— y VOL. L i jp HISTORY OF PENNS CAVE, Ex-Governor yurtin Called it * Pennsyl. vania's Greatest Nata al Wonder," An Interesting Article from the Fen of Henry W. Bhosmaker, { Henry W. Bhoemaker, banker, writer, naturalist, who bas discovered so many natural wonders in Central Pennsylvania that he has written volumes concerning them, recently wrote the history of the famous Penns Cave, near Centre Hall, and the Re- porter herewith publishes extracts of the article which appeared in the Al- toons Tribune. } it is not generally known that the ancestors of America’s greatest poet, Edgar Allan Poe, were the first white men to own Penn’s Cave in Centre county. These hardy frontiersmen who fought the Indians in the moun- tains of Maryland and Pennsylvania took up many tracts of land in the Pennsylvania mountaing and became citizens of prominence. The original name spelled Poh, but became altered like so many other of the old time names, into its present form. The Penn's Cave farm or tract of land, as it was known in the early days, was surveyed in pursuance of two war- rants granted to James Poh or Poe and dated Jsnuary 5, and November 3, 1773. A patent for these lands was issued by the commonwealth of Penn. sylvania to James Poe, dated April 9, 1789. James Poe only lived on the Penn’s Cave farm a short time, spend- ing most of his days at his homestead in the valley bearing his name in the About 1860 a young Quaker by the name of Isaac Paxton who had resid- ed in Chester county became teacher atl the public school in Spring Mills. He was a pature lover and fond of taking long tramps through the hills and val- leye, to study the birds, flowers, trees, and geological formations. Aeccom- panied by his chum, Albert Woods, a successful bee-culturist, residing at Spring Mills, he walked to Penn's Cave and entered the dry cave. The ycung men became convinced that they saw a light out in the direction of the water-course entrance. Previous to this time there was no knowledge of water in the * dry’ cave, being the same stream that rises at the main en- tracce of the cave, nor that the two parts of the cave led into one another, Paxton and Woods came out of the dry cave, went down to the saw mill which stood close to where Lhe walter emerges fromm the cavern, and from which water power it was run, and gecured gpough lumber to build a raft, They carried this lumber to the main, or present entrance of the cave, nailed it together and with the aid of a pioe torch and a long pole traversed the water course in Penn's Cave for the first time, They found that the water-way led in® the dry cave and made other interesting discoveries, Presbyterian preachers must have had a fondpess for visiting caves as a few days after Rev. J. E. Long, the Presbyterian pastor of the wvalley, whose place of residence was at Hubleisburg, in Nittany Valley, came over and hearing of the adventure of Messrs, Paxton and Woods, persuaded them to repeat the trip so that he might accompany thew, Bo the three gentlemen returned to the cave, recon- structed the raft into a small boat sod , traversed the gloomy water-way. The news spread rapidly and as the Fourth of July was approaching asmall picnic of members of **old-line’”’ was gotten up to spend the holiday at the cave and make use of the boat. Among those in the party were two aged ladies, Ms. Margaret Foster and Miss Sarah Vanvaizah. Because of their venerable age the compliment wae paid them of having the boat named for them, the * Barah-Margaret'’, Among those in the merry party were Miss Mary Wilson, Miss Lizzie Cook, Miss Mary Duncan, Miss Mary Woods, Miss Ida Vanvaizah, Mrs. Robert Duncan, John Foeter, John Wilson, Frank Vanvalzah, Harry Vanvalzah, Dr. John Woods, Robert Duncan and Miss Mary Buchanan, Miss Ida Van. va!zah later became the wife of Col, John A, Churchill, of Bt. Louis, a dis- tinguished officer in the United States sry. Dr. Jobn Woods practiced the profession of medicine at Boalsburg, Centre county, for many years, Miss Mary Woods, who Is now living st Spring Mills, furnished the list of names of the happy party, most of whom are now epjoying their reward, Mise Ada Vanvalzah and Mies Mary Woods were the first ladies to enter the boat and go through the cave, All during the day one load would be rowed back as far as the dry cave in the rear of the cavern and left to ex. plore the dry rooms while the boat