During the cold weather which we have had in this section for the past few months the ice companies, with houses located along the Perkiomen and Hosensack creek, have been able to fill all their houses. The John C. HANCOCK Ice Company, of Philadelphia, with five large ice dams and houses along these streams has had exceptional good luck in filling their houses. They are all filled and at most of the places they are now loading direct from the dams on cars and ship to their storage houses in Philadelphia. Their new house at Hosensack for the time was filled to its utmost capacity last week. The house is 373 feet long, 102 feet wide and 33 feet to the square of eaves. It has a capacity of 1,188,000 cubic feet and holds 71,280,000 pounds or 35,640 tons of ice.
Allowing 35 per cent. for space in housing and waste in shipping, the house would hold 23,166 tons of marketable ice, which at an average of 28 tons each, would make about 825 cars of ice to ship from this house. In filling the house when the conveyor is running full with ten inch ice, carrying in 270 tons of ice an hour, or 2,700 tons per ten hour day, it will take about twelve days to fill it. But as it is almost impossible to get men to run full, it on the average ran only about half full and consequently it took about twenty four days to fill it. The number of men employed this year varied from 125 to 180. As the snow this year made more trouble than usual the expense of filling the house will run up to nearly four thousand dollars. This amount is quite an item among the poor, as people of some means are seldom found at this work owing to the exposure and hard work. Business men of the Hosensack Valley will also undoubtedly feel the presence of this ice plant. The company has already completed a contract with Joseph C. STERLING of Philadelphia, to build another house next summer. A dam will also be built above the present one in Pasture creek, and later on, still another one farther north on the same creek. Charles MILLER, the manager of this place, will need about fifteen good men all summer to empty the three houses at Hosensack, Powder Valley and Palm. The freight on the ice shipped over the Perkiomen Railroad amounts to an enormous sum.
A middle aged woman and well dressed got on the Perkiomen train at Allentown on Wednesday morning, and when conductor KOONS came for her ticket she pretended to be asleep. He aroused her and asked for the ticket to which she replied that she had none. He then asked for her fare and he received a similar reply. As he could get neither ticket nor fare from her he put her off at Vera Cruz station. She had intended to go to Philadelphia and said she could go without ticket or fare. From Vera Cruz station she started out to follow the railroad and walked through the tunnel to Dillingersville station, there she took the road back towards Vera Cruz again. People in the vicinity thought she was demented. She later turned up at the farm of Alvanus SHELLY near Vera Cruz and they recognized her as a Miss FOLK, of near Shimersville. She is slightly deranged, but worked in Allentown as a servant. Mr. SHELLY then conveyed her to her parent's home.
John MUMBAUER, of Kumry, Bucks County is the owner of a pet cat that is twenty-one years old.
A double team of Harry HEBERLE, the liveryman of Pennsburg, which was left standing at the feed house of J.W. BUTZ, at Palm, while Mr. HEBERLE, the driver, was attending to business a short distance away, ran away on Wednesday. They ran down the turnpike to the lower end of Pennsburg before they were caught. At a number at places they passed teams but luckily escaped a collision. The horses were scared by coal running down from a car at BUTZ's yard and before the driver could reach them they were off. No damage was done to the sleigh. One of the horses had his legs cut at several places by coming in contact with the runners of the sleigh.
West PATTERSON, of Perkiomenville, who owns a number of building lots on Seminary Avenue, in Pennsburg, has this week contracted with Clayton H. FRYER, of Pennsburg, for the erection of a double dwelling house on one of the lots. The new houses will be build during the coming summer.
Mr. and Mrs. Harvey CLEWEL, of this borough, visited relatives at Allentown, on Sunday and Monday.
Mr. and Mrs. William DIMMIG, of East Greenville, visited relatives at Allentown, on Sunday and Monday.
William BREININGER, of Allentown, this week moved from that city into the tenant house of F.K. WALT, in the lower end of this borough.
Mr. and Mrs. Oliver KLINE, of Alburtis, spent Sunday with the family of Mr. and Mrs. Frank GRABER, of this borough.
Mr. and Mrs. Howard SHIERY, of Allentown, visited the parents of the latter, Mr. and Mrs. Frank GRABER, of this borough on Saturday and Sunday.
