News of the year 1916 of the Midland Pennsylvania Railroad is presented here as reported in area newspapers.
For all previous articles on this doomed project, see: Midland Pennsylvania Railroad.
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From the Harrisburg Telegraph, 14 February 1916:
WORK ON MIDLAND PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD MAY SOON BE RESUMED
Plans Being Made to Reopen Work on Road from Millersburg to Ashland
Gratz, Pennsylvania, 14 February [1916] – Citizens of this borough and residents of every section of the Lykens Valley are interested in the proposed plan to resume work on the roadbed of the Midland Pennsylvania Railroad and push the job through to completion before April 1, 1917.
About six or seven years ago a number of Philadelphia capitalists made a trip through the Lykens Valley from Millersburg to Ashland. They were impressed with the possibilities of a railroad through that territory and immediately they began to lay their plans for development. Boards of trade were organized in the various towns to help along the project, development farms were purchased and then the Lykens Valley Construction Company and the Midland Pennsylvnaia Railroad came into being. At the same time a bonding and surety company was formed to secure funds to carry on the railroad work.
Work was started on the railroad after the rights of way had been secured from one end of the valley to the other, a distance of forty-four miles. The stretch from Millersburg to Gratz, a distance of fifteen miles, was graded, cuts and fills were made, bridges constructed and culverts built, so that the bed was practically ready for the tracks. This was about three years ago, and the finances were reported to have gotten so low that work had to be abandoned.
New Proposition Made
George A. Aldrichs, of Philadelphia, who is said, unofficially, to be associated with the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company, has made an offer to the railroad company to organize a new concern and that if a satisfactory agreement could be reached he would put in the necessary money to carry the work through. Mr. Aldrichs has asked that he be given time until April 1, this year [1916], to examine all of the company’s papers, maps, surveys, books and other property. On that date, it is expected he will make his answer. If all is satisfactory, he will then reorganized the company. It is considered quite likely that the majority of the old directors will be retained by Mr. Aldrichs and the old directors of the railroad company calls for the completion of the railroad to Gratz by April 1, 1917.
The construction of a railroad through the Lykens Valley will mean a great boom for the territory, for at the present time the towns throughout the valley are practically isolated. Gratz is six miles from Loyalton, the closest railroad station, and the roads between the two towns are almost impassable. Berrysburg, four miles from here , is five miles from Elizabethville, the closest railroad station. Other towns in the valley include Killinger, Hegins, Sacramento, Valley View and Gordon.
Lykens Valley is a great agricultural community and with the opening of a railroad, farmers would have a good outlet to the markets.
Then, too, a railroad would be a great help toward developing the mines in the upper end of Dauphin County. At present coal is being taken from the south side of the coal mountains exclusively. A road through the Lykens Valley would mean the opening of collieries on the north side and the mines would prove a great industrial development for the territory.
At the present time all of the team shovels, dump wagons, plows and other tools used in building the roadbed from Millersburg to Gratz are stored just outside of this borough.
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From the Harrisburg Telegraph, 29 April 1916:
A line of track is being built by the Midland Railroad people from the Pennsylvania tracks to a point along the Midland for the purpose of unloading a quantity of railroad supplies, rails, fish plates, etc., to be stored for future use. These supplies are said to be valued at $250,000 and were purchased and paid for by the Midland Company from the Pennsylvania Steel Company several years ago, but when the Midland closed down, the supplied were left at the steel plant at Sparrows Point, Maryland. As the steel company is in need of the room for other purposes, it was deemed proper to transport the material to Millersburg where it is hoped it will be soon put to use. – H.A.
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From the Harrisburg Daily Independent, 10 May 1916:
The Midland Pennsylvania Railroad Company has a force of eight men at work storing the rails and other equipment which the company bought from the Pennsylvania Steel Company before work on the railroad was suspended. The equipment was stored at the Steelton and Sparrows’ Point plants until now.
