WAY BACK WHEN

(The Spirit is pleased to share with our readers vignettes of life in the 19th century as originally reported in past issues of the newspapers. These reproduced stories include their original headlines.)

April 22, 1896 Setting a Good Example

Henry Wingert, of Marchand, is having built at Sutter Bros. wagon shop in Clayville the first wide-tired wagon that will be seen in this community, and will receive the reduction in road taxes allowed by law to all those using such wagons. The tires will be four inches wide, and the wagon will be heavy in proportion, although this does not necessarily follow. Mr. Wingert wanted an extra heavy wagon. With tires four inches wide, and the front trucks six or eight inches narrower than the hind ones, this wagon will smooth off eight inches of road on each side as it passes along, instead of cutting it up, as the present narrow-tired wagons do. Mr. Wingert says he is going to set the example for his neighbors, and if they do not follow it and thus help to make better roads, it will not be his fault.

April 22, 1896 The Ballot Investigation

John M. Van Vleit, Esq., Commissioner in the ballot investigation case, held court in Municipal Hall yesterday. There were only thirteen witnesses sworn, and all testified to having voted for Graffius. Of the 113 ballots missing, 63 of the men who cast them swore they voted for Record, and forty for Graffius. This, according to all the facts revealed, would give Record a majority of 101. The petitioners have closed their case, and it will now go to Judge Reed for final disposition.

April 22, 1896 Expensive Profanity

John Wallace, of Center township, appears to be a man given to much profanity. He was brought before J.T. Donahey, a Justice of the Peace in Mecanicsburg, charged with profanity. It was proven that he had used 116 profane oaths, for which the Justice fined him $77.72. In default of the payment he was sentenced to the county jail for a term of 116 days. It appears the prisoner had some difficulty with William McDonald, and not only stoned Mr. McDonald’s house, but indulged in an assortment of cuss words contrary to the act of assembly. The penalty is 62 1/2 cents for each oath.