Hallstead – One day last week Mrs. J. M. Simpson, of Main Street, was driving on the Steam Hollow road when she observed a large, black rattlesnake.  With her were James R. Millard, of Buffalo, and his daughter, Mrs. V. D. Shaw, of Main Street.  Not knowing how her horse might act when she saw the snake, Mrs. Simpson requested Mr. Millard to take the horse whip and kill the snake, while she held the horse.  The snake was a large one and had 7 rattles and a button.  The next morning Mrs. Simpson said that she was going after the mate to that snake, so about the same time of the day she drove to the spot where the first snake was killed and found the mate within about three ft. of where the first snake had been killed.  She took the horse whip and struck the snake across the back, killing it.  The second snake, which was a large yellow one, had 8 rattles and a button.  Mr. Millard intends to take the two large skins to Buffalo and have them tanned.  Mrs. Simpson brought the snake to town, tied behind her buggy, and from each one she secured one ounce of rattlesnake oil, which is quite valuable.

W. Clifford – School began here Sept 3rd, with Miss Marian Taylor, of Clifford, as teacher.

West Lenox – The new teachers from around here are: Walter Shamp, at the Howard; Frances Phillips, at the Acre; Gertrude Powers, at the Wright; Gertrude Squires, at the Titus; Lena Tingley, at the Lake; Wendell Phillips, at Rush; Eldridge Shoup*, at Hop “Bottom and Verna Tingley, in the primary room at Kingsley. *Was later called to report for Uncle Sam.

Harford – School is progressing nicely.  The building is well filled and in one room the pupils have to sit three in a seat.  There are seven teachers in the field this year.  Some high school for Harford, eh? ALSO George Richardson has a large load in the “kid” wagon”—13 jolly boys and girls. ALSO Mr. and Mrs. Ren Whitman were greeting friends at the Harford fair, having made the entire trip of 625 miles from their home at Detroit, Mich., in their automobile with an accident.

Montrose – Not in many years has this town witnessed such an outpouring of people.  It is estimated that between 4,000 and 5,000 citizens, coming from all parts of the country, gathered here to cheer the boys who have been called to fight for their country, and for us.  Seventy-nine young men are in this first contingent, and as they lined up in the parade yesterday, in civilian clothes, untrained, fresh from farm, mine, store, office and factory, it was a thrilling spectacle.  Tears dimmed the eyes of many a strong man and woman as the boys swung along with manly stride to the patriotic air of a band.  They were all “our boys,” and though strangers to us, the little white ribbon pinned to each breast, on which was printed “My country has called me.  I go to make the world safe for democracy,” brought an echo of sympathy from every heart.  Every town and hamlet in the county had its representatives. ALSO  “The long hours of waiting that frequently fall to the lot of a unit in the trenches are not nearly so trying if the men have a good supply of books,” is the testimonial of an officer.  Contribute to the Library War Fund and help furnish the books.

Brooklyn – The importance of even one single word was emphatically illustrated the other day, when Mrs. C. A. Corson received a cablegram containing the single word, “Safe,” from her son, Lt. Dr. John Corson, who was recently shipped out to some English or French port.  This was the first word received from him since he left the U. S. about three weeks ago.

Hop Bottom – Mrs. Ida M. Tiffany and Mrs. E. M. Loomis entertained at their summer home in honor of Mr. and Mrs. G. Ellwood Tiffany, who were recently married. The affair was a surprise.  The house was beautifully decorated with golden rod and Queen Ann’s lace, while the lawn was illuminated with Japanese lanterns.  The Hop Bottom band furnished music.  At a late hour refreshments were served to the 75 guests present, who were from Montrose, Binghamton, Hornell, Indiana, Hallstead and Foster.

Lake View – Newell Washburn, one of Uncle Sam’s fighting men, is home on a furlough.

New Milford – Wm. H. VanCott, B. M. Moore and N. B. Burdick, were mixed up in an automobile accident near Kirkwood.  They had been to Binghamton in the afternoon and were returning in the evening.  While rounding a curve, a short distance the other side of Kirkwood, one wheel of the car struck a post of the guard rail.  The wheel was torn from the car and the car tipped over on its side, spilling the occupants out and all were more or less injured.  Burdick had his left shoulder badly sprained and his head bruised.  Moore had one rib cracked and VanCott, who was driving, escaped with only slight bruises.  A passing auto took the men back to Binghamton and after having their wounds dressed, they returned home by train.