Mrs. Calvin FREED, of the American House, is slowly recovering from a severe attack of the grip.
Misses Mae WAAGE and Lizzie BOBB, of this borough, made a business trip to Allentown on Friday.
Mr. and Mrs. Edwin MILLER, of this borough, visited relatives at Emaus on Sunday.
Mrs. Alfred MILLER, of this borough, spent Saturday at Allentown.
E.J. WIEDER, Jr., of this borough, on Monday received a large consignment of clocks, which makes his line of timepieces hard to be equalled in the Perkiomen Valley.
Mr. and Mrs. J.T. XANDER, of this borough, made a business trip to Reading this week.
Alfred LORENTZ, of East Greenville, had been confined to his home with grip and lumbago. He is gradually recovering from his illness.
Mr. and Mrs. John KEHL, of KEHL's mill, near this borough, on Wednesday attended the funeral of a relative, Harrison KEHL, of Pottstown.
The HALLMAN's Family Band, of Old Zionsville, will this evening render an entertainment in the Odd Fellows' Hall, in this borough.
Mr. and Mrs. Clement ROEDER, of East Greenville, yesterday attended the funeral of a brother-in-law, Mr. HELFRICH, of Cetronia, near Allentown.
Miss Elizabeth CRIPPEN, of Ambler, returned to her home on Monday after spending several weeks with the family of Dr. and Mrs. J.G. HERSH, of East Greenville.
Martin SCHWEITZER, of Norristown, made a business trip to this borough on Wednesday.
Jesse KLINE, who was visiting his son-in-law, Harry KRAUSS, of this borough, is confined to his bed and is critically ill.
Copeland STICHTER, of East Greenville, was confined to the house with a heavy cold this week.
Milton S. HOUCK, of Pennsburg, was sick several days this week with a heavy cold.
The trustees of the Pennsburg Odd Fellows' Hall this week had the lodge room painted and papered. The A.J. DRESSLER Painting Company and Charles TITLOW did the work. The room is now one of the most beautiful in this section.
Miss Cora DIEHL, of this borough, spent several days this week in Philadelphia.
Elwood F. DELONG, of Topton, Berks county, was in this borough on Wednesday. He took the measurements for a new mirror case for the Royal Palace Shaving Parlor of Pennsburg. The new case will be completed and ready to put in place by about May first.
Herbert T. KNEULE, proprietor of the Royal Palace Shaving Parlor, of this borough, made a business trip to Allentown on Wednesday.
Jeweler E.J. WIEDER, of this borough, this week made a number of improvements in his store. Among the notable improvements was a screen across the outside display window.
Mrs. J.M. GRIMLEY and daughter, of Allentown, spent Saturday and Sunday with the family of Mr. and Mrs. Levinus HILLEGASS, of East Greenville.
Mrs. Henry FOX, of East Greenville, was stricken with apoplexy on Tuesday. She is in a critical condition ever since.
Mrs. Rev. G.W. LUTZ on Thursday visited her sister at Allentown, who is convalescing from a critical illness of typhoid fever.
Miss Millie LUTZ, of Allentown, spent Sunday with the family of Rev. and Mrs. G.W. LUTZ, of this borough.
Miss Chrissie SCHULTZ, of Worcester, is spending the week with the Misses Ella and Ida HERSH, of East Greenville.
Dr. W.H. HUNSBERGER of this borough and Rev. C.M. DELONG, of East Greenville, spent Thursday in Philadelphia.
