mountain summit, a distance of four miles! Fortunately, however, this extravagant idea was abandoned, and surveys for the railroad were commenced in 1828, and were continued by various engineers until the appointment of Sylvester Welch, under whom the present location was made. Mr. Welch has immortalized his name by a work equal in importance and grandeur to any in the world. He has raised a monument to the intelligence, enterprise, and public spirit of Pennsylva nia, more honorable than the temples and pyramids of Egypt, or the triumphant arches and columns of Rome. They were erected to commemorate the names of tyrants, or the battles of vic. torious chieftains, while these magnificent works are intended to subserve the interests of agriculture, manufactures, and commerce-to encourage the arts of peace-to advance the prosperity and happiness of the whole people of the United States-to strengthen the bonds of the Union." "In October, 1834, this portage was actually the means of connecting the waters of Eastern Pennsylvania with those of Mississippi; and as the circumstance is peculiarly interesting, we here place it on record. Jesse Chrisman, from the Lackawanna, a tributary of the north branch of the Susquehanna, loaded his boat, named Hit or Miss, with his wife, children, beds and family accommodations, with pigeons and other live-stock, and started for Illinois. At Hollidaysburg, where he expected to sell his boat, it was suggested by John Dougherty, of the Reliance Transportation line, that the whole concern could be safely hoisted over the mountain and set afloat again in the canal. Mr. Dougherty prepared a railroad car calculated to bear the novel burden. The boat was taken from its proper element and placed on wheels, and under the superintendence of Major C. Williams, (who, be it remembered, was the first man who ran a boat over the Allegheny mountain,) the boat and cargo at noon on the same day began their progress over the rugged Allegheny. All this was done without disturbing the family arrangements of cooking, sleeping, &c. They rested a night on the top of the mountain, like Noah's ark on Ararat, and descended next morning into the valley of the Mississippi, and sailed for St. Louis."

The trip of a boat over the mountain is now no novel sight, except that, instead of going over whole, they are so constructed as to be separated into three or four parts on reaching the railroad. After thus mounting the cars piecemeal, with their loads of emigrants, baggage, and freight on board, they wend their way over the mountains, and resuming their proper element at Johnstown, they unite their parts again and glide on to the waters of the great west. Since this road was constructed, such improvements have been made in the construction of locomotives, that a project has been suggested for re-locating the whole road, and so arranging and extending the grades as to adapt them to the tractive power of locomotives, and dispense entirely with stationary engines, or, at any rate, with all except one at the extreme summit. This route would cross the summit by a gap north of the present route.

LORETTO is situated about six miles east of Ebensburg, a few miles north of the turnpike. It is the site of the Catholic church founded by the liberality and sustained by the labors of Rev. Dr. Gallitzin. Population in 1840, 151. The soil in and around the village is exceedingly good. The population in the vicinity is principally composed of Germans and Irish of the Catholic persuasion. (See above the history of the co.)

MUNSTER is a small village, five miles east of Ebensburg, on the turnpike, containing, by the census of 1840, only 67 inhabitants.

The SUMMIT is a small village at the summit of the railroad, containing a post-office, taverns, stores, &c., and about 100 inhabitants. There is also another thriving village at the foot of plane No. 3, containing two taverns, stores, &c. &c.

CARBON COUNTY.

CARBON COUNTY was taken from Northampton and Monroe by the act of 1843. The townships of Mauch Chunk, Lausanne, Upper Towamen

sing, Lower Towamensing, and East Penn were taken from Northampton, and the township of Penn Forest from Monroe. Length 20 miles, breadth 19; area 390 sq. miles. The county comprises the very mountainous region on the Lehigh river above the Kittatinny mountain, a region rugged and wild in appearance, and poorly adapted to agricultural purposes; but abounding in mineral wealth, in extensive forests of pine lumber, and in water power. The Lehigh river divides the county into two nearly equal parts. The more important streams tributary to it are, on the east side the Aquanshicola and Big cr., Muddy run and Duck cr. ; and on the west side, Lizard, Mahoning, Mauch Chunk, Nesquihoning, Quakake, and Laurel creeks.

Above the Kittatinny or Blue mountain, and running parallel with it in a southwestern and northeastern direction, are Mahoning mountain, Mauch Chunk or Bear mountain, Pohokopo, Pokono, Broad, and Spring mountains, Bald ridge, and Pine hill. Of these the Mauch Chunk, Broad, and Pokono, rise from 800 to 1,000 feet above the Lehigh river. Anthracite coal is found in great abundance in the Mauch Chunk mountain, and in several of the other elevations northwest of the Lehigh. The particu lar localities will be described more in detail in another place. The Great Swamp, or Shades of Death, as it was formerly called by the suf fering fugitives from Wyoming, is a vast body of rather wet land, covered with a dense forest of pine, on both sides of the Lehigh river, extending from its source downward some 20 miles. The lower end of this tract is in Carbon co. Its lumber furnishes a vast amount of freight for the Lehigh Navigation Company's canal, which has recently been extended into this forest.

