| 1812.-- |
First election, in and for the county of Bradford, held
Tuesday October 1811, for the election of sheriff, county commissioners
and coroner. |
| 1813.-- |
First court for the county of Bradford, organized January
18, at the Red Tavern of William Means in Towanda. |
| 1814.-- |
The Athens Academy, the first in the county, opened April
25th. In Autumn, the "Cold plague" appeared among the inhabitants of the
Sugar creek valley and proved fatal to nearly all the men attacked. |
| 1815.-- |
In July the most fearful windstorm ever known in the eastern
part of the county. The first court house, a frame structure 30 x 40 feet,
erected and completed. |
| 1816.-- |
In every month there was a sharp or killing frost; known
as "the year without a summer." |
| 1817.-- |
Until the harvests, almost a famine, owing to the scarcity
of food. The winter of 1816-17, one of the severest ever known with much
suffering and want. |
| 1818.-- |
December 4th, the Big Hunt of Eastern and Northern Bradford,
in which 250 panthers, bears, wolves and deer were killed. |
| 1819.-- |
October 23rd, the Dark Day; between nine and ten o'clock
in the morning, the darkness so great that the pioneer had to light his
oil lamp or blaze the pitch-pine knot. |
| 1820.-- |
The first river bridge in the county constructed over the
Chemung at Athens. |
| 1821.-- |
The county had 2277 taxable inhabitants, six slaves and
six deaf and dumb persons. |
| 1822.-- |
Memorable as "the summer of drought and deaths." |
| 1823.-- |
Two human skeletons, measuring 8 feet and 2 inches, found
in a sarcophagus, while digging a cellar for Gen. Samuel MeKean in Burlington.
A pine tree three feet in diameter had grown over the graves. |
| 1824.-- |
General Jackson year, having received 639 votes in the county
for President as against thirty-one for John Q. Adams and sixteen for Crawford. |
| 1825.-- |
Beds of valuable iron ore discovered on Towanda creek and
gray marble in Pike. |
| 1826.-- |
First steamboat up. the Susquehanna, the Codorus, arrived
at Towanda, May 8th. First use of coal for house warming in Towanda made
in January by Simon Kinney, Esq. |
| 1827.-- |
Autumn, one of the coldest ever remembered, but followed
by the mildest winter in twenty-seven years. Much excitement in Eastern
Bradford over the homicide of Stephen Evitts and accidental killing of
Miles Bosworth. |
| 1828.-- |
Towanda, the first borough in the county, incorporated March
5. Division of the county attempted. |
| 1829.-- |
First temperance movement in the county. From the 6th to
the 19th of April, 1099 rafts and 236 arks, manned by 3083 raftsmen, passed
Towanda. |
| 1830.-- |
Population of the county 19,746. Gen. Samuel McKean of Burlington
became Secretary of the Commonwealth. |
| 1831.-- |
Townships of Granville and Rome organized and Athens borough
incorporated. Winter 1830-31 very severe, hardest experienced since that
of 1779-80. |
| 1832.-- |
Products of Bradford county: grain, flour, whisky, fruit,
salted provisions, live stock and lumber. |
| 1833.-- |
Spring drought and flood, several persons drowned. Meteoric
Shower, November 13th. The "ox mountaineer" of Wysox, measuring 6 feet
one inch high, 12 feet 6 inches long and weighing 3200 pounds. |
| 1834.-- |
May 14, snow-fall of 10 inches. First .bridge across the
Susquehanna in the county built at Towanda 1834-35. Towanda Bank, first
in the county, incorporated and established 1834-35. |
| 1835.-- |
May 20th and 21st, snow fell to depth varying from 15 inches
to two feet. The steamboat Susquehanna, built to ply between Owego and
Wilkes-Barre, made her initial trip May 7. People aroused over land titles
and numerous "Land Meetings" held by settlers in the county. William Coasting
of Pike, mistaken for a deer, shot, and killed by his companion. Winter
of 1835--36 remarkable for a great fall of snow and intense cold weather. |
| 1836.-- |
Towanda Academy, the second in the county, opened. Joseph
Ritner, the first Governor of the State to enter the county, visited Towanda
and Athens, September 2nd and 3rd. On the night of October 4-5 snow fell
to the depth of nearly two feet; Palmer Thompson of Smithfield perished
in the storm. |
| 1837.-- |
Anti-Slavery Society organized in the county with Giles
N. DeWolf, President, and Charles Stevens, Secretary. Renewed activity
in Temperance work. Whigs the first time elect entire county ticket. |
| 1838.-- |
Herrick the 29th township organized. Vote in the county
“for" new State Constitution was 4116, "against" 188. |
| 1839.-- |
First Insurance Company in the county, "Bradford County
Mutual," organized. On the 25th of May snow began falling, continuing during
the night until it was over a foot deep. |
| 1840.-- |
Seeding and planting early and corn in tassel by July 4th.
Governor David R. Porter visited Towanda, August 29. Memorable and exciting
political contest, known as the "Log Cabin and Hard Cider Campaign." |
| 1841.-- |
Citizens greatly exercised over the attempts to divide and
form a new county. Benj. Buffington of Warren engaged in manufacturing
salaratus. March 28, great freshet in the Susquehanna. Notably cold April
and May, only two days of sunshine during former month. Standing Stone
the 30th township organized. |
| 1842.-- |
February 3 and 4, high and destructive freshet in the Susquehanna
and larger creeks. June 26, a tornado three miles wide passed over south-eastern
part of county, leveling forests, scattering fences, wrecking buildings
and destroying crops. Col. Richard M. Johnson, the Indian fighter and former
Vice President, a Democratic candidate for the Presidency spent October
22, 23 and 24 in the county. Myriads of black squirrels swarmed through
the wilderness in the fall. 1842-43 memorable as the long and cold winter. |
| 1843.-- |
June and July an influenza, known as the grippe, prevailed
in the county and hundreds of people prostrated. Adventists, or Millerites,
believing the end of the world near at hand, began preaching their faith
in the county. June 2, corn frozen to the ground and fruit destroyed. No
snow or sleighing, winter of 1843-44 until the early part of February. |
| 1844.-- |
James Dolan, the first person executed in the county, hanged
February 16, by Sheriff Weston. The LeRaysville Phalanx, an Industrial
Association, formed with Dr. Lemuel C. Belding at its head. Two great Democratic
mass meetings, July 2 at Athens and September 10 at Towanda, James Buchanan,
afterwards President, one of the speakers at Towanda. September 29, remarkable
snow-fall in some parts of the county being 28 inches deep. Millerites
expected and prepared for the end of all things on October 23. Agitation
of an east and west division of the county. |
| 1845.-- |
Hon. John Laporte of Asylum appointed Surveyor General of
the State, and Dr. Seth Salisbury of Smithfield made State Librarian. A
remarkable early spring, but killing frost on May 30. Four men meet accidental
deaths in the county. |
| 1845.-- |
Monroe Lodge No. 137, the first Odd Fellows Lodge in the
county, instituted February 12. March 14 and 15, great freshet in the Susquehanna;
nearly all the river bridges and those on the larger creeks, swept away.
