Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-06-08
[coPYRIGHT SECURED.
CLEARFIELD COUNTY:
OR, "REMINISCENCES OF THE PAST.


OR "REMINISCENCES or THE PAST.
Shortly after the Revolutionary war, the wild
lands of Pennsylvania caused speculation to
rise to fever heat, and number of surveying
parties were sent out into different portions of
the State. The anxiety OF the Deputy Sur
veyors to locate their warrants and return their
surveys before any other rights attached to the
soil, caused many interferences. Caveats were
filed, disputes adjusted. and orders of re-sur-
vey issued in some instances. In 1902, a sur
veying party-Cannan' 's-came on to the wa
tiers of Chest Creek, TO run the division line
between the Mcconnell and Fisher lands, and
ascertain interfcrences. They started at the
..Scotch Cabins" in Cambria county, at the
place where the Indian path from Carlisle to
Kittanning crossed Chest Creek, and run the
courses and distances of that stream for thirty
one miles. Having finished surveying, they
came to the mouth of the Creek, and then pro-
ceedcd down the West Branch of the Susque-
hanna. In this party was Samuel Fulton,
surveyor, native of Ireland, who came to the
United States with his mother in the year
1874, at the age of twelve years. He was on
his way TO Alexandria, Huntingdon county,
Pa, at the time the Jersey Blues were being
reviewed in the State of Delaware, prior to
their departure to fight the .swhiskey boys,
during that memorable insurrection, which
caused more noise than bloodshed.
The first sign of a settlement which the sur
veying party discovered, was few deadened
pine trees where now stands tie orchard OF
Hon. James Ferguson. They passed it and
Arthur Bells improvement, and crossed the
River to James McCracken's, the, brother-in-
law of Squire Bell, who then surrounded
by numerous family, the children being Jo-
scph, James, Robert, Thomas, Daniel, John,
William, Greenwood, and two daughters, SO
far as We have ascertained. M+Cracken'S place
afterwards became the property of Samuel
Caldwell and Joseph Hoover. This was the
first night that Fulton slept in the county
Opposite McCracken's was the improvement
OF Thomas Mcclure, Esquire-a kind friend,
and one of the most obliging neighbors, who
wonid at any time incommode himself to ac-
commodate another and when asked for IA
vor, he stopped not TO inquire, ':what will ii
profit me- but only, scan l grant it, lie
lived and died without an enemy. Mcclure
came from Cumberland county in 1879, and
made an Improvement but he did not remove
to Clearffeld until in the year 1900. lie wa:
afterwards commissioned as Justice of the
Peace, and was one of the County Commis
.sioners at the time the contract for the build
ing of the first court house was made. lie hat
two sons and five daughters. One OF the SON
-.WiIson-and one of the daughters are dead
The other son-the joylal and warm-heartet
Col. T. Ross McClure-occupies the Ligge
,Iace .adioinirg the homestead. OF the daugh
ters. Sarah was married to Benz. Bloom, Sr.
Jane remained single Mary is the wife OF Dr
John P. Hoyt, of Ferguson township, later
an Associate Judge, who has been for som
wears an active politician, and an ardent adVo
cate of all measures having tendency 10 eie
yate our agricultural interests; Elizabeth MAJ
ried Abraham Reams, who resides about fou
miles below the county seat, on the hill run
ming back from the high clih OF rocks near tn
head of s.FuIton's' dead water
AsFulton re-crossed the River, he saw San
mel and William Beatty engaged in ciearin
out the piece of land adjoining Mcclure s. IL
David Liggett, an old bachelor, who soon
ter moved on the land, where he lIved an
died. Following the blazed path, which
this point left the River, he reached fa' q.
CIover,s tavern, leaving Blooms to u
riobt. Clover had, for sign, SOM
thing more natural than stRed Lion" OF
aGolden Eagle" 1t was the SKIN Oh mug
panther, stuffed and hanging, by the nose'
the end of his house. This monster had oes
killed by William Bloom, day or two oeior
The tavern was large cabin, one ana a I'D
stories high. Fulton and his party remaih'
there that day, resting and enjoying the,
selves to the best advantage. They Iouho u
entertainment good there was plenty Vi "'e
provided, and some of them shrewdly suees
that the sign, like the she'll which max
known TO the epicurc that real turtle ''wiii
served to-day betokened the kind OF me
that was to be prepared for the table.
For several weeks after this time, Fnit
vas engaged surveying, making fifteen !