TUMBLINGRUN

TUMBLING RUN

While the dams and water treatment plant at Tumbling Run are not within the geographical borders of
Schuylkill Haven, there is a direct link. In the early 1940's the borough purchased the dams for $100,000.
These dams with the adjacent water treatment plant, supply our borough with water. A history and other
information along with pictures of Tumbling Run will be presented here.

Below are three articles from the Pottsville Republican surrounding a mysterious case that occurred
at Tumbling Run in January 1907. Read all three and enjoy the sensationalism and style of the news
reporting of the period.

TUMBLING RUN
BLOOD TRAIL
January 12, 1907

Complete mystery surrounds
the finding of a trail of blood
and a tuft of woman's hair dam
public are unable to determine
whether the suspicious
circumstances are the result
of a tragedy performed there
late Thursday night or whether
it is a practical joke or perhaps
some ordinary circumstance
which will later be explained.
The rumor of a woman being
murdered and her head found
along the bank of the lake
came to Pottsville late
yesterday afternoon and Chief
of Police Davies with Officers
Graeff and Spencer drove to
the Run where they made an
investigation.
They found a pool of blood in
the rear of the Newport boat
house and bloodstains on the
doorknob. From there the trail
of blood led to near the
dancing pavilion where a
carriage had been standing.
The carriage wheels were
tracked out the road, across
the bridge where the creek
enters the cove and then
down to Sandy Beach where
the carriage stopped and
turned around. Blood stains
served to lead the officers to a
point along the dam on the far
side where, between the
Conrad and Whalen boat
houses there was evidence of
some heavy body having been
placed on the ground. Blood
was found on the dead leaves
and pine needles. A tuft of
long hair, auburn in color, was
found lying at the same spot.
The circumstances gave rise
to the belief that a woman had
been murdered, carried to the
far side of the dam and then
thrown in the water. Henry
Reichert made the discovery
and William Falls who is acting
as watchman at a number of
boathouses at the Run, states
that he heard a carriage pass
along the road about midnight
Thursday.
The murder theory is
discounted by the fact that the
hair found had the appearance
of having been combed from
the head and rolled into a ball.
The water at the point where
the supposed body was
thrown is not more then three
feet in depth for a distance of
30 feet from the shore.
There is no one reported to be
missing as far as the
"Republican" has been able to
ascertain and the general
sentiment is that there has
been no tragedy but of course
the real facts are not known.
The case will bear full
investigation.
No New Developments
There were no new
developments in the case
today and late this afternoon
the case remained as
complete a mystery as ever.
Local officers did not
investigate the case today and
no thorough search was made
for the body. This is entirely
outside the jurisdiction of
Pottsville officers and no
others have taken up the case.
This is but another example of
the premium placed on crime
in this county. There is no
standing reward for the
capture of murderers and no
incentive for ferreting out
suspicious cases. No man
feels like devoting a day and
perhaps many days of his time
for the small amount of glory
which will be thereby reaped.

SAYS MURDERED
WOMAN IS DOG
January 14, 1907

poor unfortunate injured dog
according to the story of Rural
Mail Carrier DeNapoli who is
convinced that the Tumbling Run
sensation is more of a comedy
then a tragedy. According to
DeNapoli on Thursday he heard a
dog yelping on the mountain side
on the far side of the dam and
then saw him go limping along the
edge of the dam to the bridge and
then down the road stopping
several times to lick his wound
and to gather the strength which
appeared to be ebbing away from
the great amount of lost blood.
The dog traveled the same course
that the murdered woman is
supposed to have been dragged
but he went the opposite
direction from which theory
carried the woman and there was
no carriage in waiting to help him
along.
Yesterday a large number of
people plodded through the mud
to the Run to take a look at the
scene of the supposed crime and
to endeavor to see some of the
blood. They were able to see the
scenery all right but sorry to
relate the blood had disappeared
under the influence of the rain
and snow.
The explanation of DeNapoli is not
accepted by many who believe
that there was entirely too much
blood to have come from a dog,
even a large dog. On the other
hand the murder story is scoffed
at by the majority of people who,
remembering that Thursday night
was cold and particularly cold at
the Run, the ground too hard
frozen to have left the imprints of
carriage wheels.
The members of the Newport boat
house club do not relish the
notoriety they have gained by the
blood tracks leading to near their
house and the stories that have
been in circulation that the body
of the dead woman was found in
their house with her throat cut
from ear to ear. The members of
the club have always enjoyed the
utmost respect of the community
and no suspicion is in the
slightest degree attached to them
by any one who knows anything of
the case in question.

WAS NO MURDER
THURSDAY NIGHT
January 15, 1907

abandon their inquiries of the
rumored murder at Tumbling
Run Thursday night and
instead bend their efforts to
ascertain of suspicious
characters or circumstances
on Monday night of last week.
It has been learned that the
blood trail was seen on
Tuesday just as clear as it was
on the day that the mysterious
circumstance was reported.
Rural Mail Carrier DeNapoli
states that he saw the spots of
blood on Tuesday while
passing along the road to
deliver mail over his route. He
denies the story that he saw a
wounded dog skirting the dam
and the dog story is now
attributed to another or
perhaps was simply one of the
many false stories in
circulation since the town
became excited over the
occurrence.
Rumors are flying around thick
and fast and rumor has
discovered the dead body of a
woman at a half dozen places
at the Run. It has been fished
up out of the water so badly
swollen that it could not be
recognized; it has been found
in different boat houses with
throat cut from ear to ear and
with skull crushed to a pulp
and it has also been found
along the mountain side, if one
is to believe the many stories
which are constantly afloat.
Chief of Police Davies was
desirous of making an
exhaustive investigation but
on account of illness he has
been prevented by his
physician from working in the
mud, rain and water to glean
any further facts which might
be learned.

Always a scenic spot, Tumbling Run's twin dams were built as a water supply for the Schuylkill Canal. The
lower dam broke during the flood of 1850, carrying away homes in Mount Carbon and destroying roads and
railroad tracks south to Schuylkill Haven. The park itself was generally in operation between 1890 and 1914.
Tumbling Run's amusement park centered in the area of the upper dam and consisted of a hotel, theater,
dance pavilion, amusement hall, roller coaster and a skating rink. President Ulysses S. Grant was often a
guest of the hotel. On the hill behind the hotel, a baseball park hosted teams from the Atlantic League.
About sixty boat houses lined the eastern and northern shore of the upper dam. A steam boat provided
nickel rides around the lake.
Trolley cars were kept busy in the late 1890's and early 1900's transporting residents to Tumbling Run with
an in season schedule of every ten minutes. Construction of the trolley line in 1891 marked the beginning
of Tumbling Run's golden era. By 1908, more then 750,000 people visited the park during the three month
summer season.
In 1912 the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company, which used the dams to supply collieries
during droughts banned swimming. In 1913 it ordered the boat houses closed and by 1914 the resort was
near abandonment. The decaying hotel and the skeleton of the roller coaster remained for years afterward
but were eventually erased during a reforestation program. In 1919 the carousel was taken to Willow Lake
in Schuylkill Haven and by then all other buildings had been razed.
While rather short lived, Tumbling Run as a resort had experienced a successful time. Remnants of
building foundations are all that remain of the once impressive park. The dams now serve as a domestic
water supply for our town.

Images on left and
right show trolley
transportation as it
went to Tumbling
Run. Below is a
picture of the
trolley landing
where visitors
arrived and
departed.

These four postcards are representative of the buildings at the Tumbling Run resort and lake.

Perhaps the night resembled this
setting when a woman was
murdered, a dog spent it's waning
hours or absolutely nothing
occurred at Tumbling Run in
January 1907.

... more images and historical information
will be added to this section regularly...

BOAT HOUSES

As stated above, as many as sixty boat houses lined the shoreline of the upper dam at Tumbling Run.
accounts of May 15 and May 16 of 1890 celebrating the apparent important occasion of the opening of a
new boat house.

The Nellie Bly Club's Day
May 15, 1890

Between 1 and 2 o'clock this
afternoon the Nellie Bly Boat Club
and a large number of guests,
headed by the Third Brigade Band,
loosed their moorings at their
headquarters, "Stixey" Michael's
restaurant, and marched to
Tumbling Run, where they spent
the afternoon in aquatic sports
and dedicating their handsome
new boat house. The members of
the club wore light caps of many
colors, linen dusters - the latter to
keep off the mud - and each blue
badges inscribed with the name of
the club, while each guest was
supplied with a white souvenir
badge.

Tumbling Run Navy
May 16, 1890

The Third Brigade Band dispensed sweet music yesterday
afternoon at the Nellie Bly boat house, while the Tumbling Run
navy disported itself over the smooth surface of the dam. It
being the dedication day of the handsome new boat house of
the club, all the neighboring clubs threw open their houses
and placed their craft at the disposal of the "Nellie Bly" and
their guests. The new house was gaily decorated with flags
and bunting and the hospitality of its larder was unstinted
during all the afternoon and evening. Steward Schneider
furnished the locker with an abundance of knockwurst and
cured meats of various kinds, in addition to which was
everything usually found on a well regulated collation table,
and Bench Miller did the graceful as waiter. All the officers
and members of the club did their best to amuse their guests
and succeeded while enjoying themselves at the same time.
The "Nellie Bly" is now in full commission for the season.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

There were a multitude of activities available at Tumbling Run
Park. Above are two scenes from the campground and below
are pictures of the bath house with sliding board for swimmers
and a place called the Pleasure Pavilion.

Above left is the Midway at the park and on the right is
the carousel. Both images are much clearer if clicked on
and zoomed. Below is the dancing pavilion which was
very popular in its day.

Pottsville Republican of March 16, 1907

A NEW THEATRE AT TUMBLING RUN

Work has now been started on the new theatre at Tumbling Run, as a force of men are tearing out the
interior and remodeling it extensively. The position of the stage will be changed to it's location when the
theatre was first built. This will give a much larger seating capacity. Additional chairs will be placed in the
pavilion and the stage enlarged. The entire interior will be changed and greatly improved in appearance.
It is also intended to in the course of the next few weeks build an addition of sixty feet in length of the
pavilion for dancing and roller skating. This will make it an ideal place, especially for the skating, which has
grown in such favor that the present size is not adequate to accommodate the crowds.
Manager De Cato, of the Tumbling Run Park, has a number of improvements in store for the patrons and
these will be on an extensive scale. Amusements of all kinds found at the leading resorts and parks will be
installed at the Run, while high class vaudeville will be secured. Mr. De Cato is manager of the Woodland
park in New Jersey, the Tumbling Run and Manila Grove parks, so that with this circuit of three we will have
a great advantage in securing the very best for all three.
The Traction Co. intends to next month erect a large rustic pavilion on the hill near the site of the one used
as a grandstand. This will be for the accommodation of picnic parties who are without boat houses. Special
efforts will be made to have excursions run to this place from various sections of the state and a most
thriving season is expected for the park.

Further up the valley in the watershed of Tumbling Run, the creek that fills the dams is
crossed by a small bridge. These views show the bridge one hundred years ago.

Steam
powered boats
such as those
seen here
plied the
waters of the
upper dam
filled with
tourists. These
views are
better seen by
zooming in on
the pictures.

Those so
inclined could
travel the dam
in canoes as
seen here.
These
pictures are
better seen by
zooming as
above.

While most
activity
occurred at
the upper
dam, views of
the lower dam
exist. Note the
hillside farm
on the left
image.

The Sunday schools of town are taking up the question of whether it would not be more satisfactory to hold
their picnics at this place during the summer owing to the fact that no intoxicants are sold at the hotel and
also that the Pottsville Union Traction Company are offering inducements to parties of this kind by placing
many new conveniences for the use of patrons. It is pleasing to town that anxious parents will be glad to
allow their children to go as the former grounds at Adamsdale was considered too long a ride after a
strenuous day in the woods.
Boat house owners are considering employing a permanent patrol to protect their properties. During the
winter previously inclined persons have shot hundreds of holes into valuable property and also smashed
fine glassware and dishes inside the houses. Many other vandalous acts have been perpetrated and a
permanent patrol all the year round is expected to be the outcome.

As the Pottsville Republican of April 27, 1907 reports, parental concern for children and problems with
vandals is nothing new.

LIFE GUARDS
TO BE RECRUITED

The Pottsville Republican of May 15, 1907

H. C. Reichart, who for the past two years has been making efforts to have a U. S. life saving station located
at Tumbling Run, has received word from the U. S. Volunteer Life saving Corps, with headquarters at New
York, enclosing blank enrollment forms for him to fill in the names of those swimmers who desire to
become a branch of the volunteer corps at this resort. G. A. Thorman, the general organizer, writes that no
funds can be provided at the present, but this need be no detriment to the establishment of a branch of the
work at once. Should enough good swimmers be secured to form a division, the local corps would become
actual members and become entitled to all the privileges of active members-literature, membership
buttons, and commissions of membership.
Mr. Reichart has given a great deal of his time to establish a life saving station at the Run, and now that he
has it well under way and has succeeded in getting official recognition, it is up to the people to help the
move along as much as they can possibly do. Almost every year one or more persons are drowned at this
popular resort who might be saved if an organization of this kind is established.
Mr. Reichart, who is one of the most expert swimmers in this section, says that he will give exhibitions of
swimming, diving and life saving and military drills at the Run during the summer if the local station is
established. A comparatively small amount is needed.

The following newspaper articles represent the constant
danger at Tumbling Run as related to numerous drownings.

TUMBLING RUN SIGHT OF DOUBLE DROWNING

The Pottsville Republican of June 26, 1909

Tumbling Run was the scene of the first drowning accident of the season on Saturday afternoon, when
Clarence Schuster gave his life in vain to save Clarence Penn, a colored boy, from drowning, both boys
going down. The two boys in company with Robert Keller, Herman Schoenfelder, George Lord and George
Delong, all members of a baseball team left town shortly after 2 o'clock to go to the Run for a swim, arriving
there shortly before 3 o'clock. Young Penn who could not swim was one of the first to go in. While he was
wading around close to shore the other boys, all good swimmers, got undressed and went in. They had
only been in the water several minutes, when Penn called for help. Schuster, being the nearest went to his
assistance and was caught around the ankles by Penn and pulled down. According to the statement of one
of the boys, Penn did not come to the surface the second time, but Schuster's head did, and when it did an
attempt was made to grab hold of his hair, but the weight of the colored boy evidently pulled him down
again. Delong remained on the scene for a short time while Keller and Schoenfelder ran towards the boat
houses and sounded an alarm, Lord coming to Pottsville and giving the alarm here. Two boats were soon
taken to the scene of the accident, one boat containing John Joyce, Richard Scott and John Graney, the
other boat containing George Garrett, Thomas Phillips and John Cowhley.
Grappling hooks were brought into service, and at 4:32 the boat manned by Joyce brought up the body of
Schuster, the hooks catching him under the knee. Exactly at five o'clock the same crew pulled up the body
of Penn, the hooks catching him around the foot. Both bodies were laid along the bank near the scene of
the accident, where they were viewed by Deputy Coroner O. J. Carlin, who directed their removal. The
bodies were taken in charge by J. C. Heiken and Son, rowed across the dam and brought to Pottsville,
arriving here at six o'clock. The scene of the accident was on the opposite side of the lower Tumbling Run
Dam, from the trolley tracks, and midway between the two breasts. At this point the bank takes a sudden
pitch and it is thought that Penn missed his footing and went down.   Both bodies were recovered about 20
feet from shore and in exactly the same location, showing that they both went down together and rolled
some distance after being down.
                                                     The Victims of the Accident
Clarence Schuster was the son of Peter and Alice Schuster and was born in St. Clair sixteen years ago
moving to Pottsville fifteen years ago. The young hero was a bright lad, being a scholar at St. Patrick's
Parochial School. The mother is on the verge of nervous prostration and is under the doctor's care.
Clarence Penn, son of John and Bertha Penn, was born in Washington D. C. 17 years ago moving to
Pottsville fifteen years ago. He was industrious and well liked taught in the school at Bunker Hill.

The advertisement at left appeared in the Pottsville
Republican on May 28, 1907 to announce the
beginning of the summer season. The article below
also appeared in that day's paper touting the event.

