iff? Frl BJ VOLUME 12 McCONNELLSBURG, PA., APRIL 20, 1911. NUMBER 31 LOCAL HISTORY. Wells Township Schools, Houses, and Teachers of Sixty to One Hun dred Years Ago. FOR THE NEWS BY M. M. HORTON. Editor op the News: Id the issues of vour paper of October 27th, November 3rd, 10th and lth last, you pab lished an article, from ray pen, on the old time military orgamza tions of Fulton County and the part they bud in the great Civil War. My reasons for contnbut ing that article to your columns were these: I wanted ti do what I could to save some very valuable history connected with Fulton county from passing into :,. ,--'-:;-4 -. ... -:v M. M. HORTON. A native of Wells Valley, but now residing at No. 13 S. Prince St., Shlp pensburg, I'u. oblivion, as much such history and authentic tradition has al ready done in consequence of no body being left alive who knew anything about it I believed that the old boyf, yet living, who were participants in the events, 1 mentioned would be glad to re call, with me, the memories of the long ago, and I indulged the hopo that the reading of my arti cle would afford pleasuro to many of your readers who have no per sonal knowledge of the persons, times and occurrences of which I wrote. For the same reasons I have mentioned, I have prepared an other article for publication in the News an article which has to do with the schools of Wells Valley of 40 to more than 100 years ago; the old time school houses, the former school direc' tors and teachers and ther work, together with something of the comparatively few, yet living, white haired old grand fathers and grand-mothers of to day who were pupils in those schools 50 to GO years ago. 1 have prepared such article and send it to you. M oar the lane leading from the Valley M. E. church to Mr. J. M. Lockard's place on north side of same and near the old graveyard at the church, is a pile of stoues. This stone pile marks the site of a school houso built prior to 17J0. The stones lying there were a part of the old school houso the chimney. All school houses of that day and of much later times were warmed by tires of logs 'urning in a big sione fire place, during school terms of 1840 to 18j2 1 was a pupil in a school houso which had a big lire place aud chimney in ouo corner cf it. T'iis house, like all others of its II me, was built of unhewn logs th spaces between logs "chink ed" with blocks of wood covored ith mortar without lim9. la 1800 an old abandoned dwell 'nB house which stood where Mrs. Adams's running pump Dw is at Wells Tannery, was in 1J8e as a school house. The lato J- B- Alexander and D. G. Duvall Jre pupils in that school. The Jeacher, during, at least, one wrm, iQ this house, was a hunter trapper, and be used to set "'8 traps along the creek above Bd be.,0w where Wells Tannery swod. in earjy Wlnter mornings (Continued on pae four) , DECKER -MELLOTT. Miss Mary Mellott, a Successful School Teacher Has Become the Bride of Chester A. Decker. A very pretty wedding occur red at the home of Mr. and Mrs Edward Mellott near Pleasant Kidge, this county on lust Wed nesdiiy evening, April 12, at 5 o'clock when their daughter, Miss Mary became the bride of Mr. Chester Decker son of Mr. and Mrs. Milton Decker of near liar risonville. , The ceremony was performed by the bride's pastor Rev. T. P, Garland of the Christian church in the presence of about 45 invit ed guests. Thebride was attended by Miss Anna Claybaugh, of MaUn, Bed ford county, and Mr. Reuben Mellott of Sipes Mill, an undo of the bride, was best man. The bride was handsomely attired in white silk mulle, while the brides maid wore cream sorgo. At the conclusion of the cere mony a wedding supper was s-.-rved. The bride is a very highly ac complished young lady and very favorably known, having taught several terms of school in both this county and Bedford county. The groom is a man of unblem ished character and excellent habits. The bride was the recipient of many handsome and useful pres ents. A reception was given the new y wedded couple at the groom's home on Thursday and after a few days' visit among relatives and friends they will go to house keeping on their farm lately pur chased by the groom near Salu via, where the best wishes ot their many friends go with them for a long, happy and prosperous life. Those present were: Edward Mellott, wife, daughters Daisy Eva, Belle and Gertrude, and sons Harry and Chester; Milton Decker and wife, and daughter Laura and