Thursday, July 1, 2021

On This Day In Local History - July

 

On This Day In Local History, July
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
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THIS MONTH IN LOCAL HISTORY
July
1st
2nd
3rd
  • 1778 - The Wyoming Massacre occurred, prompting the Great Runaway in the Susquehanna Valley- https://www.facebook.com/Wyomingcommemorative
  • 1795 - Andrew Straub conveyed to six trustees lots on Lower Market Street in Milton for school purposes.  This is the present site [in 1924] of the Grant school upon which was erected the first school house in Northumberland County.  A monument to that first school stands on the lot  - https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/02/the-grant-school-milton-pa.html
  • 1860 - Lewisburg Steam Saw mill purchased by Philip Billmeyer and Henry Frick - Read more about the Billmeyer Boat Yard, where canal boats were built in Lewisburg, here: https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/03/billmeyer-boat-yard-lewisburg-pa.html
  • 1875 - David Billmeyer defeated John Griffin in a foot race across the Milton river bridge.  This attracted a larger crowd and settled a long standing argument.
  • 1911 - Midsummer Fair opened a two days meet in Milton
  • 1919 -Berwick's Welcome Home Arch at the corner of Front and Market Street collapsed on Friday afternoon, around 2pm, breaking away the supporting pillars and carrying with it to the ground trolley and electric wires. Fortunately, at that time of day the were few people in the square, "attractions having drawn them elsewhere" and no one was injured. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/07/when-soldiers-were-welcomed-home-in-1919.html
  • 1963, Deanna Barner won a trophy in her B/G '57 Ford. Will Leitch of Lock Haven won four trophies in five weeks of racing in 1963 in his 1960 Plymouth Ram charger, running in C Stock.  Read more about when there was a drag strip in Elimsport, here: https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/01/green-pine-drag-strip-in-elimsport.html
4th
5th
6th
  • 1754  - Great Indian Treaty made for lands along the Susquehanna River
  • 1869 - Ground broken for country bridge over Limestone Run on front street.  County paid $8,000 and the borough $1,400
  • 1869 - First train over the Shamokin and Trevorton Railroad
  • 1875 - Lightening killed the team of horses driven by George W. Staugger of Delaware Twp, and rendered him unconscious
  • 1907 - John Crossgrove attempted to wreck a P and R passenger train at Dougal station, and then posed as the rescuer
A simple stone stands in a field near route 54 outside of Watsontown. It reads "Amos Ritter, Murdered in this field, 1897". Ritter's brutal murder was never solved.
In July of 1900, a group of citizens in the Watsontown area agreed to donate money (in those days it was called "subscribe") to a fund to bring a detective to the area to solve the Amos Ritter murder case, from 3 years prior. According to the Columbian, a newspaper in Bloomsburg, " Within the last week or two there has been developments that are reported to point quite conclusively to several parties with certain proof believed to be indisputable. The people feel that the brutal murder of the old man, now three years ago, should be avenged."
In 1903, with the murder still unsolved, there were reports that a man had made a deathbed confession, but his story could not be proven.
Read more about the murder of Amos Ritter, here:

Ice Boulders remained along the river into July, in 1904

7th
8th
9th
  • 1871 - Cornerstone of the Methodist Church at Watsontown laid.  Rev. W.A. Houck of Milton preached the sermon.
  • 1876 - John Enrote of Watsontown died from inured received when he was run over by a train wile attempting to remove a rake from the track.
  • 1918 - Bostian's Bakery wagon demolished at Locust Street P.R.R. crossing
  • 1924, as the ferry crossed the river between Watsontown and White Deer, the cable snapped.  The men on board escaped without injury, but a ford truck was flung into the river.  Read more about when Watsontown had a ferry, here: https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/10/when-watsontown-had-ferry.html
10th
  • 1869 - Moses Yoder of Kelly Twp Union County drowned in river at Lewisburg while assisting in taking a raft load of reapers across the river.  He was aged 47 years.
  • 1876 - Mrs Enos Tilden prostrated by lightening
In July of 1950, Milton Airport held it's first major program.  More than 3,000 people came to watch Dick Cooper, prominent parachutist, make "double delay jumps", landing in designated spots in front of the hangar. A large number of passengers were taken for rides in the Stintson Wagon, Cub Super Cruiser, and Luscomb Silvair.
Read more about when Milton had an airport here:

In July of 1870,  "Cherry Tree Joe" rescued two young children, ages 4 & 6,  who had gotten lost on their way home in a storm. Read more about Cherry Tree Joe, the man from Muncy who may have inspired some of the legends of Paul Bunyan, here:

11th
  • 1875 - Still house of Adam Saul in Washingtonville burned to the ground with big loss.
  • 1907 - Five teams ran away between Turbotville and McKee's Heights.  Two women had their collar bones broken and were severely injured
  • 1919 - Charter received for Wallace W. Fetzer Post No 71, American Legion.

