Blair County PAGenWeb

Blair County Newspaper Articles

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

Items from The Altoona Tribune, Altoona, Pa.,

Thursday, August 1, 1878

JULY COURT.
The Proceedings on Wednesday.

The court convened at 9 o'clock A. M. Two hours of the time was consumed in calling the bar list, hearing motions, and hearing an argument between Messrs. Blair and Cessna in reference to a judgment which one alleged had been paid and the other as stoutly maintained had not.

The trial of the case of the Commonwealth vs. John Nagle was resumed. The Commonwealth desired to produce another witness, but upon permission being given the defense were directed to open their side of the case. Mr. Blair, for the defense, argued that the Commonwealth had failed to make out a case. They had failed to show that any one entered the house of Delozier for the purpose of stealing his goods. They had failed to show that Richard Nagle had lost any money. They could not convict defendant upon his own confession, supposing he made one.

The court, however, decided that the points made by defendant's counsel were not well taken, and Mr. S. M. Brophy opened briefly for the defense, claiming that they would establish an alibi.

The first witness for the defense was George Nagle, father of the defendant, who testified that his son had been working on the 29th of April. He was sent to the house of William Delozier in the evening for the purpose of inviting his uncle Richard Nagle to come and stay with them over night. He returned about 8 o'clock and said his uncle refused to come. Afterwards he went out and the witness did not hear him return, although he found him in his bed in the morning.

Sarah Nagle, mother of the defendant, corroborated the above testimony, and in addition testified that he came home between 10 and 11 o'clock on that night and went to bed. She heard him coming in, asked if that was he, and received an affirmative reply. She is a light sleeper and he could not have left his room or the house without her knowledge.

Sarah Reifsnyder, a rather remarkable witness, corroborated the story of her mother as to the return of defendant to his house between 10 and 11 o'clock that evening. This witness would have been a treasure to the great novelist Dickens. She is afflicted with a chronic headache, is never free from it, and she never sleeps. Two or three times she solemnly reiterated that she never sleeps.

Edward Dunn testified that about the last of April or first of May the defendant asked him for the loan of one dollar for the purpose of taking him to Juniata, where he hoped to obtain work.

Several witnesses testified to the good character of the defendant for honesty.

Mr. Blair for the defendant and Mr. Tierney for the Commonwealth addressed the jury who retired at 4:30 o'clock to make up their verdict, after having listened to a lucid exposition of the evidence and the law by the court. They have not agreed as we close our report.

Commonwealth vs. James Stewart and George W. Driver. Indictment - larceny; carrying concealed weapons. It was charged that defendants had broken into the news booth of the Union News Company at Altoona on the 25th of May last and stolen a pack of cards, a gold watch chain, an overcoat and several other articles. It was shown that defendants had taken the cards to the jail and given them to a female domestic employed there with instructions to hand over to one of their friends therein confined. With a gentleman named Eckels Driver had traded chains, and the particular chain identified by the proprietor of the booth was the one Eckels received. Henry Husfield swore that Driver had drawn a revolver on him. There was no evidence against Stewart on the charge of carrying concealed weapons. The defendants were represented by Mr. Dively. The interests of the Commonwealth were looked after by Mr. Jackson. At the moment of closing this report the jury have not agreed.

Thomas H. Engle was held in his own recognizance in the sum of one hundred dollars to keep the peace toward his parents and all good citizens for one year. We think if he is given half a chance he will.

THURSDAY.

Court convened at 9 o'clock yesterday morning for the purpose of imposing sentences. After the prisoners had been heard through their attorneys the court imposed the following

SENTENCES:

Charles Berkheimer, convicted of carrying concealed weapons, was sentenced to pay a fine of $20 and costs of prosecution and undergo an imprisonment in the county jail for the term of six months.

James Bigley, who pleaded guilty to the charge of larceny, was sentenced to pay a fine of $20 and costs of prosecution and undergo an imprisonment in the county jail for a term of six months.

