Railroad, Iron Make Area Attractive During War

“To Arms To Arms!” were the words printed in bold face in the hopes of attracting the attention of young and old to the potential plight facing the usually peaceful farmers and merchants of Blair and Bedford counties.

The call was aimed at citizens and returned soldiers, calling them to a 6 p.m. meeting at the Blair County courthouse to adopt measures for protection against a feared raid by militia from the south as the Civil War dragged through yet another summer.

The recruiting poster was published on the front cover page of the summer 2023 edition of “The Mansion,” a publication of the Blai...