In July of 1926, the Legionaire announced they would be showing pictures of local interest, in addition to the regular shows.
The first in the series was to be "an industrial picture, showing the interior of one of the towns industries.  Few people other than employees see the inner working of Milton's plants, which means that the feature will be educational as well as interesting." 

12th
13th

14th
15th

16th

17th
18th
19th
  • 1860 - R.B. Hall, formerly editor of the Milton Democrat, was arrested for forgery
  • 1874 - D.G. Marsh purchased the interest of S.S. Long in the boot and shoe firm of Long and Swartz
  • 1919 - Sergt. Ralph O. Tyson of Milton cited for bravery in France
In July of 1922, kids could earn a Miltonian "Roller Coaster" (wagon) by selling 10 subscriptions to the Miltonian newspaper. They were a wooden wagon, 16 x 36, bright red rail on top of the box, bright red wheels, and "The Miltonian" stenciled on the side.

In July of 1953, the owners of the Silver Moon Drive in Movie Theater were paying $128 weekly in fines, for showing movies on Sundays.  Read more about the Silver Moon Theater here: https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/03/when-silver-moon-was-drive-in-illegally.html

20th
21st
22nd
  • 1872 - Strike at Williamsport when the 11th and 8th Divisions of the Pennsylvania Militia were called out. Known as the Sawdust War.
  • 1908 - Wolf Dreifuss purchased the Hotel Haag and renamed it the Hotel Milton.
"Few persons think of Sunday hiking and such spots as the French Settlement, Sulphur Spring, and the Devil's Cave are all but forgotten." The Sun Gazette, July 1956
https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/06/devils-cave-lycoming-county-pa.html


23rd
24th
  • 1867 - Independent Nine of Milton defeated the Mechanics of Williamsport a the latter place by a score of 37-22.  The victory made Milton the Champions of the West Branch Valley.
  • 1875 - Great Balloon Ascension took place at Dewart - https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/06/when-hot-air-balloon-came-to-dewart-in.html
  • 1911 - Emory Malick flew the first plane to ever fly over Northumberland and Snyder Counties.  [There's a bit of controversy over whether or not he was the first licensed African American pilot.  One family member insists he was, and the Smithsonian published an article based on those findings.   Others since have refuted the claims, stating that Malick was white.]  His exploits are interesting no matter what color his skin was - you can read more here: https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/01/the-first-aviator-to-fly-over.html
25th
  • 1778 - Col. Thomas Hartley and his regiment arrived at Fort Augusta, then marched through Milton to Fort Muncy.
  • 1853 - J.M. Beers opened Select School in Milton
  • 1868 Jr Order American Mechanics hold monster parade in Milton
  • 1877 - Riot at Stitzers Tavern in the Penn Valley Narrows
  • 1942 - Local papers reported that a  Wilson Walkie toy, made in Watsontown Pa, appeared in the movie Take A Letter Darling. Read more about the Wilson Walkies, and see the clip from the movie featuring the toy here:  https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2019/10/wilson-walkies-toys-made-in-watsontown.html
  • 1945   Cetelin & Wilson shows, a Carnival, was performing at Sunset Park.  And 18 year old carnival worker, from Virginia, drowned while working there that week.  A week later, a fellow carnival worker nearly drowned in the same spot, but he was saved by a companion. 
  • 1961 - The Roxy Theater was demolished.  The site became a parking lot for the new J.J. Newberry store in Lewisburg.  https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2023/01/the-roxy-theater-in-lewisburg.html

26th
  • 1779 - Marcus Huling sold his tavern to George McCandish and left Milton to reside on Duncan's Island [Today, Milton State Park]
  • 1850 - Hack with fourteen passengers and drawn by 4 horses broke through the bridge at Northumberland.  All were injured, one man and two horses were drowned.
  • 1871 - Fire destroyed the lumber yard of Joseph Caldwell in Milton
  • 1875 - Charles A Keiser opened the Buckhorn barber shop at 50 South Front Street In Milton

27th
  • 1838 - William Miller was hung in Lycoming County, convicted of Murder and Robbery
  • 1876 - Mrs Jacob Follmer relieved of a reptile swallowed more than 25 years before.
  • 1921- Ground broken for fine new plant of the Dairyman's League in Milton
  • 1921 -  The Miltonian published a letter from JP Kohler, with reminisces of the entertainments of the day, including Marbles, Mummblepeg, Honey Hunting, Fishing, Pigeon Shoots, and picnic spots https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/06/reminiscences-of-milton-by-jp-kohler_23.html
28th
29th
  • 1829 - Samuel Morrison opened new hotel "Pennsylvania Coat Of Arms" at the corner of Walnut and second streets along the canal in Milton.
  • 1852 - Span of the bridge at Northumberland on the North Brand was blown down.
  • 1874 - Henry Gibson of Limestoneville fatally injured in explosion of threshing machine engine. Lemuel Thomas seriously injured.
  • 1906 - The new cornerstone was laid for the Stone Church, in a ceremony "attended by a vast concourse of people from the entire valley and neighboring towns." https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2023/05/christ-lutheran-stone-church-white-deer.html

