Miscellaneous Newspaper Articles From the Past
Cumberland County Pennsylvania
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.
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)
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)
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.
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
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