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Blair County Newspaper Articles

News, obituaries, birth, marriage and death notices, by date.

Items from The Altoona Tribune, Altoona, Pa.,

Wednesday, April 3, 1872

TRIAL LIST.
The following list of causes are set down for trial at April Term, 1872:

FIRST WEEK.

John D Davis, for use, vs John Dougherty
Rachel Marsden's Ex'r vs Solomon Werts
Daniel K Ramey vs Henry Leamer
____ Myton's use vs F Hyle et al
H L Patterson vs Wm Bouslough
C Murdock vs Kittanning Coal Co
John Costelow vs L H Coolbroth et al
R Green, guardian, vs Foreman & Miller

SECOND WEEK.

James M Piper vs John E Galloway
A J Duck vs J H Dysart & Co
James Matthews vs Samuel Haggerty, guardian
Russel Bethel et al vs Hagy Oil Co
E Hammond vs J M Dibert
D Stoner vs Catherine Fry
John F. Peiffer vs Valentine Glass
James Kearney vs Patrick Murphy
Same vs Same
Wm McCoy's admr vs C C Stanberger
Arnold & Louchern, assignees vs J Newahl
Same vs J Ballenberg & Co C
McAlister, trustee vs P Thompson et al
Geo Anderson and wife vs H Russel
J McCormick vs A Reeder
A Gardner vs P McAleer
Rhodelheim et al vs McFarland & Grimes
Hileman & Hesser vs Chas Rahstead [Rabstead?]
A M Kinsel vs J S Burkhart
H Stark vs E W Hill & Co
James Morgan vs Silas Wilt et al
D W Moore & Son vs A Odenwelder
Denniston, Porter & Co vs E Hammond
A J Cherry vs Louis Plack
Louis Plack vs C McCartney
Hy Stark vs E Hammond
B F Crissman vs McFadden & Co
Schmidt & Friday vs Grimes & McFarland
J Reigel & Co vs E Hammond
Olmus & Zink vs S Newahl
Columbia Ins Co vs James Kearney
Jno Brotherline vs A A Stevens
Hoffman & Hale vs 1st Pres Congregation of Altoona
Emma Estright vs Casper Wicker
Mary Burns et al vs Michael Brannan
Archibald Dunlap vs L Campbell et al
Allan Pinkerton vs City of Altoona
J M Dibert vs E Hammond
C G S F Henderson vs John H Patterson
James Clabaugh vs David Benson
Rockroad et al vs Geo Troutwine
Frank Bro & Co vs E Hammond
Buehler & Howard vs E Hammond
J E Dillon vs S Milliken
B F Rose vs Vigilant Steam Fire Engine Co
C G & R Lindsey vs 1st Pres Cong of Hollidaysburg
Geo Burgoon vs Henry Walls
D J Neff vs Saml R Tipton
H Bell vs John Young et al

ADJOURNED COURT - FIRST MONDAY OF MAY.

Geo W Ramsey vs John Ditch
Maria Biddle vs Jacob Biddle et al
H McIntosh vs D Heisel
James Condron's use vs Keller & Hoover
Wm Forbes vs Joseph McCormick
J Ritx and wife vs Jos Smith's exrs
Pat Shay vs Wm Fay
Jane Kane et al vs Mary Moore
Same vs Rebecca Hughes
D M Loudon vs Wm Shomo
A Patterson's use vs S Sparr's exrs
 _____ Clabaugh, for use vs H L Ake
Same vs Same
A Patterson, for use vs James Malone
John Shaffer vs D Young's exr
J M Cooper vs Kittanning Coal Co
Mary Moore vs Jane Kane et al
Thos Burchinell and wife vs Jos Smith's exrs
Price I Patton vs E Hammond
Clabaugh, for use vs H L Ake
Adam Moses vs David Riddle
F Isett's admr vs American Life Ins Co

ADJOURNED COURT - FOURTH MONDAY OF MAY.

