The Ligonier, PA "Echo" issue of 5 April 1893

Old-time Recollections. No. LXX.

Mr. Editor: -- I will continue to notice the immense progress of all living interests of our great and growing United States within the present half century; perhaps not equaled in the world's history. The results of the Mexican war, so readily carried through, and in a very short time by Generals Scott and Taylor securing us a magnificent territory containing much gold and silver, as well as all manner of grain and fruits of northern and southern production, not equaled in value in the whole world. This conquest secured us very extensive sea coast and added much to the commerce of the United States with all parts of the world, not before enjoyed. It truly was not at first fully appreciated, as after General Fremont's first published trip from California, over the Rocky mountain, deserts and plains to the Atlantic States, the people looked on the job of getting there to do business, as nearly out of or beyond human ability; nevertheless many of the young American stalwarts formed companies, went on River to St. Joe, Leavenworth and other places, to fit out equipment in full for crossing over to the land of gold, and when there paying 25 to 30 dollars per barrel for flour and everything else in proportion to sustain life, at the diggings and washing for gold. And not for twenty years after, did any one think of the construction of a Railroad over the mountains of snow, storm and ice, 1200 to 1600 feet high. Now we have Railroads in full operation, to the Pacific coast, and can make the trip in 3 days about the same time as once to Philadelphia by the stage. Now we can get all manner of California produce including southern fruits of the choicest, cheaper and fresher than from any other country whatever. If any man had predicted this advance of the United States fifty years ago, he surely would have been pronounced an idiot, or very visionary man. The Railroads are surely an immense blessing to mankind under every consideration of the subject, and we should thank and praise the Lord for the blessing and not violate his holy law by using them on the Sabbath day. It is readily seen, that grand California country would have been of little value without railroads, as well as all the immense country this side could never have filled up with prosperous people to till the ground and bring forth in great abundance. This vast producing country, could never have found a market at such a distance from rivers and sea coast without Railroads neither could they be supplied with fuel and many other necessaries of life. Also in a religious view, it is now that men can "run to and fro and knowledge fill the earth" "the crooked places made plain, the rough places smooth," as any person riding on Railroad may say as the train glides along so swiftly and pleasantly. I know I am not correctly quoting scripture, only enough to give the idea on the subject.

The first Railroads were contemporary with the general interest in carrying the gospel of salvation to the western world, all within the present fifty years; and the advantage will still increase more and more as the old countries will become checkered with railroads prevading all heathen regions of country; even China has started in the enterprise, and Palestine recently had opening ceremonies of a R.R. to Jerusalem. Only about 50 years ago since missionaries were being sent out to any extent and now they are being planted nearly all over the whole of the world and with great prosperity, doors being open everywhere. The only thing operating to prevent their establishment in all the earth is the want of a full supply of money and surely if the money spent for liquor and tobacco was devoted to this purpose and use their would be abundance. Surely there should be light and knowledge disseminated on this subject. The U.P. church I think will not receive a candidate for the ministry who use either and the Presbyterians will not receive one for education by the board and there may be similar rules in many of the other orthodox churches, it is surely a proper thing as these luxuries are evil and that continually and not necessary and the evil habit should be abandoned or rather never suffer them to be formed by man or boy as only ruin and misery are the result. It is surely to be lamented that so great a blessing of our country in establishment of railroad should continue in violating the human and divine laws in breaking the Sabbath continually. It is the supreme object by the eminent moralists of our land now to overcome these corporations and have them keep holy the Sabbath day. They do not seem able to bring into obedience lesser violation when this great one is not reached. At the same time there can be no real cause, not even in time of war to carry the mails or run trains only for the greed of money, yet if these railroad men would properly reflect, and take into view the many bad wrecks and loss of these great destruction of property and loss of life, they might be able to understand that their losses are more than their gains, in violating Divine Law, for so doing they cannot claim the protection of the Most High Ruler and controller of all things. For most surely "our times are in His hand and keeping" and "with him we have to do" willing or unwilling. The same Lord that established the Ten Commandments and delivered the ceremonial laws to Moses, is yet the High and Holy one, to be served and obeyed, and can inflict penalties for disobedience. "The Lord of hosts, who is a strong Lord, like unto thee, or round about thee. The heavens are thine the earth also is thine, as for the earth and the fulness thereof Thou hast founded them, Thou hast a mighty arm, strong is Thy hand, and high is Thy right hand. Justice and judgment are the inhabitants of Thy throne, blessed are the people that know and obey thee, the Lord our Maker and preserver."

A NEIGHBOR.

The Ligonier, PA "Echo" issue of 26 April 1893

Old-time Recollections. No. LXXI.

Mr. Editor: -- I was forgetting to mention the greatest of all the achievements of the U.S. which was getting rid of slavery that was growing worse and worse every year, as a bone of contention; also some noted men of the valley as well as around Mount Pleasant I must yet mention.

