SmUm
VOLUME 12
3IcC0NNELLSBURG, PA., NOVEMBER 3, 1910.
NUMBER 7
OLD WAR TIME CAMPS. ,
. ?
Early Military Organizations in This
Conuty, and the Part They Tlayed
in The Civil War.
WRITTEN BY CORP. M. M.. HORTON.
Continued from last week.
In 1856 the legislature of Penn
sylvania repealed all laws relating
to the military then m force and
made a new law, for the govern
ment of the military of the state,
which was essentially different
from any that bad preceded it.
The members of the legislature
who enacted that law and the
governor who approved it builded
better than they knew. They
did not know that their action
was the initial step in Pennsyl
vania's preparation for the great
contest which, only five years
later was begun in Charleston
harbor.
The passage of this new law
had the effect of arousing the
military spirit which had lain
dormant everywhere for years.
True, there was here and there
and organized military company,
such as the Bedford R'flemen,
the Broad Top Riflemen, and
Washington Blues, but I think it
is safe to say that not more than
500 young men in Pennsylvania
had any knowledge of things
military at beginning of 1856, but
in less than two years thereafter,
there were tens of thousands of
young men and mny who were
older, in Pennsylvania who were
eagerly learning all they could of
the art of war. Companies were
organized everywhere and bat
tallions and regiments were
formed in every city and county
in the State Those young fel
lows who constituted these did
not know that they were in train
ing for a part in that sublime ex
hibition of courage, endurance,
patriotism and devotion to flag
and country which Pennsylvan
ians gave during those long ter
rible years from Bull Run to Ap
pomattox. They did not know,
bat He who presides over the des
tinies of nations did know, "How
wonderful are His ways and how
past finding out are His judge
ments?" The part the men of Fulton
county had in the great awaken
ing was the organization of three
companies in spring of 1856, and
reorganization of Harrisonville
company in 1859. .
The new companies organized
were the National Guards at Mc
Connellsburg, the Fulton Rifle
men in Wells Valley and a com
pany of cavalry at Fort Littleton.
I have forgotten by what name
this company was known. Some
correspondence with parties at
Hustontown and Fort Littleton
I fails to give me any Information
reference to the company. The
first captain of the company was
the late David F. Chesnut, after-
ward Sheriff of Fulton county.
5 At time of organization, W. W.
. Sellers was elected captain and
;J. B. Sansom, 1st. Lieutenant.
At next election,, Lieut Sansom
became captain. Captains Sel-
i wi and Sansom were the editors
"of the Fulton'' Republican and
Fulton Democrat respectively.
ine young Guardsmen-young
wen-believed, evidently, thatedi
tors are well fitted to be military
queers. X have no information
w to who the other lieutenants
ereand have failed to obtain any.
No records.
! When the Fulton Riflemen were
organized, W. a Cunningham'
as elected Captain, J. C. Moore
Jit Lieut J.F, Stunkard 2nd.
Went and Allison Edwards 1st
Segeant The next election re
cited iu the choice of the follow
lnK: Capt Dr. a 8. Wishart,
j Lieut, W. W. Willett, 2nd.
Lieut S. P. Wishart These
cflicers served from 1857 to April
when Thomas A. Lyon be
me 2nd Lieutenant, and James
whart 1st, Sergeant. Those
7r the officers m Camp Mc
Jo. In Camp Slifer the offi
were: Capt. Dr. II S. Wish
art, 1st Lieut. Jacob West of St.
Thomas, 2nd Lieut. James Wish
art, 1st Segeant J. Walker John
ston. These were the officers
when the company was mustered
into the service of the Unfted
States Oct 9th 1861.
During the summer of 1857,
Maj. Mel lot t ordered all the mili
tary of the county to report at
Saluvia on a certain day for drill,
inspection and review. On that
day I received my first lesson in
military tactics in ranks of the
Fulton Riflemen.
.The command of the battallion
was turned over to Joseph S.
Reed, a veteran of the Mexican
War, then Captain of the Broad
Top Ranges, a Bedford county
company organized about 1820.
