Pennsburg.The School Board of Pennsburg met on Monday evening in the High School room. The Tax Collector and Treasurer presented their reports whereupon the business of the past year was closed up and the old board adjourned "Sine die." Immediately after adjournment the credentials of the members elected at the last February election were presented. The retiring members being W.H. HERSH, C.G. FRIES and J.H. KLINE and the new members W.H. HERSH, who succeeds himself, Horace MOYER, who succeeds Mr. FRIES and Wm. BITTING, the successor of Mr. KLINE. Organization was effected by electing C.A. TITLOW, Pres., S.S. ADAMS, Sec'y, and W.H. HERSH, Treas., being the officers of last year. The President appointed the following committees: On books and stationery, S.S. ADAMS, C.A. TITLOW and Horace MOYER. On building and grounds, W.H. HERSH, Wm. BITTING and L.H. KLINE. The school term was fixed at nine months, schools to open on Monday, August 22. The tax rate was fixed at 5 1/2 mills. The board considered the advisability of opening an additional room on account of the overcrowding of the three lower rooms, but it was finally decided to relieve the over crowding by promoting two classes instead of one from the Secondary room to the Intermediate room, hoping thereby to avoid the necessity of large extra expense which the opening of an additional room would require. Action was taken on the compulsory attendance act, and according to its provisions, the same arrangements were made that prevailed during last term. The salaries of the High and Intermediate rooms were made same as last year while that of the Secondary grade was advanced from $35 to $38 per month and those of the Primary rooms from $32 to $35 per month. All the teachers of last year were re-elected with the exception of Miss Minnie FOLWEILLER, who resigned, the vacancy was filled by electing Miss Bertha E. RENNINGER, of Perkiomenville.
East Greenville. The school board of East Greenville, held its finial meeting on Wednesday evening, June 1st, and closed the business of last term. Upon the conclusions of its business the old board adjourned and the new board was organized by re-electing the officers of the past year, namely: N.B. KEELY, Pres.; George CHRISTMAN, Sec'y.; and A.J. LORENTZ, Treas. The tax rate for the coming term was fixed at 5 mills and a term of 9 months was established. The following changes were made in the salaries of the teachers: Principal, from $50 to $60; Intermediate from $43 to $45, and the three lower grades, each from $35 to $37. A special meeting was held on Wednesday evening, June 8th, for the purpose of electing teachers. All the teachers of last year were elected for the coming term.
Red Hill. The School Board of Red Hill borough met for organization on Monday evening. J.F. RAUCH was elected Pres.; J.P. KLINE, Sec'y., and John VON DE HEIDE, Treas. A tax rate of 3 1/2 mills was made and the term was fixed at nine months. The teachers salaries were fixed as follows: Grammar room $40, Secondary and Primary rooms $38 each per month. The Board adjourned to hold a special meeting this evening for the purpose of electing teachers.
The Lower Merion School Directors, of Montgomery county, have settled one of the truant cases before them in a novel way. Little Mary SKEY, of Ardmore, has been from school for some time and finally after several warning to the mother, Truant Officer LEONARD swore out a warrant for the parents arrest. The mother however was given a chance to tell her story to the School Board, and when she made it known for the first time that Mary was her sole support, the Directors convinced that the case was a worthy one, decided to pay the mother out of their own pockets an amount equal to the girl's wages and keep Mary at school.
Deputy State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Henry HOUCK, returned to his home at Lebanon from a trip to the Holy Land on Wednesday evening. he was received by a large crowd of enthusiastic friends headed by a brass band.
