Due to our Historical Society's move throughout the 18 Monument Street building, and briefly unable to access our microfilm machines, we chose to go to the original newspapers and thought you would like a glimpse into the year 1839, where local news columns were non-existent.  Advertising, however, with the exception of a few editorials, was a means to communicate, even when there were marital disputes. 

The following is taken from the Montrose Volunteer, April of 1839, 179 Years Ago.

April seems to be cutting off all manner of pranks.  Last week the weather was so delightful we deemed it worthy of note.  Since that time we have had almost a deluge of rain, and two famous snowstorms.  The damage by the rise of the waters, has been great throughout the country so far as we have heard.  Nearly all the Bridges across the small streams are carried away, Mill dams swept off, &c. The stage running south on Saturday morning last, was upset about a mile from the village [Montrose], in consequence of a small stream, ordinarily so, rising so high as to run around the Bridge and over the road, in which it had made a deep gully, the driver thrown in the current, which was running rapidly, and barely escaped drowning, by clinging to his horses.  There were two lady passengers in the stage, who were helped from it and carried several rods to land, without other injury than a thorough drenching.  The mails we understand, were much wet, and we fear injured in consequence.  It has been seldom, indeed, that this region of country has suffered so much by a freshet as by that of the past week.

MARRIED – In Choconut, on the 9th *inst., by C. Wright, Esq., Mr. Elon J. Stanley to Miss Belinda Kittle.

MARRIED – In this Borough [Montrose], on the 2nd inst by Rev. H. A. Riley, Mr. George H. Williston, of Janesville, Rock Co., W. T., to Miss Nancy H. Fordham of the former place.

DIED – At LeRaysville, Bradford Co., Pa., on the 30th *ult., Mrs. Sophronia Bullock, wife of Jesse E. Bullock, Esq., aged 26 years.

TO THE PUBLIC – Whereas my wife Clarinda, through the officious meddling, as I have reason to believe, of certain individuals who aim to destroy my peace and comfort, has been induced to abandon my bed and board without just cause or provocation—I therefore hereby forbid all persons trusting her on my account, or paying her monies which are due to me, as I will pay no debts of her contracting, or allow any payments made to her on account of monies due me, after this date. DAVID WAKELEE, Springville, March 25, 1839.

DR. D. C. WARNER has located himself in Montrose and respectfully tenders his professional services to the public.  All calls appertaining to the practice of Physic and Surgery, will be promptly and strictly attended to.  He also gives notice that he is prepared with instruments, a very superior assortment of artificial Teeth, and other materials for performing all Dental operations.  He may be consulted at his residence, opposite S. F. Keeler's Hotel.  Montrose, Oct. 23, 1838.

A correspondent suggests that the Whigs and Abolitionists of this county are making great efforts and arranging their plans in view of the next fall election—and wishes to be informed how much they calculate to gain in votes by the resolutions adopted at the late Abolition Convention, held in this place.  But as we are not sufficiently versed in whig and abolition calculations to give the information desired, we will leave the subject for correspondents, if there are any who wish to notice it.  Our opinion is that the democrats of Susquehanna will be ready to meet them under any circumstances, or arrangements they may choose to adopt.  The invasion and "buck-shot war" of Ritner and Company, and the empty Treasury left by them, are matters not to be immediately overlooked by the every watchful and unflinching democrats of this county.

ATTENTION COMPANIES – Each and every Company belonging to my Regiment, are requested to appear on or before the first day of May, armed and equipped according to law.  All who fail to attend to this call must not complain if I find them and give them each a separate notice.  Training to be held at my Shop, one door east of the Baptist Meeting House.  Call and see. ALBERT MERIMAN. Montrose, April 8, 1839.

GARDEN SEEDS. Fresh, Quaker, Garden Seeds, direct from the land of Shakers, for sale by M. C. TYLER. Montrose, April 10, 1839.

REVOLUTIONARY ARMY – We find the following in an old Vermont paper: The number of regulars furnished to the Revolutionary Army were, by New England, 147,441; by the Middle States, 56,571; by the Southern States, 56,997.  It appears by the above, that New England, consisting of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut furnished more troops for the defense of the country, than the other nine States.  The number of troops furnished by South Carolina was 6,447; Massachusetts 67,907; Georgia 2,697; Connecticut 31,939.

A FEE-LELER – A surgeon and a lawyer had very little good feeling for each other, and the following dialogue took place: -- "If," asked the surgeon, "a neighbor's dog destroy(s) my ducks, can I recover damages by law?" "Certainly," replied the lawyer; "pray what are the circumstances? "Why sir, your dog last night destroyed two of  my ducks." "Indeed! Then you certainly can recover the damages; what is the amount? I'll instantly discharge it." "Four shillings and six-pence," chuckled the surgeon. "And my fee for attending and advising you is six and eight-pence," responded the attorney; & unless you immediately pay the same, my conduct will be suit-able."

