A Frigid Valentine From 1856

Reminiscent. Editor Daily Republican. - Forty years ago this winter was the longest and coldest winter season within the last half century. The river froze up in December and did not open until March; the ice was about two feet thick and teams could drive on it anywhere with perfect safety. There was good sleighing...

121 Years Ago This Month – First Train Crosses Main Street At Pigeon Creek

Many of us remember the feeling - you are traveling south on Main Street in Monongahela trying to get to Charleroi for an appointment. You are a few minutes late but if all the green lights through town are in sync you might just arrive on time. You approach 4th Street and YESSS, you just...

This Day In 1886: Ginger Hill Butter Theft

"Thieves entered the spring house of John Hamilton at Ginger Hill, on Thursday evening and took the week's make of butter and also milk buckets to carry it in. The marks of nippers were plainly visible on the door staple. The same party had visited Joseph Gamble's spring house, and forced the door, but Mrs....

This Day In 1882: Jellied Cow At The Monongahela Paper Mill

According to The Daily Republican March, 13, 1882: A cow which had entered the paper mill straw yard one day several weeks ago, in search of food, was observed to eat her way towards the steam tubs, but the workmen were too busy to drive her out. A half hour later they looked for her,...

This Day In 1864: Remarkable Case Of Petrifaction

The Monongahela Republican contains the following: "Parties engaged in exhuming the bodies of the MERCER family for removal from the old graveyard to Monongahela City Cemetery on Friday last, found the body of Mr. J.B. MERCER in a singular state of petrifaction. The graves of Mrs. MERCER and the two children on each side were about sixteen inches lower than that of their father, yet while their bodies had returned to dust and were perfectly dry, his grave was filled with water, and his body turned to stone.

A Gushing Invitation – From Monongahela City In 1868

I usually try save these old articles and post them on Lost Monongahela on the same date as they were published decades ago but I just couldn't wait with this piece. It was written by the publisher and editor of the Monongahela Republican, Captain Chillion (Chill) W. Hazzard and was published in the Pittsburgh Daily...

This Day In 1904 – A Game Of Cards, It Resulted In Murder In A Pennsylvania Mining Town

Monongahela, Pa., Sept. 19 - A game of cards resulted in murder Saturday at Hazelkirk, a mining town, but was not reported to the police until Sunday. When George Nazok won $3 from George Kopko, the latter accused the other of cheating. Nazok made an angry reply and left the room. Kopko followed and fired...