David Wilmot, the only free trade Representative in Congress from Pennsylvania. |
| 1847.-- |
January 15, question of sale of liquor, submitted to voters
of the county 2,823 voting "for" and 1983 "against." March 12, Towanda's
tremendous conflagration in which more than twenty buildings and the courthouse
were consumed. |
| 1848.-- |
July 23, the central section of the county visited by a
terrific and destructive storm of hail and rain. Democrats split on the
slavery question and General Taylor carries the county for President. December
1, James P. Langford hanged for the murder of his wife by Sheriff Dobbins.
A summer-like December followed by one of the severest winters ever experienced. |
| 1849.-- |
The gold fever seizes many Bradford county men and they
make the journey to California. Joseph Elliott of Wyalusing, a distinguished
patriot of the Revolution, who escaped from the slaughter at "Bloody Rock,”
died March 31st in his 94th year. New court house completed and occupied
in September. April 18th, snow fell to the depth of a foot. |
| 1850.-- |
May 19th, Cornelius Hurley, wife and child of Sheshequin
cremated in the burning of their home. Destructive July freshet in Towanda
and Sugar creeks. The 7th census gave 42,831 as the county's population,
the most populous townships in order being Athens, Smithfield, Burlington,
Springfield, Pike, and Canton. |
| 1851.-- |
July 26, in a fire at Browntown four persons lost their
lives. Mrs. Elizabeth Fox Means, the first white child born in the county,
died July 21 in her 81st year. Squirrels very numerous, 512 being killed
in a single hunt by ten young men. Morning of December 27, thermometers
registered 24 to 26 degrees below zero, being the coldest December day
of record. |
| 1852.-- |
Last half of year memorable for the large number of business
places and residences destroyed by fire in Towanda. Mineral paint found
and manufactured in Tuscarora. Col. Julius Tozer, a hero of the Revolution
and War of 1812, died December 17, at Athens in his 89th year. |
| 1853.-- |
Lieut. Edmund Russell of Windham killed by Indians in California.
Summer notable for many destructive hailstorms and severe June drought.
The last wolf killed in the county. The first Agricultural fair in the
county held October 6 and 7 in the public square and court house at Towanda.
October 24, snow fell to the depth of 8 inches; Winter of 1853-54 remarkable
for the total absence of snow. |
| 1854.-- |
Epidemic of smallpox prevalent in the county. Big three
days snow-storm, commencing April 14, three feet of snow having fallen.
North Branch Canal opened to Athens, June 8. The wheat crop almost exterminated
by weevil. Weeks without rain caused a terrible Autumn drought. The year
of the "Know-Nothings." |
| 1855.-- |
Spring of the late break-up; people continued to cross the
river on sleighs at Towanda until April 6. Maj. Zephon Flower, the last
Revolutionary soldier in the county, called by death, April 16, in his
90th year. By the bursting of a cannon at Canton, July 4, a man and boy
lost their lives. Disruption of old political parties and formation of
the Republican party. |
| 1856.-- |
March 10, temperature 19 degrees below zero. Oak trees stripped
of their foliage by a plague of caterpillars. Gov. Hannibal Hamlin of Maine,
afterwards Vice-President, made addresses at Leraysville and Towanda, October
13. Barclay railroad formally opened October 29. |
| 1857.-- |
Notable for blizzards in January making drifts house-top
high, and continuous rains from Spring break-up until July. April 19th
and 20th snow-fall varying from twelve to twenty-four inches. David Wilmot,
Republican candidate for Governor, and Dr. Darius Bullock appointed President
Judge for three months. |
| 1858.-- |
The business section of Troy Village destroyed by fire April
12. Trout fishing a favorite summer recreation; June 18 three Towandians
with hook and line caught 475 trout. In sections of the county, corn and
buckwheat badly damaged and in some cases ruined by a killing frost the
last week in August. Frederick Douglass, the celebrated negro orator, lectured
at LeRaysville, September 20, and at Towanda December 6 and 7. |
| 1859.-- |
Terry the 36th township created. Daniel Brown, the last
male survivor of the Wyoming massacre in this section, died March 3 in
his 89th year. An early spring, yet memorable as the year of the "cold
summer," there having been a heavy or killing frost every month in the
year, in some places there was a flurry of snow on the 4th of ,July and
so cold that persons wore overcoats at the celebrations. Manufacturing
enterprises at Alba wiped out by fire, October 18. |
| 1860.-- |
The last panther in the county killed March 17 by Port Wilcox
of Albany. The first rope walker, Prof. Gillett, who walked a rope, stretched
from the Ward house to the court house and returned, drew one of the largest
crowds, June 16th, ever assembled in Towanda. October 20th, high and destructive
freshet in the Susquehanna and larger creeks. Snow fell on each of the
first eleven days in December. The 8th census gave 48;734 as the county's
population, the most populous townships in order being Canton, Athens,
Smithfield, Springfield, Ridgebury and Pike. |
| 1861.-- |
Seventh and 14th February exceedingly cold, Spring was early.
March, David Wilmot of Towanda elected U. S. Senator. News of the fall
of Fort Sumter reached the county, Sunday, April 14th, causing great excitement.
Early in August, first telegraph opened in Towanda, connecting with Waverly.
War meetings, pole and flag raisings throughout the country; by the close
of the year fully 1600 had volunteered for the service of the Union. |
| 1862.-- |
Early part of year diphtheria raged generally over the county.
May, the Barclay forests swarmed with wild pigeons where they nested. The
Bradford regiment, the 141st P. V. recruited in August. Great damage done
by severe Autumn drought. War in all its horrors the absorbing topic; during
the year the county furnished more than 2000 men for the defense of the
State and Nation. Winter of much snow and little sleighing. |
| 1863.-- |
January 1st, memorable as the "Cold New Year's." First three
months of year diphtheria raged over the county with fatal effect, causing
the death of scores of children; many children also succumbed to scarlet
fever. Prof. Charles R. Coburn of Bradford county appointed State Superintendent
of Common schools. News of the fallen at Chaneellorsville and Gettysburg
brought anguish and sorrow to more than a hundred Bradford county homes.
A year of great sadness deaths from disease and fatal accidents, at home,
and the county's terrible loss on battle-fields in the southland. |
| 1864.-- |
March 20th, snow-fall of twenty inches. The highest water
in the Chemung at Athens for many years, May 14th. Memorable, anxious and
mournful days at home and the front --- the Wilderness, Cold Harbor and
Petersburg. July 4th, frost with ice. In September, desperadoes rob the
store of David Gardner at Orcutt Creek and the home of Simmons Hovey in
Ulster, procuring several thousand dollars in bonds and money. A long,
cold winter with deep snow. |
| 1865.-- |
The highest water, twenty-eight feet, ever known in the
Susquehanna occurred on St. Patrick's Day, March 17th. News of Lee's surrender
reached the county early Monday morning, April 10th, creating the wildest
enthusiasm and excitement. Announcement of the assassination of President
Lincoln reached Towanda by telegraph Saturday morning, April 15th, producing
universal consternation and sorrow. Gladsome homecomings of soldiers from
the war. Prospecting and boring for oil in the county commenced in June.
Burglars make big hauls in the county. Fall of remarkable, mildness, followed
by a winter with too little snow for sleighing. |
| 1866.-- |
January, a great religious revival held in Towanda by Rev.
