It is expected that a suit for $1300 insurance money will be instituted at Reading within a few days. John MILLER a brakeman on the Philadelphia and Reading railway committed suicide by inhaling gas at a Reading hotel in November 1903. He was a member of the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen and his death entitled his widow, named in the policy as Mary MILLER, to the insurance. A Mrs. John E. GREENLY, of Philadelphia, appeared after the man's death and claimed the money. Mrs. GREENLY spent several days this week at the Court House at Reading looking up records with the view of bringing suit against the order. Mrs. GREENLY claims that MILLER was her husband and that his real name was John E. GREENLY. Mrs. GREENLY asserts that "MILLER" as he called himself, was 35 years old when he died and he deserted her. She says they are not divorced, and states as a means of identification, that he had his initials tattooed on his right arm. An agreement had been made by the women to divide the insurance money, but the order refuses to pay either of them.
While engine No. 555 was making up her train on Sunday morning in the yard at Dillinger, an accident occured which broke the caboose to such an extent that it could not be used to make the trip. The engine with ten cars attached, was coming up the main track and was in the act of pulling the caboose from the siding, when on account of some cars on the siding, the engineer could not see the signal of the brakeman and the cars were pushed too far up, striking the caboose and throwing it over on its side against the scaffold truck which is used by the carpenters to work in the tunnel. Had it not been for this support it would have rolled down the bank and made the accident much worse. After about an hour's work they succeeded in getting it back on the track but were obliged to go without a caboose. It was removed to East Penn Junction by engine 715 which is known as the hill pusher, later in the day. The train having the wreck was in charge of engineer Jacob HARTRANFT and conductor FIDLER.
Charles SNYDER, Jr., the 10-year-old son of Carolus SNYDER, a well-known farmer residing in Lowhill township, Lehigh county, was painfully injured on Monday night. In company with several companions the boy was playing on a load of hay. He tripped and fell on a pitchfork lying in the hay. One of the sharp tines pierced both cheeks and broke off two teeth. The cries of the boy brought Mr. SNYDER who assisted the chap from the hay and carried him to his home. A physician was summoned. He dressed the injuries and gave them treatment to prevent infection.
Little Catherine WIST, a six-year-old girl of Yardly Bucks County, went through a queer experience on Sunday evening. Feeling tired she laid herself on a bench and fell asleep. At about 10.30 the mother discovered that the child had not retired as she had supposed. Mrs. WIST started to hunt the girl and found her in Afton Lake up to her waist in water and mud. The child was in a somnambulistic condition and the mother had a hard time to awaken her as she had to call her from the bank. The child had arisen in her sleep and wandered about twenty-five feet from where she laid down.
A novel theft occurred in Manheim township, Lancaster county, on Tuesday night, when thieves drove a herd of ten fat steers out of Jacob B. ESBENSHADE's pasture and under cover of darkness drove them to Spring Garden, a distance of fifteen miles. The animals were so exhausted that they dropped by the roadside. When daylight broke the thieves sought the shelter of corn fields and escaped. Their intent was undoubtedly to get the steers to Philadelphia for sale. The animals were returned to their owner.
The borough authorities of Pennsburg have posted boards at all the roads leading into town, cautioning autoists not to exceed the legal speed limits while running their machines over the borough streets.
Powder Valley was set aglow on Saturday evening last by a brilliant party given my Miss Mary MILLER. The guests assembled at an early hour to enjoy its pleasures. Among whom were the Misses Carrie TREICHLER, Mabel SCHULTZ, Estella FETTERMAN, Amanda SEIBERT, Annie SCHUBERT, Jennie S. MILLER, Mary E. MILLER, Elsie DRUCKENMILLER, Isabella BIELER, Elsie GETTY, Gertrude STUART and Messrs Calvin HEADMAN, Willis SCHULTZ, Walter GETTY, Homer SCHULTZ, Frank KEMP, Oliver BIELER, Frank GETTY, Chas. GRABER, Eugene GRABER, Edwin KECK, Ervin ALTHOUSE and Harry ROBERTS. After participating in a varied entertainment the friends enjoyed a liberal repast, spread on a side portico. The decorations of "Golden-rod" and Japanese lanterns were artistically arranged and much admired. After a good jolly time the young folks were loathe to part but at a late hour with good wishes and congratulations for the hostess, they returned to their homes.
