Montrose – The first car over the Scranton & Binghamton Railroad Company extension to Montrose left the temporary station near Harington’s Mills, at 7:35 this morning for Scranton, connecting the several towns intermediate.  The trains will leave Montrose every morning at 7:35 o’clock and at 2 hour intervals until 9:35 p.m. each day. Several gangs of workmen had been rushing matters all last week to get in readiness.  The grading was completed, the trolley wire bringing the electrical current from Scranton was stretched, and the rails laid in an incredibly short time.  This was practically completed Sunday, but there was no station (not even an excuse for one) and Monday and Tuesday a temporary shack in which to sell tickets was constructed of rough lumber.  The line has been built to Harrington’s Mills, which is one mile from the Court House, but those who wish to use the new road will find a way to get to same.  The completion to the Lehigh Valley Railroad depot in Montrose will be constructed as soon as possible.  Round tickets to Scranton are $1.75; single fare tickets are $1.05 and the present schedule has about 2 ¼ hours to Scranton. This will be reduced as soon as the road bed gets settled and in better shape. ALSO Sheriff H. E. Taylor took Albert Hughes, convicted of murder [of his wife] in the 2nd degree, and another prisoner to the Eastern penitentiary at Philadelphia.  The journey was made in Mr. Taylor’s new Saxon car, F. B. Smith and R. H. Donlin accompanying him.

Heart Lake – Mrs. Sherman Griffing was struck by lightning during the electrical shower Monday afternoon and had not her husband been near at hand at the time it is almost certain that her life would have been lost.  She was painfully burned, her clothing set on fire.  Steels were wrenched from her corset and one of her shoes was torn off; her left arm, side and lower limb were temporarily paralyzed.  She was hanging clothes on a wire clothes line at the time.  The shaft of lightning first struck the line, thence passing to her left arm, and followed down her left side to the damp stone on which she was standing. Dr. Park of New Milford was called, who dressed her burns.  Injuries consist principally in the very severe burns she received.  She is still confined to her bed and is quite nervous, but will completely recover.

 Elk Lake – Mrs. J. Kellogg celebrated her 89th birthday May 9.  Although feeble she enjoyed seeing her friends.

Choconut – Miss Teresa Hickey, daughter of John Hickey and James Leo Shea, both of this place, were married in St. Patrick’s church, Binghamton, Wednesday morning, by Rev. J. J. McLoughlan. 

Friendsville – Miss Elizabeth Whalley and Jos. Walsh, both of this place, were married here on Wednesday, May 3, 1916, by Rev. Father O’Malley.  They were attended by Miss Elizabeth Cahill and Vincent Walsh.  Following the ceremony a wedding breakfast was served at the home of the bride’s parents.  Mr. and Mrs. Walsh went to New York and other places for a wedding trip.  They will live in Friendsville. ALSO Father Dunn, of this place, purchased a “Baby-
Grand” Chevrolet from L. H. Sprout & Sons, proprietors of the Montrose Motor Car Co.

Brooklyn – Automobile Sunday at the Universalist church was a great success last Sunday.  The attendance was nearly doubled.  Men owning cars brought people to church.

Lynn – There will be a necktie social at the home of Ray Davies, Friday evening, May 12.  Each lady bring two neckties alike; wear one and seal the other in an envelope.  Refreshments will be served for 25 cents a couple.  Proceeds for the Epworth League.

Kingsley – Harry Carey and family have moved on a farm near South Gibson, leaving the Carey homestead vacant, the first time since the buildings were built and occupied by L. D. Wilmarth, 40 years ago. ALSO Coe H. Stearns is enthusiastic over the sales and prospects of the Calf Way Mechanical Milker, for which Stearns Bros. are the agents.

Auburn Twp. – The Commencement exercises of the Auburn High School was well attended last week.  The graduates were, Myrtle Bishop, Anna Dougherty, Ivah Thornton, Arthur France and Leigh Lott.  The address by Dr. Straughn, of Mansfield was excellent.  The Ladies’ Aid Society served the banquet supper in the I. O. O. F. Hall.

