Miss Annie C. DANNER, daughter of William F. and the late Anna DANNER, of Macungie, died at eight o'clock Sunday evening of consumption, aged 32 years. Her mother died twelve years ago. The deceased is survived by her father, a step sister, Hattie, wife of Prof. W.M. DECKER, principal of the Coplay schools. She was a graduate of Albright College, at Myerstown, Lebanon county. Miss DANNER was a faithful member of the U.E. Church and a teacher in the Sunday school, at Macungie. She was a niece of Mrs. D.S. KERN, of Pennsburg and visited her quite frequently. The funeral was held on Thursday at Macungie.
Mrs. Philip UNDERKOFFLER, an aged resident of Marlborough township, died after a short illness at the home of C.N. BOOZ, near Finland. She brought her age to eighty-three years. The funeral will be held on Monday at the Ridge Valley Lutheran church. Interment on the church cemetery. Rev. WAIDELICH, of Sellersville, will officiate.
James REIFF, a resident of Ironbridge, but formerly of Gratersford, died on Tuesday evening of LaGrippe and Croupons Pneumonia. The deceased was well known and respected by all who knew him. He was about 68 years of age and is survived by two sons, Jacob H. REIFF, of Ironbridge, and Allen REIFF, of Philadelphia. His daughter, Mrs. Henry BEAN, preceded him in death by about two weeks. The funeral will be held today. Interment will be made at the Schwenksville Mennonite church cemetery.
Milton MAYBERRY, a farmer of the western end of Perkiomen township, residing on the farm of Mr. ISETT, of Royersford, died on Tuesday evening of typhoid pneumonia. The deceased was elected supervisor of Perkiomen township at the February election. He is about 45 years old, and is survived by a widow and two children. The funeral will be held today. Interment will be made at the Swamp church cemetery. Services will be conducted at the Reformed church.
Henry H. MOYER who is employed with Jacob C. GODSHALL, of near Morwood, had quite an experience which he does not fancy to repeat. While leading one of Mr. GODSHALL's steers to butcher A.G. LANDIS on Wednesday, the steer became frantic and tried to gore Mr. MOYER. The steer was at last tied to a telephone pole but later tore loose and ran about two miles, to CLEMENS' mill where it was put into a stall. It was then tied to the back of a large wagon and started for the butcher shop, but it became entangled in the rope and the wheels of the wagon and could not be moved any further. So it was killed in the road and hauled to the butcher shop. Mr. MOYER and several other people who tried to tame it had narrow escapes as the beast was of a dangerous kind and tried at every opportunity to gore any one that came in his way.
What might have proven to be a disastrous conflagration and resulted in the destruction of the town was narrowly averted on the premises of Frederick BARNDT on Saturday morning at about 1.20 o'clock by the prompt arrival of neighbors. Mr. BARNDT had placed some ashes in a barrel close to the frame barn and chicken house. The barrel ignited and conducted the flames to the buildings. Rev. W.B. FOX, who first saw the flames, by his cries of fire, succeeded in awakening nearby neighbors, who immediately rushed to the scene of conflagration, formed a bucket brigade and succeeded in getting the flames under control before much damage had been done.
S. Lohren & Co., of Philadelphia, who have conducted the Gem cigar factory in Pennsburg for the past five years, have dedided to abandon the factory. They will quit work today and the remaining goods will be shipped to Philadelphia, where the firm will engage in the same business, but manufacture none but Havana goods.
James, the young son of Edward SCHIERY, of Bally, met with the misfortune of breaking a bone in his arm while wrestling with one of his companions. Dr. O.S. BERKY was summoned who reduced the fracture.
A ball will be held in the Geryville factory building, opposite U.G. LOUX's store this evening. REINHEIMER's Orchestra has been engaged to furnish the music. A small admission fee will be charged to pay the necessary expenses.
