Chapter V- Like It Is

Millville - The First 200 Years 

 CHAPTER V

Like It Is

    By 1950, Millville had stabilized as a community and until just recently there was little growth. Businesses were static and most young people graduating from the school system left the area for employment.  Several individuals did remain to make their mark and were successful.

    The school system, after creating one of the first jointures in the State, proceeded to enlarge and modernize the Millville facility.  Today a second expansion has been completed, thus providing a modern, well-planned junior-senior high school for the region.  A new elementary school in Pine and some repairs at Madison and Greenwood permit these schools to continue service as they have to thousands of young learners before them.

    The post office, which had been moved in 1947 from the corner bank building to the former farm equipment showroom of Frank Ludwig at Post Office Avenue and State Street, was moved on April 27, 1969, to the opposite corner of the square.  Here diagonally across from the position it occupied till April 1, 1947, a new modern brick structure was built. With this new structure came new services. True box rental permitted for the first time access at off hours.

    The post office is located on land occupied previously by many diverse interests.  At first James Rote had a boot and shoe shop in the corner, in the two-story structure.  later, this building was divided and barbers and beauticians tried their hand at the trade from the first floor.  For many years, Dr. J.W. Biddle cured the area's toothaches from his office on the second floor, and for a few years, part of the building served as a residence.

    The other building removed was the Wolfe Building. In this facility, many small business ventures were launched. The last occupant here was Ely's Pharmacy on the south half of the frontage.

    The Community Hall was removed in 1966. Many, who have expanded their horizons there on lectures by "Chautauqua" and "The Society of Good Intent", thrilled to the talking pictures, played basketball or performed in their thespian production as a member of the cast in a high school play, mourned the occasion.

    In 1916, the Greenwood Seminary Company razed the school building located near the present park and used part of the materials to construct a community hall further west and closer to Main Street. A committee of B.T. Cadman, J.B. Welliver, C.M. Eves, W.C. Dildine, and Ellis Greenly was authorized to put up the new building on the vacant lot. Although estimated to cost $3200.00 prior to proceeding, the final cost ran to a princely sum of $5355.02. This did not include the cost of a substantial amount of donated labor. An example: two farmers in the area brought their teams and dump buckets and dug the cellar for shares.

    Until the high school stopped using the building for its assemblies and plays in 1965, many affairs were conducted here. By 1965, however, many new facilities were completed in town that could be used for group meetings, assemblies, and athletic meets.  The hall had lost its purpose. At this time, E. Eugene Eves and his sister Elizabeth, having control of a majority of the stock from the Greenwood Seminary Company, deeded the property to the Millville Borough for recreational purposes.

    The borough council appointed a Park Commission. The Commission attempted diligently to find a use for the Community Hall, but only one function had been held in it during the prior year.  Having no success, the building was removed and the area was leveled to become a part of the park mall.  For many years, the Fire Company had been holding a carnival each summer on the park grounds and new recreational equipment has been erected there, including a lighted outdoor basketball court, tennis court, new swings and bars, etc.

    In 1971, following a ten-year attempt by the Los Amigos Club to provide a community pool, the ribbon was finally cut on a large, five-thousand-square-foot surface, swimming pool.  This fine addition to the community was accomplished by the formation of the Pool Commission with the townships of Greenwood, Madison, and Pine joining Millville.  This spirit of area cooperation indicates a favorable climate which should be productive in the future.

    Other changes from private ownership or community group interest to public operation by the borough recently took place.  the Millville Water Company, on January 11, 1961, sold all its equipment, lines, and property to the borough. The authority that was created to own and operate the facilities then built a larger pumping station with a settling basin, collection lines, and reservoir feed line to comply with changing state laws for pure water. Today, the town has a sufficient supply of clean water from this system.

