The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1867-09-27
The @eaford Gazette.
LETTERS FROM THE ANTHRACITE
REGION.


and though there are many who have
iourneyed hither, to see the historic
grounds, "famous in story and song,''
still there are many whose eyes have
not feasted upon this lovely vale.
Thinking a description of some of the
points of interest, may be acceptable to
your readers, seat myself to jot down
few thoughts in that regard. Scottish
Campbell, in his "Gertrude of Wyom-
ing" and our own Halleck, in his
"Wyoming," besides scores of minor
poets, have spread the name and fame
of Wyoming Valley to earth's reno
test bounds. Wyoming Val1ey, Ia name
derived from an Indian word, signify
ing large plainS), is situated in the CEN
tire of this county (Luzerne). Its his
tory has been written by at least four
historians, and its scenery, the battles
fought here and the thrilling incidents
connected with its history, have furn-
ished materials for the pens and pencils
of numerous poets, novelists, and art
lists. 1t has been visited by mobiles, and
bards and travellers from various parts
of the civilized world, have joined with
Campbell, in saying that Wyoming is
''the lovliest land of all, that see the
Allan tic wave their morn restore" 1t
is tWenty-One miles in length, with an
average breadth of three miles. The
Susquehannah river gracefully winds
through the centre of the valley. The
valley contains forty thousand acres of
land, twenty-five thousand of which
are cultivated, and yield abundant har-
vests to the labOrs of the husbandman.
On a pleasant morning with a few
friends, we take the cars at Wilkes
Barre, and ride within a half mile of
Prospect Rock. "The Rock" is two
and a half miles from Wilkes Barre,
and is the most celebrated point of OBJ
servatiOn, because the most conven-
lent, and is 750 feet above the river.
Mounting this massive rock, and obtain
ing so grand and extended view of the
valley below, it seems no wonder that
the Indian fought so hard before he
was forced from his beautiful hunting
grounds. How different the view
now from that which opened to the
gaze Of tie reu man as Inc ,,taod -npnn
this same rock century ago! Then it
was dense wilderness, with here and
there a trail path now below us are
seen scores of coal-Works, fOundries,
railroads, large towns and villages, and
fertile fields. Near "The Rock" is a
large Hotel. The location is fine and it
is faVorite resort in the summer.
Descending to Wilkes Barre we find a
large and thriving town of several
thousand inhabitants, and with its
street cars, manufactures and crowds
of people upon the streets, it presents a
busy scene of industry. Coming back
to my native town, after a few years
absence, nearly all the faces are strange
to me, while five years ago, l knew al
most every one | met. L wander
through the streets curious to note the
changes that have taken place. Even
the house L was born in must be torn
down to make room for more mod
ern and elegant one. The next point
of interest we visit, is Forty Fort, four
miles from Wilkes Barre, name CIV
en- to it from the fact that, during the
Indian wars forty men built fort here
and heroically defended it. This was
where the terrible massacre of Wyom-
ing took place, on the third day of Ju-
", 1776. Here on a rise of ground, on
the bank of the Susquehanna, the
Wyoming Monument was erected. 1t
had kong been the intention to erect a
suitable monument on this spot, but it
was not till the women of Wyoming
took the design in hand, that the work
was completed. They engaged in it,
as a labor of love, and with what dona-
tions they secured, and the results OF
the labors of willing and industrious
hands, ere long "Wyoming MOnu-
ment" was erected. 1t is an obelisk,
about sixty feet in height. | should
love to give in full the inscription that
it bears, but it is too long. l copy a
part of it, as follows: GA small band OF
patriotic Americans, chiefly the un-
disciplined, the youthful and the aged,
spared by inefficiency from the distant
ranks of the Republic, with courage
that deserved success, boldly met and
bravely fought combined British,
tory, and Indian force, of thrice theiI
number. Numerical superiority alone
gave success to the invader, and wide
spread havoc, desolation and ruin
marked his savage and bloody foot,
steps through the valley"
Things have moved along quietly in
the Valley for years. The development
of its mineral wealth, has brought in
crowds of all sorts of people, but while
it has increased in wealth and material
prosperity, the romance of its history
closed with the last century. Our next
point is "Dial, )" or " "Campbell's LEDGE
seven hundred feet above the river. il
is twelve miles from Wilkes Barre, anC
is much visited by travellers, on accoun
of the beautiful picturesque view o
| Wyoming presented to the eye from it!