Jacob WAGNER, a well-known resident of New Hanover, and his son, Lloyd WAGNER, the latter a student at Perkiomen Seminary, were victims of a seriuos runaway accident on Monday while they were driving from their home to Pennsburg. Mr. WAGNER was driving a spirited horse, and as the team approached Pleasant Run a young woman with an umbrella appeared on the road. The horse shied at the umbrella and got beyond control of the driver and ran away. He dashed down a bank throwing both Mr. WAGNER and his son out. The young man landed on his head and was painfully injured. His father fell heavily on his shoulder, fracturing it and receiving other injuries. Young WAGNER, although painfully cut, held the horse, which had fallen to the roadside. Finding that his father was injured he mounted the horse and rode as fast as he could to Swamp, a distance of four miles, and called up a Boyertown physician by phone. In the meantime his father had been placed in a carriage by residents of the vicinity in which the accident occurred and taken to the Swamp Hotel. An examination of his injuries showed that he was suffering from a fractured shoulder blade and bruises. His son was badly cut about the head and face. Both injured men were afterwards removed to their home. The carriage was badly wrecked while the horse escaped injury.
Charles BENNER of near Vera Cruz, formerly a resident of Pennsburg and employed by William H. HERSH as a section hand, met with a painful accident on Saturday morning. He used a bicycle to go to his work and on descending a hill near Vera Cruz the fork of the machine broke, throwing him on his head. In the fall he received severe scalp cuts. Dr. Albert TRUMBAUER of Vera Cruz was summoned to relieve the sufferer after which he was removed to his home.
The open Alumni Meeting of the East Greenville High School, on Saturday evening, was well attended and the program well rendered. Immediately after the exercises the members of the Alumni were served with a banquet at the Keely House. Rev. C.M. DELONG, Messrs. Rufus KERN, Melvin KURTZ and Howard ROYER, Misses Rosa KRULL and Elizabeth HERBEIN responded to toasts. Prof. J.P. SCHAFFER acted as toast master.
A fiendish attempt was made at Lebanon to blow up the city steam road roller by placing a quanity of soap cut into small pieces into the water tank. The engineer in charge made the discovery in time to avert an explosion by drawing the fire. The roller was operated on the street close to the home of Mayor WEIMER, when the discovery was made and indications point to the intention of blowing up his home.
John HARTMAN, and Frank GEYER were arrested at Norristown on Monday and held on several charges of larency. During the last week harness has been stolen from the stables of Jacob SHAINLINE, Christian DARING and John SPRING. John HARTMAN was arrested while trying to dispose of some of the stolen articles. He made a statement to the police, in which he implicated GEYER.
During a thunder storm a horse and mule belonging to Judson PHILLIPS, of East Nantmeal, Chester County, sought refuge under a tree. A bolt of lightning struck the tree and both of the animals were killed.
Dr. Jesse Z. HILLEGASS, formerly, of Red Hill, has built nine new box stalls at the Allentown Bazaar, repainted the entire inside of his large stables and in his hospital levelled the ground and dug a well to supply the horses with water.
A pretty little romance has just come to light with the announcement of the recent marriage of Carroll DUNN, a popular barber, of Boyertown, and Miss Lillian Russell YEAGER, of Baltimore, Md. The ceremony was performed by Rev. William H. FORD, of the First M.E. church, of Boyertown. DUNN went to Boyertown a year ago from Parkesburg, Pa. Five years before he first met his wife and his attentions won her. Then they drifted apart and neither knew the whereabouts of the other until a few months ago when, while using the phone in a hotel at Boyertown, DUNN heard a familiar voice and recognized it as that of his old sweetheart. Developments followed rapidly, the date was set, and the young people have since treasured the accidental crossing of the telephone wires as one of the happiest incidents of their lives. Mr. DUNN is the son of Postmaster John H. DUNN, of Parkesburg. He will leave next month with Mrs. DUNN for Clarksburg, Va., where he will assume charge of a hotel recently erected by the Y.W.C.A.
The newspaper men of Berks and Lehigh counties had a reunion at Reading on Sunday on the invitation of John D. MISHLER, of the Reading Academy of Music. They took in points of interest in and about Reading and made a side trip to Boyertown. Supper was served at Mineral Springs.
