Miscellaneous Newspaper Articles From the Past
Cumberland County Pennsylvania

Transcribed by Nancy Piper unless noted otherwise.

The Adams Centinel (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
October 12 1803

We hear that on Thursday night last, the forge of Michael Ege, Esq., about five miles from this borough (Carlisle) was consumed by fire - although the loss must be considerable, we are happy to find, that all the adjoining houses have been preserved. - Carlisle, Sept. 28

The Sprig of Liberty, Gettysburg, PA
March 23, 1805

We observe in a late Carlisle paper, that a Mr. Copley, who intends to establish a Cotton and Woolen Manufactory at that place, and who it appears, has presented to congress a petition for a part of the public buildings (barracks), adjoining Carlisle has been accommodated with such parts as will best suit his purposes, until the exigency of the state requires them. Manufactories of this kind may do well in this country, as the materials wherewith to carry them on can be had at home. It is therefore to be hoped that friends to American manufactures of this kind, not only for their own interest, but for the honour of the country will render every aid to the undertaker.

The Centinel, Gettysburg PA, January 11, 1809

Carlisle, January 6

On Sunday the 25th ultimo, marched from this town for Pittsburgh, Captain Peter's and Capt. Irvine's Companies of Light artillery; place of destination we presume to be New Orleans.

And on Wednesday 4th inst., Captain Ragan's corps of Riflemen; two troops of dismounted cavalry commanded by Captain Biddle, and Lieut. Bowie; and Captains Gibbon, Wallace and Hamill's Companies of Light Infantry (making altogether about 800 effective men, trained and disciplined read for the filed) under the command of Colonel Bissell, left this place for Baltimore, destined, we understand, from thence to New Orleans.

The Centinel, Gettysburg PA, July 12, 1809

Carlisle, July 5

On Thursday the 29th of June last the Trustees of Dickinson College proceeded to the election of a Principal of the College, when the Rev. Jeremiah Atwater, the present President of the College of Middlebury in the state of Vermont was unanimously elected.

This important station of Principal of Dickinson College has been vacant since the death of the late celebrated Dr. Charles Nisbet. The splendid reputation of Mr. Atwater as a gentleman of excellent moral and religious character, of exemplary industry and assiduity, and of valuable literary attainments, standing high in the esteem of man of the first eminence in the New England states, affords a happy presage of the increased usefulness and growing consequence of this Institution.

When to this appointment is added the late acquisition of the Rev. Henry Wilson, Professor of Languages, a gentleman eminently qualified to discharge the duties of his situation - with the cooperation of the other learned and experienced professors in the College, its large and increasing Library and valuable Philosophical Apparatus, it is hoped Dickinson College may not undeservedly rank with the first literary establishments now in the U. States.

We ought not to pass unobserved the rapidly improving state of Carlisle; the industry, sobriety and good order which for a long time has prevailed in the town, the regular, decent and moral conduct of the students in general - The Healthiness of the town and neighborhood, the beauty and fertility of the surrounding country - its numerous spring of the purest limestone water - the cheapest of living, and the small expense of education, the whole of which including boarding, washing and tuition, will not exceed at an average 150 dollars per year.

November 21 1810

Carlisle, November 16

High Waters

The Conodoguinet and Yellow Breeches Creeks have not been so full of water, as they were on Sunday morning last for a number of years, to the knowledge of the oldest settlers. The havoc the flood has occasioned on these creeks to fences, dams and even buildings are very considerable. The accounts we daily receive from different parts of the late rains, all detail numerous injuries sustained by the high waters and of lives being lost by drowning.

Capt. George Gibson and Lieut. Talbot Chambers Fight Pirates in Louisiannna

The Centinel, Gettysburg, Pa , April 8 1812

It is with pleasure we give publicity to the following extract of a letter from a gentleman in the army to his friend in this Town,