30th
  • 1877 - Cornerstone of the White Deer Lutheran Church laid. Services were in both English and German.
  • 1901 - The Hiawatha ran on to a sand bar on it's trip between Williamsport and Sylvan Dell.  The passengers were taken to the shore in boats.  Read more about when the original Hiawatha ran to Sylvan Dell,  here: https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/05/when-original-hiawatha-ran-to-sylvan.html
  • 1913 - The last known rock inscribed at Scripture Rocks is dated July 30 1913. For nearly a century, wooded areas around Brookeville PA hid hundreds of rocks and trees with sayings, bible verses, and even accounting ledgers chiseled into them. The carvings were the obsessive work of Douglas Monroe Stahlman, who had been a school teacher until 1893, when he became "incapacitated" after an altercation with a lumberjack.  Read more about Douglas Stahlman, and Scripture Rocks Park in Brookville Pa https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2019/06/douglas-monroe-stahlman-his-scripture.html
31
  • 1774 - Oxygen discovered by the eminent Dr Joseph Priestly of England, later of Northumberland.
  • 1866 - Mark Halfpenny purchased the steam flour mills at Lewisburg, moving his woolen mill which had recently burned at Laurelton there.  Today, the mill is the Street Of Shops.  Read more here: https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/12/the-lewisburg-woolen-mill.html
  • 1874 - Centennial of the discovery of oxygen celebrated at Northumberland.
  • 1876 - James Stitzel, aged 19 years, killed in his fathers mills at McEwensville.1918 - Harry M. Dentler almost fatally injured when his auto was smashed at Center Street P.R.R. crossing in Milton
  •  1973, a tractor trailer carrying 20,000 lbs of frozen chicken crashed on the pike.  Although the owner of the truck hired boys to clean up the mess, many pieces were stuck in the rocks, and on August 6th, the Sun Gazette reported that the the Department of Agriculture was doing everything they could to "get the stench down", but they were running into difficulty.  Loads of lime were being brought in to spread over the area. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2022/05/the-montgomery-pike-look-out.html

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Assorted History From The Month Of July

A restaurant opened in the Hotel Sterner, Selinsgrove, 1924

In July of 1756, construction of Fort Augusta began.

In July of 1896, William Bly christened his new ferry boat at Watsontown "The Red Swan". https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/10/when-watsontown-had-ferry.html

The Dance Pavilion At Rolling Green Amusement Park Opened in July of 1908

In July of 1967 the Brothers Of The Brush marched through town in a solemn procession to bury a ceremonial razor, signaling the beginning of the Watsontown Centennial. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/04/the-doodle-dandies-of-watsontown-pa.html

The Danville Chapter Of the WCTU installed a water fountain in their town in July of 1900

In July of 1925, the concrete bridge in Milton was opened - https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/04/the-bridges-of-milton.html






In July of 1893, Capt I.A. Ranck took a company of cadets on a march up White Deer Creek, to the ruins of the White Deer Iron Furnace.  The cadets camped in the buildings of the iron works, and slept in the barn on the farm.  The article about the outing states that "the Iron Works had long been closed."

The Great Runaway


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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 July 1922:



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Daily Gazette and Bulletin (Williamsport, Pennsylvania), July 27, 1875
Our Neighbors - Union County
Next session of Lewisburg University commences Sept. 8th.
Mrs. Hon. George F. Miller has a very pretty flower garden in front of the residence on south Second street.
Mr. John Brewer had another paralytic attack on last Sunday morning, and at this writing is not expected to recover.
Willie, aged about eleven years, and a son of A. J. Katherman, of Mifflinburg, was recently burned to death while pouring coal oil on a fire which was kindled to burn potato bugs.
A coal oil lamp exploded in Bower's tobacco store last Friday evening, where upon there was considerable bobbing around by bystanders. Nobody hurt, except Lew., who had his fingers warmed.
Last Sunday morning a heavy storm passed over town and discharged the surplus electricity into the spire of the Reformed church steeple, on Market street, Mifflinburg. The steeple was badly shattered, and the roof torn until the fluid reached the lightning rod and passed to the earth.
Tramps have been unusually plenty of late. A man and woman were put into jail on Wednesday on account of drunkenness and fighting. After getting released from prison next day the man struck straight for a drug store and purchased a pint of alcohol. He then went to the Cameron House pump, poured a large portion of the alcohol into a tine cup, filled up the cup with water and drank the mixture down.

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