Saucon Secrets

Saucon Valley Soldier Survived Confederate Prisons

George A. Campbell (1845-1911) survived the Civil War and went on to become a 'circuit-riding' preacher after he returned to Pennsylvania.

Among the many history books that Hellertonian Roger Shaffer gave to me several years ago is the 50th Anniversary Edition of "A Genealogical Record oNicholas Hess, Pioneer Immigrant" with many historical and biographical sketches included. The text, published in 1962 by Alice Hess Schlegel, was condensed and compiled from the 1912 edition of Asher L. Hess, but also containing new data. Many of Nicholas Hess's descendants' accounts need not remain secret. For example, George A. Campbell (1845-1911) must be noted. His Civil War experiences are graphically described. At the age of 17, Campbell enlisted in Battery H, Second Artillery, 112th Regiment, for three years of service. For 18 months he was stationed around Washington, D.C., as part of…

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Local Author to Spill More 'Saucon Secrets'

Lee Weidner's "Saucon Secrets, Volume 2" is being published in time for the 2012 holiday season. The author will discuss some of the stories in his book at upcoming book-signings in Hellertown and Lower Saucon Township.

Correction: An earlier published version of this article included an incorrect date (Nov. 29) for the book-signing at Borger's Rare Coins in Hellertown. The book-signing will be held Thursday, Dec. 6 from 6 to 8pm. We apologize for any inconvenience the error may have caused. On the heels of his recent introductory talk before members of the Lower Saucon Township Historical Society, local author and frequent Patch contributor Lee Weidner has announced that orders for copies of his book "Saucon Secrets, Volume 2" are now being accepted. Weidner's new book features vignettes about life in Hellertown and Lower Saucon during days gone by, such as a story about how the borough was almost renamed "Hampton" by entrepreneurs. It is the successor …

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Saucon Secrets

An Introduction to Saucon Secrets, Volume II

Local historian and author Lee A. Weidner plans to publish Volume II of his book "Saucon Secrets" later this year.

As a child of elementary age, I had a reoccurring dream that I was an archaeologist digging for old artifacts like coins and pottery. This dream has come true in a figurative sense in that I have dug for local history stories for more than a decade, not with a shovel but by speaking to people. Langston Hughes, noteworthy black American poet, wrote: "Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird, unable to fly." My dream continues to this day--to seek out stories of local history. This has become a passion. Soren Kirkgegarde, Danish existentialist, said that being a Christian demands a "leap of faith." Very true. Just read the New Testament Book of Hebrews. I continue to believe in God, but also have faith that very …

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Letter: Remembering Little League Coaches Who Gave Their All

Lee A. Weidner of Hellertown says the men who coached Little League baseball during his youth were heroes in more ways than one.

To the editor: At this time of year annually I celebrate and humbly honor the many WWII veterans who helped found Little League baseball in Hellertown during the early 1950s. Many of my buddies and I competed steadfastly to improve our basic skills on the two ballfields at Dimmick Park, then called East End Field, and the diamond at Reinhard Elementary School. Coaches such as Mr. Grubb, Mr. Eckert, Mr. Hoppes and Mr. Finkbeiner volunteered their time to teach us Roosevelt and Baby Boomers the fine art of baseball. Parents and grandparents spent time, countless hours, to practice with us boys at home and watch games with enthusiasm, always stressing good sportsmanship. Shakespeare wrote, "Ye Gods, it doth amaze me!" As I view the Little …

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Saucon Secrets

Indentured for Sure

Servitude of the poorer class of emigrants from England, Switzerland, Ireland and Germany was guaranteed from the early settlement of Pennsylvania.

