The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-06-19
LETTER FROM WILLLAMsPORT.
The state EditoriaI Excursion.

The growth OF this metropolis OF lumberdom
within the last few years has been very rapid, the
population having risen from six to eighteen thou
sand in about six years. partly In consequence Of
the large profits derived from the lumber business
during the war, and the subsequent expenditure Of
some of these prots In splendid local improvements
partly account OF the steady increase OF railroad
facilities but more especially, perhaps on account
OF the construction Of gigantic boom, series OF
booms, on the Susquehanna, for the distance OF
about ten miles above and below this city. The boom
is State institution Nething like equal to to
be found anywhere else, except possibly, In sruc-
ture on the waters Of the Penobsco in the heart OF
thelumber region OF Mane To construct these booms
chartered company has obtained privileges giving
1t partial, and in some respects complete, control
over the Susquehanna for distance OF about thirty
miles and this concession encountered such bitter
opposition, alike from parties who desired to form
boom at point on the Susquehanna below the
limits OF this State In Maryland, and from portion
OF the lumbermen in this region, that 1t was only
obtained after a desperate struggle.
The magnitude OF the interests at stake may be
inferred from the fact that the cost OF the booms
and their appurtensnces is variously estimated at
from 81 900 0e to 81 O00 while the supply Of pine
logs usually detained In the booms, annually, is about
22e 000, 900 feet more than enough to stock the
entire Philadelphia market The practical effect Of
the boom is to centralize the business OF saving
these logs and preparing them for the use OF builders,
as boards laths, ETC., at Wllamsport, instead OF
boom also puts in the hands OF the Wiamsport
saw-m owners and operators, to large extent, the
business Of seasoning as well as saving lumber;
and instead OF the old system of sending to the
city twice year, at the time OF spring and fall
freshets, uncertain supply Of lumber, the Will
Transport dealers carry such large stocks that orders
be filed at any period of the year, as demands
arise.
The boom, which is the leading agent in accom-
pishing these results, needs for its successful ope-
ration gigantic dam, costing about q quarter OF a
million OF dollars, and making, at the favorable
point selected, stretch OF slack water probably
fifteen miles or perhaps even more in length, and
having an average width OF about five hundred
yards. Through this great reservoir, at convenient
points, and in close succession, five booms have
been constructed, with total capacity OF storage
equal TO double the amount Of lumber now usually
stored in them during each year. The leading idea
is to leave about half the breadth Of the river unob
structed, and to speak, to fence Off the other half
as reservoir for logs A succession Of large piers,
numbering in all about I've hundred, are built about
midway in the rver-not from shore to shore,
but parallel with the cuTrent-these piers strongly
resembling those which support country bridges
comparatively large streams. Between the piers
there is space OF from fifty to one hundred feet,
over which long pieces OF stout TIMBER fastened to
the piers, are kept noatng-and they constitute the
boom proper-their service being to direct and con-
fine the logs in the channels selected for them. In
these channels reservoirs millions of logs at
the proper seasons piled upon each other as COM
pacty, yet as irreguary, as huge cakes Of floating
ice are sometimes packed in obstructed portions of
large rivers.
Transport, consisting in part of Clearfeld, Potter,
and Elk counties, as they cut their logs and drag
them to the tributary streams, mark each log with
an initial sign, or trademark selected by the saw
mill owner for whose use they are intended, and
after the logs destined for two hundred more
fntiIa N "a
renty in inextricabe confusion they are finally
assorted by these marks and delivered to their re-
spective owners.
The Herdic House is large brick structure, hand
some and complete in all its appointments, seated
in the midst Of q magnificent lawn, where a lovely
sward stretches beneatha shade OF grand old trees,
adorned and variegated with rare shrubbery. In
front OF 1t spacious street, on each side OF which
are q number OF remarkably handsome and spacious
villas, standing far back from the street and sur
rounded on every side with broad lawns OF most
exquisitely kept green sward, even and smooth as
carpet and exhibiting the ceaseless care and labor
which alone can produce perfection OF culture
Such splendid villas as adorn the fair
heights of Germantown or Brooklyn here
beautify the central street with foliage and owers
making Wiamsport lovely succession OF gardens
through the length OF its principal promenade.
The aw-mills are wonder OF mechanical ipge-
nuity and of commercial enterprise and the mighty
results rise all around In mountains OF boards which
robbed Of all their usual prosaic unslghtlness
by the vastness Of their number and the white gleam
that proves that they are the result OF few days
endeavor
At q meeting held yesterday afternoon, the city
OF Williamsport welcomed the editors Of Pennsyl-
vana by the courteous voice OF Its Chief the Mayor
OF the city, in the beautiful hall OF the Academy OF
Music redOlent with the odors OF natural flowers
culled from its own gardens, and draped by happy
fancy with wreaths OF living greenery, swayed
gracefully between the pillars OF the arched gale
ries. The remarkably handsome stage gave room
for the officers and orators OF the occasion, and to
say that Henry G. Smith, OF the Lancaster IntslIi-
gecer President Of the State Editorial Association
directed the proceedings is to say that the meeting
was bright and genial, without tagging moment.
An essay newspapers was read by j. Luther
Ringwalt, and poem the printing press, written
by D. Brainerd Williamson, was, in his absence,
very effectively rendered by Eugene II. Munday.
In the evening the editors and their wives sisters
or daughters met around the festive board, in a
bright array both OF dress and address worthy OF
the State they represented, and the hours new by
on winged feet while appropriate toasts were ge
niay and eloquently responded to by Mr. FureY, Of
the Maueh Chunk Times; Mr. Capron, OF Williams
port Hon. Henry S. Evans OF West Chester; Jacot
Ziegler, of Butler Judge Narr, OF Trenton; Mr.
Kennedy, of the Carlisle Volunteer; Mr., Pangborn
OF Jersey City; Thomas NJ. Coleman, ESQ.,, OF Phila
delphia; and Henry T. Darlington, Esq, OF Doyles
town.
The editoris party, comprising about one hun
dred and fifty ladies aud gentlemen, will continue
their excursion to-day by a "trip northward to Wat
kins Glen, and all its members are highly gratiheC
with the success which has attended this frs
attempt at a social union OF the Pennsylvania press
j. L. r.
The Northern Tier-Peter Herdic-Minne
qua-Watkins Glon.