This canal and slackwater navigation extends from White Haven along the Lehigh to Easton, where it connects with the Delaware canal. There are several railroads in the county for bringing to the canal the produce respectively of the Mauch Chunk, Nesquihoning, Beaver Meadow, Hazleton, and Sugar Loaf mines. The Centre turnpike from Easton to Berwick on the Susquehanna, passes up the Lehigh to a short distance above Mauch Chunk, whence it passes over the Broad and Spring mountains, and through the village of Beaver Meadow.

The first settlement in Carbon county was by the Moravian missionaries in the year 1746. The converted Mohegan Indians having been driven out of Shekomeko, in New York, near the borders of Connecticut, and from Patchgatgoch in the latter state, found an asylum for a short time at Friedenshuetten, near Bethlehem. Deeming it inconvenient to maintain a large Indian congregation so near Bethlehem, the missionaries purchased 200 acres on the north side of Mahoning creek, about half a mile above its junction with the Lehigh. "Each Indian family possessed its own lot of ground, and began its separate housekeeping. Gnadenhutten became a very regular and pleasant town. The church stood in the valley, on one side the Indian houses, forming a crescent, upon a rising ground; and on the other stood the house of the missionary, and the burying-ground. The road to 'Waiomink' and other Indian towns, lay through the settlement." This was the famous path over Nescopeck mountain still known as the Warrior's path. The missionaries tilled their own grounds, and every Indian family their plantation; and on the 18th Aug. 1746, they had the satisfaction to partake of the first-fruits of the

land at a love-feast. "Christian Rauch and Martin Mack were the first missionaries who resided here. They were succeeded by other missionaries, who were occasionally removed, the brethren being of opinion that frequent changes of the ministers of the congregation might be useful in preventing too strong an attachment to, and dependence upon men, and fixing the hope of the Indians more upon God alone." Several parts of Scripture had been translated into the Mohegan language. "The congregation met morning and evening to sing and pray, and sometimes to hear a discourse upon the text of Scripture appointed for the day. The holy communion was administered to the communicants every month. The Indians called the communion day the great day, and such indeed it was, for the missionaries could never find words to extol the power and grace of God, revealed on these occasions." "In Sept. 1749, Bishop Johannes Von Watteville went to Gnadenhutten and laid the foundation of a new church, that built in 1746 being too small, and the missionaries being obliged to preach out of doors. The Indian congregation alone consisted of 500 persons. About this time Mr. David Brainerd and several of his Indian converts visited Gnadenhutten." "The congregation continued in this pleasing and regular state until the year 1754."

When the Delawares and Shawanees on the Susquehanna began to waver in their allegiance to the English, and were preparing to take up the hatchet on the side of the French, it became an object of some importance to them to withdraw their Indian brethren in the missionary settlements beyond the reach of the whites, that the hostile savages might more freely descend upon the white settlements. The Christian Indians for some time resolutely refused to move to Wyoming. At length, however, a part were seduced by the influence of Teedyuscund. The Mohegans who remained were joined by the Christian Delawares from Meniolagomeka, and—to continue the history in the words of Loskiel

The land on the Mahoning being impoverished, and other circumstances requiring a change, the inhabitants of Gnadenhutten removed to the north side of the Lehigh. The dwellings were removed, and a new chapel was built, in June, 1754. The place was called New Gnadenhutten. [It stood where Weissport now is.] The dwellings were so placed that the Mohicans lived on one, and the Delawares on the other side [of the street.] The brethren at Bethlehem took the culture of the old land on the Mahoning upon themselves, made a plantation of it for the use of the Indian congregation, and converted the old chapel into a dwelling, both for the use of those brethren and sisters who had the care of the plantations, and for missionaries passing on their visits to the heathen.

The Indians in the French interest were much incensed that any of the Moravian Indians chose to remain at Gnadenhutten, and determined to cut off the settlement. After Braddock's defeat, in 1755, the whole frontier was open to the inroads of the savage foe. Every day disclosed new scenes of barbarity committed by the Indians. The whole country was in terror; the neighbors of the brethren in Gnadenhutten forsook their dwellings and fled; but the brethren made a covenant together to remain undaunted in the place allotted them by Providence. However, no caution was omitted; and because the white people considered every Indian as an enemy, the Indian brethren in Gnadenhutten were advised as much as possible to keep out of their way-to buy no powder nor shot, but to strive to maintain themselves without hunting, which they willingly complied with. But God had otherwise ordained. On a sudden the mission-house on the Mahoning was, late in the evening of 24th Nov., attacked by the French Indians, burnt, and eleven of the inhabitants murdered.

