Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1889-07-19
"Oh, Come TO the Old Oak
Tree
II happened this way:

IL was a bee tree, gentle reader, bee
tree in the wood northeast of town, known
as the Hundred Acres" or Reservoir
HILL" and H. II. Goucher, Esq, discover
ed il thus: Some days ago as he sat on his
porch reading, a gentle zephyr blew from
the Hundred Acres and a part of this
Goucher intercepted, whereupon he be
came excited and said:
Fee, fiie foo, fun, cor words to that
eiTect), | smell the honey of bee tree.
Ten minutes later he was wildly rushing
through the wood, and sure enough there
was the bee tree, and an immense one it
was. After taking in all the bearings, he
retired precipitately on being attacked by
about one hundred (l00) of the bees. The
smell of the honey was so overPowering
that he could scarcely force himself to
leave.
(History is not nearly so clear on this
finding of the famous bee tree as we might
desire so we do not wish to go on record
as absolutely vouching for the truth OF the
finding of the bee tree. As to the remain
der. we have the full documents IN the
case. including Goucher's confession. Ed
Goucher then made straightway for the
office of Jno. NJ Greer, Esq, to whom he
divulged the secret. 4 conference OF
few moments decided them upon organizing
a company, and Geo. W Fleeger was call
ed. duly sworn. and -- but hold, Greer
SAYS the oath did not appear to take, y
and he insisted on re-swearing him in
Dutch. Goucher was then elected presi-
dent. Greer secretary and treasurer, and
Fleeger, committee on constitution and
bylaws. 1t was decided to take in two
more members, and L. e. Abrams and
Alex. Russell were duly elected and sworn
in Committees on nets, axes, saws, boxes,
barrels and shipping rates were appointed.
| Adjourned.
Another meeting was held at winch
mu ch business was transacted, but owing
to the fact that secretary Greer lapsed into
| a state of absent mindedness in which the
most terrible symptoms were shown, such
as continually staring in the direction OF
the Hundred Acres, smacking his lips
| and murmuring, 20, who would be bee !,
| all the while unconscious of the presence
! of the other members, We are unable to
give a report in full, but it was decided to
harvest the honey on Monday night.
On Monday night at III o'clock the mem
bers appeared in full force in the ravine
below the wood, armed and equipped as
follows: Goucher; compass, 'Hoyle on
Bees, constitution and by laws, seal, riot
act, and bee-box Greer; loaf of bread, big
spoon, dog will. Fleeger; cross-cut saw,
and file to sharpen, soda. Russell; axe
and 500 empty honey-boxes. Abrams;
wheelbarrow, hogshead, torches, pick and
shovel, guns, rope, block and tackle,
matches.
Abrams Immediately demanded that
Greer relieve him of part of his burden.
After much talk Greer took nine matches
on condition that Abrams would help him
over the rough places. Goucher wanted to
know what the loaf of bread was for. and
Greer replied, ''to feed the dog" in answer
to the question, 'FWhat is the dog forf
Greer grew very much excited and wildly
wanted to know if they were aware of the
fact that the Mohawk Indian was buried
| up there Fleeger asked if the bee tree
was in the vicinity of the grave, and said
| it might be better in that case to make the
raid in daylight, on account of Greer
Greer disdained the imputation, but want
ed to know if it would not be desirable tc
obtain legal advice in the matter of cutting
down bee trees. Fleeger Immediately SAID
that he would not move step towards il
till he had asked a lawyer. Goucher asked
how long the Indian had been buried, and
on being told, announced that the raid
would not take place that night, but
Abrams and Russell declared that they had
not borne their burdens that far for nothing
and they would go on, whether the three
were afraid to go or not.
The line of march was Immediately ia
ken up as follows:
Abrams, and luggage, Russell resting OF
his left flank, and at an interval of fifty
feet, Goucher, Greer and Fleeger, in ;
bunch, surrounded by the dog. Gouche,
thought it might be less dangerous to clos'
up a little on the front, but it was decided
not And in this order the party reached
the apiary, having previously drawn nets
over their faces, and placed gloves on
their hands. Torches were lit, and the
baggage unlimbered Fleeger began saw
ing, while the rest held their torches VI
and scanned the tree. Sure enough, "
the side could be seen a large, dirty
ginning to angrily dart Greer mounted
stump, and began, Glow doth
The riot act was read. Fleeger then wa
beginning to tire and Abrams took hi
place while Fleeger held the soda. TIL
tree was Just about to fall when a frightfu
yell from Greer turned their attention t.
him. He was lying on a log, in one han'
he held spoon, and in the other the loaf
while on his breast lay his will He feebl,
asked Russell to tell his family that tn
Presbyterans had done for him. ''Se
that Goucher hangs fol this" he shrieked
''see that he hangs"
Goucher was hanging on limb trying t
break the tree down, but he yelled:
''I wouldn't make so much fuss owe
one little bee sting, Greer. Git often tina
log and help pull this tree down"
The tree cracked and came down with
crash, and Greer was the first to the honey
What there was of it was splendid, onl
there wasn't any of it, nor sign of bee
Then the wrath of that crowd descendc
upon Goucher, and they broke up his pref
ty bee box, and made a bonfire of it, an
danced war dance around it.
And Greer and Russell caught him an
wanted to execute him indian fashion-b
roasting-but Fleeger appeased them b
singing a comic song, and having GouchC
promise never to do it again.
Then the corporation gathered up its by
laws and implements and went home; bu
the story got out, and this is why Gree
and Goucher had important business out I
town the next day, why Russell carried
rifle, why Fleeger was perfectly deaf, an
why Abrams tackled everybody will
''Now, let me write you a policy in the,
etc, etc.
S Oil Well Notes.
Gibson d Gahegan's well on the Ja
Welsh farm, Jefferson twp, reached tn