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!
Latrobe Advance
Wednesday, June 23, 1886
A Picnic Of Seven
Among the first outings of the season was a picnic which took place on Wednesday last. The party was very small and select, consisting of ladies and gentlemen to the number of seven, all from Latrobe.
Although the clouds were dark and lowering, after getting the baskets packed, the party took the morning train on the Ligonier Valley Railroad, for Idlewild Parks. They found
aboard the cars A. B. Kline, Dr. W. J. K. Kline, District Attorney A. M. Sloan, John Rumbaugh, and Mr. Kirkwood, of Greensburg, members of the Ligonier Fire Clay Company whose shipping point is Coalpit, a short distance above Idlewild. There gentlemen were accompanied by Ed Keenan, also of Greensburg and were on their way to inspect their works.
In the course of time the train arrived at Idlewild and the seven merry picnicers left the cars. The baskets had to be attended to of course. These were put in a place of safety, when the party crossed the wire suspension bridge which spans the Loyalhanna and
entering the west Park, made a grand rush for the swings. They soon tired of this sport however, and after taking a short stroll among the laurel and rhododendron thickets, plucking some white flowers here and delicately tinted pink ones, there, the concluded that it was time to eat. Accordingly the feast was spread on a table which had been placed under cover on the floor of the immense dancing pavilion. At the word "go" every person pitched in and the wreck made among the eatables was complete. By a motion unanimously passed it was resolved to let the table stand until time to pack up. This was a pious idea and no matter when you would look in that direction during the afternoon, some one could always be seen near the table, and, strange to relate, they
never felt the least bit hungry.
The afternoon was passed in fishing and boating on the Loyalhanna, gathering laurel and rhododendron flowers, ferns, etc. Although it rained at times, this did not mar the pleasure of the picnicers in the least. The laurels and rhododendrons in this particular locality are just in the height of their beauty at present, and lend a magnificent effect to the beautiful parks.
Several of the party accepted an invitation of the fire clay company to visit their works. Going along the railroad from Idlewild toward Ligonier, for a short distance, they came to a switch taking off to the left of the road. Here, a short distance back from the railroad is located the crusher belonging to the company. The mines of the fire clay company are located among the everlasting hills about one and one half miles from the L.V.R.R. To reach them a narrow gauge track has been constructed, and upon it runs a train of clay cars or dumps, drawn by t neat little engine bearing the appropriate name of the "Duke of Idlewild." The visitors carefully crawled into one of the cay cars, the whistle sounded and the noble "Duke" began the upward journey. In a short time the train traversed the levels and several steep grades when the mines were reached. Disembarking the party explored the mines for a short distance, and then getting on the cars once more, commenced the downward journey. This road although only one and one half miles in length, passes through a very romantic and picturesque region, and if you every have the opportunity, we advise you to take a trip over it.
The visitors to the fire clay pits having rejoined the picnicers at Idlewild, took another boat ride on the Loyalhanna and as train time was drawing near, "ate their supper" and packed the baskets.
The train arrived on schedule time and the still merry but somewhat fatigued party got
aboard and in a short time were back in Latrobe again, each being delighted with the day's pleasure. The thanks of the picnicers are due to Superintendent Senft, of the L.V.R.R., for courtesies extended. Dear reader, do not fail to go to Idlewild, and go as often as you can.