Edward P. Hammond at which 400 conversions. Considerable excitement over
the find of gas and oil in Tuscarora and Sylvania. Margaret J. Miner, centenarian,
died July 6th, in Towanda. July 12th to 19th, temperature over 100 degrees
in the shade, being the "most heated term ever experienced." Mrs. Lucy
Gore of Sheshequin, a survivor of the Wyoming massacre, died March 23rd
in her 93rd year. Gov. Andrew G. Curtin, Gen. Simon Cameron and Gov. A.
J. Hamilton of Texas takes part in county Republican mass meetings. |
| 1867.-- |
John Hollenback, pioneer merchant at Wyalusing, died March
13 in his 91st year. "May 8, snow-fall of several inches, and 23 rainy
days during the month. Barclay, the 37th and last township, organized in
May. Railroad opened between Towanda and Waverly, September 19. From May
to October over 1000 firkins of butter shipped front Canton. Two men killed
by the explosion of a boiler in a steam saw-mill in Franklin, September
13. Winter commenced December 16 with a heavy snowfall and very cold until
the middle of February. |
| 1868.-- |
January 17, snow-fall of 18 inches; February 7 temperature
from 22 to 25 degrees below zero. During April people gaze in amazement
at the myriads of wild pigeons in their flight. May 30 first Memorial Day
observed in the county. First to the 16th of July, temperature 16 days
in succession from 90 to 103 degrees. Black and gray squirrels swarm the
woods, wheatfields and barns. September 21 by the premature explosion of
a cannon at a Republican mass meeting in Towanda, Robert Wolf and James
Brooks had their hands blown off. Ebenezer Shaw of Sheshequin, the oldest
voter in the county, voted at every Presidential election from Washington's
second election to Grant. Survey of projected railroad from Wysox to Nichols.
Meteoric shower on the night of November 13, lasting from midnight until
near daylight. |
| 1869.-- |
Mrs. Eunice Satterlee of Smithfield, the last survivor of
the Wyoming massacre, died January 19, aged 92 years. January 24, half
of the business section of Troy destroyed by fire. E. O. Goodrich of Towanda
appointed Surveyor of Customs for the port of Philadelphia. Opening excursion
train between Wilkes-Barre and Waverly passed over the road September 9.
Fairchild Canfield of Herrick while on his way to a funeral thrown from
a wagon and killed. Montgomery Bowman of Asylum drawn into a threshing
machine and mangled to death. |
| 1870.-- |
January 29, Towanda had a most destructive conflagration
in which No. 3 Brick Row was wiped out. February 14, Lucy Stone, the veteran
champion of Woman's Rights, lectured in Towanda. During the night of March
15 and on the 16th, snow fell to the depth of two feet, being known as
the "deep March snow." The first term of Troy court convened March 28.
The Red Tavern, the oldest building in Towanda, where the first courts
were held, destroyed by fire April 3. John G. Saxe, the celebrated poet
and journalist, lectured in Towanda, November 28. Many business places
in Canton wiped out by fire, December 25. The 9th census gave 53,204 as
the county’s population, the most populous townships in order being Athens,
Barclay, Canton, Pike, Smithfield and Wyalusing. |
| 1871.-- |
Winter opened mild and with little snow; plowing was early.
tied on during the greater part of January and all of February. Opening
excursion of the Sullivan & Erie Railroad from Towanda to Dushore,
January 12. June 15, monument at Wyalusing dedicated by Moravians. July
6, terrific storm of wind, rain, thunder and lightning passed over Granville,
LeRoy and Franklin. During August water lowest ever known in the Susquehanna.
September 5, Ebenezer Shaw of Sheshequin celebrated his centenary, and
September 21, Timothy Bradles; of Windham died, aged 101 years. Soldiers'
monument, the first in the county, dedicated September 14 at East, Smithfield.
November 6, Blind Tom, the back musical prodigy, gave an exhibition in
Towanda. Sixteen mineral wells and springs in the county. |
| 1872.-- |
Winter memorable for a severe and protracted drought. John
B. Gough, the celebrated Temperance orator, lectured in Towanda May 1st.
Summer memorable for numerous electrical storms during which many buildings
were struck by lightning and burned. Henry Wilson, candidate for Vice-President
and Gen. John F. Hartranft, candidate for governor among the speakers at
a great Republican mass meeting in Towanda, September 24. Austinville iron
mines, employing 14 men, in operation. Bradford county jail erected. |
| 1873.-- |
January 17, the question of Local Option submitted to the
voters of the county and adopted by a vote of 5023 to 2777, Bradford county
accordingly became "dry" and so remained two years. January-30, temperature
26 degrees below zero. March 27, snow so deep in the woods that sugar-makers
were unable to gather sap. April 21 and 22 snow fell to the depth of two
feet. Final attempt to divide Bradford county and create Peter Herdic’s
county of "Minnequa" killed in the Legislature. February 20, two men killed
and six others seriously injured near Sugar Run by the explosion of a boiler
in a. steam saw-milk June 9, the Bradford Railroad Company organized to
build a railroad from Canton to Binghamton. October 1, the First National
Bank of Athens looted by robbers. |
| 1874.-- |
William Alexander, a midget and native of Burlington, whose
height was 23 inches and age 65 years, attracted much attention. June 3,
George Dilldine and wife of Smithfield killed by the cars near Wellsburg.
June 30, temperature 101 degrees. Coal discovered on the farm of Clinton
Ellsworth at Potterville. October 19, Wyalusing has a destructive fire.
Great Grange activity in the county. A Democratic year in politics. |
| 1875.-- |
January 22, Egbert Sickler of Asylum murdered by Stanley
V. Powers and John J. Powers. October 28, William Conover of Wyalusing
deliberately shot and killed by his son-in-law, Henry Decker. Local Option
law repealed by the Legislature and the county "wet" again. June 4, Abraham
Mace of Towanda township became a centenarian. June 14, killing frost with
ice one-fourth inch thick. July 1, Albert Brown (colored) hanged for the
murder of little Cora Greenleaf. Beds of clam fossils, belonging to the
Devonian age, unearthed near Franklindale, blasting rocks 30 feet below
the surface. Grand Lodge, I.O.G.T., of Pennsylvania held its 22nd annual
session in Towanda, June 8, 9 and 10, Gem Louis Wagner, G. W. C. T. presiding. |
| 1876.-- |
Winter was warm with light snows and rains; January 1st
broke all heat records for the first day of the year; plowing was done
in January and February and many pieces of oats sown by the first of March;
Summer was warm and the year an exceedingly fruitful one. The great thence
discussed was the hundred years of our National Independence, growth and
achievements; the 4th of July was celebrated with extraordinary zeal in
every town and hamlet; the International Exhibition, held at Philadelphia
from May 10 to November 10, attracted and was visited by 7500 Bradford
county people. Burr Ridgway, one of the county's most worthful citizens.,
died August 19 in his 97th year. Longest Autumnal equinoctial ever remembered,
raining practically every day for two weeks. December 29, the Ashtabula
horror, in which Philip P. Bliss and wife lost their lives. |
| 1877.-- |
Good sleighing on the highlands from the last of November
till the first of April. Great Temperance revival, or Murphy movement,
throughout the county. July 3 growing crops along Wyalusing creek destroyed
by a violent hail-storm which left heaps of ice along fences 30 inches
deep. July 10 dedication of Bliss monument at Rome attended by 10,000 people.
