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Valley Spirit: May 13, 1868 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

The Impeachment Verdict
(Column 01)

Summary: Reports that the Senators are on the verge of a verdict in Johnson's impeachment trial.

Railroad from Waynesboro to Chambersburg
(Column 02)

Summary: Calls on the town again to vigorously pursue approving a deal with the town of Waynesboro to make Chambersburg a railroad terminus. Stresses the benefits which will be lost if the latter does not act quickly enough. Specifically mentions the possibility of another town becoming the terminus and stealing trade from Chambersburg.

Full Text of Article:

We have frequently urged, in these columns, the necessity of some action by our citizens upon the projected Railroad. And we would again, now as our Borough has made some move in regard to this matter, urge our townsmen to prompt and speedy action; let no opportunity, such as is here presented to do something for our town, escape us. Little more can be said in regard to the necessity of having Chambersburg as the terminus of this Road than appears in the remarks made by the speakers, on the evening of the meeting in the Court House. But should we fail now to accept the generous proffer made by our neighbors in Waynesboro and along the proposed route, of assisting in the construction of the Road; and should we decline joining with them and the Mont Alto Iron Company in this great enterprise at this time, the time might and will likely come when they may and will say to us, we have made other arrangements. It is well known that not long since the enterprising people of Waynesboro had a large amount of money subscribed to complete a road from their town to Gettysburg. Now should we decline uniting our means and energies in this project of constructing a Road to Chambersburg at this time, they might in a short time agree to change their plan and build a Road connecting their town with the Western Maryland Road. This would be to us an incalculable loss.

Should we decline also accepting the proffer of the Mont Alto Iron Company, made to us at this time, they too may soon make other arrangements and build a freight road to Scotland, thus leaving Chambersburg entirely out of their consideration. Indeed, it seems this was their original design, but they were induced, by others along the route, to make a proposition to the citizens of Chambersburg, to have them aid in building a Road with a terminus in this Borough instead of Scotland. These matters are of serious consideration, not trifles light as air; for this Iron Company and the citizens of Waynesboro are determined to have a Railroad, and with the proper exertions on the part of our citizens, Chambersburg may be vastly benefitted by it as a terminus; but should they fail to act promptly, they may instead of having a Railroad coming to the town, with all its benefits and advantages, have a Railroad going around them, still further decreasing trade and travel. Let us look well to our interests! Let us see to this matter!

Theological Seminary
(Column 01)

Summary: Annual commencement exercises at Mercersburg's Theological Seminary are underway.

Borough Election
(Column 01)

Summary: The following officers were elected in the borough of Orrstown: Burgess, William H. Blair; Street Commissioner, John Powders; Council, David McKeary, James B. Orr, W. S. Bard, Samuel Hiesler, Peter Bowers.
(Names in announcement: William H. Blair, John Powders, David McKeary, James B. Orr, W. S. Bard, Samuel Hiesler, Peter Bowers)

Citizens' Brass Band
(Column 01)

Summary: The Citizens' Brass Band, under direction of Fred Keller, made their debut performance at the exhibition of Major Hershberger's Panorama. All gave them excellent reviews.
(Names in announcement: Fred Keller, Major Hershberger)

Waynesboro Election
(Column 02)

Summary: The following officers were elected in Waynesboro: Chief Burgess, William G. Smith; Councilmen, David Hoeflich, David Rider, H. C. Gilbert, Joseph W. Miller, W. L. Hamilton; High Constable, John H. Miller.
(Names in announcement: William G. Smith, David Hoeflich, David Rider, H. C. Gilbert, Joseph W. Miller, W. L. Hamilton, John H. Miller)

Female Seminary
(Column 02)

Summary: A. S. Foster of Connecticut purchased the property known as "Federal Hill," once owned by David Washabaugh and W. S. Everett, with the intention of opening a Female Seminary. The paper declares it the best site "in all Pennsylvania for a private residence or a public institution. It is specially fitted for an institution of learning." "There is need of a first-class Female Seminary here, and if Mr. Foster, whom we do not know personally, but of whom we hear a good account, shall get up his establishment in good style and prove himself a competent instructor, we do not doubt that he will be rewarded with a liberal patronage."
(Names in announcement: David Washabaugh, W. S. Everett, A. S. Foster)

Our New Railroad
(Column 03)

Summary: Account of a meeting regarding construction of a new rail road.
(Names in announcement: Col. James C. Austin, C. M. Duncan, George W. Weistling, Col. F. S. Stumbaugh, I. H. McCauley, Col. Theodore McGowan, J. Allison Eyster, William Chambers, T. B. Wood, H. M. White)

Full Text of Article:

A meeting of our citizens was held in the Court Hall on the evening of the fifth, in regard to our new Railroad. Col. James C. Austin was called upon to preside, and C. M. Duncan, Esq., made Secretary. George W. Weistling, representing the Mont Alto Iron Company, gave an interesting account of the progress of the subscriptions already made by the citizens of Waynesboro and vicinity to this Railroad--to and from Waynesboro, via Quincy, Mont Alto and Fayetteville to this Borough. He also said that their Company would contribute fifty thousand dollars, towards the building of the contemplated Road. He demonstrated, very clearly, that this Road, if made a first class Road, would command a great trade, and be a good investment, besides being a vast benefit to the region of country it would traverse, and also that it would be an advantage to our Town to have the Road terminate here.

Mr. Weistling further spoke of the probable cost of the Road, which would be, according to his estimates, about $300,000. Of this amount the Cumberland Valley Railroad Company agreed to pay $100,000. This estimate of the cost of the Road was made upon a basis with Scotland as the terminus,--to make Chambersburg the terminus would increase the length of the Road, and would be a route of heavier grade--and as a consequence would cost more to build it. Mr. Weistling further showed that lateral and branch Roads of this kind have paid well--enumerating certain Roads which had not so fair a prospect as this projected Road.

