PIONEER TIMES IN WAYNE-FRIEDENSBURG.

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<This was submitted by Charles Luckenbill, thanks Charles!>

The pioneers in Long run valley were George Shiffer, Henry Weaver and J. Wommer.

In the northern, central and eastern parts of the township the following persons were land-owners at the dates given, but not settlers: John Dundore, in 1750; Daniel Hartoon in 1750, and William Davis in 1792. G. Weitner owned 300 acres in the western

part in 1750.

Peter Kutz, Anthony Roeder and Frederick Shaffer, from the territory now embraced in Wayne, served in the struggle for independence.

In the war of 1812 John Sterner, Jacob Minich, Daniel Stern-er, Philip Staller, Andrew Achey, Henry Fidler, Conrad Roeder,Casper Roeder and Michael Fritz saw service.

The oldest post route through the township was over the road through Friedensburg. It is supposed Jacob Minich was the earliest postmaster in the township. Charles Krecker was appointed postmaster in the township. Charles Krecker was appointed postmaster in 1862, and held the office till his death, in 1872. His widow succeeded him, and is the present postmistress at Friedensburg. At Summit Station, on the railroad, in the south part of the township, a post-office has for some time been established,with D.R. Ney as postmaster.

Jacob Minich is said to have been the first justice of the peach in Wayne. The next was Charles Springer. The present magistrates are John W. Heffner, sen., and Henry S. Kremer. Both have been for some years in office.

May 10th, 1769, title to this property was given to one John Graft, by one Rehrer, of Tulpehocken township, Berks county. It became vested in Conrad Roeder, who emigrated to America from Germany some time prior to the Revolutionary war, and settled  somewhere in Berks county. After the war he removed to the mill property. When the mill was originally built is not now known.

It was first seen by old residents of Wayne as a log structure.

It was rebuilt about 1849, and enlarged in 1872 by Daniel Roeder, a grandson of Conrad. It is now owned and operated by Elias Roeder, a great-grandson of the old German emigrant, in whose family the property has remained continuously since its purchase by him, early in the history of the township.

At a comparatively early date there was a tannery on the farm of William Fidler and Daniel Yeich, in Long Run valley. A few years ago it was torn down, the foundation was removed, and the spot where it had stood was graded level with the surrounding ground for cultivation.

The Friedensburg tannery was built by Martin Price. It has since been owned successively by Jacob Eagler, Webber, Sylphius Thier and Michael Fritz, the present proprietor. The latter enlarged it some years ago, and for a time did quite a flourishing business. It is in good condition, but is lying idle.

The first tavern opened in Wayne was the Blue Mountain House,by Dexter Snyder. During the political cmapaign of 1800, a Jefferson liberty pole was raised in front of the Blue Mountain tavern, and the adherents of the cause of John Adams, Jefferson's opponent, gave out that on a certain day they would cut it down.

When the time arrived the Jeffersonians shouldered their guns and repaired to the place, arriving just in time to see sixteen of their foemen surrounding the pole, some of them provided with axes. The sudden appearance of an armed force of considerable numbers surprised and intimidated them, and when they were told not to proceed with their self-appointed task they made no show of resistance of authority, and attempted to peacable leave thescene of their discomfiture. But this quiet acquiescence did not satisfy the Jeffersonians; and, bringing the influence of their arms and superior numbers to bear on their already chap-fallen opponents, they compelled them to march three times around the pole, and give three cheers for it each time, before they permitted them to go away.

The second public house in the township was the Long RunValley house, opened in 1801 by Henry S. Kremer, who is said to have kept the first store in Wayne, in the same building.

The number of hotels in the township in 1881 is five. They are those of Messrs. Hummel and Schropp, at Friedensburg, that of Abraham Roeder, at Summit Station, the Black Horse tavern, kept by Henry Brown, and the old Blue Mountain House.

The oldest public roads in the township are the State road, from Schuylkill Haven to Pine Grove, the Panther Valley road, and the Blue Mountain road.

The first grave-yard opened in the township was that connect ed with St. John's church. There are now six burial places; one connected with each of the five churches, and a small one on the  farm of Isaac Luckenbil, where Mr. Ernst and his parents are

buried.

The first fine brick building in Wayne was erected at Long Run by Charles Springer, sen., about twenty years ago. Joseph Wommer, in Long Run valley, brought the first mowing machine to the township.

The earliest resident physicians were Doctors Medlar and Davis. Rev. Messrs. Dechert and Stowey were the pioneer preachers, and they were well known and respected by almost every early resident of the township.