The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1866-06-28
HISTOR OF
+ L X @ O u n II Y
EARLY SETTLEMENT OF RIDGwAY AND
yICINITY-CoNTINU
By Northwestern Pennsylvania.

ments rapidly on, his saw mill was in
operation, and his tannery about com.
pleted, he removed his family to Ridg-
way in 1927. The same year Levi
Alyworth came in and took an interest
with his brother in building saw mill,
1t was failure producing considerable
merriment at the time, thought a some.
what serious affair to the owners. 1t is
worthy of mention. Alyworth and
james L. Gillis had purchased the land
Of Mr. Ridgway, from the river at
point near the west end of the present
bridge, thence west to below Hughes &
Dickinson's mill and including all be-
low this line to the river about eighty
five acres, known as the "mill lot"
At the lower end ofthe lot is an island,
which any one having been at Dickin.
sons mill will recollect. Back of this
island and yet below the present mill,
Mr.. Alyworth decided to set his saw
mill, with the expectation that with a
slight dam across the stream at the head
of the island, he would turn the water
through and have sufficient head for all
purposes. The mill was about compile
ted, the bulkhead at the entrance was
finished and considerable progress on
the dam, when it was suggested that a
level being taken it would appear mis-
take and that he could not get sufi-
cient head. Upon examination, this
was found to be the case. To obtain
sufficient head and fall, dam would be
required so high as would overflow the
whole eighty acres, besides, no such
dam could possibly stand the first ice
freshet. The tools were dropped and
every laborer discharged Immediately.
1t subsequently had to be removed to
make room for the present improve
ments. A similar anecdote is told of
Thomas Jefferson. In sight from his
Office window on his plantation was a
mound or pinnacle. 1t struck him that
wind power could be erected on this
summit that would carry saw mill. A
contract was made with a mechanic for
its erection. twas completed and after
a settlement with the contractor, he said
to Mr.. Jefferson, " that he thought the
power fully sufficient" but says he, al
have often wondered how you would
get the logs to the mill" Mr.. Jeffer,
son was instantly struck with its i'm
probability, and replied "I never
thought of that" OF course it was only
a aoind,mW. This mistake of Mr.
Alyworth was theme of much annoy
ance, besides the loss of money; "old
Jacob Sbafer frequently gave him some
hard hits about it, Mr.. Shafer was al
early settler on Little Toby" near the
the south line of Ridgway township
which then comprised large territory
consisting of the present hiI
Of Ridgway, Snyder, Spring Greek
Highland, and Jones townships. ThC
elections were held in Ridgway, and al
though there were less than ten voters
they we're spirited particularly for the
Office Of supervisor. Mr.. Alyworth wa
running for that Office and opposed b.
Shafer, who declared abe would no
vote for any man who would erect
saw.mill that he could get neither wine
or water to it." Mr.. Shafer was a le
gitimate scion of Pennsylvania German
stock, he was a sound Democrat. Sucl
was the .tirmness of his character tha
slander often imputed it to oJstinacy
AS his residence was half way, from
Ridgway to Brookville, he kept an " en-
tertainment" and was we'll know,
throughout the whole country; H
imbibed prejudice against the Ridg
wayites at an early period. One of th
causes was this In the settlement {
Ridgway, spirituous liquors were at;
booed" teetotally, except as medicine
There Was no temperance society, n
pledges, but it was the spontaneous d.
sire of the whole people to keep it OF
of the place. Mr.. Shafer, either from
desire to add to his profits or from tn
opportunities of his guests, kept bo
tie of twitch-eye" or "rot-gut" j
his cupboard, which from its scarcit,
more probably than from its quality Wa
eagerly sought after, frequently temp