Lawsville – Thieves broke into the home of Mike Dillon last Saturday morning while the family had gone to church and stole two watches, a gold ring, a cross, and about 90 cents in Lincoln pennies. Mr. Dillon saw two men coming along the road when he drove out of his barn. They stopped when within a few rods of the barn and seemed to be lighting cigarettes when Dillon and his wife passed them. Mrs. Mitchell also saw two men near Dillon’s back porch, but thought they were relatives. Also the post office at Lawsville Center will be a thing of the past after Nov. 1. It will be greatly missed as it has been a postoffice town since the oldest inhabitants can remember.

Brooklyn – The work of resurfacing the section of State aid road in Brooklyn is well under way. H. T. Shadduck, who has had charge, has been at work drawing crushed stone from Foster and cleaning the roadbed and drains. On Monday the Highway department sent an auto oil sprinkler and street sweeper to clean the surface of the roadbed and oil the surface when the gravel and crushed stone will be spread on the oil. It is expected that this will furnish a desirable surface. A large auto sprinkler passed through town on Monday on its way to Oakland, where we understand that section of State road will be treated in like manner.

Rushboro – Our star route, which has run from Laceyville to Rush for about 25 years, has been discontinued much to the inconvenience of all along the line. Some are served by R. D. from Meshoppen, and several go without mail. A petition is being circulated from [the] Springville route, but most of all the star route is wanted back, as the driver, Walter Swisher, ran a car, took passengers and did errands for everybody. An effort is being made to get the old route back again. All mail is from one to seven days late.

Elk Lake – The stage route from Dimock to Rush has been discontinued. It is a great inconvenience to many.

Franklin Forks – The Epworth League will hold a Hallowe’en social in Alliance hall on Oct. 29. Everyone invited. Come and wear a mask and fancy costume. A pumpkin pie, fried cakes, biscuits or salad will be very thankfully received from anyone. Price of supper 15 cents.

Springville – The first edition of the new paper, the Springville News, made its appearance the first of the week. [Anyone have this newspaper? We would love to see a copy.]

Susquehanna – Peter M. Kniskern, a helper in the Erie round house, met death in a strange manner Monday night. He failed to return to his home at the accustomed evening hour, and his wife had a search started for him, which resulted in finding his dead body in 8 ft. of water in the ash pit at about 3 o’clock Tuesday morning. It is supposed that in crawling from under an engine on which he was at work, he struck his head on a protruding portion of the locomotive, dazing him, and he fell backward into the pit. A deep gash on the nose would seem to bear out the theory. He and his wife had removed from Hickory Grove about two weeks previous.

Forest City – At the trustee’s sale of the bankrupt stock of Maurice I. Cimmet, E. C. Tiffany & Son, of Deposit, N. Y., were the successful bidders. The stock, consisting of 5 cent and 10 cent goods, was sold for $988. Tiffany & Son intend to continue the business at the old stand and will soon take up their residence in Forest City.

Montrose – Last Sunday, Rev. A. T. Brodrick had rounded out 25 years as a priest, 17 of the years having been spent in Montrose and the event was quietly observed at both services at St. Mary’s church Sunday morning. Rev. Brodrick is greatly beloved, not only by the parishioners of his church but by all the people in and around Montrose who hope to assist him celebrate his golden jubilee. Father Brodrick is doing a grand work, particularly among the young people.

S. Harford – October 28, being the 84th birthday of Aunt Ellen Whiting, a surprise was given her at the home of L. J. Conrad, sixteen members of her family being present. The day was very pleasantly spent in visiting and eating, the latter being quite an important part. Also the last Book Club [meeting] was very pleasantly entertained by Mrs. Bartholomew.

Hop Bottom – A very enthusiastic meeting was held in Loomis hall, Friday evening, Oct. 15th. Delegations were present from Montrose and Brooklyn. A fine program was rendered and among the numbers were a vocal solo and a very amusing monologue by Mrs. Louis Tiffany. They were followed by a general song, “A Long Way to Equal Franchise!” A “yellow tea” carrying out the suffrage color and both delicious and elaborate [food] was served after which several toasts and instrumental music followed.

Ararat Summit – Quite a number of ladies attended the sewing bee at the M. E. church, Thursday, and sewed the new carpet preparatory for covering the entire church floor.

East Lynn – Miss Louise Owen, of Binghamton, has a millinery shop in Dyer Taylor’s residence. Miss Owen has been a trimmer in a first class shop in Binghamton for several years.