Wm. H. STROUD, has sold his Railroad House restaurant property at Collegville to Harry RINGLER, of Ironbridge. The price is reported to be $17,000. Mr. RINGLER will take possession on July 1st. Mr. STROUD will live retired. He expects later to reside on his farm along the trolley, below Perkiomen Bridge.
Stephen BUTEL was made insane by seeing automobiles shoot through the village of Green Ridge, near Shamokin, his place of residence. He thought they were devils and imagined they were pursing him to cause his death. The man has been removed to an Asylum.
Joseph FITZPATRICK, a clerk in the furniture store of T.J. McCABE, of Norristown, had a leg fractured while playing ball. In trying to catch a fly ball he came in collision with another player and was hurled to the ground with terriffic force. On attempting to rise it was found that his leg was fractured.
Mrs. Catharine WOHLBACH, of Bethlehem, who is nearly 90 years old and who can read without glasses, shows to visitors at her home a bottle of red cherries preserved in alcohol which she picked forty-six years ago, and a cucumber preserved in a bottle which she raised fifty-one years ago.
In the Orphans' Court on Saturday morning Judge W.F. SOLLY handed down an adjudication in the estate of Reuben D. UMSTEAD, late of Frederick township.
Mr. and Mrs. James M. STENGEL (picture). A wedding of more than ordinary import was celebrated at Bally, in the Church of the Most Blessed Sacrament, last Thursday. The contracting parties being James M. STENGEL, son of Mr. and Mrs. John STENGEL, of Clayton, and Maggie LETTERHOUSE, daughter of John LETTERHOUSE, of Bally. The happy couple were attended by William M. BAUER, of Allentown, formerly of Bally, who acted as best man, and Tillie LETTERHOUSE, sister of the bride, who served as maid of honor. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Chas. I. SOWERS, pastor of both bride and groom. A reception followed the ceremony at the home of the bride's parents. The bride was showered with many useful, and valuable gifts. The happy couple start life with very fair prospects and with the best wishes of hosts of friends.
Dr. Charles Q. HILLEGASS, the dentist of Pennsburg, has closed his office for the summer. He will not attend to any dental work unless by appointment. On Wednesday he, with his family moved to his summer home "The Catharine" on the banks of the Perkiomen Creek, near Hillegass.
Thirty five years ago a bullet was lodged in the hand of L. Grass FRY, of Trappe, and from time to time it gave him trouble. Dr. KRUSEN finally removed it for him last week.
Some sneak thief stole fifty dozen eggs with crates from John R. MUMBAUER, of near Geryville. Mr. MUMBAUER offers a reward for the apprehension of the guilty party.
In trying to resent an insult offered to his sister, Joseph MORRIS, of Conshohocken was set upon by a number of ruffians and had one of his eyes gouged out.
A fine driving horse belonging to Jefferson SHANER, of West Goshen, Chester county, was poisoned by some malicious person. The animal died from the poison administered.
Prof. C.B. WEIRICH, of the Perkiomen Seminary, will build a double house on his lot on Seminary street, Pennsburg. Operations will be commenced in July.
John M. FRENCH, an operator of a steam hammer, of Stowe, lost his right hand by getting it under the hammer and having it crushed.
E.H. ERDMAN, the carriage dealer of East Greenville sold four buggies in one day this week.
S.S. WINTERS, of West Hamburg, has bought the Central Hotel, of Kutztown, and will take possession in the near future.
In trying to rescue a pet dog, Daniel KALLAHAN, a 6 year old Pottsville boy, stepped into a deep pond and was drowned, on Tuesday.
Former Recorder of Deeds of Berks county, B.F. BRESSLER, was placed on trial this week charged with embezzling county funds.
A.H. GERBERICH, principal, of the Royersford schools has been elected as principal of the Parkersburg, Pa., schools to succeed P.J. MYERS.
Edward FRITZINGER, 25 years of age, of Berlinsville, was killed by the premature explosion of a blast in the Hyatt slate quary on Wednesday.
A stalk of clover bearing five heads in one bunch was found by John JACOBS of near Hillegass. The oddity can be seen at this office.
Cyrus GERHARD, a mill owner and farmer of Mockville, Berks County, was found drowned in the race of his mill. It is not known how the accident happened.
Autos go to smash, tires explode, companions land in ditches and owners are pinned fast under smashed machine. Farmers engage in new occupations and make money by hauling demolished machines and by collecting bills for defunct hens that with their broods, failed to clear the tracks for the onrushing, uncontrollabe machines. Prices of poultry advance to five dollars a head. Men run down. Havoc the general order that follows in the wake of the daring chauffeurs. Bootblacks aid in pushing disabled machines to their destination. Some stranded autoists return home in express trains, some hire teams to be taken home, while others depend on walking.