James Henry, who was convicted of bigamy, was sentenced to pay a fine of $100 and costs of prosecution, and to undergo an imprisonment at separate and solitary confinement, at labor, in the Western Penitentiary, in the county of Allegheny, for a term of one year.

William Watson and David Smith, convicted of larceny, were each sentenced to pay a fine of $15 to Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and jointly the costs of prosecution, and each to undergo an imprisonment at separate and solitary confinement at labor at the Western Penitentiary for the term of three years.

James Stewart and George W. Driver, who were convicted of larceny, were sentenced to pay a fine of $20 each and costs of prosecution, and each to undergo an imprisonment at separate and solitary confinement at labor at the Western Penitentiary for a term of two years.

It should have been said above that the jury in the case of the Commonwealth vs. John Nagle acquitted defendant, while the jury in the case of the Commonwealth vs. Stewart and Driver acquitted the defendants on the charge of carrying concealed weapons and convicted them of larceny.

After the prisoners had been sentenced court adjourned, the week's business having been concluded.

Adjourned court will be held on Monday, August 25.

The following accounts were presented by Prothonotary Stewart on Wednesday evening and confirmed by the court:

Partial account of D. P. Ray, Sr., assignee of the Keystone Manufacturing Company, of Tyrone, Blair county.

The account of John Hurd, assignee of G. W. Woodward, of the city of Altoona, Blair county.

First account of A. K. Bell, assignee of B. F. Bell, of Bell's Mills, Blair county.

The following accounts were presented by Register and Recorder Lingenfelter and confirmed nisi by the court:

1. The account of Michael Bridenbaugh and John B. Fack, administrators of Jacob Domer, late of Antis township, Blair county, deceased.

2. The final account of Adam R. Smith, administrator of Andrew J. Smith, late of Woodberry township, Blair county, deceased.

3. Final account of Isaac Dilling, guardian of Polly Thomas (now Oaks), minor child of Wm. Thomas, late of Huston township, Blair county, deceased.

4. Final account of Isaac Dilling, guardian of Susanah Brumbaugh (now Kensinger), minor child of Samuel Brumbaugh, late of North Woodberry township, Blair county, deceased.

5. Account of Millie C. Maitland, administratrix of John K. Maitland, late of Altoona, deceased.

6. Partial account of S. P. McFadden, administrator of Elizabeth Burns, late of Hollidaysburg, deceased.

7. Partial account of John and Aaron Vanscoyoc, administrators of Stephen Vanscoyoc, late of Antis township, deceased.

8. Final account of R. C. Galbraith, executor of Samuel Gensemore, late of Tyrone township, deceased.

9. Final account of Elihu Crawford and Albert Hileman, administrators of Andrew Hileman, late of Frankstown township, deceased.

10. First and final account of Robert Waring, administrator of John Baughman, late of Snyder township, deceased.

11. Second account of John H. Dilling, executor of George Brumbaugh, late of Huston township, deceased.

12. First and final account of Robert Waring and Eliza Bartol, administrators of Alfred Dale, late of Tyrone township, deceased.

13. Final account of R. A. Wilson, administrator of J. R. Campbell, late of Tyrone township, deceased.

14. Final account of Silas Moore, acting executor of Jesse Moore, late of Frankstown township, deceased.

15. Account of D. S. Longenecker, guardian of Solomon Marker, Jr., minor child of Solomon Marker, late of Taylor township, deceased.

16. Final account of Uriah W. Benton, guardian of Henry and Wm. H. Reffner, minor children of Moses Reffner, late of Hollidaysburg, deceased.

17. Account of G. C. Statler, guardian of Henry C. Funk, minor child of Eliza Caranagh, late of Blair township, deceased.

18. Account of James W. Riddle, E. B. Isett and Martin Bell, Jr., administrators of John Bell, late of Antis township, deceased.

