On This Day In Local History - February

 

On This Day In Local History, February
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 a Time Line By Year, go here:
https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2019/12/a-time-line-of-history-in-central.html

For an index of history posts by Subject & Town, go here:
https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/p/history.html

It's Time To Eat The Fastnachts!

https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/02/its-time-to-eat-fastnachts.html

When The Presidents Visited The Valley

https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2023/02/when-presidents-other-leaders-came-to.html

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THIS MONTH IN LOCAL HISTORY

February

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1905 article in the Lewisburg Journal.  Read it here:

https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2022/01/february-how-it-gained-its-name-lost.html

Feb 1

•  1881  - Residents of Lewisburg were awakened a little before 4am by a "vibration of their surroundings" https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2022/11/when-lewisburg-experienced-earthquake.html
• 1911 - The Wrestling Match Riot in Milton,  Francis Arnold, conductor of the L.M.& W. trolley, smashed open the glass case holding a fire hose and ax, threatening the crowd to get them under control. Railroad police were summoned from Sunbury to escort the Williamsport crowd home, and as a mob attempted to rush the dressing room Albright was in, Officer Henry Page of Williamsport held them off at gunpoint. Charles Kaiser, Albrights opponent, helped the officers escort Albright to safety, as the street lights were kept off in town, to hide Albright from the mob. - https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/02/the-wrestling-match-riot-in-milton-1911.html
• 1912 - The Lewisburg Journal reported that Mac Halfpenny, known by the stage name of Neal McCay, was convalescing from his serious illness caused by an attempt to murder him while he was playing in a Texas City.  He was able to sit up for the first time since the November shooting, and was expected to fully regain the use of his legs.   https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/11/neal-mccay-halfpenny-tenor-from.html
• 1968 - the Pennsylvania and New York Central Railroads merged to form the Penn Central. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2023/01/newberry-junction.html

Feb 2:

• 1855 - John Menges, Leonard Vantatn and Erastus Eggleston arrested as counterfeiters.
• 1874 - George Hector nearly scalded to death when he fell into Rebers tannery.
• 1897 - PA State Capitol destroyed by fire.  Several of the columns from the original building were brought to our area and used as monuments.   https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/02/when-state-capitol-burned-february-2.html
• 1914 - Major Wallace W. Fetzer assumed charge of Milton Public Schools https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/05/wallace-w-fetzer-when-milton-gave-one.html
• 1969 -Stanley Coveleski of Shamokin Pa was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2022/08/when-shamokin-boy-left-coal-mines-for.html
• From Candlemas to Groundhog Day - The History Behind Having A Groundhog Predict The Weather https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/01/the-history-behind-letting-groundhog.html
• 
  

Feb 3:

• 1769  - Col Turbut Francis and officers of the First and Second Battalion Pennsylvania regiments took title to 24,000 acres of land on the West Branch of the Susquehanna.  The grant included what is now the town of Milton. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/11/how-turbut-township-got-its-name-and.html
• 1829 - Two shoemakers apprentices ran away in Milton https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/01/the-escaped-shoemakers-apprentices-in.html
• 1830 - The Lewisburg and Mifflinburg Turnpike company received it's license to collect tolls.  https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/03/the-toll-road-between-lewisburg-and.html
• On February 3rd 1874, Leonard Rhone chartered the Progress Grange No 96. in Centre County. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2023/08/the-centre-hall-grange-encampment-fair.html
• 1881 - John O'Neill smothered to death in rush of coal at car works
• 1881 -  George Smith and Catherine Miller were hanged for the "Murder Of The Century", in Lycoming County Pa. The two, involved in an affair, conspired to kill her husband.  Papers throughout Pennsylvania published in depth accounts and testimonies, for nearly a year, including multiple diagrams of the scene, and even the gallows that would be used for the hanging. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2022/11/the-miller-tragedy-jersey-shore-1881.html
• 1884 - Fire destroyed  home of J.H. McCormick, Isaac Vincent, and the store of W.W. Fisher.
• On February 3, 1885, Wirt was granted Patent number 311,554, for a fountain pen. The Paul E. Wirt Fountain pen, invented and manufactured in Bloomsburg,  was for a time, one of the best known fountain pens, used and endorsed by Mark Twain.  https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2025/01/wirt-fountain-pens-bloomsburg-invention.html
• 1908 - A boiler exploded at Van Alen's Puddling Mill in Northumberland.  Eight men died in the explosion.  The mill had been idle for nearly three months and had just resumed production. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2022/01/the-pudding-mill-explosion.html

