07/05/1969 - A bolt of lightning was blamed for fire which early this morning destroyed the old Montebell homestead at Kittanning, near the Little League Fall Field. Loss was estimated at $15,000. The house owned by Hugo Montebell was unoccupied. Local fire departments had no signaling because of the electrical outage caused by overnight storms. Police Chief William Evans was on patrol with his wife when he went to the West Kittanning firehouse to summons the crew while East Franklin Township firemen responded. Evans and his wife drove the fire truck from East Franklin Township and used the siren on the truck to summon help.
07/05/1969 - National fireworks marked Independence Day as lightning flashed and thunder rolled throughout the night, accompanied by wind, rain and hail which caused damage to public utility lines and trees throughout Armstrong County. The storm brought high winds, and hail as big as half-dollars. Rain fell in sheets as the wind swept the downpour across the county. Workmen from West Penn Power and the Kittanning Telephone Company were out in full force all night long.
07/05/1949 - An 80-mile trip by horseback was made by Seth Fisher as he visited his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John M. Fisher of Manor Church. Seth, who resides in Sharon left Friday night and arrived here Sunday. He and his horse slept under the stars on Friday and Saturday nights.
07/05/1949 - Several Cadogan residents were celebrating the Fourth of July in the old-fashioned way as state police nipped their celebration and confiscated about $25 worth of fireworks.
07/05/1944 - George A. Reid, who was accidentally drowned in the Allegheny River near East Brady Sunday afternoon, was buried in Butler this afternoon. Mrs. Reid a few days ago received word by the Bureau of Naval Personnel, Navy Department of the presumed death of their son, James Adam Reid, Hospital Apprentice second class.
07/05/1944 - The community today mourned the passing of one of its most prominent citizens in the death of Samuel H. McCain, local attorney, who died July 4.
07/05/1939 - Four baby skunks have been objects of neighborhood oh’s and ah’s the last couple of evenings as they emerged from beneath an outhouse at the rear of the Courthouse Annex.
07/05/1939 - A week-long camping trip along the Allegheny River at No. 9 pool, Rimer, ended in tragedy Tuesday afternoon when a 49-year-old New Kensington man, Harry McDonald, drowned in the river after his skiff capsized in the waves behind a steamer.
07/05/1934 - The July Fourth holiday period in this county was marked by tragedies which took the lives of two men, destroyed by flames the West Kittanning home of George Painter and brought burns and injuries to many..
07/05/1934 - W. A. Lantz of Gastown, well-known throughout that section of the county as a blacksmith, died while blowing up the fire at his forge Wednesday afternoon.
07/05/1929 - It is estimated that 20,000 persons were in Kittanning yesterday for the big celebration. The Kittanning airport was dedicated with an aerial display.
07/05/1929 - Hugh Hutchison has resigned his position as a teacher in the high school here. He has been elected principal at Nanty Glo.
07/05/1929 - Mr. and Mrs. Samuel J. Shearer of Kelly Station celebrated their golden wedding anniversary yesterday, surrounded by 200 relatives and friends.