Ricketts' Circus in Lancaster By WILLIAM FREDERIC WORNER J OHN BILL RICKETTS, a Scotch equestrian, who had learned many of his astounding acts when he was associated with the Blackfriars' Bridge circus, London, came to Philadelphia in 1792, and erected a building for a riding school at the south

been received for the sufferers and deposited in the Branch Bank of Pennsylvania. Collections for the Sufferers from Fire in Lancaster in 1823 By WILLIAM FREDERIC WORNER ON Friday, July 25th, 1823, near midnight, the inhabitants of Lancaster were awakened by the cry of fire. It originated in the

the author, Dr. F. R. Diffenderffer, describes what is undoubtedly the oldest playbill, that so far has come to light, advertising a theatrical performance in Lancaster, Pa. It bears the date January 2, 1800, and states that by the desire of Governor McKean, who intended honoring the occasion with his

." Franklin was elected president. The new organization added many men of note from other provinces, in addition to the Philadelphia members of the original Junto. The year 1768 opened with the two societies zealously engaged, in the same city and in the same pursuits, with a considerable number of members

the late fire in Lancaster ; and as indemnity and not profit is the object of the contributors, and the great view to dispense a just equality ; therefore, "Resolved, That the committee appointed inquire into the amount of any subscriptions in Philadelphia or elsewhere for in- dividual sufferers, and

least as late as 1816 the First 1 Presbyterian church of Lancaster, Pa., employed a clerk. The special duties of this official are not now known. In all probabil- ity, they corresponded to those of the parish clerk in the Church of England in America, which, after the Revolutionary War, be- came the

advertised to be run over the course at New Holland, Lancaster county, Pa., for a purse of sixty dollars. The race was to consist of two mile heats3 and repeat; it was open for any horse, mare or gelding; and each horse was required to carry 140 pounds. An entrance fee of three dollars was required, if

Wagon Loads of Gold in Lancaster By WILLIAM FREDERIC WORNER T HE late William Uhler Hensel, a former vice-president of our Lancaster County Historical Society, and widely known as a leader of the Lan- caster bar, would, when in a reminiscent mood, often sigh for "the days of yore, when taverns were

bill to incorporate the Widow and Orphan Assurance Society of the City and County of Lancaster, had passed the Senate of Pennsylvania. Three years later, a notice appeared in the Lancaster Journal of Friday, April 22nd, 1825, which was as follows : "A special election for a director of the Widow and