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From the Harrisburg Telegraph, 13 May 1916:
RAILS FOR MIDLAND ROAD
Rife, Pennsylvania, 13 May [1916] – C. J. Snyder of Millersburg, has a gang of men unloading rails for the Midland Railroad, which he hauls on his auto truck.
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From the Harrisburg Telegraph, 2 June 1916:
MAY SELL RAILROAD LAND
Special to the Telegraph
Millersburg, Pennsylvania, 2 June [1916] – Taxes for 1913 and 1914 are due on various parcels of land owned by the Midland Pennsylvania Railroad Company, scattered along the proposed route of the railroad from Millersburg through Gratz to Ashland, and the land my be sold by the county treasurer. Taxes are due on land in Berrysburg, Lykens Township, Mifflin Township and Upper Paxton Townships.
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From the Harrisburg Telegraph, 22 July 1916:
Millersburg, Pennsylvania, 22 July [1916] – Clark Cooper who had charge of the Midland Pennsylvania Railroad at this place for several years has moved his family to Philadelphia….
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From the Harrisburg Daily Independent, 14 August 1916
INSPECT MIDLAND ROUTE
New Jersey Capitalists to Go Over Line From Millersburg to Lykens
Millersburg, 14 August [1916] – Three New Jersey capitalists today made inspection of the old Midland Pennsylvania Railroad line between here and Ashland with a purpose of finishing the road through the Lykens Valley.
The men are George A. Aldrichs, W. J. Aldrichs, and George W. Aldrichs.
The line through the valley has had a stormy time of it. The construction of the road went so far as to have the road graded, cut, dug, and bridges built, but when the time came for the laying of the tracks, there were financial entanglements and nothing has been done since. Several of the first promoters have died.
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From the Harrisburg Patriot, 14 August 1916:
WILL INSPECT OLD MIDLAND RAILROAD
New Jersey Capitalists Will Go Over the Line Today to Learn Possibilities of Completing Lykens Valley Road
Millersburg, 13 August [1916] – Three New Jersey capitalists arrived here today and tomorrow will make inspection of the old Midland Pennsylvania Railroad line between here and Arhland with a purpose of finishing the road through the Lykens Valley and giving the residents the long hoped-for transportation facilities.
The men, who are George A. Aldrichs, W. J. Aldrichs and George W. Aldrichs, will say little of the proposition to finish the line, but will make a thorough inspection tomorrow and its possibilities as a money-maker.
The line through the valley has had a stormy time of it. The construction of the road went so far as to have the road graded, cut, dug and bridges built, but when the time come for the laying of the tracks there were financial entanglements, and nothing has been done since. Several of the first promoters have died.
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From the Carlisle Evening Herald, 15 August 1916:
CAPITALISTS INSPECTING OLD MIDLAND RAILROAD PROPERTY
George A. W. J. Aldrichs and George W. Aldrichs, New Jersey capitalists, are making an inspection of the old Midland Pennsylvania Railroad line between Millersburg and Ashland, with a view to finishing the road through the Lykens Valley. Work of construction had gone so far as to have the road graded, cuts made and bridges built, but when the time came for the laying of the tracks there were financial entanglements and nothing has been done since. Several of the first promoters have died.
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From the Harrisburg Daily Independent, 15 August 1916:
TO COMPLETE ROAD
Capitalists Prepare to Finish Midland Pennsylvania Line
Millersburg, 15 August [1916] – Work was today started near here on the completion of the Midland Pennsylvania Railroad line through the Lykens Valley, following an inspection of the unfinished line by a party of capitalists from New Jersey.
It is planned to put a hundred men on the job, so that the road between here and Gratz may soon be ready for use. Work on the line was discontinued six years ago when the company undertaking it became involved in financial difficulties.
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From the Harrisburg Telegraph, 14 August 1916:
Capitalists Inspecting Old Midland Railroad Property
Special to the Telegraph
Millersburg, Pennsylvania, 14 August [1916] – George A. W. J. Aldrichs and George W. Aldrichs, New Jersey capitalists are making an inspection today of the old Midland Pennsylvania Railroad line between Millersburg and Ashland, with a view to finishing the road through the Lykens Valley. Work of construction had gone so far as to have the road graded, cuts made and bridges built, but when the time came for the laying of the tracks there were financial entanglements and nothing has been done since. Several of the first promoters have died.