FORMAL OPENING
OF TUMBLING RUN

Tumbling Run was formally opened yesterday for
the season of 1907 when several hundred invited
guests of the management assembled there as the
guests of the Association where they heard the
concert of the Philharmonic Band of Reading,
enjoyed a fine supper by Landlord Schappell and
applauded the splendid entertainment which will be
given every evening this week in the amusement
pavilion.
The weather was decidedly against a popular
outpouring of pleasure seekers and that so many
braved the pneumonia breeding weather must have
been a source of much encouragement to the
Association, which is going to so much expense to
make this resort far more popular then it has ever
been.
After an inspection of the grounds the visitors were
shown into the hotel where many additional
improvements were found to have been made
since last summer. This pretty place is now most
inviting to all and promises to become popular as a
place for holding banquets and special gatherings
of various kinds during the summer.
In the evening the entertainment was further
continued by the guests being ushered into the
amusement pavilion where a high class vaudeville
performance was given.

These two views show the road along the Tumbling Run dams. The dress of
the visitors reveals the fact that these images are one hundred years old.

Pottsville Republican of May 14, 1917

Frank Meister Tumbling Run Dam Murder Suspected

The lifeless body of Frank Meister, 26 years old, of town was found floating on the water at the upper dam at
Tumbling Run, near the Defender boathouse on Monday morning shortly before eight o'clock by Anthony
Blum and James Buckley, the latter watchman at the park. They pulled the body to shore and notified the
state police and coroner's office. Sergeant Smith, Coroner Moore and Deputy Coroner Heller made an
investigation and decided that an autopsy be held, the death being a suspicious one, according to the
views of all three.
Blum was walking along the road above the boathouses and saw the body of a man floating on the water.
Sergeant Smith arrived in a half hour and upon searching the man found books showing that he was a
member of the American Hose Company, the O. of I. A. and the Odd Fellows. His name was written in the
books. He joined the Odd Fellows on March 12 and there was a watch found on his person together with a
receipt of April 12.
Meister has been missing from home since April 14th. He was employed at the Eastern Steel Mill and on
that date got his pay and when he left home said he was going to work. That was the last seen of him alive.
Later he was thought to have gone to Reading and the folks were daily awaiting a letter from him.
When found Meister who was five feet five inches in height, wore a dark suit with a striped shirt, the way he
was dressed when he left home. His money that he drew as pay is gone and this fact together with the fact
that he has a deep hole in the back of his head, his face was badly marked and there are several marks
about his body lead the authorities to believe that he may have met with foul play. At any rate the case is a
mystery and the police are trying to strengthen their belief that he was dealt a blow then thrown in the
water to hide the crime.
When taken from the water the usual test as given a man supposed to have drowned was given him but
very little water turned up and this led to a closer investigation, the marks being then discovered on his
head and face.
Meister is a son of Frank Meister of town and is well known here. He was a man of mild temperament and
his habits were as such as to assure the police that he was not intoxicated.

Pottsville Republican of September 4, 1913

ALL BOAT HOUSES ORDERED CLOSED

Consternation seized boathouse owners, Thursday morning, when they received notices from the Land
department of the P and R C and I Company directing them to close their boathouses immediately and what
is more to the point, it was said that a police patrol is seeing to it that orders are carried out to the letter.
Of course, there will be little inconvenience suffered, as the Traction Company will not run any cars to or
from the Run regularly every half hour after next Sunday and with no cars running the beautiful nook in the
valley will lose its charm.
It is rumored too that fishing is to be stopped - in fact, our informant went so far as to state that the police
have orders to prevent fishing and the rumor went further then that, too, that the order to shut up the
boathouses merely is the fist in a series of orders that will "bottle up" the run against all boathouses,
without exception, but that idea is opposed stoutly in some official circles.
Tumbling Run Lake water was condemned for drinking purposes by the State Department of Health a year
ago and if it is to be restored to its purity, something must be done.
In reference to the closing of the boathouses, there is one consolation for the harassed owners, and that
is, "everybody's doing it", as a witty person remarked when the order was under discussion.

Pottsville Republican of May 14, 1917

TUMBLING RUN SHOULD BE RESTORED

Those movements so suspiciously begun to have Tumbling Run restored to Pottsville and vicinity as a
public park have all strangely and unexplainable been forgotten. Men who emphatically endorsed the
movements and were placed in the needs of various committees to take steps to bring about the return of
this summer resort have rather easily given up the task set before them, with little more explanation than
that the place was owned by the Reading Company and the Reading Company officials were unwilling to
have it restored to the status of a summer resort.
All these things were known long before any movements were suggested so that as far as the public is
informed no new reasons have ever been presented by any of these committees as to why this fine body of
water should be kept useless at Tumbling Run, resulting in the effectual confiscation of the property of
individuals there and robbing the people of this section of one of the finest summer resorts to be found in
inland Pennsylvania.
At the present time it is doubly desirable that Pottsville should have Tumbling Run restored and we trust
that some of our organizations will speedily take up the matter, investigate thoroughly, engage the services
of an able attorney, who cannot be overawed by corporation power and set to work to have Tumbling Run
restored to the people of Pottsville as a place for boating, a place for bathing, a place for fishing and a
place for general recreation.
It is a crime upon the people to be deprived of this wonderful place when it serves no good purpose
whatever to drive them off. It is a wastefulness which is criminal and evinces the old time corporation
demonstration of autocratic power which years ago was periodically manifested to keep the public in
subjection. Times have changed. The modern corporations have come to realize that they are merely the
children of the people, not the czar or kaiser of them and as a result there has been a vast improvement in
relations between them and the public.
The spirit of the times is for the corporations to desist in the policy of hogging it, particularly when such
policy does not return dividends. In olden times corporations held communities in subjection because they
comprised the greatest employing agencies of such communities and used the influence they were able to
create. Theses conditions are disappearing almost everywhere. The policy of the modern corporation is to
work in harmony with the community and for the benefit of such and we hop that the Reading Company will
see that it is detrimental to its own well being as well as detrimental to the interests of the people to
continue to play the dog in the manger act with reference to Tumbling Run.
Let us have a demonstration of patriotism on the part of the company which will result in restoring the old
conditions at Tumbling Run this summer.

Pottsville Republican of November 29, 1909

TUMBLING RUN WATER TO KEEP COLLIERIES AT WORK

A few more weeks of the present dry spell will turn Schuylkill County upside down as the time is now
approaching when we will appreciate the value of water as we have never before done and the entire hope
of this section of the county rests on the Tumbling Run dams, which are the only reservoirs which today are
filled to the brim. Not only will the collieries soon be obliged to depend almost entirely upon these dams but
the Pottsville consumers may also fall back upon them as their sole water source.
Almost every day a colliery here or there is obliged to close down on account of no water and as the days
pass on those which are still at work see the time for such work gradually growing shorter. But as stated
Tumbling Run gives a ray of hope in this section as arrangements are now being made to connect these
two big dams with the P & R Collieries of the Pottsville District. For weeks work has been in progress on the
construction of an eight mile water main from Wadesville, out through the Heckschersville Valley and to the
collieries at Newtown, Branchdale and Phoenix Park. The task is a big one and a few years ago would have
been considered nonsensical, but with the experiences of last summer and this summer and fall it is
conceded to be the very wisest move which is possible under existing conditions.
With the completion of the line it will be possible to draw upon Tumbling Run to supply the collieries at
Wade, the Heckschersville Valley and the West End and two or three weeks will find a necessity for drawing
upon the water at this famous summer resort.
About two years ago, a pipeline was laid from Silver Creek to Wadesville, that the colliery at the latter point,
which had very poor water facilities, might be able to work without interruption when water was scarce. The
Palo Alto reservoir which supplies the engines at that point with water is also maintained through pipe line
connections with Silver Creek and by this means, Wadesville and Palo Alto are connected. Work is now in
progress to connect Palo Alto with Tumbling Run. A twelve inch main is now being laid for this purpose and
will shortly be completed. This will allow the supply to the Palo Alto dam from Silver Creek being cut off and
Palo Alto being supplied entirely for the time being with Tumbling Run water. This will necessitate the
installation of a small pumping station.
But the water system is to be extended much further than this. West from Pottsville and also from the
Wadesville end gangs of workmen are working seven days a week to complete the eight miles of pipe
which is being laid and which when completed will connect the West End and Heckschersville Valley
collieries with Silver Creek.
At present the Silver Creek dam is in good shape, considering the small water shed and the great demands
which have been made upon it, but when the pipeline is completed and the demand upon it many times
greater it will not be able to hold up long under the pressure. The Rohrsville dam at the head of the
Heckschersville Valley which has been supplying the collieries in the Heckschersville Valley, has not been
exhausted, and in order to give the people of that valley a supply for domestic purposes the company has
shut off the use of the water of this reservoir for colliery purposes and instead water is being hauled.
But this haulage system is both expensive and unsatisfactory and it has been found impossible to keep
some of the collieries working full time. Even the mine water is giving out and where it is usually one of the
expenses of mining to keep the inside workings pumped free of water, no pumping is now being done and
the breakers are without this supply of mine water which was used for washing purposes. Never before has
the situation been so troublesome to the colliery officials.
The new pipe line in course of construction, it is estimated, will cost close onto $100,000 before it is finally
finished. It seems like a prohibitive figure but when it is taken into consideration that thousands of dollars
are being spent each week in this section for hauling water to the collieries, the expense is justified and
when it is completed will soon pay for itself.
With it completed there will be three sources of supply – Rohrsville with its big shed but small reservoir,
Silver Creek with its big reservoir but small shed and Tumbling Run with its big shed and big reservoirs. By
combining the supply of the three it is believed that al future danger of water famine will be averted.
Tumbling Run will not be drawn upon however, except in case of distress, as it is lower then Wadesville
and will require a good size pumping station to force the water up to the Wadesville level.
But there is danger that the Water Company will find itself obliged to shut off its supply to the various
industries of town, the electric roads, the factories, etc and in such an emergency it will be necessary for
them to either provide for hauling their own or else make arrangements to get a supply from Tumbling Run.
In the event of more serious trouble it may be necessary for the town to become dependent upon Tumbling
Run and with this great drain, even these overflowing dams may be unable to stand the strain, especially in
view of the fact that the Tumbling Run stream has dried up to a mere small stream.
If conditions should arise demanding it, it is possible to have all industries closed in order that the water
may be given for domestic use, but as plenty of water without any work will be a worse condition than work
and little water, it is not likely that such a contingency will arise.

The Pottsville Republican listed this news item on February 9, 1945 which announced
the beginning of Schuylkill Haven's acquisition of Tumbling Run as a water source.

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN MAY BUY TUMBLING RUN

Negotiations are said to be in the final stages for the purchase of Tumbling Run water rights by the
borough of Schuylkill Haven. The borough reservoir is inadequate and large purchases of water are
necessary from the Pottsville water Company. Schuylkill Haven now owns its own electric light plant.

Pottsville Republican of February 17, 1902

TUMBLING RUN CHANGES HANDS

The Tumbling Run property, land and all the buildings located on it has passed from the hands of L. W.
Weissinger and is now the property of R. E. Lee, junior member of the firm of Lee brothers, the Market
Street grocers. It is not known what figure was paid, but as the owner recently refused an offer of $40,000,
it must have been close onto the half hundred mark. With the change of the ownership of the property will
also come a change in the manner of conducting it. Extensive improvements will be made in the hotel and
surrounding buildings and grounds. It will be made an entirely different place and the change will be a
welcome one as it will be in the way of a decided improvement. The property purchased consists of about
twelve acres of land embracing the buildings now used for amusements.
The new owner has had this purchase in view for some time and has already mapped out extensive
improvements to make Tumbling Run the pleasure resort that it should be. The hotel will be remodeled.
Another story will be added, large verandas will encircle each story and a first class summer hotel
conducted. The bar will be removed entirely from the building and the first floor remodeled as to make a
large up to date and handsomely furnished dining room and parlor. A caterer will be secured from the city
to take charge of this department and Mr. Lee promises to serve dinners second to none at large hotels at
summer resorts and in the large cities. When these improvements are made there should be no more
popular summer resort in the state. The dancing pavilion will also be remodeled and the bar probably
located where the pool rooms and bowling allies now are.
Another feature of Tumbling Run which for long has been neglected is the picnic grounds. The groves
have been left uncared for and no effort was made to accommodate picnic parties, but now, however,
special attention will be paid to this.
Special attractions will be found at the Run nightly in the shape of bands, orchestras and other concerts. In
winter when there is ice on the dam there will be skating, skating carnivals and music and no end of
amusement.
It is understood that the Traction Company have under consideration the advisability of building a baseball
ground at the Run.
These improvements are not mythical but are they simply conjectures of what may be done in the future
but will be found to be established facts before the summer season is opened at the popular resort. Mr.
Lee will organize a Tumbling Run Improvement Association and the place will soon gain a reputation as one
of the leading summer resorts in the state.

Pottsville Republican of September 13, 1907

P & R PURCHASE AT TUMBLING RUN

In order to own all the land surrounding the Tumbling Run dam, the P & R Company has purchased the
large field, formerly owned by C. H. Woltjen, and which was sold to the Eastern Railways Company in the
early part of this year. This includes all of the 100 acre purchase with the exception of the ground on
which is located the Tumbling Run Hotel and the baseball park, which will continue in the ownership of the
trolley company on account of the interests in these two important features of the Tumbling Run Park.
This is what comes to the "Republican" from a seemingly responsible source, but it is not corroborated by
the trolley officials here.
The purchase price of this big tract of land was $12,000 and was made originally for the purpose of
building a baseball park. The remaining portion of the field could not be used to any advantage which
would justify holding it, so that the rumor is quite within reason in this respect. The P & R now owns the
land on which is built the boat houses at the upper dam, while all the other surrounding is in its
possession. With these interest it is but natural that they should desire to secure control of the entire
watershed and exercise a supervision which would prevent the use of the ground for any purpose which
they might deem detrimental to their property or interests.
It may be possible that at some future time the water may be used for drinking purposes and in this event
the company would again need control of the adjoining watersheds.

This aerial view displays the Water
Treatment Plant at Tumbling Run which
today provides our water supply.

The first fatality which has occurred in the lake at Tumbling Run in several years occurred Saturday
afternoon when Harry Moyer, a young man from Shenandoah, was drowned as a result of rocking a boat
while rowing about in the middle of the dam. Two companions, James Needs of Tamaqua and John Wirt of
Shenandoah, were in the boat with him at the time, but they succeeded in catching hold of the sides of the
upturned boat and clung on until they were rescued by a party from the Myrtle boat house. The unfortunate
young man was but nineteen years of age and was the son of Mr. and Mrs. James Moyer. He was employed
by D. and J. Siegel, furniture dealers of Shenandoah. His parents were visiting friends in Mount Carmel
yesterday, but his brother and sister were notified at Shenandoah and the former came to Pottsville and
took the remains home on the 7:05 Pennsy train.
The three young men came to Pottsville Saturday morning to spend the day and soon after arriving here
they went to the Run. After dinner it was proposed that they take a boat ride and they hired a boat at the
pier, laughingly making the remark to some friends on shore that they were going to be drowned. They had
not been rowing long when Moyer it is said, commenced to rock the boat. This occurred about half way
down toward the breast and near the far shore. The water is about forty feet deep at this point, but like
many other visitors they imagined that the water was shallow. With numerous boats in sight and the shore
not far away, the rocking was continued until finally the boat was upset and the three were precipitated in
the water.
Several different parties saw them from the boat house porches, but all thought it was a party of bathers in
the water who were having some fun with the boat. But it was not long before the seriousness of the affair
dawned upon all and several boats were put out to their rescue.
Wirt was the only member of the party who could swim although Moyer had told his companions that he was
an experienced swimmer. When the boat upset, they all made a scramble to catch the sides but it slipped
from their grasp. Wirt with a few strokes again reached the side of the boat and then turning around saw
Needs near him going down for the second time. He reached out and caught him by the collar and drew him
towards the boat until both had a secure hold. He then looked around for Moyer, but that unfortunate
young man was nowhere in sight as he had gone down for the last time.
In the meantime boats had been put out from several of the boat houses, but the Myrtle Club was first to
the rescue. William Bray, David Thomas and William Frizzle were in the boat and they lifted the two almost
exhausted young men from the water into their boat. They were then taken to the Myrtle boat house where
they were attired in dry clothing. Grappling hooks were secured and for four hours they grappled for the
body before Robert Schoener and Jacob Scheafer finally succeeded in getting the grappling iron fastened
in the unfortunate young man's coat sleeve and pulled him to the surface.
Coroner Gillars empanelled the following jury: F. C. Reese, frank Fessler, Frank Sterling, Robert Schoener,
Frank Frizzle and Jacob Scheafer. They returned a verdict of accidental drowning.
The remains were taken in charge by J. C. Heiken, who shipped the body to Shenandoah. Besides his
parents he is survived by his sister, Mrs. Thomas Evans, Mount Carmel, and brother George and sisters
Maud and Nattie at home.

