The Snyder County Post
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100 Years Ago - 1910
While the new RIchfield Orchestra was practicing at the home of L.W. Miller on Wednesday, a certain woman of that town took her Phono-graph up into her chicken yard and played. The United States is considered as being the leading Civilized Nation, but there are some people in Richfield that are greatly in need of missionaries.
Editor Joe Lumbard of Selinsgrove was escorted around McClure soliciting subscriptions to pay off the balance of indebtedness upon the Soldiers' and Sailors' Mon-ument erected to their memory in Middleburg. Mr. Lumbard succeeded in getting about $250 subscribed in West Beaver Township.
75 Years Ago - 1935
Middleburg Borough Council had three signs put up at Weis Pure Food on the town square directing traffic to Sunbury, Harrisburg, and Mifflinburg. They are at a most prominent place and can easily be seen.
50 Years Ago - 1960
Middlecreek Paving Com-pany began Monday to amasite Route 522 between Middleburg and Selinsgrove. This was very necessary as many accidents have occurred due to the condition of the highway.
Paul Pretz, manager of the Selinsgrove Shoe Service is opening a shop in Middleburg in the Reigle building, 50 West Market Street. The new shop will be open for business Aug. 8th. Mr. Pretz has been in Selinsgrove the past three years.
Bing's Western Auto Store, Middleburg, has taken on a new look with the lighting of a new sign at the top of the build-ing. This is another big improve-ment for the town square.
Miss Barbara Musser, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ray-mond Musser, Paxtonville, became the bride of Vincent E. Savidge, sone of Mr. and Mrs. Waldo Savidge, Middleburg, on Friday, July 22nd. Mrs. Savidge is employed as secretary at the Middleburg Post Company.
Teddy Reitz, while swimming at Quinn's Pier in Middlecreek, had the misfortune of ripping a hole in his left heel when diving off the board. There was a nail which he must have stepped on as he ran off the board.
While the new RIchfield Orchestra was practicing at the home of L.W. Miller on Wednesday, a certain woman of that town took her Phono-graph up into her chicken yard and played. The United States is considered as being the leading Civilized Nation, but there are some people in Richfield that are greatly in need of missionaries.
Editor Joe Lumbard of Selinsgrove was escorted around McClure soliciting subscriptions to pay off the balance of indebtedness upon the Soldiers' and Sailors' Mon-ument erected to their memory in Middleburg. Mr. Lumbard succeeded in getting about $250 subscribed in West Beaver Township.
75 Years Ago - 1935
Middleburg Borough Council had three signs put up at Weis Pure Food on the town square directing traffic to Sunbury, Harrisburg, and Mifflinburg. They are at a most prominent place and can easily be seen.
50 Years Ago - 1960
Middlecreek Paving Com-pany began Monday to amasite Route 522 between Middleburg and Selinsgrove. This was very necessary as many accidents have occurred due to the condition of the highway.
Paul Pretz, manager of the Selinsgrove Shoe Service is opening a shop in Middleburg in the Reigle building, 50 West Market Street. The new shop will be open for business Aug. 8th. Mr. Pretz has been in Selinsgrove the past three years.
Bing's Western Auto Store, Middleburg, has taken on a new look with the lighting of a new sign at the top of the build-ing. This is another big improve-ment for the town square.
Miss Barbara Musser, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ray-mond Musser, Paxtonville, became the bride of Vincent E. Savidge, sone of Mr. and Mrs. Waldo Savidge, Middleburg, on Friday, July 22nd. Mrs. Savidge is employed as secretary at the Middleburg Post Company.
Teddy Reitz, while swimming at Quinn's Pier in Middlecreek, had the misfortune of ripping a hole in his left heel when diving off the board. There was a nail which he must have stepped on as he ran off the board.
What Snyder County town was formerly known as
Cheesetown?
Cheesetown?
Answer:Bannerville
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A Whirlwind in a Petticoat –
The Notorious Victoria Woodhull
The Notorious Victoria Woodhull
Did you know that the first woman who ran for President and shocked a nation had Snyder County roots?
It all began in a little town known as Hummel’s Wharf in the mid 1800’s. Captain Jacob Hummel was a German who served in the War of 1812 and after the war became a leader in local politics. He also served as an inn-keeper of a tavern known as Daniel Hummel’s “Rising Sun” which was built in 1832 by Benjamin Hummel. His intention was to accommodate the river rafts men.
The “Rising Sun” was located where the public road leads to Lewisburg. The name “Rising Sun” was given because the sun rises directly in front of the house, between a gap in the mountains east of the Susquehanna River.
Captain Jacob Hummel had a daughter named Roxanna who became the mother of one of the most infamous women in American history. Roxanna became the maid of John Snyder, son of then Pennsylvania Governor Simon Snyder, who resided on his country estate called “Freedom”, which was located south of the Middlecreek Bridge.
It was there Roxanna met Rubin Buckham (Buck) Claflin, a native of Massachusetts, who was a roving individual, professional gambler and horse-jockey. They married in 1825 and soon after they moved to Ohio where they were hardly accepted by the people of the community.
