The Coolidge examiner., 1937-08-26
Site OF Americas First Oil Well
The Things Thdt Lost Are All
in Pennsylvania. Suid Kiplinq

perb work in the heart of the Al
leghenies, of Horace Greeley's Uto-
pia, or Of the French settlement at
Asylum?
Likewise, everyone knows some
thing Of the oil romanceS of Titus
vile and Oil City. but how few know
Of the rejuvenation methods in the
Bradford field now in full swing!
The story of Ole Bulls hapless ad-
venture in the heart of the Big
Woods, where the Viking virtuoso
dreamed his dream of "a new Nor
way, consecrated to Liberty. bap-
tized with independence. and pro-
tected by the Unions mighty flag"
is one that stirs the heart of every
admirer of the artist.
During his concert tours through
the South, Ole Bull had encountered
many of his countrymen. whose ef-
forts TO acclimate themselves in
balmier areas than the lands of
their birth had brought them priva-
tions, hardships. and i'll health.
Later, when touring northern Penn
sylvania, he found in the heart of
Potter county a large area rem
iniscent Of Viking land itself. He
bought it and started to build there
his new Norway"
Some 300 Of his countrymen
focked to his haven in the heart OF
the mountains. Three hundred
houses, store. and church were
built. For himself, he erected a rus
tic castle Of unhewn. unmortared
stone on little bluff overlooking
Kettle creek.
End Of Ole Bulls Colony.
In the intervals between concert
tours, the violinist would go among
his people. There he would seat
himself on the ramparts Of his cas-
tie, and reproduce the rush and
roar Of rapid streams. the frolic of
the winds through the rocky glens,
and the tempest's crash on the
mountain top"
To this day as one motors down
the historic old Coudersport and
Jersey Shore turnpike, past the
hamlet Of Oleona. one may see the
remains Of the old castle and fancy
he hears Kettle creek and its rocky
glens echoing back the music that
initiated them fourscore years ago.
All went well with this new Nor
way Of America until one night
when Ole Bull was entertaining
some friends in his castle. A mes
senger rode up and carried a notice
from the actual owner of the prop
erty. The men who had sold it to
him had no title. The real owner
was a Philadelphia merchant.
For FIVE years Ole Bull fought a
losing battle in the courts against
those who had sold him land they
did not own, earning the costs of
his suit by his concerts. In the end
he got small damages. But mean
while the colony had perished.
Prince Gallitzin's Mission.
In the heart of the Alleghenies.
high above Johnstown and Altoona,
there are markers, memorials, and
institutions which preserve the
y,oayoorv IF n y1riyoca r,bo oloo+o-l 4 -
become pauper in order to serve
the cause of Christ and to carry
His message of benevolence and
brotherly kindness to the humble
mountain folk of the region. Prince
Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin was
born in Holland in ITO. His father
was Russian ambassador to the
Netherlands and his mother the
daughter of field marshal of Fred
erick the Great.
At the age of seventeen he picked
up a Bible in a bookstore and be-
gan to study it, with the result that
he became a convert of the Church.
Later his father sent him to Amer
lea for season of travel Once
here he decided to spend a season. S
theological studies in Baltimore.
Then, after ordination in 1895, ne
started out as travelling mission
ary. Erecting log church on tho
west slope of the Alleghenies, he
travelled far and wide, visiting
homes where bare floors were his
bed, his saddle a pillow, and his
food the coarsest mountain fare.
Prince Gallitzin lost his all. His
father left what was to have been
his patrimony to his sister. But he
used the money his mother gave
him for his mountain mission work,
and at Loretto that work is still
carried on in the fine missions,
schools. and churches he founded.