In 1858,' Maj. Mellott ordered us
to assemble at Clifford Manor.
On that occasion. Capt. Austin
of the Blues was in command
As before stated, Capt Austin
became Maj ir in spring of 1859.
In obedience to his orders, we re
ported for drill and inspection at
Harrisonville on August 6th of
that year. In spring of I860,
Major Austin was elected colonel,
being succeeded as Brigade In
spector by Dr. R.' I. Hunter of
the Fulton Riflemen. Col. Aus
tin oi dered us to report for in
spection and drill at Harrison
ville on May 31, 1860. This bat
tallion drill was the last ever had
in Fulton county. The last com
piny drill was by the Fulton
Riflemen, July 4, 1851 on the , oc
casion of a monster celebration
of the day in Wells Valley. .That
loved and venerated, that talent
ed old veteran in the war against
all wrong, Rev. M. G. White,
pastor of the Presbyterian con
gregations of McConnellsburg,
Green Hill and Wells Valley dur
ing nearly forty years, was ora
tor of the day on that occasion.
The young Riflemen never for
got his stining address. They
recall it now when a few of them
come together. O, those glorious
old time battallion drills! None
of those who had part in them
can ever forget them. People
didn't thmk of working on bat
talhon day, but turned' out to
witness the drill and surely those
Fulton County boys knew how to
do that thing. They delighted
and gloried in it.
The company drill days, once
in two ( weeks or . ottener, in
spring, summer and autumn
were important occasions, but
the annual battallion drill day
transcended all others in inter
est. It was the day in Fulton
county.
i ' (To be Continued.)
Horton Skipper.
A quiet wedding occurred Wed
nesday, October 2Gth., at the
Tower Hill Presbyterian parson
age, when Mr. Will Horton and
Miss Mary Skipper both of Pana,
III., were united byRev. Mcllen
ry in the bonds of hold matri
mony. The young pejple left on the
8 o'clock train to go to Spring
field and other places of interest
before returning to their home
near Paua. The bride is a most
popular and winsome young lady
and is loved by a wide circle of
friends. The groom is a pros
perous young man and for nearly
two years has been employed
with Mr. O'Farrell on a larm.
Mr. and Mrs. Horton went to
Illinois from Burnt Cabins in
March 1908 with Mrs. Morton's
friends.
The friends of the young cou
ple all join in wishing them a long
and happy life.
Stiver.
Florence, wife of Mr. Percy
Stiver, died at their borne in Bed
ford. Pa., last Sunday evening of
typhoid fever, aged about 23
years. Interment in Bedford
cemetery. Tuesday afternoon.
Percy 'Stiver is a nephew of the
Editor of the News, bis mother
being the Editor's only sister.
. : -a
L G. Cline of Burnt Cabins,
was a business visitor on Saturday.
Hallowe'en.
While there was no special
street demonstraiion Monday
evening, there was quite a little
band of mummers, in costumes
that were dicidedly in keeing
with the occasion, and to the
credit of the boys, there was
absence of the usual mischievous
conduct. Old and young, alike,
enjoyed the eveniDg. One of the
most unique social events in this
town for a long time however was
a Hallowe'en party at the home
of County Treasurer and Mrs.
Charles B. Stevens. The para
phernalia included the latest 1911
models Parisian ghosts, and the
male members were made to feel
a decidedly creepy sensation as
they, one by one, were introduced
into the weird dimly lighted ghost
inhabited halls. This was atoned
for later in the evening by the
hostess serving a generous quan
tity of good old fashioned ginger
bread and fresh sweet cider.
A Close Call.
On last Thursday our old friend
James Woodal, Sr., narrowly
escaped an accident which might
have cost him his life. His son
Will is tenant far naer on the Jared
Pittman farm south of town, and
James was down helping to get
tne corn m. A four horse wagon
was being used and the team had
just stopped at a pile in the field,
when James stepped up to begin
picking the corn into the basket.
