Though she lacked not for money and, according to the police, owned two properties valued at $6000, aged Miss Elizabeth STORK was found dead on Wednesday in her home, No. 209 Pine street, Philadelphia, apparently a victim of exposure and malnutrition. For 11 years the woman had lived alone in the house where she died, and which she owned, together with the house at No. 211 Pine street. She was known as a recluse among the neighbors and was called miserly and according to the manner in which she was found dead the opinion of the neighbors was justified. Her gaunt body was found at 10 o'clock that morning, after a neighbor had entered the house to give the aged woman a bowl of soup.
There was no fire in the house and the recluse lay on a mattress. The kindly neighbor, who could not rouse her, called in a policeman and upon searching the house they found $500 in cash concealed in an old tea caddy and other bits of china. Neighbors say that the woman cooked her meals, such as she was disposed to prepare, over a tin can over a bon-fire of chips picked up in the alley in the rear of her home. A man and a woman called at the house on Monday and gave her some small Christmas presents, and are the last persons known to have seen her. She has, the police say, a brother in New York and a niece in Chicago. She was 85 years of age and for nearly twenty years the woman had been a beggar. The pennies, nickels and dimes she received were hoarded. Most of her food she begged. Few persons in the neighborhood remember of her spending any money.
On Wednesday when the hostler went to feed Minnie, a mare owned by Jeremiah McNEILLY, of Seaford, Delaware, who was buried the day before, he found her stall vacant, and a search of the premises failed to find her. Later the faithful animal was discovered standing by her dead master's grave in St. Luke's cemetery.
Manager HITTLE, of the Lehigh Canning factory at Fogelsville, Lehigh County, has stored about $4,000 worth of canned goods in private cellars, because Wm. Penn DAVIS, the promoter of the factory, had not fulfilled his promise to take the output of the factory. Consequeatly the farmers have not been paid for their produce.
The New Hanover Square Creamery was entered by thieves one evening last week and fifty pounds of butter were stolen. The thieves evidently wanted some liquid refreshments for Christmas as they the same night entered the cellar of landlord J.G. RHOADES, of the same town. They were however scared off ere they got to the wines and liquors.
Tiny Stella L., daughter of Jacob CRESSMAN, of Allentown, who died suddenly of a rupture of the heart, was buried Tuesday. A doll which her grandmother had sent her a few hours before she died was placed in her arms and buried in the coffin with her.
Pearl FRADERICK, the twelve-year-old daughter of Pierson FREDRICK, of Perkasie, was so unfortunate as to break her leg in two places on Sunday afternoon, as a result of slipping on the porch steps at her home.
Samples of ore taken from mines near Pottstown to Coburg, Germany, by Consul General H.D. SAYLER were pronounced by German chemist to contain a large percentage of pitchblend from which radium is obtained.
Harvey JONES, of Chestnut Hill, has rented the Samuel SCHOENLY farm, near Pennsburg, for the coming year. He will take possession in April.
Jacob FRYER, the seventeen year old son of Contractor Clayton H. FRYER, of Pennsburg, left his home on Tuesday night, for parts unknown. The young man had only told a few of his friends of his desire to locate in other parts, but to these he did not intimate that he would leave without informing his father.
On Tuesday evening he seemed in his usual spirits and retired when the rest of the family did. As he did not respond to the call for breakfast a search was made in his room and he as well as all his clothing was gone. He, during the night must have packed them and also left the house quietly, as no one heard any noise whatever. This is his second disappearance and the supposition is that he has gone to Jersey City, where he worked ere he returned after his first disappearance.
The commencement at Peirce's College, Philadelphia, was held last Friday evening. The class numbered 195 members. The annual address was made by Hon. James M. BECK, of New York, and the address to the graduates was delivered by Gen. Horatio C. KING. The following are the graduates from this county: Alvin M. GODSHALL, Telford; Leon W. KELLER, Norristown; Israel R. HALLOWELL, Bethayres; Ella COULTER, Bryn Mawr; Russel M. HARTZEL, Chalfont; James C. MOORE, Bryn Mawr; C. Nelson MARTIN, Lansdale; John R. ROBERTS, Jenkintown; Mary G. GALLAGHER, Ardmore; Rosa A. McLEAN, Red Hill; Alice S. MEEH, Norristown; Nellie BALL, Wyncotte; Elizabeth C. O'NEILL, Jenkintown; Evelyn A. BOWMAN, Royersford.
