Record & Star Anniversary Edition Page 8

Find An Index To All Of This Newspaper Here:

https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/05/the-watsontown-record-star-silver.html

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Diehls Steam Bakery

Corner of 7th & Elm Streets

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Residence Of Samuel B. Morgan

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Residence of F.S. Derr

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Residence of Dr H.R.  Hummel

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Joseph Hollopeter

1823-1897

"The above is a faithful likeness of one who well deserved the grateful remembrance of the people of Watsontown as a pioneer in its industrial interest, a most excellent citizen, and an honorable, honest man."

Married Susan Maus of Lewisburg

Boat Builder at Port Penn in Muncy

"The Leading Spirit in establishing the Boot & Shoe Co"

"In fact, he is entitled to the honor of having started every industry in town in operation at the time of his death, excepting the nail works, the upper table and works and the leather finishing plant"

First Burgess of Watsontown

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Robert Russell DeArmond

Son of Thomas Dutton DeArmond

Born on a farm near the Warrior Run Church

Grandmother - Esther G. Russell

Married Mary Bly

"Old DeArmond Homestead, Corner of main and 6th"

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Prof S.C. Hartranft

The Brief Story Of My Real Interest In Watsontown
by Professor Hartranft

The accompanying portrait will be readily recognized as very faithfully representing one of whose enthusiastic interest in education had much to do with the placing of the watsontown public schools and progressive lines and none proved more popular with patrons and pupils the following sketch is introduced by professor Hartranft as “the brief story of my real interest in Watsontown” which we confess our inability to improve:

Of course you know that I saw the light of day on the old Hartranft  homestead in Delaware Township now the residents of my brother Charles 48 years ago my early life on the home place was spent fishing in the silly deeps of Delaware run and chasing cotton tails over the hills of the neighborhood at 12 I left the home and made my way to a farmhand until I went to South America and 1898 where I spent a year on my return I took a year or two on the farm and entered the implement store of G.W. Nicely and company at Williamsport and attended night sessions of the commercial college there. I secured a certificate to teach school and after teaching in the schools of the country during the five months that the state then allowed and working for farmers and the farm implements store for five years I unexpectedly received a request from professor G. W. Twitmyer to make application for the 6th grade of the Watsontown schools I walked from the old home in the country 4 miles daily and did my best for $33 per month I took the “principalship” of the school at Dewart the next year the next summer Dr. McClure and Mr. Simpson Smith two of the dearest old friends a young man ever had at his back asked me to take the place of assistant in the high school with my heart in my mouth I went and taught two years under professor Baer and two years under professor Albert at the end of this time I was elected to the principalship and served four years.

I then went to Valparaiso Indiana normal college and graduated from the scientific course at the close of my year when I came to South Dakota and located at Groton as principal of the schools I spent four years there and during my fifth year was elected county Superintendent before I had served four years in this position I was chosen a member of the faculty for the northern normal and industrial school in this place I am still a member serving as secretary of the faculty from the beginning and have charge of the department of history I have been honored with the highest honors in the gift of teachers of the state by being chosen president of the state educational association I am one of the institute directors and am frequently a member of the State Board of examiners I think this is also a silver anniversary for me in this connection if I am not mistaken this fall will be 25 years that I have taken the Record in Star,

Professor Hartranft notes the possibility of taking advantage of the Jamestown exposition and taking a run home in the summer he adds there are many things that are attractive and alluring to a man who has had about 1/4 of his life in the West but you may put it down to the old home places are the balance of power in any case in deciding the question of where you have been the happiest

Note - "Went to South America in 1898" refers to his participation in the ill fated Collins expedition to build a railroad in the Amazon.  Read more here: https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/08/the-collins-expedition-when-local-men.html

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William L. Baker

Born 1842

Married Hannah Logan

Painter & Decorator

Organized the Citizens Band in 1887

Served In Civil War

Children: C.M. Housel, C.L. Baker, William L Baker, C.E.Trate

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Hon. Oscar Foust

Born in Milton, 1846

First resident attorney in Watsontown

Editor of the Record & Star

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William Field Shay

Son of Philip Shay and Mary Elizabeth Wallis

(Great Grandson of Samuel Wallis, British Spy)