    In 1948, the State Department of Health gave the borough council notice that the sewage system completed int eh community during 1901 could no longer be discharged into the creek.  The State required that th town immediately proceed to construct a treatment system at the estimated cost of $230,000. This presented thirty-one percent of the assessed value of the town. From then until 1967, when the State finally provided a program of financial assistance, the council faced possible imprisonment or the mortgaging of the town to complete the system.  Apparently, the wait was rewarding for on August 14, 1969, the old system of collection was connected to the new treatment plant located in the woods behind the Millville Lumber Company. The Little Fishing Creek has been restored to a clearer condition as a result of the completion of this treatment facility.

    The Fire Company carnivals have grown more popular with each passing season. Many people find this an ideal time to make a return trip to their hometown and renew old friendships. For young people, this festivity provides an enjoyable break in their summer vacation and anticipation begins to mount by the end of the school year.  Area residents are given the opportunity to serve their community, and the Fire Company gains income sufficient to equip this volunteer organization with the finest equipment of any fire company its size in the State.  The beautiful old carousel dating back earlier than 1900, provides a background of music for the nightly throng from the surrounding counties.

    Many, many hours of work by the firemen and the local residents make possible a gross income exceeding $35,000 each year, and normally permits a yearly investment of $10,000 in new equipment and facilities for the protection of the community.

    This equipment includes a new 1971 FWD tank truck, a 1960 FWD pumper, and a 1970 Dodge emergency truck. The Ambulance Association recently purchased a 1969 International ambulance to complete the emergency service equipment this fine organization has provided for the community.

    The railroad, which has been so important to the growth of the community, has lost its place as the best method of transportation. The freight agent at the station was transferred in 1943 or 1944, and the railroad stopped accepting small parcels for delivery.  For a short time, Pennsylvania Railroad delivered small freight packages on a railroad truck.  Only large shipments are now received and dispatched from the trackage.

    Other business changes in the area have affected the railroad by their actions. The Harbison Milk Company receiving station had used the railroad for years to transport the area's milk to Philadelphia- first in cans and later in bulk milk cars. Trucks reduced the expense of transportation; thus, the dairy changed to over-the-road tankers.  Even the receiving station closed as a result of changes in the industry.  Bulk cooling and storage of milk on the farm permitted trucks to pick up the milk directly without the use of cans. Therefore, the station closed in August 1961, after serving the area farmers for many years as a market for their milk.  A transfer facility where the smaller trucks used for farm pick-up could be unloaded into larger tanker trucks was built to replace the receiving station by Zerbin Kline and his son, Jim. It is located on the Rohrsburg-Millville road in Greenwood township.

    The grist mill was another staunch supporter of the railroad. IN 1913, this one business shipped fifty rail-cars to distant markets. As the feed and flour business changed, the railroad became less important. During the fifties, a few cars were shipped, but nothing like the volume of former years.

    Today, an occasional diesel switch engine and caboose will bring in a car or two or make a pickup, but this happens irregularly.  Millville Lumber receives a few cars a year of finished lumber; Girton's ships a large piece of equipment several times a year, and the local walnut log dealers ship several cars of logs to Japan each summer. Little else is handled on the "old S.B. & B." trackage.  The station, which had fallen into disrepair, was sold to Paul Girton and was removed in 1971.

    Local industry in the last decade has made many changes affecting the area. The addition of I.L.C. to the community has added substantially to the work opportunities in the ara. This new operation expands the types of industry in the community and helps diversify employment; thus, reducing the dependence on a few types of industry.

    The lumber industry around Millville has changed significantly in this recent period. Large wooded areas have been lumbered extensively here and only small commercial stands remain.  The local sawmills around the town have nearly all closed. Only four continue in daily production: the mills of Dennis and Dale Farr, Bruce Bitler, Ed Johnson, and Bruce Charles. This reduction of local rough-cut supply and the fact that a large number of logging crews have retired from this strenuous profession made changes necessary in the processing plants in town.

    Niles Lumber, the former Sones Lumber Company, closed the sawmill in 1967 and the entire mill and lumber working plant have been removed leaving a void in the landscape of manufacturing buildings on the southwestern side of town. The supply store and small custom woodworking shop with only one craftsman remain.

