1
Kishacoquillas Valley Historical Society NEWSLETTER Fall 2017 Volume 1 Issue 2
MY STORY
There is something forlorn and mysterious about On December 30, 1918, she sold her property to an old empty house. I am one of those empty houses and Joseph S. Wareman of Lewistown, Pennsylvania. This this is my story. property of which I am part of, exchanged owners six For settlers new to the Kishacoquillas Valley, log more times from 1958 to 1984. houses were the norm and are a symbol of humble On August 27, 1984, according to Deed Book 22, origins. I am one of those log houses having been built in page 631, I was sold to Robert W. and JoAnn M. Goss- the 1800’s. Gardner by Naomi M. Zook. I was listed as a green I may be the oldest house still standing or at least unoccupied two and one-half story green frame and log one of the oldest houses in Belleville, Pennsylvania. I do dwelling house. My property measurements remained the not remember when I was built or who built me. I do same. During this transaction I am listed as the former know that in 1859, according to Deed Book MM, page property of the Presbyterian Church. To the North was 185, the lot of ground that I now sit on was owned by Sa- my neighbor James W. Fleming, on the East was Doro- rah Taylor. When her property was put up for Sheriff sale thy Bennett, and on the West was Harry C. and Laura it was purchased by Mr. Davis M. Coutner, Esq. and his Moore. wife Mary Ann of Lewistown, Pennsylvania. I sure wish I could tell you who originally built On October 18, 1864, Mr. Coutner, Esq. and his me but I just can’t recall. What I can share is that I was wife sold this piece of land, containing 1/2 acre plus built by hand with tools of that era. These tools would another lot containing 1/4 acre on which there was a log have included: a cross cut saw, a peavey (a heavy wooden house, stable and other improvements to Rebecca Rodg- lever with a pointed tip and hinged hook near the end and ers. The property measured 85 feet wide and 140 feet used by lumber men in handling and rolling logs into deep and was listed as located on the Great Road leading position), an adze (an axe like tool for dressing wood), a from Belleville to Allensville. My neighbor on the West hand drill and a broad axe. Of all of these tools the broad is listed as Seneca W. Bennett and on the East is the lot of was the most important to own at that time. It was used to Joseph Hoar and Henry S. McNabb. Also, located on their smooth and fit notches, shape the logs among other tasks. lot was a Blacksmith shop but it was not included in the The logs used to build me most likely came from sale. I was sold for $600.00. Standing Stone Mountain. In most cases, they would have In the 1880’s, when Rebecca Rodgers passed been left to cure for two years. If I were built by just one away, she left her property to her daughter, Mary Rodg- person, it would have taken approximately eight weeks ers. Later in her life, Mary married Charles Duslang. Up- from start to finish. on his death that parcel of land became the sole property of Mary (Rodgers) Duslang. Unable to write she signed ( continued on page 3) the document with an X. 2
KVHS NEWS, MEETINGS, AND UPDATES!
