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 Articles Indexed by TopicFranklin County : Daily LifeArts/Entertainment/Leisure | Civic Groups/Fraternal Organizations | Crime | Education | Health | Holidays/Commemorative Events | 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. |
Semi-Weekly Dispatch, August 23, 1861, p. 2, c. 3:
"Card."
Notes that the Board of Directors of the Farmers and Mechanics' Industrial
Association have decided not to hold the annual fair during the coming fall. The decision was
made because the fair ground buildings have been damaged and some destroyed due to their
occupation by state and national troops.
Valley Spirit, April 16, 1862, p. 5, c. 1: "Sanford."
The
minstrel show drew a great crowd, and the editors praised the troupe for its imitations of
blacks.
Valley Spirit, April 15, 1863, p. 3, c. 1:
"Sanford Is Coming."
Reports that Sanford's minstrel troupe will be performing at Franklin
Hall on Wednesday evening. In these troubled times, say the editors, it is good to laugh when you
can find anything humorous.
Valley Spirit, May 15, 1861, p. 2, c. 1: "Our Ladies."
Announces that local women will meet and form a soldiers' aid society.
Valley Spirit, December 18, 1861, p. 5, c. 2:
"True Patriotism."
Asserts that, despite what the Chambersburg Times may
write, the people of Franklin are patriotically supporting the Union
cause as evidenced by the ladies of the German Reformed Church and
their charity activities.
Valley Spirit, March 12, 1862, p. 5, c. 2:
"Re-Organized."
The Valley Spirit applauds the re-establishment of a branch of the
Order of Odd Fellows, a good sign following the dissolution of all the local beneficial societies. It
already numbers thirty or forty members.
Valley Spirit, July 30, 1862, p. 5, c. 1:
"Our Patriotic Ladies."
The Ladies Aid Society, working out of the Associate Reformed
Church, has been occupied with the "noble, patriotic and christian" task of providing clothing and
other goods for sick soldiers. The editors praise them highly, and argue that the ladies of
Chambersburg will compare favorably to those of any other community.
Valley Spirit, May 6, 1863, p. 3, c. 1:
"'How little is now . . .'"
The Spirit pleads for more contributions to the Ladies Aid Society
for relief of the soldiers.
Valley Spirit, February 3, 1864, p. 5, c. 2:
"Public Lecture."
Rev. John A. Warner of Gettysburg will give a lecture in Chambersburg on
the battle
of Gettysburg, to benefit the Ladies' Aid Society. Warner was an eyewitness to the battle, and he
should command a full house.
Valley Spirit, June 5, 1861, p. 2, c. 2: "Horrible
Occurrence."
On Saturday afternoon, a number of soldiers from various companies went to
Wolfstown, the "disreputable quarter" of Chambersburg. For some unknown reason, they
attacked the house of a black man named Frank Jones. Jones wounded two of the soldiers and
managed to escape. Jones hid in the home of George Eyster, where he was arrested by another
band of soldiers. However, the initial band then seized Jones and shot him five times while
beating him over the head. A large crowd then called for him to be burned or quartered.
Valley Spirit, July 3, 1861, p. 2, c. 2: "'Infanticide.'"
Mary Starlipper, an employee of Fisher's Hotel, gave birth to a child and concealed it in a bucket.
She claimed it was still-born, but the medical examiner found that the child was born alive. She
will be arrested and taken to prison.
Semi-Weekly Dispatch, August 13, 1861, p. 3, c. 1:
"Fast Riding."
Reports the arrest and fine of a man the previous Saturday afternoon for "fast
riding through our streets."
Valley Spirit, September 4, 1861, p. 5, c. 1: "Horrible."
A
woman named Caroline Toms is to be arrested for fornication and bastardy and the concealing the
birth of a child by leaving it in a privy. The child was determined to have been still born.
Valley Spirit, November 27, 1861, p. 2, c. 4:
"Where Are We Drifting?"
Bemoans recent crimes in Franklin County, including the
theft of some hams by a "contraband" and a rash of shoplifting by women.
Valley Spirit, February 26, 1862, p. 5, c. 2: "Infanticide."
