Washington County 'Little Washington' Pennsylvania
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Washington County Pennsylvania History and Families

Miscellaneous Newspaper Articles of 1885 Page 1

Article from The Reporter newspaper, Washington Co., Pa., Nov. 21, 1885, page unknown:

Court Proceedings - Trial of Chief of Police Hammond for the Killing of John B. Wolf 

[top of article cut off] . . . the case against Ben for murder.  John Shearer, John Wolf, Al Dover and Nimrod White were the prisoners who were going down the Court House stairs at the time referred to by the witnesses.  Sam Brady, Deputy Sheriff McClelland and myself accompanied them.  I did not make a threat as they stated, but I did tell Wolf that I would slap him in the month.

Wm. Redmond, being recalled, stated that Hammond made no such threats as charged by witnesses for the Commonwealth while going down the Court House stairs.

Samuel Brady, recalled.  At the time of going down the stairs Hammond did not threaten to kill Wolf.   When the deputy was unlocking the lobby door to the jail Jim Hammond said to Wolf, I ought to knock the jib off you.

Samuel Brady testified that Wolf had said to him, if the police wanted to arrest him they had better all come, for either Hammond or himself would die.

Policeman Redmond corroborated Brady's testimony.

James Lane being sworn, stated that Wolf had said to him he would kill Hammond or Hammond would kill him; that one or the other of them would have to die.

John L. McClelland, Deputy Sheriff, sworn. Hammond did not threaten to kill Wolf, but said he would slap his face, at one time.  I heard Wolf say that at the Sheriff's office that he had it in his heart to murder Hammond. On the Tuesday morning before the killing, Wolf said to me, you saved my life or Hammond's.  He said that he would take the monkey wrench on the top of our safe in our office and kill Hammond. I told him to drop the subject.

This closed the testimony and Court adjourned until 5:30 p. m.

[The rest of the article is blurred on the Xerox copy.]

[Top of column cut off in Xeroxing.]

   A slight fire occurred at the Exchange Hotel last Wednesday morning.  The roof caught fire from some sparks, but it was discovered in time and promptly put out.  No damage done.

   Sometime since some party attempted to cut through a shutter on Messrs. Wasson & George's store, at Primrose, but did not succeed in getting into the store.  No doubt they would have received a warm reception, from all accounts.

   Eddie, an 8 year-old child of John Nicholas, died of diphtheritic croup last Thursday.  This is the second death from that disease in their family.  On Saturday their daughter, aged 5 years, died, and was buried on Sunday.   Another child is not expected to live.

   Last Saturday night some burglar effected an entrance into W. S. Campbell's store by prying the grating loose on a cellar window with a large wrench belonging to a set of oil well tools.  Hankerchiefs [sic], underwear and gloves are all that Mr. Campbell says are missing.

   Last Friday morning when the masons went to work at the spring house of Richard Donaldson, they were surprised at finding D. D. Keech lying in a lime box dead.  Mr. Keech came from Erie county, Pa., to Mansfield, Pa., and last summer did the stone work for W. S. Campbell's store.  It is learned that he has two sons and two daughters in Kansas.

   Washington Booming.   Mr. V. Harding has sold fourteen lots fronting on East Prospect Avenue , rec__ly [recently] opened on the Le Moyne estate.  The purchasers have agreed to build within a year and place their houses 25 feet from the street.  This will secure uniformity and a fine class of houses.  The following are among the purchasers: H. C. Seaman lots Nos. 1 and 2 commencing at [Main ?] street; Miss Mary Gregg, No. 1; Rev. J. B. Marquis, No. 4; Mr. Philips, of Mannington, W. Va., No. _; Mr. Gardener, No. 4; Frank McC[ucashey ?], No. 7; Mr. Vandegrift, No. _; ___ Dr. Alexander, No. _; James [McClemahery ??], No. __; J. [Cammond ??] [? Jackson ??], No. 11; Mr. Gardener, No. [12 ?]; [cannot read 8 words or numbers]; [Miss Hannah McKee ???], No. _ .  Mr. Philips . . . [rest of article is too blurred on the Xerox to read].

