Blair County Newspaper Articles
News, obituaries, birth, marriage and death notices, by date.
Items from The Altoona Tribune, Altoona, Pa.,
Thursday, April 2, 1874
[From Friday's Tribune.]
A DOMESTIC BROIL. - A good-looking German woman who resides with her
husband and one child, on Eleventh avenue, with that well-known Doctor
and brewer from Huntingdon as an escort, visited the Mayor's office
and other Temples of Justice yesterday morning for the purpose of
obtaining a little law. She related a pitiable story to the effect
that she is the unfortunate owner of a husband who is more ornamental
and worthless than he is useful. The family came to this city from
Germany some time ago but for the past year the husband has refused to
do any work and on many an occasion has pounded her most severely and
driven her outdoors for the night. The woman stated that she receives
the sum of three hundred dollars annually from the old country and
that as soon as she comes in possession of it her husband allows her
no peace of mind or body until he has the money stored away in his
breeches pocket and then uses it to gratify a fiendish thirst for rum.
A few days since she received the sum named and in order to get hold
of it the husband drove her out into the street and then broke open a
chest and secured the money. During the night she was permitted to
remain in a neighboring saloon and yesterday morning, in company with
the Doctor aforesaid, started out on her mission. She claims to be
the rightful owner of all the furniture in the house and expressed a
desire to secure possession of the same and also of her seven year old
child and then return to Germany. The house-rent is also due and
having no money to meet the same the landlord is about to have an
attachment issued on the furniture, and she desired to know whether
such things were permitted to be done in this section of the country.
No positive action was taken in the premises.
ASSAULT AND BATTERY WITH INTENT TO KILL -The Assailant Committed to Prison. - Elsewhere in this morning's issue mention is made of a German woman named Raupp, who charged her husband with doing her bodily violence and driving her out of the house. Later in the day the woman appeared at the office of Alderman Poffenberger and caused a warrant to be issued for the arrest of her liege lord, Sigmund Raupp, which was placed in the hands of policeman Howard. A short time subsequent the capture of the naughty husband was effected at an East Side grocery store and a hearing accorded him at which the unpleasantness was satisfactorily adjusted by Sigmund promising faithfully to leave the city. Still later in the day the brutal husband, who was in possession of a revolver, appeared at his house and again threatened to kill his wife. The latter feeling apprehensive for the safety of her life caused Sigmund to be arrested once more and unless he succeeded in securing bail at a late hour last night he is this morning behind the bars of the county prison where he will remain for trial.
In the interim the landlord, Mr. Jacob Rink, appeared before Alderman McCormick and caused an attachment to be issued on a portion of the furniture belonging to the family in payment of the rent due, amounting to the sum of thirty dollars.
ALTOONA AHEAD - The Champion Egg Story. - Finding quite a number of egg stories going the rounds of different papers we think the following may prove a valuable addition to the selection. Of all the egg stories we have been fortunate enough to hear and read, we think the story which our great grandfather used to tell with his customary grace and felicitous mode of expression will equal if not take the premium. Our grandfather used to take great pride in his chickens, etc., and among the feathery denizens of his coop was a poor little black Spanish hen which laid an egg with a transparent shell. Alas! that little hen never laid but one egg and that one was quadruple yolked. The old gentleman being over-persuaded by his neighbors to let the hen hatch the curiosity just by way of experiment, one morning on his round through the coops he found - not four little black Spanish chickens, oh, no, sirree jupiter, not at all, but a red game rooster, a shanghae hen, a Dutch baby and Siamese Twins. How is that for high?
A RESPECTABLE LADY OF THE EAST SIDE
BECOMES INSANE. - Our down-town contemporary says: About two weeks since a respected and esteemed maiden lady of this city disappeared suddenly from her home on Seventh avenue. The efforts of her family failed to discover her until in the afternoon, when a physician who had been sent in quest of her found her in the lower portion of the city, where she was talking incoherently about her being the Queen of England. The physician's efforts proved futile to entice her into a neighboring house until he told her that he was the King, and that she had yet no crown, she had better accompany him where they could procure one. The lady seemed pleased with this and on going into the house was secured, and after a good bit of trouble was conveyed back to her home. At last accounts her condition was improved, and she has been or will be sent to the lunatic asylum at Harrisburg.
