Vintage Johnstown

The Garfieldian - October 20, 1939

2026-10-20T16:17:59.092-04:00

Far too many names to list - which means if you know someone that went to Garfield in 1939 - double click on the picture to enlarge.

Louis J. Divido - Nanty Glo & Henry J. McFadden - Ebensburg

2026-10-20T09:45:11.442-04:00

October 5, 1906 - Mixture of Odds & Ends

2026-10-19T20:43:33.652-04:00

Miss Mary Berkey and Harvey Poorbaugh

Louis Rager - Morrellville - fell asleep on train tracks

Diphtheria at Dale - Family of Emanuel Smith, Mr. & Mrs. Louis Lehmeyer and Mr. & Mrs. JOhn Maurer

Child in Lower Yoder - 820 Virginia Avenue dies of Diphtheria - nine year old Annie Sandor. Sister two year old Elizabeth also died of the same disease.

David G. McLaughlin - Cambria Mill Foreman - Harry R. Geer

The Letters - June 22, 1915 - To Mrs. Anna Hay from Daughter-in-Law Mary (Austin) Hay married to Dr. George Hay

2026-10-19T16:47:49.296-04:00

June 22nd, 1915

Dear Mother,

I think you are offering a very generous contribution for the layette and it will all be much appreciated; only 4 pairs of booties seems like a lot for one baby (George Austin Hay 1915 - 2018) - but then if there should be twins there will be enough to go around!

Aunt Gertrude found out about the cotton because I didn't care to have the girls to know why I was asking them & they might ask me. I haven't told anyone except the family and I dread the neighbors and Marion (relative) etc. knowing because they "hash" everything over so much.

I'd hate to have as much conversation put on me for the next six months, as I've heard them waste on other people. And as yet, they can't tell anything by looking at me for I have been and am still as thin as a rail. Marion doesn't even use D.M.C. She uses Manlove (?), which I never even heard of. If you want to use that shall I try to get some and send it to you? And how much? It comes on a spool Mame uses No. 40 D.M.C. And maybe you would rather have that sent down—or both?

Thank Fortune I have not had a hint of the trouble with my feet or hands and think I'm safely past the time now. I guess one thing at a time is enough. So everything can run smoothly and I am even teaching (music) yet - as only a few stopped for vacation. Betty resumed when school closed and Mrs. Brown's little niece is studying for the next few weeks she is here.

Freida (relative) is still here and by the way, gave me 50 cents which she says she owes you.

Must stop & get dinner,

Lovingly,

Mary

Pvt. Joseph J. Yaronczyk - Cambria County

2026-10-19T10:05:57.072-04:00

September 28, 1906 - Cambria City Lover Arrested - Typhoid Prevalent - "Hit the Ties" (Get out of Town)

2026-10-18T20:04:11.776-04:00

Mrs. Bridget Riffle of Brownstown sues Joe Dalony of Cambria City breach of promise.

Typhoid - Frank Hoffman, Albert Schwing, William Marshall and Harbey Wachob

Joe Murphy and John Malone

September 7, 1906 - Some Interesting - Assorted Court Proceedings - Lots of Names

2026-10-18T15:35:03.195-04:00

Roy Kirkwood, Margaret Claycomb, Elmer Ellers, George Melovik, William Noble, John Shaffer, Michael Bulik, Jacob Johnson, John Stosko & Andy Kovack.

Harriet Lilly sued George Cobaugh - Franklin Borough

Webster Pringle

Mrs. Margaret Minahan

Mrs. Jennie Kelly and a Mrs. Davis

Mrs. Elizabeth Hayden Watson, Capt. & Mrs. C.H. Hayden

September 3, 1906 - Poker Riot in Boswell - Missing Two Cents in Pot

2026-10-18T15:00:17.805-04:00

Poker riot at the boarding house of George Ternest.

INJURED: Angeo Gallo, John Costro, Mike Mosiline, Dominic DiCaro

Mercy Hospital

2026-10-18T11:54:42.628-04:00

Pvt. John Soyka - Cambria County

2026-10-18T11:18:21.172-04:00

October 11, 1927 - The Johnstown Democrat

2026-10-17T15:43:15.704-04:00

The Johnstown Tribune - October 11,1927

"Beau Geste" - Cambria Theatre, Schwartz Bros, Century Stove

Swank's.