A long column cut in half length-wise; another court hearing.  Names that can be read in this column are: [Blanks do NOT indicate the length of a name, simply that a name could not be read].

Samuel Brady, Deputy Sheriff
Sheriff Hammond
_____ White
_____ B. Clark
George Davis
_____ Houston

_____ Luther
R. & C. Hayes's shop; Charles Hayes
[rest of article cut off].

Article from The Reporter newspaper, Washington Co., Pa., Dec. 2, 1885, page unknown:
Court Proceedings - Plaintiffs Take Non-Suits - [not complete article] - Samuel Hazlett of Washington vs. Isaac Thompson of near Brownsville, endorser of Abraham Garee of near Brownsville; Samuel Hazlett of Washington vs. Jacob Marks, endorser of Abraham Garee.

Article from The Washington Reporter, Washington Co., Pa., Dec. 2, 1885, page unknown:
Local Affairs - Sheriff Chambers remains at Coal Center and assures protection to the ____ miners. Everything is quiet.
Craig Rogers, son of J. H. Rogers, ____ of Washington, is about to ___ a photograph gallery in Burgettstown.
Andrew Whiteman, Sr., West Beau street, who has been very ill with inflammation of the stomach, is some better.
Hon. George W. Miller has not [yet?] determined upon the exact time at which he will enter upon his duties as ___ District Marshall.
Miss Jennie Stoy, the daughter [of our ?] old friend, Captain W. H. Stoy, __ well known here, was married in Waynesburg to Mr. W. F. Clayton, on ___ [27th ?]. 
On Friday evening about fifty guests enjoyed a very pleasant dance at Samuel Hatfield's, Canton. The ___ brothers furnished the music for the occasion.
James W. Stewart, of Canton, had ___ valuable ewes killed by dogs a few night's ago. Within a few months [several words cut off] in this way foots up about one hundred dollars.
Ed. Reisher leaves this afternoon for Mansfield, Pa., at which place he [is?] for the present located in the Panhandle railroad office. Mr. Fisher, of Mansfield, will assist J M. Montgomery at the Chartiers depot.
Gen. Austin Curtin, Commander of the Department of Pennsylvania ___ A. R., will inspect Wm. F. Templeton Post, this borough, on Thursday evening, December 31, and not Ex Governor Curtin as reported in some of the Pittsburgh papers.
Messrs. John Piggot & Sons are [grading ?] a new street on Gallows Hill parallel to Prospect avenue. The Main street extension will be graded and macadamized to the point where... [rest cut off; and rest of article cut off Xerox].

Scenery Hill - Correspondence of the Reporter. 
The farmers are very backward with their corn husking this season. Probably half the corn crop is out in the fields unhusked.
Report says that Doc Huffman has sold his farm to Wilson Mancha at [$85 ?] per acre. - H.

Wyland - Correspondence of the Reporter. November 30, 1885.
The weather the past week has been anything but pleasant, especially to the farmers, who yet have considerable corn in the fields. The three days snow of last week, which melted nearly as fast as it touched the ground made the country roads very muddy.
Rev. Graham spent Sabbath with Mr. Thomas Pease.
Mr. G. W. Andrews has been appointed station agent of this place [vice ?], W. A. Drumm, taking effect December 1st.
[item about the railroad].


Most Reliable - S. A. Tucker, of Amity, in subscribing for the [caps] Daily Reporter [caps], says: We like to hear the news from the most reliable source.

NO GOLD - Mr. Jacob Hartman, an acknowledged authority on the matter, holds that all the stories about gold being found at Coal Center, or in parts of Western Pennsylvania, arises out of the ignorance of the geological formations of this section. [Rest is about geological formations and is not typed here.]

Article The Washington Weekly Reporter newspaper, Washington, Pa., Saturday., Dec. 5, 1885, page unknown:

THE INQUIRY - Into the Causes That Led to The Collision on the B. & O. --  The jury selected to hold an inquest over the death [sic] of Messrs. Reiter and Snyder, the two men killed on Wednesday, in the collision, a short distance east of Washington, met at Squire Ruple's office, Thursday evening.

