OF LANCASTER COUNTY. 385 



into wliicli the stream, denoniiiiated on the map of Lancaster county, " Cai-tcr's Crock " 

 empties, it is six miles, and in that distance, there are seven mills. The water is tlic pure 

 limestone, and very fresh. In former times, it fonned a largo pond, around wliich In- 

 dians resided, of which the number of Indian arrow heads, hatchets, and stones, used 

 for throwing in their slings, give ample proof. Could these Indians return and see the 

 great change which has taken place at their spring, they would jirohahly net hclieve it 

 to be the same, from which they had formerly drunk. Al)f)ut the year 17S0, some of 

 the inhabitants of Litiz began to improve it by enclosing it with a circular wall ajul 

 filling up part of the pond, and in later years the remaining part was tilled up, 

 and where was fonnerly a considerable body of water, there is at this time a 

 beautiful park of trees. Various improvements were undertaken from time to time; 

 but at no period was it found in such an improved state as at this time. Around it are 

 a number of seats, and on the hill, from under which it has its source, are hand- 

 somely laid out gardens, arbors and ornamental shrubbery. Fi'om the spring to tho 

 village is an avenue of Linden and jMaple trees, winding along the stream, the path of 

 which is partly covered with gravel, and i^artly Avith tan, which renders access to it easy 

 in wet, as well as dry weather. Along this avenue there are various scats under shade 

 trees for the accommodation of visitors, and also several neat bridges, in case they wish 

 to cross the stream. 



The population of Litiz is about 500; tlie number of houses 113. Formerly there 

 was an extensive chip hat and bonnet manufactory carried on by Mr. Matthias Tschudy, 

 which gave emplojanent to manj^ He was the only person in the United States that 

 understood the art of manufacturing them, and supplied nearly all the cities and coun- 

 try with his hats. The palm leaf and straw hats, coming into fashion, they were pre- 

 ferred, and consequently the factory was discontinued. 



Organs were also built in Litiz in former times, which for tone and excellent work- 

 manship, are very celebrated. A number of the best organs in Philadelphia, Baltimore 

 and Lancaster, are si^ecimens thereof ; and among others, the large and beautiful organ 

 in the Lutheran church, at Lancaster, is one of them.i 



In former times, the augurs which were sent from England had no screw, serving as 

 a point, as we have them in our day. The invention of this screw was first made at 

 Litiz, by ]Mr. John H. Ranch, Senior, during the last century; the pattern was then 

 sent to England by Judge Henry, after which the screw point was generally introduced. 

 The original augur, made at Litiz, by John Henry Ranch, in 1776, is now the i)roperty 

 of his grand-son, E. H. Ranch, of Lancaster. It was among the rehcs exliibited at the 

 Great Sanitary Fair held at Philadelphia in 1804. 



For an account of the Schools, see Division VI. 



Washington. Borough.— Foimlation in 1860, 560; Taxables, 199; Value of Real 

 and Personal Property, $67,823. 



1 Abridged from Mr. John Beck's revision of the article on I.itiz in Rupp's History of Lancaster 

 Countv. 



26 



