Sunday, November 1, 2020

On This Day In Local History - November

 

On This Day In Local History, November
JAN    FEB    MAR   APR    MAY    JUNE   JUL   AUG   SEP   OCT   NOV   DEC

In the early 1920's, the Miltonian newspaper ran a weekly page of Historical Notes, with history listed by day.  It's one of my favorite things to read, and many of the articles on this blog have come from those blurbs.  This is my version of those 1920's pages, in a month format rather than a daily one.  (They typically post daily on my facebook page, when I remember to schedule them to do so)


For an index of history posts by Subject & Town, go here:
https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/p/history.html
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THIS MONTH IN LOCAL HISTORY
November
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On This Day...

1
  • 1817 - the first team was driven across the river bridge at Lewisburg. When the Lewisburg Bridge Was a Covered Bridge - See the photos here:  https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2019/05/when-lewisburg-river-bridge-was-covered.html
  • 1866 -  4 valuable horses belonging to Frederick and Co were drowned when the cable on the Milton ferry broke and stampede followed
  • 1871 - At Selinsgrove - First through passenger train, an excursion from Lewistown to Selinsgrove. Several bands and a big jollificaton.
  • 1873 - The Borough of Selinsgrove sunk barrels in Penns Creek near landing at foot of streets, to afford a better place to secure water during fires for steamer.
  • 1899 - Nigh shifter added in Selinsgrove Yards.  Oscar Luck conductor.  This crew handled 600 cars along in 12 hours, frequently.
  • 1900 - Arc light hung at Snyder & High sts in Selinsgrove for testing by Shoe Factory power.
  • 1907 - Manhasset Trive No 437 Imp Order of Red Men organized at Selinsgrove
  • 1957 -  Kelly township was once again asked to vote on the issue of Sunday Movies.  The Silver Moon ran an advertisement in the local newspapers, pleading their case. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/03/when-silver-moon-was-drive-in-illegally.html
  • 1971, The Daily Item reported that the Boot & Shoe building In Watstonown was currently being razed.  It had been purchased by the Watsontown National Bank, and the lot would become a parking lot. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/04/watsontown-boot-shoe.html
  •  2014 - Tedd's Landing was slated to close.  But once the announcement was made, patrons poured into the restaurant, prompting the owners to remain open through the end of the year. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/10/before-teds-landing-was-blue-hill.html
2
  • 1696 - Conrad Weiser born in Wurtumberg Germany
  • 1802 - Jail completed in Sunbury by John Frick, father of General Henry Frick.  [This is NOT the prison - the Sunbury prison that sits empty today was built in 1876]
  • 1858 - Jacob Leidy accidentally killed by companions while hunting on the White Deer Mountains
  • 1877 - Four men attempted to rob Kemmerer's Mill, but were driven off by Samuel Kemmerer and a dog.  Two burglars were badly beaten.
  • 1878 - Home of Adam Grove in Union County destroyed by fire
  • 1906 - Last spike driven in new power dam at Hoovers Mill, on Middle Creek, two miles south of Selinsgrove.
  • 1909 - Mrs Anthony Armstrong fatally burned at Allenwood.  She died the following day. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/10/mrs-anthony-armstrong-enveloped-in.html

