Dayton Area Local History Society

This Western letter is continued from a letter written by Joseph Butterbaugh who left Dayton in 1882 for the "west". He climbed bluff after bluff, only to come to a jumping off place of from 50 to 100 feet straight down. To peer over these places required more nerve than I could always summon, altho' we can no longer be termed a "Tenderfoot". --- We were one of sixty-five of a colony that left Bradford, PA. on April 24, for Nebraska, and have been doing the State pretty wel...l since that time. --- Have had a ride of fifty miles over untamed prairies, behind untutored matched brindles, "Brock and Broady", from the Elkhorn River, across the Niobrara, or Running Water, to the Keya Pahs, or Turtle River which forms the boundary between Nebraska and Dakota. Set foot on the Sioux Indian Reservation in Dakota. Then back to Stewart, situated on the S.C. & P.R.R. (railroad), and on to Valentine, the terminus of the road, which is headquarters for the "cowboys" of that neighborhood. Saw plenty of them but was not even shot at, nor heard one word out of the way, or roughness of any kind, only their reckless appearance and their dress of leather or fur leggings, great clanking spurs, and broad sombreio (stockman's hat) with their leather belt of firearms. We were met at the depot by an ambulance from Fort Nebraska, and was driven there by a soldier boy who brandished his long lash whip over the four mules, and drove as though he meant to show us "how we drive in this country". We did not notice the extra check these mulers of U.S. Brand are said to have, except to go 4 1/2 miles in thirty minutes. Spent last week with Miss Arta Cody, "Buffalo Bills daughter, of North Platte. (This is part of the letter from Mr. Joseph Butterbaugh who left Dayton for the west in 1882. (to be continued) See more

July 5, 1883. The Republican State Convention meets in Harrisburg July 11. An Auditor and State treasurer are to be nominated. --- The Queen's sympathy for the Southerland horror is no doubt great, but we suspect it is much greater for John Brownie, her defunct footman. --- The Fair is going to be one of our very best, and the managers will do their very utmost. It is going to be everyway successful, and the fair of 1883 in Dayton will meet the expectation of all our patro...ns. --- A western letter from Francis S. Fulton... (3 newspaper columns long !) Mr. Joseph Butterbaugh, who left Dayton, April, 1882, for the West. And now we are enjoying a visit with the family in their prairie home in the Platt Valley 25 miles from Plum Creek, county seat of Dawson Co. Come Wednesday and have been swinging round the circle of Indiana friends, viz Mr. Butterbaugh's, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Fairbank, nee Lydia Butterbaugh and Mr. W. H. Fairbank, formerly of Grant Twp; Indiana County, PA; all of whom are nicely situated here within three miles of each other. Must say we have enjoyed the viewing very much, have taken a long ramble over the bluffs that range East and West only a half mile from Mr. J. Butterbaugh's home. . To be continued. See more

"The Dayton Weekly News" - July 5, 1883, Thursday. (I decided you might like to have an idea what is on the front page of the newspapers) Front Page: A five verse poem, "A Wise Mans Fortune" by, the author not listed. --- Perversity of Partners (3 columns long) by Wilton Burton. --- The Emerald Isle. ( 1 1/2 columns long) Why there are no snakes or water-rats in Ireland. "Ireland lays further west than England, and there is reason to believe that St. George's Channel had... all been flooded sometime before the waves of the Atlantic broke down the last link between Dover and Calais. Accordingly Ireland has never got her fair share of animals at all, for tho' the wolf and the fox and the Irish hare and many others quickly migrating creatures had time to cross the intervening belt before the submergence, several smaller or slower creatures, including the vipers, did not get over the ground fast enough and were thus shut out forever from the Isle of Saints. Among them were the whole race of voles, and that is the reason why Ireland to this day has no water-rats. See more