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From the Harrisburg Telegraph, 15 August 1916:
COMPLETING THE MIDLAND
Completion of the Midland Railroad, begun more than five years ago and abandoned after the roadbed had been competed practically from Millersburg to Gratz, would do much for that end of the county. Even though the line were operated by gasoline, as once proposed, the transportation facilities thus afforded, both freight and passenger, would do much for the development of one of the richest valleys in that part of the State and for the future of Millersburg and the other towns touched.
With the Midland completed and a bridge across the Susquehanna at or near Millersburg, that town would rapidly become the second larges in the county, despite the big steel industry contributing to the population of Steelton. Millersburg is a natural trade center and with the barrier of the river removed and better railroad facilities from up-valley points nothing would stand in the way of its growth.
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From the Altoona Tribune, 17 August 1916:
LYKENS VALLEY ROAD
Completed Line Will Connect Gratz and Millersburg
Harrisburg, 16 August [1916] – The Midland Pennsylvania Railroad, the Lykens Valley line projected a number of years ago by Philadelphia capitalists, is to be completed. Twelve miles of the road were graded several years ago, and then work was suspended. Contractors are now busy on the right of way, and it is anno9unced that the line between Gratz and Millersburg will be completed this fall. All the old equipment will be utilized.
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From the Harrisburg Telegraph, 19 August 1916:
Berrysburg, Pennsylvania, 19 August [1916] – A demonstration of electric lights for the town was given at the hotel on Tuesday evening…. The people here are very enthusiastic about the work which has been resumed on the Midland Railroad and are sure it will be competed….
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From the Harrisburg Patriot, 25 August 1916:
FIRST MIDLAND TRAIN RUNS TO KILLINGER
Millersburg, 24 August [1916] – The first train on the Midland Railroad was run today as far as Killinger. This is as far as the track has been laid. Burgess S. W. Kawell of this place was a guest of the company on the trip. It is expected that the track will be completed as far as Berrysburg by October 1.
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From the Harrisburg Telegraph, 25 August 1916:
RUSHING WORK ON NEW RAILROAD
New Engine Arrives For Midland Pennsylvania Line; All Bridges Complete
Special to the Telegraph
Millersburg, Pennsylvania, 25 August [1916] – Contractor Aldrich is rushing the reconstruction of the Midland Pennsylvania Railroad. During the ten days the work has been going on he has made wonderful progress. A force of sixty men is working daily. More men will get busy as soon as laborers can be hired.
The deep cut on the outskirts of the town has been opened and rails are down. This is a big help, as construction cars can now be run.
New Engine Arrives
Work on the roadbed will be rushed as far as Gratz.
A new locomotive, No. 1, has arrived from Eddystone, and with flat cars which have been here since the abandonment of the road four years ago will be used to haul ties, rails and other material.
All of the concrete bridges between Millersburg and Gratz were constructed before the previous shutdown. With the exception of a small amount of grading, all that is necessary to get the road in running order is the laying of the rails.
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From the Harrisburg Patriot, 26 August 1916:
FIRST MIDLAND PAY
Millersburg, 25 August [1916] – Seventy men employed on the Midland Pennsylvania Railroad will receive their first pay tomorrow. The contractor’s payroll now amounts to almost $1,000 a week.
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From the Harrisburg Telegraph, 29 August 1916:
Work on Railroad Line Boosts Millersburg Realty
Resumption of construction work on the Midland Railroad line at Millersburg has served, it is believed in the borough’ financial and business circles, to boost real estate development pretty generally in the active little up river town. A few days ago a force of 100 men was put to work on the line construction.