    Millville Lumber, after their costly fire in July 1959, built a new lumber products plant behind the old tannery. This modern building has made possible the production of pallets and reels for use by many firms on the eastern coast. Even the old tannery walls have been roofed and these buildings are now a part of the warehouses for this wood products firm. The supply of raw materials is delivered by truck from other more densely forested areas of the state and is supplemented by he occasional railcar of southern pine from South Carolina.  The old creamery buildings are also being used for the offices of this manufacturing operation.

    The mill for which the town was named closed its water gates and set the blocks in the gears of the water wheels on March 31, 1966. Thus ended a business dating from the earliest days of the settlement. The mill still stands on the banks of the waters which gave it its force- its life.  A warehouse is its present destiny.

    The mill dam which for years provided the reserve for a thriving business, now adds only to the appearance of the adjoining properties and the general tone of the community. The race collects the waters not only from the dam on the creek but also from Battin Run and the street drains of the community. The focal point of the area watershed is the dam. Here passes or collects all the sediment and pollution of the area. But, in spite of these potential problems, the dam remains a place for youthful adventures and leisure fishing for young and old alike. 

    The real tragedy of this period can be expressed in a single word- war.  War of major proportions during two periods since 1950. Young men from the area were called to defend their country's position at the risk of their life or their health and vitality.

    The Korean War seems so distant. Yet for those who mourn the loss of a relative or friend, it is remembered deeply.  Several young men from this area gave their lives in this 'limited engagement'.

    More quickly recalled is the present struggle. Its ever-containing pace has called many to the shores of a distant land. Gone there to preserve the principles which were defined in another war, the war for independence by our ancestors. No local residents have yet to be called for that supreme sacrifice and hopefully, with the continued reduction of forces, the community may be spared of this sorrowful event.  Only time will permit an accurate recording of this war and its true merits or failures.

    Some of the major changes in the community are taking place slowly but surely as the result of a road built nine miles from the community. For years the politicians from this part of the state had pressured to no avail, for a major four-lane highway from the state's eastern boundary, through the northern tier counties, to the west. Finally, their appeals were productive. During the decade of the sixties, work progressed on various sections, but it was not until 1970 that the entire length was opened through the state. 

    This route of the Interstate system connects New York City and Chicago with the West Coast. Number Route 80, it has changed and is changing the area in ways yet not completely determined.  But, a new expression has entered the local language.  Today, 'summer people' are coming into the area. A farm here and there, purchased by a family from 'Jersey', has been removed from cultivation or the soil bank to be used as a summer retreat, a weekend hideaway, or a hunting lodge. The families who have come to use these facilities (the summer people) have stopped in town for their groceries or came back later to the hardware store for a piece of stovepipe and wire. They have added to the community. As others come, for surely they will, they can change this area and the small communities in it to a marked degree.

    The history of this present period can not be recorded here only an attempt to recount the current events of the past two decades has been made.

Additions and corrections made for this Second Edition.DBG
Second Edition- Copyright Dean B. Girton Dec. 30, 2022

 

Chapter IV- War to War

Millville - The First 200 Years
CHAPTER IV
War to War

    Challenging years have faced the community during its history, but the period from 1914 to 1950 must be considered as a continuing struggle. Not only were local issues of importance, but also an unending chain of national and international affairs interrupted and distracted all. War at each end of the period bracketed the wildest inflation and deepest depression the country had ever known.  Each brought new demands on the community and individuals.

    With the Tablet gone, sold to Eugene E. Cadman and then closed, a daily record of the events of these years was left to the Bloomsburg paper.  Thus, little of the intimate detail has survived.  Only the major happenings were preserved. These and personal remembrances have provided a view of the time.

