Miscellaneous Newspaper Articles From the Past
York County Pennsylvania
The Adams Centinel, Gettysburg, PA
January 6, 1802
Murder committed at the house of Shedrach Corbin in Hopewell township, York county, on the night of the 24th of December last, by a certain Joseph Smith, John Smith, Samuel Montgomery, and Jacob Musser on the body of David Ramsey of Fawn township and said county. Application has since been made to the Civil Authorities and Joseph Smith was apprehended and afterwards effects his escape; the others as evidence of their guilt, have also absconded, or are secreted by their friends. All lovers of Justice, and friend to good order and society, are enjoined to use their endeavors to apprehend the perpetrators and have them brought to Justice.
Joseph Smith is about 5 feet 7 or 8 inches high, about 24 or 25 years of age, of a dark complexion, a native of Holland, speaks broken English and has the features almost of a Negro, had his hair tied and lisps much in speaking. He wore a blue jacket, a crossbar red swandown vest, blue trowsers and a fine high crowned furr hat.
John Smith is about 6 feet 1 or 2 inches high, about 22 years of age, an American, slender made, has fair hair which he wears tied: He wore a coat of winesane color, jacket and trowers of the same color, and a fine high-crowned hat.
Samuel Montgomery is about 30 years of age, about 5 feet 9 or 10 inches high, sandy hair, much freckled in the face, and very lame in one leg when he walks: He wore a blue coat about half worn and gray coating trowsers.
Jacob Messer is about 5 feet 8 or 9 inches high, about 20 years of age or upward, a Blacksmith by trade, has fair hair and is slender made. He wore a linsey coat of winestone color, coarse gray coating trowsers, lisps in speaking, and has little of a German Brogue.
Any person apprehending the perpetrators of the above Murder, in that, they be brought to justice, shall receive 40 dollars reward or 10 dollars for either of them paid by
Samuel Ramsey
January 2, 1802
The Centinel, Gettysburg, PA
August 28 1805
York, August 22
FIRE!
On the night of Saturday last, about 1 o'clock, the inhabitants of this town, were by a cry of fire called to a scene of devistation, which proved to be in the barn of John Hay, Esq. This together with several of the adjoining buildings were so instantantenously inveloped in flames, that every exertion on the part of the inhabitants to preserve them, proved ineffectual. By this dreadful calamity, the barn of John Hay, Esq., in which the fire originated, together with its valuable contents, consisting of between 6 or 800 bushels of grain, a house the property of Dr. John Rouse, occupied by John Glessner as a tavern, a brick building belonging to James Smythe, Esq., and another dwelling house the property of Mr. Shmuck with several other buildings - fell a prey to the devouring element. The distresses of this night deprived two families of their residence, together with a considerable part of their property.
The spirited exertion of the citizens and a calm atmosphere, prevented the conflagration from being much greater, as the buildings were compactly situated.
This repeated instance in this borough of fire originating in a barn, has excited suspicion, that there are again evil minded persons among us, and in consequence the Burgesses have offered one hundred dollars reward for detecting the incendiary.
The Sprig of Liberty, Gettysburg, PA
October 16 1806
The wife of Mr. Roberts of Dover, was lately delivered of three beautiful and perfect boys, each weighing 7 pounds, who with their prolific mother are all in perfect health. -- Hampshire Gazette.
The Republican Compiler, Gettysburg, PA
July 28, 1819
York, PA, July 22
Robbery - The store of Peter Dinkle, of this borough (York) was robbed on Tuesday night last of about 420 dollars - three hundred in bank notes and one hundred and twenty dollars in specie. One of the notes is a $100 note on the US Bank. The thief ascended to the balcony, entered through the window, descended the stairs, broke open the middle door leading to the store - he took the drawers from the counter and carried them up to the balcony, where he helped himself to the contents as above stated.
The Republican Compiler, Gettysburg, PA
August 11, 1819
On Monday last, a citizen of York county, on his way to this place, was taken ill a few miles below town, in the consequence of drinking too freely of cold water, and died that night - Republican
The Republican Compiler, Gettysburg, PA
August 11, 1819
York, Aug. 3
Much agitation has been excited in this place for the last few days, by the sudden disappearance of a man named Charles Heggens, an Irishman by birth, and we understand a weaver by profession. The circumstances of his having had a considerable sum of money with him; his mysterious and sudden disapearance, and the finding on the banks of the creek a quantity of clothing and some of the little implements of his trade, lead to the suspicion that he has been murdered. Active search has been made for his body, but as yet it has not been found.
