Volume I, Issue 2

Winter Issue

The Ten Mile Historical Review  The Quarterly Newsletter of the Greene County Historical Society 

Inside this issue: Christmas Open House Evening with Stan Gordon Around the Ol’ Greene 11-11-11 Veterans Day Memorial 40th Annual Harvest Festival Waynesburg Chamber of Commerce Membership Dinner 4-Halloween Party Meet The Staff Annual Report Upcoming Events

Christmas Open House 2011 At the end of our 2011 season, the Greene County Historical Society had one more gift to give to the Greene County Community this holiday season. The annual Christmas Open house and Candlelight tours began on the weekend of November 26th and 27th with a quaint candlelight tour led by board members, Linda Rush and Debbie Wilson and ended the weekend of December 3rd and 4th. Guests to the museum enjoyed rooms decorated by Neubauer’s and Perfect Arrangement Florists. On display for our yuletide guests were a variety of teapots and nativity scenes. Teapots included Santa Claus, Disney and Holly themes. Nativities including tiny one in a thimble sized egg to breadbox sized stables with finely detailed mangers, the holy family, wise men, shepherds and animals. Some of the more interesting ones were a small homemade nativity and our iconic coal nativity set that we sell in the Museum gift shop. Volunteer Wayne Hart kept children and the young at heart captivated with an “O” gauge Christmas Train display and scavenger hunt. Visitors had to find a variety of tiny people and wintertime scenes. In addi-

tion, to the large scale trains, we had Reverend Wilson’s Circus a smaller , “HO” scale train display. It had all the bells and whistles with a hand made big top, little circus characters , people. And a herd of elephants Museum board member, Marie Frye facilitated a Christmas tree competition that had thematic trees including animals from the Humane Society, a kitchen, snowman, birdhouse themed trees and a cross generational tree. The gift shop itself was full of the holiday spirit with handmade decorations for sale and aromas of freshly baked cookies and hot apple cider. Around the museum, we had several vendors including Joyce’s Copper Kettle fudge, Linda Simon’s fairy houses and a Stephanie MacCartney, a Scentsy candle seller. It was a great event to close out our 2011 season.

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The Ten Mile Historical Review

 An Evening with Stan Gordon  On Dec 5, 1965 a strange occurrence would put Kecksburg, PA on the radar of every paranormal investigator. The Kecksburg UFO crash is well known to ufologists everywhere and is synonymous with local expert Stan Gordon who investigated the incident.

strange correlations of Bigfoot and UFO sightings in Western Pennsylvania.

After a brief intermission, two additional investigators, Fred Saluga, a local member of Mutual UFO Network and the Pennsylvania Bigfoot Society and Brian Seech of the Center The Greene County Hisfor Unexplained Events, torical Society was fortunate to host Mr. Gordon at spoke about several Bigfoot, UFO and ghost our “Evening with Stan Gordon” event on October encounters in Southwestern Pennsylvania 8 th . Mr. Gordon spoke about the Kecksburg inci- and West Virginia. Mr. Seech was one of the dent and how it sparked his interest in the study of investigators that several years ago investigatUFOs. He continued to ed the museum for parspeak about his later inanormal activity. The vestigations and the two gentlemen complet-

A r o u n d  S t o r i e s

o f

The love of liberty has always been the cornerstone of the agrarian demeanor of the people of Greene County and has always been one of their more endearing qualities. However in the American Civil War some of these stalwart traits clashed with the structure of obedience and hierarchy in the Union Army. An example of this opposition is the revolt of the 15th Pennsylvania Calvary, the “Anderson Troop” during the Tennessee Campaign of 1862. From the Diary of Samuel Gass , the mutiny is one of necessity not the whim of malcontent-

t h e

t h e

ed their talk with a free raffle of paranormal DVDs, CDs and literature. Kevin Paul a local expert on the unexplained continued the talk with some of his evidence on demonic entities and quasidimensional creature investigations around Greene County. The evening was concluded by Larry Pishko, our former administrator, who spoke about some of the encounters from the museum including a strange breathing and slamming of the library’s basement door, feelings of nausea and headaches in parts of the basement known as “the Dungeon” and flickering

O l ’

T o w n s h i p s

ed soldiers as it is depict in a January 9, 1863 article in the New York Times. When the Regiment was organized in 1862, men from Greene County collected in Carmichaels and joined the cavalry as Company F to serve as General Buell’s Bodyguards. One such man was Samuel W. Gass from Clarksville, PA. He boarded the Crago boat at Rices Landing and went upriver to Lock No. 2 at Braddock's Upper Ripple, above the mouth of Turtle Creek. From Pittsburgh he went to Harrisburg and finally, Carlisle, PA where soldiers were mustering into regimental units of the Army of the Cumberland under General Rosecrans. At first, the sol-

of lights in the “Doll Room”. The event was a great partnership between the GCHS Museum and the Sustaining Greene County organizations, and with over 120 people attending it was a great event for both.

