Take a look back at Franklin County’s history through news and photos that appeared in local newspapers 25, 50, and 100 years ago on August 1.
25 YEARS AGO
Monday – August 1, 1994
50 YEARS AGO
Friday – August 1, 1969
“Autograph Book in town Library”
LEMASTERS — Mrs. Bonnie Sixeas, librarian, post mistress, mother of two children, and native of the area, is well known in this picturesque, scenic farming community.
As librarian, she has been in charge of Lemasters Branch of Franklin County Library, located in the center of town across from the community building, since August 1953.
Her goal for the library is to keep books on shelves her patrons like. She finds that-people like books with attractive covers, books that look interesting. She tacks bright, colorful covers above the shelves and on walls to attract attention.
A display on paper craft is featured now. Children like to autograph the guest book beneath the display.
The branch serves a rural area between St. Thomas and Mercersburg, about 20 miles from Chambersburg.
Circulation averages 175 books per month and has been on the increase since the post office located in the building this year.
During the winter, most patrons are farmers, whose tastes run to non-fiction, autobiographies and mysteries. But summer months bring out children, who account for three-fourths of summer circulation.
Children often use reference material during winter months, with many requests coming in for books needed for reports.
100 YEARS AGO
Friday – August 1, 1919
“WAYNESBORO UNION DEMANDS 44 HOUR WEEK; 50 HOUR PAY”
WAYNESBORO — A letter requesting a 44-hour week with 50 hours pay was received by local manufacturing plants of the city, sent by the local machinists’ union today.
This is equivalent to five eight-hour days and four hours on Saturday.
When queried as to what action might be taken by local manufacturers to this request, the unanimous answer was, “We have nothing to say at present.”
