A pleasant surprise was tendered the aged couple, Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. WITMER, of Malborough, near Finland, on last Thursday, February 25th, by their children and grand-children. It being the 50th anniversary of their wedding day. The children arrived at their parents home, at on appointed hour, and at the noon hour the old folks were invited into the dining room, where a sumptuous collation was prepared for them, to satisfy the inner man. The day was spent pleasantly and at the departure they wished the old folks many more years of married life. Those present were: Mr. and Mrs. W.W. STYER, of East Greenville, Mr. and Mrs. Henry D. SNYDER, of East Greenville and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer C. GREULICH, of East Greenville, Mr. and Mrs. Horace K. WITMER, of Marlborough and children Wilmer, Maurice and Gertie, Mr. and Mrs. Milton K. WITMER, of Quakertown and Milton B. NASE, of Tylersport and sons Herbert W. and Lawrence NASE, of East Greenville.
Willoughby RITTER and Constable SCHIFFERT, of near Alburtis, charged by Henry MEST with trespass, were sentenced by Alderman FRY to pay $4.50, the value of a number of chickens taken by the defendants from the plaintiff's property, and the costs. The case grew out of the theft of a number of chickens from RITTER by a man named HOFFMAN who was convicted and imprisoned for the crime. MEST, who was charged at the same time with receiving stolen goods, was acquitted. Some of the chickens were supposed to be in MEST's posession and RITTER with a constable went to the MEST home and telling MEST's wife it was by order of court, removed the chickens. When MEST learned of it he brought a charge of trespass. R.A.B. HAUSMAN, who represented MEST at the hearing, declared a mistake had been made in not making the charge one of larceny as the act had clearly been such and that the act of removing the fowls was one of intimidation and fraud. Nine Plymouth Rock fowls valued at $4.50 and a large quantity of wounded feelings were the issues involved.
At the public horse sale held at the Keely House on Wednesday by D.K. GRABER, eighty-one bidders and buyers took dinner at the hotel. These free vendue dinners is an old time custom, and it is still kept up in this section at public horse sales, and in the rural districts at farm stock sales. These set-outs are usually of an extensive character, the diners as a rule putting themselves outside of the meat of an entire veal carcass, a quarter of a good sized beef, fifty or more loaves of bread, several hundred pies, potatoes, vegetables and the usual diner belongings. There are lots of people who attend pretty nearly all the vendues within a circuit of six or ten miles simply for filling their bellies with good eatables.
William THOMPSON, the fourteen year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Oliver THOMPSON, of East Greenville, was on Tuesday evening severely scalded while he and a number of other boys of his age, were watching the little engine which the East Greenville plumbers use to thaw out frozen water pipes. Master THOMPSON took the rubber hose which was connected to the engine and playfully inserted the end under his vest. Another boy turned on the steam and young THOMPSON was severely scalded on his abdomen by the steam. The pressure on the boiler at the time was about 35 pounds. Young THOMPSON has ever since been under the treatment of Dr. J.G. HERSH.
The moral crusade in Allentown, following the revelations of the recent BECHTEL tragedy, culminated Tuesday evening in Mayor Fred. E. LEWIS recommending to councils an ordinance compelling the closing of all bars from midnight till 5 a.m., prohibiting the sale of intoxicants to disreputable women or persons of known intemperate habits, under penalty of $100 fine or thirty days in jail, and prohibiting children under 16 years from attending theatres unaccompanied by a responsible person under penalty of $10 fine or ten days in jail.
Dr. J.N. HUNSBERGER, of Skippack, on Friday morning drove into the milk team of James KOONS, of near Schwenksville, in the covered bridge below Schwenksville. Three wheels on his buggy were smashed. The horse broke away and ran down the Perkiomen Railroad, ahead of a train to Gratersford where he was captured. No one was hurt.
The Sheriff of Lehigh county, will sell the personal property of Isaac ROEDER, of Hosensack, on March 9th, upon an execution issued by John and Lewis ROEDER, for $2150. The property is located in Upper Milford township.
Woxall claims to having produced one of the heaviest porkers of the Perkiomen Valley this season. It was raised by Jesse HILTEBEITEL, from a litter that was born a little more than a year ago and last week when slaughtered it weighed, when dressed, 510 pounds. The butchering was done by George HILTEBEITEL who appears on the left of the picture and Adam K. SLONECKER, who appears on the right. The latter of these holds the proud record of having butchered 96 hogs this season. Jesse HILTEBEITEL has been very successful with this particular breed of pigs. He will shortly offer some of these at public sale and those who are anxious to emulate Mr. HILTEBEITEL in the raising of heavy hogs should avail themselves of the opportunity and secure the shoats for breeding purposes.