DESERTED HER DAUGHTER. - Some three or four weeks ago a woman named Wilson, residing on Ninth avenue, left with her second husband for the South, leaving behind her a daughter named Susie Coates, aged about fifteen years, who is subject to periodical attacks of dementation. The daughter has since occupied the house until yesterday when her landlady informed her that she would have to leave the premises, having rented the house to another party. The rent being due and no money in the house to meet the same, an attachment was issued on the scant furniture, while the young girl only escaped being sent to the Poor House through the interposition of a neighbor with whom she will be permitted to remain until a place is secured for her.
MRS. LANTZ IS TAKEN BEFORE JUDGE DEAN ON A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS - She is Remanded Back to Jail. - Yesterday morning the woman named Mrs. Lantz, who has gained considerable newspaper notoriety during the past few months, was taken before His Honor, Judge Dean, on a writ of habeas corpus and through her counsel petitioned to be released on bail. Bail was asked for in the sum of nine hundred dollars, and Lawyer Michael McCullough was promptly on hand to become her surety, but the bond not being acceptable to His Honor, the unfortunate woman was remanded back to jail for trial. It seems that the officers are determined to mete out stern justice to this defiant woman, now that they have her in their power.
SLANDER. - On oath of Mary L. Beckner policeman Howard yesterday morning arrested a young female in the person of Carrie C. Woodring, who was taken before Alderman McCormick to answer the charge of willfully and maliciously speaking, and publishing scandalous and defamatory words to the great injury of the character of the aforesaid Mary L. Beckner. The case was amicably adjusted by Carrie paying the costs and promising to make a public retraction stating that the many naughty things she had said touching the character of Mary were base fabrications entirely devoid of the least semblance of truth.
- The news that Essington Hammond, of Sarah Furnace, Maria Forge, and Franklin Forge had made an assignment for the benefit of his creditors caused a great deal of surprise in the southern portion of the county yesterday. Mr. Hammond was one of the most prominent iron producers in this county and his failure will add materially to the already hard times. He has many friends among the business men of this section who admired him for his indomitable energy and pluck, and who now sympathise with him in his misfortune. We sincerely hope that this cloud may soon pass away and that all may yet be well.
MR. AND MRS. LANTZ RELEASED ON RAIL [sic]. - In yesterday's issue of the TRIBUNE we noticed the fact that a writ of habeas corpus had been sued out before Judge Dean for the purpose of having the bail in the Lantz cases reduced. His Honor changed the amount from $1500 to $900. Yesterday afternoon lawyer Jim Milliken secured bail for his clients in the sum required, and Mr. and Mrs. Lantz are once again safely ensconced in the bosom of their family.
- Dr. James Noble, of Pattonsville, who died about two weeks since, was a first-class physician and a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity. His death leaves a gap that will not be easily filled. His funeral was one of the largest ever seen in Bedford county.
DEATH OF A FORMER RESIDENT. - A former resident of this city in the person of Mr. William Morrison Gwin, died at his residence in Lewistown on Monday last. He was aged 36 years and 8 months. Deceased has a number of relatives residing in Blair county.
KICKED BY A VICIOUS HORSE AND DANGEROUSLY INJURED. - We regret to learn that our old friend, Mr. Thomas G. Trout, a farmer residing a short distance east of the city, was severely injured on Wednesday evening by being kicked by a vicious horse. It seems that a few days previous Mr. Trout, who owns a larger number of colts than he has use for, traded one of them to a son of Mr. O. Hagerty's for a horse that was warranted to be gentle in every way, yet on the evening in question as Mr. Trout and two of his sons, Thomas Trout, Jr., and Robert Trout, were working in the stable in the rear of the new horse the animal commenced kicking in a most wicked manner, striking Mr. Trout on the right side with the hock, breaking two of his ribs, and also striking him with the hoof on the hip which was terribly blackened and frightfully bruised. With the other foot the animal struck Thomas Trout, Jr., in the back with great violence, knocking him against his brother Robert and throwing the latter clean through the stable door. Both Mr. Trout and his son Thomas sustained painful injuries, those of the father being the most severe, it being feared that he has sustained internal injuries. The injuries sustained by father and son were properly dressed by Dr. Bob Christy, of Bell's Mills. We trust that both may speedily recover therefrom.