Coincident with this announcement was the statement that negotiations for the sale of the Freeland farm tract, just on the outskirts of the town, have been closed between the Vallerchamp estate and William E. Vallerchamp and N. M. Freck. The latter, it is understood, bought the tract for $10,000 and will use it for building lots.
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From the Harrisburg Patriot, 6 September 1916:
BIG PROGRESS ON MIDLAND ROAD
Start Erection of Poles for Telegraph and Telephone Line – Stations Will Be of Uniform Design
Millersburg, 5 September [1916] – Big strides are being made in the work on the new Midland Pennsylvania Railroad. Eighty men are now working in three forces at this end on the other side of Killinger and three miles of track has been laid.
Today the erection of poles for a telegraph and telephone line was started. In addition to telegraph lines the company will have a private telephone system along the entire road.
A small force of men yesterday started work on the approach leading to the bridge at Berrysburg and by the end of this week about twenty-five men will be working on the roadbed there, getting it ready for the laying of the tracks. Another force will be put to work, near Gratz in a few days.
The contractor, W. S. Aldrich, said today that trains will be running from Millersburg to nearby points on the road in a very short time. “Everything is ready to start operating trains on a regular schedule as soon as the tracks are laid and stations built,” he said. “Eve the tickets and mileage books have been printed and are here ready to be used.”
Additional rolling stock for the new road and engine number two are expected here in a few days. A roundhouse and turntable will be built in the company’s yards just outside of Millersburg. The stations will be all of a uniform style. The building which is now the company’s headquarters will be remodeled into a passenger station at Millersburg, and an adjoining building is now being remodeled into a freight station. At Berrysburg one of the finest stations on the line will be built. The buildings will be of wood, roofed with fireproof asbestos shingles.
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From the Harrisburg Telegraph, 26 September 1916:
Mischievous Boys Wreck Railroad Cars
Millersburg, Pennsylvania, 26 September [1916] – Several small boys at Killinger Sunday morning playing along the new Midland Railroad which has reached that place within the last week freed the brakes on several flat cars, which at once started down the grade towards Millersburg at a rapid rate of speed. The railroad people were at work about a quarter of a mile down the track and the runaway cars struck a flat car, reducing it to junk and also damaged the pilot and front of the locomotive. The impact was so great that it knocked one of the engine crew off the locomotive and in falling off the locomotive and in falling he rolled down a steep embankment, narrowly escaping serious injury.
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From the Elizabethville Echo, 28 September 1916:
Wreck on the Midland
On Sunday several boys started three cars loaded with ties and iron on the new Midland Pennsylvania Railroad, down the grade at Killinger, and being unable to stop them jumped off, leaving them run wild; just below the crossing they crashed into the engine causing about one hundred dollars damage. On Monday evening ‘Squire Harry Miller issued warrants for the arrest of the guilty parties
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From the Elizabethville Echo, 7 September 1916:
The Midland Road
Eighty men are working on the Midland Pennsylvania Railroad and three miles of track has been laid, telegraph poles are being set and the contractor, W. S. Aldrich says that both a telephone and telegraph system will be used on the line, and that trains to nearby towns will soon be running. The tickets and mileage books have been printed and are now at Millersburg ready to be used and the trains will start running when the track is laid and the stations are built.
Berrysburg will have one of the finest stations on the line; all of the stations will be built of wood, roofed with asbestos shingles.
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From the West Schuylkill Herald, 8 September 1916 (reprinted from Millersburg Sentinel):
Progress Being Made on the Midland
There are now about 70 men employed on the construction of the Midland Railroad, and more are being taken on daily. One force is continually laying track and another just ahead, is grading the roadbed. The ties are being tamped and the tack made solid. Quite a number are engaged in grading the cunt through the Al Hoy farm where it was necessary to do much blasting.
A surveyor is going over the route and making the proper grade. The warehouse on Market Street is being remodeled and will be used as a freight house.
The passenger coach is being scraped and prepared for a fresh coat of paint, while the freight cars, which have been weather beaten during the 5 years idleness are being repaired and put in good condition. The old engine is on the junk pile. A soon as a place can be cleared a roundhouse will be built and two more locomotives will be brought here.