The Board of Trustees, of Perkiomen Seminary held its annual Spring meeting on Monday and transacted considerable routine and new business. Among the items of general interest may be mentioned the following. The Principal reported that sufficient money had been pledged to warrant the erection of a gymnasium and the Board by vote approved the Principle's plans for the building and decided to erect the new building this Summer under the Superintendence of H.W. KRIEBEL. The following were re-elected for the coming year, Principle O.S. KRIEBEL, Mrs. TYLER, Profs. C.K. MESCHTER, E.A. JACOBY, Prof. and Mrs. C.B. WEIRICH, Mrs. TRAUB, Warren GAUGLER, Raymond SCHULTZ was chosen as book-keeper and teacher of business branches, Prof. RENNINGER leaves to take up public school work at Narberth. Action was deferred with reference to several positions in the faculty. The Secretary was instructed to prepare a history of the earlier years of the Seminary. Jesse S. KRIEBLE, Owen K. SCHULTZ and Daniel MESCHTER were appointed Auditors.
While operating the Perkiomen Paper Mill a few days ago one of the proprietors W.H. SIEGFRIED, found a sheet in the beater that refused to be reduced to pulp. On fishing out the piece it was found to be an old parchment deed. Although cut by the machinery the Deed is well preserved. The Indenture is dated 1825 and conveys a tract of 240 acres of ground situate in Somerset County, formerly Bedford, for which a consideration of $2400 was paid. The conveyor is James WILLIAMS, of Philadelphia, Administrator of David SHAKESPEAR, the purchaser Joseph HOUGHSTADLER, of Somerset county. The instrument has never been recorded as it does not bear any official record of such proceeding. The Deed reached the paper mill in some paper stock shipped from Philadelphia.
Ex-Burgess John H. WHITE, one of the oldest business men, of Norristown, died Tuesday of a complication of diseases. Mr. WHITE led an active business life and served Norristown as Burgess from 1884 to 1887. For thirty-eight years he conducted a grocery business. In 1890 he received from President HARRISON the appointment of Census Supervisor in this district, including the counties of Bucks, Lehigh, Berks, Northampton and Montgomery.
W.H. ALBRIGHT, brother of the late Judge ALBRIGHT, of Lehigh County, died of paralysis of the Intestines on Wednesday. Mr. ALBRIGHT was born in Lower Milford township, Lehigh county 60 years ago. He was long a successful teacher and for four years served as assistant Post Master of Allentown. During the past few years much of his time was devoted to newspaper work.
A year ago Thos. W. LAWSON, the copper king who paid $30,000 for the Lawson carnation, paid $7500 at T.S. COOPER's cattle sale in Coopersburg for Flying Fox, the great bull from the Jersey Islands. Within the past week Mr. LAWSON received an offer of $75,000 for the animal. Mr. LAWSON, however, is so pleased with the king of his herd that he refused the offer.
The School Board of Lower Milford organized on Monday and elected Thos. OTT President, Horace FREDERICK Secy., and Oliver MILLER Treasurer for the ensuing year. They have decided to close the Schantz's school the coming winter as there are not children enough.
The P. and R. Railway Compnay preferred a charge against Carlton SMITH, of Camden, for stealing brass fittings. The party fled from justice but was recently captured and tried for the theft. He was sentenced to a term of three years at hard labor in the State Prison at Trenton.
Seventy-one acres of land included in the original encampment of Washington's army at Valley Forge was sold at Sheriff's sale on Wednesday for $4493. The property was that of William STEPHENS. Many Colonial soldiers were buried on the tract.
A bolt of lightning struck the barn of Dr. J.G. HERSH, of East Greenville. The farm is situated east of Pennsburg and tenanted by Wm. KULP. The building escaped with but slight damage.
