Herrick Centre - The Coal Prospecting Co. will commence boring at Herrick soon, on G. L. McGonigal's farm.

Jackson - Mrs. S. J. Engle, of Susquehanna, will conduct a class in instrumental music here, each Wednesday.

Lawsville - The Southworth family reunion was held last Wednesday at the home of T. Whitmarsh, in Franklin. There were 83 present and a good time is reported. AND - T. L. Smith is working with a gang of hands building a new road from near C. D. Berg's to Rhiney Creek road near J. P. Fisher's.

Thompson - Herbert Birchard, of Thompson, had his barn struck with lightning, killing three cows. The barn did not burn.

Birchardville - Several new carriages of late are seen on our street, one owned by Silas Jagger another by A. B. Cole, and a person remarked - "Wonder what that means?" AND - Suel Warner and Judson Birdsall are giving the school house at the Centre a face of new siding preparatory for school, that will begin the 21st, taught by Mr. Edwards.

Little Meadows - During the shower last night the barn formerly owned by D. O. Minkler, but now belonging to Mrs. Jno. A. Howell, was struck by lightning and entirely consumed, together with its contents consisting of wagons, harnesses, robes, tools, and a quantity of butter tubs. Two horses were in the barn but they were with some difficulty removed. The barn was partially insured.

Flynn - Thomas McDonough has taken the contract to build a new bridge over the North Branch creek. Thomas intends to get there.

News Briefs - "Will Come Home Awheel" The following was clipped from a Seattle paper of recent date - "The first Alaskan prospector to return to his home in the East using a bicycle as a means of transportation will be James Stoddard, of Montrose, Susquehanna county, Pa, who has recently returned from a fruitless tour through the Copper river country, and will depart this week on his overland journey. The distance from here to Montrose by way of any of the wheel routes is from 3,500 to 4,000 miles, but Stoddard has no fears of being able to make the distance without difficulty and long before Thanksgiving. He has not yet picked his route, but will do so today or tomorrow, and then make his start. His outfit will consist of a light blanket, tools, a lamp, cup, canteen and knapsack. He expects to get most of his provisions from farm houses, except where he rides long distances through sparsely settled regions, when he will carry a supply. Mr. Stoddard is not a stranger to the rigors of such a long journey. When he was at Montrose, operating the city water-works, he frequently toured through the surrounding country. In once case he made a circuit from Montrose to Atlantic City, NJ, a total distance of 811 miles in 7 days; another time he went to the Copper river in Feb., 1898, in company with five others, all of whom, except himself, have returned to their homes. He has a wife and son at Montrose."

Forest City - The school directors of Forest City have just let the contract for the erection of a five-thousand dollar school house. Work on the new building to commence at once.

Hallstead - The Prohibition County Convention was held here on Aug. 17. About 25 delegates were present and the following county ticket was nominated - For Sheriff, A.H. Crosier, Thompson; Register and Recorder, Geo. A. Stearns, Harford; Treasurer, B.H. Tiffany, Gibson; Commissioners, W. Rounds, Herrick Center and E.W. Bolles, Fairdale; Auditors, W. Knoeller, Hallstead and R.H. Alexander, Forest City. AND - The citizens of Hallstead have petitioned the authorities of the Lackawanna road to change the name of their station to Hallstead instead of Great Bend.

Montrose - The spire manufactured by Geo. Woodruff, at Boyd & Cooleys, will be hoisted in place on the Presbyterian steeple.

Brandt - The Brandt Clay Product Company's works have resumed operations, after a shut-down of several weeks.

Susquehanna - The Eire shopmen and their friends, about 1,400 people in all, "excurted" to Eldridge Park, Elmira, on Saturday, in a special train of 18 well-filled cars. The Susquehanna Band accompanied them. All had a jolly time and all came home sober. Match it who can. AND - That splendid old educational institution--Laurel Hill Academy, is of necessity enlarging its buildings. Like old wine, this famous school, one of the very best in Northern Pennsylvania, improves with age. It is a great credit to the community, to the pastors, and the splendid corps of teachers.

Rush - Mr. Asa Hitchcock was made glad by the visit of his old comrade, A. W. DeWitt and wife, of Philadelphia. These two comrades and veterans were ploughing in adjacent fields and as they met at the end of the furrows, they talked together of the war and as they ploughed the next furrow they were thinking seriously of what they were going to do about it. About 3 o'clock in the afternoon they had made up their minds to enlist and there and then unhitched their teams, informed their people of their intentions, and then left for Montrose where they enlisted in the 9th Calvary on Oct. 29th, 1861 and served during the war, being mustered out with their company at the expiration of their time.

Franklin Forks - The boys of this place and the boys of Conklin Forks played a game of ball on Tuesday of last week. It was a close game, resulting in a victory for the boys of this place. AND - The roof of the [horse] sheds in the rear of the M.E. church were shingled and the sheds otherwise repaired on the 15th; it was done by a bee. The ladies, not to be outdone, provided a nice dinner in Alliance hall. The dinner was enjoyed, if the work was not.

Silver Lake - A gay party of young people from Montrose called at Silver Lake on their way from Salt Springs, Thursday, and a four-horse load from the same place had a picnic at the "Head of the Lake" and called on Mrs. West, Friday.