Notes from Monument Square
Newsletter of the Mifflin County Historical Society
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Volume XXV Number 1 JANUARY 1999
(Text version of Society News & Notes)
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Office & Research Library,
1 W. Market St., Suite 1
Lewistown, PA 17044-2128
Phone (717) 242-1022
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McCoy House Museum
17 N. Main St., Lewistown
Sunday afternoon
1:30 - 4:00 p.m.
(May thru December)
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Newsletter Editor : Forest K. Fisher
MCHS e-mail: mchistory@acsworld.net
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Society News & Notes
MEMBERSHIP
We wish to acknowledge and welcome these new annual and individual life members of the Mifflin County Historical Society:
Joan Renaldi, Lewistown
Anna Louise (Fultz) Goss, Harrisburg
Marie Deimler, Tularosa N.M.
Carol Hartley, Lewistown
Gail M. Getz, Thompsontown
Edwin H. Bratton, Lewistown
Steve & Sue Goss, Lewistown
Mr. & Mrs. John R. Ingram, Belleville
Kathy M. Davidheiser, Fairfax, Va.
Muriel Patterson, Lancaster, Wis.
James Armstrong, Harrisburg
New Life Members
Anne Shartzer Price, McClure, Pa.
Paul A. Lantz, Selinsgrove, Pa.
Lance W. Ufema, Lewistown
Ray C. Allison, Lewistown
Please meet...
Members of Our Board
Robert L. Ingram
Lewistown resident Robert L. Ingram, of 321 Cottage Place, Pleasant Acres has been a member of the board of directors since 1996. He serves on the Finance and Legal Committees, as well as the Warehouse Committee.
In addition to his committee work since coming to the board, he also served in two offices — Assistant Treasurer in 1997 and presently Treasurer, moving to that post in 1998.
Members of our board cite many reasons for committing themselves to the society. Ingram commented recently that he has always been drawn to state and local history and his own history through genealogy.
“I’ve always been interested in our heritage, both from a general standpoint and a personal standpoint. The Mifflin County Historical Society is an excellent organization that provides the resources to trace our heritage.”
Making this additional observation, he noted, “ It’s a pleasure and honor to serve on the board with so many competent and dedicated people.”
Along with wife Helen, the Ingrams have two grown children — Jeff of Lewistown and Tracy from Harrisburg and grandchildren Jill and Megan.
Robert L. Ingram — a member of our board. We wish to acknowledge and thank our board members. To keep the Mifflin County Historical Society moving forward, it takes the many, many hours of dedicated and volunteered service they are willing to give.
Grant us a wish?
Have you ever swept the hall stairs with the old Hoover, and seemed to pick up the same dead moth, even if you pass the sweeper over it five different times?
Well, the old vacuum at the McCoy House is ready to be placed in one of the museum exhibit cases. It’s no longer able to pick up the dead moth, even on a fifth pass! Can someone help with a vacuum donation?
We’re in need of a good, used canister model vacuum. Prospective donors may contact Karen Aurand at the society office. Thanks!
Queries - Research yields results
Any time genealogical research turns up missing information in the search for ancestors, it’s a cause for rejoicing! It’s a special treat if the Mifflin County Historical Society is involved in that discovery.
In the June, 1998 issue of this newsletter, a query was printed under the heading, WEBB/MORRISON. That inquiry was submitted by Jim Morrison of Alberta, Canada.
The excerpts below are from that original query.
I am looking for any descendants of Edgar M. WEBB, son of Lafayette Webb and his wife Mary McFADDEN. Edgar M. WEBB (1858-1926) married Catherine Baum MORRISON (1862-1922) on December 14, 1882 in Reedsville, Mifflin Co.
I would appreciate it greatly if anyone who knows anything about them would contact me.
Contact by email at jrmorr@agt.net or:
James R. Morrison
537-25th Street South
Lethbridge AB T1J 3P4
Canada
Morrison eventually contacted the society and research volunteer Mabel Eater went to work. After her final report was sent off in December, the society received this reply under the heading “Great News!”:
Yesterday, the postman delivered a large envelope from the Mifflin County Historical Society that turned out to be the best Christmas present I’ve ever received in a long time.
