An attempt was made to rob Souderton station on the North Penn Branch of the Reading Railway, on Thursday. The telegraph operator, Lamech WILDONGER, who was on duty, was shot through the hand in resisting the 17 year old robber, who later, when apprehended, confessed at the hearing before a magistrate. The operator suffering from his wound pluckly seized the operating key and telegraped for assistance, with the fortunate result that the thief was captured. He was arraigned before Magistrate LOUX, of Souderton, who committed him to jail. The youth gave his name as Raymond T. STONE, of North Wales, and admitted the theft and the shooting. WILDONGER testified at the hearing that he was temporarily out of the office, and on returning saw STONE escaping with a handful of notes and silver. The station cash drawer had been robbed of $35. WILDONGER gave chase and was pressing close to the fugitive, when the fleeing man dropped the money, and as WILDONGER stopped to pick it up STONE whipped out a pistol and fired at WILDONGER, the bullet passing through his hand. STONE in his flight lost his hat. At Franconia Square, several miles away, he purchased a cap, as his pursuers learned, and from here he was traced down the Allentown pike to White's Corner, near Lansdale, where he was overtaken by Constable LANDIS, of Souderton. WILDONGER, after reporting the shooting over the wire and putting a subsitute in his place, joined the pursuing party and aided in STONE's capture. STONE had been hanging around the station for several week. He comes of good parents, his father being employed in Philadelphia. STONE says he is 17 years old, but he looks twenty.
Rev. A.K. WARREN, formerly pastor of the East Stroudsburg Baptist Church, denies that he has relinquished the ministry. In a letter dated Sidney, N.Y., he explains as follows: I am preaching, but I also have a jewelry store. Instead of working for a whole year for $350 I am clearing over $100 per month. I decided to take up Paul's way. Some ministers run bills they can never pay; many would like to do as I am doing, but they have no trade so they are eking out a miserable existence as church paupers.
A large black bear attacked a young daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Josiah KNIPER at Long Pond, Monroe county, and but for the assistance of the father the child would have been killed. The girl was in a field near the house picking dandelions when the bear came from a near-by wood and rushed at her. The father, in response to the child's cries, hastened to her assistance and drove the beast towards the forest.
Oliver H. SPANGLER, of Reading was playing on the floor with his infant child when he felt a stinging sensation in his right ear. Upon investigation he found a fish hook imbedded in the fleshy part of the ear and was unable to extricate it. He proceeded to a hospital, where the hook was removed. How it became fastened there is a mystery to Mr. SPANGLER.
George WELKER is in receipt of the following postal card dated on board ship: "Just now approaching England. We are in a very heavy fog. Fog horn blows continually. Pleasant voyage. Was not sea-sick. Am enjoying the best of health and spending my time in eating and sleeping. Will arrived in England on May 27. Calvin M. DELONG.
The charter of the Herald Publishing Company, of Emaus, was entered in the office of the Recorder of Deeds at Allentown this week. The capital stock is $5,000, divided into five hundred shares at $10 each. The stockholders are Wm. S. SCHLICHTER, the treasurer, with 100 shares; E.E. ALTHOUSE, 60; Ada SCHLICHTER, 20, all of Sellersville; Frank M. XANDER, Emaus, 60 shares.
The property formerly owned by John DIMMIG, lying near Pennsburg, was on Tuesday sold by Harrison DIMMIG to Charles H. DIMMIG at private figures. Possession will be given on June 15.
A reception was tendered to Mr. and Mrs. Elmer KRAMMES last Sunday noon, at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.C. KRAMMES, of this place, in honor of their wedding which they had a week ago. Those present were: Henry L. ROSENBERGER, of Spinnerstown; Mr. and Mrs. J.C. KRAMMES, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer KRAMMES, Mr. and Mrs. John KRAMMES and children, Herbert, Clarence and Wilmer, Mr. and Mrs. W.E. HANGEN and children, Robert, Maude, Stella, Edna and Esther and Wm. H. KRAMMES, all of this place; Mr. and Mrs. H.S. KRAMMES and daughter, Hattie, Mr. and Mrs. Harvey YERGER and children, Florence and Raymond, Mrs. Benjamin HEIST and Ralph WEISS, of Philadelphia.