It happened that he was just in
the rear of the off side lead
horse"; and the animal kicked
striking Mr. Woodal on the Tiead
above the right eye inflating an
ugly gash an inch or more in
length. Had it not been for a
heavy wool hat which he was
wearing he would doubtless have
been killed outright, lor a hole
was cut through the hat by the
horse's shoe. .
QRACEY.
The farmers are busy husking
corn.
The first snow squall for the
season passed over this vicinity
last Saturday.
Jesse H. Berkstresser is very
ill. .
C. N. Cutchall, wife and son
Laurence spent from Saturday
until Sunday at the home of Mr;
and Mrs. J. W. Cutchall.
The sale of J . . C. Bar nett was
well attended.
Estella Gracey left Monday for
Norristown where she has em
ployment for the winter.
Our school is progressing nice
ly under the care of Ray Hess.
Rev. Swank, pastor of the U.
B. church at this place delivered
a very able sermon to a large
audience last Sunday evening.
P. B. Noreman and M. J. Bar-
nett, who have been employed in
the carpenter busines at Youngs
town O , have returned home.
Viola McClain is employed at
Petersburg, Pa.
Our sportsmen are preparing
to bring down quite a lot of cot
tontails next Tuesday.
NEEDM0RE.
We" experienced quite a cold
snap last week.
Harry Beatty spent from
Thursday until Monday with re
latives and friends in "Buck
Valley.
A. Runyan and wife, who spent
the past two weeks with their
daughter Mrs. R. C. Dixon of
Emmaville returned Sunday.
Judge Morton of McConnells
burg was circulating among
friends here Monday.
Frank .Mellott the sole pro
prietor of the drilling outfit, is
drilling a well for Wm. Truax.
Thomas K. Downes bought the
old school house from Eli Peck
and is tearing it down. .
- Mrs. John Lanohart is slowly
improving.
Mrs. Funk Is also improving.
Mr. John J loss's baby is quite
sick.
Hallow 'een was strictly observ
ed by the young people.
You would scarcely know , the
old Kunyan store room. Mr
Peck has more than doubled the
capacity of the room also put in a
new glass front
EULOGISTIC
To The Memory and Life of George W.
llixson, Late of Brush Creek
Valley.
Dear Editor: Many of the
boys have wandered from the
homes of their childhood, from
the green fields, the babbling
brooks, the pure air, and moun
tain scenery of old Fulton. A
goodly number of those, who for
various reasons have found it
necessary to locate elsewhere,
are in Cambria County. The
"News" reaches us each week, a
welcome visitor. It announces
achievments and success, happi
ness and progress, but with these
comes sometimes the mingled
tones of sorrow, which takes us
back to our boyhood days and as
sociates, and we are shocked to
learn that "the chain which linked
our hearts to those of our asso
ciates has been suddenly snapped
Such was the message borne in
last week's issue that announced
the death of George W. Hixson,
of Crystal Springs. We are well
aware that any thmg we can say
will neither add to nor detract
from, the noble character exemp
lified in Mr. Hixson; but it is meot
that we should mingle our griefs
with those of his family and
neighbors that we should call
attention to the life of a typical
citizen, so that others, may emu
late his amiable and virtuous con
duct, his unfeigned piety to his
God, and his inflexible fidelity to
his trust. '
It was the good fortune of the
writer to be associated with Mr.
Hixson socially, politically, and
in business transactions. To be
entertained in his home was a
real pleasure. "Gifts from the
hand are silver and gold, but the
heart gives that which silver nor
gold can buy." He was a repub
lican in politics, clean, upright,
and fair. To say he was elected
to office means' but little; but to
know he held the unlimited con
fidence of the voters which he
represented, means much. In
business transactions, his name
was a synonymn or integrity and
honesty. His word was a bond,
lie proved in his dealings with
others his belief in "Man's hu
manity to man."
It was also the pleasure of the
writer, a few years ago, to ac
company him on a trip to one of
the hard coal districts of Penn
sylvania. His keen business fore
sight, his anxiety for knowledge
of affairs, attested his worth as a
progressive citizen. His trip to
the Hagerstown fair was in
search of knowledge to improve
him in his chosen profession.
