Some sharps recently made their appearance near Sumneytown, at the farm of David AUCHEY and tried to swindle him out of $350 for phonographs which were alleged had been bought. A stranger who signed his name as STAAR called on Mr. AUCHEY and asked him to distribute 20 circulars of the American Supply Co. among his neighbors and friends, in consideration of which Mr. AUCHEY was to be permitted to act as agent for the company to sell phonographs at the regular price of $20 each, of which he was to retain $5 as commission. After complete arrangements had been made the stranger presented a blank form of agreement which was signed in duplicate, and departed. In the course of a week a second man appeared who informed Mr. AUCHEY that the twenty phonographs with registers which he had ordered had been shipped to Norristown. Mr. AUCHEY informed him that he had not given an order for any instruments and explained the nature of his contract. The stranger produced the order and informed Mr. AUCHEY that the man who took it had lied to him and had probably been under the influence of liquor at the time. In a spirit of conciliation he then told Mr. AUCHEY that he was fully aware that the locality did not afford a market for so large a number of instruments, but as the goods, amounting to over $350, had been shipped in good faith, a settlement could be made provided Mr. AUCHEY paid all expenses, including freight both ways to Chicago, hotel bills, team hire and $9 as wages for the adjuster, amounting in all to $53.50. Mr. AUCHEY fortunately did not have the required sum in ready cash, and being afraid of arrest and additional expenses, volunteered to go to Sumneytown and make an effort to get the money. To this the stranger readily acquiesced. On reaching the store at Sumneytown he stated his case to the merchants who willingly gave him the money but adviced him not to give a cent of it to the shark. Mr. AUCHEY drove home and refused as per advice, when the stranger became furious and left, threatening arrest, but this far no more has been heard. About the time of the AUCHEY affair a similar game was played on N.G. HEYDT, of Fruitville, presumably by the same gang. The mode of proceedure leading up to the signing of the agreement differed materially from the preceeding case. Mr. HEYDT was to distribute 25 catalogues of the American Supply Co. books similar to those sent out by Sears, Roebuck & Co., for which service he was to be allowed $18 towards the payment of a $20 phonograph, the balance to be paid on the delivery of the instrument. Mr. HEYDT was busy and did not give much attention to the talk of the stranger. Observing that Mr. HEYDT had a large lot of potatoes the stranger commenced to flatter him and finally asserted that he was buying potatoes and was willing to pay a dollar a bushel for them. This in a measure gained the desired attention but as Mr. HEYDT did not see that he had any time to devote to the distribution of the books in question, he refused to assume the work. His fifteen year old son was then drawn in by the stranger and he finally agreed to perform the work with the hope of earning a phonograph for himself. When all the preliminary arrangements had been made the inevitable harmless contract appeared and was signed by the stranger and the boy. Mr. HEYDT was then asked to sign his name as a guarantee that the boy would faithfully perform his part of the agreement, this done the stranger departed. A little more that a week later the second scoundrel appeared and stated that 20 phonographs and 196 records, amounting to over $350, had been shipped and were awaiting Mr. HEYDT, at Norristown. Details of the agreement were gone over and finally an offer of settlement was made whereby Mr. HEYDT was to pay $55.50 to cover expenses. This was refused and the stranger became imperative in his demands. Finally after some diggering the stranger jumped into his wagon and drove off threatening suit. This scared Mr. HEYDT who called him back and a settlement was effected whereby the swindler got $16.50.
The pig stable of Sylvanus LANDIS, of near Coopersburg, was on Sunday evening destroyed by fire. All the pigs were saved except one. The barn which stood within twelve feet was also saved by the heroic work of the neighbors. H. HILLEGASS, of Pennsburg, drove past there at the time the fire started and informed the tenant Harry CRESSMAN. It is supposed that the fire was started by an eight year old son of Mrs. Lizzie CRESSMAN, who often played on the second floor of the stable. Immediately after the fire the boys was missing and could not be found for some time, until he was discovered in bed, with all of his clothing on and apparently very much excited.
Benneville CHRISTMAN, of Macungie, purchased one hundred and sixty-five head of cabbage from William SCHUBERT, of Old Zionsville, which he converted into "sour-krout." He expects to see it all consumed at the great Allentown fair.
