Blair County PAGenWeb

Blair County Newspaper Articles

News, obituaries, birth, marriage and death notices, by date.

Items from The Altoona Tribune, Altoona, Pa.,

Thursday, June 18, 1874

THROUGH BY DAYLIGHT.
Over the Pennsylvania Railroad, from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia, in Eleven Hours.

Probably the best specimen of an American highway to be found anywhere is the Pennsylvania Railroad, between Pittsburgh and New York. In solidity of construction, superiority of bridge architecture, and smoothness of track, it is unrivalled. Throughout its entire length it is laid with a double track of steel rails, weighing sixty-seven pounds to a yard. These rails are fastened on oak ties, imbedded in broken stone ballast, with splice joints between the ties, and so arranged that the connection on one side comes opposite to the centre of the rail on the other, thus preventing the uncomfortable and monotonous jar experienced on tracks constructed according to the ordinary plan. The rolling stock is as near perfection as human ingenuity and skill has, up to the present time, been able to make it. Locomotives and cars are alike built by the company in their own shops, and in the details of materials, design and finish, combine the highest excellence attainable. To all this is added a rigid policy of management, exacting the utmost care and courtesy from employes of every grade, and the application of those effective safeguards - the Westinghouse airbrake and the block-signal system - showing that whatever can be accomplished for the safety of travelers has been done on this great line of roadway.

The high standard of excellence having been reached, the managers of the Pennsylvania Railroad feel warranted in taking another advance step for the special benefit of through travel, and on the first of June commenced running a fast daylight train from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia and New York, with close connection at Harrisburg for Baltimore and Washington, on the following schedule:

Leave Pittsburgh - 7:45 A. M.
" Altoona - 11.28 "
" Harrisburg - 3.35 P. M.
Arrive Baltimore - 6:55 "
" Washington - 9:02 "
" Philadelphia - 6:40 "
" New York - 9:30 "

The magnificent run of four hundred and forty-four miles between Pittsburgh and New York is made with but three stoppages - the first, of only five minutes, at Altoona, after a stretch of one hundred and seventeen miles; the second, of twenty minutes for dinner, at Harrisburg, after an unbroken dash of one hundred and thirty-two miles, and the third and last, of only five minutes, at Philadelphia, after a run of one hundred and five miles, leaving a single stretch of ninety miles across New Jersey to destination. No time being lost in stopping, the wonderful locomotive engines work away with the regularity of fixed machinery - taking their supply of water from the track-tanks as they go, and carrying their fuel with them; and the time is made by uniformity of progress more than by an increased rate of speed. The train is made up of Pullman parlor cars and the best of company's day coaches, all splendidly upholstered, mounted on combination springs, and furnished with the plate-glass windows, through which the landscape can be distinctly seen.

And here comes in the great charm of this daylight ride through Pennsylvania, for the train leaves Pittsburgh at a quarter before eight in the morning and reaches Philadelphia at a quarter before seven in the evening. It is no new thing to say that the scenery on the line of the Pennsylvania road is beautiful, and in many places, grand. Every American who travels or reads has seen or heard of it, and
the pencils of many artists have labored lovingly to portray, for popular gratification, the attractions of the Allegheny mountains; the Juniata, Susquehanna, and Conemaugh rivers, and the wonderful agricultural vales of Lancaster and Chester counties, through which this road runs. Long sweeps of wooded hills; lofty mountains and dark ravine; picturesque valleys opening into each other; sparkling and placid waters; wide, rolling, pastoral landscapes, follow in rapid succession. A clang of the bell, sinking away in the rush of the train, signals town after town and village after village. The dusty turnpike, the dreamy canal, and the shaded by-roads are crossed and passed in a flash. On, on, on, goes the tireless train, over a clear track, carrying the traveler by a panorama, the like of which can be found nowhere else on this continent, and probably not in the world. After having breakfasted in the Mississippi Valley and dined at the Capital of Pennsylvania, the passenger finds himself seated at supper in the metropolis of New York, where the Atlantic throbs and swells in its ceaseless activity.

A few years ago the man who should have predicted such a ride would have been pronounced utterly and helplessly insane. Not even the most sanguine enthusiast on railroads when their construction was commenced, dreamed of overcoming distance at such a rate and it is only because of the perfection of machinery and the inventions of science that it can be done now. But it is a fact accomplished - a reality of the day, and that is left for the people is to wonder and enjoy.

