A murderous assault was made up on the lives of two of the oldest residents of Franconia township, on Wednesday night shortly after midnight by two masked men, in an attempt to rob them. Mr. and Mrs. Abraham KRUPP, who reside a short distance north of Franconia Square, and live peaceably in a home by themselves, were the victims of this blood-curdling story. Both Mr. and Mrs. Abraham KRUPP, have lived to the ripe old age of 75 years, and the shock and injuries of their encounter on Wednesday night has almost been enough to terminate fatally. The robbers entered the KRUPP house and gained access to the bed chamber of the couple ere their presence was detected. When they were awakened they were confronted with two burly masked men with clubs in hand who demanded all the money and valuables in the house. When the reply that they had none, was received the robbers began to use the clubs on the now thoroughly frightened people and beat them into insensibility. As soon as this was done a search of the house was made and everything of value was taken along. They found a $20 gold piece and ten dollars in other money, a watch, a razor and other articles of minor value. After looking through every drawer and closet in the house they went to the pantry and cellar and took all the eatables including the smoked meats that were there. Before leaving the house they warned the couple not to raise an alarm or attempt to leave the house within one hour after their departure. The aged and thoroughly frightened couple succeeded in giving an alarm, but not until after the robbers had a two hours start. As soon as neighbors heard of the assault, searching parties were sent out but without avail for the culprits had too much start on them. One of the clubs used on the couple was found in the house and was the handle of an old spade. The room where this happened was an awful sight for the walls, bedding and carpets were all spattered with the blood of these helpless people. Mrs. KRUPP was severely cut about the head and Mr. KRUPP had one or more ribs broken by the assailants. No traces of the evil doers has been found up to this time. Several suspicious characters were noticed the day before.
Mrs. Henry DIEHL, of near Zionsville, recently purchased an old chair at the sale of John ROEDER, of near Zionsville, for two dollars. The chair was an heirloom to the MOYER family, of which Mrs. DIEHL is a member, and about six years ago it was sold through a mistake at the Peter MOYER sale for three cents. It was purchased by Mr. ROEDER, who then gave it a fresh coat of red paint and to brighten its appearance he gave the figures, which were burnt on it when it was made 1776, a different color of paint. The chair is one of the old style high back, and is in a good condition. Mrs. DIEHL found out that this chair would be sold and so was present and became the possessor of a chair which was the property of her great-great grandfather. She prizes this heirloom very highly and would not part with it at any price. The well known auctioneer Henry C. SCHOENLY, of Hosensack was the crier when it was sold on these two occasions and he feels certain that the chair is older than what the date shows.
The Neocosmian Literary Society of the East Greenville High School held its regular meeting on Friday February 5th. The opening exercises were conducted by the chaplain. The minutes were then read and approved off. After singing the hymn - "The summer Rain," the following programme was rendered: Select Reading, Elwood MESCHTER, "Androcies and the Lion" - Essayist, Carrie LEHMAN, "William Henry Harrison" - Orator, Elmer ERB, "Marco Bozzaris" - Extempo Talker, Blanche SCHANTZ. The next in order was the debate. The question, "Resolved, That foreign languages should be taught in public schools," was debated affirmatively by Howard FAUL and Eva BIELER; negatively by Howard ROYER and Eva DOTTERER. The judges who were Mary DOTTERER, Elwood MESCHTER and Herbert WINSCH decided infavor of the negative side. The house then decided in favor of the affimative side. A recitation was then given by Prof. E.S. LANDIS, "Ole Brown's Christmas." After singing, "The old, old song," the society adjourned.
Henry C. DERSTINE, of Derstine's creamery had one of his best horses condemned and killed by Dr. Allen Z. KEELOR, of Telford. The horse was kicked by another, which caused a compound fracture, causing the ends of bone to protrude through the skin.
Action was brought on Tuesday forenoon by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ex-relatione John H. BARTMAN, against Abram D. FETEROLF, Chief Burgess, Abraham T. ALLEBACH, President of Council and the members of Town Council of Collegeville. In his statement Mr. BARTMAN relates that he was in February of 1903 elected tax collector of Collegeville and that contrary to law the Town Council have refused to hand over to him the tax duplicate of 1903 for collection, giving it instead to the Constable in the borough. His action is brought for the purpose of compelling the Council to turn over the duplicate. The court granted a writ of alternative mandamus in the case and made it returnable on February 25, 1904.
Andrew CARNEGIE has offered to contribute $600 towards the purchase of a pipe organ for the Lansdale Methodist Episcopal church provided as much more be raised. This amount has already been guaranteed by one of the members of the congregation, and the organ is assured. The pastor, Rev. Mr. EVANS, is engaged in an effort to clear the debt on the church property, and the greater portion of the money required to do this has been pledged.