Mabel Eater, a Research Volunteer at the Society had diligently searched the early records of the County and came up with an amazing number of documents that showed without doubt who the parents of my great-great-great grandmother, Catherine BAUM (1784-1867) who married William Morrison were.
You bet I’m happy and now the research moves to Berks Co. where they came from in 1788.
Jim Morrison
This is what genealogical investigation is all about — the quest and the discovery — when ancestors step from the misty past to become real, documented persons, and members of the family.
Through the assiduous efforts of our dedicated library and research volunteers, like Mabel Eater and others, you may be able to find that missing ancestor and complete the family tree.
BOSTON — 1999 FALL SOCIETY TOUR
Plans for the Mifflin County Historical Society’s Fall Bus Tour are coming into place. Work continues to be done on this tour — a trip to Boston, Mass. scheduled for October 7, 8, 9 & 10, 1999.
Ray C. Allison, co-chair of the Program Committee, reports that as final details are complete, notice will be given through this newsletter and local papers.
Spring tour information is on page 6. Questions may be directed to Ray Allison at (717) 248-9321.
1999 SOCIETY TOUR THINK SPRING!
The Mifflin County Historical
Society’s Spring Bus Tour
Saturday, June 12, 1999
A Walk Through the Years
of Historical York, Pennsylvania
THIS TOUR WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
The Horatio Gates House, The Golden Plough Tavern, The Barnett Bobb Log House, The Colonial Court House, 110 year old Central Market House (still in operation), The Bonhomie House (a Victorian treasure), The Historical Society Museum, The Historic District and Downtown York.
Included in the walking tour of the Historic District will be churches whose congregations predate the year York was officially laid out. We will be including some of the exciting murals that are being incorporated into the Downtown area.
Approximately midway through the tour a catered box lunch will be served in the comfort of the Historical Society Social Room.
Our group will be guided by costumed guides with knowledge of the York historic area.
Cost is $54.00 per person
MAKE RESERVATIONS EARLY
TO GUARANTEE A SEAT
Cost includes: Transportation, All admissions to sites listed, Catered Lunch
Guide Service, Oh yes — Cookies & Juice
For Reservations Call:
Ray Allison at (717) 248-9321
ACQUISITIONS
The Mifflin County Historical Society wishes to acknowledge and thank the following donors for their generosity:
Alan M. Peters, Lewistown - book: Juniata College: The Alumni Record — 1948; A Directory of Alumni, Students, Faculty, Trustees.
Bridget C. Schmidt, Reedsville - [1] Marriage Licenses O Mifflin County 1890-92 Vol. IV [2] Marriage Licenses O Mifflin County 1892-1894 Vol. V.
Agway, Inc., Syracuse, N.Y. - Binder: Minutes of Twin Valley Farm Bureau - Jan. 11, 1960 to June 4, 1965.
Avalon Smith, Yeagertown, Pa. - WW II Air Force uniform (overcoat, jacket, slacks, skirt and cap) which belonged to June Collins - Radio Specialist.
Lib (Mrs. Kenneth M.) Shaver, West Monroe, La. - Large oil painting of Newton Hamilton painted in 1905 by Ada Harvey. Given in memory of Mary B. & Henry B. Shaver by Kenneth M. Shaver.
Estate of John Thompson - [1] Various deeds representing the chain of title to property in Brown Twp., Logan Springs [2] Various Navy orders for service in WW II & photo [3] I.D. bracelet & service ribbons. (These items added to the collection of items received in 1993)
Paul L. Carney, State College, Pa. - [1] booklet - Carney - Regarding life of Francis George Carney [2] booklet - Carney - We Are Seven - Reminiscences regarding W. H. Bruce Carney by his seven children.
Raymond M. Bell, Coralville, Ia. - Genealogical data: Astronaut John Glenn - Pennsylvania Ancestry comp. by the donor, 1998.
