Pike County PA
News Articles From the Past

Transcribed by Nancy Piper unless otherwise noted.

Mrs. Mary Spencer's Home Destroyed by Fire

Evening Gazette (Port Jervis, New York) May 13 1869

We learn from the Milford Herald that the dwelling house of Mrs. Mary Spencer, four miles below Dingman's was destroyed by fire on Monday. Took fire from a defective stove-pipe.

Peter S. Henry Killed 400 lb Bear

Evening Gazette (Port Jervis, New York) May 25 1869

The Milford Herald is informed that Peter S. Henry of Porter township, killed a bear recently; which when dressed weighed 400 pounds.

Eleven Licenses Granted to Milford

Evening Gazette (Port Jervis, New York) June 3, 1869

The Judges of Pike county granted licenses last week, to six hotels in the village of Milford, and to eleven, in the township of Lacawaxen.

Crime at Milford

Evening Gazette (Port Jervis, New York) August 5, 1869

Our Milford correspondent writes that the store of J. H. Wallace & Sons was again visted by burglars on Tuesday night last, who effected an entrance by boring through the door and breaking the bolt. The burglars then went to work drilling into the safe. After they had worked awhile they discovered that the safe was unlocked, and had no money or valuables in it, whereupon they picked up their tools and left in disgust, without taking anything of value from the store.

In the case of the jewelry and other valuables stolen from boarders at Dimmick's hotel, the Herald days that the thief has been discovered in the person of the servant of one of the lady boarders. The property was recovered, and the culprit was permitted to depart.

Dingman's Ferry

Evening Gazette (Port Jervis, New York) August 14, 1869

Dingman's Ferry, Pa., eight miles below Milford, is quite a summer resort. The scenery is fine, good fishing and boating, and in addition the Soap-trough and High Falls are the handsomest falls in this section of country. The High Falls hotel, kept by Dr. P. F. Fulmer, has among its distinguished visitors, Rev. Dr. McCosh, president of Princeton College, N.J.

Railroad Meeting at Milford

Evening Gazette (Port Jervis, New York) September 7, 1869

We learn from the Milford Herald that the Railroad meeting in Milford, last night, after remarks by Major Seymour and Messrs. H. S. Mott, D. M. Van Auken and John Nyce, it was voted to appoint a committee of five citizens to confer with the Erie and the New Jersey Western Companies in relative to building a railroad to Milford, accordingly the following gentlemen were appointed as said committee: H. S. Mott, John Schummel, C. D. Pinchot, d. M. Van Auken and John H. Wallace. The meeting then adjourned.

Fire at Dingman's

Evening Gazette (Port Jervis, New York) September 9, 1869

We learn from the Milford Herald that a fire occurred on the premises of Mr. Peter F(?)ahmerfelt, about one mile this side of Dingman's Choice, Sunday afternoon, by which two houses and a barn, belonging to the above named gentleman, were totally destroyed. The fire was caused by a small son of Mr. F. playing with matches in the barn - which was well filled with hay and grain. The loss will reach $2,500; insured for $1,000. The family of Mr. Prolasco, who occupied one of the houses, lost nearly everything.

Evening Gazette (Port Jervis, New York) October 9, 1869

The Easton Daily Express speaks of our neighboring village of Milford as follows: Milford is rapidly improving; several beautiful houses with Mansard roods are going up. Mr. David A. Wells has enclosed a large and spacious building at the lower end of Broad street, designed for a dwelling and furniture warehouse. D. M. Van Auken, Esq., is building large and extensive stables for the better accommodation of his thoroughbred Hambletonian horses. A line of four horse stages run twice daily between that place and Port Jervis.

Joshua Cole of New Jersey to Match Stallion with  H. M. Bull's Mare

Evening Gazette (Port Jervis, New York) October 23, 1869

Joshua Cole, of Montague, N.J., offers to match his stallion, "American Emperor," with the bay mare, "Lizzie," belonging to Mr. H. M. Bull, of Milford, Pa, for $100, $50 forfeit. Mr. Bull signified his acceptance, the race to take place either on the Brick House or Newton track, on any day Mr. Cole may name.