James Mulhollen vs W P Dysart's admr
Bollinger & Bailey vs Eliza B Lemon
P Bridenbaugh's exr vs W H Bridenbaugh
A Knox vs Coolbroth, Hasty & Co
First Pres Church, Hollidaysburg vs A L Holliday
Adams Beyers vs H McClelland and wife
Fred Glass vs John C Trout
Commonwealth vs John Brotherline
M Gates vs Armstrong & Co
John Metz, guardian vs W H Ake
C Burtnett, for use vs Levi Biddle et al
M L Bechtel, for use vs W R Plumer et al
D L Martin vs John W Broombaugh
M Gates vs Armstrong & Co
D Wike vs L C Biddle et al
R Wareham vs John Griffith
E B Aucker vs F Benson
M Wicke's exr vs John C Biddle, admr, et al
Lloyd & Co vs Jos Barr
A M Lloyd vs Joseph Barr
Wm Shomo vs P McCloskey

 - A. S. MORROW, Prothonotary.

MARRIED.

LEAMER - CANAN - On the 19th inst., by Rev. I. C. Pershing, D.D., Mr. G. Leamer, of Wamego, Kansas, to Miss Mattie J. Canan, of this city.

LEWIS - WOMER - On the 21st inst., at Tyrone, by Samuel Jones, Esq., Mr. William Lewis of Centre county, to Miss Sarah M. Woomer, of this county.

RETNER - AMMERMAN - In this city, on the 17th ult., by Alderman John Hickey, James Retner, of Altoona, to Miss Sarah C. Ammerman, of Clearfield county.

DIED.

RAY - In Tyrone, March 17, Mrs. Eliza G. Ray, aged 70 years.

STINE - In Greenfield township, March 18, Margaret C. Stine, aged 19 years, 6 months and 3 days.

CHRISTY - On Thursday, the 21st ult., at Loretto, Cambria county, Walter R., eldest child of M. D. and Emma L. Christy, of Armstrong county, aged 6 years, 3 months, 1 day.

Mrs. Christy, the mother of the deceased, was the daughter of Rev. A. B. Clark, dec'd., former Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Altoona.

OTTO - In this city, March 22, Henry Otto, aged 72 years, 11 months and 5 days.

ROUSH - In this city, of consumption, on the 24th ult., George Roush, aged about 34 years.

FEILER - On the 28th ult., in Collinsville, Jacob Feiler, aged 52 years, 4 months and 26 days.

Altoona Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Wednesday, April 3, 1872, page 2

LOCAL ITEMS.

Flitting Day was lively.

The house cleaning brigade are getting ready for an active campaign.

The roads throughout Blair county are said to be in a very bad condition.

A County Superintendent of Common Schools will be elected on the first Monday of May.

Hon. R. Milton Speer will accept our thanks for a copy of the Report of the Agricultural Department.

Good Friday was a lovely day. The P. R. R. Shops, banks and a number of the business houses were closed.

Rain on Easter Sunday, rain for seven consecutive Sundays - so say the weather-wise, which is bad for the Altoona ladies. They will not be able to exhibit the Spring styles of harness for seven weeks yet. Naughty rain.

Friday evening, the 12th inst., is the time fixed for the Mechanics' ball. It will be held in the Opera House. The annual ball of the Good Will Fire company will be held at the same place on the evening of the 16th inst.

The trouting season opened on Monday last, but as yet none of the speckled beauties which inhabit the mountain streams in this locality have been disturbed. Oh, cruel winter, how long are we to be bound with thy icy fetters?

H. W. Snyder will sell one cupboard, 22 yards of rag carpet, bedstead, stand, rocking chair and other property, at the corner of Seventh avenue and Fourteenth street, on Thursday evening, April 11th, commencing at 7 o'clock.

The choicest crackers in the market, such as Wine Biscuit, Boston Butter, Eugenies, Arrowroot, Ginger Nuts, National and Nic Nacs. which are used by so many families in Altoona, are sold at the Checkered Front Grocery Store, on Eleventh avenue.

Little "Butch" McDivitt put his hand down between two planks on the sidewalk, at the corner of Twelfth street and Twelfth avenue, a few evenings since, for the purpose of securing a lost marble. It took several men, a hatchet, a poker and some three dozen children to get the hand out.

