A landslide in the limestone quarry of Mill A, of the Lehigh Portland Cement Campany, at Ormrod, on Wednesday afternoon, caused the death of thirteen or more men and many others were injured. The men were all foreigners, most of them Slavs, having their families in Austria. The quarry in which the accident occurred was opened five years ago. It is now a great hole 1000 feet long, 100 feet deep and from 300 to 400 feet wide. The accident occurred just five minutes before the signal was to be given for the men to stop work for dinner. Thirty-five men were working with pick and shovel when the slide came booming down the side of the bank and covering all but three or four of the gang. So rapidly did the avalanche take place that no warning could be given nor could the men escape. It required but a few seconds for the rocks to build the graves of these men. The falling masses reached across the entire quarry and the bodies recovered were all found within a radius of ten feet on the south side, showing that they must have been running in the direction of the slight embankment on the south side. Huddled together in every possible shape six bodies were found in one heap. Three of the men were alive. Two of the men stood while the other was lying. A high boulder hung over them but had not fallen over sufficiently to crush them. One died soon after taken out and two were brought to the hospital. The legs of the dead were interwound peculiarly. One poor fellow who had been calling for help cried fork, fork as they reached him. A fork used in the work had pierced his body. When he was taken out and the fork was loosened he died. All possible effort was made to get the men out as quickly as possible but as some of the masses of rock weigh as much as ten tons it will require some days until the last body is recovered. On removing the men the dead bodies were removed to a morgue and the injured were taken to the hospital at Allentown, where it was found that each of the six brought, was suffering from a fractured thigh. Some of the bodies taken out were mangled beyon recognitiond. In one case the body was cut in two, half of which was taken out while the other part was pinned under boulders that it will take days to remove. The avalanch was caused by the heavy rains of Tuesday night and could not be foreseen. The rescue of the bodies is particularly dangerous as it is known that five dynamite charges, each sufficient to move hundreds of tons of rock, are under the debris. This may explode and endanger the lives of the rescuing party, which is made up of several hundred trained quarrymen.
By order of Charles D. McAVOY, County Chairman, delegate elections will be held in the various election districts throughout the county on Saturday evening, September 9. The election for Pennsburg district will be held at the Pennsburg Hotel. Three delegates will be elected. The convention will be held in the Opera House, Norristown, on Tuesday September 12, when the county ticket will be nominated. The ticket will include Register of Wills, Recorder of Deeds, Clerk of Courts, two County Commissioners, Poor Director and two County Auditors.
James NESTER, August REINHART, Daniel CONRAD and John GRACELY, four of the deacons of Huffs Church, Berks County, were arrested this week on complaint of Peter WERST, a member of the Church. They are charged with digging away a cement wall and exposing the body of the son of WERST to the weather. By a special act of the Legislature the minimum penalty for the offense is six months in jail and a fine of $100.
On the arrival of a carload of cattle at the Pennsburg station on Tuesday morning, consigned to J.P. HILLEGASS, it was found that among the lot was a three-weeks-old calf with a broken leg. A.L. BAUM the veterinarian was called who put the broken leg into a plaster-of-paris cast. The young animal is hindered in its walk but it is believed that the bone will knit and the calf escape without injury.
A bunco game was worked by a slick stranger on a farmer of New Hanover township, a few days ago, but the victim does not care to have his name known. During the afternoon one day last week a man in a fallingtop buggy and a gray horse drove into the barnyard of the farmer and asked to buy a horse. He said the one he was driving had been purchased from Howard VANBUSKIRK several years ago but that it was getting too old for use. A horse that the farmer had for sale was shown and finally bought for $125. A check on the Schwenksville Bank was given in payment. The name signed to the check was that of one of the best known families of New Hanover township. The purchaser claimed that he resided on what is known as the Rock Road between Pottstown and Swamp. The horse was given without hesitation and the check taken in exchange. On presenting the check for payment at the Schwenksville Bank it was learned that the signer did not have any funds in bank and never had. Thinking that Mr. VANBUSKIRK might be able to give some information in regard to the stranger, the farmer went to Pottstown to inquire. Mr. VANBUSKIRK could not recall that he had sold the horse as claimed. A trip was taken along the Rock road but no trace could be found of man or horse.
