HON. LEWIS EMERY, Jr. — Senator Emery is perhaps the best-known citizen of Bradford. He was born near the village of Cherry Creek, Chautauqua County, N. Y., August 10, 1839. His father met with financial reverses in the construction of a railroad, near Olean, for the old Erie company, and in other ventures. He went west and located with his family in Michigan, where he carried on the milling business, having mastered the trade of cloth-making when young and being a skilled mechanic.

The subject of our sketch was educated in the common schools, and after learning the trade of his father, attended the Hillsdale College, of Hillsdale, Mich., where he finished his training. He then taught school, and worked for his father in his mill. In May, 1846, he went to Illinois, where he engaged in general merchandizing and built a mill.

In August, 1865, he entered the Pennsylvania oil field. He was successful in his wells at Titusville, but was financially ruined by the failure of Jay Cooke & Co. Mr. Emery for some time had great faith in McKean County as an oil producing territory, and, undaunted, he leased and purchased about 14,000 acres of land there, without a dollar of capital, such was the confidence of the people in him. July 28, 1875, he drilled a well at Toad Hollow, on the Tibbets farm, two miles south of the present city of Bradford. The well opened up with forty barrels a day. This paid off his indebtedness, brought him a large fortune, and developed one of the greatest oil fields in the world.

Mr. Emery was elected to the Legislature, and in 1880 to the State Senate. He was reelected to the Senate in 1884 by a large majority.

He was chosen delegate-at-large to represent the State of Pennsylvania in the National Republican Convention in 1884. During his entire public service he served with honor and ability the people instead of the trusts, the monopolies, and the few. He was the recognized leader of the anti-monopolists. In 1870 he went to Europe and investigated the oil fields of the Baku region in Russia, and in 1881 he made a second visit.

He is one of our most public-spirited citizens, taking a deep interest in the growth and prosperity of the place and in the welfare of the community. He is extensively engaged in the production and refining of petroleum, in merchant flour-milling at Three Rivers, Mich., has large wheat-land interests in North Dakota, lumber interests in Kentucky, and a large mercantile establishment in Bradford.

Mr. Emery was married to Miss Elizabeth A. Caldwell, of Vistula, Elkhart County, Ind. December 29, 1863. Four children were born to them : Delavan, Grace Elizabeth, Earle Caldwell, and Lewis III.

This book has been digitized by the Google Book Project.

Originally published in 1899, and now in the public domain, this excerpt is from "Between the ocean and the lakes;: The story of Erie"
by Edward Harold Mott.

From the chapter titled, “Men Of Mark In Erie Towns”.

AUGUSTUS W. NEWELL

AUGUSTUS WILLIAM NEWELL was born October 9, 1832, at Newton, Mass. He attended the schools of Brookline, Mass. At the age of thirteen years he began the study of civil engineering. He was in his father’s office when a young man, and later helped survey the routes of different railroads. Daniel Kingsbury, his uncle, had purchased of the United States Land Company 200,000 acres of land in McKean County, Pa., and young Newell gave his uncle the money he had saved to invest in land in that county. He then settled at Bradford. He helped survey the route for and to build the Buffalo, Bradford and Pittsburg Railroad, his uncle being president and a large stockholder of the company. The company went into bankruptcy, owing young Newell considerable money.

He conceived the idea of hiring an engine and running a train himself. Obtaining permission to do this, he hired a man, and they mowed the grass off of the track from Bradford to Carrollton, twelve miles, and commenced railroading. He was the fireman, engineer, brakeman, and conductor himself, and soon made enough to pay the company’s indebtedness to him. He was afterwards, and for several years, a director in the company. Mr. Newell invested his money in lands, and began the extensive real-estate business which he has carried on ever since. He has sold his land at greatly increased prices, and is to-day still one of the heaviest real-estate and property owners in this region of the state.

Mr. Newell was married, February 17, 1861, to Anna M. Haynes, who died in 1864. They had one child, Frederick Haynes Newell, who has for years been a valued employee of the United States government. Mr. Newell married, in 1877, Miss Phoebe Lewis, and they have three children : Lewis, Henry Foster, and Augustus William. Mr. Newell has ever been deeply interested in the growth and prosperity of Bradford. He was instrumental in the organization of its system of water-works, and for a number of years was a member of the water board. He has been school director, and was postmaster under President Lincoln. Governor Beaver appointed him commissioner from Pennsylvania to the International Exposition at Paris. He is a member of the American Association of Engineers, and went with the members to Europe in 1889. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and enjoys the distinction of having been the first member initiated in the oldest lodge of this city, No. 334. He is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has served as one of its officers for years. His life has been an honorable, upright, and useful one.