Picture - Amandus C. MENSCH
The above represents the oldest public school teacher in continuous service in Montgomery county. He began to teach the Paper Mill school, of Douglass township, on November 3rd, 1868, or thirty-five years ago. He taught this school two successive terms of four and a half months each and had thirty pupils enrolled each term. In the fall of 1870 Mr. MENSCH was engaged to teach the Meeting House school at Franconia Square, Franconia township. In this school he had sixty pupils enrolled, the term being also four and a half months. This being the only term that Mr. MENSCH was not engaged during his long and useful career, either in Douglass or New Hanover townships. For the next six terms his services were given to the Swamp Creek school, New Hanover. The highest enrollment during this period being fifty-eight. The two succeeding terms he taught the Grammar school of the Fagleysville Independent School District. The term at this place consisted of six months. In 1879 he went to Gilbertsville where he taught six terms of five months each in succession. During the first two terms he had seventy-six pupils each term. At this place Mr. MENSCH opened a summer school in the Spring of 1881 and continued it for five months. This was continued during his engagement at Gilbertsville. The first term he had 92 pupils and was obliged to get an assistant. In June 1883 his school gave an entertainment which was so unique that it is still well remembered by the people of the vicinity. The same year he left Gilbertsville he engaged to teach the Layfield school of New Hanover, here he stayed five terms and then went back again to the Swamp Creek school for four terms. At the latter place he gave two entertainments that will be well remembered for years to come. In 1894 the term of Douglass township was lengthened to seven months and Mr. MENSCH was engaged to take charge of YODER's school which he taught very acceptably for six terms, after which the Board of Directors again placed him in charge of the Gilbertsville school, the same position he had left fifteen years before. Mr. MENSCH being an expert penman, opened a writing school at this place, which he continued two sessions. The first term he had thirty-seven pupils and the second term fifty six. During the winters of 1877 and 1878 he conducted a similar school at Fagleysville where he had twenty-seven pupils one term and twenty-eight the next. Mr. MENSCH is teaching his thirty-fifth term at present and has forty five pupils, namely seven male and eighteen female. He has the honor of having been the teacher of both parents of nineteen of his present pupils, and of eleven of the remaining pupils he had either father or mother in his schools during former years. In his long career as a teacher, Mr. MENSCH missed only two weeks on account of ill health. His motto has always been, "Stick to his bush," and he has lived up to it very closely, as he is still occupying the house to which he and his wife first moved after marriage twenty-seven years ago. He later on bought the property, a farm of 54 acres and has cultivated it himself for the past nineteen years. On his farm he keeps four horses and eighteen head of cattle and his property is known for more different varieties of fruit trees than any other in the vicinity. Mr. MENSCH has raised a family of five children, two sons and three daughters, all of which are grown up. Our well known townsman, Dr. James G. MENSCH is an uncle to the object of our sketch.
Edwin, son of Mr. and Mrs. E.J. WIEDER, of Pennsburg, was taken ill with symptoms of typhoid fever in Philadelphia. He has been engaged as a jeweler in that city for the past six years. He was taken sick in the latter part of last week. A telegram was sent to his parents on Friday evening. His father took the first train to the city on Saturday and brought him along home in the evening. The young man has since been confined to his bed with a fully developed case of typhoid fever. His condition is not serious.
On Wednesday Hon. Edward HARVEY entered an execution in the office of Prothonotary ERDMAN at Allentown, Lehigh county, for Charles E. BREIDENBAUGH, of Philadelphia against the Lehigh Mountain Granite Company, for $16,050. Sheriff WAIDELICH has levied on the property of the company which is located near Vera Cruz.
Harry FREED, residing near Limerick, was placed under arrest on the charge of interfering with the signal lights of the Schuylkill Valley Traction Company. The young man was turning on and off the lights along the line near his home and his actions were such that several wrecks were narrowly averted this forenoon. After being placed under arrest he was taken to Norristown and placed in a cell in the station house. FREED was formerly employed with the Traction Company. It is thought that recently his mind has become unbalanced and that this is the cause for his strange actions.
Benjamin BENDER, of Pottstown, has decided to build a frame dwelling house on one of his lots in the borough of Pennsburg, which he recently bought from the Elias HOCH estate. He was here this week to make arrangements with a contractor.
The upper end of the Perkiomen Valley will be exceptionally well represented at Norristown next week, when the suit of Dr. J.G. MENSCH, of Pennsburg, against the borough of East Greenville, for damages will be tried in Court. Some time ago the doctor brought suit for damages to his mill property, located about two miles below the East Greenville pumping station, on the Perkiomen creek. A jury was appointed by the court and a hearing was held at the Pennsburg Hotel. The jury awarded $2400 damages, but Dr. MENSCH was not satisfied and made an appeal to court, which is scheduled for trial on Wednesday. It has been ascertained that new witnesses on both sides have been subpoened and almost all of those who were present at the trial before the jury in Pennsburg will be required to go to the county seat next week. The people of the entire valley take much interest in the case, and the result of a trial before a jury of twelve men is anxiously awaited. The attorneys for the borough of East Greenville are J.W. BICKEL and N.H. LARZELERE, and those for Dr. MENSCH are J.B. HILLEGASS and J.B. LARZELERE.