Dayton News, June 21, 1883. Home News: Smith and Sons are still giving you a good fit. --- Clothing cheapest at E. Biehl and Sons, Kittanning, PA. --- Put tobacco on your cabbage plants to keep off the worms. --- C. S. Marshall and Company say they never did so much business as last week. --- Wool brought in this market in large or small quantities at highest rate. --- A. K. Goodhart now wrestles with the brick work of the new building for the I.O. of O. F's. --- Se got so...me elegant beef this week from T. H. Marshall and Sons who have plenty more to sell. --- John K. Lawson and Samuel Enterline laid the foundation for the new Odd Fellows' Hall and did it well. --- Putnam says he can train horses, but if Providence sends rain every day he can't well train horses on the track. --- Fire works !! Fire Works ! - Torpedoes, Fire Crackers, Rockets, Roman Candles, etc. for sale at Dayton Drug Company. --- Don't forget to call D. L. Coleman's where you can see the best $10.00 buggy harness ever offered for sale in the country. --- A. P. Jewert, Esq. of Cowanshannock Twp, who is a raiser of fruit, now has 100 bushels of strawberries. Go and get some. --- Jod Matthews and Cham Timlin have just opened a fine coal bank on the farm of D. W. Lawson and have coal constantly on hand. See more

Dayton News, July 12, 1883, continued: Home News: Ready mixed paints, also alabastine for ceilings etc. of all shades and colors, at the Dayton Drug Company. --- If Prof. Stockdill had prepared a "course of Study for Ungraded Schools" for this county, he has not so reported to this office. --- A local last week stated H. S. Glenn's shoe shop on School Street. It should have been on South, between School and State Street. --- The middle story timbers were laid last week on ...the Odd Fellows Hall; but so much noise and so many bosses, for the amount of work done, we haven't heard. --- Volunteer, Aaron Niel owner, is certainly to be on the Dayton track this fall, and also some others. Henry Schrock, keeper, leaves many friends in this place and is a good man. --- Lost Saturday last, in Dayton, a pocket book containing money and papers. A liberal reward will be given to the finder, who can bring it to this office. J. R. Orr. --- Aaron Niel, North Point, was with us on Monday. Aaron is a horseman, and has some fast horses, owns Volunteer, will have him and others on the track this fall, and some good work may be expected. See more

Dayton News, June 21st, 1883. (Get your magnifying glass). My computer updated itself and I don't know what is going on. This is the largest font that it will let me use. Sorry. ---- Wit and Wisdom. A case is on record where a barber and his victim were both happy. The former talked on without interruption and the latter was deaf. ---"Toledo American". Most of the church Courts have held their annual sessions and now begin the work of the coming year. ---Masonry and ot...her oaths-bound orders were Condemned by the General Synod of the Reformed Church at its late sessions in Albany. --- College and Seminary Commencements are now to the front generally, and expectant D. D's. wear whiter chockers and straighter jackets than usual - which is saying a good deal. --- The railroads lately projected, and being built, through Mexico, and mostly by American skill and money, are already producing their effects. Some 20 new hotels are said to be now building in the city of Mexico alone. --- We hear many people talk of the coming forth, but will we have a celebration? Will we have anything that day ? === Holidays each with its own ceremonies, are booming so numerous as to make us fear there are to many. If we had fewer that could doubtless be better observed, but it seems as if, we ought to hold fast to the glorious 4th See more

For those of you reading the clips from the Dayton News 1883: I wonder what you think about me putting my articles up on my "web site in the sky !" I put them on the Dayton Facebook site and they are gone in a short time. If I put them on my web site they will be there permanently. . or anyway for a long time ! I will run this past my daughter tomorrow and see what she thinks. I used to "run" that web site, if I think on it I can probably do it again. If you like, ...take a look at it and see what you think. Or maybe you want the news items on the facebook site to delete after a while. It just seems like a lot of work to have it disappear again. However, not my call. Let me know what you think and meanwhile I'll talk to Terri, and see what she thinks. My web site is: "Connie's Genealogy Page." See more

Conclusion..1816, The Year Without A Summer. (From Dayton News, June 14, 1883) On the 30th snow fell at Barnet, forty miles from London. Very little corn ripened in New England and the Middle States. Farmers supplied themselves from corn produced in 1815 for seed in the Spring of 1817. It sold from $4.00 to $5.00 per bushel. --- September furnished about two weeks of the pleasantest weather of the season, but in the ladder part of the month ice formed an inch thick. Octo...ber had more than its share of cold weather. November was cold and snowy. December was comfortable, and the winter following was mild. Very little vegetation was measured in the Eastern and Middle states. The sun's rays seemed to be destitute of heat during the summer; all nature was clad in a sable hue; and men exhibited no little anxiety concerning the future of this life. --- The average price of flour during the year in New York market was $13 per barrel. The average price of wheat in England was ninety-seven shillings per quarter. Bread riots occurred throughout Great Britian in 1817, in consequence of the high price of the staff of life. --- As an Arkansaw boy, writing from college in reply to his father's letter, said: "So you think I am wasting my time in writing little stories for the local papers and cite Johnson's saying that the man who writes except for money is a fool. I shall not upon Dr. Johnson's suggestion and write for money. Send me $50.00. - Arkansas Traveler (name of newspaper, I think.) End of article. See more

