hands of the people, who are the 
 best judges of their interests. The committee therefore submit 
 the following resolution, Resolved, That a committee be appoint- 
 ed to bring in a bill agreeable to the prayer of the petitioners. 
 See Journal df H. R. session 1815-16, page 504. 
 
 The above reasonable proposition was rejected by the House. 
 See Journal of H. R. session 1815-16, pages 528, 529. 
 
 February 1, 1821. On motion of Messrs. Kinny and Reese, 
 ordered that the petitions presented on the 30th ult. relative to 
 the removal of the seat of justice of Columbia county, be refer- 
 red to Messrs. Kinney, M'Clure, Baird, W. Smytho and Musser. 
 See Journal of H. R. session 1»20-21, pagt 482. 
 
 March 6, 1821 : Mr. Kinney from the committee to whom were 
 referred sundry petitions on the subject, on leave given, reported 
 a bin No. 311, entitled An act to authorize the removal of the 
 seat of justice in the county of Columbia and for other purposes. 
 See Journal of H. R. session 1820-21, page 784. 
 
 December 7, 1821 : On motion of Messrs. Clark and Scudder, 
 
70 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 ordered that an item of unfinished business relative to the removal 
 &c. be referred to the members from the counties of Columbia, 
 Luzerne, Northumberland and Northampton. See Journal H. R. 
 session 1821-22, page 51. The members from the counties of 
 Berks, Schuylkill and Lycoming, were added to the committee. 
 See Journal p. 71. 
 
 Report unfavorable. See Journal of the House of Representa- 
 tives, session 1821-22, page 89. 
 
 From that time until the fall of 1833, there appears to have 
 been no application to the Legislature f but it was nevertheless a 
 subject of constant anxiety within the county, and has always 
 had a controlling influence in the election of members of Assem- 
 bly and county officers. No man can be elected to any office in 
 the county, who is not avowedly in favour of the removal. As 
 the public buildings had in part been erected the excitement 
 would perhaps have been confined within the bounds of the 
 county for some time longer, had not the Grand Jury at Novem- 
 ber session 1833, reported to the Court, that the public records 
 were in great danger of being destroyed by fire, for want of suit- 
 able buildings for their accommodation, and recommending the 
 immediate erection of fire proof offices. This report aroused the 
 people, who had long before determined that no further expendi- 
 ture of their money should be made in buildings at Danville — pe- 
 titions for removal were immediately circulated and signed with 
 an alacrity, seldom before witnessed, by full two thirds of the 
 taxables of the county. These petitions were presented in both 
 branches of the Legislature and bills reported providing for the 
 removal of the seat of justice. The bill in the Senate was only 
 reached in order and acted on, and lost by a vote of eleven to fif- 
 teen. 
 
 Last year another appeal was made for relief, and bills again 
 reported, but too late in the session to have any further action 
 on them. 
 
 It requires but a cursory view of the county map to discover, 
 that Danville is very far from the centre of territory ; and that it 
 is equally distant from the centre of population, is manifest from 
 what follows. 
 
 The townships most convenient to Danville are the following 
 
HISTOBT OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 71 
 
 and contain the number of taxables, paying tax as follows. 
 
 
 Taxables. 
 
 Tax. 
 
 Derry township contains 
 
 350 
 
 $7S6.42 
 
 Mahoning (including Danville) 
 
 351 
 
 1213.62 
 
 Limestone 
 
 121 
 
 532.94 
 
 Liberty 
 
 268 
 
 493.78 
 
 Hemlock contains 327 taxables, one third 
 of whom are nearer to Danville than to 
 Bloombburg, but none of them more than 
 six miles from the latter place 109 
 
 273.62 
 
 Accommodated at Danville 
 
 1199 
 
 paying $3,300.38 
 
 The townships 
 
 most 
 
 convenient 
 ■ Taxables. 
 
 to 
 
 Bloomsburg are 
 paying tax. 
 
 Mount Pleasant 
 
 
 
 147 
 
 $ 311.21 
 
 Bloom (including Bloomsburg) 
 
 152 
 
 1139.73 
 
 Briar Creek 
 
 
 
 340 
 
 1033.23 
 
 Catawissa 
 
 
 
 345 
 
 1075.32 
 
 Greenwood 
 
 
 
 256 
 
 502.94 
 
 Fishing Creek 
 
 
 
 129 
 
 218.78 
 
 Madison 
 
 
 
 302 
 
 514.45 
 
 Mifflin 
 
 
 
 370 
 
 690.58 
 
 Roaring Creek 
 
 
 
 322 
 
 608.99 
 
 Sugar Loaf 
 
 
 
 154 
 
 228.78 
 
 Hemlock two thirds 
 
 
 
 218 
 
 547.24 
 
 Accommodated at Bloomsburg 3035 $6,871.25 
 
 Thei-e is another view in which the relative position of Danville 
 and Bloomsburg may be seen ; and it shows conclusively as we 
 think, the propriety of removing the seat of Justice. Eighteen 
 hundred and forty-eight taxables residing in Bloom, Briarcreek, 
 Mount Pleasant, Greenwood, Fishing creek. Sugar loaf, and Mif- 
 flin townships, all pass through Bloomsburg on their way to Dan- 
 ville. Few of them have less than fourteen miles, and many of 
 them from twenty to thirty-five miles, travel to Danville. A large 
 majority of 657 taxables residing in Catawissa and Roaring creek 
 townships, (say five sixths) are at least four miles nearer to 
 Bloomsburg than to Danville, and the remainder are not more 
 than two miles further from Bloomsburg than from Danville — 
 
72 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 even one third of the 350 taxables in DeiTy, which we have 
 set down to the credit of Danville are nearer to Bloorasburg 
 than to Danville, and the i-emainder are not more than two miles 
 further from Bloomsburg than from Danville — the average 
 of the other two thirds of Derry are not more than four miles fur- 
 ther from Bloomsburg than from Danville. From Mahoning town* 
 ship in which Danville is situated, containing 351 taxables the 
 average travel to Bloomsburg will not be ten miles. Liberty and 
 Limestone townships form the western bounds of the county and 
 lie north and south of each other. Limestone contains 121 tax- 
 ables — Liberty contains 268 taxables — these 389 will none of them 
 have to travel more than eight miles further to reach Blooms- 
 burg, than to reach Danville, and many of them not so far. 
 
 We would further remark, that Danville is as far from the cen- 
 tre of business as from the centre of population in the county. It 
 draws a large portion of its business and supplies from a neigh- 
 bouring county, by which it is almost surrounded and thus acts 
 as a continual drain on, the circulating medium of the county. 
 Scarcely a single dollar of the money expended by suitors and 
 others attending court, can ever find its way back into the inter- 
 ior of the county — there is no trade between them, and no recip- 
 rocity of interest between the interior of the county and its me- 
 tropolis. On the other hand, Bloomsburg is not only very near 
 the centre of territory and population, but it is also the centre of 
 business. It is the natural outlet and commands the trade of 
 Hemlock, Madison, a portion of Derry, Greenwood, Sugar Loaf, 
 Fishing Creek, Mount Pleasant, Bloom,' and a portion of Briar 
 Creek townships. It is also in the line of communication for a 
 large portion of the county, with the markets of Pottsville, Mauch 
 Chunk, and places below those points. 
 
 With a knowledge of all these facts and circumstances, it is 
 with the deepest sense of injuries sustained, and the unnecessary 
 inconvenience they have laboured under for many years past that 
 a large majority of the Citizens of Columbia county, once more 
 make their appeal to the Legislature for relief — they ask no boon ; 
 but as freemen they appeal to that natural sense of justice, inher- 
 ent in the breast of every honest and unprejudiced man, and de- 
 mand a restoration of valuable rights and privileges, unjustly ta- 
 ken, and unjustly withheld from them." 
 
JTISTOB Y OF COL UMBIA GO UNTT. 73 
 
 At last however, on the 24th day of February 1845, the legislature 
 passed an act authorizing a vote on the question of the location of 
 the seat of Justice, and under its provisions, in the October follow- 
 ing, the people of the county settled the question by a direct vote. 
 The result was as follows : 
 
 KEMOVAL — 1845. 
 
 Townships 
 
 Bloom 
 
 Briarcreek ..... 
 
 Catawissa 
 
 Centre 
 
 Derry 
 
 Fishiogcreek . . . 
 
 Franklin 
 
 Greenwood 
 
 Hemlock 
 
 Jackson . . . , 
 
 Liberty 
 
 Limestone 
 
 Madison 
 
 Mahoning 
 
 Maine 
 
 Mifllin 
 
 Montour . . 
 
 Mount Pleasant. 
 
 Orange 
 
 Paxton District 
 Roaringcreek , . 
 
 Sugarloaf 
 
 Valley ,.. 
 
 w 
 
 o 
 B 
 
 TO 
 
 < 
 
 392 
 
 3 
 
 77 
 
 107 
 
 179 
 
 9 
 
 169 
 
 
 77 
 
 166 
 
 180 
 
 1 
 
 64 
 
 42 
 
 189 
 
 2 
 
 178 
 
 15 
 
 52 
 
 
 3 
 
 181 
 
 30 
 
 84 
 
 188 
 
 53 
 
 5 
 
 689 
 
 108 
 
 
 121 
 
 24 
 
 82 
 
 35 
 
 128 
 
 
 175 
 
 7 
 
 80 
 
 1 
 
 211 
 
 15 
 
 217 
 
 
 8 
 
 145 
 
 2913 1579 
 Majority for Removal 1334 
 
 The public buildings were completed, and the Records were re- 
 moved from Danville in November 1847, and the first court was 
 held in Bloomsburg in January 1 848. 
 
74 
 
 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 EXjECmOlSr -RETTTI^lsrS 
 
 IT has been thought sufficient to go back to 1860 with' the tab- 
 ular election returns. That was a period when parties seemed 
 to be breaking up, and politicians were seeking new combinations. 
 From that time the important elections are all given, and for our 
 citizens are complete and valuable. No politician can be thor- 
 oughly posted, nor able to talk intelligently upon the drift of af- 
 fairs, without having at hand the results of political contests. 
 Under the head of "Removal" will be found the official vote on 
 that question, under the head of. "Poor Houses" the official vote 
 on that question, and at the end of this chapter the official vote 
 on the License question in 1873. These are data upon which to 
 base calculations, comparisons and results. 
 
 PRESIDENT — 1860. 
 
 DISTRICTS. 
 
 
 
 BRECKENRIDGE. 
 
 DOUGLAS. 
 
 LINCOLN. 
 
 Beaver 
 
 
 113 
 
 
 29 
 
 Benton 
 
 
 142 
 
 
 41 
 
 Berwick 
 
 
 49 
 
 2 
 
 80 
 
 Bloom East ) 
 Bloom West J 
 
 
 155 
 
 
 273 
 
 Briarcreek 
 
 
 118 
 
 
 58 
 
 Catawissa 
 
 
 24 
 
 52 
 
 135 
 
 Centre 
 
 
 lie 
 
 
 111 
 
 Conyngham N. 
 
 } 
 
 35 
 
 
 91 
 
 Conyngham S. 
 
 
 Fishingcreek 
 
 
 206 
 
 
 54 
 
 Franklin 
 
 
 53 
 
 2 
 
 58 
 
 Greenwood 
 
 
 139 
 
 
 155 
 
 Hemlock 
 
 
 104 
 
 16 
 
 72 
 
 Jackson 
 
 
 71 
 
 
 16 
 
 Locust 
 
 
 170 
 
 1 
 
 135 
 
 Madison 
 
 
 139 
 
 
 57 
 
 Main 
 
 
 70 
 
 7 
 
 19 
 
 Mifflin 
 
 
 172 
 
 
 48 
 
 12 
 
HIHTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 75 
 
 Montour 
 
 35 
 
 Mt. Pleasant 
 
 75 
 
 Orange 
 
 97 
 
 Pine 
 
 52 
 
 Roaringcreek 
 
 38 
 
 Scott 
 
 80 
 
 Sugarloaf 
 
 114 
 
 BRECKENRIDGE. DOUGLAS, LINCOLN. BELL. 
 
 47 
 65 
 
 6 76 
 
 28 
 
 40 
 
 169 
 
 16 
 
 2367 
 
 86 
 
 1873 
 
 14 
 
 DISTRICTS. 
 
 Beaver 
 
 Benton 
 
 Berwick 
 
 Bloom East ) 
 Bloom West j " " 
 
 Briarcreek 
 
 Catawissa 
 
 Centre 
 
 Conyngham N ") 
 Conyngham SJ 
 Fishingcreek . . . . 
 
 Franklin , 
 
 Greenwood 
 
 Hemlock 
 
 Jackson. 
 
 Locust 
 
 Madison 
 
 Main 
 
 Mifflin 
 
 Montour 
 
 Mt. Pleasant 
 
 Orange 
 
 Pine 
 
 Roaringcreek 
 
 Scott 
 
 Sugarloaf 
 
 PRESIDENT 
 
 —1864 
 
 m'cleixan. 
 
 LINCOLN. 
 
 178 
 
 7 
 
 115 
 
 37 
 
 76 
 
 85 
 
 208 
 
 249 
 
 146 
 
 67 
 
 124 
 
 153 
 
 177 
 
 101 
 
 173 
 
 123 
 
 184 
 
 39 
 
 62 
 
 53 
 
 147 
 
 145 
 
 157 
 
 47 
 
 70 
 
 9 
 
 220 
 
 115 
 
 196 
 
 36 
 
 107 
 
 4 
 
 184 
 
 36 
 
 69 
 
 38 
 
 99 
 
 58 
 
 103 
 
 65 
 
 77 
 
 19 
 
 51 
 
 27 
 
 143 
 
 160 
 
 119 
 
 21 
 
 Army.. 
 
 3185 
 
 182 
 
 1739 
 175 
 
 3367 
 
 1914 
 
76 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 
 1868 
 
 1869 
 
 
 President. 
 
 GOVEBNOK. 
 
 
 IB 
 
 1 
 
 o 
 
 d 
 
 a 
 
 > 
 
 H 
 
 
 
 Beaver 
 
 194 
 
 21 
 
 190 
 
 12 
 
 Benton 
 
 186 
 
 58 
 
 185 
 
 54 
 
 Berwick 
 
 68 
 
 131 
 
 68 
 
 133 
 
 Bloom E. 
 
 329 
 
 317 
 
 309 
 
 291 
 
 Bloom W. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Briarcreek 
 
 167 
 
 70 
 
 154 
 
 64 
 
 Catawissa 
 
 138 
 
 219 
 
 135 
 
 195 
 
 Centralia Bor. 
 
 138 
 
 96 
 
 132 
 
 89 
 
 Centre 
 
 194 
 
 100 
 
 184 
 
 81 
 
 Coiiyngham N. 
 
 
 
 
 Conyngham S, 
 
 . 249 
 
 59 
 
 172 
 
 13 
 
 Fishingcreek 
 
 269 
 
 61 
 
 245 
 
 53 
 
 Franklin 
 
 49 
 
 63 
 
 54 
 
 54 
 
 Greenwood 
 
 181 
 
 165 
 
 166 
 
 165 
 
 Hemlock 
 
 168 
 
 63 
 
 154 
 
 54 
 
 Jackson 
 
 113 
 
 7 
 
 115 
 
 8 
 
 Locust 
 
 260 
 
 141 
 
 232 
 
 102 
 
 Madison 
 
 208 
 
 55 
 
 109 
 
 10 
 
 Main 
 
 122 
 
 10 
 
 186 
 
 49 
 
 Mifflin 
 
 195 
 
 43 
 
 196 
 
 40 
 
 Montour 
 
 79 
 
 58 
 
 74 
 
 48 
 
 Mt. Pleasant 
 
 110 
 
 63 
 
 93 
 
 51 
 
 Orange 
 
 149 
 
 68 
 
 187 
 
 47 
 
 Pine 
 
 112 
 
 39 
 
 95 
 
 37 
 
 Roaringcreek 
 
 55 
 
 40 
 
 54 
 
 34 
 
 Scott 
 
 146 
 
 178 
 
 143 
 
 147 
 
 Sugarloaf 
 
 143 
 
 18 
 
 132 
 
 11 
 
 
 4022 
 
 2143 
 
 3714 
 
 1845 
 
 
 1870 
 
 Congress. 
 
 § 
 O 
 
 > 
 
 g 
 
 w 
 o 
 
 153 
 
 14 
 
 164 
 
 49 
 
 45 
 
 147 
 
 175 
 
 151 
 
 104 
 
 159 
 
 140 
 
 44 
 
 183 
 
 160 
 
 127 
 
 88 
 
 147 
 
 67 
 
 129 
 
 3 
 
 74 
 
 . 1 
 
 226 
 
 44 
 
 46 
 
 42 
 
 173 
 
 154 
 
 164 
 
 56 
 
 106 
 
 10 
 
 206 
 
 95 
 
 159 
 
 34 
 
 103 
 
 9 
 
 180 
 
 46 
 
 80 
 
 40 
 
 84 
 
 43 
 
 110 
 
 46 
 
 88 
 
 33 
 
 51 
 
 34 
 
 125 
 
 131 
 
 122 
 
 10 
 
 3464 1710 
 
HISTOMT OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 77 
 
 
 GOVEKNOK. 
 
 President. 
 
 1872 
 Townships. 
 
 Buckalew. 
 
 
 Grant. 
 Greeley. 
 
 Beaver 
 
 182 
 
 10 
 
 131 11 
 
 Benton 
 
 194 
 
 49 
 
 158 56 
 
 Berwick 
 
 81 
 
 242 
 
 72 246 
 
 Bloom E 
 
 222 
 127 
 152 
 
 161 
 
 163 
 
 66 
 
 148 167 
 
 Bloom W 
 
 101 211 
 
 Briarcreek 
 
 125 65 
 
 Catawissa 
 
 120 
 
 263 
 
 95 163 
 
 Centre 
 
 163 
 
 76 
 
 134 69 
 
 Centralia 
 
 118 
 145 
 
 73 
 11 
 
 77 87 
 
 Conyngham N 
 
 110 9 
 
 Conyngham S 
 
 64 
 
 36 
 
 55 29 
 
 Fishingcreek 
 
 269 
 
 46 
 
 211 49 
 
 Franklin 
 
 50 
 
 54 
 
 86 44 
 
 Greenwood 
 
 185 
 
 157 
 
 161 140 
 
 Hemlock 
 
 140 
 
 66 
 
 120 64 
 
 Jackson 
 
 104 
 236 
 
 12 
 
 119 
 
 7 12 
 
 Locust 
 
 154 111 
 
 Main 
 
 108 
 
 18 
 
 95 11 
 
 Madison 
 
 166 
 
 54 
 
 137 45 
 
 Mifflin 
 
 198 
 
 46 
 
 175 48 
 
 Montour 
 
 94 
 
 43 
 
 70 50 
 
 Mount Pleasant 
 
 97 
 146 
 
 58 
 61 
 
 75 56 
 
 Orange 
 
 126 86 
 
 Pine 
 
 106 
 
 23 
 
 85 20 
 
 Roaringcreek 
 
 50 
 
 36 
 
 36 34 
 
 Scott 
 
 159 
 
 6 
 
 114 131 
 
 Sngarloaf 
 
 150 
 
 18 
 
 124 13 
 
 3826 2110 3001 2009 
 
78 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 THE LOCAL OPTION VOTH. 
 
 The following are the official votes of the different townships 
 and boroughs on the questions of License or no License, March 
 21, 1873. 
 
 
 
 
 Majorities. 
 
 DISTRICTS. 
 
 For 
 
 Against 
 
 For 
 
 Against 
 
 Beaver, 
 
 116 
 
 4 
 
 112 
 
 
 Benton, 
 
 113 
 
 81 
 
 32 
 
 
 Berwick, 
 
 65 
 
 212 
 
 
 147 
 
 Bloom East, 
 
 206 
 
 106 
 
 100 
 
 
 Bloom West 
 
 119 
 
 126 
 
 
 7 
 
 Briarcreek, 
 
 83 
 
 68 
 
 15 
 
 
 Catawissa, 
 
 159 
 
 122 
 
 37 
 
 
 Centre, 
 
 74 
 
 83 
 
 
 9 
 
 Centralia, 
 
 74 
 
 35 
 
 39 
 
 
 Conyngham N., 
 
 50 
 
 — 
 
 50 
 
 
 Conyngham S., 
 
 109 
 
 — 
 
 109 
 
 
 Fishingcreek, 
 
 127 
 
 76 
 
 51 
 
 
 Franklin, 
 
 52 
 
 31 
 
 21 
 
 
 Greenwood, 
 
 130 
 
 155 
 
 
 25 
 
 Hemlock, 
 
 51 
 
 107 
 
 
 56 
 
 Jackson, 
 
 81 
 
 16 
 
 65 
 
 
 Locust, 
 
 206 
 
 42 
 
 164 
 
 
 Madison, 
 
 97 
 
 65 
 
 32 
 
 
 Main, 
 
 95 
 
 8 
 
 87 
 
 
 Mifflin, 
 
 150 
 
 44 
 
 106 
 
 
 Montour, 
 
 72 
 
 22 
 
 50 
 
 
 Mt. Pleasant, 
 
 59 
 
 43 
 
 16 
 
 
 Orange, 
 
 86 
 
 79 
 
 7 
 
 
 Pine, 
 
 46 
 
 54 
 
 
 8 
 
 Roaringcreek, 
 
 56 
 
 10 
 
 16 
 
 
 Scott, 
 
 55 
 
 169 
 
 
 114 
 
 Sugarloaf, 
 
 93 
 
 27 
 
 66 
 
 1205 
 366 
 
 366 
 
 Majority for License. 839 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 79 
 
 1876. President. 
 
 DISTRICTS. S '^ 
 
 Beaver 264 29 
 
 Berwick 118 213 
 
 Benton 221 41 
 
 Bloom E 244 195 
 
 Bloom W 140 191 
 
 Briarcreek 155 52 
 
 Catawissa 194 229 
 
 Centralia 122 67 
 
 Centre 191 65 
 
 Conyngham N 128 8 
 
 Conyngham S 139 6 
 
 Fishingcreek 294 61 
 
 Franklin 59 57 
 
 Greenwood 203 166 
 
 Hemlock 169 52 
 
 Jackson 122 11 
 
 Locust 272 125 
 
 Madison 181 57 
 
 Main 133 14 
 
 Mifflin 200 40 
 
 Montour 99 53 
 
 Mt. Pleasant 102 61 
 
 Orange 136 69 
 
 Pine 131 30 
 
 Roaringcreek 63 42 
 
 Scott 151 122 
 
 Sugarloaf 171 13 
 
 Total 4394 2069 
 
80 mSTOJRT OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 PRESIDENT 1 880 
 
 ffi 
 
 DISTRICTS. ^ ^ % 
 
 Beaver 229 29 
 
 Benton 211 54 5 
 
 Berwick Boro 190 284 8 
 
 Bloom E 295 202 4 
 
 Bloom W 150 173 9 
 
 Briaroreek 157 57 15 
 
 Catawissa 230 256 
 
 Centralia Boro 159 94 8 
 
 Centre 207 56 10 
 
 Conyngham,N 163 28 6 
 
 Conyngham, S 101 27 31 
 
 Fishingcreek 288 71 5 
 
 Franklin 56 53 
 
 Greenwood 194 157 15 
 
 Hemlock 160 62 2 
 
 Jackson 129 13 
 
 Locust 289 129 
 
 Madison 199 47 1 
 
 Main 131 7 1 
 
 Mifflin 207 49 
 
 Montour 80 47 9 
 
 Mount Pleasant 105 52 
 
 Orange 112 70 41 
 
 Pine 131 35 6 
 
 Roaringcreek 82 31 3 
 
 Scott East 98 88 10 
 
 Scott "West 67 53 1 
 
 Sugarloaf 178 12 2 
 
 4598 2236 
 Prohibition ticket 28. 
 
Sl^TORT OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 81 
 
 00 
 
 O 
 M 
 
 O 
 
 H rPIerce P 
 
 3 
 
 S Tomllnaon G. 
 i, MoMlcnael I.. 
 
 BlUott D . 
 
 Brosliis E , 
 
 H fCliase P 
 S Cake G. . 
 
 H I Junkln I 
 
 Clark D... 
 
 Rawle E . 
 
 M fCrossman P. 
 
 Dewoofly G , . . . 
 
 Merrlct I . 
 
 ^ I Africa D . 
 
 o Greer E . 
 
 Howard G . 
 
 P3 rwilliams P.. 
 
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 ^ I Black D . 
 
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 Davles K . 
 
 Pettlt P... 
 
 pH Armstrong G . 
 
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 p^ J Stewart I 
 
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82 
 
 HISTOBY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 
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 loiad -eiSrHffiao ea -CJoa ■— ' 
 
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 Hannon D. . 
 
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 Krlokbaiim E... 
 
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 Barton G 
 
 TewksUury P . 
 
 Hanalln I. 
 
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 Bryson D. . 
 
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 Sent \-««iSHr- 
 CO VO <N 1-H Tjl t- iH . 
 
 PKESIPENT JUDGE, 
 Wm. Blwell 
 
 
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 bOtiOhD=3 fees 
 
 
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 ieJ-isrsa „ ^^_ 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 83 
 
 GOVEHNOK, 1882. 
 
 Official returns from the State show a total vote of 709,217, an 
 increase of 135,467, over the vote for State Treasurer one year ago. 
 Senator Stewart's total vote is 48,602, against 49,984 for Mr. Wolfe 
 in 1881. The following table gives the total vote for the three 
 candidates for governor, compared with the vote of 1881 for the 
 same party candidates. 
 
 1882. 
 
 1881. 
 
 COUNTIES. 
 
 > 
 < 
 
 o 
 
 VI 
 
 H 
 
 < 
 Ph 
 
 
 < 
 
 s 
 
 O 
 
 O 
 
 Adams 
 
 2606 
 
 318j 
 
 148 
 
 2348 
 
 2871 
 
 37 
 
 Allegheny 
 
 .. 18298 
 
 16191 
 
 4841 
 
 15679 
 
 9860 
 
 5948 
 
 Armstrong 
 
 3468 
 
 3351 
 
 185 
 
 2893 
 
 2166 
 
 317 
 
 Beaver 
 
 2650 
 
 2950 
 
 720 
 
 2949 
 
 2654 
 
 340 
 
 Bedford 
 
 8021 
 
 3406 
 
 203 
 
 3163 
 
 3370 
 
 120 
 
 Berks 
 
 8142 
 
 15922 
 
 259 
 
 4650 
 
 9920 
 
 139 
 
 Blair 
 
 4487 
 
 3970 
 
 266 
 
 3275 
 
 2435 
 
 297 
 
 Bradford 
 
 5199 
 
 4217 
 
 1262 
 
 4387 
 
 2969 
 
 1510 
 
 Bucks 
 
 6504 
 
 7770 
 
 603 
 
 6240 
 
 6996 
 
 5.56 
 
 Butler 
 
 3941 
 
 3464 
 
 512 
 
 3517 
 
 3327 
 
 771 
 
 Cambria 
 
 3279 
 
 4247 
 
 188 
 
 3117 
 
 3565 
 
 144 
 
 Cameron 
 
 481 
 
 484 
 
 86 
 
 519 
 
 479 
 
 14 
 
 Carbon 
 
 . . 2423 
 
 3061 
 
 177 
 
 2152 
 
 2719 
 
 103 
 
 Centre 
 
 . . Pattison' 
 
 s plurality, 879 
 
 2344 
 
 3491 
 
 185 
 
 Chester 
 
 .. 7713 
 
 6290 
 
 1125 
 
 5636 
 
 4298 
 
 941 
 
 Clarion 
 
 .. 1969 
 
 3473 
 
 112 
 
 1739 
 
 2734 
 
 132 
 
 Clearfield 
 
 2297 
 
 4063 
 
 127 
 
 1814 
 
 2994 
 
 55 
 
 Clinton 
 
 1730 
 
 2661 
 
 218 
 
 1819 
 
 2525 
 
 273 
 
 Columbia 
 
 1736 
 
 4139 
 
 102 
 
 1247 
 
 2878 
 
 127 
 
 Crawford 
 
 3711 
 
 5071 
 
 1520 
 
 4507 
 
 3718 
 
 590 
 
 Cumberland. . . 
 
 3645 
 
 4618 
 
 373 
 
 ■2922 
 
 4023 
 
 150 
 
 Dauphin •. . 
 
 6941 
 
 5671 
 
 726 
 
 5793 
 
 3800 
 
 951 
 
 Delaware 
 
 4586 
 
 3828 
 
 931 
 
 3221 
 
 2372 
 
 1574 
 
 Elk 
 
 399 
 
 1289 
 5727 
 
 150 
 575 
 
 620 
 4656 
 
 1212 
 4130 
 
 20 
 
 Erie 
 
 5218 
 
 292 
 
 Fayette 
 
 3908 
 
 5108 
 
 96 
 
 3458 
 
 3752 
 
 88 
 
 Forest 
 
 , . . Pattison 
 
 's plurality, 90 
 
 371 
 
 255 
 
 3 
 
 Franklin 
 
 3653 
 
 4456 
 
 1213 
 
 4096 
 
 4011 
 
 147 
 
 Fulton 
 
 611 
 
 1036 
 
 86 
 
 768 
 
 1133 
 
 8 
 
 Greene 
 
 1635 
 
 3546 
 
 29 
 
 1530 
 
 2976 
 
 7 
 
 Huntingdon. . . 
 
 . . 2420 
 
 2562 
 
 750 
 
 2629 
 
 2034 
 
 396 
 
84 
 
 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 M O K 
 
 w M <: 
 
 COUNTIES. ^ H fe; 
 
 ,i t- 5 
 
 W fL| O! 
 
 Indiana 3896 i>93 140 
 
 Jefferson 2698 2581 125 
 
 Juniata 1372 1638 53 
 
 Lackawanna .... 5476 6655 752 
 
 Lancaster 13989 9866 2525 
 
 Lawrence 2417 1755 584 
 
 Lebanon 4303 2778 215 
 
 Lehigh 5847 7948 98 
 
 Luzerne 7317 11830 1642 
 
 Lycoming 3386 5114 280 
 
 McKean 1791 2137 529 
 
 Mercer 4268 4521 385 
 
 Mifflin 1375 1776 182 
 
 Monroe 635 2934 66 
 
 Montgom'y . , . . 9287 10588 622 
 
 Montour 1037 1664 75 
 
 Northampton!... 4068 8741 645 
 
 Northumberland 3876 5054 582 
 
 Perry 2634 2674 90 
 
 Phihidelphia 70940 67287 8085 
 
 Pike 256 1088 88 
 
 Potter 834 838 418 
 
 Schuylkill 7362 10550 1077 
 
 Snyder 1873 1446 184 
 
 Somerset 3350 2271 699 
 
 Sullivan 445 874 30 
 
 Susquehanna 2864 3198 689 
 
 Tioga..' 2270 2257 2211 
 
 Union 1303 1394 682 
 
 Venango 2386 2697 401 
 
 Warren 1891 1835 439 
 
 Washington 5192 5238 220 
 
 Wayne 1462 2943 781 
 
 Westmoreland . . 5644 7242 242 
 
 Wyoming 1421 1905 165 
 
 York 6148 10439 261 
 
 Totals 310460 350155 48602 
 
 < 
 
 o 
 
 1 
 o 
 
 3109 
 
 1163 
 
 161 
 
 2203 
 
 2212 
 
 86 
 
 1446 
 
 1707 
 
 29 
 
 4220 
 
 3116 
 
 945 
 
 9899 
 
 5770 
 
 1405 
 
 2062 
 
 1221 
 
 932 
 
 3191 
 
 1622 
 
 65 
 
 4468 
 
 5756 
 
 67 
 
 5870 
 
 7695 
 
 1447 
 
 2751 
 
 3629 
 
 447 
 
 2477 
 
 2192 
 
 897 
 
 3971 
 
 3607 
 
 535 
 
 1469 
 
 1689 
 
 197 
 
 649 
 
 2338 
 
 34 
 
 8707 
 
 8949 
 
 944 
 
 891 
 
 1340 
 
 136 
 
 2714 
 
 5198 
 
 411 
 
 2948 
 
 4410 
 
 2084 
 
 2420 
 
 2435 
 
 107 
 
 55866 
 
 42357 
 
 14722 
 
 296 
 
 863 
 
 8 
 
 1236 
 
 594 
 
 48 
 
 4963 
 
 8089 
 
 2141 
 
 1367 
 
 1278 
 
 860 
 
 3528 
 
 2053 
 
 103 
 
 417 
 
 677 
 
 48 
 
 3421 
 
 2542 
 
 127 
 
 2737 
 
 1297 
 
 695 
 
 638 
 
 1134 
 
 1720 
 
 2302 
 
 2058 
 
 653 
 
 1927 
 
 1360 
 
 281 
 
 5362 
 
 4703 
 
 112 
 
 1720 
 
 2254 
 
 748 
 
 4398 
 
 5222 
 
 211 
 
 1559 
 
 1779 
 
 30 
 
 4307 
 
 7068 
 
 222 
 
 265295 258471 49984 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 85 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 BrJ002s^sB"c^2^a-- 
 
 IN 1776, Wyoming township extended from the mouth of Fish- 
 ingoreek to the state line on the north, and Mr. James Mc- 
 Clure, who in 1772 had settled on the flats above the mouth of 
 the creek, was one of the committee of safety for the township. 
 Gradually the name Wyoming was more definitely fixed to the 
 upper end of the valley, as the state line was pushed northward 
 and the Connecticut claimants either relinquished or sold, or 
 were confirmed in their claims through submission to the Pennsyl- 
 vania authorities. But the great beauties of the Susquehanna 
 valley are not the exclusive property of what is now called Wyo- 
 ming, but are distributed along the river ; and to day there is no 
 landscape anywhere superior to several views of the valley from 
 the mouth of Fishingcreek to Berwick, which can be obtained in 
 the vicinity of Bloomsburg. 
 
 From the roof of the Bloomsburg State Normal School build- 
 ing you have command of scenery unsurpassed by any in the 
 state. Your eye, for twelve miles along the winding Susquehanna, 
 rests upon the fertile yalleys north of the river, and on the south it 
 is relieved by the river hill and the majestic Catawissa moun- 
 tain. Off to the north the Nob mountain looms up in its pictur- 
 esqueness, and the valley of the Fishingcreek seems shut up 
 among the mountains ; while immediately at your feet spread out 
 the fifteen hundred acres of land upon which the town of Blooms- 
 burg is built, bounded on the north and west by the Fishingcreek 
 and south by the ever beautiful Susquehanna, making in the 
 sparkling sunlight, a band of silver encircling the green valley 
 upon which your eye is resting with unmeasured delight. 
 Through the midst of the valley with shriek and whoop rush the 
 
86 
 
 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 trdns of oars over the Lackawanna & Bloomsburg railroad, cross- 
 ing the creek near its mouth and sweeping down the bank of the 
 winding river, awakening the echoes of the rock of the "Lover's 
 Leap." Scarcely has your eye lost the passing train, before along 
 the mountain side across the river,, and in full view, like a demon 
 roaring for his prey, scattering smoke and fire over the waters, 
 
 leaps the echoing train over 
 the North & West Branch 
 railway, and escapes in a cloud 
 of smoke round the point of 
 the mountain opposite the 
 mouth of Fishingcreek. While 
 at the same moment, off to 
 your right, the shrill whistle of 
 the train upon the Catawissa 
 road, calls your ear, and cross- 
 ing the Lackawanna & Blooms- 
 burg at riglit angles, moves 
 majestically over the Susque- 
 hanna river bridge, and over 
 the North & West Branch 
 railway at the east end, and 
 
 J. J. BROWKJi S BUILDING. 
 
 wakes the echoes of the Catawissa hills. 
 
 From "The Grove" north of the Normal school much of the 
 same view can be obtained, modified in some respects, but with 
 added features, which in the eyes of some persons enchance its 
 beauties. 
 
 On "The Rocks'" north of the town, the same general features 
 are commanded; and in addition thereto a long stretch of the 
 Fishingcreek, rolling its pur.^ waters and beating vainly against 
 the base of the cliff, with the Irondale Furnaces in the distance, 
 throwing up their lurid lights, impress other sight seers as being 
 altogether the most delightful and romantic. 
 
 So, the brow of the hill on the Lightstreet road, half a mile 
 north east of the town affords a view hardly, if at all, surpassed by 
 any of the others. It loses some points of great beauty, but it 
 adds to the others a view of the valley of Scott, Centre and Briar- 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 87 
 
 creek towaships, whose fertile fields and green hills give delight' 
 to the eye and to the heart. 
 
 But it is not only in the matter of local scenery that Blooms- 
 burg is worthy of the observation of the tourist. It has one fea- 
 ture which is absolutely unique. Its drives are perfectly charm- 
 ing, and no matter by which of some six or eight roads you de- 
 part, you can at the end of a delightful drive of from three to ten 
 miles or more, re-enter it by another. You need not for many 
 times go over any portion of a road once travelled, and you will 
 find each and all of ihem safe and good and picturesque. Thus 
 your drives are almost ever new, and you can make different com- 
 binations daily. Indeed it could not well be otherwise with the 
 Susquehanna river on one side, the big Fishingcreek, the little 
 Fishingcreek and the Hemlock creek all in the immediate neigh- 
 borhood, diversifying the face of the country, and hiding in their 
 turnings and connexions many beautiful nooks and shady dells 
 and barren rocks. 
 
 The vicinity was settled at an early day by several families, and 
 Major Moses Van Campen says that in 1778 he, with a com- 
 pany of about twenty men, built a fort on Fishingcreek about 
 three miles from its mouth. He also says that "in the spring of 
 1781, we built a fort on the widow McClure's plantation, called 
 McClure's fort, where our provisions were stored." 
 
 The town of Bloomsburg was laid out in 1802 by Ludwig Eyer. 
 The name was pronounced as if spelled Oyer, and the place was 
 known as Oyersburg. Many of the descendants of the Proprie- 
 tor still reside here and are of our most thrifty and respected cit- 
 izens. Mr. Eyer rested in the Lutheran burying ground which he 
 gave to the congregation, for many years, but his remains were 
 recently removed to Catawissa. He was a generous hearted and 
 liberal minded man, of a stock of whom Pennsylvania is proud. 
 
 Bloom township was one of the original twelve with which the 
 county was organized in 1813. From it have been taken a part 
 of Mount Pleasant, a part of Orange, a part of Centre, and the 
 whole of Scott. What was left of the township of Bloom was or- 
 ganized by an Act of Assembly of March 4, 1 870 as "The Town 
 of Bloomsburg." No town in the state has a more healthy loca- 
 tion. It is built on a high blufE on the Fishingcreek, about one 
 
88 HISTOHY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 and a half miles from the river in a straight linq north, and about 
 two miles from the mouth of the creek going southwest. The 
 ground desceinds towards the river and the mouth of the creek so 
 as to afford the most complete system of drainage for all parts of 
 the town. 
 
 A chapter might be written concerning the improvements and 
 changes of the last thirty years. In 1850 the bridge over the 
 brook below the old Forks Hotel on Second street was less than 
 twenty feet wide, and there were no sidewalks at the point of 
 crossing the brook. At the southwest corner of Second and Iron 
 streets it required a flight of five or six steps to get into the door, 
 now level with the pavement. The road from the foot of Second 
 street wound round the bank of the creek instead of going 
 straight to the bridge as at the present. Market street below Third 
 
 instead of being a splendid 
 thoroughfare a hundred feet 
 wide, was a narrow, crooked, 
 illkept road. The road to 
 Espy crossed the canal twice 
 by high and dangerous bridges 
 within a distance of three 
 hundred yards, instead of mn- 
 ning along the berme bank, 
 a safe, level and delightful 
 way. To speak of the private 
 MOYER BROS. BUILDING. dwellings which have taken 
 
 the place of old tumble-down 
 structures, would be to make reference to most of the houses in the 
 town, as Bloomsburg has been substantially rebuilt within twenty- 
 five years. No such thing will, therefore, be attempted. 
 
 T.I the public buildings and business places some attention is 
 proper. The Normal School building is mentioned under the 
 proper title in this volume, together with other educational matter 
 
 The Court House, built in 1846, is perhaps hardly up to the 
 present requirements of the business for which it was intended, 
 the bulk of the records, and the legal business having very con- 
 siderably increased since the County seat was removed to Blooms- 
 burg. The old jail has been altogether abandoned, and a new 
 
 
 
 
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 15 
 
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 J 
 
HISTOBY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 89 
 
 prison has lately been erected, in which as much comfort can be 
 had, as is consistent with the place and the occasion of the visit. 
 
 *SirtWi 
 
 taSS^: 
 
 
 Jv.t u'feip. 
 
 iMp?— >>-fv^ 
 
 ,-Ww— 
 
 COLUMBIA COUNTY PKISON. 
 
 The Lackawanna & Bloomsburg railroad passes through the 
 town, with a depot on Market & Sixth. The North Branch 
 Canal lies three hundred yards south of the Railroad. The North 
 Branch of the Susquehanna is half a mile south of the Canal, and 
 on the opposite bank of the river runs the North and West Branch 
 railway. At Rujsert, by the Philadelphia & Reading railroad) 
 you take the omnibus to Bloomsburg. 
 
 Of the newspapers mention will be made under the proper title; 
 but it may be here said that there are at present, published weekly, 
 The Columbian, democratic; The Republican, rej)ublican; The 
 Sentinel, democratic; and the Journal, prohibitionist. 
 
 The streets are numbered from the Fishing creek towards the 
 river and trend east and west, nearly; and the cross streets run- 
 ning nearly north and south are 7iamed. They vary in width from 
 thirty three feet to one hundred. Most of them are over forty 
 feet wide, and are well paved and well lighted. The Hotels, the 
 Court House, the Normal School, and the main business of the 
 town are upon Second street, a wide, paved and cindered 
 thoroughfare. 
 
90 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 In addition to the many handsome residences, the buildings 
 ■which give a substantial and imposing character to the town are 
 the Exchange Hotel, opened in 1874 — -the Central Hotel — the 
 Columbian block — the block of buildings occupied by D. Lowen- 
 berg and J. Cadman — the one by Holmes & Schuyler — the corner 
 by A. J. Evans — the building of D. A. Creasy — the corner of 
 Clark & Son — Miss Peterman's building — McKinney's building 
 Rawling's building — Barton's building — Moyer Bros' building — 
 and the old MoKelvy corner, refitted by Knorr <fc Wintersteen: 
 On the north side we have Robbins, Gilmore, Shai-pless, Moyer 
 Bros' drug store, Brower's building, Hartman's, Sterner's, 
 Furman's, and Kleim's ; all of which, with what is known as the 
 Exchange block, are three or four story buildings, and of consid- 
 erable dimensions. 
 
 The Opera House on Centre street below Second, capable of 
 seating about one thousand persons, has been fitted up to attract 
 and accommodate a variety of excellent entertainments. It is con- 
 venient and accessible, and well suited for lectures and public 
 meetings. 
 
 Of the industries carried on in the town we can only make 
 cursory mention, to wit: The extensive Car Shops of G. M. & 
 J. K. Lockard — the Iron Foundry and Machine Shops of Harman 
 & Hassert — the Foundry of B. F. Sharpless — the Iron fence man- 
 ufactory of Michael Hess — the Carriage shops of M. C. Sloan & 
 Brother — the jilaning mill of Charles Krug — the new, large and 
 substantial Woolen Mills of S. A. & E. C. Caswell ; and lastly the 
 Anthracite furnaces of the Bloomsburg Iron Company, and of 
 William Neal & Sons. 
 
 Nor, in the enumeration of the advantages and attractions, ed- 
 ucational, business and social, should we omit to mention the 
 Sanitarium, an institution established about three years ago, for 
 the special treatment of nervous affections. It is a lai-ge and 
 handsome structure, fitted with all the modern improvements of 
 heat, light, water and ventilation. It is convenient of access by 
 rail, has pleasant and extensive grounds, and is in hands fully 
 competent to the treatment of the diseases for which it was 
 specially intended, as well as for general hygienic purposes. 
 
 The churches are as follows : St. Paul's Episcopal, corner of 
 Second and Iron street — Presbyterian, on Market street below 
 
Hl;STORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 91 
 
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 H 
 
92 
 
 lUSTOBY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Second— Lutheran, Market street above Second — Reformed, 
 corner of Third and Iron streets — Baptist, Third street, above 
 Iron — Roman Catholic, Third street below Iron — Methodist, 
 Third street below Market — Evangelical, Fourth street above 
 Iron — Welsh Baptist, First street, east of Iron — ^Welsh Wesleyan, 
 Iron street, north of First street — African Methodist, B'irst street, 
 below Market. 
 
 There are two money institutions: The First National Bank, 
 and the Bloomsburg Banking Company. The capital stock of 
 each is fifty thousand dollars. 
 
 The Bloomsbixrg Iron Company was incorporated as the 
 Bloomsburg Railroad Iron company, by Act of Assembly of June 
 22, 1839, P. L., 384. The furnaces were erected in 1844, and 
 may be said to have been and remain in continuous operation, 
 and mainly in the ownership of the original proprietors or their 
 descendants. 
 
 The furnaces of Neal & Sons were erected by Messrs. McKelvy, 
 Neal & Co. in 1853 and were put in blast, April 14, 1854. They 
 have never stopped except for improvements or repairs, and are 
 in successful operation. 
 
 The Rosemont Cemetery Company was incorporated by Act 
 of Assembly of April 2, 1853, P. L., 285. Several acres of land 
 were purchased by the managers at various times, the area now 
 comprising nearly ten acres ; and the grounds have been tastefully 
 laid out. Most of the lots have been sold, and many beautiful 
 and some elegant and costly monuments are being erected therein. 
 
HItiTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 93 
 
 By the late opening of Centre street, the grading of First street 
 and the Cemetery grounds bordering on it, has been rendered 
 necessary and is progressing. This with other contemplated im- 
 provements will shortly put the grounds in excellent condition. 
 
 The Bloomsburg Gas company was incorporated May 28, 1874, 
 by the court, with a capital of thirty thousand dollars. Gas was 
 supplied to private takers and business places, October 28, 1874 . 
 and the streets were lighted for the first time, May 1, 1875. 
 
 The Park ! aye, the Park. Of that something ought to be 
 said, if it be only to call attention to the fact, that although the 
 grounds have been purchased, the Town Council has never thought 
 ■it worth while to lay out the grounds, or plant a tree, or even 
 make the fence. If proper and prompt attention had been given 
 to it it would now be a beautiful and attractive spot, provided 
 with sparkling fountains, lighted by gas, sweet with the perfume 
 of flowers, shaded by thrifty forest trees, underneath which chil- 
 dren, and nurse carriages, free from dust, dirt and danger could 
 spend the long summer days in unmitiga,ted delight. This should 
 be done, and at least two other plots of ground adjoining the town 
 north and east, upon which native forest trees are now growing 
 should be purchased by the Town and fitted for the public prom- 
 enade. It should be done now while they are cheap and not left 
 until they are either not procurable, or if in market, at a price 
 three times what it would be at present. Let us have plenty of 
 these, public places. 
 
 The Bloomsburg Water Company was organized August 14, 
 1877, with a capital of $30,000. The water is filtered into a well 
 from the Fishingcreek, and is forced, by two independent direct- 
 acting pumping engines into the reservoir, whjcee it is distributed 
 by gravitation to the town. In case of an accident or other neces- 
 sity, there is direct connection with the pumps. The works were 
 completed about September 1880. 
 
 The site of the Town of Bloomsburg was owned by John Adam 
 Oyer, and the town was laid out in 1802 by Ludwig Oyer, his 
 agent, and was known for some years as Oyersburg. The origi- 
 nal town plot was from West to Iron streets, and from First to 
 Third. The old tannery was built by Daniel Snyder in 1806, and 
 the Marr store buildings were begun to be erected in the same 
 year, by Abram Grotz. In that building Mr. John K. Grotz was 
 
94 
 
 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 born in 1810, and is believed to be the oldest resident, by birth, 
 in Bloomsburg. When he was a boy the lots bounding on Mar- 
 ket street on the north of Second, and the site of the street, were 
 covered with alders and liigh huckelbeny bushes, and within their 
 cover, at the site of Dr. Butter's house, was a deer lick, and thence 
 on many occasions, droves of deer were driven and a choice one 
 stopped by the hunter. 
 
 Mr. John Barton kept the first store and was the first post- 
 master. Mr. Mills kept the first hotel where Moyer Bros' drug 
 store is now located, and the second one was where Mr. I. W. 
 Hartman now lives. Dr. Park was the first physician, and Dr. 
 
 Bacon the second. 
 Mr. McKelvy 
 came about 1820. 
 The original Ex- 
 change Hotel was 
 a, log and frame 
 structure, and was 
 built by Caspar 
 Chrismanin 1810. 
 What is now the 
 Central Hotel 
 was built by Phil- 
 ip Mehrling in 
 1818. He was ac- 
 cidentally killed 
 was erected about 
 
 NI ■« ] X< II \1»<,E HOILI 
 
 during the erection. The old Forks Hotel 
 1825, and it was removed in 1875. 
 
 Other matters relating to the town will be f oun d under the ed- 
 ucation head, and also under the bibliographical. Many descend- 
 ants of the original settlers in and about Bloomsburg are still 
 among the active and tliriving business men of the place. The 
 Grotzes, the Ruperts, the Bartons, the Eyers, the Moyers, the 
 MoKelvys, the Chrismans, the Pursels, the C hamberlins, the 
 Sloans, the Frys, the Barkleys, the Longs, the Ro bisons, — ^while 
 the Snyders, the Phillipses, the McClures and the Weavers^are 
 represented in the female branch. 
 
 Having for many years been the most considerable town in the 
 county, and since 1845 the county seat, and being for more than 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 95 
 
 twenty years the place of residence of the President Judge of the 
 judicial district, it has naturally attracted to itself men of culture 
 and wealth, men who desired educational advantages for their 
 children, and men who were seeking pleasant residences easily ac- 
 cessible. In all these particulars it is probably second to no 
 town in the state, and it is also distinguished for the number and 
 ability of its newspapers, and for its high social and literary 
 character. 
 
96 HI8T0JRT OP COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 BEI?,-^7;riCI^- 
 
 BERWICK is claimed to have been founded in 1780, or at 
 least settled upon by Evan Owen, but it was not known as 
 Berwick until 1783. It is built on a bluff of about 100 feet 
 height on the right bank of the Susquehanna, on the eastern 
 boundary of the county, and on the very edge of Luzerne. The 
 brothers Robert and John Brown, came early, and Samuel Jack- 
 son, who was related by marriage to Evan Owen was among the 
 early settlers. It is said that John Jones opened the first store 
 in 1800, and John Brown the first hotel in 1804. The travel 
 across the river was considerable, the route to Reading 
 being by Berwick and Nescopeck. In 1812 a bridge 
 company was organized, and Theodore Burr built the 
 bridge at the cost of $50,000 or thereabouts. It was 
 completed in 1814, and is 1260 feet long. It was damaged by a 
 freshet in 1835 and rebuilt in 1837, by Eliphelet Edson at a cost 
 of about $27,500. It is the terminus of a turnisike famous in its 
 day, which passed through Bradford county to Newtown in the 
 state of New York. It is here also that the Nescopeck turnpike 
 leading to Mauch Chunk terminates. 
 
 Berwick was created a borough by Act of Assembly of Janu- 
 ary 29, 1818. 
 
 In connection with this sketch of Berwick, the steamboat dis- 
 aster may be a fitting incident. Since 1771 the Susquehanna 
 river, has been, by act of Assembly, a public highway. But steam- 
 boat navigation has been and always will be impossible, owing to 
 its rapid current and shallow water, and also because it is, as its 
 name indicates, the "crooked river," or more correctly, "The river 
 of the winding shore." Notwithstanding the difficulties mention- 
 ed, several attempts have been made to plow its waters. In the 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 97 
 
 year 1826 Captain Elger, in the "Codorus," proceeded as far as 
 Binghamton, and returned to York Haven, pronouncing against 
 the practicability of the navigation of the river. 
 
 The next attempt was by a steamboat built at Baltimore, and 
 named the "Susquehanna," commanded by Captain Collins. She 
 drew twenty-two inches [of water, and of course |,prooeeded with 
 great difficulty. But all along the river the boat was cheered by 
 multitudes of people who turned out to see, or enjoy a ride upon 
 her decks. At Danville, Catawissa and Bloomsburg accessions 
 of excursionists were received, and all went merry as a marriage 
 bell. 
 
 They reached Nescopeck Falls, opposite Berwick, on the after- 
 noon of May 3rd, 1826. The banks were crowded with spectators 
 and with a full head of steam "The Susquehanna" made for the 
 falls. About the middle of the ascent she struck a rock and im- 
 mediately her boiler burst with an explosion which sent a thrill of 
 terror to all who heard it. The passengers and crew were dead 
 or dying upon deck, or floating mangled or scalded upon the foam- 
 ing waters. Instantly the spectators rushed to the rescue, and 
 shortly hotels and private houses were thrown open to the suffer- 
 ers. Drs. Headly, Wilson and Jackson gave their professional 
 assistance to the wounded and dying. 
 
 Among those who were on board and more or less injured, were 
 Col. Joseph Paxton and Christian Brobst of Catawissa, Messrs. 
 Woodside, William Colt and Sheriff Underwood of Danville, and 
 Messrs. Foster, William G. Hurley and Isaiah Barton of Blooms- 
 burg. Col. Paxton says : "I stood on the forward deck with a 
 long ash pole in my hand, and was in the act of placing it in the 
 water, hoping to steady her, when the explosion took place. Two 
 young men standing near me were blown high into the air, and I 
 was hurled several yards from the boat into the water. I thought 
 a cannon had been fired and shot my head off. When in the water 
 I thought I must certainly drown, but, making a desperate effort, 
 succeeded in reaching the shore. I was badly scalded, and lost 
 my hair and a portion of my scalp." 
 
 Four persons were killed or died of their injuries, and this un- 
 toward event rendered Berwick and Nescopeck Falls famous for 
 many a day. 
 
 It was at Berwick, also, on the 4th of July, 1828, that ground 
 
98 SISTOBY OF COLUMBIA COUNT Y. 
 
 was broken for the construction of the North Branch Canal. The 
 plow was held by Nathan Beach, and the oxen were di-iven by- 
 Alexander Jameson, the owner. Another gala day for Berwick, 
 and happily without any of the sad results of two years before ; 
 the construction and navigation of the "raging canawl" being less 
 dangerous than the chartless channel of the winding Susquehanna. 
 
 The Berwick Academy was incorporated by an Act of Assem- 
 bly of June 25, 1839, P. L. 481, and a supplement passed April 
 28, 1810, P. L. 480. It has had some able and accomplished in- 
 structors, and there are on its rolls the names of several men who 
 have become distinguished. The town is large enough to support 
 an institution of the kind, over and above the advanced instruc- 
 tion now given in the common schools, and the Berwick Acade- 
 my ought to tlourish more and more as the years go by. 
 
 In 1850 atelegrajih line was constructed through Berwick; in 
 1858 the Lackawanna & Bloomsburg railroad was opened; in 
 1861 Jackson & Woodin began the manufacture of car wheels, 
 and the construction of cars soon followed, and within ten years 
 the rolling mill was erected. Then business, trade and popula- 
 tion poured into Berwick. Jackson's block was erected and many 
 handsome residences were built. A bank was chartered in 1864 
 and has been conducted with great judgment and success. 
 
 The Methodists have a large and beautiful church building on 
 Second and Market streets ; the Presbyterians one on Second and 
 Vine streets ; the Baptists one on Front street, between Mulber- 
 ry and Vine streets. ; the Evangelical, on second street below 
 Chestnut. 
 
 The population of the borough is not less than 2500. 
 
 "The first frame house built here still stands opposite Odd Fel- 
 lows Hall ; the first brick structure was Seybert's Hotel, now 
 known as the St. Charles ; the second brick was the old Metho- 
 dist church, corner Third and Mulberry streets, erected in 1817, 
 which is now occupied as a dwelling ; first children born in Ber- 
 wick, John and Annie Brown, children of Robert Brown [Annie 
 was the wife of Jesse Bowman, deceased, and was the first person 
 married in Berwick ;] the first church built was the Quaker, a log 
 building, where the Quaker church now stands ; the first lawyer 
 was named Bancroft ; first judge, John Cooper; doctors, Moore- 
 land and Beisswick ; postmaster, William Brien ; school master, 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 99 
 
 Isaac Holloway ; preachers, Carson and Painter ; coopers, John 
 and Peter Solt ; carpenter, John Brown ; blacksmith, Aquilla 
 Starr; tailor, Benjamin Doan; chair maker and painter, Abel 
 Dalby ; mason, Jonathan Cooper, sr. ; dyer. Bush ; potter, Wm. 
 Brien ; tanner, Henry Traugh, sr. , dentist, Vallershamp ; tinner, 
 Herman Inmaun ; gunsmiths, Sleppy &, Co.; wheelwright, James 
 Evans; silversmith, Marshall; milliner, Roxana Cortwright; 
 butcher, Staokhouse ; weaver, Polly Mullen ; cabinetmaker, Sam- 
 uel Heriu; saddle and harness maker, Col John Snyder; lime 
 burner, John Jones, the limestone then being obtained at the bot- 
 tom of the river. 
 
 Among the names that will be remembered in connection with 
 the history of Berwick are those of Paul Thompson, Richard 
 Smith, Mr. Davenport, Samuel Herin, S. F. Headley, Josiah F. 
 Beach, William Kitchin, Dr. A. B. Wilson, Dr. Jackson, Dr. 
 Headley, Dr. Langdon, Thomas Coles, Bostian Seybert, A. Miller, 
 sr., Robert Smith, Charles Snyder, Joseph Staokhouse, Lawrence 
 Ruch, Judge Mack, Andrew Shiner, Jonathan Cooper, Hugh 
 Thompson, Thomas Richardson, William Herin, J. W. Deitrick, 
 John McAnall, Michael Frantz, Frederick Nicely, Jesse Bowman 
 and Mrs. Eckert, nearly all of whom died at an extremely old 
 age." — Kurtz pamphlet. 
 
 For forty-seven years, Mr. Hudson Owen has noted the lowest 
 mark to which the water in the river at Berwick has fallen ; and 
 in the beginning of November, A. D., 1882, found it at a lower 
 point than at any time since his observations began. 
 
 One of the features of Berwick is the public library and read- 
 ing room. The hall is capable of seating about 400 persons. The 
 reading room is supplied with the leading American and some of 
 the best English literature ; and the library proper comprises 
 about 3000 volumes. A lecture course has been well sustained 
 for the last three years, and to the great credit of the people, con- 
 stantly well attended. The best lecturers have always been se- 
 cured, and the people have been educated up to a high point of 
 literary and oratorical appreciation. The library report shows a 
 monthly circulation of 500 volumes. The association shows spec- 
 ial attention to young people, either resident or visiting the place, 
 and to the boys of the town, who are gathered every Monday 
 evenino-. This important enterprise is greatly indebted to the 
 
100 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 generosity of the Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing Company, 
 and to the energy of Mr. A. G. Kimberly, the librarian. 
 
 Clarence G. Jackson, son of Mordecai W. Jackson, was born 
 March 5, 1842 and died in Berwick May 3, 1880. He graduated 
 at Dickinson Seminary, Williamsport. He entered the army Au- 
 gust 2, 1862, company H. 84th Regiment, for three years. Ob- 
 tained the 1st lieutenancy January 18, 1863, and Captaincy 
 on July 1st 1863; was wounded and caj^tured at Chancel- 
 lorsville, Va., May 3, 1863, and upon his release, was 
 transferred to Co. H. 57th Regiment Pennsylvania "Volun- 
 teers, January 13, 1865, and was discharged by general or- 
 der March 10, 1865. His military record was an excellent one. 
 He was a man of much general information, a forcible and fluent 
 speaker, of fine business qualifications, and great energy of char- 
 acter. 
 
 Capt. Charles B. Brockway was born at Berwick, Penna., April 
 1, 1840. Read law in the oftice of E. H. Little Esq. and was ad- 
 mitted to the Bar September 5, 1865. He entered the army April 
 17, 1861, and was commissioned First Lieut, in Battery F. First 
 Penna. Light Artillery, October 17, 1861, and served for over three 
 years. The fighting record of the Battery is one with his, and 
 his military record is first rate. He was mustered out November 
 1864. He represented Columbia county in the Legislature in 1 871, 
 1872 and 1873, and was the Democratic candidate for Congress- 
 in 1870, and came within 124 votes of an election, in a district usu- 
 ally republican by about 1000 majority. Capt. Brockway resides 
 in Bloomsburg. 
 
 
mSTOBY OF COLUMBIA VOUNTY. 101 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 c.fi.T-s.'V^iss-a.- 
 
 CATAWISSA is a large and flourishing village on the left bank 
 of the Susquehanna, at the mouth of Catawissa creek, about 
 four miles south of Bloomsburg. It is situated in the midst of 
 picturesque scenery, and is surrounded by a rich and fertile 
 country. The town contains over two thousand inhabitants. 
 
 The earliest reference to the place by the name of Catawissa is 
 the date and place of a letter written by James Le Tort, an Indian 
 trader, to the Governor of the province. It is given thus, "Cata- 
 wasse, May ye 12, 1728." 
 
 For many reasons I think the name is a dialect of the Dela- 
 wares; but whether of the Mousey or Wolf tribe, the Unalachit- 
 goes or Turkey tribe, or the Wanamese or Turtle tribe, I do not 
 know, but by the terminal syllable I should judge the last. 
 
 Redmond Conyngham, Esq., who has devoted much research to 
 ■ the aboriginal history of the State, says, "The Piscatawese or 
 Gangawese, or Conoys, (Kenehawas) had a wigwam on the Gata- 
 wese, at Gatawese, now Catawissa." 
 
 Hon. Stewail Pearce says that 'the Shawanese, a tribe of the 
 Eries, driven from the great lakes south about 1 608, to Georgia 
 and Florida, becoming involved there with the Spaniards and 
 southern Indians, returned north about 1 690.' It is certain that 
 they came into the Province in or about 1 697. They settled along 
 the Delaware and the Susquehanna, among the Delawares, and 
 under the control of the Six Nations. Mr. Pearce goes on to say 
 however, "The Shawanese had a village at Fishingcreek near 
 Bloomsburg, and at Catawissa, and a small settlement near Briar- 
 creek.'' 
 
 Neither the Gangawese nor the Shawanese belonged to the 
 Delawares, yet it is not impossible they may have been settled as 
 above stated, and "Catawese" may belong to one of them, seeing 
 
102 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 they have the same terminal as the Wanamese of the DelaAvares; 
 and the word in any one of the above dialects may mean, as claim- 
 ed, "Pm-e water." 
 
 It may be curious to note here, that at a council held at Phila- 
 delphia in July and August, 1739, between Thomas Penn and the 
 Shawanese Indians, upon "being asked if they are at war with 
 any Indians to the southward, they said that they were at war 
 with the CataAvbas and Catawas Indians, in Carolina." 
 
 In 1742-3 some troubles occurring between us and the Shawan- 
 ese, Conrad Weiser was sent to Shamokin to have an interview 
 with them and others. On the 4th of February they met at the 
 house of Shikellimo, and he found among the assembly "Olunia- 
 pies and Lapapeton of the Delawares." In 1754 Mr. Weiser finds 
 the same Delaware chief, spelling his name, however, Lapackpit- 
 ton, at Oskohary, doubtless from the context meaning Catawissa 
 or it may be, an Indian town not far from the mouth of Roaring- 
 creek, which is also spoken of by some early writers; and as I 
 find in Post's Journal of 1758 the name spelled Lappiopetung, 
 I am the more inclined to locate Oskohary at the mouth of Koar- 
 ing creek which was in Indian, Popemetung. He was a man of 
 some note, and for a time fastened his name upon the town of 
 "Catawese," and in those ancient deeds the name is spelled Lau" 
 paugh-petin. Well! peace to his ashes, however it be. 
 
 Certainly as early as 1728 there were white people in and about 
 Catawissa ; but the first account we have of a settlement made 
 under law and purchase was the granting by patent, of two hun- 
 dred and eighty-two acres, [on which part of the town now stands], 
 by the Honorable the Proprietaries of Pennsylvania to Edward 
 Shippen Jr., and Joseph Shippen Jr., the 14th of February, 1770, 
 who by their indenture on the first of May, 1773, granted the 
 same unto Ellis Hughes in fee, who, with Hannxh, his wife, by 
 their indenture of the 27th day of June, 1778, granted ninety-two 
 acres and one quarter of an acre, [part of the above mentioned 
 tract], unto William Hughes, who laid out the town in the year 
 1787. 
 
 Although an attempt was made to fasten the name of the 
 founder upon it, the good sense of the people settled on the al- 
 ready well known and sweet sounding original, and whether 
 
HISTOR T OF COL UMBIA CO UNTY. 103 
 
 Wanamese, or Shawanese, or Gangawese, it will retnaia "Cita- 
 wese'' forever. 
 
 William Hughes was a Quaker from Berks county. Isaiah 
 Hughes kept the first store. Among the earlier pioneers were 
 
 William Collins, James Watson, John Lloyd, Fenton, 
 
 Benjamin Sharpless, and others of the Society of Friends. Of 
 those mentioned there seem to be no recoids, except of the Sharp- 
 less family, of whom there remain the following interesting facts: 
 
 The ancestor purchased from William Penn, in England, by in- 
 denture dated April 5th, 1682, one thousand acres of land in the 
 Province of Pennsylvania, for twenty pounds sterling, and an an- 
 nual quit rent of one shilling for every hundred acres, on the fir^t 
 day of March, forever. The land was located in Chester county, 
 about two miles north from Chester, and in Providence township 
 and Middleton township, now in Delaware county. John Sharp- 
 less, the purchaser, died in 1685, aged about 61 years, and Jane, 
 his wife, in 1722, aged about 84 years. Of their children, Thomas 
 died on shipboard, Phebe and Jane in 1685, and Caleb in 1688 
 leaving three sons, John, James and Joseph, from whom the entire 
 Sharpless family are descended. John Sharpless, the elder brother, 
 married Hannah Pennel, daughter of Robert Pennel, in 1692, 
 and resided on the tract purchased off Ridley creek, near Ches- 
 ter. They had nine children, Caleb, Jane, Hannah, John, 
 Phebe, Rebecca, Margaret, Ann and Daniel. He died in 1747, 
 at the age of 81 years, his wife having died in 1721. 
 
 James Sharpless, the second brother, married Mary Lewis, 
 daughter of Ralph and Mary Lewis, from Glamorganshire, in 
 Wales, and settled on the second tract above mentioned, in Prov- 
 idence township. They had eight children, Lydia, Mary, James, 
 Rachel, Sarah, Thomas, David and Esther. 
 
 Joseph Sharpless, the younger brother, married Lydia I^ewis, 
 sister lo his brother James' wife, and in pursunnce of a family 
 arrangement settled on the third truct, in Middleton township. 
 They had ten children, Susanna, Joseph, Benjamin, Samuel, Lydia, 
 Nathan, Jane, Abraham, Jacob and William. He died in 1757, 
 and his wife in 1765. Of these children, Benjamin settled in 
 Catawissa. His descendants are among the leading men of the 
 town at present. 
 
 John Mears, a famous Quaker preacher and physician, a man 
 
104 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 of great energy of character, afterwards became the Proprietor 
 of the town by buying up the quit rents. Of him I am able to 
 give the following additional particulars. He was born in 
 Georgia about 1737 and came to Philadelphia with his mother, 
 then the wife of John Lyndall, about 1754. He followed the bus- 
 iness of ship-joining and cabinet-making. In 1760 he married 
 Susanna Townsend. Sometime afterwards he settled in Reading. 
 In the war of the revolution he was a captain in the 4th Penn. 
 Regt. and was wounded at Brandywine. A single relic of Cap- 
 tain Mears' military career remains in the possession of his grand- 
 son, John Mears, in Wallace street, Philadelphia. It is a large, 
 single-bladed knife, apparently designed for the commissariat 
 rather than the battle-field. It is well and ingeniously construct- 
 ed, and on the white broad handle is the following inscription : 
 St. Luke La Corne, 
 To Captain John Meaes, 
 4th Pennsylvania Regiment. 
 
 After his recovery, we hear no more of him in a military capac- 
 ity. He returned to Reading, but subsequently his roving dis- 
 position led him into newer districts of the State. He was the 
 virtual founder and the patriarch of the town of Catawissa. Here 
 he held the office of magistrate, and infused his energy into the 
 inhabitants. Through the difficult country now traversed by the 
 famous Catawissa Railroad, he laid out and built the first carriage 
 road, connecting the valleys of the Susquehanna and the Schuyl- 
 kill, a great and laudable achievement in those times. Besides 
 holding the offices of magistrate and roadmaker, he was Quaker 
 preacher and physician ; and though his methods were vigorous 
 and rude, his manly presence, his patriotic services and sufferings, 
 his integrity and enterprise won him universal respect, and em- 
 balmed his memory in the community. He died in the year 1819, 
 at the good old age of 82. 
 
 Of his five children, William, the oldest, was born in Philadelphia, 
 March 9th, 1761; his wife was Elizabeth Haller, the daughter of a 
 colonel in the Revolutionary army. Thus both branches of the 
 family contributed patriotic blood and loyal impulses to the de- 
 scendants. William himself held a colonel's commission in the 
 war of 1812, bat saw no active service. He succeeded his father 
 as magistrate and like him, was the object of deep and universal 
 
SISTOEY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 105 
 
 respect. He died suddenly in Catawissa, June 11th, 1825, in his 
 sixty-fifth year. 
 
 In 1796 James Watson laid out an addition to the town. 
 Among the Germans, George Knappenberger came about 1790 
 and took or established a ferry across the Susquehanna. Chris- 
 tian Brobst, whose descendants, active and extensive business 
 men, are still there, came about 1793. John Hauck was one of 
 the first, if not the first, to build a furnace in the region, on a 
 tributary of Catawissa creek, in Catawissa township, in 1816. He 
 made the rough old ten plate stove, many of which with his im- 
 print were scattered through the country. 
 
 The early settlement of Catawissa and the fine and unfailing 
 water power of the creek, made the place at once a point of im- 
 portance. As early as 1789 Jonathan Shoemaker built a grist 
 mill on the north side of the creek, just above the present site 
 of that known as the MoKelvy mill. And in 1799 Christian 
 Brobst built one, a quarter of a mile above Shoemaker's. 
 
 Benjamin Sharpless having started to Ohio to settle, visited his 
 brother Jonathan on the way and found him getting rich, 
 running a paper mill. He induced Benjamin to return to Cata- 
 wissa and having done so, he sold his farm, lately the Zarr farm, 
 now being laid out in lots by Judge Shuman, and together with 
 John Clark they bought the Shoemaker mill and water power and 
 put up a paper mill in 1811. Sharpless &> Clark ran it till aboat 
 1834, when Clark died, and in the division of the property the 
 Clark heirs took the grist mill and farm, and Sharpless the paper 
 mill. The property subsequently came into the ownership of 
 William McKelvy and Joseph Paxton, and afterwards into that of 
 William McKelvy. Since his death it has been sold to McCready 
 Bros, of Philadelphia, and is now under the management of E- B. 
 Guie, a practical and competent man, and is running very suc- 
 cessfully. 
 
 The shad fishery of the Catawissa was one of the most famous 
 on the Susquehanna, both for the quantity and the quality of the 
 fish. 
 
 Close by the town the Susquehanna breaks through the Cata- 
 wissa mountain, making, some wild and beautiful scenery. The 
 rooks overhang the bed of the river, and the legend of the "Lo- 
 
106 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 ver's Leap" is located at the most precipitous part of the rent 
 mountain pile. 
 
 Although the early promise of the locality lias not been fulfill- 
 ed perhaps, yet it has advantages of location which must remain. 
 
 The Catawissa Bridge company for the original erection of a 
 bridge across the Susquehanna ^\■as organized by Act of Assem- 
 bly of March 16, 181G, and the bridge was completed in 1832 or 
 1833, at a cost of about !jp26,500. The contractor was one Stone- 
 berger. It has on more than one occasion been partially destroy- 
 ed by freshets, and that destruction was completed in the great 
 ice flood of March 17, 1875. The stone work for the re-erection 
 was awarded to Grover & Brooks, June 12, 1875, and the wood 
 wiirkto Perry & Hobart, June 21, 1875. The bridge v.'as opened 
 for travel November 22, 1875. The floor of the new bridge is six 
 feet higher than the old one, and the piers a'c thirty feet above 
 low water mark. It is a Howe truss, single track bridge, eigh- 
 teen feet in the clear, and cost about thirty-eight thousand dollars. 
 
 "Mr. Michael Brobst, died on Thursday night, September 14, 
 1882, at the ripe old age of ninety years, lie was born in Berks 
 county, Pa., in the year 1793. 
 
 In 1795 when he was about three years of age, his parents came 
 to this section of the state and located at what is now known as 
 Geary's mill, where they had purchased a tract of land, and upon 
 which they erected the first improved flouring-mill on the North 
 Branch, and which is now operated by Mr. J. H. Geary. Mr. 
 Brobst resided in Catawissa continuously, until the time of his 
 death, with the exception of three years which he spent in Ber- 
 wick and Nescopeck, and was always identified with the busi- 
 ness interests of the place. 
 
 In 1814 he was married in Bloomsburg by Rev. Mr. Engle, to 
 Miss Salome Good, of this place, with whom he lived happily for 
 sixty-seven years, and whose death he only survi.'edby about two 
 years. Their union was blessed by eight children, six of whom 
 are living, four sons and two daughters. The deceased was 
 possessed of an extraordinarily strong constitution which enabled 
 him to enjoy life far beyond the period usually allotted to man. 
 He held the position of Mountain Land Agent for the late C. S. 
 Coxe, Esq., for forty years, and in which capacity he acted for 
 the estate up to within a few days of his death. He was subject 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 107 
 
 to no disease, and his last moments were entirely free from joain. 
 He sank quietly into the sleep that knows no wakening, surround- 
 ed by loving hands that had been tireless in their endeavors to 
 render liis declining years pleasant and comfortable. In his de- 
 mise the community has lost a good citizen, and the family a kind 
 and loving father. Peace to his ashes." — Item. 
 
 The places of Divine worship are an Episcopal, a Methodist, 
 a German Reformed, and a Lutheran church, and a Friends' 
 meeting house, the latter building being over one hundred years 
 old. Among other business and social improvements are two ex- 
 cellent hotels, a Masonic hall, a bank, a paper mill, and extensive 
 car and repair shops, belonging to the Philadelphia & Reading 
 railroad. The Catawissa branch of the P. & R. railroad, the ex- 
 tension of the N. & W. Branch r.ailroad and the Sunbury, Hazle- 
 ton & Wilkes-Barre railroad, pass through Catawissa, and the D. 
 L. & W. railroad west of the river, which is spanned by an ex- 
 cellent bridge, into the town. The town has also a very lively 
 newspaper and jobbing office. 
 
 Is.\.vc H. Seksholtz was born in Catawissa, November 13, 1837. 
 He entered the army as 2d. Lieut, in the Iron Guards, Co. A. 6th 
 Penna. Reserves, April 22, 1861. Resigned Oct. 15, 1861, and 
 was commissioned 2d. Lieut. Co. H. 99th. Regt. P. V. Feb. 5, 
 1862; and 1st. Lieut. May 12, 1862. Resigned June 9, 1862, and 
 was commissioned 1st Lieut. Co. E. 118th. Regt. P. V., January 
 19, 1864, and Capt. in Co. K. in same Regt, Dec. 14, 1864, and 
 was mustered out with Co. June 1, 1865. He was in all the bat- 
 tles in which his command participated, beginning with Antie- 
 tam, amounting to twenty-one. He was wounded in the left arm 
 at Shepherd stown and in the right hand at Peeble's Farm, and 
 was present at Lee's surrender. We believe he is a brevet Major, 
 with a first rate military record, which he fairly won by hard 
 fighting. He is at present engaged in business in Catawissa. 
 
108 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 JE:£2.SE"Z"TO^^A7"3<r. 
 
 JERSEYTOWN lies twelve miles west from Bloomsburg, in 
 Madison township. It is an old settlement and village, con- 
 tains about fifty dwellings, two stores, two hotels, a tannery, vari- 
 ous mechanics' shops, a church, and a school house. The tele- 
 graph of the Tide Water Pipe Line runs through it. Of this 
 place and vicinity I am enabled to present the following personal 
 sketches : 
 
 John FrxsTOx settled about one mile west of the present village 
 at an early day. He kept the first store in Jerseytown and was a 
 prominent man in the neighborhood. He held a commis-^ion as 
 Justice of the Peace for many years. He died in the ninety-fourth 
 year of his age. He reared a large and respectable family of 
 seven sons and three daughter^). One of the sons, Thomas Aten 
 Funston, represented the county in the Legislature in the years 
 1844 and 1845. He was born May 3, 1791, in Madison toiviiship, 
 and died in Bloomsburg April 24,1874. During his service in 
 the General Assembly he wa-i a member of several important com- 
 mittees, and it was duiing his term that the bill for the i-emoval 
 of the seat of justice from Danville to Bluomsburg was passed. 
 Conrad Kreanier now occupies the site of the old s! ore of John 
 Funston, and the farm where he originally settled was lately the 
 property of Esquire John Smith, now deceased, 
 
 Evan Thojias was an early settler, but the date of his arrival 
 has not been ascertained. He settled north of Jerseytown, and 
 several of the houses on the light hand of the street from Millville, 
 are on land which belonged to him. His son, Evan Thomas, put 
 up and drove on the first blacksmith sliop in Jerseytown, and he 
 also kept the first tavern. He was succeeded by Andrew Haze- 
 lett. Evan Thomas left four sous and three daughters. The late 
 Caleb Thomas married hi-) daughter Prudence, and after the 
 
HIISTOBY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 109 
 
 death of his father-in-la\^', bought the farm, and lived there until 
 his own decease. It has changed hands several times and is now 
 in possession of Conrad Kreamer. 
 
 Hugh WATSONsettled east of Jerseytown about the year 1789. His 
 land ran up to the town, and the street on the right hand side 
 from Kreamer's store is laid and built on lots sold off of his land. 
 He raised seven sons and one daughter. The daughter, Sarah, 
 married James Laird. 
 
 PniN^EAS Barber came into the township about the year 1788. 
 He settled on the Chillisquaque about one mile and a half south 
 west of Jerseytown. His family eventually comprised seven sons, 
 and six daughters. The Rev. Daniel M. Barber was one of the 
 sons. The family came originally from New Jersey, and have 
 now all left the place. John A. Funston now owns the old farm. 
 
 William Pegg came from Sussex county. New Jersey, about the 
 year 1785. He w^as settled on the opposite side of Chillisquaque 
 creek, adjoining lands afterwards taken by Phineas Barber, on 
 the west. He raised two sons and two daughters, one of w^hom, 
 Sarah, married Jacob Swisher, Esq. William Pegg the second, 
 Jived on the old farm and raised a large family, five sons and five 
 or six daughters. The farm is about two miles south west of 
 Jerseytown. I find the name of the family sometimes spelled 
 Pague. 
 
 Michael Billiiime came from Sussex county. New Jersey 
 in 1776, and settled on Muddy Run, put up a log hut, 
 cleared off six acres of ground, put it in with wheat in 
 the fall of 1777, and just at the time the wheat was fit to cut the 
 Wyoming tragedy took place and they fled back to Jersey, driv- 
 ing their cattle with them. They stayed three years and when they 
 came back, found their place at Muddy Run occupied by others. 
 They then came to what is called Spruce creek two miles west of 
 Millville. He had a family of only two children, John and Mar- 
 tha. Martha died unmarried, but John raised a family of three 
 sons and six daughters. Of these, Michael and two sisters, all 
 unmarried, live on the old place; John lives on Black run and has 
 a family. 
 
 Peter Brugler came from Jersey and settled on the west side of 
 Spruce run, south of and adjoining Billhime, about the year 1779 
 or 1780. He was a noted hunter in his day and discovered "the 
 
no HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Lick" which bears his name. It is a short distance above where 
 Warnersville now stands. He is related to have made the dis- 
 covery by the paths the deer had worn in the hill side in traveling 
 to and from "the Lick". He would go off in the afternoon, climb 
 up into a tree where he had fixed himself an easy seat, and wait- 
 ing for the deer which came in droves to the lick, pick the finest) 
 dress it and return before night fall. After some years he remov- 
 ed to Hemlock township where he lived and died respected by all 
 who knew him. He had two sons and three daughters. When 
 about to leave Madison for Hemlock, he revealed the location of 
 "the lick," and a great many deer were afterward killed there by 
 different persons. 
 
 George Runyon came from Jersey in 1796, and bought and 
 settled upon the Brugier place on Spruce Run. He i-aist-d a large 
 family, seven sons and three daughters. Several of his children 
 are yet living. William, on the old homestead, aged 81, and 
 Thomas near Dewart, in his 85th year. 
 
 Joseph Hodge, also from New Jersey, settled on Spruce Run 
 about 1780, lived there nine years and then sold out his planta- 
 tion to Lewis Schuyler, and took up other lands adjoining. He 
 lived upon the second purchase until 1808, and died of cancer. 
 He raised two sons and four daughters. 
 
 Jacob Swishek settled on Spruce Run about 1796 near the forks 
 of the road leading from Millville to White Hall, adjoining lands 
 of George Runyon. He started the first tannery in all that section 
 of country. He was appointed a justice of the peace by Gov. 
 Snyder, and held the office until the change in the constitution 
 made the office elective. Pie declined on account of age to be a 
 candidate for election. He raised one son and four daughters, all 
 of whom are dead. His lands were divided, and Philip Eves lives 
 on one part and Pemberton Runyon on the other. 
 
 Daniel Wellivek settled in what is now Madison township, 
 on Whetstone run, now called Bear run, in the year 1776. He 
 was driven off by the Indians in 1778, and came back in 1780. 
 His purchase was east of Jerseytown, and took in the farms now 
 occupied by Vincent Shultz and Silas Welliver. Silas lives on 
 the homestead of his grandfather — Valentine Welliver lives on 
 the same purchase. All the north end of the township belonged 
 to him. He raised a large and respectable family of four sons 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. Hi 
 
 and seven daughters. He came from Sussex county, New Jersey. 
 
 Rici-iAED Demott came from New Jersey in the year 1 786 and 
 settled east of Jerseytowu, joining lands of Daniel Welliver and 
 lying east of him. His son Richard now occupies the homestead. 
 He raised a large family of six sons and six daughters, among the 
 most respectable people in the county. Mr. Jacob Demott, one of 
 the sons now an old man, relates that he remembers very well, 
 seeing, when a boy, the ruins of several Indian wigwams, which 
 had been built upon a high hill south of Valentine Welliver's, 
 called Huckleberry hill. It was so elevated that the Indians 
 could distinguish the smoke rising from nearly every chimney in 
 the valley. 
 
 Adaji Weluvek, John Welliver and Christopher Welliver, cous- 
 ins of the above named Daniel, also from Sussex county, New 
 Jersey, settled in the township about 1780. A large part of Jer- 
 seytown is built upon Adam's purchase, which stretched off to the 
 north west. Adam left two sons and two daughters. John's 
 farm lay to the southwest of Jerseytown. There was a family by 
 the name of Whitmoyer living on it at the time of the Wyoming 
 massacre in 1778. When other settlers left they concluded to 
 stay, and in the next spring, at the season of making maple sugar 
 two of the daughters went to the camp and while they were thus 
 absent, the Indians came and killed all the rest of the family and 
 scalped them. It is disputed whether there were three or five 
 thus butchered. They were buried on the old road from Jersey- 
 town to Washingtonville on the left hand side of the road, about 
 half a mile from town, near where Capt. William Allen now 
 lives. John had a family of four sons and one daughter. Phineas, 
 well remembered in the neighborhood, was the youngest. The 
 old farm is now occupied by Samuel Johnson. Christopher's 
 land lay south of Jerseytown. A large part of it has been sold 
 off in lots, and are now owned or occupied by William Kisner, 
 John Stout, Samuel Johnson and others. He raised four sons and 
 three daughters. Russel, who is quite well remembered, was the 
 youngest son. He kept a store in Rohrsburg for a long time and 
 now resides in the west. 
 
 James Mastess settled on Spruce run about 1786. He came 
 from one of the lower counties, and was a Quaker. He built the 
 first saw mill in this section and the first carding machine this 
 
112 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 side of Danville. The carding machine was erected about 1813. 
 He raised three sons and two daughters. His son David bought 
 the Millville mill and owned it till it burnt down in 1 849. It 
 was rebuilt by George Masters and John Betz. The old Masters' 
 farm is east of and adjoining the old Demott farm. 
 
 John Eves came to Milville about the year 1 774. He is the 
 oldest settler in that region of country. Just before the Wyo- 
 ming massacre a friendly Indian came through that way and gave 
 them information of the intended attack on the settlements, and 
 the Eves family left and remained away two or three years. 
 Eves built the first grist mill above Washingtonville. Thomas 
 Eves got the mill property as his share of his father's estate, and 
 built a new one in 1812. The Eves land lay on both sides of 
 Fishingcreek, but his residence was in Madison township. John 
 Eves was an Irish quaker. He was married in Ireland and several 
 of his family were born there. He raised eight sons and six 
 daughters. They all married and raised large families, except 
 the youngest son, Mark, who died a bachelor. John Eves built 
 the first Friends' meeting house in this section. The present 
 brick one stands on the site of the old one. 
 
 Lewis ScHuyLER was born in Germany in 1748. He came to 
 ihis country in 1751 and settled in Germantown, near Philadel- 
 phia. On the death of his parents he was taken by friends to 
 New Jersey. He came to the neighborhood of Jersej-town in 
 1794. In 1799 he bought the Spruce run farm and moved on it. 
 He died in 1837 aged 89 years. He was a soldier in the revolu- 
 tionary war. He married Hezekiah Plorned in November 1781, 
 and they raised seven sons and three daughters. Three sons sur- 
 vive, John in Canada, aged 89 years ; Lewis in Madison township, 
 aged 75 years, and another in Wisconsin aged 73 years. 
 
 The foregoing Madison township sketches were furnished by 
 Lewis Schuyler, five or six years ago ; and some facts as to per- 
 sons living, and their ages must be corrected accordingly. 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 113 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 It remains to speak of those 8mi)ller villages in the county which 
 are the headquarters for news and trade and social gatherings ; 
 where the p^ist office is located, whi re the churches are mainly- 
 erected, and the business of the township transacted. 
 
 Rupert is in Montour township, two miles south of Bloomsburg, 
 at the crossing ot llie Catawissa, aud Lnokawanna & Bloomsburg 
 
 ) ail roads, near the 
 mouth of Fishing- 
 crt ek. It has several 
 mat dwelling hous- 
 es, one tavern, a 
 store, a blacksmith 
 shop and a marble 
 worker. Its most 
 important industry 
 is the paint mill of 
 Henry S. Reay, 
 which with the rail- 
 road depots make it 
 a well known point. 
 reay's paint works. It is easily accessible 
 
 convenient to the Aqueduct grist mill of Paxtou & Harman, and, 
 the extensive powder keg lUHnufautory uf W. M. Monroe. The 
 above cut represents Reay's Paint Mill and the warehouse of 
 Paxton & Harman. 
 
 BUCICIIORN. 
 
 BucKHOEN is in Hemlock township four miles west of Blooms- 
 burg. It has fifty or sixty dwellings, u large school house, a 
 
114 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Lutheran and a Methodist church, one hotel, a store, a wheel- 
 wright, a blacksmith, a harness shop and other shops and business 
 places. 
 
 Buckhorn was for a long time the residence of the Hon. John 
 McReynolds. He was bern in Northumberland county, near 
 Watsontown, April 3, 1788, and died in Bloomsburg, March 14, 
 1880. He represented the county in the General Assembly in the 
 sessions of 1814-1825-1826-1827-1828; and was defeated for the 
 office in 1850. He was nominated for Congress in 1858 but 
 defeated. He was elected Associate Judge in 1861 and 
 served for one term and declined a reelection. Besides these 
 positions he was supervisor of the North Branch canal under Gov- 
 ernor Porter, for two years ; Collector of tolls at Beach Haven 
 for three years, and a member of the Electoral College in the 
 election of President Franklin Pierce. 
 
 KOHRSBTJRG. 
 
 RoHESBimG is in Greenwood, and about ten miles north of 
 Bloomsburg. It has a. couple of stores, a hotel, smith and wheel- 
 wright shops ; two churches and about twenty dwellings. There 
 is a grist mill in the vicinity. The town was laid out by Freder- 
 i<;k Rohr, about the year 1825. 
 
 EYERGBOVE. 
 
 Eyergrove, in Greenwood, has a church, grist mill, hotel, 
 smith shop, store and about iifteen dwellings. 
 
 MILI,VIIJ,E. 
 
 M11.LV11.T.B, also in Greenwood township, lies about fifteen miles 
 from Bloomsburg. The village and township are mainly settled by 
 Friends. The village has some fifty dwellings, an extensive wagon 
 maker shop, a grist mill, blacksmith shop, two stores, public 
 school house, Greenwood Seminary, a Methodist church, a Hixite 
 and Orthodox Friends meeting houses. It is a place of consider- 
 able activity and is connected with Bloomsburg by telephone. 
 
 lOI.A. 
 
 loLA, two miles above Millville on the Little Fishingcreek, with 
 several dwellings has a grist mill, a saw mill, a large woolen fac- 
 tory, and a Methodist church. 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 115 
 
 SEREKO. 
 
 Sekeno, two miles above Ida on the creek, has a large tannery, 
 saw mills, &c. 
 
 LIGHTSTREET. 
 
 LiGHTSTREET is the name by which a couple of villages, lying 
 contiguous and now adjoining, are known. It is in Scott town- 
 ship, three miles north of Bloomsbiirg. It is new, well built, with 
 several fine dwellings, has a good large school house, three 
 church buildings, stores, smith, tin, stove and furniture shops, and 
 two grist mills. Trench's paper mill is also in the vicinity. It is 
 a bright and active little place, and formerly did quite a business 
 in the manufacture of pig iron. 
 
 Gen. Wellington H. Ent, son of the Hon. Peter Ent, was born 
 at Lightstreet, August 16, 1834, and died in Bloomsburg Nov. 5, 
 1871. He graduated at Dickinson seminary, Williamsport, in 
 1858, and after being under the tutorship of Robert F. Clark, Esq. 
 was admitted to the bar in 1860. He went into the army in June 
 1S61, as 1st. Lieut, in a volunteer Co. and was commissioned 
 Captain of Co. A. 6th Penna. Reserves, and after Antietam was 
 promoted to be Major, after Fredericksburg to be Lieut. Colonel 
 and after Gettysburg to be Colonel. His brevet came afterwards. 
 His promotions show the brilliancy of his military record. 
 
 His brother William was in the militia and died in 1868; his 
 brother Robert S. was in the nine months service, and died Oct. 16 
 1882. His brother Usal H. was in the 84th and 28th P. Y. 
 about fourteen months, and is now sheriff of the county. 
 
 ORANGEVILLE. 
 
 Orangevillb is in Orange township, six miles north of Blooms- 
 burg. Within a few years a large number of dwellings, quite in 
 the modern* style have been erected. It has several stores, two 
 hotels, academy and public school house, churches, grist mill, 
 tannery, foundry, and about one hundred dwellings. The origi- 
 nal proprietor was Clemuel G. Ricketts, who first established a 
 store there about the year 1 822. Mr. Ricketts was a man of 
 taste and culture, and gave to the little village of his residence 
 quite a position, by the publication of a book of Travels in the 
 East, in which he described with care and accuracy what he saw 
 and heard and experienced. 
 
116 
 
 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Although the first store was opened in Orangeville in 1822 the 
 place was settled very much earlier. 
 
 Mr. John McHenry, an old and respected citizen who died in 
 Benton township, March 17, 1868, at the age of 82 years, 6 months 
 and 4 days, and who was born at Stillwater, a few miles above 
 Orangeville, in the year 1785, says that at the time of his birth, 
 two or three shanties stood where Orangeville now stands. Mr. 
 McHenry was the first white child born north of Orange on the 
 famous Fishingcreek, and he spent his whole long life upon its 
 waters. He was a most successful and accomjslish'd hunter, and 
 killed during his career more than two thousand deer. He was 
 what was called a still hunter. No dogs ever tracked the game 
 through the forest for him. A nice ear, a quick eye and an uner- 
 ring rifle made success certain. Although deer were his princi- 
 pal sport, yet all kinds of game, especially wild turkeys, 
 were among those whose chase was most exciting, and 
 whose capture was most satisfactory, on account of the deli- 
 cious flavor of the flesh, as well as the skill required to 
 secure them. 
 
 OKANCEVILLE ACADEJIY. 
 
 The Orangeville male and female academy, spoken of above, 
 was incorporated by an act of assembly of March 11, 1858, P. L. 
 104. It has had a somewhat chequered career, but has in the 
 
SISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 117 
 
 main, done good work as an educational centre. It is well built 
 and pleasantly situated. It is quite ci-rtaiu however, that with 
 the great facilities and advantages offered by the Normal School 
 at Bloomsburg, such Institutions of learning as that at Orange- 
 ville and at Millville, cannot offer successful competition. Their 
 support must be almost entirely local, but as preparatory to en- 
 tering the Normal school, the children of the neighborhood could 
 be very advantageously trained in the respective academies. 
 
 CoL. William Wallace Ricketts, son of Elijah G. Ricketts, was 
 born in Orangeville in 1836. He entered the army with the Iron 
 Guards in 1861. He was instinctively a military man. He was 
 made Colonel of his regiment July 27, 1861 ; came home in Feb- 
 ruary 1862 and died at his father's house in Orangeville, August 
 10, 1862, in the 26th year of his age. 
 
 CoL. Robert Bruce Ricketts of Battery F. is a brother of Col. 
 W. W. Ricketts and made himself a fighting record of which he 
 may well be proud. Something more is said of them in the army 
 record in this volume. 
 
 STILLWATER. 
 
 Stillwater is a beautiful little nook in the township of Fishing- 
 creek, and on the bank of the stream. It has several very taste- 
 ful dwelling houses, two stores, a smith shop, school house, and 
 two beautiful church buildings. 
 
 BENTON. 
 
 Benton, situated in the township of the same name, about six- 
 teen miles north of Bloomsburg, contains forty or fifty dwellings, 
 many of them tastfully built, an excellent hotel, several stores, 
 carriage and furniture shops, churches, school house, and grist 
 mill. It is a growing village, in a fine agricultural neighborhood. 
 
 Samuel Rogers, from Orange county. New York, settled in 
 what is !iow Benton township, on a farm next south of the one 
 now occupied by William Hulme. 
 
 William Eager, from the same place, settled on the Hulme 
 farm. 
 
 John Keei.er, another Orange county man, occupied the farm 
 next north of and adjoining Eager. 
 
 Daniel Jackson came from Jersey in the spring of 1792 or 1793, 
 and located upon, cleared and occupied the farm upon which the 
 
118 HISTOBY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 town of Benton now stands. The whole number of families in 
 what is now Benton township, was in 1799 about fifteen or six- 
 teen. 
 
 COLESCEEEK. 
 
 CoLESCREEK, in Sugarloaf township, at the forks of Colescreek 
 and Fishing creek, is a post town, with store, grist mill, smith 
 shop &o. St. Gabriel's Episoo|ial Church, and a number of dwell- 
 ing houses are located there in the midst of romantic scenery. In 
 relation to its early settlers I have been able to glean the following 
 particulars. 
 
 WiLLiAjr Hess, the elder, settled in what is now Sugarloaf town- 
 ship in or about the year 1792. lie came from Northampton county 
 with a family of eleven sous, and a number of comely daughters. 
 He improved a farm in the warrantee name of Jane Boyd, and 
 which is now occupied by Andrew Laubach. Ezekiel Cole, son- 
 in-law to William Iless, came at the same time and settled on the 
 south end of the same tract. Mr. Cole built the first grist mill on 
 Fishingcreek that did any business worth mentioning. Fishing- 
 creek at that time included the whole north end of the county, 
 and as far south as to the Nob Mountain. 
 
 John Kii.e, senior, another son-in-law of William Hess, came 
 from Bucks county, between the years 1793 and 1799, and settled 
 on the same Jane Boyd tract of land, on what is now occupied by 
 Joseph O. Hess. William Hess and his sons and his family con- 
 nections in 1799 occupied all the land on both sides of the Fish- 
 ingcreek, from the North Mountain to the south line of what is 
 now Sugarloaf township. 
 
 Philip Fritz, senior, a nephew of William Hess, senior, came 
 into the neighborhood about the year 1 797, and settled on the hill 
 northeast of his uncle. He was the first school master and Justice 
 of the Peace in the north east corner of Columbia county. 
 
 Christian Laubach," senior, also a relative of William Hess, 
 senior, came into the county in the year 1 790 and settled on the hill 
 s<iuth east of him. The last four family names are still among the 
 most extensive and respected in that region of the county in 
 which they originally settled ; and it is matter of regret that not 
 more full and specific family history has been recovered. 
 
HISTOET OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 119 
 
 J0KA.THA.N CoLLEY Bettled at an early day on the east side of 
 Fishingoreek, south of Ezekiel Cole. His son Alexander came in 
 the year 1799. He represented the county in the legislature in 
 1822 and 1823. What is now Sugarloaf township, contained in 
 1799, only about six families. 
 
 ESPYTOWN. 
 
 EsPYTOWN is also in Scott township, and is located east from 
 Bloomsburg about three miles. It has some fine and pleasant 
 residences, fine stores, shops, churches and school houses, one 
 tavern, a large steam grist mill, and is a depot for the Lacka- 
 wanna & Bloomsburg railroad. George Espy was the proprietor 
 and in early times it was noted for its shad fishery and its race 
 ground, "Webb's lane." 
 
 Esjjy Vas for a long time better known as the residence of Mr. 
 Frederick B. Swaby than for any thing else ; and he was in many 
 respects a conspicuous man. He died at the residence of his son, 
 Frederick J. Swaby, in Seneca Falls, at the age of 85 years. 
 
 Mr. Swaby was born in the island of Jamaica, in the year 1791. 
 He was educated in England, and during the years 1805 and 
 1806 was a scholar at the school near Barnet Castle, in York- 
 shire, which has since been renderf d celebrated by being describ- 
 ed in a vein of very broad but amusing caricature by Dickens in 
 his novel "Nicholas Nickleby," under the name of "Dotheboys 
 hall," and Mr. Swaby was perhaps, the last survivor of that institu- 
 tion. He came to this country in company, with his father-in- 
 law, Capt. John Haigh of the British army, in 1821, and settled 
 at the village of Espy, Columbia county. Pa., where he resided 
 until 1846, surrounded by m.any warm friends, for whom he, to 
 the last, cherished the kindest recollection and regard. In that 
 year he removed to Seneca Falls, where he resided with his 
 sons. His father, Joseph Swaby, died in Jamaica in the year 
 1811 ; he was born in J 727; the lives of the father and son con- 
 sequently extended through a period of 148 years During the 
 nearly thirty years' residence of Mr. Swaby in Seneca Falls, he 
 was little in public life, being rather retiring in disposition, 
 but in the home circle and among those whose acquaintance with 
 him became intimate, he was highly prized. He possessed the 
 keenest sense of honor, which was always manifest in his inter- 
 
120 J1I8T0ET OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 course with the world, and the probity of his character was ever 
 conspicuous. He was a comnmnicant of the church of England, 
 and always maintained the highest standard of a devout Christian. 
 His genial and cheerful temperament rendered him peculiarly a 
 favorite among the young. It was while participating with them 
 in their innocent amusements, that he received injuries from a fall, 
 which hastened his death. His memory will remain as a precious 
 legacy to those to whom he was a loved companion for years. 
 
 THE HALF "WhX HOUSE. 
 
 The Half Way House, in Centre township, now no longer a 
 hotel, was years ago in the days of stages, a well known place. 
 Stonytown, at the ferry, is now the stopping place for travel- 
 lei's, and the glory of the old stage office has departed, which 
 Sanmel Harnian made famous. 
 
 Col. Samuel Knoer was born in Centre township, December 
 24, 1836. He read law with Wm. G. Hurley, Esq. and was ad- 
 mitted to the Bar in 1863. 
 
 He entered the army with the Iron Guards April 22, 1861, at 
 Bloomsburg. The Company became Co. A. 6th Penna. Reserves 
 and he served as Sergeant until Oct. 23, 1861, when he was pro- 
 moted to 2d. Lieut, and was honorably discharged Oct. 25, 1862, 
 on account of physical disability. July 4, 1868, he was commis- 
 sioned Major of the 35th Regt. Penna. Militia, and mustered 
 into the service of the United States, and • discharged from ser- 
 vice August 7, 1863. Was commissioned captain of the 19th 
 Regt. U. S. colored troops, Nov, 30, 1863, as Major, Sept. 29, 
 1864, Lieut. Colonel Feby. 27, 1865, and on January 6, 1866 hon- 
 orably discharged, on resignation. His successive and rapid pro- 
 motions prove his merit and standing as an officer. He was Pres- 
 idential Elector in 1868, and collector of Internal Revenue for the 
 13th District of Penna. from April 6, 1869 to May 30, 1873. 
 
 MIFFLINVII.LE. 
 
 MiFFLiNviLLE is a Staid and ancient village nine miles east of 
 Bloomsburg, on the east bank of the Susquehanna, contains about 
 thirty dwellings, a couple of stores, a tavern, shops, churches and 
 school houses, and a couple of grist mills. The North & West 
 Branch railroad runs through the village. 
 
MISTOUT OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 121 
 
 MAIKVILLE. 
 
 Mainvif.le is in Main township, about six miles south-east from 
 Bloomsburg, has fifteen to twenty houses, tavern, stores, grist mill, 
 forge, &c., and is situated on Catawissa creek, and on the Read- 
 ing, and Sunbury, Hazleton & Wilkesbarre Railway. 
 
 BEAVER VAIXET. 
 
 Bkavee Vaij-ey, twelve miles south-east of Bloomsburg, has a 
 tavern, a store, half a dozen dwellings, and a depot for the Read- 
 ing railroad. 
 
 CENTKAIJA BOHOUGH. 
 
 Centrai.ia Borough, situate in Conyngham township, south-east 
 from Bloomsburg about twenty miles, in the midst of a coal min- 
 ing district, and has within and about it several hundred dwelling 
 houses, a number of stores, and hotels and drinking houses innu- 
 merable. It has a beautiful and tasteful place of worship, "Holy 
 Trinity Church," belonging to the Episcopalians, also one belong- 
 ing to the Romanists, One to the Presbyterians and one to the 
 Methodists. 
 
 NUMIDIA AND SLABTOVTN. 
 
 NumuiA and Slabtown, lying in Locust township, respectively 
 thirteen and eleven miles south-east from Bloomsburg, have each 
 ten to fifteen dwellings; store, tavern, shops, &c. The village of 
 Slabtown, whose post-ofiice name is Roaringcreek, is on the stream 
 of that name, which dri-ves a grist mill there located. 
 
122 
 
 HI8T0R Y OF OOL UMJBIA CO UNTY. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 COI-UMBIA COUNTY COURT HOUSE. 
 
 By the Act of Assembly erecting Columbia county, it was pro- 
 vided; "That from and after the first Monday of March, one thous- 
 and eight hundred and fourteen, the several courts in and for the 
 said county of Columbia, shall be opened and held at each house 
 as is hereinafter provided for in the said county of Columbia* 
 
HI8T0RY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 123 
 
 until a Court House shall be erected in and for said county as 
 hereinafter directed, and shall be then held at said Court House." 
 
 The sheriff, coroner and other officers of the county of North- 
 umberland were to continue to exercise the duties of their respec- 
 tive offices within the county of Columbia until similar officers 
 were appointed within said county. 
 
 The county was annexed to the middle district of the Supreme 
 Court, and to the eighth judicial district of the Courts of 
 Common Pleas, comprising the counties of Northumberland, 
 Union and Lycoming ; and the Courts were to be holden in and 
 for the county of Columbia on the first Mondays in January, 
 April, August and November. In districting the state under the 
 amended constitution we were put into the 11th district with Lu- 
 zerne and Wyoming, and subsequently into the 26th with Sullivan 
 and Wyoming, and under the constitution of 1872 Sullivan 
 and Wyoming were erected into a separate district and Montour 
 annexed to Columbia, in which connection we are now, 1882. To 
 this chapter is appended a list of the officers and personnel of the 
 Court since the establishment of the county. This is not the 
 place, or we might add much matter to this division, of personal 
 history and anecdote, of gentlemen who upon the Bench or at the 
 Bar, have given to our county a solid and honorable reputation at 
 home and abroad. Of Robert Cooper Grier, who began the prac- 
 tice of the law in Bloomsburg, and rose to be an Associate Justice 
 of the United States Supreme Court — of William G. Hurley, for 
 more than forty years identified honorably with the Bar of this 
 county — rof John G. Montgomery, a man of great power and elo- 
 quence, elected to the legislature and subsequently to Congress, 
 and who perished in the National Hotel disaster — of John Cooper, 
 himself an eccentric and brilliant man, the son of Judge Thomas 
 Cooper, renowned in the old world as well as here — of George A. 
 Frick, second to none as a man, and as a lawyer of extensive and 
 solid attainments — of Robert F. Clark and Morrison E. Jackson, 
 who among the younger members of the Bar, achieved and main- 
 tained a position at the head of the profession in the county. Nor 
 would it be difficult to select from among the living, names whose 
 Bounds will long linger in the memories ef the young men of the 
 Bar, and whose courtesy, learning and chaste professional honor 
 it would be safe to follow, and ennobling to emulate. 
 
124 III/STOHY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 PRESIDENT JUDGES. 
 
 Names. Appointed from. Date of Com,m,ission. 
 
 Seth Chapman, Bucks, July 11, 1811 
 
 Resigned Octobev, 10-1833. 
 Ellis Lewis, Lycoming, October, 14, 1833. 
 
 Died in Philadelphia, March 19-1871. 
 Charles G. Donnel, Northumberland, January, 14, 1843, 
 
 Died March, 18-1884. 
 Joseph B. Anthony, Lycoming, March, 1844. 
 
 Died January 10th, 1851. 
 James Pollock, Northumberland, January 16, 1851. 
 
 John N. Conyngham, Luzerne, November 5, 1851. 
 
 Died Ajn-il 23, 1871. 
 Warren J. Woodward, Luzerne, May 19, 1856. 
 
 Died September 23, 1879. 
 Aaron K. Peckham, Wyoming, December 10, 1861. 
 
 Died March 22, 1865. 
 William Elwell, Bradford, November 3, 1862. 
 
 William Elwell, Columbia November 6, 1872. 
 
 William Elwell, " January, 1883. 
 
 ASSOCIATE JUDGES. 
 
 John Murray, 
 William Montgomery, 
 Leonard Rupert, 
 William Donaldson, 
 George Mack, 
 Samuel Oakes, 
 Stephen Baldy, 
 George H Willits, 
 John Covanhovan, 
 Leonard B. Rupert, 
 George H. Willits, 
 Peter Kline, 
 Jacob Evans, 
 Stephen Baldy, 
 
 appointed 
 
 elected 
 
 appointed 
 
 October 11, 
 
 August 5, 
 
 June 27, 
 
 March 26, 
 
 March 27, 
 
 March 6, 
 
 March n, 
 
 March 12, 
 
 March 12, 
 
 Nov. 10, 
 
 Nov. 10, 
 
 Nov. 12, 
 
 Nov. 12, 
 
 Jan. 12, 
 
 1813. 
 1815. 
 1816. 
 1840. 
 1840. 
 1845. 
 1845. 
 1850. 
 1850. 
 1851. 
 1851. 
 1856. 
 1856. 
 1861. 
 
HIISTOBY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 125 
 
 John McReynolds, elected 
 
 Stephen Baldy, " 
 
 Peter K. Herbein, " 
 
 Died in office April 1, 1869. 
 Iram Derr, elected 
 
 James Kester, appointed 
 
 Charles F. Mann, elected 
 
 Died in office, January 24, 1870. 
 
 Isaac S. Monroe, appointed 
 
 Isaac S. Monroe, elected 
 
 Iram Derr, '' 
 
 George Scott, " 
 
 Died in office, April 10, 1876. 
 
 May berry G. Hughes, appointed 
 
 Franklin L. Shuman, elected 
 
 Isaac K. Krickbaum, " 
 
 Franklin L. Shuman, " 
 
 James Lake, " 
 
 Noy. 23, 1861. 
 
 Nov. 23, 1861. 
 
 Nov. 8, 1866. 
 
 Nov. 8, 1866. 
 April 2S, 1869. 
 Nov. 26, 1869. 
 
 Feb. 1, 1870. 
 
 Nov. 9, 1870. 
 
 Nov. 17, 1871. 
 
 Dec. 3, 1875 
 
 April 26, 1876. 
 Dec 8, 1876. 
 Dec. 8, 1876. 
 Dec. 8, 1881. 
 Dec. 8, 1881. 
 
 PROTHONOTAKY AND CLERK. 
 
 George A. Frick, 
 Dr. David Petrikin, 
 John Russel, 
 Jacob Eyerly, 
 James Donaldson, 
 
 Valentine Best, 
 Jacob Eyerly, 
 
 a u 
 
 appointed 
 
 elected 
 
 Jesse Coleman. 
 
 1813. 
 
 March 15, 1821. 
 
 January 14, 1824. 
 
 January 19, 1830. 
 
 January 8, 1836. 
 
 May 1, 1838. 
 
 January 10, 1839. 
 
 Jinuary 18, 1839. 
 
 December 1, 1839. 
 
 1842. 
 
 1845. 
 
 1848. 
 
 1851. 
 
 1854. 
 
 1857. 
 
 1860. 
 
 December 1, 1863. 
 
126 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Wellington H. Ent, elected December 1, 1869. 
 
 General Ent, dieri Nov. 5, 1871. 
 
 R. H. Ringler, appointed 1871. 
 
 B. F. Zarr, elected December 1, 1872. 
 
 " " " December 1, 1875. 
 
 William Krickbaum, " 1878. 
 
 " " " 1881. 
 
 
 \j 
 
 SHERIFFS. 
 
 January 13, 
 
 
 Henry Alward, 
 
 oommissioned 
 
 1814. 
 
 Joseph Piutzman, 
 
 a 
 
 October 19, 
 
 1816. 
 
 John Underwood, 
 
 commissioned 
 Died in office. 
 
 October 18, 
 
 1819. 
 
 Wm. Robison, to fill vacancy 
 
 September 16, 
 
 1822. 
 
 Andrew MoReynolds, 
 
 commissioned 
 
 October 14, 
 
 1822, 
 
 John Rhoads, 
 
 ii 
 
 October 22, 
 
 1825. 
 
 William Kitchen, 
 
 a 
 
 October 22, 
 
 1828- 
 
 Isaiah Reed, 
 
 i^ 
 
 October 24, 
 
 1831. 
 
 Isaiah Salmon, 
 
 u 
 
 October 25, 
 
 1834. 
 
 William Kitchen, 
 
 U 
 
 October 18, 
 
 1837. 
 
 John Fruit, 
 
 Ct 
 
 October 30, 
 
 1840. 
 
 Iram Derr, 
 
 a 
 
 
 1843. 
 
 Benjamin Hayman, 
 
 u 
 
 November 5, 
 
 1846. 
 
 Peter Billmeyer, 
 
 it. 
 
 October 24, 
 
 1849. 
 
 John Snyder, 
 
 a 
 
 
 1852. 
 
 Stephen H. Miller, 
 
 a 
 
 
 1855. 
 
 John Snyder, 
 
 li 
 
 
 1858 
 
 Josiah H. Furraan, 
 
 a 
 
 
 1861. 
 
 Samuel Snyder, 
 
 .£ 
 
 
 1864. 
 
 Mordecai Millard, 
 
 U 
 
 
 1867. 
 
 Aaron Smith, 
 
 a 
 
 
 1870. 
 
 Michael Grover, 
 
 tt 
 
 
 1873. 
 
 Died 
 
 in office April 3, 
 
 1876. 
 
 
 Charles G. Muiphy, Coioner 
 
 
 1876. 
 
 Was sworn in 
 
 April 5, 1876, to 5 May, 1876. 
 
 
 Charles S. Fornwald, 
 
 
 
 1876. 
 
 Appointed by Gov. May 5, 1876, 
 
 to January, 1877. 
 
HIISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 127 
 
 John W. Hoffman, 
 
 elected Nov. 1876, 
 
 
 1877. 
 
 Uzal H. Eiit, 
 
 " 1879, 
 
 
 1880. 
 
 John Mourey, 
 
 " 1882, 
 
 
 1883. 
 
 KEGISTEB & RECORDER. 
 
 
 Josiah McClure 
 
 appointed 
 
 1814 
 
 Ellis Hughes 
 
 a 
 
 
 1821 
 
 Rudolph Sechler 
 
 li 
 
 
 1824 
 
 John Cooper 
 
 u 
 
 
 1830 
 
 Alexander Best 
 
 a 
 
 
 1836 
 
 Philip Billmeyer 
 
 " IS 
 
 January 
 
 1839 
 
 a a 
 
 elected 1 December 
 
 1839 
 
 Charles Conner 
 
 ^i 
 
 
 1842 
 
 Jesse G. Clark 
 
 i(. 
 
 
 1848 
 
 Daniel Lee 
 
 a 
 
 
 1854 
 
 John G. Freeze 
 
 a 
 
 
 1863 
 
 Williamson H. Jacoby 
 
 a 
 
 
 1869 
 
 George W. Sterner 
 
 " 1 
 
 . January 
 
 1882 
 
 ATTOENEYS-AT-LAW. 
 
 
 Robert C. Grier 
 
 Bloomsburg 
 
 3ceased 
 
 William G. Hurley 
 
 ii 
 
 
 a 
 
 James Pleasants 
 
 Catawissa 
 
 
 i( 
 
 Samuel F. Headley 
 
 Berwick 
 
 
 u 
 
 Morrison E. Jackson 
 
 a 
 
 
 a 
 
 LeGrand Bancroft 
 
 Bloomsburg 
 
 
 u 
 
 B.. K.Rhodes 
 
 a 
 
 Left the 
 
 county 
 
 Charles R. Buckalew 
 
 " 
 
 Practising 
 
 Robert F. Clark 
 
 a 
 
 Deceased 
 
 Reuben W. Weaver 
 
 .. 
 
 Deceased 
 
 John G. Freeze 
 
 a 
 
 Practising 
 
 Elisha C. Thomson 
 
 ii 
 
 Deceased 
 
 Franklin Stewart 
 
 Berwick 
 
 Practising 
 
 Ephram H. Little 
 
 Bloomsburg 
 
 Practising 
 
 Alexander J. Frick 
 
 a 
 
 Left the • 
 
 county 
 
 Oliver C. Kahler 
 
 it 
 
 Practising 
 
 Wesley Wirt 
 
 a 
 
 Deceased 
 
128 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Agib Ricketts 
 Robert S. Howell 
 W. A. Peck 
 Charles G. Barkley 
 Samuel Knorr 
 Hervy H. Grotz 
 William H. Abbott 
 Charles B. Brockway 
 Wellington H. Ent 
 M. M. Traugh 
 James K. Brugler 
 Peter S. Rishel 
 Michael Whitmoyer 
 M. M. L'Velle 
 Russel R. Pealer 
 Elijah R. Ikeler 
 Charles W. Miller 
 George S. Coleman 
 J. B. Robison 
 J. H. James 
 M. E. Walker 
 O. B. Meliok 
 James Brysou 
 Milton Stiles 
 LeRoy Thompson 
 John M. Clark 
 B. Frank Zarr 
 A. C. Smith 
 H. E. Smith 
 John A. Oji]) 
 Warren J. Buckalew 
 George E. Ehvell 
 Robert R. Little 
 Nevin U. Funk 
 William L. Eyerly 
 Charles B. Jackson 
 Frank P. Billmeyer 
 Levi E. Waller 
 T. J. Vanderslice 
 
 Bloomsburg 
 
 Espy 
 Berwick 
 Bloomsburg 
 
 Catawissa 
 Bloomsburg 
 
 Berwick 
 Bloomsburg 
 
 Centralia 
 Bloomsburg 
 
 Centralia 
 Bloomsburg 
 Lightstreet 
 Centralia 
 Berwick 
 
 a 
 
 Bloomsburg 
 
 Left the county 
 
 Practising 
 
 Left the county 
 
 Practising 
 
 Practising 
 
 Retired 
 
 Left the county 
 
 Practising 
 
 Deceased 
 
 Left the county 
 
 Left the county 
 
 Left the county 
 
 Practising 
 
 Deceased 
 
 Practising 
 
 Left the county 
 
 Practising 
 Practising 
 
 a 
 
 Left the county 
 Practising 
 
 Left the county 
 
 Deceased 
 
 Practising; 
 
 Catawissa 
 
 Berwick 
 
 Bloomsburg 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 129 
 
 H. C. Bittenbender 
 W. H. Rhawn 
 William Bryson 
 Paul E. Wirt 
 Robert Buckingham 
 L. S. Wintersteen 
 A. L. Fritz 
 Andrew K. Oswald 
 Jacob H. Maize 
 C. C. Peacock 
 Heister V. White 
 A. E. Chapin 
 John C. Yocum 
 David Leohe 
 Guy Jacoby 
 Wm. Chrisman 
 W. H. Snyder 
 Wm. E. Smith 
 
 Bloomsburg, 
 Catawissa 
 Centralia 
 Bloomsburg 
 
 Berwick 
 Bloomsburg 
 
 Catawissa 
 Bloomsburg 
 
 Orangeville 
 Berwick 
 
 Left the county 
 ' Practising 
 
 Left the county 
 Practising 
 
 Left the county 
 Practisinff 
 
 MONTOUE COUNTY. 
 
 Alem Marr 
 George A. Frick 
 John Cooper 
 John G. Montgomery 
 Joshua W. Comly 
 Arthur W. Frick 
 Edward H. Baldy 
 Oscar F. Moore 
 John D. Colt 
 Paul Leidy 
 B. K. Rhodes 
 W. C. Johnston 
 Isaac X. Grier 
 Geo. D. Butler 
 John C. Montgomery 
 H. M. Hinckley 
 L. K. Mourer 
 H. Vincent 
 W. J. Baldy 
 James Scarlet 
 F. C. Angle 
 Ed. S. Gearhart 
 
 Danville 
 
 Deceased 
 
 Retired 
 
 Deceased 
 
 Practising 
 
 Retired 
 
 Deceased 
 
 Deceased 
 
 Practising 
 
130 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 BIOGBAPHICAL SKETCHES OE PRESIDENT JUDGES. 
 
 SETH CHAPMAN 
 
 Of Judge Chapman I have been able to gather but very slight 
 memorials. He was a resident of Bucks county, and was appoint- 
 ed President Judge of the Northumberland District July 11th, 
 1811. George A. Frick Esq., writes tome as follows, under date 
 of Nov. 29, 1871. 
 
 "Judge Chapman had not the brilliant talents of many of the attor- 
 neys who practised in the Northumberland courts — to wit, Thomas 
 Duncan, David Watts, Charles Huston, Charles Hall, Ebenezer 
 Greeuough and Hugh Bellas ; but was a better judge than many 
 others we had in Pennsylvania. When Columbia county was 
 formed out of part of Northumberland in 1813, ChajDman became 
 President Judge of our Courts, and held his first court for the 
 county in Danville, ni January 1814. 
 
 I was appointed prothonotary of the Conunon Pleas of Colum- 
 bia county in 1813, and continued until 1821. Both Judge Chap- 
 man and myself were appointed by Gov. Snyder. My last ap- 
 pointment was by Gov. Finley." 
 
 Judge Chapman resigned October 10th, 1833. 
 
 ELLIS LEWIS. 
 
 BY JIRS. JULIET H. L. CASIPBELL. 
 
 Erxis Lewis was born. May 16th, 1798, in Lewisburg, Penna., 
 a town named in honor of his father, Eli Lewis, Esq. This gen- 
 tleman, who was a person of means, influence and literary tastes, 
 died when the subject of this memoir was four years of age. 
 During a long minority, his inheritance was dissipated by mis- 
 management, and he was early thrown upon his own resources. 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 131 
 
 He became a good practical printer and editor ; studied law, and 
 was adniitted to the bar, at twenty-five years of age. At this 
 time, he married Miss Josephine Wallis, daughter of Joseph Wal- 
 lis, Esq., civil engineer. Two years later, he was appointed Dep- 
 uty Attorney-General for Lycoming county. In 1832 he was elect- 
 ed to the Legislature of Pennsylvania. The question of internal 
 improvements was then an absorbing one, and placed on a special 
 committee on this subject he rendered his usual efficient service. 
 
 On a committee to visit the prisons of the state, he found in 
 the debtor's department of county prisons, persons detained for 
 sums less than five dollars. He drew up a bill and report con- 
 cerning imprisonment for debt, which was the first step toward 
 the abolition of this then popular custom. 
 
 His conspicuous talents attracting the attention of Gov. Wolfe 
 he was by him appointed Attorney-General for the Commonwealth 
 of Pennsylvania in 1833 and later, in the same year, became Presi- 
 dent Judge of the Eighth Judicial District, comprising the counties 
 of Columbia, Northumberland, Lycoming and Union. The old citi- 
 zens, and more especially the members of the legal profession, re- 
 member the marked ability and acumen with which for ten years 
 he expounded the laws. Li 1843 he became President Judge of 
 the Second District (Lancaster county) and in 1851 was elected 
 Justice of the Supreme Court of the State. 
 
 In 1855 he became Chief Justice. The opinions delivered by 
 him in this capacity are remarkable for profound legal learning, 
 sound equity and research, and are considered valuable contribu- 
 tions to the records of his time. In 1857 he declined the unani- 
 mous nomination of the Democratic convention for re-election to 
 the Supreme Court, and retired to private life. In 1858 he was 
 again solicited to render public service, and became one of three 
 commissioners to revise the criminal code of Pennsylvania. 
 
 Outside of his official labors, which are a valuable legacy to 
 the legal profession. Judge Lewis published a volume entitled, 
 "-4n Abridgement of the Criminal Law of the United States" 
 and made occasional contributions to the literature of the day. 
 The honorary degree of Doctor of Medicine was conferred on him 
 because of his especial study of Medical Jurisprudence, and he 
 received from Jefferson College and other universities the degree 
 of Doctor of Laws. He was a ripe scholar, a profound thinker, a 
 
132 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 large hearted and public spirited man. He died March 19th 
 1871, deeply mourned by a large circle of friends to whom he was 
 endeared by his brilliant and genial qualities. 
 
 Judge Lewis was by birth-right a Quaker, but his residence 
 cutting him off from intercourse with the Society of Friends, he 
 attached himself to the Episcopal church. He died in an express- 
 ed hope and trust in the love and mercy of his Saviour. 
 
 CHARLES G. DONNEL. 
 
 Judge Donnel was the son of Henry and Margaret Donnel, 
 and was*born Marcli the 14th, 1801. 
 
 On the 14th of January 1843 he was commissioned by Gov. 
 David R. Porter, President Judge of the Eighth Judicial District, 
 then composed of the counties of Northumberland, Union, Lycom- 
 ing and Columbia. He was sworn into office on the 1 6th of Jan- 
 uary and entered upon its duties. His first term in his own county 
 began April 3, 1 843. He presided with great dignity and urban- 
 ity, and would undoubtedly have become eminent as a jurist, had 
 he been spared to develop his powers. He died on the 18th of 
 March 1844, aged forty-three years and four days, having held 
 the office of President Judge fourteen months and four days. 
 
 Judge Donnel peculiarly illustrated the saying, that the life of 
 the successful lawyer is an uneventful one. Immersed in, and de- 
 voted to his profession, neither politics nor general business at- 
 tracted him. The excitements of forensic battles were enough for 
 him, the delights of unravelling tangled threads of evidence oc- 
 cupied his quieter hours, while his leisure was given to exercise, to 
 literature and to fiction. Hard facts are the business of a lawyer, 
 works of the imagination his recreation. Judge Donnel was a 
 member of the Episcopal church. 
 
 JOSEPH BILES ANTHONY. 
 
 Joseph Biles Anthony was born in the city of Philadelphia, 
 on the 19th of June, 1795. He fitted himself for the profession of 
 law, and was admitted to practice at Williamsport in 1818, and 
 in 1821 he married Miss Catharine Grafius, who survived him. 
 
mSTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 183 
 
 Rising rapidly in his profession, and becoming somewhat active 
 in politics, the democrats of his senatorial district elected him to 
 the State Senate in 1830. He served his term so much to the sat- 
 isfaction of his constituents, that at the end of it, in 1834, he was 
 elected to Congress, and re-elected in 1836, by an unprecedented 
 majority. 
 
 In 1843 Governor Porter appointed him judge of the court for 
 the adjustment of the Nicholson claims, in which position he dis- 
 played sound legal learning and discrimination. In March 1844, 
 Governor Porter appointed him President Judge of the Eighth Ju- 
 dicial District, composed of the counties of Lycoming, Northum- 
 berland and Columbia He presided in the courts with great ac- 
 ceptability, disposing of many cases of considerable importance and 
 turning on nice legal questions. 
 
 He died at Williamsport, of heart disease, on the 10th of Jan- 
 uary 1851, at the comparatively early age of fifty-six years. He 
 left to survive him, a widow, and one son and six daughters. 
 
 In politics Judge Anthony was a democrat of the old school; as 
 a citizen he was social and benevolent; as a lawyer honorable and 
 talented; as a representative attentive and faithful, and as a judge 
 penetrating, prudent and conscientious. All had confidence in his 
 integrity, and his death was a source of unusual sorrow. 
 
 The following lines were written by Hon. Joseph B. Anthony, 
 during the trial, before him, of an indictment, at the Jan- 
 uary sessions of the court in Danville, 1846, against a man for 
 shooting a valuable setter dog, called Logan, the property of a Mr. 
 Mercer, of that place. While the trial was in progress, the lines 
 were thrown down on the counsel table, by the Judge, for the 
 amusement of the bar. One of the members of the bar has had 
 the lines in his possession ever since, and now offers them to the 
 public. 
 
 Poor Logan's dead, no more he'll howl. 
 And rend the air with deafening cries. 
 
 No more he'll set for man the fowl. 
 In death's cold lap he lowly lies. 
 
 How fondly would he hunt the game, 
 How closely would he scent the air, 
 
 A setter known full well to fame, 
 
 The huntsman's friend ! his master's care. 
 
134 HISTOEY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 From day to day, from year to year, 
 
 He roamed the wood, he scour'd the field ; 
 
 From every vicious practice clear, 
 In faithfulness, to none he'd yield. 
 
 A watchful, trusty, peaceful friend. 
 
 From quarrel, strife and bickering free ; 
 
 He never failed his aid to lend, 
 
 But true to huntsman's call was he. 
 
 In canine veins no diop of blood. 
 Of "Logan" courses — all his race 
 
 Is now extinct, — in wicked mood, 
 Man sent him to his resting place. 
 
 JAMES POLLOCK. 
 
 James Poi.lock, was born in the Borough of Milton, North- 
 umberland county. Pa., on Sej^tember 11th, 1810. His father 
 William Pollock, was an American by birth, as also his mother 
 Sarah Pollock. She was the daughter of Fleming Wilson, and was 
 born in Chester county, Penna., in October 1771. His paternal 
 and maternal ancestors emigrated from the north of Ireland to 
 America at least as early as 1760. They settled in Chester county 
 Penna., and were the open and avowed friends of American inde- 
 pendence during the war of the Revolution. One branch of the 
 family settled in North Carolina, and some of its members were 
 intimately connected with, if not jjrime movers in, the first declar- 
 ation of Independence at Meohlenberg, North Carolina. They 
 were known in that state by the name of Pol'k, an abbreviation 
 of "Pollock," the original family name. 
 
 His father, William Pollock, died in IMay 1817, leaving to sur- 
 vive him a widow and seven children,-four sons, -of which James 
 was the youngest,-and three daughters. The widow and mother, 
 with an energy and determination that characterized her life, as- 
 sumed at once the responsible duties of educating her children, 
 and training them up in the "way they should go.'' She was a 
 woman of strong intellect, of great moral courage, and marked 
 religious character; qualities that aided in forming and moulding 
 the character of those she loved, and for whose temporal and 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 135 
 
 eternal welfare she labored and prayed. She died in Milton, Pa. 
 February 19th, 1866, in the ninety-fourth year of her age. 
 
 The boyhood of the subject of this sketch, was passed pnncipally 
 at school. His first teacher was the late Hon Joseph B. Anthpny, 
 afterward President Judge of the 8th Judicial District of Penn- 
 sylvania, of whom he became the successor in the same office in the 
 year 1850. He remained in the school of Mr. Anthony but a short 
 time, and, soon after leaving, entered the Milton Classical Acad- 
 emy, under the care of Rev. David Kirkpatrick. He here pre- 
 pared for, and entered the Junior Class in the College of New 
 Jersey, at Princeton, and graduated as Bachelor of Arts, with the 
 highest honors of his class, in Sept. 1831. In 1835 he received in 
 course the degree of A. M. and in 1855 his Alma Mater confered 
 upon him the honorary degree of L. L. D. and in 1857, the 
 Trustees of Jefferson College, Pa., conferred the same honorary 
 degree upon him. 
 
 After his graduation he entered as a student of law the office 
 of Samuel Hepburn, Esq., a gentleman of eminent legal learning, 
 in his native town, and was admitted to practice in the several 
 courts of Northumberland county, in November 1833, and sub- 
 sequently in the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. In April 1834 
 he opened an office in Milton, Pa. and was successful in the prac- 
 tice of his profession. In 1835 he was appointed District Attor- 
 ney for Northumberland county, which office he held for three 
 years. 
 