In all probability Barnum and his big show will visit Altoona on Monday, May 27th. on which occasion he will give three exhibitions - morning, afternoon and evening. His immense establishment will be transported by rail, for the accommodation of which it will require sixty freight and five passenger cars.

March came in like a lion, played the part of a roaring lion all along the line of the month, and went out as savage as a half dozen uncaged lions, all of which reminds us that the individual who said March came in like a lion and would go out like a lamb, was a lying at the time and the truth is not in him. April thus far has been acting like a fierce and howling lioness.

On Saturday evening last some individual who was anxious to procure a sufficient quantity of eggs for Easter Sunday, visited the hen roost of Mr. Jacob Renner, in East Altoona, and succeeded in securing quite a large supply. Taking into consideration the fact that for about two weeks previous a hen had been setting on the eggs stolen, we opine that on Easter morning the thief luxuriated on a breakfast of Spring chicken. Whew!

Police Notes.

The past week was an unusually active one in police circles, the Mayor and policemen finding constant employment in dealing out stern justice to those who had violated the laws for the peace and order of the community.

The first case on the calendar which claimed the attention of Mayor Kinch was as follows: On Monday morning a man named John Counsman received about $80 from a brother for the purpose of going to Cambria county to liquidate an account against him. A short time subsequent Counsman got in company with one of the Smith family, surnamed Jacob, and the two commenced indulging rather freely in the use of benzine, the result of which was that Counsman soon got too much fire water on board and became insensible. Smith then took charge of his companion and deposited him in a side room at one of our hotels, where he was left to sober up. Upon recovering his senses Counsman discovered that he had been cleaned out, being minus the amount above stated. Information was made against Smith on the following morning, charging him with stealing the money, but the proof not being sufficient he was discharged. In the vicinity of the White Hall Hotel, a short time afterward, Counsman's brother came in contact with Smith and without any ceremony proceeded to give him a walloping, and was meeting with no little success in the undertaking, when the latter became apprehensive for the safety of his life, and declared that if Counsman would stop beating him and allow him to get up he would refund the money. Smith then visited the Mayor's office and made information against Counsman for assault and battery, and additional evidence having been gleaned against Smith information was again made charging him with stealing Counsman's money. The entire party were held in bail for their appearance at Court.

We regret to note that a number of boys in the city have been placed under bail for their appearance at Court on the charge of stealing coal from the cars standing in the yard of the railroad company, although it must be admitted that the action in the premises is right and proper. The wonder is that no arrests have been made ere now, as this petty thieving has been practiced to an alarming extent for a long time past. When boys leave home with empty bags and baskets and return in a short time, having them filled with coal, it must certainly be obvious to parents that they secured the coal in a dishonest manner, and when parents do not interpose to prevent their children from engaging in this nefarious work, they must not complain when the law is resorted to to check a nuisance which has too long been tolerated. The authorities are determined to stop this petty thieving, and boys who are engaged in it should take warning in time.

Two men, named Widener and Mills, living a short distance east of the city, took the Branch train for McKee's Gap, on Thursday, in quest of employment in some of the furnaces in that neighborhood. They had a valise in their possession which they left in the station upon arrival at their destination. Not finding any work Widener returned to the city, bringing the valise with him. He was followed by Mills who claimed to be the owner of the hand-trunk and who had a warrant issued for the arrest of his companion. The police soon effected the arrest of Widener, but as the prosecutor failed to put in an appearance at the hearing the case was dismissed an d the prisoner discharged. The valise awaits an owner at the Mayor's office.

A big-whiskered New Yorker came to the city, a few days since, and during his stay got full of bug juice and was enticed into a watch box on the outskirts of the city, where he was relieved of what little money he possessed and a bottle of whisky. No arrests, as the New Yorker did not relish the idea of remaining here until Court would meet, for the purpose of prosecuting the case.

Pete King, colored, walked into Olmes & Sink's slaughter house, on Saturday, during the absence of the proprietors and employes, and after stringing his arm full of fresh sausage started homeward bound. An employe of the establishment discovered Pete up town with his load of sausage and informed the proprietors of the slaughter house of the theft. A warrant was issued and Pete was arrested and given a hearing before the Mayor who committed him to the Lock-up until three of his brother "amendments" furnished bail for his appearance at Court.

