Family History: Hans Jacob Neifert Descendants: part 2: Berks/Schuylkill Cos, PA written by William Washington Neifert in 1906 for family usage This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives. USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. _________________________________________________________________ Fish were abundant in the mountain brooks and the larger creeks. Deer were readily hunted while quail, pigeons, rabbits, squirrels and occasional flocks of wild turkeys could be found in every locality. From these sources fresh supplies could be obtained to make up any defic- iency i the permanent stores. They had good substantial food, they fared well and did not suffer from dyspepsia and other stomach troubles, they however gathered and dried various kinds of roots and herbs for medicinal purposes. They wree many miles from any physician and it is no small wonder that they practiced and believed in pow-wowing, conjuring, magic, sorcery, witchcraft, signs of the moon, as well as other signs, remedies and cures. this condition is perhaps explained by the fact that a drowning man grasps at a straw, so does the person in pain resort for relief and cure to agen- cies which his common sense and better understanding tell him are nonsens- ical tricks and pretentious humbugs of arrant quacks. The table of the pioneer was for many years plain but substantial. Before and long after a full supply of chairs could be secured, benches afforded seats at the table. Dishes were in some cases made of pewter, but generally of domestic earthenware and pottery. Table cloths were not always used the ordinary meal being plainly served. Napkins and finger bowls were not in common use but the basin and the towel near the water bucket, well or spring were for such service. On special occasions however the table bore abundant evidence of extrordinary preparation. The household library usually consisted of the Bible, hymn book, sermon book, and catechism. Copies of weekly newspapers were seen on rare occasions, campaign committees insurance companies or government bureaus did not dump their loads of highly enteraining literature upon the public and that golden age when calanders, picture cards or blotting pads ,ight be had gratis from the managers of a business enterprise was still far in the future. Each family ususally supplied itself with an almanac of choice and varied contents, which besided its calandar record and 'judgment of the weather gave dates of eclipses and courts when to plant or kill and many things more trivial as the correct treatment of gout, bruises, and bunions. These early set- tlers knew nothing of coal or kerosene. Their burning material was wood, but they had no matches to ignite the same. The tinder box with flint, steel and punk was of great service. No wonder that at night the burning log was carefully covered with ashes, that on the coming morning embers might be found to secure fire for the new day. The lumber of the saw mills mentioned, was made into rafts and during the freshets was sent down the streams to the towns along the lower portion of the river and necessary supplies brought back in canoes or flat boats, towed by horses or propelled by long polls. This gave the settlers such supplies as were absolutely necessary to their existence i the forest, and sometimes a few of what were by then termed luxuries. (The completion and operation of the canals by the Schuylkill Navigation company put an end to rafting). The lands along the upper tributaries of the Schuylkill, after being cleared were well adapted for farming purposes. The location was fine, with superior irrigation and drainage and the one thing necessary to cause it to become fruitful was Industry. Fortunately for them they possessed this quality in the highest degree and with it they also possessed independence, economy, perseverance and patience which are equally important in taking hold of an uncultivated country. They were so situated that they depended upon them- selves so that the carpenter was also wheelwright and cabinet maker and the blacksmith esrved in many cases as lock and gunsmith. As a rule each family had its looms and spinning wheels for the making of a rag carpet, linen and striped linseys strong and coarse but durable, ordinary clothing. The garments were made at home and without the aid of fashion books. What maided of this day and time can take the pride in her wedding outfit of ready made linen bought in department store as one of those early days. She then watched the flax grow and blossom, helped prepare it for hatcheling carded it, spun it, wove it, bleached the cloth and tediously sewed by hand every one of the dainty articles. What a host of dreams and hopes and plans were blended in the warp and weave of such fabrics. NO wonder our mothers and grandmothers cherished most tenderly every scrap of cloth so rich in memories. "Selbstgespennon, solbst gomacht; Rein dubel is Bauerntracht." "To spin, to weave to ready make his clothes, And keep them clean, the frugral farmer knows. (Rupp) No doubt the land was cultivated then as it is now, but the manner was infinitely more laborious for every kind of work was performed through muscular exertion and endurance. By cmoparison of the past with the present we can readily appreciate the past difference. The farming imple- ments were rude and simple in construction and required the farmer to be at his palce all the time if he wished to be in season. But the implements were satisfactory to the, giving them no tought beyond the assistance which they afforded. It was to the fathers of those German pioneers that America owes her indep- endence. They were among the first to shoulder the gun and were the bravest and most enduring of Washington's soldiers. Since that time in every emer- gency that called for the defence of the Nation their descendants, "were in the forefront of the fray, and...shed their blood as freely as though they were taking part in the 'Die Wacht an