The Snyder County Post
To Post Your News Item, Email editor@snydercountypost.com
100 Years Ago - 1910
The employees of the American Shirt Factory at Middleburg enjoyed a very pleasant time at a picnic at Renningers Grove on Saturday. The proprietor, R.P. Haines, assisted by D.A. Kern transported all the workers to and from the picnic grounds in their automobiles.
A party consisting of three automobile loads of Sunburians on July 28th went to Kreamer where they were served a delicious frog supper at Zerbe's Hotel. Riley, who is known as "the old soldier" has had much experience in getting up these sumptuous suppers, which never fail to please.
75 Years Ago - 1935
Mr. Ray Boop, brother-in-law of Ray Breon of Centerville, caught a carp July 15th at Sampsells Dam in Penns Creek, close to the island which measured 31 1/2 inches and weighed 18 pounds
Dr. Diffenderfer of Middleburg will be at the Rich-field Hotel, Tuesday, August 6, prepared to do all sorts of dental work. Hours 9am to 5pm.
35 Years Ago - 1975
Middleburg Bicentennial Committee met Monday at which time John E. Charles explained the plan for the planting of 1776 tree seedlings. Members of the Committee will be happy to accept a contribu-tion for each seedling.
A surprise birthday party was held in Middleburg in honor of Vincent Jordan's sixth birthday. Guests included Wanda Perkinson, Heather and Richie Shilling, Diana Bowersox, and Scott, Jeanine, and Theron Jordan. So many gifts were received that one guest said it "looked like Christmas."
25 Years Ago - 1985
Improper design by architects is blamed for the latest escape from the Snyder County prison on Sunday morning.
Dennis C. Berkheimer, 37, escaped early Sunday morning by punching a hole in the plaster in the ceiling of his cell, and through the roof above it, then climbing down the drain pipe.
Berkheimer had arranged his pillow and covers to make it appear that he was in his bed after the escape.
Berkheimer was being held at the Snyder County jail because of crowded conditions in the Lycoming County jail.
The employees of the American Shirt Factory at Middleburg enjoyed a very pleasant time at a picnic at Renningers Grove on Saturday. The proprietor, R.P. Haines, assisted by D.A. Kern transported all the workers to and from the picnic grounds in their automobiles.
A party consisting of three automobile loads of Sunburians on July 28th went to Kreamer where they were served a delicious frog supper at Zerbe's Hotel. Riley, who is known as "the old soldier" has had much experience in getting up these sumptuous suppers, which never fail to please.
75 Years Ago - 1935
Mr. Ray Boop, brother-in-law of Ray Breon of Centerville, caught a carp July 15th at Sampsells Dam in Penns Creek, close to the island which measured 31 1/2 inches and weighed 18 pounds
Dr. Diffenderfer of Middleburg will be at the Rich-field Hotel, Tuesday, August 6, prepared to do all sorts of dental work. Hours 9am to 5pm.
35 Years Ago - 1975
Middleburg Bicentennial Committee met Monday at which time John E. Charles explained the plan for the planting of 1776 tree seedlings. Members of the Committee will be happy to accept a contribu-tion for each seedling.
A surprise birthday party was held in Middleburg in honor of Vincent Jordan's sixth birthday. Guests included Wanda Perkinson, Heather and Richie Shilling, Diana Bowersox, and Scott, Jeanine, and Theron Jordan. So many gifts were received that one guest said it "looked like Christmas."
25 Years Ago - 1985
Improper design by architects is blamed for the latest escape from the Snyder County prison on Sunday morning.
Dennis C. Berkheimer, 37, escaped early Sunday morning by punching a hole in the plaster in the ceiling of his cell, and through the roof above it, then climbing down the drain pipe.
Berkheimer had arranged his pillow and covers to make it appear that he was in his bed after the escape.
Berkheimer was being held at the Snyder County jail because of crowded conditions in the Lycoming County jail.
