In a mining camp near Upper Lehigh Pennsylvania known as No. 3 the occupants of a boarding house found that they had been victimized by a thief to the extent of $180. There were ten boarders in the party, and all except one agreed to go to a magistrate's office and take oath that they were innocent. This was was Vincent AGANTIS. His hesitancy was taken as an admission of guilt, though he protested violently. On Tuesday they took AGANTIS to his room and tied his arms and legs with thongs and proceeded to torture him into making a confession. The thongs were twisted on his wrists until blood burst from his fingers' tips. This not having the desired effect, they put a noose on his neck and twisted it until blood ran from his ears. He produced the money, which was sewed in his shirt.
John STENGEL, a farmer residing near Clayton on Saturday met with an accident in which he was considerably bruised and his face lacerated. He drove to the feed store at Barto and purchased a load of bran. On his return trip the horses took fright at some object along the road and ran away, upsetting the sleigh and throwing Mr. STENGEL violently on the ice. The horses ran towards their home and were caught at the Clayton Hotel. The sleigh was entirely demolished but the horses were uninjured.
The Powder Valley Gazette, a weekly newspaper born December 31, 1904, edited and published by William BERLINER, of Philadelphia and issued in the interests of the people who reside in that section of Lehigh County, which bears its name, suspended publication last week. The paper was published in both the English and German languages and its news columns were always filled with spicy news items. On account of an insufficient number of subscribers and advertisers the editor decided to suspend publication.
Charles A. KNEULE, proprietor of the Pennsburg Hotel, on Tuesday contracted with Aaron FOX, of Pennsburg, to enlarge the hotel stables. An addition 38x55 feet will be made to the rear which will give room for 22 more head of horses or a total of 56 head. The shed will be arranged so that sales can be held under cover, in all kinds of weather. This is the place where horse dealer D.K. GRABER, of Pennsburg, holds his regular sales and the improvement will be made to give better accommodations to him. Work will be started on the shed as soon as the weather permits.
Wm. B. MACK, formerly, of Bally, who has been one of the most popular and exemplary clerks in F.S. BROWNs store at Cochransville near here for over a year, resigned his position last Saturday and on Monday took possession of a grocery, meat and provision store at Oak Lane, Philadelphia, which he recently purchased. He leaves a host of friends who unite in wishing him success in his new venture.
Miss Katie KRAUSS of Kraussdale last week made a record of shooting eight crows on one shot. The carcass of a hog was lying in a field about one hundred yards away from her father, Levi KRAUSS' barn and as a result all the crows within a distance of ten miles came there for refreshments. One day last week it was decided to fix a shot gun to a fence and aim it at the carcass, tie a string to the trigger and when the crows were busy, discharge the gun. The blunderbuss was prepared and the daughter Katie, volunteered to be the executioner. The string was long enough to reach into the barn and there she waited and watched, until she felt satisfied that there were more birds there than shot in the muzzle of the gun, when she pulled the string. The noise made by the scared crows was something awful and when the smoke had cleared away she found eight dead crows.
A most delightful as well as interesting and instructive musical entertainment was given in the I.O.O.F. Hall, Pennsburg on Saturday evening by the Choir of the Pennsburg Reformed Church, under the leadership of Miss Celesta A. TRUMBORE, organist of the church. The musical part of the program showed great skill and patience in training on the part of Miss TRUMBORE and ability and talent on the part of the Choir, as every number performed to the satisfaction of the large and critical audience who enjoyed the treat. A comedy, "Pull Back" was well rendered by six girls and the recitations by Arthur FAVORITE, Sadie TRUMBORE and Girvin STINE, all three of whom are under eight years of age, elicited rounds of applause. The entertainment proved a great success financially and demonstrated to the well pleased audience that a number of our own people are possessed of rare musical and dramatic talent which when occasion demands they can display to the best advantage.