Attempted Burglary at Store of Newman and Mitchell, Milford, PA.

Evening Gazette (Port Jervis, New York) October 30, 1869

Our Milford correspondent writes us that on Thursday night, an attempt was made by burglars to enter the store of Newman & Mitchell, at Milford, but proved unsuccessful as they were evidently frightened away. Mr. Newman sleeps in the store, and about eleven o'clock as he was about to retire, he observed some pieces of stovepipe laying on the floor, and knowing it was uncommon for it to lay there, looked around and discovered a small auger hole bored in the door opposite where the stovepipe stood against it, thereby knocking it over. The burglars were evidently not old hands.

William Davis in Serious Accident

Evening Gazette (Port Jervis, New York) November 4, 1869

The Herald says, William Davis, Esq., of Milford, Pa., met with quite a serious accident one day last week, as he was returning to Stroudsburg from this place, by the running away of his horse. He was thrown from his wagon, receiving several severe cut in the head, and also injuring one of his arms quite badly. He is improving.

Mr. Fay Replaced Paul Decker at Erie RR

Evening Gazette (Port Jervis, New York) December 2, 1869

A correspondent of the Milford Herald says that for some unknown reason Paul Decker has been removed from the employ of the Erie RR. Company, and a Mr. Fay appointed in his place. The citizens of Lackawaxen sympathize with Mr. Decker, prudently thinking he had been treated unjustly. He intends to remove to Oil City, Penn.

Doings at Milford, Pa for the Holidays

Evening Gazette (Port Jervis, New York) January 6, 1870

The Herald chronicles holiday doings at Milford from which we gather the following:

On Christmas eve, the heart of the pastor of the Presbyterian church was gladdened by the visit of a large number of his parishioners, who in a substantial manner testified their appreciation of his services.

The same evening the Templar's Goodwill Society enjoyed a fine oyster supper and concomitant luxuries at the residence of J. Vic. Quick, Esq.

On Monday evening, St. John's Day, the members of Milford Lodge, No. 344, A.Y.M. and a large number of invited guests enjoyed a splendid collation, and tripped to the music of Wannemacher's Band, at the Sawkill House.

On Tuesday evening the members of the Presbyterian Sabbath School were entertained in a very hospitable manner by their pastor, Rev. R. H. Beattie.

The same evening, Mr. Frank Nelson gave a very interesting entertainment at the Court House.

On Thursday evening the Goodwill Society "held forth" at the house of Chris. Leidle, Esq.

On Friday evening, the Good Templars held an oyster supper & C., at their hall, which was well attended.

Samuel Deitrick and Jervis Gordon have purchased of Mrs. Sarah Finger, the upper grist mill, at Milford, Pa.

Hon. W.H. Dimmick Appointed to Several Committees

Evening Gazette (Port Jervis, New York) January 27, 1870

Hon. W. H. Dimmick, the Representative from the Pike and Wayne district in the Pennsylvania legislature, has been appointed on the following committees: Judicatory General Bridge and Ferries, Estates and Escheros, Accounts and Retrenchments and Reform. He is also a member of the Special committee to try one of the contested election cases.

Mysterious Graves Dug

Evening Gazette (Port Jervis, New York) January 27, 1870

The Milford Herald says Lackawaxen is considerably excited over the finding of three or four new graves, which have been dug very mysteriously. No one was ever buried there, and up to the writing the holes remain the same as when first found. Some conjecture that stolen goods have been deposited there, and now taken up, whilst others believe some terrible crime has been committed and that the perpetrators intended to cover up their deed by burying the victims here. It is a mystery, at any rate, which we should like to see cleared up.

August Kaiser Skips Town

Gazette Bulletin (Williamsport, Pennsylvania) November 18, 1879

August Kaiser, a prominent merchant of Milford, Pike county, disappeared from that town about a week ago and has not since been seen. His wife left a day or two before, announcing that she was going to pay a visit. The husband removed considerable goods from the building and went away after dark. It has since been found that he had borrowed large sums of money from different parties, and had given judgment notes for the same. Kaiser was considered good, as he held considerable real estate in Milford; but since his disappearance it has been discovered that he had mortgaged his property for its full value.

