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Franklin County : Agriculture/Trade/Commerce

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Semi-Weekly Dispatch, April 19, 1861, p. 2, c. 1: "Our New Enterprise!"
Outlines the intentions of the new Semi-Weekly Dispatch to keep their readership better informed than weekly papers during a time when important events are happening at a rapid pace. Also argues that Franklin County should be able to sustain two Republican papers with no difficulty.

Valley Spirit, May 1, 1861, p. 4, c. 2: "The Provisions."
Mr. J. Allison Eyster has received the contract for supplying provisions to the soldiers quartered in the area. Messrs. Ben and T & A Cook and John Ely will provide beef.

Valley Spirit, May 15, 1861, p. 1, c. 1: "Semi-Weekly Valley Spirit."
The Spirit will now be issued semi-weekly on Wednesday and Saturday morning. The change was made in order to keep readers advised of all the events occurring so rapidly.

Semi-Weekly Dispatch, June 28, 1861, p. 3, c. 2: "Grass Cutting."
Remarks that the grass cutting season has arrived and that farmers are busy making hay.

Semi-Weekly Dispatch, July 19, 1861, p. 2, c. 5: "Revival of Trade in Philadelphia."
Outlines areas in which the economy has been seen to be prospering.

Semi-Weekly Dispatch, September 17, 1861, p. 3, c. 1: "Blankets and Stockings for the Volunteers."
Announces that by order of the Quartermaster General of Pennsylvania, blankets must be manufactured and stockings must be knitted for the soldiers for the coming winter.

Valley Spirit, October 30, 1861, p. 4, c. 4: "Repository & Transcript."
Announces that Rankin has turned over the Repository and Transcript to a new editor--Snively Strickler.

Semi-Weekly Dispatch, December 3, 1861, p. 2, c. 1: "Losing of Railroad Cars."
Relates that railroad companies do not know where many of their cars are, since their freight cars have been used freely on one another's roads since the war began.

Valley Spirit, January 1, 1862, p. 4, c. 4: "For the 'Valley Spirit.'"
Urges the Valley Spirit to take advantage of sentiment in Congress in favor of constructing railroads that avoid the South. Notes that the proposed Washington to Hagerstown, Maryland railroad would connect with various Franklin County lines and would provide several new stretches of railroad. Congressman McPherson has proposed a new line from Washington to New York through Gettysburg.

Semi-Weekly Dispatch, January 14, 1862, p. 3, c. 1: "A Change."
Reports that the "Lemnos Edge Tool Factory" has changed hands and that the new owners are considering the manufacture of not only edge tools, but also shovels, spades, forks, and other articles in Chambersburg.

Valley Spirit, January 15, 1862, p. 4, c. 1: "To the Public."
George H. Mengel has sold the Valley Spirit to P.S. Dechert, who had been connected with the paper until two years ago, when he sold his interest to Mengel, and to B.Y. Hamsher, former Clerk of the Courts of the County, a Democrat who was elected in a majority Republican county. Mengel thanks his subscribers for their patronage and assures them that no change will be made in editorial content. The Valley Spirit will continue to speak as the voice of Franklin County Democrats.

Valley Spirit, January 29, 1862, p. 4, c. 2: "What We Buy And What We Sell."
Lists the goods imported to and exported from Franklin County on the Cumberland Valley Railroad and argues that these figures prove that "Chambersburg is not a 'one-horse town.'"

Semi-Weekly Dispatch, April 29, 1862, p. 3, c. 2: "Improvements."
Lists the many improvements being effected in Chambersburg of late.

Valley Spirit, August 6, 1862, p. 4, c. 1: "To the Public."
P. S. Dechert announces the sale of his share of the Valley Spirit to Hiram C. Keyser, Esq., and his withdrawal from the firm of B. Y. Hamsher. Hamsher and Keyser have made an arrangement with William Kennedy, Esq. whereby the Valley Spirit and the Chambersburg Times will be united under joint management and proprietorship, and the firm will salute the public next week through the united papers. All debts from January of 1862 have been purchased by the new firm; all debts before that time should be settled promptly, as no person concerned with the publication of the Spirit before that time is now associated with the paper. Dechert thanks all the people who have patronized the paper during his tenure.