The year without a summer (continued. Part 2.) January and February were mild, March was cold; April began warm, but ended in snow and ice. Ice formed an inch thick in May, and fields were planted over and over again 'till it was too late to replant. June was the coldest ever known in this latitude; frost an ice were common. Almost every green thing was killed; fruit nearly all destroyed. Snow fell to the depth of ten inches in Vermont, seven inches in Maine, three inc...hes in the interior of New York and also in Massachusetts. There were a few warm days. It was called a "dry season" but little rain fell. The wind blew steadly from the north, cold and fierce. Mothers knit extra socks and mittens for the children in the spring, and wood piles that usually disappeared during the warm spell in front of the houses were speedily built up again. Planting and shivering were done together, and the farmers who worked out their axes on the country roads wore overcoats and mittens. In a town in Vermont a flock of sheep belonging to a farmer had been sent as usual to their pasture. On the 17th of June a heavy snow fell in New England. The cold was intense. A farmer who had a large field of corn in Tewksbury, built fires around it at night to ward off the frost; many an evening he and his neighbors took turns watching them. He was rewarded with the only crop of corn in the neighborhood. Considerable damage was done in New Oreleans in consequence of the rapid rise of the Mississippe River. Fears were entertained that the sun was cooling off, and throughout New England all picnics were strictly prohibited. (to be continued) See more

Dayton News, June 14, 1883. "The Year Without a Summer". Remarkable weather some 67 years ago. The story of the Phenomenal Weather that followed a cold spring in 1816. --- During a cold spring like that which is just now drawing to an end, people generally console themselves with the reflection that the sun will eventually get the victory and that summer will certainly come at last, though its coming may be delayed. Uncertain as the weather is, the general features of the ...season recur with a regularity which warrents the confidence thus reposed in the annual return of seed time and harvest; but there are instances on record in which even the seasons seem to have lost their characteristic features, as if the ordinary laws of meterology had been temporarily suspended. A remarkable case of this kind, and one which the long-continued cold weather of this spring makes particularly interesting just now, is that of the year 1816, which has been called "the year without a summer." A communication printed in the CONGREGATIONALIST gives the following summary of the weather of this remarkable year: (to be continued). See more

Dayton News, June 14, 1883. --- Mr. E. F. Stear, Smicksburg, one of Indiana Counties best called and subscribed for the Dayton News, Mr. Stear's daughters have been educated in this place, he is, himself, a first class farmer and we wish he lived amongst us in Dayton. --- Married: June 7, 1883 at Dayton, PA., by Rev. J. Kelly, Mr. Clark Bird to Miss Maggie E. Marshall, both of South Bethlehem, Clarion Co., PA., May 27, 1883 at Dayton, PA. by Rev. G. W. Mechlin, D.O., Mr. W. F.... Kraw, of New Bethlehem, Clarion Co., PA., to Miss Jennie F. Jones, of Oakland, Armstrong Co., PA. --- Billie made the best enginering this time he ever did in his life. --- Died, June 7, 1883, of scarlet fever, Willie B. son of S. M. and M. J. Marshall of Wayne Twp., aged about 18 months. --- Dayton market report. Beans $2.25 per bushel (the next 8 items are all "per bushell") Corn 30 cents, Oats 45 cents, Rye 70 cents, wheat $1.20, Potatoes 50 cents, onions 60 cents. Seeds : Timothy $2.00, Clover $6.50, wheat flour $1.60 per sack, Eggs 14 cents per dozen, Butter 12 cents, Wool, 80 cents per pound. Sale Bills, Letter heads, Cards, Programs, Notices, and all kinds of Job Printing neatly and promptly done at this office. See more