A surprise party was tendered to Mrs. Sarah UNDERCUFFLER, of Kumry, on Saturday evening August 19, in honor of her birthday. The following were present: Mr. John BEALER, Mrs. Wm. NICHOLAS, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. WOLF Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Wm. WOLF Jr., and children Sadie, Robert and Herbert, Mrs. John REINHART, Mrs. Oswin L. REINHART, Mr. and Mrs. Robert BEALER, Mr. and Mrs. Harvey BEALER and son Claude, Mr. and Mrs. Emanuel HARTENSTINE and daughter Jennie, Mr. and Mrs. Oswin R. REINHART and daughter Helen, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. TRUMP and son Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob WOLF and daughter Mabel, Mr. and Mrs. Charles HELM, Mr. Curtis WEISS, Mr. and Mrs. Charles GAUGLER and children, Samuel, Ella, Katie and Paul, Mr. and Mrs. Monroe WOLF and children Gertrude and Lizzie, Mrs. Mary ALDERFER, Mrs. Fred FREY and Mrs. Sarah UNDERCUFFLER, Misses H. AMBACKER, Lizzie WOLF, Lillie WOLF, Lizzie BEALER, Ella SMITH, Emma REINHART, Lottie BARNDT, Luzy BOYER, Mamie UNDERCUFFLER, Ida NESBIT and Carrie MUMBAUER, Messrs Edwin REINHART, Frank REINHART, Robert REINHART, Harry FLUCK, Harvey GAUGLER, Howard FITZGERALD, Wm. LITZENBERGER, Frank DERR, Calvin KLINE, Jacob KLINE, Byron MILLER, C.M. KERN, F. AMBACKER, Oliver SHUPP, Harry NICHOLAS, Amndus WOLF, Robert MUMBAUER, Robert SHULL, Samuel UNDERCUFFLER.
A gang of daring chicken thieves one night this week entered the premises of John W. STAUFFER, a farmer residing near Barto, and stole nearly his entire flock of poultry, numbering over one hundred laying hens and young chickens. While the thieves were at work looting the hen house Mr. STAUFFER awoke and commanded them to leave, not heeding the order and determined to make a clean sweep of all the poultry, the bold burglars climbed to the top of a tree about thirty feet from the house, in sight of the awakened family, and caught all roosting there, excepting a dozen that took flight into a meadow. After the chickens were all placed in cages and those securely nailed, the thieves drove rapidly away.
Fish Warden Charles H. NESTLEY, of Royersford, sent Commissioner of Fisheries, W.E. MEEHAN, of Harrisburg, his resignation as a fish warden of Pennsylvania, on Tuesday. Mr. NESTLEY states that his reason for resigning is because the department of fisheries allowed him no salary on his home territory, and the commissions off fines in not sufficient to make a living and as an officer Mr. NESTLEY claims he deserves better treatment. NESTLEY has proved one of the best fish wardens in the state, and illegal fishermen feared him.
Hereafter applicants to enter the train service of the Lehigh Valley Railroad on the Pennsylvania devision who are versed in the art of rolling and making cigarettes will be promptly rejected without further ceremong. The trainmaster at Sayre has received instructions to turn down the yellowfingered coffin nail consumers, and turn them down quickly. If the tips of the applicants forefinger and thumb are of a yellowish hue, no further questions are asked.
The lifeless body of Joseph WEISLEY, one of the foremost citizens of Catasauqua, was found lying on the grand stand of the Catasauqua base ball club's park on Wednesday evening. An empty pint bottle, labled syrup, but smelling after carbolic acid was lying at the side of the dead body and indicated that its contents had been used to end life. The face was scared by coming in contact with the strong acid.
PROPERTY CHANGES OWNERS
Nathaniel FRY sold his house and lot on Main Street, Pennsburg, opposite the public school grounds, to Frank STAHL, of Philadelphia. C.G. FRIES, the slater, of Pennsburg, will occupy the house on October 1st.