Harry Smith, of Gratz, has offered to treat the first gang of road builders to enter Gratz, to ice cream and then present them with $100.
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From the Harrisburg Patriot, 11 September 1916:
THREE PASSENGERS TRAINS ON MIDLAND
Although Freight Service Will Be Main Item, Passengers and Mails Will Have Fine Service
Millersburg, 10 September [1916] – Additional details of the plans for the Midland Pennsylvania Railroad were made known today by Walter S. Aldridge, the contractor who is building the road. While it is expected the new road will obtain its greatest revenue from the hauling of freight, it is planned to run at least three passenger and mail trains daily each way between Millersburg and Gordon. The first train will leave Millersburg early in the morning, another one will leave here at noon, and the last train for the day will leave late in the afternoon. Several mixed of “accommodation” trains, which will carry passengers, may also be put on.
All trains will be routed out from Millersburg and will run to Gordon and return, a run of 88 miles. About four will be required for passenger trains to make the round trip, including stops, The operation of trains on a regular schedule will start, however, as soon as the road is completed to Berrysburg or Gratz.
An early morning milk train will be put on. Officials of the company believe the Lykens Valley will become a great dairying section if a good market can be found for the milk. Freight trains will be running continuously during the twenty-four hours of the day on the Midland. A number of shippers have already notified the company that they have shipments of several carloads to be handled as soon as the road is competed to their towns.
The Midland Pennsylvania Railroad will connect with the Philadelphia and Reading and Lehigh Valley roads at Gordon, and with the Northern Central and Lykens branch lines of the Pennsylvania Railroad at Millersburg. The express service f the new road will be that of the American Express Company. The telegraph lines will connect with the Western Union and Postal Telegraph wires at Gordon. The line of the Western Union Telegraph Company now nearest to Millersburg is at Tower City. The American Express service also does not touch here at present.
The number of men working on the construction of the road will pass the 100 mark tomorrow. About fifteen men will be working near Berrysburg and the rest between this place and Killinger. The contractor says that his need is now for skilled railroad men rather than laborers.
Considerable grading on the roadbed near Killinger has somewhat held up the laying of the track, temporarily, but during the coming week this part of the work will be given a fresh impetus. Barring unfavorable weather, the track layers will enter Berrysburg by the first of next month.
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From the Elizabethville Echo, Gratz News, 5 October 1916:
A number of our people were at Millersburg on Sunday to inspect the work being done on the Midland Pennsylvania Railroad.
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From the Harrisburg Telegraph, 7 October 1916:
PROGRESS MADE ON MIDLAND RAILROAD
Tracks Laid to Point Half Mile East of Killinger; Several Smaller Wrecks
DAILY TRAIN SERVICE
Passenger and Freight Trains Between Millersburg and Killinger Morning and Evening
Millersburg, Pennsylvania, 7 October [1916] Progress is being made on the Midland Railroad and the tracks are now laid on-mile east of Killinger. Several small wrecks have occurred recently which retarded the work slightly. Some material was destroyed but the men escaped injury. Passenger service between Millersburg and Killinger has been established with a train each way morning and evening and freight shipments will be added in few weeks.
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From the Harrisburg Telegraph, 24 October 1916:
Midland Railroad Company Pushing Road Toward Gratz
Millersburg, Pennsylvania, 14 October [1916] – The Midland Pennsylvania Railroad continues work in extending its tracks towards Gratz and is erecting a station at Killinger….
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From the Harrisburg Telegraph, 24 October 1916:
ERECTING TELEPHONE POLES
Berrysburg, Pennsylvania, 24 October [1916] – Telephone poles for the Midland Railroad have been put in as far as this borough and the rails will be laid in a few weeks.
