Sullivan County PA Miscellaneous News Articles

Transcribed by Nancy Piper unless otherwise stated

John Milfin Accidently Killed by Rifle

The Wellsboro Agitator, Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, December 16, 1879

A dispatch dated Towanda Pa., Nov. 26th says that a man named John Miflin drove into Dushore intending to spend a few days hunting in the forest of Sullivan county. He put his horses in the hotel barn and then proceeded to draw his rifle out of the back of the wagon. The hammer caught and the gun was discharged the ball entering the left side and lodging near the spine. He died at six o'clock the next morning. He retained possession of his faculties until the last.

Michael Meylert Candidate for Senate

The Wellsboro Agitator, Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, April 27, 1880

Michael Meylert of Sullivan County will be a candidate for the vacancy caused by the death of Senator Jackson. As Mr. Meylert weighs about 360 pounds there need be little doubt about his ability to fill any vacancy as far as bodily presence goes and he has also a long head on the top of his broad shoulders.

The Wellsboro Agitator (Wellsboro, Pennsylvania)
August 8 1882

The Dushore Review says two maiden ladies of Sullivan county Sarah and Hannah Grange were left at the time of their father's death some twenty years ago in possession of a farm of one hundred acres, partially cleared. Ever since then the property has been under their management. They have cleared the remainder of the land, have built sheds and outbuildings, have purchased and paid for fifty acres of woodland adjoining, have so managed that their farm is in a first class state of cultivation and at this time have a snug sum of money at interest. In addition they have cared for their aged mother, who is now 95 years of age and very feeble. These ladies are certainly entitled to much credit for their exhibition of good judgment and care.

John Harrison Home Struck by Lightning

The Wellsboro Agitator, Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, May 22, 1883

During the recent thunderstorm, the house of John Harrison, in Forks township, Sullivan county, was struck by lightning. Eight persons in the house were more or less stunned but all have recovered. A dog, lying between two of the people, was instantly killed.

Forest Fires in Wilmot and Barclay Townships

The Wellsboro Agitator, Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, May 29, 1883

Destructive forest fires raged in Wilmot and Barclay townships, Bradford county and Colly township, Sullivan county, on the 19th and 20th ultimo. Much bark was burned and valuable timber destroyed. A large steam saw mill and several dwelling houses were burned in Sullivan county and the property of Barclay Coal Company was saved only through the efforts of a fire brigade fighting the fires for thirty six hours.

Glass Works near Eaglesmere

The Wellsboro Agitator, Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, May 13, 1884

It is said that glass works will be built near Eaglesmere, Sullivan county as soon as the railroad along Muncy creek is completed. Sixty years ago glass works were built and operated at Eaglesmere and portions of the walls of the old buildings are still standing.

Sylvester Pierce Dies in Accident

The Wellsboro Agitator, Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, April 13, 1886

A serious accident occurred at Hills grove Sullivan county a few days ago which resulted in the death of a young man named Sylvester Pierce. While at work upon J Campbell's log drive on Mill creek he was breaking a jam of logs and when they started he jumped upon the ice which broke and he was thrown into the water and drowned as well as crushed by the logs. His remains were found on Sunday afternoon. He leaves a young wife to mourn his loss.

The Wellsboro Agitator (Wellsboro, Pennsylvania)
July 27 1886

A few days ago Mr. M T Shattuck started to walk from LaPorte to Forksville, Sullivan county. The road is a lonely one through a dense forest. When about four miles from Forksville at about 9 pm he was attacked by a large black bear. Drawing his penknife he made a vigorous fight but finally sought safety in flight. He was badly bitten in the arm and had his coat literally torn off. He left that and his cap and a purse containing $40 as spoils for the enemy. On reaching Forksville he was in an exhausted condition. In the morning his property was recovered. The coat was badly torn but all the money was found. As it is a very rare occurrence for a bear to attack a man it is thought that Mr. Shattuck stirred up a bear and her cubs though he says he saw no other except the one with which he fought.

Sawyer Saw Mill Destroyed by Fire

The Wellsboro Agitator, Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, Aug 31, 1886

The saw mill owned by Mrs. Olive Sawyer at Fox Center, Sullivan county, was burned a few nights ago. Loss, $2,500.

George Stephens Killed in Hunting Accident

The Wellsboro Agitator, Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, November 29, 1887

Last Tuesday a sad accident happened while a party of hunters were on a bear-hunt in Sullivan county. The party had been hunting during the day in different parts of the forest; and a young man named Lott, of Larrysville, Pa., reached the cabin first in the evening. He climbed a tree to break spruce or brush with which to soften his bunk. While in this act George Stephens for Forksville, reached camp and in the darkness, mistaking Lott among the leaves for a bear, brought his gun to his shoulder, took aim and fired. The unfortunate young man dropped to the ground immediately, gave a groan and soon expired. The grief of the party and especially fo the man who had made the mistake on discovering that one of their number had met such an untimely death, can be better imagined than described. It was a sad, not to say terrible ending to what was to be a pleasure party and it will probably be years before it is blotted from their memory.