19. Final account of E. W. Kagarise, administrator of Isaac Bowers, late of Taylor township, deceased.

Mr. Lingenfelter also presented the following inventories of goods, etc., which were allowed by the court:

Inventory and appraisement of the goods and chattels which were of W. S. Utts, late of Westmoreland county, deceased, selected and appraised for the use of C. M. Utts, widow of said deceased.

Inventory and appraisement of the goods and chattels which were of Jacob M. Barley, late of Roaring Springs, Blair county, deceased, selected and appraised for the use of Tillie W. Barley, widow of said deceased.

Inventory and appraisement of the goods and chattels which were of James Cassidy, late of East Tyrone, Blair county, deceased, selected and appraised for the use of Charlotte Cassidy, widow of said deceased.

Inventory and appraisement of the goods and chattels which were of Samuel Wistler, late of Taylor township, Blair county, deceased, selected and appraised for the use of Elizabeth Wistler, widow of said deceased.

Inventory and appraisement of the goods and chattels which were of Charles. Coltabaugh, late of Allegheny township, Blair county, deceased, selected and approved for the use of Maria A. Coltabaugh, widow of said deceased.

Inventory and appraisement of the goods and chattels which were of Samuel T. Anderson, late of Altoona, deceased, selected and appraised for the use of Sarah Anderson, widow of said deceased.

Inventory and appraisement of the goods and chattels which were of John Freidenbloom, deceased, selected and appraised for the use of Susannah Freidenbloom, widow of said deceased.

Inventory and appraisement of the goods and chattels which were of John Groom, late of Gaysport, Blair county, deceased, selected and appraised for the use of Mary Groom, widow of said deceased.

Altoona Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Thursday, August 1, 1878, page 1

CITY AND COUNTRY

Men of note - Brokers.

Horses have oat meals.

To destroy weeds - marry widows.

The fishery question - Had a bite yet?

Cool, but not always collected - an ice bill.

The first duty on T - Don't forget to cross it.

Motto for hot nights - Learn to lay bare and wait.

The universal bone of contention - The jaw bone.

Tips have gone out of fashion, but tipplers have not.

The small round turban is again worn by young ladies.

That condolence meeting the other night was a ghastly affair.

Contentment is much better than money, and just about as scarce.

Cross, anchor and heart are blended in a new design for ear rings.

He asked what she'd have, and she yelled, I scream, with delight.

Trout fishing ends with to-day. It should have ended one month ago.

Now put a brass collar on your dog and cut his tail off just back of his collar.

If a bad man desires a change of scene, let him be seen in good company.

A rolling stone gathers no moss, but a rolling pin sometimes gathers hair.

Asparagus is like most sermons. It is the end of it that people enjoy most.

The roof of the First Methodist Church is being reshingled.

Dively is getting to be the Heverin of the legal profession.

J. T. Halsey, of this city, has been granted a patent for railroad signals.

A. J. Riley, Esq., is said to be among the best read lawyers at the Blair county bar.

It is a long time since a term of the Blair county court lasted only three and a half days.

The reunion of the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps will take place at Bellefonte on the 17th of September.

Eli Green, Altoona's fat man, has lost eight pounds in weight during the summer. He now weighs but 404 pounds.

Rev. Father Hickey, formerly connected with the cathedral, Pittsburgh, is lying dangerously ill at Butler, and there seems to be no hope of his recovery.

Col. John H. Keatley, formerly of Hollidaysburg, is the Democratic candidate for Congress in the Council Bluffs (Iowa) district. He has two Republican competitors

The Pottsville Chronicle has a good word to say for Mr. Edward F. Kerr, of Bedford, now corporation clerk under Auditor General Schell, for Congress in this district.

A female infant about twenty months old was found in the rear of the almshouse about 9 o'clock on Saturday morning. The baby was alive, and it was picked up and cared for at the institution.