The young daughter of Francis GILBERT, of Green Lane, who is staying with her grandmother, Mrs. Louisa GILBERT, of Pennsburg, for a short visit, was on Thursday sent on an errand to the hardware store of John F. WEYAND. On concluding her purchase she started to return home, but being a stranger to the place she lost her way and wandered about town. As the child failed to return home, the grandmother became alarmed and went in search of the child. Finally after a search of two hours during which the entire town and the surrounding sections as well as the railroad were fully covered the little girl was found on Main street, towards the northern end of town in a bewildered state, but otherwise none the worse for her wandering.
The 38th annual commencement of Muhlenberg College, Allentown, will take place from June 25th to 29th in the Lyric theatre. The exercises will consist of orations by the students of the senior class, and the conferring of degrees, awarding of prizes, etc. The baccalureate address will be delivered in St. John's Lutheran Church on Sunday, June 25th, by President John A.W. HAAS, at 10.30 a.m.; Tuesday, June 27th, 2.30 p.m. Senior Class Day on the College Campus; 8 p.m. Freshman Class play in the Lyric theatre; Wednesday, June 28th, 10 a.m. Junior Oratorical contest, Lyric theatre; 2 p.m., annual meeting of the Board of Trustees in College chapel; 2 p.m., reunion of the Euterpean and Sophronian Literary Societies; 8 p.m., alumni promenade concert on the College Campus; Thursday, June 29th, 10 a.m., Lyric theatre, commencement; 2 p.m., annual meeting of the Alumni in the college chapel.
Misses Ella and Carrie MILLER, of Geryville, entertained a few of their friends on Saturday evening in honor of Miss Mary WALTON. The evening was very pleasantly spent, playing various games after which the guests partook of a bounteous lunch. Those present were Misses Mary WALTON, Ella and Carrie MILLER, Mamie THOMS, Lottie MUMBAUER, Lillie HENDRICKS and Messrs. Robert KLINE, Howard HALLMAN, Herbert DIEHL, Ralph HALLMAN, Fred. HELLER and Harvey HENDRICKS.
Penrose WEIDMAN and Raymond FREYBERGER, 12-year-old boys living at Baumstown, while walking along the tracks of the Reading Railway a short distance south of Birdsboro, late on Tuesday night were struch by a southbound passenger train and instantly killed.
William C. WALKER, aged 42 years, of New Centreville, Chester County committed suicide on Tuesday by cutting his throat with a razor. The head was almost severed from the body. The act was brought on by despondency caused by recent heavy losses.
Henry S. DRINKER, of Haverford, general solicitor for the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company, was elected president of Lehigh University, to succeed the late Dr. T.M. DROWN.
The trail of James WILSON, for the murder of John EBERTS was called by the court at Allentown this week. The entire jury panel of 48 was exhausted and only six jurors had been selected when Judge TREXLER ordered the doors closed and talesmen were selected from the audience to complete the jury. The case was opened for the Commonwealth by District Attorney SCHANTZ and details leading to the commission of the crime were presented after which the District Attorney submitted the confession of WILSON as evidence. After considerable sparring on the part of the defense the ruling of the Court admitted the confession. This point gained, the prosecuting attorney rested his case. The defense, after outlining its side, called witnesses to prove hereditary insanity, but as the prisoner at the bar was to be tried the judge directed the defense to make an effort to establish the mental condition of WILSON before tracing a taint in his forefathers. Various companions and fellow workmen of WILSON were called, as well as several of the teachers of his boyhood days, and all testified that the prisoner frequently committed acts that indicated weakmindedness. From the evidence submitted during the process of the trial up to this time the verdict of the jury is hard to predict.
The School Directors of the Borough of East Greenville, met for organization last Friday evening. N.B. KEELY was re-elected as President; F.M. MOLL, as Secretary, and A.J. LORENTZ, as Treasurer. The following committees were appointed: Grounds and Building, GREULICH and DERR; Books and Supplies, KEELY and HERSH. The term was fixed at 9 months, schools to open on Monday, September 4. The salaries for the ensuing term were fixed at $55 per month for the Principal, Grammar $45, Intermediate, Secondary and Primary grades at $37. A.W. ZERBE, of Schuylkill county, was elected principal. Misses Mabel HERBEIN and Rosa KRULL, of East Greenville, were elected as teachers of the Secondary and Primary rooms respectively. This far no teachers have been elected for the Grammar and Intermediate rooms.