Last Saturday morning while Hannah V. HUNSBERGER, of Skippack, was carrying two buckets of water from the barn to the house, she tripped over a step and fell breaking the bones in her left arm above the wrist. Dr. J. Newton HUNSBERGER was summoned who set the bones.
Laura, the daughter of Harry YERGER, of Fagleysville, escaped serious injury one day this week while her father was felling a tree. She was too close to the falling tree and was caught by one of the branches. She was considerably bruised but luckily no bones were broken.
Dr. J.H. DICKENSHIED, of Plover, planted a little more than five acres of potatoes last spring and last week when they got through harvesting the crop he had 1200 bushels cooking potatoes and 50 bushels small ones.
A four year old boy of M.C. BELTZ, of near Woxall, fell while playing with other boys in the yard and broke his arm at the wrist.
One of the leading educators of the Perkiomen Valley has his home in East Greenville and that town can feel honored in having so distinguished a citizen.
Prof. H.W. KRIEBEL (picture) was born about forty-five years ago near Hereford, Berks county, being the son of the late well known Henry KRIEBEL, farmer, stock breeder and manufacturer of linseed oil. His early boyhood days were spent on the farm and in the district school and while quite young he applied himself diligently to his books and showed phenominal progress. He later entered the Normal School at Kutztown and graduated with honor from that institution at the age of 17. While pursuing his course he developed a liking for mathematics and after graduation took up the scientific course but abandoned it before graduation and engaged in teaching. After teaching for some time Prof. KRIEBEL took a course in Theology at one of the Seminaries of Ohio and on graduation engaged in the ministry for several years, preaching for the Schwenkfelders of which denomination he is a faithful and devout member. His mathematical instincts and his early Normal training made him feel as if his duties were with the young rather than with people more advanced in years and he again entered the school room. Having served his native valley conscientiously and with marked success in the roll of school masters for a number of years, he twelve years ago associated himself with Rev. O.S. KRIEBEL to found the present well known flourishing Perkiomen Seminary. Four years ago he severed his connections with the institution as instructor after having served for eight years as vice-principal, Prof. of Mathematics and Sciences, Secretary of the Board of Trustees, and Steward of the institution. Since his retirement as an instructor he has been one of its most active trustees and is still continued as Secretary of the Board of Trustees. Much of his time is devoted to the school, he being at present engaged in superintending the erection of the new gymnasium. Prof. KRIEBEL is a careful and painstaking writer and is renowned for his knowledge of local and church history. He is familiar with every detail of the history of the Perkiomen Valley and many a valuable paper from his pen, portraying the trials of the early settlers of the valley, has been perused by the ever eager public. His knowlege of church history is no less profound and his denomination, the Schwenkfelders, appreciating the fact, two years ago, sent him to Germany to perfect arrangements and collect data for the compilation of a complete history of the denomination. The Upper Perkiomen Valley may well feel grateful to Prof. KRIEBEL of his work. From early youth on he had worked assidiously to develop the budning mind of this section and today many young men and women who would be mere atoms of the human race, had not Prof. KRIEBEL exerted his influence and pointed the way, are filling positions of responsibility and trying to stem ignorance.
Rev. F.J. MOHR, who has been pastor of the Reformed church at Quakertown for 33 years, and who has been in the ministry for 51 years and 3 months, in preaching his farewell sermon, cited the following facts: He has preached 7560 regular sermons and 1057 funeral sermons; baptized 1021 persons; confirmed 1132 persons; married 508 couples; raised for benevolence $10,000, and for congregational purposes $55,127, while he served charges at Williamsport, Millersburg, Bloomsburg and Quakertown.
The County Commissioners on Wednesday paid $122 to Mrs. Charles WHEELER, of Lower Merion, for the damage done to her flock of sheep by a dog, which killed 11 wool-bearers and maimed 21 more. The Commissioners after paying the money turned to the assessors' books and found that the taxes derived from dogs for this purpose were small as compared with the thousands of dogs. They will prod the assessors.
William IRONS, of Norristown, an employee in the Norristown Covering Company's plant, had an arm torn from its socket on Wednesday while at work near the belting. His hand became fastened and before the machinery could be stopped his arm was completely severed from his body.