    One event that created a stir on Main Street was the news of the Lusitania sinking on May 7, 1915. Up till this time, America had kept out of those endless European wars and most who would even bother to comment on the torpedo sinking, could assure you that no change would now be made in this policy. This seemed to be the case, and although statemen battled daily, business problems and household chores were more demanding. The principles involved regarding the war, however, received a thorough airing at the Tuesday evening meetings of the Society of Good Intent.

    During 1917, the noises of war grew louder and when congress passed the war resolution and declared war on Germany on December 7, 1917, the unbelievable had happened.  Millville was soon to see the first of many recruiting posters on the post office wall making it pictorial point, "I want you for U.S. Army." She provided her share of the more than two million men who were sent overseas during this engagement. 

    The United States involvement lasted less than one year. When the armistice came on November 11, 1918, sufficient time had passed though, that several local young men would never return.  Many families read of a new experience, written by their sons and brothers from places with names never before heard: Verdun, Peronne, and Metz.

    The community adjusted to a new factor effecting its progress which since has changed the normal course of events an additional number of times.  War, and young men off to war, both slow the pace of activities and family formation while quickening the economic growth of the entire county. This happened in 1918, but the real impact of war was felt more deeply during the 1942-1945 engagement. However, with the return of the soldiers came a feeling of security. The "war to end all wars" had been won, and the world was safe.

    Business following the war changed hands rapidly and in some cases one owner was in and out of a single business two or three times in the same number of years.  Millville had its share of turnovers.

    The grist mill in 1920 was sold by J.L. Reece and Son to Welliver and Deihl. In 1923, the Reece's again took possession.  The hotel had several operators during this time.  Burr Albertson was the proprietor in 1915 followed by Ralph Deihl and Lunn Pursel and in 1920 Mr. Albertson returned. Grant Johnson also was in and out of business in the old opera house.  He was a member of several partnerships starting in 1903 that continued till 1911when he took sole control.  In 1917, he sold out completely and then returned in 1919 again.

    A small shop was set up on the alley, now known as Post Office Avenue, in 1926 to assemble milk bottle washers.  This show was soon too small and moved to one of the store buildings in the Union Hall (presently Woolcock's Hardware).  This was the start of the Girton Manufacturing Company which moved its shop three more times before the second war.

    As the business boom continued into the twenties with increasing success, the community prospered. Farmers in the area were receiving increased returns for their products and their helped to improve the demand for 'store bought' products available in town.

    Some of the local prosperity was attributed to the wonderful hardtop road just completed on State and Main Streets. In 1919, the State and the town council cooperated with several area residents to have the dirt replaced with the first hard surfaced roads in the community.  This helped the transporting of goods, moreso now that the gasoline truck was being used for the heavy hauling.  A wagon sunk axle deep in the street mud could usually be pulled back on to solid ground with the help of an additional team, but the trucks were helpless when attempting to aid each other. The black top was definitely an improvement.

    The 1929 'crash' on Wall Street did reach the town but little of the panic that was felt in the larger concentrations of population effected Millville. The businesses of town were still largely based on agriculture and lumbering.  These operations never saw the same wild speculation of stock that accompanied other 'boom' type businesses.  Most were family owned or partnerships that required a continual reinvestment to make the successful.  Therefore, few families in the community were able to afford the speculative investment taking place at the time.  Several who lost their savings continued with their business and recovered without major hardships.

    The market closing did signal a change in the business growth of the area and till 1942, very little expansion was made in the business in town. Several had reversals and a few closed, due sometimes to the economic climate or to changing technologies, or both.

    The Eves wagon works knew both of these conditions.  For about eight years they assembled a few units each year from stocked parts, but in 1939 sold the inventories and most of the buildings to the Orangeville Manufacturing Company. 

    The silk mill of Jordan and Levine, which had opened in the early twenties in a new brick structure below the mill dam, processed raw silk successfully for several years. But by 1923, it was in increasing difficulty and was thrown into bankruptcy soon.  The building was sold in 1942 to Paul Girton.