Just prior to the breaking out of the severe storm on Monday evening Dr. S.B. SWAVELY, of Pottstown, assisted by his wife, was engaged in cleaning the spouting of his barn. The doctor had ascended to the roof while his wife stood in the door-way of the barn, and while in this position there came a flash of lightning that appeared to have struck into the ground. Both were stunned. Mrs. SWAVELY was thrown back into the stable and was shocked to insensibility. The doctor was more fortunate. He received the shock in both arms and down through his body, and it was only by the greatest effort that he kept his position on the ladder. The wood rong of the ladder being a non-conductor of electricity probably saved him from a more serious injury. They recovered but were quite severely shaken up by the lightning's shock.
Suit has been instituted by Henry ECK of Boyertown, against the Goshenhoppen Fire Insurance Company to recover $1500 sustained as a loss in the burning of a property insured in the defendant company. The case is rather peculiar. One of the directors paid a premium that was due against ECK and the amount was regularly credited on the books of the Company making it appear as if ECK had paid it himself, but the property burned before ECK refunded the money to the director who had kindly advanced the money for the premium. The company claims that the insurance had lapsed in as far as ECK's interests are concerned and are withholding the money.
Mrs. FUNK, mother of Titus FUNK, of Quakertown, tripped on the carpet and fell in her home on Sixth street on Saturday evening and broke a limb. She was alone in the house, and it was with difficulty that she could make the neighbors hear her. She was made as comfortable as possible, and on Sunday morning was removed to her son's house.
Contractor J.B. WOLF, of Telford, was on Saturday awarded the contract to erect the gauge factory at Sellersville, for Place & Co., of New York. The factory will be a brick building 150 by 52 feet. The factory will cause a boom for Sellersville from a business standpoint.
A long and active life was brought to a peaceful close on Monday in the borough of Green Lane, when Samuel KRAUSS (picture) who was born August 7, 1807, passed away. Mr. KRAUSS was of sturdy Pennsylvania German stock and had long been identified with Schwenkfelders and was of diversified talents and mechanical turn of mind. He early gave evidence of his genius and successfully turned his attention to the duties of the storekeeper, foundryman, watchmaker, miller and farmer. It was at the trade of watch and clock making that he achieved fame. He made a specialty of the large grandfather clocks and built about thirty-five in all. But a bare half dozen can be traced to this day, and they have become very valuable. His natural bent suggested to him the idea of becoming a clock maker, and an interesting story of how he made his first clock out of solid wood with a brad awl and a jack knife, has become a family tradition. Self-taught, he began an extensive clock building business and his services as a watchmaker were in demand by people from far and near. During the active years of his long life he was engaged in business in Philadelphia, Allentown, Coopersburg and at one time owned the extensive milling property at Hosensack, besides valuable holdings in Allentown. Mr. KRAUSS was always a great reader and up to the day of his death he took an active interest in the news of the day. Besides this he had a taste for literature and authorship, publishing about 1880, a little volume of German Hymns of his own composition. During late years he was somewhat infirm but his faculties were unimpared, which Mr. KRAUSS attributed to his regular habits and a total abstinence from tobacco in any form. Mr. KRAUSS was always a reader of the German Neutralist and for years an intelligent contributor or correspondent. His manuscript was always written with German characters and his penmanship was of the so-called old school. He was a man of more than ordinary mind and achievement in the common walks of life. The facts above given, and many others connected with this interesting old landmark, deserve to be preserved, as they no doubt will be, for future generations of the KRAUSS family. In their records we are sure will always be accorded a prominent place to the late A.E. DAMBLY's old friend, Samuel KRAUSS, whose letters to the Neutralist were signed "Der Alte hinter-m Berg" - the old man back of the hill.
