Valley Girl Views: 160th Anniversary Of The Penns Creek Massacre, 1915

On October 14th-16th, Selinsgrove held a 3 day festival for the 160th anniversary of the Penns Creek Massacre.

The above photo shows Selinsgrove's Manhasset Tribe of Red Men organization assembled for a photo on the Market Street stage. Note the beautiful brick paved street.

A 100 page book was published as a souvenir for the day. The schedule of events, and all of those involved in the planning of the event, are listed in the front, followed by photos and history of the town of Selinsgrove.

Today when we think of 3 day celebration, we think Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. That was not the case in 1915, and it was not unusual for stores and sometimes even factories to close midweek for celebrations such as this. The largest day of ceremonies was held on Thursday, and no events were scheduled at all for Sunday. Often, when large town wide celebrations were held, Sunday would be a day of church services, and family picnics.

(A closer look at each days festivities is shown below, along with photos from the events named. The photo on the left is Frank P. Manhart, President of the Celebration Committee)

Also note that while the historical commission was in the area, they dedicated two markers - the new Penns Creek Massacre Monument, and the Shikellamy Monument at Fort Augusta in Sunbury. The foreword in the souvenir program links the two, telling us that the massacre showed the need for a fort & garrison, which was then built along the river in Sunbury.

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The Decorations

Professional decorators were hired to decorate the town.

Special lighting was installed for the three day event, as shown here in front of the buildings along the east side of Market Street, between Pine and Walnut Streets. Newspapers reported that there 1,200 bulbs would light up the court of honor, where the Queen would be crowned.

The Welcome Banner is visible here.

A closer view of the Welcome Banner.

The Stage for the morning invocation, and the crowning of the Queen, can be seen down the street on the right, here.

National Hotel, Market Street Selinsgrove

During the October 1915th Penns Creek Massacre Anniversary Event

George C. Wagenseller exhibited an "interesting and complete" collection of Indian Curios.

Most were gathered at the Isle of Que after the flood of 1865.

Exposed in the flood was the grave of an Indian who had been buried with all of his "implements of war and gameing. Of the relics unearthed, the largest was a corn grinder, three feet in length and two inches thick."

Also found, and in the display, was a paint dish, the 5lb "head" of a war club, and several smaller oens, as well as a very rare white flint arrowhead.

This photo is from about 1885, so not from the event, but it shows George Wagenseller in front of his store.

Many of these images were sold as post cards to commemorate the event.

The Keystone Hotel

For events like this, a professional decorator and crew would arrive by train with loads of flags, buntings, and lights. The decorator used for this event was George S. Henritzer, of Hazelton.

Residence of A.W. Potter, Steffens store on the left.

Harry Romig had the distinction of traveling the furthest to attend the event. The Selinsgrove Native had been stationed in Douglas Arizona, traveling 3200 miles to be home for the celebration events.

The town's oldest resident, "Captain Jackson" W. Gaugler, turned 91 the week of the festivities

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Thursday, October 14th 1915

Official Opening at Market Square

Loan Exhibition at the Governors Mansion

General Reception for Visiting Guests

Crowning of the Queen in Market Square

Fireman's Parade

Mummers Parade & Band Concert

Crowning The Queen Of The Festivities

The Queen & Her Court

Miss Mary Elizabeth Woodruff, daughter of Dr & Mrs John Woodruff, was crowned Queen of the Celebration.

She received a diamond ring as her prize. Runners up included Miss Wetzel who received a gold watch, Miss Burns who received a silk umbrellas, and Misses Martin and Zellner received gloves.

Fire Brigade and the motorized firetruck, in the parade. The water bowl fountain can be seen in the street, behind the flag in the photo.

Along Penns Creek, Selinsgrove Pa

From the Souvenir Program

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Friday October 15th 1915

Historical Commission at Sunbury as the guests of D.A.R. unveiling Shikellamy Marker

Public Reception at Governors Mansion

Automobile Parade To Side of Massacre

Historical Pageant

Automobile Parade return to Market Square

Colonial Ball in Market Square

Colonial Reception at the Governors Mansion, Band Concert

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The Reenactment

Members of the local Red Men organization, Susquehanna University Students, and members of the community stand in costume, along Penns Creek on the upper end of Selinsgrove, during the Penns Creek Massacre Celebration.

The Ceremony Plans, as described in a September issue of the Selinsgrove Times

Spectators line the east side of Penns Creek, at the south end of the Old Trail, to watch the historical re-enactment of the events leading up to the 1755 Massacre.

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Saturday October 16th 1915

Snyder County Day at Susquehanna University

Mammoth Parade - Automobiles, Lodges, Merchants, etc

Band Concerts

More than 10,000 were reported to have attended the first day of the celebration.

The Historic Gov. Snyder Mansion was to go up for Auction on the last day of the event.

It did not however, sell.

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Photos The Parades

This 1915 parade photo shows the Susquehanna University Students mocking Ford Automobiles, with a sign stating this very old vehicle as the future of Ford.

Judge J. Frank Keller and Professor N.N.. Keener in a carriage portraying Lafayette, in the parade.

Susquehanna University Parade Float

Selinsgrove High School students in costume.

