Heart Lake – Heart Lake has been the scene of many a big Fourth of July celebrations, but never a more successful observance of this patriotic day’s festivities than this year, and Mack & Jenkins, proprietors of this popular resort, are receiving congratulations on every hand. The crowds came early and stayed late and came from every point of the compass—a cosmopolitan crowd, coming in autos, by trains and wagons and carriages and the grounds were taxed to capacity. The merry-go-round, dance, boats, napha launch and various stands all did a rushing business. The College Quartet sang splendidly, while Robinson, the Funny Juggler, furnished fun and entertainment for all. The ball game was hotly contested, Hop Bottom defeating Richmond Hill. The Montrose Concert Band discoursed excellent music.

Montrose – Edward Button, age 15 years, son of Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Button, was painfully injured Saturday, July the 4th, when a 22 calibre revolver was discharged, the contents entering the palm of his hand. His hand swelled terribly and gave intense pain, and after calling a physician, it was decided to take him to a hospital, which was done Sunday morning.

Susquehanna – The world’s greatest locomotive has just been turned out by the Baldwin Locomotive Works for the Erie Railroad and was delivered at Susquehanna this week. It will be used to do the work of four Mikado type of engines on the 8-mile grade to Gulf Summit. Its total weight is 830,000 pounds, water capacity 10,000 gallons and coal capacity 16 tons. The tender is driven with steam, its wheels being equipped with drivers separate from those on the engine, which innovation adds greatly to the hauling power. The bridge at Lanesboro [Starrucca Viaduct] the giant will cross has been reinforced and heavier rails laid on the 8-mile stretch it will traverse.

Forest Lake – Abram Booth, one of our best known and highly esteemed citizens, died at his late home July 2, 1914, aged 70 years, 10 months and 20 days. He was a man of fine physique and commanding appearance, a family trait characteristic of the five Booth brothers, all of whom were over six feet in height, sturdy and clear of eye. Robert Booth, a brother, died some years ago and he is survived by three brothers, William and Thomas, of Forest Lake, and Hugh, Nebraska, who came east about five weeks ago to be with his brother during his last days. Also, three sisters, Mrs. E. C. Baldwin, of Montrose; Mrs. Seneca Arnold, of Towanda, and Miss Hannah, with whom he resided. The deceased was never married. Also when John Michael Kane, of this place, attempted to turn his team, attached to a market spring wagon, around in Strawberry alley, Montrose, near the Cox livery, Tuesday morning, a front wheel caught under the wagon box in a way to overturn the wagon and pitch Mr. Kane over the dash board, under the horses' feet. The horses were frightened when the wagon went over and Mr. Kane was dragged several feet when almost by a miracle, the wagon came to a depression, which righted the wagon, on its four wheels, and released Mr. Kane. The unfortunate man, badly cut about the head and face and had an arm badly abrased, was taken to Dr. Wilson’s office where his wounds were dressed. He was able to return to his home in the evening. Both horses and wagon were practically uninjured.

Forest City – Louis Schaiger will remember Barnum and Bailey’s show and Saturday, July 4th, 1914. He attended the show and wishing to make change he found his pocket book gone. ALSO The contract has been awarded the Forest City Lumber and Construction company by the state authorities at Harrisburg for the erection of fire proof barns, sheds and other outbuildings at the fish hatchery near Pleasant Mount. The state proposes to expend about $40,000 in the improvement of the plant, which is said to be the best in the state in propagating the finny tribe.

Choconut – Miss Catherine McCarlin, a highly respected lady of this place, will cross the hundredth mile-stone of her life the 26th of next February. She is in fairly good health at present and although her eye-sight is becoming poor, she has enjoyed perfect sight all these years, being a great reader and has never used glasses. She is justly proud of the fact that she has never taken five cents worth of medicine in her life. Miss McCarlin is a great aunt of the McCahill Bros., the proprietors of the noted resort, Choconut Inn.

Hop Bottom – The Camp Fire Girls, of Factoryville, who are camping at Loomis Lake, entertained the Hop Bottom girls’ basketball team Wednesday afternoon.