New Milford – Prof. H. Claude, son of David N. Hardy, of this place, has accepted the principalship of the Schenevus, N. Y. high school.

Clifford – W. C. Baldwin visited his mother in Montrose Sunday afternoon.  He reports her condition as improving.  L. E. Taylor went along to help hold the car on the road.

Little Meadows –People of Little Meadows and vicinity are finding the auto bus line, operated by William Minkler between Little Meadows and Binghamton, a great convenience and are using same in large numbers.  “Will’s” painstaking efforts to please his patrons, together with his innate courtesy, is making the “Minkler Bus Line” grow in popularity daily.

News Brief: Ladies can wear shoes one size smaller after using Allen’s Foot-Ease, the Antiseptic powder to be shaken into the shoes and used in the foot-bath for hot, tired, swollen, aching, tender feet.  It makes tight or new shoes feel easy.  Sold everywhere, 25 cents.  Don’t accept any substitute.

*TWO HUNDRED YEARS AGO from the Centinel. Montrose, Pa, of May 15, 1816.   MARRIED in the township of Rush, on Sunday last, Mr. Daniel Curtis, of this village, to Miss Mary Ross, daughter of Major Daniel Ross, of that town.              ALSO 

WOOL CARDING.  The subscribers at their old establishment near Montrose [Jones Lake, now Lake Montrose], offer for pubic patronage the use of four complete PICKING & CARDING MACHINES; -- one of which is especially adapted to MERINO WOLL [WOOL], at the following prices; Common wool, 7 cts pr. Ob cash—9 cts credit.  Mixed Merino, 8 cts, cash—10 credit.  Clear Merino, 12 ½ cts. Cash—15 cts. Credit.  They will commence operation by the first of June next, and will have strict attendance paid through the season.  Haying by experience acquired some in the management of wool, we deem it not unnecessary, to advise those of our customers who wish for good work, to attend to the following directions: wash your wool clean as possible; sort and clip it well, & send your oil or grease to the machine, and have it applied to the wool there.  Clear and mixed Merino should be well scoured in soap suds, and sent with oil as above directed, and then good rolls can be easily obtained, by calling on PERKINS, BACKUS & JONES.  Country produce of almost all kinds taken in payment, at the Montrose cash prices.

*Please keep in mind that the Centinel concentrated on news of the United States and Europe—not necessarily local news.  Advertising, as above, gave a better understanding of what was happening in the vicinity of Montrose and other parts of the county.

My wife and I were having a conversation the other night about the effectiveness of a provision in a Last Will and Testament that purports to grant custody of minor children to another person in the event that both parents have died.  Fascinating dinner conversation, right?  But it was her question that got the ball rolling: Can you designate where your children go if you die, or will the State (through an agency like Children & Youth Services) become involved and ignore your specific wishes as set forth in your Will?  She had been talking to a family member who was preparing a will and was interested in whether we would be willing to act in that capacity.

The Pennsylvania Superior Court answered this question in the case of In re: Slaughter (1999).  In that case, Jenna Slaughter was a 12 year-old little girl who lost both of her parents, her mother in 1995 and then her father in 1998.  The day before her father died, he added a codicil to his Will that named his brother and sister-in-law as the guardians of Jenna.  Karanja was the father’s 26-year old son and Jenna’s brother – and the father did not want to burden Karanja with Jenna as he believed that his son needed to focus on his career – not caring for his little sister.  The father also wanted Jenna to be with her three cousins at her Uncle and Aunt’s home, as it was a better environment for Jenna than living with her single, 26-year old brother.

Karanja did not accept his father’s decision - and petitioned the Court for guardianship of Jenna.  The Uncle and Aunt opposed Karanja’s attempt to become Jenna’s guardian and relied upon the father’s designation in his Will that made them Jenna’s guardians.  There is a specific statute that empowers a sole surviving parent to appoint a testamentary guardian for a minor child until the child reaches the age of majority (18).  The important part of this statute is that the parent must be the sole surviving parent, i.e., you cannot alienate a surviving parent’s parental rights by placing a provision in your Will granting guardianship to someone other than a surviving parent.