Frank DARRAH, 35 years old, of Lansdale has been committed by Magistrate LENHARDT, of Norristown, in default of $1000 bail for a further hearing on the charge of embezzling $540. The defendant was employed as a clerk to the supervisor of the North Penn Railroad. It is alleged by the railroad detectives, who made the arrest, that DARRAH would change the pay roll and add another man's name to the list. He would get the check cashed and keep the amount. It is claimed that DARRAH has been securing one check each month since July, 1903. DARRAH has a wife and seven children.
A light team in charge of two young men drove into the heavy team of C.S. CHRISTMAN, a farmer of Upper Hanover township, on Thursday afternoon, at the Queen of the Valley Farm, the occupants of the light team were thrown out. Mr. CHRISTMAN had a load of flour and on account of the snow drifts he could not get out of the street in time, for the young men tried to pass him in fast time. The cross piece in their wagon was broken and after it was tied with strings they were enabled to proceed on their way. No one was hurt and the horse was prevented from running away by the driver clinging on to the lines.
A horse belonging to M.M. KREMER, the baker of Schwenksville was injured in the Limerick Square Hotel Stables on Wednesday, while he was unhitched there and being fed. The hay rack was in some manner broken and one of the iron rods penetrated the animals head which inflicted an ugly wound. Dr. H.P. KEELY, of Schwenksville dressed the wound and another horse had to be substituded to complete the trip.
Discordant factions of the Berks county Democracy, who have been trying to get together ever since the election, failed to harmonize at the critical moment. Thursday afternoon Dr. Abraham JOHNSON, a Republican of Kutztown, and a brother to Dr. JOHNSON, the Republican county commissioner, was elected Mercantile Appraiser by the votes of JOHNSON and Commissioner SANDER, Democrat.
Footpads recently held up farmer Elmer ZIEGLER, of Fogelsville Lehigh County, while he was on his way home from the local store and forcibly took eight dollars, all he had, from his person.
The Pleasant Run school house had a narrow escape from destruction by fire on Tuesday forenoon while school was in session. Occupants of several passing teams noticed smoke and flames issuing from the roof of the building close to the chimney. They hurried into the school house and informed the school marm.
She was so frightened when informed that she almost fainted. The men with the assistance of the older scholars climbed to the roof of the building from the inside and with the aid of several buckets of water extinguished the flames. After the flames were extinguished they saw that the stove pipe had become disconnected and caused the draft to draw the hot air against the shingles which eventually ignited them. Had the men not passed at this time, the school house would most assuredly have been totally destroyed, for the teacher and children were inside and unaware of the progress of the flames.
William I. EMERY, a civil war veteran, of Clifton Heights, Delaware county, Pa., has just completed a miniature house, which contains 38,000 small blocks cut with a penknife from hard wood. The house contains 12 rooms, is three stories high, 36 inches wide, and 32 inches deep, with a tower. It is surrounded by a wide porch, and has a spacious lawn and fence. It took him three years to build it, and there is not a nail or a screw used in its construction.
While adjusting a belt on a gasoline engine Samuel HAAG, of Shartlesville, Berks county, caught his arm in the fly-wheel and was hurled around a number of times. He called loudly for help and a farm hand stopped the engine. HAAG's arm was broken in two places and he was badly bruised. His escape from death is considered almost miraculous.
Miss Sarah BOWMAN, aged 65, of Ephrata, Penna., died on Wednesday from blood poisoning. Two weeks ago a wound was inflicted in her finger by a needle and blood poisoning resulted.