re- turned for another load, For years following this picnic the country be came 80 excited over the Civil War that little interest wa: taken in the cave until about 1870, when another picnic party visited the picturesque spot, This time the boat was hauled on a wagon from the Beaver Dams, Now HSalsry {chedule for Rursl Mall Men, A new salary schedule for rural car. riera throughout the country went in- to effect Saturday by an order promul- gated by Postmaster Geueral Burleson in accordance with the recent act of Congress providing for $1200 as the maximum annual pey for ca.riers, Under the new schedule the basis of computation for maximum compensa- tion requires the transportation of one parcel post package & day of the maxi. mum weight of its equivalent of other mail matter over the length of a stand- ard route of 24 miles. In event of failure to ao so, however, the carrier would be entitled to the limit compen- sation if he handled an average of 400 pieces of mail daily. The order further provides that on routes less than the standard length, where carriers have received less than the former maximum pay of $1100 a year, an increase or decrease of §12 per annum greater or less than the gehed- ule pay shall be made to or En the prescribed salary for such route for each 100 pieces and for each 100 pounds of mail handled monthly up to the maximum of $1200 per annum. It al- so stipulates that an allowance of $12 per vear shall be made for each closed pouch or sack of mail transported by carriers to rutal post offices. The Postmaster General declared that the order was a step toward great. er efficiency of the rural mail service and the elimination to a large extent of the enormous disparity betwe.n receipts and expenditures in this service, fp A A RS Dolng Kepalr Work on state Road, Repair work on the state road over the Seven Mountains has been in prog- ress for a week or more. Fifteen men, under the supervision of Joseph Carson, are covering the road with red shale, digging ditches, and otherwise putting the road in shape for the state engineers, Rapid progress has been made in the work which will be com- pleted in a few days. below BHpring Mills, which in those days was a favorite spot for canoeists sand boatmen generally. No signs were found of the old boat, the Barah- Margaret.’ Previous to the last ple pie in 1868, Bamuel Vantries sold the farm to George Long, who lived in the old farm house and used the water from the “spring ’’ which in reality is the overflow from the Mr. Long was a man of serious nature and objected strongly to pleasure-seckers entecting the cave, Furthermore, he did pot want people to contaminate what he pow realized was his water supply. During bis regime few people visited the cave. Upon his death, in 1884, the property passed ioto the hands of his two sone, Jesse and Bam- wel, These two young men had traveled exteneively and realized the financial possibilities of the cave. It was worth much more than the farm, in their estimation. Io their rambles they had visited the Mammoth Cave of Kentucky, which they declared was in no way superior to their own cav- ern. They built a larger boat and be- gan charging admission to the cave About 1885 they constructed the hand- some building now Enown as the Penn's Cave Hotel, For a time they prospered and hundreds of people visited their unique resort annually. In December, 1905, the farm was sold to John A. Herman, of Pleasant (ap, Centre county. In Jsuuary, 1908, the farm and cave again changed hands and became the property of its present owners, Dr. H. C. and R, P Campbell, Previous to this, for sever-| al years, owing ty financial embar- rassments, the Long brothers had abandoned the hotel and the place was deserted. The Campbell brothers, who are graduates of the Pennsylvania State Colleg-, sud young men of edu- cation and foresight, improved the property extensively, makiog it one of the most unique resorts in Central Penpsylvania, To use the words of Mr. R. P, Campbell, who is the active manager of the hotel and gave, " Now has come the age of the sutomobile and the cave again has become a place of intereat to the tourists. The num< ber of visitors has increased steadily, each year since we bought the place, and we expect 1914 to be the banner year, '’ The Campbell brothers, sceording to experienced travelers, know how to keep s hotel, They provide good