Erie Co PA Miscellaneous News
The Centinel, Gettysburg, PA, July 18 1810
Erie, Penn., June 16
On Sunday, the 3d inst. This place and neighborhood, for several miles round, was visited by a most tremendous storm of wind, attended with heavy thunder, lightning and rain, ever witnessed perhaps within the recollection of our oldest settlers. The gust commenced from the south west, between five and six o'clock in the evening and blew for a few moments with such unaccustomed violence, as not only to fell innumerable trees on almost every man's plantation, but to level fences, up roof houses and barns, and one new log house it blew entirely down to its foundation. Many of our farmers have sustained serious losses, insomuch that some were almost discouraged from trying to plant or cultivate their corn.
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
June 2 1824
From the Erie Gazette
The late sessions of our court of Oyer and Terminer excited great interest; as well on account of the number as the importance of the public prosecutios and we trust that the fate of those convicted of passing counterfeit money will relieve us for a season, at least, from the horde of counterfeiters, to which, from our situation on the frontiers, we are so much exposed.
Phineas L. Rogers was indicted for passing counterfeit money. He was found guilty and sentenced to pay a fine of $50, to pay the costs of prosecution, and undergo a confinement for 10 years in the penitentiary.
John Miles was indicted for the same offence. He was convicted and sentenced to pay a fien of $10, to pay the costs of persecution, and undergo a confinement for five years in the penitentiary.
(?) Russell was indicted for assisting Charles Butler, confined in the jail of this county for passing counterfeit money, to escape from prison. He was convicted, and sentenced to pay a fine of $50, to pay the costs of prosecution, and undergo a confinement for three years in the penitentiary.
Thomas Doyle was indicted for grand larceny. He was convicted, and sentenced to pay a fine of $1, to pay the costs of prosecution, and undergo a confinement in the jail of this county for one year.
Thomas Dixon's Cow
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) March 15, 1826
Remarkable Fecundity
A cow owned by Mr. Thomas Dixon of Springfield township in this county has had six calves in less than a year - two at the first calving and four at the next. The cow is of rather a small size. - Erie Gazette.
Cornelius Haggerty's House and Barn Destroyed by Fire
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) May 31, 1826
Erie, Pa, May 11.
Fire!
On Thursday afternoon last, the house and barn of Cornelius Haggerty of Fairview township in this county were destroyed by fire, with all their contents and there was barely time to remove Mrs. Haggerty who was confined to bed by sickness. Mr. H. had put fire to some log heaps in the field adjoining the house in morning and the wind raising, fire was communicated to some dry trees standing in the field and from them to the roofs of the house and barn and so rapid was the progress of the fire that Mr. Haggerty was able to save nothing but his wife and children. We understand that his neighbors to the number of fifty-seven, with about twenty-five teams, turned out the next day and put up a house for him. Besides the loss of his furniture, beds, bedding, clothing, &c., we are informed that Mr. Haggerty lost a considerable quantity of grain and hay, two barrels of pork and two of beef.
Hiram W. Kindsley Arrested for Theft
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania December 27 1826
Erie, Dec. 14
Hiram W. Kindsley, who, last week stole no less than three horses in this county, one set of leathers, bridles and saddles, great coats, cloaks &c., and a one horse wagon, at Ashtabula, Ohio, was safely lodged in our jail on Monday last. He was arrested on Thursday last, in Chautauqua county, N.Y. and takes through this place, with the intention of taking him to Ashtabula, but that night he made his escape, and the next night stoel a horse, saddle, bridle and great coat; and was again arrested on Sunday, in the south-west part of this county. It is believed there is a gang of horse thieves in this section of the country, and owners of horses should keep their stable doors locked. - Gazette.
Hiram W. Kindsley Escapes Prison
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania April 11, 1827
Pittsburg, April 2
Elopement from the Penitentiary
On Thursday night last, Hiram W. Lindsey, a convict from Erie county, took his departure from the Allegheny Penitentiary, bidding defiance to the "powerful and ingenious fastening,' by which the doors of his cell had been secured. We learn that he had effected his escape by means of a pewter spoon, which had been converted into a key, in a very mechanical manner. This being the fact, the keepers are completely above suspicion of neglect on their part; and we are warranted in censuring the parsimonious disposition of the gentlemen, who preferred cheap locks for the Penitentiary without having reference to workmanship or quality. As a specimen of a cool and calculating Yankee, Lindsey left behind him, no doubt for public inspection, the pewter key and a not to the following effect: "Hiram W. Lindsy's compliments to the first and second keepers of the Penitentiary, informs them that he has proceeded to Washington city, in order to obtain a Patent for an old Yankee trick." - Journal
Weekly Indiana State Journal January 29, 1896
Contributed by Barbara Ziegenmeyer
SHE OBEYED THE SPIRITS.
Mrs. Nellis, Alleged Poisoner, Influenced by a Medium Gardner
ERIE, Pa., Jan. 27.—Mrs. Kate M. Nellis and Edgar Gardner, who were arrested late last night at Girard, Pa., on the charge of poisoning the woman's husband, Peter Nellis, had a hearing to-day, when both pleaded not guilty. Mrs. Nellis is said to hare been under the influence or Gardner, who is an alleged spiritualist medium. Letters are in the possession of county detective Sullivan from Gardner to Mrs. Nellis which he believes will connect the former with the case Indirectly at least. Gardner is said to have been predicting there would be a case of poisoning in Girard within two years. Last summer he sent word to Mrs. Nellis that the spirits directed her to go to Cassadaga. and occupy a cottage there. She went, and is said to have entertained the medium as well as her husband there for a long time at a cost of several hundred dollars. Gardner is also said to have told Mrs. Nellis that in order to get closer relations with the spirits she must buy two diamond rings,presenting one to him and wearing the other herself, which she did. The Nellises Kept the leading hotel in Girard, a town of about 1,000 Inhabitants. Mrs. Nellis is about fifty years of age, and her husband was slightly older.