Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-08-24
TCoPYRIGHr SECUREe,
CLEARFIELD COUNT1s
OR, "REMINISCENCES or THE PAST,

Karthaus and its legitimate offspring, French
vile, should here be mentioned. About the
period OF the late war, the existence of these
vast coal measures-the anthracite coal ba-
sins-were unknown. 1t is true that anthta-
cite coal had been discovered and a load haul
cd TO Philadelphia, where it had lain for some
years, in cellar, neglected, its value unascer-
tanned, its qualities untested, and none dream
ing that at this day it should form so valuable
and Indispensable an article of trade. or that
the business could ever gain its present gigan-
demand, and deposits were sought everywhere.
To open new fields to supply the increasing
demand, gave rise to the development of the
country around Karthaus, and also originated
the first trade of any extent, which brought
money into this county. enabled the settlers
to meet their engagements, and furthered the
rapid settlement of the country. For some
years coal had been dug in this region. The
coal veins were stripped that is, all the earth
and other articles overlaying the same, were
removed, and the coal dug. About 1900 BUSH
els were generally loaded in an ark, and
ready market found in Columbia at 373 cents
per bushel-thc purchaser paying about $50
for the ark. This trade engaged nearly all of
our mature male population, and many are the
anecdotes related in connection with it, We
cannot forbear giving one. Anthony Kratzer,
very worthy man, now deceased, had reached
a well known landing place above Lock 11a7
ven-Caldwells-and allowed his crew to go
TO the house to order supper, whilst he attend
cd to securing his property to shore. He soon
followed, covered with the dust of the coal.
Having washed preparatory to partaking of the
meal, for which abstinence and labor had Civ
him keen appetite, he started for the ta-
ble as soon as supper was announced. There
he was occosted by the host, called to one
side, and informed that the gentlemen who
were eating did not want 10 eat at the same ia
BILE with him. Kratzer's swarthy complexion,
and the dimness of the light, favored the trick,
and after an explanation and hearty laugh,
the good-natured Anthony was acknowledged
to be as good as any other white man, and ate
alongside of his crew, relishing as we'll the
joke as the supper.
Loss, the agent of the Allegheny Coal Com
pany, was the introducer OF the scientific mode
OF extracting coal from the earth by mining.
But the discovery of the superior qualities of
anthracite coal for fuel, and the risks and ex-
pense our people were put to by the erection
of dams on the river to feed the public works
and yield facilities to local manufacturing es-
tablishments below, destroyed our growing
and profitable trade, and caused our valuable
beds of bituminous coal to be almost entirely
neglected.
When the Rev. Geisenhainer came up the
river, among those who accompanied him,
were his wife, his son Frederick W., of New
York, and John Reter, practical farmer from
Montgomery county, with his family of four
children who now married and live in the
neighborbood. John Reiter, junior, married
a daughter OF Hartwig Buck, a native of Ham
burg he has nine children, three of whom are
married-Michael married Miss Ammaaan
ne has seven married and two single children.
One of the daughters was married to j. +. W.
Schnars, who had IA children, two of whom
remain single, and two are deceased; the 9TH
erdaughter is the wife of Joseph Yothers, of
their children six g married, three are sim
gle, and one is deceased. Mr.. Reiter has been
dead for several years.
"'ihS iounu an eHgioie sPot aoo"' hAi'S
and half from the river, under the direction
OF ReIter the opening of the country for set
tiers was commenced. Nearly one hundred
acres were cleared without grubbing, and im-
mediately brought under cultivation. Log
houses and barn were built A four feet
vein of coal was discovered within mile of
the river, and a considerable quantity of coal
mined and sent in arks, containino ahout kO
tons each, to market. The rocks rendering
the navigation dangerous, and there being a