This book has been digitized by the Google Book Project.

Originally published in 1899, and now in the public domain, this excerpt is from "Between the ocean and the lakes;: The story of Erie"
by Edward Harold Mott.

From the chapter titled, “Men Of Mark In Erie Towns”.

Dan Peters

Dan Peters has been named “Chicago’s Hottest Guitarist”. He will be teaching the Workshop’s Master Class, “Swingin’ Surfabilly Guitar Playin’: Know Your Roots!!” Dan will take students into a detailed analysis of several original compositions and how he developed his own unique musical voice through an appreciation of many different genres. Rockabilly, surf, blues, jazz, country and heavy metal all figure prominently in Dan’s self-proclaimed “Surfabilly” sound and he encourages all students to do their homework and “know your roots!!” Some of the influences Dan names are Brian Setzer, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Elvis Presley, Gene Vincent, Wes Montgomery, Joe Satriani, Dick Dale, Johnny Cash, Steve Vai, Jimmy Bryant and, of course, William Shatner.

All Workshop participants will be enrolled in the master class, but have the choice of participating in Morning I, Morning II, and Afternoon clinics that will explore different techniques and styles. The core group of guitarists organizing the event include Jazzabilly members Jim Ronan, and Grant Orris, as wells as Joel Anderson and Kira Leck.

In an e-mail interview, Jim Ronan had this to say:

In my opinion, Generations Guitar Workshop is a means for guitar players to come together and share their knowledge of the guitar. My hope is that there are some really good players that can bring their knowledge and experiences to the table and share them with others. I feel that we are more facilitators than anything. We’ll start out sharing our knowledge and hope that there is some interaction with the group. This is the first workshop of its nature in the Bradford/McKean County area, so it will be interesting to see how this develops.

Other local musicians conducting the clinics include: David Myslewski and Marg Terry, Allen Klein, Jack Krone, Philip Burlingame, Don Vought, Joel Golden, and Bob Hartle.

After expenses, all money raised will go to the Alzheimer’s Association. The local clinicians are all volunteer, donating their time and talent to share their craft with others and foster interest in the guitar, as well as benefiting Alzheimer’s research. Gathering the talent and bringing everything together for an event like this has been a lot of up front work for the organizers. The initial fundraising has been creative, including their Avon Fundraiser.

A pre-workshop event that promises to be a lot of fun is the (Almost) St. Patrick’s Day Jam at the Emery Expresso Bar (30 Boylston St., Bradford) on March 15, 2008.

Generations Guitar Workshop (along with some help from the East Bradford Businessmen’s Association) is sponsoring an (Almost) St. Patrick’s Day Jam. There will be some pretty darn good food, a 50/50 raffle, bucket auction, music and other exciting events. The event starts @ 4:00pm. Tickets cost $4.00 for admission only and $10 for food & admission.

Tickets for the (Almost) St. Patrick’s Day Jam can be purchased on-line, at Orris Jewelers or the Emery Espresso Bar.

A unique feature of the Workshop will be the Instrument Exchange. Local musicians will be able to get some deals on some very nice instruments, or perhaps see their old favorites go to a good home. The instruments will be on display in a secure area during the workshop. If you’d like a sneak peek of some of the instrument, or would like to participate as a vendor, visit the Instrument Exchange page. If you plan to attend and would like to list your instrument you can email Jim Ronan at jronan@generationsguitarworkshop.org.

The workshop is also a great opportunity for aspiring teen guitarists. The exposure to the techniques and tips from a variety of accomplished musicians is hard to come by in this area. Attending the master class with Dan Peters is sure to be an experience they won’t forget. According to Ronan, arrangements can also be made for children 12 and under to attend with a parent.

Please note the registration deadline for the Workshop is March 15th, 2008, and participation is limited to 130 participants, including the evening performance. Workshop participants will be guaranteed admission to the evening performance with remaining tickets available to the public.

Reservations/tickets to all events, including the (Almost) St. Patrick’s Day Jam, are available on the Generations Guitar Workshop web site.

Questions or comments can be posted on TalkAboutBradford.com. You may also contact Jim Ronan directly. Email: jronan@generationsguitarworkshop.org, or phone (814) 362-3277.

