Augustus Scholl, the fourteen-year-old son of Notary Public Eugene W. Scholl, of near this borough, met with a trilling accident on Tuesday. He assisted his grandfather John Scholl and a neighbor Joseph B. Dyson in taking a load of hay to East Greenville. Mr. Dyson sat on the front part of the load and held the reins, while young Scholl sat on the rear portion of the load. They drove to N.K. Gery & Co.'s coal yard to weigh the hay and when Mr. Dyson drove on the scales he found that the load would barely go in under the roos. He sat a little lower than Scholl and by stooping did not touch the rafterf, but when the load got in farther the rafters caught young Scholl under the chin and squeezed him down on the load. The young boy yelled, which as luck would have it, caused the horses to stop suddenly. Mr. Dyson at the very moment thought of young Scholl and he hurriedly loosened the unfortunate lad from his perilous position. Had the horses gone a step farther the young boy might have met instant death, as his neck would possibly have been dislocated. The young man's nose and face were considerably bruised. He suffered great pain for a few days, and he is not anxious to have another experience similar to it.
Alfred Smith, of this borough, assisted William Christman in butchering on Monday. While in the act of killing a porker the animal got the slip on the butchers and got away causing a complete stampede. In the uproar Mr. Smith was violently thrown against a wagon wheel, striking his face against the steel tire. He was considerably cut and bruised in the face, and also sustained a black eye. The hog had been fastened at the leg with a tar rope, which broke causing the commotion which resulted in Mr. Smith's injuries.
Frederick Kaiser, of Finland, has a lantern globe which he has been using for over sixteen years. The lantern has been used almost every day during this long period of time and the globe is as good as the day it was bought. Mr. Kaiser is of the opinion that the globes of today are not as good as those of years gone by. But then again he is generous enough to admit that the manufacturers would make a poor living if all the globes lasted as long as his one.
Reuben B. Keyser, of Harleysville, last week circulated a petition among the patrons of the Harleysville post office, asking them to support him in the canvas for the postmastership. The petition was willingly signed by one hundred and ten residents in that vicinity. All the leading citizens are very much interested in the final success of Mr. Keyser's candidacy, and were pleased to sign the petition. The petition was forwarded to Washington during the early part of this week.
Oliver Frey, a farmer residing near this borough recently made a noteworthy improvement on his farm. He had a suction pump erected at his barn and had it connected with a good spring in his meadow. He now has no trouble in not having enough water convenient for his stock as heretofore. The spring is located about 100 feet away from the barn and has an everlasting supply of the best water.
Francis, the young son of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin H. Steltz, of East Greenville, died on Sunday afternoon. The cause of death was measles, with an attack of croup. the boy's age was 6 years, 2 months and 28 days. Funeral services were held at the house on Wednesday afternoon. Interment was made at the New Goshenhoppen church cemetery.
The Young People's Society connected with the West Swamp Mennonite Church celebrated their tenth anniversary on Sunday evening. An interesting and appropriate program was rendered which proved highly pleasing to the large audience. The society is now in a flourishing condition, owing to its wonderful growth in membership.
Richard Z. Keeler, of Harleysville, will sell out his entire stock of clothing and gents furnishing goods and relinquish the business. Mr. Keeler is well known in this section, having sold many suits to people residing in these towns. He expects to work in Philadelphia in the future.
The auction sale of the personal effects of the late Solomon K. Grimley, near Schwenksville, on last Saturday afternoon, was attended by hundreds of people. It was one of the notable sales of the year, and hunters of relics were there in great numbers. Mr. Grimley's collection of old coins, books, crockery, and antiques, generally, has been famous for many years. Good prices for the meritorious articles generally were realized, a pair of brass andirons selling at $5.10, a high case 24-hour clock $26.50 and a chest of drawers $12. Among the books sold were several ancient Bibles, one of them bringing $5.00. There were stamps and Continental money sold, but the prices were not fancy. The Indian relics brought good prices. There was offered a corner cupboard full of pewter dishes, the whole collection forming Mr. Grimley's exhibit at the Montgomery county centennial in 1874. For it $67 was bid, but the lot was withdrawn. Mr. Grimley was once offered $400 for it.
A meeting of the finance Committee of the Valley Forge National Park Association was held on Monday afternoon at the Bellevue, Philadelphia. Financial arrangements were completed for the mass meeting at the Academy of Music on the 19th. It was decided to hold a meeting of the members of the association at the same time. The finance Committee as it now stands is composed of Robert H. Foerderer, General W.A. Latta, John W. Woodside, William F. Harrity; George F. Paynet, Harry J. Zohn and Colonel Theodore Weidersheim. Since the last meeting of the association there has been introduced into the Senate by Senator Penrose and the House by Congressman McAleer a bill providing for the acquisition of Valley Forge by the United States Government and the object for which the association has worked so long now seems on a fair road to be accomplished.
In his annual report to the Governor, the Secretary of the State Board of Health says, on the subject of pollution of water supplies, that it is the intention to present to the Legislature bills similar to, if not identical with, those introduced at the lst session providing for a sanitary survey of the waters of the State and giving to the Board specific authority over the same. Regarding the supply of Philadelphia,the report states that the principal source of pollution of the Schuylkill is the borough of Norristown. Filtration, it is pointed out, does not make it less important than for the sake of communities compelled to use the Schuylkill streams shall be kept as free as possible from dangerous pollution. On the subject of the prevention of consumption and the registration of consumptives, the report states that the opposition to registration is rapidly fading away.
An entertainment will be given by the Ethiopian Dramatic Club of the Perkiomen Seminary, in Odd Fellows hall, this borough, on Thursday evening. It will be given in three dramas as follows: "The Black Bachelor," "The Black Breach of Promise Case," and the "Cake Walk." Music, solos, and choruses by the members of the Glee Club. This entertainment promises to be brimful of life and fun. The proceeds will be for the benefit of the athletic association. All are cordially invited to attend.
Augustus Pennypacker, of Fruitville, killed two large raccoons on Thursday. Mr. Pennypacker, noticed the animals while crossing a field near his house and traced them to a large hollow tree. After considerable work he succeeded in capturing both animals. When weighed they tipped the balance at 35 pounds. In speaking to a friend of his success as a raccoon hunter he said, "They are big ones and I want you to know they were killed by a democrat."
John Z. Kulp, a farmer residing in Limerick township, near Schwenksville, was found dead in his wagon near Black Rock, in Lower Providence township, on Wednesday evening. The unfortunate man left his home in the morning with his milk for the creamery at Gratersford. After attending to his business there, he assisted in the moving of a neighbor to Upper Providence. At about 6 o'clock that evening his team apparently without a driver wandered into the lane of Henry Grossmiller, near Black Rock. Mrs. Grossmiller noticed the team coming in the lane and upon closer examination she found a man hanging from the side of the wagon apparently dead. She ran out and held the horse and sent her daughter to a neighbor for assistance, as the men folks were away from home. Before the daughter returned, Dr. M.Y. Weber, almshouse physician, came driving by, who upon examination recognized the man as John Z. Kulp. The dead body was removed from the wagon and placed in the house. A bottle containing a small amount of alcohol was found in his coat pocket. The unfortunate man's family was notified by phone and undertaker Derr of Limerick, removed the remains to Kulp's home the next morning. The Coroner was notified, but held no inquest, but with Dr. Weber went to the place the next afternoon and examined the cause of the man's death. At first it was thought that the man met with foul play. Upon investigation it was found that his death was due to apoplexy, superinduced by excessive drinking. The case was investigated by the coroner.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Smith of Sumneytown, have the distinction of being the oldest married couple in that town. They were married fifty-five years ago. The aged couple are well preserved and active for their age. They have lived on the farm for many years, but owing to their advanced age have discontinued farming, moved to Sumneytown, and now live a retired life. The aged couple are cared for by their daughter.
Assemblyman elect Grant R. McGlathery, of Norristown, forwarded to Governor Stone his resignation as Coroner of this county on Monday evening. The resignation will not take effect until after Christmas, as this will afford the Governor an opportunity to fix up a very bitter fight now waging between M. Fillmore Jones and Charles B. Ashton, both of Norristown.
The Harleysville Beneficial Society will hold its annual supper in Kline's Hall, Harleysville, on Friday evening, January 18th. This evening is always looked forward to by many members of this worthy organization with great pleasure.
The new Lodge recently organized in this borough called the Knights and Ladies of Honor No. 2207 has changed it's place of meeting from the Odd Fellows Hall this borough to the P.O.S. of A. Hall at the C.G. Heist building in Red Hill. The lodge met at their new quarters last night. The reason for the change is that they could not make satisfactory arrangements with the trustees for the rental of the hall.
Elias Gilbert of Pottstown, and his father-in-law John Moll of Alburtis, removed the remains of John Gilbert Hawkins, from the Pennsburg cemetery to the Pottstown cemetery on Thursday. The remains were buried here over twenty-five years. They were taken to Pottstown by team.
Melvin Smith, son of Daniel Smith of Green Lane met with an accident this week while experimenting with powder. He had some powder in a glass bottle and was experimenting with a lighted match. The bottle exploded and some of the flying glass penetrated his hand in which he held the bottle.
The wedding of Alvin Kurtz, son of Mr. and Mrs. A.E. Kurtz, of East Greenville, to Miss Ella Gery, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Gery, of the same borough, will be solemnized on Thursday. The wedding will be strictly private, the immediate families will only be present.
Once the possessor of a large fortune, Paul de Thomis, a German printer, aged 85 years, died in the Montgomery County Almshouse and on Monday, was placed in a pauper's grave. De Thomis, after his arrival in America many years ago, literally gave his wealth away, a dollar at a time to any one whom he happened to see in want.
Milton Moyer, a resident of this borough, has recently branched out in the undertaking business, which he conducts at his home in the lower end of the borough. Mr. Moyer has had several years experience with William Fox, the oldest undertaker in this vicinity, whose business he purchased several weeks ago. (Note: There is also a picture of Milton Moyer with this article.)
John Grouth, of Lansdale, was taken to the Norristown jail on Sunday. He was employed at the Ambler Chemical Works for a short time, and it is said that while working in the magnesia department some lime splashed into one of his eyes. The injury was so painful that he is said to have lost his reason and became violent. Threatening to kill his father and other members of the family, neighbors were called in to pacify him and to prevent him doing bodily harm. Four men remained with him Saturday night. Mr. Grouth for some time kept a restaurant in Lansdale. Dr. Herrmann, who pressed his opinion that the injury to his eye did not cause insanity. A lunacy commission will be appointed to inquire into the mental condition of Grouth.
Mary Moll, the wholesale liquor dealer at Green Lane, this county, has received during the last two weeks four cars containing two hundred and eleven barrels of very old pure rye whiskey that was made at three of the best distilleries in the State. The whiskey was made in the years 1888 and 1889 and is therefore from eleven to twelve years old. Each barrel has two United States government stamps on it. The first stamp shows when the whiskey was made and the second stamp shows when the United States tax of $1.10 per gallon was paid and the whiskey taken out of the United States bonded warehouse. The United States tax stamps alone cost Mrs. Moll $6803.32 on this lot of whiskey. These goods have been under lock and key of the United States from the time they were made until they were shipped to Green Lane and should be and are no doubt perfectly pure. Any one doubting the age or purity of this lot of whiskey is invited to call at Mrs. Moll's store and examine the date on the two United States stamps attached to each barreel. Mrs. Moll handles nothing but straight pure rye whiskey and carries a heavier stock than any other liquor dealer in this part of the State. Mrs. Moll has no agents or traveling men on the road and never goes out to sell liquor herself. Having no agents or commissions or rent to pay and purchasing her goods in large lots direct from the distillers and having them shipped in car load lots saves her lots of money and enables her to sell a better article for less money than her competitors.
That portion of the Perkiomen and Reading turnpike between Pottstown and Trappe will be freed on January 1st. A meeting was held between Harvey L. Shomo, of Royersford representing the county commissioners, and Miller D. Evans, representing the turnpike company, at Norristown, when satisfactory arrangements were made. With the freeing of this piece of turnpike, about eight miles in length, the last vestige of one of the earliest turnpikes in this county will have disappeared, and with it will go the quaint tollgates that have dotted the turnpike for so many years. The turnpike from Dengler's to Bramcote remains intact, but will eventually become freed as the demands of the traveling public insist. The Perkiomen and Reading turnpike was begun in 1811 and finished in 1815. It costs $700 per mile and was 29 miles in length.
Jonathan B. Wolf, Jr., a contractor and builder of Telford, has lived in that borough for the past thirty years, Mr. Wolf's business history is quite interesting. He was born in Milford township, near Geryville, Bucks county, on the 10th day of May, 1840. He is one of the best known contractors in this vicinity having erected a large number of the buildings in these towns, among them are the Perkiomen National Bank, East Greenville; Pennsburg school house; Rev. O.F. Waage's residence, in this borough; Red Hill school house, and remodelled the Red Hill Hotel. Mr. Wof entered his apprenticeship as a carpenter when a boy eighteen years of age. The first job given him by his employer was the laying of a floor in Dr. Chas. T. Waage's barn in this borough. Mr. Waage knowing him to be an apprentice, superintended the laying of the floor, and was obliged to instruct him how to saw the lumber. After he had completed his apprenticeship as a carpenter he worked for sixty-two cents a day. On many occasions he would carry his heavy tool chest upon his back from his home near Geryville to either Line Lexington, Chalfont or Mainland, a distance of fully fourteen miles. Mr. Wolf is considered one of the best carpenters in that vicinity. In the year 1871 he started in business at Telford, where he erected a large planing mill, which he conducts to the present day. During his first year at Telford he erected the home in which he now lives. When he erected his planing mill it was the only one between Quakertown and Lansdale. He erected a number of exceptionally large buildings throughout this and adjoining State and is at the present time erecting a beautiful mansion for County Treasurer Abraham Gottshall, of Lansdale. He also erected a large public school building at Lansdale at a cost of $25,000. Mr. Wolf is a son of Jonathan Wolf, who resides with his son Edwin, near Geryville.
