Blair County Newspaper Articles
News, obituaries, birth, marriage and death notices, by date.
Items from The Altoona Tribune, Altoona, Pa.,
Saturday, August 26, 1865
LOCAL ITEMS.
THE OIL EXCITEMENT. - Under a "bear" pressure, the stocks of the two companies, organized in this place, have been dull and drooping for several weeks past, and a few timid holders have, in a manner, sacrificed their investments, on the representation of parties that the stocks were worthless. The most sanguine could not overcome the prevailing distrust, and a restlessness and uneasiness was manifested by many who, nevertheless, intended to hold on and see the end. To these, the relief afforded on Monday evening last, by the receipt of a despatch from the Superintendent of the Hamilton M'Clintock company, to the effect that he had struck a one hundred and fifty barrel well, may be imagined. A subsequent despatch reported the well at 180 bbls, and increasing, and a third despatch, on Thursday evening, announced the well as flowing 200 bbls. per day. Nearly all the wells on Oil Creek have continued to increase in yield for several days, and sometimes for weeks, and the well referred to may be even better than now reported. The news of the "strike" at once put the stock of the company up to par, and a number of shares changed hands at those figures. The company have another well down and tubed, but not yet fairly tested. While it is not expected to be equal to the first, it may still pay handsomely.
The Hamilton M'Clintock Company has been entirely successful thus far. The company was organized on the 20th day of April last, a Board of Directors elected, a Superintendent appointed, and the work commenced at once. The property of the company consists of 50 leases on the Hamilton M'Clintock Farm, on Oil Creek, embracing a territory of about 45 acres. A royalty of one half the oil to be given to the owners of the land. The capital stock of the company was placed at $300,000, divided into 60,000 shares, 20,000 shares of which were reserved for working capital. This amount of working capital - embracing one-third of the capital stock - is amply sufficient to fully develop the territory, without applying any part of the proceeds of the wells to that purpose. It has been resolved, by the Board of Directors, that every cent realized from the sale of oil shall be appropriated to the payment of dividends to the share holders. The present yield, it is thought will be sufficient to pay a monthly dividend of three per cent. on the entire capital stock of the company, free of tax. It will thus be seen that, as an investment, it is to be desired, and for purposes of speculation promises to meet the expectations of all. As much of the territory yet remains to be developed, holders of the stock should not be too fast in parting with it at a slight advance. They should remember that eight more wells, making ten in all, are to be put down this season, the material and engines for a portion of which are already on the ground. The company is legitimate, and when once known and established, the stock must rule equal to any in the market.
The Oil Creek and Pit Hole Company have a well tubed and now being tested on one of their leases on Oil Creek. Reports from the well say that it promises fair to be equal to the best. We had hoped for something definite from that source ere we went to press.
Under these reports, oil stocks have revived, and long faces and thoughtful miens have given place to bright countenances and pleasant greetings. We think the dark days of oil speculators in Altoona have passed, and henceforth the mere breathings of suspicion will not be set down as facts, and that the anticipations of those who organized the companies will be fully realized. So mote it be.
POLICE AFFAIRS. - But very few persons were sent to the Lock-Up during the past week, the vigilance which our constabulary force have lately displayed seeming to have somewhat terrified the evil-doers. Three or four, however, were caught "away from home," and furnished sleeping apartments at the borough's expense.
Johnny Martin is the name of an individual who lives "up among the hills," where he finds time to form a great many opinions on a great many subjects. Johnny paid a visit to town on Saturday, and being in favor of the dissemination of knowledge tried to force his opinions upon a doubting listener as the essence of undeniable truth. Failing in this laudable endeavor, he resorted to "knock-down arguments," as a consequence of which he made the acquaintance of Policemen Clark and Hileman. Not being willing to accept their invitation to take a walk, the latter used some "striking" persuasions, which, with the aid of muscle from the Chief Burgess, finally induced Johnny, though with reluctance, to "come along." After being in the Lock-Up a few hours, a friend procured his release.
Absalom Bossford, who, like his namesake of old, has "flowing locks" and a penchant for being in proximity to trees, was found by Constable Ely, on Sunday last, helping himself to the peaches and other fruit in somebody's orchard. He was easily persuaded to accompany the fascinating Joseph, who furnished him with a night's lodging in the Maison de Locque-Up. On Monday morning Absalom appeared before Justice Humes, but that gentleman having made his acquaintance before, and not thinking the young man "sound on the goose" or any other question, concluded to send him to the Poor House, where his sanity could be properly tested.
On Monday afternoon Policeman Hileman ran foul of an ancient individual, named Sneath, who had committed some misdemeanor, of the nature of which we are ignorant. The "old 'un" proved a tough customer, and would not "come to time" until he had spoiled a considerable portion of Samuel's wearing apparel, when he was forced to "walk Spanish" between the latter and an assistant. We do not know what final disposition was made of his case.