For a violation of the city ordinance prohibiting the loafing or congregating in front of the Postoffice, the police arrested fifteen of our citizens on the evenings of Friday and Saturday, fourteen of whom were asked to contribute fifty cents each. The fines were promptly paid.

A large number of tramps called on the Mayor during the past week to seek assistance, all of them being in destitute circumstances and presenting a pitiable appearance - suffering from sickness and almost starved. Transportation was furnished a few of the most deserving, while the others were cared for as well as it was possible to do under the circumstances. Almost every evening some poor unfortunates seek admittance to the Lock-up as a place of shelter for the night.

THE SWAMP ANGELS.
Capture of a Reputed Tribune Reporter.

Joseph Luther, a young man who has been circulating in this community for some time past, having the audacity and impudence, in the early part of last fall, to impose upon the credulity of some of our citizens by representing himself as a local reporter of the TRIBUNE, and who is known in Altoona as the Manager and a heavy stockholder in the Mountain City Variety Troupe, who are "playing to crowded houses nightly in the State of New York," has severed his connection with the press and theatrical interests, and accepted a cell position in the Blair county prison, to which institution he was taken on Saturday morning last, by Chief of Police Westbrook. The cause of Joe's troubles are as follows: On Friday afternoon he was arrested by the police on information made by Michael A. Waltz, charging him with the larceny of a kit of carpenter tools from the new extension to the Logan House, shortly after the breaking out of the disastrous conflagration which visited that hotel on the morning of the 20th ult. He was immediately given a hearing before Mayor Kinch, when it was proven that he had sold the tools to Mr. Fred Hesser, contractor, for the sum of two dollars, stating at the time that they had been given to him by a relative. Prior to Mr. Hesser's evidence being given, Luther stated that on the morning of the fire he had purchased the kit from a stranger for $1.50. These conflicting statements, and the identification of the tools as being the property of Mr. Walls, induced the Mayor to ask bail for the appearance of Luther at Court, in default of which he was committed to the Lock-up for the night, and on the following morning was taken over the hill. Previous to leaving for Hollidaysburg, Luther was again given a hearing on a charge of setting fire to the Logan House. About the time the fire broke out a colored woman was passing along Eleventh avenue, and when in close proximity to where the fire originated, and before the alarm was given, she recognized an individual in the act of scaling the fence surrounding the Logan House. At the hearing she identified Luther as being the person she had seen on the morning and at the origin of the fire. Although his presence in the locality at that particular time and unseasonable hour looks somewhat suspicious, it remains to be seen whether the charges preferred against him will be substantiated. The matter will be sifted at Court.

Dolly Varden, the fortunate young lady after whom the fashionable dress to be worn by the dear ladies the coming summer is named, was the charming daughter of a London blacksmith, Gabriel Varden by name, and lived in the reign of George the Third. She afterward became Mrs. Joe Willett. For further information we would refer inquirers to "Barnaby Rudge." About a year ago some modiste re-christened what were then known as "cretonnes," and called them "Dolly Vardens." The name was at first confined to chintzes, but it spread to other materials. At a late dry goods exposition "Dolly Varden" silks were exhibited, and now whole costumes, whose like were never seen on sea or shore, are named after the charming and coquettish little daughter of a London blacksmith.

The new police are determined to enforce the Ordinance prohibiting citizens from congregating in front of the Postoffice in the evenings, and thus far have been successful in the undertaking. A few evenings since they arrested a blind man for a violation of the Ordinance, but who was immediately released upon discovering that he was destitute of the faculty of discernment.

SUBURBAN INTELLIGENCE.

Hollidaysburg.

The Register will be issued to-day from its new office, on Allegheny street.

The survey of a route for a railroad from Roaring Springs to Bloomfield has been completed.

The coke-ovens of the Blair Iron and Coal Company, at Hollidaysburg, are about completed. They will cost $65,000.

The contract for the erection of a bridge across the Juniata, at East Freedom, has been awarded to Jacob Fries for the sum of $1,950.

The Seminary opened on Monday. Mrs. F. E. Parkhurst, a graduate of the Medlesohn [sic] Musical Institute, Boston, has been engaged as teacher of music.