Rhein'. " (Krecker) ROADS For many years there were scarcely any roads worthy of the name in the township. People usually went on horseback over bridle paths or ofter on foot alway taking with them their rifles to be handy for any game they might encounter. Among the early acts of legislation in this connection may be mentioned the Act of April 1, 1831, a bill for the building of a state road from Tamaqua through the Panth Mountain Gap and Lintner's Gap in Broad Mountain and thence over Spring Mountain to intersect the Berwick Turnpike at the south side of Broad Mountain or at Black Creek in Luzerne County. This is the road leading from Tamaqua the village of Tagertsville and Hometown being directly on it. The writer is reliably informed that this road has been in existence for more than a hundred years and in early times formed the main route between Pottsville and Wilkes Barre. Express teams and merchants, stage lines and especially the many teams conveying lumber from the valleys of the Susquahanna to the lower Schuylkill towns tended to make this road a great highway and through the above mentioned legislation the road was put in thorough repair. In the year 1855 a turnpike company took possession of the road, and erected two toll gates, one at or near Tagertsville and the other at the foot of the mountain, above the Stone Tavern. It was discontinued as a turnpike about two years later when it again became a free public road and continued as such to this day being the oldest and one of the principal thoroughfares in the township. It was upon this road that the first stage line ran through the township in 1841-42 and was owned by David Moyer of Tamaqua. It carried the US mail between Tamaqua and Hazleton and Beaver Meadow. About three years later the line was purchased by Baters & Co., of Philadelphia who extended it to Wilkes Barre and carried the mail between that place and POttsville. This line was known as the "mail line" and another known as the opposition line owned by Adams & Co. ran over this road about the same time but both were dis- continued in 1864. The Lindner homestead of "Lindnersville" as the post office was called was early made a general stopping place for all travellers. The Stone Tavern was built by Samuel Lindner on the opposite side of the street from his father's original log house. John Stackhouse was an early comer and in 1815-16 built a tavern at a point later known as "green Fields" at the foot of Spring Mountain on the south side and about forty rods from the road and was for many years the only house between the Stone Tavern and Beaver Meadow. The accommodations of these early taverns were necessarily scant teamsters and travellers being frequently obliged to sleep on the floor on blankets owing to a lack of sleeping apartments. ELECTION PLACES It is stated that the first town meeting of Rush after the formation of Schuylkill County was held in October 1813, at the house of John Bidler in what is now Brandonville, but in comformity with an Act passed April 1, 1811 the general elections of Rush and West Penn townships were held at the house of George Simon Wohr in the latter township. Previous to this however, the voters of Rush township Northamton County exercised the right of suffrage at the house of Milas Berlit in Luzerne Township same County. (Act, March 28, 1808). On March 29, 1813 an act was passed authorizing the holding of elections at the house of John Bidler in Union township for that portion of Rush and Schuylkill townships lying north of Broad Mountain. On April 6, 1830, the township was created a separate election district, the elections to be held at the House of John Brause in said Rush township. (This tavern located near the present Henry Rauck homestead). This location evidently did not meet with the approval of the residents of the western protion of the township for it was changed to the house of John Sleer on April 4, 1831, (the present Henry Krause farm in Ryan township), but Sleer's distinction was of short duration for on May 3, 1832 an act was passed changing the place of elections again to the house of John Strause and there it continued for ten years, when on August 2, 1842 it was changed to the house of John Faust. (This was the old tavern at Quakake Junction tract). On February 10, 1831-2 it was again changed this time to the house of Stein and Lindner for both general and township elections. (this location is what is now and has for many years been known as the "Stone Tavern"). The residents of the western sections of the township evidently did not take kindly to this measure for agitation was soon thereafter comenced towards another change, as the matter by act of the assembly was finally left to the inhabitants for decision by popular vote. The followed named Act passed April 15, 1855. "That the qualified voters of Rush township are allowed and empowered to vote at the time and place of voting for township officers in March 1854 to decide by ballot at what place the general and township elections shall thereafter be held and a majority of all the votes polled shall be deemed necessary to decide said place of election." It is evident that the majority was in favor of the Stone Tavern location for the location for the elections were held there for many years. (In 1876 a law was enacted prescribing the manner by which the courts of quarter sessions may change the boundaries of election districts and town- ships so as to suit the convenience of the inhabitants thereof. Therefore since that date no reference to the election is made in published "Acts and Laws" and the writer bring this subject up to the present date. RAILAROADS The building of railroads through the valley and the developement of the coal mines and their adjuncts of foundries ships and other necessary manufact- uring establishents in the adjacent towns and cities, materially aided in building up the half dozen villages within the confines of the present Rush, Hometown however was settled some