William Hearn, John Fleck, Charles Patterson, Wedding Apps: Hodos - Cervah, Weaver - Wissinger, Stavoc - Chulick, Pipta - Neshalla, Billetdeaux - McGuire,
Frank Bendik

October 17, 1927 - The Johnstown Democrat

2026-10-17T15:33:43.217-04:00

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Schwartz Bros, George Varner, Warren Walsh, Elizabeth Toth, Andrew Rish, Mrs. Elizabeth Delozier, Elijah McClintock, Martin Geng, Charles Reilly, Harry Boyer, Mishler - Reesey, Beckett - Jacka.

Glosser Bros, Maple Avenue Viaduct, Mercy Hospital Jelly Donation, Dr. E.A. Tappert, John Schellhammer, Penn Traffic, Miss Madeline Hughes, Wilkinson - Eichler, St. Anthony Church Card Party, Officer Charles Riley, J. Graff, William McGonegal, James Harrington, John Babik, Moses Davis.

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Nathan's - The Bog Store, Mrs. Sarah Statler, Parisian Beauty Shoppe.

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The Geis Store

Swank's.

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Mr. & Mrs. F.W. Larison - daughter Elizabeth Lilly, Mrs. S.F. Baker

John Skelek, Joseph Haky, John Glasson, J.R. Swanson, Anthony Stephenson, Eric Lepinsky, Visitation Church - McKinley Avenue Dedicated, Austrian Hall - Hudson Street, Touraine Cafe.

Dorsey King Livery Stable - Downtown Johnstown

2026-10-17T11:45:29.539-04:00

Sgt. Alton Troupe

2026-10-17T09:26:47.125-04:00

CIVIL WAR - Week of July 9, 1863 - Local Battle of Gettysburg Coverage

2026-10-16T19:05:18.024-04:00

Before I begin with Cambria County Newspaper coverage of Gettysburg. I just want to take some time to review the events of the actual battle.

The Battle of Gettysburg, fought July 1–3, 1863, was a pivotal Union victory and the bloodiest battle of the American Civil War, marking a turning point in the conflict.

The Battle of Gettysburg occurred when Confederate General Robert E. Lee, after victories at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, launched a second invasion of the North in June 1863 to pressure the Union and potentially gain foreign recognition for the Confederacy. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia, numbering around 75,000 men, moved through Maryland into Pennsylvania, aiming for Harrisburg and possibly Philadelphia. The Union Army of the Potomac, under newly appointed Major General George G. Meade, pursued Lee to defend Northern territory and protect Washington, D.C.

July 1, 1863

The battle began unexpectedly when Confederate forces under Major General Henry Heth encountered Union cavalry led by Brigadier General John Buford near Gettysburg. Union infantry reinforcements, commanded by Major General John F. Reynolds, arrived, but Reynolds was killed in action. The Confederates initially pushed Union forces through the town, but the Union regrouped on high ground at Cemetery Hill, establishing a strong defensive position.

July 2, 1863

On the second day, Lee attempted to flank the Union positions. Heavy fighting occurred at Little Round Top, Devil’s Den, the Wheatfield, the Peach Orchard, and Culp’s Hill. Despite significant Confederate gains in some areas, Union forces held key positions, using interior lines to reinforce threatened sectors effectively. Union General Daniel Sickles’ forward movement to the Peach Orchard created a vulnerable salient, resulting in heavy casualties for his III Corps.

July 3, 1863

The final day featured Pickett’s Charge, a direct assault by approximately 12,500 Confederate troops on the center of the Union line at Cemetery Ridge. The attack was repulsed with severe Confederate losses, marking the high-water mark of the Confederacy. Lee’s army, battered and depleted, retreated to Virginia on July 4, ending the battle.

Casualties and Outcome

The Battle of Gettysburg resulted in approximately 46,000 to 51,000 casualties, including killed, wounded, captured, or missing soldiers, making it the bloodiest battle of the Civil War. The Union victory halted Lee’s invasion of the North and shifted the momentum of the war in favor of the Union.