George ALBRIGHT, 70 years old, a well-known farmer of Exeter township, Berks county, was found dead in one of his fields on Tuesday. Death is supposed to have been due to apoplexy. He had gone out to mow grass, and when he failed to return for dinner his grandson went to search for him, and found him dead.
Willie, aged 8 years, son of Mrs. Wm. HARTLINE, of Pottstown, proved himself a hero by saving his 7-year-old sister, Alice, from drowning. She had ventured into a boat in the Manatawny Creek, and it drifted out into the current and was fast approaching the breast of a dam, when Willie swam to the craft, jumped in and using his hands for oars, paddled the boat to shore.
Mr. and Mrs. W.G. LINTON and Mrs. A.K. LINTON, of Macungie, sailed on Saturday for Charleston, S.C., and will make an extended trip through the South. Mr. LINTON has been suffering with nervous prostration for the past few months and hopes to regain his health by this trip.
Caught between a street car and platform, Mrs. Ida MOCK, of Pottstown, was so firmly wedged at her ankle that a bar had to be used to pry loose the planks.
The large frame barn as well as all of the out-buildings of Jacob M. LANDIS, of near Morwood, was on Wednesday evening destroyed by fire. The fire started at about 7.30 o'clock and the entire LANDIS family had been away from home.
It is supposed that the fire started in the hay mow, where a tramp set it afire by smoking a pipe. The barn was filled to its utmost capacity with this year's crops as well as about 3000 sheaves of rye from last year. The loss is about $4000, insured in the Union Mutual Insurance Company, of Norristown, for only the one half. All the live stock was saved but all the farming implements were consumed. Weston, the twelve year old son was at a neighbors place and as soon as the fire was noticed he ran home and loosened the horses. Some pigeons and chickens were also burned. Mr. LANDIS has lately been quite unfortunate, last fall he accidentally shot himself in the foot and as a consequence could not leave his bed for four months. About two months ago he fell from a wagon and dislocated his arm and now this disaster. The community is in sympathy with Mr. LANDIS.
The horse which Mr. and Mrs. William S. RAHN, of the Hereford Hotel, drove towards Macungie on Tuesday, stumbled and fell when near the farm of Ambrose SCHANTZ. The occupants were thrown out and Mr. RAHN fell close to the animal's feet. In its struggle he was kicked on the abdomen and was rendered partly unconscious. The horse got on its feet and ran to Macungie, where it was caught after running into a wagon and a tree on the pavement. Mrs. RAHN escaped injuries, while Mr. RAHN received minor scratches.
A tabernacle meeting is being held in Jonas KRIEBEL's grove, at Chapel, Berks county, under the auspices of the United Evangelical church. The meeting began on Thursday and will continue until Sunday, September 18 inclusive. An interesting program has been prepared. All the evening services begin at 7.30 o'clock, except Sundays when they begin at 7.30 o'clock.
Levi FRITCH, of near Mertztown, is building a rye distillery one mile south of Mertztown, which he expects to put in operation this month. The building is of brick and stone and will have a daily capacity of from twenty to twenty-five bushels of rye. Mr. FRITCH is erecting a bonded warehouse nearby for the storage of his product.
A stock company will erect a large cigar factory at Green Lane. The building will be 36 by 100 feet and large enough to accommodate one hundred workmen. The cigar manufacturers, JEITLES & BLUMENTHAL who now occupy the J.K. ALLEBACH building in that town, will occupy the new factory when completed. Work on the new building will be started within a few week. It will be three stories high.
Charles E. HILLEGASS and family, of Red Hill, yesterday, closed up their summer home, "The Redland" and returned to Philadelphia, to spend the winter there. Dr. Charles Q. HILLEGASS and family, on Wednesday moved from their summer home, "The Catharine" along the banks of the Perkiomen, to their residence, No. 45 Fourth street, Pennsburg.
Ever since William K. HUBER, of Niantic, has trained a large crow to be a pet in his family, mice and rats have given his house a wide berth. "Jim" catches all the mice in sigh, tackles rats and makes a meal of bats that venture near. One large rat that Mr. Crow fought got away after a furious battle, but left its tail behind.