years earlier and it is said contained a spring having peculiar medicinal properties but the project was never devel- oped. These places of industry caused a demand for working people and this farming district did its share towards supplying the demand. Wages were higher and the hours of labor shorter. Besides the towns afforded the working people more and better advantages and facilities. They were thus induced to quite laboring on the farm and seek employment in the more populous places. Accordingly farm labor began to grow scarce. But fortunately for farming, whilst enterprise was drawing one way against it interest and welfare, genius was acting with equal force in the other for them in the way of im- proved farming machinery. In connection with the building of railroads in the section those gigantic engineering feats the necessary piercing of the mountain to build the Mahanoy Tunnel and the building of the High Bridge may be appropriately mentioned. The former is 4000 feet long and was built for the littler Schuylkill Railway Company by Barry Brothers, contractors. Work was commenced in April 1, 1859 and was finished in 1862. The work was carrried on night and day--two shifts--and during these three years of con- stant work in drilling and blasting not a single accident occurred and there was not any person hurt among the Pennsylvania Germans. The various Irish factions employed had frequent frictions owing to old world grudges. The High Bridge is a wooden trestle work 1168 feet long and 167 feet high built across a deep ravine through which the Little Schulkill flows. It is near the Stone Tavern and was built by the Lehigh and Susquehanna Navigation Company i 1869, when making its extension from Hauto to Tamanont and the first engine passed over it in August of that year. It was rebuilt in 1896 when it was changed to a steel structure. The work of rebuilding began in July and completed in September, trains passing over it daily during the operations. CHRIST'S CHURCH A paper of this character would not be complete without mentioning the oldest church of the township, Christ's Church frequently called 'Neifert's Church' or an account of its color, 'The White Church'; and it is so closely inter- woven with the pioneer history of Rush that an extended reference is nece- ssary. The history of the church or more properly speaking the community of worshipers, dates back to the dawn of the last century the time of the sett- lement and other families who migrated from Berks and other lower countries crosssing that beautiful range of forest covered hill-the Blue Mountain- which was then the frontier line between civilized and nomadic life. The country was a dense wilderness and the fact is undeniable that during the first few years the privations and hardships of these sturdy pioneers were great and the prime weapon of progress was the ax which was even more potent than the rifle. However with all these privations they were mindful of the duty to their children with respect to religion and by precept and example they made it their pious care to teach correct principles and the supreme improtance of those things which are eternal and fade not away. Family discipline if stern and repressive was conscientious, grounded on Bible procept and example; and parents aimed honestly to bring up their off- spring to lives of usefulness and honor. They appreciated the great impor- tance of education and the cultivation of religious principles was considered a vital part of education. They provided themselves with means of grace and having yet no church, worshiped in the house of Johan Jawcob Neuffert, which building stand at this time and is being used by his great grandchildren and is located but a short distance from the present church building. The baptismal record so far as extant dates back to 19\809 when the Rev. F. Carl Kroll officiated. About this year (or perhaps the following year) the erection of a log church building was begun on a plot of ground donated by above named gentleman for church and burial purposes. (In addition he also gave the land for a lane leading to the church.) The vicissitudes of these early settlers were well illustreated in this building. They were widley scattered and labor was a gratuitous cantribution. The difficulty of assembling the little colony for work at one time was discouraging and the work was stoppedn when the church was about half completed and services were agian conducted in the famr house. The unfinished structure remained a harbor for wild animals of the forest for about twenty years. Rev. Mr. Kroll made application for licensure and ordination in 1801, the Synod for certain reasons refused to grant this request, but in the way of trial he received permission to labor as a chatechist for one year. It is said that in the fall of 1811 this license was revoked. He however began preaching in an independent way and served the small congregation for many years in many ways as "(Prediger and Schulemeister, teacher and missionary.) He lived in Orwigsburg and traveled in an old fashioned gig, a popular vehicle of that period. He was bornin Pflatz, Europe, June 1769 and died May 20, 1843. His remains lie buried at Schuylkill Haven. His life was spared however long enough for him to see the congregation gain sufficiently in strength and numbers to warrant the completion of the church building. In 1831, the rude log building was torn down and a new structure then erected on the plans providing a ore commodious building, a considerable improvement on the original. The corner stone was laid that year and in the year 1832 the finished edifice was consecrated to the service of Almighty God. The wood lands of the neighborhood with their maple, oak, pine and ash furnished mat- erial for the carpenters and joiners and in their skill they found means to supply all of their wants for the new building. The building committee con- sisted of Anthony Lindner, Lutheran, Jacob Messerschmidt, Reformed. The