Married Mary Alice Hower

Residence Of Burgess William Field Shay

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NOTE - A.D. 1932 was 25 years in the future in 1907.  This article obviously contains many references and innuendos that we may not full grasp all these years later.  I added more notes and photos  to explain some of what is being talked about, here:https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2023/02/retrospective-1932-watsontown-editor.html

“What ought to be can be”

RETROSPECTIVE

A.D. 1932

BY WAYWARD DIEHL

Of Detroit 

Colonel Larned, president of the model towns beautifying association occupied a suite of rooms in the majestic building this association employed a number of agents to travel over the world and take note of the beauty spots in towns cities and landscapes various ideas were then concentrated and adapted to one particular city and the scheme sold to that city the Colonel was about to leave his office when traveling agent Gus brooks entered
 
After exchanging greetings Gus began: ‘well Colonel I have traveled all over America and the interest of this association but last week I found the only model city for beauty and wealth there is no comparison that city is ELMDON Pennsylvania”
“Some rival of our association no doubt promoted the city “,spoke up the Colonel
Gus continued: “Tthe city was originally a grain depot until 1865 when sawmills were erected organized as a borough in 1867. Canal did prosperous business. Sawmills were closed up and little industry between 1890 and t 1905.  Original name of the city Elmdon  but renamed watsontown in 1830 in honor of former resident. In 1909 at an election held for the purpose the electors reclaimed the original name Elmdon.

CREATION OF THE CITY BEAUTIFUL
“The consummation of this ideal city was the transformation of the old Pennsylvania canal into a water power plant Delaware run 2 miles above the town with several smaller strains was the nucleus of this great power plant which made it a city of wealth and afforded sufficient funds for beautifying a water powerhouse was located at the southern extremity of the city near the old canal lock equipped with a turbine wheel and a Dynamo for the manufacture of electricity for light and power the original steam electric plant at the northern end of the city is maintained only as an axillary and is seldom used in former years the coal and  freight bills consumed all of the profit of the old electric plant.

SECURING THE RIGHT OF WAY
“But how was the right of way secured for all of those improvements in such a monopolistic state as Pennsylvania ?” queried Colonel Larned
“Well the old canal was defunct for many years no good for any other use those who owned adjoining land were convinced that such a scheme would double or treble the value of the property adjacent and where real damage was done electricity for either light or power was furnished as a balm.”

“This great feat was commenced in 1908 or nearly 1/4 of a century ago the city has made sufficient profit in that time to begin the erection of an immense dam across the Susquehanna River at Fogelmanis island to cost $100,000 and furnish water power to develop 75,000 electric horsepower which will supply the numerous trolley companies in Northumberland and union counties besides  various manufacturing plants.”

THE CITY’S PUBLIC PARKS
“Does the city have any parks or public grounds?” asked Col Larned
“ Well the whole city is a park as well as the city of commercial interests the people of Elmdon seemed to have an inborn love of the beautiful. Wonderful fountains, rustic bridges, memorial arches and statuary. The water company was prompt to see the advantage of a real model city and is supplying water to many fountains free.
“In the old days the muddy and uneven streets were very distinctive the streets were so filled up that it became a question of whether it would be advisable to raise houses and sidewalks to keep the water from the Cellars.  Eight inches were cut from all of the principal streets and they were relayed with brick and asphalt  - expensive at first, but as good today as when they were put down twenty years ago.”

COLONEL LARNED IN DOUBT
“Such a community, “ interrupted the Colonel, “makes the sweetest of dreams of Edward Ballamy look like realities.”
“No not that nothing short of a revolution could carry out the plans of Bellamy’s ‘looking backward’ but here was a small country borough of not more than 2000 inhabitants in 1907 and what these good and industrious people have accomplished in the past 25 years will be a lasting monument to their memories.”
“From the proceeds derived almost exclusively from the power plant a park has been built and named in honor of each former chief Burgess of the Old Town or Watsontown thus they have Hollopeter, Starr Gauger,  Bachman , West Shay, East Shay,  Miller, North Wagner,  South Wagner, East Wagner, Leiser,  Cooner, Piatt, Hogue, Everitt, Follmer, Hockley,  McClure , Seiler, Knight and Housel parks. All are good size and perfect fairy lands”
Colonel Larned interrupted again with some doubting remarks.
“Well then” continued Brooks, “I will relate another wonderful improvement which you can verify for yourself by calling up the Philadelphia and Reading railway companies offices the president of this railroad since 1915 was a former resident of Watsontown through his influence a magnificent stone and concrete bridge 100 feet in width was erected over the Susquehanna River at Elmdon besides the railroad convenience it is used by the trolley company and as a public highway this is the most stately bridge on the river the stone and cement were brought down to the river from the great quarries up white deer Creek”

