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Social Life and Times of Liberty Boro
There was lots of social life in Liberty during its early years. For the men, there was a barroom frolicking and pool tables at the Sempsey and Sebring Hotels; and, there were several clubs. The young, as well as the old, people enjoyed the dances, and there were reported to be corn-husking parties where the fellow who got the red ear had the privilege of kissing the prettiest girl on the barn floor.
Dancin' at Miller's Hall - Early 1900's - "There was dancin' on the third floor of Miller's Hall every Saturday night, and every holiday night.. Four-horsebacks would come in from Arnot full of people… they'd all go to the dance. They'd dance ' til …. o-h-h-h … two or three in the morning … sometimes bullies would come in from Arnot to clean up the Liberty boys" (as stated by *Walter Kehler *)
During the decade, 1900 to 1910, the population dropped slightly from 263 to 253 people in Liberty. The decline followed the general trends in the county and reflected the turn from the "boom years". It was about this time that many of the pioneers of the community died. Also lessening the population was the fact that many people moved away to get a better job. It is also notable in the obituaries that many of the children of the original families had begun to settle elsewhere.
1910-1929 - While the area population declined rather sharply, Liberty remained a center of socio-economic activity throughout the teens and twenties. The farmers who remained in the area continued to come to Liberty to buy and sell, to bank, and Saturdays were always especially busy in Liberty. With the automobile and the paving of the Williamson Road, everyone found it even easier to get to Liberty. By 1916 the community was said to have more cars than any other village of it's size in the northern tier of PA. The rapid acceptance of the horseless carriage was probably due to the lack of a railroad for transportation and the building of relatively good roads.
Prohibition did not seem to have any major effect on the community. As one old timer recalls: "During prohibition, the town was dry but most everyone had their bottle of hard cider." At least three persons - including a Liberty law officer - were charged with possession and/or sale of intoxicating liquors. For those who didn't want to risk arrest there was a lot of birch oil and cider produced around Liberty. Throughout the twenties the Ku Klux Klan was active in Liberty and throughout the county. The white robed klansmen seemed most concerned about the decline of Rural America and the virtues they associated with it. Periodically they burned crosses on the lawns of unfaithful husbands and in various other ways attempted to enforce their social ethics.
STORIES, TRAGEDIES, AND RUMORS OF THE TIME - from the Wellsboro Gazette:
Aug. 15, 1895 - Wild Dances: The manner in which dances have been conducted in Liberty is a disgrace to the community. Fighting and crousing is carried on until a late hour and noise can be heard from a great distance. The residents must vigorously protest and declare that the nuisance be abated.
Oct. 28, 1896 - Chicken Thieves: Chicken thieves are at work in Liberty.
Feb. 4, 1897 - Anti-Cigarette League: Active in Liberty.
Dec. 1, 1899 - Marital Problems: The wife of ___________ left his bed and board without just cause or provocation. . . she declares that her husband pounded her over the head and was so ugly she could not live with him.
Sept. 19, 1900 - Fierce Fire: There was one of the most destructive fires ever. A half dozen buildings in the business district were destroyed, one man burned to death, and five horses perished in the flames. The fire was discovered in the Liberty House barn and in a twinkling the flames leaped to the Wagon shop and then the blacksmith shop. The flames leaped across water Street to the Tailor shop and a 3-story structure which was a furniture and music store and a home. Next the fire swept through the pool room and moved on to seize the Liberty Hotel. Many men and boys had sever burns on their hands and singed eyebrows, and a half dozen were injured so badly that they couldn't walk. The next day a charred body was found between the hotel and the pool room. The man occupied a room on the second floor of the hotel and had evidently jumped from the burning building to the death trap between the buildings. Origin of the fire is unknown, but some are inclined to believe it was the work of a 'firebug'.
Feb. 7, 1902 - Liberty Riot: Warrants were issued for the arrest of 24 Liberty men. They are charged with riot and attempting to interfere with a marriage ceremony.
June 13, 1907 - Liberty's Singing Hen: Miss Mary Fick's Rhode Island hen, "Queen Ann", known for miles around as the singing chicken, burst into song on a recent Sunday in front of the Methodist church and so amazed the worshippers that the services were suspended temporarily.
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