Miscellaneous Newspaper Articles From the Past
Lancaster County Pennsylvania

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Largest Delivery of Whiskey Delivered to Philadelphia

The Centinel, Gettysburg, PA, March 6, 1811

Turnpike Road

Mr. John Swat's team, consisting of five horses, from about four miles above Lancaster, arriving at this city on Monday last the 17th inst., with five horseheads and twelve barrels rye whiskey containing 1041 gallons and a half, equal in weight to about five tons; this journey with this enormous load, the largest that ever was known to come to this city, was performed in three days and a half (70 miles); the carriage at five cents per gallon amounts to 50 dollars and 7 cents. - Phil. Pap.

Lancaster Pays John Joseph Henry for Father's Estate

The Centinel, Gettysburg, PA, April 17, 1811

The Governor has signed the act relinquishing the claim of the commonwealth to certain arrears of state taxes, &c. This bill provides that if the commissioners of the county of Lancaster pay to John Joseph Henry, Esq., the sum of 1600 dollars then the balance of the claim of the commonwealth against the estate of William Henry, deceased, shall be relinquished to the commissioners of the county of Lancaster, to aid in the purchase of Witmer's bridge. The balance will be $10, 418 34. [Lan. Jour.]

Margaret Robison Searching for Missing Husband

June 26 1811

A Lost Husband!

More than 6 months ago, without any known cause my Husband left me in New Holland village, Earl township, Lancaster county; and I have never been able to obtain any intelligence of him since. His name is John Robison. He teaches school and is from Ireland; between 30 and 40 years ole, but appears older than he really is; uses spectacles and is bald headed; about 5 feet 6 inches high, stout made, of a fair complexion; his hair brown, his whiskers reddish and his eyes gray. It is supposed he went in or near Baltimore in October last.

Any person, who knows where he is, will do a humane act, by sending me a few lines to the above place informing where he is. If he is dead, an account of his death would console me. But perhaps this may fall into his hands; and can it be supposed, obdurate as his heart has been in times past, that he can read this account of distress which he himself has occasioned without feeling emotions of pity? Let him but reflect that by his persuasions he brought me from my native country and now he has left me crushed by chill penury, without friends and to complete the scene of misery, with 4 small children, the youngest but little more than 6 months old; and hard fortune, the oldest blind!! If this account of sorrow touch his heart, let him return and heal my wounds, and all his deeds will be forgotten.

Margaret Robison

June 1, 1811

The Republican Compiler, Gettysburg, PA
May 17, 1820

On Monday, the 1st inst., the new district court, for the city and county of Lancaster, was opened and duly organized. After the law establishing the court  and the commission appointing the Hon. Charles Smith L. L. D. president, were read, the president addressed the gentlemen of the bar, and a numerous audience, in a most impressive and eloquent manner.  He spoke most feelingly, and there could not have been but few present who were not affected.  - Lancaster  Intelligence.

Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
March 14, 1821

Columbia PA, March 5

Earthquake

About 4 o'clock on Saturday morning, an Earthquake was sensibly felt in this borough, which lasted nearly two minutes. The stars appeared to be unusually bright immediately after, whilst the horizon represented a pale smooky-blue, apparently disordered. - Patriot

Gettysburg Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
June 26, 1822 Page 3

Philadelphia, June 21

Supposed Murder

Considerable sensation has been experienced in Lancaster, within the last ten or twelve days, in consequence of the sudden disappearance and supposed murder of Mr. William Metayer. He was represented to be a merchant in New Orleans, who was proceeding on business to Philadelphia and New York, accompanied by his two sons. At Pittsburg, it was said, the old gentleman sold his horse, took passage in the stage, and left his sons to continue their journey on horseback.

"But their horses being unable to proceed, (we copy this part of the account from the Lancaster Gazette) they sold them, and took the stage two days journey behind their father, and finding his name entered regularly on the books at the different offices on the route, as prosecuting his journey, still two days ahead, they proceeded on, until they arrived at Mr. Elliot's hotel in Philadelphia, where they found the baggage, but their father was missing. Upon examining the (…?...) aster, they saw written opposite the entry of his name "not gone." His sons concluding he had taken suddenly ill or some accident had happened to him, one of them returned immediately to Lancaster.