COL. LARNED BECOMES INTERESTED
“but you have related but little of the great lake which the old canal and various pools and basins would form surely that must be a beauty” and then the Colonel lighted his second cigar.
“At present this lake is about 3 miles long extending from port may to the road leading from Dewart to Allenwood at Nicely park the banks are lined with well kept trees and flowering beds there is not a shabby tree or fence to mar the wonderful effect from Port May to Nicely park small electric and gasoline boats flit to and fro like great Swans the city owns and operates two regular pleasure boats of 100 passenger capacity for eight months of the year these boats net elmdon $5000 every season”
“During my visit I made a trip on the little electric boat city of Elmdon we went aboard at the power plant at Port May a lecturer or instructor (the boys called him Barker) accompanies each boat to point out and discourse upon the places of interest I took stenographic notes of his remarks and they will convey a fair idea of this wonderful lake and park”

Brooke then read off the following talk of the “barker” on the boat:
“This boat is now in the old sawmill pool to the right the iron bridge over the Pennsylvania railroad from sand hill.  Near This site is the first burying ground of more than 100 years ago the stone house in front of us is the oldest building in the city used for residence and various purposes of the 1st century next building of importance is the old hope hose hall foot of 2nd St. Rustic bridge in the front connect Wagner and Bly parks. We are now entering the famous old bill mill pool 50 years ago this pool was so filled with saw logs that the fish had to creep out upon the towpath to get their breath. The great Maple tree to the right is the “Mottern Tree” made famous years ago at the meeting place of the “hog Committee”.  Each Sunday morning the old timers met under this tree to discuss the weight of every resident porker.  To the right is the Ferris wheel in Osborne park.  Yonder is Sterick park and the entrance to the river bridge.”
“A little ways on the the boat was docked at Morgan Park.  On these grounds is located the G.A.R. Library and Memorial Hall. War relics and the archives of several grand army posts are well guarded in this building. In this park is also located the $50,000 GAR memorial fountain which throws 8 streams of water high in the air this fountain was presented by the citizens of Elmdon and is the most splendid tribute ever paid to the memory of the honourable dead by a grateful and appreciative people we left this bewildering spot with regret,”

THE PLOT THICKENS
“Who promoted all these things in this city beautiful? “ Asked the Colonel.  “In 1907 or 25 years ago the Daily Record and star then a prosperous weekly paper celebrated their silver anniversary establishing a large souvenir paper.  Int hat issue the scheme –
Hur-r-r, burr-r-r-r-r, ding-a-ling, zip.
Colonel Larned  awoke. Great beads of perspiration large as ostrich egg stood out upon his classic brow messenger boy #21 handed him a Telegraph which read:
WINDSOR, Ontario, April 1 1907.
Dear Papa – I will marry Will at Niagara Falls this evening
                                                  JOSEPHINE
P.S. – Can You Forgive?

Forgive, never” Raved the Colonel” “ I can get to Niagara Falls in my auto before she marries that pumpkin head.” And as messenger boy #23 skidded down the street he mused to himself wonder worde  ole guy meant wen he consolatedded hisself wid de remark:  it was a alright dream, anyhow”
                                                      STARR DEVIL No 1 1883-87

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To see more about the Businesses & Stores in Watsontown - 

Find a Block By Block look at Main Street Watsontown through the decades here:

https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/04/main-street-watsontown-block-by-block.html

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Find More Stories & History Of Watsontown Here:
https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/04/watsontown-pa.html

And more local history, from surrounding areas, here:
https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/p/history.html
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