First Soldiers' and Sailors' Encampment of Bradford county held on the
East Towanda fairgrounds, October 10 and 11 with 10,000 spectators the
second day. Dr. Darius Bullock, Smithfield's grand old man and one of the
county's most worthful citizens, died November 15, in his 87th year. |
| 1878.-- |
Col. Richard Reelf, John Brown's Secretary of State lectured
in Towanda, March 2. June 3 burglars rob the Canton bank. June 6, frost
with ice. July 4, Uriah Phillips of Smithfield killed by lightning while
cultivating corn. September 30, 1500 people pay their respects to George
Murphy on the centenary of his birth. December freshet, the Susquehanna
rising 20 feet. Henry Ward Beecher, the celebrated preacher and orator,
lectured in Towanda, December 19. Eight hundred tons of butter shipped
from Troy during year. |
| 1879.-- |
March 8, terrific thunder-storm during which many buildings
in the county were struck by lightning and burned. Over 2600 pounds of
maple sugar made during the season by Sumner Marvin of Smithfield. May
closed with a temperature of 94 and June opened with a temperature of 95
in the shade. According to Adventist prediction July 11 was to have witnessed
the end of all things terrestrial. A drought prevailed throughout the county
front August till the fore part of November; wells, springs and smaller
streams dried up and the Susquehanna river was never known to have been
so low. September 16, river bridge at Towanda opened to the public as a
free bridge. Notably large number of fires in the county front dry conditions
and incendiarism. Pioneers died during year as follows: Horace Spalding,
aged 96, of Canton, Catharine Vought Eiklor, 97th year, of Rome, George
Pendleton, 85th year, of Warren, Josiah Wood, 91st year, of Pike. Over
2,000,000 pounds of butter shipped from Troy during year. |
| 1880.-- |
January 26 Mrs. Betsey Dunning of Alba, and August 4, Joshua
Shores of Wysox became centenarians. April 26, locomotive boiler explodes
near Rummerfield killing the engineer, John Leslie, and fireman, Frank
Mason. The Gen. Samuel MeKean farm purchased as a home for the poor, and
county house erected. June 21 a terrific and destructive storm of wind
and hail passes over Western Bradford front Wells to LeRoy, and the last
of July a storm of wind and rain swept everything before it, half a mile
wide, across Ridgebury. Oat crop in many parts of the county ruined by
army worms. Joel Johnson; the first male child born in Orwell, died November
6 in his 82nd year. On a December night masked men entered the home of
Mr. and Mrs. Adam Rifenburg in Litchfield and at the point of a revolver
compelled them to surrender all their savings, over $7000. The 10th census
gave 58,541 as the county's population. |
| 1881.-- |
In March a stray panther excited mountain inhabitants of
LeRoy. July 16 a cyclone demolished buildings and woods on Vroman Hill.
July 25., Cease school house in Armenia struck by lightning and a little
girl killed. July and August exceedingly hot months and a drought prevailed
from the first week in July till the 13th of October; a water famine ensued;
the Susquehanna river the lowest in 41 years; much suffering and damage,
corn and buckwheat ruined. lion. Reuben Wilber, noted pioneer and distinguished
citizen, died November 5 in his 97th year; his wife died 13 days later,
aged 90; they had been married almost. 71 years. December 21, Josh Billings
(Henry W. Shaw), the celebrated humorist, entertained a large Towanda audience. |
| 1882.-- |
Pink-eye, an epidemic among horses, prevailed generally
over the county the fore part of year. Schuyler Colfax, former Vice-President,
and Robert J. Burdette, the funny man, lectured in Towanda, the former
February 17 and the latter April 4. Gersham A. Davis of Wells, soldier
of the Civil War and father of eight sons who served the Union, died June
23, aged 73 years. A tornado and hail storm passed over the southeastern
part of the county June 26, unroofing buildings, uprooting trees and destroying
crops; hailstones fell the size of a hen's egg. Animated political contest;
George A. Post, Democrat, carried the county for Congress, and Robert E.
Pattison elected Governor. December 5, train wreck at Rummerfield in which
engineer Niles Foulke and fireman Dally Kingsland were killed and two others
seriously injured. |
| 1883.-- |
January 1, Hon. Ulysses Mercur of Towanda became Chief Justice
of Pennsylvania. 841 Civil War pensioners in the county with an annual
pension of $1.05 each. May memorable for numerous severe thunder-storms.
June 20, reunion of remarkable family of Hon. John L. Webb at Bentley creek,
beings Hon. James H. Webb, Towanda, Hon. Wm. C. Webb and Hon. Henry G.
Webb of Kansas, Hon. Chas. M. Webb of Wisconsin and Mrs. Virgil S. Vincent
of Bentley creek. July 2, “big wind" at Sayre and many building's demolished.
July 5, terrific wind and thunder storm, doing much damage at Towanda and
east side of the Susquehanna. October 29, furious and destructive windstorm
in Sugar creek valley. |
| 1884.-- |
May 30, Memorial Day, snow generally over the county, being
two inches deep at Barclay. July S, flurry of snow in different parts of
the county. Col. Irad Wilson of Alba, noted pioneer and distinguished citizen,
died July 4, aged 87 years. Unequalled September heat, from the 4th to
the 11th, temperature being 90 in the shade every day. September 27, cyclone
struck South Ulster demolishing buildings, orchards and crops. Excitement
over oil prospects. Skating rink craze. November 19, Democrats of the county
jubilate at Towanda over the election of Cleveland and Hendricks and devour
two oxen. |
| 1885.-- |
February 26, ice in the river 32 inches thick and a foot
of snow on the ground. Village of Carbon Run deserted and dismantled May
11, six prisoners escape from the county jail; all captured and returned
but one. Destructive forest rites in May caused great damage and loss in
many parts of the county. August 12, Barnum, Bailey & Hutchinson's
Consolidated shows exhibited in Towanda; the crowd, estimated from 20,000
to 25,000, was the largest ever assembled in the place. Snow fell at Barclay
the last week in August. Marriage license law went into effect October
1. William Andrus, soldier of the War of 1812, died at Alba, November 18,
aged 100 years, 8 months and 14 days. November 23, 24 and 25 snow fell
to a depth ranging from two to three feet breaking all records for November
snowstorms. in December, Joseph Morris of LeRoy perished while hunting. |
| 1886.-- |
February 1, Mrs. Joseph Quinn died at East Troy, aged 102
years. In March, last appearance of wild pigeons in this section. Mrs.
David Rutty of North Towanda, the largest woman in the county weighing
over 500 pounds, died in April. A. A. St. John of Towanda appointed U.
S. Consul to Levuka, Fiji Islands. Wyalusing river. bridge constructed.
October 10, an aerolite, weighing 150 pounds, fell at Troy. December 18,
Erastus Lovett, a bachelor of Orwell and soldier of the War of 1812, celebrated
his 100th anniversary. |
| 1887.-- |
Survey of the Towanda route of the Williamsport and Binghamton
railroad completed. Mrs. Mary M. Dickey, widow pensioner of the Revolution,
died April 4 in Towanda in her 78th year. Centenarians, Patrick Huxley
of Athens and Richard O'Connor of Ridgeberry called by death, the former
April 22 and the latter, May 25. June 25, six of the nine Vancise brothers
of Sheshequin, who served in the Union army, mustered into membership Perkins
Post, G.A.R. Athens. July 15, temperature 103 degrees. July 26, destructive
flood in Wysox creek, the highest water since 1865. August 1, Artemus W.
