VOLUME 3.
McCONNELLSBURG, PA., April 10, 1902.
NUMBER 30.
TIIF. F'l'LTON COt'NTY CAI'ITAI,
How McOonnellshtirn Won in the
Fight forC.ourt House niui Jail.
The following wry interesting arti
cle Is from tho pirn of J. 1'. liarron,
Ksj., editor and proprietor of "The
lilonmiield Democrat," an up-to-date
newspaper published at Hloomtiold,
Indiana. Mr. liurron, or "Jim" as
ho is remembered ly the older folks
here, spent part of his early life near
IhU place, his father owning the Judge
Morton farm east of town. I'.iutoh.
Editor Nrcws: I greatly enjoy
looking over your paper as it
comes to me from week to week.
Although nearly hull' a ceutury
Las elapsed .since as a boy, I left
old McConnellsburg, I see niauy
. f.niiily uames that were familiar
to me iu the long ago, aud a very
low still reinainiug that were my
associates in boyhood.
My father moved to McConnells
burg about tho year 18-17, pur
chasing tho old L'asuacht farm ad
joining town on the east and north
east. The farm is now owned by
Judge Morton. We lived there
thou till 18."4 when we sold aud
moved to Iowa. It was during
this period, about 1850, that the
new couuty of Pulton was organ
ized. I remember the event well.
There was quite a struggle to get
die bill through the legislature,
as wo had tho old county of Bed
ford to fight which, of course,
kicked hard against parting with
so much of its territory. But we
woro able to convince tho legis
lature of the justice of our cause
aud finally won. Then came the
contest for the county.
The competing points were Mc
Conuellsburg, Licking Greek,
(Uarrisonville) and Fort Littleton.
Licking Creek was the most cen
tral but the place was small and
iiot a desirable location for a
county seat, Fort Littleton was
too much to one side of the county
but it made the tight with the ex
pectation of gettiug a slice from
Huntington couuty added on.
McConnollsburg was the central
north aud south, but only about
ji mile or so from the Franklin
county hue. There was, in fact,
no really good central location.
. The enacting bill required the
-competing points to furnish the
money to build the Court House
and Jail, at least, if 10,000. Lick
ing Creek was unable to raise the
money. McConuellsburg raised
the mouey, and felt dead sure of
getting tho County Seat; v but
when the Commissioners met to
decide, Fort Littleton came up
simliug with a bundle of notes
running up to twelve or thirteen
thousand dollars. The McCon
uellsburg fellows were thunder
struck. They had not dreair.ed
of such a thing. But they hust
ed around, secured a postpone
ment to another day, went home
and raised some more money
came back and by smart effective
work, finally prevailed on the
Commissioners to award them
tho Couuty Seat.
There was a good deal of feel
ing among the Fort Littleton peo
ple over tho result, as they
thought they had beeu unfairly
treated, I remember the circum
stance well, becauso my father
was interested iu both places
having a farm at Fort Littleton
which my oldest brother farmed,
and I, a boy, had to do the plow
ing for the wheat crop while he
vent round the county as one of
the Committee to hunt up sub
scriptions for the County Seat.
Tho leading men who were in
strumental in getting tho new
county and the County Seat have,
I presume, all long hinco, passed
to the other short;. I remember
some of thorn Hon. Mark Dick
holi, Scott and Calvin Fletcher,
Dr. S.K. Duttk'ld, Johnston Work,
W. C. Mt-Nnlty, tho Hoke's, Elias
Davidson, aud others whose
'names I do not now recall.
I will not extend this article
longer, but if you find it of sulli
cieut interest to your rentiers to
publish I, may, as I have leisure,
give you somo further reminis
cences of the olden time.
J. P. Bakuon
Scott Mellott has purchased a
new buggy and was out trying it
tho other day. Scott says it runs
as "slick as a whistle. '
Mosser Fisher.
One of the chief social events of
t.hp Honion irwilr nliino of Iho U'ujli.
iugton House iu this place ou '
Wednesday evening of last week
when Dr. John Wesley Mosser
aud Miss Elizabeth Woollet Fisher
were united in marriage.
Landlord and Mrs. Woollet had
thrown their capacious buildings
wide open, and at an early hour
in the evening one hundred and
sixty invited guests were present
to join in the celebration of the
joyous event.