Last week while Emanuel HEEBNER, of Worcester was filling his silos his hired man, Elias G. KRIEBEL, had the misfortune of getting two fingers of the left hand into the cog wheels of the feed cutter, crushing them so badly that they had to be amputated.
Last week while Isaiah BEAN, of Skippack, was grinding machine knives with the horse power, the knives caught in the belt and cut his hand badly so that he was unable to work.
The quiet little village of Skippack, was on Monday night visited by chicken thieves. Almost every family who keeps chickens missed some, while at some places, all they owned were stolen. From all appearances there must have been several gangs of thieves, for one party could hardly visit so many places in one night. The hennery of Irvin A. REIFF was visited and all but a few chickens were stolen. At Jesse SCHOLL's place, the thieves took only a few, but left a bag containing four behind. Melvin ZIEGLER was awakened by a noise at his chicken house and he saw a man there, so he procured his gun and shot at him.
He claims he saw the man fall over the wire fence which surrounds the chicken stable. Several other people have missed chickens that were taken that night. On Tuesday morning Charles M. POOL, found two bags filled with chickens, close to his home and back of METZ's general store another bag with chickens was also found, while in Melvin ZIEGLER's corn field two more bags were found containing live chickens. In all, six bags were found and they were mostly all young ones. The supposition is that the thieves were frightened and that they dropped the bags in their hurry to get away. There is no clue to the perpetrators.
The Knox automobile of George O. ALBRIGHT, of Allentown, caught fire Sunday evening at Mr. ALBRIGHT's country home, near Fogelsville. Louis R. ALBRIGHT, a son, was preparing to take a trip when suddenly the sparker sparked too vigorously and set fire to the woodwork, which was consumed in a short time. The only part saved was the iron work and three of the tires. The loss to the machine is $1500.
Frank FILLMAN, of East Greenville, on Monday caught a black bass that measured 23 inches, Mrs. Willoughby STYER, of the same place caught one of eighteen inches, Mrs. Katie SMOYER, of Green Lane, one of 21 inches, and J.C. RENNINGER, of Perkiomenville, one of 20 inches. All these were caught in the Perkiomen creek in the vicinity of Kratz station and Perkiomenville.
Charles MOTZ, proprietor of the Red Hotel, on Wednesday contracted with Clayton H. FRYER, of Pennsburg, for the erection of an addition to the hotel property. Work will be started next week. When completed, the hotel will be one of the most up-to-date in this section.
Rev. C.M. DELONG, of East Greenville, will tomorrow evening preach an educational sermon in the East Greenville chapel. The theme of the sermon will be "The Public Schools and our Country."
John F. SEASHOLTZ, of Red Hill, on Monday sold a cow at public sale for $86.50 to Edwin SCHULTZ, of Palm. This was the largest cow ever shipped to this section. The load sold that day averaged $56.50.
Artist Josiah RENNINGER, of Hillegass, this week painted a beautiful sign for the Allentown Horse Bazaar. He also painted a number of sign boards for the Penn Sign Advertisiing Company.
Paul, the two year old son of Mr. and Mrs. James HOFFMAN, of Bechtelsville, chopped off his finger while playing with an ax. Dr. L.Y. LECHNER was summoned who dressed the wound.
Wallace L. GERHARD, of East Greenville, son of Mr. and Mrs. Irwin GERHARD this week secured a license to wed Miss Katie E. BUTTERWECK, of Fruitville.
On the night of the 9th of August a cow was missed from the drove of Seth FISHER in his pasture at Quakertown. Mr. FISHER at once advertised for the animal but nothing was heard of it till last week it was traced to Major FREY residing one mile north of Springtown, Bucks County. On the 10th of August a short set man with a black mustache appeared at his farm and offered to sell the cow for $20, at last Mr. FREY offered $15 and took the cow. Mr. FISHER on Friday got the cow, giving Mr. FREY $8 and is now offering a reward of $100 for the arrest and conviction of the thief. The cow is worth $50.
