Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-05-18

| 'N~'ihSlHS iHe iIie OF Ihe Qog, until alter II
had succeeded in biting, or wounding all of
| Squire Bells cattle. Having reason to be-
| lieve that the wolf was then laboring under
| paroxysms of madness, the family refrained
from using milk for about nine days, to see
what effect would be produced upon the cat
| tie, but no unusual symptoms manifested them
selves After again using the milk for few
days, to the horror of the family, their cattle
| were all found to be mad, and conducted
| themselves in so-yiolent a manner that Mr.
Bell found himself forced to kill them The
whole family had partaken of the milk, using
| 1t freely after their abstinence and now feared
that they, too, might have Incorporated into
their systems the seeds of this horrible disease
One cannot describe the wretchedness and
| terrible anxiety, with which the different mem
bers of this family watched each other for the
manifestation of the first symptoms of this
awful malady. hoping that no i'll results might
follow, but dreading those terrific commissions
when the father might crush out the life of his
offspring, or child destroy her who had Civ
en- HIM birth or when the entire family, all
affected at once, would. with glaring and blood
shot eyes, rush at each oher, and sink to-
gether in the mad conflict without soul be-
ing near to stay their bands or afford relief
Fortunately, however, the Good Being, who
is alike present in the wilderness and in the
crowded city, heard their anxious PRAYERS, and
the fearful calamity was averted. AS day after
day passed by without the appearance of the
much dreaded symptoms, their confidence was
gradually restored, and they went about their
avocations as usual.
In 1903, Bell sold the upper portion of
his place, now owned by VIM. Kelly, to Ben
Jamin Fenton, a resident of Half Moon Val
ley, Centre county, who that year cleared out
about three acres, sowed it in wheat built
small log house, and returned to Centre coun-
ty. During the winter he brought out the
heavy part of his goods on sleds, that being
the only means of transportation the misera-
bic condition of the State road would then al
low. In the spring of 1904, Mr.. Fcnton, ac-
companied by his family, brought ont the bal
ance of his goods on pack horses. He was as
sisted by Alex. McNattin, a jolly Scotchman,
who resided at the foot of the mountain above
Unionville. After many miShaps, Fenton ar
rived at his place of destination on the 9th
of April, 1894. He was compelled to ferry
his goods in canoes across Clearfeld creek and
the River, which were then swollen by the
melting snow. Leaving Anderson's creek,
they had road to travel, which was little bet
ter than bride path. At the Narrows,
short distance below Fenton s future residence,
the shelving rocks were steep, down into the
water. The men concluded to drive their hor-
ses before them through the water, whilst they
clambered along the face of the rocks. A
favorite black mare, called E.kate,'' load
ed with a goodly portion of the bedding,
turned fair into the stream, and took a tack
for the opposite shore. To see Kate swim
ming with her bulky load, and her head alone
above water, might have proved a laughable
sight TO others, had they been present, but it
aroused quite different emotions in those who
were watching her movements. To prevent
the other horses following her example, they
were secured, and finally, by dint of coaxng,
old Kate was prevailed upon to wheel about
and return TO the shore, mnch TO the Joy of the
party, but not before the blankets were all
well dampened. The house to which the par
ty repaired. was not supplied with all the
doors nor windows, but only holes cut out of
the logs, where these appendages were after
wards to be placed. People were not fastidi-
Gus in those days, and blankets served very
we'll to fill these openings, until something
better could be procured. Fenton and Bell be-
came warm and intimate friends. Fenton of
ten brought in the game, which the Squire
Of har -ipr
home, and for which service the former always
received a good share. At one time, the
Squire had killed small bear, and called on
his friend to go for it with sold Kate" While
they were out, he killed another, much larger
than the first, and unusually fat On the ribs,
.sthe fat was in thickness the length of small
sized butchers knife,'' probably or inches,
and made grease for their corn 'Fdodgers" and
buckwheat cakes for along while. From Fen
ton descended four children-Elisha, Thomas,
now dead, George W, and Mary, married to
John Taylor, who resides in Venango county.
If one could take a brds-eye view OF all the
improvements in Clearield county, he could
not fail to pick from among them that one, IN
such perfect order, on which resides Elisha:
a man of intelligence, integrity, industry and
method.
Arthur Bell was man OF considerable infor-
nation, and filed the offices of Treasurer and
Justice of the Peace, to which he was appoint
cd with much credit. Although he took
great delight in hunting and fishing, he made
those pursuits subordinate to his sterner du-
ties. He was passionately fond OF music, Kept
violin in his house, and many al hour would
=, .La so,t,,ement of his own and his