Jenning Brothers' Store Robbed

The Wellsboro Agitator, Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, February 5, 1890

A Dushore, Sullivan county dispatch says that a daring robbery was committed in Jennings Brothers' branch store at Shady Nook, a lumber camp about six miles from that place, last Tuesday morning. The robber, who is Frank Sharp, entered the store and asked for a paper of tobacco. Henry Castle, the clerk, who was the only person present, turned to get the tobacco and on turning back, found a revolver leveled at his head. Sharp demanded what money there was in the store. Mr. Castle was compelled to comply with the demand and handed him the contents of the cash-drawer, the amount being about $50. After securing the money Sharp backed to the door and escaped into the woods. There are efforts being made to catch him.

Daily Gazette and Bulletin (Williamsport, Pennsylvania)
May 24 1890

The Dushore School Board has decided to build the new school hours 40 by 52 feet in size, of brick, two stories high, and to contain four rooms with vestibule.

The Wellsboro Agitator (Wellsboro, Pennsylvania)
April 11 1900

W. C. Rogers, of Forksville, has been appointed by Governor Stone as Associate Judge of the Sullivan county courts to fill the unexpired term of the late Hon. Conrad Kraus. Judge Rogers is a brother of Dr. C. S. Rogers, of Towanda.

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

Sullivan County Cases

Three Sullivan county cases were disposed of by Judge Metzger yesterday. The rule granted on Bernice W. Jackson in the ejectment suit brought by W. L. Woodruff was dismissed.

Jacob Sick vs. Caroline Behl, an action in trespass for opening a private road illegally as was claimed, was up on a motion for a new trial, which was refuses.

In the case of Barney Whalen vs. Dushore borough: for injures alleged to be caused by a defective pavement and in which a verdict was rendered fro the defendant an new trial was refused.

Notes of a Journey from Hughsville to Laporte.
Appearance of the County by the Way of Forksville and other Towns.

Taken From the Daily Gazette and Bulletin (Williamsport, Pennsylvania)
October 12 1877

Transcribed by Nancy Piper

A correspondent of the Clinton Democrat recently made a pilgrimage into the wilds of Sullivan county, and this is what he writes.

Adieu To Hughsville

Leaving the valley of the Susquehanna at Hughsville and approaching the spurs of the Alleghenies, fruit of all kinds become abundant, which continues to be the case throughout Sullivan county - apples retailing at 12 ½ cents per bushel. Grazing and the dairy business are made a specialty throughtout this picturesque and healthy region, and in a small way everybody seems prosperous and happy sufferling but little from the pressure of the times.

A Peep At Laporte

This place is situated on one of the roughest peaks of the Allegheny mountains. It is neither centrealyle nor easily of approach. Its chief attractions are gigantic hemlocks and huge bolders of conglomerate rocks. Mylert, the chief land owner in this vicinity, contributed largely towards the erection of the public buildings, and outbid Forksville and other natural and available points, and hence the location of the county seat at this inauspicious point. The court house is an ordinary wooden building, and excepting a good hotel (Jap Clark's) and Mr M's splendid mansion, there are no inducements for the continuation of this as the shire town. As soon as the legislature acts upon that provision of the new constitution, allowing a vote of the people upon the removal of county seats, Forksville or Dushore will become the capital of Sullivan county.

Lewis' Lake

Midway between Laporte and Forksville and on top of the mountains, lies this splendid sheet of water some four miles in circumference. About three fourths of a century ago a Mr Lewis, an Englishman, located here, built glass works and several residences, all of stone (red shale), felled the timber and charred it into coal for smelting, used the sand from the bed of the lake, and in this way spent a large fortune and produced but a limited quantity of glass in return. The works are now a heap of ruins, reminding one of another Troy washed by the lake instead of the river Seamander. Near these smoldering heaps, and on the banks of these placid waters, are erected several cottages as summer resorts. A peculiar feature of this lake is that while its outlet empties into the Muncy creek on its south side, a tributary of the Loyalsock runs near its northeast side, from which a marsh extends quite to the outlet. A few feet of excavation for a distance of forty rods would turn its waters from the first and empty them into the latter named stream, where they apparently originally belonged.