He showed the demand, the necessity of a road, from the amount of freight from the furnace as well as other manufacturing establishments along the route and particularly trade located at Waynesboro.

After a thorough exposition of the proposed Road, its prospects, the probabilities of its success, its benefits and advantages--Mr. Weistling concluded his remarks.

Col. F. S. Stumbaugh followed with some well timed inquiries and remarks, in which he heartily favored the construction and early completion of said Road.

I. H. McCauley, Esq., followed with a well timed speech, citing certain branch Railroads in our southern counties, showing clearly and conclusively, that such branch or lateral Roads have succeeded beyond the expectation of their advocates and projectors, in the amount of trade done upon said Roads, and the amount of business and enterprise awakened and are in general remunerative investments, promoting the prosperity of all connected with them. Mr. McCauley's remarks were highly pertinent to the occasion and were listened to with great attentiveness.

Col. Theo. McGowan then moved that the following citizens be named as a committee to solicit subscription to said Railroad, in Chambersburg and vicinity, in order to bring the Road to Chambersburg as its terminus, viz:--C. M. Duncan, J. Alliyson Eyster, Wm. Chambers, T. B. Wood and H. M. White.

The committee was duly approved by the audience.

The President then asking whether there were any other remarks, C. M. Duncan addressed the audience at some length, in which he urged the necessity of immediate and prompt action upon the part of the citizens of this Borough. Stating that time was an essential matter, that NOW, this proffer was made to us by the citizens of Waynesboro and persons along the route, and by this Mount Alto Iron Co., that it might be that six or twelve months hence they might reconsider, might decline the proffer. That now the people of this region of our county stretched forth their hands towards us to join us in still closer ties, and bind themselves to us in bonds of steel. Could we fail to embrace the offer?

He insisted that this enterprising community would have a Railroad--either going South, to the Western Maryland Railroad, or joining their fortunes with the Mont Alto Iron Company, construct a Road to Scotland, and that such a Road would lose to Chambersburg, and lose forever, a trade which bids fair to be at no distant day very extensive. He impressed upon the audience the necessity of Chambersburg being and becoming the terminus of the proposed road, showing its benefits and advantages to our Borough, and the great loss our Town would sustain by allowing said Road to be constructed with a terminus at some other point on the Cumberland Valley Road.

He showed that the vast beds and strata of Iron ore, and the inexhaustible bodies of limestone along the proposed Route, in addition to agricultural products, would bring a great trade to the Road, and to this Borough.

In speaking for the citizens, he promised Mr. Weistling, that the citizens of this Borough, now awakened, to some extent, to their true interests, would do all they could to bring the proposed Road to this Borough, and that our citizens, though suffering from the losses of Invasion and Fire, were still willing to contribute to the best of their ability to the speedy construction of the proposed Road. Considerable enthusiasm and interest were manifested by the citizens present in the plans and projects urged and descanted upon, in regard to the building of the projected Railroad.

I. O. O. F.
(Column 04)

Summary: A number of officers were installed in the Path Valley Lodge No. 419, International Order of Odd Fellows.
(Names in announcement: S. Sentman, Jacob Spangler, S. B. Flickinger, J. S. Mineheart, J. A. Foust, J. Gilbert, D. D. Swanger, L. Alleman, W. H. Stewart, J. R. Hamilton, H. Bechtal, H. L. Gross, J. P. Grove, J. Burkholder, J. Dehaven, J. H. Thomas, W. C. Golden, E. D. Weaver)

B. A. Election
(Column 04)

Summary: The Waynesboro Building Association elected officers.
(Names in announcement: D. B. Russel, Lewis S. Forney, J. W. Miller, E. Elden, J. Douglas, J. H. Forney, Henry Gilbert, George Harbaugh, G. F. Lidy, William F. Grove)

A Change
(Column 04)

Summary: Daniel Kohler of Chambersburg purchased an interest in the Steam Planing Mill of the Hagerstown Manufacturing Company.

Married
(Column 04)

Summary: Edward N. McKimm, of Adams County, and Catharine E. Creamer, of Marion, were married on May 5th at the U. B. Parsonage by H. Y. Hummelbaugh.
(Names in announcement: Edward N. McKimm, Catharine E. Creamer, H. Y. Hummelbaugh)

Married
(Column 04)

Summary: W. H. Blyer, of Dauphin County, and Miss Mary Ann Grimes, of Mont Alto, were married on April 28th by the Rev. J. G. Schaff.
(Names in announcement: W. H. Blyer, Mary Ann Grimes, Rev. J. G. Schaff)

Died
(Column 04)

Summary: Thomas Kryder died at the Hamilton residence of John Kryder. He was 75 years old.
(Names in announcement: Thomas Kryder, John Kryder)

Died
(Column 04)

Summary: Margaret Emma Spangler, daughter of Wesley and Catharine Spangler, died on April 19th near Shady Grove. She was 3 years old.
(Names in announcement: Margaret Emma Spangler, Wesley Spangler, Catharine Spangler)

Died
(Column 04)

Summary: John Shillito, son of Charles Shillito, died in Greencastle on May 1st. He was 3 years old.

Died
(Column 04)

Summary: Nancy Jane Blair, wife of W. H. Blair and daughter of William L. Smith, died in Orrstown on April 29th. She was 37 years old.
(Names in announcement: Nancy Jane Blair, W. H. Blair, William L. Smith)