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COLUMNS:
100 Years Ago
Along the Way...With P. Jay
From the Desk of the D.A.
The Healthy Geezer
100 Years Ago
By Betty Smith, Susquehanna County Historical Society, Montrose, PA
OAKLAND: Maude Haynes, the 12-year-old girl who disappeared Wednesday afternoon of last week, and for whom every effort has been made to locate, is believed to have been drowned in the Susquehanna river. At Wilkes-Barre, on Wednesday, the body of a young girl was seen floating down the river with the anchor ice, but the remains drifted rapidly out of sight before they could secure a boat and rescue them. The body was again seen at Nanticoke, but could not be caught owing to the floating ice. Every known theory has been advanced in this mysterious case, among which are abduction, kidnapping for ransom, murder, accidental drowning, etc. The river at Susquehanna has been dragged and detectives have worked ceaselessly following up the slightest clues without result. It is probably that the $200 reward offered will create still further efforts.
MONTROSE: Wm. Spence, an aged and respected colored resident of Montrose, is on a visit to Virginia, his early home, where he was a slave in early life. AND: The best kind of Christmas present is one that lasts a year. Take a subscription in the Montrose Library, only $1.50 for a year, and you will have the reading of several hundred books--juveniles, travel, history, biography--and the best of fiction. Among new books, Burbank’s Plant Life, Mem’s Sydney Laurier, Sabina, The Debtor, The Social Secretary, The Man of the Hour, The Shuttle, The Wheel of Life, etc., etc.
HALLSTEAD: It is reported that Roger Cole and Ed Summers, of New Milford and Summersville, have captured the $25 prize offered by the Hallstead bank for the largest load of people brought into that town on Wednesday. The load was drawn by three teams of horses and consisted of about 100 people.
LANESBORO: John Caul was found on Sunday on Main St., nearly frozen to death. His hands and feet were black and he was in a pitiable condition generally. He was removed to the City Hospital in this place where he received needed attention. It is uncertain, as yet, we understand, whether or not amputation will be necessary. AND: James Buckley renewed his subscription to the Independent Republican and wrote: “I cannot claim the honor of being the oldest reader, but I began to read it just 50 years ago, when there wasn’t a baker’s dozen of Irish Republicans in Susquehanna county. Now the woods are full of them.” We can put Mr. Buckley down as certainly being one of our oldest subscribers and a good staunch Republican.
RHINEY CREEK, Liberty Twp.: Chas. Roe, while returning from Binghamton one day last week, heard cries of distress, upon investigation he found Mr. Shipman, of Conklin Forks, with a broken ankle. He assisted the injured man to his home, then went to the woods for the team where Mr. S. had gone for wood when the accident occurred.
JACKSON: Mrs. C. T. Tracy died Nov. 13th at Ripon, Wisconsin, at the age of 85. She was born in Jackson and her two brothers, Evander and Emerson Tucker, are living there.
GLENWOOD: On the night of Dec. 12th or morning of the 13th, G. N. Bennett’s store and postoffice was entered and robbed of considerable money besides other goods. There is trouble in store for some one.
DIMOCK: On Wednesday, December 6, the ladies of this place, instigated by Mrs. G. E. Chamberlain, in honor of Mrs. Harriet Baker’s 88th birthday, made her a pleasant surprise by leaving at her home a bountiful donation in the line of provisions and wearing apparel; also three tons of coal, and $3.20 solicited by E. L. Titman of the men. This aged lady is a dear mother of Israel, exemplifying great faith. Just the day previous, ignorant of what was being done in her behalf, she remarked to Mrs. Titman: “My wood is almost gone. Well, there will be some way provided.” And surely her faith was rewarded in abundance. God bless such faith.
UNIONDALE: Another daring robbery was committed near Uniondale on Wednesday night of last week. The methods pursued were much the same as those in the Avery robbery at Ararat and leads to the belief that there is an organized gang of dangerous men in this vicinity. The latest victims are two old men, Simon and John Litcavitz, who about a year ago moved from Forest City to the Freeman Carpenter farm at Carpenter’s crossing, near the upper end of Stillwater. The two old men, who are twins, work the farm and do their own housework. The night of the robbery they were awakened by a crash against their door which forced it open and instantly five masked men entered the room. At least two of them had revolvers. In loud tones they demanded the valuables of the old men and pointing their weapons gave them until five was counted to reveal the hiding place of their money. The old men became almost palsied with fear and turned over $27 which was all they had in the house. After a search in which two watches and a razor were taken the men departed.
NEW MILFORD: Frank Everett had the misfortune to have a valuable mare get her leg broken and she had to be killed. Also Nate Darrow, while on his way to town at the top of Mott Hill, one of his horses fell dead. Also, Mr. Keeney lost one of his span, it was sick only a few hours. AND: The electric lights which have recently been placed in the Presbyterian church are giving excellent satisfaction.
HEART LAKE: The skating is extra fine on the Lake.
GREAT BEND: Robert Shirlaw, who has been connected for some time with the Pennsylvania Tanning Company at Great Bend, died Monday evening. He was 30 years of age and is survived by a wife and two children.