The finding of a foot, leg with shred of flesh extending to scalp attached, a few feet from the Pennsylvania Altoona passenger station, on Wednesday, led to the discovery of the death of an unknown man at Gallitizin. He was run down by a fast eastbound passenger train, and the mutilated remains were distributed along the track for a distance of twelve miles.
Samuel MENSCH, of Norristown, the former proprietor of the Windsor Hotel at that place left on Wednesday for Florida and Cuba. He was accompanied by one of his daughters. Mr. MENSCH is just recuperating from a recent illness and he makes the trip for the benefit of his health.
Kratz & Smoyer, of Kratz Station, are busily engaged in shipping ice to the Philadelphia market. They are loading from the dam and on Thursday loaded twenty-five cars.
Henry MEST, who died at Manataway, Berks county, last week, built a carriage for President Millard FILLMORE a half century ago.
Picture: Harris LENHART. The days of the mighty hunter for our part of the State are past but the spirit which when properly developed will make the successful marksman, will still at times crop out as the case of the young son of Mr. and Mrs. Irvin LENHART, of near Swamp creek, New Hanover township. A few years ago the father gave young Harris an air rifle to gratify a boyish desire. The boy rapidly developed a rare skill with this rifle and soon succeeded in bringing down small birds in great numbers. Last fall a year ago the boy prevailed on his father to be permitted to use a regular breech loader. Although small in body and handling the fire-arm of a man, the boy's aim proved so accurate that he succeeded in bagging three rabbits and a number of birds last fall. Since that time he has been constantly practicing at odd moments, so that now, although only seven years old, his aim is so unerring that he invariably succeeds in hitting the object at which he takes aim.
A horrible sight met the eyes of Mrs. Frank GRILL, of Bally, on Sunday when she entered her house and saw her fifteen months old boy one mass of flames and the room afire. While preparing supper she had occasion to leave the house for a few moments leaving several small children by themselves, and a lighted coal oil lamp on the table. During her absence her fifteen months old boy pulled at the table cover, upsetting the lamp. In an instant the little tot was enveloped in flames. The other children raised an alarm and the mother was called. When she entered the room she screamed and alarmed the neighbors who came to her assistance and saved the house from destruction. The little boy was horribly burned and Dr. O.W. BERKEY was summoned. He found the child in an awful condition and two hours later it died.
The opening sale at the Sale and Exchange stables at Hendrick's hotel, Schwenksville, on Tuesday afternoon was very largely attended and good prices realized. Henry H. FAUST, of Frederick, sold all but a few of a carload of western horses, and Jonas FISHER, of Gratersford, disposed of a lot of shoats and pigs at public sale.
At different times during the past winter some of the street lights of the borough of Pennsburg were tampered with, but during the past week one particular light in front of the Edwin MILLER residence was turned low several nights in succession. Pedestrians have brought complaint to the lamp lighter, S.B. KEPLER, and he in another colum of this paper serves notice to the person who maliciously intereferes with the borough property.
The creamery and butcher house of Henry C. DERSTINE, of near Morwood was totally destroyed by fire early Friday morning. At about three o'clock Mr. DERSTINE got up to convey his product to the Telford depot in order to ship to the Philadelphia markets, when he noticed that the creamery was in flames. An alarm was at once made but before help arrived the butcher house which was close by was also in flames. With the assistance of the neighbors, two express wagons and a beef that was slaughtered the day before were removed from the butcher house. A large quantity of market goods were consumed including about 800 pounds of butter. The origin of the fire is a mystery, for one hour before Mr. DERSTINE arose, Mrs. DERSTINE was awake but did not notice anything of a fire. Mr. DERSTINE is in this business for the past thirteen years and conducts a large business. His loss is only partially insured, $2,000 insurance being carried on the creamery by the Norristown Union Mutual and $1000 on the butcher house, by the Goshenhoppen Mutual, of Pennsburg.
Prof. E.A. JACOBY, of Perkiomen Seminary, on Saturday, upset while out sleighing. He was a short distance beyond Geryville when he landed in the snow drifts. The horse tore loose from the sleigh and ran towards his home. At the Pennsburg postoffice he was caught. Prof. JACOBY engaged a team from John HALLMAN and he and the broken sleigh were taken home.
Skin grafting was performed in the Allentown Hospital on Wednesday, the first time in the history of the institution. The patient is a young Hungarian, John VINCERN, whose face was scalded. Pieces of cuticle were taken from the man's leg and transplanted to the wounds on the face.
