the slave trade in the District of Columbia and boldly advocated the measure contrary to the advice of timid friends, but the slave power was as yet too strong and the bill was defeated. Mr. Miner was a strong advocate of protection to American industry, and his correspondence embraced such distinguished names as Webster, Clay and John Quincy Adams.

Mr. Miner died near Wilkes-Barre at the age of 85.

SOME UNPUBLISHED RECORDS.

Diary of Deacon John Hurlbut-His Trip to Wyoming and Back to ConnecticutEarly Surveys.

EDITOR RECORD: William S. and Myron Hurlbut, of Arkport, N. Y., have loaned me some ancient papers or documents relating to the early settlement of Wyoming and Delaware lands. The papers, or some of them, are somewhat worn, and some parts have been torn off and lost, so that this copy will not begin at the commencement of the work, but such as it is I send you.

The date of the transactions mentioned is probably 1773, except the meeting in Norwich, Connecticut. It is the work of "Deacon" John Hurlbut. I hope some of your readers can tell where the towns of Parkbury and Huntington were or are, and also where the district of Groton Susquehanna Purchase was.

H. B. PLUMB.

"Afternoon Mr. Chapman drew the plan of intervales. These intervales near the river are generally very good, being overflown frequently in winter, the quantity of these low lands in both towns is about 4 or 5 thousand acres that is dry enough to bear English grass, to which may be added about, of land contiguous, 3 thousand of swamp, part of it of ** good kind and the rest a bad kind, being composed ** willow or bog meadow acres of which the ** are about 3 feet high and entirely clear of trees or bush. The timber on the

**

best part is on je south end beach, elm, shagbarks, walnut, maple, ash, birch, black and white oak, but towards the middle of the town is chiefly walnut; some white pine and hemlock on points and higher lands, butternut also and chestnut; the smaller growth is thorn; black, speckled and common alder, spice wood, hazle and some other small trash. Of the herbs or grass kind are mandrakes, nettles, wild grass or joint, wild oate, spikenard, balm, and a variety of other kind of herbs. Gooseberry bushes also and other weeds to which low lands are incident. Thursday, May ye 20th-A little wet, but warm and sunshine about 10 o'th clock.

This day was spent in planning the intervale lots.

Friday May ye 21st. Layed out 8 lots of intervale in Parkbury next adjoining those laid out which are No. 30 to 37. At night drew 17 lots. My lot was 32.

There is in this town 5 houses, about 30 men and lads, 5 women. The town is sitnate on ye side of an hill facing toward ye N. W. about mile from ye river. The lands from ye meadow generally rise a little too high for conveniency altho in many places the ascent is very easy, the timber is chiefly white pine but in some white oak, but not of ye best kind, and ye land mostly too stony, but far from being ledgy, and about a mile and one-half from ye fort the intervale or river land is barked with vast large plains, with a few yellow pine. This land is sandy, but entirely free from stone, covered with a sort of vine and wintergreen. The bark lands and hills are well watered with little brooks and springs.

Saturday, May ye 22nd. Bounded out a number of our lots, and my lot in particular. This days work was very bad, for after wading all day came on a shower at night and we had near 4 miles to travel thro wet bushes.

Sabbath day, May ye 23rd. meeting with Capt. Parke.

Attended

Monday, May ye 24th.-About 10th clock, passed Laqua wack River and took my journey to Sasquahanah, in company with Capt. Parish & Mr. Benajah Park, went that day to Laquanar, about-32 miles. Tuesday, May ye 25th.-Visited Mr. John. son at Chapman Mills, went to Wilkbury Fort-3 miles. In ye afternoon went over to Capt. Gore's in Kingston, then returned to Wilkbury. Went ap to Abraham's Plains. Again returned to ye Fort. At a town meeting at night; returned to King

Wednesday, May ye 20th-Went down on ye fields to Plymouth and then back to Capt. Gores, then returned to Wilkbury again. Visited Mr. Johnson. Was with him about two hours and a half. Found him in a low disconsolate state, but looking like rain rid for Laquawanar Fort. Came on a very black heavy cloud of thunder and rain in ye shower reached ye fort. After ye rain rid to Rason's, about two miles. Tarried there that night.

Thursday, May ye 27th-Came thro Capow's great hill and great swamp at night; came to Hallet's Ferry and so to ye fort.

Friday, May ye 20th. Settled my affairs at Parkbury with ye settlers.

Saturday, May ye 29th. Took my journey towards home; tarried that night on ye east of Delaware River, at Isaac Fanarties, in ye Minisinks.

Sunday, May ye 30th. Rode to Honas Deikers; breakfasted there; afternoon rid 20 miles to Owen's.

Monday, May ye 31st. To walking thence to North River about noon, thence up ye Fishkills to Bakers in ye Patents.