The Knights of Golden Eagle Castle No. 298, of East Greenville, has decided to hold a public installation of officers, in their lodge room on Saturday evening January 14, 1905. The committee in charge of the arrangements has prepared an interesting and instructive program for the occasion. The following is the program: Opening of the Castle at 7 p.m.; Opening Ode; Prayer, Rev. G.W. LUTZ; March by Degree Team, Opening; Music, Auctioneer, Choir; Address, Wallace M. KEELY; Music, Come when my love lies dreaming, Choir; Recital, The Unknown Speaker, Ernestine R. THORNTON; Address, Rev. G.W. LUTZ; Music, Good Night Gentlefolks, Choir; Prayer, Rev. G.W. LUTZ; March by Degree Team, Closing Tableau.
The Norristown Herald, one of the best daily papers of this county, celebrated its seventy-second birthday anniversary last week. The paper is well edited and always brim full of up-to-the minute news. The advertisements which it contains shows that the paper has a large circulation for in these prosperous times the advertisers are always on the lookout for the largest circulating and best medium in which to advertise their wares. Continued success is the wish of Town and Country.
The horse of John HENRY of Hillegass, ran away on Tuesday in Pennsburg. Mr. HENRY delivered a hog to E.K. SCHANKEL and when he was ready to leave he untied the horse from the post and was ready to enter the sleigh when the animal started off. He ran down Dotts street and on to the turnpike, where he was caught by George DAY. Luckily the sleigh was not upset and no damage was the result.
The shanty containing dynamite in the stone quarry of Morris SCHMOYER, near Alburtis, caught fire on Friday morning and had it not been discovered in time a tremendous explosion might have happened.
Mrs. Jared HOCH, of Pennsburg, aged 38 years, has the distinction of being the youngest grandmother in Pennsburg. Several months ago the wife of her son George game birth to a son. The mother being only 17 years old. On Saturday Mrs. Sorado MILLER, of Pennsburg, also became a grandmother, and she is only 39 years of age. Her daughter, Mrs. Guy SANDS, of East Greenville, aged 19 years, also gave birth to a son. These women are probably the youngest grandmothers in this county.
The Hosensack Literary Society held its regular meeting on Friday evening. The election of officers was held and the following were elected: President Warren OBERHOLTZER, Vice President William H. ROEDER, Rec. Sec., Almeda MILLER, Cor. Sec. Sallie SCHOENLY, Tres. Elmer D. ROEDER, Critic Anna V. HANGEN, Ushers Herbert HILLEGASS and Charles SCHULTZ, Editor of Budget Harvey HOFFMAN. After the election the following program was rendered: Declamations Sallie ROEDER and Lillie BREY; select reading Howard WEISS; Essay, Annie H. ROEDER. The following responded for sentiments: Nannie HANGEN, Ida WEISS, Alfred WENNING and Sallie SCHOENLY. The question: Resolved that the steamboat does more to mankind than the railroad was affirmatively discussed by Nannie HANGEN and Harvey DILLINGER and negatively by Alfred WENNIG and Warren OBERHOLTZER. The judges Sallie SCHOENLY, Agnes ROEDER and Warren SCHULTZ decided two to one in favor of the negative side. The general debate then ensued, in which the house also decided negatively. After the reading of the budget and the critics report the society adjourned.
While on his way home from Philadelphia late Monday night Joseph HEINING, tax collector of Collingdale Borough, Chester County was held up by two men who brutally beat and robbed him. HEINING drew a revolver and tried to fight off his assailants, but they overpowered him before he could shoot, took the pistol from him and beat him over the head with the weapon until he fell unconscious in the street. Later he identified Philip McDERMOTT and Harry LAWRENCE as his alleged assailants. Both men live in Darby. Magistrate W.W. JAMES, of Darby, held McDERMOTT and LAWRENCE under $400 bail for court.
E.C. FITCH, of Port Clinton, Pa., a brakeman, was fatally scalded on Tuesday night by the blowing out of a flue in a Philadelphia and Reading freight engine at Abrams Station near Perkiomen Junction. Edgar GILBERT, a telegraph operator at the Port Kennedy Station, was also badly scalded. Both men were taken to the Phoenixville Hospital, where FITCH died soon after his admission.
A watch that was lost between Norristown and Lansdale several weeks ago was a valuable one for the owner offers a reward of $100 for its recovery. It was a gold one with 65 genuine diamonds and fifteen jewels. George HANSEL of Hatfield and Miss Beatrice HAMILTON of Roxborough offer the reward.