Feb 4

• On February 4th  1743 - First Council between Conrad Weiser and twenty-five Indians held at Shikellemy's house.  https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/02/shikellamy-white-mans-best-friend-among.html
•  On February 4th 1832, Joseph Bailey stepped onto a flat-boat he had moored at the lower end of the island at Jersey Shore.  Suddenly the ice shifted, his boat became and unmoored, and with no oar or paddle, Bailey was adrift in a current of ice.  He floated down the river all night long, and was not able to be rescued until he reached the bridge at Milton.  His boat floated on down to Lewisburg, where it was recovered, and sold to Daniel Caldwell, who used it as a ferry at Watsontown.  https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/02/baileys-perilous-unplanned-float-from.html
• On February 4th 1875 -  Four burglars representing themselves at United States detectives robbed Adam Grove of  [Vicksburg] Union County of $1,400.  The men presented themselves as counterfeit officers. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/02/when-robbers-pretended-to-be-united.html
• On February 4th 1895 - $200,000 fire at Shamokin
• On February 4th 1898 -  Harry Schoch killed in sledding accident on Bucknell Campus hill in Lewisburg  https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2022/01/15-year-old-boy-killed-sledding-at.html
• On February 4th 1909 - The new trolley station opened in Selinsgrove.  https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2022/01/the-s-trolley-in-selinsgrove.html

Feb 5:

• On February 5th 1876 Accused Molly Maguire Jimmy Kerrigan makes a 210-page confession, especially mentioning Alex Doyle as “the biggest villain in the whole gang; he was cognizant of the murder of Yost, and for the purpose of having Jones Killed, he supplied Carroll with the men to kill Yost.” Gowen ordered 17 murder warrants issued, and on February 5, 1876, all of the leaders are arrested—Alex Campbell, Joames Roarity, Hugh McGehan, James Boyle, James Carroll and Thomas Duffy are charged with the murder of Yost—later the next day, warrants issued for Tom Munley, Thomas Hurley, Jimmy Doyle, Charles McAlister and Friday O’Donnell for the Sanger and Uren murders—Hurley and McAlister were captured, but Doyle fled and Hurley went to the Colorado gold fields, where he cut his throat in 1880, rather than submit to a warrant to return to Schuylkill County https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/02/a-time-line-of-molly-maguire-story.html
• On February 5th 1846 - University of Lewisburg Incorporated   https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-early-days-of-bucknell-university.html
• On February 5th 1861 - First public meeting held in Northumberland County to take into consideration the question of slavery and the preservation of the union.  Meeting held at the Academy of Music in Milton, Moses Chamberlin presided.
• On February 5th 1881 - Center Street school building dedicated in Milton https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-washington-school-center-st-in.html
• 1883 - Improvement Association organized at Watsontown.  S.B. Morgan president, W.F. Shay secretary.
• On February 5th 1904 - Two were killed when an engine of the Eagles Mere Railroad left the track near Sonestown. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2022/10/emrr-eagles-mere-railroad.html
• On February 5th 1904 -  The Sun Gazette reported that work at the Sweet's Steel Plant at Newberry was progressing steadily.  The placing of the siding on one of the large steel buildings had begun. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2023/01/sweets-steel-newberry-pa.html
• 1913 - Home and store of Cyrus Leinbach burned at White Deer
• On February 5th 1928 - A 19 year old Silk Mill Worker from Milton made national news by placing an ad for a $10,000 husband. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/04/milton-silk-mill-worker-seeking-10000.html
• On February 5th 1945 - 22 Navy Servicemen, including Gene Kelly, came to Williamsport to film a movie.  https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2022/11/when-gene-kelly-filmed-movie-in.html