Altoona Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Thursday, June 18, 1874, page 1

LOCAL NEWS.

A PRE-HISTORIC VETERAN. - Yesterday morning an old man named Joseph Murgatroyd arrived in this city afoot. He was weary and foot-sore from traveling on the turnpike and at once made application for admission to the Poor House. During his stay here we learned from the lips of the old man that he was a pre-historic veteran and at one time in his life was perfectly familiar with every nook and corner in Blair (at that time a part of Huntingdon) county. He was born in the month of February in the year 1800, and is consequently in his seventy-fifth year. Old Father Time has commenced to bear heavily upon him, as his tottering frame, hollow cheeks, and sunken eye readily attest, yet his mental faculties remain unimpaired enabling him to converse fluently for one so well up in years. He is also endowed with a fair degree of intelligence and entered heartily into a conversation having for its object the gathering of a few facts relative to his early history. He distinctly remembers when the ground on which the city of Altoona stands to-day was a greensward.

Forty years ago he was employed in a woolen-mill at Duncansville, Blair county, by Daniel Gibboney, and also worked in the fulling-mills of "Fuller" Smith, Williamsburg, Jacob Brenneman, Martinsburg, and John Keagy, in Woodbury township. A few years later be worked in a little fulling-mill known as "Lile's woolen manufactory," and located in what is now known as the "Kettle Run" and also by the name of "Pottsgrove Run," the same stream that partially supplies Altoona with her pure and sparkling water. The structure has since been torn down or removed. In those days small fulling-mills were very numerous in this section of the country, the old veteran having worked in all of them. He recalled the names of many of the first settlers of this section of the county, who have long since been laid beneath the sod, and also the names of many persons now residing in Hollidaysburg. As he spoke of his early life passed among Blair county's grand old mountains his whole being seemed aglow with the fires of youth, and a bright smile hovered around his care-worn countenance.

He compared his present style of dress to that worn by him in the hey-day of his life, when he was wont to appear on the streets of the old village over the hill - Duncansville - clad in fine broad-cloth, and wearing polished boots and a beaver hat. The saddest part of his tale was to the effect that often in after years and when he was yet a young man, he would walk from Duncansville to the county Alms House for the purpose of making glad the hearts of the paupers by furnishing them with tobacco, and how happy it would make him to witness their happiness. Little did the now frail and feeble old man then think that a portion of his days would be passed in the same institution, and that it would be an actual necessity for him to subsist for the time being on the charities of the people with whom he was then mingling in daily social intercourse. But then -

What fates impose, that men must needs abide,
It boots not to resist both wind and tide.

The old man Murgatroyd left the city for the Poor House yesterday afternoon on conductor Knepper's train. He is a deserving individual and we trust will be kindly cared for during the time that he remains an inmate of that institution, which will only be until he is able to proceed on his journey toward Philadelphia. He has never been addicted to the use of rum, but is simply broken down by reason of old age. He is truly a pre-historic veteran.

"HORSE SHU' CROOK!" - What Josh Billings Thinks of the Logan House and Kittanning Point. - After leaving your offiss, dear editors of the New York Weekly, in Rose street, i immediately packed mi trunk and notified mi wife, and we both were soon on our way to the Pacific Oshun.

We reached Altoona by the politeness and karphull dispatch ov the Pennsylvania rale road, late Saturday night, Feb. 7th, and bivouacked at the Logan House, kept bi sumboddy on a first rate plan.

The Logan House iz the kleanest hotel ov its size in North Amerika, so my wife sez, and she knows, for thare iz no other woman now living, to my knowledge. who hates dirt wuss, and knows what it is quicker, when she sees it, than she duz.

She is a woman, that don't call a thing neat unless it shines on both sides, and here let me state for the benefit of the tidy and abhorrers of dirt, that neatness iz one ov the virtews, second, or third, only to honesty, charity, and diskreshun.

Leaving Altoona after brekfast Sunday morning, we soon passed the hi grade on Pennsylvania road, at the selebrated horse shu crook, where the trains form a half circle all-most, and the engine seems determined to run into the rear car.

Upon your left, az yu round this memorable bend, yu kan look down into a gorge and see the smallest cows yu ever witnessed, running around in the barn yard, no bigger than wharf rats.

The gorge iz either very deep, or the cows are sum nu breed that don't grow large.

The scenery is simply grand, and the air iz as pure as the best brand ov gin.

