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Blair County Newspaper Articles

News, obituaries, birth, marriage and death notices, by date.

Items from The Altoona Tribune, Altoona, Pa.,

Thursday, June 7, 1877

LOCAL NEWS.

OUR CHIP BASKET.

Springfield furnace is again in blast.

Davis L. Wray has been appointed postmaster at Antistown.

Ebensburg has a $50 forgery case on hand. Developments are awaited.

John A. Graham, of West Huntingdon, has become insane from religious excitement.

J. D. Hicks, Esq., of Tyrone was admitted last week to practice in the Supreme Court.

The Standard has been indulging a removal to new quarters this week, hence no paper.

A large black bear is frequently seen at the foot of the mountains above Franklin Forge.

The district stewards of Juniata district have fixed the salary of their presiding elder at $2,000.

The Cambria county Democratic delegate elections will take place on the 7th of July, and the convention on the 9th.

Hon. Benj. L. Hewit, of Hollidaysburg, was, on Monday, admitted to practice in the U. S. District Court, Pittsburgh.

The difficulty noticed in these columns between several of our Hebrew fellow citizens is likely to be amicably settled.

A mine of mineral paint has been discovered on the farm of Thomas R. Williams in Cambria township, Cambria county.

Edward A. Jaggard, son of Mr. Clement Jaggard of this city, won the gold medal in the oratorical contest at Dickinson College.

It is predicted that the prosecution of Baker will not amount to much, but will end in a grand blackmailing raid upon individuals.

At a recent Sheriff's sale in Blacklick township, Cambria county, 50 logs of pine timber sold at one cent a piece. Cows were sold as low as $5.

It is not generally known that persons who take letters from the post office belonging to other parties and fail to return them are liable to a fine of $500.

The Mirror's table of election returns is a fearful jumble. The idea of East Tyrone polling 130 votes on District Attorney, and only 19 on the other offices!

Saw mill No. 1, belonging to Hoover, Harris & Co., situate near Philipsburg, was destroyed by fire on Friday morning. Loss $20,000, insurance $11,200.

Mrs. Auker, charged with keeping a disorderly house on Fourth avenue, was before the Mayor on Friday, who held her in $500 bail to answer at the July term.

The district stewards of the Altoona district will meet in Clearfield at 1 o'clock, P. M. on Tuesday, June 19, to fix the salary of the presiding elder of the district for the ensuing year.

The Lewistown Gazette says: Glammorgan furnace is again under full headway, turning out more metal per day than usual, and what is of more importance meeting a ready sale for it.

Orbisonia's solitary policeman gets a salary of $6 per month, and Huntingdon's $75 a year. And now Orbisonia envies Huntingdon's liberality, and calls the salary it pays "magnificent."

Joseph Brandt, of Puzzletown, while sawing a piece of timber recently, slipped, and the saw striking him on the thumb of his left hand at the second joint disjointed it and severed all the ligaments.

Israel Moyer while peeling bark in Licking Creek, bounding Mifflin and Juniata counties, recently captured alive a pair of young wild cats. They were in a tree which he cut down, and are about four weeks old.

"Poor old Jimmy Walls," now an inmate of the Huntingdon almshouse, has become quite frail in body and mind, and bitterly recounts the wrongs and woes which he has suffered at the hands of his fellow man.

By a recent decision of the Supreme Court constables and other parties conveying paupers to almshouses are only entitled to six cents per mile for such services. In some counties the charges have been fifteen cents circular.

Jacob Shoop, of Shade Gap, in his 90th year, Mrs. Isabella Williamson in her 87th, and Mrs. Eve Nightwine, in her 78th year, both of Huntingdon, are the old people who figure in the necrology of that county the past month.

Some egregious ass sends the Globe a letter threatening to burn down the city, beginning at the First National Bank. The fellow who would proclaim in advance such a diabolical intention is too cowardly to do the act without the aid of bad whisky.

At the Knights Templar conclave in Lancaster last week, it was decided to hold the next annual conclave of the Grand Commandery in this city, on the 28th, 29th, 30th and 31st of May, 1878. Mountain Commandery No. 10, of this city, was represented at Lancaster with 45 uniformed men.

"An Engineer" in the Globe attempts to prove too much when he says they "are not making more than sixteen to twenty days per month." He shows by it that the railroad company has more engineers in its employ than it needs, and retains them out of consideration of the hard times. By resistance to reduction, what would be the result, and how would their condition be improved ?

