Workers, racers and travelers
History's Echoes
By SHARON BAUMBAUGH

Pictured are Alvin and Wallace Baumbaugh on their Greencastle farm, with their horsepower and companion.

During the summer months of the latter years of the 19th century, people of this community and the surrounding areas would make their way to a site along the Williamsport Pike in Greencastle. The sound of hooves hitting the dirt track would be a call that could not be resisted as the races were held in this section of Antrim Township.

In August of 1898 the mid-summer race meet at Pastime Driving Park was a great success, financially and otherwise, according to reports. The outcome was attributed to the untiring efforts of the president and secretary of the association, Mr. H.K. Schiffirt. A big crowd had attended the well publicized event and the races were among the best to be seen at any track. The Clay Hill band was present for the occasion to enliven the program with some of their choice selections.

This era was the time of saddle and harness makers, carriage trade and blacksmiths. William C. Martin, located on Franklin Street, was a blacksmith looking toward the future in 1898. He was crafting aluminum horseshoes - he had turned out several successful jobs on a day in April. This was the same time that Ambrose Bushey, local liveryman, had the handsomest surrey as a pair of bay, bob-tailed trotters pulled the vehicle - a pair that it was deemed "could not be equaled in the Cumberland Valley." While, that same summer, Henry White of Jefferson Street, an expert on carriage painting, did up the Tayamentasachta buckboard in fine style.

Of course, it was also said that a pair of handsome spanking bays, owned and driven by Nathan Miller of Greencastle, was attracting a lot of attention on the "boulevards of town" every day. While at the same time, J.P. Rahauser and Bro. had received another carload of fine Illinois horses on a Saturday in November. These were brought to the tradesmen by rail car over the Cumberland Valley Railroad. Not to be outdone, the Rev. Peightel of the Grace Reformed Church, was driving a handsome pair of brown high steppers.

The following winter, John S. Grove, with his handsome four-in-hand, took a group of about 12 ladies of the Travelers' Club of Greencastle, on a very enjoyable ride to Waynesboro on a Tuesday evening. Of course the "flitting wagon" was always on the go, especially as spring and summer weather came upon the town and township. People were moving from country to an apartment in town, or from an apartment in town to the country, with their belongings piled high on the wagon and pulled by the family's only means of travel, their horse. Even B.F. Angle was moving his undertaking business from Welsh Run to Clay Lick with his tools and lumber on the back of a wagon, pulled by his horse, the same animal that would pull the hearse in time of loss. Along with this move, it was noted that Postmaster Snyder had removed from the Speilman property on Center Square to the Hade property on West Madison Street. That same year, 1899, Godfrey Goetz was having a new stable built on South Jefferson Street.

It was also told of the mishap that befell Luther H. Leiter of Upton (this was before his business move from this village to Milnor and then to South Carlisle Street) when his horse ran away and in the run-off, Mr. Leiter lost his pocket book between his place and Greencastle on the Greencastle and Mercersburg turnpike. The finder would receive a liberal reward by returning it to the owner or to Barnhart's Store in Greencastle. Just a few weeks later, Watson R. Davison, Esq., was thrown from a bucking horse near Tayamentasachta and made a "miraculous escape from serious injury."

In August of 1899 every available team and rig in town was hired for the annual camp meeting to be held on a Sunday at Brown's Mill. Those who had their own teams and carriages or wagons, would also make their way to the special services.

By the end of the year A.C. Bushey had moved his livery from the Crowell House on North Carlisle Street to that of the National Hotel on West Baltimore Street. W.R. Ruthrauff would occupy the livery vacated by Mr. Bushey. David Mowen had finished a handsome new furniture wagon for Mr. Luther Fleming, "a credit to the maker as well as the owner."

Almost a year later, a matinee would be held at the driving park, it was announced, the second week of September and some speedy horses would be there with good races promised. The Park Association had renewed its lease for the portion of land southwest of the town. The track was to be greatly improved by raising the grade at the south turn. Stables would be built for the accommodation of those who desired to put their horses in training and an expert trainer could be secured.

Horses would remain the main means of transportation in these years, along with the railroad for longer distance travel. Soon, the Chambersburg, Greencastle & Waynesboro Trolley Company would supply a new means of travel for the residents as the first trolley entered and left the Square in December 1903 and not too many years after, more and more automobiles would be seen, and heard, on the streets of town and township. The horse would remain a constant for the farmers and many others who did not trust or want to ride in those noisy autos for some years but eventually, for the majority, owning a horse became a hobby and not a necessity.