OIL FIRE - Big Fuss and No Damage. - On Thursday while the railroad company's yard employes were engaged in shifting cars on the different sidings one of the oil cars ran off the track at the extreme eastern end of the south siding. By the mishap one of the wheels of the car came in such violent contact with the under portion of the tank as to knock a good sized hole in it, through which all the oil contained therein, about one hundred barrels, was permitted to escape, and saturated the track and ground for a considerable distance in either direction. Between twelve and one o'clock yesterday afternoon some mischievous lad, possibly, set fire to the oil, which instantaneously blazed up high into the air and was surmounted by dense volumes of smoke, causing the beholder in the distance to imagine that the company's lower shops were being licked up by the fire demon; but happily such did not prove to be the case. The fire alarm was sounded, and the whistles of a number of locomotives standing in the vicinity were thrown wide open, which gave vent to some of the most unearthly and piercing screams ever heard on this side of the infernal regions, and causing men, women and children from the four quarters of the city to rush pell-mell to the scene of the conflagration, and to return as quickly after discovering the cause and extent thereof. Fortunately all cars in the vicinity of the fire were removed to a place of safety, and no damage ensued.
ARRESTED FOR STEALING PIGEONS. - Yesterday policemen Riley and Burley arrested two boys, named Frank Ehringer and William McCartney, whose homes are in the First Ward, on the charge of stealing pigeons out of a dove-cote on the residence of Mr. Thomas Taylor, who claims a habitation in the same locality. The boys were given a hearing before Mayor Gilland at which it was proven that Ehringer stole the pigeons while McCartney stood watch. It was also proven that after the gallinaceous birds of the genus Columba had been stealthily removed they were given in charge of a lad named Trout. Chief Riley subsequently visited the residence of the parents of the boy Trout, and after ascending to the second story of the house discovered the stolen pigeons and returned the same to the rightful owner. Ehringer and McCartney were compelled to pay the costs in the case after which they were severely reprimanded and discharged.
(From Monday's Tribune.) SAD CASE OF MENTAL DEPRESSION - An Esteemed Citizen Taken to the Alms House for Medical Treatment. - On Saturday morning, upon the recommendation of two of the city physicians, Mayor Gilland placed in the hands of policeman Howard the necessary papers for the commitment of a man named William Clapper to the county alms house for medical treatment, the unfortunate man being a sufferer from a severe attack of insanity. Mr. Clapper came to this city some time ago from Franklin county, and obtain employment in the railroad company's glue room, his residence at present being on Fifth avenue, between Sixth and Seventh streets. Recently when the order came suspending a number of the shop-men Mr. Clapper was among the number, and this action, coupled with the fact that he has some money outstanding in Franklin county which he has been unable to collect, has weighed so heavily upon him as to dethrone him of his reason. The evidences of insanity which have characterized his everyday life for a few days past have been of such a positive nature that it was deemed best to place him in the Alms House for medical treatment for a short time, after which, should there be no improvement in his condition, he will be taken to the State Lunatic Asylum, at Harrisburg. All who know Mr. Clapper speak of him in the highest terms as a neighbor and citizen, and deeply sympathize with his wife and children in the terrible affliction which has been visited upon one who is so near and dear to them. The parting between the unfortunate man and his family at the Mayor's office, on Saturday morning, was of a type most affecting, and caused the glistening tear-drops to desert the eyes and course down the cheeks of all who witnessed it.
ON THE WING.
Williamsburg - Iron Works - Hollidaysburg - Iron Works, Etc.
Correspondence of the MORNING TRIBUNE.
HOLLIDAYSBURG, March 17, 1874.
