The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1876-02-10
BARTONSVILLE. Jan. 29th. 1876.
'Ijtor Jcfersonjam-Dear Sir:

~
Thinking that perhaps a sketch of the
history, progress and present condition of
our Township would be of some interest to
the many readers of your valuable Journal.
| have written the following The Town
ship derives its name from an Indian chief
Pokono who at that time could stretch out
his hands and say II am monarch of all |
survey" The first white man that set foot
on Its soil, as near as can be ascertained,
was Edward Marshal in the fall of 1877.
whom William Penn had employed to walk
for Il tract of land, purchased from. the
Indlnns, as Tar as Il man could walk in one
and one half days. Starting from Trenton
at sunrise reached Pocono point, now called
Tanncrsville, the next day at noon. At
that time this whole section of country was
covered with an abundance of timber of
every variety and in which was also to be
found an abundance Of game, such as deer,
bears, wolves. pantherS, &c The streams
We're literally filled with trout. Some of
the early settlers that first came here about
the time of the revolution, or prior to it.
We're the Learns, Everharts. Mevers'
Daniels, and Bellies, who plunged into the
busum OF this wilderness selecting suitable
spot of ground and erecting thereon a
shanty, commenced clearing the land, sub
sisting principally upon the products of the
forest, and the little truck patch or field
which gave them a scanty supply of course
bread and vegetables Other hardships
that these early settlers had to contend
with. We're deprcdations committed by the
Indians, who also thirsted for their blood
Some time in the month of June. 1880, a
party of Indians attacked the home of
George Learn, shot both father and mother
of the family, the sons making their escape
One OF them, George, was quickly pursued
by an Indian he however succeeded to get
into rye field, concealed himself behind
large stump, watching the movment Of the
savage, who also concealed himself some
forty or ffty-yards off behind a stump, he
thinGiu5 1t Was unknown TO young Learn,
and watching for his victim. Both armed
with rifles young Learn took off his hat
placed it on Il loose root with which he
lifted the LAT few inches to one side of
the stump. The Indian percciving the hat
thought that he Was looking for his pursuer
and in an instant the Indian fred no
sooner had he discharged his rife than
Learn rose up and shot the Indian dead
This cruel murder Of the Learn flnily was
brought about through jealousy on the part
Of the Indian by wrestling with one Of the
Learns, the latter throwing the Indian very
heavily, breaking limb. Later, other
settlers began to come in, and soon the
wUodman's aX was heard in every direction,
and on every hand was seen the enterprise
OF the Inhabitants. To person who has
witnessed all the changes which have taken
place since its first settlement, its former
appearance would be like IA dream or
romance. The little cabin and field of corn
no longer exists; the natives have disap-
pcared only the curiously wrought
arrowheads and tomahawks remain to show
that they had ever been inhabitants here.
The road leading from Tannersyille to
Wilkesbarre WAS first cut through the
unbroken forest by General Sullivan who
marched through here in the year 1779,
with an army OF $500 men Oh his way to
drive the Indians from Wyoming. The
road Is now known as the Sullivan road.
The North and South turnpike passing
through here, was chartered by an act Of
the Legislature about 1928, and was built
by parties from Belmont, but since the
completion of the ID. l.. < W. Railroad
that taking off greater part Of It's travel
the company has abandoned it, and it Is
now kept in repair by the citizens Of the
township. Ia the year 1880 when the
township contained but 800 inhabitants,
the late jacob Singmaster came to Tanners
vile, and taking up a large tract of land
which was well timbered and contain
ing any amount of bark, commenced the
erection Of large tannery, and soon a
number of Houses were also built. A Post
Office was soon established which was named
TannersyiIe Post Office. in honor of the
new tannery being built there. Shortly
afterwards Il. r. Downing 4 Co. from
Philadelphia, located here and purchased
the tannery property aud commenced the
manufacture Of leather, and who also
erected building for store for the accom-
mediation Of their hands and villagers.
SiDgmastcr reserving the bark at sale,
erected another tannery two miles north OF
of leather. which he drove Oh for a number
of years. In the year 1851, Mr. Stephen
Kistler of Lehighton, came here, purchased
the tannery of Mr.. Downing & Co. and
commenced the manufacture Of leather.
He also purchased large tract of land and
cleared up farm of 200 acres, which Is In
high state of cultivation. Mr.. Kistler Is
a practical business man and to him is due
the most credit for the rise and progress Of
this section of country, he being the right
man in the right place. The tannery
originally built by Mr.. Simgmaster was
destroyed by fire in 1886, when Mr.. Kistler
rebuilt it on more extensive scale, and 1t
now has a capacity Of 10000 hides per
year. Other buildings were also erected
for dwellings. and he furnishing constant