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From the Philadelphia Inquirer, 24 October 1916:
Linking Upstate Railroads
Special to the Inquirer
MILLERSBURG, Pennsylvania, 23 October [1916] – The completion of the Midland Pennsylvania Railroad in this section of Dauphin County has aroused considerable speculation. It is planned, according to reports, to have the Lehigh Valley to extend either from Mt. Carmel, or its line through Pottsville to Blackwood, to across the Susquehanna, and the Western Maryland to build a new line from East Berlin, Adams County, through Carlisle to join the Lehigh Valley.
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From the Harrisburg Telegraph, 25 October 1916:
RAILROAD NEWS
BIG CELEBRATION ON MIDLAND LINE
Killinger Grange Entertains Record Crowd at Chicken and Waffle Supper
Millersburg, Pennsylvania, 25 October [1916] – One leg of the Midland Pennsylvania Railroad between here and Killinger has been completed. The last spike was driven yesterday and made an occasion for a big celebration last night. Farmers and citizens in general look forward to the completion of the entire system which will give the, a new outlet, and bring increased industrial facilities from coal regions to this place for a big book.
The celebration took place at Killinger, which is three miles from this place and was under the auspices of the grange at that place. A chicken and waffle supper was served in the grange hall. Special trains were run from here to accommodate the guest which numbered at least 1,500.
First Train Through
The first train through yesterday was a regular passenger make-up, and included three passenger coaches and an engine. The train was in charge of Frank Aldrich, Walter Aldrich and John C. Bowers. Charles Freeburn was engineer. It was the largest crowd that has ever visited Killinger in one day.
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From the Elizabethville Echo, 26 October 1916:
Some of our people heard the whistle of the locomotive on the Midland Pennsylvania Excursion Train on Tuesday evening when a large crowd of Millersburg passengers made the trip to Killinger and return.
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From the Harrisburg Telegraph, 28 October 1916:
Rife, Pennsylvania, 28 October [1916] – The excursion on the new Midland Railroad on Tuesday evening proved a success. About 300 people participated….
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From the Harrisburg Telegraph, 28 October 1916:
FIRST TRAIN ON NEW RAILROAD
Three Cars Loaded with Berrysburg People Run Over Midland Tracks
Berrysburg, Pennsylvania, 28 October [1916] – Berrysburg people attended the chicken corn soup supper at Killinger Grange Hall to which place the first Midland train of three coaches was also run. About five hundred people were present….
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From the Harrisburg Telegraph, 31 October 1916:
Boy Blows Off Part of Hand With Dynamite
Millersburg, Pennsylvania, 31 October [1916] – Sydney Bartlett, 12-year-old stepson of Fred Allison, living in the brick house near East Union Street, found some dynamite along the Midland Railroad and last evening began experimenting with it in the backyard at his home. The boy attached a battery to the dynamite, which exploded, blowing off the three small fingers and badly mangling other parts of his left hand. Dr. Hotenstein attended to his injuries and to-day took him to the Harrisburg Hospital for further treatment.
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From the Elizabethville Echo, 9 November 1916:
Mrs. F. M. Lenker attended the communion service of the Killinger Reformed Church on Sunday. From Millersburg she made the trip on the Midland Railroad passenger train, about forty being on board for Killinger church.
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From the West Schuylkill Herald, Spring Glen News, 10 November 1916:
The Midland Railroad employees were transferred to Berrysburg for their lodging and meals, nine miles from Millersburg.
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From the Harrisburg Telegraph, 11 November 1916:
RAPID PROGRESS ON MIDLAND RAILROAD
Tracks Will Soon Be Completed and Trains Running to Berrysburg Borough
OXROAST EXCURSION
Berrysburg, Pennsylvania, 11 November [1916] – Work on the Midland Railroad is nearing Berrysburg and the road will be completed to this point by the end of the week. On Thanksgiving Day an excursion from Millersburg will be run to this place to attend the oxroast and a big time is anticipated….
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From the Harrisburg Daily Independent, Berrysburg News, 15 November 1916:
The Midland Railroad is only one mile west of town and many walked the distance to take in the excursion to Millersburg on Sunday.