The first newspaper in Middleburg was called the
VOLKFREUND
It was a German paper established in 1854 by Andrew J. Peters
VOLKFREUND
It was a German paper established in 1854 by Andrew J. Peters
VISIT OUR FRIENDS AT
Snyder County Post History -- Rolling Green Park
Snyder County Post History -- The Biff Burger
Snyder County Post History -- The Notorious Victoria Woodhull
Snyder County Post History -- The Biff Burger
Snyder County Post History -- The Notorious Victoria Woodhull
The first home in what is now Selinsgrove was built by George Gabriel in 1754. A brother of Governor Snyder, John, laid out the town. John died after being thrown from a horse in 1787.
The new purchaser of the property was Anthony Selin, a Swiss immigrant who was a captain during the war.
After resurveying the town and laying out new plans, he named the town Selin's Grove. Among his honors, Selin was a member of the Society of Cincinatti. On his membership certificate was George Washington's signature.
************************
One of the first settlers of Selinsgrove was Conrad Weiser, grandson of an Indian agent and interpreter. Large tracts of land were owned by him, possibly through his grandfather. The following tale explains the land acquisition.
An Indian chief came to Weiser with a dream. He had dreamed that Weiser gave him a rifle, shot-pouch, and a powderhorn. Diplomatically, Weiser gave the chief the items.
Later, they met again. This time, Weiser told the chief of a dream he had. In the dream, the chief had given him a vast amount of land. The chief consented to give the land to Weiser, adding that he would dream no more.
***************************
West Beaver township contains two villages, Bannerville and McClure. Before 1850, Bannerville had been known by several names, including Cheesetown.
Prior to the Sunbury and Lewistown Railroad, Henry Aurand and Isaac Fees carried mail and passengers between Lewistown and Northumberland in stagecoaches. At the east end of the village an old woman manufactured Dutch cheese in the shape of apple dumplings.
The cheese was exposed to the sun and weather by being placed on a board on the front porch roof. In that way, the cheese acquired the right flavor.
This cheese, being in public view, was often seen by stage passengers. One man asked the name of the village, and an old passenger said it was Cheesetown. In 1850, the name was changed to Bannerville during an election, because it was found that all of its inhabitants belonged to the same party.
The new purchaser of the property was Anthony Selin, a Swiss immigrant who was a captain during the war.
After resurveying the town and laying out new plans, he named the town Selin's Grove. Among his honors, Selin was a member of the Society of Cincinatti. On his membership certificate was George Washington's signature.
************************
One of the first settlers of Selinsgrove was Conrad Weiser, grandson of an Indian agent and interpreter. Large tracts of land were owned by him, possibly through his grandfather. The following tale explains the land acquisition.
An Indian chief came to Weiser with a dream. He had dreamed that Weiser gave him a rifle, shot-pouch, and a powderhorn. Diplomatically, Weiser gave the chief the items.
Later, they met again. This time, Weiser told the chief of a dream he had. In the dream, the chief had given him a vast amount of land. The chief consented to give the land to Weiser, adding that he would dream no more.
***************************
West Beaver township contains two villages, Bannerville and McClure. Before 1850, Bannerville had been known by several names, including Cheesetown.
Prior to the Sunbury and Lewistown Railroad, Henry Aurand and Isaac Fees carried mail and passengers between Lewistown and Northumberland in stagecoaches. At the east end of the village an old woman manufactured Dutch cheese in the shape of apple dumplings.
The cheese was exposed to the sun and weather by being placed on a board on the front porch roof. In that way, the cheese acquired the right flavor.
This cheese, being in public view, was often seen by stage passengers. One man asked the name of the village, and an old passenger said it was Cheesetown. In 1850, the name was changed to Bannerville during an election, because it was found that all of its inhabitants belonged to the same party.
Click On This Map To View Larger Detailed Map
Historical Tid-Bits from the Past...
