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Miscellaneous Newspaper Articles From the Past
Armstrong County Pennsylvania


Taken from the Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
August 1, 1821

New Roads Built in Armstrong County

Kittanning, July 7

It is with pleasure we state, that the part of the road from Kittanning to the mouth of Anderson's creek, which lies in the county of Armstrong, being upwards of seventeen miles, has all been sold out; and that the commissioners will have a surplus left of upwards of one hundred dollars, for making further improvements, such as widening and repairing the road, &c. Where digging is necessary, the road is to be made ten feet wide, the bridges twelve feet, and where no digging will be required, the road to be seventeen feet wife. Contracts have been made for building three bridges, two across Piney and one across Cowanshannock.

The commissioners in the other counties are making preparations for selling out the remainder of the road; and there is but little doubt, that with proper management, they may dispose of it on the same advantageous terms.

We understand that the commissioners for the Olean road, have disposed of that part of the road which lies in Armstrong county, on very favorable terms, and that they will have a balance left of six or seven hundred dollars, which they intend to appropriate to building bridges, &c. The extent of this road, in Armstrong county, is upwards of thirty miles, and nearly one-third of the distance to the state line. It is said, that the New-Yorkers have opened the road to the state line, about six miles, and that they are extremely anxious to see the road completed to Kittanning.

The importance of these roads when once opened, must appear obvious to the most casual observer. A good carriage road will be opened from the head waters of the Allegheny, at the point of embarkation, to this place, and from the river Susquehanna to the Allegheny, intersecting the great Northern Turnpike. Nor will the facility of traveling be the only benefit that will result from the opening of these roads. It will be the great means of settling an important section of the state, which is now a wilderness, and increasing its population and wealth with astonishing rapidity.


The Adams Sentinel (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
April 1, 1844

Sale of the Great Western Iron Works

These extensive works, including 2000 acres of land, wree dols Monday last at Kittanning by the Sheriff of Armstrong county for $171,000, which covered a mortgage of $120,000 - the judgement creditors and some othe claims in the hands of Attorneys. The purchaser was Mr. Pray, of Boston - Pittsburg Goz..


Lawenceburg Changed to Parker's Landing

Indiana Progress (Indiana, Pennsylvania) March 2, 1871

Name Changed. - The name of the postoffice known as "Lawenceburg," Armstrong county Pa., has been changed by the department to "Parker's Landing." The change of base of business caused by the oil interest, as well as the greater familiarity of the name now adopted is given as the cause for the change.


Taken From the Warren Evening Mirror (Warren, Pennsylvania)
January 18, 1908

Fixes Prices of "Damn"

Kittanning Justice Rates Cuss Words at 67 Cents Apiece

Kittanning Jan. 18 - At a hearing before Justice of the Peace Isaac miller, Burgess H. J. Hays was fined for using three cuss words at the rate of 67 cents a cuss. Incidentally, Justice Miller decided the term "damn" is not profanity. The information against Hays was filed by Rev. O. H. Boughton, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church. The miniseter alleged that while he was talking in the street with a friend the burgess approached and remarked that preachers were "liars', interspersing his comments with words barred from polite conversation. The minister was sustained at the hearing, but the burgess protested that "damn" was not a swear-word. After considering the point the justice sided with him.


Policemen to Fine Offenders (For Spitting)

Warren Evening Mirror (Warren, Pennsylvania) February 19, 1908

Kittaning, Feb. 19 - If the borough solicitor decides it to be legal, a novel manner of enforcing the anti-spitting ordinance will be adopted. It is the intention to authorize the police to collect fines of $1 immediately on detecting a violation and give a receipt without taking the offender before the burgess.


Brawl Causes License Revokement

Warren Evening Mirror (Warren, Pennsylvania) April 15, 1908

Kittanning, April 15 - Judge Patterson revoked the license of the St. James hotel at Rural Valley. Two weeks ago a brawl was started in the barroom of the hotel, and in ejecting the participants, R. G. Curran, the proprietor, used a revolver, with the result that spectators at a distance were shot. After hearing a number of witnesses on both sides the license was revoked.


Harry K. Thaw to Replace Manor Bell.

Warren Evening Mirror (Warren, Pennsylvania) July 9, 1908

Kittanning, Pa., July 9 - The trustees of the Manor Memorial Presbyterian church of Ford City have received a communication from Harry Kendall Thaw, in which he says he will replace the bell recently destroyed in a fire that burned the church.


Frank Wolfe's Runaway Team Swims River

Warren Evening Mirror (Warren, Pennsylvania) > 1908 > September > 12

Kittanning, Pa., Sept 12 - Dashing down the river bank, running over a ferryboat and juming into the river was a feat accomplished by a team of horses at Templeton. Frank Wolfe who was hauling lumber, after putting a head load on his wagon, tied his team. The horses broke loose and rushing over the bank, with the wagon attached, dashed into the river from the ferryboat, and swam for the other shore. The team landed safely at the other shore, pulled the wagon and lumber up on the beach and waited there until the owner reached them.


Adams County News (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
December 26, 1908

$1,000,000 Worth of Lumber Tied Up

Kittanning, PA, Dec. 24 - Nearly $1,000,000 worth of lumber is lying at dockes in the Allegheny river between here and Tionesta waiting for favorable conditions to send it to Pittsburg. Apprehension is felt as to its safety, for the lumber would be carried away by the spring freshets should the river freezer solid at this stage.


Charles "Mule" Crytzer Outraces Enraged Taxi Driver and Beats His Fare

Simpson's Leader-Times (Kittanning, Pennsylvania) January 2, 1929, Page 1

His ability as a sprinter is alleged to have enabled Charles "Mule" Crytzer, well known in town to beat a taxi fare of $25 from Blairsville to this place Monday afternoon. According to the story related to Squire Frank J. Atkins, Crytzer approached a taxi man in Blairville with a tale that he was without funds and was anxious to get to Kittanning to draw a pay of $197 Crytzer is alleged to have said he would be glad to pay the taxi man $25 as the far for the trip.

Crytzer's offer was accepted and the trip was made. As soon as Crytzer was driven into town he asked the driver to stop at a store while he went inside for a few minutes to see a friend. Becoming suspicious, the driver decided to keep Crytzer in sight. When the latter discovered he was being followed he is alleged to have started to run with the taxi man in pursuit.

An exciting chase over streets, through alleys and out into the residential district followed. Crytzer finally took over the river bank and after a few minutes he managed to elude his pursuer. The driver later went before Squire Frank J. Atkins where he preferred an information against Crytzer and the officers are now looking for him.


Albert Yaney, Clarion County Man Is Picked Up Here

Simpson's Leader-Times (Kittanning, Pennsylvania) January 2, 1929, Page 1

Albert Yaney, aged about 39, who is believed to be mentally unbalanced, was picked up in West Kittanning Tuesday night and lodged in the county jail. Yaney is a resident of Clarion county. The county commissioners have notified the Clarion authorities and it is expected that the sheriff of that country will arrive today to take charge of Yaney.


Donald McElfresh Furnishes Bail

Simpson's Leader-Times (Kittanning, Pennsylvania) January 2, 1929, Page 1

Donald McElfresh, of Ford City has furnished bail before Squire Frank J. Atkins for March court on a charge of non support lodged by his wife Katherine Bovard McElfresh.


Mr. and Mrs. R. E. McCullough Move to Leechburg

Simpson's Leader-Times (Kittanning, Pennsylvania) January 2, 1929, Page 1

Mr. and Mrs. R. E. McCullough and daughter, formerly of Queen street, left Monday for Leechburg, where they will make their future home.

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