Excerpt

At Lickdale Station, of the Lebanon & Tremont R. R., formerly called Union Forge, stands the old Weidman Mansion in a grove of trees, about 50 yards back from the road. It is the original building but weatherboarded. Its sheltering door opened to admit many a poor regugee from the savage foe.

About one mile equidistant from Fort Swatara and the Weidman place of refuge, was located the Hess Block-house. It is said the excavation still remains where the old house stood. Near here a Mr. Noacre was shot dead in his field while ploughing, on the farm recently owned by John Zehring. Here, also, Philip Mauer was shot dead while cradling oats on the farm later owned by John Gross. Martin Hess escaped unhurt but his house was frequently used as a place of refuge, some half dozen families often occupying it at one time. Martin Boeshore on one occasion retreated from the enemy toward's Hess's. Just as he entered the house he seized his gun and levelled it at his pursuers when, as he was about pulling the trigger, he received a shot from an Indian which wounded him slightly in the left side, having struck his musket near the flint and glanced down.