News Brief: - Dealers in potatoes who a few weeks ago were indifferent about buying them at 35 cents a bushel are now traveling by night and in gum shoes to buy them at any price from 50 to 60 cents. The fact that a South American demand for our potatoes has been discovered has created consternation, while Maine potatoes are not to be compared with Pennsylvania’s product in quality and palatableness, and the size of the crop in other States has been magnified.

The trial for the murder of Jackson Pepper, continued from the week of Oct. 22, 2015.

Tuesday morning the work of securing a jury dragged slowly, but when Court adjourned at about 12:30, the jury had been completed without exhausting the panel and were sworn in, as follows: Hiram Ball, Forest Lake, farmer; D. Albert Brown, Montrose, teamster; Williston Chamberlain, Gibson, mechanic; John I. Wallace, Dimock farmer; Albert Hilborn, Oakland Twp, farmer;
Gardner J. Lewis, Thompson Twp, farmer; John Dixon , Harford, farmer; Philander K. Benson, Jackson, agent; Clarence E. Shay, New Milford Twp, farmer; Andrew Fancher, Bridgewater, farmer; Warren E. Tingley, Montrose, laborer; Fred Sisson, Great Bend Twp, brakeman. On Tuesday afternoon, during the dinner hour, it had become quite generally known throughout the town that a jury had been secured and that the real work of the trial would be commenced without further parley, consequently at 2 o’clock the court room was well filled with eager auditors, many ladies in the galleries, and the crowd being constantly augmented throughout the afternoon until, at the adjournment, there were not nearly enough seats to go around. But we are digressing; let us go back to the opening scene of the afternoon. Judge Searle is early in his place; the prisoner and counsel, Mr. Davies, are promptly on hand; for the commonwealth appear District Attorney Ainey and A. H. McCollum, Esq. The jury files in and the Court is ready to proceed with the trial. As D. A. Ainey arises to make the opening address in behalf of the commonwealth a silence falls upon the assemblage and every ear gives attention as the earnest words of the public prosecutor fall in clear cut, incisive sentences, arraigning the prisoner at the bar for the murder of Jackson Pepper. He said that he believed that the commonwealth would be able to present such a chain of evidence the jury could not do otherwise than to render a verdict of “murder in the first degree.” He then gave a graphic recital of how the terrible crime was planned and executed. The story outlined by the D. A. did not differ materially from that chronicled in the columns of the Republican at the time of the arrests of Shew and Eagan; the most important additional statement made by Mr. Ainey was that he expected to be able to prove that Eagan had endeavored to induce a resident of Rush to enter with him into the scheme of robbing the Peppers, and that it was after his failure in this, that he conspired with Shew to accomplish the same purpose. The first witness called on the part of the commonwealth was Clifton Hickok, a surveyor by occupation and county surveyor-elect of Susquehanna County.

The above article is a murder mystery that took place in 1898 in Rush Twp., Susquehanna County, brought to you in conjunction with “Susquehanna County Reads” program. See details on the Library website. The Scavenger Hunt in the museum is now on. The museum will be open during regular hours.

I received a reader who expressed anger over the number of parents who provide alcohol to their children – and to other people’s children.  The reader questioned the ramifications for an adult who provides alcohol to a minor.  

Over the years, I have been amazed at the willingness of some parents to provide and furnish alcohol to minors.  This parental conduct is particularly disturbing as the adults understand that the conduct is criminal but manage to justify their criminal acts.  I hear the same excuses repeatedly, i.e., if you can vote or die for your country, you should be able to drink a beer.  Other adults justify the conduct by stating that they will make sure that no one drives an automobile or that it is better that they drink under my supervision than somewhere else unsupervised.  Regardless of the excuses or the safeguards implemented, the furnishing of alcohol to a minor is a criminal act.

There is no doubt that the children and young adults understand that they should not be drinking alcohol.  They know that it is against the law.  Yet, there are parents that believe that it is a good decision to show their child that disregard of the rule of law is appropriate behavior.  The parents often defend their conduct by suggesting that they are teaching their children to drink “responsibly.”  It is truly odd when the term “responsibly” is used to describe criminal behavior, but there are parents who fail to see the glaring contradiction.  In any other context, such parental support of a child’s criminal activities would be condemned.  In our society, however, there is often too little condemnation for not the underage drinkers, but also for the enabling parents.