In taking a trip to Schwenksville in his locomobile last Saturday, Albert WELDER, of Pennsburg, accompanied by J.T. DRUCKENMILLER, drove into a rut at a high rate of speed about one mile north of Zieglersville, while he was on his way home. One of the front wheels was shattered to pieces and the momentum caused the machine to turn turtle in which Mr. DRUCKENMILLER was hurled into a mud puddle and Mr. WELDER fell into the roadway and was pinned down by the machine. When an inventory of the damages was made it was found that Mr. WELDER sustained a severe injury at one of his knees and Mr. DRUCKENMILLER was but slightly hurt, while the machine was almost completely demolished. The remains of the crash were loaded on a wagon on Monday and hauled to Pennsburg.
While V.H. STECKLE's automobile was on its way down Main street, Pennsburg, last Friday evening, Milton ROEDER attempted to cross the street at the Pennsburg hotel in advance of the oncoming auto, although the lights were lit and an alarm was sounded. The auto struck Mr. ROEDER and hurled him to the ground but he sustained no injuries. His only remark on getting up was, "I was not thinking." The sudden stop caused a severe strain on the machine and as a consequence one of the levers of the steering gear was broken.
In trying to entertain several of his friends by giving them a ride on Sunday, the horse of William SWEINHART, of Congo, ran away. The occupants of the carriage were thrown out, the wagon was upset and the top was entirely demolished. Fortunately no one was hurt.
A witness in Orphans' Court, at Norristown, on Tuesday morning bared his arm to substantiate his testimony, revealing in indelible ink a record of the date of his brother's marriage. This novel act occurred during the proceedings of the audit in the estate of Edmund KRUZINSKY, deceased, late of Conshohocken, in which about $2000 in real estate is involved. Joseph, brother of the decedent, was called to the stand to testify, and among other questions asked was this one: "When did Edmund marry his wife, Mary? "On March 27, 1895," answered the witness. "Are you sure? Was it not in 1897?" asked the lawyer, trying to get the witness confused, and holding up a sheepskin marriage certificate. "I am positive; it was 1895. See!" said the witness, rolling up his sleeve to Judge SOLLY. "Here is the date. I had it pricked in indelible ink, so I would not forget it." It looked like a case of human-skin record vs. a sheep-skin; but the lawyer reluctantly acklowledged that the witness was right as to time, and Judge SOLLY smilingly remarked upon the strong corroborative character of the evidence.
William DENNER, of Center Point, aged 20 years, was badly injured in a runaway accident on Saturday. DENNER was driving a spirited horse and met an automobile. The animal became unmanageable. After running a quarter of a mile the wagon was overturned and DENNER was thrown out of the carriage. The lines became fastened about his neck and he was dragged along the road for several hundred yards. Both hips were dislocated and he was badly cut and bruised. The vehicle was wrecked before the horse was captured.
Samuel GREASON, a negro, was placed on trial at Reading on Thursday for the murder of John EDWARDS. The Commonwealth has no testimony against him, and his release is assured after four years' imprisonment. Nine different days were fixed for the hanging of GREASON, and he has been respited as many times.
Half-way House, a quaint old inn at Wernersville, has been kept for 57 years by Josiah BINKLEY, 75 years old, whose father, Sheriff Henry BINKLEY, built the hotel in 1826 and conducted it until succeeded by the present proprietor.
The commencement Exercises of the Philadelphia School for Nurses was held June 8th in Witherspoon Hall. Judge ASHMAN of the Orphan's Court and President of the School presented Diplomas to over 160 young women. Dr. A.H. STEWART, Bacteriologist to the Philadelphia Bureau of Health delivered the principal address. He referred to the 581 cases of contagious diseases cared for by the School during the past year, and said that this School represents a movement which is destined to sweep over the entire country. Miss Ella M. HERSH of East Greenville was a member of the graduating class. Drs. HERSH, BOBB, ROTH and many others of this County are among the endorsers of the Philadelphia School of Nurses.