Cyrus T. FOX, regarded as one of the most expert horticulturists in the country, gives it as his opinion that unless something is done to combat the propagation of the San Jose scale "there will be no fruit trees in Pennsylvania' in a short time. The State Monthly Bulletin devotes much space to a discussion of the scale and the best means of fighting it. It can be had for the asking, and every owner of a fruit tree should write the department at Harrisburg for a copy. Our county contains a number of fine orchards, and the owners will do well to watch for the first appearance of the scale. It spreads rapidly, and if allowed to go unchecked will kill the trees in short order. The scale was introduced into Pennsylvania through the importation of some nursery trees from a neighboring State in 1894. In less than a year it was detected in twelve counties, and now it is distributed generally throughout the State. The reports received at Harrisburg indicates that there isn't a county in the State free from the scourge. The farmers of our county should use every endeavor to conquer the ravages of the scale. It can be subjugated and the fruit trees saved. It will not pay to take any risks. The disease is too serious.
While Mrs. Annie HILDEBRAND, of Harleysville, was ascending a flight of stairs she was attacked by a slight stroke of apoplexy and fell down the whole flight of steps. She was picked up in an unconscious condition. Her injuries were thought serious at first, but she was only slightly injured about the head and is doing as well as can be expected.
Camp 470 P.O.S. of A., will hold its annual strawberry and ice cream festival on June 18. A fine orchestra is engaged to furnish the music at intervals during the evening.
The Sunday school of Keelor's church will hold their annual ice cream and strawberry festival on Saturday afternoon, June 11.
It is reported that the rainfall on Monday night was the heaviest in twenty years. Within a few hours four inches fell and reports throughout Berks county show that no less than 15 persons were stunned by lightning, some being rendered unconscious for a time. At Pottstown the storm was terrific. The thunder was deafning and the people were scared. The rainfall was so heavy that most of the streets were flooded from curb to curb. The house of John DIEROLF, of Bechtelsville, was struck by lightning while the family was at the supper table. The bolt broke the dishes on the table into fragments and damaged the house very badly. Throughout the county much damage was done to the public roads and many of the corn and potatoe fields suffered from washouts.
Rev. F.E. COOPER, pastor of St. Marks Lutheran church, South Bethlehem, has received a call to go to Porto Rico under the direction of the Missionary Board of the General Council of the Lutheran church. He will probably accept. He is a son of Rev. Dr. C.J. COOPER, of Allentown, Treasurer of Muhlenberg College, and graduated from the latter institution in 1896 and from the Lutheran Theological Seimary at Mt. Airy in 1899. He has been pastor of St. Mark's church, South Bethlehem, several years.
A vicious rooster, belonging to a neighbor, attacked, Frank, the four year old son of E.J. TROXELL, of Allentown, knocking him down and pecking and spurring him. The mother was brought to the rescue by the screams of the child and after a sharp fight she succeeded in driving off the vicious fowl.
A concert will be given this evening in Odd Fellow's Hall, Pennsburg, under the auspices of the Red Hill Band. Our music loving public can anticipate a rare treat as the Band is in thorough training and their music is up to date. A feature of the evening will be a lecture by Rev. G.W. GENZLER, of Selingsgrove, formerly of this vicinity.
Jacob U. FAUST, of Norristown, formerly of Perkiomenville, was a visitor in this borough this week.
Winford TARTER, the barber employed by Herbert KNEULE, has left his position and will stay for a short time in our midst, boarding at the American House.
Services in the Pennsburg Reformed church, tomorrow morning at 9.30 o'clock, and in the evening at 7 o'clock, by Rev. Geo. W. LUTZ.
The wife of Rev. KAUFFMAN, nee Alice BROWN, of Snyder county, formerly one of the East Greenville teachers, is visiting friends in these boroughs.
Mr. and Mrs. H.W. STETTLER, of this borough, entertained Mr. STETTLER's mother and C.W. MARKLEY and family, of Fredrick, and Mr. YERGER and lady friend of Pottstown, on Sunday.
Mr. and Mrs. N. YORGEY, of Schwenksville, were the guests of Mr. and Mrs. H.B. HARLEY, of the American House on Sunday.
D.S. KERN and C.M. REED, of this borough, made a business trip to Allentown on Saturday.
