10 Feb 1898
Submitted by Dianne D. O'Shea

Andrew M. Tully, a young man who was employed as a Motorman in the Berwind-White coal mines in Paint Township, Somerset County, near the Scalp Level Post-office, was fatally injured while at work yesterday afternoon.

The motor passed over one of his legs, badly crushing it. After this accident he was brought to this city by a Scalp Level liveryman and taken to the Memorial Hospital for treatment. The injured member was amputated at 8 o'clock in the evening, and two hours later the young man died.

The deceased was a son of Michael and Eliza Tully, of Summerhill, this county, and was in his twenty-fifth year. He had been employed by the Berwind-White Company since last June.

The father of the unfortunate young man came here shortly after the accident occurred and left this morning on the 8:24 train with the body for Summerhill. The funeral will take place at 9 o'clock to-morrow morning from St. Bartholomew's Roman Catholic Church at Wilmore, interment to be made in the church graveyard at a later hour.

Monday, 14 Feb 1898
Submitted by Dianne D. O'Shea

The funeral of Andrew M. Tully, the young man who was fatally injured in one of the Berwind-White Coal Company's mines in Paint Township, Somerset County, Wednesday afternoon of last week, took place from St. Bartholomew Roman Catholic Church at Wilmore on Saturday morning, Rev. Father Ryan officiating.

Among the many persons in attendance were Mr. and Mrs. James Marrow and family, Mrs. Varner and Mrs. Burke, of the Eleventh Ward, and Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Wolfe and family, of the Seventh Ward, this city.

Interment was made in the church graveyard at 11 o'clock that morning.

Mr. Tully, of Summerhill, father of the unfortunate young man, came to the city this morning and went to the mines to ascertain the manner in which his son was injured.

10 Jun 1898
Submitted by Annie Whiteman

Mr. D. S. Taylor, of Berlin, Somerset County, was in the city Sunday.

Justice Irvin Hoover, of Hooversville was in the city overnight with relatives.

Mr. A. J. Ward of Rockwood is a visitor in the city, having just arrived last evening.

Mr. James McClune, one of the clerks in the Court House, is among relatives in the city.

Sheriff George M. Wertz of Ebensburg came to the city on the 4:33 train last evening.

Mr. Defoe McLavern and Miss Bertha Lydick, of Indiana, were visitors in the city on Tuesday.

Dr. William Rauch and his brother Daniel, of the 4th ward, are spending the day at Somerset.

Dr. F. C. Jones of Ebensburg spent a few hours here yesterday at a clinic held at the Memorial Hospital.

Dentist Joshua C. Duncan of the 1st ward has returned from a trip to Toledo, Ohio, and Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Mrs. Frank Whitehead of Stoneycreek Twp., who had been dangerously ill for several weeks, is slowly improving.

Mr. Elmer Speck of Pittsburgh, formerly a resident of this place, was here among relatives Wednesday and yesterday.

Mrs. M. S. Edwards and family of Napoleon Street are visiting relatives in the Ligonier Valley, Westmoreland County.

Miss Jennie F. Goodell of Napoleon Street has gone to Ebensburg to spend her summer vacation, leaving here Saturday evening.

Mrs. S. Guyer Etter and children of Chambersburg are visiting Mrs. Etter's parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Ellsworth of the South Side.

Mr. and Mrs. W. Milton Brown and Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Harmony are fishing today in Somerset County, having left on the 8:30 train this morning.

Mrs. William Whiteford and children of the 5th ward returned last evening from their visit of 10 days to relatives at Lavensville, Somerset County.

The many friends of Mrs P. M. Brown of Wilmore, who had been dangerously ill for several weeks, will be pleased to learn that she is on a fair way to complete recovery.

Mr. E. W. Ream of Braddock, who had been here attending the funeral of his little sister Mary Ream, departed last evening for home. He was a former resident of Johnstown.

Mr. David B. Wilson of Mineral Point was a passenger on the 4:13 train last evening on his way home from Oil City, where he had been attending the Department Encampment of the G.A.R.

Miss Emma Gageby, a student of Ognontz, near Philadelphia, arrived home Wednesday morning to spend her summer vacation with her mother Mrs. James H. Gageby of the 2nd ward.

Mrs. Frank Burrell and her son Master Frank of the 1st ward went to Jenners, Somerset County, Wednesday morning to visit the former's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jonas Maurer, for several weeks.

Miss Leona Smith, Miss Pearl Edmiston, and her brother Master Charles, who have been visiting friends and relatives in Johnstown for a week returned home to Gallitzin Saturday evening.

Dr. and Mrs. Milton A. Noon of Scottdale, who had been visiting the former's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Noon, in Conemaugh Twp, this county, since last week, departed on the 9:20 train Tuesday morning for home.

Mrs. Sarah Cramer of Cramer, Indiana County, was in the city Tuesday evening visiting her aged mother, Mrs. Eliza Barclay of the 20th ward, who has passed her 89th year, and has been very ill for the past few weeks.