Fawcett of Overton killed by lightning while sitting in a wagon in his
horse-barn. |
| 1888.-- |
Winter noted for blizzards, culminating in the great snowstorm
and blizzard of March 12 and 13. Five Wednesdays in February, a circumstance
that will not happen again until 1991. 1393 pensioners in the county for
the quarter ending: June 30 receive $46,702. On the night of September
29-30 snow fell over most part of the county, covering the ground. Wm.
Rowley of Stevensville, soldier of the War of 1812, died December 31 in
his 941h year. |
| 1889.-- |
Winter open and mild; much plowing in January and crops
put in early. January 9, Athens greatly damaged by a furious windstorm.
Tremendous downpour of rain May 31, June 1 and 2 caused one of the greatest
and most destructive floods that ever occurred in this section. June 18,
proposed Constitutional Amendments submitted: prohibiting the manufacture
and sale of liquor, carried in the county by a vote of 6903 to 3408; not
to require the payment of a tax as a necessary qualification to vote, lost
by a vote of 6708 to 925. Ulster river bridge constructed. Notably wet
June and July. August 27, terrible disaster at Towanda nail works, large
boiler burst demolishing one-third of the mill, killing seven men and injuring
six others. |
| 1890.-- |
Winter open and warm; the first week in March the only cold
weather. Influenza known as the grippe prevalent over the county. August
22. at the Soldiers' and Sailors' Encampment, Athens. Wm. Blossom and Nicholas
Castemore lost their lives by a premature explosion while loading a cannon.
Uprising of the people against bossism and the most exciting political
contest in the history of the county; fusion ticket elected from Judge
to Coroner. November 11, fusion victory celebrated in Towanda by an ox-roast,
speechmaking and torchlight parade. The 11th census gave 59,233 as the
county's population. Barclay coal mines, which had been operated since
1856, abandoned December 31. |
| 1891.-- |
A long winter of deep snow. Free postal delivery for Towanda
went into operation January 1. Sayre, the 14th and last borough in the
county, incorporated January 27. Erastus Lovett of North Orwell died January
19, aged 104 years and 31 days. September 27, Elisha Newman of Herrick
became a centenarian. May 22, Bradford County Farmers' Alliance organized.
Record-breaking cold July, while September was notably warm, temperature
being 90 degrees the 15th and so continued several days. King H. Cummings,
noted hunter and oldest native-born resident of Ridgebury, died August
15, aged 82 years. November 3, the vote in the county "fox" holding a Constitutional
Convention was 1996 and "against" 6267. (Note from JMT
- King Cummins was second husband of my ancestor Anne who had been married
to John D. Miller. Does anyone know her identity? - Anne, John, and King
all buried at Ashland in Chemung County) |
| 1892.-- |
In January, epidemic of grippe prostrates hundreds of people
in the rural districts. A big snow, two feet deep, fell from February 29
to March 2 and snow drifts were numerous on the hill roads until the first
of April. May 28, a train conveying President Benjamin Harrison made a
short stop at Troy, where 2000 people assembled at the depot were addressed
by him. August 12, switchmen at Sayre went on a strike and held out twelve
days. October 12, the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America by
Columbus, celebrated with extraordinary exercises in the schools throughout
the county. November 2, Coy. Wm. McKinley of Ohio, afterwards President,
addressed a great Republican mass meeting in Towanda. November 5, Warren
W. Johnson and William Mott of Athens, who had addressed a Democratic rally
at Wilawana, killed as they were crossing the railroad tracks. Year memorable
for erratic weather and destructive storms. |
| 1893.-- |
Elisha Newman of Herrick died February 23, aged 101 years,
4 months and 26 days. Commodore Horatio Bridge, distinguished in the naval
service, a schoolmate of President Pierce and classmate of the poets Hawthorne
and Longfellow, died April 18 at Athens, aged 86 years. Towanda-Monroeton
electric road projected but enterprise abandoned after considerable preliminary
effort. July 17, the third Towanda nail mill disaster, boiler explodes
killing three men and severely injuring two others, building set on fire
and consumed. Many Bradford county people attended the World's Colombian
Exposition at Chicago from May 1 to October 31. The year was one of unequalled,
terrible and destructive windstorms. The most notable being the widely
disastrous storm of September 7;. the terrible all-day gale of April 20;
the nights of horror February 19 and October 13; the severe winds of May
23, July 5, 18 and August 28. There were also destructive electrical storms
in July and August, and damage by high water in the creeks and river May
3. |
| 1894.-- |
Commencing April 10 snow fell three days, covering the ground
to a varying depth from 16 to 24 inches. Miners strike at Long Valley April
21 and hold out until August 2. First train over the North Branch between
Towanda and Williamsport, May 4. Electric street railway between Athens
and Waverly opened June 23. A wet May and flood in the Susquehanna; notably
warm June; destructive electrical storms in July; severe drought in August;
strawberries, apple and pear trees in full bloom last week in October in
many localities. Francis Murphy, renowned Temperance orator, conducted
gospel temperance meetings in Towanda, September 2 to 15, during which
1500 persons signed the pledge. Year noted for great number of fatalities,
three homicides and a dozen robberies in the county. |
| 1895.-- |
Great snowstorm and blizzard commencing February 7 and continuing
four days, making drifts 10 and 15 feet deep, filling the roads everywhere;
in the cuts snow from 20 to 30 feet and in one place 40 feet deep; such
hills of snow had never before been known in this region. February 15 by
the explosion of a boiler in the sawmill of Wm. Cobb, Towanda township,
two men were killed and the mill demolished. Saltpetre of an inferior quality
found in Tuscarora. One hundred thirty-three post-offices in the county.
June 13, Pawnee Bill's Wild West exhibition attracted a great crowd of
people at Towanda. September 26, a terrific thunder-storm struck the East
Towanda fair grounds, where many thousand people were assembled; tents
were blown down, four horses killed by lightning, yet fortunately not a
person was injured. A year of big crops notwithstanding an August drought
and killing frost September 14:. |
| 1896.-- |
February 17, temperature in the county ranged from 14: to
25 degrees below zero and 100 above April 13. Hon. James H. Webb, noted
citizen and legislator, died February 21 at Towanda in his 76th year. In
May forest fires, covering a wide area, destroyed large quantities of timber
and other property in the county. William Northrup, the last of the county's
noted hunters, died August 26 in Monroe, aged 87 years. .Cornerstone of
the new court house laid September 7. The campaign of 1896 was one of-
the most exciting: "Free silver 16 to 1" was the slogan of the Democrats
and the "Single Gold Standard" that of the Republicans. September 30 great
damage wrought by a terrific windstorm over the central part of the county.
Lieut. Robert E. Peary, the celebrated Arctic explorer, lectured in Towanda
December 14:. |
| 1897.-- |
Winter open and mild with little snow. In April a number
of lumber rafts and potato boats passed down the Susquehanna. State Encampment
Sons of Veterans held in Towanda May S and 9. Light snow-fall in Western
Bradford June 1. Many hundred tubercular cows slaughtered in the county.
