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 Articles Indexed by TopicFranklin County : Daily LifeAccidents | Crime/Law Enforcement | Assault | Libel | Malicious Mischief | Pilfering | Speeding | Fires | Nature/Wildlife/Weather Note: When you select an article from the list below you will be taken to the appropriate page of the newspaper. You may need to scroll down in order to find the particular article you are interested in reading. |
Franklin Repository and Transcript, March
23, 1859, p. 5, c.
2: "Terrible Effects of Rum."
Notes Mr. Reed's death in a fire as a result of overindulgence in
liquor.
Valley Spirit, April 13, 1859, p. 5, c. 3:
"Accident."
Man run over by fire
engine.
Valley Spirit, April 20, 1859, p. 1, c. 5:
"Accident on the Chambersburg Turnpike."
Bridge collapses; wagon and four horses fall into stream. No injuries; some
flour lost.
Franklin Repository and Transcript, July
20, 1859, p. 5, c. 3:
"Seriously Injured."
Mr. Ebersole's nose was broken by his horse.
Franklin Repository and Transcript, August 3, 1859, p. 5, c. 1:
"Franklin Railroad."
An account of the festivities surrounding the opening of the railroad
from Chambersburg to Greencastle. Free rides were given to the military and to thousands of
other townspeople, including separate rides "devoted to the
Ladies." One boy broke his leg jumping off the train and "a little negro boy [was] killed in
some way not known, except that it was done by a loose car which a number of boys had
put in motion."
Franklin Repository and Transcript, August 3, 1859, p. 5, c. 3:
"Serious Accident."
James Bittinger was seriously injured when his frightened horse ejected
him from his carriage and then pulled the carriage, containing Mrs. Bittinger and two small
children, over him.
Valley Spirit, August 10, 1859, p. 5, c. 3:
"Chapter of Fatal Accidents."
A twelve-year-old drowned while bathing in the dam at
Nickle's mill; a local man died after being thrown from a mule; a Carlisle man died while
attempting to get on a moving train; a blacksmith's apprentice was run over by a train.
Franklin Repository and Transcript, August 10, 1859, p. 5, c.
1: "Fatal Accident."
Charles Allison died August 3rd of "concussion of
the Brain" from a riding accident.
Franklin Repository and Transcript, August
10, 1859, p. 5, c. 2: "Firemen's Parade."
Account of the parade of 750
firemen in Shippensburg, and the railroad related deaths of two of the men
after the festivities. The body of William Ruttinger of Bedford County was
found on the tracks near Chambersburg and brought into town. T. J. Wright
Esq., acting as Coroner, held an inquest.
Franklin Repository and Transcript, August 17, 1859, p. 5, c.
2: "Sad Case of Drowning."
Account of a young boy's drowning.
Franklin Repository and Transcript,
October 5, 1859, p. 5, c. 3: "Drowned."
On September 24th, near Mt.
Hope, Quincy Township, a child of
George Cook crawled away from its mother when she left the
room and drowned in a stream.
Franklin Repository and Transcript, December 21, 1859, p.
4, c. 6: "Distressing Casualty."
Henry Minnick, while working at his job on the
Cumberland Valley Railroad, was killed on December 16th when he tried
to separate cars and fell between them.
Valley Spirit, February 8, 1860, p. 5, c. 1:
"Shocking Accident."
A worker at Heyser's Straw Paper
Manufactory "accidently fell into one of the large vessels used for steaming straw and was
scalded in a most horrible manner."
Valley Spirit, February 15, 1860, p. 5, c. 2:
"Died."
Man scalded at Heyser's Straw Paper Manufactory died "after suffering the most
excruciating agony."
Franklin Repository and Transcript, July
11, 1860, p. 6, c. 2:
"'A Workman in a Paint Factory . . .'"
A worker in a paint factory on
Thirty-ninth Street fell into a
vat of boiling tar and was scalded to death.
Valley Spirit, August 1, 1860, p. 5, c. 2:
"Accident."
A "young lad" impaled himself on an iron railing at the cemetery, "producing a
very frightful looking, though not considered dangerous, wound."
Valley Spirit, February 2, 1859, p. 5, c. 2: "More
Incendiarism."
Protection Hook and Ladder Company responds "speedily" to blaze; praise
for Hope and Friendship Engine Companies.
Valley Spirit, February 16, 1859, p.. 5, c. 4:
"Fire at the Poor House."
