The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1913-02-18
A TRIP ACROSS DAMASCUS
Over Hill and Dale-Interestingl
Told by Our Damascus Scribe.

Damascus village is an unpre-
tentious riparian cluster of homes.
Whether she bears any traits or re-
semblance to her namesake in the
Orient, we can only conjecture. We
find it to be one of ten hamlets nam
ed in honor of this ancient city. The
village itself is not compact but ex-
tends from the shore of the Della
ware on an eastern incline, along the
old Newburg and Great Bend turn
pike till it reaches a plateau on the
first fight of the river spurs. Two
wings also run along the river front.
A post office, general store, harness
shop, smithy, furniture and under
taking rooms, two churches and
High school constitute some of the
prominent points of notice in the
group of structures. We have chos-
en- for our pen trip a course along
the turnpike road. To note every
point along the line of the trip
would occupy too much time and
space for this letter.
On the first terrace after leaving
the Delaware stands an imposing
structure at our right. At this spot
at one time lived DR.. Luther Appley,
whose only surviving son is Luther
who resides on the Galilee road
about two miles from this village.
This particular spot has frequently
changed owners and bears no re-
semblance now of its former self
1t looks as though some good fairy
had waved her wand and transform
ed chaos into a paradise. The prop
erty is now owned by T. A. Oliver, a
great-grandson of DR.. Luther APP
pley. The doctor married Mary E.
Effinger as a second wife. She was
Philadelphia lady of Quaker ex-
traction, and wealthy. Mrs. Appley
and also her only daughter, spent
the evening of her life in Homes
dale and the remains Of both now
repose in Glen Dyberry.
On the western outskirts of the
village stands the dwelling of the
late DR.. Theron Appley, now the
home of his son, Amasa. This was
the first Gothic structure in these
parts. 1t was erected more than a
half century ago, the builder being
Mr.. Lane, uncle of the late c. j.
Lane, who also worked on the build
ing, having just attained his ma
jority. Standing few rods from
this was where the old Damascus
Union Academy stood but has since
been modelled into a High school.
In the old Academy, the writer sat
at the feet of the late John Austin
McLaury whose image he reverenced.
Passing from here and leaving the
village behind, we pass down a short
declivity, cross a level and begin an
other climb. When nearly at the top
of this we halt to look at where was
a famous hostelry presided over by
the Lukens. Here also stands one
of the stone mile-posts marking the
distance from the Hudson river.
Here the old tally-ho stage coach
had relay station. The smithy was
conducted by Richard Dickens, but
was familiarly termed big Dick" p"
| 1t is said that when he took up a
| horses foot it was held as though
in an iron vice. He was Herculean
| in strength and gigantic in stature.
Maybe some idea of this mans size
may be gained when we relate that
he was obliged to have a pair of
lasts turned especially for his own
use in order that his foot gear would
| fit. We never saw the man but we
saw the lasts in the shoe shop of the
| late James Lovelass where his shoes
were made to order. These lasts
were marked XIV and measured 3 R
inches across the ball Some of the
old buildings are yet giving good
! service, but the tavern was Destroy
ed by fire several years ago. The
present owner of the property is
Fred S. Price. Going a little farther
we see the farm of another Lukens
| brother, now the property of H. B.
Lord. Just a few rods farther on
the other side of the road another
| brother lived. This is now the home
of Joseph Abraham. Previous to the
present owner was John o. Jackson
who claims he put into use the first
silo in this section. A short distance
| farther west stood one of the toll
houses and the spot is still marked
| by clump of rose bushes and tansy
so commonly found around dwell
lings when doctors were scarce and
herb teas were in vogue. Continu-
ing up another elevation we pass the
home of Hon. H. Clark Jackson who
is directing so much attention at
| himself at present. Up, up we go
till, at the top of this climb, we see
the village of Tyler Hill spread be-
fore us. You know a city upon a
mn NuhhOI NC hlubChJ hGlIlGl CGlu
| this one.
Just as we enter the village from
the east stands the manse of the
late David Fortnam. This property
is descended to the fourth generation
and is now in the possession of Clar-
ence D. Fortnam. The farm is nam
ed Farview Farm as from this loca.
tion you can look eastward as far as
the eye can carry. Across the road
from this stands where formerly was
the home of the late NJ. F. Van Kirk
who at that time conducted a stick
factory on the stream just south OF
the village. When men were dig,
ging a we'll for Mr.. Van Kirk a blast
had to be put in to get through a
rock. The force of the explosion
carried a large piece of rock high
into the air, and in its descent
crashed through the roof of the
house, but injured no one. The late
owner was L. D. Tyler.