Silver Lake – The storm of last week caused severe damage here, to crops, road and buildings. A large barn belonging to Ed. Monahan, at Brackney, was completely destroyed and swept away by the surging waters that enveloped this section. Not so much as a board remained on the premises to mark the place where it stood. Some parts of the wreck were carried two miles by the flood. Water rose to six feet on the barn floor, when the foundations were undermined. The road from Brackney to the state line, on “Brackney Hill,” was so badly washed out that it is impossible to repair same and the supervisors were in court with a petition for the laying of a new road. Also the road from the Silver Lake church to Choconut Valley Inn and the Laurel Lake road, via Patrick O’Day’s was damaged badly. The Choconut Valley Inn’s grounds were a heavy loser.

Montrose/Heart Lake – The Fourth of July celebrations at both places were “hummers,” even though the weather was so cool as to make the ice man old before his time. While there was a chill in the air it did not rain and the day was ideal for motoring. A large crowd gathered to enjoy the celebration arranged by Saint Mary’s church on the Montrose fair ground and a very pleasant day was spent. The lunch counters and various booths, artistically decorated for the occasion, did a fine business. The Boy’s Band of Montrose did themselves proud and are a credit to the town. At Heart Lake a very large crowd gathered to celebrate and various stands and booths did a good business. The newly erected ice cream saloon was open, though the elaborate soda fountain was not in operation. Two spacious verandas afford a beautiful view of the lake and the activities on the lower ground. A huge crowd gathered for the dance in the evening.

Harford – Rosemont Inn, Montrose, was the setting for the 66th anniversary of the graduating class of Harford Academy, in 1856. Each of the graduates present had passed well over four score years. The eldest, Edgar W. Bolles, of Fairdale, lacks but a month of 90 years. Mr. Betsey M. Jeffers, of Harford, is in her 86th year. H. M. Benson, of Jackson, the youngest of the trio, is 85. H. N. Benson spoke of the old school days and recalled a song they had sung together. Mrs. Jeffers had written a poem just that week. She recalled the memories that had been awakened by the quilt she possesses given to her by her old class-mates. The pieces in the quilt are inscribed with their names, many who have passed on. Part of the poem runs: “As I looked at the blocks and read the names through…..I wondered if you, my old school-mates, would remember them too.”

Dimock – The Ladies’ Aid was well attended Saturday. Nearly everyone stayed to see the ball game between our boys and Hop Bottom. It was the most exciting and interesting game of the season—a good clean game—no disputes or wrangling, but hotly contested from the start to finish, with the outlook favorable for Hop Bottom until the eighth inning, when Dimock forged ahead, winning the game by one score, 5-4.

New Milford – The Girl Scouts left on Monday for Upper Lake, where they will spend two weeks in the Gillespie cottage.

Gelatt – During the storm of June 17th, C. J. Gelatt had a loss of about $1500. His shop was washed away, containing new mowing machines and other farming implements and repairs for which he was agent. Eleven bridges are gone in Gibson Valley, besides livestock and poultry which were buried in sand and stones.

Lackawanna Trail – It is estimated that 10,000 automobiles passed over the Lackawanna Trail on the Sunday first following the opening on Wednesday of last week. Hotels of Binghamton and Scranton report an increase in business since the opening of this great highway. One man who kept count of the automobiles passing a point on the Trail for two hours, Sunday, said six cars passed every minute, on an average.

Unknown Fishing Spot – Dr. Wirt Conklin, S. G. Fancher, Ward Reynolds and Ernest France caught twenty-two black bass Saturday, the combined weight being forty-five pounds Up to date the place of this fishing ground is unknown to other fishermen. It is said this is one of the finest strings of fish ever brought into Montrose.

Franklin Forks – Mrs. A. B. Conklin entertained her brother and sister, B. B. Rounds, last week, from Los Angeles. They motored from Los Angeles, being twenty-one days on the road, a distance of over 3600 miles. They carried their tent and camped and were very lucky in missing the sand storms over the prairies and also saw no rain until they reached Binghamton.

St. Joseph – The Choconut stage road was never so badly damaged as by the rains on June 28, the road being gutted several feet deep in places and bridges, buildings and stock carried away. In other places several feet of gravel and stones piled in the road. Some families left their homes for safety Most of the damage done was between the homes of E. Feely and S. Clark.

Mountain Valley, Liberty Twp. – Charles Brush, who is home from Camp Dix, had a thrilling experience. On climbing to the hay now to get hay, he discovered a large black snake climbing a post. He finally succeeded in killing the snake, and on measuring it found it was six feet long.

Ararat – A ladies handkerchief of some value was found in the church the evening of Commencement exercises. The owner can have it by calling at the Walker residence.

Forest City – Forest City had the quietest Fourth of its history. The day was sour and gloomy and the weather man came in for much abuse. In the evening a slight rain fell. It may well be said that the day was passed in a safe and sane manner. ALSO The Forest City Poor farm is building a new chicken house.

News Brief: The United States is the only country with a known birthday. All the rest began, they know not when, and grew into power, they know not how. There are no Republicans, No Democrats, on the Fourth of July—all are Americans.