History records report that Charles LeRoy was a cousin of John Jacob LeRoy and was one of the original 26 families that had settled in Snyder County. He was a well respected doctor in the county and at the time of the Penn's Creek Massacre in October of 1755, Charles had traveled to nearby Lewisburg for supplies. Family writings indicate that he returned to find his cousin dead and that his wife and children had been among those taken hostage by the Indians.
After the loss of his family and friends, Charles stopped practicing medicine and retreated to a simpler life as the caretaker of the Old Winfield Cemetery. This cemetery dates back to the 1740's and is the resting place of many of the earliest settlers of Snyder County. He resided in the large house located on the same property and in time began reaching out to help others affected by the times by providing a place to stay.
As time passed; however, some of his guests seemed to abruptly disappear. Rumors began to circulate but due to the chaos of the times, locals didn't think much of it. It wasn't until one of his intended victims managed to escape that it was discovered that he had tortured and killed at least 42 men, women, & children and buried them in and around the cemetery.
In 1762 he was convicted of these brutal murders and was sentenced to receive 39 lashes and nailed to the post in the square of New Berlin (then the county seat) and then hanged for all to see. He was then buried along side of his victims.
After the loss of his family and friends, Charles stopped practicing medicine and retreated to a simpler life as the caretaker of the Old Winfield Cemetery. This cemetery dates back to the 1740's and is the resting place of many of the earliest settlers of Snyder County. He resided in the large house located on the same property and in time began reaching out to help others affected by the times by providing a place to stay.
As time passed; however, some of his guests seemed to abruptly disappear. Rumors began to circulate but due to the chaos of the times, locals didn't think much of it. It wasn't until one of his intended victims managed to escape that it was discovered that he had tortured and killed at least 42 men, women, & children and buried them in and around the cemetery.
In 1762 he was convicted of these brutal murders and was sentenced to receive 39 lashes and nailed to the post in the square of New Berlin (then the county seat) and then hanged for all to see. He was then buried along side of his victims.
Port Trevorton, laid out in 1853, was named in honor of John B. Trevor of New York. Trevor had been one of the original stockholders of the Trevorton Coal and Railroad Company.
In 1854 that company built a bridge across the Susquehanna River. The double bridge had a wagon track on it, thus making a great convenience for the public. A railroad track was on the other side.
Coal was carried to a basin in the canal, loaded on boats and shipped to points along the canal. After it became unsafe, it was torn down in 1870.
In 1855 Port Trevorton contained two hotels, two stores, several shops and a population of 400. Thirty eight men and nineteen boys were engaged in the boating business along the two mile level from the lock at General Williams to Port Trevorton.
***************************
McClure stands on land owned by George Stuck in 1867. The Middle Creek RR, later named the Sunbury and Lewistown RR, crossed this land. Stuck laid out several lots and called the area Stucktown.
He deeded a lot to the railroad company in July 1871. The McClure Station was built on this lot of about one and a half acres.
Produce and grain were brought considerable distances and then shipped from McClure. The first house was built by Mrs. Polly Overmyer, on the north side of Railroad St. in 1871. A story has it that she, being very industrious, dug the cellar herself.
In 1854 that company built a bridge across the Susquehanna River. The double bridge had a wagon track on it, thus making a great convenience for the public. A railroad track was on the other side.
Coal was carried to a basin in the canal, loaded on boats and shipped to points along the canal. After it became unsafe, it was torn down in 1870.
In 1855 Port Trevorton contained two hotels, two stores, several shops and a population of 400. Thirty eight men and nineteen boys were engaged in the boating business along the two mile level from the lock at General Williams to Port Trevorton.
***************************
McClure stands on land owned by George Stuck in 1867. The Middle Creek RR, later named the Sunbury and Lewistown RR, crossed this land. Stuck laid out several lots and called the area Stucktown.
He deeded a lot to the railroad company in July 1871. The McClure Station was built on this lot of about one and a half acres.
Produce and grain were brought considerable distances and then shipped from McClure. The first house was built by Mrs. Polly Overmyer, on the north side of Railroad St. in 1871. A story has it that she, being very industrious, dug the cellar herself.