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Spring 2016 Volume1 Issue 1

K i s h a c o q u i l l a s V a l l e y

H i s t o r i c a l S o c i e t y

“To preserve for future generations the history of religious, educational and rural life which has made this Kishacoquillas Valley unique.”

For: “ A people without knowledge of its past is like a tree without its roots.”

138 East Main Street PO Box 43

Allensville, PA 17002

In 1752, when William Brown and James Reed made an exploratory tour through the Kishacoquillas

Valley in search of lands on which to settle with their families, they were awestruck at all the great features the valley had to offer. Its many natural features such as: water power, fine agricultural land, and forests to provide lumber made for a potential manufacture or commercial business inviting.

As the first settlers to this valley in 1755, William Brown with his wife, Margaret and his family settled in what was known as Brown’s Mills then, a part of Armagh Township. The village was located at the gateway to the Kishacoquillas Valley and its main street ran east and west. The village retained the title of Brown’s Mills until 1838 when the land was surveyed. At this point, it officially broke away from Armagh Township and became Brown Township, named in honor of William Brown. The name of the town was also officially changed to Reedsville in honor of James Reed, half-brother of William Brown. William and his family lived their entire lives in this location. In 1789, William Brown became the first presiding judge of the Mifflin County Court and also served as a patriot in the Revolution War. In the late 1700’s, Brown’s Mills, the gateway to the Kishacoquillas Valley began to prosper. Businesses necessary to support the farmers who were arriving and settling in the valley would need a place to grind their grain and to purchase flour and other commodities essential to their lives.

(Continued on page 4)

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2015 KVHS OFFICERS

President: Fred Brown Vice President:: Ann Thompson

Treasurer: Molly Bourg Secretary: Pattie Cruikshank

BOARD MEMBERS: Jim Allison, Molly Bourg, Fred Brown, Denise Chester, Patti Cruikshank, Gay Rodgers, Bill Stratton, Mary Ann Stratton, John Stroup, Ann Thompson, and Ron Wilson.

KVHS NEWS, MEETINGS, AND UPDATES!

The Kishacoquillas Valley Historical Society is a 501(C)3 organization. Your donations. to our Society are tax deductible.

Pattie, Ann, Molly, Fred

Kish Bank Priority Club Donors

We are now on the permanent list for those wishing to donate their Kish Priority Club points to our Society. We would like to say thank you to the following people who have supported us by donat-ing their points to our Society. Edna Chester

Dave & Sue Hunter

If you would like to donate your points just fill out the back of your quarterly statement and then drop it off at any branch office or send it to:

Kish Bank 15 Gateway Drive

Reedsville, PA 17063.

WELCOME

NEW 2016 KVHS MEMBERS :

Ray & Dottie Barley, Allensville Vesta Aurand, Lewistown

Paul & Helen Brubaker, Belleville John & Kathy Boyer, Belleville

Larry Drymon, Maryland Darrell & Kim Erb, Belleville Lisa Griffith-Fintl, Germany

Frank & Sharon Gibboney, Belleville Leonard E. & Teresa Gerhart, Belleville

Ronald M. Grassmyer, Lewistown Grace Fala & Dawn Hayes, Belleville Reid & Michelle Hannon, Lewistown

Barbara Harmon, Belleville Paul & Sandy Kauffman, Belleville Frank & Linda Knauss, Allentown

Richard & Susan Martin, Lititz Susan Miller, California

Larry & Brucette Metz, Allensville Natural Design Studio, Belleville

Mark & Joann Ostrowski, Belleville Rick & Nancy Penepacker, Belleville

Tom Schaeffer & Chris Mathews, Belleville Sherman Stoltzfus, Belleville

Joseph J. & Carol J. Yoder, Illinois Thomas H. & Glenna Young, Belleville

Bob & Pam Wilson, Lititz Ray Allen Wilde, Belleville

Joseph D. & Camellia A. Wilson, Jr. Mill Creek Amos & Maria Zook. Idaho

WELCOME NEW LIFE MEMBERS

JOHN AND CINDY KENNEDY, BELLEVILLE

MARILYN MILLER, BELLEVILLE

GAIL MATHEWS, BELLEVILLE

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KVHS NEWS, MEETINGS, AND UPDATES!