CONCERT – There will be a concert of Instrumental Music at the Presbyterian Meeting House, this evening, to commence at 7 o'clock. – The citizens of the village and vicinity generally are invited to attend.  April 24, 1839.

TO THE PUBLIC – Whereas my wife Jane, has left my bed and board without just cause or provocation, I therefore hereby forbid all persons trusting her on my account, as I will pay no debts of her contracting after this date.  THOMAS OAKLEY, Brooklyn, April 30, 1839.

FARMERS please to pick your geese, AND bring the FEATHERS to the Cheap Cash Store, Nos. 2 and 3 Eagle Buildings, where the highest price will be paid by H. & A.J. EVANS, Binghamton.

*Inst. means this month; ult. is the month before.

In 2016, Jane Doe discovered that she was pregnant.  Jane was a drug addict and she continued to use controlled substances despite her pregnancy.  In particular, Jane continued to use marijuana, opiates and benzodiazepines.  As a result, Baby Doe was born drug addicted and required a lengthy hospitalization after birth due to serious drug withdrawal symptoms.  After the birth, Children and Youth Services took protective custody of Baby Doe and filed a dependency petition against Jane contending that she had abused Baby Doe through her use of drugs during her pregnancy.

While there was likely little debate that Jane was incapable of caring for Baby Doe because of her drug addiction, the issue in the case became whether she had abused Baby Doe.  Jane argued that she could not have committed child abuse on Baby Doe because the law did not recognize Baby Doe as a child prior to birth, i.e., the law does not recognize child abuse of an unborn child.   As such, Jane argued that her use of controlled substances while she was pregnant was not child abuse even if there was no dispute that it was harming her unborn baby because there was no "child" to abuse at that time.  The trial court agreed with Jane's position and concluded that Jane's use of controlled substances while pregnant did not constitute child abuse as defined under the statute.

The Children and Youth Agency filed an appeal and the Pennsylvania Superior Court noted that it was an issue of first impression, i.e., no other Pennsylvania appellate court had considered the question yet.  The Superior Court agreed the Baby Doe was not considered a child under the Child Protective Service Law until birth.  The Superior Court did not stop there but indicated that a question remained as to "whether a mother's illegal drug use while pregnant may constitute child abuse under the [Child Protective Service Law] if it caused, or created a reasonable likelihood of, bodily injury to the child after birth."

The Superior Court rephrased the question in a manner that focused upon Jane's prior conduct as injuring Baby Doe after birth.  Because the trial court had not considered the question in this manner, the case was sent back to the trial court for further consideration.  The Superior Court cautioned, however, the Jane could only be found to have committed child abuse upon Baby Doe if her prenatal use of controlled substance was done in a manner that "intentionally, knowingly or recklessly caused, or created reasonable likelihood, of bodily injury to a child after birth."

In a concurring opinion, Judge Strassburger recognized that "prenatal drug use is affecting adversely increasing numbers of our Commonwealth's children."  Judge Strassburger indicated that there "was no doubt that most pregnant women who use illegal drugs during their pregnancies do so not because they wish to harm their child, but because they are addicted to drugs."  While concurring in the decision based upon the statutory language, Judge Strassburger expressed concern that the decision might "open the door to interpretations of the statute that intrude upon a woman's private decisionmaking as to what is best for herself and her child."  Judge Strassburger noted that a wide variety of conduct by a pregnant woman might be questioned under the broad statutory language: how much exercise is appropriate, what kind of diet should be followed, can a glass of wine be consumed or should travel be restricted?  Thus, Judge Strassburger noted that he "was not certain that the legislature really intended the [Child Protective Services Law's] child abuse definition to apply to decisions that pregnant women make."

"Our spring has come at last with the soft laughter of April suns and shadow of April showers." ~Byron Caldwell Smith, letter to Kate Stephens.

It's almost here. The 2018 Library Auction Night! Please join us on Saturday, April 21st, 2018 at the VFW Hall, located on Route 706 in Montrose for a night filled with laughs, beautiful items and a delicious buffet. The doors will open at 4:15 PM to give ample time for checking out the wide array of auction items. The dinner buffet, starting at 5:00 PM, is filled with scrumptious pasta selections, and includes desserts and beverages. The lively auction, (and if you've previously attended one from years past, you'll know what I mean) kicks off at 6:00 PM with something for everyone's taste including art in several mediums, antiques, collectibles, specialty baskets filled to the brim, jewelry, furniture, event tickets, gift certificates and many other useful, fun and unique items. The proceeds from this auction benefit all four library locations – Forest City, Hallstead/Great Bend, Montrose, and Susquehanna, as well as the Susquehanna County Historical Society. Admission is $10.00 per person and includes the dinner buffet. We hope to see you there. Come early, bid often and enjoy the camaraderie with all those who love our libraries.