Upon inquiry there, it was found, that shortly after the arrival of the stage, he had walked out, and had not been seen or heard of afterwards. As he was represented to have had a considerable sum of money with him, a suspicion immediately arose, that he had been murdered; but who had committed the horrid deed, no one could even conjecture. The Lancaster city council was called together, and a proclamation issued by the mayor, calling on the constables and the citizens generally to use their utmost exertions to discover this mystery. A reward of 400 dollars was offered by the sons for the discovery and conviction of the murderer and the restoration of the property, & C. But all to no effect.

Mr. Gaw, who traveled with old Mr. Metayer in the stage from Pittsburg to Lancaster, having met the young men in the city, previous to Louis' returning to Lancaster for search of the father asked them what had become of the old gentleman. They expressed great surprise at his not having come in the stage, and made such contradictory statements as led him to suspect all was not right.

After Louis' return from Lancaster, Mr. Gaw again inquired respecting the old gentleman, and was informed by Joseph Santee, alias John Metayer, that he was in the city and resided in Lombard street near Faird.  Mr. Gaw wished to see the old gentleman and Santee accompanied him thither. Santee addressed the lady in French (which Mr. Gaw does not understand) and she answered him in the same language. Santee told Gaw, that he inquired for Mr. Metayer, and that she had said he had gone out with his youngest son. It may be proper to remark in this that the lady, on her oath, denies this, and says, her answer was, that he did not board there; but that his trunk had been left there a short time before, by Louis Metayer in her absence. Finding these stories so contradictory, Mr. Gaw yesterday went before the Mayor, and made an affidavit of the facts. A warrant was issued, and Lewis Metayer and John Metayer, alias Joseph Santee, were arrested, on suspicion of being the murderers of their father. John was arrested first, he denied being the person, stated that he was not the son of Metayer, that his name was Joseph Santee; and that Metayer was only his god father.

A short time afterwards Louis was arrested; on examination before the mayor, they both denied that they were guilty of the murder; asserted that the old man was in the city, and that they had seen him two days previously, but pretended, for a long time, that they did not know where to find him. Finding they were likely to be committed, Louis took the high constable and the captain of the watch to a miserable hovel in Christian street near 7th. The officers remained a short distance, when he went to the door, knocked, and inquired of a woman who came to the door, for Metayer. She said he was there, and directed Louis to go round to the back door; but upon discovering the police officers that accompanied him, she denied that he was there; they however entered the house, and the captain of the watch went up stairs, where he found old Mr. Metayer sting on the garret stairs. He was taken to the Mayor's office, and after examination, the parties were all discharged.

It is stated, that a gentleman who boarded at the house of Mrs. Carr, in Pittsburg, where these mysterious persons also boarded at the time, was robbed of six thousand dollars. We learn that it has been ascertained, since their examination by the Mayor, that the old man about three years ago, was a journeyman baker in this city, and went by the name of Georgies; that Louis, about the same time, was an apprentice in a liquor store, was dismissed for misconduct, and was afterwards committed by one of the aldermen of the city, for picking a person's pocket in the market.

Not more than five hours had elapsed from the time the information was at first lodged with the mayor until the whole party were arrested. Too much praise cannot be bestowed upon the mayor and the police of the city for the activity and exertions at which they have displayed on this and all other similar occasions. Mr. Gaw, also, who belongs, to Missouri, deserves great credit for the interest he took in the business. Without him, it is very probable, this mystery would not have been so soon unraveled. - Amer. Sen.

