Dr. Francis "Frank" McConaughy wrote more than seventy-five articles between 6 May 1891 and 9 December 1893. These articles, detailing his recollections of life in the Ligonier Valley were published in the Ligonier, PA "Echo" newspaper. Dr. McConaughy signed all of his articles "NEIGHBOR" or "A NEIGHBOR", proof of which was found in his obituary, which begins this collection.

The Ligonier Valley is situated in the easternmost portion of Westmoreland County in the state of Pennsylvania, and comprises the townships of Donegal, Cook, Ligonier, Fairfield, and St. Clair, going from south to north.

The articles range from family histories to historical events of which Dr. McConaughy had first-hand knowledge.

My comments, when applicable, are [enclosed in brackets]. Dr. McConaughy was my first cousin, five times removed, and I have occasional explanatory notes that illuminate his writing, and these notes will also be [enclosed in brackets].

I have chosen to divide the articles by the month they appeared in the "Echo", and eventually will be indexing the collection to make it easier for visitors to see if there may be something of particular interest to them. There were no articles published in either July or October of 1893. Up to August 1892, summary headings were published at the beginning of each article, but thereafter these were not included.

Recollections of the Murder of Young Pollock, of Ligonier Valley-The Roper Family-Colonel Mendell, Robert Graham and Other Prominent People of Olden Times-Men, Customs and Manners of Olden Times

Schools and Schoolmasters-Some People of Ancient Days and Other Incidents-More About Schools and Teaching-Laughlinstown of Ancient Days-Schools, School Books and Debating Societies-Debates-Church Services and Athletics of Ancient Times

Fox-hunts in the Early Days-A Swift Running Greyhound-More About Debating Societies-Lectures About Geography, etc.

Laughlinstown in the Days of Stages and Furnaces-Schools and School Sport of Ancient Days, etc.-Family Training-Ligonier Schools-An Episode-Proved a Farce-The Valley as an Important Factor in Furnishing Able Men of the Different Walks in Life-An Academy-Exciting Tragedy-The Ruler of the Universe

Ministers and Churches-Rev. George Hill, a Former Valley Pastor-Col. J. Ramsey-The Hermitage Industry-One on Somerset County-A Trip from Chambersburgh-Ramseytown Laid Out-Extensive Furnace Owned by Old Citizen-Slavery in the Valley-More in Regard to Rev. Geo. Hill and Family-An Anecdote.

The Old Knox Farm-Rev. Swan Hurt-Dispute with a Mormon-Congregation Prosperous-Rev. Jos. Scroggs as an Able Minister, a Fine Scholar and Exempliary Man-Fifty seven Years in the Ministry-His Social Relations and Death, etc.-The Families of Revs. Scroggs and Swan-Rev. Swan's Experience in the West-His Death in Blairsville-Presbyterian Congregation of Ligonier, etc.-More Items in Reference to the Families of Revs. Swan and Scroggs-Religious Activity in the Different Churches of the Valley

The Leaders in Church Music in Old Times-The Upper Congregation-Temperance Movement-Names of Men Prominent in the Church, etc.-Rev. Hill the First Pastor of the Valley-His Early Death-Family Worship, etc.-Why Rev. Swan Moved to Johnstown-Elder Robt. Campbell, Old Mr. Caven, John B. Campbell and Others-A Few Incidents-Rev. Hill-Trip to Pittsburg-More About Rev. Swan

Old-time Singing Schools-Gallantry of the Young Men-Rev. A. B. Clark-Campmeetings of the Valley-First Settlers of the Valley-Westmoreland County Organized-The Pollock Family Prominent Among the Early Settlers-Judge Pollock and Other Early Settlers-Indian Troubles and Establishment of Peace-Fast Riding

The Origin and Early History of the Hendricks and the Jamison Families-The McConaughy Family of the Past and Present-The Origin and History of the Knox Family-Their Large Farm Near Ligonier-Teaming, etc.-The Jamison Family Concluded-Old Lady Jamison-Family Relations, etc.-The Wilson, Donaldson and Kirkwood Families-A Sad Occurrence-Practices of the Churches

The McCurdy and Gilmore Families-Revolutionary War Service-Church Customs and Relations-Additional History of Grandfather McCurdy's Family-His Devotion to Religion-Deaths in the Family-Aunt Barbara and the Martins, etc.-Trip Across the Mountains-Cordwood Chopping-Work on Canal-Making of Axes, etc.-Completion of the Canal-Daughter Killed by Falling Tree-Hanging of Evans-Traffic on Canal-Structure and Management of the Boats, etc.

The Trindle Boys-Wm. and George H. McCurdy-Aunt Barbara's Family, etc.-A Sketch of James and David McConaughy and Others-Grandfather James McConaughy-"Blue Stocking Rule"-Came from Franklin County-Ancient Dress-Death and Burial of Ancestors and Other Events-Grandfather McCurdy [McConaughy] as a Skilful Worker-Settlement of David in Ohio-Interchange of Visits, etc.

The McConaughys-Grandfather and Father-Killing Snake and Bears-Home and Acquaintances at Twolick-Moving Experiences-Earliest Recollections of Family Customs and Incidents-Moving to Ligonier Valley-Improving the Homestead Farm-"Niggering" Process-Snake Charm-Farm Improvements-Industry of the Women-James Travels as a Carpenter but Afterwards Becomes a Doctor and Retires Wealthy to the West.

Sister Jane-Her Marriage to Major Nesbitt, and Her Family-A Brother in the Ministry-His Travels-"A Neighbor" at Home and on the Road as Teamster-Visits Eastern Cities-Engages as a School Teacher-Quits Wagoning-Success of the Family-Brother Robert's Death-Malinda's Marriage and Her Family-Brother David Becomes a Doctor-A Neighbor's Ups and Downs.

Uncle James as a Musician-The Influence of Drink-Relatives in Indiana County and Pittsburg-Marriages and Deaths-Marriages and Intermarriages-Deep Snows on the Mountains-Trip to Pittsburg-The Ogdens, McDowels, Clarks and Other Early Settlers of the Valley-Intermarriage of the Different Families-Their Location in the West and Elsewhere-The Early Willey, McCoy, Humberd, Riddle, Shaffer and Galbraith Families-Many Sons and Daughters Rose to Important Positions in Various Parts of the Country-Push and Honesty Always Win-History of Neighbors-The St. Clairs-Thos. Enis-Wisner Family-Lewis Rector-John Taylor and Families.

The Old Families of the Valley-The Toshes, Lytles, Luthers and Beams-The Campbellites and the Leaders in this Faith and their Families-More About Near Neighbors-The Irvings, Hammills, Menohers, Martins, Peoples and Cliffords of Early Times.

The Myers, Smith, Hammil, McFarland, Lytle and Other Early Settlers of the Valley-Church Connections-Family Relationship-The Graham and Brown Families of Near Fairfield-Sore Trials and Afflictions-John and David Graham, of Denver, Col.-More About the First Settlers of the Valley-The Graham, Brown, Clark and Other Families-Honesty in Dealing-Many Prominent Families of the Lower End of the Valley-Many Professional Men and Men of Prominence Can Trace Ancestry to the Valley-Last of the Valley History-Review of Early Settlers.

Dr. McConaughy did not subtitle any further columns.