Feb 6

• On February 6th 1804 - Dr. Joseph Priestly died at Northumberland, aged 71.  Dr Joseph Priestly, who lived the last ten years of his life in Northumberland Pa, is known for his discovery of oxygen (he called it "dephlogisticated air") Ammonia,  & Nitric Oxide.  He was an English clergyman, political theorist, and physical scientist. And he created soda pop - or at least, its predecessor,  fizzy water.  https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/03/joseph-priestly-his-fizzy-water.html
• 1883 - Milton Musical Association organized.  J.J. Fausnaught, president.  I.D. Gresh treasurer, T.J. Kister secretary, and Levi Truckenmiller musical director
• The Eagles Mere Toboggan Slide was built for the first time in 1903.  [I know most histories say 1904, but newspapers in 1903 and 1904 refer to the popularity of the 1903 slide, and that it would be "built again" in 1904]  https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2025/01/the-eagles-mere-toboggan-slide.html
• On February 6th 1972, there was a fire in the "former skating lodge" at Little Norway. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2023/12/little-norway-on-isle-of-que.html

Feb 7: 

• 1854 - Destructive flood along the Susquehanna  (I have not found any other mention of a flood in February of 1854, other than the historical note in the Miltonian) https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/06/when-mighty-susquehanna-flooded-our.html
• 1854 - Captain John M. Huff purchased the Spread Eagle Hotel from J.W. Eskbert. Consideration $4000
• 1870 - Twenty Six inches of snow fell in two days, according to the Miltonian.
• 1871 A.H. Kline opened tobacco factory in Buoy Building
• 1857 - Samuel Rogers died in Muncy, aged 70 years.  He was a pioneer manufacturer of woolens along the west branch.
• 1891 - Milton Evening Standard started by William Penn Hastings
• On  February 7th  "Bly Brothers install first radio receiver at Milton"
https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/02/bly-brothers-electrologists-milton-pa.html

Feb 8

• On February 8th 1832 - The Allenwood Bank was robbed.  https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2016/06/when-three-unmasked-bandits-robbed.html 
• On February 8th 1832 - Col John Kelley, hero of the revolution, died.  Buried at Lewisburg. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/04/col-john-kelly-revolutionary-war-hero.html
• On February 8th 1881,  "The Milton Post Office moved to corner of Elm and Center Streets".  https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/02/the-art-deco-post-office-in-milton.html

Feb 9 

• On February 9th 1818 - First tolls collected on the Lewisburg [covered]  Bridge https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2019/05/when-lewisburg-river-bridge-was-covered.html
• On February 9th 1898 - The Lewisburg, Milton, & Watsontown Trolley made it's first trial run from Milton to the east end of the river bridge at Lewisburg. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/02/when-milton-had-trolley.html
• On February 9th 1909 - Milton Realty Company leased the Cadwallader property, corner of Front Street & Broadway.  See photos of the Milton Realty Block through the decades here - https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/05/the-milton-realty-block-through-decades.html
• On February 9th 1920 - New plant of the Susquehanna Silk Mill put into operation at Milton [Today, this is Con Agra] https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/02/the-susquehanna-silk-mill-milton-sunbury.html