World's End

Six miles northwest of the lake and two miles southeast of Forksville is the ever to be dreaded World's End. Grand and picturesque beyond description, Here hills peep o'er hills, and alps o'er alps aise. The serpentine course of the Loyalsock is here due south. Breaking through and forming a deep canyon, it rounds a point, or promonotory of red shale rocks and scuds away due north for some distance, gradually winding to a southwestern direction till it reaches Forksville where it forms a junction with its more northern branches. The road passed the World's End is on the south side, and, strange as it may seem is constructed on the narrow gauge principle without a single turnout for passing vehicles. Three hundred feet below, nearly perpendicular, bubbles the sable waters of the Loyalsock, on the other side are steep banks of earth or solid rocks. Happy is he who runs this gauntlet without encountering a traveler in an opposite direction.

Forksville

This flourishing village is the business centre of the county. It contains two large stores retailing goods as cheap as at Williamspot, two hotels, a fine flouring mill, and several shops of various manufactories. It is a very healthy and pleasant summer resort, especially during the trout season, the streams abounding with the speckled beauties. Jacob L. Snyder, the gentlemanly and obliging proprietor of the Forksville Hotel, knows exactly how to make his customers feel happy and at home.

Hillsgove

Nine miles below Forksville, boasts of a large tannery, utilizing a large quantity of bark hitherto of no intrinsic value. Seven miles below this place, near the mouth of Plunket's creek, is another large tannery in full blast.

Eldredville

Five miles north of Forksville, and located on the table of grazing lands, contains three stores, doing a fair business. These uplands are fast becoming cleared and utilized, and the general face of the county, dotted over with convenient and in some instances with fancy dwellings, presents a far different (..sp?..) to what it did a few years ago. The Barkley coal mines on the Schrader branch of the Towanda creek is but four miles from this place with a tolerably good road leading thereto, affording an easy outlet by rail to much of the surplus produce now being raised.

Forksville Local Gossip

Daily Gazette and Bulletin (Williamsport, Pennsylvania)
August 11 1905

Forksville Local Correspondence

Dr. J. R. Davies and wife and Mrs. W. C. Rogers and son are spending a month at their cottage at Eagle's Mere

R. d. Lancaster and J. L. Snyder went to Laporte Tuesday to attend the Democratic County Convention.

Mrs. R. S. Mathers is visiting friends in the western part of the state.

Dean Rogers of Estella, is spending a few days with friends in town.

Charles Nye and O J Little killed a rattlesnake over four feet long with eleven rattles.

John Randall went to Grover Monday. He has accepted a clerkship with C. E. Vermilyea.

M A. Rogers is inventorying the stock in his store this week.

S. H. Benninger, the popular blacksmith at Estella, has in practical operation an ingenious device for handling colts or vicious horses while shoeing with perfect safety to both horse and man. It works automatically and holds any foot in any position perfectly solid. For shoeing colts the first time, nervous horses, or an unmanageable animal, it is indeed a boon to horse owners, for no injury whatever can occur. Mr. Brenninger is justly proud of this modern improvement and will doubtless reap a rich harvest through it. He is one of the best in the profession and has an extensive business.

Edward Wright is cutting one of the finest fields of oats ever raised in this section.

F. C. Beinlich, of R F D No 1 has completed his large and commodious barn on the site of the one destroyed by lightning. He had the misfortune to have several sheep killed by the same cause a few days since.

Mrs. Albert Kay is the owner of several rare and unique curios. Among them is a magnificent center table, four feet in diameter, containing 1,100 pieces of wood of 11 different kinds. It is octagon-shaped and surrounded by a beautiful wreath and a bouquet of fuchsias in the center, all inlaid with wood one sixteenth of an inch in thickness. Its equal cannot be found in this county, and it is doubtful if in the state. It has been appraised at $600. She also has a tobacco box made by her grandfather in England over 190 years ago. It was made from a solid know of cherry wood. Still an other rare design is a common sitting room chair beautifully decorated with 1,700 postage stamps of every description and denomination, over 500 being foreign. A stand also, with over 1,000 stamps, arranged in an attractive and ornamental manner. These, with a large number of fancy quilts, ottoman covers and sofa pillows, etc., would make an exhibition that would win first prize at any county fair.

F. G. Shambacher, one popular mail carrier from this point to Laporte, and return, has been doing other business for a few days. Meanwhile his son has supplied the service.

Rural Free Delivery has become a fixed and popular feature of our mail service. Postmaster Hannan has two routes emauting from his office which cover in a complete manner a large section. Route 1 is served by John R. Fleming and Route 2 by M R Black. Both of these gentlemen are very popular and are giving the best of service.

The Gazette and Bulletin is the leading daily paper on the mail routes as well as here. It brings us the latest news of any, and has a reputation of being thoroughly reliable. Its list is increasing, but should be much larger. Our popular druggist, H. D. Lancaster, is the authorized correspondent for this journal, and any local news sent or handed to him will find a prompt notice in its columns.

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