BOLD TO EXECUTE WORK AT GREAT ELEVATIONS
Tylersport is the home of a bold and daring contractor who has passed beyond middle age but does not hesitate to ascend the lofty heights and perform work that would cause younger men to hesitate. Born in 1845, Mr. HOOT (picture) was raised in Rockhill township, Bucks county, at the place formerly known as HOOT's grist and saw mill. When quite a young man he found employment in the saw mill and continued the work for about twenty years. His saw mill training made him familiar with all kinds of lumber. At times when not too busy at the saw mill, Mr. HOOT was employed as a carpenter. In this trade his wages varied from $1 to $2.25 a day. The higher figure was the value of a day's work during the Civil War while only a dollar was paid during the panic which followed. Since leaving the saw mill the carpentering trade has been followed with the exception of about eight years. This time was devoted to the cattle trade, shipping cattle from Western Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky and other Western States, to Eastern Markets. When Mr. HOOT had attained his 56 year he remodelled the Ridge Valley Reformed Church and erected the new steeple. During the past spring, at the advanced age of 60 years, the steeple at Schlichter's Church was repaired by him. To do this it was necessary to build a scaffold 102 feet high. The weather wane had to be taken down to re-gild and put in place again. This was all done by Mr. HOOT himself and although not a young man, he experienced no fear. After completing the work, the scaffold has again taken down without an accident, not a single piece of wood falling to the ground. Mr. HOOT is still in the full vigor of manhood and if duty calls, will again undertake to execute work similar to that required from him in the repairing of the steeple at Schlichter's Church.
Rev. Dr. SCHICK, President ROOSEVELT's pastor at Washington, D.C., preached on Sunday morning in the Goshenhoppen Reformed Church. His text was "As my father hath sent me, even so I send you." It was an eloquent discourse on the importance of work on the part of the Christian. The idler, declared the preacher, is the unhappy man of the world. The man who has work to do and does it is the man who enjoys the greatest measure of happiness. The church was crowded with attentive listerners, more than 700 being present. Dr. SCHICK said he regarded it a great privilege to speak from the same pulpit once occupied by Dr. WEISER. In the evening Rev. Dr. SCHICK conducted Harvest Home services in the Hereford Chapel. His theme was "Feeding the multitudes with five loaves and two fishes." The Pennsylvania Germans attended in great numbers to her him preach in German.
The Pure Food Commissioner recently investigated the local milk supply of Norristown, securing samples from twenty seven milk dealers. A test was made. All but one of the samples taken proved pure. It is likely that the dealer whose sample failed to meet the required tests will be prosecuted.
John B. YERGER, of Pottstown, began suit against the Pottstown and Reading Railway Company for damages to the amount of $20,000. This suit is the outcome of the trolley accident that occurred in Pottstown on June 10, 1905. In the accident two cars returning from a base ball game crashed into each other. Both the cars were crowded with passengers and quite a number were badly injured. YERGER was a passenger in one of the cars and his right leg was almost severed. The injury was of such a nature that it was necessary to amputate the limb. He is a pattern maker and in his statement says that he is entirely disabled from work. He has suffered great pain and inconvenience and is entirely incapable of following his employment. He therefore asks damages to the above amount.
Although the peach crop is reported to be short, J.C. SAYLOR, of Ringing Rocks, expects to gather 5000 baskets from 2000 bearing peach trees.
A large milk station is to be established at Hancock, on the East Penn railroad. The milk will be bottled and shipped to Philadelphia.
S. Gross FREY, a prominent resident of Trappe, is greatly exercised over the receipt of a "White Cap" letter. The inscripton in blood beneath the crossbones and skull demand that he place $300 on the porch of the village school house, under penalty of being dragged from his bed and having administered a coat of tar and feathers. Mr. GROSS, who is reputed to be wealthy, could not divine who his enemies were; but instead of putting the gold on the school porch he had a detective from Norristown secreted nearby. But the White Capper did not put in an apperance. However FREY fears that the threat may be carried out.
The will of Dr. J.S. MOREY, of Royersford, was admitted to probate, at Norristown, on Monday. His estate is valued at $75,000. His widow gets the entire estate, with the exception of $10,000, which is left in trust for his father. The physician's body is to be cremated and the ashes are to be buried on his father's farm.
While H.S. KERN, merchant, of Shimersville, was stepping off from a trolley car at Macungie on his return from Allentown, he was thrown heavily, striking his head on the crossing. A deep wound was cut on the back of his head. After having the wound dressed by Dr. A.J. BROBST he returned to his home.
On getting off the trolley car on returning home from Emaus, Mrs. Elizabeth G. WALBERT, of Macungie, widow of the late Rev. G.B. WALBERT, was thrown on the street by a sudden jerk of the car. She sustained a badly sprained wrist and arm.