G r e e n e o f

G r e e n e

diers were content traveling across the Midwest through Ohio and Indiana then turning south toward Kentucky and Tennessee. They made encampments along Barren River near Bowling Green, TN. His days were filled with scout missions and picket or guard duty. During the winter of 1862, Gass with 200 of the Anderson Troop were on a foraging expedition with the other regiments and were attacked by southern skirmishers. One of the troop was killed. The following day, Gass writes that the Anderson Troop “laid down their arms and refused to

C o u n t y



march until they had an investigation of the way they were enlisted, and gotten into service.” (Continued p. 11)

Volume I, Issue 2

 11 - 11 - 11 Many men and women had given their lives to protect all that we love and cherish here in Greene County and the freedoms of the United States. This year in honor of our veterans, the Greene County Historical Society hosted a Veterans Day event called “11-1111: A Veterans Day Memorial.” Th e me mor ial c ele bra ted th e b ra ve r y of th e soldi er s of Green e C ou nt y wit h Ph ot o d i spl a ys of l ocal li vi n g an d d ecea se d vete ran s. In ad di t i on t o t he se t he re wer e art ifa ct s f r om a var iet y of Wa r s a nd c onf lic t s. Th e R e volu t i onar y Wa r e xh ibi t sh owca se d a pe ri od p owde r h orn, mu ske t ba ll s, c an n onba ll s, han d ma de of fice r s sword an d a ca val r y sa bre . An ot her ex hi bit wa s a Ci vi l War e xh ibi t t hat c on tai ned va riou s wel l kn own Gre ene C ou nt y f a mi l y n a me s l i ke He ad le e, Arc h e r a nd J ohn st on. Th e d i sp la y in cl u ded a va r iet y of ci vi l war a mmun iti on i ncl ud in g sta nda r d Min ie b all s, Wi llia ms Cle ane r s a nd a ea rl y ca rt a ge sh ell ; Ci vi l war era let ter s an d d oc u men t s a nd the fa mou s Ge or ge Wa shin gt on La fa ye t te J ohn st on’ s b ib le t hat sa ve d h i m f r om a bu llet . Th e Sp ani sh Amer ica n War wa s r ep re se nte d b y se ve ral i te ms f r om t he mu seu m c olle cti on i ncl ud in g b ra ss kn uc k-

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Ve t e r a n s

Day

le s, a B ill y c lu b, of fice r’ s sword , a rti lle r y sh el l s, a nd na val of f ice r s d re ss hat, sh oul de r ep aul et s an d swor d bel t a s wel l a s ph otogr a p h s of C ompa n y K a nd f or me r Gove rn or Ed wa rd Ma rt in ’ s Spa ni sh Ame rica n Wa r ha t. Th e e xhi bi t al so i ncl ude d t he muse u m’ s c ol le cti on of Wor l d Wa r I i te ms. One d i sp la y h el d t he p ost car d c or re sp on d e nce of Ch arl e s A. Dill e fr om hi s va r i ou s stat i on s ac r oss Fr a nce. Two la r ge Ge r ma n a rtil lery sh e ll s st ood b y t he di spla y ca se wit h i te ms f r om b ot h Ger man an d Ame ric an sol die r s i ncl udi n g: ammo ca se s, a Ger ma n Sta hl hel m, Ger man a nd Ame ric an me ss ki t s, a Swi ss b ol t act i on rif le used late r i n t he war b y Ger man sold ie rs, me dal s, of f ice r wh i stle an d i den ti fic ati on b rac elet . Some of t he more in ter e sti n g pie ce s on di spla y wer e th e it ems fr om Wor l d Wa r II. The se inc lud ed pa mp hl et s f r om t he Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) a nd Unite d Sta te s Mar ine C or p s Wome n 's R e ser ve. The di sp la y al so h ad a va rie t y of pe r sonal ite ms f r om l ocal sol die r s, Lt C ol. J ohn D. Gap en a n d Lt. Nor ma n J. Fl yn n . Gap en ’ s d i spl a y h ad hi s wa rti me me dal s a n d ba d ges whi le Fl yn n ’ s h ad mor e p er sona l i te ms of l i ke hi s se r vice “ Cat h ol ic B ib le,” fie ld un if or m an d b a yon e t. Th e museu m al so inc or p orat ed some more un iq ue i te ms l ike a bat t le f la g gi ve n t o Gover n or Ma rti n b y Ge ner al Ge or ge C. Ma rsh all an d