Pottsville Republican on January 7, 1918.

HEX CAT MAN IS FROZEN TO DEATH

W. S. Thomas of the Tumbling Run valley, widely known throughout the state as the originator of the famous
"Hex Cat" episode of several years ago and since that time a self imposed hermit in a little shack in that
valley, was found dead from exposure in the building on Saturday evening, by a farmer. He had evidently
been dead for some time. Deputy Coroner Dirschel investigated the cases and decided an inquest would
not be necessary. Thomas was of a peculiar disposition and he obtained state wide fame following his
making of a silver bullet to kill the black "Hex Cat" which he claimed was responsible for his troubles. His
place of residence was quickly populated with dogs and cats and his peculiar manner of living brought him
before the authorities on several occasions.

Pottsville Republican of April 24, 1899

BOAT HOUSES IN DANGER - Those on the Far Side of the Dam Narrowly Escaped

The forest fires that have been raging at Tumbling Run during the past week almost proved more
destructive this morning than might have been expected. On the far side of the second dam the flames
spread toward the boat houses at the "Cove" and for a time it appeared as if the houses would be
consumed. Having burned to the water's edge the flames spread up the mountainside, and this afternoon
were confined to the top of the mountain, a safe distance from the boat houses. The mountains are on fire
on all sides and the houses are still threatened by flying sparks and there is still cause for apprehension. If
one house takes fire there are slim chances for the rest as all are built of frame and form a contiguous line
half around this side of the dam.

Pottsville Republican of August 5, 1899

Yesterday afternoon about 4:30 o'clock, in the deep still waters of Tumbling Run, without warning and within
a stone's throw of merry bathers, sporting in the water at Sandy Beach, Walter Galbraith, a young man
twenty years old, was drowned. He disappeared beneath the surface of the water without a cry of alarm and
the bathers but a short distance away, were not aware that he had gone down until too late to be of
assistance.
Walter Galbraith, in company with Frank Schnerring, went to Tumbling Run to enjoy the half holiday, Mr.
Galbraith having been a clerk in one of our stores. During the afternoon both men donned bathing suits at
Gorman's launch and after swimming a while in the vicinity of the launch, they agreed to join the bathers at
Sandy Beach. They raced to a point opposite the beach, on the west side of the dam, near the new bath
house of the Y> M. C. A., which is a distance of fully 300 yards. The run was a severe tax on their hearts,
and when they reached the spot, Galbraith was much exhausted. Both jumped in without much ceremony
and attempted to swim across to Sandy Beach. When about thirty five feet out Galbraith said to his
companion, "I can't make it. I'm played out now." He turned to go back to shore and as he did, he suddenly
threw up his hands and disappeared. Schnerring, who was a short distance away, attempted to rescue him
and grabbed his bathing shirt but the weight was too much and Galbraith sunk to the bottom. When the
alarm was given that a man had gone down, the bathers at Sandy Beach and other parts of the dam
hastened to the spot to try and aid in the rescue. A. W. Swartz, who was bathing at the new Y. M. C. A. bath
house, secured a boat and tried to locate the body with a long pole. Dr. W. G. Hoeffer, Lamar Pritchard, J. G.
Smith and Fred Hause dove after Galbraith but couldn't find him. The Nellie Bly boat, with grappling irons,
was quickly brought into service and in a short time the grappling hooks caught the body and it was hauled
to the surface, about fifteen minutes after the accident. In attempting to recover the dead man the boat
was upset but the body was gotten into shore and carried to the Y. M. C. A. boat house where Drs. Cristman,
Boone, Kramer, Albright and Hoeffer worked hard to bring back life but their efforts were in vain. One of
the physicians stated that he thought Galbraith became exhausted due to the run along shore and when he
plunged into the water the strain was too much and he collapsed.
The Pottsville Hospital ambulance was there shortly after the accident with Dr. Fegley and two attendants.
The body was taken to the home of Galbraith's grandfather, George Pfeifer of 809 Minersville Street about
seven o'clock. Where Galbraith went down, the water is about twenty feet deep.
Galbraith's parents reside at Plymouth but were formerly residents of Pottsville. The family were notified
last night. It is thought that young Galbraith's father is en route to Mexico. On the fifth of last August Frank
Gordon sunk near Gorman's launch. Both Gordon and Galbraith could swim, but their drowning was
attributed to exhaustion. An inquest will be held tomorrow afternoon by Deputy Coroner Veith. Young
Galbraith was of a quiet disposition and well liked among his friends and acquaintances.

Pottsville Republican of December 30, 1910

TURTLE BOAT HOUSE BURNED

The Turtle and Mount Carbon boat houses on the upper Tumbling Run dam were destroyed by fire shortly
after eleven o'clock last night, burning completely to the ground. A number of the boat houses in the
vicinity were saved from destruction by the timely rain of last night which started about nine o'clock. No
one was near the place when the fire broke out and the boat houses had been closed for the winter. It is
supposed that boat house thieves made a visit and in order to cover up their tracks, set fire to the
buildings. They were among the finest appearing houses situated along the dam and were owned by a
number of Pottsville people.

Pottsville Republican of June 24, 1888

DROWNED AT TUMBLING RUN

Matthew Ryan was drowned in the lower Tumbling Run dam yesterday afternoon about three o'clock. He
and William Schrader of Palo Alto had been engaged in a swimming contest and Ryan becoming fatigued
was taken into a boat. After a short rest, he again took to the water, and a few minutes later was observed
by some young men on shore to turn his face skyward, make an effort to cry out and then sink to rise no
more. The place where the drowning occurred was about fifty feet from the breast of the dam and thirty
feet from the northern shore and the Pottsville road. Grappling irons were secured and with the aid of the
Greenleaf Club boat, every effort was made to recover the body but without effect. The water is very deep
at the point where Ryan disappeared and as the wickets were open it is probable the body found its way to
the lowest point. Ryan was a widower and resided with his mother on the lower road to Port Carbon
opposite the shops. A young son is in charge of the P and R telegraph station at Spring Mill station just
below Conshohocken. Ryan was a former well known Schuylkill Canal boat owner and boatman and was an
expert swimmer. Of late he was employed at the Atkin's furnace. He was about forty five years of age.
Deputy Coroner Clemens was on hand early and directed operations for the recovery of the body. Large
crowds visited the scene last evening and today.
At nine o'clock this morning, John Kane and Jesse Garrett of Mount Carbon and James Kirk of the orchard,
resumed the search and succeeded in grappling the body between ten and eleven o'clock, near the spot
where he went down. The hook caught him by the neck. Deputy Coroner Clemens' jury consisted of B. U.
Kirk, C. D. Elliott, Edward Fisher, F. W. Fey, Thomas Waldron and John Kane rendering a verdict of
accidental death by drowning.

This is the earliest story found in the Pottsville
Republican newspapers on a drowning at Tumbling Run.

Three drownings occurred in less then two months in 1895...

Pottsville Republican of July 3, 1895

BOY DROWNED AT TUMBLING RUN

Walter Gross Sinks the Last Time Before His Companions

A very sad drowning case took place yesterday afternoon at Tumbling Run. Walter Gross, aged eight years
and son of William Gross, residing up near Bare Field was drowned at the first dam at a place commonly
called "Red Rock" on the opposite shore and above the tool house of the Knickerbocker Ice Company.
Young Gross was accompanied by three companions, but he was the only one who went in to bathe. The
place is very treacherous as the incline runs almost perpendicular for twelve feet and the boy in his
struggles was unable to return to shore, his companions being powerless to help him.
Deputy Coroner J. J. Clemens was notified at about 4:45 p.m. through a telephone message from the P.S.V.
roundhouse. The father of the boy in the meantime was notified of the drowning of his son and had
preceded the coroner on the grounds.
A. E. Saul, an employee of the P. S. V. and R. W. Skelly procured a boat and grappling iron and succeeded in
bringing the boy to the surface about 3:30 pm. It took over half an hour to find the body. Mr. Saul dressed
the young lad in his clothes and procured a sheet from the residents nearby and tenderly placed him upon
the bank.
Eddie Kane, Willie Bachman and John McAtee attempted to recover the body by diving in the water but
were unsuccessful. The companions of Gross wee afraid to report the circumstance to his father which
accounts for the late hour in which the news reached Pottsville. William Gross, the father of the boy, was
almost heartbroken when the sheet was removed from the face of the dead boy and his sobs could be
heard at quite a distance. Two friends carried the body to a shady place near Bowen;s ice house while the
father came to Pottsville for an undertaker.
I. L. Meyers of Wilkes barre, visiting at Mount Carbon, kindly assisted in getting the boy out of the water.
The coroner's jury convened this morning at 9:30 and rendered a verdict in accordance with the facts.

Pottsville Republican of July 23, 1895

ONE MORE DROWNING! WENDEL GRAF FINDS A WATERY GRAVE
IN THE UPPER TUMBLING RUN DAM

Wendel Graf, the North Centre Street baker, hired a boat from J. H. Gorman to row on the dam about 5:15 p.
m. yesterday, and at none o'clock he was drowned. Graf was accompanied by another baker named John
Schott. Both men had been drinking at the hotel and were told frequently to go home. In coming down to
play ten pins, Schott jumped over the high wall in front of the hotel, but Graf refused. After this they came
down to hire the boats, each taking one. They were seen on the upper dam rowing around, when Schott
moved to the opposite shore, undressed and went in bathing. His comrade drew up close to him with his
boat and followed suit. This was about six o'clock. They had been fooling in the water for some time
neither of the men being swimmers of any account. One of their practices was to catch hold of the boat
from the stern and go under the water.
As soon as Graf was drowned a messenger was sent in to notify Deputy Coroner J. J. Clemens who made
his appearance after eight o'clock and summoned the following jury: John Boland, William Stevenson,
William J. Kennedy, Robert Howell, Moses Rothstone and Charles Clouser. Mr. Gorman tendered the use of
several boats to bring the remains of Graf over from the opposite shore where it had been taken out of the
water. Three of the jury went with the coroner and brought the dead body of Graf to the landing at the level
near the Gorman boat houses, where the inquest was commenced.
J. H. Gorman testified to the time the boats were hired:5:15, when he returned from supper the men were
not back yet, he took one of his boats to go in search of them at seven o'clock, he saw Schott when he
returned. Arthur Strong saw the men about seven o'clock from the opposite shore jumping in and out of
the water. He was under the impression they were under the influence of liquor, the men were not able to
swim, the water is about four feet deep at that point. William Stevenson thought they were under the
influence of liquor when they were going down to the dam.
Al Nimmocks, an attaché of the hotel, was next sworn when he stated he went into a boat, went over to the
opposite shore, procured a grappling iron and pulled Graf to the shore. He notified the Coroner at seven
o'clock. Anthony Lloyd brought the body up. George Mager was the next witness sworn. He was told by
Schott that his buddy was drowned. This witness corroborated the others. J. D. Lowrey tried to pump the
water from Graf but it was too late as the man was dead, but he got some water from the man's stomach
after rolling him on a keg for a short time. The inquest then adjourned until 12:30 o'clock today to take the
testimony of John Schott, the man who was with Graf when he drowned. The remains were given over to
Heiken Brothers to prepare for burial.
John Schott, who had been with Graf all afternoon of yesterday, was sworn today at 12:30 o'clock and from
the testimony given by the witness he had very little remembrance of what took place until his friend was
drowned. The jury after hearing all the testimony rendered the following verdict: That Wendel Graf came to
his death by being accidentally drowned while bathing in the upper Tumbling Run dam between six and
seven o'clock, July 22, 1895.
An administrator was appointed by the coroner this morning in the person of Charles Striegel and the
proper bond filed. The coroner found $18.32 in cash on Graf's person last night and $72.00 at his late home
and also a gold watch. The funeral will take place tomorrow afternoon at three o'clock with interment at
German Catholic Cemetery.

Pottsville Republican of August 30, 1895

ANOTHER DROWNING! Angelo Varallo, of the Italian Orchestra the Victim
FRANTIC GRIEF OF HIS RELATIVES

Angelo Varallo, aged twenty three years, first violinist of the Italian Orchestra, was drowned in the upper
Tumbling Run dam near the Orwigsburg road bridge this morning at 10:30 o'clock, while his brother in law,
Tony Viti, unable to swim, stood nearby powerless to lend a helping hand to his kindred. Frederick J.
Greiner, a waiter at the Tumbling Run Hotel, nobly went to the drowning man's assistance twice and tried to
push him into shallow water, but Varallo turning, clutched him in the death grip and then trampled him
under foot in his frantic efforts, Greiner with the utmost difficulty escaping.
Edward Koch, of the hotel, and James Graeff with several others went to the scene and after a half hour's
diving and grappling, Mr. Koch discovered the body in eight feet of water and holding onto a boat clasped
his feet about the corpse, thus raising it to the surface. The body was allowed to lie on the bank until the
arrival of the Deputy Coroner.
Michael Varallo, father of Angelo, and his brother Frank were in Pottsville at the time and hurried to the
hotel where they sought their room. They were inconsolable. The father bit his fingers and tore at his hair
and face, while his son and son-in-law and the Swedish cornetist tried in vain to calm him. It was indeed a
sad scene to witness.
Frederick J. Greiner said that Varallo, Tony Viti, James Coyle, a boy and James McCormick, another boy and
himself went along the near shore of the upper dam to a point below the Orwigsburg road bridge where the
water is shallow at both banks but deep in the center, the running stream having cut a channel when the
dam was drawn off.
They had been swimming some time and the boys swam across the dam several times. Greiner was resting
on the far side. The Italian musicians, both of whom could not swim, then waded out with the two boys,
Coyle and McCormick, the latter slightly in front of Angelo. Greiner shouted to look out for the hole or
channel but was not heeded or understood and Angelo went too far and was at once struggling for life.
Greiner at once plunged to Angelo's assistance, Coyle and McCormick being too young to be of any help.
He got behind the drowning man and endeavored to push him towards shallow water. As he is but
seventeen years old and slightly built, he was at a disadvantage with Varallo, who weighed at least one
hundred and eighty pounds. The latter grabbed his would be rescuer to stand upon him. Greiner broke
away and made a second attempt to shove the excited man from the deep water but was again seized and
trampled under foot. This time he almost lost consciousness and with difficulty made his way to shore,
where he lay for some time panting for breath.
James Coyle, a boy almost twelve years old, told practically the same story. He said Varallo's struggles were
terrible to see, that he beat the water frantically and seemed maddened with fear. Had it not been for this
fact it is probable Greiner would have effected his rescue. Coyle speaks of some stranger who followed
and sat on the bank watching them swim. This man made no effort to help.
Heiken Brothers took charge of the body and prepared it for shipment to Philadelphia on the 4:35 train,
Reading Railroad, the brother-in-law, Tony Viti accompanying it. The father and brother and cornetist took
the 2:50 Pennsy train. It was not possible to get the corpse ready for this train, consequently Mr. Viti was
obliged to wait. The funeral will be held from the family residence, Washington Avenue, that city, where his
mother and married sister, Mrs. Viti await him. Deceased was a fine looking man. His hair was brown and
wavy and he wore a small light mustache with side whiskers. He was very neat in his attire generally sat
next to his father, the harpist. Only four months ago he came to the United States from Naples Italy after
serving two years in the Italian Army. He was unmarried. Deputy Coroner Clemens being out of town, his
deputy, John J. Murphy, empaneled a jury who were adjourned to meet at the call of Mr. Clemens. The
performance will be held this evening the same as usual weather permitting.

Frequent drownings at Tumbling Run may have prompted the following story...

Still tragedies continued...

Newest stories include:
A near riot at a baseball game at the Tumbling Run Park as police are pelted by stones and
several boat houses are again robbed due to lack of police protection by the Reading Company.