religion of these early settlers would seem to have been exactly adapted to them in their life as pioneer farmers. It was quiet and unpretentious and inclined them to practice self denial and exonomy. Their life compan- ionship was taht of rugted toil yet wilst a noble endeavor to lead pious lives and bring up an off spring in that fear of God which the Bible teaches as the beginning of wisdom and understanding. In 1832, Rev. Quenanden became the pastor of the small flock. He was a plain matter of fact but good man a good conversationalist and accessible. He was an ardent hunter and fisherman and it is said of him that he did not hesitate to do either on the Sabbath which at one time excited strong suspicion among the brethern regarding its propriety. This practice might be condemned by some of the present day churchmen, but says Rev. Gebert, "when we consider his salary, the law of necessity may interpose as an excuse. According to the church historian and the records, the pastor received the magnificent sum of S$18.00 per year and adds the same authority "that at times was not paid." About 1835 he was succeeded by the Rev. Frederisk Minner, direct from Germany. The records show in tow classses which he confirmed in 1836 and 1839 members of the Moser and Whetstone families were among the communicants. They came from below Tamaqua showing that even the oldest town in the Panther Creek Valley had not reached the stage where they could support a church of their own. Following Rev. Minner as pastor, came Rev. Schmeckenberger who served until 1842 when Rev. David Hassinger, Reformed and Rev. C. F. Sallman Luthern were regularly elected. On the departure of the last named in 1853 Joel Grimm who was licensed to preach for one year supplied the pulpit of the Llutheran side. It is said that he failed to pass his ordination examination and left for parts unknown and the gifted but afterwards, oratic Rev. Van Court served for a while. In 1857 the Rev. J.F. Bayer was elected and served the poeple faithfully for five years when he was succe- eded by the Rev. H. Geiss who remained but a few years. About this time the Rev. Hassinger died and Rev. Shellhammer was chosen to fill the vac- ancy. He served the people, the Reformed and in part the Lutherans until 1869. Father Shellhammer was noted for his piety. His demeaor was court- eous and his manner simple and in the childlike simplicity of his heart he knew nothing and desired to know nothing but JESUS CHRIST and HIM crucified and to make know to his fellow men His Precious Grace. Among his poor but affectionate parishioners he lived and labored. As a spiritual father, honored and respected by all. He rode on horse back, through heat and cold, from his home in Conyngham, where he died on the morning of February 22, 1873 of dropsy of the heart. In 1870 the services of Rev.H.A. Keyser, Reformed of Mahanoy City, were secured. He began instructing a large class of chatechumens in the public school house at Barnesville. He found that one half of the class desired to be received into the Lutheran faith, so he by a delegate made appliation to the conference of the Evangel- ical Lutheran Church in the fall of 1870, and Rev. Dietrich was appointed to attend to this work. Mr. Dietrich was succeeded soon after by Rev. Martin Schimpf, also of Mahanoy City. About this time an organ was purchased for the church and with two enthusiastic ministers, the congregation got new life and impulse and the church was filled at each service, Mahanoy City began to grow rapidly about this time, and Rev. Keyser felt compelled on account of the increasing demands on his time, to relinquish his labors in this comm- unity and he resigned in 1874 when the Reformed contingent made application to Trinity Reformed hurch of Tamaqua for the service of her pastor. He, the Rev. J.H. Harman served them faithfully until his removal to another field in 1880. The present pastor, Rev. John J. Fisher was unanimously chosen as his successor and has since carried on the work successfully. After the departure of Rev. Mr. Schimpf, Zion's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tamaqua was app- ealed to for the services of her pastor, the committee to present the peti- tion being appointed at the church meeting held on New Year's Day, 1878. The request was granted and the Rev. William H. Laubenstein then served the Lutheran denomination until his death, September 12, 1883. He was a bright and cheerful character and we all learned to love him. Quoting Rev. Fisher; "His literary attainments were of no ordinary character. He was a good pulpit orator and if he had been spared, he would be a shinning light to- day in the Lutheran Church". Upon the death of Rev. Laubenstein, Rev. C.K. Drumheller was appointed to care fro the Lutheran members and upon his resig- nation in the spring of 1886, he was followed by Rev. J.O. Schlenker, who resigned in 1890. On January 25, 1891 Rev. George Gebert of Tamaqua was selected to fill the place; his qualifications are of the highest type and he served with much satisfaction to all. After about 11 years he resigned and was succeeded by Rev. P.A. Behler, who remained only two years when Rev. J.K. Sullenberger was elected and remained until the summer of 1906 when the synod made one parish by joining this congregation with St. Peter's of Locust Valley and St. John's of Quakake Valley and appointed Rev. J.H. Young recently graduated at Mt. Airy as the pastor. The first church was erected on a ten acre lot donated as before mentioned to which was added a donation of three fourths of an acre by John S. Boyer in 1862 and in 1884 a half acre donated by David Neifert across the high- way from the old building. On this land the present church was erected in 1884. The corner stone was laid during May 1884 and the church consecrated on ----- by the Revs. Fisher and Drumheller officiating. The building committee was David D. Messerschmidt, William Neifert, William M. Backert and Levi Gearhart. It was