Win. Hutchinson of LeRaysville, a crack-shot at 94, killed many woodchucks
during the season. 'Taxpayers' appeal on bridge and court house contracts
tried before Judge Robert W. Archbald in December; county recovers over
$37,000. |
| 1898.-- |
James Harris, for 41 years court crier under six judges,
died February 10 in Towanda, aged 86 years. Company of 107 soldiers for
the Spanish-American War recruited by Frank N. Moore, July 12 sworn into
service at Towanda and leave for Camp Chicamauga. July 28, Edward F. Johnson
of Troy killed by an explosion blowing up his fireworks building. Numerous
destructive electrical storms in July, August and September. September
6, a cyclone swept across Springfield, killing two men, demolishing buildings,
killing cattle and destroying crops. |
| 1899.-- |
Memorable February cold wave; 9th temperature ranged from
12 to 20 degrees below zero; 10th, 20 to 30 below; 11th, 18 to 34 below;
12th, heavy snow-fall with weather severe and biting; 13th, a strong wind
piled the roads full of snow, cutting off traffic and mails from every
quarter. January 13, Geo. W. Rutledge shot and killed Win. J. Henry of
Sayre. May 20, Samuel Heeman struck Jacob Capwell a death blow on the head
at Towanda. March 13, twelve masked men invaded the power-house of the
Traction Company between Sayre and Waverly, overpowered the employees,
broke open and robbed the safe of two days receipts. May 20, 10,000 spectators
witnessed Buffalo Bill's Wild West Exhibition at Towanda. June 29, Gen.
Henry J. Madill, the county's most celebrated chieftain and hero, died
in Towanda, aged 72 years; his compatriot, Judge Benjamin of. Peek, distinguished
citizen and soldier, died September 9, aged 61 years. November 2, fireman
Eugene Deegan and head brakeman Warren Robinson killed by a boiler explosion
near Rummerfield. |
| 1900.-- |
Winter open and mild with little snow; and heavy rains.
July 16, Maj. Uriah Terry, a noted and worthful citizen, died at Terrytown,
aged 87. Robert Bull of Asylum, a giant in mould and Hercules in strength,
died July 17, aged 81. Charles R. Scouten of Burlington, noted hunter and
trapper, died July 26, aged 92. Summer and fall notably dry with mean temperature
of 77 degrees for August, being the hottest August in the annals of the
weather bureau. September 3, the old Presbyterian church of Wyalusing struck
by lightning and burned. October 2, burglars entered the home of Mr. and
Mrs. Isaac J. Horton near Hornbrook, bound and gagged the aged couple,
then robbed them of their money and valuables. The 12th census gave 59,403
as the county's population. |
| 1901.-- |
April 2, snow-fail of 18 inches, deepest of the year. Rural
free delivery in Bradford county with Towanda as a distributing point inaugurated
May 1. Great damage from a terrific rain, wind and hail storm May 24. Henry
C. Baird, nestor of the Bradford county Bar, died October 3 at Athens in
his 82nd year. Bradford County Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument at Towanda
dedicated November 26. The great December flood and the most destructive
in the history of the county occurred the 14th; five persons drowned and
property, public and private, destroyed to the extent of a million dollars.
December 19, M. Vespacian Mills murdered at North Towanda. |
| 1902.-- |
Heavy rains of February 28 and March 1 caused the second
most notable and destructive March flood, water rising 26 feet at Towanda.
At Athens, soldiers' monument dedicated and memorial tablet marking the
site of Ft. Sullivan unveiled with imposing exercises; the former June
14 and the latter October 3. Hon. James H. Codding of Towanda elected Secretary
General of the Supreme Council, Northern ,Jurisdiction, Scottish Rite Masons.
Capt. Richard P. Hobson, who sank the Merrimac, Spanish-American War, lectured
in Towanda October 14. |
| 1903.-- |
February 17, the coldest day of winter, temperature ranging
from 17 to 24 degrees below zero. Drought of 53 days without rain ended
in June. Col. Henry B. McKean, 71, lawyer, soldier and master of ceremonies
under President Cleveland, formerly of Towanda, died March 21 in Washington.
Col. Edward Overton, 67, distinguished lawyer, soldier and former Congressman,
died September 18 in Towanda. Twenty fatalities in the county during year. |
| 1904.-- |
Winter remarkable for the coldest weather ever recorded
in the county; there were two zero waves in January; the first on the 3rd,
4th and. 8th and the second on the 18th and 19th; on the 5th thermometers
registered from 25 to 40 degrees below zero, the lowest temperature ever
known in this section. January 23, collapse of the river bridge at Ulster.
March 4, Portus L. Brown, Walter Fice and Robert Compton killed by the
blowing up of a steam boiler in Monroe. April 12, Richard Vanderpool, the
county's oldest native-born citizen died at 105 years. December 27, Israel
Parshall Burr, died in Ridgebury, aged nearly 104. Reunion of old people
of Bradford county instituted, and the first held June 25 in Towanda. September
18, Mrs. Maggie Johnson and niece, Annie Benjamin, murdered at Macedonia.
Noted Bradford county citizens called by death: March 12, Rev. Hallock
Armstrong, 80; April 24, Hon. Joseph Powell, 73; June 16, Hon. George Landon,
87; December 18, Augustus S. Hooker, 65. |
| 1905.-- |
Bigler Johnson, self-confessed murderer of his wife, Maggie
Johnson, hanged July 25: August 10, President Roosevelt passed through
Towanda on a special train and at Sayre made a short address. The wettest
August in 32 years. Wm. H. Berry, the first Democrat in fifty years on
the state ticket, carried the county for state treasurer. State bridge
across the Susquehanna at Ulster opened December 8. Death of noted Bradford
county. citizens: February 27, Mrs. Almira Gleason, 99, the oldest woman
in the county; April 21, Maj. Elias W. Hale, 88; August 10, John Boyle,
67, a hero of the Kearsarge; October 17, Mahlon C. Mercur, 90, "the Father
of Towanda"; October 24, Gen. Jonathan C. Hill, 75. |
| 1906.-- |
An open winter with little snow and notable warm spells;
January 15th to 24th temperature from 70 to 80 degrees. Miss Pamelia D.
Spring, 94, the oldest resident of Sayre, died March 7 in the house where
she was born. August 6, Daniel Courtright of Armenia and Isaac Vosburg
of Herrick struck and killed by lightning. August 29, monument in memory
of Gen. Henry J. Madill by soldiers who had served under him, unveiled
at Wysox with impressive exercises. Francis Cole, 97, the oldest man in
the county, died November 18 in Athens. Big political upheaval, Democrats
and Lincoln party carry the county by 1200. |
| 1907.-- |
July 10, seven Forrest brothers, Cyrenus, Marcus, Leman
D., Charles P., William B., Loren W., and Delano A., all of whom served
in the Civil War, met in family reunion at East Smithfield. Charles Johnson,
twice convicted for the murder of Maggie Johnson, hanged July 25. Severe
August drought; river at Towanda lowest ever known and Sugar creek literally
dried up. November 14, centenary of Arts. Eliza MeKean celebrated at Towanda.
November 20, during a quarrel in Tuscarora, Lewis B. Stanton shot dead
by Hartley Woodruff. Prominent citizens called by death: August 27, N.