Tuesday, June ye 1st. Thro ye Patents kent into Litchfield to Mack Neals; these 3 days very hot and dry; especially the last."

MISCELLANEOUS MEMORANDA.

Kingston on ye Susquehanna, May ye 26th, 1773.

Received of John Hurlburt ye sum of one pound, ten shillings and 3d. I say received for me. STEPHEN HUBLBUT.

Oct., 1774, paid to my brother Stephen, for cost and expenses in surveying and lotting my rights in ye district of Groton Susquehanna purchase........£0 128 Od

West Branch History.

The October issue of the Historical Journal, published by Col. J. F. McGinness at Williamsport, is full of interesting matter. Samuel Maclay's journal is continued at great length.

Promise is given of an illustrated article on "Old Fort Augusta," which stood at the confluence of the North and West Branches of the Susquehanna at what is now Sunbury. Persons possessing relics of the fort, incidents or reminiscences of its early defenders, are requested to notify the editor.

Another promised article of interest is the Wyoming Valley and a sketch of Methodism on the North Branch, by C. F. Hill, of Hazleton.

The editor speaks thus kindly of the Historical Record:

"The Historical Record, published at Wilkes-Barre, improves as it grows older. The current number is exceedingly valuable, being filled with choice matter relating to early times in the Wyoming region. An illustrated article entitled "Relics of the Red Men" is alone worth a year's subscription, which is only $1.50."

We regret to note that Col. Meginness has concluded not to publish a revised edition of his valuable "History of the West Branch Valley," owing to improbability of making it a financial success. It only remains therefore, for persons interested in that subject to become subscribers to the author's Historical Journal, published monthly at $2 a year.

Kind Words from Dr. Egle.

Of the Historical Record the Harrisburg Telegraph, in its excellent notes and queries department says:

The Historical Record, of Wilkes-Barre, has reached its eleventh number. It is freighted with the antiquarian lore of the past, and the history of the present, thus making it one of the most valuable repositories, not only of Wyoming but of State information. The RECORD newspaper publishers are doing a good work, and we trust they may see their way clear to continue

this historical monthly for years to come. Their work has a permanent value to everybody.

EARLY SUSQUEHANNA NAVIGATION. Cruise of the Ill Fated Steamboat Bearing the Name of the River-Contemporaneous Account of Her Destrction. More than sixty years ago, before the advent of canals and railroads, the enterprising merchants of Baltimore comprehended the importance to their material business interests of facilitating the mode of transportation of the lumber, grain, iron and whisky trade of the Susquehanna Valley, then an important factor in the home traffic of that city, lying so conveniently at the lower extremity of Pennsylvania's rich agricultural and mineral centre. Large sums of money had been expended in removing obstructions in the rocky channel of our noble, (but rapid and impracticable for navigation) river below Columbia, so as to admit the passage of arks and rafts down stream on their way to tide. A canal had been constructed from Port Deposit, northward, in order that these ap-river craft might avoid the shoals and dangerous reefs of the first ten miles above tide water, after the spring freshets had subsided, but as yet there was no satisfactory way of returning to the producers of incoming commerce such articles of merchandise as they would naturally require in return for their raw products of forest, field and mine.

It was decided to make the attempt to establish steamboat navigation on the river in order to overcome this serious obstacle in the way of exchange commerce. The first attempt at steamboat navigation above tide water was made in 1825. A small steamboat named the Susquehanna, had been built in Baltimore and towed up to Port Deposit in the spring of that year. The first mention we have in the newspapers of the day is found in the Harrisburg Chronicle, which says:

"The Susquehanna was expected at Columbia on Sunday night, Tuesday's reports were, that she had not got to Columbia. Eye-witnesses to her progress put the matter to rest on Wednesday; they had seen her a short distance above the head of the Maryland Canal with a posse of men tugging at the ropes, and when they had tagged nine miles gave up the job. So ended all the about the Susquehanna. She drew too much water (22 inches) for the purpose and started at the wrong point. Watermen say that the crookedness of the channel, with the rapidity of the current, makes it utterly impossible for a steamboat to ascend the

romance

falls between the head of the canal and Columbia."

If any of our readers, in their boyhood days, ever engaged in the arduous, though exciting, labor of "running to tide" on lamber rafts, and then tramping back over Lancaster hills for a fresh start next morning, they will appreciate the force of the above editorial remark. For further particulars apply to W. N. Jennings, whilom river pilot through Turkey Hill, Barger's reef, Eshelman's sluice, etc.

The Chronicle article says further: "We have a report that Mr. Winchester, of Baltimore, has contracted for the building of a steamboat at York Haven. We also learn that the York Co. are making great progress with the sheet-iron steamboat, and that she will be launched about the 4th of July."