Earl WOODHEAD of Upper Salford township who was in the Government service as a marine for the last four years, received an honorable discharge last week and returned home to his mother near Vernfield. Mr. WOODHEAD had enlisted for five years, and for good behavior was relieved of his services at the end of four years. In those four years as a marine he visited nearly all foreign countries. He was at the coronation of King Edward, being at that time on board the Battleship Brooklyn, which was commissioned by Uncle Sam to take part in the naval festivities.
The house of George LONGHEAD, situate near Schwenksville, was partially destroyed by fire on Friday evening. Mrs. LONGHEAD had started a blazing wood fire and the stove pipe became red hot which ignited a Christmas tree, standing near the pipe on the second floor. The children ran to the neighbors for help, while Mrs. LONGHEAD tried to extinguish it. By this time the gable end and two floors were badly burned. The heroic work of the neighbors saved the building. The damage amounts to about $100 and is fully covered by insurance.
Claude HARLEY of Pennsburg this week purchased the business of Prof. Harry K. BECHTEL of East Greenville, from E.K. BECHTEL, the administrator. Mr. HARLEY has leased the same rooms in which the business was conducted by Mr. BECHTEL and he will continue the music and musical merchandise business as well as open a studio for the instruction of his pupils. The stock was appraised on Wednesday and turned over to Mr. HARLEY.
A fall of red-hot bricks and mortar down the chimney into the classroom of a public school near Reading, set fire to the floor and caused a panic among the pupils. Miss Alice R. SCHMELTZER, the teacher, sent twenty scholars for help and a half dozen men estinguished the flames. The fire started in the roof frame inclosing the chimney.
The obstinate Jew, from Allentown, who last week smashed a good threshing machine for Morris ERDMAN, of Dillinger, was on Thursday arrested at the Allentown Horse Bazaar. He tried to fix up matters with Mr. ERDMAN but it was Mr. ERDMAN's time now to be obstinate. The Jew was compelled to go to jail or furnish bail.
Walter HEIL, an old resident, of Zionsville, fell on the ice and fractured his shoulder bone. Dr. E.M. BINGAMEN, of Old Zionsville, reduced the fracture.
The proud distinction of having two great grandfathers, two great grandmothers, two grandfathers and one grandmother, living, has fallen to the lot of Ellen S. STICKLER (picture), daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Morris STICKLER, of Vera Cruz, Lehigh county. The child was born February 29, 1904. This is another exceptional condition, as its birthdays come around but once in four years. Great grandparents are sufficiently rare to claim attention where there are only one or two in a family, and exceptional cases like this one, deserve especial notice. Considering the ages of the great grandparents the child can possibly grow to womanhood before she is deprived of the honor which she enjoys. On the side of the father the great-grandparents are Ezra STIKLER and wife, aged respectively 70 and 59 years, both of whom are in good health. Mr. STICKLER is employed at the Pipe Works at Emaus and walks daily from his home, at Vera Cruz, to his work and back again, making a walk of four miles daily in addition to his work. The side of the mother is represented by Abraham MUSSELMAN and wife, aged 72 and 66 years respectively. They live a retired life and are hale and hearty. One of the grandfathers is C.H. WEAVER, a carpenter by trade. Mr. WEAVER has been engaged in farming for a number of years and enjoys the life. The other grandfather is C.H. STICKLER, who has been a section man on the Perkiomen Railroad for the past twenty-two years. Several years ago he was advanced to foreman and he has ever since filled the position very acceptably. The child, Ellen, is in good health, and with a host of progenitors living, may hope to see the dawn of another century.
