1889 LOCAL RECORD

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1889 LOCAL RECORD
Brief summary of events in and around Franklin � Marriages, Deaths, Changes, Crimes and Casualties.
Note: This article is from files at the Venango Co. Historical Society in Franklin. Published in a Franklin newspaper in 1890 as a review of the past year.
January
2 � Average price of oil, 87 7/8.
7 � New county officials sworn in.
8 � Death of Hon. John P. Park
12 � Sudden death of Kephart Vincent; Presentation of "Damon and Pythias" by Owis Dramatic Association.
17 � Sudden death at Erie of Mrs. H. A. Strong.

February
9 � Sleighing parties innumerable for Cooperstown.
11 � Death of "Rhody" Allen.
18 � The Evening News enters upon its twelfth year; A. A. Plumer declines Democratic nomination for Mayor.
19 � Brutal robbery of Jacob Adamo near Oil City; Death of Wm. Lindsay at Galloway.
20 � W. J. Bleakley elected Mayor; Lee & Co. strike a well at Nickleville which flows 20 barrels per day natural.
21 � Thomas Collins, of the Second Ward, dies aged 71; Bell Boy, brother of Miller & Sibley�s St. Bel, sells for $51,000 at Lexington, Ky.
22 � The Amendment people organize at a meeting held in the Court House and get ready to wipe out the liquor business; The Linden, formerly Grand Central Hotel, gets license for the first time in five years; A. J. Cowen�s residence, Plum township, burned to the ground.
24 � Coldest weather of the season, the mercury having fallen 50 degrees in 15 hours and now standing 3 degrees below zero; Barney Brady, Bohemian oats man, taken to the Penitentiary.
27 � Adam Ruth jailed for court on charge of having assaulted and robbed J. Adamo at Oil City.
March
1 � Oil report for February shows 283 wells completed, with daily production of 2,900 barrels, a slight increase over January work.
2 � Venango Greys go to Washington to help inaugurate Mr. Harrison.
4 � Sudden death of Mrs. J. S. McCray.
7 � Leopold well at mouth of Hall�s Run doing 110 barrels per day; Ben Hogan doing great work at Corry.
8 � Simon Cameron enters his 9^th year today; Death of John Baney, of Cherrytree, aged 92 years; Natural gas causing throat trouble and deafness.
9 � Judge Gunnison, of Erie refuses 72 licenses to sell liquor out of 241 applications; Oil Well at Rynd farm doing 30 barrels per day; Hall & Co.�s wholesale tobacco works at Corry destroyed, with loss of $25,000.
11 � Capt. J. R. Miles died at Horse Creek in his 53^rd year; Joseph Stettheimer, well known here and a prominent Mason, died in New York.
12 � P. C. Boyle, of the Derrick, leaves for the South in search of health; W. L. Porter, charged with opening letters addressed to Martha Porter, tried before U.S. Court at Scranton and acquitted; F. W. Mitchell and F. H. Steele back from Bermuda Islands.
19 � Minnie Kuhn, aged 17, of Titusville, attempts suicide by hanging, but is cut down in time to save her life; the bill to tax oil and gas leases defeated in the Senate.
20 � B. L. Brady�s case before the Pardon Board; E. Strong, formerly of Oil City, died in Florida.
21 � Franklin Lodge 110, B. and P. Order of the Elks, instituted by Deputy W. H. Wallace, of Pittsburg; Henry Kessler in jail for tapping American House money drawer.
25 � Hon. John Scott, president of the Valley road, died in Pittsburg, of pneumonia, aged 69.
26- Death of Mrs. Daniel Frewen, in her 78^th year; Jas. Corbett, of McClintockville, aged 11, accidentally killed by a shot from a revolver in the hands of Alex. Brown, a youth of 14; Mrs. G. S. Warren, of the First Ward, died at the age of 67.
