Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1873-06-07
from TIE suNBunY ANERIcAN.l

REFLECTIONS OF AN OLD MAS UPON REVISIT
ISG LOWER AUGEsTA.-SereH Points, May 81
lSI3.-Who would have thought half a century
ago. of seeing Il thriving village, church, stores,
work shops, and entcrprlsng people on this lone
ly spot But the world moves. l Inquire for
acquaintauces of aud lang Syle. Those who
were fond of the bottle, or its fiery contents--al
dead. Iu 40 years they have gone to their last
account.
pass on to the old Stone Church. It's fami-
liar exterior is unchanged, but its old graveyard
Is much enlarged, aud contains the bones of
many of my early acquaintances. From the pull
pit of this venerable sanctuary, | have often
listened TO the Rev. j. 2. Shindle, and Martin
Bruner. They have long ago gone to their re-
ward. Just here repose the bones of their locks.
The school house of od.-Close TO the church
stood the old log school house, where, half een-
tury ago, | went to- the old-tIne school. Val.
Savidge, DR.. Morris, Asa Holmes, and Jacob
Clark were some of the teachers. / remember
Clark the best. He taught here several winters.
What glorious times We had playing ball, and at
spelling school Byerley's Spelling Book, The
Testament, ard Pixies Arithmetic, were our text
books. Farmers boys aud girls had no time to
waste on Grammar and Geography In those
days.
Doctor Raker.-in the Immediate vicinity
found my old friend DIR. John Raker: lie was
born near this locality, and passed his boyhood
on his fathers farm. After studying medicine
in Muney, he located here, obtained an extensive
J
profession. How many horses he has used up,
how many bushels of pills and other drugs Ire
has prescribed for his suffering patients Is not or
record. The Doctor never held Office, and nepe'
',Gs istorieGted. He appears likely, with Gods
blessing, to save his bones vet awhile from the
old graveyard of Zion Church, where he has long
held an active and faithful membership.
Jacob Clark.-Some so years ago, the people
called Clark from the school room to the Consta-
ble's Office, and left him In that service for q
| years iE succession. A great part of that time
he was tax-collector and enrolling officer In the
| rebellion era. He says he was an NJ. G. for siN
years nol ''member of Congress" but -Nd
! Carrisr-carryiRg the semi-weekly mail from
| Augusta to Sunbury on his back. His last OIL
clal act was taking the census of the township In
| 1870. think he will hardly serve as Assistan;
Marshal in 1880.
I George Keefer has served cut more than 'thre1
score and ten years. l found him In reasona
| bic health. He seems as friendly, joyial and
active as In tho olden time. Brought up to thl
/ labors of the farm, he has continued that homo
rable occupation up to the present time. Old
| George lives at home. The Brick Church where
he constantly attends service, and of which he Il
one OF the Oldest members, Is near his premises
and the graveyard is even more convenient.
| Judge Shipman knew as an Industrious sawyer
| on the old jones sav-mill, near the stone church
He became a surveyor. and, am tol6s has sery'
| ed as Associate Judge for period of ten years
| He has been, and still is, very useful business
man. His appearance indicates good health, bu
| forcibly reminds me of Shakspear's Sir JOIN
Falstatf. He has recently been elected a Justice
of the Peace. By his appearance he has yet ma
ny years before the silver cord OF life VIII be
loosed to the loss of the community in which he
| lives. l also found old Daniel Rnfianer. Al
extensive rover over many sections, he settled IN
Lower Augusta, and was we'll known as miner
well-digger, shingle-maker, dealer in long yarns
| and marvellous adventures. His strength anl
yivacity are gone. Deereplt age Is nearing the
| inevitable end.
| None of the remaining friends OF my early
| DAYS are millionaires. All have competence
None have been U. S. Senators, NJ. C's, or Chic
Justices. But all must soon be called to &C
count for the ''deeds done in the body, enEinl
I their lives. All they, as we'll as myself-resdy
1 w