  Phillip Ellery, conductor of the first 86 - the west bound freight was called first.  He produced his running orders showing that he had absolute right of track over the first 89 - local freight, east bound.  The order gave him right to come on west.  At the time of the accident he was in the caboose, ten cars from the engine; two hundred and forty or two hundred and fifty feet was as far as he could see ahead.  The schedule[sic] meeting point with the first 89 was at Elwood.  He had a right to go on with his train unless he received special orders at Washington.

  Thos. Newman, engineer of the first 86 was then called and corroborated the former witnesses [sic].  He further states that the train was on a very short curve and he could not see far ahead.  The shortest length in which he could stop his train would be 20 to 25 car lengths [Florian's note: train car].  After he saw the local freight it was impossible to stop and made no efforts for he had not time.

  Ellery recalled.  It is our duty to stop at all telegraph stations and refister ourselves and examine the register.  This is required.  By thorough examination of the register here Reiter could have seen that the 1st 86 had been here and departed if it had really arrived.  If running on orders we run regardless of schedule and everything else.

  Newman was recalled and corroborated  the last part of Ellery's testimony.  He stated in addition that, although conductors are required by the rules of the company to examine the register, it is not always done.

  J. W. Elsworth [sic, 1 L], train dispatcher at Pittsburgh, next testified.  It is my duty to make meeting points for trains and keep them moving.  West bound trains have the preference of track.  The train 82 was late and had fallen into 86's time and was run [sic] from Washington, West, as the 1st 86.  By meeting this train at Elwood's, Reiter was thrown off his guard by supposing he has met the 1st 86 east of Washington.  It is the duty of the conductor to strittly [sic = strictly?] examine the register and Reiter ought to have done so.  On the page of the register as it stands no 1st 86 is found arriving here.  It was not my mistake.  Reiter had no orders against 1st 86 east, but had against the 2nd and 3rd sections of 86.  Reiter should have met the 1st 86 east at Elwood's.

  J. H. Bealls, day operator at the Washington office was then called.  I received the orders from Elsworth that run the 89's here and away from this place.  I also received orders in care of Lehan, conductor of the abandoned 82 which left Washington as the 1st 86 west, to be delivered to Reiter's at Elwood's.  Reiter showed me these orders when he arrived here.  The orders were that the sections of the 89 were to meet the 2d and 3d 86 at Zediker's.  Reiter moved out from Washington by mistaking that he had passed the first 86 east at Elwood's.  He could not have carefully examined the register or the mistake would not have been made.  I told him 1st 86 was not in, the responsibility therefore rested on him.  Had I known that the 1st 86 was between Zediker's and here, it was not my duty to tell him, but his business to ascertain by examining the register.  I told him that the abandined 8_ had gone west from Washington as the 1st 86.  After he had left the Washington yard to go to Zediker's, I started a Campbell engine after them, but it was too late.

  Robert Manyo??, formerly day operator and late private secretary to T. W. Clav___, testified.  I was in the office when B____ received the order __ the 1st 86.  Reiter came in, registered the arrival of his train, signed his ____, and went out.  He [six lines blurred, unreadable].   [New sentence]...it was the train dispatcher's duty to notify __ that 1st __ from the east had not arrived.  His orders would lead us to believe that we had passed 1st 86 at Elwood's, even if we were in doubt about it being 1st 86.  We thought from our orders that we had clear track to Zediker's against the other 86's.  Reiter went into the office here, said something to the operator and came out saying all right; he, Reiter, then gave me the signal to go ahead.  The register is not to be depended upon.  An order beats the register all the time.  The train dispatcher has all the trains to look after, while we only have our own, and he therefore has a great deal to contend with.  The operator here is not supposed to know whether we had orders against 1st 86 east of here or not.  We might have received orders at any telegraph station west of here without his knowledge.

