The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1911-04-13
AS OTHERS SEE Us.
CONTINUED from first page. !


that the name was originally Mel
lette and that it has changed to
its present spelling IN the intel
venlng years. Numerous other
family names of French, German
and English origin are we'll rep.
resented.
FULTON COUNTY FOLK LOVE HOMES.
Many OF the residents engage in
farming or storekeeping. 1t Is the
custom Of some of the farmers to work
in the woods during the winter, cutting
timber, and several OF them, have ac-
cumulated falrsized fortunes by COM
bining the two occupations. There is
very little evidence OF poverty, and
when family is In want there is an
immediate answer made to their ap-
peal by the neighbors. The problem
OF living is very simple one, and ir-
comes or salaries that would seem
pitiful to city-bred people enaole the
residents to live in far better style
than many men who are receiving sal
aries OF 81 800 or more year in the
large towns.
Many sons and daughters OF old
residents have journeyed from their
paternal firesides to great cities, and
innumerable instances exist in which
they have risen TO afiiuence and high
places In mercantile and professional
life. But the old love OF their noun
tain home never seems to fade away,
and the yearly trip to dear old Full
ton" is anticipated throughout the
year OF labor or study in stores and
offices in distant parts OF the land.
McConnellsburg, the county seat, is
located in a small valley, which was
named by the old settlers, on their
way across the State, "The Big Cove"
because it presented such a peaceful
appearance when one finally succeeded
in climbing to the top OF the Tuscorora,
and looked down into the beautiful
spot, which at its widest part is not
more than three miles across. Sever
al small streams can be seen flowing
down toward the Maryland line, which
is only abont % miles away and in
the hollows along their banks we'll
built houses and barns testify to the
fact that the soil in this haven OF the
old settlers is OF fine character and
very productive. Stacks OF straw can
be seen at every barn in the valley,
and Notwithstanding the fact that 1t is
impossible to ship milk from such an
isolated district, large droves OF cat
tie can be seen grazing the fields.
Several creameries located in different
parts Of the county receive the great
er part OF the milk and from these
large quantities of butter are shipped
over the mountains to the cities.
Many OF the farmers conduct their
own butter making operations, espec-
tally since the introduction OF small
separator, and either sell their pro-
duct to the creameries or peddle it
among the townspeople.
From the top OF the Tuscarora II Is
possible TO see across the intervening
Meadow Ground Mountain TO the big
Sideling barrier to the west. South
ward on clear day the spires Of Han
cock, 20 odd miles away, can be seen
over the hills, which separate Big
Cove from the valley TO the south,
drained by the famous bass stream,
Licking Creek. To the southeast is
Little Cove, smaller valley, entirely
surrounded by hills and mountains,
which can be reached only by climb
ing for several hours over roads that
would deter the most reckless autono-
bile chauffeur in the world. This val
ley is also extremely productive and
we'll settled.
West Of the Big Cove is the upper
end of Licking Creek valley, a much
wider and less fertile district than the
eastern settlements This is cut up by
high ridges, which in many places APP
proach the distinction OF being called
mountains, and here although the soil
is rather poor, the majority Of the
population OF l0,0o0 credited to the
county, are to be found.
The only industry outside OF farm
ing is numbering and as this is done
only on small scale, there is little
demand for imported labor. AS q
result, 1t is rare thing for an out
slider TO venture into this district to
engage In business. Usually II man
has the temerlty to invade the envir-
onments Of this county, he rues the
experiment, especially II he has start
ed in a business Of any sort that re-
quires much help from natives. In
the past, many attempts have been
made by unscrupulous men to "gold
brick" the farmers, and to-day all
strangers are looked upon with sus-