Pottsville Republican of March 17, 1927

BOYS HAD RIDE ON CAKE ICE

Three lads from Mount Carbon, ranging in age from twelve to fifteen, had quite an experience on
Wednesday afternoon from two to four o'clock when they had their first swim of the season without being
prepared for it. The boys had gone out to Tumbling Run and when they came to the first dam decided to
test the thickness of the ice. The three of them were walking along the edge of the ice, which had been
unusually thick this winter, when, without warning the part on which they were standing broke away from
the rest of the piece and floated toward the middle of the dam before they could jump ashore. Their
predicament was discovered by the residents along the road and lines were thrown out to them but they
were too far away to catch them. All this took time and the piece of ice on which they were afloat was
honeycombed from the sun these last few warm days and it broke under the strain of the boys perched on
it, plunging them into the dam's icy waters. Fortunately they were all good swimmers and made good time
to the shore. The boys, Joseph Shaw, Thomas Moore and young Folino are none the worse for their
experience.

Pottsville Republican of September 4, 1917

BOAT HOUSES ARE TORN DOWN

Tumbling Run is surely a thing off the past now and this once popular summer resort will never again be the
scene of picnics and outings if the plans of the P and R C and I are carried out. The boat houses are all torn
down and the lumber is being bought up by various contractors for small sums. Some individuals have
purchased some of there lumber to erect garages and there is still some lumber lying around unused. On
Saturday the last of the boat houses was "tilted" and the general appearance of the lakes has so changed
that one would never know the place. The tracks of the trolley company are covered with dirt and will be
torn up as it is practically assured that Tumbling Run as a summer resort has passed into the "has beens".
There will be no permits
granted for the use of the ground and notices are to be put up around the lakes and all the
company ground, to the effect that anyone even found walking thereon will be arrested for trespassing.
Thus passeth one of the finest summer resorts in the state.

Pottsville Republican of August 13, 1920

CITY TO TAKE TUMBLING RUN AS PUBLIC PARK

The condemnation of Tumbling Run for the benefit of the people of Pottsville is provided in a resolution
that has been prepared by City Councilman Dengler and signed by Councilman Bearster and has been
placed in the hands of the city solicitor. Steps of this kind were under consideration for some time but
have now been brought to a head through the announcement by the "Republican" that the Reading
Company has commenced work on cutting the timber away from the beautiful drive through the Tumbling
Run Valley and also because of the activity of the company in cutting other timber in that valley and
protecting slopes.
Because the Silver Creek Water Company enjoyed certain rights at Tumbling Run this section has been
held up but now it is figured that it can be shown that a reservoir further up the valley can be built at
comparatively small cost which will render the water free of all danger of contamination and at the same
time make it possible to lawfully use it for domestic purposes while the public will be able to enjoy the
advantages of the resort made famous in past years.
It is feared that unless prompt action is taken in this matter, the entire Tumbling Run valley will be
desolated and made as a desert thus also destroying the value of the water shed, which it has been
claimed it is now desired to protect. The closing of the road up the Tumbling Run valley has also created a
serious condition as it was this road that was depended upon as the detour with the closing of the Tamaqua
road and now long and almost impossible detours are being made necessary by this sudden, unexpected
and peculiar decision of the company.

Pottsville Republican of July 11, 1895

AT TUMBLING RUN - The Largest Number
of People Ever Assembled at the Resort

The largest crowd that ever assembled at Tumbling
Run was present last evening to witness the
attractions provided for the amusement of the patrons
of the Schuylkill Electric Railway. People of Pottsville
and vicinity commenced to rush to the groves
surrounding the upper dams and the boat houses
lining the shore and all that could find seating room
around the hotel fixed themselves to take in the sight
of the many people passing to and fro. It was a good
natured crowd and every person seemed pleased with
what they saw. In the afternoon the regular
performance took place which was greatly admired
and gave general satisfaction to all who witnessed it.

Pottsville Republican of August 5, 1895

DEATH AT THE RUN - Tobias Potsdamer Found Floating on the Lower Dam, Lifeless

At 7:30 o'clock Sunday morning two ladies walking along the shore of the lower Tumbling Run Dam saw the
body of a man floating in the water fifty feet from the dam breast, and screamed out an alarm. James Graeff
and William Reinhart secured a boat and brought the body to shore, when it proved to be that of Tobias
Potsdamer, in his fifty ninth year, a resident of 421 Minersville Street.
Deputy Coroner James J. Clemens was notified and empanelled Benjamin Cake, John S. Murphy, Theodore
F. Heilner, William Burns, William Reinhart and James Graeff jurors, who elicited the following story from
witnesses and after viewing the body gave it into the care of Schoener Brothers, then adjourning until
today at two o'clock.
Potsdamer, who had been in ill health and unable to work at his occupation of spectacle selling for the past
year, left home about five o'clock in the morning to bathe at the Run in accordance with the advice of his
physician. He was seen passing the P and R station, Mount Carbon, at 4:50 o'clock by Thomas Keene.
About one hundred feet from the breast of the dam his clothing was found and the marks of his stockinged
feet were plainly visible on the muddy beach. When found he had on a full set of underclothing and
stockings. His body was black and floated and his lungs contained little or no water.
The supposition is that Potsdamer, who recently suffered a stroke of paralysis received another stroke
shortly after entering the water. His body was in such a condition that the funeral was held this afternoon
at three o'clock. He was a member of Beth Israel congregation and interment was made in the Hebrew
cemetery, Reverend A. D. Chadowski officiating. He leaves besides his widow, one daughter. On Saturday
morning he took his usual daily bath but Sunday morning his wife did not hear him arise. His power of
speech was very much affected by the first attack of paralysis and he could eat only soft victuals. The
family of deceased will receive one thousand and seventy five dollars from the Hebrew benevolent fund,
provided for such cases. The verdict of the jury was that the deceased came to his death by drowning.

Pottsville Republican of August 14, 1920

READING COMPANY CUTTING TIMBER OF TWP. AT RUN, ORDERED TO STOP

The officials of the Reading Company and the Silver Creek Water Company and their subordinate
employees are likely to have criminal prosecution instituted against them for cutting timber and
appropriating property. This grows out of the heartless destroying of the beauties of the Tumbling Run
valley by the Reading Company ordering the trees cut down along the road.
If it is true that trees have been cut down on property not belonging to the corporations and the timber
appropriated for the corporation use, then there is probability for proceedings for theft, trespass and other
criminal counts, besides the special state timber laws that make it a heinous offense to cut down trees on
other persons property under the timber regulation acts. The proceedings are to be amicable at the
beginning but if the corporation will not enter into an agreement to stop destroying the beauties of the
Tumbling Run road, the harshest possible proceedings will be instituted.
Gordon F. Nagle, the well known contractor of Pottsville, whose home is in the suburbs of North Manheim
Township between Pottsville and Cressona and who is supervisor of North Manheim Township has officially
notified the Reading officials that they must stop cutting the timber along the Tumbling Run road. The
timber contractors engaged in the work this Saturday morning accepted the notice and stopped
proceedings at once. This action is based on the fact that the Tumbling Run road was laid out as a thirty
three foot road over half a century ago but in most places it was never opened to more then sixteen feet
and so many of the big trees lining the road are still in public township property so that the cutting down of
the same by the corporations is a criminal offense that if the proceedings are pushed may land the leading
corporation officials behind the bars.
Unfortunately this would leave just a mere fringe of trees along the road on both sides, but as the public
highway trees have been cut down without legal rights and as the perpetrators have made themselves
amendable to the law by doing this, it is hoped to bring about a compromise whereby the corporations will
mainly agree to leave the trees stand for a partial distance beyond the road that are on the corporation
property in addition to those that are on the public highway ground.
Township Supervisor Nagle has the advice and cooperation of some of the leading citizens and most
eminent legal authority of the county. It is hoped that an adjustment can be brought about that will continue
the Tumbling Run road with its beautiful tree surroundings.

This late nineteenth century stereoview shows the Tumbling Run
dams looking east toward Pottsville with a farm in the foreground

Pottsville Republican of December 10, 1896

BOAT HOUSE ROBBED

The Nellie Bly boat house at Tumbling Run was broken into a few nights ago and everything portable was
carried off including a set of dishes won at the regatta, pictures, looking glasses, china, barware, chairs,
tables and in fact everything except the boats. Some of the knives and spoons were found on the road
coming from the run, so that the parties that carried away the goods must have had a horse and wagon.
The boat club members are after the thieves. The door lock was broken with a chisel and hammer.

Pottsville Republican of July 20, 1896

LEWIS MILLER DROWNED - His Boat Capsized and He Sank Never to Arise Alive

Lewis Miller, aged twenty one years, employed as a baker by John J. Kohler on Fourth and Schuylkill
Avenue, was accidentally drowned at Tumbling Run on Saturday evening about seven o'clock. Miller and a
party of associates had been having an afternoon out at the dam and among the pleasure participated in by
them was boating. His friends, Charles Hartman and Charles Brandt had taken a boat belonging to George
Peifer at the Edgewater boat house. The two had taken a trip and returned, when Miller got aboard, taking
the place of Brandt, and he and Hartman paddled out together. They had reached the Neversink boat
house. When about thirty feet out the boat overturned and threw both men out. Hartman struck out for the
shore and landed in safety. Miller however, who could not swim, was left to struggle. He grappled with the
light boat and cried aloud for help, but in a few moments he hold slipped and he sank into the water below,
a depth of about thirty feet and never arose again alive. The bottom at this point is covered with rock and
stumps and it is believed Miller's clothes became entangled among one of those objects which prevented
his rising to the surface.
His cries brought Thomas Wardle, who was engaged eating his supper in his boat house nearby, to
respond. Wardle boarded his boat and with several well directed strokes of the bar was within a few feet of
Miller's side when the unfortunate young man gave a cry and his body sank out of sight. Others in their
pleasure boats hastened to the rescue but they too were too late. Several persons ashore witnessed the
drowning, some of whom expressed surprise that Miller was not rescued by one or more of those who were
near at hand. Some of the onlookers seemed to be dazed with fright.
Deputy Coroner Clemens empanelled Messrs.. Joseph Defrehn, J. W. Eisenhuth, J. M. Madison, Joseph
Myers, P. C. Thomas and Albert Roehrig, foreman, to inquire into the cause of Miller's drowning. The Deputy
Coroner had been notified shortly after the sad occurrence and he hastened to the spot with his jury. Upon
reaching the dam the body had not yet been recovered , but several gangs of men in boats were faithfully
at work with grappling hooks, making efforts to bring the body to the surface of the water. This work of
rescue was continued until after midnight, the Deputy Coroner himself assisting. After midnight the work
was abandoned until morning when it was again resumed. At about eight o'clock harry Dewald, one of the
rescuers, was rewarded by locating the body, which was brought to the surface after a brief struggle.
Heiken Brothers took charge of the remains and conveyed them to their undertaking establishment, after
which they were removed to John Kohler's residence, the home of his employer, where they will remain
until the arrival of his sister, who has been notified and is expected to arrive here today. The final
disposition of the body will then be determined upon. Young Miller's parents live in Germany, and it is
reported that he comes from a well to do family. He had but recently been left an inheritance, which was
expected daily. He was a thrifty, industrious and sober young man. He had but recently taken out an
insurance policy in one of the many American Life Insurance Companies. His employer had the most implicit
confidence in him and classed him as a superior workman. He was popular among his friends, of whom he
gathered a large number during his residence here. It was after enjoying a pleasant afternoon and in the
midst of the sports provided that his sad and sudden end came. A number of shop hands had invited him
to enjoy the afternoon with them, and Miller and his friend Charles Hartman, who is also a baker, and who is
employed by John McKenna of Port Carbon, joined the festive party. Neither of the men had imbibed to
excess and their conduct was rational all afternoon. He and Hartman during the afternoon had their
pictures taken in a group together, a number of which they had distributed among their friends at the dam,
who had taken them in possession after the accident.
The boat, or more properly, the canoe, is a treacherous vessel, and the two men were cautioned not to go
out upon the water in it. Both men answered that they could swim and their friends had no further concern
of their welfare, believing that they were able to take care of themselves, but Miller's confidence in his
swimming skill was no doubt overrated by himself, and when the boat overturned he lost his presence of
mind, and he alone is to blame for his untimely and sad death.

DROWNED AT TUMBLING RUN

Pottsville Republican of April 7, 1908

FOUND COUNTERFEIT DOLLARS - Shovers of Strange Dropped Bad Money in Tumbling Run Dam

Children while playing about the breast of the Tumbling Run Dam yesterday found a number of counterfeit
dollars supposed to have been thrown into the dam by some party who feared arrest for passing bad
money. The water has been lowered about six feet and the money was found just at the water's edge. It is
known that last summer counterfeit dollars were being circulated in various parts of the county, several
being passed among Pottsville merchants. Secret Service men tried without success to locate the shovers
of the strange, but that they were making their presence felt, is borne out by the supposition that the guilty
ones in finding themselves hard pressed got rid of the convicting evidence by dropping it into the dam in
what they believed to be the deepest part.

The Pottsville Republican of August 31, 1912

LOADED RUN CAR JUMPS THE TRACK

About sixty passengers on one of the big open trolley cars on the Tumbling Run division had a narrow
escape about ten o'clock Friday night when the car left the rails at the point where the dam road crosses
the trolley tracks near the white rock at the curve just as the car was entering Palo Alto from the Run. The
passengers were thrown about in the car and a number
shaken up but fortunately none was seriously injured. The car was in charge of Motorman McGovern and
Conductor Reber. When the car left the rails it was saved from running over the
road to the high bank by the high style of rails which have just been installed. As the car jumped the trolley
came off the wire throwing the car in darkness. A Miss Hughes was the only one to be injured in any way,
the rest of the passengers keeping their seats and escaped with a severe jarring. The car was of the large
summer type and an examination showed that the heavy car had ground a stone into powder. Evidence of a
stone on the track was also found along the rail. An examination has convinced the officials that the car left
the rails as a result of an obstruction on the track either placed there or knocked on the rail by a team.

The Pottsville Republican of October 3, 1912

THIRD DAM TUMBLING RUN, SURVEYS START UP VALLEY

As announced heretofore in the Republican at different times, calling attention to preliminary surveys, we
are now in a position to say that the authoritative, definite, official survey is being made by the Reading
Company for a third dam to be constructed up the Tumbling Run valley, which is intended to carry out the
suggestions of the State Water Department when permission was refused the Reading Company for the use
of Tumbling Run water from the two present dams for domestic use in adjacent towns. The Reading
Company has been using Tumbling Run water without the consent of the State Water Department and the
State Board of Health as an adjunct to its Silver Creek and Crystal Run reservoir supplies, the former being
located at New Philadelphia and covering all of the territory between Pottsville and Silver Creek, while the
Crystal Run Company has its reservoir located beyond Minersville, at West West Falls, and was intended to
supply the territory between Branchdale, Minersville Heckschersville, etc.
Several years ago the Reading Company laid a water line from Tumbling Run to Port Carbon, where
connection was made with the Silver Creek main and this same water line was continued to Port Carbon and
Saint Clair and then the new line was extended over the intervening hills to Mine Hill Gap for the Pine Knot
Colliery in the Heckschersville valley and the other line passing through Duncott and Jonestown, up to a
connection with the Lytle and Branchdale supply coming from the Crystal Run’s big West West Falls
reservoir. The official surveying for a third dam up Tumbling Run Valley, which is now officially under way,
is intended to cover the territory extending from a point opposite the old baseball park at Tumbling Run,
five miles up the valley to Heiser’s farm where the ravine narrows. This will give the company opportunity
of building two reservoirs with, of course, some side breasts to block up intervening small valleys. At
points these two new dams would cover a width of a half mile at its widest point, while the breasts of the
dams can be raised to a height equaling the present Tumbling Run dams, or even making them still higher.
In all probability they will be higher and this will mean that while the present dam is ninety feet deep, the
new dams may be from 125 to 150 feet deep and the principal dam is calculated to hold over 700,000,000
gallons of water.
getting, or rather somebody, presumably representing the Reading Company, has been getting options on
these farms for several years past, leaving a few unpurchased and these with the assistance of the State
Water Board had a price set upon them by arbitration. The Reading Company is ,making this improvement
in order to be in a position to supply Schuylkill Haven, Cressona, Orwigsburg and intervening territory on
the south and also take care of the shortage that will occur in times of drought of the Silver Creek and
Crystal Run to which, as stated above, the Tumbling Run water line is connected, but to get the water into
the pipes as at present connected, pumping must be done and in order to get the height for the south of
the mountain towns above mentioned, the third and the fourth reservoirs of the Reading Company at
Tumbling Run have long ago been known to be a positive necessity and tentative plans for them have been
in existence for quite a while. Several years ago and since, at different times the “Republican” has called
attention to not only the contemplated Tumbling Run additional reservoirs but also to the fact that the
Reading Company had to sooner or later secure an additional water supply to take care of its mining
property lying east of Silver Creek between New Philadelphia and Tamaqua. The official starting of the work
for the construction of the new Tumbling Run reservoir higher up the valley will relieve the people from
their fear that the Tumbling Run pleasure resort of the Traction Company, the boat houses, etc will be
interfered with. This means that the Tumbling Run pleasure resort will be permanently located there,
subject however to legal contentions emanating from State Board of Health regulations and the unsettled
claims of other people to Tumbling Run dam exclusive ownership.
The intricacies and red tape of the water question are not generally known by the public but the Reading
Company is compelled to file a monthly report, together with a chemical analysis of all of the water passing
through the pipes, including a statement of the probable known pollution of the water shed and if there is
any one department of the state government that is not influenced by politics, fear, favor, relationships, or
graft, it is the Water and Health Board and Dr. Dixon, the director of these departments, is one of the few
men who can decline to listen to political or official orders, for he is a power in himself and only agreed to
accept these positions with the distinct understanding that he never was to be interfered with. It also may
not be generally known that Dr. Dixon’s family are heavily interested in Schuylkill County lands,
consequently he is acquainted with the situation here in this section a little more then the entire stranger
would be. The Republican congratulates the Reading Company and the public on this move for additional
Tumbling Run reservoirs, for it is going to relieve a very harassing situation that affected not only the
Reading Company with their industrial working, but also interfered with the growth of towns, the
development of industries and the health of the people by the insufficiency and claimed unhealthiness of
the supply of water furnished through the Reading Company’s Silver Creek and Crystal Run systems which
covers the suburban territory of Pottsville to the east, to the north and to the west for many miles.