Valley Spirit, June 10, 1863, p. 3, c. 1: "Newspaper Change."
Snively Strickler has sold the Repository and Transcript to Col. A. K. McClure and his partner, H. S. Stoner, Esq. The new firm takes possession this week and will issue its first edition next week, under the paper's old name, the Franklin Repository. The editors regret "the loss of our friend Strickler from the editorial fraternity," but praise McClure's "enviable reputation" as a journalist, and Stoner's reputation as a "excellent business man and an honorable, high-minded gentleman." They also note that the partners have purchased the Dispatch and are shutting it down, leaving only one Republican newspaper in town.

Franklin Repository, July 8, 1863, p. 4, c. 1: "The Franklin Repository."
Announces that Alex K. McClure and Henry S. Stoner are the new editors and proprietors of the Franklin Repository. The article provides descriptions of the paper and its news contacts. The Franklin Repository asserts its dedication to the "positive and unconditional re-union of the States" and its support of the administrations of President Abraham Lincoln and Governor Curtin.

Franklin Repository, July 8, 1863, p. 8, c. 1: "The Franklin Repository."
The editors give a history of the Franklin Repository.

Franklin Repository, July 8, 1863, p. 4, c. 2: "'The material and subscription . . .'"
Reports that the subscription list of the Dispatch has been combined with that of the new Repository. The Dispatch will no longer be published.

Franklin Repository, March 23, 1864, p. 4, c. 4: "Our Railroad Connections."
The author urges the people of Chambersburg to focus their "energies and capital" on connecting the Cumberland Valley Railroad with the Connelsville Railroad and the Broad Top Coal region, noting that the "growing trade of the country clearly points to another great highway to the West through this region" and asserting that the "Southern counties should lose no time in making common cause in this important movement, and secure the priceless advantages it offers us."

Franklin Repository, March 30, 1864, p. 5, c. 2: "The Valley Spirit."
The Valley Spirit appeared in a "new suit of beautiful type" last week, and the Repository editor takes the opportunity to praise the paper and its producers, Hampsher and Keyser: "In all save its political principles, we record its success with satisfaction." Former partner William Kennedy is moving on, to start a new Democratic paper in Shippensburg, and the writer graciously bestows his "kindest personal wishes" upon him, noting that in "the frequent controversies between this journal and the Spirit under his direction, the personal relations of the writers were ever unchanged."

Valley Spirit, April 6, 1864, p. 5, c.1: "Franklin Hotel."
Expresses confidence in William C. McNulty, who has just taken over the management of the Franklin Hotel.

Franklin Repository, April 27, 1864, p. 1, c. 1: "Gamblers and Their Panics."
Criticizes stock speculation.

Valley Spirit, June 15, 1864, p. 5, c.1: "Price Of Beef."
Says that the Repository was wrong to criticize the town butchers for raising the price of beef.

Franklin Repository, August 24, 1864, p. 3, c. 2: "The Future of Chambersburg."
The Repository argues that the people of Chambersburg should take the initiative in rebuilding, instead of letting strangers establish new business and new buildings. The editors argue that the incorporation of the Southern Pennsylvania Railroad brings new opportunities for wealth.

Franklin Repository, September 14, 1864, p. 3, c. 1: "A Southern Railroad."
The Repository notes the pending meeting of the commissioners of the Connellsville and Southern Pennsylvania Railroad company on October 14. The Repository reminds its readers of the benefits a railroad would bring to Chambersburg, including reduced prices on coal and lumber and a direct route west.

Franklin Repository, November 2, 1864, p. 2, c. 3: "The Southern Railroad."
Praises the efforts to establish the Connellsville and Southern Pennsylvania Railroad near or through Chambersburg. The Repository notes the economic benefits a railroad would bring the community.

Franklin Repository, December 14, 1864, p. 2, c. 3: "Oil Investments."
The Repository discusses the present "oil fever" and predicts possible future uses for oil.

Valley Spirit, February 22, 1865, p. 3, c. 3: "Communication."
Defends the Greencastle citizens who are considering opening a new bank against criticism from the Repository editor.

Valley Spirit, March 15, 1865, p. 3, c. 1: "After "Ile.'"
Reports that the oil fever is "the most contagious and wide spread malady of the time." Predicts that by spring, everyone in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio will be boring holes in the ground searching for oil.