son Herman; Oliver Oakman and wife, and daughters May and Stella, and son Willis; Mrs. Mary Mellott and son Reu ben; E. W. Swope and wife, and sons Don and Paul; Mrs Roland Sharpe and daughters Alda and Mabelle; Mrs A. C. Deshong and daughter Ora; JRev. and Mrs. T. P. Garland; Joseph Sipes and wife, Homer L. Sipes and wifo, and daughters Rebecca aud Amy; Lee Truax, E. Norman Akers and Misses Margaret Daniels, Zoe Mellott, Maude Strait, Anna Claybaugh, Blanche Deshong and Maye Eusley. Passed His Seventieth Milestone. Rev. David W. Kelso a resident of Todd township wishes to thank through the columns of the News his many friends who sent him so many congratulations by pos tal cards on April 7th the 70th anniversary of bis birth. From north, south, east and west, came these' beautiful cards to the num ber of 242 expressing joy in his length of days, and congratula tions on his excellent health. He also received many useful presents. During the three score years and ten that Mr. Kelso has lived, he has had an ex perience that falls to the lot of but few people, that ot seeing six generations in the line of his lineal descendants. He has seen his grandparents, parents, broth ers and sisters, his children, grand-children, and great grand children. He is the only surviv ing member of his father's large family. There are two ways of spend ing a dollar. You can spend it at home, gain an easy conscience, make another friend and per haps get the dollar back to-morrow, or you send it away, feel that you have sinned, offended the home merchant and forever lose the dollar and the blessed in fluence for good to yourself and neighbor. USEFUL INVENTION. Former Fulton Countian Makes Improve nicut in Horticultural Implement. A recent number ot the "Scion tific American," published in New York, contains an illustrated description of a patent recently granted to Herbert McKibbin, of St. Louis, Mo. Mr. McKibbin, a former resident of McConnelis burg, was associated with the FuJtou Republican a couplo years ago, and is well known through out the county. This, his third invention, is of especial intorest to all who maintain a garden or do horticultural work, and wo have beeu able to secure, through the "'Scientific Amer lean," the accom panying illustration of his combined boe and rake, which con sists of a telescopic handle, having a hoe membor ou one sido thereof and a rake member on the eth er, each of said parts (; uuiug uujjuuiu ui nu ll'1 ing folded back TLai while the other is in use. The novel form of mechanism by which both parts are operated sim. ultaneously one part coming into operative position while tho other is folded back out of the way consists of an upper and a lower rack which are arranged to engage acomraon pinion, and which aro shdably carried in their guides in oppo site directions. Connected with these racks aro two arms which, projecting through slots in the handle engage tho rake aud hoe members. The rake member consists of two parts and each part has a large tooth near the center to provide digging mem bers which may be used in the manner of a grub hoe. If the de vice is to bo used as a hoe the end is placed on the ground and the handle is forced downwardly, thereby causing a movement of the lower rack and swinging the hoe member into opcrativo posi tion, as shown in the illustration. Ihis movement will cause the )ivot to revolve on its axis and simultaneously shift the upper rack in the opposite direction, causing the rake members to fold uto practical alignment with the handle, where they are held se curely by a locking device in the handle. .Now, when it is desired to use the rake, the first pin near the eud of the haudlo is pressed inwardly, disengaging the lock ing device, when tho spiral spring will cause an outward movement of the telescoped handle and re versing the operation just des cribed. The device is of simple operation, is rigid in either posi tion, and has been pronounced a mechanical and commercial sue cess. Ye,aro pleased to learn that the device is meetiug with great favor, and the demand which has already been created will, no doubt, yield to the inven tor a snug little fortune in royal ties. Change in Route. Through the earnest and in telligent efforts of George W. Barnett of Clay township, Hunt ingdon county, the Committtee on routes for the new State Roads, have accepted his sug gestion to make the route from McConnellsburg to Huntingdon run by way of Knobsville, Hus