The Hosensack Literary Society held its regular meeting on Friday evening. After the reading of the minutes, the following officers were elected: Pres. Anna V. HANGEN; V. Pres. James WEISS; Rec. Sec. Sallie SCHOENLY; Cor. Sec. Nannie F. HANGEN; Critic, Jennie HILLEGASS; Tres., George STAUFFER; Ushers, Albert SCHULTZ and Franklin STAUFFER; Editor of Budget, William ROEDER. While the votes were counted the following gave very interesting declamations Jennie HILLEGASS, Sallie ROEDER, Lillie BREY and Henry GEHMAN. The following program was later rendered: declamations, Nannie HANGEN and Flora ROEDER; selections, Agnes ROEDER and Albert SCHULTZ; essay, Sallie SCHOENLY; sentiment roll, Elmira ROEDER, Annie ROEDER. The question "Resolved, that immigration is detrimental to our country," was affirmatively discussed by Anna HANGEN and negatively by Robert SHELLY. The judges Herbert SEIBERT and Elmer H. ROEDER decided in favor of the negative speaker. The house also decided negatively. After the reading of the budget and the critic's report the society adjourned.
The farmers in the vicinity of Lederachville are becoming alarmed on account of the numerous deaths which have lately occurred amongst them. During the past year five of the most prominent farmers whose farms adjoin answered the last call. They were Isaac M. CLEMMENS, William S. ZIEGLER, Abraham T. KULP, William WENDLER and William LEDERACH.
James ROBERTS, the carpenter, of Hereford, who was hit with a base ball in the Perkiomen Seminary, Gymnasium the other week may yet lose the sight in one eye. Dr. A.O. GERY, his physician took him to an eye specialist, at Allentown, on Thursday and had the injured optic examined. The specialist thinks the eye is injured so badly that he will not regain his sight.
Miss Gertrude WELKER, of his borough, left for Philadelphia this week where she secured employment.
Miss Irene HUNSBERGER, of this borough, spent Monday in Allentown.
George KRATZER, of this borough, made a business trip to Allentown on Tuesday.
M.K. GILBERT, of this borough, atended to business in Philadelphia, on Wednesday.
John F. WEYAND, proprietor of the Pennsburg Carriage Bazaar on Monday received a carload of new wagons.
Constable A.J. DRESSLER, of this borough on Monday made his report to the court at Norristown.
H.W. KRIEBEL, of East Greenville, spent several days in Allentown this week.
Frank FISTER, Sylvester HAGENBUCH, Randal KELLER, Calvin FREED and Wallace BIELER, of East Greenville, attended the inaugural ceremonies at Washington D.C., on Saturday.
Mrs. John DABACH, of East Greenville, was this week stricken with apoplexy and her left side is partially paralyzed.
William YODER, of East Greenville, accepted a position as fireman on the Perkiomen Railroad.
Rev. C.P. KEHL, of Dillsburg, Pa., visited his parents Mr. and Mrs. Wm. KEHL, of East Greenville, on Wednesday.
J.L. DIMMIG, of East Greenville, attended to business in Philadelphia on Wednesday.
P.M. LEIFFER, of Allentown, superintendent of the Metropolican Life Insurance Company of New York attended to some business in these boroughs in the forepart of the week.
Miss Ella HUNSBERGER, of New York, visited her mother Mrs. Enos HUNSBERGER, of this borough this week.
Mrs. Robert L. SINGER, of Allentown, visited her mother, Mrs. Caroline WIEGNER, of East Greenville in the forepart of the week.
The feather cleaner D.B. SEIP, of Allentown, who has been doing an extensive business in this borough since last fall, on Tuesday moved his plant to Phoenixville.
Miss Sallie SIEGFRIED, on Monterey, Berks county, is spending a week with her brother William, at the Perkiomen Paper Mills and her sister, Mrs. Dr. C.Q. HILLEGASS, of this borough.
Forrest HALLMAN, Harvey GAUGLER and Joseph KLINE, employees in the cigar factory at Kumry each purchased a horse at the D.K. GRABER sale on Thursday.
On the farm of Frank WILSON, between Evesboro Fellowship, about six miles from Haddonfield, New Jersey, County Detectives CHERRY and SMITH took Ezra STEVENSON into custody on Thursday on the charge of assault and battery and on suspicion of knowing something concerning the mysterious death of H.K. BECHTEL, of Pennsburg, Pa., whose body was found on a lonely road about two miles from Haddonfield on the night of February 18. The detectives have been working on the case for several days and finally settled on STEVENSON as one who could give valuable information concerning some of BECHTEL's missing articles. STEVENSON was taken to Haddonfield and lodged in jail while the detectives went to search his shanty. They could find nothing to serve as a clue, but he was taken to the Camden county jail.