Feb 10 

• On February 10th 1779 - Mary Derrickson born in Fort Freeland https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/09/the-residents-of-fort-freeland-in-1779.html
• On February 10th 1865 - Frederick Douglas, noted colored orator, lectured in Milton. Born around 1817 in Maryland, Frederick Douglass was a former plantation slave who went on to become a brilliant writer and eloquent orator. In this amazing first-hand narrative, published in 1881, he vividly recounts his early years, which were filled with physical abuse, deprivation, and tragedy; his dramatic escapes to the North, recapture, and eventual freedom; his work for the Anti-Slavery Society and influential role in speaking for other African-Americans; his abolitionist campaigns, and crusade for full civil rights for former slaves.
•  His autobiography is free to download as an epub, or read online, through Project Gutenberg - http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/23
• It's 29 Cents for Kindle - https://amzn.to/4jHl4bu
• On February 10th 1913 -  Harry E Miller was murdered in the pool room he operated out of the basement of the Masonic Lodge in Sunbury.  David Everett and Fred Nye were arrested for the murder, both insisting the other had pulled the trigger.  Everett served 8 years in the state penitentiary.  Nye was the last man to be hung in Northumberland County.  https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2022/01/the-sunbury-pool-hall-murder-1913-last.html
• On February 10th 1920 - Milton Council approved ordinance for boulevard lighting system.
• On February 10th 1944 - Fire destroys the Castner Mill in Williamsport https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2023/01/castner-mill-fire-february-1944.html
• The ribbon cutting for the new Ben Franklin store in Danville was held on February 10th 1977. The building formerly housed the W.T. Grant store. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2024/01/mill-street-in-danville-block-by-by.html

Feb 11

• On February 11th 1909 - Walter Blair electrocuted at Watsontown https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2022/01/electrocuted-at-watsontown-light-plant.html
• On February 11th 1913 - W.J. Kerstetter, chief of police in Sunbury Pa, was murdered by Morris Rossiter, a popular Sunbury boy who had "never been normal again" after a football injury in 1908.  https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2022/01/sunbury-chief-of-police-murdered-1913.html
• In February of 1977, The "Shamokin Head" was finally buried in an unmarked grave.  Antonio Cerelli had been murdered 73 years earlier, in 1904. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2025/02/the-shamokin-head-overview.html

Feb 12

• 1731 - "Greatest Flood known in the Susquehanna"
• Lincoln's Birthday 
• 1882 - Shamokin, Sunbury, and Lewisburg R.R. incorporated 
• 1859 - Union County Press started at Mifflinburg  By F. Smith
• 1868 - Mrs Mary Eckbert commissioned postmistress at Milton
• 1883 - Hugh Stevenson terribly bruised in the face by bursting emery wheel at car works
• 1903 - Northumberland County Bar Association banqueted at the Hotel Haag https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/05/the-hotel-haag-milton-pa.html
• 1914 - Mark Klees, aged 13,  fatally injured by a ball shot from flobert rifle.   The shooting was an accident. He died in Williamsport hospital July 8

Feb 13

• On February 13th 1867 - Baggage car and two passenger cars on the P.and E. ran off the track near Kemmerers mill and were hurled into the canal. No one was killed.
• 1870 -  A near panic was started in the Lewisburg Baptist Church when a steam pipe burst.
• 1877 - The Great Bosco appeared at the Academy of Music.
• On February 13th 1900, a defective chimney caused a house owned by Mr. Albert Miller, the butcher in Alvira, to burn to the ground.  The house was occupied by Mr Charles Koch https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2022/01/alvira-pennsylvania-before-bunkers.html
•  On February 13th 1917 - Thomas Thompson convicted of murdering Homer Remmer in Milton, October 1916.  Sentenced to 20 years. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/02/when-woman-played-with-fire-in-milton.html

Feb 14

• 1814 - First Court in Union County held at Mifflinburg
• On February 14th 1819 - Christopher Latham Sholes, Inventor of the Typewriter, was born in Mooresburg https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2019/11/the-inventor-of-typewriter-was-born.html
• 1874 - W.J. Phillips killed while working at circular saw at Car Works
• On February 14th  1878 - "Collin's Expedition to [build a railroad in] Brazil left Philadelphia on the City of Richmond with 500.  Many from Milton and Watsontown were in the party, which proved to be an ill-fated expedition." https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/08/the-collins-expedition-when-local-men.html

