A column entitled “Quarter Century Back,” as published in the Elizabethville Echo, June 26, 1903, refers to the predecessor of the Echo, published in 1878 at Washington Square by J. A. Ettinger, and known at the time as the Weekly Democrat. Ettinger was the owner of the Victor Printing Company located in Washington Square along the railroad tracks in what was Elizabethville’s first railroad depot building. The stop on the Lykens Valley Railroad was then known as the Cross Roads Station. In 1893, the various entities, Elizabethville, Cross Roads, and Washington Square, were all incorporated into a single borough, thereafter known as Elizabethville.
Ettinger published his newspaper under several different names between 1878 and 1882. After 1878, the paper was known as The Independent. Most of what we know about what was published in the Ettinger newspapers is from other sources which re-printed excerpts. Very few of the original copies have survived. The Library of Congress has no copies and the paper is not listed in its U. S. Newspaper Directory, 1690-present.
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QUARTER CENTURY BACK
From the Washington Square Weekly Democrat, of twenty-five years ago. This item evidently refers to the building at present occupied by Max Miller, Washington Square and Elizabethville being two separate towns, instead of being built together, as at present.
“We stated some time ago, that arrangements were in progress looking towards the purchase of the church in this place, for a number of years owned by Hon. J. D. Snyder, of Berrysburg. The purchase was concluded to-day, the United Brethren denomination becoming the owner, and the amount paid for it $600. The church is at present situated in this town, but the location does not seem satisfory [sic]. it will, therefore, be removed next Spring to a point between this place [Washington Square] and Elizabethville. We have been requested to state, that a public meeting will be held in the church on next Tuesday evening at 6 1/2 o’clock, which time a Sunday School will be organized. The want of Sunday School privileges has long been felt in this place, and we congratulate our citizens that this problem has at length been thus satisfactorily solved. There are a great many young people in our community, who would attend a Sunday School, if it were held within a reasonable distance, and this action by the United Bretheran [sic] church effectually disposes of this objection. It is hoped that all who feel an interest in this matter will attend the meeting on Tuesday evening next. The Sabbath School will be opened on Sunday, January 5, 1880.”
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