Gibson – An explosion of gasoline at the home of William DuVall [Davall], near South Gibson, Sunday morning, had tragic results. Mrs. DuVall died from results of injuries received and Mr. DuVall being painfully burned about the face and arms and their splendid home and contents destroyed. Wishing to hurry a coal fire, Mrs. DuVall added kindling wood; then, as she thought, sprinkled kerosene on the wood. But what she believed to be kerosene proved gasoline and then ignited flames causing the can in her hand to explode and setting her clothing on fire. The operator at the South Gibson telephone exchange, on hearing of the fire, immediately hastened to the nearby church and a hundred people were soon on the scene. Mr. DuVall is one of the townships most prosperous and highly esteemed farmers. His home was one of the finest in Gibson township, being situated at Kentuck, three miles from South Gibson.

Heart Lake – An opening dance will be held at Heart Lake resort, Monday evening, May 31st, commencing at 8:30 p.m. Music by a Binghamton orchestra. Come and enjoy yourself—the first out-of-door dance of the season.

Montrose – The interior of the Court House is being re-decorated by the Andrews Decorating Co., of Chicago. ALSO Every ex-service man is requested to meet in the American Legion room, Monday, May 31, at 1 o’clock, to participate in the Memorial Day exercises. If possible, please report in uniform, without a blouse, as blouses will not be worn. ALSO The Daughters of Veterans wish to urge the children of the town to gather flowers for the Memorial Day bouquets. They should be left at firemen’s hall, Saturday, before 3 o’clock.

Hallstead – The noted castle at the foot of Mount Mianotonoime [Manotonome] has been taken down and drawn away. It is the intention of the purchaser to erect several bungalows along the river for which there is a good demand when the road is in fit condition for automobile travel. With good roads and all the beautiful scenery this locality can boast of, there is no reason why many people from Binghamton, Scranton, Philadelphia or New York City cannot be attracted here.

Springville – Mr. and Mrs. Philip Conrad are entertaining their two sons and wives, of Newark, NJ. They are planting the garden and helping their parents in numerous ways. Mr. Conrad is improving very slowly and has had to give up his shop down town. A calamity to him and the people, too, for now we will be obliged to seek a shoemaker out of town.

Oakland – Miss Katherine Florence was robbed of $5 by a daring purse-snatcher one evening last week. Miss Florence was on her way home and to make a short cut started through an alley, the man following her. He made a run, snatched her handbag and darted away. It was all over so quickly that Miss Florence hardly realized what was taking place. The next morning the stripped handbag was found in a dooryard. Miss Florence is unable to describe the man, but believes that he followed her for considerable distance.

East Rush – On account of the nature of our superintendent’s symptoms of diphtheria, there was no Sunday school last Sabbath at this place.

Auburn Four Corners – Levi Warner, a respected citizen of this place, died at his home on Wednesday, May 19, 1920, with pneumonia, following an illness of influenza He was 74 years of age on the day of his death. Mr. Warner was a veteran of the Civil War. His wife and several children survive him.

Harford – Mrs. M. C. Richardson and Mrs. Fred Merritt entertained the Book Club on Friday. Several of the gentlemen came with their hoes and planted Mrs. Richardson’s garden.

From the Tunkhannock New Age: The Northeastern Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Company has ordered a drilling outfit, including engine, derrick, drills, pipes, casings and blacksmith forge and tools, at a cost of about $8,000, and will commence drilling near Lovelton as soon as the outfit arrives and can be set up. Experts from the oil territories are keeping tabs on developments here, and it is expected that there will be interesting news before snow flies. It surely is to be hoped that oil or gas in paying quantity will be found there because the increasing demand and decreasing supply is sending the price of gasoline farther skyward.

Death of Hon. James T. DuBois. One of he best known and most admired men of this county died in Dr. Cowles Private Hospital, New York City, due to bronchial pneumonia. The Hallstead resident was U. S. Minister to several countries and was held in high esteem as an editor, author and lecturer. Mr. DuBois was born in Great Bend, April 17, 1851. His parents were Joseph and Emroy (Taylor) DuBois, early residents of Great Bend, as was his paternal grandparent, Abraham DuBois. Besides his diplomatic career he was editor of The National Republican in Washington, D. C. and in later years engaged in writing the life of Galusha A. Grow, a life-long friend. [Much more information on the life of Mr. DuBois may be found in the Independent Republican, May 28, 1920.]

Almost 100 Years Old: Anna Very, 99, was born on May 26, 1920 to William and Lena Overfield, and passed away on April 24, 2020. Anna was almost 100 years old. Her goal was to celebrate her 100th birthday but, sadly, that goal was missed by a month. Family, friends and former neighbors eagerly awaited that milestone. Because of the Corona Virus none of us could properly mourn her passing, but perhaps this small tribute to a life well lived will tell you about Anna [Ann]. She had a sharp mind and memory, a great sense of humor and an ever-present smile. She resided at Montrose Square and lived an independent life. She was waiting for the spring crop of rhubarb to bake her favorite recipe. Road trips with Ann w  a history lesson of who lived where and when in Bridgewater and Auburn Twp. While living on Jessup Street with her late husband, Asa, both took delight in watching the ongoing feud between groundhogs and our garden. They were champion blueberry pickers for the Festival and oh, those cinnamon buns and mints. Their dining room was referred to as “puzzle town” with 500 to 1000 piece puzzles shared with neighbors and friends. There are so many more stories and memories of Ann and we will celebrate her life of almost 100 years on May 26, 2020, perhaps with her rhubarb coffee cake.