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The family, being at supper, heard an uncommon barking of dogs, upon which brother Senseman went out at the back door to see what was the matter. On the report of a gun, several ran together to open the house-door. Here the Indians stood with their pieces pointed towards the door, and firing immediately upon its being opened, Martin Nitchman was instantly killed. His wife and some others were wounded, but fled with the rest up stairs into the garret, and barricaded the door with bedsteads. Brother Partsch escaped by jumping out of a back window. Brother Worbas, who was ill in bed in a house adjoining, jumped likewise out of a back window

and escaped, though the enemies had placed a guard before his door. Meanwhile the savages pursued those who had taken refuge in the garret, and strove hard to burst the door open; but finding it too well secured, they set fire to the house, which was soon in flames. A boy called Sturgeous, standing upon the flaming roof, ventured to leap off, and escaped; though at first, upon opening the back door, a ball had grazed his cheek, and one side of his head was much burnt. Sister Partsch seeing this took courage, and leaped likewise from the burning roof. She came down unhurt, and unobserved by the enemies; and thus the fervent prayer of her husband was fulfilled, who in jumping out of the back window cried aloud to God to save his wife. Brother Fabricius then leaped also off the roof, but before he could escape was perceived by the Indians, and instantly wounded by two balls. He was the only one whom they seized upon alive, and having dispatched him with their hatchets, took his scalp, and left him dead on the ground. The rest were all burnt alive, and brother Senseman, who first went out at the back door, had the inexpressible grief to see his wife consumed by the flames. Sister Partsch could not run far for fear and trembling, but hid herself behind a tree, upon a hill near the house. From hence she saw sister Senseman, already surrounded by the flames, standing with folded hands, and heard her call out, ""Tis all well, dear Saviour-I expected nothing else!" The house being consumed, the murderers set fire to the barns and stables, by which all the corn, hay, and cattle were de. stroyed. Then they divided the spoil, soaked some bread in milk, made a hearty meal, and departed-sister Partsch looking on unperceived.

This melancholy event proved the deliverer of the Indian congregation at Gnadenhutten; for upon hearing the report of the guns, seeing the flames, and soon learning the dreadful cause from those who had escaped, the Indian brethren immediately went to the missionary, and offered to attack the enemy without delay. But being advised to the contrary, they all fled into the woods, and Gnadenhutten was cleared in a few minutes; some who already were in bed having scarce time to dress themselves. Brother Zeisberger, who had just arrived in Gnadenhutten from Bethlehem, hastened back to give notice of this event to a body of English militia, which had marched within five miles of the spot; but they did not venture to pursue the enemy in the dark.

The fugitive congregation arrived safely at Bethlehem. After the French and Indians had retired, the remains of those killed on the Mahoning were carefully collected from the ashes and ruins, and solemnly interred. A broad marble slab, placed there in 1788, now marks the grave, which is situated on the hill, a short distance from Lehighton, and a little north of a small hamlet which occupies the site of the ancient missionary village. The following is the inscription on the marble:*

To the memory of Gotlieb and Christiana Anders, with their child Johanna; Martin and Su. sanna Nitsmann, Ann Catharina Sensmann, Leonhard Gattermeyer, Christian Fabricius, clerk; George Shuegger, John Frederick Lesley and Martin Presser, who lived here at Gnadenhutten unto the Lord, and lost their lives in a surprise from Indian warriors, November the 24th, 1755. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.-Psalm cxvi., 15.

The next chapter in the history of these wild glens of the Lehigh may perhaps be best given in the words of Dr. Franklin.

While the several companies in the city and country were forming, and learning their exercise, the governor prevailed with me to take charge of our northwestern frontier, which was infested by the enemy, and provide for the defence of the inhabitants by raising troops, and building a Line of forts. I undertook this military business, though I did not conceive myself well qualified for it. He gave me a commission with full powers, and a parcel of blank commissions for officers, to be given to whom I thought fit. I had but little difficulty in raising men, having soon five hundred and sixty under my command. My son, who had in the preceding war been an officer in the army raised against Canada, was my aid-de-camp, and of great use to me. The Indians had burned Gnadenhutten, a village settled by the Moravians, and massacred the inhabitants; but the place was thought a good situation for one of the forts. In order to march thither, I assembled the companies at Bethlehem, the chief establishment of those people. I was surprised to find it in so good a posture of defence; the destruction of Gnadenhutten had made them apprehend danger. The principal buildings were defended by a stockade; they had purchased a quantity of arms and ammunition from New York, and had even placed quantities of small paving stones between the windows of their high stone houses, for their women to throw

