Mifflin County PA
Miscellaneous News Paper Articles From the Past
The Adams Centinel (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
October 12 1803
Mifflin County, Sept. 11
The drought is great here; we had no rain from the 1st of June to the middle of July; and none for 5 weeks last to present time. Vegetation is almost entirely destroyed. The Juanita is lower than it ever was known before; and many of the mills rendered useless for want of water
David Jordan Pays Court Costs For Doing Duty
The Centinel (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania), March 11, 1807
Constables, Beware!
The grand jury of Mifflin county, at January term, 1807, has made an example of one of you, for daring to do his duty, under the 100 dollar law. The case which they determined, as well as their opinion of the 2d section of that law, we publish for your information.
Andrew Kiser, Esq., of the borugh of Lewistown, issued an execution, and put it into the hand of David Jordan, constable of said borough, against *****, who resided a few miles from town. Jordan in attempting to levy, or remove property, in pursuance of the execution, was assaulted and battered by the defendant; for which, a suit was instituted. A bill of indictment was presented to the jury; a majority of whom were decidedly of opinion, that the 2d section of the 100 dollar law is oppressive, and ought not to be enforced; that no constable ought to go out of the bounds of the district for which he is elected; and that, consequently, the defendant was not guilty; and awarded Jordan to pay the cost.
The jury according to the information we have received, consisted of 11 jacobins, 2 feds, and 7 quids; Gen. John Bratton, foreman. The quids, we understand, opposed this decision.
The following extract, from the 2d section of the law in question, will show the authority under which the constable acted:
"The justices are respectfully empowered to issue their precepts, directed to the constable of the township, ward, or district where the defendant usually resides, or can be found; or to the next most convenient constable; commanding him", &c.
Rev. Bishop White Injured in Accident
Rev. Bishop White Injured in Accident
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
November 10, 1824
Lewistown, Pa., Oct. 28
It has seldom fell to our lot to record a more painful occurrence, or one which has been more generally regretted, than the disaster which befell the Right Rev. Bishop White, of Philadelphia, on Monday last, near this borough. Bishop White had performed the service of consecrating the new Episcopal Church in this town on Sunday, and sat out early on Monday morning for Huntingdon, in a gig, with W. W. Smith, Esq., of Huntingdon. About 2 miles from Lewistown, the horse took fright and Mr. Smith, not being able to manage him with the reins, was soon thrown from the gig, precipitated upon the turnpike road, and badly wounded. The Bishop, though an old man, (we understand, in his 84th year) retained his seat in the gig, but the reins now being loose, the horse ran about half a mile on the turnpike, when the gig unset, and threw the Bishop with his head upon stones, whereby his forehead and face were badly cut and bruised, and his right arm broken just about the wrist joint. His wounds were at first supposed to be mortal; but we are happy to state, for the satisfaction of his numerous friends in the various parts of the U. States, that he is likely to recover.
He was brought to town upon a bed, supported by four men, and received into the house of Mrs. Irwin; in whose family he receives every care and attention, which kindness and hospitality can bestow.
We have it from Dr. Patterson, that the Bishop is free from fever, and that he passes his nights comfortably and without pain. His sight is much obscured by the swelling in his face, but which is rapidly subsiding. We trust, that in a few weeks, the Right Rev. Bishop, will be restored in health; to the bosom of his family, and the society of his anxious friends. We hear that Mr. Smith is very ill. - Republican
Gettysburg Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
November 20 1822 Page 4
Union Pa., Oct. 29
Large Radishes - Mr. John Slack, who lives on the Laurel hill, there grew this year two Radishes of the following dimensions: The first measures 28 ¾ inches in circumference, was 30 ½ inches in length, and weighed 12 pounds. The second measures 28 ¼ inches in circumference, 19 ½ inches in length and weighted 12 pounds. In the same garden there is a Cabbage head, that measures, clear of loose leaves, 3 feet 3 ½ inches - also a Turnip, measuring 26 ½ inches in circumference. Mr. Slack has also raised this year the finest Potatoes, perhaps, the county can afford, two of which weighed 4 /12 pounds. - Genius.
Gettysburg Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
November 20 1822 Page 4
The fall meeting of the Susquehanna Agricultural Society was held on the 9th ult. The premium for the greatest quantity of domestic manufactures produced in one family, was awarded to W. C. Turrell. His household have made upward of sixteen hungred yards of different kinds of cloth, besides stockings and yarn sold. Sophia Rice received the premium for the best American Leghorn or Grass Bonnett. - Union
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
July 28, 1824
Lewistown, Pa July 6 (Mifflin County)
Spontaneous Combustion
On Wednesday night last, the storehouse of Mr. John Brown, in the occupancy of Mr. James Kellogg, merchant of this place, together with its contents, was destroyed by fire. The night was calm, and through the exertions of the citizens the adjacent buildings were saved.