Faglesyville lays claim to the youngest Justice of the Peace in Montgomery county in the person of J. Lawrence GEIST (picture), who was born in that village, January 25, 1880. His father being the late Captain Jesse GEIST, while the maiden name of his mother was Elizabeth PENNYPACKER. Mr. GEIST was educated in the public schools of Fagleyville and graduated from the Grammar School in 1899, and is at present President of the Fagleysville Grammar School Alumni Association. In 1900 he passed an examination for a teacher's certificate and was successful in his efforts although receiving no further instruction than that required for graduation from the public school. The two subsequent years were spent as teacher of the Primary School of his native village. In the Spring of 1902 he entered the West Chester State Normal School and after an attendance of four weeks passed an examination in all the sub-junior branches and entered the Junior Class. On his return from the Normal School he was appointed teacher of the Jacksonville school and served in that capacity for the past two terms. During the Fall of 1902, his father who had been Justice of the Peace for many years, resigned on account of bodily infirmities, when the present incumbent circulated a petition and applied to the Governor to be appointed to the vacancy. The petition was favorably received and on September 25, 1902 the Governor appointed him to fill the unexpired term ending in May 1903. At the election proceeding the expiration of his term of office he entered the field for re-election. The campaign was spirited, as there were three Democratic candidates contesting for the office, but Mr. GEIST succeeded in defeating his two competitors. Justice GEIST is a brother to the celebrated pigeon shot, A.P. GEIST. He is a member and Past Commander of Sparta Castle, No. 11, Ancient Order Knights of the Mystic Chain of Fagleysville, and was Representative to the State Select Castle at Philadelphia in 1904 and there took the Mark Degree of the Order. During the winter of 1901 when small-pox broke out in his village and the post-office and post-master and family were quarantined, he was appointed post-master, which position he held for five weeks and successfully attended to the mail business of the Fagleysville post-office. He is also the correspondent to Town and Country for Fagleysville and vicinity.
E.V. HENDRICKS, of East Greenville, operator at the Pennsburg station, resigned his position. The same to take effect on June 20, and accepted a position with Hoops Bros'. & Thomas, Nurserymen, of West Chester, with offices at 224 and 225 Stephen Girard Building, Philadelphia.
Governor PENNYPACKER was twice caned last week. One of the canes presented to him was made from the wood of the first house that was built in Bethlehem and the other one was made from wood from the old State House in Philadelphia. He prizes both very highly.
The large frame barn of Wm. FOX, of near Hillegass, was struck by lightning and was slightly damaged during the heavy storm of Monday night.
On Tuesday morning the 9 year old son of Stanford B. LEWIS, in some manner, fell into the mill race and was drowned. Mr. LEWIS bought what is known as Deetz's mill some time ago, and on Saturday last he moved his family there from Philadelphia. The boys was missed only a short time and a diligent search was made, but no trace of him could be found, when finally a neighbor who was present thought of the mill race and the water was drained off, when the body was found at the bottom. An old tub was floating on the surface and it is supposed the boy in his efforts to get the tub must have slipped in, and having on a pair of heavy gum boots, sunk in a moment. There being no witnesses the accident it will probably remain a mystery. The body was taken to Philadelphia for burial.
Horace F. TYSON, has been appointed postmaster of Barto. Mr. TYSON will take charge of the office July 1st.
For the third time within a month, on Sunday night, burglars entered the office of Tyson & Stauffer, coal and lumber dealers of Barto. Twenty-five postage stamps was the only booty secured. The out kitchen of Benjamin SELL, who lives nearby, was also entered, but no plunder was secured.
At the Commencement of the Board Street Conservatory of Music of Philadelphia, held on Tuesday evening in Music Fund Hall, David CROLL, of this borough, was a member of the orchestra which furnished the Music. Mr. CROLL is taking one lesson a week at the Conservatory.
Rev. W.U. KISTLER, who was recently elected as pastor of St. Mark's Lutheran Church, of Pennsburg, and of St. John's (Scheetz) of Spinnerstown, last Saturday sent his final letter of acceptance, with the proviso to assume charge at any time no later than the first of October.
Foster HILLEGASS, the son of the proprietor of Town and Country, is spending a vacation of two weeks with his grandmother, Mrs. Mary SIEGFRIED, of Monterey, Berks county. He made the trip with his pony team.
In playing base ball at Pottsville six-year-old James GRIFFITHS attempted to pick up the ball which had rolled under a horse. The horse kicked the boy in the abdomen from which he died in a few hours.
William HILLARD, a nine year old boy of Reading, was shocked to death by a live incandescent wire with which he came in concact with his bare feet while walking through a stable.
