The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-01-23
THE CHANGE THAT FIFTY YEARS
HAVE WROUGHT.

movement, few indeed that ever cast
a backward glance, or even notice who
may be dropping into the land of for
getfulness, or thrust against the natural
vices and left strewn by the wayside,
moral and physical wrecks. People
who have attained to the age Of IS or
more years cannot help but note the
progress the country made in their
immediate vicinity, as it advanced,
step by step, in improvement. enter
prise and all other arti6ces for the
development of every neighborhood,
circumstantially, morally and intellec-
tually. Inventive genius, science and
art have led in the progression. Neigh
borhoods and larger communities
are mutually dependent upon each
other, no less than individuals and
neighbors are. Thus the country
moves on with uniform momentum
We remember well in the early history
Of our childhood, and place Of our
birth, the locality known as Scr
many" embracing the larger part Of
Fishingcreek township, was yet to a
great extent, vast wilderness of
sturdy oaks and towering pines, and
the "squatter' was yet to be found
and still made temporary abode in the
woods and sold his improvement and
possessive right at the first opportunity.
There were. however, at this time
large number of permanent settlers
with farms partially cleared, and in
many instances the only means Of
conveyance was a wood sled and rude
cart with yoke Of cattle as the only
means sof transportation to facilitate
their immediate necessities. The
roads, rough and stumpy were only
temporary. The principal high ways
were the State road. Millroads and the
old Berwick Turnpike These were
the only thoroughfares leading to and
connecting distant points, traversing
through large sections of unbroken
forests and crossing mountain ranges.
The former class of roads were irregu-
lar in their course and winding to suit
conveniency often crossing and fire.
quently intersecting the main thorough
fares, and were Usually private roads,
and under no authoritative jurisdiction
A glance into the dim past only re-
veals faint light, shaded by obscuri-
ty, when the pioneer made his abode
in the unbroken wilderness, and led
the van of civilization before which
fled the wild beast, and the forest
woned and gave way to his untiring
energy and zeal to tame the soil, that
mother earth might nourish her veteran
sons with the fruits Of her bosom.
Alongside the small brook he built his
rude hovel of round or flatted timber,
daubed the cracks with mud and straw
erected a large stone chimney as a
means Of comfort in winter, and con-
venience for cooking always. The
famous "backlog" was always in place,
and in cold weather a log heap was
always burning, giving heat and light
to its destitute occupants. Usually
the loft was reached by means Of a
ladder. His opportunities were few,
but his responsibilities great, for the
reason that on him we're depending all
future greatness and achievements. All
history demonstrates the fact that he
discharged his obligations we'll, and
contributed his full share of glory that
now crowns the world with such daz-
cling splendor. His posterity persev-
cred with the same energy and now we
can enter the humble home of half cen
tury ago. Here was "business on the
first foor.' The spinning wheel and
loom, and the manufacture Of fbers
into thread and cloth, which was made
into all manner Of wearing apparel,
copperas check suits, and linen shirts
for summer, and flannels and butter
nut woolen fulled cloth, for winter.
Flax was extensively raised and sheep
kept, and the fibers and fleeces furnish
ed employment for the average family
nearly the year round, and the artif-
cial light for evening employment, or
enjoyment comprised the famous pine
knot, fish-oil, lard or tallow candles.
The cobbler's bench and shoemakers
tools were part of the furniture in many
homes. The feather tick was proof
against the most piercing cold during
the slumbers of the long winter nights,
Ten plate stoves were at this time
luxury. Furniture and culinary arti-
cles were few and of the plainest kind.
A little later the Hathaway Patent"
cooking stove was introduced and that
meant more for home economy and con-
venlence than harvester or mower
at this time. Forty five to fifty dollars
was the price for Hathaway" stove.
A large portion of land titles, especially
OF the Weidman tracts were in dispute
and real ownership was difficult to
fnd. AT last, however, spurious and
doubtful land titles assumed valid and
permanent ownership and the land
speedily passed into the hands of per
manent settlers. In the reconstruc-