    Interestingly, this industry was the first in the community with electricity.  A large steam boiler provided power to an engine which ran a drive shaft located down the center of the main building.  A belt from the shaft returned to the engine room and ran the first electric generator in town.  This unit provided light for the building and electricity war also distributed to some sections of the community by the Millville Electric Light Company from here.

    A group of local businessmen formed the Millville Electric Light Company with an original investment of $5000 and proceeded to erect poles for the installation of lines.  Its activities were the cause of great interest and after raising a second sum of money to complete the facilities, the company finally connected its lines to the silk mill generator.  Thus lights in the home became a reality for the town.  In 1923, the company sold the lines to the Pennsylvania Power and Light Company who have continued since.

    In 1931, the school authorized an expansion of the school required by increased attendance of the area youngsters.  It was completed in 1932.

    The farmer had two problems during these years, although his family would not want for a good meal, he could only sell most of the produce he had available to the local townspeople as payment of the bills he incurred with them.  He generated little hard cash to use for larger purchases or to reimburse those creditors more distant.  This was really a major crisis for him if he had mortgaged the farm and was required to make continuing payments of this loan.  Large sums of cash were required to meet this payment.  Some men who had worked for years at the only trade they knew were forced to sell their interest in the family homestead and either remain as a hired hand or leave for another location hoping to find a job to support them.  These jobs were few.  The fortunate were those that could remain on lands they had previously purchased where they planted sufficient to provide for their immediate needs. 

    

    The hardest memories of this period, for the farmer at least, are the crops plowed under, the pigs that were slaughtered, and the general destruction of food done to cause a shortage great enough to stabilize prices and create a cash market for these items. 

    

    With the federal government attempting to provide a program that would correct the completely depressed economy, many new projects came to the area. The first of these was the CCC or Civilian Conservation Corps.  The purpose was to establish reforestation camps for unmarried men between the age of 18 and 25 who were unemployed.  Local camps were established near the area and some of the local citizens either worked in the camps as instructors and officers or served as members of the CCC.   Still told are the tales of life there and of the roads and woodlands that have been built or altered by these young men.

    The biggest program, and the one with the largest local effect, was the WPA.  This Works Progress Administration was designed to provide meaningful work in the public area rather than a direct dole as relief for the unemployed. Nearly five billion dollars was appointed for this single program.  It started in the summer of 1935 and continued till 1939.  Many of the area roads were built, rebuilt, repaired, surfaced, or resurfaced under this program.  In addition, other interesting projects were undertaken.  A writers project saw several local men apply their talents to numerous titles. A large collection of these remain, now buried at the Bloomsburg Public Library.

    In addition to the road work, other building projects were financed by the WPA. The North State Street sewer was constructed and connected to the original system  and the athletic field at the high school was completed for school use.

    Electricity has been installed on every property in the area today.  However, when Congress passed the Rural Electrification Administration Act in 1935, ninety percent of the farms in the country had no electricity.  This area was no exception.  The REA made possible on the farm what had been in use for a decade by the townsfolk.  It changed the way a farmer did business.  Not all benefitted equally from the savings of electricity on the farm, but the dairy farmer as an example, could reduce the time spent milking by 70 percent or greatly increase the number of animals handled by the investment of less than $100 for a new-fangled milking machine.

    Fires have altered the business community substantially in this two hundred years. Fires during the first half of the twentieth century permanently closed a few of them.  When Heller and Cutler started the tannery in 1907 and built their first building, no methods were available to prevent a large fire from consuming the structure.  Thus, when flames licked from under the eves at the northwest corner of the tanning house that evening in 1933 and quickly spread to the roof, no automatic sprinkling system squelched the flame. An alarm was sounded calling the local volunteers. The hose carts stored in the shed at the corner of Center Street and Post Office Avenue were pulled from the garage by eager men who hauled them manually down the alley and on toward Moorhead Avenue hoping to arrive in time to save the building. Eight fire companies from many surrounding communities came to the aid of the little town that night.  The fire was finally stopped with a wall of water pumped from the wagon works dam and race as it progressed toward the storage sheds connected to the main building.

