Mercer County PAGenWeb




The Sharon-Herald
Excerpts
December 29, 1899
Page 3

BRIEFLY TOLD

The public schools will reopen Tuesday morning.

A farmers' institute will be held at Hadley, January 10-11.

Irvine Fell, of Orangeville, has been granted a divorce from Lizzie Fell. Judge Gilmer, of the Trumbull county courts, granted the decree on the ground of willful absence for more than three years.

About 40 citizens of Meadville and vicinity have petitioned Congress through Congressman Gaston, for a cessation of war in the Philippines. That is a petition to which Aguinaldo would be glad to subscribe. - Jamestown Journal.

P.C. Hayes, the Burghill auctioneer, reports a public sale which shows a gratifying condition of affairs. At this sale the receipts, over $800, were all paid in cash, not a single man asking for time on his purchase. - Warren Tribune.

Mr. J. S. Hoffman, the chicken fancier of this place, won three prizes with his White Plymouth Rocks, at the Meadville Fanciers’ Club exhibition last week. The entries in this class numbered 149, and Mr. Hoffman secured first, second and fourth prizes.

The entire debt on St. John’s Episcopal church was liquidated at the Christmas services. The balance amounted to about $5,000. It is expected that the church will be consecrated as soon as the necessary arrangements can be made with Bishop Cortlandt Whitehead.

We thought when a Crawford county farmer sold a steer for over a hundred dollars that he was getting quite a good price, but we see he wasn’t in it with the prices realized at Chicago last week. Several car loads were sold at $8.25 per hundred pounds live weight, bringing an average of S126.72 per head. The Western Crawford steer at that price would have brought over $130.— Conneautville Courier.

The directors of the Bell telephone company will hold a meeting in February in Pittsburgh to vote on the increase of the capital stock from $4,000,000, to $7,500,000. The entire increase will be expended in extending and improving the company’s telephone service, and more than $2,000,000 will be expended in Pittsburgh. Almost $1,000,000 will be set aside for the purchase of real estate and the erection of buildings alone.

Christmas day was a happy one for the children of the Odd Fellows’ home, says the Meadville Tribune, and of the 54 all but two were present to mingle in the Christmas exercises. During the forenoon a large Christmas tree was put in place in the playroom and trimmed. The gifts contributed by friends of the home were placed on the tree, and it presented a fine appearance. In the afternoon the children gave a musical and literary entertainment, conducted by Superintendent C. C. West.  Among the donations was a check for $120 from Oil City lodge, No. 589.

A bill has been introduced in Congress to empower the Lake Erie & Ohio River Ship Canal Company to conduct a ship canal 15 feed deep from Pittsburgh to some point in Lake Erie, following in general the Ohio, Beaver and Mahoning rivers in Pennsylvania, and the Mahoning river in Ohio to a point near Niles, and thence ortherly to the most accessible harbor on Lake Erie between the Pennsylvania and Ohio lines and the mouth of the Grand in Ohio, also to construct a branch canal from the mouth of the Shenango river in Pennsylvania, and along the river to Greenville. Also a branch along the Mahoning river from Niles to Warren.

Election of Officers
The following officers for Sharon Circle No. 1, P.H.C. [Protected Home Circle], were elected at a meeting held on Monday evening: President, Miss Gertrude McKay; vice president, L. M. Tittaler; guardian, L. R. Rankin; chaplain, Blanche Jones; secretary, W. Whitehead; treasurer, C. M. Ohl, accountant, W. A. McKnight; guide, Chas. Hayes; companion, Kate Hynd; porter, Uriah McKay; watchman, George Cartwright; medical examiners, Drs. Mitchell and Tinker, trustee, J. W Mason. Representatives to Grand Circle, John E. Harris, J. W. Mason, W. A. McKnight, Irvine Hyde, Thos. A. Harris, Fred Patterson, F. B. Gilbert, C. M. Ohl, J. M. Evans, Walter Whitehead, P. D. Stratton and W. S. Palmer.