Editor’s Note It was a quiet winter for the Society. Our main focus was preparing for the rebuilding of the barn. We are

very happy to announce that Denise Chester has joined the Board. She and her husband John Chester live in Belleville. They have two sons and both are in college. John, as an Eagle Scout project, established the first museum in the Belleville Community Hall. When KVHS became a reality, he donated this artifacts collection to the Society. In 2010, their son, Matthew, an Indian Valley Sophomore at the time, portrayed Dr. John P. Getter at our Annual Meeting. We welcome Denise and look forward to working with her and welcome her suggestions as we strive to keep the museum moving in a forward direction.

Our summer season began on April 10 and we look forward to visitors during our open hours. The hours are the second and fourth Sunday and Monday of each month, April through October. On Sunday, we are open from 1 – 3 PM and on Mondays, we are open from 10AM – 2PM. We will however be closed if those days fall on a spe-cial holiday.

To submit photos, articles, and information, contact Mary Ann Stratton at wma2@verizon.net of 717-242-2666.

2016 KVHS Annual Meeting

The Annual Meeting of the Kishacoquillas Valley Historical Society was held March 28, 2016 at the Allensville Community Hall. Fred addressed those in attendance with a quick overview on the status of the rebuilding of the barn. Election of officers for the coming year were held. The following were re-elected to serve another three year term on the Board: James Allison, Molly Bourg and Mary Ann Stratton. The evening concluded with a video of who we are and what we do. A question and answer period followed. Meeting adjourned!

KVHS Barn Update All insurance related issues have been resolved and it is time for the rebuilding of the barn we lost in the early morning fire in October 2014. Fred Brown, KVHS museum President, and his committee for rebuilding the barn include: Molly Bourg, Ron Wilson and Bill Stratton. They have done a great job in working with the insurance company, storing building sup-plies over the winter, and plan to be on site as the new barn is being built. In charge of overseeing the reconstruction of the barn is Jim Bonson and the lead builder is John M. Hostetler and his Amish crew. We purchased the Ore Bank farm and all the timbers and logs that will become a part of the new structure were taken down, numbered, loaded on flat-bed trucks and stored at the old New Holland Plant for the winter.

As of March 31, 2016 the first truck load of logs arrived at the museum. The rebuilding began on April 4, 2016 and it is with much anticipation that the KVHS Board members, Society members, and supporters are looking forward to the completion of the project by the end of the year. This barn will be more handicap friendly because of new regulations required by law. The lower level will also have a “new look” in the Genealogy and Office room. Some of the many items lost in the fire have been replaced and those that were only slightly damaged will be refinished by Joe Peachey and some that were only slightly damaged will be sand blasted and restored by Abraham “Abie” Peight . Due to the loss of so many artifacts, signage, antique farm equipment and other items, we are hoping that you will keep us in mind when you are ready to downsize, clean out a building, or just want to share old pictures and in-formation with us as we rebuild our inventory. We invite you to stop by and watch the transformation take place. It is an exciting process!

Rebuilding began April 4, 2016

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(The Reedsville Milling Company continued) In order to accommodate the needs of the

farmers, William Brown built the first grist-mill in Browns Mills in 1781. This later became known as the Reedsville Milling Company. (The term "gristmill" or "corn mill" was used historically to describe a local mill where farmers brought their own grain which included: wheat, corn, and rye, to be ground. In return, they received back ground meal or flour, minus a percentage called the "miller's toll.") Brown’s grist mill was built at the intersection of the entrance to the Kishacoquillas Valley and the main road leading west to Milroy and beyond by those entering from “Mann’s Narrow”. He chose this location because of its closeness to a water source. There are three streams in the town and are known today as the West Branch which joins the Kishacoquillas Creek within the town limits, Honey Creek and Tea Creek. Tea Creek flowed into the Mill Pond and then continued downstream behind the mill. It was the water from this stream that was used to operate the large over-shot wooden wheel and provided a sufficient supply of running water to make its revolutions and to supply water to the wheel at a proper velocity.