John G. GLAES Esq., surveyor at Passmore, Bucks county, had been engaged by Frank BENFIELD Esq., surveyor at Huffs Church, to assist in taking the survey and compute the cubic contents of a so-called "mud dam" a deposit of "washings" of brown hemitite iron ore, situate a short distance from Mertztown, Berks county, in Longswamp township, on the farm of Levi FRITCH. This is a tract of 12 acres on which this deposit is situated and it has been bought by Manoah FRITCH, of Mertztown. The deposit is on an inclined plane - wedge shape, 33 feet (11 yds.) high at the lower end. Since the deposit or "dam" is very irregular at the lower or high end, no accurate measurement could be obtained, the surveyors approximately "figured out" something about 160,000 cubic yards which is the accumulation of 12 years "washings." This deposit contains yellow ochre which is to be manufactured out of it at the Mertztown paint and ochre mills. In trying to ascertain how long it would take to remove this an old teamster stated, with a team of 6 mules he could haul 3 1/2 cubic yds. of that stuff, and 4 loads per day to said mill according to those figures it would make in round numbers 45,700 loads and 4 loads per day - 80 days for Sundays, holiday allowed, viz: 285 days. It would require one teamster, with a team of 6 mules, 40 years to remove that deposit.
A birthday surprise party was tendered Mrs. Carolina HAUSEMAN, of near Finland, on Tuesday evening, on the occasion of her sixty-fifth birthday anniversary. The evening was pleasantly spent in playing games and in a social manner. A splendid dinner was prepared by the ladies present after which all were invited in the dining room. Those present were: Misses Ella and Ida SEAHOLTZ, Cora BREY, Bertha MESCHTER, Katie FRITZGERALD, Katie WONSITLER, Annie BITTING, Annie JONES, Lizzie MAGEE, Laura ROMIKE, Pauline BOYER, Amanda HAUSEMAN, Messrs. William SEASHOLTZ, E.T. REITER, Hugh MCLEAN, John FENNEL, Wm. SMITH, Oswin SMITH, Wm. BUCK, Thomas BUCK, Elmer FREED, Samuel WAMPOLE, Wm. ROMIKE, Wm. KLINE, Wallace FITZGERALD and Wm. HAUSEMAN.
Miss Ella HUNSBERGER, formerly of Pennsburg, now of Lansdale, rendered several vocal solos in the Ambler Methodist church, at a John WESLEY memorial meeting, recently held; judging from the following clipping culled from the Ambler Gazette: "Miss HUNSBEGER has a very attractive manner, and with apparently no effort she naturally combines the charm of her pleasing personality with her powers as a soloist, completely captivated her audience."
Solomon HILBERT, of Topton, Berks county, was held at Reading for trial in the United States District Court, charged by Postal Inspector STONE with mailing objectionable matter to Stamford, Conn.
For naming his little son for him Senator Algernon B. ROBERTS, of this county sent Postmaster W.P. MALSBERGER, of Stowe a handsome gold-lined mug, inscribed with the boy's name and that of the donor.
Montgomery Lodge of Odd Fellows celebrated its sixty-sixth anniversary at Norristown.
J.H. BICKEL, the Emaus butcher, had a rather miraculous escape Wednesday evening when he, with his delivery team, collided with a trolley car in South Allentown. The wagon was upset and its contents distributed in all directions. After matters were straightened out again it was found that Mr. BICKEL, horse and wagon escaped injury.
Emanuel BITTING, on Tuesday moved from the Dr. H. WICKERT farm near Geryville, and during the night some one entered the house by forcing a window. Nothing was stolen as most all the household effects, except some furniture, had been removed during the day.
Frank HARING, of Finland, met with the misfortune on Tuesday of having one of his fingers almost severed from his hand. He was cutting wood when the axe fell on the finger. The sharp blade almost severed the finger from the hand. Dr. H.F. SCHOLL, of Green Lane, was consulted who dressed the injured hand.
While W.H. HEIMBACH was attending to switch lights his telegraph office at Plymouth Junction, Conshohocken, was robbed of clothing containing $5 and a $50 gold watch.
James ZIEGLER, of Finland, on Wednesday planted potatoes. He is the first farmer in this section to plant potatoes so early in the season.
Charged with selling hard cider to five Pottstown boys at the public market, Charles HICKMAN, of Oley and Joseph BAKER, of Stowe, gave bail for court.
Clara KINCAID is awaiting trial at Norristown, on the charge of stealing a clock, which, it is alleged, she sold to obtain money to go to the theatre.
Crushed in machinery at a Pottstown wire mill, Joseph BETRO had to have a leg amputated.