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Daniel Kline's Meat Market and Grocery Store, located on E. Pine Street

Note the poster on the left, advertising the Penns Creek Massacre Celebration

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The Massacre History

From the 160th Anniversary Event Souvenir Book

Read more about the history, the LeRoy markers, the diary of one of the captives, and about the movie made about these events, here:

https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-leroy-massacre-penns-creek-pa.html

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The Committee & Organizers

Frank P. Manhart

President of the Celebration Committee

Co-Operating Organizations included:

Manhasset Tribe No 317 Improved Order Of Red Men

Dauntless Hook & Ladder Company

Washington Camp No 732 P.O.S.A.

Grand Army of the Republic No 148

Conrad Weiser Chapter D.A.R.

Woman's Suffrage Party of Selinsgrove

Selinsgrove Lodge No 197 I.O.O.F

Selinsgrove Study Club

Lady Selin Rebecca Lodge No 378

Faculty of Susquehanna University

Woman's Relief Corps No 25

Philo Literary Society of Susquehanna University

Clio Literary Society of Susquehanna University

Selinsgrove Camp No 14317 Modern Woodsmen Of America

Members of the committee with photos in the book include:

Claude G. Aikens

George M. Mark

John F. Wagenseller, Chairman

Marion S. Schoch

Garfield J. Phillips

Dr William Rohbach

Treasurer of the Celebration Committee

William M Schnure

Secretary of the Celebration Committee

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Foreword, From the Souvenir Program

FOREWORD

SELINSGROVE is beautifully situated on the western bank of the Silvery Susquehanna, whose broad expanse and emerald isles make it a thing of perennial charm. €| Penn's Creek

flows through its midst. Verdant slopes, beautiful hills and a majestic mountain are within

its purview. €f Its history is so varied and interesting in facts and incidents as to be replete with human interest. Our sturdy pioneers struggled with the difficulties presented by Nature and the graver ones from the Indians, made dangerous through the loss of their lands, the white man's fire-water and the incitement of European peoples contending for

the mastery of the Continent. € The Wars of 1776, 1812, of 1845 and 1861 meant much to town and county as they sent many of their sons to them. Our people were European Immigrants or their descendants and they developed much of the best that

was possible in a land whose language and whose political, industrial, educational, social and religious ideas and institutions were such as ours have been. € The publication of this little memorial volume, incident to the commemoration of the Penn's Creek Massacre, ought to have value because of the history it contains and its excellent illustrations, and should

increase interest in local and general history. We should "remember the rock whence we are hewn." € This Massacre in 1775 showed the necessity of a fort so well built and garrisoned that it could amply protect for a number of years a wide range of settlements and thus be a great outpost of Anglo- Saxon civilization. Such was Fort Augusta, built in 1756 at

Shaumoking, now Sunbury, as a direct outcome of Penn's Creek Massacre. The historic importance of the massacre is thus beyond question. It is for us who enjoy to the full what

was secured by our hardy forefathers at so great a cost, to recall the conditions under which they and their descendants lived, wrought and died and to highly resolve to do our part

in the life of our day with at least equal fidelity. €The Snyder County Historical Society, and its co-operating organizations in the historic commemoration, extend their greetings and

good wishes to all and express the hope that Selinsgrove and Snyder County will continue to prosper in everything that, by the favor of a beneficent Providence, will be for the good of

their present and future citizens and institutions.

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THE MARKER

On Friday October 15th, the Penns Creek Massacre marker was unveiled at the south end of Old Trail, where the road intersects with Penns Creek.

More about the Marker,

or "Commemoratory Rock"

The Markers Inscription Reads: "In commemoration of the (John) Penn's Creek Massacre, which occurred along this stream on October 16, 1755, when the settlers were attacked by the Indians and about 25 killed, wounded or carried into captivity. This was the first Indian outbreak within the Province of Pennsylvania following the defeat of General Edward Braddock in the French and Indian War.

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Personal Note - My ggg Grandfather Joseph A. Lumbard, at 71 in 1915, was almost certainly at this event. He is listed in the souvenir program for this event. His wife, Sarah (Scharf) Lumbard is listed in the program as well. Less than two months after the Penns Creek Massacre Celebration, J.A. Lumbard died of a stroke.

https://heathersgen.blogspot.com/2011/01/joseph-lumbard-succumbed-to-stroke-1915.html

H.W. Duck, listed in the program, was likely Joseph's half brother Harry Duck (or possibly his nephew). William Duck is also listed in the program, in one case he is listed as William "Luck" A photo shows the home of A.W. Potter, decorated for the event. A.W. Potter was the brother in law of Lucy Lumbard, daughter of J.A.. Lucy married Judge Miles Potter, brother of Albert W. Potter. Other relatives listed in the program include Burns, and Scharfs.

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The Harrisburg Telegraph published an article about John Harris, the founder of Harrisburg, coming to the area after the murders at Penns Creek. "Fort his and other reasons, it is hoped that Harrisburg people will make it a point to follow the example of their illustrious pioneer and come up the river at the time of the anniversary and see what is going on. They will not be shot at nor will they be asked swim the river, but, in another way, they will be as welcome as Harris was one hundred and sixty years ago."

Harrisburg Telegraph Oct 2 1915

Harrisburg Telegraph Oct 9 1915

This article in the Selinsgrove Times describes the incredible array of items in the "Loan Display" at the Gov. Snyder Mansion, and tells us more about the Ball held Friday night at the mansion.