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pointed of coming down about my cloth at the taylor's. I hear he has gone from there and I am fearful he has taken my cloth, unless he has left it with you." It must have been a pretty serious undertaking to have a coat made in those days when a man had to travel from Sheshequin, 80 miles distant, to Wilkes Barre to find a competent tailor, and then, what a disappointment to have him run away with the cloth and trimmings, and a military coat at that, probably, as further on he directs his "soard and appoletts" to be sent by Isaac Shepherd, or the post.

Luther Goddard writes in January, 1807, from Burlington to Mr. Butler, stating that "Different to my expectations and greatly to my damage I have never received those stills that I purchased of you." Probably the old Butler still-house on Coal Brook, near the present Conyngham shaft, was just then in good running order, and the people of Wilkes-Barre were in great need of whisky, so the stills could not be spared.

There is an original warrant issued by Lord Butler, county treasurer, dated Dec. 13, 1801, for the collection of $172.39%1⁄2 tax assessed against Roger Searl of Pittston township, who had paid a portion, leaving a balance of $69.48%1⁄2 still due. On the back of the warrant is the endorsement, "Levied the within warrant on two cows, two oxen and two horses as the property of said Searl-so answers Jonathan Hancock, subsheriff, for Benjamin Dorrance, sheriff."

There is also a blank petition to the Right Worshipful Grand Master Masons of Pennsylvania, in the usual form of a Master Mason, asking privilege to be allowed to pass the master's chair by dispensation.

A list of "vendue notes." probably at the sale of the Butler personal property after bis death (1816), ineludes the names of the principal citizens of Wilkes-Barre of that day; such as Archippus Parrish, Wm. Ross, Harris Colt, John P. Arndt, Samuel Maffet, Chas. Catlin, Garrick Mallery, Jacob Babb, C. Courtright 2d, Parley Lyons, S. VanLoon, Job Barton, Seth Wilson, Samuel Bowman. The names of Hezekiah Parsous, Harris Jenkins and Thomas, Daniel and John Davenport appear among those who paid their bills and did not give notes for the amounts of purchase.

A bill against the Butler estate in favor of Brown & Lyon shows that the price of farm produce, especially oats, was well up at that day (1816), as there is a charge for fifty bushels of seed oa s,$37.50, while the price of horse hire was quite the reverse; a charge for two horses and wagon, 28 days' hauling hay and harvesting, is put down at $28 only.

It would appear that "going to mill" was one of the ordinary items of expense in housekeeping in those days, as there are several charges of Enos going to Wright's

mill, 50 cents each. This same establishment comes down to our own day, venerable with the historic associations of nearly a century-having been established in 1795but has for many decades been known by the present name of the berough in whicn it stands-Miner's Mills.

Trouble about election matters seems to have vexed politi. iars even as early as 1807. In a letter to Isaac Cash from Capt. Butler, he says, in speaking of an approaching election, "I am confident that people in that quarter have an idea of holding back to take advantage of our splitting, but there is no probability of there being more than three or four candidates." What the office to be filled was we are not informed.

A letter dated Jan. 18, 1811, says he had expected his brother Steuben to go into business with him, but that Steuben had concluded to remain in the printing trade. The latte took charge of the Luzerne Federalist and was identified with Wilkes-Barre journalism many years after, he surviving his half brother Zebulon a period of 67 years, his death being quite recent.

A Pennsylvania Historical Novel. Hon. William Bross, ex-Lieutenant Governor of Illinois, has recently completed a historical novel, the scene of which is located on the Wallenpaupack, among the moun. tains and forests of Pike County, Gov. Bross was born and grew to young manhood at Milford, Pike County. The Presbyterians of that place have erected a fine brick church upon the site of the wooden structure in which his father was for so long a deacon that he was through the after years of his life known as "Deacon Bross." The spire of the new building is not yet finished, but when it is it will have in it a 1,200 pound bell and a tower clock which have been presented to the society by "the Governor." Mr. Bross is intensely interested in Wyoming history and came here from his Chicago home in 1878 to attend the centennial of the massacre. He is a most genial gentleman and is identified as a director, trustee or other officer with many of the educational, historical and religious societies of Chicago. He is also pre-ident of the Chicago Tribune Publishing Co., and as such he has rendered many 8 favor to young newspaper men struggling for position.

