Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-03-04
Early Recollections.

To THE EDITORS or THE CENTRE DEM
ocRAT In looking over "A file of old
papers, j came across two ancient docu-
ment. One WAS the last will and testa-
ment Of Jacob Henning, dated Harrisburg,
Pa, March 2lst, 1910. The other an or
der drawn by Ezekiel Zimmerman on
james Potter, DIR. Daniel Dobbins, John
q. Lowery and Elisha Moore, guardians
for the heirs of Robert Boggs, deceased, in
favor of franklin B. Smith. and dated
Milesburg, July l., 1877, which order wa
afterwards assigned to my father, George
Henning. These have brought 10 mind
my own recOllections, as Il child, Of Belle
iunte and vicinity. ! have il by tradition
that my great-grsndiather, Boggs, settled
in the Bald Eagle valley previous 10 the
Revolution and Indian wars, and partici-
pn;ed in them. My grandfather, Robert
Boggs, WAS born a short distance below
Miiesburg, and my mother and myself
were born on the same farm. There Was
an old hollow buttonwood tree near the
Bald Engle creek, on the Boggs farm, call.
rd the Eagles Ncst, from the fact llIst the
I'D Indian chief, Bald Eagle. had occu.
pied it for his wigwAm. The story Of my
grandfather shooting an Indian who at
tempted 10 decoy him into ambush, by i'm
itaiing wild turkey, may still be remem-
ber"d by some OF your oldest citizens. In
1871 my father removed 10 Mllesburg, aud
occupied the house and lot next below The
bridge. At that time there Was two Ur
threc-story warehouse on the rear end OF
tue lot next tae creek. The Lipton's
Greens, Mileses, Hoovers, Mckibbons, &c,
are siiil ihmiliHT names 10 my ear.
In 1923 we removed 10 Bellefonte, INV
father purchasing the stone house on the
south eud Of Main street, near the road
leading to the big spring William Irwin
kept store north OF US on the same eide OF
the street. Judge Illusions residence Wa
opposite the store, aud following a lane
east to the next street was the residence of
Andrew Gregg, and opposite him lived a
Mr.. Reed, "a jeweller. The southwest
corner from Us WAS occupied BY Mr.. Nc
Gee, blacksmith. The old Academy on
the hill near the big spring was kept By
Mr.. kickock, and Mr.. Parker taught
school on the street leading north from
Petriken's corner. There was the Simp-
sons mill and the Snyders mill on Spring
creek, and the Ironworks on the came
stream towards Milesburg. / can remeln-
bcr Judge Burnside, Roland Curtin, Hen
ry Petriken, the Armours, Humeses, G.
Ircziyunly, &c., &c. The arrest Of Munks
for murder, his trial, conviction and exc
cuiion were an exciting theme in those
days. Ny first recollection of politics,
which ] have dAbbled in considerably since,
was the Gubernatorial election in 1924,
between Shuluz and Gregg, and my boyish
sympathies were with Gregg as Belle
fonter.
In the spring of 1925 my father and
family removed to Ithica, y. Y, and
only once since then have visited in
Bellefonte. On 3 return trip from Wash
ington, in 1856, made flying visit to
your place, intending 10 pass one day in
looking over old scenes, without making
myself known; but unfortunately in ak
ing simple question at Milesburg my
identity became known, and pressing in
vitations for visits from relatives and
old family friends became 20 numerous
that in despair took the early morning
stage for Birmingham, which | have ever
since regretted. | crave the pardon of
those kind friena= zho then rendered me
their hospitalities, and would state that
owing to force OF circumstances which
rendered IL necessary for me 10 be home by
a stated time / was compelled 10 treat
them so shAbbily. Nothing would nov
afford me more pleasure than a visit to the
home Of my childhood. OF my fathers
family I am the only remnant of the
Pennsylvania stock left. A brother and
three sisters, born in New York, are still
living. My brother resides at Indianapo.
lis, and is general manager of the Indian
apolis, Bloomington and Western railroad.
Very respectfully, Yours &c,
JoHN o. HENSINo.
HUDSON, Wis, February rs, 1850.