FOREST CITY: A big turkey will be given to the person making the highest score in our bowling alley, between Saturday, Dec. 23 and Saturday, Dec. 30 by Joseph Zaller, Muchitz Building, Forest City. We have a full line of candies, tobacco and cigars.
BROOKLYN: One of the most solemn and impressive chapel services ever held in Allegheny college, Meadville, Pa., occurred in the exercises on Thursday morning, Dec. 14th, following the sudden and tragic death of Mrs. Louise Heim Breed, the beloved wife of Prof. R. S. Breed, Ph. D. [formerly of Brooklyn], who met her death in the street car accident the evening before. During the first two hours of recitation there seemed to be an unusual stillness throughout the college grounds. All this reached its greatest intensity in the chapel service. The previous evening’s tragedy had made a deep and lasting impression on the minds of all. The honored and esteemed wife of one of the most honored and beloved professors had been suddenly snatched away by the hand of death. After the service the remains were brought to Brooklyn. Mrs. Breed was born in 1878 and married in 1900. Her husband and infant daughter survive her.
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Along the Way...With P. Jay
By P. Jay Amadio
 Feudin, Fussin, and a Fighten
The political feud between the two Republican county commissioners is again opening the door for Democrats to take control of county government. The Dems blew the opportunity a couple of years back and now, thanks to the continuous bickering between Roberta Kelly and Jeff Loomis, the door is open again.
County Democrat Chairman Joey Franks appears to have learned something from the last commissioners’ elections but he will need to mend some fences if he hopes to muster up an army of dedicated Democrats to follow him. Whether Pal Joey is willing to eat a little crow on his way to fillet mignon and a victory ball remains to be seen.
The feeling here is that Susquehanna County Democrats are content with a layback campaign believing that all they are entitled to is one minority commissioner period. So they open the field to all comers, then pick and choose a favorite son or daughter to support and split the party wider than the Grand Canyon. Now Pal Joey disagrees with this analogy but he has done little to change the status quo that has existed in Susquehanna County politics for more than a century.
And while Pal Joey continues his attempt to rewrite the Donkey Serenade, the Republican commissioners continue to pursue different political philosophies. One would have thought that by this time Donna Cosmello, titular head of the county’s Republican Party, would have invited commissioners Kelly and Loomis to a summit meeting and at least try to get them on the same page.
Last week’s commissioners meeting was a prime example of how not to perform in public. Oh, the commissioners are certainly entitled to have different opinions on issues. And I agree with Mr. Loomis when he said issues should be discussed at public meetings. But if his behavior at last week’s meeting is his idea of a public discussion on an issue, then Mr. Loomis should welcome closed-door talks. Speaking about opinions I think it was Will Rogers who one said something like, a difference of opinion is what makes horse racing and preachers.
Actually, both Republican commissioners behaved badly. They interrupted and insulted each other constantly throughout the meeting. When he ran for commissioner, Jeff said he was a changed man and that he would be a team player. Guess he was referring to a debate team.
Mr. Loomis has reverted back to the behavior pattern he established during his first go around as a commissioner. Once again his favorite word is “I.” He writes more letters than Ann Landers. At last week’s meeting, Mr. Loomis said the county would enter the New Year with plenty of money – more than $900,000. The thought of all that money conjures up two quick thoughts. Why were commissioners Kelly and Warren so adamant in their opposition to leaving the $50,000 in the budget for the needed communications study? If they did get a grant, they could simply have transferred that $50,000 back into the general fund. And, why did the commissioners raise the occupational tax by 7 mills if they had so much money left over from the current year?
Merry Christmas!
Some guy came out against saying Merry Christmas and I think if anyone stops using it they are equally as whacky as he is. Yes, there are some religions that do not recognize Christmas, but that is their business and they are entitled to worship as they please. But to stop the world from wishing each other a Merry Christmas, is the most ludicrous proposal I have heard since someone suggested we remove “under God” from our Pledge of Allegiance. And, so again I say to all of you, Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
Also I would like to send out the following Christmas Carols:
Deck The Halls, for the maintenance crew at the county courthouse.
O Come All Ye Faithful, for Donna Cosmello and Joey Franks.
Do You Hear What I Hear? for Jim and Sue Jennings.
Christmas In The Trenches, for Roberta Kelly.
Go Tell It On The Mountain, for Jeff Loomis.
As I Wander, for Mary Ann Warren.
Holly, Jolly Christmas, for Sheriff Lance Benedict.
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, for all county employees.
Let There Be Peace On Earth, for George W. Bush.
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From the Desk of the D.A.
By District Attorney Jason J. Legg
 Merry Christmas! Two simple words that Christians have used for centuries to extend each other blessings and good tidings. How could this salutation have become the center of a political firestorm involving various retail giants receiving threats of boycotts if consumers were not greeted with a “Merry Christmas” prior to embarking upon their commercial endeavors? Yet, here, during a season when millions of Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, we are not talking about His birth, but whether Target or Wal-Mart have provided sufficient Christmas decorations and Christmas greetings so as to satisfy the needs of the Christian consumer.
