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Bellefonte, Pa., July 22, 1927.
RT
P. GRAY MEEK, - - -
Editor
“Ye Correspondents.—No communications
published unless accompanied by the real
name of the writer.
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Published weekly, every Friday morn-
ing. Entered at the postoffice, Bellefonte,
Pa., as second class matter
In ordering change of address always
give the old as well as the new address.
It is important that the publisher be no-
tified when a subscriber wishes the paper
discontinued. In all such cases the sub-
scription must be paid up to date of can-
cellation.
A sample copy of the “Waatchman” will
be sent without cost to applicants.
Another View of the Spring Township
School Building Case.
The Watchman has no desire to be-
come involved in the controversy over
the proposed new school building for
Spring township. It is partisan in
nothing but its politics, though it has
the courage to express its convictions
or any public matter and the fairness
to open its columns to those who take
issue with it.
On the question at issue we have
repeatedly said that Spring township
needs better school facilities. No one
knowing the prevailing conditions will
controvert that and the squabble is not
over the matter of the need. It is
all based on the location of a building
to supply the need. On that matter
we have had nothing to say further
than comment on the several commun-
ications sent us for publication by
tax-payers of the township.
Recently we published such a com-
munication indicating that many were
disappointed in the ruling of Judge
Furst in the injunction proceedings.
Herewith we give space to another
in which “A Citizen” defends the ac-
tion of Judge Furst.
The weekly newspapers in Belle-
fonte all published the opinion and
decree handed down by Judge Furst
in this case. The very first statement
of that opinion sets forth that nine
days had elapsed since the matter
came before him for decision. Any
criticism for undue delay is unjust.
Certainly he could not be asked to
dispose of it until the case was argued
by counsel and briefs filed.
The second statement of the opin-
ion clearly sets forth that the ques-
tions of law involved in the case re-
lated to the validity of the bond issue,
and that neither the location of the
school building nor the erection of the
same entered into the case.
From his opinion it must be infer-
red that it is based on the rulings of
the Supreme Court. He cites a num-
ber of cases on the question involved.
As only the validity of the proposed
bond issue was before the Court, Judge
Furst should not be criticised in ig-
noring the question of the location of
of the school house intended to be
erected. That was a matter in the
discretion of the school board, sub-
ject to the approval of the State
Board of Education.
If any of the parties in interest do
not think that Judge Furst is correct
as to the law in the case, an appeal
to the Supreme Court is the proper
remedy. Our Appellate Courts were
created to correct any errors of the
lower Courts. To criticise Judge
Furst before the matter has been
passed upon by the Supreme Court is,
to say the least, absolutely unfair, and
mere political buncombe. Most ridi-
culous is the statement by “Mr. Citi-
zen” in the article which appeared in
the Democratic Watchman implying
that Judge Furst was responsible for
the expenditure of the tax payers
money for plans etc., and the loss of
valuable time in the proper housing
of the school children.
Let us be fair. A Judge in his de-
cision must obey the law as he under-
stands it. If he is wrong or the liti-
gant thinks he is, he has aright of
appeal. It is fortunate that we have
a judge who has set an example in
promptly disposing of all business be-
fore him. Let us give him just a lit-
tle credit for courage and promptness
in the dispatch of the business of our
Courts, in the midst of a political
campaign, and this, regardless of
whether his decisions are popular or
unpopular ‘with the general public.
And let us go just a little further,
and sav that in promptly disposing
of ‘the business before our courts, he
1s saving money to all litigants and
meeting one of the crying needs of
our country.
Fairness should prompt you to give
the same prominence to this, as to the
previous letter on the same subject
published in your paper. :
A CITIZEN.
Doctors and Dentists Meet Together.
Centre county dentists joined with
the doctors at the monthly meeting of
the Medical Society, held at the Centre
County hospital, last Wednesday
afternoon. Dr. David Dale presided
and doctors and dentists present
included M. J. Locke, W. W. Irvin,
LeRoy Locke, J. C. Rogers, of Belle-
fonte; P. H. Dale and L. E. Kidder, of
State College; G. H. Woods, of Pine
Grove Mills: J. R. Barlett, of Pleasant
Gap; O. W. McIntire and W. J. Kurtz,
of Howard. The dentists were G. A.