Mr. and Mrs. E.J. WIEDER, of this borough, entertained Wilson EARNEY and family and John STAUFFER and family, of Limeport, on Sunday.
Dr. Jesse Z. HILLEGASS, of Allentwon, made a business trip to Pennsburg and Red Hill on Tuesday.
Charles ORT, of Philadelphia, and Frank ORTT, of Brooklyn, N.Y., spent Saturday and Sunday with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen ORTT, of this borough.
Allen SLONAKER and wife, of this borough, spent Saturday and Sunday with friends in Philadelphia.
William DRESSLER and his daughter Annie, of this borough, spent Saturday and Sunday in Philadelphia paying a visit to Warren DRESSLER, the son of the former.
A.C. RAY, clerk in the office of the Auditor General, at Harrisburg, spent Saturday with Horace ESHBACH and family. Mr. RAY was a publisher and printer in the western part of the state before entering on the duties of his present position.
Mr. and Mrs. Fred KOHLER, of Lansdale, spent Saturday and Sunday with friends and relatives in these boroughs. Mr. KOHLER was formerly the owner of the bakery, of East Greenville.
Warren AHLUM and wife, of Philadelphia, visited Wm. B. DIEHL and family, of this borough on Sunday.
A fraternal visit was paid to Perkiomen Lodge F.A.M., East Greenville, on Tuesday evening by W.H. MAXWELL, D.D.G.M., Theodore MILLER, George TROLLINGER and Mr. MORRIS, Pottstown, Rev. B.F. LUCKENBILL and Dr. Norman RAHN, Souderton and Horace CAMPBELL, Royersford.
C.Q. HILLEGASS and family occupied their summer residence, the Catharine, along the Perkiomen on Wednesday.
S.S. ADAMS, cutter in the STETLER Shoe factory is again afflicted with carbuncles. This is the second time within a year.
Chas. KRIEBEL and wife, of Worcester, were the guests of Prof. H.W. KRIEBEL and wife, of East Greenville, on Sunday.
Estella GRIESAMER, of East Greenville, spent Sunday in Philadelphia.
James EDINGER, Elwood WALTERS and Harry BIELER, of Philadelphia, spent Sunday with the parents of Harry BIELER in East Greenville.
Robert WETZEL, of East Greenville, bought the house of Wm. KEHL in the upper end of the borough and will take possession in September.
C.A. KNEULE prop., of the Pennsburg Hotel made a business trip to Philadelphia on Thursday.
W.K. HEINLY, of East Greenville, spent Sunday and Monday in Allentown.
E.W. SCHOLL of this borough was to Philadelphia on Friday on business.
Mrs. STEINMAN, of East Greenville, accompanied by her son and daughter spent last Saturday in Allentown.
Walter GRIESAMER, of East Greenville, and Mamie DELONG of this borough, visited Philadelphia friends on Saturday and Sunday.
August QUINQUE, a machinist of Harleysville, has found a new use for a second hand bicycle. He managed to reconstruct the machine to furnish power for the purpose of sharpening lawn mowers and other tools.
Three tramps were arrested Thursday afternoon in the barn of Simon J. SCHMOYER, near Macungie, on a warrant sworn out by R.A. NEITZ, proprietor of the Continental Hotel, of that place, whose house had been robbed on Saturday night. The hoboes were taken before Squire KNAUSS, of Macungie, who discharged one and send the other two to jail for a further hearing. The two committed gave their names as Joseph MILLER and George SMITH. The constable was given a lively chase by MILLER who ran through the soft corn fields for more than a half a mile. The officer sent five shots after the fleeing man and the tramp finally surrendered. MILLER had a brand new 32-calibre, self-acting revolver in his possession which had presumably been recently stolen, as it had never been fired and was not loaded. The tramps had no cartridges in their pockets. Some of the articles that had been stolen from the hotel were found hidden in the hay loft of Mr. SCHMOYER's barn and were returned to the proprietor. The constable says that in his long service as an officer he hever had any dealing with a fellow that was an gamey as MILLER.
