Running Into History

On today's date (8/16/1978), the Johnston Gang shot and burried 3 members of the "Kiddie Gang," near Devils Road/Cult House Rd., Chadds Ford Pennsylvania.

This was depicted in the 1986 movie At Close Range. It was the first of the gang's killings to attempt to eliminate witnesses of their operations.
Two of the Kiddie Gang members were the leader of the Johnston gang, Bruce Johnston Sr's own children.

James Sampson was killed 5 days later. His body was allegedly dumped in a landfill and was never found.
Two weeks after the initial killings, Bruce Johnston Jr. and his girlfriend Robin Miller, would be ambushed at her house in Nottingham, PA, after returning from Hershey Park. Robin did not survive. Bruce did and went on to become State's witness against the gang.

The gang primarily operated in Chester and Lancaster Counties.

Below is my video visiting the locations in Pennsylvania while discussing the history of the gang.

**Two of the graphics below are from my video. I accidentally switched James Samson and James Johnston's names.

https://youtu.be/4qGci1kGcLM?is=pwc7dzCD6MdHm_rR

Finally found Flight N701CC near the Snyder/Union County PA border, on Thick Mountain.
I originally planned to post this as one longer video, but I ran into issues verifying some of the information in that video. So I decided to put that video on hold for now but at least post this part of it, finding this plane crash from 1980.

Finding flight N701CC wreckage: Thick Mountain, Snyder County Pennsylvania 1980: 11/18 - An airplane carrying the New York Times crashed with ...

Finally identified Uncle Frank in a photo taken 2 days before he was killed on the Western Front, WWI.

On July 29th, 1918, my 17-year-old Great-Uncle Frank was killed on the Western Front of WWI.

He was a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard (28th Division, 110th infantry). Just 11 days earlier, he fought in the first major conflict involving U.S. troops in WWI - The Battle of Chateau Thierry, pushing the Germans out of the town (turning point of the war). It was here that the Keystone Division was named the "Iron Division" by General Pershing after he referred to them as "Men of Iron." They also developed the red Keystone patch, that during WWII would be referred to as the "Bloody Bucket" by German forces.

On July 29th, 1918, at 9:15 AM, Frank and the 110th Infantry advanced towards the German position at Bois des Grimpettes, Hill 212, but retired in the face of heavy fire. At 5 PM, the 110th made a second assault but took heavy casualties.
Uncle Frank was killed during one of these two attacks.
A German report summarizing the events of the 29th simply stated the attacks on 29 July “collapsed before our front lines.”

A year later, the Harrisburg Telegraph would publish an article showing the Keystone Division at a YMCA in France (see article). The photo was taken 2 days before Uncle Frank was killed. His mother recognized Frank in the photo (see article). In my below video about my family and Harrisburg in WWI, I pointed out who I thought was Uncle Frank in the photo. I was then contacted by local historian George Miller, who is working on a book about WWI photographers. He obtained that original photo from the National Archives and after looking at the higher resolution photo, we both agreed that Uncle Frank is the soldier filling his cup up with coffee, not the soldier waiting to fill his cup as I indicated in my video (see photo).

My video about Frank, my ancestors and Harrisburg in WWI can be watched here:

https://youtu.be/Tv0JDETZ8h8?si=feVLu8F0IwnkYoxZ

On today's date (7/24/1974), the first Death Wish was released in theaters. I grew up watching all of Charles Bronson's movies. I always heard stories that he might have been from Pennsylvania so I decided to see if that was true, and if so, attempt to find his house.

Along the way I found the location of his birth house, the last house he lived in before moving away, his elementary school, high school, the mine he stood outside of at 5-yrs-old after it exploded with his father inside, and the relatives of his best friend Tom Burns. I also met my good friend, fellow history explorer Mark Kohart of the South Fork Historical Society.

If your a fan of Charles Bronson (born Charles Buchinsky), my video below explores his life in Pennsylvania:

https://youtu.be/oCECItbX86w?is=3Pt616rXJM10U2m0

On today's date (7/4), in 1845, Henry David Thoreau went into the woods of Walden (Concord, Mass.) to start a two-year experiment in simple, deliberate living, to focus on his writing and observe nature. This has always been a favorite book since my childhood. It still inspires my love of the forests, outdoors and nature.

But far fewer people know about Pennsylvania's own version of Thoreau. His name was George Washington Sears. Better known by his pen name, Nessmuk.
He spent years exploring the Adirondack wilderness as well as the forests surrounding his home near Wellsboro, Pennsylvania.

He wrote for Forest & Stream magazine before it evolved into Field & Stream. In 1884, he authored the book that would cement his legacy, Woodcraft. More than 140 years later, it remains in print and is still regarded as a valuable guide for campers, outdoorsmen, and wilderness enthusiasts.

In the video link below, I compare Thoreau to Nessmuk, and discuss this "Romantic" period of literature and art. I also discuss Thoreau's study of Transcendentalism, all while exploring the forests of Tioga County and capturing some of my favorite cinematography.

Was Nessmuk Pennsylvania's Thoreau?
https://youtu.be/erU9ERKzGbw?is=cFVa8vtdUb_21ocr

Amazon Affiliate book links:

Book: Woodcraft - Nessmuk
https://amzn.to/4eR4Aw0

Walden: Henry David Thoreau
https://amzn.to/4az6L68

Happy Independence Day!!

On today's date (7/4), 1776, the Second Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia PA, transforming the colonial rebellion into an official right to establish a sovereign nation. It was officially signed a month later on August 2, 1776 (John Hancock signed on the 4th).

One of the August 2nd signers was York attorney James Smith. During this same time period, Smith owned the Hellam Iron Works (now Codorus Furnace). He began using the furnace to make cannon balls for the Continental Army. He also established his own York militia.

