If you are looking for local stories that include a witch trial on Twelve Mile Island and a baby who put more miles on his cradle than Moses on the Nile, you'll find them in Gary Rogers' "Tales from Our Towns, Volume II."

In the book, subtitled, "People, Places and Events Forgotten by the History Books," Mr. Rogers, a Plum resident, brings to life stories -- and lore -- from the Allegheny Valley that most people have heard only around the dinner table.

That is how Mr. Rogers, 52, a General Mills sales representative and part-time historian, got started.

"The Oakmont Fresh Air Home" tells the story of a retreat in Oakmont for poor children from Pittsburgh that operated from 1886 to 1936. It was built on 2.5 acres between Ninth and Tenth streets along Delaware Avenue to allow underprivileged children a chance to experience the country.

Mr. Rogers' grandparents lived next to the home and told him stories about it. That led to research and the first story in his latest book.

"The Little Survivor" is the tale of a baby who was swept away in his cradle during the 1889 Johnstown Flood. He was carried down three rivers and 60 miles to Verona, where he was rescued and eventually placed in a Pittsburgh storefront museum/freak show.

The story came to light because of a one-sentence reference to the child in David McCullough's work on the Johnstown Flood.

"I've got my ear out for something interesting," Mr. Rogers said, adding that he uses old newspapers and books to follow up on local tales.

His most recent book is his fifth. He started as a co-author on "Images of America, Oakmont," which was published in 2003 and is still available.

Mr. Rogers said he has always been interested in history, particularly local history, and his maternal grandparents were a tremendous influence on his appreciation of that subject.

He is related to the Bright family, original settlers of the Oakmont area. His grandfather lived in Oakmont from 1908 to 1980 and saw a lot of changes in the town.

The stories told by his grandparents made history personal and allowed him to identify with it. Mr. Rogers started collecting old pictures of the area.

In 2002, Oakmont Carnegie Library asked to use his photos, then asked him to serve as one of the authors on the "Images" book.

Mr. Rogers said he mainly performed research on identifying the photos and, in the process, uncovered stories. He made note of them, which resulted in "Tales from our Town, Volume I." That book, published in 2005, is no longer in print.

Mr. Rogers said he received positive response from the first book and had stories that he hadn't been able to include. Thus, Volume II was born.

It can be purchased at the Oakmont Street Sale on Saturday at Oakmont Carnegie Library or Plum Senior Center. The cost is $10. Proceeds, after self-publishing costs, will go to the library and senior center.

Mr. Rogers said the Allegheny Valley is full of history, and he tries to find stories people don't know about.

One of them is about Father Piscopo, a descendant of royalty who donated $25,000 to purchase 22 acres on the Oakmont hilltop to start St. Anthony Orphanage, which closed in 1953. Upon his death, he bequeathed valuable books and artwork to the orphanage, which never have been found.

Mr. Rogers stumbled upon this story while researching a fire that was supposed to have occurred at the orphanage.

As for the witch trial, the next time you drive over the Hulton Bridge toward Harmar, look down at the river. That is Twelve Mile Island. What happened there is described in the book.

Mr. Rogers finds history entertaining and enjoyable. Curiosity plays a big role in his work. When he sees or hears something that most people would let pass, he always thinks, "There's gotta be a story behind that."

To that end, he encourages people to write down their experiences when growing up.

"Your memories become history," Mr. Rogers said. "That's what history is all about."

To contact Mr. Rogers, e-mail oakmonthistory@gmail.com.

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