EXCERPTS FROM THE HISTO"Y OF LUZERNE COUNTY By H. C. BRADSBY (Readers will enjoy Mr. Bradsby’s quaint, paranthetical remarks more if they keep in mind that he was writing this history of Luzerne County forty-five years ago, and refers to conditions as he knew them, not as they are in 1938.) —_EDITOR (Continued From Last Week) THE BATTLE OF WyoMING (Continued) July 4, 1776, now dawned upon the world. The memorable day in history, ushering in the trans | cendant event in the great movements of mankind. | Liberty, blessed liberty to man, stepped forth, robed | in purity, and on either side supporting her were the stern, strong knights of the plow and the axe, silent and resolved, clad in buckskin and homespun, | across whose broad shoulders were slung the long, black match lock rifles. Independence was declared! From Maine to southermost Florida war was aflame. Its horrors were everywhere in the land, but far more intensely in this lone frontier settlement, that was worse than isolated and unprotected. It was menaced by double dangers on every side, and even within the house hold there were traitors to the sacred cause. In November following Colonels Butler and Den- ison, representatives, returned from New Haven bringing the good news that the town had been made the county of Westmoreland. Jonathan Fitch was made High Sheriff. During the summer Obadiah Gore, Jr., was com- missioned lieutenant and recruited twenty men. About the same time Capt. Strong enlisted a squad of men—ten or twelve. August 23, 1776, Congress, at the urgent solici- tation of Col. Butler. resolved to station two com- panies at Westmoreland for the defense of the in- habitants. Robert Durkee and Samuel Ransom were elected captains of these companies; James Welles and Perrin Ross, first lieutenants; Asahel Buck and Simon Spalding, second lieutenants; Her- man Swift and Mathias Hollenback, ensigns. These companies when raised were stationed one on the east and one on the west side of the river. In the early winter General Howe had captured New York, the battle of White Plains had been fought; Washington was retreating with his little army of 3,000 men, hungry and nearly naked, through the Jersey. “The Commander in-Chief”, says Marshall, found himself at the head of a small force, less than 3,000, dispirited by their losses and fatigues, re- treating almost naked and barefoot in. the cold No- vember and December, before a numerous and well appointed and victorious enemy, through a despond- ing country much more disposed to obtain security and safety by submission rather than to seek it by manly resistance.” On December 8, Gen. Washington crossed the Delaware, and Congress immediately took measures to retire from Philadelphia to Baltimore. At this moment of peril, they, “Resolved, December 12, that the two companies raised in the town of West- moreland, be ordered to join General Washington, with all possible expedition.” And the very same day adjourned to meet at Baltimore on the 20th. Promptly obeying the order, the two companies hastened their march, and before the close of the month and the year were within the lines under the command of their beloved Washington. The people fully knew the dangerous sacrifices they were making, but faltered not a moment. This | action of the patriots stands out prominently in the history of that long and terrible struggle. It was pledged to those men that as soon as conditions in the south should be relieved they would be allowed | to return to protect their families. It is needless to say this promise was not kept. The imperative necessities of the army of Washington made it im- possible, horrid as was the impending alternative. The people proceeded in the work of organizing every possible safe-guard as well as the work for | perfecting the machinery for the new county of Montgomery. Great jealousy between the east and the west side