At one point during the mill’s existence, a dam

was built. In 2006, when the dam was no longer needed, it was torn down and Tea Creek was restored to its natural flow.

William and Margaret had four children, two boys and two girls. After William Brown’s death in 1825, his son, also named William, inherited his father’s estate, which included the mill. John Norris, brother-in-law of William and husband of Judge William’s daughter Elizabeth, purchased the Brown’s Mills tract in 1827. It was de-scribed in the deed as containing seven hundred thirty three acres of land and a large stone merchant-mill, saw mill, plaster-mill, stone store house, hotel and mansion house. At the death of Mr. Norris in 1841, the estate passed to a Mr. Parker from New Jersey. Mr. Parker then sold the mill property to George Strunk who continued to operate the mill under the name of Strunk Mill until his death. The property was described in the deed as twenty six acres and forty seven perches on which there was a Grist Mill, Browns Mill Hotel, dwelling houses, and other improvements. In 1881, the Heirs of Mr. Strunk sold the mill to Spanogle and Yeager who owned a similar mill in Yeagertown.

The Mill Pond Dam before it was torn down in 2006

The Mill Pond in winter.

(Continued on page 5)

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Show Towels

Early forms of Folk Art (A Show Towel was recently purchased by KVHS at a local auction. After some research on the subject, here is the history behind these fascinating textiles.) Show Towels are a distinctive Pennsylvania-German form of Folk Art that was popular during the mid 1800’s. They were usually embroidered by young Amish or Mennonite girls and then set aside for their dowries. They were difficult to do because they were done in freehand after the girls created their own designs. Therefore, no two pieces were ever made exactly the same. They worked their designs in counted cross-stitch, herringbone stitches or a combination of both. Many were stitched with red thread or yarn on linen cloth. Tradition indicates that anything made during this period that was well done deserved a date and a signature. Thus, many of the Show Towels we see today have the initials of who did the work and the date it was completed. If it was for a wedding dowry often times it would include the name of the soon to be husband. This form of Folk Art is very seldom done today in the Kishacoquillas valley. KVHS owns two Show Towels. The one shown below was purchased at the Two Sisters Sale and is in fragile condition as it went through the fire. The initials embroidered on it are LP and is dated 1870. The creator of this piece is unknown. The Show Towel shown below is the Society’s recently purchase. It has the initials MY embroidered on it and has been identified as being done by Mary Yoder, wife of David Leroy Yoder. It is believed that because there are two tones of red thread on this Show Towel that it might indicate that her daughter, Faney L. Yoder, wife of Michael Y. Yoder, added her initials and the 1910 date. The towel is approximately twenty inches long. Most likely, Mary Yoder also made one for each of her other daughters. Show towels were intended for decoration rather than use. Loops or tabs were attached at the top so that the handiwork could be prominently displayed. Traditionally, they were hung on a door between the sitting room and the kitchen.

( The information provided for this Show Towel was shared by Josie A. Hostetler.)

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Ann Thompson and John Stroup are our designated buyers. They attend auctions and purchase artifacts, within our budget, that

might otherwise leave our valley.

DONATIONS

Larry Drymon - a metal dinner plate, a J. Russell & Co. knife and fork and a story entitled “A Campfire Story” The story tells about George Diffenderfer acquired these items. .Dave and Jane Esh - 4 Anne Fisher prints of Brown Township, 2 Siglerville Band posters, Belleville Times paper from Feb. 22, 1940, 18th Class Night and Annual Commencement pro-gram of the Milroy High School dated May 30, 1928; Annual Commencement programs for 1927 and 1937; Anna G. McNitt's Armagh Twp. High School yearbooks entitled LA Vil de l’ Ecole from 1926 and 1927 ; 1926 and 1952 Siglerville Band Treasure’s Ledgers; 2 sheets of Reedsville Milling Co. letterhead paper; a Belleville Roller Mills, “Wild Rose” paper bag; and the following pictures: Milroy High School class of 1937, 4 Siglerville Sunday School group pictures; 1924 Milroy Football Team; a 1914 group picture of Milroy High School elementary students; Milroy Fountain Square and 3 photos of homes in Belleville and 6 of scenes of Belleville. Gladys Mahady - box lot of old local newspapers, a 1976 Mo-tor Vehicle Registration Bicentennial plate; a 1976 Big Valley Area Medical Center calendar, a book entitled, “Logan, a story of the Mingo Chief; a scrapbook of events and obits of the area and several Amish books Dale and Marlene (Patton) Hess - a large Planters Peanut jar originally from the Hill Store and a glass candy dish from San-key’s .