Memorial Nazi Ge r ma n y i te ms li ke p h ot ogr a ph s f r om an d a par t y ar mba nd a s wel l a s a sh ort swor d. In a dd iti on t o th ese it e ms, t he muse u m d i spl a ye d i te ms f r om Ra ymon d Sn od gra ss, a rece ntly d e ce ased vete ra n of Vie t Nam. The se i ncl ud ed hi s l ette r s h ome, ph ot ogr a ph s, u nif or m an d ac hieve men t b ad ge s a nd meda ls. Th e fin al d i sp la y wa s an hon or wa ll sh owi n g a va rie t y of l oc al Vet era n s p h ot ogr ap h s r an gin g fr om p h ot os f r om t he C i vil Wa r t o t he Wa r Aga in st Ter r or. B e sid e t he mu seu m a rt ifa ct s, th e Vete ra n s Da y e ve nt wa s for t un ate e n ou gh t o h a ve two a dd ition a l di sp la ys in clu di n g Mr. R ob ert Ric e’ s d i sp la y of hi s fa mil y’ s c i vi l war i te ms a nd two gue st spea ke r s, J oe A ye r sma n a nd St ate Rep rese ntat i ve B ill De Wee se t hat sp oke of t hei r mi lita r y ser vic e. Th e h i ghli gh t of t he da y wa s whe n a l oca l Korea n War ve ter an , Umb er t o “ Be rt” Cer min ara h ad n ot iced d ur in g t hi s ye a r ’ s Ha r ve st Fe st i va l t hat t he mu seu m lac ke d a Kor ea n Wa r u ni f or m i n t he mili tar y r oom. Mr . de cid ed t o d onat e h i s Un ite d Stat es Ma ri ne un ifor m, pa p er wor k an d ac c oute r men ts fr om h i s t i me d ur in g t he Korean War ca mpai gn whic h i ncl ude d a di sa r med ha nd grena de a n d a Worl d Wa r II ma che te h e f ou nd on a b eac h. It wa s a h on or t o h ost an e ven t t hat p ra i sed the ser vice of t he me n a nd wome n of Gree ne C ou nt y.

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The Ten Mile Country Review

 40th Annual Harvest Festival  No thi n g u s he rs i n the jo y o f fa ll i n Greene C o unt y l ik e t he an nual Gre ene C ou nt y Hi st ori cal Soci et y Ha r ve st Fe sti val . Thi s p a st ye a r wa s th e 40 th An nua l Ha r ve st Fe sti val a nd GC HS wa s a ble to o ffe r th e peo p le o f Gr eene C o unt y an d be yo n d , a fu n mi xt ure o f go o d fo od, e nte rtai nme nt, c ra fts man s hip a nd h ist ori c demo n st rati ons. T he fe sti val sta rte d off a wi nd y a n d rai n y me s s b ut a s c hee r y gu e st s be gan to e nte r t he gat es , mi rac ulo u sl y, t he s kie s cl eare d up . So on , th e s p acio u s gr o u nd s o f m u seum wer e ful l o f Volunteers Lisa Snyder –Williams and vi s it or s Bobbi Hopes in the GCHS Gift Shop watc hi n g d emo n st rati on s li ke a gr i st mill mi lli n g c or n, ca ndl e dip pi n g a nd a bel lo wi n g s tea m e n gine . Ot he r d emo n st rato r s an d ve n do r s we re Li p pi nc ott Alpa ca s a nd t heir a do rab le fr ien dl y a lpaca s t hat ch ild ren a nd a dul t a lik e l o ve t o pet . Lo ca l a ut ho r Da ve Ho wa rd b ette r kn o wn a s “Uncle Da ve ” had a b oo k s i gnin g fo r a sp ecial 9 ye ar o ld gi r l, M o r ga n Bar ne s, who sa ved a b o y fr o m dr o wni n g. T he 1 st V ir gin ia Re gime nt , which po rtra ys li fe d ur in g t he Fre nch a nd Ind ian Wa r per io d, t ran s fo rme d t he mu se um’ s l o g cabi n i nt o “T he Bl oo d y Di rk ”, an 18 th cen tu r y

ta ve rn . Wh ile , T od d “Gh o st in t he He ad” Jo hn son set u p a t ra dit io nal Nati ve Ame rica n wi gwam an d ex hib ite d t he di ffe re nt t oo ls a nd weap on s o f the l ocal n ati ve t ri be s. T he bi gge st dra w was o ur Ci vil Wa r e ncam pme nt s tha t bra ve d t he win d y a nd co ld n i ght s o f m id -Octo ber . The me n o f t he 1 4 0 th Pe nn syl va nia Vo lu ntee r In fa ntr y, 9 th Pe nn syl va nia R eser ve s Medic al Se r vice a nd 2 nd Vir gin ia Re gime nt s dem on s trat ed li fe in cam p o n bot h si de s o f t he Ame ric an C i vil Wa r . T he cul min ati on were t w o s kir mi she s on t he ne wl y r epl aced b ri d ge

