The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1878-05-02
Correspondence,
MCCLURE, SNYDER Co., Pa,
A nri1 17fh 1879

XACNAOhE1 0N O6h SOsS l. 0ss I
April 18th, 1875
Mr.. EDITOR: I will endeavor to-
day to furnish q few items for the
Press, as it has been number of
weeks slnce I wrote to you last. As
I write to-day find myself over here
in Snyder county, in what is called
the town of Mcclure. This little
burgh of about two hundred popula-
ton, on tho line of tho Lewistown and
Sunbury Rrailroad, seventeen miles
from the former place and thirty-th three
miles from the latter. This railroad
is branch of the Pennsylvania Rail-
road. This valley, called the Middle
Creek" is very rich and productive.
The crops thus far are looking we'll.
The peach buds on the ridges arc all
right, but most of them on the low
places are frosted.
The times are dull here as in most
places, and we should judge from ap-
pearances that John Sherman had been
through here also.
Snyder county is very rough and
broken stretch of country, and is set
tied mostly with Dutch, (but little
English being spoken) and those who
have been in the habit of speaking
English heretofore now speak the
Pennsylvania Dutch. Middleburgh is
the county seat of this county, place
Of about two thousand population.
The nearest place of any size is Sell
insgroYe, which lies on the Sueque-
hanah River, about twenty miles down
the valley from here. The Lutherans
and United Brethren are the principle
Churches in this county. The old
school Presbyterians are afew in num-
ber here.
Coal and Iron are found here in large
quantities. There are also extensive
limestone qusrries. ALI along the
ridges for miles can be seen the kilns.
This lime is the main fertilizer of this
country, and millions of bushels are
used annually. Our journey to this
section of the country from McAllis-
terville was over the Shad Mountains
at what is called, Lost Creek Gap, and
then it is one continuous grade up hill
for about four miles. The scenery all
along the route is of SURPRISING beau
ty-one continuous change of noun
tain scenery. After we have arrived
at the summit, it is there quite level q
long ways, when all at once appears
below us this beautiful valley as we
look toward the north, aud then across
it is . limestone ridge, then beyond
the ridge another valley, and beyond
that in the smoky distance can be seen
what is called Jacks Mountains. On
these latter mountains are numerous
bears and deers, 40 Jacks Mount .ins
are composed of seven large ridges,
making q good many miles of wild
territory for game to roam.
Politics here are about the same as
in most places, a little mixed. All are
anxious to see good times. The pas
sage of the Silver bill, a. a general
thing gave good satisfaction in the
various parts where have been. The
greenback idea is none the weaker
converts are beng made every day to
that idea of "honest money" find
q great many Republicans are leaving
their party and falling into the ranks
of that great, growing army, called
Greenbackers.
AS there is not much going on that
would be of interest to the readers of
the PRESS, l will draw my letter to q
close. 1 will merely add that we are
having fine weather here now, very
sunmer-like.
Trout fishing since the lst of April
has been the principle feature Of
amusement. Your correspondent was
out one day alter the speckled beau
ties, and l must say it is no easy trick
to catch them, as they are very shy.
Our lot was large in numbers, but
small in sizs. Some have been caught
that weighed Two pounds, but most of
them are much smaller. They are
very delicious fish and are remarkably