Mr. C. F. Hill, of Hazleton, contemplates writing a history of that region of the Susquehanna lying between Berwick and Sunbury. He has accumulated a fund of valuable information as to early times in that region, a region intimately associated with pioneer life in old Wyoming.

HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

Twenty-ninth Annual Meeting- Interesting Resume of Progress Made-Two Valuable Papers Read.

The Wyoming Historical and Geological Society held their annual meeting Feb. 11,at noon at the society rooms, Judge Dana presiding. There were present, Judge Dana, Dr. Ingham, S. Reynolds, Edward Welles, Rev. H. E. Hayden, W. P. Miner, C. Parsons, J.W. Hollenback, G. B. Kulp, H. H. Harvey G. M. Reynolds, Adj. Wright. The annual election of officers resulted as follows:

President-Hon. E. L. Dana.

Vice Presidents-Dr. C. F. Ingham, Rev. H. L. Jones, Capt. Calvin Parsons, Hon. Eckley B. Coxe

Recording Secretary-S. C. Struthers. Corresponding Secretary-Sheldon Reyn

olds.

Librarian-Hon. J. R. Wright.

Assistant Librarian-G. Mortimer Lewis. Treasurer A. H. McClintock.

Curators-Dr. C. F. Iugham, Conchology and Mineralogy; S. Reynolds, Archæology; Rev. H. E. Hayden, Numismatics, R. D. Lacoe, Palæontology.

Meteorologist-Hon. E. L Dana. Historiographer-George B. Kulp. Trustees-Dr. Charles F. Ingham, Edward P. Darling, Ralph D. Lacoe, Edward Welles, Hon. Charles A. Miner.

Report was made by Mr. Kulp of the death of five members, all occurring within three months: Dr. Hodge, Martin Coryell, John Wroth, Isaac Lea, J. K Bogert.

Judge Dana submitted weather report for last two months, which we condense as follows:

December

17th,

Lowest temperature, two below zero, only date below zero, average temperature for month, 21% degrees; total rain fall, 1.68 inches; snow fall, 9 inches.

January-Lowest temperature, 8th, five degrees below zero; mercury below zero, 3d, 4th, 8th and 27th; average temperature for month, 22 degrees; rained 8 days: snowed 7 days; total rainfall, 3.03 inches; depth of snow, 9 inches.

A balance of $247 was reported in the treasury.

The following reports were made:

Archæology-The cabinet has been increased during the year by the addition of 387 arrow and spear points, 3 stone axes, 8 celts, 7 drills, 5 pestles, 2 tomahawks, as also a flaying knife, a double pitted stone, a pipe, hammerstone and gouge. The larger part were pre-ented by Henry C. Wilson, they having been found near his home, Mt. Vernon, O. Mr. Lung, and James Crockett also contributed valuable specimens.

Library-During the year there have been

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The following members were elected: Miss Carrie M. Alexander, Reuben Jay Flick, Ambrose Reese, Warren Jay Flick, Liddon Flick.

Adjournment was had until 8 pm., at which time the society reassembled, with a large audience present, the room being filled.

Acknowledgment was made of contributions from the following donors:

Library-Hon. J. A. Scranton, Newport Historical Pub. Co., Telephone, R. Baur & Son, Express, News-Dealer, Wyoming Bank, R. B. Brundage, Y. M. C. A., Geo. Sheldon, Middlebury (Vt.) His. Soc., Bureau of Education, American Philosophical Soc., Dr. D. G. Brinton, Library Co. of Phil., His. & Phil. Soc. of Ohio, Dr. W. H. Egle, Co. Reynolds, Sheldon Reynolds, Dr. Henry Phillips, Jr., Cayuga Co. His. Soc., American Geographical Soc., Hon. J. R. Wright, Lackawanna Institute of History and Science, B. Reynolds, American Congregational Ass'n, Minnesota His. Soc., Dr. H. Hakes, Georgia His. Soc., H. G. Merrill, F. C. Johnson, U. S. Geological Survey, Iowa His. Soc., Ĥ. R. Deitrick, G. B. Kulp, E. L. Dana, Gen. C. W. Darling, RECORD, T. H. Atherton, S. C. Struthers, People's Bank, A. Hunlock, I. A. Stearns.