At eight o'clock the deep mel
low tones of the piano, at which
Miss Gertrude Sipes so graceful
ly presided were wafted through
the halls, giving notice that the
hour had "arrove."
In exact time with the accents
of Lohengrin, the groom, with
Merril W. Naceas best mau.pass
ed through the hotel office and
down the long dining hall until
they reached Rev. W. A. West D.
D., who was to utter the official an-
uouncment that would makebride
and groom man and wife. The
bride, witn Miss Mary Scott Sloan
as maid of honor, now followed,
and in a most beautifully solemn
ceremony covering a period of ex
.ictly five minutes, the happycoup-
le were receiving tho hearty con
gratulations of their friends.
Tht next hour and a half was
spent in serving refreshments,
which weie entirely in keeping
with the well known hospitality
of the host and hostess.
The bride dressed in cream
lausdowne trimmed in applique
and liberty silk, locked very pret
ty, and the groom never looked
more happy nor handsome.
Of the bridal gifts, we can only
say that as we took a survey of
them a day or two later as they
were arranged in the parlor up
stairs, they made us feel we had
fallen into a wholesale and retail
jewelry establishment.
New Grenada.
Cleaning house and making sun-
bonnets.
No. 4 school closed Tuesday 8th
lust.
Harry Houp, wife, daughter,
aud grand-daughter, of Hollidays-
burg, visited his brother Samuel
Houp, a few days.
L. H. Wibleof McConnellsburg,
visited our town one day recently.
Harry Ashton of Broadtop City
was here on Sunday.
Harry Willet of Patterson, Pa.,
is visiting friends in the Valley.
Martha Mills left Monday for
Philadelphia to enter the Penn
sylvania Hospital to take a course
is trained nurse. Our best wish
es go with her.
Hooky and Aunt Lib spent Sun
day recently at Fort Littleton with
friends.
James Keith of Eagle Foundry,
visitied his brother A. D. Keith
over Sunday. .
E. W. McClaiu made a business
trip to Altoona.
Henry Truax is preparing to
build a new house.
Glover Horton is on the sick
list.
Grant Wallace has moved to
Three Springs.
Widow Barton has moved to
near Enid, from Brush Creek val
ley.
William Lockard lias moved to
Woodcock's Mill property. .
H. Clay Cornelius is suffering
from rheumatism.
Quite a little excitement pro-
vailed here last Tuesday. A Mr.
Grimesou of HuuUudou, had
driven into town, aud his horse in
some way became frightened and
with tho buggy attached dashed
through our town twice aud
thonco up Broadtop mountain.
The runaway was not captured
until it reached Broadtop City, a
distance of seven miles. The top
of the buggy was wrecked as tho
vehicle crossed tho bridgo lead
ing from this placo. Tho sample
case containing choice confec
tions bounced out aud fell into
the creek, the horso lost a shoe,
and Mr; Grimeson had to walk
through tho mud to Broadtop
City.
Samuel Alloway who was hurt
iu Woodvule "nines is able to go
to work again.
Myers- Kendall.
Among the most prominent so
cial events of the season was that
which occurred at the home of
Mr. aud Mrs. K. M. Kendall in
Ayr township on Tuesday. Not
withstanding the uupropitious
weather which prevented about
three dozen of us old folks from
being present, about one hundred
aud twenty persons assembled to
celebrate tho marriage of Mr. aud
Mrs. Kendall's daughter, Miss
Mabel Winifred, to Mr. J. Martin
Myers of tho tirm of Hege &
Myers, Mercersburg's leading
merchants.
The spacious doublo parlors
were beautifully decorated, and
at 10 o'clock, with Mrs Georga W.
Reisner at the organ playing a
beautiful wedding march, Miss
Orpah, a younger sister of the
bride, entered with most becom
ing dignity, proceeded to the
bridal arch, and untied the satin
ribbon. Next came the best man
Mr. Charles T. Burgner and the
maid of honor, M iss Nora A. Con
rad, both of Cham bersburg carry
ing a large bouquet of carnations;
following came tho bride and
groom, the former gowned iu
Paris mouseleiuo trimmed in chif
fon and satin applique, and carry
ing a rich bouquet of Maresch
Neil roses. Tho ceremony was
performed by Kev. J. L. Grove,
assisted by Kev. S. B. Houston.
