The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1886-10-22
ADDITIONAL LOCAL.
tFoR tbs CoLuNBtAN.l
Baumtown.
BY JOHN SUTTON.

Far up the creek, where mountains
lift their lofty heads toward the clouds
and many gushing spring sends its
contribution to the main stream is
Baumtown town with name but no
habitation. We have often heard of
the man who could not see the town
for houses, but here things are reverse,
we cannot see the houses for the town
or more correctly speaking, we cannot
see the town for the want of houses.
But there ii is, and is as definitely To-
Gated as is Saltwater or Benton, and
any person in the neighborhood can
point it out to you. Why it is called
Baumtown belongs to an earlier page
of the history of upper Fishingcreek,
and tor the benefit of the younger
readers of the COLUMBIAN will en-
deavor to transcribe it.
Between As and 80 years ago, man
could be often seen travelling up and
down the creek road, carrying on his
shoulder an odd looking leathern sack.
He was rather short of stature, but
compactly built, and moved upon his
feet with firm tread. His beard was
thick and flowing, and his uncut hair
parted in the middle of his forehead
in true Nazareen style, hung in ringlets
about his shoulders, his complexion
was dark, but his eye was bright, and
his countenance, though serious, was
pleasant He came from one Of the
lower counties, built cabin, erected a
sawmill and for several years engaged
in the manufacture of lumber on the
spot now dedicated to his memory.
We called him Brother Baum, because
he was preacher. He belonged to a
sect known in UNCONVENTIONAL history,
as 'the church of Cod but was better
known among the people as "Wine.
brenarians." He taught US good Doc.
trine and exhorted zone and each" OF
us to repent and be baptised but as.
sured us,
The work was not complete,
Unless we washed each other feet.
1t is said, once while holding forth
at Orangeville, and upon the impor
tance of feet washing man was seer
to leave the house but soon returned
with basin of water and towel, ap
preaching the stand he said, "Brothel
l am convinced of the duty you teact
and wish to commence the practice O
it, here and nov, by washing your feet.
But said the minister, this is not tn,
time and place, it is church ordinance
and you must come to our quarterly
meeting, where we will be happy Il
join you in this important duty. All
but said he in reply, before that tim,
comes, l may die what then will be
come of my poor soul? But he wa
comforted with the thought suggested
that
In cases of EXTREMIST need
The will is taken for the deed.
There was another thing, that, per
haps, had something to do in bringin.
the old gentlemen into this section
where he thought he could make som
money. He was strongly impressed
with the duty of going as missionar,
to the "Flathead Indians In privat
conversation on the subject he becam
quite excited over the thought of HOY
much good he could do amon
them, and would start on his mission a
soon as he could raise the neccessar
means. But alas for human calculs
tious he found like others before hir
and since, that numbering in the mount
aims and hauling the products so far t
market was not paying business, tha
when the expenses were paid there wa
nothing left, if they, even came on
square. So he disposed of his propert
and returned to where he came from
and has long since passed away lik
all things earthly. His cabin and hi
mill, too, are gone, not vestage c
their being left to show that her
brains had been active planning, hand
had been busy toiling, and war;
heart had looked forward with plea
ing antioipations to the Accomplishment
of an object but had failed, we believ
he never went on his mission to th
"Flatheads" perhaps he found thel
nearer home, but he left behind hin
what many man who made muc
greater stir in the world has failed [
do, an honest name.