County Commissioners, Longnecker and Morrow, gave a supper to several of their friends a few evenings since, which was served at the restaurant of Moses Brown.

Candidates for the county superintendency of public schools are bobbing around. If one of those "clear-headed and massive-brained" individuals had a vote for that officer it would be judiciously deposited, and would tally for W. H. Schwartz, Esq.

That power press for the Standard office has been shipped. We ring in with our many neighboring contemporaries in congratulating friend Traugh on the contemplated improvements to his spicy journal. We don't think he can make it any better than it is at present, but he intends doing the next best thing - give his readers more of the same kind. For an able, fearless and properly conducted Democratic paper the Standard leads the van in Central Pennsylvania.

Tyrone.

The colored population is on the increase.

Tyrone's lock-up was full on Saturday night.

The coal trade on the Tyrone and Clearfield Railroad is immense.

Jim Omo, newsboy, had his hand injured at the Tyrone depot on Thursday morning.

Elder James NcKnight [sic], a full-fledged Mormon, lectured in Caldwell's Hall, on Friday evening last.

The Tyrone Herald says that Altoona lawyers are always handy by when pretty women change cars. We won't attempt to deny it. Not much.

Tyrone craveth the State Capital. It's no use, gentlemen. When that big flitting comes off it will stop just about 14 miles west of Tyrone. Altoona's new Council means business, and McKiernan and Curry will either have the Capital buildings or a fight.

Bill Carothers used to live in Altoona and is still well known here. At present he is the efficient "boss" of the P. R. R. Round House, at Tyrone, and is gaining considerable celebrity as a fowl fancier, the last Herald stating that he has the three largest male turkeys in town - also, the greatest living curiosity in the poultry line, which generally sits standing.

The Huntingdon Presbytery, comprising Blair, Bedford, Clearfield, Mifflin, Juniata, Huntingdon and Centre counties, will convene in the Presbyterian church, Tyrone, at 11 o'clock, on Tuesday, April 9th, and continue two and a half days. The opening sermon will be preached by Rev. D. H. Baron, the retiring Moderator. The Huntingdon District contains 62 churches, and has 52 ministers. - Herald.

VIGILANT FAIR.

The members of the Vigilant Fire Company contemplate holding a Fair during the month of April, and a committee has been appointed to make the necessary arrangements. The Company has a large and constantly increasing debt staring them in the face and it is thought that a Fair rightly managed would greatly assist them in placing the financial interests of the organization in a somewhat healthier condition. For some time past the members of the company have been working hard among themselves to weather the storm which threatens to engulph them, with a fair prospect of being able to emerge successfully from the darkness with which they are enveloped, and they have every reason to think that the citizens and property holders will countenance and lend a helping hand to an effort rightly put forth that will tend to lighten the indebtedness of the company and preclude the possibility of the building being used for any other purpose than that intended by the members of the company when they contributed so liberally at the commencement of its erection, about two years since.

ALTOONA MECHANICS' LIBRARY.

I take pleasure in announcing to the public in general that I have taken charge of the Altoona Mechanics' Library and Reading Room, which will be open to subscribers every Tuesday and Saturday afternoons from three to five o'clock. I would be pleased to see many attend, for the advantages of having such a supply of books, periodicals and reading matter in general, is not to be overlooked. Persons living at convenient distances from town will find the hours very suitable for them, as the Library has heretofore only been open at nights. The terms are three dollars a year, to be paid every four months in advance. Members wishing any particular book can leave the name of it with the Librarian and on the first sending for new books it will receive the preference. Apprentices to any trade admitted as members of the Library at half price.
 - Mrs. CHRISTY, Librarian.

RAILWAY CHANGE.

The vacancy caused by the resignation of Isaac Dripps, Superintendent of Motive Power and Machinery of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, has been filled by the appointment of G. Clinton Gardner, who assumed the duties of that responsible position on the 1st inst. For some time past Mr. Gardner has filled the position of Assistant Superintendent of Motive Power and Machinery so creditably in the interests and to the managers of the great corporation as to warrant them in calling him to the head of the department, and to the exercisation of the more important duties which are to be met by the chief officer of the busy and bustling Department of Motive Power and Machinery of the Pennsylvania Central Railroad. Mr. Gardner brings that ability and experience to the position which are necessary for a prompt and efficient discharge of its duties.