Volume I, Issue 2

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 40th Annual Harvest Festival  ac ro s s th e c ree k beh in d th e l ib rar y a n d s a wmil l on t he mu seu m gr ou nd s. In s i de gu e st s t o the GC HS mu se um vi ewed

t he ne w col lecti on o f Er ne st K. Gable r ri ve rb oat m ode ls a nd a snea k pea k a t ou r Wo r ld Wa r I ex hib it fo r the “1 1 -1 1- 11” Vete ra ns D a y M em ori al an d ou r va st nati vit y c ollec ti o n fo r t he C hr istmas Open Ho u se . As well ,

a nd ve nd o rs. Mot her Ea rt h Fa rm s ha d a wo nd er ful d i spla y o f fa ll mu ms a nd t ree s fo r sal e a t t he Gate 1 e nt rance t o gr eet gu e st s, while som e o f th e ne w ven do r s, li ke Am i gam i, so ld ecle ctic he mp je wel r y. Ot her ve n do rs l ike Sil ve r an d Gol d, sol d ha nd -cr a fte d sil ver and go l d coi n je welr y a s well a s ha nd c ra ft ed wo od en cl ock s. Li nes we nt o ut th e Gr eene C o unt y Hi sto rical Soci et y’ s kitc he n do or fo r o u r famo u s bea n s oup s a nd co rn b read a s we ll a s o the r goo die s suc h as ca bba ge r oll s, a pp le d um pli n gs an d p ulle d p o rk san d wich e s. O th er ta st y bi t s we re fo un d at va ri ou s ven do r bo ot hs li ke Jo yc e’ s C o ppe r Kett le Fu d ge an d the Wa gn e r Su gar Ca mp t hat sol d va rio u s map le fl a vor ed snac k s.

T he Ha r vest Fe st i va l h o sted ma n y ta lent ed m u sicia n s like t he Justi n Fa b us Ban d a n d t he Gre ene Acad em y Pla ye r s. The Gre ene Volunteer Linda Rush selling names to be included C o unt y Hi sto rical on the GCHS memorial Quilt So ciet y’ s Har ve st p eo ple ha d the o pp o rt un it y t o bu y n ame pa n- Fe sti val wra pp ed u p el s for ou r “G reen e C o unt y Hi sto rical Soci et y o n Su nda y a fte rn oo n wit h a special Ve sQ u ilt” t hat w ill be on perm ane nt di spla y i n p er s Ser vice p er o u r qui lt r oom o n the seco nd flo or o f the fo r med b y R e ver en d s Don Wi lson a nd B ill G C H S mu se um . Pa rke r. 2 01 1 ’s Har vest Fe sti val was not on e T he vi si to rs al s o enjo ye d the va ri ou s cr a fte r s t o m i ss.

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Waynesburg Chamber of Commerce Membership Dinner On November 19th, Greene County Historical Society put on their finest to represent the organization at the Waynesburg Area Chamber of Commerce Membership Dinner held at the Waynesburg University Benedum Dining Hall. The museum sponsored a table at the event and filled the table with some of the organizations staunchest supporters: Reverend Donald Wilson and his wife, GCHS Secretary Deborah Wilson; GCHS Vice-President Linda Rush and her husband Brice Rush; board member Sherri Kuran and Administrator Eben Williams and his wife, Waynesburg University Librarian Lisa Snyder-Williams. Before dinner, guests enjoyed a reception with hors d’oeuvres and the music of jazz saxophonist Tim Hill. In addition to the music and flavorful tidbits, guests bought chances at a 50 -50 raffle and a variety of Chinese

auction items sponsored by chamber of commerce members. After some conversations with fellow guests, the Aladdin dining service served Caesar salad, fresh bread and one of four choices of entrees: Mediterranean Char Grilled Flat Iron Steak, Baked Cod Fillet with buttery crumb topping, Chicken Picatta or Manicotti with Marinara and a dessert of New York Style Cheesecake – Plain or with a delicious Raspberry Drizzle.

2011 Distinguished Service Award was John Mariner, President-CEO of First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Greene County and community leader in multiple faith-based, historic and sports related organizations. Finally, Dr. Thomas W. Mering won the 2011 Posthumous Distinguished Service Award. Dr. Mering was a staple in the Greene County medical community and had delivered about half of Greene County during his tenure as an obstetrician at Greene County Memorial Hospital. The Waynesburg Area Chamber of Commerce Dinner was tremendously enjoyable event. All of the Greene County Historical Society Members that attended had a wonderful time and Linda even won a raffle item. We all look forward to next year when it will be our turn to receive a 25 year membership plaque.