ton town, G racey, Waterfall, Three Springs, Saltulo and Mapleton. Mr. Barnett used the argument with Highway Commissioner Hunter that the people along the first proposed lino leading through Shade Gap and Orbisoma had a railroad and that the route through Ilustontown, would serve a large numoer of farmers that were pracitcally excluded from better facilities. Su bscribe for the 1 'News, ' only $1.00 a year, 1 11 RECORD OF DEATHS. Persons Well Known to Many of Our Readers, Who Have Answered Final Summons. ALL SEASONS ARE THINE, 0 DEATH. John R. Fisher. John Ready Fisher, son of the late Andrew and Elizabeth Ready Fisher, for several years resi dents of Ilustontown, this coun ty, was born on what is now tho Allison S. Edwards farm in Wells township, October 11, 1830, and died at his homo in Bedford, Pa., at 10 o'clock, Sunday morning, April 10, 1911, aged 74 years, G months, and 5 days. The funer al took place yesterday afternoon, and interment was made in the Bedford cemetery. In August, 185!), Mr. Fisher was united in marriage with Miss Anna Eliza, daughter of Alexan der Richardson who owucd and lived upon the farm now owned by E. II. Kirk on tho State Road in Taylor township. They went to housekeeping on tho farm now owned by John F. Johnson, and later lived on tho J. V. Deavor farm. About the year lSGSor '09, ho came to McConnellsburg and conducted the Washington House, then owned by bis father. About two years later ho went to Now Grenada and kept the hotel at that place about two years. Ho returned to tho Washington House, McConnellsburg, then later went to Everett and kept the Juniata Houso a few years, when he went to Bedford and en gaged in the hotel business up to the time of his death. Mr. Fisher was a veteran of tho Civil War, ho having served as Second Lieutenant in Cup tain Thomas Sipes' Company (II), 158 regiment, P. I, and was in the service from tho fall of '02 until August 'Oil. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Fisher a daughter that died in childhood, many years ago, and Harry K , who died last Thanksgiving a year ago. Mrs. Fisher survives, also one sister, Elizabeth, wife of Postmaster S. B. Woollot of this place. Mr. Fisher was a generous, open-hearted citizen, and is well rememberod by tho older people in this county. James Doras. On Wednesday morning, Apri 12, 1911, James Doran, ono of Fulton County's oldest and most highly respected citizens, died at his Home near Center church in Taylor township at the advanced age of 80 years, 2 months, and 5 days. Mr. Doran was born in Path Valley on the 7th of Febru ary, 1825, and possessed a re markable physical constitution. During his long life he was never sick a day until a very few mouths ago when ho suffered a stroke of paralysis. Partially recovering from this, he had the second stroke, and this time the entire right side of his body be came helpless. . The third stroke, which came about a week before the time of his death, robbed him of the powar of speech. Mr. Doran was married in 1848 to Miss Catherine Atkinson, and to their union two children were born, George W. and Sarah. After the death of his first wife, he was married in 1875 to Anna Maria Booker, and to them one child was born,-Edy the Gertrude, now the wife of Mr. William H. Ieofuer, of Taylor township. Mr. Doran was a devoted mem ber of the Methodist Episcopal church for a period of more than sixty years, and led a most exem plary life, lie was a regular at tendant upon the services at Cen ter church. September 29, 1804, Mr. Doran with B. A. Deavor and John W. Stevens all of Taylor township enlisted in the Union army. Thoy were placed in the 58th regiment, Company A. 3rd Divis ion, 3rd Brigade, and 24th Corps (Continued on page five.) SUNDAY SCHOOL TOURING PARTY. Five District Conventions Held in Tcrri tory North of the Pike Last Week. A Sunday school touring par ty, composed of Miss Martha Robison, State Worker; Rev. John M. Diehl, County Secretary, and Mrs. John M. Diehl, covered the part of the County lying north of the turnpike last week by holding five district conventions as fol lows: Todd, Monday aftornoon and evening, Knobsville M. E. church Schools represented, Knobsville not represented; LSethlohem, and McConnellsdale Union. Attend anco, 135; offering, 60 cents. Dublin, Tuesday afternoon and evening. All schools in dis trict lepresented. Attendance, 110; offering, 1.G7. Taylor, Fairview, Wednesday afternoon and evening. Schools