Blair County Newspaper Articles
News, obituaries, birth, marriage and death notices, by date.
Items from The Altoona Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Thursday, May 17, 1877
TYRONE LETTER.
THE GROWING CROPS - THE GLASS WORKS - REPUBLICAN PRIMARY ELECTIONS -
LOCALITY TO BE CONSULTED.
TYRONE, PA., May 15, 1877.
EDITORS TRIBUNE: - Several of our Sinking Valley farmers report their
corn in the ground. For this early work they deserve praise, but at
the same time they need sympathy, for the present indicates that they
will enjoy the luxury of doing their first work over, and replant
their entire fields with corn. The experience of the past few years
in this country, we think, is convincing of facts sufficient to assist
the most skeptical believer in the early planting of corn, that the
corn planted between May 10th and 25th, is the most likely to produce
the desired result, viz., a good crop. We claim to be right, and
shall continue so to claim, until the contrary is proven.
The business prospects of our fair town, or embryo city, might be better. The glass works has about blown over or gone by. The meeting was called, surplus wind blown off, and speeches made in which it was fully demonstrated that plate glass can be manufactured - can be manufactured at a profit, and can be manufactured at a profit in the United States. It was further shown that works for such purposes can be erected, and can be erected at Tyrone; that a party of gentlemen from Belgium were now in this country and ready to unite their capital with the capital of business men in this section, and go into the business with a positive assurance of success. The sand, lime and coal were shown to be easy of access, and our town to be the most eligible location in the entire length and breadth of our whole land. And the Belgium capitalists were fully satisfied on all these points. Well, a committee was appointed of five, the band played and the meeting adjourned. The committee have never been notified of their appointment, through the blunder of somebody. Time is flying, the Belgium capitalists waiting, and Tyrone is rapidly being distanced by parties and places which present less advantages and less facilities, all because we lack the vim and energy, and are playing the part of drones instead of active, live business men. We may possibly wake up, when it is decided that these works are to go somewhere else. For the sake of our town and county we hope to the contrary, but our fears are excited and there is very great danger of their being realized.
The action of the County Committee of the Republican party on Saturday last has fortunately brought out no more candidates, but we notice increased activity along the whole line. So far, 'tis hard to predict who are the most likely to prove successful. A sorely disappointed set of men in the entire number of candidates (excepting one for each office) 'tis safe to predict, can be found at Hollidaysburg, immediately after the return judges have completed their count of the vote. A careful survey would suggest that the candidates should be distributed evenly over the county. Altoona being unsuccessful last year should have a nomination this. The swarm of candidates for Treasurer forbids the idea of that office going to Altoona; then she should have District Attorney. Martinsburg, representing the south end of the county, and being an unsuccessful contestant for a domination last year, presents a first class man for Register and Recorder, and she being entitled to a nomination, we think her choice should be satisfied. Williamsburg presents the name of one of her best citizens for County Treasurer, and his nomination would be judicious from a party standpoint. We do not wish to be understood to be for the names above suggested. We are for the success of our party, irrespective of men. Hollidaysburg last year was honored by the nomination of Col. Lemon; Claysburg by Capt. Shock; and our own end of the county by Col. Jones, all of whom, while being honored by the party, are an honor to the party and to the locality they represent. We hope each Republican voter will carefully consider his duty to his party at the county primary and vote for none but good and true men and firm, outspoken Republicans. Yours truly, REPUBLICAN.
LOCAL NEWS.
OUR CHIP BASKET.
There was another severe frost on Saturday morning.
'Tis said a wet April and a cool May makes plenty of fruit, grain and hay.
The children of St. John's (Catholic) church will hold a picnic in the City Park on the 29th inst.
The St. Lawrence is externally the handsomest gin mill in the city to entice the unwary Murphyites.
Daniel Vandrew's restaurant was broken into on Saturday and robbed of a lot of confectioneries, etc.
Decoration Day promises to be better observed in this city the present year than for several years past.
The paper mill of Morrison, Bare & Co., at Roaring Springs manufactures 50,000 pounds of paper, it is said, a month.
John Pembrook, a 13-year old colored youth, has been arrested and bound over for firing the Hollidaysburg colored seminary.
By the kick of a horse, a man named McConnell, residing near Newry, had his left leg broken on Monday, at Allegheny furnace.
John Thompson has been appointed postmaster at Ebensburg, Cambria county, and W. _. Wells at Osceola Mills, Clearfield county.