planned by William Neifert who also had charge of the building operations with Nathaniel Yost as chief mason and Daniel Weaver as chief carpenter. It is a commodious frame structure and costs about $4500.00. It is beautifully located in the valley near a grove of oaks, chestnuts and maples and is surrounded by fertile farms. In 1885 about six acres of the original lot were sold by the society to Mr. E.J. Fry and the old church building was removed in 1887. It is to be regreted that this action was necessary for in it so many blessed hours were spent by the several generations that have therein worshipped. To them it was like home the dearest spot on earth whiter the heart always turns. It was built almost square, probably 30 x 35 feet in dimensions and made no pretensions at architectural display. The inside walls were plastered. The interior was arranged to seat the greatest number possible. On three sides were galleries supported by pillars. The seats were of plain pine boards and were narrow and uncomfortable. The pulpit was an immense goblet-shaped affair with winding stairs leading to it and raised the pastor about midway between the upper and lower hearers. It was surmounted by a sounding board, then considered such an essential adjunct to the sacred desk. The top of this sounding board was ornamented with lillies made of metal awith fancy wooden ornaments. A curious feature of the service was the use of the "Olingel Sechel" (ringing bag) for the offerings. This was a red painted rod about 15 feet long with a black silk bag and a bell attached to the end. This was passed around the church, the money being dropped into the bag. It was truly quaint and striking and was a marvel to the writer's childish eye. "We may build more splendid habitations, Fill our rooms with paintings and with sculpture, But we cannot Buy with gold the old associations." For more than sixty years David Neifert served in the capacity of Janitor and sexton at the church. During that time his services was gratuitous, the only compensation given him by the congregation for his services, was in 1894 when they presented him with a purse. William Neifert was the "Vorsinger" of the hcurch, from 1837 to 1890 in the latter year he resigned and an up-to-date organist was appointed. The two faithful officers of the little church they loved so well, were grandsons of the pioneer to whom, perhaps more than to any other person the church owes its beginning. They have all passed to their long reward. The 25th of October 1896 was a day of rejoicing for these congreations begining so insignificantly in a farm house, but now numbering their members by the hundreds. On that day the semi0centennial celebration of the church as an organized church body took place. Special preparation was made in decor- ations entertainment was prepared for quests from far and near; two visiting church choirs from Tamaqua rendered excellent music and speakers from a dis- tance made the occasion memorable by the truths that they uttered. By the activity of the two preachers of the church, Revs. Fisher and Gevert, and the liberality of the people a sufficient amount was collected for the purchase of a bell. The bell weighs over 1300 pounds and first ringing on this occasion joined her sweet sounds with the voices of the joyful throng. The morning services were devoted to a thanksgiving to God for His mercies up to the present and at the afternoon services the bell was consecrated to the service of Almighty God. Although every available nook was filled, the crowds were so large that listeners were found in no small numbers on the outside at the windows, and the offering amounted to almost a hundred dollars. Long may the blessed day be remembered. This church, like so many in the country districts of Pennsylvania, is a so-called "Union" church. The mutual relations of those Lutheran and Reformed denominations are peculiarly intimate. They occupy the same territory so they unite in bearing the cost jointly, having originally appointed seperate committees to cooperate in conducting the building operations. The church services alternate every other Sunday. Services were all formerly conducted in the German language, but after the common school had become a fixed institution and the English language began to obtain more extensively in the associations of life, a demand for English preaching arose and for the past 35 years the services have alternated in both languages. This harmony between these denominations in such a peculiar matter as religion displays the singular liberality of the Germans. These people are alike in their general affairs in their manners and in their customs and a difference in their religious beliefs does not develope any antagonism between them. Indeed one denomination always attends the services of the other denomin- ations for each is the equal of the other in every respect. The following words by Dubbsare appropriate in this connection: "The knowledge of the people concerning denominational distinctions is generally limited to minor matters of ceremonial observance. If any one of these people were asked to point out the difference between the two churches he would probably say, 'In the Lord's prayer the Reformed say Unser Vator and the Lutherans say 'Vater Unser, and further on in the same prayer, the Lutherans say, 'Erlose uns vom dem Uebel and the Reformed Erlose uns vom dem Boesor and if particularly well instruc- ted he might have mentioned the variations in the division of the ten commandments which is found in the Catechisms of the two churches." The cemetery near the church is a beautiful plot of ground and is always kept in good condition by the parishioner. It is laid out in walks and planted with shrubbery and flowering plants. It is the principal graveyard of the township. Here inscriptions on the headstones it is only occcasionally that a strange name appears. Their lives were uneventful and at times hard and while their names are not on Histsory's