At Frederick, Montgomery county, the well-known carpet dealer of Allentown, J.M. GRIMLEY (picture), was born on June 14, 1855. While a boy of tender years he lost both parents and was compelled to face the stern realities of the world or go down in the attempt. When but twelve years of age he was hired on a farm and learned to do hard work instead of receiving the school training which he felt he should have. All of the spare moments the industrious boy found while working on the farm were devoted to study, and in 1869 he secured a position in a merchandise establishment in Philadelphia. After a business training of several years he returned to his former home for the purpose of getting a more extended education, but in this he did not succeed. He again sought employment on a farm and in a few years he had saved sufficient money to enter Ursinus College. Here he applied himself very closely to his work and in a short time fitted himself as a teacher, and followed teaching for a number of years. The taste for commercial life received while a boy, led into a strong desire to follow an active business life. Following his inclinations, he accepted a clerkship with C.A. DORNEY & Co., of Allentown, and served in that capacity for two years and then bought the store which he now owns at 804 Hamilton st., Allentown. On the 9th of this month it was twenty-one years since he became the owner of his present business. When Mr. GRIMLEY opened his store he had a very small floor space and his stock consisted mainly of wood and willow ware, and many of the older and more conservative business men of Allentown considered the enterprise very risky. But Mr. GRIMLEY engaged in the work with a determination to win, and today he is one of the most successful business men in the Lehigh valley. None of the various lines of goods with which he started have been eliminated from the business, but wood and willow ware are but an inconsiderate part of the stock carried at the present time. Observing the drift of the times, Mr. GRIMLEY extended his lines of carpets, rugs, linoleums, and shades so that he was obliged to enlarge his rooms from time to time until he has the largest and most varied display in his lines that can be found in the Lehigh valley. Although almost fifty years old, Mr. GRIMLEY is still hale and hearty, and displays the same activity and business acumen that marked him as a boy, and one of his greatest pleasures is, to be constantly doing business with families that were among his customers during his early business career.
The family of David DIEHL of Clayton was on Saturday and Sunday visted by his father-in-law Mr. SCHWENK and three daughters of Telford, and as they were ready to take the train at Palm on Sunday evening for home, the children were suddenly taken sick and could not continue on the trip. They were immediately returned to the home of Mr. DIEHL. The father however returned to his home. By Monday the girls had recovered and they were then conveyed to their home at Telford by Mr. DIEHL in a sleigh.
Mrs. Albert H. LADNER of Pottstown had three ribs fractured and was otherwise internally injured by being thrown from a sleigh in a collision with another team while driving through Pottstown on Tuesday afternoon. She was accompanied by Miss Louise YOCUM, of Reading and both women were picked up in an unconscious condition. The latter was only bruised.
A table knife and fork that his great-great-grandfather, David EMMINGER, carried when he was a soldier in the Continental army, is owned by A.E. MONASMITH, of Reading.
Charles CORNER, of Palm, who contemplated holding public sale with farm stock on March 10th, has changed the date to Tuesday, March 7th.
A pleasant surprise party was tendered Beulah V. SCHOENLY of East Greenville on the occassion of her tenth birthday anniversary on Saturday evening. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin SCHOENLY and she entertained her little friends in elegant style. Many games were engaged in and before the guests departed for their homes, a sumptuous repast was served them. Those present were: Tillie RITTER, Bertha SCHLICHER, Ada DERR, Annie BARR, Viola HALLMAN, Alda LACHMAN, Lizzie LEH, Florence KELLER, Ruba LEH, Bertha EBERMAN, Carrie GERHART, Cora GERHART, Carrie WENTLING, Laura KLEBE, Ella GERY, Jennie KEELY, Minerva ROYER, Willie SWENK, Paul STYER, Martin STYER, Mrs. Calvin SWENK, Mrs. Wilson KRAUSS, Mr. and Mrs. Melvin KASE and son Ellwood, Mr. and Mrs. Harry STYER, Mrs. N.S. KASE and Mr. and Mrs. E. SCHOENLY.
The pupils of the public school at Kraussdale will on Friday evening, February 24 render an entertainment in the school building. The affair will be given as a Thaddeus STEVENS day exercise and a parents day event. The children and teacher of the school will leave nothing undone to make the event an entertaining as well as a successful one. There will be songs, recitations, a hoopdrill by the children as well as a recitation by the sister of the teacher. A brief sketch of the meaning of the Thaddeus STEVENS day exercises will also be given. No admission will be charged but a collection will be lifted for the benefit of a Thaddeus STEVENS Poor and Orphan Children's Home, which will be built at Lancaster. The school extends an invitation to everybody.
Knocked from his train while it was entering the Phoenixville tunnel, N.S. MOYER, of Schuylkill Haven, a Reading Railway conductor, was severely bruised.
Workmen are engaged this week cutting ice off the Perkiomen creek at Spring Mount, which measures 26 and 28 inches in thickness.