Robinson, R. P. Noll, Joseph Hum-
mer, R. L. Stevens, E. D. Maloy and
J. J. Kilpatrick, Bellefonte; John T.
Cologne and William C. Kelley, State
College, and Fred Gutelius, of Mill-
heim,
Dr. Kilpatrick read a paper on “In-
fection a related to the work of
physicians and dentists” and at the
noon hour a banquet was enjoyed.
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~The recent activities in aviation
are interesting but too much of even
a “good thing” becomes monotonous,
! SMITH.—Jacob P. Smith, for half
a century a well known and highly
estemeed resident of Bellefonte, pass-
ed away at his home on north Spring
street, Bellefonte, at 6:15 o’clock on
Saturday evening, following an illness
of several months as the result of a
general breakdown in health.
Mr. Smith was a son of William and
Keziah Smith and was born at Un-
ionville seventy-four years ago. His
boyhood life was spent at that place
and when he grew to manhood he
sought employment in the lumbering
business which at that time was one
of the principal industries in that sec-
tion of the county. Almost fifty years
ago he came to Bellefonte and went to
work for the Ardell Lumber company
at their planing mill here and for 45
years he was actively connected
with the lumber interests in Belle-
fonte. He retired in April and it was
only a few weeks later that he was
stricken with a breakdown in health
and for some weeks underwent treat-
ment in the Centre County hospital.
Mr. Smith was a lifelong member
of the Methodist church and a splen-
did type of citizen. On February 19th,
1874, he was married at Unionville to
Miss Hannah Wilson, the ceremony
being performed by Rev. J. V. R.
Hughes, a brother of the late Rev.
James P. Hughes, of the Bellefonte
Academy, who at that time was pas-
tor of the Bald Eagle circuit of the
Presbyterian church. Mrs. Smith sur-
vives with the following children:
Mrs. John White, of State College;
Mrs. Fred Miller, of Philadelphia;
Morton, A. Clyde, Gilbert, Frank and
William Smith, of Bellefonte, and
Clarence, of Johnstown. He also
leaves one sister and a brother, Mrs.
Frances Showman, of Connellsville,
and George Smith, of Easton.
Funeral services were held at his
late home at two o’clock on Tuesday
afternoon by Rev. Homer C. Knox,
burial being made in the Union cem-
etery.
Il 3
MERRIMAN.—Mrs. Emily C. Mer-
riman, widow of Capt. Edgar C. Mer-
riman, of the United States navy,
passed away on Sunday evening at
the home of John Blanchard Esq.,
Bellefonte, following an illness of
some weeks.
She was a daughter of Admiral
Thomas Craven, of the United States
ravy, and his wife Jean Henderson
Craven, and was born on January 4th,
1849, hence was in her 79th year.
Her husband has been dead for
some years but surviving her are the
following children: Adelaide M.,
(Mrs. John Blanchard) of Bellefonte;
Evelyn M., (Mrs. Edward A. Sel-
fridge) formerly of San Francisco,
Cal., but now traveling in Europe;
Miss Christina Merriman, of New
York city; Augusta, (Mrs. J. A. Beav-
er) of Yonkers, N. Y.; Isabel (wife
of Commander G. B. Hoey, of the
United States navy) Annapolis, Md.,
and Macdonough C. Merriman, of
New York City.
Private funeral services were held
at the Blanchard home at eleven
o'clock on Tuesday morning, before
leaving for Geneva, N. Y., where fun-
eral services were held in Trinity
church and burial made on Wednes-
day morning. I
Il
GRAFMYER.—Joseph F. Grafmyer
died on Sunday afternoon at the home
of his father, William B. Grafmyer,
in Milesburg, following an illness of
several weeks with Bright’s disease
and paralysis, aged 42 years.
In 1909 he married Miss Edna R.
Meese who survives with the follow-
ing children: Alice, Irvin, Virginia,
William, Mary and Louise, all at
home. He also leaves his father,
three brothers and one sister, Boyd
Grafmyer, in Florida; James in Col-
orado; Reuben, in Illinois, and Mrs.
Grace Kreamer, in South Carolina.