 He was married on the 19th day of December 1837 to Miss 
 Sarah Ann, daughter of Samuel Hepburn, Esq. 
 
 He held a number of imj)ortant civil offices. He was a whig in 
 politics, but notwithstanding this, he was, in 1844 elected a mem- 
 ber of Congress from the 13th Congressional District of Pennsylvania 
 then strongly Democratic; and subsequently twice re-elected from 
 the same District, holding the office for three terms, or six years. 
 He was thus a member of the 28th, 29th and 30th Congresses. 
 As a member of some of the most important committees he con- 
 tributed largely to the general work of legislation. In the 28th 
 Congress he was a member of the Committee on "claims," and 
 his numeroiis reports attest the extent and quality of his labors. 
 In the 29th Congress he was on the Committee on Territories, 
 of which the late Hon. Stephen A. Douglas was chairman. To 
 
136 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 this Committee was referred all bills relating to the organization 
 of new Territories, and the question of excluding slaveiy from 
 the Territories of Ihe United States was often presented, warmly 
 debated, and generally determined in favor of exclusion. It was 
 evident from the tone and temj)er of the discussions in Committee 
 and in Congress, that a crisis was approaching. The reports 
 from this Connnittee gave direction and force to public sentiment. 
 The discussions increased in warmth and bitterness, and finally 
 culminated in attempted secession, revolution and war, the se- 
 quel to all which was the triumph of the right and the abolition 
 of slavery. During the 30th Congress he was an active member 
 of the Committee of ^Yays and Means, of which the Hon. Sam- 
 uel F. Vinton, of Ohio, was chairman. The country was then en- 
 gaged in the Mexican war, and in consequence, the business of 
 the Committee was greatly increased. The duties of the jslace 
 were onerous and responsible, but ^\•ere fully and faithfully dis- 
 charged. 
 
 On the 23d of June 1848, (30th Congress) he offered a resolu- 
 tion for the appointment of a special committee to inquire into 
 the necessity and practicability of constructing a railroad to the 
 Pacific. As chairman of that committee he made a report to the 
 House in favor of the construction of such a road. 
 
 The report will be found in the 3d volume of the Journal of the 
 House of Representatives for the 1st session of the 30th Congress, 
 No. 733. This was Xh& first favorable official act on this subject, 
 on the part of the Congress of the United States. 
 
 The report discusses the question in its international and do- 
 mestic aspects, its feasibility and probable results, but only the 
 opening sentences can be quoted here : 
 
 "The proposition at first view is a startling one. The magni- 
 tude of the work itself, and the still greater and more magnificent 
 results promised by its accomplishmeot — that of revolutionizing 
 morally and commercially, if not politically, a greater part of the 
 habitable globe, and making the vast commerce of the world trib- 
 utary to us — almost overwhelm the mind. But your committee, 
 on examination, find it a subject as simple as it is vast and mag- 
 nificent, and see no insurmountable diffioulties in the way of its 
 successful accomplishment." 
 
 A bill accompanied the report, and was referred to the commit- 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 137 
 
 tee of the "Whole, but no further action was taken on it at that 
 time, and Mr. Pollock soon after left Congress. In the fall of 
 1848, however, he delivered a lecture on the Pacific Railroad, by- 
 invitation, to a crowded house, at Lewisburg, Union county, Pa., 
 closing with the following remark : 
 
 "At the risk of being considered insane, I will venture the pre- 
 diction, that in less than twenty-five years from this evening, a 
 railroad will be completed and in operation between New York 
 and San Francisco, California; that a line of steamships will be estab- 
 lished between San Francisco, Japan and China; and there are now 
 in my audience, ladies who will, before the expiration of the period 
 named, drink tea brought from China and Japan, by this route, 
 to their own doors !" 
 
 This projjhetic announcement was received by the audience 
 with a smile of good-natured incredulity ; but some of those very 
 ladies, during the year 1869, were able to sip their favorite bev- 
 erage in exact accordance with the terms of the speaker's predic- 
 tion ! 
 
 On the 10th of May, 1869, the last rail was laid, the last spike 
 driven, and the great Pacific Railway, so long in embryo, became 
 an accomplished fact. 
 
 The subjects of special interest during his Congressional term 
 of service, were the annexation of Texas, the Mexican war, the 
 acquisition of California, the repeal of the Tariff Act of 1842, 
 and the "Wilmot Proviso" in its application to the newly acquir- 
 ed Territories of the United States. In all the discussions on 
 these exciting topics he took an active part. His speeches and 
 votes clearly disclosed his views on all those subjects. 
 
 In 1850 he was appointed President Judge of the 8th Judicial 
 District of Pennsylvania, composed of the counties of Xorthumber- 
 land,Montour, Columbia, Lycoming and Sullivan. He held the ofiice 
 until the amendment of the Constitution, requiring the election of 
 Judges by the people, came into operation. He declined a nom- 
 ination for the position, left the Bench, and resumed the prac- 
 tice of the law. On his retiring from the Bench, the members of 
 the Bar of the respective counties, unanimously passed resolutions 
 highly complimentary to him as a man and Judge. 
 
 In 1854 he was nominated . and elected by a large majority, 
 Governor of Pennsylvania, and was inaugurated in January 1855. 
 
138 HISTOEY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 He held the office for one ' term, having refused to pei'mit his 
 name to be used as a candidate for re-nominatiou. 
 
 At the expiration of his oflicial terra, he resumed the duties of 
 his profession. The principal measures of his administration 
 were the adoption of means by which the reduction of the public 
 debt was commenced, and nearly two million dollars of it paid; 
 the sale of the main line of the Public works to the Pennsylvania 
 Central R. R. Co. for $7,500,000, which sum was made applicable to 
 the payment and reduction of the debt of the Commonwealth, 
 and which, added to the sum actually paid, reduced the debt prac- 
 tically nearly $10,000,000: — a series of acts by which increased 
 vigor and efficiency were given to the system of common schools; 
 retrenchment and reform in the various Departments, and econ- 
 omy in the general administration of the Government. 
 
 In the Fall of 1857, occurred a financial crisis which led to the 
 suspension of specie payments by the Banks of the State, and 
 threatened every branch of industry with serious derangement 
 and injury. To avert impending evils, an extra session of the 
 Legislature was called, which convened in October of that year. 
 On his recommendation, the suspension of specie payments was 
 legalized for a definite period, the forfeiture of the charters of the 
 respective Banks prevented, and other measures adopted which 
 allayed the public apju'ehensiou, saved the credit of the State, 
 and removed the dangers to which the general prosperity had 
 been exposed. 
 
 He was appointed in 1860, by Governor Curtin, a delegate 
 to the Peace Conference (or Congress) which was held in 
 Washington, D. C. ia Febi-nary and March 1861. The object 
 of this assemblage was to consider, and if practicable to adjust 
 the differences and dissensions existing between the North and 
 the South on the much vexed question of slavery. He took an 
 active part in the deliberations of that body. Tlie ccjiiference 
 failed to secure a favorable result. In May 1861 he was appoint- 
 ed by President Lincoln, Director of the United States Mint at 
 P'.iiladelphia, and held the office until October 1st 1866, when he 
 resigned, unwilling to sustain the -'Policy" of Andrew John- 
 son, by even a seeming acquiescence, in holding office under him. 
 
 B}- his efforts, seconded by the approval of Hon. S. P. Chase, 
 then Secretary of the Treasury, the motto "In God we trust.'' 
 
Hli^TORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 139 
 
 was placed upon our National coins, a motto of deep significance, 
 and alike honorable to the people and Government of the United 
 States. He was re-appointed, in 1869, by President Grant, Direc- 
 tor of the U. S. Mint, which office he held until 1879, when he 
 was appointed Naval officer, which position he still holds, 1882. 
 
 During the War for the Union his sympathies, efforts and la- 
 bors were all for his Country, for Union and Liberty. Rebellion 
 found no advocate in him — ^treason no friend. True to the Union 
 he was ever ready to aid in its defence; true to liberty and hu- 
 manity, he was always their advocate; true to his country, he re- 
 joiced in the overthrow of her enemies, and in the triumph of 
 those great and essential principles of liberty and free govern- 
 ment that make the United States the first and best of Earth's 
 Empires. 
 
 JOHN NESBIT CONYNGHAM. 
 
 John Nesbit Coktnghaji was born in the city of Philadelphia 
 December 17, 1798, and graduated with high honor at the Uni- 
 versity of Pennsylvania, in 1816. He studied law in the office of 
 the Hon. Joseph R Ingersoll, and upon being admitted to the 
 bar, resolved to settle in Wyoming valley, and came to Wilkes- 
 barre in 1820. Shortly afterwards he married Miss Butler, a 
 gi'and daughter of Col. Butler, of revolutionary fame. His at- 
 tention to the practice of his profession was uin-emitting. In the 
 year 1838 his severe forensic efliorts produced a bronchial affection 
 which compelled him to retire from active practice. In 1839, his 
 friends irrespective of party, urged upon him the acceptance of 
 the commission of Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of his 
 District. For thirty years he presided on the bench, with the 
 dignity and urbanity of a gentleman of the old school. 
 
 He came upon the Bench of Columbia county under a commis- 
 sion dated 6th of November, 1851, and remained there until the 
 formation of the twenty-sixth district, composed of the counties 
 of Columbiaj. Sullivan and Wyoming, for which district Warren 
 J. Woodward was commissioned on the 19th of May, 1856. 
 
 Judge Conyngham resigned from the Bench in 1870, upon 
 which occasion he was honored with a banquet, attended by the 
 
140 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 whole Bar of Luzerne county, to testify their apjjreciation of his 
 legal learning and unswerving purity and integrity of character. 
 
 But eminent as he was upon the Bench and in his profession, it 
 was not his only, and by no means his highest claim to public con- 
 fidence and respect He Avas the grandson of Redmond Conyiig- 
 ham, and the son of David H. Gonyngham of the old and honored 
 firm of "Gonyngham & Nesbitt," eminent in revolutionary finan- 
 cial history. In politics he was a firm and consistent Democrat, 
 and his voice and influence were always ou the side of his coun- 
 try. 
 
 Under the ministry of the Rev. Dr. Glaxton, Judge Gonyng- 
 ham received the rite of confirmation in St. Stephen's Ghurch in 
 Wilkes Barre, at the hands of Bishop H. U. Onderdonk, in the 
 year 1841, and during a long life he adorned himself with all the 
 christian virtues. lie was a vestryman in Saint Stephen's from 
 Easter 1821, until his death, a period of almost fifty years. He 
 was elected to the Diocesan Gonvention for the first time in 1826 
 and in 1850 he was elected a Deputy to the General Gonvention 
 of the Ghurch, and re-elected to every subsequent one, except one. 
 In 1862 he was a member of the committee on Canons, with Judge 
 Chambers of Maryland, Murray Hoffman of New York, and Rob- 
 ert G. Winthrop of Massachusetts. In October 1868 he was elect- 
 ed President of the American Ghurch Missionary Society. 
 
 His judgment was sound and eminently conservative. He was 
 not a radical, either in law, politics or theology. He was a pol- 
 ished gentleman, a thorough lawyer, an upright Judge, an humble 
 christian. 
 
 The circumstances of the death of Judge Gonyngham were pe- 
 culiarly distressing. Accompanied by Mr. W. L. Gongnyham, he 
 was on a visit to another son, living in Mississippi. They arrived 
 at Magnolia, in that State, about nine o'clock in the evening of 
 Thursday, April 23, 1871, where the train stopped for the passen- 
 gers to take supper. While they were thus engaged their train 
 was taken away from the place they left it and another came up, 
 and when they returned they went into one of the cars, to find, 
 however, that it did not belong to their train, and very naturally 
 they turned to leave it. The train was slowly starting, and they 
 did so with some haste, Mr. W. L. Gonyngham and Mr. Hender- 
 son alighting without trouble, except a harmless fall on the part 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 141 
 
 of the latter. The Judge was not so fortunate, as in stepping off 
 the car steps to the platform of the depot, which was rather low, 
 he stumbled and fell, with his legs between the platform and the 
 cars of the train, and when they had passed it was found that his 
 legs, below the knees, were crushed in a terrible manner, the 
 whole of the hind trucks having passed over both of them. He 
 was taken to the liotel and medical aid immediately summoned, 
 and everything possible was done for his comfort. He did not 
 realize the extent of his injury at first, no pain attended it, and he 
 even made an attempt to get up, before he was removed from the 
 platfoi-m, saying, "No matter, I am not hurt ; I will get up in a 
 few moments." He lived two hours, and toward the last, when 
 reaction seemed to be taking place, and he began to feel some 
 pain, and was told how serious his injury was, he desired amputa- 
 tion to be performed. Injections of morphia were made to allay 
 the pain, while preparations were making for the amputation, but 
 under the effects of the morphia he seemed to decline, and not a 
 great while after, dissolution took place. His last words were, "I 
 know that my Redeemer liveth." His remains reached Wilkes- 
 Barre on the first of March, and were interred on the third, attend- 
 ed to their last resting place by an immense concourse of friends 
 and admirers. He left a widow, and four sons and two daugh- 
 ters. 
 
 WARREN J. WOODWARD. 
 
 Upon the formation of the 26th Judicial District, composed of 
 the counties of Columbia, Sullivan and Wyoming, this estimable 
 gentleman was appointed President Judge by Governor Pollock, 
 upon the recommendation of the membeis of the Bar of the sever- 
 al counties composing the district, his service commencing in 
 June of that year, and continuing under the executive appoint- 
 ment until the first Monday of December following. In the mean- 
 time, at the general election in October of that year, he was elect- 
 ed without opposition as ,the President Judge, for the constitu- 
 tional term of ten years. He commenced with the expiration of 
 his term under his prior appointment, and served until the first 
 Monday of December, A. D. 1861. In the latter year upon the 
 retirement of the Hon. J. Pringle Jones from the office of Presi- 
 
142 HI^iTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 dent Judge of Berks coxmty, Judge Woodward was elected to 
 succeed him, resigned his office of President Judge of the 26th 
 district, and removed to the city of Reading. At the end of ten 
 years' service he was re-elected President Judge of Berks county 
 without opposition, and continued to serve upon the Bench of that 
 county, until his election as a Judge of the Supreme Court under 
 the new constitution at the general election in 1871. 
 
 Taking his seat upon the Bench of the Supreme Court on the 
 first Monday of January 1875, he served in that Court for a period 
 of over four years and six months, until the time of his death, 
 which occurred at his summer residence, near Hamden, Delaware 
 county, in the state of New York, Tuesday, September 23rd 1879. 
 At the time of his death he was within one day of sixty years of 
 age. The immediate cause of the Judge's death was nervous ex- 
 haustion accompanied by an enlargement of the liver. For twen- 
 ty years he had been subject to recurring bilious attacks, which 
 with over-work appear to have caused his final sickness, and death. 
 
 Judge Woodward was born near Bethany, Wayne county, in 
 this State, secured in his youth an academic education at Wilkes 
 Barrc, taught school several terms in his native county, entered 
 the printing office of the Wayne county Herald, at Bethany, and 
 conducted that ne-\\'spaper for a time in the absence of its proprie- 
 tor, and was then for about two years connected with the JPenn- 
 syloanian at Philadelphia in an editorial capacity. 
 
 He next studied law at Wilkes-Barre, and then practiced for 
 about fifteen years with eminent success, holding at the time of 
 his appointment to a judgeship, the leading practice at the Lu- 
 zerne bar. 
 
 He had the habits and tastes of a student, and was one of the 
 most laborious of men, always disposed to master difficulties and 
 go to the bottom of a subject. A conscientious performance of 
 judicial duty involves much of concentrated attention and eifort, 
 quite unknown to the outer world because performed mostly in 
 private. Even in the long run i-esults only become evident ; it 
 comes to be known that the faithful Judge is a great or accom- 
 plished lawyer — that his work is correctly and promptly perform- 
 ed — that sound law is pronounced and impartial justice adminis- 
 tei'ed by him — but little is known by the general public of the 
 days or weeks or years of potent toil, and of self-discipline 
 
HON. WAEREN J. WOODWAKD. 
 
HISTOB T OF COL UMBIA GO UNTY. 1 43 
 
 which have made him what he is — an accomplished minister of 
 justice. 
 
 Judge Woodward was never a candidate for political office, 
 in the ordinary sense of that term, but by devotion to his profes- 
 sion of the law he qualified himself for high judicial positions and 
 obtained them without personal solicitations or effort. Ujjon the 
 bench he exhibited great ability and impartiality, united with a 
 faithful devotion to the duties of his office. All business before 
 him was promptly disposed of and the intrusion of political feel- 
 ings or other sinister influence into his courts was sternly pre- 
 vented. He brought to the bench a mind which had received 
 its training and discipline under Judge Conyngham of Luzerne 
 county, before whom his professional life at the bar had been 
 passed. His qualities, constituting high qualifications for a judge, 
 were great integrity of jjurpose, great industry, and a most sincere, 
 unassuming devotion to justice. And in social intercourse off 
 the bench, his temper was genial and kindly, and his friendship 
 was considered a proper object of just and honorable effort. 
 
 His walk was remarkably erect, his limbs and face clothed with 
 little flesh ; but his frame was of fair size, his body substantial, 
 and his head showed intellectual development and power. His 
 eye was kindly and kindled in familiar discourse; his conversa- 
 tion was emphatic, without violence, and had the charms of earn- 
 estness and variety in intercourse with friends. He read much of 
 general literature, and obtained larger views of mankind and af- 
 fairs than those of the mere lawyer or plodding judge. But of 
 all his characteristics, conscientiousness was, perhaps, the most 
 commanding and constant; this was the spur to labor and study 
 throughout his career, carrying him with tireless activity through 
 all the obscurities and difficulties of every case, and presenting to 
 him at all times a wholesome apprehension that some man's right 
 or some principle of justice might be overlooked or neglected. 
 
 From notices which were published at the time of his death, in 
 leading journals of the State, it plainly appears that the great 
 abilities and high character of Judge Woodward had come to be 
 known and appreciated generally by the legal profession and by 
 the people of the whole state, and most sincere regrets were ex- 
 pressed at the loss which the administration of justice had sus- 
 tained by his death. His opinions, to be found in the books of re- 
 
144 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 ports, will remain to^bear evidence of his ability, and their lan- 
 guage and composition to gratify all readers of sound taste and 
 judgment. 
 
 At the opening of the session of the Supreme Court in Pitts- 
 burg, on the first Monday of October, 1879, W. D. Moore, Esq., 
 of the Allegheny county bar, called attention to the death of 
 Judge Woodward, in some well considered and complimentary 
 remarks. They will be fouud in the opening pages of the 10th 
 volume of Xorris' Reports. 
 
 Chief Justice Sliarswood replied as follows : — 
 
 To all that has been said to the character, attainments and 
 qualifications of our lamented brother, ^^■e add our cordial concur- 
 rence. The community has suffered a loss in his early removal 
 from us which it is difficult properly to estimate. To thorough 
 mastery of the general jsrinciples of law, intimate acquaintance 
 with i)ractice and precedents in all their details, he added a sound 
 judgment, inflexible integrity and untiring industry. He always 
 stood by tlie ancient landmarks, and it was with him a matter of 
 conscience not to make but to administer the laws as settled by 
 adjudged cases. We may be permitted as our especial testimony, 
 to mention his unvarying gentleness, courtesy, amiability and for- 
 bearance, which endeared him to his colleagues and made them 
 all his jjersonal friends. In the whole period of their association 
 with him no instance of unpleasant collision can be recalled. 
 His fame as a judge will rest upon opinions exhibiting inde- 
 pendent research, expressed in a clear and forcible style, without 
 pretensions to eloquence, models of judicial composition. His 
 memory will long be cherished by all who knew him, and all who 
 know how to appreciate the character and services of a faithful 
 and learned judge. 
 
 A.- K. PECKHAM. 
 
 BY JA3IES W. PIATT, ESQ. 
 
 Aaron Kingslet Peckham was the second child of Kingsley 
 Peckham and Hannah Retta Rounds and was born at Bristol, 
 Bristol county, Rhode Island, October 15th, 1815. His father 
 was a farmer and while residing in Rhode Island made a bare 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 145 
 
 competence for himself and family. Learning of the cheapness 
 and facility with which land could be acquired in Pennsylvania 
 he left Rhode Island in the spring of 1 829, and after a long and 
 tedious journey fraught with the dangers, difficulties and discour- 
 agements incident to the season and mode of travel, arrived and 
 settled early in the spring, in Columbia, Bradford county, Penn- 
 sylvania. The expenses of the trip left his father little to begin 
 with, but he went earnestly to work in the heavily timbered for- 
 est, soon made a clearing and erected habitable buildings. At 
 this time the subject of our sketch was fourteen years old, just 
 the age when he should have been placed at school and had op- 
 portunities for fitting himself better for his after work. He re- 
 mained with his father until about the age of nineteen assisting 
 in clearing, working the land and making improvements in spring, 
 summer and fall, and attending the common schools of the neigh- 
 borhood in the winter. He then procured a tract of land in Ar- 
 menia township, Bradford county and went to work for himself. 
 Not a tree had been cut upon this tract when he went upon it. 
 He cut and cleared a number of fallows, set up a good sugar 
 bush and made sugar several seasons. The land has now become 
 a fine farm and is in the possession of Benjamin Knight. He re- 
 mained there until the spring of 1838 when he rented a pail fac- 
 tory of Samuel Myers and C M. Manville near Towanda, Pa. 
 It was shortly after he began manufacturing pails that he deter- 
 mined to study law. He entered his name as a student with 
 John C. Adams of the Towanda bar. He meanwhile carried on 
 his business and in addition taught school winters. In 1842 he 
 was admitted at Towanda as a member of the Bradford county- 
 bar. It was at this time that Wyoming county was separated 
 from Luzerne county and he went to Tuukhannock to engage ia 
 practice. He opened an office on Tioga street in a frame build- 
 ing which was subsequently destroyed by fire and stood near Lo- 
 beck's block. For about three years he practiced alone. Col. 
 Elhanan Smith, now of the Towanda bar, went to Tunkhannock 
 in ] 845, when a law partnership was formed under the name of 
 Peckham & Smith. This partnership continued about three 
 years and was the only one formed by him during his whole legal 
 practice. He immediately obtained a fair share of the business 
 in the county and by his industry, application and perseverance 
 
146 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 worked his way into a good practice. 
 
 In 1860 the late Warren J. Woodward, the then Presiding 
 Judge of the then 26th judicial district, comprising among others 
 Wyoming county, was elected President Judge of the 23d judic- 
 ial district and surrendered his commission as Presiding Judge of 
 the 26th. Governor Andrew G. Curtin commissioned A. K. Peck- 
 ham to fill the vacancy in the fall of 1861. In the fall of 1862, 
 Judge Wm. Elwell, then a member of the Bradford county bar 
 and now Presiding Judge of the 26th district, was nominated by 
 the Democrats and concurred in by the Republicans. Judge 
 Peckham declined to be a candidate. Ujjon December 1st 1862, 
 his commission expired and he resumed his practice at Tunkhan- 
 nock, continuing there until the time of liis death, March 22d, 
 1865. 
 
 He married Jane A. P. Manville at Towanda, Februaiy 21st, 
 1S45. She died at Tunkhaiinock tlio 5th day of July, 1855. By 
 her he left one daughter, Mrs. N. P. Hicks, who now resides at 
 Towanda, Pa. He married Jane E. Knowles at Chittenango, 
 N. Y., November 24th, 1858. By her he left one daughter, Mary 
 who now resides with her mother at Chittenanffo, N. Y. 
 
 He was regarded as an enterprising citizen, a kind neighbor, 
 a considerate husband and parent. I know of nothing more apt 
 to say of him than that which is inscribed ujson the monument 
 over his grave at Tunkhannock. 
 
 "In life an upright citizeu, devoted companion,' affectionate 
 parent and faithful friend. Always firm and efficient in defeuce 
 of justice, and hostile to all oppression and wrong. He being 
 dead yet speaketh." 
 
 WILLIAM ELWELL. 
 
 William Elwell was born in Athens, Bradford county, Penn., 
 October 9th, 1808. He received a good English education at the 
 Athens academy. At the age of nineteen he was an assistant 
 under Chief Engineer Randall in running exploring lines on both 
 sides of the Susquehanna river for the location of a canal from 
 the New York state line southward. After leaving the engineer 
 corps he taught school for three years and then com- 
 menced tlie study of the law in the office of Horace Willis- 
 
HON. ^v^,LIAM elavkll. 
 
148 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 ton, Esq. and was admitted to tte Bar in February, 1833 For 
 sixteen years he practised his profession as partner of his pre- 
 ceptor, in the northern counties of the state, and until the ap- 
 pointment of Mr. Williston as President Judge of the 13th Dis- 
 trict. 
 
 He was a member of the Legislature in 1 842 and 1 843, and at. 
 his first session at Harrisburg, was chairman of the Judiciary 
 committee, among the members of which committee were men 
 who afterwards attained great distinction, notably Judge Shars- 
 wocd, Judge Gamble, Judge Barrett, Hendrick B. Wright and 
 Thaddeus Stevens, and of whom he was in every respect the equal. 
 In 1843 he was chairman of the committee of ways and means. 
 As chairman of the Judiciary Committee he prepared and report- 
 ed the bill to abolish imprisonment for debt, which with a single 
 change, stands now as originally reported. 
 
 In 1844 he declined being a candidate for Congress, preferring 
 the practice of his profession to a political life; but in 1866 he re- 
 luctantly yielded to the demands of his party (the Democratic), 
 and accepted the nomination in the 13th Congressional District- 
 He ran far ahead of his party vote, but did not overcome the Re- 
 publican majority. 
 
 The Supreme Court Reports show the extent of his practice,, 
 containing as they do, over one hundred cases argued by him. 
 
 In 1862 he was elected President Judge of the 26th Judicial 
 District composed of the counties of Columbia, Sullivan and Wy- 
 oming, no candidate being named against him; and upon the ex- 
 piration of his term, in 1872, he was re-elected without a dissent- 
 ing vote. In May 1874, Wyoming and Sullivan were' created the 
 44th Judicial District, and Montour county was added to Colum- 
 bia, the District still remaining the 26th. Upon his election in 
 1862, he removed to Bloomsburg, where he has ever since resided. 
 
 In April 1871, Judge Elwell was chosen umpire to settle the 
 difficulties between the operators and the miners in the Anthracite 
 coal regions, and his impartial judgment was accepted by all 
 parties as a just and equitable solution of the troubles. He has 
 been frequently urged to become a candidate for the Supreme 
 Bench, and he has been voted for in convention for that place ; 
 but he has uniformly declined to authorize a canvas in his favor, 
 for the office, not deeming it consonant with judicial jiropriety. And 
 
HISTOBY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 149 
 
 for the same reason he has refused to allow his name to be can- 
 vassed for the office of Governor of the Commonwealth, for which 
 he has been frequently and warmly urged. 
 
 On the expiration of his second term as President Judge of the 
 26th District, the Bar of the District unanimously, and without 
 ■distinction of party requested him to accept a third term, to which 
 he consented ; and the political convention of the Democratic and 
 Republican party respectively, following the lead of the Bar, 
 nominated him to the office for the election of 1882. He was 
 then again unanimously elected. 
 
 Judge Elwell is a member of the Episcopal Church, having 
 been confirmed a few years since by Bishop Howe. He was ap- 
 pointed on the Bi-Centennial committee by Gov. Hoyt in 1881, 
 hut his official duties prevented him from taking any active part. 
 In 1868 he was elected a Trustee of the Bloomsburg State Nonnal 
 School, and since 1873 he has been President of the Board of 
 Trusteee, and in the dark days of the school he did much ip guid- 
 ing it through to its present successful condition. 
 
 It is believed that Judge Elwell has held more special Courts 
 than any Judge now upon the Bench. And in order to have the 
 advantage of his legal learning and ability many important cases 
 have been certified to Columbia county from other districts and 
 tried before him. 
 
 Among the many notable cases which he has tried are the 
 Williamsport Bond case — E'isher against the City of Philadelphia 
 — Tryon and Dull against Munson, and the celebrated Cameron 
 Will case from Union county, each involving the rights of parties 
 to the amount of hundreds of thousands of dollars, and in all of 
 which his opinions were affirmed by the Supreme Court. On the 
 appeal in the will case, after elaborate argument by eminent coun- 
 sel for the appellant, the decision was affirmed, the Supreme Court 
 adopting the opinion of the Court below as the opinion of that 
 Court. 
 
 The Mollie Maguire case growing out of the murder of Alex- 
 ander W. Rea, which was affirmed by the Supreme Court, of 
 itself forms a large volume, and establishes many important ques- 
 tions on the law of homicide, was tried before him. 
 
 Numerous cases in Equity in this and other counties have been 
 
150 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 heard and decided by him, and except in a single instance these 
 decisions have been sustained on appeal. 
 
 His opinions which appear in the State Repiorts, in the 
 "Weekly Notes of Cases, and other legal publications, are considered 
 as valuable additions to the legal literature of the time. It is wor- 
 thy of mention that of all the cases in the Court of Oyer and 
 Terminer, Quarter Sessions and Orphans' Court, not a single case 
 from his district has been reversed during the twenty years he 
 has been upon the bench. 
 
 -^-^ — fe 
 
 if^^^; 
 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 151 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 TliE i<xo-^L-i^/s:.&.T^ scuoorj. 
 
 While facts and circumstances are still fresh in the knowledge 
 of citizens, it is well to put upon record what ought to 
 be remembered, of the early historyof "The Bloomsburg Literary 
 Institute and State Normal School." 
 
 In the year 1856 the following named gentlemen, to-wit; A. J. 
 Sloan, M. Coffman, E. Mendenhall, A. J. Evans, Wm. McKelvy, 
 J. J. Brower, B. F. Hartman, S. H. Miller, J. M. Chamberlin, 
 Philip Unangst, Jesse G. Clark, A. Witman, Michael Henderson, 
 John G. Freeze, Levi L. Tate, Peter Billmeyer, M. C. Sloan, 
 Jonathan Mosteller, Alexander J. Frick, E. B. Bidleman, Robert 
 F. Clark, A. M. Rupert, R. B. Menagh, W. J. Bidleman, Robert 
 Cathcart, A. C. Mensch, and H. C. Hower, associated themselves 
 together "for the promotion of education both in the ordinary and 
 higher branches of English literature and science, and in the 
 ancient and modern languages,'' and therefore presented a petition 
 to the Court, and at the September term, A. D. 1856, became and 
 were a corporation under the name, style and title of "The Blooms- 
 burg Literary Institute." 
 
 Under the articles of incorporation constituting the Charter, 
 William Robison, Leonard B. Rupert, William Snyder, Elisha 
 C. Barton, William Goodrich, D. J. Waller, Joseph Sharpless, 
 John K. Grotz, and I. W. Hartman were made Trustees, to serve 
 until the annual election provided for in the Charter. The min- 
 utes of that Board of Trustees have never come into the hands of 
 the writer, and neither the organization nor any of the proceed- 
 ings are known. But a school of a high grade was promptly 
 opened, and for some time kept in successful operation. It was 
 held in a building located on the lot now owned and occupied by 
 the Roman Catholic Church. The causes that eventually re- 
 sulted in suspending operation need not be here detailed ; but a 
 
152 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 considerable time elapsed between the closing of the school in the 
 building mentioned, and its re-opening in what was known as the 
 Old Academy Building. In the meantime the public schools had 
 improved considerably, and a more general feeling for a higher 
 educational training was developed. A number of young men 
 were to be fitted for college, and though the standard rate of 
 public school teachers was raised by the State, yet all the educa- 
 tional interests of the county were in a most backward condition. 
 None of the schools, either private or public, came near filling the 
 public requirements, and it was tjie duty as well as the opportuni- 
 ty of Bloomsburg to lead in a new, and lasting and magnificent 
 educational enterprise. 
 
 In this conjuncture of affairs Mr. Henry Carver appeared in 
 town and opened a classical school in the Old Academy on Third 
 street. He was successful in his then undertaking and acquired in 
 a large degree the confidence of cmr people. The first and best 
 result of that feeling of confidence was the re-organization of the 
 "Bloomsburg Literary Institute." 
 
 Pursuant to a notice given, the Trustees of the Bloomsburg 
 Literary Institute met at the study of D. J. Waller on the evening 
 of May 2nd, 1866; present D.J.Waller, William Snyder, J. K. 
 Grotz, L. B. Rupert and I. W. Hartman. On motion of J. K. Grotz, 
 D. J. Waller was elected president and I. W. Hartman secretary. 
 The places of E. C. Barton, Wm. Robison and Wm. Goodrich 
 were declared vacant, and John G. Freeze, Robert F. Clark and 
 William Neal were elected to fill the vacancies. 
 
 At the next meeting. May 4th, the resignation of Joseph Sharp- 
 less was accepted and Conrad Bittenbender was chosen to fill the 
 vacancy. A committee of six was named to open books and 
 take subscription to the stock of the corporation. A committee 
 on location of the building was also chosen, and Wm. Neal was 
 elected to be treasurer. At the next meeting. May 25th, Profes- 
 sor Carver was elected principal of the contemplated school. A 
 number of subscriptions to the stock having been obtained, the 
 stock-holders met in the Grand Jury room, June 16, 1866, to lo- 
 cate the school building. After some discussion the question was 
 postponed, and the meeting adjourned to June 22nd. On assem- 
 bling, pursuant to adjournment, propositions were received from 
 William Snyder, Wm. B. Koons, M. S. Appelman, C. Barton & 
 
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154 HI8T0RY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Co. and D. J. Waller. On a vote being taken it resulted as fol- 
 lows : 
 
 For Snyder's location 489 votes. 
 
 For Koons' 3 votes. 
 
 On the same day the Board of Trustees at a meeting resolved 
 to accept William Snyder's proposition and adopted the location 
 voted for by the stock-holders. 
 
 On the 29th of June the Board ordered that plans and specifi- 
 cations be at once procured and a building be contracted for and 
 put up at a cost not to exceed $15,000.00. 
 
 The resignations of Wm. Neal and J K. Grotz were tendered 
 and accepted, and thereupon M. S. Anpelman and Peter Billmeyer 
 were elected to fill the vacancies. On the 12th of July Mr. Hart- 
 man resigned, and F. C. Eyer was elected, in his place. 
 
 M. S. Appelman who was electe<l to fill the place of J. K. Grotz, 
 not accepting, Mr. John Wolf was chosen. On the resignation of 
 Wm. Neal, Wm. Snyder was elected Treasurer. The Snyder lo- 
 cation having been accepted, a committee was appointed to select 
 the site. On the 18th of July Mr. Waller offered a minority re- 
 port in favor of locating the school buildings on the north side of 
 the extension of Main street, but Mr. Snyder declined' to sell that 
 and upon the acceptance of the present location, Mr. Waller re- 
 signed from the committee, and on the 2 1st of July, from the 
 Presidency of the Board and from the Board of Trustees ; and 
 subsequently Freas Brown was elected in his stead. 
 
 Hon. Leonard B. Rupert was elected President of the Board of 
 Trustees in the place of Rev. Mr. Waller, resigned, and was an- 
 nually re-elected until May 9, 1873, when Hon William Elwell 
 was elected and is still, 1882, the President. 
 
 During all this time the maiter of subscriptions and building 
 were pushed forward with considerable vigor. On the question 
 of location, some difficulty was experienced. It was designed to 
 locate the building north ot the projection of Second street, but 
 Mr, Snyder did not consent to the change. We all see now how 
 great the advantage would have been. A committee waited upon 
 him about the matter and after consultation with him, at a meet- 
 ing on the 4th of August, 1866, it was 
 
 "Resolved, that in accepting the location offered by Mr. Snyder, 
 the Board act in view of the assurance given to the public in con- 
 
Hlt^TORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 155 
 
 nection with that offer, that the owners of the Forks Hotel will, at 
 no distant day, remove that hotel, and open Main street directly to 
 the front of the Institute grounds." 
 
 On such terms and conditions the grounds were accepted and 
 the building erected. 
 
 On Thursday, April 4, 1867, The Bloomsburg Literary Insti- 
 tute was opened and dedicated to the purposes of education. The 
 day was warm and beautiful, and at one o'clock in the afternoon 
 the Bloomsburg Brass Band headed the procession, marching from 
 the Old Academy Building on Third street to the Institute. The 
 Band was followed by the Board of Trustees, then by the 
 Clergy, next the parents of the pupils, then the pupils, and lastly 
 the Faculty. The procession passed up Third to Market, up Mark- 
 et to Second and up Second to the Institute. On arriving at the 
 door Judge Rupert, President of the Board, unlocked it, the 
 Band fell back and escorted the Faculty and pupils, who entered 
 first, followed by the parents and Trustees. The Hall of the In- 
 stitute was filled by the citizens and friends of the School in at- 
 tendance at the inauguration. 
 
 After music by the band, prayer was offered by the Rev. D. J. 
 Waller, a song, "Welcome Chorus,'' given by the glee club, after 
 which Hon. L. B. Rupert, President of the Board of Trustees 
 made a report of the inception and progress of the work. The 
 dedicatory address was made by Prof. Moss of Lewisburg. The 
 following named pupils took part in the exercises : Misses Brower, 
 Pursel, Hendershott, Bittenbender, Rupert, John, Lowenberg, 
 Harman, VanBuskirk, Abbot, Tustin, MoKinney, Williams, Ster- 
 ner, Torbet, Correll, Edgar, Dereamer, Caslow, Robbins, Lutz, 
 Armstrong, Buckingham, and Elwell ; and by Masters Waller, 
 Little, W. H. Clark, Snyder, Buckalew, Billmeyer, Funk, Hender- 
 shott, G. E. Elwell, J. M. Clark, Bittenbender, Neal, Schuyler, 
 Woods, and Unangst. 
 
 At the close of the afternoon exercises, Mr. E. R. Ikeler, on be- 
 half of the teachers of Columbia county, with an appropriate 
 speech, presented Prof. Carver with an album, containing por- 
 traits of the donors, as a testimonial of their respect. It was re- 
 ceived by the Prof, who returned his acknowledgements in a few 
 well chosen sentences, and after a song by a class of the pupils, 
 the audience was dismissed. 
 
156 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 In the evening the large hall of the Institute was filled with a 
 gratified and appreciative audience, and the exercises began with 
 a prayer by Rev. J. R. Dimm. A song was then given by the 
 glee club. At the request of the Board of Trustees, Judge Elwell 
 then delivered an admirable address, in brief reciting the history 
 of the Institute, and urging the friends of education to push on 
 the work, and complete the building, beautify the grounds, pro- 
 vide a library and necessary apparatus , and assuring them that 
 thus they were affording to their children means for an ample ed- 
 ucation, and bestowing upon them a legacy which would be for- 
 ever a blessing. 
 
 The evening exercises were engaged in by the following : 
 Misses L. E. John, Appleman, M. John, Elwell, Lutz, Sharpless, 
 Bittenbender, Clark, Edgar, Caslow, Irving, McKinney, M. E. 
 Sharpless, Armstrong, Pursel, Brower, Rupert, Ager and Robbins; 
 and Masters J M. Clark, Bomboy, Hartman, Neal, G. A. Clark, 
 Pursel, Billmeyer, Pardee, Turnbach, Smith, B. Pardee, G. P. 
 Waller, Irving, Swisher, Rupert, Schuyler, L. Rutter, Sloan, Mor- 
 ris, Lutz, McKelvy, Buckalew, Meudenhall, Bittenbender, L. Wal- 
 ler, H. Rutter, Dillon, Funk, Thomas, Evans, Edgar, Appleman, 
 Girton, E. Rutter, Woods, G. McKelvy, Van Buskirk, Hender- 
 shott, J. K. Morris, jr., Melick, D. J Waller, jr.. Little, Unangst, 
 T. F. Connor and G. E. Elwell. 
 
 Looking back now upon that occasion, important as it seemed 
 at the time ; it is doubtful if any one realized all that it has accom- 
 plished for the Town, and will yet accomplish. All its influences 
 have been for good, and must continue so to be. It has brought 
 many strangers to our town — it has been a means of education to 
 many here who could not have gone elsewhere — all its surround- 
 ing influences and teachings are of the pleasantest kind. 
 
 On the 4th of May 1867, the stockholders of the Bloomsburg 
 Literary Institute met and elected the following Board of Trus- 
 tees : 
 
 For one year, Robert F. Clark, Peter Billmyer, F. C. Eyer. 
 
 For tioo years, J. G. Freeze, L. B. Rupert, Wm. Snyder. 
 
 For three years, John Wolf. C. Bittenbender, J. P. Connor. 
 
 On the 25th of October, 1867, Mi. E. Mendenhall was elected 
 to till the vacancy caused by the death of Wm. Snyder. 
 
HlaTOBY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 157 
 
 During the year 1867, a fine bell weighing 2171 pounds was 
 placed in the cupola of the school, at a cost of about $1,200. 
 The money was raised by subscription through the efforts of D. 
 J. Waller Jr., Geo. E. Elwell and Charles Unangst, who were 
 then pupils in the school. 
 
 And here we may pause for a moment in the history of this 
 great educational enterprise. Contrary to the expectations even 
 of friends, in spite of the sneers and opposition of the indifferent 
 and close-fisted and narrow-minded, the building and school were 
 a proud success. As it stood there in its solitary grandeur upon 
 the hill, the Board of Trustees could look upon the work with 
 satisfaction and gratification. Undeniedly it increased the value 
 of all the property in Bloomsburg; it increased the attractions of 
 the town as a place of residence; it cheapened the cost of the nec- 
 essary preparation of boys and girls for the active duties of life; 
 it raised the true reputation of Bloomsburg among the surround- 
 ing counties, and even beyond the State lines the rumors of us ex- 
 tended, and pupils came thence among us. The liberal and 
 large hearted man rejoiced in the good he had accomplished, and 
 knew it was a monument to his labor and perseverance more last- 
 ing than brass. One after another the faint-hearted became foot- 
 sore, and weary ; but as they fell out of the ranks their places 
 were filled by others, and when at the end of the first year a 
 Board came to be elected, it appeared that but four of those whose 
 names appeared among the first roll call, had struggled on togeth- 
 er to the end. It had been a struggle, such as they only who had 
 gone through it, could appreciate. Amid so many discourage- 
 ments they were surprised at their own success, but having suc- 
 ceeded it is but right to say that a very large majority of the citi- 
 zens of Bloomsburg gave substantial support to the enterprise. 
 
 In the meantime the year 1867 was passing away, the school 
 was attracting attention, the building was large and conspicuous, 
 and our citizens began to awaken to its importance. Mr. Wicker- 
 sham, the State Superintendent of Public Schools, had heard of 
 us, and seeing what we had already accomplished, suggested the 
 erection of additional buildings and the organization of a State 
 Normal School, to be run in connection with the Literary Insti- 
 tute. Discussion on the subject was general and warm, and on 
 the 9th of March 1868, the Board "Resolved that the Trustees of 
 
158 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 the Bloomsburg Literary Institute agree to establish in connection 
 with the same, a State Normal School under the Act of Assembly 
 of the 2nd. of May, 1857, and to procure the grounds and put up 
 the necessary buildings as soon as the sum of seventy thousand 
 dollars is subscribed by responsible persons, agreeably to the fore- 
 going propositions.'' 
 
 In pursuance thereof, at that and subsequent meetings, commit- 
 tees on plans, specifications and subscriptions, were appointed and 
 proceeded to the discharge of their duties. 
 
 On the 18th of April, 1868, a public meeting was held in the 
 Recorder's ofiice to consider "the subject of a Normal School to 
 be located at Bloomsburg.'' The Rev. Mr. Waller was called to 
 the chair, and Capt. Brockway was chosen Secretary. Mr. Neal 
 stated the object of the meeting. After a very free and spirited 
 discussion, the following resolutions were moved and carried : 
 
 "That the Trustees of the Bloomsburg Literary Institute be 
 earnestly requested to purchase the necessary grounds and proceed 
 to make an agreement to carry forward the enterprise of erecting 
 the building required. 
 
 That the plans submitted by Prof. Carver be recommended to 
 the trustees for adoption. 
 
 That it be recommended to let the building to Prof. Carver at 
 his estimate of $36,000." 
 
 The proceedings and recommendations of the public meeting 
 having been certified to the Board of Trustees, then in session, the 
 Board on the same day appointed a building committer', consisting 
 of L. B. Rupert, P. Billmeyer, and F. C. Eyer, and authorized it 
 "to contract for the erection of the building with Prof. Caiwer at 
 his bid of thirty-six thousand dollars, in accordance with the rec- 
 ommendation of the citizens," and it was accordingly so done, and 
 the building was put in process of construction. 
 
 On the 2d of May, 1869, the stockholders elected the following: 
 For three years, Robert F. Clark, William Elwell, William Neal; 
 For one year, Elias Mendenhall. 
 
 It being thought best to have the building committee members 
 of the Board, Judge Rupert, Judge Elwell, and William Neal, 
 were elected. 
 
 On the 23d of June, the Board met to consider the subject of 
 the Normal School Building. It was "Resolved, that the following 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 159 
 
 specific articlps be put in the corner-stone of the new building, 
 to-wit : A copy of the Bible, a certified copy of the charter, 
 names of the Board of Trustees as follows : L. B. Rupert, Presi- 
 dent ; John G. Freeze, Secretary ; Elias Mendenhall, Treasurer ; 
 Robert F. Clark^ Conrad Bitteiibender, John Wolf, Jowseph P. 
 Conner, William Elwell, and William Neal ; Catalogue of Fac- 
 ulty and Students, State School Board as follows : Maj. Gen. 
 Geary, Governor of the Commonwealth ; Hon. J. P. Wickersham, 
 Superintendent of Common Schools ; C R. Coburn, Deputy Su- 
 perintendent; last message of Gov. Geary ; copy of School laws ; 
 history of the Institute and school buildings ; one copy of The 
 Columbian, The Mepublican and The Democrat ; proprietor of 
 the grounds, and first treasurer, Wm. Snyder deceased ; building 
 committee, Leonard B. Rupert, William Elwell and William Neal; 
 architect and builder, Henry Carver ; adnsory architect, Samuel 
 Sloan ; one specimen of each of the following currency : 1 three 
 cent postal currency, 1 five cent postal currency, 1 ten cent postal 
 currency, 1 three cent silver piece, late issue, 1 five cent silver 
 piece, old issue ; and programme of the anniversary exercises. 
 
 The laying of the corner stone of the Bloomsburg State Nor- 
 mal School was performed upon the 25th day of June, 1868. 
 
 At 1:30 p. m., the Hon. C. L. Ward, delivered an oration in the 
 hall of the Institute. At its close a procession was formed, head- 
 ed by the Board of Trustees, and proceeded to the corner where 
 the stone was to be placed. Arrived there and opening to the 
 right and left, Gov. Geary, Mr. Wickersham, and other distin- 
 guished gentlemen, came forward. Rev. Mr. Waller oifered 
 prayer. Gov. Geary then laid the corner stone, after having de- 
 posited within it, the articles mentioned. After the stone had 
 been placed, with appropriate ceremonies, the Governor made an 
 address. Judge Elwell then, on behalf of the Board of Trustees 
 made an address. Judge Rupert, read a history of the Institute as 
 deposited in the corner stone. Governor Geary then handed the 
 plans of the new building to Prof. Carver, with a short address ; 
 Prof. Carver accepted them, promising to urge the completion of 
 the building as rapidly as possible. In the evening Mr. Wicker- 
 sham met and addressed a large audience, in the hall of the Insti- 
 tute, on the subject of education generally, and of Normal Schools, 
 particularly. 
 
160 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Thus this new and important enterprise was fairly under way, 
 and a reasonable prospect of sufficient interest in it to insure its 
 completion. There was still a small element of croakers, clogs on 
 all progress, who sneered at the whole matter and predicted it 
 would never succeed. As it is intended that their names shall be 
 forgotten, they do not appear in this sketch. 
 
 "What do they think now, however, when they see following 
 that enterprise, the erection of the best hotel within the forks of 
 the Susquehanna — the building upon Second street of more than 
 a dozen first-class three story brick buildings — of extensive im- 
 provements and repairs in all parts of the town — -the erection of 
 an Opera House — the introduction of gas and water — -the removal 
 of unsightly obstructions from the streets — the opening, grading 
 and extension of thoroughfares — the large influx of permanent 
 and desirable citizens. 
 
 It is but fair to say that little, if any, of all this would have 
 happened had not those buildings first been erected. They are 
 an advertisement of the town of which it has not yet shown itself 
 to be, collectively, entirely appreciative. It was the first deter- 
 mined effort at improvement and progress, and it was an effort 
 whose far-reaching good can never be measured. And it brings 
 money, and reputation, and population to the town, as well as 
 providing healthful educational influences to thousands of our 
 coming men and women. 
 
 On the 19th of February, 1869, the Legislative committee, com- 
 posed of Messrs. Hon. Wilmer Worthington, Hon. James C. 
 Brown, Hon. George D. Jackson, and Hon. Henry M. Hoyt, met 
 at Bloomsburg f or the purjjose of inspecting the buildings, grounds 
 &c., preparatory to recommending it to recognition as a Normal 
 School. The report was unanimously favorable, and the an- 
 nouncement was heard with lively satisfaction. Speeches were 
 made by Judge Rupert, Hon. Thomas Chalfant, Gen. Ent, and 
 others. 
 
 On the 22d February, 1869, the proclamation of the Depart- 
 ment, recognizing it as a State Normal School, was p ublished, and 
 our legal existence dates from that famous da y, the birthday of 
 Washington. 
 
 The following is the full report of the State Superintendent of 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 161 
 
 common schools on the official recognition of the State Normal 
 School of the sixth district : 
 
 "A communication, was received at this department, dated 
 February 8th, 1869, and signed by L. B. Rupert, President, and 
 John G. Freeze, Secretary, of the Board of Trustees, of the 
 Bloomsburg Literary Institute, stating that said board had ob- 
 tained grounds, erected buildings, and opened a school, which 
 they desired to have inspected by a committee appointed according 
 to the provisions of the act of Assembly approved May 20th, 
 1857, with the design of having the institution recognized as the 
 State Normal School of the Sixth District. 
 
 Accordingly, with the consent of the Governor, the following 
 named gentlemen were appointed the committee : Hon. Wilmer 
 Worthington, Hon. Jas. C. Brown, Hon. Geo. D. Jackson, and 
 Hon. Henry M. Hoyt; the several County Superintendents in the 
 counties composing the district were notified, and Friday, the 
 19th day of February, was agreed upon as the day for the 
 examination. 
 
 All the members of the committee were present on the day 
 appointed, and they, in connection with the State Superintendent 
 of Common Schools, and the County Superintendents of the coun- 
 ties of Columbia, Montour and Union, proceeded, . at 9 o'clock A. 
 M., to discharge the duties of their appointment. They first at- 
 tended the opening exercises of the school in the Chapel of the 
 institution, and then spent some time in visiting the several class- 
 rooms and listening to recitations in the various branches. After 
 this, they were conducted by members of the Board of Trustees 
 and delegations of citizens over the grounds and through the 
 buildings. All the official papers appertaining to the institution 
 were duly examined, its deeds, charter, by-laws, rules and regula- 
 tions. Full explanations were elicited in reference to the organ- 
 ization of the school, the constitution of its faculty, its plan of 
 study. &c., &c. 
 
 The committee retiring for consultation, then organized by 
 electing Wilmer Worthington, President, and J. P. Wickersham 
 Secretary, and, after due deliberation, adopted the following pre- 
 amble and resolutions, and thereto appended their proper signa- 
 tures : 
 
162 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Bloomsburg, Columbia County, Feb. 19, 1869. 
 
 Whereas, The "Bloomsburg Literary Institute," having made 
 formal application to the Department of Common Schools for the 
 appointment of a committee to examine its claims to be recogniz- 
 ed as the State Normal School of the Sixth District, according to 
 the provisions of "An Act to provide for the due training of teach- 
 ers for the Common Schools of the State," approved the 20th day 
 of May, 1 857 ; and 
 
 Whereas, The undersigned, being duly appointed and author- 
 ized under said act, and having personally, and at the same time, 
 on Friday, the 19th day of February, 1869, visited and carefully 
 inspected said Institute, and made a careful exumination thereof 
 of its by-laws, rules and regulations, and its general arrangements 
 and facilities for instructing, and having found ihem to be sub- 
 stantially such as the law requites ; 
 
 Resolved. That the "Bloomsburg Literary Institute" is, in our 
 opinion, entitled to recognition as a State Normal School, with all 
 the privileges and immunities enjoyed by other institutions of 
 like character in this Commonwealth. 
 
 Wii.MER Worth iNftTON, Chairman. 
 George D. Jackson, ) 
 James C. Broavn, V- Committee. 
 3. P. WicKERSHAM, Sec^y. Henry M. Hoyt, ) 
 
 C. G. Barkley, County Su2}t. Colum,bia Co, 
 C. V. Gundy, County Supt. Union County. 
 Wm. Henry, County Supt. Montour County . 
 This report was announced to a large audience, which had as- 
 sembled in the Chapel of the institution to hear it, and was receiv- 
 ed with the most lively satisfaction. Prof. Henry Carver, the 
 Principal of the school, presided at this meeting, and a'ldresses 
 were delivered by different members of the committee. Judge 
 Rupert, President of the Board of Trustees, Hon. Thomas Chal- 
 fant, General Ent, and others. In the evening a "Sociable" was 
 held at the school, and this was followed by a banquet at one of 
 the hotels. 
 
 The following is the proclamation of the Department recogniz- 
 ing the Bloomsburg Literary Institute as a State Normal School : 
 
 Commonweai.th of Pennsylvania, ) 
 Department of Common Schooes, ^ 
 
 Harrisburg, February 22d, 1869. \ 
 Whereas, In pursuance of the application to this Department 
 of the Trustees of the Bloomsburg Literary Institute for the ap- 
 pointment of a committee to examine its claims to recognition as 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 163 
 
 the State Normal School of the Sixth District, according to the 
 provisions of "An Act to provide for the due training of teachers 
 for the Common Schools of the State," approved the 20th day of 
 May, 1857, the following gentlemen were appointed, viz : Hon. 
 Wilmer Worthington, of the County of Chester ; Hon. James C. 
 Brown, of the- County of Mercer; Hon. George D. Jackson, of the 
 county of Sullivan, and Hon Henry M. Hoyt of the County of 
 Luzerne ; and, 
 
 Whereas, The committee so appointed, in conjunction with the 
 State Superintendent of Common Schools. C. G. Barkley, Esq., 
 County Superintendent of the County of Columbia, C. V. Gundy, 
 Esq., County Superintendent- of Union, and William Henry, Esq., 
 County Superintendent of the County of Montour, the County 
 Superintendents of the other counties in the district — Northum- 
 berland, Snyder, Dauphin, Perry, Juniata, and Mifflin — being 
 unable to be present, after having, on the 19th day of February, 
 1869, visited and carefully inspected said Institute, and made a 
 careful examination thereof of its by-laws, rules and regulations, 
 and its general a'-rangements and facilities for study, reported 
 unanimously that said Institute is entitled to recognition as a 
 State Normal School, with all the privileges and immunities 
 enjoyed by other institutions of like character in this Common- 
 wealth : 
 
 Now, therefore, I, State Superintendent of Common Schools, do 
 hereby give notice, as required by law. that I have recognized the 
 said Bloomsburg Literary Institute as the State Normal School 
 of the Sixth District, comjjosed of the Counties of Columbia, 
 Union, Montour, Snyder, Northumberland, Dauphin, Perry, Juni- 
 ata, and Mifflin. 
 
 , r^-' — ^ .. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and 
 X L. S. v affixed the seal of the Department of Common Schools, 
 
 ' --^~, — -' at Harrisburg, the 22d day of February, 1 869. 
 J. P. WICKERSIIAM, 
 State Superintendent of Common Schools. 
 
 It is not the purpose of the writer to follow chronologically the 
 course of events in the history of the school. It is impossible, if 
 it were desirable, to describe the struggles of the Trustees in con- 
 tinuing and carrying forward the work of building. The very 
 large amount of money required, the falling ofE of subscribers, 
 the want of prompt payment of those which were good, the talk 
 of those who were not in sympathy with the movement, were all 
 discouraging circumstances. The Trustees were therefore obliged 
 to assume personally the cost of carrying on the work. They 
 have had upon themselves at one time, as a personal obligation 
 
164 RISTOBY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 — ^more than t^renty thousand dollars. IJepairs, exi^enditures 
 and deficiencies to the amount of from one lo three thous- 
 and dollars annually, have been provided for by them, on their 
 personal responsibility. They have given days and nights to the 
 business of the school, they have borne for the public and general 
 good, burdens which no man in the town has struggled under in 
 his own business. When State aid came slowly or not at all, 
 when subscriptions failed, when the daily pressure of debts was 
 almost unbearable, when Prof. Carver left us so unceremoniously 
 without a Principal, the Trustees shouldered the work and accept- 
 ed the responsibility. Sometimes it seemed doubtful on Friday 
 evening whether there would be a teacher or a student on the 
 hill on the coming Monday morning ; but Professors Brown and 
 Ferree v/ere true as steel to their duty, and with the other mem- 
 bers of the faculty kept off the daily threatened catastrophe. This 
 is only a mere outline of the daily and nightly toil and anxiety, 
 and no man needs to wish a closer acquaintance with the busi- 
 ness. But the school was without a head, the Sheriff had sold 
 the lease of Prof. Carver for his debts, and all parties were hang- 
 ing by the eyelids. The Board called uponMr.Wickershamfor ad- 
 vice and assistance, and he met them on the 19th of December 
 
 1871, at the office of Col. Freeze. After a long and confidential 
 talk upon the subject, Wi<!kersham suggested Charles G. Barkley, 
 Superintendent of Columbia County Common Schools, as a proper 
 person for Principal ; and on motion of R. F. Clark, Esq. he was 
 unanimously elected. He accepted the position upon condition that 
 he should be relieved as soon as the Trustees could supply his 
 place. The Board of Trustees met at the Hall the next morning, 
 December 20th, accompanied by Mr. Barkley and Mr. Wickersham. 
 Col. Freeze announced to the Faculty and Scliool the action of 
 the Board in the election of a Principal, and Mr. Wickersham ad- 
 dressed them, warmly endorsing the selection. Some changes 
 were made in the management and a visible inprovement oc- 
 curred. 
 
 Mr. Barkley continued in charge of the school until March 27, 
 
 1872, when at his own request he was relieved, and the Rev. 
 John Hewitt was elected, and on Thursday March 28, the Board, 
 accompanied by Mr. Hewitt, proceeded to the building. Mr. 
 Barkley called the school to order, Mr. Freeze announced the 
 
SISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 165 
 
 election of the Principal, and Mr., Hewitt made an address, and 
 took formal charge of the t~^choo]. He continued to conduct it 
 until the end of that school year, June i'G, 1873, and the improve- 
 ment begun under Mr. Barkley continued, closing the year in a 
 condition much ahead of tlie ojieuing in every resjDect. But, 
 although all felt that the crisis in the affairs of the school was 
 past, yet there was a large deficiency, and the Board was again 
 obliged to sit day after day and night after night as a committee 
 of ways and means. It would be most moni-tonous to repeat here 
 what has before been said as to pressing pecuniary difficulties. 
 Again the Trustees were obliged to step into the breech and 
 pledge their own names and means to satisfy creditors, and save 
 the property and credit of the Institution. I am puisuaded that 
 the time and labor have not been fully appreciated by the com- 
 munity who are reaping the benefit of the expenditure. But let 
 that pass! Dr. Griswold assumed the duties of Principal at the 
 Commencement in June. 1873, and it is not proposed here and 
 now to speak of the management and success of the school under 
 his administration; but it is only justice to state that he made it 
 pay expenses — a thing it never did before. In May, 1874, at a 
 meeting of the Stockholders, Hon. Wm. Elwell, Elias Meiidenhall, 
 Conrad Bittenbender, Leonard B. Rupert, Jacob Schuyler, John 
 A. Funston, William Neal, John Wolf,- and John G. Freeze, were 
 elected Trustees; and on May 3, 1875, the same persons were re- 
 elected, together with J. J. Brower, Hon. C. B. Brockway, and 
 Joseph Sharpless, the Legislature having increased the Board to 
 twelve. At the same time the Superintendent of Public Instruc- 
 tion appointed on the part of the State the following named gen- 
 tlemen, viz: Hon. C. R. Buckalew, Charles G. Barkley, D. A. 
 Beckley, Col. Samuel Knorr, Hon. M. E. Jackson, and C. W. Mil- 
 ler, Esq. 
 
 On Wednesday, August 25, 1875, the school opened with the 
 largest list of students ever entered upon its books, and we were 
 one and all looking forward to an increasingly successful school 
 year. But in a moment, as it were, all our hopes were dashed to 
 the ground. 
 
 On Saturday afternoon, September 4th, the Boarding Hall was 
 observed to be on fire, and in two hours the magnificent building 
 was a mass of ruins. It was a total loss, the $30,000 of insur- 
 
166 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 anoe being less than half the value of the building, not including 
 furniture and fixtures. But the Board of Trustees, with the effi- 
 cient aid of the citizens of Bloomsburg, grappled with the emer- 
 gency, and took immediate measures to begin the erection of a 
 new, enlarged, and improved building. Their late experience now 
 stood them in good stead, and they pushed the work with great 
 energy. 
 
 The Corner Stone of the new Normal Boarding Hall was laid 
 on Saturday October, 30th, 1875, and although the day was very 
 inclement, there was in attendance a large concourse of people. 
 The ensuing winter was an unusually mild and open one, and 
 with the exception of a very few days the work of re-erection and 
 construction went rapidly forward. So much so, that on Wednes- 
 day, April 26th 1876, the building was formally dedicated to use, 
 and opened for the admission of students, and the beginning of 
 the spring term. After some time Dr. G-riswold was superseded, 
 and the Rev. David J. Waller Jr. was elected Principal. His ad- 
 ministration of the school has been successful and satisfactory, 
 and it is to be hoped that a brilliant career is now open to the 
 Bloomsbnrg State Normal School. 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 167 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 C01^ai^/£01^T SCHOOX-S. 
 
 The common school system had been in existence in the state 
 since 183.5, with more or less success, when in 1854 an Act crea- 
 ting the office of Coimty Superintendent and defining his powers 
 and duties passed the legislature. Although considerable opposi- 
 tion was manifested, yet upon the whole the effect has been favor- 
 able to the advancement of the schools. Better teachers have been 
 employed and better discipline has been maintained. During all 
 these years however, owing doubtless to the continued inefficiency 
 of the public schools, private schools as distinguished from the com- 
 mon, have been supported at different places in the county. Up to 
 within a very short time, at Bloomsburg, at Berwick, atCatawissa, 
 at Millville, and at Orangeville, there have been schools, and at 
 some places there are yet, in which the classics and higher mathe- 
 matics have been taught. Sometimes they have flourished with 
 great vigor, and at others have languished or died out under the 
 blighting inefficiency of the principal. NevertheleKS, in all the 
 schools, both public and private, there has been great imp)-ovement. 
 It has been manifested not only in the character and acquirements 
 of the teachers, and in the grade of studies, and the higher stan- 
 dard proposed, but also, and notably, in the better character of the 
 school houses, and their appointments. Thus, not only in this coun- 
 ty but elsewhere, the common schools have superseded the pri- 
 vate, and have thus also improved their tone and character. Year 
 by year the school department issues very elaborate reports on the 
 educational system, with statistics and tables, and as these are con- 
 stantly changing, and are as regularly coming into the hands of 
 my readers, it has been thought not to be expedient or necessary 
 to trouble any one with columns of figures, which while the book 
 is passing through the press are becoming incorrect and mislead- 
 ing. 
 
168 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 The early history of schools, school houses, and education is 
 more interesting than uny presentation of the present condition 
 and future jjrospects of tlie subject ; and 1 therefore gladly avail, 
 myself of the lepoit of William PI. Snyder, late County Superin- 
 tendent, concerning the early schools in Columbia county, and 
 which he has very kindly allowt d me to copy. Mr. Snyder says : 
 
 "These schools, with but one exception, were supporled by sub- 
 scription, and the houses were generally built iu the same maimer 
 up to 1834, when the public schools were established. The 
 branches usually taught in them were spelling, reading, writing, 
 and written arithmetic. A pupil's ouifit was a very modest affair- 
 A Webster's spelling-book, an English reader, or a Testament, a 
 DaboU's arithmetic, a slate, a goose-quill, and a few sheets of pa- 
 per, covered the entire range of known material for winter after 
 winter, as long as lie might go to school. 
 
 After public schools were established, Malte Brun's geography 
 and Smith's grammar, on the inductive system, were soon adopt- 
 ed. Seeing the numerous algebras, geometries, histories, rhetorics, 
 philosophies, physiologies, copy-books, drawing-books, language- 
 books, etc., in the schools at the present day, one can scarcely real- 
 ize the vast improvement. 
 
 How much higher and broader the schools shall be elevated, is 
 only a question of time. 
 
 BEAVER. 
 
 The first school in Beaver, was taught in Mr. Kostenbauder's 
 grist-mill, by Isaac Davis, in 1821. Four years later, Mr. Davis 
 opened another, iu his private dwelling, which stood where Davis 
 church now stands. In speaking of ^Huaie dwellings, or residence 
 we shall omit the word "private," hereafter. 
 
 In 1825, Henry Schell taught in a dwelling which stood near 
 where the church now stands, by the road leading from Beaver to 
 Mainville, and Adam Holocher, in a similar building, which was 
 located on the laud now owned by Charles Michael. 
 
 After teaching several terms, which were usually held during 
 winter, Mr. Schell permanently closed bis school, when another 
 was opened in a dwelling which was situated on the land owned 
 by Joseph Lehr. The instruction in these schools was principally 
 in German. 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 169 
 
 BENTON. 
 
 During the yeai- 1799, there were but two families living in the 
 vicinity where the village of Benton now stands. Here Isaac 
 Young opened the first school, in a private dwelling. After it 
 permanently closed, another was opened in a similar building, 
 which stood where Eli Mendenhall's barn now stands, above the 
 village. As the pine forest fell before the sturdy axeman, a small 
 log school-house was built on West creek, above, and another be 
 low Benton, where Stephen Iw»zarus now lives. 
 
 Honorable Alexander Colley, who died Monday, June 6th, 1S81, 
 at the age of nearly 9.5 years, having been born August 17th, 1786, 
 was for many years the only surviving member of the first public 
 school board. He was a man of sound judgment, a surveyor, a 
 school teacher, and had been a member of the lower house of the 
 Legislature. 
 
 BERWICK. 
 
 A mist enshrouds the early school history of Berwick. Before 
 1800, Berwick had its schools, but under what teachers, and of what 
 character nothing is known. 
 
 From 1800 to 1837, it was customary to hold school for a few 
 months in each year. Prominent among the teachers of this pe- 
 riod were Mr. Holloway, David E Owen, son of the founder of 
 the town ; Doctor Dutlon, David Jones, Doctor Roe and James 
 Dilvan. These men taught between the years 1800 and 1818, and 
 were, without exception, men of education. The prominent teach- 
 ers from 1800 to 1837, were Messrs. Comstock, Hoyt, Richards, 
 Reverend Crosby and Simon Haiks. 
 
 The market-house and Quaker church were the only school- 
 buildings during this time. In 1837, on the site of the market- 
 house, the academy was erected. 
 
 This was a prominent step for Berwick. Among the distin- 
 guished teachers who taught in it were Rev. J. H. Rittenhouse, 
 George Waller, Joel E. Bradley, and Mr. Runk. The school flour- 
 ished for several years, but finally, the building was sold for public 
 school purposes, and has since been torn down. 
 
 In 1872, a splendid brick structure was erected, which cost in- 
 cluding all necessary equipments, $15,000. 
 
170 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 BLOOM. 
 
 Bloomsburg had her early schools, but as to their whereabouts, 
 and by whom taught, nothing is definitely known. The first school 
 of which there is any recollection, was taught about the year 1802, 
 by George Vance, in a small log-building, which was located 
 where the Episcopal church now stands. Finally, this house was 
 torn down, and a frame one erected in its place, in which William 
 Love taught for some time. The hisj;hest branches taught in this 
 school, were reading, writing, and arithmetic. The advanced read- 
 ing class read in the Bible, and the second class in the New Testa- 
 ment. 
 
 The next school was established in the lower end of town, in a 
 building which was located near where Joseph E. Barkley's cabinet- 
 shop now stands ; Robert Fields was its first teacher. Messrs. 
 Love and Fields were succeeded by William Fergeson, Murray 
 Manville, and Joseph Warden. 
 
 About the year 1830, Hiram W. Thornton opened one in a chair 
 or wagon-shop, which was located where Mr. William Neal's resi- 
 dence now stands. 
 
 The old academy, which was erected on the site of Dr. Evans' 
 present residence, and opened for school purposes in the spring of 
 1839, was a monument of zeal in the cause of education, at a time 
 anterior to the introduction of the public school system. The 
 standard of instruction was elevated, if judged by the advertise- 
 ment of the first teacher, to give instruction in the Hebrew lan- 
 guage, which was not extensively pursued at that early day in 
 Bloomsburg. But the teacher's literary reputation dwindled 
 when, on perusing a copy of Shakspeare, he inquired whether 
 this was the celebrated author of that name, and what were his 
 principal works ; and evinced his astonishment in the question, 
 " 'What ! these dialogues V " This building contained four school- 
 rooms, and was occupied for public school purposes until 1875. 
 
 Between 1850 and 1860, Professor Joel E. Bradley taught a 
 high school in the room now occupied by the Democratic /Sentinel 
 and Mrs. Anna R. Drake a primary one in the adjoining room. 
 About the same time Miss Mattie Wells,was also teaching a select 
 school in a small building which was located where William Gil- 
 more's establishment now stands ; and Miss Susan Painter another 
 in the back part of her fathers justice ofiice, on Market street. 
 
SIHTOBY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 171 
 
 [The interesting sketch by Mr. Snyder, was only intended to 
 rescue from oblivion a few facts relating to early schools. The 
 improvements since made were not in the task imposed upon him. 
 Nor is it intended to give full statistics of the schools, with which 
 ofiicial publications every year fully acquaint our people, and I 
 shall therefore only mark special cases. In other portions of this 
 woi-k, different schools are spoken of, and need not be here repeat- 
 ed. 
 
 In 1870, the school directors erected on Fifth street, in the 
 eastern part of the town, a large two-story brick building with 
 two wings, containing four main rooms and five recitation or class 
 rooms, one of the class rooms being intended and mainly used for 
 a library. The principal building is about 50 feet by 70, and 
 the wings about 1 8 by 20 feet. The building will accommodate 
 from 800 to 1000 children. It is heated by steam, with the latest 
 and most approved school furniture, including maps and appara- 
 tus of all kinds. The whole expenditure was not less than fifteen 
 thousand dollars. 
 
 In 1873 a second building was erected, on the brow of the hill, 
 at the west end of the town, on Third stieet. It is a trifle larger 
 than the Fifth street school, but in aU material respects, upon the 
 same plan, and heated and furnished in the same complete man- 
 ner. 
 
 The two buildings were so arranged as to accommodate all the 
 children in the town, and no other common school building now 
 exists. These, with the Normal School place Bloomsburg in the 
 front rank in point of educational advantages.] 
 
 BRIAR CREEK. 
 
 In the year 1800, the first school was opened in the stone 
 church, still standing near Samuel Kelchner's residence. Ten 
 years later a school house was built at Foundryville, when the 
 former school closed and all the pupils in the vicinity attended 
 the Foundryville school. The next house was erected below Ber- 
 wick, on the land now owned by Daniel Romback. The third 
 school was taught in a dwelling which stood on the land now 
 owned by William Stout. The names of the teachers who taught 
 these schools were Cordelia A. Preston, Daniel Goodwin, Morris 
 Hower, and John Arney. 
 
1 72 IIISTOR Y OF COL UMBIA GO UNTY. 
 
 OATAWISSA. 
 
 The first school in this township was established in Conrad Gei- 
 ger's dwelling, which was located on what is called the Mclntyre 
 place, now owned by E. M. Tewks^bury, and taught by Martin 
 Stuck. 
 
 About the year 1804, Mrs. Mary Paxton opened a school in her 
 residence, which was located near the Friends' meeting house, at 
 Catawissa, and in addition to the usual branches, taught sewing 
 and knitting. Those who could not remain at school were per- 
 mitted to retire after recitation. After this school was kept in 
 successful operation for some time, a small frame house 
 was built near where Frederick Pfahler's residence now stands, in 
 which Elijah Barger, of Chester county, taught, followed by Ellis 
 Hughes. Finally, Joseph Paxton, (son of the former teacher,) 
 built an addition to the house for his daughter Ruth Ann. In 1815, 
 a Mr. Kent, of New York, (whose son is a popular dry-goods mer- 
 chant in Philadelphia,) opened a high school in the residence now 
 occupied by Mrs. Keller. He was • succeeded by a Mr. Ely, also 
 of New York. 
 
 The next school was opened in 1818, by Thomas Barger, up 
 stairs in a spring-house, which stood on the land now owned by 
 John Keifer. Mr. Barger was succeeded by John Stokes, Joseph 
 Gittling, and Thomas Ellis. The school was principally support- 
 ed by pupils of Main township. 
 
 Ezra S. Hayhurst, to whom Oatawissa is much indebted for his 
 school labors, not ouly assisted in establishing schools, but also 
 taught successfully for some time. Next came Joel E. Bradley, 
 from the "land of steady habits," and opened a school in the acad- 
 emy, which was founded in 1838. He continued until 1842, when 
 Jeiemiah J. Brower took his place in the same building until 1848. 
 
 [Since the preparation of this sketch by Mr. Snyder, there has 
 been erected in Catawissa, a Public school building, second to 
 none in the county. It occupies a beautiful location upon rising 
 ground, on the one side overlooking the river, and on the other 
 the valley of Catawissa creek. It is fully up to all the modern 
 improvements, in heating, lighting and apparatus. In size it is a 
 little greater than the Bloomsburg Third Street School House ; 
 and is intended to supersede all the public school buildings in 
 Catawissa, and by concentration of heat and teaching force and 
 
HIjSTOHY of COLUMBIA COUNTY. 173 
 
 oversight, give all pupils increased advantages. It is claimed that 
 in some respects the Catawissa house is an improvement upon any 
 thing else, and such may be the fact.] 
 
 CEMTRALIA. 
 
 This borough was taken from Conyngham townshijj in 1867. 
 The first school-building within its present limits was erected in 
 1858, in which school was continued until 1868, when it was en- 
 gulfed by the breaking down of the mines. 
 
 In the following year, a frame building, with two rooms in it, 
 was erected to fill its place. Here Mr. Bowers was employed to 
 teach a term of eight months, at a salary of fifty dollars per 
 month. The number of pupils increased so rapidly, that it was 
 necessary, in 1872, to erect another building. This is a first-class 
 building, well furnished and properly ventilated. 
 
 There are now (1877) four good schools in the borough, under the 
 able supervision of Mr. W. J. Burke, late principal of the Ash- 
 land high school. 
 
 CENTRE. 
 
 The earliest schools in this township were taught in dwellings, 
 which were located as follows : One near the ferry, taught by 
 Solomon Friedeci ; another near Lime Ridge, where Joseph Gei- 
 ger now lives, and the third on the land now owned by Hiram 
 Schweppenheiser, which was taught by John Dietterich. 
 
 The first house for school purposes was located at Centreville 
 in 1810. Being destroyed by fire after a few years' service, an- 
 other was erected at the lower end of the village, where the pub- 
 lic school-buildings now stand. 
 
 Solomon Neyhard, who died 10 January, 1879, aged about 
 80 years, was the only surviving member of the first public 
 school board. 
 
 In 1875, the Patrons of Husbandry in this township erected a 
 beautiful liall, furnished the room on the first floor with improved 
 school furniture, and employed Professor Lockard to take charge 
 of the school, which is still in a prosjserous condition. 
 
 CONYNGHAM. 
 
 This township was formed from the southern part of Locust in 
 1 856. It and the borough of Centralia had no schools before the 
 public school law was in force. Its school history only dates 
 
174 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 back to 1857, when, through the exertion of Mr. A. W. Rea, a 
 school building was erected at Germantown. The rich mineral 
 product of this region, which was developed in 1860, aitracted a 
 large population. Consequently, we find, in 1865, four new school 
 buildings, which were all supplied with school apparatus, and in 
 character far superior to the earlier. 
 
 FISHING CREEK. 
 
 The first school in this township was taught by Christopher 
 Pealer, in a weave-shop, which stood where John Zaner's resi- 
 dence now stands. 
 
 About the year 1794, Henry Heiss came from Philadelphia to 
 Stillwater, to oversee a tract of lan'l, which belonged to his father. 
 Being a young man of more than ordinary ability, he was persua- 
 ded to open a school there in a dwelling house. 
 
 The first school house was built at Pealertown, in which Jona- 
 than Colley taught. 
 
 The next was erected near where Zion church now stands. The 
 Pealer town school finally closed, and the pupils attended this 
 school. 
 
 FRANKLIN. 
 
 After the school closed at Mclntyre, in Catawissa township, a 
 house was built, just above the foundry, on the land now owned 
 by William Stocker, to accommodate the settlers at the mouth 
 of Catawissa creek. Mr. Stuck, who had taught at Mclntyre, was 
 succeeded in this school by Daniel Krist and Daniel Rigles. Sev- 
 eral married men availed themselves of the opportunity to receive 
 instruction at this school. Near where Joseph T. Reeder now 
 lives, Joseph Horlocher opened a school, which was called "Clay- 
 ton's school," the same name the one goes by in this district now. 
 The one established below Esther furnace was taught by Samuel 
 Bitler and James Stokes. 
 
 Anterior to public schools there was also one kept at the 
 river, about where the public school building now stands. 
 
 GREENWOOD. 
 
 About the year 1785, a school was kept in a dwelling, at Mill- 
 ville. In 1800 a house was built near where Richard Heacock 
 now lives, and occupied until 1836. 
 
 In ] 805, another was built on the land now owned by Jacob 
 
HIISTOR Y OF COL UMBIA GO UNTY. 1 75 
 
 Gerard. This house not being suitably located, was abandoned 
 after a few years' service, and a more convenient one erected, 
 where Catharine McCarty now lives, west of Rohrsburg. In 
 1838, when public schools were adopted, there were six houses 
 erected. 
 
 Prominent among the early teachers were Jesse Haines, Jacob 
 Wintersteen, John Shively, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Ferguson, Ben- 
 jamin Kester, Jonathan CoUey, Robert Lockard, and his daugh- 
 ters, Jane and Nancy Lockard. 
 
 HEMLOCK. 
 
 About the year 1801, Mr. Donaldson established the first school " 
 in a dwelling which was located on the land now owned by 
 Isaac Pursel. Eight years later, Thomas Vanderslice opened one 
 in the same kind of building, which was erected on the land now 
 owned by M. S. Appelman and John Boonemother, at the forks 
 of Hemlock and Fishing creek, near James Barton's. Henry Ohl 
 succeeded Mr. Vanderslice as teacher. The next was opened in 
 1810, by Jacob Wintersteen, in a building which was located on 
 the estate now owned by Dennis Pursel. The house located at 
 the forks of the road, where the brick school-house now stands, is 
 given in Montour township sketches. The Doll school, which 
 was kept near where ex-Sheriff Smith now resides, in 1816, was 
 principally composed of pupils from Madison townshijD, now West 
 Hemlock, in Montour county. 
 
 JACKSON. 
 
 John Denmark taught the first school in the township, in 1820- 
 21, in a dwelling, which was located near where the Union church 
 now stands. In 1822, a school-house was built close by, in which 
 John Keeler taught four, and William Yocum three terms. The 
 house was then torn down. In 1825 a house was built at the 
 lower Jackson church, and Mr. Yocum, who had taught in the 
 former building, opened the first school. He was succeeded by Cor- 
 nelius McEwen, Miss Helen Calvin, Joseph Orwig, and Peter 
 Girton. In 1832, a house was re-located at the Union church, 
 and those who taught in it before public schools were established 
 were William Riche, John Fullmer, and Isaac K. Krickbaum , 
 lately associate judge. 
 
176 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA GOUNTY. 
 
 The first school in this township cannot be accurately given, 
 as there were several schools in session about the same time. 
 
 Joseph Stokes taught one in his residence, which was located 
 on the land now owned by D. Mears. Joseph Hughes taught 
 another at Kerntown ; Alexander Mears one at Slabtown ; and 
 James Miller one near where the old Quaker church now stands. 
 There was also one at Esther furnace, but by whom taught is un- 
 known. 
 
 AA'"hen the vote was taken on the public school question there 
 was considerable excitement in the towushijD. Had it not been 
 for Mr. John Kline, who induced his tenant not to vote, (but vot- 
 ed himself,) the election would have been a tie ; consequently, 
 there was one majority in favor of establishing public schools. 
 
 MADISON. 
 
 The first school in the township was taught, in 1 799, by a Mr. 
 Wilson, in a dwelling which was located at Jerseytown. 
 
 In 1810, Thomas Lane opened one in a similar building, which 
 stood on the land now owned by Leonard Kisner. 
 
 The third and fourth were also in dwellings, one of which was 
 erected near where the Reformed church now stands, close by the 
 road leading from Jerseytown to Buckhorn, and the other in the 
 eastern part of the township, near Millville. 
 
 Jacob Deraott is the only surviving member of the first public 
 school board. 
 
 MAIN. 
 
 This townshi]:) formerly belonged to Catawissa. Before any 
 school was established within its present limits the pupils were 
 obliged to attend the school which was held up stairs in the 
 spring-house spoken of in Catawissa township, which was consid- 
 ered a very important school. 
 
 About the year 1820 a school was established in a dwelling 
 which was located near where the old fulling-mill stands, above 
 Mainville, and was taught by Jacob Gensel. 
 
 In 1824, John Walts opened another in the same kind of build- 
 ing, which stood near where Fisher's church now stands. When 
 this church was completed, the old church which stood close by 
 
SISTORT OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. \11 
 
 was fitted up and occupied for school purposes until public 
 schools were established. 
 
 Daniel Krist was a prominent teacher of this school. 
 
 In the year 1794, David Jones opened the first School in this 
 township, in a hut which stood among the scrub pine and oak 
 below Mifiiinville, on the land now owned by Christian Wolf. 
 
 There being no primary books in market, the teacher printed 
 the alphabet on shingles for the abecedarians. 
 
 This hut was occupied but a short time, then abandoned, and a 
 school was opened in a building located where the Lutheraii 
 church now stands at Mifiiinville. 
 
 Another school-house was finally built in the 'eastern part of 
 the townshi2). 
 
 MONTOTJB. 
 
 The following is a synopsis of John G, Quick's report, secre- 
 tary of Motitour : 
 
 The first school, to my recollection, was established in the year 
 1831, by Miss Harriet Rupert, daughter of the late Judge Rupert. 
 She opened this school in a shanty, which had been built and oc- 
 cupied by contractors, while making the N'orth Branch canal, and 
 building the aqueduct across the mouth of Fishing creek. In 
 this shanty Miss Rupert commenced instructing the children in 
 the vicinity of Rupert, charging one dollar for each pupil per 
 term. After teaching here a short time, she had a room comfort- 
 ably fitted up, in a log -house near her father's dwelling, in which 
 she taught successfully for some time. She, being a Christian 
 lady and model teacher, always ■ opened school with reading the 
 Scriptures and prayer. After this school closed, we were obliged 
 to travel fully two miles to a school, which was taught by James 
 L. Nevius, in an old log-building, located at the forks of the road 
 leading from Bloomsburg to Buckhorn. At this time Montour 
 belonged to Hemlock township. The law, in those days, provid- 
 ing for the schooling of indigent children at the expense of the 
 county, was scarcely realized. Parents would rather have their 
 children grow up in total ignorance, than permit them to be edu- 
 cated under this act. 
 
 Then came the passage of the conjmon school law, which crea- 
 
]78 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 ted a great sensation. The idea of assessing a tax upon the peo- 
 ple for the schooling of all children, was a serious thought with 
 some, and, consequently, a division of Hemlock township was 
 brought about, by a caucus being held by some of the citizens in 
 the southern part of the township, who thought, by dividing the 
 township, they could get rid of the school law. Thus, in 1838, 
 Montour was taken from Hemlock. Much might be said, in com- 
 paring the past with the present ; but, in conclusion, I shall only 
 say, that I have been a director for six years, and have just entered 
 upon the duties for three more, to look after the future blessings 
 of the rising generation. Yet, I loathe to say, there are some 
 who are opposed to public schools, and ever ready to criticise a 
 director for faithfully and conscientiously discharging the du- 
 ties of his office. 
 
 Why not make our school-houses and grounds pleasant and at- 
 tractive, as well as our homes ? 
 
 One of the greatest privileges I enjoy is to visit our schools, 
 and compare their contrast with those of forty years ago. 
 
 JIT. PLEASANT. 
 
 The first school in Mt. Pleasant was founded by Peter Oman. 
 He employed an instructor, at his own expense, to come to his 
 •dwelling to instruct his and his neighbors' children. Finally 
 three houses were built, one upon the land now owned by Joseph 
 Gilbert, one upon the land now owned by Aaron Kester, and an- 
 other upon the land now owned by Andrew Grouse. These 
 houses were of the same description as early school-houses gener- 
 ally, built of logs, filled between with sticks, daubed over with 
 mud mixed with cut straw, and furnished with slab seats. Care- 
 ful provisions were made for a large fire hearth, and spacious 
 door, so that logs could be rolled in for fuel. This afforded 
 amusement for the boys at recess. 
 
 ORANGE. 
 
 The first school in this township was taught in a building which 
 was located on the north eastern part of Honorable H. R. Kline's 
 farm, by Daniel Rake, Philip Doder, and Jonathan CoUey, father of 
 Alexander Colley, of Benton. In 1820, George Vance, who taught 
 at Bloomsburg, opened a school in a small log-building, which 
 istood on the land now owned by William Delong, below Orange- 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 179 
 
 ville. Mr. Vance was succeeded by Clemuel G. Ricketts, William 
 Rantz, and John Kline. The house was then torn down, and a more 
 substantial one erected at Orangeville, on the very spot where 
 Mr. Kline's residence now stands. This house was accepted after- 
 ward for public school purposes. Among the earliest teachers 
 were Abraham Kline, Ira Daniels, and Charles Fortner. 
 
 In regard to adopting public schools, the same feeling arose 
 here as elsewhere in the county. The most enlightened, by whom 
 nearly all the taxes were paid, advocated their adoption. 
 
 PINE. 
 
 This township was not as early and rapidly settled as some of 
 the townships in the county. In 1830, there was but one school 
 in it, which was taught by John Masters, in a house located at 
 Sereno. In 1836, •wh.'ixi public schools were accepted, education 
 took a new impetus, and at present the schools in this, as well as 
 the schools in other sparsely settled townships, compare favora- 
 bly with those in towns and villages. 
 
 ROAHING CKEEK. 
 
 The first school within the present limits of this township, was 
 taught in 1816, by Joseph Stokes, in a small dwelling which be- 
 longed 10 Mahlon Hibbs, and stood on the land now owned by 
 William Rhoads. 
 
 This school continued only one term. The following year 
 Thomas t'herington, a surveyor and experienced teacher, opened a 
 sc'iool in his son's dwelling, which stood on the land now owned 
 by Si\iiiiiel Hauck. After teaching several terms, making his 
 entire work in the field as a teacher, forty winters, he abandoned 
 the profession, and assigned the school to his son Samuel, who 
 taught it successively up to the introduction of public schools. 
 
 In 1821, Charles Breech re-opened another school in the same 
 house in which Mahlon Hibbs had taught, and about the same 
 time, David Chase also opened one in an old log-dwelling, near 
 where the Methodist Episcopal church now stands. The first 
 house for school purposes was built on the site where "No. 2" 
 school house now stands, fourteen years after the organization of 
 the first school. 
 
 SCOTT. 
 
 The first school-houses were built in Scott, about the year 1805. 
 
180 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA GOUNTT. 
 
 One at Espy, on lot No. 56, and the other below Light street, on 
 lot now owned by J. W. Sankey. This lot belonged to the tract 
 of land purchased from Thomas Penn and John Penn, Esquires, 
 proprietaries and governors-in-chief of the Province of Penn- 
 sylvania, in 1773. 
 
 The school at Espy was established by Messrs. Webb, Kenne- 
 dy, and Waters. 
 
 In 1814, the thirds school was opened in a building which was 
 located on lot now owned by B. Anunerman, at the upper end 
 of Light street. 
 
 The names of the teachers who had charge of these schools 
 were George Vance, Joseph Solomon, William Love, and John 
 Kennedy. 
 
 SUGARLOAP. 
 
 The pioneers, following up Fishingcreek, settled along its head- 
 waters. Among them was a scholarly gentleman, by the name of 
 Philip Fritz, from Philadelphia. He taught the first school of the 
 township, in a log hut, which stood where Saint Gabriel's church 
 now stands. This hut was occupied for school purposes for some 
 time. Finally, a school-house was ei-ected on the land now owned 
 by Andrew Hess. Joseph Massey, a professional teacher, taught 
 in it many terms. 
 
 NAMES OF COUNTT SUPERINTENDENTS, WHEN, AND HO"W SELECTED. 
 
 Joel E. Bradley, elected June 5, 1854. 
 Reuben W. Weaver, appointed January 1, 1855. 
 William Burgess, elected May 4, 1857. 
 Lewis Appleman, elected May 7, 1860. 
 William Burgess, appointed October 23, 1861. 
 John B. Patton, appointed March 31, 1863. 
 C. G. Barkley, elected May 4, 1863. 
 C. G. Barkley, re-elected May 1, 1866. 
 C. G. Barkley, re-elected May 4, 1869. 
 William H. Snyder, elected May 7, 1872. 
 William H. Snyder, re-elected May 4, 1875. 
 William H. Snyder, re-elected May 7, 1878. 
 J. S. Grimes, elected May 3, 1881. 
 
SISTOMY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 181 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 .£jOr-sxc>TyiLrc-^-jR.£^iLa sociEa?-^-. 
 
 The "Columbia County Agricultural Society'' was incorporated 
 by the Court on the 15th day of December, 1868 : Deed Book "V", 
 Page 97. It has been in existence as an Association however, 
 since about 1855, the last having been the 27th Annual Fair. 
 
 The charter provided and set out that Benjamin F. Hartman, 
 James Masters, William H. Shoemaker, Caleb Barton, Mathias 
 Hartman, Joseph P. Conner, Thomas Creveling, Jacob Harris, 
 Johnson H. Ikeler, Andrew J. Sloan, Charles G. Barkley, Palemon 
 John, Joshua Fetterman and Elijah R. Ikeler had associated 
 themselves together, "for the promotion of science, to foster and 
 improve agriculture, horticulture, mechanics and the domestic and 
 household arts." It can well be said of it, that as a Society it 
 has been a success from the beginning. In the amount, variety 
 and quality of displays, the County Fair has been second to none 
 in the State, considering its area, and in multitudinous attendance 
 it stands unrivalled. 
 
 Doubtless if the scientific part of the charter, as applied to 
 agriculture and horticulture received more attention, and the kind 
 and quality of our soils were investigated so that the best meth- 
 ods of culture and manuring should be taught in an annual scien- 
 tific lecture or report to go out with the ofiicial proceedings, much 
 more roight be, than has yet been accomplished. Ou this depart- 
 ment some money might be judiciously and advantageously ex- 
 pended. This part of their charter promises they have not per- 
 formed. In the more than a quarter of a century in which the 
 Society has been in existence, much effective work in the direc- 
 tion of scientific agriculture ought to have been done. The 
 county ought to have been divided into sections, and subjected to 
 scientific examination as to soils, and other characteristics for the 
 
182 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 highest prodnctivoness. It is to be hoped that now this duty to 
 the county and its material interests will be taken in hand. If 
 farming is a science, why should it not be scientifically done? 
 And if it should, whose duty is it to see that it be done, if not 
 that of the Society, which, by its charter has assumed that duty'? 
 It has long been seen, and the fact has been the subject of well- 
 grounded complaint, that more attention is paid to the speed of 
 horses, and to the accommodation of sharpers and showmen than to 
 the more legitimate business of the annual exhibition. For the 
 common duty of life, the pair of horses that will walk the most 
 miles in a day, is worth more than the pair that will trot or run 
 the most miles in a minute or an hour or a day. The horse 
 trained to walk rapidly, is the horse that makes time, of which 
 fact, the fabled race between the hare and the tortoise is an illus- 
 tration. 
 
 The soils in Columbia county are very various. We have clay, 
 limestone, red shale, white and black slate, and river bottom 
 loam. All these are differently constituted, fitted to produce dif- 
 ferent kinds of grain and root crops, needing for their improve- 
 ment different kinds of manure, and a different rotation of crops ; 
 and yet, in all these years, the Agricultural Society of Columbia 
 county has not informed the farmers, for whose advantage it was 
 supposed to be incorporated, of the nature and character of the 
 soils of the different parts of the county and of the methods and 
 manures, and crops, which scientific experiment and examination 
 have ascertained to be the most profitable. 
 
 If the Annual Fair is a mere holiday and pastime, if it is a mere 
 method for getting together a large number of people, then it is 
 an abundant success; but if it is intended year by year to show 
 scientific and practical improvement in farming and raising and 
 fattening stock; to ascertain what soils are adapted to what crops, 
 and what roots and foods are the most nutritious, then it has been 
 a failure. The very large attendance at the annual exhibitions 
 shows ihe interest the people take in the doings of the Society, 
 and it ought to stimulate the managers to the raising of the Agri- 
 cultural and Horticultural position of Columbia county to the very 
 front rank. 
 
 The "Columbia County Horticultural Society'' was incorporated 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 183 
 
 by an Act of Assembly, passed April 3, 1872, P. L. 826. Its pro- 
 ceedings have not attracted the attention of the public, and indeed 
 if the first above named Society were fully alive to its duties, 
 there would be no occasion for the existence of this latter. As it 
 is, however, a little wholesome competition might be to the ad- 
 vantage of both of the Societies . 
 
184 MI8T0ET OF COLUMBIA GOUJSTTY. 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 IPOOI^ ISOXJSES. 
 
 BLOOM POOR DISTRICT. 
 
 BESIDES the statutory provisions for the care, support and 
 maintenance of the poor, the county of Columbia has had 
 furnished for three several portions of its territory, houses and 
 farms for the more comfortable existence of those needing public 
 care. 
 
 It was first proposed and attempted to organize the whole 
 county into a poor district, and a bill was passed for that purpose, 
 in 1866, P. L. o67, in the 17th section of which it was provided 
 that "For the purpose of ascertaining the sense of the citizens of 
 Columbia county, as to the expediency of erecting a poor house," 
 an election was ordered to be held on the first Tuesday in June 
 of that year ; and "if a majority of the votes in any township or 
 borough shall be against a poor house, then the foregoing act to 
 be null and void as to the townships or boroughs voting against 
 such poor house." The election was accordingly held with the 
 following result : 
 
 TOWNSHIPS FOR AGAINST 
 
 Benton 3 137 
 
 Beaver 1 73 
 
 Bloom 227 4 
 
 Berwick .- 1 80 
 
 Briarcreek 4 128 
 
 Catawissa 7 109 
 
 Centralia 5 45 
 
 Conyngham 4 64 
 
 Centre 8 131 
 
 Fishingcreek 6 119 
 
 Franklin 53 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 185 
 
 TOWNSHIPS. FOR. AGAINST. 
 
 Greenwood 107 72 
 
 Hemlock 102 15 
 
 Jackson 2 66 
 
 Locust 223 
 
 Montour 2 52 
 
 Madison 23 116 
 
 Mt. Pleasant 13 92 
 
 Mifflin 6 126 
 
 Main, 21 58 
 
 Orange. .... 5 100 
 
 Pine 56 9 
 
 Roaringoreek 53 
 
 Sugarloaf 8 53 
 
 Scott 22 69 
 
 No further proceedings were had under that act; but in 1869, 
 P. L. 320, "an act to authorize the erection of a poor house by 
 the township of Bloom, in the county of Columbia "was passed, 
 in which it was also provided, that "at the request of any ten 
 taxable inhabitants of any township in the county of Columbia," 
 an election should be ordered to decide whether said township 
 should become a part of said poor district. Under that provision 
 the townships of Scott, Sugarloaf and Greenwood elected to be- 
 come members of the corporation in 1 870. 
 
 The poor house farm comprises about 100 acres, and is located 
 on the Fishingcreek, in Mount Pleasant township. The buildings 
 are of a commodious and substantial character, and the manage- 
 ment has been entirely satisfactory. 
 
 CONTNGHAM AND CENTRALIA. 
 
 In the year 1869, P. L. 1228, the legislature passed "An act to 
 erect a poor house for Conyngham township and the borough of 
 Centralia, in Columbia county." In pursuance thereof they pur- 
 chased a tract of land in Locust township, comprising about 75 
 acres, and established the poor of the township and borough 
 thereon. By the 18th section of the act, "all the property, real 
 and personal, of said corporation, be and hereby is exempt from 
 all taxation, except state." It was doubtless an act of wisdom as 
 well as economy, to make the location outside of the district to 
 
186 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 l:e accommodated, and thereby put the management as much as 
 possible, beyond the immediate influences of the neighborhood to 
 be benefited. 
 
 MADISON POOR HOUSE. 
 
 Madison township poor house was authorized by "An Act of 
 Assembly of 1872, P. L. 1092 ; and under it the corporation pur- 
 chased a tract of land in the township, comprising about 100 
 acres, and have since then assembled the poor in much more com- 
 fortable quarters than those in which they usually find themselves. 
 In a purely agricultural community, complete destitution is so 
 rare, that a small expenditure will make all who need assistance 
 happy and contented. The assistance that the unfortunates can 
 usually give to a kind hearted steward, will run the whole estab- 
 lishment without outside help, and thus mental and physical 
 health is secured to the inmates. Thus provided for, the old age 
 of a man hard-worked in his youth, may be and should be free 
 from repining on the one hand, and from public complaint on the 
 other. Where such institutions are needed their erection and 
 support redound to the credit and honor of the community. 
 
SI^STOHY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 187 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 THE Bi.ooMSBnBG Register, a newspaper \Q\ by 17 iuches, pub- 
 lished by James Deleviiii, was begun about the first of Ootober, 
 1826, as appears by the oldest copy I have seen, being in the posses- 
 sion of Hon. Leonard B. Rupert and bearing date May 10, 1827, and 
 being Vol. 1. No. 32. So far as my researches have extended, I 
 am unable to find any older, and conclude the Sloomsburg Regis- 
 ter to be the first paper published in this town. 
 
 In April, 1828, Thomas Painter purchased the paper from the 
 owners and changed the name to the Columbia County Register 
 as appears by a copy of it. No. 47, Vol. 2, dated February 9, 1830; 
 so that he also began a new volume and number "when he took 
 charge of the paper. He continued the publication until 1844, in 
 April, when, I am told, it was discontinued. The Register was 
 devoted to the party opposed to the democracy, and was vigor- 
 ously edited by Mr. Painter, who was a man of more than average 
 ability and force of character. He was born in the town of Nor- 
 thumberland, Perlnsylvania, Jure 8, 1785. He served one term as 
 Sheriff of his native county, and a-* a member of the General 
 Assembly, for several terms ; first while the capitol of the State 
 was at Lancaster, and afterwards when it had been removed to 
 Harrisburg. He died in Muncy, Pennsylvania, on the 12th day 
 of February, A. D. 1863, in the 78th year of his age. 
 
 The Columbia Democrat was established, and the first number 
 issued April 29, 1837, by John S. Ingram. Then, or shoitly after, 
 he was joined by Franklin S. Mills. They conducted the paper 
 for one year, and in 1838, sold it to Capt. Henry Webb. He gave 
 it permanence, and in 1847, in March, suld it to Col. Levi L. Tate, 
 who continued it until 1866, and in February, of that year sold it 
 to Elijah R. Ikeler. He consolidated it with \h^ Star of The 
 
188 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 ITbrth, and called the combination the Democrat <& Star, and 
 subsequently changed the name to the Sloomsburg Democrat. 
 It -viraB continued under that name until January, 1869, when it 
 was bought by Capt. Charles B. Brockway, and merged into The 
 Colwmbian. 
 
 The paper was, under all its names and varying fortunes, con- 
 sistently democratic in its politics, and was always deservedly in- 
 fluential. Of its editors, Ingram went from here to Pottsville, 
 Mills to New Jersey, Tate to Williamsport. 
 
 Capt. Henry Webb was born in Windham in the state of Con- 
 necticut, July 23, 1796, and died in Bloomsburg, September 22, 
 1848. 
 
 The Star of The North was established by Reuben W. Wea- 
 ver and Benjamin S. Gilpiore, February 1, 1849. Gilraore retired 
 August 1, 1850, and the paper was continued by Mr. Weaver until 
 his death, December 2, 1857. 
 
 It was subsequently sold by his administrator and bought by 
 Williamson H. Jacoby, in January, 1858. He published it until 
 October 16, 1862, when he went into the army, and the paper was 
 suspended until August, 1863, when he returned and resumed the 
 publication. It was carried on under the old name until February, 
 1866, when it was consolidated with the Columbia Dem,ocrat, 
 then owned by Elijah R. Ikeler, as the Dem,ocrat and Star. 
 
 At the end of about seven months, Mr. Ikeler sold his interest 
 in the establishment to Josiah P. Shuman, and Jacoby & Shuman 
 ran the paper until January, 1867, when Mr. Shuman retired, and 
 Jacoby continued the paper as the Sloomsburg Democrat, until 
 January, 1869, when he sold it to Capt. Charles B. Brockway who 
 merged it into The Columbian. 
 
 The paper was always democratic in its political faith. 
 
 The Columbia. County Republican was established March 1st 
 1857, by Dr. Palemon John. In 1869 he sold the paper to a stock 
 company, and Dr. William H. Bradley was employed as editor. 
 Dr. Bradley and Lewis Gordon subsequently purchased the paper, 
 and in 1871, sold it to Daniel A. Beckley and John S. Phillips, 
 who became the publisher, the editorial department being manag- 
 ed by Mr. Beckley. In 1873, E. M. Wardin bought the interest 
 of John S. Phillips and not long after, that of Daniel: A. Beckley, 
 
HI8T0RY OF COLUMBIA OOUNTY. 
 
 189 
 
 and became the sole proprietor. On the 1st of August 1875, James 
 C. Brown purchased the paper from E. M. Wardin, and has con- 
 tinued it to the present time with Daniel A. Beckley as associate 
 editor. As its name imports, it has been and is the organ of the 
 Republican party in the county. 
 
 THE COLUMBIAN Btr;LDING, ERECTED 1881. 
 
 The Cot,umbian wais established May 5th, 1866, as the organ of 
 the Johnson Republicans, under the management of George H, 
 
190 HISTOR Y OF COL UMJBIA GO UJSTTY. 
 
 Moore, wh<i published thirty five numbers. The good will, sub- 
 scription list and material was then purchased by a number of 
 Democrats of the county, and placed under the charge of John G. 
 Freeze, January 4th, 1867, as a Democratic newspaper, beginning 
 Vol. 1. No. 1. He continued until February 15th, 1867, when 
 Capt. Charles B. Brockway became associated with him, and 
 eventually bought up the stock and took ent-re charge and owner- 
 ship of the paper. It was enlai-ged July 12th, 1867, and began 
 to be printed on a steam power press. On th» first of January, 
 1 869, by the purchase of the liloomsburg Democrat, from Mr. 
 Jaooby, The Columbian becams the sole Democratic paper in 
 the county. On the 1st of January 1871, Henry L. Dieffenbach 
 bought the paper and published it one year, when Capt. Brock- 
 way resumed the control. In July 1873, Mr. Dieifenbach again 
 took the paper and continued until October 1st 1875, when Charles 
 B. Brockway and George E. Elwell purchased it. They continued 
 it to October 1st 1879, when Capt. Brockway retired, and on that 
 day Mr. John K. Bittenbender, a practical printer, purchased an 
 interest in the paper, and the publishing firm became Elwell & 
 Bittenbender. 
 
 Since January 1867, the Columbian has been democratic in 
 politics, and devoted to the general policy of that party. In Oc- 
 tober 1881 the office was moved into a three story brick building 
 erected specially for it, on Main street, and now occupies the first 
 floor and basement of the building. The presses are run by water 
 power, and in all its appointments the office is one of the finest 
 newspaper establishments in the state. 
 
 The Christian Messenger was started by Edward E. Orvis, at 
 Benton, in January, 1870. It was a monthly of 24 pages. In 
 1872 the title was changed to the Messenger <& Laborer, and D. 
 Oliphaut of London, Canada, was admitted as co-editor, with E. 
 E. Orvis as the publisher, and the publication was enlarged to 32 
 pages. In January 1875, the Messenger <& Laborer was changed 
 from a 32 page monthly to a four page 24 column weekly. The 
 publication office was moved to Orangeville, October 1, 1875. Oli- 
 phant retired from it in December, 1 875, and it was suspended 
 December 26th of that year, for want of support. 
 
HI/STORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 191 
 
 The Independent Weekly was stai-ted by William H. Smith 
 and Edward E. Orvis, in Benton, April 1, 1874, as a democratic 
 newspaper. It was continued by them until October 1, 1875, 
 when it removed to Orangeville with the Messenger dt Laborer, 
 when and where Smith & Orvis dissolved, the Independent be- 
 ing continued by Smith. On the first of April, 1876, The Inde- 
 pendent 'Weekly returned to Benton, where it was published until 
 September, 1877, when it was removed and established in Milton, 
 ^Northumberland county, by the name of The Argus, and where, 
 with varying fortunes, it is still published. 
 
 The Demockatic Sentinel was established in Bloomsburg, in 
 1871, by Mr. Charles M. Vanderslice, and has continued under his 
 management as editor and publisher. It is democratic in poli- 
 tics, and has, as it deserves, a fair share of patronage. 
 
 The Bloomsbueg Journal was begun in 1876, by G. A. Potter, 
 as a temperance and family newspaper. It was a five column 
 four page paper. In October 1881 the form was changed to a 
 quarto of twelve pages, aud then of 16 pages. In September 
 1882, Dr. Jacob Schuyler purchased a half interest in the paper, 
 and the new firm changed the form to the old folio style. The 
 paper is Republican in politics so far as it allows politics to have 
 a place in its columns. 
 
 The Sun, a daily paper, was put in issue in April 1881, by Alem 
 B. Tate and H. W. Kahler, and about eighty numbers were issued. 
 Dissensions in the management and difficulties growing out of a 
 want of support, put an eclipse ujjon the Sun, at the end of about 
 three months. 
 
 The Heeald or Freedom was published by a gentleman 
 named Case, between the years 1850 and 1860. It was, I believe, 
 a sort of workingman's free soil advocate. After an unsuccessful 
 struggle the establishment was transported from Bloomsburg to 
 McEwensville ; and it is my impression that it ceased to be pub- 
 lished there after a few months. Except the general fact of its 
 short existence, nothing seems to be certainly remembered by any 
 body — either of the paper or of its editor. 
 
192 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 CATAWISSA. 
 
 The News Item was established in Catawissa by Gideon E. 
 Myers, in 1878, the first number being issued the 16th of May. 
 It is independent in politics, but of Republican proclivities, and 
 has established a successful business. 
 
 BERWICK newspapers. 
 BY COL. JOHN M. SNYDIiR. 
 
 The Independent American commenced to be published in 
 Berwick, in the spring of 1812 or 1813, by William Carothers, by 
 whom it was continued until 1818, when David Owen, son of 
 Evan Owen the founder of Berwick, took charge. He was suc- 
 ceeded in a short time by Orlando Porter, who managed the pa- 
 per for about five years, and up to 1827. During this time it was 
 devoted mainly to local and foreign news. Daniel Bowen assum- 
 ed control in 1827, and continued it in the same general line un- 
 til 1832. In this last year, 1832, George Mack became the editor 
 and proprietor, and changed the name of the paper to Berwick 
 Gazette^ and gave it a deTnocratic political direction. Judge 
 Mack continued the paper for seveyal , years, and until it passed 
 into 
 
 The Aegus, a well edited Democratic journal, managed and 
 published and edited by Evan O. Jackson, who about the year 
 1839 disposed of it, and it next appeared as 
 
 The Deimoceatic Sentinel published and edited by Col. Levi L. 
 Tate. In 1840, Col. Tate associated with himself in the business 
 Mr. A. M. Gangewere. The partnership was disolved in 1843, 
 Gangewere retiring. Col. T.ate then established 
 
 The Enquieee, a-nd in 1845 Mr. B. S. Gilmore purchased a half 
 interest in the paper, and took general charge of it; Col. Tate 
 going to Wilkes Barre and starting the Luzerne Democrat. In 
 1847, Mr. Gilmore bought the whole of the Enquirer from Col. 
 Tate, who at about the same same time purchased the Columbia 
 Democrat from Capt. Henry Webb, and removed to Bloomsburg. 
 Gilmore continued the Enquirer until the spring of 1849, when 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 193 
 
 he removed the material to Bloomsburg, and with additional new 
 material, in company with Reuben W. Weaver, commenced the 
 publication of the Star of the. North. 
 
 The Sentinel, a whig paper, was issued in 1834 by John T. Davis 
 who continued it until about the year 1838, when it passed out of 
 his hands, and became 
 
 The Indbpendent Ledger, an eight page literary journal, by 
 Messrs. Wilber & Joslin, and was carried on by them as such, 
 about one year, when it was bought up by several gentlemen, 
 and 
 
 The Consekvatok was issued by them, with John T. Davis as 
 editor. It continued during the "Hard Cider" campaign of 1840, 
 and its ultimate fate I have not learned; but am of opinion that it 
 was discontinued shortly after the election. 
 
 The Star of the North was projected by A. M. Gangewere 
 in 1843, after he and Col. Tate dissolved; and it was published 
 by him about one year. He disposed of the good will and mater- 
 ial, and the paper appeared by U. J. Jones & John H. Winter, 
 who continued it until sometime about the year 1848, when it ap- 
 peared as 
 
 The Standard, published and edited by Dewitt C. Kitchen, 
 who modified the politics of the paper, and supported the opposi- 
 tion to the Democracy. From 1848 till the spring of 1850, the 
 paper was issued, when it again changed hands, and appeared as 
 
 The Telegraph by Col. John M. Snyder, the paper returning 
 to the support of the Democracy. From April 1850, until the 
 spring of 1851, it was so published, when„ once more the name 
 and ownership changed and it became 
 
 The Berwick Citizen, by James McClintock Laird. He pub- 
 lished it until the spring of 1853, with considerable new type and 
 material; at the end of which time the office and outfit were sold. 
 
 The Investigator was established in 1853, by Stewart Pearoe 
 and John M. Snyder. Mr. Pearce retired at the end of a month, 
 but Colonel Snyder continued the publication until the spring of 
 
194 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 1855, when the paper was purchased by Col. Levi L. Tate and 
 the name changed once more to the 
 
 Berwick Gazette, and published and edited by Tate and Irwin. 
 They continued the paper until 1856, when Walter H. Hibbs 
 succeeded them. He was succeeded in 1857 by Alem B. Tate 
 who published it until about the year 1860 when it was purchased 
 by Jeremiah S. Sanders. It was continued by Mr. Sanders until 
 1869, when he removed press, type and materials to Hazleton. 
 
 Thus for the first time in about fifty years, Berwick was with- 
 out a newspaper. For about the last twenty years, all the papers 
 had been Democratic in politics, and their circulation and influ- 
 ence in Columbia and Luzerne counties had been considerable. 
 They were usually well printed, and edited with good taste and 
 judgment; nor, except on very rare occasions, did their columns 
 become vehicles of personal abuse or objectionable political dis- 
 
 The iNDErEXDENT WES issued by Charles B. Snyder on the first 
 of June 1871, the outfit and material entirely new. Frank L. 
 Snyder was assistant editor and Col. John M. Snyder had charge 
 of the local department. The Messrs. Snyder conducted the pa- 
 per with success for about nine years, when they sold out to Rob- 
 ert H. Bowman who changed the title to The Berwick Independ- 
 ent. The paper, though neutral in politics, is in the^hands of a 
 gentleman who is in politics a Republican. On his retirement 
 from The Independent Mr. Charles B. Snyder succeeded Mr. J. 
 S. Sanders in the proprietorship and editorial management of the 
 Hazleton daily and weekly Sentinel, in Luzerne county. 
 
 The Berwick Gazette, being the second of that name, was be- 
 gun March 25, 1882, by Mr. J. H. Dieterick. It is neutral in 
 politics but of democratic proclivities, and full of local and neigh- 
 borhood news. 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. lOa 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 2!vd:.A.i3Ji.avEE Ois^oisrrroTJu,. 
 
 A SKETCH of Ihis celebrated woman and her family will be 
 properly introduced by a short description of the magnificent 
 mountain ridge whicli bears her name. 
 
 Montour's Ridge rises somewhat abruptly on the West Branch of 
 the Susqut'haniKi, near the mouth of Chillisquaqne creek in North- 
 umberland county, Pennsylvania, and startintr out in a noitheast 
 course become-i the bou'idary between the townships of Point and 
 Chilli-'quaque in Northumberland couiitv, and between Point and 
 the townships of Liberty and Mahoning in Montour county, near 
 Danville, where Mahoning creek bieaks through to the North 
 Branch of the Susquehanna — thence beconiing the boundary be- 
 tween Valley and Maiioning, and West Hemlotk and Cooper in 
 Montour county, and between Hemlock Jimi Mpntour townships 
 in Columbia county ; breaking down again where Hemlock creek 
 flows through into Fishingcreek, and again at short distance, where 
 Fishingcreek rolls between its precipitous sides north of Blooms- 
 burg, off south-westwardly into the North Branch; then rising 
 again and throwing towards the surface its rich iron deposits 
 north and east of Bloomsburg, and sinking forever, after devel- 
 oping millions of tons of limestone, north and east of the town 
 of Espy. 
 
 A geological axis of elevation passes nearly along the middle 
 of the ridge, composed of hard gray and reddish sandstone, 
 which are covered along both sides, sometimes nearly and some- 
 times quite to the top, by slates and shales of overlying series, 
 the lower part of which consists of yellowish or greenish slates, 
 containing thin strata of limestone, in which are impressions of 
 shells and other fossils ; and near these is a very valuable layer 
 of brownish red iron ore, from six inches to over two feet in 
 thickness, also containing fossil impressions. This ore is found 
 
196 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 on both sides of the ridge as far east as the vicinity of Blooms- 
 burg, where the strata converge over its top as it sinks away on 
 the east, and finally disappears under the overlying red shale in 
 the neighborhood of Espytown. In the slates above the iron ore 
 are some thin layers of dark colored limestone, succeeded by a 
 thick bed of red shale, which forms the upper portion of the 
 series. Overlying this red shale is a limestone formation, which 
 encircles the ridge outside of the red shale, and which may be 
 seen not far from the river above Northumberland, and along the 
 railroad from Danville to Bloomsburg ; dipping under the Fish- 
 ingcreek half a mile above its mouth, and passing under Blooms- 
 burg, it rises again near Espytown, and extends nearly to Ber- 
 wick, where it sinks away beneath the overlying slate. A fine 
 deposit of mantle and roofing slate of the very best quality; 
 develops itself on Little Fishingoreek, about a mile above Blooms- 
 burg. It has been wrought and approved of by competent judges 
 and workmen, and needs only capital and enterprise to become a 
 recognized industry of the county. 
 
 Thus it will be seen that Montour's ridge is useful as well as 
 ornamental, rich as well as rugged ; yielding right at our doors 
 iron ore, limestone, slate and building stone in almost unlimited 
 quantities. 
 
 There are three celebrated Indian women who have played im- 
 portant parts in the history of Pennsylvania, and especially in 
 that of the Forks of the Susquehanna ; but their names, their 
 exploits and their persons have become so interwoven with each 
 other, that it has become a difiicult, if not an impossible, task to 
 distinguish them. From the mass of obscure and contradictory 
 matter relating to them, I shall however, endeavor to assign her 
 proper position and actions to each one, dissipating some of the 
 romance and correcting some of the statements which have here- 
 tofore been received as veritable history; or at any rate, as history 
 applicable to certain persons. 
 
 Those three women are Madame Montour, Catharine Montour 
 and Queen Esther. 
 
 In his "Historical Collections of Pennsylvania" Mr. Sherman 
 Day speaks of "the celebrated Catharine Montour, sometimes call- 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 197 
 
 ed Queen Esther, whose more permanent residence was at Cath. 
 arinestown, at the head of Seneca lake, as being a half-breed who 
 had been well educated in Canada. Her reputed father was one 
 of the French Governors of that province, and she herself was a 
 lady of comparative refinement. She was much caressed in Phil- 
 adelphia, and mingled in the best society. She exercised a con- 
 trolling influence among the Indians, and resided in this quarter, 
 [Tioga point, Bradford countyj while they were making their in- 
 cursions upon the Wyoming settlements. It has been even sus- 
 pected that she presided at the bloody sacrifice of the "Wyoming 
 prisoners after the battle; but Col. Stone who is good auihority 
 upon the history of the Six Nations, utterly discredits the story.'' 
 Here we have the three women utterly confounded. Let us see if 
 we can separate them and assign to each one her own history and 
 individuality. 
 
 Who was Madame Montour '? Lord Cornbury in a letter under 
 date of August 20, 1708, published in Vol. V page 65 of the Col- 
 onial History of New York, speaks of a French gentleman 
 by the name of Montour, settled in Canada previous to 1668, 
 who married an indian woman by whom he had three children, 
 one son and two daughters ; and that subsequently to the birth 
 of the children they got among the Miami Indians in the neigh- 
 borhood of Detroit. Some sort of intercourse was kept up with 
 the east, and a woman calling herself Madame Montour is 
 reported to have been with the Senecas at Albany, as an interpre- 
 tess, in 1711. In 1744 Madame Montour was at Lancaster, Pa. 
 at a treaty there held with the Six Nations, and in a conversation 
 with Mr. Marsh, Secretary of the Maryland Commissioners, she 
 told him that she was born in Canada, whereof her father, who 
 was a French gentleman, had been Governor, under whose admin- 
 istration the Five Nations of Indians had made war against the 
 French and the Hurons in that Gov('rnment, and that in the war 
 she was taken by some of the Five Nations' warriors, being then 
 about ten years of age, and by them was carried away into their 
 country, where she was habited and brought up in the same man- 
 ner as their children: That when she grew up to years of matu- 
 rity she was married to a famous war captain of those nations, 
 * * by whom she had several children, but about fif- 
 
198 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 teen years ago he was killed in a battle with the Catawbas, since 
 which she had not been married : That she had little or no re^ 
 membranes of the place of her birth, nor indeed of her parents, it 
 being near fifty years since she was ravished from them by the 
 Indians. Mr. Marsh also says, that "in her cabin were two of her 
 daughters by the war captain, who were both married, and that 
 one of them had a beautiful boy about five years old. At this 
 time, 1744, therefore, Madame Montour must have been about 
 sixty years old. James Le Tort, an Indian trader upon the Sus- 
 quehanna, in a communication to the Governor in 1728, says, 
 "That intending last fall to take a journey as far as the Miami 
 Indians, or Twechtweys, to trade with them, he had consulted 
 Mrs. Montour, a French woman, wife to Carondawana, about his 
 journey thither, who having lived amongst and having a sister 
 married to one of that nation," &c., seems thus to complete the 
 identity of Madame Montour and the little French girl. 
 
 It seems agreed on all hands that her first husband was Roland 
 Montour, a brave of the Senecas. And her second husbaad was 
 Carondawana, a chief of the Oneidas. By her first husband she 
 had four sons Andrew, Henry, Robert and Lewis, and two daugh- 
 ters. One of them, named Margaret was already, in 1733, mar- 
 ried to an Indian named Katarioniecha, and was living in the 
 neighborhood of Shamokin. The name of the other daughter has 
 not been ascertained. 
 
 Madame Montour makes her first appearance in our history at a 
 council held at Philadelphia, on the 3rd of July, 1727, between 
 the Hon. Patrick Gordon, Lieutenant Governor, and his council on 
 one side, and divers chiefs of the Five Nations, the Conestogoes, 
 Gangawese, and Susquehanna Indians, on the other. The coun- 
 cil being met and seated : "The Governor told them by M. Mon- 
 tour, a French woman who had lived long among these people, 
 and is now interpretess, that he was glad to see them all well af- 
 ter so long a journey, and was now ready with his council to re- 
 ceive what they have to say." The meetings continued several 
 days, Madame Montour making the interpretations between the 
 parties. Again in 1728, in some instructions given by Governor 
 Gordon to Henry Smith and John Petty, then about to visit the 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 199 
 
 Susquehanna Indians, th^ Governor says : "Give my kind love 
 also to Carundowana and his wife, and speak to them to the 
 same purpose. Let him know I expect of him, that as he is a 
 great captain, he will take care that all the people about him shall 
 show themselves good men and true hearted, a-< he is himself, and 
 that I hope to see him at the Treaty." And again, in the same 
 year, there is the following memorandum : "It was afterwards 
 considered by the Board what present might be proper to be 
 made to Mistress Montour and her husband, Carandawana and 
 likewise to Shikellima, of the Five Nations, appointed to reside 
 among the Shawnese, whose services had been and may yet be of 
 great advantage to this Government : And it was agieed that 
 five pounds in bills of credit should be given to Mistress Montour 
 and her husband." 
 
 After the death of her second husband in 1729 she was no 
 doubt a good deal in Philadelphia. Mr. Marsh, before referred 
 to, calls her "a French lady," and "being a white woman was very 
 much caressed by the gentlemen of that city,'' and that "the la- 
 dies of that city always invited her to their house?, entertained 
 her well and made her several presents." Accordingly in 1734 
 several of the Oneidas and others coming to town, "Mrs. Mon- 
 tour, now in town but not a member of the delegation," was in- 
 quired of as to their standing and importance, and they were en- 
 tertained and rewarded with some reference to her information 
 concerning them. 
 
 From hence we are authorized to conclude that Madame Mon • 
 tour was always a friend of the proprietary Government; and that 
 conclusion is strengthened by the fact that at least three of her 
 sons received large grants of "donation lands" from the government. 
 Henry's lay on the Chillisquaque, near its mouth, Andrew's on 
 the Loyal Sock, near Montoursville, and Lewis' at Shade Gap, in 
 Huntingdon county. In September 1742, Shikellimy, the great 
 Cayuga chief was living at Shamokin and was there then visited 
 by Conrad Weiser, Count Zinzendorf, Martin Mack and his wife, 
 and several other persons. After spending some time at Shamo- 
 kin, "the Count and part of his company forded the Susquehanna, 
 and went to Ostonwachin on the West Branch. This place was 
 then inhabited, not only by Indians of different tribes, but by 
 
200 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Europeans, who had adopted the Indian manner of life. Among 
 the latter was a French woman, Madame Montour, who had mar- 
 ried an Indian warrior (Carondawanna alias Robert Hunter), but 
 lost him in a war against the Catawbas. She kindly entertained 
 the Count for two days. The Count soon after went to 
 Wyoming. In his "History of Eight Counties," Mr. Rupp 
 has the following remark: "When Count Zinzendorf visit- 
 ed Ostonwaohin (or Frenchtown) he was met (July 30, 1742) by 
 an Indian who understood French and English." Conrad Weiser 
 under date of March 1st 1755, to Governor Morris, speaking of 
 some Shawanese Indians, who had lately come from the Ohio, 
 says : "They jointly intend to make a town next spring on the West 
 Branch of Susquehanna, commonly called Otzinachson, at a 
 place called Otstuagy, or Frenchtown, about forty miles above Sha- 
 mokin." And the Indians desired the Governor to send up some in- 
 dustrious people to fence a cornfield for them. Under date of June 
 12, 1755, Mr. Weiser says he has just returned from Otstuacky, 
 an Indian town about forty five miles above Shamokin, on the 
 North West Branch of the Susquehanna river, "where I have been 
 with ten hired men to fence in a cornfield for the Indians, accord- 
 ing to your Honor's order." He says he left them a sack of fiour, 
 and that he left another at Canasoragy, about ten miles below 
 Otstuacky. In the journal of Mack and Grube from Bethlehem to 
 Quenischaschachki, they say : "In the afternoon of Sunday, Aug- 
 26, 1753 we launched our canoe and paddled up the river. Four 
 miles above Shamokin we came to Logan's place * * * * On 
 the 27th we arrived at John Shikellimy's hunting lodge * * * * . 
 After dinner we came to the mouth of Muncy creek, forty miles 
 above Shamokin. As the Susquehanna was high, and current 
 rapid, we left our canoe in care of an Indian acquaintance, shoul- 
 dered our packs, and keeping along the banks of the river, arrived 
 at Otstonwakin in the evening." The distances are not to be de- 
 pended upon, for they were determined by the pace of the walker, 
 or the arm of the rower; nor is the spelling of the Indian names of 
 places any more certain, each man spelling it as it struck his ear. 
 But it seems certain that a town at the mouth of Loyal Sock creek 
 now called Montoursville, was, over one hundred years ago, known 
 indifferently as Frenchtown, Ostouwackin, Otstonwakin, Otstuagy, 
 and Otstuacky and was,in 1742,the residence of Madame Montour. 
 
SISTOjRT of COLUMBIA COUNTY. 201 
 
 There is no evidence that she ever lived any farther up the 
 West Branch, and she never was up the North Branch. In 1744 
 she was with the Indians at the Treaty at Lancaster, and 
 in 1745 Spangenberg visited her at Shamokin, which was 
 then her place of residence. On the general question of her age, 
 in addition to her statement, we find James Logan as early 
 as 1733 writing of her as "ancient," and in 1734 she is spoken 
 of by a chief and messenger from the Six Nations, as "an 
 old woman." But still further, her son Andrew, in 1756, on an 
 examination as to distances, testified that he thought it sixty 
 miles from Logstown to Weningo, that he had travelled the road 
 three times, once when his mother was blind, and on horse back, 
 and he led the horse on foot all the way. The date of the death 
 of Madame Montour I have not been able to ascertain; but I have 
 found no mention of her after 1745, though the death of Shekelli- 
 mus at Shamokin in 1749 is mentioned. 
 
 No history nor authentic tradition connects Madame Montour 
 with the shedding of any blood, white or Indian. The whole 
 tenor of her life forbids it, and her constant friendship with the 
 proprietary Government prevents the conclusion of her being at 
 the massacre of Wyoming or of Fort Freeland. A woman, old in 
 1734, and blind before her death, as mentioned by her son An- 
 drew, in March 1764, would not, at the age of almost one hundred 
 years, imbue her hands for the first time in blood, and that the 
 blood of those with whom she had all her life been on terms of 
 friendship. 
 
 So much it seemed necessary to say, that the truth of history 
 might be vindicated, and the confusion or error which the author- 
 ities leave upon the mind might be dispelled — that the good repu- 
 tation of Madame Montour might be as immovable as the rocks 
 that underlie the beautiful ridge which perpetuates her name, and 
 that her memory should be as green and grateful as the pines 
 that clothe its sides, and waive over its summit. 
 
 Who was French Margaret ? It already appears that Madame 
 Montour had two daughters, one of them named Margaret, and 
 married, and the authorities show that French Margaret was the 
 same person. She and Madame lived at Montoursville in 1742, 
 
202 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 and the daughter remained there certainly as late as 1760. She 
 had several children, three of whom were daughters, to wit Esther, 
 Catharine and Mary. Concerning these three women. Gen. John 
 S. Clark of Auburn, N. Y. writes as follows : 
 
 "Esther was the wife of Echgohund, king of the Monsey clan 
 of the Susquehanna Delawares. In the spring of 175.5 nearly all 
 the Indians of the lower Susquehanna abandoned that part of the 
 country and settled at Tioga Point and above on the Chemung 
 river. The Monsey or Wolf clan settled at Achsinnissink, near 
 the site of present Big Flats, on present Sing Sing creek, about 
 nine miles by way of the river above Elmira. Here they remain- 
 ed until the destruction of all the towns on the Chemung, in 1764 
 by parties sent out by Sir William Johnson, one of which was 
 commanded by Andrew Montour. This clan then retired to the 
 protection of the Senecas, and remained there until the peace, 
 when they returned down the river and founded the town of She- 
 shequin, on the west side of the Susquehanna, some six miles below 
 Tioga Point. They remained here until 1772, when the christian 
 party migrated west of the AUeghenies, under the leadership 
 of Roth, and the pagan party removed up the River about six 
 miles, and founded the new town, afterwards generally known as 
 Queen Esther's Plantation. In the meantime, Echgohund having 
 died, his wife Esther became generally known as Queen Esther, 
 a rank to which she was fully entitled, as the widow of the Monsey 
 King. His town was destroyed by Colonel Hartley in 1778, when 
 they probably retired to Chemung, which was also destroyed 
 by the army under General Sullivan in the succeeding year, when 
 all retired to Niagara. After the close of the revolution she hov- 
 ered around her former home for a few years, but finally settled 
 at Long Point in Cayuga county, New York, about a mile houth 
 of Union Springs, where she was living with the noted Cayuga 
 Chief, Steel Trap, and where she died and was buried on the east 
 shore of Cayuga Lake, at an advanced age, well known as Queen 
 Esther, the fiend of Wyoming. Roswell Franklin, the first settler 
 of that locality, who was well acquainted with her when liv- 
 ing on the Susquehanna, also knew her well when living near 
 him at his home, at present Aurora. 
 