Parents and young ladies, read the advertisement of Trinity Hall School, Beverly, N. J., and send for catalogue to Miss Hunt, principal.

The Grand Central, Hotel, New York, possesses all the requirements, in size, style, location and appointments of the modern first-class hotel, and keeps its reputation as a model house.

Sleepless nights and cheerless days will be prevented if you use Dr. Bull's Baby Syrup to induce sleep and composure for the baby. Price 25 cents.

The Sinking valley farmers had such an abundant harvest that after stacking all they could outside put the balance in their barns. It is in order now for "Vibrator" to vibrate.

George W. Driver, James Stewart, David Smith, William Watson and James Henry, convicted of different crimes at the last court, were taken to the penitentiary yesterday morning by Sheriff Stiffler.

Frank Kuhn's spitz dog was taken with rabies on Tuesday morning, and had to be shot. An ordinance directing that dogs be muzzled during certain months is on the city's statute books. Will it be enforced?

The attention of parents and guardians is especially called to the advertisement of Jefferson Academy, Cannonsburg, Pa., which will be found in our issue of to-day. It is an old established institution and is well worthy your patronage.

Union line and National line freights on the Pennsylvania railroad will hereafter be run on week days only. The freight coming from the west will not be received in Pittsburgh on Sundays as heretofore. Perishable goods is about all the freight that is run on Sunday at present.

The Philadelphia and Erie Railroad Company make the following exhibit of business for the month of June, 1878:
Gross earnings - $219,024.41
Gross expenses - 182,281.62
Net earnings - $ 36,742.79

Lieutenant Valentine, of this city, who was at the Gettysburg encampment, picked up a relic in the shape of two bullets which had met during the battle, one of which was imbedded in the other. This is the second instance of bullets in that shape being found on the battle-field. Lieutenant Valentine says he would not take $10 for the curiosity.

Sinking valley farmers meditate a harvest home celebration to which the whole TRIBUNE establishment expects an "invite" - to fatten up, you know, after the hot spell. We also expect our granger friends to send a wagon and team over after us and return us home safely. D'ye hear that, Uncle Davy Crawford?

Messrs. Morrison, Bare & Cass, with commendable energy, have cleaned away the debris of their burned chemical building, and on Saturday had the machinery running, which fortunately was not seriously injured. They had a liquor solution used in the manufacture of paper prepared on Saturday evening, as well as lumber on the ground for the erection of a new structure over the machinery. They will not be inconvenienced beyond a four days' stoppage of their paper mill by the recent fire.

Stewart Hitchcock, a blacksmith, 24 years of age, and Mrs. Mary Egle, wife of Charles Egle, a painter, eloped from Renovo the other day. Of course she cleaned out her husband pretty effectually before she left, and may probably come sneaking back to him some day. She is 24 years of age, of German descent, stoutly built, black eyes, and of prepossessing appearance. Hitchcock is five and a half feet tall, thick-set, dark complexion, black curly hair, dark grey eyes and a large nose, with none of the best of characters.

Notes from Hollidaysburg.

"I tell you, gentlemen, there's nothing makes a lawyer dance like the sinews of war!" - F. P. Tierney, Esq.

"It's your idle, drunken, thieving scoundrels; your worthless, roystering vagabonds who infest your towns, who commit burglaries, not your industrious miners." - Hon. S. S. Blair.

Mr. Tierney suggested that the female witness who "never sleeps" ought to join Pinkerton's detectives. She would be peculiarly fitted for a situation among that sleepless and vigilant band.

Hon. S. S. Blair, in his defense of Nagle Wednesday, paid a high compliment to the men who, deep down in the bowels of the earth, dig its mineral treasures for the benefit of others. He said in all his experience he had never met a dishonest miner.

At Monday's session of court Messrs. Lowry Kinkead and Harry Heyer were admitted to practice as attorneys before the several courts of this county. They are young gentlemen of ability, and we wish them the largest success in their chosen profession.

