The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1900-01-11
CENTER COUNTY.
THE BEST HUNTING GROUND IN THE
STATE. INTERESTING FACTS.
written by TJ. Thompson.

lHUllef iOmelkef lluNluS SuCl uu
exciting deer ride, while out
hunting i'm the wild forest now
embraced in Centre county.
Some readers OF the News may
have doubts as TO a deer making
such an attack upon a hunter.
Let us compare the wide and
sparsely settled section Of coun-
try, then with what it is now.
In 1900, twenty-five years after
the above deer ride, there were
of the Irish and German settlers
and their descendants only five
thousand in the county of Centre,
to be compared with the forty
four thousand or more people
that comprise the population now,
one hundred and twenty five
years after Smokers deer ride.
There is evidently much game
in that section yet.
quote from the News Dec.
q, 1899, under head of "Keystone
State. "-"The hunting season in
Centre county, just closed, has
been the best this section of the
state experienced in years.
During the one month for kill
ing deer, fully double the num-
Der of fleet-footed animals were
secured that has been killed in
any season for ten years. 1t is
estimated that not less than 100
have been killed. Averaging
this number at l25 pounds apiece
and we have a total of from five
to six tons of venison secured by
sportsmen in Center county
grounds.
Aside from deer killed small
game was plentiful-literally no
end to rabbits and pheasants,
while for wild turkeys the woods
were full Of them, and the num-
Der killed was quite large.
Probably the best sport indul-
ged by the most experienced
hunters was quail shooting. 1t
is q safe estimate that not less
than five thousand were secured
in Center county during the two
months of the open season, and
there are still left plenty of the
birds for the spring Matching
providing they stand the winter
in good shape"
Going back seventy years hear
what the editor of the Bellefonte
Patriot says of his county in his
day;
eve will close our remarks
with one word for our county in
general. Most emphatically call
ed Centre county; and as it is the
heart of the state by geographical
position, so it is the head by Local
advantages.
True, we have mountains, but
we have plains, and our noun
tains are as valuable as valleys.
First, they preserve health
We have no fevers nor chills; but
many births and few deaths.
Second, our mountains abounc
with fine timber of every kline
and qeality; and with minera
wealth. In short, for fertility o.
soil, mineral resources, manufac
turing advantages and every
thing which contribute to man,
comfort and happiness, it is
scarcely equalled, certainly no
surpassed, by any county in The
state "
Referring to "many births anC
few deaths" in the above eulogy
in support of it in the report o
Center county for 1899 show.
1920 births and 4S2 deaths or 53'
more births than deaths during
the year.
Permit me to refer 10 my an
cestry, bred, born, raised, lived
and some died in the county
many reaching the age of IS t.
96 years.
The patriot also speaks of tn
fine timber of every kind AM
! quality on the mountains. Man,
) buildings in our town aud count,
have in their make up lots o
Centre county lumber. During
! the past twenty years a larg
, onooupt of Sidin0 material fO