KVHS Board Members & Officers WELCOME New life members President: Fred Brown Vice President: Denise Chester John & Laverne Tillson Linus & Darlis Sharp Treasurer: Molly Bourg Scott & Christine Allison Secretary: Pattie Cruikshank John Sharp BOARD MEMBERS: Jim Allison, Molly Bourg, Jennifer Breen Fred Brown, Denise Chester, Pat Collins, Patti Cruikshank, Gay Rodgers, Bill Stratton, Mary Ann Stratton, John Stroup, and Ron Wilson. WELCOME New Members NEW BOARD MEMBER Tom & Lisa Heckman Our newest Board Member is Patricia Collins. Becky Kennedy Ruckno She was born in New Orleans, LA, in 1959. Frank & Barb Bonson She is the youngest of four children and has three older Fern Harmon brothers. Her family moved to Lancaster County where she Douglas Smoker graduated from Garden Spot High School in 1977. Ellen Wiseman She received her B.S. Degree in Health & Physical Maureen Stell Education from Slippery Rock State College in 1981 Rob Hanawalt & Nicole Manly and her M.S. degree from Wilkes University. Martha Metz She then began her teaching career at her alma Roy T. & Lois K. Hartzler mater. After teaching and coaching for three years Craig & Kim Orndorf she relocated to the Cocalico School District where she George & Anne Thompson retired in 2014 after teaching for 30 years. Dale & Deb Hostetler Having spent weekends in Big Valley at her vacation home for eight years, she felt she had found the perfect place to retire. Her interests are broad and varied. While in high Kish Bank Priority Club Donors school she played field hockey, softball and sang in the chorus. We are now on Kish Bank’s permanent list for Since retirement she keeps quite busy. If she isn’t those wishing to donate their Kish Priority Club points playing golf, she loves to read, travel, scrapbook, and to our Society. spend time with her family. If you would like to donate your points just fill out the back of your quarterly statement and then drop it off at any Kish Bank branch office or send it to:
Kish Bank To submit photos, articles, and for genealogy 15 Gateway Drive information, contact Molly Bourg at Reedsville, PA 17063 [email protected] or call 717-935-2440. We would like to thank the following people who have supported us by donating their points to our Society.
Robert & Marie Allison
We are now closed for winter. We will reopen on the 2nd Sunday in April for the 2018 summer season. 3 (continued from page 1) My upstairs is now gutted and that makes it easy My logs are all hand hewn and to see the square head nails that were used in the original quite large and the marks left construction. by the striking of the axe are My attic stretches still quite visible. I am built on the length of the house. a strong foundation of large There are nine narrow limestone rocks with dirt steps leading up to the attic. packed between the stones to The small win- dows at give me strength to anchor my either end do no allow floors. much light to enter mak- My exterior actually has three layers. My inner ing it gloomy even on a most layer is logs that are laid horizontal, the next layer, bright sunshiny day. the logs were laid vertical and the exposed layer that we When the Gardners moved out, I stood empty for see today is framed wood and painted green. My front a number of years. I really minded the quiet and empti- door faces South, so the sun could help warm and light ness. Well, that was until I noticed a spider had spun a my interior. beautiful web on my front window. What a great view When the logs were in place, chinking (filling the she has when she crawls up to sit on the window sill. cracks between the logs) was done with mud, moss or From there she gets a perfect view sticks squeezed between the logs to keep out insects, var- of the West Kishacoquillas Presby- mints, rain and snow. terian Church, located on the other My roof is purlin and rafter construction. Snow- side of road that is now, State Route birds, which are metal ornamental pieces, were mounted 655. on the roof’s exterior to keep snow from sliding off in big Remarkably, I have survived chunks and damaging anything below. for around one hundred and fifty I have a cellar which is really a room dug deep in three years. During that time I have the ground. In early times it was referred to as a pantry (a seen many families come and go place for food storage). It is cool in the summer and yet and each family changed me in someway. The biggest warm enough to be above freezing in the winter. change came when someone covered my logs with a When I was first built, I had only one main room frame façade and added an addition or two. It was then downstairs and two rooms upstairs. Some of the logs visi- painted green and remains that color today. ble in my main living quarters measure twelve inches For awhile, there was a large “For Sale” sign in wide. My smooth floor boards are nine and one-half my front yard and I wasn’t sure what would happen to inches wide. The antique hardware used on the doors me. My future looked glum and then one day it happened. throughout the house also date me. The “For Sale” came down and I learned that I was pur- chased by Mr. John Zook. Recently, I over heard Mr. Zook talking and it looks like I may get a total make over and it will make me look like my old self again. As my new owner, he will need to keep in mind this old saying, “When you buy a home, you not only buy the property, you also buy a piece of its history.”
