Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1860-05-24
Trials of Early Methodism.

I'VE have marked several passages for quo
tuton from the late work of DR.. Peck, Early
Methodsm." The following is an interesting
sketch of on adventurous trip Of the Rev. G.
Harmon, Presiding Elder, in 1912 ::
The Rev. George Harmon took charge of
the Susuuehanna district in 1872 and Travelled
upon it three years The following incidents
and adventures we have taken from a short
sketch" of the life and labors of Mr.. Harmon,
written By himself, from the papers of his
daughter, the late Hester Ann Harmon: and
from Mr.. Harmons mouth on late visit at
Camus.
In relation to his district Mr. Harmon says:
Il commenced on the south end, about one
hundred miles north of Baltimore. 1t exten-
rled north to within twenty miles of Utica, in
the State Of New York, and from the Della
ware River on the east, to the Genesee on the
west. It was at least one thousand miles
around it. Such roads such hills such noun
tains! broke down several horses during
nv term Of service on this district"
The great point of adventure aud romance
In real life was the Lycoming route, between
Western New York and Willamsport, on the
west branch Towanda Greek, Sugar Creek,
aud Lycoming head near together the two
former emptying into the north branch below
Tioga. and the latter into the west branch
near WiIliamSport. From the head of the
1vcoming to its mouth is about thirty miles,
and in passing down it had to be forded thir-
ty.four times 1t is deep and rapid stream,
upon which small RATS of lumber were run in
the spring. One of Mr. Harmon's perilous
trips through this route he gives as follows
IL held quarterly meeting on the north
part of the district, my next being on the
south part had to pass through the sixty
mile wilderness | took what was called the
Lycoming route 1t was in the winter, the
snow between two and three feet deep. /
lodged oil night at Spaldngs tavern, near the
head of the Towauda | started early the
next morning and rode some eight miles to
Brother Soper's, on the Lycoming, and took
breakfast. then set ont for Williamsport.
When came to what was considered the most
dangerous crossing place on the ronte, found
the river frozen over about one-third OF the
way on each side. The snow, as above stated,
was from two to three feet deep, and no one
had passed to open the road. | paused for q
minute. could not go back to Brother So
per's. some ten or fifteen miles, the last house
had passed the sun had gone down. Ii l
could cross there was a log tavern within
about one mile knew the greatest danger
would be in getting on the ice on the other
side. for should the ice break l and my horse
would 90 under | must venture it. ] saw
no other course. was on q very spirited and
powerful horse / urged him forward, and
when his ieet touched the bottom his head
went under water. As be rose on bis bind
feet put both spirs into his aanks and he at
once bounded off into the river. The water
was so deep that it ran over the tops of my
boots as sat upon his back. got through
without further difficulty
h'"Whep I reached the tavern my first care
was to have my hoFse attended TO. But when
] attempted to take OF NJ bQQts they were
frozen to my stockings. l succeeded after q
While in removing them. ! had, not long be-
FORE read DR. Rush on the use of Spirituou:
liquors. That great man acknowled they haG
their use in certain cases, but there could bt
no use in which it would not be better to poul
them IN the sWill,pail, and put both feet il