After the congratulations of their
friends an elaborato breakfast,
was served.
Tho bridal presents were such
in value and quautity as will be
entirely satisfactory to tho ac
complished young bride; aud if
tho weather meant anything in
connection with tho wedding, it
was the clouds dropping a few
tears on the young Franklin coun
ty fellow for coming over and tak
iug one of our best girls.
The bride aud groom will spend
the next ten days in tho "eastern
cities" where merchants usually
have business about this time iu
the 3'ear.
MeKihhin.
Boyd M. Lake aud sister, Miss
Date, have goue to Philadelphia,
where they expect to find employ
ment. Nearly all the children of Philip
Morgret's school are suffering
from whooping cough.
William L. Spado lias just re
turned home from Johnstown.
"Squire" Smith, who has been
seriously ill for some months, is
no better at this writing.
John Cleveuger, of Hustontown
made a trip through our vicinity
last Saturday.
Miss Eva Bedford spent last
Sunday afternoon as the guest of
Miss Blanche O. Peck.
Some of our prominent farm
ers are engaged burning lime
kilns.
Misses Queen and Grace Lake
speutSaturday evening with their
aunt, Mrs. Scott Baumgardner.
Rash Wink intends sawing a
large lot of timber for Mr. W. II.
Mellott and others.
Mr. and Mrs. Milton Hill spent
Sunday with Mr. aud Mrs. W. II.
Lake.
Miss Delphia Truax spent Sun
day at J. Miller Truax's.
The infant child of Mr. and Mrs.
William Feight was buried at
Pleasant Grove last Friday.
Mr. aud Mrs. W. M. Funk
spent Sunday with the family of
B. F. Bedford.
Albert Mellott closed a very
successful term of school to-day
(Monday) ut Pleasant (J rove.
Howard L. Mellott is treating
his residence to a new yard; also,
a garden fence. Howard is one of
our champion hustlers who does
uot believe in giving tho chickens
possession of everything.
J David G. McDonald ofThomp
I sou township recently sold a hog
that weighed 500 pounds; a(so,
1 11 shoats that aggregated 1370
I In in nil 4 nnil t.veo lir'rwwl houx rn.
coiving for tho lot !f 143.TX).
Mrs. Kate Hess of Thompson,
' and Mrs. B.F.Shivos of Ayr.spent
last Thursday night with fri no's
pear McConut lUburg.
1'erla May Wilson.
The eldest daughter of Henry
and Willamine Wilson, of Clear
Ridge, died at the home of her
brother Charles.in Franklin coun
ty, April 3, 1902, aged 16 years,
10 months, and 18 days.
She was cut off in the midst of
her youthful years, and when life
seemed most promising.
The 18th of March, her broth
er moved to Franklin county. Sho
accompanied them to their new
home aud contracted a bad cold,
which developed into pneumonia.
All that loving friends and skilled
physicans could do, was of no
avail and would not stay the rav
ages of the disease. Toward the
end of her illness, wheu she knew
tho end of her life was near, she
gave tho blessed assurance that
it was well with her soul. She
said she loved tho Saviour and
was ready to go. She had been
a bright, healthy, intelligent girl,
was mild in disposition, kind in
manner, and endeared herself to
all with whom she came in cou
tact. No death for a long time
has caused such general sadness
over tho community in which she
Aas reared.
Sho loaves to mourn her loss, a
father aud mother, one brother,
Charles, one sister, Sadio.at home
and a host of other friends.
Her remains were taken from
her brother's to her home on
Clear Ridge last Thursday even
ing and were interred in Clear
Ridgecemetery Friday afternoon.
She was borne t: her last resting
place by ten of her girl friends.
Rev. Dressier preached her fu
neral sermon from Psalms 39 : 4.
Sal ii via.
Mrs. George W. Mellott, who
has been dangerously ill the past
few week's, is slightly improved.
Reubeu Mellott, and Will Dcsh
ong, of Johnstown were called to
this vicinity by tho death of Mrs.
A. W. Deshoug last week. .
Miss Maggie Michael, of Ever
ett, spent several days last week
very pleasantly at the home of her
aunt, Mrs. Harris.
