Copyright © 2017 John F. Oyler
July 20, 2017
Bridgeville in the
News, 1926
While researching “Newspapers.com” for articles related to
Bridgeville High School in 1926 for our recent “Second Tuesday” workshop on
that subject, I came across several dozen clippings of non-school related
topics that were relevant to the community. Most of them were from the Canonsburg
“Daily Notes”, plus a few from the Pittsburgh Post.
On January 6, 1926, the death of Lysander Foster at the age
of eighty six was reported. Described as “one of the most highly respected
citizens of this section”, Mr. Lysander was survived by his son Edward, a local
business man. The deceased had served as Superintendent of the Bethany Sunday
School for over forty years. Funeral services were held at his home on Elm
Street.
On January 29, an “old-fashioned” dance was held at “the
hall formerly occupied by the American Legion”. We have no knowledge of this
hall; in the past we have assumed that affairs at the Legion were at the
current building on Shady Avenue. Old time fiddlers, including J. Frank Murray,
Dick Weaver, and Craig Cummins, provided the music. The event was sponsored by
the Donaldson Auto and Service Company, U. L. Donaldson, manager.
The March 16 edition of “Daily Notes” featured a two column
spread on Bridgeville news, with a long description of a party celebrating the
eighth birthday of Dorothy Carol Frederick of Chess Street. Twenty names of
young ladies made up the guest list; Unfortunately Louise Papenek could not
attend, because she was quarantined for scarlet fever.
A clipping dated May 27 reports the unexpected death of
local resident John H. McCloy, a prominent builder of derricks for oil and gas
wells. Aged forty five, Mr. McCloy was marching in a parade at the state
conclave of the Knights Templar in York, Pa., when he suddenly collapsed. His
wife was on the reviewing stand for the parade when this unfortunate event
occurred.
A fancy luncheon was held at the George Washington Hotel in
Washington, Pa. in honor of Miss Janet Ray, recognizing her upcoming marriage
to Mr. Herbert Copp, of Moline, Illinois. Miss Ray was a popular teacher in the
Bridgeville school system. Guests received balloons which bore the names of
Miss Ray and her fiancé when inflated.
The borough passed an ordinance revising the elevation of
Washington Avenue from St. Clair Street to the south abutment of the new bridge
that will be built over Chartiers Creek. The Pennsylvania Water Commission has
mandated that the new bridge be slightly higher than the present one.
August 10 was the date of the first annual Bridgeville
outing at Kennywood Park, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, C. P. Mayer,
president. Over two thousand people were expected to participate, travelling on
special trains leaving at 8;50 am and arriving at 10:00.
Labor Day plans for the borough included “the most beautiful
display of fireworks Bridgeville has ever seen”. Also planned was a street
dance featuring a Charleston contest and “a freak dance” for which costumes
were required.
John Zadro returned home in September after spending three
months in Italy where he visited relatives, as well as many points of interest.
On September 11 Mrs. Minnie Stenzel and Mrs. T. Walter Jones
entertained guests at a bridge party honoring Mrs. Herbert Copp, the former
Miss Nancy Ray. Held at Mrs. Stenzel’s home on Mayview Road, the twelve tables
were decorated with fall garden flowers.
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Weise have returned from an eastern
wedding trip that included New York and Atlantic City. Mrs. Weise is the former
Miss Ruth Gregg, of California, Pa.; Mr. Weise, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Edmund
Weise, of Mayview Road.
Also in September Mr. and Mrs. G. Piersoll Murray, their
children, Jane and George Piersoll III and Mrs. Murray’s mother, Mrs. S. R.
Kiddoo returned to their home on Washington Avenue from their summer home in
Michigan, “The Snows”.
The organizational meeting of the Hungry Club resulted in
plans to meet twice a month in the Dining Room of the Methodist Church on
alternate Thursdays. Each meeting will feature entertainment following the
meal.
An elimination game in the Lightweight community sandlot
football league was scheduled in Bridgeville in mid-November between the
undefeated Bridgeville Firemen and the Northside C. M. C. The locals were
looking forward to the return of their “big back Texter”, who had been
sidelined for four weeks with a broken hand.
It is a treat to read about those simpler times and to
picture what life was like then. It is hard to imagine a world in which a
birthday party for an eight year old girl warranted a full paragraph in a
newspaper.
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