The remains of Mrs. Mary BAIRD, of Upland, Chester county, were conveyed from her residence to the cemetery by a trolley car. The use of a trolley as a herse is very unusual.
Clerk of Orphans Court GROFF has issued the following marriage license: J. Morris MARKLEY, Gratersford and Amy Estella BEAN, Delphi.
Benjamin B. HUGHES, a note clerk in the People's National Bank, Norristown, has been elected cashier to succeed Lewis STYER, deceased.
The June term of criminal court convened on Monday morning with Judge SWARTZ on the bench, in Court Room No. 1 and Judge WEAND, on the bench in Room No. 2. The rooms were well filled as this is the first criminal session held in the New Court House. John W. BEAN, of Norristown, was selected as foreman of the Grand Jury. Among the jurors drawn for this session one was excused because he had not been naturalized. Another was left off because he could not speak or understand anything but German and one failed to appear because he was an inmate of the Insane Asylum. Following are some of the cases disposed of during the week: The court handed down a decree in the Jaquett abduction case returning the boy to his father. In the Royersford bowling alley case the court granted a preliminary injunction restraining the proprietor from operating the alley after 10.20 o'clock at night. Guiseppe DUMICHALE was send up for 3 months for carrying concealed deadly weapons. Frank LAYTON plead guilty to a charge of larceny. The court imposed a sentence of 30 days from date. Com. vs. Rudolph RENNINGER for stealing a ring. The jury rendered a verdict of guilty. Sentenced to one year in jail at hard labor. Augustus STETLER, an old time horse thief, pleaded guilty to stealing the team of Samuel TABAK, a bridgeport liquor dealer, in Norristown. He told the Court that he could not resist the temptation to run away with other people's horses. He was sentenced to four years in the penitentiary. William JONES and Frank MULLEN were convicted of robbing an Italian, MULLEN and JONES denied any robbery. Verdict guilty. Sentenced to six months in county jail. Michael BUTLER was placed on trial before Judge WEAND charged with the larceny of smelter from the Longmead Iron Works. Verdict guilty. Sentenced to six months. John HECKLER was tried for assault and battery on George BOOTH, a resident of Reading. Verdict, not guilty ????? equally divided. The case of Com. vs. Howard BICKINGS, the Bridgeport man charged with rape on twelve-year-old Florence C. BEECROFT. Verdict, guilty of rape. Frederick BURKE pleaded guilty to stealing a pair of shoes. Sentence six months in jail. Lydia A. CONLEY, the alleged shoplifter, was placed on trial at 4.30 Wednesday afternoon. Verdict, guilty. Sentence, today. Leon BRODOFSKI pleaded guilty to the larceny of coal from the cars of the Reading Company. The defendant offered as his excuse that he was starving. Sentence, 6 months in jail. Wallace GODSHALK pleaded guilty to assault and battery on Milton GILBERT. Sentence, nine months. Joseph MCDERMOT pleaded guilty to resisting an officer. Sentence, 60 days. John CRAWFORD and Joseph HUGHES pleaded not guilty to the charge of larceny. Verdict, not guilty. John KLOSE was convicted of adultery and bastardy and sentenced to one year in jail. Jas. O'BRIEN, pleaded guilty for larceny and was sentenced to 6 months in jail. Com. vs. Harvey AYRES. Fornication. The jury rendered a verdict of not guilty, defendant to pay costs. The Court said this was a "ridiculous verdict."
The herd of cattle, of Christian SCHANTZ, of Kraussdale, Lehigh county, which were afflicted with tuberculosis, were brought here to scavanger Charles W. GRILL, and killed. The entire herd excepting one heifer, seventeen in number, were tested and condemned by Dr. KEELY, of Schwenksville.
During the storm of Monday night the general store of S.B. BECHTEL, of Congo, was struck by lightning. The damage done was but slight.
Rev. George W. LUTZ, pastor of the Pennsburg Reformed Church, will start a catachetical class this afternoon.
