LEWISTOWN FLORIST INC

Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022

The Sentinel JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE

Her family’s history

Mordine Beers

Editor’s note: One of the most unique contributions we received is a booklet provided by Mordine Beers, her grandfather’s diary from the early 20th century. After her introduction is the author’s introduction and initial entry in the diary, and then the final entry, along with closing notes from the author. In the name of preserving history, no changes have been made to the diary’s wording, which may differ from language as we use it today.

First I will give most credit to my cousin’s wonderful compiling of our Grandpap Charles Henry Fisher’s “Memorandum” of Huntington, Pa., where he lived, farming around what is now Raystown Dam, the year 1918 through 1927.

It was not good farming country, but he made do! Here is a generous gift that came from Grandmother’s minding her way of telling the story of his entries into this diary as a way of keeping his finances and businesses in order. He was tax collector, school deacon, was an undertaker’s helper and paid the preacher his dues whenever possible collection provided. In his community he raised hogs, sheep and beef to share! He even shared a mule, plowed friends’ fields. I could go on and on how in this small community with family and friends, he shared his Moses journey, surviving the best way he could.

There’s no end to our lives if we had learned from our relatives as I have. This diary made me proud to know about him and to cherish the memories. Can say this should be a part of our history’s recorded life of those pioneers here in Pennsylvania. I’m proud to share his story for all those who know of the freedoms we hold dear here in the Great USA, never forget those before you.

As my Grandmother would say “Oh, everything will be alright tomorrow!”

Chapter 1

My Grandfather, Charles Henry Fisher was born October 27th 1895 in Lincoln Township, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. The house in which he was born was a stone house along the Juniata river. In the days of the stagecoach it was known as the Java Inn. The house was at that time owned by Grandpap’s Grandfather, David Henry Fisher. This house as it turns out, was the same inn where years earlier a man who had robbed a bank in Bedford, chose to stay, as he had been shot during the robbery. This is where the police had cornered him.

So as the story goes, when my Grandfather’s mother, Mertie said she was afraid to stay there because she heard noises at night and said the place was haunted, David moved them into what was known as the white

See Beers / Page 16