A large barn was destroyed; losses in excess of $5,000. Three
men, "paupers at the institution," were arrested.
Valley Spirit, February 15, 1860, p. 5, c. 2:
"Incendiarism."
Several buildings in Warren Township have been set on fire and destroyed.
"A reward of one hundred dollars has been offered for the detection of the villains doing the
mischief."
Valley Spirit, June 22, 1859, p. 5, c. 1:
"Disturbance at Disreputable House."
Detailed account of shooting at a house of
prostitution;
doctor, sheriff, and district attorney praised.
Valley Spirit, May 15, 1861, p. 2, c. 2: "A Row."
A pair of
drunken soldiers created a row at Brand's Hotel on Sunday
night. When the owner tried to eject them, "he received a severe blow from
a brick in the hands of one of them. Another man named Johnston was severely
beaten. In the melee a pistol was fired which, it is said, wounded one of the
soldiers in the leg."
Franklin Repository and Transcript, August 3, 1859, p. 5,
c. 3: "Arrested for Libel."
Messrs. Dechert, Ripper, Mengel, and
Boyle, proprietors and
editors of the Valley Spirit, were arrested for libel at the
complaint of Col. A. K. McClure.
Franklin Repository and Transcript, August 3, 1859, p. 5, c. 3:
"A Card."
A. K. McClure rebuts the libelous charges of a Valley Spirit editorial published
July 20th and announces that he has instituted legal proceedings against
the paper's proprietors.
Franklin Repository and Transcript, August
10, 1859, p. 5, c. 3: "Indictments Found."
P. S. Dechert, George Mengel
and W. H. Boyle of the Valley Spirit were arrested for libel at the
complaint of Col. McClure. Charges against George Ripper, part-owner of the
newspaper, were dropped when he claimed that he had "no voice in conducting
the Spirit."
Franklin Repository and Transcript, August
17, 1859, p. 5, c. 2: "Who Else Could Do So?"
Editorial on the libel
case against the editors of the Valley Spirit.
Franklin Repository and Transcript, May 16, 1860, p. 5,
c. 3: "Messrs. Editors."
Letter to the editors suggests the new town council break up a gang
of rowdy boys.
Valley Spirit, August 1, 1860, p. 5, c. 1:
"Shameful Conduct."
Editorial complains that "a number of persons male
and female desecrated the Cemetery grounds in a most shameful manner"
during a recent funeral. "They trampled over the graves, broke down the
shrubbery, plucked the flowers, and showed their bad breeding and
ill-manners in every possible way." Urges banishment from cemetery, fine
and imprisonment for those who break the law in future.
Valley Spirit, August 1, 1860, p. 5, c. 2:
"Outrageous."
Some "villainous scamps" who congregate on the street corners "have been
amusing themselves by spitting Tobacco juice on the Ladies' dresses as they pass along. These
scoundrels are being watched--and by-the-way had better leave town--and if caught will be
severely dealt with." Editors ask why the high constable has not dispersed
or arrested them.
Valley Spirit, October 31, 1860, p. 5, c. 2:
"Boys Out at Night."
Urges parents not to let their young boys roam the streets at night. On
the street, young boys acquire "an unhealthy state of mind, vulgar and profane
language, obscene practices, criminal sentiments and a lawless and riotous
bearing."
Franklin Repository and Transcript, May
2, 1860, p. 5, c. 1: "Wicked Robbery."
Article laments the robbery of
the Presbyterian Church of $80.
Valley Spirit, July 18, 1860, p. 5, c. 1:
"The Late Fire."
Editorial laments that "a considerable amount of
pilfering took place during the progress of the late fire at the residence
of Mr. Ott, Deckelmayer and Dittman." Suggests that fire companies "detail
a police force of their best and most reliable men to remove and take
charge of goods at the time of a fire--stand guard over them and allow none
to handle them but themselves."
Valley Spirit, April 11, 1860, p. 5, c. 6:
"Borough Ordinance."
New ordinance bans the riding or driving of "any
Horse, Mare, Gelding, or Mule at any unreasonable or dangerous
rate through the Public Square, or on any of the Streets, Lanes, Alleys, Pavement or
Side Walks of this Borough."
Valley Spirit, April 25, 1860, p. 5, c. 2:
"Fast Driving."
Editorial comment: The new ordinance against fast driving does not seem
"to be much regarded, for we have noticed some tall specimens of fast horsemanship on our
streets since its promulgation. An example will be required to be made of somebody before the
law is respected."