I mean, course, hydro-gin.

ANOTHER ARREST FOR VIOLATION OF THE LOCAL OPTION LAW. - A man named Gebhart Myers was arrested yesterday morning ere the break of day and before he had gotten out of bed, on the charge of selling liquor without license. The arrest was a sort of partnership affair and was made by constables Conrad and Shellenberger, the former being armed with a bench warrant and the latter with a warrant issued by Alderman Griffin. It is alleged that Myers superintended a rum-mill which is located on Tenth avenue, below the railroad company's freight depot. He was taken before Alderman Griffin and held in bail to answer in the sum of one thousand dollars - five hundred on each charge.

- The criminal business before the Cambria Court was disposed of in one day and a half last week, and Cambria is not a local option county either. - Standard.

And if the Standard's friends in Blair county would obey the local option law, the criminal business could be transacted in half a day. But a very large portion of Cambria county's criminal business is disposed of by the one-horse court of Johnstown, which accounts for the paucity of that kind of business at Ebensburg now, and which the Standard does not take into its account.

WHOLESALE CAPTURE OF EELS AND FISH. - Mr. John Sneath, of Fostoria, this county, who enjoys a reputation of being one of the most successful fishermen in the State, recently set outlines, with baited hooks to the number of two hundred, in the creek from a point near Fostoria to a point west of Elizabeth Furnace. Upon lifting the lines the following morning his efforts were rewarded with one hundred and ninety eels, fall fish and snapping-turtles, but ten of the hooks having been found barren.

- On Wednesday night there was a fire near Nineveh, between Johnstown and New Florence, which consumed a store and its contents. The proprietor passed through Altoona the same evening on the way to Philadelphia to lay in a supply of new goods, and would not be advised of his loss until he reached Philadelphia. The extent of the loss we have not learned.

(From Friday's Tribune.)
IN AND ABOUT TYRONE. - The Herald says: Frank, son of Captain James Bell, is very ill. It is feared that death by consumption will soon relieve him of an immense amount of suffering, but we hope that he may yet get well.

We are sorry to learn that Mr. Thomas M. Fleck, of Sinking Valley, had an arm broken on Tuesday. Mr. Fleck, and [sic] was putting up a large shed in front of Mr. Aaron Fleck's barn, in the Valley. He fell from the top of the shed to the ground, a distance of some ten feet. It is suppose he broke the arm when he started to fall by striking it against a piece of timber in the attempt to catch himself. It was broken between the wrist and the elbow, but which arm and how many bones were severed we did not learn.

Wm. Eaken, Esq., of Snyder township, was first elected to the office of Constable in 1844, before Blair county was erected, and has served in that capacity ever since. He has been in attendance at every court in this county since the first was held, and has never been plaintiff or defendant in a suit before the court, and never was sued for a debt of his own contraction. A suit or two before Justices of the Peace, concerning bail, is the extent of his individual law business, though he has always been engaged in suits concerning other people. Which speaks well for Uncle William.

Warrior's Mark was the scene of considerable excitement on Saturday last. A severe thunder storm visited that section and the water which fell in perfect torrents from the regions overhead, raised Warrior's Mark creek, which passes through the village, to a hundred times the extent of its natural size. The result was a number of completely ruined gardens, and much damaged grass and grain in the lower fields. The water flowed into the house of our friend Mr. David Funk so rapidly that his family were compelled to leave the premises. The water also flowed into the house of Mr. Jesse Fetterhoof. Jackson's store was completely surrounded by water, and the people were all in a high state of excitement for a short time.

Jones, of the Herald, and fifty-nine other muscular grangers, had a lively time in raising David Dickson's barn in Sinking Valley, on Thursday, the 4th inst. He gives a glowing account of it in his columns, interlarded with all the "hips, holds, get-out-of the-way, and up-she-goes," customary on such occasions. We "spect" he worked hardest at that dinner. Now, Colonel, don't leave us in the dark concerning those "several raising" that "took place that evening," by which "the girls went up as high as the boys." What were they?

The new Warrior's Mark M. E. Church won't allow promiscuous sittings, except when dad and ma is on hand to keep things straight, during services. This is good for decorum, but hard on beau and sweetheart.

The Democrat is worried over "Democrat of Antis" in the Radical, but don't seem to get away very readily with that mysterious personage. It also thinks there are about ten gentlemen aspiring for the Republican Assembly nominations who are bound to be disappointed. A safe prognostication.