After dinner, the Waynesburg Chamber of Commerce award ceremony began celebrating membership milestone of 5, 10, 15 and 25 year plaques. The 2011 Organizational Distinguished Service Award Winner was the Waynesburg Lions Club. The Waynesburg Lions club was not only praised for their work with the refurbishing of donated eyeglasses but also their work with the needy around the world and for student scholarships and programs. The winner of the

4-H Halloween Party Early in the month of October, the GCHS museum was fortunate to host the local chapter of the 4-H Rabbit Club’s Halloween Party. The party started with good homemade food and a few announcements. The dinner was followed by a rabbit and owner costume contest where children brought rabbits in an assortment of themed costume judged by Debbie Wilson and Administrator Eben Williams. There were a variety of costumes includ-

ing: a surfer with a missing arm with a rabbit in a shark costume, a witch with a rabbit in a spider costume and a boy dressed as a hunter with a rabbit. After a few games, the children and adults enjoyed scary stories from Mr. Dan Wagner. Debbie and Eben led the children and their parents on an evening tour of the museum. Eben recounted a few of the more spooky tales of the museum like blinking light and phantom footsteps.

The night was topped off with the special appearance of Doug Wilson who told the children a few more local ghost stories.

Volume I, Issue 2

Page 7

The Greene County Historical Society Presents:

2nd Annual Dinner Dance Saturday, March 17, 2012 6 to 10 p.m. at PA National Guard Armory 500 Evergreene Drive (Behind Waynesburg Airport)

Thistlethwaite Winery (Tasting & Sales) Dinner by Greene County Career & Technology Centers' Culinary Art Students with Chef Dan Wagner Dance to the "Big Band" sounds of the "Beaver Bop Cats" $35.00 Per Person Limited Reservations Name or Names for Table: Number in Party:_____________________ x $35.00 Amount enclosed:____________________ RVSP by March 7th, 2012 to: Greene County Historical Society 918 Rolling Meadows Rd Waynesburg, PA 15370

For More Information Contact GCHS  724 627 3204 or  [email protected]

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The Ten Mile Historical Review

 Meet the Staff each month I was able to help prepare

Jackie Collius

for the various events that were be hostI am originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania but have found myself going to

ed at the museum.

school six hours away from home at

Eventually, I would like to become a

Waynesburg University. This is my se-

researcher in a museum and receive a

cond year attending Waynesburg Uni-

Master’s Degree in History too. Intern-

versity and I am on my way to earning a

ing at the museum has been a great

Bachelor’s degree in History and Inter-

opportunity for me to meet many new

national Studies.

people and learn many new services

As a Bonner Scholar, I was given a

that will help me further in my career.

great opportunity to have an internship

I have enjoyed my experience at the

at the Greene County Historical Society.

museum very much and would like to

At the GCHS, I have been learning

thank the many workers at the Greene

many new skills on how to care for the

County Historical Society who have

artifacts and how to research for outside

welcomed me into this great foundation.

sources. I have been interning at the

As the years move forward, I hope to

GCHS for about four months. During

make an impact at the museum and to

keep learning various skills from the talented people who make this museum “the doorway to unlocking the past”.

Thank You  Alpha Natural Resources

Janney Montgomery Scott LLC King Coal Association

Archie Trader, County Vice-Commissioner Lippencott Alpacas Behm Funeral Homes Neubauer’s Flowers Inc Community Bank Milliken and Throckmorton Funeral Home, Inc. Cory L. Grandel, County Treasurer Mother Earth Farm Direct Results PA Army National Guard Readiness Center Fencecrow Farmer’s Market Pam Snyder, County Commissioner First Federal Savings and Loan of Greene County PCsquared First National Bank of Pennsylvania Perfect Arrangement of Waynesburg, PA Fox Ford RE/MAX Greene County Career & Technology Center Waynesburg Area Chamber of Commerce Greene County Prison Waynesburg Milling Company Greene County Tourist Promotion Agency Waynesburg University