The Presbyterian Sunday
school, closed a very prosperous
year last Sunday under the man
agement of James A. Stewart,
superintendent. Tho school will
bo reorganized nextSunday morn
ing at 10.30 o'clock by Rev. West.
James Deshoug, closed a very
successful term of school at
Shane's last week, and left Mon
day for Shippensburg, where he
will attend the C. V. S. N. S. Mr.
Deshoug is one of our most pro
gressive teachers, and with tho
training of that school, is destined
to rank first in the profession.
W. II. Minjck, of Everett, spout
Saturday night at the homo of his
fathor, James Miuick.
Brazil Minickof Chambersburg
was visiting his uncle James Min
ick, last week.
John A. Hauman lias had his
pension increased from eight to
ton dollars per month.
Mr. and Mrs. E.R. Austin,
left Monday morning for Minne
apolis, whoro they purpose mak
ing their homo iu the future.
They have the best wishes of a
host of friends, who regret to see
them leave, as thoirs was one of
tho most hospitable homes in this
county.
Gem.
There will be a spelling school
at Cross Roads school Thursday
evening. The school closes on
that day.
The spring examination was
held at Neodtnore last Saturday.
Howard and Amos Mellott of
Sipes Mill spent Saturday even
ing and Sunday with their teach
er at her home.
Samuel Hess and wife have
moved to their now homo at the
Georgo Mellott place. .
Blair Truax lias i eturued home
again after completing his school
in Ayr township ou Satui day.
W. II. Peck aud D. A. Fisher
have each purchased a new horse.
Misses Elsie and May McEl
downoy are going away to work
soon. X
B. F. Daniels raised his new
barn last i-'aturdny,
Hurton Brand t.
From the Shlppeo-burtf Chronicle.
Prof. Charles E. Barton, of the
chair of grammar and Latin of
the Shippensburg State Normal
School, was married Wednesday
evening, April 2, 1902, at 8.30
o'clock, to Miss Edith M. Brandt,
daughter of Mr. P. K. Brandt,
cashier of the First National Bank
of Newport, Pa. Tho ceremony
took place at the home of the
bride and was performed by Rev.
A. F. Lott, pastor of the First
Presbyterian church. The wed
ding was a very quiet one, only
relatives being present. Prof,
aud Mrs. Barton left on tho mid
night train for Philadelphia aud
New York and will return to
Shippensburg in time for the
Spring term at Normal.
The brido is a graduate of the
Normal School, of the class of
1900, and is a very charming girl,
both iu personal appearance and
manner. Her return to this place
will be a great pleasure to her
many friends here.
Prof. Barton is a native of Ful
ton county and graduated from
the Normal in 1891. He has been
a member of the faculty for sev
eral years and is regarded as a
strong and successful teacher.
Just now he is seeking election as
Superintendent of Fulton county
and his friends earnestly desire
his success, as he is admirably
equipped for the position in every
respect.
The Chronicle unites with the
friends of Prof, and Mrs. Barton
in tendering warmest congratu
ations and best wishes.
Owl Creek.
Oliver J. Oakmau and his lady
friend were visiting relatives in
Buck Valley last week.
Miss Gleuna Decker who was
going to the Cove the first of Apr.
has postponed it till the 14th.
Miss Roxy Sipes is going to
spend the summer with her grand
mother. Mr. and Mrs. V. R. Sipo's, Mr.
and Mrs. II. E. Deshong, Mr. and
Mrs. S. L. Deshong, Mr. Milton
Decker and son Chester, Mr. Fer
dinand Decker and son Russel
all gathered at the home of Baltzer
Decker and surprised him with a
big pile of wood. Mr. Decker is
very proud of the wood that his
sons and sons-in-law chopped him
for lie had a sore hand and could
not cut any. Mr. Docker met
with an accident last Friday com
ing home from Harrisonville, just
as he crossed the creek at R. R.
Sipes' his horse began to limp.
Mr. Docker noticed there was
something wrong. -He made out
to get to the gate to give Mrs.
Sipes the mail, and telling Mrs,
Sipes about his horse, she discov
ered, that the horso had a nail iu
his foot. Mr. Decker gettiug out
of his buggy, took hold of the
horso's foot to raise it up, when
the horse began to kick. At last
he got the horse quiet, and raised
his hoof again and saw that it was
a 10-penny nail and that it was
very rusty. Mrs. Sipes got a pair
of pincers and while Mr. Docker
held the horse's foot Mrs. Sipas
pulled the nail out about half way
wheu it became, restless again
and began to kick. When Mr.