scroll the fact is never-theless undeniable that each did his littled part however humble in the upbuilding of the community and thus indirectly in laying the foundation of the nation. Their households were wholesome, they lived among neighbors without reproach they died:-- "On resurrection's morn to rise and most the Lord with sweet surprise". As the children return and walk through this God's Acre they can not help but reflect and meditate when they beheld the graves of parents, friends and the dear good neighbors of childhood. Gone, yer, forever gone, they are from the theatre of action on this earth to "that undiscovered country from whose bourne no travellers returning but their memories live and remain with us. Let us keep alive in song and story their virtues and transmit to posterity what is precious in their memories. SCHOOLS The school master has always been deemed no less important than the pastor, as the people were always ambitious to teach the children to read, that they might study the catachism in order to be confirmed and thus enter into full membership of teh Church. It was a less time after the first settlements were made before permanent schools were established and the children of the scattered settlers received instruction in the primary branches from their paretns or the itinerate ministers,. It is said that the first school in Rush Township was opened in 1810 through the efforts of Johnn Faust. It was held in a log house, a mile or more, from that is now Barnesville, and was taught by a Prussian-Francis Keenly, the instruction being entirely in German. Probably the first man in the section who was able to transact business in the English was Richard Heath of New Jersey, who in 1802 made an attempt to teach that language in his house, but he soon abandoned the effort on account of not receiving adequate support. The writer has not been able to determine the location of these two schools. There are several inst0 ances on record where schools were held in the houses of farmers. Among the effects of the late William Neifert were found some memoranda which show that for a time he conducted a private school. There was for sometime a school conducted in a small old building which stood across the highway from Moses Hein's barn and which was later used as an accessory to Hauck's grist mill. Jacob H. Faust, prior to the establishment of the free school system built and furnished at his own expense three schoolhouses. The first was started about 1835, or perhaps a year later at Hometown the teacher being Mr. Smosenbecker (Perhaps Rev. Schmackenberger a minister at Christ's Church.) The building is still standing and is a part of the farm house on Krell's farm opposite the Hometown Tavern. The next was located on the farm now owned by Mr. Patrick Delaney and was later used as a "spring house." Here Miss Mary Blew was the teacher. The third was located in Barnesville and was a part of the farm house now owned by Mr. Eli F. Hamsher. These houses were small and primitive affairs but quite in harmony with their pioneer surroundings. They were furnished with one large table around which the pupils sat on benches without backs, while the smaller scholars sat on benches against the walls. Mr. Faust insisted on having English as well as German taught. Each pupil was taught individually, as class teaching was unknown. Instruction was given in reading, the rudiments of arithmetic, sacred music the catachism, and the Bible. This method, guided and directed by the zeal and public spirit of its provost, continued in use and was the only public school facility up to the time of the acceptance of the common school system. Mr. William Audenreld of McKeansburg, who represented Berks and Schuylkill ounties in the state senate in 1825, was the first to propose and earnestly advocate the establishment of a fund which has since become the foundation of the parten school system. Although Schuylkill County has thus the honor of being first to move in the direction of free education, the good people of Rush Township did not embrace the system unti it was forced upon them. On petition of Jacob H. Faust and a few others, the court on June 13, 1853 ordered the common school system put into operation and appointed six directors who organized on June 25. They selected Mr. William Kaup their president, and levied a tzx of 8 mills. Threed schools were opened in 1858 and were in operation for the minimum term of three months, the teachers receiving a stipend of $25.00 per month. One ws located at Hometown, another near the original Neifert homestead and the third in the valley near the Stone Tavern. Shortly before this time Mr. Faust built and furnished the school house at Barnesville, which was for a time conducted as a private school but upon the organization of the free school system he preseated it together with the lot, to the township as a cocntribution to the common school cause. It was located on the hill above the old sawmill and as prev- iously mentioned is a part of Mr. Hamshers farm house. Later (about 1858) for some reason, perhaps on account of location he exchanged the lot for the one on which the present Barnesville school is located, to which place the building was moved: a school with r. H.S. Strong as teacher was opened in that year, and Mr. Fuast insisted that the English language be employed ex- clusively. The building was used for several years when it was either en- larged or a new one built. The school held in that building is the first school that the writer ever attended. This building was agin enlarged several years later. The school at Quakake Junction was opened in 1871. Some slight changes may have been made in locations, as the first rude structure necessarily gave way to new houses of modern construction and furnishings but each school has been in continuous operation since the time it was organized. The average length of the school year is now eight months, and the average salary of teachers is twice the