Betty Yoder - a 1944 Allensville High School Banner. Sandy Goss - A series of three books on McAlevy’s Fort enti-tled: The Valley and the Fort, The Fort Revisited, and Stone Valley Remembered. Marilyn Miller - A postcard of the Shippensburg College Girls dormitory post marked 1930 and addressed to Miss Helen Al-exander, Milroy, PA. Rob and Nicole Hanawalt - a 1962 New Holland cash box. Fort Granville Grange - 75 metal folding chairs. Antique silver ice cream scoop, a bank from Farmer’s National Bank, blue and white bowl made in Holland, a hand forged brass ladle, metal skimmer, a one gallon KaVee milk bottle imprinted with Best by Test Ice Cream Co., Belleville, PA, 2 two inch tall KaVee creamers, a blue and clear creamer from KaVee, small red ware fluted bowl, a Show Towel made from home spun fabric with red thread, 2 old irons for pressing cloth and both were heated by gas and a wooden shadow box for displaying small objects.

ACQUISTIONS

A Quiet Day at Reedsville Mill

Sketched by Jim Bonson in 1958

(This sketch was recently donated by Jim Bonson and the following story is attached to the back of the sketch.) The old Reedsville Mill stood at the gateway to the Kishacoquillas Valley. When the settlers came into the Big Valley, they would pass by it, or stop in. It stood tall and proud as it welcomed them, as if to say, Yes, I am here to serve you. I remember well how it would creak and groan as the miller would start the water to once again flow over its huge water wheel to start another long day. Jim Bonson did this drawing in 1958 at the age of 18 years old. Jim’s father, John Reed Bonson went to work for the mill in 1949 as a truck driver. Jim was just a boy 9 years old at the time. Jim worked at the mill every year on his school vacation and every Saturday from age 9 to age 18 years old. Then came the sad day when fire claimed it and the old mill became just a memory. But you know in my memory that old mill still lives on. Yes, I can revisit it in my mind and wonder off into every little space anytime I want to. Many of the workers have long gone on to their reward, only a few remain. But this will always be the place where this boy became a man. But when I think about those days gone by this man will once again be a boy.

By James Adam Bonson Better known as “Jim”, January 8, 2016

Ironically, this sketch of the Reedsville Mill was donated and just in time to be part of this issue’s feature story, The Reedsville Mill!

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Make checks out to KVHS and send to KVHS, 138 E. Main Street, Allensville, PA 17002

Kishacoquillas Valley Historical Society Membership Form.

Don’t forget to RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP

Membership to the Kishacoquillas Valley Historical Society begins January 1 and ends December 31.

Name ____________________________________

Address __________________________________ Phone ___________________________

________________________________ Zip Code _______ E-mail ______________________________

Types of membership available: ___ Individual ($20.00) ___Family ($35.00) ___ Life ($300.00) Check one.

Check enclosed for __________ (2016 __ Renewal __ New)

If your address has changed, please let us know as we are now charged for all returned newsletters.

KVHS 2017 CALENDARS

NOTE: The 2017 calendar focus inserts will be from 1945. We are extremely interested in acquiring old photographs for future years and would be glad to come to your home and scan them, or email a copy to Pattie, or you could bring them to the Historical Society. Please contact Pattie Cruikshank @ 717- 483- 6596 or pcruikshank@gmail.com for more information.

I would like to order ____ 2017 calendars @ $5.50 each. If you would like to have it shipped to you, please fill out the following information and add $2.00 per calendar for shipping.

