Song Of The Susquehanna by Herbert Stover - A Gold Seal Novel

Songs Of The Susquehanna, By Herbert E. Stover

Published in 1949, this book is Historical Fiction, based on the life of Peter Grove, 1755-1802.

"Peter Grove, in search of ginseng in upstate Pennsylvania, becomes embroiled in the events of the French and Indian War. A native of Lancaster, Grove travels throughout the Pennsylvania wilderness, as far as Fort Pitt and the West Branch of the Susquehanna. Along the way, when not seeking a young lady's hand, he interacts with many of the leading figures of the time, including Conrad Weiser, Governor Morris, John Harris, Henry Bouquet, John Forbes, Hugh Mercer, George Croghan, and numerous natives."

The Philadelphia inquirer printed the entire book  on 9 pages in their September 25 1949 edition, as part of their Gold Seal Novels.

Gold Seal Novels are illustrated novels covering a wide range of genres published in editions of the Sunday Philadelphia Inquirer between 1934 and 1949. They were published as a "complete illustrated novel" as a section of the newspaper's Sunday edition. Authors include John Dickson Carr, Clyde Brion Davis, Erle Stanley Gardner, Graham Greene, Fannie Hurst, Frances Parkinson Keyes, Sinclair Lewis, Philip MacDonald, Cecile Hulse Matschat, Mary O'Hara, Ellery Queen, Georges Simenon, Rex Stout and Eudora Welty. 

The  book has been reprinted ,  it can be purchased on Amazon here:

https://amzn.to/3YwTqCL

  

Stover, a former professor at Bucknell University, published several Historical Fiction Novels.  See a list of his books available on Amazon here:

https://amzn.to/3Eq6JNy

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PETER GROVE

From Otzinachson by Meginness

"One of the most atrocious murders in 1781 was that of Stock family near Selinsgrove. Three of Stock's sons were work in a field when a party of about thirty Indians appeared. They did not attack the boys but passed on to the house which they entered. On the way they found another son plowing in a field whom they killed. Mrs Stock and a daughter in law were found in the house. The mother a strong and courageous woman defended herself with a canoe pole as she retreated towards the field where her husband was. She was killed by a tomahawk however, and the house plundered and the young woman carried into the woods near by and killed and scalped.

 When Stock returned he found his house plundered his son dead in the field, his wife with a deep wound in her forehead murdered, and the young woman inhumanly butchered.  

The alarm was quickly given when three experienced Indian fighters, Grove, Pence and Stroh, pursued the savages. They found them encamped on the North Branch on the side of a hill covered with fern. Grove crept up and discovered that their rifles were stacked around a tree and that all but three or four were asleep. One of the Indians was narrating in high glee how Mrs Stock defended herself with the canoe pole. Grove lay quiet until all the Indians fell asleep. He then returned to his comrades Stroh and Pence and informed them what he had seen. They decided to attack them when all appeared to be asleep. They crept up close to the camp and dashed among the sleeping savages. Grove plied his tomahawk vigorously on their heads while Stroh and Pence seized the guns and fired among the sleepers. Several were killed when the Indians thinking they were attacked by a large party fled. How many were killed is not known, but the white party brought home a number of scalps. A captive white boy was liberated. Collecting the best guns and destroying the balance Grove and his companions made their way to the river built a raft and floated down stream and reached home in safety."

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There are additional mentions of Groves battles with the Indians, in this book.

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Peter Grove the hero of the Sinnemahoning battle, married  Sarah Witmore and settled on the north side of the river Dunnstown Clinton County. They had nine children named follows: John Jacob, Peter, George, William, Elizabeth, Pattie, Susan, and Fearm.

 Peter Grove lost his life by drowning in the year 1802 or 1803. He had gone over the river from Dunnstown to attend a match at Old Town which stood near the junction of Creek with the river. On the return in a canoe and opposite the tavern of John Myers the two young men who with him -one of whom was named Clark- commenced the canoe and it upset. The river was somewhat swollen but Grove was known to be a good swimmer they supposed he easily reach the shore. He had on an overcoat which interfered with his swimming very much and although he cried for when he found he was sinking his comrades supposed he doing it merely to frighten them and they did not aid him.  The strong man was struggling for his life and finally drowned in the presence of his friends. 

 Tradition informs us that they been drinking freely which may have been the case,  and result was the death of the man who had often braved greater dangers on land in the presence of the savage foe. The place where his death occurred is a short distance above the Island and about where the ferry now is between Dunnstown the Lock Haven shore. His body was recovered and he was buried in the Dunnstown cemetery near a large oak tree which stands as a living monument to his memory. His grave is still pointed out but no stone bears his name to tell the passer that the brave Indian fighter lies there.

 Grove is described as being about five feet seven inches in height compactly built and very muscular.  His descendants are quite numerous and of them live in the western part of the state. 

 The affair which called forth the vengeance of the Groves with a few other outrages were the last committed in the valley.Peace happy peace soon spread her wings over a land that had been drenched in blood.

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Centre Daily Times Feb 25 1963

Herbert E Stover, 75, of Livonia, well known area historian died at the Lock Haven Hospital Saturday at 9:25am. He had been a patient there at midnight. Born at his present homestead at the top of the mountain between Loganton and Livonia Jan 15 1888, he was the son of Adam & Jessie (DeLong) Stover.He was married to the former Elva Kyler who died in 1955. Surviving are two daughters Mrs. Clarence Deitrich of English Center and Mrs. Edward Murray of Williamsport, two grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Beginning at the age of 17 Mr. Stover taught school. He taught in the schools of Brush Valley and schools of Huntingdon, Austin and Philipsburg. He also taught at Lock Haven State College and was the principal of the Lock haven High School. Mr. Stover was the supervising principal of the Lewisburg School System for 25 years before his retirement in 1953. He was a graduate of Lock Haven State College and received his Master's Degree in education from Bucknell University at Lewisburg. He also took several courses at PSU. After his retirement Mr. Stover did some graduate teaching at Bucknell. He was an author and novelist who wrote seven historical novels. the most famous of his books was "Song of the Susquehanna" which was published in 1949. He also wrote a schoolbook "History of Pennsylvania" in 1944.Mr. Stover was a member of the Great Island Presbyterian Church in Lock Haven and an elder of the First Presbyterian Church in Lewisburg. Funeral services will be held at the Ramm Funeral Home on Tuesday with the Rev. William H Gray officiating. Interment will be in the Dunnstown Cemetery.