The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1879-12-02
For THE TIMES.
LITTLE Germany. Nov. "a. 1s1i n.

Little Germany, Nov. "a, 1879.
Mr.. Editor = This is called Little Ger
many, but for what reason 1t received this
appellation, we are not able to tell 1t
might be so.called to distinguish It from
big Germany or from Germany in Europe
to which IL may have strong resem-
blance. (9)
1t is supposed that it received its title
from the fact that number of Germans
at one time solely occupied this goodly
land. If q COMMITTEES were now appointed
to honor this picturesque and romantic
valley with name, we are inclined to
think it would be called Holy Land, not
because we have two good comfortable
churches here, and because most of the
people in this favored spot adhere to some
ten religious beliefs, but because more holes
have been dug here in search of minerals,
than in any other part OF the county. And
not only this, but on the old furnace road
formerly leading from the old stone church
to Julius Guerskey's farm, can be seen a
hole that was dug in search of a pot of
money, which was dreamed of for three
consecutive nights. This occurred some
thirty years ago, and to this day it is be-
lieved that the peculiar pot existed there,
and was taken out by some unknown per-
son.
This is truly Holy Land, for holes can
be found in nearly every field. Digging
for coal and iron ore was commenced here
more than forty years ago, and hundreds
and even thousands of dollars spent for
that purpose. Ore digging here some years
ago, was attended with success. The Per-
ry Furnace and Oak Grove Furnace, took
tons of iron ore from the mines on Mr..
Dum's farm in this valley. Since those
furnaces were stopped, the iron ore busi-
ness was abandoned, but since then COM
panies have been organized several times to
dig for coal, but with no success, and pri-
vate individuals have been digging for the
same mineral with the same result. About
ten or twelve years ago a company was in-
augurated for the purpose of boring for
coal, and after consuming much time, and
spending five hundred dollars, they aban-
boned the enterprise.
1t is said during the boring that they
struck vein of coal (?) about three inches
thick.
Another company was organized about
three years ago, and after operating few
months they quit.
Interest in digging iron ore was revived
a few months ago. Different localities have
been prospected, but finally the old ore
mines ON Mr.. Jacob Dum's farm have been
reopened, where three or four hands are
employed daily. Several large shafts have
ore already taken out.
For fear Of wearying your readers, will
change the subject.
One of the first schools in this county
was established here. About 1850 school
house was erected on IA lot of Il acres of
ground, by Henry Ludolph Spark, Ger
man school-master. Mr.. Spark taught
school many years, and at his death do
mated the lot and the house thereon erected
for school purposes. After Mr.. Sparks
death, Isaiah Carl succeeded him, aud ad-
ministered school affairs for upwards of
twenty years, with such success that the
school-house came to be called "Carl's".
Mr.. Carl was followed by Mr.. Daniel
Preisler, and Mr.. Preisler by j. B. Cooper,
ESQ.,, and Cooper by the Hon. VIM. Grier,
present elected associate judge and since
then it was taught by many different male
teachers until last fall, when Miss Annie
Showalter took charge of this school, and
fhus far has been as successful as any of
her predecessors.
The old Germany church stands on the
ground that was donated by Spark. This
church was occupied by the Lutheran and
Reformed congregations for about thirty
years, but now abandoned by them. Rev.
VIM. Helm and Rev. G. II. Leinbach at
first served their respective congregations
in this church.
The Dunkards have services here every
eight weeks, and the United Brethren have
services here every four weeks. Union
Sabbath School is held here nearly every
summer, but for want of interest it gener-
ally dies out in good time to go into winter
quarters.
A very interesting Bible class was organ
lied here with Mr.. ID. II. Smith as teacher. ;
Mr.. Smith is very efficient Bible teacher
aud his class were very sorry that the class
was broken up so soon, A few weeks ago
it met for the last time, when the following
members of the class were present; Miss
Annie Foose, Miss Jennie Rice, Mr.. Fred.
Eoose and G. w. Gehr. After few ap-
propriate and solemn remarks by all the
members, they separated with the hope
that if they shall no more meet in Bible
class here that they shall meet in region
Of glorious immortality, where parting
snail he no moro.