The body of a man known as Herbert SPENCER, who was drowned in the Perkiomen Creek at Collegeville last summer, was on Tuesday exhumed at Trinity cemetery at Collegeville and removed to Frackville. It was recently discovered that SPENCER was not the correct name of the drowned man, but that his name was NYCE. A pocket knife found in his possession contained the word NYCE and Frackville. Frank YOST, of Collegeville, got into communication with persons in Frackville, Schuylkill county, and on Tuesday W.A. NYCE, brother of the dead man, reached there and made arrangements to have the body removed to Frackville.
Dr. F.R. BRUNNER, of Eshbach, Washington township, was elected school director for his ninth term and received a higher vote than any other candidate on the ticket. Dr. BRUNNER has always taken a great interest in educational matters and has presided on different occasions at annual conventions of the school directors of Berks county. He is the busiest man in the county. Attends to a large country medical practice, takes a hand in political affairs, writes special articles for half dozen newspapers, and also contributes to medical journals.
Allen THOMAS, of West Point, father of Mrs. M.K. GILBERT, of Pennsburg, has the unique experience of reading his own obituary notice. While on a visit to the home of his daughter here at Pennsburg he was taken suddenly and seriously ill. Last week the news went out that he had died Wednesday night, and the usual genealogical obituary notice went to the rounds of the county papers. Now it appears that he not only didn't die, but is on a fair way to recover and said obituary should be interesting reading to him when he gets up and around.
The flood of last week caused a break in the mill dam of Wilson R. SCHULER, of Hillegas. The huge cakes of ice tore a portion of the wall away. He temporarily repaired the dam, and was not conpelled to shut down his mill for any length of time.
Two weeks ago a sneak thief robbed the hen-coop of Cyrus M. WAGNER, of Reading, of three Plymouth Rocks. Mr. WAGNER made various attempts to learn the whereabouts of his missing fowls, but without success. Later Mr. WAGNER gave his hen-coop a thorough overhauling, and was surprised to discover a pocketbook on the floor. He found that it contained several dollars.
Announcement has been received of the wedding of Dr. Emma CLEAVER, who left Reading February 13, 1903, to become a medical missionary in China, to Dr. Frederick PARROTT, in charge of the British American Bible Society. They were married in Shanghi, and will reside at Kobe, to which place the groom has been transferred.
During her mother's brief absence from the house the little daughter of William WAGNER, of Lancaster, struck a match in a closet in a search for toys, setting the place afire. The child nearly lost its life fighting the flames, but was saved by the timely arrival of neighbors.
Thieves seem to like Edward MERKEL's shoes. On Wednesday night they raided MERKEL's home at Lyons, Berks county, where they stole his fourth pair of footgear. Nothing daunted, MERKEL says he intends to buy the fifth pair, place them in the same place and guard them with a shot-gun, if necessary.
The Woxall creamery has been leased by Edwin B. HEEBNER, of Woxall. Mr. HEEBNER understands the creamery business and there is not doubt but that he will soon enjoy a large patronage. He expects to take possession shortly.
James B. MARPLE, owner and proprietor of the Zieglerville hotel has sold the hotel property at private figures to a man from Delaware. The new proprietor expects to take possesion on or about April first.
Dr. H.K. HARTZELL, of Allentown, on Tuesday fell on the icy sidewalk and fractured a bone of the wrist. His right arm was caught under the weight of his body which caused the fracture.
The village of Old Zionsville in Lehigh county can boast of having several farmers who make money in the chicken business. Isaac MERKEL heads the list, he received 2230 eggs during the month of January and 2373 eggs during the month of February. For the eggs of the January month he received $52.50 and for February $54.19. During the last week of February, Henry BERGER, of the same place, received 204 eggs from a flock of forty-five chickens while Henry BERKEY received thirty dozen of eggs during that week. Albert STERNER the merchant received two hundred and ten dozen during the last week in February. There are a number of others in the vicinity who raise chickens and who also received large numbers of eggs but the exact number could not be ascertained.
The entire village of Fredericksville, Berks county, was sold at public auction on Monday for $4500. The property consisted of a hotel, store a farmhouse and barn, four dwellings and seventy-five acres of land. All the houses are in a good condition, and the farm land is of the richest kind. The value of the property and land was $20,000, but, owing to the settlement of an estate, it was decided to sell all at a sacrifice.