Boltz, Clymer and Co., cigar manufacturers, of Philadelphia, with numerous factories scattered throughout the country this week took possession of the large factory in Sumneytown owned by Samuel BARNDT. The firm, during the week moved their goods, from a factory which they operated at Coopersburg and closed up on account of scarcity of hands, to Sumneytown and there placed it in position. Joseph YEAKLE, who was foreman in the Coopersburg factory will continue as foreman in the Sumneytown factory and he was busily engaged during the week in getting the new factory into shape. He expects to start work on Monday with about thirty hands and as soon as he can get the required number he will run the factory to its utmost capacity. Ninety tables were erected this week and it is the firm's intention to employ as many hands at once provided they can be employed. The building in which the new factory starts is the one formerly used by Shively, Miller and Company who moved their plant from there to Pottstown several years ago.
A double team of horses hitched to a truck sleigh owned by William HOFFMAN, a farmer residing near Kraussdale, ran away in the early morning hours on Wednesday, while he was getting ready to take his milk to the East Greenville station. The team ran up to Palm where it got stuck in a snow drift in front of Edwin KRAUSS' residence. Frank MEST came upon the team as he returned from the Palm depot, but as it was still dark he did not notice it until his horse refused to move. Upon investigation he found the team, which was unable to move. Mr. MEST turned his horse and tied him at ECK's blacksmith shop and went to work to extricate the disabled team. After he succeeded in this he took the team to LEESER's hotel, where Mr. HOFFMAN later secured the runaways.
There will be a unique entertainment at Perkiomen Seminary, in the form of a chalk talk by America's greatest chalk artist, George E. LITTLE, of Philadelphia, on Monday evening. Mr. LITTLE's lecture is illustrated with crayon and charcoal sketches rapidly executed in the presence of the audience on large sheets of canvass or paper, representing various phases of plant, animal and human life and facial expressions. The chart for reserved seats is open at Dr. BOBB's drug store, East Greenville and the Pennsburg post-office.
James BAUS, of East Greenville, who serves milk to the people in these two boroughs, will discontinue that business in spring and engage in the milling business at Finland. This week he rented the mill at that place from Henry K. TRUMBAUER. He will take possession on April first.
A kitten which Edward MARSH, of Pottsville, bought for $1 on Tuesday swallowed a diamond pin valued at $150. The pin stuck in kitty's intestines, and MARSH refuses to kill her in order to recover his property, while the feline continues as frisky as ever.
Samuel MOYER, of Bally, has contracted the mail route between Barto and Palm, for a term of four years beginning July 1 1905, for $303 per year. He will succeed Elias SCHWOYER, the present carrier.
Quintus M. KLINE, formerly, of Green Lane, is at present the proprietor of the American House, at White Haven, Schuylkill County. This is one of the largest hotels in that section and Mr. KLINE is doing an enormous business.
A dead body of a tramp was found in the barn of John S. KELLER, of near Telford one morning last week. After a physician made an examination he pronounced his death due to an apoplectic stroke.
John G. PRIZER, of Schwenksville, executor of the Estate of Johnson STETLER, late of near Perkiomenville, sold both farms at that place to James S. MILLER, of Sumneytown for $3750.
Charles KASE, of Bally, is the owner of a freak old hen. The fowl has five toes on each foot. Mr. KASE claims that such hens are scarce.
On recommendation of the Board of Pardons, Governor PENNYPACKER on Wednesday withdrew the death warrants of Kate EDWARDS and the negro, Samuel GREASON, who were to have been hanged in the Berks County jail, at Reading on Thursday for the murder of the woman's husband in 1901. The action of the Board of Pardons was based on a confession recently made by Mrs. EDWARDS exonerating GREASON from all participation in the crime, claiming that she alone killed her husband. The case of GREASON will now be again taken to the State Supreme Court, and if that tribunal refuses to reopen the case the attorneys for GREASON and Mrs. EDWARDS will have to appear before the Board of Pardons next month. GREASON's case has been in the Supreme Court six times and twice before the Board of Pardons. The death warrant has been read to him ten times. Mrs. EDWARD's case has never been in the Supreme Court, but the Board of Pardons has twice refused to commute her sentence. After the Governor was officially informed of the action of the Pardon Board a messenger was sent to the Sheriff of Berks County withdrawing the death warrants. John H. ROTHERMEL and William H. SADLER, counsel for GREASON, supported by Elwood H. DEYSHER, of counsel for Mrs. EDWARDS, appeared before the board and pleaded for a rehearing in the case of the negro, Mr. SADLER asserting that he had four witnesses who had never been examined. The board retired to a private room, and after deliberating for twenty minutes returned to the bench and announced that the board had decided to take up both cases and immediately continue them.