 Catharine Montour married and removed up the Susquehanna 
 
HIHTOItY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 203 
 
 and founded the town of Ehlanemet, located nearly opposite pres- 
 ent Wellsburg, some six miles below Elmira, where she lived for 
 several years with her mother, and during the same time that 
 Esther, her sister, was living at Achsinnissink, near Big Flats. 
 This town was also destroyed in 1764, when they retired tempo- 
 rarily up the Chemung, and after the peace returned and founded 
 the new town on'Sheoquaga creek, about three miles from the 
 head of Seneca Lake, and where she and they remained until the 
 town was destroyed by Sullivan in 3 779, when they retreated with 
 the others to Niagara. After the return of peace she returned to 
 her old home, died there, and was buried on a natural mound near 
 present Havana, in the immediate vicinity of her former home, 
 known generally as Catharines-town. The belief is so general 
 that she was buried at tiiis place, that to deny it would be looked 
 upon by the good people of Havana as evidence of the greatest 
 ignorance of the facts of history. 
 
 Perhaps the most satisfactory contemporary evidence in regard 
 to these characters is that of Mrs. Wbittaker, who when quite 
 young knew Queen Esther well, and also her sister Mary. Mrs. 
 Whittaker was a daughter of Sebastian Strope, who settled at 
 Wysox, Pennsylvania, in 1773. Queen Esther was a welcome and 
 frequent visitor at his house, and it is to the recollection of Mrs. 
 Whittaker that we are indebted for a description of her personal 
 appearance, complexion, the color of her hair and her dress and 
 peculiarities. Mrs. Whittaker tells us that on one occasion. Queen 
 Esther on a visit at her father's, was accompanied by a half-breed 
 woman called Catharine, who, as Queen Esther said, was her sis- 
 ter. This Strope family was afterwards captured by the Indians, 
 and during the captivity of the family were under many obliga- 
 tions for the acts of kindness of their former friend. The daugh- 
 ter, while a prisoner, rambled over the grounds of the Queen, and 
 describes her palace particularly. Sometime after this, while en 
 route to the West as a prisoner, Mrs. Whittaker stopped for a 
 week at Catharine's town, and while there she again saw the same 
 woman and recognized her as the same one that she had previous- 
 ly seen in company with Queen Esther, and who had introduced 
 her as her sister." 
 
 The history of the sister Mary is not as easily traced. In 1753 
 
204 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 French Margaret told Mack, that, her son and son-in-law had been 
 killed the previous winter while on a maraud against the Creeks." 
 (Macks Journal, Memorials of the Moravian church, 330, note.) 
 
 It is probable, in the light of what we know about the other 
 girls, that the sont-in-law was the husband of Mary. She is known 
 as Molly, and Mrs. Whittaker knew her well. Her existence and 
 relationship to Catharine, and consequently to Queen Esther, are 
 settled by the following reference to her in Pennsylvania Colonial 
 Kecords Vol. VIII, page 499. 
 
 "September 17th, 1760; the following letter, received from 
 Mr. Holland, the Indian Agent at Shamokiu, was ordered to be 
 entered : 
 
 Shamokin, 9 Mo., 17th, 1760. 
 Permit me to acquaint the Governor : 
 
 That John Hatson arrived here on the 15th, in 8 days, from 
 Margaret Town, and deliver'd me the inclosed string of Wampum, 
 and the following speech, which he said was sent to the Governor 
 by Catharine, the Daughter of French Margaret. 
 
 That she desired, by this String of Wampum, to acquaint the 
 Governor of the receipt of his by Papunohoal, and that she was 
 sorry the Indisposition of her Family had so long prevented her 
 from complying with the Governor's request to bring down the 
 prisoners, but that she would be down this Fall with the two that 
 belonged to her, and desired that she may not be blamed for her 
 sisters carrying the woman she has to the Allegany, as it was not 
 in her power to prevail with her to take her to Philadelphia; in 
 confirmation of which she sent the Governor the inclosed String 
 of Wampum. 
 
 John informed me that MoUey was to set off for the Allegany 
 with the white woman after he left the town, and that he expect- 
 ed Cate here in ten days, and that he should go with her tp Phil- 
 adelphia and deliver them to the Governor. 
 
 from thy friend, 
 
 Nathaniel Holland." 
 
 It is entirely possible that Mary never returned from the west, 
 but may have remained among the members of the Montour fam- 
 ily in Ohio. The history of the Montours has yet to be written. 
 
HI8T0BY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 205 
 
 This chapter has been only an attempt to disentangle the person- 
 ality of the five women who have given to them a name and 
 place in history. 
 
 Of the sons of Madame Montour, mentioned in the course of 
 this article, Andrew was the most prominent, and held a Captain's 
 commission, and was for a considerable time engaged as interpre- 
 ter between the Government and the different tribes. It is a 
 somewhat remarkable fact that the family generally were natural 
 linguists. One Mary, whom I take to be our "Molly," is spoken 
 of as a regular polyglot, speaking English, French, and nearly all 
 the western Indian dialects. It is greatly to be regretted that so 
 little attention was paid to the personal history of those Indians 
 who showed themselves to be men and women of character and 
 ability. Where there was one Marsh or Logan who inquired and 
 wrote down what was learned, a hundred persons with equal or 
 greater opportunities, made no inquiry, or no memorandum. I 
 see that Dr. Egle, of Harrisburg, is about to issue at that place, 
 a quarterly periodical, of "Notes and Queries, Historical and Ge- 
 nealogical, relating to Interior Pennsylvania," and in that we may 
 look for something elucidating still further the history of the 
 Montours. 
 
206 
 
 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 IPOST OI^I^ICES. 
 
 IT is very often a matter of great convenience to know at what 
 point of a county or township a post office may happen to be 
 located. You may know nearly the residence of your correspond- 
 ent, but his nearest post office is required in order to reach him 
 promptly. I have therefore, in a general way indicated the local- 
 ity of each one in the township, and in cases where they are on 
 or near the line of adjoining townships also stated that fact ; as 
 in the case of lola, Sereno, Derr's, cfec. Bear Gap is on the line be- 
 tween Columbia and Northumberland counties ; and as is known, 
 New Columbus, Cambra, Fairmount Springs and Red Rock, are in 
 the county of Luzerne, but lying so near the line of Columbia, as 
 to accommodate jjeople on the east side of Fishingoreek, Benton 
 and Sugarloaf townships. And just as Berwick in Columbia 
 county, on the very edge of Luzerne, is the nearest office to many 
 persons of the lower end of that county. 
 
 NAME OF OFFICE. 
 
 TOWNSHIP. 
 
 LOCATION. 
 
 Bear Gap 
 
 Locust 
 
 West side 
 
 Beaver Valley 
 
 Beaver 
 
 Centre 
 
 Benton 
 
 Benton 
 
 West side 
 
 Bloomsburg 
 
 Bloomsburg 
 
 
 Buckhorn 
 
 Hemlock 
 
 South east 
 
 Canby 
 
 Mt. Pleasant 
 
 Centre 
 
 Catawissa 
 
 Catawissa 
 
 West side 
 
 Central 
 
 Sugarloaf 
 
 North 
 
 Centralia 
 
 Conyngham 
 
 South centre 
 
 Colescreek 
 
 Sugarloaf 
 
 South 
 
 Derr's 
 
 Greenwood East-edge of Jackson 
 
RI8T0BT Of COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 207 
 
 KAME OF OFFICE 
 
 TOWNSHIP. 
 
 LOCATION. 
 
 Espy 
 
 Scott 
 
 South 
 
 Evansville 
 
 Brial-creek 
 
 West side 
 
 Eyers Grove 
 
 Greenwood 
 
 West side 
 
 Fishingcreek 
 
 Fishingcreek 
 
 South east 
 
 Forks 
 
 Fishingcreek 
 
 South 
 
 Glen city 
 
 Beaver 
 
 Iforth east 
 
 Greenwood 
 
 Greenwood 
 
 Centre 
 
 Guava 
 
 Sugarloaf 
 
 Above Colesoreek 
 
 Ida 
 
 Greenwood 
 
 West — edge of Pine 
 
 Jerseytown 
 
 Madison 
 
 Centre 
 
 Lightstreet 
 
 Scott 
 
 North 
 
 Lime Uidge 
 
 Centre 
 
 South west 
 
 Mainville 
 
 Main 
 
 Centre 
 
 Mifflin X Roads 
 
 Beaver 
 
 North west 
 
 Mifflinville 
 
 Mifflin 
 
 North side 
 
 Millgrove 
 
 Roaringcreek 
 
 South west 
 
 Millville 
 
 Greenwood 
 
 West 
 
 Mordansville 
 
 Mt. Pleasant 
 
 North west 
 
 Numidia 
 
 Locust 
 
 Centre 
 
 Orangeville 
 
 Orange 
 
 Centre 
 
 Pensyl 
 
 Franklin 
 
 South west 
 
 Pine Summit 
 
 Pine 
 
 South west 
 
 Polkville 
 
 Jackson 
 
 Centre 
 
 Ravencreek 
 
 Benton 
 
 East 
 
 Roaringcreek 
 
 Locust 
 
 North east 
 
 Rohrsburg 
 
 Greenwood 
 
 East 
 
 Rupert 
 
 Montour 
 
 North east 
 
208 
 
 HISTOBT OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 NAME or OFFICE. 
 
 Sereno 
 Still Water 
 
 Van Camp 
 
 Waller 
 Wellivers 
 Whitmire 
 Willow Springs 
 
 TOWNSHIP. 
 
 Greenwood 
 Fishingcreek 
 
 Fishingcreek 
 
 LOCATION. 
 
 West — edge of Pine 
 North west 
 
 Jackson 
 Mount Pleasant 
 Centre 
 Centre 
 
 North 
 
 Centre 
 
 North east 
 
 North east 
 
 Southeast 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 209 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 XjECS-ISL^o^TI^^T'E I^EI=:RESElTT.iL.TI03S^. 
 
 UNITED STATES SENATE. 
 
 Although not the first in order, yet as the first in dignity, it is 
 proper to begin this chapter with the representation which Col- 
 umbia county has furnished, in the Senate of the United States, in 
 the person of a distinguished citizen, a native of this county. 
 
 Chailes R. Buckalew was born in Fishingcreek township, Col- 
 umbia county, Pennsylvania, December 28, 1821. After receiv- 
 ing an academic education, he studied law with M. E. Jackson, 
 Esquire, of Berwick, Pa , and was admitted to the Bar of the same 
 county at August term 1843. He was appointed Prosecuting 
 Attorney of Columbia county in April 1845, and resigned in 1847. 
 In 1850 he was elected to the State Senate for the District com- 
 posed of the counties of Luzerne, Columbia and Montour, and re- 
 elected in 1853. In 1854 he was appointed special 
 commissioner to exchange the ratifications of a treaty with Para- 
 guay, and made a journey to South America by way of Eng- 
 land. 
 
 In 1856 he was chosen a Senatorial Presidential Elector for 
 Pennsylvania. In 1857 he was chairman of the Democratic State 
 Committee, and in the same year was re-elected to the State Sen- 
 ate for the district composed of the counties of Columbia, Mon- 
 tour, Northumberland and Snyder. In the following winter he 
 was nominated by the Governor, and confirmed by the Senate to 
 be one of the commissioners to revise the criminal code of the 
 State. This post, and the oflSce of Senator he resigned in the 
 summer of 1858, and was appointed Minister Resident of the 
 United States at Quito, in the Republic of Ecuador, where he re- 
 mained three years. 
 
 On the 14th of January 1863, he was elected a Senator of the 
 United States for six years from the 4th of March following. In 
 
210 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 1869 he was re-elected a State Senator for the district compofied 
 of the counties of Northumberland, Montour, Columbia and Sulli- 
 van. In 1872 he was the nominee of the Democratic party for 
 the office of Governor of the state, but was not elected. 
 
 At the same election, Col. Freeze was chosen a member of the 
 convention to reform the Constitution of the State, and upon the 
 defeat of Mr. Buckalew for Governor, promptly tendered to him 
 the seat to which he had been chosen, in the Convention. Ac- 
 cordingly, on the third day of the sitting of the Convention, Col. 
 Freeze offered his resignation to that body, and on the next day 
 ■November the 15th, Mr. Buckalew was selected to fill the vacancy 
 and served during the sittings. 
 
 In the same fall of 187;^, Mr. Buckalew published a work on 
 "Proportional Representation,'' which was edited by Col. Freeze, 
 and issued by John Campbell & Son, Philadelphia. 
 
 In March 1876, at the Democratic Convention, at Lancaster, 
 Mr. Buckalew was, by acclamation, nominated to head the Dem- 
 ocratic Electoral Ticket of the State at the ensuing Presidential 
 election. 
 
 During his term in the Senate of the United States, Mr. Buck- 
 alew in addition to his ordinary legislative duties, on the 1st of 
 March 1864, submitted to the Senate a "Minority Report on the 
 Repeal of the Fugitive Slave Acts," Mr. Sumner submitting the 
 report of the majority. On the 20th of February 1865, he sub- 
 mitted an elaborate report on the subject of lighting, heating and 
 ventilating the Halls of Congress. On the 21st of February 1866 
 he delivered his celebrated speech on "Representation in Congress." 
 ■On the 15th of January 1867, he addressed the Senate "On the 
 Executive power to make removals from office" — on July 11th 
 *'0n Reconstruction" — and on the same day on "Cumulative Vot- 
 ing" — on January 29, 1868, on the subject of "Reconstruction" — - 
 on the 26th of March, on "The McArdle Casp — Jurisdiction of the 
 Supreme Court" — on the 3d of March 1869, he submitted a "Re- 
 port on Representative Reform" — and on the close of the proceed- 
 ings, an "opinion on the Impeachrnent of Andrew Johnson." 
 
 Since the adjournment of the constitutional convention, Mr. 
 Buckalew has been practising law in Bloomsburg and engaged at 
 leisure times in the preparation of a work on the Constitution. of 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
C. R. BVCKMMW. 
 MTAT £0. 
 
212 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 STATE LEGISLATURE. 
 
 By the eighth section of the Bill erecting Columbia county, it 
 was provided — "That the inhabitants of the county of Northum- 
 berland, Union and Columbia shall jointly elect four representa- 
 tives. 
 
 1813 
 
 Samuel Bound, Leonard Rupert, Thomas Murray Jr. and George 
 Kreamer were elected. All Democrats. 
 
 1814 
 David E. Owen had 2218 votes in district. 
 Robert Willit had 2034 votes in district. 
 Capt. Joseph Hutchison had 1990 votes in district. 
 Henry Shaffer had 1459 votes in district. 
 John Maclay had 1196 votes in district. ' 
 James Strawbridge had 1188 votes in district. 
 Andrew McClenachan had 1080 votes in district. 
 James Hammond had 1040 votes in district. 
 John Montgomery had 239 votes in district. 
 Abraham McKinney had 892 votes in district. 
 
 In 1815 Columbia county was made a separate representative 
 district with one member. 
 
 1815 
 James McClure had 892 votes. 
 David E. Owens had 579 votes. 
 
 1816 
 Samuel Bond had 807 votes. 
 James McClure had 731 votes. 
 
 1817 
 Samuel Bond was elected. 
 
 1818 
 Samuel Bond had 757 votes. 
 Samuel Webb had 487 votes. 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 213 
 
 1819 
 James McClure was elected. 
 
 1820 
 Col. John Snyder had 768 votes. 
 Col. James McClure had 754 votes. 
 Dr. Russel Park had 352 votes. 
 William Robison had 92 votes. 
 
 1821 
 John Clark was elected. 
 
 In 1822 Columbia county was made a separate disti'ict with 
 , two members. 
 
 1822 
 William McBride had 1313 votes. 
 Alexander Colley had 1282 votes, and they were elected. 
 
 1823 
 William McBride and Alexander Colley were elected. 
 
 1824 
 John McReynolds, Democrat, had 836 votes. 
 Eli Thornton, Democrat, had 1121 votes. 
 Christian Brobst, Democrat, had 601 votes. 
 
 1825 
 John McReynolds, Democrat, had 1991 votes. 
 Christian Brobst, Democrat, had 1071 votes. 
 
 1826 
 John McReynolds and William McBride were elected. 
 
 1827 
 John McReynolds and Christian Brobst were elected. 
 
 1828 
 John McReynolds and John Robison were elected. 
 
 In 1829 Columbia county was made a separate district with one 
 member. 
 
 1829 
 John Robison was elected. 
 
214 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 1830 
 Uzal Hopkins was elected. 
 
 1«31 
 Uzal Hopkins was elected. 
 
 1H32 
 Isaac Kline was elected. 
 
 1833 
 Isaac Kline was elected. 
 
 1834 
 John F. DeiT was elected. 
 
 1835 
 John F. Derr was elected. 
 
 In 1886 Columbia county was a separate district with one mem- 
 ber. 
 
 1836 ' ' 
 
 Evan O. Jackson was elected. 
 
 1837 
 John Bowman, Whig, was elected. 
 
 1838 
 William Colt, Democrat, had 2367 votes and was elected. 
 
 1839 
 William Colt had 1662 votes. 
 Geo. H. Willets had 794 votes. 
 
 1840 
 Daniel Snyder had 2737 votes. 
 John C. Lessig had 914 votes. 
 
 1841 
 Daniel Snyder was elected. 
 
 1842 
 Daniel Snyder .was elected. 
 
 In 1843 Columbia county was a separate district with one mem- 
 ber. 
 
 1843 
 Daniel Snyder had 1837 votes and was elected. 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 215 
 
 1844 
 Thomas A. Funston had 2075 votes. 
 E. G. Ricketts had 1443 votes. 
 Jos. Brobst had 1196 votes. 
 Thomas A. Fuustoti was elected. 
 
 1845 
 Thomas A. Funston had 2576 votes and was elected. 
 David Clark had 2029 votes. 
 
 1846 
 Stewart Pearce, Democrat, had 1667 votes. 
 Isaac Low, Whig, had 1443 votes. 
 Stewart Pearce was elected. 
 
 1847 
 Stewart Pearce, Democrat, had 2829 votes. 
 George W. Lott, Whig, had 1502 votes. 
 Stewart Pearce was elected. 
 
 1848 
 Stewart Pearce, Democrat, had 2900 votes. 
 Jonas Hayman, Whig, had 2106 votes. 
 Stewart Pearce was elected. 
 
 1849 
 Benjamin P. Fortner, Whig, had 2113 votes. 
 John McReynolds, Democrat, had 1732 votes. 
 Benjamin P. Fortner was elected. 
 
 In 1850 Columbia and Montour were a representative district 
 with one member. 
 
 1850 
 McReynolds, Democrat. C. B. Bowman, Whig. 
 
 Columbia 2036 419 
 
 Montour 402 1823 
 
 McReynoId's majority 196. 
 
 1851 
 M. E. Jackson, Democrat. Jonas Hayman, Whig. 
 
 Columbia 1490 1337 
 
 Montour 1354 856 
 
 Jackson's majority 651. 
 
216 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 1852 
 Geo. Scott, Democrat. M. E. Jackson, Democrat. 
 
 Columbia 2406 548 
 
 Montour 401 1703 
 
 Geo. Scott's majority 556. 
 
 1853 
 Geo. Scott. Joseph R. Patton. 
 
 Columbia 2346 713 
 
 Montour 735 599 
 
 Geo. Scott's majority 1669. 
 
 1854 
 Jas. G. Maxwell, W. G. Hurley, John Billmeyer. 
 
 Columbia 2299 25 4 
 
 Montour 1014 
 
 1855 
 
 John G. Montgomery, Democrat. John Staley, Whig. 
 Columbia 1605 1032 
 
 Montour 894 483 
 
 2499 1515 
 
 Montgomery's majority 984. 
 
 1856 
 
 Peter Ent, Democrat. John Sharpless, Whig. 
 Columbia 2405 1412 
 
 Montour 1141 715 
 
 3546 2127 
 
 Peter Ent's majority 1419. 
 
 In 1857 the representative district was Columbia, Montour, Sul- 
 livan and Wyoming, with two members. 
 
 1857 
 
 Peter Ent, John V. Smith, D. H. B. Brower, Henry Metcalf. 
 Columbia 2364 2355 1070 1091 
 
 Montour 1069 1070 572 574 
 
 Sullivan 524 354 126 368 
 
 Wyoming 1174 1179 832 828 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 217 
 
 
 
 
 1858 
 
 
 
 G 
 
 . D. Jackson, 
 
 Oakes, 
 
 Hine, 
 
 Blaker. 
 
 Columbia 
 
 1975 
 
 
 1965 
 
 1363 
 
 1286 
 
 Montour 
 
 1500 
 
 
 724 
 
 811 
 
 
 Sullivan 
 
 611 
 
 
 517 
 
 13 
 
 6 
 
 Wyoming 
 
 989 
 
 
 982 
 1859 
 
 3 
 
 55 
 
 G 
 
 . D. Jackson, 
 
 Oakes, 
 
 Masters, 
 
 Mouser. 
 
 Columbia 
 
 2040 
 
 
 1746 
 
 1162 
 
 760 
 
 Montour 
 
 1215 
 
 
 1101 
 
 658 
 
 314 
 
 Sullivan 
 
 1009 
 
 
 950 
 
 651 
 
 585 
 
 Wyoming 
 
 605 
 
 
 516 
 1860 
 
 347 
 
 195 
 
 H. R. Kline 
 
 
 Osterhout 
 
 Strawbridge 
 
 Harding. 
 
 Columbia 
 
 2640 
 
 
 2590 
 
 1786 
 
 1757 
 
 Montour 
 
 1152 
 
 
 1151 
 
 1027 
 
 1018 
 
 Sullivan 
 
 538 
 
 
 535 
 
 376 
 
 379 
 
 Wyoming 
 
 1255 
 
 
 1254 
 1861 
 
 1049 
 
 1225 
 
 
 Tate 
 
 
 Tutton 
 
 Lazarus 
 
 Jennings. 
 
 Columbia 
 
 2571 
 
 
 2600 
 
 1904 
 
 1892 
 
 Montour 
 
 1174 
 
 
 1187 
 
 937 
 
 933 
 
 Sullivan 
 
 545 
 
 
 546 
 
 396 
 
 398 
 
 Wyoming 
 
 1017 
 
 
 1087 
 1862 
 
 1398 
 
 1492 
 
 G. D. , 
 
 Jackson 
 
 J 
 
 ". C. Ellis Sam'l Hays Jacob 
 
 1 Kennedy. 
 
 Columbia 
 
 2913 
 
 
 2914 
 
 1375 
 
 1375 
 
 Montour 
 
 1248 
 
 
 1244 
 
 778 
 
 762 
 
 Sullivan 
 
 635 
 
 
 624 
 
 267 
 
 267 
 
 Wyoming 
 
 1364 
 
 
 1363 
 1863 
 
 1140 
 
 1130 
 
 G. D. Jackson, 
 
 J. 
 
 C. Ellis, M. 
 
 Whitmoyer, S. 
 
 Bondman. 
 
 Columbia 
 
 3344 
 
 
 3344 
 
 1770 
 
 1771 
 
 Montour 
 
 1458 
 
 
 1459 
 
 1092 
 
 1090 
 
 Sullivan 
 
 720 
 
 
 713 
 
 344 
 
 341 
 
 Wyoming 
 
 1441 
 
 
 1441 
 
 1348 
 
 1343 
 
 In 1864 
 
 Columbia 
 
 and Montour were made a representative 
 
 district with one member. 
 
218 
 
 HISiORT OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 
 
 1864 
 
 w 
 
 . H. Jacoby, 
 
 L. S. Stineman, Dao'l. Snyder. 
 
 Columbia 
 
 2921 
 
 287 128 
 
 Montour 
 
 1298 
 
 42 
 1865 
 
 Williamson H. Jacoby Charles W. Eckirian 
 
 Columbia 
 
 2999 
 
 1583 
 
 Montour 
 
 1196 
 
 841 
 1866 
 
 Thomas Chalfant 
 
 Jacob Moser 
 
 Columbia 
 
 3592 
 
 
 Montour 
 
 1544 
 
 1110 
 
 1867 
 
 Thos. Chalfant 
 
 J. H. Vanderslice 
 
 Columbia 
 
 3448 
 
 1694 
 
 Montour 
 
 1386 
 
 999 
 1868 
 
 
 Geo. Scott, 
 
 Capt. C. G. Jackson. 
 
 Columbia 
 
 4050 
 
 2069 
 
 Montour 
 
 1683 
 
 1193 
 
 
 Geo. Soott 
 
 's majority 2471. 
 1869 
 
 
 Scott, 
 
 Zellers. 
 
 Columbia 
 
 3662 
 
 1827 
 
 Montour 
 
 1573 
 
 1044 
 
 1870 
 
 
 Rupert, 
 
 Chalfant, Abbott. 
 
 Columbia 
 
 1945 
 
 2450 622 
 
 Montour 
 
 123 
 
 1580 627 
 
 In 1871 Columbia county was made a separate district, witli 
 one member. 
 
 1871 
 Brockway had 3332 votes. 
 Robison had 1467 votes. 
 
 1872 
 Brockway had 3781 votes. 
 Creveling had 2096 votes. 
 
HIIstORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 219 
 
 1873 
 Brockway had 2652 votes. 
 Buckalew John M. had 1021 votes. 
 
 1874 
 
 Under the Constitution of 1873, and by the act of 19th May, 
 1874, Columbia county was authorized to elect two members. 
 The vote was : 
 
 E. J. McHenry, 3014 votes. 
 
 S. P. Ryan, 2940 votes. 
 
 John McAnall, 1133 votes. 
 
 Hon S. P. Ryan, died April 12, 1876. 
 
 1876 
 E. J. McHenry had 4355 votes. 
 Brown had 4131 votes. 
 Smith had 1985 votes. 
 John Eggert had 2014 votes. 
 
 1878 
 T. J. Vanderslice had 3258 votes. 
 Jos. B. Knittle had 3081 votes. 
 A. Phillips had 1467 votes. 
 W. H. Abbott had 1472 votes. 
 
 1880 
 J. B. Knittle, Democrat, had 4492 votes. 
 T. J. Vanderslice, Democrat had 3823 votes. 
 G. A. Buckingham, Republican, had 2248 votes. 
 Eli Barton, Republican Greenbacker, had 1152 votes. 
 C. M. Blaker, Greenbacker, had 133 votes. 
 
 1882 
 William Bryson, Democrat, had 4052 votes. 
 Thos. J. Vanderslice, Democrat, had 3094 votes. 
 Mahlon Hamlin, Independent Democrat, had 1526 votes. 
 E. M. Tewksbury, Democratic Prohibitionist, had 227 votes. 
 G. W. Supplee, Republican, had 1748 votes. 
 E. B. Guie, Republican, had 1482 votes. 
 Eli Barton, Greenbacker, had 256 votes. 
 
220 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 SEisT^a-Toz^i-a-rj. 
 
 BY the bill erecting Columbia county we were put into the 
 district comjsosed of the counties of Luzerne, Susquehanna 
 and Union, with two Senators, and were then and until the elec- 
 tion under the bill of 1815 represented by Thomas Murray, jr 
 and William Ross. We bore a part in the election of the Sena- 
 tors in 1814. 
 
 1814 
 Thos. Murray, jr. was elected. 
 
 In 1815 our Senatorial District was made the Ninth, Northum- 
 berland, Columbia, Union, Luzerne and Susquehanna, with two 
 Senators. 
 
 1816 
 (But one Senator elected.) 
 Charles Frazer had 2846 votes in district. 
 Adam Light had 2365 votes in district. 
 Cornelius Courtright had 1341 votes in district. 
 John Baldy had 78 votes in district. 
 
 1818 
 Simon Snyder was elected. 
 
 1819 
 Special election to fill vacancy occasioned by death of Simon 
 Snyder. 
 
 Robert Willett had 1732 votes in district. 
 Samuel Hepburn had 944 votes in district. 
 
 1820 
 
 Redmond Conyngham had 51 52 votes in district, and was elec 
 ted. 
 
 In 1822 our Senatorial District was made the tenth, Luzerne 
 and Columbia, with one Senator. 
 
BIjSTOB^ of COLUMBIA COUNTY. 221 
 
 1824 
 R. Moore, N. Beach. 
 
 Robert Moore was elected. 
 
 1827 
 Robert Moore was elected. 
 
 In 1829 the same Senatorial District was continued. 
 
 1830 
 Jacob Drumheller was elected. 
 
 1833 
 Uzal Hopkins was elected. 
 
 In 1836 we were made the Ninth Senatorial District, Columbia 
 and Schuylkill with one Senator. 
 
 1837 
 Charles Frailey was elected. 
 
 1840 
 Headley, Joseph Brobst. 
 
 Samuel F. Headley was elected. 
 
 In 1843 we were made the Thirteenth Senatorial District, Col- 
 umbia and Luzerne with one Senator. 
 
 1844 
 Ross, Beaumont, Davis. 
 
 Columbia 2243 1748 634 
 
 Luzerne 2467 2796 787 
 
 William S. Ross' majority 166. 
 
 
 1847 
 
 
 V. Best, 
 
 W. G. Hurley, 
 
 Gideon Frothingham. 
 
 Columbia 2763 
 
 1639 
 
 
 Luzerne 3126 
 
 1952 
 
 29 
 
 In 1850 we composed the Sixteenth Senatorial District, Colum- 
 bia, Luzerne and Montour with one Senator. 
 
m 
 
 HISTORY OJP VOLVMBIA QOTJNTY. 
 
 1850 
 
 
 Buckalew 
 
 Columbia 
 
 2201 
 
 Luzerne 
 
 3642 
 
 Montour 
 
 405 
 
 V. Best 
 
 272 
 
 2379 
 
 1813 
 
 C. R. Buckalew's majority 1784 
 
 1853 
 
 Columbia 
 Luzerne 
 
 Montour 
 
 R. Buckalew 
 
 2403 
 
 3851 
 
 433 
 
 E. L. Dana 
 
 670 
 2579 
 1147 
 
 Scattering 
 83 
 
 Buckalew's majority, 2208, 
 
 1856 
 
 Geo. P. Steele 
 Columbia 2585 
 
 Luzerne 5276 
 
 Montour 1180 
 
 Steele's majority, 2220. 
 
 Washington Lee 
 1242 
 4791 
 688 
 
 In 1857 we were the Thirteenth Senatorial District, composed 
 of the counties of Columbia, Montour, Northumberland and Sny- 
 der, with one Senator. 
 
 1857 
 Buckalew 
 Columbia 2405 
 Montour 1069 
 
 North'land 2807 
 Snyder 970 
 
 C. R. Buckalew's majority 4643 
 Mr. Buckalew resigned after serving one session. 
 
 Bound 
 
 1037 
 
 538 
 
 11 
 
 1022 
 
 1858 
 
 Keller 
 Columbia 1902 
 Montour 738 
 
 North'lan(J 2360 
 Snyder 1170 
 
 Getulius 
 
 1438 
 
 770 
 
 1626 
 
 1200 
 
 Reuben Keller's majority 1185 
 
MIJ^iTOMT OF COLUMS^IA OOUNVT- 223 
 
 1360 
 
 Keller 
 
 Bound 
 
 Columbia 2487 
 
 1910 
 
 Montour 1080 
 
 1075 
 
 Northland 2556 
 
 2633 
 
 Snyder 1133 
 
 1694 
 
 1863 
 
 
 Montgomery 
 
 Willetts 
 
 Columbia 3339 
 
 1784 
 
 Montour 1459 
 
 1096 
 
 Northland 3383 
 
 2585 
 
 Snyder 1328 
 
 1755 
 
 D. B. Montgomery's majority 2289. 
 
 
 In 1864 we were made the Fifteenth District, comprising the 
 counties of Columbia, Montour, Northumberland and Sullivan, 
 with one Senator. 
 
 1866 
 Jackson Friok 
 
 Columbia 3594 1939 
 
 Mo utour 
 
 
 
 
 Northland 3830 
 
 
 
 3350 
 
 Sullivan 414 
 
 
 
 778 
 
 Geo. 
 
 D. Jackson 
 
 was elected. 
 
 
 
 1869 
 
 
 Buckalew 
 
 
 Whitmoyer 
 
 Chalfant 
 
 Columbia 3445 
 
 
 1805 
 
 254 
 
 Montour 247 
 
 
 937 
 
 1432 
 
 Northland 3740 
 
 
 3357 
 
 395 
 
 Sullivan 758 
 
 
 394 
 
 12 
 
 Charles R. Buckalew over Whitmoyer 1697. 
 " " " over Chalfant 6097. 
 
 In 1871 we were made the Fifteenth Senatorial District com- 
 prising the counties of Columbia, Montour, Lycoming and Sulli- 
 van with one Senator. 
 
 1872 
 
 Chalfant Ransom 
 
 Columbia 3878 2003 
 
 Montour 1701 1305 
 
 Lycoming 4964 4588 
 
 Sullivan 767 394 
 C^alfant's majority 3020. 
 
224 
 
 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 The change in the Constitution required a change in districting 
 the State for Senators, and in 1874 we were made the Twenty 
 Fourth District but with the same counties, and one Senator. 
 
 1875 
 Allen Lyon 
 
 Columbia 3861 1534 
 
 5283 2919 
 
 1422 898 
 
 746 365 
 
 Allen's majority 5599. 
 
 1876 
 
 Lycoming 
 
 Montour 
 
 Sullivan 
 
 
 
 Allen, 
 
 
 Steck 
 
 Columbia 
 
 
 4412 
 
 
 2058 
 
 Montour 
 
 
 1729 
 
 
 1184 
 
 Lycoming 
 Sullivan 
 
 
 5557 
 908 
 
 12606 
 8411 
 
 
 4667 
 502 
 
 8411 
 
 Allen's majority 
 
 4,195 
 
 
 
 
 
 1878 
 
 
 
 Jackson, 
 
 Beaver, 
 
 Herdic, 
 
 Smith. 
 
 Columbia 
 
 3240 
 
 1271 
 
 1153 
 
 95 
 
 Lycoming 
 Montour 
 
 4855 
 1241 
 
 3238 
 885 
 
 2024 
 490 
 
 37 
 
 Sullivan 
 
 718 
 
 336 
 
 333 
 
 
 10054 5730 4000 132 
 
 Jackson's majority over Beaver, 4,323 and 322 over Beaver 
 and Herdic combined. 
 
 1880 
 
 A vacancy having occurred by the death of Senator George D. 
 Jackson on November 23, 1879, an election was held with the fol- 
 lowing result. 
 
 McHenry, Andrews. 
 
 Columbia 4637 2^39 
 
 Montour 1832 1250 
 
 Lycoming 6386 5013 
 
 Sullivan 1052 635 
 
 13907 
 McHenry's majority 4870. 
 
 9037 
 
HISTOBT 01 COLUMBIA GOUJSTTT. 
 
 225 
 
 
 
 1882 
 
 
 W. 
 
 W. Hart. 
 
 Columbia 
 
 
 3958 
 
 Montour 
 
 
 1723 
 
 Lycoming 
 
 
 4510 
 
 Sullivan 
 
 
 779 
 
 10,970 
 
226 HISTOET OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 co2Nra-i^Essio"N"ji.ij. 
 
 The district by the bill erecting the county was as follows: — 
 "That the said county of Columbia shall form part of the district 
 composed of the counties of Northumberland, Union, Lycoming, 
 Luzerne, Bradford, Potter, Susquehanna and Tioga for the elec- 
 tion of members of Congress. It was the Tenth, with two mem- 
 bers. 
 
 1814 
 
 William Wilson ^ 
 
 and ^Elected Oct. 11th, 1814. 
 
 Jared Irwin \ 
 Mr. Irwin died March 1, 1818. 
 
 1816 
 Wm. Wilson had 6106 votes in district. 
 David Scott had 5920 votes in district. 
 
 1817 
 Special election to fill vacancy occasioned by David Scott's ac- 
 ceptance of office of President Judge of 12th Judicial District. 
 John Murray was elected. 
 
 1818 
 John Murray had 7423 votes in district. 
 Geo. Dennison had 7229 votes in district. 
 
 1820 
 Geo. Dennison had 9545 votes in district. 
 Wm. Cox Ellis had 6528 votes in district. 
 Mr. Dennison died in Wilkes Barre in 1831. 
 Mr. Wm. Cox Ellis died in Muncy Nov. 13, 1871 aged 85 years. 
 
 1821 
 Special election to fill vacancy occasioned by resignation of 
 Wm. Cox Ellis. 
 
 Thomas Murray, jr. was elected. 
 
SISTOBT OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 227 
 
 By the apportionment of 1822 we were put into a district num- 
 bered the Ninth, as follows : The counties of Columbia, Union, 
 Northumberiand, Luzerne, Susquehanna, Bradford, Lycoming, 
 Potter, Tioga and McKean, and elected three members. 
 
 1822 
 Wm. Cox Ellis, Samuel McKean and George Kreamer were 
 elected. 
 
 1824 
 Samuel McKean, George Kreamer and Espy Vanhorn, were elec- 
 ted. 
 
 VOTE OP COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 George Kreamer, 1307 
 
 Samuel McKean 1358 
 
 Wm. Cox Ellis 1030 
 
 Espy Va,n Horn 400 
 
 1826 
 Espy Vanhorn, Samuel McKean and George Kreamer were 
 elected. 
 
 Mr. Kreamer died in Union county September 11, 1854. 
 Mr. Van Horn died at Williamsport July 25, 1829. 
 Mr. McKean died in McKean county June 23, 1840. 
 
 1828 
 Philander Stephens had 12,003 votes in district. 
 James Ford had 11,163 votes in district. 
 Alem Marr had 10,855 votes in district. 
 John Murray had 2944 votes in district. 
 Geo. M. Hollenbaok had 1632 votes in district. 
 Chauncey Alford had 2583 votes in district. 
 
 1830 
 Lewis Dewart, Philander Stephens and James Ford were elec- 
 ted. 
 
 Mr. Ford died at Lawrenceville in August 1859. 
 Mr. Stephens died at Springfield July 8, 1842. 
 
 In 1832 our congressional district was made the Fifteenth, Col 
 umbia and Luzerne, with one member. 
 
 1832 
 Andrew Beaumont was elected. 
 
228 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 1834. 
 Andrew Beaumont was elected. 
 He died at Wilkes-Barre, October 30, 1853. 
 
 1836 
 David Petriken was elected. 
 
 1838 
 David Petriken, William G. Hurley. 
 
 Columbia 2146 1480 
 
 Luzerne 3010 2463 
 
 Dr. Petriken died at Catawissa, January 3, 1849. 
 
 1840 
 B. A. Bidlack, E. W. Sturdevant. 
 
 Columbia 2433 1295 
 
 Luzerne 
 
 In 1843 our congressional district was made the Eleventh, 
 Columbia, Luzerne and Wyoming, with one member. 
 
 1843 
 Benjamin A. Bidlack had 2200 votes in district. 
 George F. Willits had 1108 votes in district. 
 Mr. Bidlack died Charge d' Affaires at Bogota, in New Gran- 
 ada, February 29, 1849. 
 
 Owen D. Leib, 
 Columbia 1773 
 
 Luzerne 2952 
 
 Wyoming 771 
 
 Owen D. Leib, 
 Columbia 1641 
 Luzerne 1191 
 Wyoming 616 
 
 Dr. Leib died at Catawissa June 17, 1848. 
 
 1844 
 
 
 
 , Chester Butler, 
 
 George Mack- 
 
 1579 
 
 
 1302 
 
 2702 
 
 
 465 
 
 778 
 
 
 10 
 
 1846 
 
 
 
 Chester Butler, 
 
 Gideon Frothingham. 
 
 1562 
 
 
 
 2045 
 
 
 32 
 
 727 
 
 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 229 
 
 1848 
 
 Hendrick B. Wright, C. Butler, Samuel P. CoUings. 
 Columbia 2556 2005 504 
 
 Luzerne 2343 2929 1434 
 
 Wyoming 717 778 230 
 
 
 
 5616 
 
 
 5712 
 
 2168 
 
 
 
 
 1850 
 
 
 
 
 
 H. 
 
 . B. Wright, 
 
 
 
 
 H. M. Fuller. 
 
 Columbia 
 
 
 1589 
 
 
 
 
 932 
 
 Luzerne 
 
 
 3247 
 
 
 
 
 2948 
 
 Wyoming 
 
 
 848 
 
 
 
 
 619 
 
 
 
 Wright's 
 
 majoi 
 
 •ity 
 
 1186. 
 
 
 1851 
 To fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Hon. Chester 
 Butler, who died in Philadelphia, October 5, 1850. 
 
 J. Brisbin, E. L. Dana. 
 
 832 586 
 
 1427 1838 
 
 Columbia 
 Luzerne 
 Montour 
 Wyoming 
 
 724 
 642 
 
 408 
 451 
 
 Brisbin's majority 342. 
 
 In 1852 the district was numbered the twelfth, and was com- 
 posed of the counties of Columbia, Luzerne, Montour and Wyo- 
 ming. Our representatives under that arrangement were as fol- 
 lows: 
 
 1852 
 
 
 Wright 
 
 Columbia 
 
 1776 
 
 Luzerne 
 
 3858 
 
 Montour 
 
 850 
 
 Wyoming 
 
 1039 
 
 Fuller 
 
 1219 
 
 4102 
 
 1224 
 
 805 
 
 Hendrick B. Wright's majority 173 
 
230 
 
 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 
 
 1854 
 
 
 Columbia 
 
 Wright 
 2034 
 
 
 Fuller 
 1483 
 
 Luzerne 
 
 3549 
 
 
 5475 
 
 Montour 
 
 794 
 
 
 888 
 
 Wyoming 
 
 710 
 
 
 1269 
 
 
 Henry M. 
 
 Fuller's majority 2028 
 
 Henry M. 
 
 Fuller died, December 26th, 
 
 1860, in Philadelphia. 
 
 
 
 1856 
 
 
 Columbia 
 
 Montgomery 
 2640 
 
 
 Smith 
 1234 
 
 Luzerne 
 
 5509 
 
 
 4676 
 
 Montour 
 
 1035 
 
 
 856 
 
 Wyoming 
 
 1258 
 
 
 891 
 
 John G. Montgomery's majority 2785 
 John G. Montgomery died in Danville on the 24th day of April 
 1857, of the disease contracted at the National Hotel. He had 
 not yet taken his seat in Congress. Paul Leidy was elected to fill 
 the vacancy. 
 
 1857 
 Leidy Smith B. Thompson 
 
 Columbia 2400 1108 
 
 Luzerne 5170 3678 
 
 Montour 1056 644 
 
 Wyoming 1200 864 
 
 Paul Leidy's majority 3532 
 
 1858 
 McReynolds Scranton 
 
 1907 
 
 6193 
 
 990 
 
 933 
 
 Geo. W. Scranton's majority 3837 
 
 1860 
 
 Scranton 
 1953 
 7458 
 1052 
 1256 
 Geo. W. Scranton's majority 695 
 George W. Scranton died March 24, 1861. 
 
 Columbia 
 
 1442 
 
 Luzerne 
 
 3662 
 
 Montour 
 
 584 
 
 Wyoming 
 
 898 
 
 
 Geo. W 
 
 
 Randall 
 
 Columbia 
 
 2476 
 
 Luzerne 
 
 6119 
 
 Montour 
 
 1134 
 
 Wyoming 
 
 1295 
 
mSTOBT OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 231 
 
 1861 
 In June 1861 a special election was held to fill the vacancy left 
 by the death of Mr. Scranton. The candidates were both Demo- 
 crats. 
 
 H. B. Wright D. E. Randall 
 
 Columbia 1949 1373 
 
 Luzerne 6059 2211 
 
 Montour 933 393 
 
 Wyoming 1047 763 
 
 H. B. Wright's majority 5248. 
 
 In 1861 a bill was passed putting us in the twelfth district com- 
 composed of the counties of Bradford, Montour, Columbia, Sulli- 
 van, Wyoming and all of Northumberland except Lower Mahanoy 
 township. But the party in power becoming frightened lest the 
 Democrats should carry the district, in 1862 re-arranged the 
 apportionment, making the district, the counties of Bradford, 
 Wyoming, Sullivan, Montour, and Columbia; under which the 
 following was our representation. 
 
 1862 
 
 Tracy Clark 
 
 Columbia 2820 1467 
 
 Bradford 3575 4035 
 
 Moutour 1183 807 
 
 Sullivan 609 281 
 
 Wyoming 1333 1113 
 Henry W. Tracy's majority 1817. 
 
 1864 
 
 Piollett Mercur 
 
 Columbia 2905 1449 
 
 Bradford 2618 5798 
 
 Montour 1308 912 
 
 Sullivan 622 319 
 
 Wyoming 1270 1162 
 U. Mercur's majority 1001. 
 
 1866 
 
 Elwell Mercur 
 
 Bradford 3185 7078 
 
 Columbia 3644 1907 
 
 Montour 1550 1114 
 
 Sullivan 762 435 
 
 Wyoming 1512 1406 
 
 Ulysses Mercur's majority 1287. 
 
232 
 
 MISTOBT OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 
 
 1868 
 
 
 
 Piollett 
 
 
 Mercur 
 
 Bradford 
 
 4019 
 
 
 7480 
 
 Columbia 
 
 4066 
 
 
 |2070 
 
 Montour 
 
 3 684 
 
 
 1190 
 
 Sullivan 
 
 828 
 
 
 476 
 
 Wyoming 
 
 1815 
 
 
 1507 
 
 
 Mercur'f 
 
 3 majority 311. 
 1870 
 
 
 
 Brockway 
 
 
 Mercur 
 
 Bradford 
 
 3775 
 
 
 6824 
 
 Columbia 
 
 3464 
 
 
 1710 
 
 Montour 
 
 1381 
 
 
 910 
 
 Sullivan 
 
 781 
 
 
 354 
 
 Wyoming 
 
 1592 
 
 
 1319 
 
 Mercur's majority 124. 
 
 
 Rhodes 
 
 Bradford 
 
 4355 
 
 Columbia 
 
 3786 
 
 Montour 
 
 1592 
 
 Sullivan 
 
 765 
 
 Wyoming 
 
 1745 
 
 1872 
 
 Strawbridge 
 7534 
 2111 
 1435 
 418 
 1581 
 Strawbridge's majority 836. 
 
 Hon. Ulysses Mercur having been elected to the Supreme Bench 
 his seat in Congress became vacant on the first Monday of Decem- 
 ber 1872; and a special election was ordered to fill the vacancy 
 from the first Monday of December 1872, to the fourth of March 
 1873. The election occurred 24th December 1872. 
 
 Bunnell 
 
 3441 
 
 831 
 
 394 
 
 185 
 
 1148 
 
 
 Piollet 
 
 Bradford 
 
 2260 
 
 Columbia 
 
 1225 
 
 Montour 
 
 406 
 
 Sullivan 
 
 270 
 
 Wyoming 
 
 840 
 
 Bunnell's majority 999. 
 
SISTOBT OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 233 
 
 In 1873 a bill was passed putting us in the eleventh district 
 composed of the counties of Montour, Columbia, Carbon, Monroe, 
 Pike, and the townships of Nescopeck, Black Creek, Sugarloaf, 
 Butler, Hazel, Foster, Bear creek, Bucks, Roaringbrook, Salem, 
 Hollenback, Huntingdon, Fairmount, Springbrook, and that part 
 of the city of Soranton south of Roaringbrook creek, and east of 
 Lackawanna river, and the boroughs of Dunmore, New Columbus, 
 Goldsboro, White Haven, Jeddo, and Hazleton. 
 
 1874 
 
 
 Collins 
 
 
 
 Butler 
 
 
 Columbia 
 
 2964 
 
 
 
 1121 
 
 
 Carbon 
 
 2288 
 
 • 
 
 
 2158 
 
 
 Montour 
 
 1464 
 
 
 
 925 
 
 
 Monroe 
 
 2009 
 
 
 
 431 
 
 
 Pike 
 
 1160 
 
 
 
 84 
 
 
 Luzerne 
 
 3052 
 
 
 
 1127 
 
 
 
 Collins' majority 7091. 
 
 
 
 
 
 1876 
 
 
 
 
 
 Collins 
 
 
 
 Waller 
 
 
 Columbia 
 
 1151 
 
 
 
 2271 
 
 
 Montour 
 
 1697 
 
 
 
 1202 
 
 
 Luzerne 
 
 4807 
 
 
 
 3039 
 
 
 Carbon 
 
 3100 
 
 
 
 2842 
 
 
 Monroe 
 
 3192 
 
 
 
 719 
 
 
 Pike 
 
 1601 
 18548 
 
 
 
 99 
 10172 
 
 
 
 Collins' majority 
 
 8376. 
 
 
 
 
 
 1878 
 
 
 
 
 
 Klotz, 
 
 Albright, 
 
 Orvis, 
 
 Brockway. 
 
 Columbia 
 
 1083 
 
 1523 
 
 1250 
 
 
 1950 
 
 Montour 
 
 910 
 
 784 
 
 477 
 
 
 433 
 
 Carbon 
 
 2051 
 
 2319 
 
 700 
 
 
 128 
 
 Monroe 
 
 2230 
 
 655 
 
 353 
 
 
 237 
 
 Pike 
 
 596 
 
 463 
 
 180 
 
 
 586 
 
 Luzerne 
 
 1293 
 
 1924 
 
 1267 
 
 
 618 
 
 Lackawanna 18 
 
 448 
 
 739 
 
 
 689 
 
 Totals 
 
 8211 
 
 8116 
 
 5066 
 
 
 4641 
 
234 
 
 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 1880 
 
 
 
 Klotz, 
 
 
 Scott, 
 
 Robison. 
 
 Montour 
 
 
 1867 
 
 
 1228 
 
 98 
 
 Columbia 
 
 
 4500 
 
 
 2120 
 
 384 
 
 Luzerne, part of 
 
 4011 
 
 
 3114 
 
 37 
 
 Lackawanna 
 
 part 
 
 of 1238 
 
 
 707 
 
 7 
 
 Carbon 
 
 
 3523 
 
 
 2819 
 
 52 
 
 Monroe 
 
 
 3326 
 
 
 940 
 
 1 
 
 Pike 
 
 
 1347 
 19812 
 
 
 537 
 11465 
 
 
 
 579 
 
 
 
 Klotz's majority 8347. 
 
 
 
 
 
 1882 
 
 
 
 
 
 Storm, 
 
 
 
 Smith. 
 
 Montour 
 
 
 1690 
 
 
 
 1178 
 
 Columbia 
 
 
 4166 
 
 
 
 1806 
 
 Luzerne part 
 
 of 
 
 8615 
 
 
 
 2698 
 
 Lackawanna 
 
 part 
 
 of 1276 
 
 
 
 501 
 
 Carbon 
 
 
 3093 
 
 
 
 2674 
 
 Monroe 
 Pike 
 
 
 2842 
 1128 
 
 17810 
 
 
 
 614 
 329 
 
 9805 
 
 
 John B. Storm's majority 8005. 
 
 
 
JTIjSTOHY of COLUMBIA COUNTY. 235 
 
 I^/d:IZJI1?^5^I^-2■ I2,ECOI?-ID. 
 
 INTKODUCTORY. 
 
 The military record upon which we are about to enter has 
 given me more trouble than any other portion of this work. The 
 desire to have it full and correct, to get the names of all the per- 
 sons in the service, to attach them properly with their official 
 rank, has required unusual care. And yet I cannot be certain that 
 omissions and errors have not occurred. In the dire confusion of 
 the period an error or omission in the weekly newspaper was 
 either not observed, or not thought necessary to be corrected. 
 Many of our people, seduced by larger bounties, entered the service 
 to the credit of other counties, and for that reason all trace of 
 them was lost, or owing in many cases to similarity of names, un- 
 certainly recovered. In all such cases I have done my best to 
 separate and claim those belonging to our county. And so pa- 
 tiently and laboriously the lists of names have been made up. In 
 two or three instances my attention has been called to inaccura- 
 cies, which have been adjusted. All the works I have examined 
 disagree more^or less, and in most cases the facts were beyond 
 my ascertainment, and I followed what seemed at the time to be 
 the most trustworthy authority. Bates' History, of course, was 
 the great store house of information. From contemporary publi- 
 cations I have given the lists of drafted men of our county, both 
 State and Federal, and I feel that in many respects, this chapter 
 is unusually full and correct, though it may not be perfect. 
 
 My design is to put in a cheap, accessible and permanent form 
 all the information attainable on the subject, together with all the 
 names of our soldiers, so that in every house a record of patriotic 
 action and gallant service may be had and preserved. 
 
23 6 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 
 MILITARY RECORD. 
 
 Mr. Lincoln was inaugurated as President of the United States 
 March 4, 1861. Fort Sumpter in Charleston Harbour was fired 
 on April 12th, and on the loth, the President issued a call for 
 75,000 men. Calls and orders were subsequently issued under 
 date of May 3d, July 22nd, and July 25th, for the aggi-egate of 
 500,000 men. On the 2d of July, 1862, there was a call for 500,- 
 000 and on the 4th of August one for 300,000, supposed to be the 
 number needed to fill the last preceding call. 
 
 On the 5th of September, 1 862, the Rebels invaded Maryland, 
 and a levy en masse in Pennsylvania was called. On the 15th of 
 September a large number of "emergency men" left Bloomsburg. 
 On the I7th, the battle of Antietam was fought. On the 18th, 
 the rebel ai-my evacuated Sharpsburg and recrossed the Potomac. 
 On the 22nd, more "emergency men" left Bloomsburg. 
 
 On the 15th of June, 1863, a proclamation was made for the 
 militia. On the 15th of October there was a call for 300,000 men; 
 and on the 1st of February 1864, the President ordered a di-aft 
 for 500,000 to be made on the 10th of March. On the 14th of 
 March there was a call for 200,000 men ; on the 18th of July one 
 for 500,000, and on the 19th of December for 300,000. 
 
 Besides these, there was a lot of "Ninety Days Militia," and 
 other irregular musters, all of which will be found under the prop- 
 er head or section, in this chapter. 
 
 These various calls were filled by enlistments, volunteering and 
 drafts. We have made diligent and careful examination amongst 
 
HI8T0RT OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 237 
 
 all sources of information accessible, and have given, we believe 
 the name of every man mustered into the service from Columbia 
 county, and so credited ; together with the Company, Regiment 
 and battles in which they were engaged. The same fullness of 
 detail in relation to the troops furnished by Montour county will 
 be also found in this volume. 
 
 There were four drafts made in Columbia county — one by the 
 State authorities for the militia ; one on September 17th, 1863, to 
 fill previous calls ; one on the 3rd of June, 1864, and one on 
 the 14th of April, 1865. 
 
 Gen. Lee having surrendered April 9th, these last were releas- 
 ed. , The last battle of the war was fought May 12, 1865, and the 
 suiTender of Kirby Smith, the last army organization, was on the 
 26th of May. 
 
 During the war there were for Pennsylvania two grand emer- 
 gencies. The first in September, 1862, which was relieved by 
 McClellan's victory at Antietam. At that time Sept. 11th, Gov- 
 ernor Curtin called for 50,000 men, and Columbia county re- 
 sponded by sending four companies, and Montour by two com- 
 panies. The second emergency was in June 1863, on the 15th of 
 which month the President called for 100,000 men. Of the num- 
 ber required, Columbia county sent five companies and Montour 
 two. 
 
 Many citizens of Columbia county, owing to larger local boun- 
 ties, entered into or'ganizations outside the county. Some of them 
 I have been able to follow; doubtless however there are a number 
 whose names and fate I have not discovered. Among the com- 
 panies mustered originally in our county, there were quite possibly, 
 in filling up the depletions of battle and sickness, some new recruits 
 from other counties, though in nearly all cases officers detailed for 
 the purpose came back here to fill the ranks with the neighbors 
 and friends of the fallen or disabled heroes. 
 
 During the war, as is well known, great complaint was made 
 that we, in Columbia county and in the Congressional district, had 
 been unfairly dealt 'with by the enrolling officers. Strenuous efforts 
 were made to have the number of enrolled men corrected. Little 
 or no heed was paid to our complaints. After great trouble a re- 
 vised enrollment was obtained and'the justice of representations 
 was manifested. 
 
238 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Enrollment in 13th District 31 Dec, 1864 11,286 
 
 Under 300,000 call. Quota 2,301 
 
 Corrected enrollment 4,093 
 
 Quota should be 825 
 
 So that the War Department was attempting to draw from the 
 district nearly three times as many men as we were honestly 
 obliged to furnish. But there was neither redress nor abatement 
 — neither credit for the over plus already sent into the field, nor 
 a reduction of the number to be furnished, when the egregious 
 outrage was certified to them. We stood powerless under military 
 rule, and were only saved from still further injustice by the action 
 of our Senator and Representative in Congress. For the past 
 there was no redress, but in "An Act to amend the several acts 
 enrolling and calling out the National forces," Mr. Buckalew in- 
 troduced the following as the 13th Section: 
 
 "That where any revised enrollment in any Congressional or 
 draft district, has been obtained or made prior to any actual draw- 
 ing of names from the enrollment lists, the quota of such district 
 may be adjusted and apportioned to such revised enrollment, in- 
 stead of being applied to or based upon the enrollment as it may 
 have stood before revision." 
 
 But notwithstanding the correction of the enrollment, and in 
 spite of the Act of Congress, the War Department refused to do 
 us justice, and drafted from the district one- third more men than 
 they were entitled to call. The following letter from Hon. Mr 
 Tracy will explain the action : 
 
 Washington, D. C, March 15, 1865. 
 
 John G. Frkeze, Esq — Dear Sir : The Provost Marshal Gen- 
 eral of the U. S., after sending up an agent to investigate the en- 
 rollment in our district, and receiving his report, has removed 
 Capt. Manville, the Provost Marshal, and has ordered the draft to 
 proceed upon the basis of an enrollment of 6,000 ; which is a re- 
 duction of nearly one half from the enrollment before any adjust- 
 ment, and must materially reduce our quota. 
 
 I am yours truly, 
 
 H. W. Tkact 
 
 In the draft lists which we propose to print, many errors, dup- 
 licates, and names of men then dead will be found. But for all 
 these we were required to furnish our quota; for the young and 
 the old the maimed and the dead, Columbia county was held to 
 answer. 
 
HISTOBT OF COLUMBIA GOUNTY. 239 
 
 ENROLLMENT OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 We give two lists of enrollments. They give us the military- 
 strength of the county at the date they were taken. But they 
 are both subject to the corrections mentioned above. They are 
 both in 1862 — one including minors and the other not. They 
 constituted the basis of all our quotas and drafts : our quota in 
 September, 1862, was 1447, of which we had in service 595. 
 
 IN SERVICE. 
 
 87 
 31 
 12 
 
 7 
 21 
 25 
 93 
 45 
 21 
 18 
 30 
 21 
 
 5 
 42 
 
 9 
 
 2 
 13 
 15 
 
 2 
 34 
 10 
 11 
 62 
 11 
 
 Total 4587 626 
 
 TOWrNSHIPS. 
 
 BNEOLLED. 
 
 Bloom 
 
 451 
 
 Borough Berwick 
 
 117 
 
 Briarcreek 
 
 221 
 
 Beaver 
 
 161 
 
 Benton 
 
 166 
 
 Centre 
 
 254 
 
 Catawissa 
 
 257 
 
 Conyngham 
 
 361 
 
 Franklin 
 
 111 
 
 Fishingcreek 
 
 258 
 
 Greenwood 
 
 262 
 
 Hemlock 
 
 184 
 
 Jackson 
 
 80 
 
 Locust 
 
 275 
 
 Madison 
 
 175 
 
 Montour 
 
 87 
 
 Main 
 
 107 
 
 Mount Pleasant 
 
 123 
 
 Mifflin 
 
 168 
 
 Orange 
 
 161 
 
 Pine 
 
 115 
 
 Roaringcreek 
 
 67 
 
 Scott 
 
 285 
 
 Sugarloaf 
 
 141 
 
240 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 
 t^ w 
 
 > 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 
 IS SI 
 
 o 
 
 S 
 
 a 
 
 
 ™ w 
 
 w 
 
 w 
 
 2 
 
 
 "■ o 
 
 H 
 
 a s 
 
 3 > 
 
 TOWNSHIPS. 
 
 s n 
 
 1— ( 
 
 o 
 
 a ^ 
 
 S H 
 
 
 3 g 
 
 a: 
 
 H o 
 
 « O 
 
 
 O S) 
 
 g 
 
 • '^ 
 
 
 
 
 
 g 
 i 
 
 •^ 
 
 Bloom 
 
 366 
 
 138 
 
 91 
 
 47 
 
 Berwick 
 
 101 
 
 36 
 
 24 
 
 13 
 
 Briarcreek 
 
 174 
 
 66 
 
 12 
 
 54 
 
 Beaver 
 
 150 
 
 56 
 
 7 
 
 49 
 
 Benton 
 
 143 
 
 24 
 
 21 
 
 33 
 
 Conyngham 
 
 318 
 
 120 
 
 30 
 
 30 
 
 Centre 
 
 214 
 
 81 
 
 25 
 
 56 
 
 Catawissa 
 
 208 
 
 79 
 
 66 
 
 13 
 
 Franklin 
 
 78 
 
 30 
 
 22 
 
 8 
 
 Fishingoreek 
 
 215 
 
 81 
 
 17 
 
 64 
 
 Greenwood 
 
 219 
 
 83 
 
 31 
 
 52 
 
 Hemlock 
 
 145 
 
 54 
 
 20 
 
 31 
 
 Jackson 
 
 60 
 
 21 
 
 5 
 
 16 
 
 Locust 
 
 226 
 
 87 
 
 44 
 
 43 
 
 Montour 
 
 77 
 
 28 
 
 4 
 
 24 
 
 Mt. Pleasant 
 
 108 
 
 41 
 
 15 
 
 26 
 
 Main 
 
 87 
 
 33 
 
 13 
 
 20 
 
 Mifflin 
 
 147 
 
 54 
 
 1 
 
 53 
 
 Madison 
 
 164 
 
 62 
 
 10 
 
 52 
 
 Orange 
 
 124 
 
 46 
 
 34 
 
 12 
 
 Pine 
 
 95 
 
 36 
 
 17 
 
 19 
 
 Roaringcreek 
 
 52 
 
 20 
 
 15 
 
 5 
 
 Scott 
 
 244 
 
 92 
 
 71 
 
 31 
 
 Sugarloaf 
 
 129 
 
 48 
 
 10 
 
 38 
 
 4844 1447 595 852 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COVNTY. 
 
 241 
 
 CONSCIENTIOUS SCRUPLE EXEMPTS. 
 
 The names of those persons who were exempt from the perfor- 
 mance of military duty because of conscientious scruples were 
 furnished by the different boards. Ours were the following: 
 
 Parvin Masters, 
 Ellis Eves, 
 Butler Edgar, 
 David Masters, 
 N. S. Tingley, 
 B. F. Kester, 
 Philip Creasy, 
 Francis Eves, 
 H. L. Gearhart, 
 Shadrack Eves, 
 George Eves 
 
 Josiah Heacock, 
 Aaron Kester, 
 Algernon S. Kester, 
 Wm. Schechterly, 
 Hiram Kester, 
 John Miller, 
 J. W. Kester, 
 John W. Hagenbuch, 
 Morris Masters, 
 Jesse Heacock, 
 
 Francis Eves, 
 0. W. Eves, 
 Lemuel Garrison, 
 S. C. Longshore, 
 B. F. Reighard, 
 Jacob Kester, 
 Lafayette Creasy, 
 Ezra Eves, 
 Isaac Heacock, 
 Wm. Reese, 
 
 STATEJIENT OP NUMBER OP VOLUNTEERS CALLED FROM EACH STATE. 
 
 The Secretary of War, in compliance with a resolution of the 
 Housf of Rejsresentatives, has furnished a statement of the num- 
 ber of volunteers called for by the President at various periods. 
 
 The first call was April 15, 1861 for 75,000; calls of May and July 
 1861, for 500,000; call of July 2, 1862 for 500,000 ; call of August 
 4, 1862, for 300,000; calls of Oct. 15, 1863, and Feb. 1864, for 
 500,000 ; call of M^arch 14, 1864,for 200,000; call of July 18, 1864, 
 for 500,000 ; call of December 19, 1864, for 300,000 ; namely • 
 
 AGGREGATE REDUCED TO THE 
 
 THREE years' STANDARD. 
 
 56,595 
 
 80,827 
 29,052 
 
 123,844 
 17,878 
 50,514 
 
 380,980 
 55,785 
 
 267,558 
 
 10,803 
 
 40,692 
 
 27,653 
 
 District of Columbia 16,872 11,506 
 
 STATES 
 
 AGGREGATE 
 
 Maine 
 
 71,745 
 
 New Hampshire 
 
 34,605 
 
 Vermont 
 
 35,246 
 
 Massachusetts 
 
 151,785 
 
 Rhode Island 
 
 23,711 
 
 Connecticut 
 
 57,270 
 
 New York 
 
 455.568 
 
 New Jersey 
 
 79,511 
 
 Pennsylvania 
 
 366,326 
 
 Delaware 
 
 13,651 
 
 Maryland 
 
 49,730 
 
 West Virginia 
 
 30,008 
 
242 JSI8T0RT OF COLUMBIA GOUJSTTT. 
 
 STATES 
 
 AGGREGATE 
 
 AGGREGATE REDUCED TO Tl 
 THREE years' STANDARD. 
 
 Ohio 
 
 317,133 
 
 239,976 
 
 Indiana 
 
 195,147 
 
 152,283 
 
 Illinois 
 
 258,217 
 
 212,694 
 
 Michigan 
 
 90,119 
 
 80,865 
 
 Wisconsin 
 
 96,118 
 
 78,985 
 
 Minnesota 
 
 25,034 
 
 19,675 
 
 Iowa 
 
 75,860 
 
 68,182 
 
 Missouri 
 
 108,773 
 
 86,192 
 
 Kentucky- 
 
 78,540 
 
 70,348 
 
 Kansas 
 
 20,097 
 
 18,654 
 
 Total 2,653,062 2,129,041 
 
 These short memoranda will suffice to put the reader in posses- 
 sion of all the facts necessary to connect our local history with 
 the great events of the war. 
 
 o 
 
 emergency men 1862. 
 
 The second battle of Bull Run was fought under Gen. John 
 Pope, August 30, 1862, and the enemy immediately after their 
 victory began moving towards Pennsylvania. On the 4th of Sep- 
 tember Gov. Curtiu issued a proclamation calling on the people 
 to prepare for defense. The rebel army was in Maryland by the 
 10th, and McOIellan was called upon by the President, to head 
 our shattered and discomfited troops. He met the enemy at South 
 Mountain on the 14th of September, and drove him back through 
 its passes; and following on, on the 16th and 17th fought the de- 
 cisive battle of Antietam, which saved the State from invasion and 
 bloodshed. In the meantime however, to prevent the threatened 
 incursion, the militia of the State turned out en masse and on the 
 17th of September, there were under arms and moving toward the 
 Southern boi-der, about 50,000 men. Gen. McClellan thanked 
 Gov. Curtin for his promptness in giving the moral support of the 
 State to the Army of the Potomac in the great crisis. In this 
 emergency Columbia county sent three companies and Montour 
 county two, a fourth going from Columbia county on the 22nd 
 of September. 
 
BISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.. 243 
 
 THIBTEENTH REGIMENT. 
 
 Organized September 12-17, 1862 — Discharged September 2.3- 
 26, 1862. 
 
 Field and Staff: Colonel, James Johnson; Lt. Col., John F. 
 Means ; Major, Samuel H. Newman; Adjt., James W. Chemberlin; 
 Quartermaster, I. W. McKflvy; Surgeon, William M. Reber; 
 Asst. Surgeon, Frederick W. Vandersloot ; Chaplain, Benj. G. 
 Welsh; Sergt. Major B. S. Powers; Quartermaster Sergt. L. F. 
 Fuller; Commissary Sergt., Benjamin Mussleman ; Hospital Stew- 
 ard, Benjamin Pursell. 
 
 Company A. — Captain, John A. Winner; 1st. Lieutenant, W. A. 
 M. Grier; 2d Lt.. Jno. C. Perrine ; Sergeants, John G. Hammer 
 Simon Lyon, Elias Knerr, Thomas C. Hullihen, Wm. Pursell i Cor- 
 porals, Robert Adams, jr., Wm. J. Ramsey, P>. K. Vastine, John 
 W. Thatcher, George Irwin, Samuel Earp, John Werkheiser, Sam- 
 uel Harman ; Musician, John H. Hunt. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 W. W. Haj es 
 Peter Baldy jr. 
 Wm. H. Jenkins 
 Wm. H. Gearhart, 
 
 John Adams 
 Hezekiah Holbert 
 Andrew R. Best 
 Hervey J. Kase, 
 
 Daniel H. B. Brower, Charles H. Gibbs, 
 Wilbur G. Brower, Frank Gibbs. 
 Sam'l L. Butterworth,Samuel M. Griffin, 
 
 William Bryant, 
 Nelson Carr, 
 Robert M. Cathcart, 
 James M. Criswell, 
 Charles W. Childs, 
 William H. Cool, 
 William Cummings, 
 Stephen Cuthbert, 
 Wm. Dean, _ 
 Wm. Dent, 
 Wesley Deshay, 
 Jos A. Doran, 
 Christian Ernst, 
 Eldward El vans, 
 
 Isaac X. Grier, 
 Herbert Gaskins, 
 Michel Haupt, 
 Lamar Hahn, 
 HeQiy Walton, 
 William Wand, 
 Samuel Ware, 
 Samuel Welliver, 
 Peter Werkheiser, 
 
 Charles S. Baker 
 Richard Jenkins 
 Peter J\ Bourgenot 
 Wm. McLain, 
 Moses Natter, 
 Theodore Palmer, 
 West Perry, 
 Isaac Purs el 
 Reuben S. Reihl, 
 Aaron D. Rockaf eller, 
 A. M. Russel, 
 Warren Ridgeway, 
 John C. Shaver, 
 Joseph Sechler jr. 
 Henry C. Snyder, 
 Cyrus F. Styers, 
 
 Duncan C. Hartman, Lewis Tittle, 
 Charles Kaufman, Samuel Y. Thompson, 
 Alfred Kneas, Stephen C. Vansant, 
 
 Fred Kreps, John L. Vastine, 
 
 Henry Kocher, Thomas J. Vastine, 
 
244 
 
 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Josiah Frantz, 
 Sam'l B. Flick, 
 Evan Fishei' jr. 
 Alex. M. Gearhart, 
 Edmund Gearhart, 
 Samuel J. Pardee, 
 
 Charles Limber ger, 
 Samuel Lyon, 
 Wm. C. Lyon, 
 John V. Martin, 
 Franklin Miller, 
 Geo. B. O'Oonner, 
 
 William E. Walton, 
 Reuben Werkheiser, 
 Samuel Werkheiser, 
 B. C. Welsh, chaplain, 
 Josiah Wolf, 
 Robert Wilson, 
 
 — From Montour county. 
 
 Company B. — Captain, William S. Potts; 1st Lieutenant, 
 Nicholas D. Harman ; 2d Lieutenant, Mahlon Hamlin ; Sergeants, 
 Geo. S. Gilbert, Lewis Hayhurst, Albert Sohmiok, Samuel B. 
 Diemer; Corporals, Nelson P. John, George Davis, Clinton W. 
 Harder, Theodore Schmick ; Musician, Norman W. Walter. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 John W. Fuller, Valentine Metz, 
 
 John Guinn, Clemon Osman, 
 
 Mayberry G. Hughes,George Reifsnyder, 
 Thomas Kartman, Stephen B. Rahn, 
 Nelson C. Hartman, Jeremiah Fahringer, 
 Marvin T. Hartman, George Roup, 
 George R. Hayhurst, Charles Strausser, 
 Edward Hart, George W. Soult, 
 
 Lewis Kieffer, Joseph Walter, 
 
 Daniel Kostenbader, Alfred Yetter, 
 
 William Berlinger, 
 
 George W. Clark, 
 
 C. A. Crosthwaite, 
 
 Elijah C. Cleaver, 
 
 John Care, 
 
 William Eyer, 
 
 Brittain A. Fortner, 
 
 August Frantz, 
 
 Jer. S. Fahringer, 
 
 Amos Fahringer, 
 
 Peter Fenstermacher, William Knittle, 
 
 Lloyd Zarr. 
 
 — From Columbia county. 
 
 William G. Yetter. 
 
 Company D. — Captain, Robert F. Clark ; 1st Lieutenant, David 
 Lowenberg; 2d Lieutenant, Charles S. Fowler; Sergeants, Hiram 
 W. Thornton, Thomas Winner, Peter Billmeyer, James A. Jami- 
 son, Levi L. Tate ; Corporals, Leonard B. Rupert, Thomas J. Bar- 
 ton, Elisha B. Beidleman, George W. Edgar, Henry C. Barton, 
 Fi eas Brown, Thomas W. Edgar, Henry B. Wells ; Musician, 
 William H, Abbott. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 Philip Angle, Cyrus A. Eilenberger,Henry W. Mellick, 
 
 Eli Barton, John L. Evans, John McCormac, 
 
 D. A. Beckley, Robert East, Franklin MoBride, 
 
 William Bahme, And. J. Evans, Wm. P. McBride, 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 245 
 
 Benj. F. Brooks, 
 James B. Case, 
 Watson Case, 
 John C adman. 
 
 Robert Fowler, 
 C. S. Fisher, 
 George Fleckinger, 
 Henry Kesty, 
 
 Alfred M. Cadwalader,Peter Kinney, 
 James Carr, Richard B. Menagh, 
 
 Ebenezer S. Case, Philip S. Moyer, 
 Geo. Carey, Cyrus Miller, 
 
 E. Rodman Drinker, George Moyer, 
 
 Fred'k. C. Eyer, 
 John Fry, 
 Geo. Frederick, 
 John F. Fox, 
 Miles Fry, 
 Henry C. Grotz, 
 Geo. W. Garrison, 
 Geo. Green, 
 George Hughes, 
 John Hummel, 
 
 Clinton Mellick, 
 James Hill, 
 Henry J. Hess, 
 Peter Jacoby, 
 W. H. Jacoby, 
 Uriah Johnson, 
 Wm. Kramer, 
 Hiram Reese, 
 Leonard B. Shipman 
 Henry Shipton, 
 
 Albert Hendershott, Joseph L. Shannon, 
 William Hagenbuch, Bernard Stohner, 
 John G. Wooley. 
 
 — From Columbia county. 
 
 Kester McMichael, 
 Foster McCoy, 
 Chas. H. Noll, 
 John Penman, 
 Peter S. Rishel, 
 James Rodgers, 
 Eli Roup, 
 Lewis A. Rank, 
 John Risewick, 
 George Ruckle. 
 Henry I. Slater, 
 John Shaffer, 
 W. H. Shuman, 
 Matthias Shaffer, 
 Joseph Townsend, 
 David P. Thomas, 
 B. H. Vannata, 
 ,Wesley Wirt, 
 Daniel A. Walter, 
 Amos Wanioh, 
 Wilson Wanich, 
 
 Company K. — Captain, William Young; 1st Lieutenant, Al- 
 fred Melon ; 2d Lieutenant, Alfred Patton ; Sergeants, Morrison 
 B. Munson, A. Jerome Harder, Geo. W. Ramsey, Alex Hofner ; 
 Corporals, Alfred Yarricks, Hugh P. Liphart, Lewis Byerly, Wm. 
 Miller; Musician, Beverly W. Mussleman (promoted to Com- 
 Sergt), John Geist. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 John W. Krebs, 
 Samuel Kelly, 
 James Best, 
 Victor Lotier, 
 C. W. Bodine, 
 David W. Moore, 
 Martin Cornelison, 
 Wm. P. Pursel, 
 
 Oakley V. Amerman, 
 David James, 
 George Ijunger, 
 W. H. Beyerly, 
 Samuel Moore, 
 John Bedow 
 Franklin Myers, 
 John Dean, 
 
 Samuel Amerman, 
 John C. Alexander, 
 W. H. Leighow, 
 Sylvester Blockridge, 
 C. D. Millard, 
 Jos. H. Campbell, 
 James Martz, 
 Leonard Dimmick, 
 
246 
 
 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 John T. Patton, 
 Wm. D. Everhart, 
 Francis Rookafeller, 
 J. S. Hall, 
 William Treas, 
 
 Joseph E. Dougherty, Lewis Rodinhefer, 
 Wm. Riffle, C. C. Herr, 
 
 John Hale, David M. Springer, 
 
 Geo. L. Sanders, W. W. Horner, 
 
 Duncan W. Hefler, Geo. W Watts, 
 James M. Ammerman. 
 
 -From Montour county. 
 
 On the same time and occasion the additional men from Colum- 
 bia county were organized, and attached to the twenty-first regi- 
 ment and became 
 
 Company G. — Captain, Hiram R. Kline ; 1st Lieutenant, Jacob 
 D. Mellick ; 2d Lieutenant, Charles W. Forrester ; Sergeants, Wm. 
 M. Ent, Wm. G. Thomas, Jacob N. Harman. Abraham M. White, 
 Wm. H. Stackhouse ; Corporals, Elisha C. Ager, James M. War- 
 din, Thomas Williams, Wesley W. SntlifE, Charles F. Suit, Bil- 
 lington Ruckle, Wm. C Barnes, Samuel H. Smith ; Musicians, 
 John M. Snyder, John F. Harman. 
 
 PEIVATKS'. 
 
 Samuel Achenbach, Richard M. Johnson, John Roup, 
 
 Cyrus B. Appleman, Samuel M. Keelei-, 
 
 John S. Baohman, 
 Samuel L. Bettle, 
 Darius Buscoder, 
 
 (Benscoter) 
 Daniel Boise, 
 John Bredbender, 
 Bergen A. Browe, 
 Henry C. Conner, 
 Lewis Crawford, 
 John Edgar, 
 Wm. J. Eves, 
 
 Jeremiah B. Kisner, 
 Benj. F. Kline, 
 Sanderson Lazarus, 
 John Leonard, 
 Benj. F. Lunger, 
 Wm. R. Mather, 
 Hiram S. Marr, 
 
 Clemuel Ruckle 
 James R. Ruch, 
 John Sarley, 
 Joseph Sanborn, 
 Nathan B. Santee, 
 Adam A. Schuyler, 
 Jeremiah S. Seesholtz, 
 Chas. Stackhouse. 
 
 Samuel Montgomery,John M. Stackhouse, 
 Jeremiah H. Mears, Samuel Shoemaker, 
 
 Fred Muffley, 
 Benj. F. Pursel, 
 
 Wm. Fenstermacher, Llewellyn Prosser, 
 
 Wm. Fisher, Jeremiah B. Rice, 
 
 M. B. Hughes, Wm. Remley, 
 
 Benj. F. Jacoby, 
 
 Mason C. Johnson, 
 
 Wesley Zaner. 
 
 — From Columbia county. 
 
 Albert Searles, 
 Milton M. Traugh, 
 Wm. Wariiok 
 
 (Wanick) 
 Silas E. Walton, 
 
 Geo. W. Rittenhouse,Charles R. Woodin, 
 Hartley N. Ror, Samuel K. White, 
 
HISTORY 01 COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 247 
 
 COLUMBIA COUNTY RESERVES. 
 
 This company of "Emergency Men," left Bloomsburg on the 
 22d of September 1862. I have not been able to find that they 
 were ever mustered into the service, or placed in any regiment. 
 
 Dr. P. John, Capt. Achd Patterson, 
 I. McKamey, 1 Lieut.Samuel Musgrave, 
 S. J. Pealer, 2 Lieut. C. O'Brien, 
 M. C. Vance, 1 Sergt.D. J. Patterson, 
 M. C. McCollum,2 Ser.C. I. Krickbaum, 
 
 T. McD Price, 
 Alfred Creveling, 
 Sylvester Pursel, 
 Thos. Hughes, 
 A. P. Ale, 
 
 Jesse B. Hayman, 3 SWm. H. Krickbaum, H. N. Ammerman, 
 
 R. S. Rich, 4 Sergt. C. Bittenbender, 
 
 E. M. \7ardin, 1 Corp.Ira Doty, 
 
 F. P. Masters, 2 Corp.E. P. McCollum, 
 D. W. Bangs, 3 Oorp.J. B. Lutz, 
 
 H. W. Gilbert, 
 W. J. Robbins, 
 E. B. Brower, 
 J. L. Parker, 
 J. C. Redline, 
 W W. Clayton, 
 Josiah Heacock, 
 A. A. Harvey, 
 Henry Rich, 
 Solomon Lewis, 
 P. F. Ashleman, 
 John Reece, 
 David Doty, 
 Patrick Dillon, 
 
 John Bellas, 
 Wm. Greenley, 
 R. R. Pealer, 
 Jesse Shoemaker, 
 Elisha G. Barton, 
 John C. Patterson, 
 N. B. Reece, 
 Elias Hicks, 
 Alfred Johnson, 
 J. J. Brower, 
 J. E. Sands, 
 T. J. Thornton, 
 L. T. i^harpless, 
 W. T. Andrews, 
 
 L-a Hess, 
 Beuj. W. Hess, 
 
 Michael Wenner, 
 A. Crawford, 
 Thomas Hill, 
 John HofEer, 
 E. P. Bender, 
 W. W. Eveland, 
 J. Depue, 
 Wm. Henry, 
 Samuel Ach«nbach, 
 Silas Conner, 
 Andrew Parks, 
 Samuel Farver, 
 Wesley Eveland, 
 J. Fleckenstiue, 
 Beuj. F. Hicks, 
 
 EMERGENCY MEN 1863. 
 
 The emergency of 1862 ended with the defeat of the rebels by 
 McClellan at Antietam in September, 1862. But in December 
 1862 our troops were beaten at Fredericksburg under Burnsides j 
 and in May, 1863, still more disastrously under Hooker, at Chan- 
 cellorsville ; and in the month of June, 1863 the rebels prepared 
 to repeat their invasion of Pennsylvania. On the 15th of June a 
 rebel brigade entered Chambersburg, and other forces followed. 
 On the 12th of June Gov. Ciirtin had issued his proclamation, and 
 
248 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 by the 17th a large force of men was encamped in and around 
 Harrisburg. From that date to the last of the month, there was a 
 mustering of forces and a gathering of troops and material on 
 both sides, and on the first days of July, 1863, the tendency of the 
 rebel army was towards Gettysburg. And there on the 1st, 2d 
 and 3d days of July, the fierce and contested and much discussed 
 battle of Gettysburg was fought. The rebels were beaten, and 
 before the middle of the month of July, had recrossed the Poto- 
 mac, and the "emergency" was over, 
 
 In this call for men the following persons went from Columbia 
 and Montour. They were mustered into service in June and dis- 
 charged in August. 
 
 TWENTT-FIRST EEGIMENT. 
 
 Mustered in June 19-24, 1863— Discharged July 27-28, 1863. 
 
 Field and Staff — Colonel. James Chamberlin ; Lieut. Col. John 
 McCleery ; Major, Wm. H. Jessup; Adjt., Jacob Mellick ; Quar- 
 termaster, Thompson G. Evans ; Surgeon, Geo. Lotz ; Asst. Sur- 
 geon, Henry C. Roberts ; Sergt. Major, Albert E. Barnes ; Quar- 
 termaster Sergt. Samuel H. Orwig ; Commissary Sergt. Thomas 
 J. Sleppy ; Hospital Steward, Wm. S. Moyer. 
 
 Company O — Captain, Robert F. Clark; 1st Lieutenant, Ed 
 C. Green; 2d Lieutenant, Thos. VVenner; Sergeants, Andrew 
 Madison, Isaac McKamey, W. H. Abbott, Isaiah W.Masteller, 
 Isaiah Hagenbuch; Corporals, Emanuel Garrison, Eli Barton, 
 Geo. K. Green, Harman M. Johnson, Peter S. Rishel, Geo. W. 
 Hoffman, Wm. W. McCollum, John Penman, Musician, Willits C. 
 Gearhart. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 Francis Albertson, Samuel Harp, Richardson Parker, 
 
 Geo. W. Andrews, David Hartman, John Peiffer, 
 
 Daniel Baker, Ira Hess, John J. Risewick, 
 
 Jos. K. Bogart, Alvin A. Harvey, Benj. F. Sterner, 
 
 Samuel Bogart, Josiah Heacock, Wm. Shoemaker, 
 
 Isaac S. Brittain, Albert F HendershottPeter F. Shoeman, 
 
 Franklin Brochius, Tobias Henry, Moses Stiff, 
 
 Oscar Buckalew, Benj. F. Hicks, Hezekiah B. Thomas, 
 
 Oscar B. Case, Samuel Howard, Josiah Townsend, 
 
 Michael Chemberlin, Isaiah I. Jamison, James Turby, 
 
 Sylvester Crawford, Eleazar Jones, Charles Trump, 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNIY. 
 
 249 
 
 Richard Johnson, 
 Elias Hicks, 
 David B. Kline, 
 Eli Kuukle, 
 Alonzo Lockhart, 
 Theodore May, 
 James A. Merrill, 
 James R. Mills, 
 Isaac Mordan, 
 Wm. P. Mo Bride, 
 Nelson MoCarty, 
 Matthew McCollum, 
 John L. Parker, 
 
 Clark Creveling, 
 Samuel Dodge, 
 Ira Doty, 
 
 Francis P. Drinker, 
 Wm. Edwards, 
 John W. Evans, 
 John W. Eyer, 
 Thos. Fitzgerald, 
 Ashur K. Follmer, 
 Elias R. Furman, 
 Chas. R. Green, 
 Geo. B. Groul, 
 Cyrus Cruber, 
 
 — From Columbia county. 
 
 Company H. — Captain, Uzal H. Eut ; 1st Lieutenant, Jos. D. 
 Hampton ; 2d Lieutenant, Jesse Tate ; Sergeants, James C. Hink- 
 son, John H. Bates, C. H. Smith, Mason B. Hughes, John I. Hart- 
 man, Reed R. Yargason ; Corporals, Jos. S. Hayman, Marvin J. 
 Kline, Jos. B. Aiman, Charles Muffley; Musicians, Chas. H. Alla- 
 bach, John Fortner. 
 
 Thomas Vannatta, 
 John B. Vanhorn, 
 C. Van Hemboldt, 
 John J. Wagonseller, 
 Philip C. Whitenight, 
 Benj. F. Whitenight, 
 C. R. Woodin, 
 Jacob Werkheiser, 
 Hervey B. Walter, 
 Nathan Walp, 
 Almon Woodworth, 
 John Watkins, 
 Jacob Wampole, 
 
 Geo. W. Anderson, 
 W. F. Bodine, 
 Geo. K. Bidleman, 
 Thos J. Brinton, 
 B. H. Biooks, 
 Taylor L. Bowman, 
 Jeremiah Comstock, 
 Wesley Crawford, 
 Enoch Cadman, 
 Lewis C. Crofford, 
 Caleb C. Coburn, 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 Furguson Eveland, 
 James Foster, 
 Theodore Fedder, 
 Henry Floyd, 
 James J. Fowler, 
 Jesse Griswold, 
 Geo. W. Hayman, 
 Hersey Hower, 
 Benj. G. Hess, 
 Frederick Hicks, 
 Noel B. Lee, 
 Thomas Meredith, 
 
 Wm. H. Connor, 
 Redmond C. Drumm,John B. Mears, 
 William Yantz, Isaac F. Yost, 
 
 — From Columbia county. 
 
 Isaiah N. Mears, 
 Isaac Muffley, 
 Joseph Nice, 
 Geo. O'Malia, 
 Benj. Payden, 
 Heman A. Prentiss, 
 Simon D. Pealer, 
 Francis A. Pealer, 
 Charles N. Shaffer, 
 Absalom Tonkin, 
 Chas. M. Vanderslice, 
 Owen D. Webster, 
 Sidney C. Williams, 
 
 IN THE THIRTIETH REGIMENT WERE 
 
 Company E. — Captain, Josiah W. Williams ; 1st Lieutenant, 
 David HoUingshead ; 2d Lieutenant, Wrh. J. Brady ; Sergeants 
 
250 
 
 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Lloyd J. W. B. Fistler, Alvin R. Cleaver, Scott Hite, James B. 
 Kostenbader, John Ludwig ; Corporals, Joseph Walter, Geo. W. 
 Rett, Allen B. Fortner, Wm. B. Whiteside, M. M. Hendershott, 
 Alex B. Quinn, Henry M. Yooum, Samuel Beaver. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 Albert Fisher, Theodore Miner, 
 
 William Gearhart, Gideon B. Mutchler, 
 
 Thomas E. Harder, Frederick Miller, 
 
 (promoted to Sergt.Clemmon Osmun, 
 
 Major Jime 27, '63) Geo. W. Reifsnyder, 
 
 Isaac Hagerty, 
 
 David Hagerty, 
 
 Alex Hite, 
 
 Lionel Hopkins, 
 
 Simon Huntsberger. 
 
 Jacob Johnson, 
 
 L. D. Kase, 
 
 Jacob Kitchen, 
 
 Theodore L. Kramer,James Wartman 
 
 Harvey Lamberton, Daniel Wary, 
 
 Archibald Lewis, 
 
 George Morgan, 
 
 Thomas Malay, 
 
 Charles C. Ball, 
 
 Zachariah Beach, 
 
 Samuel Bucher, 
 
 John Breisch, 
 
 Henry Bredbenner, 
 
 Wm. Brobst, 
 
 Martin V Briggs, 
 
 Lorenzo N. Briggs, 
 
 Jesse Cleaver, 
 
 Wesley Cooley, 
 
 Jacob Cofenhaver, 
 
 John Davis, 
 
 Wash Dyer, 
 
 Charles Dougherty, 
 
 Lloyd Fahringer, 
 
 Jeremiah Fahringer 
 
 Amos Fahringer, 
 
 Abel T. Fincher, 
 
 — From Columbia county. 
 
 Ira Rodarmel, 
 Marshal S. Rhawn, 
 Charles Rhodes, 
 Joseph Schlee, 
 Daniel Shoemaker, 
 Josiah W. Smith, 
 David Stewart, 
 Edward E. Watkins, 
 
 M. V. Wintersteen, 
 John D. Whiteside, 
 Tobias Weaver, 
 
 THIRTY-FIFTH REGIJIENT. 
 
 Mustered in July 2, 1863— Discharged August 7, 1863. 
 
 Field and Staff. — Colonel, Henry B. McKean ; Lieutenant Col- 
 onel, Edward C. Scheiffelin : Major, Samuel Knorr ; Adjutant, 
 Henry H. Roe ; Quiirtermaster, Hugh Young ; Surgeon, Renssa- 
 laer Ottman ; Assistant Surgeon, W. W. Webb; Chaplain, Wm. 
 LI. Dill ; Sergeant, Major, Wm. H. Humphries ; Quarter Master 
 Sergeant, John G. Keeler ; Commissary Sergeant, Clark E. Davis; 
 Hospital Stewards, Lemuel A. Rdigway, John C Lacy, jr. 
 
 Company H was raised by the personal exertion of our towns- 
 man David Lowenberg, Esq., and after they were sworn into the 
 service, by a vote of the company they unanimously adopted the 
 name of the "Lowenberg Guards," and were as follows : 
 
 Company H. — Captain, J. Boyd Robison ; 1st Lieutenant, John 
 
MliSTOBY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 251 
 
 B. Guilds ; 2d Lieutenant, George L. Low ; Sergeants, Reuben L. 
 Rich, Henry W. Beers, John F. Decker, Tobias Rinard, Parvin 
 Eves ; Corporals, Henry J. Robbins, Thomas B. Miller, John M. 
 Sanks, Samuel Musgrave, Francis Knorr, John Edgar, Charles 
 Nesbitt, Francis M. Girton. 
 
 Wm. Baker, 
 Wash Bittenbender, 
 Henry Croup, 
 John I. Case, 
 Joseph Davis, 
 Jasper Demott, 
 Francis M. Drum, 
 David Edwards, 
 Michael Gruber, 
 Adam Gensil, 
 Ethen Hampton, 
 Allen Harvey, 
 George Heacock, 
 John W. Hunter, 
 Emanuel Hill, 
 David R. Hower, 
 William Hill, 
 Geo. Hokendaffer, 
 
 PKIVATES. 
 
 James H. Hildebrand,Samuel Rimby, 
 
 David Heiser, 
 Alexander Hazlett, 
 Henry J. Johnson, 
 Eli M. KnoiT, 
 John W. Kennedy, 
 Absalom Lewis, 
 Jacob K. Latshaw, 
 Jonathan Lemon, 
 John Lemon, 
 Henry Long, 
 James R. Mills, 
 Jeremiah Millard, 
 Frederick Muffley, 
 
 John C. Richart, 
 Henry Rich, 
 Michael Shoemaker, 
 John F. Smith, 
 Richard Shannon, 
 William Shoemaker, 
 Thos. E. Sands, 
 Daniel Shannon, 
 Edward Stewart, 
 Jacob Stern, 
 Josiah Stiles, 
 John Staley, 
 Harmon Smith, 
 
 Abraham W. Monroe, Wm. J. Terode, 
 
 John Mordan, 
 Andrew B. Pines, 
 Harvey Rhoads, 
 
 AmoB Whitenight, 
 John G. Wooley, 
 John A. Wise, 
 
 ■ — -From Columbia county. 
 
 Company I. — Captain, Wm. A. Barton; 1st Lieutenant, John 
 X. Hughes ; 2d Lieutenant, James F. Trump ; Sergeants, John F. 
 Eck, Orion B. Mellick, Oscar B. Millard, John Betz, Tilghman 
 Faux ; Corporals, Clark Price, John S. Bachman, Napoleon B. 
 Reece, Kimber C. Ent, Samuel H. Trump, Robert McTowler ; 
 Musicians, Charles F. Doan, George W. Monroe. 
 
 I'RIVATES. 
 
 Philip Angle, Joseph Berdcott, Wm H. Dill, 
 
 Comfort E. Butler, James B. Case, Promoted to Chaplain 
 
 Priscus E. Bomboy, George W. Creveling, July 9, 1863. 
 
 Alfred G. Burlingame,Isaac Creveling, Geo. W. Edgar, 
 
 Charles A Boone, Peter Coons, Thos. W. Edgar, 
 
 Simon O. Berger, Patrick Dailey, Joseph L. Evans, 
 
 William Briggs, Geo. A. Frederick, Charles S. Fowler, 
 
252 
 
 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Wm. Fenstermacher, Wm. Hagenbuoh, 
 Samuel W. Garrison, Daniel Hammond, 
 
 Henry Girton, 
 Robert S. Howell, 
 Geo. W. Garrison, 
 Thomas L. Hess, 
 Geo. C. Hughes, 
 Joseph Heckman, 
 Isaiah Hall, 
 Henry Zeigler, 
 
 Wm. R. Jessup, 
 Reuben Johns, 
 W. H. Knouse, 
 Wm. Lake, 
 J ohn S. Lenhart, 
 Daniel Mowrey, 
 Cyrus B. Miller, 
 Charles W. Zaner, 
 
 Samuel McKamey, 
 Oscar D. Price, 
 Geo. S. Patterson, 
 John Pugh, 
 Philip J. Piles, 
 Henry Trembly, 
 Thos. B Trowbridge, 
 Henry Wanich, 
 Silas E. Walton, 
 
 — From Columbia county. 
 
 FORTY-FIEST RKGIMEXT. 
 
 Field and Staff. — Colonel, Edward R. Mayer ; Lieutenant Col- 
 onel, Alexander J. Frick ; Major, John H. Oliver ; Adjutant, 
 Stephen D. Soule; Quartermaster, Abram B. Longaker ; Surgeon, 
 Robert S. Simiiigton ; Assistant Surgeon, Theodore C. Y eager; 
 Chaplain, John Thomas ; Sergeant Major, Frank W. Watson; 
 Quartermaster Sergeant, Gould P. Parish ; Commissary Ser- 
 geant, Russel A. Thayer , Hospital SteM'ard, Frank Barnes. 
 
 Company E. — Captain, Alexander J. Frick (promoted to Lieu- 
 tenant Colonel July 6, 1863), George W. Reay; 1st Lieutenant, 
 John W. W. Klase ; 2d Lieutenant, Erastus Hill; Sergeants, Shel- 
 don T. Gibbs, Jacob F. Redfield, John Keim, Samuel G. Quick, 
 Wm. Henrie ; Corporals, E. Dallas Smith, Ogden H. Ostrander, 
 Charles SmuU, John A. Elliott, George Wallace, John J. Roder- 
 ick, Alexander M. Russel, William M. Watts; Musicians, Augustus 
 Woods, Benjamin J. Cook. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 Samuel Amerman, Wm. G. Brower, Wm. Evan, 
 
 James M. Amerman, Elisha W. Conkling, Wm. D. Evans, 
 Latimore Amerman, Hawthorne Clare, Wm. P. Edmonds, 
 George Auten, Isaac Crewitt, Moses R. Furman, 
 
 Wm. Beckham, jr. Edward Ciithbert, Alvin Fowler, 
 
 John Dodson, 
 
 Joseph A. Doran, 
 
 Wm. Davis, 
 
 Hiram S. Eggert, 
 
 Evan S. Edward, 
 
 Charles S. Baker. 
 George Berdaniel, 
 John W. Bailey, 
 Thos. Brown, 
 John Bunker, 
 
 Ziba Gerringer, 
 Geo. W. Gray, 
 Samuel Hays, 
 Chas. S. Hinkley, 
 Wm. H. Hardin, 
 
MIHTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 253 
 
 Wm. Hullihen, 
 Wm. R. Hahn, 
 Wm. Hoff, 
 Wm. F. Horner, 
 Wellington Howe, 
 Evan Jordan, 
 Lewis R. Jones, 
 H. Wm. Johnson, 
 Frank Johnson, 
 Samuel Kester, 
 Wm. D. Wilson, 
 Uriah 6. Kust, 
 John R. Lunger, jr. 
 Wm. Leighow, 
 
 Wm. A. Marr, 
 Dewitt C. Millard, 
 Mathias Murray, 
 Edmund Milner, 
 Samuel N. Miller, 
 Benj. F. Mayers, 
 Wm. Milner, jr. 
 Wm. Moyer, 
 Daniel Paugh, 
 Standish Phillips, 
 Wm. D. Rogfrs, 
 Jacob H. Ruch, 
 John Richard, 
 Wm. Randall, 
 Wm. M. Smith, 
 
 John Levers, 
 David Litchenthaler, Robert M. Slack, 
 Thos. Loudon, John B. Snyder, 
 
 Henry H. Leisenring,Wm. H. Snyder, 
 — From Montour county. 
 
 David M. Springer, 
 Wm. Shawda, 
 Samuel Y. Thompson, 
 Sam'l. M. Trumbower, 
 Robert Teple, 
 John Thomas, 
 (Promoted to Chap- 
 lain July 12, 1863) 
 Geo. W. Van Gilder, 
 Samuel Vankirk, 
 Wm. Vought, 
 Wm. Williams, 1st, 
 Wm. Williams, 2d. 
 Robt. G. Williams, 
 Burton G. Waples, 
 Charles Williams, 
 William A. Young, 
 
 FIFTY THIRD REGIMENT. 
 
 Company D. — Captain, Thorns Chalfant; 1st. Lieutenant, 
 Mahlon K. Manley; 2d Lieutenant, John S. Ware; Sergeants, 
 Benneville K. Vastine, Samuel Antrim, James H. Burns, Simon 
 Vought, John C. Ellis ; Corporals, Geo. D. Butler, James Mc- 
 Williams, Wm. Dean, Peter Zeigler, Alexander Share, Samuel M. 
 Waite, Benj. F. Hagenbuch, Daniel Linn. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 Jesse C. Amerman, Patrick Brazil, 
 (Promoted to Sergeant James C. Baylor, 
 Major July 8, 1863) Joseph H. Campbell, 
 John Amerman, John Carlan, 
 
 James Ashworth, Martin H. Cuthbert, 
 Hiram H. Amerman, Stephen Cuthbert, 
 
 John Boudman, 
 Jacob Byerly, 
 Lewis Byerly, 
 Jos. Brigham, 
 Nicholas Baker, 
 
 Joseph Coopersmith, 
 Michael Callan, 
 Michael Dalton, 
 Jackson Diehl, 
 Daniel Fry, 
 
 Matthew Gafny, 
 Elwood Garrett, 
 W. H. Gearhart, 
 John Gilroy, 
 Matthew Handy, 
 Samuel Herr, 
 John Harvey, 
 Alex. Huntingdon, 
 Henry Heist, 
 Henry Hockey, 
 David James, 
 
254 
 
 HISTOJRY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Ephraim C. Kester. 
 Charles Leighow, 
 Wm. Linn, 
 Jos. Levers, 
 John Lawson, 
 Eugene Lenhart, 
 Conrad Lecthaler, 
 Michael Murphy 
 Peter M. Messenger 
 John Mowrer, 
 Philip Miller, 
 Jos. Mowrer, 
 
 — From Montour 
 
 Jacob Mutchler, 
 John McCadej, 
 Sylvester McNully, 
 Denis O'Neil, 
 David Parks, 
 Barkley Perry, 
 Max Percy, 
 John Peifer, 
 
 ■, Charles Peiffer, 
 Morgan Price, 
 Charles Redfield, 
 John Reeder, 
 
 county. 
 
 -. o 
 
 J. Jones Snyder, 
 Walter Scott, 
 Geo. D. Scott, 
 John Sechler, 
 Levi Sechler, 
 Caleb Snyder, 
 Jacob Straub, 
 Matthias H. Smith, 
 George Tillson, 
 Wm. H. Winter, 
 James D. Ware, 
 James Young. 
 
 THE DRAFTED MITJTIA OF COIATMBIA. COUNTY. 
 
 The following is a list of the drafted Militia of each township 
 in Columbia county. The townships of Catawissa, Pine and Bor- 
 ough of Berwick having furnished their quota by volunteering, 
 were exempt from draft. 
 
 BI.OOM TOWNSHIP. 
 
 Jacob Giest, 
 David Evans, 
 Isaiah Nuss, 
 Samuel Gross, 
 Joseph L. Shannon, 
 Solomon Smith, 
 
 A. M. Rupert, 
 James Henwood, 
 Henry S. Arthur, 
 M. C Abbott, 
 Philip Shoemaker, 
 Henry W. Heller, 
 John Girton, 
 Denison Brink, 
 Eli Roup, 
 Eli Barton, 
 Thos. W. Gunton, 
 Henry Bodine, 
 Jesse Shoemaker, 
 G. W. Correll, 
 John Foster, 
 
 Wm. Girton, 
 Eckard Smith, 
 Wm. Evans, 
 
 Samuel Stead, 
 Wm. Edgar, 
 Benjamin Bomboy, 
 Joseph Witts, 
 Samuel Yetter, 
 Philip S. Moyer, 
 
 Abraham H. Thomas,Wm. Coleman, 
 
 I'rederick C. Eyer, 
 Ben. F. Hagenbuch 
 John Giest, 
 Jacob Sechler, 
 Andrew McCabe, 
 Robert Edgar, 
 Oliver C. Kahler, 
 Wm. E. Sterner, 
 
 BRIAECREEK 
 
 David Kline, 
 Wm. Clewell, 
 Conrad Markle, 
 
 Samuel McNinch, 
 Henry Faus, 
 Wm. H. Jacoby, 
 Thos. J. Barton, 
 Ethan A. Scott, 
 Samuel H. Searles, 
 Wellington Reiswick, 
 Aiigustus B. Raub. 
 
 TOWNSHIP. 
 
 Elias Yost, 
 
 Emanuel Smith, 
 Stephen Michael, 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNIY. 
 
 255 
 
 Isaiah Mellick, 
 John H. Martz, 
 Geo. Fowler, 
 Silas E. Moyer, 
 Elias Koppis, 
 Wm. Hipplesteel, 
 Ne'h. Rittenhouse, 
 Geo. Bower, 
 Jacob Weise, 
 Morris Rittenhouse, 
 Samuel Eddy, 
 Samuel Dieterick, 
 Owen Suit, 
 Levi Rinard. 
 
 Solomon Slicker, 
 Joseph Singley, 
 Fred Hosier, 
 John Defiance, 
 Henry Miller, 
 Levi Fisher, 
 Nathan Erwin, 
 Jacob Longaberger, 
 Amos Yeager, 
 Joseph Louden, 
 W. M. Herring, 
 
 George Arty, 
 Joseph Blank, 
 Henry Laymon, 
 Albert Ox, 
 Wm. H. Stahl, 
 J. P. Goi-dinSr, 
 Jacob R. Mosteller, 
 Wm. Lynn, 
 James Meean, 
 David Shaffer jr., 
 James Sponenberg, 
 Augustus B. Clewell, 
 Thomas Adams, 
 
 BH.WER TOWNSHIP. 
 
 Frederick I louts, 
 Joseph Nabs, 
 Henry Swank, 
 John Longenberger, 
 John Naus 
 Wm. Michael, 
 Levi McAfee, 
 John Delyas, 
 M. F. Hosier, 
 Isaac Schell, 
 Jacob Hoffman, 
 
 Nathan Longaberger, John Mens inger. 
 Philip Defiance, 
 
 Moses Slicker, 
 
 Philip A. Kline, 
 Merice R. Smith, 
 Parvin Masters, 
 John Swartout, 
 W. K. Krickbaum, 
 Peter Laubach, 
 Jared Gauff, 
 Geo. W. dinger, 
 Eli McHenry, 
 
 Patrick Tinch, 
 
 BENTON TOWNSHIP. 
 
 Peter Ashelman, 
 John W. Beishline, 
 Russel Shultz, 
 Joel Keefer, 
 Elias Shultz, 
 Earl Boston, 
 Wheeler Shultz, 
 
 Alex. Bingham, 
 Reese M Eck, 
 John Harman, 
 Stephen Creasy, 
 Madiz Bomboy, 
 Roney Gordenheizer, 
 William Wald, 
 Sampson Fold, 
 Milton M. Traugh, 
 Job Grassly, 
 Miles Martiney, 
 Wm. Bower, 
 John Harris, 
 
 David Link, 
 David Nabe, 
 Reuben Sherman, 
 Jonah Johnpon, 
 Josiah Rittenhouse, 
 Samuel Herring, 
 Aaron Johnson, jr. 
 Michael Mooraiid, 
 Eli Ervin, 
 Jacob Bernberger, 
 Uriah McAfee, 
 Philip Moorand, 
 John Longaberger, jr. 
 
 Oscar Conner, 
 Hendric W. Bangs, 
 Phenias Remley, 
 Geo. M. Hartman, 
 Hiram Seigfried, 
 John J. Karns, 
 Peter B. Shultz, 
 
 Philip F. Krickbaura,Nathan B. Tubbs, 
 Elias Ash, David S. Laubach, 
 
256 
 
 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 CONYNGHAM TOWNSHIP. 
 
 Geo. Snyder, 
 Michael Sohubuly, 
 John Grady, 
 Robt. Gorrell, 
 David Bruens, 
 John Hughes, 
 Daniel Jones, 
 Michael Mulligan, 
 John Campbell. 
 Patrick Gologhana, 
 John McDowell, 
 Michael ShuUer, 
 Tom Durkin, 
 Franklin Shappell, 
 Tom Nolle, 
 Jacob Shultz, 
 Yv'm. Dnefaw, 
 H. Warmich, 
 Simon Christ, 
 Wm. Anterson, 
 
 Wm. Bairt, 
 E. L. Bitterly, 
 Reuben Wasser, 
 John J. Wagoner, 
 Peter Umlawf, 
 Jacob Roderan, 
 Dennis Manly, 
 Jim Crawford, 
 Tom Butler, 
 Pat Manehan, 
 John Yost, 
 Jacob Wagner, 
 Henry Zimmerman, 
 Hugh Hart, 
 Chas. Sharp, 
 Peter Carlely, 
 Tom M. Cook, 
 Pat Shoshay, 
 Timothy Carney, 
 Pat Agen, 
 
 , CENTRE TOWNSHIP. 
 
 Charles Goodman, 
 Wm. Kinly, 
 Samuel C. Kelchner, 
 Henry Sidell, 
 Daniel Shaffer, 
 James K. Fisher, 
 John Miller, 
 Samuel Witmoyer, 
 Imanuel Hill, Silas Harmon, 
 
 Freeman H. Deterick,Theo. McD. Price, 
 Tilgham D. Straus, John Stiner, 
 
 John Nungesser, 
 Samuel Knorr, 
 James Wardin, 
 Thomas Fry, 
 John Remly, 
 Isaac Arewine, 
 Fred Nuss. 
 Pohe, 
 
 Wm. Remly, 
 Geo. H. Boone, 
 Hiram Hetler, 
 Jesse J. Frederick, 
 Adam Hill, 
 
 Daniel Dauberd, 
 Mordecai M. Hicks, 
 Elias Young, 
 Richard Rupert, 
 John Workeiser, 
 
 John Bloss, 
 James Ryan, 
 Andrew Mull, 
 Tom McCook, 
 Walter Dugal, 
 John Wilebrant, 
 John Lefller, 
 Owen Gane, 
 Pat Wills, 
 Josejih Warlem, 
 Jacob Ornlauf, 
 Tom Butler, 
 Tom Welsh, 
 Michael Whittier, 
 Frank Warnick, 
 Pat Fye, 
 Wm. Branchitz, 
 Dan Grum, 
 Tom Meury, 
 Ellis Valentine, 
 
 Joseph Witmeyer, 
 Mahlon B. Hicks, 
 jNIichael Hogan, 
 Daniel B. AVitmoyer, 
 George Conner, 
 Elisha Hagenbuch, 
 Daniel Hower, 
 Charles Bornick, 
 John Caw, 
 Wm. Durline, 
 Samuel Martz, 
 Adam W. C. Kelb, 
 George Younger, 
 Matthew Hogan, 
 John Faux, 
 Frederick Michael, 
 
HISTORY OJE COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 267 
 
 Aaron Nusb, 
 Samuel Hilbum, 
 
 Daniel Lowry, 
 Nathan Miller, 
 
 Jacob Spenser, 
 Frederick Hagecbuch 
 
 I'ISHINGCKEEK TOWNSHIP. 
 
 Augustus M; Weaver,Hiram Pealer, 
 
 Daniel Yaple, 
 Levi Bishline, 
 Isaac McHenry, 
 William Hess, 
 Abraham Kline, 
 William Santee, 
 George Heath, 
 Joseph Thomas, 
 Samuel F. Pealer, 
 Elisha B. Emery, 
 Reuben Savage, 
 John M. Buckalew, 
 Paul WoHe, 
 Monroe Markle, 
 Stephen Dresher, 
 William M. Stoker, 
 
 William Miller, 
 Christian L. Artly. 
 
 Richard Kitchen, 
 Wm. Burgess, 
 Abm. Seybert, 
 Harrison Deterick, 
 Wilson M. Eves, 
 Charles Hower, 
 Joseph Hayman, 
 Perry D. Blair, 
 Samuel McHenry, 
 John Lemon, 
 Joseph D. Fulmer, 
 17. J. Campbell, 
 Joseph C. Parker, 
 A. B. Brown, 
 W. E. Heacook, 
 
 Joseph C. Runyan, 
 Jpremiah Yaple, 
 Jackson Ale, 
 Charles F. Kindig, 
 John J. Alliger, 
 Alias Ash, 
 Conrad Hipplesteel, 
 Ira D. Kline, 
 Hiram Labour, 
 Stott McHenry, 
 
 Wm. M. Laudenbach, 
 A. P. Unangst, 
 Silas McHenry, 
 Jacob Farver, 
 Hiram McHenry, 
 Eli Robbins, 
 Wm. Unangst, 
 Elias P. Bender, 
 John J. Fuller, 
 Wm. McGill Woods, 
 Reuben Boston, 
 
 William Hagenbuch, George Pealer, 
 Christian J. Ash, Alexander Kramer, 
 
 Marma W. Simonton, 
 Alfred F. Creveling, 
 John McHenry. 
 
 John Dietereck, 
 Moses McHenry, 
 Washington Bellis, 
 Thomas Yaple, 
 
 FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP. 
 
 Joseph Beaver, Thomas F. Harder, 
 
 GREENWOOD TOWNSHIP. 
 
 Wm. Davis, 
 George B. Thomas, 
 Jacob Hayman, 
 Cornelius Rees, 
 Alber Shields, 
 David M. Kester, 
 Jacob F. Deterick, 
 Joseph W. Rees, 
 Isaac Kline, 
 John Thomas, 
 George Ikeler, 
 Jackson Shannon, 
 Elijah J. Ikeler, 
 Wm. Fox, 
 Harvey G. Smith, 
 
 Elwood J. Heacodt, 
 Algernon S. Kester, 
 Levi Pilkington, 
 John J. Robbins, 
 C. W. Kline, 
 Joseph S. Kline, 
 Virgil Robbins, 
 Jos. W. Huntzinger, 
 Clinton Robbins, 
 Andrew J. Crawford, 
 Daniel R. Pursel, 
 Philip Knouse, 
 Jacob S. Boone, 
 Jacob MuBsleman, 
 Charles Forsythe. 
 
258 
 
 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Dainiel Holder, 
 James W. Ecke, 
 James Powell, 
 Henry Whitenight, 
 Ed. G, Smith, 
 Wm. Hartman, jr, 
 Jacob Miller, 
 James D. Pursel, 
 Ludwig S. Hartman. 
 
 Silas W McHenry, 
 Wm. Young, 
 Samuel Hess, 
 Martin Getz, 
 Hugh Shultz, 
 Samuel F. Hess, 
 Elijah Yocnm. 
 
 John Beaver, 
 
 .Sebastian Kechelries,Dan Bellmon, 
 
 HEMLOCK TOWNSHIP. 
 
 Levi Wright, 
 Amos Townsend, 
 John Harman, jr. 
 EliasGigger, 
 Charles Sage, 
 Michael Whitenight, 
 John Miller, 
 Josei)h Evans, 
 
 JACKSOK TOWNSHIP. 
 
 Charles 0. Mastellar, 
 George Remly, 
 Jesse Rhone, 
 Andrew J. Derr, 
 Joseph F. Derr, 
 Calvin Derr, 
 
 LOCUST TOWNSHIP. 
 
 Chas. S. G. Arning, 
 
 Wright Hughes, 
 Peter Beaver, 
 Wm. Pif er, 
 Dan Longabergef, 
 John Erwin, 
 Samuel Loan, 
 Lewis Rinebold, 
 Martin V. B. Kline, 
 Nicholas Backer, 
 Jackson George, 
 Daniel B. Stephens, 
 D. K. Lockard. 
 
 Chas Fetser, 
 Frank Miller,' 
 Emanuel Conner,- 
 Chas. Reader,-. 
 Tom Weaver, 
 
 John Krisher, 
 Dan Stine, 
 Christian Mensch; 
 Wm. . Beleg, 
 Wm. Winn, 
 John Swenk, 
 Dan Leiby, 
 John Mensoh, 
 Stephen- Yohe, 
 Emanuel Ashton, 
 Henry V. Yeager, 
 
 MONTOUR' TOWNSHIP. 
 
 Wm. Low,' 
 Jobn'G. Quick, 
 Josiah Edwards;' 
 Wm Linn, 
 Lloyd Paxton, 
 
 John Mussleman, 
 William P. Jones, 
 George L. Shoemaker, 
 John C. Miller. 
 Eli Ohl, 
 John Eyer, 
 Henry Shaffer. ^ 
 Thomas Russel, 
 
 Stephen McHenry, 
 Wilson Albertson, 
 Geo. G. Manning, 
 John H. Fritz, 
 W. W. Roberts, 
 Thos: S. Hess, 
 
 Cyrus Shaffer, 
 Joshua Womer, 
 Chas. Williams, 
 Wm. Yeager, 
 Israel .Wliavy, 
 Chas-. Miller, 
 Wm. H. Reinbold, 
 Wesley Perry, 
 Ben Beaver, 
 John Mirnen, 
 Wm. Roat, 
 David Adams, 
 Henry Hoffman, 
 
 David Martial, 
 James Farnsworth, 
 Josiah Brown, 
 Jesse Somers, 
 Silas Conner, 
 
2IIST0BY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY 
 
 259 
 
 Jackson Leiby, 
 James Foster, 
 Dan Gigger, jr. 
 
 Wm. P. Shuman, 
 Wm. Swisher, 
 Lemuel Bredbenner, 
 Dan Miller, 
 H. W. Brown, 
 Gideon Nuss. 
 
 Martin Kline, 
 Joseph Decker, 
 Michael Ranch, 
 
 MAIN TOWNSHIP. 
 
 David. Shuman, 
 Lewis. Felger, 
 Wm. Longaberger, 
 Chas. Fisher, 
 Peter Fisher, 
 
 Jonathan Fry, 
 Caleb Dies, ' 
 Dan Lazarus. 
 
 Benjatuiu Nuss, 
 Abraham Shuman, 
 Samuel Dalious, 
 Aaron Miller, 
 Daniel Harmony, 
 
 Christian Harman, Francis Fleming. 
 
 MOUNT PLEASANT TOWNblUP. 
 
 Dan Vanderslice, 
 Amos Gruber, 
 Amos Wanick, 
 Sam Hartman, 
 Tom Jones, 
 Geo. Steinmiller, 
 Eri J. Ikeler, 
 Aaron K ester, 
 David Brees, 
 
 Sam Piefer, 
 Wm. Piatt, 
 Sam E. Smith, 
 Peter C Eckrote, 
 Reuben i''rey, 
 Wm. Pettit, 
 Isaac Lutz, 
 Dan H. Huttenstine, 
 Isaac Andrews, 
 J. J. Hess, 
 Sam Michael, 
 Tom Aten, 
 John Creasy, 
 Sam 'Andrew-s, 
 Joe Frederick, 
 John Kirkendall. 
 
 Lemuel Shoemaker, 
 Henry W. Mellick, 
 Andrew Shoemaker, 
 Albert Miller, 
 Andrew J. Ikeler, 
 HenryMelick, 
 Philip Stroup, 
 John Osmun, 
 Geo. W. Jacoby, 
 
 MIFl'UN TOVVNSHIP. 
 
 John H. Davis, 
 Philip Stuly, jr. 
 Jacob Fox, 
 Reuben Hons, 
 Geo. Mowery, 
 Stephen Hetler, 
 Aaron Hess, 
 E. W. Kirkendall, 
 Elias Deierick, 
 Geo. Spade, 
 H. Schweppenheiser, 
 Jonathan Spade, 
 Wm. F. Keller, 
 J. Zimmernia'n, 
 Martin Keller, 
 
 Joe R. Vanderslice, 
 Henry Wilkins, 
 Russel Appleman, 
 Andrew C. McArty, 
 John Mordin, 
 John Hippensteel, 
 Chas. Shaffer, 
 Mathias Kindt, 
 John S. Patterson. 
 
 E. D. Kirkenflall, 
 A. W. Hess, 
 Michael B. Hetler, 
 David Brown, 
 Peter J. Lantz, 
 Obediah Swank, 
 Henry C. Hooifnagle, 
 Henry Hetler, 
 Samuel Lutz, 
 John Michael, jr. 
 David Mensch, 
 Stephen Dieterick, 
 John R. Yohe, 
 Isaac E. Feets,- 
 Adam Miller, 
 
260 
 
 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Robert Fruit, 
 S. S. Runyan, 
 Daniel Mencal, 
 Jacob Kramer, 
 Mahlen R. Roads, 
 Francis Eves, 
 Wm. Wintersteen, 
 
 MADISON TOWH8HIP. 
 
 Edward Stout, 
 Henry Dildine, 
 Jacob Girton, 
 Charles Johnson, 
 Wesley Demott, 
 Henry Wagner, 
 Parvin Swisher, 
 
 Geo. II. Whitenight, Nelson Welliver, 
 
 John Straupt, 
 David Ross, 
 O. P. Runyan, 
 James Mills, 
 Cyrus Demott, 
 H. Clay Mills, 
 David A. Watson, 
 Wm. Masteller, 
 
 Wesley W. Sutliff, 
 Wm. M. Keeler, 
 
 John W. Girton, 
 Daniel S. Bechtel, 
 Alexander Carr, 
 Thomas Gingles, 
 George Runyan, 
 Adam Coderman, 
 William Graham, 
 N. B. Welliver, 
 
 ORANGE TOWNSHIP. 
 
 William Fisher, 
 Aaron Patterson, 
 
 S. M. D. Montgomery, Jacob Seigfried, 
 
 SUGABLOAF TOWTfSHiP, 
 
 Michael Bishline, 
 Benj. F. Patterson, 
 
 Peter Masteller, 
 Alex Hess, 
 Gearhart Nuss, 
 Franklin Nagle, 
 Wm. Cole, 
 Shadrach Hess, 
 Philip Hess, 
 Cornelius Shultz, 
 Emanuel Dills, 
 Joseph E. Harp, 
 
 Oscar P. Ent, 
 Daniel G. Ent, 
 Wm. Fausey, 
 Theo. Howel, 
 Daniel L. Everhart, 
 W. H. Shuman, 
 
 John Gates, 
 Ezra Stephens, 
 Uriah Golder, 
 Josiah R. Fritz, 
 James Swart, 
 James Penington, 
 Samuel Hess, 
 Robert Montgomery. 
 
 SCOTT TOVfNSHIP. 
 
 Samuel Hagenbuch, 
 George Heckman, 
 Harvey J. Creveling, 
 Sylvester J. Fox, 
 George Carr, 
 F. P. Kelly, 
 
 Samuel Brugler, 
 Isaac Whipple, 
 Uriah Welliver, 
 Richard F. Stout, 
 James Kindlen, 
 Joel Moser, 
 Silas Welliver, 
 Samuel S. Lowry, 
 John Stetler, 
 Michael Haup, 
 Nicholas Barber, 
 Silas W. Barber, 
 Wm. Fainnan, 
 Felix Ritter, 
 John Fruit, 
 Geo. H. Welliver. 
 
 Emanuel Johnson, 
 B. F. Patterson, 
 William Ingold. 
 
 A. J. Fritz, 
 James Peterman, 
 Jeflferson Fritz, 
 Newton Harrington, 
 George Hess, 
 Hiram Fritz, 
 John Cole, 
 Rodman Betterly, 
 Edward Roberts, 
 
 Geo. W. McEwen, 
 James K. McMichel, 
 Charles Schug, 
 Wra. G. Girton, 
 Ebenezer Case 
 James Carr, 
 
BISTORT OF COLUMBIA COUNTY, 
 
 261 
 
 Daniel Mordin, 
 Hiram S. Marr, 
 George Zeigler, 
 Wm. E. Shannon, 
 John Turner, 
 Henry Oman, 
 
 Wm. Master, 
 Jacob CloBsen, 
 Lewis Hess, 
 Theo. :iIcDowell, 
 Wm. P. Creveling, 
 Harvey Jones, 
 
 Wm. Abbott, 
 Jacob Hartzel, 
 Franklin Slayman, 
 Robert S. Ent, 
 Valentine Kressler, 
 Joseph Crawford. 
 
 DRAFT SEPTEMBER 17, 1863. 
 
 The following is a list of the men drafted at Troy, Penn'a., on 
 the above date. We give the number of first-class enrolled, and 
 the number drafted : 
 
 BLOOM TOWNSHIP 194. NO. DRAFTIiD 58. 
 
 Benj. F. Brooks, 
 Peter S. Rishel, 
 T. J. Mayhew, (col) 
 Tobias Henry, 
 Miles Fry, 
 John Deily, 
 Samuel A. Writter, 
 H. W. Thornton, 
 Chas. A. Moyer, 
 Daniel Leacock, 
 Jacob F, Fox, 
 Samuel Shaffer, 
 A. B. Erasmus, 
 John Gilroy, 
 Wm. Staley, 
 Michael M. Snvder, 
 
 Frank P. Drinker, 
 James Rogers, 
 Josiah Ralston, 
 Joseph Weaver, 
 Wm. W. Keifer, 
 John Coleman, 
 Jeremiah Cooper, 
 Wm. Ritchie, 
 Jer. S. Fahringer, 
 Geo. W. Rathbun, 
 James Burt, 
 Jonathan R. Dimm, 
 Henry Kesty, 
 Jacob Shaffer, 
 
 Jas. M. Thornton, 
 Albert Snrles, 
 John A. Beach, 
 Henry Fornwalt, 
 B. H. Vannatta, 
 Rudolph H. Ringler, 
 Henry Wells, 
 Herman Smith, 
 Wm. Hughes, 
 John Brobst, 
 Harris J. Sbeep, 
 Geo. W. Gormer, 
 Philip C. Whitenight, 
 Geo. Moyer, 
 
 Isaiah W. McKelvy, Nelson McCarty, 
 
 Abraham Perry, 
 Henry J. Krumm, 
 
 Thos. H. Cullen, 
 Sam'l. S. Miller, (col) Wm. Surles, 
 Thos. Hawkins, (col) Jesse C. Tate, 
 Robt. C. Fruit. 
 
 MONTOUR TOWNSHIP^O 1 . 
 
 NO. 
 
 Moses Enley, 
 George Linn, 
 Evan Davis, 
 Richard Francis, 
 Andrew P. Roth, 
 
 Jesse Wertman, 
 Wesley Fleming, 
 Alfred Irwine, 
 James Irwine, 
 Emanuel Lazarus, 
 
 Wm. Price, 
 Isaac Crawford, 
 Henry Shipton, 
 C. G Barkley, 
 
 DRAFTED 15. 
 
 John Clarke, 
 Noah Mouser, 
 Reuben Rouch, 
 Edward Stosser, 
 E. L. Spencer, 
 
262 
 
 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 FISHINGCEEEK TO^T^SHIP 126. NO 
 
 Michael Wenner, 
 Daniel Wenner, 
 Wesley Evans, 
 Wm. Edgar, 
 Mathias Kranier, 
 Silas McHenry. 
 Emanuel Edgar, 
 George Lazarus, 
 John Depo, 
 Daniel Golder, 
 Hiram Karns, 
 H. N. Ammerman, 
 Elias M. Laubach, 
 
 . GREENWOOD 
 
 Edwin John, 
 John E. Heacook, 
 Wm. McEwen, 
 Daniel Patterson, 
 Alfred Kline, 
 Hugh Fairman, ■. 
 Wm. Patterson, 
 T. M. Potts, 
 E. H. Parker, 
 Geo. B. Thomas^ 
 Jackson Robbins, 
 Henry Humphries. 
 
 PINE TOWNSHIP 
 
 Henry Sitler, 
 Wm. M. Stoker, 
 Samuel Thomas, 
 Wm. Santee, 
 Elisha Emory, 
 Elias S. Stoker, 
 Jackson McHenry, 
 John Bender, 
 Fred Hartman, 
 Peter J. Weaver, 
 Isaac Lauderbaoh, 
 John J. Fuller, 
 Elisha Trimmer. 
 
 TOWNSHIP — 112. 
 
 Jesse Hayman, 
 Paxton Kline, 
 Abraham E. Kline, 
 John Cromley, 
 
 B. F. Battin, 
 
 C. R. Watts, 
 Wm. R. Mather, 
 John S. Mather, 
 Abm. Seybert, 
 Peter H. Girton, 
 Hiram Albertson, 
 
 DRAFTED 38. 
 
 Wilson McMichael, 
 Harman H. Labor, 
 Alexander Yaple; 
 Ezra Chapiu, 
 Wm. B. Kester, 
 Charles Eyer, 
 Daniel Pealer, 
 Elias Wenner, 
 Uriah McHenry, 
 Wm. Eyer, 
 Elisha K. Robbins, 
 John Trexler, 
 
 NO. DRAFTED 34. 
 
 John C. Richart, 
 Allen Harvey, 
 Abm. Driblepiece, 
 James V. Gillespie, 
 Thomas Mather, 
 Avery G. Smith, 
 John Robbins, 
 Wm. F McEwen, 
 Alfred Heacock, 
 J. G. Girton, 
 Perry D. Black, 
 
 -47. NO. DRAFTED 14. 
 
 Thomas Young, Ira J. Richart, 
 
 Shadraok Eves, Elias Watts, 
 
 Robert Potter^ John Fans, 
 
 Thos. Y. Staokhouse, John Johnson, 
 V. Wintersteen, Emanuel Bogart. 
 
 BRIARCREEK TOWNSHIP 83. 
 
 Levi Sitler, 
 Wm. Ringrose, 
 W. Vanderhoven, 
 Silas E. Lynn, 
 Peter Eckroth, 
 
 Peter Bachman, 
 Charles Miller, 
 .Wm. Linden, 
 Josiah H. Martz, 
 Ira Eaveland, 
 
 Philip Hartman, 
 Montgomery Cox, 
 Elijah Shoemaker^ 
 Elias ■ Cornelison, 
 
 NO. DRAFTED 25; 
 
 Emanuel Smith, 
 J. II. Haldebrand, 
 Joseph Lamon, 
 Gideon Fehnel, 
 John Betz, , 
 
HISTORY 01 COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 263 
 
 Daniel Kelchner, 
 Silas E Moyer, 
 David Shaffer, 
 Henry Lanion. 
 
 MIFFLIN TOWNSHIP 
 
 Nelson Stackhouse, 
 Nathan Sitler, 
 Henry Melon, 
 
 David Knouse, 
 Wm. A. Lynn, 
 Levi Shaffer, 
 
 John Peifer, 
 Martin Hutchison, 
 Albert Millard, 
 Samuel Smith, 
 Jeremiah Kelkner, 
 Reuben House, 
 Isaiah Frederioi, 
 John Wolf, 
 
 Isaac Lutz, 
 Charles Rux, 
 Albert Brown, 
 Samuel Michael, 
 John H. Davis, 
 Harvey Hess, 
 Uriah Spade, 
 John Michael, 
 
 MADISON TOWNSHIP- — 89. 
 
 -81. NO. DRAFTED 24. 
 
 John F. Creasy, 
 R. Zimmerman, 
 Henry Fulk, 
 Adam Smith, 
 Wm. Rote, 
 John Bond, 
 Silas Mensinger, 
 Stephen Kirkendall. 
 
 NO. DRAFTED 27. 
 