Cora A. SMITH, wife of Oscar SMITH, of Allentown, has entered suit against her father-in-law, Daniel SMITH. The case is a peculiar one. The plantiff alleges that her father-in-law alienated all affection she entertained for her husband. She states that the defendant induced her husband to go to Omaha. In the meantime he wooed her, but she now repents, and hence the suit. She asks for $5000 damages.
Charles F. KRAMLICH, of the Ebbecke Hardware Company, and Sylverious ROTH, sexton of the Fairview Cemetery, of Allentown, are soliciting subscriptions for securing quail to be distributed in different parts of the county, and are meeting with gratifying success. The past winter has been particularly hard on the birds, hundreds of which have died. About fifty quails will be brought here from Natick, Mass.
W.U. KISTLER, of Athol, Berks county, will preach in St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran church, of Pennsburg, on Sunday forenoon and evening, March 13th. In the afternoon he will preach at the St. John's Lutheran church, near Spinnerstown. Rev. KISTLER will be considered as a candidate to fill the pulpits of this charge.
The Doylestown Republican on Monday passed into new hands. The paper has been sold to A. Hayes JORDON, of Easton, a member of the editorial staff of the Easton Argus, and a promising young journalist. He will continue the past political policy of the Republican.
A hide and tallow factory, situated along the North Penn Railroad several hundred yards above the Telford depot, was destroyed by fire early Wednesday morning. The flames were discovered shortly after 4 o'clock. The building was of frame, and at one time was used as an oil warehouse. When the fire was discovered the flames had gained such a headway that no effort was made by the few persons residing in the vicinity to extinguish the blaze. The building was owned by Jonathan B. WOLF, while Jacob STINE & Son, of Philadelphia, conducted the tallow and hide factory. Mr. WOLF's loss will reach $1500, partly insured. STEIN & Sons' loss will reach several thousand dollars.
The Old Goshenhoppen Union Sunday School at Woxall elected officers to serve for the ensuing year. The school will reopen on Sunday, April 3, at 1 o'clock p.m. The officers are:
Presidents: Rev. J.L. ROUSH and Rev. C.R. FETTER
Secretaries: W.M. HILTEBEITEL and H.R. GABEL
Treasurer: J.M. GROFF
Superintendents: I.G. GRIMLY and M.H. BELTZ
Librarians: H.S. WOLFORD and A.W. SHOEMAKER
Organists: H.E. CHARLES and Sadie WEIDNER
Deacons: W.D. WOLFORD, Horace REIFSNYDER, Jacob OELSCHLAGER and J.H. BELTZ
Chorister: J.G. GEISINGER
Tobias E. LANDIS, of New Berlinville, Berks county, during the past winter sold three hundred bushels of apples. They were all of the White pound variety, and the majority of them were at least four inches in diameter. Some of them were five inches. Mr. LANDIS takes great pride in his apple orchard, and he thinks he has the finest one in Berks county.
The home of Harvey TRUMBORE, of Quakertown, formerly of East Greenville, was this week quarantined by the Quakertown Board of Health. Lizzie BACHMAN, of Emaus, who is a boarder with the family is down with a severe case of small-pox. A trained nurse has been engaged and is attending the patient.
There is a change of sentiment at Pottstown in regard to the proposed pardon of William M. JACOBS, the head of the famous gang of counterfeiters since George KENDIG came to that place from Lancaster and began similar efforts for his brother's release. Many people who signed JACOBS's petition are now sorry they did so, since they realize that his pardon would possibly lead to the release of all his co-conspirators.
Despite the efforts of the physician and attendants to awaken him, Charles URNER, who was brought from Philadelphia to his father's home in South Pottstown, laid for sixty hours in a sleep that seemed almost like death. Suddenly he awoke, and a rapid improvement has since been noted. The young man's illness developed into diphtheria, and his case is regarded by physicians as remarkable.
Abraham CASSEL, of Norristown, was returning home on Tuesday night, when two footpads suddenly made their appearance. One grabbed CASSEL by the throat while the other took his revolver, ten dollars in money and a watch. After CASSEL had been relieved of his valuables the highwaymen requested him to move on.
The Mainland Hotel and 26 acres and 102 perches of land, situated partly in Lower Salford and partly in Towamencin township, was sold at sheriff's sale on Wednesday, February 24, as the property of John M. CLEMMER, debt $3823, to Albert BROMER, of Schwenksville, for $100.