A trolley car of the Easton Transit Company, with 20 passengers aboard, struck a sleigh Monday morning belonging to the firm of C.K. WILLIAM & Co., which contained 1000 pounds of dynamite packed in boxes of 50 pounds each. The horses took fright at the trolley car and backed on the tracks. Several of the boxes were hurled out in the snow, but fortunately the stuff did not explode the snow breaking the fall. The accident occurred on Northampton street, in the central part of Easton.
The Mozart Club of Perkiomen Seminary, held its regular meeting Monday evening with Della KRATZ as president and Mayme REED secretary. The following numbers were given: Heller, op. 45 Nos. 1 and 2, Rose MERSHON; Allegretto, Muller, Alice BOWER; Mazurka, Von Wilm, Mary KRIEBEL; Study by Kirchner, Mabel SCHULTZ; Cradle Song and Lamentation Gurlitt, Herbert TRAUB; Return Gurlitt, Victor TRAUB; LaMatinee, Frieda KRIEBEL.
Mrs. James MERKLE, who died Saturday afternoon at her home at Allentown was known to possess some money. As she didn't believe in banks, it was thought she had it hidden. After her death a box was found under her pillow containing nearly $200 in five and ten-dollar gold pieces which had become green with age.
Alma, the 12-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nathan D. FRITCH, of Macungie, was operated on for empyemia at the home of her parents by Drs. ESTES of St. Luke's Hospital, South Bethlehem, and J.A. BROBST and D.D. FRITCH, of Macungie. The child was sick with pneumonia for some time, and to relieve the little patient the operation was performed, successfully.
Henry HEIMBACH, better known as "Huns John," of Siesholtzville, was this week removed to the Berks County Poor House, by constable M.M. GERY, of Harlem. He lived by himself and on account of being sick and unable to get around the neighbors thought it best to have him removed to the almshouse. He is seventy-eight years old.
Mrs. Jere. MUTHARD, of New Berlinville, Berks County, fell while descending the steps from the porch at her home and landed heavily on her left arm breaking the arm above the wrist. Dr. RHOADS, of Boyertown, set the fracture.
"Bill" WADE (picture), the greatest criminal character that Montgomery county has ever produced and who during his declining years reformed and lived the life of a recluse in the hills back of Sumneytown, on Monday was found in his house with a fractured leg and almost frozen to death. WADE has reached the age of seventy-eight years and during the past few years has lived by himself. On Monday morning he went out of his warm room to feed his chickens and on the way he slipped on the ice and fell fracturing a leg. He managed to crawl on hand and feet into the house and there he fell exhausted and numb from the cold. The fire in his stove gradually burned out and the room became frigid. The water which he had in a kettle on the stove with which he wanted to prepare his noon-day meal was frozen solid when he was found. Late in the afternoon the Telford baker came to the WADE house but could not raise an alarm to attract WADE and as he was a regular customer, the driver of the team got off and rapped at the door. After getting no response he opened it and was amazed to find the aged man on the floor in an unconscious condition and almost frozen to death. He at once secured blankets and covered the old man and then hurried off to a neighbor who lives half a mile away. Fire was started in the room and after warming up, WADE regained consciousness and told them what had happened. Dr. Joseph BLANCK, of Green Lane, was then summoned who reduced the fracture and administered to the wants of the aged recluse. He was removed to a neighbor's house where he will be taken care of until he is again able to use his limb. The possibilities are that WADE would have frozen to death had not the baker made his trip that way on that day, for where he lives there is hardly any travel at all especially during the winter months.