Susquehanna – The local basket ball team defeated the fast Starrucca team at the L. A. C.  It is estimated more than 200 persons witnessed the interesting game, proceeds of which are for the local members of the draft army.  An old-time favorite, Clarence Wright, was present and acted as referee in his faultless style.

Gelatt – One day last week Mrs. Harry Potter, who lives on the Ebenezer Witter farm, did a stunt that few women in this section can boast of.  While returning from the field with her boys, they saw a gray fox around the poultry house. Mrs. Potter picked up a stick of wood and threw it, killing the fox.

Forest City – Ludwig Conrad went to Newport News, Va., Monday, in response to a recent letter received from his son, Allie, who left Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., where he has been in training for several months, bound for Newport News, where it was expected his regiment would sail for France. Mr. Conrad, who is a veteran of the Civil War, will bid his son farewell and then go to the Soldiers’ Home at Hampton, Va., where he will be for the fall and winter. ALSO Nate Markovich, Cyrl Grum, Lukas Zagger and John Ostanak were in Scranton, Friday, to secure their nationalization papers.  Their witnesses were John Dutchman, Wm. Gliha and Frank Teban.

200 Years Ago from the Montrose Centinel, Sept. 20, 1817.

*Although the Election is at hand, we believe no man in Susquehanna county has yet publicly avowed an intention to vote for Joseph Heister.  It is more than probable that Heister may have some few votes in this county, but those who may vote for him, for reasons best known to themselves” do not choose to express an opinion.” From present appearances we think that Mr. Heister ought not to calculate on more than 50 votes in this county.  The Federalists here are too “high minded” to be led by discarded Democrats, they are not fond of dictation; hence they are silent, waiting for the nomination of a “federal candidate.”  The Republicans do not consider the result of the election doubtful.  They look upon Wm. Findlay already as Governor, wanting only the ceremonies of inauguration, they take no part in the electioneering struggles in the south, they do not consider themselves interested in the contest.  Such Federalists as express opinions are decidedly in favor of Wm. Findlay, those who do not are invited to an attentive perusal of the first page of this paper, where will be found a subject quite interesting too most of the inhabitants of the Northern counties.       [Findlay was the 4th governor of PA to be elected in 1817, but was defeated by Hiester (correct spelling) in 1820. In 1821, he was elected as a Democratic Republican (later Jacksonian Democrat) to the United States Senate.] Wikipedia

I received a request to provide some guidance as to who can legally perform marriages in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  There is a specific statute (23 Pa. C.S. § 1503) that identifies those individuals who are qualified to “solemnize marriages.”  First, a justice, judge or magisterial district judge of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  A retired justice, judge or magisterial district judge may also officiate a marriage ceremony provided that the judge (1) has served at least one full term in office, (2) had not been defeated in a reelection or retention bid; (3) has not been convicted or been placed into a diversion program for any misdemeanor or felony offense; (4) has not resigned a judicial position in order to avoid prosecution or judicial discipline; (5) has not been removed from office by the Judicial Conduct Board, and (6) remains a resident of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

The category of judges who qualify to perform marriage ceremonies also includes any active or retired judge from the federal court system in Pennsylvania, namely, the federal bankruptcy and district courts of the United States located in the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of Pennsylvania.  It also includes judges from the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.  For these federal judges to qualify to officiate a marriage ceremony in Pennsylvania, they must also be residents of Pennsylvania.

As to non-judges, any mayor of a city of Borough in the Commonwealth may perform solemnize a marriage.  A former mayor also qualifies provided the former mayor: (1) was not defeated for reelection; (2) served one full term in office; (3) has not been convicted or placed into a diversion program for any misdemeanor or felony offense; (4) has not resigned the office to avoid prosecution or discipline; and (5) remains a resident of the Commonwealth.