April
1. Death of Miss Gussie Brown.
2- Meeting of the new council, Mayor Bleakley presiding; Albert Heiman, undergoing a three years sentence for desertion from the regular army, receives a pardon.
5 � The Vogelbacher well at Lucinda, Clarion county, is making 50 barrels a day and great excitement prevails among oil men and land owners in that vicinity. The well has been sold, with 60 acres, for $24,000; Henry Muntz, 13 years old, jumped from a (train) car window near Petroleum Centre, while being taken to Morganza, but is captured at Meadville.
6 � Miller & Sibley refuse an offer of $50,000 for St. Bel.
10 � Death of Mrs. James Johnson, of Reno; Serious illness of Charles Huey.
12- Easter bonnets appear; Amendment mass meeting in Court House; Grandmother Heckathorn found dead in her room at Ten Mile Bottom, having been killed by falling out of bed.
15 � Trout season opens; W. C. Rheem discusses the liquor question from a Bible stand point.
16- Dandelions in bloom; Thomas J. Stewart and Miss Lena M. Aulbach, both of Sugarcreek, married; Also, Henry E. Brown, of Oil City, and Miss Jessie B. McKelvey, of Franklin.
18 � Brown, Runk & Co. begin a new history of Venango county; City council reject Mayor�s appointment of S. D. Hasson on police force.
21 � Jas. Higgins� residence, in the rear of his barber shop, Liberty street, burned out, with loss of $500.
22 � Residence of Louis Boughner, Canal township, destroyed by fire; F. J. Edwards defeats C. A. Garrison in a foot race, 67 � yards, for $250; Footpads attack Charles E. Borland after night on the Allegheny bridge, inflicting severe scalp wounds.
23 � Adam Ruth plead guilty to robbing Jacob Adamo, and is fined $500 and sentenced to 10 years in the penitentiary.
24 � Marriage of Charles A. Steele, of this city, to Miss Laura McKee, of Clintonville; McCarthy�s barrel works, at Titusville, destroyed by fire; Marriage of S. O. Nicklin and Miss Olive Armour, of this city; Harry Hallett dangerously injured on Galloway while drawing tubing.
25 � Marriage of Jerome L. Amberson and Miss Laura M. Vincent, both of this city; Also, Geo. W. Hollstein, of Sandycreek, and Miss Ida May Redmond, of this city.
26 � Company F start for the Washington Centennial inaugural at New York; Death of Laura, wife of M. C. Flower.
28 � Observance in the churches of the one-hundredth anniversary of the inauguration of Washington.
May
1 � Marriage of Wilbur H. Crawford and Miss Rosetta Collins; Also, Harvey F. Smiley, of this city, and Miss Jennie M. Nicely, of Emlenton.
2 � Rev. Euclid B. Rogers departs for New York and Europe; Death of Mrs. Ruth Craft at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. H. H. Martin.
7 � John E. Berlin and Miss Adelia Vincent joined in matrimony.
8 � Wm. Raymond completes his 90^th year.
13 � News of the mysterious death of Miss Mary E. Tobin, daughter of N. P. Tobin, at Staten Island, N.Y.
18 � Remains of Mary E. Tobin arrive and are interred in Franklin cemetery.
20 � Death of Chas. A. Huey, aged 28 years.
22 � Successful concert of Franklin High School.
23 � Fiftieth anniversary of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. R. Richardson; Also, fiftieth anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Jas. McElhaney, of Sandycreek.
25 � Grant W. Mitchell fatally injured in runaway accident on Liberty Street.
26 � Death of Anthony H. Harris
30 � Memorial Day exercises; Bicycle races; George Smedley wins road race from Oil City to Franklin in 36 minutes.
June
1 � J. D. Hancock writes an anti-Amendment letter.
2 � The churches of Franklin contribute $758.80 for the Johnstown sufferers.
4 � The total of the Johnstown fund reaches $1,743.80.
5 � Flood fund now $2,149,85.