Funeral services were held on Wed-
nesday afternoon by Rev. Oakwood,
burial being made in the Milesburg
cemetery.
1
fl I!
MARKLE.—Mrs. Julia Ann Mar-
kle, a native of Centre county and
widow of the late John Markle, died
at her home at Bellwood at five
o’clock on Monday morning as the re-
sult of an affection of the heart, aged
71 years. Her surviving children are
Mrs. Matthew Dye, of Grand Rapids,
Mich.; Charles, A. C., Robert, Mrs.
Pearl McClellan and Mrs. Frank Mec-
Cauley, of Bellwood; William, of
Cumberland, Md., and Mrs. Daniel
Ripka, of State College. She also
leaves one brother, Samuel Kusta-
border, in Kansas. Burial was made
in the Logan Valley cemetery on
Wednesday afternoon.
| ll
ELDER. The remains of Paul
Elder, son of Mr. and Mrs. M. A.
Elder, of Philipsburg, who died in
Manitabau, Canada, on Sunday, July
10th, were brought back to Centre
county and buried in Gray’s cemetery,
in Halfmoon valley, last Friday. No
information is available as to the
cause cf the young man’s death.
Centre County Girls Returned Home
Have You Heard of Miss Wilson’s
Children’s Shop in Lock Haven?
Its the place to find the most at-
tractive dresses imaginable for all
sizes from infants’ to 14 years. You
will find infants headwear and sweat-
ers also sizes for the small girls and
boys! Non-shrinkable woolen baby
garments and other wearables which
are known for their value and style.
35% Bft. Ave. over Bittner’s Store.
72-28-1t
———The Watchman publishes news
when it is news. Read it.
The Early Settlement and Development :
of Brush Valley.
From an Address Delivered by Miss Grace Smull at the Rebersburg
High School Commencement.
In the process of time, God in His infinite goodness, mercy and
love, created a certain pertion of earth upon which He bestowed a
special blessing of grandeur, beauty and bounty. This ideal spot is
found between two mountains, Nittany on the north and Brush on the
south: situated in the eastern part of Centre county, Pennsylvania.
Over it God has placed the sun to give it warmth and He has caused
many clouds with an abundance of moisture, to float above and water
it bountifully.
This part of the State, nestled between the spurs of the Alleghen-
ies, has too its own bit of history, among the meshes which are inter-
woven the stories of our own ancestors as they struggled to wring
a living from the uncleared virgin soil, as they tried honestly to make
the beginnings of church relationship, better schools, community de-
velopment and all around better living conditions.
This spot was endowed with a soil so rich that the sturdy oak,
the majestic pine, the evergreen spruce, and the wide-spreading chest-
nut, vied with each other for supremacy a fact that made it an ideal
roaming ground for the many species of wild animals. No wonder
that primitive man, the Indian, in his search for food, made this his
happy hunting ground.
The Iriquois Indians or Six Nations controlled this land, but the
Shawnees, by permission used it as a hunting ground, a truth proved
by the many paths leading into it from other valleys.
Brush Valley, its present name, is about sixteen miles long and
from one to two miles wide. The extremities of the valley are hilly,
but from Yearick’s church to Wolf’s Store it is almost level, with a
rich lime stone soil.
The principal stream is Elk Creek, rising in the eastern end of
the valley and flowing along the southern side, with numerous moun-
tain brooks joining it, to the gaps through Brush Mountain past Mill-
heim to join Penn Creek at Coburn. All of this stream sinks, except
in the time of high water, on the farm of Henry Meyer and it flows
under ground for a distance of five miles to the dam at Centre Mills,
where again it becomes a surface stream.
This valley’s earliest name, Sinking Spring Valley, was given
because of this pecularity, but later it was called Brush Valley because
of the nature of the under growth, as crabapple, thorn and hazel brush.
The greater part of this valley is included in Miles Township and
the western end of Gregg Township. Miles Township was named in
honor of Col. Samuel Miles who owned nearly the whole valley, from
the Narrows to Penn’s Cave. He bought it from John Penn in 1773.
Col. Miles then laid out the valley into tracts of 250 to 300 acres each,
giving them such names as “Shinkleton,” “Riga,” “Lexington,” “Plains
of Abraham,” and “Straits of Magella.”
