Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-09-11
WEST SHORE
To the Editor Of tb< T,Iee,ohh.

Recently a. cyclone for annexation
with Harrisburg has struck the West
Shore people. Whether the cyclone
was destructive or constructive, time
will reveal. There are propositions
which can be used against anneXa-
ton, and there are many favorable.
Those need TO be carefully and judic-
iously considered.
" est Shore torum in the Tele-
graph, no doubt, would be appre-
ciated.
Persons interested could express
their views. solomon SAID, ''w mere
no council is, the people fall; but in
the multitude OIL cOunseIlOIS Lnere Is
safety"
Our citizens should not rush things
too madly; yet they should use con-
siderable pressure, If it Is to be ac-
complished.
Apropos to the annexation IL may
be of interest to your readers to
learn q few things concerning the
West Shore territory of long ago or
prior to 1880.
At that time Cumberland county
had a population OF 29,227, of whom
14,22S were white males, 14,O47
white females, 4S2 free colored
males, 463 free colored females and
Z slaves. The people were chiefly
descendants of the Germans and
Irish, who were the first settlers.
There were two newspapers printed
i'll the county. The surplus product
Of the country consisted of wheat,
rye, oats, nour. whisky, peach ana
apple brandy, live stock and salted
provisions. About 100000 barrels
of flour were sent annually to
market.
There then were two furnaces Ill
Southampton, forge and furnace
in Dickinson, a furnace at New Cum
berland, furnace and forge in South
Middleton, one at Lisburn and a
forge in Allen. About 1S3O-32
Heister and Co. erected an extern
sive rolling-mill near West Fair
view. The county had 81 grist, SO
saw, s oil, IL tulling and clover
mills. There were also q number
of carpet and cassinett factories.
There were about 25 churches in
the county.
Fifteen post offices supplied the
population. AS follows: Allen, Sam
uel H. Myor, postmaster; Carlisle,
Robt. Lamberron; Dickinson, William
Chilean; Hogestown, Jacob Meyer;
Llsburn, William Lloyd; Mechanics
burg, John Mason; Newburgh,
Joseph Barr; New Cumberland, Asa
White; MELVILLE, William Barr;
Papertowp w. Barbour, Jr.; Shep-
erdstown, David Shelter; Shippens-
burg, David Mcclure; Shiremans-
town, Jacob Ruhp; Sterret's Gap,
George Bower; Stoughstown, John
Slough.
East Pennsboro township. This
is the territory that is pining for
greater things. Its eastern border
fringes by the brink of the broad
Susquehanna and is. or was then, IL
miles in length by z wide surface
level. Cant see it so in Enola) Soil
limestone Ind slate. Population
.2,l96. The Conodoguinet Creek
flowed. as it does now, in a very
serpentine course eastwardly,
through the township into the Sus-
quehanna.
At this time West Fairview was
two miles above Harrisburg at the
confluence of he Conodoguinet creek
with the Susquehanna, and con-
tanned 6 or dwellings. This place
is still doing business at the same
location. 1t can cry See us grow,
for it is also painting for greater
Harrisburg.
1t is borough. So also is Worm
leysburg, a mile below. 1t then had
20 or rs dwellings, a store and a
tavern. This town is desperately
anxious to come under the Jurisdlc.
ton of Harrisburg, which is only a
stone throw away. New Cumberland
three miles down the Susquehanns
river contained from 80 to 40 dwell.
lings, two stores and q tavern. This
borough was Incorporated by act o.
March 81. 1881. This borough
seems to be fairly well contended.
Lemoyne, Camp Hill and. White
Hill were still unknown in 1890
Who does not remember the IA