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CHRONOLOGY

Prepared by J. H. Irwin, assisted by T. B. Hunter.
Much of the material was taken from the Diary of the late L. W. Irwin

1887 — Incorporation of the Borough

1888 — First Borough officials elected

1889 — At the time of the Johnstown flood the water was so high that the people were taken out the second story windows with boats in Hensheytown.

February 4, 1889 — The Borough lock-up was completed and stood back of Charles Wallace’s home between First and Second Street in the alley.

1890 — Samuel Mundorf was seriously injured when he was dragged under a freight car while working on the P. & N. W. railroad. He retired with 42 years of service.

March 25, 1990 — J. O. Henry had his arm cut off in the Altoona Yards.

July 6, 1891 — O. H. Kane was given the bid to grade Main Street for the consideration of $340

October 5, 1891 — Bellwood Electric Light Co. was given exclusive right for term of three years, providing they are prepared to furnish light within two months from Oct. 15th, 1891.

October 5, 1891 — Application was received by the Council from A. L. Goss for the position of Borough Police and Lamp Lighting, which was read and accepted, and he was ordered to give Bond for the sum of $200. Salary — $20 per month.

June 11, 1891 — Wreck P. & N. W.—Engineer Simons, brakeman Grazier and Van Scoyoc killed. Brakeman Hetrick seriously injured.

July 16, 1892 — The Electric Lights were turned on in the streets for the first time, and in Irwin & Wrays store July 29th, 1892.

August 1, 1892 — Councilmen Mr. D. L. Wray, Mr. Jeffries and Mr. J. A. Williamson were appointed as a special committee to enter into negotiations with the Bellwood Electric Co., for the best interests of the people of the Borough of Bellwood.

August 1, 1892 — An ordinance authorizing the erection of Water Works in the Borough of Bellwood and a loan of $17,800 enacted and passed the 6th day of June 1893.

August 22, 1892 — Engine jumped track at Bear Loop and killed two men and hurt three men badly.

October 31, 1892 — Mr. Corey killed on P. & N. W. railroad.

January 2, 1893 — 24 degrees below zero.

February 4, 1893 — Roof blew off the opera house.

May 1, 1893 — Irwin and Wray made arrangements with Bellwood Bank for the use of their telephone.

July 17, 1893 — W. H. Jeffries, Judge of Election, delivered the special election returns, which was held July 15th for the purpose of deciding whether the Borough was to have water. The result was 190 votes for the water and 6 votes against.

October 9, 1893 — Borough water turned on for the first time.

January 24, 1894 — Mr. Kettle was struck by a P. R. R. engine and killed.

March 31, 1894 — Three hotels were licensed in Bellwood Borough.

May 1, 1894 — Wreck of P.R.R. at Tipton—two men killed.

May 9, 1894 — Mrs. A. L. Goss was thrown out of the wagon and hurt.

May 21, 1894 — Flood almost as great as the year 1889.

July 2, 1894 — First electric car in Bellwood.

May 7, 1895 — W. Isenberg killed on P. & N. W.

July 6, 1895 — Curb was being erected on the Borough’s Main Street.

September 13, 1895 — Colored men’s fight and medicine man rotten-egged on Main Street.

October 14, 1895 — Water in Altoona so scarce that the P. R. R. hauled some from Bellwood for Altoona Shops.

December 1, 1895 — Young Wyandt of Juniata killed at station.

December 26, 1895 — Harry Irwin, son of George Irwin, killed on P. & N. W.

February 15, 1896 — Y. M. C. A. dedication which was located above the Irwin & Wray Store.

February 21, 1896 — Passenger train for Punxsutawney collided with the Bellwood local.

June 12, 1896 — All business places closed on account of the Blair County Semi-Centennial, which was going full speed.

June 20, 1896 — B. W. Cook’s little boy killed on P. R. R. crossing.

January 22, 1897 — Dr. Laird struck by engine and hurt.

January 29, 1897 — I. M. Myers hurt on railroad.

February 1, 1897 — Pipe organ arrived for Presbyterian Church.

June 5, 1897 — Bellwood band received new instruments.

November 9, 1897 — Central hotel “gutted by fire.”

December 27, 1897 — Mrs. Wm. Bush killed on P. R. R.