    The tannery, at the time of the fire, was being operated by Mr. Greenbaum and Mr. Collins.  No attempt was made to replace the roof or repair the vats which had been badly damaged.   The facilities stood idle for some time and then was purchased by the Millville Planing Mill Company.

    Another fire in 1940 destroyed the old worsted mill at the north end of town. This three story building erected in 1866 was in use as a hatchery at the time of the fire.  Wayne Hartranft had purchased the property and converted a portion of it for his use.  After in burned, he erected a small building to serve the purpose but soon abandoned the venture.

    Hotels came early to town and the major one served the community for a remarkable number of years before it was removed.  In 1936, the shareholders concluded an arrangement with the Atlantic Refining Company for the sale.  The hotel was closed the next year.  It was not removed till early 1939 or 1940, however, and then a modern gas station was erected on the site.  The stables which were originally a part of the hotel, but which had been converted to a small gas station, were also removed.

    In the mid-thirties, the country was involved with the worst depression it had ever experienced. It needed none of the responsibilities of any war. Internal problems were yet unsolved.  How could a family in this rural community be concerned with Nazism and Fascism in a land not easily imagined- definitely never understood?  Yet, during this time the groundwork for a global revolution was being laid by two countries in Europe. People around Millville, on the other hand, were hoping that their family might avoid the necessity of applying for relief and planning in any respectable way possible to assure the next season's bread and meat.

    When Japan moved in on China in 1937, the country determined to defend itself and while working to solve its financial crisis, the national leadership strengthened its relations with Canada and Latin America.  Very little of this affected the town nor the people directly.  The Grange did pass a resolution to be forwarded to their representative in Washington, but little else was undertaken.

    By the summer of 1940, changes had taken place in the thinking of everyone.  In September, the Congress passed the Selective Service Act and the draft was back in business.  The town's men, from 18 to 25, travelled to Bloomsburg to sign up for this obligation.  Soon several were called for instruction, and by the end of the first year when those previously called were held in, the area had a good representation in the service.

    Pearl Harbor, and the war which followed, took many young men from the area. The cemetery on the hill overlooking the town is dotted with markers that stand as testament to their contribution.  The other graveyards, set near the churches of the region, hold similar memorials.

    With the men of the community gone, the women were forced to take up the work that remained to be done.  Store clerks were now nearly all women or elderly men returned from retirement to fill the important jobs.  Production of everything had to be substantially increased to meet the demands of the army and the sizable relief efforts that were being carried out in the war-ravaged countries.  Farm products soon were in short supply.  Labor to increase the output of the area farms was difficult to recruit.  With ever expanding shipments of food overseas, it became very nearly impossible to get many items. 

    The small manufacturing plant of Girton's was diverted to production of equipment for the battlefield.  As the thirty men that originally made milk bottle washers left for war, they were rapidly replaced by women with their hair tied up, welding tool clips for tanks and assembling the mines that were shipped off after the men.  Three hundred people worked there in 1945.  Most of these were women.

    Steins converted from women's apparel to army uniforms and other cloth products.

    What with food rationing, gas rationing, war production, friends and relatives in the war; none could say that they were not touched by the event.

    "After THE war ..." as is still used in the area, a change came.  The young men returned to a town that had changed little from the time of their departure. But they changed it. Some went back to the old jobs, to the old places. Others, however, wanted something different.  They may have gone into business for themselves, opened a service station, or a small store.  Others married childhood sweethearts and moved on to other areas where the post-war boom was making new and different jobs with opportunities.

    Those that remained started families- a lot of families.  The baby boom was on locally. The school purchased additional acreage and planned a new addition while trying to fit all those extra youngsters in somewhere.  When they counted heads in 1950, the population had increased by more than a hundred in only ten years.  Things were looking better and optimism was the order of the day.

    

    

    

Additions and corrections made for this Second Edition. DBG

Second Edition- Copyright Dean B. Girton Dec. 30, 2022