The Republican Compiler, Gettysburg, PA
September 8, 1819
The publication of the York Recorder has been discontinued. This has been one of the oldest establishments in the state. The first paper was issued on the 7th January, 1789, by James and John Edie and Wilcox. In these hard times, when banks and men following the best business are daily failing around us, it cannot excite our special wonder, that those following the worst, newspaper printing, should also be under the necessity of stopping payment. - York Gaz.
The Republican Compiler, Gettysburg, PA
November 10, 1819
A very singular casualty happened in the neighborhood of Wrightsville on Saturday last. Mr. Christopher Noel, was engaged in hauling logs, and after the spring-pole was tied, the rope broke by which is was fastened and recoiling with great force, struck him in the nape of the neck and killed him on the spot. York Gaz.
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
December 27 1820
York Pa., Dec. 19
On Thursday morning last, about half past 5 o'clock the steam mill of Phineas
Davis and William Gwens situated near the Methodist meeting house in this
borough, was discovered on fire and together with a quantity of clover seed
entirely consumed. The machinery and the application of steam power to it
was on a new plan, the invention of Mr. Davis one of the owners. The loss
estimated at about 1200 dollars - Gaz.
Gettysburg Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
June 26 1822
York, Pa., June 18
Thunderstorm
Last Tuesday about 3 o'clock in the afternoon, this place was visited with a heavy shower of rain, accompanied with very severe thunder and lightning. There was a copious effusion of electric fluid, and many objects came in contact with it, yet the damage done is not very extensive, the destructive fluid having been discharged chiefly in the woods and fields. In a space of woods, of about 30 acres, three miles east of this place, between 15 and 20 trees have been splintered. The damage done of which we hear, and which is most essential, was near this place, where a house of P. J. King was struck. The explosion fell upon the chimney, from whence it branched off in three directions, one branch descending the chimney, and the other tow in opposite directions along the rafters, passing down to the wall, breaking through the wall, the house was filled with such a mass of the fluid, that it shattered the ceiling, and in escaping out, splintered the doors and broke every window in the house, carrying away the sashes in some of them.
Mr. Stough, who occupies the house, was sitting under the door, where one of the branches of lightning came down, and split the door case, and threw it against his feet, yet, he was not affected otherwise, than being slightly stunned. Nor did the rest of his family, who were near him, feel the effects any more than himself.
Some hemp on the garret was on fire, but the flame was extinguished before it did much damage.
In Windsor township, a new house of Mr. Wanbaugh, was struck by the lightning, some of the logs and the windows were shattered to pieces. Some yarn in the house was burnt, and the fluid passing through an almanac hanging in the house, left a hole in it as if a musket ball had been shot through it.
In Springgarden township, a mare of Mr. Abraham Heistand, and a cow of Mr. Fitzsimmons were killed. It is supposed the same body of fluid killed both these animals, although they were more than half a mile distant from each other. The ground of this supposition is, that from the place where the mare was struck the fluid passed on about 90 yards and struck a walnut tree, and thence proceeded to the cow, which being at a spot, placing the three objects in a straight line from each other. - Gazette.
Gettysburg Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
June 26, 1822 Page 3
York, Pa, June 25
On Friday evening another person (named Joseph Smith) was committed to the jail of this county, on a charge of passing counterfeit paper. The counterfeits which have been uttered on the Harrisburg Bank, are among the best specimens of villainous talent, which we have seen. The paper - engraving - signatures, are completely imitated. In the filling up only, is the imitation not good. - Recorder.
Gettysburg Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
July 17 1822 Page 4
York Pa, July 9
Lightning - On Sunday afternoon last, about 4 o'clock, a barn belonging to the heirs of the late Jacob Hoke, about 4 miles west of York, was struck by lightning, and consumed. It contained near 20 thousand sheaves of grain, the last of which had been gathered into it but the preceding day. These occurrences happening often recently, will probably direct the attention of people to lightning rods - at least induce the trial whether they can avert the artillery of heaven and protect their property from destruction. - Gaz.