"Ladies and gentlemen, view this strong, healthy German farmboy, a lad of 10 years. He will be your faithful servant for the next 11 years, guaranteed, with no family affiliation." This scenario took place in Philadelphia, port of entry from Germany, Switzerland, England or Ireland of an untold number of families unable to afford passage aboard ship from their homeland to the New World during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Later, many of the surviving descendants would become avowed Abolitionists, thoroughly against the institution of slavery. They had eventually made their way to Saucon Valley, where they became active in the Underground Railroad prior to the War between the States between 1861 and 1865. Often the only records still …

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Saucon Secrets

Northampton County's 19th Century Iron Rush

Among the local companies founded during and after the Civil War were the Saucona Iron Company and the Coleraine Iron Company.

Many locals have been bewildered by the difference between the Saucon Iron Company and the Saucona Iron Company. Over the years I have known of at least two people. Allow me to clarify clearly once and for all. For you doubters out there, of course I'm promoting interest in local history and my next book. Smoke that in your pipes, but avoid polluting the neighborhood. As the reader knows, this writer is rather good at digging himself a deeper hole as he goes. However, these three fine fellows are better: Benjamin LeRoy Miller, Donald McCoy Fraser and Ralph LeRoy Miller. The first penned "Geology and Geography," the second "Pre-Cambrian Geology" and the third "Jacksonburg Formation," all relating to Northampton County, in 1939. This light …

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Tours to Feature Five 'Ghosts' of Hellertown Past

The free, guided history tours will be held at Union Cemetery of Hellertown on Aug. 16 and 17 from 6 to 8pm. Cemetery Tours are presented annually the week of Community Day.

Once again this year, fans of local history will have the opportunity to meet some real-life "ghosts" at Union Cemetery of Hellertown. That's because on Aug. 16 and 17 the cemetery will again host guided tours of the gravesites of five prominent former Hellertonians: Warren Eckert, Bessie Shiffer, Russel Mauch, Herbert Weisel and Nicholas Zenkof. Costumed re-enactors will represent the late pillars of the community, regaling visitors with stories about their lives and anecdotes about what life was like in the borough many years ago. Portrayals of Weisel and Zenkof were presented during last year's tours, but will be reprised this year because rain caused the cancellation of the tours on the second evening. The Cemetery Tours are sponsored …

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Photos of the Day

Photo of the Day: Trolley Ride in Hellertown

Visitors to the Saucon Valley Farmers' Market on June 10 were treated to free trolley rides around the borough. The rides were guided by Hellertown historian and market volunteer Bud Prosser.

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Saucon Secrets

The U.S. Post Office Realm of Hellertown

In decades past, most letter carriers in the borough would walk 12 to 14 miles per route.

"They were ordinary postmen, fond of walking and dogs and Christmas and the snow. They knocked on the doors with knuckles...And they stood on the Welcome mat in the little, drifted porches and huffed and puffed, making ghosts with their breath and jogged from foot to foot like small boys wanting to go out...And the cold postman, with a rose on his button-nose, tingled down the tea-tray-slithered run of the chilly glinting hill. He went in his ice-bound boots like a man on fishmonger's slabs. He wagged his bag like a frozen camel's hump, dizzily turned the corner on one foot, and, by God, he was gone." --from a Child's Christmas in Wales, by Dylan Thomas After speaking with Ed "Whitey" Weirback and George Zettlemoyer, former Hellertown …

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Bud Prosser to Talk About 1940s-Era Hellertown

Longtime local resident and business owner Stanley "Bud" Prosser will talk about growing up in Hellertown in the 1940s in a presentation to the Lower Saucon Township Historical Society May 9.

On May 9 at 7pm at Seidersville Hall, in Lower Saucon Township, the Lower Saucon Township Historical Society will sponsor a talk by Stanley "Bud" Prosser, a former business owner and longtime resident of the Hellertown area. Prosser began his career at his family's pharmacy in Hellertown as a clerk, at age 14. He eventually became a pharmacist and part-owner of the Prosser Pharmacy, which was located on Main Street. Although in 1995 Bud closed the pharmacy, which was a mainstay of downtown Hellertown for 75 years, he has continued to be a full-time volunteer for the town that he loves. As part of his presentation, Bud will share stories about growing up in Hellertown during the 1940s. All guests are welcome and refreshments will be served …

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