In the News

We welcome back Kathy, our curator, who was on an extended medical leave. We hope you are feeling better. And a big “thank you” to all of the many volunteers who “closed ranks” and kept the museum open. We heard the phrase “I’m not the regular curator, I’m just a volunteer” was used more than once. Those who lent a hand include: Sara Leishman, Melvin Singer, Margaret McKenrick, Dorothy Liphart, Frank and Betty Seymour, Ann Makin, Lois Gruver, Alene Stoyka and Frances Garman, Pat Wright, and Amy Gates.

The National Genealogical Society is holding the 100th Anniversary Conference in Pittsburgh on May 28-31st. For more info call 1-800-473-0060 ext.223.

Central Cambria Middle School teacher and Historical Society Board Member, Toni Marie Clarke, conducted a successful evening program at the museum on March 27th featuring a WWII theme. The sixth grade classes of Toni and Mrs. Carleen Ball gathered WWII oral histories and memorabilia from relatives who served during the war. The event followed a similar presentation at the middle school on February 14, 2003. Toni recalled that during a follow-up with one of the veterans he related to her that this event was the first time since the war that he had been honored in any way. Great job kids!

Veterans Honored at Central Cambria Middle School Event
Eugene Boback Robert J. Bono Lawrence Morgan Daniel Matula Dean Fetzer Martha Zarnesky George Babish Joseph Verbosky	Herman Brosch Lido Sisti Paul Kretchman Harry C. McKinley Robert Long Lester Davis, Sr. George Yesenosky Erika Crawley Helen Spangler	Betty Pisarski Wade Plouse Angelo Mondi John Kycko Carrie Connah Francis Daughenbaugh Helen Miller Earl Price Charles Gray

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	An Old Welsh Letter
	Submitted by Kathleen Nikolishen
	An aging journal, a fading photograph, birth and death records from a dusty Bible, a patch and brass buttons from a soldier's uniform... such are the treasures of history. This gem is a letter: "Here I am, or rather, here we are in the forests of the far west, on a Monday morning, the 30th of July 1848, writing to you a few lines, hoping you are in good health, as we are, and not only that, but also enjoying the fruits of the earth in their season, and in great abundance for your continued well-being. We should indeed be thankful to our Merciful Father, for his great mercies. "I dreamt of you last night and thought what a pleasure it would be to hear from you, and generally how you are faring. Such thoughts spurred me to write to you, hoping you would be also thinking likewise. Receiving good news in a far country is like a refreshing drink to a thirsty soul..." The miracle of the letter is that it survived. Written by Daniel T. Jones, who, with his wife, Jane, and their family, had arrived in the Ebensburg area eight years previously, it was received and saved by their friend, Daniel Harries, Blaenclawdd, Wales, to surface nearly 140 years later when Mr. Jones' great-great-grandson, Thomas Jones, visited the homeland of his pioneer ancestors with his wife, Helen. Daniel Jones recounts the early years of his family's life in Ebensburg, noting that he first worked for William Evans, who was in the process of building a sawmill, and earned ten dollars during the first month and, after six months, twelve dollars. Becoming a partner in the mill, Daniel Jones notes that his profit from the business after 18 months was a mere 55 dollars. Already, he noted, he had purchased 118 acres of land for $18. "I built a small house, and started to clear, and now have 40 acres cleared, a good house 40 ft. by 16 ft. by 18 ft. high, and a barn similar to the one at Troedybryn. It is estimated the buildings are worth 700 dollars, and the land 7 dollars an acre. The land crops well, but an over abundance of stones and timber makes it difficult to cultivate. As I was already a sawyer, I was fortunate in being able to rent a convenient mill for about 30 dollars a year. Times had improved and money to be made out of lumber-about a dollar a hundred-weight for cherry and 75 cents for poplar. In 1844 I received 350 dollars for lumber. I was now thriving, but I could only rent the mill for one year, as the owners wanted to work it themselves." Anxious to make more money, the elder Mr. Jones reported he had that year purchased 84 additional acres with a small river, a house and a partially constructed mill. Within four years, he had satisfied the 600 dollar price tag. "I have only 2 horses," he wrote, "continually on the road in the summer carrying timbers to the town of Ebensburg for house building. We drag out the trees over the snow in winter, which is very much easier then. We are unable to do all the work ourselves so we have to hire workmen-a man and two horses costs 50 cents a day-that is 7 shillings in your money. I have had enough of this and I've decided to get another two horses. The crops are good this year, so I expect feed to be cheap. Laborers are scarce and costly. Wages being now 75 cents a day, and I've had to employ 2 or 3 men between the two farms and the mill." There also is the desire to share their bounty and blessings with old friends and family. "It would be good to see David Morgan and his family coming out here," wrote Dan Jones, "They would do well, for the wage earner gets the best deal in this country." Those who earned their living by their hands were urged to immigrate, "Especially needed are blacksmiths, carpenters, cobblers, tailors, weavers, carders, and laborers, especially if iron works and coal mines start up in this area." Mr. Jones went on to describe the need for a new flour mill neighbors were encouraging him to construct. "I am determined to agree to their request once I've cleared my existing debts on the land and having the deed safe, and some money in hand." The cost, he estimated, with two pairs of millstones and the mounting, would be nearly 1800 dollars-a wise move, he observed, since flour would be of lasting use while the local timber probably would be exhausted within 7 years. Jane Jones asked to be remembered to her relatives, brothers, sisters, especially her sister Rachel, and joined Dan in requesting news of relatives and friends-who had died and who had changed in the area. The family would not return to Wales... leaving, instead, in this new home and to generations of descendants the gift of heritage.

