The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1861-01-16
From Milford.


From Milford.
On the eve of Dec. 25th, l776,
Washington crossed the Delaware to
look after the Hessans. On the eve
of Dec 26th, 1850, Major Anderson
took little excursion from one fort
to another. On the eve of New
Years day, 1851, your correspondent
and two others, crossed this same Del
aware, not on the ice, though above
it, we using the bridge at Milford ;
our object being to witness Strouse.
You will doubtless ask, " What is
Strouse 2" Well, in answer l will re-
ply, You will have to wait until you
get there" as | was answered on ask
ing that same question on New Years
night. But to proceed, having cross
ed the river, and the canal by means
of wire bridge erected by Housed &
Brother for the accomm odation of
their customers, we passed through
the Shipyard of Mr. Miller, arrived at
the foot of hill, and took our winding
way for a half hour up the by no
means easy ascent. Reaching the lev
ell ground on top, and striking a "bee
line" due west, or nearabouts, we
trudged on good mile and half
further through the snow, and through
most wild, deso!ate, and barren
looking country, and after passing q
curiosity of barn, mineral spring,
next the town of Wolverton, and what
was pointed out to US as haunted
house, we found ourselves in the Bar
,rens. A rapid walk of ten minutes
more brought US to the house where
we expected the mystery of said
Strouse to be explained. Marching
into small frame house, story and
half high, we stopped in the entry
where crowd were assembled round
small temporary bar, which had been
erected for the sale of cider, apples,
cakes sc. Taking a nip, and feeling
we had thus paid our footing and
gained more confidence, we began
looking around. A side door presen-
ted greater attractions, and squeezing
in, we found it literally crammed with
men, boys and children among them
were some dozen or two of young la
dies, seated, standing and moving
about. An hours patience, and an.
other sip at the cider, showed busy
time and great stirring up of things
within, which q fair friend standing
near informed me betokened the com
ing off of the great event of the eve
ning-the running of the Strouse -
Various individuals were busy a rope
was suspended from hook in thu
floor overhead, which, falling down ir
the center of the room, to it was hitch
ed lantern while o the candle which
was in the lantern, and was soon tc
be lighted, string was tied tightly
around it at certain distance from
the top, until the string cut through
the tallow into the wick. One end O
the string tied around the candle, hung
below the lantern, and to it was hung
suspended a huge butcher knife. =
Next, the lantern was covered with al
old dirty handkerchief, the candle wa
lighted, some 90 couples, more or less
mated-mostly male and female-tht
said males having paid, or supposed
to have paid quarter each for thei
chance, formed themselves into O RIM
round said lantern, stick was PLACED
in the hands of a couple, and all being
ready, at the signal, the screaking 0
two yiolins, proceeding from two indi
viduals seated on high in one corne
of the little room, the aforesaid q
couples, more or less, commenced mo
wing, shutting, dancing, walking, rol
ling and jumping round said room ant
lantern. As often as two revolution
had been made round the room, tn
stick was taken from the couple VIII,
: held it, and passed by one who acte,
as sort of floor manager to the coupl
next. And so it continued, the afor
} said 20 couples more or less, passing