The Battle of the Roses: The "First Capital" Controversy By John Ward Willson Loose Lancaster's neighbor across the Susquehanna River—the city of York— delights in proclaiming itself the "First Capital of the United States of America." So far has this bit of boosterism gone that "First Capital" has

" because even an institution as young as the Pennsylvania Hall of Fame will not be excused for juvenile impetuosity. No, the Hall of Fame has acted with uncommon courage in the face of what most assuredly has been a controversial choice. I commend the judges and directors for exhibiting precisely that

The Lancaster Crematorium: First in the USA By John W. W. Loose in the spring of 1884 a group of Lancastrians met at the Intelligencer newspaper office to discuss the feasibility of organizing an association for the reform of funerals. On 27 May 1884 the Lancaster Cremation and Funeral Reform

Catharine Sheridan and the young couple emigrated to the United States, settling in Lancaster among the likes of the Malones, McGoverns, McGranns and Reillys—all highly successful contractors. Young James knew a few things other than contracting and becom- ing wealthy—things such as social behavior and

. Vondersmith, associate judge of the Lancaster County Courts, delivered an essay on "Civilization and Its Effects Upon Mankind." About ten years later Judge Vondersmith fled from Lancaster civilization ahead of the United States marshal who held a warrant for his arrest. The civilized judge, it was alleged