Dated Baton Rouge, Feb. 27, 1812

"Capt. George Gibson and Lieut. Talbot Chambers (both of your town) with a Sergeant and twelve men, were sent on a secret expedition. They descended the Bayou La Fourche and near the mouth, where it enters the bay, were fired on by a party of Pirates. The Captain's party, clothed in their fatigue dresses were supposed to be citizens. Captain Gibson landed his men under heavy firing and after a few rounds (several of the party being wounded and their retreat cut off) they threw down their arms and surrendered themselves and their booty. They consisted of an equal number with Captain Gibson's party and were armed, each with a musket, brace of pistols and cutlass. The Captain's party were untouched. The leader with two or three of his associates have been taken on to New Orleans by Leiutenant Chambers. He had, some months previous to this affair, fitted out a schooner and cleared out from Orleans as master and owner to a port in South America. They took from them booty, in mostly silver, to the amount of 6000 dollars, together with other articles." The extract mentions further, that Capt. Gibson had been ordered out with a stronger detachment to rid the country along the Gulph (gulf) of Mexico, of all those marauders which infest that place. The 3d Regt. Are under marching orders. A new Cantonment is to be formed on the Chesupete river, to be called St. Tammany. This will be in a new country, little inhabited but said to be healthy, about 60 or 70 miles east of Orleans. (Carlisle Herald).

Republican Compiler,
January 24, 1821

Carlisle, Jan.18

Confragration - On Thursday night last, about eight o'clock, the house occupied by Mr. Robert McPherson, and those on each side, adjoining the one occupied by Col. McGionis, and the other by Mr. Zollinger, in this borough, were consumed by fire. It originated from the stove pipe of the former, and had progressed considerably in an upper chamber, before it was discovered. On the alarm being given, the citizens with great alacrity, turned out and brought the fire-engines to the scenes, but unfortunately, the want of a sufficiency of water, and a greater want of good management prevented them being as serviceable as they should have been in the outset. The difficulty in forming LINES could scarcely be surmounted until a sufficient number of LADIES appeared and filled the places which ought to have been previously occupied by a number of idle, lazy or indifferent male spectators, who, with folded arms, gazed on, regardless of the approaching ruin! At length a line was formed to the Letart Spring, and that part which came under our eyes was composed chiefly of females, who labored with as much earnestness, as though each was the proprietor of the burning tenements. And here again, to the disgrace of men, of the "sturdy sons of Adam", the effeminate DAUGHTERS were obliged to bear the burden of the night, by being placed on the heavy or water side of the line, in consequence of the number of DRONES who shamelessly placed themselves on the other side.

It is painful for us to be thus obliged to censure any part of our citizens, for, generally, they deserve applause for their exertions - but, to give indiscriminate praise, would be robbing the worthy part of the honor due them.

The length of time which has elapsed since this borough was visted by so destructive a fire, or indeed, by any conflagration at all, maybe an excuse for such as were willing to render service, but, for the want of system were, in a great measure incapable, but it can in no wise be a plea, for those who would not, in any shape, put to their hands to save the endangered property of their fellow citizens.

Neither of the fire companies were conspicuous on the occasion, is consequence of which, we are informed, many articles which were exposed, and which ought to have come under the care of the property-men, were either destroyed, or that which is worse - stolen by some proligate wretches.

The principal part of Mr. Pherson's property was destroyed, as well as that of his boarders. That of those inhabiting the two other tenements, we believe, was saved. The greatest sufferer, we understand is Mrs. Kernan, whose means of substance were chiefly drawn from the rents of the two first mentioned buildings.

We trust that the above lamentable occurance may answer as a solemn warning to our citizens generally, to be watchful of their erns, and to our fire companies, particularly, to organize themselves, that they may be enabled to render those services which are expected of them, should a similar occurrence require it.

Much praise is due to our citizens for their liberal contributions to relieve the distresses of the sufferers. On Friday last, we understand, that between four and five hundred dollars were subscribed and collected. - Volunteer.

Gettysburg Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
December 4 1822 Page 2

Carlisle, Nov. 28

Five men were committed to the jail of this county, yesterday, charged with having robbed a wagon at the house of Jacob Hocker, on the Walnut Bottom road, in Dickinson township. - Volunteer

Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
January 15, 1823

Carlisle, Jan. 9

FIRE!! We are informed by a gentleman who was at the place, that about 9 o'clock on Sabbath evening last, the Grist Mill belonging to Captain James and Samuel Piper, on Big Spring, was consumed to ashes. The mill contained a large quantity of grain and flour, and the loss to a number of individuals is very considerable. The fire is supposed to have proceeded from a chimney in the lower story. The light was plainly perceived by many of the inhabitants of this borough - but, none of them that we have heard of, are so keenly scented as the Chambersburg gentry, who are stated to have smelt it, at the distance of twenty miles. - Volunteer.

Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
March 26 1823 Page 3

Fire! - It was only the other day that we learnt, or we should have sooner noticed, the very severe loss sustained by Mr. Peter Lobach, of South Middleton township, in the destruction by fire of his house with its contents, about two weeks ago. In addition to his other losses, we are informed that from $400 to $700 in bank notes, were burnt. None of the family were in the house when the fire commenced. How it originated is not known. - Carlisle Volunteer, March 20.

Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
December 17, 1823 Page 3

Carlisle, Dec. 11

On Wednesday last, Joseph Nelson, who had been confined in the jail of this county for some months, was taken to Perry county to be tried for the supposed murder of his brother in July last. His counsel were Samuel Alexander, and Charles B. Penrose, Esquires; those for the Commonwealth were Henry M. Campbell and ___ M'Clure, Esquires. The trial lasted till Sunday morning, when the jury brought in a verdict of murder in the second degree. He was sentenced to the penitentiary for the term of twelve years. He is at present in jail of this borough, but will be shortly taken to Philadelphia. - Volunteer.

Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)

June 23 1824

Harrisburg, June 12

About the same time, the large store house of Mr. Adam Eichelberger, in Cumberland county, was also consumed by the effects of lightning with most of its contents. - Pennsylvanian.

September 1 1824

Carlisle, Aug. 23

Horrible Murder

A few days ago the body of a man supposed to be a drover, was found on the North Mountains, a few miles below Sterrettt's Gap, in Cumberland county, with his throat cut, and his body stabbed in several places - no papers could be found on his body, or anything to tell who he was or where he came from. - Dem. Repub.

Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) October 27 1824

Carlisle, PA., Oct 13

Not long since Messrs. Moser and Peters, two enterprising Germans, established in this place a foundry of Stereotype plates, and commenced the publication of an edition of the New Testament, in the German language, from the plates which they prepared. We are happy to learn that their laudable enterprise has met with encouragement. They have already printed and sold 2500 copies, and are now striking off another edition, which will make the number amount to between 3 and 4 thousand. They are retailed to subscribers well bound with clasps, after the German method, at the rate of 75 cents, and in sheets at 37 ½ cents per copy. The demand for them has been very great, and the typographical execution does credit to the printers. We take this notice of the subject, not only because we think that the enterprise and industry of these our deserving citizens, merit commendation, but because we desire that the fact of the existence of Stereotype plates of the German Testament in our country should be generally known. There is an immense and growing German population in this state, and parts of Maryland, Virginia and Ohio, a large proportion of which is not adequately supplied with the Word of Life. Their prejudices will not suffer them to make themselves sufficiently acquainted with the English language to read the English Bible, and the difficulty of procuring German copies, and the great expense too at which they have generally been obtained, have prevented the free circulation of the scriptures in this important and extensive population. Might not the American Bible Society find it advantageous to procure copies of this testament and be able to circulate the scriptures in the German language at a cheaper rate than by importation? The rapidity with which the different editions that have been stricken off during the past year have sold, shew clearly that the want of the scriptures among the German population is very considerable: and will not every philanthropic mind see at once that it would be much better to circulate the Bible among them in their own language, and that promptly and extensively, than to withhold the scriptures from them, till the English language shall supplant the German. - Adviser.

The Evening Sentinel" (Carlisle, PA.), April 13, 1926

"CARLISLE'S OLDEST CITIZEN 97 TOMORROW"
" WILLIAM H. THOMPSON TALKS OF CIVIL WAR"

Donated by Susan Alexander Llauget

"Carlisle's oldest citizen, William R. Thompson, prominent civil war veteran who fought four years for Uncle Sam in the sixties, will be 97 years old tomorrow. He and his aged wife, who is 78, reside with their daughter, Mrs. Emma Emlet at 42 East Penn Street. When visited by a Sentinel reporter, Mr. Thompson was found occupying a comfortable rocker and was in good spirits. He is in fairly good health, although his hearing and eyesight are impaired.

He has a quite clear memory, however, and seemed to delight in reminiscenses, especially as he related his experiences in the civil war.

LIVED SIMPLE LIFE

"Mr. Thompson said he attributed his longevity to the 'simple life,' and particularly to plain and substantial food. The veteran, now within three years of the century mark, said, 'Yes, I smoke and I have chewed tobacco since I was twelve years old.'

"Mr. Thompson is able to walk about the house and yard and is able to attend the annual dinner to veterans given by the Kiwanis club. 'I certainly enjoy these dinners,' he said.