While societal attitudes may not persuade parents or other adults from furnishing alcohol to minors, perhaps an awareness of the criminal sanctions connected with such conduct might.  Those charged with the furnishing alcohol to minors are often shocked at the potential consequences resulting from such actions.  The criminal offense of furnishing alcohol to a minor is a misdemeanor of the third degree, punishable by up to one-year incarceration and a fine up to $2,500.  The legislature, however, has deemed this offense to be so severe that a mandatory fine of $1,000 for the initial violation and a mandatory fine of $2,500 for each subsequent violation. 

If you consider this matter practically, the potential financial penalty for furnishing alcohol to minors can be staggering.  If a parent were to throw a graduation party for his child and allowed his child and 9 friends to consume alcoholic beverages at the party, the parent would have committed ten separate acts of furnishing alcohol to minors.  The first violation would have a fine of $1,000 and each subsequent violation would have a fine of $2,500.  If convicted of 10 counts of furnishing alcohol to minors, the parent faces a minimum fine of $23,500 and a potential period of incarceration of up to 10 years.

As to the minors, they also face criminal prosecution.  The consumption (or possession) of alcohol by a minor is a summary offense, resulting in a fine of not less than $300 for a first offense, and not more than $500 for any second and subsequent violations.  For the minors, the financial penalty may not be as severe, but a conviction also results in a suspension of the minor’s driver’s license for 90 days on the first offense, one year on the second offense, and two years for a third or subsequent offense.

Finally, the furnishing of alcohol to minors can also have tragic consequences.  Several years ago, I prosecuted three separate motor vehicle accidents that resulted in death to a passenger in each vehicle.  In each case, the operator of the motor vehicle was under 21 years of age, the operator was under the influence of alcohol, and each operator was charged with homicide by motor vehicle while driving under the influence of alcohol.  In the case of a person under 21, the Commonwealth need only establish a blood alcohol content of .02%, which amounts to basically one 12-ounce beer, in order to prove a DUI offense.  In each of those cases, the young adult was prosecuted for homicide by motor vehicle while DUI and each defendant received a minimum sentence of 3 years in a state correctional institution.  While the punishment is significant, it pales in comparison with the pain and remorse that the victim’s family suffers in addition to the trauma that each young person will bear for the remainder of their lives – knowing that they made destructive decisions that resulted in the death of a close friend.

The bottom line is that the legislature has good reason for prohibiting persons under 21 years of age from drinking alcohol.  When children and young adults are under 21 years of age, the issue is not about drinking responsibly, it is simply about not drinking period.  It is refreshing to hear from a reader expressing outrage over the practice of providing alcohol to minors – but the reader’s comments also made it too clear that this criminal conduct continues to be far too prevalent.

Please submit any questions, concerns, or comments to Susquehanna County District Attorney’s Office, P.O. Box 218, Montrose, Pennsylvania 18801 or at www.SusquehannaCounty-DA.org.

Under cover of darkness they carried out their work on October 6, 2015. The mission had been kept secret and it was of the greatest importance that Mr. & Mrs. America were kept in the dark and unaware of what was about to transpire. The goal was to accomplish the deed while attracting as little attention as possible. It had been rumored that the public might assemble en masse and conduct demonstrations with sufficient vigor to stop the mission, or at the least to create a public relations disaster for state government.

What was this top secret mission carried out in the dead of night while America slept? What had to be moved in such secrecy, as if a crime were being committed? The answer: a 4,800-pound slab of granite that sat on the grounds of the Oklahoma Capitol. The slab, displaying The Ten Commandments, followed by a dedication noting, “Presented to the People of Oklahoma . . .” could not be permitted by the State Supreme Court, or Federal Courts, to continue its existence on state property. Accordingly, it was moved several blocks away for placement in front of a private conservative organization, the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs.

As recently as 1959, Oklahoma’s people and her Supreme Court had considered such matters very differently. In a case of “Town of Pryor v. Williamson,” the Court had avowed, “It is well settled and understood that ours is a Christian Nation, holding the Almighty God in dutiful reverence. It is so noted in our Declaration of Independence and in the constitution of every state of the Union. Since George Washington’s first presidential proclamation of Thanksgiving Day, each such annual proclamation reiterates the principles that we are such a Christian Nation . . . At public expenditure we engrave on our coins, ‘In God We Trust’ and print the same on currency. Our National Motto adopted by joint resolution of Congress is ‘In God is Our Trust.’ . . . We consider the language used in our Declaration of Independence, and in our national Constitution, and in our Constitution of Oklahoma, wherein those documents recognize the existence of God, and that we are a Christian Nation and a Christian State.”