One week ago Thursday George Free, a farmer residing in Frankstown township, went out to his barn to get a piece of tobacco which he had left on the stone wall of the same. While feeling around for the tobacco his left hand came in contact with a copperhead snake and the reptile sunk its fangs into the hand. Proper remedies were promptly applied, and though Mr. Free's arm swelled to three times its normal size the swelling has new subsided and the man is getting well. The snake was killed.

Watchman Houck is responsible for the following tale of two hogs: The hog first was a human who emptied about a slop-bucket full of something that looked like bread and milk and smelled like rot-gut whisky on the steps of Lingafelt's store. The second was a four- footed hog, which in a spirit of true fraternity came along and ate the stuff deposited by his brother. Houck says that five minutes after swallowing the stuff that hog was fearfully drunk, staggering in every direction and finally tumbling into the gutter to sleep off the effects of his debauch.

On the day of the big picnic at Martinsburg a gentlemen who had got full of the picnic - or something else - by 10 o'clock in the morning, while returning to his home fell from his sulky and was apparently badly injured. He was conveyed to the hotel at Martinsburg, and no less than three physicians were called to examine him. They thought him in a very bad way, and after temporarily prescribing for him left with the understanding that they would return on the following morning. They did return, but only to discover that their patient had flown to his home. And now the Martinsburg people are poking fun at the physicians, just as men will do. But wait until they get sick Messrs. physicians; wait until they get sick.

Sheriff Stiffler knocked down two or three properties in addition to those previously sold, on Saturday last. Owing to the fact that the major portion of the sales were postponed until after court had adjourned the presentation of the Sheriff's deeds to the court for confirmation has been postponed until argument court, August 26.

On Thursday last Mr. Robert Wallace, of Duncansville, while shaking hands with a friend named Mitchell was approached from behind by a drunken rowdy named Farmer and knocked down. Farmer, who is a six- footer, was promptly arrested and taken before Esquire Gibboney who, in default of bail, committed him to jail to answer.

Thomas B. Buchanan, of whose serious illness note was made yesterday morning, was dead before the item was written. He died at his residence near this borough at 2 o'clock on Monday, aged nearly seventy years. We are not in possession of much data in regard to his life. He resided in this neighborhood many years, was a faithful member of the Presbyterian Church for nearly all his life, and was a good citizen, loved and respected by all who knew him. With his surviving relatives the community mourns. The funeral services will be conducted by Rev. Mr. Cornelius, of Altoona, in the absence of Mr. Barron, and will be held at 10:30 o'clock this morning. The remains will be laid to rest in the Presbyterian cemetery below town.

DEMOLISHING A CHURCH.

At the west end of Duncansville stands a small church building which, together with the ground, was given some years ago to the citizens by Farmer McCahan to be kept as a free house in which to hold public worship, Sunday school and other meetings, without reference to creed. On Monday night of last week a party of drunken rowdies, who reside in the immediate neighborhood, determined to demolish the building. In accordance with this principle they smashed the stove, furniture, doors and windows. Warrants were placed in the hands of Constable Montgomery, who captured Charles Walker, John Mitchell and Pete Young, at Conemaugh. While they were being brought back Young slipped his handcuffs and made his escape. The other two were taken before Esquire Gibboney and entered bail for their appearance at the next term of court to answer. It is hoped this thing will not be compromised, and that Judge Dean will be given an opportunity to read the sacrilegious youths a short sermon.

BURGLARS ABOUT.

About 12 o'clock on Tuesday night last the servant girls at the residence of Rev. Julius Konzar, of the German Catholic Church, this borough, heard a suspicious noise in the cellar. They were too much frightened, however, to raise an alarm, and the morning's light developed the following facts: The burglars had torn out the brick foundation which supported the cellar door, and through the opening thus made obtained entrance to the cellar. The marks of a chisel upon the door leading from the cellar to the kitchen showed that an attempt bad been made to get into the body of the house, but this was abandoned. The burglars took from the cellar some butter, eggs and other provisions, and also some sixteen bottles of California wine, which we presume the reverend gentleman had stored away for church purposes.