The Claflin family consisted of ten children. Their first clear appearance in history was in the country village of Homer, Ohio where they were the scandal of the community. Their father changed his name to Dr. R.B. Claflin, American King of Cancers,” taking his daughters on the road as psychic healers, mind-readers and spiritualists holding séances complete with rapping sounds and moving furniture.
Things came to a head when Buck somehow acquired a local grist mill, insured it heavily then promptly burned it down. He then disappeared and left his family stranded. Tiring of theClaflins shenanigans the people of Homer held a benefit to raise money to get the Claflins out of town.
It all began in a little town known as Hummel’s Wharf in the mid 1800’s. Captain Jacob Hummel was a German who served in the War of 1812 and after the war became a leader in local politics. He also served as an inn-keeper of a tavern known as Daniel Hummel’s “Rising Sun” which was built in 1832 by Benjamin Hummel. His intention was to accommodate the river rafts men.
The “Rising Sun” was located where the public road leads to Lewisburg. The name “Rising Sun” was given because the sun rises directly in front of the house, between a gap in the mountains east of the Susquehanna River.
Captain Jacob Hummel had a daughter named Roxanna who became the mother of one of the most infamous women in American history. Roxanna became the maid of John Snyder, son of then Pennsylvania Governor Simon Snyder, who resided on his country estate called “Freedom”, which was located south of the Middlecreek Bridge.
It was there Roxanna met Rubin Buckham (Buck) Claflin, a native of Massachusetts, who was a roving individual, professional gambler and horse-jockey. They married in 1825 and soon after they moved to Ohio where they were hardly accepted by the people of the community.
The Claflin family consisted of ten children. Their first clear appearance in history was in the country village of Homer, Ohio where they were the scandal of the community. Their father changed his name to Dr. R.B. Claflin, American King of Cancers,” taking his daughters on the road as psychic healers, mind-readers and spiritualists holding séances complete with rapping sounds and moving furniture.
Things came to a head when Buck somehow acquired a local grist mill, insured it heavily then promptly burned it down. He then disappeared and left his family stranded. Tiring of theClaflins shenanigans the people of Homer held a benefit to raise money to get the Claflins out of town.
Victoria was 15 years old when she married a doctor named Canning Woodhull and they had two children. For a short time she worked as a cigar girl and actress. She became an advocate for women’s rights, suffrage, and feminism and promoted civil rights and anti-slavery. She and her sister published the “Woodhull & Claflins Weekly” newspaper which expressed a dominant interest in feminism and free love.
Victoria was also the first woman to operate a brokerage firm on Wall Street. But most importantly, Victoria Woodhull will be remembered for her nomination for the office of President on June 8, 1872 by The Equal Rights Party, along side the nomination of Frederick Douglass, a Negro, for Vice-President.
The 19th century, not being ready for such controversial issues being brought forth by a woman, created a national hatred among many in government and most were out to destroy her. She became the first female presidential candidate that spent Election Day in jail.
The U.S. government arrested her under the Comstock Act for
Victoria was also the first woman to operate a brokerage firm on Wall Street. But most importantly, Victoria Woodhull will be remembered for her nomination for the office of President on June 8, 1872 by The Equal Rights Party, along side the nomination of Frederick Douglass, a Negro, for Vice-President.
The 19th century, not being ready for such controversial issues being brought forth by a woman, created a national hatred among many in government and most were out to destroy her. She became the first female presidential candidate that spent Election Day in jail.
The U.S. government arrested her under the Comstock Act for
sending what they considered “obscene” literature through the mail, by publishing an obscenity article in her magazine about Rev. Beecher’s affair with Lib Tilton, the wife of Beecher’s best friend, Theodore Tilton.
The scandal erupted into numerous trials for libel and obscenity. Victoria was arrested eight times. The trial was the biggest news since President Lincoln’s assassination and was as widely covered as the O.J. Simpson trial. She was eventually acquitted, but the government eventually bankrupted its first female presidential candidate - financially and emotionally.
Its more than 140 years later, and still no woman has made it to the White House, but a person of color has made it to the Presidency. Money is still a major obstacle for candidates, and their private lives are still under public scrutiny and while women have made it to various public offices; they are still judged more on personal issues and looks than men.
Victoria Claflins - Woodhull -Blood - Martin died in England on June 9, 1927 at age 88, the widow of a wealthy English broker and banker.
The scandal erupted into numerous trials for libel and obscenity. Victoria was arrested eight times. The trial was the biggest news since President Lincoln’s assassination and was as widely covered as the O.J. Simpson trial. She was eventually acquitted, but the government eventually bankrupted its first female presidential candidate - financially and emotionally.
Its more than 140 years later, and still no woman has made it to the White House, but a person of color has made it to the Presidency. Money is still a major obstacle for candidates, and their private lives are still under public scrutiny and while women have made it to various public offices; they are still judged more on personal issues and looks than men.
Victoria Claflins - Woodhull -Blood - Martin died in England on June 9, 1927 at age 88, the widow of a wealthy English broker and banker.
by Jane Kessler, lifetime member of Snyder County Historical Society