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Newspaper
Lititz Record
Location
Lititz, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Date
Dec 25, 1885
Page
3
The Lititz Record reports Christmas services at multiple churches with English and German phrases, a tree lighting by Miss Sarah Gingrich, a belt of village events, local real estate transfers in Bronnerville and Brunnerville, and a marriage in Wernersville.
A 50 year old reminiscence recalls the winter of 1835 with heavy snow starting November 20 and four to five feet on the ground by spring. Snow and cold persisted through April, with a milder fall, the December blast matching the New York city fire night. An unrelated ad touts Electric Bitters for various ailments, claiming quick cures and blood purification.
Christmas postings and shop notes from Lititz describe post office hours on Christmas Day, store displays, and school closures through January. The item reports births, deaths, weatherless events, unclaimed post, sales, and local misadventures with names, places, and dates.
The Ciceronian literary society met Tuesday evening with recitations and an essay on Education by Miss Edith Mann. Debates on abolishing Teachers Institutes favored the negative, with county superintendent Bodeshorn supporting that side. judges and attendees upheld the negative. Other items include Christmas festival plans, school inspections, local inventions, holiday homecomings, and notes on local roads, churches, and Sunday schools.
Mr. Jacob Moyer survived a serious accident after returning a horse to the stable and collapsing from dizziness. He remains active at work and is noted as the region’s wealthiest man in his 88th year. Emanuel Ober, in his teens, is gravely ill with diphtheria. The Choral Society postpones activity to January. Thieves stole chop from Mr. Michael Keath’s property. Thomas Keath ships turkeys to New York City. Children await Santa with joy. some adults anticipate small gifts. A dentist touts teeth preservation while denouncing fillings. John McClasley, recently housebound, can now enjoy fresh air and Christmas.
Joseph Keener of Penn township disappeared after leaving home on Monday December 7. His wife and grown son, who lived with him, seek information on his whereabouts and urge anyone with news to contact authorities or family.
The piece recalls holiday joy and the stock ing tradition, ponder ing Santa Claus, reindeer, and chimney lore. It weighs belief in fairy tales against childhood happiness, sharing personal memories and a wish for snowy Christmas scenes before promising next week’s talk on Christmas trees and New Year customs.
Tobacco dealers report 500 or 600 cases of leaf from 1893 and 1884 crops, mostly low grades. Growers delay selling, hoping Congress raises duties on Sumatra wrappers to lift prices, while dealers fear a poor return on last year’s Wisconsin dig. Both sides await tariff changes in the current session.
An appraisal valued late resident Washington Krafft's personal property at nearly $6000 while Mrs. Krafft will keep the cigar business. The sheriff's sale proceeds at John Buffermeyer & Bros failed to cover a claimant. Milton Buckwalter starts a bread and cake bakery and travels twice weekly. The Rothsville school roof, a patent metallic type, will be replaced with shingles at taxpayer expense. Prospect for the upcoming fair looks favorable to benefit the Rothsville band.
Mrs. Mary Kemper widow of Levi Kemper learns of her son Levi Kemper's death by a December dispatch from Terrell Texas. The telegram gives no details, and the family awaits further news. Jacob Kemper plans to bring the body from Texas if possible and arrange a proper burial. Levi died at about 4 PM aged nearly 27, leaving a wife and two children.
Rev. Allan Hamilton died in Salem North Carolina on Tuesday at about 72. His remains travel to Lititz for Christmas Day interment. Born in Scotland, he served as a Moravian missionary in the West Indies for thirty years and worked in Scotland before returning to Lititz then to Salem.
A sample of dry goods and hardware items is presented with prices for blankets, flannels, underwear, and yarn. The ad notes rifles and guns coming, domestic flour prices, and a display of library lamps and canned goods. Also advertised is Bucklen’s Arnica Salve available at Lititz Drug Store and weekly produce market rates with stock quotations.
Dr N Lightner a prominent Ephrata physician appeared before Alderman Fordney Lancaster on Tuesday charged by Andrew Emmert with criminal assault on his 19 year old daughter Amelia Emmett. The alleged crime dated September 2 1885 while attending the victim. The Alderman sent the case to Court and Lightner was admitted to bail of 2500 dollars to appear at Quarter Sessions Court in January.
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