Complying with the whim of her six year old daughter, Ella, to pull the trigger of a revolver which was supposed not to be loaded. Mrs. Frank YERGEY, of Norristown, shot the child in the chin with a 22 calibre bullet. An examination showed that the chin bone was badly splintered but no further injury done. The wound will likely leave a bad scar.
The teachers training class of the New Goshenhoppen Sunday School, of which Mrs. William DIMMIG is teacher, held a picnic at MARKLEY's Mill on Thursday afternoon. The class consisting of twenty-two members, was taken to the picnic grounds in MILLER's four-horse coach. The outing was enjoyed by the entire party.
Frank GORMAN, his wife and 17-year-old daughter, Lizzie, of Norristown, were run down by a fast express train in the Trenton Cut-Off Railroad, on Wednesday evening, at 8.30 o'clock. Mr. and Mrs. GORMAN were instantly killed while the daughter had both legs crushed, four ribs broken and received injuries to her head.
By the exploding of molten iron spilled in a lot of water by a tilting ladle at the foundry of M.H. TREADWELL Company, Lebanon, on Tuesday evening, five men out of a lot of forty were seriously injured. Two of them are fatally burned. The force of the explosion was terrific. The entire city was shaken up and great excitement prevailed.
A valuable cow owned by William ESHBACH, of Palm, was bitten a few weeks ago by a mad dog. On Monday the cow suddenly became mad and was killed immediately. Other cows throughout the neighborhood were bitten by the same dog and a general outbreak of hydrophobia is feared.
Judge SWARTZ, of Norristown, and Senator ROBERTS, of Balla, are making an effort to secure a State Fish Hatchery to be located along Maucill's Run, near Port Kennedy. Two large springs feed the stream, and the water has a temperatiare of 52 degrees. If the land can be obtained, it is said that the hatchery is assured.
Justice of the Peace, William L. ELY, of Solebury, has received several letters marked with a heart pierced with daggers and a death's hand with a cross affixed. He is warned to prepare for the end. One of the letters is signed "Spirit O.K."
"Malta March" is the title of the latest composition by the well-known musician of Pennsburg, Miss Celesta TRUMBORE. The composition is well worthy of the title and of the composer and is meeting with approval in the musical world.
The report of the assessors just completed, shows that Berks county is one of the wealthiest counties in the United States. The 160,000 inhabitants have nearly $20,000,000 at interest. The exact figures are $19,847,007, on which the state tax is four mills.
The relatives and friends of Mrs. Sallie MILLER (picture) assembled at Red Lion recently to celebrate her eighty-sixth birthday anniversary. The aged woman is well preserved and in possession of all her faculties. She bids fair to approach the century mark closely. Mrs. MILLER is the mother of six children, has twenty-three grandchildren and twenty-six great-grandchildren, all of which were present to participate in the festivities when the four-score and six was reached.
The large Swiss barn on the farm of Joseph M. FREDERICK, two miles east of Dryville, Berks county, was struck by lightning, Tuesday evening and entirely destroyed by fire, together with this season's hay and grain crops, a number of vehicles, farm implements, etc. Two frame sheds adjoining the barn were also consumed. About the same time the barn on the farm of Harry BRENSINGER, in Longswamp township, two miles south of Mertztown was struck by lightning and burned to the ground. This season's crops, a large lot of farm implements and one heifer were burned. Two horses and seven cows were saved. Lightning the same evening instantly killed three valuable cows belonging to M.H. DETURCK of Monocacy. The cows were under a tree in a field when a bolt of lightning struck the tree, tearing it to splinters.
The members of the Alumni of the Clayton public school will have a reunion at the Clayton school house on Saturday evening, August 26, at 8 p.m. A program embracing essays, recitations and otations by members of the alumni, a history of the alumni by C.E. FISTER, an address by Rev. O.S. KRIEBEL and music by the Red Hill Orchestra, has been prepared. All patrons and friends of the school are invited to be present.