 Jacob Stouffer, 
 R. C. Johnson, 
 Morris E. Masters, 
 Alfred Pegg, 
 Thos. Ball, 
 Daniel Welliver, 
 John Shetler, 
 David N. Welliver, 
 David Haines, 
 
 Nicholas F. Barber. 
 Jacob Zeisloft, 
 Joseph R. Kisner, 
 James Richards, 
 Ezra Eves, 
 Thos. Jingles, 
 John Kramer, 
 ■Russel W. Stout, 
 John D. Ellis, 
 
 BENTON TOWTs^SHIP 68. NO 
 
 Hiram F. Everett, John F. Conner, 
 
 Miner R. Smith, 
 Dennison Cole, 
 Joel Keiffer, 
 Russel Karnes, 
 Samuel Hartman, 
 John W. Kline, 
 
 CENTRE TOVTNSHIP 89. NO 
 
 John W. Clarke, Isaac G-rover, 
 
 Peter M. Boone, 
 Josiah H. Nagle, 
 Levi Remly, 
 Samuel Neyhard, 
 Thos. W. Fry, ' 
 Freeman Sitler, 
 
 Geo. W. Whitenight, 
 Charles Johnson, 
 Cyrus Day, 
 Wm. Allen, 
 Theo. H. Runyan, 
 Wm. S. Lomison, 
 Andrew S. Allen, 
 Frederick Kramer, 
 Jas. W. Eves, (single) 
 
 DRAFTED 21. 
 
 Josiah H. Kline, 
 Samuel P. Krickbaum, 
 Thomas S. Smith, 
 Caleb O'Bryan, 
 Silas Karnes, 
 Joel E. Roberts, 
 George Poust, 
 
 DRAFTED 27. 
 
 Wesley Hess, 
 Hugh Wenner, 
 Emanuel Sitler, 
 Wm. Deitrich, 
 Thos. W. Hagenbuch,Jesse Hoffman, 
 Daniel Baker, Wm. Hidlay, jr. 
 
 Thos. Cain, Mordecai Millard, 
 
 Elias Mc Henry, 
 Abijah Hess, 
 Phineas Sitler, 
 John Keiffer, 
 Peter Ashleman, 
 James Conner, 
 
 Charles Kelchner, 
 A. C. Hagenbuch, 
 Morris B. Freas, 
 
264 
 
 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Henry Sidle, 
 John A. Hill, 
 
 Lyman Croup, 
 John DeLong, 
 
 Jackson A, 
 Geo. W. Johnson, 
 Daniel A. Creasy, 
 Wm. G. Girton, 
 Philip Angle, 
 Robert S. Howell, 
 Harvey Jones, 
 Patrick Daly, 
 Uzal H. Ent, 
 Jos. H. Vansickle, 
 Eli Hartman, 
 Clark Masteller, 
 'John Hartman, 
 John Whitenight, 
 James Lees, 
 
 SCOTT TOWNSHIP 152. 
 
 Tobias, Elias Mills, 
 
 George Brine, 
 Joseph L. Evans, 
 Wm. L. Creveling, 
 John Kline; 
 Abm. M. White, 
 Wesley Crawford, 
 H. G. Creveling, 
 KimberC. Ent, 
 Geo. F. Unangst, 
 Joseph Bucook, 
 Nelson S. Tingley, 
 
 John Neyhard, 
 Jacob W. Lohman. 
 
 NO. DBAFTED 45. 
 
 Geo. S. Patterson, 
 Robt Ent, 
 John W. Shannon, 
 Thos. Meredith, 
 Robert Batterson, 
 John Turner, 
 John W. Heiser, 
 Butler Edgar, 
 John Miller, 
 Valentine Kressler, 
 Reuben Sitler, 
 Mason C. Johnson, 
 
 Robt. M. C. Fowler, Charles S. Fisher, 
 
 John Brown, 
 Lloyd Kressler, 
 
 I.OCUST TOWNSHIP 116. NO. 
 
 Abraham Roop, 
 Wm. Gearhart, 
 Reuben Fahringer, 
 Jacob Mellick, 
 Gecrge Boyer, 
 John Billeg, 
 
 Wm. Thomas, 
 John Eveland, 
 John H. Howell, 
 Francis Kern, 
 Wm. Tyson, 
 Jacob L. Artly, 
 
 Nathan Kostenbader, Webb Thomas, 
 
 John Oliver, 
 Amos Yeager, 
 James Brofee, 
 Alfred Marks, 
 Henry H. Roads, 
 
 John B. Roup, 
 Wm. Helwig, 
 Jonathan Rishel, 
 John Holdren, 
 Daniel K. Lockard, 
 
 BERWICK BOKOUGH 35. NO 
 
 Thomas Stackhouse, John McMichael, 
 Ira A. Coleman, 
 Walter Hinkly, 
 Edward B. Hull, 
 Elisha Kisner, 
 
 Wm. J. Knorr, 
 Wm. Rogers, 
 George Thompson, 
 Henry L. Freas, 
 
 Jeremiah S. Sanders, James A. Pollinger, 
 Geo. W. Meixell, 
 
 John A. White, 
 Norman S. Pursel, 
 
 DRAFTED 35. 
 
 Wm. George, 
 Henry K. Bare, 
 Peter H. Long, 
 Jacob Helwig, 
 Benneville Wary, 
 Wm. M. K. Wilson, 
 George Leiby, 
 Samuel Price, 
 Chas. H. Gable, 
 Geo. W. Kreisher, 
 David Helwig, 
 
 DRAFTED 19. 
 
 Emanuel Frantz, 
 Abia Phillips, 
 Wm. Kunkle, 
 Daniel Reedy, 
 Henry Hoekman, 
 Lewellyn Prosser, 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA GOUNIY. 
 
 265 
 
 SUGARLOAP TOWNSHIP 47. NO. 
 
 Elijah Hess, 
 Mathias Fritz, 
 Samuel Hess, 
 Eli Fritz, 
 Frank Masteller, 
 
 Josiah R. Fritz, 
 Wm. Masteller, 
 Philip Hess, 
 Lowrie Cole, 
 John Diltz. 
 
 MOUNT PLEASANT TOWNSHIP^-53. 
 
 Martin Kline, 
 Franklin Miller, 
 Jacob Fox, 
 Isaac K. Appleman, 
 Wm. Johnson, 
 
 Jacob B. Dildine, 
 Geo. W. Hock, 
 John H. White, 
 John C. Morden, 
 Thos. S. Lorow, 
 Andrew J. McCarty. 
 
 KOAKINGCREEK TOWNSHIP 24. 
 
 H. p. Cherington, John M. Sanks, 
 Charles Mensch, John Mowry, 
 
 Isaac P. Yocum. 
 
 FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP 47. NO. 
 
 Peter M. Beaver, Clinton Sterling, 
 Samuel Shuler, Noah Critz, 
 
 Marshal Hendershott,Wm. Teeple, 
 Peter S. Ford, Jackson Cleaver, 
 
 Samuel Hoagland, Aaron Loreman. 
 
 MAIN TOWNSHIP — 34. NO. 
 
 DRAFTED 14. 
 
 Wm. Kitchen, 
 Elias S. Fritz, 
 Jesse Herrington, 
 Shadrach Hess, 
 
 NO. DRAFTED 16. 
 
 Michael Hock, 
 Wesley Hittle, 
 B. F. Kester, 
 Wm. Owman, 
 W. W. Kline, 
 
 NO. DRAFTED 7. 
 
 George Kreisher, 
 David Gearhart, 
 
 DRAFTED 14. 
 
 Wm. Huber, 
 David Reader, 
 Wellington Clark, 
 Benj. Zimmerman, 
 
 David S. Brown, 
 Wm. Kline, 
 Erastus Shuman, 
 Charles Shuman. 
 
 Daniel Miller, 
 Daniel Kline, 
 Nathan Knapp, 
 
 DRAFTED 10. 
 
 Wm. Fisher, 
 George Gauster, 
 Uriah Beminger, 
 
 CONYNGHAM TOWNSHIP. 216. NO. 
 
 David Camp, 
 James Madden, 
 Alexander W. Rea, 
 James Cleary, 
 William James, 
 Martin Laughlin, 
 Daniel Moser, 
 Patrick Horrity, 
 Philip McRhyne, 
 John Butler (miner) 
 
 Lendlin Hart, 
 Philip Nixon, 
 Jacob Chambers, 
 Augustus Bider, 
 Michael Sherlock, 
 John Roe, 
 Wm. Hoagland, 
 David Crisher, 
 Richard Phillips, 
 Robert Lawless, 
 
 DRAFTED 65. 
 
 Tobias Leisar, 
 Charles Sharp, 
 Wm. Nelly, 
 Ference Cave, 
 Mahlon Myers, 
 Frederick Goble, 
 George Clark, 
 Uriah Tilley, 
 Joseph Crider, 
 Augustus Glessner, 
 
266 
 
 HISTOBY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Michael How, 
 Samuel B. Long, 
 Moses Snyder, 
 John Meinsinger, 
 David Evans, 
 Henry Eckerling, 
 Christian Soner, 
 John Snyder, 
 Patrick Flannegan, 
 
 Andrew Mull, 
 Wm. Brennin, 
 John Murphy, 
 Stephen Mainhewj 
 Patrick Quinn, 
 Hugh Hart, 
 Peter Brenin, 
 Thomas Riley, 
 Henry Williams,' 
 
 Mich^ Conner, laborerPatrick Keeling, 
 Michael MoMulty, Frank Wamicker, 
 James Scott, John Fty, 
 
 BJEAVEK TOWNSHIP 109. NO. 
 
 Henry Hoffman, William Berry, 
 
 Aaron Dreisbach, Nathan Erwine, 
 Daniel Longenberger,John Hawk [single] 
 
 Henry Fitz, 
 Wm. Teffer, 
 James Breninill, 
 Thomas Brennon, 
 Wm. Summers, 
 Geo. H. Moshier, 
 Thos. Cummin gs. 
 Christian Snow, 
 John Allvai-, 
 Peter Hower, 
 Absolom Womer. 
 
 Wm. McFee, 
 Joseph Singley, 
 Henry Swank, 
 John Henninger, , 
 John Hostler, 
 Wm. McFee, 
 Frank L. Shuman, 
 Edward Schell, 
 
 Daniel Singley, 
 Thomas Dande, 
 Charles Hotz, 
 Henry Hinterliter, 
 Josiah Johnson, 
 Michael Mumy, 
 Thos. Hoffman, 
 Reuben Henninger. 
 
 CATAVriSSA TOWNSHIP- 
 
 DRAFTED 33. 
 
 John Deats, 
 Washington Fry, 
 Philip Mumy, 
 Franklin Shell, 
 Thomas Miller, 
 James Prescott, 
 George Dreisbach, 
 David Erwine, 
 Aaron Johnson, 
 Levi Fraster, 
 Daniel Swank. 
 
 DR.^J-TED 29. 
 B. S. Reifsnyder, 
 Ephriam Kramer, 
 Jacob Miller, . 
 
 -97. NO 
 
 David Strouse, Wm. Strouse, 
 
 Geo. Hollenback, Lewis Hayhurst, 
 
 Geo. Briesch, John Martz, 
 
 Pinkerton DrumhellerPeter Fenstermacher,John Fitzgerald. 
 
 Easick Kerns, Geo. R. Hayhurst, David Snyder, 
 
 Alexander Hide, 
 
 Walter Scott, 
 
 Wm. Claywell, 
 
 Charles Gaumer, 
 
 Thomas Barry. 
 
 JACKSON TOWNSHIP 37. NO. DRAETED 11. 
 
 Chas. C. Mausteller, Daniel S. Young, Geo. W. Farver, 
 George Getty, Thos. H. Robbins, Geo. Remely, 
 
 Wm. T. Sbuman, 
 Stephen B. Rahn, 
 Clinton W. Harder, 
 Edward G. Hart, 
 Daniel Cleywell, 
 
 Fleming Jacoby, 
 Tobias D. Barninger, 
 Wm. Richards, 
 John H. Butz. 
 
HIISTOBY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 267 
 
 Benj. Savage, 
 John Blecker, 
 
 Edward Roberts, 
 Franklin Hamlin, 
 
 HEMLOCK TOWNSHIP 129. 
 
 George Ivy, 
 
 Washington Knouse, 
 
 John S. Neyhart, 
 
 David Shaffer, 
 
 Henry C. Grotz, 
 
 Hiram Girton, 
 
 Lafyette Faust, 
 
 Wm. ApjDleman, 
 
 Michael Whitenight, Eiiock P 
 
 Joseph Walters, 
 
 Hiram Beese, 
 
 John Appleman, 
 
 Jacob Workheiser, 
 
 Geo. W. Faust, 
 
 NO. DRAFTED 3tJ. ^' 
 
 Hugh F. McBride, 
 Emanuel Somers, 
 Lewis Hartman, , 
 Sam. Workheiser, 
 Daniel Yocum, 
 
 Ralph Ivy, 
 
 Wm. Pursel, 
 
 Amos B. Hartman. 
 
 Boyd Gil-ton, 
 
 Sidney S. Shoemaker,George Hooper, 
 
 Ev,an^, Wm. Harris, 
 
 Jjickson Leidy, Mathew Tubby, 
 
 Vivian Stephens, , Isaac N. Leidy, 
 Henry W, Wagner, Jacob Andes, , . , . 
 Joseph K. McMichaelSanford Shoemaker, 
 John C. Folk, 
 
 60. NO. DKAETED 18. 
 
 OSANGE TOWNSHIP 
 
 Jasper Kline, David E. Hayman, Thos. F. Schuyler, 
 
 James B. Harman, John Beagle, Joseph C. Hughes, 
 
 Monross S. Hayhurst,Samuel A. Sharpless, A. C. Bidleman, 
 Alfred H. Kisner, Orville A. MoGargle, Robt. G. Paden, 
 Franklin Keifer, Joseph A. Henrie, Charles Allabach, 
 
 Thomas Ruckle, David R. Appleman, Sidney C. Williams, 
 
 DRAFT JUNE 3d, 1864. 
 
 The following is a list of the men drafted at Troy, Penn'a., oh 
 the above date. 
 
 BI-OOM TOWNSHIP NO. DRAFTED 27. 
 
 E. R. Drinker, 
 Oliver C. Kahler, 
 John T. Williams, 
 Albert F. Yost, 
 Andrew M. Rupert, 
 Samuel H. Surles, 
 James Henwood, 
 Henry Rosenstock, 
 Henry S. Arthur, . 
 
 Lloyd T. Sharpless, 
 Peter S. Harman, 
 Ransom Hazle, 
 Jacob Diehl, 
 
 Thomas MeGill, 
 David Beers, 
 Thomas McCormick, 
 George Hassert, 
 
 Ohas. H. HendershottJohn McCormick, 
 Douglas Hughes, Oliver Palmer, 
 Thomas Downes, Samuel Gehringer, 
 
 Nelson Bruner, Enos Jacoby, 
 
 Michael McCormick, John Coleman. 
 
268 
 
 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA GOUNTT. 
 
 BRIARCREEK TOWNSHIP KO. DRAFTED 18. 
 
 Neimah Rittenhouse, William Thomas, 
 Jacob Biedner, William Tillman, 
 
 Enes McAffee, Evan D. Adams, 
 
 Jacob Fen8termacher,Ephraim Trowbridge, 
 
 Wm. M. Klinetob, 
 Josiah Blank, 
 Clark Bower, 
 Eckard Smith, 
 Samuel Rinard. 
 
 BENTON TOWNSHIP — NO. DRAFTED 33. 
 
 Thomas Seigfritz, 
 Charles Keefer, 
 Joel Albertson, 
 Robert L. F. Cully, 
 John Appleman, 
 Henry Shultz, 
 Jacob Knouse, 
 John Hartman, 
 A. Davis, 
 George Alten, 
 Harmon L. §tine, 
 
 John W. Weaver, 
 David P. Crossley, 
 Edward McHenry, 
 John Swartout, 
 Daniel Kitchen, 
 Charles Dodson, 
 Peter Laubach, 
 Benjamin Brink, 
 Reuben J. Davis, 
 Parvin Masters, 
 Chester S. Dodson, 
 
 Conrad Miberham, 
 Livingston Rhone, 
 Thomas Appleman, 
 Elisha Shultz, 
 Isaac K. Krickbaum, 
 Abraham Harman, 
 Thomas Hartman, 
 Elias McHenry, 
 Clark Brink, 
 William S. Kase, 
 Rohr McHenry. 
 
 BEAVER TOWNSHIP NO. DRAFTED, 48. 
 
 Levi Michael, 
 Wm. Milton, 
 Robert Watson, 
 James Gallagher, 
 Jacob Hoffman, 
 Peter Eckrote, 
 Samuel Mungster, 
 Conrad Harman, 
 Elias Erwine, 
 William Michael, 
 David Bidleman, 
 Patrick Lynch, 
 Aaron Johnson, 
 David Fry, 
 Elijah Miller, 
 Wm. Naus, 
 
 Peter Schilcher, 
 John Wilson, 
 Henry Baker, 
 Jacob Lindermuth, 
 Peter Shellhammer, 
 Samuel Sherman, 
 Josiah Johnson, 
 John Hunsinger, 
 Levi Feoster, 
 J. Painter, 
 Jacob Eggert, 
 John Lonenberger, 
 Peter Hawk, 
 Reuben Shuman, 
 Gideon Hunsigner, 
 
 Thomas Prescott, 
 Daniel Hinderliter, 
 Nathan Bredbenner, 
 Wm. Wertz, 
 Wm. Shuman, 
 Morgan Davis, 
 Solomon Hunsigner, 
 Joseph BeiTy, 
 Andrew Knittle, 
 Amos Yeager, 
 Enos Rittenhouse, 
 John Hinterliter, 
 Moses Schlicher, 
 A. J. Bretts, 
 Stephen Lehr No. 2, 
 Stephen Lehr. 
 
 Paul Fry. 
 
 HEMLOCK TOWNSHIP NO. DRAFTED 18. 
 
 Seth Shoemaker, Geo. L. Shoemaker, John P. Guild, 
 
 Thomas A. Lewis, John C. Fox, Geo. W. Whitenight, 
 
 Passeville Folk, John Hartman, Jefferson Reese, 
 
HIHTOBY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 269 
 
 John H. Miller, 
 Joel Folk, 
 Abraham StaufFer, 
 
 Michael Grover, James T. Estop, 
 
 Martin Kinney, Isaac Kitchen, 
 
 Samuel W. Girton, John Robbins. 
 
 JACKSON TOWNSHIP — NO. DRAFTED 21. 
 
 Abm. Hidler, 
 Ellis Young, 
 David Bishline, 
 Wm. Kester, 
 Gotlieb Wagner, 
 Daniel Young, 
 Frederick Hees, 
 
 Peter Miner, 
 John Morgan, 
 Isaac J. Fisher, 
 Gera Hovver. 
 Joseph Thomas, 
 Alex. Ernest, 
 Bernard Tenfel, 
 Calvin Achenbaeh, 
 David Adams, 
 Joseph Rhoads, 
 Jacob Herner, 
 Nicholas Englehart, 
 John Yost, 
 Jacob Carl, 
 Lloyd F. Farringer, 
 Jonathan Beaver, 
 Wm. Ausnean, 
 Sol. Strauser, 
 Louis Heinbold. 
 
 MABISON TOWNSHIP NO. DBAFTED 38. 
 
 A. J. Kline, 
 Hugh Shultz, 
 Henry Wagner, 
 Joseph Yorks, 
 Michael Kesler, 
 Calvin Derr, 
 Ezekiel Cole, 
 
 LOCUST TOWNSHIP NO. 
 
 Peter Kline, 
 Geo. W. Yeager jr. 
 C. P. Mears, 
 Geo. Morgan, 
 Chas. C. Eck, 
 James J. Campbell, 
 Peter Fetterman, 
 Benj. Fetterman, 
 Reuben Leiby, 
 George Eisenbach, 
 Daniel Wary, 
 Henry Klein, 
 Sam Miller, 
 Geo. Resdy, 
 Wesley Pony, 
 John A. Bitner, 
 L. W. B. Fisher, 
 Daniel Bilnean, 
 
 Wm. Shoemaker, 
 Geo. W. Manning, 
 Thea W. Smith, 
 Joseph Derr, 
 Elijah Yocum, 
 Levi Keeler, 
 W. W. Roberts. 
 
 DKAFTED 55. 
 
 Wm Carl, 
 Geo. H. Patterson, 
 Michael Stein, 
 James Berd, 
 W. H. Reinbold, 
 Wm. E. Walter, 
 John H. Stokes, 
 Nathan Kostenbader, 
 John Morris, 
 Wm. Yeager, 
 Christian Small, 
 Asa Deily, 
 Adam Dimmick, 
 Adam M. Johnson, 
 John Watkins, 
 Stephen Yohe, 
 Jacob Stein jr. 
 Jos. Sanders. 
 
 Henry Thomas, 
 Geo. W. Parmer, 
 Isaac Wipple, 
 John Haines, 
 Robert F. Start, 
 Wm. Mosteller, 
 Joseph Moist, 
 
 Edward Stuart, 
 Joseph C. Smith, 
 John Strong, 
 Wm. Graham, 
 Jackson Biddle, 
 Philip Eves, 
 George Ohl, 
 
 Wesly Demott, 
 Cyrus Demott, 
 Thoxuas Boker, 
 Wm. Townsend, 
 Cyrus Richard, 
 Jacob Straufer, 
 David Ross, 
 
270 
 
 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTy. 
 
 Daniel Merkle, 
 Peter Smith, 
 Geo. Demott, 
 Jacob Shoemaker, 
 Stephen- Ellis, 
 Felix Ritter, 
 
 Wm. W. Caraham, Wm. Wintersteen, 
 
 Henry Wagner, Amos Cox, 
 
 Cyrus Welli\'er, Phenias Wilken, 
 
 Josiah Moist, Jacob Kramer, 
 
 Samuel P. Demott, Andrew S. Allen, 
 Abm. Swisher, 
 
 fATAWISSA TOAVXSHIP NO. DRAFTED 32. 
 
 Theodore Kreigh, Geo. W^ John, ' Jacob Hoffman, 
 
 Harvey ililler, 
 Nathan Creasy, 
 David Metz, 
 James S. MoXinch, 
 
 Edward B. Pv.eed, 
 Jacob Martz, 
 Wm. H. Hartman, 
 Jesse K. Sharpless, 
 Amos Gensil, 
 Jacob Breech, 
 James Stanle}', 
 Harvey Geiger, 
 Jolm" Scott, " 
 Jacob TI. Creasy, 
 
 OENTEE TOWNSHIP NO, 
 
 Chas. Zimmerman, Wm. Durling, 
 Shadrack McBride. 
 George K. Hess, 
 David K. Sloan, 
 Jesse Frea^, 
 
 (JONTNGHAM TOWNSIIir 
 
 Henry Guinn, 
 Wm. J. Broombach, 
 John A. Shuman, 
 Peter S. Beiber, 
 
 Wellington Claj-ton, Wm. Miller, 
 Solomon D.' Rinard, Thomas Howlin, 
 John Getkin, 
 Mark B Hughes, 
 Burton W Fortner, 
 Jacob Haines, 
 
 DRAFTED 13. 
 
 John L, Freas, 
 
 Thomas Hartman, 
 Ambrose Sharpless, 
 Wm. McNeal, 
 
 John Horn, 
 Joseph Conner, 
 Ilenry Shaffer, 
 
 Daniel Rinard, 
 Henry Masteller, 
 Isaac Arnwine, 
 
 NO. DRAFTED 91. 
 
 Henry Hechst, 
 John Heapenny, 
 Bernard Kelly, ' 
 Henry Maidenfort, 
 Martin Costello, 
 Michael Gloglau, 
 Thomas Nixon, 
 David Black,' 
 William Shuman, 
 Joseph B.' Knittl«, 
 Henry Cyrong, 
 Joseph Edwins, 
 Geo. W. Mitchell, 
 
 Patrick Kinney, 
 Jinkihs Bowem, 
 Richard Keley,- 
 Anthony Cosgrove, 
 Daniel Lunger, 
 Hehry Heckman, 
 Michael Briitnin, 
 John Stall, 
 George Womer, 
 Thomas Baers, 
 John Doluey, 
 Thomas Parrel, 
 Joseph Brian, 
 
 J: S; Beadle, 
 Johii Gristol, 
 Elias Stobich, 
 Michael- Zimvet, 
 Anthony Gallagher, 
 Patrick Devine, 
 Geo. W! Davis, 
 Jacob Fisher, 
 Frank Smelser, 
 Michael' Conner, 
 Henry Foy, 
 Uriah Tilley, 
 Frederick Snydei', 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUJSTIY. 
 
 271 
 
 Lewis Bloss, 
 Patrick .Taioe, 
 Patrick Burke. 
 James Scott. 
 Abm. Williams, 
 Peter Malay, 
 John G. Hanley, 
 James Mongle, 
 J. M. Finch, 
 Thomas Burke, 
 Lafayette Fetterman, 
 John Stetsler, 
 Peter Snow, 
 Wm. Lills, 
 Elias Barringer, 
 Daniel Fetterman, 
 Thomas KilcoU, 
 William Branchide, 
 
 John Mull, jr. 
 Stephen Thomas, 
 Moses Morrison, 
 James McDonald, 
 Tobias Lisar, 
 Peter Bastin, 
 Thomas Glenner, 
 Thomas oilier; 
 Michael McCole, 
 John Roe, 
 James Darrach, 
 Jacob Harman, 
 Daniel Kieffer, 
 Wm. Snyder, 
 George Mastin, 
 Barney McGuire, 
 John Fleming, 
 
 Peter Huneloaf, 
 Reuben Tilley, 
 David Brown, 
 John Langan, 
 John Ilor, 
 Peter Huttensteine, 
 John Butler, 
 Michael Glessner, 
 Patrick Demott, 
 Moses Long, 
 Frank D. Long, 
 Peter Brenin, 
 Wm. Hoagland,- 
 John Stuben, 
 Anthony Kiley, 
 John McDonald, 
 Robert Humphrey, 
 
 Samuel Jacoby, 
 Isaac K. Appleman, 
 James J. Thomas, 
 Jackson M. Hower, 
 Aaron Kister, 
 Aaron Fox, 
 Mathias Kindt, 
 Samuel Marr, 
 Emanuel Sitler, 
 John B. Crawford, 
 Thomas C. Kester, 
 Joseph Crawford, 
 
 MOUNT PLEASANT TOWNSHIP NO. DRAFTED 36. 
 
 James Bittenbender, Joshua Hartzel, 
 Russel Appleman, Daniel Bonawltz, 
 
 Sylvester Crawford, 
 John Osman, 
 Samuel Harp, 
 G. Hartzel, 
 Joseph Hildebaum, 
 Robert Howell, 
 8. R. Bittenbender, 
 Alexander Zigler, 
 David Stroup, 
 Clemuel Shoemaker, 
 
 Alexander Rambo, 
 Henry W. Mellick, 
 Joseph Gilbert, 
 Gabriel Everett, 
 Henry Kitchen, 
 Alfred Miller, 
 Melchia Ruckel, 
 John PJippensteel, 
 Robert S. Oman, 
 Geo. L. Oman. 
 
 MAIN TOWNSHIP NO. DRAFTED 18. 
 
 William Ritter, Thomas Quinn,' ' Jonas N. John 
 
 William Angel, Louis Filker, 
 
 John Wesley, David B. Gitting, 
 
 N. H. Brown, John G. Pifer, 
 
 Jacob Bauman, Solomon Deaner, 
 
 Martin Nuss, Francis Fleraming, 
 
 Samuel Schell, 
 Franklin Shuman, 
 Reuben Shuman, 
 Lewis W Gulp, 
 Conrad Bredbender, 
 
272 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 MONTOUR TOWNSHIP NO. l>RArTKD 6. 
 
 Andrew P. Roth, Emanuel Summers, James F. Foster, 
 Jackson Leiby, Franklin Miller, Isaac B. SchuU. 
 
 MIFFLIN TOWNSHIP NO. DRAFTED 3. 
 
 Philip Hess, David Eckrothe, Stephen H. Schwank. 
 
 ORANGE TOWNSHIP — NO. DRAFTED 39. 
 
 James R. Handiwork,Nelson Crouse, Emanuel Appleman, 
 
 Samuel Trump, Adam A. Schuyler, Abm. A. Kline, 
 
 Jeremiah B. Kisner, John Fisher, Jeremiah Hess, 
 
 Righter W. Bowman,Geo. G. Lott, Daniel Shultz, 
 
 Isaac K Dildine, Charles Brewer, Henry Stiner, 
 
 S. M. D. Montgomery,Benjamin Paden, Jonathan Poust, 
 
 John Trumbore. Miles A. Williams, McClure Drake, 
 
 Samuel Johnson, Charles Jones, Robert B. Rickets, 
 
 Peter Bogart, Henry Bowman, Samuel Achenbach, 
 
 Alexander Herring. Aaron R. Patterson, Joseph C Hughes, 
 Archibald Patterson, Geo. W. Rittenhouse,Elwood W. Coleman, 
 
 John M. White, Emanuel Snyder, Marion B. Hughes, 
 
 Taylor Bowman, Charles Allabach, Clemuel R. Henrie. 
 
 PINK TOWNSHIP NO. DRAFTED 20. 
 
 Clark Whitmoyer, Wm. Hinney, Richard W. Lyons, 
 
 Wesley Keller, Wm. Thompson, Isaac Sweeny, 
 
 John Wintersteon, Jacob Gordner, John Lore, 
 
 Wm. P. Fans, Alvin Fowler, Joseph Driblebis, 
 
 Geo. Crossley, Montgomery Cox, Lafayette Unger, 
 
 Jacob Christian, Lafayette Applegate, John E. German, 
 
 Clemuel McHenry, Pemberton Piatt. 
 
 ROARINGtCREEK TOWNSHIP NO. DRAFTED 14. 
 
 Phenis Thomas, Robert S. Hampton, Owen Hoagland, 
 
 Benneville Rhodes, Joseph Buck, Martin Wintersteen, 
 
 Henry Y. Gable, Joseph Witner, John M. Trump, 
 
 John B. Witner, Benj. Levan, Wm. H. Eck, 
 
 Abraham Beaver, Sam'l L. Cherrington. 
 
 FISHntGCREKK TOWNSHIP MO. DRAFTED 34. 
 
 Gko. M. Howell, Joseph Kline, James Campbell, 
 
 Enos Pealer, Peter Bogart, Wm. Hagenbuch, 
 
 John W. Harrison, John Hile, Emandus Bender, 
 
 Evan E. Bittenbender.Frank Wolf, Hiram McHenry, 
 
 Jacob Kline, Reuben Savage, Jacob O. Wilson, 
 
HISTOJRT 01 COLUMBIA VOUJSTTY. 
 
 278 
 
 John McHenry, James F Stoker, 
 
 Jacob Shoemaker, Abraham Unangst, 
 Isaac McHenry, Thomas M. Sutton, 
 
 Augustus W. Weaver, Alexander Yaple, 
 David Savage, Caleb O'Brien, 
 
 Anthony Hunsinger, Mathias Appleman, 
 Amos Savage, 
 
 FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP NO. DRAFTED 12. 
 
 Samuel Pealer, 
 John F. Hutchison, 
 Wm. Royer, 
 Charles Ash, 
 Samuel Shive, 
 Amos Dresher, 
 
 Joel Zarr, 
 Miner Hiles, 
 Silas B. Hartman, 
 Richard H. Biddle, 
 
 Jonathan Loreman, 
 John Loreman, 
 John R. Brobst, 
 William Swayze, 
 
 GREENWOOD TOWNSHIP NO. DRAFTED 18. 
 
 Pliram T. Hower, 
 Isaac Richards, 
 Daniel Dunn, 
 Israel Ashton, 
 
 Valentine Garnet, 
 John P. Smith, 
 Samuel Albertson, 
 Jacob Watts, 
 Joshua Davis, 
 Richard J. Eves, 
 
 Benj. Staokhouse, Francis M. Roe, 
 Wm. McK. Mu8grave,Peter Hayman, 
 
 Reese McHenry, 
 George Iklei', 
 Jacob Shultz, 
 A. P. Heller, 
 
 Geo. Greenly, 
 John Lemon, 
 Geo. F. Kindt, 
 Erastus Hendershott, 
 
 SCOTT TOWNSHIP NO. URAFTED 32. 
 
 Patrick Daly, 
 Abner H. Brown, 
 George Gilbert, 
 David J. Quick, 
 William Masteller, 
 
 N. E. Cain, 
 Robert Earst, 
 Jesse Merrell, 
 Geo. B. Kitchen, 
 Chancey C. Trench, 
 
 Theodore McDowell, Isaac J. Kester, 
 
 Charles Schug, 
 Wm. A. Case, 
 Charles S. Fowler, 
 John Turner, 
 Uriah M. Edgar, 
 
 SUGARLOAP TOWTNSHIP 
 
 Emanuel Ruckel, 
 Esband S. Fowler, 
 John W. Hunter, 
 Geo. W. Edgar, 
 Philip Dieterick, 
 
 Geo. I. Transue, 
 Priscus E. Bomboy, 
 Elisha B. Pursel, 
 Daniel Johnson, 
 John Wolf, 
 Heniy Oman, 
 Daniel Mauron, 
 James Greenage, 
 Charles Merrel, 
 John B. Vanhorn, 
 
 -NO. DRAFTED 15. 
 
 Jacob H. Fritz, 
 Alexander Hess, 
 Montgomery Cole, 
 Samuel H. Hess, 
 Cornelius Girton, 
 
 Zeppamiah L. Kline, George Ellison, 
 Jesse Fritz, Wm. Peterman, 
 
 Mordecai Goodwin, Nathaniel H. Steward, 
 John T. Brink, John Montgomery, 
 
 Stephen Larish, James Peterman, 
 
274 
 
 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 John Moomey, 
 Cornelius Bellas, 
 Frank Hummel, 
 
 A suj)plementaiy draft was made in Dec. 1 864 to fill some va- 
 cancies in townships under the previous calls. It was as follows : 
 
 FISHINGCKEEJC TOWNSHIP NO. DRAFTED 29- 
 
 Hiram Hess, Wesley Kline, 
 
 Evan Bittenbender, Jacob Shoemaker, 
 James Campbell, Abraham Golder, 
 
 J. Deemer McHenry, Samuel Savage, 
 James Paden, Michael Beishline, 
 
 Daniel Winner, Wm. Royer, 
 
 John M. Buckalew, Elisha Evans, 
 
 Christian J. Ash, 
 
 John Drescher, 
 
 Richard B. Bright, 
 
 PINE TOWNSHIP NO. DRAFTED 8- 
 
 John Johnson, Isaac Sweeney, 
 
 Ira C. Pursel, Abel Hartman, 
 
 O. P. Swisher, Thomas McBride, 
 
 ORANGE TOWNSHIP NO. DK.VFTKD 24- 
 
 Charles Kelchner, Stephen H. Hill, 
 Archibald Patterson, Jacob Remley, 
 Daniel G. Ent, Thomas D. Kline, 
 
 Augustus Everhart, Charles W. Low, 
 Emery Day, Calvin Herring, 
 
 John Delong, John Graliam, 
 
 J. Sanderson Woods,David E. Hayman, 
 Jacob Roub, I. E. Patterson, 
 
 3IADIS0N TOWNSHIP NO. DRAFTED 20— REQUIRED 10- 
 
 Alinas Kline, Felix Ritter, Richard F. Stout, 
 
 Phineas Welliver, 
 James Welliver, 
 Abraham Young, 
 Joseph Moist, 
 Wilson Masters, 
 M. A. Moore, 
 
 -NO. DRAFTED 18 REQUIRED 9. 
 
 Ephr'm P. McCollum,Russel Shultz, Mathias Appleman, 
 
 Furman Smith, John J. Karns, Jesse B. Shultz, 
 
 Lawsou Hughes, 
 Jacob Zeisloft, 
 Simon Cotner, 
 S. S. Runyan, 
 Charles Gibbons, 
 Asher Heitsman, 
 
 -NO. REQUIRED 15. 
 
 Edward Unangst, 
 George Heath, 
 James E. Jones, 
 George Fullmer, 
 Thomas Yaple, 
 B. F. Edgar, 
 Wm. Shugars, 
 Daniel Blank, 
 Archibald Richart. 
 
 -REQUIRED 4. 
 
 Itobert Lyons, 
 Elisha Taylor, 
 
 -REQUIRED 15. 
 
 E. W. Coleman, 
 Joseph C. Hughes, 
 Abraham M. White, 
 Simon P. Johnson, 
 Wm. Fritz, 
 Justice Ikeler, 
 Clemuel R. Heiirie, 
 Samuel K. White, 
 
 Watkins Prosser, 
 John P. Runyan, 
 Wm. Graham, 
 Ezra Vandine, 
 Issachar Titman, 
 
 UENTON TOWNSHIP- 
 
HIS TOUT OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 275 
 
 Oscar Couuer, 
 John J. Blink, 
 Moses MoHenry, 
 Preserve Conner, 
 
 Elias Ash, .lessee R. Pennington, 
 
 Livingstone Rhone, Thomas Appleman, 
 
 Charles N. Dodson, Jared Coff, 
 
 Wm. S. Case, John Lemons, 
 
 JACKSON TOWNSHIP NO. DRAFTFl) 10 NO. EEQUIKED 5. 
 
 John Edgar, Samuel Keller, Wm. Brink, 
 
 Henry Getty, Joshua Hess, Chauncy Strong, 
 
 John L. Hess, Isaac Lewis, George Remley, 
 Asher Yorks, 
 
 SUOARI.OAF TOWNSHIP NO. DRAFTED 8 REQUIRED 4. 
 
 Valentine Stout, 
 Martin Miller, 
 Clinton Hess, 
 
 Elias Young, 
 Clinton W. Lewis, 
 Ezekiel Fritz, 
 o- ■ 
 
 Andrew Lau'oach, 
 Wm. Peterman, 
 
 On Tuesday January 15, 1865, the following drafts for deficipn 
 •cies in the townships named, wtre made at Troy. 
 
 MADISON. 
 
 Peter B. Shultz, 
 Jeremiah Stiles, 
 Joseph Wagner, 
 Jos. R. Pennington, 
 Wesley Dildine, 
 
 Jacob M. Beishline, 
 Wilson W. Smith, 
 John Shoemaker, 
 Silas Johnson, 
 Calendar Clark, 
 John Gei-ev, 
 
 J.icob Flick, 
 Ashly L.aylan, 
 Daniel Shultz, 
 John Zcisloft, 
 George Gibbons, 
 
 FISIIINGCEEEK 
 
 Monroe Markle, 
 
 James S. Lazarus, 
 Hiram Bowman, 
 Henry Stiner, 
 Wm. Heidliiy, 
 
 Martin Albertson, 
 John Dictterick, 
 
 JACKSON. 
 
 Theodore W. Smith, Thom.as MoHenry, 
 Jacob Farver, 
 
 SUGARI.OAF. 
 
 Samuel P.ark, 
 
 PINE. 
 
 David Shoemaker, 
 
 D. n. Megargel, 
 
 ORANGE. 
 
 Bazaleel Hayhurst, 
 
 Emanuel B. .lohnson, Jonathan Poust, 
 
 Geo. U. M. Abbott, Thomas McHenry, 
 
 Geo. McBride, 
 
 Koah Bogart, 
 
 Elinas Cole, 
 
 John E. German, 
 
276 
 
 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA OOUlY'/Y. 
 
 On Friday the 14th day of April, 186,3, 
 Troy to fill the quota of Columbia county 
 President. 
 
 BLOOM. 
 
 Hiram Ilcacock, 
 Washington Ruckle, 
 Samuel .f. Ivelchner, 
 Jacob Stiner, 
 Robert C. Fruit, 
 
 William Morgan, 
 
 Allen Cadwallader, 
 
 Robert Roan, 
 
 Bernard H. Stohner, 
 
 Isaac S. Kuhn, 
 
 Michael Whitmoyer, David Winner, 
 
 Clark M. Brown, 
 H. Clay Hartman, 
 Jacob Geist, 
 John Rinker, 
 Jacob Diehl, 
 R E. WiNon. 
 Mills Chemberlin, 
 Wni. Gilmore, 
 Julius Greenbaum, 
 T. J. Thornton, 
 John Beagham, 
 Samuel Garriuger. 
 John Rinard, 
 Lucas N. Moyer, 
 
 Joseph Moni?!, 
 Phineas Welsh, 
 James B. McKeh-y, 
 Henry W:inich, 
 Daniel Ingold, 
 Henry Seager, 
 W. H. Harman, 
 John Wesley, 
 Andrew Madison, 
 Solomon Heist, 
 B. H. Yanuatta, 
 Oliver A. Jacoby, 
 Clinton W. Neal, 
 David W. Fishei-, 
 
 Andrew B. Cathcart, Charles P. Sloan, 
 
 UKWKJl. 
 
 David Hinterliter, 
 John Hoffman, 
 Peter Knecht, 
 Peter Shellhon.se, 
 John Naus (Xaas) 
 John Fry, 
 Peter Fisher, 
 Geo. Shnman, 
 Henry Sherman, 
 .Andrew Shuman, 
 John Harrine, 
 Joseph Keister, 
 JTohn Holtz, 
 
 Andrew Huiitsinger, 
 Jno. Dalevson, 
 Samuel Hinterliter, 
 Stephen Lchr, 
 Conrad Brcdbcndor, 
 Tilnian Rittenhousc, 
 John Dreisbach, 
 Henry Harninger, 
 Peter Slicker, 
 AaroH Jolmson, 
 John Hoats, jr. 
 Fred Slieinian, 
 Enos Ritteiihouse, 
 
 a draft was made at 
 on the last call of the 
 
 J. J. Rabbins, 
 E. \i. Yordy, 
 Hutchison Vannatta, 
 David Lowenberg, 
 Wm. Shoemakei', 
 Jacob F. Fox, 
 John W. Shannon, 
 James F. McBride. 
 Wm. Edgar, 
 \Vm. Howell, 
 ^\^atson Furnian, 
 John Morris, 
 Palemon John, 
 Samuel Hughes, 
 Henry Garrison, 
 Jonah Townsond, 
 Peter Downs, 
 John Cadman, 
 Samuel M. Prentiss, 
 Henry Artwine, 
 
 Joel Swank, 
 Jno. Hawk, 
 Thomas Miller, 
 Isaac llarringer, 
 Daniel Monsinger, 
 Edmond Schell, 
 Uriah Mc.\fFee, 
 Wash Herring, 
 N. Longenberger, 
 Morton Johnson, 
 Henry Miller, 
 Jacob Baumberger, 
 John Singley. 
 
JJISTOMY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 ill 
 
 John Huntzinger, 
 Geo. W. Hock, 
 Samuel Moore, 
 Jacob Cliiigman, 
 Elias Barringei', 
 John Shei'man, 
 Henry Hossler, 
 John Huntzingei-, 
 .Nathan Hons, 
 
 Isaac Ousback, 
 Stephen Michael, 
 Lewis Yeager, 
 M. liittenhouse, 
 •luo. S. Mann, 
 Uriah McAffee, 
 Henry Hinterliter, 
 Daniel Shearhart, 
 
 John W. Fullmer, 
 John W. Smith, 
 Samuel M. Wilson, 
 Septimus Hess, 
 Samuel Shultz, 
 Wm. Hartman, 
 Nathan A. Tubbs, 
 John liautz. 
 
 BENTON. 
 
 E. Laubach, 
 Silas Benjamin, 
 Silas F. Karus, 
 Richard Stiles, 
 Andrew Stine, 
 Jacob M. Beishline 
 Eli McHenry, 
 Thomas B. Cole, 
 
 CATAWISSA. 
 
 Samuel J. Frederick, Daniel Gearhart, 
 
 Peter S. Biler, 
 
 Jacob S. Creasy, 
 
 Ralph M. Lashell, 
 
 Nathan Krumm, 
 
 Geo. W. Clark, 
 
 Lewis KeifEer, 
 
 Percival Rhodes, 
 
 Wm G. Yetter, 
 
 Wm. John, 
 
 Henry Lehr, 
 James Large, 
 Wm. Baker, 
 Geo. Dreisbach. 
 Freeaian Barringer, 
 Alfred Maun, 
 Peter Fisher, 
 Morton Dawes, 
 
 Geo. Miller, 
 E. Kirkendall, 
 Thomas Hartman, 
 John P. Ikeler, 
 David Yocum, 
 Jonathan Steele, 
 Peter B. Shultz, 
 Clark Calendar, 
 
 Samuel Yeager, 
 
 John H. Guinu, 
 
 Alem Fo.rtuer, 
 
 Levi Ash, 
 
 Geo. Richial, 
 
 Peter B. Campbell, 
 
 Britton W. Fortner, Wm. Eyer, 
 
 Theodore Schmetz, Jno. S. Mench, 
 
 Nalhan Creasy. 
 
 Jacob Breck, 
 James P. Right, 
 David Hower, 
 Henry Jones, 
 Theodore Kreigh, 
 Hamilton Fisher, 
 Benj. C. Ludwig, 
 
 Wm. H. Orange, 
 
 Jno. Hibben. 
 George Gwin, 
 Amos Berger, 
 Wm. Parr, 
 Jacob Zimmerman, 
 
 Augustus Frantz, 
 Mayberry G. Hughes, Wm. Mertine, 
 Thos. Getkin, Chas. Hartman, 
 
 Daniel Zarr, Jacob Metz. 
 
 Michael Rees, Ambrose H.Sharpless,Ziba Barnes, 
 
 M. M. Brobst, Valentine Metz, Joseph Martz 
 
 CONYNGHAM. 
 
 Thomas McCormick, John S. Longbinn, 
 Wm. Lees, Paric Da Mott, 
 
 Patrick Eageu, Peiev Lauban, 
 
 Pat Herran, 
 Nicholas Longbeein, 
 Evan Jones, 
 
278 
 
 RISTOBY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Geo. McXeil, 
 Michael Gorey, 
 Wm. Grant, 
 Thos. Heladd, 
 Jno. Engle, 
 Jno S. Kline, 
 Geo. W. Davis, 
 Thos. Mahen, 
 James Geniiings, 
 Michael Horn, 
 Morton Brennan, 
 Jno. Thomas, 
 Thos. Delton, 
 Pat McDonnell, 
 Clinton Dewitt, 
 Robert Gorrell, 
 Daniel Jones, 
 
 John Shultz, 
 L. D. Mendenhall, 
 'Henry Pesteler, 
 Mordecai Hicks, 
 Levi Creasy, 
 Erastus W. Baker, 
 Hezekiah Boone, 
 Henry R Remley, 
 Chas. R. Boone, 
 Jesse Hicks, 
 
 Wellington Clark, 
 William Mensch, 
 Jos. B. Belber, 
 Geo. Zarr, 
 Christian Artly, 
 Jacob Knittle, 
 Benj. Zimmerman, 
 
 John Rarig, 
 Joseph Buck, 
 
 Patrick McGinley, 
 Barney McQuinn, 
 Jno. Mull, jr. 
 Stephen Thomas, 
 Sylvester Hoffman, 
 Patrick Kennedy, 
 Peter Lupert, 
 Thos. Killcall, 
 Jos. D. Long, 
 Moses Long, 
 Hugh Monday, 
 John Laras, 
 John Moyer, 
 Henry Dresher, 
 David Black, 
 J. N. Frick, 
 Jno. McDonnell, 
 
 CENTRE. 
 
 Elijah Harman, 
 Samuel Smith, 
 Wm. Webb, 
 G. W. Dodson, 
 Levi Hidlay, 
 H. J. Knorr, 
 T. McD Price, 
 Samuel Kinard, 
 Jos. Weis, 
 
 FRANKON. 
 
 John Artly, 
 Henry Edmans, 
 Hiram J. Reeder, 
 John Cooner, 
 John S. MoWilliams, 
 Geo. Hartman, 
 David W. Keiffer, 
 
 ROARINGCREEK. 
 
 Emanuel K. Case, 
 Michael Knittle, 
 
 Jno. Shlosser, 
 Jos. Steele, 
 Jos. Snyder, 
 Pat Lenohan, 
 Frank D. Long, 
 Jno. Skilling, 
 Martin Neuss, 
 Wm. Kute, 
 John Metzinger,. 
 Elias Barringer, 
 Ellis Valentine, 
 Martin Brinnan, 
 Jacob Stots, 
 James McCollum,. 
 Daniel Crumm, 
 George Reedy, 
 Ciias Angle, 
 
 Philip Cain, 
 Samuel Boone, 
 Geo. P. Stiner, 
 T. W. Fry, 
 Geo. Hidlay, 
 Elias Brown, 
 Chas. Zimmerman, 
 Alfred Bower, 
 Jacob Miller, 
 
 Shultz Knittle, 
 Wm. Barninger, 
 Washington Parr^ 
 Samuel Yetter, 
 Jacob Bohler, 
 David Huber, 
 
 Samuel Leiby, 
 Peter Strausser, 
 
mSTORT OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 279 
 
 Elias Rarig, 
 Geo. Bloss, 
 John Hampton, 
 Jacob Longaberger, 
 
 Michael Britton, 
 Priscus E. Bomboy, 
 Beeder Mack, 
 Pulaski Mellick, 
 Jackson Garrison, 
 Theodore McDowell, 
 
 Phineas Thomas, 
 Joseph Kline, 
 Jolin Bloss, 
 
 SCOTT. 
 
 Daniel Hamlin, 
 John B. Vanhorn, 
 Thomas Merrill, 
 David Whitmire, 
 G. Fenstermaker, 
 
 John C. Hower, 
 Geo. Kreisher, 
 Jacob Erwin, 
 
 Daniel Snyder, 
 Aaron Neuss, 
 Wm. E. Hower, 
 Alfred P. Fowler, 
 Geo. Ruckle, 
 
 Jacob Christian, 
 John Lore, 
 Fred Wagner, 
 Abijah G. Girton, 
 Samuel Stackhouse, 
 
 U. Franklin Derr, 
 Jos. C. Parker, 
 Samuel Patterson, 
 Zebulon Shultz, 
 Thos. Reese, 
 Wm. P. Ikeler, 
 Robert Musgrave, 
 Wm. Davis, 
 Peter Swisher, 
 Israel W. Girton, 
 Jos. W. Eves, 
 Sylvester Albertson, 
 Augustus Wilson, 
 Parvin Eves, 
 Jesse Heacock, 
 
 Frank Roberts, 
 Rohr McHenry, 
 Philip Knouse, 
 John Keller, 
 
 John R.- Eves, 
 Benj. Lore, 
 Wesley Long, 
 Pemberton Piatt, 
 
 GREENWOOD. 
 
 Jackson Hummel, 
 Wilson Thomas, 
 M. B. Shultz, 
 John Thomas, 
 
 . Trivelpiece, 
 
 Jacob Hayman, 
 John Staddon, 
 George Reese, 
 John Thomas, 
 John Moore Eves, 
 Harrison Dietterick, 
 Clinton Robbins, 
 Wm. U. Parker, 
 Wm. E. Patterson, 
 Wm. J. Sands, 
 
 JACKSON. 
 
 Jonas Hess, 
 Elijah Yocum, 
 Jesse Rhone, 
 
 Jacob Gorden, 
 Clemuel McHenry,, 
 Isaac Irens, 
 
 Mathias Crossley, 
 
 James Dewitt, 
 Geo. Derr, 
 Wm. R. Mather, 
 Perry D. Black, 
 G. W. Washburn, 
 Geo. Heacock, 
 David Masters, 
 Abraham Titman, 
 Thomas Wilson, 
 Jacob Mussieman, 
 Richard J. Eves, 
 Thomas Davis, 
 James L. Preston, 
 John C. Lemons. 
 
 Josiah Robbins, 
 Jno. Young, 
 Israel Heath, 
 
280 
 
 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 John Fox, 
 
 Sylvester Richards, 
 Purseval Fiilk, 
 Thomas Weaver, 
 Daniel Wanich, 
 Philip Hess, 
 Peter Brugler, 
 Reuben Werkheiser, 
 Wm. P. Leidy, 
 John Hartman, 
 
 Fred Mufler, 
 Fred Payden, 
 Lemuel White, 
 Charles Conner, 
 Geo. L. Johnson, 
 John Fisher, 
 Henry W. Kisner, 
 Joshua Trumbore, 
 
 Franklin Rarig. 
 Jonathan Beaver, 
 Jacob Ruch, 
 Joseph Sanders, 
 Isaac 0. Myers, 
 Henry Hoffman, 
 John Lindermate, 
 Joseph Breok, 
 S. Schaeffer, 
 Wm. Campbell, 
 Adam M. Johnson, 
 Ellis George, 
 Simon Carroll, 
 Jacob Lindermate, 
 Israel Warry, 
 John Miner, 
 Brine Hongbener, 
 David Fetterman, 
 
 HEMLOCK. 
 
 Mathias Whitenight, 
 Reuben Rouch, 
 John Coons, 
 Henry Somers, 
 Peter S. Brugler, 
 Azima Whitenight, 
 John S. Shoemaker, 
 James Rounsley, 
 Charles Green, 
 
 ORANGE. 
 
 John S. Pettibone, 
 Milton Trumbore, 
 Alex. McHenry, 
 Jerome Kisner, 
 Oscar Achenbach, 
 Emanuel Appleman, 
 Henry Stewart, 
 
 T.ocrsT. 
 Jesse G. John, 
 David Rhodes, 
 Geo. Bittener, 
 Michael Hongberger, 
 Charles Bellig, 
 Wm D. Paler, 
 Jacob Long, 
 Wm. Irwin, 
 Adam Mensch, 
 Wm. Lourman, 
 George Wary, 
 Henry Yost, 
 Solomon Rider, 
 Wellirigton Hower, 
 Wm Parker, 
 Peter Rhodes, 
 Wm. Shultz, 
 Wm. Goodman, 
 
 Hugh A. Hartman, 
 Perry Whitenight, 
 James D. Pnrsel, 
 Willits Pursel, 
 Harris Hartman, 
 Gideon Stecker, 
 Michael Gober, 
 Geo. W. Foust, 
 W. H. Shoemaker, 
 
 Jeremiah Hess, 
 Matthew B. Patterson, 
 Abraham White, 
 Isaac R. Dildine, 
 Martin Ivline, 
 Miles DeLong, 
 Archibald Patterson, 
 
 Jacob Yost, 
 Geo. Isenbach, 
 Wm. Bahm, 
 Isaac J. Fisher, 
 David Helwig, 
 David Reeder, 
 Wm. Wynu, 
 David Levan, 
 Lloyd P. Fox, 
 Solomon Strausser, 
 Jacob P. Kesliner, 
 John C. Walters, 
 Araandus Billeg, 
 Peter Beaver, 
 Wm. Smith, 
 W. H. Reinbold, 
 Gabel Warry, 
 Daniel P. Levan, 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA C0UN7Y. 
 
 281 
 
 Wesley Perry, 
 Win. Adams, 
 Abram Rice, 
 Wm. Fetterman, 
 John Ai'tley, 
 
 Robt. Fruit, 
 Joel Moser, 
 Geo. Breece, 
 Elisha B. Hartman, 
 Francis Eves, 
 Adam Coderman, 
 Wash Welliver, 
 Eli Wagner, 
 Joseph Moist, 
 Jacob Zeisloft, 
 Conrad Kramer, 
 Wm. Masteller, 
 
 Isaac Gulp, 
 Gabriel Everett, 
 Philip Miller, 
 John H. Vanderslice, 
 Andrew J. McCarty, 
 Aaron Kester, 
 Russel Appleman, 
 John W. Kramer, 
 Wm. lieers, 
 Peter Hippensteel, 
 Amos R. Heacock, 
 James Lemon, 
 John Johnson, 
 
 Solomon Yeager, David Leibig, 
 
 Nathan Kostenbader,David Long. 
 Jacob Care, Andrew Scott, 
 
 Harris H. Fox, Adam Marks, 
 
 Richard E. Watkins, Samuel Miller, 
 
 MADISON". 
 
 Jonathan Pegg, 
 Joseph C. Smith, 
 Daniel Welliver, 
 John Roan, 
 H. Clay Mills, 
 John Demott, 
 Wnu Kitchen, 
 John Mosteller, 
 Silas W. Barber, 
 A. R. Smith, 
 Wesley Demott, 
 Cyrus R. Johnson, 
 
 MX. PLEASAKT. 
 
 John R. Mordan, 
 Lott Johnson, 
 David F. Oman, 
 Melchi Ruckle, 
 Benj. Kester, 
 Hiram Thomas, 
 John Barnes, 
 David Musgrave, 
 Henry Mellick, 
 Emanuel Gilbert, 
 Clinton Mellick, 
 Wm. W. Kline, 
 Alfred Miller, 
 
 MAIN. 
 
 Lewis F'elker, Jer. Longenberger, 
 
 G. M. Longenberger, U. J. Campbell, 
 Thos. Pleasants, Wm. Erwin, 
 
 Josiah Fleming, John A Shuman, 
 
 Alex. Carr, 
 Lemuel Kisner, 
 James Kindline, 
 John D. Essick, 
 Wm. Graham, 
 Abram Swisher, 
 Uriah Welliver, 
 Juo. Shultz, 
 Jno. Kramer, 
 Henry Biddle, 
 Wilson J. Masters, 
 
 Samuel Jacoby, 
 Chas. Johnson, 
 Philip Stroup, 
 Jos. H. Kitchen, 
 Hiram Kramer, 
 Christian Eck, 
 Joshua Hartzel, 
 Robt. Howell, 
 Geo. Steinmiller, 
 Levi Thomas, 
 Millard L. Thomas, 
 Matthias Gilbert, 
 
 Benj. Hawkae, 
 David Bigilling, 
 Nath. H.V.Brown, 
 
282 
 
 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 MIKFLIN. 
 
 Wm. Gitling, 
 
 Wm. Kelchner, 
 
 Wash Z. Michael, 
 
 Jos. R. Miller, 
 
 John J. Hartzel, 
 
 Jer. Zimmerman, 
 Abram M. Mastellev, Thos. W Hutchison, Stephen Dietteriok. 
 "Vyjhitney Hess, Victor Ronald, Lewis Creasy, 
 
 FISIIINGCREEK. 
 
 Hiram McHeury, 
 Levi Winner, 
 
 Hezekiah Kelchner, 
 Philip Hess, 
 Samuel E. Smith, 
 Wm. Kilebaugh, 
 Jacob Snyder, 
 Wm. Fieas, 
 
 Samuel Shives, 
 Jacob S. Bishline, 
 Geo. M. Howell, 
 Philip Bellas, 
 Reuben Hess, 
 Geo. Gilbert, 
 Jas. J. Campbell, 
 Elisha K. Robbins, 
 
 Geo. Robenholt, 
 Daniel House, 
 Stephen Hetter, 
 E. Schweppenheiser, 
 John Rint, 
 Alfred Hess, 
 
 Benj. Golder, 
 Monterville McHenry, 
 
 Abram W. Patterson.Dennis Kline, 
 
 Thos. M. Statton, 
 D. G. Sutliff, 
 Alex. Jackson, 
 Stot McHenry, 
 Perry Buckalew, 
 
 SUGAKLO.\F. 
 
 Hiram Lunger, 
 Jos. L. Harp, 
 Clinton Cole, 
 Benjamin Peterman, 
 Richard Hess, 
 Abijah Hess, 
 
 Cyrus B. Fox, 
 James McMichael, 
 Jacob JOine, 
 Wm. Evens, 
 Reuben Appleman. 
 
 Jer. Vansickle, 
 Amos Fritz, 
 Michael Beishline, 
 Cyrus Larish, 
 Reuben Betterly, 
 Elias Golden, 
 
 Hiram Lunger, 
 Elijah Peterman, 
 Geo. Case, 
 Elijah Hess, 
 Peter Masteller, 
 Samuel Roberts, 
 John W Kline, 
 
 Note. — The other townships had tilled their quotas by volun- 
 teering ; or for special reasons ihe draft was postponed. lu the 
 foregoing lists many names are manifestly wrong, many dupli- 
 cates, some of persons deceased, or long absent. The errors that 
 are thus apparent must not be charged to the printer or the copy- 
 ist. They are correctly copied from the furnished or printed lists, 
 and given as per copy. To those who know the persons the cor- 
 rection is easy, and it was thought best to permit that to be done 
 by the reader, and to give the names as we found them. The 
 careless incorrectness was the cause of much trouble to our citi- 
 zens, and these lists are a lasting monument of incompetency or 
 worse. 
 
HIHTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 283 
 
 CHAPTER XXVII. 
 
 DRAFTED MILITIA— NINE MONTHS' SERVICE. 
 
 178th REGIMENT. 
 
 J. W. Chemberlin, Major, promoted from private, Company A, 
 35th Regiment, P. V. November 21, 1862, mustered out with 
 Regiment 27th July, 1863. 
 Isaac Pursel, Quartermaster, promoted from 1st Lieutenant, Com- 
 pany F, December 3, 1862, mustered out with Regiment, 27 
 July, 1863. 
 
 Williamson H. Jacoby, Quarter Master Sergeant — mustered 
 November 24, 1862, promoted from Company F, December 8, 
 1862, mustered out with Regiment 27 July, 1863. 
 William Fisher, Commissary Sergeant, mustered October 3, 1862, 
 promoted from Sergeant, Company A, December 8, 1862, mus- 
 tered out with Regiment 27 July, 1863. 
 William F. Gruver, Hospital Steward, mustered November 2, 1862, 
 promoted from Corporal, Company F, December 3, 1862, mus- 
 tered out with Regiment, 27 July 1863. 
 
 The Regiment was recruited in Columbia, Montour, Lancaster 
 and Luzerne; companies A, H, and I were from Columbia 
 county, and F and G mostly from Montour. The regiment 
 was mustered iuto the service between October 30th and Novem- 
 ber 4th, 1862, and was mustered out at Harrisburg July 27, 1863. 
 The men not otherwise designated, were mustered out with the 
 Company. The Regiment moved to Washington December 6, 
 and reached Yorktown on the 29th. In April it had a skirmish 
 near Williamsburg, and was on the advance picket line until the 
 23d of June. When the rebels moved into Pennsylvania, a dem- 
 onstration towards Richmond was made by our troops, and the 
 178th under Gen. Keys moved towards Bottoms Bridge on the 
 Chickahominy. It had a brisk skirmish on the 2d July. It held 
 
284 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 the picket line until the 6th, was then returned to Williamsburg 
 and hurried to Washington to reinforce the army of the Potomac. 
 But the defeat at Gettysburg relieved it, and it was sent to Har- 
 risburg and mustered out. 
 
 CO."MPANr A. 
 
 John M. Buckalew, Captain,' mustered out with company, 27 
 
 July, 1863. 
 Martin V. B. Kline, 1st Lieutenant, discharged on surgeon's 
 
 certificate, January 22, 1863. 
 John J. Karns. 1st Lieutenant, promoted from 2d Lieutenant 
 
 May 15, 1863. 
 James S. Muchler, 2d Lieutenant, promoted from Sergeant, May 
 
 15, 1863. 
 Samuel Montgomery, 1st Sergeant. 
 
 Samuel F. Peal r, 1st Sergeant, discharged March 19, 1863. 
 G W. Shortz, Sergeant. 
 Alfred L Creveling, Sergeant, promoted from Corporal, July 
 
 1, 1863. 
 Zebulon S. Stephens, Sergeant, promoted from Corporal, July 
 
 1, 1863. 
 John R. Keeler, Sergeant, promoted from private July 1 , 1 863. 
 William Fisher, Sergeant, promoted to Commissary Sergeant, 
 
 December 8, 1 862. 
 Samuel Park, Corporal. 
 
 A. A. P. Unangst, Coiporal, absent at hospital at muster out. 
 Henry Wagner, Corjjoi'al. 
 Abraham B. Browe, Corporal. 
 William Comstock, Corporal. 
 
 Eli Robbins, Corporal, absent in hospital at muster out. 
 John W. Beishlinc, Musician. 
 William J. Robbins, Musician. 
 
 Allegar, John Y., Private, absent in hospital at muster out. 
 BeishJine Levi, Private. 
 Beishline Michael, Private. 
 Bender Elias P., 
 Bangs Hendrick W., •' 
 Boston Reuben, discharged on surgeon's certificate November 
 
 22, 1862; 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 285 
 
 Bitterly Redman, discharged on sm-geon's certificate November 
 
 22, 1862. 
 Bellas Geo. W., Private, discharged on surgeon's certificate 
 
 November 22, 1.S62. 
 
 Buss Joshua, Private, died at Harrisburg, December 6, 1862. 
 
 Cole Benjamin D , mustered out with company July 27, 1863. 
 
 Cole William, Private. 
 
 Cole John, 
 
 Connor Oscar, 
 
 Dietrich John, ■' 
 
 Dodson Chester S., " 
 
 Eveland Wesley E., " 
 
 Eveland Fred K., " 
 
 Evans, John W., 
 
 Fans Henry, " 
 
 Fuller, Joseph D., • " 
 
 Fritz Andrew J., Private, discharged on surgeon's certificate 
 November 22, 1862. 
 
 Fuller John J., Private, discharged on surgeon's certificate, No- 
 vember 22, 1862. 
 
 Getz John, mustered out with company July 27, 1863. 
 
 Getz Martin, " 
 
 Hess Benjamin W., " 
 
 Harp Joseph, " 
 
 Hartman Jesse " 
 
 Hartmau Geo. W., " 
 
 Hartman Minor, " 
 
 Howard Charles, " 
 
 Hoche Geo. W., " 
 
 Harrington Newton, Private, discharged on surgeon's certificate 
 November 22, 1862. 
 
 Heath George, Private, dischaiged on surgeon's certificate No- 
 vember 22, 1862. 
 
 Kline Ira D., Privat", mustered out with Company July 27, 1863. 
 
 Killinger Geo. W., Private. ' 
 
 Kuff Jared 
 
 Kindig Charles F., " 
 
 Keeler, Samuel M., " 
 
286 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Kvickbaum Philip, Private, discliarged on surgeon's certificate 
 
 November 22, 1862. 
 Krickbaiim William, Private, discharged on surgeon's certificate 
 
 November 22, 1862. 
 Kline Joseph S , Private, discharged on surgeon's certificate No- 
 vember 22, 1862. 
 Laubach Daniel, mustered ont with company 27 July, 1863. 
 Lauderbach William, Private, discharged on surgeon's certificate 
 
 November 22, 1862. 
 Mussleman Jacob, Private, absent, sick at muster out. 
 Montgomery Robert, Private, mustered out with company 27 July 
 
 1863. 
 Mooie Christian L., Private. 
 Markle Monro, " 
 
 Masteller Geo. W., Private, deserted November 15, 1862. 
 McHenry Eli, Private, deserted December 30, 1862. 
 Osmond John, Private, mustered out with company 27 July, 1863. 
 Park Orrin, Private. 
 
 Palmer Severn B., " 
 Patterson Daniel S., " 
 Pennington James M., " 
 Remley David E , " 
 
 Remley George, " 
 
 Roberts Wm. W., " 
 
 Rhone \Vm, P , " 
 
 Runyon Joseph C, Private, discharged on surgeon's certificate 
 
 November 22,1862. 
 Stonecker Henry, Private, mustered out with company 27 
 
 July 1863. 
 Shultz Elias, Private. 
 
 Shultz, Wheeler, 
 Shultz Russel, " 
 
 Shultz Peter B., « 
 
 Stevens Ezra, " 
 
 Santee William, Private, discharged ou surgeon's certificate 
 
 November 22, 1862 
 
 Shultz Cornelius, Private, discharged on surgeon's certificate No- 
 vember 22, 1862. 
 
RI8T0RY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 287 
 
 Sutliffe Wesley W., Private, discharged on surgeon's certificate 
 January 24. 1863. 
 
 Smith iMinor B., Private, deserted November 24, 1862. 
 
 Tubbs Nathan, Private, mustered out with company July 27, 1863. 
 
 Thomas Joseph, Private, discharged on surgeon's certificate No- 
 vember 22, 1«62 
 
 TJnangst W. H., Private, mustered out with company 27 July 1863- 
 
 Wolf Paul, Private. 
 
 Woods, Wm McG.. " 
 
 Wright: Moses, " 
 
 Weaver Augustus W., Private, discharged on surgeon's certificate 
 November 22, 1862. 
 
 Young William, Private, mustered out with company July 27,1863. 
 
 Yaple Daniel, Private. 
 
 Young Ellis, Private, deserted November 24, 1862. 
 
 Yaple Thomas, Private, deserted November 5, 1862. 
 
 Yaple Jeremiah, Private, died at Fortress Monroe December 
 30, 1862. 
 
 COMPANY F. 
 
 This company was credited to Montour county, but it will be ob- 
 served that many of the men are from Columbia. It was muster- 
 ed in mainly November 2, 1862, and mustered out July 27, 1863, 
 and unless otherwise disposed of, that is the record of each 
 man named. 
 
 John A Winner, Captain, mustered out with company July 27, 
 1863. 
 
 Isaac Pursell, 1st Lieutenant, promoted to Quartermaster Decem- 
 ber 3, 1863. 
 
 Abner H. Brown, 1st Lieutenant, promoted from 2d Lieutenant 
 December 24, 1862. 
 
 Samuel A. Mills, 2d Lieutenant, promoted from 1st Sergeant De- 
 cember 24, 1862. 
 
 Elias B. Yordy, 1st Sergeant, promoted from Sergeant Janu.ary 1, 
 1863. 
 
 Reese Flanigan, Sergeant. 
 
 George A. Brown, " 
 
 Emanuel Peters, " 
 
 B. W. Mussleman, Sergeant, promoted from private, March 1, 1863. 
 
288 JIISTOHY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Daniel MoHavn, Corporal. 
 
 David P. Childs 
 
 David P. Young " 
 
 Henry W, Snyder " 
 
 Cliarles Sage, Corporal, absent, sick at muster out. 
 
 Willi:im A. Riffle, Corporal, promoted to Corporal December 28, 
 
 1862. 
 William F. Graver, Corporal, promoted to Hospital Steward De- 
 cember 3, 1H(32. 
 John R. Rishel, Corporal, died at Georgetown, Virginia, January 
 
 12, 1.S63. 
 John H. Hunt. Musician. 
 Arnwine George W, Private. 
 Ashland Alexander, discharged on surgeon's certificate November 
 
 21, 1862. 
 Baylor Peter, Private. 
 Bogart Cyrus " 
 
 Bogart Joseph '' 
 
 Burgi r Peter '■ 
 
 Burger \Vm, H '• 
 
 Byerly Win. H. deserted November 19, 1862, returned December, 
 
 10, 1862 
 Bowman John, Private. 
 
 Bodine Charles W. " 
 Basel Lewis " 
 
 Creveling Moore, deserted November 19, 1862, returned April 1 
 
 1863, absent in hospital at muster out. 
 Coxey Thomas A. discharged on surgeon's certificate November 
 
 21, 1862. 
 Cooper Charles W, discharged on surgeon's certificate, January 
 
 19, 1863. 
 Cooper Albert, deserted November 13, 1862. 
 Derr Frederich, Private. 
 Dreiblepice Jacob " 
 
 Dreiblepice James, " 
 Elmes William, " 
 
 Everett John, •' 
 
 Fox John, " 
 
 Fox Samuel T, " 
 
HISTORY 01 COLUMBIA COUNTY. 289 
 
 Fouglit Edward, Private. 
 
 Flick Erastus, " 
 
 Fetter Cyrus, " 
 
 Gaskins Herbert B., " 
 
 Gotschalk W. W., died at Yorktown, Virginia, July 12, 1863, 
 buried in National Cemetery, grave 115. 
 
 Heinbach Peter, Jr., Private. 
 
 Heinbach David " 
 
 Johnson John, " 
 
 Jones Daniel H., " 
 
 Jaooby Williamson H., promoted to Quartermaster Sergeant De- 
 cember 3, 1862. 
 
 Karshner Daniel, Private. 
 
 Karshner Peter, " 
 
 Knouse Washington, " 
 
 Koons Samuel, " 
 
 Kelly Stephen S., transferred to Company K, 163d Regiment, 
 Pennsylvania Volunteers, November 24, 1862. 
 
 Lawrence Thomas, Private. 
 
 Eynn Wm. S., " 
 
 Lazarus Daniel T., " 
 
 Miller Wesley, 
 
 Miller Andrew, " 
 
 Mensch Solomon, " 
 
 Moyer John D., " 
 
 Morrell Samuel H., " 
 
 Marshall Davi'l, " 
 
 Marshall Daniel, " 
 
 Mellick Henry M., 
 
 Mellick Henry W., 
 
 Mordon John R., " 
 
 Musgrave Franklin, " 
 
 Miller William, died at Yorktown, Virginia, March 31, 1863. 
 
 Mott Daniel, deserted, date unknown. 
 
 McHenry Samuel, Private. 
 
 Omans Geo. L., " 
 
 Persing Tlif H., " 
 
 Rudy Jeremiah S. "' 
 
 Riffle James S., 
 
290 HISTOBT OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Roup Layfayette F., Private. 
 
 Reppert George, " 
 
 Runyon Samuel C, " 
 
 Runyon Oliver P., " 
 
 Runyan Sheppard, deserted November 12, 1862. 
 
 Rensliaw Robert, deserted November 15, 1862. 
 
 Snyder Clayton, Private. 
 
 Snyder Peter K., 
 
 Spotts John 
 
 Spotts William, 
 
 Shult Harrison, deserted November 19, 1 862, returned December 
 10, 1862. 
 
 Stroup Philip A., Private. 
 
 Smith Harvey, " 
 
 Shearer Charles, discharged on Surgeon's certificate January 15, 
 1863. 
 
 Snyder John S., deserted November 18, 1862. 
 
 Sheetz John, deserted November 19, 1862. 
 
 Swisher Clement, deserted November 12, 1862. 
 
 Thompson Wm., Private. 
 
 Thomas Joel, deserted November 18, 1862. 
 
 Wintersteen H. Jr., Private. 
 
 Walter Jaclison, '' 
 
 Wise Elias O., transferred to Company I, 163 Regiment Pennsyl- 
 vania Volunteers, November 23, 1862. 
 
 Wintersteen John, deserted November 19, 1862. 
 
 West Lewis D., deserted November 8, 1862. 
 
 Yarioh David P., discharged on Surgeon's certificate November 
 22, 1862. 
 
 
 
 COJrPANY G. 
 
 This company was from Montour county, except a few names, 
 and was mustered into service mainly November 4, 1862, and 
 mustered out July 27, 1863, and unless otherwise accounted 
 for, the men were mustered out with the company. 
 
 William Y. Adams, Captain, mustered out July 27, 1863. 
 
 Thomas Butler, 1st. Lieutenant. 
 
 Stephen C. Vansant, 2d. Lieutenant. 
 
 Charles D. Levan, 1st. Sergeant. 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 291 
 
 John H. Leidy, Sergeant. 
 
 John S. Mahan, " 
 
 Phiueas Haldren, " 
 
 James S. Heddings, " 
 
 James W. Lowry. Corporal. 
 
 Thomas P. Perry, " 
 
 Heni-y D. Geiger, " 
 
 George Haldron, '• 
 
 Thomas M. Vansant, " 
 
 Daniel M. Adams, " 
 
 Jacob J. Bardole, " 
 
 Auten Peter V., Private. 
 
 Ande Thomas H. 
 
 Albeck Jacob, deserted November 20, 1862. 
 
 Butler John S , Private. 
 
 Burch Peter, jr. 
 
 Bomboy Daniel, " 
 
 Beers David, " 
 
 Biddle James R, discharged on surgeon's certificate November 22, 
 
 1862. 
 Bechtel Jacob, discharged on surgeon's certificate, November 14, 
 
 1862. 
 Bechtel Daniel S, discharged on surgeon's certificate, November 
 
 14, 1862. 
 Barber Silas W, discharged, date unknown. 
 Barber Nicholas, deserted November 21, 1862. 
 Cooper Abraham, Private. 
 Confer William, 
 Cox William J, 
 
 Confer Philip, died at Yorktown, Virginia, February 7, 1863. 
 Carr Alexander, discharged on surgeon's certificate November 14, 
 
 1862. 
 Cox Amos, discharged November 15, 1862. 
 Carr Andrew, jr., deserted November 4, 1862. 
 Cotner Daniel, absent without leave at muster out. 
 Conway Jesse, deserted November 1.5, 1862. 
 Dry Adam, Private. 
 
 Den- Thomas, " 
 
 Derr Hiram, " 
 
292 HISTORY OF GOLUMBTA COUNTY. 
 
 Degreen Augustus Private. 
 
 Dyer Jacob, " 
 
 Eyer John, '' 
 
 Evans David, deserted, date unknown. 
 
 Ginder Jacob, Private. 
 
 Gordon Ernst, " 
 
 Grim John H. deserted November 18, 1862. 
 
 Huttenstine J. Private. 
 
 Herner John, " 
 
 Harries John " 
 
 Heiner William, discharged on surgeon's certificate November 22, 
 1862. 
 
 H'lkert Samuel, deserted November 22, 1862. 
 
 Hartman Lewis, deserted November 21, 1862. 
 
 Irvin Wm., Private. 
 
 Kelly John 
 
 Kester Jeremiah " 
 
 Kersteller Leonard, " 
 
 Kline Isaac, " 
 
 Kitchen John H. discharged on surgeon's certificate November 22, 
 1862. 
 
 Kirkner Leonard, deserted November 21, 1862. 
 
 La.shell Wm. S., Private. 
 
 Madden James, " 
 
 M.igonigal Thomas, " 
 
 Murray Joseph K., " 
 
 JMiirtz John, " 
 
 More George, " 
 
 Miller Wm. B , 
 
 Manning Wm. L., '' 
 
 Myers James D., discharged on surgeon's certificate Novenrber 22, 
 1862. 
 
 Morris Edward M., deserted November 13, 1862. 
 
 MoCraoken James, Private. 
 
 M'-^Iahan James, jr., discharged on surgeon's certificate Novem- 
 ber 22, 1862. 
 
 Richard Hiram, Private. 
 
 Ruse Cornelius, " 
 
 Roads Mahlon, 
 
HISTOUY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 293 
 
 C^l 
 
 Stineman Frederich, Private. 
 
 Starr John D., 
 
 Smith Alexander, " 
 
 .Sweitzer John, " 
 
 Shiras Bowman D., " 
 
 8weitzer Wm. W., 
 
 Strouse Wm., " 
 
 Shock Emanuel, discharged November 21, 1862. 
 
 Shires Wm., discharged November 17, 1862. 
 
 Stecker Moses L., discharged November 17, 1862. 
 
 Shultz Robert M., deserted November 9, 1862. 
 
 Swisher Burges, deserted November 20, 1862. 
 
 Smith David, deserted November 6, 1862. 
 
 Thomas Ben j. F , Private. 
 
 Taylor Cyrus, '• 
 
 Thomas John, " 
 
 Tindall Andrew, discharged on surgeon's certificate May 2, 1863, 
 
 Tanner Henry, jr., deserted November 15, 1862. 
 
 "V^ansickle John A., Private. 
 
 Weisnar Wm., " 
 
 WykofE Wm. V., 
 
 Wellever Andrew J., 
 
 Wanich Amos, " 
 
 Warner Christian, died at Newport News, Virginia, December 16, 
 
 1862. 
 Weisner Augustus, discharged on surgeon's certificate, November 
 
 22, 1862. 
 Wertman Henry L., discharged on surgeon's certificate November 
 
 13, 1863. 
 Young George W., deserted November 25, 1862. 
 
 COMPANY H. 
 
 The company was mustered into service mainly on the 28th of 
 October 1862 ; and was mustered out at Harrisburg July 27, 
 1863. If not otherwise stated the men were mustered out with 
 the Company. 
 
 Theodore MoD. Price, Captain. 
 
 Wm. H. Evans, 1st Lieutenant, discharged May 6, 1863. 
 
294 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COURT Y. 
 
 Frank A. Howard, 1st Lieutenfiiit, promoted from 2d Lieutenant. 
 
 May 15, 1863. 
 Mahlon B. Hicks, promoted to 1st Sergeant January 13, 1863, to 
 
 2d Lieutenant, June 6, 1863. 
 Wm. H. Stahl, 1st Sergeant, promoted from Corporal July 1, 
 
 1863. 
 August B. Clewel], Sergeant, promoted fi-om Corporal January 1. 
 
 1 863. 
 Henry ?L Martz, Sergeant. 
 Wm. Girton, Sergeant. 
 
 Jacob Weiss, Sergeant, promoted from private July 1, 1863. 
 Wm. Remley, Sergeant, discharged on surgeon's certificate Feb- 
 ruary 27, 1863. 
 Isaac Lutz, Sergeant, deserted November 24, 1862. 
 Richard Rupert, Corporal. 
 
 James D. Evans " 
 
 George P. Stiner " 
 
 Wm. A. Lynn, Corporal, deserted November 10, 1862. 
 Enos L. Bower, Musician. 
 Elijah Bower, Musician. 
 Andrews Samuel, Private, discharged on surgeon's certificate 
 
 November 8, 1862. 
 Andrews Isaac, discharged on surgeon's certificate November 22, 
 
 1862. 
 Boon Benjamin Private. 
 
 Bomboy Armanis " 
 
 Boon George H. " 
 
 Blank Josiah " 
 
 Beck Washington " 
 
 Brobst William " 
 
 Brown David jr., discharged on surgeon's certificate November 
 
 12, 1862. 
 Bower Wm. F., deserted November 23, 1862. 
 Clewell Wm. H. Private 
 
 Deitrick Hervey J. " 
 
 Durlin Wm., dischaiged on surgeon's certificate November 22, 
 
 1862. 
 Deitrick Harrison H., deserted November 8, 1862. 
 Erwi'.ie Wilson, Private. 
 
HISTOR Y OF COL UMBIA CO UNTY. 295 
 
 Fulk Samson, Private. 
 
 Frederick Jesse J., discharged on surgeon's certificate November 
 12, 1862. 
 
 Frain Philip, deserted November 8, 1862. 
 
 Fink David, deserted November 8, 1862. 
 
 Gardner Jonathan R., discharged on surgeon's certificate, Novem- 
 ber 8, 1862. 
 
 Grassley Job. deserted November 19, 1862. 
 
 Gordenhiser Rona, deserted November 9, 1862. 
 
 Hippenstcel Wm. Private. 
 
 Hetler Hiram H. 
 
 Hetler Peter " 
 
 Hill Adam 
 
 Hoppis Eli as " 
 
 Herring Samuel, discharged on surgeon's certificate November 
 22, 1862. 
 
 Herman John, discharged on surgeon's certificate November 22, 
 1862. 
 
 Hoffman Jacob, deserted November 9, 1862. 
 
 Heri-ing William, deserted November 12, 1862. 
 
 Harman Silas, deserted November 23, 1862. 
 
 Hunsinger J. W., deserted November 8, 1862. 
 
 Jones William M. Private. 
 
 Johnson Aaron B. " 
 
 Johnson Josiah H., deserted November 8, 1862. 
 
 Kitchen Richard, Private. 
 
 Kramer George, " 
 
 Kanady William, " 
 
 Knorr Phineas, " 
 
 Kelchner Samuel C, discharged November, 1862. 
 
 Lantz Peter J., absent in hospital at muster out. 
 
 Longenberger N., Private. 
 
 Loweiy David, died July 8, 1863. 
 
 Lynn Henry, deserted November 26, 1862. 
 
 Longenberger John, deserted November 15, 1862. 
 
 Laylon Asjjy, deserted November 15, 1862. 
 
 Martz Samuel, Private. 
 
 Masteller Henry, " 
 
 Mowery George, " 
 
296 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Miller Jacob, Private. 
 
 Markle Conrad, " 
 
 Mills James, " 
 
 Mummy Michael, deserted November 9, 1862. 
 
 Mensiuger Samuel, deserted November 9, 1862. 
 
 Mummy Philip, deserted November 23, 1862. 
 
 Moyer Silas E., deserted November 28, 1862. 
 
 Nuss Aaron, Private. 
 
 Price John. ■' 
 
 Romick Charles, " 
 
 Rittenhouse Josiah, deserted November 8, 1862. 
 
 Rinad Levi, deserted November 10, 1862. 
 
 Shellhammer Jacob, Private. 
 
 Shannon William, " 
 
 Sjjoneyberger S., " 
 
 Sponeyberger P., " 
 
 Suit Owen, " 
 
 Sherman Reuben, '' 
 
 Shaffer Daniel, absent in hospital at muster out. 
 
 Strohmoyer John P., Private, 
 
 Suit Charies F., 
 
 Schlabach Wm. H., 
 
 Smith Emanuel, deserted November 10, 1862. 
 
 Sitler Freeman, deserted November 23, 1862. 
 
 Slasser Solomon, deserted November 23, 1862. 
 
 Wells John, Private. 
 
 Witmire Daniel B., '• 
 
 Witmire Samuel, " 
 
 Witmire Joseph. " 
 
 Walp William, discharged November 1862. 
 
 Yohe William, Private. 
 
 Yost Elias, 
 
 Yinger George, " 
 
 Yohe James, deserted October 30, 1S62. 
 
 COMPANY I. 
 
 The company was mustered in mainly from the 1st to the 5th of 
 November 1862, and mustered out 27 July 1863, and all the 
 
SISTORY OF COLUMBIA GOUNIY. 297 
 
 men not otherwise disposed of were mustered out with the com- 
 pany. 
 
 William H. Shuman, Captain. 
 
 William H. Reinbold, 1st. Lieutenant, discharged May 5, 1863. 
 
 Robert S. Ent, 1st. Lieutenant, promoted from 1st Sergeant, June 
 6, 1863. 
 
 Daniel G. Ent, 2d Lieutenant discharged on surgeon's certificate 
 April 29, 1863. 
 
 Albert McDowell, 2d Lieutenant, promoted from private to Ser- 
 geant December 16, 1862, to 2d Lieutenant May 1.5. 1863. 
 
 Franklin P. Kelley, 1st Sergeant, promoted from private July 1, 
 1863. 
 
 Thomas F. Harder, Sergeant, promoted from Corporal July 1, 1863- 
 
 Daniel B. Stevens, Sergeant, absent in hospital at muster out. 
 
 Jacob H. Yohe, Sergeant, promoted from private July 1, 1863, 
 
 Daniel L. Everhart, Sergeant. 
 
 Uriah J. Campbell, Sergeant, discharged December 2, 1862. 
 
 Ebenezer S. Case, Corporal. 
 
 John Erwin, promoted to Corporal December 16, 1862. 
 
 Geora;e W. Jacoby, promoted to Corporal December 2, 1862. 
 
 Alfred F. Slayman, Corporal. 
 
 Willi ;im Abbott, 
 
 Samuel P. Levan, " 
 
 William E. Shannon 
 
 Thomas H. Hamilton deserted December 10, 1862. 
 
 Adams David, Private. 
 
 Ashton Emanuel, " 
 
 Armerling C. S. G., 
 
 Beaver Joseph B., 
 
 Boon Emanuel, '' 
 
 Backer Nicholas. " 
 
 Beaver Benjamin, " 
 
 Beaver John, " 
 
 Bpaver Peter, " 
 
 Bredbenner S., discharged on surgeon's certificate November 22, 
 1862. 
 
 Billeg William, discharged on surgeon's certificate November 22, 
 1862. 
 
 Creasy John P., Private. 
 
298 HISTOR Y OF COL UMBIA GO ITNTY. 
 
 Conner Henry, Private. 
 
 Crawford Jackson, 
 
 Can- George, deserted November 22, 1862. 
 
 Drake Benjamin, Private. 
 
 Derr John, 
 
 Derr Joseph, " 
 
 Dailoiis John, 
 
 Dailous Samuel, " 
 
 Ernst Frederick, 
 
 Ei'es William M., discharged on surgeon's certificate November 
 
 22, 1862. 
 Fenstaniaker H , Pri\ate. 
 
 Forsythe Charles, " 
 
 Faiisey William, discharged on surgeon's certificate November 22 
 
 1862. 
 Getling lienjaniin. Private. 
 
 Grover Stephen, " 
 
 Girton VVm G , discharged on surgeon's certificate November 22, 
 
 1862. 
 Gensell Joseph, transferred to Ulman's Independent Battery, 2 
 
 December, 1862. 
 Howell Theodore, Private. 
 Huttenstine D. M., " 
 
 Hagenbuch W. 11., " 
 
 Hummel John J., " 
 
 Harmon Benjamin, 
 Hartzell Jacob, '■ 
 
 Harmony Daniel, " 
 
 Hill James, 
 Hock Michael, 
 Jones Hervey, discharged on surgeon's certificate November 22, 
 
 1862. 
 Kindt ]Mathias, Private. 
 
 Kline Abraham " 
 
 Knouse Philip, " 
 
 Kreischer Jei-re " 
 
 Kline George C, absent, sick at muster out. 
 Knecht Daniel W., Private. 
 Kline Martin, deserted November 25, 1862. 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 299 
 
 Low William, Private. 
 
 Longenberger J. B., deserted November 22, 1862. 
 
 Longenberger John, deserted November 22, 1862. 
 
 Mench Christian, Private. 
 
 Miller Franklin, " 
 
 Mosteller Wm., " 
 
 Miller Charles, discharged on surgeon's certificate, November 22, 
 1862. 
 
 Menere John, discharged on surgeon's certificate November 22, 
 1862. 
 
 Mack Sedgwick R , transferred to TJlman's Independent Battery, 
 December 2, 1862. 
 
 Miller Henry L., deserted November 21, 1862. 
 
 McMiohael Joseph K., discharged on surgeon's certificate Novem- 
 ber 22, 1862. 
 
 Nuss Benjamin, deserted November 26, 1862. 
 
 Nuss Gideon, deserted November 26, 1862. 
 
 Potter John, Private. 
 
 Price Jonas, " 
 
 Patrick James, '' 
 
 Potter Lemuel, " 
 
 Russell Thomas, 
 
 Rider Daniel, " 
 
 Reinbold Lewis, 
 
 Reinhart John, deserted November 4, 1862. 
 
 Stine Michael, absent, sick at muster out. 
 
 Shannon Jared Y., Private. 
 
 Seigfried Hiram, " 
 
 Schug Charles, discharged on surgeon's certificate November 22, 
 1862. 
 
 Steely Philip, deserted November 26, 1862. 
 
 Seigfreid Jacob, deserted November 20, 1862. 
 
 Turner John, desei-ted December 5, 1862, returned April 1, 1863, 
 
 mustered out with company. 
 
 Wardin James M., absent, sick at muster out. 
 
 Woomer Joshua, Private. 
 
 Whare (Wharey) Israel " 
 
 Williams Charles, discharged on surgeon's certificate November 
 22, 1862. 
 
300 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTy. 
 
 Yohe Elisha, Private. 
 
 Yohe Stephen " 
 
 Yeager Henry V., '• 
 
 Zimmerman Jene, deserted, date unknown. 
 
 171st REGIMENT, 
 
 Wesley Wirt, Commissary Sergeant, mustered into service Octo- 
 ber 28, 1862, mustered out with regiment August 8, 1864. 
 
 Henry S. Arthur. Company A, Ist Sergeant November 2, 1862, 
 mustered out with company August 8, 1863. 
 
 Thomas J. Barton, Company A, Sergeant, November 1, 1862, 
 mustered out with company' August 8, 1863. 
 
 Leonard R. Bomboy, company A, musician, November 2, 1862^ 
 mustered out with company August 8, 1863. 
 
 Henry S. Bodine, company A, private, November 2, 1862, mus- 
 tered out with company August 8, 1863. 
 
 C. A Eilenberger, company A, private, November 2, 1 862, mus- 
 tered out with company August 8, 1863. 
 
 Uriah Golder, company A, private, November 2, 1862, mustered 
 out with company August 8, 1863. 
 
 Richard Hess, company B, private, November 2, 1862, mustered 
 out with company August 7, 1863. 
 
 Lewis Hess, company B, private, November 2, 1862, mustered out 
 with company August 7, 1863. 
 
 Samuel Y. Hess, company B. private, November 2, 1862, mustered 
 out with company August 7, 1863. 
 
 George W. Hittle, company B, private, November 2, 1862, mus- 
 tered out with company August 7, 1863. 
 
 John Heighmiller, company B, private, November 2, 1862, mus- 
 tered out with comany, August 7, 1863. 
 
 Enoch Ikeler, company B, private, November 2, 1862, mustered 
 out with company August 7, 1863. 
 
 Cyrus Demott, company G, private, December 6, 1862, mustered 
 
 out with company, August 8, 1863. 
 
HIISTOBY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 301 
 
 The vegiment left Camp Curtin on November 27, and proceed- 
 ed by Washington and Norfolk to Suffolk, Virginia. December 
 28, it proceeded to Newbern, North Carolina, and went into win- 
 ter quarters. In March they repulsed Gen Hill who had appear- 
 ed before Newbern. Hill moved towards Washington and 
 erected breastworks at Hills point. The 171st was detailed to 
 storm them, but were withdi awn. Subsequently it was in a dem- 
 onstration towards Richjnond, in favor of Meade at Gettysburg, 
 and then took a position in a pass in the South Mountain which 
 it held until the rebel retreat. It then marched to Frederick; 
 thence to Harrisburg, where it was mustered out. 
 
 There may be other Columbia county men in this regiment, but 
 I cannot distinguish them, and must rely upon those given for 
 information as to names omitted. If they are furnished this 
 record will become more and more perfect. 
 
 ^^ 
 
 Ml 
 *ft^^ Ta^v' ^4- 
 
 =i^^i^Ja^,s= 
 
 
 
302 
 
 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 MONTOUR COUNTY— THREE MONTHS' SERVICE. 
 
 11th REGIMENT 
 
 COMPANY H. 
 
 Mustered in April 26, 1861. 
 
 William McClure, Captain. Elliot James, 
 
 Samuel Hibler, 1st Lieutenant. Frick Augustus G., 
 Thomas Maxwell, 2d Lieutenant.Farren William J., 
 
 John Doyle 1st Sergeant. 
 
 Jonathan Waters, 2d Sergeant 
 
 Lawson Carroll, 3d Sergeant. 
 
 Seth Freeze, 4th Sergeant. 
 
 William Roberts, 1st. Corporal. 
 
 Jerome A. Harder, 2d Corporal. Gibbs Moses M , 
 
 Wm. E. Seesholtz, 3d Corporal. Gibbons Moses, 
 
 Fairchild George, 
 Fields Robert, 
 Goodrich Maxwell, 
 Goodrich William C, 
 Galligan Thomas, 
 
 Philip Renn, 4th Corporal. 
 Frank Lewis, Musician. 
 Charles Munraa, Musician. 
 Aggry Henry, 
 Arter William O., 
 Boushleger Federick, 
 Beaumont Charles, 
 Burr) John, 
 Burns James, 
 Cuthbert Edward, 
 Cuthbert Wra. R., 
 Crossley Daniel P., 
 Clave John, 
 Cain James, 
 Clark John, 
 Coup Peter M., 
 Clark Jesse C, 
 
 Green Patrick, 
 Harper Samuel, 
 Harris Frederioh, 
 Howell Thomas, 
 Jenkins Charles, 
 McAdle James, 
 McCann James, 
 Miluer William, 
 Moore James G., 
 Oakes Peter M., 
 Petrusky Herman, 
 Paugh John, 
 Quick John G., 
 Rishel Daniel, 
 Ridgeway Edwin C, 
 Reid John C, 
 Reily Martin, 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 303 
 
 Deshay William, Ray Adam, 
 
 Davis Thomas C, Rollan Patrick, 
 
 Day Andrew, Robinson John, 
 
 Devers James, Rodgers Charles, 
 
 Devers Isaiah, Roberts Caleb, 
 
 Everdale George, Riddle Richard, 
 
 Kulp Elias, Stoddart Thomas, 
 
 Kelly William, Suppinger Amos, 
 
 Lee John, Sherr Adolph, 
 
 Mellen Isaac, Toole Thomas, 
 
 Mellen William H., Taylor Martin, 
 
 Murray Mathias, Weidle Joseph, 
 
 MoCarty Clarence, Watkins Edwin, 
 
 McGuire Andrew, Yarrick Peter, 
 
 McGor William, 
 
 After being armed and equipped, Captain McClure was stationed 
 at Elkton, Maryland. Thence June ItSth to Chambersburg, thence 
 in a few days to Hagerstown. Ordered by forced march to Wil- 
 liamsport to repeal an attack, but the enemy had retired. On a 
 forward movement from Williamsport, they encountered Stone- 
 wall Jackson and beat him, at Falling Waters, and had the com- 
 pliments of Gen. Patterson. The regiment volunteered for the 
 three years service, but was mostly, on re-muster, filled with new 
 men. 
 
 14th regiment. 
 
 COMPANY C. 
 
 Mustered in April 26, 1861. 
 
 Oscar Ephlin, Captain. Jenkins John R., 
 
 John A. Winner, Ist Lieutenant. Johnson Joseph H., 
 Clinton W. Pursel, 2nd Lieut. Jones Edward, 
 Henry M. Trumbower, Sergeant.Jones Matthew, 
 Arthur Amandus, 2d Sergeant. Jordon John, 
 Freeze Mc Williams, 3d Sergeant. Kelly Patrick, 
 John C. Perrin, 4th Sergeant. Kelly Martin, 
 Jacob Miller, 1st Corporal. Kesler Michael, 
 
304 
 
 HI ST OUT OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Geo. W. Vangilder, 2d Corporal. 
 Adolphus Bookheister 3d Cor- 
 poral. 
 Reese Flanigan, 4th Corporal. 
 Hfnry Metz, Musician. 
 William Milliner, Musician. 
 Alcorn John, 
 Alward John, 
 Blue Samuel, 
 Brown Benton B., 
 Barnhart William, 
 Boush Montgomery, 
 Billmeyer William, 
 Caldwell Samuel W., 
 Davis Lewis L., 
 Danks George, 
 Davis Richard, 
 Deiss Reese, 
 Everheart Nathaniel, 
 Fields Elijah, 
 Fenstermacher Joseph H., 
 Foin John A., 
 Gaskins Harbit, 
 Handly William, 
 Huntingdon John, 
 Jones James, 
 Houser James, 
 Howe John T., 
 Hopkins Richard, 
 Himdshaw Peter, 
 Houser John J., 
 Johnson Stephen, 
 
 Loudan Thomas, 
 Lewis John O., 
 Mencer John, 
 Mower Charles, 
 McNinch Samuel. 
 Markel William, 
 Miller Jacob C, 
 Ogden Andrew B., 
 Pursel John, 
 Phillips James M., 
 Robbe Joseph, 
 Rank Ellis H., 
 Roderick Edward W., 
 Rush Stephen L , 
 Rollin Harris G., 
 Small Charles, 
 Stall Samuel, 
 Snyder John C, 
 Spade Hiram M., 
 Sigler Robert, 
 Thomas James, 
 Thomas William J. 
 Terry Charles, 
 Tusnian Casper, 
 Thorp James, 
 Thaoher Edward, 
 Wise Mark W., 
 Watts William M., 
 Williams Daniel, 
 Woods John, 
 Young William, 
 Pattou Alfred B,, 
 
 Excepting marching and drill the 14th did not see much service. 
 Although several marches were made for the purpose, they never 
 succeeded in encountering the enemy. They were with Gen. Pat- 
 terson on the Potomac. Upon being mustered out, a large number 
 of the men took service in other regiments recruiting for the 
 war. 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 305 
 
 1 6th KEGIMENT. 
 
 COMPANY C. 
 
 In April 1861, the following citizens mainly of Berwick, went 
 to Harrisburg to enter the service. They were mustered in April 
 20, 1861, for three months ; but at once agreed to re-enlist at the 
 expiration of that time, which most of them did. Their Captain 
 was Dorsheimer, and the regiment was a part of the 4th Brigade, 
 First Division ; and subsequently of the Fifth Division and held 
 the left of the line at Bull Run. Was in the second forward 
 movement towards Martinsburg, thence to Bunker Hill, thence by 
 forced murch to Harper's Ferry, thence by Smithfield, menaced 
 by Stuart's cavalry, to Charlestown in Virginia, thence at close of 
 term of service to Harrisburg, where they were mustered out 
 July 30, 1861, 
 
 S. F. Shwartz, 
 M. J. Goodman, 
 N. G. Williams, 
 Jacob Poff, 
 Thomas Stackhouse, 
 Harrison Swank, 
 A. D. Seely, 
 James Smith, 
 A. Lockart, 
 Robert Webster, 
 William Campbell, 
 Lafayette Myers, 
 J. F. Chemberlin, 
 
 A. S. Kensey, 
 Fernando Lake, 
 W. C. Thompson, 
 E. C. Bahl, 
 W. H. Crandall, 
 A. C. Thompson, 
 J. W. Gilroy, 
 J. A. Yount, 
 J. F. Hertz, 
 Lyman H. Fowlerj 
 Cyrus Robbins, 
 Wesley R. Price. 
 
 100 DATS SERVICE. 
 
 193d. REGIMENT. 
 
 COMPANY B. 
 
 The Company was from Montour county, was mustered into 
 the service July 17, 1864, and mustered out November 5, 1864. 
 g |0n the day of the organization of the regiment it moved for 
 Baltimore, and went into camp there at Mankin's woods. About 
 
806 HIS TOR T OF OOL UMBIA 00 UNTY. 
 
 September 1st. it moved to Camp Carroll, a mile southwest of the 
 
 city on the line of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad. Detachments 
 
 of the regiment were used for provost duty, escorts, and other 
 
 similar service ; but were not in any battle or skirmish. Unless 
 
 otherwise marked, all the men were regularly mustei'ed out with 
 
 'the company. 
 
 ■John A. Winner, Captain. 
 
 James Foster, Ist. Lieutenant. 
 
 Isaac D. Crewitt, 2d. Lieutenant. 
 
 David K. Shutt, 1st. Sergeant. 
 
 John Keim, Sergeant. 
 
 Jacob Bookmiller, Sergeant. 
 
 James M. Elliott, Sergeant. 
 
 ■Henry Kneibler, Sergeant. 
 
 Hiram Echert, Corporal. 
 
 William Bordner, Corporal. 
 
 David Aten, Corporal. 
 
 Charles S. Baker, Corporal. 
 
 Melville R. Ditt, Corporal. 
 
 David Lochenthaler, Corporal. 
 
 James Bullamore, Corporal. 
 
 James R. Wilds, Corporal. 
 
 Augustus Woods, Musician. 
 
 Samuel Morgan. Musician. 
 
 Ashtori Alexander, Private. 
 
 Alexander Park, 
 
 Brent William, 
 
 Bright Edward R., 
 
 Bookmiller John, 
 
 Bredbender W. M., 
 
 Buckalew W., deserted July 20, 1864. 
 
 Cook Benjamin, 
 
 Crossley John M., 
 
 Cummings Russell, 
 
 Carroll Patrick, 
 
 Consor AsaA., 
 
 Doran Joseph A., 
 
 Dimmick Emanuel, 
 
 Davis John- 
 
HISTORY Of GfJLUMBlA COUNTY. 307 
 
 Davis James W., 
 
 Eveland Hiram, 
 
 Evans John M., 
 
 Evans Georgy D., 
 
 Fluck Lewis A., 
 
 Fitzgerald Thomas, 
 
 Gearhavt Alexander M., 
 
 Guntner Cyrus S., 
 
 Gibbs Sheldon T., promoted to Commissary Sergeant July 21, 
 
 1864. 
 Hale John, 
 Hale Joseph, 
 Hinckley Charles R., 
 Hilkert John, 
 Horner William L., 
 Housel Jacob P., 
 Harding Terrence 
 Heddings William M., 
 Jones Caleb, 
 Johnson Henry W., 
 Jones Stephen A., 
 Jones, Francis W., 
 
 Jones. Henry C, deserted July 2 ), 1864. 
 Klase Jesse, 
 Larafer William, 
 Lloyd William M., 
 Learny William, 
 
 Learny Dennis, deserted October 12, 1864. 
 Martin John, 
 McGrath James, 
 Newberry Josiah, 
 Paugh Robert, 
 Purcell Charles P., 
 Rake John, 
 Reninger William, 
 Rhoads George, 
 Robins Abram V., 
 Runyan Jesse, 
 Robenbach Joseph H , 
 
308 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNl Y 
 
 Snyder Henry, 
 Snyder Jacob J., 
 Stadler Aaron W., 
 Scott Robert, 
 Sterick David L.. 
 Sampsol John G., 
 Suit Alonzo J., 
 Strawhecker D. H., 
 Taylor John H., 
 Taylor William E., 
 Thomas James, 
 Woodside Charles, 
 Walker Harvey V., 
 Weaver Benjamin, 
 
SISTOBY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 309 
 
 NINE MONTHS' SERVICE. 
 
 132d REGIMENT. 
 
 COMPANT A. 
 
 This company was from Montour county and was mustered into 
 the service August 15, 1862. The Regiment was at South Moun- 
 tain, Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. Its war 
 record is first rate. When not otherwise accounted for the men 
 were mustered out with the Company, May 24, 1863. Clinton W. 
 Neal, of Bloomsburg, was Quartermaster of the Regiment. 
 Joseph E. Shreve, Captain, promoted to major September 18, 1862. 
 Charles E. Norris, Captain, 
 
 G. W. Vangilder, 1st Lieutenant, discharged on surgeon's certifi- 
 cate October 26, 1862. 
 Thomas Maxwell, 1st Lieutenant. 
 Charles A. Meylert, 2d Lieutenant, missing since February 22, 
 
 1863. 
 Edward W. Roderick, 2d Lieutenant. 
 David Shutt, 1st Sergeant. 
 J. M. Hassenplug, 1st Sergeant, killed at Antietam, September 17, 
 
 1862. 
 John S. Ware, Sergeant. 
 Isaac D. Crewett, Sergeant. 
 Michael Kessler, Sergeant, wounded at Fredericksburg, December 
 
 13, 1862. 
 George Lovett, Sergeant. 
 Jacob H. Miller, Sergeant, discharged January 30, 1863, for 
 
 wounds received at Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862. 
 Joseph H. Nevins, Sergeant, discharged on surgeon's certificate 
 
 March 6, 1863. 
 Daniel Vanronk, Sergeant, killed at Antietam September 17, 1862, 
 Jacob Redfield, Corporal, wounded at Chancellorsville, Virginia, 
 
 May 3, 1863. 
 
310 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 James Williams, Corporal. 
 
 Conrad S. Aten, Corporal. 
 
 George Snyder, Corporal, absent, sick at muster out. 
 
 Alexander Huntingdon, Corporal. 
 
 Samuel Stall, Corporal. 
 
 Henry Vincent, Corporal. 
 
 John Harig, Corporal. 
 
 Charles Flick, Corporal, discharged December 6, 1862, for wounds 
 
 received at Antietam, September 17, 1862. 
 Nathan F. Lightner, Corporal, discharged on surgeon's certificate 
 
 8 December, 1862. 
 William C. MoCormick, Corporal, discharged ilarch 1, 1863, for 
 
 wounds received at Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862. 
 Henry L. Schick, musician. 
 Appleman, Amos, Private. 
 Arnwine, Sylvester W. wounded at Antietam. 
 Adams Henry, died September 22 of wounds received at Antietam 
 
 September 17, 1862. 
 Beaver Arthur W. 
 
 Bookmiller Jacob, wounded at Chancellorsville May 3, 1863. 
 Blee Franklin G. 
 Black Jeremiah. 
 
 Carroll William, wounded at Chancellorsville May 3, 1863. 
 Cooper Samuel E. deserted October 22, 1862. 
 Devine Franklin. 
 Davis Williain. 
 
 Dye Samuel V. discharged on surgeon's certificate Aprils, 1863. 
 Earp William jr., wounded at Chancellorsville. 
 Easton James S. 
 Eggert Hiram. 
 Feidel Joseph. 
 Flickinger Samuel. 
 Foin John B. A. 
 Foster James. 
 Fitzsimmons C. W. 
 Fields John L. 
 Francis George, discharged cfn surgeon's certificate November 15, 
 
 1862. 
 Goodall Thomas. 
 
MISTOMT OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 311 
 
 Gulicks Samuel. 
 
 Gibson John, killed at Antietam. 
 
 Hale Joseph. 
 
 Hunt George E. 
 
 Hornbergei- Adam. 
 
 Hendrickson D. 
 
 Hillner Samuel, killed at Antietam. 
 
 Hummel Hiram, killed at Antietam. 
 
 Jones Thomas. 
 
 James Thomas. 
 
 Jones James W. killed at Fredericksburg. 
 
 Klase W J. W. 
 
 Klase Daniel J. P., killed at Antietam. 
 
 Lechthaler Conrad, discharged, date unknown. 
 
 Langer Samuel. 
 
 Leichow John, discharged October 28, for wounds received at 
 
 Antietam, September 17, 1862. 
 Long Jacob, killed at Antietam. 
 Morgan Watkin. 
 Miller Levi M. 
 Moyer Jacob W. 
 Mayer Leonard. 
 Moyer Cornelius C. 
 Morris John, wounded at Antietam. 
 McCoy John. 
 
 McKee James, deserted August 16, 1862. 
 
 Neese William B. wounded at Antietam, discharged date un- 
 known. 
 
 Phillips James M. 
 Reaser John P. 
 Reidy Simon.. 
 Rantz Isaac 
 Rank David H. discharged on surgeon's certificate January 29> 
 
 1863. 
 Ringler William A. discharged May 5, 1863, for wounds received 
 
 at Antietam September 17, 1862. 
 Rice Jonathan, killed at Fredericksburg, Virginia. 
 Stewart William. 
 Smith Edward D. 
 
312 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Sunday William. 
 
 Schreiver August. 
 
 Stine John. 
 
 Smith Edwin L. 
 
 Switzer Oliver B. 
 
 Snyder Sharps M. 
 
 Sechler Aaron. 
 
 Vandling Archibald, discharged on surgeon's certificate November 
 
 28, 1862. 
 Wright Angus. 
 Waugh Andrew. 
 
 Wallace John, discharged, date unknown. 
 Wate Samuel. 
 
 Wright Matthew R., killed at Fredericksburg. 
 Wray James D., deserted September 19, 1863. 
 
 COMPANY E. 
 
 COLUMBIA COUNTY GUAKDS. 
 
 The following is a list of the officers and pnvates of the "Col- 
 umbia County Guards." They left Bloomsburg on the 8th of 
 August, 1862, and were mustered into service August 13, 1862, 
 and mustered out at Harrisburg, May 24, 1863. They were in 
 the pursuit at the battle of South Mountain, in the battle of An- 
 tietam, in the thick of the fight at Fredericksburg, and at Chan- 
 cellorsville. The number of men lost in battle shows the closeness 
 of the work. General Trench in an order issued by him, says — 
 •'Knowing the character of the one hundred and thirty-second 
 Pennsylvania Volunteers, which has fought under my eye in two 
 of the bloodiest engagements of the war, and which has the high- 
 est encomiums from its brigade commander. General Kimball, 
 who knows what brave men are," &c.. shows the high character of 
 the whole command. All the men not otherwise accounted for, 
 are to be considered as having been mustered out with the com- 
 pany. 
 
 OFFICEKS. 
 
 Captain, Michael Whitmoyer, Bloomsburg. 
 
 1st Lieutenant, Andrew C. Mensch, Bloomsburg. 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNIY. 313 
 
 2d Lieutenant, D. R. Mellick, Lightstreet. 
 Sergeant, Wm. A. Barton, Espy. 
 
 " Wm. H. Gilmore, Bloomsburg. 
 " Wm. J. Renn, Chestnut Grove. 
 Corporal, Charles P. Sloan, Bloomsburg, promoted to Sergeant 10th 
 
 of January 1863. 
 Corporal, I. Newton Kline, Orangeville, promoted to Sergeant 10th 
 
 of January 1863. 
 Corporal, J. Pierce Mellick, Lightstreet, died at Washington, D. 
 
 C of wounds received at Fredericksburg, Virginia, December 
 
 13, 1863. 
 Corporal, Wm. C Robison, Espy, discharged on Surgeon's cer- 
 tificate October 26, 1862. 
 Corporal, Clark Kressler, Espy. 
 
 " Ephraim M. Kline, Benton. 
 •' Henry M. Johnston, Jerseytown. 
 Corporal, Clinton W. Neal, promoted to Quarter Master August 
 
 22, 1862. 
 Pifer, Azama V. Hower, Bloomsburg, discharged on Surgeon's 
 
 certificate, January 29, 1863. 
 Drummer, John Staley, Rohrsburg. 
 Wagoner, Tilghman Faux, Espy. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 James S. Bomboy, Bloomsburg. 
 
 James W. Cook, " 
 
 James Cadman, " 
 
 Henry D. Croup, " discharged on Surgeon's cer- 
 
 tificate October 8, 1862. 
 
 C. S. M. Fisher, Bloomsburg, wounded at Antietam, Maryland, 
 September 18, 1862. 
 
 Henry C. Hartman, Bloomsburg. 
 
 Charles M. Hendershot, Bloomsburg. 
 
 Wm. C. Shaw, Bloomsburg, absent, sick at muster out. 
 
 H. Clay Hartman, Bloomsburg. 
 
 Samuel Harder, " prisoner from December 13, 
 
 1862 to May 22, 1863. 
 
 Adam Heist, Bloomsburg. 
 
 Samuel Harp, " discharged on Surgeon's certificate 
 
 July 13, 1863. 
 
314 HISTORY OF' COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Augustus M. Kurtz, Bloomsburg, 
 
 Jonathan W. Snyder, ■' 
 
 Joseph Penrose, Bloomsburg, missing in action at Fredericks- 
 burg, Virginia, December 13, 1862. 
 
 Oliver Palmer, Bloomsburg. 
 
 Josiah Reedy, " wounded at Fredericksburg, Virginia, 
 
 December 13, 186-2. 
 
 Johu Roadarmel, Bloomsburg. 
 
 Isaac Roadarmel, " 
 
 Charles W. Sny<[er. ' 
 
 Frederick M. Staley, •' 
 
 George W. Sterner, " 
 
 Edward C. Greene, " corporal, 10 November 1862. 
 
 Amasa Whitenight, " wounded at Antietam, Mary- 
 
 laud, September 17, 1862. 
 
 Samuel Vv'ood, Orangeville, corporal 25th February, 1863. 
 
 David Ruckel, " 
 
 George W. Howell, " 
 
 Charles W. Muffley, 
 
 Daniel Markle, " 
 
 Wm. Lazarus, killed at Antietam, Maryland, September 17, 1862. 
 
 Joseph S. Hayman, deserted August 30, 1862. 
 
 Samuel R. Johnson, Orangeville. 
 
 Hiram F. Kline, " 
 
 Jesse M. Howell, " died near Falmouth, Vir- 
 
 ginia, July 8, 1863. 
 
 Elwood W. Coleman, Orangeville. 
 
 Levi H. Priest, Benton. 
 
 Josiah Stiles, " absent, sick at muster out. 
 
 Thomas O. Kline, Orangeville. 
 
 Samuel Krickbaum, " 
 
 Francis M. Lutz, " 
 
 F. J. R. Treller, Lewisburg. 
 
 Lemuel Mood, Lightstreet. 
 
 Lafayette Applegate, Sereno. 
 
 W. H. Hunter, Sereno. 
 
 Joseph Lawton, Pine. 
 
 John Lawton, " 
 
 Isaac M. Lyons, " 
 
HI/^TOBY OF COLUMBIA OOUWTY. 315 
 
 Joseph W. Lyons, Pine. 
 
 Leonard Beagle, Mordansville. 
 
 Henry M. Sands, " 
 
 Hiram M. Broat, Jers&ytown. 
 
 Clark Price, Lime Ridge. 
 
 James F. Trump, Espy. 
 
 Jacob W. Bomboy. " 
 
 Isaiah S. Hartman, " died October 16, of wounds received 
 at Antietam, Maryland, September 17, 1862. 
 
 Jeremiah Reece, prisoner from May 3d to May 22, 1863. 
 
 Samuel M. Vanhorn, Greenwood, died at Washington, February 
 16, 1863, buried in Harmony burial ground, D. C. 
 
 Thomas Caruthers, Chestnut Grove, discharged on surgeon's 
 certificate February 15, 1863. 
 
 Gaylord Whitmoyer, Chestnut Grove, discharged on surgeon's 
 certificate February 17. 1863. 
 
 Peter O. Crist, Chestnut Grove. 
 
 Philip Watts, " 
 
 Samurl Young, Rohrsburg. 
 
 Abel Dialy, Roaringcreek. 
 
 Charles A. Folk, 
 
 Jchn Moore Eves, Millville. 
 
 Amos Y. Kisner, " 
 
 John F. Eck, Briarcreek. 
 
 Gotleib Wagner, Jackson. 
 
 Geo. M. Kline, Town Hill. 
 
 Moses J. Trench, Plymouth. 
 
 James B. Fortner, Mt. Pleasant, promoted to corporal 10th of 
 July, 1863. 
 
 Robert P. Gillespie, Buckhorn. 
 
 John P. Guiles, 
 
 Christian C. Hughes, Cambra. 
 
 John N. Hughes, Fowlersville, promoted to corporal 10th of Jan- 
 uary, 1863. 
 
316 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 COJIPANY H. 
 
 CATAWISSA GUAKDS. 
 
 George W. John, Captain, resigned December 9, 1862. 
 
 Martin M. Brobst, Captain, promoted from 1st. Lieutenant, De- 
 cember 9, 1862. 
 
 Isaiah W. Willets, Ist. Lieutenant, promoted from 1st. Sergeant 
 December 9, 1862. 
 
 Henry H. Hoagland, 2d. Lieutenant, died December 14 of wounds 
 
 received at Fredericksburg, Virginia, December 13, 1862. 
 
 P. R. Margerum, 2d. Lieutenant, promoted from Corporal Decem- 
 ber 16, 1862. 
 
 A. H. Sharpless, 1st. Sergeant, promoted from Corporal Decem- 
 ber 16, 1862. 
 
 Samuel F. Savery, Sergeant. 
 
 George Reedy, promoted to Corporal January 22, 1863. 
 
 Hiram N. Brown, promoted to Corporal January 22, 1863. 
 
 William McNeal, Sergeant. 
 
 Theodore Kreigh, Private. 
 
 Rolandus Herbein, " 
 
 Samuel J. Frederich, " 
 
 Francis M. Thomas, woundeil at Fredericksburg, Virginia, Decem- 
 ber 13, 1862. 
 
 John P. Hoagland, promoted to Corporal November 21, 1862. 
 
 Ephraim L. Kramer, promoted to Corporal January 20, 1863. 
 
 D. Hollingshead, promoted to Corporal January 20, 1863. 
 
 Theobald Fields, promoted to Corporal January 20, 1863, wound- 
 ed at Chancellorsville, Virginia May 2, 1863. 
 
 George Harder, Private. 
 
 Burton W. Fortner, " 
 
 Brumbach H. H., " 
 
 Brobst John R., " 
 
 Burger William H., wounded at Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863. 
 
 Beaver William, 
 
 Brumbach Joseph, 
 
 Bell John, 
 
 Barret Julius A., discharged on surgeon's certificate January 13, 
 1863. 
 
 Bates John, discharged on surgeon's certificate February 1863. 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 317 
 
 Brumbach "Wm. J., discharged February 2, 1863. 
 
 Clewell Christian, 
 
 Cool Phineas, discharged on surgeon's certificate January 1863. 
 
 Cool Hiram, discharged January 1863 for wounds received at An- 
 tietam, Maryland, September 17, 1862. 
 
 Dillon John, 
 
 Drum Morgan G. 
 
 Dyer William H., died at Belle Plain, Virginia, December 1862. 
 
 Derr John, killed at Fredericksburg, Virginia, December 13, 1862. 
 
 Erwine Albert, died at Belle Plain, Virginia, December 15, 1862, 
 buried in Military Cemetery, D. C. 
 
 Fetterman William. 
 
 Fetterman Daniel. 
 
 Fedder Christian M. 
 
 Fortner Henry B. 
 
 Fields Samuel A. 
 
 Fischer Lloyd W. B. 
 
 Fischer Jacob G. 
 
 Fischer John D., discharged on surgeon's certificate, date un- 
 known. 
 
 Hite Scott. 
 
 Hampton John, absent, sick at muster out. 
 
 Harder Arthur. 
 
 Harder Thomas E. 
 
 Hampton Ethan. 
 
 Hartman W. H. H., discharged on surgeon's certificate April 12, 
 
 1863. 
 Harder Clark, discharged on surgeon's certificate January 21, 
 
 1863. 
 Hawkins George H., died October 4, burial record October 10, of 
 wounds received at Antietam, Maryland, September 17, 1862, 
 buried in National Cemetery, Section 26, lot B, grave 221. 
 John Henry I. 
 John William E. 
 Kreigh Jeremiah S. 
 Kramer Edward. 
 Lashell Ralph M. 
 Lewis Emanuel L. 
 Ludwig John. 
 
318 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY 
 
 Margerum James P. 
 
 Marks William. 
 
 Martz Joseph. 
 
 Mensch Adam R. 
 
 Mears Commodore P. 
 
 Malony Charles. 
 
 Masteller Isaiah W. 
 
 McGraw Patrick, died at Warrenton, Virginia, November 6, 1862. 
 
 Ohl John F. 
 
 Payne Erviue C. 
 
 Parks William J. D., died December 28 of wounds received at 
 Fredericksburg, Virginia, December 13, 1862, buried in Military 
 Asylum Cemetery. D. C. 
 
 Phillips David, killed at Fredericksburg, Virginia, December 13, 
 1862. 
 
 Reinard Tobias. 
 
 Reese Frederick. 
 
 Rider Lloyd I. 
 
 flishel :Elias C. wounded at Chancellorsville, Virginia, December 
 13, 1862. 
 
 Robbins Henry J. 
 
 Rhoades Jeremiah, absent, sick at muster out. 
 
 Rider Wesley, died at Belle Plain, Virginia, December 1862. 
 
 Richards James M., killed at Antietam September 17, 1862. 
 
 Roup Josiah G., died of wounds received at Antietam September 
 17, 1862. 
 
 Schmick Benjamin B. 
 
 Schmick Charles S. 
 
 Snyder Jeremiah H., absent, sick at muster out. 
 
 Stewart Clark B. 
 
 Stokes John H. 
 
 Shoemaker Jesse. 
 
 Sanks John M., discharged on special order October 14, 1862. 
 
 Sterne George F., killed at Antietam September 17, 1862. 
 Small Christian, killed at Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863. 
 Theile Lewi;;. 
 
 Thomas Samuel M., died at Falmouth, Virginia January 8, 1863. 
 Troup John, died Oclober 4 of wounds received at Antietam Sep- 
 tember 17, 1S62. 
 
HISTORY O^F OOLUMBIA COUNTY. 3il9 
 
 Waters Dennis. 
 Watkins Robert M. 
 Warne Monroe C. 
 Yeager Daniel L. 
 
 The "Catawissa Guards" ^rere Company H, 132 Regiment, and 
 were iQiustered into service August 14, 1862, for nine months, and 
 mustered out May 24, 1863. In all cases where nothing is said 
 of :the if ate of the soldier named, he was mustered out with his 
 company. On the 13th of September the regiment by a forced 
 march reached South Mountain just as the iight closed for the 
 day. It joined in pursuit of the enemy On the 1 7th. it was in 
 close quarters in the battle of Antietam, where several men were 
 killed. It was in the reconnoissance towards Leesburg and 
 Charleston. It was in the assault on Mary's Heights at Freder- 
 :i<d£sburg, where Henry H. Hoagland was killed while receiving 
 the flag from the hands of its dying bearer, and after the battle 
 the regiment moved to Falmouth, Yirginia, in camp and picket 
 duty. It was in the forward movement upon Chancelloraville. 
 and on the 3d of May was moved to the front and held its posi- 
 tion until; the retreat commenced. The regiment earned and sus- 
 tained a first rate military record. 
 
 136th REGIMENT. 
 
 COMPANT I. 
 
 Alem B. Tate, August 25, 1862, Commissioned 2d Lieutenant 
 August 27, 1862, promoted to 1st 'Lieutenant 27 January 1863, 
 mustered out with company May 29, 1863. 
 
 John C. Karns, August 25, 1862, promoted to Corporal March J, 
 1863, mustered out with company May 29, 1863. 
 
 George Nicholas, promoted to Corporal March 1, 1863, mustered 
 out with company May 29, 1863. 
 
 Boone Samuel W., mustered out with company May 29, 1863. 
 
 Bowman Joseph P., mustered out with company May 29, 1863. 
 
 Eves John P., died December 18 of wounds received at Freder- 
 icksburg, Virginia, December 13, 1862. 
 
320 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Flack William A., mustered out with company May 29, 1863. 
 Fox Isaiah, wounded and captured at Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. 
 
 1862, died at Richmond, Virginia, January 10, 1863. 
 Hirleman David G., mustered out with company May 29, 1863. 
 Kitchen Joseph H., mustered out with company May 29, 1863. 
 Mott Samuel M., discharged on surgeon's certificate March 16, 
 
 1863. 
 Puif Jacob, mustered out with company May 29, 1863, and never 
 
 heard of since. 
 Remley Daniel H., died in hospital near Belle Plain Landing of 
 
 fever. 
 Rhone Livingston, mustered out with company May 29, 1863. 
 Yansickle J. H., mustered out with company May 29, 1863. 
 Vanderslice T. J., musteied out with company May 29, 1863. 
 Vansickle Aaron M., mustered out with company May 29, 1863. 
 Wright Thomas, mustered out with company May 29, 1863. 
 
 On the 26th of August the Regiment was one of the cordon of 
 defenses of Washington. Thence to Sharpsburg, Warrenton, 
 Brooks Station, White Oak Church and Falmouth. In the battle 
 of Fredericksburg the Regiment lost 140 in killed, wounded and 
 missing. It was out on the Mud March. In the battle of Chancel- 
 lorsville it lost several men, and saw hard fighting. Mustered out 
 at Harrisburg, the 29th of May 1863. 
 
IIISTOBY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 321 
 
 ONE YEAR'S SERVICE. 
 
 74th eegiment. 
 
 COMPASnt A. 
 
 Recruited in Columbia county. 
 Those marked with a * in Wyoming county. 
 
 Samuel J. Pealer, March 13, 1865, discharged May 8, 1865. 
 
 John W. Beishline, " promoted from 1st. Lieuten- 
 
 ant to Captain July 1, 1865, mustered out with company Au- 
 gust 29, 1865. 
 
 *John F. Miller, March 13, 1865, promoted from 2d. to 1st. Lieu- 
 tenant, July 1, 1865. 
 
 *John Beikler, September 6, 1861, promoted from Sergeant Com- 
 pany K. to 2d. Lieutenant, July 2, 1865. 
 
 William Saunders. March 4, 1865. 
 
 ♦Charles B. Fisher, 
 
 Isaiah Hagenbuch, February 21, 1865. 
 
 Hiram W. Brown, " 
 
 Robert C. Parks, 
 
 Fred M. Staley, February 1 7, 1865. 
 
 Albert Series, " 
 
 *Walter Moulton, " 
 
 John Lemon, " 
 
 Francis W. Jones, February 25, 1865. 
 
 ♦Severn B. Palmer, March 1, 1865. 
 
 ♦Nelson Williams, February 7, 1865. 
 
 ♦William Peck, " 
 
 Samuel B. Anderson, March 4, 1865. 
 
 ♦Charles W. Wood, " 
 
 ♦Abbott William, discharged by general order May 12, 1865. 
 
 Beers David, March 4, 1865, 
 
322 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Blakely Alex R. March 10, 1865. 
 ♦Butters Comfort E., 
 Boone Samuel W., 
 *Burlingame A. G., 
 Buckalew A. G., 
 Bower Jonas M., 
 Brittain Frank, 
 Brines Charles, March 4, 1865. 
 Betz William S., 
 Baker Charles, 
 Beau Benjamin F., February 16, 1865. 
 
 Brown James M., March 10, 1865, died at Beverly, West Vir- 
 ginia, May 14, 1865. 
 Cain Philip, February 9, 1865. 
 Cain Michael, February 10, 1865. 
 Case James B., March 4, 1865. 
 Creveling Clark, March 10, 1865. 
 Caden John, " 
 
 Campbell William D., " 
 Chromas Nathan, " 
 
 Eveland Peter, 
 Emory Hervey, " 
 
 Fox Lloyd, February 2, 1865. 
 Finley Martin, March 4, 1865- 
 Fowler Miles B., March 4, 1865. 
 Fox George. March 10, 1865. 
 Howey William, February 16, 1865. 
 Herson James, February 16, 1865. 
 Hufnagle George F., February 9, 1865. 
 Hartman David, March 10, 1S65. 
 Hill Abram, March 10, 1865. 
 Henrie Francis S., March 10, 1865. 
 Herring Alex B., " 
 
 Hicks Mahlon B., " 
 
 Plolligan Patrick, March 10, 1865, discharged by general order 
 
 May 29, 1865. 
 James John C, March 4, 1865. 
 Kelohner E. A., March 4, 1865. 
 Kishbauch William, March 10, 1865. 
 
HISTOliY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 323 
 
 Kline John C, March 10, 1865. 
 
 Lantz John, March 4, 1865. 
 
 May Joseph, February 21, 1865. 
 
 Miinimey Israel, March 10, 1865. 
 
 Miller Cyrus B., March 4, 1865. 
 
 Miller Joseph B , 
 
 Markle Joseph, " 
 
 *Mellon Jacob F., February 16, 1865, discharged by general order 
 May 24, 1865. 
 
 *Miller Nathan E., February 16, 1865. 
 
 *\rcNeal Hervey, March 4, 1865. 
 
 Oliver Arthur, 
 
 Oman Henry F., " 
 
 Price Wesley R , March 10, 1865. 
 
 Pohe Stephen, " 
 
 *Rusty Peter, March 4, 1865. 
 
 *Jiuckej Emanuel, Maich 4, 1865. 
 
 Robins Abram V., February 9, 1865, 
 
 Robins William W, February 27, 1865. 
 
 Shipman William A., February 21, 1865. 
 
 Shultz Jnmes. February 21, 1865. 
 