There was no dispute in Slaughter that the father was the sole surviving parent of Jenna.  Thus, the statute allowed for him to designate a testamentary guardian for Jenna – and he did so by so designating her Uncle and Aunt.  The question then became whether the Court had to honor that designation.  The Superior Court determined that the father’s preference was entitled to some weight – but it did not prevent Karanja from demonstrating that Jenna’s best interests would be better served if he was her guardian – as opposed to the Uncle and Aunt.

In this regard, the Superior Court reverted to general custody law provisions to determine what was best for Jenna – not simply what her father had expressed as his testamentary intent.  The Superior Court asked the following rhetorical question: “Who better than the surviving parent [to] make the choice as to who might care for [his] child after [his] death?”  Given that there was a specific statute that empowered the surviving parent to make this testamentary designation, the Superior Court determined that it created a presumption in favor of the Uncle and Aunt as the appropriate guardians.

The statute did not prevent Karanja from attempting to demonstrate that his father made a bad decision, i.e., that Jenna’s best interest would be better served if he was her guardian as opposed to his Uncle and Aunt.  The Superior Court concluded that the father’s testamentary designation could only be overcome by “compelling reasons” and that Karanja, as the party’s assailing the testamentary designation, bore that heavy burden of proof.  The Superior Court determined that Karanja had not overcome that heavy burden – and Jenna remained with her Uncle and Aunt just as her father had wanted.       

The answer to my wife’s question is that the law does give you the power as the sole surviving parent to designate a guardian for your minor children – and that preference is entitled to substantial weight but may still yield if strong proof is adduced that your designation does not serve the best interests of the minor children.

“Spring's last-born darling, clear-eyed, sweet, Pauses a moment, with white twinkling feet, And golden locks in breezy play, Half teasing and half tender, to repeat Her song of "May."~ Susan Coolidge (pseudonym of Sarah Chauncey Woolsey)

It’s that time of year again!!  The Spring Pottery and Art Sale will be held at the VFW on Route 706 in Montrose, on Saturday, May 14th, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM and on Sunday, May 15th, from 10:00 Am until 3:00 PM. The Pottery and Art Sale is sponsored by “Beyond Pottery Artisans” with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Susquehanna County Historical Society and Free Library Association. If you have attended the sale in the past, you know what beautiful and unique items that would make fantastic gifts or additions to your own home. In addition, please check out the Used Book Sale being held at the same time and in the VFW as well. You never know what you might find—perhaps a tome you have been seeking?

Did you hear about a new product that will be offered as a fundraiser for the Library? It’s called “That Library Soap”, 100% handmade soaps (and lotions) that are being offered for sale at reasonable prices with all profits going to the Library. Some of everyone’s favorites, such as “Lavender Olive Oil” and “Cucumber Melon” are available, but new delectable scents, such as “Chocolate Walnut” and Grapefruit Wine” will be offered at the “Chocolate and Wine Festival” with “Blueberry Pie Soap” available for purchase at the “Blueberry Festival” in August. There is a Facebook page (That Library Soap) and, after seeing the beautiful soap colors, (Oh, don’t we wish we had a way to smell them on Facebook!) if you wish to make a purchase, please email them at: ThatLibrarySoap@gmail.com Any of the items would make lovely gifts for many occasions including birthdays and showers.

Did you know that the much beloved teenaged sleuth, Nancy Drew is 85 years young? The character first appeared in 1930, and the books are ghostwritten by a number of authors and published under the collective pseudonym, Carolyn Keene. Over the decades, the character evolved in response to changes in culture and tastes, but the popularity has remained the same.  The original “Nancy Drew Series” ended in 2004. That same year, the “Girl Detective” series was released and features Nancy driving a hybrid electric vehicle and using a cell phone. In 2013, the “Girl Detective” series ended, and a new, current series called “Nancy Drew Diaries” was launched. The character proves continuously popular worldwide with at least 80 million copies of the books being sold, and the books have been translated into over 45 languages. The various series have always provided girls a “Place to Dream”, while highlighting romances, intrigue as well as an “Anything is Possible” spirit. All four Library Locations have several “Nancy Drew Mysteries” on their shelves, just waiting for an adventurous reader to check out. Summer’s right around the corner, why not pencil in an introduction to sleuthing that will live on for many more generations.