Miss Ivy GILBERT, a teacher in the public schools, of Conshohocken, while instructing her pupils in the use of alcohol, had her face and hands badly burned when she applied a match to the liquid. Several girls ran to her rescue when they saw a blaze envelope her, and they extinguished the flames, but not before much of her hair was burned off. She may loose her eyesight.
Aaron WEIKEL of Argus, the mail carrier between that place and Sellersville lost his pocket book containing fifteen dollars, on his trip on Monday. Luckily Mrs. MUSSELMAN of near Rich Hill, found the purse on the road near Naseville. She returned it to the owner and received a reward.
Es-Assemblyman Jason SEXTON, of North Wales, will move to Salisburg, Maryland, to the home of his son Grant. Mr. SEXTON has lived at North Wales for thirty years and his friends there as well as those throughout the county, regret to see him leave.
The Lehigh County Commissioners have offered a reward of $500 for the arrest and conviction of the murderer of baker EBERT, of Allentown. The family added $300, and O.A. IOBST, a son-in-law $100, making a total of $900.
Mrs. John SCHEIRER, of Macungie, made fourteen cushions, patched five quilts, quilted ten quilts and stamped seventeen white quilts in a year, besides doing her housework.
Charged with beating and plunging a knife into the side of a pair of mules that had become stalled in a snowdrift near Monocacy, Berks county, Charles STEVENS was held for a hearing in Reading.
Attacked by a vicious bull, which broke loose from a rope with which they were leading him, James CHRIST and George BAGENSTOSE were severely gored, near Bernville, Berks county.
David B. DIEHL received the appointment as letter carrier on rural route No. 2 from the Barto Postoffice. Frank M. ESCHBACH was the temporary carrier since the establishment of the route on February 16 last.
Henry MILLER, of Mauch Chunk, an aged and blind preacher, was leaving his house to go to church Sunday morning, when he stumbled and fell headlong to the floor, breaking his neck and causing instant death.
Levi KELLER, of Kenilworth, Chester county this week completed drilling a 105-foot artesian well at the Barto station for the Reading Railway Company.
Mrs. Abraham FRONHEISER, of Pennsburg left her home on Tuesday without telling her husband, and has not been heard from since. Her husband is in the employ of HILLEGASS and KRAUSS coal and lumber dealers, of Pennsburg and the couple resided in the tenant house of William BENFIELD. On Tuesday when Mr. FRONHEISER came to his house for his meal he could not find his wife. After searching the house he came to the conclusion that she had gone away, as she had recently said in a spell of melancholy that she would leave the town and her home either alive or dead. He made inquiry of the neighbors and ascertained facts which led him to make further inquiry. He found out that she hired a team and had herself taken to Argus to her parents home. Mrs. FRONHEISER's maiden name was BREISCH and she has on different occasions been attacked with spells of melancholy and was very troublesome at those times. Her husband thinks that in such a spell she left home and that in course of a few weeks she will return.
The East Greenville Borough Council met in regular session on Monday evening, and after going over the regular routine of business, they adjourned sine die. Jacob M. KNETZ then administered the oath of office to James R. FOX, J.P. BARR and Clement U. GERY, the newly elected members, after which the new Council organized. John D. GERHART was elected President, Elmer E. ERB, Secretary. A.J. DIMMIG, Treasurer, and J.W. BICKEL, of Norristown, Solicitor. The President appointed KEPLER, FOX and BARR as the street committee, and DIMMIG, GERY and GREULICH as the water committee, and GERY as the lamp committee. The electric light question was brought before the council by Alfred SCHANTZ, but the council did not take a definite action. The question will be further discussed at a special session on March 27.