By unanimous action of the Borough Council of Bethlehem, tramps taken into custody will work out the sentences meted out by Burgess R.S. TAYLOR in cleaning streets and doing other work for the borough, instead of idly serving time in the lock-up or the county jail.
The State Department issued a charter to the Franklin Telephone and Telegraph Company of Springtown, Bucks county. The capital of the company is $5,000.
The State Factory Inspection Department is seriously hampered in its efforts to enforce the new law to abolish child labor in the factories and workshops of Pennsylvania by the refusal of superintendents and principals of public schools to issue employment certificates to children between 14 and 16 years old, because the law makes no provision to compensate them for this extra work. Chief Factory Inspector John C. DELANEY said on Monday. "It is my judgment that when the teachers return to their duties after the summer vacation they will have enough to do without issuing these certificates, and that the great majority of them will refuse to take up this work. "What remedy do you suggest to overcome this defect in the law? "There is none that can be applied at present, or until the Legislature makes the necessary provision to compensate school superintendents and teachers for this extra work.
Mr. T.S. COOPER the Jersey cattle dealer at Coopersburg, is about making several noted improvements on his fine Linden Grove farm, among the rest being the moving of the house from the rear of his handsome home to the corner of the pike and the road leading to Locust Valley. His son Ralph will occupy the house when ready. Mr. COOPER will erect an office on the site to be vacated.
Refused permission by his father to marry Hattie R. GROFF, of Perkasie, Isaiah BARNDT, a minor, of Franconia, petitioned the court several weeks ago to compel his father to show cause why he would not consent to the marriage. The case was held for argument and the young man decided that the Court proceeding were too slow. Last week the young man and Miss GROFF took a trip to New York and on their return showed a marriage certificate.
Rev. Charles E. SANDT, on of the most widely-known and popular minister of the city of Allentown, died suddenly on Tuesday morning, of Apoplexy. Rev. SANDT officiated at the funeral of Mrs. Ammon SWARTZ at Red Hill, on Monday and was in the best of health and spirits on passing through Pennsburg on his way home. It had been planned by the family on Mr. SANDT to attend the funeral of an old neighbor at Freemansburg on Tuesday. While taking breakfast he stated that he did not feel as well as usual and decided not to accompany his wife and children to Freemansburg. The daughter and son were already dressed and waiting for Mrs. SANDT to get ready and Mr. SANDT was joking with the children, when he said he would lie on the counch a few minutes to ease the pain in his siee. On lying down he began to snore. The children spoke to him but he did not answer. The mother was called but on talking to him she received no response and in a few minutes he was beyond awakening. Rev. SAND was born in 1861, near Stockertown, Northampton County. He was educated at the Keystone State Normal School, Muhlenberg College and Mt. Airy Seminary. He was ordained into the Lutheran Ministry in June 1885. At his death he was pastor of St. Mark's Church, South Allentwon, and served as supply at Lehigh Church and Alburtis. His wife one daughter one son and his mother survive.
Warren H. BARNES, Souderton, and Mame M. RAUSCH, Sellersville.
George APPLEGATE, 80 years of age, of Bethlehem, was granted a marriage license in the Clerk of the Orphans' Court office Wednesday. Mr. APPLEGATE's intended bride is Mrs. Augusta WAHL, also of Bethlehem. She is 60 years of age and is a widow and it might be well to state that Mr. APPLEGATE is a widower. Mr. APPLEGATE was not anxious to have it announced that he had a marriage license issued, because, he said: "I am not quite sure of the woman. I thought it best to get the license first and make sure of the woman afterward." Mr. APPLEGATE is one of Bethlehem's wealthiest citizens, and to substantiate this assertion he had a lot of wealth on his person when he had the license issued. Said he: "I have given each of my three children $30,000 and, if they are not satisfied, I have a number of deeds in my pockets upon which I can realize as much more and give it to them, and have enough left to keep myself and wife." Mr. APPLEGATE is remarkaby well preserved and only a short time ago went into the harvest field and assisted in gathering in the grain.
For the benefit of those wishing to attend the Prohibition State Convention held at Williamsport, August 22nd and 23rd, 1905, the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company will sell excursion tickets at single fare for the round trip, with minimum of 25¢, tickets to be sold August 21st and 22nd, good to return until August 25th, 1905, inclusive. For rates of fare and time of trains consult any P. & R. Ticket Agent.