He realized the immortality of the
soul, the grandest dream the
human heart has ever cherished,
and his christian life was exem
plified in a constant devotion to
God.
Our weakness tn words makes
us hesitate to cross the threshold
of his home life to depict the
manner in which he discharged
his sacred obligation to bis family
as a husband, a father, a friend.
Every community will have its
treasured names, Every moun
tain and hill will have some sol
emn title; every valley will cher
ish its honored register; but to
the citizens of Brush Creek, no
name will beheld in higher es
teem or kept brighter with re
verent honor than that of George
W. Hixson. .
The poet could say of him: "He
bo lived that when the summons
came to join that innumerable
caravan, that moves to the pale
realms of shade, where each
shall take bis chamber in the
silent halls of night, he went not
like the quarry slave but, sus
tained and Boothed by an unfal
tering trust, he approached the
grave, like one who wraps the
drapery of his couch around him
and lies down to pleasant
dreams."
His Friend.
Preston Cowan of Dublin town
ship was on our streets on Satur
day, i
School Report.
Report of Akersville advanced
school for first month ending
October 14, 1910. Number en
rolled, 12; average attendance, 10;
percent of attendance males, 99;
females, 98; total 98. Those In
attendance every day Edith
Clark, Ada Hixson, LuluSchenck
Lizzie Qixson, Myrtle Duvall,
Bretz ComT, Harry Pee, Earl
Jackson. Visitors: One direc
tor M. A. Bark man. S. E.
Walters, teacher.
Report of Oak Grove School tor
first month ending October 18,
1910. Number enrolled: male, 10;
female, 9; average attendance:
male, 8; female, 9; per cent, of at
tendance: male, 93; female, 95;
total, 94. Honor roll: Sadie Pies
singer, Reta Layton, Bessie Mil
ler, Opal Plessmger, Ramon Mor
ris, Roy Plessinger, Quinter S.
Ensley, Earl Morgret, and Bexie
Dingley.- Grant F. Spade, teach
er. Report of Cross Road school
for the first month ending Octo
ber 14th. Number enrolled:
male, 17; female, 21; per cent, of
attendance: male, 92; female, 86;
total, 89. Those who attended
every day were Blair tless, Guy
Mellott, Earl llann, David Hann,
Charley Sipe, Melvin Mellott,
Ralph Mellott, Florence Harr,
Mary Hann, Goldie McEldowney,
Jessie Mellott, Jessie Sipe, Vera
Mellott, Nettie Mellott, Blanche
Mellott. Those who attended
every day but one Walter Hill
and Edith Hill. Blanche Smith,
teacher.
R.eportot Akersville Primary
school for the first month ending
October 14th. Number, enrolled:
male, 21; female, 11; total 82; av
erage attendance: male, 20; fe
male, 9; per cent, of attendance:
male 97; female, 90. Those who
attended every day Sara, Mary
and Styles Ott; Gladys Walters;
Mary, Marshall and Frank Pee;
Mattie, Piper, and Wm. Schenck;
Mary Jacuson, Bessie Spade;Car
rie, Jacob and Frank Bark man;
Ralph Duvall; Marion, Virgil,
Grant, Ross and Clayton Barton;
Ralph and Irwin Akers; Morton
llixson; Ernest and Orville Du
vall. Lucy L. Peightel, teacher.
Surprise Party.
The home of Mr. A. L. Shaw,
near G racey was the scene of a
very pleasant event last Saturday
evening, when a number of the
young people of the community
gathered to commemorate the
18th, Birthday of his daughter,
Miss Mary, About 7 o'clock in
the evening, friends and neigh
bors began to arrive and Mary,
for her life, could not imagine
what could be in the air, until, to
her surprise, she suddenly
thought ot Monday, October 17th
being her birthday. A very
pleasant evening was spent in
different innocent games and
music.
Refreshments were served
about 10 o'clock, and after a iew
more lively games, about 11
o'clock the guests be&an to de
part for their respective homes
wishing Miss Mary many more
such happy occasions. Miss
Mary was the recipient of many
nice and useful presents.