A Chambersburg girl is accused of depositing her newborn child in a privy.
Valley Spirit, March 2, 1864, p. 5, c. 1:
"Murder."
Laments that murders are becoming more common in the county. Reports on the
latest killing, that of a twenty-year-old man who was left to die near the Franklin
Railroad.
Franklin Repository, March 30, 1864, p. 5, c. 3:
"Mail Robbed."
"On last Wednesday evening, says the Greencastle Pilot, the carrier
of the Middleburg mail was stopped on his way from the railroad station to that place, by some
soldiers, who drew revolvers upon the carrier (a boy of sixteen) and made him deliver up the mail,
which they proceeded to examine and take whatever it contained worth having. We have not
heard of the arrest of the party."
Franklin Repository, April 20, 1864, p. 4, c. 1:
"Sanctity of the Laws."
Condemns disregard of law and order. The author criticizes the
Democratic bias of the judge, lawyers, and jurors in three murder trials in Franklin County. He
warns of the "danger of growing looseness in the administration of our laws" and urges
impartiality and obedience to the law.
Franklin Repository, April 27, 1864, p. 4, c. 3:
"Assaults Upon the Judiciary."
Condemns the Spirit's unfair criticism of Judge Nill as
prejudiced in the recent criminal trials. The Repository expresses outrage that the Spirit attacked
the integrity of the courts during the war.
Franklin Repository, June 1, 1864, p. 5, c. 2:
"Broke Jail."
Mac Hamilton, a black man awaiting trial for murder, and five men arrested as
deserters--John Helurg of Co. M, 22nd Pennsylvania Cavalry, William Van Dyke, Jacob Van
Dyke, and Jacob H. Coons, all of Co. B, 5th New York Artillery, and William Sissom of Co. G,
120th New York Vols.--escaped from the Chambersburg jail last Wednesday. They asked for a
pail of water, and struck the girl who delivered it when she opened the door, rushing past her and
making their escape. Hamilton returned to the jail voluntarily on Saturday (a move the author of
the article cannot fathom, because Hamilton will die if he is found guilty as charged). Hamilton
reported that he had left the deserters in Amberson's Valley, and citizens are urged to capture
them and claim the $30.00 reward offered for the arrest of any deserter.
Valley Spirit, November 2, 1864, p. 2, c. 6:
"A Citizen Murdered."
Reports that Jacob Sweitzer, "a highly respectable citizen," was
murdered last Wednesday night. The article indicates that a group of cavalrymen are to
blame.
Valley Spirit, November 16, 1864, p. 3, c. 2:
"Found Dead--Probable Murder."
Reports that Mrs. Snoke, wife of William Snoke, a
prisoner in Richmond, was found dead last Wednesday morning, a victim of poisoning. The
poison was found to be intended to produce an abortion, and Dr. S. D. Kell of Orrstown was later
arrested and charged with the crime. Article complains that his $5,000 bail is "insufficient."
Franklin Repository, January 4, 1865, p. 2, c. 1:
"Unpunished Homicides."
The editors document that lack of respect for life that has
occurred since the start of the war, by reviewing several murders: the death of Unger by a soldier;
the death of Coble, shot election night; a soldier killed on the premises of Mr. Gabby; the death of
Sweitzer; and the death of Redmon by Lieut. Underhill, for absence without leave.
Semi-Weekly Dispatch, January 24, 1862, p. 1, c. 5:
"The Contrast."
Points out that the states fighting for the Union cause spend much more to
send a much larger proportion of their children to school than do the disloyal states of the
South.
Valley Spirit, April 8, 1863, p. 2, c. 4:
"Education In Chambersburg."
The editors review the staff of the Female Seminary and the
Chambersburg Academy.
Franklin Repository, January 27, 1864, p. 5, c. 1:
"Our Common Schools."
Detailed information about the 222 schools of Franklin County,
based on the Annual Report of the State Superintendent of Common Schools.
Franklin Repository, March 2, 1864, p. 8, c. 2:
"'Free Schools and Democracy . . .'"
