York County country news, 1899
You never know what you might find in old newspapers.
As I have mentioned in previous posts, each community had a local reporter, or stringer, usually paid by the inch of their column length. That method of payment seemed to be an incentive to report as much as could about the happenings in their small area, and it also makes these columns a great place to find tidbits about your ancestors and their surroundings.
York County had many newspapers in the 19th and 20th centuries. The items from throughout the county were grouped in one section. The York Press gathered theirs under the heading “Country Letters,” as shown in the excerpts below from December 1899.
Yoe, Dec. 11
On Saturday evening a fire company was organized here to be known as the Citizens Fire and Hose Company. Eighty members have enrolled. These officers were elected: President, J.R. Snyder; Vice President, Dr. Overmiller; Secretary, W.H. Anstine; Assistant Secretary, E.G. Utz; Treasurer, Samuel Slenker; Trustees, 3 years, G.A. Kohler; 2 years, C.S. Snyder; 1 year, B.F. Keller. A charter will be procured. Another meeting will be held on Saturday evening.
Daniel Brillhart moved into the house he built on Broad Street.
Andrew Keesey, of Hellam, who is driving one of E.J. Kuhn’s baker wagons, moved into the house vacated by Mr. Brillhart.
J.R. Snyder has been appointed substitute letter carrier for York city.
W.H. Anstine is selling holiday books since the Red Lion schools are closed.
E.J. Kuhn is erecting a large stable in the rear of his baker house, Isaac Bull is the contractor.
Rev. J.P. Koontz purchased a Weaver organ last week.
Rumor has it that a cigar box factory is to be started by some of the largest cigar manufacturers of Yoe, Dallastown and Windsorville in the spring.
************Glenville, Dec 12.
The students of the Glenville Academy have organized a Literary Society.
The teachers of Manheim and Codorus townships held their semi-monthly institute of Friday evening, Dec. 8.
Mr. E.D. Bortner, who purchased the mill property of the late Hon. H.M. Bortner, made some improvements and is about ready to start in the creamery business.
The Stone Church Sunday school will have a grand entertainment on Christmas Eve, two cantatas will be presented on the occasion.
There will be a Watch night sociable on New Year ’s Eve, by the Christian Endeavor society of Fissel’s church at the home of Mrs. Agnes and Jennie Ziegler.
Next post: Dillsburg and Newberrytown.
