Indiana Gazette from Indiana, Pennsylvania • 11

fllh 6nittte Tuesday, November 4, 2003 Page 11 Indiana y(S County 1803 Kr 2003 Smicksburg Borough 1930s rough for borough residents for Smicksburg residents. jr-y pi DAYTON- SMICKSBURQ I I I By MARY ANN SLATER Gazette Staff Writer The 1930s did not begin or end on a promising note for the borough of Smicksburg. On June 25, 1932, the Smicksburg State Bank was robbed by three unmasked men, according to an account that appears in "In the Valley of the Fair Mahoning," a history by the Rev. Timothy Spence. One of the men stood guard outside the door while the other two entered the bank and threatened the cashier with a drawn revolver The two robbers ransacked the cash drawers, taking $441 in bills and some coins, and the vault, where they found a sack of change.

After the cashier, Linus J. Elkin, was forced into the basement, the two robbers fled with the money and two firearms a pistol and a rifle that were kept in the bank for security. According to Spence, the pair took off toward Rural Valley in a Ford roadster. There is no knowledge or report that the thieves were ever apprehended. The fate of Smicksburg State Bank did not improve in the months ahead.

In 1932, the losses from the robbery and the severely depressed economy forced the bank to close its doors for the Travelers on Route 954 through Smicksburg will routinely see Amish buggies, (Gazette photo by Tom Peel) It all started with the widespread concerns that came with the 1936 flooding in Pittsburgh. Planners knew mat the city, in order to grow and prosper, could not have a repeal of what happened on St. Patrick's Day of that year. So the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers came up with a proposal to protect Pittsburgh from fu TT two cor- By the numbers History Settled: 1827 Incorporated: 1854 Namesake: Rev.

J. George Schmick, a Lutheran minister Distinction: One of the two smallest municipalities in the county (area) Famous residents: John Elkin. a Supreme Court justice Total area: 0.1 sq. mi. Peoplesq.

490 Below poverty: 13.7 Population COO): 49 237 92 49 1900 1950 2000 Government School district: Armstrong Governing body: Five-member council Economy Budget: $17,000 Households ('90): 35 Median household income ('90): $24,167 Median home value C90): $27,100 A replica of Fort Mahoning, built in the late 1700s, was dedicated earlier this year at Windgate Winery off Route 954. (Gazette file photo) Next week: S. Mahoning Twp. ture flooding. Officials proposed the construction of a series of dams on tributaries that fed the rivers in Pittsburgh.

In times of heavy rains, the dams would hold back the water and then gradually release it. This gradual release would alleviate downstream flooding. But what was good news for Pittsburgh was not so pleasant NOW ended in "While this was being enacted by the infantry, the reb cavalry tried to come to the assistance, but were headed off by Seanors men, after a spirited hand-to-hand battle, the rebs were routed and driven from the field." One man it is unclear whether he was a Yankee or a Rebel was hurt during the re-enactment when he loaded a homemade cannon. Did you know Smicksburg was originally catled "Schmicksburg." One of the proposed dams would be built along the Mahoning Creek in Armstrong County. "Although the plan looked like a win-win opportunity, it was a lose-lose opportunity for Smicksburg," Spence wrote in his book.

The proposed dam, which was located 11 miles downstream from Smicksburg, placed two-thirds of the small borough in the flood pool. Although the area would not be underwater continuously, periods of extremely wet weather could cause water in the Mahoning Creek Dam to back all the way up the Mahoning Valley and reach the buildings on the edge of town. The Federal Flood Control Commission purchased land in the flood plain and auctioned demolition work of buildings in the flood zone to subcontractors. Dozens of Smicksburg's buildings were torn down. They included the Smicksburg Creamery, the Stiteler Mill, the telephone exchange, the Salem Lutheran Church and many homes.

One of the biggest parts of the condemnation project was the exhumation of bodies from Smicksburg's old cemetery. They were re interred in a new cemetery in the newly designated flood plain. (Gazette photo by Tom Peel) tragedy Richard Lewis was ramming a charge of powder down the cannon, hot from the constant firing, when the gun went off. "A man at the butt of the gun whose business was to see that no air got into the gun at the pivot in some way allowed the air to get in," wrote the author of the account. Lewis lost his left hand, which had to be amputated between 1 the wrist and die elbow.

REENTRE LUMBER STRUCTURES PO Box 26. Smicksburg. PA 16156 (814) 257-9878 THE BUILDINGS THAT LAST. Stock Custom Designs Storage Sheds Camps Houses Cedar Log Furniture Pours: Saturday 8:00 -Noon Sunday Closed PirectioQs: In the former Barrett Building Smicksburg The old Salem Lutheran Church, pictured in 1907. (Photo provided by John Busovicki) tr 1 886 Civil War last time.

Smicksburg was eventually able to recover from the Depression when the Civil Works Administration approved a street-improvement project for the borough. The project created jobs and helped spur the local economy. But the 1930s brought more bad news to Smicksburg. THEN Almost 5,000 former soldiers and their friends showed up for the noontime basket dinner, served by the ladies of Smicksburg. The reunion was held on the farm of ER.

and E.C. Stcar, located in a grove along the southwest bank of Little Mahoning Creek. Next to the grove was a level meadow, 15 or 20 acres in size, where a parade and sham batde post office-opens; John Kerr is postmaster. 1954: The borough celebrates its centennial. 1961: Four Amish families i ft I i 1 i'i 3JUE U5EC tl C5 1 to: t13 reunion were held.

The re-enactment was held in the afternoon. Both the Confederate and Union forces each had about 100 infantry and 40 in their mounted cavalry. Maj. Gen. Neal Seanor commanded the Union forces and Brig.

Gen. John Matthews led the Rebel troops. There was an attack by Matthews' men and a counterattack by Scanor's troops. move into the area. 1988: More than 100 Amish make their home in the township.

Come By MARY ANN SLATER Gazette Staff Writer In 1886, the townspeople of Smicksburg hosted a reunion of Civil War soldiers that began as a salute to the area's veterans but ended tragically when one participant lost his hand. The reunion started well enough, according to an account in Clarence Stephensonfc history of Indiana County. Timeline May 1827: The borough is founded by the Rev. J. George Schmick, a Lutheran minister.

Oct 1, 1830: The first ititi nwtt a Pa tm iGATp 55 1 TgjfljTjrFTp Mall Location for all 1 of your Holiday Needs. to our Indiana Everything You'd Expect from i'n i i E3 ai! Smicksburg, Now in 724-465-2919 3s us:.