Miss Kit Daugherty of Johnstown spent Sunday at Meyersdale with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Daugherty on North Street.

Mrs. Susan Seigh of Braddock is the guest of her son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer E. Hurrel of the 1st ward. She came here a few days ago on account of the serious illness of her brother, Mr. Thomas Myers of Walnut Grove.

Miss Mary Dowling of the 15th ward started on Day Express yesterday morning for Sykesville Maryland to visit her brother Rev. Father John W. Dowling, pastor of St. Joseph's parish there. Her little sister Annie has been in Sykesville for some time.

Dr. and Mrs. I. E. Sloan of the 7th ward started on the 9:24 a.m. train Wednesday morning for Indiana County to spend a short vacation among friends there. Thursday evening they were present at the marriage of the doctor's brother to a daughter of the Ex-Commissioner Wilson Shields at Kellysburg.

Elders David Fyock of Stoneycreek Twp and David Hildebrand of East Taylor Twp, Messrs. John F. Brehme of West Taylor Twp and Stephen Stutzman of Upper Yoder Twp have returned from Naperville, Illinois, where they had been attending the General Meeting of the German Baptist Brethren Church.

Notice. My wife Kittie, having left her bed and board without just cause or provocation, I hereby warn all persons not to harbor or trust her on my account, as I will pay no debts contracted by her.
W. W. Knepper, Johnstown. 09 Jun 1889

Mr. Gail Heslop, for 41 years boss painter for the Cambria Iron Company, has retired, and will hereafter devote his time to cultivating his grounds in the 20th ward. Mr. HESLOP is considered one of the best painters in this vicinity. Mr. Milton Haynes of the South Side will succeed him.

On Tuesday, while landlord David MURRAY, of the Murray House, Hollidaysburg, was driving to his farm near that town, he was held up by Mrs. Kate Freidenbloom, who grabbed the horse by the bridle. When Mr. Murray dismounted from the buggy, she threw a bucket of sand in his face, blinding him, and then hit him with a club. While he was getting the sand out of his eyes, she drove away in his horse and buggy. The woman claimed Murray owes her $30 and this was her way of collecting it. She drove the horse back to Hollidaysburg, and was there arrested for larceny and agravated assault. She will be given a hearing today.

A jolly party of Johnstowners made up by Messrs. Paul and Rebert and their wives, and Mrs LYDA are here in Blairsville visiting Mrs. Replogle and family. The traveled via the bike lane and had a pleasant trip, with the exception that a punctured tire about 3 miles from home caused one of the party to have himself conveyed to town by 4 wheels instead of one.

Drs. H. F. TOMB of Jackson Street, A. N. Wakefield of the 5th ward, John B. Lowman of the 2nd ward, and Frank U. Ferguson of Gallitzin are at Denver, Colorado, attending the National Medical Convention, the latter being a representative of the Cambria Medical Society, and the others of the State Medical Society. They will return within the next fortnight.

Wednesday, 18 May 1898
page 4, column 1
Contributed by Gordon Grening

Mary Ann, wife of J. A. Lingenfelter, died yesterday of consumption at her home on Third avenue, Altoona. She was born in Claysburg, Blair County, in 1847 and was married in 1867. Her husband, three children, and several brothers and sisters survive, the latter being Mrs. Sue Weyandt, Mrs. Sarah Mock, Mrs. Katie Stine, and Samuel Dively, of Claysburg; Mrs. Barbara Lingenfelter, of Indiana, and Gabriel Dively, of Bedford County.

Miss Suella, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles O. Luther, died at the residence of her parents, No. 652 Locust street, Ninth Ward, at 10:30 o’clock this forenoon, after an illness of several months of pulmonary trouble.

Miss Luther was born in 1879 in the vicinity in which she died. She was a sister of Corporal Edgar Luther, of Company H, Fifth Regiment, and Private William Luther, of the same company, who are not on their way to Camp Thomas at Chickamauga Park. Her cousin – Valentine Luther –- is also a private of the company.

Her sister –- Miss Sadie A. Luther –- died at the home of her parents, of the same disease, December 14, 1897, and her cousin–-Miss Emma Kate Lucas–daughter of J. Emmett Lucas, died of similar trouble at her father’s residence, in Lower Yoder Township, last Thursday.

The deceased was a member of the Franklin-street Methodist Episcopal Church, the Sunday School, and the Epworth League Chapter, and was a faithful attendant at the services up to the time she was compelled to remain at home.

She is survived by her parents, four sisters, and five brothers, viz: Cora, wife of George Galbraith; Mollie, wife of Fred Colwes; William, Charles, Robert, Gertrude, Edgar, Maude, and Earl.

Rev. Dr. James Mechem will conduct the funeral services at the residence of the parents at 3 o’clock Friday afternoon, after which interment will be made in Sandyvale Cemetery.