Decker, got him quiet, his grand
daughter Goldie, who was with
him got out of the buggy and fin
ished pulling the nail out with her
fingers.
Misses Ada and Rebecca Mel
lott were visiting Forest Dale
school last week.
Milton Decker our old fur deal
er is heart sick this week. He
has to put a new fence around
his garden, and can't deal in hides.
Milton thinks there is nothing
liko dealiug in skunk hides.
Miss Goldio Mellott was visit
ing her second cousin Mrs. How
ard Hollenshead at Harrisonville,
last Friday.
Mrs. J. W. Mellott of Hyndman
was visiting her mother-in-law,
Mrs. Ellen Mellott, near Pleasant
HiJje last wool:. But she will
return to her home on Monday.
Her daughter Goldie, is going
with her.
Mrs. Baltzer Decker and Mrs.
Wash Mellott at e on the sick list.
Miss Ida C. Woodal. j
Miss Ida C. Woodal daughter j
of Mr. and Mrs. Jamej Woodal
of Tod towuship died at the home !
of her sister, Mrs. Andrew Wash
abaugb last Sunday afternoon
aged about 24 years.
Miss Woodal had lived with the
Washabaugh family last summer,
and had returned about a week
before her death to stay this sum
mer. Last Friday afternoon she be
gan to show symptoms of mea
sles, on Saturday she felt worse,
but not confined to her bed, and
on Sunday morning she walked
downstairs; but about nine o'clock
she showed very alarming symp
toms of heart failure. Her phy
sican and friends were immedi
ately sent for.but all saw that her
days were numbered. About
noon she asked to see her pastor,
Rev. Wolf. He being absent, Dr.
West was called. She talked to
him very freely of her soul's wel
fare, and gave to him and all oth
ers who had the privilege of hear
iugher.the evidence that thedeath
of a true Christian is only a
step. Such simple, child-like
trust was marvelous ! Not one
word did she utter expressing a
doubt of what her future would
be; but like a little, tired child,
she trusted her Saviour.
Every relative was spoken to, or
of, in a loving thoughtful way; and
calmly she selected her pall-bearers.
She did not forget her faith
ful physician, and asked that the
money she had, might be paid to
him. She asked that her friends
might visit her grave once a
month, at least. When some one
said to her "You may get well,"
she replied, "No, I shall not.
Not long ago, I lay awake a whole
night thinking I might get mea
sles; and I then asked my Saviour
whether I would get well if I got
them, and he told me I would not "
Sho even expressed regret that
her death was so near tho time of
the Kendall wedding, and request
ed not to be buried before Wednes
day. As far as possible her wishes
have been respected, and her
body is placed in its last resting
place in Union cemetery this
(Wednesday) forenoon.
Mrs. Mary Ann Denhong.
Mrs. Mary Ann Deshong, wife
of Abram W. Deshong of Licking
Creek township died Tuesday
April 1, 1902, Aged 55 years 4
months and 3 days Mrs. Desh
ong had been suffering about two
years with cancer of the breast,
which was the cause of her death.
Thirty-two years ago, she be
came a member of the Sideling
Hill Christian church, and had
since that time been a most faith
ful and exemplary member.
Her funeral occurred ou Thurs
day. Her remains were taken to
the Sideling Hill Christian church
where in the presence of a large
congregation, an able and impres
sive sermon was preached by
Rev. S. L. Baugher, of Need more.
She was interred in the cemetery
at that church.
She was the mother of 14 chil
dren 4 sons and 10 daughters.
She is survived by her husband,
1 son, and 8 daughters; and by 10
grand- children, 0 brothers and 1
sister.
Mrs. J. A. Ruinmel. .
Mary, wife of Ex-sheriff J. Al
fred Rummol, died at their home,
near Gettysburg, Wednesday Ap
ril 2, 1902, aged 40 years and four
mouths.
Mrs. Rummel had beeu sick
about five weeks, aud tho immedi
ate causo of her death was pneu
monia. She was interred Satur
day in Evergreeu cemetery at
Gettysburg.