I would have had a stone fireplace at one end of my room but I just can’t remember where it was located. The stairway to the sleeping quarters has been gutted. On the stair- I am looking forward to case, the exposed wall shows the lath, a new beginning. My or narrow strips of wood nailed hori- doors will once again be zontally across the wall studs. Horse- ready to welcome new hair or a similar material would have faces. been stuffed between the strips to help insulate the walls. (continued on page 4)
4
(continued from page 3) My Story, Update! Mr. Zook has already begun to restore me. As you can see in the first picture a glimpse into what my vertical logs look like. In the larger picture, to the right, he tore off the framed siding and it is now easy to see my original horizontal logs.
Information researched and article written by Mary Ann Stratton
I have always been fascinated by old houses and this one really peaked my interest so I felt it worth sharing.
This two harness counter-balance rug loom was recently donated by the Huntingdon County Historical Society to our Society. Its basic purpose is to hold the warp threads under tension to facilitate the interweaving. In earlier times it was a winter activity and was used primarily by men. When we received this loom it was not in work- ing condition. A huge thank you goes to Bart Ewing of Reedsville and Dan Wilson of Milroy for putting it back in good working order. We are planning on holding a demonstration of how it works at our Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting is held the last Monday in March. Closer to the time, more information about this event will be posted in the local newspapers. A two harness counter-loom 5
KVHS BARN DEDICATION May 20, 2017
. Molly Bourg, Bill Stratton Fred Brown The Honorable Samuel E. Hayes, Jr. & Fred Brown
It was a chilly and rainy day but it did not dampen the spirits of approximately one hundred people who came out to help us celebrate the completion of our old/new barn. Old because of the lumber used from the 1850’s Ore Bank barn that was in the Sharp family for many generations. New because of the building items that were necessary to complete the building under new government regulations. Our barn is now an excellent example of an 1800’s pegged, mortis and Tenon barn construction. Fred Brown, President of KVHS, spoke briefly to those in attendance about the reconstruction of the barn. He shared that 90% of the 1850’s Ore Bank barn was used to rebuilt the barn. It was built on the old foundation of the barn that burned in October, 2014. Those involved in the building included: a dedicated crew of Old Order Anish under the leadership of John M. Hostetler , Jim and Joe Bonson, and our barn committee. He also thanked the Menno Township Supervisors and the Allensville Planing Mill staff for their support. He noted the generosity of the com- munity for donating agricultural equipment to help rebuild our collections. He then introduced the guest speaker, the Honorable Samuel E. Hayes, Jr.. Mr. Hayes is the former Secretary of Agriculture and past member of the House of Representatives. He spoke on the value of agriculture in the Kisha- coquillas Valley and how our Society is honoring it by preserving its history and agriculture artifacts for future generations. He then participated in the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and was joined by the following members of the Barn Committee: Fred Brown, Molly Bourg and Bill Stratton. Also a member of the committee, but unable to attend was Ron Wilson. Following the presentation and with the snip of the scissors a new era for our Society began. Those in attendance and other visitors were invited to come inside the barn for a tour of the new displays and to take a closer look at the construction of the barn. The museum was also open for tours. Following the Open House celebration, a chicken barbecue dinner, prepared by the Allensville Fire Company, was served. Following the dinner and as the raindrops fell, Joe Bonson and Coffee Run Band provided musical entertainment. This concluded our event. We are excited to be able to again keep the history of agriculture in the Kishacoquillas Valley alive for future generations. If you missed this special day, we hope that you will visit us in the future because we enjoyed sharing! PS: The barn is now Handicap accessible!
6
KVHS NEWS, MEETINGS, AND UPDATES!
KVHS Annual Meeting Our Annual Meeting scheduled for May was cancelled due to a storm and power outage. New officers were elected at the following regular monthly meeting and are as follows: Fred Brown, President, Denise Chester, Vice President, Molly Bourg, Treasurer and Pattie Cruikshank, Secretary.