About two o'clock on Wednesday morning the domestics in the house of Rev. Thomas Welsh, of St. Mary's Catholic Church, were awakened by a noise and were surprised to observe that a light was burning in the house. They were more valiant than their sisters above referred to, and running to a front window made such an outcry that the burglars, three in number, rushed from the house and up the street in the direction of Allegheny street. One of them seemed to be barefooted. Upon examination it was found that the robbers had been in an upper room of the house and had rummaged around considerably, but as nothing has been missed it is presumed they were frightened away before they were ready to get down to business. Our people, in view of these occurrences, would do well to redouble their vigilance and look well to their bolts and bars.

Death Even in a Clothes-Wringer.

The Ebensburg Freeman says: A half-grown girl employed as a domestic at the Mountain House, Cresson, and whose name has escaped our memory, made a very narrow escape from a shocking death on last Saturday afternoon. She was engaged at the time in scrubbing about the steam clothes-wringer in the wash house, and while intent on her work thoughtlessly approached too close to the rapidly moving machine, a spindle extending from which caught her clothing and was in a fair way to end her mortal career had not her frantic outcries attracted the attention of Mr. Green, the engineer, who reversed the engine just in time to save the poor girl from what in all probability would have been a horrible death. As it was, she had the clothing nearly torn from her person, and her back was somewhat injured, though we believe not very seriously.

Burglars at Work.

When Mr. George Isenberg, who is night despatcher of trains at Fourth street crossing, in this city, repaired to his home on Broad street, near Twenty-second, Thursday morning, he found things upon the inside of his residence in great confusion and a number of articles lying around upon the lower floors. He proceeded to the upper floors, and there he discovered that the drawers of four bureaus had been ransacked and turned topsy turvy, while a trunk belonging to his two sons, who usually slept in an attic, had also been broken open and the contents scattered around the room. Mr. Isenberg, being employed at night, sleeps at his home during the day. Mrs. Isenberg and the balance of the family are visiting friends in Ohio. The gentleman found that every stitch of clothing he possessed - shirts, underclothing, shoes, suits of clothes, and a watch valued at $30 - was gone, leaving him nothing but what was on his back. What the entire loss is Mr. Isenberg cannot tell, as he does not know what articles his wife had packed away. However, a quantity of table linen, bed clothing, etc., he knows has been stolen. He thinks $100 would scarcely cover his personal loss.

The thieves effected an entrance from the verandah through a window. After cutting about the framework for a while they evidently became weary of attempting to get in in that way, and took a shovel and broke out a pane of glass, the aperture thus made being large enough to admit the body of a man. It is not known positively, of course, whether the robbers entered through this hole or by unfastening the window spring. Mr. Isenberg has no clue to the burglars, but he thinks it must have been some parties acquainted with his habits and the absence of his family.

REV. MR. CHICHESTER'S RESIDENCE BURGLARIZED.

The residence of Rev. W. J. Chichester, formerly pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church in this city, now a resident of Titusville and pastor of the Presbyterian Church there, was feloniously entered and wantonly despoiled on Tuesday night. Mr. Chichester and his family are sojourning at Cape May. When it was discovered that the outrage had been committed it was found that trunks and bureau drawers had been emptied and the contents scattered over the floor; the furniture was saturated with kerosene oil and besmeared with salt, sugar and jelly; the bedding was ripped and cut open with knives and the feathers spread broadcast; ink was poured over the carpets, lounges and chairs; the lamps were broken into fragments; a card case and other metallic ornaments, including a fine clock, were twisted out of shape and hurled into the cellar; valuable photographs and pictures were torn to pieces and strewn about; the sewing machine was mutilated, and a family relic in the shape of a silver watch was taken to pieces, the works thrown on a table and the case left on the floor. The walls were defiled by filthy and obscene inscriptions. The house was full of gas caused by leaving a stop cock turned on. The outrage was probably committed out of pure malice, as nothing was removed or purloined from the dwelling.