A fight on Tenth avenue was one of the pleasant pastimes Tuesday evening, and the arrest of two of Hollidaysburg's high-toned young men, named Robison and Locke, for disorderly conduct on the street, the unusual excitement. They were fined $11.50 and reprimanded by the Mayor and permitted to depart homeward in peace, sadder if not wiser young bloods.

PAY SOMETHING. - Men who are in the receipt of small wages, and are unfortunate enough to be in debt, should make it a point of honor, as it certainly is good policy, to pay a little of the indebtedness off every week or month, as they may happen to receive their wages. For want of this simple plan thousands are forever in debt. A false shame deters them from tendering a dollar towards ten; they resolve to put it by until they can discharge the whole; some trifling luxury tempts them, before which, not only their resolve, but their money wastes away, and they in time become habituated to the system of debt contracting without any thought or care as to how they are to extricate themselves. This is radically wrong and dishonest, and all good citizens should try to reform it by rendering a fair division.

DECORATION DAY. - The twelfth observance of the anniversary of this day of hallowed memories was this year more general in this city than ever before. It was a sincere demonstration, bereft of the asperities which marked the years immediately following the close of the war. It was well planned and successfully carried out, reflecting just credit upon those who were chiefly engaged in making the display the success it was. The weather was all that could be desired, and business was pretty generally suspended throughout the city. The thousands that lined the streets and crowded the summit of Cemetery Hill, attested the absence of hostile memories. The beauty and fitness of the practice, in this season of flowers, of decking the graves of our gallant dead, is apparent, and we trust its observance will grow in the affections of the people from year to year and be handed down to the remotest generation.

Blest are the martyred dead who lie
In holy graves for freedom won;
Whose storied deeds shall never die
While coming years their circles run.

Blest be the ground where heroes sleep,
And blest the flag that o'er them waves;
Its radiant stars their watch shall keep,
And brightly beam on hallowed graves.

While freedom lives, their fame shall live
In glory on her blazing scroll,
And love her sacrifice shall give,
While anthems round the altar roll.

Year after year our hands shall bear
Immortal flowers in vernal bloom,
Till God shall call us home to share
Immortal life beyond the tomb.

At an early hour the participants in the ceremonies of decoration began to assemble at the City Building, corner of Thirteenth avenue and Twelfth street. At 9.15 the line was formed, and at 9.30 it moved, as follows:

Chief Marshal.
Major John R Garden.
Assistant Marshals.
Col. David Jones and Capt. Geo. B. Hite. Bugler.
Hagan Eckels, mounted.
Drum Corps.
J. M. Connelly, leader; carrying a beautiful flag, 7 pieces.
Latta Guard.
Theodore Burchfield, Captain; D. H. Munson, Second Lieutenant; 40 men.
Barouche containing Orator, Chaplain and reader of the poem.
Altoona City Band.
J. L. Neff, Leader; 18 pieces.
Mayor.
His Honor David A. Gilland.
Members of City Council.
A. G. Sink, Marshal; 7 men.
Committee of 30 ladies.
Choir.
R. B. Mahaffey, leader; 18 members.
Old Soldiers.
Capt. Richard J. Crozier, Marshal; 35 men; many were scattered through the procession.
Mountain City Band.
Aaron Fyler, leader; 15 pieces.
Junior Order U. A. M.
Cloyd Kerlin, First Marshal; John Parker, Second Marshal; carried two beautiful flags; 70 men.
Second Presbyterian Sunday-school.
Harry Slep, Chief Marshal; Judge C. J. Mann, Assistant Marshal; 228 scholars and teachers.
First Methodist Sunday-school.
James Barger, Marshal; 175 scholars and teachers.
German Lutheran Sunday-school.
Henry Husfield, Marshal; one flag ; 98 scholars and teachers.
Third Methodist Sunday-school.
A. C. Lytle Marshal; flags in profusion; 180 scholars and teachers.
Twelfth street Mission-school.
Geo. Reeves, Marshal; flag, banner and two floral crosses; 65 scholars and teachers.
Second Lutheran Sunday-school.
Charles Geesey, Marshal; 111 scholars and teachers.
United Brethren Sunday-school.
P. M. Smith, Marshal; 200 scholars and teachers.
Logan Battery.
George Hoeffler, Captain; John Lafferty First Lieutenant; cannon drawn by 6 horses; beautiful flag; 25 mounted men.