The family of Howard BANDER, of Emaus, had a narrow escape from asphyxiation by coal gas, on Friday night of last week. During the night Mrs. BANDER, was aroused by the smell of coal gas and she at once hurried to the window to let fresh air in the room. In her efforts to reach the window she fell several times through weakness. After a struggle she reached the window. She had only about enough strength left to open the window. As soon as fresh air entered the room she recovered sufficient strength to awaken her husband and children, who were also partially asphyxiated. After considerable excitement the family found to be all out of danger. The gas entered their bed room through a register from the heater in the room below.
A sleighing party from Vera Cruz on Saturday evening was entertained at the home of David G. TREICHLER and family, of Hereford. The following comprised the party: Mr. and Mrs. Wayne KLEIN, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel FETHERMAN, Mr. and Mrs. Milton KLINE, Mr. and Mrs. Howard MILLER, Mr. and Mrs. Leon FETTERMAN, Mr. and Mrs. Victor BACKENSTO, Mr. and Mrs. David W. TREICHLER, Jr., Messrs. Oscar REINHARD, Milton STICHLER, Barkie REINHARD, George WALTER, George WEAN, Willie MOHR, Elwood REINHARD, Charles FETTERMAN, Misses Annie STOUDT, Sallie MUTH;, Lizzie HEIL, Alice WAMBOLD and Lulu FETTERMAN.
Because he had been charged by his wife with cruelty to her and their child, Harry TROUT, of Pottstown, is now accused of having poured five buckets of cold water from the roof down the stovepipe, causing devastation to the TROUT kitchen.
The ten year old daughter of William CLINGEN, of Chicago, Ill., died on Wednesday, of injuries received in the Iroquois theatre fire, making the 575th victim of that catastrophe, according to the coroner's records.
A Luther League Convention will be held at Royersford on Monday, February 22. The delegates from the St. Paul's Lutheran Church, of near Pennsburg are Irvin HORN, of East Greenville, and Harry TABOR, of Pennsburg.
Erwin BOOZ, of Argus, this week, leased the Spring Mount Hotel. He will take possession of the same on the first of April.
Dr. J.W. VAUGHN, a medical practitioner at Souderton, this county, formerly of Salfordville, has brought suit for damages to the amount of $5000 against Dr. J.E. BAUMAN, of West Telford, alleging that through a letter sent by the latter to Edwin ALDERFER, of Souderton, his business was maliciously ruined and that he has lost the respect of the community. The letter that Dr. BAUMAN is alleged to have written is as follows: Dear Friend - You may think it none of my business to say anything to what may happen to-morrow, but I cannot resist to mention the fact to you that you are running an awful risk in permitting Dr. VAUGHN to operate on you. He is in a desperate position, he must do something and it is either a make or a break. He will tell you that it is nothing new for him to make this operation whereas it is so far as I know his first attempt. All eyes of Souderton are on you and you cannot afford to risk your life in the hands of an unskilled man who is daily under the influence of strong drink and may be unclean at that. I am not seeking an interest in your case but what I here say is for your welfare and that of your family. You are perfectly safe without an operation just now and I know a man who will operate on you for less than it will cost you to-morrow and you will not then run any risk by an operation. Do as you think best now in this matter but take advice from older heads and you will have the good will and thanks of all around you. I do not wish you to mention anything I here write. Wishing you well I am. Your friend, Dr. BAUMAN. Dr. VAUGHN, through his attorney claims that these statements are false and that he is a skilled surgeon and that he is not addicted to strong drink. By reason of this letter he claims that his practice has been damaged to the extent of the above amount. The plaintiff in this suit for damages has also issued a capias in slander against Dr. BAUMAN and the latter has given bonds for his appearance.
Some mean thief visited the premises of William CHRISTMAN, of Perkiomenville and stole a pig and eleven chickens. Suspicion rests on some one and it will not be a surprise to hear that the guilty person is brought to justice.
The home of Hayes BALMER, of Red Hill, was on Monday quarantined on account of one of the children having an attack of scarlet fever. The case is only a mild one.
The Junior Class, of Perkiomen Seminary last Friday evening enjoyed a sleigh ride to Hereford. They were conveyed thither by Edward LIVEZEY in his up-to-date sleigh.
Mica has been discovered on the farm of John B. WELLER, of Hereford, and mining operations have already been started. The mica is found in large quantities.
Josephus GERHARD, of Clayton, sold three draft horses to Wallach & Rosenberger, of Boyertown, for which he received nine hundred dollars. esday and also his father who is sick there.