The Ironmaster's house and the rebuilt furnace both still exist in Hellam. Smith is buried in York City.

In the below video, I explore the history of the Codorus Furnace. In the second video, a friend and I stay overnight in the abandoned Ironmasters house before it was sold to the State.

The attached article is the earliest article found on Newspapers.com, in reference to the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. The paper was released 5 days after the adoption.

The battles started a year prior (4/19), at the Battles of Lexington and Concord. It would not end for another seven years after the declaration (9/3/1783).

There were 7 Revolutionary War battles on Pennsylvania soil.
1777: Battle of Brandywine (Chadds Ford) Largest single day land battle of the war.
1777: Battle of the Clouds (near Frazer/Malvern). Aborted skirmish due to rain.
1777: Battle of Paoli (Malvern) Hand-to-hand boyonet combat.
1777: Battle of Germantown (Philadelphia).
1777: Siege of Fort Mifflin (Mud Island Philadelphia)
1778: Battle of Crooked Billet (Hatboro)
1778: Battle of Barren Hill (Lafayette Hill)

Ghosts, Slaves and the Revolution at the Codorus Furnace:
https://youtu.be/vj3cs8x3BqU?is=EZfBEJjRlAZL3f5_

Staying overnight in the 18th Century Codorus Furnace Ironmaster's house:
https://youtu.be/pT1_cP88yy4?is=maemXD9hFzWMiNwW

On this date in 1863, Confederate Brig. General Gordon gathered his troops at Blocher's Knoll in Gettysburg, PA. (Three days after he extinguished the burning bridge in Wrightsville.)

Union Brig. Gen. Francis Channing Barlow and his troops held the high ground of the knoll. At 3 PM, Gordon attacked Barlow's brigade on both the front and the flank, causing Barlow's brigade to break and retreat.

The 1879 Atlanta Constitution included an article indicating that Brig. Gen. Gordon allegedly rode forward with his men and found Barlow lying on the ground badly wounded. Gordon stopped and gave Barlow a drink from his canteen. The Confederate asked Barlow for his name, and assuming he would not survive, asked if he had any final requests. The Yankee replied "Please take from my breast pocket the packet of my wife's letters and read one of them to me."

Gordon read from a letter. Barlow then told him that his wife was behind lines and asked if he could send a message through the lines. Later that day Gordon was able to send word to the Army of the Potomac that Barlow was badly wounded and asked that his wife be informed. Blocher's Knoll was eventually renamed Barlow's Knoll.

Barlow survived. Gordon and Barlow would meet again.
My short video about this incident can be watched here:
https://youtube.com/shorts/myD8_wMBlLo?si=815ocfyvLvLdSFTI

On today's date (6/29), in 1975, this Cherokee Cruiser crashed into the main runway approach lights at the Capitol City Airport in New Cumberland, PA. The Fairview Township Police received the call at 5:30 p.m.

There have been many unfortunate plane crashes in this area over the years:

In 1984, a Cessna 310 heading for Harrisburg International would crash into a house in New Cumberland. The pilot and the home occupant were killed (see the now photo).

In 1977, a twin-engine jet propelled plane took off from Cap City in the fog, and crashed into a Swatara Township house, killing the eight passengers and the pregnant housewife Beverly Geary.

In April of 1944, Evelyn Sharp crashed her P-38 into a New Cumberland field shortly after taking off from Cap City (Then New Cumberland airport). Evelyn was killed on impact. There is a flag memorial at the location of her crash:
The video visiting that location and other crashes in 1944 is here:
https://youtu.be/NBn5FxpPBgA?si=XJfuvuD3YUJUujpv

On today's date (6/29), in 1863, Confederate Brig. Gen. Gordon would wake up in Wrightsville PA, after his soldiers spent the evening putting out the bridge fire started by Union troops to prevent the Confederate advance across the Susquehanna River.

The daughter of the town's Burgess, Mary Rewalt (247 Hellam St.) would invite Gordon to breakfast to show thanks for his troops stopping the fire that was at risk of burning part of the town.

During breakfast Mary told Brig. Gen. Gordon "It is due to myself that I candidly tell you that I am a Union woman. My constant prayer to heaven is that our cause may triumph and the Union be saved."

Gordon wrote in his journal "No Confederate left that room without a feeling of profound respect for that brave woman."

Gordon would then withdraw his troops to Gettysburg and 2 days later would attack Blocher's Knoll on the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg. Blocher's Knoll would be named after Gordon's Union opponent that day, Brig. Gen. Barlow.

My short video about this breakfast at 247 Hellam St. Wrightsville, PA can be watched here:
https://youtube.com/shorts/1Snt2KRoxeY?is=R75E_hasu_FpeJJu

On today's date (6/28), in 1863, Confederate General John B. Gordon would move his troops from York City to Wrightsville, PA. At 5:30 PM he opened up artillery fire from the Hellam Hills, on the Union soldiers in town, forcing them to retreat across the Wrightsville-Columbia Bridge to Lancaster County.

Between 7 and 7:30 PM, Union soldiers would light the bridge on fire, preventing the Confederate advancement across the Susquehanna River.

Two Confederate spies actually made it across the river to Marietta. One was killed, the other was captured.

400 Confederate cavalry then attempted to ford the river, but were stopped by the current.

The next day Brig. Gen. Gordon was recalled to Gettysburg, where his troops would engage Union forces at the Battle of Gettysburg. Starting with Gordon's attack of Union Brig. Gen. Barlow's troops on Blocher's Knoll on July 1st, 1863. This area is now named after Barlow (Barlow's Knoll), after the legendary story of what happened next between Gordon and Barlow. Stay tuned for that.

My short video about this event can be watched here:
https://youtube.com/shorts/EZyKjGqoUX0?is=wFwgbo8yRj4qfg3n