 Stiner George P.. March 10, 1865. 
 
 Stahl John W., 
 
 Shaffer Winfield S., 
 
 Suit Alouzo J., Febru.-iry 9, 1865 
 
 Swank Wilson, February 9, 1865. 
 
 *Thompson James M., March 4, 1865. 
 
 *Titus George W., March 4, 1865. 
 
 Tronsue George, March 10, 1865. 
 
 Trump Charles W., March 4, 1865. 
 
 Williams John, February 10, 1865. 
 
 Wertmau Willoughby, March 4, 1865. 
 
 Williams Montgomery, March 10, 1865, discharged by general or- 
 der May 24, 1865. 
 
 Zimmerman George, March 10, 1865. 
 
 This company was assigned to the seventy-fourth in March 
 
 1865. It was at that time on guard and garrison duty on the 
 
 Baltimtire and Ohio railroad, with headquarters at Green Spring. 
 
 Tile regim3.it proceeded thence by rail to Webster, from which 
 
324 
 
 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 place it inarched to Beverly. It remained at the last named place 
 on picket and guard duty from April 8, to May 12, when ordered 
 to Clarksburg. Subsequently the headquarters were at Parkers- 
 burg, whence it did guard duty along the Parkersburg branch of 
 the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. It was mustered out of ser- 
 vice at Clarksburg, August 29, 1865, whence it returned to Pitts- 
 burgh, where it disbanded. All the men not otherwise accounted 
 for, were mustered out with the company. 
 
 103d EESIMENT. 
 
 COMPANY B. 
 
 Recruited in Bloomsburg. 
 George H. Jones, Captain. Jones Richard, 
 
 E. B. Yordy 1st Lt. 
 Wm. E. Sterner, 2d Lt. 
 John G. Gilroy, 1st Sgt. 
 Frank B. Gibson, Sgt. 
 H. C Hartman, Sgt. 
 Alvah Woloott, Sgt. 
 Jos. Ii. Shannon, Sgt. 
 Elias Hoifman, Corp. 
 Thomas B. Williams, Corp. 
 Jacob W. Fisher, Corp. 
 Wm. Thomas, Corp. 
 John Cox, Corp. 
 Jacob F. Fox, Corp. 
 Chester C. Marr, Corp. 
 A. M. Cadwallader, Corp. 
 Albertson David, 
 Auman Ananias, 
 Bodine Henry F. 
 Braut George, 
 Brian David, 
 Bennett Abraham, 
 Brink Dennison, 
 Boice Daniel, 
 Bradshaw Chas. deserted. 
 
 Krumm Amos, 
 
 Klett Andrew T. 
 
 Kline Harmon, 
 
 Kunkle Charles, 
 
 Kitchen Isaac H. 
 
 Long John, 
 
 Morris Robert, 
 
 Mittever William, 
 
 Moyer Philip S. 
 
 Millard Samuel J. 
 
 May William, 
 
 Mears John B. 
 
 Nuss Isaac, 
 
 Owens John, 
 
 Powell John D. 
 
 Powell Abiathan, 
 
 Penman John, 
 
 Richart John C. 
 
 Rooney Patrick, 
 
 Reiswick Well H. 
 
 Rehm John, 
 
 Reichelderfer Michael, died at 
 
 Roanoke Island N. C. April 18, 
 
 1865. 
 
IIISTOJRY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY 
 
 323 
 
 Cadman John, 
 Cox Lloyd, 
 Diley Abel, 
 Evans Thomas, 
 Evans John W. 
 Evans James D. 
 Ereas B. B. 
 Golder Henry, 
 Hower Azima V., 
 Hopkins Thomas, 
 Hart Charles, 
 Heist Gideon, 
 Hovk'ell William, 
 Hendershott Frederick, 
 Hartzell Jacob, 
 Heist John, 
 Hess Shadrack, 
 Jones John C 
 
 Stiner Jacob, 
 
 Sands William, 
 
 Shipe Jonas, 
 
 Shalfer Harrison, 
 
 Snyder George I. 
 
 Stout Valentine, 
 
 Stephenson John R. 
 
 Stiff Moses 
 
 Snyder Joseph, 
 
 Snmmers Jesse, sick at muster 
 
 out — absent. 
 Thornton Hiram W, 
 Terwilliger William, 
 Trout William, 
 Vannatta Benj. 
 Kitchen Eli, 
 Van Liew Peter, 
 Williams George. 
 
 Jones Franklin, 
 
 The company was mustered into the service during the months 
 of February and March, I860, and attached to the 103d Regiment. 
 They were mustered out of the service at Newbern, North Caro- 
 lina, June 25, 1865. 
 
 209th REGIMENT. 
 
 COMPANY E. 
 
 Recruited in Columbia county. 
 
 Andrew C. Mensch, Captain September 12, 1864, mustered out 
 
 May 31, 1865. 
 W^m. J. Robbins, 1st Lieutenant, September 23, 1864, mustered 
 
 out May 31, 1865. 
 Russell Karns, 2d Lieutenant, September 12, '64, 
 Cyrus B. White, 1st Sergeant, August 31, '64, 
 George W. Sterner, Sergeant, August 31, '64. 
 Samuel Stead, Sergeant, September 2, '64. 
 
326 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 William A. Robbing, Sergeant, September 1, 1864. 
 
 Benjamin W. Hess, Sergeant, September 9, '64. 
 
 Camden Hears, Corporal, August 31, 1864. 
 
 John F. Hutchison, Corporal, " 
 
 James F. Carnes, Corporal, " 
 
 Joseph C Runyon, Corporal, September 1, 1864, discharged by 
 
 general order, June 6, 1865. 
 Ebenezer S. Kase, Corporal, August 27, '64. 
 Jacob Trivelpiece, Corporal, September 1, '64. 
 John F. Ohl, Corporal, •' 
 
 Oliver Palmer, Corporal, September 3, '64. 
 Amerman C. W., Augnst 31, '64. 
 Andrews Irvin I., " 
 
 Abbott Oscar, August 31, '64, wounded at Petersburg, Va., April 
 
 2, 1865, discharged by general order June 13, 1865. 
 Abbott George W., September 2, '64. 
 Bitteubender E. E., " 
 
 Bogart Samuel, Sept< mber 1, '64. 
 Baker Samuel W., September 1, '64. 
 Bright John PI., August 31, '64. 
 Bigger George W., August 27, '64. 
 Barnes William C , September 1, '64. 
 Coleman William H., August 31, '64. 
 Croeman Mitchell, September 1, '64. 
 Croop Henry, " 
 
 Coleman Clinton J., August 31, '64. 
 
 Crawford Joseph, August 31, '64, deserted September 21, 1864. 
 Dietrick Joseph B., September 1, '64. 
 Dietrick John, September 9, '64. 
 Edgar George W , September 1, '64. 
 Guist John, " 
 
 Garrison Emanuel, " 
 
 Holdren George, September 9, '64. 
 Holdren Austin, September 9, '64, discharged by general order 
 
 June 6, 1865. 
 
 Holter Isaiah, September 9, '64. 
 Hess Peter, September 1, '64. 
 Hunt David P., September 1, '64. 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 327 
 
 Hirliman George W., September 1, 1864, discharged by general 
 order June 9, 1865. 
 
 Heller George, September I, '64. 
 
 Hartman Thomas, September 1, '64. 
 
 Hughes Alexander M., September 2, '64. 
 
 Hughes John N., September 3, '64, promoted to 2d Lieutenant 
 company D, 210th Regiment P V., September 19, 1864. 
 
 Henson John, September 1, '64, died December 26, 1864, buried 
 in Loudoa Park National Cemetery, Baltimore, Md. 
 
 Henry William, September 1, '64, died at Point of Rocks, Mary- 
 land, February 12, 1865, buried in National Cemetery, City 
 Point, Virginia, section F, division 1, grave 71. 
 
 Hall George D., September 1, '64, deserted September 7, 1864. 
 
 Itchner Frederick. September 2, '64. 
 
 Jamison Isaiah J., September 9, '64. 
 
 Jones David F., September 9, '64, wounded at Petersburg, Vir- 
 ginia, April 2, 1865, discharged by general order May 31, 1865. 
 
 Kline David B., September 9, '64. 
 
 Karnes Jackson, September 9, '64. 
 
 Karns Jacob, September 2, '64, discharged by general order, 
 June 19, 1865. 
 
 Kisner Amos G., September 2, '64. 
 
 Kinley Levi, September 2, '64, discharged by general order 
 May 31, 1865. 
 
 Kline Parvin, September 2, '64. 
 
 Lathrope Stilman F., September 13, '64. 
 
 Lauderbach Jesse, September 2, '64. 
 
 Lee Noel, September 9, '64. 
 
 Long Heniy, September 9, '64. 
 
 Lyons Richard W., September 9, '64. 
 
 Leonard Merritt, August 31, '64, wounded at Ford Steadman, 
 Virginia, March 25, 1865, absent in hospital at muster out. 
 
 Lazarus George, August 31, '64. 
 
 Lawbach Samuel, August 30, ^,'64, died December 30, 1864, 
 buried in National Cemeteiy, City Point, Virginia, section C, 
 division 3, grave 39. 
 
 Miller Henry, September 1, '64. 
 
 Mills James R., September 1, '64. 
 
 Maury Daniel, August 31, '64. 
 
328 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Manning Robert, September 2, '64. 
 
 Marteeny Henry, September 1, '64, died at City Point, Virginia, 
 January 23, 1865. 
 
 McConimons Peter, September 1, '64. 
 
 McBride William B., 
 
 Ormsby William A., " 
 
 Pealer Jacob M., September 2, '64. 
 
 Pealer Samuel J., August 31, '64, discharged by general order 
 March 12, 1865. 
 
 Potter Gustavus A., September 9, '64. 
 
 Parks Andrew H., " 
 
 Peifer George, " 
 
 Palmer Uriah, September 2, '64. 
 
 Pursel Robert, September 9, '64. 
 
 Rupert Richard, September 1, '64. 
 
 Royer William, August 31, '64. 
 
 Robbins James P., August 27, '64. 
 
 Rantz Philip, September 2, '64, died at City Point, Virginia, 
 January 18, 1865 
 
 Schuyler Lewis H., September 2, '64. 
 
 Stewart Edward, September 1, '64. 
 
 Segar William, " 
 
 Shutt Henry, September 9, '64. 
 
 Shaffer John, " 
 
 Slife Lepo, August 30, '64 
 
 Sharp John, September 12, '64. 
 
 Stadden Joseph H., September 1, '64, discharged by special 
 order April 3, 1865. 
 
 Smith Loomis B., September 2, '64, deserted September 7, 1864. 
 
 Thomas William, September 9, '64, died at Alexandria, Virgin- 
 ia, April 20, of wounds received at Petersburg, April 2, 1865. 
 
 Unangst William H., September 2, '64. 
 
 Unangst Abraham, September 2, '64, wounded at Fort Stead- 
 man, Virginia, March 25, 1865, discharged by general order 
 June 24, 1865. 
 
 Vanover Samuel, September 9, '64. 
 
 Warner John B., September 9, '64, mustered out May 31, 1865. 
 
 Wennei- Thomas, September 9, '64, wounded at Port Steadman, 
 
SISTOIi Y OF COL UMBIA GO UNl Y. 829 
 
 Vii'ginia, March 25, 1865, discharged by general order June 19, 
 
 1865. 
 Whitmire Amos, September 9, '64. 
 Weaver Samuel A., August 31, '64, wounded at Fort Steadman, 
 
 Virginia, March 25, 1865, discharged by general order June 20, 
 
 1865. 
 Yocum Miles S., Seiitember 9, '64. 
 Yiuger George, September 1, '64. 
 
 The Regiment was organized at Camp Curtin, September 16, 
 1864. It was then sent to the front and was engaged in fatigue 
 and picket duty, seeing some service, however. On the 25th of 
 March, 1865, occurred the battle at Fort Steadman, in which the 
 regiment behaved very gallantly. On the 2nd of April Fort 
 Sedgwick was captured after a severe contest. Engaged there- 
 after in railway work, to Nottoway Court House, where it re- 
 mained till April 20th. Thence to City Point, thence to Alexan- 
 dria, where it went into camp, and on May 31, 1865, was muster- 
 ed out. 
 
330 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 CHAPTER XXVIII. 
 
 THREE YEARS' SERVICE. 
 35th regiment, 
 sixth reserves. 
 
 COMPANY A. 
 
 •'the iron guards." 
 
 William W. Uicketts, April 22, '61, promoted to Colonel July 
 27, 1861. 
 
 Wellington H. Ent, April 22, '61, promoted to Major Septem- 
 ber 21, 1862. 
 
 Samuel Waters, April 22, '61, promoted to 2d. Lieutenant July 
 27. 1861, to Captain March 1, 1863, to brevet Major March 13, 
 1865, wounded at Bethesda Church, May 30, 1864. absent at 
 muster out. 
 
 Isaac H Seesholtz, April 22, '61, resigned October 16, 1861. 
 
 Albion B. Jamison, April 22, '61, promoted from 1st Sergeant to 
 1st Lieutenant April 24, 1863, to brevet captain, March 13, 1865. 
 
 Samuel Knorr, April 22, '61, resigned October 25, 1862. 
 
 Harrison J. Conner, April 22, 1861, promoted from sergeant to 1st 
 Lieutenant March 1, 1863, to brevet 1st Lieutenant March 13, 
 1865. 
 
 James Stanley, April 22, '61, promoted to 1st. Sergeant April 
 15, 1863. 
 
 W. S. Margerum, April 22, '61. 
 
 George W. Mears, July 8, '61. wounded at New Hope Church 
 November 27, 1863, absent in hospital at muster out. 
 
 George R. Gensel, April 22, '61, discharged on Surgeon's certifi- 
 cate December 6, 1862. 
 
 R. W. Bowman, April 22, '61, discharged March 9, 1863, for 
 Avounds received in action. 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 331 
 
 Amos Gensel, April 22, '61, transferred to 191st. regiment, P. 
 
 v., May 31, 1864. Veteran. 
 Uriah R. Burkert, July 8, '61, transferred to 191st. regiment, P- 
 
 v.. May 31, 1864. Veteran. 
 B. R. Hayhurst, April 22, '61, promoted to Sergeant Major 
 
 Jmie 22, 1861. 
 Charles B. Brookway, April 22, '61, transferred to Battery F' 
 
 43d. regiment P: V., date unknown. 
 \V illiam H. Snyder, July 13. '61. 
 Joseph R. Hess, April 22, '61. 
 Randolph Hayman, .July 13, '61, transferred to Veteran Reserve 
 
 Corps — date unknown. 
 Marks B. Hughes, April 22, '61. 
 Benjamin F. Sharpless, July 13, '61. 
 
 William McNeal, April 21, '61. discharged on surgeon'.'* certifi- 
 cate September 6, 1861. 
 John C. Clark, April 22, '61, transferred to 191st. regiment, P. 
 
 V, May 31, 1864. Veteran. 
 George AVhitesides. July 8, '61, transferred to 191st. regiment, 
 
 P. v., May 31, 1864. Veteran. 
 Chester S. Furman, July 13, '61, transferred to U. S. Signal 
 
 Corps October 28, 1863. 
 Daniel M. Patterson, April 22, '61, died March 31, 1862. 
 George M. Demorest, April 22, '61, died September 23, 1862, of 
 
 wounds received at South Mountain, September 14, 1862. 
 Harman A. Shuman, April 22, '61, died March 10, 1863. 
 Achenbach Charles, April 22, '61. 
 Achenbach Calvin, July 13, '61, discharged December 6, 1862, 
 
 for wounds received in action 
 Abbott John H, November 30, '61, dishonorably discharged 
 
 April 10, 1863. 
 Bowman Henry C, April 22, '61. 
 Bruner Nelson, April 22, '61. 
 
 Berger Jeremiah, April 22, '61, discharged on Surgeon's certifi- 
 cate September 6, 1861. 
 Boltz John K., April 22, '61, deserted March 21, 1863. 
 Coleman John, April 22, '61, discharged on Surgeon's certificate 
 
 October 24, 1863. 
 
332 HISTOB Y OF COL UMBIA CO UJ^TY. 
 
 Coleman George S., April 22, '61, promoted to Adjutant August 
 11, 1862. 
 
 Chamberlin James W., July 13. '61, discharged November 21, 
 1862, to accept promotion as Major 178th. Pennsylvania draft- 
 
 ' ed militia. 
 
 Coffman William E., July 8, '61, discharged July 14, 1863, for 
 wounds received in action. 
 
 Chamberlin John, July 13, '61, transferred to U. S. Signal Corps 
 August 21, 1861. 
 
 Drinker Francis P., July 13, '61, discharged on Surgeon's certifi- 
 cate December 8, 1861. 
 
 Eck Alfred, April 22, '61. 
 
 Eok Joseph S., April 22, '61. 
 
 Eok William H.. April 22, '61, died May 8, 1863, of wounds re- 
 ceived in action. 
 
 Fornwald Charles S., April 22, '61. 
 
 Griffith Thomas, April 22, '61. 
 
 Gottschall Samuel G., April 22, '61. 
 
 Gdttschall Henry, April 22, '61. 
 
 Gottschall John Y., March 5, '63, transferred to 191st. regiment, 
 P. v., May 31, 1864. 
 
 Hamlin Peter S., April 22, '61. 
 
 Hollingshead William, April 22, '61. 
 
 Hause Joseph P., April 22, '61. 
 
 Hughes Jonas H., July 13, '61. 
 
 Hower Sylvester, July 8, '61. 
 
 Harman Henry C, April 22, '61, discharged January 17, 1863, 
 for wounds received in action. 
 
 Hayman Joseph S., April 22, '61, discharged on surgeon's cer- 
 tificate May 12, 1862. 
 
 Hartman Isaac, April 22, '61, discharged on surgeon's certifi- 
 cate November 28, 1862. 
 
 Harder Charles S., July 8, '61, discharged on surgeon's certifi- 
 cate February 2, 1863. 
 
 Hagenbuch A. H., March 10, '62, discharged May 16, 1863, for 
 wounds received in action. 
 
 Hoover Sebaldus, July 8, '61, transferred to 191st regiment P. 
 v.. May 31, 1864. Veteran. 
 
HIl^TOR Y OF COL UMBIA 00 UJSTTY. 333 
 
 Hite George W., April 22, '61, deserted, returned, transferred 
 to 191st regiment P. V., by sentence of general court martial. 
 
 Howell John, March 10, '62, transferred to 191st regiment P. 
 v.. May 31, 1864. 
 
 Hamlin Milton G. W., April 22, '61, killed at Fredericksburg, 
 December 3, 1862. 
 
 Hess John J., September 9, '61, killed at Fredericksburg, De- 
 cember 13, 1862. 
 
 Jamison Benjamin F., July 13, '61. 
 
 Jacoby Flemings, April 22, '61, captured at Bethesda Church, 
 May 30, 1864. 
 
 Jacoby Alonzo, July 8, "61 
 
 Kern William, July 1 3, '6 1 . 
 
 Kortz Josiah, April 22, '61, discharged on surgeon's certificate. 
 May 21, 1862. 
 
 Kramer Julius C, April 22, '61, discharged on surgeon's cer- 
 tificate August 27, 1863. 
 
 Kostenbauder M. V., July 13, '61, discharged on surgeon's cer- 
 tificate December 31, 1861 
 
 Karns Moses, April 22, '61, transferred to U. S. regular army- 
 July 18, 1862. 
 
 Kern Henry, July 8, '61, transferred to 191st regiment P. V., 
 May 31, 1864. Veteran. 
 
 Kurtz Emanuel, April 22, '61, promoted to principal musician 
 November 1, 1862. 
 
 Kline John, April 22, '61, died August 31, 1862. 
 
 Lewis Hiram B., April 22, 1861. 
 
 Linn Henry, April 12, '61, died March 1st, 1863, of wounds re- 
 ceived in action. 
 
 Mendenhall Theo., November 29, '61. 
 
 Millard Augustus, April 22, '61. 
 
 Mann Andrew W., April 22, '61 
 
 Metz David, April 22, '61, discharged on surgeon's certificate 
 December 2, 1862. 
 
 Megargell Dethic H., April 22, '61, discharged on surgeon's 
 certificate February 4, 1 863. 
 
 Mason Malcomb W., April 21, '61, died February 12, 1864. 
 
 Monroe Robert, July 13, '61, died January 2, 1863, of wounds 
 received in action. 
 
334 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA GOUJSTTY 
 
 McBride Isaiah, April 22, '61, killed at Fredericksburg, Decem- 
 ber 13, 1862. 
 
 Nolton Henry, April 22, '61, transferred to 191st regiment P. 
 V, May 31, 1864. Veteran. 
 
 Palmer William II., April 22, '61, discharged on surgeon's cer- 
 tificate June 4, 1864. 
 
 Price William H., April 22, '61, discharged June 17, 1863, for 
 wounds received in action. 
 
 Quimby Prank J., April 22, '61, discharged oh surgeon's certifi 
 cate February 5, 1863. 
 
 Raup William, April 22, '61. 
 
 Ross David S., April 22, '61, transferred to 191st regiment P. 
 v.. May 31, 1864. Veteran. 
 
 Ramsay James H., July 23, '61, transferred to U. S. Signal 
 Corps December 18, 1863. 
 
 Rehr Franklin, August 11, '62, died of wounds March 13, 1863 
 
 Sterling Baltis, July 13, '61. 
 
 Shortz Abraham, April 22, '61. 
 
 Stineman Leonard IS., April 22, '61, discliarged March 30, 1863, 
 for wounds received at Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862. 
 
 Strausser Franklin, April 22, '61, discharged April 15, 1863, for 
 wounds received at Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862. 
 
 Seitziuwer Ludwig, April 22, '61, discharged on surgeon's cer- 
 tificate February 13, 1863. 
 
 Staler Henry P., April 31, '61, deserted Ssptember 21, 1862. 
 
 Schwaderer C. F., April 25, '61, deserted August 21, 1862— 
 Schuylkill county. 
 
 Smith Ashabel W., April 22, '61, not on muster roll. 
 
 Waher Reuben H., April 12, '61, discharged for wounds receiv- 
 ed February 5, 1863. 
 
 Tremble George W., April -12, '61, discharged on Surgeon's cer- 
 tificate November 29, "62. 
 
 Waters George, April 22, '61. 
 
 Whitenight P. C, Api-il 22, '61, discharged o:i Surgeon's certi- 
 ficate October 18, 1862. 
 
 Walter Samuel C, April 22, '61, killed at Drainesville Decem- 
 ber 2a, 1861. 
 
 Witman James E., July 13, '61, died September 1, 1861. 
 
HISTOR Y OF COL UMBIA CO UNTY. 835 
 
 Young Jeremiah S., April 22, '6i, transferred to TJ. S. Signal 
 
 Corps August 21, 1861. 
 Zeigler Alexander, April 32, '61, mustered out with company 
 
 June 11, 1864. 
 
 ORIGINAL MEMBERS NOT IN BATEs' HISTOEY. 
 
 Getkin Frank, unaccounted for. 
 
 Getkin Jeremiah, unaccounted for. 
 
 Crosaley John A, see 112th. 2d. Artillery, Battery F 
 
 Willard Augustus, returned with company June 14, 1864. 
 
 Lunger Benjamin F., unaccounted for. 
 
 Smith Peter B., unaccounted for. 
 
 Bowman Joseph P., unaccounted for. 
 
 Fox Aaron, unaccounted for. 
 
 Brown John, unaccounted for. 
 
 Betz John, unaccounted for. 
 
 On Thursday, June 14, 1864, ''The Iron Guards" returned to 
 Bloomsburg and had an e thusiastic reception. The following are 
 the names: Col. Wellington H. Ent, Adjutant George S. Cole- 
 man, First Lieutenant A. B. Jameson, Second Lifutenaut H J. 
 Couner, commanding company. Sergeants James Stanley, W. S. 
 Margerum, Corporals W. H. Snyder, Benjamin F. Sharpless, Jo- 
 seph R. Hess, Marks B. Hughes, Privates Charles Achenbach, H. 
 C Bowman, Alfred Eck, Thomas Griffiths, Henry Gotschall, Wil- 
 liam HoUingshead, Sylvester Hower, Theodore Mendenhall, A. 
 W. Mann, Baltis Sterling, George Waters, Nelson Bruner, Joseph 
 S. Eck, Charles S. E'ornwald, Samuel G. Gottschall, P. S. Hamlin, 
 J. H. Hughes, John Kern, Augustus Willard, William Raup, Ab- 
 raham Shortz, Alexander Zigler, Emanuel Kurtz. 
 
 Col. Ricketts died at Orangeville, August 10, 1862, having 
 been discharged on surgeon's certificate February 27, 1862. Wel- 
 lington H. Ent was promoted from Captain of Company A to 
 Major Sei^tember 21, 1862, to Lieutenant Colonel May 1, 1863, 
 to Colonel July 1, 1863, to brevet Brigadier General March 13, 
 1865; wounded at Bethesda Church May 30, 1864; mustered out 
 with regiment June 11, 1864. General Ent was the democratic 
 candidate for Surveyor General of Pennsylvania in 1868, but 
 was not elected. 
 
 The regiment was organized June 22, 1861. On the 11th of 
 
336 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 July it moved to Greenoastle, Pa., and on the 22d was ordered 
 by the way of Harrisburg and Baltimore to Washington. It 
 was mustered into the service of the United Stales July 27, 1861. 
 It was assigned to the Third Brigade of McCall's Division. On 
 December 20th the battle of Drainesville was fought, in which 
 the Reserves won their first viciory. It is impossible to follow 
 the Reserves in all their movements and marches. It would be 
 almost a history of the war. On the 13th of June, 1862, it em- 
 barked for White House, Va. On the 28th it was abandoned 
 and the stores burned, and the ai'niy fell back, McOlellan having 
 been beaten in the Seven Days' fight. The regiment reached 
 Harrison's Landing on the 1st of July. The last days of July 
 came the three days' manoeuvreing fight at Warrenton. After the 
 Second Bull Run the Regiment moved towards South Mountain 
 and took position on the extreme right. They performed a gallant 
 service in capturing the rebel position on the mountain top, and 
 the next two days were in the victory gained by McClellan at 
 Antietam. And so it continued in march counter march and drill 
 and in due course moved on toward Fredericksburg, in which 
 battle it took a very prominent part. It made the celebrated 
 "Mud March,'' and on the 25th June moved from Fairfax Station 
 to join in the Gettysburg campaign. Thence to Falling Waters, 
 Rappahannock, Bristoe Station, New Hope Church, through the 
 campaign of the Wilderness, and on to the battle at Bethesda 
 Church, fought after its term of enlistment had expired, and gain- 
 ing a signal victory, it started for Harrisburg 1 June, 1864, where 
 it was mustered out on the 11th of the same month, with a mili- 
 tary reputation unsurpassed by auv in the service. 
 
 ^ 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 337 
 
 COMPANY E. SIXTH KJISEEVES. 
 
 Recruited in Montour county. 
 
 Mahlon K. Manley, May 14, '6 J, discharged on Surgeon's certifi- 
 cate March 22, 1863. 
 
 Charles Richart, May 14, '61, promoted from 1st Lieutenant to 
 Captain August 27, 1863, brevet Major, March 18, 1865. 
 
 John Horn, May 14, '61, discharged on Surgeon's certificate 
 September 27, 1862. 
 
 Josiah Mull, May 14, '61, promoted from Sergeant October 11, 
 1861, to 2d Lieutenant April 13, 1863. 
 
 George W. Deen, May 14, '61, promoted to 1st Sergeant May 
 15, 1863, Commissioned 2d Lieutenant March 21, 1863,not mus- 
 tered, mustered out with Company June 11, 1864. 
 
 Joel Metz, May 27, '61, Sergeant. 
 
 Thomas Levers, June 26, '61, promoted to Corporal July 15, 
 1861, to Sergeant April 6, 1862. 
 
 William A. Moyer, May 14, '61, Corporal April 6, 1862, Sergeant 
 May 15, 1863. 
 
 Nicholas Frieze, May 14, '61, missing in action at Fredericks- 
 burg, Virginia, December 13, 1862. 
 
 William Kriner, May 14, '61, discharged May 26, 1862, for 
 wounds received accidentally. 
 
 William E. Ackey, May 14, '61, transferred to 191st Regiment 
 P. v.. May 31, 1864, ''7'eteran. 
 
 Abraham Wand, May 14, '61, wounded at Spottsylvania Court 
 House, May 12, 1864, absent at General Hospital, Washington, 
 
 D. C. at muster out. 
 
 I' 
 
 William Lezerve, May 14, '61. 
 
 William E Gillespie, June 20, '61, transferred to 19l8t Regi- 
 ment P. V. May 31, 1864, Veteran. 
 
 H. Kustenbather, July ,11 '61, transferred to 191st Regiment P. 
 V. May 31, 1864, Veteran. 
 
338 HISTORT OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 John Leffler, July 11, '61, transferred to 191st Regiment P. V. 
 
 May 31, 1864, Veteran. 
 Thaddeus S. Smith, June 25, '61, transferred to 191st Regiment 
 
 P. v.. May 31, 1864, Veteran. 
 Aaron R. Gibson, May 14, '61, killed at Bethesda Church, Vir- 
 ginia, May 30, 1864, Veteran. 
 Edwin Lookhart, May 14, '61. 
 Eli J. Richart, April 1, '62, transferred to 191st Regiment P. V. 
 
 May 81, 1864. 
 Aderholdt Earnest, July 27, '61, wounded, with loss of leg, at 
 
 Bristoe Station, Virginia, October 14, 1863, absent, in hospital, 
 
 at muster out. 
 Buttles William, May 25, '61, transferred to 191st Regiment P. 
 
 V. May 31, 1864, Veteran. 
 Brown James H., May 25, '61, discharged on Surgeon's certificate, 
 
 February 12, 1862. 
 Bailey Olney, May 21, '61, discharged on Surgeon's certificate, 
 
 July 28, '61. 
 Bowman George, May 14, '61, discharged on Surgeon's certificate 
 
 March 12, 1863. 
 Bingman George, May 14, '61, deserted September 18, '62. 
 Cowden Samuel, June 6, '61, transferred to 191st Regiment P. V. 
 
 May 31, 1864, Veteran. 
 Cunningham Robert, May 14, '61. 
 
 Chronister John W., June 1, '61, discharged on Surgeon's certifi- 
 cate, February 26, 1862. 
 Chaplain Orvill, May 25, '61, discharged on Surgeon's certificate, 
 
 January 29, 1862. 
 Davis John, June 21, '61. 
 
 Darfus John, May 14, '61, absent at muster out of Company. 
 Francis Thomas, June 20, '61, discharged on Surgeon's certificate, 
 
 November 20, 1861. 
 Plinn James, May 20, '62, wounded in action — date unknown — 
 
 discharged on Surgeon's certificate, December 19, 1862. 
 ■Grill Josiah, June 20, '61, transferred to 191st Regiment P. V. 
 
 May 31, 1864, Veteran. 
 ■Garner Augustus, July 20, '61, deserted February 14, 1862. 
 Hare Joseph, May 14, '61. 
 Hilgert Jacob, May 16, '61. 
 
JUSTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 339 
 
 Hagan Charles, May 24, '61 , absent at muster out of Coropany. 
 
 Heisner Henry, May 14, '61, discharged February 12, 1863, for 
 wounds received in action. 
 
 Hocker George, August 9, '61, missing in action. May 30, 1864. 
 
 Hunt William H., May 14, '61, died at Fairfax, Virginia, April 1, 
 1863. 
 
 Hileman Franklin, May 25, '61, killed at Fredericksburg, Decem- 
 ber, 13, 1862. 
 
 Hurst Miles, June 6, '61, deserted September 6, 1862. 
 
 HorfE William, May 14, '61, deserted May 14, 1863. 
 
 Jones Benjamin A., May 14, '61. discharged on Surgeon's certifi- 
 cate, August 6, 1862. 
 
 Johnson, M. B., May 14, '61, died at Fredericksburg, Virgioia, 
 Juuel 13, 1862. 
 
 King, Richard W., July 29, '61, captured May 20, 1864, died at 
 Andersonville, Georgia, October 2, 1864, grave 11,463. Veteran. 
 
 Karigher, Gottleib, May 14, '61, discharged March 18, 1862, for 
 wounds recived in action. 
 
 Kiezer John, July 20, '61, discharged on surgeon's certificate, Feb- 
 ruary 17, 1862. 
 
 Krelner George, May 30, '61, discharged March 28, 1863, for 
 wounds received in action. 
 
 Koons John, May 14, '61, deserted Augnst 28. 1862. 
 
 King James H., March 19, '64, not on muster out roll. 
 
 Lucas Abraham, May 25, '61, committed suicide at Camp Tenally 
 Maryland, October 4, 1861. 
 
 Miller Joseph, June 23, '61, wounded at Spottsylvania Court 
 House, May 11, 1864, absent, in hospital at muster out. 
 
 Marchal Carlisle, May 14, '61. 
 
 Moyer Lewis, June 25, '61. 
 
 Miller Jacob, August 27, '61, discharged September 12, 1863, for 
 wounds received in action. 
 
 Metzgar Sebastian, May 25, '61, discharged February 28, 1863, for 
 wounds received in action. 
 
 Miller John, May 14, '61, killed at Bethesda Church, Virginia 
 May 30, 1864. 
 
 Mallon Felix, May 25, '61, deserted November 23, 1862, 
 
 M'Gill George, May 14, '61. 
 
 M'Laughlin B., May 25, '61, deserted December 11, 1862. 
 
340 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Melson Oscar, July 27, '61, discharged by special order, August 
 
 16, 1862. 
 Ott Alpheus D., July 10, '61, died at Bristoe Station, Virginia, 
 
 February 29, 1864. 
 Pursell Perry, July 5, '61, discharged by special order, August 
 
 11, 1862. 
 Price Abraham, August 26, '61, killed at South Mountain, Sep- 
 tember 14, 1862. 
 
 Richard John O., May 14, '61, absent in hospital at muster out. 
 
 Roup Jonas, May 25, '61, absent, in hospital at muster out. 
 
 Rantz Isaac, July 20, '61, missing in action at Bethesda Church, 
 May 30, 1864. 
 
 Reinhardt Edmund, June 25, '61, transferred to 191st regiment 
 P. v.. May 31, 1864. Veteran. 
 
 Rose Joseph, May 14, '61, discharged on surgeon's certificate, 
 December 12, 1862. 
 
 Shedon John, May 14, '61, wounded at Bethesda Church, May 12. 
 1 864, absent, in hospital, at muster out. 
 
 Staub Conrad, May 14, '61. 
 
 Stiultz John, May 14, '61. 
 
 Springer Conrad, May 14, '61, discharged on surgeon's certificate, 
 June 8, 1862. 
 
 Singhiser Theodore, June 6, '61, discharged on surgeon's certifi- 
 cate, February 13, 1863. 
 
 Sevarts Gotleib, June 6, '61, discharged April 20, 1863, for wounds 
 received in action. 
 
 Steinheiser Philip, August 28, 1861, discharged May 10, 1863 for 
 wounds received in action. 
 
 Snyder William, May 14, '61, discharged on surgeon's certificate, 
 September 16, 1862. 
 
 Sechman Samuel, May 14, '61, died July 15, 1863 of wounds re- 
 ceived at Gettysburg. 
 
 Shiffert Jacob, May 14, '61, killed at Fredericksburg, December 
 13, 1862. 
 
 Springer Philip, June 1, ^1, deserted August 24, 1862. 
 
 Traub William, July 27, '61, died at Georgetown, D. C, October 
 18, 1861, buried in Military Asylum Cemetery. 
 
 Tocht George, May 14, '61. 
 
IIISTOBY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY 341 
 
 Van Vrankin D. D., May 25, '61, missing in action May 20, 1864. 
 
 Veteran. 
 Vale Cyrus, May 14, '61, died at Washington, D. C, August 7, '61. 
 Welliver Thomas, May 25, '61. 
 Wagner Otto, June 1, '61. 
 West Christian, August 27, '61, discharged on surgeon's certificate 
 
 December 1, 1861. 
 Wagner Christian, May 14, '61, discharged on surgeon's certificate 
 
 April 20, 1863. 
 Williams George, August 27, '61, discharged on surgeon's certifi- 
 cate January 8, 1862. 
 Woods Christopher, May 14, '61, discharged by special order, 
 
 August 11, 1862. 
 Walter Joseph, July 12, '61, died at Georgetown, D. C, Septem- 
 ber 7, 1861. 
 Weaver Joseph, June 1, '61, killed at South Mountain September 
 
 14, 1862. 
 Walls John, July 24, '61, deserted August 14, 1862. 
 Yordy William T., May 14, '61. 
 Zerbe Wilkins K., June 5, '61, deserted June 4, 1863. 
 
 From Drainesville to Bethesda Church, by the way of South 
 Mountain, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, and Spottsylvania Court 
 House ; gathering daily greener laurels, is glory enough for Com- 
 pany E., of the Sixth Reserves. The company was mustered out 
 of service June 11, 1864, with an unstained military record; and 
 all the men not otherwise accounted for were thus discharged. 
 
 ^1- c^ ^>--f^ 
 
342 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 FORTY-THIRD REGIMENT. 
 
 FIRST ARTILI.ERY. 
 
 BATTERY F. 
 
 COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR. 
 
 R. Bruce Ricketts, mustered in July 8, '61, promoted to first Lieu- 
 tenant August 5, 1861, to Captain May 8, 1863, to Major, De- 
 cember 1, 1864, breveted Colonel. 
 
 John F. Campbell, mustered in July 8, '61, promoted to second 
 Lieutenant, May 20, 1864, to first Lieutenant December 1, 1864, 
 to Captain April 17, 1865, mustered out with Battery June 
 9, 1865. Veteran. 
 
 Charles B. Brockway, mustered in July 8, '61, promoted to second 
 Lieutenant February 28,1862, to first Lieutenant March 16,1863, 
 commissioned Captain November 30, 1S64, not mustered, brevet 
 Captain March 13,1865, discharged October 22,1864. Veteran. 
 
 Henry Wireman, mustered in July 8, '61, promoted to first Lieu- 
 tenant December 6, 1864, mustered out with battery June 9, 
 1865. Veteran. 
 
 William H. Thurston, mustered in July 8, '61, promoted to first 
 Lieutenant, April 22, 1865, mustered out with battery June 9, 
 1865. Veteran. 
 
 Francis H. Snyder, mustered in July 8, '61, promoted to second 
 Lieutenant January 31, 1864, wounded at Mine Run, Virginia, 
 discharged October 8, 1864. 
 
 George W. Mowrer, mustered in July 8th, 1861, promoted to 
 second Lieutenant, April 22, 1865, mustered out with battery 
 June 9, 1865. Veteran. 
 
 Frank P. Brockway, mustered in January 1, '62, promoted to 
 second Lieutenant December 21, 1864, mustered out with bat- 
 tery June 9, 1805. Veteran. 
 
HISTOMY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 343 
 
 William H. Trump, mustered in July 8, '61, first Sergeant, mus- 
 tered out^with battery June 9, 1865. Veteran. 
 
 Stephen E. Ridgeway, mustered in December 30, '61, Quarter- 
 master Sergeant, mustered out with battery June 9, 1865. Vet- 
 eran. 
 
 William B. Meliok, mustered in July 6, '61, discharged on Sur- 
 geon's certificate July 18, 1862. 
 
 Albert Herbein, mustered in August 5, '61, mustered out with 
 battery June 9, 1865. Veteran. 
 
 Franklin Houser, mustered in January 27, '62, mustered out with 
 battery June 9, 1865. Veteran. 
 
 John H. Christian, mustered in July 8, '61, wounded at Gettys- 
 burg July 2, 1863, mustered out August 8, 1864. 
 
 Jacob S. Yordy, mustered in July 8, '61, mustered out with bat- 
 tery June 9, 1865. Veteran. 
 
 Jacob M. Harman, mustered in March 9, '64, mustered out with 
 battery June 9, 1865. 
 
 Appleman Cyrus B., March 15, '64, wounded at Tolopotomy May 
 31, 1864, mustered out with battery June 9, 1865. 
 
 Pause Thomas E., mustered in July 8, '61, mustered out with bat- 
 tery June 9, 1865. Veteran. 
 
 Fox Jacob, mustered in July 8, '61, died October 16, 1862, at 
 Washington, D. O. 
 
 Gotschall William, mustered in February 1, 64, mustered out with 
 battery June 9, 1865. 
 
 Garringer Charles, mustered in February 21, '64, died at Wash- 
 ington, D. C, September 11, 1864. 
 
 Haag Jacob, mustered in July 8, '61, mustered out with battery 
 June 9, 1865. Veteran. 
 
 Hughes Mason B., mustered in February 27, '64, mustered out 
 with battery June 9, 1865. 
 
 Hart John A., mustered in July 8, 1864, mustered out at expira- 
 tion of term. 
 
 Harder Priestly S., mustered in December 31, '61, mustered 
 out January 23, 1865. Veteran. 
 
 Need Francis, mustered in July 8, '61, discharged May 31, 1864 — 
 expiration of term. 
 
 Powell William, mustered in July 8, '61, discharged on Surgeon's 
 certificate February 10, 1863. 
 
344 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Rake John G., mustered in January 1, '64, mustered out with bat- 
 tery June 9, 1 H65. Veteran. 
 Roberts Josiah K., mustered in February 10, 64, mustered out 
 
 with battery June 9, 1865. 
 Rake Isaac, mustered in July 1, '61, transferred to Battery G. 
 
 March 26, 1864, mustered out with the battery June 29, 1865. 
 Remline Francis, mustered in July 5, '61, not on muster roll. 
 Shipman Charles, mustered in July 8, '61, mustered out with bat- 
 tery June 9, 1865. Veteran. . 
 Shoemaker John, mustered in January 22, '62, discharged on Sur- 
 geon's certificate. 
 Savage Charles N., mustered in January 1, '62, deserted October 
 
 16, 1862. 
 Thompson Edward, mustered in December 26, '61, killed at An- 
 
 tietam September 17, 1862. 
 Weaver John F., mustered in July 8, '61, on detached service as 
 Regimental Hospital Steward. 
 
 The above are all certainly ascertained to belong to Columbia 
 or Montour. Battery F participated with distinguished gallantry 
 and efficiency in the following engagements, viz : Winchester 
 Second Bull Run, Chantilly, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancel- 
 lorsville, Gettysburg, Bristoe Station, Mine Run, Wildernessi 
 Spottsylvania, North Anna, Tolopotomy, Cold Harbor, Petersburg 
 and Deep Bottom, a roll of battles of which they may well be 
 proud, as well as of the additional fact that they remained in the 
 service till the war was over, always doing their work thoroughly 
 and taking it as it came, the march, the battle or the prison, with 
 all of which Capt. Brockway has had close acquaintance. 
 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA GOUNIY. 345 
 
 FIFTY-SECOND REGIMENT. 
 
 COMPANY G. 
 
 KECRUITEL) IN COI.UJIBIA COUNTY. 
 
 William Silver, Captain, Septeralier 16, '61, resigned July 17, '62- 
 
 Nathan W. Piersou, August 15, '61, promoted from Adjutant to 
 Captain May 19, '63, mustered out January 27, '65 — expira- 
 tion of term. 
 
 Augustus W. Rush, 1st Sergeant, September 16, '61, resigned July 
 22, '62. 
 
 Timothy Mahony, November 4, '61, promoted from 1st Sergeant 
 to 1st Lieutenant, August 1, '62, mustered out November 5, 
 '64, expiration of term. 
 
 John S. Marcy, November 4, '61, dismissed September 21, '64. 
 
 James W. Evans, November 4, '61, promoted from Sergeant to 1st 
 Sergeant, April 9, '65, to 2d Lieutenant June 3, '65, mus- 
 tered out with company July 12, '65. Veteran. 
 
 Richard Shepherd, November 4, '61, promoted from Sergeant to 
 1st Sergeant January 1, '64, mustered out November 5, '64, 
 expiration of term. 
 
 W. W. Snyder, November 4, '61, piomoted to Corporal April 9, 
 '64 to Sergeant November 6, '64, Commissioned 1st Lieutenant 
 
 March 26, '65. Veteran. 
 
 William H. Johnson, November 4, '61, promoted to Corporal No- 
 vember 6, '64, to Sergeant April 3, '65, Veteran. 
 
 John J. Dasher, September 24, '63, drafted, promoted to Ser- 
 geant November 6, '64. 
 
 George Besh, November 4, '61, promoted to Corporal January 1^ 
 '64, to Sergeant November 6, '64. 
 
 Wesley Cooper, November 4, '61, promoted to Sergeant January 
 1, '64. 
 
346 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 William Shultz, November 4, '61, promoted from Corporal to Ser- 
 geant January 1, '64. 
 
 Thomas Slauglibaugli, November 4, '61, discharged November 
 18, '62, for wounds received at Fair Oaks, Virginia, May 31, '62. 
 
 William S. Stark, March 11, '64. promoted to Corporal June 18,'64. 
 
 Henry C. Mott, November 4, '61, promoted to Corporal June 18,'64, 
 
 tJrias Trate, October 26, '63, drafted, promoted to Corporal May 
 1, '65. 
 
 William Adams, November 4, '61, promoted to Corporal Novem- 
 ber 7, '64. 
 
 Jacob Ebling, September 24, '63, drafted, promoted to Corporal 
 November 6, '64. 
 
 David Eberts, September 29, '63, drafted, promoted to Corporal 
 November 6, '64. 
 
 H. Rummerfiold, November 4, '61, promoted to Corporal Novem- 
 ber 6, '64. 
 
 Lewis H. Breeze, March 17, '64, promoted to Corporal May 8, '65, 
 
 Caleb Creasy, November 4, '61, promoted to Corporal, Januaiy 
 1, '64. 
 
 William H. Robbins, November 4, '64, promoted to Corporal Jan- 
 uary 1, '64. 
 
 W. Weatherwalks, November 4, '61, discharged on surgeon's 
 
 certificate April 9, '62. 
 Charles E. Bohl, November 4, '61. Veteran. 
 Adami Noah, November 4, '61. Veteran. 
 Anderson William, September 23, '63, drafted. 
 Ace George, October 19, '64, drafted. 
 Bush Jacob, October 8, '62 
 Boyer John, October 24, '63, drafted. 
 Bowers John, October 22, '63, drafted 
 Bunn Samuel, October 17, '63, drafted. 
 Burgher Abram, February 25, '65. 
 Bouch Frederick, July 24, '63, drafted. 
 Blon Nicholas, July 24, '63, drafted. 
 Bumbaugh Andrew, March 20, 1864. 
 Bloom John, March 12, '64 
 Bumbaugh Andrew, November, 4 '61, mustered out November 5, 
 
 '64, expiration of term. 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 347 
 
 Baily Weston. November 4, '61, discharged on surgeon's certifi- 
 cate November 30, '62. 
 
 Brown Amos, November 4, '61, killed accidentally at Charleston, 
 South Carolina, February 18, '65. Veteran. 
 
 Carroll William, September 24, '63, drafted. 
 
 Chatman William, November 4, '61. Veteran. 
 
 Carey Chesterfield, October 31, '63, drafted. 
 
 Culver Solomon, November 5, '61, mustered out November 5, '64, 
 expiration of term. 
 
 Covey Vincent M., November 4, '61, deserted March 14, 1862. 
 
 Davis Edward H„ November 12, '63, drafted. 
 
 Delamp Alamaza, October 24, '62. 
 
 Dalton Thomas, March 2, '65. 
 
 Dougherty James, November 4, '61, discharged on surgeon's 
 certificate December 9, '62. 
 
 Etchells Alfred, July 24, '63, drafted. 
 
 Engle Stephen, October 15, '63, drafted. 
 
 Ersenhower M. W., October 28, '63. drafted. 
 
 Edwards Joseph D., February 27, '65. 
 
 Early James, March 23, '64. 
 
 Evans James, November 4, '61, discharged on surgeon's certificate 
 October 19, '62. 
 
 Fitzgerald Patrick, September 24, '63, drafted. 
 
 Fritz Charles, September 25, '63. 
 
 Hew George, November 4 '61. Veteran. 
 
 Foust Edward, September 24, '63, drafted. 
 
 Fix James, October 29, '63, drafted. 
 
 Fitzgerald Walter, March 3, '65. 
 
 Frederick John, December 1, '61, deserted April 5, '64. 
 
 Galligan John 2d, November 4, '61. Veteran. 
 
 Grass Charles, September 23, '63, drafted. 
 
 Gilligan John 1st, November 4, '61, mustered out November 5, 
 '64, expiration of term. 
 
 Gemian Thomas, November 4, '64, discharged on surgeon's cer- 
 tificate April, '63. 
 
 Gilligan Peter, January 1, '62, mustered out January 22, '65, ex- 
 piration of term. 
 
 Haines Leonard, October 12, '63, drafted. 
 
 Hepler William, March 18, '65. 
 
348 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA VOUNTY: 
 
 Hawk Charles, September 24, '63, sick, absent at muster out. 
 
 Halstead Theodore, March 20, '65. 
 
 Hand John, November 4. '61. Veteran. 
 
 Hanloti James, July 24, '63, drafted. 
 
 Horan Stephen, March 2, '65. 
 
 Harris Job, July 31, '63, drafted, discharged by general order 
 
 May 26, '65. 
 Horor Michael, November 4, '61, mustered out November 5, 64, 
 
 expiration of term. 
 Haight William, November 4, '61, mustered out November 5, '64, 
 
 expiration of term. 
 Holland David. November 4, "61, discharged on surgeon's certifi- 
 cate November 13, '62. 
 
 Harley Johi), , not on muster out roll. 
 
 Holmes Charles, September 24, '63, drafted, deserted June 18, '64. 
 Johnston James P., November 4, '61. Veteran. 
 Jones Edward D., November 4, '61, transferred to gunboat ser- 
 vice February 17, '62. 
 Keys Albert, October 30, '63, drafted. 
 Keating John, September 24, '63. 
 King William C, December 9, '61, mustered out December 16,'64, 
 
 expiration of term. 
 King Henry H., December 9, '61, mustered out December 16, '64, 
 
 expiration of term. 
 Kinney Edward, July 24, '63, drafted, deserted December 8, '64. 
 Long William, September 24, '63, drafted. 
 Lamberson A. B., September 23, '63, drafted. 
 Lockard Alfred A„ March 17, '64. 
 Lawrence John, October 22, '63, drafted, absent, sick at muster 
 
 out. 
 Lake Fernandez, November, 4, '61, mustered out November 5i 
 
 '64, expiration of term. 
 Lelley Samuel, November 4, '61, mustered out November 5, '64, 
 
 expiration of term. 
 Lehman Joseph, September 24, '63. drafted, discharged by gen- 
 eral order July 12, '65. 
 Lane John E., October 14, '63, drafted, drowned at Morris Island, 
 
 South Carolma, June 29, '64. 
 Muntz John F. October 30, '63, drafted. 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 349 
 
 Mott James S., March 17, '6i. 
 
 Mack George, October 8, '62. 
 
 Mack James, October 8, .62 
 
 Miller Edward, March 20, '65. 
 
 Merrelliis Cornelius, November 3, '61, discharged on Surgeon's 
 certificate February 20, '63. ' 
 
 Miller Jeremiah, February 13, '62, died at Hilton Head, South 
 Carolina, January 17, '65. 
 
 Motz William, November 4, '61, died at Yorktown, N^irginia, Oc- 
 tober 2, '62. 
 
 McAfee Joshua, Novf^mber 4, '61, discharged on Surgeon's certifi- 
 cate February 4, '63. 
 
 Nichols Riley, November 4, '61, discharged on Surgeon's certifi- 
 cate October 29, '62. 
 
 Oberender John N., February 15, '65. 
 
 Ooks Adam, February 15, '65. 
 
 Ocks Charles, February 16, '65, discharged on general order June 
 25, '65. 
 
 Ollendick Joseph, October 16, '63, drafted, died at Hilton Head, 
 South Carolina, June 27, '65. 
 
 Parks John, November 4, '61, Veteran 
 
 Porter James, September 24, '63, drafted. 
 
 Patton John, October 12, '63, drafted. 
 
 Padden Henry, March 2, '65. 
 
 Phillips Henry, February 14, '65. 
 
 Prino-le Caleb. November 4, '61, mustered out November 5, '64, ex- 
 piration of term. 
 
 Pointou John, Novemt'er 4, '61, discharged on Surgeon's certifi- 
 cate November 14, '62. 
 
 Powell James, November 4, '61, discharged on Surgeon's certifi- 
 cate June 2, '63. 
 
 Phillips Henry, November 4, '61, discharged on Surgeon's certifi- 
 cate June 11, '62.| 
 
 Phillips David, November 4, '61, died at Philadelphia, Pennsyl- 
 vania, June 8, '62, of wounds received at Fair Oaks, Virginia, 
 May 31, '62. 
 
 Paden John, November 4, '61, deserted March 28, '61. 
 
 Rittenburg Joseph, November 4, '61, Veteran. 
 
 Ryan William, November 9, '63, drafted. 
 
350 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY 
 
 Rupert John .T., September 24, '63, drafted. 
 
 Riiidy John, September 24, '63. drafted. 
 
 Rush Henry, November 4, '61. 
 
 Rozelle Edward E., November 4, '61. 
 
 Redcay Charles, November 4, '61, mustered out November 4, '63, 
 expiration of term. 
 
 Redcay George, November 4, '61, mustered out November 5, '64, 
 expiration of term. 
 
 Ritch John, November 4, '61, discharged on Surgeon's certificate 
 October 29, '62. 
 
 Scott Wesley, November 4, '61, Veteran. 
 
 Sanders George M., November 4, '61, Veteran. 
 
 Shupp Charles, October 15, '63, drafted, absent, sick, at muster 
 out. 
 
 Steinhower Jacob, October 4, '63, drafted. 
 
 Seibert Franklin, September 24, '63, drafted. 
 
 Schrick John, November 4, '61, discharged on Surgeon's certificate 
 August 44, '62. 
 
 Smithers John, Fovember 4, '61, discharged on Surgeon's certifi- 
 cate November 30, '62. 
 
 Stout Joseph, November 4, '61, discharged on Surgeon's certificate 
 March 8, '62. 
 
 Shiner Joseph, November 4, '61, mustered out November 5, '64, 
 expiration of term. 
 
 Stout William H., November 4, '61, discharged on Surgeon's cer- 
 tificate July 6, '63. 
 
 Smith Martin, November 4, '61, died at Washington, D. C, Feb- 
 ruary 1, '62. 
 
 Smith John P., November 4, '61, died at Washipgton, D. C, Feb- 
 ruary 8, '62. 
 
 Shuman Milton, November 4, '61, deserted September 1, '63. 
 
 Swartz John, November 4, '61, deserted September 1, '63. 
 
 Thompson A. H., November 4, '61, mustered out November 5, '64, 
 expiration of term. 
 
 Thomas Charles, September 1, '64, discharged by general order 
 June 24, '65. 
 
 Taylor Diltpn N., November 4, '61, discharged on Surgeon's cer- 
 tificate September 16, '62. 
 
 Vanduser James, March 28, '64. 
 
HI8T0JRY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 351 
 
 William Curtis, Novembei- 4, '61, mustered out November 4, '64, 
 
 expiration of term. 
 Welsh John, October 16, '63, drafted, deserted November 1, '64. 
 
 Many of these Columbia county men were among the first in 
 the field and the last out, and in every place did credit to them- 
 selves and the county. The Regiment was at first under General 
 Henry M. Naglee, and was in the following engagements, viz : 
 Lee's Mills, Bottom's Bridge, and a four days' fight on the advance 
 to Richmond, Fair Oaks, Mechanicsville, and the line of the 
 Chiokahominy. In December, 1862, it was sent to North Caro- 
 lina, in January, '63, to Port Royal in South Carolina, and went 
 through an arduous campaign. They made the assault on Fort 
 Johnson, in July 1864, led by Colonel, late Governor Hoyt, and 
 if supported would have catured the place. A detachment of the 
 52d, on the 18th February, '65, planted her flag on Fort Sumter. 
 When Sherman marched through South Carolina, the Fifty-Second 
 joined him. Their march terminated in April, with Johnson's 
 surrender near Raleigh. Thence to Salisbury, N. C, and thence 
 to Harrisburg, and a muster out July 12, '65. 
 
352 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 EIGHTY-FOURTH REGIMENT. 
 COMPANT D. 
 
 HCRI.EY GUARDS. 
 
 Alexander J. Friok, captain, mustered in September 18, '61, re- 
 signed October 2, '62. 
 
 George Zinn, captain, October 1, '61, promoted from 2d lieuten- 
 ant company B October 2, '62, to lieutenant colonel December 
 23, '63. 
 
 Alexander G. Thornton, captain, December 24, '61, wounded at 
 Port Public June, 9, '62, promoted from 1st seargent to 1st lieu- 
 tenant October 2, '62, to captain December 23, '62, discharged 
 July 8, '64. 
 
 John W. Rissel, captain, deoember 9, '61, promoted from sergeant 
 major to 2(1 lieutenant December 23, 1862, to 1st lieutenant 
 November 16, '63, to captain July 26, '64, discharged Decem- 
 ber 14, 1864. 
 
 Uzal H. Ent, l^tLieutenant October 1, '61, resigned October 2,'62. 
 
 James W. Hunter, August 1, '62, promoted to 2d lieutenant Sep- 
 tember 22, '62, to 1st lieutenant December 23, '62, discharged 
 September 15, '63. 
 
 David Larish, December 24, 1861, promoted to 1st Lieutenant 
 October 17, '64, transferred to company G 57th regiment P. V., 
 January 13, '65. Veteran. 
 
 Calvin MacDowell, August 30, '61, resigned June 25, '62. 
 
 Levs'is M. Clark, October 2, '61, captured at Chancellorsville, Vir- 
 ginia, May 3, '63, transferred to company G, 57th regiment P. 
 v., January 13, '65. 
 
 William A. Tobias, December 24, '61, not accounted for. 
 
 James G. Moore, December 24, '61, captured at Chancellorsville, 
 May 3, 1863, exchanged, not accounted for. Veteran. 
 
 Joseph D. Hampson, December 24, '61, not accounted for. 
 
 Henry Funk, December 24, '61, wounded at Winchester, March 
 
UlSTOEY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 353 
 
 23, 1862, killed at Mine Run, Virginia, November 30, 1863. 
 
 Josiah Henninger, , not accounted for. 
 
 James W. Price, December 24, "61, wounded at Winchester, Vir- 
 ginia, March 23, 1863. 
 Charles Manning, December 24, '61, wounded at Winchester, 
 
 Virginia, March 24, 1862. 
 Fred C. Hess, December 24, '61, transferred to company G. 57th 
 Regiment P. V. January 13, '65, promoted to Corporal, Veteran. 
 Stephen Johnson, December 24, '61, captured at Chancellorsville, 
 Virginia, May 23, '63, died at City Point, June 19, '64,- buried 
 in National Cemetery, section E, division 1, grave 154. Veteran. 
 Pierce Russel, December 24, '61, promoted to Corporal February 
 18, '62, wounded at Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, '63, trans- 
 ferred to Company G, 57th Regiment P. V., January 13, '65, 
 promoted to 1st Sergeant January 1, '65. Veteran. 
 Charles Sill, December 24, '61, not accounted for. 
 Theobald M. Dawson, December 24, '61, captured at Chancellors- 
 ville, Virginia, May 3, '63, exchanged, not accounted for — found 
 in Company G, 67th Regiment P. V. January 1, '64, transferred 
 to Company H June 10, '65, Veteran. 
 William Prosser, December 24, '61, captured at Chancellorsville 
 Virginia, May 3, '63, transferred to Company G, 57th Regiment 
 P. V. January 13, '65, promoted to Sergeant July 1, 64. Veter- 
 . an. 
 John F. Crawford, December 24, '61, prisoner from August 16, 
 '64, to March 2, '65, discharged April 13, to date March 7, '65.. 
 Theodore W. Overpeck, December 21, '61, not accounted for. 
 Roman Dunn, December 24, '61, transferred to Company G 57th 
 
 Regiment P. V. January 13, '65. 
 Apsker George, December 24, '61, not accounted for. 
 Arble James B-, December 24, '61, killed at Port Republic,, Vir- 
 ginia, June 9, '62. 
 Albert John, December 24, '61, died at Washington, D. C, July, 
 
 '62. 
 Albaugh Henry A., December 24, '61, not accounted for. 
 Bunker Isaiah W., December 24, '61, not accounted for. 
 Barrett Frederick, December 24, '61, promoted to hospital steward. 
 Bowers Cornelius D., December 24, '61, wounded at Winchester, 
 Virginia, March 23, '62, not accounted for. 
 
35 i Hl^STORY OF COL UMBIA CO UNTY. 
 
 Bailey Francis J., Decembei' 24, '61, wounded at Chanoellorsville, 
 
 Virginia, May 3, '63, transferred to Company G 57th Reginaent 
 
 P. V. January 13, '65. Veteran. 
 Boger Christian, December 24, '61, not accounted for. 
 Benton Anderson, captured at Chancellorsville, May 3, '63. 
 Baish Ephraim, October 7, ''6'2, wounded at Chancellorsville May 
 
 3, '63, transferred to Company G 57th Regiment P. V. January 
 
 13, '65. 
 Bingaman John, September 26, '62, wounded at Chanoellorsville, 
 
 May 3, '63, transferred to Corapa.ny G 57th Regiment P. V. 
 
 January 13, ''^b^ transferi'ed to Veteran Reserve Corps March 21, 
 
 '65. 
 Clayton James E., December 24, '61, not accounted for. 
 Crofut Alonzo D., December 24, '61, not accounted for. 
 Campbell John T., December 24, '61, not accounted for. 
 Clark John A., December 24, '61, not accounted for. 
 Connelly Patrick, captured at Chancellorsville, May 3, '63. 
 Connell John, transferred to Company G 67th Regiment P. V. 
 
 January 13, '65, mustered out at expiration of term. 
 Dawson Daniel W., December 24, '61, wounded at Chancellors- 
 ville, May 3, '63, not accounted for. 
 Dweany Philip, captured at Cliancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 
 
 '63. 
 Doney Peter, captured at Chancellorsville May 3, '63, died at 
 
 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, February 5, '65. 
 Eby Jacob, wounded at Chancellorsville May 3, '63, died Novem- 
 ber 3, '64, buried in National Cemetery, Arlington. 
 Fowler Thomas C., December 24, '61, wounded at Winchester, 
 
 March 23, '62, not accounted for. 
 Fowler William R., December 24, '61, killed at Winchester, 
 
 Virginia, March 23, '62, buried in National Cemetery, lot 10. 
 Fest Henry, December 24, '61, not accounted for. 
 Frank Penrose, December 24, '61, not accounted for. 
 Foster John, December 24, '61, not accounted for. 
 Farley Charles, June 28, '(12, transferred to company G, 57th 
 
 regiment P. V., January 13, '65, discharged by general order 
 
 June 1, '65. 
 Fitzharris Michael, December 23, '61 captured at Chancellorsville 
 
 May 3, '63, transferred to company A, transferred to company 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 355 
 
 G. 57th regiment P. V., promoted to sergeant June 10, '65, 
 
 Veteran. ' ' 
 
 Foust Cornelius, October 7, '62, transferred to company G, 57tli 
 
 regiment P. V 13 January '65, promoted to corporal June 10, 
 
 '65. 
 Gessner William, September 26,'62, transferred to company G, 57th 
 
 regiment P. V. January 13, '65, discharged by general order 
 
 June 6, '65. 
 Hess Asa Y., December 24, '61, not accounted for. 
 Hess Wilbur F., December 24, '61, not accounted for. 
 Hildebrandt Joseph, December 24, '61, not accounted for. 
 Hilburn Z. W., December 24, "61, died at Yorktown, Virginia, 
 
 May 30, '64, buried in National Cemetery, section A, grave 
 
 343. Veteran. 
 Harding John, Decembei- 24, '61, wounded at Winchester, March 
 
 23, '62, killed at Port Republic, Virginia, June 9, "62. 
 Holcomb Guy, December 24, '61, wounded at Winchester, March 
 
 23, '62, transferred to company G. 57th regiment P. V. January 
 
 13, '65. Veteran. 
 Hakes Reuben, December 24, '61, wounded at Chancellorsville, 
 
 Virginia, May 3, '63, not accounted for. 
 Hagar Charles W., August 12, '62, wounded at Chancellorsville, 
 
 May 3, '63, transferred to Company G, 57th Regiment P. V. 
 
 January 13, '65, discharged by general order June 1, '65. 
 Hall Hosea L., April 12, '64, died June 28, '64, buried in National 
 
 Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. 
 Hopkins Kelroy, December 24, '61, not accounted for. 
 Jacoby George, December , 24, '61, wounded at Chancellorsville 
 
 May 3, '63, and at Petersburg June 19, '64, transferred to 
 
 Company G 57th Regiment P. V. January 13, '65, discharged 
 
 Septeniber 9, '65. Veteran. 
 Jones Joseph, December 24, '61, wounded at Winchester March 
 
 23, '62 discharged 28 December, '64, expiration of term. 
 Kline Abner W., December 24, '61, not accounted for. 
 Kline Jacob, December 24, '61, not accounted for. 
 Kline Abraham E., December 24, '61, not accounted for. 
 Knapp Harvey W., December 24, '61, transferred to Company G, 
 
 57th Regiment P. V- January 13, '65. Veteran. 
 King James, jDecember 24, '61, not accounted for. 
 
356 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Lunger Andrew, December 24, '61, not accounted for. 
 
 Larish Cyrus W., December 24, '61, not accounted for. 
 
 Larish Wilbur F., December 24, '61, transferred to Company G, 
 57th Regiment P V. Veteran. 
 
 Lynch Robert, December 24, '61, not accounted for. 
 
 Learner George, October 8, '62, wounded at Chancellorsville May 
 3. '63, transferred to Company G 57th Regiment P. V. 
 
 Leader Henry, captured at Chancellorsville May 3, '63. 
 
 Loudenshlager J. J., September 20, '62, transferred to Company G, 
 57th Regiment P. V. dischai'ged by general order June 1, '65. 
 
 Larish Frank M., October 16, '62, transferred to Company G, 57th 
 Regiment P. V. 13 January '65, discharged by general order 
 June 8, '65 
 
 Millard Lookard F., December 24, '61, not accounted for. 
 
 Merrell Charles C, December 24, '61, missing at Port Republic 
 June 9, '62, transferred to Company G, 57th Regiment P. V. 
 Veteran. 
 
 Milheim Augustus, December 14, '61, not accounted for. 
 
 Miller Miles, December 24, '61. not accounted for. 
 
 Murray Ferdinand, December 24, '61, not accounted for. 
 
 Morrison John, December 24, '61, not accounted for. 
 
 Moore Benjamin W., August 11, '62, transferred to Company G, 
 57th Regiment P. V. 
 
 Prosser John, December 24, '61, died March 31 of wounds receiv- 
 ed at Winchester, March 23, _62. 
 
 Reser Reuben H., December 24, '61, not accounted for. 
 
 Riddle John, December 24, '61, not accounted for. 
 
 Rutter Anthony E., December 24, '61, died July 16, '64, buried in 
 Cypress Hill Cemetery, Long Island. 
 
 Simonton Thomas E., December 24, '61, not accounted for. 
 
 Seeshultz William E., December 24, '61, not accounted for. 
 
 Smith Peter B., December 24, '61, not accounted for. 
 
 Sanders George W., December 24, '61, not accounted for. 
 
 Steele Samuel A. L., December 24, '61, captured at Chancellors- 
 ville. 
 
 Shellenberger, J. G., December 24, '61, not accounted for. 
 
 Steele Calvin, December 24, '61, captured May 29, '62. 
 
 Squires Smith B., December 24, '61, not accounted for. 
 
MISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY 857 
 
 Schooley Jacob, December 24, '61, died at St. Louis, Missouri, 
 
 December 19, '63. 
 Sanders John H., December 24, '61, not accounted for. 
 Sage William, December 24, '61, transferred to Company G, 57th 
 
 Regiment P. V 
 Sheadle Milton, September 26, '62, transferred to Company G 57th 
 
 Regiment P. V. 
 Teter James C, December 24, '61, discharged June 6 for wounds 
 
 received at Winchester, Virginia, March 23, '62. 
 Wheeler Jesse L., December 15, '61, wounded at Winchester, and 
 
 not accounted for. 
 Wingate J. Russel, December 24, '61, promoted Company G, 1st 
 Jjieutenant August 15, '63, died 18 June, '64, of wounds receiv- 
 ed at Petersburg. 
 Wigherman Foster, December 24, '61, promoted to principal 
 
 musician Not accounted for. 
 Willard H. H., not accounted for. 
 
 Weller Henry, Oct. 7, '62, transferred to Company G, 57th Regi- 
 ment P. V. 
 Weller David, transferred to Company G, 57th Regiment P. V. 
 Williams S. Charles, not accounted for. 
 
 This Company, known as the '-Hurley Guards'' was recruited 
 in Columbia and Montour, and a few men subsequently were re- 
 ceived from other counties. I have not thought it necessrry to 
 separate or omit them. The Regiment leached Hancock, Md., 
 January 2, '62. The battle of Winchester was fought March 23, 
 '62; and that at Port Republic June 9th. On the 15th of June 
 Samuel M. Bowman of Columbia county was commissioned Col- 
 onel. The Regiment was also in the battle of Fredericksburg, 
 and received a handsome compliment in the report of Gen. Carroll. 
 It did gallant service at Chancellorsville, lost heavily and was 
 highly spoken of in the campaign of the Wilderness, and along 
 down to Petersburg, in the thick of the fray, keeping up its milL 
 tary record, until its muster out, when as has been seen a large 
 number of the men went into the 57th Regiment P. V., and re- 
 mained until mustered out June 29, '65, at the close of the war. 
 
358 HIS TOBY OP COLUMBIA. COUNTY. 
 
 KrNETY-THIRD REGIMENT. 
 COSrPANY H. 
 
 "bai.dt cuards. 
 
 Recruited in Montour county. 
 
 Joseph F. Ramsay, resigned, October 21, 1862. 
 
 Charles W. Eckman, September 25, 1861, wounded at Wilderness 
 May 5, and at Cedar Creek, Virginia, October 19. 1864, promo- 
 ted from 2d to 1st LieutPnant July 25, to Captain, October 21, 
 1862, to Lieutenant Colonel November 27, 1864, to Colonel 
 January 23, 1865. 
 
 Joseph H. Johnson, October 21, '61, promoted from Corporal to 
 Sergeant October 1, 1862. to, 1st Sergeant January 1, 1863, to 
 2d Lieutenant May 1, 1868, to 1st Lieutenant, August 1, 1864, 
 to Captain November 28, 1864. 
 
 Lefferd H. Kase, October 21, '61, resigned July 20, 1862. 
 
 Max B. Goodrich, October 21, '61, promoted from 1st Sergeant to 
 
 , 2d Lieutenant, July 25, to 1st Lieutenant October 21, 1862, 
 died June 14, of wounds received at Wilderness, Virginia, May 
 5, 1863. 
 
 Oscar Sharpless, October 21, '61, promoted from Corporal to Ser- 
 geant, January 1, 1863, to 1st Lieutenant, November '30, 18^4, 
 to brevet Captain April 2, 1865, wounded at Spottsylvania 
 Court House, Virginia, May 12, 1864. 
 
 Seth C. Freeze, promoted from Sergeant to 2d Lieutenant, No- 
 vember 1, 1862, resigned March 12, 1863. 
 
 Jared Runyan, promoted to Corporal March 18, 1863, to Sergeant 
 July 1, 1864, to 1st Sergeant November 30th, 1864, to 2d Lieu- 
 tenant January 1. 1865, wounded at Petersburg, Virginia, April 
 2, 1865, discharged on surgeon's certificate May 15, 1865. 
 Vey.'van. 
 
 Frederick Laubach, October 21, '61, promoted from Corporal to 
 
HISTOR Y OF COL UMBIA CO UNTY. 359 
 
 Sergeant, January 1, 1863, to 1st Sergeant January 1, 1865, 
 commissioned 2d Lieutenant May 15, 1865, not mustered, pris- 
 oner May 8d to October 81, 1863. Veteran. 
 
 Oark tiuinu, promotijd to Corporal July 1, '64, to Sergeant Sep- 
 tember 9, 1864, wounded at Wilderness, May 5, 1864 and at 
 Petersburg, Virginia, March 25, 1865, absent at muster out. 
 Veteran. 
 
 William Miller, October 21, '61, promoted to Corporal October 1, 
 1864, to Sergeant December 1, 1864, wounded at Wilderness, 
 May 5, 1864, and at Petersburg March 25, 1865, absent at mus- 
 ter out. Veteran. 
 
 Chai-les W. Sholes, October 21, '61, promoted to Corporal Novem- 
 ber, 30, 1864, to Sergeant January 1 1861, wounded at Wilder- 
 ness, Virginia, May 5, 1864. absent on furlough at muster out. 
 Veteran. 
 
 John T. Howe, October 3, '61, deserted, returned, promoted to 
 Corporal September 1, 1864, to Sergeant April 3, 1865. 
 
 Alfred B. Patton, October 3, 1861, discharged ou surgeon's certif- 
 icate August 14, 1862. 
 
 William Young, October 3, '61, wounded at Fair Oaks, Virginia, 
 May 31, 1862, discharged on surgeon's certificate September 22, 
 1862. 
 
 David R. Eckman, wounded at Wilderness, Virginia, May 6, 1864, 
 promoted to Corporal October 1, 1862, to Sergeant January 1, 
 1863, to Quartermaster Sergeant January 1, 1865, absent ou 
 furlough at muster out. 
 
 J. A. Fenstermacher, October 3, '61, promoted to Sergeant Octo- 
 ber 3, 1861, promoted to Sergeant October 1, 1862, wounded at 
 Wilderness May 1, 1864, killed at Opequa, Virginia, September 
 19, 1864. Veteran. 
 
 Hiram Layland, October 3, '61, promoted to Corporal November 
 30, '64, to sergeant January 1, '65, wounded at Wilderness May 
 5, '64, killed at Petersburg, April 2, '65, buried in Poplar Grove 
 National Cemetery, division E., Section E., grave 96. Veteiaii. 
 
 George A. Garrow, October 12, '61, promoted to corporal Novem- 
 ber 30, '64. Veteran. 
 
 Wesley G. Miller, March 17, '64, wounded at Wilderness, May 
 5, '64, promoted to corporal November 30, '64. Veteran. 
 
360 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Gideon Mellon, February 25, '64, wounded at Wilderness, May 5. 
 
 1864, promoted to Corporal November 30, 1864. 
 
 Amos Gass, October 21, '61, promoted to Corporal January 1, 
 
 1865, wounded at Petersburg, Virginia, March 25, 1865, absent 
 in hospital at muster out. Veteran. 
 
 John F. Broadt, October 21, '61, promoted to Corporal January 
 1, 1865 Veteran. 
 
 Charles Kneibler, October 21, '61, promoted to Corporal April 3, 
 1865, wounded at Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862 and at Petersburg, 
 Virginia, March 25, 1866, absent at muster out. 
 
 Samuel Quinn, October 21, '61, promoted to Corporal March 1, 
 1865. Veteran. 
 
 John G. Hower, October 21, '61, promo'ed to Corporal January 1, 
 1865, wounded at Petersburg, Virginia, April 2, 1865, absent 
 at muster out. Veteran. 
 
 Orville D. Harder, October 3, 1861, discharged on surgeon's cer- 
 tificate, Sef>tember 22, 1862. 
 
 Charles W. Weaver, October 3, '61, discharged on surgeon's cer- 
 tificate January 27, 1863. 
 
 George S. Walker, October 21, '61, discharged on surgeon's cer- 
 tificate April 14, 1863. 
 
 John Byerly, October 21, '61, discharged December 17, 1864, to 
 date expiration of term. 
 
 Lewis M. Yoder, October 21, '61, wounded at Wilderness, Vir- 
 ginia, May 5, 1864, discharged on Surgeon's certificate October 
 27, 1864. 
 
 Silas R. Hartman, October 3. '61, killed at Cedar Creek, Virginia 
 October 19, 1864. Veteran. 
 
 Martin V. Mui-ray, October 3, '61, promoted to Corporal January 
 1, 1865, wounded at Charlestown, Virginia, August 21, 1864, 
 killed at Petersburg, April 2, 1865. Veteraii. 
 
 John Benedict, February 29, 1 864, transferred from Company G 
 October 28, 1864. 
 
 L. D. Haughawout, October 3, '61, discharged on surgeon's cer- 
 tificate June 11, 1862. 
 
 Joseph L. Hale, October 3, '61, discharged on surgeon's certificate 
 January 11, 1863. 
 
 Acor Joseph S., October 8, 1864, drafted. 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNIY. 361 
 
 ^uld James, October 3, "61, discharged on surgeon's certificate 
 December 24, 1862. 
 
 Ammerman John, October 21, '61, discharged on surgeon's certifi- 
 cate June 28, 1862. 
 
 Albright James, August 26, '68, drafted, discharged on surgeon's 
 certificate June 14, 1865. 
 
 Brocius Luther S , October 24, '61, prisoner May 3, to October 27, 
 1863. Veteran. 
 
 Blue Thomas H., February 25, '64. 
 
 Brant Henry, November 26, '64, substitute, wounded at Peters- 
 burg, Virginia, March 25, 1865. 
 
 Brobst John R., February 16, '64. Veteran. 
 
 Brodhead Daniel W., October 13, '64, drafted, wounded at Peters- 
 burg, Virginia, April 2, 1865. 
 
 Behnoy Ephraim, February 27, '63. 
 
 Blatobley Samuel, February 27, '65. 
 
 Berger George, December 25, '61, discharged on surgeon's certifi- 
 cate July 24, 1862. 
 
 Beal Conrad, September 26, '64, drafted, wounded at Petersburg, 
 Virginia, March 25, '65, discharged by general order June 7, 
 1865. 
 
 Buckley William, September 26, '64, drafted, wounded at Peters- 
 burg, Virginia, March 25, 1865, discharged by general order 
 June 20, 1865. 
 
 Barnhart Henry C, October 21, '61, died at Danville, Pa., March 
 5, LS64. Veteran. 
 
 Bear Joseph, October 27, '61, missing in action at Pair Oaks, Vir- 
 ginia, May 31, 1862. 
 
 Brunner Jacob L., August 26, 1863, discharged by general or- 
 der June 13, 1865. 
 
 Brugler Edward S., February 17, '64, not on muster out roll. 
 
 Gulp John, February 29, '64. 
 
 Campbell John W., November 14, '64, drafted. 
 
 Canada James D., October 3, '61. 
 
 Calderwood Enos, November 16, '64, drafted. 
 
 Cornelison Jacob, February 24, 1865. 
 
 Cleaver Alem B., November 12, '61, discharged on surgeon's cer- 
 tificate September 23, 1862. 
 
362 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Cornish George, January 28, '64, discharged on surgeon's certifi- 
 cate 1865. 
 
 Gulp William, February 24, '61, killed at Wilderness May 6, 1864. 
 
 Cline Charles D., September 8, '64, died at Washington, D. C, 
 December 26, 1864 
 
 Driver Augustus, November 16, 64, drafted, discharged by gen- 
 eral order May 30, 1865. 
 
 Dangherty James, November 28, '64. 
 
 Deiterick Charles F., November 26. '64, substitute, died at City 
 Point, Virginia, March 26, of wounds received at Petersburg, 
 Virginia, March 25, 1865. 
 
 Daub}^ James, November 3, '64, substitute, deserted February 6,'64. 
 
 Eckenrode Joseph, November 29, '64. substitute, wounded at 
 Petersburg, Virginia, March 25, 1865. 
 
 Everett Philip, October 3, '61, mustered out October 27, 1864, ex- 
 piration of term. 
 
 Everhart Nathaniel B., October 3, '61, discharged on surgeon's 
 certificate, October 23, 1862. 
 
 Eokman Philip H., October 3, '61, killed at Fair Oaks, Virginia, 
 May 31, 1862. 
 
 Freeze Heury F., October 29, '61, discharged on surgeon's certi- 
 ficate September 15, .1862. 
 
 Foley Theophilus J.. October 3,'61, discharged on surgeon's certif- 
 icate 1862. 
 
 Flanigan Wilson, October 3, '61, discharged on surgeon's certifi- 
 cate June 14, 1862. 
 
 Foley Charles E., November 2, '61, discharged November 5, 1862. 
 
 Fortner Harris B., November 21, '61, died at Washington, D. C, 
 January 3, 1862. 
 
 Frame Robert H., February 25, '64, killed at Petersburg, Vir- 
 ginia, March 25, 1865 
 
 Frymire William, October 21, '61, deserted January, 1862. 
 
 Fitzpatriok James, November 3, '64, substitute, deserted Febru- 
 ary 5, 1865. 
 
 Gulic Charles V., October 24, '61. Veteran. 
 
 Gibbs Sheldon T., October 3, '61, discharged on surgeon's certifi- 
 cate October 15, 1862. 
 
 Garrow John, died at City Point, Virginia, March 26, of wounds 
 received at Petersburg, Mai'ch 25, 1865. 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 363 
 
 Garra James, December -1, '64, substitute, deserted February 
 3, 1865 
 
 Hower Uriah, October 27, '64. 
 
 Hanna James, November 18, '64, drafted. 
 
 Hannon William, November 16, '64, drafted. 
 
 Hummel Henry, February 13, '65, wounded at Petersburg, Vir- 
 ginia, April 2, 1865. 
 
 Henry William, October 3) '61, discharged on surgeon's certificate 
 April 28, 1862. 
 
 Hower John J., October 3, '61, promoted to Commissary Sergeant 
 July 1, 1864. 
 
 Hoover Jacob B., September 6, '64, deserted November 12, 1864. 
 
 Harvey Francis J., November 21, 1861, substitute, deserted Feb- 
 ruary 3, 1865, 
 
 Jones William L., March 14, '64. 
 
 Jones Robert E., November 21, '64, drafted. 
 
 Johnson James H., October 3, '61, discharged on surgeon's certifi- 
 cate, September 22, 1862. 
 
 Jenkins Richard, October 21, '61, mustered out October 27, '64, 
 expiration of term. 
 
 Johnson Tobias S., September 27, '64, drafted, wounded at Peters- 
 burg, Virginia, March 25, '65, discharged by general order 
 June 25, '65. 
 
 Johnson Jackson B., October 21, '61, wounded at wilderness May 
 6th, '64, and at Fisher's Hill, Virginia, September 22, '64, died 
 October 13, '64, buried in National Cemetery, Winchester, Vir- 
 ginia, lot 18. 
 
 Kreigh George D., October 21, '61, discharged on surgeon's cer- 
 tificate September 5, '62. 
 
 Kline John, October 3, '61, discharged on surgeon's certificate 
 September 22, '62. 
 
 Kline Daniel, October 21, '61, mustered out October 27, '64, ex- 
 piration of term. 
 
 Kurtz Samuel H., October 13, '61, killed at Fair Oaks May 31, '62, 
 buried in National Cemetery, Seven Pints, Section B, lot 126. 
 
 Knerr William, October 3, '61, captured at Chanoellorsville, Vir- 
 ginia, May 3. '63, died at Danville, Pa., August 23, '63. 
 
 Kirst Samuel, October 3, '61, deserted July 2, '63. 
 
 Lebo Franklin, October 12, '61 Veteran. 
 
3B4 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Lynn Henry, February 21, '64, wounded at Spottsylvania Court 
 House, Virginia, May 12, '64. 
 
 Lehman Espy A., November 26, '64, substitute. 
 
 Leisenring H. H., October 3, '61, wounded at Fair Oaks, Virginia, 
 May 31, '62, discharged on surgeon's certificate October 31, '62. 
 
 Leiby Harman, February 26, '62, discharged on surgeon's certifi- 
 cate September 22, '62. 
 
 Lawrence John, October 3, '61, discharged an surgeon's certifi- 
 cate November 21, '62. 
 
 Lehman Henry C, September 21, '64, drafted, discharged on 
 general order June 20, '66. 
 
 Levers John, October 8, '61, discharged on surgeon's certificate 
 February 17, '63. 
 
 Lawrence Harman K., October 21, not on muster out roll. 
 
 Mensch Thomas M., October 3, '61. 
 
 Miller Percival, February 1, '64, wounded at Fair Oaks, May 31, 
 '62 and at Opequa, Virginia, September 19, '64. 
 
 Moore James B., November 21, '61, discharged on surgeon's cer- 
 tificate November 6, '63. 
 
 Miller Franklin, September 8, '64, discharged by general order 
 June 20, '65. 
 
 Miller Henry, August 13, '62, wounded at Wilderness, Virginia, 
 May 5, '64, discharged by general order June 20, '65. 
 
 Mutcheler Joseph R., October 3, '61, died June 28, of wounds re- 
 ceived at Fair Oaks, Virginia, May 31, '62. 
 
 Miller Joseph D., October 3, '61, died May 26, of wounds re. 
 ceived at Spottsylvania Court House, Virginia, May 18 '64, 
 buried at Alexandria, grave 1938. Veteran. 
 Mowrer John E,., October 1, '61, killed at Opequa, Virginia, Sep- 
 tember 19, '64. 
 
 Morrill Thomas, October 3, '61, died June 14, of wounds received 
 at Spottsylvania Court House, Virginia, May 12, '64. Veteran. 
 
 Miller John, October 3, '61, not on muster out roll. 
 McAllister Andrew G., November 18, '64, drafted. 
 
 McFatridge Michael, November 18, '64, drafted, wounded at 
 Petersburg, Virginia, April 2, '65. 
 
 McClure Philip H., October 21, '61, died at Fortress Monroe, Vir- 
 ginia, September 22, '62. 
 
HISTORY OP COLUMBIA OOUirTY. 365 
 
 Osmau Peter P., October 3, '61, missing in action at Fair Oaks, 
 Virginia, May 31, '62. 
 
 Perrin Richard, October 3, 61, discharged on surgeon's certifi- 
 cate April 11, '62. 
 
 Patton John W., September 26, '64, drafted, discharged on gen- 
 eral order June 20, '65. 
 
 Persing Joseph B., September 6, '64, discharged by general order 
 June 20, '65. 
 
 Pennsyl Eli, October 3, '61, wounded at Fair Oaks, Virginia, 
 May 31, '62, died at Baltimore, Maryland, July 5th '62. 
 
 Phillips John W., October 3, '61, missing in action at Fair Oaks, 
 Virginia, May 31, '62. 
 
 Ramsey Reuben, December 26, '61, wounded at Chancellorsville 
 Virginia, May 3, '63. Veteran. 
 
 Ritchie Jacob G., June 4, '64, draftt^d. 
 
 Rhady Jcseph, November 26, '64, substitute. 
 
 Rauch W. H., October 3, '61, wounded at Fair Oaks, Virginia, 
 May 31, '62, discharged on surgeon's certificate September 28, 
 '62. 
 
 Rishel Charles R., October 3, '61, discharged on surgeon's cer- 
 tificate February 16, 62. 
 
 Reynolds Alfred, October 21, '61, killed at Fair Oaks, Virginia, 
 May 31, '62. 
 
 Slay William, October 3, '61. Veteran. 
 
 Steward John, October 24, '61. Veteran. 
 
 Stephens William, October 24, '61, wounded at Fair Oaks, Vir- 
 ginia, May 31, '62. Veteran. 
 
 Slay Peter, February 25. '64. Veteran. 
 
 Swank Isaac, FebruMry 25, '64, wounded at Wilderness, Virginia, 
 May 5, '65, and at Petersburg, April 2, '65. 
 
 Shissler James, February 25, '64, wounded at Wilderness, Vir- 
 gini;). May 5, '64, and at Petersburg, Virginia, April 2, '65. 
 
 Shaffer John I-., February 16, '64. 
 
 Sylvester Charles, November 12, '64, substitute, discharged by 
 general order June 14, '65. 
 
 Stertz Peter, June 7, '64, drafted, discharged by general order 
 August 2, '65. 
 
 Sholes Cliarles L., October 25, '61, discharged on surgeon's cer- 
 tiHcate July 7, '62. 
 
366 HISTORY OF COL UMBIA COUNTY 
 
 Stephens Charles, October 21, .'61, discharged on surgeon's oer^ 
 tifioate September 13, '62. 
 
 Sperring Jacob H., October 29, '61, discharged on surgeon's cer- 
 tificate July 26, '62. 
 
 Smith William, October 24, '61, wounded at Fisher's Hill, "Vir- 
 ginia, September 22, '64, discharged on surgeon's certificate 
 June 14, '65. Veteran, 
 
 Sechler William W., wounded at Fisher's Hill, Virginia, Novem- 
 ber 3, '64, discharged on surgeon's certificate June 14, '65, 
 Veteran. 
 
 Snyder Lambert P., September 6, '64, discharged by general 
 order June 20, '65. 
 
 Snyder Henry F., October 3, '61, died June 19, '62, at White 
 House, Virginia. 
 
 Snyder William M., October 3, '61, killed at Williamsburg, Vir- 
 ginia, May 5, '62. 
 
 Shisslor Edward, October 3, '61, died May 10, of wounds received 
 at Wilderness, Virginia, May 5, '64. Veteran. 
 
 Snyder John C, October 3, '61, died October 14, '64, at Danville 
 Pa. Veteran. 
 
 Shannon John M., October 3, '61, discharged by general order 
 May 11, '65, to date October 3, '64, expiration of term. 
 
 Taylor Jonathan W., September 26, '64, drafted, discharged by 
 general order .June 20, '65. 
 
 Turner William, October 21, '61, wounded at Fair Oaks. Virginia, 
 May 31, '62, drowned October 5, '62, at Point Lookout, Mary- 
 land. 
 
 Tittle Oscar, October 3, '61, killed atOpequa, Virginia, September 
 19, '64. Veteran. 
 
 Varus Valentine, November 18, '64, drafted. 
 
 Williams John W., December 1, '64, substitute, wounded at Peters- 
 burg, Virginia, March 25, '65. 
 
 Wiley John, November 26, '64, substitute. 
 
 Waltmire Jacob, November 18, '64, drafted. 
 
 Woods Charles, October 3, '61, discharged on Surgeon's certificate 
 
 January 3, '62. 
 Warntz Alem, October 3, '61, discharged on Surgeon's certificate 
 
 April 11, '62. 
 
HI8T0R T OF OOL UMB TA GO UNT Y. 367 
 
 Wagner Chai-les, November 9, '61, died July 14, '64, at City 
 
 Point, Virginia. 
 Wilson Thomas, November 30, '64, substitute, deserted February 
 
 3, '65. 
 Winner Robert, December 6, '64, substitute, deserted March 29, 
 
 '65. 
 Wirtz Israel, October 3, '61, captured at Chancellorsville, Virginia, 
 
 May 3, '63, exchanged, deserted, date unknown. 
 Young Hiram B., substitute. 
 
 The Ninety-Third saw much and arduous service. The num- 
 bers killed and wounded and missing in Company H prove 
 that the men were always in the front. The official list of en- 
 gagements is as follows, viz : Yorktown, Williamsburg, Fair 
 Oaks, Malvern Hill, Fredericksburg, Marey's Heights, Salem 
 Heights, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Coal Harbor, 
 Petersburg, Opequa, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek. Those not 
 otherwise accounted for were mustered out with the company 
 June 27, 1865. 
 
368 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 ONE HUNDRED EIGTY-FOURTH REGIMENT. 
 
 COMPANY B. 
 
 A. Stanley Gearhart, Captain, discharged on Surgeon's certificate 
 August o, '64. 
 
 Abuer H Brown, Captain, promoted from 1st Lieutenant January 
 7, '65. 
 
 Adam Hand, 1st Lieutenant, discharged June 9, '6.5. 
 
 S. Ha!uilton Norman, 2(1 Lieutenant, promoted from private Com- 
 pany K, l6Jth Regiment P. V, April 29. '64, died June 24, of 
 wounds received at Cold Harbor, Virginia, June 3, '64 
 
 Thomas S. Anderson, commissioned Ist Lieutenant June 26, '65, 
 Veteran. 
 
 Dani- 1 II Markels, Sergeant, commissioned 2d Lieutenant June 
 26, '65. Veteran. 
 
 William H. Jenkins, Sergeant. 
 
 Cyrus S. AppL bee. Sergeant. 
 
 James C. Henry, sergeant. 
 
 George W. Crum, Sergeant, prisoner from June 22, '64 to March 
 I, 1865, discharged by general order June 12, 1865. 
 
 Stephen T. Stasa, Sergeant, discharged on surgeon's certificate 
 May 1, 1865. 
 
 David C. Sutton, Corporal. 
 
 John Riley, Corporal. 
 
 David R. Bailey, Corporal. 
 
 Mic.iue, Riley, Corporal. 
 
 Jai'ob Kline, Corporal. 
 
 Andrew J. Stewart, Corporal. 
 
 William J. Kline, Corporal. 
 
 Fayette Winn, Corporal. 
 
 Charles MacGregor, musician, absent in hospital at muster out. 
 
 Acre Franklin, private. 
 
 Boughner William B., diecharged by general order July 14, 1865. 
 Veteran. 
 
MISTOMY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 369 
 
 Bailey William C, wounded at Cold Harbor, Virginia, June 3, 
 '65, absent in hospital at muster out. 
 
 Bastian Mathias D., discharged on surgeon's certificate March 28, 
 1865. 
 
 Barger John, discharged by general order June 20, '64, 
 
 Brown Elias, discharged by general order June 3, '65. 
 
 Brown Perry, discharged by general order June 3, '65. 
 
 Blyer Samuel, discharged by general order June 3, '65 
 
 Berry Simon J., discharged by general order June '65. 
 
 Browerson George, discharged by general order June 8, '65. 
 
 Bruner Henry M., killed at Deep Bottom, Virginia, August 14, '64, 
 
 Bilger Jesse R., killed at Boydtown Plank Road, Virginia, Octo- 
 ber 27, '64. 
 
 Bursline Edwin, killed at Cold Harbor, Virginia, June 3, '64, bur. 
 ied in National Cemetery section D, as E. T. Burslem. 
 
 Bastian Joseph D., died July 14, of wounds received at Petersburg 
 Virginia, June 22, '64, buried in National Cemetery, Arlington, 
 Virginia. 
 
 Bessee Robert S., missing in action at Ream's Station, Virginia, 
 August 25, '64. 
 
 Burd Franklin G., died May 24, '65, buried in National Cemetery, 
 Arlington, Virginia. 
 
 Burd Harvey R., deserted November 13, '64. 
 
 Carpenter Dennis, mustered out with company. 
 
 Castle Adolphus, transferred to Company E., 7th Regiment, Vet- 
 eran Reserve Corps, August 17, '64, discharged by general or- 
 der July 26, '65. 
 
 Crawford Lott, captured, died at Andersonville, Georgia, October 
 24, '64, grave 11,436. 
 
 Chrisman Charles, died August '64. 
 
 Burke Isaac, mustered out with company. 
 
 Deckert Jesse, discharged by general order July 13, '65. 
 
 Dreese William, discharged by general order July 13, '65. 
 
 Devore Lewisj killed at Petersburg, Virginia, June 22, '64. 
 
 Dui-ke John H., missing in action at Petersburg, Virginia, June 
 22, '64. 
 
 Gearhart William, discharged by general order June 3, '65. 
 
 Galespie Anthony, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, Sep- 
 tember 30, '64. 
 
370 SIST.ORT OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Greene Adam, killed at Cold Harbor, Virginia, June 3, '64, buried 
 in National Cemetery, Section, B. , 
 
 Healey John P., mustered out with company. Veteran. 
 
 Harris Thomas, discharged on surgeon's certificate June 7, '65. 
 
 Hedglin John, died at Philadelphia, Pa., July 1, of wounds re- 
 ceived at Cold Harbor, .Virginia, June 3, '64. 
 
 Haskel Reuben, missing in action at Petersburg, Virginia, June 
 22, '64. 
 
 Hand Isaac, died at Philadelphia, Pa., July 21, ,'64. 
 
 Jenkins John, mustered out with company. 
 
 Katterman Benjamin, mustered out with company. 
 
 Keistard Godfrey, piustered out with company, 
 
 Kinney Irwin, discharged by general order June 3, '65. 
 
 Kinney Isaac, discharged by general, order June 3, '65. 
 
 Kulp David, missing in action at Petersburg, Virginia, June 22, 
 •64. 
 
 Krominger Jacob, captured, died at Andersonville, Georgia, Oc- 
 tober 18, '64. 
 
 Lattimore Robert, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, May 20, 
 1864. 
 
 Lott John T., deserted.May 18, '64. 
 
 Martz Isaac, absent, sick at muster out. 
 
 Morgan Archibald, discharged August 23, '64. 
 
 Miller David, died at City Point, July 1, of wounds received at 
 Petersburg, Virginia, June 22, '64. , 
 
 lyiorgan Dennis, died March, 25, '65. 
 
 Miles John, died at City Point, July 1, of wounds received at Pe- 
 tersburg, June 22, '62. 
 
 . Meed Harley, captured, died at Andersonville, Georgia, Septem- 
 ber 21, '64, grave 9583. 
 
 Mansfield Joseph, died May 15, '64. 
 
 Morgan Matthias R., died July 21, '64. 
 
 McClune John, mustered out with company. 
 
 McCurdy Samuel O.,; discharged by special order. October 13, '64. 
 
 Jlickerson Bernard, deserted October 10, '64. 
 
 Nolen James, discharged by general order May 15, '65. 
 
 Osborne Daniel D., discharged on surgeon's cei-tificate-May 15,'65 
 
 Pofi: Josei)h, absent, sick at muster out. Veteran. 
 
HfSTOEY o;f , roi, uMmA. go. umty. 3.71 
 
 Pifer Daniel S., transfervejcl, to, Yeteran .^pser^e Corps September 
 30, '64. ■. . 
 
 Parsing Stephen K., transferred, ,t;o , cqrapaffy H,, Veteran Reserve 
 Corps,, February 24, '64. , ■ ., , 
 
 Reese Couoway, mustered out with company. 
 
 Rhodes ■ Morris K., discharged on surgeon's c6i'tificate March 
 16, '65. ■ , . , . 
 
 Reed Emanuel, discharged by general order June 20, '65. 
 
 Robbing Asher W., discharged by genetal order June 20, '65. 
 
 Reeser David M., killed at Petersburg, Virginia, June 22, '64. 
 
 Ray James R., captured, died at Andersonville, Georgia, August 
 ^ 1, '64, grave 4476. 
 
 Stephens Asa A., mustered out with company. 
 
 Shop William, discharged by special order October '64. 
 
 Stasa John C, killed near Petersburg, Virginia, June 18, '64, 
 buried at Meade's station. 
 
 Slayman Joseph, killed near Petersburg, Virginia, June 18, '()4, 
 buried in Poplar Grove National Cemetery. 
 
 Simmons Harrison, missing in action at Petersburg, Vii-ginia, 
 June 22, '64. 
 
 Sleek William, transferred to 33d company 2d battery. Veteran 
 Reserve Corps, October 29, '64, discharged by general order 
 September 4, '56. 
 
 Trempore John, discharged by general order June 3, '65. 
 
 Tomlinson William P , killed near Petersburg, Virginia, October 
 20, '64. 
 
 Vaughan Edward, mustered out with company. 
 
 Wagoner Augustus, killed at Cold Harbor, Virginia, June 4, '64. 
 
 Welfley Nathan, killed at Boydtown Plank Road, Virginia, Oc- 
 tober 27, '64, 
 
 Waide Andrew J., killed at Cold Harbor, Virginia, June 3, '64, 
 
 Williams Smith, missing in action at Petersburg, Virginia, June 
 22, '64. 
 
 Warner Cyrus C, captured, died at Andersonville, Georgia, Sep- 
 tember 21, '64, grave 9464. 
 
 Wilson John, deserted May 18, '64. 
 
 Williams Charles, deserted April 3, '65. 
 
 Yocum Henry M., mustered out with company. 
 
 Young John W., discharged on surgeon's certificate, June 28, '65. 
 
372 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Yoeman George W., died at Alexandria, Virginia, January 25, 
 
 '65, grave 2791. 
 Zimmerman W. H., mustered out with company. 
 Zimmerman A. W., discharged on surgeon's certificate March, '05. 
 
 This company was recruited in Ikfontour county and the regi- 
 ment was organized May 18th and joined the Army of the Poto- 
 mac as it was crossing the Pamunky river, May 28, '64. The 
 next day it was in the battle of Tolopotomy creek. Was in that 
 at Cold Harbor, losing heavily ; and was in the assaults constant- 
 ly, losing in 26 days 350 men. Was in tlie Deep Bottom expe- 
 dition, in the Weldon Railroad fight, at Hatcher's Run, and 
 constantly on duty till the capture of the Rebel Army at Appo- 
 mattox Court House ; and was in the grand review at "Washing- 
 ton. A fitting close to a long, perilous and glorious career. 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 373 
 
 ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY-SEVENTH r.EGIMENT. 
 
 COMPANY C. 
 
 A part of this Company recruited in Montour county, was a 
 body of troops known as the First Battalion, organized for six 
 month's service. It was Company D, of that organization, muster- 
 ed in June 22, '63, mustered out January 9, '64, but was immedi- 
 ately re-organized and became Company O, of the 1 87th Regi- 
 ment. Company D had done guard and provost duty in the State, 
 and this publication follows the fortunes of Company C, which 
 was organized in March '64 at Camp Curtin. It reached the army 
 in the field during the ' battle at Cold Harbor. In all the heavy 
 fighting before Petersburg it had a full share, and was highly 
 complimented. It had the head of the procession at President 
 Lincoln's funeral obsequies, from Baltimore to Independence 
 Hall. It was mustered out at Harrisburg August 2, '65. Joseph 
 F. Ramsay, Lieutenant Colonel, discharged September 29, '64^ 
 the Company being in command of Captain Young. All the 
 men not otherwise accounted for were mustered out with the 
 Regiment. 
 
 William Young, Captain. 
 
 Oryille D. Harder, 1st Lieutenant. 
 
 George Gr. Lovett, 2d Lieutenant, promoted to Captain Company 
 
 K, discharged March 9, '65. 
 James R. Johnson, 2d Lieutenant. 
 Alfred B. Patton, 1st Sergeant. 
 John S. Ware, Sergeant. 
 Sette K. Sharpless, Sergeant. 
 William H. Cool, Sergeant. 
 Frank Rockafeller, Sergeant. 
 
 James B. Moore, killed at Petersburg, Virginia, June 18, '64. 
 John C. Irvin, Corporal. 
 Hugh P. Libhart, Corporal. 
 
374 His TORY 01" COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Amos Garraau, Corijoral. 
 
 John H. Harder, Corporal. 
 
 William H Mohr, Corporal. 
 
 Daniel Marshall, deserted Jamiary 19, '65. 
 
 James B. Forest, Musician. 
 
 Charles P. Harder, Musician. 
 
 Alward Arthur, private. 
 
 Brown Benton B, private. 
 
 Brown George W^, private. 
 
 Beatty John R., private. 
 
 Berdaniel George W., private. 
 
 Bryant William, private. 
 
 Beaver Charles S., private. 
 
 Brace Henry E., private. 
 
 Birtch Isaac, private, deserted October 10, '64. 
 
 Cutair Charles, private. 
 
 Case Nelson B. 
 
 Caslin Michael. 
 
 Campbell Andrew. 
 
 Cra;g William, died at Williamsport Pa., April 12, '64. 
 
 Devine John C. 
 
 Echart Samuel. 
 
 Elliot William. 
 
 Easten James S. 
 
 Eyerly Charles W. 
 
 Funston Charles R. 
 
 Foreman Osman. 
 
 Frame Joseph L. 
 
 Fox John. 
 
 I'ribley William H. 
 
 Flanigan Reese, died at Band's Island N. Y., August 23, '64, 
 
 buried in Cypress Hill Cemetery, L. I. 
 Gandiblue Joseph. 
 Gibbons James H. 
 Gibbs James M. 
 
 Gibbs Charles H., discharged on general order May 30, '65. 
 Geiger William, transferred to 157th Regiment P. V. 
 Henry John. 
 Heffler Jacob W. 
 
urSTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 375 
 
 Hullihen William F., 'discharged oil general order July 5, '65. ' 
 
 Hale Ephraim K , discharged on general order July 5, '65. 
 
 Hawrer John, deserted Pebfuary ii, '64. 
 
 Ickus John. ' 
 
 Ickus Henry. ^ 
 
 Jackson George W. 
 
 Jackson Caleb. 
 
 Jones WiUiam P.,' deserted March 1, '65. 
 
 Kercher Gottleib. 
 
 Kutohman Theodore, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 
 
 Levers Joseph. 
 
 Lewis William. 
 
 Maney Patrick. 
 
 Miller John. 
 
 Morgan Thomas P. 
 
 Morgan Watkins. 
 
 Milner William, discharged on Surgeon's certificate July 4, '65. 
 
 Mellin Oscar C, discharged on general order July 5, '65. 
 
 Xash William, wounded with loss of leg at Petersburg, Virginia, 
 
 June 18, '64, discharged October 31, '65. 
 O'Brian John. 
 
 Opiinger Samuel, deserted May 11, '64. 
 Powley Henry. 
 Patton Irwin T. 
 
 Pollan John, deserted March 1, '65. 
 Rank David H. 
 Reed Peter M. 
 Rishel George. 
 Rishel Charles. 
 Roberts John. 
 Rantz Isaac. 
 Ridgway Warren M. 
 Roderick John J. 
 Spoouebager Peter. 
 Smith Edward D. 
 Slack Jacob. 
 Sechler John. 
 Stahl Samuel. 
 Snell Isaac. 
 
376 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Slack John W., discharged April 17, '65, for wounds received in 
 
 action. 
 Sponeberger James, deserted March 31, 65. 
 Steward William, deserted March 31, '65. 
 Thornton G-rier M., dishonorably discharged. 
 Vangilder George W. 
 Vogle William. 
 Wray Lewis V., wounded at Petersburg, Virginia, June 18, '65, 
 
 and mustered out with Company. 
 Wertman John. 
 Werkheiser A. B. 
 Ware James D. 
 Watts William M. 
 Wallace John H. 
 Williams William. 
 Warren Henry. 
 
 Warren George, absent, siok, at muster out. 
 Wirt William, absent, sick, at muster out. 
 Waldren John, discharged January 5, '65, for wounds with loss 
 
 of arm, received at Petersburg, Virginia, June 28, '64. 
 Wray James, deserted February 2, '64. 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNIY. 377 
 
 ONE HUNDRED AND TWELFTH REGIMENT. 
 
 SECOND ARTIIJ.ERY. 
 
 BATTPiRT r. 
 
 COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR. 
 
 Rohrsburg, Pa., December 3rd, 1878. 
 
 Col. Jno. Gr. Freeze, 
 
 Dear Col : In complying with your 
 request that I furnish a list of names of men in Battery F, 2d Pa. 
 Art., from this county, I have endeavored to be as accurate as 
 the dates in my possession would permit. I have included the 
 names already published, in order to make the record more com- 
 plete — have furnished a few names of parties who never returned 
 to this county, and a few names of parties that entered from 
 Montour county but upon their return located here, in this 
 county. 
 
 As it may not be generally known why some officers were com- 
 missioned and not mustered, I will state that it was the result of 
 conflict of authority. In the Spring of 1864 our regiment had 
 become very strong, numerically, numbering about 2500 men, its 
 numbers rendering it unwieldy. Then it was proposed that a 
 regiment be formed from the surplus men of the old to be known as 
 the 189th regiment, P. Y. Governor Curtin commissioned a full 
 set of officers from the old organization, taking such as had been 
 identified with its early history. To this arrangement Col. Gib- 
 son, then commanding, objected, and having the ear of the War 
 Secretary (they being West Pointers) the Governor's authority 
 was set aside. The new regiment was sent to the front as a 
 provisional affair — named 2nd Pa. Provis. Art., its organization 
 being temporary and somewhat imperfect. 
 
 llespectf ully Yours, 
 
 Geo. W. Utt. 
 
378 HISTORY OF (30LVMBIA GOXINTY. 
 
 Wm. M. McClure, January 4, '62, commissioned Colonel 189tli 
 regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, April 30, '64, not mustered, 
 promoted to Colonel, October 30, '64. 
 
 S. D. Strawbridge, January 8, '62, promoted to Captain of Bat- 
 tery I, December 13, '62, commissioned Major of 189th regi- 
 ment, P. v., April 30, '64, not mustered, breveted Colonel 
 March 18, '65. commissioned Colonel April 18, '65, discharged 
 January 11, '65, term expired. 
 
 John S. Kline, promoted to Corporal August 7, '62, to Sergeant 
 June 12, '63, commissioned 1st Lieutenant of Battery K, 189th 
 regiment, P. V., April 30, '63, not mustered, to 2d Lieutenant, 
 January 15, '65, to 1st Lieutenant May 3, '65, mustered out 
 with battery January 29, '66. Veteran. 
 
 John Moore Wilson, promoted to 1st Lieutenant Battery D, Oc- 
 tober 24, '62, discharged February 15, '64. 
 
 George W. Utt, December 24, '61, promoted from Sergeant May 
 4, '63, commissioned Captain Battery I 189th regiment P. V., 
 April 30, '64, not mustered, discharged December 26, '64, ex- 
 piration of term. 
 
 Lloyd T. Brewer, July 25, '62, promoted to Corporal July 4, '63, 
 
 to Sergeant — ■ — , to 2d Lieutenant July 1, '65, mustered 
 
 out with battery January 29, '66. 
 
 Josiah Mensch, January 28, '62, promoted to Corporal October 1, 
 '64, to Sergeant Deoernber 1, '64, mustered out with battery 
 January 29, 1866. Veteran. 
 
 John McMullen, November 25, '61, promoted to Corporal Octo- 
 ber 1, '64, to Sergeant February 1, '66, mustered out with bat- 
 tery January 29, '66. Veteran. 
 
 John Marshall, January 1, '62. pronioted to Corporal November 
 10, '64, to Sergeant July 1, '65, mustered out with battery Jan- 
 uary 29, '66. Veteran. 
 
 John Hartzell, January 2, '62, promoted to Corporal December 1, 
 64, to Sergeant December 22, '65, mustered out with battery 
 January 29, '66. Veteran. 
 
 Franklin P. Kline, promoted to Corporal February 1, '64, to 
 Sergeant May 6, '65, discharged October 28, '65, expiration of 
 term. 
 
 Jonathan P. Bare, November 29, '61, promoted from Corporal 
 
HmTOjRY OP COI.UMBIA COtJNty. 379 
 
 January 1 5; '63, ' discharged ' JSTovember 24, "04, exjpiratiori of 
 term. ■ " ' ' ' ' 
 
 Reese J. Millard, January 2, '62, Captain in battery I, ' 2d Pro. 
 Pa. A., from 'April 20, io August 26, '64, paroled prisoner, dis- 
 charged by special order March 19, '65. 
 
 Charles Mowrer, December 4, '64, promoted from Corpoi'al De- 
 cember 10, '63, 1st Lieutenant in battery I 2d Pro. Pa: A., 
 from April 20 to August 26, '64, discharged by special order 
 November 10, '64. Veteran. 
 
 Norman C. Kline, January 26, '62, promoted to Corporal January 
 7, '60, mustered out with battery January 29, '66. Veteran. 
 
 Charles Mattis, December 3, '61, promoted to Corporal October 
 29, '65, muStei-ed out with battery January 29, '66. Veteran. 
 
 Thomas H. Bennet, November 29, '61, promoted to Corporal 
 February 1, '64, discharged November 28, '64, expiration of 
 term. 
 
 John Lanciscus, December 11, '61, promoted to Corporal Decem- 
 ber 10, '63, discharged December 10, 64,, expiration of term. 
 
 Henry J. Potter, November 29, '61, promoted to Corporal Feb- 
 ruary 1, '64, discharged November 28, '64, expiration of term. 
 
 Calver Zimmerman, January 15, '62, promoted to Corporal Novem- 
 ber 13, "63, died at Washington D. C, March 18, '64, buried in 
 Harmony B'arial Grounds. ' 
 
 Adams Albeit J:, December 4, '61, mustered out with battery 
 January 29, '66. Veteran. 
 
 Antrim Samuel R., July 13, '63, mustered out with battery Jan- 
 uary 29, '66. . . 
 
 Buchecker Edward ,E., December 18, '61, discharged December 
 17, '63, expiration of tenn. 
 
 Crawford Franklin, November 26. '61, mustered out with, battery 
 January 29, '66. Veteran. 
 
 Crawford Isaac, February 24, '64, mustered out with battery Jan- 
 uary 29, '66. 
 
 Cooper Peter, November 11, '61, mustered out with battery Jan- 
 uary 29, '66. Veteran. 
 
 Curry Robert, November 16, '61, died at Fort Saratoga, D. C, 
 October 14, '62. 
 
 Crossley John A., December 27, '61, died July 24, '63, of wounds 
 received at Petersburg, Virginia, on the 15th of July. 
 
380 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTy. 
 
 Cole George W., mustered out with Battery January 29, '66. 
 
 Eggert Richard W., August 22, '62, discharged by general order 
 June 24, '65. 
 
 Farver George, December 25, '61, mustered out with battery Jan- 
 uary 29, '66. Veteran. 
 
 Fogle Michael, January 1, '62, discharged on Surgeon's certificate 
 May 29, 62. 
 
 Farral John, December 1, '61, discharged on Surgeon's certificate. 
 May 10, '62. 
 
 Fairman William, discharged October 28, '65, expiration of term. 
 
 Fowler Joshua K., discharged October 28, '65, expiration of term. 
 
 Farver Theodore, mustered out with Battery January 29, '66. 
 
 Farver Samuel, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, January 
 29, '64. 
 
 Grautz Adam J., September 16, '62, discharged by general order 
 June 24, '65. 
 
 Hendrickson Jacob, December 14, '61, discharged December 3, 
 '64, expiration of term. 
 
 Heacock Wm. E., absent at muster out. 
 
 Heacock Geo. L. mustered out with Battery January 29, '65. 
 
 Hoffman George W., discharged by general order June 27, '65. 
 
 Johnson William R., December 19, '61, discharged December 18, 
 '64, expiration of term. 
 
 Kulp Elias, December 19, '61, discharged December 18, '64, ex- 
 piration of term. 
 
 Kesty John, August 22, '62, killed at Petersburg, Virginia, Au- 
 gust 29, '64, buried in Poplar Grove National Cemetery, Divi- 
 sion B. Section B. grave 53. 
 
 Keller George, discharged by general order June 24, '65. 
 
 Lee George S., November 26, '61, commissioned 1st Lieutenant 
 Battery F, 189th Regiment P. V. April 30, '64, not mustered, 
 mustered out with Battery January 29, '66. Veteran. 
 
 Lee Stephen B., December 18, '61, discharged December 17, '64, 
 expiration of term. 
 
 Long Charles S., December 27, '61, discharged December 27, '64, 
 expiration of term. 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 381 
 
 Lutz Francis M., mustered out with Battery, January 29, '66. 
 Veteran. 
 
 Lutz Jacob B., mustered out with Battery, January 29, '66. 
 
 Lotshaw Jacob P., mustered out with Balteiy January 29, '66. 
 
 Murir Lament, July 24, '64, mustered out with Battery January 
 29, '66. Veteran. 
 
 Manning Philip, November 28, '61, discharged November 29, '64, 
 expiration of term. 
 
 Mazaell Martin, December 11, '61, transferred to Veteran Reserve 
 Corps, January 28, '64. 
 
 Magill Thomas, January 2, '62, discharged January 1, '65, expira- 
 tion of term. 
 
 McEwen George, December 27, '61, mustered out with Battery 
 January 29, '66, Veteran. 
 
 McClure John, December 27, '61, discharged December 27, '64, 
 expiration of term. 
 
 Musgrave Simon, January 15, '62, discharged January 14, '65, ex- 
 piration of teiin. 
 
 Major Samuel, January 28, '62, discharged January 27, '65, ex- 
 piration of term. 
 
 Muffley Charles, mustered out with Battery January 29, '66. 
 
 McMuUen David, discharged by general order, June 24, '65. 
 
 McCarty David H., December 11, '61, promoted to Corporal De- 
 cember 27, '61, transferred to Signal Corpp, January 12, '64. 
 
 McCormick Thomas, August 22, '62, discharged by general order 
 June 24, '65. 
 
 Price Clarence, December 25, '61, mustered out with battery Jan- 
 nary 29, '66. Veteran. 
 
 Pursell Benjamin C, mustered out with battery January "2^, '66. 
 
 Pursell Joseph S., discharged by general order June 24, '65. 
 
 Parker John R., died at Fortress Monroe, Virginia, July 27, '64, 
 buried in National Cemetery, Hampton, Virginia. 
 
 Roe Henry P., December 24, '61, mustered out with battery Jan- 
 
 uaiy 29, '66. Veteran. 
 RobisoH' George, November 25, '61, mustered out with batteiy 
 January 29, '66. Veteran. 
 
 Rambo Alexander, December C, '61, mustered out with battery 
 January- 29, '66. Veteran. 
 
382 HISTORY OF VOI^WMBIA OOUMTX 
 
 Rambo Tl^pmas H., Febniaiy 15,,'64, m,ustered,out with battery 
 January 29, '66. Veteran. 
 
 Remley William, February ,19, ,'64, ruuptered out with battery 
 January 29, '66 
 
 Ruckle David, February 24,. '64, prisoner, frppi July 30, '64 to 
 April 17, '65, mustered out with battery January 29, '66. Vet- 
 eran. ., - 
 
 Ruokel Billington, mustered out with battery January 29, '66. 
 
 Roe Hartley, killed at Petersburg, Virgi^iia, June 26, '64, buried 
 in National Cemetery, City Point, section D, division 4, grave 
 ■'4- , . , 
 
 Rich Israel L., discharged October 28, '65, expiration of terrn. 
 
 Roe As& F., transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, discharged 
 by general order, November 14, '65. 
 
 Reese John, killed near Fort Burnham, Virginia, buried in 
 National Cemetery, Hampton. 
 
 Ragan Maurice, killed at Petersburg, buried in National Ceme- 
 tery, Hampton, Virginia. 
 
 Ileichelderfer Thpmas, December 2, '61, mustered out with Battery 
 January 29, '66, Veteran. 
 
 Shoeniaker William, December 25, '61. discharged on surgeon's 
 certificate May 29, '62. 
 
 Shaffer Aaron, December 25, '61, mustered, out with battery Jan- 
 uary 29, '66. Veteran, 
 
 Shultz Joseph R., December, 4, '61, discharged December 3, '64, 
 expiration of term. 
 
 Steiner John, December 23, '61, mustered out with battery, Jan- 
 uary 29, '66. Veteran. 
 
 Smith Stephen J., December 11, '61, discharged December 10, '64, 
 expiration of term. 
 
 Smith Daniel H., Dc;cember 11, '61, discharged December 10, '64, 
 expiration of term. 
 
 Spade I^aniel, January 15, "(12, transferred to Veteran Reserve 
 Corps January 28, '(U. 
 
 Sands John, February 23,. '64, mustered out with battery January 
 ■' 29, '66. Veteran. 
 Tha,tcher Edward, November 13, '61, mustered out with Battery 
 January 29, '66, Veteran. 
 
HIiSTOIlY OF COI.UWBJA COUNTY. 383 
 
 Trillepiece Henry, January 25, '61, discharged January 24, '64, 
 expiration of term. 
 
 Utt William H., December 29. '61, discharged December 29, '64, 
 expiration of term. 
 
 Utt Elias, October 27, '62, discharged October 26, '65, expiration 
 of term. 
 
 Utt Jacob, October 29, '62, discharged October 28, '65, expiration 
 of term. 
 
 Weidel Joseph, December 1, '61, mustered out with battery Janu- 
 ary 29, '66. Veteran. ■ 
 
 "Wilcox Alvin, December 29, '61, deserted September 30, '63. 
 
 This regirnent garrisoned "Washington until some time in '64, 
 when it was divided, and part of it was in the battle of the Wil- 
 derness and on up to Petersburg., It was at Cold Harbor and at 
 the Mine explosion, where it lost heavily. It was also in the fight 
 at Fort Harrison, losing over 200 in killed, wounded and prison- 
 ers. On the evacuation of Petersburg it was ordered to duty in 
 that city. It was on duty in Virginia, for the purpose of main- 
 taining order and tranquility till January, '66. It was m^ustered 
 out at City Point, Virginia, and discharged on the 16th of Febru- 
 ary at Philadelphia. 
 
 
381 HISTOMY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 FIITY-SECOND REGIMENT, P. V. 
 
 COMPANY A. 
 
 In this Company, recruited in Luzerne county, quite a number 
 of Columbia county men are found. I may not have succeeded 
 in culhng them all out, and shall be obliged to the survivors if 
 they will inform me of any omitted names. The Captain of the 
 Company was George R. Lennard, and the regiment was at first 
 under the command of Colonel John C. Dodge, jr., and afterwards 
 of Colonel Henry M. Hoyt : The 52d was in the movement of '62 
 against Richmond, and all that peninsula campaign ; in the siege 
 of Fort Nassier and the taking of Charlestown ; and it was the 
 old flag of the 52d that first floated over recaptured Sumter. The 
 regiment was mustered out July 12, '65. 
 
 Ezra O. West, mustered September 23, '61, promoted to Corporal 
 November 6, '64. 
 
 Loren D. Resell, mustered September 7th '61, promoted to Cor- 
 poral November 6, '64, mustered out with Company. 
 
 Allabach Ed. W., mustered October 9, '61, discharged August 1, 
 '62 for wounds received at Seven Pines, Va., May 24, '62. 
 
 Ager Wellington, mustered September 23, '61, killed at Fair Oaks, 
 May 31, '62. 
 
 Adams Robert, discharged January 26, '65, expiration of term. 
 
 Ditts Charles G, mustered September 23, '61, discharged on sur- 
 geon's certificate October 29, '63. 
 
 Davis Elias, mustered September 23, '61, discharged on surgeon's 
 certificate";May 26, '63. 
 
 Dodson Charles M., mustered September 23, '61, discharged on 
 surgeon's certificate September 4, '62. 
 
 Everett Samuel,j October 15, '63, drafted — mustered out with 
 Company. 
 
 Eveland Nelson S., September 2, '61, discharged by general order 
 June 21, '65. 
 
BISTORT OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 385 
 
 Hess Jacob, August 27, '61, mustered out November 5, '64, expir- 
 ation of term. 
 Harrington Henry, October 9, '61, transferred to Veteran Reserve 
 
 Corps November IS, '63. 
 Hess Samuel W„ October 9, '61, died at Washington, D. C., 
 
 December 28, '61. 
 LutzM. P., October 9, '61, discharged on surgeon's certificate 
 
 December 3, '62. 
 Laubach Fred, October 9, '61, discharged on surgeon's certificate 
 
 October 27, '62. 
 Meeker Albert, March 12, '64, mustered out with Company. 
 Megargel O. A., March 28, '62, mustered out with Company. 
 Patterson A. D., October 9, '61, discharged on surgeon's certificate 
 
 June 20, '63. 
 Roberts Samuel, October 17, '61, mustered out with company. 
 
 Veteran. 
 
 FIFTY- SEVENTH REGIMENT. 
 
 COMPANY H. 
 
 Clarence G. Jackson, mustered into service August 2, '62, in Com- 
 pany H, 84th Regiment P. V. promoted from 2d to 1st Lieu- 
 tenant, January 18, '63, to Captain July 1, '63; wounded and 
 captured at Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, '63, transferred 
 to Company H, 57th Regiment P. V. January 13, '65, and dis- 
 charged by fipecial order March 10, '65. 
 
 Hiram IS Marr, October 16, '62, promoted to Corporal March 1, 
 '65, to Sergeant June 1 , '65, mustered out June 29, '65. 
 
 Uriah Edgar, September 16, '62, discharged by general order June 
 1, '65. 
 
 Hilburn Samuel, September 18, '62, mustered out June 29, '65. 
 
 Hossler Fred jr., September 1 8, '62, mustered out June 29, '65. 
 
 Hossler Jacob, September 18, '62, absent sick at muster out. 
 
 Seeley Andrew D , August 6, '62, transferred from 84th Regi- 
 ment P. v., 13 January '65, discharged by general order June 
 1, '65. 
 
386 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FIRST REGIMENT SIXTEENTH CAVALRY. 
 
 Russel R. Pealer, mustered October 2, '62, into Company E, pro- 
 moted from Sergeant Major to 2d Lieutenant, December 12, 
 '64, to 1st Lieutenant May 8, '65, wounded at Hatcber's Run, 
 Virginia, February 6, '65, mustered out with Company August 
 11, '65. 
 
 Daniel C. Swank, mustered October 2, '62, into Company E, pro- 
 moted from Quartermaster Sergeant to 2d Lieutenant Novem- 
 ber 18, '62, to 1st Lieutenant September 20th, '64, to Captain 
 May 5, '65, wounded at Trevilian Station, Virginia, June 12, 
 '64, transferred to Company I. July 24, '65, mustered out with 
 Company August 11, '65. 
 
 Peter S. Ashleman, mustered October 2, '62, into Company E, 
 transferred Company I, discharged on Surgeon's certificate Feb- 
 ruary 27, '63. 
 
 John Notestine, mustered October 27 ,'62, Company F, promoted 
 to Corporal June 1 7, '65, discharged by general order July 24, 
 '65. 
 
 EiaHTT-FIRST REGIMENT. 
 
 Daniel Harris, October 15, '61, killed at Charles City Cross Roads 
 Virginia, June 30, '62. 
 
HISTOMY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 387 
 
 CHAPTER XXIX. 
 
 ONE YEAR'S SERVICE. 
 
 TWO HUNDRED AND TENTH REGIMENT. 
 
 J. Milton Shuman, August 30, '64, Company E, promoted from 
 private to 1st Lieutenant-, September 19, '64, discharged by- 
 special order February 14, '65. 
 
 William H. Evans, September 13, '64, into Company B, promoted 
 to 1st Lieutenant January 28, '65, wounded at Hatcher's Run 
 Virginia, February 6, '65, absent without leave at muster out. 
 
 John P. Guild, September 7, '64, 1st Lieutenant, Company D, 
 mustered out with Company May 30, '65. 
 
 ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTH REGIMENT COMPANY G. 
 
 William S. Townsend, mustered in April 8. '62, wounded in the 
 battle of the Wilderness, died at Philadelphia at the Chestnut 
 Hill Hospital, May 29, '64. 
 
 ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-SECOND REGIMENT THIRD ARTILLERY 
 
 BATTERY D. 
 
 Amos Townsend, mustered in December 13, '62, died on James 
 River November 6, '64. 
 
 riFTH REGIMENT BATTERY M. 
 
 Charles A. Knorr. 
 
388 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 EIGHTIETH REGIMENT. 
 
 SEVENTH CAVALRY. 
 
 In 1861 William B. Sipes of Philadelphia, was authorized by 
 Secretary of War Cameron to recruit a regiment of cavalry. On 
 the 19th day of December of the same year it broke camp near 
 Harrisburg, Pa., for Louisville, Ky., and upon arrival there report- 
 ed to Gen. Buell. It remained in arduous and active service un- 
 til the close of the war, and was discharged August 23, 1865. A 
 part of Co. D. and a part of Co. H. were recruited in Montour 
 county, and I have endeavored to select from them the names of 
 the Montour county men. If they are omitted I will be glad to 
 have the names supplied to me, to be added. 
 
 COMPANY D. 
 
 Samuel Robinalt, deserted December 8, '64, 
 
 Michael Breckbill, mustered out with Regiment. 
 
 Samuel Sprout, mustered out with Company. 
 
 Newton L. Sayers, deserted December 25, '64. 
 
 John Dugan, discharged on sui-geon's certificate July 22, '63. 
 
 William C. McCay, deserted January 12, '65. 
 
 Joseph Heffler, died at Madison, Indiana, January 12, '65. 
 
 W. Forest. 
 
 John T. Newcomer, mustered out October 31, '64, expiration of 
 term. 
 
 T. J. Trumbower, died at Louisville, Kentucky, Feb- 
 ruary 13, 1862 — National Cemetery, section A, range 13, grave 6. 
 
 Martin Kieffer. 
 
 Charles E. Wagner, mustered out with Company. 
 
 Hiram Wertman. 
 
 William H. KiefEer, mustered out with Company. 
 
 Charles A. Balliet, died at Limestoneville, Pa., May 7, 1864. 
 
 Daniel W. Rank, mustered out December 16, 1864, expiration of 
 term. 
 
 Capt. James Bryson, died at Louisville, Ky., April 1, '62. 
 
 W. Caldwell. 
 
 Jacob F. Balliet, discharged on surgeon's certificate, February 
 1863. 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY 389 
 
 Joseph D. Fulton, mustered out with Company. 
 
 Carnathan. 
 
 Alfred Roberts, mustered out with Company. 
 Thomas H. Sanders, not on muster out roll. 
 Wm. A. Fetter, mustered out October 3, '64, expiration of time. 
 Thomas Keisteller. 
 
 Daniel G. Dildine, died at Bardstown, Ky., February 22, '62. 
 Daniel F. Wagner, discharged on surgeon's certificate, November 
 16, '62, 
 
 COMPANY H. 
 
 Capt. Samuel Hibler, resigned February 16, '62. 
 Thomas J. Wenck, mustered out with Company. 
 Thomas Davis, prisoner from^August 20, '64, to April 28, '65, dis- 
 charged June 17, to date May 18, '65. 
 
 "the COLUMBIA GUARDS." 
 