The civil controversy of the north and south was perhaps the grandest in the known world in all its bearings of results, in rights, liberties and prosperity under the circumstances and rulings of that greatest (only Washington excepted) of presidents - Abraham Lincoln, guided by an overruling Providence, was surely wonderful. No money in the treasury and scarcely an implement of war in the arsenals of the U.S. that the rebels had not got hold of. The preceding administration was without money and without credit. N.Y. banks asked 19 per cent, to cash government bonds, and yet wisdom in finance was so managed that money never was wanting, and although the expenses were immense for many years, now there never were better times in money matters, and the war debt being speedily paid off, government bonds demanding premium. Of this grand movement the valley boys and many old men, too, were not backward in doing their full share. As soon as the rebels fired on Sumter, the spirit of war was kindled all over the country by all political parties, and men everywhere began military drill for the war, a thing they were a long time out of practice. I then lived in Ohio, but on a visit to my parents in the valley, I witnessed one company (Capt. James McCurdy's) leaving for the war, which was truly interesting. The wagons to bear them to Latrobe were in the diamond, and one by near Mr. McGowen's dwelling house, the crowd assembled to be addressed and prayed for by Rev. Ross Stevenson, then pastor at Ligonier, and surely no better man for such an occasion, and surely a melting time of tears with soldier and citizen. There was a fine large company leaving, and there was the last time I saw my cousin and namesake on earth, but will hope to soon meet him in a "better country." When the final shaking of hands and bidding farewell came, truly there were floods of tears, but my cousin seemed brave till he came out from the women in McGowen's house. Then he showed much natural feeling in melting tears, and most truly his older friend had to shed tears also. It seemed some of the boys were inclined to "back out from the tug of war," but the captain colored and huged them around awhile and got them all along. Your readers know more than I how many in all went out and how lost their lives and limbs. Esq. Updegraff is one of which I am sure of losing arm. One very brilliant officer I knew, Col. George Covode, lost his life. He was son of Hon. John Covode and said to be expert in military tactics and perhaps equal to any cadet of West Point. Major John Ogden was an officer of this cavalry regiment of Col. Covode.

In the World's history we have now, and are getting railroads everywhere, even in the middle of China that exclusive country, they are now in preparation to construct a railroad seven hundred miles long, with their own manufacture of steel rails. And now in our own country there is no end to our prospective railroads and we are now out of the human slavery business and if railroad corporations and all people would keep holy the Sabbath day and we can get clear of the liquor traffic and use of tobacco we can reasonably expect the Lord's blessing to rest upon our beloved country. Rev. Dr. Reylee of New York says we can not oppose and subdue these vile habits with legal restrictions alone we must commence first in the family, next in the schools and then in the churches, so there will be no one to buy and no money in the business. It is fearful the waste in the land by the use of tobacco and the human misery in the drinking of whiskey, money spent that should clothe and feed wife and children. A native preacher of China, said the difference between drunken American man coming and home and kicking wife and children, when China man came home drunk smoking opium, wife kicked him. A lady pupil of the South mountains, in school at Ashville, N.C. was discovered using tobacco and her teacher told her if she was caught at it again, they would send her home she afterward told her teacher her father danced all over the floor when he learned she was among people so nice she did not dare use tobacco.

It seems truly very strange mankind are so indifferent in not keeping holy the fourth commandment. From the first of the Bible it was most strictly enjoined and through all the ceremonial law and in the commandments from Mount Sini. I once heard a minister preaching on the subject who said although many people of our day would feel scandalized in hearing other of the commandment there was really no difference and in the ceremonial law those who went out to gather sticks on that day was stoned to death, even suffering death purely for the violator. The Lord bidding obedience then it is reasonable to conclude to be the same now. Of the families I overlooked in my regular course of writing I will mention that of Joseph Murphy's who was truly industrious and managing and rose from moderate circumstances to good estate and raised a lot of boys to be lively useful men becoming owner of the noted Clarks Mills on the Millcreek, never too low of water, to turn an overshot wheel. Also a number of farms one of which is my Father's Homestead, on which lives S.D. Murphy now in legislature from our county, said to be one of the active members, and not there merely to put in the time and draw pay, like too many others in common impression. Those I will yet mention of Mt. Pleasant county are the Stevenson men who have rose to be leading and prominent men and of good estate sound in council and judgment.

The Stoner families of four brothers for long time leading farmers and very substantial men owning much of the best land of the Mount Pleasant county -- many of the first generation, if not all are dead and many of the second generation are well fixed in financial considerations and some retired from active life -- one was a long time president of the first National Bank -- taking the place long filled by the retiring of the eminent John Sherrick -- Who was for long time one of the leading men in enterprising business.

A NEIGHBOR