ITEMS IN BRIEF. - A stable belonging to Mrs. Haas, of Gaysport, this county, was totally destroyed by fire, together with considerable quantity of hay, at an early hour on Sunday morning last. The fire is supposed to have been the work of an incendiary. - Right Rev. M. Domenec, Bishop of Pittsburgh, will deliver a lecture in St. Mary's Catholic church, Hollidaysburg, on to-morrow (Sunday) evening, for the benefit of the schools attached to said church. - Jas. Craig McLanahan, Esq., an old and esteemed citizen of Hollidaysburg, died in that place, on Monday last, aged seventy-three years. - The farmers of Allegheny township, this county, held a harvest home near Plane No. 10, on Wednesday of last week, and the farmers of Scotch Valley held a similar festival on Friday. Joy and plenty abounded on both occasions. - A camp meeting will commence at Shaver's Creek, Huntingdon county, on the 15th of September. - A melee occurred at Cresson, one day last week between a party of "vets" and some colored gents, in which the former, owing to sparsity of numbers, came out second best. They threatened, however, to "turn the tables" on the negroes ere many days go by. - Henry Gruble, aged sixty, employed as a machinist in the Cambria Iron Works, Johnstown, died not long since from tetanus, or lockjaw, produced by a heavy piece of iron falling on his toes.
Pic Nics. - Within the past two weeks pic nics have been held in the adjacent groves by the United Brethren, Baptist and Lutheran Sunday Schools, at all of which there was a large turn-out and a good time generally. Unfortunately, the United Brethren school was caught in a heavy shower, about noon, which threw a damper on their enjoyments for the rest of the day. We had not the pleasure of attending any of the entertainments, but judging from the expressions of those who joined in the pleasures of the several occasions, everything passed off in the happiest manner. Often, when we see the boys and girls repairing to these scenes of mirth, without a care save as to how they shall best enjoy themselves, we involuntarily
"Wish we were a boy again,"
and as free as we were at their ages, of the cares and vexations of mature years. Oh! how happy we should be. But, alas ! how soon the spring and summer of youth passes away, and the stern realities of life crowd in upon us. But enough of such reflections. In the language of an immortal poet, whose name we cannot now recall, we say,
"Go it while you're young,
For when you get old you can't."
ANOTHER MURDER IN CAMBRIA COUNTY! - Just as we go to press, intelligence reaches us of the commission of another cold blooded murder in our county, perpetrated in all probability on Wednesday night. An old negro, named Edenborough Smith, supposed to be over a hundred years old, and reputed to possess considerable specie, who lived alone in a cabin on Laurel Hill, about three miles from Johnstown, was found on Thursday morning on the floor of the cabin, weltering in his own blood, with a faithful dog keeping watch over his dead body. We are without particulars, but learn that the cabin had been ransacked for plunder, and that suspicion attaches to a young white man who stopped on Wednesday night at the house of a colored woman who resides near to the cabin of Smith. The young man is said to be missing. A coroner's inquest has been summoned. - Johnstown Tribune.
THE ANDERSONVILLE DEAD. - We have received from Joseph A. Phillips, Surgeon General of Pennsylvania, several pamphlets containing lists of the Pennsylvania soldiers buried at Andersonville, Ga., with the date and cause of their death, and the numbers of their graves. It contains twenty-four large pages, and almost every Pennsylvania regiment is represented in them. The list is entirely too large for publication, but those desirous of examining it can do so by calling at our office.
IMPROVEMENTS. - Quite a number of important improvements are now being made in this place, among which we may note the completion of the German Reformed Church, which, when finished, will be quite a handsome edifice; also, a three story brick building at the corner of Virginia and Caroline streets, by Charley Shannon, and two new stores and dwellings on Virginia st., between Annie and Catharine, by J. W. Curry, and a gentleman whose name we have not learned.
SQUIRREL LAW. - As there appears to be some misapprehension in regard to the time when grey squirrels are legally "shootable," we would state, for the benefit of all concerned, that the act of April 2, 1862, fixes the time from the 1st of September to the last of December. The law inflicts a penalty of five dollars for killing them at any other time.
Altoona Public Schools.
The Public Schools of this borough will open on Monday, September 4th. It is desirable that pupils enter as early in the term as possible, so that there be no delay in properly grading and classifying the schools. According to the School Laws, no child is now admissible under six years of age. This is a wise provision, and it is to be hoped that no parent, who has the interest of his child at heart, will present them until they are of the proper age. Evidence of the age will be required where there is a doubt. Parents will please visit the Schools as often as possible.
Applicants for admission to the High School will present themselves for examination at 9 o'clock, A. M., on Monday, August 28th, in Room No. 2, West Ward.
By order of the Board, JOHN A. BAER, Secretary.
MARRIED.
On the 22d inst., by Rev. W. R. Mills, Harry H. Huber, of Pittsburgh, to Miss Julia A. Ward, of Altoona.
Altoona Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Saturday, August 26, 1865, page 3