The line passed down Twelfth street to Eleventh avenue and halted in front of the Young America clothing house, where Col. David Jones presented to the Second Presbyterian Sunday-school, it having in the procession a larger number of members than any other school, the beautiful banner offered by the Messrs. Rosenthal. The banner is of heavy blue silk, bordered with gilt fringe, three by three and a half feet, attached at the top to a roller tipped at each end by handsomely gilt acorns and bearing the inscription in gold "Banner School, Altoona, Pa." Mr. Harry Slep, of the Mirror, received the banner on behalf of the school in a neat speech. The line then moved forward up Eleventh street to Chestnut avenue, down Chestnut avenue to Ninth street, and thence to Fairview Cemetery. When the head of the procession reached the Soldiers' Monument in the Cemetery, the rear rested on Lexington avenue. Entering the gates of the Cemetery the drum corps of the Latta Guards played the Dead March. The Altoona City Band discoursed a choice selection, and Rev. M. K. Foster offered a prayer. An ode, "Reverence the Dead," was sung, and in a few appropriate remarks the orator of the day was introduced to the vast throng by Robert Johnson. The orator was F. P. Tierney, Esq., who made a very appropriate address, acquitting himself in a handsome manner.

The Mountain City Band then rendered a piece of music, when the Committee of ladies strewed the flowers on the graves of the soldiers, the choir meantime singing the "Soldiers' Decoration Hymn." Music by the Altoona Band, followed by the choir singing "No More the Bugle's Stirring Blast." Then came an original poem by Harry L. Woods, local editor of the Mirror, which was very suitable to the occasion, and reflected credit on the poetical genius of our young Bohemian friend.

At the conclusion of the reading of the poem, more music was rendered by the Mountain City Band, when the benediction was pronounced by Rev. M. Spangler, of the U. B. Church. After the ceremonies in Fairview Cemetery the line formed and moved down Ninth street to Eighth avenue, up Eighth avenue to Twelfth street, where it disbanded. A committee of five old soldiers then proceeded to the Catholic and Colored Cemeteries, where the ceremonies of the decoration was performed over the graves of the dead braves lying therein.

ACTION OF THE MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION.

Subsequently a meeting of the Memorial Association was held in the Council Chamber, at which Major R. J. Crozier presided. Lieutenant D. H. Munson read the minutes of last meeting which on motion were approved. On motion a committee of three was appointed, consisting of Major G. F. Dern, Edmund Shaw, and Mayor D. A. Gilland, to convey thanks to all organizations and associations and to all parties who so kindly took part in the ceremonies of the day. The committee made the following report, which on motion was received and the committee discharged:

Resolved, That the thanks of the Association be and the same is hereby extended to the different speakers; to ministers of the different churches; to the Sabbath-schools participating in the procession; the civic and military organizations; to the Altoona Cornet Band; to the Mountain City Band; to Prof. Mahaffey and his musical class for furnishing instrumental and vocal music; to J. B. Hileman, Esq., for carriage for use of speaker; to D. O. Alexander for use of organ; to E. B. Tipton, Esq., for lumber furnished; to I. & D. Rosenthal, esqrs. for banner presented to the Sunday-school in the procession furnishing the largest number of scholars; to all the ladies of the city for flowers, etc., used in decorating the graves, and to all other citizens of the city and vicinity who contributed to the success of the occasion.

[Signed.] D. A. GILLAND, G. F. DERN, E. SHAW.

The business of the old year having been concluded, on motion an election was held, and the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: President, Richard Crozier; Vice President, D. A. Jones; Secretary, D. B. Munson; Treasurer, H. B. Huff; Ex. Committee, Col. F. B. Stewart, Capt. Charles Coplain, Maj. G. F. Dern, Capt. E. M. Warren, Sergeant John Miller, Sergeant Edmund Shaw, Private James Burns. Speeches were made, Auld Lang Syne and other songs sung, and the meeting adjourned.

PERSONAL. - Dr. J. P. Thompson, of Williamsburg, paid us a business visit last week. We are glad to note his improved health. The Doctor is one of the enterprising citizens of that old burg.

Mr. John Anderson, of Logan township, now in his 86th year came tripping up the steps to our sanctum with the vigor of a youth of 50 years, on Saturday. He takes a lively interest in political affairs, and was a voter at the Republican primaries. He bids fair to last many years yet.