NAME _____________________________________________________________

ADDRESS:_________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________ Amount enclosed ____________

Information about the Kishacoquillas Valley Historical Society can be found at:

http://www.kishacoquillasvalleyhistoricalsociety.org

Find us on Facebook at Kishacoquillas Valley Historical Society

PHONE: 717-483-6525 MAIL: 138 East Main Street, Allensville, PA 17002

For more information contact Pattie Cruikshank at pcruikshank@gmail.com

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NON-PROFIT ORGU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDLEWISTOWN, PA

PERMIT NO. 5

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RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

K V H S M U S E U M & G E N E A L O G Y S U M M E R S C H E D U L E W e a r e o p e n t h e 2 n d a n d 4 t h S u n d a y a n d M o n d a y o f e a c h m o n t h .

T h e h o u r s a r e S u n d a y 1 - 3 p m a n d M o n d a y f r o m 1 0 a m t o 2 p m .

I f y o u w o u l d l i k e t o s c h e d u l e a g r o u p t o u r o r a r e i n t e r e s t e d i n g e n e a l o g y i n f o r m a t i o n c o n t a c t M o l l y B o u r g @ 7 1 7 - 9 3 5 - 2 4 4 0 f o r t o u r s

A n n T h o m p s o n @ 7 1 7 - 9 3 5 - 2 2 3 4 .

Many of the items on display at the Society have been donated and for that we are very grateful. So, please continue to keep us in mind when you clean out your attic, garage, shed, barn and other interesting places. We wel-come all items, large and small that in any way are part of the history of the Kishacoquillas Valley. We are very interested in receiving old pictures for use in our annual calendar. If you would like to share your special pictures and aren’t quite ready to let them go, no problem. Just bring them in and we will scan them into our system and you can take the original home with you. Can’t come to the museum, then email a copy to us at

wma2@verizon.net or to mollybrg@gmail.com.

REEDSVILLE MILL CREDITS Photo credits : Dave and Jane (Gehman) Esh and Frank Gibboney.

Resources included: History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata Valley, Volumes I & II, Everts, Peck & Rich-ards, 1886; Growing up in Reedsville,1990; articles from The Lewistown Sentinel, October 19, 1959; September & October 2004, & February 19, 2005; The Valley & County Observer, October 2011 and July 4, 1990.

Jean Laughlin, of the Mifflin County Historical Society , Jane Esh and Ed Bridgens were a tremendous help in doing my research. .

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RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

K V H S M U S E U M & G E N E A L O G Y S U M M E R S C H E D U L EW e a r e o p e n t h e 2 n d a n d 4 t h S u n d a y a n d M o n d a y o f e a c h m o n t h . T h e

h o u r s a r e S u n d a y 1 - 3 p m a n d M o n d a y f r o m 1 0 a m t o 2 p m . I f y o u w o u l d l i k e t os c h e d u l e a g r o u p t o u r o r a r e i n t e r e s t e d i n g e n e a l o g y i n f o r m a t i o n c o n t a c t M o l l y

B o u r g @ 7 1 7 - 9 3 5 - 2 4 4 0 o r A n n T h o m p s o n @ 7 1 7 - 9 3 5 - 2 2 3 4 .

The Kishacoquillas Valley HistoricalSociety is participating in the 2015

Alternative Gift Fair !

This year’s fair, the seventh, will be held onSunday, December 6th, from 1-4 pm at the EastKishacoquillas Presbyterian Church in Reedsville.

Hope you can stop by and see all thedisplays. Volunteers will be at each station toanswer questions.

This is a great way to honor someone bygiving a donation to an organization of yourchoice.

Many of the items on display at the Societyhave been donated and for that we are verygrateful. Please continue to keep us in mindwhen you clean out your attic, garage, shed,barn and other interesting places. We welcomeall items, large and small that in any way arepart of the history of the Kishacoquillas Valley.

We are very interested in receiving oldpictures for use in our annual calendar. If you wouldlike to share your special pictures and aren’tquite ready to let them go, no problem. Just bringthem in and we will scan them into our systemand you can take the original home with you. Can’tcome to the museum, then email a copy to us atwma2@verizon.net or to mollybrg@gmail.com.