The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1838-03-31


was the same thing, was sure Of being so
before long. Immense tracts were laid out
in building lots, and spectators flocked
from all quarters; from Catsville and Wea-
zletown and Buzzardsborough and Gander-
field and Crow Corner and Upper Bugbury
and East Pumpington, and Black Swamp
and the Botomless Bogs. Such busy
time as the Dogtowners had of it. Noth-
ing was talked Of but buying land! build
ing houses, laying utroads, streets, squares
avenues, railroads, canals, SGc. DC. People
left off ploughing and hoeing, because ag-
iiculture was too slow method Of making
money; for who would think of raising
turnips to sell at twenty cents bushel,
when he could make a hundred times the
profit by speculating in land
First Of all, it was determined that Dog
town should be a CITY. The want Of popu-
lation was found to be serious obstacle here;
the constitution Of the state requires ten or
twelve thousand inhabitants for city; and
as Dogtown, including the suburbs of Pup
pyville and Skunk's Misery, contained
population of only six hundred and thirty
one, it was thought there might, be some
| difficulty in getting charter without antici-
pating the returns of the next census. How
ever, city it must be, some time or other;
in this all were agreed, and itmight as well
have the name first as last; so they conclud-
ed TO call it city. 1t is astonishing what
a spirit Of enterprise these prospects infused
| into the people of Dogtown. The school
house door was painted green, uncle Joe
Stibbons mended the top Of the chimney,
and it was voted in town meeting to put
chase three wheelbarrows for the public
use; and all in consequence Of these pro-
jected Improvements. Nay, so widely did
their views of business expand, that Amina-
dad Higgins, the grocer, determined up to
give retailing, and declared he wouldn't
| split crackers nor cut candles any longer.
| Such was the thriving condition Of the
city Of Dogtown when | left the place in
the autumn Of that year. continued 10
hear of it through the Medium of the Dog
town Daily Advertiser, newspaper estab-
lished there by an enterprsing printer from
Connecticut at the first dawning ofihe com
mercial prosperity of the city. 1t appeared
to go ahead rapidly. The newspaper spoke
| of the Exchange, the Town Hall, the Bank,
the new Post Office, the Rail road. Canal,
| &c. House lots were advertised in Wash
ington Square, Merchants Row, State street
Market Street, &c. Thus was Dogtown
in all its glory.
Last August determined to make visit
to this celebrated place, in order to fcas, my
eyes with the splendor Of city that had
sprung up as it were by enchansment.
When Preached the foot Of Blueberry Hill.
which overooks the whole place, | walked
eagerly TO the top, in order TO catch visw
at single glance, of the city in all its mag
nifcence. To my utter astonishment in
stead Of spires and domes, saw nothing
but Deacon Stumpy's old mansion, with
fve other ragged and dingy looking edih
ces, which stood exactly where had al
ways known them. l entered the city
through State street, but discovered nothing
new except small house without chin
ney. Not living thing was to be he seen in
f Washington square but three geese who
were lazily picking mouthful Of gras,
among the mud puddles. enquired foi
the Exchange, and found il in the use b,
the Deacon as a COW pen. The new church
however, was told had actually proceeded
as far as the raising Of the timbers; but al
was subsequently sold by auction to pay TO
digging the cellar.
Il | had check on the Dogtown Bank 70
three dollars, and wishing TO draw The mo
ney, | was directed to No 10 Tremon
street. This turned out to be the idenjca
building formerly occupied by old Kit Cob
bic, the shoemaker. 1t was bank hours
t but the bank was shut, and there was not
soul to be seen. just as was going awa'
1 ! spied tin horn by the door with a pape
over 1t, on which was written ''persons hay
q ing business with the bank are requested t
f blow the horn" put the horn to my lip
and blew blast both long and loud. Ate
waiting about ten minutes ! spied Isaa
Thumper coming slowly down the road h
4 proved to be cashier Of the Dogtown Bank
. and after some difficulty I convinced him O
: the safety Of cashing the check.
e Upon inquiring of Isaac what use ha
e been made ofthe iorty-six millions two hun
/. dred thousand dollars, he informed me tina
Il most of it remained invested in notes @
4 hand. Money was scarce, and was expect
4 ed to continue so until the onion crop ha
/. been got in. 1t was easy to see that tn
=. city had sadly declined from its meridia