 This Military Company, belonging specially to Danville, but 
 famous aU over Columbia county, in honor of which it took its 
 name, by its connection with the Mexican war, was organized iu 
 1817. On the breaking out of the war with Mexico, the Company 
 was under the command of Capt. John S. Wilson, and their offer 
 of service being accepted they were mustered into the service of 
 the United States on the 28th day of December, 1 846. They were 
 escorted as far as Pittsburgh, on their way to the seat of war 
 by a number of citizens and cheered on their way with every 
 demonstration of popular approval. They were placed in the Second 
 Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, commanded by Col. Wyn- 
 koop, and afterwards by Col. Geary, afterwards Governor of Penn- 
 sylvania. 
 
 Capt. Wilson died at Vera Cruz on the 10th day of April, 1847 
 and the command devolved on Dr. C. W. Frick, who gallantly led 
 the Guards during the campaign. Their first engagement was at 
 the storming of Vera Cruz, and the second at Cerro Gordo, where 
 they lost one man, John Smith. At the battle of Chepultepec 
 
390 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 they lost two meu, William Dietrich and John Snyder. On ap- 
 proaching the city of Mexico, the defense of San Angelos, with 
 all the military stores, was committed to the Guards ; and on the 
 18th of September 1847, they were among the first in triumphant 
 entry into the city. 
 
 They returned to Danville on the 28th day of July 1849. The 
 whole county turned out to welcome them, and such a demonstra- 
 tion as was then made had never been seen in Danville before or 
 since. 
 
 The Guards kept up their organization until the Rebellion, and 
 entered the Union service under Gapt. Oscar Ephlin. On the ex- 
 piration of their term of service they were honorably discharged 
 and the Company disbanded. 
 
 The following is the muster roll of the Columbia Guards, as 
 they went into the United States service for the war with Mexico: 
 Captain — John S. Wilson. 
 Lieutenants — 1 st, Clarence H. Frick ; 2d, Edward E. LaClere ; 
 
 3d, William Britidle. 
 Sergeants — 1st, George S. Kline ; 2d, Jas. D. Slater ; 3d, Robert 
 
 Clark ; 4tb, Charles Evans. 
 Corporals— 1st, John Adams; 2d, James Oliver; 3d, John Smith; 
 
 4th, Arthur Gearhart. 
 Music — Drummer, Thomas Clark ; Fifer, Jesse G. Clark. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 Charles W. Adams, Jasper Musselman, 
 
 Alvin M. Allen, Edward McGonnel, 
 
 Jacob App, George Miller, 
 
 Geo. W- Armstrong, William Moser, 
 
 Frederick Brandt, Archibald Mooney, 
 
 Samuel Burns, Mahlon K. Manly, 
 
 Elam B. Bonham, John G. Mellon, 
 
 Wm. Banghart, Alex M'Donald, 
 
 John Birkenbine, Daniel Martial, 
 
 Samuel D. Baker, Richard H. M'Kean, 
 
 Francis Bower, Charles Moynthan, 
 
 Francis B. Best, Robert M'Almont, 
 
 William Brunner, Hugh MFadden, 
 
 Wm. H. Birchfield, James M'('lelland, 
 
 Handolph Ball, Norman B. Mack, 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 391 
 
 Peter Brobst, 
 Abram B. Carley, 
 Michael Corrigan, 
 Wm. Dietereoh, 
 William Erie, 
 Daniel S. Follmer, 
 Chas. W. Fortner, 
 Robert H. Forster, 
 Sewell Gibbs, 
 Edward Grove, 
 George Garner, 
 Thomas Graham, 
 Shepherd W. Girton, 
 Samuel Huntingdon, 
 Adam Heisler, 
 Henry Herncastle, 
 Oliver Helme, 
 William S. Kertz, 
 William King, 
 Jerome Konkle, 
 Charles Lytle, 
 Ira Lownsberry, 
 Robert Lyon, 
 John A. Lowery, 
 Benjamin Laform, 
 Benj. J. Martin, 
 
 William McDonald, 
 Casper Oatenwelder, 
 Daniel Poorman, 
 Peter S. Reed, 
 Philip Rake, 
 James A. Stewart, 
 Peter M. Space, 
 JonaR. Sanders, 
 Oliver C. Stephens, 
 Daniel Snyder, 
 Edward Seler, 
 Peter Seigfried, 
 John C Snyder, 
 John N. Soofield, 
 William Swartz, 
 Joseph Stratton, 
 Wm. H. Sawaney, 
 John A. Sarvey, 
 Benj. Tumbleton, 
 Adam Wray, 
 Wm. White, 
 George Wagner, 
 Jacob Willet, 
 Jerome Walker, 
 George Wingar, 
 Peter W. YarneU, 
 
392 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY 
 
 l^XXJrV.£^-:£l-^ 0CCTJI=J5^TI01T. 
 
 INTRODUCTORY. 
 
 In the year 1869, a narrative of the military occupation of Col- 
 umbia county, the arrest of many of our citizens, their incarcer- 
 ation in military prisons and their subsequent trial before a mil- 
 itary commission, appeared in the columns of The Columbian 
 newspaper. It was accompanied with a commentaiy on the facts 
 and evidence adduced upon the trials ; and to these were added 
 reports of additional cases and personal experiences of harsh, 
 cruel and unlawful treatment suffered by innocent persons in our 
 county. What was then and there published stands uncontra- 
 dicted, and as a portion of the history of the county is here in- 
 serted. A few paragraphs by way of comment and remark have 
 been omitted. 
 
 The first detachment of troops arrived in Bloomsburg on Sat. 
 urday evening, August 13, 1864, and additions continued to be 
 made for several days, until the number amounted to about one 
 thousand men. The arrests were made August 31, 1864, and the 
 trials commenced at Harrisburg, October 17, 1864. 
 
 Of the seven men convicted, one, William Appleman, paid his 
 fine ; one, Samuel Kline was pardoned by President Lincoln ; 
 and five, John Rantz, John Lemons, Joseph VanSyckle, Rev. A. 
 R. Rutan, Benjamin CoUey and Valentine Fell were pardoned by 
 President Johnson. 
 
 To the narrative of these occurrences is added, among other 
 interesting matter, the argument of Hon. Jeremiah S. Black before 
 the Supreme Court of the United States on the Milligan case, 
 with the opinion of the Court, delivered by Mr. Justice Davis. 
 This opinion fully vindicates the legal position taken by our 
 people, and is a just and authoritative condemnation of the 
 actions of the military detachment, and of the trials and senten- 
 ces by the military commission. 
 
mSTOBY OF COLUMBIA GOUN'IY. 393 
 
 CHAPTER XXX. 
 
 MILITARY OCCUPATIOISr 
 
 OP 
 
 COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 In order to preserve as faithful a record as possible from facts, 
 dates and evidence in our possession, we propose to cast into the 
 form of a succinct and corrected narrative, the incidents preced- 
 ing and accompanying the armed occupation of Columbia county 
 in the year A. D, 1S64. The publications heretofore made on the 
 subject omit many matters important to be known and remember- 
 ed in connection therewith. 
 
 During the civil war, the Republican party, backed by the ad- 
 ministration and the army, which had been subsidized to its pur- 
 poses, became insolent in its behaviour and revolutionary in its 
 purposes with regard to government. No man was allowed to 
 speak freely against or criticise or condemn the course the dom- 
 inant party were pursuing. All over the loyal North military 
 spies, irresponsible Provost Mar.shals and armed forces were dis- 
 tributed for the purpose of oveiawing the people and of prevent- 
 ing at the elections a fair and free expression of opinion. And 
 the nearer the Presidential election of l'-64 approached, the more 
 overbearing became these government officials and employees, un- 
 til a reign of terror was inaugurated in the country. The State 
 of Pennsylvania was particularly the scene of atrocious outrage. 
 Where it was thought the elections I'cquireil to be manipulated 
 there soldiers were located, citizens were iirrested, property was 
 destroyed, the State itself degraded, andtlie constitution andlaws 
 set at defiance. The counties of Uci-i, Qolumbia, Clearfield, 
 Pike, Schuylkill and many others were sabj""' - ~ military raids 
 the memory of which will abide with the vijLw^p^jttod their poster- 
 ity for generatioiiB. 
 
 About the first of Angost 1864, a pqnad of men led by a young 
 
394 HI8T0R Y OF COL UMBIA CO UNTY. 
 
 man named Robinson, a citizen of Luzerne county, attempted to 
 stop by challenging upon a public highway of this county, in the 
 night time, several of our citizens — citizens not one of whom, so 
 far as has ever been ascertained, was amenable to military law. 
 Neither party knowing the other in the darkness, ^the challenged 
 party fired and wounded Robinson severely and one of his com- 
 panions slightly. The affair passed, no information was made, no 
 warrant was taken out, in short no attempt was made by the civil 
 authorities to search for or arrest any of the parties. Subsequent- 
 ly a man named Smith was taken up, but he was never tried for 
 the offense. Robinson and his company had no authority or 
 pretense of authority to make arrests, or to act in any way on be- 
 half of the government. Following immediately upon this shoot- 
 ing affray it is believed that some person or persons (whose name 
 or names have never yet transpired) went to Harrisburg and per- 
 haps to Washington. Representations seem to have been made 
 as a foundation for a military raid, that the drafted men in Col- 
 umbia county had never reported. What more was alleged has not 
 been learned. The result was, that on Saturday evening, August 
 13th 1864, the fii-st detachment of soldiers arrived in Bloomsburg; 
 and in a few days, by constant accretions, the armed force num- 
 bered one thousand men. It was given out by those in the secret, 
 or who desired to be thought so, "that they were to scour the 
 county.'' They encamped upon the Agricultural I'air Grounds, 
 below Bloomsburg, and on Tuesday the 16th of August, Major 
 General Couch commanding the Department of the Susquehanna 
 arrived, and he made our town for a time his Head Quarters. At 
 that time the force consisted of Capt. Lambert's Independent 
 Company of mounted men ; one section of the Keystone Battery 
 of Philadelphia, under command of Lieut. Roberts, and a batallion 
 of Infantry under Lieut. Col. Stewart. Subsequently, they were 
 reinforced by a batallion of the Veteran Reserve Corps, complet- 
 ing the Army of Occupation. 
 
 The leading Republicans had long and earnest interviews with 
 Gen. Couch. Finig.yy .Senator Buckalew was sent for. Subse- 
 quently sevei; fully *%inen- waited upon Col. Freeze with a prop- 
 osition to bd^i-a -JA/«Ssage "ftom the ^General commanding the 
 Department to thp non-reporting drafted men. He at first de- 
 clined to go, but finally yieMe'S- ib ieayjsr^6.t'.''.scilioitatioa. and ac- 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 395 
 
 cepted the mission. The following correspondence will fully 
 explain the object and condition pf affairs at the time. The first 
 letter is Gen. Couch's ofiicial manifesto. 
 
 Headquarters Department of the Susquehanna, 
 
 Bloomsburg, Pa., August 16, 1864. 
 Col. J. G. Freeze, 
 Bloomsburg, Pa., 
 
 Sir: 
 
 You are authorized by me to inform 
 those persons in Columbia county who have not reported as re- 
 quired under the previous "drafts,'' and are known as deserters, 
 that the charge of desertion shall be remitted by me provided 
 they duly report themselves on or before 12 P. M., Saturday, 
 August 20, current. 
 
 This does not apply to those charged with the crime of murder. 
 
 I am, very respt., 
 
 D. N. COUCH, 
 Major General Commanding Department. 
 
 Several days afterward, in order to put upon record every cir- 
 cumstance relating to Col. Freeze's expedition up the creek, he 
 addressed the following note to a gentleman cognizant of all the 
 facts and circumstances : 
 
 Bloomsburg, Pa., August 22, 1864. 
 Chakles R. Paxton, Esq., 
 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 As you were fully ac- 
 quainted with every step, preliminary to my taking a message up 
 the creek, from Maj. Gen. Couch, Commanding Department of 
 the Susquehanna, I beg that you will, as fully as your leisure 
 will permit, in reply to this, state . the facts in connection there- 
 with. I am, with great respect, your friend,, 
 
 J. G. FREEZE. 
 To which, on the next day, Mr. Paxtop replied as follows : 
 
 Bloomsburg, Pa., August 23, 1864. 
 John G. Freeze, Esq., 
 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 Yours of yesterday is received, 
 and I will,., with pleasure, comply with your request. It was 
 thought by Gen. Couch to be advisable to notify the deserters in 
 
896 Him'OBY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 the northern part of this county, that the penalties to which 
 they were subject as deserters, would be remitted, provided they 
 would immediately report to the Provost Marshal. At the Gen- 
 eral's request, or with his approbation, I saw Mr. Buckalew who 
 approved of the plan, and suggested that you would be a fit per- 
 son to communicate with the deserters, and said he would see 
 you, and try to induce you to do so. After he had seen you, I 
 called on you and you refused to go. Subsequently, for reasons 
 unknown to me, you consented to go provided Gen. Couch would 
 give you in writing the communication it was thought expedient 
 to send to the deserters, the substance of which is above stated. 
 I then introduced you to the General and left you with him. 
 
 Respectfully and truly yours, 
 
 C. R. PAXTON. 
 
 During the interview spoken of above Col. Freeze offered to 
 take Gen. Couch in a cairiage up the creek to all points and have 
 him personally meet the people and hunt the fort alleged to have 
 been erected ; or if the General preferred, each one should choose 
 a friend and the four proceed together in a carriage on the ex- 
 pedition. The Colonel pledged himself for the entire safety of 
 the party, and agreed to drive to any and every place where any 
 one said the fort was located, or entrenchments or defensive or 
 offensive preparations had been made. The General declined, 
 while admitting he thought there would be no danger. Gen. 
 Couch returned to Harrisburg, Wednesday August 17th. 
 
 On that same evening Col. Freeze had an interview with Col. 
 Stewart, in command of the forces, and gave him a statement of 
 all the facts in his knowledge in relation to the Robison affair, 
 also a full report of his mission up the creek, from which he had 
 just then returned, assuring him there would be no resistance by 
 any citizens to the arrest of alleged deserters, that ten men could 
 arrest them as safely as ten hundred ; and concluded by making 
 the same offer to him, that had already been made to Gen. Couch. 
 Col. Stewart also declined. 
 
 This persistent refusal on the part of the military authorities to 
 become acquainted with our people, and make themselves familiar 
 with localities and facts, argues very strongly that the object of 
 the raid upon our County had an entirely different object than the 
 one so ostentatiously set forth, to-wit, the arrest and mustering 
 
SltSTOBY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 397 
 
 into service of non-reporting drafted men. They listened only to 
 the false, malicious and exaggerated reports and stories of the 
 enemies of the people, and were thus prepared to "Scour the 
 County." 
 
 And to prove beyond controversy that such was the case, the 
 fact exists that during the time the troops were encamped on the 
 Fair Grounds, a cavalry officer told Col. Freeze in the presence of 
 Col. Hiram R. Kline, Messrs. Levi Cox, Martin Ammerman and 
 Cyrus Robbins, that he had been told by a prominent Republican 
 that to his, the Republican's "certain knowledge, there were five 
 hundred non-reporting drafted men up the creek." Another Re- 
 publican who had a corn field adjoining the grounds or near 
 them, requested the soldiers not to take any roasting ears from 
 his patch, and pointed out to them one belonging to a "copper- 
 head," which was a proper object for destruction and spoliation. 
 Again, when Gen. Couch first arrived at Bloomsburg, he was ad- 
 vised to call upon Senator Buckalew who had just returned from 
 a session at Washington ; whereupon the General mounted Cedar 
 Hill, "solitary and alone," and found the Senator at work in a 
 field. He then detailed to him his dreadful story of insurrection 
 in the Fishing Creek Country and insisted that it was very exten- 
 sive and dangerous, and that it was represented to him (Couch) that 
 Colonel Kline was the leader, Mr. Buckalew's reply was, as we 
 are infornied, that he had no particular information of what had 
 occurred in the Creek region beyond newspaper statements ; that 
 he did not believe there was any general combination of the in- 
 habitants to resist the draft ; that the statement about Col. Kline 
 was inconsistent with the character of that gentleman and was 
 no doubt a falsehood, that in his opinion any military or civil 
 officer could proceed into any of the upper townships without be- 
 ing molested. He further proposed to postpone a journey which 
 he was about to make to Niagara and accompany Couch to any 
 place he might desire to visit in the county for the ascertainment 
 of the truth. The General alleged that he was pressed for time, 
 and the interview closed. The Radical leaders no doubt had 
 given Couch his story, and it would seem they were very anxious 
 to have Col. Kline, (an active Democrat and respectable gentle- 
 man,) arrested. In fact it is very likely that Couch's visit to Mr. 
 Buckalew and the emphatic statement made by the latter alone 
 
398 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY 
 
 prevented the arrest of Col. Kline and his incarceration in a Gov- 
 ernment Bastile. 
 
 THE ARKESTS. 
 
 The troops collected in the manner described, moved from the 
 Fair Grounds, near Bloomsburg on Sunday August 21, 1864, and 
 advanced up Fishingcreek, on the Orangeville road. They were 
 under the immediate command of Lieutenant Colonel Stewart. 
 The column was escorted by a large number of sympatliisers in 
 military methods in buggies and carriages. The force was com- 
 posed upon the highest principles of military art; infantry, cavalry 
 and artillery being united in proper proportions, and the flag of 
 the United States prostituted for a base purpose, was borne in 
 front. But the great feature of the scene was the civilian escort. 
 It was for them a joyful Sunday and their looks spoke their exul- 
 tation. So far as they were concerned the churches were aban- 
 dohed, the quiet of the day disregarded, and a political raid upon 
 their fellow citizens attended and encouraged. Their passions 
 were gratified and their hopes were strongly excited at the pros- 
 pect of political advantage from the armed occupation of our ter- 
 ritory, and the application of military influence to our elections. 
 Up past the Forks, over Cedar Hill, through Light Street, along 
 the narrows beyond, all the way to Orangeville, streamed the mili- 
 tary line and the Radical escort "in all the pomp and circum- 
 stance'' of inglorious war. Beneath the hot rays of an August 
 sun the army of occupation approached the doomed region of the 
 Upper Townships, in which its exploits were to be performed and 
 its infamy made complete. We will not now, however, follow 
 further the military advance to the North, but will return to 
 Bloomsburg and trace subsequent events. 
 
 On Saturday, August 28, Major General George Cadwallader 
 arrived here from Philadelphia to assume command, and he con- 
 tinued his progress up the creek the next day with three hundred 
 additional troops. Again was Sunday selected to push troops for- 
 ward to the proposed scene of operations. The General returned 
 to Bloomsburg on Tuesday, the 30th, and had long conferences 
 with leading Radicals ; and during the night of the 30th, upon 
 orders from him, troops were posted at various points in the upper 
 townships, and at the break of day next morning about one hun- 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 399 
 
 dred citizens were arrested and marched to a meeting house near 
 the village of Benton. Here they were subjected to a summary 
 ordeal and inspection, their cases being passed upon by a scound- 
 rel officer in the pulpit upon whispered consultations with prom- 
 inent Radicals of the neighborhood. — We say "a scoundrel officer" 
 with good reason ; for he was subsequently tried by a military 
 court and convicted as a villain, and we have besides the proof at 
 hand (which will be hereafter given) that he extorted a bribe 
 from one of our citizens under circumstances of peculiar infamy. 
 There was no open examination of the cases of the arrested men 
 nor any opportunity afforded them for explanation or defense. 
 Whispered consultations between their malicious political enemies 
 who were on the pulpit platform or near it, and the military sar 
 trap whose will and word stood in place of all law and justice, 
 constituted the grounds of judgment by which they should be dis- 
 charged or ordered into exile from their homes to be incarcerated 
 in distant prisons. Finally a part of them were discharged with- 
 out any reason assigned for their arrest or explanation of their 
 discharge ; but forty-five were ordered under guard to Blooms- 
 burg, thence to be conveyed by rail by way of Harrisburg and 
 Philadelphia to Fort Mifflin on the Delaware. The prisoners were 
 nearly all driven on foot like cattle, the long 18 miles from Benton 
 to Bloomsburg, without breakfast, and had no meals furnished to . 
 them on their way to Philadelphia. 
 
 They reached Fort Mifflin on the first day of September. One 
 of the number was released on the second day after the arrest. 
 
 The names of the persons arrested and detained, with their 
 ages and occupations, and length of incarceration, are as follows : 
 
 NAMES. 
 
 AGE. 
 
 OCCUPATION 
 
 DETAINED. 
 
 Daniel McHenry, 
 
 37. 
 
 farmer & merchant. 
 
 4 mo. 
 
 Elias J. McHenry, 
 
 33. 
 
 farmer. 
 
 70 days. 
 
 *Joseph Coleman, 
 
 68. 
 
 (c 
 
 49 " 
 
 Mathias Kline, 
 
 
 
 
 Abraham Kline, 
 
 
 
 
 Samuel Coleman, 
 
 45. 
 
 £C 
 
 53 « 
 
 Josiah Coleman, 
 
 
 
 
 Charles Coleman, 
 
 26. 
 
 (£ 
 
 53 " 
 
 John Lemons, 
 
 35. 
 
 farmer and butcher. 
 
 8 mo. 11 " 
 
 *Wa8 a soldier in the war of 1812. 
 
400 
 
 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 31. 
 
 carpenter. 
 
 53 
 
 46. 
 
 farmer. 
 
 53 
 
 51. 
 
 farmer and lumberman. 
 
 83 
 
 25. 
 
 farmer. 
 
 52 
 
 22. 
 
 u 
 
 53 
 
 44. 
 
 merchant. 
 
 103 
 
 44. 
 
 " 4 mo. 
 
 2 
 
 47. 
 
 farmer. 
 
 49 
 
 60. 
 
 8 mo. 
 
 11 
 
 Silas Benjamin, 
 Samuel Appleman 
 William Appleman, 51 
 Reuben Appleman, 
 Thomas Appleman, 
 James McHenry, 
 Dyer L. Chapin, 
 Elias McHenry, 
 Samuel Kline, 
 John Rantz, 
 **Wm. E. Roberts, 
 John Yorks, 
 Henry Hurliman, 
 George Hurliman, 
 John J. Stiles, 
 Hiram F. Everett, 
 Stott E. Colley, 
 Benjamin Colley, 
 Joseph Van Sickle, 
 Rohr M'Henry, 
 John Karns, 
 t John C. Karns 
 Montgomery Cole, 40. 
 Russell M'Henry. 
 James Evans, 
 Jonathan Steele, 
 H. H. Hurliman, 
 Wm. Hurlyman, 
 Valentine Fell, 
 fjohn R. Davis, 
 §Armillib Davis, 
 Samuel M'Henry, 
 M. ,D. Appleman, 
 John Baker, 
 Abram Hartman, 
 
 **Died in the Fort. 
 
 fBeen in the service nine months. 
 
 JSick when arrested, 
 
 §Drafted while in the West and knew nothing of it until 
 rived at home. 
 
 49. 
 
 4 
 
 mo. 
 
 9 
 
 46. 
 
 4 
 
 mo. 
 
 3 
 
 39. 
 
 inn keeper. 4 
 
 mo. 
 
 
 33. 
 
 merchant. 4 
 
 mo. 
 
 
 52. 
 
 farmer. 4 
 
 mo. 
 
 
 37. 
 
 8 
 
 mo. 
 
 11 
 
 36. 
 
 farmer and distiller. 
 
 2 mo. 
 
 
 59. 
 
 farmer. 
 
 
 53 
 
 23. 
 
 (t 
 
 
 53 
 
 40. 
 
 (( 
 
 
 53 
 
 26. 
 
 a 
 
 4 mo. 
 
 5 
 
 53. 
 
 '' 
 
 
 52 
 
 21. 
 
 carpenter. 
 
 
 49 
 
 19. 
 
 farmer 
 
 
 53 
 
 49. 
 
 blacksmith. 
 
 8 mo. 
 
 11 
 
 58. 
 
 farmer. 
 
 
 53 
 
 20. 
 
 carpenter. 
 
 5 mo. 
 
 3 
 
 57. 
 
 farmer. 
 
 4 mo. 
 
 17 
 
 26. 
 
 wheelwright. 
 
 
 53 
 
 44. 
 
 farmer. 
 
 
 53 
 
 29. 
 
 (L 
 
 4 mo. 
 
 4 
 
 he ar- 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 401 
 
 None of these persons, we believe, (with the one exception not- 
 ed) were drafted men, or amenable upon any pretense whatever to 
 the jurisdiction of military authority. 
 
 Cadwallader then moved bis forces up the creek beyond Benton 
 and hunted in all directions for the fort, field pieces and in- 
 trenchments, for a week. He came back to Bloomsburg after the 
 search, arid in an interview with Senator Buckalew, Judge El well 
 and Col. Tate, pronounced "the whole thing a complete farce." 
 He left Bloomsburg for his home in Philadelphia, on Wednesday 
 evening, September 7th, 1864. 
 
 OBJECT OF THE BAID. 
 
 During the progress of the occupation of 1864, calumniation of 
 our people was scattered broadcast by the radical press and by 
 radical orators. It was announced by them that insurgents num- 
 bering hundreds or thousands were armed and organized in this 
 county ; that they had thrown up intrenchraents ; that they had 
 erected a fort ; that they had field-pieces or cannon, and that ref- 
 ugees from Canada and deserters from other sections had joined 
 them in considerable numbers. Though all these statements were 
 utterly false, they were made and repeated with the utmost confi- 
 dence because an excuse was wanted for the steps taken, for the 
 outrages committed by lawless power. One example of these 
 slanders may be mentioned : 
 
 A certain Reuben E. Wilson, a preacher, then resided in Blooms- 
 burg and was seduced from his sacred calling. 
 
 The following letter will show the flagitious statements made 
 by him in a street speech at Milton, and will illustrate the course 
 of insolent slander to which our people were subjected in the 
 days of the military occupation. 
 
 Milton, Sept. 14, 1865. 
 J. Gr. Freeze, Esq., 
 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 Your note of the 12th inst. is re- 
 ceived, and in reply, say, that I did not hear the speech made by 
 Rev. Wilson myself ; but he stated in his speech in this place in 
 the open street, that there were some thousands of men up Fish- 
 ingcreek in arms against the Grovernment — that these men at- 
 tempted to set fire to the town of Bloomsburg several times, and 
 had burned Mr. Clark's stable. 
 
402 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 I have made inquiry since the receipt of your letter of those 
 who heard the speech ; and they say he said as above stated. 
 The exact number of thousands they do not now recollect. 
 
 Truly Yours, 
 
 C. W. THARP. 
 
 Mr. Tharp is a gentleman of high credit, a member of the Bar, 
 and has recently represented Northumberland county in the Leg- 
 islature. It is perhaps only necessary to add, that it is under- 
 stood that Mr. Clark's stable was burned through the carelessness 
 of some little boys who were playing about it with matches, and 
 that the other statements made by Wilson were without founda- 
 tion. 
 
 But no matter what were the statements made to invite the 
 military inroads, or to give to it abroad a color of necessity or 
 propriety, after troops were sent here one thing is very certain: 
 That the military authorities were without any excuse whatever 
 for continuing their occupation of the county and for holding our 
 citizens in prison, as well as for sundry acts committed or author- 
 ized by them while the occupation continued, (to which we shall 
 hereafter refer). For the troops traversed the whole course of 
 Fishing Creek from its mouth to its sources, and ascended the 
 North Mountain into the forests of Sullivan, "scouring'' the whole 
 region through which they passed, and ascertained beyond all 
 question that there was no insurrection — no field^^works, no fort, 
 no cannon, no refugees from Canada or deserters from abroad — 
 and that there had not been, in point of fact, in all that region any 
 actual resistance to the execution of the laws or molestation of 
 any officer, civil or military, in the performance of his duties. All 
 this was fully known not only to the corrupt officer (Lt. Col. 
 Stewart) who had immediate charge of the troops, but to Gen. 
 Cadwallader himself. His declaration that the alleged insurrect- 
 ion (or his chase of itf) was "a complete farce," was based upon 
 his personal examination of "the seat of Avar" — of his scientific 
 inspection of the sugar-camps of Benton and the huckleberries of 
 Sullivan — as well as upon his personal intercourse with the in- 
 habitants upon the line of his route. 
 
 We are not aware that there were any deserters (properly so 
 called) in the county at the time of this military incursion. If 
 there were such they must have been very few in number. There 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 403 
 
 were some non-reporting drafted men as there were in all other 
 parts of the country, but it is preposterous to allege that the pur- 
 pose was to secure them to the public service. They were not 
 numerous and not one among them (so far as we know or believe) 
 had ever offered the slightest resistance to a legal or regular ar- 
 rest. Certainly troops were not to be called for to arrest drafted 
 men until the ordinary means had failed, and then only so many 
 as were reasonably necessary for the purpose. Besides, the army 
 sent into the county was more likely to drive off drafted men than 
 to arrest them, and its cost was twenty times as much as would 
 have been required to obtain voluntary enlistments equal in num- 
 ber to the number of men who had failed to report. But in point 
 of fact it was announced that the occupation of the county was to 
 put down an armed and organized insurrection, and the troops 
 proceeded at once to arrest citizens who did not owe military ser- 
 vice, instead of drafted men, thus exhibiting its object in an un- 
 mistakable manner. 
 
 NECESSITY OF THIS NAEKATIVE. 
 
 Having described the beginning of the occupation, exposed the 
 pretenses for it, and mentioned the first arrests made in the pros- 
 ecution of its unholy work, we are brought naturally to the nar- 
 ration of its performances after it became fixed upon our people. 
 The necessity for this narrative consists in the fact that we de- 
 scribe a great crime for which some degree of punishment is to 
 be inflicted by public opinion, and that justice demands that the 
 victims of the military raid as well as our people generally, should 
 be defended against falsehood and slander. Besides, our review 
 must be instructive as it will admonish us that arbitrary power is 
 always selfish, unjust, and oppressive, and that its encroachments 
 and usurpations are to be opposed with sleepless vigilance and 
 steady courage. 
 
 But we proceed without further digression, with the narrative 
 of occurrences after the troops were located in the county. 
 
 TROOPS AT ELECTIONS. 
 
 "No body of troops in the army of the United States or of this 
 Commonwealth shall be present, either armed or unarmed, at any 
 place of election within 'this Commonwealth during the time of 
 such election : Provided, That nothing herein contained shall be 
 so construed as to prevent any oflicer or soldier from exercising 
 
404 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY- 
 
 the right of suffrage in the election district to which he may be- 
 long, if otherwise qualified according to law." 
 
 (Act, 2nd July 1839, Sec. 95— P. Laws, 541.) 
 
 This is a very plain law and a very good one, intended to se- 
 cure the independence of elections, and it was in full force in 
 1864 at the time of these occurrences. But it was held in con- 
 tempt by the military power and was rudely broken. 
 
 The following performances took place in the county : 
 
 At the election eleven soldiers with arms stood at the election 
 polls in Centre township all day. 
 
 In Beaver township a camp of about sixty soldiers was located 
 within a few rods of the polling place ; and from ten to fifteen of 
 them stood at the polls all day, the squads relieving one another. 
 
 In Mount Pleasant township from ten to fifteen soldiers came 
 upon the ground in the morning before the polls opened, and at- 
 tended the voting the whole day, armed. 
 
 In Fishingcreek township ten to twelve soldiers armed were 
 stationed at the polls and other squads within call at three differ- 
 ent points on the road leading to the place of holding the election. 
 Two men were arrested on the election day. 
 
 In Hemlock township eleven soldiers stood armed, all day at 
 the polls, and some part of the time twelve were present. 
 
 In Benton township, at the State election, about fifteen soldiers 
 prowled around the election ground all day ; and at the Presiden- 
 tial election about forty of them were in the township, some of 
 them attending the polls. 
 
 In Jackson township there were eight or ten in squads of two, 
 who marched around the place of holding the election all day, 
 and at the close of the election they all came into the house and 
 demanded the returns. Of course they were refused. 
 
 In Sugarloaf township at the State election two armed soldiers 
 were located within half a mile of election house in one direction 
 — two more within a quarter of a mile in another — two or more 
 at Ezekiel Cole's and West Creek, within a mile ; and four march- 
 ed past the polls repeatedly during the day. And at the Presi- 
 dential election six or eight armed soldiers and an orderly stood 
 in the yard of the house where the election was being held, and 
 others near by. In the evening they came and demanded the re- 
 turns, sword in hand. 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 405 
 
 In Briarcreek township four soldiers armed, arrived the night 
 before the November election, and they staid about the grounds 
 all day until the closing of the polls. They arrested one man dur- 
 ing the day. 
 
 In Orange township and within the village and within easy dis- 
 tance of the polls, there were a number of soldiers at the October 
 election. Between that and the November election an additional 
 number arrived, took possession of the public school house, then 
 occupied by a school of about seventy pupils, and held it till so 
 late in the winter, that the people of the township were deprived 
 of the benefit of a public school for the year. This seizure and 
 appropriation of property and violation of private right was most 
 wanton and unprovoked, and was instituted and applauded by 
 civilians who had passions- to gratify and interests to subserve. 
 
 EI.ECTION AKRESTS. 
 
 Immediately before and on the day of the State Election,(1864,) 
 a number of arrests were made at various points in the County to 
 prevent citizens from voting, and in one instance to wreak revenge 
 upon a county officer for preventing, in a particular case, the oon- 
 Bummation of such a rascally purpose. A part of these arrests 
 were made under military orders by soldiers of the Army of Occu- 
 pation, and part under authority of the Deputy Provost Marshal 
 for the county, by soldiers who constituted his guard, having been 
 assigned to him for service. Some of those cases (selected by 
 way of example) we will hereafter describe. For the present we 
 propose to open up a little the character of the officer who com- 
 manded the troops and whose word, for a time, was law absolute 
 in this county. As the main instrument of despotism in making 
 arrests, and clearly responsible for most of them, he merits partic- 
 ular notice and shall receive it. 
 
 LIEUT. COL. STEWART. 
 
 One of the corrupt performances of this officer is shown by the 
 subjoined documents, the originals of which are now in our poss- 
 ession. Mr. Alexander Hess of this county, a drafted man clearly 
 entitled to be excused by reason of physical disability, was coei'ced 
 by Stewart into paying him $100, as the condition of escaping an 
 arrest or standing discharged from the draft. Observe the date 
 of this transaction — 15th September 1864— when the reign of ter- 
 ror was fully established, and when the military commander could 
 
406 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 with most effect use his power to plunder his victims. This cor- 
 rupt villian knew perfectly well that he had no power to discharge 
 any one from the draft, that power residing in the Board of En- 
 rollment of the District, and he knew also, from a personal exam- 
 ination of the case, that Mr. Hess was unfit for service and would 
 not be held to service by any competent authority. But the op- 
 portunity of extortion was greedily seized by him and he appro- 
 priated the hard-earned money of this poor man to his private use 
 and carried it off with him when he left the county. The docu- 
 ments are as follows: — 
 
 AFFIDAVIT. 
 
 State of Pennsylvania, \ ^ 
 
 County of Columbia. 
 Alexander Hess of the said County being duly sworn saith : 
 That he was drafted into the military service of the United 
 States in the year A. D. 1864 ; That on the 15th day of September, 
 A. D, 1864, he reported to Charles Stewart, Lt. Col. Command- 
 ing U. S. Forces in Columbia County. That Col. Stewart inquir- 
 ed of your Deponent what sum of money he would give to be dis- 
 charged from the Draft and not to be further troubled ; stating at 
 the same time that he had the authority to discharge him. Your De- 
 ponent replied that he was poor and not able to pay much, but of- 
 fered to Col. Stewart for a certificate of discharge fifty dollars. 
 Stewart refused this and notified your Deponent that he would be 
 held to service, and that he .(Stewart) could do as he pleased 
 with him. Finally he agreed to grant the discharge upon the 
 payment of one hundred dollars. That sum was thereupon paid 
 to him, the said Lt. Colonel Charles Stewart, and he gave a dis- 
 charge of which the following is a copy. 
 
 Headqtjartehs U. S. Forces 
 
 Sept. 15th, 1864. 
 This is to certify that I have this day examined Alexander Hess 
 of Sugailoaf township, Columbia county, and find him badly rup- 
 tured and unfit for service in the armies of the United States : 
 
 CHAS. STEWART, 
 Lt. Col. Com'dg." 
 
 That upon presenting the original of the forgoing certificate to 
 William Silver. Deputy Provost Marshal of the District, he was 
 informed that it was worthless, and that he must report : That 
 
HI8T0RT OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 407 
 
 your Deponent then gave bond with security in the sum of one 
 thousand dollars, to report to the proper authorities whenever 
 called upon. 
 
 That he received a notice hereto annexed, requiring him to re- 
 port at Bloomsburg, on the 25th January A. D. 1865. That he 
 did so report, and was by them discharged ; as is certified by the 
 said Dep. Pro. Marshal, hereto annexed : 
 
 Alexander Hess. 
 Columbia County, ss. 
 
 On the 25th day of February A. D. 1867, personally appeared 
 before me, Jpsse Coleman, Prothonotary of said county Alexan- 
 der Hess the said Deponent to me personally known, and being 
 duly sworn according to law saith, that the facts set forth in the 
 forgoing statemnnt subscribed by him are true to the best of his 
 knowledge and belief. 
 
 Sworn and subscribed ") 
 
 before me 25th Febr'y. v Alex. Hess. 
 
 A. D. 1867. j 
 
 Jesse Coleman, Frothy. 
 
 BOND. 
 
 Know all men by these presents that we Alexander Hess of 
 Sugarloaf township in the County of Columbia and State of 
 Pennsylvania, and H^'nry C. Hess and Joshua B. &ss. all of the 
 same township are held and firmly bound unto the United States 
 of America in the sum of two thousand dollars lawful money of 
 the United States to be paid to the said United States or the au- 
 thorities properly constituted to receive the same ; to which pay- 
 ment well and truly to be made and done we do bind ourselves 
 and each of us by himself for and in the whole, our heirs, execu- 
 tors and administrators and each of us firmly by these presents ; 
 sealed with our seals and dated the seventeenth day of January 
 A. D. 1865. 
 
 Whereas, the said Alexander Hess has been drafted into the 
 military service of the United States ; now the condition of this 
 obligation is such that if the said Alexander Hess shall, whenever 
 called upon by the Deputy Provost Marshal of said Columbia 
 county or by any other of the properly constituted authorities of 
 the United States aforesaid to report as a drafted man as afore- 
 said, — if he shall so report when so called upon then this obliga- 
 
408 HI8T0RY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 tion to be null and void, or else to be and remain in full force and 
 
 virtue. 
 
 Signed, sealed and delivered! Alex Hess, [X. S.] 
 in presence of J. S. Woodb and K- H. C. Hess, [L. S.] 
 W. Wirt. j J. B. Hess, [L. S.] 
 
 NOTICE. 
 
 Deputy Provost Marshal's OiEce, 
 
 Bloomsburg Jan. 24th 1865. 
 Alexander Hess, 
 
 Sir : You will report at these Head Quar- 
 ters Wednesday Jan, 25, 1865, without delay to meet the Board 
 of Examiners at ten o'clock. 
 
 By Order'of 
 
 WILLIAM SILVER, 
 Deputy Provost Marshal 13th District Pa. 
 
 Per W. H. Abbott, Agent. 
 
 CERTFICATE. 
 
 I, William Silver, late Deputy Provost Marshall of the 13th 
 District of Pennsylvania do hereby certify on honor, that Mr. 
 Alexander Hess, within named, in pursuance of the annexed no- 
 tice, did report at Bloomsburg, to the Board of Examiners, on the 
 25th day of January A. D. 1865, and that upon examination he 
 was discharged by the Board on account of physical disability — 
 Rupture. Witness my hand this 25th day of February A. D. 
 1867. 
 
 WILLIAM SILVER, 
 Late Deputy Provost Marshal. 
 
 Case of Rev. A. R. Rutan: — On the 81st day of August 1864, 
 this gentleman was arrested by three soldiers at his residence in 
 the lower end of Luzerne county and brought across the county 
 line, about ten o'clock at night, to the camp near Benton. The 
 day following he was taken by Lt. Col. Stewart before Gen. Cad- 
 wallader who, perceiving no reason for holding him, discharged 
 him upon parole to a}ipear when called for, and he returnt d home. 
 He was not wanted or called for U7itil the flight before the October 
 election, when six drunken soldiers arrested him again at his resi- 
 dence and hurried him across the county line to the camp near 
 Coleman's. This was late in the night and the arrest was made 
 in a rude and threatening manner to the great disturbance and 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA GOUNiy. 409 
 
 alarm of a quiet family. A man named Steele was compelled to 
 drive Mr. Rutan's team to the camp. Mr. Rutan was kept at the 
 camp two days and nights, sleeping on the ground, and was then 
 sent to Harrisburg by way of Bloomsburg, under guard. Thu^ 
 an additional voter was silenced at the October election. The 44 
 electors of this county, first arrested, were meantime securely held 
 in custody at Fort Mifflin (save one who died a prisoner,) and a 
 number of citizens (some of whose cases will be mentioned here- 
 after) were also arrested on the day of election, or just before, 
 and withheld from the polls. 
 
 Mr. llutan confessedly had broken no law, nor had he interpos- 
 ed any act of resistance to the prosecution of the war. He was a 
 man well advanced in years and not liable to military duty or to mili- 
 tary jurisdiction and he was a peaceful and inoffensive citizen. But 
 these circumstances counted as nothing in his favor when the grasp 
 of military power instigated by political hostility was upon him and 
 he was compelled to pass the ordeal of an unlawful military com- 
 mission. They were "as dust in the balance" against the fact 
 that he was a Democrat, that he had been active or at least em- 
 phatic in his condemnation of the party in power, and that his ar- 
 rest and conviction for some pretended offense might intimidate 
 the people of his section and weaken the friends of honest govern- 
 ment and Constitutional rule. He was arrested three times and 
 at last convicted on a sham trial and sentenced to imprisonment, 
 from which he was subsequently discharged upon the urgent re- 
 monstrance of influential men of both parties, and permitted to re- 
 turn to his home. 
 
 When he was first taken to Harrisburg, at the time already 
 mentioned, a fellow named Wessels was playing Judge Advocate 
 before ihe Military Commission and industriously engaged in 
 "making up a case" against Columbia county prisoners. He con- 
 ceived the idea of using Mr. Rutan for his purpose, and the latter 
 was approached with suggestions that he "should tell all he knew", 
 (meaning something he did not know) "and be saved from all 
 fui'ther trouble." "He should be free at once and go harmless if 
 he would make a clean breast of it, etc., etc." These urgent invi- 
 tations to turn informer were received by Rutan with prudence ; 
 he restrained his indignation, and Wessels supposed he had pro- 
 duced the desired impression upon him and could coerce him into 
 
410 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 performing the wicked work proposed. Ke therefore paroled him 
 to go home, upon condition that he should write out "all he knew 
 about a meeting near Benton'' at which a man named Headley or 
 Hadley spoke, and transmit the narrative to Harrisburg. This 
 Mr. Rutan could very honorably and safely promise to do, for the 
 meeting in question was perfectly innocent and harmless (as was 
 shown upon subsequent investigation,) and a truthful statement 
 concerning it could do no possible harm. It had been held more 
 than a year and a half before and had no connection whatever 
 with the Military Incursion or with the events which immediately 
 preceded it. 
 
 Mr. Rutan returned home, but as he knew perfectly well that 
 what Wessels wanted was not the truth, but falsehood concerning 
 the Hadley meeting, and to fix and use him as a witness upon the 
 Columbia county trials, and that the transmission of his true 
 statement would probably result in his being again arrested, he 
 hesitated a short time in performing his promise. During this 
 hesitation he was approached by a self styled government runner, 
 who for a valuable consideration, agreed that he "would clear him 
 of all, and there would be no more arrests made on him, and there 
 would be no more soldiers troubling his family by coming after 
 him." This contract for peace and quiet was executed in part, 
 when Mr. Rutan was arrested for the third time by soldiers, in the 
 night time, and hurried off to Harrisburg. It seems that Wessels 
 had become impatient, as he was in pressing need of testimony, 
 and had ordered Mr. Rutan to be seized and sent to him that he 
 might be subjected to direct and thorough manipulation. And he 
 was put under strong pressure to extort from him confessions or 
 statements which could be used upon the trials of the other pris- 
 oners, and justify their seizure and imprisonment. It was thought 
 that his age, standing, and clerical character would give impor- 
 tance and influence to whatever testimony, true or false, could be 
 obtained from him. Mr. Rutan in mild language informs us, that 
 he "was interrogated upon the disloyalty of different men of whom 
 he knew nothing wrong,'' until the experiment was abandoned as 
 hopeless. He was given up as incorrigible. The pumping and 
 threatening process being in his case a complete failure, because 
 he knew of nothing wrong and would not falsify, nothing was left 
 to the military power but to punish him for his contumacy. He 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 411 
 
 was thrust into prison among deserters and bounty-jumpers, and 
 kept there until about the last of November when, as he expresses 
 it, ''he had some kind of a trial," — that is, he had a summary, im- 
 perfect, unfair and hostile hearing before a Military Commission, 
 and was subjected to an unjust, unlawful, cruel and infamous 
 sentence. He had offended the Judge Advocate and other mana- 
 gers of persecution very deeply ; had disappointed their hopes ; 
 had refused to become a false witness and rogue at their bidding. 
 As he would not become their instrument, he was made their vic- 
 tim, and was taught that vengeance will not linger when lawless 
 power is offended by the scruples or integrity of the citizen. 
 
 The hopes entertained of making him a witness and the disap- 
 pointment felt at his delay in making report, are indicated by the 
 following extract from one of the radical sensation newspapers 
 of that time — the JPhiladelphia Inquirer. It said, speaking of 
 the Columbia county prisoners : — 
 
 "One named Reutant," (Kutan) "a preacher, manifested much 
 concern in regard to his ilock, and begged to be permitted to fill 
 the vacated pulpit. The commission consented, on condition that 
 he would, when he got home, write a full account and confession 
 of all he knew in connection with these conspiracies. To this 
 Reutant (Rutaij) "expressed himself willing to comply, and he 
 was accordingly paroled, but he has not since been heard from, as 
 promised."' 
 
 Upon the (so-called) trial of Mr. Rutan, we believe the Hadley 
 meeting was not insisted upon as a disloyal assemblage and the 
 participants therein as criminal, although it was with reference to 
 it that Mr. R. was originally examined with great strictness and 
 directed to make up a statement. The pretense that it was crimi- 
 nal or disloyal had in the meantime been completely exploded 
 upon the trial of other prisoners and could no longer be set up. 
 But other pretexts for his conviction were found. It was charged 
 that he had attended one or more political Club meetings in Lu- 
 zerne county, the most remarkable feature of which was, that 
 like those of the "Loyal Leagues' they were held in secret. He 
 was also charged with having made disloyal declarations on sev- 
 eral occasions in discourse or conversation. The main declaration 
 insisted upon however, was neither proved nor credible. It con- 
 sisted of violent and profane language, which no sensible man 
 
412 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 ever believed he uttered, and the witness to prove it, was flatly 
 impeached as unworthy of belief, and that too even by republi- 
 can witnesses. A balder case for merely censuring a man was 
 never made out, and there could be no pretense even that a crimi- 
 nal offense had been committed. 
 
 Such hoveever was the case upon which Mr. Rutan was con- 
 victed and sentenced to a severe imprisonment which was only 
 terminated by the interference of the President of the United 
 States. Altogether he was subjected to great hardship and suf- 
 fering ; his crops were lost ; his business broken up, and his fam- 
 ily harassed and humiliated. 
 
 Case of David Lewis : — Mr. Lewis, a leading citizen and rep- 
 utable gentleman of Sugarloaf township, was taken out of his bed 
 at 11 o'clock at night of the day before the State election of 1864, 
 by soldiers, and compelled to go with them to the military camp 
 at Coleman's, six miles distant. He was kept there without ex- 
 amination over election day and until 11 o'clock on the day fol- 
 lowing, when Capt. Short who was, in command at the camp, ex- 
 amined and discharged him. There was no pretense that he had 
 committed any criminal offense, and the questions asked him were 
 only appropriate to him in the character of a witness. Mr. Lewis 
 was fifty-three years of age, and would at any time have attended, 
 upon request, at the camp or elsewhere in the neighborhood, to 
 answer interrogatories. Of course he was arrested simply to pre- 
 vent him from polling his vote at the Sugarloaf election, and after 
 that object was accomplished he was permitted to go home and 
 never further called in question. 
 
 Mr. Lewis made the following statement in regard to the mat- 
 ter : "I reside in Sugarloaf township, Columbia county. On Mon- 
 day night, October 10, (the night before the election.) soldiers 
 came to my house and arrested me. It was about 11 o'clock, and 
 I had been some time in bed and asleep. There were two soldiers 
 at the house. A third one was in the road, having in charge Eze- 
 kiel Cole, who had been arrested at his house a mile distant, and 
 from his bed as he informeil me. I was taken with Cole to the 
 camp below Benton, on the Coleman farm, about six miles, arriv- 
 ing there shortly after midnight. I was there put under guard 
 and kept until Wednesday without any examination or informa- 
 
HISTOEY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 413 
 
 tion as to tiie cause of arrest. About an hour after Cole and I ar- 
 rived in camp, Rev. Mr. Rutan was brought in, (probably between 
 one and two o'clock,) and on Tuesday morning Daniel B. Hart- 
 man, one of the election board of Benton township, was brought 
 in. Neither I nor any of the others were drafted men. I am 53 
 years of age, the others are about the same age, except Hartman, 
 who is a cripple. 
 
 On Wednesday morning Cole was called up, and after some 
 questions asked him, was discharged. I was called up about 11 
 o'clock and asked several questions by Capt. Short, which I an- 
 swered. He then consulted with a man named Pealer — commonly 
 called "Professor Pealer" — for a few moments, and then told me 
 I was dismissed for the present. He ordered the guard to let me 
 go. I told him I would have thanked him kindly if he had called 
 me up the day before and asked me those questions. He said he 
 could not attend to it. Hartman had been examined the day be- 
 fore and released. 
 
 Rutan, Cole and myself, were legal voters, and we were depriv- 
 ed of our votes by these night arrests and by being kept in cus- 
 tody over election day. We had all, as well as Hartman, been 
 living openly at our homes for some time before. 
 
 I would have answered all the questions put to me by Capt. 
 Short, at any time, without hesitation, and would have attended 
 for that purpose at the camp or any other place in the neighbor- 
 hood, upon reasonable notice. 
 
 Nov. nth, 1864. David Lewis. 
 
 Case of Ezekiel Cole : — Mr. Cole was also a citizen of Sugar- 
 loaf township, of rejiutable standing, not liable to military duty 
 nor charged with any offense. He likewise was seized the night 
 before the election by soldiers, taken seven miles to the Coleman 
 camp, kept over election day and discharged the morning after- 
 wards. The form of putting a few questions to him was gone 
 through with, and he was told he might go home. In his case 
 also a lawful voter was silenced, and the election return of Sugar- 
 loaf township slightly improved for the radical party. 
 
 Case of Daniel JB. Hartman : — This gentleman who was a 
 cripple and one of the election officers of Benton township, was 
 
414 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY 
 
 seized on election morning at the place of voting and hurried off 
 to the camp several miles distant. This was one of the acts in- 
 tended to intimidate voters and keep them away from the polls. 
 Mr. H. was, however, discharged some time during the same day 
 and permitted to go home as he best could. There was no reason 
 at all for his arrest except the political one above mentioned. 
 
 Case of Thomas Downs : — Thomas Downs was an elector of 
 Bloom township in 1864, a son-in-law to Michael Casey, an old 
 and well-known citizen, and had been a soldier in service in the 
 war. He enlisted in May 1 861 and served a year and a half when 
 he was taken prisoner. He was subsequently paroled and report- 
 ed himself to our military authorities at Annapolis by whom he 
 was directed to go home and remain there until called for. He 
 never received any notice that he was exchanged nor any infor- 
 mation that renewed service under his enlistment was required. 
 In the Slimmer of 1864, however, he was drafted under the con- 
 scription law, reported himself in a proper manner, paid 300 dol- 
 lars commutation money, and was discharged from the draft. He 
 had been openly at Bloomsburg many months before the general 
 election in 1864, when, upon going to the place of election and 
 approaching the polls, ticket in hand, he was seized, pulled away 
 and taken into custody by soldiers of the Deputy Provost Mar- 
 shal's guard. He was held by them very carefully, permitted to 
 to go home for his dinner, but not permitted to approach the 
 Court House where the election was held, and was subsequently 
 forwarded as an arrested soldier to Georgetown in the District of 
 Columbia. This arrest on election day was a great administration 
 triumph. Another vote was gained, or rather another voter was 
 silenced, and for the time Capt. Silver and his soldiers were in 
 high credit. 
 
 The editor of TTie Columbian became fully acquainted with 
 the facts of Mr. Down's case subsequently, and upon his energetic 
 remonstrance to the Provost Marshal General regarding the hard- 
 ship of his case, the injustice done him, and the positive illegality 
 of holding him to double service — that is, under his enlistment 
 and under the draft — secured the refunding to his wife of the 
 $300 commutation paid by him. This was accomplished after 
 some expense and much trouble, in June 1865. 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 415 
 
 We will only add, that Mr. Downs complains that his certifi- 
 cate of discharge from the draft was taken from him, or stolen 
 from him, at Georgetown, whereby he was prevented from produc- 
 ing it upon his trial. 
 
 Case of Daniel H. Fry : — Mr. Daniel H. I'ry of Main town- 
 ship was not in accord in his political views with the administra- 
 tion at Washington. His case required attention and he was 
 waited upon the day before the election (Monday, October 10th, 
 1864,) by soldiers, and arrested by them. Mr. Fry stared upon 
 his captors and inquired the cause of his arrest. They told him 
 he was a deserter, which statement put Mr. Fry into a state of 
 complete bewilderment. He protested he could not understand 
 the accusation ; that he had never been in military service even at 
 a militia training, much less in a regular force ; that he had never 
 enlisted or been drafted for the war, nor had he been informed in 
 any manner that his military abilities were required by the Gov- 
 ernment. The answer to all his protestations was, that "orders 
 must be executed," and he was brought forthwith across the Sus- 
 quehanna to Bloomsburg and presently found himself thrust like 
 a felon into the county jail. The thick jail door closed behind 
 him and its iron chain was hooked securely. All this was quite a 
 new experience to Mr. Fry, the idea even of going to jail never 
 having before entered his mind, but he summoned his courage 
 and recollecting that his friend Mr. Michael F. Eyerly resided 
 hereabouts, he sent for him, opened to him his situation and re- 
 quested his friendly aid. Mr. Eyerly was skilled in the German 
 language, had some inkling of the law, and naturally sympathized 
 with Mr. F. in his "pursuit of knowledge under difliculties.'' His 
 selection as adviser and friend was therefore judicious. It hap- 
 pened also that the elder Fry had followed the younger to Blooms- 
 burg, and that he likewise was inquisitive as to the 6ause of his 
 son's arrest. He had brought him up "to the best of his knowl- 
 edge and belief" in a proper manner, and was astonished and 
 grieved to find not only that he was the inmate of a public jail 
 but that he had concealed his iniquity (whatever it might be) 
 from parental inspection and reproof. 
 
 Mr. Eyerly and Mr. Fry Sr., prosecuted their researches for 
 some time without result. The arrest continued a profound mys- 
 
416 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 tery to client, counsel, parent and public. But at length Capt, 
 Silver opened a little the road of investigation, for he was found 
 competent not only to execute the law but to expound it also. 
 His exposition was to the following purport : — 'True it was,' he 
 said, 'that Daniel H. Fry had not been in fact drafted into the 
 military service or notified to appeal', but he ought to have been ; 
 that Daniel Fry, the father, had been drawn in the draft, had 
 been notified to appear and had duly reported himself to the 
 Board of Enrolment, but this was all a mistake; the proceeding 
 ought to have been upon Daniel H. Fry, therefore the latter had 
 been seized as a deserter !' He might have added, like another 
 Dogberry, that though this was not ^crowner quest law' it was 
 good Provost Marshal law, which had become to all intents and 
 purposes, '"the law of the land.'' 
 
 His explanation not being satisfactory, aflidavits of the facts 
 were at once prepared and sworn to, and application made to the 
 Dep. Prov. Marshal to discharge Mr. Fry, parole him, to take 
 bail for his appearance, etc., but all to no purpose. He was held 
 in confinement beyond election-day, when upon orders from the 
 military authorities at Harrisburg, he was discharged upon the 
 ground that his arrest was illegal, unauthorized, and improper. 
 AVe will add, that it was clearly outrageous and criminal also, 
 and that the sole motive for making it was to deprive Mr. Fry of 
 his vote and to afilect the result of the election. Considering the 
 time when the arrest was made and the circumstances which at- 
 tended and followed it, this conclusion is inevitable. And the 
 pretext put forward for his ai-rest is too absurd and prejDOSterous 
 to merit the slightest attention. It merits only contempt. 
 
 Cases of Holter and. Heller: — On Saturday October 8, 1864, 
 (three days before the State election,) Daniel Holter a citizen of 
 Hemlock towtiship was arrested by soldiers under the orders of 
 the Deputy Provost Marshal, and was brought by them to Blooms- 
 burg and lodged in the county jail. On Monday following Wm. 
 H. Heller, another citizen of Hemlock township was arrested by 
 the same authority and was also lodged in the jail. He was 
 promised hearing or examination of his case on Monday and again 
 on Tuesday morning, but none was given him. In fact both the 
 prisoners were committed to prison without any warrant or other 
 
HISTOR T OF COL UMBIA CO UNTY. 417 
 
 written authority, or cause shown, and no hearing or examination 
 of their cases was permitted up to the afternoon of election day 
 when the events to be presently mentioned took place. That they 
 were unlawfully arrested and for the express purpose of depriving 
 them of their votes at the election, is most unquestionable. 
 
 Holter and Heller secured their votes in the manner we shall 
 describe, but were hurried off to Harrisburg on election night and 
 held there in confinement for two days. But when their cases 
 were examined by the military authorities there, they were 
 promptly and honorably discharged aud returned to their homes. 
 There being no cause or even a reasonable pretense for their ar- 
 rest, they could not be held in custody nor their persecution con- 
 tinued. The high-handed, outrageous and shameless proceedings 
 against them came to an inglorious conclusion. 
 
 C<ise of Sheriff Furman and Hobert C. Fruit : — Holter and 
 Heller (of whom we have just spoken) being in the custody of 
 the Sheriff on election day, it was believed that their votes were 
 silenced or prevented and that a certain radical gain was secured. 
 The fact was the subject of conversation in the town and of evi- 
 dent exultation with the radical leaders. It was so good a thing 
 to have power on their side ; to have an accommodating Deputy 
 Provost Marshal with a guard of soldiers under his hand, acting 
 in concert with the troops in the county, to pick up voters and 
 keep them away from the polls ! After a time the rights of Hol- 
 ter and Heller as voters came into consideration among their po- 
 litical friends, and the Sheriff consulted Senator Buckalew on the 
 subject. The latter promptly advised him that Holter and Heller 
 had been unlawfully and improperly arrested ; that they were not 
 liable at all to be arrested by the military authorities of the United 
 States, never having been mustered into the Federal service nor 
 drafted under United States laws ; that there was no law, State 
 or Federal, which required or authorized him (the Sheriff) to re- 
 ceive drafted men or deserters, or those claimed to be such, into 
 the county prison, or to hold them there in custody for one mo- 
 ment ; and that what he (the Sheriff) had already done and mig)xt 
 thereafter do in the matter of receiving and holding such men in 
 charge, was and would be entirely voluntary and upon his own 
 responsibility without any obligation of law. These views were 
 
418 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 afterwards fully sustained by the militaiy authorities at Harris- 
 burg and by Gov. Curtin and his Secretary and Attorney General. 
 The Sheriff was further advised that his relations to the Deputy 
 Provost Marshal in the matter, (putting the legal question aside,) 
 were simply those of comity ; that having received the men to 
 ■accommodate the Deputy Provost Marshal and holding them for 
 that reason alone, good faith could only require that he should 
 not permit their escape, but should deliver them up to the Deputy 
 Provost Marshal when called for. In the meantime he could per- 
 mit them to vote in their proper election district without any vio- 
 lation of faith or of duty. Further, that it was evident that Hol- 
 ter and Heller had been arrested and put in his charge not only 
 without lawful cause, but for the express purpose of depriving 
 them of their rights as electors, and that to this fraudulent and 
 unlawful enterprise he (the Sheriff) would become a party by 
 keeping them away from the polls. This, as nearly as we can as- 
 certain, was the advice received by Sheriff Furraan and he acted 
 upon it promptly. A carriage was procured, Mr. Robert C. Fruit 
 {Clerk to the County Commissioners) volunteered as an aid to the 
 Sheriff, and the men were driven from the jail by way of Iron 
 street and the mouth of Little Fishing Creek to the Hemlock elec- 
 tion polls, four miles distant, where they gave their votes. Thus 
 the shameful fraud intended by their arrest was defeated. All 
 honor to Josiah H. Furman and to the men concerned with him 
 in executing this act of evident justice ! They preserved the law 
 from violation, securing to two of .their fellow-citizens their un- 
 ■doubted rights and defied the rage and vengeance of power! 
 Their action was legal, laudable, bold and timely, met the neces- 
 sities of the case in exactly the proper manner, and deserves to 
 be held in lasting remembrance. 
 
 But the Sheriff and his assistant did not escape punishment for 
 their upright conduct. When, in the course of the afternoon, the 
 fact transpired that they had taken Holter and Heller to Buck 
 Horn to enable them to vote, radical excitement and indignation 
 became intense. To have the fruits of rascality snatched from 
 their mouths in the very hour of sweet enjoyment was intolerable 
 and a desire for full vengeance filled every breast. The dignity 
 also of Mr. Deputy Provost Marshal Silver had been touched at a 
 lender point and required signal vindication. Therefore, a squad 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 419 
 
 of soldiers of Capt. Silver's guard was sent in pursuit of the Sher- 
 iff and his companions with orders to arrest them and bring them 
 to the Captain's Head Quarters in the Exchange Block or Biggs' 
 Buildings. This order was executed with as much of speed as 
 possible, but almost too late to take the arrested parties flagrante 
 delicto. For the Sheriff and his assistant with Holter and Heller 
 in charge were within 500 yards of the jail, on their return, when 
 the soldiers met and arrested them. They were all — ^the whole 
 party — ^put in strict confinement and held behind bayonets and 
 barred doors during the remainder of the day, with imperfect ac- 
 cess of friends and with no knowledge of the treatment or fate 
 for which they were reserved. That there was no popular out- 
 break upon that occasion ; that the arrested men and their friends 
 and the people generally submitted to this open and insolent out- 
 rage upon the laws — this most flagrant invasion of private right 
 and of the principles of liberty — furnished high evidence not only 
 of their peaceful disposition but of their determination to give no 
 color of justification to the slanders of their enemies. In fact, 
 during the whole latter half of 1864 while arrests wholly unjusti- 
 fiable were being made in various parts of our county and circum- 
 stances well calculated to excite indignation and turbulence were 
 continually occurring, our people everywhere remained peaceful 
 and law-abiding. Under great and continued provocation they 
 firmly kept the peace and by their conduct gave the most effectual 
 contradiction possible to those miscreants both at home and abroad 
 who defamed them. By uubroken patience and by upright con_ 
 duct they proved beyond all dispute that the charge of insurrec- 
 tion by them, or of an insurrectionary spirit among them, was a 
 base and utter falsehood, fit only for denunciation or contempt. 
 
 Sheriff Furman and the others above named, were arrested 
 about four o'clock in the afternoon. They were sent in the eve- 
 ning of the same day, under guard, to Harrisburg, where they ar- 
 rived a little after midnight. They were then thrust into a room 
 in the third story of a building used by the Provost Marshal, 
 among negroes, bounty jumpers, deserters and other vile scum of 
 the army. There they were kept that night and Wednesday and 
 Wednesday night, but by reason of the active exertions of their 
 friends on Thursday, they were graciously allowed quarters in the 
 County Penitentiary. 
 
420 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Discharge of Sheriff Furman and others: — It will be obsenred 
 by our narrative, (carried already to the point of time when Sher- 
 iff Furman and Mr. Fruit were furnished quarters in the Dauphin 
 county Penitentiary,) that two important offices in our county 
 were virtually suspended and the transaction of public business 
 interrupted. The Sheriff was withdrawn from his office and ftom 
 the charge of the County prison, as was Mr. Fruit from the office 
 of the County Commissioners, whose business was confided to him 
 as Clerk between the meetings of the Board. Public interests 
 therefore, as well as private rights, were assailed in the election 
 day arrests which we have described. It will also be observed 
 that the Courts of Justice were wholly ignored in the proceeding 
 and treated with open contempt. Judge Elwell, it may well be 
 assumed, had a proper interest in the uninterrupted performance 
 of duty by the Sheriff — the principal officer of his Court — as well 
 as in the maintenance and due administration within his judicial 
 district, of those general laws of the State which guarantee and 
 protect the liberty of the citizen. But no opportunity was sought 
 or permitted of bringing the arrested men before him for examina- 
 tion ; in fact they were hurried off to Hai-risburg to avoid due in- 
 quiry and judicial action by him, which it was well known must 
 condemn the arrests and restore the arrested men to liberty. Nor 
 was any greater respect paid to the District Court of the United 
 States having jurisdiction in this county (to which any offender 
 against the laws of the United States might have been sent in 
 due course of law) than was paid to our State Court. Military 
 power, when it assumes despotic functions, avoids and hates the 
 Civil Courts as much as the Devil is said to avoid and detest holy 
 water, and never willingly submits to their jurisdiction and cen- 
 sure; lawless itself, it hates all regular justice and the tribunals by 
 which that justice is administered. 
 
 But we will proceed to trace the progress of those events at 
 Harrisburg which affected Sheriff Furman and his fellow victims. 
 And in doing so we shall avail ourselves of papers and memor- 
 anda which were made at the time when the events occurred (and 
 now furnished us) as well as of personal information concerning 
 unwritten facts which we have been able to procure from reliable 
 sources. Fortunately, at the time in question and at other times 
 subsequently, a member of our bar was in attendance at Harris- 
 
SISTOJtY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY 421 
 
 burg as one of the counsel for the Columbia county prisoners first 
 arrested, and was in a situation to obtain full and accurate infor- 
 mation of all that took place there. To him and to the other 
 counsel (members of the Harrisburg bar) who were engaged in 
 the defense of our people before the Military Commission, we are 
 largely indebted for documents and for details of fact upon the 
 Bubject of the military inroad and occupation, 
 
 Passing over intervening time we will come to the occurrences 
 of Thursday October 13th 1864. Early in that day Mr. Bucka- 
 Ifiw (who had arrived at Harrisburg) visited the secretary of the 
 Commonwealth (Mr. Slifer) and opened up to him the matter of 
 the arrests. Subsequently by appointment he had an interview 
 in the Executive Building with Gov. Curtin, Secretary Slifer and 
 Mr. Meredith, the Attorney General. The whole subject was con- 
 sidered and a common opinion entertained and expressed that the 
 arrests were improper and unlawful. Gov. Curtin, however, upon 
 being appealed to as the Chief Magistrate of the State (and as 
 such bound to see that the laws were faithfully executed, and that 
 his subordinate state officials received due protection) declared 
 that he could do nothing with Capt. Dodge (the little military 
 satrap who held command at Harrisburg at the time;) that Dodge 
 had treated his Secretary in an insulting manner upon a recent 
 occasion when a proper interposition on behalf of a citizen was 
 attempted ; but that he would telegraph a statement of the case 
 to Mr. Stanton, Secretary of War,and ask for him an order of dis- 
 charge. This plan of proceeding involving delay and an uncer- 
 tain issue, Mr. Buckalew said he would himself confront the terri- 
 ble Dodge and endeavor to obtain from him what was desired. 
 Pursuing this design he went to the court house and found 
 Dodge, cap in hand, about to leave his office and apparently not 
 at all inclined to a protracted interview or to any patient atten- 
 tion to business. We have had the scene which ensued described 
 to us, but can hardly hope to succeed in representing it by writ- 
 ten language. Dodge wanted to be off ; the Senator insisted on 
 being heard, and there was a hearing and conversation pretty 
 much after the following fashion : 
 
 Dodge : "That was a pretty bold proceeding by the Sheriif, to 
 carry off our prisoners." 
 
422 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Senator : "No law was broken and it was just. Besides, there 
 was no escape." 
 
 Dodge: "They were in custody and it was the duty of the 
 Sheriff to keep them in prison until called tor. You say you ad- 
 vised this f 
 
 Senator: "Certainly I did ; the men had a right to vote. The 
 Sheriff was not bound to take them or keep them in charge at aU. 
 His act in receiving them was voluntary and you have no jurisdic- 
 tion over him.'' 
 
 Dodge: "His conduct was not respectful to us. They were our 
 prisoners.'' 
 
 Senator: "It is not your business to manage elections or take 
 offense when men give lawful votes. Why should these men be 
 disfranchised? You could complain of the Sheriff only in case he 
 refused to return your prisoners when you wanted them. Now 
 Major — I believe you are a Major? — " 
 
 Dodge {becoming interested): "Well, I'm not sure ; I was nom- 
 inated but I believe not confirmed at the last session." 
 
 Senator: "Yes, I think I remember the case. No doubt it wiU 
 come up again next winter.'' 
 
 About this time the Major (in prospect) underwent a complete 
 transformation in demeanor and speech. He had been standing, 
 half impatient, ready to leave. But the sudden reflection that the 
 man before him would have a vote in the Senate upon his confir- 
 mation to a higher rank in the army, worked like a charm. He 
 passed back across the room, put down his military cap, placed 
 himself at his writing-table, politely invited his visitor to take a 
 chair, and resumed the conversation : 
 
 Dodge {very kindly): "Well, what do you want done ?" 
 
 Senator: "An order to discharge the Sheriff and his assistant.'' 
 
 No sooner said than done — the order was written and handed 
 over. Dodge then rose from his chair all benignity, radiant with 
 satisfaction at a good action performed. In fact, at that moment, 
 Dodge felt at peace with the whole world — felt a benevolent in- 
 terest in the welfare of all his fellow-creatures — felt or imagined 
 he felt, already, the gentle pressure of a Major's straps upon his 
 shoulders ! He was a happy man and quite open to any appeal 
 of benevolence or of duty. The occasion was improved in the in- 
 terests of justice. Dodge was reminded that he had the Hemlock 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 423 
 
 voters (Holter and Heller) also under his hand ; that they were 
 unlawfully held and should also be discharged. He promptly took 
 back his order and underwrote upon it what was desired. That 
 document in its final form was as follows : 
 dodge's order. 
 
 "Capt. Opdyke will release the Sheriff of Columbia county and 
 his assistant, confined on charges preferred by Cap. Silvers. 
 
 These m^en will hold themselves subject to any order which may 
 in future be received from the recorder of the Military Commis. 
 sion in session here. 
 
 Richard J. Dodge, 
 
 Capt. Dept. Com'dg. 
 
 Mr. Buckalew states, that the two men arrested as deserters are 
 delinquent drafted men from the draft of 1862. If so, they are 
 not liable to arrest as deserters. R. J. D." 
 
 The above paper being produced to Capt. Opdyke, who was, 
 we believe, a Deputy Provost Marshal and was playing prison- 
 keeper. Sheriff Furman, Mr. R. C. Fruit, Daniel Holter and Wm. 
 H. Heller were all promptly brought up and discharged. They 
 left in the night train and arrived at Bloomsburg, Friday morn_ 
 ing, October 14. Here they were met at the depot by a con- 
 course of citizens and welcomed home with cheers and rejoicing. 
 
 THE COUCH CORRESPONDENCE. 
 
 Senator Buckalew to General Couch. 
 
 Bloomsburg, Sept. 26, 1864. 
 Major General B. N. Couch, Chamber shurg, Pa. 
 
 Dear Sir :■ — ^I have refrained from writing you on the subject 
 of the arrests of citizens of this county, in the confident expecta- 
 tion that they, or the greater part of them, would be discharged 
 and permitted to return to their homes. Most of 'these persons 
 are men of fair character and respectable position ; some of them 
 are aged men accustomed to active employments, upon whom im- 
 prisonment is peculiarly severe, and as to all of them, their fami- 
 lies and business suffer by their absence. And surely the offences 
 with which they are charged can be neither grave nor dangerous, 
 when they are not announced or recognized in the community 
 from which they are taken. Only conjecture or suspicion can be 
 exercised upon their cases even by those least friendly to them. 
 
424 MISTOBY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 I do not doubt that the charges upon which the arrests were or- 
 dered arose in some degree from a disordered state or condition of 
 mind in their accusers, who were carried away by an impression 
 of combination and armed resistance to the laws in the Fishing 
 Creek townships. Upon inquiry made by me since my return 
 from Washington in July, and particularly since our interview in 
 August, I have obtained information which enables me to speak 
 confidently upon this subject. And I have to say, that there has 
 not been a time during the present year when a Sheriff, Marshal, 
 or other executive officer, could not have executed peaceably any 
 warrant or writ whatever in this county ; that there have been 
 no fortifications or military positions prepared or occupied by in- 
 surgents, nor any intention of establishing them ; that there has 
 been no large number of men assembled in arms to resist the 
 conscription, as was reported ; that no cannon or other arms were 
 obtained for a position on the North Mountain ; that neither de- 
 serters from abroad nor refugees from Canada came to the assis- 
 tance of the so-called "insurgents,"' and, in short, that the reports 
 sent abroad of insurrection in this county, (and probably also the 
 statements sent to Washington as to the foregoing particulars,) 
 were quite groundless and false. Gen. Cadwallader's researches 
 upon the upper waters of Fishingcreek and on the North Moun- 
 tain I believe were thorough, and should be held as satisfactory 
 by the public authorities. To the President Judge of this dis- 
 trict and to me, he characterized the alleged erection of works of 
 resistance and the assembling of men in arms to resist the Govern- 
 ment, as a "farce.'' But the arrests in question were ordered 
 and actually made before the North Mountain was scaled and be- 
 fore the imposture which had misled men abroad, was fully explo- 
 ded. Had the truth been known in the outset, I conclude I would 
 have been spai-ed the composition of this letter and you the trouble 
 of perusing it. 
 
 But while the imposture of "the Fishingcreek rebellion" remain- 
 ed undetected — before the advance of Gen. Cadwallader upon the 
 forests of Sullivan — forty-four of our citizens were taken into cus- 
 tody and transported to Fort Mifflin, where forty-three yet remain. 
 With a single possible exception, none of them were deserters or 
 drafted men. They were farmers and business men, having no 
 connection with the military service of the United States and 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 425 
 
 many of them above the age of forty-five years. Neither they 
 nor their friends were distinctly informed of the charges against 
 them, nor has the privilege of giving bail for their appearance to 
 answer, been permitted them. And their accusers are still un- 
 known as well as the authority by which they were arrested. I 
 hear it said recently, that their arrest was under an order from 
 the Provost Marshal General at Washington, in which case you 
 are not responsible for the order, but only for its execution. 
 
 These men, thus arrested, have been confined in prison nearly 
 one month, in an imperfectly ventilated bomb-proof of a Govern- 
 ment Fort, subjected to vermin and other hardships, and even if 
 it can be shown that they have been guilty, to some extent, of im- 
 prudent or criminal speech or action, they have undergone enough 
 to satisfy the demands not only of justice but of vengeance. Be- 
 sides, two of them are officers of the county (the one a Commis- 
 sioner an^ the other Treasurer) whose attention at home to public 
 business is necessary. I therefore now make application for their 
 discharge without further proceedings or delay, as a measure of 
 justice and humanity, warranted by the facts and demanded by 
 public opinion in this section. 
 
 I shall not. General, submit to you any observation upon the 
 illegality of these arrests, nor upon the propriety of turning these 
 men over for trial (if they are to be tried at all) to the proper 
 court of the United States which holds regular terms in an ad- 
 joining county (at Williamsport.) It is sufficient for my present 
 purpose to say, that the arrests were unnecessary ; that no such 
 formidable combination of men to resist the laws as was alleged 
 had any existence ; and that these men have undergone already 
 severe and prolonged imprisonment. I suppose no advocate of 
 military arrests of citizens in States untouched by actual war, will 
 pretend they should be made except in eases of utmost urgency, 
 nor that punishment in such cases should degenerate into persecu- 
 tion. 
 
 I must add some remarks upon the subject of keeping troops 
 here. This county has a population of 30,000 and no more peace- 
 ful, law-abiding district is to be found in the United States. For 
 many years the quarterly terms of our County Courts have not 
 had an average duration of four days. The introduction of a 
 large armed force here was not therefore provoked by the general 
 
426 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 character of our people, but must have been occasioned by the 
 particular falsehoods already mentioned and which have been fully 
 exposed. With their exposure the reason for an armed force of 
 occupation wholly failed and a part of that force has been with- 
 drawn. I shall hope you will find employment elsewhere for the 
 remainder, and if not, that you will give the officers in command 
 stringent orders against interfering with our elections, and par- 
 ticularly against placing troops at the places of election in con- 
 tempt of an ancient statute of this Commonwealth. 
 
 It remains only to notice in this communication, the two facts 
 which remain after freeing the case of "the Fishingcreek insur- 
 rection" from falsehood. . They are: 1st. That here, as elsewhere, 
 some drafted men had failed to report for duty ; and 2nd, That 
 there had been a small night affray in which a young man named 
 Robinson was wounded. I have to observe upon these points (to 
 which the case as originally stated has dwindled,) that for the ar- 
 rest of the offender in the affray, a single officer, or at most a 
 Constabulary force, was adequate; and that as to the drafted men 
 though they were probably impertinent and boastful, they were 
 not numerous nor formidable. I believe that in all military move- 
 ments there should be an employment of force clearly sufficient to 
 accomplish the purpose in view, but in the case of these men who 
 had failed to report, the advance of a single company of troops 
 would have had the same effect as the advance of an army, to-wit, 
 their dispersion or submission. 
 
 The men whose folly or malignity was exercised in creating the 
 spectre of the insurrection, and who have caused an unnecessary 
 and large outlay by the Government, (perhaps in all a -quarter of 
 a million of dollars,) are those upon whom the indignation of au- 
 thority should fall, rather than the men now in custody. In a 
 proper place and in due time, I shall probably conceive it to be 
 my duty to insist upon an investigation of this whole transaction, 
 to the end that the truth shall become known and just responsibil- 
 ity be placed where it belongs. 
 
 I am. General, respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 C. R. BUCKALEW. 
 
HI/STOBY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 427 
 
 Reply of General Couch. 
 
 Head Quarters, Dep't. of the Susquehanna;"! 
 Chambersburg, Pa., September 29, 1864. j 
 
 Hon. C. R. Buckalew, 
 
 United States Senator, 
 
 Bloomsburg, Pa.: 
 
 Dear Sir :— I have the honor to acknowledge receipt this day 
 of your note of the 26th. inst, in reference to the Citizen Prisoners 
 arrested in Columbia county, &c., &c. 
 
 The commission for their trial has been ordered and I had hop- 
 ed it would have been ready to take up their cases before this, 
 but there have been delays beyond my control, still everything is 
 being done that can be to expedite matters. 
 
 I went to the Fort on Saturday last for the purpose of seeing 
 myself how the prisoners fared, inspect their quarters and if nec- 
 essary order them to be removed to a more comfortable place of 
 confinement — there seemed to be no cause for complaint and 
 hence no change was made. 
 
 I fully agree with you that no fortifications were erected by 
 the ''insurgents," but General Cadwallader who made a close ex- 
 amination of the country is satisfied that they had one, and prob- 
 ably two pieces of artillery, that there was an organization to re- 
 sist the draft, the members of which were armed, and I have 
 other information to the same effect. 
 
 The men arrested are charged in general terms with resisting 
 the Draft, which covers the case of those who advised resistance, 
 procured arms, knowing they were for that purpose, or sold arms 
 for the same object. 
 
 The arrests were not to my knowledge, made by direction of 
 the Provost Marshal General, nor are the prisoners held to satisfy 
 vengeance, but to determine whether they are guilty of the great 
 crime of which they are charged, or not. 
 
 As regards the troops interfering with the elections, you and 
 your friends may rest assured that there will be no just cause for 
 complaint. 
 
 When assigned to the command of this Department, I was in- 
 structed by the Secretary of War, not to interfere with politics, 
 which being in accordance with my natural inclinations, has been 
 scrupulously carried out. 
 
428 HI&TOEY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 I cannot for one moment think that you believe troops are re- 
 tained in Columbia county to control the elections. 
 
 I was very glad to receive your letter, recollecting with pleas- 
 ure our interview in August last, and the assistance you extended 
 me at that time. 
 
 The subject has received my careful consideration and I hope 
 to be able to so conduct matters, that none but the guilty shall 
 suffer, and so soon as I can satisfy myself that any of the sus- 
 pected parties are only slightly involved in this treasonable move- 
 ment, it will be consistent with my duty to the Government to 
 order their conditional release. 
 
 I am Sir, very Respectfully, 
 
 Your obd't. Servant, 
 D. N. COUCH. 
 Major General Com'dg. Dep't- 
 
 A second letter to Gen. Couch. 
 
 Bloomsburg, October 11, 1864. 
 
 Tuesday Evening. 
 Gen. D. N. Couch, 
 
 Dear Sir : — I received in due course of mail your letter of 29th 
 September, and am duly sensible of your politeness in giving so 
 prompt an answer to my communication. I notice with satisfac- 
 tion your statement that you visited "I'ort Mifflin" and gave at- 
 tention to the treatment of our citizens confined there, as the fact 
 proves your possession of those feelings of humanity which do 
 honor to our common nature. I read also with satisfaction and 
 approval your observations upon non-interference with our elec- 
 tions by troops under your command or control, and particularly 
 your assurance to me and my friends (as you expressed yourself) 
 that we should have no cause for complaint in that particular. 
 These were good words and I have no disposition to think them 
 or to represent them as insincere. But, unfortunately, the pro- 
 ceedings of your subordinates have not been consistent with them. 
 
 Col. Albright, who came up to this county to collect evidence, 
 preparatory to the trial of our citizens at Hamsburg, did not con- 
 fine himself to that business. He went upon the stump in Blooms- 
 burg with the republican candidate for Congress, and made the first 
 political speech of the campaign. As represented to me it was a 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 429 
 
 very inflammatory Bpeechj and gave a most exaggerated and unfair 
 representation of the difficulties in this county. He professed to 
 speak from the official documents in his possession, and used his 
 position to inflame public passion against the men who were to be 
 tried and to render their prosecution useful for party purposes. 
 
 But I proceed to mention events more recent which deserve, as 
 I think, your particular attention. Some days since soldiers were 
 sent south of the river. I do not know what they have done 
 there, but a prisoner was forwarded here yesterday from Main 
 township and is still kept here. His case is as follows : His name 
 is the same as his father's except a middle initial letter. His 
 father's name was drawn in the draft; the father was notified, ap- 
 peared before the board of enrolment, and was exempted for legal 
 cause. It is now said, or pretended, that the son was really meant 
 and he, without any notice whatever, is seized and taken away 
 from his district, the day before the election and held here in spite 
 of full explanation ! No one can doubt the motive, and the effect 
 is precisely what was desired — ^the deduction of one vote from the 
 poll of Main township. 
 
 In Fishingcreek township, soldiers were stationed for the day 
 on the main road near the polls, obviously to watch the election. 
 
 In Benton township one of the election officers was arrested this 
 morning just before the polls were open, and carried off, the 
 others had been previously disposed of and the people found no 
 officers to act for them. Last night several men were jarrested in 
 the neighborhood and kept away from their places of voting. I 
 believe no one arrested was a drafted man. They were citizens, 
 and had been openly at their homes before. 
 
 Seven mounted men were met going toward the Sugarloaf polls 
 early in the day and they, or another squad, were reported later 
 in the day watching the road of approach beyond. 
 
 When the returns come in it will doubtless be found true that 
 light elections have been held in several districts, because many 
 citizens have been intimidated and deterred from attending the 
 polls, in addition to those who were taken away by actual arrest. 
 No cause for the arrests is known and no man can feel safe in at- 
 tending the election. Of course the intended effect is as certain 
 as the means of securing it are unscrupulous and disgraceful. 
 
 At the election here in Bloomsburg a man was arrested in go 
 
430 SISTORT OF COLUMBIA COUNTY 
 
 ing to vote ; soldiers appearing at the polls in violation of the 
 State law to which I referred you in my former letter. He was 
 kept in hand during the day, permitted to go home, for his dinner 
 but not to the polls. His case was one of doubtful dereliction 
 under a former enlistment which has expired. He has since 
 been enrolled and drafted under the U. S. laws, and I saw to day 
 his certificate of having paid commutation money. He has been 
 living here openly a year or more without question until now. 
 
 Two other men living openly in the neighborhood for two years 
 past and voters in the adjoining township of Hemlock were ar- 
 rested and put in jail here — one on last Saturday night and the 
 other yesterday. They were not liable to arrest and have not 
 been drawn under either one of the TJ. S. drafts. One of them 
 was promised a hearing yesterday and again this morning, but it 
 was not given. Of course none was intended until the election 
 should close. I said to the Sheriff who had them in custody, this 
 afternoon, that he would be perfectly justified in conveying them 
 to their election district to vote, taking care to prevent their es- 
 cape and holding them ready for any requisition upon him. He 
 took an assistant, conveyed them to their district, and had return- 
 ed with them almost home when he and his assistant were arrest- 
 ed by order of the Assistant Provost Marshal. He had been ab- 
 sent less than two hours, but in that time incalculable mischief had 
 been done. Two of the four men who were to be disfranchised 
 by being kept here in confinement, had given true and lawful 
 votes under the Constitution and laws of this Commonwealth . 
 And these votes will stand good, and the deprivation of rightful 
 suffrage here be narrowed to the two other cases before mentioned. 
 
 General, in the war of 1812 the State of Massachusetts refused 
 the use of her prisons to the United States for the detention of 
 captives &c. Immediately afterwards Simon Snyder, Governor 
 of this State, addressed a patriotic message to our Legislature de- 
 nouncing the conduct of Massachusetts, and at his instance the 
 Legislature passed the act of 3d March, 1814, opening wide our 
 prisons for the admission of hostages and prisoners of war of the 
 United States and charging upon our Sheriffs and jailors the du- 
 ties of their custody. The prior act of 5th December, 1789, had 
 authorized the admission of prisoners of the United States "com- 
 mitted by virtue of legal process," obviously meaning in some ju- 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 431 
 
 dioial proceeding. I know of no statute of this Commonwealth 
 charging upon our Sheriffs and prison-keepers the duty of hold- 
 ing citizens in draft preceedings under the authority of the Uni- 
 ted States. But even if such statute existed, the duty the Sheriff 
 would owe to the United States would be simply the safe custody 
 of the persons committed, and the rendering of them up on proper 
 demand. And while they were in his custody he would have 
 complete control over them, subject to the regulation' of our own 
 laws, and would share his powers with no other official whatever. 
 
 Observe, General, I do not object to the use of our prisons by 
 the United States in the fullest manner, and to invoking the prin- 
 ciple of comity for that purpose where legal provisions may be 
 wanting. But the purposes of the United States being subserved, 
 no officer of that government has reason to concern himself furth- 
 er and to determine who shall be permitted to vote under the 
 State laws. 
 
 The arrests which 1 have described were made by the use of 
 soldiers subject to your command, and their occurrence justifies 
 my appeal made to you in a former letter for the withdrawal of 
 troops from our county, or, in case they were not withdrawn, that 
 stringent orders should be issued against their interfering with 
 our elections and particularly against their presence at our places 
 T)f election in violation of express law. 
 
 In conclusion, I must express my opinion that some signal con- 
 demnation of the wrongs and outrages already committed in this 
 county is due to our people from the public authorities, and that 
 some effectual provisions should be made against the repetition of 
 Buch occurrences in the future. 
 
 I am, General, very truly 
 
 Your obd't serv't., 
 C. R. BUCKALEW. 
 
482 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 OBSERVATIONS UPON THE COUCH CORRESPONDENCE. 
 
 The Couch correspondence demands some notice before we pro- 
 ceed to other matters ; but we shall be brief in our remarks upon 
 it because more important topics lie before us and invite us for- 
 ward. As to the latter we will, just here, take our readers into 
 our confidence and imform them what they may expect (in part) 
 from our researches. Be it known, then, that we have obtained by 
 unexpected good fortune though not without diflSculty, full records 
 of the evidence in the three leading cases of Columbia county priso- 
 ners, tried before the Military Commission at Harrisburg, and shall 
 publish them entire, or their full substance. The cases to which we 
 refer are those of John Rantz, Stott E. Colley and Daniel McHenry, 
 men upon whom the prosecution — the Military Judge Advocate, 
 the spies, informers, pimps and radical politicians, in short all the 
 persecutors and their instruments — expended the whole force of 
 their industry, ingenuity and malice (backed by public power) in 
 order to secure their conviction. In the main, thank God ! those 
 efforts were expended in vain. For the truth and the right did 
 triumph in the end; their webs of lies were broken ; their wicked- 
 ness came to nothing, and the prisoners, the objects of their hos- 
 tility and persecution, went forth from unlawful bondage vindicat- 
 ed and free ! Those prisoners went not forth however without 
 scars of conflict upon them ; not without grievous expense and 
 great suffering first incurred, nor without bitter and enduring 
 memories of wrong and outrage inflicted by lawless power. 
 
 But, to return to the Couch correspondence, the matter immedi- 
 ately in hand : 
 
 1. It will be seen that Couch was notified before the end of 
 September, by reliable and responsible authority, that the pretexts 
 for the invasion were false, and was called upon to discharge the 
 prisoners and remove his troops from the County. Mr. Bucka^ 
 lew's letter to him dated September 26th, was answered by him 
 on the 29th. He received it therefore in due course of mail and 
 was fully acquainted with its contents. Why did he not accept 
 the information thus given him and take proper action upon it ? 
 Assuimng (with gratuitious charity) that he had been misled in 
 the outset, why did he persist in the wrong ? 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 433 
 
 2. Gen. Couch in his letter of 29th of September states that 
 he had visited the prisoners in Fort Mifflin, but he does not state 
 that he told them that their arrest "was the worst act of his life.'' 
 It may appear incredible that he could make this declaration and 
 yet keep them in custody and allow the persecution against them 
 to continue, but the fact is too well attested to admit of doubt and 
 can be fully proved if called in question. He was conscious 
 that wrong had been done, and when he stood face to face with 
 his victims the truth was extorted from him by feelings of contri- 
 tion or of sympathy which he could not restrain. But those feel- 
 ings did not long continue, or at all events had but slight influ- 
 ence upon his after conduct. He knew too well what his masters 
 required of him ; how exacting were the demands of Radicalism 
 and that his commission would be forfeited by any open exhibi- 
 tion of independence, justice and humanity, and he followed the 
 suggestions of self interest instead of the promptings of his better 
 nature. 
 
 3. Gen. Couch's letter enables us to grapple with the points of 
 accusation against the prisoners as they were finally arranged 
 (and subsequently appeared in formal charges before the Military 
 Commission) and is for that reason a valuable contribution to the 
 history of the occupation. By it, to a certain extent, our field of in- 
 vestigation is narrowed and has assigned to it definite boundaries. 
 In the first place there is no imputation that any of the arrested 
 men were concerned in the night affray in which Lieut. Robinson 
 was wounded. Further, the General agrees fully that no fortifica- 
 tions had been erected for purposes of resistance to the military 
 power. But he says that "Gen. Cadwallader who made a close 
 examination of the country is satisfied that they" (the alleged 'in- 
 surgents') ''had one and probably two pieces of artillery, that 
 there was an organization to i-esist the Draft, the members of 
 which were armed," and that he had other information to the same 
 effect. He says further, that "the men arrested are charged in 
 general terms with resisting the Draft, which covers the case of 
 those who advised resistance, procured arms knowing they were 
 for that purpose, or sold arms for the same object." This is the 
 whole case against the prisoners as stated by Gen. C.iuch one 
 month after their arrest and after the Albright affidavits had been 
 obtained or extorted in the Fishingoreek country. 
 
434 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 It will be our business in the further progress of this narrative 
 and by record evidence, to answer and explode these charges so 
 far as they came under examination in the military trials at Har- 
 risburg, and we pledge ourselves in advance to perform this work 
 in the most effectual manner. But we choose to brand at once 
 the statement about "one and probably two pieces of artillery," 
 for which General Cadwallader is given as authority, as an utter 
 falsehood. No evidence to sustain it was ever produced upon 
 any of the military trials, though if such a fact had existed it 
 could have been easily proved and would have been gladly seized 
 upon by the prosecution. Besides, the common statement of all 
 persons who had means or opportunity for information on this 
 subject, has been, that there was no piece or pieces of artillery 
 known of in the whole region of the alleged "insurrection." 
 
 CONTINUED IJIPRISONMENT. 
 
 Within a few days after the general arrests were made (Aug. 31, 
 1864,) some of the prisoners' friends in Bloomsburg sent Col. Ent 
 down to Fort Mifflin to confer with them and ascertain, if possible, 
 the charges against them, the line of their defence and the names 
 of their witnesses. He pei'formed his mission with diligence, but 
 not one of the prisoners could tell why he had been arrested. One 
 of them had been in the military service, many of them had just 
 subscribed money to assist in raising volunteers in the pending' 
 draft, and others had sons and other relatives in the army. They 
 were not conscious of having committed any offence or of having 
 done any act which should render them obnoxious to the military 
 power, and they knew that the general vague reports of "insur- 
 rection" in their neighborhood would be put down upon even 
 slight investigation fairly conducted. They could not therefore 
 prepare for defence against unknown charges nor anticipate that 
 they would be long detained in prison. The character of Gen. 
 Cadwallader also, as a gentleman and honorable officer, gave as- 
 surance that there would be fidelity and promptness of investiga- 
 tion in their cases and that the day of relief and of vindication 
 for them would soon arrive. They did not understand that politi- 
 cal malignity in the radical breast was utterly relentless, and that, 
 united to self-interest, it would disregard all law and all justice — 
 the most sacred obligations of duty and the most imperative de- 
 mands of humanity itself ! Nor did they understand that officers 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 435 
 
 of the army (in high command even) were under duress to politi- 
 cal leaders and constrained to perform the behests of party as the 
 indispensable condition of their continuance in command and of 
 their promotion in the public service ; that command, rank, pay 
 and constant favor were for the subservient officer, and embarrass- 
 ment and reprimands, if not dismissal and disgrace, to the inde- 
 pendent and just one. Nearly all the prisoners were continued in 
 confinement throughout the whole of September and beyond the 
 election in October without a hearing of any description and with- 
 out notice of charges against them. Meantime as Gen. Cadwalla- 
 der could report nothing sufficient or definite against them and as 
 Lt. Col. Stewart was equally unsuccessful, Col. Charles Albright 
 was sent up to do what they had failed to accomplish — make up 
 a case. How his work was performed we may choose to describe 
 hereafter; what we are now concerned with is the result of his 
 labors — a bundle of affidavits and statements which by an aid-de- 
 camp of Gen. Couch were well described as "trash,'' which the 
 General himself spoke of subsequently with contempt, and which 
 when subjected to deliberate examination and answer before a 
 Military Commission were found to be in their essential features 
 wholly false or worthless. These papers however furnished a 
 pretext for the continued imprisonment of our citizens. Though 
 they had been taken in secret and by most disreputable ■ means, 
 though they were afterwards withheld from public inspection and 
 their contents unknown to the prisoners in their Bastile upon the 
 Delaware, they were proclaimed to be most damnatory upon the 
 accused, a complete revelation of iniquity in Columbia county and 
 a full vindication of the occupation and all its works. This was the 
 speech of the Radical Press at Philadelphia, at Harrisburg and at 
 Bloomshurg, along the West Branch and in Luzerne, wherever 
 interest could be felt in the affairs of this county or political capi- 
 tal be made by the calumniation of our people. 
 
 But time passed on ; the State election was held on the 1 1th of 
 October and one of the main objects of the occupation became an 
 accomplished fact. More than forty citizens had been kept from 
 the election by direct imprisonment, while others had been intimi- 
 dated or restrained in their free action as electors, and the reports 
 of conspiracy and resistance to law in this county had been ex- 
 tensively used abroad for the purposes of party in the election 
 
436 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY- 
 
 canvass. Under these circumstances of consummated iniquity, of 
 accomplished purpose — it was not unreasonable to think that an 
 appeal on behalf of the prisoners for long delayed compassion 
 and justice would be regarded with favor, or at all events would 
 be heard with civility, by the military power. Such an appeal 
 was accordingly made in the proper quarter, and we will proceed 
 to state its character, progress and results. 
 
 THE EXPEDITION TO CHMIBERSBUEG. 
 
 On Friday, the 14th of October, (after the discharge of Sheriff 
 Furman and his companions,) Mr. Buckalew and Col. Freeze 
 went over from Harrisburg to Chambersburg to see Gen. Couch 
 and induce him to discharge the Fort MifHin prisoners. The 
 General had his headquarters at Chambersburg, and the applica- 
 tion to him was recommended by Gov. Curtin as more convenient 
 and hopeful than would be one addressed to the War Department 
 at Washington. An interview with Gen. Couch was promptly 
 had and the arrests were fully discussed, together with the circum- 
 stances of hardship attendant and consequent upon them. The 
 unquestioned fact that there had never been any actual resistance 
 to any officer of the Government in this county, was called to 
 the General's attention ; as were the further facts, that the pris ■ 
 oners had never been drafted and were not subject to military 
 jurisdiction, and that they had been in confinement a month 
 and a half without trial or notice of charges against them,. He 
 was reminded also, that he had already ascertained that the sev- 
 eral reports concerning the alleged 'insurrection' (upon which 
 the occupation of this county by tvoops had been ordered and the 
 arrests made) were either wholly groundless or greatly exaggera- 
 ted, and that no public necessity could require further proceedings 
 for the purpose of either precaution or punishment. Gen. Couch's 
 reply was scattered and evasive, though made at sufficient length. 
 Perhaps the word "shuffling" would describe it more nearly than 
 any other word in the language. It was not belligerent or uncivil 
 nor was it specific and responsive to the application made to him. 
 It indicated incertitude of mind and a deficient will, a temper not 
 unamiable nor yet pronounced and confident, but above all an ap- 
 prehension, or a fear of responsibility to be incurred. The fate 
 of M'Glellan (under whom he had held command) was before his 
 eyes — a commander who for failing to do political work and con- 
 
JIISTOJiY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY 437 
 
 duct a war of spoliation had been degraded — and he hesitated 
 between the demands of humanity and justice on the one hand 
 and the promptings of fear and selfish interest on the other. He 
 recited his journey to Cftlumbia county at the inception of the oc- 
 cupation, touched ujjon his visit to Fort Mifflin, expressed his sym- 
 pathy with the prisoners and particularly the old men among 
 them, made sundry excuses for delay in the examination of their 
 cases, thought many of them might turn out to be innocent or 
 very little to blame, could not say just when they could be tried 
 but would expedite proceedings as much as possible. He said 
 he had ordered the release of two or three of the men who were 
 reported to be sick : — At this point of the discourse Col. Freeze 
 s'giiificantly and sever<:'ly remarked, "General, one of those men, 
 (Mr. Roberts,) has been discharged by a higher authority than 
 yours — he is dead!" There followed an awkward pause, but con- 
 versation was presently resumed. The General's attention was 
 called to the act of Congress which expressly required that where 
 persons charged with resisting a draft were arrested by the mili- 
 tary i)ower they should be forthwith delivered to the civil author- 
 ities for trial, and it was urged upon him that he could end all 
 difficulty and embarrassment, so far as he was concerned, by com- 
 plying with the law, while he would extend to the pi-isoners a le^ 
 gal right to which they were clearly entitled. To this he made 
 no direct answer, but said he would write to Washington for in- 
 strucUons. He was then requested to allow the prisoners (or such 
 of them as he would not discharge) to give bail for their appear- 
 ance before a Military Commission for trial, whenever the Judge 
 Advocate should be prepared to proceed against them, so that in 
 the meaotime they might return home, escape the hardships and 
 danger to health inseparable from confinement, and be enabled to 
 prepare their defense ; in other words, to allow to them one of 
 the ordinary privileges extended by law to persons accused of 
 criminal oifences before the courts of justice ; and he was told 
 that any amount of bail which he liiight require would be promptly 
 furnished. The General thought he could not take bail, and turn- 
 ing to Mr. Buckalew said : "I ask you as a lawyer whether a bail 
 bond for the appearance of the prisoners would be good for any- 
 thing and could be enforced f To this direct question Mr. Buck- 
 alew answered, that 2/ the proceeding of arrest and trial of our 
 
438 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 citizens by Military Commission was lawful, such bail-bond would 
 be good, for it would be taken to enforce a legal obligation; «ythe 
 military power had jurisdiction of the cases, a contract of bail in 
 aid of that jurisdiction would bind the parties and could be en- 
 forced, but if the proposed trials were unla^vful a bond for the 
 appearance of the accused would be worthless. Gen. Couch said 
 he thought so too — a bond would be good for nothing — and he 
 must hold on to his prisoners in order to secure- their appearance 
 for trial. What an acknowledgment was this of usurpation and 
 outrage ! That brute force, naked power, acting in contempt of all 
 law, could alone hold these men in prison or drag them before 
 strange tribunals ! It was an unblushing announcement of the 
 rule of the strong hand and of despotic will, as a substitute 
 for all those fundamental and statute laws which can alone bind 
 the rightful obedience of the citizen. 
 
 At the instance of Col. Freeze, however, the cases of two of 
 the prisoners were acted upon favorably by Gen. Couch. They 
 were shown by certificates to be sick and suffering from confine- 
 ment and an order was made for their discharge upon parole to 
 appear and answer when called for. The interview closed with 
 an appointment for another at a later hour of the same day. 
 
 That second interview was had, but without any definite result. 
 During the latter part of it Col. Alex. K. McClure was present 
 and interposed some remarks in favor of the prisoners or of their 
 discharge. Though a republican leader he was sagacious enough 
 to see that arbitrary arrests and political persecution could not, in 
 the long run, be advantageous to his party, and he scorned the 
 short-sighted, petty and vindictive policy which inspired and dic- 
 tated the outrage upon our people. 
 
 The following morning, October 15th, a final interview was had 
 with General Couch and the application for discharge of prisoners 
 again urged. He was still fidgety, and chatty, but undetermined, 
 and it become necessary at last to bring matters to a point and 
 conclude the negotiation. Mr. Buckalew therefore said to him, 
 "General, we came to you to get relief for our neighbors, suppos- 
 ing you had full power over them and would be disposed to act 
 kindly. Even their enemies might now agree to their discharge 
 as the election is over. If you can act, say so ; if you cannot, we 
 will go at once to Gen. Cameron and apply through him to the 
 
HISTOUT OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 439 
 
 Secretary of War and the President for relief. I believe he will 
 aid us and we cannot go home until this question is settled." The 
 true ground was at last reached. Couch knew that Gen. Cameron 
 was hostile to him and had denounced him, and he had a whole- 
 some terror of Stanton. He therefore came to a quick conclusion 
 and answered with energy, "Don't go to anybody ; I will do 
 whatever I can for your men ; I'm sorry there has been so much 
 delay, and I will send an officer at once to inquire into their oases. 
 As soon as he can report to me I will discharge all of them but a 
 few to be held for trial." He proceeded to say that he would 
 immediately call in the officer to be detailed for the investigation 
 and give him his directions. And thereupon '"the General Com- 
 manding the Department of the Susquehanna'' rang his bell, or- 
 dered to his presence one of his officers, (we believe a Col. Mere- 
 dith) and informed him that beside the written order which would 
 be furnished him he would explain to him the object of his ap- 
 pointment. He was to proceed forthwith to Harrisburg and in 
 connection with Captain Wessels (the Judge Advocate) examine 
 the papers in the Columbia county cases and report to him (Couch) 
 the names of the principal offendeis to be held for trial, in order 
 that the rest might be discharged. The report was to be made as 
 quickly as possible To a question put to the General as to the 
 number to be held for trial, he replied, "live, seven, nine, half a 
 dozen — about that.'' The officer retired to prepare for his mission 
 and soon afterwards, farewell civilities having been exchanged 
 between the General and his visitors, the latter turned their faces 
 towards home. 
 
 DISOHAKGES MADE. 
 
 The result of the expedition to "Head Quarters" already de- 
 scribed, is shown by the following letter from Gen. Couch which 
 we copy from the Columbia Democrat of April 1st, 1 865 : 
 General Couch to Senator JBuckalew. 
 Head Quarters, Def't. or the Susquehanna ; ] 
 Chambersburg, Pa., October 18, 1864. 
 Mr. Senator Buckalbw, 
 
 Bloomsburg, Pa.: 
 Dear Sir: I beg to inform you that the Board of officers 
 which were ordered, as you were notified, to examine and see how 
 many of the Columbia county prisoners could be safely released. 
 
 '} 
 
440 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 have recommended (21; twenty-one to be set at liberty under 
 certain conditions. The nature of the evidence is such that no 
 more can be safely released at present. 
 
 I am, Sir, very Respectfully, 
 
 D. N. COUCH, Maj. General. 
 
 The number 21, above mentioned, included five persons previ- 
 ously discharged on account of sickness, to-wit : John Yorks, 
 William E. Roberts (who died before his discharge reached him), 
 Joseph Coleman, Rohr M'Henry, and Elias M'Henry. The num- 
 ber of new cases of discharge was therefore just sixteen. De- 
 ducting twenty-one, the total number of discharges fi'om forty- 
 four, the original number of prisoners, would leave more than 
 half still in confinement ; so that Gen. Couch's "five, seven, nine, 
 half a dozen — about that,' to be held for trial, had risen in num- 
 ber to twenty-three. This computation does not include Mr. 
 Rutan who was arrested after the others. The general declared 
 that "the nature of the evidence,'' rendered it unsafe to release 
 more. Of course Capt. Francis Wessels, Judge Advocate and 
 manager of the prosecutions, was opposed to discharges. He 
 showed very pertinacious and sometimes unscrupulous hostility to 
 the prisoners upon the trials subsequently had, and he was actu- 
 ated by strong motives to oppose their release and to press for 
 their conviction. His service as Judge Advocate was much more 
 safe and more lucrative than service in the field, and he had rea- 
 son to expect promotion in rank and increased pay as the result 
 of a successful campaign against the citizen voters of Columbia 
 county. By activity and zeal followed by success he expected to 
 win reputation, and he knew that by exhibiting those qualities 
 against the accused he would recommend himself to a political 
 party that had power to reward him, and would not be critical 
 upon any course of conduct which he might pursue in their service. 
 He reported therefore to General Couch that it would be unsafe 
 to discharge so many prisoners as proposed, and his superior gave 
 way before his objection. The smaller man controlled the greater 
 one, and nearly twenty victims suffered in consequence. 
 
 Wessels had then left in his hands twenty-four prisoners for 
 persecution at pleasure. A Military Commission, "organized to 
 convict," was to be furnished him as an instrument for his work, 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 441 
 
 he was authorized to employ agents and runners to prepare 
 evidence, a stenographer to relieve him of labor and trouble, and 
 had subject to his call any military assistance he might require. 
 Nor were "the sinews of war" wanting for his campaign. Any 
 amount of money for his purpose could be drawn from army 
 appropriations, and that too without responsibility to public 
 opinion for the extent or the character of the outlay incurred. 
 The drama of the trials was about to open, and all due prepara- 
 tion had been made. Power, confident and insolent, smiled upon 
 the suffering and terror of the weak and defenceless who were to 
 be openly smitten and crushed. The performance was to open ; 
 Judge Advocate, informer and loyal witness were all ready for 
 their parts ; the public expectant ; nothing remained but to organ- 
 ize the Mock Court and begin ! 
 
442 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 THE TRIALS. 
 
 The Military Commission ; — On the 17th of October, 1864, a 
 Mock Court (called 'a Military Commission') was organized at 
 HarrisbuTg for the trial of the prisoners. It was composed of 
 three Army officers , to- wit : Colonel Charles N. Provost, Colonel 
 J. M. Frink and Captain Lee, with Captain Francis Wessels as 
 Judge Advocate. It convened under orders of 'the General Com- 
 manding the Department of the Susquehanna,' that is without 
 any authority at all except one wholly usurped and lawless. The 
 members went through the form of taking an oath, and business 
 began. 
 
 The first case called for trial was that of John Rantz (which 
 was supposed to be the best or strongest one for the prosecution) 
 and the charges and specifications against him were produced. 
 They were, in substance, that he had confederated with others to 
 resist the draft (what draft was not mentioned) and had formed 
 or united with a secret society commonly known and called the 
 "Knights of the Golden Circle," the object of which was to resist 
 the execution of the draft, and that he had publicly expressed 
 disloyal sentiments and opinions with the object of defeating and 
 weakening the power of the Government in its efforts to suppress 
 the rebellion. In brief, he was charged to be a conspirator, an 
 organizer or member of an unlawful secret association, and a man 
 of disloyal speech. 
 
 For the defendant, John G. Freeze, Hamilton Alricks and A. 
 J. Herr, Esqs., appeared as counsel, the two latter being members 
 of the Harrisburg Bar, and Mr. Herr District Attorney for Dau- 
 phin county. 
 
 Ple.4. op John Rantz to the Jurisdiction : — Mr. Alricks on 
 the part of the defence promptly filed an elaborate written plea 
 to the jurisdiction of the Commission. It set forth that by most 
 clear and imperative provisions of the Constitution of the United 
 States and of the Constitution of Pennsylvania the defendant was 
 entitled to a trial by jury, inasmuch as he was a citizen and not 
 
HIHTOHr OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 443 
 
 employed in the military or naval service ; recited the provisions 
 of several acts of Congress, and particularly the habeas corpus 
 and enrollment acts of 3rd March, 1863, as conclusive that the 
 civil courts alone had jurisdiction in the case, and referred to 
 sundry legal authorities as confirmatory of the position taken. 
 The plea concluded as follows : "The defendant respectfully sub- 
 mits that he is not triable by this Commission, not being within 
 the jurisdiction thereof, or of any other military tribunal 
 whatever.'' 
 
 This was very good law — sound, settled, evident and un- 
 answerable ; but it was thrown away upon a tribunal which 
 knew little about law (or justice either) and cared still less. The 
 plea was overruled and the defendant required to plead to the 
 charges directly ; whereupon to each charge and specification he 
 plead "not guilty," and the trial proceeded. That plea to the 
 jurisdiction however, which was repeated (though in brief form) 
 in the subsequent cases, stands upon record as an enduring pro- 
 test against despotic power, and proves that there was no volun- 
 tary acquiesence by our people in the jurisdiction assumed over 
 them. A similar plea to the jurisdiction of a Military Commis- 
 sion, made in the Milligan case in Indiana, was subsequently sus- 
 tained by the Supreme Court of the United States in a judgment 
 which will remain one of the beacons of liberty in future times. 
 The Rantz plea was unanimously and promptly overruled by the 
 Military Commission at Harrisburg ; precisely the same plea, in 
 another case, was unanimously and deliberately sustained by the 
 Supreme Court of the United States at Washington. Such is the 
 difference between a mock court and a real one ; the latter en- 
 forces the laws and is competent to its work, will almost always 
 be found learned, patient, impartial and just, while the former 
 will violate laws and exhibit ignorance, impatience, passion and 
 injustice throughout its proceedings and in its judgments. 
 
 Conviction of Rantz. — The trial of John Rantz proceeded for 
 several days and was concluded on the 24th of October. He was 
 found guilty and was sentenced to pay a fine of one thousand 
 dollars and to undergo an imprisonment in Fort Miffiinfor 
 the term of two years. The witnesses examined against him 
 were Nathan J. Hess, Adam Lutz, Richard Stiles, and Edward 
 M'Henry. For the defence the witnesses were, Abraham Young, 
 
444 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Samuel Rhone, John 0. Dildine, David Savage, Andrew Lau- 
 baoh, Nicholas Kindt, Martin A. Ammerman, E. J. McHenry, 
 and Wm. Appleman. The evidence was closed on the 20th ; on 
 the 21st, Mr. Herr submitted, on behalf of the prisoner, a written 
 argument, reviewing the whole case, and on the 24th, the reply 
 of the Judge Advocate to the defence (also in writing)was put 
 in. The whole of the evidence as it was carefully taken down at 
 the trial will be made tKe subject of future examination and 
 comment. 
 
 Other Convictions : — The trial and conviction of Samuel 
 Kline followed imediately after the case of Rantz. He .was sen- 
 tenced to two years imprisonment in Fort Mifflin. William Ap- 
 pleman was next tried. He also was convicted and sentenced to 
 suffer imprisonment for one year in Fort Mifflin or to pay a fine 
 of live hundred dollars. He chose the alternative of paying the 
 fine and after some delay succeeded in borrowing money for 
 the purpose. He paid the fine and was discharged from impris- 
 onment November 22nd 1864. .Tohn Lemons, Joseph Vansickle, 
 Valentine Fell and Benjamin Colley were also tried successively, 
 convicted and sentenced to imprisonment in Fort Mifflin. 
 
 Conviction followed trial with a certainty and regularity which 
 were refreshing to the radical observer and furnished the un- 
 thinking and ill-informed an apparent justification, or at all 
 events an excuse, for the arrests and for the military occupation 
 of our county. 
 
 The sentences of several of the prisoners whose convictions 
 were mentioned were as follows : Benjamin Colley, one year, 
 at labor ; Joseph Vansickle the same ; Valentine Fell and John 
 Lemons each six months, also with labor,(Col. Dem. Feb. 4, 1865,) 
 Mr. Fell's trial was concluded January 14, 1865, and was, we be- 
 lieve, the last of those already referred to. 
 
 We have said that Wessels, the Judge Advocate, rejoiced 
 greatly over his success in those early trials and looked forward 
 with confidence to his coming reward. But one of the remaining 
 cases gave him some concern and as proceedings upon it progress- 
 ed, no little trouble. It was that of Daniel M'Henry, Treasurer 
 of Columbia county, whose conviction was greatly desired but 
 who showed from the outset an unmistakable disposition and in- 
 
HI8T0EY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 445 
 
 tentiou to make vigorous fight and to overcome if possible the 
 enormous diiRculties which stood in the way of a full, fair and 
 triumphant defense. He was not allowed to go home and pre- 
 pare for trial, nor was there much to encourage continued resist- 
 ance in the circumstances which surrounded him. His counsel 
 even (who were very intelligent gentlemen,) advised him that a 
 defense would be useless, as in their opinion, the commission 
 would convict without much regard to any evidence which might 
 be produced, and the Judge Advocate whose control ovtr the re- 
 sult was almost absolute, was evidently hostile and anxious to 
 convict him. Nevertheless our friend from Stillwater remained 
 unmoved and undiscouraged in the position he had taken, and 
 we say advisedly that the people of this county generally, as well 
 as his fellow prisoners were under deep obligations to him for his 
 exhibition of courage, fortitude, energy and sound judgment at 
 that time. Thereby he secured their vindication as well as his 
 own — the turning back of the tide of radical defamation which 
 theretofore had moved on unchecked, and the regular collection 
 of evidence for a righteous judgment by history upon the subject 
 of this military occupation. 
 
 His friends collected his witnesses with the advantage of the 
 light afforded by the previous trials, and (after vexatious and 
 expensive delays interposed by the prosecution) his case was fully 
 heard and an honorable judgment of acquittal was pronounced. 
 But pending the consideration of his case, the case of Stott E. 
 Colley was called for trial (Nov. 21, 1864,) and a large part of his 
 witnesses were examined in Mr. CoUey's defense, thus narrowing 
 the field of investigation when his own case was proceeded with 
 on the 1 4th of December. The evidence taken in the two cases 
 must therefore be considered together in order that we may pos- 
 sess ourselves of complete information when we come to examine 
 the charges or articles of accusation against the prisoners. Those 
 charges were very nearly the same in all the cases tried, but only 
 in the cases of Mr. Colley and Mr. M'Henry was full defence 
 made and records in all respects satisfactorily made up. 
 
 On the Colley trial the veracity of Edward M'Henry (the prin- 
 cipal Government witness) was successfully assailed and his credit 
 broken. The character and purposes of the Club meetings of 
 1863 were also shown to have been entirely lawful and innocent 
 
446 JTISTOJiY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY 
 
 and the important fact that the last one of them had been held 
 more than a year before the occupation, was put beyond dispute. 
 In that trial too, and still more fully in the trial of Mr. M'Henry, 
 the Rantz meeting of August 14th, 1864 was explained and re- 
 lieved from most of the imputations cast upon it by the prosecu- 
 tion, while the fact that it had been held after the troops came to 
 the county and therefore could not have caused their being sent 
 here, was placed in bold relief. This evidence met and exploded 
 all the general charges upon which the prior convictions had ta- 
 ken place. Absolutely nothing was left of all the matters of gen- 
 eral accusation against the prisoners, and the occupation stood ut- 
 terly condemned before its own extraordinary and partial tribunal 
 — the Military Commission — and in the presence of all the people. 
 By the unanimous acquital of Mr. Oolley and Mr. M'Henry slan- 
 der was silenced and the political raid upon Columbia county 
 placed forever beyond justification or excuse. 
 
 It is true that particular charges of disloyal discourse were 
 made against the prisoners, or some of them, in addition to the 
 general matters of accusation. So far as these related to Mr. Col- 
 ley and Mr. M'Kenry their futility and injustice will appear 
 when we come to recite the evidence in their cases. But 
 we will here remark concerning these charges against he 
 prisoners generally, that they were quite secondary or subordi- 
 nate to the main ones before mentioned, that they were supported 
 by very doubtful or tainted testimony in most cases, and that they 
 were in their very nature vague, uncertain or suspicious. Besides, 
 the discourses which the prosecution attempted to prove under 
 this head of accusation were almost invariably mere improprieties 
 of speech and their utterance could not constitute a criminal of- 
 fence. In fact, the alleged disloyal remarks of some of the pris- 
 oners were obviously introduced upon their trials rather as con- 
 firmatory of the general charges of criminal conduct made against 
 them, and to color their cases with odium, than as distinct and 
 substantive offences. 
 
 Before proceeding to sum up the cases of Stott E. Colley and 
 Daniel M'Henry with a detail of the particulars which gave them 
 peculiar interest, we shall lay a solid foundation for our remarks 
 by reciting the main parts of the testimony both for the prosecu- 
 tion and the defence. 
 
HISTOR Y OF COL UMB TA GO UNTY. 447 
 
 Edward M'Henry a.s a witness : — This person was a non-re- 
 porting drafted man and was unquestionably guilty of active 
 opposition to the enforcement of the conscription laws, and that 
 both by speech and conduct. He was arrested on the 19th of 
 September 1864 in a state of intoxication and placed in the jail 
 at Bloomsburg. There he was visited by two of the leading 
 radicals of the town. He was taken on to Harrisburg and held 
 in confinement there until the 22d of October, when he was re- 
 leased upon condition that he would become a government wit- 
 ness. The negotiation with him was finally concluded by Col. 
 Albright, and he was suddenly transformed from a culprit to a 
 patriot, was put on government pay, and became the main sup- 
 port and instrument of the prosecution, in all the trials which 
 subsequently took place. Upon his testimony, mainly, all the 
 earlier convictions were had, and therefore an examination of 
 that testimony, of the contradictions to which it was subjected 
 and of his general character and credibility, become important in 
 our investigation. 
 
 In the Daniel M'Henry trial, on the 14th of December, he testi- 
 fied as follows .• 
 
 Edward M'' Henry sworn: — "I am a carpenter and reside in 
 Benton township, Columbia county ; know Daniel M'Henry ; I was 
 at Rantz's barn about the 14th of August last. The meeting was 
 to resist the soldiers at Bloomsburg from taking the drafted men. 
 The meeting was gathered when I got there at 1 1 o'clock ; I sup- 
 pose 100 to 125 there. There were some speeches made, Samuel 
 Kline made the first one : He advised them to form into squads 
 or companies to resist the soldiers ; nothing else said. Daniel M'- 
 Henry was the next speaker, I understood him to say ; 'these 
 were critical times ; he thought they were unanimous in 
 resisting the draft, the people were unanimous in resisting the 
 draft and the soldiers.' That is all I recollect of his saying that 
 day ; I gave them a little speech ; I spoke in favor of resisting 
 the soldiers ; I told them as the old men were encouraging it, and 
 as we were drafted and had not reported, we could do no better 
 than resist ; I said more but don't recollect. I did not hear any 
 other speech. Daniel M'Henry spoke a couple or three minutes ; 
 the speaking was about 2 or 3 o'clock in the afternoon. A por- 
 
448 H18T0RY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 tion of the meeting was armed ; I suppose about one half were. 
 The meeting formed into squads — almost all. There were five 
 squads, Samuel Kline was Captain of one squad, Jacob Shultz of 
 another, a young man from near Orangeville of another, Elias 
 Kline another. I was the other. The squads elected their Captains. 
 These squads did not afterwards resist the soldiers that I know of ; 
 from what I understood the soldiers were too strong. Part of the 
 squads went to the mountain to keep out of the way. I heard the 
 story that the soldiers were coming to burn and destroy property. 
 Some believed it and some did not. We resisted the soldiers to 
 prevent the drafted men from being taken. 
 
 I attended so-called 'secret meetings'; I was a member, I joined 
 in the spring of 1863 in Jackson township, near the Union church. 
 We were required to take an oath, which was, 'to suppoit the 
 Constitution of the United States and resist the conscription act.' 
 William E. Roberts administered the oath to me. It was not a 
 secret meeting at Ezekiel Cole's ; I think Col. Tate and Daniel 
 M'Henry made speeches there; I heard him (D. M'Heniy) say, 
 that they ought not to furnish a man or a dollar towards the war; 
 I don't know whether he was on the stand or not ; I do not re- 
 collect that he said anything about the draft in his speech. Do 
 not recollect of seeing Daniel M'Henry at any of these secret 
 meetings ; I live several miles from him ; I never attended any 
 secret meetings in his neighborhood. 
 
 Cross-examined: Can't say I was arrested for same offence as 
 that charged on defendant. I was a drafted man and did not re- 
 port; I can't say who arrested me or where I was arrested. The 
 first I knew I was in the county jail, and I was drunk ; I was in 
 confinement from the 19th of September till the 22d of October ; I 
 got my liberty. I do not know that any drafted men but myself 
 were set at liberty. Col. Albright told me if I would make a clean 
 breast of the difiiculties up Fishingcreek, as far as I knew, I could 
 have my liberty. I was not drunk at Rantz's. I don't remember 
 of having said at Rantz's that we would trim apple trees and 
 would turn the ditches. I did not understand that the meeting at 
 Rantz's was occasioned by fear of the Harveyville boys. Absalom 
 M'Henry was at Rantz's, I heard Daniel M'Henry's speech dis- 
 tinctly, I was examined in these Columbia county piisoner cases. 
 A question submitted here by counsel for Defendant, but object- 
 
HlSTOItY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 449 
 
 ed to] I do not recollect that I threatened that I would convict 
 Daniel M'Henry ; I do not recollect that I said in the cars coming 
 to Harrisburg I knew what to say and would say it. Daniel M'- 
 Henry had no more to do with the meeting at Rantz's than I had. 
 fA question by Mr. Herr for defence, objected to and overruled.] 
 I told men we were drafted, had not reported and the best thing 
 we could do was to resist. The next day Valentine Fell asked 
 me to go up with him to Sugarloaf to get people to turn out and 
 I went with him. 
 
 .Re-examined hy Prosecution : — The secret meetings were call- 
 ed "Knights of the Golden Circle," I do not know when I joined; 
 I do not know any name used when I was initiated. 
 
 Re-cross Mxaminedi^ — Sometimes the meetings were called 
 "Knights of the Golden Circle" by way of reproach and sometimes 
 not. 
 
 The foregoing testimony of Ed. McHenry, which is exact and 
 complete as given by him, may be taken as his revised and final 
 statement of fact. But was he a credible witness ? Let the fol- 
 lowing statement made by an honorable gentleman, in the Daniel 
 McHenry trial, answer : 
 
 Jesse Sartman sworn : — "I reside in Sugarloaf township, and 
 am a farmer. I know Edward McHenry. I had a conversation 
 with him in Benton and also in Harrisburg. He told me in Ben- 
 ton : "if the conscripts would stick to him till he got them to- 
 gether, he would soon drive the hell-hounds (the soldiers) out of 
 the county." I met him in Harrisburg at Park House, the time 
 of Colley's suit; I said, 'Ed. McHeniy you have altered your 
 opinion since I spoke to you at Benton.' He said '■'■they had 
 caught him, and hand cuffed him, and he could do no better 
 than swear as he did, and that the innocent at such times tnust 
 suffer viith the guilty". 
 
 But we go further ; we will cite the strong testimony upon his 
 character which was given on the Colley trial. 
 
 Jacoh Welliver, farmer of Benton, testified that he had known 
 Ed., McHenry twenty years, and that his i-eputation for truth and' 
 veracity was bad. He would not believe him upon oath where 
 he was particularly interested. 
 
450 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 William Ash, a farmer of same neighborhood, testified that 
 he knew Ed. McHenry and that his reputation for truth was not 
 very good. 
 
 William Brink, of Jackson township, testified : "I know Ed- 
 McHenry, his reputation is pretty bad. I would not believe him 
 on oath." 
 
 Hiram, Ash, testified : "McHenry's reputation for truth is not 
 good, I do not think that I would believe him on oath. I would 
 not. 
 
 Cross Examined: "I think it pretty hard for him to tell the 
 truth. He is a man not of his word. I do not know of his hav- 
 ing given evidence : I have known him otherwise to speak false.'' 
 
 John Savage, a farmer of Jackson township, another witness, 
 «aid he knew Ed. McHenry and his reputation for truth was not 
 ^ood. 
 
 Martin A. Am,merman, of Fishingcreek said he lived a dis- 
 ■tance from Ed. McHenry who was considered a rowdy. It was 
 .a hard question to say whether he would believe him on oath. 
 
 Moses Yocum, farmer, of Benton, testified : "I know Ed. Mc- 
 Henry, his reputation for truth is poor. I think I would not 
 believe him." 
 
 Cross Examined : "Would not believe him in anything he 
 had an interest in ; he would not tell the truth. He has been 
 drinking and cutting up since a boy. I have heard him swear he 
 would do so and so, and then do the reverse." 
 
 Hon. Irani Derr : "Ed. McHenry's character is not good ; so 
 the people say." 
 
 Samuel Rhone, Esq., of Benton, said : Ed. McHenry's reputa- 
 tion .is not very good." 
 
 John O. Dildine, of Benton, said : McHenry's reputation is 
 mot good ; not well enough acquainted to say whether I would 
 ijelieve him on oath,'" 
 
 These citations of testimony will answer, we suppose, on the 
 •question of character, especially in view of the fact that not one 
 witness was called on behalf of the prosecution to sustain Ed. 
 JMcHenry against this strong impeachment. 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 451 
 
 The Witness Richard Stiles: — This person, who maybe rank- 
 ed in position if not in importance next after Ed. M'Heniy, was a 
 swift and willing witness for the prosecution, and though his rev- 
 elations of fact were not very important nor at all reliable in 
 their details, they were well intended to secure the party objects 
 of the prosecution. 
 
 Upon the Rantz trial, in October, Stiles testified that he heard 
 of the Rantz meeting on the 14th of August, but was not there ; 
 that he attended a meeting at the Ash's School House about the 
 last of March 1864, at which twenty to twenty-five men were 
 present ; he believed the school directors called the meeting to 
 know whether the people would be willing to be taxed to raise a 
 bounty for volunteers. Some were in favor of the proposition 
 and some were not. "Rantz was opposed ; advised the people to 
 keep their money to buy arms to fight at home. John R. Davis 
 said, 'John, we can't do it, we are too weak.' Rantz said he 
 thought not ; he had been to Bloomsburg that day ; just came 
 from Bloomsburg. He said lawyer Freeze had told him, Illinois 
 was about seceding and the State of New York was about to go 
 out of the Union. Rantz said, Abolition leaders had seven pock- 
 ets and never were satisfied till they got them all full of money. 
 Meeting adjourned to meet again without doing anything.'' The 
 witness proceeded to state a conversation he had with Elias 
 M'Henry on 14th of August, and another which he had with 
 Rantz in 1862, in which the latter said his son Jonas was not of 
 age to be enrolled, and made declarations similar to that above 
 mentioned about fighting at home. He (the witness) "went on 
 and left him talking." 
 
 Stiles then detailed a conversation he had with William Apple- 
 man in the spring of 1863, in regard to secret meetings, as fol- 
 lows : — "I said to him 'I heard you had a secret meeting at Ash's 
 School House.' I told him I understood they were sworn to re- 
 sist the draft ; I understood him to say they were not sworn at 
 all ; he said they did take upon themselves an obligation to sup- 
 port the constitution of the United States and of the State of 
 Pennsylvania. I told him I had been straightly informed the ob- 
 ject was to resist the draft, and if so, they would all be arrested 
 and put into prison ; and he replied, 'there would not be prisons 
 enough to hold us.' My sister, Mrs. Peter Appleman, informed 
 
■irrJ HISTORY OP COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 nie of tho object of the meeting ; also Daniel Karns, who said he 
 had been in, but not till it was finished, unless he would be one of 
 them.' In answer to questions by the Commission witness told 
 some particulai's he had heard about the Rantz meeting of the 
 14lh of August, and said he had seen men armed going to and 
 returning from it. 
 
 "Cross-examined : The meeting I speak of [concerning boun- 
 ties] at Ash's School House was the first meeting. They adjourn- 
 ed to meet again without coming to a conclusion ; I think Sam- 
 uel Rhone was chairman ; I think there was a vote taken ; I 
 think the majority that night was in favor of raising the inoney. 
 Rantz did not vote at all; voting was by raising the right hand ; 
 I kept a sharp look out ; there was but one more meeting ; then 
 a committee was appointed to canvass the sub-districts ; John J. 
 Stiles, Thomas Davis, William Appleman, John R. Keeler and 
 others ; I do not remember if Lemon's hauling was on that day or 
 not ; Rantz did not oppose my nomination for Sheriff ; I consider 
 Rantz a man that talks considerable." 
 