Frank STACEY, of Upper Hanover, on Saturday evening won a thirty pound turkey that was chanced off by tickets that were given away at Haring's hotel with a certain amount of a purchase.
William H. FOX, while driving down an icy hill, near Hereford, was upset and thrown to the roadside in a bleeding and unconscious condition, and seriously injured internally.
Mrs. Kate EDWARDS, of Stouchsburg, Berks county, the murderess of her husband, was informed Wednesday afternoon that Governor PENNYPACKER had named February 16th as the date for her execution. He has also selected the same day for the hanging of Mrs. Edwards' negro accomplice, Samuel GREASON. When told of her fate, which she has been fighting for four years, the woman trembled violently and shed a few tears. But she did not exhibit that emotion which might be expected from a woman in her position. She had nothing to say. By her own confession the woman is guilty, and she never declared her innocence. GREASON, the lover and accomplice, on the other hand, again reiterated that he is not guilty. This belief is shared by many people. The death watch on GREASON and Mrs. EDWARDS, when relieved a few months ago, had cost the county nearly $4000. It is possible that the watchers will now be employed night and day until the date of execution. The first the officials will do will be to deprive Mrs. EDWARDS of the company of her daughter, Alma, who has been her mother's cell mate since she was born three and one-half years ago. Mrs. EDWARDS has eaten very little during the past week. It is generally believed that GREASON is the father of the child which has been kept in the jail since its birth. Had it been white it would have been adopted long ago. When those who applied for it learned that it was a halfbreed they declined to take it.
Allen P. GEIST, the Fagleysville crack shot carried off the honors in a live bird shoot at Trappe on Monday. Some of his competitors were given handicaps over from 26 to 30 yards. The Score: First event 7 birds - EMMERS, 6; KNIPE 6; DYER 5; DUDLEY 3; GEIST 5; SPAN 3. Second event 7 birds - GEIST 7; KNIPE 5; DYER 5; DUDLEY 3; EMMERS 6. Third event 7 birds - GEIST 7; DYER 5; KNIPE 6; SPARE 6; H. ZIEGLER 6; SHEERER 7; F. ZIEGLER 6; WINDER 4; Elmer ZIEGLER 7. Fourth event miss and out - GEIST 7; KNIPE 7; ZIEGLER 5; EMMERS 1; McFARLAND 2.
Booker T. WASHINGTON will find a home for Alma EDWARDS, the three-year-old child of Mrs. Kate EDWARDS and Samuel GREASON, of Stouchsburg, Berks county, a negro, both of whom await death for the murder of Mrs. EDWARDS's husband. The girl was born in the Berks county prison, soon after Mrs. EDWARDS was committed for trial. Members of the bar appealed to Booker T. WASHINGTON in behalf of the girl. He will place her in an institution in Virginia.
John RENNINGER, of Red Hill, a member of the Red Hill Band, on Monday evening dislocated his leg by making a misstep. The Band rendered the music at the bazaar at Haring's Hotel and when Mr. RENNINGER was about to step from the platform in the hall he made a misstep and fell, causing the injury. He will be compelled to remain in bed for several weeks.
Katie, the seventeen year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hiram WELKER of Hillegass, on Monday had her middle finger of the left hand caught in the cogs of a wash wringer which she was using. The finger was badly lacertated, Dr. John HERSH, of East Greenville dressed the injured member.
The decrease of 125 in the number of Montgomery County marriages the part year is attributed by Register GROFF to leap year neglect. He thinks boys waited for girls to propose, and the latter were timid. The number of licenses issued during the year was 890. Last year the grand total was 1013.
Mrs. Howard SHELL, of Rehr's Hill near Eshbach, Berks county, and her six children are afflicted with diptheria. Four of the children are in a critical condition. The husband is the only one of the family that has so far escaped.
Thirty-three oranges were grown on one tree by J. Wesley WALTERS, of Pottstown.