Pennsylvania Fifth Congressional District Map

John Peterson
Pleasantville
Owned and operated a retail food market for 26 years
Peterson was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1977. In 1984, Peterson was elected to the Pennsylvania Senate where he served for 12 years, chairing both the Public Health and Welfare Committee and the Republican Policy Committee. In 1996, Peterson was elected to serve Pennsylvania’s Fifth Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Republican Candidates:

• Elk County Coroner Lou Radkowski
• Jeffrey J. Stroehmann, a business owner who is the great-grandson of the founder of Stroehmann Bakery
• Derek Walker, owner of a financial planning business
• Chris Exarchos, a former Centre County commissioner
• Matt Shaner, a hotel developer
• Glenn Thompson, the Centre County GOP chairman and a nursing home administrator
• Keith Richardson, an attorney and pastor
• Clarion Mayor John Rea Stroup
• John Krupa, an insurance agent.

Democratic Candidates:

• Bill Cahir, a journalist who fought in the Iraq war with the Marines
• Clearfield County Commissioner Mark McCracken
• Lock Haven Mayor Richard Vilello.

Kerry Gern of Glade Township will challenge Representative Kathy Rapp in her bid for re-election.

Representative Marty Causer is running unopposed.

In the 25th Senatorial District:

• Senator Joe Scarnati is running for re-election on the Republican ticket.
• Democrat Donald Hilliard of Brookville is running as a Democrat.

The 5th District is traditionally conservative Republican territory. The presumptive winner in the November general election will be the winner of the April 22nd Republican primary. Without an incumbent to challenge, the three Democratic candidates stand a better chance of winning than they have in decades. Since the district is considered one of the most conservative in the state, a democratic win would send a strong message to Republicans in Harrisburg.

To learn more about it, and join the discussion, visit TalkAboutBradford.com.

You can also find more information at http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/kinzuabridge.aspx

Kinzua Viaduct

When the Kinzua Viaduct was built in 1882, it was the highest railroad bridge in the world. Built of iron, the original viaduct was 301 feet high, 2,053 feet long, and weighed 3,105,000 pounds. An engineering marvel, the viaduct is now a registered National Civil Engineering Landmark and a National Historic Site.

In May of 1900 it was necessary to rebuild the entire structure to accommodate heavier trains. The job was completed in 105 days by about 100 to 150 men working ten hours a day. The new steel viaduct has the same measurements, but now weighs 6,715,000 pounds.

Tornado Hits Viaduct

On July 21, 2003 a F1 tornado ripped thru the Kinzua Gorge partially destroying support towers from the viaduct.

Nine towers remain standing as a testament to the strength of this amazing structure

“Eighth Wonder of the World”

The Kinzua Viaduct was originally advertised as the `Eighth Wonder of the World.” People from all over the civilized world came to see this engineering marvel of it’s time. Excursions came from as far away as Buffalo and Pittsburgh for a around a dollar per person.

On a typical summer Sunday of the time it was not rare to see six to eight excursion trains of ten to fourteen cars to cross the viaduct. To cross the viaduct was considered a great thrill at the time. Drinking, gambling, and parties were a common occurrence on these early excursions to the viaduct.

Many excursionists would even try to climb the iron work of the viaduct. However, many of them would only end up needing rescued from the high iron girders after they found they could not climb back down. These excursions to the Kinzua Viaduct were very popular and raised more than enough money to offset the $167,000 dollar cost to build the original structure.

History of the Viaduct

Brilliant Minds

Company president General Thomas Kane, of Civil War fame, and civil engineer Octave Chanute envisioned building a viaduct longer and higher than any ever built as an alternative to laying an additional eight miles of track over rough terrain along the railroad line leading to McKean County’s coal, timber and oil lands.

The New York, Lake Erie, and Western Railroad and Coal Company recognized the profits to be gained by transporting coal across the Kinzua Valley instead of taking the six mile route around the Kinzua Valley to waiting markets in Buffalo.

The massive sandstone blocks used to make the stone piers that support the extremely high iron columns were quarried from the nearby hills. There are 7,600 cubic yards of hard sandstone used in the stone work of the viaduct. The stone piers are embedded as far as thirty-five feet below the ground and as high as sixteen feet above the ground. On September 8, 1881, the cornerstone of the Kinzua Viaduct was placed on the south abutment, where it remains today.