 JUxamined by the Commission: "I can't state who voted in 
 the minority at the meeting to raise bounties. There was a neg- 
 ative vote taken. I think Rantz voted against it, an<l spoke right 
 out against it.'' 
 
 Rem.\rks — 1. Stiles said, on direct examination, "the meeting 
 [to rais" bounties] adjourned without doing anythin^.^^ Then, 
 
 1 cross-examination, "they adjourned to meet again without 
 coming to a coneli>ion." But pressed by further questions he 
 finally gave to himself a flat contradiction by saying : "I think 
 there was a vote taken ; I think the majority that night was in 
 favor of raising the money." 
 
 2. Speakino: of the same meeting he said, on cross-examination 
 "iiant^ did not vote at all ; voting was by raising the right hand; 
 
 1 kept a sharp look out.' But again he flatly contradicted him- 
 self in saying, in answer to a question by the Commission, "I. 
 think Rantz voted against it and spoke right out against it.'' 
 
 3 Stiles' narrative of what was said by Rantz at the meeting 
 m'.ist be greatly exaggerated, if not a gross fabrication. Sanmel 
 
HISTOjRY of COLUMBIA COUNTY. 453 
 
 llhone, Esq., who was President of the meeting, testified subse 
 quently, that he "did not hear Rantz make any remarks ; made no 
 public speech ; heard no remarks from Uuvtz ;" and no witness 
 was called to corroborate Stiles. Besides, Esq. Rhoue testified 
 further, that within a week after the meeting Rantz told him 
 '•we must help the boys, the tax will be high but we must try and 
 pay it ;" and William Appleraan testified, "I took subscription 
 for bounties, John Rantz subscribed IjJlOJ.O:) for himself, and 
 $25.00 for another man. These were voluntary subscriptions in 
 addition to the tax." 
 
 4. Stiles -says that in his conversation with William Apple- 
 man concerning the, secret (or Club) meetings, he understood him 
 to deny that the members were sworn at all. But immediately 
 afterwards he admits that xVppleman told him they took an obliga- 
 tion to support the constitution of the United States and the con- 
 stitution of Pennsylvania, which was iji fact the very oath of ini- 
 tiation as shown by abundant testimony upon the several trials. 
 
 On the 22nd of November 1864, Stiles was examined as a 
 witness against Stott E. Colley and testified to declarations made 
 by the latter a year before, and also to an attempt of intimidation 
 directed against himself by some person w holly unknown. We 
 give his tesiimony as it waj delivered. 
 
 "■Richard Stiles, sicorn : — I reside in Benton township ; a far- 
 mer. I know Stott E. Colley, for fifteen years or more. I was 
 an enrolling officer for the first nine month's drafted men ; also 
 revised third enrollment after second enrollment. 
 
 I received a letter about the 1st of last May, \_Evidence of the 
 contents of the letter objected to by the Defense but admitted by 
 the Commission.] Found a letter nailed in a coffin and the lid 
 turned down. Letter was left as a solemn warning — charged me 
 with dragging my friends and neighbors to a field of slaiighter in 
 defence of an inferior race of beings — gave me solemn warning. 
 
 [Letter produced.] At one time at in Benton township 
 
 had a conversation with the accused. It was about one year ago, 
 after the election of 1 863. He contended if there had been a 
 fair election Woodward would have been Governor. It was through 
 
454 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 fraud Curtin was elected. The Democrats would try the ballot- 
 box once more ; if they had not fair play there would be blood 
 spilt. 
 
 Cross-examined: — Prisoner never threatened or intimidated me; 
 I do not know who wrote the letter produced. I think the con- 
 versation with him was in November 1863, about one month after 
 election." 
 
 The Witness Nathan J. Hess — Of all the witnesfes examined 
 for the prosecution whose testimony was relevant and important 
 this one perhaps is least liable to criticism or censure. It is true 
 that we can detect a few inaccurate statements made by him, and 
 we are at liberty to suppose that his intelligence was not of a high 
 order, but he does not seem to have been actuated by any mali- 
 cious or base motive or to have been misled by unworthy passions. 
 He was examined as a witness in all the trials of which we have 
 records before us — those of Rantz, Colley, and M'Henry — and 
 mainly in regard to the Rantz meeting of August 14th 1864. 
 When we come to treat of that meeting as a distinct subject of 
 invfcstigation, the testimony of Hess will become most valuable, 
 and will be freely used. It will exhibit (indirectly at least) the 
 cause of that meeting as alleged in defence upon the trials, and 
 also the circumstances under which it assembled. Unfortunately 
 the witness was not present at the meeting in the afternoon. He 
 says, he went to it "about 10 o'clock and staid until 12. The 
 meeting had adjourned to go to dinner when I left; I did not 
 return after dinner." We have not therefore, the advantage of 
 his testimony as a check upon other statements of what took 
 place and was said in the afternoon, but as far as it goes it has 
 its value and will be made available for our purpose of ascertain- 
 ing and exposing the whole truth in regard to the Rantz meeting. 
 
 In the Colley trial, Hess testified to a remark by the defendant 
 about a future fair election and spilling of blood if it should not 
 be had, almost identical in terms with that testified to by Richard 
 Stiles upon which we have already commented. 
 
 In the Rantz trial Hess was examined as to his knowledge of a 
 secret meeting at the house of Peter Case, but nothing important 
 was elicited. He was not, therefore, examined upon that point 
 in the subsequent cases. We only refer to his testimony concern- 
 
mSTORT OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 455 
 
 ing that meeting for the purpose of saying that the witness was 
 in error regarding its date. He fixed it, "about a year ago," 
 which would be in October 1863, whereas it was in fact held many 
 months before that date, as was fully shown by other testimony. 
 Hess says there were no speeches made at the Case meeting ; that 
 he was not initiated as a member of the club or association, and 
 that he did not know its object. He had heard the meetings- 
 called "Knights of the Golden Circle," (but does not say when, or 
 by whom; "don't know if that was the name or not." 
 
 Hess had served in the war but returned home 5th of August 
 1864. Afterwards and at the time of the trials he was, as he 
 says, in no regular employment. His invited presence at the 
 meetings above mentioned is, in itself, some evidence that they 
 were innocent in character. It is believed he was induced to be- 
 come a government witness in order to save his father from a 
 threatened arrest. Every effort and influence possible were used 
 in the days of the occupation to make up evidence against our 
 citizens. It was sought with avidity and used without scruple. 
 It was invited from all quarters and sometimes extorted or sub- 
 sidized. Fear, interest, family affection and party passion were 
 each appealed to for the false, perverted or irrevelant testimony 
 which should consign innocent men to dungeons and gloss over 
 and conceal the iniquity of their arrest and punishment. That 
 Nathan J. Hess did not swear more strongly and unfairly under 
 the pressure of power, was due to his own scruples of honor or of 
 conscience and not at all to any sense of justice or of moral obli- 
 gation in those who employed him. 
 
 The Witness Sir.AS Kaens : — Another government witness ap- 
 pears upon the scene under circumstances of a very peculiar 
 character and full of instruction. He came into view in the Mc- 
 Henry case for the first time, and fresh from the manipulation of 
 the military authorities to whose jurisdiction he was amenable. 
 For he was a non-reporting drafted man who had made terms 
 with power and was transformed from a criminal to a witnesB>. 
 from being an object of vengeance to occupy a position of toler- 
 ance and favor. The witness was Silas Karns (who was suppos- 
 ed to have been concerned in the shooting affray in which Lieut. 
 Robison was wounded) and he was produced under instructions 
 
456 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 o 
 
 and conditions well calculated to spur his zeal in behalf of the 
 prosecution. A world of meaning is contained io the following 
 language obtained from his cross-examination in the McHenry 
 trial : 
 
 '■^I ant drafted in first three, year's draft — in fall of V6%Z. 
 Capt. Sil'ier said, if I came here and testified I should be re 
 leased—and ttU all I kiieio about this case, and Uutan's case, 
 and the shooting of Robison." 
 
 Of course Capt. Silver acted under instructions and was not pri- 
 marily responsible for this arrangement and for the manipulation 
 of the M'itness, who, being within the grasp of jiower, was com- 
 pelled to make the best terms he could. The military authori- 
 ties at Harrisburg and the radical politicians who instigated 
 them, are the parties to be held responsible for all that ■was done 
 in and about the trials including the preparation of testimony. 
 And what did they do in the case before us ? Discharged Karns 
 from all responsibility and took liim into favor upon the express 
 condition that he would tell them about the shooting affair and 
 swear against Daniel McIIenry and Mr. Rutan. The latter ob- 
 jects were of course the main ones. The Robison homicide was 
 quite a secondary matter — it involved only the question of a life 
 lost by violence — but the conviction of McHenry and Rutan was 
 au important and darling, object and to be accomplished by the 
 use of all possible means. It was "a political necessity" that 
 they should be convicted and punished, for they had been contu- 
 macious to power and their acquittal would openly condemn 
 their persecutors before the people. 
 
 Observe the temptation held out to the witness — exemption 
 from army service; exemjation from, all punishment for desertion 
 (or not reporting for a whole year ;) immunity, for all possible 
 participation in the homicide affray, and finally, employment and 
 compensation as a witness. The road in one direction was made 
 smooth and inviting, while an opposite course pointed to prison 
 and bonds — to poverty, disgrace and pimishment. 
 
 It must appear very remarkable to good unsophisticated peo- 
 ple who supposed the military occupation had legitimate objects, 
 that deserters were hot pursued with vigor, and those concerned 
 in shooting Robison sought out and' punished. Although the 
 
HISTOBY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 4.bl 
 
 o 
 
 county was occupied by au army for months, at an expense of 
 hundreds of thousands of dollars, very little was done by it to 
 accomplish the first of these objects, and (so far as the public 
 knew) nothing to accomplish the last. It is true that deserters 
 (non-reporting men) were not numerous here, and that a few 
 of them left the county ; but of those accessible scarcely 
 any were arrested by the .troops. Those reclaimed or secured 
 to the public service were almost exclusively reclaimed or 
 secured through the regular agency of the Deputy Pro- 
 vost Marshal, either by voluntary reporting to him or (in a 
 few cases) by arrest under his authority. The army ex- 
 pended, its attention upon innocent citizens and watched the 
 elections, but mostly lounged away its time in inglorious but ex- 
 pensive idleness. We have seen too that when so-called desert- 
 ers were arrested the main object was to make them witnesses 
 against the citizen prisoners instead of securing them to the pub- 
 lic service or punishing them for their dereliction of duty. 
 
 Karns was examined as a witness on the loth of December 
 1864. As his testimony related entirely to the Rantz meeting we 
 shall reserve it until we enter upon the subject of that meeting. 
 In fact we shall rely upon parts of it in our exposition of the 
 Rantz meeting as a valuable contribution to the cause of truth 
 and justice. 
 
 The Witness Ad.vm Lutz : — This witness was examined against 
 Rantz and (Jolley but not in the Daniel M'Henry case. He 
 resided in the village of Benton, was a pump-maker and farmer 
 and about the time of the trials an inn-keeper. 
 
 In the Rantz case, Lutz testified that he had heard of the Rantz 
 meeting but did not know its object, and that upon one occasion 
 (the time of which he could not state) he had heard Rantz say 
 that they (the peOjDle) should save their money to buy powder and 
 lead to shoot the abolitionists. This remark was made after a 
 failure to raise bounty money to clear the township. He further 
 testified to a conversation with Rohr M'Henry, to which allusion 
 has been already made, aiid which was manifestly intruded into 
 the case witho'ut'reasoh or justification. We omit it because it 
 Was wholly irrelevant to the case on trial and its introduction 
 plainly unjust to an absent party. 
 
458 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA OO.UNTY. 
 
 In the Stott E. Colley case, (November 23d, 1864), the testimony 
 of Lutz was as follows : 
 
 Adam Lutz, s?eorw;— ''Reside in Benton ; know prisoner. Last 
 harvest, about July, got into conversation with him about the 
 draft and about election. He claimed Woodward was elected ; 
 Curtin put in by intrigue. He stated we could never whip the 
 South ; we had been whipped in every engagement, lost every 
 battle. He said our armies were all cut up while the south was 
 in good fighting order. He said we could not fill up our armies ; 
 volunteering was played out, and there was no use in drafting. I 
 asked him why they couldn't fill the armies by drafting ; he said 
 they did not intend any more men should be sent south to be 
 slaughtered. I told him if a draft was made it would be enforced. 
 He said, if the Government undertook that there would be war 
 at home, and the bloodiest times I ever heard tell of. He said I 
 would be sorry that I had ever left the party. 
 
 Cross-examined: — We came nearly to having blows. We 
 talked some before that day. He said we had never given the 
 South any chance to come back in the Union. He spoke in the 
 way I stated." 
 
 Upon the face of the above testimony it appears that the parties 
 to the conversation had a warm dispute about politics — that they 
 had "talked some before that day" — and that there must have 
 been more of the discourse between them than that reported. There 
 is here great opportunity for mistake not only as to the actual 
 language used but also as to the connection in which it was utter, 
 ed. 
 
 But the declarations of Colley, (assuming the fact that they are 
 reported with substantial correctness,) fall short of criminality. 
 However improper and censurable they may be thought to be, 
 their utterance violated no law and could justify no conviction. 
 And it is to be remembered that they were spoken in excitement 
 and not deliberately, and that they were very probably provoked. 
 
 The Witness Robert L.a. Fayette Collet : — This person will 
 make but a single appearance in our narrative, as we have the re- 
 cord of his testimony in one case only; but while he remains be- 
 fore us for inspection we shall endeavor to do him justice. Here 
 
HIHTOBY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 459 
 
 is what he said on the 23d Novemher 1864, on his brother's trial, 
 when the question was whether the latter, who had already un- 
 dergone nearly three months of dungeon life, should be further 
 persecuted and punished : 
 
 H- L. F. Colley, sworn : I live in Benton , a shoemaker by 
 trade, I know Stott E. Colley ; he is my brother. On Monday 
 evening after they met at Rantz's, I heard Stott E. Colley say, in 
 Benton town, "if the soldiers came on that side of the bridge 
 they would butcher every devil, or d — d one of them." He had 
 a gun ; I saw two others with guns that evening — Mathias Kline 
 and Valentine Pell. Through the day saw squads of near twenty 
 armed mtn ; some had arms, some few had none. I heard Philip 
 Knouse say, their intention was to give the soldiers fight on their 
 way from Bloomsburg to Benton. If they found them too strong 
 they would lay in the brush. If the soldiers come up and behaved 
 themselves they would not disturb them. If they disturbed, or 
 endeavored to arrest the drafted men, they intended to fight 
 them. He said he knew the drafted men had no peace for a long 
 time and they would not stand it any more. P. Knouse left that 
 night ; not heard of him since the arrest. 
 
 Cross-examined : There was a good deal of excitement in 
 town. I was no nearer to my brother than across the street. I 
 suppose he was excited. There was great excitement in the 
 neighborhood. My brother was not present when P. Knouse 
 spoke what I have detailed. I think I saw him that day ; I saw 
 him at Appleman's. It was a common talk that the soldiers 
 would burn the houses of the drafted men." 
 
 We have already examined the evidence and general status 
 of six of the witnesses called by the prosecution in the Harris- 
 burg trials. Those which remain may be disposed of more briefly 
 with two notable exceptions. We are anxious on the one hand 
 to present all the testimony against the prisoners or its full sub- 
 stance, and explain who the persons were by whom it was given, 
 and on the other to avoid prolixity and undue minuteness of de- 
 tails. Our narrative to be fair, exhaustive, satisfactory and con- 
 clusive, must be reasonably full in exhibiting the evidence upon 
 both sides ; but we will consult the convenience of our readers 
 
460 HISTOR T OF COL UMBIA CO URTY. 
 
 by being as concise as possible in ouv further citations and state- 
 ments. 
 
 Aojainst Daniel M'Henrjr were exa'mined six witnesses in addi- 
 tion to those before mentioned. Five of these we shall now dis- 
 pose of, reserving one for future treatment. 
 
 Gilbert C. M'Waine, Esq., of Shickshinny, formerly of Hunt- 
 ington township, testified to remarks made by Daniel M'Henry 
 at a meeting in Benton, in June, 1863. The witness says that he 
 attended the meeting to obtain volunteers, (we suj)pose to fill the 
 quota of Huntington township,) that he showed his authority and 
 gave public invitation. M'Henry thereupon said that "it was his 
 opinion the quickest way to put down the rebellion was not to 
 furnish a man or a dollar.'' Upon his cross-examination, how- 
 ever, the witness testified further, that M'Henry "argued the 
 cause of the war ; said the troubles were brought about by the 
 aboliti'iijists and the war might have been settled on the basis of 
 the Crittenden compromise, I think he did say if we would pass 
 the Crittenden compromise to the Constitution we need not fur- 
 nish men or money. He made a remark that they should wait 
 patiently and appeal to tha ballot-box ; I do not think he said 
 anything disloyal. He opposed the carrying on of the war to 
 liberate "the negroes ; he favored carrying on the war for the Con- 
 stitution and the Union." 
 
 Taken together, this testimony exhibits a political argument, 
 which, whether correct or not, was innocent and was one of com- 
 mon and open use during the war. It may have been prompted 
 in part at that time by the attempt of the witness to obtain men 
 to be credited on the quota, of a district in another county, thus 
 stripping M'Henry's neighborhood of available means for filling 
 their own. At all events what was said was simply, an expres- 
 sion of opinion as to what should be done to restore the Union, 
 and it was not an expression of hostility to the enforcement of 
 law. 
 
 Chas. Gibbons of Benton township, a farmer, testified that he 
 attended the Rantz meeting (Aug. 14, '64) in the forenoon but 
 left about one "o'clock. He further stated that he had "attended 
 three or fiiiur of the so-called secret meetings; never saw M'Henry 
 at one, nor ever heard of his al'teifding any." His testimony con- 
 
HIHTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 46:. 
 
 cerning the Rautz meeting, Ave Avill reserve until that subject 
 shall be reached. 
 
 Jonas Doty of Fishingoreek township, farmer, was called to 
 prove declarations ma<le by M'Henry three years before in a 
 conversation wiih him. They were improbable in character and 
 evidently colored and perverted if not manufactured outright. 
 Upon objection made by counsel for defendant the Commission 
 rejected this testimony and it was struck from the record. 
 
 Aaron Smith of Benton township, farmer, testified that he at- 
 tended one secret meeting at the house of Peter Case. He vi^as 
 a member. The oath as near as he could remember was this : — 
 "to be true to the Constitution and the laws of the United States ; 
 the signs were not to be revealed." On cross-examination he 
 added, "that was all that I ever knew about the oath ; Daniel 
 M'Henry was not there.'' This witness was also examined as to 
 the remarks of M'Henry at the Benton, meeting in 1863 about 
 not giving money, or men, to the war, the way it was carried on. 
 His testimony upon this was very much the same as that given 
 by Esq., M'Waine, though somewhat less distinct and emphatic. 
 
 Wm. Evans of Fishingereek, boatman, was examined on the 
 subject of secret meetings but without any very satisfactory re- 
 sult. He "attended so-called secret meetings ; one or two, could 
 not say positively,'' but it turned out that he attended but one 
 which was at the Savage School House in March, 1863. The date 
 is important as fixing the time when those club meetings were in 
 vogue, and this witness is worth looking after because he is 
 the only one who locates Daniel M'Henry in one of those 
 meetings. The witness appears in his testimony timidly anxious 
 to escape responsibility. He says, "I was partly a member ; I 
 never went through ; I was invited ; I never was there but once ; 
 I was the only one [initiated] ; I did not get through." Subse- 
 quently he says, "I attended no secret meetings after that time. 
 I did not walk far down [to the meetings ;] I went boating .'' 
 The fact was, the witness was afraid and confused before the 
 Commission ; he had the terror of military power before his eyes, 
 and hence his scattered answers and disci? 'mors. Although in- 
 itiated and sworn he says he was only partly a member ; he did 
 
462 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY 
 
 not get through ; he did not walk far to the meeting, and he 
 went boating as quickly as possible ! 
 
 As to the oath taken by him and the object of the meeting, 
 Evans proceeded to say — "the oath, near as I can recollect it. was 
 to support the constitution of the United States and the Union. 
 The Constitution of the United States was to be the Constitution 
 of the society. • * I cannot recollect whether we were to support 
 all laws of the land. * * I got there by being told there was to 
 be a meeting at the school house. It was public; the house was 
 all open. It was not considered a meetiug to resist the draft. It 
 was purely political ; not for purpose of resisting the draft.'' He 
 also said: "there were twenty to twenty-five persons present ; 
 would not say the number ; Daniel M'Henry made a speech there. 
 Can't recollect what he said. It was a political speech. John 
 Savage, Charles Kramer, William J. Kramer, Alexander Kramer 
 and one of the M'llenry's were there; also Levi Lunger." 
 
 This concludes the testimony of a government witness about a 
 secret meeting which was open ! about a disloyal assemblage 
 which was sworn to support the Constitution of the Union. 
 
 The Witness Charles M. Dodson : — James M'Henry, Esq., ot 
 Cambra, Luzerne county, was arrested at daylight on the morning 
 of August 31st 1864, and hurried across, four miles, to Benton 
 church in this county, where the other prisoners were assembled. 
 Without examination he was then taken with the others to Fort 
 MifBin and was kept inconfinement until December, or for a period 
 of more than three months. At the end of that time he was in- 
 formed that the military authorities had nothing against him 
 and was discharged and permitted to return home. And who was 
 James M'Henry ? A merchant of Cambra, of intelligence and 
 character, who had committed no offence nor given the slightest 
 provocation for his arrest to the military authorities. His stand- 
 ing in the community was attested, subsequent to his imprison- 
 ment, by his election and re-election to the Legislature as a Rep- 
 resentative from Luzerne county. When arrested he had his 
 name upon a note in Bank, along with Edward Hughes, for the 
 amount of |2,000 to raise bounties for volunteers to fill the quota 
 of Huntington township. 
 
 Mr. M'Henry's arrest was upon the information, it is believed, 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 463 
 
 of Charles M. Dodson a young man of Benton township who had 
 been in the army, but was at home on leave. Engaging in the 
 business of government informer, runner and witness, he had his 
 leave extended and thus escaped active service and danger for 
 many months. He took witnesses to the military camp in Benton 
 against D. L. Chapin, Esq., and perhaps others, gave information 
 himself, and was at Harrisburg several times as runner and wit- 
 ness. 
 
 Dodson's story against James M'Henry was that he had heard 
 the latter make a speech in opposition to the di-aft, a speech of an 
 inflammatory and disloyal character, in the fall of 1863, in the up- 
 per end of Benton township. Upon this statement of his, which 
 ■was a complete falsehood, the arrest and long imprisonment of Mr. 
 M'Henry were based. The facts were, that at the meeting in 
 question (which was held pending the election for Governor in 
 1863) political speeches of an ordinary character were made by a 
 Mr. Wagner (who had been a soldier and a republican) and by 
 others. James M'Henry being present and called upon, made 
 some remarks in favor of Judge Woodward, the Democratic can- 
 didate for Governor, stating his personal knowledge of him and 
 of his high fitness and character as a candidate. Confining him- 
 self to that subject his remarks were brief and had no refere nee 
 whatever to the draft or any other general question of discourse 
 or debate. 
 
 Ascertaining by good fortune what testimony Dodson proposed 
 to give against him before the Military Commission, Mr M'Henry 
 prepared himself for trial in the most effectual manner and urged 
 that his case should be heard. For a month or more, however the 
 prosecution delayed the hearing while efforts were made to se- 
 cure additional evidence against him. Mr. Wellington Hughes of 
 Cambra, an honorable gentleman and a republican, was asked to 
 become a witno-ss against his neighbor ; in fact we believe he was 
 sent for or brought from one of the westei-n states to testify. 
 But he declared he knew nothing against Mr. M'Henry. Addi- 
 tional witnesses failing the prosecution, and a large number of 
 reputable men standing ready to contradict Dodson, the further 
 persecution of Mr. M'Henryhad to be abandoned. Dodson, utterly 
 discredited and impotent for further mischief, could only make 
 the wretched and miserable excuse, that he had been mistaken — 
 
464 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 that it was not .Tames M' Henry who had madr the disloyal 
 speech, but another man. 
 
 Dodson's father had resided for years about two miles from 
 Cambra and the family were accustomed to trade at that place, 
 ilr. M' Henry's store and Mr. M'Henry himself were as well known 
 to them all, as was any place or man in the whole country. It 
 was thei-efore just impossible that young Dodson could have mis- 
 taken any other person for James M'Henry at the Benton meet- 
 ing of 1863. 
 
 The "Witness Natiiaxiet. Ij. Cajipbeix -. — This witness appeared 
 late upon the scene at Harrisburg to testify against Daniel M'- 
 Henry, but he succeeded in making up for himself a somewhat 
 remarkable record. Testifying to an interview and conversation 
 between himself and M'Henry at Stillwater in February, 1864, 
 he was confronted and contradicted by four or five credible wit- 
 nesses upon every material point of his evidence. In short, his 
 story was completely overthrown, and his appearance instead 
 of aiding the prosecution contributed to secure an honorable ac- 
 quittal for the defendant. We will now proceed to give his tes- 
 timony literally and in full, following it with a recital of the over- 
 whelming testimony in reply. 
 
 Nathaniel L. Campbell, sviorn : — "I reside in Centre township, 
 Columbia county ; a farmei-, I know Daniel M'Henry. I 
 attempted to fill the quota of our township in February last, 
 I attempted to fill quota by hiring volunteers, paying a 
 local bounty of $200, in addition to Government bounty. I 
 had a conversation with Daniel M'Henry ; it was in Febi'u- 
 ary 1864. I stopped at Daniel M'Henry 's and got my 
 horse fed and dinner, as I was returning home. I live above 
 Bloomsburg; I stopped. He commenced talking about the war. 
 He remarked war was waged against the South by the black abo- 
 litionists of the Xorth to free the negroes. I told him I thought 
 he was mistaken. He said men going down there to fight now 
 were not going to fight for their country; they were going to 
 fight for their money, you know. He said they were really mur- 
 derers and ought to be shot before they went there or ought to be 
 shot when they got there or when they came home. He remark- 
 ed, the volunteers were reatly murderers and ought to be shot be- 
 
JUSTOMT OP COLUMBIA COUNTY. 465 
 
 fore they went there, or after they got there, or (I think he put to 
 it) as soon as they came home. I told him I thought it was bet- 
 ter hiring men than to be drafted. He remarked, he would not 
 give a pence of money to hire volunteers and he would not go 
 himself. I remarked if he was liable to draft he would have to 
 go as well as me. I remarked, Government would not draft and 
 leave him at home and take me. He either said he was armed 
 and prepared or he would arm himself ; if he had to die he would 
 die at home and have a decent burial. I said I thought he was 
 foolish. He might shoot down an officer and he would either be 
 shot down or hung. He said we have 500 men ready to defend 
 him or any other drafted men — was the way he expressed himself 
 — or any other drafted man in the neighborhood I undertsood 
 him; I remarked I had heard a report of that kind in the neigh- 
 borhood before but I did not believe it; but, I said, suppose that 
 to be the case I think I remarked it was merely a matter of moon- 
 shine to attempt to resist the government, the government would 
 send enough men up there to take the whole of them. He said 
 that was not all ; there was half a million of men in the United 
 States armed and ready at a moment's warning, all they wanted 
 was a man that had nerve and courage to strike the first blow. 
 1 remarked, if that was really true the country was in a worse 
 situation than I supposed it was, but if there was not a man in 
 half a million that had nerve enough to strike the first blow it 
 was not very dangerous. He insisted that a majority of the peo- 
 ple in the North were opposed to carrying on the war any fur- 
 ther and the South would eventually whip us and there would be 
 a rising up of the people in the North against the prosecution of 
 the war. He talked on for a considerable time and insisted the 
 war was unjust and a war to free the negroes and I insisted the 
 war was just. He talked on for near one hour. I had no other 
 conversation with M'Henyy but that time. 1 never conversed 
 with him before that time. He said if drafted he was armed or 
 would arm himself and fight at home. 
 
 Cross Examined. I went into Benton township to raise men 
 to fill our quota. I do not know that Daniel M'Henry was filling 
 quota of his township. Did not come to high words in attempt- 
 ing to get men out of his township. I did think he was excited ; 
 
466 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 we parted good friends. I told him I was a Jackson Democrat. 
 He thought it strange. We were not both greatly excited. The 
 words were not spoken in presence of any one about to volunteer. 
 There were four men in the bar-room ; they were strangers to me. 
 I had accomplished my business and was about to return home. 
 The words had no influence on me. I do not know that they had 
 on any other person. I had got the men I needed. He said the 
 majority of the people of the North were opposed to carrying the 
 war further ; that the South would eventually whip us and there 
 would be an uprising in tJie North. His opinion was that the 
 war was carried on to free the negroes. That opinion was carried 
 through all his conversation. I do not recollect that he mention- 
 ed slaves. I understood the half million of men were to defend 
 men that were drafted, I could not tell who were present ; there 
 were four persons present. I did not know them'. They stood 
 behind the stove and M'Henry at the bar. It was previous to the 
 27th of February last.'" 
 
 Contradictions of the Witness N. L. Campbell : — These were 
 no less than twelve in number, and covered all the material points 
 in his testimony as given heretofore. It will be remembered by 
 our readers that Campbell stated in his testimony that "there 
 were four persons present" when he had his conversation with 
 'Daniel M'Henry at Stillwater in February 1864. Those persons 
 ;seem to have been James Edgar, W. B. Kline, Moses M'Henry 
 :and Wm. Raber, of whom the three first named were called as 
 -witnesses for the defense. By them Campbell was flatly contra- 
 . dieted in the following statements made by him: — 1st. That D. 
 JM'Henry ''commenced talking about the war'' and the South ; 2d, 
 '"that he talked on for near one hour ;'' 3d, that "he insisted the 
 war was unjust;" 4th, that he said the men going down South to 
 fight "were really murderers and ought to be shot ;" 5th, that he 
 said "he was armed or would arm himself" to resist if drafted; 
 (6th, that he said "he would not give a pence of money to hire 
 volunteers or go himself;'' 7th, that he said there were "five hun- 
 dred men ready to defend him or any other drafted man" (of the 
 neighborhood as the witness understood;) 8th, that he said "there 
 was half a million of men in the "United States armed and ready 
 ;at a moment's warning" to resist the draft ; and 9th, that he said 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 467 
 
 "the South would eventually whip us and there would be a rising 
 up of the people in the North against the prosecution of the war." 
 So far we have a denial by three witnesses against one that cer- 
 tain words were spoken at the interview in question. But the 
 contradictions did not stop there. Campbell having denied on 
 cross-examination that he knew "that Daniel M'Henry was filling 
 the quota of his (M'llenry's) township,'' and asserted also that he 
 and M'Henry "did not come to high words" by hi.-t (Campbell's) 
 attempt to get volunteers out of M'Henry's township, the three 
 witnesses above mentioned proceeded to narrate the conversation 
 which actually took place, which consisted mainly of a dispute 
 betwt-en Campbell and M'Henry, about the attempt of the former 
 to get volunteers from Fishingcreek to fill the quota of Centre, 
 and recited the ''high words' which really passed between them 
 on that subject, thus showing the complete unfairness and false- 
 hood of Campbell's story. 
 
 Again, Campbell having stated (in order to show that no dis- 
 pute about obtaining volunteers from Fishingcreek had taken 
 place) that he (Campbell) "had gone into Benton township to 
 raise men to fill the quota" of Centre, and that he "had accom- 
 plished his business and was about to return home'' when the con- 
 versation with M'Henry occurred — that "he had got the men he 
 needed.'' — Andrew Freas, Esq., of Centre, was called to contradict 
 him upon that statement. The testimony of Mr. Freas was as 
 follows : 
 
 Andrew Freas, Esq., sworn: — "I reside in Centre township, 
 Columbia county, I'm a farmer. Samuel Henderson, Tilghman 
 Noblet, Andrew Freas, Dr. Elisha Low, and Nathaniel Campbell, 
 [were appointed .to act for Centre township in raising men to fill 
 her quota] and he, Nathaniel L. Campbell, went up Fishingcreek. 
 Mr. Campbell, toll me on the 27th of February (when the citizens 
 came together) that he did not get any men above M'Henry's ; he 
 got them two miles above Bloomsburg. One young man's name 
 was Chester Dodson. He had none when he got to Daniel M'- 
 Henry's. He got two men on the 27th of February, near us or 
 Bloom. They were going to Philadelphia, Campbell said." 
 
 Campbell having testified that he had "no other conversation 
 with M'Henry, but that one time," and that that "was previous to 
 
468 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 the 27th of February," the contradiction of him by Andrew Freas 
 ■was complete. In point of fact he had not obtained "the men he 
 needed'' and "accomplished his business," before his interview 
 with M'Henry, at Stillwater. It follows, that the testimony of 
 Edgar, Kline, and M'Henry, about the dispute concerning volun- 
 teers from Fishingcreek to fill the quota of Centre, was reasona- 
 ble and probable, and that Campbell's denial of such dispute 
 was not according to the fact. 
 
 The testimony of the witnesses for the defence, to which we 
 have referred in the foregoing exhibit, was as follows : 
 
 lames Edgar, sworn: — -'I know Nathaniel L. Campbell, that 
 is about all. I was pi-esent at a conversation between Daniel 
 M'Henry and Campbell, and heard the whole till they went to 
 dinner. They were pretty much excited towards the last of their 
 conversation, but no violent language passed between them. The 
 conversation started from getting volunteers. Campbell was out 
 from his township to hire volunteers in M'Henry's township. Dan- 
 iel M'Henry did not say anything about having five hundred men 
 to resist the draft, nor about dying at home, nor that men who 
 went south should be killed, nor about half a million of men, nor 
 about a rebellion in the North. Campbell said he wanted to hire 
 men, M'Henry said they could not be got in his township; Camp- 
 bell said he had a right to hire where he pleased, M'Henry told 
 him he had, but it would not be a very gentlemanly act ; he would 
 not do so in his (Cimpbell's) township. Campbell said it was no 
 more than he expected from a disloyal or secession township. 
 Then M'Henry got pretty well excited and the bell rang for din- 
 ner. That is about all I know. 
 
 Cross-Ejcamined: — I heard all the conversation in the bar-room 
 where I was. I do not know that I could recollect every word 
 that was said — not word for word. They talked fifteen, twenty, 
 or twenty-five minutes, might be longer, though I think not. That 
 was all was said as I recollect. It might have been longer. I do 
 not think I heard Campbell tell M'Henry if he was drafted he 
 would be obliged to go. M'Henry did not say anything about 
 men being shot if they volunteered for the war. He did not say 
 so in the bar-room. They were talking about the war and about 
 trying to fill their quotas. They talked about their quotas ; what 
 
HISTOJRY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 469 
 
 they said about the war I cannot say further. I do not recollect 
 that M'Henry said it was a negro war. I do not recollect about 
 the. South. After Campbell said it was a disloyal township they 
 both got a little mad — what I meant by a spat. M'Heury said he 
 would test his loyalty with Campbell, or the loyalty of their 
 township with Campbell's township ; that he Lad done as much 
 to get volunteers as Campbell, and his township had done as 
 much as the other township." 
 
 W. B. Kline, noorn: — "I reside in Fishingcreek township; 
 a tanner. I know N". L. Campbell. I was present at the con- 
 versation between Daniel M'Henry and Campbell, and heard the 
 whole of the conversation. Nothing was said about five hun- 
 dred men to resist the draft, nor about half a million of men, nor 
 did M'Henry say that those who went to tight the South ought 
 to be killed, nor did he say anything about resisting the prosecu- 
 tion of the wai' or that the South would whip us etc , nor about a 
 man of nerve nor any such sentiments. Daniel M'Henry has 
 helped to fill quota. I said I would give one hundred dollars. He 
 said he would do that much more and would help us — would 
 double the amount if necessary. That was about the time ihe 
 draft was ordered. I heard him tell drafted men they had better 
 report instead of skedaddling round. I met Campbell a few rods 
 from defendant's nsidence. I accompanied him into the bar- 
 room. 
 
 Cross-examined: — Daniel M'Henry did not say anything in 
 particular about the war at that time. I remember the substance 
 of what he said ; I cannot word it word for word. Nathaniel 
 Campbell inquired if there were any volunteers to be had there. 
 M'Henry replied that he thought thei e were no more than for 
 their own township. Campbell said he was going to have some 
 of the men. M'Henry said he should not if he could help it, 
 until our own township was filled. Campbell made answer they 
 could not expect anything better from a disloyal township. M'- 
 Henry replied he was ready to test loyalty with Mr. Campbell 
 for himself or the township. The bell rang for dinner ; it was 
 a short time, five Qr ten minutes or longer, could not fix the time. 
 I do not remember anything said about the draft except as to 
 raising quota. I might have joined in conversation but do not 
 
470 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 remember that I did. After the insinuation of disloyalty they 
 were both excited and rather rough words passed. I do not 
 know but the lie was given and taken. The rough words were 
 the lie given and taken. M'Henry said Campbell had uttered dis- 
 loyal sentiments there ; Campbell said in reply that he could not 
 expect anything better of M'Henry when he called him a liar. As 
 far as I remember that is the substance. Campbell returned the 
 lie to the defendant. In connection with what I said I wish to 
 add — Campbell replied 'you are a liar and I did not expect any- 
 thing better of you,' and then the bell rang for dinner. Mr. 
 M'Henry said he had subscribed to raise substitutes or volunteers. 
 I do not remember that he said the war ought to stop. I do not 
 know anything said about the draft or about his going. 
 
 Re examined by defence : — Campbell, Daniel M'Henry, Moses 
 M'Henry, James M'Henry, William Raber, James Edgar and my- 
 self were present. William Raber is an old man — about 60 or up- 
 wards. 
 
 Ry Commission : — "M'Henry did not say that he was armed ; 
 no mention was made of live hundred men or half a million." 
 
 Moses M'Henry, sworn: — "I am a merchant and reside in 
 Fishingcreek township, I was present at conversation between 
 defendant and Campbell. Heard the whole of the conversation, 
 Daniel M'Henry did not say anything about five hundred men to 
 resist the draft, nor speak of being armed, nor about half a mil- 
 lion of men in the North to go to war, nor of dying at home if 
 drafted. Campbell came to defendant and said he would like to 
 get some of our men to fill quota of coming draft. Defendant 
 said he did not think we would have any men to spare as we 
 were making preparations to fill our own township. He said we 
 would have to work to get men enough to do it. Campbell said 
 he would like to have some or must get some. Defendant asked 
 him why he did not get them nearer home, out of his own town- 
 ship ; if we did not interfere with their men he did not think it 
 right for him (Campbell) to come to our township and interfere 
 with ours. Campbell said he had a right to get men wherever 
 he could get them. Defendant said he knew he had but he did 
 not think a gentleman would act in that style when he knew we 
 were trying to clear our own township. Daniel M'Henry 
 told him he should not have a man if he could help it till we 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA G0UN2Y. 471 
 
 could see what'we could do with our own men, and the bell rang 
 for dinner. I have lived over ten years with Daniel M'Henry. 
 There was nothing said at dinner concerning the draft. They ap- 
 peared a good deal excited and could not agree, and stopped it. 
 
 There was a man named Wolf drafted into the army and while 
 there his wife was confined- Defendant gave me orders to give 
 her anything she wanted. Wolf owed him at the same time. He 
 died after his return and defendant forgave her the debt. I am 
 a nephew to defendant. A young man named M'Henry had 
 been in the army and came home wounded. Defendant got up an 
 extra dinner, went with a horse and carriage and brought them 
 to a free dinner and told him if he wanted to ride out he could 
 have his horse and carriage. Wolf was no relation. Last Feb- 
 ruary Zimmerman came home on furlough, &c. I met Campbell 
 first in the bar-room. I went in with him to dinner and dined 
 with them. 
 
 Gross examined: — I am a nephew of the accused ; was his clerk 
 four or five years and then became his partner. We dissolved 
 last spring a year. The conversation was a quarter of an hour. 
 It lasted a little bit. Towards the last they were a good bit ex= 
 cited; there was some pretty rough language. 1 think the lie 
 was exchanged between them — used some oaths. I think Camp- 
 bell gave the lie first. Daniel was talking about secession; Camp- 
 bell said it was a lie. Defendant said our township had done 
 more than theirs ; Campbell said it was a lie. Campbell said some 
 thing about secession ; Defendant said it was a lie. He said he 
 considered himself as loyal a man as Campbell ; he had done as 
 much for the war and would test loyalty with him in any way he 
 had a mind to. Defendant said if Campbell called him 'seoesh' 
 he was a liar. Campbell said he had come there for volunteers 
 and he had a right to get them he thought. Nothing was said 
 about drafted men that I heard of. I do not know that he said 
 at that time that he would go if drafted ; I have heard him say at 
 other times he would go or get a substitute. Campbell did not 
 say he had got all the men he wanted ; I do not know that he 
 said he had got any. Defendant did not say there would be trouble 
 in the North if continued to draft men. I could remember the 
 whole conversation; there was some general conversation which 
 I cannot remember unless my attention is directed to it. I have 
 
472 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 given all the conversation about the volunteers ; they conversed 
 but a short time, they conversed about bounty and volunteers, 
 perhaps not over ten minutes. I have stated all that was said. 
 
 THE RANTZ MEETING. 
 
 But a single reserved point (on which evidence for the 
 prosecution was given) remains for further exposition, in or- 
 der that the whole strength of the case against our citizens 
 shall be completely presented. We refer to the meeting held 
 at the house of John Rantz in Benton township on the 14th 
 day of August, 1864, in consequence of the arrival of troops in 
 the county, and of the circulation of reports that property was to 
 be burnt and destroyed by them, and by persons from the lower 
 end of Luzerne county. We have at hand in the records of the 
 trials the means of judging what were the objects of that 
 meeting, what was said and done by those who attended it, 
 and what character is to be assigned to it in our history. But 
 in treating the subject of that meeting we shall not confine our- 
 selves to the testimony given by the government witnesses, nor 
 even strictly to the military records before us. We shall use the 
 testimony given on both sides at the trials, and resort, as occasion 
 may invite, to other and independent sources of information. 
 
 The Time When it was Held : — The date of the Rantz meet- 
 ing deserves particular notice. It was the 14th of August, 1864, 
 the day following the arrival of troops at Bloomshurg, and most 
 of those who attended it came to it in the afternoon. It was 
 called suddenly and it assembled because the troops came, and 
 because exciting and alarming reports were abroad. That meeting 
 did not cause the military inroad ; on the contrary, the armed 
 occupation caused and produced it. Troops did not come to the 
 county because of the Rantz meeting. They were ordered here, 
 and a part of them were in fact here, before the meeting was 
 held. On August 13th, eighty mounted men and forty infantry 
 with two pieces of artillery, arrived in Blcomsburg. They 
 were followed by other troops, no doubt under orders issued prior 
 to the 14th. On the morning of the 16th, two hundred and fifty 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 473 
 
 more arrived, and within a few days, by additions, the army of 
 occupation was made to number one thousand men. 
 
 It is perfectly plain then and undeniable that the Rantz meeting 
 cannot be plead as an excuse or justification for sending troops into 
 our county. Those troops were ordered here without any possible 
 reference to a meeting which had not then been held or projected 
 and which never Would have been held or thought of, if the troops 
 had not been sent. 
 
 Who Composed It : — The meeting was made up of several 
 classes of persons who are to be carefully distinguished from each 
 other, and it is to be observed also that some attended earlier and 
 some later in the day, that a part left before the meeting ended, 
 and that Rantz himself was absent a part of the time. Taken al- 
 together, the persons who attended may be described as follows : 
 — First, Non- reporting drafted men, of whom (so far as we now 
 remember) not one was ever seized and punished by the military 
 authorities ; Second, citizens who attended from curiosity and 
 without any formed or definite object, (these constituted the lar- 
 gest class ;) Third, several persons who attended to prevent, by 
 their advice and influence, any imprudent or improper action by 
 the meeting. We repeat, these several classes of persons are not 
 to be confounded with each other and the same judgment applied 
 to each, for the same motives and conduct were not common to 
 all. It is not our purpose to acquit all who attended, from cen- 
 sure for imprudence, or to justify those men who had been draft- 
 ed in their failure to respond to the call of the Government, but it 
 is our purpose to show from the testimony which we shall pro- 
 duce that the meeting together of the citizens was not criminal, 
 that it was produced by reports of danger to person and property 
 in the neighborhood, and that a just discrimination must be made 
 between the motives and conduct of the different classes of per- 
 sons who attended. Having done this we shall next show that 
 the military authorities, (obviously from political reasons and in- 
 stigated by men in this county who had their ear,) proceeded to 
 seize fod imprison men whose conduct at the Rantz meeting was 
 innocent and in fact laudable, while they passed by, uncensured 
 and unpunished, those who were to blame. In fact, it will appear, 
 that the man most prominent at that meeting in counselling vio- 
 
474 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 lenoe and who was properly liable to punishment under the law as 
 a non-reporting drafted man, was the very man taken into their 
 confidence and favor and used by them as their principal witness 
 to secure the conviction of innocent and upright citizens. 
 
 Its Cause: — Nathan J. Hess, (a government witness, now 
 dead,) testified on the trial of D. M'Henry, that "on the morning 
 of the I4th of August, abont 7 or 8 o'clock, Rantz notified him of 
 the meeting; that he went to Rantz's through curiosity to see 
 what was going on ; that he went there about ten o'clock in the 
 forenoon and left about noon, and that he heard at the meeting 
 that the soldiers at Bloomsburg and the Harveyville men were 
 coming up to burn the property in and around Benton.'' 
 
 Upon the tiial of John Rantz, the same witness, being more 
 fully examined, testified with still greater completeness on this 
 point. He said, "it was reported arouud by difff rent persons that 
 soldiers were coming up to help some citizens who had been try- 
 ing to take drafted men, and that they would burn the buildings 
 of those that were drafted and of them that resisted. There was 
 no opposition made or resistance offered to the soldiers when they 
 came up" * * * "I heard the report as to the object of soldiers a 
 day, or three or four, before this meeting, I heard afterwards that 
 the object was because they heard the soldieis were going to burn 
 and destroy — was to jjrotect their property from soldiers and citi- 
 zens from other places ; from Fairmount who had been trying to 
 arrest drafted men, and that brought on the shooting." * * * It 
 was reported among the men who met at the barn that citizens 
 were coming from Fairmount and Harveyville to burn and assist 
 in burning property. * * * "I heard that report four or five days 
 before the meeting." 
 
 Confirmatory of this evidence was the testimony of a number 
 of other witnesses examined upon the trials for the prosecution 
 and for the defense. But we shall confine ourselves to the testi- 
 mony of government witnesses. R. L. F. CoUey testified on his 
 brother's trial, "there was great excitement in the neighborhood. 
 It was a common talk that the soldiers would burn the houses of 
 the drafted men." 
 
 Silas Karns, testified, in the M'Henry trial, "that he heard the 
 story that the soldiers were coming there to burn and destroy 
 
HIHTOBY OP COLUMBIA COUNTY. 4.75 
 
 property; he heard it that day at the meeting." Ghas. Gibbens 
 also, testified, "that he heard it said at the meeting that the sol- 
 diers were coming to burn houses and kill children." 
 
 It thus appears with sufiicient clearness from the evidence for 
 the prosecution (without resorting to other sources for information) 
 that exciting and alarming reports were rife in the neighborhood 
 when the meeting was held, and before, and that they constituted 
 one of the leading causes of the meeting if they did not alone 
 produce it. A great part of those who attended went to it like 
 Nathan J. Hess, from motives of curiosity, but it was a curiosify 
 stimulated by alarm and without any formed intention regarding 
 the action which should take place. As to all such persons, (and 
 they constituted the great mass of the meeting,) there can be no 
 imputation of any criminal design or unlawful purpose. 
 
 It may be said that the reports to which we have referred and 
 the fears founded upon them, were alike groundless ; that there 
 was in fact no danger to the persons or property of citizens and 
 no necessity for consultation in regard to the impending invasion. 
 If all this should be conceded, the explanation we have given of 
 the Rantz meeting would still remain ; it might still be regarded 
 as the result of excitement and of a real apprehension of danger 
 among the people. But we are not at all certain that there were 
 no good grounds for excitement and alarm. Threats had been 
 freely uttered at Harveyville and in this county against the so- 
 called "Fishingcreek insurgents,'' and troops in large numbers, 
 beyond any public requirement for the arrest of drafted men, were 
 being introduced into the couniry. The idea of visiting the Fish- 
 ingcreek country with fire and sword was certainly entertained 
 and such visitation was openly threatened, and troops were pre- 
 pared or collected apparently for that very work. Therefore, an 
 expectation or fear among the people that violence would be used 
 and injury inflicted upon them, was not unreasonable or prepos- 
 terous. 
 
 Its Proceedings : — There was no organization of the meeting 
 by the choice of ofBcers, nor any record kept of what was done. 
 No resolutions were adopted or proposed, nor was any question 
 whatever submitted to a vote. It was therefore quite informal 
 and had no official or regular character as an organized body. Be- 
 
476 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 sides, as already mentioned, the same persons did not compose it 
 throughout. Some attended in the forenoon and, then left; others 
 came in the afternoon. Rantz himself must have been absent a 
 good part of the time, for . upon his trial, E; J. M'Henry testified 
 as follows ■: 
 
 "I baw Rantz at my house on Sunday, August 14th, about 12 
 o'clock. I live three miles from him. He has a farm about five 
 miles from where he lives, which he must pass my house to go 
 and see.'' 
 
 Now it is obvious that to a meeting of this irregular kind, 
 without organization and shifting in its membership, we cannot 
 apply the same rules or reasoning which would apply to one of a 
 regular character and uniform composition. An individual mem- 
 ber of the meeting can only be held responsible for what occurred 
 while he was actually present and to which he directly contribu- 
 ted by speech or conduct. Presumptive or implied responsibility 
 upon him as a member of the meeting for the acts of his associates, 
 is out of the question and cannot be assumed. Hence it becomes 
 important, in order to form a proper judgment of the Rantz meet- 
 ing, to distinguish and discriminate between the different classes 
 of persons who were there, and to explore the motives and trace 
 the conduct of each. Some men, it is said, came armed to the 
 meeting ; squads were at one time formed in the highway; three 
 persons made brief speeches or remarks in the barn, and there 
 was much of conversation during the day among those present. 
 These are the salient facts presented by the testimony for our ex- 
 amination ; but in examining them the remarks we have already 
 made must be kept steadily in view, so that an intelligent, dis- 
 criminating, complete, and satisfactory judgment shall be reached 
 upon our general question, and at the same time fair treatment 
 and full justice be extended to all individual citizens concerned. 
 
 Drafted Men Present : — These, as distinguished from other 
 citizens, were in a position of contempt to the conscription laws, 
 for they had not responded to the draft. Their number was not 
 large nor was there any formed association to resist their arrest 
 as was falsely pretended; but some of them were no doubt dis- " 
 posed toward violent counsels, or at all events to continued eva- 
 sion of their duty under the law. They constituted, therefore, 
 
HI8T0RY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 477 
 
 the objectionable ingredient of the meeting and to all of them 
 the advice given by Daniel M'Hemy upon another occasion was 
 most appropriate, to- wit : that instead of "skedaddling around" 
 they should report for duty. But it is to be remembered that not 
 one of the drafted men present at the Rantz meeting (so far as we 
 can learn) was ever tried or punished by the military authorities, 
 although some of them were subsequently in their power. On 
 the contrary two of them were produced- as notable witnesses for 
 the government upon the trials at Harrisburg and were treated 
 rather as objects of favor and commendation than of censure or 
 punishment. W* allude to Edward M'Henry and Silas Karns, 
 whose testimony, though given under some degree of coercion 
 and imperfect io quality, was used with fatal effect against inno- 
 cent and upright men. 
 
 The Forming of Squads : — Karns (who was the fairer witness 
 of the two) stated in his testimony, that at the meeting "they 
 formed into companies and squads to be placed in different places 
 to protect property. Nothing was done during the day until some 
 time in the afternoon." * * * "There were different companies 
 or squads of men formed ; could not tell how many. I belonged 
 to one of these squads. Hy. Kline commanded it. We propose 
 to go to the mountain and stay there to see what the result was. 
 This company was mostly composed of drafted men. We went 
 to the mountain to see what the soldiers were going to do ; to see 
 the result of the soldiers coming up." » * * "I am drafted in first 
 three year's draft — in the fall of 1863." 
 
 From other parts of the evidence it clearly appears that most 
 of the squads never met afterwards, and that not the slightest 
 attempt was made in any quarter to resist or annoy the soldiers 
 when they came into the neighborhood. The squad movement 
 which was foolish, improper and wrong, was abandoned or given 
 up without any overt act, and resulted only in the exodus of a 
 small number (of whom the witness Karns was one) to the North 
 Mountain. 
 
 Who Were Arrested : — The men at the Rantz meeting who 
 were open to censure, as we have already remarked, were not held 
 responsible for their conduct. They escaped, or nearly all of them 
 escaped, the stroke of power. But with innocent men or those 
 
478 HISTORY OF VOLUME lA COUNTY 
 
 little liable to blame, the case was different, and will now be our 
 business to point out particular instances of arrest and punish- 
 ment, for alleged participation in the Rantz meeting, which were, 
 beyond all question, unjust and outrageous. 
 
 John Rantz : — We have already called attention to the fact 
 that Mr. Rantz was absent from home about noon, two or three 
 miles distant. The evidence of E. J. M'Henry on this point as 
 given heretofore, was distinct and complete. Besides, upon the 
 Rantz trial, John O. Dildine, a reputable gentleman, also testified 
 as follows : — "1 saw Rantz coming home about 4 p. m., on Sunday 
 August 14th. He has a farm about five miles from where he lives, 
 in the direction whence he was coming. I live three fourths of a 
 mile from him. He has a son in the army who is a minor." 
 
 As Karns and others testify that there was nothing done in 
 the forenoon, and as Rantz appears to have been absent from 
 noon until about the time the meeting adjourned, he can hardly 
 be held responsible for any proceedings which took place. Inde- 
 pendent of the fact that this meeting was held on his premises, 
 there was very little evidence against Mr. Rantz on his trial, ex- 
 cept that he had made excited or extravagant remarks on several 
 occasions, which were pretty well accounted for by Richard Stiles, 
 (a witness examined against him,) who said : — "I consider Rantz 
 a man who talks considerable.'' His loose talk however (suppos- 
 ing it to be correctly reported) was accompanied by very distinct 
 acts which gave it an innocent complexion. He furnished a minor 
 son to the army, he subscribed $100.00 to raise a bounty fund for 
 his district, he declared the "boys," (or volunteers) must be assist- 
 ed, and he waited upon the soldiers and informed them that ''they 
 could hunt up all the drafted men and arrest them, and they would 
 not be disturbed." Rantz was however arrested and severely 
 punished. He was convicted (as we have heretofore shown) after 
 an imperfect and unfair trial before the Military (Commission at 
 Harrisburg, and underwent more than eight months of dungeon 
 life. But his pi ison doors were at last opened by Andrew John- 
 son shortly after he succeeded to the duties of the Pi'esidential 
 office. We are informed that the cases of Mr. Rantz and of several 
 of the other prisoners were pending before President Lincoln, for 
 consideration, at the time of his death, and that they were taken 
 
SliSTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 479 
 
 up, acted upon and disposed of by his successor without any new 
 application, request or solicitation. Very promptly all the prison- 
 ers remaining in custody were pardoned and discharged. 
 
 Samuel Appleman : — This gentleman is recorded as having 
 undergone an imprisonment for 53 days. It appears in the evi- 
 dence that he resides in the immediate neighborhood of Rantz ; 
 that he went to the meeting in the afternoon, but was there only 
 about 15 minutes and then returned home. He does not seem to 
 have taken any part in the meeting, or to have given any other 
 pretext for his arrest. 
 
 Joseph Coleynan, anothtr victim, aged 68, a surviving soldier 
 of the war of 1812, was at Mr. Appleman 's house on the 14th of 
 August, when Daniel M'Henry arrived there, accompanied by his 
 wife, child, and a niece, on his way to visit a relative. Mr. Cole- 
 man spoke to M'Henry and referring to the Rantz meeting asked 
 him to go up to it and induce the people "to go home to their 
 business." In this request he was joined by Mr. Absalom 
 M'Henry who was there at the time. Upon D. M'Henry 's re- 
 marking that they themselves should go up, they replied that he 
 had better go ; that he was more competent than they were and 
 could accomplish more. Thereupon D. M'Henry went up to the 
 meeting accompanied by Absalom M'Henry. He left his people 
 at Appleman's, and abandoned the visit he had intended to make. 
 These facts are fully set forth in the testimony of Absalom 
 M'Henry and of Samuel Appleman given before the Military 
 Commission on the 16th day of December, 1864. 
 
 It will, then, be seen that Mr. Coleman was instrumental in 
 sending a gentleman to the meeting to discourage and disperse it. 
 We next hear of him as an arrested man. He was seized and 
 taken to Fort Mifflin without any regard for his years or his in- 
 nocence, and was kept there for a period of 49 days, when he was 
 discharged without trial, under an order issued by Gen. Couch. 
 Meantime, his farm was occupied for a military encampment and 
 extensive depredations were committed upon his property. For 
 these no compensation has ever been made. 
 
 Daniel M' Henry's arrest is the only additional one we will 
 mention, in this particular connection, although many others, 
 outrageous in qharacter, might be named. The testimony of Ab- 
 
480 HISTOBY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 salom M' Henry, to which reference has already been made, ex- 
 plains clearly the circumstances under which D. M'Henry went to 
 the Rantz meeting, and also what was said and done by him 
 while there. We shall therefore give it in full, adding the testi- 
 mony of John Baker given at the same time. 
 
 Absalom M'Senry, sworn : — "I live in Jackson township, Col- 
 umbia county; am a farmer, I know Edward M'Henry; he is my 
 son; I know Daniel M'Henry ; saw him on the 14th of August. 
 He came to Samuel Appleman's where I was . 1 was there a little 
 before him. Joseph Coleman was present. I asked Daniel M'- 
 Henry if he was going up to the meeting ; he said he had not in- 
 tended to go, he was going another course. He then got out of 
 his wagon and turned it. I told him I would like him to go up 
 and see what they were doing there as they might go into meas- 
 ures that I did not consider right and I would like him to go up 
 and speak and discourage them. He went into the house and he 
 said no word about going up. I again asked him and we went. 
 We talked as we went along that we should advise them to dis- 
 perse and not do anything contrary to law, and he advised me to 
 speak to them as I was older. We walked up to the Rantz barn. 
 He made a speech ; his speech was short. He talked very much 
 as we had spoken. He told them they had better go home and if 
 the soldiers did come and burn their bouses they had the law to 
 fall back on, and the neighbors would not leave them suffer. I 
 think I heard the whole of his speech distinctly and that was the 
 leading point. I was pretty close to him. He did not advise the 
 men to stand together. If he had said it I would have remember- 
 ed it. There was some conversation between us and he wanted 
 drafted men to pay or report. Edward M'Henry said the drafted 
 men should stand together and he would be with them. 
 
 Cross- Examined : — Daniel M'Henry did not say he believed 
 the people were unanimous in what they had undertaken. The 
 object of the meeting at Rantz's — they met to consult what they 
 should do if the soldiers should come up ; whether they should 
 stand out and defend themselves if they should injure them. There 
 was a good many drafted men there. Ed. M'Henry was at the 
 further end of the barn and 1 could not hear all he said and I 
 would have rather he would not have spoken. He advised the 
 
HISTOBT OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 481 
 
 drafted men to stick toget her if the soldiers came to carry out 
 their plan. I did not understand that they intended to rebel 
 against the laws unless it was in self-defence. The drafted men 
 intended to resist if the soldiers came to arrest them ; so I thought. 
 
 Re- Examined : — Daniel M'Henry advised the people to dis- 
 perse and go home." 
 
 John Baker, sworn: — "I reside in Benton township ; a wagon 
 maker. I was at the Rantz meeting on the 14th of August last. 
 I saw Daniel M'Henry there about 3 P. M. or after. He spoke a 
 little while ; could not tell the words. He talked to persuade the 
 meeting to disperse. He thought they might be very cautious, 
 that some malicious person might commit some depredations. His 
 remarks were not in favor of the meeting ; the substance of his 
 speech was against the meeting. I saw Edward M'Henry there. 
 I can't word his speech. He said they would have trouble and as 
 for his part he would not go. His remarks were in favor of resist- 
 ance. Daniel M'Henry is a true and loyal man I think. 
 
 Cross Examined : — I started from home after dinner ; got 
 back at early supper time. The people were forming before I got 
 to the barn. Daniel M'Henry was not there long. I did not see 
 him long. I saw him come to the barn. I do not remember of 
 seeing him after he made his speech." 
 
 To the same purpose with the foregoing was the testimony of 
 James Evans, who was also present at the Rantz meeting and was 
 examined as a witness for the defence. 
 
 The government witness, Silas Karns, stated M'Henry's remarks 
 somewhat differently, though substantially to the same effect. He 
 admitted that "Daniel M'Henry did not advise them to resist the 
 soldiers,'' and that "he advised them not to go on but to hold on 
 and see what was done in the matter." 
 
 Such then are the facts in relation to Daniel M'Henry's connec- 
 tion with the Rantz meeting. He went to the meeting upon re- 
 quest to oppose all violent and imprudent counsels, and to induce 
 those who were there to dieiperse quietly and go home, and he 
 carried out his intention faithfully and fully. 
 
482 HIST OR T OF COL UMBIA GO UJSTTT. 
 
 The Speeches : — Remarks were made in the barn, as the wit- 
 nesses inform us, by Samuel Kline, Daniel M'Henry and Edward 
 M'Ht'nry. They were brief but were not all to the same purpose 
 or made with the same object. After some observations by Kline, 
 D. M'Henry spoke in the manner already described and very prop- 
 erly and wisely. Then Ed. M'Henry made some excited remarks. 
 He said (among other things) as reported by the witness Karns, 
 that "Ae was not as the man that had spoke before him; -that 
 some men had promised to protect them and when the trial came 
 refused — some men had done so. He did not name who they 
 were. I could not tell what he did say ; I heard what I have 
 stated ; some things said I could not recollect to tell here. Some 
 men had backed out." 
 
 The meaning of all this is very evident. D. M'Henry's remarks 
 in favor of doing nothing in the way of resisting the soldiers, 
 that they should wait and see what was done and that even if 
 property was burned they had the law to fall back upon, were 
 very unwelcome to Ed. M'Henry, and angered him. Hence his 
 bluster and protest; his disagreement with the previous speaker 
 and his accusation that some men had backed out. 
 
 Protection of the property and families of drafted men and of 
 other citizens against an apprehended raid upon them had been 
 the topic of consideration, and squads 6i observation with refer- 
 ence to this object exclusively were afterwards formed, composed 
 however of a portion only of the persons present. Resistance to 
 the arrest of drafted men does not seem to have been discussed 
 at all or avowed as an object at the meeting, but it is likely that 
 Ed. M'Henry and some others in his position desired to promote 
 their personal safety by ulterior measures not then proposed. 
 Be this as it may, there was a direct issue made at the meeting 
 between Daniel and Edward M'Henry; between the man of peace 
 and the man of violence ; between the law-abiding citizen on the 
 one hand and the draft-skulk on the other. 
 
 Now what was done by the military authorities in regard to 
 these two men *? How were they regarded and treated respectively 
 by the chiefs of the occupation and by the agents of military jus- 
 tice 1 We well know what was done. The man whose conduct 
 was upright and worthy of praise was seized and put in prison 
 for four months, and was persecuted and impoverished by an un- 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 483 
 
 just and malignant prosecution. The other, though arrested, 
 was allowed to go forth free and unpunished and was put under 
 government pay as a witness against the very man whose peace- 
 ful counsels he had opposed and spurned ! 
 
 THE CLUB MEETINGS OF 1863. 
 
 One of the principal charges made against our citizens in the 
 trials at Harrisburg, was that they had or;:ranized a secret organi- 
 zation or society to resist the draft. This charge (which was en- 
 tirely false) appeared in all the cases tried and was contained in 
 the printed form of accusation used by the Judge Advocate. 
 Names and dates were filled in the printed form, in each-case, but 
 the subsitance of the accusation was the same in all the cases, and 
 convictions upon it were had. The form of the accusation as it 
 appeared in the charges and specifications against Stott E. Colley, 
 one of the prisoners, was literally as follows : — 
 
 Specification : — "In this, that he the said Stott E. Colley, a cit- 
 izen of Columbia county, Pennsylvania, did unite, confederate 
 and combine with John Rantz, liohr M'Henry and many other 
 disloyal persons whose names are urjknown, and form or unite 
 with a society or organizati' >n commonly, known and called by the 
 name of the "Knights of the Golden Circle," the object of which 
 society or organization was and is to resist the execution of the 
 draft, and prevent persons who have been drafted under the pro- 
 visions of the said act of Congress, approved March 3d, 1863, and 
 the several supplements thereto, from entering the military ser- 
 vice of the United States. This done at or near Benton town- 
 ship, Columbia county, Pennsylvania, on or about August 14, 
 1864, and at divers times and places before and after said men- 
 tioned day." 
 
 There are three averments in denial of this charge which were 
 established beyond dispute by the evidence and which wo shall 
 now state and sustain. 
 
 1. That the (so-called) "secret meetings," referred to in this 
 charge, were held in the spring of IfcGS and none later than about 
 
484 SISTOUY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 the month of May of that year ; consequently that they were held 
 nearly one year and a half before the arrests were mnde at the 
 end of August 1864. 
 
 2 That they wer6 political clubs simply, and had no unlawful 
 or improper object ; and particularly that they were not intended, 
 nor organized and conducted, to oppose the conscription laws of 
 the United States. 
 
 3. That they were not called or known, during their existence 
 by the name of "Knights of the Golden Circle," nor was any 
 such name ever assigned to them in any quarter until the time 
 of the trials or shortly before. 
 
 On the Rantz trial, on this point we have the following evi- 
 dence : 
 
 David Savage, sworn : — I am a member of those secret Asso- 
 ciations. The only secret about them was the pass word. We 
 were sworn to support the constitution of the United States and 
 of Pennsylvania, and the laws. There was no organization to re- 
 sist the draft. Almost all the persons belonging to this Associa- 
 tion subscribed money to pay bounties, &c. The Associations 
 were purely political. Rantz said to me he had been in to see 
 the soldiers, and told them they could hunt up all the drafted men 
 and arrest them, and they would not be disturbed. 
 
 Nicholas Kindt, sworn: — I was a member of these Associa- 
 tions. They ceased last May a year I think. The password was 
 the only secret in it. The obligation was to support the constitu- 
 tion of the United States and of Pennsylvania and the laws ac- 
 cording ther 'to. There was no organization to resist the draft. 
 
 Martin Ammerman, sworn: — I was a member of these Associa- 
 tions. They ceased last spring a year. The oath was as stated by 
 the last witness. There was nb organization to resist the draft. 
 The only secret was the sign of recognition. Never heard these 
 organizations called Knights of the Golden Circle, till lately, and 
 that by outsiders. 
 
 On the trial of Stott E. Colley, the following very conclusive 
 testimony was given for the defence : 
 
 Jacob Welliver, sworn : — -"I reside in Benton ; am a farmer. I 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 485 
 
 knew of meetings in Jackson township. I was there twice. Knew 
 of nothing secret about them but their signs. I was initiated ; 
 whether there or not cannot say positively. The strangers were 
 only excluded when signs were given. They were called "Demo- 
 cratic Lodges'' as far as I heard. Those that could speak, spoke. 
 We were to support the Constitution and laws of ihe United 
 States ; nothing was said about the conscript act ; nothing said 
 that I ever heard of about resisting the conscription act. 
 
 Cross Examined: — Never heard the oath but twice ; we were 
 to support the Constitution of the State and of the United States, 
 and all constitutional laws.'" 
 
 William Ash, sworn: — "I was at secret meetings in spring of 
 1863 in Benton township; I met Ed. M'Henry there; there were 
 a few initiated that evening; Hiram Ash was there, William Ap- 
 pleman, E. Boyd. The obligation was to support the Constitu- 
 tion of the United States and the State of Pennsylvania; )ioihing 
 in the oath about resisting the conscription act. I was in when 
 persons were initiated. 
 
 Cross-Examined : — I remembtr Ed. M'Henry because he spoke 
 at meetings; I only attended two meetings ; he spoke at the first 
 meeting. I could not tell all he said or give the substance. He 
 did not advise the people to take up arms. I did not hear him say 
 drafted men should not report. The oath only bound us to sup- 
 port each other as far as the laws went. 1 was never a regular 
 member. The signs were the secrets. I was no member and paid 
 no attention to the signs. I was not in all the time ; I was not 
 present during the whole initiation. Did not see Stott E. Colley 
 there. The oath was to support the Constitution of the United 
 States, and State of Pennsylvania." 
 
 Wm. JBrink, sworn : — "I live in Jackson township. I attended 
 meetings in spring of 1863, 1 only attended one place : Ed. M'- 
 Henry was there a couple of times. I was initiated. They called 
 it their "Club Meeting." (Some have called it the 'Golden Circle,' 
 but the name was 'Club Meeting.') There was nothing secret only 
 the signs. There was a svbscriptinn to raise bounty money for 
 volunteers one evening when I was in. We raised over $700 ; — 
 how much more I cannot tell. They read fiom Constitution ai,d 
 
486 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 a newspaper. Once, a nine months' soldier spoke and Ed. M'Henry 
 objected to a soldier being a leader, and I told M'Henry to behave 
 bimself ; it broke up the meeting. Nothing said about resisting 
 the draft. Edward M'Henry had talked about it ; he allowed they 
 ought to raise funds to keep drafted men at home.'' * * * 
 
 Hiram Ash, sworn: — "I was at school house in Benton, in 
 1863 ; Ed. M'Henry was there. I was initiated. The obligation 
 was to support the Constitution of Pennsylvania and of the 
 United States ; not a word in the oath about conscription act. 
 They were trying to raise funds to raise volunteers. There was 
 nothing secret about the meetings except the signs. A stranger 
 could be in the room when the oath was administered. The meet- 
 ings were called 'Union Club' and 'Democratic Club.' 
 
 Cross-examined: — We did not take an oath to suppoi t each 
 other ; never such an oath did I take. No such obligation taken 
 by the members, at any such meeting I was at." 
 
 John Savage, sworn: — "I live in Jackson township ; am a 
 farmer. I was at one so-called secret meeting in Jackson town- 
 ship in 1868. We took an obligation to support the Constitution 
 and laws of the United States. I called it same society it was 
 over the township. I do not know that Ed. McHenry belonged 
 to it. Nothing said in oath about resisting conscription act or 
 draft. The secret was signs. 
 
 Cross-examined: — The signs were to know each other, and 
 whenever got into trouble to let one another know. Took no 
 oath to support each other. The sign was merely to know each 
 other when we met. It runs in ray mind there was nothing about 
 helping each other ; that we would know each other by the signs 
 if we were to meet one another ; some could help each other out." 
 
 Martin A. Ammerman, sworn: — '■! live in Fishingcreek town- 
 ship. I was initiated into the so-called secret meetings in Fish- 
 ingcreek. * * * The oath was to support the Constitution of 
 Pennsylvania and of the United States, nothing in the oath about 
 the conscription act, nor anything about resisting the draft. The 
 last meeting was in March or April, 1863, that I attended. The 
 members of the Society raised m,oney to pay volunteers.'' 
 
JII8T0B T OF COL UMBIA GO UNI T. 487 
 
 We have heretofore given the testimony of Aaron Smith and 
 William Evans, government witnesses, very much to the same 
 purpose and effect with the foregoing testimony concerning the 
 Club meetings. Charles Gibbons, another government vt^itness, 
 testified that he "attended three or four of the so-called secret 
 meetings," but no question was asked him regarding the character 
 or the proceedings which took place when he was present. The 
 inference to be drawn from this fact is, that he could testify to 
 nothing which would condemn them or cast suspicion upon the 
 motives or conduct of the persons who attended them. 
 
 We have then one dozen reputable witnesses who testify to the 
 innocent and lawful character of the Club meetings of 1863, 
 against a single witness upon the other side. Moery witness ex- 
 amined in relation to those Club meetings whether for the gov- 
 ernment, or for the defense, save Ed. M'Henry, pronounced 
 their vindication from, all censure or evil imputation. 
 
 SPECIAL CASES. 
 
 THE CASE OF WILLIAM KESSLER. 
 
 The case of William Kesslerof Jackson township in this county, 
 occurring about the time under discussion, is both instructive and 
 interesting. Kessler was improperly enrolled and his name was 
 drawn in a draft. When the officer or person employed for the 
 purpose gave notices to the men drafted at that time, he was in- 
 formed that Kessler was non compos mentis, that he had recently 
 escaped from the Harrisburg Lunatic Asylum, was utterly and 
 notoriously unfit for military service and that notice to him would 
 be idle and absurd. No notice was therefore served in the case, 
 but some time afterwards Kessler was arrested as a deserter and 
 hurried away from home for trial and punishment. Nothing can 
 more fully show the unfitness of military tribunals for the ad- 
 ministration of justice to the citizen, than the proceedings in his 
 case. Id the Congressional debates of 1867, we find the follow- 
 ing remarks made by Mr. Buckalew, in the Senate, in reference to 
 this case : 
 
488 MISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 "I know one case of a man fresh from the Pennsylvania State 
 Lunatic Asylum who was reported upon one of these lists [of non- 
 reporting drafted men ;] no notice was served upon him or on 
 any one else ; he was carried off and tried before a military tribu- 
 nal at Harrisburg and put in prison, and under the sentence pass- 
 ed upon him he was loaded down with a ball and chain — an in- 
 sane man. The case was heard rapidly, summarily ; nobody ap- 
 peared for him ; the court did not know that he was insane ; they 
 asked him some questions, he gave absurd replies, and they sup- 
 posed he was an incorrigible offender. It was necessary to ap- 
 peal to the President in that case and have the man pardoned in 
 order to discharge him from his prison and from bonds." Cong. 
 Globe \st Sess. -iOth Con. P. 662. 
 
 The following letter was written, pending the application to 
 the President for Kessler's pardon and discharge from Fort 
 Mifflin. 
 
 '•Washington, July 24, 1865.) 
 Monday afternoon, j 
 
 Dear Sir. — I had an interview with the President, on Saturday 
 and brought the case of Kessler to his notice. The record of the 
 conviction not being among the papers I went to-day to the office 
 of the Judge Advocate General (but Holt is absent) and found it. 
 A report from that office will be ready at 10 o'clock to-morrow 
 when I will go again to the President and have the case determin- 
 ed. The record says the Defendant confessed the facts and said 
 he never intended to report, whereupon the sapient commission 
 gave him two years with ball and chain ! 
 Yours very truly, 
 
 C. R. BUCKALEW." 
 
 Col. J. G. Freeze. 
 
 We next give the order of discharge which was issued from 
 the War Department: 
 
 War Department, ) 
 Adjutant General's Office V 
 Washington, July 2oth, 1865. ) 
 
 Special^Orders,U^^^^^^^^_^ * 
 
 The unexpired portion of the sentence of the General Court 
 Martial in the case of Private William Kessler, an unassigned 
 
SISTORY OF COLUMBIA COtTNTY. 489 
 
 drafted man, from Pennsylvania, is remitted. He will be released 
 from confinement at Fort Mifflin, Pennsylvania (where he is now 
 supposed to be,) discharged the service of the United States, and 
 returned in charge of a guard to his home in Jackson township, 
 Columbia county, Pennsylvania. 
 
 The Quartermaster's Department will furnish the necessary 
 transportation. 
 
 By order of the President of the United States. 
 
 (Signed.) E. D. TOWNSEND. 
 
 Assistant Adjutant General. 
 Official, 
 
 R. Williams, 
 
 Ass't. Adj't. General. 
 
 It will be observed that Kessler was to be sent home in charge 
 of a guard, because he was incapable of taking care of himself. 
 And yet he had undergone protracted imprisonment, under a se- 
 vere and ignominious sentence, for an offence which, from the 
 very nature of the case, he was incapable of committing ! 
 
 THE CASE OF DYEB L. CHAPIN. 
 
 This gentleman was, in 1864, a merchant and justice of the 
 peace resident at New Columbus on the border of Luzerne county, 
 and had previously represented that county in the Legislature. 
 He was arrested and taken to Benton church. 31st August, 1864, 
 and thence, with the other citizen prisoners, to Fort Mifflin on 
 the Delaware, where he was detained until taken to Harrisburg 
 for trial on the 19th of December following. On the 28th of 
 December he was tried before the Military Commission and 
 promptly and honorably acquitted. He was finally discharged 
 from custody on Saturday the 31st of the same month and per- 
 mitted to return home, having been precisely four months within 
 the grasp of military power. 
 
 The following is the official announcement of the finding in 
 his case, as approved by Maj. Gen. Cadwallader, in general orders 
 No. 4, dated at head quarters, Depaitment of Pennsylvania, Phil- 
 adelphia, January 14th, 1865. 
 
 "Before a Military Commission which convened at Harrisburg, 
 Pa., pursuant to Special Orders * * and of which Brig. General 
 
490 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Thomas A. Rowley, U. S. Vols., is president, were arraigned and 
 tried:" * * * 
 
 "2nd — Dyer L. Chapin, a citizen of Luzerne county, Pa., on 
 the following charge and specification : 
 
 Charge: — Aiding and abetting resistance to the draft. 
 
 Specification: — In this ; that the said Dyer L. Chapin, did 
 furnish, sell and deliver to one Francis M. Ikeler, gun caps and 
 two pounds of lead, more or less, to be used against United 
 States soldiers coming up the valley of Fishingcreek, in Columbia 
 county, Pa., knowing the same were to be used for the purpose of 
 resisting the said soldiers of the United States : 
 
 This done on or about August 14th, 1864, at or about the vil- 
 lage of New Columbus, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania. 
 
 To which charge and specification the accused. Dyer L. Cha- 
 pin, a citizen of Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, plead ^'not guilty" 
 
 Finding: — The Commission after mature deliberation on the 
 evidence adduced, finds the accused. Dyer L. Chapin, a citizen 
 of Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, as follows : 
 
 Of the Specification, Not Guilty. 
 
 Of the Charge, Not Guilty. 
 
 And the Commission does therefore acquit him.'' 
 The accusation on which Mr. Chapin was tried appears almost 
 farcical upon its face ; but slight and frivolous as it was, it was 
 found to be unjust and false. Besides, it was either concocted 
 some time after his ariest or made to take the place of more 
 material matters of accusation which could not be sustained. It 
 was first heard of, or produced in a formal manner, when Col. 
 Albright came upon his expedition as an evidence hunter toward 
 the end of September, but other matters of accusation, or a differ- 
 ent form of the same accusation, would seem to have been 
 bruited about before. We have heard that a bill or voucher of 
 Mr. Chapin's for "2 fts of lead," was read or reported as '"2 bbls. 
 of lead ;"' the clear inference being that he was engaged in pro- 
 curing or furnishing supplies for the so called "insurrection." 
 Another wonderful statement made concerning him is ventilated 
 in the correspondence which we subjoin. We submit it without 
 remarks as it fully explains itself. 
 
HIHTOR Y OF COL UMBIA CO UNTY. 491 
 
 COEKESPONDBNC E. 
 
 New CobtTMBUs; Pa. ) 
 March, 2d, 1870. j 
 Messrs. P. C, Wakswokth, and Jacob Fitzgerald, — Dear 
 Sirs: — Will you do me the favor to reduce to writing a statement 
 made in, your presence by Gwynn Tyreman concerning a report 
 that he had put in circulation about seeing my team hauling a 
 cannon through Town Hill, the latter part of the summer of 1864 
 and oblige 
 
 Yours very respectfully 
 
 D. L. Chapin. 
 
 Town Hill, Pa. "I 
 March 3d, 1870. J 
 Hon. D. L, Ghapin. — Dear Sir: — Your favor of the second in- 
 stant is before us, and contents noted. In compliance with your 
 request we annex the following statement. 
 
 About the time the military forces of the United States were 
 marched up Fishingcreek, in the latter part of the summer of 
 1864, it was reported tliat Gwynn Tyreman had occasion to be up 
 late one bright moonlight night, and haxi seen your team pass 
 through Town Hill between midnight and daylight with a cannon 
 which your team was hauling to Benton __or Fishingcreek in Col- 
 umbia county for the conscripts, who it was reported were congre- 
 gating there in a large force to resist the draft. Subsequently we 
 were in A. J. Hess' store in Town Hill, and heard him ask Gwynn 
 Tyreman about seeing your team hauling a cannon to the con- 
 scripts in Benton and Fishingcreek, in answer to which Gwynn 
 Tyreman replied, that he had never seen your team hauling a 
 cannon or anything of the kind and that he had started the 
 report just to create an excitement. 
 
 Respectfully Yours, 
 
 P. C. Wadswoktu, 
 Jacob Fitzgerald. 
 
 In the following letter received from Mr. Chapin, that gentle- 
 man refers to certain papers and gives some interesting details of 
 
 his case. 
 
 New Columbus, March 7th, 1870. 
 C. B. Brockwav, Esq., — Dear Sir. — Enclosed lind a letter to, 
 and from Messrs. Wadsworth and Fitzgerald. I hardly know 
 
492 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 what more to send you. I will, however, annex a bi'ief sketch of 
 my career for about 17 years previous to my arrest by the mili- 
 tary. I moved to New Columbus, April 1st, 1847, and engaged 
 in the mercantile business. In 1853 I was elected a justice of the 
 peace, in Huntingdon township, and was re-elected again in 
 1 858 in the same township, which was strongly republican, with- 
 out opposition. In 1859, I was elected a member of the Legisla- 
 ture from Luzerne county. In 1864, I was elected a justice of 
 the peace again. Arrested August 31st, 1864, by the military, 
 and transported with a rush to Fort Mifflin where I remained 
 until the 19th of December, 1864, during which time I suffered 
 severely with the ague and rheumatism, which disabled me to 
 such an extent that I was obliged to use crutches for some time. 
 On the 18th of December, 1864, an order came to Fort Mifflin 
 for my removal to Harrisburg for trial, where I arrived on the 
 evening of the 19th. and was marched up to Canterbury Guard 
 House near the State Capitol Hotel, where I was kept with Dan- 
 iel M'Henry and others. Daniel M'Henry's trial closed and mine 
 was to come next. I was called for on Tuesday, December 27th, 
 but the Commission was not ready. December 28th, was called 
 for again ; this time the Military Commission was ready. I was 
 arraigned before the Star Chamber and one witness, F. M. Ikeler, 
 examined against me, and N. J. Hess was asked one question and 
 my trial was over. It lasted about one hour. I did not call a 
 witness. On Saturday an order came for my discharge and it 
 appeared strange enough to be permitted to walk the streets of 
 Harrisburg without a guard by my side, or in the rear. I arrived 
 at home on the 2d of January, 1864. About the 12th of Decem- 
 ber, 1864. Colonel Eastman, the commandant of Fort Mifflin, sent 
 for me to come to his quarters, where, of course, I made my ap- 
 pearance; when he inquired if I knew what I was arrested for, I 
 answered, that I did not ; then I asked him the same question, and 
 received for an answer that I was arrested for resisting the draft 
 in Columbia county. I very pointedly informed him I did not 
 live in Columbi >. county, which appeared to surprise him very 
 much ; he then informed me that he had a letter that my wife 
 had written Governor Curtin, which he handed me to read. Gov- 
 ernor Curtin had forwarded my wife's letter to the War Dejiart- 
 ment and they had sent it to Fort Mifflin, whether to increase the 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 493 
 
 severity of my imprisonment, or relax the iron grasp of tyranni- 
 cal despotism I knew not — she talked plainly to them at any rate. 
 During my interview with Colonel Eastman, I told him I had 
 nothing to regret, that I had never resisted the draft or advised 
 others to do so, and if I had my life to live over again I did not 
 think I would act differently from what I had since the war com- 
 menced. I have not got a copy of F. M. Ikeler's evidence before 
 the Military Commission. I think it can be had of A. J. Herr, 
 Esq., who was my attorney before the Military Commission. It 
 differed materially from the two affidavits, of his, I gave you, 
 taken in Fishingcreek or Benton. Soon after my arrest in 1864, 
 a report was in circulation that som^ of the intensely loyal in 
 New Columbus were to be arrested, and in great haste they re. 
 ported to Colonel Stewart at Benton, who, very generously, in- 
 formed them that he would notify them when he wished to see 
 them. ****** 
 
 I think this, with the other papers I gave you, gives a brief 
 outline of my arrest and imprisonment, and you are at liberty to 
 put it together in such shape as you may think best. Should you 
 require any further information I will cheerfully give it, if iri 
 my power. Yours very Respectfully, 
 
 D. L. CIIAPIN. 
 
 P. S. — I might remark here that it is not customary for naer- 
 chants to ask their customers what they intend to do with their 
 purchases. I had sold gun caps and lead for seventeen years, to 
 any one of my customers who called for it and John Ikeler's chil- 
 dren had been in the habit of coming to the store frequently. 
 
 D. L. C. 
 
 He was tried for resisting the draft, though he had been one of 
 the most active men in his section in assisting to furnish soldiers 
 for the war. In concluding his case we will ask our readers to 
 peruse the following statement written by Mr. Chapin in prison 
 Dec. 14,. 1864, every word of which is indubitably true. 
 
 "Fort Mificlin, Dec. U, 1864. 
 
 On or about the 7th of August 1862, Myron Fellows who was 
 then living with me, made up his mind to enlist in the army and 
 tiy and raise a squad of volunteers to entitle him to a Lieuten- 
 ancy. I replied that I was very sorry to lose his services, but, if 
 he had made up his mind to enlist, I would procure him all the 
 
494 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY 
 
 assistance I could in procurinsy voluntfeers. In about one week 
 we recruited between sixty and seventy meii. On or about the 
 twelfth of August, 1862, the company recruited were to rendez- 
 vous at Town Hill preparatory to starting for the Rail Road De- 
 pot at Shickshinny. James Tiibbs and myself called the volun- 
 teers up in line, Myron Fellows being unavoidably absent. I 
 made out a roll and helped to get the recruits conveyances to 
 transport them to Shickshinny, where they remained a few days 
 when E. S. Osborne Esq. joilied them with thirty or forty men. 
 
 Myron Fellows yielded his right to the position (if Captain and 
 accepted thatof First Lieutenant. The Company was attached 
 to the 149th P. V. Roy Stone was elected Colonel. A short 
 time after in the sarrie year C. K. Hughes began recruiting a com- 
 pany to whom I furnished a spring wagon to haul his music and 
 speakers to recruiting meetings, or as they were called war meet- 
 ings, for nearly a month, and frequently went with him to aid in 
 recruiting his company which when full was attached to the 143rd 
 Regiment P. V. 
 
 Second. — When the draft was made under the State law in 1862 
 the Borough of New Columbus in which I live was exempt. Our 
 quota was 14, and we had in the military service 18 volunteers 
 leaving a credit for New Columbus Borough of four men after 
 filling all calls made for volunteers. In 1863 New Columbus 
 Borough was enrolled with Huntington Township, and our credit 
 was absorbed in the deficiency in the township. The draft was 
 ordered and the Borough being attached to the Township we 
 could do nothing toward filling our quota with volunteers. Some 
 six or seven were drafted who all reported and paid their commu- 
 tation or went into the army except two, one of them was strick- 
 en off, and the other belonged to the 143rd Regiment P. V. Un- 
 der the next call in the winter of 1864, the quota of New Colum- 
 bus Borough was two. A meeting of those liable to the draft 
 was called. I offered a resolution that each one liable to the 
 draft should pay t*^enty five dollars each to raise funds to pay 
 local bounty of $275.00 to each volunteer, which passed. I drew 
 Tip a subscription and signed twenty five dollars, subsequently 
 increased it to $30.00, to make up the deficiency which was more 
 than any one else paid. The men were procured and our quota 
 filled. 
 
HI8T0RY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 495 
 
 Under the next call our quota was filled by my offering a reso- 
 lution before the Town Council which was passed to levy, a tax to 
 pay bounty to volunteers, which was levied and enough collected 
 to pay $300.00 local bounty to volunteers to fill our quota, the 
 last of May 1864. 
 
 Under the next call for 500,000 the quota of New Columbus 
 Borough was four. I offered a resolution before the Town 
 Council, which passed, authorizing the council to issue Borough 
 Bonds payable in one, two, and three years to raise money to pay 
 $300,00 bounty to each volunteer. The volunteers were engagt'd 
 and promised $425 local bounty each, leaving $500 to be raised 
 among 15 or 20 men liable to the draft and some not able to pay 
 anything. Here my efforts to fill our quota with volunteers were 
 about to fail. I then proposed to those liable to the draft to get 
 the men ready to start to Soranton on Tuesday morning the 30th 
 of August and raise all the money they could and 1 would ad- 
 vance the rest. The day arrived and to make up the deficiency 
 I paid six hundred and twenty-eight dollars. John Bogert and 
 R. S. Bingham went to Scranton with the vluntcers on the 30th 
 day of August 1 S64 and retui-ned with the Provost Marshal's re- 
 ceipt the same evening before I left my office. 
 
 The next morning August 31, 1864, I was arrested and sent to 
 Fort Miffiin where I am now confined a citizen prisoner, without 
 knowing what great crimes I am accused of." 
 
 A CASE OF HANGING. 
 
 Columbia countt, ss. 
 
 Leonard R. Cole, of Jackson township, in said 
 county, being duly sworn according to law, saith : 
 
 That he is a son of Ezekiel J. CV.e of said township of Jack- 
 son, and is sixteen years of age. That on Saturday afternoon 
 November 5th, three soldiers came to his father's house and 
 searched it. They then went to the barn and deponent started 
 to the orchard neat- it to drive out the sheep to another field. 
 One of the soldiers stopped him and took him to the stable in the 
 barn. Two of them were there. They said they would make 
 
496 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 me tell where my father was. I told them I did not know ; that 
 he had gone on Monday week to the mountain, up West creek 
 gap, to hunt, and told him the way there. During the examioa- 
 tion they put a rope around my neck, and threw it over a mow 
 pole and drew on it. One of them held the rope and the other 
 had a book to set down what I said. The one with the book di- 
 rected the other to pull harder. He said my father had been 
 there two hours before, there was no use denying it. I denied he 
 had been there. The rope was pulled until ray heels were drawn 
 off the floor, and I was blinded and unable to speak. My mother 
 and Elizabeth Robbins approaching they took off the rope, and I 
 staggered out of the stable. One of them had a rope with him 
 and they obtained another piece in the stable and tied the two to- 
 gether to draw me up. I had answered the questions they had 
 asked me, and had not given them any uncivil language. 
 
 I do not know the names of the soldiers in the stable, but 
 would know them upon seeing them. The third one was Ephraim 
 Kline, of Benton township. He was at the corn crib between 
 the house and barn. 
 
 Leonard R. Cole. 
 
 8worn and subscribed before me Movember 7th, 1864. 
 
 Jesse Coleman, 
 Prothonotary. 
 
 THE FISHIFG CREEK CONFEDERACY. 
 
 The stale slanders about this subject have been so often and so 
 thoroughly refuted that we seldom pay much attention to them. 
 We copy, however, an article on the subject by the editor of the 
 Shenandoah Herald, 1872, an Independent journal, which how- 
 ever supports a portion of the Republican ticket. The writer was 
 a member of the "Army of Invasion," and knows whereof he 
 speaks : 
 
 So it is with the charge of fathering the "Fishing Creek Con- 
 federacy'' which is cast upon the statesman like shoulders of 
 
 BUCKAI.EW. 
 
 Ybt we know this charge is false, for we were on the spot and 
 took part in the celebrated campaign to crush it. Well do we re- 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 497 
 
 member the heroic charge we made on the supposed battlements 
 of the confederates after a fortnight's preparation, reconnoitering, 
 scouting and picketing, and quite vivid is the picture still in our 
 minds of the disgusted countenances of the one thousand braves 
 as they reached the summit of the mount where we were taught 
 to believe the Fishing Creek army was massed and which for one 
 long month we had regarded with awe and expectancy, and found 
 not a man, nor the meanest evidence that a man had ever been 
 there. Such was our extreme disappointment that our sojourn 
 in Columbia county was shortened none too soon and but a few 
 days elapsed before not a soldier was to be seen where for six 
 weeks all had been bustle, and activity. The Government was 
 beautifully fooled by a few people who wanted to see the soldiers. 
 In a word, impartial reader, let us inform you, that such a thing 
 as a confederacy to resist the U. S. Government never existed in 
 Columbia county, that the trouble that existed there during that 
 interesting period of time when the draft was so severe, amount- 
 ed to nothing more than what existed in this and other counties 
 of the State, and that was the desertion of a few men that had 
 been drafted and their refusal to appear when summoned in de- 
 fence of their country. No open resistance, no organization in 
 opposition to the federal authorities, nothing but the act of a few 
 men who fled to escape being forced into the army — and this is 
 the history of the "Fishingcreek Confederacy." 
 
 CAPTAIN SILVERS' STATEMENT— COLONEL STEW- 
 ART CONTRADICTED. 
 
 State of Pennsylvania, county of Oolumiia, ss.: 
 
 Personally appeared before me, a notary public, in and for the 
 said county, Captain William Silvers, who, being by me first duly 
 sworn, deposes and says that he has carefully read a lengthy article 
 in the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin, of Saturday, September 21st 
 inst.,about Mr. Buokalew and the so-called "Fishingcreek Confeder- 
 acy," together with the affidavit of Colonel Charles Stewart making 
 
49S HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 charges against Mr. Buckalew. which are so false that I think 
 it a duty as a citizen and a neighbor to correct them — not for any 
 political result, but in justice to Mr. Buckalew, and wdth the as- 
 surance that I know more about the draft troubles in this county 
 than either the editor of the Bulletin or Colonel Charles Stewart, 
 who was in this county but a short time. Deponent further says 
 that after he was disabled and honorably discharged from the 
 army he was appointed by Governor A. G. Curtin draft commis- 
 sioner for Columbia county, and was subsequently appointed dep- 
 uty provost marshal of the thirteenth district, which office he held 
 until the close of the war, and therefore thinks he had better op- 
 portunity of knowing the affairs of this county during the war 
 than the editor of the Bulletin or Colonel Stewart. The latter 
 asserts that he had received orders from General Couch to proceed 
 ■to the Fishingoreek, Columbia county, and "to kill, capture, or 
 drive these men out of the country." This is materially different 
 from the orders given deponent as deputy provost marshal by 
 either General Couch or Major R. I. Dodge, provost marshal of 
 the State, both of whom were here. Deponent's orders from both 
 w^ere to be firm with the men charged with desertion, but to use 
 no violence unless under compulsion. The statement of Colonel 
 Stewart is false also in stating that Mr. Buckalew addressed the 
 '■Rantz meeting" on Sunday, August 14, 1864. I was informed 
 of an intended meeting the Saturday night previous, and proceed- 
 ed through the woods to watch the movement, but Mr. Buckalew 
 neither addressed the meeting nor was he at any time present. At 
 the trial of the arrested men at Harrisburg, nor since, until this 
 campaign, was he accused of being there. Colonel Stewart states 
 another falsehood when he says that he detailed Lieutenant Magee 
 to arrest Mr. Buckalew, and that the latter absented himself, and 
 that Magee could not arrest him. I could have arrested ]Mr. Bucka- 
 lew at any time had I received orders so to do, either at his home 
 or whilst Congress was in session. I further assert that Colonel 
 Stewart while here, arrested alleged deserters and received money 
 from them, giving them written discharges, but that the men were 
 subsequently held to service ; and that I wrote to him asking his 
 authority for so doing ; he replied by stating that "the Govern- 
 ment wanted money and not men." Whereupon I reported the 
 facts to the provost marshal- and he was immediately relieved 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 499 
 
 from his command. I furthermore swear that iu all my searches 
 through Columbia and Sullivan counties I never found the least 
 trace of earthworks or fortifications, nor did 1 have any knowledge 
 of artiller_v to resist the draft or United States troops. 
 
 Wii.TjAM Silvers. 
 
 Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 30th day of September, 
 1872. W.M. Peacock, 
 
 [ska I,. J Notary Public 
 
 '3 I 
 
500 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 .^:pi=E:tTiDi2^ itTo. 1. 
 
 PLEA OF JOH^T RANTZ, 
 
 To all tbe charges and specifications John Rant-z, the prisoner, 
 when in a court of proper jurisdiction will plead not guilty, but 
 respectfully begs leave to file the following written plea to the ju- 
 risdiction of this court ; 
 
 1. The charges involve high and infamous crimes, and the 
 Constitution of the United States expressly provides that bo per- 
 son shall be held to answer for a capital or otherwise infamous 
 crime unless on a presentment or indictment by a grand jury, ex- 
 cept in cases arising from the land or naval forces, or in the 
 militia, when in active service in time of war or public danger. 
 (Amendment Const. Art. 5.) And again : "In all criminal oases 
 the prisoner shall enjoy the right of a speedy public trial by an 
 impartial jury of the State and district where the crime shall 
 have been committed." (Amendment to the Const. Art. 6.) 
 
 These provisions were adopted after the organization of the 
 Government of the United States under the Constitution and for 
 the purpose of placing the trial by jury entirely beyond the 
 power of ('ongress and all other bodies of I he Government. The 
 Constitution, as originally adopted, contained the following pro- 
 visions on the subject: "The trial of all crimes, except in cases 
 of impeachment, shall he by jury ; and such trial shall be held in 
 the State where such crime shall have been committed." (Art. 4, 
 Sec. 2.) So jealous were the people of the right in question that 
 they required the amendment quoted, notwithstanding the origi- 
 nal provision. 
 
 The defendant is a citizen of the United States and of the State 
 of Fenns)dvania, not in the land or naval forces or in the militia 
 in active service. He is therefore not within the exception of 
 Article 5 of amendments above cited. That exception does not 
 afPect his rights any more than if it did not exist. The several 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 501 
 
 provisions of the Constitution are absolute as to him ; and if anj 
 constitutional provision can pi-otect a right it would seem that he 
 ought to be protected from a trial not in conformity with them. 
 It seems that he cannot, in fairness, be tried without being pre- 
 sented "hj a, grand ]\ii-Y , or tv\edi. •viith.ont a. petit jury oi the dis- 
 trict wherein the alleged offences were committed. 
 
 But it may be said that we are in a state of war ; that the writ 
 of habeas corpus is suspended ; and the provisions in question are 
 under similar suspension. But there is no provision for the sus- 
 pension of any branch of the Constitution. The Constitution in- 
 deed authorizes the suspension of the habeas corpus act — a law of 
 the land, generally adopted in the States prior to the Constitu- 
 tion. The right of trial by jury, however, is placed on a different 
 and higher ground. It is secured by these several absolute pro- 
 visions of the Constitution against all chances and under all cir- 
 cumstances. The fiat that suspends it must be potent enough to 
 abolish every principle of the Constitution, and all those primor- 
 dial rights that existed before the Constitution and so far as hu- 
 man foresight provide against their invasion, protected by plain 
 constitutional provisions. 
 
 If it should be contended then, that the power necessary for the 
 suspension of the habeas corpus involves in its exercise the sus- 
 pension of the right of trial by jury, he begs leave to say that, in 
 his opinion, it cannot, for the following reasons : 
 
 1st. The trial by jury is placed by the Constitution among the 
 original reserved rights of the people, and must, in favor of natural 
 liberty, be held safe as against the exercise of any doubtful power 
 upon the principle of construction applied to constitutions, that 
 grants of power are to be construed strictly as agaiu^u the power 
 and in favor of liberty. 
 
 2. But being last in point of time and of equal authority with 
 the provisions in relation to the suspensions of habeas corpus, the 
 amendments must be held to restrain that provision so far as may 
 be necessary to the perfect enjoyment of the rights asserted in 
 the amendments. 
 
 3. Simply, however, because they are amendments to the Coo- 
 stitutiou, everything in that instrument that may in any view be 
 held to impair rights thei'ein asserted must give way to them. To 
 that extent they change and modify the powers conferred on the 
 
502 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Goveniment in the original iiistruineiit. The right of trial by 
 jury ill the cases referred to cannot be impaired^much less taken 
 away — by the siis|iensi(jn of the habeas corpus., nor indeed by 
 any order of the Executive or law of Congress. To this effect 
 see 2(1 Story on Con., See's 1,778 to 1,795,, inclusive. 
 
 4. But not only may this right of trial by jury be regarded as 
 affirmative!}' .asserted and secured to the citizen by the provis- 
 ions of the Constitution, but any and every other mode of trial 
 must be taken to be excluded and prohibited. Thus : "Xo per- 
 son shall be held to answer for any capital or other\\'ise infamous 
 crime unless in case of prt-sentment and indictment by a grand 
 jury," A'c, clearly precludes the notion of any other form of 
 trial. 
 
 The old comiiMu law and gi'eat statutes of England, brought 
 over with them by the founders of the English colonies, and in 
 force at the time of the adoption of the Consiitution of the 
 United SiatcN, excluded all other modes of trial of any citizen 
 not in the militarj- commission. Mr. Justice Story, as ah-eady 
 citeil, expressly apjieals to and quotes Magna Charta upon this 
 point and in support of this position. Tlie 39th chajiter of this 
 great act is as follows : 
 
 '■Xo freeman shall be taken or imprisoned, or disseized or out- 
 lawed, or banished, or in any way destroyed ; nor will we pass 
 upon him unlesh bj- the lawful judgment of his }ieeis. or by the 
 law of the land." 
 
 "The judgment of his peers," here alluded to, says Story, "is 
 the trial by jurj^, who are called the peers of the party accused, 
 being of like condition and equal." He also expressly says; 
 
 "When our more immediate ancestors removed to America 
 they brought this great privilege with them, as their birth right 
 and inheritance, as a part of that admirable common law which 
 had fenced round and interposed barriers on every side against 
 the approaches of arbitrary power." P. 1779. 
 
 But this denial of any otlier form of trial, and especially that 
 by military commissions, was asserted in the "Petition of Rights' 
 passed in the third year of Charles the First. It is therein en- 
 acted and established, "That no man of what state or condition 
 should be put out of his lands oi- tenements, nor taken,. nor im- 
 
IIISTOM Y OF COL UMBIA GO UNI Y. 5M 
 
 prisoued, nor' diBiuherited, nor put to death without due process 
 of law ' 
 
 And in speaking of the commissions, aforesaid, the act useth 
 the following terms: 
 
 "Which commisssions, and all others of like nature, iire wholly 
 and directly contrary to the said law and statutes of the i-ealni." 
 
 Similar language was employed in the Bill of Rights passed at 
 the time of the Revolution of 1688. 
 
 And it may be safely stated that since that time no pvoceeil- 
 ings of this nature have taken place in England against any person 
 not a member of the army ov navy or in the militia in actual ser- 
 vice. Indeed, a distinguished English Judge has said : "^lar- 
 tial law as of old does not exist in England at all," and is con 
 trary to the Constitution, and has been for a century totally ex- 
 ploded." Grant vs. Gould 2 Hume Bl. 69 I Hale P. "c. 246. Hale 
 com. law V. '2. 36 ; This, it has been remarked by a learned 
 judge, "is correct, as to the community generally, both in war 
 and peace." 
 
 By an act approved July 31, 1864, Vol. 12, statutes at large, 
 page 2184, conspiracies are defined, and the mode of jninishment 
 provided, namely • By trial in the Circuit or District Court of 
 the United States of the proper circuit or district. 
 
 Can these jjarties be tried before any other tribunal ? We 
 hold not. By the President's proclamation of Sept. 24th, 1862, 
 suspending the writ of habeas coiyiis, it was ordered, '-That 
 during the existing insurrection and as a necessary measure for 
 suppressing the same, all j-ebels and insurgents, their aiders and 
 abettors, within the Ignited States, &c., shall be subject to martial 
 law and liable to trial and punishment by court martial or mili- 
 tary commission." Without stopping to inquire whether the 
 proclamation was authorized, and if so, whether it embraced per- 
 sons charged with committing a substantial offense within a 
 State not in insurrection, and when the courts ;ire in full exercise 
 of their powers, the defendant claims that it has been superceded 
 by the act of Congress of the 3rd of March, 1803, (Vol. 12, stat- 
 utes at large 775) relating to the writ of hah':as corpus and the 
 President's proclamation, based thereon of the 15th of September, 
 1862. 
 
504 HISTOET OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 The first section of the act of 1863, authorizes the President to 
 suspend the writ of habeas corpus. 
 
 The second requires the Secretary of State and of War to re- 
 port to the Judges of the United States Circuit and District 
 Courts the names of persons held in military custody by order of 
 the President in their respective districts, and if the grand juries 
 of the proper districts fail to find bills, it is the duty of the judges 
 to have all such persons discharged on taking the oath of allegi- 
 ance and giving bond if required. 
 
 The third section provides that all persons so held and not re- 
 ported, shall be entitled to a discharge in the same manner as is 
 provided in the second section, after a failure on the part of the 
 proper Grand Jury to indict him. 
 
 Here are all the sections of this act which bear on the question 
 and it will be seen that while they contemplate and sanction mil- 
 itary arrests, they do not countenance or authorize military trials. 
 On the contrary they fairly discountenance them. 
 
 The President's proclamation based on this act, limits the sus- 
 pension of the habeas corpus to persons amenable to military 
 law, or to the rules and articles of war, &c. No order is contain- 
 ed in this proclamation in regard to trials, and the inference is ir- 
 resistible that the proper courts are left to act under the rules of 
 law upon that subject, and these are too well defined to require 
 comment. Civil courts try offences against the law committed 
 by citizens. Military courts and commissions try such as are sub- 
 ject to the rules and articles of war, and the defendant claims 
 that he does not fall within that class. 
 
 5. The recent act- giving military courts jurisdiction of of- 
 fences against the civil laws, when committed by soldiers, excludes 
 citizens by its silence from any such jurisdiction, and leaves them 
 to be tried by the civil courts for all such offences. See Rev. reg. 
 1863, p. 541. 
 
 But all doubt, if there could be any on this question, is put to 
 rest by the act of 3rd of March, 1 863, entitled or known as the 
 Enrollment Act, where it is expn ssly provided. That where per- 
 sons are charged with resisting the draft, they shall be forthwith 
 delivered to the civil authorities^'' and upon conviction be pun- 
 ished. Statutes at large, vol. 12, p. 785, pi. 25. 
 
 The President's proclamation of loth of September, 1863, pro- 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 505 
 
 fesses to conform to the statute, indeed makes the statute the rule 
 of action under the proclamation, and does not impair the right of 
 trial by jury. We have, however, in the enrollment act of the 
 24th of July, 1864, the Executive and legislative construction of 
 the then existing law, for the hearing of the party in such like 
 cases is exclusively assigned to a Court of competent jurisdiction 
 and the Circuit Court of the United States, in the district in which 
 the offence was committed, is specified as the only proper tribunal. 
 Statutes at large, vol. 13, p. 8, pi. 12. 
 
 The defendant further desires the commission to consider this 
 question in determining that of the jurisdiction, viz : Can the 
 sentence of this court be pleaded in bar to a prosecution upon in- 
 dictment for the offence charged in the civil courts ? It would 
 seem not, in view of the recent legislation of Congress, already 
 cited. The legislation clearly gives jurisdiction of this case to 
 the civil courts, and upon their failure to try and convict him en- 
 titles him to be discharged, either upon terms or absolutely. 
 
 In view of these considerations, the defendant respectfully sub- 
 mits that he is not triable by this commission, not being within 
 the jurisdiction thereof, or any other military tribunal whatever. 
 
 All of which is respectfully submitted. 
 
 JOHN RANTZ. 
 
oUG IIISTOllY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 MILITARY TRIALS AT HARRISBURG. 
 
 Some note ought to be made of the military trials ihat took 
 }3lace in this cit}', during the late civil war, and I may premise 
 that, living on the spot at the time, Ibelii-ved then and believe 
 now, fhat they were arbitrary and unconstitutional, were Avholly 
 unnecessary and without justification, palliation, or excuse," It 
 must be recollected, that we in Pennsylvania were living, or thought 
 we were, in a State which was not engaged in the rebellion against 
 the government ; but it turned out that we were mistaken, or the 
 War Department was; for notwithstanding the legislation on the 
 subject, by our State legislature and by Congress, the War De- 
 partment arrested the citizens of this State, and tried them by 
 military connnission, as if the State was in open rebellion, and as 
 if all the courts in the State had been closed; and this, too, after 
 the State had sent two hundred thousand men to suppress the 
 rebellion. 
 
 The Constitution of the United States has provided in the 
 third article that "the trial of aZZ crimes, exctpt in cases of im- 
 peachment, shall be by jury, and such trial shall be held in the 
 Stite where such crime shall have beeu committed ;" and then in 
 the amendments to the Constitution, article .), that "no person 
 shall be held to answer for a capital or otherwise hifamous crinw, 
 unless on ^presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in 
 cases arising in the land or naval forces or, in the militia when in 
 actual service, in time of war or public danger," "nor be deprived 
 of life, liberty, or property, without due jirocess of law,'' And 
 in article sixth, "in all criminal prosecutio7is the accused shall 
 enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury 
 in the State and district wherein the crime shall have been com- 
 mitted, which district shall have beeu previously ascertained by 
 leviry 
 
 Our St.ate legislature in order to prevent any person from giving 
 aid or assistance to the rebellion, passed an act on the 18th of 
 April, 1861, by which, in one lengthy section, they provide for 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 507 
 
 every possible case, in which any person could give aid or comfort 
 to the "enemies of this State, or the United States of America," 
 and also where any one shouldi persuade any person or persons 
 from entering the service of this State or the United Slates . "or 
 induce any person lo abandon such service" and enacting that 
 '•every person so offending, and being legally convicted thereof, 
 shall be guilty of a high misdemeanor and shall be sentenced to 
 undergo solitary imprtsoiiment in the ptiriti-iitiitry at hard labor 
 not exceeding te7i years, or be fined in a sum not exceeding five 
 thousand dollars, or both, at the discretion of the court." 
 
 Congress, by an act passed 3d March, 1863, directed that where 
 pei'sons are charged with resisting the druft they "shall be forth- 
 with delivered to the cicil authnrities." 
 
 And by th-e act approved on the 31st of July, 1864, further 
 provided for the trial and punishment of oonspiiacies against the 
 government, and tlirected and required these trials to be had 
 before "the Circuit or District Court of the United States for the 
 proper circuit or district.'' 
 
 As many perhaps as twenty or thirty ])rivate citizens, all living- 
 east or north of the Susquehanna river, piincipally in Luzerne or 
 Columbia counties, were arrested at their liomes and tried by 
 military tribunals in this city in the year ].S(14 or 1865. Some of 
 the trials were held in the lower room of the north coruer of 
 Market street and River alley, others in the most easterly upper 
 room of the court house over the court room. The mode of trial 
 was by three military men sitting as a military court, with a pei-- 
 son acting as judge advocate, who took no oath to perform his 
 duty honestly, but wliose decision mi every point was taken as 
 conclusive. A guard stood at the door, and no person was admit- 
 ted but the one witness called and the counsel of the prisoner. 
 Every question was required to be submitted in writing. It was 
 with great difficulty that the prisoner's counsel could gain aibnit- 
 tailce to the prisoner's room to see the prisoner. He was required 
 on every visit to produce an order from the provost marshal. The 
 charges against these persons were generally the same; either for 
 combining to resist the draft, or uttering disloyal sentiments and 
 threatening to resist the officers of the government. The writer 
 was never acquainted with any one of these prisoners. 
 
 These offences were such as the State courts were authorized 
 
508 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 by the act above cited to try, and on conviction to punish. And 
 they were the very kind of cases for which Congress had specially 
 provided by legislation and had directed and required to be tried 
 before the United States Circuit or District Courts of the proper 
 district. 
 
 The prisoners in every instance pleaded to the jurisdiction of 
 the military court ; that is, denied that the court had jurisdiction 
 in the case, and asked that they be tried by the State Court, as 
 provided by the Act of Assembly, or by the United States Court 
 as directed by Act of Congress. But these pleas were disregard- 
 ed by the War Department. That Department had the military 
 in its hands and would treat every other branch of the govern- 
 ment with contempt. The Act of our State Legislature and the 
 State courts, the Act of Congress and the United States Courts, 
 as well as the Constitutiou of the land, were all treated with utter 
 contempt, and the party arrested was tried in each case as if we 
 had no written Constitution and no law, and as if the states not 
 in rebellion were under a military despotism. The evidence in 
 most of these trials revealed a case so trilling and insignificant as 
 to be only fit to be heard before the quarter sessions ; and after a 
 stately and elaborate military trial nearly every prisoner was ac- 
 quitted. 
 
 Ill no instance, I believe, was any man arrested with arms in 
 his hands, or in a military company, but every one was arrested 
 at his peaceable home. A large force, of perhaps seven hundred 
 soldiers, had been sent to Columbia county, and after encamping 
 there fi.r ten days they arrested about forty farmers in the neigh- 
 borhood, all of whom were at their respective homes, and many 
 of them in bed with their families, at the tijne of arrest. These 
 prisoners were all taken to Fort Mifflin and afterwards brought 
 to this city for trial. Had any of these meri violated the Act of 
 the State Legislature, or the Act of Congress, and been tried in 
 the State or the United States courts and convicted and punished; 
 no reasonable man could have objected or found fault with the 
 proceeding ; but these prisoners were unnecessarily dragged away, 
 in the face of the Act of our Legislature and the Act of Congress, 
 in contempt of the courts, and tried at the seat of government, as 
 if to cast contempt upon the reputation of this Commonwealth 
 and her citizens. I have not heard of a single instance in which 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 509 
 
 any civil or military officer had been injured in an attempt to ar- 
 rest any of these prisoners. But if it was necessary to take a 
 military force to the ground to arrest them, then why were they 
 not taken before the civil courts for trial ? If the Court of Col- 
 umbia county could not be trusted with the trial, why were the 
 prisoners not taken to the United States Court at Williamsport, 
 in the adjoining county., pursuant to the Act of Congress ? All 
 these courts were open and unobstructed by the rr,bellion. No 
 armed rebel ever set his foot on the eastern shore of the Susque- 
 hanna, nor within one hundred miles of the place where these 
 prisoners lived and were arrested ; and no State or United States 
 Court east of the Susquehanna was ever closed or interfered with 
 by the rebellion. Indeed, some of these trials were held in our 
 court house while our court was sitting. I ask then, where was 
 the necessity for these trials by the military! It was not pretend- 
 ed that the prisoners tried were in the army "in actual service in 
 time of war or public danger.'' Some of them could not belong 
 to the army, for one, a farmer by occupation, named Samuel M'- 
 Henry, was seventy years of age. The mode of trial in some of 
 the cases would have disgraced any military despotism in Europe, 
 and is a scandal to the age in which we live. 
 
 Take for instance the case of Daniel M'Henry, of Columbia 
 county. The charges agMinst him were substantially those above 
 stated. The trial proceeded before three military men for a day 
 or more, when suddenly one of these judges or members of the 
 court disappeared, and a new man in military dress, who had not 
 been present at the trial, nor heard any of the evidence, appeared 
 and claimed to take the place of the absentee without consulting 
 the prisoner. The counsel for the prisoner of course objected, and 
 the two remaining officers or jurors or judges, agreed to adjourn 
 the case until they could hear from Washington. In a few days 
 afterwards the prisoner was informed that the War Department 
 had been heard from and the trial must proceed. And it did pro- 
 ceed. Those who gave the orders in the War Department no doubt 
 hoped that notwithstanding this scandalous violation of the rights 
 of the citizens and of the Constitution of the United States, some 
 effort would be made by an unscrupulous partisan Congress, which 
 lost no opportunity to show its contempt for the Constitution and 
 which treated the Supreme Court of the United States with un- 
 
.510 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY 
 
 mitigated hatred, to screen them afterwards from the consequen- 
 ces of their acts. But it must be recollected that Congress can 
 pass no law that contravenes the Constitution of the United States. 
 Congress was created by the Constitution and is inferior to it. 
 This conduct of the War Department, exhibiting the most strin- 
 gent exercise of a military despotism, was not attempted to be 
 justified; but our courts were overawed and would not have dared 
 to grant a writ of haheas corpus in any case, and I am confident 
 that if any man had declared publicly that these trials were in the 
 face of the Constitution, he would have been picked up on the 
 same day, by the military at the point of the bayonet, and would 
 have been subjected to a trial before this very military court 
 whose power and jurisdiction he utterly denied. 
 
 When one prisoner was up for trial a piece of paper was pinned 
 over his head having written on it the words, ''Death to Traitors." 
 However trifling the offenses for which these men were tried, 
 yet the punishment authorized by our State law of imprisonment 
 for ten years in the penitentiary, made the crime an infamous 
 one, and therfore clearly within the Constitution which requires 
 a presentment or indictment. 
 
 The people of this whole land ought to understand that the 
 Constitution of the United States is the foundation of our gov- 
 ernment, and the Supreme Court of the United States is the ju- 
 dicial expounder of the Constitution. If the Supreme Court of 
 the United States can be so manipulated by Conijress, as to 
 become a political partisan institution, instead of a judicial one, 
 and the constitution can be construed in such a way as to con- 
 travene the whole genius of our government in establishing a 
 military despotism over the whole land, because of a partial re- 
 bellion, that there is an end to all appeal to civil government. 
 The people must either submit to this military despotism in the 
 hands of the War Dej)artnijiit. or oJer open resistance, and stand 
 u])on their rights guaranteed to them by our form of government. 
 It would I'e useless to talk of amending the Constitution or 
 making a new one. for if a Constitution framed by Washington 
 and tlie men of the ii'volu;i(in c:i i I'e treated with contempt and 
 disregarded, no reasonable man would suppose that a Constitu- 
 made by the men of the present day, or by the men of any future 
 generation would be regarded. 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA OOUNTY. 511 
 
 I solemnly bel'tve that i' v\:i< Ile^•el• i.iteiided by the frainers 
 of the Constitution to coiifoi' upon lhe niilitavy the powers that 
 have been claimed and exei\-iFcd by thi m in the late war. 
 
 I ask the question who. what ui'i.i of comtnoi sense in this 
 broad land ever belioved that the Constitation framed by W.ish- 
 ington and his compeers, established as a rule of irovernnieut, 
 that when a rebeiiion takes place ia one part of the IJnioi', the 
 people in every othei' part are to be subjected to a militarv .ies- 
 potism in the hands of the War Department, until the rebellion is 
 suppressed ? This is the great question that lies at the founda- 
 tion of these military trials. 
 
 Does it not furnish further evidence of a military despotism, 
 that after men have been dragged away from the civil courts, 
 tried by a tribunal unknown to the laws, and acquitted (as was 
 the case with most of these men,) that after being turned loose 
 they should be denied in every case all knowledge of the name of 
 the person at whose instance they had been arrested. 
 
 Take another illustration of the workings of this military law : 
 A drunken officer galloped one day furiously up and down our 
 streets, and rode across the pavement in the centre of the town 
 into a large hotel on horseback, then turned and rode out again. 
 When remonstrated with by the police, he arrested the police, 
 took them into the house and put them under guard, whilst his 
 aids flourished their naked pistols in the faces of the citizens who 
 came in to look on. No magistrate nor court would have dared 
 to issue a warrant for the arrest of these military rowdies, and no 
 "warrant could have been executed. But the conduct of these mil- 
 itary men was of course all right and necessary as a "war meas- 
 ure" because a rebellion existed in the Southern States. 
 
 Do the leaders of the present party in Congress reflect that if 
 they shall by their repeated assaults on the judiciary, and their ef- 
 forts to make it ])artisan, destroy iis independence, its stability 
 find lideliiy. that i'l a short time their party may pass into a min- 
 ority, and their successors in office may imitate their bad example 
 and show themsel\<s as reckless and desperate as the present lead- 
 ers ? and if they should prove so, what thoi "? With a Supreme 
 Court which is a mere shuttlecock between political parties, what 
 will the Constitution be worth to the people of the whole land ? 
 ■what protection will it afford to any man ? 
 
.:,12 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 What would any citizen of Pennsylvania say while living, as 
 he supposes, securely under the Constitution of the United States 
 if he was told that a rebellion had been inaugurated in New Eng- 
 land, and that instantly every person in Pennsylvania had been 
 divested of his right of personal security, and of trial by jury, 
 guaranteed to him by the constitution, and that any day or hour, 
 for any expression of opinion he was liable to be picked up at the 
 point of the bayonet, by a file of soldiers, to be tried by three 
 strangers, in military dress, and whether convicted or not, would 
 be sent to Fort Delaware, to sleep in an apartment below the 
 surface of the surrounding water, and have an open privy used by 
 a dozen of men kept in the room in which he drank and 
 slept? what would he say to such law, as the law of the land? 
 the law insisted upon and practiced upon in Pennsylvania, at its 
 seat of government, in the late civil war. Can it be pretended 
 that when a citizen, not in the army, is arrested by the mili- 
 tary, and when the civil courts are all open and unobstructed in 
 the administration of justice, the military can try him, and when 
 acquitted, if the prisoner asks why he was tried, and at whose 
 instance he was arrested, he may be answered "that is none of 
 your business ; it is a matter about which you have no right to 
 inquire ; you can go !" If this is so, then why were our civil 
 courts established! Are the people living in a State not in rebel- 
 lion to be treated as if they were slaves or brutes? Had the 
 War Department placed in every other county in the State, as 
 they did in this, a military court, and that court, backed by its 
 soldiers, had demanded the right to try all the criminal business 
 of the county, it is doubtful whether the claim would have been 
 resisted. 
 
 To a person who would stand by and look on at these mili- 
 tary proceedings it was perfectly astonishing to see with what 
 ease a civil government, founded on a written Constitution and 
 laws, could be made, by usurpation, to slide over into a military 
 one. 
 
 Had we now a Congress that respected or regarded the interest 
 of the people, we might hope that some proceeding would be 
 adopted repudiating all these military trials where the civil courts 
 were open and had jurisdiction. 
 
 It is very evident that the construction put upon the Constitu 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 5li 
 
 tion by the War Department in the late war on the subject of 
 military arrests and military trials, leaves to the citizen, living ia 
 a State not in rebellion, no personal security whatever, and treats 
 him as if he lived in a land where the government is a sheer mili- 
 tary despotism. Whether the people of the United States are 
 willing to allow the construction of the War Department to stand 
 as a precedent in case of another insane rebellion or not, is a ques- 
 tion of such vast import- as ought to command the attention of the 
 people of this whole land from the Atlantic to the Pacific. 
 Harrisburg, 1867. H. A., 2d street. 
 
S14 MI.STOHY OF COLUMBIA OOTTHrtT. 
 
 jj^i'iPEiTiDisi i70. s. 
 
 UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT. 
 
 ■ MILITAKT TKIALS OF CIVILIANS. 
 
 THE INDIANA CONSPIRACT CASES. 
 
 Argument of the Son. Jeremiah S. Slack. 
 
 In September, 1864, L. P. Milligan, "W. A. Bowles, Stephen 
 Horsey, and others, were arrested and brought before a military 
 commission at Indianapolis, Indiana, charged with being members 
 of the order of "American Knights," or "Sons of Liberty," in 
 league with armed rebels, and with having conspired to release 
 ^he rebel prisoners of war confined in the United States military 
 prisons at Indianapolis, Chicago and Rock Island. The three 
 parties named, after a protracted trial, were found guilty of the 
 charges and specifications preferred against them, and condemned 
 to death. The findings and sentence were approved by the Pres- 
 ident and promulgated by the War Department on the 2d of May 
 1865, and the 19th day of the same month was fixed for the exe- 
 cution. On the 10th of May, however, they applied by petition 
 to the circuit court of the United States for the district of Indi- 
 ana (Judges Davis and McDonald) for a writ of habeas corpus, or 
 for an order of discharge, under the act of Congress approved 
 March 3. 1863, entitled "An act relating to habeas corpus, and 
 regulating judicial proceedings in certain cases." The judges of 
 the circuit court were divided in opinion upon this application, 
 and certified the following questions, on which they differed, to 
 the Supreme Court for decision : 
 
 1. "On the facts stated in said petition and exhibits, ought a 
 writ of habeas corpus to be issued according to the prayer of 
 said petition ?" 
 
 2. "On the facts stated in said petition and exhibits, ought 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 51& 
 
 the said parties to be discharged from custody, as in said petition 
 prayed ?'' 
 
 3. "Whether, upon the facts stated in said petition and exhib' 
 its, the military commission mentioned therein had jurisdiction 
 legally to try and sentence said parties in manner and form as in 
 said petition and exhibits is stated?" 
 
 After the action of the circuit court, certifying tl»e case to the 
 Supreme Court for final decision, the President commuted the sen- 
 tence of the petitioners to imprisonment for life. 
 
 The argument of these questions, which commenced on the 5th 
 and terminated on the 13th of March, 1866, was conducted on the 
 part of the petitioners by J. £. McDonald, Esq., of Indiana, Hon. 
 J. A. Garfield, of Ohio, Hon. J. S. Black, of Pennsylvania, and 
 David Dudley Field, of New York ; and on behalf of the United 
 States by B. F. Butler, Esq , of Massachusetts, Hon. H. Stanberry, 
 of Ohio, and Hon. James Speed, Attorney General of the United 
 States. The argument of Mr. Black for the petitioners was 
 as follows : 
 
 May it please your Honors : 
 
 I am not afraid that you wiil underrate the importance ot this 
 case. It concerns the rights of the whole people. Such ques- 
 tions have generally been settled by arms. But since the begin- 
 ning of the world no battle has ever been lost or won upon which 
 the liberties of a nation were bo distinctly staked as they are on 
 the result of this argument. The pen that writes the judgment 
 of the Court, will be mightier for good or for evil than any sword 
 that ever was wielded by mortal arm. 
 
 As might be expected from the nature of the subject, it has 
 been a good deal discussed elsewhere, in legislative bodies, in 
 public assemblies, and in the newspaper press ot the country. 
 But there it has been mingled with interests and feelings not 
 very friendly to a correct conclusion. Here we are in a higher 
 atmosphere where no passion can disturb the judgment or shake 
 the even balance in which the scales of reason are held. . Here it 
 is purely a judicial question ; and I can speak for my colleagues 
 as well as myself, when I say that we have no thought to suggest 
 which we do not. suppose to be a fair element in the sVrictly legal 
 judgment which you are reqiiireil to make up. 
 
516 HISTORY O^ COLUMBIACOUNTY. 
 
 In pM-form'mg.the duty assigned to me in the. case, I shall nec.r 
 essarily refer to the mere rudiments of constitutional law; to the 
 most commonplaee topics of history, and to .thoso. plain rules' of 
 jiusticei and; right which pervade allour institutions. I^fbeg.your 
 honors to belitve th9,t this is not done because I think that^the 
 Court, or any member of it, is less familiar with these things than 
 I am, or. less !>ensible of their value ; but simply .and only because, 
 according to my view of the subject, .there is, absolutely no other 
 way of dealing with .it.. If the fundamental principles' of Amerr 
 ican liberty are attacked, and we are driven, behind the inner 
 walls of the Constitution to defend them, we can repel the as- 
 sault only with those same old weapons which our ancestors used 
 a hundred years ago You must not think the worse .of our ar- 
 mor because it happens to be old-fashioned and looks a little rusty 
 from long disuse. 
 
 ' The case before you presents but a single point, a,nd that an 
 exceedingly: plain one. It is not encumbered with any of those 
 vexed questions that might be expected to arise out of a great 
 war. You' are not called upon to decide what kind of a rule a 
 military commander may impose upon the inhabitants of a hostile 
 country which he occupies as a conqueror, or what punishment 
 he may inflict upon the soldiers of his own army or the followers 
 of his camp ; or yet how he may deal with civilians in a beleag- 
 uered city or other place in a state of actual siege, which he is i-e • 
 quired to defend against a public enemy. This contest covers no 
 such ground as that. The men whose acts we complain of erect-, 
 ed themselves into a tribunal for the trial and punishment of citi- 
 zens who were connected in no way whatever with the army or 
 navy. And this they did in the midst of a community whose so- 
 cial and legal organization had never been disturbed^ by any war 
 or insurrection, where the courts were wide open, where judicial 
 process was executed every day without interruption, and where 
 all the civil authorities, both State and national, were in full exer- 
 cise of their functions. 
 
 My clients were dragged before this strange tribunal, and after 
 a proceeding, which it would be mere mockery to call a trial, they 
 were ordered to be hung. The charge against them was put into 
 writing and is found ou this record, liut you will not be able to 
 decipher its meaning. The relators were not accused of treason ; 
 
HtSTOBY OF COL JIMSIA CO UJSfTY SIT 
 
 for nothing is imputed to tbera whicH, if true, woWd boiue within' 
 the definition of that critne. It was not oonspiriiCy under the act 
 of 1861 ; for all eoneerued in thi'S business must have known that' 
 conspiracy was not a capital offense; If the comraissiontifs were 
 able to read English, they could not help but see that it was made' 
 punishable even by fine and imprisonment, only upon conditiofi 
 that the parties should first be convicted before a circuit or dis- 
 trict court of the United States. The judge advocate must have 
 meant to charge them' with some offense unknown ta'the laws, 
 which he chose to make capital by legislation of his own, and the 
 commissioners were so profoundly ignorant as to think that the 
 legal innocence of the parties made no difference in the case. I 
 do not say what Sir James Mackintosh said of a similar proceed- 
 ing ; that the trial was a mere conspiracy to commit willful mur- 
 der upon three innocent men. The commissioners are not on trial; 
 they are absent and undefended; and they are entitled to the ben- 
 efit of that charity which piesumes them to be wholly unacquaint- • 
 ed with just piinciples of natural justice, and quite unable to com- 
 prehend either the law or the facts of a criminal cause. 
 
