Chapter 26
Section 26 of A Guide Book of Art, Architecture, and Historic Interests in Pennsylvania, edited by Margaretta R. Shumbo. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Read by Tatiana Chichilla. Mifflin County. Formed September 19, 1789. Named for General Thomas Mifflin, then president of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania, 1788-90, and first governor under the Constitution of 1790. Scenery throughout is very beautiful. The 12-mile stretch of state highway, through the famous long Lewiston Narrows, gives glimpses of the Juniata, the peerless little river of more song and romance than any other in America. Made famous by Mrs. Sullivan's song, the beautiful blue Juniata, telling the love story of Alpharada, the roving Indian girl.
The space between the mountains is barely wide enough to contain the highway, canal, river, and railroad. The mountains slope 1,000 feet and are popular hunting grounds for bear and wild turkeys. Quite a number of caves are found in the limestone formations of this county, though not easily accessible. Alexander's and Quichicoquillis Valley abounds in stalactites and stalagmites, preserving in midsummer ice formed in winter. Nagney's cave near Millroy is most spacious.
Hanawalt's cave near McVaytown is of vast dimensions and contains calcareous concretions. Crude saltpeter has been obtained here. McVaytown is birthplace of Joseph Trimble Rothrick, MD. Celebrated Springs, R. Mifflin, near Painterville Station, has medicinal waters. And Logan's, six miles from Lewistown, near Reedsville, on left of the old stage road between Lewistown and Belfont, Center County. Here, the mingo chief, Logan, friend of white man, Chicolemi's son, had his cabin prior to 1771, when he left this region.
He made the famous speech sent to Lord Dunmore in 1774, considered among American classics as a rare specimen of Indian oratory. I appeal to any white man to say, if ever he entered Logan's cabin hungry, and he gave him not meat, if he ever came cold and naked, and he clothed him not. During the course of the last long bloody war, Logan remained idle in his cabin, an advocate for peace. Such was my love for the whites, that my countrymen pointed at me as they passed, and said, Logan is the friend of white men. I had even thought to have lived with you, but for the injuries of one man, Colonel Cressep,
The last spring, in cold blood and unprovoked, murdered all the relations of Logan, not sparing even my women and children. There runs not a drop of blood in the veins of any living creature. This called on me for revenge. I have sought it. I have killed many. I have gledded my vengeance. For my country, I rejoice at the beams of peace. But do not think that mine is the joy of fear. Logan never felt fear. Logan will not turn on his heel to save his life. Who is there to mourn for Logan? Not one.
Colonel Michael Cressep was not responsible for the murder of Logan's family. Some white men, led by a liquor dealer, murdered them. First settlers, Scotch Irish, in 1754, were not molested by Indians until 1756. Fort Granville was built, one mile northwest of Lewiston, on the Old Turnpike, site to be marked by the Pennsylvania State Historical Society. It was destroyed when the canal was constructed.
In 1829, the Pennsylvania Canal was opened and first packet boat run from Lewiston to Mifflintown. Chief industries are agriculture and iron and steelworks. Iron ore of the best quality abounds. Two furnaces, belonging to the Glamorgan Iron Company, were destroyed in July 1874 by a tornado that left scarcely a property without damage. The bridge over the Juniata was also destroyed, rebuilt, and again destroyed by ice freshets in December 1874 and February 1875.
In Limestone Ridge, extending from Kishikokillis Creek, is found hard white sandstone, almost pure silicone, used in glass manufacture. Lewiston, population 9849, made county seat 1790, was at first Kishikokillis Village, a chief of the Shawnees, with a population in 1731 of 20 families, located at the mouth of the stream. Courthouse facing the square, brick, colonial with ionic portico and cupola, built 1843, enlarged in the rear. Granite monument, dedicated 1906 in honor of Mifflint County soldiers and sailors, is in the square.
One block away on South Main Street is the Kishikokillis Creek Bridge, stone and concrete, built 1902, a reconstruction of the old two-arch stone bridge built in 1807. The first was wood in 1794. On the left is an old stone building, erected about 1794, a historic landmark that has served for many uses, once the Seven Stars Inn, 1828-29. Also a masonic hall, 1830-39. It has two cellars, one beneath the other. At a point along the creek, just above the old building, is where Commodore David Connor, as a boy, made little boats and pitted them against each other in mimic warfare,
thus foreshadowing his brilliant naval career in the War of 1812 and the Mexican War. Just above, on the high bank, fronting on water and brown streets, is Lewiston's oldest burial grounds. Here are the graves of the Buchanan family, first settlers and owners of the land on which Lewiston is built. One mile east of Lewiston, on the oldest wagon and stage road running parallel with present state highway, is an old stone arch bridge, over 100 years old, a favorite subject for artists. It is near the bridge crossing Jack's Creek, on the state highway through Lewiston Narrows.
Mount Union, on southern boundary, lies at entrance to Jack's Narrows, made by the river forcing its way through Jack's Mountain. End of section 26.