On account of the large number of scholars it has been found necessary by the New Goshenhoppen Sunday School to divide the church into class-rooms. Rolling partitions have been secured for this purpose. They will be placed into position in the near future.
Rev. H.J. KUDER, of Siegfried, on Sunday conducted harvest home services at Howertown. Owing to the building of a new church now in course of erection the services were held in a large tent in the grove. The offering for benevolence amounted to $186.
N.H. LARZELERE, of Norristown, attended the twenty-eight annual session of the American Bar Association at Narragansett Pier, this week. Mr. LARZELERE was one of the delegates of the Pennsylvania Bar Association.
Mrs. R.C. WOODS, of Sedalia, Mo., and her brother, Melville Y. FISH met at Norristown on Wednesday for the first time in forty years. They had not seen each other since they were children.
The house and lot on Main Street, Pennsburg, of Rev. J.L. ROUSH, of Sumneytown, has been sold at private terms to Hiram YOUNG, of near St. Paul's Church. Mr. YOUNG will occupy it himself next spring.
During the heavy thunderstorm which passed over this section on Thursday night the large barn on the farm of Solomon STERNER, of Powder Valley, was struck by lightning and totally destroyed.
Mrs. William LOOSE, a Norristown woman, was the victim of a bold scheme on Wednesday, by which she lost $28. Two boys appeared at her home and handed her a note, directing her to give to bearers a purse containing $28, which the note said would be found in a bureau drawer. The woman thought it strange that her husband wanted money as his occupation is such that he does not need any while at work, yet not doubting the genuineness of the signature, procured the wallet and gave it to the boys. On returning home Mr. LOOSE was surprised to learn of the experience of his wife, as he had not sent for the money. The matter was brought to the notice of the chief of police and an officer was detailed on the case. He secured a description of the boys and soon located them. On being questioned the boys said they were accosted by a man who gave them the note. They delivered it and brought him the purse obtained from Mrs. LOOSE. From the description furnished by the boy messengers, the police think they will be able to locate the scoundrel.
Descending into a new cesspool at Phillipsburg, N.J., John SIEGENFUSS, an 11-year-old boy, lost his life by suffocation on Tuesday afternoon. The cesspool is being constructed in connection with a row of new houses that the boy's father is erecting. John SIEGENFUSS, aged 16 years, a brother, saw the boy go down the ladder and in a few minutes went to look for him and discovered him lying unconscious at the bottom of the hole. The older boy tried to render assistance and was almost overcome in the same manner. The deadly gas is supposed to emenate from vegetables that were covered over by cinders some years ago as the tract whereon the houses are erected was formerly a sand pit that was later filled up.
Of the 263 persons who took the recent examinations of the State Pharmaceutical Examining Board, 113 passed as registered parmacists and 29 as qualified assistants. Four girls successfully passed the examination, and will practice as regular pharmacists. They are: Misses Mary E. GOULD, of Mansfield; Katie E. NEWTON, of Shingle House; Edyth W. WILLIAMS, of Plymouth, and Anna P. FLANAGAN, of Mahanoy City. Two girls also passed as registered and qualified pharmacists' assistants - Misses Elizabeth FULTON, of Pittsburg, and Nora V. BUNDLE, of Mahanoy City.
Ben SMITH, the messenger between Pottstown and Philadelphia, is a careful and trustworthy servant. He never leaves before the train starts and he seldom arrives before the train gets back again. He carries all he can but he is never known to carry a package that he can't lift. Ben never smiles in his occasional fits of sadness, and he is't known to cry while hearing a funny story. Ben SMITH is a model messenger.
A tabernacle meeting under the auspices of the United Evangelical church, will be held August 30 to September 7, at Palm station. The pastor, Rev. N.S. HAWK will be assisted as follows: Aug. 30, Rev. A.J. BRUNNER; Aug. 31, Rev. J.H. STENNER; Sept. 1, Rev. A.J. BRUNNER; Sept. 2 and 3, Rev. C.D. HUBER; Sept. 4, Rev. D.P. LONGSDORF; Sept. 5, Rev. J.H. STENNER; Sept. 6, Rev. D.P. LONGSDORF; Sept. 7, Rev. A.J. BRUNNER.
A sneak thief entered the chicken house of Aaron WEIKEL, of Argus, one night last week and stole thirty-five pair of chickens. He escaped without being heard.
