Vintage Johnstown

Saturday, July 25, 2026

Pvt. Andrew J. Safko - Springfield (must be near Nanty Glo)

Friday, July 24, 2026

September 20, 1901 - GRAPHIC - Sad Tale of Murder of Illegitimate Child in Cambria City

Annie Kowalchik accused of murdering her newborn

Civil War - Week of January 15, 1863 - Wrap Up of National Events - Emancipation Proclamation, Local Letters Home & Soldier Obituaries

President Abraham Lincoln signs the executive order emancipating all slaves in states and parts of states controlled by the Confederacy. Reactions vary as Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation is released to the public.

The Confederate economy grew weaker as the government violated states’ rights ostensibly to preserve states’ rights. The Emancipation Proclamation took effect. Fighting resumed in central Tennessee, on the Gulf Coast, and around Vicksburg, Mississippi. Confederate commerce raiders rampaged along the high seas, and yet another humiliation suffered by the Federal Army of the Potomac led to a command change.

Ambrose Burnside meets with Abraham Lincoln and his top advisors to discuss future military strategy and criticism of his generalship in the Federal Army of the Potomac. John A. McClernand reorganizes his Federal forces and acts upon William T. Sherman’s recommendation to attack a Confederate fort on the Arkansas River.

Outgoing Democratic Congressman Clement L. Vallandigham of Ohio delivers a speech excoriating President Abraham Lincoln’s war policies and calling for peaceful coexistence with the Confederacy. Ambrose E. Burnside moves forward with plans to launch another Federal offensive in northern Virginia, despite reservations by his officers and men within the Army of the Potomac.

Ulysses S. Grant steams down the Mississippi River to discuss the new upcoming campaign against Vicksburg, and he decides to lead it himself. Driving rain in northern Virginia immobilizes the Federal Army of the Potomac and wreaks havoc on Ambrose E. Burnside’s plan to launch another offensive against the Confederates at Fredericksburg.

As officers in the Federal Army of the Potomac voice opposition to their commander and the soldiers threaten mutiny, General Ambrose Burnside gives President Abraham Lincoln an ultimatum. The defeat at Fredericksburg and the failed “Mud March” spark recriminations among the Federal army command, leading to wholesale changes. Joseph Hooker begins to reorganize and rejuvenate the demoralized Federal Army of the Potomac, but many doubt that he will ultimately succeed.

From Our Volunteers

11th PA - Cambria Guards

Promoted Thomas D. Litzinger

Richard M. Jones - 133rd PA

John M. Jones - 133rd PA - Co. F

Col. Jacob M. Campbell 54th PA - Promoted to Brigadier General

Dead - Samuel Sharp - 54th PA - Co. I

High Above Grandview

March 5, 1942 - Corp. William J. Tucker & Pvt. Harry E. Tucker - Nanty Glo

Thursday, July 23, 2026

August 2, 1901 - A MURDER NEAR CONEMAUGH

George Shaffer Shot and Killed by an Italian named Vito Rose.

The Letters - May 20, 1941 - To Mrs. Anna Hays now in Florida from Daughter-In-Law Mary in Johnstown

May 20, 1914 Johnstown, Pa

Dear Mother,

It is too bad about our letters for I believe neither we nor you have received all that were written. I did not get one from early in April but the letter of congratulations you sent to George's office he received on the 11th. Soon after then he wrote he wrote you a note & sent clippings and I hope you got them for tho' I can't tell now what they were, they were of local interest and we might never think of mentioning them again.

Then came your letter to both of us and in that you asked for the ribbon. I looked everywhere in the attic but the pieces I sent were the best I could find and hope you received them. I write a short note in with the ribbon but it may be you got it writing last time.

I thought I would write you Sunday afternoon as (Dr. ) George had to go to the hospital with Doctor Wagoner but then Herman(?) phoned and invited us to take a ride so I hurried through my work & dressed and when they came we went to the hospital to pickup George then went then went out to their new home. The foundation is finished & piles of field stone there ready to go on. There are 25 acres of woodland right down to Mill Creek Dam and it is a magnificent piece of woods. The dog wood is just out so the woods looked beautiful and the day was so fine that everything was at its best.

Monday eve. I walked down to Geo. & Marion's and George stopped for me. Nothing new there. They showed me a postcard of the house that Marion was going to send to you. Next Saturday Betty & Alice are going to start lessons with me. Gertrude has improved a lot and I see much of them. Aunt Gertrude is out with her flowers most of the time tho' last week she gave up to another rummage sale.

We have worked carefully on the lawn and dug dandelions as soon and as long as they were to be seen. Today there is not one in sight and it will be a great disappointment if they bob up again next year. Tho' George thinks they could easily blow over from Uncle Max's corner.

Dr. Morgan has moved in and really the place doesn't look half bad and they do work hard with it. I think there is no special news to tell you. The most important event for the near future is Con's (?) wedding. Of course you have your invitation by now. Lucile asked if you would be back for the wedding and said you intended to visit John Hay on the way home so I didn't suppose you would be. Was that right? She was sorry. They are having quite a small wedding but George and I are invited too so some of the family will be represented.

Their house is nearly finished, my! But it did go up rapidly. I rather looked for them to call as Lucille said they would come here next time they came to look at the house. Last week Margaret Thackery took me to call on her and I had a lovely afternoon. She showed me her pretty things and Mrs. Bradshaw served tea and I met Mrs. Carter. I am so glad they are going to live near since I like them.

I hear Nell Marshall has been elected new Regent of the D.A.R. Chapter. What did you think of the huge edition of the Tribune that the Suffragists edited? Mrs. Endsley has worked so hard I think she looks tired—but don't tell her so. That strain & worry of getting news for the paper is over now so she can rest.

Marshe (?) Mulcey was married M. di Vinanzo on May 9th. They went to Washington & are home again now. Of course I was eager to hear every detail of that event. Mrs. Mowery has gone to Washington too, to visit a sister-in-law I think, for a couple of weeks. I do hope she will enjoy if for she was so looking forward to it.

Well, I've made a little work than a note of this and I hope you will get it. We are so sorry "Cousin Dora" did not win the (golfing) cup—it was entirely too much of a handicap.

Lovingly,

Mary

May 20th,

PS Yes the geraniums grew all right in the attic & I have set them out where they were last year. No. Aunt Elizabeth has not been here New Years I believe.