125 Years Ago

Herald of Feb. 16, 1899

A blizzard caused the Monday afternoon train to Altoona to run many hours late. Even though it was pulled by two engines, at 10 p.m. the trains became snowbound in a six-foot-drift a short distance south of Martinsburg and could not complete its run to Curryville and Henrietta. Passengers and crew were forced to remain on the train for shelter from the cold, snow and fierce wind until sleds could reach them the next morning.

The editor warned farmers to be on the lookout for a seed corn salesman who had swindled a number of local residents. He carried several very large ears of corn with him and offered to sell seed of this variety, which he claimed was imported from a foreign country. He charged 25 cents for 100 grains or $2 for a whole ear. Someone who bought a whole ear discovered that it was actually several ears neatly cut and glued together.

A number of Martinsburg businesses had subscribed a total of $15,000 toward the $20,000 sought in capital stock to form a new bank.