Rush – A large delegation of Odd Fellows marched from their Hall to the Rush M. E. church in a body, Sunday evening, and the pastor preached to them on the topic “A Peculiar People, or Men Who Dare.” The church was filled t its capacity and the music was furnished by the Rush Orchestra of 16 pieces.

Tunkhannock – The witch hazel plant and the Smith residence on Fifth street were destroyed Saturday by fire. Both blazes were caused by the reckless use of fireworks. The loss is estimated at $12,000.

Lenoxville – While Mr. and Mrs. Kirk Moore were in Carbondale, on the Fourth, their children remained at home and thought they would celebrate. They set fire to the barn, poultry house and pig pen, all of which were destroyed. Mr. and Mrs. Moore arrived on the scene in time to save the porkers, but the contents of the barn went up in smoke.

Uniondale – Urbane Barriger [Barrager], one of our best known residents, died June 30, 1914, following a long illness. He was born at Gelatt in October 1834, and spent his young manhood in that place. In 1861 he responded to the call for troops, serving throughout the war. Soon after the war he was united in marriage to Miss Lydia Westgate and to them was born one daughter. Mrs. Albert Aylsworth, of Trappe, Pa. Two sisters and one brother also survive—Mrs. O. Darrow, New Milford, Mrs. G. L. Larrabee, Uniondale and Paul Barriger of Windsor, N. Y. The funeral was held Friday morning at 10:30 o’clock. The services were in charge of Matthew McPherson Post, G. A. R. Interment in Uniondale. [Sgt. Urbane Barrager was a member of

Co. I, Fifty-Sixth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers.]

News Brief: As has been its custom for a number of years past, the New York Tribune will furnish vacations for thousands of “fresh air” kids this summer and have appealed to the people residing in this section to offer accommodations to these children, who come from the tenement districts of New York city. Last year 9,000 children from the east side of New York were sent to the country to enjoy a two weeks’ vacation. The only expense connected with entertaining a fresh air child is the little it takes to feed them. All are subjected to a medical examination before leaving New York and transportation will be provided by the fund. Children will be distributed at all points on the Lackawanna between Stroudsburg and Hallstead on July 15. Those interested should write to the New York Tribute Fresh Air Fund Box, Scranton, Pa. Also One Sayre man is dead and another seriously, if not fatally, injured as a result of attempting to make a giant firecracker out of a piece of iron pipe filled with railroad torpedoes on the Fourth. Harry Wagner was holding the pipe in which the torpedoes had been placed, while Clarence Ferguson was forcing on a cap. It exploded as Wagner was holding the pipe to his breast and the force of the explosion disemboweled him, his death occurring at the Packer Hospital later. Ferguson had an arm blown off and was otherwise injured.

The following statement was released by the Executive Committee of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association (PDAA).  The statement was not voted upon or endorsed by the entire PDAA and should not be viewed as expressing any unified opinion of the 67 district attorneys in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  On the other hand, the statement itself speaks to an important topic, and I reproduce it here for your independent review and independent assessment:

 “The despicable crimes of Jerry Sandusky are a blot upon Pennsylvania history.  Once these crimes were revealed, however, our collective communities’ reaction to this scandal should be a source of pride to Pennsylvanians.  Prosecutors doing their duty have played a large part in the wise and just response.”

 “First was the work of the investigators and prosecutors who convicted Sandusky on 45 charges, sending him to jail for the rest of his life.  Next was the work of the state legislature and Gov. Corbett in assembling a Task Force on Child Protection, which recommended sweeping changes in the state’s criminal and child-protection laws.  We of the Pennsylvania District Attorney’s Association supported the task force and have fought to see its recommendations made into law.  We hail the proposed funding for child-advocacy centers and newly enacted laws that will give child advocates and prosecutors new tools for this unceasing work.”

 “Finally, however sad and distressing the subject, we are gratified by the growing public awareness that child abuse happens and must be confronted.  Although we never perceived a need for the investigation recently concluded by Geoffrey Moulton, a former prosecutor and an associate professor at the Widener University School of Law, into the conduct of the Sandusky prosecution, we certainly agree that the report was seriously undertaken, professionally written, and measured in its conclusions.”