The most common category of persons officiating marriage ceremonies are clergy, namely a minister, priest or rabbi of “any regularly established church or congregation.”  Please note that the “minister, priest or rabbi” must be associated with a “regularly established church or congregation.”  The statute provides no further guidance as to what is required to be considered a “regularly established church or congregation.”  For instance, the Lackawanna County website explaining the marriage license process has a “disclaimer of liability” indicating that Clerk of the Orphans Court “will not determine what is/is not a church and/or congregation.”  Marriage license applicants are encouraged to discuss the manner with an attorney if they have any questions.

In particular, Lackawanna County warns that “a recent Court decision held that persons ordained over the Internet are not ministers as defined in the marriage law of Pennsylvania.”  This disclaimer is used by other Clerks throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  While I could not locate the court decision itself, there are news reports of a York County case where a trial judge determined that an internet ordination by the Universal Life Church did satisfy the requirements of Pennsylvania law in the absence of proof that the proposed officiant has a congregation that he or she meets with regularly at a designated place of worship.        

Finally, Pennsylvania allows for the parties to perform their own ceremony provided that the marriage certificate is signed by both of the parties together with two witnesses to the ceremony.  This is generally known as “self-unifying” ceremony.  If you are applying for a marriage license for such a ceremony, you must notify the Clerk of the Orphans Court as the form provided for the marriage ceremony is markedly different from a marriage ceremony solemnized by a qualified person.  If you have any questions about the person performing your marriage ceremony, you may want to consider the self-unifying marriage as a means of assuring that the marriage itself is a valid marriage.

Your doctor’s hands and other germy things you touch

The pharmacist was at the clinic waiting in the examination room when the doctor arrived. A friendly guy, the doctor instantly stuck out his hand for the pharmacist to shake. The pharmacist automatically extended his hand in return and then realized that the doctor did not wash his hands when he came in. The pharmacist wondered what human crevice or orifice the doctor’s hand had just probed. 

The pharmacist recently read a disturbing study that involved researchers who examined the hand hygiene among surgeons attending an American conference. The results were not impressive. The study revealed that 1 in 5 surgeons failed to wash their hands after going to the washroom. This is a surprising result, thought the pharmacist, considering it concerns specialists who are cutting into bodies. Poor hand hygiene can lead to contagion and serious infections among hospitalized patients. Another study showed that 48,000 Americans die each year of infections they caught while in the hospital.  

Yes, the world is filled with germs, no matter how clean our own hands are. For example, take paper money. According to a Scientific American study, US banknotes are a blend of 75% cotton and 25% linen, which are more attractive to bacteria than other countries’ currencies. Polymer-based banknotes, such as those used in Canada and Australia, are more resistant to dirt and bacteria than cotton-based ones. Biologists at New York University studied genetic material on $1 bills and found roughly 3,000 types of organisms, including germs linked to pneumonia, food poisoning, and staph infections. Fecal matter has been detected too. Then, there is cocaine, which is usually snorted via a rolled up Jackson; the brushes and rollers in ATMs have distributed the nose candy throughout the money supply. But don’t go licking your 20s to get a buzz just yet because they can have as many germs as a public toilet. 

Your kitchen sponge is used to clean up the messes you make. But who cleans the sponge? A German study demonstrated that a used kitchen sponge is replete with bacteria. The study identified 362 different species of bacteria, some of which are potentially disease-causing. A piece of sponge the size of a sugar cube can host as many as 54 billion bacteria, some of which may be pathogenic, and about the same number that you would find in a human stool sample. Microwaving does not help because it kills the weaker bacteria but allows more dangerous germs to thrive. Do not wait until the sponge becomes slimy to toss it. But certainly after 3 weeks or so, adios! 

Let’s go to the bathroom. Your toothbrush looks innocent enough sitting on your bathroom sink. But before you put it in your mouth, consider that the average toothbrush can contain 10 million bacteria or more, including E. coli and staph, according to a British study. Do you close the toilet lid after a number 2? That same study found that diarrhea-causing bacteria from a lidless flush flew as high as 10 inches above the toilet and settled on surfaces throughout the bathroom. So, stick a clothespin on your nose, close lid, flush, run!

Then, there are your pets, many of which sleep on your bed. Did you ever see a cat or dog use toilet paper? Point made. Case closed!  If you are healthy and your immune system is not compromised, then there is no need to clutch your pearls and worry. Yet, it would be nice if the doctor adheres to medical etiquette and washes his hands before he touches yours.