Feb 15

• On February 15th 1870 - The Brewery at Milton sold at  Sheriffs Sale - https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/02/when-milton-had-brewery.html
• On February 15th  1873 - Watsontown Silver Cornet Band organized with J.R. Housel as leader https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/11/housels-band-watsontown.html
• On February 15th  1898 - a huge explosion occurred on the forward part of the U.S.S. Maine, where the ammunition had been stored.  Two hundred and sixty six men, mostly enlisted personnel sleeping in the blast area, were killed. When the ship was brought up from the sea in 1912, pieces were distributed throughout the United States, to be used as memorials.  One such piece went to Danville, and another to Scranton. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/05/remembering-maine.html
• On February 15th  1919 Calhoun's 48th Field Artillery Band arrived home Nearly 1500 people crowded the station platform at Northumberland, to welcome the bandsmen home. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2022/01/calhouns-48th-field-artillery-band.html
• On February 15th  1932, the Dewart Milk Co. installed an ice-making plant on Spring Street in Danville. The facility had a daily capacity of 15 to 20 tons, and the water was filtered and tested. In March of that year, not a pound of ice was harvested in the area because of an unusually mild winter. Lawrence made an agreement with Dewart Milk Co.’s ice plant to supply Danville with ice.  This was the first time Danville depended on artificial ice. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2022/01/ice-harvest-in-central-susquehanna.html
• On February 15th  1934 - A Diagnostic Clinic Building opened at Danville State Hospital.  It was the first unit of its kind in connection with a mental hospital, representing "a new step in the process of treatment of mental illness." https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2022/01/assorted-stories-history-from-danville.html
• On February 15th  1936 - Fire in the business block at 11-17 West Fourth street  in Williamsport - https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2023/01/fourth-street-fire-february-15-1936.html
• On February 15th  1938 - Fire on the corner of Market & Walnut St in Selinsgrove.  Families jumped from 2nd & 3rd floor windows, when fire blocked the fire escapes, after the furnace exploded.  Two were killed, 14 families left homeless, 6 businesses destroyed.  https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2022/01/the-decker-styer-building-fire-1938.html   
• On February 15th  1972 -  AC&F purchased the Lincoln Street School for $22,500.  They turned it into an office building for their company. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2022/01/the-lincoln-street-school-milton-pa.html

Feb 16 

• 1866 - B.K. Haag took possession of the new store which was then the largest hardware store in Central Pennsylvania.
• 1910 - Howard Chappell, aged 26 years, killed by paper train on the Pennsylvania Railroad.
• Photos of the "Ice Going Out" at Watsontown February 15th & 16th 1918 - https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2024/01/ice-going-out-watsontown.html
•  On Feb. 16th 1921 - Morris T. Riley seriously stabbed by Peter Hottenstein, in an argument over using water to wash cars. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/02/rileys-tin-shop-elm-street-in-milton.html
•  In what was described as the worst fire in Williamsport's History, the entire Linck Block was destroyed. One fireman would lose his life battling the blaze, and a mother and infant child would die weeks later, as a result from exposure and shock on the night of the fire. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/02/williamsports-million-dollar-fire-in.html

Feb 17

• On Feb 17th 1890 - an application was made for the incorporation of The Milton Ferry Company. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2022/03/when-milton-had-ferry.html
• Feb 17  1899 - A Freight Train and Pusher Collide at Pottsgrove, resulting in another wreck at Mooresburg https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/03/runaway-engine-peculiar-wreck-at.html
•  Feb 17th 1904 - Krausers Block Fire in Milton - https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/02/the-krausers-block-fire-milton-1904.html
• On Feb 17th 1919 - The D.L. & W. Railroad Station in Danville was robbed. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2022/01/when-danville-railroad-station-was.html
• On February 17th 1962 - Operation at  Rhoads Mill in Winfield Ceased.  The buildings would be  razed, as it was located in the right-of-way for Route 15 between Shamokin Dam and Lewisburg, "which is currently being constructed.". Rhoads moved his milling operations to the old Custer Mill, located in Milton. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/10/custers-rhoads-flour-mill-milton-pa.html  