Fire at Roaring Springs.

The paper mill of Messrs. Morrison, Bare & Cass, Roaring Springs, made a narrow escape from destruction by fire Wednesday evening. As it was, one of the large wings of the main building, known as the chemical apartment, fifty feet in length, was totally destroyed, involving a loss that may exceed two thousand dollars. It is not known positively how the fire originated. A workman thinks a spark from a passing locomotive did the business. But Mr. Bare, from whom we derive our account, is of the opinion that the conflagration was started by the heat generated by the soda-ash. The fire was discovered about half past 10 o'clock, and everything being very dry, a fierce battle raged between the devouring element and the bucket- brigade, for the destruction or preservation of the main building. At one time it was feared that the flames would gain the mastery, but the indomitable perseverance of the employes and citizens finally succeeded in confining the fire-fiend to the chemical building. Should certain machinery be injured in the destroyed building, the loss will be much greater than above stated. This catastrophe will not seriously interfere with the running of the mill, or in the manufacture of paper.

Zack Endress' Exciting Ride.

Thursday Mr. Zack Endress, the well-known butcher, was on his way to his farm, accompanied by a young son, with a basket containing the dinner of a number of harvesters. The two occupied one of Mr. Myers' buggies, and the basket was placed in front of them and against the dashboard. Mr. Endress was smoking a cigar, and by some means-probably dropping fire as he was looking behind - the cushion of the seat took fire and it was communicated to the soft material of the back. A miniature panic ensued, aggravated by the fact that the horse became next to unmanageable and required all of Mr. Endress' attention, and the consequence was that the table-cloth covering the basket was destroyed by the fire and a good sized hole burned in the seat-cushion and the back cushion. Mr. Endress admits that, between the fractious horse and the fire, he was considerably frightened, but says it was more from fear that his little son would get burned or become hurt than on account of actual danger. He finally succeeded in conquering the flames.

Home and Death.

William Grumbling, a former citizen of this place, betook himself to West Virginia in search of a home. He found a locality a few miles distant across the river from Cumberland, Maryland, suited to his tastes, and there erected a dwelling, into which he proposed moving his sisters living in this city. But the other day they received intelligence of his death, which occurred on Sunday last. How he was killed his friends here have not yet been made acquainted. It was a sad blow to them. It was the intention in the first place to bring the remains of the industrious and provident young man here for interment, but the project was abandoned, and they were consigned to the grave where he recently found a home and his death.

Frightful Accident at Lock Haven.

On Thursday evening about 6 o'clock a terrible accident happened at Lock Haven. A freight train that had come over the Bald Eagle road was moving slowly along at the point where the road connects with the Philadelphia and Erie road, when two children, twins, a boy and a girl, between two and three years old, ran under one of the cars with fearful results. The girl's head was severed from her body and the boy's legs were cut off just below the knees. At last accounts the boy was still living, but it is not supposed that he can survive his injuries much longer. The name of the mother of the unfortunate children is Willets. She is a widow lady.

What Others Think of Them.

Thursday morning while standing for a moment on Eleventh avenue, opposite the Logan House yard, a citizen of Philadelphia - a musical critic, by the way - accosted us and inquired whether the band that had played in the Logan House yard the evening previous was from Philadelphia or Pittsburgh.

"Neither one," we responded. "That was the Altoona City Band - all citizens of this place."

"Is that so?" asked the gentleman. "Well, their performance was most excellent. I have heard many good bands in large cities, but I must say I never heard better performance. The time, intonation and accord were perfect, for I listened very attentively to the performance, and could discover no jar or discord."

Our friend was quite enthusiastic in his expressions of the merits of our really excellent band.