William HARRISON, the sugar refiner, filed in the Prothonetary's office an appeal from the assessment made upon his property in Cheltenham township. He claims that all of the assessments are higher than the market value of the properties and that he could not by any means realize the amount for any of them for which they are assessed. He therefore prays the court to consider the matter and reduce the assessment. The aggregate of his assessments is $328,540 on which the commissioners allowed a reduction of $5,310. He is dissatisfied with the action of the Commissioners. The Court has fixed Tuesday, June 21, at 10 o'clock a.m., as the time for hearing testimony in the matter of Mr. HARRISON's appeal.
Mr. Charles EVELAND, of Doylestown, who was recently arrested on the charge of cruelty to her child which she had chained to a piece of railroad iron, but who was later acquitted as it was proven that the child is incorrigible, has brooded over her act until she has become insane. She was removed to the Hospital at Norristown and it is hoped that by proper treatment she may recover, as she has not reached a state of violence.
Perkasie is suffering from an epidemic of scarlet fever. Last week five or six houses were quarantined on account of this disease.
Sixty-four-year-old Augustus STETLER for the third time received a sentence in the Montgomery county courts for horse-stealing. Gray haired, his scarred face showing the stress of years, yet straight and strong, he admitted the theft of a horse and team from in front of the Walker stables, Norristown, some time ago, in Judge WEAND's court on Monday afternoon. As punishment for his crime, STETLER will serve four years in the Eastern Penitentiary. The convicted horse thief claims Montgomery county as his birthplace, and, during his entire lifetime, had a passion for horses that soon made him one of the best judges of horseflesh in the country.
The collector of school tax for 1900, Charles G. HAWKINS, of Pottstown, is in arrears to the amount of $1457.43. At a recent meeting of the board of education he submitted several propositions for settlement of the claim. They were all rejected, as neither of them provided for the payment of the entire claim, and the board passed a resolution to institute proceedings against his bondsmen.
Rev. George W. LUTZ, pastor of the Pennsburg Reformed charge came from Allentown on the early train on Sunday morning to assume the duties to which he has been but recently elected, but was taken sick and could not officiate at the morning service. John FRANTZ, one of the teachers at the Perkiomen Seminary, was secured as a substitute and he preached a very acceptable and instructive sermon to the large congregation which had assembled to greet Rev. LUTZ.
Col. Conrad GEHRING, formerly editor of the Kutztown Patriot, and little grandson, Willie, of New York, arrived at the home of the former's son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Walter S. DIETRICH, Kutztown. Mr. GEHRING is employed as proof reader by the Mills Printing Company, in the metropolis. He went to Kutztown to recuperate from a critical siege of illness, having suffered with kidney trouble.
Shamokin has the distinction of having had the youngest prisoner in the State brought to the bar of justice in a three year old girl who while playing with a boy of the same age, threw a piece of glass at her companion. The glass struck the face and lacerated the cheek whereupon the enraged mother of the injured child swore out a warrant and had the tot arrested.
Warren RENNINGER, for the past few years Professor of History and Pedogogy in the Perkiomen Seminary, has been elected principal of the Narberth public schools to succeed G.F. KETTELL, who will enter the ministry. Prof. RENNINGER has accepted and will enter on his duties at the opening of next term.
Rev. Wm. KNAPPENBERGER President of the College for women, of Allentown, tendered his resignation to go into effect at the close of the current year. The resignation results from a lack of support on the part of the Trustees of the Institution. The retiring president served the College for twelve years and in this period made many notable changes for the betterment of the institution.
William HIESTAND, of Upper Milford, Lehigh County, takes without a doubt, the lead in fattening a large stock bull. This year the bull weighs about 2000. Butcher STEPHENS of Macungie, will make use of the monster in the near future.
One of the cows of Henry DIEHL, of near Zionsville, was struck by lightning and instantly killed.
E.M. HARTMAN, who had been appointed to canvass the Reformed Churches, reported at the annual board meeting of the Trustees of Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, on Tuesday, that he had secured $73,000 in cash and pledges for the permanent endowment fund which is to be increased to half a million dollars.
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