Feb 18

• On Feb 18th 1769 - William Maclay made first survey along the West side of the West Branch of the Susquehanna. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2024/05/william-maclay-one-of-very-first-us.html
• On Feb 18th  1914 - Watsontown's New Town Clock was turned on for the first time. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/02/the-watsontown-borough-building-towns.html
• In February of 1930, The Williamsport Airport received it's license to operate as a commercial airport. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2022/04/the-williamsport-airport-dedicated-july.html
• Local papers reported that the Allenwood School was to be sold and razed [torn down] https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2023/12/the-allenwood-school.html

Feb 19

• 1800 - Center County erected from parts of Northumberland, Lycoming, Mifflin and Huntingdon Counties
• 1815 - The War of 1812 ended
• On Feb 19th 1911 - The Williamsport newspaper reported that the first aeroplane  [airplane] to operate in the city will be seen in the early spring, in charge of it's maker, a young electrician from Williamsport" https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/12/first-airplane-to-land-at-brandon-park.html
• In February 2009, The Ritz showed Everybody's Fine. 11 year old Chandler Frantz starred alongside Rober DeNiro in the movie. Franz's grandparents, Clarence and Alma, owned Frantz Plumbing and Heating Service in Muncy. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-ritz-when-muncy-had-movie-theater.html

Feb 20th

• 1851 - New Mail Route Established, between Lewisburg and Selinsgrove.  Mail carried once a week on horse back.
• 1852 - Rev. and Mrs Joseph Marr opened female seminary in Milton
• 1913 - Handsome club house of the Milton Sportsmen's Association opened
• 1916 - Warehouse of J.P. Hackenburg destroyed by fire.  Loss of $65,000
• A marker in Jersey Shore reads: SHAWANA
  Daughter Of Old Nicholas

  A Friendly Seneca

  The Last Indian Girl In The

  West Branch Valley

  Died February 1855

The Marker was erected by the D.A.R  -  and Henry Shoemaker.  So did Shawana exist?   With Shoemaker involved, you just never know.  But he was a great story teller.  Read what he has to say about Shawana here: https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2024/06/shawana-seneca-henry-shoemaker-monument.html 

Feb 21 

• 1815 - Turbot and Chillisquaque Townships again became part of Northumberland County
• On February 21st 1849 "Talbot Green" was elected to the San Francisco district legislative assembly.  Talbot Green was the alias of Paul Geddes, a man from Lewisburg Pennsylvania. His story is more incredible than most novels, and I'm still amazed a movie has never been made about him.  Read more here: https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2024/09/paul-geddes-aka-talbot-h-green-of.html
• 1874 - Blind Tom, a negro prodigy pianist, performed at Milton https://www.whitehousehistory.org/blind-piano-prodigy-thomas-greene-bethune
• On Feb 21 1906 - Fire destroyed Milton Manufacturing Warehouse https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/02/milton-manufacturing-milton-pa.html
• On Feb. 21 1918 -  "2nd Ice Flood" in Lock Haven.  Cakes of ice were 12' in depth. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2025/01/1918-ice-flood-lock-haven.html

Feb 22

• On February 22nd 1853 - Work commenced on Milton on the Sunbury & Erie Railroad https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/02/the-sunbury-erie-railroad.html  
• On February 22nd  1888 - Sixteenth annual convention of P.O.S.of A held in Milton.  This county convention was also held in Milton in 1898, 1905, 1913, and at Watsontown in 1908 and 1921.
• In February 1953, the remains of the Edison Electric Illuminating Company of Shamokin were discovered during excavation to enlarge the Jones Hardware Company Storeroom. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2024/10/the-edison-plant-in-shamokin-pa.html

Feb 23 

• On Feb 23rd 1871 - Terrible accident on the Pennsylvania Railroad at Watsontown.  Three passengers cars rolled over an embankment.  Adam Frymire of Milton instantly killed, many others seriously injured. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/02/when-train-went-over-embankment-near.html
• On Feb 23rd  1889  -Locomotive No. 7 and four cars, of the Lewisburg & Buffalo Valley Railroad,  derailed into Buffalo Creek near the Clingman Farm https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2022/08/the-lewisburg-buffalo-valley-railroad.html
• On Feb 23rd  1995 - The Millville Mill was destroyed by fire https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2022/07/the-millville-grist-mill-mill-town-was.html