represented: Fairview, Huston town M. E., Center, Mount Ta bor; not 'represented, Dublin Mills. Attendance 100; offering, 1.20. Wells, Pine Grove, Thursday afternoon and evening. Schools represented: Pine Groe, Wells Valley, and Wells Tannery; not represented: Enid. Attendance, 130; offering, 2.35. Licking Creek, Greonhill Pres byteiian church, Friday after noon ana evening, bchools rep' resented: Greenhill Pres., As bury, Sideling Hill, and Siloam not represented: Shane's Union. Attendance, 100; offering, $2.44. Much interest was shown, and great things will be expected. In the words of a well known S. S worker ot Fulton county, tho sit uation may well be summed up as follows: "Let us work for tho Front Line, or work for the Lord, and Front Line bo our motto. The touring party was received with wide open arms, and given tho best in the homes. The County Association desires to ex press its hearty appreciation to the following persons for enter tainmcnt and transportation. For entertainment: Mrs. Liz- zio Harris, Mrs, John Tice, Mrs. Baldwin Fraker, Mrs. Daniel Cromer, Mrs. Sarah J. Cromer, Mrs. Elliot Kirk, Mrs. A. F. Ba ker, Mrs. James Stewart, and Mrs. II. S. Daniels. For transportation: Mr. John Snyder, Mr. Baldwin Fraker, Mr. Howard Kirk. Hon. S. P. Wishart, Mrs. William Sprowl aud Mrs. Scott Daniels. John M. Diehl, Sec'y. Is "Working" Europe. Harry A. Irwin, son of Mr. and Mrs. John A. Irwin, of this place, has been a traveling salesman in the employ of the Landis Tool Company, Waynesboro, Pa., for several years. Owing to tho de mand for thoir products in Europe, the Company have re cently sent Harry to that coun try, with headquartersatCologne, Germany. Harry sailed from New York on the Oceanic on the 29th of March, and made the voy age across the Atlantic in G days, 7 hours, and 23 minutes. Harry enjoyed the voyage very much, and was selfish enough not to "feod the fishes." Ou his way to Cologne, he stopped at Paris, and is now settlod down, to hard work. Harry is to be congratu lated on his promotion, and the Company is to be congratulated in having the services of such a capable young man. Child Burned. Last Saturday John Rhodes of Ayr township was burning brush on his clearing. One of his chil dren aged about four years was playing about one of the fires, when its clothing became ignited. Fortunatoly the father was within a few feet of the child, and realizing the great danger, stripped the burning clothing from its little body. Mr. Rhodes was burned worse than the child, which was not seriously injured, WATERFALL. The Writer Makes Earnest Plea for More Zeal Among Heads of Fam ilics in Christian Work. April 5. We aro pleased to note the large number who turned ou to see and hear the new preacher Rov. Chas. Weise, who came to us from the Rays Hill charge, He preached his initial sermon at Zion M.E. Church, Sunday eve ning, April 2nd from the text "God is a sun and a shield, and no good thing will he with hold from them that serve him." Rev. Welso comes to this charge high ly recommended; and be bespeak for him the hearty support and co operation of the entire Three Springs charge for tho current year. At the close of tho sermon the following officers were elected for the Zion Sunday school: Su perintendent, Geo. W. Barnett Asst. SupL, Chas. Alloway; Sec retary, Miss Myrtle Barnett Asst. Sec, Roy Cutchall; Libra nans Miss Ruth Cunninghamand Roy Cutcball; Treas. G. W. Bar- net:;; Organist, Miss Ethel Thorn os. liev. weise spoke earnestly of the importance of this branch of church work, and urged the hearty support of every moraber of the church. It is to bo regret- ed that thore are a few people good citizens, and faithful to their church vows in many ways that havo not been yet fully awakened to the great work they could help to do if they took a part in tho Sunday school. ion church is situate about midway between the villages of Waterfall and New Grenada, at no great distance from either place, and yet there are compara tively few people attend. Of course, there are some whoattend regularly and are teachers but there are whole families who never go to bunday school, and the parents do not set even this Godly example to their children This should not be so. The Sun day school is for the improve ment and welfare of the entire community and for the inculca tion of the teachings and princi pics oi Jesus uirist. May we hopo that there will be an in creased interest in the work this year, and