Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1888-11-28

iron. Hnlcn Sclentlnc investigation and
rractical use have found equal 10 the
b4st magnetic ore of Sweden, the re-
generating power which the industry
has introduced into the country can
scarcely be calculated. Already a few
years OF wise management and iudIcious
work have changed condition of
standardization to one of rational care
taking industry with its accompany
ing moral stinulant.
Not longer than five years ago twen-
ty-one murders were committed in
Mitchell and its neighboring counties
In less than eighteen months, and in
nearly all cases of disagreement pistols
or knives settled the dispute. Illicit
whiskey distllleries were hidden away
among the mountains, which, in their
turn, foStered the lowest social degra-
dation. Idleness was the characteristic
condition of the community, if SO dig
nitied name can be applied to num-
bers of struggling, sing log
cabins. where men, women, children
and pigs were huddled together In an
atmosphere of dirt that festered the ex-
tremes OF immortality.
Money was almost unknown. y few
herbs growing wild on the mountain,
the native fruits produced by prolific
soil, were bartered for the barest ne
cessities OF life. a few hours work
was paid for by an old coat or dress,
and pistol or knife would dig a gar
den or plant patch of corn. Knowing
this, one may imagine the result, when
honest work came to receive Its equiv
alent in generous wages and 4 we'll
1lled store house supplied the Increased
necessities of au Industrious life.
1t had its effect-in creating wants,
fostering self-respect, arousing ambi-
tiOn for. cleanliness and cultivating a
taste for the useful and ornamental
arts.
Ignorance followed in the wake of
idleness, and native ability expended
itself in sharp bargaining, political
gambling, and social enmities. Within
i've years both secular and religious
schools have been planted, teachers
selected, and often paid for by the
large-hearted, far-seeing men VINO are
pushing this iron ind ustry, AMI who.
though in search of wealth through
their gigantic mineral enterprise, re-
cognize that education and Christianity
are the most potent influences to lifl
men into the full daylight of modern
civilization. And their united and
| continuous efforts have already brought
a reward, for the people, notwithstand-
ing their past social degradation, have
responded to the humaniZing Influences
and have developed capabilities and al
aptitude for learning which, in indi'
vIdual instances, have been almost
| phenomenal. We have invariably OBJ
served, IN talking with the children
along the roads, or in making visits Il
the humble log cabins, not only The
beauty and intelligence OF their faces
but the qulckness of perception and
native wit shown in their answers tC
questions, which would be hard TO find
in our own native mountain popula.
ton.
More than all. there is an encourag
! ing feature in thu social reform, found
in a certain Unborn integrity of TIE
mountaineer's character, which though
often distorted and oyerlapped, like tb;
! primary strata of his own mountain
rocks, is not wholly destroyed, and in
! stances are not rare where men have
risen above their surroundings and
| have lived honest, noble lives, IN the
midst of almost universal degradation
No one is able to foresee what tins
/ highly favored country. now in course
| or development, may yet become. For
/ though its mineral wealth is enormous
| Its agricultural possibilities are equally
valuable, and upon them its future
/ prosperity Will, IN a large measure, de-
pend.
We are told by gentleman who has
had long northern experience in farm,
ing, and who is the owner of tract
recently purchased and now being
/ cleared for cultivation, that the sol
and climate are favorable to the mos
| Intelligent and scientific modes of farm
/ ing. Mountaineers are waking up Il
the opportunities that surround them
ami the demand for small farms is felt
The consequence is that the large
North Carolina land-bolders, burdened
by possessions that yielded no revenue
are surveying their old tracts, dividing
and selling them off, and the sound ol
| the falling trees in these great forest!
tells that the old order OF things i
slowly passing away.
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