THE TEN PER CENT. REDUCTION. - During the past week two meetings have been held by the railroad employes of this city to consider the proposed ten per cent. reduction of their wages. Beyond the appointment of committees to lay their grievances before the head officials of the railroad, nothing is known of their plans and purposes. One thing appears evident: their counsels are divided. Those entertaining radical views are for resistance, while those who have discretion enough to forecast the end of such folly, are for submission to the demands of the company. The party of the first part are never safe counsellors in trying emergencies, and after getting others into a world of trouble and inflicting upon them positive injury, are the first to back out and accept a condition of affairs they were most loud in denouncing. The writer has had some experience in trades union difficulties, and has found them to be controlled by men of rash and extreme views, who could neither accomplish anything themselves, nor secure for the organization they represented any substantial recognition of their demands from employers. About all they were good for was to squander the funds, which susceptible tradesmen had placed in their hands, in riotousness and blowing.

The end of all strikes is generally humiliation and defeat. The largest and most formidable strike that ever occurred in this country was that of the moulders, yet strong as they were numerically and financially they were compelled in the end to succumb. Scarcely one strike in a hundred is successful, because of the lack of wisdom which govern the leaders. Their very indiscretions and radicalism overleap their good intentions and dooms their cause to ignominious defeat. Strikes are wrong in principle, and whether successful or unsuccessful, generally result to the disadvantage of both employes and employers - more particularly to the former.

But we have no idea that there will be any trouble from the present reduction. In view of the depression that prevails in all departments of business and industry, in every part of our country, it would be extreme folly to resist a measure the railroad company deems so necessary to its financial weal. The fact is the Pennsylvania Railroad Company could readily dispense with one-third of its employes, as the situation now stands, without detriment to its service, but prefers to retain them in its employ because of the hard times. There are thousands of men out of employment who are waiting eagerly to step into somebody's shoes. The theory that men's places cannot be filled is preposterous, and has been exploded in every labor difficulty that has ever occurred. For the time being there may be inconvenience, but as "invention is born of necessity," so difficulties between labor and capital create men suited to the hour and the emergency. At this crisis of surplus labor and general stagnation in business and industry, the number of persons who would appear on the surface adapted to the various mechanical and labor pursuits embraced either in the departments of a great corporation or of individual enterprise, would be simply astonishing. Rash and intemperate men may think differently, but history and experience prove all their arguments and theories at fault.

From all that we can learn, and from the general situation in this city, we apprehend no difficulty, and believe the reduction will be cheerfully accepted by the bulk of the railroad employes, while only a few will utter their protest against it, but will finally accept what they cannot change. A general strike would be detrimental to the city, and extremely injurious to those entering into it. The least done in that direction will be best for all parties concerned, and those who abstain from foolish acts will in the end be far richer than those who indulge in them. We regret the necessity for the reduction, and know that it bears heavily upon the laboring classes. But it is Charybdis on the one hand and Scylla on the other.

P. S. - Since writing the above we learn that the committee of the grand lodge of the National Brotherhood of Engineers, together with a large number of delegates from the Pennsylvania Central, leased lines west of Pittsburgh, and New Jersey divisions, met at the Merchants' hotel in Philadelphia, on Tuesday afternoon, and proceeded in a body to the office of the Pennsylvania Railroad, and requested an interview with Col. Scott, which was granted. The conference lasted for over an hour, during which the question of reduction was freely discussed in all its bearings. At the termination of the interview the committee returned to the hotel to deliberate, and after a free discussion relative to the matter, it was resolved to accept the reduction, and Mr. Everetts and a representative of the firemen were instructed to notify President Scott of the decision arrived at, which was done immediately, and an adjournment took place.

COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS. - Council met Monday evening, twelve members being present. The Councilmen of the Eighth Ward were appointed a committee to confer with citizens and Solicitor in regard to the condition of John Tate's lot in that ward. R. Farabaugh prayed to be exempt from sewer frontage on two lots in Eighth Ward. Referred to the improvement committee. The Mayor's report showing $63.40 with Treasurer's receipt therefor, was read and filed. Treasurer Galbraith reported receipts to the amount of $883.54 from Tax Collectors. Mayor Gilland returned, approved, the Recorder ordinance. The Finance committee reported a number of matters belonging to that department. The Water Committee reported in favor of waiting until after the July interest had been paid to take action in regard to laying water pipe in Seventh ward. Estimated cost of work, $1,283.75. The Committee on City property reported building in Fourth ward not worth what it will cost to repair it. Bids were received for printing 25 copies of ordinance books and 2,000 waterworks regulations, as follows: Sun $90; TRIBUNE $68, and Mirror $60. The matter was postponed until after July. A number of orders were granted on the Treasury. The Vigilant hose was ordered to be oiled at once, and the work to be done as cheaply as possible. The Solicitor was ordered to proceed and collect by suit all claims due the city up to 1875. He was also instructed to examine and report all moneys received on account of 15th avenue between 11th and 13th streets, and all moneys paid on account of same and report at next meeting. Notice was read of $1,989.88 being due the State as tax on loans. Council will meet hereafter on the first Monday of each month. No more crossings will be laid, except those already ordered, unless ordered by Council. One night policeman will hereafter be stationed at 17th street and 11th avenue, and another at 9th avenue and 12th street. The bridge on 13th avenue between 18th and 19th streets was ordered to be put in passable condition. Adjourned.