A family reunion was held at the house of David G. COVELY, of Harlem, in honor of Mrs. Polly COVELY (nee GERY) widow of the late David COVELY. Her children, grand-children, great-grand-children and other relatives and friends paid her tribute of respect. An enjoyable time was spent by all. Different members of the assembled guests at times entertained the rest. Michael G. COVELY and Henry G. COVELY were the star entertainers, they impersonated different nationalities, gave military drills, vocal selections and dialogues in different languages. The most entertaining, was the duet given by them in vocal and whistling. Michael performed his part well in vocal, but when it came to whistling he was not in it for he could not pucker his mouth for that part, so his brother David who was sitting back of him, showed him how to shape his mouth so that he could whistle. This part was hugely enjoyed by all present. Francis COVELY, of Frankford, Indiana, who was present made a proposition to his brothers to take them along West and start a minstrel troupe. All kinds of refreshments were served and everybody wished Mrs. COVELY, health and happiness for many more years. She is eighty years old and in good health. An incident which interested the COVELY family which happened seventy years ago was related by some of the older members present. William COVELY, an uncle to these COVELY's, was murdered about a half mile south east of Harlem, in a wood path leading from the State road to the Philadelphia road. The murderer was an Irishman, who escaped and was never arrested and punished for this offense. The following were present: Mrs. Polly COVELY, Mr. and Mrs. David G. COVELY, Francis COVELY, of Frankfort, Indiana, Mrs. James SALLADE, of Schuylkill Haven, Mr. and Mrs. Edwin BAUER, of Pottstown, Henry COVELY and son James, of Pottstown, Mrs. James GREISS and David COVELY, Jr., of Pottstown, Mrs. F. MCCARTY, of Pottsville, Mr. and Mrs. William BAUER, of Reading, Mr. and Mrs. John COVELY and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Michael COVELY, Charles COVELY, Harvey STENGEL, Andrew STAUFFER, all of Bally, Mr. and Mrs. Frank COVELY, of Pottstown, Dr. A.O. GERY, of Chapel, Erwin C. GERY, Mr. and Mrs. William GERY, of Siesholtzville, Lizzie COVELY, Ellen COVELY, Agnes COVELY, Henry COVELY, Mrs. George KEHS, Mrs. Daniel ROTHENBERGER and Mrs. Lewis ROTHENBERGER.
By virtue of a writ of Levari Facias issued out of the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County, to me directed, will be sold at public sale, on Wednesday, February 24, 1904, at 2 o'clock, p.m., in Court Room No. 1, at City Hall, in the Borough of Norristown, said county, the following described real estate. All that certain messuage and lot of land situate at Salfordville, in Upper Salford township, said county, to-wit: Beginning in the middle of the Skippack Road, bounded by the middle of a public road leading to the Sumneytown Turnpike, lands now or late of Jacob OELSCHLAGER, James P.M. DALLMAN and said Skippack Road, containing one acre and one hundred and twenty perches of land, more or less. The improvements are a two-story stone store and dwelling house 30 ft. by 38 ft., a two-story frame back building, covered with galvanized iron, 20 ft. by 30 ft.; one-story frame kitchen 10 ft. by 10 ft., porch front, side and back; store room and 5 rooms on first floor; 6 rooms on second floor, attic, pump on back porch, pump at side of house, cistern in cellar, two-story frame store house 15 ft. by 20 ft., smoke house, frame stable 20 ft. by 40 ft., stabling for 2 horses, wagon house, pig-sty,warehouse, corn crib and other outbuildings. Seized and taken in execution as the property of H.H. REED, otherwise called Harry H. REED, with notice to Milton H. WALTERS, assigneee for the benefit of creditors, terretenant and to be sold by John LARZELERE, Sheriff. Down money $75.00. Sheriff's Office, Norristown, Pa., January 30, 1904.
By virtue of a writ of Levaria Facias issued out of the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County, to me directed, will be sold at public sale, on Wednesday, February 24, 1904, at 2 o'clock, p.m., in Court Room No. 1, at City Hall, in the Borough of Norristown, said county, the following described real estate: All that certain messuage and tract of land situate in Marlborough township, said county, to-wit: Beginning in the late Sumneytown & Gerysville Turnpike Road, bounded by lands now or late of Michael YOUNG, Peter MILLER and said Turnpike Road, containing 4 acres of land. The improvements are a two-story frame dwelling house, 30 ft. by 18 ft., 2 rooms on first floor, 3 rooms on second floor, cellar, frame kitchen 18 ft. by 6 ft., frame stable 22 ft. by 15 ft., stabling for one horse and one cow; wagon room, outbuildings, well of water near house. Seized and taken in execution as the property of Henry J. SMITH, administrator of the estate of George SHOLL, deceased, Elizabeth SHOLL, Mahlon SHOLL, Laura WALKER (nee SHOLL), and Henry J. SMITH guardian of Katie SHOLL, Clara SHOLL and William SHOLL, minors being respectively the widow and all the heirs of George SHOLL, deceased, and to be sold by John LARZELERE, Sheriff. Down money $75.00. Sheriff's Office, Norristown, Pa., January 30, 1904.
Last Modified