food, clean beds, baths and running water and other ronveniences for their guests, Their charges are moderate, especially when one considers the nature of the accommodations fr rniehe ed. But what appeais mostly to tour. ists and automobile parties ls the air of courtesy and politeness which pers vades the place, Everyone, from Mr, Campbell down, seems anxious to please and the tired traveler will find nothing to ruffle his overstrained nerves, The scenery about the cave ls maguoificent, in fact there is noce finer in Central Pennsylvavia, The Brush [ Continued on inside page. | Cave, NO. 30 { CANDIDATES AT BEI LE TONLE, Palmer Was Not in Party Owing to Hiness —MeCormick and hers Ureot Huns dreds nt Prockorhotf House Much Ep thasinsm Manifested, An enthusiastic gathering of Demo- crate from all parts of the county turn- ed out at Beilefonte Friday evening to greet the nominees on the state ticket, The party arrived from Philipsburg about six o'clock and took up head. quarters at the Brockerhoft House, Much to the regret of all, Hon. A Mitchell Palmer, candidate for United Htates Henator, was not in the partly, owing to sickness, Upon the advice of a physician he cancelled all engage. ments for the week I'he other candi’ dates, Vanes C. McCormick, Willlsm N. McNair, William E., Tobias and Willism H. Patterson, were on hand and greeted hundreds of voters person- ally ou their arrival. About 7:30 o'clock "Our Boys Band” of Milesburg rendered a concert in the street in front of the hotel, This band, averaging about sixteen years ia sge, is gaining a reputation as being one of the best bands in the county. I'be candidates delivered short ad. hotel street in the explained dresses from the balcony of the to an sudiepce that fiiled The issues fully from curb to curb. State campaign were spesker was through. It was an or- derly assemblage of people that listen. ed atlentively to all tbat was said, sp- pearing greatly interested in the gues. tions that willl be solved at the fall election. Mr. McCormick and party at. tended the picnic of the Hugsar Valiey Graoge, Saturday, at Loganton., Here they were joiped by William T Creasy, W, Wayne Hindman of Clar- fon, snd J. J. Ruersdan of Williams port, candidates for Hiate Senator and nie Congressman, respectively. voters of all from the sis from and day, There wore also many political faiths, not surrounding country, only but Lock Haven, Williamsport, Ail doring there was a spirit of harmony and manif for the volers it In line up t jellefonte Benovo the united sopport sted the srnall inton room [ot ticket Ly county that left do which eniumn this county will at the November sieciion, s————— a —— Daaths of Centers LConttiane Li war veteran, at Philipsburg. came Friday evening after sn extended ill Bright's disease, He was O=sen Johuson, wn Civil Death peas with aged sevenly years Hamuel Mcllathery McDowell, in Juniats, Thursday ecvening of last week He was a native of Centre county and wes eighty-five years of age. He had the ounig record of passing through his long term of life without ever requiring the service of a physician until the day before his death. He died of embolic puen. monis, Mre, Charles Lauber died at MeCou- nell, lilivois, July 2lst, HBhe was born in Centre county November 29 1530, and ber masiden name was Sarah Price. In 1346 she was married to Charles Lauber in Centre county, and fo 1854 they locsted in the sinte of Hiinois. Five children, all in the west, survive, Her husband preceded her to the grave several years ago. Henry Felmlee, aged eighty-four years, in Boggs township. Mr. Felm- less met his death Friday, July 24, by being kicked on the head by a colt while assisting his son in mowing grass on the farm occupied by Mr. and Mrs, George Bhuey in the Curtin gap. Mr. Felml e was walking along. side the tesm and when the son struck the colt with the whip the snimal kicked and hit the sged man, corush- ing his akull. He died on the way to the hospital, A Ji ———— Pol tional Sqaabble Ends in Arvest, The arrest Friday evening of J. F, Lesher, editor of the Huntingdon Monitor ia the high walter mark of a fight in the democratic camp over the question of who is going to be county chairman. The two wibge of democracy In Huntingdon county have been having & squabble since the democratic con- vention was held there on June 27, when Joseph G. Lesher, editor of the Huntingdon