Seven condemned cows, afflicted with tuberculosis, belonging to Mahlon TRAUGER, of Fountainville, Bucks county, were killed by O.J. LEATHERMAN, assisted by A.S. SHIVELY, on Wednesday afternoon.
A strongly contested game of base ball will be played on Wood's Athletic Grounds, Pennsburg. The contesting clubs will be the Redola, of Quakertown and the Pennsburg A.C.
Judge BECHTEL, of Schuylkill county, delivered a severe lecture in court, at Pottsville, on Monday, to the School Directors, of Tower City, who are dead-locked and have this far failed to elect a principal or any of the teachers. The Judge gave the directors four days time in which to organize, failing, they will be arrested. He said: "If the whole Board is guilty the whole Board will be removed, and when the new Board is appointed there will not be any obstructionists on it. The actions of some of the Boards in the county are a disgrace to the public school system of the State and must be stopped."
As a fast freight train passed out of the Jenkintown yard on Sunday noon a man about 30 years of age, wearing a plaid coat and cap, attempted to board the locomotive. He slipped and fell under the wheels and his head was completely served from his body. The coroner was summoned to investigate. An employes trip pass bearing the name of C.H. GROLL was found on the body and tattoed on the right arm were the initals "C.G."
Work on the Kutztown fair grounds is being pushed with the greatest rapidity. The contractors are all determined to have their work finished in time to hold a fair. A grand stand similar to the one at Allentown, only not as large, will be erected. A fair building 42 by 100 feet, is to be built. Carpenters from Reading, Allentown, and Philadelphia are assisting in the work.
Lowhill township, Lehigh county, has the oil fever, and the inhabitants in the vicinity of Lyon Valley, particulary are considerably worked up over the alleged discovery of traces of petroleum in the water of several wells. What at first led to the supposition that there is oil thereabouts was the fact that cows on the farm of Robert FREY, about a mile above Lyon Valley refused to drink the water. It could not be used for washing and contained a greasy substance of some kind.
His horse having shied and backed into the Schuylkill Canal, at Pottstown, on Monday, Charles SMITH, aged 12 years, of North Coventry and a companion were saved from drowning by Thomas GUEST. The latter plunged in, pulled the boys out as their heads were disappearing and then saved the horse.
Surveyors in the employ of the Easton Transit Company are surveying the Freemansburg road between Easton and Freemansburg. It is likely that the line will be built as the Company filed an extension to its lines some time ago. A direct line is desired from Easton to South Bethlehem via Freemansburg.
Miss Sadie KRAMER, of Springtown, aged fifteen years, charged with stealing $100 from Wm. W. WOLFINGER, of Ottsville, appeared before Squire Willis WALL, at Doylestown, Friday afternoon and waived a hearing. The amount of bail was fixed at $500. The girl is said to have stolen the money while on a visit and spent it for jewelry.
Oliver C. ROHRBACH will engage in manufacturing knit underwear at Topton. A brick building 26 by 50 feet, will be erected to be completed in about two months. The new industry will employ twenty-five hands at the start, with a daily output of 100 dozen, which will gradually be increased to the full capacity of the mill.
Being bitten on the arm several days ago by a caterpillar, Mrs. Emma BRIGHTBILL, of Reading, is in a serious condition from blood poisoning. Her arm is a deep read color and is very much swollen. The woman suffers excruciating pain.
A dogfish two feet long and having a flat head like a bulldog was caught by Harry WEAND, a telephone lineman of Pottsville, in the Susquehanna River. Local sportsmen say it is a rare capture.
Pedestrians on Hamilton Street, Allentown, were horrified on Monday night to see a baby crawl along the edge of an open window in the third story of its home. It finally sat down and smiled and cooed at the crowd below. The child belonged to Leo ALEXANDER, and the mother was temporarily absent from the room. On returning she grabbed the child and then fainted with fright.
On going to the cupboard in the kitchen to get a pitcher, Herman HOFFMAN, of Hummels store, Berks county, found a copperhead snake stretched out on the first shelf. The reptile attempted to strike Mr. HOFFMAN, but was caught between the shelf and the door and quickly killed.
Frank McGAUVEY, of Mount Gretna, and Samuel HOSTER, of Bismark, were fined $25 and costs at Lebanon, on Monday for violating the fish laws. They are accused of gigging fish in the Little Conewago Creek. The case has been appealed.
Last Modified