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County Bicentennial Meeting Held at
Courthouse– March 26, 2003

The first public meeting for what organizers project to be a successful, educational and fun-packed bicentennial celebration was held in courtroom number one on the evening of March 26, 2003.

The date is significant because exactly one year from that date the Bicentennial Committee will kick off its commemorative celebration with a founder’s day ceremony in the same courtroom. Cambria County was officially organized on March 26, 1804.

Fremont McKenrick emceed the meeting which was well attended by civic organizations, school superintendents, county officials, historical groups and private citizens.

Comments from the audience were positive as individuals offered up suggestions as to how they could contribute to the commemorative event.

The Bicentennial Steering Committee announced its plans to conduct the following celebrations. Most dates are not yet set and will be announced later.

Founder’s Day– Cambria County Courthouse—March 26, 2004. May include a reenactment of the first sessions of Commissioner’s and Court activities.
County Community Picnic– To be held at the recently renovated picnic grounds of Duman’s Lake County Park. This picnic could prove to be a real community celebration if well attended– tentative date July 31, 2004.
Firemen’s Jubilee Parade being planned by the Dauntless Fire Company of Ebensburg tentative date: August 8, 2004.
Aviation Weekend– Tentatively planned for the weekend of September 18-19, 2004.
Veterans Memorial Parade– November 11, 2004.
Bicentennial Concert by the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra and Bicentennial Jazz Concert to be held at Central Cambria High School.- TBA
Official Bicentennial Website– which will list all sponsored events as well as links to historical information about Cambria County.
Book Endorsement for “The People of Cambria County”- a new county history written by Dave Huber and available to school districts and the general public.

The Steering Committee then heard suggestions from the audience which included an “Aviation Weekend” proposed to be held at the Ebensburg Airport. Such an event could include: a kite flying afternoon, an antique plane show and “ultra-lite” plane demonstrations.

A majority of suggestions were focused on making the celebration one that would be enjoyed by and memorable for the children of the county. Discussions included an art exhibit, tours of the Old Stone Jail and school projects.

Local historical societies expressed an interest in promoting their local events as part of the larger county-wide celebration. Steering Committee members pointed out that an initial concept proposed to all the county organizations was the idea of not reinventing the wheel. Wherever civic organizations, churches or historical groups can put a “bicentennial spin” on an already planned event, they are encouraged to do so.

Attorney McKenrick concluded his remarks by reminding all those in attendance that such a celebration can not be accomplished by a single committee of volunteers. Everyone is encouraged to take an active role in commemorating this “celebration of the spirit”.

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