Monitor, was elected to the county chairmanship, defeating J, Murray Afrioa for the office by a vote of 55 to 52. The election was at once contested snd as a result W, 8. Hern cane, county commissioner, was placed under arrest Inst Thursdey ou the charge of forgery, preferred by Africas, and admitted to $2,000 oail, Friday morning the Monitor came out with an article headed “Cantinued Spite Work By Africa, Bollinger and Company.” The case wan reviewed and the opinions were freely discuss. ed. Asaresult J. F. Lesher, the ed's tor, was arresied for slander wod libel, preferred by A. Bollinger, secre- tary. He was admitted to bail and ie walved a hearing. NEWS OF 1880, Notes Taken From Fillées of The Centre Reporter of Thirty-four Years Ago, June 10t/h—On Thursday morniog last there was a sharp frost in some sections of this valley. Rev. 8. GG. Bhannon has accepted the call from the church at large to engage in the missionary cause for a period of six months, and already en. tered upon his travels, The good people of Millheim were startled on last Monday evening by = suicide in that boro, Elmer Brown, son of Henry Brown, s blacksmith, had, as it appears, appropriated to himeelf $6 of his father’s funds, and for which he was called to account and reprimanded, and asked to make restitution. The young man intimat- ed that the affair would be settled by his not belong about much longer. On Monday evening he was noticed going down street, and arriving In front of the residence of Jonathan Harter, he sat down upon the side- walk. A young man by name of Lamey passed him ss he sat down, and observed that young Brown seem- ed to press something sgainst his side, snd as he passed on a few steps he heard a report, thinking it was only a fire cracker, and looking back saw that Brown leaned slightly forward pressing his bands to his side. He passed up the street and remarked to some persons that some fellow down street had either ehot himself or was acting the fool, and upon examination Brown was found upon the spot dead, having shot himself through the heart. He was 21 years of age and of Inte years fell iuto wayward habits. He lived with John Odenkirk, near Centre Hall, about a year ago. June 17th—Col. Josiah Neff Is get- ting his Centre Hill farm to look neat as a pin, with pale fence all around the outside and whitewashed, fields in splendid trim, ete, Polato bugs and grasshoppers are very numerous in the Farmers Mills section, sceoording to a report from 'Bquire Rishel, and are dolog much damage, Harris township lost one of ita old- est citizens on Monday in the death of Thomas Davis, aged about nioety years, Msrried—On Wednesday, Juve 2, by Rev, F. K. Fowler, Mr. William B. Allison of Potters Mills, and Laura B. Higman of Blossburg, Tioga county. A Ap Transters of Heal Estate Andrew Lytle et ux to Charles Ghager, tract of land in College twp. $120 Charles W., Wiloox et ux to Eva wyiatt, tract of land in B, Philips- burg Boro, $150 P. E. Womelsdorf Atly fact to Er. vin Behnare, tract of land in Rush twp. $100, Mary E. Barr et al to Willlam H, Stiver, tract of land in Potter twp, $2666. H. M. Hosterman et ux to Theo. Davis Boal, tract of land in Hsrrie twp. $354.57. Jonathan Tressler et ux to J. H. Bos et al, tract of land ‘in Harris twp 2100, Thomas Hess et ux to Dr. C, P. W, Fisher, tract of land in Harris twp. $152.50, James Logue et ux to Thomas C, Hess, tract of land in Harris twp. $1565, H. N. McAllister et ux to Jonathan Tressler, tract of land in Harris twp. $2357.15. Mrs. Lion Lucas et bar to J. L. Maurer, tract of land in Philipsburg Boro, $2000. Joseph W. Harvey et ux to Alice A. Harvey, tract of land in State College Boro, $500, Arthur B, Lee Sheriff to Wm, Thomas Trustees, tract of Bellefonte Boro. $1850, Charles D. Loraine Exr. et al to Annie OU. Rowland, tract of land in Philipsburg Boro, $5500, Thomas Foster et ux to Minnie O, Tripp, tract of land in College Twp. A. land in Pena. Saviogs Fund and Loan Ae sociation to John F, Harpster, tract of land in Rush twp, $560, Heanton of Ripka Families, The second annual reunion of the Ripka families will be held this year on the Daniel Ripka farm at Beaver Dam, south of Bpring Mills, Thursday August 13th. Arrangements have been made that east and west bound traine will stop on the ground. Each one of this connection and their friends, are cordially lovited and re- quested to be pres:nt. It