The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1876-01-14
Original.
History of Columbia County.
NUMBER II.

The Susquehanna was always favorite
stream among the Indians, and residence
upon its banks was coveted by all the tribes.
| We find the Delawares, the Shawanese, the
Gangawese the Conays, the Moneys and
Others on the two branches and in the val
Ieys lying in the Forks of the Susquehanna
But above the Forks, the west side of the
West Branch was much better known than
the west side Of the North Branch. On the
former, almost every stream can be identified
by its Indian name, but not in the latter.
Fishing Creek, and Hcmlock and Green and
Huntingdon seem to have lost all trace of
the aboriginal title, and in no authority
| which have been able to consult, have l..
found any certain clue to the Indian name.
And that is the more singular, because the
war and hunting paths of the different tribes
| lay through Columbia county, ana across
and along the streams / have mentioned.
Van Campen tells us that when in 177S
he headed scouting party, they started
| from McClures Fort, went up Fishing Creek
about three miles to Wheeer's Fort, thence
TO the head waters of Green Creek, crossed
over through Eyes' swamp to Little Fishing
Greek, thence to the Chillisquaque Creek,
| and from that stream to the Muncy hills, and
crossing them struck the waters of Muncy
Creek, and thence ascended or descended as
the eXigencies of the service required.
Subsequently, in 1850, party of Indians
came upon the settlers about Wheeler's Fort,
killed Van Campen's father and brother, and
taking Moses prisoner went up Big Fishing
Creek to Huntingdon creek, thence to the
mouth of Little Tunkhannock Creek, thence
up the river to Big Tunkhannock, aud on to
Meshoppen, Wyalusing, and so by the Paint
ed Post to Albany. In none of the narra-
tives of such expeditions which have read,
does the original Indian name of Fishing
creek Orany Of its aflluents appear. There must
be such designation and any authentic in
formation upon the subject will interest all
our citizens.
Nescopeck was the only southern route for
travel between Wyoming and Shamokin.
Coming down the Susquehanna on their way
to Chester, Lancaster, Philadelphia, Conesto-
ga or other places for holding councils, they
left the river at Wyoming or at Nescopeck
and only predatory raids for murder or plum
der came down the river on the west side.
Consequently we have less knowledge of that
than of other portions of the Valley. The
name of the Shawanese village located where
Bloomsbury now stands has never turned up
amongst all my researches. The Indian
name of Briarcrcek is among my papers and
will be recovered in due time.
Catawissa is "ye most ancient village of
which we have any knowledge, and was
known by that name to whites and Indians
in 1928, and doubtless much earlier. James
lie Tort writes under date of "May ye u" of
that ycar-"We always thought that the
Governor knew nothing of the fight between
the Shawaynos and the white people," And
the famous chiei:ain Lapackpitton, who left
his name temporarily upon the place, was
there in l754.
The West Branch, as it is now called, was
known TO the Indians by the namc of Otsin-
acksun; and ! refer to some Of the localities
upon that river because all the territory
above Point Township to the Lycoming
county line was once part of Columbia
county. In 1888 Mr. Weiser writes to the
Governor that a company Of Indians had in
formed him that they intended to build a
town on the river Otsinacksun, at place
cal cd Olsluagy, or as given elsewhere, OF
Stuacky, and desiring him to send some men
to fence cornfeld Tor them. And accord
ingly in june following, we find him writ
ing to the Governor as follows: Last night
| arrived safe qt my house from Olstuachy,
an Indian town about 45 miles above Sha-
m0kin, ON the northwest branch of Susque-
hanna river, where have been with ten hr-
ed men 10 fence in corn-ied for the In
dians, according to your Honor's order"
Farther along in hi. letter he says: 81 left
one sack OF Flower (sic)with them, the same
| did to the Indians nj Canasoragy, about
ten miles ON this side of Otstuachy."
So, in another letter from the same Conrad
Weiser from the same place. dated May >,
l754, he says; Last night | arrived safe
from my journey to Shamokn and Wyo-
mink, Of which think | am Obliged by your