I think I posted an article yesterday, (Oct. 8) by mistake. I got it ready for today but posted yesterday...so this is a bonus...or that was a bonus, I'm not sure anymore !!! "Dayton News, June 14, 1883. Home News --- Mr. E. F. Stear, Smicksburg, one of Indiana County's best business men, called and subscribed for Dayton News. Mr. Stear's daughters have been educated in this place, he is, himself a first-class farmer and we wish he lived among us in Dayton. --- One... of the notable incidents of Memorial Day in this place was the spontaneous decoration of the grave of W. Kimple Pounds, late of the Soldier's Orphans School here, who was accidently shot, and thus kindly remembered by the children of that institution. --- L. P. Harrie, who has drilled the Rev. Scott, and other wells, among us, is now here, and will sink wells and find water quicker and cheaper than can be done by any other parties. For prices or contracts enquire of David Milliron or at this office. Water guaranteed every time. Cap. McNutt, Insurance Agent, died in New Bethleham on Saturday the 2nd instant, aged twenty-nine years. He was well known in this vacinity, was a man of good business parts and well known to the people of this town. He leaves a wife and two small children to mourn his loss. See more

The Dayton News, Thursday, June 14, 1883. Front page: A Poem entitled, "Flirtation" by Ella Wheeler, An Algerian Lion Story (a very long article), Successful Newspapers about the Philadelphia Ledger & The Phila. Press, The New York Herald, The New York Tribune, The N. Y. Sun, The Baltimore Sun, The Star, and the Springfield, (Mass.) Republican. --- The House and Senate have both passed the bill finally, allowing English sparrows to be killed within the state at any seasonal... time. --- It is said that Senator Cameron and family have gone abroad for perhaps a couple of years. After recent experiences the Senator no doubt begins to feel that PA. might get along a couple of years or so without him. --- If every cotemporary has the difficulty that we have in getting papers to each subscriber sure, yet parties hardly three miles away, and farther, say "No Paper". ---Do not Postmasters have no conscience, no care for the public service? Our patience is about exhausted and it seems as if we would have to keep a special record of a few delinquents and report to the department. The matter with us has become intolerable. See more

"Dayton News", June 7, 1883. Home News: Elegant dress goods of all kinds, and at low rates, at J. Campbell and Co. Cheap ! --- Send all items, short and spicy, from all points. We will prepare them for the press. --- Mrs. Mattie Craig, of Rural Valley has been visiting the family of R. B. Kirk, this past week. --- Hats, caps and fancy neckware, the best assortment in town at E. Biehl and Son, Kittanning. --- A large assortment of Lap-dusters, and Fly nets at D. L. Coleman...'s. Also a full line of Coburn Whips. --- Ready mixed paints, also alabastine, for ceilings and etc. of all shades and colors, at the Dayton Drug Company. --- A. Findly sold, last week, a colt under three years old, for $200, and has more of that kind coming on. --- Rev. T. Rob. Linton, Iowa, was in town last week looking after the estate of the late John S. Marshall. --- Will the four young ladies in this town who bite their finger nails, please let up and take to chewing gum ? --- The latest gospel of peace in Dayton teaches that when you once get a man down you want to keep him there. --- See notice of the sale of the J. S. Marshall property, in this paper. There may be a bargain for the lucky purchaser. --- Wall paper ! Dayton Drug Company, our new stock and best selection ever brought to Dayton. See more

(A little long this time.) Dayton News, June 7, 1883: Death of Walter Updike. We have noticed at length the prticulars of the sad fate of David M. Hasock in Wyoming Territory. --- By a letter from W. F. Hamilton, dated May 18, we learn of the amputation of both feet of poor Walt Updike, the party who was with Hosack, and was in the snow and drifts five days before found. --- Mr. Updike was well known in Dayton, his father reached him, and three army physician's performed ...the operation. The poor fellow's life now hangs on a single thread and we earnstly hope it may be spared. Later: We copy from the "Commericle Gazette": Walter S. Updike, of this city, died at Fort Laramie, Wyoming, on a Wednesday evening. It will be remembered that some weeks ago Mr. Updike while engaged in a "round up" upon the plains was lost in a heavy snow storm. His companion, a man from Butler Co., in this state, became seperated from him and died, and both their horses perished. For five days Mr. Updike wandered about the prairies in the storm and when found the searchers were surprised to find him alive. He was moved to Fort Laramie when it was found necessary to amputate both feet, they were so badly frozen. He rallied after the operation and it was thought he would recover but blood poisoning set in and on Wednesday afternoon he died. It will be necessary to send his remains to Cheyenne by stage and it will be almost a week before they reach Pittsburgh. --- Mr. Updike was a son of Mr. Thomas B. Updike of Allegheny City, and was one of the best known young men in the two cities. He went west in the latter part of June, 1882, and had been on a ranch there but two weeks less than one year. He was quite successful and has gotten his property in good shape. In Pittsburgh he stood very highly and in the business and social world was a favorite. His good qualities of head and heart commended him to all with whom he came in contact, and many who will regret his death. See more