3
4
  • 1771 - William Speedy acquitted in Philadelphia court on charge of murdering Nathan Ogden in this county.
  • 1834 - First public meeting for education held in Sunbury.  Samuel Pollock and John F. Wolfinger delegates from Milton.  
  • 1867 - Watsontown was incorporated into a Borough.  "holding it's first municipal election November 16 1867, electing its First Chief Burgess, Joseph Hollopeter and the Members of its first Council, Thomas Carl, F.S. Whitman, C.O. Bachman, John Bly and D.C. Hogue.  The geography of the Borough has never been changed and its boundary lines stand today the same as when incorporated." https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/04/watsontown-pa.html
  • 1870 - Millinery store of Fannie Strine and sister, in Milton,  robbed of $1200 in merchandise
  • 1902 - Dr H.M. Nippes purchased an automobile - the second in Snyder County.
  • 1965, The Rishel Furniture Plant which took up a full city block north of the fairgrounds, was completely destroyed by fire. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/12/the-rishel-furniture-fire-november-1965.html
5
  • 1759 - Governor Simon Snyder was born 
  • 1828  - "Notice – Whereas my son, Peter, has of late frequently been guilty of breaking open my dwelling and purloining articles therefrom and making sale of them. I therefore hereby caution any person from trading with or purchasing any articles from him, for I am determined to put the law in force against any such persons who may be detected in doing so. Ann TOMAN, Williamsport." - The Lycoming Gazette
  • 1828  - Accident – William EDWARDS, and apprentice to a gun-smith in Muncy Borough, having received, on Wednesday last, an old gun to repair, and in order to get out the breech, put it into his smith’s fire, and began to blow his bellows, when an explosion took place from a charge which is said to have remained in the barrel for nine years – the whole contents entered the young man’s groin and came out at his hip. He died in 35 minutes afterwards – he had been cautioned of a charge being in the gun barrel. ("Miltonian")
  • 1899 - Entire repair force of the S&L RR engaged in laying heavier steel rail (85 lbs) on river bridge
  •  1915 - There was a Halloween Masquerade Dance at the Watsontown Opera House.  See Photos here: https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/04/the-opera-houses-of-early-watsontown.html
  • 1917 - Selinsgrove Hosiery Co Opened a new plant at Walnut and Water sts at old shirt factory.
  • 1917  - Retail sale of sugar is limited to 2lbs per a person per week by Food Administrators.  Salt also scarce.
  •  1922- Mrs M.E. Cheston Suffers a broken leg in a fall at Billmeyers Park - When The Elk Lived In Washingtonville - https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/01/when-elk-lived-in-washingtonville.html
  • 1964 - Author H. Beam Piper made the last entry in his journal. The date of his actual death is unknown, his body was not discovered for some time after he shot himself.   A folklorist and friend of Henry Shoemaker, Pipers first published Science Fiction story took place in Williamsport Pa. He went on to write stories that were sold to Walt Disney, and reportedly inspired George Lucas' Ewoks.  During his lifetime, his work was met with mixed reviews.  After his death, his work developed a cult following.  https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2019/11/time-time-again-science-fiction-in.html
6
  • 1872 - First patient received at the new Danville State Hospital. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2022/01/assorted-stories-history-from-danville.html
  • 1879 - The firm of Creveling, Miles & Co put the Chulasky furnace [Danville] in blast.  The firm had purchased the furnace on October 10 1879.
  • 1880 - A bell weighing more than 4,000 lbs was placed in the tower of the Catholic Church in Danville. It was reportedly one of the finest, if not the fines, toned bell  in Danville.
  • 1860 - Lincoln elected as President.  Milton gave him 106 majority and 111 in the county.  Five electors, Pollock, Taggart, Colvin, Kirkpatrick and Hull and Governor Andrew G Curtin were all students of Rev David Kirkpatrick at Milton.
  • 1885 - The Watsontown Gazette Suspended Publication
  • 1899 - Ladies of the Golden Eagle constituted in Milton
  • 1907 - First electric car - a construction car - crosses the new bridge from Sunbury to Shamokin Dam.
  • 1911 - Neal McCay Halfpenny, Opera star raised in Lewisburg, accidently shot in Houstan Texas.  (He survived)  https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/11/neal-mccay-halfpenny-tenor-from.html

