(The author is currently researching an article on Gertrude
Seibert, the unofficial poetess of the Bible Student movement for many years.
Here is a snippet about her to be going on with. Sadly, we do not know what her
message to future generations actually was, or where the baking can and
contents eventually ended up. Note that George Fisher, co-writer/compiler of
The Finished Mystery, was a house visitor at the time.)
From: The Daily News (Huntingdon, Pennsylvania) for Saturday,
June 19, 1948, page 6.
Old can
found in porch
In fulfilling a promise to recount some incidents not
included in a previous contribution, “An Early Spring Journey Along Pioneer
Trail” (April 17 and 24), we will now tell of the contents of an old baking
powder can which was found at the American Legion Post Home in Rockhill
Furnace. This large can - probably of 10 pounds capacity - was found while
tearing out an old porch during recent alterations to the post home. The can,
with its contents, was evidently placed there by Mrs Gertrude W. Seibert, wife
of R.S. Seibert, then president and general manager of the East Broad Top
Railroad.
Mrs. Seibert doubtless believed the can would remain in
obscurity until a far-later period, as a communication she had written was
found therein, dated August 25, 1910, and continued: “To Future Generations,
from Gertrude W. Seibert, Orbisonia, Pa. - This house was opened as a Hotel in
1876 and converted to a residence in January 1905, for Officials of the
Rockhill Iron and Coal Co., and the East Broad Top Railroad and Coal Co. This
porch was built in August 1910; carpenters employed: Joseph N. Stevens,
foreman, John Steward, Elmer Foster, Frank Smyers, Z James Reed - Persons at
present residing in this building are R.S. Seibert and Wife; C.D. Jones, Wife
and child (Dorothy); Roberts D, Royer T and Wife; Byron Woodcock. VISITORS -
George H. Fisher and Wife, of Scranton, Pa., Harry A. Guefricae and Wife of
Robertsdale; Charles H. Jones, 20 Broad Street, New York City; John S. Etnier,
Wife, Son and Daughter, Mill Creek, Pa.
EMPLOYEES - Lulu Hollabaugh, Rockhill; Grace Dieffey, Love Valley.
Articles in
Can
Listed among other articles in the can were an East Broad Top
Railroad timetable No. 29, effective June 27, 1910, and these publications; two
copies of Watch Tower, July 15 and August 1, 1910; National Labor Tribune,
August 25, 1910; The North American (Philadelphia) of the same date and a copy
of the Mount Union Times of August 21, 1908.
The writer is grateful to Murray Slaughter, manager of the
post home, for the privilege of examining the contents of the old can, as well
as other kindly courtesies extended by him during my visit to the beautiful home
of the American Legion in Rockhill Furnace.
Author note:
It’s not quite the contents of the United Cemeteries
pyramid, but interesting nonetheless.
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