amount of their school and willingly make provision for the mental culture and improvement of the rising generation. The Barnesville schoolhouse ws entirely rebuilt last summer, (1906). Therefore I highly prize a negative made of it several years ago, when I spent a brief hour there. How the place had changed. I could scarely bring my self to believe that it really was the place of my boyhood, yet upon refle- ction there was nothing within the old home's environment but what I could associated with some recollection of my younger days. Here were the same stables and shops where I did the chores, the same streets or lanes through which I drove the cows to pasture or the fileds I helped my father to till and that row of willow trees along the meadow fence that I assisted my father in planting. But where were the dear good neighbors, or my school mates and associates? Also nearly all gone! It was not difficult as I sat on the school house steps to go back to some Friday afternoon in that red painted building, where we were "Speaking or choosing sides". How we used to stand in rows and spell each other down, and how the one who outspelled the rest would stand there in a magnified glory. How readily the counting out rhymes were recalled: "Bins, zwei, drei, Hicks, hochka, hei Zucker ef der Erei, Sulz uf der Speck Hahne, geh, aweg, Oder ich schlag dieh in der dreg" "Inty, minty, unicaron, Apple-seeds and briar thorn Briar, briar, limbel-lock, three geese in a flock With a rotten dish-cloth, O-U-T, out." What a jingle of unmeaning terms, but Ah! the silly meters and nonsensical jingle of those thymes: how they carry memory back to the sunny haunts of childhood's days. In my dreams I live again those happy scenes, and wake to find that: "All are gone, the old familiar faces, Ghost-like I paced round the haunts of my childhood, Earth seemed a desert I was bound to traverse, Seeking to find the old familiar faces." Any person going through this valley will soon vbe convinced that the stealthy movements of the INdians could not outlast the quiet, steady and straight going habits of the Pennsyylvania Dutch pioneers, of whom it has been fittingly said "they were a sturdy race of yoemen, hard workers hard fighters powerful singers and mighty caters, full of quaint humor and old superstitions. Among them existed some great enchanters and the supersti- tions beliefs which their ancestors brought from Germany still lingered with these people and what is more were believed by them. Nevertheless, they and their descendents have carried on thier work successfullly and are the agency through which the country was elevated above the condition in which it had been held by the aborigines for centuries. The primitive settlement with scarcely a dozen souls in 1800, gradually transformed this hunting ground of savages into a well cultivated and fertile valley, traversed by four rail- roads, abounding with the beautiful of a law abiding people numbering 1400 a centruy late. HOLIDAYS The holidays of early times were of church origin. They were Christans, Good Friday, Easter, Ascension Day and Whitsunday, and they were kept as holy days. Three of these were followed by days of frolic or days of pleasure and recreation, namely, second Christmas Easter Monday and Whitmonday and they were the season for games for shooting matches for military exercises, for visiting, for fishing and hunting. New Year's Day, was like those kept as a day of frolic and well wishing. The day was ushered in by the firing of all sorts and conditions of guns and flint locks. A samll party began at midnight and went from farm house to farm house, greeting the occupants by reciting a German poem or two in keeping with the sentiment of the day, which was followed by a volley of blank charges. This was followed by a luncheon hurriedly prepared by the good housewife and virtually consisted of sweet with cured cider or spirits, when the men folks would join the party and be off to the next house. Shrove Tuesday, though not kept as a holiday was celebrated by ministering to the pleasures of the palate. This is the day preceeding Lent and is known as "Feshacht'. Special doughnuts are prepared, called 'Feshacht Fuch'. The word is a corruption of the 'Fast Hecht' meaning 'fasting night' because it is the eve of the lenten season. Good Friday week was usually expected to be cold and raw, as a sign of divine displeasure. Green Thursday was observed by eating something green as a salad, usually dandelion to keep good heallth during the following year. Good Friday was observed as a holiday and if an opportunity offered our good ancestors would attned church services. Next in importance to the Christmas holidays especially to the young was Eastertide, since Easter, like Christmas pandered to the inner man and brought eggs in abundance as Christmans brings cider and candies. Associated with Easter was a mythical creature, a four footed animal that laid eggs, the 'Oschter Eas'. The evening before Easter the children placed their hats and caps in corners, under chairs or tables as nests for the accommodation of the Easter Rabbit. Early at the dawn of Easter morning all the owners eagerly inspected the nests of their placing and in each found several or perhaps a half dozen eggs of colors such as hens never lay. The mysterious rabbit had been in the house during the night but no trace of him could be found in the morning. In the kitchen however the older children sometimes found a strange concoction of onion peelings or red wood or other dye stuff in a crock or kettle which was discovered in course of time was the mixture in which the Easter eggs were boiled and colored. Easter breakfast still consists of eggs-fried, boiled, poached or concocted into an omlet, the eggs used for the occasion being usually those gathered on Good Friday. It was the practice then and no doubt is now to gamble by one boy hitting with the small end of an egg that of another and the egg that was cracked was handed over