 “It is unsurprising that the report revealed no political interference with the investigation, as claims of this nature arose not from evidence, but as talking points in Attorney General Kathleen Kane’s election campaign.  Her premise was that, as a county assistant prosecutor, none of her child-abuse cases had involved the use of the grand jury or had taken so long.”

 “But in our experience, the variables of each individual case must guide law enforcement’s response.  If nothing else, we are confident the findings of Moulton provide a series of lessons learned about these choices, which present themselves in every child-abuse investigation.  For that reason, Moulton’s report should be considered a serious undertaking and the District Attorneys Association will continue to study it with interest.”

 “On behalf of the executive committee of the District Attorneys Association, which represents the Commonwealth’s 67 elected district attorneys from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, however, we are compelled to share our concern and disappointment that any valuable lessons in the report will be overshadowed by the attorney general’s continued public attacks on the successful work of career prosecutors.  The focus on winning the news cycle must end.”

 “We know the Sandusky prosecutors and have worked with them.  They are dedicated career prosecutors whose work does not deserve to be disparaged by any remarks. Let alone those that have already been proven to be incorrect.”

 “We choose to speak now because we believe in the integrity and dignity of our profession.  The work we do, along with all in the law-enforcement community, is too important to ever be undermined.  The communities we serve expect law-enforcement professionals to be focused on protecting the public, first, foremost, and always.”

 “A prosecutor’s first loyalty must be to the integrity of our justice system.  We must always fight for the truth.  We must strive to present that truth to the public to protect and preserve confidence in the entire criminal justice system.”

 “The reality is that we run for office with political parties.  Once elected, however, a prosecutor must put politics aside and focus solely on justice.  As Republicans and Democrats, we have always worked together because prosecution and politics simply do not mix.  Across Pennsylvania, we stand united in our mission to protect the citizens of our communities.  We call upon Attorney General Kathleen Kane to join us so that we may all strive to be the loyal sentries our criminal justice system demands.”

This statement was signed by David J. Freed, Cumberland County District Attorney, D. Peter Johnson, Union County District Attorney, and Risa Vetri Ferman, Montgomery County District Attorney.  As stated earlier, it does not purport to represent the views of every prosecutor in the Commonwealth, but given the publicity attendant to the Sandusky prosecution, and the investigation into the Sandusky matter, the PDAA’s Executive Committee statement provides another viewpoint on the entire matter that many people have not heard – or perhaps considered.

Please submit any questions, concerns, or comments to Susquehanna County District Attorney’s Office, P.O. Box 218, Montrose, Pennsylvania 18801 or at our website www.SusquehannaCounty-DA.org or discuss this and all articles at http://dadesk.blogspot.com/. 

“We are all inventors, each sailing out on a voyage of discovery, guided each by a private chart, of which there is no duplicate. The world is all gates, all opportunities.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ah, July— named in honor of Gaius Julius Caesar, is a time of fun, frolic, and family togetherness. We relish the time spent outdoors after a long, frigid winter and perhaps attempt some ideas which have been on your “Around To It” list for a while. Some could include trips here in the U.S. and abroad, or a new craft you have read about and been longing to try. Whatever it may be, let your local Library Branch be your destination for details about attractions you wouldn’t want to miss and the history of the area you’re visiting, as well as a treasure-trove of ideas within your new found passion as well as many others. The Library also offers many programs and activities you and your children may want to take advantage of during these Summer Months, as well as getting that tote bag stuffed with great reading materials for enjoying at the beach. So, what are you waiting for? Make it a point to stop by your local Library Branch today.

Well, the Blueberry Festival is fast approaching. We are still on the hunt for “White Elephant” items to make our tables complete. If you have good, used, sell-able items, (Please note: We are not able to accept large appliances, large furniture, exercise equipment, or clothing items.) please drop them off at the white pharmacy building next to the old hospital building on the corner of Maple St. and Grow Avenue in Montrose. Donations will be welcomed every Monday and Thursday in July, from 9am to 1pm, starting with Monday the 7th until Thursday the 17th—which will be the final day. If you have any questions, please call 570-278-1881.

