The post-war Studebaker announcement of 1947; Lisa Lambert was released from prison in 1997 [Lancaster That Was] | History

Excerpts and summaries of news from former Intelligencer Journal, Lancaster New Era and Sunday News magazines that focus on events in the county’s past that are noteworthy, news-worthy or just amazing.

25 years ago

On April 17, 1997, the front page of both Lancaster daily newspapers, as well as most of the pages of both Lancaster newspapers, were dominated by one story: Lisa Michelle Lambert, convicted of killing Laurie Shaw, was released from prison on US orders. District Judge Stuart Dalzel.

The 16-year-old Shaw was found dead at her home in the town of East Lampeter on the morning of December 20, 1991, lying in a pool of blood after police called it a “brutal” knife.

19-year-old Lambert, 20-year-old Lawrence Junkin and 17-year-old Tabitha Buck were arrested in the murder. Police documents allege that Lambert and Buck killed Shaw as a result of a year-long feud with Junkin, who was Lambert’s boyfriend and had previously met Shaw. .

After a high-profile trial in the murder case, Lambert was sentenced on July 20, 1992 to life in prison. Buck also received a life sentence, and Yunkin received state testimony and received a lesser sentence – 10-20 years.

Lambert repeatedly appealed her case, which eventually led to Dalzel’s decision. The judge said she was “actually innocent” of the murder and was framed by the district attorney and police.

Lancaster County residents were shocked by the ruling on the case, which has appeared in local headlines for years. But the shock was short-lived – eight months later the sentence was overturned, and Lambert resumed his sentence.

Yunkin and Buck were paroled in 2004 and 2019, respectively. Lambert remains in prison.

In the headlines:

Supporters of Franklin D. Roosevelt are seeking holiday recognition

Gaidnik’s death is being delayed by lawsuits

The troubled Apple lost $ 708 million

Check out the Intelligencer Journal of April 17, 1997 here.

50 years ago

Slippery road rains led to a bus crash on a Pennsylvania highway that killed four people and injured more than 40 on April 16, 1972.

The chartered tour bus was traveling to Cleveland after sending a church group to Philadelphia during the day. When the driver tried to brake suddenly to avoid hitting two stopped cars, the bus skidded into the middle barrier, then bounced back across the roadway before falling off a 40-foot embankment and landing on the roof.

About a dozen passengers were thrown out of the bus windows. Most of the victims were treated and released, but four remained in hospital the next day.

In the headlines:

Rogers says the U.S. will not allow it to seize S. Viet by force

The protective paint peels off from the lunar lander

Chinese pandas have arrived at the Washington Zoo

Check out April 17, 1972, The New Era of Lancaster here.

75 years ago

From 1942 to 1945, no new American cars were produced, as all production efforts and raw materials were directed to military action.

However, after World War II, Americans wanted new cars, and manufacturers supplied them in large quantities.

And advertising for these new models began to appear in Lancaster’s newspapers. For example, on April 17, 1947, an advertisement for the new Studebaker stated, “You see more … you get more … in the exciting new post-war Studebaker.”

Under the photo of the latest model among young couples advertised the benefits of a new car: from a luxurious interior to “self-adjusting brakes” to “ultra-large windows”.

These “brand new post-war dream machines” were available from four dealers in Lancaster County – two in the city, one in the Euphrates and one in Rome.

In the headlines:

Fear 1,200 people killed in blast / Texas City hit by 2 new blasts early today

On Tuesday, the Senate will vote on aid to Greece and Turkey

The convict successfully undergoes surgery to stop a criminal habit

Check out the Intelligencer Journal of April 17, 1947 here.

100 years ago

The obituary on the front page was given to Thomas Gilgor, who worked as a herald in the Lancaster County Courthouse shortly before his death at age 77.

Gilgor was a well-known figure in the courthouse, not just as a court cry, a position he held at age 72 after several years as a bailiff. Prior to that, he had worked for many years as a court librarian, in a position where, according to Lancaster Intelligencer, “he had an excellent performance record”.

In addition to working in the courthouse, Gilgor was active in various community organizations, especially in veteran groups, as he was a Civil War veteran.

In the headlines:

A German-Russian agreement was signed during the talks in Genoa

Many die as a result of the tornado that engulfs Illinois

Check out the Lancaster Intelligencer of April 17, 1922 here.