The Letters - May 21, 1915 - To Mrs. Anna Hay (from Johnstown currently in Florida) from Mrs. Margaret Roberts in Philadelphia

Oak Lane, Phila. 5,21,'15

My dear Mrs. Hay,

I feel quite delinquent in being so slow in acknowledging the receipt of your card and of the delicious grape fruit which arrived safely and which has been a real treat. Accept hearty thanks for my choice (?) of it; we have all enjoyed it. 

As you know Mrs. Austin was in Johnstown for a short visit *see previous letter I posted). She felt that she must go this month between the dates of important club meetings here and also at a time when your fine apple orchard, of which she had heard so much, was in bloom. It was a matter of regret that her visit antidated your return. 

Shall you be able to take us in on your return trip? I trust you may, as I have very pleasant recollections of your visit here two years ago. I greatly enjoy an agreeable companion when we can sew together and enjoy the fresh air on the porch. I was very much pleased with Mrs. Fisher, her son, also; they are the kind of people that I wish to know better.

Mrs. Austin comes home each time more in love with her son-in-law—a very pleasant state of affairs which I feel sure will always continue. It is quite certain that love is the greatest thing in the world. 

I suppose the awful war (WWI - started in 1914 - U.S. entered in 1917) is as disturbing to you and your relatives in the South as it is to us in Phila. May Heaven send a speedy end to such horrors.

With all good wishes and hoping to see you in the near future.

Sincerely Yours, 

Margaret L Roberts 

 

November 2, 1913 to December 14, 1913 - The Famous Billy Sunday's Revival Campaign in Johnstown

These two pictures show different angles of the same area. That odd building on the left hand side tucked next to where Point Stadium is now -along the river -  was the temporary - Turtle-Back Tabernacle built on Johns Street. 

The Turtle-Back is seen from behind the parked cars. Over on the left hand side - about half way up the hillside is Rolling Mill Mine.

The multi-week revival led to thousands of conversions, and helped create the YWCA in Johnstown.

March 16, 1943 - William M. Sladki - Norton Road - Johnstown

 

Trolley Time - Strayer & Chandler

 

March 2, 1943 - IN RADIO SCHOOL - Cpl. Jake Stefanon - Ebensburg R.D.1

 

January 6, 1868 - Johnstown Train Murder

Death of Charles Parker stabbed and killed by a man by the last name of Hull or Hall.

 

CIVIL WAR - Week of February 26, 1863 - Local Troop Happenings & Letters Home

54th Pa - Col. J.M. Campbell, Lt. Col. John P. Linton, Major Enoch D. Yutzy, Adj. William H. Rose

115th Lt. J.L. Brailler Co. C

Chris Shinafelt 133rd Co. F - Home on Furlough

FROM OUR VOLUNTEERS 

NEAR STONEMAN'S SWITCH, VA

February 22, 1863

133rd Co. F

A. J. Rhey

Lt. R.M. Jones - 11th PA Co. A - Cambria Guards

Sgt. John N. Evans - 133rd Co. F

Robert E. Jones - 12th Inf. 

David Jones - 145th PA

Capt. Janes C. Burke - 11th Co. A - Cambria Guards

Ellis R. Williams - 133rd - Co F

Joseph Owens - 11th Co. A - Cambria Guards

Lt. F.M. Flanagan - 133rd

DEAD - Sgt. William W. Evans - 11th Co. A. - Cambria Guards

DEAD - Benjamin Davis - 19th Co. C

 

Third Ward School - 1880 - Survived 1889 - refurbished as the B & O Train Station before the present one was built

 

October 12, 1944 - AWAITS ORDERS AT ISLAND BASE - Seaman Joseph John Crnarich - Nanty Glo

 

July 23, 1863 - Wilmore Tornado Death - Michael Hughes

 

The Letters - May 14, 1915 - To Mrs. Anna Hay in Florida from Clara R. Austin in Johnstown

Johnstown, Pa

                                                                                                       May 14 1915

Dear Mrs. Hay,

I received your welcome letter forwarded to me from home, and want to thank you for sending us your delicious grape fruit. I wrote home immediately, so I have no doubt they are now enjoying them. I am getting more than I deserve. I am afraid; for I am enjoying those you sent to George and Mary, and will continue to have them when I reach Oak Lane (Philly).

Mary has always told me how beautiful the apple blossoms are and wanted me to see them, so I decided to make a little visit at this time. They were very lovely, and the birds make merry in the trees, so it was a thing to be remembered in sight and in sound. This is the shortest visit I have made here, as I must leave on Monday morning.

Mrs. Roberts sold her house and returned to Oak Lane, so she and Mrs. Lees are both there, indefinitely. I wrote your message to Mrs. Roberts, so I am sure she will appreciate your desire to have her share your Florida fruit. 

We had dinner at Mrs. Waters last Wednesday evening. George could not go, but Mrs. Wagoner who is visiting Mrs. Waters, Frieda, Mary and I had a pleasant visit with them. I was reminded of our visit there in February, when you were one of the member. I think Frieda looks quite thin, but otherwise seems pretty well. 

Mrs. Lee called one afternoon to bring Mary and George a letter in reference to Lincoln's attitude towards the Dunkers. She was much surprised to see me here. I took your plan this time, made up my mind in somewhat short planning. Mrs. Lee was going away for a few days to visit relatives. I called on Mrs. Marion Suppes and saw her and her new baby, who is very pretty, dark haired baby, She showed me a picture they had of her, and said they had sent one to you. I believe this is all the news I know of in Johnstown.

I am very glad Miss Dora Bonnacker is convalescing, and hope she will soon be quite strong. Please give special remembrance from me to your "Aunt Lizzie". I have heard you speak of her so lovingly, I know what a pleasure to both of you it must be for you to be together. 

Thank you both very much, for giving us the pleasure of enjoying Mrs. Bonnacker's delicious grape fruit. I think it is the "best ever", as the children say. 

With much love from all, I am 

Sincerely your friend, 

Clara R. Austin

 

Trolley Time - Chandler Avenue