STILL GOING UPWARD. - Not long since we made note of the fact that Mr. M. F. Harmon, appointed last fall to West Point by Hon. John Reilly, stood 42 in a class of 89 members. The June examination took place last Friday, and in the published list of classes, we find the standing of Mr. Harmon in class No. 4 (first year) to be 24, with 89 members. He will rank in the third class the coming year, and we predict he will show decided progress in the second year of his military studies, and in the end graduate not far from No. 1, if he don't grab that figure as his own.

PASSING AWAY. - There yet linger on the shores of mortality a class of old-fashioned men whose race will soon be run, and whose peculiarities of habit and costume will never be witnessed again by succeeding generations. One of these, Mr. Samuel Gensimer, passed away at his residence in Sinking Valley at 7 o'clock on Sunday evening, May 27, at the advanced age of 80 years. The Tyrone Herald says "it is something remarkable that he died just five years to the minute after his wife expired. He was buried in a suit of blue cloth, made up in the old style, with large flat brass buttons, which was presented to him about 25 years ago by Mr. John T. Mathias. The suit was almost as good when it was last put on him as it was when it came from the tailor's, he having only worn it to elections and on other special occasions." Thirty-five or forty years ago no man was properly dressed unless he had on the proverbial blue swallow-tail, ornamented with "the flat brass buttons" and a collar which taxed the energies of an old-time tailor a full day to construct. The collar on these garments was "fearfully and wonderfully made," kept their shape amid all the mutations of several decades, and in connection with the old-fashioned pews in the churches, formed a kind of pillow for the head, and thus enabled the weary occupant of the standard blue to snooze away while the minister entered upon sixteenthly of his elucidation of free grace. One of the old timers, dressed in the costume of more than a quarter of a century ago becomes at once the cynosure of all modern eyes when he appears in public, and is as much of a curiosity as a menagerie to the present generation; yet the wearer of it is just as happy in that garb as the individual attired in the latest and most fashionable cut. But they will soon be gone, and with them the odd garments they have carefully kept and worn before the present generation was born. May the end of all these quaint, frugal, honest old men be peace!

SCHOOL VISIT AND PICNIC. - On Thursday last a number of the scholars of the High School in this city, under the care of Prof. Book, wended their way to Hollidaysburg by the 9.10 A. M. branch train, with a view of paying a visit to the High School of that place, under the charge of Prof. Pinkerton. The Altoona visitors were met at the depot in Gaysport, and escorted to the room of the Hollidaysburg High School, where they were welcomed by the singing of "Happy Greeting to All." Subsequently they visited the new Court-house, jail, and other points of interest about the county capital, and then the entertainers and the entertained hied themselves to Dell Delight. Here was spread in the grove an elegant and sumptuous dinner, which was greatly enjoyed by the party. After the customary enjoyments incident to such occasions, the party broke up, but not before resolutions of thanks were adopted thanking the Hollidaysburg High School for their cordial and kind reception and their splendid entertainment. The Altoonians returned to Hollidaysburg, partook of a good supper at that prince of hostelries, the Dannels House; then boarded the train for home, arriving in this city at 7.15 P. M., all highly pleased with the day's festivities and the social acquaintances formed.

STRONG TESTIMONY. - At a temperance meeting held in Clearfield a few days ago, Judge Orvis, in the course of an excellent address, affirmed that of all the cases tried in the courts of that county the previous week, "two-thirds of them were directly the fruits of intoxicating liquors, and this at a cost of $1,000 a day to the county." Judge Orvis is a recent convert to the temperance cause, and being one of the Judges of that judicial district, his testimony may be taken as conclusive as to the evils arising from the sale and use of intoxicating liquors, and particularly as a potent agent in fomenting litigation. What is true in reference to litigation in Clearfield county, is doubtless true of Blair. The education of the people on the subject of intemperance, how it wastes their resources and energies, and taxes them severely and unnecessarily in the maintenance of courts, prisons, almshouse and insane asylum, should be the chief aim of all good citizens. Let the people know the truth on this matter - and the truth will work their freedom from the enslavement of rum.

LARGE SHIPMENTS OF IRON ORE. - The Bloomfield ore banks, situated in Bedford county, (Duncan estate), shipped 6,690,100 pounds of ore during the month of April, an increase of over one million pounds over any corresponding period. Three new washing machines and screens have been erected by the ore company, recently, which should double their production and shipments during May and June and through the summer months. Water is abundant to assist in preparing the raw material for the market. The Bloomfield ore is celebrated for its excellence in several respects, and has a large and profitable demand. This demand keeps up a good local tonnage on the Pennsylvania Railroad, with promising increase. The opening of a few more mines like the Bloomfield along the line of the Hollidaysburg and Morrison's Cove branch would give a large increase to the business of the company.

HAY STOLEN. - About the boldest theft that has taken place in this neighborhood for some time past, occurred on Tuesday of last week. About 11 o'clock on the day in question, a party from this city drove to the farm of Daniel Stoner, near Gardner's Mill, in Logan township, tenanted by Mr. William Coleman, entered the barn and deliberately loaded their wagon with hay and drove back to the city. A laborer working in an adjoining field observed the operation, but supposed the thieves were acting by authority. The quantity taken was all that could be conveniently piled on a one-horse spring wagon. The authors of the outrage will likely be discovered, as such inquiries are being instituted as will lead to their detection.

LEHIGH UNIVERSITY. - A copy of the Register of the Lehigh University for the year 1876-77 has been sent us. This institution is located at South Bethlehem, Pa., and was founded by Hon. Asa Packer, in 1865, who appropriated $500,000 that year for the purpose, and subsequently added 115 acres of land. The institution is open to young men of suitable talents and training from every part of our own land and of the world, for instruction in civil, mechanical and mining engineering, chemistry, metallurgy and construction. Since 1871 tuition has been declared free. Among the students from this city we find the names of B. F. Haldeman and Geo. W. Swartz.

ACCIDENTS. - Mr. Henry Miller, a brakeman, met with quite a severe accident on Wednesday, while polling cars near the Fourth street crossing. The pole dropped from the cars which he was pushing, and striking the ground violently bounded upward, striking Mr. Miller on the jaw, breaking it in two places. His injuries were dressed by the company's physicians and he was removed to his home near Fairview Cemetery. Polling or roping cars is always attended with danger, and many and severe are the accidents resulting therefrom.

On the 24 ult., while Mr. Reuben Fox, of Sinking Valley, was hauling manure with a four horse team, the team frightened, run off, and in jumping through a gate, killed one of their number, a valuable horse, and scattered things around generally.

Charles Fleming, a young man employed in the Globe office, had the misfortune to get his left hand into the machinery of the power press on Thursday morning. The result was that the index finger was cut off and the second one badly mutilated.

Mrs. William Waddle, of Tyrone, accidentally fell down a flight of stairs on the 28th ult., breaking her collar-bone.

The main shafting in the lower P. R. R. blacksmith shop broke Friday morning, compelling that particular industry, the machine and planing shop to shut down until repairs were made.

About 9 o'clock Saturday evening, while Conductor Adams was coupling the caboose car to his train at the Ninth-street crossing, by some means the thumb of his right hand was caught and badly injured, necessitating amputation at the first joint. His home is in Harrisburg whither he was sent after the physicians had dressed his injury.

At an early hour on Monday morning while Patrick Feeney, watchman at the upper shops, was descending a flight of steps in the neighborhood of the round house, the heel of his boot caught in some defect in the stairs, throwing him violently down the same. The cap of his knee was dislocated, which will probably incapacitate him from labor for some days. Mr. Feeney is a heavy weight, and when his "earthly tabernacle" falls, "great is the fall thereof." We are glad his injury, though severe, is no worse.

AN EXTRA DOSE OF MORPHIA. - On Sunday afternoon, Mr. John Hughes, a brakeman on the Middle Division, suffering from a severe headache, took a large dose of morphine. The drug was taken at the house of one John Hall, on Ninth avenue, after which Mr. Hughes returned to his boarding-house, kept by Mr. P. J. Clark on Twelfth street and Eighth avenue. Soon thereafter he began to exhibit signs of drowsiness and unconsciousness. Hughes previously told Mr. Clark what he had taken, and that gentlemen immediately summoned Dr. Wm. M. Findley to his aid. The usual remedies were applied, and the patient being kept vigorously on the move, he was shortly pronounced out of danger. Hughes told several stories, while under the influence of the drug, as to the manner in which the morphia was administered to him; but on his recovery he admitted that he took it voluntarily for the headache. His narrow escape from death should be a warning to him to leave all medicines alone of whose deadly power he is ignorant.