Octave Chanute, Engineer

Mr. Chanute lived from 1831 until 1910 and was the inventor of call ties and date nails, which had the date engraved on them. He was also responsible for the preservation of timber by the creosote process.

Chanute awarded the bid for the Kinzua Viaduct to The Phoenix Bridge Works Company. General Kane met with Anthony Bonzano of the Clark Reeves Division of the Phoenixville Bridge Works Company of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, in early 1882.

Mr. Bonzano told General Kane, “We’ll build you a bridge a thousand feet high if you’ll provide the money.” Anthony Bonzano along with Oliver W. Barnes, who was the chief engineer for Kane’s railroad, joined up and planned the first Kinzua Viaduct.

On July 21, 2003 a tornado partially destroyed the viaduct that was in the process of undergoing restoration. In 2002, Pennsylvania at Risk had listed the Kinzua Viaduct as one of top ten Most Endangered Historic Properties in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Today, the park is in the process of a master plan for the park that will include a new visitors center, stabilizing the existing towers to allow access on the bridge, and park improvements including overnight accommodations.

Bradford Regional Strategy

is the process of hammering out a development plan for Bradford and the surrounding area. In addition to the 100 local residents involved on committees, the consultants invite public input via their web site.

So far, topics for discussion include Bradford’s strengths and weaknesses. Read the information directly from the researchers and consultants. You can read the minutes of each interview session as they talked to local students, township commissioners, realtors, and others. Voice your opinion. Give your two cents about the direction Bradford should take, or how to get where we need to go.

The web site has an in-depth analysis of economic data for McKean County and the 8 counties immediately surrounding it. The study compares local and regional data with national and state averages. It identifies what we have, what we’re short on, and what we’re totally missing to grow now and in the future.

The analysis itself is interesting, and breaks the economic picture into several views. Almost 50% of the region’s economic output is from manufacturing. In McKean County, Forest, wood, and wood related products provide 1,174 jobs. Healthcare and healthcare related industries provide 1,866 jobs in the county.

You can also read some ideas on the subject here.

From their “About Us” page:

The Master Planning Process:

1 – All three municipalities – The City of Bradford, Bradford Township and Foster Township – have agreed to participate in and support this effort.

2 – There are four main committees made up of nearly 100 involved residents:

- Steering Committee

- Downtown Strategy and Regional Business Subcommittee

- Zoning Subcommittee

- Economic Development Subcommittee

3 – There are plans to hold at least two Town Meetings during the process that will be open to the public. Ideas will be presented and input will be solicited from community members.

4 – The planning team will be meeting with government officials not specifically sitting on plan committees during the process to keep them informed.

5 – The planning team make-up:

MacLachlan, Cornelius & Filoni Architects – Albert Filoni, Kenneth Lee, Amy Maceyko

Impact Economics – Simon Tripp

Zoning/Planning – Roberta Sarraf, AICP

6 – Meeting minutes, reports and other documents will be posted to this website throughout the process for public consumption and comment over the course of the next year.

Both men are Bradford City Council members. Onuffer still has two years on his current term. Riel will resign his position and Council will appoint a replacement.

Riel congratulated his opponent on running a clean race, saying that is “something to be proud of”.

This year’s race marked a milestone. It is the first time local political candidates have issued statements to an Internet publication, Bradford-Online.com, as part of their campaigns. Both statements can be found in our community forum, TalkAboutBradford.com.

Congratulations to Tom Riel!

In the race for McKean County Commissioner, former Commissioner Al Pingie from Bradford, has been re-elected. Pingie and other Commissioners lost a previous race to the three member “New Directions Team”. Clifford Lane, the last member of the team, garnered the lowest vote count and will leave office at the end of this term.

Congratulations to Al Pingie!

The races are over. We look forward to seeing cooperation in our local government to move the City and County forward.

Additional details here:

WESB.com
Bradfordera.com

What Is a Geocaching Trail?

A geocaching trail is simply a series of geocaches tied together by a common theme. There is not necessarily an itinerary, as we would think of a traditional trail, but rather a series of points of interest in a sort of self-guided goal-oriented plan. The Allegheny GeoTrail is perhaps the largest of its kind, encompassing ten counties throughout northwestern and north-central Pennsylvania. Within each county are between 10 and 20 designated geocaches which make up the “trail”. The quest to find these caches will take participants throughout the rugged and scenic land of the Allegheny National Forest and its surrounding gateway counties.

Visit the Allegheny GeoTrail site for more details.