And all our members, volunteers, staff, supporters and community leaders

Volume I, Issue 2

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 Annual Report  As the year comes to an end and the new begins, it is hard to believe the success Greene County Historical Society has enjoyed. Events, new and old, spotlighted the movement of the improved Museum and the mission to preserve, protect and promote Greene County history and heritage. As the new administrator of the Museum, I hope to build partnerships and friendships with local historic and cultural institutions. The foundation of which was laid out with my connections and relationships with Waynesburg University. I was fortunate to take the non-profit fundraising course with Prof. Richard Krause which helped me understand the fiscal aspects of non-profits. Through the Waynesburg University Library where my wife, Lisa, works, I have befriended and worked with local Civil War historian, Prof. Rea Redd. In the fall we were fortunate to have a Bonner Scholar, Jackie Collius, as our intern at the museum. As my tenure continues with the GCHS, I hope to develop further internships for history majors and people interested in both our mission and dedication to the preservation of Greene County History. In my experience at the museum thus far, I have been fortunate enough to lecture on the Native Americans of Greene County to the Carmichaels Summer Camp kids, Troop# 1280 Tiger Cubs, Rolling Meadows Rehabilitation Center and the Charleroi Historical Society. This is something I enjoy immensely because I get to present artifacts in a manner that makes history accessible to all people. I look forward to working with our dedicated volunteers and board members to help bring a greater understanding of history back to Greene County. Eben Williams end of May and for the first time it was held at the Greene county fairgrounds. 2011 was a phenomenal year for the Passersby tried to sneak peak at the EleGreene County Historical Society and Mu- phants and Camels as they drove down seum. The museum was host to several Route 21, but those who succumbed to wonderful annual and special events. their inner child got to experience a proper circus show under the big top. The season started a little earlier with a Dinner Dance held at the new National At the precipice of spring and the joyful Guard Readiness Center in March. Atsummer, June was kicked off with the tendees were treated to a delicious dinner 2011 Garden Party and the summer was in and spectacular presentation of fiery full swing at the museum. Red Hat ladies Baked Alaska by the Technology Center’s and members of the Greene County comstudent chefs. Entertainment was provided munity came together to celebrate their by the 21 piece “Beaver Bop Cats” ensem- love of flowers. The Garden party presentble that caters to fundraising events like ed information on local wild flowers, orthese. chids and a brief history of quilting.

On July 27 through August 7th , the Greene County Historical Society’s Quilt Show celebrated the art of Quilting, a major folk art in Greene County’s rich heritage. This year’s theme was the “Titus Quilt” a 1884 “trapunto” quilt made by Plezzie Williamson Titus for her husband, James McClelland Titus. In addition to the featured quilt, we were fortunate to have volunteer Louise Gapen’s collection of Plezzie Williamson Titus and Buena Vista Williamson quilts. Plezzie Williamson Titus was Louise Gapen’s grandmother and Mrs. Gapen’s mother Gladys is seen as a baby in our display of the Titus family.

The Kelly Miller Circus was in town at the

(Continued page 10)

A Look Back...

In early October, the Greene County Historical Society was fortunate to host Mr. This was followed by the spectacular June was capped off with the Bryans Dairy Stan Gordon at our “Evening with Stan “Spring Beauty II” Art Show in May that Reunion and Ice Cream Social. The iconic Gordon” event on October 8th. Mr. Gorcelebrated the fine artists of the county. don spoke about the Kecksburg incident dairy had a special place in the region’s The opening night of the art show was a and how it sparked his interest in the study heart and its ice cream was well known soiree of delectable hors d’oeuvres and of UFOs. He was joined by local investigathroughout western Pennsylvania. Memartists mingling with buyers and local peo- bers of the Bryan family and former “dairy tor Kevin Paul that spoke about investigaple of note. Some of the more memorable boys” spoke at the event. The line of peo- tions in Greene County. pieces were dinosaur sculptures by Britta ple waiting to have a taste of Bryans Dairy Miller, and local renown artist Carol Ran- famous Ice Cream stretched from the barn The highlight of every season here at the museum in the annual Harvest Festival. dolph. to the road. This year we had a whopping 63 vendors

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The Ten Mile Historical Review

 Annual Report  i ncl ud i n g so me o f t h e c o u n t y’ s f i ne st li k e J o yc e 's Co p p er K et tle F ud g e. Li vi n g hi sto r y d e mo n s trato rs recr ea ted t h e r ic h h is to r y o f Gre e ne Co u n t y t hro u g h a g ri st mi ll d e m o n str a tio n, a 1 8 t h ce n t ur y ta ve r n a nd ev er yo ne 's fa vo r it e t h e Ci v il W ar s k ir mi s h . T h e 4 0 t h An n u al Har ve s t Fe st i va l wa s a s i g n o f t he a c hi e ve me n t a nd p r o gr e s s t he Gree n e Co u nt y H is to r ica l So c iet y h a s ma d e o ve r t he ye ar s. I n ho no r o f t he sp e cia l “1 1 -1 1 1 1 ” Ve ter a n s D a y t h e m u se u m ho st ed a d a ylo n g mi li tar y e ve nt wi t h sp ec ia l g ue st s, J o e A yer s ma n a nd St ate Rep r es e nta ti ve B i ll DeW e e se. I t wa s a r e sp ec tab le me mo r ia l to t h e Gree n e Co u nt y me n a nd wo me n wh o ser ved o ur gr e at n a tio n i n wa r s fro m t he Re vo l u ti o nar y W ar to t he mo s t c u r r e n t wa r s i n t he Mid d le E as t. I t wa s a wo n d er ful e xp er ie nc e to ha v e a ch a nce to p a y r e sp e ct to t ho se wh o ga ve a ll t he y h ad to p r e ser v e o ur wo nd er f u l co u n t y a nd na tio n . As d a ys gre w co ld er , t h e ho l i d a y s ea so n b ro u g h t o n t he yu l et id e sp iri t a nd wi t h t hi s t he la st e ve n t o f t he 2 0 1 1 s e aso n, t he C hr is t ma s Op e n Ho u se s. O ver t he la st we e ke nd i n No ve mb er a nd t h e fi r s t we ek e nd o f Dec e mb er, t he G C HS M u se u m Op e n Ho us e o ff er ed v i si to r s t he sp ec ia l co mfo rt s o f a tr a d it io nal C hr is t ma s wi t h t he b u zz i n g o f mo d el tra i n s, co lo r f u l d eco r a tio n s, war m cid er a nd co o k ie s. T he fre e e v e nt al lo we d v is ito r s

