“Man Killed in Wreck Near Great Bend” - With death staring him in the face, John Loohm, of Hornell, NY, fireman on the wrecked Erie Railroad passenger train, cried out a warning to the engineer just in time for the airbrakes to be applied before the fatal crash, near Great Bend, and thus saved the lives of many persons in the coaches behind. The smashup occurred just east of the grade crossing, at the eastern end of the town, when a car on a west bound freight train buckled and was hurled across the path of the east bound passenger train. Both trains were wrecked and those who viewed the tangled mass of steel strung along the tracks remarked about the miraculous escape the passengers and the crew had. Twelve passengers were injured, but none seriously, and doctors from Hallstead and Great Bend were quickly on the scene. Loohm, unable to escape, was crushed to death when the tender telescoped the engine. The freight train continued on its way before it could be brought to a stop. It is believed that an interlocking device, which works automatically, was put in operation ahead of the engine. The train bore down on the switch at such a speed that the engine tipped over on its side. This, together with the crash, caused nearly the entire freight train to leave the tracks, most of the cars toppling over.

Forest City - Sergeant Harry E. McElroy and trooper Edward Lottick, of the state police, chief of police Yanchitis and constable John McCabe, made a raid on several “hootch” parlors Saturday evening. Moonshine, cider, beer and wine were confiscated and Burgess Sredenschek imposed a fine of $90 in each case. In one place raided, three barrels of mash were found and a kettle was on the stove steaming. The confiscated property was consigned to the diamond dyed waters of the Lackawanna, by the burgess, without ceremony.

Thompson - The Erie railroad recently put on a new train known as the Thompson Limited, so called because it was only limited to ten persons. This train had to be taken off last Monday because one of our garage men stole the engine for a Ford truck. ALSO Our Grange lunch of eggs, cake, saltines and coffee seemed to be enjoyed by all.

Alford - The Sickler Quarries, Inc., is a new company which will undertake to further develop the fine bluestone quarries in this place. The stone from this region has been in demand for building purposes, but the new company intends to devote their attention largely to supplying crushed stone for concrete construction work. New machinery will be installed having a capacity of producing 150 tons of crushed rock daily. ALSO Miss Julia Maynard died at the home of her niece, Mrs. J. M. Decker on March 26, 1925. She passed her 100th birthday and was able to read the papers without the use of glasses. She was always bright and cheerful and was known to all as “Aunt Julie.”

Jackson - The following books were recently added to our library: “Wildfire” and “Lone Star Ranger” by Zane Grey; “The Breaking Point” and “Tish” by Rinehart; “Polyanna” by Porter and “Harriet and the Piper” by Norris.

Lenox - Miss Borthwick, public health nurse, gave a very interesting talk at the Grange meeting on the prevention of diphtheria, explained the schick test and gave us much needed information about this subject.

Susquehanna - The Helping Hand Society will give an up-to-date old folks concert, entitled, “One Hundred Years Ago.” ALSO The Erie shops shut down last Wednesday to open on April 1st. A layoff of forty men will reduce the working force to that extent, the names being posted Saturday.

Clifford/Carbondale - The proposed state road between Clifford and Carbondale, via Crystal Lake, has been dropped by the House Committee on Public Roads. Its omission is stirring up a great deal of feeling in Lackawanna and Susquehanna counties.

Montrose - At the annual meeting of the Historical Society and Library Association, April 3rd, we are to have the privilege of hearing Miss Frances Dorrance speak on the “Romance of Local History and Where to Find It.” ALSO F. W. Hart advertises furniture, carpets, rugs undertaking (both phones, night or day) and picture framing.

Fairdale - Warren E. Sterling, secretary of the Fairdale Cemetery Association, is doing much to improve that cemetery and is selling a considerable number of burial plots. Many towns are organizing incorporated cemeteries, and by local efforts in this manner the cemeteries thus cared for are steadily growing neater and more orderly. The number of neglected cemeteries in this part of the country is rapidly growing less.

North Bridgewater - Shadrach Horton had the misfortune to lose a valuable horse last week.

Franklin Twp. and Montrose - The marriage of Manley S. Fowler, of Franklin, and Miss Eleanor Conway, of Montrose, took place March 28, 1925, at the home of Rev. H. L. Hubbard, Alford. Both young people are highly regarded in this section, the groom being an ex-service man and the bride a former operator in the Merchants Telephone Co. They will reside at Otowata Lake, a summer resort near Franklin Forks, where Mr. Fowler is employed.

The Crandall Toy Factory fire, in August of 1883, destroyed the business and necessitated a move by C. M. Crandall to Elmira, NY and Fred Crandall to Elkland, Pa, where they continued business in a small way. The fire started in the factory and burned both sides of S. Main street as far as the Turrell house. On the opposite side of the street the burned district extended to the present warehouse of Homer G. Lake. The fire extended up Church street eastward as far as the store of M. S. Wilson, or the east end of the present “brick block,” thus ending the fine business of nearly twenty years standing. [To understand the vast number of toys invented and patented by the Crandall brothers, you can view articles on line.]

News Brief: For some time there has been deterred opposition to Sunday funerals, not only by the undertakers but by the ministers as well. At a meeting recently at Wilkes-Barre of the association of undertakers of the counties of Luzerne, Lackawanna, Wayne, Wyoming and Susquehanna, a resolution was adopted against Sunday funerals. Rt. Rev. Bishop Hoban claimed that many of the duties of the church were not performed when Sunday funerals are held and that it was a hard strain on the officiating clergymen.

200 Years Ago, from the Montrose Gazette, April 1, 1825.

Messers. Catlin & Co. - I will thank you to submit to the consideration of the Electors of the Borough of Montrose, the following ticket for the ensuing election to be supported by its intrinsic merits and to be rejected by any Elector who prefers another ticket, within danger of being denounced as an apostate. Burgess, Benjamin T. Case. Council - Isaac Post, Joshua W. Raynsford, William Jessup, David Post, Samuel Hodgson, Mason Denison, Charles Avery, Asa Dimock, Jr., William Foster. High Constable, Jeremiah Etheridge. Assessor, Sylvanus S. Mulford.