Williamsburg is about twenty-one miles from Altoona, via Hollidaysburg. The best way to get there is to buy a railroad ticket from Harry Nicholson, at Altoona, and then take the Branch train for Hollidaysburg, at which point you can switch off and take the Williamsburg Branch car. By this route and mode of travel you can get there in an hour or so. It is cheaper to walk, but you will feel tired and sleepy when you get to your destination, and won't feel like going out to look at the "big spring," which is one of the attractions of the place. It is a big spring in reality; and not only a big spring, but a strong spring. I don't know what it can't do, except climb a tree, or set a house on fire, but I know that it can turn a saw mill and several other mills and furnaces in very short order after it gets out of the ground. It is said to be a great resort for pleasure seekers in summer time, some of whom - the unmarried ones mostly - always linger around it until nightfall, to see the moon mirrored therein. Some of the old folks say there is no truth in the legend that the water magnifies the moon, but the young folks think it does, and stay to see, whether the moon shines or not.
Four churches - Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran and Catholic - dot the town. There are two "local option" hotels, one of which, the Washington Hotel, by A. Rutledge, is a good place to feed at. Every necessary accommodation furnished. Mr. Rutledge is also P. M., and a very popular one. The Odd Fellows' Hall is a fine building, much handsomer than generally found in towns the size of Williamsburg.
Among the business men who seem to be pushing ahead, regardless of panic and hard times, I may note James Patterson, dealer in dry goods, groceries, notions, boots and shoes, glass ware, salt, plaster, coal, and also manufacturer of furniture. W. A. Fluke manufactures tinware and deals in stoves, hardware and house-furnishing goods. Between these two establishments, everything necessary to "set up housekeeping" can be obtained.
The Williamsburg Manufacturing Company, under the superintendence of Geo. Fay, Esq., is the institution of the town. His company manufactures the celebrated anthracite pig iron, turning out about fifty tons per day. It is a pleasure to find the right man in the right place, and the right man for superintendent was found when Mr. Fay was selected. The furnace of this company was erected in 1857, and has run through all the panics without suspension. A large flouring mill, also belongs to the company. The officers of the company are A. M. Lloyd, of Hollidaysburg, President; W. A. Fluke, Secretary and Treasurer. Amos Whiteleather is foreman of the furnace.
At another time, when the trees are green, and the scent of new mown hay fills the air, and the moon shines, I may visit this nice little town again and look into the "big spring," but for the present I must be off.
HOLLIDAYSBURG,
the county capital, not to "write it up," or down, for I don't have time to do either, but just stopped off long enough to view the works of the Blair Iron & Coal Company, under the superintendence of Mr. W. R. Babcock, who has had entire charge since the death of David Watson. Mr. B. has been connected with the company, in various capacities, for a long time, and his promotion to his present position is a just tribute to his merits. The company has two furnaces at this point, turning out some two hundred tons of pig metal per week, which is shipped to the Cambria Iron Works, at Johnstown. All the cars, and in fact almost everything needed about the works, are manufactured by the company. Maj. S. S. Barr, an old resident of Hollidaysburg, is weighmaster for the company, and has charge of the stock, of which there is a large amount. Michael Lyons, one of the muscular men of Blair, is foreman of the blacksmith shop. I ought to speak of Simpson, Cruse, and others, but the train is pulling out and I must be off. - J. S. S.
FROM SEMI-OCCASIONAL.
A Visit to Our Schools - Semi-Occasional Makes an Unattractive Speech
- Music - Ferocious Dog - Eggs, &c.
Special Correspondence of the Tribune.
SABBATH REST, March 30, 1874.
OUR SCHOOLS.
The common school system of Pennsylvania, while it might perhaps admit of some improvement, is nevertheless admirable in its influence and effect, and its merits far outweigh its defects. A visit to several of the schools of this township has confirmed my opinion of their good management, and the efficiency of their teachers. The school at Bell's Mills, taught during the term, just closed by Miss Kate Stewart, will be re-opened shortly for the summer, by the same teacher, which of itself bears testimony that she has performed her work in a satisfactory manner. The school at Smith's, formerly known as Krydler's, finishes its winter term to-morrow. The teacher, Mr. W. C. Reem, has already been solicited to return to the same field of labor next winter.
AN HOUR IN MR. REEM'S SCHOOL.
An hour pleasantly spent in Mr. Reem's school room, impressed me with the changes wrought by time, since I, as a pupil, was incarcerated in this rustic temple of knowledge. The many new and strange names responded to at roll call, were evidence of an almost new generation that has peopled the valley, since I drank at this Pierian spring. And looking over the smiling faces present, I was reminded of the schoolmasters of my boyhood days, who have passed out into active spheres, and are battling with the stern realities of life, or working on the railroad, with eight hours a day and ten per cent. off. A few, who were ambitious, and energetically burnt the midnight kerosene, have arisen to eminence, and now hold proud positions as Justices of the Peace, or sewing machine agents, while several, whose prospects were once bright and characters unsullied, have forgotten the principles which were instilled by pious and conscientious teachers, and are eking out miserable existence as members of the State Legislature at Harrisburg. One intelligent lad, who was the envy of his schoolmates, because he always brought half- moon pies for dinner, has, I am pained to say, gone to New Jersey, where, however, by strict economy and attention to business, he has, in a few years, managed to save about thirty-thousand dollars, out of his salary as a railroad conductor. Another who had designed to fit himself for the ministry, that he might sail for Afric's sunny strand, changed his mind, and now feels happy in the occupation of rafting saw-logs out of Clearfield county. Thus each one is filling the sphere for which his talents and education have best fitted him.
COURTESIES OF THE SCHOOL ROOM.
When a visit is made to a country school, it is customary for the teacher to extend to the visitor the courtesy of an invitation to "make a speech" to the scholars. This always gratifies the scholars, because it gives them a short cessation from intellectual labor, and affords an opportunity to the flaxen-haired youth, on the rear seat, to stick a pin into his neighbor as a punishment for the slanderous remarks that he "couldn't chaw gum drops." It also permits undeveloped Goughs to ventilate their eloquence before an audience, who are not apt to be very critical.
THE SPEAKER STARTLES THE SCHOOL.
Modesty prevented me from speaking my piece before a worthy co- visitor had relieved himself of the Chesterfieldian address, which, I knew, had, for half an hour previous, been undergoing the process of generation in his oratorical steam chest, or words to that effect. With a fluency of language, and looseness of gesture, which has seldom been equalled, and never excelled, by any ordinary Dan. Dougherty, my colleague frightened those children into respectful silence and attention for at least ten minutes. His reference to the fact that the President of the United States was, in his youth, a boy, was received by the male portion of the school with varied emotions; and one boy was, as thought, moved to tears, but the teacher explained that the boy had a bad cold, which accounted for the free use of his handkerchief.
A SPEECH THAT WAS NOT INTERESTING.
At first it flashed through my mind that once upon a time I had heard, in some school address, about the President having been a boy, but the earnestness of the speaker, and the curl of his mustache, forbid any assumption on my part that this beautiful idea was not original. I followed this master-piece of eloquence, with a short dissertation on what I know about other people's farming, but I found that the boys had all made up their minds to be President some day, and hence were not interested in agricultural subjects, and the girls all expected to marry doctors, lawyers or preachers, and therefore, failed to interest my hearers. The uppermost thought in the minds of the children just now is the last day of school. The country youth is always sure of two days of blissful happiness in each year, the one when the school closes, and the other when the circus comes. I know how it was myself.
VOCAL MUSIC.
Professor Jones of Sinking Valley will, on Thursday evening next, make an effort to raise a class in vocal music in Smith's school house. He has, I understand, taught with considerable success in the valley.
ATTACKED BY A VICIOUS DOG.
Wilson Beegle was attacked by a ferocious dog last week, and had his feelings and his clothes badly lacerated. It was too soon after Conference for Mr. B. to indulge in language adequate to the injuries received, and so he sought relief in porous plasters and arnica.
ABOUT EGG STORIES.
David R. Patton has contracted with two buff Cochin chickens, to beat your Siamese Twins and Bedford county egg stories. To prevent the chickens from becoming discouraged, he has loaded them down with cross-ties until the job is completed. - SEMI- OCCASIONAL.
Altoona Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Thursday, April 2, 1874, page 3