a c ha n ce a t v ie wi n g ho w far t h e mu s e u m ha s co me a s we ll as a ga nd er a t t he lo ve l y ad o rn me n t s and tr ee s t h at vo l u n teer s a nd lo ca l b u si n es s es h ad d e c o rated . I t wa s a h i g hl y at te nd ed a nd lo vel y e ve n t to c lo s e o ut o ur 2 0 1 1 se a so n. As t he mu s e u m lo o k s to t he ne w ye ar , it ho p e s to ac co mp li s h se ve r al go a ls. T he se i nc l ud e maj o r p ro j e ct s li k e t h e r eco n str u ct io n o f a Lo g C ab i n , t he r es to ra tio n o f t h e Cro u s e Sc ho o l ho u se a nd co n st r uc tio n o f a E n g i ne Ho u se fo r o ur W a yn e sb ur g a nd W a s hi n g to n Ra ilr o ad Lo co mo t i ve. I n t he f u t ur e, p ro j ect s li k e ma k i n g t h e mu s e u m ful l y a cce s s ib le wi t h t he i ns ta ll at io n o f a e le v ato r are i n t h e wo r k s. I n ad d i tio n to t he se lar g e p ro j ects , s ma ll er p ro gra ms are b e i n g d e ve lo p ed . T he s e i n cl ud e t he d i gi tal iz at io n o f t he mu s e u ms arc hi v e s a nd d e ve lo p me nt o f a sear c hab le d atab a se o n t he mu s e u ms web s it e, a s u m me r lec t ure se rie s fea t uri n g l o cal h is to r i a n s a nd sc h o lar s and a s u m me r j u n io r h is to r ia n p ro gr a m. Fi n al l y, a s p art o f t h e gr o wi n g ne ed fo r as s i sta n ce, t he mu s e u m ha s r eac h ed o u t to s e ver al h is to r ic al a nd c u lt u ral o r ga n iza tio n s i n F a ye tt e, G ree n e a nd W as h i n gto n Co u n ti e s to b u ild a fe llo ws h ip o f So ut h we s ter n P en n s yl v a ni a i n s ti t ut io n s. B e ca us e wh i le we are r ic h i n hi s to r y we ar e o f mo d e st m ea ns wh e n it co me s to ad ap t i n g to

t he c h a n ge s a ro u nd u s. T hi s fe l lo ws h ip wi l l he lp to co ll ab o rat e ev e nt s a nd re so ur ce s t h a t wi l l b ro ad e n t he p ub li c ’s e xp erie n ce i n t h e re g io n. T hes e p ro j ec t s ar e a mb it io us b u t ar e cr u cia l to t h e s u cce s s o f t he Gree n e Co u nt y H is to rica l So c iet y a nd as a no np ro fit we are d ep e nd e n t up o n t he d o na tio n s o f ti me, mo n e y a n d it e ms ne ed ed to he lp t he mu s e u m fu nc t io n. Gree n e Co u n t y Hi s to r y a nd i t s p re se r vat io n i s t h e resp o n s ib i li t y o f e ver yo ne wh o ha s a nce s to r s o r ha v e co me to lo ve t he c o u nt y’s ro le i n t he h is to r y. W h il e i t is t he mu s e u m’s ro le to p r es er ve a n d p ro mo te Gre e ne Co u n t y H i s to r y, it ’s t he c h i ld re n a nd p eo p le o f Gree n e Co u nt y t ha t are b en e fi t ed b y i t. T he Gr ee n e Co u nt y M u s eu m t ha n k s a ll wh o h a ve he l p ed a nd s up p o rt ed t he 2 0 1 1 Se a s o n a nd ho p e to h a ve t he sa me a s si s ta nc e i n 2 0 1 2 . __________________________ In tere s ted i n Vo l u n teer i n g , Donating or serving on a committee to the Greene County Museum please contact: Greene County Historical Society Museum 918 Rolling Meadows Road Waynesburg, PA 15370 (724) 627 3204 [email protected]