Red foxes are so numerous in the mountains in the lower end of Lehigh county that they are becoming somewhat of a pest, and good hounds for hunting them are everywhere in demand. Farmer YEAKEL, whose hen roost has suffered considerably, shot three of them in one day, while John BACKMAN, of Lower Milford, has trapped six so far this season. Ten years ago a red fox in this section was a rarity. Within the past five years they have rapidly increased, and it is believed that all sprang from a litter of four young foxes which were released by a young sport, who wanted to raise them for the chase and grew tired of them.
The congregation of the St. John's Lutheran church, near Spinnerstown, gave their pastor Rev. W.U. KISTLER, of Pennsburg, a Christmas present in the form of a beautiful sleigh. The pastor drove to the church in a wagon and when he was ready to leave several members of the congregation brought his horse hitched to a new sleigh, in front of the church. In presenting the action of the congregation, the spokesman, expressed the high regard the people had for their pastor and their hearty appreciation of his efforts in raising the spirituality of the church and the perfect unanimity there was in the congregation.
Edward CRESSMAN, son of Charles CRESSMAN, of the firm of Allen CRESSMAN's Sons, Sellersville, while tieing up a package with twine at their factory, ran a splinter of the twine into the end of his thumb. He picked it out at the time thinking he had it all out, but in a few days his thumb commenced to swell, and he went to a doctor who removed the remaining part of the splinter but blood poison set in and his arm is terribly swollen. A Philadelphia specialist was called and he said it would probably be necessary to amputate the arm.
James BAGANZA, a steel worker, of Enterprise, Washington County, Pa., became in-debted to Martin EDSON, a grocer, to the sum of $25, and being unable to settle the account, offered his wife in payment. EDSON, a bachelor, who had admired his debtor's spouse, agreed and the women being willing, he took her home. An enemy of EDSON several days later brought suit against him and the woman, and the pair were held under heavy bail for court. EDSON says he is willing to pay the costs, absolve BAGANZA from payment of the $25 and give back the woman if the suit is withdrawn. He says he got the worst of the bargain.
Burglars carried off over several hundred dollars' worth of Christmas gifts from the residence of Frank WILLIAMS in Norriton township, Saturday night. The gifts had been arranged on a table in the dining room, so that the different members of the WILLIAMS family could get them. Consequently when Mrs. WILLIAMS and her two daughters arose Christmas morning they were greatly disappointed. Among the articles taken were two sets of furs, a diamond ring, pearl stickpin, two lace handkeechiefs and a box of cigars.
The weather on Saturday afternoon was fierce enough to lower the scores made over the Trumbauersville clubs traps, but could not keep the shooters from carrying out a good programme. A number of professional shooters were present. Mr. L. SQUIRE, of Wilmington, Delaware, one of the representatives of the Dupont Powder Company, was present and took part. Milton S. BREY, of Geryville, one of the best marksmen in the Eastern part of the State took part and carried away a number of first moneys. Marksmen from Allentown, Quakertown, Lansdale, Hosensack and other places were also present. There were seven events and the first six had ten targets while the last had fifteen. The score is as follows:
SQUIRE 7 9 8 9 8
CROLL 7 8 9 9 8 8 8
HEADMAN 5 8 7 9 9
KULP 6 8 8
HILLEGASS 8 9 8 8 8
L. WAGNER 7 8 6 5 7 8 9
H. TEXTER 7 8 8 9 10 9 10
PFLEIFLE 7 9 7 8 7 0
H. BREY 9 9 7 8 9
M.S. BREY 10 10 9 14
F. HESSLER 7 7 10 11
W. HERSLER 6 5 9 7
S. DIEHL 6 5 6
H. CROLL 10 7 7 9
J. SCHLICHER 7 9 9
DESCH 6 6 7
Given up for dead, Abraham BECHTEL, of Phoenixville 23 years old, who disappeared one month ago, sent Christmas greetings to his parents. He is in Decatur, Ill., and in his letter to his parents he says he is well and enjoying his new surroundings. BECHTEL's disappearance was a mystery. His Parents being unable to locate him, the Schuylkill River, which runs close by the BECHTEL home, was dragged, on the supposition that he might have committed suicide.
Meditating on the Christmas story, as told in her Bible, which lay open on her lap, Miss Sarah RAMSEY of Norristown died on Christmas night, inhaling gas which escaped from a stove in her room. Miss RAMSEY, who was past 70 years of age, and the oldest dressmaker in that vicinity, resided with Reuben HALLOWELL at Swedesburg.