May 19, 1898 — W. B. Dysart’s little son smothered in grain elevator.

June 22, 1898 — Fire destroyed stock and building of Irwin & Wrays.

August 8, 1898 — Hobo killed by train at Tipple.

August 15, 1898 — Mrs. Albert McFarland thrown out of wagon and hurt.

September 2, 1898 — William Miller had his arm dislocated.

October 20, 1898 — John Wannamaker addressed the people of Bellwood on the issues of the day.

November 9, 1898 — Wreck on P. & N. W.—W. Bevan hurt.

April 6, 1899 — 62nd Anniversary of Baptist Church.

August 11, 1899 — Geo. Laird hurt.

August 23, 1899 — Wreck on P. & N. W.—P. G. Goshorn hurt.

November 18, 1899 — R. S. McCurdy had leg cut off.

December 15, 1899 — Geo. Martz had leg broken.

December 26, 1899 — Acetylene generator exploded at Irwin & Wray’s.

February 22, 1900 — Dedication of City Hall.

Mar. 7, 1900 — J. W. Rumbarger killed.

May 7, 1990 — Captain Lowther killed.

August 29, 1900 — James Kustaborder killed.

September 12, 1900 — Wreck at Ale’s cut, 22 cars smashed.

September 13, 1900 — I. M. Myers foot crushed.

October 12, 1900 — James Miller, Sr., killed at P. R. R. crossing.

December 26, 1900 — Charles Taylor (colored) drowned in Juniata near Glasgow dam.

January 4, 1991 — No. 6 engine exploded at McGees, three men killed.

March 9, 1901 — Robbers cracked the safe in the Bellwood bank.

March 23, 1901 — Geo. C. Weight killed.

March 27, 1901 — W. B. Humes broke his leg.

June 26, 1901 — Geo. Simon’s arm badly broken in Bellwood machine shop.

August 22, 1901 — L. A. Miller’s boy killed on railroad.

September 21, 1901 — Antis cemetery unveiled.

September 25, 1901 — Mr. Farnsworth killed at Bellwood Mfg. Co.

December 23, 1901 — Will Mulholen killed at Lilly Station.

March 3, 1902 — First transfer of P. & N. W. to P. R. R. Co. Final P. & N. W. pay to men was March 13, 1902.

March 20, 1902 — J. T. Glasgow killed in sawmill.

March 24, 1902 — Geo. McCracken killed, Isaac Groner and others badly hurt on P. & N. W. Isaac Groner died March 29, 1902 from his injuries.

May 26, 1902 — Ben Cherry killed on P. R. R.

May 28, 1902 — Very cold and snow at Lloydsville, PA.

May 28, 1902 — Young Parks and Kask killed at Kerbaugh Works.

July 4, 1902 — Electric Line opened to Tyrone.

September 12, 1902 — Geo. Schwenk badly hurt.

August 30, 1902 — Judge Deam’s barn burned by lightning.

October 14, 1902 — Reported P. R. R. pay car held up. However pay car arrived at 9:30 p.m. with the money.

January 9, 1903 — Joe McCloskey in Altoona to help purchase firemen’s team of horses.

July 3, 1903 — Boy drowned in sawmill dam.

July 17, 1903 — Joe McCoy died from a blank shell accidentally discharged from a pistol, which struck his hand.

July 23, 1903 — Milton Williams’ leg cut off on P. & N. W.

September 23, 1903 — Charles Steel killed at car repair works.

November 12, 1903 — Stewart Gensimer killed on P. & N. W.

March 3,1904 — Man killed on tipple.

February 11, 1905 — Mr. Darah badly hurt in fall from telephone pole.

April 10, 1905 — Charles Grazier killed in yard.

April 29, 1905 — Acetylene Gas generator exploded at L. W. Irwin & Co. and killed Joe McCloskey.

August 10, 1905 — Engine exploded one mile west of Bellwood killing two men.

October 13, 1905 — Directors meeting of Logan Valley cemetery association to conclude purchase of land from James Lowther Estate.

February 19, 1906 — G. M. Weaver was elected Burgess of Bellwood.

May 7, 1906 — Dan Peters hurt at Kerbaugh works.