Volume I, Issue 2

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Time to renew your membership or become a member

 M e m b e r s h i p  Name:______________________________________________________________ Address:____________________________________________________________ Telephone:___________________________________________________________ Email:______________________________________________________________ Membership Type: University Student $15

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 A r o u n d This was a major concern of the troop because they were enlisted as the bodyguards of the general not as a regular Calvary regiment. In the Official records of the Great rebellion, the grievances complained of by the insubordinate portion of the Anderson Troop, were: that they enlisted to form but one battalion, to serve exclusively as body guard to General Buell; that they were improperly enlisted, organized and mustered into service; that they have not been properly armed and led by deceptive officers. Their new commanding General Rosecrans knew nothing of the “special condition” of their enlistment and understood the troop to be a general use cavalry. On the home front, a “committee of the citizens of Philadelphia” appointed by the friends and relatives of the Anderson Cavalry wrote to secretary of war Edwin Stanton supporting the complaints made by the troop and the reasons why mutiny was necessary. The plaintiff suggested that In view of these facts, the Anderson troop be dis-

t h e

O l ’

Fill out and mail with remittances to : Greene County Historical Society 18 Rolling Meadows Rd Waynesburg, PA 15370

G r e e n e 

banded, and, in consideration of the service rendered by them in Maryland, Kentucky, and Tennessee, that they be honorably discharged. Upon receiving this letter; Secretary of War Stanton started an investigation of the circumstances around the mutiny. Major Nelson H. Davis, Assistant Inspector-General of the United Stated Army, led the investigation and found that the complaints were justified and action was needed to correct the regimental structure. In January of 1863, the 15th Pennsylvania Calvary was created the bodyguard troop for General Rosecrans. Samuel W. Gass rejoined and died valiantly during the Crabtree Orchard Battle April 13th 1863. Despite the reorganization, the mutiny was not without its criticisms. In an article from January 9th, 1863 “Mutiny on the Eve of Battle,” The New York Times assailed the troop for their actions claiming that they wanted a democratic army where a meeting before every engagement, “in order to give the down-trodden privates and corporals an opportunity of telling the General how they feel about his strategy

( C o n t ’ d ) and his tactics, and of discussing what they had better do under the circumstances.” The article continues to deride the troop by saying that their commanders were too lenient and the United States Army’s inquest ridiculous. The editorial cited that if they were a little further south in Mexico under French General Elie Frédéric Forey, “a very large portion of them would long ere this be relieved, both from obnoxious officers and disagreeable duty, by being shot to death for cowardice and misconduct” This shows the disconnection between the popular media patriotism and actual conditions of the soldiers of the American Civil War. It was a hard time and one that tested the most loyal of soldiers even the stalwart souls of Greene County men.

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G r e e n e C o u n t y H i s t o r i c a l S o c i e t y 918 Rolling Meadows Rd Waynesburg, PA 15370

“Unlocking the Doorway to the Past”

Upcoming and Ongoing Events at the Greene County Historical Society and Museum Dinner Dance ~ March 17th 6pm-10pm Pancake Breakfast & Opening Day ~ April 28th 7 am to 3 pm Pancakes from 7 am - 12 pm Membership Meeting 1pm Kelly Miller Circus ~ May 29th Showtimes 4:30 pm & 7:30 pm

Reenactment Group meets in the GCHS Library at 7:00 pm. New recruits are always welcome. For more information Visit http://www.140pvi.us/

2012 Garden Party & Doll & Doll House Show ~ June 10th 2pm-5pm

For more information or to inquire about using the museum for your club or group please contact:

Bryans Dairy Reunion II: The Final Scoop ~ June 24th 2pm-7pm

Greene County Historical Society and Museum at :

41st Harvest Festival ~ October 13th & 14th 10am-5pm both days

Phone: 724-627- 3204 Fax: 724-627-3718 E-mail: [email protected] www.greenecountyhistory.com

An Evening with Stan Gordon ~ October 27th 7pm-10pm Christmas Open House ~ November 17th, 18th, 24th and 25th TBA Second Wednesdays of the Month ~ The 140th PA Volunteer Infantry Civil War

Our Mission The Greene County Historical Society and Museum continues to be a self-supporting, non-profit organization that has served as the caretaker of local written and physical histories since 1925. We maintain a historic 52-room museum at the former Greene Hills Poor Farm, as well as a restored cabin, an agricultural barn, a print house and a railroad house on 17 acres of land. The Greene County Historical Society represents every citizen of Greene County and its surrounding areas. Our responsibility is to preserve the wonderful stories of our forefathers and maintain the artifacts of our shared history to educate generations to come. Keeping up with this philosophy, we have a variety of historical and cultural events that celebrate the common culture and heritage of our communities throughout the summer and autumn that are open to all.