The Execution of John Lechler

Gettysburg Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
November 6, 1822  Page 2

York, Pa., Oct 22

John Lechler was executed on Friday last at Lancaster for the murder of his wife. There having been no execution for 42 years in the county of Lancaster, the novelty and parade of such a spectable drew together about 15,000 spectators to witness the ignominious exit of Lechler. He has made a confession, in which he denies the rumours which with thousand tongues had proclaimed him guilty of other murders than those of his wife and Mrs. Haag. He persists with his dying breath that the seduction of his wife was the cause of his misfortunes - that it placed him in a dilemma, in which he had either to endure an ignominious existence or sufer an ignominious death. He says, some time in the month of February 1822, my wife without any violence on may part, confessed that she had connection with Haag for 18 months past, and at the time she confessed it, she said, "John, this will be my death." Is it possible then, said I, Polly, that you are Haag's whore? She answered yes it is the case. From this time I entertained the opinion that she was not my wife by Haag's whore. My treatment to her was harsher than usual, and she frequently told me, "Oh! John you will kill me yet." I made no reply, but thought to myself, yes you are right, I will kill you and Haag.

He says he accuses himself more for ruining poor families, while he was constable, (though he was an officer elected by a city distinguished for her noise against corruption) than for committing the crime for which he has to die. The cries of women and children, says he, was music to my ears, when I was distressing them. - Gazette.

Gettysburg Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
November 6, 1822 Page 2

It has long been a controverted point, whether public executions, by the parade with which they are conducted, do not operate on the vicious part of the community more as incitements to, than examples deterring from crime. What has taken place at Lancaster would lead one to believe that the spectacle of a public execution produces less reformation than criminal propensity. While one old offence was atoned for, more than a dozen new ones were committed, and some of a capital grade. Twenty eight persons were committed to jail on Friday night for divers offences at Lancaster, such as murder, larceny, assault and battery, & c. besides many gentlemen lost their pocket books where the pickpockets escaped, or the jail would have overflowed.

In the evening as one Thos. Burns, who was employed as a weaver at the Factory near Lancaster, was going home, he was met by one Wilson, with whom he had some previous misunderstanding, when Wilson drew a knife and gave him divers stabs in sundry places, which are considered mortal. Wilson was apprehended and committed to jail, and had the same irosn put on him which had scarcely been laid off long enough by Lechler to get cold. - Ib.

Gettysburg Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
November 6, 1822 Page 3

On the evening of the 25th ult., John Wilson, of Lampeter, stabbed Thomas Burns of Strasburg, with a large knife, who lingered till Monday morning, and then died of the wounds. Wilson had, a few minutes previously, wounded Mr. Bird of Lampeter Square, in the neck, with a sharp instrument; which caused Lockjaw, and he is not expected to recover. Wilson was immediately committed to Prison. - Lancaster Intel.

Lancaster, Pa, Feb. 1

One of our friends has politely furnished us with a minute account of the Trial of John Wilson, in the Court of Oyer and Terminer of this county - for the murder of Thomas Burns, on the evening of the 25th October last. The trial commenced on Wednesday week and continued every day until last Wednesday - at 10 o'clock that evening the Jury returned a verdict of Guilty of Murder of the second degree. On Thursday morning the Court sentenced him to the Penitentiary for 18 years - 5 thereof in the solitary cells. The Council for the Prisoner were Benjamin Champneys and N. L. Boulden, Esq'rs. - for the Commonwealth, W. Jenkins and W. C. Frazier, Esq'rs. Much legal learning was displaying by the gentlemen concerned -- Intelligencer

Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
January 22 1823 Page 3

Union, PA., Jan 14

On Friday, the 10th instant, in the court of Oyer and Terminer held for this county, came the trial of Mr. Michael M. Henry, alias Michael M'Kendrick, on the indictment for manslaughter, for killed Neal McKew. John Dawson, Esq, deputy attorney general, for the commonwealth, John Kennedy, Richard Coulter, Thomas Irwin and John M. Austin, Esquires, for the prisoner. After the examination of a number of witnesses, the council on both sides, submitted the case to the jury, under the direction of the court, without any remarks. After a short, but impressive charge from the judge, the jury retired, and in about fifteen minutes returned with a verdict of guilty. The sentence of the court was, that he should undergo an imprisonment in the Penitentiary at Philadelphia, for the term of ten years.

In the same court, George Graham, and George Banks, (the latter a coloured man,) were tried and convicted of the crime of Burglary, and sentenced to an imprisonment in the Penitentiary, the first for four years, and the latter three.