Gettysburg Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
November 20 1822 Page 1
York, Pa., Nov. 12
Melancholy Accident
On Monday the 4th inst. George Daron, Jr. and Jacob Fink, in Dover, York county, were blowing rocks in a well. Having loaded the rock and put fire to it, it would not go off - they went down and adjusted the priming. Mr. Daron had ascended but a few steps on the ladder, when it exploded, and injured him so severly that his life was despaired of, but he is now in a fair way of recovering. Mr. Fink who threw himself in the bottom of the well escaped unhurt, except being pretty severly stunned so as to deprive him of hearing for a time. - Gazette.
Gettysburg Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
December 25 1822 Page 1
York, Pa. Dec 17
Henry Norbeck and his son, a youth of 14 years of age, were committed to the jail of York county, on Wednesday last, for stealing Mr. Hantz's 115 dollars in specie. Norbeck had been pardoned but 5 weeks before by the governor. He lodged at the house of Mr. Hantz on Saturday night and on Sunday morning. When it was found that the money was stolen, Norbeck voluntarily submitted to be searched, and remained until Monday morning to obviate suspicion. But being just from the penitentiary these precautions did not avail him, and after he left town he was followed to Hanover, where it was found that he had exchanged the specie for notes. But 50 dollars were found with him when arrested. He confesses his guilt but declares his son innocent. The mulatto boy who entered the store of Eli Kirk, and a certain James M'Dowell as an accomplice, were also commited to the jail of his county - Gazette.
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
February 5 1823 Page 1
York, Pa, Jan. 28
Robbery - On Thursday night last a robbery was committed at the house of John Kauffman, in York township, about three miles from this place, by three men who were armed with guns and pistols. Mr. Kauffman and his wife, who are both advanced in years, were the only persons in the house, and the robbers being armed, they were enabled to make a thorough search of the house without interruption. They ransacked every nook and corner and tore up the floor of the house in quest of the "root of all evil," and got for their pains only the paltry sum of six dollars. Mr. Kauffman fortunately having had his money deposited with a neighbor, and has since to make assurance doubly sure, removed about one thousand dollars from the deposit with his neighbor, and lodged it in the York bank. Suspicion has alighted on persons, whose names on the possibility of their innocence, we forbear to mention. - Gazette.
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
February 5 1823 Page 3
York Pa, Jan 21
Fire - On Sunday the 26th ult, the mill with between 5 and 600 bushels of grain, belonging to Benedict meads, of Hopewell township, York county, was consumed by fire. - Gazette.
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) January 29 1823 Page 3
York, Pa., Jan. 21
On Friday night last, the mail stage from Philadelphia between York and Wrightsville was fired at between 10 and 11 o'clock at night - nobody was hit nor hurt by it. It is difficult to say what could have been the object of an attack on the stage returning from Philadelphia - if it was to rob the mail, the robbers could certainly not promise to themselves a great reward fro their villainy than those obtained who broke into a printing office at New York for the purpose of plunder, whree they found nothing by old news and other papers, of no use but to the owner - Gazette.
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) February 12 1823 Page 2
Mistake Corrected.
At article from the York Gazette has been going the rounds of the papers for a couple of weeks past - which mentions the stage having been shot at, by some malicious person, between this and Wrightsville. The report is entirely without foundation. The truth of the matter is, that as the stage was passing Mrs. Bahn's, about five miles from town, some person about the house discharged a gun at an owl which had perched on some object behind the house. But the shot was not in the direction of the stage - and if it had been there could have been no great occasion of alarm to the stage passengers, as the charge of the gun must have passed through Mrs. Bahn's dwelling house before it could have reached them. - York Recorder.
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
April 30 1823 Page 4
York, Pa., April 23
Robbers - We have repeatedly had occasion to mention the exploits of a trio or gang of robbers, in the neighborhood of York, within the last few months. Heretofore they confined their depredations to farm-houses. It appears they have now taken to the highway, where, from their boldness evinced on several occasions, they will soon rival a Robin Hood, or Rinaldini, if the justice of the country does not arrest their career. A Mr. Dinsmoore was in this place with a load of shad, which he disposed of, and having become known to the trio they waylaid and robbed him of about 70 dollars, on Friday night last, about 3 miles from town, on the Peach-bottom road.
