Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-06-15


Gahagan, of Huntingdon county. He had
previously purchased Gn 1805) the land on
which he and his sons now reside. Part of
the land had been owned by Elisha Scofeld,
who had erected cabin and cleared about
three acres. Seoield had left the place in
1905, and moved to where John Shaw lives.
He afterwards lived near Ben Jordan's and
died in Curwensville about five years ago.
Crossing the mountains in wagon, over the
State road, Fulton came to the Milcsburg and
lie Boeuff road, which he followed until he
reached David Litz's, at the Clearfield Greek.
There being no further road which he could
travel, he placed his goods upon raft, made
of pine logs, which, as soon as the water had
fallen to such stage as would enable him to
descend the creek in safety, was piloted out
of the Greek by Abraham Ltz. Mrs. Litz re-
membered Fnlton's visit of 1902, and kindly
rendered to his wife the hospitalties of her
house, wishing Mrs. Fulton to remain with her
until things could be fixed up at the Scofield
cabin; but Mr.. Fulton having been accompa-
nicd thus far by her brother, who was compel
led to return home as soon possible, think
ing that she had ncrved herself to encounter
anything that might take place, packed some
articles upon her horse, and accompanied by
her brother, followed the blazed path, which
led by Chinchaclamoose, to her future home.
This was in May; but the rank weeds which
had grown in the clearing almost hid the lit
tie cabin from their sight. A path was tramp
ed through them, Mrs. Fulton entered the
house, sat down and s.took good cry,'' in the
home where she has since spent many hap
by hour. Fulton reached the cabin with his
'sfiittin'' three four days afterwards, and
put part of his cleared land in buckwheat and
part in potatoes, and soon cleared out for him.
self fine farm.
Mr.. Fulton still lives at green old age his
eye has not lost its fire, nor his step its quick
and elastic tread, nor does he lack that viva
city, humor, and sociablity, for which his
ton is distinguished. His mental faculties
are unimpaired, and being great reader, he
is still adding to that store of knowledge of
persons and events, with which his memory is
glled. He is somewhat impulsive, though not
apt to take any important step without due re-
Election. He has always been decided poll
tician, and looking upon the exercise of the
he has regularly, for fifty lone years, deposited
his ballot when the time for voting came round.
He has been appointed to, and served in sew
cral important offices was the first Prothnno-
tary, &c, was for several years Deputy Sur
veyor, and also served as Treasurer and Com
missioner, and Clerk to Commissioners. Mr..
Fulton had four sons-James, Moses, WASH
ington P, and Thomas-the latter of whom is
dead. Archibald Shaw, Joseph Shaw, Richard
Shaw, Jr., William Fullerton and Thompson
Reed, are the husbands OF his five daughters.
In the immediate vicinity of Fulton's resi-
dence, the Susquehanna River has renarka-
BILE coniguration. 1t is there known as Ca
rothers' Bend. The River sweeps around
high strip of land, making circuit of about
four miles, coming back to within quarter of
a mile from whence it started. This bend re-
ceived its name from an oddity who resided
! near it. Carothers came here about the year
| 1902 from Centre county. He was a good
weaver, good shoemaker, and his natural in
clination made him good hunter, which cal
| ling he followed with Zest and success.
Rough, iIliterate, indolent, fond of s'spree," !"
| and the widest adventures, he was yet good
and obligng neighbor. If John Carothers
was a remarkable and eccentric parsonage, his
wife was no less SO. Dressed in her hunting
| shirt-with felt hat and moccasins on-her
| leather pouch thrown over her shoulder, and
her knife sheathed in her belt-this tall and
masculine woman would take to the woods,
gun in hand, to chase the deer or trap the
wolf. with a success envied by some of the
other sex. From one of her exploits, the
capture of an unusually large wolf, origi-
| mated the name of aWolf Rum" We have
said that this county was formed out of
parts of Lycoming and Huntingdon. Car
others hunting ground was principally in the
| former; but the County Seat of Huntingdon
being easier of access than that of Lycoming,
when these hunters were successful in captur-
ing wolves or other wild beasts, Mrs. Caroth-
ers would take them out of the traps, load
them in her canoe, and row them across the
river near to the Huntingdon side, where John
would stand upon the shore, and as she wouid
toss them from the boat, he would catch them
so that he might swear that he caught them In
Huntingdon county, and receive the bounty
there for their scalps. This well-matched
couple had no children. They removed from
this county to near Sunbury, where, Carotn-
crs, returning from tavern, on cold night,
feared to cross the creek near Mahantango,
sat down at the end of the foot-log, where he
was found the next morning frozen TO death,
with Jug of whiskey by his side
Mr.. Fulton would go out occasionally with
his adventurous neighbor to hunt, and once,