7 � Geo. S. Criswell, chairman of the Amendment Association, replies to Mr. Hancock�s letter.
9 � Rev. L. M. Boyer preaches the Baccalaureate sermon to the graduating class of the Franklin High School; Thieves break into Franklin House and store of S. C. Eagles.
11 � Eleventh annual commencement of Franklin High School, 21 graduates.
13 � D. A. Hays elected president of the School Board; Burglars enter the residences of F. W. Officer and Alfred Gramley.
18 � The Amendment is carried in Venango county by a majority of 3,502; John B. Cummings and Miss Nora Bell, both of Sandycreek, married.
20 � John O. McCalmont married to Miss Virginia Simpson, of Wheeling, W.Va.; Henry G. Reading married to Miss Hattie Dean, at Stockton, N.Y.; Sup�t Kinsley�s report of schools shows an average attendance during year of 1, 147; Marriage of Lawrence Megan, of Oil City, and Miss Maria Collins, of Franklin.
21 � Marriage of B. W. May, of Chicago, to Miss Bertha Bonner, of Stoneboro.
22- Mrs. Anna McDowell died from burns received by lamp explosion.
25 � Marriage of Edward E. Hughes and Miss Susan Mackey.
27 � Mrs. Julia Best died in Third Ward, aged 47 years.
28 � District Conference of Y.M.C.A convenes in Franklin.
29 � Miss Bertha Best, daughter of Mrs. Julia Best, dies, and they are both buried at the same time; R. Ramsdale & Son awarded contract for new school building in First Ward.
30 � Horatio McKelvey, aged 15, dies from creosote poisoning.
July
2 - McGinty gets married � union of Michael McGinty, of Buffalo, and Miss Alice Hogan, of Franklin; Also, Frank B. Stevens, of Cleveland, and Miss Vesta Lockard, at Chautauqua.
4 - No celebration in Franklin; Horse races at Driving Park.
5 - Death of Mrs. Mary A. Baker, aged 57 years; Ab. Shannon, of this city, killed at Emlenton by the cars, and M. H. Veon badly injured.
9 - Steps being taken to form a paving brick company in Franklin with a capital of $10,000.
16 � Sudden death of Rev. Dr. Eaton, aged 60 years.
24 � Oil passed the dollar line, averaging $1.00 � ; Empire Oil Works burned at Reno, with loss of $20,000.
25 � Mr. and Mrs. S. C. Lewis give a large party, which was attended by Gov. Beaver and staff.
27 � The 16^th Regiment breaks camp at Warren; Tests of Americanite please Franklin oil men.
30 � C. & R. A. Stratton challenge W. D. Rider to match his stallion, Arctic, against their stallion, Crawford, for $1,000 a side.
August
3 � Cyrus Beightol, of near Cooperstown, accidentally shoots himself.
4 � Hon. George R. Wendling, of Illinois, delivers two addresses in Baptist Church.
8 � Lawrence Haney, aged 15, loses an arm while endeavoring to board a train on Lake Shore road; Death of Dr. W. S. Welsh, aged 65 years, at Ocean Grove, N. J.
10 � Arrival in town of the Jersey cattle king, George P. Newton; death of Wm. Davis, aged 79 years, father of Mrs. J. J. Doyle.
12 � David C. McCracken falls dead.
13 � Prohibition County Convention in session, C.P. McGara being nominated for Sheriff and W. A. McKay for Surveyor; Cooperstown Creamery building burns with loss of $3,000.
19 � Republican County Convention nominates Capt. J. R. Grant for Sheriff, and Wm. Hilands for Surveyor.
20 � Reunion of Northwestern Association, G.A.R., in Greenville, and Hon. Charles Miller, re-elected president; Henry Harton, aged 12, suicides because his mother threatened punishment for theft.
23 � Harry Wright and John Benjamin severely burned by explosion at Astral Refinery.
