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UNIDENTIFIED FIREMAN : 1871 ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT DIARY HANDWRITTEN BY A DEDICATED PENNSYLVANIA FIREMAN AND FIRST RESPONDER TO MANY LOCAL DISASTERS AND CONFLAGRATIONS

48mo - over 3" - 4" tall. On offer is an original 1871 manuscript diary that details and describes many local events in Clinton and Lycoming counties of Pennsylvania. The writer, while unidentified though he has left many clues, is a member of the fire department and the vast majority of his writings are about fire alarms and different fires and quite a bit of other local events including a terrible train wreck that killed several people. He writes of going to Williamsport, Flemington, Sugar Valley and Sugar Run. In one passage he writes about an event on "Bald Eagle Street" we believe in Lock Haven Pennsylvania. Particularly interesting to collectors and historians of firefighting, firefighters and the entire subject as our unidentified author details these topics with dedication having full entries for every day of the year though he is rather illiterate. Here are some snippets, spelling intact: "July 14th, 1871 (His way) Day clear and very warm. Boggis and all his went up fishin up two Lising crick had Frank in carage and Hartman's dubel carage. This afternoon got a load of new hay." 1871 "January 10th, Last night about half past ten of eleven o'clock the alarm of fire was given. Thought that the Opera House was on fire. Wasn't but smoke from chimney. Two doz. men was out. No fires to be seen." "February 15th, Day clear and pleasant this morn. Took Moses to depot. Started fro Virginia. Goes far as Baltimore tonight. Meets Mrs. Jacob there. We miss the baby very much. Hope he will come back this June." "March 12th, This morn between about two 45 a fire broke out on avenue. Brown's liquor store burnt down. Cataract hoses had first stream on. Got home about five o'clock. Some time of coming too. Rained pretty near all day." "April 3rd, Mrs. Miller died this morn at four o'clock. Was conscious till the last. This morn Boggis and I was out to the Powder House getting p." "May 30th, Day pleasant and my way warm this afternoon. This was decorating the soldiers graves. About four o'clock hitched up in carriage. Took Boggis folks down street." "June 2nd, Day clear and very warm. This evening the fire department presented Captain Barker with a badge. He was very much taken back. Had band there playing." "June 28th, Day was clear and warm. About 12:30 o'clock had nice shower. Dauntless Hook and Ladder Company had picnic at Sugar Run. Rld moon light hop. Didn't have a good night for it." [Casual research finds online references about the fire department near Lock Haven and tells about the history and mentions Cataract, Captain Barker and the Dauntless Hook and Ladder Company; much of what our author mentions above.] "July 24th, Day pleasant. About four o'clock a fire broke out. Cloak's Hat store and cigar store. It is supposed that it was set on fire under the steps. Jake Smith lost all that he had." "August 21st, Day clear and warm. Had a big fire in Williamsport last night about 8 'clock. Caught in Jim Russell's Livery Stable. Burnt from Ronald to Railroad on Mulberry Street up Third Street." "August 26th, This morn or before 8 & 9 o'clock had a terrible collision about one ¾ miles, about in Westport. Carrier mail going west bound, Empire freight running east bound. Six or eight badly hurt. Some of them caught fire." "August 28th, Mrs. Satterly's father at 2 o'clock on same day (three others live), was killed instantly at Walter, of this city. Had both legs and arms broken. Fisher the boiler smoker was very badly hurt. It was an awful site to see." "October 22nd, Very clear and pleasant this morn. Had buckwheat cakes for breakfast. It is the 1st this season. About four o'clock hitched up in carriage, mother, me and Charley took a little ride." "December 31st, …..This evening is the last night in 1871. Had fried oysters for dinner and got dressed. Went up to Sarah's a little while, did not stay long. It was bright when up. Will, Sallie and Sid Brady was moved on Tuesday night. Went up to see Presbyterian Concert in the sleigh. It was a queer move for he was drunk all day Sunday last." The diary measures about 3" x 5" and the cover is worn and torn in the back where the pocket is. The binding and pages however look good. Overall G.. Book Condition: Good

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