Free classifieds page 19 Santa’s coming! see pages 11 & 17 SUSQUEHANNA TIMES Susquehanna Times & The Mount Joy Bulletin MARIETTA & MOUNT JOY, PA. Vol. 76 No. 47 November 24, 1976 When the water ran high, the watermen boozed brawled and sang from Lock Haver to Marietta. Their job was piloting huge log rafts down the treacherous Susquehanna. Senior class play It was not a timid man’s job. , In the narrow gorges, jagged boulders cut the current, or lurked beneath the surface like monsters’ teeth. The river mangled rafts, swallowed their crews, and spit the bodies on her muddy banks. The rafts glided through wild and lawless country, where hijackers sometimes lurked behind the willows on the shore. As the land became civilized, railroad bridges and dams made the job even more dangerous. The men who piloted the Sue Miller eats, Cindy Charles watches, in a scene from the rollicking comedy ‘‘Meet Me in St. Louis.” The DHS senior class treated local audiences to a riotous performance of the play last weekend. For more photos, see page 3. Indians end season with a victory rafts knew every bend, rock, and island in the river. Their muscle and skill steered a booming lumber industry into river towns like Marietta. Their legendary thirst kept plenty of tavern-keepers afloat. In “The Long, Crooked River, Richmond Myers describes the watermen: “The riverman...lived a hard life, working hard, playing hard, and drinking hard liquor. He fought on the least provocation, but bowed to discipline, taking orders and carrying them out without the least com- plaint. ‘“‘Always ready to render ) ’ % Fo One of the best football teams in Donegal High School history runs off the field for the last time after massacring Lebanon Catholic on Saturday. For a report on the game, and a list of the year’s leading scorers, rushers, tacklers and pass receivers, see back page. i assistance, he was just as quick to resent an injury to himself or his fellow river- man. He was loyal to his clan, and they stuck to- gether from one drunken brawl to the next.” middle 1800's, In the _ FIFTEEN CENTS rietta run 5 ——— ET a oe = 4: TS GI drawing by Lisa Madenspacher most of America’s lumber was rafted down the Sus- quehanna. Taverns sprouted like mushrooms in the woods along the shore, and float- ing bars were anchored in mid-stream. - [continued on page 2] Marietta firemen prevent major blaze Fire broke out-in a barn on north Bank St. in Marietta on Saturday after- noon at 4:30 p.m. Lancas- ter County Fire Marshall Paul Z. Knier stated that the swift response from the Pioneer Fire Co. of Mari- etta preyented what ‘‘could have been’’ a major fire. The fire was discovered by William Breckline who lives next to the barn. Breckline stated that he smelled smoke and at first though it was someone burning a fireplace. Upon looking out his window he saw smoke coming from the barn. Marshall Knier and Zone 7 Fire Marshall Tim Deeg, of Columbia, investigated the incident and placed the blame on vandals smoking in the barn and accidently setting off some hay and carpet padding that were stored in the building. The barn is owned by the Clabel Reality Co. of Lan- caster and is rented by the Meigt Brothers of Bain- bridge R.D.1. Pioneer Asst. Chief Har- old McKain reported he had 18 fireman, 5 fire police, and three trucks respond on the call. Marietta Police are con- tinuing the investigation. Cancelled Due to the lack of interest Ladies Auxiliary to Maytown Fire Company Christmas Party has been cancelled.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers