Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-10-12
ICoPYRIGHT SECURED
CLEARFIELD COUNTY,:
oR. REMINIscENcES OF The PAST.

Or. "REMINISCENCES OF THE PAST.
The timber and spar business has brought
our merchants in contact with dealers extend.
cd over large part of our common country.
Should we estimate the annual product of our
forests, in such lumber, at two thousand RATS
valued Mt over million of dollars we should
fall short of the actual amount. Mills on the
Delaware, Raritan, Hudson, Schuylkill, Con-
necticut derive from our pineries, their prin-
cipal supply of white pine and oak timber for
sawing-and such is the case with the numer-
Gus mills erected on the Susquehanna from
Nuncy dam to Baltimore. The numerous ship
and boat yards along the coast and at Balti-
more, Philadelphia and NewYork derive their
spurs and decking from us. Our forests sup
ply the wharf and piling timber and much of
the large lumber used in building bridges and
other large structures in this and adjoining
States. Although more or less lumber has,
from the origin of the business until now, been
annually exported, the trade in square timber
and spars was not until 1912 considered remu-
nerative Prior TO then it was carried on
through necessity. 1t was important to clear
the land that bread might be raised and our
population supported and whilst the growing
trees were considered of little or no value, our
citizens were satisfied if the pttance they then
received for their timber would pay them for
the labor of manufacturing and exporting.
But change of policy having given an impe-
tus TO commerce, which called for additional
tonnage and also induced an increase in bull
ding, higher store was set on our products
and attention was directed towards our forests.
The trade which was carried on because it was
the best thing which could be done with our
trees then became one of the first Importance,
and men engaged in it primary instead of
accidental business, and the white pines which
we're by some considered nuisance now form
he principal object in estimating the value of
cur land. Before leaving this subject let US
relate an incident connected with the early
history Of this trade. 1t occurred before ma
ny RATS had descended. On small raft des-
tined for the lower market was John Bell, ohm
Bloom and several Others They had reached
point where they considered the danger pas
scd and that it was unnecessary 10 keep
many hands the raft. Bell, Bloom and an
other left, having provided themselves with
small allowance of bread, sufficient for dinner.
The former was the only one who had been
down the river and thought himself familiar
with the different localities. He acted as guide
for the party and assured his companions, on
landing about noon, that he knew the route
and they would reach Clearfield before night.
They struck up on the hill and pursued their
course Though the woods without path, fol-
lowing the windiDgs of the river until dark,
when they encamped for the night supperless.
The next day they continued their tramp and
on their way came across a deer which had
been slain BY. beast of prey. Bell partook
of part of the meat, but the others being
younger than he and better able to stand IA
tigue and hunger refused to eat of the raw
flesh. The party came to the river several
times during the day without finding any trace
Of the town they expected to reach the night
before, and at sunset after travelling all day
without food were compelled TO lie out. The
third day about noon they again descended the
hill to the river when Bell seeing something
white in the distance exclaimed that they had
passed Clcarfeld and were near home. He
told his companions to sit still and he would
go and catch his grey horse and return. On
Joining them, Bells companions were dIsap-
pointed on learning that he was deceived by
large stone on the hill and that he was not GER
tain where they were. When they next came
TO the river they met with human being
Carson, Of whom We have spoken was at his
future home, a few miles below Cleardeld, pros
pecting. The first inquiry of the almost fam
Ished men was as to the amount OF his STOCK
OF provisions. 1t was scanty-barely enough
to see him through. Bell prevailed on him to
furnish him with small loaf and agreed to
send him in return two bushels OF wheat, and
as a Bell had agreed to do SO, Carson received
his pay. That night the party reached Clear
field town.
In l64S, before our people were aware of it,
acompany was incorporated and authorized to
construct boom at Williamspor.. The avow-