Those present were: John
Knepper, Floyd Miller, Roy Mil
ler, Harold Edwards, Job. Shaw,
Ernest Berkstresser, Eimer
Cutchall, Jamie Cutchall Jesse
Laidig, Edwin Brant, Dallas
Brant, Raymond Gracey, Dawson
Strait, Jay Ailoway, Velma Al
loway, Estella Gracey, Mary
Shaw, Gladys Gracey, Alice
Cutchall, Lillian Gracey, Jessie
Cutchall, Addie Gracey, Kathryn
Laidig, Helen Edwards, Mamie
Kesselrlng, Nannie Landers,
Janet Kesselrin Claire Laidig
and Ltbel KesseL
One Who Was There.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ridgly
of Cbambersburg are spending
a week in the home of Mr. and
Mrs. Wilbur Grlsslnger,
Local Institutes.
The second local institute of
Belfast township was held at
Pleasant Grove Friday evening
Oct 21st Order was called by
the teacher, Miss Bessie Morton,
who appointed Amos Mellott
president of the meeting. The
following topics were discussed:
1 Spell' ng Primary and advanc
ed. 2 How do you secure regu
lax attendance? 3 Advantage of
a good school to a community.
Teachers who were present and
took active part were: Daisy
Strait, Orpha Snyder, Bessie
Morton, Blanche Smith. Amos
Mellott an ex-teacher, helped to
make the work interesting and
instructive. The discussions
were interspersed by songs and
recitations by the school. The
crowd present manifested inter
est by giving attention and good
order. Next institute will be at
Morton's Point in two weeks Nov.
4th. Blanche Smith Sec'y.
The fourth educational meeting
of Ayr township was held at Cito
Friday evening, Octooer 28th.
The following subjects were dis
cussed by the seven teachers
preseut. 1 llow do you keep the
primary pupils profitably em
ployed? 2 Individual teaching.
3 Written work, its value, how
much d' you require? Much
credit is due the teacher and pu
pils for the well rendered literary
work. Meeting adjourned to
meet at Rock Hill, Friday even
ing, November 11, 1910. Maude
Rinedollar, Sec'y.
The second local institute of
Licking Creek township held at
Forest Dale school last Friday
evening was called to order by
the teacher Mary Mellott who
appointed Chas. Mellott presi
dent. Questions: 1 Written
work, amount of, and value. 2
What branches would you alter
nate and why? llow do you ar
range your classes? 3 Geogra
phy; how taught. Directors Roy
Sipes, R. R. Sipes, and Joseph
Sipes were present. All teach
ers of the township were present;
also, Daisy Strait of Belfast.
Prof. Lamberson was present and
gave very interesting talks on
each subject The literary woik
was excellent, which speaks well
for both teacher and pupils. Ad
journed to meet at Vallance
school November 11th. All
friends of education are invited
to attend these meetings. Kath
arine Hoop, Sec'y. ..
The third local institute of
Bethel township, was held at Al
pine last Friday evening. The
teacher Edgar Hann appointrd A.
M. Bivens, president. Questions
discussed: 1. Should any of the
branches be emphasized? If so,
which ones? 2. Discipline
Means-Ends. 3. Value of Edu
cation. A number of recitations
were rendered by the school. J.
C. Fisher was there with his
grapbophone. The teachers pres
ent were: Kathryn Yonker, Ottie
Hill and Edgar HanL; also Opal
Sharpe from Union, and Blanche
Smith from Belfast. The next
institute will be held at May's
Chapel, Friday evening, Nov. 4th.
Ottie Hill, secretary.