25 � Rev. Euclid B. Rogers resigns as pastor of the Baptist Church.
27 � Democratic County Convention nominates Capt. L.L. Ray for Sheriff and J. C. Hamilton for Surveyor.
28 � R. C. Stinson engaged as trainer for Prospect Hill Farm at a salary of $5,000 a year; Franklin Bricklayers� Union organized.
September
3 � Ellsworth E. Myers and Miss Hattie McClelland married.
4 � Rev. Dr. N. H. Williams, the veteran war-horse, bids farewell to Zion Church.
5 � James Moon killed by the sand pump rigging flying to pieces at a well at Salem.
6- Josiah Longwell dies, aged 70.
8 � Jacob Boyle, of Cranberry, dies, aged 78 years.
16 � Henry K. Boyer, Republican candidate for State Treasurer, visits the city.
17 � The trouble between Rev. E. B. Rogers and wife culminates in Mrs. R. applying for a divorce; Dr. Wilbur F. McCormick kills himself with a shot from a revolver.
19 � B. L. Brady receives a pardon and is released from the Penitentiary.
23 � Opening of Hon. Charles Miller�s free night school.
26 � Marriage of Wm. S. Taft and Miss Marguerite D. Pennington; Also, of Henry Thomas and Miss Emma Huston.
29 � Miss Mary Robison, aged 17, suicides by drowning herself in French Creek.
October
1 - September oil report shows a decrease of 1,000 bbls. in new production; 554^th session of Erie Conference convenes in M. E. Church.
3 � Marriage of Geo. J. Mihleder and Miss Louise Grossman; Democratic county chairman hold a pow-wow in Franklin.
6 � Death of George W. Parker, of Sugarcreek township, aged 76 years.
7 � Miller & Sibley�s Palo Alto Belle takes second money in Spirit of the Times futurity stake at Cleveland; Rider�s Arctic paces a mile at Cleveland to beat 2:22 and made it in 2:22 �.
11 � Death of Charles Best, aged 25, son of the late Mrs. Julia Best.
12 � J. C. Davidson injured by being struck by Lake Shore train at Two-Mile Run.
14 � Death of James S. McCray, aged 65 years; Also, Lucien G. Sibley, aged 56 years.
21- Dwelling of Ed. Claffey, Third Ward, burns.
22 � Death of Mrs. Lydia L. Ulman, aged 64 years; marriage of Sim McClintock and Miss Mollie Stroup.
25 � School boys maimed by explosion of rock powder at Galloway.
November
5 � County goes Republican by 332 majority, but Ray, Democrat, elected Sheriff by 254.
17 � Death of Columbus Brown, aged 60 years.
21 � Roland W. Stewart, of Bangor, Me., united in marriage with Miss Clara Maloney
24 � Sudden death of Mrs. Thos. McGough
25 � Opening of G.A.R. fair in City Hall.
28 � Union Thanksgiving services at Baptist Church; Emanuel P. Voght and Miss Jessie Devoe united in marriage.
30 � Fearful explosion of nitro-glycerine near Oil City, killing two boys and damaging property.
December
8 � Rev. C. A. Adams, of Philadelphia, accepts call to preach in Baptist Church; Adam Wayne attempts to shoot Officer Hemphill and is bound over to court.
10 � Harry C. Flood, of Meadville, married to Miss Frances Lockard.
11 � Bryan H. Osborn and Miss Stella V. Mitchell united in marriage.
15 � Ten tons of nitro-glycerine explode near North Clarendon, doing damage to the extent of $30,000.
16 � Teachers� Institute convenes at Court House.
17 � John F. Renfro, of Opelika, Ala., married to Miss Stella Kathryn Grimm.
18 � Charles C. Eckert and Miss Mary Carey married.
25 � A shower of suspenders at News office.
26 � "Pinafore" presented at Opera House by local talent.
31 � Average price of oil, $1.02.

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Penny Minnick
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