Brooklyn – J. W. Adams is having his house modernized by the installation of a fine bathroom outfit. Terry is the plumber.
Harford – All old soldiers and the people of Harford ad vicinity are requested to meet at Odd Fellows hall, promptly at one o’clock, where the following program will be rendered: Song, Invocation, Remarks, Reading names of soldiers buried in Harford Township, and Eulogy. Form and march to the cemetery, preceded by the children of the Sunday school, who will carry flowers. Since our last Memorial Day two more of our remaining few veterans have answered to the last roll call and it will be but a short time that we will have any of them with us at our Memorial services. And it seems but right and proper that we should lay aside our worldly affairs one short day each year, that we may stand with bowed head in reverence to our fallen heroes.
Glenwood – Russell and Elmer Marcey and Wm. Carey attended the Wild West show at Scranton, Friday.
Hallstead – The operations on the cut-off will not be started at this end of the work until about fall, as the right-of-way has not been all bought nor a final route decided on.
Frank Westgate has recently purchased one of the finest Percheron stallions that was ever brought to Pennsylvania. His name is Black Diamond; his registered number, 40161, and was purchased of Calkins & Angsbury, of Byron, Michigan, importers and breeders of Percheron horses. Black Diamond took first prize at the Michigan Sate fair last year. His weight is 1800, and to appreciate looking at a fine horse just step into Mr. Westgate’s barn, at Uniondale, and see Black Diamond.
Lanesboro – It is not always that women who look under their bed for a man are fortunate enough to find him but that was not the case with Mrs. Harry Keyes, last night, for she found the man and was not looking very hard for him when she made the discovery. Mr. and Mrs. Keyes had been attending the commencement exercises of the Lanesboro High School and returning home, about 10:30, Mrs. Keyes prepared to retire. She had only been in the bedroom a few moments when she called to her husband to come at once and in response to her calls he hurried to the room and was greatly surprised when his wife told him there was a man under the bed. Keyes acted promptly and in a few minutes the intruder was thrown from the house but before he got away he was given a severe trouncing by Mr. Keyes and searched to see that he did not carry away any valuables.
Thompson – Mrs. Jennie Harpur, the efficient and faithful operator of the Northeastern Telephone Exchange Co., and family, have moved into the west side of the Tower block, on Jackson street. ALSO Commencement exercises were held at the M. E. Church on Friday. There were three graduates: Sadie L. Tyler, Helen L. Weir, and Walter L. Miller.
Montrose – A medium sized but intensely interested audience greeted Miss Lida Stokes Adams, vice-president of the Eastern district of Pennsylvania Women’s Suffrage League, who spoke in the interests of Women’s Suffrage at the Library building, under the auspices of the local W. C. T. U. Miss Adams gave an address, which carried with it a message full of truth and human interest. She stated that the most astonishing thing in their struggle for the ballot is the opposition with which they are meeting, and said it was the all important topic of the day, receiving more attention in both branches of our legislature, than any other measure before the session. This opposition is due to a misconception of the life and sex of women, the humanity of women not being considered.
Bridgewater Twp. – Eugene Hollister, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Hollister, has lately gone to Nokomis, Saskatchewan, Canada, where he is practicing in his profession, that of a veterinary surgeon. Dr. Hollister is a graduate of the Ontario Veterinary College at Toronto.
Burnwood – Several farmers hereabouts are using three-horse teams to do their farm work.
Hopbottom – Cool and plenty of dust, lots of blasting; the town is full of strangers.
Elk Lake/Prospect Hill – Mrs. Theodore Smith, of Prospect Hill, was seriously hurt on Wednesday while driving a horse from the Elk Lake creamery to her home. The animal commenced kicking while descending a long hill and became unmanageable. Mrs. Smith was thrown out, the wagon turning over several times. She received internal injuries besides having her nose and face badly gashed, while the vehicle was completely wrecked. Dr. Fry, of Rush, was called to attend her injuries.