of the river had long existed, and the question of locating the county buildings now arose in renewed intensity. After a warm contention Wilkes-Barre was chosen as the county seat—the chief rival had been Kingston—settled by Connecti cut authorities ‘through appointed commissioners. Every hour brought additional evidence that there | were secret enemies in their midst—Pennites, some | of them, who had come and purchased Connecticut claims. { | One, Adonijah Stansbury, had purchased Chap | man’s mill and he soon developed into an enemy in disguise. Col. Butler and Major Judd were appoint | ed a committee to investigate him. He was Pos) ecuted and finally persecuted until he was compell- ed to sell his mill and leave the settlement. During the summer the people worked on the forts in detachments. The one in Wilkes-Barre oc- cupied what is now the courthouse square. A sys- | tem of scouts were sent regularly up the river to | keep watch of the movements of the Indians. Lieut. John Jenkins in charge of a scouting party extend | ed his trip to Wyalusing, where he was taken pris- | oner by a band of Indians and tories. Three of his : men were taken with him: Mr. York, Lemuel Fitch | and old man Fitzgerald. All except Fitzgerald were taken to Canada. Jenkins was exchanged for an Indian chief and sent | to Albany. These were the first prisoners taken | from Westmoreland. Other scouting parties were | constantly sent up the river. As about all the able young men were in the Continental army they con- sisted mostly of old men who termed themselves “Reformados”. Capt. William Hooker Smith, a physician, commanded the one from Wilkes-Barre. (To Be Continued) BILLY GILBERT TELLS STAN andl OLIVER HOW WELL HE CAN 2) SHAD ze #4 HAL ROACH M-GM PRODUCTION OUR PUZZLE CORNER HERE IS ETICAS DARING DOG - CATCHER. .., FINO 10 “D" ® . : WENT TO A ag Foca. OBIECTS IN THIS HARRY SAN FRANCIS@ SCENE... RAGE TRACK INTENDING To SELL mo HIS FOUR-HORSE PACING STABLE w+ BUT BOUGHT ANOTHER aon ij A MADE HIS J DEBUT AT : THE AGE OF SEVEN ! HE nd | FIFTEEN ! Can You SEE , TEN GOOFY THINGS IN THIS 0 PICTLIRE e ) . ® 13 * sn, 82! ® oy ° IMMY FELL ASLEEP 2 00 ON_THE BEACH rd Bur HE SAID *2%,% SE DIDN'T > DREAM THIS... AT praw A LINE 29 FROM 17039 ° . 3) ° 33 WARNS OLIVER TO "WALK THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW 1 8 MISSING FORM TLE BUDDY TM 772 600 WIRE'S SOME FAKAY, MAMMA, TLL > \ FEED EVERY SINGLE ONE L NICE SRW FOR YOU CF HE CHICKS! HERE CHICK! CHICK: CHICK! =r LA % Copyright ~~, Lincoln Newspaper Features, Ine, SASH TEXON | GIANT, MECHANICAL MAN VIS LEADING HE WAY TO THE By Dean Carr HELP. JE Ay AR, KV LAST, ) WHAT'S THIS 7 WE MEET AGAIN | A MOMANZ MECHO / § 3 MAD-MAN MOGO, THE CHIEF? rs DO AWAY Hae Pa ¥ DCTIR HER 7 I HATE MOGO SWORE TO JHE IE-HE ZZ 7 KILL ME ON sient? I'M AFRAID WE WILL ALL DIE VIOLENT ) z Fp n RR “2g DEATHS 47 E : be — <& 2 me Tl LL eB AT CAN DASH GY DO AGAINST. AN IRON MAN 23 5 & 2x) \ pyright Lircoln Newspaper LI Coat aos By Richard Lee BUT DETECTVE RILEY MERNWHILE, THE GANG \EFVER |S OUR WORK 6 STILL MAKING A DESPERATE ATTEMPT UNFINBHED UNTIL WE Sas LAY HANDS ON THE " BE "HOOKED HAND HIMSELF: = ee OKAY, CAP.\ETS GET EH == — AFTER HM, BEFORE IT = 11 Too en ——{( I'D BETTER PUT Ril eu parE = ENOUGH REAL ESTATE ZZ CONGRATULATED FOR YOUR § SPLENDID WORK IN QRPTURING TRE GAS-HOUSE MOBSTERS AND PESCUING MISS TEWEL AND MYSELF FROM CERTAIN DEATH! 2 py HEELS { WE CAN'T HOLD OUY MUGH / oc ag i we € ¥ SN 4 / A R & PRS a2, il Wilken A \ : anode 2250! SOUTH AMERICAN % 3 ns 500 1° INDIAN PASSES ANAY, ALL HIS RELATIVES AND FRIENDS PAINT THEIR BODIES BLACK As A ‘ / : ; E SIGN OF MOURNING coment ® : i | SHOR AND RESPECT ! Sg “i er: 06 NAMES I. oF BxeLeno, wouLD NEVER Toy on REw (AT EF BECAUSE OF THE We > DO SO WOLD BRING Le LueK or DISAPPOINTMENT YO ESCAPE THE LAWS CLUTCHES = whl % &
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