Minus his stomach, John KOLLE, a German carpenter, of Reinoehisville, was discharged from the Lebanon Sanitarium on Saturday afternoon as cured from stomach troubles. KOLLE was operated upon nine weeks ago for a growth in the stomach that prevented digestion and assimilation of food, and his stomach was removed. Only twice before has this operation been successfully performed, once in Vienna, and again at a New York hospital. A feature of KOLLE's case is not only that he survived the loss of so vital an organ, but that he is now able to eat solid food. He now eats meat and vegetables, just as though he had a complete stomach within him.
A goat owned by Tony ACARIO, a laborer employed by the Tilli estate on the stone quarries above Pottstown, has swallowed a stick of dynamite, which was carelessly left lying around the house by ACARIO. Efforts to capture the animal without using unnecessary force have failed, and the goat has been at liberty for three days, a menace to the safety of the 150 laborers employed at the quarry. It is probable the animal will have to be poisoned.
That farming and fruit-growing pays when conducted on up-to-date lines is shown by the following list, this year's products of the little farm owned by Isaac M. MOYER, in Little Oley, Berks county: Green currants, 15 bushels; gooseberries, 25 bushels; strawberries, 4042 quart boxes; cherries, 2526 quart boxes; raspberries, 4329 quart boxes; blackberries, 1200 quart boxes; watermelons, 5000; grapes, one and one-half tons; plums, 50 bushels; peaches, 500 baskets; pears, 30 bushels.
Mrs. Ella KNABB CARE, of Norristown, began proceedings in the Prothonotary's office, at Norristown, in a suit for divorce against her husband, Dr. James R. CARE. Dr. CARE is a prominent physician. The petition alleges "cruel and barbarous treatment," which caused her and her two children to leave her home. A hearing in the case will be held on October 3.
Augustus BURKHARDT, of Philadelphia, was run over by his own car at Chestnut Hill on Sunday evening through the carelessness of a little girl. BURKHARDT had a regular Philadelphia run, but was transferred to a Chestnut Hill car for Sunday only. At Chestnut Hill Park he stepped in front of his car to fix the headlight, and the girl, of course not realizing the danger, threw the controller around to the last notch, sending the car forward at a rapid pace. The motorman was knocked down and had a leg so badly crushed that amputation was necessary at the Germantown Hospital from the results of which he died.
Miss Ella QUINN, of Norristown, was returning home alone from a band concert on Saturday evening, when she was attacked by a strange man, who attempted to place a handkerchief, saturated with chloroform, under her nose. Miss QUINN's cries for help compelled the man to flee. He was pursued by two men, but escaped.
By the explosion of gasoline while working at his automobile, Frank SNYDER, of Mohnsville, Berks county, had both hands and arms severely burned.
James GILLEN, of Philadelphia, was choked to death by a piece of meat lodging in his throat. He was alone in the dining room at the time, but his brother who was sitting in the next room heard him fall from the chair and went to his assistance. He could not remove the meat and the unfortunate man was hurried to a hospital but he died on the way.
Samuel VOID, of Cressman, this week secured a license to wed Miss Lizzie WONSIDLER, of Trumbauersville. The groom is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles VOID and was a former resident of Pennsburg.
For over 40 years, and until he was 75 years old, Amos SHANER, of Cedarville, Chester County, was a faithful employe of the Reading Railway Company, and now, hale and hearty at the age of 93, he talks interestingly how he helped build the road, and of the primitive engines and cars of the old days. For many years Mr. SHANER lived over in the Chestnut Hill country, a distance of six miles, and he walked daily to and from his work in the company's tin shop, at Pottstown. He has computed the distance he walked during that period and it amounts to over 45,000 miles. To regular and temperate habits, although he has smoked and chewed tobacco since a boy, and to keeping his mind and body at work, Mr. SHANER attributes his long life.
Max SILBERMAN, of Jenkintown, has brought suit for $2000 damages against Paul B. HUYETTE, whose automobile, he says struck his buggy as he was driving near Hillside and threw him (SIBERMAN) out. The plaintiff says that the machine was carelessly guided.
Isaac TRIPP, a wealthy farmer, of near Phoenixville, was held up at Beeves Park by three highwaymen, who at pistol point went through his pockets, took what money he had, bade him goodnight and escaped.
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