This is the rest of the article on Memorial Day, June 7, 1883. They were writing about the town of Dayton, all decorated up for Memorial Day. Mt. Zion's Rev. Soldiers would be buried in the Lower Piney Cemetery on Route 66. A new stone marker with the cemetery name, was set in May 2001, by a community minded citizen and friend of Mt. Zion. And the article continues about Glade Run Church Yard: After an adjournment to the church addresses of unusual interest were deliver...ed by Profs. Allison and Russel and Rev. J. M. Kelly. Music was also given by the choir of the church and by the Orphans. .... The meeting dispersed, but the entire Post, with many others, went to the U. P. Graveyard and decorated there, the weather precluding any lengthened exercises. After dinner the Post mounted and made haste to Belknap to meet comrads and decorate at Concord. The proceedings were varied. Chaplin McEntire, of Oakland Post, made the introductory, and John A. Calhoun, Esq. the regular address of the day, while Miss Ella V. Martin delivered a recitation of great pathos and power. --- We have as yet, no fuller report, but the Dayton Post returned to their Hall about dark after a hard days work. --- The Memorial Day was passed in Dayton. The G.A.R. Post took the lead, and all others united, business was suspended, stores were closed, everyone was sad, but happy; and not only did the old soldiers "fight their battles over again", but patriotism was renewed. A younger generation was trained in the steps of the fathers, the entire population felt better and the Army Post, and, we think, the people of Dayton did themselves honor, and the Memorial Day of 1833 will be long and pleasantly remembered. Commander Borland, and his assistants, did their whole duty and gave general satisfaction. See more

Daily News, June 7, 1883. --- Memorial Day in Dayton. ---May 30 opened with a reasonable show for good weather. The early morning exhibited a display of flags and bunting, unusual in Dayton. The G.A.R. Post was early on the ground and citizens came in at all hours. Everybody sent flowers and took a pride in doing so. An inspiration seemed to have fallen on our people. --- The hotels, places of business, and very many private residences were gay with flags. --- At an ear...ly hour a detail of the Post went to the M.E. Graveyard and decorated, and on their return decorated the graves of children buried in the S.O.S. graveyard. --- Meanwhile the Hill Martial Band came in and met the returning detail, escorting it into the village. This band, under the leadership of Capt. Hill himself, did its whole duty through the day, and maintained its high reputation. --- At 10:00 a.m. the procession was formed in the following order: Band in front, Grand Army Post, children, male and female, of Soldier's Orphan School in full uniform, accompanied by teachers; Miss Becca Coleman, teacher with the children of the school; citizens and strangers. Flags and flowers along the whole line. ---The procession marched to Glade Run Church-yard. Dr. Mechlin offered prayer, grves were decorated, and the G.A.R. Post presented special services, fit and appropriate, George S. Morrow delivered a fine original poem, and a beautiful song was sung by the Orphans. (To be continued) See more

Dayton News, Thursday, June 7, 1883. No.32. A tornado is very much like the quack doctor, who strikes a new town - it comes with a big blow and then dissolation follows. --- An Iowa editor when asked by a correspondent if hogs paid, he has looked over his subscription list and decided that they do not. --- Proud Mr. Blobbs - "If my boy ain't going to be President signs don't count. Why that boy will run away from school every day to go fishin'". --- "how much older shou...ld the husband be than the wife ?" Edith: three to five years is usually suffeicent; but if he is very rich, fifty or sixty years is allowable. --- "I would like scalloped oysters", she remarked. He answered meaning to be funny: "I don't know how to scallop oysters." "Then bias some, said she. --- " Deserted Oil Towns". But if there is a picture of desolation, says Burdette, it is an oil town that has been left; that has gone off by itself and died. The dismantled derricks stand about like so many tombstones. The deserted houses, with their shattered windows, look as though the crowd flying away to new oil fields, had cruely put out the eyes of the old town lest it should follow. The doors hang in crippled fashion on paralized hinges; of the flush times"., there is neither welcome nor rejection in their half open attitude --(very descriptive of the old oil towns and it goes on with this article..) See more