Harvest Moon October 6, 2017 A huge thank you goes to all the loyal supporters who come each year and to those who attended for the first time, we truly do thank you for your support. Held at Brookmere Winery Barn, we were filled to capacity for this year’s event. Our Live and Silent Auction, following a catered meal by Harshbarger’s Sub “n” Malts, featured many hand crafted items, beautiful framed photos, and an assortment of items donated by local people and businesses. We are honored to have three local Auctioneers, Mark Glick, Don Chesney and Ron Grassmyer, give of their time and skills to auction off the items in our live auction. We also couldn’t do it at Brookmere if it weren’t for the generous help and support we get from Ed and Cheryl Glick, the owners. During the early phase of the evening, Fred Brown shared his slide show of “A Trip Through the Kishacoquillas Valley”. It highlighted places and scenes of the five Townships located in the Kishacoquillas Valley. We are already looking forward to next year because it is through this fund raiser that helps with all the operating costs incurred at our museum. It is scheduled for Friday, October 5, 2018 from 6:00pm to 9:30pm. Hope to see you there.
Editor’s Note Wow, what a summer! The barn was completed and we hosted a number of individual and group tours. We cleaned and sorted all the papers, artifacts, books etc., that made it through the fire and we were able to return the schoolhouse back to Joe Westover. Displays were set up in both levels of the barn. After work on the barn was com- pleted, a dedication to celebrate was held in May. The shed and outhouse each got cleaned and were given a face lift. New plantings were done in time for the Barn Dedication around the barn by Pat Collins. New parking signs were made and are now in place. Molly helped quite a few write or update their family tree. The Belleville Times newspa- pers from 1900 to 1996 are now digitized. It really takes a lot of time and energy to maintain the museum and barn. There are maintenance tasks, filing, shelving, cleaning and organizing items, to name a few of the tasks on our “to-do” list. For this reason we are looking for volunteers who are willing to donate some of their time to this worthy cause. Volunteering does offer many benefits for the Society as well as for you, the volunteer. I am sure there is something on our “To-do” list that may interest you. The good part about volunteering is you can give as much time as your schedule allows and the benefits to all can be very rewarding. So, keep us in mind, because we’d like very much to have. We need your help. Just contact any board member and we can work together to help you find the right task and let you know the date and time Docent classes will take held. If you are interested in becoming a docent, classes will be given this winter for those interesting in becoming a part of this team. Mary Ann Stratton, Editor 7
Make checks payable to KVHS and send to KVHS, P.O. Box 43, Allensville, PA 17002
KVHS 2018 CALENDARS NOTE: The 2018 calendar are ready! The monthly inserts are facts from 1909. We are extremely interested in acquiring old photographs for future editions and would be glad to come to your home and scan them, or email a copy to Pattie, or you can bring them to the Historical Society to be scanned and returned.
You can contact Pattie Cruikshank @ 717- 483- 6596 or [email protected] for more information.
I would like to order ____ 2018 calendars @ $5.50 each. If you would like to have it shipped to you, please fill out the form below and add $2.00 per calendar for shipping.
NAME ______
ADDRESS:______
Kishacoquillas Valley Historical Society Membership Form.
Don’t forget to RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP for 2018!
Membership to the Kishacoquillas Valley Historical Society begins January 1 and ends December 31.
Name ______Address ______Phone ______Zip Code ______E-mail ______Types of membership available: ___ Individual ($25.00) ___Family ($35.00) ___ Life ($300.00)
Check enclosed for ______Please Check one. (2018__ Renewal __ 2018 New)
If your address has changed, please let us know as we are now charged for all returned newsletters.
If you would like to know more about KVHS and what is happening look us up at: http://wwwkishvalleyhistoricalsociety.org We are also on Facebook at: KishacoquillasValleyHistoricalSociety 8
KVHS NEWS, MEETINGS, AND UPDATES!