Joseph ANDERS Jr., the proprietor of the Spread Eagle Hotel, is having an extension and an enlarged bar placed in his hotel. It is 32 feet long and made of mahogany and quarted oak. The top being of solid mahogany and the base moulding of tile, the back or wall piece consists of two large mirrors 1/4 of an inch beveled glass, 52 by 72 inches. The columns are trimmed with handsome pieces of carved work which gives it a very neat appearance. The faucets are all highly polished and placed in convenient positions with a nice tile water trough in front of the bar. Joe says he will have one of the handsomest bar room in Bucks County when finished. He wears a broad smile on his improvements and the community is highly pleased with them. The furnishing is being installed by Tillman DELONG and the plumbing is done by E.J. ROHRBACH, both of Topton.
John FISHER, a mining engineer of Hazleton, aged 19 committed suicide by shooting himself on Monday evening in a fit of anger because his supper was not promptly prepared for him upon his return from work. He had threatened several days before to take his life because of trivial trouble with a member of the family.
While on his return trip on Saturday evening from Sellersville to Argus one of the horses of Aaron WEIKEL, the mail carrier, took sick when almost at home. A veterinarian was called but the horse died of inflamation of the bowels on Sunday.
Professor DRUM, of Bucknell University, took a fishing outing on Monday. On his return home he met Officer BURKEY, a fish warden, who asked him: "What luck?" On being shown the catch, five small sunfish, BURKEY arrested him for catching them out of season, and he was fined $51.50.
A terrible accident happened on Sunday morning at 10.30 o'clock at Hecktown, in which Henry EISEL, of Seip's, near Easton, was killed and his wife probably fatally injured. Mr. and Mrs. EISEL were on their way to visit their daughter, Mrs. Edwin ROHN and family, at Hecktown, and as they were in the act of driving into the yard of their daughter's home they were struck by a trolley car coming from Nazareth, instantly killing Mr. EISEL and badly injuring Mrs. EISEL. The horse was killed and the wagon was demolished. Wallace RUHE, of Allentown, was at that time coming from Nazareth in his Auto and the horse took fright at the tooting of the horn of the Auto, became unmanageable and dashed to the side towards the entrance of the yard wherein the aged couple intended to stop. A trolley car that had been racing with the auto dashed into the team at this juncture. Mr. and Mrs. EISEL were both thrown a short distance and were dragged by the car. Mr. EISEL was dead when he was picked up. His face was badly disfigured and the body apparently suffered from a number of broken bones, but Mrs. EISEL was still living. She was at once carried into the home of her daughter and Dr. BECK discovered a rib broken and other injuries. Both are between 65 and 70 years of age.
A trolley car of the Lehigh Valley Traction Company, carrying nine passengers, jumped the track on a curve at the foot of a hill near Hellertown on Sunday evening and collided with a trolley pole. The car was overturned in a stony ditch. All the passengers were injured, those hurt, most seriously being Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. GETZ and Bertha R. CHRIST, of South Allentown.
William FRANKENFIELD, a telegraph operator of Allentown turned a complete summersault from a rock 20 feet high and landed on his feet, but the jar was so severe that he sustained a fracture of both legs.
At Saturday's session of the annual convention of the Ministerium of the Lutheran Church, Philadelphia, Bryn Mawr College was designated a "heathen institution." The Rev. T.E. SCHMAUK, president of the General Assembly of the Lutheran Church in America, in an address to the delegates, said: "If I had a daughter to educate I should never think of sending her to that heathen institution at Bryn Mawr, where the students are told that Adam and Eve are myths." This statement was received by most of his auditors with perfect calm, and in many parts of the church heads nodden approvingly. The subject came before the convention in a criticism of the work accomplished at Muhlenberg College, Allentown. The critics, Dr. SCHMAUK rose to denounce. He declared the college was doing effective work, and those who find fault are traitors. "Criticism," he continued, "should come from those who are willing to help construct." The cause of the discussion was the insufficient length of time devoted to the study of the German language at Muhlenberg.