Feb 24 

• On February  24th 1877, Three Molly Maguires [Hester, Tully, and McHugh] convicted of the 1868 murder of Alex Rae.    There's a memorial park dedicated to the Molly Maguire Story, in Mahanoy City.  See more about the monument here: https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/02/the-molly-maguire-memorial-in-mahanoy.html
• On February  24th  1880 - Henry Wharton Shoemaker was born.  A prolific and talented folklorist, Shoemaker is responsible for at least two State Historical Markers commemorating events that most likely never occured.  https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/02/henry-shoemaker-pennsylvania-folklorist.html
• On February  24th 1899 - "Selinsgrove shifter kills Alexander Shaffer at Selinsgrove Junction." 
• In February 1950  -  A  Ban Wild Animals went into effect in Williamsport Pa.  At the time, Prince El Kigorado was keeping lions in his backyard. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2023/01/prince-el-kigordo-south-williamsport.html

Feb 25 

• On February 25th 1867 - Griffey & Brumbaugh became the proprietors of the White Deer Woolen Mills. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/02/white-deer-woolen-mills.html
• On February 25th  1909- First quarantine established in this vicinity on account of foot and mouth disease.
• On February 25th  1910 - Local trolley company acquired grounds for Riverside Park.  See Photos of Riverside Park, the Amusement Park the trolley built between Watsontown & Milton - https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/04/riverside-park-milton.html
• On February 25th  1976 - The new Packwood House Museum in Lewisburg was first opened to the public https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2022/11/from-tavern-to-museum-history-of.html

Feb 26

• 1817 - The Borough Of Milton was incorporated
• 1870 - Vandals broke into the Marsh Foundry at Lewisburg and destroyed belts, patterns and machinery
• On February 26th 1889 - The Milton Knitting Mill began operations with H.G. Cohill manager (Today that building is the American Rescue Workers Thrift Store)  https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/09/west-branch-hosiery-milton-pa.html

Feb 27

• On February 27th 1787 - Effort made to remove county seat to Northumberland
• On February 27th 1865- New state legislation allows the mining companies to form private police forces with broad authority to make arrests and enforce the law. [Referred to as Pennsylvania Cossacks, Or "Yellow Dogs"] https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/02/a-time-line-of-molly-maguire-story.html
• On February 27th 1868 - Toll rates for the Milton Bridge fixed by an act of congress https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/04/the-bridges-of-milton.html
• On February 27th 1870 - Large fire at Bloomsburg, destroyed Exchange Hotel & several business blocks
• On February 27th 1883 - First engine and cars pass over Shamokin, Sunbury, and Lewisburg Railway
• On February 27th 1886 - Farmers National Bank at Watsontown Incorporated https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/04/the-early-banks-of-watsontown-pa.html
• Theodore "Dutch" Vankirk, navigator for the Enola Gray,  was born February 27th 1921 In Northumberland Pa.  https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2023/08/when-local-boy-navigated-plane-that.html
• On February 27th 1950 -  The Jackson School in Newberry Pa was destroyed in a fire https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2023/01/the-jackson-school-fire-1950-newberry.html
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Feb 28

•  On February 28th 1859 - William B Chamberlin, Carlton B. Davis, Henry J. Heinen, John Murray, William Runkel, and Silsby Hayes of Northumberland County entered Farmer's High School, which is now the Pennsylvania State College.  They were the first 6 students at that institution. 
• On February 28th  1870 - David Gibson of Washingtonville found frozen to death in the woods near that place.
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Feb 29

• 1936 - New federal post office in Selinsgrove dedicated - https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2022/01/the-selinsgrove-post-office.html

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Misc. February History

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1899 - In February of 1899, M.L. Wagenseller was circulating a petition for a new station at Selinsgrove Junction, and also for a reduction in fare across the Selinsgrove bridge.