Aboriginal implements - S. James Crockett.

Reynolds,

Geological specimens-Edward Welles, F. Mercur, R. H. Peterson.

Miscellaneous-Capt. O. A. Parsons, Adam

Behee.

A neatly framed pen drawing was presented, which is described by its title: "A partial map of the towns of Pittston, Plains and Wilkes-Barre, showing the names of nearly all the settlers in 1837. Drafted from the memory of R. W. Hinckley, a teacher and merchant in the valley from 1837 to 1843. Drawn by R. P. Hinckley, Bridgeport, Ct. Presented by R. W. Hinckley, publisher, 165 Chambers Street, New York City."

Samuel W. Pennypacker was elected a corresponding member.

A portrait of Timothy Pickering was presented by Miss Mary Bowman.

Judge Dana read an interesting annual report as president, showing the progress made and making numerous suggestions as to the

future. He recommended branching out into the natural sciences.

Capt. James P. Dennis read a capital paper on the list of buildings in the borough in 1819 as he remembered them. Only a portion of the paper was read, Capt. Dennis being invited to present another installment later.

Dr. Ingham read an account of the New Brunswick mineral called albertite, believed to be an altered petroleum. The paper was interesting, but rather technical for the average lay mind.

The lecture room of the society is so ill adapted for lectures, having wretched acouistic properties and absolutely no ventilation, that few persons could have sat through the session with much physical comfort. Such a room would kill any but a phenomenally robust organization,

Mr. Kalp presented biographical sketches of members deceased during the year, mentioned above.

The committee appointed to confer with the directors of the Osterhout Free Library, relative to quarters in the propose 1 building, reported to the effect that the Osterhout directors had decided to utilize the Presbyterian Church building for from 5 to 10 years, and would be willing that the Historical Society have the Sunday school addition for their purposes, should it be suitable. is of brick, 35x46 feet, two stories high, the ground floor seating 200 persons, the second having two rooms, each 22x34 feet in size. The building has light on three sides and is comparatively safe as to fire. The committhe favored the acceptance of the offer and were continued with discretionary powers.

It

The Harrisburg Telegraph for Jan. 29. contains an interesting sketch on the "Underground Railway," and of William Rutherford, a notable abolitionist who lived in the Paxtang Valley. A tribute is also paid to William (or "Pap") Jones, of Harrisburg. The writer, "W. F. R.," thus speaks of him:

"Pap Jones" was a large; well built man, of pure African descent, and possessed in a large measure that quality known among colored men as "Coon sense," which being interpreted. means genius, with a large share of cunning superseded. For many years Mr. Jones was one of the most efficient men connected with the "Underground Railroad" in thi locality. He had acquired a thorough knowledge of the routes leading northward and was always prepared to furnish competent guides. His

large covered wagon, drawn by two horses and driven by himself in the capacity of rag merchant, was frequently to be met with on the roads leading towards Wilkes-Barre or Pottsville.

The Pennsylvania Germans. A treatise which will be of great interest and value to the Pennsylvania Germans of Lancaster, York, Lebanon, Berks, Dauphin, Lehigh and other German counties of Pennsylvania, has just been completed by Dr. W. J. Hoffman, member of the United States Ethnological Bureau for scientific publication.

