The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1866-05-31

shlD and county. Was iOr a time dep |
uty sheriff, and woe to the unlucky horse
thiei if Gillis got upon his track. His
reckless daring often carried him too
far, but his impulses invariably made
him friends, more than enemies his
popularity never waned. He stood high
among the Order Of Free Masons, hav.
ing passed through oil the degrees to
that of Knight Templar. This reputa-
ton, valuable as it might have been, was
the cause Of much trouble and vexation
to him in after yearS--during an excite
ment when the passions of men were
reused to such revcngeful pitch, that
the subject itself was overlooked in the
object thereafter sought. *The affair
alluded to and its consequences will be
referred to hereafter.1 Such is the brief
and early history Of james L. Gillis,
who in 1921 commenced what was call.
ed the Ridgway settlement. The read.
er will perceive there was an arduous
task before him. The purse of MIR.
Ridgway was adequate and enabled Gil
lis to carry out his designs. The work
of telling trees, erecting buildings, was
driven rapidly to-one thing Of sure.
ty-the rapid expenditure Of money.
Provisions, grain, hay, groceries, mate.
risk for building, such as nails, glass,
hardware, &C., were hauled or packed
through those woods from Bunker Hill
and beyond. A Wagon or sled load of
hay and feed would, during its journey
become so depleted by scratches from
the pendant brush, and consumption by
the teams, that there was often barely
enough left to keep the team over night,
aud to take sufficient for one feed on its
journey back for an additional supply.
All the headway made in transportation
would be peThaps barrel Of pork, one
of -four, some groceries--enough to last
till the next arrival of one of the line Of
teams. Thirty stout, able choppers and
log rollers, with good appetites, made
way with large quantities Of provisions.
AS fast as the land was logged off,
seeds were sown, potatoes planted, and
the fruit crops were of good yield, the
aikalies from the ashes acting as highly
stimuIant. The wheat crop Of the first
year was so prolific, that as it could not
be consumed by the familie, it was fed
to the horses and cattle.
*The episode before referred TO, oc.
Cured about this period, which may in
terest few readers, and may be conSid-
cred a" DEPRESSION"
Whilst Gillis was prosecuting his i'm
provements at Montmorency, an event
occurred which accidentally brought
Gillis into a difficulty which proved
very annoying and expensive. His bus
mess often carried him into Western
New York, where, as before stated, he
was we'll and generally known. At one
of these business visits, this occurrence
took place; its Importance will appear
in the sequel Deep and abiding les.
sons were taught, morally and political
iy, to those who lived at that period
and when passions became cooled could
be fairly discussed by the participa.ors
and facts only alluded to. 1t was du
ring these years that the institution Of
Free Masonry was fourishing to a great
degree, if we judge by the number Of
its lodges, and many members. In Sep
tember, 1926, (if we mistake not the
Idate,) man living in Batavia, "a Ma
son of high degree) was privately
tknown to a few prominent Masons al
having written, and was about to pub
,hsh book, exposing the secrets, signs
grips, &C., of the order. Although ma
ny books had been published on tn,
subject Of Masonry, yet there were none
that invaded the secrets of the Lodge
and thus book of this sort was expec
ted to sell. Whether Morgan was Incl
ted by pecuniary motives, or by anothe
motive, cannot be proved. 1t was allie
ged, however, that Morgan had becom'
bindignant at reproof OF his conduct
morally unbecoming a Mason. Thes
few Masons who had discovered hi
agency in the book, contrived schem
to bring him to CananGaigua, the coun
ty seat of Ontario Co., upon charge
probably not altogether ill.iounded, an,
bail being required, which he could no
Immediately obtain, he was placed il
Jail to remain till next day, when hi
bail would be procured. That night hi
prosecutor withdrew his charge, payini
the costs, and with an order for his re
lease the jaiIor discharged him. D
leaving the Jail, as was proven, he wa
suddenly seized by three or four persons
blind folded and thrust into a carriag
and driven westward towards Rocheste
some thirty miles distant During thi
journey the carriage stopped at Victo
where ellis was stopping with h
brother. 1t was impossible that
should not in a measure be cognizaut
the fact that Morgan was being abdu
ted, and for the purpose of keeping hi
secure, or in some way confined till tt
book could be suppressed, and assural
t ces that the manuscript should be d
stroyed 1t is evident that such an
! such only were the motives of his ca