The Call of October 10, 1910

TUMBLING RUN WATER FOR TOWN

At a special meeting of Town Council held Monday night, Solicitor Noecker reported the result of
negotiations with the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company relative to securing a permanent
supply of water for Schuylkill Haven from the Tumbling Run dams. The idea was originally suggested by
the Reverend John P. Muldowney of town and the committee has been greatly aided by that gentleman in
the prosecution of its work. Briefly stated the proposition is that the P. & R., C. & I. Company has agreed
to furnish the borough with a permanent supply of water from Tumbling Run, provided the borough or a
local water company will build its own pipe line from the Run to the borough and lay its own distributing
mains. For the present the supply of water will be taken from a temporary reservoir to be built above the
second dam and later from the big dams when the boat houses and all other sources of contamination
have been removed.
Upon the committee’s request, on motion of Mr. Weiss, the committee was authorized to employ a
competent engineer to determine the cost of pipeline and distributing mains and to ascertain if the water
will run by gravity to supply the highest points in town. The engineer will also enable the committee to
come to some agreement with the P. & R., C. & I. Company regarding the price to be paid for the water. IF
the engineer’s estimates show that the borough is able to finance the proposition a special vote of the
people will be taken on the matter of increasing the borough debt. If the borough can not finance it, it is
the opinion of our moneyed men that a corporation of local capitalists can be quickly formed, provided at
least eighty percent of the present consumers will agree to take the water. The members present at the
meeting were Messrs. Berger, Brown, Beck, Moore, Rooney, Saul, Weiss, Wagner and President Keller.
Secretary Minnig, Burgess Hartman, Solicitor Noecker and Special Solicitor Berger were also present.
present.

The Pottsville Republican of June 28, 1933

HOW ABOUT IT? DO WE WANT TUMBLING RUN?

To take up some of the task of supplying men with work, the “Republican Morning Paper” proposes
restoring Tumbling Run for the use of the public. It has long been a mooted question as to whether the
Reading Company had a more secure title to the former feeders to the Schuylkill Canal than the state
proper. As more liberal construction is being placed upon state and government properties, these
publications are ready to back the movement in the following manner. The closing down of the use of
Tumbling Run for the use of the public was said to be the necessity for taking the dams for domestic
purposes. That’s a good claim but it can be overcome.
USE LOWER DAM   Give up all thought of using the second dam for public use and have one dollar a year
men take up the problem of building a third dam up the valley beyond the second dam, using the lower dam
for bathing purposes. How to meet the expense? Providing the State of Pennsylvania will take title and
demand sufficient space surrounding the lower dam for traffic, for the building of houses, for the building
of roads that will provide one way traffic and allow sufficient space around each bath house to park cars
and to so build the lower dam that its great depth be filled in sufficient to make a beach of perfect safety for
all ages.
BUILD STATE ROAD   Starting at the Pennsy Railroad, run the new road up the southern side of the lower
dam, surround the entire dam, using small bridges for crossing where the bathing dams are now located
near Mount Carbon and another at the breast of the upper dam on a level with the lower dam, coming out
onto the old road and thus making a complete circle of the lower dam.
HOW TO MEET THE COST   Taking it for granted the public, if given a chance to do so will participate in a
financial scheme that will finance the building of the third dam in the following manner: Sites for two
hundred houses can be provided at $500 each, payable in a ten year installment plan, houses to be built of
a material selected by the one dollar a year men and to consist of only two rooms on one floor, this to be
paid out of the monies paid for the sites. The State of Pennsylvania to consider this as a state public park,
but the building of the third dam to be done out of the funds provided through the purchase and finance of
these two hundred sites, the new dam to be so erected that perfect safety to all inhabitants living along the
line of this outlet be provided, and the water from the dam to be kept pure and clean as it is at present, and
water to be furnished for the use of the occupants of the boat houses along the present lower dam. The
day of public entertainment, amusement and places in which to secure unpolluted air, has so far advanced
that a public sentiment wins over the action of heretofore seeming impossibilities. We believe the Reading
Company will be glad to cooperate and secure the good will of the public by entering into this movement
that will be of no expense to them and will close up a former sore topic of ownership and at the same time
provide them with revenue from the use of hydrants in the boat houses.
WORK FOR MANY MEN   This turning of Tumbling Run lower dam over to the public at this time would come
as one of the greatest boons to Schuylkill Countians and answer the request of the governor for projects
wherewith to make proper use of funds soon obtainable for unemployed purposes. Sewage could be
provided at little expense, for the Schuylkill River is close at hand and thus far dumping of sewage into it
has not been prohibited, but if such should be the case, there are more modern methods perhaps no more
expensive at hand for the purpose, and the matter of electricity can be taken up with little thought. As
stated above, the “Republican” is prepared to go into details if the public agree with them that Tumbling
Run should be used for the local county people and no better time could be found then now to do the
work. A rough sketch of the proposition is submitted herewith.
herewith.

This map accompanied the article in the Republican.

Tumbling Run Wavelets

The Pottsville Republican of August 4, 1933

BODY FOUND AT TUMBLING RUN

The body of Michael Trabosh, aged twenty eight of 326 Laurel Street, son of Nicholas Trabosh, was found
floating in he first dam at Tumbling Run Friday afternoon. The body was fully clothed. The body was found
Wade Smith, who lives near there waded into the dam and got out the body. Three years ago she
recovered the body of another drowned man. He had been missing from his home for the past three days.
No one had seen him nor had any word been received since Tuesday when he left his home in the
afternoon. He was last seen by his sister, Miss Louise Trabosh, whom he told he was going for a swim in
the big dam at Tumbling Run.
When talking with his sister, he told her the heat was bothering him and that he was going to take a plunge.
He asked her to tell his mother and dad, Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Trabosh, when they returned home in the
evening after visiting friends. Thinking that he had returned in the evening, and had gone to bed, the
family did not discover his absence until Wednesday morning, when his mother went into his bedroom. A
search of the house was made and his bathing suit, which he was wrapping up while talking to his sister,
was found tucked away in the corner of the kitchen, where he always kept it.
His brothers went to Tumbling Run. They searched everywhere near and around the dams but found no
trace of him. He was in perfect health. He complained of nothing except his inability to obtain work. He
was accustomed to work, steadily having been employed for nine years at the round house until several
months ago. Sergeant Blankenhorn, Councilman Stevenson and Sergeant Deegan went to Tumbling Run
and identified the body. Trabosh is survived y his parents, two brothers, Joseph and Nicholas at home, and
two sisters, Louise and Eleanor at home.

The Pottsville Republican of August 13, 1908

TOT SWAM ACROSS LAKE - Had Never Been in Swimming Before and Her Feat is Remarkable

A most remarkable feat was accomplished at Tumbling Run the other day by a twelve year old girl who swam
across the dam and back again despite the fact that she had never before tried to swim. She is little twelve
year old Miriam Howard of Birmingham Georgia, who with her mother, was visiting Mrs. Howard's sister,
Mrs. M. F. Sheafer of Washington and South Centre Streets. A boat house party was water, Miss Howard
suddenly decided she could swim across the dam and jumping in struck put for the opposite shore. She
easily kept afloat and made progress like an experienced swimmer. People in boats watched the little one
make her way across the deep water and followed close to her to give assistance if necessary, while those
at the boat house were almost in a frenzy with fear. The members of the family and the little girl herself
insist that she never swam before. It was one of the most remarkable feats ever accomplished at the Run
and it is not probable that it ever will be duplicated. She had not the slightest assistance through any
artificial device.

The Pottsville Republican of November 12, 1908

ICE HOUSE DESTROYED - Tramps Believed to Have Started Blaze at Tumbling Run

Shortly after eight o'clock last night, a bright light in the sky could be seen in Pottsville and surrounding
towns when the big ice house of the American Ice Company, just below the breast of the upper Tumbling
Run dam was being burned to the ground, the probable result of tramps building a fire in or near the big
structure. The Schuylkill Haven and Pottsville departments were ready to respond in case a call was made
for assistance, but their services were not asked, because the building was doomed and there was little if
any danger of it spreading further. The loss will reach several thousand dollars. The house was practically
empty except for a small amount of ice which had been stored there since three years ago. It has a capacity
of several hundred thousand tons and was built some years ago by William Hamilton. Lambert Hess of
Mount Carbon is the local superintendent of the company. A number of Pottsville people hurried to the
Run as it was reported that the hotel was afire and that there was danger that the boat houses being wiped
out. The fire set the dried leaves ablaze an it was feared that a serious mountain fire would follow but this
was extinguished before it gained much headway.

The Pottsville Republican of January 23, 1909

BOAT HOUSES ROBBED AT TUMBLING RUN

Robbers sometime during the week broke into several of the boat houses at the Run. In the Weissinger
boat house at the end of the dam, entrance was gained by breaking in the door with a hatchet. A suit of
clothes belonging to Mr. Weissinger was taken together with several other articles and dishes were broken
and scattered all over the floor. In the Turtle boat house entrance was gained in the same way.
depredations. Several other boat houses were entered and robbed in like manner.

The Pottsville Republican of January 25, 1909

MORE DEPREDATION AT THE RUN

An inspection made by a number of owners of boat houses at Tumbling Run show that the depredations
dishes were removed, curtains on the windows were torn down and even the carpets were ripped from the
floor. In the YMCA boat house, every locker was broken open in the expectation of finding something
valuable. Entrance was gained to the Ferret. Attempts were made to get into the Magnolia and the
Whippoorwill but the robbers were scared away or gave it up. Several more of the boat houses were
entered and the loss to the owners will amount to hundreds of dollars.

The Call of December 19, 1902

THE HERMIT OF TUMBLING RUN

the upper dam. He has a hut on the side of the mountain built of logs. It has one room wherein he spends
his time, eats and sleeps. He was wounded in the back during the war and draws a small pension from the
government. On this he manages to live comfortably, notwithstanding the fact that he has no friends or
neighbors close by, he is as happy as a lark and could not be persuaded to give up his present quarters for
one of the finest of city mansions.

The Pottsville Republican of August 27, 1909

COUPLE RESCUED FROM DROWNING AT THE RUN

Just as the theatre was leaving out last evening at Tumbling Run, the hundreds of visitors to this popular
resort were called to the water's edge by the cries of help coming from the dam. People who were seated
on the porches of their boat houses immediately put out their boats and those who were rowing in the
vicinity went to the rescue. There they found a man and woman struggling in the water and the boat
overturned. Messrs. Harry Marx and John Keeler were the heroes of the evening. Pulling the woman out
boat and took them to the Fairmount boat house. Here the couple were given all the attention possible.
They were given dry clothing and then taken to a house on Prospect Hill in a cab. The couple refused to
give their names but the young lady was identified as a Miss Hummel residing in the vicinity of Laurel
Street. The rumor was circulated that another boat ran into them overturning the boat in which they were in
and that the parties had rowed off calling for help without rendering any assistance. During the excitement
following the accident the report gained circulation that three young men were drowned and that efforts
were being then made to recover their bodies. This rumor proved untrue as the only other accident
reported during the day was the precipitating of several young men into the water by the breaking of a rail
early in the afternoon. The young men were given a thorough ducking but otherwise uninjured.

The Pottsville Republican of August 25, 1909

BIG FIRE AT TUMBLING RUN

Several sheds and barns adjacent to the Reichert House, a short distance below the Mountain View Hotel at
Tumbling Run caught fire at three o'clock presumably from spontaneous combustion and were totally
destroyed. It was feared the Reichert House and the Mountain View Hotel conducted by Harry Keeny would
be destroyed as there was no water at hand to fight the fire and the wind was blowing the flames toward the
hotel. Word was telephoned to Pottsville and the Humane Company with chemical and hose truck was
directed to respond. Eighteen of the State Police mounted their horses and galloped to the scene of the
blaze to render any assistance possible. At four o'clock the flames were well under control and the hotel
was safe although it was damaged considerably by the flames. The fire company rendered excellent
service. A small house and stable were destroyed.

The Pottsville Republican of November 10, 1909

TUMBLING RUN MAY HIDE CRIME

Yesterday afternoon while a party of hunters were scouring the woods in quest of game around the
Tumbling Run dams, they came across a lady's black coat. Not paying much attention to it at the time they
came to Pottsville and notified the State Police. Two of the troopers were sent to the place but after
searching for several hours returned home without discovering it. This morning Troopers Blasser and Dart
again went to the scene and after several hours hunt were rewarded by finding a hat, coat, pocketbook and
two silver mounted side combs to which were attached several blonde hairs. The articles were brought to
the barracks and carefully examined but the only thing to show on them was where the hat was purchased.
The pocketbook was open and the contents removed. The hat was one of black straw and trimmed with
black ribbon, while the coat was medium size and of black.
One theory advanced is that the clothing may be that of a woman or probably a young girl who was led to
this lonely and secluded spot and murdered. From the place where the clothing was found to the water's
edge is only about one hundred feet. From the appearance of the ground there was a struggle. The
ground was torn up and branches for some distance are broken off, showing plainly that the person was
either pulled or dragged through them. No blood stains were found in the vicinity but a careful search is
being made by the State Police to try and find out if there was a murder and how it was committed. No
reports have been made to either the State Police or to the borough police of anyone from this section
missing. It may be one of those cases that will go down into the annals of crimes unsolved.

Front page stories on consecutive days relate a supposed
murder scene which turns out to be nothing of the sort

The Pottsville Republican of November 11, 1909

TUMBLING RUN MYSTERY SOLVED

The owner of the articles consisting of a hat, coat, side comb and pocketbook found at Tumbling Run
yesterday morning by the State Police, has been found and the fear of a tragedy removed. After reading the
article in last evening's "Republican" relatives of a young woman, residing on Front Street in Jalappa, came
to the barracks of the State Police and there gave a minute description of the found articles. The lady in
question is feeble minded and is at present in some institution. On several occasions she has wandered to
remote spots staying often times for several days or even a week. The State Police on several occasions
have been appealed to by her relatives to locate her and each time have been successful. Her relatives
were aware of the fact that she had lost the wearing apparel but where they did not know and were startles
to know they were found along the banks of the Tumbling Run dam.