Robert Black, (a mulatto man) was tried and convicted of grand Larceny, and sentenced to an imprisonment in the Penitentiary for two years. -- Genius

Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
February 4, 1824 Page 1

Lancaster, Jan. 23

On Tuesday last, in the court of Quarter Sessions of this county, came on the trial of John Walker, for horse stealing. The defendant was arraigned on five separate indictments, for stealing five horses - the property of different individuals in this county. It appeared that for several years the defendant had practiced taking horses without leave of the owners, and selling them in the state of Delaware. Sometime last summer, in consequence of a disagreement between him and his house-keeper, his conduct was disclosed, and he was arrested for stealing a horse, of which, it appeared, he was not guilty; but while in prison, information was received which led to a disclosure of his guilt.

The evidence against the prisoner was very plain, and the jury, after a few minutes consultation, returned a verdict of Guilty on all the indictments. The court sentenced him to seven years imprisonment in the Penitentiary, for each offence; making in all 35 years. The prisoner is now 59 years of age. Should he live, and remain in the Penitentiary the full period assigned him, he will be 94 years old when he leaves it. - Journal.

Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
September 15, 1824

Dr. J. L. Atlee, of this city, lately performed a surgical operation of great delicacy with complete success. A son of J. Dinsmore, by accident had got a button mole into his windpipe, which lodging there, produced violent coughing and danger of suffocation. Dr. A. being alled saw the impossibility of relief without having recourse to the knife. The parents having consented, this was done. An opening was made through the skin of the neck into the windpipe, and the mole thus extracted. No bad consequences ensued. The wound healed in a few days and the boy now perfectly well.

Every such fact is worth recording in order to inspire public confidence in the surgical art. In the above case, had the physician through timidity or want of skill, been afraid to operate, or had the parents been unwilling to let him proceed the child must have died. - Lancaster Journal.

Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
April 21 1824

Another Robbery  was committed in this county on Saturday evening last, on a Mr. Sommers, coachmaker of the city of Lancaster. Mr. Sommers was returning from Baltimore. At the Maryland line, he met a man on foot traveling up the road, whom he passed, but found that the footman kept close behind him, till he came on the hill between Dunkie's and Ehrhart's Tavern, the footman came up to him and accosted him thus: "I am a highway robber - deliver your money or you are a dead man." Mr. Sommers, being convinced that resistance to one possessing the physical powers of the assailant, would be unavailing, delivered to him about $85 - among wich was one 50, one 20, and one 5 dollar note and 8 or 10 dollars in silver. Mr. Sommers, although he had several hundred dollars left, said he had no money to bear his expenses home, the robber returned him 4 dollars, and told him, "If I have better luck another time, I'll return all your money again." Mr. Sommers made his misfortunes known to some people he met, and from the description he gave of the perpetrator every one said it must have been Samuel Beidelman, who was apprehended and committed to the jail of York, to take his trial at the next Court to be held on the first Monday of August. - Ib.

Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)

June 9 1824

The Conestogo

The committee appointed at the late meeting of the friends of the navigation of the Conestogo, to wait upon the proprietors of lands, mills, &c., upon the borders, and contiguous to this stream, to ascertain their sentiments upon the subject of tendering fit navigable, inform the public that they have executed that duty, and have the satisfaction of informing the friends of the contemplated improvement, that instead of meeting with opposition, they found not only a general disposition in its favor, but a hearty concurrence and a determination to aid and assist in carrying it into execution.

This is as it ought to be. We rejoice that the people of our city and county are beginning to open their eyes to their true interests. We know of now measures which can produce such great and permanent advantages to the people of our city and county, as the opening a water communication with the great markets of Philadelphia and Baltimore. That it is practicable, no one, we think, can doubt. The outside calculation of the cost of a navigation by the Connestogo, is estimated at $100,000 - a small sum, certainly, for the attainment of so great an object. Whatever the cost may be, it cannot, we hope, deter the people from engaging in it, when they reflect that its accomplishment has been considered as an object of individual enterprise. - Lancaster Journal

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