Clinton Co PA Miscellaneous News Paper Articles From the Past
The Adams Sentinel (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
October 25 1847
The Late Flood
Additional accounts have been received from all quarters, which represent the damage sustained by the late freshet to be infinitely greater than was at first supposed. The destruction to public and private property has been immence.
Accounts received from Williamsport give a fearful picture of the disasters caused by the almost unprecedented rise in the West Branch. The river commenced rising with alarming rapidity, and, on Friday evening, the citizens were alarmed with the ringing of bells, and loud cries of "turn out," "turn out," "the flood," "the flood", &c. &c. Men, women and children rushed from their dwellings in alarm and trepidation. The scene is represented as fearful in the extreme. Every effort was made to guard against an inundation; but about five o'clock on Saturday morning, the river broke over the embankment and came through the town with a rush, filling the houses on the low grounds to the second floor.
Lock Haven was completely inundated, the water being ten feet deep in Main street, and boats passed from house to house. The citizens were obliged to take their horses, cattle, &c., into their dwelling-houses to save them. The destruction of property all along the river above Lock Haven was immense; houses, stables, saw-mills, grist-mills, fences &c., were swept off, and many farmers lost all their grain.
The Susquehanna and Tide Water Canal has been ascertained, by a survey, to be not so seriously damaged as was at first supposed. It is stated that the sum of three hundred dollars will probably repair all the damage sustained on it.
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
January 29 1855
The Lock Haven Tribune, the Whig organ of Clinton county, has been discontinued, and a new paper, entitled the American Watchman, started in its place, to be devoted to the advocacy of the principles of Know-Nothingist. The Watchman is edited by Thos. Martin.
The Agitator (Wellsboro, Pennsylvania)
April 28 1859
Clinton County
Twenty four rafts escaped over the dam at Lock Haven during a recent freshet, and were completely wrecked. The high water on Larr's Creek was unusually severe in its effects, carrying away dams, bridges, and large quantities of timber.
The Agitator (Wellsboro, Pennsylvania)
July 14 1859
Clinton county
The Watchman contains the following account of the formal opening of the Sunbury & Erie Rail Road to Lock Haven
At 7 o'clock on last Friday the first train of cars to this place over the Sunbury and Erie Railroad arrived from Philadelphia, bringing the Philadelphia mail and that morning's paper. Their approach was announced by the ringing of bells, firing of canons, and the blowing of the steam whistles of the different saw mills in this vicinity. Between three and four thousand citizens, headed by the Brass Band, the Steuben Rifles and Lock Haven Artillery met the passengers at the depot upon their arrival. A procession of omnibuses and carriages were formed which passed through the principal streets, stopping at the Fulton House and White's Hotel. At dark nearly every building, with the exception of the Democrat office, on the principal streets were illuminated, and at half past 9 o'clock the military paraded, and after firing salutes, a procession of citizens was formed, headed by the military and Brass Band, and after marching through town, a very eloquent address was delivered by L. A. Mackey, Esq., which was responded to by ex. Gov. John W. Geary.
The town never looked so beautiful before, and the streets were thronged until a late hour at night. Everything passed off with the greatest enthusiasm and without any serious accident.
The Indiana Democrat (Indiana, Pennsylvania)
December 11 1862
Fire at Lock Haven
Great Destruction of Property
The Postoffice, Bank and other Valuable Property in Ruins
Lock Haven, Dec. 7
A very destructive fire broke out in Sloan's cabinet warerooms, in this borough, yesterday morning about four o'clock. The wind being very high at the time, the flames soon communicated to the adjoining property. Over two squares of buildings were destroyed, including the bank, the Clinton House, Postoffice, European Hotel, Rodger & Redel's Hardware Store and about sixty stores, offices and dwellings. Very little property could be saved in the buildings. All the best business part of the town is insured.
The Fallon House and property on the east bank of the river is safe. The property was largely insures. All the money, books and papers in the Lock Haven Bank were saved in their vaults, and the business of the Bank will continue as heretofore. The loss of property is estimated at from $100,000 to $150,000.
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