- DEATH OF ESSINGTON HAMMOND. - In our issue of the 29th of May we published an item relative to the supposed death of Essington Hammond, formerly of Sarah Furnace, in this county. This was based upon a telegram received by H. M. Baldrige, Esq., of Hollidaysburg, dated at Grenada, Colorado, stating that a man named W. H. Hammond had been shot and killed, but no particulars accompanied it. Reliable information has since been received of the tragic end of Mr. Hammond. It appears that while in Grenada, waiting for the train which he was to accompany to the mines, he stepped into a hardware store for the purpose of purchasing some cartridges for his pistol. The clerk in attendance, while fitting the cartridges, snapped the pistol several times, one barrel of which was loaded and discharged, the ball from which entered Mr. Hammond's breast. Immediately upon feeling the wound, he said to the clerk "Why, you have shot me!" and turning, walked toward the door, before reaching which he fainted and fell to the floor. He was immediately carried to his hotel, where the wound was examined and dressed, and everything done which could contribute to his relief.

The wound, however, proved to be of a fatal character, and after lingering from the evening of the sad occurrence until the next morning, death put an end to his suffering. A post mortem examination was made, and an inquest held over the body, with an inspection of the personal effects, papers, etc., of deceased. Among these were found some three hundred dollars in money, receipts, and other papers, with the name of Essington Hammond, Sarah Furnace, Blair county, as well as others which clearly pointed to his identity. Mr. Hammond had also told the landlord of the hotel where he was from, who promptly wrote to Mr. Thatcher, of Pueblo, by whom the sad circumstances attending the shooting and death were forwarded to Mr. Baldrige at Hollidaysburg. The business embarrassments and mysterious disappearance of Mr. Hammond will be recollected by the larger number of our readers, and his sad and untimely end will elicit a general feeling of regret and sincere sorrow from all to whom he was personally known.

- Sheriff Bobb, of our county capital, paid our city an official visit yesterday, armed with the proper instrument for levying upon the household chattels of a Seventh Ward debtor. This he proceeded to execute, with the promptness for which he is officially distinguished. Arrived at the domicile wherein the delinquent resides, he found no one home but the wife, who, in polite terms, was informed of the object of his visit. With somewhat of a virago expression, the lady ordered him to leave, which the Major most politely, yet determinedly assured her he had no intention of doing until he had executed his mission. She still more vigorously insisted, and in order to give force to her persuasive argument seized the broom, which she flourished in dangerous proximity to the official head. Nothing daunted, however, the Sheriff performed his duty, made his levy, and took an inventory of the effects. The joke comes in at the expense of our city police (who wouldn't for the world have us tell that part of it). When the officer had executed his writ, the woman looked awrily, [warily?] yet somewhat mollified, toward him, and asked, "Who are you, any how?" Being informed as to the character of the Sheriff she exclaimed, in tones of evident relief, "oh, I thought you was one of those rascally police." A good joke for the Sheriff, but rather rough on our city guardians, who are proverbially efficient and polite in the discharge of their official duty.

- E. F. Lytle, Esq., recent City Engineer, has returned from a two week's jaunt to the South. He went by way of Louisville, Nashville and Chattanooga, to Atlanta, Georgia, returning by the Knoxville, Lynchburg and Richmond route. He reports things as wearing a decidedly more brisk business appearance in the South than in this locality, and is rather favorably impressed with country, climate and people of the "Sunny region." He looks somewhat bronzed, as though he had encountered pretty scorching rays, which, however, is abundantly offsetted by the visible proofs of good living which he bears about him.

FIRE AT MIFFLIN. - About one o'clock yesterday afternoon a fire broke out in the stable of John Wright, at Mifflin, and before the conflagration had ceased its devastating work property to the amount of about $7,000 was destroyed or damaged. Following is a list of buildings consumed: Stable of John Wright and portion of dwelling house, loss $1,500 - no insurance; stable and outbuildings of Captain C. McClellan, loss $600 - no insurance; stable and outbuilding of Mrs. Oswalt, loss $800 - insurance $300; R. E. Parker's stable was damaged to the amount of about $200. Fear of a terrible fire induced many residing in the neighborhood to remove their furniture, and considerable damage was thus done. The properties destroyed were located on the ground over which the great conflagration of 1871 swept, consuming buildings valued at over $200,000. There is a difference of opinion as to the origin of the fire - some attributing it to accident and others to incendiarism - Harrisburg Patriot 15th inst.