The Susquehanna Branch Library Readers’ Group will be meeting at 2:00 PM on May 12th to discuss May’s Selection,  “The Orphan Train” by Christina Baker Kline, an unforgettable story of friendship and second chances that highlights a little-known but historically significant movement in America’s past. If you would like to join the Reader’s Group, please stop by the Susquehanna Branch Library and speak with Laura, Pam, Deb or Elizabeth to sign up. The meetings are held at 2:00 pm on the Second Thursday of each month with the exceptions of   July, August and December.

As I transplant my marigolds into larger pots, I leave you with this thought:

“May, queen of blossoms, And fulfilling flowers, With what pretty music Shall we charm the hours? Wilt thou have pipe and reed, Blown in the open mead? Or to the lute give heed in the green bowers.” ~ Lord Edward Thurlow

Orioles—May Flowers—Apple Blossoms

Enjoy!!

Herbs and medications don’t always mix

John, 58, came into the pharmacy and asked the pharmacist where the herb section was. After a few minutes John returned with a bottle of horse chestnut. The pharmacist queried John as to what he was going to use the herb for. John read in a magazine that it might help with the circulation in his legs. “What could it hurt?” reasoned John. The pharmacist pulled up Johns profile on the computer and saw that John was diabetic, was on a blood thinner, and took ibuprofen for the arthritis in his hips.

“Hold the phone,” the pharmacist said. “Herbs and medications can interact with one another and in your case, three of your meds interact with horse chestnut capsules.” The pharmacist explained to John that herbs are not drugs and, therefore, are not usually tested in controlled clinical studies. So, whether they interact with particular medications may not be known. In John’s case, horse chestnut would be bad to use. It also turns one’s urine red, which may be shocking if you don’t expect it.

Among the herbs that we do know interact with medications are garlic which can increase bleeding risks if one is on a blood thinner and can lower blood sugar so it may affect insulin needs.  The same risks are associated with ginger, which can also decrease the effectiveness of certain antibiotics. Saw palmetto may increase bleeding risks with anti-clotting drugs and interferes with enzymes that metabolize other drugs, leading to a possible overdose or underdose. St. John’s wort can reduce blood levels and effectiveness of many drugs, including birth control pills, cholesterol-lowering statins and some anti-HIV drugs. This herb can also increase side effects of some antidepressants and cause increased sedation when combined with alcohol.

Americans are taking more prescription medications. They also are taking more supplements — everything from vitamin and mineral pills to fish and flax seed oils. The natural result: More are combining drugs and supplements. That may be riskier than many consumers realize, especially among the elderly who tend to be prescribed multiple drugs for multiple conditions. Some are risking dangerous internal bleeding by combining certain supplements with blood-thinning drugs. Others are unknowingly reducing the effectiveness of medications they take to fight cancer, control infections or prevent pregnancy.

How to proceed: eat healthy, get some exercise and consult with your pharmacist as to whether the herbal supplement you are considering will place you in jeopardy. Most have never been unequivocally studied to prove their efficacy. Do not assume that because the herb is “natural” does not mean it is naturally safe.

John decided not to buy the horse chestnut and to follow his doctor’s instructions on how to better treat his physical problems.

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. 

CHAPTER 7 CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS

One of the earliest settlements, even before the viaduct was built, was in Oakland Township near where the new LDS (Mormon) Church is standing today. These settlers were future relatives of the Church founder, Joseph Smith. He was not a native of Susquehanna but was here while he engaged in the translation of plates which were to make up “The Book of Mormon”. He married the daughter of Isaac Hale, who was a native of the area since about 1827-28 and their first child, along with Isaac Hale and his wife are buried in McKune’s Cemetery.