To account for this fire in any other way than by spontaneous combustion, would be difficult. For several months past no person had been in the house with a candle; the doors were locked, and the locks apparently unbroken at the time of the fire. Amongst the articles in the store-house were several barrels of flax-seed oil, and a considerable quantity of rags; the barrels or one of them particularly, leaked and its drippings communicated with the rags.
That flax-seed oil has a singular property, which has lead sometimes to serious accidents, when mixed with lampblack, or with any light kind of charcoal, or even with vegetable substances, as cotton or flax, the mixture after some time heats spontaneously, and at length bursts into flame, is a fact proved by numerous instances on record. It would be highly satisfactory if some persons acquainted with the chemical components of oil, and the causes of combustion would communicate their ideas on the subject. - Gazette.
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
August 4, 1824
From the Lewistown Pa. Gazette, July 24.
The Lost Child Found
On Friday, the 9th instant, a child of Mr. Alexander Stewart of Wayne township, a girl of about 4 years of age, wandered from the house of its grandfather, and although the most diligent and unremitting search was made by the people in the neighborhood, it could not be found until Saturday morning last, the tenth day after it was lost, when it was discovered standing at the door of a dwelling house in the neighborhood. The agonizing feeling of its mother are said to have been indescribable during the time the child was missing, and the joyous feelings of its parents upon its being discovered can be better imagined than described. When found, it was very faint and weak, having subsisted all the time, it is supposed, upon berries, and the people who first discovered it, we understand, from the kindest feelings, were nigh putting an end to its sufferings by giving it too much nourishment. We have not learnt whether it is able to give any account of its wanderings and sufferings, but presume it is not.
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
November 2 1830
The water was let into the Lewistown and Huntingdon division of the Juniata canal from the Augwick Falls about 26 miles above this place on Tuesday last. The only barrier to letting in the water from Huntingdon we learn, is the unfinished state of the two acqueducts across the river. - Mifflin Eagle, Oct. 21st
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
April 19 1831
The Juniata canal is in full operation from Clark's Ferry to Lewistown. Our Juniata friends will have an opportunity of carrying their ample crops to market, and when at market they will command generous prices.
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
November 29 1831
The snow storm on Monday night, the 21st inst. Extended to a considerable distance. At Lewistown, Pa. the snow fell ten inches deep. A great quantity fell in this neighborhood, (much of which yet remains,) but it drifted too much to ascertain the depth.
The Adams Sentinel (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
March 13, 1832
Lewistown, Pa. Feb. 23
On Saturday last, two individuals by the name of Bixler were drowned in the canal about half a mile below this place. They were both intoxicated - and it is supposed by the one endeavoring to rescue the other, they met with a watery grave. The one has left a wife and several small children.
The Adams Sentinel (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
October 26 1846
Lieut. Woons, one of the brave men who fell at Montery, was a native of Lewistown, Pa., where his father, a venerable clergyman of that place, resides. His materal grandfather was John Witherspoon, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and president of Princeton College. Lieut. Woods was a graduate of West Point, and was, at the time he was slain, 23 years of age. In the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma he distinguished himself as one of the bravest of the brave. He fell in the first charge at Montery. How many gallant spirits will leave their bones in Mexico!
The Adams Sentinel (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
March 1 1847
Honor to the Brave
A resolution passed both Houses of the Legislature on Thursday, appointing committees of each House to attend the funeral of Lieut. Jas. Woons, who fell at Montery, and whose remains are not on the way to Lewistown, the place of his late residence.
The Adams Sentinel (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
January 7 1850
Destructive Fire
The extensive flouring establishment known as the Lewistown Mills on Kishacoquillas creek, Lewistown, Pa., were entirely destroyed by fire on the last day of December. They had just been completed at a cost of $30,000, by Mr. John Sterrett, the owner. There were ten ton of stoens, a smut machine, and many and expensive modern improvements. A quantity of wheat, &c. was consumed. Mr. S has but $10,000 insurance. It took fire from friction of a portion of the machinery.
Star and Banner (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
January 11 1850
The Central Railroad Cars now run as far as McVeytown, twelve miles the other side of Lewistown. The road is steadily and surely progressing toward the West, and the Directors are using every means to make the road productive as fast as it is completed.
The Adams Sentinel (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
July 8 1850
An attempt was made, last week, to fire the bridge of the Pennsylvania Railroad, five miles west of Lewistown. The fire was kindled in one of the abutments, but fortunately discovered in tiem to prevent any serious injury.
The Indiana Democrat (Indiana, Pennsylvania)
July 13, 1893
Geroge Pricketts, aged 50, was shot in the breast three times by Albet Kloss, Lucy Furnace, Mifflin county. Both live at Mount Union.
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