Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1876-06-28
TIE SUSQUEHANNA BOOM
OF THE ENTERPRISE BY GEO. s.
BANoER.

From the willlamsport Gazette and Bulletin
There can be no doubt but that the
erection Of the Susquehanna boom has
aided immeasurably in the develop
ment Of the lumber interest through.
out the entire valley of the West
Branch OF the Susquehanna river and
its tributaries, extending northward,
westward and south-westward into tho
counties Of Clinton, Centre, Clearfeld,
Cambria, Cameron, Elk, Potter and
Mexican.
And, as corresponding result, the
enhanced value Of farms, timber.lands
and business enterprises Of every kind
and description, as well as the building
up OF towns and villages throughout
this portion of the State, is owing, in
n very great measure, TO the protection
afforded by the Susquehanna boom for
the massing of vast amounts Of lumber
from year to year, and holding it Sc
curely preparatory to its manufacture
at the various mills.
In other words, it has directly en-
couraged the investment of millions Of
dollars of capital, and afforded employ.
ment, together with the means Of live
lihood, to thousands of families. An
institution that has been productive of
such widespread and beneficial results,
and that has become so interviewer
with the growth and prosperity Of
Williamsportand the surrounding coun.
try, certainly has history well worth
preserving for future generations.
The legitimate province of the his.
torian forbids him to be more expo.
nent of private and personal rights or
wrongs, or, in any way, to suffer his
mind to become biased by considera-
tions and circumstances that arc in
themselves purely personal, and that
have no interest or value, save MS they
may affect the interest of few. There
fore, we shall exclude from this article
all personalities, as also all discussions
Of questions that have mere local ap-
plication, and as to the right or wrong
of which private opinion may honest
ly differ.
Many controversies have arisen from
time TO time, between the boom com.
pany and the mill owners and manu-
flcturers of lumber affecting their sup
posed rights, which are purely OF n
personal character. These conirover.
sizes, it is true, form a part of the his.
tory of the boom COMPANY; but mas.
much as they are personal and local.
and respecting which there exists an
honest difference of opinion. thew have
been purposely excluded as matters in
which the public at large have no in.
tercst whatever. NJ
Prior to the year 1876, il is doubt.
ful whether the idea of locating a boom
on the West Branch of the Susoubanna
river, ever occurred 10 anv other indi.
vidual than James II. Perkins. If 40.
there certainly is no record of the fact
In December 1s45, he came to viii.
Transport in company with John Leigh.
ton, for the purpose of eppaoinc in the
manufacture OF lumber; and. sbould
circumstances favor IT, of establishing
boom at or near this place His as.
sociato was lumberman Of large OK.
periencc, and to him, or rather 70 the
good Judgment evinced in the location
of the present boom. il due mucb Of
the success that has attended Il To
many the matter of location NAV an.
pear to be of little conseouence On
the contrary it should be the first con.
sideration, and is always n question Of
the most vital Importance.
The condition Of the sides or shores
of the stream the depth OF water;
the natural flow or tendency of the
current during high stages of water
as also when in quiet or normal con.
dition; the formation of the bed of the
stream, whether or not il will afford
good foundations for the piers or cribs
ALI should be taken into copsidera.
ton, and on each and all of them es.
sential in the proper location of a boom
Another important consideration ia
whether there is in its immediate vi.
cinity, suitable sites for the erection of
mills, and for the piling of lumber.
Soon after their arrival here, Messrs.
Perkins and Leighton directed their
attention to this matter of location,
and settled upon what Is faniliarly
known as the aLong Reach" At this
point we find nearly all Of these essen
tial requisites combined The high
range Of mountains on the south side
of the river afford an insurmountable
barr;ey to tha o,,,,. a....;.,.. ac AZ . t,.