Heavy Snow Storm

The Wellsboro Agitator (Wellsboro, Pennsylvania)
January 17 1882

A very heavy snow storm visited Pike county on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Six inches of snow fell at Millford, and over a foot in Lackawaxen valley.

Lewis Cornelius, Largest Man in Pike County

The Salem Daily News (Salem, Ohio) September 11, 1891

He Weighed 645 Pounds

A very few old Philadelphians who were summer visitors to Milford, Pike county, fifty years ago, remember Lewis Cornelius, who kept the old Sawkill House, and well they may, for he was one of the big men of Pike and of Pennsylvania, perhaps the biggest of his time or any time. He weighted, without clothes, 645 pounds, measured 6 feet in height, 6 feet 2 inches around the waist, 8 feet 2 inches below the waist and throughout was in proportion. He died in 1841 - Philadelphia Press

The Wellsboro Agitator (Wellsboro, Pennsylvania)
August 9, 1899

Miss Eva Quick, of Lackawaxen, Pike county, the other day was lying in a hammock reading when she heard a rustling in the leaves near her head. She was terrified to behold a huge rattler in the act of springing. Before she could make any outcry the snake was beside her in the hammock. Uttering a piercing shriek she bounded from the hammock, which action undoubtedly saved her life, for the snake, which had fastened its fangs in her skirt, was forced to loose its hold. She then procured a hoe and killed the reptile, which sported eleven rattlers and measured four feet seven inches.

Indiana Weekly Messenger (Indiana, Pennsylvania)
November 22 1899

Last year not less than 200 deer were killed in Pike county. This year this record will probably be surpassed. Already more than 100 deer have been killed. This week Floyd Frisbie, Green township, killed four deer, two of which he shot in one day. He used only four shells, and thus secures the chapionship.

Thursday afternoon a magnificent five pronged buck made his appearance in the garden of Constablbe Frank Kelley at Lackawaxen. Mrs. Kelley saw it as it was making a meal in the cabbage patch, and immediately gave the alarm. Before anyone could arrive there with a gun the game was gone. In less than an hour no less than 32 people were in pursuit of that deet. They included the constable, hotelkeepers, restaurateurs, railroad employees and many small boys. They scoured the woods for two days but did not secure the buck, although they bagged much small game.

Daily Gazette and Bulletin (Williamsport, Pennsylvania)
May 29 1900

Their Den In The Woods

Authorities Unearth a Shanty of Robbers in Pike County

Stroudsburg, May 28 In the wilds of Pike County near Kimble's the authorities of Pike have discovered an old chanty which for years has been used as a robber's retreat. The place was discovered by Constabler Kelley, of Lackawawxen, and Field Detective Feldman. Information was received by these men that the goods stolen from the Rowland's store a few nights ago were taken to this place. When the men arrived there they found Harrison Spangenburgh, Joe Bell and two young girls, one of them thirteen years and a twelve years old boy in the cabin. The three masculine occupants were taken into custody. The property stolen from Rowland's store was recovered. Since their arrest, the men have confessed to robbing Kipp's store at Wilsonville and Pierson's mill at Hawley.

Bedford Gazette (Bedford, Pennsylvania)
October 12 1923

Hawley - Approximately 2900 men are to be employed on the $5,000,000 dam project, which the Pennsylvania Power and Light company has undertaken at Wilsonville, near here. This is 1000 more persons than the normal population of Hawley. The dam is being constructed to furnish ower to a giant hydro-electric plant. The reservoir to be created by the dam is to be known as Lake Wallenpaupack, and its circumference, including the covers, will be about fifty-four miles. The Hawley division of the Pennsylvania Power and Light Company includes several chartered companies in Wayne, Pike, Monroe, Lackawanna and Luzerne counties.

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