The aforesaid Ten Commandments Monument that was removed on October 6th was actually the second Ten Commandments Monument. Its predecessor Ten Commandments Monument had been destroyed in October 2014 by an individual, who, after apprehension, was committed to a mental institution. According to a law enforcement official involved in that case, the miscreant admitted destroying the monument because he had been ordered to do so by Satan. “He claimed he got out of his car, urinated on the monument, and then ran over it and destroyed it; he said Satan told him to do it, and that he was a Satanist.”

Oklahoma’s--and America’s--cultural drift, just since 1959, is disturbing enough just from the above recitation of facts. But there’s more. While the ACLU can be largely “credited” with removal of the Ten Commandments on October 6th, they had a big assist from another source. On July 26, 2015 the Satanic Temple unveiled a massive nine-foot bronze statue of Baphomet in Detroit.

In case you’re not up to date with Baphomet, the demon figure has the head of a goat and is synonymous with Satan. According to reports concerning Baphomet’s unveiling, guests present for the ceremony were required to sign a contract “selling their souls to the Devil” before admittance. The requirement was imposed to keep out any Christians who might protest the event (since no true Christian would sign such a pact with the Devil). Guests danced and partied under a suspended inverted cross, and shouted “Hail Satan” as bands performed on stage. Tickets, selling in a range of $25 to $75, brought in proceeds which were donated to support pro-abortion advocacy.

Okay, so what does Baphomet in Detroit have to do with the Ten Commandment Monument removal in Tulsa, Oklahoma? The Satanists used Baphomet as a wedge--making application to place the statue next to the Ten Commandments Monument--to make the point that Oklahoma must permit other religious groups to set up monuments in support of their various and sundry religious beliefs, or remove the Ten Commandments. In short, according to the Satanists’ legal maneuvering, they were going to do everything in their power to impose Baphomet on the people of Oklahoma if the Ten Commandments Monument was not removed from state property.

Court-ordered removal of the Ten Commandments Monument and its actual late-night removal in compliance with the court now make the Satanists’ point moot--in Oklahoma, but not in Arkansas. That appears to be the next state in the crosshairs of Baphomet. A news release by the Satanic Temple claims the goat-headed idol (with two children looking on admiringly) is intended as a memorial to “various witch hunts and homage to the persecuted free-thinkers and ‘heretics’ who helped inform American secular jurisprudence.” This strategy is in response to Arkansas’s insistence that its Ten Commandments Monument is about history rather than religion.

What is clear is that America’s history, culture, traditions, and civil society itself are under attack, and those who are laying siege will not by their efforts make America a better place. Think about it for a moment. Cultivating character and molding people’s behavior to goodness would actually do more to improve the world than anything else secular or religious. In that context, does it make any sense to suppress the Ten Commandments? Would not the world be a better place if people actually knew and followed the Ten Commandments, or would we be better off if statues of Baphomet decorated every town square?

Man’s nature is by no means naturally disposed to goodness. It is only by nurturance and exertion that goodness rises to transcend the “natural” man. Men need no encouragement to “be themselves” or to do that which appeals to their base desires. It is in the striving, the challenge to seek that which is the best--the overcoming of the mediocrity, of rationalization, of just-enough-to-get-by--that men find that which is their highest best self and reach fulfillment, self-actualization, and real contributions to the betterment of life in this world.

Still, man by his very nature is predisposed to be religious, to seek out someone or something worthy of worship. If he cannot or will not worship the true Sovereign of the Universe he will unfailingly find for himself a counterfeit god, be it drugs, sex, booze, success, career, family, child, . . . well, you get the point, man can make anything into an idol, even his reason, intellect, or himself. A moral code dictated by our Creator (so thought by many) seems not an unreasonable place to start for people of good will desirous for peace and reconciliation.

The Ten Commandments instruct as to what the Almighty demands of men for a relationship with Him, and how those created in His image are to treat each one another. If you’ve not had recent acquaintance with “The 10 Words” turn to the book of Exodus (Chapter 20) for reading and meditation upon instruction that is truly life-changing. Were those words of wisdom engraved on the tables of our hearts America’s next Great Awakening would already be upon us.

How might that Great Awakening occur? Consider the life of Alexander Fraser Tytler. He was a Scotsman who lived from 1747 to 1813. His achievements included that of being a judge, writer, and historian who served as Professor of Universal History, and Greek and Roman Antiquities at the University of Edinburgh.

