James Bush, of Koch, Bush & Co., swore out warrants before Alderman Sandt against William Guy and John Fornwald, boys, charging them with robbery, Wednesday at 10:30 p.m., Special Officer Squint noticed that a panel had been cut or forced out of a rear door of the flour and feed store. He kept watch behind a wagon, and half an hour later saw 2 boys go to the door where the panel was removed. Squint confronted them. He captured Fornwald and overtook Guy, who started to run. On Franklin, between Pearl and the police station, Fornwald tried to throw away a short, stout screwdriver. At the station house a small, triangular lock file was found in Fornwald's pocket. They were locked up. Special Officer Squint made an examination of the flour and feed store. The door, the panel of which had been cut out, is one that is seldom used, and near it were piled sacks of bran. These had been moved back, showing that someone had entered through the opening in the door. This fact was strengthened when the police found, lying on the floor, a long heavy chisel, with a blade 8 inches wide. This was evidently the implement that had been used to remove the panel. The safe had not been disturbed. It is not thought that anything was stolen.
Jacob R. Ritter, cabinetmaker, 235 Washington, swore out a warrant against the boys, charging them with stealing tools from his place last week. He identified the chisel as his property. The warrants were served by Constable Wagner.
At police court Officer Hartgen testified that he arrested a foreigner at the request of 2 young men, who were holding him on 9th below Penn. The young men told Hartgen that the prisoner had been following them about for several weeks. No witnesses appeared and the accused was discharged. A man came to the station house while intoxicated and was locked up. He had been husking corn and came here and spent the money he earned during the past 3 weeks.
"Will you get out of town if I let you go?" asked the court.
"I'll try to," he answered.
"Will you or will you not?"
He then said he would. He was discharged.
A stranger, who visited Reading to buy a watch and became intoxicated was given 24 hours in default of $4.25.
Sergeant Edwards and Officer Hinz arrested John Gans, Samuel Smith and A.L. Engelhart, at 3d and Cherry, on charges of disorderly conduct. Engelhart attempted to attack the Sergeant. Each of the prisoners had a whiskey bottle. The trio were locked up.
Daniel Anderson, colored, whom Mayor Yeager released at police court upon promising to leave the city, was taken into custody a few hours later near the Penn'a Railroad station by Officer Hinz. He was locked up. Anderson had a bottle of gin in his pocket.
Alexandre Tropenas, of Paris, through his attorney, Isaac Hiester, filed a bill in equity against Andrew Bryson, of this city. It is an action to secure an accounting and the payment of royalties alleged to be due the plaintiff.
Mr. Tropenas states in his bill that he owns the patents for improvements in steel converters. The devices were patented in the United States and they will expire May 2, 1905. He states that Mr. Bryson has or lately had a plant known as the Bryigon foundry. The bill states that in the fall of 1900 the plaintiff licensed the defendant to use the inventions in the foundry for the making of all general castings. The defendant was to pay certain royalties quarterly. It is stated that the process was installed and the royalties were paid as stipulated to the last day of February, 1902, "though continuing the manufacture of general steel castings under the process, has since omitted and refused to pay any royalties thereon or to make any statements thereof."
The plaintiff therefore asks the court to direct that the defendant account for all general steel castings made since Feb. 28, 1902 and pay the royalties.
A lengthy agreement is attached to the bill in equity in which it is stated that the royalties shall be as follows: For the first 1,000 tons, $3 per ton; for the next 2,000 tons, $2.50 per ton; for the next 7,000 tons, $2 per ton; for the next 10,000 tons, $1.50 per ton and for every ton above 20,000, $1 per ton. The royalty was to be paid through Powell & Coine, New York, agents for the plaintiff. This agreement was executed by Mr. Bryson, at Reading, October 25, 1900, and by Mr. Tropenas, at Paris, Department of the Seine, Nov. 19, 1900.
On motion of L.C. Becker, attorney for Charles R. Bechtel, a rule was granted on his wife, Mamie M. Bechtel, to show cause why the husband and father should not be allowed the custody of their 5 year old son one day a week. The matter is made returnable, Saturday, Nov. 7.
The parents are separated. There are 3 children; the father has 2 and the mother one. The father's petition states that he wants the son in the wife's possession to be with his 2 brothers at least one day a week, so that the 3 will not grow up as strangers, but as brothers, and so that he will not forget his father.
Messrs. Zimmerman, Clay, Yarrington and Mast commenced making the official count of Tuesday's election returns at noon. They occupy the main court room, and their work will not be completed before Friday.
J.K. Grant presented the resignation of Richard B. Sohl, of Heidelberg to the Quarter Sessions' Court. Mr. Sohl held the position for about 15 years, and resigns because of his removal to Reading. A number of Heidelberg Democrats are candidates for the appointment.
Trustee T.K. Dalzell, of the bankrupt Steam Vehicle Company of America, filed his report of the funds in his hands, and a final meeting of creditors for the declaration of a dividend will be held before Referee C.H. Ruhl, Friday, Nov. 20.
The following tax payments were received on Wednesday by County Treasurer Ruth: Lewis Bollman, Muhlenberg county tax, $162.60; H.B. Spatz, Exeter county tax, $79; Henry Reich, Lower Alsace, county tax, $276.78; W.W. Brown, 12th ward, county tax, $522.50; Geo. Kramer, Bern, county tax, $160; P.D. High, Rockland, county tax, $100.
The day's disbursements were $1,455.39.
Mrs. Rebecca M. Shunk, through her attorney, I.C. Becker, brought an action to secure a divorce from Franklin N. Shunk. They were married in Reading, April 25, 1901, and both live in this city. The wife charges her husband with cruel treatment, non-support and desertion.
Mrs. Eva Moyer, of near Blandon, through her attorney, Thomas K. Leidy, presented a petition asking for a commission in lunacy on her daughter, Alice Bechtel, wife of Horace Bechtel. Mrs. Bechtel is 30 years of age, and the mother alleges, she is suffering from mental trouble. Judge Ermentrout appointed Geo. W. Wagner, Wm. L. Graul and Dr. J.W. Eckert a commission to look into the matter.
Because of the illness of Judge Ehrgood, Judge Endlich is holding court in Lebanon, and presided at the official counting of the Lebanon county vote.
Allentown: While James Wesner, tenant on Mr. Bortz's farm at Rothrocksville, was out driving, his horses were scared by an automobile. They ran away and were both so badly injured that they had to be killed.
Allentown: Alliance, 8 miles north of here is on the verge of a small-pox panic, with 7 cases and 5 suspects. All the schools and churches will remain closed until the fright is over. The health board doctor will relinquish his practice and attend the small-pox victims exclusively.
Now that the election is over speculation as to who will get the clerkships in the Court House row offices is becoming active.
Prothonotary E.J. Morris will appoint about 2 clerks, and it is amount the possibilities that they will be taken from the force in the office at present.
Recorder Holtzman has the appointment of 6 or 7 clerks, and politicians think that there may be a clean sweep with possibly one exception.
Both officials are not yet ready to make the announcements of their staffs. They and the others elected on Tuesday take possession the first Monday in January, 1904.
Coroner A.N. Seidel has the appointment of one chief deputy and number of others through the county.
Three new prison inspectors go on duty and the reorganization takes place in January. There will be one new member of the Poor Board, and they also re-organize in January. Up to recent years the re-organization took place in November. There will be few changes at the prison and county home.
A meeting of the Bavarian Beneficial society was held at Germania hall, when 7 active and 2 passive members were elected. Six propositions were received. Mrs. Weber, whose husband died recently, and who was only a member of the organization for several months and was not beneficial, was presented with $50. The sum of $100 was appropriated to the family of the late George Egner, who was a member of the society for a number of years.
Saturday will be a busy day at the golf links of the Berkshire Country Club as the handicap tournament closes on that day. A large number of the persons entered are still to play and considerable interest is taken in the outcome.
The Reading Literary Society held an interesting business meeting in Bethel A.M.E. Church. Arrangements were made for the meeting on the 18th inst., when a mock trial will be held. William Ferguson gave several pleasing recitations. Arthur Templeton presided.
Sergeant Charles Hynemann, of Co. D., 1st Regiment, S. of V., presented the company with an arm chair, which is claimed to be 110 years old. the chair was presented to Mr. Hynemann by Mrs. George Fricker. It will be placed in the company headquarters at 805 Penn.
Rev. George W. Brownback, pastor of the Pilgrims' Congregational Association Church, of this city, has secured a position as night watchman at the Spruce st. freight station of the Reading Railway Company and has gone on duty.
The police department of the Reading Company, in this city, have a number of black shirts, some with white stripes and some men's clothing. It is supposed that these articles were stolen from some store in the rural districts. An effort is being made to have them identified. Officer Daniel Fister has charge of the goods at the upper station. They were secured up the Lebanon Valley.
A.H. Kretz has turned over to the officers of the home for Friendless Children, Centre ave., the sum of $2,075, which he solicited by subscription during the past few months. The money is to be devoted to the improvements at the Home and the cost of maintenance.
The management of the home returned its sincere thanks to Mr. Kretz. The gift is much appreciated, coming as it does at an opportune time when extensive improvements have just been completed and when the cost of maintenance is higher than usual.
The subscriptions obtained by Mr. Kretz are as follows: William D. Smith, $700; A.H. Kretz, $300; John Barbey, $200; Reading Hardware Co., $100; Samuel R. Seyfert, $100; William Seyfert, $100; Bentley H. Smith, $100; Isaac Eckert, $50; John Hendel, $50; Cyrus G. Derr, $50; John J. Kutz, $50; Frank P. Lauer, $50; Annie E. McIlvain, $50; John G. Mohn, $25; George W. Wagner, $25; Nathaniel Ferguson, $25; Richard Mohn, $25; A.W. Moss, $25; W. Bertolet, $25; cash, $25. Total, $2,075.
Mrs. Fannie E. Austrian announces the engagement of her daughter, Adrienne Katharine Austrian, to Paul Eley, of Phila. Mr. Eley is manager of the Broad Street office of Winthrop Smith & Co., bankers.
William H. Kellecher, carpenter, son of William and Susan Kellecher, and Kate, daughter of Reuben and Elizabeth Snyder, both of Minersville.
Morris I. Leibensperger, shoemaker, son of Cyrus J. and May Leibensperger, and Alice K. daughter of William and Catharine Hunsicker, both of Kutztown.
A match race was to have taken place on the Three Mile House track this afternoon between Isaac Eckert's sorrel trotter Single K, and the brown gelding trotter Ben Fisher owned by Joseph Ocker. Owing to the rain and heavy track the race was postponed.
The Bureau of Employment made the first distribution of work for the season at its headquarters, 541 Franklin. There were a goodly number of callers.
The Bureau enters its 28th year with bright prospects. It furnishes sewing to deserving poor women of the city and is a practical charity. During the summer the more aged of the women employed were given work and the commission on sales of goods and increased from 15 per cent to 20 per cent.
Last winter 60 women were given work and nearly 5,000 garments, requiring 10,740 yards of material were made.
The year's operations were carried on at an expenditure of $2,471.31. Work is distributed every Thursday.
The following composed the executive committee for the year: Miss Annie E. McIlvain, Miss E.A. Endlich, Mrs. M.C. McIlvain, Mrs. Gerald Dale, Mrs. S.A. Leinbach and Mrs. Daniel Wiegner; president, Miss McIlvain; secretary, Miss Endlich; treasurer of permanent fund, Miss McIlvain; directress and treasurer of current expenses, Miss Belle V. Ebur.
Contributions of thread, muslin, gingham, calico and clothing will be gratefully received and may be sent to the bureau every Wednesday and Thursday from 9 to 12 a.m. and 2 to 4 p.m. during which hours the rooms are open for visitors and the sale of clothing.
The Anna A. Gordon Sr. L.T.L. met at the home of Mr. Straus, 230 Chestnut, West Reading. The meeting was opened by singing "The Army of the Overthrow." The 112th Psalm was read by the president. The programme: Prayer, president; singing, "March of the Loyal Legion"; singing, "Songs That Mother Sang"; singing, "On to Victory"; singing, "The Temperance Lighthouse." Numerous games were enjoyed.
The meeting at the Widows' Home will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 25. An excellent programme is being arranged and all legion people are cordially invited to be present.
The next meeting will be held at the home of the Misses Mull, 402 Schuylkill avenue.
Albert Smith, formerly of this city is in Reading. He left here 23 years ago and after traveling for a short time enlisted in the 24th Infantry U.S.A., serving 3 years in the far West and South West. Later he located at Youngstown, Ohio, where he is in the plastering, cement and brick work contracting business. He has done well in every way. He states that a number of Reading men are working in the industries of his town and that all are getting on well. He is the guest of his brothers, John and Perry Smith, in this city. This is his first visit here in 23 years.
Elias Hartz, Reading's noted goose bone weather prophet, celebrated his 88th birthday anniversary. The event was quietly observed at his home. Although somewhat feeble, Mr. Hartz is still enjoying fairly good health. He has a good memory and recalls many incidents that occurred in Berks county in the last 75 years. A short time ago Mr. Hartz announced his intention of retiring as a weather prophet.
Police Turnkey John L. Staab and Jonas Kiefer, one of the drivers of the Keystone Fire Company, played a series of 3 games of pinochle at the latter place. Staab won 2 of them.
Wm. H. Krick took out a permit for an iron shedding, 1-story high and 40x40 feet, on Buttonwood, between Tulpehocken and River road.
Submitted by: Nancy.
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