Evelyn McMillion, Lewistown - book: Looking for Enoch - Heaton Family comp. & researched by Nora Taylor, Evelyn McMillion & Sandra Tremain. c1998
News from McCoy House
Hometown Christmas a great success
Although the weather was warmer than last December and the ice sculptures located around downtown Lewistown didn’t have a long life, many visitors enjoyed McCoy House in all its holiday splendor.
A perennial holiday favorite, the Mifflin County Garden Club decorates the rooms of McCoy House for the Christmas season in shades of red and green! An estimated 1000 persons toured the museum during the closing days of the 1998 season.
The Museum Committee wishes to extend a big thank you to all our volunteers last season. This includes the Sunday volunteers and those who helped at special events.
1999 season — Kid Connection
and bridal display this spring
The 1999 museum season opens this spring with a display of wedding items. In addition to wedding dresses that are part of the museum’s collection, additional items are being sought for this wedding display.
The museum committee would like members or other interested individuals with wedding items – dresses, bouquets, invitations, etc. – that they would be willing to place on loan, to contact Karen Aurand at the society’s office. The phone number is 242-1022.
The McCoy House Museum will be open during Kid Connection - 1999, held the last Saturday in April.
Railroad items sought for exhibit
This year marks a milestone in local transportation history — the 150th anniversary of the railroad station at Lewistown Junction. The McCoy House Museum will be hosting an exhibit of railroad memorabilia to coincide with the anniversary. Anyone willing to lend any railroad item or related items of interest from the PRR or the KVRR, for example, but not limited to these lines, should contact the society’s office.
Warehouse News - Vo-Tech students continue job
Students from instructor Lee Mackneer’s Building Trades class at the Juniata - Mifflin Counties Area Vocational - Technical School continue to work on the society’s warehouse project.
Mackneer received an Educator Grant from Mifflin County 2000 Inc., to cover the cost of transportation to and from the vo-tech school. The Juniata County bus contractor, realizing the nature of the project, adjusted his charges, to the extent that enough money was left over last year, to allow a return to the site this past fall and winter.
The project, appropriately dubbed Construction Trades Makes History, allows students to design the actual renovations. Students worked from beginning to end - drawing up plans, estimating costs, purchasing materials and completing the actual construction.
This year’s work included starting the grid system for the suspended ceiling and hanging dry wall in front, in the bathroom and in the back storage area.
Additionally, working in the shop, students pre-hung all the doors for the project, which originally came from the old Lewistown High School and St John’s Lutheran Church, for installation when the weather moderates. Dry wall, taping and painting also await warmer weather.
Many thanks to the Vo-Tech students and instructor Mackneer for their great work and dedication to this project.
The next phase of the remodeling will involve locating the water line, evaluating the type of heating for the building, completing the restroom and additional interior finish work.
Located behind the McCoy House Annex, in the alley between Market and Brown Streets in Lewistown, the warehouse building was acquired by the historical society a number of years ago to accommodate future expansion.
Eventually, the warehouse will be used for a variety of purposes, not the least, is additional storage for the historical society’s burgeoning collection. Other uses include an exhibit area for the larger displays, such as the Dipple Pottery wheel, a place to hold historical demonstrations and community workshops.
Embassy Theatre gains
National Register status
The Mifflin County Historical Society would like to acknowledge that the National Register of Historic Places has added the name of the Embassy Theatre in Lewistown to its recognized list.
Paul Fagley, member of the historical society board of directors and president of Friends of the Embassy, the guiding organization which spearheaded the preservation and restoration of the historic theatre, announced the building’s status last summer.
The application process for a building seeking inclusion on the National Register is exhaustive, to say the least. Fagley spent untold hours pouring over the files of the Mifflin County Historical Society, researched the necessary documentation to justify the Embassy’s historic worth.
Commenting in the County Observer, at the time of the announcement, Fagley noted, “Some of the criteria with the Embassy was that the building was not typical of the local theater architecture of the time. It’s a scaled down Broadway picture palace.”
Anyone interested in volunteering or obtaining more information may write to Friends of the Embassy at 114 2nd Ave., Burnham or visit the groups web site at www.villagehost.com/embassy.