Handcrafts and handmade edible-type goodies are always in demand to fill some of the other tables as well.

Please note: The Susquehanna Reader’s Group will not be meeting this month—but that doesn’t mean they won’t be reading and discussing the July selection (“The Aviator’s Wife” by Melanie Benjamin) as well as the August selection (“People of the Book” by Geraldine Brooks) at their August meeting on August 21st at 4:00 pm. It’s bound to be a fascinating meeting—if you haven’t joined yet, why not stop by and sign up. You’ll meet new friends, say hello to those you haven’t seen in a while and be able to enjoy some stimulating discussion on some fantastic volumes. I will include a synopsis of each book in the next column.

While you’re out picking up supplies for your picnic, barbeques, reunions, etc., don’t forget to sign up and use your ShurSave “Gold Card” at Rob’s or Ray’s ShurSave Supermarkets and purchase ShurSave and Western Family Products. With every item you purchase, your Library receives $.03. Now this may not sound like much, but, believe me, it adds up quickly and benefits all of the Susquehanna County Library Branches.

Big news for the residents of Montrose-- The first ever Montrose Architectural Treasure Hunt will take place starting July 4th and will end on August 1st, the first day of the Montrose Blueberry Festival. This brand new event, presented by the Susquehanna County Historical Society & Free Library Association will encourage Montrose residents to enjoy the historic architecture of their beloved hometown and provides participants a chance to win some great prizes.

Participants can stop by the Library Association table during the Fourth of July festivities to receive a photographic pamphlet of “clues.” After the Fourth, stop by the Susquehanna County Historical Society or Library for a pamphlet. This is a great way to discover the beautiful details in the Montrose Historic District in a fun way. Walk the designated area and find the “clues” given in the pamphlet. This “treasure hunt” will take place on both sides of Lake Avenue from Maple Street to High Street, both sides of Public Avenue, and both sides of Maple Street from the Courthouse to Church Street and both sides of Monument Street. All “clues” will be viewable from the sidewalk. Please, we ask that you don’t trespass onto private property for a closer look.

Winners of the contest will be announced on Blue-icious Saturday, August 2nd. These are some of the great prizes available:
1st Prize Adult - $100 gift certificate to McCormick's at the Inn at Montrose plus 4 tickets to the Montrose Theater.

1st Prize Children (16 and under only, please) $50 gift certificate to Original Italian Pizza in Montrose plus 4 tickets to Montrose Theater.

2nd and 3rd prizes adults and children - $25 gift certificate to Chocolates by Leopold and Association products.

In the case of multiple correct entries, winners will be drawn from a hat; one prize per family. Please mark this down on your calendar and come join us for this great new game! For more information, call 570-278-1881.

Two reminders: If you haven’t purchased your Library Lottery Ticket, the drawing/picnic date of August 16th is coming up fast—as is the First Annual Sporting Clays Tournament. Your spot must be reserved by July 12th and can be accomplished by stopping in at your local Library Branch. This is a new fundraiser to benefit the Susquehanna County Historical Society and Free Library Association, and will be held on Saturday, July 19th, starting at 10:00 am at Rock Mountain Sporting Clays, located at 674 Leon Mitchell Road in Springville. This event is limited to 100 participants. The fee is $120.00 per individual participant or $450.00 for a team of four participants. The fee includes a continental breakfast, 100 rounds of ammo and clays, a catered lunch by Greenley’s Barbeque and will also feature a Chinese Auction, a 50/50 drawing, and a gun raffle. Check-in begins at 9:00am. If interested, don’t delay—make your reservation today.

While watching the lightning bugs transmit their own glowing Morse Code—I leave you with this thought:

“As the month of July begins, here are our wishes for you:
May this month bring you satisfaction, peace and joy.
May all the desires of your heart be granted.
May this be the beginning of new things in your life.
Stay strong, be positive and fulfill your dreams
Happy Month of July Friends.”

Ice Cream Socials—Fresh Strawberries—Luna Moths

Enjoy.