July 15, 1906 — W. S. Bell’s barn struck by lightning and burned.

November 12, 1906 — N. Rose killed.

May 18, 1907 — Adie Bell killed as he stepped from behind a train.

June 14, 1907 — J. M. Mothersbaugh killed at wreck on P. R. R.

June 30, 1907 — Dr. Mathers closed his pastorate as pastor of the Logan Presbyterian Church, Bellwood covering almost forty years. He died Aug. 31, 1912 at 11:30 p.m.

January 7, 1908 — Fifteen inches of snow.

July 23, 1908 — Robert Henderson killed on main track of railroad near the freight station.

August 8, 1908 — J. Edgar Williamson and Robert E. Irwin left Bellwood for an 800-mile bicycle trip.

September 15, 1908 — Samuel Hershey killed at Glenwood Springs.

January 1, 1909 — Business Men’s Association of Bellwood had their banquet at the Bell Hotel on Railroad Street.

September 7, 1909 — Ladies of Bellwood Business Men’s Association held an outing at Lakemont Park.

January 2, 1910 — Judge Bell of Hollidaysburg was found dead in bed Sunday.

June 27, 1910 — L. W. Irwin was named President of the Bellwood Business Men’s Association.

March 16, 1911 — H. E. Keys badly injured.

September 6, 1911 — John Irwin lost to Melvin Bamford in the finals of the first Bellwood Tennis Club tournament.

November 7, 1911 — Dr. W. H. Morrow, E. N. Root, E. F. Green, G. P. Orris and L. W. Irwin elected school directors.

January 13, 1912 — 26 degrees below zero.

December 10, 1912 — Kyper’s stable was burned to the ground.

May 1, 1913 — Edward Wolfe hurt.

May 27, 1913 — Borough special election for a new school building. It was carried by 181 to 14 against.

June 2, 1913 — Accident at bridge, boy killed.

August 3, 1913 — Hunter’s barn reported struck by lightning and burned.

August 21, 1913 — Young Schmittle accidentally electrocuted.

October 24, 1913 — Mr. George Edmiston killed.

January 5, 1914 — Twenty-two inches of snowfall.

May 26, 1914 — Y. M. C. A. building consumed by fire. The building was located on the corner of Main and Antis Streets.

1915 — The Bellwood Chamber of Commerce organized.

January 26, 1916 — An ordinance was introduced providing for the adoption location and construction of a sewer disposal plant by J. J. Irwin.

June 27, 1916 — Bellwood experienced the most severe hail and rainstorm in its history. Hail and water ran over the curb on Main Street and many windows were broken by the hail.

1916 — The following local men left for the Mexican border with the Sheridan troop of Tyrone: Edgar McKinney, A. R. Barr, C. B. Meadville, O. B. Moore, R. B. Branstetter, C. P Gilmore, J. G. Homing, G. D. Martz, R. L. Shultzaberger.

1917 — Bellwood Y. M. C. A. dedicated. High School athletic field.

June 1934 — G. E. Fuoss completed new funeral chapel and show room on Main Street.

May 7, 1935 — The large barn of Mr. John A. Fox was destroyed by fire, also 24 head of cow, 200 bushel of grain, 20 ton of hay and most of his farm implements.

1935 — Jack Williamson appointed Scoutmaster of Troop No. 51, Boy Scouts of America.

December 17, 1935 — Start of the Bellwood Sewerage project. Two hundred men given employment.

1936 — Members of the Lutheran church completed a parish house which meets the needs of their ever increasing congregation.

1936 — Oscar Bender met a tragic death in a cave-in on the Bellwood Sewer project, near the Rothenberger home.

April 8, 1937 — A Group of representative citizens of the borough met in the Y. M. C. A. to discuss plans for the Bellwood Semi-Centennial celebration, in charge of General Chairman C. F. Wertz.

April 24, 1937 — Christopher Dengate, last Bellwood Civil War Veteran, died.

June 27, 1937 — Seventeen freight cars ran away from the yard at Hunter’s Crossing, north of Bellwood, and were derailed near the passenger station at the junction of the main line and the branch. Ten cars were wrecked in the creek.

July 11th to 17th, 1937 — Semi-Centennial celebration.

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