This sheet iron boat was called the Codorus, and early in April of the next year ascended the river as far 8 Binghamton, after which she returned to York Haven, her captain, a Mr. Elger, reporting that navigation of the Susquehanna by steam was impracticable.

Some of our older citizens doubtless remember to have seen her lying moored to the shore about abreast of the present Market Street sewer, and how the men, women and children of the old borough gathered on the common to admire so great a triumph in the art of marine architecture, and enjoy a ride to Forty Fort and return on the wonderful craft.

As regards the boat said to have been contracted for by Mr. Winchester, there seems to be some mystery. We find other newspaper mention of her saying that she was almost completed and would soon be ready to take to the water, and yet there is no certainty of her ever having been used in any way on the river. And again, we are not informed that the Susquehanna ever succeeded in passing the rapids below Columbia, and it is difficult to see how she could, and yet Mr. Pearce in his "Annals of Luzerne" says the Susquehanna was the identical boat that exploded her boiler at Berwick the next spring, while the Maryland commissioners in their official report give the name as the Susquehanna and Baltimore. It is just possible that the fatal explosion may have occurred on board Mr. Winchester's boat of that name, and that the original Susque hanna never succeeded in getting through the lower Rapids.

The Susquehanna and Baltimore, say the Maryland Commissioners, was built in the spring of 1825. (the Susquehanna was on the river in early spring) at the expense of a number of citizens of Baltimore, for the express purpose of making an experiment to navigate the waters of the Susquehanna above the Conewago Falls, and was placed

under the care of Capt. Cornwell, (Pearce says Collins), an experienced river pilot; she was accompanied on her trial trip on this portion of the river by a board of Commissioners of the State of Maryland, Messrs. Patterson, Ellicott and Morris, three distinguished citizens of Baltimore. Capt. Cornwell had already in March made seve ral successful trips as far up as Northumberland and Danville on the North Branch and to Milton on the West Branch and returned to York Haven without accident. At noon on the 27th of April, 1826, the boat started from York Haven, having in tow a large keel boat capable of carrying a thousand bushels of wheat, and proceeded on her fatal trip, arriving at the Nescopeck Falls at 4 o'clock of May 3. At these falls there

was

an

outer and an artificial inner channel of shallow water for the accommodation of rafts and arks. It was decided by Capt. Cornwell after consulting with other river men on board to try first the main, or deep water channel, as they feared the water might be too shallow in the artificial channel to allow the boat to pass. The current is very strong in the main channel, and the captain argued that if the boat would not stem it, that he could then drop back and try the other one. The boat made a halt in a small eddy below the falls on the east side of the river and some of the passengers went ashore; this was the case with the Maryland Commissioners.

The boat was directed into the main channel, and had proceeded perhaps two thirds of the distance through the falls, when she ceased to make further progress, the engine was stopped and she was permitted to drift back to the foot of the rapid, where she struck upon a wall dividing the artificial from the main channel, and at that instant one of her boilers exploded at both ends. The scene was as awful as the imagination can picture. Two of the passengers on board, named John Turk and Seber Whitmarsh, raftmen from Chenango, N. Y., were thrown into the river, where they met with an instant death, if not by the explosion, certainly by drowning in the swift current of the river; William Camp, a merchant from Owego, was fatally scalded by escaping steam. David Rose, of Chenango, N. Y., was also fatally injured. Quincy Maynard, the engineer, as stated in the account published in the Danville Watchman one week after the occurrence, was not expected to recover. Christian Brobst, of Catawissa, father of our late townsman S. D. Brobst, and Jeremiah Miller, of Juniata, were seriously injured. Messrs. Woodside, Colt and Underwood, of Danville, were more or less injured, as were Messrs. Barton

Emanuel Marshall's Speedy Ancestor.

At the foot of the Wilkes-Barre Mountain, on the way from Wilkes-Barre to Oliver's Mills, lives a well-known Wilkes-Barrean, Emanuel Marshall. He comes from an old pre-Revolutionary family, and he is fond of telling about the troublous times of the last century. His great-grandfather was one of the men who was employed by the Proprietary Government, just 150 years ago this September month, to participate in what has since been the historic walking purchase. Penn had bought a lot of land on the Delaware half a century before, but he was such an honest old Quaker that he would take no advantage of the Indians and so the three days' walk, which was to limit the purchase, was only such an one as Penn himself and the Indians could accomplish.

Not so scrupulous were his successors. They employed men who were famous for their abilities as fast walkers and they were to have a compensation of five pounds in money and 500 acres of land in the purchase. The limit of the purchase was to be a point as far distant as could be walked from sunrise of one day to noon of the next day. Of the three, Marshall was the only one who did not break down, he covering sixty miles. The Delaware Indians always considered that the Proprietaries had swindled them, nor would they relinquish the land until compelled by the Six Nations, six years later, to do so. The walk w88 undoubtedly one of the causes which afterwards led to war and bloodshed; and the first murder in the Province, Dr. Egle says in his History of Pennsylvania, was on the very land they believed themselves cheated ont of. When the Surveyor General afterwards passed over this ground it took him four days to cover what Marshal had covered in a day and a half.