The third local institute of
Todd was held at Woodburn
school Oct. 28th. It was called
to order by the teacher Mabel
Fore. The following questions
were ably discussed by the twelve
teachers present 1 What work
do you require of a third and
fourth reading class. 2 Primary
Geography. A . number of ex
cellent recitations interspersed
the program. The teachers of
Todd appreciated the help given
them by the Dublin township
teachers also by Prof. Thomas
of McConnellsburg. Teachers
present were: Blanche Peck,
Mabel Fore," Blanche Brant
Mary Ott, and John Kelso from
Todd: D. K. Chesnut John
Woodcock, L. P. Morton, Myrtle
Stevens, Dotte Deshong and
Robert Crcmer from Dublin, also
Prof. Thomas of McConnellsburg,
The institute adjourned to meet
at Summer's school November
11, 1910. Mary O. Ott, Soc'y.
ABOUT PEOPLE YOU KNOW
Snapshots at Their Comings and Goings
Here for a Vacation, or Away
for a Restful Outing.
NAMES OF VISITORS AND VISITED
Wm. Wink, of Pleasant Ridge,
was a town visitor on Friday
last.
Barney Bivens, of Big Cove
Tannery, was in town on Satur
day.
Wm. Davis, of Hustontown,
was doing business in town on
Saturday.
Harry Shaw, of Big Cove Tan
nery, was at the County Capital
on Saturday.
Jesse Barton of Akersville,
was a visitor to the County Seat
last Friday.
Banner and Absalom Bishop of
Needmore, were town visitors on
Friday of last week.
H. H. Hertzler, a citizen of
Burnt Cabins, was a business
visitor to the County Seat on Sat
urday. Miss Jannett Patterson, who
has been attending the Normal
School at Shippeniburg, is home
for a short visit.
Mrs. M. B. Trout, and daugh
ter Miss Mary are on a visit to
friends in Buffalo, iN. Y and oth
er points in the east
Mr. and Mrs. Lee Kearns, of
Jeannette, Pa., are visiting Mrs.
Kearns parents Mr. and Mrs.
Geo. Laidig in Hustontown, Pa.
Mr. and Mrs. Thos. Johnston
returned to their home in this
place after a very pleasant vi&it
in the Western part of the State.
Miss Gertrude Sloan, of this
place, left on Tuesday for a two
weeks' visit to her sister, Mrs.
T. W. Walker, near St. Thomas.
Nicholas Finiff came over from
his home in Franklin county, and
on Tuesday, after bagging a
number ot rabbits returned to
his home.
Mrs. Lydia Bobb, of Beaver
town, Pa., and Miss Nellie Bear
of Saluvia, were guests at the
home of Miss Mary Daniels in
this place on Tuesday.
Thad Shoemaker, of Harris
burg, andN. E. Hoover, of Green
castle, passed through town Mon
day on their way to Hustontown
for a few days' hunt.
John Motter and wife of Al
toona and William Motter of
Cbambersburg, are visiting iheir
parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob
Motter, in Ayr township.
Harvey Helman and wife re
turned to this place on last Fri
day evening, after spending their
honey moon with friends in
Chambersburg and Shippens
burg. Miss Zola Raisbec, who has
been visiting in the families of her
grandfather, T. B. Stevens, and
aunt, Mrs. Boyd Elvey, returned
to her ho ma in Erie, Pa., on Wed
nesday.
Mrs. Mary Gordon of War
fordsburg, Miss Kate Brooks, of
Hancock, and Mrs. Laura E.
Winters and daughter Gladys of
Dott, were pleasant callers at our
office on Friday of last week.
"Mrs. Mary Crooks and little
daughter Margaret who have
been visiting Mrs. Crook's father
Rev. J. L. Grove, and sister Mrs.
Cal. Patterson, for several weeks,
left for their home, in Rose Farm,
Ohio, on Friday of last week.,
The Cbambersburg Valley
Spirit says: "S. D. Stevens, who
represented the Singer Sewing
Machine company for a number
of years has severed bis connec
tion with that "company. Mr.
Stevens has other business map.
ped out, having completed ar
rangements to remodel his own
store room, Main and Washing
ton streets, by an up-to-date
front with a corner entrance. Mr.
Stevens Is one of our substan
tial citizens, is a man of the sUiot
est business integrity and we
predict for him success in what
ever busiueBS be may cv.''x"