This Week in History

125 Years Ago, 1896

Taken directly from The Vindicator:

“Sudden Deaths. A strange case that is being rigidly investigated at Struthers. Coroner Tucker called to examine the remains of an employee at the Struthers Furnace.

“The sudden deaths in precisely the same manner, and no apparent reason therefore, have occurred within six months at Struthers. Last fall, a foreigner employed at the blast furnace in Struthers left his fellow workmen and entered a closet nearby. In a few moments, a companion discovered his dead body.

“Friday afternoon word was received in this city that a Slavonian laborer had been killed at the Struthers Furnace, and Coroner Tucker and Gillen’s Ambulance responded. Upon arriving at the furnace, the coroner learned that Joseph Needlect, a Slavonian, who had been employed in unloading coal cars, and just as the other man had done, six months before, left the car and entered a closet.

“Not returning, his fellow workmen went to seek him and were horrified when they found him in the closet with life extinct. What caused death is a problem that has as yet not been solved by the coroner, but he is inclined to think that gas from the furnace overpowered him while in the closet. Another theory is that the deceased, who had been working in an open car with no protection from the hot sun, received a sunstroke and, feeling ill, went to the closet and there died.

“Needlect was a single man about 30 years of age, and had been employed at the furnace for some time. The remains were brought to this city, and prepared for burial at Gillen’s undertaking rooms. Two cousins, who reside in this city, appeared Saturday morning at the morgue and made arrangements for the funeral that will be held from the undertaker’s Monday morning at 9 o’clock. Interment in Oak Hill Cemetery.”

60 Years Ago, 1961

Nearly 160 people joined a celebration of culture at the YWCA. Among the guests were visitors from several foreign nations who helped to spur interest in the YWCA’s world membership program. The world membership luncheon was an annual event that helps to bring attention to the YWCA’s international mission in more than 70 countries. A smorgasbord of delicacies from all over the world was a centerpiece of the night and was created by a team of international cooks. Guests also participated in dances and other cultural festivities.

The international guests included students, physicians and teachers from the Philippines, India, Iran, Hungary, China, Japan, British Guinea, San Salvador and Israel. Some of the physicians were training at North Side Hospital and a few of the students were studying engineering at Youngstown University (now Youngstown State University). Junko Takamicawa, a children’s author from Tokyo and chairman of the monthly YWCA paper in Japan, also joined the celebration.

45 Years Ago, 1976

As the nation prepared for its Bicentennial celebration, The Vindicator ran a series of stories about local historical sites, people and events. This particular week featured stories from Columbiana County. Named to honor both Christopher Columbus and Queen Anne, Columbiana County was formed in 1803. One of the earliest settlers was John Quinn, who built a cabin near Calcutta in 1792. Lisbon, originally called New Lisbon, was settled in 1803 and designated as the county seat due to its central location.

The area features a few monuments to 19th century events and people, including Edwin Coppoc, who joined John Brown for his raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859. Coppoc was hanged on Dec. 16, 1859, for his role in the raid. A monument stands at his grave at the Hope Cemetery in Salem. Another monument just south of Lisbon marks the site of Confederate General John Hunt Morgan’s surrender to Union forces in July 1863.

Just down Beaver Creek sits a park area in Sprucevale, the site of an old abandoned town. A small trail leads to Gretchen’s Locks, named after Gretchen Gill, daughter of E. H. Gill, the engineer of the Sandy and Beaver Canal. The family moved to Columbiana County from Europe, but Gill’s wife died on the voyage and was buried at sea. After settling near Sprucevale, Gill’s daughter contracted malaria and died. Her father had a crypt built into the brick of the lock itself and Gretchen’s casket was placed there. Her father planned to move back to Europe after the economic panic of 1837 and intended to bring the casket along. On that return trip, a violent storm tossed the ship and all hands were lost. In the end, both father and daughter were reunited with their wife and mother, all buried at sea.

• Compiled from the archives of The Vindicator by Traci Manning, MVHS Curator of Education