Home → Columnists ( October 7, 2026 )
Civil War Veteran Dies: James W. Adams, one of the few remaining veterans of the Civil War, passed away at his home, in Brooklyn, Oct. 2, 1926. He was nearly 87 years of age. Mr. Adams was a descendant of Revolutionary stock. His grandfather, John Adams, a native of Massachusetts, died in Harford in 1837 at the age of 104 years. John Adams’ first wife was Dolly Dickerson, whose father is said to have fired the first gun at the battle of Lexington. John Adams’ son, James, came to Brooklyn in 1850 and settled on a 250 acre farm on the old state road. He erected a tannery in 1865 on the farm and continued in business until his death in 1880. James W. Adams, the subject of this obituary, cast his first vote for Lincoln in 1860 and in 1862 enlisted as sergeant in Co. A, 151st PA Volunteer Infantry. He went through the battle of Gettysburg and other engagements, being mustered out July 29, 1863. Mr. Adams held many township offices and also served in the State Legislature. [John Adams, at age 100, went back to visit his old home in Massachusetts, where he had a daguerreotype taken, the only image the Susq. Co. Hist. Soc. has of a Revolutionary War veteran.]
Death Summons Aged Veteran: Fletcher G. Warner, one of the oldest residents of Montrose, and a veteran of the Civil War, died at his home, October 3, 1926. Deceased was widely known throughout the county, and for over 37 years was a tipstaff and court crier in the county courts. He was a son of the late Nelson Warner, at one time sheriff of the county, and was born on the homestead farm in Bridgewater. Fletcher was one of the first in the county to enlist in the Civil War, being mustered into the service in Co. G, 50th PA Volunteer Infantry. In May, 1861, he was badly wounded in the leg at the Battle of Antietam by a canister shot from a cannon. He was discharged March 27, 1863, his wound incapacitating him from active service. He is survived by his wife, one son, Nelson C. Warner, and one daughter, Mrs. S. J. Rogers.
Ernest Plew Confesses Killing George W. Hinkley: Plew, aged 36, confessed to murdering George W. Hinkley, 72, in Gibson Twp., by placing strychnine in his tea. Plew had been helping Mr. Hinkley dig potatoes the day of the murder. He often helped Mr. Hinkley, who loaned him money from time to time. When charged with the crime he told the details without a tremor and in a matter of fact way, even going to the scene of the crime and leading the officials and officers through the woods and a swamp to a woodlot, where he had put the body. He appeared unconcerned about the gravity of the crime but when placed in a cell in the Susquehanna lockup, he became nervous and intimated that, “if I had known I was going to cause all this trouble, I would have blown my head off yesterday.”
Kingsley Cloudburst: The village was the scene of a terrible disaster, when visited by a cloud burst, which resulted in a flood of the entire main section of the town. The rain started about 6:30 and at 9 o’clock came a sudden cloudburst that loosened debris, which had collected at a point in the creek running from Hall’s pond just above the Tyler garage, and came down in a roaring torrent, driving a log through the upper side of F. E. Tyler’s house, which was followed by a steady flow of water, breaking the windows and filling the house. The Tyler and Sprague families, occupying the two-family house, were pinned in for about an hour, when neighbors assisted them out a window on the second floor. The water rushed across the Lackawanna Trail carrying poles and trees and one or two heavy gas tanks from the Tyler garage, with a velocity that is almost inconceivable. The new road under construction was inundated and a ravine about three feet in depth cut on either side of a passage, about two feet wide. The flats between Kingsley and Hop Bottom were covered with water to a depth of 6 to 12 feet. Hop Bottom was badly hit, but did not suffer as much as Kingsley. Nearby towns, including Montrose, were notified and helpers went to the assistance of the neighboring towns.
Uniondale – On Sunday evening, September 25, over 50 members of the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, attended service in a body in the M. E. Church and presented the church with a beautiful silk American flag. Rev. Lehmann, the pastor, gave a fitting response and appropriate sermon on the subject of “Patriotism.” The church was filled to its capacity.
Thompson – A. P. Blackman was attacked by an ugly bull on his farm and severely injured. His dog probably saved his life, the enraged bull turning on the dog and preventing the farmer from being gored. Mr. Blackman had two ribs broken and was painfully bruised.
Rush – George H. Warner has opened a blacksmith shop at this place and is prepared to do horse shoeing and all kinds of repair work.
Harford – Reuben Rushworth has a new cider press, and will soon be prepared to take care of cider customers.
Welsh Hill – The new saw mill of H. P. Johns is now on the ground on the Elk Hill tract and will soon be in operation. This mill is of the latest model and design of a 60 HP electric motor. This does away with firing boilers, for H. P. believes in safety first from now on.
MARRIED – In Gibson, on the 25th ult., by Joab Tyler, Esq., Col. Saxa Seymour, to Miss Hannah Sweet.
MARRIED – In Pike, on the 27th ult., by the Rev. S. Marks, John Dunmore, to Minerva, daughter of James Hynes, deceased. [Pike Township, Bradford Co., boarders Rush Twp. in Susquehanna County. Near Stevensville is St. Matthew’s Episcopal church, established in 1799 and built in 1814, no doubt the scene of this marriage. The church is well maintained and still holds occasional services.]
BREACH OF PROMISE. It appears that one of the Green Mountain swains has been playing false to his betrothed, as we learn that in an action lately tried at Montpelier, Vermont, brought by Anna Lyman against David Hatch, for breach of promise of marriage, a verdict was given for the plaintiff, of $740 damages. It is stated that the cause had excited a great interest, from the standing of the parties and the circumstances of the case, and that a great number of spectators, of both sexes, were present at the trial. Thus, it too often appears – is a woman’s fate: All her affections are called into life by winning flatteries & then thrown upon themselves to perish, and her heartache, her trusting heart, filled with weak tenderness, is left to bleed or break. From the NY Com. Adv.
On October 3, 2024, a motor vehicle accident occurred in Monroe County, where Francis Oglesby ran a red light as he was making a left-hand turn across the opposite lane of traffic. Oglesby’s vehicle struck a motorcycle traveling in the opposite lane. Oglesby stopped his vehicle momentarily, got out, observed the injured driver of the motorcycle, then got back into his car and fled the scene. Oglesby never rendered assistance or called for any help for the injured driver of the motorcycle, who suffered a broken femur, broken patella, dislocated shoulder and a fractured shoulder socket.
Oglesby was charged with the offence of Accidents Involving Death or Personal Injury, which makes it a misdemeanor of the first degree to leave the scene of an accident where another motorist has been injured or killed without attempting to render aid, calling for assistance, and providing your personal information such as name, number, address, and insurance information. As a misdemeanor of the first degree, the offense is punishable by up to five years of incarceration. When arrested, Oglesby did not initially make bail, and he spent two days in jail before he posted bail and was released.
Oglesby pled guilty to the offense, and the judge ordered a pre-sentence report to be completed. The sentencing guidelines called for a probationary sentence of 24 months. Despite the guidelines calling for a probationary sentence, the judge sentenced Oglesby to a period of incarceration of 2 days to 2 years minus one day followed by an additional 12 months of probation. Because Oglesby had already served two days, he was immediately paroled, i.e., he never served another day in jail, and he began his parole supervision. Oglesby filed an appeal contending that the judge had erred by not following the sentencing guidelines, i.e., he should have received a probationary sentence – not a sentence with time served followed by parole.
In response to the appeal, the judge admitted to some level of confusion, i.e., the result was effectively the same as Oglesby had not received any additional jail time. He had two days of credit, which the judge used, and Oglesby was placed on supervision – albeit parole supervision as opposed to probation supervision. Oglesby argued that a sentencing judge must follow the sentencing guidelines unless a sufficient reason is placed on the record for the deviation.
The Superior Court conceded that the sentencing guidelines are advisory in nature – but that a sentencing judge may only deviate from the guidelines if a statement is made on the record as to “the factual basis and specific reasons which compelled [the sentencing judge] to deviate from the guideline range.” In this case, the judge expressed some level of exasperation that Oglesby was challenging the sentence noting that Oglesby received no additional time in jail, i.e., the judge simply used the two days that he had already served in jail, and Oglesby did not serve any additional time in jail, and Oglesby was placed on immediate parole supervision.
The Superior Court concluded that the judge had erred in failing to acknowledge that the sentencing guidelines called for a probationary sentence – not a sentence of incarceration. The judge’s decision to sentence Oglesby to a minimum of 2 days of incarceration deviated from the guidelines – even where Oglesby had already served those two days and he was not going to serve any additional time. Because the judge had deviated from the guidelines, the Superior Court concluded that the judge “failed to render a contemporaneous statement on the record of [the judge’s] reasons for deviating from the Sentencing Guidelines.” Oglesby’s sentence was vacated – and the case was remanded for Oglesby to be resentenced in the range called for by the sentencing guidelines.
What happens now? Oglesby goes back and gets sentenced again but this time to a probationary sentence. Oglesby will remain on supervision – this time probationary supervision as opposed to parole supervision. There are some differences in terms of how those two supervisions work – but provided you are complying with the terms of supervision, the differences are largely insignificant. Pragmatically, Oglesby remains in the same position he occupied prior to his appeal – he remains on supervision. But this case presents a clear example of the limitations imposed on a sentencing judge – and, if the judge wishes to deviate from the sentencing guidelines, a good reason for doing so much exist and be placed on the record.
Good day Dear Hearts, I Love You. I can’t believe we are in the month of October already. It’s getting beautiful out there with the changing of the leaves. We also need to slow the pace a little and take the time to enjoy the beauty around us.
Among the many personalities in the New Testament, few feel as familiar as the apostle Peter. His story is not polished or distant. It is raw, human and deeply relatable. Peter’s life shows us a man who loved Jesus sincerely, stumbled repeatedly and was restored beautifully. In many ways, Peter is the disciple who looks most like us. Peter’s journey begins on the shores of Galilee. He was not a scholar or a religious leader just a fisherman with calloused hands and an ordinary life. Yet Jesus looked directly at him and said, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” That simple invitation changed everything. Peter didn’t understand all that following Jesus would mean, but he stepped forward anyway. His calling reminds us that Christ does not wait for perfect people. He calls ordinary men and women and shapes them into what He desires.
Peter’s boldness is seen again in the well-known story of Jesus walking on the water. While the other disciples stayed in the boat, Peter stepped out. For a moment, he did the impossible. But when he saw the wind and waves, fear overtook him and he began to sink. Jesus immediately reached out His hand and caught him. This moment captures the tension in Peter’s life and ours. We believe, but we doubt. We step out in faith, but we sink in fear. Peter’s walk on the water is not a story of failure; it is a story of rescue. It reminds us that when our faith falters, Christ’s grip does not. Peter also experienced moments of profound spiritual clarity. When Jesus asked, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter boldly answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus affirmed him, saying that this confession would become the foundation of the church. Yet only moments later, Peter misunderstood Jesus’ mission so badly that Jesus rebuked him sharply. Peter could move from revelation to confusion in the span of a conversation. Many of us know that feeling well.
But the most sobering moment in Peter’s life came on the night Jesus was arrested. Though Peter had promised he would never abandon his Lord, fear overtook him. Three times he denied even knowing Jesus. Luke’s Gospel adds a heartbreaking detail: after the third denial, Jesus turned and looked at Peter. That look shattered him. Peter fled the courtyard and wept bitterly. Peter’s denial is not simply a historical event, it is a mirror. We deny Christ when we stay silent instead of speaking truth, when we choose comfort over obedience, or when we hide our faith to avoid conflict. Peter’s failure is our failure. But thankfully, his restoration is our restoration too.
After the resurrection, Jesus met Peter on the shore of Galilee. Peter had returned to fishing, believing his failure had disqualified him. But Jesus cooked breakfast for him and asked a simple question, “Do you love Me?” Three times Jesus asked. Three times Peter answered. And three times Jesus restored him, commissioning him to “feed My sheep.” Peter’s three denials were met with three affirmations of love. Christ’s grace covered every failure. This moment reveals the heart of the Gospel. Jesus does not discard those who fall. He restores them. He recommissions them. He uses them again. Many believers today live under the weight of past mistakes, convinced God can forgive them but not use them. Peter’s story proves otherwise. Failure is not final when Christ is involved.
The transformation in Peter’s life becomes unmistakable at Pentecost. The same man who trembled before a servant girl now stands before thousands, boldly proclaiming the risen Christ. Three thousand people are saved in a single day. What changed? Not Peter’s personality or natural courage. What changed was the power of the Holy Spirit within him. The Spirit turned a fearful disciple into a fearless witness.
Peter’s life speaks directly to ours today. Like Peter, we are called by Christ often while still tangled in our nets. Like Peter, we experience moments of bold faith and moments of sinking doubt. Like Peter, we fail. And like Peter, we are restored by a Savior who refuses to let failure define us. Finally, like Peter, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live beyond our natural limitations. Peter’s story is not about a perfect disciple. It is about a perfect Savior who shapes imperfect people. His life reminds us that the Christian walk is not about never falling, it is about always returning. It is not about flawless faith, it is about a faithful God. Peter’s journey from calling to denial to restoration shows us that Christ can take the most inconsistent follower and make him a pillar of the church. And if Christ could do that with Peter, He can do it with us. God bless.
Dear Lord, bless our community. Please join us Saturday, October 19th from 12:00pm to 1:00pm for a complimentary dinner of southwest stuffed zucchini, roll and dessert, 1361 Main Street, Susquehanna, 570-853-3988.