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!
Ligonier Echo
Wednesday, October 7, 1896
The Huston L.V.R.R. Trouble
As stated in last week's Echo a hearing was held before I. M. Graham, J. P., in the cases of assault and battery of Geo. Senft, John W. Rhay and Wm. Stoffer vs. Dixon Huston and John W. Huston. There were two cases against each defendant and they were held for court under bond of $500 for each case.
The hearing was held on Friday afternoon, the commonwealth being represented by
Hon. E. E. Robbins, John N. Boucher, Esq., and W. C. Peoples, district attorney, and the defense by Alex. Eicher, Esq.
On last Wednesday information was made by Dixon Huston against eleven of the railroad employes for malicious trespass, and on Thursday the sheriff was here and the following persons were placed under bond of $500 each for appearance at court: Geo.
Senft, Wm. Stoffer, John Rhay, Robert Loughery, Scott Smith, Edward Bitner, John Lape, John Kelley, John Kuhns, Howard Mitchell and Smith Beatty.
A civil suit will also be entered in court to determine the ownership of the land in dispute which is about as follows: After the Mill creek passes under the railroad bridge it makes three sharp curves to the left, being away from the railroad track before entering the Loyalhanna. The first curve is made as soon as passing under the bridge, the second a little farther down, and the third still farther. All of these bends are quite close together. The Hustons in order to straighten the channel cut through near railroad right-of-way at
the two upper places and turned the water into this new channel. At the second place the railroad company placed an embankment or rip-rap at a cost of $300 to protect the road. At the third place Mr. Huston had made an artificial channel and was about filling up where the creek made the turn to thus straighten it. Mr. Senft claims that this would be an injury to the railroad and that it was not on Mr. Huston's land and proceeded to fill up this new water course and this is what caused the dispute and where the fight occurred.
By agreement the new channel has since been closed by the railroad company and the
water turned into the old course around this third bend and away from the railroad, to be left in this condition until the court shall decide whether the railroad company has a right to this ground and can prevent the straightening of the channel. Mr. Huston claims that the straightening of the channel would be a decided advantage to him in building the fence and in farming this ground.
The cases will be ably handled in court as able legal talent has been employed on both sides.