Wellsville Historical Society

Tuesday - June 15: The Wellsville Historical Society held their June meeting this past Tuesday evening at the River Museum. President Robert Bereford presided.

Thanks was given to the members of the 4th Armored Div. Historical Group for last week-ends exhibition of the famed WWII tank division. The group set up camp on the grounds of the museum and on Saturday they had two weapon's demonstrations. Wellsville resident Tim Gane is a member of that historical group.

Beresford announced that the Society will be accepting a donation from former FBI Agent Ed Crawford. The donation includes antique barrel making tools that have been in the Crawford family for some time. That family was originally from Jefferson County and Crawford remarked that in his youth they came to Wellsville to shop and do their banking. The tools were part of his father's collection. It is unknown exactly what some of them are or the age of the collection.

Members of the Johnny Albaneso family have advised the Society that Johnnies Lunch t-shirts will be sold at this year's All-Class Reunion. Proceeds from the sale will be donated to the River Museum in memory of the late Mr. Albaneso. Johnnies Lunch is a legend in Wellsville lore along Main St. It was an extremely popular eatery for folks of all ages. The gourmet french fries smothered in Johnnies gravy were a legend in themselves. In addition to running the business Mr. Albaneso was very active promoting the village community. The last location of Johnnies Lunch was in the old Isaly's building in the 400 block of Main St.

The Wellsville Area Chamber-of-Commerce has bestowed a free membership on the Historical Society. The Chamber is actively involved with the newly created Columbiana County Tourism Bureau. The new tourism group was formed to promote the many benefits of visiting the county. The River Museum will be included on the list of sites to see on the Chamber's promotional pamphlets and web site.

Newly taken pictures of the museum have been given to the printer to be included in a new brochure. The Steel Valley Antique Car Club brought 29 people to tour the museum this week. Stating they were very impressed it has already made arrangements for another tour this week. Reservation with the caterer has been set for the annual Christmas Dinner. Carmela Boyce announced that ceramic coasters for this year's All-Class Reunion Dinner will have a picture of the museum on them.

Donations received this month included additional pieces of Weeping Gold china made by Acme Craft Pottery from the Williamson family. An oval vegetable dish with lid made by the old Wellsville China was received from Kay Kessler in memory of Larry Kessler. Sharon Boley donated a cloth constable badge that was worn by Cliff Athey. Ron Miller from Minneapolis donated his father's 1938 & 1939 WHS year books. His father was Carl C Miller. Mary Clark's family donated a photo album retracing Ed Pugh's reenactment of settlers arriving in the N.W. Territory. CC Clerk of Courts Tony Datillio donated a Yellow Creek Twp. Criminal Docket with entries going from 1936 through 1954. It was part of the late Attorney Bill Bush's collection.

This month's program was presented by Virginia & Curt Glenn on Yellow Creek history. In 1942 R.W. "Doc" Shilling wrote Tales of Yellow Creek documenting the history of its role in the settling of this area. Then in 1947 he published a sequel titled Stories of Yellow Creek. Neither book is in print anymore. The Glenns have combined both books into one and had them reprinted. The book is titled Tales and Stories of Yellow Creek. Copies of the book are hand for sale at the River Museum.

Shilling was a medical doctor and an avid historian on local history. His books document the area back to when the area was only occupied by native Indian tribes. Pictured here, Mrs. Glenn is a great niece of Doc Shilling. The Glenn's are planning on writing their own book called Yellow Creek - The Next Generation. Anyone with stories, tales or pictures of Yellow Creek they would like to share can call Mrs. Glenn at 740-768-2365.

Also pictured here is the painting Standing Rock by Richmond artist David Barnhouse. It's "a mammoth boulder, standing proudly and majestically atop the highest hill on the the south side of Yellow Creek", as Doc Shilling described it. It was noted as a meeting place and members of the Algonquin & Cherokee tribes met there to determine ownership of the hunting grounds on both sides of the Ohio River. It can still be seen today in the exact same spot. The painting was given to the Glenns.

Coming up next is a special program on Sunday, July 11 at 2 P.M. on the history of Acme Craft Pottery. That pottery was located at the corner of 3rd & Lisbon Street. The bottle kiln at that location was part of plant. Next regular meeting is Tuesday, July 20 at 7:30. Both the program and the meeting will be held at the River Museum located at 1003 Riverside.

ole nib