Basing his actions on a recent decision of the Courts of Lancaster county, Controller LIVINGOOD, of Berks county, will refuse to approve the warrants for the salaries of the Poor Directors on a $1500 salary but will adhere to the act entitling them to only $250 a year.
The special Democratic State Convention held at Harrisburg on Wednesday, nominated Justice John STEWARD, Independent Republican, of Franklin County, unanimously for the State Supreme Court. Good will prevailed throughout the entire meeting of the convention. All partisanship was laid aside and the party by its action pledged itself to units with other political elements to drive the grafters out of office at the November election. BERRY accepted the nomination given him in May for State Treasurer in a formal speech that carried conviction not only for the members of the convention but for all honest men of the State. His speech abounded in hot shot hurled at the PENROSE-DURHAM gang. Following are some of his assertions: "If I am elected," he said, "It must be by clean methods. I will not be a party to the purchase of votes, either with money or by the promise of patronage. All men and all banks look alike to me. "A Democratic thief is as bad as a Republican thief, and a dictatorial usurper, briber, or ballot-debauching traitor is no better in one party than in another. "If I am elected I will do all in my power to remove the transactions of the Treasury Department from suspicion. "The management of State funds presents one of the greatest opportunities for graft in the entire State, and the 'plum tree' incidents of the QUAY regime are not to be forgotten." The convention adopted the following resolutions: Whereas, It has been the carnest effort and fixed policy of the Democracy of Pennsylvania to secure a non-partisan judiciary, in order that justice might be administered without suspicion or delay and the judgments of our courts be respected and willingly obeyed; and, Whereas, The Hon. John STEWART, a distinguished lawyer and experienced jurist, whose public services and private life have endeared him to the thoughtful and patriotic people, and whose stalwart independence and services rendered the State by resisting the perpetration of political wrongs in the past, and opposing the personal rule of selfish lead ers made it possible to elect a Democratic Governor of Pennsylvania, has made it a pleasure as well as a duty of this convention to place him in nomination as a candidate for Justice of the Supreme Court and on occasion to prove to the people of our State, without regard to politics, that the Democratic party is sincere in its advocacy of a no-partisan judiciary and earnestly in favor of recognizing and rewarding officers and public-spirited citizens who perform their official and civic duties fearlessly and faithfully and demonstrate to the people that we are ready and willing to co-operate and unite with the friends of good government and pure politics, to the end that the grafter shall be driven from public places, and honest, fair and free government be given and preserved to the people of this great Commonwealth. Resolved. That we call attention to the platform of principles adopted by our party on May 24 last, and again invite to a "full union with us honest men of all parties and organizations sincerely intent upon the reformation of public affairs," opposed to the corrupt leaders and base partisanship which have denied just election laws, personal registration, honest election and a republican form of government to the citizens of the Commonwealth. We approve the course of the Hon. John WEAVER, who as Mayor of Philadelphia, has come to realize that "a public office is a public trust," to be administered according to law and in the interest of the people. We commend and indorse the action of the people of Philadelphia, who now aroused, are bent upon exposing "grafters" and punishing the perfidious leaders whose treachery and insatiable greed have earned for them the deserved condemnation of being denounced as a "criminal combination masquerading under the name of the Republican party." And we call attention the the worthy, faithful, honest and able candidate of the Democracy - Hon. W. H. BERRY - as a man who would reform the Treasury of Pennsylvania and make it a business institution instead of a party pe rquisite and political bank.
At the cattle sale of HILLEGASS and GRABER at HARING's Hotel, on Thursday, the twenty-two head of Mercer County cows sold by Mr. GRABER brought an average price of $56.10 and the 26 head of Ohio Cattle, of Mr. HILLEGASS, were sold at an average of $44 per head.
Within the past few weeks two of the cows of Henry BERKEY, of Old Zionsville gave birth to twin calves and this week the third cow not to be outdone by the other two, presented her owner with twins. The addition of six animals to the stock of Mr. BERKEY all happened within a month.
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