Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1851-05-07
Correspondence of the Lewisburg Chronicle
A Voice from Sullivan County.
LAIoRrE. Aplil 90, 1851.

LAroRrE, Apil 80, 1851.
Mr.. EDITOR: AZ this region has be-
come somewhat noted by the prominence
into which it has been brought before the
State, from Legislative action, perhaps
scrap from such quarter might be in
measure, interesting.
For county not yet four years old, it
has been the scene of as much conflicting
interest and local feeling as any portion OF
the State. The citizens Of one corner Of
the county, having secured the location Of
the county seat among them, those of the
other townships felt that an undue share
of the burden was falling upon them. The
manifest injustice of such an unnatural
state of things, aroused such energetic ac-
ton, that the merit of the conflicting claims
were fully analysed by the last Legislature,
and as result of their investigation, three
Commissioners were appointed by the
Governor, from counties remote from Sui
Ivan, who, after visiting all the points in
the county that had given to rise contention,
decided in favor of Laporte as the location
Of the county seat Since this decision,
the controversy has, in a great degree,
subsided aud doubtless in a short time,
sectional feeling will so far lose its force,
that all will be as fervent in maintaining
the permanency of the county seat, as
some have been in rendering it transitory.
Laporte is situated on the summit of an
eminence,in the very centre of the county,
the site originally selected for it, at the
creating of the county, with view to
making it the county town. When the
county was brought into existence, not an
axe had indented the trees nor a path was
trodden over the space on which the town
now stands. BY unwearied industry and
sanguine determination, an immense clear
ing was made, town plot drawn and
marked off; substantial houses were erect
ed, and streets laid out water power was
secured, and first rate saw mill set into
operation ; roads were led through the
woods, and coal mine was opened and,
by a general uprooting, leveling, and up
building process, the whole face of the
country was made to undergo a radical
change For this new and hOurishing
condition of things, the county is indebted
mainly to Michael Meylert, ESQ. Besides
the improvements mentioned, some noble
benefactions have been made. The lot on
which the Court House is being built, has
been given to the town; a large lot near
the centre of the town, has been appropri-
ated for public square spot of ground
has been given for an Acadamy; and
another lot awaits the erection of Meet
ing House. These charities will keep
| alive the memory of the donor while the
town exists.
Within ayear, the population of Laporte
has increased more than four-fold In
almost every direction, workmen may be
seen preparing foundations for buildings, or
finishing houses already erected for the
accommodation of the large influx of peo-
pie. In all the streets piles of lumber
exhibit how general is the activity, and
the busy sound of the hammer and the
axe betoken how rapidly this infant town
is striding on to prosperity and distinction
As many as sixty are seen in the dining
room of the Laporte Hotel, paying their
derours to the good things of this life, pro-
fusely spread before them.
Not the least efficient enterprise that
will conduce to the great advantage of this
section of the State, will be the Plank
Road contemplated between Muncy and
Towanda. This will pass through Laporte;
and the increased facilities afforded for
communication with the main lines of |
travel, will augment the value of building
lots, and add to the inducements for loca- |!
ting at this place. That this road will be
made, there is no doubt the experience !
of all engaged in plank roads, giving evil
dence that they are the very best species
of improvement which can be made sub
servient to the business and convenience
of the merchant and the farmer. The peo-
pie of Muncy will become alive to their
best interest ; and the exceeding impor
tance of making this town terminus Of
line of trade, will incite spirit of enter
prise that will not rest, till the road is
made through. The competition of this