Superintendent LANDIS examined the teachers of Lower Salford and Franconia townships in the Harleysville schoolhouse on Monday. Everyone of the class passed successfully. The following were appointed to the schools of Lower Salford township; Indian Creek, A.A. PRICE; Harleysville, A.H. SCHOLL; Alderfer's, Enos WAMPOLE; Mainland, Einford B. OBERHOLTZER; Metz's, Annie ALDERFER; Willow Grove, Sallie MOYER; Fairview, Clayton HENDRICKS; Lederachville, Annie GROFF; Garges', Harry WAMPOLE; Meetinghouse, Isaiah H. STOVER.
The first of the foreclosure sales tending toward the reorganization of the Lehigh Valley Traction system was held on Tuesday at noon on the steps of the Court House at Allentown. It was the sale of the property of the Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley Traction Company by order of the U.S. Court on petition of the Guaranty Trust Company of New York, trustees for the bond holders. The property was bought at the upset price of $1,000,000 by William F. HARRITY for himself, George H. FRAZER and Col. Harry TREXLER, in behalf of the Re-organization Committee.
James WREN, received by express, at Boyertown, half a carload of pigeons, all in baskets, from Clark's Summit. They consist of German homers and Runts, which he will put in his squab plant, which is in course of construction near New Berlinville. He expects to raise 10,000 pairs of pigeons, besides chickens and eggs in a season.
Daniel BRITTEN, son of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer BRITTEN, of Pottstown, graduated with honors at the Drexel Institute, Philadelphia, last week, from the department of electrical engineering.
Gussepe CAMPOLI, an Italian, it is alleged has taken two bars of gold valued at $13,000 from the express car ruins at Bethayres and disappeared. The District Attorney preferred charges against him in order that the proper formalities might be observed in securing extradition papers when arrested. CAMPOLI fled from the country, taking passage on the steamer Italia from New York to Naples, Italy, and on his arrival was arrested. The gold bars were found in his valise. On being interrogated, he said he found the bars on the ground at the burning of a train near Philadelphia. The bars of gold are said to have been part of the contents of the car which was burned several weeks ago, above Jenkintown, and the Italian, then a section workman, is alleged to have discovered and removed the bars from the ruins.
Harry M. SMITH, of Reading, one of a number of men alleged to be concerned in operating an extensive lottery system in Pennsylvania, had a hearing before United States Commissioner YOUNG at Reading, and was held in $2000 bail to answer in the United States District Court in Philadelphia next week. He was an agent of an alleged "mining loan and investment" concern in Montana, which, the officers charge, is nothing more than a lottery.
In Court, at Allentown, A.G. DENNEHOWER, of Philadelphia, on Monday pleaded guilty to a charge of running an automobile at excessive speed. He was sentenced to pay a fine of $60 and costs.
Walter S. SONTAG and Anna M. STURM, Schwenksville; John S. BUCHER, and Florence A. SCHAFFER, Pottstown; Howard R. NEIMAN and Leah A. SHOWALTER, both of Pottstown; William Z. GRUBB, of Philadelphia, and Katie L. BUTZ, of Hoppenville; Lewis L. SOUDER and Lillie C. MOYER, both of Souderton; William H. HUBER and Maggie P. ADAMS, both of Pennsburg.
The office of the supervisor of the Perkiomen Railroad, formerly occupied by C.H. STEIN, of Pennsburg, was moved from Pennsburg to East Penn Junction, Allentown, this week. Mr. STEIN will be stationed at Bridgeport in the future and the new supervisor of the Perkiomen Railroad will have charge also of a portion of the East Penn.
Absolom B. LORD, of Reading, employed as brakeman on the P. & R. Railroad for the past three months, while his train was rounding a curve above Merztwon on Friday morning, lost his balance and fell to the ground. LORD landed on his head and broke his neck. Death was instantaneous.
John T. WAGNER, the Norristown attorney who pleaded guilty to two charges of embezzlement, was sentenced by Judge WEAND to two years and six month's imprisonment and to pay a fine of $100. Mr. WAGNER was charged with taking money that belonged to his clients and speculating with it.
In operating a fodder cutter, Allen HOUCK, of Spangsville, Berks county, had four fingers of his left hand caught in the feeder and they were ground into pulp.
Rufus HIPPLE, of Ralpho township, Lancaster county, was elected a teacher for the fiftieth consecutive time. For forty-three years he has been teaching in the same school at Newton. His present pupils are in many instances grandchildren of his first classes.
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