is also re- quested by the committee that all use the trains if at all possible, or it may be impossible to have the train stop in future years Unclaimed letters in Centre Hall pouicfries, Au 1: Joe Deal, Frank rd, Le. H, ith, Fiaclub, W. L. Mis i Garrect, Mrs, AL, Wrigh ny t. G. M, Boal, Postmaster, BREEZY LETTER FROM ILLINOIS, ov. M. Stiffier of Freeport Reports Farm Conditions Fine, But Apple Crop » Fallare, Freeronr, Il. August 1st, 1914, Editor Reporter : The writer, in making his annual remittance to you, finds hie mind flooded with the many pleasant mem- ories of his recent visit, or sojourn, in Centre Hall and its immediate vicin- ity. What a happy human senss- tion Is crested when we meet, clasp hands, briefly visit with, or enjoy the bospitality of friends whom we have not seen or met for a number of years. We believe that all natives of Centre county, wherever now located in busi- nese in this great country, are still truly loyal to the * old sod "’ and all of their old friends. We have had a siege of very hot weather the past two months; July averaged several degrees warmer thao in the past ten years, We had only a few light local showers during July. The harvest ended about July 20th, and threshing will all be done in a few days. Wheat, rye and barley ylelded well, but oats is light, due to drought and heat. The hay crop was fair and was harvested in fine shape, The early potato crop is good: some of our local potato growers sold the product from their garden early, sat $2 40 per bushel. The price st present is around one dollar per bushel. The market is now well stocked with early sweet corn, Late potatoes appear thrifty but must have rain soon or the yield will be reduced. Corn here presents a remarkable growth for this time of season. Many fields resemble second growth forests at a distance, The writer saw stalks, grown in this vicinity, that measured nine feet in length on the 9th day of July. On July 16th some one near here, reported a stalk 14 feet in length. All crops with us this year are several weeks in advance of the ordinary, (the crop of eandidates for the various county offices not excepled.) When cultiva tion is carried on and continued prop- erly id this county thete need be but little fear of a crop failure on account of drought, Our clay subsoil is caps- ble of absorbing and storiog sufficient moisture to bridge us over quite ex- tended dry spells. Organic matter in- corporated into our soil enables capil lary action ty be carried on toward the surface, while shallow but thorough cultivation, pulverizes the soil, and fixes the dust mulch. This prevents rapid evaporation of moisture and furnishes support for all vegetation in dry spells. Small fruit was abundant and prices ruled high particularly on raspberries, which sold at from 20 to <5 cents per quart, Apples are nearly & minus quantity in this locality thie year. We are in the market for train loads of delicious New York and Pennsylvania apples for fall and win- ter supplies. We hope that some of your enterprising business men and shippers will take this into account, se eastern apples are always given prefer. ence by those fastidious in their re quirements, Little damage was done by the white grub here, this season. Home complaint is made of the ravages of the army worm in various localities but no general or serious results are anticipated. At ‘Lis date however, no one would venture to predict what the vast armies of the whole of Europe now have in contemplation. War is h--, as Bherman interpreted it, Yours truly, Friday morning Exsheriff Cyrus Brungart, sccompanied by W. W. Harpster, took Calvin Thomas to the saylum at Danville. The unfortunate young man’s condition for a week or more prior to bis removal was worse than for any time previous, and it was with the hope of restoring his mental balatoe that he was taken to the in. stitution, Al Osman, who has been in the same place for several months, is reported to be in a serious condition. He is confined to bed all the ti —————_ wo —— Spring Mills Wins Over Aaronsburg, The Spring Mills baseball tram de feated Aaronsburg Baturday afternoon st the former place by the score of 10 to 7. The Spring Mills boys have been cleaniog up everything in the lower end of the valley lately despite the fact that their opponents have al ways “loaded up” for them. Carl Auman, so alumnus of the Bpring Mills