BOOK NOTES
These recently published books may be of interest to members and friends of the Mifflin County Historical Society. Although included, pricing is subject to change. Please contact the publishers directly to confirm price, shipping & handling and ordering instructions.
Two new paperbacks in the PENNSYLVANIA HISTORY & LEGENDS SERIES:
A Pennsylvania Bison Hunt
by Henry W. Shoemaker
Shoemaker romanticized the buffaloes’ history in Pennsylvania as no other could and tells an exciting story.
Originally published in 1915, 66 page PAPERBACK, with many old photos....$8.95
Luke Swetland’s Captivity
by Edward
Merrifield
Collection of stories from the Wyoming Valley of Pennsylvania during the 1760s and 1770s, including documentation of Indian culture and the Pennamite Wars, one of Pennsylvania history’s most interesting chapters.
Originally published in 1915, 68 page PAPERBACK....$8.95
WENNAWOODS PUBLISHING
Publishers & Booksellers
RR#2 Box 529C Lewisburg, PA 17837
Please call Toll-Free at: 1-800-796-1702
10:00 am - 9:00 pm Mon.- Sat. Eastern Time
European Heritage Tour April 29 - May 20, 1999
Visit the homeland of your ancestors in Germany, Switzerland, France, Holland and Austria
J. Lamar and Lois Mast, tour leaders
Gary Good, resource person
Arrive at the peak of the beautiful tulips in
Holland and enjoy canal boat rides in several
villages, including Amsterdam
Tour Highlights
*Walk the streets, visit the homelands of our
ancestors: Fox, Mink, Seibel, Rissler, Reich, Stauffer and your ancestor
(once we know you are going)
*Hike up the Anabaptist Cave to the secret
worship site in Switzerland.
*Enjoy a delightful ride through Amsterdam in
a canal boat.
*Sleep a night in the ancient St Goar Castle on
the Rhine River in Germany.
*Ride down the Rhine just as our ancestors did.
*Visit cuckoo clock country in the Black Forest
*Enjoy a German mandolin concert and Swiss alphorn and yodeling concert
*Ride a cogwheel train over the Swiss Alps
*Personally learn to know a German Mennonite family as we spend a night in their home
*Plus others not listed
Tour group limited to 40 persons.
If you are interested in receiving an eight page
tour itinerary, please send name and address to:
European Heritage Tour, 220 Mill Road
Morgantown, PA 19543
Telephone: (610) 286-0258
Fax: (610) 286-6860
E-mail: mast@masthof.org
Editor's Desk
As I ponder the approaching new century, I can’t say I’m dreading some unknown catastrophe that might befall the earth. I’ve rather been reflecting on conversations I’ve had with senior folk who lived the breadth of this century and survived the changes.
My late grandmother, Iva Kepler, was one who lived a life that spanned the age of horse and buggy through men walking on the moon.
I remember sitting with her as she told of a harrowing motorcycle trip she and her brother made the summer of 1914. They traveled from Paradise, Pa. all the way to Superior, Wisconsin to visit a cousin. With their parents blessing, too. Can you imagine that today?
No paved roads, sleeping in a pup tent, with no fast food stops along the way. A true adventure! Once while crossing a wooden bridge, the sidecar came loose and she ended up in a creek — wet, shaken, but not seriously hurt.
She saw Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show in Lancaster in 1910 and remembered when she cast her first vote for a U.S. president. It was for Calvin Coolidge — the man who appointed her father postmaster at Paradise, Pennsylvania I would have liked to ask her more.
Some day, if I’m lucky, and live into a new century, I’ll tell those who care to ask me about my life, but nothing will be quite so interesting as my Gram’s!
I grew up with Captain Kangaroo on TV and an antenna on the roof that got TWO channels, if we were lucky, and the weather was just right. It was black and white, I might add. I remember when our school had NO cafeteria, (we all brown bagged-it), when gasoline was 23 cents a gallon, milk was home-delivered, the five cent postage stamp and when Mom used pants stretchers (that put a crease in Dad’s trousers while drying on the line). I remember picking up the phone and hearing, “Number, please.” AND I remember the days BEFORE the home computer.