|
|
Articles from Non-Valley Newspapers |
Citizens of Augusta and Franklin did not live in a closed environment. Rather, they were part of broader regional interactions. Railroads and turnpikes allowed them to travel beyond their county borders, while the postal service and newspapers brought news from outside. Thus, while our project's primary focus is on the local world, we are mindful of external influences.
This is particularly true where newspapers were concerned. While residents clearly relied most on their local newspapers, they were well aware of what was written in other papers. Partly, this is because nineteenth-century newspapers frequently borrowed from other journals in order to expand their coverage. One may also assume that papers from nearby metropolitan areas made their way to the valley. Staunton and Chambersburg shared a commercial connection to Baltimore. Staunton was also closely linked to Richmond, a little more than 100 miles away; while Chambersburg was connected to Harrisburg, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh.