Lewis JOHNSON, a farmer residing near Perkiomenville, and his brother-in-law James CHRISTMAN, of North Wales, accompanied by their wives made a trip on the Philadelphia & Lehigh Valley trolley line, to Philadelphia, on Saturday. On their return trip on Sunday afternoon they were robbed of a watch and money at the Flourtown crossing. Passengers are now compelled to wait at this point on account of the Chestnut Hill car making double trips and connecting every other trip with the car running through to North Wales. A crowd of people had collected and a car came down from the Whitemarsh switch but was not intended to convey passengers. However a number of persons boarded the car and there was a tremendous crush. When the officer in charge announced that the car did not carry passengers there was another rush to get off. These Perkiomenville people were in this rush and as soon as they reached the ground again Mrs. CHRISTMAN noticed her husband's watch chain hanging. She informed him and he discovered that his silver watch was missing. He grew much excited over the loss, which must have occurred in the rush to secure a seat, as he had the watch out only a few minutes before timing the arrival of the car. The discovery of the loss put Mr. JOHNSON to thinking and he placed his hand to his hip-pocket, to find out whether his purse was safe. He at once discovered that his picket had been picked of $110 in notes. An alarm was at once given but the scoundrels were not apprehended.
Mrs. Lillie W. GREULICH, of near East Greenville, has just returned home from Reading, where she attended the sessions of the Grand Home of Pa. as a Representative of East Greenville Home, No. 47. She was also appointed Deputy Grand Guardian of Montgomery county's Homes by the Grand Home. The members of East Greenville Home can and ought to feel honored and proud of the fact, that they have among their number such a distinguished and honored sister as Mrs. L.W. GREULICH, to have already obtained the honors of a D.G.G. It shows her faithful work for the order, of which she is also Honorable Register and has been for the last eighteen months, previously being a Past G. If the sister members will respect and obey her, as they must according to their Laws and Constitution, they will never by led astray, but will always be for the uplifting of the order. The lodge must certainly be in a flourishing and brilliant condition, or they would not have one of their number obtain these honors.
The Trumbauersville Improvement Company has placed the contract with Milton BIEHN, of Quakertown, for an addition, 50x35 feet, to the cigar factory occupied by Mr. EISENLOHR. The factory was built last year but has already proven too small for the firm. Mr. EISENLOHR now employs 134 hands but desires to employ 250. The employment of the great army of workers has created a demand for houses which cannot be filled without the erection of a great many new ones. Several new ones have been built and many more are in course of construction. Through the enterprise of the Improvement Company, Trumbauersville is enjoying a business boom. The addition to the new factory will cost about $4500.
The school directors of Upper Salford township have supplied each school with an oil-stove which the teachers are to use until the cold weather sets in. If no coal can be secured until then the schools will evidently have to be closed or arrangements must be made for wood stoves.
Mrs. M. ELLIS, of Tylersport, who resides with her daughter Mrs. R. HEIST, last week fell and fractured the hipbone. The woman is ninety years of age and this great age will interfere very much in the progress of healing.
Isaac E. HUNSICKER, who has been working at the Schwenksville depot for over 26 years and has rendered the company faithful service, will be laid off on October 1st. He has been offered a similar position at Pennsburg, but does not expect to accept it.
Ambrose BREY, of ner Hoppenville, raised a large field pumpkin that measured 44 by 54 inches. This is the largest raised in that vicinity this season.
Mrs. Sarah HOUCK (picture), relict of Samuel HOUCK, of Perkiomenville, is one of the most vigorous people in the vicinity of her home, taking into consideration that she has lived to the advanced age of four score years. She was born in Frederick township, on March 14, 1823 and has always lived an active life. Her maiden name was SLONECKER. At the age of twenty-three she was married. Her husband died about fourteen years ago. Mrs. HOUCK is known as quite a pedestrian. She on a recent occasion visited friends at Pottstown, which is about twelve miles from her home, and this trip was made on foot. Several weeks later she walked to her sister's place Mrs. Maria WEIGERT, of Quakertown, making the distance of about twelve miles in seven hours. After spending several days there she again walked to her home. Mrs. HOUCK is a hearty old lady. In the spring she assisted Christian RHODE, of Frederick township, in planting corn. She worked there two days in succession and was one of the foremost of the planters, although some were not half as old as she. She has enjoyed exceptional good health and has had very little use for the services of a physician during her active, long life. Mrs. HOUCK is an estimable lady and is respected by all who have the pleasure of knowing her.
Magistrate LUKENS, of Green Lane, attended the Allentown fair on Thursday and while in the agricultural building his pocket book was stolen by three pick-pockets. He had just made a purchase and placed the purse in his pocket when three toughs surrounded him and began to push. He looked around and saw that there were only a few people near and he at once saw their object. He felt that his purse was gone and immediately grabbed two of them. They at once showed fight and began kicking and striking him after which he left them go. One was caught and taken to the lockup. He was willing to designate the place where he put the purse, provided he would be liberated.
The dwelling house on the farm of Thomas McCREE, of near Finland, was destroyed by fire on Thursday morning. The house was unoccupied and the cause of the fire is a mystery. This property was formerly the Mahlon GERHART farm and is better known by that name. The house was insured in the Pennsylvania Insurance Company.
Allen E. BORTZ, Perkiomen train despatcher at Allentown, has purchased the 20-acre farm of M.R. MININGER, near Schwenksville, through M.H. WALTERS, of Rudy, for $2200. He expects to occupy the property himself. He intends to remodel the house and build an addition to it. He expects to engage in the poultry business on an extensive scale.
John R. SCHAEFFER, of Fagleysville, shot a large ground hog one day last week which is the largest seen in that vicinity for some time. It tipped the scales at twelve pounds.
The Clayton Creamery is so much rushed with orders for butter at present that the management is unable to fill them. Last week an order was received from one who has been a customer at the creamery for the past fifteen years, for 3,000 pounds of butter weekly. The largest shipment made to this customer last winter was 2,200 pounds a week. The butter from this creamery always has a ready sale.
W.H.D. GODSHALL, of Lansdale, who recently lost his pocketbook containing $118 in cash and $500 in checks, while driving to Kulpsville, heard from the finder. A few days after he received an anonymous letter posted in Philadelphia containing the checks, but the cash was not returned. Suspicion points to a certain party as being the finder, and a net is being weaved that may force him to return the money also.
John TROXELL, of Kulpsville, and Chas. GODSHALK, of Lansdale, who are the owners of an extensive peach orchard near Quakertown, are now busily engaged in gathering the crop. Recently about 140 baskets were picked and sold in one day. The entire corp is likely to be between 3000 and 4000 baskets.
Enos HUNSBERGER, merchant tailor, of Pennsburg, died quite unexpected at his home on Thursday morning at 7 o'clock. He has been a sufferer with a cancerous growth at his neck for the past few months, which ultimately brought on his death. He was up and about to within a few days of his death but suffered excruciating pain. Mr. HUNSBERGER was engaged in the merchant tailoring business in this borough for many years. He brought his age to fifty-nine years. He is survived by his wife and the following children: Oswin, of Pittston; Harry, of Fort Niagara, N.Y.; Katie, wife of Calvin KURTZ, of East Greenville; Clarence of this borough; Ella and Irene at home. One son preceeded him in death by one year and eight days. He is also survived by the following brothers and sisters: Jonas, of Macungie; Lizzie, wife of Edwin HUBER, of Allentown, and Sarah, wife of Edwin STYER, of this borough. The funeral will be held on Tuesday at the New Goshenhoppen church. Rev. J.L. ROUSH, will officiate.
Henry R. HOFFMAN, of Reading, died Tuesday, aged 56 years. He was ailing ten years and was bedfast since Friday. He was an ore miner in Lehigh county before his illness. His widow, Emma (nee EHMAN), and six children remain. Also a sister, Anna, wife of Nathaniel HEYDT, of Northampton, and these brothers: Jacob HOFFMAN, of Alburtis; John HOFFMAN, of Huff's Church; William HOFFMAN, of Warren, Ill.; James HOFFMAN, of Bechtelsville, and Charles HOFFMAN, of Lehigh county.
Charles BARTLETT, of near Hoppenville, died of typhoid pneumonia on Sunday night. He brought his age to 23 years and is survived by a widow and one child. He is a son of David BARTLETT. The funeral was held yesterday, at the St. Paul's Lutheran church. Rev. O.F. WAAGE, officiated.
Mary Jane RAHN, widow of the late Abraham RAHN, of Perkiomen township, died on Saturday night, at her home near Trappe, aged 65 years, 11 months and 11 days. One son, Abram, of near Gratersford, survives. The funeral was held Wednesday. Interment was made at Fernwood cemetery, Royersford.
George MILLER, residing on the County Line Road, south of Telford, died on Tuesday night of consumption, aged about 64 years. Deceased was confined to the house the past two years. He is survived by a widow, two daughters, both married, and one son, single. The funeral will be held today at St. Paul's Lutheran church, near Pennsburg, at 12 o'clock. Rev. O.F. WAAGE, will officiate.
Charles Conway STOUDT, the three-month-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank STOUDT, of East Greenville, died on Thursday morning of summer complaint. The funeral will be held tomorrow afternoon at the New Goshenhoppen Reformed church.
A reception was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Martin BREY, of Green Lane, on Sunday evening in honor of the marriage of their daughter Elsie to Lucian STONEBACK, of the same place. The couple were married the evening before at the parsonage by Rev. O.F. WAAGE, of Pennsburg. The Sumneytown Choir, of which the bride is a member and a number of personal friends of the young couple attended the reception. A wedding dinner was served and a most enjoyable time was spent.
The will of the late Anthony SEIPT, of Skippack, will be read today. Mr. SEIPT died about a month ago and it was his desire that his will should not be read until four weeks after his death. He was one of the wealthiest men in that section of the county.
Howard Z. HEIST, the station agent at Palm, recently sold an antique butter plate for $20. The plate was only four inches in diameter, but had a beautiful picture of a cathedral in the center of it. A relic hunter from Easton was the purchaser.
Dr. Jesse Z. HILLEGASS, of Red Hill, exhibited four of his heavy draught horses at the Allentown Fair this week. The animals are some of the best that were ever seen in this section. He received first premium on all of them.
A remarkable cure is reported from Wall Lake, near Battle Creek, Michigan. Jacob SMITHSON has been suffering from rheumatism, being unable to use one arm. He accompanied a friend out on the lake to "see him fish." Getting interested in the good luck of his friend he picked up a pole and began fishing. He finally caught a five-pound bass. In the struggle to get him in the boat he seized the pole with his "rheumatism arm" and tugged until the fish was landed. Since then the rheumatism has entirely disappeared from every part of his body. Physicians state that the intense mental excitement under which he labored sent new life forces throughout his system and made the cure.
Work was started Monday on remodeling the old LEWIS homestead adjoining the Prostestant Episcopal Church of the Messiah at Friends' Corner, in Lower Gwynedd, near North Wales, which upon completion will be transformed into the "Gwynedd Home for Convalescent Children," through the benefactions of Mrs. H.P. McKEAN and Mrs. F.E. BOND, Philadelphia women, who have summer homes nearby and purchased this property for charitable work. In this house, which is a half-century old, children who are sent from nearby hospitals and are not yet strong enough to return home will be cared for by nurses provided by the home. The home will be ready for occupancy within two months. The trustees of the home are: Francis C. BOND and Margaret BOND, of Lower Gwynedd; Henry P. McKEAN and Marian S. McKEAN and Henry McKEAN INGERSOLL, of Horsham.
In one of the busiest sections of Allentown on Sunday night an attempt was made to crack the safe in the office of the Allentown Boiler Works. A boy heard the hammering and notified James D. KNAUSE, one of the firm. Mr. KNAUSE surprised the burglar at work, but the latter escaped through a rear window. G. Harry KNAUSE, a son, started in pursuit and after a chase over a circuitous route lasting over an hour he caught the fellow hiding in a clump of bushes. A number of railroaders had joined in the chase and when the fugitive saw that all avenues to escape were closed he surrendered. He gave his name as Edward REILLY, of Lebanon, and claims that he is a puddler. Eight other attempts at robbery were made in this city that evening.
After hovering between life and death for six days, Peter HARKINS, who was so terribly injured in the runaway roller accident died in Charity Hospital, Norristown, at four o'clock Friday afternoon. He was not quite 16 years of age.
The 168th memorial exercises,commemorative of the persecution and sufferings in Germany and of the landing in Pennsylvania of the followers of Caspar SCHWENKFELD were appropriately celebrated in the Hosensack Meeting House, near Palm, on Wednesday. Rev. O.S. KRIEBEL, the pastor of the church, presided and introduced the various speakers. Rev. E.E.S. JOHNSON, pastor of the Philadelphia church, opened the exercises by reading Psalm 103 and leading in prayer. Rev. W.S. ANDERS, pastor of the Worcester church, preached the historical sermon, basing his remarks on Acts 28, 15. He gave a sketch of the life and doctrines of SCHWENKFELD (1490-1561) of the persecutions in Silesia, flight to Saxony and Pennsylvania and exhorted all the fidelity, to truth, taking the life of Paul and the Schwenkfelder forefathers as examples. Picture - Rev. O.S. KRIEBEL , the Pastor of Schwenkfeldian Churches at Kraussdale, Hosensack and Clayton. He was followed by Rev. G.K. MESCHTER, of Worcester, who dwelt on the lessons to be learned from the past and urged men to embrace the improvements of the present as the best way to honor the past. Prof. M.D. LEARNED, of the University of Pennsylvania, then spoke of the necessity of education in its broadest, truest sense as a means of adjustment in the troubles of the present. This road to solution has been kept alive by the Schwenkfelders since 1764. After this address the audience was dismissed. The preparations for the simple lunch observed from early times were then made. Table linen was spread on the seats on which were placed copious supplies of bread, butter and apple-butter. The worshippers returned as dinner guests and soon were busily engaged in disposing of the plain and frugal meal. Dinner having been served and the benches cleared, the worshippers returned to their seats when the afternoon services were opened by reading of Scriptures and prayer conducted by Rev. Edwin S. ANDERS, of Kulpsville. H.W. KRIEBEL then read a biographical sketch of Rev. Christopher SCHULTZ, Sr., (1718-1789) who lies buried near Clayton. He was the champion and defender of the Schwenkfelders of his day. Rev. Jonas Y. SCHULTZ, of Quakertown, followed in his own forcible way and gave a very earnest address on The Truth, in German. Rev. E.E. JOHNSON followed with an address on the early life of SCHWENKFELD and pointed out some of the benefits the modern church is reaping from the life and thinking of this great man of the Reformation history. Rev. O.S. KRIEBEL, pastor of the church, closed with a few fitting remarks, dwelling on the necessity of a more thorough study of the history and significance of the movement. The singing of a hymn followed by the pronouncing of the benefiction brought the services to a close. Thus the day was spent and although the services continued from half past nine until four p.m. with the noon intermission, no one seemed tired, and many were sorry that the exercises came to a close so soon. In the audience ministers of various other denominations, visitors from Allentown, Pottstown, Philadelphia, Norristown and other places beside the many delegations from the Middle Montgomery County section, were noticed. All seemed charged with the spirit of worship. The singing was the old-fashioned congregational singing where all take part with a will.
While visiting at the home of Benjamin WADE, in North Coventry, Chester county, Saturday afternoon, Cyrus DUNLAP, aged 10 years, son of James DUNLAP, of Pottstown, fell from a loft in the barn and broke his neck. He died in a few minutes.
While attending Sunday school Sunday at Millersville, Lancaster county, A.G. GLASGOW, aged 60 years, was arrested on a charge of stealing a team from Wm. DeHAVEN, of New Holland. The team was sold in Red Lion, York county, and later was shipped from New York to Norfolk, Va. The police anthorities say a regular trade in stolen horses is carried on between these cities. GLASGOW says he bought the team on a public road, near Shenk's Ferry.
Henry GESSLEY, an almshouse inmate at Reading for years, will sail for Germany in November to claim an estate of $150,000 bequeathed him, a brother and a sister by their uncle. Each will contribute to the expenses of the trip and each will receive $50,000.
Joseph GREINER, a farmer residing a few miles above Manheim, Berks county this week just finished threshing a stack of rye which had stood in one of his fields for a period of thirteen years. The rye was cut and stacked in 1889, and had stood in an exposed condition until a few days ago. The grain was found to be in excellent condition, only slight indications of decay being observed on the top and sides of the stack, where it was exposed to the elements.
Mrs. Rebecca CLEWEL, of Telford, fell down the back stairway of her residence during the night of Friday last, and was found in the morning with her head wedged between the lower step and the door more dead than alive. After being taken out and cared for, she soon became herself again. Her face is all black and blue. She seems none the worse for her terrible experience, although she is 84 years old.
John MURPHY, of Stowe, discovered that $40 had been taken from his trunk in his boarding house at Buchananville, near Pottstown. He accused a fellow boarder, Joseph WATKINS with the theft, whereupon WATKINS ran over the fields toward a woods. MURPHY and others pursued him. As they drew near WATKINS turned and hurled a stone, which struck MURPHY in the face, inflicting a dangerous wound and breaking his teeth WATKINS was captured. The stolen money was found in his pockets. He is in jail.
A five-inch darning needle was removed from the stomach of the 3-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James YOUNG, of near Yardley, Bucks county, by a surgeon. The parents have not the slightest idea how the needle got where it did.
Rev. George W. BROWNBACK, of Reading who has gained considerable notoriety in his search for a wife through the matrimonial papers, is no longer to be a churchless minister. He will have a church of his own notion, with which he can do very much as he pleases. Formal notice was given in Court on Monday that application for a charter for "The Pilgrims' Congregational Association" would be made October 25. A half-dozen of his friends signed with himself as incorporators. Mr. BROWNBACK talks freely, of his new project. He says one of the fair women with whom he has been in correspondence, and on whom he called during a recent tour of inspection of prospective brides, will furnish the capital to build the church. He says: "We're going to make this church a free and simple house of God, one in which men and women can worship without fear or favor. Anyone who makes a creditable confession of faith may become a member, and the doors will always be open."
The people of Essington, Chester Co., are alarmed over the second recent attempt to destroy houses in the town. A boarder was awakened on Monday night at George KLEEMAN's soon after 12 o'clock by smoke, and found the side of the dwelling in flames. Neighbors with buckets saved the house, the side of which had been well saturated with coal oil, and newspapers had then been piled up to give the oil a good start.
The other day Elwood EGOLF, of Royersford, was having a regular clean-up about his premises. After having made some repairs, he had a goodly pile of rubbish gathered together to which he set fire with the result that the roof of his house was ignited in several places by the flying sparks, which might have made a serious blaze if it had not been almost immediately discovered by a neighbor. As it was a few buckets of water quickly and judiciously applied soon quenched the fire.
The plant of the Keystone Fire Clay Company which is located on the farm of E.C. KRAMLICH, at Fogelsville, was destroyed by fire between 12.30 and 1 o'clock Saturday morning and the buildings and all the contents are a complete ruin. On account of the scarcity of anthracite coal the company has been burning wood and soft coal lately, but this may have caused a more intense heat than ordinary. The dryers are walled on the four sides and a steel plate is over the fire. On the outside of the walls, however, there was woodwork, and it is supposed that this woodwork was ignited and caused the fire. The plant was insured for $1300 in the Farmers' Union Mutual Fire Insurance Company.
Charles H. KNERR, of Allentown, a brakeman on the shifter, met with a serious accident near the East Penn Junction on Monday morning. He was standing on a freight car of a train that was being shifted on a side track, when a sudden start of the train threw him off the car. He fell on the tracks and the wheels of a car passed over his left arm, crushing and mangling it badly. He was removed to the Allentown Hospital and the doctors found amputation necessary. The arm was taken off near the shoulder. The unfortunate man is only 28 years of age.
Consul H.D. SAYLOR, of Pottstown, will shortly return from Dawson City. He expects to be here in time to do some campaign work for PANNEPACKER and the two BROWNs.
Hiram C. KEHL, a farmer residing in Upper Hanover township near to the New Goshenhoppen church will quit farming in course of another month. He will either sell or rent his farm and move to East Greenville, into the house of his mother.
An Anti-Profanity League has recently been organized at Old Zionsville, Rev. O.R. FRANTZ (picture) pastor of the Reformed church, is the president of the League; Titus YEAKEL, vice president; Miss Sallie A. HUFF, secretary, and Miss Jennie M. KERN Treasurer. The meetings of the League are largely attended, and the work accomplished by them has been appreciated by the entire community.
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