The subscribers to the Keystone Telephone in Red Hill, Pennsburg and East Greenville, have mailed a petition to the General Manager J.C. Landis, at Collegeville, requesting an early reply. The petition is the outcome of some misunderstanding between an agent of the company and the phone holders in the three towns. The following is the petition as mailed to Manager Landis: "The object of this petition is to learn whether the Keystone Telegraph and Telephone Co., intends to make good the statements of one of their agents. Persons wishing to do business with the subscribers were to be granted the privilege, as it would be of direct interest to the subscriber and a guest was to be allowed the privilege of using the telephone to talk to a subscriber." All the phone holders with the exception of two or three in the three towns have signed the petition.
A number of subscription books are being circulated among the members of the New Goschenhoppen church, who reside in our two boroughs, for the purpose of collecting money to repair the sidewalk to the church from East Greenville. The intention of the promoters of the work is to have it covered with crushed stone. The stone will possibly cost sixty dollars and if enough can be collected the improvement will be made at once. The move is a worthy one and members should willingly contribute.
Mrs. Richard Gilbert, of this borough, spent five weeks with friends and relatives in Pottstown and Limerick Square. She returned to her home in this borough on Saturday evening.
Henry Lorentz, of East Greenville, visited his brother John of Emaus.
The borough school board decided to give the teachers and children Christmas and Second Christmas as a vacation for the holidays. The New Year's holiday will not be observed by the schools, owing to the fact of them being closed on account of the broken heater.
Rev. and Mrs. O.F. Waage and family and Dr. and Mrs. C.T. Waage and family, of this borough, visited Mr. and Mrs. Peter Hartranft near Klinesville, on Thanksgiving day. They took with them a specially prepared dinner, which was served during their visit. Mr. and Mrs. Hartranft are the two oldest members of the St. Paul's Lutheran church.
Mr. and Mrs. Abel Lampin, of West Philadelphia, visited the family of merchant M.K. Gilbert this week.
The public schools of this borough will begin on Monday morning. The new heater arrived yesterday and Mr. Steckel the plumber, will errect it today.
Miss Carrie Thomas, of West Philadelphia, visited Mr. and Mrs. M.K. Gilbert of this borough during the week.
The directors of the Goschenhoppen Fire Insurance Company of this borough, met at the public house of Herman Roth on Wednesday and the general business of the company was transacted. All directors were present with the exception of Hiram Burdan of Pottstown, who is confined to the house by sickness.
The degree team of East Greenville castle No. 298, K. of G.E. will visit the Green Lane castle No. 202 this evening, for the purpose of conferring the degrees. This team is the only one in this section which is fully costumed and is composed of twenty-four members. They perform their work in the most creditable manner.
Goshenhoppen Tribe of Red Men of East Greenville, will next Thurday evening visit Tohickon Tribe of Green Lane. They will organize the haymakers degree.
Henry Roeder, of East Greenville, will open a green grocery store at his home in that borough as soon as convenient. He had a counter placed in the room this week and he will shortly have a well selected stock of green groceries upon them to supply his customers.
A carload of looms, to be placed in the new silk mill, arrived at this station on Tuesday. The machinery was removed from the car and placed in the Althouse building on Wednesday.
The Citizens Band, of East Greenville, will hold a grand drawing in the Band hall on Saturday evening, February 23rd. The members of the organization are now selling tickets. The following prizes will be given to the three success ones: First, a fine mohair blanket; second, an up-to-date camera, and third, a two and one-half dollar gold piece.
John Xander, the jeweler, spent Tuesday in Philadelphia, selecting a large stock of holiday goods. He now has his complete stock on display at his store in this borough. He has the largest stock of rings, watches, and novelties ever displayed by him before.
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