to the one whose egg had the harder shell. The practice was called 'picking for keeps'. Fuinea hen's eggs were in great demand as having a hard shell. Ascensioun Day, no work was done and sowing with a needle was especially interdicted, for to use a needle was to invite divine wrath in the shape of a thunder bolt. Pious housewives observed it as a day of rest, even if the men folk did go fishing. Some thrifty housekeepers swept the entire house on this day to kekep it free of moths and other pestiferous creatures. Seven weeks after Easter comes Whitesuntide, called "Pingahta' and this was another of the days kept holy. On this day the maidens usually attended church with thier new spring finery, while the church itself was decordated with flowers and communion services were and are generally held on this day. White Monday is given to worldly recreation and the young folks of the rural districts spent the day in the sightseeing, pretzel eating. In the later part of July comes a day named 'Abden' pronounced in the vernacular it is 'obdoin' meaning, 'doing off' and hence it was the day for doing off or cutting down brush, briars, etc. since any growth cut into would die and be off-done or don for. Christmas was regared as the principal holiday of the year and it was to posses a joy peculiarly its own. The Christmas good cheer comprised family reunions with a big dinner. The children had their delights in Christmas cakes. They were cookies cut in the shape of birds, beasts and fishes. There were two kinds of dark and light. The darker kind contained molasses or honey as the sweetning ingredient and the lighter variety white sugar. They were normally decorated with white figures resembling all sorts of punctuation marks and other hiroglyphics, made with starch, water and sugar, by means of a pointed stick. Another Christmas 'goody' was molasses candy. The best was made by black sugar house molasses and contained a plentiful sprinkling of nuts. It was cooked in miniature party pans with scalloped edges and was known as "Moshey'. Lighting up elaborately laden Christmas trees were modern additions and were unknown to our forebears. The tree however is considered chiefly German origin among us and made its advent largely through the Germans which seelted in Pennsylvania. The systolic character of the ever- green fir tree was originally associated i German customs with the season of Spring but in the course of time it was made emblomatic of the Christmas promise of the eternal life. 'The night before hristmas' often brought a wonderful personage clothes in an outlandish of animal skins and old clothes. A home made mask concealed his face and he carried a basket in one hand and a long switch in the other. His name was 'Belsnickle' which means 'Nicholas in pelts or skin's. Unlike his english prototype the mythical Santa Claus, who rides in a sleigh drawn by reindeer and who enters dwellings on Christmas eve by way of the house-top and the chimney, our "Belsnickle" was of flesh and blood, generally the wag of the community and entered the house at the door. In his basket he carried apples, nuts, cakes and candy. These he threw upon the floor and when the half scared youngsters went to pick them up he would sometimes lay to with his switch, making them promise to to be good and obedient children. A performance of this kind gave the writer when a child, such a fright that it took years to overcome. A mild, snowless Christmas was looked upon as unfavorable and it was feared, would be followed by a late cold and unhealthy spring. Hence the saying 'a green Christmas brings a white Easter.' 'A green christmas makes a full graveyard." POWWOWING, CURES, SUPERSTITIONS AND WITCHES Powwowing or "Brauchen' is the art of a would be healer who tried to effect a cure by bringing words as a formulary in the working of a charm or incantation. In such formulary the words of greatest potency are those which are termed the 'three highest' and they are the sacred names of the Holy Trinity invoked by the recital of the formulary, 'No -oveth thus mysteriously his wonders to perform'. IT is said that this practician still holds forth at places even in these days of scientific culture but it is believed that his popularity is wanting and his numbers diminishing. It was held that the art of powwowing could be taught and its ocult secrets transmitted only to a person of the opposite sex, but in 1819 there appeared a German book on the subject which taught any one, male or female, who bought it. It was known as 'Der long Verborgne Freund' and was prepared by John George Mohman. This book has been reprinted several times and it has been translated into Eng- lish and contains many laughable remedies for the relief of the ills that flesh is heir to as well as pious prayers and weird incantations for the recovery of stolen goods and the finding of hidden treasures. The 'sixth and seventh books of Moses' were said to treat on these occult sciences and were held in respect and awe by not only the illiterate but also by some educated and enlightened people. The following are taken: toothache - cut out a piece of freen sward (sod) in the morning before sunrise, guite unbeshrewdly from any place, breathe three times upon Ay,saf pay iy foen upon yhr der plavrgton ehivh iy eod ys-ken. Another - take a needle and stab the aching tooth with it till you bring blood, take vinegar and meal, mix then put them in a patch of cloth, wrap this patch around the foot of an apple tree, wind the thread around it very fast and cover the root well with earch. Another - take a splinter from the east side of a tree that had been struck by lightening and to thrust it into the aching cavity or still another was to pick the teeth with a nail taken out of a coffin. When a child had a tooth extracted, the advice was given to drop the tooth in a mouse hole while uttering the sentence, "here mousey, I give you an old tooth for a new tooth this proceeding was certain to to bring a new tooth."