Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1858-07-23
Letter from Union County.
Of the rhiad. Iress
New BERLIN, JUNE 2S, lS5S

when every body desires to go somewhere,
even if it is only a few days Jaunt to the
country to see their friends, for recreation,
or what not, have thought it advisable
to drop You few lines from the former
metropolis of old Union, once so renowned
for its political turmoil, its great men and
newspapers. Personally, you are "booked
up in all of this, and as times have
changed, as well as politics, need not
bother YOU now with a recital. Past events,
freely admit, have somewhat damaged
the politicul notoriciy Of the place, by the
removal Of the county seat to Lewisburg,
where the drillsergeants of both parties
now congregate yet these advantages
have been more than orerJaluaccd by the
advent of literary epoch, bringing with
it scores of students, Of both sexes, from
all parts of the State, your own great city
contributing literally, in point Of MEM
bers, TO its success. I'refer to Union Sem-
mary But more about this presently.
New Berlin has not been lost sight Of
by the pleasure folks Of the city, whose
past visits have so faverably impressed
them with its genial climate, romantic
scenery, and the intelligence and hospital
ity of its citizens. Quite number of ia
miles are now rustcating in our midst,
who purpose spending the summer here,
aud some Of whom, l have been told,
highly delighted with the place, will edu-
cate their children here Excellent board
ing, at our hotels and private houses, can
he obtained, by families and others at very
low rates.
The town is handsomely situated upon
the banks of the peun's creek, eight miles
from Lewisburg, eleven from Northum-
bcrland, and ten from Sclinsgrove, with
daily communication with the city, The
Press reaching here By eight o'clock in the
evening. Twenty years ago, it went un-
der the name Of Longstowp, in honor of
one of the earliest settlers of the .alivy,
whose remains now silently repose in
the old borough graveyard, stree whose
demise it has been changed to its present
calling. For forty years it enjoyed the
honors Of county seat, aud it is yet fresh
in the recollection of the father Of your
present writer, and several others, when
but a narrow path marked the various
road to the nearest settlements. 1t now
contains nearly one thousand population
It is surrounded by rich agricultural
country, Dry Valley being very justly
considered one Of the most productive in
Northern Pennsy ylvania. The streets rare
ly admit Of dust or mud, and but few
weeks since were again thoroughly gray.
eled. The town is regularly laid out in
SQUARES ard re si1"""ll-o -o".l- rnrnd
and shaded. We have five churches, three
stores, two hotels, large and caracious, and
one Temperance house, court house, Jail,
school houses, &c, The traveller need but
visit it to be cnamorcd with its beauty,
cleanliness, industry, and prosperity. In
stead of its former dependence upon the
immunifies incident to the county sent,
Iron Mountain, as it is now famously reE-
dered, Ga continuation Of the Montour
Ridgr,) upon a return Of good times, a
revival Of business will exhibit to the
world, that with its vast deposits Of iron
ore, some Of which is even lying within
the limits Of the borough, our present quiet
little town will one day wrestle with Dan
vile for universal supremacy. The atten-
ton Of capitalists is invited.
Union Seminary, two years ago, was
erected under the auspices of the Evangel-
zeal Association, numerous, Influential,
and wealthy sect, 1t is brick ediice,
three stories high, with basement, put up
in excellent taste, with all the necessary
modern improvements, occupying suta-
bic elevation the enclosure six acres, is
beautifully decorated with shade trees and
shrubbery. Its fifth session closed few
days ago, when our own citizens, and hun.
dreds of strangers, Mr.. Fisher, and others,
from Philadelphia enjoyed the luxury
of one of ex Governor Polock's mastery
cfforts-an address eloquent, profound,
aud inspiring. The exercises on Wednes
day evening were pre-eminently successful.
Fashion and beauty were there, whilst
young end old, parents and spectators,
alike parsook of the pleasures and excite
ment Of the occasion. The Middleburg
brass band also lent enchantment to the
hour. The school is one of the most flour
ishing in the State, with faculty noted
for their indomitable energy and intel!cc-
tual superiority, one graduate from your
own High School, closing with nearly
800 students for the year.
Our enterprising townsman, Mcssrs
Smith, Baum & Mourer, have erected a
very extensive aw-mill, capable of doing
a large business, and Mr.. George Seebold,
a very energetic young man, is about put.