7th
8
9
10 
11 
12

13
14

15
  •  1777, America was born, in York PA. On that day, while in York PA, Congress passed  the Articles of Confederation.  They were sent on to the states to be ratified, and that was not completed until 1781, but Congress did in fact complete,  and pass them, after nearly a year of debate,  while in the city of York.  https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2019/07/york-pa-where-united-states-of-america.html
  • 1864 - With Atlanta on fire, Sherman's "March To Sea" begins.  Co G 147th PVI marches 17 miles through Decatur and pauses at Stone Mountain
16
17
  • 1830 - "For Rent – For the term of one or more years, that valuable Tavern Stand, known by the name of WHITE HOUSE TAVERN, in Washington Twp., on the great road from Derrstown, to Williamsport, with about 50 acres of land all cleared, and 10 acres of timber lot, an excellent orchard, a good well at the door, with a pump in it, a two story frame house, with a cellar kitchen, stables and sheds well calculated for keeping tavern. To be rented on Saturday the 4th day of December, as the property of heirs of John PIATT, Jr., deceased. John FORESMAN, administrator and Mary PIATT, administratrix" - Lycoming Gazette
  • 1864 - Co G 147th PVI marches 20 miles crossing Broad River
  • 1883 -  the Edison Electric Illuminating Company of Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania was founded. This was the first isolated electrical plant in the world, meaning that the entirety of Mount Carmel was powered by electricity. 38 arc lamps and 50 incandescent light bulbs were erected in the downtown business district. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2019/10/when-edison-came-to-our-valley-shamokin.html
  • 1901 - Head-on Collision between two double headed freight trains in yard in front of local station. [Selinsgrove]  No person injured.
18
  • 1780 - Frederic Antes appointed President Judge of the Courts Of Northumberland County
  • 1852 - Mrs. James Reber of Buffalo Twp, left at this office a very fine specimen of radish.  It was twenty inches in length and two feet in circumference.  Buffalo Valley is the garden of the world.
  • 1857 - Pilgrims Encampment No 150 IOOF (Milton) constituted
  • 1866 - St Johns Reformed Church in Milton dedicated.  Rev S.H. Reid pastor and Rev W.C. Cramer of Sunbury preached dedicatory sermons
  • 1871 - First passenger train over the Catwissa extension left Milton at 5:15 pm
  • 1884 - Annual reunion of Pennsylvania College Held in Milton
  • 1897 - The Conrad Weiser Chapter, Daughters Of The American Revolution, organized with Mrs Ira C (Laura E. R.) Schoch as Regent
  • 1907 - Hon.  Champ Clark and General Grosvenor debated on the tariff in Milton

19
  • 1877, Mrs. D.E. Weiss of Dewart, and her houseguest Miss Mollie Bennington of Maryland, both teachers at Williamsport, were drugged and robbed.https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/11/drugged-robbed-in-dewart-1877.html
  • 1880- John Metzger, aged 77, died in Delaware Twp, the result of a thrashing accident
  • 1899 - Broken flange wrecks freight train on river bridge, [Selinsgrove chronology]. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/11/selinsgrove-junction.html
  • 1913 - Samuel B. McHenry applied for a patent on his Astronomical Device.  McHenry, a prolific inventor,  owned a Brush and Broom Factory on Millville Road, in Bloomsburg Pa.  Most of the machinery used to produce his brushes was his own invention, and those machines were several of the more than 30 patents he filed over the years.  In 1910 McHenry became infatuated with Katherine Elkins, the "belle of America", who was being courted by an Italian Duke.  McHenry had never met Elkins, but he had stalked her for nearly two years, before showing up at her door to propose marriage. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2016/02/samuel-b-mchenry-inventor.html
  • 1918 - Raymond Shupp, aged 19, killed at P&R crossing at Cameron Ave in Milton

20
  • 1810 - Great Flood In River
  • 1872 - Lewis Larum found package containing large sum of money and brought it to the Miltonian office for the owner to claim
  • 1884 - Democrats in Milton celebrated Cleveland's election with an ox roast and torch light parade
  • 1862  - 147th  Company G's last night in Harrisburg. " We will never forget our first experience at packing knapsacks for the march.  We were compelled to discard many things which we then thought we could hardly do without, and even then our knapsacks had the appearance of over filled peddler packs." - J.A. Lumbard https://lumbard147thcog.blogspot.com/2016/03/chapter-11-our-last-night-in-harrisburg.html
  • 1863- Co G. 147th PVI  in Camp Wauhatchi Tenn, sends $1,206 to Col. H.C.Eyer for local distributions, including a $46 donation to Joseph Feehrer, leader of the Selinsgrove Silver Cornet Band, "towards purchasing a set of silver instruments"
  • 1864 - Co G 147th PVI crosses Oconee River, destroys bridge and railroad and marches 15 miles encamping with General Sherman on a plantation of Howell Cobb, a prominent politician and general of the south.

21
22
  • 1853 - Veterans of the War of 1812 met in the hotel of Captain Huff in Milton where they were his guests at a sumptuous feast
  • 1880 - James Ruch lose an eye when a cartridge he had placed on the stove exploded
  • 1863 - Co G 147th PVI leaves "Camp Starvation" to go on outpost duty along Lookout Creek, near the foot of Lookout Mountain.
  • 1906 - First power generated at new power house a Hoovers Mill
  • 1922 - Detour to Lewisburg Lifted

23 
  • 1864 - Co G 147th PVI arrives at Martinsburg.
  • 1877 - Miss Sarah Best of Chilisquaque Township, roughly handed by two thugs on the yard of her home near Montandon.  They were frightened off by a boarders.
  • 1878 - Master Charles Kelley seriously wounded by George Billmeyer Jr while hunting rabbits near Washingtonville.