– Will Stevens and his force of men are certainly making great improvements in our roads. Now if the powers that be would allow enough on taxes to make it worthwhile for a man to keep up a watering trough on the road, the traveling public would be greatly benefited. One can go for miles and not find a single trough, no matter how hot or dusty it is.
Auburn Four Corners – Fred Adams has his milking machine installed and it is working very successfully. He has the agency for the Hinman machine and will be glad to demonstrate it to any who are interested.
New Milford – Mrs. Nancy Grinnell died May 9, aged 88 years. Mrs. Grinnell was the daughter of Thursten and Meribah Tennant Lewis and was born in Harford Twp., Sept. 2, 1824. In 1881 she was married to Otis Grinnell and for some time lived near Richardson’s Mills in Harford. Being left a widow, she spent her last days with her sister, Mrs. J. H. Lewis. From a family of 11 children the grim reaper has gathered in all but two, Emeline, the lone sister in New Milford Twp., and Nathan Lewis, of Iowa.
Rush – The Rush Women Christian Temperance Union will meet at the home of Mrs. Bela Griffin on May 28, at 2 p.m. Let every member be present. Come prepared to make it a most interesting and profitable gathering. “A Saloonless Nation in 1920”—let us have some part in fulfilling this prophecy.
As I noted several weeks ago, the timing of the jury deliberations in the Kermit Gosnell homicide trial was striking – and the jury came back with a guilty verdict on the day after Mother’s Day. Kermit Gosnell was convicted of three separate first degree murder counts in connection with the three infants that he failed to kill in the womb so he simply finished the job with his surgical scissors after they had left the womb. Arguably, his attempted homicide of the child in the womb was lawful – and if he had succeeded in killing the child in the womb, he would not have been guilty of first degree homicide; rather he would have simply performed one more abortion. While the case was initially a death penalty case, the prosecution agreed to withdraw its request for a death penalty in return for Gosnell’s agreement to waive any appellate rights. As a result, Gosnell has been sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for killing those three helpless infants.
There was no dispute that he attempted to kill those babies in the womb – he administered a lethal drug to them that was aimed at stopping their little hearts from beating prior to their delivery. In fact, the entire defense rested upon the theory that he had “lawfully” killed the babies before they were delivered. The defense presented no evidence – not a single defense witness testified and Gosnell did not take the stand in his own defense. Rather, the defense rested upon its legal abortion theory – and the necessary difficulties that the medical examiners had in determining the time of death of each infant. The prosecution relied upon the former abortion clinic employees who testified as to what they personally observed – the movements, the cries and the sounds of breathing from each of the infants.
As one court observer noted, the decision to not put Gosnell on the stand was a no-brainer. On cross examination, the prosecution would have only had to ask one simple question: “If the babies were not alive, why did you use surgical scissors to sever their spinal columns?” Gosnell could not have provided a credible answer except that he was killing those babies.
I had one reader tell me that someone had expressed outrage that my previous column mentioned that a former janitor at Gosnell’s clinic recounted in his testimony that the toilet would get clogged with the pieces of the babies that Gosnell had aborted. How can someone be upset about a report on trial testimony in a homicide trial? The only logical answer would be that the person does not want people to know the truth about the “services” that Gosnell’s abortion clinic provided. I did not even bother to mention that investigators found bags of dead babies in the freezer – as well as severed feet and other body parts preserved in different containers inside the clinic.
Based upon media reports, 9 out of the 12 jurors identified themselves as pro-choice – and the pro-life jurors were weeded out in the jury selection process. Juror No. 6, Sarah Glinski, is a 23-year old Department of Defense employee. After the verdict, she shared with the media her reaction to the evidence: “Seeing those photos and having to say to myself: ‘This happened to those kids. There were children that died at the hands of this man.’ That was hard for me to admit that this kind of evil exists in this world.” I suspect that is one reason that people are uncomfortable with this case – it is the old adage of see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil. It can be far easier to simply live our lives in ignorance than to open our eyes to reality.