The Pottsville Republican of November 13, 1909

WILD MAN SEEN ON MOUNTAINS

Several days ago a party of hunters from Schuylkill Haven encountered a wild man on the mountains
several hundred feet back of the Weissinger Hotel. One of the party came across the fellow who jumped to
his feet and implored the hunters not to shoot him. The fellow possessed all the characteristics in Daniel
Defoe's story of Robinson Crusoe, with the exception he was on a mountain instead of an island. His
clothing was torn to shreds, he wore no shoes and his hair and whiskers were of several months growth.
Not many feet from where he was found sleeping was his cave. It was of rock in the side of the mountain
and was partially filled with dry leaves and hay. On the outside and near the entrance was a place where he
did his cooking, an old tin can answering for the purpose. When asked about himself he acted like a
madman and started to tear his clothing from his body. The fellow spoke in broken English and it was hard
to determine whether he was of German or Polish descent. He was given something to eat by the hunters
and swallowed it down like a famished beast. The hunters told him he could go and he bounded away like a
deer jumping over big rocks and stumps of trees. Yesterday a searching party went after the fellow but
failed to locate him. All they found was the place he lived in. He had been seen on several other occasions
by other parties but each time in another locality and this was the first time that anyone was able to get
close to him. The fellow is supposed by many to be demented and is hiding in the woods to avoid capture
by the officials from the institution from which he escaped.

The Call of September 20, 1929

BODY FOUND AT TUMBLING RUN

Frederick Yoder of Black Horse, son of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Yoder of reading and a former resident of
Schuylkill Haven, was found drowned in the upper Tumbling Run Dam, Saturday morning shortly after the
noon hour by several men who were walking along the banks. Yoder had been missing from his home
since Saturday evening, September 7th, when he left his home presumably to do some shopping in On his
person at the time of finding was one dollar in change but four dollars in bills. His wallet and watch and hat
were missing.
Identification of the body was made by relatives, although this at first was difficult owing to the condition of
the body which is believed was in the water from Saturday night, September 7th. The deceased was forty
four years of age. For a number of years he has been operating a farm in the lower Black Horse Valley and
has been apparently successful. The news of the finding of his body was a shock to his family and
neighbors, although his absence for an entire week has led to misgivings as to his welfare. He was born in
Schuylkill Haven and resided here with his parents, who operated the Yoder Hotel, corner of Main and Saint
John Streets , for a number of years.
To survive he leaves his wife and five children, two brothers, George of Pottsville and Harry of Reading
and one sister. The funeral took place Tuesday morning from his late residence. The services were strictly
private. Reverend Zufall, pastor of the Evangelical Church of Friedensburg, conducted the services.
Interment was made in the Union Cemetery in Friedensburg. The bearers were James Nagle, Milton Kutz,
Paul Swartz, Elias Phillips, Russel Reed. D. M. Bittle was the funeral director.

The Call of September 20, 1929

BELIEVE YODER MET WITH FOUL PLAY

In the death of Fred Yoder of Black Horse, it is believed evidence points to Mr. Yoder having met with foul
play. It has been established for a definite fact that no reason of any kind was present for him to have
taken his life by drowning. He was not a man to become intoxicated and to lose his way and accidentally
fall into Tumbling Run dam. He had no relatives or friends in the Tumbling Run section whom he could have
gone to visit on the night of Saturday, September 7th and there was no occasion for him to transact
business with anyone in the valley. Yoder was missing from his home since Saturday, September 7th. He
left home early in the evening and walked form Black Horse to Friedensburg where he took a bus to
Schuylkill Haven.   He visited and made purchases of clothing, etc. in several stores in Schuylkill Haven. He
left home in good spirits. A wallet which he carried was pretty well filled with bills as has been testified to
by several merchants of Schuylkill Haven with whom he transacted business.
When the body was discovered last Saturday, the wallet was gone from his pocket as was also an
expensive gold watch. On the side of his head was a deep gash as though inflicted with some blunt
instrument. The eye on this same side was badly bloodshot. It is hardly likely that with the body lying in the
water or being dragged to the side of the dam would cause injuries such as these. Piecing all the evidence
together and considering the habits and the character of the man, it is confidentially believed he met foul
play in being attacked on his way home, knocked unconscious with a blow over the head and the body
taken to the dam and thrown therein. It was learned Thursday morning that an investigation is to be started
at once by Schuylkill Haven authorities as this town was the last place in which the man was seen alive.

These two articles printed on the same day report the mysterious
death of Fred Yoder at Tumbling Run and the suspected foul play.

Pottsville Republican of March 23, 1910

MILKMAN HELD UP

Three masked men yesterday afternoon held up William Brokhoff along the Tumbling Run Road and relieved
him of all the money after which they took to the mountains. The state police are now working on the case
and have hopes of being able to land the culprits. The holdup occurred about 1:30 in the afternoon at a
lonely section of the road about two miles up the valley when three masked men jumped from the bushes,
each with a leveled revolver and ordered him to hand over all his money. They threatened to take his life if
he made any resistance. After securing the money they lost no time in making their escape into the bushes.

Below is a token from the
Tumbling Run Hotel.

Pottsville Republican of December 30, 1886

THE ICE BUSINESS

The Knickerbocker people who it was supposed would not visit us this year, came up today on a tour of
inspection to see how the Schuylkill County ice crop was likely to pan out. On the lower Tumbling Run Dam
they found about ten inches of good solid ice. It is from this source that they have for years reaped their
best harvest. The aristocracy of Philadelphia always demands Tumbling Run ice and are willing to pay an
advance price for it. The Knickerbocker Company have in former years taken as high as 18,000 tons of ice
from here. What they will take this year is not yet been decided, but it is believed they will make a large
harvest. The lower dam is capable of furnishing, at a ten inch thickness, 23,000 tons of the congealed. The
local dealers, the Messrs. Bowen, house about twenty five hundred tons, which is circulated throughout
the town. They will probably commence cutting next week. There is no danger in Pottsville being short of
ice this summer.

Pottsville Republican of June 28, 1888

SUNDAY SWIMMING

The attention of the civic authorities and especially the Coal and Iron Police is called to the practice of
swimming indulged in at the lower Tumbling Run Dam by hundreds of men and boys on Sunday. Both banks
are lined with nude swimmers, many who conduct themselves in a respectable manner yet, to their shame,
it must be said that some of the young men show an utter absence of respect for both themselves and
others. Let the heavy hand of the law be placed upon them on a manner that they shall not soon forget.

Pottsville Republican of July 23, 1888

CAMPING IN TUMBLING RUN VALLEY

Tumbling Run Valley is becoming quite noted as a camping ground, as was seen by a representative of this
paper in a trip through that region recently. There are already five different parties encamped in different
parts of the valley, while this week bids fair to double that number. A day spent at Camp Foster (named in
honor of Foster, the plumber) convinced us that nothing could be more enjoyable or beneficial than a few
weeks spent in our own vicinity, and is by far more preferable to double that time at the seashore. Camp
Foster is located about four miles up the valley near the Schraeder farm. Surrounded by a fine grove of
oaks, with a spring of ice cold water, and the famous run in close proximity, it is one of the most beautiful
spots in the valley. The boys enjoy themselves in various ways. Up with the first break of day, a breakfast
of fried bacon and potatoes are indulged in, after which they disperse, some hunting woodcock, others
roaming the mountains over, catching crabs, bathing, pitching quoits and after a dinner of bean soup and
pork, all engaging in a game of ball. Then a rest is ought under the trees until the heat of the afternoon is
over when preparations for the evening sports begin. Coon hunting is then indulged in. Harry Foster, by
the way, took the prize last week in coon hunting, bringing down a fine specimen from a high oak. The J. E.
Rice and John O. Beck families are very pleasantly located at the Woltjen farm at the upper dam. Walt
Whiting and Dan Kaercher and a number of friends today pitched their tents close to Camp Foster and will
spend a few weeks there.

Pottsville Republican of April 6, 1910

IMPROVEMENTS AT TUMBLING RUN

Workmen are engaged in razing the buildings at Tumbling Run which for years have been used as a penny
arcade and a refreshment stand on the little flat adjoining the theatre and the hotel and on the site a fine
summer garden will be constructed. The sides will be of lattice work with a rough and rustic roof. Inside,
vines, flowers and plants will be planted and trained up along the sides of the garden and up the pillars. A
fountain may also be put in the garden and it is expected to make a big hit. The hotel this year will be
conducted by W. H. Kline who gave such excellent service last summer. The Park association is arranging
to make a number of improvements at this resort early in the spring. Nothing very elaborate will be
attempted this year and it is expected that it will consist chiefly in improving the walks and beautifying the
scenery about the park proper. It is expected that this will be the banner season for the resort even
though the torn up condition of Centre Street will have the effect of cutting down the traffic.
The opening this year will be on May 30th as usual. Nothing is being done at the ball park but the park
management reiterate that they stand willing to take one third of the stock of a stock company in case one
is organized and that they will give the club other backing, providing that it is a stock company and has a
large number of shareholders. While there has been considerable criticism of the P. & R. in refusing to
permit parties to remain at the Run overnight, it is generally believed that it will result in decidedly more
desirable conditions. A few of the houses it is claimed abused this privilege and now all the others must
suffer. The same is the case with beer at the boat houses. Because of the abuse of a few, others who
enjoyed this refreshment in moderation will be obliged to confine themselves to spring water and
lemonade.

Pottsville Republican of June 30, 1887

BATHING IN TUMBLING RUN - A Squad of Boys Arrested for Indecent Exposure

For a long time past, complaints have come from people residing along the northerly side of Tumbling Run
dams relative to the reckless manner in which boys and men perform their ablutions from the breast of the
first dam and along the border of the public highway in broad daylight. These residents allege that after
supper time when they, like other people, desire to sit out in front of their houses and enjoy the fresh
evening breeze, they are deterred from doing so from the fact that their optics at once fall upon a gang of
nude boys and men who frequent the neighborhood daily for the purpose of bathing and are not in the
least particular either in the manner of exposing their persons or in the rudeness of their language.
Not only do the residents of the vicinity complain of this outrageous nuisance, but people from this and
other neighboring towns who take delight in driving up through this delightful valley at evening are
subjected to the same indignities. Gentlemen with their wives and families and with their lady friends who
drive that way enjoy no immunity from the rude exhibitions and foul language of the promiscuous crowd
attention of the Coal and Iron Police to the abuse. Last evening Captain Christian with a detail of officers
repaired to the breast of the first dam and made an arrest of several parties who were bathing before dark
in plain sight of hoses and the road. They were brought to town and taken before Squire Reed to answer.
Captain Christian informed the Justice of the facts in the case and said that he had no desire to prosecute
the cases but that he wished to make an example of these parties as a warning to others and suggested
that they be released on payment of costs, which were merely nominal. This was done and the accused set
at liberty.
To a "Republican" representative the Captain stated that there was no objection to anyone bathing in the
dam, but the company who owns the dams do not propose to maintain a common nuisance. People are at
liberty to bathe there but they must seek the opposite side or more secluded spots for the purpose. "we
are determined," said he, "to break up this indiscriminate system of bathing at this and all other points
where men and boys make indecent exposures of their person to the residents of that locality and people
who pass along the public highway. We will arrest all such as fast as we can catch them and no more will
get off as easy as this first crowd. Every one of them hereafter will be returned to court for trial."

Pottsville Republican of June 14, 1889

MIDNIGHT BLAZE - The Extensive Knickerbocker Ice House in Ruins

About the last man out had found the privacy of his home and his downy pillow last night when the alarm of
fire was sounded from half a dozen sources. Heads appeared at every window and firemen dressed
themselves as they hurried along the streets towards their respective engine houses. The scene of the
destroying element was readily discerned by the brilliant light which illuminated the sky in the direction of
Tumbling Run Valley. In that direction hundreds of people and the fire companies hastened their steps to
find the mammoth ice house recently rebuilt by the Knickerbocker Ice Company of Philadelphia, wrapped in
a sheet of flames and in an advanced state of destruction. The fire was first discovered by the dispatcher
of the P. S. V. Company at Mount Carbon and he in turn sent the alarm to Pottsville and the same was
sounded by the court house and alarm bell and also by the shop whistle. Although slow in receiving the
alarm in town the firemen responded promptly and worked with their usual hearty good will bringing the fire
under control in about half an hour. They continued to play upon the ruins until two o'clock when the last
vestige of the fire was out and the mammoth ice barn was in ruins.
The building contained about eight thousand tons of ice originally about half of which was shipped to
Philadelphia during the spring, leaving a remainder of about four thousand tons to pass the fiery ordeal of
last night. Patrick Malone, who was in charge of the company's property here, says that when the shipping
was discontinued recently the remaining ice was well covered with hay and the place securely locked. The
origin of the fire is a mystery, but it is generally believed to have been the work of incendiaries. Those first
arriving on the scene state that the door which is alleged to have been securely locked stood wide open
and the flames were streaming out that way. This would indicate that the above theory is the proper one.
The salvage of ice will be comparatively small and the loss to the company will probably reach $15,000. The
house will doubtless be rebuilt at once.

Over the years the boat houses were beset by robberies and fires as evidenced by the articles
below. Eventually they would be destroyed at the behest of the Reading Company and the resort
was no more.

Tumbling Run was also the sight of crimes, fires, hermits, trolley accidents and much more activity.
The articles below demonstrate the variety of news stories emanating from the area.

Pottsville Republican of August 18, 1910

TUMBLING RUN DOOMED - ALL MUST VACATE BY 1911

"Within the next twelve months or not later than the end of next year, 1911, Tumbling Run is to be entirely
closed up and vacated as a pleasure resort; meanwhile, if desired by the Reading Company, the resort must
be closed on immediate notice." This is now said to be the understanding between the Reading Company
officials and the Eastern Pennsylvania Railways Company, which latter corporation operates the trolley
roads in Pottsville and the southern section of the Schuylkill coal fields extending from Mauch Chunk to
Minersville on the east and west and to Orwigsburg on the south. In consequence of this understanding
the trolley company officials are busily engaged hunting a new location which they can turn into an
uptodate pleasure resort and they acknowledge that they have a hard proposition before them.
This order means that after next year all persons found walking off the public highway in the Tumbling Run
Valley from the Pennsylvania tracks at Mount Carbon eastward for a distance of four miles will be liable to
arrest under the provisions of the state Trespass act which enables corporations to post trespass notices
on their lands without the necessity of fencing them in. Months ago, the "Republican" announced that the
Reading Company, in order to get the use of an increased water supply for their mines, railroads and
nearby towns, planned to close up Tumbling Run for public use in the near future but it is only recently that
the definite order was given to the trolley company to hunt for another location and now both corporations
are acting officially with the understanding that Tumbling Run dams will be closed to public use next year or
even sooner if the conditions of the water supply for Reading Company use would require summary action
to be taken.
The public has been hoping against the indications to the contrary that the use of the Tumbling Run dams
and the grounds surrounding them, for public recreation and pleasure purposes would continue
indefinitely, with possibly some close restrictions and now not only to the transients who visit this beautiful
spot day by day but also to the owners of the numerous boat houses, will this definite announcement of the
determined purpose of the Reading Company to close up Tumbling Run as a pleasure resort come as a
fearful blow that will be doubly hard because of the inability of the people and the trolley company to find a
substitute place.

Pottsville Republican of August 22, 1910

A SPLENDID SOLUTION OF TUMBLING RUN TROUBLE

We are hearing all kinds of talk about the contemplated abandonment of Tumbling Run as a pleasure resort
because of the determination of the Reading Company to use the water for domestic and industrial
purposes. Some of the people around town say it is merely a scheme of the Reading Company for some of
their officials to get hold of cheap boat houses and that it will eventually be for a select number. Credence
is given to this idea because it is stated that a well known individual coal official living in Pottsville has
recently purchased two prominent boat houses and those who talk about it say that if this is done it will
show that the real plans of the Reading Company are that no one else would have access and that persons
close to the head officials are talking abandonment of Tumbling Run and quickly buying up some of the boat
houses for their own personal use, knowing that they won't be interfered with in the future.
Another declaration heard about the streets is that the Traction Company will continue to maintain the ball
ground and the hotel and run them without thought of the Reading Company orders but the people who talk
thus forget that the Reading Company can bar out everyone from access to the dam and they also likewise
forget that the Traction Company is not in a position to fight the Reading Company because of the liability of
the Reading Company to retaliate in connection with the cars running over the Reading tracks up the
Heckschersville valley and over the Reading Company's people's Railway to Minersville, and over the
Reading property to Orwigsburg and they also forget that the Reading Company has a heavy interest in the
Traction Company's securities, so that there is no likelihood that the Traction Company and Reading
Company will fight one another. They talk about town that the Traction Company would continue running
over the Richards' estate lands to Tumbling Run and maintain the ball park and hotel without thought of the
Reading Company's orders and this is supplemented by the statement that Landlord Kline is going to apply
for liquor license for the hotel. The answer to this is that the Traction Company will not allow granting a
liquor license at Tumbling Run at any time.
Great stress is placed upon the fact that on the south side of the second dam there are the Brady, Thomas
and Guldin tracts which the Reading Company do not control. Especially is this the case with the first two
named. The owners of the Brady and Thomas tracts have had some trouble with the Reading Company and
they claim that their property extends into the center of the dam to the old saw mill site that is now covered
up with water. The Reading Company policemen have attempted to warn people off these tracts but they
have been given warning themselves to keep off and the events at the Weissinger boat house, which is
now located on this individual tract, say that they are going to stay there irrespective of the Reading orders
to move on. Over the use and control of the Guldin tract there may not be so much contention with the
Reading Company because the Guldin heirs are very closely associated with Reading Company officials.
The Trolley Company officials are still endeavoring to find a new location that will take the place of Tumbling
Run and which will lie midway between the populous towns along their line. They can get parks and
ballgrounds but they can not get water facilities. Another consultation with prominent citizens about town
was held on Saturday and the "Republican" suggests to these people that they should arrange a
compromise proposition and present it to the Reading Company whereby the second dam will be all fenced
in so that the Reading Company may utilize the water in this reservoir solely for domestic and
manufacturing uses, further, that all of the boat houses be removed and that no campers be allowed on the
grounds surrounding the second dam at the source of supply and this would give the Reading Company
uninterrupted and uncontaminated use of the Tumbling Run supply during the season when water is scarce.
In furtherance of this idea the Reading Company, after reserving the second dam, could then give the
water for which can be supplied from the waste way and the superabundance of the second dam and it will
only happen occasionally during a dry season that a sufficiency of water can not be maintained in the first
dam. This is a solution of the whole trouble. It would give the Reading Company the use of the water
supply by means of the upper dam and the people would have a water pleasure resort in the first dam and
everybody would be happy again at only a small extra cost for removal to the new location.