The first settlers leased their tracts from Col. Miles for seven
years, at the expiration of which they were to pay for the land.
Among the earliest leases was that of Anthony Bierly. In 1791
he leased 300 acres just east of Rebersburg, paying thirty-two shill-
ings or $7.80 per acre. Mr. Bierly was to plant an orchard of 100
trees and clear and seed to grass, seven acres within four years. He
was to pay for his land in four annual payments.
It is probable that some settlers had come to the valley before
Ye id but they could not hold their leases, so no record could be
ound.
. The early settlers of lower Penns Valley visited this valley, cross-
ing the mountains by Indian trails and camping at times on an old
Indian camp site on Henry Meyer’s farm.
Two hunters starting out from this camp one morning to hunt,
agreed to meet at the camp in the evening, but the one man never re-
turned. Years after, the skeleton of a man was found at the foot of
a tree one mile east of Rebersburg, and an old rusted gun was stand-
ing against the tree. It was supposed that the hunter who did not
return, lost his way and sat down and froze to death.
The early settlers of Brush Valley did not suffer from Indian
depredations, yet the many paths, or trails are mute evidences that
the Indians once roamed in the valley; and could the rocks and trees
along these paths speak, no doubt they could tell many a horrible
tale of painted savages, bedecked with bloody scalps, passing by and
leading groaning prisoners, reserved for the burning stake.
The early settlers endured many hardships. It was a tremendous
struggle to clear the land and build homes; hence there was a constant
strain to keep soul and body together. Often, after the potatoes were
“ planted they had to be dug up agaih’and pared for food and the par-
' ings planted again.
After a while provisions became more plentiful and the settlers
began to raise grain. The grain being too bulky to transport over
such frightful roads, it was distilled into whiskey. For this pur-
pose, in 1803, there were eight distilleries in the valley. Their ex-
ports then were chiefly flax-seed, clover-seed, wheat and wiskey haul-
ed on covered wagons as far as Philadelphia, a task which required
from ten to fifteen days to make the trip. Later, Lewisburg became the
trading center.
The early settlers were industrious economical, honest and bore
kind hearts under a rough exterior. Necessity made them such. It
was a saying then that no man was rich unless he possessed 2 long-
barreled shot gun, a Brungard plow and a red wamus or coat. His
clothing was all home made and the hum of the spinning wheel and
loom was the only music he heard.
Children knew when Sunday came by the appearance of coffee on
the table, as that was only served once a week.
Sugar was kept rather to be seen than eaten. But those people
were 2 hardy race. Their wholesome diet and vigorous exercise, de-
veloped physical giants. They were strictly honest. It is said that a
man’s renee then was worth more than a man’s note, with bail, at
present.
Many customs that formerly prevailed have now disappeared.
Women used to work in the harvest fields, taking a hand at reaping
with the sickle, the wheat and rye; work which was slow and tedious.
A season often lasted from twenty to thirty days of continuous labor.
Whiskey was considered indispensable in the harvest field, indeed
it was deemed almost one of the necessities of life. Such must have
been the opinion of one old pioneer who made provision in his will that
his widow was to have, among other things, a barrel of whiskey an-
nually. Whiskey was made pure then. It was thought to be less
injurious to health, yet the excessive use of it bore it’s legimate fruits
of evil. Thus thought two pioneers of this valley as early as 1834,
when Jonathan Spangler and Francis Gramley Jr., abolished the cus-
tom of giving whiskey to harvest hands. They were bitterly opposed
in the course they attempted to pursue. Their handss were persuaded
to leave them; other farmers tried to discourage them by asserting
that no harvest could be cut without whiskey. Yet their grains were
harvested as on former occasions and so preved to all that whiskey
was not an essential factor of labor. Soon others followed their
noble example and before long the custom died out.