BORN IN ENGLAND

"Mr. Thompson was born in England and was 32 years old when he came to America. He enlisted in the civil war in New York City in the Third New York (Horn's) Battery and in Carlisle subsequently enlisted in the 17th Calvary in command of Captain Joe Sponsler. After the war he resided in Adams County and by trade was a mason. He was wounded in Pickett's charge at Gettysburg and was in the battle of the Wilderness, Antietam, first and second Bull Run and Spottsylvania Court House. 'I fought as hard as I could,' he said when talking of his service in battle. Mr. Thompson is a member of the Brethren church.

He has two sons, Robert Thompson, of Gettysburg, and Harry Thompson, of near that town.

"He lived in Adams County for about 40 years but for thirteen years has been a citizen of Carlisle. He is a member of Captain Colwell Post, 201, G. A. R. of Carlisle and has great admiration for his friend, the Post Commander. Comrade John D. Hemminger."

The 1823 Cumberland County Agricultural Society Meeting

Taken From The Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, PA), Nov 1823 Page 2
Reprinted From the Carlisle Volunteer

Agricultural

The Agricultural Society of Cumberland county, convened on Saturday the 25th of October, 1823, agreeably to public notice, for the purpose of holding their annual exhibition and cattle show. The following committees of examination were appointed, viz: For live stock, Edward J. Stiles, John Harper, George Lee, Thomas Lee, and Samuel Piper: For crops, John M'Keehan, John M'Dowell and Abraham Myers: For manufactures and miscellaneous articles, James Crever, Benjamin Stiles, and Benjamin Peffer. At three o'clock they made their reports, which were severally adopted, and orders drawn on the treasurer for the premiums awarded.

To Thomas Lee was awarded a premium of $12 for his very handsome young black Horse.

To Wm. Rodgers a premium of $8 for his roan Mare.

To Wm. Boyd, a premium of $15, for a Bull of nine months old, of the short horned breed.

To Christian Hemerich, a premium of $5, for a very fine Bull, of the common breed, 13 months old.

To Jacob Kunkle, a premium of $5, for a very fine Keg, exhibited by him.

To Joseph Hays, a premium of $10, for the best crop of Indian Corn, being 108 bushels per acre.

To Jacob Alter, jr. a premium of $5, for the best crop of Mangel Wurtzel, being 294 bushels off a quarter of an acre, and weighing fifty pounds per bushel. This is equal to 1176 bushels, or 29 ½ tons, per acre.

The certificates of Crops were accompanied with accurate and interesting statements of the mode of culture, & c.

To society was much pleased with some Beets exhibited by Jacob Bishop and E. J. Stiles: one of Mr. Bishop's weighed nearly 18 pounds.

To E. J. Stiles and John Wilson, each, was awarded a premium of three dollars, for Wine of their own manufacture; of the excellence of which they both furnished the society with the most satisfactory evidence.

To John Gray, Esq., a premium of $5, for a piece of 24 yards of linen, made in his own family "of a very superior quality."

But nothing so much attracted the attention of the curious, as the beautiful Glass Bee Hive, of Major W. Foulke, for which a premium of two dollars was awarded to him.

The Society also noticed with pleasure a number of other animals and articles produced. The concourse of people, and the deep interest excited, strongly evinced the importance of the object of the meeting, and the great advantage to be derived from these exhibitions, and from such societies generally. This society is determined that the object of its institution shall be carried into full effect; and with that view, two very important committees were appointed & are to make their reports at an adjourned meeting which will be held at the County Hall, on the 9th of December next: viz. E. J. Stiles, Andrew M'Dowell, S. Alexander, Henry Ford and Thomas Lee, to devise and report the most eligible Scheme of Premiums, their arrangement, mode of distribution, & C. and Maj. W. Foulke, B. Stiles and B. Peffer, to prepare and report a scheme from the procurement from distant places of the best seeds, plants, & c. for the use of the members.

E. J. Stiles, Major Foulke, and T. Lee, in very handsome terms, requested the society to receive the premiums, awarded to them respectively, and to apply the same to the increase of the society's library. Mr. Hays also desired that one half of the premium awarded to him, should be applied to the same purpose.

A number of members were admitted, and the society adjourned till Tuesday the 9th of December at 10 A.M.

Samuel Alexander, Sec'ry.

--Transcribed by Nancy Piper

The Bucks County Gazette (Bristol, Pennsylvania) September 9, 1875

George Metzer of Cumberland county is the veteran Pennsylvania legislator. He served for a single session in the House of Representatives in 1813-14, and is now ninety-five years of age.

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