On the same night a Mr. Sheffer, was stopped on the highway and robbed of a small sum of money.
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
June 4 1823 Page 3
Frederick, May 28
Extract of a letter to the Editor of the Examiner, dated
Uniontown, May 21
"This village and neighborhood was visited last night by a severe storm of hail, wind and violent rain; accompanied with incessant end vivid lightnings. Many of our fields of rye are totally destroyed; great injury done to gardens and fruit trees. The plumbs, cherries and apricots, which had escaped the frost, have, in 1 hour, been beaten off and destroyed. Almost every house in the village has had glass broken. One house has had upwards of 60 panes of glass broken by the hail and upwards of 560 panes have been broken by the storm in this little village. The hail-stones were generally as large as hickory nuts, and of various shapes, and so numerous, that this morning, after sun-rise, they might be collected in handsfull, although the weather has continued remarkably sultry.
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
April 21 1824
York Pa. April 13
The following account of a daring robbery was communicated to us by a gentleman residing in the vicinity where it occurred. The perpetrator is a hatter by trade, and was some time employed in this place, and was known here by the name of "Sailor John"
A Most Daring Robbery
Was committed on Friday the 2d inst. About 4 o'clock P.M. within a quarter of a mile from the village of M'Cannicksburg, Hopewell township, York county, Pa., on the road leading to the town of Shrewsbury, by a person who called himself John Young. But having since obtained more correct information, we ascertain that his name is William O'Donnald, and who is said to have been but a few days out of the Maryland Penitentiary. This O'Donnald, and Mr. Michael Cramling, had been some time together at the public house of Benedict Meads, in Hopewell. O'Donnald and Cramling agreed to accompany each other to Shrewsbury, but scarcely were they out of sight, when O'Donnald, being on foot, suddenly sprung forward and demanding Cramling's money, declaring himself a robber; and with a large club knocked him off his horse, and beat him severely when on the ground. But the club breaking, O'Donnald had recourse to stones, which he handled with great skill. Cramling, having recovered from the shock, made off, but O'Donnald, being determined to take his life, followed him within forty rods of Mr. Anstines' house, and in view of the place they started, where he rifled him of some money and left him, bending his course towards the York & Baltimore turnpike. The neighbors, after the alarm had been given, used their utmost endeavors to detect the villain; but night drawing on, he effected his escape. Any person viewing the place, and its nearness to the inhabitants, the blood on trees, stones and leaves, which issued from eleven deep wounds in Cramling's head, will undoubtedly believe it to be one of the most daring robberies ever committed in the Union; and nothing less than the immediate hand of Providence could have spared the life of Cramling, as that was the villain's object before he could secure the booty.
O'Donnald is about 5 feet 2 or 3 inches high, marked on the breast and the back of his hands with Indian ink, had a scar on the cheek, large head, and very wide between the eyes and shoulders; otherwise light made; has a scar on the left little finger, funning from the knuckle joint to the hand. His clothing consisted of a blue coat, white spotted vest, and cotton olive-green pantaloons. He is about 24 years of age.
Printers in the different parts of the Union will confer a favor upon their fellow-citizens, by giving the above statement publicity, so that the villain may be stopt in his career, and brought to justice. The reward will be considerable, but as the person robbed is not capable at this time to act his part, and his life much despaired of, the sum is yet uncertain. - Gazette.
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Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
May 12 1824
A letter dated Washington, Pennsylvania, April 26th 1824, to the Sheriff of York County, states that O'Donald, the robber of Michael Cramling of this county, was on that day arrested and put in prison at Washington. He called himself William Jackson, and denied ever being a scaman, but a Mr. Baxter of Washington, says he knows him, and that he served his apprenticeship with his brother. The writer of the letter suggests that a warrant be issued by the prosecuting attorney for his removal, and that some person should proceed to Washington to identify him. Mr. Cramling, if he has got over his wounds, would be the proper person for that purpose. - York Gaz.
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
May 5 1824
York, Pa., April 27
Fire
On Monday night, of last week, the Grist Mill of Mr. Frederick Gram, of Fairview
township, in this county, was destroyed by fire. The flames, bursting out
about midnight, gave the first alarm, but it was then too late to do anything
with effect, and the building, with all its contents, consisting of more
than three thousand bushels of grain, fell a prey to the destroying element.