 Keeping the character of the charges in mind, let us come at 
 once to the simple question upon which the court below divided 
 in opinion : Had the commissioners jurisdiction — were they in- 
 vested with legal authority to try the relators and put them to 
 death lor the offense of which they were accused ? We answer, 
 no; and therefore the whole proceeding from beginning to end 
 was utterly null and void. On the other hand, it is absolutely 
 necessary for those who oppose us to assert, and they do assert, 
 that the commissioners had complete legal jurisdiction botli of 
 the subject-matter and of the parties, so that their judgment upon 
 the law and the facts is absolutely conclusive and binding, not 
 bubject to correction nor open to inquiry in any court whatever. 
 Of these two opposite views, you must adopt one or the other 
 for there is no middle ground on which you can possibly stand. 
 
 I need not say, (for it is the law of the horn books,) that where 
 a court, (whatever may be its power in other respects,) presumes 
 to try a man for an offense of which it has no right to take judic- 
 ial cognizance, all its proceedings in that case are null and void. 
 If the party is acquitted, he cannot plead the acquittal after-wards 
 in bar of another prosecution ; if he is found guiltyarfd sentenced, 
 
518 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 he is entitled to be relieved frotn the punishment. If a circuit 
 court of the United States, should undertake to try a party for an 
 offense clearly within the exclusive jurisdiction of the State 
 courts, the judgment could have no effect. If a ounty court in 
 the interior of a State should arrest an officer of the Federal navy, 
 try him, and order him to be hung for some offense against the 
 law of nations, committed upon the high seas or in a foreign port, 
 nobody would treat such a judgment otherwise than with mere de- 
 rision. The Federal courts have jurisdiction to try offenses 
 against the laws of the United States, and the authority of the 
 State courts is confined to the punishment of acts which are made 
 penal by State laws. It follows that where the accusation does 
 not amount to an offense against the law of either the State or the 
 Federal Government, no court can have jurisdiction to tiy it. 
 Suppose for example that the judges of this Court, should organ- 
 ize themselves into a tribunal to try a man for witchcraft, or 
 htresy, or treason, against the Confederate States of America, 
 would anybody say that your judgment had the least validity ? 
 
 I care not, therefore, whether the relators were intended to be 
 charged with treason or conspiracy or with some offense of which 
 the law takes no notice. Either or any way, the men who under- 
 took to try them had no jurisdiction of the subject-matter. 
 
 Nor had they jurisdiction of tho. parties. It is not pretended 
 that this was a case of impeachment, or a case arising in the land 
 or naval forces. It is either ncJthing; at all or else it is a simple 
 crime against the United States, committed by private individuals 
 not in the public service, civil or military. Persons standing in 
 that relation to the Government are answerable foi' the offenses 
 which they may commit, only to the civil courts of the country. 
 So says the Constitution, as we read it ; and the act of Congress 
 of March 3, 1863, which was passed with express reference to 
 persons precisely in the situation of these men, declares that they 
 shall be delivered up for trial to the proper civil authorities. 
 
 There being no jurisdiction of the subject-matter or of the 
 parties, you are bound to relieve the petitioners. It is as much the 
 duty of a judge to protect the innocent as it is to punish the 
 guilty. Suppose that the Secretary of some department should 
 take it into his head to establish an ecclesiastical tribunal here in 
 the city of Washington, composed of clergymen "organized to 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA C0UN2Y. 519 
 
 convict" everybody who prays after a fashion inconsistent Vitk 
 the supposed safety of the State. If he would select the mem- 
 bers with a proper regard to the odium theologicum, I think 4 
 could insure him a commission that would hang every man an|^ 
 woman who might be brought before it. But would you, t'he 
 judges of the land, stand by and see their sentences executed ^ 
 No ; you would interpose your writ of prohibition, your habeua 
 corpus, or any other process that might be at your command, 
 between them and their victims. And you would do that for 
 precisely the reason which requires your intervention here — 
 because religious errors, like political errors, are not crimes >vhicU 
 anybody in this country has jurisdiction to punish, and because 
 ecclesiastical commissions, like military commissions, are not 
 among the judicial institutions of this people. Our fathers long 
 ago cast them both aside among the rubbish of the dark ages ; and 
 they intended that we, their children, should know them only tha^ 
 we might blush and shudder at the shameless injustice and the 
 brutal cruelties which they were allowed to perpetrate in other 
 times and other countries. 
 
 But our friends on the other side are not at all impressed with 
 these views. Their brief corresponds exactly with the doctrines 
 propounded by the Attorney General, in a very elaborate official 
 paper which he published last July, upon this same subject. He 
 then avowed it to be his settled and deliberate opinion that the 
 military might '-take and kill, try and execute^' (I use his own 
 words) persons who had no sort of connection with the army or 
 navy. And though this be done in the face of the open courts, 
 the judicial authorities, according to hira, are utterly powerless 
 to prevent the slaughter which may thus be carried on. That is 
 the thesis which the Attorney General and his assistant counselors 
 are to maintain this day, if they can maintain it, with all the 
 power of their artful eloquence. 
 
 We, on the other hand, submit that a person not in the military 
 or naval service cannot be punished at all until he has had a fair^ 
 open, public trial before an impartial jury, in an ordained and 
 established court, to which the jurisdiction has been given by 
 law to try him for that specific offense. There is our proposition. 
 Between the ground we take and the ground they occupy, therfe 
 is and there can be no compromise. It is one way or the other. 
 
520 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA OOUNTT. 
 
 i- Our proposition ought to be received as true without any ai-gu- 
 B^ent to support it ; because if that, or "something precisely equiv- 
 alent to it, be not a part of our law, this is not what we have 
 always supposed it to be, a free country. Nevertheless 1 take upon- 
 myself the burden of showing affirmatively not only that it is true, 
 but that it is immovably fixed in the very framework of the Gov- 
 ernment, so that it is utterly impossible to detach it without de- 
 stroying the whole political structure under which we live. By 
 removing it you destroy the life of this nation as completely as 
 you would destroy the life of an individual by cutting the heart, 
 poit of his body. I proceed to the proof. 
 
 In the first place, the self-evident truth will not be denied that 
 the trial and punishment of an offender against the Government 
 is the exercise of judicial authority. That is a kind of authority 
 which would be lost by being diffused among the masses of the 
 people. A judge would be no judge if everybody else were a 
 judge as well as he. Therefore in every society, however rude or 
 however perfect its organization, the judicial authority is always 
 committed to the hands of particular persons, who are trusted to 
 use it wisely and well ; and their authority is exclusive ; they can- 
 not share it with others to whom it has not been committed 
 Where, then, is the judicial power in this country? Who are the 
 depositaries of it here ? The Federal Constitution answers that 
 question in very plain words, by declaring that 'Hhe judicial pox«- 
 er of the United States shall he vested in one Supreme Court, 
 and in such inferior courts as Congress may from time to time 
 ordain and establish." Congress has, from time to time, ordain- 
 ed and established certain inferior courts ; and in them, together 
 with the one Supreme Court to which they are subordinate, is vest- 
 ed all the judicial power, properly so called, which the United 
 States can lawfully exercise. That was the compact made with 
 the General Government at the time it was created. The States 
 and the people agreed to bestow upon that Government a certain 
 portion of the judicial power which otherwise would have remain- 
 ed in their own hands, but gave it on a solemn trust and coupled 
 the grant of it with this express condition that it should never be 
 used in any way but one ; that is, by means of ordained and es- 
 tablished courts. Any person, therefore, who undertakes to ex- 
 ercise judicial power in any other way not only violates the law 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY:. 521 
 
 of the laud, but he treacherously tramples upon the most import-, 
 ant part of that saored covenant which holds these States togeth- 
 er. 
 
 May it please your honors, you know, and I know, and 
 everybody else knows that it was the intention of the 
 men who founded this Republic to put the life, liberty,, and 
 property of every person in it under the protection of a 
 regular and permanent judiciary, separate, apart, distinct, 
 from all other branches ■ of the Government, whose sole and 
 exclusive business it should be to distribute justice among the 
 people according to the wants and needs of each individual. 
 It was to consist of courts, always open to the . complaint of the 
 injured, and always ready to hear criminal accusations when 
 founded upon probable cause ; surrounded with all the machinery 
 necessary for the investigation of truth, and clothed with suffici- 
 ent power to carry their decrees into execution. In these courts 
 it was expected that judges would sit who would be upright, 
 honest, and sober men, learned in the laws of their country, and 
 lovers of justice from the habitual practice of that virtue ; inde- 
 pendent because their salaries could not be reduced, and free from 
 party passion because their tenure of office was for life. Although 
 this would place them above the clamors of the mere mob and 
 beyond the reach of Executive influence, it was not intended that 
 they should be wholly irresponsible. For any willful or corrupt 
 violation of their duty, they are liable to be iTupeached ; and they 
 cannot escape the control of an enlightened public opinion, for 
 they must sit with open doors, listen to full discussion, and give 
 satisfactory reasons for the judgments they pronounce. In ordi- 
 nary tranquil times the citizen might feel himself safe under a 
 judicial system so organized. 
 
 But our wise forefathers knew that tranquillity was not to be 
 always anticipated in a republic ; the spirit of a free people is 
 often turbulent. They expected that strife would rise between 
 classes and sections, and even civil war might come, and they 
 supposed, that in such times, judges themselves might not be safe- 
 ly trusted in criminal cases — especially in prosecutions for politi- 
 cal offences, where the whole power of the Executive is arrayed 
 against the accused party All history proves that public officers 
 of any government when they are engaged in a severe struggle to 
 
522 JUS TOM Y OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 retain their places, become bitter and ferocious, and hate those 
 who oppose them, even in the most legitimate way, with a rancor 
 which they never exhibit towards actual crime. This kind of 
 malignity vents itself in prosecutions for political offences, sedi- 
 tion, conspiracy, libel, and treason, and the charges are generally 
 founded upou the information of hireling spies and common dela- 
 tors, who. rpake merchandise of their oaths, and trade in the bloo4 
 of their fellow men. During the civil commotions in England, 
 which lasted from the beginning of the reign of Charles I. to the 
 revolution of 1688, the best men, and the purest patriots that ever 
 lived, fell by the hand of the public executioner. Judges were 
 made the instruments for inflicting ihe most merciless sentences 
 on men, the latchet of whose shoes the ministers that prosecuted 
 them were not worthy to stoop down and unloose. Let me say 
 here, that nothing has occurred in the history of this country to 
 justify the doubt of judicial integrity which our forefathers seem 
 to have felt. On the contrary, the highest compliment that has 
 ever been paid to the American bench, is embodied in this simple 
 fact; that if the executive officers of this Government have ever 
 desired to take away the life or liberty of a citizen contrary to 
 law, they have not come into the courts to get it done, they have 
 gone outside of the courts, and stepped over the Constitution, and 
 created their own tribunals, composed of men whose gross ignor- 
 ance, and su[Jple subservience could always be relied on for those 
 base uses to which no judge would ever lend himself. But the 
 framers of the Constitution could act only upon the experience of 
 that country whose history they knew most about, and there they 
 saw the brutal ferocity of Jeffreys and Scroggs, the timidity of 
 Guilford, and the base venality of such men as Saunders and 
 Wright. It seemed necessary therefore, not only to make the 
 judiciary as perfect as possible, but to give the citizen yet another 
 shield against the wrath and malice of his Government. To that 
 end they could think of no better provision than a public trial be- 
 fore an impartial jury^ 
 
 I do not assert that the jury trial is an infallable mode of ascer- 
 taining truth. Like everything human, it has its imperfections. I 
 only say that it is the best protection for innocence and the surest 
 mode of punishing guilt that has yet been discovered. It has borne 
 the test of a longer experience, and borne it better than any other 
 
HmrORT OF COLUMBIA COUN'TY. 528 
 
 legal institution ihat ever existed among men. England owes 
 more of her freedom, her grandeur, and her prosperity to that, 
 than to all other causes put together. It has had the approbation 
 not only of those who lived under it, but of great thinkers who 
 looked at it calmly from a distance, and judged it impartially : 
 Montesquieu and UeToequeville speak of it with an admiration as 
 raplulous as Coke and Bhickstone. Within the present century, 
 the most enlightened states of continental Europe have trans- 
 planted it into their countries ; and no people ever adopted it once 
 and wer« afteEwards-willing to part with it. It was only in 1830 
 that an interference with it in Belgium provoked a successful in- 
 surrection which permanently divided one kingdom into two. In 
 the same year, the revolution of the Barricades gave the right of 
 trial by jury to every Frenchman. 
 
 Those colonists of this country who came from the British Is- 
 lands, brought this institution with them, and they regarded it as 
 the most precious part of their inheritance. The immigrants from 
 other places where trial by jury did not exist became equally at- 
 tached to it as soun as they understood what it was. There was 
 no subject upon which all the inhabitants of the country were 
 more perfectly unanimous than they were in their determination 
 to maintain this great right unimpaired. An attempt was made 
 to set it aside and substitute military trials in its place, by Lord 
 Dunmore, in Virginia, and General Gage, in Massachusetts, ac- 
 companied with the excuse which jhas been repeated so often in 
 late days, namely, that rebellion had made it necessary: but it ex- 
 cited intense popular anger and every colony from New Hampshire 
 to Georgia, made common cause with the two whose rights had 
 been especially invaded. Subseq\ient,ly the Continental Congress 
 thundered it into the ear of the world, as an unendurable outrage, 
 sufficient to justify universal insurrection against the authority of 
 the Government which had allowed it to be done. 
 
 If the men who fought out our revolutionary contest, when they 
 came to frame a government for themselves and their posterity, 
 had failed to insert a provision making the trial by jury perpetual 
 and universal, they would have covered themselves all over with 
 infamy as with a garment ; for they would have proved themselves 
 basely recreant to the principles of that very liberty of which they 
 professed to be the special champions. But they were guilty of 
 
524 miSTOMY O'P.GiMWMBIA OO-V-STTr. 
 
 no such- treachery. Tfaey not iOrilylookcare of the trialby jury, -but' 
 they regulated every step to be taken. inȣl criminal trial. They 
 knew very well that no people coul<J be free under a government 
 which had the power to punish without Restraint; Hamilton ex- 
 pressed in the Federalist, the -universal sentimfent df his time, 
 when he said, that the arbitrary power of co'iiviction and punish- 
 ment for pretended offenses, had been the great engine of despot-" 
 ism in all ages and all countries. The existence of such a power 
 is utterly incompatible with freedom. The differ'ence between, a 
 master and, his slave, coiisiists only in this: that the master holds., 
 the lash in his hands and he may use it without legal restraint, 
 while the naked-back of the slave is bound to take whatever is 
 laid on it. 
 
 But our fathers were not absurd enough to put unlimited power 
 in the hands of the ruler and take away the protection of law from 
 the rights of individuals. It was not thus that they meant "to se- 
 cure the blessings of liberty to themselves and their posterity." 
 They determined that not one drop of the blood which had been 
 shed on the other side of the Atlantic, during ,seven centuries of 
 contest with arbiirary power, should sink into the ground ; but 
 the fruits of every popular victory should be garnered up in this 
 new government. Of all the great rights already won they threw 
 not an atom away. They went over Magna Charta, the Petition 
 of Rights, the Bill of Rights, and the rules- of the common law, 
 and whatever was found there to favor individual liberty they 
 carefully inserted in their own SN stem, improved by clearer ex- 
 pression, strengthened by heavier sanctions, and extended by a 
 more universal application. They put all those provisions into 
 the organic law, so that neither tyranny in the executive, nor 
 party rage in the Legislature could chalnge them without destroy- 
 ing the Government itself. 
 
 Look for a moment at the particulars and see how carefully 
 everything connected with the administration of punitive justice 
 is guarded. 
 
 1. No ex post facto law shall be passed. No man shall be 
 answerable criminally for any act which was not defined and 
 made punishable as a crime by some law in force at the time 
 when the act was done. • . • 
 
 2. For an act which is criminal he cannot be arrested without a 
 
HmrOE-Y J9mU0I, UMBIA V-O UJSTTY. 525 
 
 judicial warrant founded on praofj of probable cause. He shall 
 not be kidnapped and shut up 'on the. mere report of some; base 
 spy who gathers the materials of ..a false '^accusation' by crawling 
 into his house and listenirig atthe key-hplieof his chamber doOr. 
 .,j.3. He shall-BOt be compelled to. testify against himself. He 
 may be .examined before he is committed, and tell his oVn' story 
 if he.pleases.', iDut the rack shall be. put out of sight, and even 
 his conscience &hall jtot; he tortured ; nor; shall his unpublished 
 papers be used against Jiim, as \\ras..dpjxeniost wrongfully in- the 
 ease of Algernon Sydney.. .;.- ;^ .■ . • ' ■ ' . i 
 
 4. He shall be entitled to a speedy trial ;. not kept in prison for 
 an, indefinite time without, the opportunity, of vindicating his 
 innocence. . ; . 
 
 5. He shall, be informed of the accusation, its nature, and 
 grounds. The public accuser must put the charge into the form 
 of a legal indictment, so that the party can meet it full in the 
 face. . ; . . ' ■ ■ 
 
 .6. Even to the indictment he^ need not answer unless a grand 
 jury, after heai^ng the evidence, shall say upon their oaths that 
 they believe it to be true. 
 
 7. Then comes the trial, and it must be before a regular court, 
 of competent jurisdiction, ordained and established for the State 
 and district in which the crime was committed; and this shall not 
 be evaded by a legislative change in the district after the crime is 
 alleged to be done. 
 
 8. His guilt or innocence shall be determined by an impartial 
 jury. These English words are to be understood in their English 
 sense, and they mean that the jurors shall be fairly selected by a 
 sworn officer from among the peers of the party, residing within 
 the local jurisdiction of the court. When they are called into 
 the. box he can purge the panel of all dishonesty, prejudice, per- 
 sonal enmity, and ignorance by a certain number of peremptory 
 challenges, and as many -more challenges as he can sustain by 
 showing reasonable cause. 
 
 9. The trial shall be public and open, that no underhand ad- 
 vantage may be taken. The party shall be confronted with the 
 witnesses against him, have compulsory process for his own wit- 
 nesses, and be entitled to the assistance of counsel in his defense. 
 
 10. After the evidence is heard and discussed, unless the jury 
 
526 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY 
 
 shall, upon their oaths, urumimmialy agree to surrender him up 
 into the hands of the court as a g<iilty man, not a hair of his head 
 can be touched in way of punishments 
 
 \\. After a verdict of guilty he is still protected. No cruel or 
 unusual punishment shs^ he inflicted, nor any punishment at all, 
 except what is anneled by the law to his offense. It cannot be 
 doubted for a moment that if a person convicted of an offense not 
 capital were to be hung on the order of a judge, such judge would 
 be guilty of murder as plainly as if he should come down from the 
 bench, tuck up the sleeves of his gown, and let out the prisoner's 
 blood with his own hand; 
 
 12. After all is over, the law continues to spread its guardian- 
 ship around him. Whether he is acquitted or condemned he shall 
 never again be molested for that offense. No man shall be twice 
 put in jeopardy of life or limb for the same cause. 
 
 These rules apply to all criminal prosecutions. But, in addition 
 to these, certain special regulations were required for treason — 
 the one great political charge under which more innocent men 
 have fallen than any other. A tyrannical government calls every- 
 body a traitor who shows the least unwillingness to be a slave. 
 The party in power never fails, when it can, to stretch the law on 
 that subject by construction, so as to cover its honest and consci- 
 entious opponents. In the absence of a constitutional provision 
 it was justly feared that statutes might be passed which would 
 put the lives of the most patriotic citizens at the mercy of the 
 basest minions that skulk about under the pay of the Executive. 
 Therefore a definition of treason was given in the fundamental 
 law, and the legislative authority could not enlarge it to serve the 
 purpose of partisan malice. The nature and amount of evidence 
 required to prove the crime was also prescribed, so that prejudice 
 and enmity might have no share in the conviction. And lastly, 
 the punishment was so limited that the property of the party 
 could not be confiscated and u-^ed fo reward the agents of his 
 persecutors, or strip his family of their subsistence. 
 
 If these provisions exist in full force, unchangeable and irre- 
 pealable, then we are not hereditary bondsmen. Eveiy citizen 
 may safely pursue his lawful calling in the open day ; and at 
 night, if he is conscious of innocence, he may lie doven in security 
 and sleep the sound sleep of a freeman. 
 
HISI'OR Y OF COL UMB I A CO UNTY. 527 
 
 I say they are in force, and they will remain in force. We 
 have not surrendered them, and we never will. If the worst 
 comes to the worst we will look to the living God for His help, 
 and defend our rights and the rights of our children to the last 
 extremity. Those men who think we can be subjected and ab- 
 jected to the condition of mere slaves are wholly mistaken. The 
 great race to which we belong has not degenerated so fatally. 
 
 But how am I to prove the existence of these rights ? I do 
 not propose to do it by a long chain of legal argumentation, nor 
 by the production of numerous books with the leaves dog-eared 
 and the pages marked, If it depended upon judicial precedents, 
 I think I could produce as many as might be necessary. If I 
 claimed this freedom, under any kind of prescription, I could 
 prove a good long possession in ourselves and those under whom 
 we claim it. I might begin with Tacitus and show how the con- 
 test arose in the forests of Germany more than two thousand 
 years ago ; how the rough virtues and sound common sense of 
 that people established the right of trial by jury, and thus started 
 on a career which has made their posterity the foremost race that 
 ever lived in all the tide of time. The Saxons can-ied it to 
 England, and were ever ready to defend it with their blood. It 
 was crushed out by the Danish invasion ; and all that they suffer- 
 ed of tyrannj^ and oppression during the period of their subjuga- 
 tion resulted from the want of trial by jury. If that had been 
 conceded to them the reaction" would not have taken place which 
 drove back the Danes to their frozen homes in the North. But 
 those ruffian sea-kings could not understand that, and the reaction 
 came. Alfred, the greatest of revolutionary heroes and the 
 wisest monarch that ever sat ou a throne, made the first use of 
 his power, after the Saxons restored it, to re-establish their ancient 
 laws. He had promised them that he would, and he was true to 
 them because they had been true to him. I?ut it was not easily 
 done; the courts were opposed to it, for it limited their power — a 
 kind of power that everybody covets — the power to punish with- 
 out regard to law. He was obliged to hang forty- four judges in 
 one year for refusing to give his subjects a trial by jury. When 
 the historian says that he hung them, it is not meant that he put 
 them to death without a trial. He had them impeached before 
 the grand council of the nation, the Wittenagemote, the parlia- 
 
528 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA GOtTNTY. 
 
 ment of that time. During, the subsequent period of Saxon- 
 domination no man on English soil was powerful enough to refuse 
 a legal trial to the meanest peasant. If any minister or any king, 
 in war or in peace, had dared to punish a freeman by a tribunal of 
 his own appointment, he would have roused the wrath of the 
 whole population ; all orders of society would have resisted it ; 
 lord and vassal, knight and squire, priest and penitent, bocman 
 and socman, master and thrall, copyholder and villein, would 
 have risen in one mass and burnt the offender to death in his 
 castle, or followed him in his flight and torn him to atoms. It 
 was again trampled down by the Norman conquerors ; but the 
 evils resulting from the want of it united all classes in the effort 
 which compelled King John to restore it by the Great Charter. 
 Everybody is familiar with the struggles which the English 
 people, during many generations, made for their rights with the 
 Plantaganets, the Tudors, and the Stuarts, and which ended final- 
 ly in the revolution of 1688, when the liberties of England were 
 placed upon an impregnable basis by the Bill of Rights. 
 
 Many times the attempt was made to stretch the royal author- 
 ity far enough to justify military trials ; but it never had more 
 than temporary success. Five hundred years ago Edward II 
 closed ujD a great rebellion by taking the life of its leader, the 
 Earl of Lancaster, after trying him before a military court. 
 Eight years later that same king, together with his lords and 
 commons in Parliament assembled, acknowledged with shame 
 and sorrow that the execution of Lancaster was a mere murder, 
 because the courts were open and he might have had a legal trial. 
 Queen Elizabeth, for sundry reasons affecting the safety of the 
 State, ordered that certain offenders not of her army should be 
 tried according to the law martial. But she heard the storm of 
 popular vengeance rising, and, haughty, imperious, self-willed as 
 she was, she yielded the point; for she knew that upon that sub- 
 ject the English people would never consent to be trifled with. 
 Strafford, as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, tried the Viscount 
 Stormont before a military commission, and cut off his head. 
 When impeached for it, he pleaded in vain that Ireland was in a 
 state of insurrection, that Stormont was a traitor, and the army 
 would be undone if it could not defend itself without appealing 
 to the civil courts. The Parliament was deaf ; the King himself 
 
HISTOBY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 529 
 
 could not save him; he was condemned to suffer death as a 
 traitor and a murderer. Charles I. issued commissions to divers 
 officers for the trial of hiSjenemies acc9rding to the course of mil- 
 itary law. If rebellion ever was an excuse for such an act, he 
 could surely have pleaded it ; for there was scarcely a spot in his 
 kingdom, from sea to sea, where the royal authority was not dis- 
 puted by somebody. Yet the Parliament demanded in their pe- 
 tition of right, and the King was obliged to concede, that, all his 
 commissions were illegal. James II claimed the right to suspend 
 the operation of the penal laws— a power which the courts denied 
 — ^but the experience of his predecessors taught him that he could 
 not suspend any man's right to a trial. He could easily have con- 
 victed the seven bishops of any offence he saw fit to charge them 
 with if he could have selected their judges from among the mer- 
 cenary creatures to whom he had given commands in his army. 
 But this he dared not do. He was obliged to send the bishops 
 to a jury and endure the mortification of seeing them acquitted. 
 He, too, might have had rebellion for an excuse, if rebellion be 
 an excuse. The conspiracy was already ripe which a few months 
 afterwards made him an exile and an outcast ; he had reason to 
 believe that the Prince of Orange was making his preparations on 
 the other side of the channel to invade the kingdom, where thous- 
 ands burned to join him ; nay, he pronounced the bishops guilty 
 of rebellion by the very act for which he arrested them. He had 
 raised an army to meet the rebellion, and he was on Hounslow 
 Heath reviewing the troops organized for that purpose, when he 
 heard the great shout of joy that went up from Westminster Hall, 
 was echoed back from Temple Bar, spread down the city and over 
 the Thames, and rose from every vessel on the river — the simul- 
 taneous shout of two hundred thousand men for the triumph of 
 justice and law. 
 
 If it were worth the time, I might detain you by showing hovr 
 this subject was treated by the French Court of Cassation in 
 Geoffroy's case, under the constitution of 1830, when a military 
 judgment was unhesitatingly pronounced to be void, though 
 ordered by the King, after a proclamation declaring Paris in a 
 state of siege. Fas est ab hpste dneeri : we may lawfully learn 
 something from our enemies — at all events we should blush at the 
 thought of not being equal on such a subject to the courts of 
 
530 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Virginia, Georgia, Mississippi, and Texas, whose decisions my 
 colleague. General Garfield, has read and commented on. 
 
 The truth is, that no authority exists anywhere in the world 
 for the doctrine of the Attorney General. No judge or jurist, 
 no statesman or parliamentary orator, on this or the other side of 
 the water, sustains him. Every elementary writer from Coke to 
 Wharton is against him. All military authors who profess to 
 know the duties of their profession admit themselves to be under, 
 not above, the laws. No book can be found in any library to 
 justify the assertion that military tribunals may try a citizen at a 
 place where the courts are open. When I say no book, I mean, 
 of course, no book of acknowledged authority. I do not deny 
 that hireling clergymen have often been found to disgrace the 
 pulpit by trying to prove the divine right of kings and other 
 rulers to govern as they please. It is true, also, that court syc- 
 ophants and party hacks have many times written pamphlets, and 
 perhaps large volumes, to show that those whom they serve 
 should be allowed to work out their bloody will upon the people. 
 No abuse of power is too flagrant to find its defenders among 
 such servile creatures. Those butchers' dogs that feed upon 
 garbage and fatten upon the offal of the shambles are always 
 ready to bark at whatever interferes with the trade of their mas- 
 ter. 
 
 But this case does not depend on authority. It is rather a 
 question of fact than of law. 
 
 I prove my right to a trial by jury just as I would prove my 
 title to an estate if I held in my hand a solemn deed conveying 
 it to me, coupled with undeniable evidence of long and undis- 
 turbed possession under and according to the deed. There is the 
 charter by which we claim to hold it. It is called the Constitu- 
 tion of the United States. It is signed by the sacred name of 
 George Washington, and by thirty-nine other names, only less 
 illustrious than his. They represented every independent State 
 then upon this continent, and each State afterwards ratified their 
 work by a separate convention of its own people. Every State that 
 subsequently came in acknowledged that this was the great 
 standard by which their rights were to be measured. Every man 
 that has ever held office in the country, from that time to this, 
 has taken an oath that he would support and sustain it through 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 531 
 
 good report and through evil. The Attorney General himself 
 became a party to the instrument when he laid his hand upon the 
 gospel of God and solemnly swore that he would give to me and 
 every other citizen the full benefit of all it contains. 
 
 What does it contain ? This, among other things : 
 
 "The trial of all crimes except in cases of impeachment shall be 
 by jury." 
 
 Again : "No person shall be held to answer for a capital or 
 otherwise infamous crime unless on a presentment or indictment 
 of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval 
 forces, or in the militia when in actual service in time of war or 
 public danger ; nor shall any person be subject for the same 
 ofEense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb, nor be com- 
 pelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himgelf, nor 
 be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of 
 law ; nor shall private property be taken for public use without 
 just compensation." 
 
 This is not all ; another article declares that "in all criminal 
 prosecutions the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and 
 public trial by an impartial jury of the State and district where- 
 in the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have 
 been previously ascertained by law ; and to be informed of the 
 nature and cause of the accusation ; to be confronted with the 
 witnesses against him ; to have compulsory process for the wit- 
 nesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his 
 defense.' 
 
 Is there any ambiguity there % If that does not signify that a 
 jury trial shall be the exclusive and only means of ascertaining 
 guilt in criminal cases, then I demand to know what words or 
 what collocation of words in the English language would have 
 that effect? Does this mean that a fair,' open, speedy, public 
 trial by an impartial jury shall be given only to those persons 
 against whom no special grudge is felt by the Attorney General, 
 ov the judge advocate, or the head of a department? Shall this 
 inestimable privilege be extended only to men whom the admin- 
 istration does not care to convict ? Is it confined to vulgar crim- 
 inals, who commit ordinary crimes against society, and shall it 
 be denied to men who are accused of such offenses as th'ise fo'- 
 which Sydney and Russell woro belieaded, and Alice Lisle was 
 
532 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY- 
 
 hung, and Elizabeth Gaunt was burnt alive, and John Bunyan was 
 imprisoned fourteen years, and Baxter was whipped at the cart's 
 tail, and Prynn had his ears cut off ? No ; the words of the Con- 
 stitution are all-embracing — 
 
 "As broad and general as the casing air."' 
 
 The trial of ALL crimes shall be by jury. ALL persons ac- 
 cused shall enjoy that privilege — and NO person shall be held to 
 answer in any other way. 
 
 That should be sufficient without more. But there is another 
 consideration which gives it ten fold power. It is a universal 
 rule of construction, that general words in any instrument, though 
 they may be weakened by enumeration, are always strengthened 
 by exceptions. Here is no attempt to enumerate the particular 
 cases in which men charged with criminal offenses shall be enti- 
 tied to a jury trial. It is simply declared that all shall have it. 
 But that is coupled with a statement of two specific exceptions : 
 cases of impeachment; and cases arising in the land or naval forces. 
 These exceptions strengthen the application of the general rule 
 to all other cases. Where the law-giver himself has declared 
 when and in what circumstances you may depail; from the general 
 rule, you shall not presume to leave that onward path for other 
 reasons, and make different exceptions. To exceptions, the 
 maxim is always applicable, that expressio unius exclusio est 
 alterius. 
 
 But we are answered that the judgment under consideration, 
 was pronounced in time of war, and it is therefore at least, mor- 
 ally excusable. There may or there may not be something in that. 
 I admit that the merits or demerits of any particular act, whether 
 it involve a violation of the Constitution or not, depend upon the 
 motives that prompted it, the time, the occasion and all the at- 
 tending circumstances. When the people of this country come 
 to decide upon the acts of their rulers, they will take all these 
 things into consideration. But that presents the political aspect 
 of the case with which, I trust, we have nothing to do here. I 
 decline to discuss it. I would only say, in order to prevent misap- 
 prehension, that I think it is precisely in, a time of war and civil 
 commotion, that we should double the guards upon the Constitu- 
 tion. If the sanitary regulations which defend the health of a 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY 533 
 
 city are ever to be relaxed, it ought certainly not to be done when 
 pestilence is abroad. When the Mississippi shrinks within its 
 natural channel, and creeps lazily along the bottom, the inhabi- 
 tants of the adjoining shore have no need of a dyke to save them 
 from^ inundation. But when the booming Hood, comes down 
 from above, and swells into a volume which rises high above the 
 plain on either side, then a crevasse in the levee, becomes a most 
 serious thing. So in peaceable and quiet times, our legal lights 
 are in little danger of being overborne ; but when the wa\e of ar- 
 bitrary power lashes itself into violence and rage, and goes surg- 
 ing up against the barriers which were made to confine it, then 
 we need the whole strength of an unbroken Constitution to save 
 us from destruction. But this is a question which properly 1 e- 
 longs to the jurisdiction of the stump and the newspaper. 
 
 There is another quasi political argument — necessity. If the 
 law was voilated because it could not be obeyed, that might be 
 an excuse. But no absolute compulsion is pretended here. These 
 commissioners acted, at most, under what they regarded as a 
 moral necessity. The choice was left them to obey the law or 
 di^obey it. The disobedience was only necessary as means to an 
 end which they thought desirable ; and now they assert that 
 though these means are unlawful and wrong, they are made right, 
 because without them the object could not be accomplished; in 
 other words, the end justifies the means. There you have a rule 
 of conduct denounced by all law, human and divine, as being per- 
 nicious in policy and false in morals. See how it applies to this 
 case! Here were three men whom it was desirable to remove out 
 of this world, but there was no proof on which any court would 
 take their lives ; therefore it was necessary, and being necessary 
 it was right and proper, to create an illegal tribunal which would 
 put them to death without proof. By the same mode of reason- 
 ing you can prove it equally right to poison them in their food, 
 or stab them in their sleep. 
 
 Nothing that the worst men ever propounded has produced so 
 much oppression, misgovern inent, and suffering as this pretence 
 of State necessity. ' A great authority calls it "the tyrant's devil- 
 ish plea ;" and the common honesty of all mankind has branded 
 it with everlasting infamy. 
 
 Of course, it is mere absurdity to say that these relators v.ere 
 
334 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 necessarily deprived of their right to a fair and legal trial, for 
 the record shows that a court of competent jurisdiction was sit- 
 ting at the very time and in the same town, where justice would 
 have been done without sale, denial, or delay. But concede for 
 the argument's sake that a trial by jury was wholly impossible ; 
 admit that there was an absohite, overwhelming, imperious neces- 
 sity operating so as literally to compel every act which the com- 
 missioners did, would that give their sentence of death the validity 
 and force of a legal judgment pronounced by an ordained and 
 established court ? The question answers itself. This trial was 
 a violation of law, and no necessity could be more than a mere 
 excuseir>\ those who committed it. If the commissioners were on 
 trial for murder or conspiracy to murder, they might plead neces- 
 sity if the fact were true, just as they would plead insanity or 
 anything else to show that their guilt was not willful. But we 
 are now considering the legal effect of their decision, and that de- 
 pends on their legal authority to make it. They had no such au- 
 thority; they usurped a jurisdiction which the law not only did 
 not give them, but expressly forbade them to exercise, and it fol- 
 lows that their act is void, whatever may have been the real or 
 supposed excuse for it. 
 
 If these commissioners, instead of aiming at the life and liberty 
 of the relators, had attempted to deprive them of their property 
 by a sentence of confiscation, would any court in Christendom de- 
 clare that such a sentence divested the title ? Or would a person 
 claiming under the sentence make his right any better by show- 
 ing that the illegal assumption of jurisdiction was accompanied 
 by some excuse which might save the commissioners from a crim- 
 inal prosecution'? 
 
 Let me illustrate still further. Suppose you, the judges of this 
 Court, to be surrounded in the hall where you are sitting by a 
 body of armed insurgents, and compelled by main force to pro- 
 nounce sentence of death upon the President of the United States 
 for some act of his upon which you have no legal authority to ad- 
 judicate. There would be a valid sentence if necessity alone 
 could create jurisdiction. But could the President be legally ex- 
 ecuted under if? No; the compulsion under which you acted 
 would be a good defense for you against an impeachment or ah 
 indictment for murder, but it would add nothing to the validity 
 
HIS2 0BY OF COLUMBIA GOV N'lY. o3J 
 
 of a judgment which the law forbade you to give. 
 
 That a necessity for violating the law is nothing more than a 
 mere excuse to the perpetrator, and does not in any legal sense 
 change the quality of the act itself in its operation upon other 
 parties, is a proposition too plain on original principles to need 
 the aid of authority. I do not see how any man of common sense 
 is to stand up and dispute it. But there is decisive authority 
 upon the point. In 1815 at New Orleans, General Jackson took 
 upon himself the command of every person in the city, suspended 
 the functions of all the civil authorities, and made his own will 
 for a time the only rule of conduct. It was believed to be abso- 
 lutely necessary. Judges, officers of the city corporation, and 
 members of the State Legislature insisted on it as the only way 
 to save the "'booty and beauty" of the place from the unspeaka- 
 ble outrages committed at Badajoz and St. Sebastian by the very 
 same troops then marching to the attack. Jackson used the 
 power thus taken by him moderately, sparingly, benignly, and 
 only for the purpose of preventing mutiny in his camp. A sin- 
 gle mutineer was restrained by a short confinement, and another 
 was sent four miles up the river. But after he had saved the 
 city, and the danger was all over, he stood before the court to be 
 ti'ied by the law ; his conduct was decided to be illegal by ihe 
 same judge who bad declared it to be necessary, and he paid the 
 penalty without a murmur. The supreme court of Louisiana, in 
 Johnson vs. Duncan, decided that everything done during the 
 siege in pursuance of martial rule, but in conflict with the law of 
 the land was void and of none effect, without reference to the 
 circumstances which made it necessary. Long afterwards the fine 
 imposed upon Jackson was refunded because his friends, while 
 they admitted him to have violated the law, insisted that the neces- 
 sity which drove him to it ought to have saved him from the pun- 
 ishment due only to a willful offender. 
 
 The learned counsel on the other side will not assert that there 
 was war at Indianapolis in 1864, for they have read Coke's Insti- 
 tute, and Judge Grier's opinion in the prize cases, and of course 
 they know it to be a settled rule that war cannot be said to exist 
 where the civil courts are open. They will not set up the absurd 
 plea of necessity, for they are well aware that it would not be 
 true in point of fact. They will hardly take the ground that any 
 
6S6 BISTOJRY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 kind of necessity could give legal validity to that which the law 
 forbids. 
 
 This, therefore, must be their position. That although there 
 was no war at the place where this commission sat, and no actual 
 necessity for it, yet, if there was a war anywhere else, to which 
 the United States were a party, the technical eifect of such war 
 was to take the jurisdiction away from the civil courts and 
 transfer it to army officers. 
 
 gen: butler. We do not take that position. 
 
 Mr. BLACK. Then they can take no ground at all, for noth- 
 ing else is left. I do not wonder to see them recoil from their 
 own doctrine when its nakedness is held up to their eyes. But 
 they must stand upon that or give up the cause. They may not 
 state their proposition precisely as I state it ; that is too plain a 
 way of putting it. But, in substance, it is their doctrine — has 
 been the doctrine of the Attorney General's office ever since the 
 advent of the present incumbent — -and is the doctrine of their 
 brief, printed and filed in this case. What else can they say ? 
 They will admit that the Constitution is not altogether without 
 a meaning ; that at a time of universal peace it imposes some 
 kind of obligation upon those who swear to support it. If no 
 war existed they would not deny the exclusive jurisdiction of the 
 civil courts in criminal cases. How then did the military get 
 jurisdiction in Indiana? 
 
 All men who hold the Attorney General's opinion to be true, 
 answer the question I have put by saying that military jurisdic- 
 tion comes from the mere existence of war ; and it comes in 
 Indiana only as the legal result of a war which is going on in 
 Missisippi, Tennessee, or South Carolina. The Constitution is 
 repealed, or its operation suspended in one State because there is 
 war in another. The courts are open, the organizatiim of society 
 is intact, the judges are on the bench, and their process is not 
 impeded; but their jurisdiction is gone. Why? Because, say 
 our opponents, war exists, and the silent, legal, technical operation 
 of that fact is to deprive all American citizens of their right to a 
 fair trial. 
 
 That class of jurists and statesmen who hold that the trial by 
 jury is lost to the citizen during the existence of war, carry out 
 their doctrine theoretically and pi-actically to its ultimate conse- 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 537 
 
 quences. The right of trial by jury being gone, all other rights 
 are gone with it ; therefore a man may be arrested without an 
 accusation and kept in prison during the pleasure of his captors ; 
 his papers may be searched without a warrant ; his property may 
 be confiscated behind his back, and he has no earthly means of 
 redress. Nay, an attempt to get a just remedy is construed as 
 a new crime. He dare not even complain, for the right of free 
 speech is gone with the rest of his rights. If you sanction that 
 doctrine, what is to be the consequence ? I do not speak of what 
 is past and gone ; but in case of a future war what results will 
 follow from your decision endorsing the Attorney General's 
 views ' They are very obvious. At the instant when the war 
 begins, our whole system of legal government will tumble into 
 ruin, and if we are not all robbed, and kidnapped, and hanged, 
 and drawn, and quartered, we will owe our immunity, not to the 
 Constitution and laws, but to the mere mercy or policy of those 
 persons who may then happen to control the organized physical 
 force of the country. 
 
 This certainly puts us in a most precarious condition ; we must 
 have war about half the time, do what we may to avoid it. The 
 President or Congress can wantonly provoke a war whenever it 
 suits the purpose of either to do so ; and they can keep it going 
 as long as they please, even after the actual conflict of arms is 
 over. When peace woos them they can ignore her existence ; 
 and thus they can make the war a chronic condition of the coun- 
 try, and the slavery of the people perpetual. , Nay, we are at the 
 mercy of any foreign potentate who may envy us the possession of 
 those liberties which we boast of so much ; he can shatter our 
 Constitution without striking a single blow or bringing a gun to 
 bear upon us. A simple declaration of hostilities is more terrible 
 to us than an army with banners. 
 
 To me, this seems the wildest delusion that ever took possession 
 of a human brain. If there be one principle of political ethics 
 more universally acknowledged than another, it is that war, and 
 especially civil war, can be justified only when it is undertaken 
 to vindicate and uphold the legal and constitutional rights of the 
 people; not to trample them down. He who carries on a system 
 of wholesale slaughter for any other purpose, must stand without 
 excuse before God or man. In a time of war, more than at 
 
538 HISTOB Y OF VOL UMJBIA CO UNTY. 
 
 any other time, public liberty is in the hands of the public officers. 
 And she is there in double trust ; first, as they are citizens and 
 therefore bound to defend her, by the common obligation of all 
 citizens ; and next, as they are her special guardians — 
 "Who should against her murderers shut the door 
 Not bear the knife themselves." 
 The opposing argument, when turned into plain English, means 
 this, and this only : that when the Constitution is attacked upon 
 one side, its official guardians may assail it upon the other ; when 
 rebellion strikes it in the face, they may take advantage of the 
 blindness produced by the blow, to sneak behind it and stab in 
 
 the back. 
 
 The Convention when it framed the Constitution, and the peo- 
 ple when they adopted it, could have had no thought like that. If 
 they had supposed that it would operate only while perfect peace 
 continued, they certainly would have given us some other rule to 
 go by in time of war ; they would not have left us to wander 
 about in a howling wilderness of anarchy, without a lamp to our 
 feet, or a guide to our path. Another thing proves their actual 
 intent still more strikingly. They required that every man in any 
 kind of public employment, state or national, civil or military, 
 should swear, without reserve or qualification, that he would sup- 
 port the Constitution. Surely our ancestors had too much regard 
 for the moral and religious welfare of their posterity, to impose 
 upon them an oath like that, if they intended and expected it to 
 be broken half the time. The oath of an officer to support the 
 Constitution is as simple as that of a witness to tell the truth in a 
 court of justice. What would you think of a witness who should 
 attempt to justify perjury upon the ground that he had testified 
 when civil war was raging, and he thought that by swearing to a 
 lie he might promote some public or private object connected 
 
 with the strife * 
 
 No, no, the great men who made this country what it is — the 
 heroes who won her independence, and the statesmen who settled 
 her institutions — had no such notions in their minds. Washing- 
 ton deserved the lofty praise bestowed upon him by the president 
 of Congress when he resigned his commission — that he had always 
 regarded the rights of the civil authority through all changes and 
 through all disasters. When his duty as President afterwards re- 
 quired him to arm the public force to suppress a rebellion in west- 
 
HIHTOBY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 539 
 
 ern Pennsylvania lie never thought that the Constitution was 
 abolished, by virtue of that fact, in New Jersey, or Maryland, or 
 Virginia. It would have been a dangerous experiment for an ad- 
 viser of his at that time, or at any time, to propose that he should 
 deny a citizen his right to be tried by a jury, and substitute in 
 place I f it a trial before a tribunal composed of men elected by 
 himself from among his own creatures and dependents. 
 
 You can well imagine how that great heart would have swelled 
 with indignation at the bare thought of such an insulting outrage 
 upon the liberty and law of his country. In the war of 1812, the 
 man emphatically called the Father of the Constitution was the 
 supreme Executive Magistrate. Talk of perilous times! there was 
 the severest trial this Union ever saw. 
 
 That was no half- organized rebellion on the one side of the 
 Conflict, to be crushed by the hostile millions and unbounded re- 
 sources of the other. The existence of the nation was threatened 
 by the most formidable military and naval power then upon the 
 face of the earth. Every town upon the northern frontier, upon 
 the Atlantic seaboard, and upon the Gulf coast was in daily and 
 hourly danger. The enemy had penetrated the heart of Ohio. 
 New York, Penns) ivania, and Viiginia were all of them threaten- 
 ed from the west as well as from the east. This Capitol was 
 taken, and burned, and pillaged, and every member of the Federal 
 Administratiorf was a fugitive before the invading army. Mean- 
 while, party spirit was breaking out into actual treason all over 
 New England. Four of those states refused to furnish a man or 
 a dollar even for their own defence. Their public authorities were 
 plotting the dismemberment of the Union, and individuals among 
 them were burning blue lights upon the coast as a signal to the 
 enemy's ships. But in all this storm of disaster, with foreign war 
 in his front, and domestic treason on his flank, Madison gave out 
 no sign that he would aid old England and New England to break 
 up this government of laws. On the contrary he and all his sup- 
 porters, though compassed round with darkness and with danger, 
 stood faithfully between the Constitution and its enemies 
 "To shield it, and save it, or perish there too." 
 
 The framers of the Consiitution and all their cotemporaries 
 died [and were buried ; their children succeeded them and con- 
 tinued on the stage of public affairs until they, too, 
 
540 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 "Lived out their lease of life, and paid their breath 
 To time and mortal custom ;'' 
 and a third generation was already far on its way to the gi-ave be- 
 fore this monstrous doctrine was conceived or thought of, that 
 public oflBcers all over the country might disregard their oaths 
 whenever a war or a rebellion was commeticed. 
 
 Our friends on the other side are quite conscious that when 
 they deny the binding obligation of the Constitution they must 
 put some other system of law in its place. Their brief gives us 
 notice that, while the Constitution, and the acts of Congress, and 
 Magna Charta, and the common law, and all the rules of natural 
 justice shall remain under foot, they will try Ameiicaii citizens 
 according to the law of nations ! But the law of nations takes 
 no notice of the subject. If that system did contain a special pro- 
 vision that a government might hang one of its own citizens 
 without judge or jury, it would still be competent for the Ameri- 
 can people to say, as they have said, that no such thing should 
 ever be done here. That is my answer to the law of the nations. 
 
 But then they tell us that the laws of war must be treated as 
 paramount. Here they become mysterious. Do they mean that 
 code of public law which defines the duties of two belligerent 
 parties to one another, and regulates the intercourse of neutrals 
 with both ? If yes, then it is simply a recurrence to the law of 
 nations, which has nothing on earth to do with the subject. Do 
 they mean that portion of our municipal code which defines our 
 duties to the Government in war as well as in peace ? Then 
 they are speaking of the Constitution and laws, which declare in 
 plain words that the Government owes every citizen a fair legal 
 trial, as much as the citizen owes obedience to the Government. 
 They are in search of an argument under difficulties. When 
 they appeal to international law, it is silent; and when they in- 
 terrogate the law of the land, the answer is an unequivocal con- 
 tradiction of their whole theory. 
 
 The Attorney General tells us that all persons whom he and 
 his associates choose to denounce for giving aid to the rebellion, 
 are to be treated as being themselves a part of the rebellion — 
 they are public enemies, and therefore they may be punished 
 without being found guilty by a competent court or a jury. This 
 convenient rule would outlaw every citizen the moment he is 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 541 
 
 charged with a political offense, ^ut political offenders are pre- 
 cisely the class of persons who most need the protection of a 
 court and jury, for the prosecutions against them are most likely 
 to be unfounded both in fact and in law. Whether innocent or 
 guilty, to accuse is to convict them before the ignora.nt and 
 bigoted men who generally.pit in military courts. But this court 
 decided in the prize cases that all who live in the enemy's terri- 
 tory are public enemies, without regard to their personal senti- 
 ments or conduct ; and the converse of the proposition is equally 
 true — that all who reside inside of our own territory are to be 
 treated as under the protection of the law. If they help the 
 enemy they are criminals, but they cannot be punished without 
 legal conviction. 
 
 You have heard much (and you will hear more very soon; con- 
 cerning the natural and inherent right of the Government to de- 
 fend itself without regard to law. This is wholly fallacious. In 
 a despotism the autocrat is unrestricted in the means he may use 
 for the defense of his authority against the opposition of his own 
 subjects or others ; and that is precisely what makes him a despot. 
 But in a limited monarchy the prince must confine himself to a 
 legal defense of his government. If he goes beyond that, and 
 commits aggressions on the rights of the people, he breaks the 
 social compact, releases his subjects from all their obligations to 
 him, renders himself liable to be hurled from his throne, and 
 dragged to the block or driven into exile. This principle 
 was sternly enforced in the cases of Charles I. and James II, and 
 we have it announced on the highest ofiicial authority here that 
 the Queen of England cannot ring a little bell on her table and 
 cause a man by her arbitrary order to be arrested under any pre- 
 tense whatever. If that be true, how much more true must it be 
 here, where we have no personal sovereign and where our only 
 government is the Constitution and laws! A violation of law on 
 pretense of saving such a Government as ours is not self-preser- 
 vation, but suicide. 
 
 Salus populi suprema lex — observe it is not salus regis ; the 
 
 •safety of the joeopfe, riQt the safety of the ?-Mfer, is the suprenie 
 
 law. When those who hold the authority of the Government in 
 
 their hands behave in such manner as to put the liberties and 
 
 rights of the people in jeopardy, the people may rise against them 
 
542 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNIY 
 
 and overthrow them without regard to that law which requires 
 obedience to them. The maxim is revohitionary and expresses 
 simply the right to resist tyranny without regaid to prescribed 
 forms. It can never be used to stretch the povrers of government 
 against the people. 
 
 If this Government of ours has no power to defend itself with- 
 out violating its own laws, it carries the seeds of destruction in 
 its own bosom ; it is a poor, weak, blind, staggering thing, and 
 the sooner it tumbles over the better. But it has a most eflicient 
 legal mode of protecting itself against all possible danger. It is 
 clothed from head to foot in a complete panoply of defensive ar- 
 mor. What are the perils which may threaten its existence ? I 
 am not able at this moment to think of more than these which I 
 am about to mention ; foreign invasion, domestic insurrection, 
 mutiny in the army and navy, corruption in the civil administra- 
 tion, and last but not least, criminal violations of its laws com- 
 mitted by individuals among the body of the people. Have we 
 not a legal mode of defense against all these ? Yes. military 
 force repels invasion and suppresses insurrection ; you preserve 
 discipline in the army and navy by means of courts-martial ; you 
 preserve the purity of the civil administration by impeaching dis- 
 honest magistrates ; and crimes are prevented and punished by 
 the regular judicial authorities. You are not merely compelled to 
 use these weapons against your enemies, because they and they 
 only are justified by the law ; you ought to use them because they 
 are more efficient than any other, and less liable to be abused. 
 
 There is another view of the subject which settles all contro- 
 versy about it. No human being in this country can exercise any 
 kind of public authority which is not conferred by law ; and un- 
 der the United States it must be given by the express words of a 
 writtfn statute. Whatever is not so given is withheld, and the 
 exercise of it is positively prohibited. Courts-martial in the army 
 and navy are authorized ; they are legal institutions ; their jur- 
 isdiction is limited, and their whole code of procedure is regulated 
 by act of Congress. Upon the civil courts all the jurisdiction 
 they have or can have is bestowed by law, and if one of them- 
 goes beyond what is written, its action is ultra vires and void. 
 But a rnilitary commission is not a court-martial, and it is not a 
 civil court. It is not governed by the law which is made for 
 
mSTOBT OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 543 
 
 either, and it has 710 law of its own. Within the last five years 
 we have seen, for the first time, self-constituted tribunals not only 
 assuming power which the law did not give them, but thrusting 
 aside the regular courts to which the power was exclusively 
 given. 
 
 What is the consequence? This terrible authority is wholly 
 undefined, and its exercise is without any legal control. Undele- 
 gated power is always unlimited. The field that lies outside of 
 the Constitution and laws has no boundary. Thierry, the French 
 historian of England, says that when the crown and sceptre were 
 offered to Cromwell, he hesitated for several days and answered, 
 "Do not make me a king ; for then my hands will be tied up by 
 the laws which define the duties of that office ; but make me pi'o- 
 tector of the commonwealth and I can do what I please ; no stat- 
 ute restraining and limiting the royal prerogative will apply to 
 rae." So these commissions have no legal origin and no legal name 
 by which they are known among the children of men ; no law ap- 
 plies to them ; and they exercise all power for the paradoxical 
 reason that none belongs to them rightfully. 
 
 Ask the Attorney Gentral what rules apply to military commis- 
 sions in the exercise of their assumed authority over civilians. 
 Come, Mr. Attorney, "gird up thy loins now like a man ; I will 
 demand of thee, and thou shalt declare unto me if thou hast un- 
 derstanding.'' How is a military commission organized? What 
 shall be the number and rank of its members ? What offenses 
 come within its jurisdiction"? What is its code of procedure ? How 
 shall witnesses be compelled to attend it? Is it perjury for a wit- 
 ness to swear falsely? What is the function of the judge advo- 
 cate ? Does he tell the members how they must find, or does he 
 only persuade them to convict? Is he the agent of the Govern- 
 ment, to command them what evidence they shall admit and what 
 sentence they shall pronounce ; or does he always carry his point, 
 right or wrong, by the mere force of eloquence and ingenuity? 
 What is the nature of their punishments ? May they confiscate 
 property and levy fines as well as imprison and kill ? In addition 
 to strangling their victim, may they also deny him the last conso- 
 lations of religion, and refuse his family the melancholy privilege 
 of giving him a decent grave ? 
 
 To none of these questions can tie Attorney General make a 
 
544 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 reply, for thei-e is no law on. the subject. He will not attempt to 
 "darken counsel by words without knowledge'' and, therefore, 
 like Job, he can only lay his hand upon his mouth and keep si- 
 lence. 
 
 The power exercised through these military commissions is not 
 only unregulated by law but it is incapable of being so regulated. 
 What is it that you claim, Mr. Attorney ? J will give you a de- 
 finition, the correctness of which you will not attempt to gainsay. 
 You assert the right of the executive government, without the 
 intervention of the judiciary, to capture, imprison, and kill any 
 person to whom that government or its paid dependents may 
 choose to impute an offense. This, in its very essence, is despotic 
 and lawless. It is never claimed or tolerated except by those 
 governments which deny the restraints of all law. It has been 
 exercised by the great and small oppressors of mankind ever s^ce 
 the days of Nimrod. It operates in different ways ; the tools it 
 uses are not always the same ; it hides its hideous features under 
 many disguises ; it assumes every variety of form ; 
 
 "It can change shapes wiih Proteus for advantages, 
 A.nd set the murderous Machiavel to school." 
 
 But in all its mutations of outward appearance it is still identical 
 in principle, object, and origin. It is always the same great 
 engine of despotism which Hamilton described it to be. 
 
 Under the old French monarchy the favorite fashion of it was 
 a lettre de cachet, signed by the king, and this would consign tlie 
 party to a loathsome dungeon until he died, forgotten by all the 
 world. An imperial ukase will answer the same purpose in Rus- 
 sia. The most faithful subject of that amiable autocracy may lie 
 down ill the evening to dream of his future prosperity, and before 
 daybreak he will find himself between two dragoons on his way 
 to the mines of Siberia. In Turkey the verbal order of the Sul- 
 tan or any of his powerful favorites will cause a man to be tied up 
 in a sack and cast into the Bosphorus. Nero accused Peter and 
 Paul of spreading a "pestilent superstition,'' which they called the 
 gospel. He heard their defense in person, and sent them to the 
 cross. Afterwards he tried the whole Christian church in one 
 body on a charge of setting fire to the city, and he convicted 
 them though he knew not only that they were innocent, but that 
 he himself had committed the crime. The judgment was follow- 
 
HISTOMT OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 545 
 
 ed by instant execution ; he let loose the Praetorian guards upon 
 men, women, and children to drown, butcher, and burn tliem. 
 Herod saw fit, for good political reasons, closely affecting the 
 permanence of his reign in Judea, to punish certain joo«s»6Z« trait- 
 ors in Bethlehem by anticipation. This required the death of 
 all the children in that city under two years of age. He issued 
 his "general order ;" and his provost marshal carried it out with 
 so much alacrity and zeal that in one day the whole land was fill- 
 ed with mourning and lamentation. 
 
 Macbeth understood the whole philosophy of the subject. He 
 was an unlimited monarch. His power to punish for any offence 
 or for no offence at all was as broad as that which the Attorney- 
 General claims for himself and his brother officers under the 
 United States. But he was more cautious how he used it. He 
 had a dangerous rival, from whom he apprehended the most seri- 
 ous peril to the "life of his government.'' The necessity to get 
 rid of him was plain enough, but he could not afford to shock the 
 moral sense of the world by pleading political necessity for a. 
 murder. He must 
 
 "Mask the business from the common eye." 
 
 Accordingly he sent for two enterprising gentlemen whom he 
 took into his service upon liberal pay — "made love to their assis- 
 tance;" and got them to deal with the ao^'used party. He acted 
 as his own judge advocate. He made a most elegant and stirring 
 speech to persuade his agents that Banquo was their oppressor, 
 and had "held them so under fortune'' that he ought to die for 
 that alone. When they agreed that he was their enemy, then 
 
 said the king — 
 
 "So is he mine, and though I could 
 With barefaced power sweep him from my sight 
 And bid my will avouch it ; yet I mustt not, 
 For certain friends, who are both his and mine, 
 Whose loves I may not drop." 
 For these, and "many weighty reasons" besides, he thought it 
 best to commit the execution of his design to a subordinate 
 agency. The commission thus organized in Banquo's case sat 
 upon him that very night at a convenient place beside the road 
 where it was known he would be traveling ; and they did pre- 
 cisely what the Attorney General says the military officers may 
 do in this country — they took and killed him, because their em- 
 
ue jii.sroEY OF Columbia coun-ty. 
 
 ployer at the head of the government wanted it done, and paid 
 them for doing it out of the public treasury. 
 
 But of all the persons that ever wielded this kind of power, the 
 one who went most directly to the purpose and object of it was 
 Lola Montez. She reduced it to the elementary principle. In 
 1848, when she was minister and mistress to the Kincr of Bavaria 
 she dictated all the measures of the government. The times were 
 troublesome. All over Germany the spirit of rebellion was rising; 
 everywhere the people wanted to see a first-class revolution, like 
 that which had just exploded in France. Many persons in Bava- 
 ria disliked to be governed so absolutely by a lady of the char- 
 acter which Lola Montez bore, and some of them were rash 
 enough to say so. Of course that was treason, and she went 
 about to punish it in the simplest of all possible ways. She 
 bought herself a pack of English bull dogs, trained to tear the 
 flesh, and mangle the limbs, and lap th'^ life-blood ; and with 
 these dogs at her heels, she marched up and down the streets of 
 Munich with a most majestic tread, and with a sense of power 
 which any judge advocate in America might envy. When she 
 saw any person whom she chose to denounce for "thwarting the 
 government" or "using disloyal language,'' her obedient followers 
 needed but a sign to make them spring at the throat of their vic- 
 tim. It gives me unspeakable pleasure to tell you the sequel. 
 The people rose in their strength, smashed down the wliole ma- 
 chinery of oppression, and drove out into uttermost shame king, 
 strumpet, dogs, and all. From that time to this neither man, 
 woman, nor beast, has dared to worry or kill the people of Ba- 
 varia. \ 
 
 All these are but so many different ways of using the arbitrary 
 power to punish. The variety is merely in the means which a 
 tyrannical government takes to destroy those whomitis bound to 
 protect. Everywhere it is but another construction, on the same 
 principle, of that remorseless machine by which despotism wreaks 
 its vengeance on those who offend it. Li a civilized country it 
 nearly always uses the military force, because that is the sharp- 
 est, and surest, as well as the best looking instrument that can be 
 found for such a purpose. But in none of its forms can it be in- 
 troduced into this country ; we have no room for it ; the ground 
 here is all preoccupied by legal and free institutions. 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 547 
 
 Between the officers who have a power like this and the people 
 who are liable to become its victims, there can be no relation ex- 
 cept that of master and slave. The master may be kind and the 
 slave may be contented in his bondage ; but the man who can take 
 your life, or restrain your liberty, or despoil you of your property 
 at his discretion, either with his owfi hands or by means of a hired 
 overseer, owns you and he can force you to serve him. All you 
 are, and all you have, including your wives and children, are his 
 property. 
 
 If my learned and very ^ood friend, the Attorney General, had 
 this right of domination over me, I sh iild not be very much 
 frightened, for I should expect him to use it as moderately as anv 
 man in all the world ; but still I should feel the necessity of being- 
 very discreet. He might change in a short tiine. The thirst for 
 blood is an appetite which grows by what it feeds upon. We can- 
 not know him by present appearances. Robespierre resigned a 
 country judgeship in eai'ly life, because he was too tender-hearted 
 to pronounce sentence of death upon a convicted criminal. Calig- 
 ula pas-^ed for a most amiable young gentleman before he was 
 clothed with the imperial purple, and for about eight months after- 
 wards. It was Trajan, I think, who said that absolute power 
 would convert any man into a wild beast, whatever was the origi- 
 nal benevolence of his nature. If you decide that the Attorney 
 General holds in his own hands or shares with others the power 
 of life and death over us all, I mean to be very cautious in my 
 intercourse with him ; and I warn you, the judges whom I am 
 now addressing, to do likewise. Trust not to the gentleness and 
 kindness which has always marked his behavior heretofore. Keep 
 your distance ; be careful how you approach him ; for you know 
 not at what moment or by what a trifle you may rouse the sleep- 
 ing tiger. Remember the injunction of Scripture: "Go not near 
 to the man who hath power to kill; and if thou come unto him, 
 see that thou make no fault, lest he take away thy life presently ; 
 for thou goest amon'4 snares and walkest upon the battlements of 
 the city." 
 
 The right of the executive government to kill and imprison citi- 
 zens for political offenses has not been practically claimed in this 
 country, except in cases where commissioned officers of the army 
 were the instruments used. Wltv should it, be confined to them? 
 
o48 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Why should rot nav.al oiRoers be permitted to share in it ? What 
 is the reason that common soldiers and seamen are exclud- 
 ed from all participation in the busine=s ? No law has bestowed 
 the right upon army officers more than upon other persons. If 
 men are to be hung up without that legal trial which the Consti- 
 tution guarantees to them, why not employ commissions of clergy- 
 men, merchants, manufacturers, horse-dealers, butchers, or drovers, 
 to do it ? It will not be pretended that military men are better 
 qualified to decide questions of fact or law than other classes of 
 people ; for it is known on the contrary that they are, as a gener- 
 al rule, least of all fitted to perform the duties that belong to a 
 judge. 
 
 The Attorney General think-i that a proceeding which takes 
 away the lives of citizens without a constitutional trial is a most 
 merciful dispensation. His idea of humanity as well as law is em- 
 bodied in the bureau of military justice, wiih all its dark and 
 bloody machinery. For that strange opinion he gives this curious 
 reason : that the duty of the commander-in-chief is to kill, and 
 unless he has this bureau and these commissions he must "butcher"' 
 indiscriminately without mercy or ju>tice. I admit that if the 
 conimander-in chief or an}^ other officer of the Government has 
 the power of an Asiatic king, to butcher the people at pleasure, 
 he ought to have somnbody to aid him in selecting his victims, as 
 well as to df) the rough work of strangling and shooting. But if 
 ray learned friend will only condescend to cast an eye upon the 
 Constitution, he will see at once that all the executive and milita- 
 ry officers are completely relieved by the provision that the life of 
 a citizen shall not be taken at all until after legal conviction by a 
 court and jury. 
 
 You cannot help hut s-ee that military commissions, if suffered 
 to go on, will be used for most pernicious purposes. I have criti- 
 cized none of their past proceedings, nor made any allusion to 
 their history in the last five years. But what can be the meaning 
 of this effort to maintain them among us ? Ceitainly not to pun- 
 ish actual guilt. All the ends of true justice .are attained by the 
 prompt, speedy, impartial trial which the courts are bound to give. 
 Is there any danger that crinif will be winked upon by the judges? 
 Does anybody pretend that courts and juries have less ability to 
 decide upon facts and law than the men who sit in military trib- 
 
HISTOJRY OF COLUMBIA COXJNTY .-549 
 
 unals? The counsel in this cause will not insult you by even hint- 
 ing such an opinion. What righteous or just purpose, then, cm 
 they serve? None, whatever. 
 
 But while thfey a'e utterly powerless to do even a sharlow of 
 good, they will be omnipotent to trample upon innocence, to ga^ 
 the truth, to silence patriotism, and crush the liberties (>f the 
 country. They will always be organized to convict, and the con- 
 viction will follow the accusation as surely as night follows the 
 day. The Government of course, will accuse none before such a 
 commission except those whom it predetermines to ruin and de- 
 stroy. The accuser can choose the judges, and will certainly se- 
 lect those who are known to be the most ignorant, the most uo 
 piincipled. and the most ready to do whatever may please the 
 pov.ev which gives them pay, promotion and plunder. The will- 
 ing witness can be found as easily as the superserviceable judge. 
 The treacherous spy, and the base informer — these loathsonie 
 wretches who do their lying by the job — will stock such a market 
 with abundant perjury, for the authorities that employ them will 
 be bound to protect as well as reward them. A corrupt 
 and tyrannical government, with such an engine at its 
 command, will shook the world with the enormity of 
 its crimes. Plied as it may be by the arts of a malignant priest- 
 hood, and urged on by the madness of a raving crowd, it will be 
 worse than the popish plot, or the French revolution — it will be 
 a combination of both, with Fouquier Tinville on the bench, and 
 Titus Oates in the witness's box. You can save us from this 
 horrible fate. You alone can "deliver us from the body of this 
 death." To that fearful extent is the destiny of this nation in 
 J our hands. — From the Reporter. 
 
550 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 OPINION OF THE COURT. 
 
 No. 350. — Deokmbek Term, 1865. 
 
 Ex parte : In matter of Lambdin P. Milligan, I'etitionen On a certifi- 
 cate of division of opinion between tlie Judges of the Circuit Court of 
 tlie United States for the District of Indiana. 
 Mr. Justice Davis delivered the opinion of the Court : 
 On the 10th day of May, 1865, Lambdin P. Milligan presented a petition 
 to ihe Circuit of the United States for the district of Indiana, to be dis- 
 charged from an alleged unlawful imprisonment. Tlie case made by the 
 petition is this : Milligan is a citizen of the United States ; has lived for 
 twenty years in Indiana; and, at the time of the grievances complained 
 of, was not, and never had been in the raililary or naval service of the 
 United States. On the 5th day of October, 1864, while at hojiie, he was 
 arrested by order of Gen. Alvin P. Hove}', commanding the military dis- 
 trict of Indiana ; and has ever since been kept in close confinement. 
 
 On the 21st day of October, 1864, he was brought before a military 
 commission, convened at Indianapolis by order of Gen. Hovey, tried on 
 certain charges and specifications ; found guilty, and sentenced to be 
 hanged ; and the sentence ordered to be executed on Friday, the 19th day 
 of May, 1865. 
 
 On the 2d day of January. 1865, after the proceedings of the military 
 commission were at an end, the Circuit Court of the United States for 
 Indiana met at Indianapolis and empanneled a grand jury, who were 
 charged to inquire whether the laws of the United States had been violat- 
 ed : and, if so, to make presentments. The court adjourned on the 27th 
 day of January, having, prior thereto, discharged from further service 
 the grand jury, who did not find any bill of indictment or make any pre- 
 sentment against Milligan for anj' offence whatever, and, in fact, since 
 his imprisonment, no bill of indictment has been found or presentment 
 made against him by any grand jury of the United States. 
 
 Milligan insists that said military commission had no jurisdiction to try 
 him upon the charges preferred, or upon any charges whatever, because 
 he was a citizen of the United States and of the State of Indiana, and had 
 not been, since the commencement of the late rebellion, a resident of any 
 of the States whose citizens were arrayed against the Government, and 
 that the right of trial by jury was guaranteed to him by the Constitution 
 of the United States. 
 
 The prayei' of the petition was, that under the act of Congress, approv- 
 ed March i, 1863, entitled "An act relating to habeas corpus and regulating 
 
IIISIOBY 01' COLUMBIA COVN'iY. o51 
 
 judicial proceedings in certain cases," he may be brought before the 
 court, and either turned over to the proper civil tribunal to be proceeded 
 against according to tlie law of the land or discliarged from custody 
 altogether. 
 
 With the petition were filed the order for the commission, the charges 
 and specifications, the findings of the court, with the order of the War 
 Department reciting that Ihe sentence was approved by the President of 
 the United States, and directing that it be carried into execution without 
 delay. The petition was presented and filed in open court by tlie counsel 
 for Milligan; at the same time the District Attorney of the United States 
 for Indiana appeared, and, by the agreement of counsel, the application 
 was submitted to the court. The opinions of the Judges of the Cucuit 
 Court were opposed on three questions which are certified to the Supreme 
 Court — 
 
 1st. ''On the facts stated in said petition and exhibits ought the writ of 
 habr.0K rrnpiisi to be issued ?" 
 
 3d. "On the facts stated in said petition and exhibits, ought the said 
 Lambdin P. Milligan to be discharged from custody as in said petition 
 prayed ?" 
 
 3d. "Whether, upon the facts stated in said petition and exhibits the 
 military commission mentioned therein had jurisdiction legally to try and 
 sentence said Milligan in manner and form as in said petition and exhibits 
 is stated ?" 
 
 The importance of the main question presented by this record cannot 
 be overstated ; for it involves the very framework of the Government 
 and the fundamental principles of A merican liberty. 
 
 During the late wicked rebellion, the temper of the times did not allow 
 that calmness in deliberation and discussion so necessary to a correct 
 conclusion of a purely judicial question. Then, considerations of safety 
 were mingled with the exercise of power ; and feelings and interests 
 prevailed which are happily terminated. Nmu that the public safety is 
 assured, this question, as well as all others, can be discussed and decided 
 without passion or the admixture of any element not required to form a 
 legal judgment. We approach the investigation of this cast, fully sensi- 
 ble of the magnitude of the inquiry and the necessity of full and cautious 
 deliberation. But we are met with a preliminary objection. It is insist- 
 ed that the Circuit Court of Indiana had no authority to certify these 
 questions; and that we are without jurisdiction to hear and determine 
 them. The sixth section of the "Act to amend the judicial sj'stem of the 
 United States," approved April 39,1802, declares "that whenever any 
 question shall occur before a circuit court upon which the opinions of 
 the judges shall be opposed, the point,upon which the disagreement shall 
 happen, shall, during the same term, upon the request of either party or 
 their counsel, be stated under the direction of the judges and certified 
 under the seal of the court to the Supreme Court at their next session to 
 be held thereafter ; and shall by the said court be finally decided : And 
 
,552 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 the decision of the Supreme Court and their order in the premises shall 
 be remitted to the circuit court and be there entered of record, and shall 
 have effect according to the nature of the said judgment and order : 
 Pioridp(', Tl)at nothing herein contained shall prevent the cause from pro- 
 ceeding, if, in the opinion of the court, further proceedings can be had 
 ■without prejudice to the merits-" *«**«** 
 
 It is under this provision of law that a circuit court has authority to 
 certify any question to the Supreme Court for adjudication. The inquiry, 
 therefore, is, whether the case of Milligan is brought within its terms. 
 It was admitted at the bar that the circuit court had jurisdiction to enter- 
 tain the application for the writ of kabeos corpva and to hear and 
 determine it ; and it could not be denied, for the power is expressly 
 given in the 14th section of tlie judiciary act of 1789, as well as iu the 
 later act of 1863. Chief Justice Marshall, iu BoUman's case, (4 Cranch,) 
 construed this Irancli of the judiciary act to authorize the courts as well 
 as the judges to issue the writ for the purpose of inquiring into the cause 
 of the commitment ; and this construction has never been departed from. 
 But it is maintained with earnestness and ability that a certificate of di- 
 vision of opinion can occur only in a cause ; and that the proceeding by a 
 parfj' moving for a writ of hnhrax corpus does not become a cause until after 
 the irril has been issued nvd a return made' 
 
 Independently of the provisions of tlie act of Congress of March 3, 
 1863, relating to habeas corpus, on which the petitioner bases his claim for 
 relief, and wliich we will presently consider, can this position be sus- 
 tained ? 
 
 It is true, that it is usual for a court on application for a writ of habeas 
 corpvF, to issue the writ and on tlie return to dispose of the case ; but the 
 court can elect to waive the issuing of the writ and consider whether, 
 upon the facts presented in the petition, the prisoner, if brouglit before 
 it, could be discharged. One ot the very points on wliich the case of 
 Tobias WatUins, reported in 3 Peters, turned, was whether, if the writ 
 was issued, the petitioner would be remanded upon the case which he 
 had made. 
 
 The Chief Justice, in delivering the opinion of the court, said: ''The 
 cause of imprisonment is shown as fully by the petitioner as it could ap- 
 pear on the return of the writ ; consequently the wi'it ought not to be 
 awarded if the court is satisfied that the prisoner would be remanded to 
 prison." 
 
 The judges of the Circuit Court of Indiana, were, therefore, warranted 
 by an express decision of this court in refusing the writ, if satisfied that 
 the prisoner, on his own showing, was rightfully detained ; but it is con- 
 tended if tliey differed aboiit the lawfulness of the imprisonment, and 
 could render no judgment, the prisoner is remediless, and cannot have 
 the disputed question certified under the act of 1803. His remedy is 
 complete by writ of error or appeal, iir the court renders a final judgment 
 refusing to discharge him ; but if he should be so unfortunate as to be 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 5o3 
 
 placed in the predicament of having the court divided on the question 
 whether he should live or die, he is hopeless and without remedy. He 
 wishes the vital question settled, not by a single judge at his chambers, 
 but by the highest tribunal known to the Constitution ; and yet the 
 privilege is denied him, because the circuit court consists of two judges 
 instead of one. Such a result was not in the contemplation of the Legis- 
 lature of 1802 : and the language used by it cannot be construed to mean 
 any such thing. The clause under consideration was introduced to fur- 
 ther the ends of justice, by obtaining a speedy settlement of important 
 questions where the judges might be opposed in opinion. 
 
 The act of 1803 so changed the judicial system that the circuit court, 
 instead of three, was composed of two judges ; and, without this provi- 
 sion or a kindred one, if the judges differed, the difference would remain, 
 the question be unsettled, and Justice denied. The decisions of this 
 court upon the provisions of this section have been numerous. In United 
 States vs. Daniel, (6 Wheaton,) the court, in holding that a. division of 
 the judges on a motion for a new trial could not be certified, say : "That 
 the question must be one which arises in a cause depending before the 
 court relative 1o a proceeding belonging to the cause." Testing Milligan's 
 case bj' this rule of law, is it not apparent that it is rightfully here; and 
 that we are compelled to answer t)ie questions on which the judges 
 below wen^ opposed in opinion? If, in the sense of the law, the proceed- 
 ing for ihe writ of habeas corpus was the •■caufe" of the party applying for 
 it, then it is evident that the "cause" was pending before the court, and 
 that the questions certified arose out of it, belonged to it, and were mat- 
 ters of right and not of discretion. 
 
 But it is argued that the proceeding does not ripen into a cause until 
 there are two parties to it. This we deny. It was the cause of Milligan 
 when the petition was presented to the circuit court. It would have been 
 the (ouse •)f both parties if the court had issued the writ and brought 
 those who held Milligan in custody before it. Webster defines the word 
 "cause" thus : "A suit or action in court, any legal process which a 
 party institutes to obtain his demand, or by which he seeks his right, or 
 supposed right"— and he says, "this is a legal, scriptural and popular use 
 of the word, coinciding nearly with case, from aido, and action, from 
 ayo, to urge and drive " 
 
 In any legal sense action, suit and cause are convertible terms. Milli- 
 gan supposed he had a right to test the validity of his trial and sentence ; 
 and the proceeding which he set in operation for that purpose was his 
 "cause" or "suit." It was the only one by which he could recover his 
 liberty. He was powerless to do more ; he could neither instruct the 
 judges nor control their action, and should not suffer because, without 
 fault of his, they were unable to render a judgment. But the true mean- 
 ing to the lerm "suit" has been given by this court. One of the ques- 
 tions in Weston vs. City Council of Charleston (2 Peters) was, whether 
 a writ of prohibition wns a suit ; and Chief Justice Marshall says : "The 
 
554 HISTUHY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 term is certainlj' a comprehensive one, and is understood to apply to any 
 proceeding in the court of justice by which an individual pursues that 
 remedy which the law affords him." Certainly Milligan pursued the only 
 remedy which the law afforded him. 
 
 Again, in Cohens vs. Virginia (6 Wheaton) he says : "In law language 
 a suit is the prosecution of some demand in a, court of justice." Also, 
 "To commence a suit is to demand something by the institution of pro- 
 cess in a court of justice : and to prosecute the suit is to continue that 
 demand." When Milligan demanded his release by the proceeding relat- 
 ing to hahea.1 rnrpus he commenced a suit; and he has since prosecuted it 
 in all the ways known to the law. One of the questions in Holmes vs. 
 Jennison (14 Peters) was, whether under the 35th section of the judiciary 
 act a proceeding for a writ of hnbtnis airpin was a "suit " Chief Justice 
 Taney held that "if a party is unlawfully imprisoned the writ of habeas 
 corpus is his appropriate legal remedy. it is liis suit in court to recover 
 his liberty." There was much diversity of opinion on another ground of 
 jurisdiction, but on this, that in the sense of the 85th section of tlie judi- 
 ciarj' act, the proceeding by h'ibeas corpus was a suit, was not controverted 
 by any except Baldwin, Justice, and he thought that "suit" and "cause" 
 as used in the section mean the same thing. 
 
 The court do not say that a return must be made and the parties appear 
 and begin to try the case before it is a suit. When the petition is filed 
 and the writ prayed fur it is a suit — the suit of the party making the ap- 
 plication. If it is a suit under the 25th section of the judiciary act when 
 the proceedings are begun, it is by all the analogies of the law, equally a 
 suit under the 6th section of the act of 1803. 
 
 Hut it is urged that there must be iwo parties to the suit, because the 
 point is to be stated upon the request of "either party or their counsel." 
 Such a literal and technicsl construction would defeat the very purpose 
 the Legislature had in view, which was to enable any party to bring the 
 case here, when the point in controversy was a matter ot right and not 
 of discretion , and the words "either party," in order to prevent a failure 
 of justice, must be construed as words of enlargement and not of restriction. 
 Although this case is here C3; j3f(r(e, it was not considered by the court 
 below without notice having been given to the party supposed to have an 
 interest in the detention of the prisoner. The statements of the record 
 show that this is not only a fair, but conclusive inference. When the 
 counsel for Milligan presented to the court the petition for the writ of 
 habeas corpus, Mr. Hanna, the District Attorney for Indiana, also appeared ; 
 and, by agreement, the application was submitted to the court, who 
 took the case under advisement, and on the next day announced their 
 inability to agree, and made the certificate. It is clear that Mr. Hanna 
 did not represent the petitioner, and why is his appearance entered ? It 
 admits of no other solution than this — that he was informed of the ap- 
 plication, and appeared on behalf of the Government to contest it. The 
 Government was the prosecutor of Milligan, who claimed that his im- 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 555 
 
 prisonment was illegal; and sought, in the only way he could, to recover 
 his liberty. The case was a grave one ; and the court, unquestionably, 
 directed that the law officer of the Government should be informed of it. 
 He very properly appeai'ed, and, as the facts were uncontroverted ^nd 
 the difficulty was in the application of the law, there was no useful pur- 
 pose to be obtained in issuing the writ. The cause was, therefore, sub- 
 mitted to the court for their consideration and determination. But Miili- 
 gan claimed his discharge from custody by virtue of the act of Congress 
 "relating to hnbrus cnrpua and regulating judicial proceedings in certain 
 cases," appi'oved March 3, 1863. Did that act confer jurisdiction on the 
 Circuit Court of Indiana to hear this case ? In interpreting a law, the 
 motives which must have operated with the Legislature in passing it are 
 proper to be considered. This law was passed in a time of great national 
 peril, when our heritage of free government was in danger An armed 
 rebellion against the national authority, of greater proportions than his- 
 tory affords an example, was raging; and the public safely required that 
 the privilege of the writ of habms cnrpns should be suspended. The 
 President had practically suspended it, and detained suspected persons 
 in custody without trial ; but his authority to do this was questioned. It 
 was claimed that Congress alone could e.xercise this power; and that the 
 Legislature, and not the President, should judge of the political consid- 
 erations on which the right to suspend it rested. The privilege of this 
 great writ had never before been withheld from the citizen ; and, as the 
 exigence of the times demanded immediate action, it was of the highest 
 importance that the lawfulness of the suspension should be fully estab- 
 lished. It was under these circumstances, which were such as to arrest 
 the attention of the country, that this law was passed. The President 
 was authorized by it to suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus 
 whenever, in his judgment, the public safety required; and he did, by 
 proclamation, bearing date the 15th of September, 1863, reciting among 
 other things the authority of this statute, suspend it. The suspension of 
 the writ does not authorize the arrest of anj' one, but simply denies to 
 one arrested the privilege of the writ in order to obtain his liberty. 
 
 It is proper, therefore, to inquire under what circumstances the courts 
 could rightfully refuse to grant this writ, and when the citizen was at lib- 
 erty to invoke its aid. 
 
 The second and third sections of the law are explicit on these points. 
 The language used is plain and direct, and, the meaning of the Congress 
 cannot be mistaken. The public safety demanded, if the President thouglit 
 proper to arrest a suspected person, that he should not be required to 
 give the cause of his detention on return to a writ of habeas corpus. But 
 it was not contemplated that such person should be detained in custody 
 beyond a certain fixed period ; unless certain judicial proceedings known 
 to the common law, were commenced against him. The Secretaries of 
 State and War were directed to furnish to the judges of the courts of the 
 Uuitdd States a list of names of all parties, not prisoners of war, resident 
 
556 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 in their respective jurisiiotions, wlio then were or afterwards should be 
 held in custody b}' the authority of the President, and who were citizens 
 of Slates in which the administration of the laws in the Federal tribunals 
 was unimpaired. After the list was furnished, if a grand jury of the die- 
 trict convened and adjourned and did not indict or present one of the per- 
 sons thus named, he was entitled to bis discharge ; and it was tlie duty 
 of the judge of the court to order him brought before him to be discharg- 
 ed, if be desired it. The refusal or omission to furnish the list could not 
 operate to the injury of any one who was not indicted or presented by the 
 grand jury; for, if twenty days had elapsed from the time of his arrest 
 and the termination of the session of the grand jury, he was equally en- 
 titled to his discharge as if the list were furnished ; and any credible 
 person, on petition verified by affidavit, could obtain the judge's order for 
 that purpose. 
 
 Milligan, in his application to be released from imprisonment, averred 
 the existence of every fact necessary under the terms of this law to give 
 the Circuit Court of Indiana jurisdiction. If he was detained in custody 
 by the order of the President, otherwise than as a prisoner of war, if he 
 was a citizen of Indiana and had never been in the military or naval ser- 
 vice, and the grand jury of the district had met, after he bad been arrest- 
 ed, for a period of twenty days, and adjourncri without taking any pro- 
 ceedings against him, th.R>< the court had the right to entertain his petition 
 and determine the lawfulness of his imprisonment. Because the word 
 "court" is not found in the body of the second section, it was argued at 
 the bar, that tlie application sliould have been made to the judge of the 
 court, and not to the court itself ; but //u's i-^ no/ .■•■o, for power is expressly 
 conferred in the last proviso of the section on the court equally with a 
 judge of it to discharge from imprisonment. It was the manifest design 
 of Congress to secure a certain remedy by which any one, deprived of 
 liberty, could obtain it, if there was a judicial failure to find cause of of- 
 fense against him. Courts are not always in session, and can adjourn on 
 the discbarge of the grand jurj' ; and before those who are in confinement 
 could take proper steps to procure their liberation. To provide, for this 
 contingency, authority was given to the judges out of court to grant re- 
 lief to any party, who could show, that, under the law, he should be no 
 longer restrained of his liberty. It was insisted that Milligan's case was 
 defective, because it did not state that the list was furnished to the judges; 
 and, therefore, it was impossible to say under which section of the act it 
 was presented. 
 
 It is not easy to see how this omission could effect the question of juris- 
 diction. Milligan could not know that the list was furnished unless the 
 judges volunteered to tell him ; for the law did not require that any 
 record should be made of it or anybody but the judges informed of it. 
 Why aver the fact, when the truth of the matter was apparent to the 
 court without an averment? How can Milligan be harmed by the absence 
 of the averment, when he states that he was under arrest for more than 
 
HlHTOIiY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 557 
 
 sixty days before the court and grand jury, which should have considered 
 his case, met at Indianapolis? It is apparent, therefore, that under the 
 hnhenn cnrpua act of 1863 the Circuit Court of Indiana had complete juris- 
 diction to adjudicate upon this case, and, if the judges could not agree on 
 questions vital to the progress of the cause, they had the authority, (as 
 ■we have shown in a previous part of this opinion,) and it was their duty 
 to certify those questions of disagreement to this court for final decision. 
 It was argued that a final decision on the questions presented ought not 
 to be made, because the parties who were directly concerned In the ar- 
 rest and detention of Milligan, were not before the court ; and their 
 rights might be prejudiced by the answer which should be given to those 
 questions. But this court cannot know what return will be made to the 
 writ of habeas corpus when issued ; and it is very clear thai no one is con- 
 cluded upon any question that may be raised' to that return. In the 
 sense of the law of 1802, which authorized a certificate of division, a final 
 decision means final upon the points certified : final upon the court below, 
 so that it is estopped from any adverse ruling in all the subsequent pro- 
 ceedings of the cause. But it is said that this case is ended, as the pre- 
 sumption is that Milligan was hanged in pursuance of the order of the 
 President. Although we have no judicial infortnatioa on the subject, 
 yet the inference is tliat be is alive ; for otherwise learned counsel would 
 not appear for him and urge this court to decide the case. 
 
 It can never be in this country of written Constitution and laws, witli 
 a judicial department to interpret them, that any chief magistrate would 
 be so far forgetful of his duty as to order the execution of a man who de- 
 nied the jurisdiction that tried and convicted him, after his case was 
 before Federal judges with power to decide it, who, being unable to agree 
 on the grave questions involved, had, according to linown law, sent it to 
 the Supreme Court of the United States for decision. But even the sug- 
 gestion is injurious to the Executive,and we dismiss it from further consid- 
 eration. There is, therefore, nothing to hinder this court from an inves- 
 tigation of the merits of this controversj-. 
 
 The controlling question in the ease is this : Upon the fads stated in 
 Milligan's petition, and the exhibits filed, had the military commission 
 mentioned in it jarisrlidion, legally to tr\' and sentence him ? Milligan, 
 not a resident of one of the rebellious States, or a prisonei of war, but a 
 citizen of Indiana for twenty years past, and never in the military or 
 naval service, is, while at his home, arrested by the military power of 
 the United States, imprisoned, and, on certain criminal charges preferred 
 against him, tried, convicted, and sentenced to be hanged by a military 
 'Ommission, organized under the direction of the military commander of 
 the military district of Indiana. Had this tribunal tlie legal power and 
 authority to try and punish this man ? No gr.iver question was ever con- 
 sidered by this court, nor one which more nearly concerns the rights of 
 "the whole people ; for it is the birthright of every American citizen 
 when charged with crime, to be tried and punished according to law. 
 
558 Ills TOR Y O V CO T. UMBIA CO UNI Y 
 
 The power of punishment is, alone througli the means which the Kws 
 have provided for that purpose, and if they are ineffectual there is an 
 immunity from punishment, no matter how great an offender the individ- 
 ual may be, or how mucli his crimes may have shocked the sense of ju«tioe 
 of the country, or endangered its safety. By the protection oi the law 
 human rights arc secured; withdraw that protecl ion. and they are at the 
 mercy of wicked rulers, or the clamor of an excited people. If there was 
 law to justify this military trial, it is not our province to interfere ; if there 
 was not, it is our duty to declare the nullity of the whole proceedings. 
 The decision of this question does not depend on argument or judicial 
 precedents, numerous and liigllly illustrative as they are. These prece- 
 dents inform us of the extent of the strutrgle to preserve liberty and to 
 relieve those in civil life from military trials. The founders of our govern- 
 ment were familiar with the history of that struggle; and secured in a 
 written Constitution every right wliich the people had wrested from power 
 durino- a contest of ages. By that Constitution and the laws authorized 
 by it, this question must be determined. The provisions of tliat instru- 
 ment ou the administration of criminal justice a? e too plain and direct to 
 leave room for misconstruction or doubt of their true meaning. Those ap- 
 plicable to this casi- are found in that clause of the original Constitution 
 which says, "That the trial of all crimes, except in case of impeachment, 
 shall be by jury ;'' and in the fourth, fifth, and sixth articles of the amend- 
 ments. The fourth proclaims the riglit to be secure in person and effects 
 against unreasonable search and seizure ; and directs that a judicial war- 
 rant shall not issue "without proof of probable cause supported by oath or 
 alfirmation." The fifth declares "that no person sliall be held to answer 
 for a capital or otherwise infamous crime unless on presentment by a 
 grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the 
 militia, when in actual service in the time of war or public danger, nor 
 be deprived of life, libertj', or property without due process of law." 
 And the sixtli iiuarantees the right of trial by jury in such manner and 
 with such regulations that with upright judges, impartial juries, and an 
 able bar, the innocent will be saved and the guilty punished. It is in 
 tliese words : "In all criminal prosecutions the accused shall enjoy the 
 right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury of the State and 
 district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which distfict shall 
 have been previously ascertained by law. and to be informed of the na- 
 ture and cause of the accusation, to be confronted with the witnesses 
 against him, to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his 
 favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defence." These 
 securities for personal liberty thus embodied, were such as wisdom and 
 experience had demonstrated to be necessary for the protection of those 
 accused of crime. And so strong was the sense of the country of their 
 importance, and so jealous were the people that these rights, highly 
 prized, might be denied them by implication ; tliat when the original 
 constitution was proposed for adoption, it encountered severe opposition ; 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 559 
 
 and but for the belief that it would be so amended as to embrace them, 
 it would never have been ratified. 
 
 Time has proven the discernment of our ancestors ; for even these pro- 
 visions, expressed in sucli plain English words that it would seem tlie 
 ingenuity of men could not evade tliem, are mm, after the lapse of more 
 than seventy years, sought to be avoided. These great and good men 
 foresaw that troublous times would arise, when rulers and people would 
 become restive under restraint, and seek by sharp and decisive measures 
 to accomplish ends deemed just and proper, and that tlie principles of 
 constitutional liberty would be in peril, unless established by irrepealahle 
 law. The history of the world had taught them tliat what was done in 
 the past might be attempted in the future. The Constitution of the 
 United States is a law for rulen and people, equally in war and in peace, 
 and covers with tlie shield of its protection all classes of men, at all 
 times and under all circumstances. No doctrine involving more pernici- 
 ous consequences was ever invented by the wit of man tlian that any of 
 its provisions ran be suspended during any of the great exigencies of 
 Government. Such a doctrine leads directly to anarchy or despotism, 
 but the theory of necessity on which it is based is talse ; for the G-overn- 
 ment, within the Constitution, has all the powers granted to it which are 
 neccssar}' to perserve its existence, as lias been happily proved by the re- 
 sult of the great effort to tlirow off its just authority. 
 
 Have any of the rights guaranteed by the Constitution been violated in 
 the case of Milligan ? and if so, what are they ? Every trial involves the 
 exercise of judicial power; and from what source did the military com- 
 mission that tried him derive their authority ? Certainly no part of the 
 judicial power of the country was conferred on them, because the Con- 
 stitution expresslj' vests it "in one supreme court and such inferior 
 courts as tlie Congress may from time to time ordain and establish," and 
 it is not pretended that the commission was a court ordained and estab- 
 lished by Congress. They cannot justify on the mandate of the Presi- 
 dent ; because he is controlled by law, and has his appropriate sphere of 
 duty, which is to execute, not to make the laws ; and there is "no un- 
 written criminal code to which resort can be had as a source of jurisdic- 
 tion." But it is said that the jurisdiction IS complete under the "laws 
 and usages of war." It can serve no useful purpose to inquire what 
 those laws and usages arc, whence they originated, where found, and on 
 whom tliey operate ; they can never be applied to citizens in States 
 which have upheld the authority of the Government, and where the 
 courts are open and their process unobstructed. This court has judicial 
 knowledge that in Indiana the Federal authority was always unopposed, 
 and its courts always open to hear criminal accusations and redress grie r- 
 ances ; and no usages of war could sanction a military trial there for any 
 offence whatever of a citizen in civil life, in nowise connected with the 
 military service. Congress could grant no such power ; and, to the 
 honor of our national legislature be it said, it has never been provoked by 
 
56 J HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 the state of the country evea to attempt its exercise. One of the plainest 
 constitutional provisions was, therefore, infringed when Milligan was 
 tried by a court not ordained and established by Congress, and not com- 
 posed of judges appointed during good behavior. Why was he not 
 delivered to the Circuit Court of Indiana to be proceeded against accord- 
 ing to law ? 
 
 No reason of necessity could l)e urged against it, because Congress had 
 declared penalties against the offences charged, provided for their pun- 
 ishment, and directed that court to hear and determine them. And soon 
 after this military tribunal was ended, the circuit court met, peacefully 
 transacted its business and adjourned. It needed no bayonets to pro'ect 
 it, and required no military aid to execute its judgments. It was held in 
 a State eminently distinguished for patriotism, bj' judges commissioned 
 during the rebellion, who were provided with juries, upright, intelligent, 
 and selected by a marshal appointed by the President. The Government 
 had no right to conclude that Milligan, if guilty, would not receive in 
 that court merited punishment ; for its records disclose that it was 
 constantly engaged In the trial of similar offences, and was never inter- 
 rupted in its administration of criminal justice. It it was dangerous in 
 the distracted condition of affairs to leave Milligan unrestrained of his 
 liberty, because he "conspired against the Government, afforded aid and 
 comfort to rebels, and incited the people to insurrection," the teo said ar- 
 rest him, confine him closely, render him powerless to do further mis- 
 chief ; and then present his case to the grand jury of the district, with 
 proofs of his guilt, and, if indicted, try him according to the course of 
 the common law. If this had been done the Constitution would have 
 been vindicated, the law of 1863 enforced, and the securities for personal 
 liberty preserved and defended. 
 
 Another guarantee of freedom was brolien when Milligan was denied a 
 trial by jury. The great minds of the country have differed on the cor- 
 rect interpretation to be given to various provisions of the Federal Con- 
 stitution; and judicial decision has been often invoked to settle their 
 true meaning ; but until recently no one ever doubted that the right of 
 trial by jury was fortified in the organic law against the power of attacli. 
 It is nnw assailed ; but, if ideas can be expressed in words, and language 
 has any meai^lng, thin right — one of the most valuable in a free country — 
 is preserved to every one accused of crime who is not attached to the 
 army, or navy, or militia in actual service. The sixth amendment af- 
 firms that "in all criminal prosecutions the accused shall enjoy the right 
 to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury," language broad 
 enough to embrace all persons and cases ; but the fifth, recognizing the 
 necessity of an indictment, or presentment, before any one can be held 
 to answer for high crimes, excepts cases arising in the land or naval 
 forces, or in the militia, wlien in actual service, in time of war or public 
 danger;" and tlie framers of the Constitution, doubtless, meant to limit 
 the right of trip.l by jury, in the sixth amendment, to those persons who 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 561 
 
 were subject to indictment or presentment in the fifth. 
 
 The discipline, necessary to the efficiency of the army and navy, requir- 
 ed other and swifter modes of trial than are furnished by the common law 
 courts ; and, in pursuance of the power conferred by the Constitution, 
 Congress has declared the kinds of trial, and tlie manner in which they 
 shall be conducted, for offenses committed while the party is in the military 
 or naval service. Every one, connected with these branches of the public 
 service, is amenable to the jmisdiction which Congress has created for 
 their government, and while thus serving, surrenders his right to be tried 
 by the civil courts. Al\ other persons, citizens of States where the courts are 
 open, if charged with crime, are guaranteed the inestimable privilege of 
 trial by jury. This privilege is a vital principle, underlying the whole ad- 
 ministration of criminal justice ; it is not held by sufferance, and cannot 
 be frittered away on any plea of State or political necessity. When peace 
 prevails, and the authority of the Government is undisputed, there is no 
 diflBculty of preserving the safeguards of liberty ; for the ordinary modes 
 of trial are never neglected, and no one wishes it otherwise : but if so- 
 ciety is disturbed by civil commotion — if the passions of men are aroused 
 and the restraints of law weakened, it not disregarded — these safeguards 
 need, and should receive, the watchful care of taose entrusted with the 
 guardianship of the Constitution and laws. In no other way can we trans- 
 mit to posterity unimpaired, the blessings of liberty, consecrated by the 
 sacrifices of the revolution. 
 
 It is claimed that martial law covers with its broad mantle the proceed- 
 ings of the military commission. The proposition is this : That in a time 
 of war the commanaer of an armed force (if in his opinion the exigencies 
 of the country demand it, and of which he is to judge,) has the power, 
 within the lines of his military district, to suspend all civil rights and 
 their remedies, and subject citizens as well as soldiers to the rule of his 
 will, and in the exercise of his lawful authority cannot be restrained, ex- 
 cept by his superior ofiEicer or the President of the United States. If this 
 position is sound, to the extent claimed, then when war exists, foreign or 
 domestic, and the country is subdivided into military departments for 
 mere convenience ; the commander of one of them can, if he chooses, 
 within his limits, on the plea of necessity, with the approval of the execu- 
 tive, substitute military force for and to the exclusion of the laws, and 
 punish all persons, as he thinks right and proper, without fixed or certain 
 rules. 
 
 The statement of this proposition shows its importance ; for, if true, 
 republican government is a failure, and there is an end of liberty regulat- 
 ed by law. Martial law, established on such a basis, destroys every guar- 
 antee of the Constitution, and effectually renders the "military independ- 
 ent of and superior to the civil power"— the attempt to do which by the 
 King of Great Britain was deemed by our fathers such an offence, that 
 they assigned it to the world as one of the causes which impelled them to 
 declare their independence. Civil liberty and this kind of martial law 
 
562 Ills TOR T OF COL UMJBIA CO UJSTTT. 
 
 cannot endure together ; the antagonism is irreconcilable; and in the con- 
 flict, one or the other must perish. 
 
 This nation, as experience has proved, cannot always remain at peace, 
 and has no right to expect that it will always have wise and humane rul- 
 ers, sincerely atttached to the principles of the Constitution. Wicked 
 men, ambitious of power, with hatred of liberty and contempt of law, 
 may fill the place once occupied by Washington and Lincoln ; and, if this 
 right is conceded and the calamities of war again befall us, the dangers 
 to human liberty are frightful to contemplate. If our fathers had failed 
 to provide for just such a contingency, they would have been false to the 
 trust imposed in them. They knew — the history of the world told them 
 — the nation they were founding, be its existence short or long, would be 
 involved in war ; how often or how long continued, human foresight 
 could not tell, and that unlimited power, wherever lodged at such a time, 
 was especially hazardous to freemen. For this and other equally weighty 
 reasons they secured tlie inheritance they had fought to maintain, by in- 
 corporating in a written constitution, the safeguards which time had prov- 
 ed were essential to its preservation. Not one of these safeguards can 
 the President or Congress or the judiciary disturb, except the one con- 
 cerning the writ of habeas corpus. 
 
 It is essential to the safety of every Government that, in a great crisis, 
 like the one we have just passed through, there should be a power some- 
 where of suspending the writ of habeas corpus. In every war there are men 
 of previously good character wicked enough to counsel their fellow citi- 
 zens to resist the measures deemed necessary by a good government to 
 sustain its just authority and overthrow its enemies, and their influence 
 may lead to dangerous combinations. In the emergency of the times an 
 immediate public investigation according to law may not be postible, and 
 yet the peril to the country may be too imminent to suifer such persons 
 to go at large. Unquestionably, there is then an exigency which demands 
 that the government, if it should see fit in the exercise of a proper discre- 
 tion to make arrests, should not be required to produce the persons ar- 
 rested in answer to a writ of habeas corpus. The Constitution goes no 
 further. It does not say after a writ of habeas corpus is denied a citizen, 
 that he shall be tried otherwise than by the course of the common law ; if 
 it had intended this result, it was easy by the use of direct words to have 
 accomplished it. The illustrious men who framed that instrument were 
 guarding the foundations of civil liberty against the abuses of unlimited 
 power ; they were full of wisdom, and the lessons of hist ory informed 
 them that a trial by an established court, assisted by an impartial jury, 
 was the only sure way of protecting the citizen against oppression and 
 wrong. Knowing this, they limited the suspension to one great right and 
 left the rest to remain forever inviolable. But it is insisted that the safe- 
 ty of the country in time of war demands that this broad claim for mar- 
 tial law shall be sustained. If this were true it could be well said that a 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 563 
 
 country preserver! at the sacrifice of all the cardinal principles of liberty 
 is not worth the cost of preservation. Happily, it is not so. 
 
 It will be borne in mind that this is not a question of the power to pro- 
 claim martial law when war exists in a commvinity, and the courts and 
 civil authorities are overthrown. Nor is it a question what rule a mili- 
 tary commander, at the head of his army, can impose on States in rebel- 
 lion to cripple their resoui cea and quell the insurrection. The jurisdic- 
 tion claimed is much more extensive. The necessities of the service, 
 during the late rebellion, required that the loyal States should be placed 
 within the limits of certain military districts and commanders appointed 
 in them ; and, it is urged, that this, in a militar}' sense, constituted them 
 the theatre of military operations ; and, as in this case, Indiana had been 
 and was again threatened with invasion by the enemy, the occasion was 
 furnished to establish martial law. The conclusion does not follow from 
 the premises. If armies were collected in Indiana they were to be em- 
 ployed in another locality, where the laws were obstructed and the na- 
 tional authority disputed. On her soil there was no hostile foot ; if once 
 invaded, that invasion was at an end, and with it all pretext for martial 
 law. Martial law cannot arise from a threatened invasion. The necessity 
 must be actual and present, the invasion real, such as effectually closes 
 the courts and deposes the civil administration. 
 
 It is difficult to see how the stofefy of the country required martial law 
 in Indiana. If any of her citizens were plotting treason, the power of ar- 
 rest could secure them, until the Government was prepared for their trial, 
 when the courts were open and ready to try them. It was as easy to 
 protect witnesses before a civil as a military tribunal ; and as there could 
 be no wish to convict, except on sufficient legal evidence, surely an or- 
 dained and established court was better able to judge of this than a mili- 
 tary tribunal composed of gentlemen not trained to the profession of the 
 law. 
 
 It follows, from what has been said on this subject, that there are oc- 
 casions when martial rule can be properly applied. If in foreign inva- 
 sion or civil war the courts are actually closed; and it is impossible to 
 administer criminal justice according to law, then, on the theatre of ac- 
 tive military operations, where war really prevails, there is a necessity 
 to furnish a substitute for the civil authoritj', thus overthrown, to pre- 
 serve the safety of the army and society ; and as no power is left but the 
 military, it is allowed to govern by martial rule until the laws can have 
 their free course. As necessity creates the rule, so it limits its duration; 
 for if this government is continued, after the courts are reinstated, it is a 
 gross usurpation of power. Martial rule can never exist where the courts 
 are open, and in the proper and unobstructed exercise of their jurisdic- 
 tion. It is also confined to the locality of actual war. Because during 
 the late rebellion it could have been enforced in Virginia, where the na- 
 tional authority was overturned and the courts driven out, it does not 
 follow that it should obtain in ladiana, ujiere tliat authority was never 
 
564 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY 
 
 disputed, and justice was always administered. And so in the case of 
 a foreign invasion, martial rule may become a necessity in one State, 
 when in another it would be "mere lawless violence." We are not with- 
 out precedents in English and American history illustrating our views of 
 this question ; but it is hardly necessary to make particular reference to 
 them. 
 
 Prom the first year of the reign of Edward the Third, when the Parli- 
 ament of England reversed the attainder of the Earl of Lancaster, be- 
 cause he could have been tried by the coarts of the realm, and declared, 
 'that in time of peace no man ought to be adjudged to death for treason 
 or any other offence without being arraigned and held to answer ; and 
 that regularly when the king's courts are open it is a time of peace in 
 judgment of law," down to the present day, mart'al law, as claimed in 
 this case, has been condemned by all respectable English Jurists as con- 
 trary to the fundamental laws of the land, and subversive of the liberty 
 of the subject. 
 
 During the present century an instructive debate on this question oc- 
 curred in Parliament, occasioned by the trial and conviction by court- 
 martial, at Demarara, of the Rev. John Smith, a missionar}' to the ne- 
 groes, on the alleged ground of aiding and abetting a formidable rebel- 
 lion in that colon3^ Those eminent statesmen. Lord Brougham and Sir 
 James Macintosh, participated in that debate, and denounced the trial as 
 illegal, because it did not appear that the courts of law in Demarara 
 could not try offences, and that "when the laws can act every other 
 mode of punishing supposed ci'imes is itself an enormous crime." 
 
 So sensitive were our revolutionary fathers on this subject, although 
 Boston was almost in a state of siege, when Gen. Gage issued his proc- 
 lamation of martial law, thej' spoke of it as an "attempt to supercede the 
 course of the common law, and instead thereof to publish and order the 
 use of martial law." The Virginia Assembly also denounced a similar 
 measure on the part ot Gov. Dunmore "as an assumed power, wliich the 
 King himself cannot e.tercise ; because it annuls the law of the land and 
 introduces the most execrable of all systems, martial law." 
 
 In some parts of the country, during the war of 1812, our officers made 
 arbitrary arrests, and by military tribunals, tried citizens, who were not 
 in tlie military service. These arrests and trials, when brought to the 
 notice of the courts, were uniformly condemned as illegal. The cases of 
 Smith vs. Shaw, and McOonnell vi. Hampton, (reported in 12 Johnson) 
 are illustrations, which we cite, not only for the principles they determine, 
 but on account of the distinguished jurists concerned in the decisions, 
 one of whom for many years occupied a seat on this bench. 
 
 It is contended that Luther vs. Brjrden, decided by this court, is an au- 
 thority for the claim of martial law advanced in this case. The decision 
 is misapprehended. Thut cafe grew out of the attempt in Rhode Island 
 to supercede the old colonial government by a revolutionary proceeding. 
 Rhode Island until that period had no other form of local government 
 
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY 565 
 
 than the charter granted by King Charles II., in 1663, and as that limited 
 the right of suffrage, and did not provide for its own amendment, many 
 citizens became dissatisfied because the legislature would not afford the 
 relief in their power; and without the authority of law formed a new and 
 independent constitution, and proceeded to assert its authority by force 
 of arms. The old government re.'^isted this; and as the rebellion was 
 formidable, called out the militia to subdue it, and passed an act declar- 
 ing martial law. 
 
 Borden, in the military service of the otd government, broke open the 
 house of Luther, who supported the new, in order to arrest him. Luther 
 brought suit against Borden ; and the question was, whether under the 
 constitution and laws of the State, Borden was justified. This court held 
 that a State "may use its military power to put down an armed insurrec- 
 tion too stropg to be controlled by the civil authority;" and if the legisla- 
 ture of Rhode Island tliought the peril so great as to require the use of its 
 military forces and the declaration of martial law, there was no ground 
 on which Ihis court could question its authority ; and as Borden acted 
 under military orders of the charter government, which had been recog- 
 nized by the political power of the country, and was upheld by the State 
 judiciary, he was justified iu breaking into and entering Luther's house. 
 This is the extent of the decision. There was no question in issue about 
 the power of declaring martial la.w under the Federal Constitution, and 
 the court did not consider it necessary even to inquire "to what extent 
 nor under what circumstances that power may be exercised by a State." 
 
 We do not deem it important to examine further the adjudged cases ; 
 and shall, therefore, conclude without any additional reference to authori- 
 ties. To the third question, then, on which the judges below were op- 
 posed in opinion, an answer in the negative must be returned. 
 
 It is proper to say, although Milligan's trial and conviction by a mili- 
 tary commission was illegal, yet, if guilty of the crimes imputed to him, 
 and his guilt had been ascertained by an established court and impartial 
 jury, he deserveu severe punishment. Open resistance to the measures 
 deemed necessary to subdue a great rebellion, by those who enjoy the 
 protection of Government, and have not the excuse even of prejudice of 
 section to plead in their favor, is wicked; but that resistance becomes an 
 ennrmous crime when it assumes the form of a secret political organization, 
 armed to oppose the laws, and seeks by stealthy means to introduce the 
 enemies of the country into peaceful communities, there to light the torch 
 of civil war, and thus overthrow the power of the United States. Con- 
 spiracies like these, at such a juncture, are extremely perilous, and those 
 concerned iu them are dangerous enemies to their country, and siiould 
 receive the heaviest penalties of the law, as an example to deter others from 
 similar criminal conduct. It is said the severity of the laws caused them; 
 but Congress was obliged to enact severe laws to meet the crisis; and as 
 our highest civil duly is to serve our country when in danger, ihe late 
 war has proved that rigorous laws, when necessary, will be cUeerfuUy 
 
566 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 obeyed by a patriotic people, struggling to preserve the rich blessings of 
 •i. free government. 
 
 The two remaining questions in this case must be answered in the affir- 
 mative. The suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus does 
 not suspend the writ itself. The writ issues as a matter of course, and 
 on the return made to it the court decides whether the party applying is- 
 denied the right of proceeding any further with it. 
 
 If the military trial of Milligan was contrary to law, then he was enti- 
 tled, on the facts stated in his petition, to be discharged from custody by 
 the terms of the act of Congress of March 3d, 1863. The provisions of 
 this law having been considered in a previous part of ^Ais opinion, we will 
 not restate the views there presented. Milligan avers he was a citizen of 
 Indiana, not in the military or naval service, and was detained in close 
 confinement, by order of the President, from the 5th day of October, 
 1864, until the 2d day of January, 1865, when the Circuit Court for the 
 district of Indiana, with a grand jury, convened in session at Indianapo- 
 lis ; and afterwards, on the 27th day of the same month, adjourned with- 
 out finding an indictment or presentment against him. If these averments, 
 were true (and their truth is conceded for the purposes of this case,) the 
 court was required to liberate him on taking certain oaths prescribed by 
 the law, and entering into recognizance for his good behavior. But it is. 
 insisted that Milligan was a prisoner of war, and therefore, excluded 
 from the privileges of the statute. It is not easy to see how he can be 
 treated as a prisoner of war, when he lived in Indiana for the past twenty 
 years ; was arrested there, and had not been, during the late troubles, a. 
 resident of any of the States in rebellion. If, in Indiana, he conspired 
 with bad men to assist the enemy, he is punishable for it in the courts of 
 Indiana, but, when tried for the offence, he cannot plead the rights of war, 
 for he was not engaged in legal acts of hostility against the Government, 
 and only such persons when captured, are prisoners of war. If he 
 cannot enjoy the immunities attaching to the character of a prisoner of 
 war, how can he be subject to their pains and penalties ? 
 
 This case, as well as the kindred cases of Bowles and Horsey, were dis- 
 posed of at the last term, and the proper orders were entered of record. 
 There is, therefore, no additional entry required. 
 
a-ENEI^-fiwIj I2^T3DE22:. 
 
 Annals ol Luzerne connty 32 
 
 Augusta rownsUp, 39 
 
 Acreage 60 
 
 Attomeys-at-Law 12T 
 
 Anthony Hon. Joseph B., 332 
 
 Agricultural Society 161 
 
 Army aggregate. 241 
 Arrests ol '64-see Military Occupation 392 
 
 Alrlcks Herman— EoTlew 506 
 
 Argument ol Judge Black 514 
 
 Appendix No 1 600 
 
 Appendix No. 2 614 
 
 Bosley'a Mills 
 
 13 
 
 Boone's Fort 
 
 17 
 
 Names ol killed 
 
 18 
 
 Beaver Euu 
 
 50 
 
 Brlarcreek 
 
 48 
 
 Bear Eun 
 
 49 
 
 Beyer Eun 
 
 50 
 
 Buck Mountain 
 
 51 
 
 Boroughs, lormatlon ot 
 
 66— 5T 
 
 Bloomsturg 
 
 85 
 
 Buildings 
 
 90 
 
 Industries 
 
 90 
 
 Churches 
 
 90 
 
 Sanitarium 
 
 91 
 
 Banks 
 
 92 
 
 Iron Companies 
 
 92 
 
 Cemetery Company 
 
 92 
 
 Gas Company 
 
 93 
 
 The Park 
 
 93 
 
 Water Company 
 
 93 
 
 Oldest settlers 
 
 94 
 
 Berwick 
 
 96 
 
 Academy 
 
 98 
 
 Old Settlers 
 
 98 
 
 Low Water 
 
 99 
 
 Library 
 
 99 
 
 Brnckway Charles B. 
 
 100 
 
 Barter Phlneas 
 
 109 
 
 Bllhlme Michael 
 
 109 
 
 Brugler Peter 
 
 109 
 
 Buck Horn 113 
 
 Benton 117 
 
 Beaver Valley 121 
 
 BlbUography 1ST 
 
 Berwick Newspapers 192 
 
 Battery "F." 342 
 
 Baldy Guards 358 
 
 Battery "F." 377 
 
 Black, argument of 514 
 
 Buckalew, Hon. C. E. 209 
 
 Catawlssa lo-ia 
 
 Chllllsquaque 30 
 
 Connecticut claim 3T 
 
 ColumWa county lines 41-45 
 
 Catawlssa Creek 4* 
 
 Coles Creek 48 
 
 Cahln Eun 40 
 
 Catawlssa Mountain 50 
 
 Catawlssa Eallroad 52 
 
 Census 61 
 
 Census Montour county 62 
 
 County election 1862, 81-82 
 
 Codorus steamheat 97 
 
 Canal North Branch ground broken 9T 
 
 Catawlssa sketch ol 101 
 
 Hughes 102 
 
 Sharpless 103 
 
 Mears 103 
 
 Hauck 105 
 
 Paper Mill 105 
 
 Brobst 106 
 
 Seesholtz, Capt. L H lOT 
 
 Newspaper 192 
 
 Coles Creek 118 
 
 CoUey Jonathan 119 
 
 Centralla borough 121 
 
 Chapman, Hon. Seth 130 
 
 Conyngham. Hon. John N. 139 
 
 CoUey, Alexander 169 
 
 Congressional 22ii 
 
 Conscientious Scruple Exempts 241 
 
 Columbia County Guards 312 
 
 Catawlssa Guards 316 
 
570 
 
 O-JENERAL INDEX. 
 
 Columbia Guards 
 
 3=9 
 
 Hunlocks Creek Railroad 
 
 53 
 
 Cole Leonard E. case of 
 
 49i 
 
 Hodge Joseph 
 
 110 
 
 Chapln Dyer L. case ol 
 
 489 
 
 Hess, William 
 
 118 
 
 Captain Wm. Silvers 
 
 49T 
 
 HaK Way House 
 
 120 
 
 
 
 Hurley Guards 
 
 352 
 
 Demott, Elchard 
 
 ill 
 
 Herald Shenandoah 
 
 496 
 
 Donnel, Hon. Charles G. 
 
 132 
 
 
 
 Dratted Mllltla 
 
 264 
 
 Indian Names 
 
 3-10-102 
 
 Draft September 17, 1853, 
 
 2ol 
 
 Paths 
 
 7 
 
 Draft June 3, 1864, 
 
 267 
 
 lola 
 
 114 
 
 Drafted Mllltla, 178tli Eeglment 
 
 283 
 
 Iron Guards 
 
 330 
 
 Espy, Miss 
 
 41 
 
 Jenkins Fort 
 
 39 
 
 Espy, George 
 
 41 
 
 Jackson, Clarence G. 
 
 100 
 
 Election retxirns 1860 to 1880, 
 
 74 
 
 Jerseytown 
 
 108 
 
 Eves, Jolm 
 
 113 
 
 Jackson, Daniel 
 
 117 
 
 Eyer Grove 
 
 114 
 
 Judiciary 
 
 122 
 
 Ent, Gen. 
 
 115 
 
 Judges, President 
 
 124 
 
 Eager, William 
 
 117 
 
 Associate 
 
 124 
 
 Espytown 
 
 119 
 
 Kemplen, Capt. Thomas 
 
 16 
 
 Elwell, Hon. wuilam 
 
 146 
 
 Knob Mountain, 
 
 29 
 
 Early Schools 
 
 168 
 
 Kinney's Bun 
 
 50 
 
 Enrollment of tbe county 
 
 238 
 
 Keeler, Jolm 
 
 117 
 
 Emergency Men 1862 
 
 242 
 
 Kile, John 
 
 118 
 
 Emergency Men 1863 
 
 247 
 
 Knorr, Sam'l. Col. 
 
 120 
 
 Eleventh Regiment 
 
 302 
 
 Kessler, William, case of 
 
 487 
 
 Elghty-tourth Regiment 
 
 362 
 
 Le Tort, James 
 
 10, 101 
 
 Eighty-First Eeglment 
 
 386 
 
 Little, Capt. John 
 
 21 
 
 Eightieth Eeglment 
 
 388 
 
 Late's Run 
 
 49 
 
 Forts 
 
 
 Lick Kun 
 
 49 
 
 6-13 
 
 Limestone Run 
 
 .•iO 
 
 Flshlngcreek, Indian name of 
 Freelands Fort 
 
 10 
 18 
 
 Lackawanna ft Bloomsburg railroad 52 
 Limestone shipped 54 
 
 Capitulation of 
 
 19 
 
 Local Option 
 
 78 
 
 Killed there 
 
 20 
 
 Lapapeton 
 
 102 
 
 Flshlngcreek course of 
 
 47 
 
 Llghtstreet 
 
 115 
 
 Funston John 
 
 108 
 
 Laubach, Christian 
 
 118 
 
 Fritz, PhlUp 
 
 118 
 
 Lewis, Hon. ElUs 
 
 130 
 
 Frlck, George A. 
 
 130 
 
 Legislature 
 
 212 
 
 Fourteenth Eeglment 
 
 303 
 
 Lowenberg Guards 
 
 260 
 
 First Artillery 
 
 342 
 
 Montour family 
 
 5 
 
 Forty-Third Eeglment 
 
 342 
 
 Montgomery Fort 
 
 15 
 
 Forty-Second Eeglment 
 
 345-384 
 
 Menlnger Fort 
 
 15 
 
 Fifty-Seventh Eeglment 
 
 385 
 
 McClure's Port 
 
 22 
 
 Filth Eeglment 
 
 387 
 
 Maclay, Wm. 
 
 25 
 
 Flshlngcreek Confederacy 
 
 496 
 
 Milkmaids the 
 
 24 
 
 
 
 McClure, James 
 
 37-40 
 
 Greencreek 
 
 48 
 
 Montour, erected 
 
 43 
 
 Grotz, John K. 
 
 93 
 
 Mugsers' Eun 
 
 49 
 
 
 
 MUl creek 
 
 49 
 
 Hiakatoo 
 
 21 
 
 Mud creek 
 
 50 
 
 Hartley, CoL 
 
 29 
 
 Montour's Eldge 
 
 SI 
 
 Hunter, Col. 
 
 30 
 
 McCalla Mountain 
 
 51 
 
 Hill, Jacob 
 
 31 
 
 Muncy Railroad 
 
 53 
 
 Hemlock Creek 
 
 47 
 
 Masters, James 
 
 111 
 
 Huntingdon Creek 
 
 48 
 
 MlUville 
 
 114 
 
GENERAL INDEX. 
 
 571 
 
 McEeynoias, John 
 
 114 
 
 One hundred thirty-sixth regiment 319 
 
 McHenry, John 
 
 116 
 
 " " elghty-Iourth ' 
 
 308 
 
 MalnvlUe 
 
 lai 
 
 " " eighty-seventh ' 
 
 ' 373 
 
 MlffllnvlUe 
 
 120 
 
 " " twelfth ' 
 
 ' 377 
 
 Montovir, Madame 
 
 195 
 
 " " slxty-flrst 
 
 386 
 
 Catharine 
 
 196-202 
 
 " sixth 
 
 387 
 
 Queen Esther 
 
 196-202 
 
 " " flity-second ' 
 
 387 
 
 Margaret 
 
 201 
 
 
 
 Mary 
 
 203 
 
 Paths, Indian 
 
 7 
 
 MlUtary Record 
 
 235 
 
 Patterson's Narrative 
 
 21 
 
 Military Occupation 
 
 392 
 
 Pence, Peter 
 
 25 
 
 Couch 395^23^2-439 
 
 Pike, Abram 
 
 36-32 
 
 Paxton 
 
 395 
 
 Pearce, Hon. Stewart 
 
 32 
 
 Cadwallader 
 
 398^01 
 
 Painter Eun 
 
 49 
 
 Arrested persons 
 
 399 
 
 Pine Creek 
 
 49 
 
 Tharp's letter 
 
 401 
 
 Penna. Canal Company 
 
 52 
 
 Troops at the polls 
 
 403 
 
 Pig Iron 
 
 54 
 
 Alexander Hess' case 
 
 405 
 
 Population 
 
 54 
 
 Eev. Mr. Eutan's case 
 
 408 
 
 State by counties 1882, 
 
 68-64 
 
 David Lewis' cass 
 
 412 
 
 topemetung— Eoarlngcreek 
 
 102 
 
 Ezeklel Cole's case 
 
 413 
 
 Pegg 
 
 109 
 
 Daniel B. Hartman's case 
 
 413 
 
 Prothonotarles 
 
 125 
 
 Thomas Downs case 
 
 414 
 
 Pollock, Hon. James 
 
 134 
 
 Daniel W. Fry's case 
 
 415 
 
 Peckham, Hon. Aaron K. 
 
 144 
 
 Holter and Heller's case 
 
 416 
 
 Poor House 
 
 184 
 
 Furman and Fruit's case 
 
 417 
 
 Post Offices 
 
 206 
 
 Expedition to ChamhersDurg 436 
 
 
 
 Col. A. K. McClure 
 
 438 
 
 Elce Fort 
 
 16 
 
 The trials 
 
 442 
 
 Eoblnson, Capt. Thos. 
 
 17-23-32 
 
 Eantz 
 
 442 
 
 Eoarlngcreek 
 
 46-102 
 
 Other convictions 
 
 444 
 
 Eaven Creek 
 
 49 
 
 Stott E. Colley 
 
 444 
 
 Eemoval, history and vote 
 
 66-73 
 
 Daniel McHenry 
 
 445 
 
 Kunyon, George 
 
 110 
 
 The Hantz meeting 
 
 472 
 
 Eupert 
 
 113 
 
 The club meetings 
 
 483 
 
 Eeay 
 
 113 
 
 Special cases 
 
 487 
 
 Eohrsburg 
 
 114 
 
 Shenandoah Herald 
 
 498 
 
 Elcketts, Col. 
 
 117 
 
 Captain Wm. SUvers 
 
 497 
 
 Eogers, Samuel 
 
 117 
 
 
 
 Eoarlngcreek 
 
 121 
 
 Names Indian 
 
 3 
 
 Eeglster and Eecorder 
 
 127 
 
 Northumberland, nrst court 
 
 39 
 
 Eantz, John, trial 
 
 442 
 
 Nescopeck Mountain 
 
 51 
 
 Hantz, John, plea 
 
 500 
 
 Nob Mountain 
 
 51 
 
 Eantz, meeting the 
 
 472 
 
 North & West Branch EaUroad 
 
 53 
 
 
 
 Numldla and Slabtown 
 
 121 
 
 Shawanese 
 
 1 
 
 Normal School 
 
 151 
 
 Susquehanna 
 
 2 
 
 Neyhard, Solomon 
 
 173 
 
 Schwartz Fort 
 
 16 
 
 Newspapers 
 
 187 
 
 Stewart, Charles 
 
 37 
 
 Nine Months' Service 
 
 283 
 
 Scotch Eun 
 
 47 
 
 Ninety-Third Eeglment 
 
 358 
 
 Shingle Eun 
 
 49 
 
 
 
 Spencer's Bun 
 
 49 
 
 Oskohary 
 
 102 
 
 Stony Brook 
 
 49 
 
 Orangevllle 
 
 115 
 
 Spring Eun 
 
 49 
 
 One hundred seventy-eighth regiment 283 
 
 S. H. & W. Eallway 
 
 52 
 
 " " seventy-flrst " 
 
 300 
 
 Seated lands 
 
 60 
 
 " " ninety-third " 
 
 305 
 
 State Voters 1882 
 
 63 
 
 " " thirty-second " 
 
 309 
 
 Election 1882 
 
 83 
 
572 
 
 GENERAL INDEX. 
 
 Steamtoat Codorus 97 
 
 " Susquebanna 97 
 
 Schuyler, Lewla 112 
 
 Swisher Jacob 110 
 
 Sereno 115 
 
 StlUwater 117 
 
 Swaby, Frederick B. 119 
 
 Shertla 126 
 
 School Normal . 151 
 
 Common 167 
 
 Snyder, William H. Heport 168 
 
 Schools, early 168 
 
 " " Beaver 168 
 
 Benton 169 
 
 Berwick 169 
 
 Bloom 170 
 
 Brlaroreek: 171 
 
 Catawlssa 172 
 
 Centralla 173 
 
 Centre 173 
 
 Conyngham 173 
 
 Flshlngcreek 174 
 
 Franklin 174 
 
 Greenwood 174 
 
 Hemlock 175 
 
 Jackson 175 
 
 Locust 176 
 
 Madison 176 
 
 Main 176 
 
 MlffllTi 177 
 
 Montour 177 
 
 Mt Pleasant 178 
 
 Orange 178 
 
 Pine 179 
 
 Eoarlngcreek 179 
 
 Scott 179 
 
 Sugarloaf 180 
 
 Superintendents Common Schools 180 
 
 Senate, United States 209 
 
 State 220 
 
 Sixteenth Eeglment 
 
 
 .805 
 
 Seventy-fourth Eeglment 
 
 
 321 
 
 Sixth Eeserves 
 
 
 330 
 
 Seventh Cavalry 
 
 
 888 
 
 Shenandoah Herald 
 
 
 496 
 
 Slivers, Capt. Wm. statement 
 
 
 497 
 
 Teedyescung 
 
 
 36 
 
 Turbut 
 
 
 40 
 
 Ten Mile Eun , 
 
 
 48 
 
 Toby Eun 
 
 
 50 
 
 Telephone 
 
 
 54 
 
 Tide Water Pipe Line 
 
 
 54 
 
 Townships, Formation of 
 
 55-56-57-58 
 
 Taxables 
 
 
 60 
 
 Thomas, Evan 
 
 
 108 
 
 Three months' service 
 
 
 302 
 
 Two hundred and ninth Eeglment. 
 
 325 
 
 Thirty FUth Eeglment 
 
 
 330 
 
 Two hundred and Tenth Eeglment 
 
 387 
 
 Union township 
 Unseated lands 
 United States draft 
 United States Court 
 
 Van Campen 
 Vincent, Daniel 
 Voters of the State 
 Volunteers from each state 
 
 Welser, Conrad, letters 
 Wheeler's Fort 
 Weltner, Col 
 Wyoming township 
 WelUver, Adam 
 
 John 
 
 Christopher 
 
 Daniel 
 Watson Hugh 
 Woodward, Hon. Warren J. 
 
 261-267 
 514-550 
 
 9-23-32 
 
 21 
 
 63 
 
 241 
 
 10 
 
 23 
 
 31-33 
 
 40 
 
 111 
 
 111 
 
 111 
 
 110 
 
 109 
 
 141