Franklin Repository and Transcript,
February 2, 1859, p. 4, c. 6:
"Fire."
The story describes a fire "Sabbath night last" which
destroyed Mr. Black's stable "on the alley immediately West of Main
Street." The fire showed the utility of the new hook and ladder, as
several houses involved by the flying embers, including that of Judge
Eyster, were saved by the new fire company.
Valley Spirit, February 16, 1859, p. 5, c. 4:
"Fire at the Poor House."
A large barn was
destroyed; losses in excess of $5,000. Three men, "paupers at the
institution," were arrested.
Franklin Repository and Transcript, March
23, 1859, p. 5, c.
2: "Terrible Effects of Rum."
Notes Mr. Reed's death in a fire as a result of overindulgence in
liquor.
Valley Spirit, February 15, 1860, p. 5, c. 2:
"Incendiarism."
Several buildings in Warren Township have been set on fire and destroyed.
"A reward of one hundred dollars has been offered for the detection of the villains doing the
mischief."
Valley Spirit, July 11, 1860, p. 5, c. 3:
"Extensive Fire."
A fire that began in the residence of Mr. Ott consumed four buildings in the
neighborhood and threatened to destroy the whole square. "A widow lady, Mrs. Rosenburg,
occupied the upper portion of one of Mr. Ott's houses, and had the stove placed in the attic story
for the purpose of cooking through the summer; in this stove she had kindled a fire and left it and
went down stairs, and in fifteen minutes after, the whole upper part of the house was in flames."
Detailed description of damages/losses.
Valley Spirit, July 18, 1860, p. 5, c. 1:
"The Late Fire."
Editorial laments that "a considerable amount of
pilfering took place during the progress of the late fire at the residence of Mr. Ott,
Deckelmayer and Dittman." Suggests that fire companies "detail a police
force of their best and
most reliable men to remove and take charge of goods at the time of a fire--stand guard over them
and allow none to handle them but themselves."
Valley Spirit, July 25, 1860, p. 5, c. 2:
"Insurance Companies versus Individuals."
The uninsured victims of the late fire have
quickly made repairs. "Mr. Deckelmayer, the only party insured, owing to the dilly-dallying of the
Insurance companies, has been unable to make any
repairs and is suffering a heavy pecuniary loss every day. If Insurance companies
wish to stand well with the public they should act promptly and repair all damages
that they have stipulated to make good, or place the amount of insurance in the
hands of the owner of the property destroyed, that he may go to work at once and
repair the loss he has sustained."
Valley Spirit, August 31, 1859, p. 2, c. 4:
"Ye Skeeters Hev Cum."
A humorous ode to the mosquito.
Valley Spirit, April 18, 1860, p. 5, c. 1:
"Natural Curiosity."
Mr. J. S. Nixon, "who is well known in this community to possess a
penchant for collecting everything that is curious in Nature and Art," has a double-headed snake
in his possession. Editor's note: "Two heads on a snake we look upon as a waste of the raw
material, we would rather prefer them with no head at all."
Valley Spirit, June 13, 1860, p. 5, c.1:
"Hail Storm."
The hail storm that passed over the northern part of the
county did considerable
damage to the growing crops. Reports of hail stones measuring seven inches in
circumference.
Valley Spirit, August 1, 1860, p. 5, c. 2:
"Heavy Wind and Rain Storm."
A "touch of a tornado" brought heavy winds and torrential rains to Franklin County last
Thursday. "No serious damage done except to the Corn crop, which it made dreadful long in the
stalk and thick in the ears."
Valley Spirit, August 8, 1860, p. 5, c. 2:
"The Warmest Day."
Saturday was the warmest day of the summer.
"The Thermometer at Mr. Heyser's Drug Store stood at 92 degrees in the shade! On the 10th
day of July it had reached 90 degrees. Old Sol is laying it on to us poor critters."
Valley Spirit, May 8, 1861, p. 5, c. 1:
"Snow Storm."
Four or five inches of snow fell on the fourth day of May. "We will not
undertake to account for such an unnatural phenomenon on
'natural principles!' We can only surmise, in accordance with scientific rules made
and provided in all doubtful cases, that the 'Clerk of the Weather' has seceded; cut
down the North Pole with the stars and stripes, left the trap-door of Simm's Hole
open and vamosed South!"