A TRIBUTE TO OUR VALLEY’S FIREFIGHTERS October 9, 2014 we were devastated to learn our barn was on fire. It was early in the morning and in minutes the fire truck from Allensville was on the scene. Soon to arrive were oth- er volunteer companies from the valley and beyond. It is due to their courageous efforts that the fire was quickly brought under control. Yes, it is sad that we lost everything on display in the upper barn level but due to their skills and quick reactions many of the artifacts in the lower level were saved. When ask if they could pull out artifacts that were salvageable and before the water dripping from the upper level or smoke damage took their toll on them, without hesitating they honored our request. It has been three years and we are grateful and say thanks to Joe Westover for letting us store those items in the old Allensville School until we had a chance to assess which were salvageable. They have now been cleaned and repaired and many returned to the shelves or are again on display in the barn. Coming in a future issue of the newsletter will be brief history and acknowledgement of the five Kisha- coquillas fire companies composed of volunteers ready to protect our homes and barns. We honor and salute them for always being ready to help in emergencies.
A Bit of Kishacoquillas Valley History
This certificate dated, January 15, 1926, was from the United States Treasury Department. It was issued during the National Prohibition Era and was recently donated by Don and Robin Chesney.
Interesting, that it is a Prescription for Whiskey. The prescription was ordered by Dr. R. Kohler, Reedsville, Pennsylvania for his patient, R. E. Shartzer of Reedsville. Pennsylvania. The druggist who filled the prescription for Mr. Shartzer was Foster J. Sankey, also of Reedsville, PA. The directions were for the patient to take one Swig or one tablespoon after meals. It also stated that this prescription cannot be refilled!
9
DONATIONS
Walter Smith of McVeytown, PA. is delivering a 5 HP, New Holland Hit n Miss Engine which is being donated to Accepting the machine is Fred Brown, President of KVHS, and Ron Wilson, Board Member, and retired New Holland em- ployee and worked with Walter. Walter is a native of Gilbertsville and graduated from Captain Jack High School. He began working at the Sperry New Holland Plant in Belleville, PA.in 1964. He held a va- riety of engineering jobs and later became the night shift foreman of the maintenance de- partment. We appreciate all that Mr. Smith has done in helping us acquire this artifact .
More donations Fred Brown - A wooden tractor made by John Shrock and a wooden baler that belong to his parents. Forrest Kauffman —a KVRR key ring containing what is Molly Bourg - a Mary Peachey painting and several books believed to be maintenance keys. to replace those that burned. Felker Bridgens - a large assortment of items from the Huntingdon County Museum - a saw set Belleville Flour Mills Jess Kennedy Farm - a copper kettle. Brian Kearns - Hertzler & Zook burr mill, feed trough Sam Plank - a framed certificate to the Betsy Ross house. and feed truck. Jim Allison—a windmill seed cleaner and an Isaac Peight Maureen Stell - two framed pictures of Stell and Ruther- dresser that matches the desk made by Isaac. ford family members; a photo of Martha Hair‘s home, a photo of John G. and Sarah Bordell Diffenderfer home, a Tom Heckman - a powder horn photo of Charles M. and Elsie Bordell Fultz home, all Brady Smith - a McCormick/Deering 10 inch Burr Mill located in Allensville in memory of Sharon (Grove) Smith and her parents Philip E. & Frances H. Grove.
ACQUISTIONS Kishacoquillas Park Carousel Horse.
An old Belleville Post Office
A Windmill seed cleaner (1774-1889) Two Milroy high school diplomas, a portable horse hitch. A KaVee milk carrier and three paintings by John W. Rodgers of Reedsville, PA Yoder Family carved sign dating back to the 1800”s. Feed box Two door stops - one a pig and the other a wagon and steer design Doctor’s Carriage Funds to purchase this artifact were given in Brown Brother’s diploma from pre Civil War memory of Louise Westover. 10
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
HONESTY PAYS OFF
This Belleville National Bank check dated July 18, 1925 was made out to Joseph Sylvester Bergen McNabb. The $5.00 amount was sent to Mr. McNabb by J. R. Fleming. The message Mr. Fleming wrote says, “For a promise made years ago to the effect that if the boy made good, along a certain line, he was to receive the above amount.” Nuff sed.
Many of the items on display at the Society have been donated and for that we are very grateful. So, please continue to keep us in mind when you clean out your attic, garage, shed, barn or other interesting places. We welcome all items, large and small that in any way are part of the history of the Kishacoquillas Valley.