FINE LOOKING EMIGRANTS. - We do not remember having ever seen a finer looking body of European emigrants than those who passed through yesterday on the 2 o'clock westward-bound train. In the six or seven car loads there were none but good-looking, neatly dressed and cleanly appointed men, women and children. Their dress was of a more modern type than we generally find in emigrants, the women and children being especially noticeable for neatness, and what was remarkable in travelers so long en route as they must have been, we did not see a single dirty faced or unkept [unkempt?] urchin among them. We did not ascertain what particular locality they were from, but there was an unmistakable Teutonic caste in face, manner and language. Any region of the West might well be proud of this addition to its population.

THROWN FROM A WAGON. - Hon. James Hutchinson, one of our oldest and most esteemed citizens, while driving on the plank road, on Saturday morning, near his residence in the Fifth Ward, was severely though not seriously injured, by being thrown from the wagon in which he was riding. A party of boys on horseback, rode past Mr. H. at a furious rate, which frightened and stampeded his horse, and hence the accident. Dr. Gemmill was called and pronounced his injuries as above stated. The boys, though badly scared, returned to assist Mr. Hutchinson out of the predicament in which they had unintentionally placed him.

RATTLESNAKES. - A few days ago Mr. John H. Haggerty, one of Antis township's best farmers, captured and killed two large rattlesnakes, in close proximity to his dwelling. A year or two ago he also killed a very large one right at his kitchen door. Mr. Haggerty is somewhat noted for his adventures with "varmints" and wild animals, and his exploits with two deer, which were narrated in the columns of the TRIBUNE at the time of their occurrence, will be recollected by our readers.

INJURED. - On Saturday morning, a young man named Adon Salsburg, while working on a passenger car gas tank, near the flue shop, was struck on the head by a board which fell from scaffolding above. His head was pretty badly cut, but he was able to resume work on Monday.

VISIT AFTER A LONG ABSENCE. - The Cove Echo says Mr. Daniel Wildroudt, of New Portage, Summit county, Ohio, who left the Cove sixty years ago, is here on a visit to his friends. We presume that scenes have changed somewhat since his departure from Clover Creek.

WHAT'S IN THE WIND? - The Evening Mirror says Pittsburgh and Johnstown liquor merchants were in this city in force yesterday (Saturday). What for?

- On Saturday afternoon eight persons were baptized in the stream at Anderson's saw-mill, in Logan township, by Rev. Mr. Dixon, of the M. E. church.

CONTRACT AWARDED. - Our citizens will naturally feel a pride in the success of any one of their number, and especially must they be delighted when a tribute is paid to the skill of their mechanics or artisans from abroad. It is in this spirit we chronicle the award to Messrs. Webber & Darr, Painters, of Altoona, of the contract for painting the new railroad bridge across the Mississippi at St. Louis. It will be recollected this bridge - one of the grandest architectural designs and undertakings ever witnessed in this country of grand achievements - has been recently completed after unremitting labor and vast expenditures of money, extending through several years. The work of painting the bridge itself will amount to $18,000, and other outside work, which has also been awarded to Messrs. Webber & Darr, will swell the aggregate to at least $20,000. Success attend them, say we, and all other Altoona or Blair county mechanics, whether their skill and enterprise be employed at home or abroad.

There is some little feeling on the part of St. Louis boss painters at this award to Messrs. Webber & Darr over all the competition which they could offer. They say that the bridge was built by the Keystone Bridge Company of Pittsburgh, the stone-work by some other Pennsylvanians - in fact that the whole was done by Pennsylvania; and now the painting has been given to a Keystone State firm also. It will take about six tons of white lead to paint the bridge - at least that is the estimate of Messrs. W. & D. - but the St. Louis painters put it as high as twelve tons. The award of contract, under all the circumstances, is quite a feather in the cap of our Altoona artists.

- One of Hollidaysburg's interesting events Tuesday, was the wedding ceremonies of one of the ancient borough's distinguished citizens. Col. I. H. Rawlins led to the altar Miss Mollie Bohn of that place. The ceremonies took place in the Presbyterian Church, the pastor, Rev. Dr. Barron officiating.

MARRIED:

MULLIGAN - CASSIDAY - At Newry on the 9th inst., by Rev. Father Bradley, Mr. John Mulligan, of this city, to Miss Sarah J. Cassiday, of the former place.