N. Betts, 71, for 41 years cashier of the First National Bank of Towanda;
October 5, Chester C. Wage, noted sailor; October 28, Lyman Sheldon Chubbuck,
86, celebrated teacher. |
| 1908.-- |
April 22 seven Italians killed and others injured by an
engine running away on a log-road above Laquin. Severe Autumn drought of
35 days broken in September. James Street bridge across the river at North
Towanda opened in October. Four homicides, 2 robberies and 8 fatalities
in the county during year. Death of noted people: February 26, William
Griffis, 93; September 17, Rev. David Craft, 76; October 9, John H. Black,
95; November 2, Chas M. Hall, 65. |
| 1909.-- |
Notably warm winter without sleighing and ground only slightly
frozen. Project of damming the Susquehanna below Towanda to furnish immense
power for electric purposes started in June but did not materialize. June
15, Mrs. Elizabeth Thomas of Grover became a centenarian. July 18, Mrs.
Eliza A. MeKean of Towanda died at 101 years, 8 months and 4 days. June
24, 25 and 26, memorable in the social and civic enjoyment of Towanda,
being devoted to the Home Comers and the old people of Bradford county.
Long Valley became a deserted village. Death of noted citizens: March 3,
Orrin D. Goodwin Dittrich, 86; enough, 65; April 21, Dr. Win. Clagett,
88, June 1, Col. John A. Codding, 90. |
| 1910.-- |
Samuel Overpeck of Herrick became a centenarian January
25 and died July 4. The driest March ever remembered. Bradford County Traction
Company incorporated to build a trolley line from Towanda to Athens, but
not consummated. August 11, big independent mass meeting and convention
held in Towanda, addressed b5 Wm. It. Berry candidate for Governor. September
16, Overton centennial, and monument to the memory of Daniel Heverly, the
first settler, and other pioneers, unveiled. The 13th census gave 54,526
as the county's population. Death of noted citizens: January 19, Nathaniel
C. Harris, 90; February 17, Eli B. Parsons, 85; June 28, Prof. George W.
Ryan, 71; August 30, Dr. Elijah G. Tracy, 85; September 23, Chas. L. Tracy,
66; December 20, Elmer B. McKee, 51. |
| 1911.-- |
Terrific and destructive thunderstorms in June and July.
July 2 to 12th, average temperature for eleven days, 93 1/2 degrees. October
21, great political mass meeting of Keystoners and Democrats in Towanda,
Gov. Woodrow Wilson of New Jersey, afterwards President, one of the speakers.
Three homicides and 17 fatalities in the county during the year. Death
of noted citizens: February 11, William Scott, 90, oldest native born inhabitant
of Towanda; May 18, Hon. Elijah Reed Myer, 93; July 24, Hon. Geo. W. Kipp,
61; October 11, lion. Orrin D. Kinney, 66; October 17, Job Griffin, 66;
November 12, Orrin Brown, 99 years and 8 months, the oldest man in the
county. |
| 1912.-- |
Winter of intense cold, little snow and only one days sleighing
along the river. During Autumn dreadful typhoid epidemic prevailed at Troy
five weeks, 160 persons stricken and seven deaths. Political contest memorable
for split in Republican party, general breaking away from all party ties
and independent voting. Death of noted people: January 8, Raymond M. Wells,
86; January 9, Mrs. Julia Smith, 95; January 25, Geo. H. Vandyke, 93; February
1, Rev. John L. Phoenix, 79; July 18, Maj. Levi Wells, 80; September 21,
Non. Wm. T. Davies, 81; October 21, Dr. Henri Lane, 60; December 3, Mrs.
Rhoda A. Rowe, 98. |
| 1913.-- |
A remarkably warm winter and almost snowless; along the
Susquehanna at no time did the temperature fall to zero nor was there a
day's sleighing; January was the warmest first month in over a century.
First week in July, 300 Bradford county Civil War veterans attended the
reunion of the blue and gray and semi-centennial celebration of the great
battle at Gettysburg. July 12, statewide Primary Law went into effect.
October 12, Mrs. Anne Wright of Ulster celebrated her 100th birthday. Three
homicides and 14 fatalities in the county during the year. Death of noted
people: February 3, James W. Nichols, 86; March 6, William Foyle, 66; June
8, William A. Thomas, 89; June 6, Job P. Kirby, 91; December 5, Hon. George
Moscrip, 74; December 18, Philander L. Ward, 77. |
| 1914.-- |
Winter severe with deep snow-falls, that of February 13
and 14 being of a varying depth from 20 to 30 inches in the county. May
5, Herbert S. Putnam elected county superintendent of schools the 7th time.
July 10 and August 19 great damage and loss in the county by terrific electrical
and wind storms. August 25 new county bridge across the river at Towanda
opened to the public. Two homicides and 16 fatalities in the county during.
year. Death of noted people: February 2, Andrew J. Whitney, 84; April 19,
Rev. Hiram G. Blair, 78; May 5, Hiram K. Mott, 76; August 21, Col. Enoch
J. Ayres, 86; August 28, Mrs. Nancy L. Bird, 86; October 17, John Ennis,
93; November 22, Samuel Billings; 99; December 9, Gen. Joseph M. Califf,
71. |
| 1915.-- |
Memorable wet July and August, 20 rainy days each month;
last seven days of July and first nine in August, being 16 rainy days in
succession. August 1, Troy village deluged by a furious downpour, causing
great damage. October 15, the 300th anniversary of the advent of white
man into Pennsylvania celebrated by patriotic exercises and unveiling a
marker at the point of Brule’s visit in South Waverly borough. Haying,
the latest ever known, completed in sections of the county, first week
in December. December 25, Justus A. Record of Towanda given a public ovation
on his 100th birthday. Mrs. Anne Wright of Ulster died October 19, aged
102 years and 7 days. Eight fatalities in the county during year. |
| 1916.-- |
March was the coldest 3rd month in 62 years with a snowfall
four times the average for March in the same period; 23rd snow averaged
from 30 to 36 inches deep over the county and 48 inches on Barclay mountain.
May 4, Leon J. Russell appointed superintendent of schools to succeed Herbert
S. Putnam deceased. May 31, Walter Scott Newman of Canton became a centenarian.
July 26, cloudburst in Southern Bradford damaged public and private property
to the extent of many thousand dollars. October 25, J. Frank Hanly and
Ira Landrith, prohibition candidates for President and Vice-President,
speak in Towanda. Twenty fatalities in the county during year. |
| 1917.-- |
Death of centenarians: March 8, Justus A. Record of Towanda
at 101 years, 2 months and 13 days; March 9, Walter S. Newman of Canton
at 100 years, 9 months and 8 days; also, May 24, Joseph Washington Ingham,
brilliant and grand old man at 93 years, 7 months and 3 days. Interest
and attention of the people centered in the great World War and war movements
from the first week in April. In the county 7348 men, between the ages
of 21 and 45 years, subject to military service. In June it rained on 21
different days, 18 in July and 14 in August, equaled only by the memorable
rainy spell in 1857. The old Cayuta grist-mill, erected at Milltown in
1798 and occupying the site of the first grist-mill (1787) in the county,
dismantled in July. August 15 and 16, violent and destructive rain-storms
in Northern and Western Bradford. December with a mean temperature of 18.6
degrees was the coldest 12th month of record; 30th, the cold Sunday, temperature
from 16 to 38 degrees below zero in the county. |
| 1918.-- |
January with a. mean temperature of 13.6 degrees was the
coldest month, except January, 1857, every experienced in the county. Remarkable
and beautiful display of the aurora borealis witnessed on the evening of
March 7th. April 9 and 10 snow-fall of 12 inches. June 13, light snow-fall
and, July 2, snow flakes in sections of the county. Hot wave last of July
and fore part of August. Killing frost September 10. During fall the dreadful
influenza, or "flu" swept over the county, causing many deaths and prostrating
several hundred. World War matters received most attention of the people.