Before mills were erected in the valley, the Ertles and Valentines,
early settlers of western Brush Valley would carry their wheat on
horseback across the mountain to Spring Mills, thence across the
Seven Mountains to Kishacoquillas Valley to have it ground. Later,
in about 1798, a Mr. Kramer built a leg mill at Centre Mills which
was purchased by Tobias Pickle. In 1802, Mr. Pickle built the pres-
ent stone mill at that place. The story that it took seventy-five bar-
rels of whiskey to build this mill is probably exaggerated.) Later a
mill was built on the Wm. Stover’s farm, then Thomas Hubler’s mill
was built by Christopher Royer. There was one between Spring Bank
and Madisonburg, one on Prof. Henry Meyer’s farm, one on the
Harvey Hough farm. and one at Wolf’s Store. There were eight
in all, yet not one is making flour at present, so we must returnto
Dioneyng days and meander to other valleys to have our wheat
.. The first store in the valley was built in 1809 near the present
buildings of Wm. Sweely. Later it was moved to Centre Mills and
kept by an enterprising pioneer John Foster from whom all Brush
Valley and Sugar Valley purchased. Two years later a store was
opened at Rebersburg. A number of years 1
at Madisonburg and Wolf’s Store. gy ie
Rebersburg is the principal town in Brush Valley. The part t
of the Evangelical church was laid out by Conrad it in 1809. “The
eastern part was laid out by J x
a y John Ruhl and Henry Walbon, and was
The first building in Rebersburg was an old log church on the lot
where the Lutheran church now Es It im Te by Anthony
Bierly, one of the first settlers. There was neither stove nor fireplace
in this chuch for years. In cold weather the worshipers built fires
out side to warm themselves. It is related that some of the members
had no need for fires as they were generally well warmed on the inside
from the product of eight distilleries. Kven th ini i
spiration from the same source. Suh deh
The next buildings were the tannery, where the local smith
stands; the house in which Mrs. Clara Waite now lives where the first
store in Rebersburg was kept; and the house of Mrs, isti
which at one time was used io %y tavern. 2 Ih Chrinde Sover,
While our forefathers erected their churches their mills and
stores they made plans too, simple as they were, for schools. Children
BA BE arly
of the early settlers were instructed at private houses before any
school houses were built. The first school-house in the valley was the
one on William Stover’s farm. It was a small log cabin, built jointly
Jacob Hazel.
Kreamersville.
Brush Mountain.
by the citizens of the neighbor-hood in 1800.
The first school-house 2t Rebersburg was built in 1806 but a
small cabin had been used for school purposes several year prior.
Later Miles township was divided
school house situated in each district.
Madisonburg, the second largest town, was laid out by Jacob Reber
in 1816, and it was called Jacobsburg. The first house was that of
Later Jacob Spade, a blacksmith, built the stone black-
smith shop next to Everett's store,
Simon Smull, lived and worked till his death.
Later the following smaller towns were settled: Wolf’s Store,
Livonia, Rockville, and Smullton, formerly known as Smoketown and
It is a peaceful little town, nestling at the foot of
into seven districts with a
where later my grand-father,
Thus the pioneers of Brush Valley by their honest toil, and their
preservance have handed down to us a goodly heritage.
given us a background, a foundation, upon which the later generations,
if they were true sons and daughters of these ancestors, could not help
but work out to their own satisfaction the problems, that have arisen
relative to our churches, schools, development of towns, good roads,
better farming and in general, a better living for every one.
They have
Pilot Hill to be Bertaud’s Flight
Companion.
Pilot Lloyd Bertaud has announced
that he has selected as his compan-
licen on his proposed flight to Rome
and return pilot John DeWitt Hill,
tand the latter has been granted a
| thirty day’s furlough by the Postoffice
| Department in order to make the
flight.
| Pilot Bertaud and Hill are quite
| well known in Bellefonte, as all their
| service in the government airmail has
been between New York, Bellefonte
(and Cleveland. Hill is especially well
| known here and is regarded as one of
| the most dependable as well as intrep-
iid fliers. During his three years of
| service he has had a number of thrill-
| ing experiences in bucking storms and
| dense fogs, two of which stand out
| as nerve-racking and unusual.
| During his second winter he was
| flying his ship from Bellefonte to New
York with a heavy cargo of mail when
he ran into a terrific snow storm in
the eastern part of the State. Be-
fore he could get above the storm his
plane was so heavily coated with snow
and ice that he was forced down, land-
irg in dense underbrush in a strip of
woodland. He escaped unhurt and
saved his cargo of mail.