A gang of tramps, some sixteen in number, invaded the village of Telford, Monday night and robbed hen roosts in the vicinity. They then entered the residence of A.B. DETWILER and stole a barrel of wine, which they hauled in a wheel barrow to the woods. Tuesday morning when the alarm was given, the residents found the happy hobos in an intoxicated state where they had been lying exposed to the cold during the night. Rather than go to jail they preferred to do a day's work for the borough, and went to work repairing the roads. The leader says they will give Telford a wide berth hereafter.
The barn on the premises of Irvin HARTENSTINE, located in Limerick township, about one mile east of Sanatoga Park, was burned to the ground last Friday evening about 9.30 o'clock. It was a frame structure with four tons of hay, a lot of straw, grain and farming machinery therein. Two horses and four cows were in the stable, but so far as could be learned they were saved. A stack of corn fodder adjoining the barn was consumed. The neighbors hurried to the fire, but there was no water supply except from the pump, and nothing could be done except to guard the dwelling by constant watchfulness and the application of water on the roof.
F.K. WALT, of Pennsburg, who is traveling in the coal regions at present writes us a letter in which he states that the river was badly swollen by the rains and the floods did much damage at Schuylkill Haven. He says coal washeries were busy and getting fair prices for coal. The black diamonds are quite plentiful there and can be bought cheap. He bought a carload of buckwheat coal at $1.25 on board of cars.
William A. SHUP and Miss Hannah A. CLEMMER, both of Pennsburg, were married on Saturday. The groom is a cigarmaker and made his home with George FOLK and the bride lives with Mrs. Isaac SHANER. The wedding was private.
The Longswamp church, is one of the oldest in Berks county and is rich in folk lore as well as in memories of former times. Not the least of its proud possessions is the large number of aged people who belong to its active membership and attend at every opportunity, all of them at present enjoying God's richest blessing; good health. They are: Jesse FEGLEY, 95 years; Mrs. Andrew LONG, 94; Mrs. Reuben FENSTERMACHER, 89 years; Mrs. and Mrs. Jacob LONG, both 86; William WEILER, 84; Mrs. Charles SEIP, sister of Mrs. Andrew LONG, 82; Charles FOLK, 82; Charles GEIST, 80; Benjamin SCHANKWEILER, 78; William FRITCH, 81; Mrs. William FRITCH, 75; Solomon SCHOEDLER, 86; Peter BUTZ, 77; Mrs. David DANKEL, 80; Mrs. James FEGLEY, 79; David WALBERT, 78; Harry BRENSINGER, 82. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob LONG who are found among the members, are the oldest couple to be found in the whole vicinity. A visit to them will be a pleasure, as both have good memories and relate things of their younger days, just as it they had happened only a few months ago.
Rev. Robert B. LYNCH, of Dublin, Bucks county, preached in Trinity Lutheran church, of Kutztown, Berks county, on Sunday morning and evening, February 22, and in the Moselem church in the afternoon and created such a favorable impression, that at a meeting of the consistory the following Monday evening it was unanimously decided to hold an election for or against him on March 15th, as pastor of this charge. Rev. LYNCH was a former resident of Pennsburg, and we understand he will accept if the election is favorable.
A road jury, consisting of Alvin C. ALDERFER, A.H. MESTER and Issac B. NYCE, met on Saturday to lay out a road beginning on the Ridge road a half-mile west of Tylersport, and extending through lands of H.B. NASE, Mrs. Charles SHEDAL, W.H. COPE and James WENHOLD, and ending on the Allentown public road a half-mile south of Tylersport. The following damages were awarded: NASE, $60; SHEDAL, $60; COPE, $125; WENHOLD, $250. W.F. DANNEHOWER represented petitioners and property owners; J.P. Hale JENKINS the County Commissioners, all of whom were present.
Mrs. John BEITZ, residing on the Lehigh mountain, back of Emaus, is the happy owner of a superb bed quilt made by her deceased mother in the long ago. It is of the "Rising Sun" pattern, very popular in the olden times, and consists of 3420 patches, the whole in combination forming a beautiful figure, the more so since in imitation of the golden rays of the sun, the material used in making the blocks being chiefly of a rich yellow color. The quilting too is a model of elegance, making the spread a very handsome one in every respect - one that for beauty and comfort is not easily to be excelled. The quilt is quite old, but as good and pretty as when new.
Democratic County Chairman Wellington H. ROSENBERRY, of Lansdale, was on Saturday married to Miss Lillian H. FREED, of the same town. The marriage ceremonies were performed at Norristown at the home of the bridegroom's sister Mrs. Charles P. WOLFINGER, by the Rev. J.J. ROTHROCK, of Lansdale. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob L. FREED. The couple started housekeeping at once at Lansdale.
Jacob G. SOUDER, of near Skippack, has a New England primer printed in 1755 by Christopher SOWER, of Philadelphia.
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