The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-06-13
In tire upper End.


The village of Benton is the centre of the
alleged Fishingcreck Confcderncy of TWEEN
ty years ago, and the ccnlre Of business Of
the Fishingcrcck region of to-day. All
around here are men who were the victims
of persecution IN the dark days Of the
rebellion, because of their political scnti
mcnts, and whose only crime consisted IN
voting the Democratic ticket. The remin-
iscenses Of that time as related by men who
underwent Imprisonment aud suffering in
government bastiles, told now, when all
passion and prejudice has subsidized, form
an interesting tale But the subject is too
familiar to our people to require any com.
mcnts at this late day. The unlawful nc
tion of the government, and the vindica-
tion of the victims, are matters Of history.
recently heard of an incident that oc.
cured in this section some years ago,
which grew out Of the military occupation,
and as have never seen 1t print, give it
us heard 1t. A certain candidate for con-
grcss on the Republican ticket came mp
this way looking after his political inter-
ests, and stopping at a certain residence
met the lady of the house, to whom he
cordially extended his hand and smiingly
said "How do you do, Mrs. -. Don't
you know me ?" The lady in question
looked at him a moment and then recog-
nizing him, replied with some vchemence,
Eyes sir, know you, you are General SO
and SO, who was up here with the soldiers
remember how you camped in our fields
destroyed our grain, burned our fences
called me up frequently at midnight and
ordered me to get supper for yourself and
officers, and never paid cent for what
you got. | have reason to remember you,
and the sooner you leave this house the
better 1t will please me-" The candidate
took the hint, got in his buggy and left
Benton township, and never made his ap-
pearace there again.
Turning from the past let us look to the
present The Fishingcreel railroad has
been, and is now, a subject of frequent
conversation. Everybody is anxious for
the accomplishment of the project. am
sorry to say that the present condition of
the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Com
pany has put a damper on the enterprise
for the present. The Reading is unable to
pay its running expenses in cash, and
has again gone into the hands
OF receiver. This will prevent
1t from building any collateral roads, and
the Fishingcreek enterprise must look
elsewhere for support. Why should not
the Pennsylvania road take hold of it? A
bridge at Bloomsbury would not only give
communication with all this section of
country, but would secure for the Penn
sylvania all the freight for Bloomsburg and
the entire Fishingcreek section. 1t would
undoubtedly be a paying Investment for
the company, and would be of incalcula-
BILE benefit to this end of the county Great
forests of fine TIMBER and large tracts of
ore lands, which can only be developed by
railroad, now lie here almost valueess,
because of the great expense of getting TO
market. Those who have an interest in
the lands could well afford to subscribe
literally towards an enterprise that would
connect them with the business centres of
the country, and tend to develop the
wealthy resources of section now shut in
among the mountains with no outlet ex-
cept by slow teams.
The Fishingcreek railroad will be built
sometime. 1t is only question of years
BY whom or when it will be done, is be-
yond the knowledge of your correspondent.
Trout fishing is quite mania up here.
Most everybody fishes, and some of the
stories told of their success are considera-
bly, larger than the fish caught A great
many trout have been taken, but most of
them are very small. Rev. G. V. Savage
of Benton, who is an expert, is reported to
have captured the biggest fish of the sea-
son, measuring twenty inches. 1t had
been caught before, but made its escape,
taking with it the hook and "A short piece
of line, which il had in its mouth when Sc
cured by Mr.. Savage.
During two days trip through Sugar
loaf township, found that the COLUMBIAN
is read by nearly every family, and what is
better yet, most of them pay for their pa
per in advance. The roads were in excel
lent condition, but found it necessary TO
inquire my way frequently, because the
guide boards are not all up where they
should be. The crops generally are look
ing well, but the corn was put back by the
frost, considerable garden truck was kill
ed, and it is feared that fruit has been af
fected. hope that time may show that
this fear is ungrounded. Z.