until the signing of the armistice, November 11; 2150 persons from the
county in the various branches of service; 114 lose their lives. December
13, Carmi H. Rogers of Warren deliberately shot and killed his son, Alexander
P. Rogers. |
| 1919.-- |
Year notable for the warmest January in 35 years, a wet
May, warm October and cold December. Asa M. Kinner, the county’s oldest
.soldier of the Civil War, died January 15 at 99 years, and Thomas Pollock,
Ulster's oldest citizen, June 24, at 92 years. April 11, a cyclone struck
sections of Orwell and Rome, damaging and destroying a large amount of
property. Many fatalities, the saddest feature of the year. |
| 1920.-- |
Winter intensely cold with an abundance of snow and huge
snow-banks filling most. of the country roads; continuous sleighing on
the highlands 90 days; winter similar to that 1864-65. March 13, breakups
in the streams caused a rise of 18 1/2 feet in the Susquehanna at Towanda.
April 2, sensational tragedy at New Albany, Mrs. Fanny Norton Wilcox shot
and killed Geo. T. Matteson. April 29, The Reporter-Journal and Bradford
Star, long the leading weekly newspapers of the county, both discontinue
publication. July 23, severe and destructive electrical, rain and wind
storm. September 6, Floyd Smith convicted of the murder of his wife's infant.
November 9 Presidential election at which women voted the first time. The
year of the big apple crop; thousands of bushels went to waste in the county.
The 14th census gave 53,166 as the county's population. Violent and accidental
deaths during the year were 2 homicides, 6 suicides, 4 killed by automobiles
and 4 by cars, 3 lost lives by drowning and 3 by other causes. . Of the
large number of old people dying 38 were soldiers of the Civil War. |
| 1921.-- |
Winter open and mild with little. snow in December and January;
February warm with a thunder shower on the 9th, a snow-fall of 8 1/2 inches
on the 10th and another of 9 inches on the 20th; March was the warmest
3rd month in 18 years and April broke the record for high temperature.
February 2;5, Mrs. Mily E. Hileman of New Albany, the first woman in the
county drawn as a juror, and March 28, Mrs. Margaret Coon of Athens, the
first woman chosen on a jury.- June 21, the Powell tannery damaged by fire
to the extent of $75,000, and August 30, property, valued at $25,000 burned
at Colurmbia Cross Roads. October 3, David Wilmot memorial tablet unveiled
in the court house. November 2-t, Jambs Barrett of Ridgebury celebrated
his 100th birthday. November 29 heavy rains cause the river to rise 15
feet and 5 inches at Towanda. December 14, Sanford Bentley found guilty
of 2nd degree murder in shooting Francis Byron. December 22, Peter Wagers
found guilty of manslaughter in shooting Fish Warden W. E. Shoemaker. .
Violent and accidental deaths during year; 2 homicides, 4 suicides, 8 killed
by cars, 5 by automobiles and one by lightning, 3 drowned, 3 burned to
death and 3 from other causes. Year notable for the alarming increase of
crime; during the year 259 persons were incarcerated in the county jail
as against 178 in 1920. In the county 38 soldiers of the Civil War died.
Eighteen deer, ducks, were killed in the county during the hunting season.
The mean temperature for 1921 was about three degrees above normal, or
the highest of record. |
| 1922.-- |
Winter both cold and warm; December normal with little snow;
January very cold, 9 times below zero, the coldest the 26th, temperature
ranging from 14 to 35 degrees below zero; 11th an all-day snow-storm, 13
inches of snow falling and with a strong wind badly drifted roads; February
was the warmest in 27 years, March above normal with 11 inches of snow
during month. January 6, Troy High school building and contents destroyed
by fire entailing a loss of $130,000, and February 17, Canton Presbyterian
church ruined by fire. June 11, furious hail-storm, along the river, during
which pieces of ice fell the size of a small hen's egg. June 17, tremendous
all-day rain with destructive floods in creeks and 16 head of cattle drowned
at Wyalusing. June 24:, 141 persons over 70, 59 being soldiers of the Civil
War, attended the reunion of old people of the county. July 1, nearly 1200
men employed in the Sayre shops went out on the big railroad strike; for
weeks a reign of terror existed and many acts of violence were committed
by strikers. July 4, great historic pageant at Towanda; more than 300 people
take part in the portrayal of Towanda's history from the time old the red
men; all classes of citizens, young and old, in the unique presentation,
which was a complete success in every feature; many thousand people witness
the performance on the east-side grounds. August 5, Norman Carmel, a Lehigh
Valley employee at Sayre, waylaid and stabbed to death by strikers. September
20, jury find Tony Spardute, Italian, guilty of murder in the first degree,
for stabbing Norman Carmel to death. December 13, William Jennings Bryan,
three times Democratic. candidate for President, lectured in Towanda. on
"Pending Problems." December 20, William Mullaly of Sayre shot by James
Johnson and died the following day. Among the large number of aged people
dying, 26 were soldiers of the Civil War. Violent and accidental deaths
during year: 2 homicides, 3 suicides, 4-killed by cars, 5 by automobiles
and one by lightning, 4 drowned and 7 from other causes. |
| 1923.-- |
Winter normal with a light fall of snow and February the
coldest month; the coldest day in December, the 19th, thermometers ranging
from zero to 10 degrees below ; the night of January 30-31, the coldest
of winter, 12 degrees below zero, mean temperature for February, 20 9/10
degrees, and the coldest day, the 6th, 3 degrees below zero; a March flood
occurred on the 5th, and on the 7th a snow-fall of 5 1/2 inches, the greatest
of winter; April 10th, the Susquehanna was swollen to a height of 13 feet,
and on the 20th and 21st, thermometers indicated 82o and 85o in the shade.
February 20, six men killed in a train collision at Rummerfield, the worst
disaster of the year. March 5, Floyd Smith, the 6th murderer of the county
to pay the penalty of death, electrocuted at Rockview penitentiary. June
9, U. S. Senators, George Wharton Pepper and David Reed of Pennsylvania
visited the county and made addresses at Towanda. June 17, Mrs. Aurilla
(Beers) Brown of Orwell, the oldest woman in the county, died at the age
of 100 years and 22 days, and the next oldest, Mrs. Elizabeth (Davies)
Elliott of Canton, on August 30, aged 99 years, 5 months and 18 days. December
with a mean temperature of 37.5 degrees was the warmest 12th month in 30
years. Violent and accidental deaths during year: 4 suicides, 10 killed
by automobiles, 4 died from burns one drowned and one killed by accidental
discharge of revolver Among the large number of old people called by death,
12 were over 90, and 27 soldiers of the Civil War. |
| |
THE END
|