APPRAISING PROPERTIES. - Sheriff Stiffler and Deputy Sheriff Bobb were in the city on Tuesday conducting the appraisement of properties under the new stay law. When the properties are offered for sale they will be knocked down if they are bid up to two-thirds of their appraised value, otherwise, under certain other conditions, the sale will be stayed for one year. Below will be found the appraised value set upon them, and the names of the appraisers, who, it may be remarked, were all thoroughly competent for the task assigned them: Mrs. Minnie Devine, $3,000; John Young, $1,200; Charles Carner, $1,950; P. F. Connelly, $1,000; Pat. McDunn, $3,300; Henry Yon, $1,033; Miles McGuire, et al, $833; A. Mock, $1,950; Wesley Tate, $329; Harry Geesey and wife, $2,183; N. D. Murphy, $4,150; Thomas Hickey, $1,200. Appraisers - B. F. Stewart, G. M. Metz, James Shollenberger, Joseph Shannon, R. H. Griffin and H. N. Anderson. - Globe.

LIBEL ON OUR SCHOOLS. - A special correspondent of the Philadelphia Progress, who paid a "visit to Altoona," gets off this ill-informed paragraph relative to our public school system: The public school system of Altoona appears to be in a rather unsettled condition. The lower grade schools are undoubtedly very good, but as much cannot be said of the higher grades. Sometimes there is a High School, and sometimes not, depending very much upon who comes along to take charge of it.

The author of the above must have fallen in with an enemy of our schools while here. For years we have had in successful operation a high school, and it has never yet went a begging for a teacher, or been a source of annoyance to the directors or the city superintendent. The fact is, our schools are graded, and may be reckoned among the best in the State, considering our brief existence as a community. In this connection we would say to the Progress that the political sentiment attributed to the TRIBUNE was never printed or written by us, and is an entire perversion of what we did say and write. The correspondent also falls into other misstatements, and we advise the Progress not to bet heavily on his reliability hereafter when he essays to write on Altoona topics.

RAILROAD NOTES. - Work was commenced yesterday on 500 box cars at the lower shops.

H. W. Gwinner, Esq., General Ticket Agent of P. R. R., is pushing dishonest train agents and conductors to the wall. He proposes to make it hot for that class of persons. The other day be tripped up a conductor named Geo. W. Hoyer, running between Harrisburg and Baltimore, and about fifty tickets good between those cities, Harrisburg and York and York and Baltimore were found in the hands of a friend of the conductor, also a resident of Harrisburg, who sold the tickets at prices ranging from $1.50 to $2.

"Pushers" have been put on different trains on the western end of the Pennsylvania Railroad. Owing to the press of local travel the regular conductors have great difficulty in collecting all the tickets, and the pushers commence at the rear of the train on leaving the Pittsburgh depot and go through until they meet the regular conductor, and then hand over the tickets to him and get off the train at East Liberty. They come back on the next train, performing the same duties in the same manner.

HIGH SCHOOL EXAMINATION. - The examination of the graduating class, in the elementary course of the Altoona High School, was held on Friday and Saturday. The course includes orthography, etomology [etymology], reading, writing, geography, English grammar, Caesar, history and Constitution of the U.S., drawing, physiology, natural philosophy, arithmetic, algebra and geometry. The members of the class are Allie Shew, Jessie Custer, Albert Leisenring, Graham Anderson, Theodore Hamilton and Milton Crosthwaite. The report of the examination, which was very creditable, was announced to the class at the close of the examination on Saturday noon, and resulted in Albert Leisenring standing first, and Allie Shew second. The commencement exercises of the class will take place in the Opera House, on the evening of June 12. - Mirror.

ICE HOUSE BURNED. - The large ice house of Mr. E. L. Lewis, situated at the Bennington bridge, near Hollidaysburg, was destroyed by fire between 12 and 1 o'clock on Monday morning. A portion of the roof of the bridge was also burned off, and two freight cars standing on the siding were also slightly damaged. The fire is supposed to be the work of an incendiary. Mr. Lewis only last week placed $1,000 insurance on the building. Much of the ice will be saved.