It was Professor Tytler who was credited with this observation, “The average age of the world’s greatest civilizations from the beginning of history has been about 200 years. During those 200 years, these nations always progressed through the following sequence: from bondage to spiritual faith; from spiritual faith to great courage; from courage to liberty; from liberty to abundance; from abundance to selfishness; from selfishness to complacency; from complacency to apathy; from apathy to dependence; from dependence back into bondage.”

Where do you suppose America is today? With so much of America asleep today, I can only surmise that apathy is the watchword throughout much of the land. But a case can be made that dependence rules in many quarters. Should that cancer spread unchecked--indeed, if regeneration cannot be commenced, and quickly--the consequence is certain bondage.

In the book of Proverbs we find this verse, “Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” In the Renewed Covenant, we are reminded that “God is not mocked; whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he reap.” America’s world has truly turned upside down since 1959. Technological and scientific innovations have been mind-boggling; but spiritual rot is rapidly destroying America from the inside out at every level from individual to national level. An awakening is underway, but can we bring consciousness to enough, fast enough, to avert bondage?

Change begins with you. Do you know the Ten Commandments? And if you do, can you transmit them to those around you, by your living them out day by day?

I feel fine. Can I stop My Antidepressant?

Laurie, 36, came into the pharmacy to get a refill on the antidepressant medication she has been taking for 3 years now. Her doctor started her on the medication after an especially bad relationship breakup causing Laurie to fall into the deep, dark hole of depression. She could not eat, or get out of bed. The smallest chores were an impossible effort. Her sister finally convinced her to get some professional help. So her physician gave her the name of a psychologist so she could talk things out in a structured manner. After 3 weeks of seeing the therapist, she asked her physician if she could supplement her psychotherapy with an antidepressant.

With at least 2 dozen antidepressants on the market, choosing the right one and at the correct dose is an art rather than a science. But after considering cost and safety profiles (all antidepressants have at least one major side effect), she chose one that seemed to fit her symptoms.

Several types of antidepressants are used to treat depression as well as conditions that have depression as a component of the disease, such as bipolar disorder. These drugs improve symptoms of depression by increasing the availability of certain brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. Researchers believe that these brain chemicals can help regulate brain circuits that affect emotions.

The drugs do not work right away – usually taking several weeks to reach therapeutic levels in your brain – but Laurie noticed improvements within the first week. “Baby steps,” her therapist told her. “Baby steps.” The nausea and dry mouth subsided within a week or so. Continuing with her psychotherapy, Laurie was on her way back into the sunshine.

Fast forward 3 years. Laurie has asked the pharmacist about going off her antidepressant. “I feel great!” she said. The pharmacist explained to Laurie that discontinuing her medication abruptly could be dangerous. Quitting “cold turkey” may cause major withdrawal symptoms, the pharmacist said. “Suddenly depriving your brain of the chemical balance you worked so hard to maintain may worsen your depression, send your mood into the dark sewer of despair, the pharmacist said.” “You can eventually get off your therapy, but it is a long process that must be monitored by your doctor and therapist.” Here are some possible effects of quitting your medication suddenly:

You get sick. Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome, also called antidepressant withdrawal, occurs when a person suddenly quits the drug. Many people who experience antidepressant withdrawal feel like they have the flu – achy and cranky. They may also experience disturbing mental thoughts or images.

You set back your treatment. Depression that was being treated can come back like a tidal wave if you suddenly stop. You are back to square one: the dark hole of depression. Untreated depression can set back your treatment plan. It can also extend a depressive episode, make relapse more likely, or cause a worsening of the disease. It will affect your family and friends, impacting your job and your joy.

You contemplate suicide. Not being properly medicated may increase your risk of suicidal thoughts — and increases the risk that you will act on those thoughts. Ninety percent of people who commit suicide are depressed or have another mental health disorder, says the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Other conditions get worse. Stopping an antidepressant might worsen other conditions you have, such as chronic headaches, severe pain, or insomnia. Additionally, untreated depression can make it harder to treat some conditions, such as heart beat irregularities. Since your doctor has balanced your antidepressant prescription with any other medications you are taking, stopping the antidepressant and knocking this balance off-kilter.

Laurie now understood what the consequences would be if she did not get her refill. She got her regular prescription but also made an appointment with her doctor to discuss any other options she may have.

Ron Gasbarro, PharmD is a registered pharmacist, medical writer, and principal at Rx-Press.com. Write him with any ideas or comments at ron@rx-press.com.