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From the Harrisburg Telegraph, 15 November 1916:
Great Possibilities For Upper End in Midland Railroad
Berrysburg, Pennsylvania, 15 November [1916] – Renewed activities among the promoters of the Midland Pennsylvania Railroad, which when finished, will connect Millersburg, Ashland and way stations by rail, indicate an early completion of the line that has been promised for over six years. The rails were to have been laid as far as Berrysburg, by the end of last week and it is believed that Gratz will be in touch with Millersburg through the railroad by the beginning of the year 1917.
Six years ago work was begun by the Pinkerton Construction Company of Harrisburg, which was dissolved after having graded the road as far as Gratz. For five years thereafter the job was untouched, and work was only renewed in August 1914, then the W. S. Aldrich and Brothers Construction Company of Philadelphia, took on the work.
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From the Elizabethville Echo, 16 November 1916:
Berrysburg expects to have an ox roast on November 30th to celebrate the opening of the Midland Pennsylvania Railroad between that place and Millersburg.
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From the Harrisburg Telegraph, 18 November 1916:
Oxroast to Mark Completion of Railroad to Berrysburg
Berrysburg, Pennsylvania, 18 November [1916] – An oxroast will be given here in celebration of the advent of the new Midland Railroad on November 25. Details will be given later….
On Sunday more than 100 people took advantage of the excursion to Millersburg on the Midland Railroad….
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From the Altoona Tribune, 18 November 1916:
PLAN TO CELEBRATE RAILROAD’S COMING
Berrysburg Will Hold Ox Roast Next Saturday on New Road
Berrysburg, 17 November [1916] – The advent of the Midland Pennsylvania Railroad into the town will be celebrated on Saturday, November 25, with an ox roast. The Millersburg band has been engaged to furnish the music for the occasion and preparations are being made to handle hundreds of people from throughout the Lykens Valley.
The officials of the railroad company announced today that trains will be run every two hours between here and Millersburg on that day from 2 o’clock in the afternoon until 10 at night.
The coming of the railroad into town is hailed here as a big move forward. After a lapse of five years in the construction of the road, residents of this section had about given up hope that the line would ever be finished. The road was recently re-organized and the completion of the line as far as this place is now a reality.
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From the West Schuylkill Herald, Reinerton News, 24 November 1916:
Jonathan Moyer, who secured employment on the Midland Railroad, spent Sunday with his family.
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From the Harrisburg Patriot, 27 November 1916:
OX ROAST TO CELEBRATE RAILROAD’S COMING
Berrysburg, 26 November [1916] = In celebration of the Midland Pennsylvania Railroad line being finished to this place from Millersburg an ox roast was the event here yesterday. Special trains were run by the railroad between here and Millersburg.
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From the Harrisburg Daily Independent, 13 December 1916:
Take in Excursion on Midland Pennsylvania Railroad
Special Correspondence
Berrysburg, 13 December [1914] – A good many people took in the excursion on the Midland Pennsylvania Railroad, Sunday.
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From the Harrisburg Telegraph, 16 December 1916:
MIDLAND SUNDAY EXCURSION
Berrysburg, Pennsylvania, 16 December [1916] – On Sunday the Midland Railroad ran an excursion to and from Millersburg. More than 100 people made three trips back and forth….
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From the Harrisburg Telegraph, 23 December 1916:
Work on Midland Railroad Shut Down For Holidays
Berrysburg, Pennsylvania, 23 December [1916] – It is reported that work on the Midland Railroad has been shut down at least till after the holidays….
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From the Harrisburg Telegraph, 30 December 1916:
Holiday Excursion Trains Run on Midland Railroad
Berrysburg, Pennsylvania, 30 December [1916] – Many holiday visitors took advantage of the Midland Railroad trains which ran several excursions each day during the holiday season. People appreciated the advantages of this route thus saving the cold trip from here to Elizabethville….
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News stories from Newspapers.com and from on-line resources of the Free Library of Philadelphia.
Corrections and additional information should be added as comments to this post.