Of Marshall's companions one who broke down on the way never recovered from the strain, but lived only a few years. The second who also fell by the way died of exhaustion in three days. Marshall, who was a native of Bucks County, was a noted hunter and chain carrier. He lived and died on Marshall's Island in the Delaware, eaching the age of 90.

TWO SUICIDES. Reminiscences Called up by a New York Lawyer's Visit in Search of Evidence. A certain New York attorney has been in Wilkes-Barre in consultation with a number of our leading citizens on business that recalls the many interesting events that transpired in connection with the residence and experience of Jay Gould and his then partners in this county. Leupp, Lee & Co. was the name of the firm which had the famous controversy with Gould concerning the Gouldsboro tannery with its pitched battles, its arrests, its long drawn out equity suits, its receivership, etc., all which ended in a small sum being secured to Leupp, Lee & Co. and in Gould's leaving the county with a borrowed $5 bill in his pocket to pay his way back to New York whence he came here on his then disappointed search for a fortune.

It is noted as one of the tragic features of the association of these men that both Leupp and Lee afterwards suicided. The former was entertaining a number of his friends in New York, the conversation turned on firearms. Leupp left his guests and repaired to his own bed room up stairs. Here he took down from its usual resting place a remarkable sort of gun. He took it apart, carefully put it together again, and then deliberately blew his brains out with it.

Lee married his housekeeper after he left here and finally took up his residence at Orangeville, N. J. It was at this place he put an end to his life, a few years ago, but not, as in the other case, with any specially dramatic accompaniments. It is with reference to a dispute that has arisen under his will that the New York lawyer came here The will is disputed on the ground that he was non compos mentis, as they say in law, and legally incapable of making a will, and the intention of the disputors is to secure depositions from such of our citizens as knew him at the time of his residence here, to the effect that he was even then not in his right mind. Whether such depositions can be secured is a question. He is remembered as a very peculiar and eccentric man, but it does not follow that he was mad. Many men have even more pronounced oddities and yet are fully capable, and disposed to the doing, of everything as the law contemplates that it shall be done.

He was a bachelor when he lieved here and for a time occupied rooms in the old Dennis tavern which stood at the corner of Franklin and Market Streets, where the Second National Bank now 18. Afterwards he moved to the boarding house on the corner of the alley on Franklin Street, west side, where the broker shops and lawyers' offices are to-day. Here he used to do his work at a table piled high with papers and in

a room littered with them He was a great reader and well up in literature of all kinds. In attestation of his attainments and standing in this regard is the fact that when he afterwards removed to New York he became a member of the famous Century Club. He was fond of having his friends come to his room and eat with him. Nearly always he would keep a pot containing soup, of which he was evidently very appreciative, boiling on a stove in one of his rooms. He made jellies himself, that is with his own hands. He would boil eggs and feed his guests with meals composed of these and other articles, the product of his own culinary genius. He was very greatly exercised by the great flood of 1885, when the Susquehanna found its way into our streets as far up as the Square and when River, Franklin, Canal and other streets were navigated for some time in boats. During this period he was fond of parading in the water up and down River Street in great long boots reaching up to his middle, and a rope tied around his waist, with a long end coiled, which he carried in his hand, and which he said was to be thrown to the rescue of any poor devil who might be brought helplessly down the swollen stream from any point above, or to any boy or woman who should topple from his or her boat, or otherwise be placed in danger of being drowned. He traversed this beat patiently during nearly all the continuance of the flood. It is remembered that once during this time he stopped at Mrs. Woodbury's house and asked for a glass of brandy. The liquor was given to him, but instead of drinking it he poured it into his boots, remarking that in that place it would be a reasonably sure preventive against his taking cold.

Other of his peculiarities are remembered and will doubtless be sworn to for the use of those who aim to overset the suicide's will, but whether they should avail to accomplish that object may well be questioned. It certainly should not be called evidence of insanity that a man prefers brandy in his boots to brandy in his belly

O. B. J.

Early Susquehanna Manuscripts. The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography for October contains the following note:

MS. on the Susquehanna and bordering country.-The British Historical Manuscripts Commission, in the Appendix to their 8th Report, mention a manuscript of some value to students of Pennsylvania history. "Official report of 48 pp., May, 1778, 'Description de la riviere de Susquehanna, et du pays qui la borde, depuis Harris's Ferry jusqua l'embouchure.' MS. still or recently in the possession of Lord Braybrooke, of Braybrooke, at Audley End, Saffron, Walden, Sussex."