1830  - The first murder trial in Lycoming County in which there was a conviction was that of John Price for the murder of an Irish man named Miller, near Muncy Dam, about February 1830. The murderer was convicted and imprisoned for a short time. (However, Meginness, in his Book of Murders, says he was found not guilty.)  The second was for John Earls, who murdered his wife in 1835.

https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/05/john-earls-first-hanging-in-lycoming.html

In February of 1958, Russel F. Yordy and son purchased the White Deer Beverage Company plant, located at 200 East 9th street, Watsontown, from John Ferguson.  The building where the plant was located was owned by L.M. Fromme.  https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2022/01/white-deer-beverage-company-watsontown.html

In February 1919 the “Prison Special” tour began from Union Station in Washington, D.C.–with former prisoners traveling on a

train called the “Democracy Limited.”  Suffragist Kate Heffelfinger of Shamokin was one of the speakers.  https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2022/01/suffragette-kate-heffelfinger-of.html

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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 February 1922:

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For More Local History & Stories:
https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/p/history.html

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READ MORE

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Daily Gazette and Bulletin (Williamsport, Pennsylvania)

February 15, 1875

Our Neighbors - Union County

There are large numbers of the English Sparrows in Lewisburg.

The solid men of New Berlin are about to establish a bank in that place.

The next term of the Freeburg Normal school will commence Monday, May 3d.

A Y.M.C.A. has been organized in Mifflinburg, and seventeen persons signed the constitution of the first meeting.

The boot and shoe store of W. Zern, Hartleton, was broken into on the night of the 7th inst., and his entire stock was stolen.

S. P. Fink of Shamokin, formerly a teacher at Lewisburg, is among the candidates for county superintendent of Northumberland county.

Rev. Crawford, of Newport, Perry county, has been secured as pastor of the Reformed church of Lewisburg, and will enter upon his duties in March.

The burglars who robbed the house of Adam Grove, near Mifflinburg, on the 4th inst., got off the cars at Rockville, a few miles this side of Harrisburg. The conductor recognized them, as they had come up with him from Harrisburg the day previous.

The Lewisburg wagon and railroad bridge was discovered to be on fire by the train hands as they were returning from the junction, Tuesday afternoon. The timely application of water prevented a great loss. It had caught from engine sparks when the train went to the junction.

The following officers were elected at the meeting of the Buffalo Valley Horse Protection Association, for the ensuing year: Elias Brown, president, Elias Miller and Jacob B. Kelley, vice presidents; john Reber, secretary; John F. Schrack, treasurer. The president appointed T. C. Strahan branding master.

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Daily Gazette and Bulletin (Williamsport, Pennsylvania) February 23, 1875

Our Neighbors - Union County

Joseph Boof was re-elected burgess of Mifflinburg.

A. M. Lawshe (sp?) of Lewisburg, is slowly improving in health.

A new post office has been established on the railroad ,west of Mifflinburg, called Swengle.

Joseph W. Shriner has been elected president of the Union County Agricultural Society.

Rev. William Creily, of Lock Haven has been elected pastor of the Lutheran church, Lewisburg.

Esquire Mertz has been a justice of the peace in Lewisburg for 30 years. He has just been again re-elected.

Rev. Crawford, of Newport, is to take charge of the reformed church, Lewisburg, about the first of April.

Tolls on the Lewisburg and Mifflinburg turnpike for the past year exceeded those of the preceding year by $300.

Notwithstanding the cold weather the ponds of the Mifflinburg Trent company have not been frozen over this winter.

There are no further particulars in the Grove robbery affair. One or more detectives have been engaged in the case.

An infant child of Mr. and Mrs. Jas. F. Cornelius of Lewisburg, was discovered dead in its cradle on Friday morning of last week.

The Buffalo N. Roads Presbyterian church is supposed to be the oldest church organization in Union county. It dates back almost to the revolution.

George N. Youngman Esq., had held the office of justice of the peace in Mifflinburg for thirty-six years continuously, the first year by appointment of Governor David R. Porter. Full of honors, he now retires, his successor being B.

F. Eaton, Esq.

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