A sleighing party visited the family of Mr. and Mrs. H.H. CHRISTMAN, of Niantic, on Saturday evening. A pleasent evening was spent by all. Refreshments were served and a general good time was had. Those present were: Mr. and Mrs. Milton CHRISTMAN and children Thomas, Matthias, Daniel, Samuel and Ella; Mr. and Mrs. Addison CHRISTMAN, of Chester County; Mrs. Amanda BERNHARD and children Harvene and Henry; William and Francis SASSAMAN; Harvey CHRISTMAN; Mrs. Sallie MARKLEY and children Cora, Lizzie and James; Mr. and Mrs. James KLINE and children Irene and Clayton, of Pottstown.
On Wednesday evening February 8, a sleighing party visited the family of H.O. BERNHARD, of near Niantic, and the following spent a pleasant evening: Mr. and Mrs. H.H. CHRISTMAN; Mr. and Mrs. Henry MARKLEY and children Cora and Lizzie; Irene SACKS; Harvey CHRISTMAN; Mr. and Mrs. Milton CHRISTMAN and children Thomas, Matthias, Daniel, Samuel and Ellen.
Nearly 100 citizens, of Hereford township, petitioned the court for a new bridge over the North Branch Creek at the place where the public highway from Adam L. MUNICH's mill lead to Barto Crossing. The proposed bridge, the petitioners state, is necessary and too burdensome for the township residents to bear. On motion of Henry P. KEISER the court appointed John G. GLASE, George MELCHER and Horace QUIGLEY, viewers, to report to the court in the matter.
Foster C. HILLEGASS the twelve year old son of the editor of Town and Country, of Pennsburg, has in his room what no other resident in this vicinity has at this time of year - a healthy sunflower stalk three feet high, which was planted about nine weeks ago. The little fellow secured the seed from his grandmother some time last Fall and he surprised his parents along the holidays by showing them a flower pot which contained a two inch sunflower plant. It was then learned that he planted a seed in the pot about two weeks before. He was anxious to raise the flower and after carefully attending to it he succeeded in his endeavors, for this week the bud opened and he now has a beautiful diminutive sun flower on the end of the slender stalk. The flower will be about the size of a silver dollar when fully matured. The experimenter was so pleased with the results that he asked his mother for space in the front window along with her own plants, so that the residents of the village might see his beautiful plant. The young farmer has already secured space on the Queen of the Valley Farm, near Pennsburg where he expects to raise sunflowers on a larger scale next Summer.
Because she was too heavy to drive through the snow, C.E. RITTEL, of Mt. Zion, put a cow on a big sled and gave her a 10-mile ride to his home.
A mad dog created havoc last week by a three mile run from Douglassville to Stove. The animal first bit 14-year-old Raymond UNDERCUFFLER, son of the Pennsylvania section boss. Continuing down the pike he attacked Samuel MOYER, of Reading, an employee at the LESSIG mill, and bit two cows, half a dozen pigs, several horses and a number of dogs. After being bitten, George KESSLER, of Douglassville, finally grasped the animal by the throat and held it while a trolley car was run over its body. An examination made at the University of Pennsylvania having proved that the dog had rabies, the victims will go to New York for Pasteur treatment. Friends of Geo. KESSEL, who killed the dog by holding it under the wheels of a trolley car, will recommend his name for a Carnegie hero medal.
Norman S. GERHARD, formerly of Skippack, is now located at Fort Oglethorp, Georgia. He is a member of Troop H, 7th Cavalry. Mr. GERHART served one year out of three. He was honorably discharged, and again enlisted for three years. He expects to be assigned to the Philippines.
While he was coasting on Tuesday morning, 12-year-old William DIENER of Pottstown, in some peculiar manner got a small leaden ball in his ear. Securing a tool he tried to dislodge it, but pushed it farther in. A physician finally dislodged it after putting the lad under an anaesthetic.
In the estate of William H. BECHTEL, late of Washington township, there is a balance of $2354.90 in Berks and Montgomery counties. The estate in Berks is valued at $1324.02, and a balance in Montgomery of $1030.88. The balance due the estate in Montgomery property is not ready for distribution. Mary A. BECHTEL, administrator of William H. BECHTEL, deceased, receives $548.25, and John L. BAUER, executor of John H. BECHTEL, deceased, receives $1473.13.
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