On the other side, Gosnell’s defense attorney, Jack McMahon, gave the following analysis: “Dr. Gosnell, he believes that what he did was not commit homicide. He believes he never killed a live baby. Nobody gave him a second chance.” Really, Jack? Does the doctor really believe that he never killed a “live baby?” Gosnell began performing abortions in the 1970s and he believes that he never killed a “live baby.” As Juror 6 noted, it is hard to accept that such evil exists in this world.
“Sweet May hath come to love us, Flowers, trees, their blossoms don; And through the blue heavens above us The very clouds move on.” Heinrich Heine
Late April and early May have been super busy times within our County Library system. The Spring Art and Pottery Sale was held in Montrose on April 20th and 21st and brought in approximately $1300.00 which will be added funds of support for the Susquehanna County Historical Society & Free Library Association. Many thanks to all who came and purchased so many artistic treasures and a special round of applause for the event’s organizers, Maryanne White and Chris Buffington. Great Job! Well Done!
The Annual Auction was held on April 27th and was well attended. It was, once again, a resounding success. With the beautiful weather, sumptuous fare and fabulous items to bid on, it was an evening to remember. Many thanks to Anna Ruegner and her family for the delicious dinner, Bob Smith (Husband of Curator Betty Smith) for his spirited auctioneering talents, and all who attended and bid so generously.
Over at the Susquehanna Branch, a Bake Sale was held on May 11th at Schneider’s Market. Many thanks to all those who stopped by and purchased a home-baked goodie or two (and kept Mom out of the kitchen on her special day), gave donations and saved the calories, and last, but definitely not least, our talented and generous bakers! All proceeds help the Susquehanna Branch Library. If you haven’t already heard, they’re raffling off a gift basket that includes a copy of Joanne Fluke’s “Red Velvet Cupcake Murder”, plus some of the items to help you make the cupcakes, including the pan, whisk, bowl, measuring spoons and cups, etc. The basket has been donated, compliments of the Kensington Publishing Corp. Chances are $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00. You can’t win if you don’t play!
Story Hour at the Susquehanna Branch Library ended on April 30th. If you couldn’t take advantage of this wonderful program this time, keep it in mind for the fall. The Staff does an amazing job offering stories, songs and crafts for the wee ones. Plans are being finalized for the Summer Reading Program as well.
The Susquehanna Branch Reading Group has chosen: “The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic and Madness at the Fair That Changed America” by Erik Larson for May. This thrilling novel combines the true story of the 1893 World’s Fair and the serial killer who used it as a way to lure his victims to their death. If you’re interested in joining, stop in and speak with a member of the staff and they’ll be glad to sign you up.
The Susquehanna County Historical Society's Antique Appraisal Night was held on Thursday, May 2nd, in the Parish House at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. A large crowd gathered with approx. 100 items appraised by Mr. Richard Axtell, who has been the Historical Society's appraiser for over 20 years. We wish to thank him for sharing his vast knowledge of antiques and collectibles and enlightening our understanding of our heirlooms and cherished items.
An enthusiastic crowd greeted popular Amish Suspense and Romance Author, Marta Perry on May 4th at the Fifth Annual Author’s Luncheon. It was held at the VFW in Montrose and was sponsored by “The Library Friends to Benefit the Susquehanna County Library”. A “Hospitality Hour”, delicious Lasagna Luncheon, an address by the Author as well as a “Meet and Greet” were enjoyed by all.
Don’t forget to find us on “Facebook”: (Susquehanna County Library) and look us up on “Pinterest” for lots of interesting nooks and crannies to explore.
As I admire the golden explosion of Forsythia far and wide, I leave you with this thought:
“A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie". - Tenneva Jordan
Garden Plots - Lilacs - Rainy Evenings - Enjoy.