Huntingdon is determined to have the Belgian plate glass works, and is holding meetings over the county to interest the people in her behalf.
Attention is called to the advertisement of Juniata Camp Meeting Association in regard to renting boarding-house, restaurant and other privileges.
D. M. Wise, of Ansonville, Clearfield county, was relieved of a gold watch and chain, on Thursday last, near the Centennial grounds, Philadelphia.
The number of full members and probationers within the bounds of the Central Pa. Conference were 34,840, an increase of 2,799 during the year ending March, 1877.
An old frame house of bad repute, known as the toll-house, located
on Stony Point, Tyrone, was totally destroyed by fire on the 6th
inst., to the joy of better citizens.
James Cross hadn't his leg broken by falling into a coal hopper at
Marysville, last week; only his shin badly scraped was the extent of
his injuries - only that, and nothing more.
Pennsylvania Furnace, Huntingdon county, has extinguished its fires, and will remain idle most of the summer. Chopping wood, coaling, etc., has been suspended indefinitely.
Rev. J. Kistler, pastor of the English Lutheran congregations of Tyrone, Sinking Valley, and Bell's Mills, has tendered his resignation, to take effect on the 1st of October next.
The number of Methodist Sunday Schools in the Altoona District is 97, with a membership of 7,923. The total number of scholars in the entire Conference (Central Pa ) is 41,762.
The various local temperance organizations in Blair county will meet in Hollidaysburg this (Thursday) afternoon at 4 o'clock, to effect a permanent county temperance organization.
John Benton, a Johnstown business man, has failed. Liabilities $27,741,69. Among his creditors are Snoberger & Co., Martinsburg, $16.20, and the Hollidaysburg Iron Co., $526.21.
During the past four years twenty churches and two parsonages have been erected within the bounds of the Altoona District, Central Pa. Conference, eighteen of which are free from debt.
Alexander Rutledge of Williamsburg, is a candidate for County Treasury, and is, we believe, a very worthy man and good Republican, and has never before asked office at the hands of the party.
A number of alleys in this city are in a deplorable condition - filthy in the extreme, and the proper authorities should enforce the ordinance in regard to the same without "fear, favor or affection."
Wm. H. Sherfy, whose death we recently noticed, was the signal officer who sent Sherman's order over the heads of Hood's army to General John M. Corse to "hold the fort," at Alatoona, Georgia.
John Brotherline, Esq., of Hollidaysburg, was arrested and bailed on Monday, on a charge of Mrs. Loomis, one of his tenants in this city, of making improper advances to her. The matter will be sifted at the next session.
Old Jimmy Walls, after an extended peregrination through the eastern portion of the State, has been lodged in the Huntingdon poor house to spend the remnant of his days. Sad fate for one who, a few years ago, was well to do.
On Saturday a workman assisting in removing a house on Seventh avenue, between 22d and 23d streets, gave one of the "jacks" an extra turn, causing the house to fall over on its side, damaging the plastering, breaking the floor, and toppling over the chimney.
The Sunday School of the First M. E. Church has accepted an invitation to participate in the ceremonies of Decoration Day. The United Brethren, Second Lutheran, Second Presbyterian and the Second M. E. Church have also decided to take part in the memorial services.
The building occupied by C. F. Randolph , druggist, and others, on Eleventh avenue, adjoining the Opera House, and owned by Mrs. A. Roush, has been examined by a competent architect and declared unsafe. It is now being strengthened and rendered secure by Mr. J. L. Reifsnyder.
The R. R. Men's Christian Association will hold memorial services in the U. B. Church next Sunday afternoon at 4 o'clock, in memory of Richard Tradenick, an engineer on the Pittsburgh division, who died last week.
The forthcoming (June) number of "Nicholas Minturn," (Dr. Holland's serial story now appearing in Scribner's Monthly) contains an important discussion on the subject which is the theme of the book - namely, the proper treatment of the pauper and the tramp.
George Landis an employe of the lathe shop, while engaged in cutting a leather belt with a pen knife yesterday morning, the knife passed through the material more rapidly than he anticipated, inflicting a severe gash on his breastbone. The wound was dressed by Dr. Ross and he resumed work.
DECORATION DAY. - The third meeting of the memorial association was held Friday evening in the Council Chamber, and quite a number of persons were present. Major Crozier, President, called the meeting to order, and D. H. Munson, in the absence of Captain Johnson, acted as Secretary. The minutes of last meeting were read. D. H. Munson, Chairman of the Executive Committee, was ordered to call a meeting of that committee for the purpose of selecting ladies from each ward to gather flowers, and to call the committee as soon as convenient. Mayor Gilland, Majors Richard Crozier, John R. Garden and George F. Dern made remarks interesting to the occasion. John Alexander represented the A. M. E. Sunday-school, and stated that they would turn out in a body, as some of their race lay in Fairview cemetery. He was requested to invite the Baptist church and Moore's chapel, both colored, to participate, in a body, as well. It was moved that the Secretary of the Association invite all the Sunday-schools and pastors of churches to participate, and that the invitations be written. On motion it was ordered that at the next meeting, which will be held to- morrow evening, May 18th, the election of a marshall shall take place, and it is expected that the various societies, schools and other organizations intending to participate in the day's ceremonies will send delegates to assist in the election. All committees are expected to make their final reports at this meeting. All old soldiers who have not previous to this signed the Memorial Association roll, present and absent, were invited to sign said roll. Several persons signed. The book is in care of Lieutenant Munson, at the TRIBUNE Office, where all old soldiers are requested to call and sign. On motion, adjourned to meet to-morrow evening in the Council Chamber at 7 1/2 o'clock.
I. & D. Rosenthal of the Young America Clothing House, have very generously tendered a silk banner, to be given to the Sunday School which turns out the largest number in the procession on Decoration Day. The banner will be on exhibition at their store, corner Eleventh avenue and Eleventh street, in a few days.
RAILROAD MATTERS. - Mrs. Mary Harkins has been appointed passenger agent at Etna, West Penn'a R. R., vice Miss Laura Funk, resigned.
W. P. Walker has been appointed passenger and freight agent at Bell's Mills, vice B. F. Bell.
J. S. Leffard, of Mill Creek, has been appointed passenger and freight agent at McVeytown, vice George Mitchell, deceased.
Simon P. Waugaman has been appointed passenger agent at Hollidaysburg, vice F. H. Lamborn, resigned.
The passenger agencies at Benfer and Kremer, on the S. & L. R. R., will be closed after June 1st.
A flashing light that indicates the speed and distance of a train, and shows whether it is at rest or in motion, has been introduced as a rear light on freight trains on the Pennsylvania railroad. It is formed of two lights - one red and one white and designed to be placed one on each side of the rear (caboose) car, so that they may be seen in both directions on the line. A simple device for hiding the lights at intervals is affixed to each lamp so that it may be made to "flash" or alternately appear and disappear, and by suitable gearing this is connected with one of the axles of the car. While the car is at rest the lights are steadily visible; when the train moves the lights flash once for each revolution of the wheels, and thus its movement and actual speed can be easily estimated as far as the lights can be seen. Another advantage results from the fact that the white light is visible at a greater distance than the red. The engineer of a following train may from this keep within the limit of a safe distance by keeping the flashing white light fully visible and the flashing red light dim or quite obscure, and by coming to a stop the moment the flashing runs slow or stops and the lights become fixed and steadily visible.
Trains on the road between Lewisburg and Centre Hall, Centre county, will be running by the first of July.
The stockholders of the Sunbury and Lewistown railroad have elected the following officers: President, Aaron Fries; Directors, R. W. Shenk, Josiah Hart, George Shannon, James H. Campbell, George Schnure and J. W. Moffley.
There were a number of suspensions in the shops of this city on Saturday. The clerical, mechanical and laboring force is being reduced at all points between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. These suspensions will only be temporary, and as the exigencies of the company demand the persons now affected will be mainly reinstated.
Major Clark, in addition to his duties as depot policeman, assumes those of gate-keeper, vice Capt. McCaulley, suspended. The Major will prove himself a gentlemanly and obliging officer, which he has always been, and which his long experience about the depot gives every assurance.
The exact length of the Pennsylvania railroad, from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, is 353 1-10 miles, on which there is a mortgage funded debt, bearing 6 per cent. interest, of $54,219, 760, exclusive of a State lien on the public works between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, bearing 5 per cent. interest, of $4,795,101. The authorized capital of the company is $151,700,000, of which but $68,876,200 is paid in and entitled to dividend.
SAD SUICIDE. - Miss Ellen Croft, a servant girl in the employ of the family of N. C. Barclay, Esq., senior editor and proprietor of the Sun, committed suicide on Friday night, by taking strichnine. The immediate cause of her rash act is unknown. Throughout the day she appeared in her usual spirits, and performed her household duties with her customary scrupulousness and cheerfulness. Sometime after retiring to her room Mrs. Barkley was summoned to her bedside and found her suffering from, what she supposed, nervousness, and succeeded in soothing the excited girl, and then went down stairs. Shortly afterward she visited the girl's room and found her in convulsions. Dr. Row was called and prescribed for her. Mrs. Barclay in about an hour afterward, again visited Miss Croft's room, and discovered her either dead or in a dying condition. Drs. Row and Wm. M. Findley were sent for, and on their arrival pronounced her dead and strichnine the cause. On searching among her effects for some clew as to the cause for the commission of the deed, the following note was found in her pocket-book:
I want you to send my things home. I have a silver dollar that is
for my sister Lottie Croft, my lame sister. I want to be laid beside
mother. Lottie, I don't want you to think hard of me.
ELLEN CROFT.
You may send and get printed. I am going home to die no more. I hope
to meet my friends in Heaven. Good-bye sister and brother.
Coroner Humes held an inquest upon the body on Saturday morning, the jury, composed of Messrs. E. L. Russ, W. W. Smith, John Coho, John Ullery, Samuel Ullery and Jacob Holtzman, rendering a verdict "that Ellen Croft came to her death by an overdose of poison administered by her own hands." Miss Croft was about 19 or 20 years old, and quite prepossessing in appearance. Her parents reside at Baker's Summit, Bedford county, four miles from Roaring Springs, whither her body was taken for interment on Saturday afternoon, and which were consigned to their last resting place on Sunday, it being impossible to keep the body longer, as decomposition had rapidly taken place. All stories and surmises for the cause of her untimely self-destruction are simply conjecture, and the mystery will, probably, never be unveiled.
HAUL OF STOLEN GOODS. - On Wednesday of last week, Chief-of-Police Randolph and Depot policeman Clark made a descent upon the premises of Clem Black, of odoriferous fame, whom they wanted on the charge of having more goods in his possession than legally belonged to him. Black was on the alert for the officers, and when they put in their appearance he made good his escape, but they took into custody Clem's sister and conveyed her to the lock-up. The officers searched the house, and were rewarded by finding a large amount of goods which had evidently been stolen, consisting of table cloths and covers, piece of linen, several dress patterns, a quantity of green and roasted coffee, enough tea to do an ordinary family of heavy tea-drinkers about a year, a large stone firkin of lard, lot of tobacco, beans, corn, lead pencils, oil cloth, two or three barrels of flour, with a variety of other articles. Most of this plunder, if not all of it, has been stolen from the cars of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, either in transitu or while lying in the yard in this city. Miss Black was held in $300 bail by Alderman McCormick for her appearance at court, which she secured. The goods are at the Mayor's office, and are sufficient to start a small grocery store. Clem and Harry Black were arrested on Thursday night about 11 o'clock by officer Clark and a posse of men in a stable belonging to J. K. Ely, near Fairview cemetery, and lodged in the lock-up. After a hearing before Mayor Gilland they were in default of $800 bail each, sent to keep company with their mother, who reposes in jail under sentence for receiving stolen goods. It is to be hoped that these raids of the Blacks on the P. R. R. and others will be brought to an end this time, for they have become entirely too monotonous.
MARRIED.
ETTER - CHAMBERLAIN - On May 9th, in Hollidaysburg, by Rev, J. A. DeMoyer, Mr. Wm. Etter to Miss Margaret Chamberlin, both of Huston township, Blair county.
DIED.
DECKER - In Tyrone, on the 7th inst., Mr. Wesley Decker, after a lingering illness from consumption.
PRENGLE - Near Claysburg, May 4th, Miss Sarah Ann Prengle, aged 20 years, 6 months and 8 days.
CROFT - In Leamersville, May 4th, Ettie May Croft, aged 1 year and 4 days.
WIKE - Near Newry, May 5th, Earl V. Wike, aged 2 years, 5 months and 2 days.
CALDWELL - In Frankstown, May 10th, Grace Elma, youngest daughter of Sylvester and Carry Caldwell, aged 7 months and 4 days.
LAUFFER - At Cove Forge, on the 12th of April, Miss Elizabeth Lauffer, aged 20 years, 7 months and 21 days.
Altoona Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Thursday, May 17, 1877, page 3