Perhaps, we are seeing a cultural backlash of sorts, the type of repressed anger over a society that can no longer accept the gradual, but continual, battle to destroy God in whatever form He may take – whether it be a generic reference in the Pledge of Allegiance or on our currency, or religious monuments on government property, or holiday decorations such as the Christmas Tree at the White House now being called the Holiday Tree. Are we so tired of being politically correct that the silent majority has been stirred to loud and vocal activism? Are we witnessing the beginnings of a new religious revival? Throughout its history, there have been periods of religious revivals in America – some referred to as “Great Awakenings” – when religion strongly reasserts itself as being firmly embedded in the American character. Historians have referred to these periods as “awakenings” because collectively Americans have always believed – but simply slipped in their faith and needed only to be awoken from their listless slumber.
I fear that we are not witnessing any type of revival in the religious sense, but more of a political use of a sacred holiday. After all, Christmas is not about an enjoyable shopping experience or being properly greeted at secular America’s pearly gates – namely, the entrance to the giant retail establishment. Christmas is not about what some one else does for you – it is about the gift that God has given people – that He so loved us that he gave to us his only Son. Christmas is about reflection upon this sacred gift – not about threats of boycotts and other economic penalties if our collective Christian sensibilities are not satisfied. There is nothing akin to a religious revival in such actions – in fact, some would argue that there is nothing resembling religious thoughts in making such economic threats.
If one considers the birth of Jesus Christ, we learn lessons of love, hope and faith. Love so great that God gave his only son and allowed him to be born in human form – not to lead a life of joy, praise and honor, but to work, struggle and ultimately die a horrendous death on a cross to bring hope and salvation to the human race. The message was so simple and pure – love God and love your neighbor as yourself. So here we are over two thousand years later arguing and demanding that some secular commercial establishment fulfill our desires and needs during the Christmas shopping season – and where is the message of love in such demands. Christmas should not be about fulfilling our needs and wants. The mere act of making the economic threat of a boycott in and of itself taints the very spirit of Christmas.
In short, Christmas is about giving, not receiving; loving, not hating; helping, not hurting; blessing, not cursing; and forgiving, not condemning. Christmas has nothing to do with cards, decorations, lights, signs, or even greetings – though we enjoy such things in our celebrations. With this in mind, I pray that your family has a blessed, peaceful, and sacred Christmas.
Please submit any questions, concerns, or comments to Susquehanna County District Attorney’s Office, P.O. Box 218, Montrose, Pennsylvania 18801.
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The Healthy Geezer
By Fred Cicetti
 Q. Is cigarette smoke the only cause of lung cancer?
Radon and asbestos are causes, too. Radon is an invisible, odorless, and radioactive gas that occurs naturally in soil and rocks. Asbestos is used for fireproofing, electrical insulation, building materials, brake linings, and chemical filters.
But cigarette smoking is the number one cause of lung cancer. Before cigarette smoking became popular in the early part of the 20th century, doctors rarely saw patients with lung cancer. Nearly 90 percent of people with lung cancer developed it because they smoked cigarettes.
The good news is that smoking is not as popular as it used to be. In 1965 about 42 percent of all adults smoked, but by 1997 only 25 percent did. Also, there has been a sharp drop in lung cancer deaths among men, mainly because fewer men are smoking.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in men and women in the United States. It occurs most often between the ages of 55 and 65.
Common symptoms of lung cancer include: a persistent cough that worsens, constant chest pain, coughing up blood, shortness of breath, wheezing or hoarseness, repeated problems with pneumonia or bronchitis, swelling of the neck and face, loss of appetite or weight loss, and fatigue.
If you have any of these symptoms, it is important to check with a doctor immediately. If tests show that you have cancer, you should make treatment decisions as soon as possible. Studies show that early treatment leads to better outcomes.
The standard treatments for lung cancer are surgery to remove a tumor, chemotherapy with anti-cancer drugs, radiation to kill cancer cells, and photodynamic therapy, a newer technique that uses a laser with a chemical to kill cancer cells.
There are two major types of lung cancer – non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. Each type of lung cancer grows and spreads in different ways, and each is treated differently.
Non-small cell lung cancer is more common than small cell lung cancer. Doctors treat patients with non-small cell lung cancer in several ways. Surgery is a common treatment. Cryosurgery, a treatment that freezes and destroys cancer tissue, may be used to control symptoms in the later stages of non-small cell lung cancer. Doctors may also use radiation therapy and chemotherapy to slow the progress of the disease and to manage symptoms.
Small cell lung cancer grows more quickly and is more likely to spread to other organs in the body. In many cases, cancer cells have already spread to other parts of the body when the disease is diagnosed. In order to reach cancer cells throughout the body, doctors almost always use chemotherapy.
Treatment for small cell lung cancer may also include radiation therapy aimed at the tumor in the lung or tumors in other parts of the body, such as in the brain. Surgery is part of the treatment plan for a small number of patients with small cell lung cancer.
Some patients with small cell lung cancer have radiation therapy to the brain even though no cancer is found there. This treatment is given to prevent tumors from forming in the brain.
If you have a question, please write to fredcicetti@gmail.com.
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