Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-05-25

TcOPYRIGHT SECURED.
CLEARFIELD COUNTY,:
DR., "REMINISCENCES OF THE PAST.

John Bell. we have said, was bachelor.
From his dimnutive size, he was famiIarly
called ::little Johnny Bell,'' and from some he
received the sobriquet of s'Demi-John.' He
commenced the clearing on the north side of
the River, now owned and occupied by Abra-
ham Snyder, Esq, near where the State road,
afterwards located from Huntingdon and in
tcrscciing the Milesburg & LIE Beuff road at
Packersyiic, crossed. When not stimulated
10y drink, John was one of the mildest and
most amiablc OF men,. Occasional Indulgence
led him into difficulties, in which were devel-
oped traits that seemed TO transform his char
acter. He was then irritable, revengeful, pru-
dcnce guided not his actions, and he feared no
man and TO danger. When party of Indians
had crossed the river and encamped
Squire McClurc's. on their passage from Hum
tingdon westward, John, in company with
some Others in that section, paid them a visit.
The Indians were we'll supplied with liquor, of
which they ard their visitors partook freely.
One of the Indians, a large specimen of hu-
mauity, being irritated at John, struck him q
blow between the eyes. This incensed Johns
companions, who caught rfHe indian. and as
in that situation until he was sobered. a lit
tie while after, John was not to be found, and
the Indian was also missing. Fearing that
some harm might have happened TO John, his
companions made search, and found him on
the brink of the river, in which there was then
"a frcshct, and to which point ''little Johnny"
had succeeded in dragging the bound Indian.
When his companions asked him what lie was
about, he replied that he was 'Egoing to roll
the cussed red-skin in, to be sure.'' At their
urgent solicitation, he, however, abandoned
his design. John, at one time, cut rather
ludicrous figure Whea at review at Ben.
Jordan's. he became somewhat obStropcrouS,
because Daniel McCracken, who was power
full man and the recognized bully of the
county, met with first defeat at the hands of
Abraham Hess. one Of ohnny's friends walked
behind him, graspcd him by either leg, raised
him in the AIR, and seating him upon his shoul-
ders, carried him off the field in triumph, to
the no small amusement of the bystanders and
the chagrin of our hero. On the occasion of
the turning Of an ark, which in those days
could not be done by water power alone, he
had lain down alongside of q log, and not be-
ing missed until the next morning, the cold
ness of the night had nearly brought TO an end
his eventiui career. Fortunately there was IN
the neighborhood a man, well fitted for, and
an ornament to the profession which lie had
adopted, who, finding how matters stood, when
Iw reached the house, ordered barrel OF warm
water TO be Immediately prepared, into which
Johnny was soused. This, with other reme-
dies. soon restored his almost suspended ami
nation.
DIR. Samuel Coleman was man OF ability
Though eccentric in his habits, which, as he
was taciturn and indisposed to take any one
into his confidence, were known to but few,
he had warm heart. OF his early history,
nothing is known. He was supposed to have
been the son of an English nobleman, who, for
some reason, did not acknowledge his pater-
nity. but who provided the means to insure
him a superior education and maintenance.
Coleman was never known to speak of his
birtb-place, or his parentage He would some
fines remark, ssat the place where was rais-
ed. was done.'' and ssthe woman who raised
mr.. did - so and So. He p-acticed medicine
for some wears at Williamsport, where he ae-
auired considerable reputation. AS nc was
known by some of the early settlers 10 whom
he had formed an attachment, he wouid occa-
sionally, when his services we're needeo' cone
nm here from his home, to minister 10 lheir
wants. Not liking the practice of medicines
he remoyed here, and settled near the resi-
dence of his friend Joseph Boone, where ne
cleared out the farm now in possession OF
Thomas Dongherty in Penn township. he
called his farm ssGrampian Hills" because Oh
,be resemblance which his neishborhood bore