FALLING OF THE LOGAN HOUSE WALL.

A few minutes before seven o'clock, on Sunday evening last, during the prevalence of a terrible gale, a large portion of the walls left standing of the new extension to the Logan House, which was destroyed by fire on the morning of the 20th ult., was blown down, and with a terrible crash alighted on the roof of the engine room and wash house connected with the hotel, utterly demolishing a large part of the wash house. Children and ladies passing the locality on their way to attend the evening services in the different houses of religious worship, experienced a fearful fright when the wall fell, and unceremoniously left the neighborhood, taking no thought of a six inch mud until safe in the distance. Nobody hurt.

The City Council.

On Monday evening last the City Council held its regular meeting in the new Council Chamber, in the hall of the Vigilant Fire Company. Each member has been provided with a desk and cushioned chair, arranged in the style of the Hall of Representatives, at Harrisburg, and of which the members of Council evidently feel proud. Speaker Kerr's desk is at the end of the hall leading out on the balcony, and over which the National emblem is neatly festooned. The Secretary's desk is to the right of the Speaker, as are also those of the Republican members of Council. The Democratic members occupy the side of the hall to the left of the Speaker. The Reporters' desks were neglected. More anon.

SIGNOR BLITZ.

Signor Blitz, the Ventriloquist and Magician, with his son Theodore, and their learned Canary Birds, spent a part of last season in the Western States, and a New York paper states that theirs was a triumphal tour. Crowds flocked to their exhibitions so that there was scarcely a hall in the West that would seat their audiences. They will give two evening exhibitions and an afternoon matinee at the Opera House, this city, April 15th and 17th, 1872, which will be their last appearance in this city. Then let all who wish to see the original Blitz, secure reserved seats in time, as the house will no doubt be crowded on this occasion.

Important changes are noticed in the vicinity of the Postoffice in the evenings. The gas lamp in front of the building which stood idle so long, being of no use whatever save as a hitching post, has been fitted up with new glass, and on dark evenings is lighted for the accommodation of the many citizens who frequent that locality. A policeman is also stationed in the Postoffice to prevent a crowding and jostling which had become a nuisance. These changes must certainly receive the sanction of all right thinking citizens, and are another advance step in the management of our model Postoffice.

COLLIDED.

Early on Monday evening, while the cars of a freight train were being "dropped" into the Yard, at this place, a couple of the cars of the Westmoreland Coal Company collided in front of the Logan House, demolishing the cars and scattering the coal over the tracks.

On the following morning, at the same place, two box cars collided, one being loaded with concentrated lye and other goods, and the other with iron. The end of each car was shivered to atoms, and an employe on the train, named Watt, was severely injured.

A SERIOUS FALL.

A young man named George Hite, employed as a carpenter in the P. R. R. Shops, on Friday last received a severe fall. He was up on a scaffold in the rod gang shop for the purpose of opening the ventilators, when one of the boards gave way and he was precipitated a distance of twenty-five or thirty feet, alighting on his feet and sustaining painful injuries. His ankle joint was dislocated and some of the bones fractured. It was a miraculous escape from instant death.

The juveniles of the city inaugurated the base ball season with a match game on Good Friday, between the Junior and Liberty clubs, the former club winning the game by two runs, the score standing 15 for the Junior and 13 for the Liberty. Our young friends will make a vote of the fact that on no occasion will we publish the score of match games of base ball that may be played during the coming summer, unless at the regular rate of fifteen cents per line.

We were much pleased to see D. W. Moore, Esq., of the Sun, on the street a few days since, having recovered so far from his recent severe illness as to enable him to be on the wing. He has gone East to recruit his health, being determined, if possible, to run away from the insidious monster which so nearly succeeded in undermining the foundation of his life. We trust he may be speedily restored to his wonted vigor, and again fill his vacant place in the community.

Altoona Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Wednesday, April 3, 1872, page 3