The grave-yard is in a very neglected condition. It would add much to the beauty of this interesting spot, if the brethren at Bethlehem and Nazareth would plant a few shade-trees around the monument, and enclose it with a railing.

them down upon the heads of any Indians that should attempt to force into them. The armed brethren too kept watch, and relieved each other on guard as methodically as in any garrison town. In conversation with the bishop, Spangenberg, I mentioned my surprise; for knowing they had obtained an act of parliament exempting them from military duties in the colonies, had supposed they were conscientiously scrupulous of bearing arms. He answered me, "That it was not one of their established principles; but that at the time of their obtaining that act it was thought to be a principle with many of their people. On this occasion, however, they to their surprise found it adopted by but a few." It seems they were either deceived in themselves, or deceived the parliament; but common sense, aided by present danger, will sometimes be too strong for whimsical opinions.

It was the beginning of January, 1756, when we set out upon this business of building forts. I sent one detachme towards the Minisink, with instructions to erect one for the security of that upper part of the country; and another to the lower part with similar instructious; and I concluded to go myself with the rest of my force to Gnadenhutten, where a fort was thought more immediately necessary. The Moravians procured me five wagons for our tools, stores, baggage, &c. Just before we left Bethlehem, eleven farmers, who had been driven from their plantations by the Indians, came to me requesting a supply of fire-arms, that they might go back and bring off their cattle. I gave them each a gun with suitable ammunition. We had not marched many miles before it began to rain, and it continued raining all day. There were no habitations on the road to shelter us, till we arrived near night at the house of a German, where, and in his barn, we were all huddled together as wet as water could make us. It was well we were not attacked in our march, for our arms were of the most ordinary sort, and our men could not keep the locks of their guns dry. The Indians are dextrous in contrivances for that purpose, which we had not. They met that day the eleven poor farmers above mentioned, and killed ten of them; the one that escaped informed us that his and his companions' guns would not go off, the priming being wet with the rain. The next day being fair, we continued our march, and arrived at the desolate Gnadenhutten; there was a mill near, round which were left several pine boards, with which we soon hutted ourselves; an operation the more necessary at that inclement season, as we had no tents. Our first work was to bury more effectually the dead we found there, who had been half interred by the country people; the next morning our fort was planned and marked out, the circumference measuring four hundred and fifty-five feet, which would require as many palisades to be made, one with another of a foot diameter each. Each pine made three palisades of eighteen feet long, pointed at one end. When they were set up, our carpenters built a platform of boards all round within, about six feet high, for the men to stand on when to fire through the loop-holes. We had one swivel gun, which we mounted on one of the angles, and fired it as soon as fixed, to let the Indians know, if any were within hearing, that we had such pieces; and thus our fort, (if that name may be given to so miserable a stockade,) was finished in a week, though it rained so hard every other day that the men could not well work.

This kind of fort, however contemptible, is a sufficient defence against Indians who had no canon. Finding ourselves now posted securely, and having a place to retreat to on occasion, we ventured out in parties to scour the adjacent country. We met with no Indians, but we found the places on the neighboring hills where they had lain to watch our proceedings. There was an art in their contrivance of those places, that seems worth mentioning. It being winter, a fire was necessary for them; but a common fire, on the surface of the ground, would, by its light, have discovered their position at a distance; they had therefore dug holes in the ground about three feet diameter, and somewhat deeper; we found where they had with their hatchets cut off the charcoal from the sides of burnt logs lying in the woods. With these coals they had made small fires in the bottom of the holes, and we observed among the weeds and grass the prints of their bodies, made by their lying all round with their legs hanging down in the holes to keep their feet warm, which, with them, is an essential point. This kind of fire, so managed, could not discover them either by its light, flame, sparks, or even smoke. It appeared that the number was not great, and it seems they saw we were too many to be attacked by them with prospect of advantage.

We had for our chaplain a zealous Presbyterian minister, Mr. Beatty, who complained to me that the men did not generally attend his prayers and exhortations. When they enlisted, they were promised, besides pay and provisions, a gill of rum a day, which was punctually served out to them, half in the morning, and half in the evening; and I observed they were punctual in attending to receive it; upon which I said to Mr. Beatty, "It is, perhaps, below the dignity of your profession to act as steward of the rum; but if you were to distribute it out only just after prayers, you would have them all about you." He liked the thought, undertook the task, and with the help of a few hands to measure out the liquor, executed it to satisfaction, and never were prayers more generally and more punctually attended. So that I think this method prefer able to the punishment inflicted by some military laws for non-attendance on divine service.

* See under Bucks co., page 164.