In a quarrel with his father late Christmas night R.C. BRENCH of Wilkesbarre is alleged to have lifted the old man, who is nearly 80 years of age, on top of a red-hot stove and the father would have burned to death had not help come in time. The son was arrested and committed to jail to answer at Court.
Four sisters, also widows, comstituted a unique gathering at No. 512 Lincoln avenue, Pottstown, where Mrs. Daniel LACHMAN, aged 81; Mrs. Jacob S. BENDER, aged 79, and Mrs. Franklin VAN HORN, aged 75, three of them, reside. The other one is Mrs. Jacob HECKER, aged 77, of Philadelphia.
Last Friday George ZIMMERMAN, editor of the Allentown Chronicle, put up a large Christmas tree covered with handsome trimmings on the rear porch of his home. The next morning the tree was gone, but the trimmings were there.
Morris MILLER, formerly of Longswamp, Berks County who was adjudged insane some time ago by a committee appointed for that purpose and who was confined in the Berks jail for safe keeping, was taken to the State asylum at Harrisburg, Saturday morning, by Sheriff MOGEL.
The residence of William BIRKBECK, of Freeland, Lehigh county, was damaged by fire, Christmas afternoon by Christmas tree candles igniting drapery. Prompt work of the department prevented the blaze from spreading.
A pie loaded with arsenic and set for mice almost cost the life of David RICHARDS, a son of ex-Burgess Joseph RICHARDS of Slatington. Young RICHARDS, who is a student at the University of Pennsylvania, arrived home last Wednesday for the holidays. Finding the family not at home and feeling hungry he went to the dumb waiter and ate a pie which his mother had placed there among other provisions. Later in the evening the young man became ill and about the same time the mother learned the poisoned pie was gone. Three doctors worked all night to save the young man's life. He is now out of danger, but his escape from death is a miracle.
The two-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Abraham MOYER, Sellersville, fell while playing with a pair of scissors, and one of the sharp pointed blades entered her forehead right above the eye, making an ugly gash of two inches long. The doctor was immediately called who dressed the wound, and the child is getting along as well as can be expected.
Rev. Richard KINAHAN, rector of St. Matthew's Church, Conshohocken, missed his first Christmas mass in nearly fifty years on Sunday on account of illness, having been dangerously afflicted for weeks with rheumatism. He is now on the road to recovery. Rev. Messrs. HUGHES and HAMILTON, curates, substituted for the sick clergyman, and succceeded in raising $3000, the largest Christmas offering in the history of the church.
Arthur MURPHY, employed at Beatty's quarry, in Plymouth township, near Norristown, went to sleep in the quarry office on Christmas night alongside a hot stove. As he dozed he rolled against the stove and overturned it, setting fire to the office. He was badly burned, but extinguished the blaze before the flames reached a large quantity of dynamite stored in the office for blasting in the quarry.
On Saturday evening Bessie, the four and a half months old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John HARTZELL, of Phillipsburg, N.J.; fell from a high chair on her face in the oven of the stove the door of which stood open. The mother hearing the child's screams ran to her assistance. Physicians were summoned who relieved as much as possible the sufferings of the little one. One side of the face is badly burned.
The Lehigh Company's power plant at Raubsville, Northampton County recently purchased by James H. NORRIS, of Philadelphia, at receiver's sale, was on Tuesday seized by a constable to satisfy a claim for $3000 for water rent due the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company. The plant is being dismantled.
Mrs. Mary ROOT, Pottstown's oldest inhabitant, celebrated her 92d birthday anniversary on Sunday, and is in excellent health. She has seven children, 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
After being locked up in a cell on the charge of disorderly conduct, David ANDERSON, of Norristown, became despondent and attempted suicide by cutting his throat with a penknife. When found he was unconscious. He has been revived, but behaves like a maniac.
The thickest hided steer in Montgomery County was slaughtered by M.M. MINNICH, of Ironbridge, and its hide weighed 118 pounds, though the steer weighed but 825 1/2 pounds.
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