Now onto local Cambria County Newspaper Coverage from "The Democrat & Sentinel" and "The Ebensburg Alleghanian". I don't have access to "The Johnstown Tribune" just yet - so their coverage is missing. Remember these papers were published once a week and given the publish date of July 9th - the news included would already have been a week old. But having said that - let me tell you I was so looking forward to seeing what they both had to say about this important event - but was I in for a let down. Their coverage is underwhelming in the Sentinel at best and basically nonexistent in the Alleghenian. I am just amazed by it all - both papers spent more time fighting with each other - one was a Copperhead paper and the other backed the Union League.

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First off - this clipping from "The Alleghanian" - dated July 9th. which did their best to down play that there was any kind of battle at all. I just don't get it. And that's it for this paper that backed the Union League. You would have thought they would have been happy about the Union victory.

The rest of these clippings are going to be from "The Democrat & Sentinel" which backed the Copperhead movement. It reads to me that they aren't completely happy either that we won ...they hate Lincoln and his policies that much....strange to say the least. After this - they published a couple of Official Dispatches for the rest of their coverage - which would have been sent to them by telegraph,

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Pvt. Emery Milato - Nettleton - Nanty Glo

2026-10-16T07:38:19.918-04:00

September 1906 - Adulterated Milk ( formaldehyde) - Will Inherit Fortune Marrying Johnstown Lady (Emmerling Brewery) - In Court - Civil War Reunion

2026-10-15T21:13:18.417-04:00

D.A. Costlow - formaldehyde in milk

George Gregory and Miss Katherine Emmerling

Mrs. Bridgit Woods, Charles Powers, Campbell McDowell. Florence Krona

Naomi Wisserman and Steve Mickles

Abe Heller

133rd Reg. Reunion - Gettysburg

Billy Club Brigade - Johnstown Police Force - 1890's - Unknown Names

2026-10-15T14:00:44.336-04:00

Pfc. Mike Berzansky - Cambria County

2026-10-15T09:26:04.044-04:00

The Letters - May 14, 1921 - To Mrs. Anna Hay from Mrs. C.A. Matthews (Dentist Wife)

2026-10-14T18:59:59.171-04:00

May 14, 1921

Dear Mrs. Hay

It was with regret that I learned just the other day that you had been quite ill again. I do so hope that that you will soon recover and that you may be able to be among your friends who miss you so much, once more.

These flowers by their beauty and fragrance, can import to you the love I have always had for you ever since I have known you.

Your Sincere Friend,

Mrs. C.A. Matthews

The Dentist's Wife

Trolley Time - Before & After - Johnstown Passenger Railway

2026-10-14T13:36:13.479-04:00

Try as I might - there was very little I can do to fix up my original image. So I did a rare AI take on it. I thought it came out nice except for the three-legged horse. But if you look at the black and white picture - it also shows a three-legged horse due to the angle the photographer was standing at when he took the image. Plus I have no way to verify that the surrounding buildings are correct or even actually there - it's too hard to tell. The railway was a very important way to connect most sections of the city and surrounding neighborhoods. It was cheap and easy to use. And all the rails used were made right here in Johnstown.

Sam Yurovich - Nanty Glo

2026-10-14T09:01:31.198-04:00

August 1906 - Early Automobile Accident on Bedford Street - Well Known Workman Dies - A TAD GRAPFIC Gravedigger is Poisoned - Minersville Man Badly Hurt

2026-10-13T21:23:00.619-04:00

Suspect - Worth Blair

Joseph Siver - 224 Morgan Place - dies

Jacob Smith - St. Bartholomew Church - Wilmore

Andrew Moran - Minersville - badly hurt

Pvt. Michael Anderson & Chester Smith - Nanty Glo

2026-10-13T09:05:50.830-04:00

July 20, 1906 - Railroad Changes Coming to Johnstown & Portage Murderer Released in Sicily

2026-10-12T20:28:19.542-04:00

Carmelo Grillo charged with blowing up with dynamite and killing his Uncle and Aunt - Mr. & Mrs. Antonio Grillo.