The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1860-04-12
Cambria County.
CHAPTER VII.
HiS1OGY.

Cambria County, like her sister couh-
ties, was, prior to the settlements made by
our pioneers, the abode of the savages.-
The territory now included in her boun-
daries was the hunting grounds of the
Delaware Indians, or the LEM Lenape,
(original people, as they complacently
called themselves. They were also called
Algonquins. The Munseys, or Wolves,
as they were called, inhabited this region;
while the Unamis, or Turtles, and the
Unalachtgos, or Turkeys, inhabited the
more eastern portions Of the then pro-
vince. These were distinct tribes Of the
| Delawaref
From the fact that no extensive Indian
villages leave their vestiges among us, we
are led to infer that our territory was not
a favorite residence for the cred men of
the forest" Still there is number of
aboriginal remains among US, which shall
be noticed when we come to speak of the
different Townships. The severity Of the
seasons, and the absence of any large
stream Of water, perhaps, prevented them
from having any large encampments here.
Yet they have made some portions Of the
County famous by their traditions.
Johnstown is located on the site of an
old Indian town named "Kickenapawling,"
and the beautiful name of the stream upon
which it is located, is borrowed from the
same source. Tha name Of Susquehanna
is also Of Indian origin, and one Of their
greatest landmarks is Canoe-Place, (now
Cherry Tree,) the northeastern corner of
the county, that being the head Of canoe
navigation. But the county is intersected
by various paths, by which the natives
were wont to pass from their encampments
on the Juniata and Susquehanna to those
on the Conemaugh and Allegheny. The
celebrated ''Klttanning path traverses
the county from the Eastern border, a
little North of West, until it crosses the
line of Indiana county. This far-famed
path was the route Of the "sons of the
forest" from the ''Frankstown settlement"
to "Kittanning," at that time celebrated
Indian town on the Allegheny. 1t became
afterwards the track for the early explo-
rers and surveyors, and hence in the in
vestigation Of land titles, the same path is
favorite starting point in the location OF
warrants. Though nearly obliterated, it
is still we'll known to our hunters, who
often follow it in the pursuit Of game. An
Indian path also led from the neighbor-
hood of Loretto, and intersected the
Frankstown road, between Munster and
the Summit.
A short distance above the confluence
of the Beaverdam and Slate-lick branches
4 of the Clearfeld, are found the remains of
a very singular ancient fortifcation. The
embankments must originally have been
some six or eight feet high, but at this
time do not exceed five, and are ovcrgrown
with large trees Some Of the neighbor-
ing lands exhibit the appearance of a
Western prairie, from which it is probable
the name of Clearfeld had its origin.
The story of Mrs. Alcorn is familiar to
many Of the old settlers. Her husband,
James Alcorn, had settled near to where
the borough of Loretto now stands. He
had erected himselfa little log cabin, and
had cleared patch in which he had
planted potatoes, at some distance from it.
One day, Mrs. Alcorn went to get some
potatoes for dinner, and was never seen
afterwards. The most diligent search was
made for her, but it was entirely unavail-
ing. A report which prevailed that she
: was seen many years afterwards was not
authenticated and her disappearance is
to this day, wrapped in mystery OF
course, the Indians had the credit of the
abduction but there is just as little doubt
, that they were entitled to it. Mr.. Alcorn
afterwards removed to Indiana county
, where some of his descendants still reside
JONATHAN OLDBUCK.
MoNKBARNs, Nov. u, 1853.
BARNUM ERECT.-We see by the New