It is not known in what manner the fire originated. - Recorder.
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
June 23 1824
On Saturday evening last, the large and valuable barn of John Herr, in Hellam township, on the road from York to Wrightsville, about one mile from the latter place, was destroyed by fire. It is said to have been the work of an incendiary.
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
September 8, 1824
York, Aug. 31
On Sunday last several families in number about 20 persons, took their departure from the borough of York, for Philadelphia, there to embark for the land which is governed by President Boyer. - Gaz.
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
September 15, 1824
Translated from the German York Gazette, of Sept. 10
Supposed Murder
Last Monday four persons were put into the prison of York county, charged with having committed a murder. The circumstances of the case are so far as we have heard, as follows: About the end of March or the beginning of April last, a certain George Brown, a drover from Westmoreland county, who had sold a drove of cattle in York, Lancaster, Chester and Philadelphia counties, is supposed, on his return, to have arrived at a house in the vicinity of this place, which sustained none of the best of characters. After he had gone into the house, one of the women brought a quart of whiskey, and after they had intoxicated him therewith, they robbed him of the sum of 800 or 900 dollars. Soon afterwards disagreements occurred amongst the women of the house, perhaps about the division of the plunder, and one of them was driven off. This one frequently stated, that Jacob Seitz, and the other woman, had murdered the man. But as this accusation was made by a person of bad character, there was no credit attached to it, and no search made, The matter, therefore, remained quiet for about 6 months, until the friends of Brown, here received several letters from his family, enquiring where he delayed so long. Whereupon an examination took place, and the accused were arrested. The female who had been driven out of the house was examined as a witness, and her statements under oath, confirms the charge which she had frequently made. She says that Jacob Seitz and his wife murdered Brown; she having left the room in which they done it, when they attacked him, and went into an antechamber or the kitchen, where she heard the cried of Brown; and that Seitz, soon afterwards came down the steps, carrying Brown on his shoulders, but where he took him she cannot tell.
The house and neighborhood have been searched, but nothing of the body has been found. Further search will probably be made. It would probably be imprudent to depend upon the evidence of the person who has accused Seitz and others; were it not supported by the fact, that Brown has been missing from his family since the time specified. Under all the circumstances many entertain doubts respecting the matter.
$50 REWARD
Is offered by the subscriber, to the person or persons, who shall find the corpse of George Brown, who, as is believed, was murdered in this neighborhood. Should Georg Brown be yet alive, he or his friends are requested to inform the subscriber of the fact, so that htose who are imprisoned on his account may be liberated, and the anxiety of our citizens, respecting the unhappy fate which it is feared has befallen him, may be removed. Editors of papers are respectfully requested to insert the above.
George Lauks
Springgarden township, York county, Penn. Sept. 10, 1824
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
September 22, 1824
York, Pa., Sept 14
Most Distressing Accident
Yesterday morning being the anniversary of the battle of North Point, the Volunteer Artillery assembled, bfore the day, to announce it with their field-piece. The company contemplated going to Baltimore on the arrival of La Fayette, were trying to go through the firing expeditiously, discharging the piece four times in a minutes. Being discharges ten times in rapid succession, the piece became heated to such a degree, that the person who was stationed to confine the air by closing the touch hole was forced to take his thumb off. An explosion was the consequence, by which Francis L. Koons and G. P. Ziegler, who were in the act of ramming down the cartridge, were severely wounded. The fingers of the left hand of Mr. Koons were all blown away, except the thumb, and the other hand was so much injured that the little finger had to be amputated. The right hand of Mr. Ziegler has been carried off, and the arm above the wrist was so dreadfully lacerated, that it was found necessary to amputate the arm between the wrist and elbow. On his other hand the fingers were also much torn and the thumb entirely carried away. The cannon was stationed on George street bridge, and some of their fingers were found in the lower end of George street, about 100 yards from the Bridge.
They were both most promising and respectable young men, who had just verged into manhood, and no occurrence in our recollection, has called forth more universal regret than this deplorable accident, which has deprived them of those limbs which are indispensable to the proper discharge of the duties of life, and cut them off from the cheering prospect which they had before them, of occupying a place in this world with comfort to themselves and advantage to their fellow citizens. -- Gaz.
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