Pottsville Republican of August 24, 1910

APPROVE PLAN FOR NEW TUMBLING RUN RESORT

The "Republican" suggestion that the Reading Company use the second dam at Tumbling Run for a water
supply reservoir and turn the first dam into a pleasure resort for the general public is meeting with hearty
endorsements on all sides. It is a fair proposition. The people realize that the Reading Company should
have the benefit of their ownership and be able to utilize the water supply when they need it. On the other
hand the people want the Reading Company to realize that they owe it to the public to give them a pleasure
resort and that the first Tumbling Run dam could be used for pleasure purposes without interfering with the
second dam as a public water supply reservoir. To utilize the first dam as a pleasure resort would simply
mean that each one of the present boat house owners would be put to an expense of from a few dollars up
to a possible fifty dollars and in one or two instances up to a hundred dollars to remove their boat houses
from the location of today to the new location. There has always been some doubt as to the permanence of
the Tumbling Run second dam as a pleasure resort. And now for the purpose of having the matter settled
definitely and for all the time no one could reasonably object to the little expense that would be entailed
upon them to change the location and this would accommodate both the Reading Company and the local
public if the Reading Company must now use the Tumbling Run supply for domestic and industrial purposes.
What a magnificent pleasure resort could be made out of the first dam at Tumbling Run. The surrounding
grounds could be laid out in tiers of streets. The question of sanitary and other troubles could be readily
arranged for in advance. The banks could be made more sloping and a uniform shore water line could be
established. On the north side between the dam and the wagon road there would be room for two streets
of houses or a nice park or both; on the south side the houses could be run in tiers along the side of the
mountain, one half dozen blocks. A splendid bath resort could be arranged on the shore on the south side
and another one on the north side directly opposite. The roadways could be so arranged that there would
be a driveway over the breast of the first dam to the regular wagon road on the north side. A splendid
"shoot the chutes" could readily be arranged on the south side or in a shallow pool below the breast of the
first dam. A carousel and other amusements could be located on the old ice house site. The cost of the
amusements could be paid for by the Trolley Company, while people having boat houses could join in the
beautifying expense through assessments in connection with their leases. People having cottages on the
upper tier of streets could be provided with boat landings in connection with those houses that are located
near the shore. There are all kinds of possibilities in connection with the plan to use the first dam for a
pleasure resort and the second dam for public water supply.
second dam. The first dam could be kept sweet and nice by the rain fall. Then if the Reading Company did
use all of the Tumbling Run water supply it could accumulate its domestic supply in the second dam without
interference with the first dam. This plan would simply mean that the Reading Company would lose all
storage capacity of the first dam but they could still maintain ultimate use or control of the first dam and
have it arranged so that in time of dire necessity and drought the Reading Company could temporarily close
up all boat houses at the first dam, one week, one month, or until such time as the necessity for the use of
water in the first dam will have passed away. It is only once in every half a dozen years or even longer
intervals that any such necessity would arise and the people would have the trammeled use of the first
Tumbling Run dam as a pleasure resort most of ten months of the year.
The Trolley Company should be quick to take hold of this suggestion of the "Republican" for it is as stated
before, the only solution of the troubles of the Reading Company and should not stand out an instant
against any new arrangement. If they would stand out against the new plans then it would put the Reading
Company in the light of being unwilling in their share in accommodating the new plans and then would be
the time for action to be taken. The Reading Company's present control of the reservoirs at Tumbling Run
is no way sure as it can be taken into the courts for adjudication. This would mean more expense to the
public and unnecessary harassment and criticism on the Reading Company. This thought is not a threat but
the people who have occupied their boat houses at the second Tumbling Run dam for over twenty one
years, some of them without lease and without any binding understanding and thus acquired certain rights
that can not be easily pushed to the side. Then too there are a number of claimants disputing as to the
ownership of the land bordering on the second dam and these claims can not be settled in merely entering
a plea that the water must be used for domestic purposes. All the trouble, annoyances and vexation can
easily be brought to an end by the public, the Reading Company and the Trolley Company getting together
and arranging for a suitable exchange from the second to the first dam in the event of their being a present
positive necessity that the Reading Company must have the use of the Tumbling Run water.
There is no finer pleasure resort in the state of Pennsylvania than Tumbling Run and if properly handled the
place could be given a reputation that will draw strangers here and largely increase the Reading traffic and
if a place for a new Tumbling Run hotel pleasure resort was fixed on one of the knells, Tumbling Run would
far exceed Eagle's Mere , Delaware water Gap, Harvey's Lake ( where General Manager Richards summer
home now is) or all the other Pennsylvania water pleasure resorts. The "Republican" has been in
consultation with some of the boat house owners and they say that there will be no trouble in getting all of
the boat house people to join in the furtherance of plans for changing the location as above indicated,
while Manager Rockwell of the Trolley Company states that it would take a couple of tons of burden off his
shoulders if he could only see the pleasure resort dilemma settled, while lastly, Land Agent K. C. Wilson of
the Reading Company, states that it will be a happy moment for him when he and his assistants won't be
compelled to any longer stand in between the criticism of the public and the company's order.
The several local philanthropic organizations and especially the Merchant's Association , who at the time
are in preparation for their annual outing at Tumbling Run, likewise the Civic Society, might do well to
officially take hold of this matter in conjunction with the boat house owners and the Trolley Company and all
of them get into consultation promptly with the Reading Company officials in order to quickly bring about a
definite understanding and a settlement of the Tumbling Run trouble.

Three articles in August, 1910 foretold the end of Tumbling Run
as a resort and the concerted effort to keep it as a local attraction.

Pottsville Republican of September 8, 1891

A COLLISION AT TUMBLING RUN
Two Wagons Collide and the Occupants Thrown Out and Bruised

What might have been a serious accident had it not been for the presence of mind of a driver, occurred last
night nearly opposite the breast of the second dam at Tumbling Run. Charles Womer had taken out Mrs.
Fred Gerhard, Misses Ella Brown, Elsie Geier and Cora Mendelson to the Run and while returning after the
concert was run into by Fred Brenneman's wagon. The four ladies above named were thrown out and
though not seriously injured were badly bruised. The wagons came together with such a shock that one of
them was thrown over the embankment. The horses made no attempt to get away or we might have to write
up some serious results.

Pottsville Republican of September 18, 1891

A NARROW ESCAPE
A Runaway Horse Madly Dashes Down the Road Leading From Tumbling Run

While William B. Townsend and his sisterinlaw, Miss Louise Kopitzsch, were returning from Tumbling Run in
the neighborhood of seven o'clock last evening, the horse he was driving became unmanageable at what is
known as "Point of Rocks" and madly plunged down the road. Mr. Townsend endeavored to get the
maddened animal under control but was unable to do so. The buggy struck a projecting rock alongside of
the road and the carriage was upset, throwing the occupants down the embankment. In the fall Mr.
Townsend's collar bone was broken and his body badly bruised. Miss Kopitzsch, though badly scared, was
not injured to any extent. Her face was scratched and her arm bruised but no bones were broken. When
the horse found he was free, he galloped down the road dragging the buggy after him, which was soon
smashed to pieces. When he reached Washington Street bridge he dashed across it and made for the
stable, going at a mad gallop and scaring pedestrians who were on the streets in the vicinity. Mr. Townsend
is a member of the firm of Kopitzsch and Company, soap manufacturers in this city. Dr. D.W. Bland is
attending him.

Pottsville Republican of February 2, 1892

ACCIDENT AT TUMBLING RUN

The Knickerbocker Ice Company of Philadelphia have a number of mules at Mount Carbon, sent here for the
purpose of using them on Tumbling Run dam when cutting ice. It was thought best that the mules should
have some outdoor exercise as the cutting of ice was a thing of the future. The stable boys approved of
this pleasure and the mules were brought out. The riders did not retain their seats very well, one was
dislodged in the mud, escaping injury. John Cooney was not so fortunate, being thrown upon his head and
receiving a severe fracture of the skull over the right eye, lacerating the scalp and sustaining a very
serious injury. The loose fractured bones were removed and some restored to their positions, the scalp
sewn up and the patient placed in bed.

Pottsville Republican of September 2, 1892

FLOOD REMEMBERED

An old resident down here, who remembers away back, Washington Frizzle, at present employed as
watchman at Cape Horn on the P. S. V. Railroad, spoke to your correspondent last night in this way: "Do you
know that tomorrow will be the anniversary of the bursting of Tumbling Run Dam?" We had to admit we did
not know of such an occurrence, only by hearsay. We asked him to give us a few of the facts, which no
doubt will be of interest, especially as to dates.
"Well," continued Mr. Frizzle, "it was on the second day of September, 1850, on a Monday at 10:00. The first
house to go was that of Andrew McWilliams, the house being close to the dam, the family losing everything
they had. By the way a number of the McWilliams family are yet living." Says Mr. Frizzle," Daniel at Jersey
City, a prosperous steamboat and barge owner and his brother Charles in New Haven, Connecticut. The
next house that went by the flood was that of Matthew Gibson, located near the old weigh locks on the flat
opposite the Mount Carbon passenger station. The water had risen at this point fourteen feet above high
water mark and the Gibson family were taken out of their house at the greatest peril by small boats, the roof
had to be broken in in order to get portions of the family to places of safety. Benjamin Kline, who lived with
his family at the toll gate, his house was also swept away. The house of John O'Donnell, on the west side,
was turned completely around. All cattle from Mount Carbon to Schuylkill Haven were drowned and swept
down with the flood. The damage to the Schuylkill Navigation Company and the people along the canal
amounted to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Some of the canal boats were carried up into fields where
they became total wrecks. All the people in the immediate vicinity of the flood had to run for their lives and
many other narrow escapes were reported at the time. Patrick Malone, one of the oldest citizens around
here, stood on the high archway of the P. & R. main line looking at the mad waters rushing down, as were
interested spectators."
Your correspondent next asked Mr. Frizzle how long it took the large body of water to pass through the
dam? "Just one hour and a half. At half past eleven you could walk across the lower dam as it was high and
dry." The next question asked was where did the principal break occur in the dam, Mr. Frizzle? "Right in
the middle of the breast and everybody knew Elwood Morris at that time and for years after, he was the
chief engineer of the Schuylkill Canal." Mr. Frizzle was asked the principal cause of the catastrophe. He
assured us it was given out then as a "cloudburst" which caused so much devastation through the
Schuylkill Valley. The history of the damages would be very interesting reading at this time, especially of
the many hair breadth escapes from drowning.

Pottsville Republican of July 26, 1892

WILLIAM MONTGOMERY DROWNED - At the Upper Tumbling Run Dam While Swimming to Shore

A sad drowning accident occurred at the Upper Tumbling Run dam yesterday afternoon, whereby William
Montgomery, aged twenty three years, residing with his father at 115 North Twelfth Street, lost his life by
sinking suddenly in the water without a word of warning to any of his companions who were quite close at
the time. As near as can be ascertained the drowning took place at 3:30 o'clock, when the news spread on
our streets. Coroner Clemens being acquainted with the facts by a "Republican" reporter, he immediately
set out for the big dam where parties had been grappling for Montgomery, having succeeded in their
efforts about 5:40 o'clock. The body was placed in the Mystic boat house pending the deposition of the
coroner. Shoener Brothers removed the remains to their undertaking rooms and the lifeless body was
taken home to the sorrowing family about 9:00 o'clock.
Deputy Coroner Clemens summoned the following jury: J. M. Madison, Francis Alstatt, Felix Strouse,
George Weaver, Isaac Bensinger and John McElrath. The testimony was taken at Clemens drug store. The
depositions of William Bray, George Aregood and J. W. Eisenhuth were taken, which showed that Aregood
and Montgomery put on bathing suits and had taken out their boat from the Crescent boat house for the
purpose of washing it and turned it bottom upward. The two men were about twenty feet from land and
Montgomery attempted to swim to shore when the drowning accident occurred. He never rose after he
went down and the heat of the day is supposed to be the sudden cause of his sinking. Montgomery was
seen to sink by Aregood who was powerless to help him. A grappling hook was procured and Eisenhuth
succeeded in bringing the lifeless remains to the top of the water, when it was taken to the boat house
nearby to await the action of the coroner.
The jury, after hearing all the facts of the case returned the following verdict: "That the said William
Montgomery came to his death by accidental drowning in the second Tumbling Run dam." Until recently the
deceased had been in business on East Norwegian Street, the firm being Wolford and Montgomery, steam
fitters and plumbers. The most heartfelt sympathy is expressed on all sides for the sorrowing parents, who
feel their loss keenly.

Pottsville Republican of May 12, 1893

TUMBLING RUN - It Will Be a Famous Summer Resort - Improvements of This Season

"If we had Tumbling Run, we would make it one of the most famous summer resorts in the state." This was
said several years ago to a reporter by one of the prominent officials of the Lehigh Valley Railroad
Company. There is no doubt that the Lehigh Valley would have done this, for that company is never slow to
take advantage of a chance to increase its passenger traffic. But Tumbling Run has been slowly forging
ahead and despite the opposition that has met all attempts to make it a summer resort on the part of people
connected with the Reading Company and the summer resort boom in the city of Reading, our beautiful
valley is destined to become popular.
The season of 1893 opens on May 18 and will find Tumbling Run transformed into a regular excursion and
picnic paradise. There are at present twenty four boat houses on the upper dam and another is being built.
These are all private concerns however, and it is at the old Lauer farm the public will look for pleasure and
recreation. During the past year, some very great improvements have been made and now Pottsville can
safely she has a resort worthy of the town. This spring the park has been completely transformed and it is
now a beautiful excursion ground with many attractions to please and draw crowds. The dancing platform
in the old park has been enlarged and turned into a comfortable pavilion. A large force of men are now at
work repairing the paths and terraces and fixing up the grounds around the carousel and by the latter part
of the month the whole park will be in perfect condition.
The carousel or flying circus is one of the recent improvements which will become popular among young
and old. The building is located in the big field directly facing the dam. It is a beautiful building from an
architectural point of view. The machinery is all of the latest pattern and the horses and cars will whirl
around to the time of sweet music which will come from a large steam organ. The carousel also runs by
steam. There is plenty of room in the interior of the building and comfortable seats are provided for those
who want to rest and look on the gay revel. On the top of the building is a large platform surrounded by a
railing. This forms a splendid observatory and one can sit here and enjoy refreshments and the most
beautiful scenery in Pennsylvania at the same time.
But high above this is the Hotel Tumbling Run, with its picturesque gables and gay colors. This hotel has
been fitted up with the special object of accommodating summer guests from the cities, people who prefer
the mountains to the seashore. There are thirty rooms in the hotel, all tastefully furnished in oak. On the
second floor, there are also several cozy sitting rooms and a pretty parlor. On the ground floor are the
office, bar, restaurant, and hotel dining rooms, all fitted up with an eye to the beautiful, convenience and
comfort. The dining rooms (there are three which can be thrown into one) will seat sixty guests. The
kitchens are in the rear and are all fitted up with the latest improvements.
A wide piazza surrounds the house and in the rear a pleasant summer garden has been fitted up. It is the
intention also to turn one of the lawns into a tennis court and a portion of an adjoining field will be devoted
to baseball and other field sports. In the rear of the hotel the Pottsville Gun Club has its grounds and
practice regularly there every week. The Hotel Tumbling Run will be filled with guests this season, many
rooms having already been engaged. It is also stated that a number of excursions are being arranged and
the prospects are that Tumbling Run will outshine Lakeside Park this year.
For these, the latest and biggest improvements at Tumbling Run, credit is due to the enterprise of William
Weissinger, who had the grit to take the suggestions made by the "Republican" and determined to make it a
place worthy of the investment. He has succeeded admirably. The proprietor of the hotel, Mr. Kline, is also
a man of enterprise and he feels that he will have many guests this summer. We are reliably informed that
boating will be good this year; that the dam will be allowed to fill up as soon as the repairs are made to the
wickets and that the owners of boat houses will enjoy the privileges for which they pay. The extension of
the electric road to a point of a wagon road just opposite the hotel is a big improvement and picnickers will
now be let down within a few steps of the park and carousel.