Miss Anna BRUNST, of Fagleysville, was tendered a handkerchief party on Monday evening. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank BRUNST, and is twelve years old, but this was her second birthday being born in 1892. A large number of her young friends were present and spent a pleasant evening.
Elmer HILLEGASS, Proprietor of the Hosensack Hotel, fell on the ice and injured a ligiment in his ankle. He is compelled to move about on crutches ever since the accident.
Without her consent, Morris B. BECHTEL, a Pottstown man, is alleged to have signed the name of Miss Katie P. SHANTZ to a marriage license, feeling confident, he said, "that she would have him," but in this she will not agree with him and the marriage is off.
Miss M.A. FORMAN who for the past three years had charge of the Trimmed Hat Department at Stern Bros., 23 St., New York has accepted a position as head trimmer with Hess Bros., Allentown.
Ruth, the fifteen months old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Luther KUNKLE, of Merwick, near Allentown, was choked to death by a peanut which was given it by her brother.
The Necosmian Literary Society of the East Greenville High School held its regular meeting on Friday February 26. The opening exercises were conducted by the chaplain, after which the minutes were read and approved. After singing "The Old, Old Song," the following program was rendered: Declamer Leah MOLL, "Suppose," Select Reader, Elmer ERB, "A misplaced kick," "Essayist Willie KNETZ, "Patrick Henry," Orator, Oliver SHELLY, "Resistance to British Opression, Extempo Speaker, Herbert WINSCH, Letter C "Cleveland." The question for debate, Resolved, "That the desire for Wealth causes more crimes than poverty," was debated affirmatively by Florence SHELLY and Harold MILLER, negatively by Minnie GREULICH and Elizabeth HERBEIN. The judges who were Howard ROYER, Blanche SCHANTZ, and Mary DOTTERER, decided in favor of the negative side. The house than also decided in favor of the negative side. After singing "Worryland," Henry STAUFFER recited "Gretchen and the ducks."
On account of several doctors disagreeing on a case in Bridgeport the whole town is in an uproar. Last week Mrs. George KECK died suddenly and one doctor stated her death was due to choking from an inflammation of the larynx. Since then a number of persons in the same house and of those who attended the funeral have been taken sick with a similar disease. Another doctor asserts that Mrs. KECK died of diphtheria and that these new cases are similar ones. Since these assertions precautionary measures were taken. All the school children who attended the funeral of Mrs. KECK or viewed the body were sent home from school, pending developments.
Frank PERSON, a hostler employed by George SNYDER, of Allentown was on Tuesday kicked on the head by a spirited horse which he had taken to a blacksmith shop. The animal rose on its hind legs and came down on PERSON's head with a front foot felling him to the ground and rendering him unconscious. He had a remarkable escape from receiving a fractured skull.
It is reported on good authority that the committee of trustees of Muhlenberg College, Allentown appointed to select a president for that institution as the successor of the late Rev. Dr. T.L. SEIP, has chosen Rev. Dr. E.T. HORN, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, of Reading.
Rev. W.D.C. KEITER, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, West Bethlehem, was elected on Monday afternoon by the Allentown Conference of the Lutheran Ministerium as agent to solicit funds for Greater Muhlenburg College from the congregations represented in the Conference. His salary is $1500 a year.
A robin redbreast has made its home all winter in the seclusion of a honeysuckle arbor facing the south, in the backyard of the residence of Harry BRADER, of Allentown, apparently disdainful of the rigors of winter. It is being fed daily by Mr. BRADES thoughtful wife.
Gottlieb BASS, of Hokendauqua, has made a record-breaking reputation in the service of the THOMAS family, of that place, having served 33 years in one place. He celebrated the event with a feast at his home.
Ralph B. STRAUSSBERGER, son of ex-District Attorney Jacob STRAUSSBURGER, of Norristown, has been promoted to cadet lieutenant at the Annapolis Academy. He is also a member of the "Middies" football team.
Nathan DRACE, of Fagleysville, slipped on the ice on Saturday and broke his arm. Dr. G.A. WEIDA, of Frederick, reduced the fracture.
John M. ROEDER, of Hosensack, this week sold a calf which was four weeks old and tipped the scales at one hundred and eighty-five pounds.
Frank ZIMMERMAN, of Centre Square, has a trunk made by an ancestor in 1726.
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