Even though we are still experiencing snow showers every now and again, thoughts of the "Summer Quest Program" (formerly the Summer Reading Program) are in the minds of our library staffs.  It will start in June with a theme of "Libraries Rock!" The Summer Quest Program is a sure cure for the Summertime Blues. More information with dates, etc. will be forthcoming in this column. There are still a couple of weeks left of the ever-popular Spring Story Hour in the Susquehanna Library Location. It is held on Tuesdays at 10:30 AM. If your child wasn't able to attend this time, there is always something happening at your local library branch. Stop in and check it out, along with some books.

There's an exciting raffle going on at the Susquehanna Library for all of you Hannah-ites and Joanne Fluke Cozy Mystery Fans! Thanks to the kind and generous folks at Kensington Publishing in New York, We have a pretty package of three autographed copies of Joanne's titles – Cinnamon Roll Murder, Banana Cream Pie Murder and, her latest, the Raspberry Danish Murder are all arranged on a cookie sheet with Spring-themed cookie cutters. Hannah Swensen owns and operates her Bake Shop/CafÈ, "The Cookie Jar" in Lake Eden, Minnesota, so it only seemed appropriate that her luscious-sounding titles be displayed on some of Hannah's tools of her trade. The tickets are on sale and the drawing will take place right before Mother's Day in May. You can't win if you don't play. Also, my Husband, Heiti and I are both humbled and honored to be featured as characters in Joanne's books. I don't know exactly what will happen to us within the pages and Joanne will not tell me, so we will find out just like you do, by going to Lake Eden without leaving your chair!

As I watch the rain showers pass by, I leave you with this thought: "Spring makes its own statement, so loud and clear that the gardener seems to be only one of the instruments, not the composer." ~Geoffrey B. Charlesworth.

Crocus-Homemade Soup-Cheeky Chickadees

Enjoy!

Cancer? I really don't want to know

John, 55, came into the pharmacy with a prescription for a bowel cleanser. "When is your colonoscopy, John?" the pharmacist asked. "Next week," he replied with a frown. The pharmacist knew that John had canceled two previous appointments for his colonoscopy and that his doctor said that if he does not keep next week's appointment, then he will drop John as a patient. Asked the pharmacist, "Don't you want to know if you have cancer?" "I'm scared. I really don't want to know," John said.

If the pharmacist did not know John, he would guess that John could not tolerate the colonoscopy prep, which was not exactly pleasant. Yet, according to John's records, he had the prep prescription filled twice before. "When was your last colonoscopy, John?" the pharmacist asked. "About 20 years ago," John confessed. Since that time, both his father and his maternal aunt died of colon cancer. Thus, John has a family history of malignancy, so it is especially important that he get the procedure done.

The pharmacist explained to John the advantages of getting a colonoscopy. Colorectal cancer is one of the most dangerous malignancies. According to the American Cancer Society, it holds the number 2 spot among all cancer deaths. As with most forms of cancer, though, the key to surviving and beating colorectal cancer is to catch the disease early. That can be accomplished by being knowledgeable about the disease and having a solid understanding of its signs and symptoms. Blood in the stool, inconsistent bowel movements, and sudden anemia are a few of the signs that the colon is in trouble. Although experiencing just one of the symptoms associated with colorectal cancer can be common, prolonged and/or intense activity associated with several of these symptoms can be a sign that one should see a doctor as soon as possible.

Besides the fear of being slapped with a Stage 4 diagnosis, a common concern regarding side effects of a colonoscopy includes the possibility of perforation during the procedure. Endoscopic perforation happens when the instrument punctures the wall of the colon during the screening. This can happen at any time during the procedure with some individuals being at a higher risk than others are. Advanced age, female sex, multiple co-morbidities, diverticulosis, and bowel obstruction can increase the risk of perforation. Yet, perforations are rare. The frequency of perforation is 1 for every 1400 colonoscopies. The pharmacist knows that the clinic where John is to have his procedure does many colonoscopies each year and they have an excellent success rate. Therefore, John need not focus on that.

Another good thing: A colonoscopy gives the clinician a chance to check for polyps. These growths in the large intestine can be a warning sign of colorectal cancer, but they can also cause pain and discomfort. In some cases, having polyps can have no symptoms, so one may not even be aware of their existence. A colonoscopy can collect tissue samples to ensure they are not cancerous. The larger the polyp, generally the higher the chance they may be malignant, states the Mayo Clinic. So even if one does not have symptoms, it is best to talk to the doctor about catching any potential problems early.

The pharmacist told John to have confidence in the people who will be assisting him on that day. Ask questions if he has any. No question is too silly or dumb. Be brave. Get it over with. John returned to the pharmacy a few weeks later and said to the pharmacist "All they found were 3 small polyps which were non-cancerous. Other than that, I am fine! I'm really glad that I know!"

Ron Gasbarro, PharmD, is a registered pharmacist, medical writer, and principal at Rx-Press.com. Read more at www.rx-press.com