Pottsville Republican of June 14, 1893

TUMBLING RUN DAM - The Cause of Trouble - Thousands of Small Fish Destroyed

Chief Engineer Smith of the Schuylkill Navigation, who was up at Tumbling Run yesterday, found on
investigating that the leak at the breast of the second dam was caused by the wicket being screwed down
too tight allowing the water to run over it. The valve was fixed and the dam will be allowed to fill up again.
It was a stupid blunderer who put the wicket in this shape and it was a shame that it could not be
discovered before the water was entirely drawn off. The drawing off of the water has caused more trouble
and displeasure than was expected. The pot hunters went out there and caught large quantities of all kinds
of fish. Some held their nets at the lower side of the second breast and when they were filled with fish
dumped them on the bank and picked out the largest. They left the little ones to rot under a hot Protective
Association.

Pottsville Republican of July 19, 1893

AT TUMBLING RUN - The Dam Turned Into a Meadow - Picnics and Band Concerts

Grass growing on the bottom of the valley that generally holds a giant sheet of water, is a sight many old
men never saw before this year at Tumbling Run. The bottom of the second dam for almost three fourths of
its length is a meadow today, with a very insipid stream winding its lazy way through the center. Yesterday
only one boat was out on the dam, but notwithstanding the want of water the place is beautiful, cool and
restful and a day spent there is certainly well spent. The carousel was going, the hotel was lively and
several picnic parties were in the grove. Quite a few of the boat houses also contained picnic parties. Still
Tumbling Run is not the resort it should be. The electric railway people are about as much to blame as any
one. It seems funny how they stand in their own light. People will prefer to ride in open cars and they don't
run open cars on the mountain road this year. The result is that they are losing a good many nickels
because people out for pleasure take the summer cars and ride for ten cents. If the summer cars ran to
Tumbling Run, they would go there and pay five cents more. Then too, people are not permitted to stay out
beyond an early hour at night even when there is a band concert. Last week the cars were to run until
eleven o'clock. Some of the conductors gave the people to understand that ten o'clock was the latest
hour. There is no reason why there should not be a crowd there every time there is a concert and during
the afternoons, when there is so much pleasure for the children. There will be a concert this evening by
the Third Brigade band, the last before they go to camp. A good band stand is there for them and now there
are plenty of seats in the park for the people who want to listen. The grounds will be well lighted this
evening.

LAST UPDATED: OCTOBER 5

Pottsville Republican of March 30, 1894

FINE SUMMER RESORT - This Is What Tumbling Run Is To Become
DREAMS OF YEARS TO BE REALIZED -
A Mammoth Hotel to be Erected and a Big Park to be Laid Out on Second Mountain - A Gravity Road
- Big Scheme With Big Backing

At last there appears to be reason to believe that Pottsville is to become as famous a summer resort as it
will be in years to come as the metropolitan of the anthracite coal region. Everybody who pretends to know
anything about the coal interests, believes that Pottsville will one day become the greatest inland city in the
state, east of the Alleghenies and while many have seen its advantages as a summer and excursion resort,
few had dared to hope that anything would be done in that line. The Philadelphia and Reading Railroad
Company was the only great concern that could bring such a desired condition about and everything that
has been done by that company heretofore seemed to prove conclusively that the grand and picturesque
scenery in this vicinity possessed no value in the eyes of the men who control the destiny of the big
corporation. For that reason alone the tide of pleasure travel toward Pottsville and the beautiful Tumbling
Run Valley will possess great new interest for the people who have grown accustomed to scenery and
natural beauty that would be considered a paradise by the people living in the close quarters of the brick
and mortar of our big cities.
The "Republican" has been assured that Pottsville is to be made a great summer resort and that, too, by
and with the aid of the Reading Company. The project, we understand, has been fully considered and
though not definitely settled, is so near it that parties from the inner circle of the scheme are whispering it
to their friends, and when today a "Republican" representative had cornered a man, who was sure to know,
in such a way as to prevent escape, that gentleman acknowledged that the scheme was in progress.
The plan, as we have learned it, is to erect a mammoth hotel on the very top of the Second Mountain, just
above the second Tumbling Run dam. The whole top of the mountain is to be arranged into a large park
and the hotel is to be so situated as to give it a magnificent view. The hotel will be reached by a gravity
road that will be built to take in as much of the beautiful scenery surrounding Pottsville as possible and
everything will be done to make the place popular as a summer resort for people, who now spend months
at big expense places that have grown famous, but have not near the natural features as Tumbling Run.
It is also intended, we understand, to make such improvements all around the vicinity of Tumbling Run, as
will make it an attraction for excursionists. The place is peculiarly adapted for such an enterprise. It is
within pleasant riding distance from Philadelphia and the attractions could be made so numerous and
pleasant as to make it the most celebrated resort between this city and Williamsport. The Lehigh Valley
Railroad has many excursion resorts but nothing like Tumbling Run promises and the way it has been
neglected by the Reading has always caused much comment by the officials of other companies.
We were not able to learn the names of the capitalists who are at the bottom of this arrangement but we are
assured that they are principally Philadelphia and New York men and that they have succeeded in getting
the management of the Reading Company stirred up to a point of enthusiasm that promises to bring their
plans to a speedy and profitable climax.

Pottsville Republican of August 2, 1894

ELECTRIC CARS COLLIDE - On the Tumbling Run Road Above Reichert's and Were Wrecked

Shortly after noon additional summer cars were put on the Tumbling Run division of the electric road and in
rounding the curve above Reichert's, cars 60 and 66 came in collision and were slightly wrecked.
Fortunately, very few passengers were on at the time. Henry G. Jungkurth, the saloon keeper on South
Centre Street, met with a slight accident with his leg being scraped and Joseph Longinus, the machinist, of
1320 West Norwegian Street, was injured in the stomach by jumping. Car 60 had her lower running gears
displaced, drawhead and brake gear twisted. Car 66 had her front battered in and was worse in appearance
than 60. The cars were of the Saint Louis build and of the white color. The cause of the accident is
attributed to irresponsible employees taking charge at the time and not carrying out instructions. A force of
repairmen was set to work to put the cars in condition on the tracks of the company near the power house.
Conductor Glassmire and Motorman Montgomery and Conductor Warmkessel and Motorman Calvin Sigfried
were in charge of the wrecked cars at the time of the collision.

Pottsville Republican of December 22, 1910

THE THIRD DAM AT TUMBLING RUN

The "Republican" announcement last evening that there was to be a third Tumbling Run dam, which would
save the present Tumbling Run pleasure resort to the people and at the same time furnish water for
Schuylkill Haven and Cressona, was received with great surprise and marked gratification by all classes of
people and everyone was greatly pleased with t his kind of a Christmas present from the Reading Company.

But the new water supply for Schuylkill Haven won't come in time for this Christmas, so that the people
down there may be compelled to do like some of the thrifty housekeepers have been doing heretofore, and
this is no joke, they may have to melt snow in order to get water to do their Christmas cooking and to baste
the turkey while it is roasting. However, they can all see a good supply ahead now, and if the borough
councils of the two towns and the Reading Company and the Schuylkill Haven Water Company get together
after the first of the year and sign the contract that is now being arranged and put into legal form, then most
of the troubles as far as water supply are likely to gradually pass away, so that by this time next year the
people of the southern end of the county will then have pretty well forgotten that they were shy of water so
much in the past.
There are some ugly stories afloat about heavy defalcations by the old management, whereby the Schuylkill
Haven Gas and water Company has lost many thousands of dollars and the new manager, Mr. McKnight,
who also superintends the Pottsville Gas Company is quoted as saying that by the old time practices of
some of the previous officials helping themselves, that the Schuylkill Haven Gas and water Company has
lost more money than would have been required to build a couple reservoirs. It seems, from the stories
told, that there was no regular auditing done of the company's finances and that any official could collect
money on water rent bills, tear off the receipts, hand it to the customer, pocket the stub and use the cash
for their own use without making any returns to the company. Under the McKnight management, the
discovery has been made that scores and scores of the consumers either produce charges paid that were
never credited.
It is quite common these days for the good people of Schuylkill Haven and Cressona to get bills for water
charges that they paid a long time ago in advance and this is what Superintendent McKnight is trying to fix
up now, and he is having a picnic to say the least, for the people not only scold him and his subordinates
about the shortage of water, but also because of the presentation of bills for water charges that were a
long time ago paid. And the worst of the trouble is that while under the new arrangement with the Reading
Company, there will be a plentiful supply of water hereafter for the townspeople, yet the old Water Company
will lose their heaviest consumers by the Reading Company arranging to supply their own shops and
storage plant with water at the same time they are furnishing water to the towns. Heretofore, the Reading
Company's water supply for that section was in large part furnished through the Water Company's mains
and this was a great source of revenue. Now the company intends to furnish its own water for its own
industrial use.
One of the reasons why the Reading Company has agreed to put up the third reservoir at Tumbling Run is
for the purpose of furnishing better fire protection to its various industrial plants in this vicinity so that
hereafter they will not entirely be at the mercy of the flames, as was the case at the recent Schuylkill Haven
shop fire, when there was no pressure in the pipes and very little water at that, not sufficient to reach half
way up a light pole.

Pottsville Republican of August 14, 1895

ARRESTED AT TUMBLING RUN

Paul Gruenke, manager of the Hotel Tumbling Run, brought a prosecution against Patrick Galligan of
Fishbach, last evening before Squire J. H. Fister, for disturbing the peace and assault and battery. Galligan
and a number of his friends were at the Run yesterday afternoon and raised a disturbance and were told to
leave but instead of doing so Galligan struck Manager Gruenke a blow with his fist to his neck. The Squire,
after hearing the case, placed Galligan under $300 bail. G. C. Schrink became his bondsman. Henry
Binckley, the special officer at the Run, made the arrest.

Gettysburg Peoples Press of July 3, 1835

DEATH BY DROWNING

Mr. William Hazzard of the firm of J. T. & W. Hazzard, merchants of Pottsville, Pennsylvania was drowned a
day or two since under the following circumstances. He had gone out in company of a friend on a fishing
excursion to Tumbling Run Dam, a large reservoir of water in the neighborhood of Pottsville, and while
engaged in fishing, his umbrella was blown into the water some distance from the shore, when he
immediately undressed, swam out and secured it, but on returning, his companion, who was at a
considerable distance off heard him utter a cry of distress, but before he could render him any assistance,
the deceased sunk to rise no more. He was in all probability attacked by the cramp, a malady which so
frequently proves fatal to swimmers. His body was recovered as soon as possible but not until several
hours had elapsed, when all hopes of resuscitation were at an end.

Wellsboro Agitator of February 1, 1905

ROBBERY AT TUMBLING RUN

Motorman Walter Scott and Conductor Elvin Sterner were bringing a trolley car from Tumbling Run to
Pottsville recently, when a man jumped upon the front platform and threw Scott off the car. When Sterner
came to his motorman's assistance, the intruder drew a revolver and forced Sterner to jump off the car. All
this time the car was running at a high rate of speed. Sterner, after leaving the car, went to the nearest
telephone and sent this message into headquarters: " A masked robber has stolen our car." At Sterner's
suggestion the power was cut off form the division and that stopped the car. The robber fled leaving his
hat behind.

Frederick News of August 31, 1911

LEAPS TO LAKE BUT IS SAVED
Girl Tries Suicide Because Wedding is Delayed

Angered because her lover, John Philliston, put off carrying out his intention to marry her, Miss Clara
Boyster, aged twenty three years, tried to commit suicide by throwing herself from the high breast of the
upper Tumbling Run lake, a pleasure resort, into fifty five feet of water. The attempt at suicide was made in
sight of many picnickers. The girl was out walking with her lover and suddenly broke away from him and ran
toward the lake, declaring she would take her life. Hen his sweetheart made her desperate leap, Philliston
was close behind. Losing no time, he jumped in and supported her despite her pleading to let her end her
troubles. Peter Pfeiffer, a fisherman, C. Fred Cauffman and several others in boats dragged the couple
ashore. A half hour later the couple walked from the water's edge, arm in arm, a complete reconciliation
having been effected. It is believed the long delayed wedding will now take place.

Pottsville Republican of July 17, 1911

BOYS ALMOST CAUSE RIOT - Stone Officer Weissinger at Ball Game - Man Tries to Release Prisoner

A number of small boys, the majority from Palo Alto, almost caused a riot at the ball game at Tumbling Run
Park. During the afternoon they persisted in getting on the fence and although ordered down several
times, they finally dares the officers to put them away. After a great deal of trouble they were all put off and
in order to get even with the officers, who were performing their duty, they started to throw stones. Officer
Weissinger was made the target for a regular bombardment. He was hit at least twelve or fourteen times.
Placing several of his assistants to watch the boys, he had one finally pointed out to him. Going through
the gate, he went after the boys, and before he ever laid hands on him the boy exclaimed, "I didn't throw
the stones." Weissinger took him in charge and started with him for the trolley car, followed by a crowd of
several hundred men and boys. It was while coming down the steps an elderly man from Palo Alto
undertook to take the boy away from the officer. This man, after attempting to pull the boy away,tried to
take the officer's club from him. Officer Weissinger called to another officer to take the man while he held
on to the boy. After considerable excitement both the man and the boy were placed aboard the car and
brought in to police headquarters. Alderman McCool was summoned and gave the two a preliminary
hearing. At first both claimed that they had done nothing wrong, but later the man acknowledged he was
guilty and the boy that he had thrown stones. The case is not settled and another hearing will probably be
held tomorrow night. The boy stated his name was Nolan and that he was fourteen years of age. His father
is dead and for the past four years he has been making his home with relatives. Young Nolan was one of a
gang who were determined to see the ball game without paying admission. 10/5

Pottsville Republican of September 18, 1911

BOAT HOUSES ROBBED AT RUN

Boat house thieves are again operating at Tumbling Run and during the night three houses were entered
and ransacked of their contents, a large quantity of crockery and dishes being either broken or carried
away by the thieves and a number of valuable articles of furniture being stolen. The houses robbed were
those of Harry Drumheller, Frank Roseberry and the Miehle estate. In each instance the locks were broken
off and entrance gained to the houses in this way. The robbers evidently worked without molestation and
took their time as they went through the houses very thoroughly and pulled out drawers and cleaned
closets containing household goods which were kept at the houses for the convenience of the owners.
When the discovery was made this morning and the news communicated to the police, a diligent search
was started for the thieves who are believed to have been tramps. Other boat house owners commented
upon the fact that although they are required to pay large rentals for their Run property, they are accorded
absolutely no protection by the P. & R. Company, who could very well afford to place an officer at the Run
permanently. The owners of boat houses are not permitted to spend the night in their boat houses and
when the last car leaves the Run at night, the houses are at the mercy of the thieves, local and transient,
who may desire to break into and go through them. Each winter in recent years robbers have entered a
number of boat houses and it appears as though the local gang, if last night's work was theirs, have started
operations at an earlier date than usual this year. Some of the house owners who do not intend to spend
many more days at the Run before the close of the season will remove the equipment of their houses to
their town residences for protection from thieves. 10/5