sosdemy, did the twirling for the winners. A AI A AI, MORE TEACHERS NEEDED, Good Positions Go Begging for Good Teach. ers, Well Trained in a Normal School The supply is less than the demand. It will pay to prepare for teaching. This can best be done at a normal school. Write to P. M., Harbold, Principal, Milleraville, Pa. a TOWN AND COUNTY NEWS, HAPPENINGS OF LOCAL INTEREST FROM ALL PARTS The summer session for teachers at Htate College closes this week, Huckleberries are a good crop and many big patches are to be found on Nittany Mountain, The Mission Band of the Presby- terian church held a pienie in Old Fort woods Friday. F. P. Geary canvassed Bpring Mills Monday, demonstrating and takiog orders for gasoline irons, for which ne has the agency, Mies Margaret Jacobs went to Miffiin- burg Friday, and uotil Saturday was entertained at the home of her cousin, Mrs, Lizzie Klockner. Archie Bodtoif of Yeagertown is being entertained at the home of Mr, and Mre. W, F. Colyer, on the big Colyer farm near Old Fort, Meesrs. John and Christ Durst were in Bellefonte a few days the latter part of last week looking after the repairs of their threshing engine, Mre. Eliza Stump, below Centre Hall, who had been confined to her bed for some time account of stomach trouble, is able to be about again, on The stork visited the home of Mr, and Mrs. Johd F. Musser of Millheim early Baturday morning of last week and left a bright bouncing baby boy to gladden the home, Bamuel Btump has turned carpen- ter, and hie first effort was to con. struct a pig sty on the Stump proper- ty, east of Centre Hall, that is the talk of the neighborhood, Guy W. Jacobs, who had been at Tampa, Fiorida, tor some time, has been sent to Houston, Texas, by the York Manufacturing Company, manu- facturers of refrigerating machinery, Ciymer McClenahan and Henry Mitterling returved from their motor- cycle trip to Philadelphia and At. isntic City, Fridsy night. They had numerous punctures along the road. While hsuling in wheat, Charles Spoufler, of near Mexico, Juniata county, found twelve young turkeys dead under the shocks. He also found acd killed the perpetrator of the deed, s weasel, Mr. and Mere. J. Q. A. Kennedy, Mrs. I. M. Arvey, snd Lycurgus Lingle attended the funeral of John Taylor at Milroy, Fridsy., There was & distant relationship between the sbove people and the deceased, Philipsburg is soon to have a $50, 000 Y. M. C. A. building, The build- ing uext spring and will be the gift of the Harbison Walker Refraciories Co., 8 corporation owning about thirty fire brick plants, Miss Grace B. Maxwell of Lanes downe was the guest of her friend, Mise Velma Simkios, from Baturdsy until Monday. Mies Maxwell is & teacher in history in the Swarthmore high school and is atlendiog the sum- mer session al State College, will be c¢ornstructed W. B. Krise of Johnstown, sccom- panied by his sons, Fred and Charles, were arrivals in Centre Hall Monday and for the week will be at the home of his parents, Prof. and Mrs, W. A. Krise. They drove the entire die tance of over one hundred miles, and on Bunday covered sixty-seven miles. William Homan is again hard luck with his borses. It will be remembered that last year he lost two valuable western animals, and st the present time four of his beasts two work horses and two colts—are sufferiog from distemper, The older animals sre in haroess again and get. ting better but the colts are in rather serious condition. Sixty-one members of the Mission Bande of the Lutheran church of Centre Hall and Tusseyville held a picnic in a woods on the farm tenanted by C. E. Flink, near Tussey ville, Batur- day. Mr, Flink furnished transports. tion for the local organization, using his commodious hay wagon to trans. port the children to and from the picnic grounds, Mre. G. W. Van Damant and daughters Helen and Jean of Electra, California, are spending a short time at the Bartholomew home in Centre Hall, They have been in Centre county for about a month, the greater part of which time was spent with relatives at Bpring Mills, Mrs. Van Damant and Miss Helen Bactholos mew are intimate friends, The threshing outfit ordered by the Farmers’ Threshing Co., arrived on Monday, says the Millheim Journal, The engine was ‘steamed up’ and the outfit taken to the home of the president of the company, Charles F, having
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