AFTERMATH: Recovery from a storm in 1917 was a bit more of a trial than it is today.
We told you about the October winter storm in Bradford in a prior column. The snow, slush and mess had the city standing still.
“As an aftermath of Wednesday’s extraordinary precipitation of wet snow, Bradford was largely isolated yesterday in the matter of telephone, telegraph and traction communication,” read a story in the Oct. 26, 1917, Era.
“For the first time in the known history of the local Bell Telephone exchange, not a solitary toll line was available in any direction for an entire day and not a toll slip was filed.
“The experience of the Bell company indicates that Bradford was well on the northern limit of the storm belt. The Bradford line force restored lines to the limit of its jurisdiction, Riverside Junction, but the crew of the Bell Telephone Company of New York had not yet reached that point when darkness settled.”
The story mentioned that surrounding areas, like Kane, Salamanca, N.Y., and others, didn’t have the same severity of weather.
HEROES: We found a story 111 years ago about the bravery of some local folks, and the national recognition that followed.
“Fifty-four cases of heroism were recognized by the Carnegie Hero Fund commission at its meeting yesterday in Pittsburgh,” read the Oct. 28, 1917, edition of The Era.
“Twelve of the heroes lost their lives. Eight silver medals and forty-six bronze medals were awarded and in 26 cases award aggregating $21,000 were made for worthy purposes, payments to be made after the plans of the beneficiaries have been approved by the commission.
“Among those awarded bronze medals are LeRoy V. Williams of No. 95 West Washington street, Bradford, who saved Daniel V. Holmes from being killed by a BR&P train in this city December 1, 1916, and Raymond A. Greer of Wellsville, N.Y., who saved Loretta I. Herr, age 7, from being killed by a train August 3, 1914, at Corning, N.Y.
“The action of Mr. Williams was witnessed by many people and the award will give general satisfaction.”
