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.