A valuable horse belonging to Monroe G. KEPNER of Pottstown that was bitten several weeks ago by a dog held under a trolley car by George KESSLER, showed violent signs of hydrophobia on Monday and was shot. When Oliver G. KEPNER opened a water faucet in the stable, the horse, with eyes distended and frothing at the mouth, made a furious attack upon him and he had to run for his life.
A new mandolin and guitar club was organized at Boyertown. The members are: William BROWN, cello; Clinton DRUMHELLER and Wm. TOMS, guitars; Wayne LECHNER, Wayne KOLD, Theodore RITTER and Ed. BRUNNER, mandolins; John KLINE, flute.
Daniel H. KULP, of Skippack, will have a large lot of early spring chickens provided the one hundred little chicks which he already has, grow and continue healthy.
Calvin ALDERFER, of Skippack, has three hundred and fifty chickens in his poultry yards and during the past week he gathered twelve hundred and twenty-four eggs or a total of 102 dozen.
Farmer H.J.K. JOHNSON, of near Perkiomenville, is the owner of a freak calf. It was born without a tail, otherwise it is fully developed. It is a curiosity in that section.
A sad accident happened last Friday night at the home of David DIEHL, a farmer residing at Oley, Berks County, when his revolver was accidentally discharged and the bullet lodged in his son John's thigh. Shortly after midnight the son was awakened by a noise which robbers made while trying to effect an entrance into the house. He at once awakened his father who hurriedly and excitedly secured his revolver out of bureau drawer. The two then noiselessly walked about the house so as not to attract the attention of the burglars who were working their way into the house. During the exitement the father accidentally discharged the weapon. The young man gave a piercing shriek and informed his father that he was shot. When the report of the revolver was heard by the robbers they took to their heels as fast as they could. The father hurriedly lit a lamp and it was ascertained that the bullet lodged in the boy's thigh. A physician was summoned who probed for the bullet but could not locate it. As it is located in the fleshy part of the thigh there is no danger of any serious results. The next day there was considerable excitement in the village of Oley, for the news, with the many additions caused all sorts of rumors to be floated in that quiet neighborhood.
At the age of 60 years Mr. Emma WEIKEL, widow of Aaron WEIKEL, a former Recorder of Deeds of Montgomery County, has been awarded a five-year contract the the Government to carry the mails from the village of Audubon to and from the Reading Railway station at Port Kennedy. She is now completing a five-year contract awarded to her husband. She is never behind time, and covers the distance of several miles in all kinds of weather herself rather than miss a train through the mistakes of others.
A provision in the will of Horace KRAUSE, a wealthy wholesale grocery man who died in Philadelphia last December, that his body should remain in the Pottstown Cemetery vault one year before being buried, cannot be carried out because of the cemetery rules forbidding bodies remaining in its vault beyond a certain time. The widow of Mr. KRAUSE sent a representative to Pottstown on Saturday to arrange for her late husband's interment.
Frank BAUER, of Bally, employed as engineer at the California mine, while cleaning the engine with cotton waste, had the little finger of the left hand mangled by having it caught in the governor while the engine was running. The finger was amputated at the second point in the office of Dr. RHOADS, of Boyertown, with the assistance of Dr. LEFEVRE. Mr. BAUER was seriously hurt in the mine several months ago and had only recently fully recovered.
Dilphain SANDERS, of Dryville, Berks County, has a hen which for the past 11 years has regularly laid an egg in the kitchen of Mr. SANDER's residence. The hen is very much devoted to Raymond, a son, who was instrumental in creating the hen's desire to live indoors. It will play and fight with the boy, that is, jump up at him and flap its wings when he pretends to strike at it with his fists. During the long cold winter, the bird seldom goes out of the house, except when the weather is pleasant.
Mrs. John G. CLEMENS, of Lansdale, brought suit at Norristown to break the will of her husband, who died a year ago, leaving an estate valued at $70,000. Mrs. CLEMENS is his second wife and was to receive $12,000 and the house and furniture. She contends that she is entitled to one-half of the estate. Mr. CLEMENS bequeathed $1000 to charity and the balance of his estate to his sister, Elemina MOYER.
