The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1908-09-03
A DAYS JOURNEY.
Through Beauty Spots Of Columbia and
Montour Counties.

One morning during the delight
fully cool weather of last week a
party of five left Bloomsbury at
seven O. clock in the morning for a
drive through beautiful part OF
Columbia and Montour counties.
The host OH the occasion was Col.
John G.. Freeze, and two OF his
companions were his nephew, Boyd
Freeze Walker, of Des Moines,
Iowa, and William Leverett, Esq,
of Philadelphia, who read law with
Colonel Freeze and was subsequent
ly admitted TO the bar. Besides
these, there were the driver and the
writer.
The course lay through section
of the country which was new TO
most of the party, but which was
old stamping ground for the Colo
mel, who indulged in delightful
"reminiscences throughout the jour
ney. Few people know the history
and the old associations of the Sur
rounding country as does Colonel
Freeze, and his charming little
touches of humor in connection
with his recollections of the various
landmarks and items of local inter
est made the trip a personally con-
Quoted tour such as few are fortu-
nate enough to participate IN, IN
these matter of fact times.
Driving through Buckhorn and
Jerscytown, past shadowy woods,
prosperous looking farms, and pic
turesque. hills, and emerging at
times into open spaces whence ex-
tensive landscapes spread out mag
nifcently and ran Oh to the distant
ridges-all of which impressed one
with the natural beauties OF the
country.
Derry Meeting House, was the
first stop. On hill overlooking
broad valley to the south, the meet
ing house stands alone, surrounded
by its quaint churchyard and over
shadowed by enormous oaks. One
of the oldest of the Presbyterian
churches in this section, its age is
borne mute testimony to, by the
tombstones marking the spots where
the 'forefathers of the hamlet
Sleep" Some are of comparatively
recent date, but others show on
their faces dates in the first years
of the last century. The door OF
the meeting house was unlocked,
for it is in a peaceful country, and
visit to the interior showed neat
and comfortable house of worship.
The party went thence by way
of Strawberry Ridge and the old
Seidel's Tavern to Exchange. This
little village was the home OF Colo
mel Freeze in about 1896. Many
changes have occurred there. 1t is
neat little place. Every house is
surrounded by we'll kept lawn,
with pretty flower beds. A bank
occupies brick building of its own
And then-this was a very import
ent fact-the hotel puts up an ex-
cellent dinner.
The party roamed around the old
mill premises, where the Colonels
father ran -four mill in the olden
days. Nothing is now lett but a
pair of dilapidated mill stones, and
trace of the foundations.
Then St. James Episcopal church
was visited. 1t is picturesque lit.
tie chapel standing in a grove OF
trees. Its diminutive interior is
we'll furnished in simple, yet ar
tistic manner, and is an attractive
specimen of the rural church.
Exchange was left behind and
Washingtonville was the next point
OF interest where the party stopped.
This town, too, was former home
Of Colonel Freeze, and also of Mr..
Walkers family before they re-
moved to Lancaster. The houses
and places connected with the old
days were visited, and little anec.
dotes of the former residents ana
OF the town of former years were