  Frank Dean, an engineer learning the road, was on Morris' engine.  His testimony was generally a discription [sic] of the collision.  He was the first to discover the approaching train.  He was looking ahead and gave the alarm, when those who could jumped from the train.  The collision could not have been avoided then, we were so close to the other train.  There were five of us in the engine.  I have been railroading for fifteen years and would have done just like Reiter and Morris, under the circumstances.  Elsworth should have notified all sections of 86 and 89 that their [sic] was a 1st 86 west from Washington.  Never before heard of two trains representing the same section of any train.  

  The other parties who were expected as witnesses were out on the road [note: i.e. tracks], and the jury deeming their testimony not necessary proceeded to the office of Squire Ruple, where Frank Ruple, telegrapher, was examined as an expert.  His testimony consisted of an explanation of the orders issued by Elsworth.

  Up to the time of going to press the jury had not reached a verdict.

  [Next paragraphs, summary: The Reporter accuses the Review of stealing it's court report; the Review says it did not.]

NOTE:  Railroad stations were often named after families living at those locations; therefore, as an example, Zediker's was the railroad station located near the Zediker farm in South Strabane Twp., near the bottom of and on Zediker Station Road.

Article The Washington Weekly Reporter newspaper, Washington, Pa., Saturday., Dec. 5, 1885, page unknown:

(summary only) The old Washington County Agricultural Society.... existed for more than half a century... has outlived its usefulness.... they sold their land...got a decree of dissolution.... auditors appointed by the court to distribute its effects... the auditors said each person should get $64.43....see Maj. A. G. Happer for the money...

Northern End -
- Burgettstown Enterprise -
Patrick Hooney has been appointed postmaster at McDonald Station in place of J. D. Sauters.
Mrs. John S. McCarty, Jr., and Mrs. Richard [Palim ?] and John Oliver leave for Florida to spend the winter.
On the night of November 23d a thief broke into J. D. Saunter's store at McDonald, and stole [unreadable amount and 2nd unreadable amount] in change.....[rest is blurred and unreadable...]
[column is cut off on the Xerox]

Article The Washington Weekly Reporter newspaper, Washington, Pa., Dec. 9, 1885, page unknown:

The Citizens' Library Association of Fallowfield township, which secured a charter of incorporation, last summer, will dedicate its Hall, at Lock No. 4, on next Friday evening, September 11th.

Mr. John Swan has been appointed postmaster at Allegheny City. He is a very clever gentleman and will make a good officer. He will be remembered as the contractor who finished the Pittsburgh Southern Railroad.

At the stated meeting of Washington Chapter, No. 150 Royal Arch Masons, the following officers were elected for the ensuing Masonic year: H&P Sheldon B. Hayes K., John K. McMillan; S, Henry ____nthal; Treasurer, Frederick ______, Secretary, George A. Car___.

BEALLSVILLE - Correspondence of the Reporter. Dec. 7, 1885 - James Reese was buried Saturday. He was an old man; also a Mr. Michener, of California [Pa.], father-in-law of James S. Wickerham, of this place, was buried here yesterday.

James [Coll ?] is carrying the mail to Monongahela City now.

Mrs. Rhena [?] Evans, of Logansport, Ind., is visiting here.

There will be a Christmas tree here on Christmas eve.

Elmer Grable is going to move to California and open up a hotel. - Frank Ellwood.

LONE PINE - Correspondence of the Reporter  A literary society was organized at the school hall in this place, the 4th inst.  The following officers were elected vix: President, J. F. Ferrel; Vice President, D. S. Frazee; Secretary, Jesse Davis; Treasurer, D. S. Bayne; Marshal, T. F. H. Riggle.  All that is needed to make this society one of interest is the regular attendance of the members which will of course bring outsiders.

Lizzie Riggle has purchased the house and lot belonging to S. E. Reese, on McKinney street .

Mrs. Dan'l Baker has returned home from quite an extended visit to Iowa and other parts of the West.

The following is the report of the Scenery Hill primary school, No. 15, West Bethlehem township, for November: Number of pupils for the month, 37, males, __; females __.

George Baker an old resident of Allenport has moved to Monongahela City.

Article from The Reporter newspaper, Washington Co., Pa., Dec. 19, 1885, p. unknown:

Local Glances - Amity, although not so large as Claysville, boasts of four more widows than the latter place contains.

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