While Milton ZIMMERMAN and sons living on the Levi WALBERT farm, near Hynemansville, Berks county, were engaged in cutting cornfodder recently, the cutter caught fire and threw sparks into the fodder, igniting them. The fodder was soon enveloped by the flames but they were extinguished without doing much damage.
T.S. COOPER, proprietor of the Linden Grove Stock Farm, at Coopersburg, is hauling stones and making preparations to build a large pavilion, under which to hold his public slaes in future years.
Rev. H.C. KLINE, of York, was on Sunday elected pastor of Zion's Reformed church at Allentown, in place of Rev. T.J. HACKER, resigned.
The is no doubt in the minds of the base ball enthusiasts of the Perkiomen Valley that the East Greenville Club this year has the strongest team they ever had. The weak points were provided for, which will be seen when they come out upon the diamond. J. WHITELOCK, of last season's Brandywine Club will hold down third and DAVIS the expert Bangor player will take care of second, S. RITTER, a Womelsdorf player will have charge of one of the outfields and those that saw him play say he cannot miss a ball. All the other old players have again signed with the club. Those who have signed are: Samuel HARNER and Charles ROEDER as pitchers; Charles HARNER, as catcher; Frank CHRISTMAN as 1st baseman; W. DAVIS 2nd baseman; J. WHITELOCK 3rd baseman; W. FLUCK short stop; Henry GERHART, Reinhard WEIL, Robert GREGG and S. RITTER, outfielders. Manager CHRISTMAN of the Club is making an effort to arrange a series of games for the amateur championship of Montgomery, Berks, Bucks, Northampton, Lehigh and Carbon Counties. The club has an emriable record and there is not question but that the club will eclipse all past records. The season will open with a game on Saturday April 29 and close on September 30. Games have already been arranged with clubs from Bangor, Milton, Wilmington, Del., Trenton, N.J., Pen Argyl, Doylestown, Quakertown, Jenkintown, Allentown and Philadelphia.
Two horses worth $700, belonging to John IRVIN, of Bristol, Bucks county, were killed outright on Saturday night on the road leading from Bristol to Emilie. Mr. IRVIN had conveyed a party to Emilie. In coming back he had to cross over a narrow bridge, and in turning out of the way of another team, his horses fell into the stream, being killed instantly.
Among the marriage licenses issued at Norristown this week were the novel ones in which two brothers will marry two sisters. The licenses were granted to Samuel L. LEWIS and Katie D. BENNER, and Allen S. LEWIS and Susan B. BENNER. The grooms reside in Franconia township and the brides in Lower Salford township.
At a meeting of the trustees of the State Hospital for the Insane at Norristown last Friday, Dr. H.J. SUMMERS was elected pathologist. During the last month the death rate at the hospital has been large. Five of the patients who died were between 77 and 79 years old.
While preparing breakfast Mrs. Alfred GERFUSS, of Eagle Point, Lehigh county, became faint, and, falling, was pierced in the abdomen by a large knife she was carrying. Her condition is serious.
Leidy COVELENS, aged about 35 years, employed at the Krupp Iron Foundry, at Lansdale, met a horrible death at that place last Friday afternoon. COVELENS was at work in the vicinity of the shafting that operates the machinery of the plant. In some unknown manner his clothing became caught in the belting and before any of the other workmen were aware of the danger he was hurled about at a terrific rate of speed. When the machinery was finally stopped COVELENs' lifeless body fell to the floor, a bleeding and crushed mass. The unfortunate man's head was battered almost to a pulp by coming in contact with the floor and ceiling and nearly every bone in his body was broken. When picked up he was dead and the expression on his face was one of great agony. The man must have suffered terribly while being hurled around and around.
The skeleton of a twelve-foot boa constrictor which had escaped was found in the hay mow in the barn of Dr. Charles STILLWAGON, at Media.
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