24 
  • 1835, James Fuller Queen, age 14,  began his apprenticeship as a lithographer.
    Years later, in 1851, he did sketches of Shamokin.  See them here:
  • 1863 - Co G 147th PVI participates in the "Battle Above The Clouds", at Lookout Mountain, the end of the day finding them at the base of the rocks near the top of the mountain. "Tuesday, November 24th, 1863, will be long remembered by the surviving members of the company.  Having been hastily summoned from our beds on the ground, we were soon in line, and were promptly counter-marched and moved towards the rear.  Thro’ the morning mist we could discern large bodies of troops moving in the direction of Chattanooga, and then we began to realize the situation.  After moving back a half mile, the head of the column was turned to the left and we struck out boldly into the valley. " - J.A. Lumbard, 147th Co G https://lumbard147thcog.blogspot.com/2016/01/chapter-65.html
  • 1869 - Music Hall in Lewisburg dedicated.  Hon. Charles Sumner delivered the address.  George W. Schoch was the first manager.
  • 1877 - S. Wilson Murray received a patent on an iron box car. First one ever built was made here [Milton].
  • 1899 - An explosion of a gasoline tank at shoe factory in Selinsgrove causes an alarm of fire.  No damage.  
  • 1908 - Sun dial dedicated on campus in front of Seibert Hall, Susquehanna University.
  • 1914 - James Johnson aged 35 of Pleasant View killed and Adam Geyer injured in grade crossing accident near New Columbia
  • 1918, at 4:25 am, a seventy car freight train collided with an engine and caboose in a head on collision near Dewart.  Six men were killed, and three were injured. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/02/the-dewart-train-wreck-of-1918.html 
  • 1919 - Milton Housing Company incorporated at $300,000.
  • 1921, the Milton newspaper the Miltonian ran a long article on the "Poet Laureate Of The South" saying "through her writings, both in prose and poetry, attained national distinction in the world of belled letters, winning for her the title of Poetess-Laureate Of The South." https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/01/the-poetress-of-confederacy-was-born-in.html
  • 1934 -  The Milton Post Office moved to it's current location at 34 North Front Street. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/02/the-art-deco-post-office-in-milton.html