Early on Sunday morning an attempt was made to burn the East End Hotel, of Pottstown. Cotton waste saturated with coal oil, was placed against the kitchen door in the rear of the house and set on fire. William BENGEN one of the guests was aroused by the crackling of the flames and on looking out saw the rear of the hotel ablaze. With the aid of the guests and employees the flames were extinguished. The cotton waste was found against the door where it had been placed together with a pint bottle containing coal oil. The hotel was filled with workmen employed by contractors in building a road in Lower Pottsgrove township.
The new pipe organ of St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church, North Wales, of which Rev. A.C. SHENCK is pastor, was consecrated on Sunday. Professor C.A. MARKS, of Allentown, played at both morning and evening services. The organ cos t $1650, of which Andrew CARNEGIE contributed $625.
Even though his right hand is crippled, George SHERRY, still in his teens, who, is in great demand as a piona player at dances and parties, is the champion endurance piano player of America, winning that distinction, when he lapped Champion WATERBURY's record of 26 hours by 35 minutes. SHERRY started in playing at 8 o'clock last Wendesday evening, and at 10.35 on Thursday night he was forced to quit by Dr. EVRAND, who had been constantly at his side, giving him nourishment, chafing his swollen wrists and arms and refreshing him with applications of cold lotions. SHERRY played 1102 pieces of music without cessation in his world's record performance. His right hand was crippled at the steel works two years ago by a heavy hammer that crushed it. The fingers are almost useless, and he strikes the right-hand keys mostly with the second joint of the thumb.
The new electric light system installed in the county jail was used for the first time this week. This system installed by Electrician CRISMAN is a model one. The entire jail will be illuminated by electricity and there will be a small incandescent light in each cell with the switch for turning on and off the same upon the exterior of the apartment. This idea is the result of the recent attack made upon Warden GOTWALS and Keeper BECKWITH by Prisoners CORNWALL and BOND. At that time when the officials entered the cell of the two men they were attacked in the darkness. With the new provision the keeper before entering a cell at night will turn on the light and the apartment will be brighter than in day time.
Rev. J.A. SINGMASTER, D.D., professor in the Lutheran Theological Seminary, at Gettysburg, will preach in the Seminary Chapel, tomorrow evening, at 7.30 o'clock. Dr. SINGMASTER was formerly stationed at Allentown, and is well known through this section as an earnest and forceful pulpit orator and as one of the growing and prominent men in his own church.
The annual sale of imported Jersey cattle of T.S. COOPER, the importer, was held on his Linden Grove Farm at Coopersburg on Monday. There were buyers present from all sections of the Union and the sale proved a great success. Ninety head of cattle were brought into the ring and sold. The average price realized was $488.72 and the total for the sale amounted to $44,460. One cows was sold for $3600. This cow is said to be the finest that ever left the island of Jersey.
About 100 members of the two companies of the Baptist Boys' Brigade of Reading will camp at Collegeville from July 21 to 31. The location, which has been annually occupied by the boys for the past four years, was secured by Rev. J.S. BROMLEY. It will be named camp D.L. ESTERLY, in honor of the treasurer of the congregation. The camp will be in charge of Rev. Mr. BROMLEY instead of Maj. C.H. SEMBOWER, who with his son Guy, will leave July 6, on a ten weeks' trip to Europe.
The Thomas Iron Company celebrated its semi-centennial anniversary at Hokendauqua. The stockholders, members of their families and a number of invited quests attended the jubilee anniversary. A large pavilion, capable of seating 500 people at dinner, had been erected on the village green, where guests were entertained at dinner and instrurcted as to the part the Thomas Iron Company has played in the manufacture of pig iron in the last half century.
Eight Harrisburg boys ranging from seven to twelve years played truant. While in the woods one of them suggested that in order to get a prolonged vacation they rub ivy leaf on their faces, remarking, "It will burn little sores and won't hurt you." They all followed instructiens and as a result are in the hospital undergoing treatment. Three of the boys are in a precarious condition.
At the ninth annual convention of the Montgomery County Sunday School Association recently held at Norristown, Dr. O.C. HEFFNER, of Pottstown, was elected vice-president. The doctor was formerly a resident of Sassamansville and takes an active interest in Sunday schools affairs.
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