Northampton Miscellaneous News Articles From the Past
The Centinel (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
January 16, 1811
Easton, (Penn.) Dec. 1
Lehigh Coal - A Coal Mine was discovered some time ago, by Col. Jacob Wiess, near the Lehigh river about 35 miles from this borough. About ten days since, Mr. Jacob Wiess, jun., brought between 60 and 70 bushels down the Lehigh, in a boat, to this place. Mr. Gullock, who keeps the Easton Hotel, immediately purchased the coal, and had a grate fixed in one of his rooms in order to try it. It has been found to answer extremely well, and is perfectly free from smoke, which the imported Virginia coal is subject to. It appears to be a vein of the coal discovered near Wilksbare, and which has been burnt at Mr. Slaymaker's in Lancaster the last two or three years. By the New York papers we find that coal has been transported from Wilksbarre, down the Susquehannah, in arks, to Havre de Grace, from which place it was shipped to New York; and had been tried in the city hotel of that city, and found to answer much better than was expected. Indeed the New York papers speak of it as far superior to the Liverpool coal.
Although we have abundance of coal near the Lehigh, in this county, we cannot procure a supply unless the river rises. How necessary therefore it is that the legislature of our state should appropriate a sum of money to clear the navigation of the Lehigh. If the Lehigh was navigable during the summer months, the citizens of Philadelphia could obtain this coal for about thirty-one cents per bushel.
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
February 14 1821
Easton, Pa, Feb. 1
Another Warning
On Sunday morning last, a young man of the name of Roberts, was shooting at wild ducks on the banks of the Delaware, a short distance below this place, at the same time an infant son of Mr. Swanders was playing by the side of the river - the gun was discharged and the contents lodged in the abdomen of the child. The poor little sufferer is now lying under the greatest torment, and we understand, no hopes are entertained of his recovery.
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
July 9 1823 Page 4
Easton, June 29
The Academy in this town, was struck with lightning on Friday evening last, and the cupola, walls, doors, &c. considerably injured. This is another instance of the danger of topping cupolas with an iron rod, without extending it to the ground. Had this happened in the day time while the pupils were assembled, the consequence most probably would have been terrifick. Lightning rods do not appear to be in the estimation they deserve: buildings standing alone or elevated, would seldom be injured had they one or more of these guards judiciously placed.
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
July 21, 1824
Easton, Pa, July 2
Progress of Internal Improvement
An ark laden with stone coal, nine sections, or two hundred and six feet, two inches in length, containing eighty-one tons, three hundred and one quarter, left this place on Wednesday morning last for Philadelphia. This is the heaviest ark that has ever been navigated safely through the windings of the Lehigh - and the 122d that has passed hence since the 2d of April last. Seven or eight years since it would have been attended with considerable difficulty, if not danger, to have guided a skiff safely from Mauch-Chunk to this borough.
The Adams Sentinel (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
January 21 1829
Mail of fire - On the arrival at Doylestown of the way mail from Philadelphia to Easton, it was discovered to be on fire. It was unlocked immediately and the fire extinguished. Some of the letter packets were nearly consumed, so much as to make it impossible to decipher their contents. It is believed the fire was communicated from a segar (cigar) whilst the mail was changing at the Horsham post office.
Anti Masonic Star (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
July 31 1830
A Proclamation
Whereas, I have been duly informed, that a certain John Peters, late of the township of Williams, in the county of Northampton, has been barbarously murdered, and that four persons of the names of Patrick M'Carty, Francis Gaina alias Kanah, Garret Roach and Thomas Duffy, stand charged with being the authors of the crime, and have escaped the vigilance of the officers of justice. And whereas the reputation of the government, the peace and security of its citizens; and the obligations of justice and humanity require, that the perpetrators of an offence so heinous, should be brought to speedy and condign punishment - I have therefore thought proper to issue this proclamation, hereby offering a reward of ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS, to any person or persons who shall apprehend the said fugitives, or either of them, within the county of Northampton, and secure them in the jail of said county, and the sum of TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS, if apprehended and secured in the jail of any other county in this commonwealth, or if apprehended and secured without the limits of the state; which sum or sums are to be paid on the conviction of the perpetrators of the crime: And all judges, justices, sheriffs, coroners, constables, and other officers within this commonwealth, are hereby required and enjoined to be attentive and vigilant in inquiring after and bringing to justice the alleged perpetrators of the crime aforesaid.
Given under my hand and the Great Seal of the state of Harrisburg, this twenty-eight day of June, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty, and of the Commonwealth the fifty-fourth.
By the Governor,
Samuel M'Kean
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Anti Masonic Star (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
December 1 1830
A new post office has been established at Beaver Meadow, Northampton county, Pa., and W. H. Wilson, Esq. appointed postmaster.
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
April 5 1831
Fire!
A house belonging to the heirs of Samuel Sitgreaves, Esq., in Easton Pa., the building of which cost about $29,000, was destroyed by fire, on Saturday morning the 19th ult., together with the entire Store of Messrs. Miller and Van Tagen, which was in it.
Republican Banner (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
May 17 1834
Samuel Innis, editor of the Easton Argus, made an attempt week before last to commit suicide, by cutting his throat with a penknife. The night previous he attended a Masonic Lodge on the Jersey side of the Delaware, and returned home in a drunken frolic. By the last accounts he was alive yet, but in a deplorable situation. The sad fruits of Masonry! - Somerset Herald.
The Peoples Press (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
December 25 1835
A Blow Up
The Northampton Courier relates the particulars of the recent blow up of a large casting at the iron foundry in that town, which created quite a sensation. The foundry, it appears, had just been put in operation by steam, and many spectators were assembled to witness the process. On the first attempt at casting, the sand composing the mould proved too damp, and in consequence the whole casting blew up, scattering the liquid fire in every direction, and setting the furnace in a blaze. The scene is described as ludicross as well as frightful. The air full of red hot iron like lava from a volcano, descending upon the spectators, at the same time the building was on fire, while the terrified people rushed pell mell for the doors, and leaped from the windows, all in the midst of red hot shot, burning clothes and terrible confusion. No one was seriously injured.
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
April 24 1843
Singular Restoration to Reason
The Easton Argus says that Mr. John Stotz, of Nazareth, Northampton county, who had been afflicted with a kind of melancholy sickness, or partial derangement of the mind, for the last eight years, and during which period he had not spoken a word, last week suddenly returned to his usual reason, to the great delight of his friends and acquaintances. He attends to his business as formerly and expresses great joy for his restoration. He is entirely unconscious of any thing that took place during his mental derangement.
Star and Banner (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
October 12 1849
A Handsome Inheritance
Judge Jones, in the Court of Common Pleas of Northampton county (Pa.) has set aside the will of Peter Miller, a wealthy old bachelor, who died lately at Easton, which was affirmed by the Supreme Court. The entire estate, therefore, amounting to nearly $400,000, with the exception of a few trifling legacies, which are valid under the will, goes to Peter Miller, of Ohio, the nephew and only heir at law of the deceased. The Easton Whig says: "The fortunate individual who comes into possession of so large an estate is about sixty years of age, and resides in Morgan county, Ohio, where he has worked a farm as a tenant for a long time. He has a large family - a full baker's dozen of children - all poor."
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