MUELLER - KUNY - On the 10th inst., by the Rev. M. Wolf, Mr. George H. Mueller to Miss Anna Maria Kuny.

DIED:

HARTMAN - In this city, June 12th, Mary E., wife of Rev. D. Hartman, aged 54 years, 6 months and 27 days.

Altoona Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Thursday, June 18, 1874, page 3

Where Shall I Go West ?

The best thing in the West for the farmer, is a farm. He wants one not far north, where his stock in winter will eat up all he can raise in summer; and not far south, where heats are fatal to health, or at least, to pluck. He wants prairies, which are farms ready for the plow, and where he can raise sod corn forthwith. He wants rolling prairies which are self-drained, and free from swamps and agues. He wants a soil that has been proved fertile, alike in wheat and corn, and that in a situation favorable to stock, sheep and fruit. He wants a soil where mud-roads are not muddy. He wants to be near competing markets and railroads, so that he can buy supplies cheapest, sell products dearest, and transport them at the lowest rates. He wants to be near a world's highway where his acres must increase in value with a growth as ceaseless as that of interest. He wants to be near mechanics, as well as a physician, school and church - in order that while going West he may avoid the hardships and barbarism of going out. He wants a farm in such a felicity of position as cheap as he can buy it.

Such a boon is as far as the moon beyond the hopes of poor men every where, except in the West, but it is there within their reach, and nowhere so notably as in Southern Nebraska.

Farms combining the above mentioned advantages have there been already secured for nothing by 13,000 homesteaders who filed their claims in the United States land office in Lincoln, the capital of Nebraska. They have been secured by an equal number of pre-emptors, at the same office on paying at most $2.50 per acre. They have been secured on terms considered more desirable by 3,000 purchasers of farms from the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad Company, at their office in Lincoln. These terms are extraordinary, such as ten years credit, six per cent. interest, no payment of principal till the end of four years, twenty per cent. thrown off from land price as a premium for prompt cultivation, free passes for land buyers, half rates for their freights, etc.

But what drawbacks are there from such an opportunity? The only one worth mentioning is the lack of timber. This lack was not felt till recently, as the first settlers found all streams skirted with trees. It was long feared, but turns out after all a bugbear, and more of a bug than bear.

As to houses, many new comers build such as suffice them for a time, each with two loads of lumber, costing about $70, while so far prepared for use that every man can make his own dwelling.

Those who wish to use their $70 otherwise, make sod-houses with their spades - buying doors and windows at the nearest station, - houses warmer and cooler than can be made of lumber, and which those who have tried both like best.

Regarding fuel, all fears are groundless. Wood and coal are nowhere dear, as compared with their price in older States. But corn is much burned from choice. Settlers from Ohio testify that they find it easier in Nebraska to raise corn enough for fires than it used to be to cut down trees in a wood lot and prepare them for the stove. Those who have tried both must know best.

Whether, then, a man would homestead, pre-empt or purchase, let him be sure that now is time, and Southern Nebraska is the place for him. His time is now, because the best chances are rapidly snapped up, and the B. & M. terms are in part limited to the present year. Nebraska is his place; because nowhere are there so many attractions and so few undesirables. The South of Nebraska was always preferred because of its milder climate, and after last winter's experience it is sought with double reason.

The road thither, often called the Burlington Route, starts from Chicago via the C., B. & Q. - initials worthy to be interpreted Cheapest, Best and Quickest - a name of good omen, and which is also proverbially the safest in the West, or out of it. Ho, then, for Nebraska! the best new home for every man who leaves his old one. Nebraska for farmers, farmers for Nebraska!

STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE. - As strawberries are now in season, a receipt to make a palatable dish, known as strawberry shortcake will not be amiss. Rub a piece of butter the size of an egg into a little flour, pour into it two cups of sour cream, one teaspoon of soda and a little salt. Mix into dough and roll into cakes about one-half inch thick and ten inches in diameter. Prick with a fork and bake in a quick oven. When done split them open with a knife and spread with nice butter, lay the bottom piece on a plate and cover it with strawberries nearly an inch deep. It is better to have the strawberries sprinkled with sugar a few hours before they are put into the cake. Put over this the top of the cake with the crust side down and a layer of strawberries again; over this lay the bottom piece of another cake and more berries and put on the top piece right side up. Serve with sweet cream.

Altoona Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Thursday, June 18, 1874, page 4