 25
26
  • 1834 - Mr. W. SCHULTZE requests us to inform the public that he will commence his Select School in this Borough [Williamsport] on Monday next, the first of December - Lycoming Gazette
  • 1835 - The Western Section of the Danville Pottsville Railroad opened. Stretching about 20 miles from Sunbury to Shamokin, its operation began smoothly on November 26, 1835, when four mail-coach horses pulled passenger cars named Pottsville and Mahanoy from Sunbury to Paxinos. The entire western segment opened in 1838, the same year that steam locomotives replaced horses. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/12/the-danville-pottsville-railroad.html
  • 1863 The first official thanksgiving holiday was held. On October 3 1863 Abraham Lincoln, expressing gratitude for a Union victory at Gettysburg, first announced the official thanksgiving holiday of November 26 1863. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2019/11/the-first-national-thanksgiving-was.html
  • 1863 - Co G 147th PVI at the battle of Pea-Vine Ridge
  • 1871 - Snyder County Teachers Institute opens in Selinsgrove
  • 1880 - Report of the Milton Relief Fund was made.  $86,073.44 [roughly the equivalent of 2.5 Million in 2021]distributed among the sufferers of the Great Milton Fire https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/05/the-great-fire-of-1880-when-entire-town.html
  • 1885 - Milton and North Mountain Railroad Chartered.  This was later the  the S.B.and B. branch of the P.R.R.
  • 1893 - Allenwood Station was robbed. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-allenwood-train-station.html
  • 1921  - Col Coleman K Sober, of Lewisburg, Formerly of Milton, and one time champion wing show of the world, died at Lewisburg aged 79
  • 1905 - A westbound "Double Header" after passing four eastbound freight trains, overlook the last section, a "doubleheader" at Clifford and a head on collision results near Pawling Station [Selinsgrove]. Four locomotives wrecked, but no employees injured. Traffic tied up.
27
  • 1862 - Two months after the battle, the 14th Co G, arrived at Harpers Ferry.  "If we were to say that we were cordially received we would be telling an untruth, a thing which those who know us best know we would not like to do, in fact we were looked upon as a set of interlopers who were not worthy of the recognition of the old veterans...” - J.A. Lumbard's history of the 147th, Co G. https://lumbard147thcog.blogspot.com/2016/03/chapter-14-harpers-ferry.html
  • 1864- Co G. 147th PVI at the battle of Ringgold GA, where it helps to save Knaps Battery, charged under cover of night by the confederates. Co G loses Capt Chas. S Davis. Lieut B.T. Parks and Private Isaac Napp wounded.
  • 1779 - German regiment arrived to defend Fort Augusta and citizens of thsi valley from Indian incursions.
  • 1872- Milton Iron Company first produced bar iron
  • 1892 - The Montgomery Mirror Printing Office was destroyed by a fire.  https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2022/05/when-montgomery-had-newspaper.html
  • 1987 - The horse and sleigh, erected at the south end of Watsontown each holiday season, was created and installed by Gerry Gould in 1987, as part of a town initiative for new Christmas decorations.  The same committee also arranged to have the 5 large trees at Watsontown Memorial Park strung with Christmas lights, which were turned on for the first time in a ceremony and community carol on November 27 1987. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/12/the-one-horse-open-sleigh-in-watsontown.html
28 
29 - 
30
  • 1830 - Water first turned in West Branch division of canal.  Northumberland to Muncy Dam. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/10/when-susquehanna-valley-had-canal-west.html
  • 1830 - "To Bridge Builders – The contract for building a bridge across Big Muncy Creek, at Woodley’s lording, in Muncy Twp., will be sold on the premises to the lowest best bidder, on Friday the 23rd day of December next. Plans, &c. will be made known on the day of the sale. By order of the Commissioners, P. VANDERBELT, Clerk" - Lycoming Gazette
  • 1863 - Co G 147th PVI back in  camp at Chattanooga  "Camp Starvation"
  • 1871 - Big return excursion over the S&L from Selinsgrove to Lewistown, accompanied by several bands.
  • 1871 - the First Passenger train on the reading line came to Williamsport.  Shortly thereafter the passenger station was built at the foot of Pine Street. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2022/04/the-williamsport-train-stations.html
  • 1877 - Postoffice established at Dry Valley x Roads
  • 1895 - The Southern Central Railroad sold at auction in Dauphin County Courts
  • 1908 - Tuberculosis dispensary opened by State Department of Health on Bound Avenue.
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Misc. November History


1955 -  Carl Stotz, a highly principled man, left Little League Baseball Inc. in late November 1955 over honest and valid philosophical differences centered on commercialization and central control issues with the management of L.L.B. Inc., of which Carl's conscience, would not permit him to remain. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/08/the-first-little-league-world-series.html


In November of 2018, a three man band from York PA,  with no recording label, no manager, and no radio support, became famous almost overnight, for their  cover of the song,  You're A Mean One Mr Grinch

Fall of 1918 - The Spanish Flu
What our Local Papers Had To Say About it
https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/05/when-susquehanna-valley-had-spanish-flu.html

In November of 1925, the Miltonian announced it would give away a brand new car to the person who could sell the most subscriptions to their newspaper.
https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/05/when-miltonian-newspaper-gave-away.html

In mid November 1877, while Capt. Bly was exploring "over the White Deer Mountains", he discovered on one of them a bed of nearly white glass sand. The sand covered an area of nearly 4 acres, and was found about four inches below the surface
https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/11/the-sand-dunes-of-montandon-pa.html

Electricity made it's debut in Snyder County in November of 1897 when H.D. Schnure placed a dynamo operated by a water wheel in his Isle of Que Roller Mills, and his residence at 100 East Mill Street.  https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/10/schnures-mill-on-isle-of-que.html

The Selinsgrove Demokrat and the Wellsboro Advertiser hoist their flag for James Pollock as their choice as the next Whig candidate for Governor.

1908 - Snyder County in the throes of the Cattle Plague.

1908 - State Road completed from Shamokin Dam to Hummels Wharf.


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In January of 1923, the Miltonian ran several pages recapping the news of the prior year.

This is what they had to say about November 1922:




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"On This Day In Local History"
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