It is an ethnological and philological history of the Pennsylvania Germans. The work embraces a dictionary and grammar of the language, the customs, supersti tions, folk-lore, medical practices, pow. wowing, etc., of those people. A valuable linguistic comparison of the Pennsylvania German dialect of to-day, and the Pfalz dialect, particularly the Bavarian, is introduced, which shows that the language now spoken by the Pennsylvania Germans is identical with the Bavarian dialect a century and a quarter ago, but somewhat different from the modern dialect. This is explained by the fact that the Pennsylania German has preserved its Bavarian identity as against English in Pennsylvania, while the Bavarian dialect has been materially modified by contact with other Teutonic dialects and the German proper. The work is of greater scope than has yet been undertaken in establishing the ethnologic and linguistic identity of that numerous and influential body of the people of Pennsylvania frɔm the time of the Crefeld settlers at Germantown, under Daniel Francis Pastorius in 1682, down through the enormous tide of emigration from the Pfalz provinces which crowded into the Province of Pennsylvania until the time of the Revolution. The present dialect of the descendants of these early fathers of the Teutonic people of Pennsylvania shows its Bavarian origin with an admixture of the dialects of Baden and Wurtemberg and words from the Welsh and Irish settlers of the German counties of the State. Dr. Hoffman during his service as surgeon in the Franco-Prussian war in the Seventh army corps, under the famous old warrior, Steinmetz, and afterwards at the headquarters of Prince Frederick Charles, of Bavaria, at Verney, three miles below Metz, had ample opportunities to make in vestigations, which he has since followed up, and which have culminated in his present work. Special interest will attach to this work, in view of the rapidity with which, in later years, Peunsylvania Dutch has disappeared from popular use.-Harrisburg Telegraph.

A FRONTIER HERO

Who was a Prisoner Among the Indians two Years-His Services Recognized by theegislature a Quarter of a Century

Later.

EDITOR RECORD: Allow me to present the following as a memorial of a brave and true soldier of the Revolutionary War, Capt. Joseph Solomon or (Salmon), of Col. James Murray's Regiment of No.thumberland County Militia. It is not known whether Capt. Solomon was related to John Solomon, a soldier in the French and Indian War, or not. Of his parentage little seems to be known. However his memory richly deserver this humble notice. The following letter from Gen. James Potter to President Reed bearing date Sunbury, April 12th, 1781, will bear publishing.

Sir: I Arived at My house on Sunday last and on Monday I cam to this place and since I have maid a Visite to difrent parts of the frunteers who I find in great distreess. Numbers of them flying for there lives at this early Seasone of the year. The enemy has Maid five different Strookes on our frunteers since the 22d of March. On the Sixth instant they fierred on an old Man, his Son and daughter. the Boy wos shott ded and the indians Imedatly Maid a prisar of the Young woman The old Man Had a stick in Hand with which he nobley defended himself against one of the Indians who had a tomhack and Maid the fellow drope his Wapon. Col Kelley with a few of his Nighbours wos in a house at a little distance. On hearing the enemy guns go off they Run to the pleace and obledged the enemy to Retreat leving the Young Womon there prisur and our brave old Irishman and his stick behind them and all there Blankets. They outrun Col Kelly and his party and got off as Usile

On Sabathday last the eight instant. in the evening they come to the House of one Durmes about five miles from this pleace Immedatly on there entring the house they Shott Daun and Tooke one Captain Solomon a prisnr. there wos four Weemin and an number of Children in the House They plundered the House of everything that wor Valibel. But whot is surprising. they went off with Captain Solomon and there plunder leving behind the Weemin and Children. This hapned leat in the evening the next day they were pursued but not come up with. Captain Robinson has got forty men enlisted for the war, but many of them are so naked for wont of all kinds of Clothing that they cannot do Duty. They have not a blanket among them all. I know it is not in the power of Council to provide for them at present, but I hope they will as soon as poable. There is no appeerance of

Cumberlond Militia Coming to this County as yet. on my Coming to this County sent off to hasten there March. I most sincerely wished for Assembly to have been with me in my disagreeable visit along the much disstressed Frunteers. I have not Language to express there distressess and therefore will not atemt it.

I have the Honour to be with the greatest esteem Your Excellency's Most Humble sevont

JAS. POTTER.

Capt. Robinson's destitute company referred to in the above letter is the same company of which Moses Van Campen was a first lieutenant. This is the brief history of how Capt. Solomon was taken prisoner by the Indians on the 8th day of April, 1781, at the house of one Durmer on a quiet Sunday evening near Sunbury. He was taken to York State or Canada and was gone for two years. The history of his captivity and return would no doubt make an interesting chapter in the history of the Revolutionary War. It is hoped that such a history may yet be produced and published as a tribute of respect to the memory of this one of the heroes whose memories should never die out

It is a relief to notice that the Legislature of the State of Pennsylvania did itself the honor to pass the following:

Where's, It appears that Joseph Salmon, late a captain in Colonel James Munay's Regiment, of Northumberland County militia, while in the service of his country during the Revolutionary War. was taken prisoner by the Indians and detained in captivity upwards of two years, during which time his then infant family solely dependent on his labor for support, was lett destitute, and himself treated with all the rigour incident to savage warfare, and it also appearing that he hath not received from his country any compensation for his services and sufferings.