Friday, 29 Jul 1898
Contributed by Lynne Canterbury.

CAMPBELL. -- In Walnut Grove, on Thursday, July 28, 1898, at 5:30 o'clock A.M., Clyde, son of T. W. and A. M. Campbell, aged 3 years 4 months and 1 day.

Funeral to-morrow from the U. B. Church at New Florence; interment at Bethel, Indiana County.

DAMCSISAK. -- In Scalp Level on Thursday evening, July 28, 1898, at 5 o'clock, Mary, daughter of George and Annie Damcsisak, aged 11 months.

Funeral at 3 o'clock this afternoon; interment in the Greek Catholic Cemetery, in Lower Yoder Township.

DAMENICA. -- In Johnstown, Fourteenth Ward, at No. 150 Hinckson avenue, on Thursday afternoon, July 28, 1898, at 1 o'clock, Michela, wife of John Damenica, aged 28 years.

Funeral at 2 o'clock to-morrow afternoon; interment in St. John's Cemetery, at Geistown.

FRY. -- At the home of her parents, near Scalp level, on Tuesday, July 28, 1898, Emma, daughter of Josiah and Luzzie Fry, aged 13 years and 20 days.

Funeral Thursday at 9 o'clock A.M. Interment in the Berkey Cemetery.

23 Sep 1898
Contributed by Don Varner

In spite of unpropitious weather, the reunion of the Varner family, one of the best known and most respected in Cambria County, which was held at Jacoby's Park, in Walnut Grove, yesterday, was a pronounced success, so gratifying to those who conceived the project and carried it out that it was determined to make the reunion an annual feature.

There were present about six hundred people, of whom 227 bore the name of Varner and all the others being related either by blood or marriage.

The crowd began gathering as early as 9 O'clock in the morning and all had arrived before noon. At the latter hour the occasion took on the form of a basket picnic, and all participated heartily of the tempting viands which had been carefully prepared by the good housewives.

By 2 o'clock the remainders of the feast had been gathered up and stored away, and the party was ready for some exercises of pleasure and profit which had been prepared.

This (illegible word) was opened by prayer by the Rev. O. Miller, pastor of the United Evangelical Church of Dale Borough who was followed by an address form Mr. Stephen R. Varner of this city to which further reference will be made below. Mr. Martin Varner of Dale, assisted by others rendered a song entitled "Way Down in the Harbor of (Havanna ? nearly illegible word)" which was received with applause. This song was followed by the touching song "Mother's Old Arm Chair" Rendered by Rev. Miller.

The only member of the Varner family present from out of the county was Mrs. Tallhelm, wife of the Rev. John T. Tallhelm and daughter of the late George Varner.

In the address by Mr. Stephen R. Varner, noted above, that gentleman rehearsed in brief the history of the VARNER family especially the story of earlier generations, who move into this section of the state many years ago and cleared ground, built houses and planted orchards, the fruits of whose labors the younger people of the present day now enjoy. It had been his privilege, the speaker said, to see six generations of the name of Varner.

Stophel Varner, so far as could be learned, was the progenitor of all the people of that name in this country, certainly all in this state. He moved from the northern part of Germany over one hundred years ago and took up residence in Lancaster County. One of his sons - Nicholas - moved to Somerset County, but shortly came to what is a part of Cambria County and there all his family were born and reared, their numerous descendants living, at present, principally in the townships of Adams, Richland, and Jackson. The home of Nicholas Varner was on what is known as the John Noon farm about three miles from Johnstown along the Frankstown Road. (Editorial note - this is the site of the present day Johnstown Airport)

The family of Mr. Nicholas Varner consisted of four girls and six boys, as follows, all of whom are dead: Peggy Snyder, Susan Reighard, Mary Cable, Elizabeth Kring, Justice, Jacob, George, Peter, John and Samuel Varner, the latter the youngest and the father of the speaker. Mr. Stephen Varner said he could remember seeing all of the above family except John and Elizabeth, who both moved to Ohio in young manhood, John building a raft and floating down the Conemaugh, thence down the Ohio River to the state of Ohio, which was then very far "out west". There he became quite wealthy and his family was prominent. Two of his sons being lawyers of note. With the exception of these two, the children of Nicholas Varner lived and died in Cambria County.

The speaker in counting up the direct descendants of Nicholas Varner in two generations - his children and grandchildren - said there were 77 if them, of whom 42 were dead, leaving 35 to survive.

[Comments By Donald Varner:
1. Nicholas' father Stophel (Christofel) Varner was actually born in Germany Twp. York (now Adams) County, Pa., it was his father Hans Adam [Werner] who, in 1732, came to America from [Massenbach, Baden-Wurttemburg] Germany.

2. The 100th Anniversary Varner Reunion of descendants of Nicholas Varner was held in Richland Township on July 12, 1998]