A map showing the location of Lenkers, also known as Lenker’s Station, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania (violet dot). The station was located on the Lykens Valley Railroad between Millersburg and Elizabethville.
The stories reported in this post are mainly about the people who lived in and around the railroad station.
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From the Elizabethville Echo, Martin’s School News (Washington Township), February 13, 1896:
Last Tuesday morning, two of our school girls had quite an adventure while on their way to Lenker Station to meet the teacher. In making a short turn, the sleigh upset, landing them in a snowdrift. Both escaped without injury, but badly frightened, and now declare they will never take a sleigh ride without a chaperone.
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From the Elizabethville Echo, July 9, 1896:
Arthur Lyter left the boarding place of George A. Boyer Tuesday of last week, somewhat mysteriously and has not been heard of since. His father, L. Lyter, who is conductor on the the freight train, has made diligent search for him, and traced him as far as Harrisburg. The supposition is that he met another young man at Lenker Station and together they went to Harrisburg and there enlisted in the regular army, under an assumed name. The young man was an apprentice at Swab’s Wagon Factory.
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From the Elizabethville Echo, August 21, 1903:
The Zion’s Union Sunday School of Rife, will hold its picnic September 5, in George Lenker‘s Grove, about a quarter of a mile from Lenker‘s Station, where all trains will stop. The Revs. C. F. Kudwer, G. G. Greenewald, and Mr. Fridinger will be present. Everybody is invited to attend.
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From the Elizabethville Echo, September 21, 1905:
While attending a picnic near Lenker‘s Station on September 9th, a bicycle was stolen from Lawrence H. Lower, of this place [Elizabethville]. It is a Newton bicycle equipped with a New Departure Duplex Coaster Brake, a new Naber saddle and has G. & J. tires badly worn.
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From the Elizabethville Echo, October 27, 1910:
Grant Watson, W. J. Daniel and Edward Grubb assisted a railroad detective last week in arresting two men suspected of robbery at Lykens. The arrest was made at Lenker’s Station and the prisoners, Fred Kohler and George O’Gorek taken to Lykens. After a hearing they were committed to jail.
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From the Elizabethville Echo, September 4, 1913:
The Rife Union Picnic will be held at Lenker Station on Saturday, September 13th [1913] as already announced, and in the evening a grand festival will be held. Plenty of amusements, ice cream, fruit, and other refreshments will be sold on the grounds.
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From the Elizabethville Echo, Loyalton News, April 9, 1914:
On Saturday evening some thieves stole meat from Jonathan Zerbe. On Sunday the three men were caught near Lenker‘s Station roasting the meat for their supper. They were taken to Lykens the same evening by the constable and a few other men. On Friday the same men were at this place [Elizabethville] begging for bread.
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From the Elizabethville Echo, Paid Advertisement, May 17, 1914:
TRESPASS NOTICE
Notice is hereby given to all persons that hunting, fishing, and loafing on the premises of the undersigned near Lenker Station, Washington Township, is strictly forbidden and prohibited. Any persons found on, or reported on said premises will be dealt with according to the law enforced against trespassing,
D. A. WERT, Elizabethville, Pennsylvania. May 7, 1914.
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From the Lykens Standard, December 5, 1924:
LENKER HILL IN BAD CONDITION
The Stine Hill at Lenker Station was in terrible condition and caused several cars to leave the road. More than ten cars went over the low embankment. Among the local cars who went over the side was that of Dr. Nora H. Smink who was accompanied by Mrs. Norman Young of this place [Lykens]. The car made six turns on the highway before it left the road, running into the brushes at the side of the highway. The occupants were uninjured.
At Wiconisco, a car operated by a Russian going toward Williamstown, became unmanageable when the turn was made at the Siemons residence and crossed the car track, run into the ditch at the left side of the road, and run for a distance of more than 50 yards before it was brought to a stop. The driver later was arrested and compelled to answer changes of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of liquor.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Long and child, Mrs. John Seip and Miss Ella Long, all of Wiconisco, were frightened terribly in the Stine Hill west of Elizabethville, when Mr. Long’s car became unmanageable and turned around several times finally crashing into the barn on the Stine premises at the bottom of the hill. The entire rear of the Paige sedan being driven by Mr. Long was broken in and the front part of the barn was badly damaged. Besides slight contusions and nervous shock, the occupants were uninjured.
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From the Elizabethville Echo, June 18, 1926:
GOOSE ATTACKS ELIZABETHVILLE MAN
Sunday evening while doing chores about his farm C. C. Lenker of Lenker Station was attacked by a gander which picked him in the face inflicting a laceration thru an eyelid and injuring the eyeball. A physician was summoned who dressed the injury and stated there would be no ill effect to the sight.
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From the Elizabethville Echo, October 6, 1927:
STEAL FARM POTATOES
Last Wednesday night, after 12 o’clock, thieves entered the barn on the Homer Lenker farm about two miles west of this place [Elizabethville] and made away with twenty bushels of new potatoes. The thieves approached the Lenker farm on the road leading from Lenker’s Station. The potatoes had been placed on the barn floor and had been sorted, while a number of other potatoes, not yet sorted were standing on the threshing floor in bags just as brought from the field. This party of thieves seemed to be very particular for then the bags they had brought along had been filled with the already sorted potatoes, they emptied a number of unsorted tubers onto the barn floor and using these bags, filled them with the sorted. The bags were then slid down the hay stack outside the barn and carried to the waiting car. Strong clues were left and it is assured if they make a second visit they will be welcomed warmly.
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From the Elizabethville Echo, August 21, 1952:
BEAGLE CLUB TO HOLD FIELD TRIALS
The Lykens Valley Beagle Club, Inc., will hold their third annual licensed Field Trial on their grounds near Lenker Station, west of Elizabethville, Saturday, August 23 and continuing through August 29 [1952].
A large number of the country’s dog handlers have made reservations and 350 of the top beagles are expected to compete for the $500 in cash prizes, rosettes, and championship points.
Joe East of Baltimore, Maryland, and Joe Orlowsky of Pottsville will serve as judges. Trials for the 13-inch class of beagles will be held August 23-26, and for 15-inch dogs August 27 and 28.
Saturday night, August 23, starting at 9:00 p. m. the host club will hold its first “Bunny Hop” at the Gratz Community Center, when Frank Taylor and his Orchestra, with Eddie Smith, vocalist, will furnish music for the dancing.
The “Hop” is open to the public.
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From the Elizabethville Echo, December 12, 1957:
DEER HUNTER KILLS WILDCAT
Nicholas Lenker of Wiconisco shot a wildcat while hunting deer, yesterday.
Mr. Lenker was hunting on Berries Mountain in the Lenker Station road area, when he saw the animal on a ledge of rocks. The wildcat weighed 15 pounds.
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Articles obtained from Newspapers.com.
Corrections and additional information should be added as comments to this post.