Ligonier Valley Rail Road Newspaper Articles
We have compiled over 1,400 newspaper articles that mention the Ligonier Valley Railroad, or related subjects. The articles were originally published starting in 1873 and our collection runs through 1995. Enjoy!
Daily Republican
Thursday, October 1, 1896
Riot at Ligonier
Ligonier was the scene of one of the worst riots Tuesday morning that has ever been known in that valley. At an early hour the construction crew of the Ligonier railroad were at work, digging a ditch along the railroad, at Millcreek bridge, just outside the borough limits on the Dixon Houston farm, the ground on which they were at work being in dispute. The Houstons after they began work appeared on the scene and ordered them to leave, but Supt. George Senft, of the Ligonier Valley road, being with them, ordered them to proceed, which they did, when they were set upon by the Houston family consisting of the father, mother and two sons, John and Joe, who were armed with Winchester rifles, shot guns, revolvers, clubs, etc., and for a while it looked as if a number would be killed. During the melee, Supt. Senft was shot in the legs by old man Houston, his limbs being filled with shot. Old man Houston was attacked and felled to the ground with a club as fast as he could get up. The other members of the family were also badly used up as were several of the workmen who were battered over their heads and bodies with clubs in the hands of the Houstons. While all are more or less hurt, none are fatally injured.