that the Sunday school at Zion may be a real center of in fluenco for the spiritual uplift of the community, aud that all may accept the command "Search tho scriptures, for in them ye think ye havo eternial life." "u." PLEASING SOCIAL EVENT. Mr. and Mrs. "Bub" Hess of Bethel Township Entertained in Honor of Miss Mason. Wednesday evening of last week Mr. Bub Hess and family gave a bountiful supper in honor of Miss Goldie Mason. Refreshments consisting of chicken swallop, crackers, sweet cakes of all kinds, peanuts, candy, pickles, and everything that goes with a good supper were served. The table was beautifully decorated, Those present were: Mrs. Nora Akers, Misses Goldie Mason, Goldie Akers, Verdie Sharpo, Lizzie Laf ferty, Connie Hess, MayeCarnell and Messrs Ross Bernhart, Thur man Sharpe, Rexie and Ray Hess; Benson, Uysonand VernonAkers; Shelly Bill, Edward McCray, George Deshong and Mr. aud Mrs. Bub Hess. The evoning was very pleasmt spent in music and party games, until a late hour when all eparted, thanking Mr. and Mrs. less for their kindness. One Who Was There. The Brook's high liconse law needs to be repoaled and succeed ed by something better. Under this same law Bedford and Law rence counties are entirely "dry," Somerset, Cambria and North- mberland counties are very wet," while other counties are partly "dry" and partly "wet." Strange law. 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 J. Tilden Hill, of Bethel was in town a few hours last Saturday. R. R. Uann and E. C. Hann, of Saluvia, were among the town visitors last Friday. B. A. Deaver, of Taylor, was registered at tho Washington House last Saturday. Mr. J. L. Duvall, of Wells Val ley, spent a few hours in town on business last Saturday. John F. Bess and brother Loguo, of Belfast township, were in town last Friday attending to business. II. O. Wible, one of Tod town ship's hustling young citizens called at the News office while in town last Thursday. George Sheffield of Fort Little ton was among the out-of-town visitors at tho County Capital last Thursday. Harry Suders, of Pittsburg, spent tho time from Thursday evening until Monday morning in McConnellsburg. A. J. Fore and W. M. Comerer of Burnt Cabins wero in town ast week attending a meoting of tho stock holders of tho Fulton County Bank. Constable Jacob Dunkle and ex-Mail Contractor Christ Wag ner both of Dublin township, wore in town on business last Saturday. F. C. Bare, of Fort Littleton passed through town last Thurs day on his way home after having spont several days in the eastern cities stocking up for his spring trade. Philip B. Melius and Adam Reiner spent a few hours iu town one day last week on busiuess. 'hilip has just disposed of a bunch of timber to Goo. C. Frak er at Fort Littleton. Harvey Bender, of the firm of Hull & Bender, has broken ground on the lot recently pur chased from James Sipes on north Second street for tho erec tion of a handsomo residence. Mr. W. Marshall McKibbin, spent the time .from Thursday evening until Sunday afternoon with his wife in the home of her mother Mrs. S. M. Cook on north Second street Herman Cromwell, brother of voy U. Cromwell was in town last Saturday attending to business. Herman left for Illinois a day or two ago, where ho expects to en gage in farming near Lanark. James Fix, of this place, left for tho state of Delaware last week where ho will bo engaged working on a farm for S. C. Yeaklo, formerly of this place, but who removed to Dolawaro from Mercersburg this sprinsr. Mr. Geo. C. Sipes aud daugh ter, Miss Pleasant, of Thompson towuship, were iu town last Fri day.. Mr. Sipos owns and lives on what was known to tho older peoplo as the Peter C. Peck farm near Hesses Mill. Alex. C. Lamberson, of Brush Creek township, came over to the Cove Sunday and was in town Monday morning attending to business. Alex bought the Sell ing farm near Akersville, and is bringing it up in great shapo. Joseph H. Biddle Esq., editor and owner of the Everett Press, has purchased the Huntingdon Semi Weekly News. Mr. Biddle will continue to live in Everett, and tho Semi-Weekly news will be in charge of E. M. King as managing editor. Mr. and Mrs. B. E. Stevens, of Taylor township, were guests in the homo of the former's uncle, Dr. F. K. Stevens last Saturday. Ed. who was formerly in the fur niture business in this place, is now an enthusiastic farmer m the township of bia nativity,
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