Officers for Sharon Court, No. 13, Tribe of Ben Hur, have been elected as follows: Chief, Amos Lowndes; judge, George Powell; teacher, Jennie Powell; scribe, M. H. Davis; keeper of tribute, Mary Nikirk; guide, Thos. Donahoo; captain, Jos. Powell; keeper of inner gate, John Burke; keeper of outer gate, Celia Davis.

Hospital Report
The annual report of the Christian H. Buhl hospital has been forwarded to the State Board of Charities. There were 215 patients admitted during 1899, an increase of 70 over the admissions during 1898. Of this number, 70 medical cases recovered, 14 improved, 2 unimproved, 5 died and 2 remain in the hospital; 94 surgical cases recovered, 11 improved, 1 unimproved, 8 died and 8 remain in the hospital. Prescriptions given to patients during the year amounted to 317 and the aggregate number of days patients were supported in the institution was 4,411. The average cost per week for each patient was $10.

A fine tile floor has been laid in the operating room, which was also otherwise repaired, and hand grendates [grenades] procured to guard against fire. Other repairs were also made.

Sharon Iron Works Store Sold
The Sharon Iron Works Store, one of the oldest mercantile establishments in this place, was sold on Saturday to M. Fitzpatrick, the dry goods merchant. The purchase also includes the building. The consideration is private. Mr. Fitzpatrick will take possession of the store on Monday and about April 1 will remove the stock in his present store to the new quarters.  The entire stock of the Iron Works Store will be closed out and when the new store opens it will be one of the largest department stores in Western Pennsylvania.

PERSONAL AND SOCIAL
Mr. P.S. Smith, of Brookfield, visited friends in Meadville this week.
Miss Kim Curry, of this place, visited friends in Meadville last week.
Miss Millie Boyer, of Meadville, is spending the holidays with friends in Sharon.
Miss Lou Stambaugh, a teacher in the public schools of Youngstown, visited friends in Sharon last week.
Miss Mary Riddell, Oakland avenue, is visiting her uncle, Mr. Daniel Eagan, and family, of Philadelphia.
Mr. and Mrs. E. D. McKeefrey, of Leetonia, visited the latter’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Spearman, East Hill, this week.
Mr. Russell Williamson, of Buffalo, spent Christmas with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. R. Williamson, south Main street, returning home on Wednesday.
Mr. and Mrs. D.A. Smith and son, Harold, of Pittsburgh, are spending the holidays with Mrs. Smith’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. John McDowell, River street.
C.C. Marshall, of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, and Glenn Carley, of Yale college, are spending the holiday vacation with their parents in this place.
Dr. B. B. Snodgrass, son of Rev. M. J. Snodgrass, of West Middlesex, will locate in Jamestown, Mercer county, January 1. He has been practicing in Eau Claire, Butler county, for the past year.
Miss Mary Schilling, of this place, and Mr. George Sturgis, of Sharpsville, were married on Monday. The ceremony was performed at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Schilling, south Main street.
Mrs. George Duer, a widely known resident of Hubbard, died suddenly Monday night, of heart disease. She was 55 years of age and is survived by her husband, two brothers and one sister.
Miss Mary Knapp, of Sharpsville, and Mr. James Steese, of Lisbon, Ohio, were married at the residence of Father J.P. Mc Closkey, in the former place, on Christmas. They will reside in Lisbon, where the groom is engaged in the hotel business with his father, William Steese.
Mr. Fred Stephens, of Muncie, Indiana, a former resident of Sharon, was married to a prominent young lady of the former place, Thursday, at high noon.  Mr. Stephens is a son of Manager John Stephens, of the Midland Steel Co., at Muncie, who at one time held a like position at the Sharon Iron Works.
Prof. and Mrs. M.H. Matthews and son, of Salem, Ohio, who had been visiting relatives near Sharon, returned home on Thursday. Prof. Matthews, who is principal of the Salem Business College, has been appointed a bookkeeper in the naval service and will leave soon for Manila, The salary attached to the position is $1,200 a year.
John L. Allen, of Butler, a former Sharon boy, has been appointed as undertaker and assistant to Solon F. Massey, superintendent of the burial corps for Cuba and Porto [Puerto] Rico for the purpose of interring and preparing shipment to the United States the remains of soldiers buried there.  The salary will be $125 month, with expenses not to exceed $3 a day.  The expedition will leave New York about January 3.  Mr. Allen is a son of John Allen, West Hill, and has many friends who are pleased to learn of his good fortune.
Victor M. Delamater, of Sharon returned home Sunday after a brief visit with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. G. B. Delamater, on Walnut street.  Mr. Delamater is secretary of the Sharon Steel Company, a concern capitalized at $3,000,000 and which is building an immense plant about one mile from Sharon.  The company has 700 acres of land and is putting in a plant which will employ in the neighborhood of 2,500 workmen. A force of 400 men are now at work on the foundations and the plant is expected to be in operation by next September. -  Meadville Tribune.
 Ed T. Stevenson left today for a short visit to his mother, Mrs. T. J. Gillespie, in Sharon, and will return the latter part of the week, when he will depart for Lewisburg, Pa., to enter Bucknell University The News force send their heart felt wishes along with Ed, and we can truthfully say no one has ever occupied a place on the paper who was more entitled to the esteem of the force than he. We look for a bright future for him. As the Dominie in “Beside the Bonnie Brier Bush” would say, he is “a lad o’ pairts” - -  one of the sort who will make a name for himself if it is in the timber.  - Franklin News.

Extending the Rose Brick Works
James Rose, proprietor of the Rose brick works, on the Sharon road, has recently purchased of Geo. Baker, 40 acres of land lying south of the brick works, for which, it is said, he paid $85 per acre.

Mr. Rose is now at work erecting two mammoth kilns which will add to the capacity about 400.000 daily. His output now is in the neighborhood of 200.000 daily and is not sufficient to supply the demand. It is said that on one order alone he delivers daily about 30,000.

Mr. Rose is known throughout a large territory as a manufacturer of fine brick, he having the faculty of knowing just how to make them right, and his additional capacity will enable him to more promptly meet the demands.

Sharon is growing out this way and his purchase of land there is considered a good move. The new street car line which is to be built from Youngstown to Sharon next spring will very likely go past his property, it being the most direct route to Sharon, as well as being near the new steel plant now in course of construction, and it is thought by some that a number of dwelling houses will be built in that section. - Hubbard Enterprise.

B. and L Associations
The Sharon Building and Loan Association will meet at the office of Secretary Williams next Tuesday evening.
The advantages of these associations to the wage earner are thus noted by an exchange: Every year the building associations of the State of Pennsylvania pay to their members over twenty millions of dollars In withdrawals and matured share money This money and its profits are not the result of speculation in any form. There is, of course, always some risk, but the money received from time to time not invested in merchandise; ii is not deposited anywhere on margins, it goes into what the managers of these institutions believe to be good real estate. Some times these investments bring about losses, resulting from genuine depreciation of real estate values and from accidents, or objectionable structures being erected in residence neighborhoods. As to speculation, however these societies do not even approve of its shadow. They do not reap great gains for their members, but they help their associates to save something out of the wages of every week, and when the withdrawal day comes, or the period of maturity arrives, the member honestly proclaims the fact that all the money he receives is equal to a profit, for without the building association he would not have been the owner of anything.

When business is prosperous and the people are actively employed earning wages, the promoter is on hand with his schemes, good and bad. The wage earner is quite as likely to be induced to be come a partner in a bad scheme as in a good one. The good from the bad can only be determined on the day of reckoning, and it is a question whether the wage earner, who had dependents to support, has a right to take any venturesome risks. We think it good advice to urge wage earners to save a little out of each week’s wages. They any never become millionaires, but they have the opportunity of becoming rich in the sense that they are not spending as much as they earn. The man who has $100 and has no place for it may be justified in risking one-half of that sum, but the person who has $50 and can see $100 of necessary expenditures in the near future, should never be guilty of joining doubtful adventures. Beware of speculating with wage savings.

Kimberly-Byers Suit
An affidavit of defense has been filed in the case of Peter L. Kimberly, of Sharon, against Alexander M. Byers, of Pittsburgh, an action to recover nearly $100,000, growing out of a mining stock transaction. The plaintiff alleged in his statement of claim that on August 8, 1897, he owned 2876 shares of Chapin mining stock, worth $25 a share. The stock was hypothecated to and held by M A Hanna & Co., to secure certain advances made to the plaintiff.

Kimberly claims he made an arrangement to get a loan from Byers with the understanding that he would redeem the stock and make it over to Byers as security for his indebtedness to the defendant. He got $25,000 and certificates for the stock were forwarded to Byers. He now claims that Byers received $31,638.75 in dividends on the stock and that he subsequently sold the stock for $343,554.69. Mr. Kimberly admits owing Byers $277,683.33, but claims that the defendant having received $375,193.44 for the stock and dividends still owes him $97,510.11.

In the affidavit of defense Mr. Byers admits the transaction up to a certain point. He denies that the $25,000 given Kimberly on August 8,1897, was a loan, but says that he purchased the stock outright for that sum; that he paid Kimberly the money and got the certificates, He denies his liability to the plaintiff, but says that Kimberly is indebted to him in the sum of $280,108.33, arising out of four notes.

A replication has also been filed by the plaintiff in which he denies that he sold the stock to Byers for $25,000.

MERCER

Dec. 27— The work of court was quickly concluded on Wednesday last, the two cases to be heard then resulting as follows:
The case of Alex. McDowell vs. John and M.V. Cole was brought to determine if possible, whether a bond given by defendants to their father, the late l. D. Cole, had been forgiven by him or was still in force. The evidence tended to show that decedent had placed defendants in possession of 50 acres of land each, for which they were to pay him an annual rental of $50 per year during his life, and that his bond was only for the faithful performance of this, and that they were to become sole owners at his death. Counsel decided not to argue the case, but let it go to the jury on the charge, of the court. The verdict was in favor of defendants.

The case of R. R. Wright vs. C. J. Humason was continued pending a settlement.

James Campbell, Esq., presented his report as auditor in the estate of Susan Garbett, (dec’d), which was confirmed nisi.

J. G. White, Esq., presented his report as auditor in the estate of Margaret Gunnip, (dec’d), which was confirmed nisi.

James E. Brandon, administrator of the estate of Mary Brandon, (dec’d), presented his return of real estate of decedent, located in West Middlesex, to Ella Brandon, for $776, which was confirmed nisi.

Jno. W. Vosler, Esq., presented a petition of Peter Reichard, guardian of Mary C. Diefenderfer, asking for leave to join in the sale of real estate, situated in West Salem Township, to the Nypano railroad company. The court approved the agreement set forth in the petition, and authorized the guardian to execute the same, and the private sale to the railroad company was approved and confirmed nisi.

James D. Emery, Esq., presented a petition consisting of an agreement and distribution of the Kremis milling company cases, realized on the attachment execution against A. B. Egbert. The court confirmed the distribution absolutely, and authorized James D. Emery, as trustee, to pay out the money according to the distribution.

M.A. McCormick, Esq., presented a petition, asking the court to strike off the exceptions to the widow’s appraisement in the estate of Abraham Jackson, deceased, late Sheakleyville, Pa.  The widow’s appraisement had not been confirmed nisi by an error.  The court confirmed it nisi at this time and set the second Monday of January, 1900, for the time of hearing on the exceptions filed.

Marriage grants: James M. Campbell, Mercer, and Sarah Greenfield, Jackson Center, Richard Thomas and Lavina Shrively, Sharon; Harris Frost, Sandy Lake, and Lulu Lyons, Henderson; John Long, Mahoningtown, and Alice Dunkerly, Stoneboro; James C. Steese, Sharon, and Mary A. Knapp, Sharpsville; C.A. Rood, Leon, Ohio, and B.A. Morrison, Hadley; J.P. Hosack, New Castle, and Bonnie Jewell, New Lebanon; Clarence J. Young, and Libbie M. Tuttle, Delaware; W.T. Young and Carrie E. Sloss, Mercer; W.D. Jackworth and Maude Gildersleeve, Centertown; John B. Hawthorne, and Leecie M. Carter, East Lackawannock; Lawrence Geiwitz, and Anna Locke, Sharon; Isaac E. Wilson, Sugar Grove, and Vanie M. Reed, Jefferson; D.L Conner, and Maggie E. Quilman, Shenango; J. Robert Gruber, Greenville, and Nora E. Derr, New Hamburg.

Sheep claims filed: E. Slaughenhoupt, Delaware, one killed and three injured, $14; Edward Knauff, Hempfield, five killed and seven injured, $27; E.S. Reichard, Delaware, three killed and two injured, $20; H. R. Stainbrook, Sandy Lake township, one killed and three injured, $15.16; Job Buckley, Sandy Lake township, five injured $15.

Wills probated: Albert Poole, late of Stoneboro, William and Herman Poole executors; James C. Montgomery, late of Wolf creek, M. I. Montgomery executor; Jeremiah Simmons, late of Fredonia; William Martin executor; Isaac H. Canfleld, late of French Creek, Clarissa Canfield and S.W. Cooper executors.

Robinson for Congress
Mercer Dispatch. Henry Robinson will be a candidate for Congress at the Republican primaries of this county next year, and there is every reason to believe that the nomination will be given him with little if any opposition. He is a native of this county has lived here all his life and has been so prominently identified with the politics and business of the country that he needs no introduction to any of our people. He is a comparatively young man, yet he has been for many years identified with the banking interests of the county and now holds the responsible office of President of the Mercer County National Bank, of Mercer, Pa. He has always been a Republican and active in party work. He served several years as chairman of the county committee and in the last Congressional campaign was the unanimous choice of the Mercer county delegation in the district convention. Since Mercer, Butler, Lawrence and Beaver have been a Congressional district, six Republicans have been elected to Congress: Townsend and Davidson, of Beaver, each once; Phillips, of Lawrence, twice, and Showalter, of Butler, twice. Mercer has had no nominee. It can hardly be questioned that the action of the district conventions has established the precedent of rotation among the counties and has settled it that each county shall in turn be given a representative in Congress for two terms. If any thing can be settled by precedent, and Mercer county can claim as a right the nominee. We are glad to say that we believe the other counties are in accord with these views and will make no contest against us with any expectation of success. It may, therefore, be assumed that the nomination by Mercer county of as prominent and capable a man as Henry Robinson will be ratified by the Congressional convention of the district. This being the case it is fair to, infer that the man who carried the Mercer delegates two consecutive terms and bore the labor and expense of these campaign when the action of the District convention was in doubt, will now be endorsed by this county when the action of the District convention may be considered a practical certainty.

In addition to the generally recognized ability of Mr. Robinson to properly represent this district, we may add that the time he has spent in Washington as major McDowell’s disbursing officer of the House of Representatives has served to thoroughly familiarize him with the workings of the business of the Capitol. He has likewise made an extensive acquaintance with the departments and the public men connected there with and is as well qualified to effectively perform the duties of a Congressman as most men are after two terms of service in Congress. Few persons not familiar with the workings of Congress realize the importance of a familiarity with the detail matters above alluded to, but which are practically the key to a member’s usefulness to his constituents. This gives Mr. Robinson a decided advantage over most other good Republicans of the county who may have a laud able ambition to at some time rep resent their district in the House of Congress.

Page 6

WHEATLAND
Dec. 27 — The local merchants report a very material improvement in business the past week.

Miss Jennie Roberts, of West Shenango township, afforded considerable entertainment to a limited number of friends Saturday evening, the occasion being the sixteenth anniversary of her natal day. Refreshments were served in bounteous liberality, and the fair hostess remembered by the presentation of a handsome piano lamp.

There has been an increased freight traffic on the Erie and Pitts burgh railroad for some time past.

School has been dismissed for the holiday vacation.

News items of all kinds will be thankfully received if given to the correspondent or left at the post office. Box 14.

We extend to the reader the compliments of the season.

With its new $50,000 opera house, several new manufacturing enterprises and an electric street railway projected, and markedly active real estate and building operations, our sister town, Sharon, is getting there with a full assortment of feet, so to express it.

Miss Irene Wilkins, Cleveland, is being entertained by friends in Hickory township.

If you turned over a new leaf leave it turned over.

Miss Nettie Brindley, who is attending school near Pittsburgh, is spending the holidays with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Brindley, of this place.

The rail cutting plant resumed operations on Tuesday.

Misses Annie and Jessie Davis, of New Castle, spent Christmas in town with relatives.

Miss Etta Perry has returned to her home in Harrisburg, after a several weeks’ pleasant visit with friends in this place.

Saturday will be pay day at the rolling mill.

The children of the M.E. Sunday school received their Christmas treat on Monday evening.

Misses Alice and Elsie McSherry, of Middlesex, were in town this week visiting relatives and friends.

WEST MIDDLESEX
Dec. 27 — At the reunion held at the residence of R. C. Kemp assembled a goodly number of comrades, late of Co. M, 6th Regt. Pa. Heavy Artillery, and a very enjoyable time was had. After partaking of a sumptuous dinner prepared by the host and his sister, Mrs. McBride, David Farrell was chosen chairman pro tem, and an organization effected for the purpose of perpetuating an annual reunion. The following comrades were elected officers for the ensuing year: President, R. C. Kemp; vice president, Calvin Marquis; secretaries, J. R. Moore and George Walker; treasurer, D.W. Mayes. On motion next meeting to be held at West Middlesex, sometime in October, 1900, day to be fixed by the president. A vote of thanks wastendered Comrade R.C. Kemp for his generous hospitality. Honorary membership was conferred on David Farrell.

J.R MOORE, Sec.

A young man named Copen was arrested Saturday night for stealing two suits of clothes from the

Howard Jackson, of Columbus, 0., is the guest of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Jackson.

Miss Lucille Powell is home from Indiana State Normal, spending the holiday vacation.

Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Black are spending a week in Jeannette.

A literary entertainment and a treat for the children of Rev. Brownell’s church was held Christmas night.

Rev. Mills will be absent Sunday morning attending the dedication of “King’s Chapel,” which was on his previous charge.

Miss Mary Trainor left Christmas evening for Pueblo, Colorado, where she will be married to Frederick Barriball, of that city. They will make their future home there.

Bennett & Dunn.
THE HARDWARE MEN
Red Cross Carbon
Air Tight Stoves
GAS FITTING and TiNNING
A SPECIALTY
STAMBAUGH BLOCK - WEST SIDE




Notes from the submitter of these excerpts:

The excerpts on this site are from the November and December 1899 editions of The Sharon Herald. These newspapers were reprinted in The Herald, Sharon, PA, during the months of November and December 1999.  Thanks to The Herald for allowing us to use this material and to Beverly Liston.

The names of the people are highlighted.  Any notes in [ ] are my own remarks and were not in the reprint of the paper.


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