Therefore, be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in General Assembly met, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, that there is granted to the same Joseph Salmon a tract of donation land to contain three hundred acres, for which a patent shall be made to him, his heirs or assigns in the usual manner.

SIMON SNYDER, Speaker of the House of Representatives. Approved the fourth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and seven..

THOMAS MCKEAN. The stardy old captain was married to a Miss Ann Wheeler, after whose family name Fort Wheeler, a fort on the Fishing Creek, just above the town of Light Street, in

Columbia County, Pa., named Fort Wheeler, was built by Moses Van Campen, in the month of April, 1778. Near this place Captain Solomon lived and died on what is known as the William Warden farm, between the towns of Espy and Light Street, and he and his wife lie buried near the place. The Captain left nine children, Isaiah, John, George, William 1st, William 2d, Jane, Margarette, Sarah and Phebe. These sons and daughters are scattered far and wide.

Isaiah, one of the sons, married Sarah McMurtrie and settled in Briar Creek Township, near Berwick, and reared a family of thirteen children: James M., Isaiah Wheeler, Clark, William, Abram M., Joseph P., John S., George Ellis, Elizabeth Ann, Maria Charlotte, Phebe and Sarah Jane.

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Isaiah Salmon was widely and favorably known as an intelligent and influential citizen, and died honored and lamented by the community in which he lived.

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Two of his sons, James M., and Clark are

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ministers of the gospel and are known as

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men of eminence in their calling. Joseph P. Salmon, a namesake of his illustrious grandfather, Captain Solomon. lives in Hazleton, Pa., where he is well and favorably known. He came to Hazleton in his boyhood, and since his advent here has earned and received the confidence of the community, and has filled many positions of trust and honor.

Hazleton, Pa., Feb. 3, 1887.

Pioneer Physicians of Wyoming. The Luzerne County Medical Society held its annual meeting and banquet Jan. 5, at the Wyoming Valley Hotel. Dr. Howell, vice-president, presided at the meeting.

more

After the transaction of routine business, Dr. Fred. C. Johnson, of the RECORD, read a paper upon the Pioneers of Medicine in this Valley. It was a very interesting sketch, though the reader claimed that his paper was really but a bundle of fragments of biographical gleanings, he having had no time to compile the same into such sequential form as he might have done and would have done, had he been given time. The morsels of personal reminiscences in the lives of the early doctors were more tha. interesting. He touched upon none of the doctors later than 1825. Dr. Johnson gave Dr. Hollister, of Providence, credit for much of the material that he presented last evening, and paid that antiquarian and genial medical philosopher a warm tribute of praises and urged the purchase of his valuable collection of aboriginal and other curiosities as the nucleus of a museum; this as a recognition of Dr. Hollister's zeal in its collection and as a financial help to him now that he is

7.30 1828.

Aggregate average for forty-four years $17.42. The circumstances which have produced the principal fluctuations are given as follows: From 1794 to 1796 scarcity in France and England: from 1798 to 1800, export to England; 1800 to 2801, scarcity in England; 1804-5 scarcity in Spain; 18089, long embargo; 1809-10-11, Peninsular war; 1812-13.14, war with England; 131617, scarcity in ngland. To this we might add the cause of an advance during the latter part of 1828, viz., scarcity in Europe, particularly in England. The state of the currency in 1814–15 had an effect on prices. The highest yearly average was that of 1796, viz., $12.50, and the lowest price that of 1826, viz., $4.65 The lowest price was in March, 1821, $3.37. The highest price was in March, 1796, $15.-Salem South Jersey

man.

Indian Relics.

James Crockett, of Ross Township, has sent the Wyoming Historical and Geological Society some valuable aboriginal specimens. They comprise a grooved axe, plowed up on the farm of Miner Goss, in Fairmount Township, white arrow and drill; grooved tomahawk, from Crockett farm; a stone gouge from George Hess' farm, Fishing Creek, and a lot of flint chips.

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