Sho is survived by her husband
and five children.
Mr. and Mrs. Rummel were
residents of this place for many
years, and she is most kindly re
membered by her many friends
here. k
James A. Rummel and George
Doyle of this place, attended the
funeral.
tf:acmers not forgottf.x.
Death of Ahner Mellott Revives
Memories of First Day at School
Mr. EniTOii: In reading the
"News" of recent date, the naino
Abuer Mellott, brought back
memories of forty years ago,
when the writer, then a little boy
of five, went his first day to school.
Surely will his pupils at tho Cross
Roads, in Belfast township, read
with sorrow of Mr.Mellott's death
and recall pleasant memories of
his kindly patience toward us.
Among my many other teach
ers for whom I cherish a warm
friendship aud kindly regard, I
love to recall the names of Ahima
az Runyan, Elijah Palmer, Milton
T. Reeder, W. Frank Hart, and.
Geo. B. May. And as the white
hairs increase in number, moie
fully do I realize the earnestness
and appreciate the worth of these
true moulders of human charac
ter. As Whittier says,
"Still gits the schoolhouse by the road
A ragged beggar sunning;
Around it still the sumacs grow
And blackberry vines are running.
"Within the master's desk is seen,
Deep scarred by raps ollieial,
The warping lloor, the batterd seats,
The jack-knife's carved initial;
"The charcoal frescoes on its walls:
Its door's worn sill, betraying
The feet that creeping slow to school,
Went storming out to playing!"
Loving' schtol mates in life's
hard school, how few we find la
ment their gain and our loss, as
they pass above us !
We always welcome the News
it is a friendly visitor.
That Harper, Kansas, baby, told
of in last week's News, does not
create any alarm here. Kansas
is full of children "well formed
and showing signs of intelli
gence." Usually the ones leaving
Kansas for fear of a drought, are
those who are not very fond of
water.
Yours, as ever,
E. P.
New Murdock, Kan.
M. E. Appointments.
Among the appointments made
by the Central Pennsylvania con
ference of the M. E. church last
Wednesday the following are of
interest to our readers :
William Moses, Bell wood; Geo.
M. Shimer, Center and Sandy
Ridge; John Vrooman, Glen Hope;
John B. Durkee, Karthaus; Geo.
W. Mcllnay, Munson; W. W.
Reese, Ramey; Ellsworth M. Al
ler, Warriors Mark; R. II. Gil
bert, Berwick; E. E. A. Deavor,
Hazleton; W. A. Carver, Airville;
Bruce Hughes, Greenvillage; Jo
seph E. Ott, Harrisonville; J. R.
Melroy, Hustoutown; Henry M.
Ash, Liverpool; A. D. McCloskey,
McConnellsburg; Alex Lamber
son, Burnham; II. W. Seifort,
Burnt Cabins; J. H. Diebel, Clar
ville; U. K. Ash, Eunisville; J..D.
W. Deavor, Milttintownj P. F. Ey
er, Saxton; W. J. Sheaffer, Three
Springs; Oliver S. Metzler, Em
porium; Harry W. Newmau, Mo
dix; Owen Ilicks, Montanden;
Amos S. Baldwin, Williamsport.
Sipes Mill.
Their was a large crowd at
Singing last Sunday eveuing at
Ebonezer.
Among our Srpcs Mill students
who took the examination atNoed
more were Amos and Howard
Mellott.
Capt. C. T. Dixson is on the sick
list.
Wm. Ijayton and wife of Whips
Cove visited Mrs. Effio Wink Sun
day, and Daniel II. Mellott visited
J. N. Daniels; also Newton Kua bio
visited his mother-iq-law, Mrs.
Mary Mellott.
Henry Shaw and wife of Bed
ford county, is visiting Mrs.
Shaw's parents, Mr. and Mrs. O.
T. Mellott
Charlie Hixson aud his mother
Mrs. Louisa Hixson, of Eunua
ville, came over to MeOounolls
burg Mouday. Mrs. Hixsou ex
pects lo remaiu a couple of weeks
among friends here, as It is her
first visit to this place since uur
Centennial In 188(1.
a : " -'i-s 'j',
Mr. Logue Hess spent 1
Thursday at the couuty seat