75 Years Ago

Herald of Feb. 19, 1948

One of the worst ice jams in recent memory damaged several properties and endangered lives in Yellow Creek this week. Early Saturday morning a foot of water and large chunks of ice flowed through the yard of the Frank B. Cronemiller family. Mrs. Cronemiller alerted other families in the area while Richard Hall, Lynn Ritchey and Arnold Smith began the dangerous task of dynamiting the ice gorge. The blasting began below the covered bridge at Cypher Beach and proceeded upstream. On several properties the ice floe was measured eight feet, and the blocks measured as much as two feet in thickness.

Herds of deer numbering anywhere from 10 to 20 were making driving along Piney Creek and Clover Creek roads difficult, especially at night. The animals were often on or crossing the roads, causing dangerous conditions. They were also causing damage to local cornfields and trees.