On another occasion he was enroute
to Bellefonte from New York when
he ran into a dense fog in the Wood-
ward Narrows, in the eastern end of
Centre county. He quickly elevated
his plane to hop over the Woodward
mountain but his altometer was not
registering correctly and he struck
the tree tops. A portion of the land-
ing gear and the tip of one wing were
torn from his plane but he kept it in
the air and brought his cargo of mail
safely to the Bellefonte field. Trans-
ferred to another plane he continued
his trip to Cleveland.
Free Methodist Campmeeting on Old
Fair Grounds.
A Free Methodist campmeeting will
be held on the old fair grounds, be-
tween Bellefonte and Milesburg, from
July 21st to 31st, inclusive. The ser-
vices will be in charge of Rev. F. W.
{| McClelland, D. E., assisted by evan-
| gelist H. O. Hubbard, of Peoria, Ill,
| district preachers and visiting minis-
i ters. The children’s meeting will re-
ceive special attention. One or more
i services will be held during the meet-
ing for the benefit of all who desire
|
to receive physical help. The first
service was held yesterday
evening and on succeeding days morn-
ing prayer will be held at 6 a. m.,
family prayer at 8 o’clock, children’s
meeting at 8:30 o’clock, love feast
9:30, preaching 10:30, and services at
2 and 7:45 p. m.
Bellefonte Academy’s New Football
Schedule.
Several new teams appear on the
Bellefonte Academy football schedule
for the coming season, which is as
follows:
Sept. 24—Beckley college at Bellefonte.
Oct. 1—Bucknell Freshmen at Bellefonte.
Oct. 8—Villa Nova Freshmen at Belle-
fonte.
Oct. 15—Pitt Freshmen at Greensburg.
Oct. 21—N. Y. University Freshmen at
New York
Oct. 29—State College Freshmen at State
College.
Nov. 5—Navy Plebes at Annapolis.
Nov. 11—Wyoming Seminary at Kings-
ton.
Nov. 19—Cathedral Prep at Erie.
The Thanksgiving day game has not
yet been arranged.
==——Reoy. Dr. Ambrose M. Schmidt
will preach in the Reformed church at
State College, on Sunday morning.
JACKSONVILLE.
Miss Florence Garrett is visiting
at the G. W. Watkins home.
Miss Luretta Condo, of William-
sport, is visiting at her home here.
Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus Shaffer and
baby, of Zion, visited friends here on
Sunday.
Merrill Walker and family, of Blue
Ball, were week-end guests at the E.
R. Lucas home.
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Wilson, of Shin-
gletown, were weekend visitors at the
Joseph Neff home. Mrs. Wilson will
visit a few days in this vicinity.
Mrs. Mabel Peck, of Bellwood; Mrs.
Nancy Miller and John Hoy, of How-
ard; and Mr. and Mrs. Luther Fish-
er and children were Sunday visitors
at the Harry Hoy home.
See the new Patterns in Dress Goods.
Alittle Baby Blanket 18 cents. Hot weather fi
dress goods in endless variety. Toys always i
the newest, ;
i
GARMAN’S
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Political Advertisement.
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VOT
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ET ae EE TSS TS IS ae ee Se arr
not, we will eat no fish.
to this office,
A LETTER TO THE
IN CENTRE COUNTY
Centre Hall, Pa., July 20, 1927
To THE VOTERS OF CENTRE COUNTY:
I take pleasure in calling your attention to
the fact that if I can possibly do so, I will try to
meet you all. But in the event of my failure to
meet you personally, be assured that I will great-
ly appreciate your help and influence.
I have been a resident of Centre county all
my life and I feel that I am at the age that if I am
to have a public office now is the time.
my business dealings, I invite the most searching
inquiry. I defy any man to show that I have ever:
cheated him out of one cent.
a hard working man and I think there are just as
good fish to catch as ever have been caught—if
What I want you to do is make sure that I
am the right man for the place.
as though the south side of the county is entitled
I will gladly answer all questions.
Yours very truly
H. E. SCHRECKENGANT,
For SHERIFF
2 EEL ELE Ul El EL Elle Cc lEUELELEn
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