Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1874-08-14
As THERE will be a number of strangers visit

| attnnQb nee at annual session OF the GranQ
Lodge of the Knights of Pythias, it may not, |
probably be out of place to point out some of the
notable places of interest, and take such as may
be interested to places where our magnificent |
scenery presents itself to the best advantage. |
Members of the Order here should not neglect to |
accompany them TO places of historical interest, |
and relate the facts connected with their history.
Immediately in our neighborhood when all was |
yet wilderness, if history and legend cor
rect, acts of bravery, love and friendship, in de-
fence against their savage enemy who made this
place and vicinity their home and hunting ground.
were performed that might vie with that of Da-
mon and Pythias. Among practical matters we
would point out the lumber mills, machine shops,
fouudries, and other manufactures the advan-
tageous position we occupy for business OF all
kinds, and the progress the town has made with
| in the last decade. A visit to the Shamokin
dam, and Mount Pleasant, from which the see
merry is so generally admired, rs well on account
of its extent as its picturesqueness, woIld be a
great treat Fort Augusta, the Bloody Spring,
the Cold Spring; Blue Hill and Mason's Hill,
from which may be viewed the most extensive
and beautiful scenery existing any where along
the Susquehanna river.
perhaps furnish as interesting an historical re-
collection as coud be given to make an impress
sion upon them Of their visit to our town. The
battle was fought On these grounds between the
French troops aud the Delaware and other tribes
of Indians, assisted by the early settlers, during
the French and English wal, the Indians being led
by the distinguished Chief Shckalamy. II was
at that time Sunbury was burnt, and the in
habitants of the susquehanna valley were COM
PEELED to seek safety in the mere thickly settled
portions of the State. 1t was upon old Fort Au-
gusta, during the American revolution, the ear
ly settlers depended as defence against the sa-
wage hordes that lurked among the thickets Of
which our lowands so productive. Here their
lives were in constant jeopardy, whether in the
field at labor or In pursuit of their savage foe
Many of the places around US, some Of which
we have mentioned ,hsve their legends attached in
connection with the struggle which resulted In
American independence, some Of which are high
" interesting. Let none of our numerous vis- I
tors of next week return home without full
knowledge of our town and its "reminiscences.
SHAMoKIs.-Whle ON a visit to this place, / Z
few days since, we were surprised to find how ,
much the march of improvement has effected In
the last few years. These Improvements are, I
many of them, not only substantial and useful,
but as our neighbors growing more afiiuent in
circumstances. they manifest greater degree of r
taste and design than formerly in the construc- I
ton of their buildings and premises. shamokin I
with the vast mineral wealth that surrounds it, s
will always be the centre Of trade and traffic d
that must add every year to its prosperity and A
improvement. This improvement is not confined Y
alone to the town. The whole valley, from Sun \
bury to shamokin, exhibits the most striking ev-
idence of improvement, particularly in the cul- q
ture Of the soil. The crops on many Of the II
farms, will compare favorably with those on our I,
river bottoms, and their productiveness has, in
some instances doubled their value in the last r
decade. Il
GOOD MANAGEMENT. - We notice that since
Mr.. E. B. Wcstfall has charge Of the Shamokin h
Division of the n. C. r. r., that very few acci-
donts occur on that branch. There was a time a
when accidents, and some very serious ones, oc- A
CURED almost daily, and the wreck car was >,
employed constantly in clearing away the re- q
suit of the smash-ups along the line. OF late q
nothing serious has occurred, and we under .,
stand that high compliment was lately paid by h
the bead officials of the Pennsylvania r. r. Co. n
to Mr.. westfaI for his efficient management. a
There are but few railroad men who more !,
deserving of such u compliment.
We frequently receive communications for | .,
of curious character. which prove :,
that there is yet plenty Of room for advance
ment In education, and that schoslmssters had ~
b.tter stay at home instead Of going forth TO ed
ucate the Heather Chinee' and other hea,hens.
The following was handed us this week, which
we publish verbatim ct lsttratis. 1t Is specimen
Of stuff frequently received by printers which is
expected to be converted into sense and nne rhe-
toric or ihnnsbt 20 such when sent. Hear | o
him:
Jacob Raker at poor house Shamokin is de best -
fanley ever was dear in all respect he has corn
from twelve to thirteen feet long cayadge cant be
beet all klnde of grain is good mate bout twen-
ty five ton Of hay every thing lie pleasant d.
THE suNBuRr CATTLE Insurance CoNrASr.-l'
We have been informed that the old Cattle 1nsu-
rance Company have &5s,o41 IS in premium
notes, good, bad and Indifferent. The directors
agreed lately TO levy assessment on these
notes TO pay off all the indebtedness of the COM
pany, and close up the affairs finally. Notice n
will be given to those who have given notes to I,
pay the assessments and If not paid within IL Y
mited time suit will be brought for the collection
of the full amount of the notes with costs for | y
collection.
BOAT RACE.-A boat race came Of on the river ="
at this place on Friday evening last, which Was
witnessed by several hundred persons. The con- y
testants were Messrs Roy, Gauger and Trutt.
The rowing was for the champion flag, which =,
was won by Mr.. James Roy Of this place. Ssve- :
raj fine rowing boats have lately been huilt ut =
this place, and some more exciting rowing
matches are in prospect. O
MEssRs. J. J. Smith and II. =. Mann, started "
for Washington city on Monday last, to take pos
session of four pieces Of cannon awarded by Con-
gress, to be placed at TIE base of the soldiers
monument, in Market street Park, in this place. g
As soon they are placed III position, it is sup
posed the gates of the park will be closed to pre- J
vent injury to the COWS which have had II
lodgment within the enclosure during the sum-
mer by the consent of the borough council.
AN item of interest to every one is the rule laid
down by the new edition of the Postmaster
Generals Guide, relative to the transmission of
newspapers. "After January 1st, 1875, every
newspaper received at an Office for delivery, Is
held to be prepaid, the fact that it is in the mail
being conclusive proof Of payment. For all =
papers published once week and oftener, the
rate of postage, under the new law, is two cents
n pound papers published less often than once
a week, three cents Il pound. The money for $
this postage must accompany the bag containing l,
the mail matter, and be paid to the postmaster, I
who will hand to the messenger u stamp or p
stamps equal thereto cancelled before delivery, /,
some special design of stamp that will be pro-
vided by the Postoflce Department. g
BASE BALL.-On Monday last, the first of the
three games Of base ball was played at Milton
for the championship Of Northumberland coun- ,
fY bet xeen the aRrauxanrits Clnh' of this place.