With the plans for the building of the Midland Pennsylvania Railroad came a number of so-called “investors” who sought money-making opportunities in the Lykens Valley. At a meeting held in Hegins, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, in September 1911, several of those investors, proposed plans for the valley which included the building of a graphite factory, the raising of cattle instead of apples, and the final steps in the organization of a savings and loan association. The participants were also told that it was hoped that the railroad would be completed in time for the Gratz Fair to be held in October Were the residents of the Lykens Valley being conned? Or, were the capitalists who descended on the valley honest brokers who had the best interests of the residents as the central selling point in their sales pitches?
The following article appeared in the Harrisburg Telegraph, 5 September 1911:
4,000 AT MEETING OF LYKENS VALLEY BOARD OF TRADE
Midland Railroad May Be Ready in Time For Gratz Fair
GRAPHITE COMPANY
New Industry to Build on Site to Be Selected in Valley
ADVICE FOR FARMERS
Expert Tells Them There Is Much Profit in Cattle Raising
Special to the Telegraph
Hegins, Pennsylvania, 5
4,000 AT MEETING OF LYKENS VALLEY BOARD OF TRADE
Midland Railroad May Be Ready in Time For Gratz Fair
GRAPHITE COMPANY
New Industry to Build on Site to Be Selected in Valley
ADVICE FOR FARMERS
Expert Tells Them There Is Much Profit in Cattle Raising
Special to the Telegraph
Hegins, Pennsylvania, 5 September [1911] — This thriving little Lykens Valley town did itself proud yesterday when it entertained the residents of all of the neighboring towns in the valley in Hegins Park.
At the regular monthly meeting of the Lykens Valley Board of Trade last month it was decided to hold this month’s meeting here. The local board immediately got busy and arranged a picnic inviting all of the other boards to join. Fully 4,000 persons were present and they enjoyed every minute of the day’s outing. The park was crowded with teams and wagons of all descriptions, too, because that is the only means of transportation in the valley at the present time.
Late in the afternoon the regular meeting of the Board of Trade was held and following this the Lykens Valley Building and Loan Association held a meeting. In the evening a public meeting was held in the big woods and the only light on the ground was that of the moon and two small lams on either side of the speakers’ platform. The meeting was one of the most novel events in the valley for many years, as no person in this vicinity can remember when a similar affair was held under the same circumstances.
In various parts of the park, too, were three bands and all day yesterday and last evening they furnished music. The bands came from Hegins, Valley View,and Rough and Ready.
Graphite Company
During the business meeting yesterday afternoon a communication from the A. Newbold Graphite Company, of New York, a company recently organized with a capital of $60,000, was read. The company asked the Board of Trade to appoint a committee to select a site in the valley at some convenient location where a three story building 50 by 150 feet can be erected. The company wants to locate in the valley and do all its work in this vicinity. It will manufacture graphite products from the raw material, much of which is found in the valley.
The following men were appointed as the committee to decide on a location for the new industry: J. Irvin Miller, chairman, Springville; P. H. Updegrave, of Valley View; and Dr. F. P. Brandt, of Hegins.
Dr. W. T. Phillipy, who has charge of the Lykens Valley Development Company’s farm at Springville, told of the many improvements being made to the farm and the healthy and thriving condition in which the crops are in. Professor Manges, a State Grange lecturer, delivered a short talk.
Following the meeting the regular meeting of the Building and Load Association was held. It was announced that all of the 50 shares had been subscribed and that during this month the charter would be received. The proposed shareholders decided to hold a special meeting at Sacramento on 2 October [1911], at which permanent officers will be elected. The association will also start business on that date.
Three new members were elected to the Board of Trade yesterday from Valley View. They were P. H. Updegrave, Elias Coleman and R. A. Deibler. The next meeting will be held at Valley View on 10 October [1911] in the opera house at that place. The theater was erected by the citizens as a place of amusement for the residents.
Public Meeting
The public meeting was largely attended last evening despite the cool weather. Valentine W. Quiggle, a member of the local board and treasurer of the Lykens Valley Board of Trade, was chairman and first to address the assemblage. He was followed by Professor Manges. Unlike many other speakers who have appeared in the valley and urged the farmers to raise apples and other fruits, Professor Manges explained why cattle should be raise. He himself is a great advocate of cattle-raising and throughout his talk, he impressed upon his auditors that under the present conditions nothing affords so such revenue as cattle.
Robert H. Sexton, general manager of the new Midland Pennsylvania Railroad Company, whose road will traverse the valley, was here during the day and talked at both the afternoon and evening meetings. Mr. Sexton, in an interview, said that the work is being pushed along between Millersburg and Gratz, so that if at all possible, residents of the lower end of the valley will be able to ride on trains to the Gratz Fair next month. All of the rights of way between Millersburg and Gratz have been procured and the grading is nearing completion. However, much trouble is being experienced at Millersburg because the cut at that place is through solid rock and the work goes slowly there.