For a couple of years St. John’s was located in Lanesboro near the Boro building.  The original Methodist Church was built in Lanesboro as early as 1839 and stayed in Lanesboro for the time being. The Catholics moved to Susquehanna in the early 1850’s. This new Catholic Church faced the opposite direction of today’s Church and a steep climb up the bank was where the entrance was. The Presbyterian Church next to St. Johns was built in 1852. Later, in 1897 they sold that Church to the Catholics, moved it and it became the LAC (Laurel Athletic Club) Hall where I and many others eventually played a lot of ballgames for Laurel Hill Academy. The Methodist Episcopal (they were merged at that time) built their present day church in 1920 on East Main.

The Baptist Church on Jackson Ave. was organized (originally) somewhere in Lanesboro. They built their new church in the present day location in 1887. A denomination called Universalist built a church on Grand Street, in 1867 with an impressive steeple. The Episcopal Parish built their church on West Main in 1892.

There was also a Methodist/Episcopal Church on Westfall Ave, Oakland, built in 1901; the building would later be the Boro Hall for Oakland. Another church up by the area of the old Oakland School on High Street was the Christian and Missionary Alliance Society Church, still standing and built in 1909. A Congregational Church was located on State Street in Oakland also, across from the old Wescott’s garage, year unknown.

This church on Westfall Avenue, Oakland is still standing but the steeple is gone. Built in 1901 for the Methodist/Episcopal denominations, this picture is from 1905. At that time the two denominations were joined, but later split.

From about 1878, St. John’s Church new (and present day) church under construction was next to the Presbyterian Church.  The huge steeple is the Universalist Church built in 1867 on Grand Ave. St. John's cemetery in the upper right corner, a "laundry" sign on a building at the base of the church construction, a train on the tracks and a new bridge for Oakland and Susquehanna, this picture has lots of history in it.

There is evidence of early education in 1813 in the area, perhaps located near the Starrucca Creek in Lanesboro. Another early school was on Prospect Street in Oakland, in the 1830’s. Later schools were located up on the very top of Oak Hill, building still standing and on Kookish Road, which runs from Oak Hill down to the Windsor (Rt. 97) highway.  Schools were all over. Many had to walk a long way, some were lucky and only had to walk a couple miles. The first school known in Susquehanna was built in 1850 on Prospect Street, which was later moved to Washington Street and rebuilt in 1856. Also around 1855 a Grade School was built at the corner of Jackson and Grand St, presently the parking lot for the funeral home there. In 1884 two new schools were built again on Washington Street and Laurel Street. In 1860 Laurel Hill was originally an all girl’s school, located up next to the present day hospital. It was later relocated on Broad Ave in 1923, in a brand new school. Oakland originally had their school up on State Street, across the street from the Congregational Church (see picture), until they moved to their new school on High Street in 1927. Lanesboro School was originally built in 1813 as mentioned; I am not sure if it was same location of the school built in 1874, at the location of the present day Rotocast building or not. In 1928 the Lanesboro upper classmen were shipped over to Susquehanna schools; the population was growing and so were the class sizes.

A Three story school house at the present day entrance to the Methodist Church and Dollar General parking lot. A little fence surrounds the area to keep the kids out of Drinkers Creek. This picture is one of my favorites. It shows so much. Besides the school it shows the Catholic Church went it faced the other way, a new church and present day church is about to be built, the Presbyterian Church which would eventually become the LAC Hall, a bakery on the corner of Main and Franklin (back then the street was Drinker Ave). In the background is the home that will become Barnes Hospital in about 34 years.

In 1926 this school on State Street was closed down. The students had a new, modern brick school up on High Street. The steeple on the left is the Congregational Church. The date on this picture is early 1900's.

The first newspaper was the Northern Pennsylvanian published in 1858. In 1869 the Susquehanna Journal was published, later in 1883 the Susquehanna Evening Transcript was established and continues to this day. Susquehanna City Hospital was formed in 1904 on the corner of Willow and East Main Street; I was born there with the help of Dr. Raymond Davis. Simon H. Barnes’ family donated a large amount of money to the hospital and the name was changed in the early 1900’s. It also doubled as training school for nurses for a number of years.

NEXT CHAPTER 8 – Booming economy -