kd] > tr hs J EF ~ 247 «T ae = wr eg Bes 3 ae a Se An PO Sh . ’ a? PN at Re goons i SAR a 4 2 3 A a : a = a BOM Back wos Memori | Library 2 on The Dallas post July 10, 1996 : 50th Back Mourns din Memorial Library Action The Dallas Post «J July 10, 1996 NJ 21 = = 1a! tA ne mE Hirde ¥ Gist HSA FRING ON: XAR¢ iT { ~~ ¥oeil tad ocliefl adi Shion eo FTP SVA SPR SPURL CL 3 ion Auction history (continued from page 3) nure lime - as well as household goods. An antiques committee evolved almost by accident. While prowl- ing around in upstairs of her barn one day. Mrs. mentioned to Mrs. Howell and Mrs. A.D. Hutchison that there seemed to be some valuable antiques among the items brought in for the auction. They culled out a few of the better ones. washed and dried them, and de- cided to auction the antiques sepa- rately. They were placed on dis- play on a work bench beside the tables used for the auctioneer’s block to insure that a dresser or bird cage would not be dropped on a precious piece of cut glass. There were just three booths that first year: the refreshment stand run by Mrs. Joseph Schmerer: baked goods with Mrs. Harris Haycox as chairman: and a booth under the direction of Mrs. Dana Crump where pocket- books. loys. and lace could be purchased. The auctioneers (Howard Herman and Ralph Sands) were the only professional help that year. The second year. when these men were late returning from lunch. Howard Risley and Harry Ohlman took over and enjoyed themselves so much that ama- teur auctioneers became a tradi- tion - it was more fun that way! Bands from Dallas and Lehman high schools played throughout the day and night, and a dinner, which had been prepared by women of the Huntsville Chris- tian Church. was held at the school. It rained that Saturday, June 7.1947. Although there was cover for part of the crowd, the auction- eers and the goods to be auc- tioned were out in the open until Fred Howell went home and got his tent which he hooked onto the barn and stretched over the auc- tioneers and their tables. Because the rain kept some people away, the auction was continued to the next Saturday. It rained so hard, in fact, that the auction was moved inside the barn. The barn then became one of the first traditions of the auction, with ensuing auctions being held at Risley’'s barn for the next quar- ter century. The old. white, wooden barn’s cramped stalls eventually proved inadequate for both the expanding auction and the grow- ing financial needs of the library. Therefore, a new ‘barn’ was de- signed by lee Eckert and John Gregorski and erecled on prop- erly adjacent to the library facili- ties on Main Street. The construc- tion was aided financially by $12,000 contribution [rom the Dallas Rotary Club. The auction barn was just one of many traditions to evolve over the vears. For years. the [first item offered over the block was purchased usually at an inflated price- by Herman Thomas, a gentleman farmer from West Dallas. When Mr. Thomas died. his widow car- ried on the custom of purchasing that first article. Herman Thomas was also re- sponsible for establishing another tradition which proved especially delightful for youngsters. Each year he donated a fleecy lamb which he personally delivered to the auction grounds in a gaily- decorated buckboard wagon. When the lamb was put on the block, the story goes. Herbert Hill Sr.. would imitate alamb’s “baaaa” each time the bidding went up a dollar. One ofthe firstitems sold at the first auction -an Ithaca calendar clock- was purchased by Fred Howell for $4, put in working or- der, and returned 20 years later when it was purchased by Albert Davis for $104. Returned by Mr. Davis for the 25th auction. the clock was sold over the block for $305. Coats also have returned time and again to the auction block. One year, Dr. Sherman Schooley appeared on the grounds in a Roaring Twenties raccoon coal. He was talked into donating the coat for sale across the block . but couldn't bear to part with il and subsequently bought it back. Continued on page 5 Start spreading the news. Big Apple Bagels is now open in your neighborhood. Now you [ can find 18 varieties of bagels and cream cheeses that are made-from-scratch EVERY DAY. Plus, delicious Brewster's’ Coffee, gourmet sandwiches...you name it, you can get fresh with us. “Rls Apple) GET Fresh WW Us (BAGELS )== ® INA VA @®) 2325 Dallas Shopping Center, Dallas, PA « 674-6667 ™ ED GEER ENN GEES SENS GENS GND GIES ED GENE GEES SE ES CD GND GES GED (NED ENS GEES GENS GENE GEES GEES Raum ——— i] 1/21B.OF [1 pei I CREAM CHEESE ; SANDWICH i | § | | hen you ry a With the purchase of | ozen bagels {| another deli sandwich (Cg AGELS ) { Limit one coupon per person per day. Good at Limit one coupon per per day Good at i ICI Or T n may i ri Vv NOt I | EE art ero rm sso © | A Emma co agg ”. ] 1 bee eee) da ~ ‘ C—O ——— a a ww “> - i SEP IR SF NE ET I aha np gn Ee ee Be Me a eg TR Lr IR Te A lie — 1/2 Round Chinas - Livestock - from sheep to calves - were a major portion of the auctions, when the Back Mountain was more rural ANNUAL TENT SALE Friday, Saturday, July 12-91t0 5 July 13-9 to - Overstock - Discontinued Floor Samples and Slightly Damaged Tables « Chairs « Stools Baskets - and Much More The Fumiture Workshop Pottery early 3 115 W. Center Hill Rd., Dallas - 675-5288 Taking a break from auction preparations, Benny Matchett naturally relaxed with a good book. | AER RY SCORE J = Ele dH AE EE HEATING OIL PROPANE SERVICE/EQUIPMENT Mrs. Crum While celebrating the auction's golden anniversary, many volun- teers will also take time to remem- ber an old friend who has been immortalized in the name of a booth. Mrs. Florence Crump. the first children’s librarian, operated the Book Booth now named in her honor and worked hard for the auctionuntil health sidelined her in 1992. She passed away August 19, 1995, at the ripe old age of 100. Alfectionately known as “the first lady of the library.” Mrs. Crump was usually the first per- son to get to work on whatever project was at hand. A genteel. humble person, she never found any job beneath her dignity. Neighbor Benny Matchett, who took over thereins of Mrs. Crump’s Book Booth, recalled some of the good old days with her beloved mentor. “She was always anxious to get to the library,” Benny said. “I promised her I'd pick her up at the end of her driveway, but she couldn't wait. First she'd call, then start walking to my house a few minutes later —- often before I'd gotten the car started. The library was her life.” Mrs. Crump also loved making suggestions to book booth brows- ers on what they might find inter- esling — made easier by her hav- ing taught several generations of pe Book Booth lives on “Her system | has mode the book oth a continuing success.” Benny Matchett Book booth chairperson the Back Mountain to love books. Blessed with an uncanny ability to charm the little ones. Mrs. Crump always seemed to know which books would pique their curiosity. The book booth didn’t start the same year as the auction. At the first auctionin 1947, Mrs. Crump ran a booth offering small purses. bolts of lace made at the local Native Textile plant and other items for the ladies. When she organized the book booth. she spent many hours all year round sorting and pricing books. using a system which Benny Matchett still uses. "Her system has made the book booth a continuing success.” she said. Between 1992 Crump’s death, Benny always called her friend the chairman emeritus of the book booth. “You don’t find women like her — genteel. refined and knowledge- able on many subjects -any more.” Benny added. Friends have described her as willy, determined and ageless, a real [riend and a very special lady whose name will live forever on a simple wooden sign hanging above theentrance to Mrs. Crump's Book Booth. and “Mrs. Many reading habits were formed on the inexpensive books sold at the auction. 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Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers