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1918: Merchant Marine Barton Swarr hits his mark
By Lititz Record
Lititz Record Express
Published: Jul 10, 2008 12:17 PM EST
Lititz of years past -
10 Years Ago Thursday's Record Express
July 9,
1998
• Booth Crowned Queen — The threat of rain loomed
most of the day, but when the 181st Lititz Fourth of July celebration came
to a close Saturday, the only people who got soaked were the youngsters
panning for gold in the stream.
Tina Booth was crowned Queen of the
Candles, and David Oberholtzer won the baby parade.
• Train
Station Groundbreaking — Bill Dussinger Sr. remembers when he was a
young man working at Weaver's Restaurant, looking across the street at the
train station.
At that time, Dussinger admitted it wasn't much to
look at. No longer used for its intended purpose, by the mid-1950s it had
become an eyesore.
"When they were remodeling the park, they tore it
down," Dussinger told a crowd of about 300 people gathered at the Lititz
Springs Park entrance on Saturday morning. It seemed like the right thing
to do at the time. "Now we think it might have been a mistake."
If
it was a mistake, it is one that is about to be
corrected.
Construction on the building, a replica of the 1884
Lititz Passenger Depot and Express Station of the Reading and Columbia Rail
Road, is expected to begin after Labor Day, with an anticipated completion
in early March.
The brick building, about 80 percent the size of the
original, will house an information center, a meeting hall, rest rooms, an
office for the Lititz Springs Park Board, and a display area. The capital
improvement project also includes other renovations to the park.
"We
wanted to see the station here for the good of the community," said Jim
Wynkoop, chairman of the Lititz Springs Park Capital Improvements
Committee.
20 Years Ago Thursday's Record Express
July
7, 1988
• Haddad Crowned Queen — Debra Joyce Haddad was
crowned the 46th Queen of Candles Saturday night, highlighting the 146th
celebration of the Fourth of July in Lititz Springs Park.
•
Crime Report — Two hundred and eighteen crimes, representing a 28
percent increase over the previous year, were reported to the Warwick
Township Police Department in 1987, according to statistics contained in
the 1987 Uniform Crime Report released recently by Pennsylvania State
Police. The number of assaults, burglaries and larcenies recorded the
highest increases.
• Antiques — Over 60 antiques dealers
from Pennsylvania and the surrounding states will be exhibiting antiques
and collectibles at the seventh annual antiques show here on July
9.
30 Years Ago Thursday's Record Express
July 13,
1978
• Filmmaker — Former Lititz resident Merle Good, now
of Lancaster, will serve as executive producer of a new documentary film
this summer.
Tentatively titled "Wichita 78," the film will document
the spirit and events of the tenth Mennonite World Conference in Wichita,
Kansas, July 25-30.
• Ambucs Anniversary — Jack Hartz was
installed as president of the Lititz Chapter of the American Business Club.
Now marking its 25th anniversary, the club disbursed $3,000 to the
community this year.
• Rotary News — The Lititz Rotary
Club presented checks totaling $7,295 to 16 local organizations during the
club's weekly meeting Tuesday at the General Sutter.
The money
represented the total earned from the recent Travelogue series featuring
films of various countries, which were shown at Warwick High
School.
40 Years Ago
.900
Thursday's Record
Express
July 11, 1968
• Blacklisted — A total of
35 property owners in the borough are on the health committee's blacklist
and will be ordered to improve the appearance of their properties as a
result of Lititz' first clean-up, paint-up, fix-up campaign.
A list
of addresses where properties are more or less considered eye-sores was
turned over to borough manager George Steedle this week.
•
Melee In The Park — A drive to end loitering in the vicinity of the
Springs Park this week was climaxed with a scuffle in which a borough
police officer and a local man both sustained bruises and lacerations
before the prisoner was subdued.
Encountering a group of loiterers
at the park Friday night, Borough Police Officer James Fritz ordered them
to move. Instead, one of the men pushed the officer.
• Fourth
Folks — Sandy Zerby, Millersville, was the first place winner in the
folk singing contest conducted during the music festival on the Fourth of
July. She also won second place in last year's competition.
50 Years
Ago Thursday's Record Express
July 10, 1958
•
Fourth Weather — Except for threatening weather causing the program
to be moved at a faster pace, the Annual July 4th Celebration in Lititz
Springs Park went off as scheduled despite a late evening
thundershower.
Highlights included the baby parade, in which
Kathleen Buch, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. Donald Buch, 613 S. Broad St.,
won the grand prize; the annual crowning of the Queen of Candles, Miss
Nancy Eigholtz, the candle pageant, and the fireworks
display.
• Flooding — A soil conservation program which
would aid the high school property, nearby farmers, the park grounds, and
the borough was urged this week following torrential rains which created
flood conditions in most of the area.
About the only areas left
undamaged by the velocity of flood waters cascading down the borough's
western watershed was the newly renovated portion of Lititz Springs Park
where drainage systems did a Herculean job of controlling and carrying off
the water.
Flooding waters took huge gobs of top soil from the plot
adjoining the school and from fields nearby, cutting deep ruts through
both.
Paul W. McCloud, local architect, said the drainage system
installed when the renovations were made "performed beyond our fondest
expectations."
60 Years Ago Thursday's Record
Express
July 8, 1948
• No News — The Lititz Record
Express was not published this week. Fourth of July coverage would have to
wait until July 15.
70 Years Ago Thursday's Record
Express
July 7, 1938
• Traffic Relief — One of the
greatest and most successful of the annual celebrations of the Fourth of
July was the one presented in Lititz Springs Park on Monday. Between eight
and nine thousand persons entered the park to attend the event. Gate
receipts grossed $1,836 with a profit of $600. The ending of the day was in
striking contrast to that of other years.
Usually there have been
traffic tangles galore and much blowing of horns as a consequence. This
year, under Elmer Bomberger, the traffic committee had the cars parked so
well that there were no difficulties or delays in leaving.
80 Years
Ago Thursday Morning's Record
July 12, 1928
•
Crash Attracts Attention — An auto crash which attracted the most
attention in town for a number of years, occurred at 4 o'clock Saturday
morning when two cattle trucks collided at the town square.
The one
truck broke the light standard at the fountain and followed the walk used
by pedestrians, the one wheel going over a two-foot high coping. It
required almost three hours time to get the heavy truck off the fountain.
Several hundred people watched the wrecking crew.
•
Hitch-hiking Trip — James Mummert, clerk in the Farmers National
Bank, left on Tuesday on a hitch-hiking trip for two weeks, with the
intention of reaching Boston, Niagara Falls, Quebeck and other places. He
was accompanied by a young man from Lancaster. They carry
knapsacks.
Friday Morning's Express
July 12,
1928
• Thirteen Month Booster — The new proposed calendar
for thirteen months in the year of 28 days each is getting a great deal of
attention in the public press and those interested will carefully note the
outcome of the conference opened in Washington on June 9.
The new
arrangement it seems is not proposed to be operative before about 1935 so
as to give ample time for all adjustments to be made with as little
confusion as possible. What has puzzled the calendar-makers since the
computation of time is the fact that the earth in its orbit around the sun
does not make it a round number of days but is about 265¼
days.
The Express and our almanac have been giving the information
about the proposed change for some years.
• Fresh Air Kiddies
Coming — Lititz and vicinity will receive its contingent of Fresh Air
children from New York next Tuesday. Homes have been found for 30
children.
Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Breitigan have the two girls, Helen and
Victoria Pyrtke, who have been spending the last three summers with them.
Mr. Breitigan went for them on Saturday.
90 Years Ago Thursday
Morning's Record
July 11, 1918
• Barton Swarr Hits
Submarine — "Are we down-hearted, no," says Barton Swarr, a former
Lititz boy and former high school basket ball player who recently spent
some days in town.
Since becoming a gun pointer in the Merchant
Marine service it has been his ambition to hit a submarine. His second trip
overseas was a thriller, as three of the underwater craft were
seen.
At 2,000 yards a periscope was discovered and the young
gunner's chance of a lifetime had come. The six inch gun was loaded and
swung into position in a few seconds, and when the gun captain shouted
"Breech closed," Swarr, looking through his sight, pressed the spring
releasing the discharge.
The shot landed true, knocking off the
periscope. The full extent of the damage to the submarine could not be told
as the boat took no chances in slowing up.
Swarr's boat was only
fifty miles away from the President Lincoln when she was sunk. S.O.S. calls
are not unusual in the war zone, he relates.
• A Grand Glorious
Fourth — That Lititz Springs Park is the ideal place to enjoy July
Fourth was again conclusively illustrated when almost 7,000 persons spent
the nation's birthday here. It was the most safe and sane, as well as
patriotic celebration in the town's history. There was no shooting or other
noisy outbreak and not an accident occurred to mar the day.
•
Carry on Chautauqua — Chautauqua, one of America's most democratic
institutions, will open another week of seven joyous days for the citizens
of Lititz and its vicinity on Saturday afternoon.
This year's
program is a wonderful combination of music, war-time lectures, series
lectures and plays. Reader, you owe it to yourself to attend every
event.
Friday Morning's Express
July 12, 1918
• A
Patriotic Treasurer — The auditors in examining the annual report of
the Lititz School District found that the Treasurer, Mr. H.C. Seldomridge,
instead of taking the two per cent, to which he is entitled for his
services, instead turned it over to the school fund.
The sum is
$1,888.09. He did this before and says he is glad to serve his community in
this way, especially in the trying times we are now
experiencing.
• Manheim Boy's Experience — Paul Myers, a
21-year-old Manheim boy, was a member of the crew of the Covington, and
American army transport which was torpedoed and sunk on Monday night while
bound for home after landing several thousand soldiers in
France.
Six men are missing. The remainder of the officers and crew,
among them Myers, are reported safe.
• Movies for Lititz
— The Dreamland moving picture theatre, which has been closed for
some time, will be re-opened on Saturday evening of next week under the
management of H.H. Firestone. First class pictures will be shown each
Wednesday and Saturday evening.
100 Years Ago Friday Morning's
Record
July 9, 1908
• Fourth Celebration — Viewing
the beautiful Lititz Springs grounds on July 4, the usual admiration was
expressed by hundreds of people. Few persons, however, are acquainted with
its earlier history.
In 1856 the first real celebrating was held in
the Springs grounds under the auspices of the Lititz Fire Co. A supper was
held, charging 25 cents a place. During the day the company paraded the
streets with their hand-pump engine, which is still in
existence.
The park was illuminated at night, but no admission was
charged. The year 1858 was the first time that admission was charged, 10
cents a piece.
Those living who were members of the fire company in
1856 are James Sturgis, Henry Seaber, Samuel Seaber, Harry Stark an Joseph
Buch.
• Revolver Drawn at the Springs — James McCloud,
one of the guards employed on the Spring grounds on the Fourth, had a nasty
encounter with a man who drew a revolver on him. The man was on the fence
looking at the ball game.
McCloud ordered him off and when he
refused made a move towards him. Then the fellow drew a revolver and the
park guard struck it with a cane.
In the mix-up the loaded Colts'
automatic 30-caliber revolver was dropped and McCloud quickly picked it
up.
The fellow, under the name of Arehart, employed by the Standard
Oil Company, has brought complaint through Squire C.N. Derr for the
recovery of the firearm.
• Boy Shot in Leg — Frank Keith,
thirteen years old, on Fourth of July afternoon near Ritchie's Restaurant,
was shot in the calf of the leg by a blank discharge of a revolver in the
hand of a man who handled it recklessly.
The man hurried away as
soon as the accident happened, but he is known to several persons who
gathered around. The leg was scorched and a good deal of powder entered the
skin.
Dr. E.E. Evans attended the boy and no bad effects have
resulted so far. The victim is a son of Reuben Keith of
Brunnerville.
Friday Morning's Express
July 10,
1908
• Wagon Overturns — Shortly after six o'clock
last Friday as Fremont Miley came driving along Cedar Street with the
Sturgis Pretzel team, one of the horses trod upon a nail in front of Squire
Reidenbach's house and fell, overturning the wagon.
Neither of the
horses was injured as little as the driver, but the wagon suffered a broken
dashboard and wheel. Not many bretzels were spilled.
• Good
Milk Cow Lost — The United Zion Home, north of Lititz, met with a
misfortune by the death of the good milk cow that supplied the inmates with
excellent milk. Some of the old feeble inmates had shed tears.
Who
will be the good Samaritan to lend a helping hand to buy a cow to again
supply the wants and needs of these aged people? Give answer to the United
Zion Home, Lititz, Pa.
• Gas Range Introduced — The
culinary department of the Springs Hotel installed a gas range, which was
connected with the system of the Lititz, Ephrata and Manheim Gas
Company.
• Speak-No-Evil Picnic — The Speak-No-Evil
Circle of Kings Daughters, of which Mrs. Hagan is the leader, made a picnic
for the Rev. E.S. Hagan and family at the Springs Park on Wednesday
afternoon.
110 Years Ago Friday Morning's Record
July
8, 1898
• War Victory! — The news of the great victory at
Santiago came in time for the Glorious Fourth of July!
•
Shipwreck — A terrible loss of life by drowning occurred on July 4th
in the Atlantic Ocean, sixty miles south of Sable Island.
The French
streamer La Bourgoyne in a dense fog, struck a British merchant ship and
sank in 10 minutes time. About 500 were lost, including 300
women.
On the vessel was Mrs. J.B. Coleman of Lebanon, and Mrs.
Joseph Barnworth of Lancaster. Both were drowned.
• No Swimming
— Henceforth, swimming and bathing in Bricker's Dam will be
prohibited.
There was no objection so long as boys confined
themselves merely to that of going into the water, but when they began to
leave gates open and damage property nearby, the line had to be drawn and
the sport stopped.
• No Vacancy — The Springs Hotel is so
crowded with boarders that some are required to room at other places. The
Hotel Sturgis also has a goodly number of guests who will remain during the
heated term.
120 Years Ago Friday Morning's Record
July
6, 1888
• Politician is Bitten — Jacob Beck, the Owl Hill
politician, was all out of sorts on Tuesday, not because he fears the
defeat of Grover Cleveland, but because his old mare had nothing else to
chew at and began biting into Beck's arm, which he soon put a stop
to.
• Postal Salaries — Salaries at the Lititz Post
Office have been increased from $1,000 to $1,100.
• Rothsville
Fun — The Rothsvillers are people for fun and amusement. No village
of its size has more festivals, parties, fairs, etc., than the little
village on the hill three miles east of Lititz.
The next attraction
will be a band festival, to be held on July 14, when the Brownstown Cornet
Band will be present to entertain visitors. The Rothsville Band always has
good crowds at whatever they get up for the public, because they treat
their patrons right and give them the benefit of their money and we venture
to say the coming event will be no exception.
• Encampment
— Thirty-five thousand soldiers are now encamped at
Gettysburg.
130 Years Ago Friday Morning's Lititz
Record
No. 44
July 12, 1878
• The Tramp Question
— What shall be done with the tramps? This question again agitates
the minds of some of our public-spirited citizens, who have been aroused
afresh on the matter.
On the occasion of the Moravian Sunday-school
pic-nic, which visited here the other day, a number of these worthless
vagrants made their appearance in a drunken condition at the head of the
Spring Grounds (one of them in a half-denuded state), and indulged in a
free flight and using the most obscene language imaginable, driving away
from the place the more respectable class of people.
• Terrible
Storm — Monday evening between the hours of six and seven o'clock a
very heavy rain and hail storm, accompanied by vivid lightning, terrific
storm and high winds, lasting about a quarter of an hour, passed over this
place.
As far as could be learnt, the width of the storm was
comparatively small, coming from the southwest and passing on in that
direction towards Lebanon and Berks counties.
The greatest damage,
financially, was done to the new Evangelical meeting house in Litiz. The
western wall was bent inwards and the eastern outwards a distance of about
eighteen inches. This will necessitate the rebuilding of part of
it.
• Accident — On Tuesday Isaac Habecker, of this
place, fell off a step ladder with an arm full of slate at the residents of
General John Sutter. His arm was badly cut in six or seven places and he
was somewhat hurt in his back and shoulders.
Research for Out of the
Past is compiled weekly by Record Express Associate Editor Stephen Seeber.
Much of the style and information reported is written as it appeared in its
original form.
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