This article reprints a letter written to a citizen in
Hagerstown, asking whether or not there were "Collerds man in your Nabor Hood that could Bee
Bought for Soldrs" to serve in place of the white men of "North Cators Township" in York
County. As the editor dryly notes, "Free schools and Democracy don't seem to work well
together down in York County."
Valley Spirit, February 19, 1862, p. 5, c. 1: "Health of
Chambersburg."
Disputes claims of widespread sickness in the city.
Franklin Repository, August 19, 1863, p. 8, c. 2:
"Sanitary."
Warns of sickness, particularly cholera, in the hot months. The article
recommends extreme cleanliness inside and outside the home and details the warning signs of
cholera and its remedies.
Valley Spirit, December 7, 1864, p. 3, c. 1:
"A Barbarous Custom."
Chastizes local children for running to see the corpse after hearing
about a death in the community.
Valley Spirit, March 1, 1865, p. 2, c. 4:
"Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane."
Provides a statistical breakdown of the patients that
have been admitted to the
Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane since it opened in 1844.
Semi-Weekly Dispatch, December 31, 1861, p. 3, c. 1:
"Christmas."
Recounts community events that occurred on Christmas Eve and Christmas
Day in Chambersburg.
Semi-Weekly Dispatch, February 21, 1862, p. 3, c. 2:
"Order of Procession."
Outlines the order in which those involved in the procession will
appear and lists the order of events that will comprise the flag-raising ceremony on the
Diamond.
Valley Spirit, February 26, 1862, p. 5, c. 1: "The Twenty
Second."
Describes the events celebrating Washington's Birthday in Chambersburg.
Valley Spirit, February 26, 1862, p. 5, c. 3: "A Good
Idea."
Firemen in the Washington's Birthday parade dragged a Confederate flag behind them
and burned it at the end of the parade.
Semi-Weekly Dispatch, March 25, 1862, p. 3, c. 2:
"Moving Day."
Remarks that the first of April is approaching, the traditional day for
moving.
Valley Spirit, June 25, 1862, p. 5, c. 1:
"The Fourth."
The editors observe that there are no official plans for celebrating the Fourth
of July
and that individuals will be making their own entertainment. They hope that "the individual don't
mistake whiskey for patriotism," and criticize the drunkenness that has characterized previous
fourths of July.
Valley Spirit, July 9, 1862, p. 5, c. 1:
"The Fourth."
Condemns the drunken behavior of townspeople the night before the
Fourth of July, and warns of dire consequences if the morals of the town are not
improved.
Valley Spirit, December 3, 1862, p. 4, c. 5:
"Thanksgiving Day."
The editors commend the local citizens for their respectful and sober
celebration of the holiday.
Valley Spirit, December 31, 1862, p. 3, c. 2:
"Christmas."
The editors decry the public drunkenness that they observed on Christmas
Day.
Franklin Repository, July 15, 1863, p. 8, c. 1:
"Our National Anniversary."
On Saturday the 10th, Chambersburg celebrated the 4th of July
which had been delayed due to the occupation.
Franklin Repository, February 24, 1864, p. 4, c. 6:
"The 22d."
"Washington's Birth-day was not observed with that patriotic enthusiasm that
should have marked its recurrence. Capt. Piper's Regular U. S. Battery fired a salute of 32 guns
on Federal Hill, and Capt. Ege's company of Infantry paraded the streets; but beyond this there
were no demonstrations worthy of notice."
Valley Spirit, June 29, 1864, p. 4, c. 6:
"The Fourth of July."
Urges readers to celebrate the Fourth of July in spite of the present
sectional hostilities.
Valley Spirit, May 8, 1861, p. 5, c. 1: "Snow Storm."
The
town received four or five inches of snow last Saturday. This is unusual for May.
Semi-Weekly Dispatch, October 29, 1861, p. 3, c. 1:
"The First Ice."
Announces that the first frost of the year formed on the night of October 25.
Urges readers to be generous to the "deserving poor," since the winter promises to be a difficult
one for them.
Valley Spirit, May 7, 1862, p. 5, c. 1:
"The Season."
The editors observe that a beautiful spring is upon the area, and it promises a
great harvest despite the bloody war going on.