POPULATION OF ALTOONA. - Those who have been engaged for some time past canvassing for the new City Directory, also interested themselves in taking the census of the city. The last census was taken in 1875, and then gave a population of 15,329. The census as just taken for 1877, shows a population of 16,954, an increase of 1,625 in two years. This speaks well for us, considering the depression in business and industry which has existed in our midst since the fall of 1873.

REPUBLICAN COUNTY COMMITTEE. - The following were elected delegates for the Republican County Committee:

Antis - N. P. Ramsey, W. A. Lytle.
Altoona, 1st Ward - F. B. Stewart, Geo. M. Metz: 2d Ward - Wm. Fox, S. S. Thompson; 3d Ward - W. Lee Woodcock, M. Alexander; 4th Ward - H. B. Kendig, J. McCloskey; 5th Ward - D. Orr Alexander. J. H. Irwin; 6th Ward - J. J. Canan, W. T. Howard; 7th Ward - R. McGill, L. Holtzinger; 8th Ward - I. C. Parsons, J. C. Rickabaugh.
Allegheny - Martin Gates, A. W. Black.
Blair - David Hamilton, S. K. Patterson.
Bennington - Thos. Lego, Saml. Stemer.
Catharine - Adam L. Hare, G. W. Reed.
E. Tyrone - A. C. Budd, James Attig.
Freedom - Ed. Butler, David Moses.
Frankstown - Wm. McKipple, J. B. Harpster.
Greenfield - John W. Johnson, John I. Hoover.
Gaysport - John Teeters, Harry A. Miller.
Huston - J. H. Clapper, S. B. Isenberg.
Hollidaysburg, 1st Ward - John G. Reed, D. M. Sellers; 2d Ward - W. C. Roller, J. I. Brotherline; 3d Ward - James Rogers, Gilbert L. Holliday; 4th Ward - J. F. Milliken, John McClure.
Juniata - G. P. Kelly, Jos. Helsel.
Logan - G. T. Bell, E. S. Hall.
Newry - M. F. Black, A. B. Knox.
Martinsburg - S. B. Zimmerman, W. Knee.
N. Woodberry - J. S. Nicodemus, A. W. Nicodemus.
Snyder - Geo. W. Merryman, John Sample.
Taylor - R. S. Hoover, E. Z. Kagarice.
Tyrone, 1st Ward - John Elliott, Saml. McCamant; 2d Ward - Wm. Riddle, C. S. W. Jones; 3d Ward - John H. Burley, John A. Hiller; 4th Ward - W. H. Nevling, W. S. Hoar.
Tyrone Township - Thomas Coleman, Wm. M. Morrow.
Woodberry - Elliott Johnson, John W. Swartz.

The committee will meet in Hollidaysburg on Saturday next, 9th inst., for the purpose of organization. It is hoped there may be a full turn out.

MOUNTAIN SEMINARY. - The commencement exercises of this institution of learning, located at Birmingham, Huntingdon county, will take place June 13, 1877. The following is the programme:

PART 1.
Prayer.
Chorus - Night's Shade no Longer - Rossini.
Vocal Solo - Infelice - Mendelssohn. Miss Edith Gregg.
Vocal Solo - Rose-Bush - Hodges. Miss Bessie Myers.
Piano Solo - Rhapsodie Hongroise, No. 14 - Liszt. Mr. G. F. Land.

PART II.
Address - Rev. A. A. Willits, D. D.
Vocal Duet - I Would That My Love - Mendelssohn. Misses Gregg and Myers.
Overture - William Tell - Rossini. Messrs. Lane and M'Camant, Misses Jackson and Roberts.
Benediction.

Pacific Express west will stop at Birmingham June 13.

MARRIED.

GREEN - RHODES - May 30, by Rev. J. W. Leckie, J. B. Green to Miss Fanny Rhodes, both of Altoona.

DIED.

BARR - In this city, May 30, William Barr, aged 55 years and 4 months.

REIFSNYDER - In this city, May 31, Mrs. Clara W., wife of Le Baron Reifsnyder, in the 30th year of her age.

IRWIN - At Bell's Mills, on the 27th ult., Frank Howard Irwin, aged 17 years, 7 months and 26 days.

The subject of the above notice was a youth of excellent character and fair promise. His modest and unselfish bearing commended him to his acquaintances, and he had many friends. He was a consistent and exemplary member of the Presbyterian Church. His early death is sincerely lamented. His remains were followed to the grave by a large number of relatives and friends, amidst many expressions of sorrow and regret.

Altoona Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Thursday, June 7, 1877, page 3