New Fee Bill for County Officers.

The new fee bill for sheriffs, prothonotaries, clerks of the several courts and registers and recorders, passed at the recent session of the Legislature, applies to all counties having more than ten thousand and less than one hundred and fifty thousand inhabitants. It made a universal reduction of the fees, and will lessen the value of the several offices to a considerable extent. It will also have the effect of lessening the competition for those offices in future campaigns. Its provisions do not affect present incumbents. The sheriff is affected the most and the recorder and register the least. We see it stated that the reduction in sheriff's fees will be thirty to fifty per cent., and those of the register and recorder about twenty per cent.

Accident in the Machine Shop.

Joseph Kirk, who is employed as a machinist in the "rod gang" at the machine shop, had the main artery of his left arm cut by a piece of babbitt flying off a babbitt hammer, which he was using to drive a bolt out of a rod. The accident occurred Friday morning, and although the wound is not serious it will prevent his resuming work for a short time.

As nearly everything has its humorous side, the above accident was no exception. Mr. Kirk is a "Greenbacker" in politics, and in order to stanch the flow of blood a ten-cent piece was laid upon the wound. It failed to stay the blood, and Mr. Kirk's political friends at once jokingly attributed the failure to his political predilections, and he was advised by others to vote with his old friends - the Republicans - at the coming election.

A Monster Rattlesnake.

There was killed on the farm of Anthony McNelies, near the Buckhorn, a few days ago, a monster rattlesnake. His snakeship measured five feet seven and one half inches, and sported twenty-one rattles, making his age twenty-four years. He had been seen a number of times this season, but always managed to make his escape until now by taking refuge in a pile of stones. He was despatched by P. H. Kelly, of this city, and James McNelies, of the Buckhorn.

Accident to two Altoona Gentlemen.

While Messrs. M. Alexander and H. H. Herr were coming from Hollidaysburg in a buggy Wednesday, and when near the first toll gate, one of the wheels of the buggy came off, causing the horse to take fright and run away. Mr. Alexander was thrown out, while Mr. Herr held on to the lines for some distance, when he too was thrown out and pitched over a fence, bruising one of his arms considerably. The horse ran for quite a distance before he was stopped, breaking the top off the buggy. Neither of the gentlemen were, luckily, seriously hurt.

MARRIED.

STAHL - HAUSER - July 23, 1878, by Rev. Father Walsh, Mr. Frank Stahl and Miss Nellie Hauser, all of this city.

DIED.

LEFF - In this city, July 25, Eddie, infant son of B. F. and S. C. Leff.

BRYAN - At Bell's Mills, on the 22d inst., James Bryan, aged 83 years, 7 months and 21 [24?] days.

GOBRECHT - In this city, July 27, Carl Whitmer, son of Neander A. and Clara J. Gobrecht, aged 1 year, 2 months and 29 days.

LEISENRING - In this city, July 27, Annie L., infant daughter of J. S. and Annie M. Leisenring, aged 8 months and 4 days.

DAVISON - In this city, July 26, Mr. Samuel P. Davison, aged 31 years.

KLINE - In Antis township, July 28, Thomas, son of H. O. and Mary Kline, of Bedford, aged 1 year and 6 months.

Examination of Teachers.

County Superintendent J. H. Stephens announces that examinations of applicants for teachers in the public schools of the county, commencing at 2 o'clock P. M. of the date mentioned, will be held as follows:

Fair Mount school house, August 2, for Logan.
Frankstown, August 12, for Frankstown.
Wolf's school house, August 13, for Catharine and independent district.
Williamsburg, August 14, for Woodberry.
Newry, August 15, for Blair.
Roaring Springs, August 16, for Taylor.
Fredericksburg, August 17, for North Woodberry.
Stiffler's school house, August 19, for Huston.
Freedom, August 20, for Freedom.
Claysburg, August 21, for Greenfield.
Dry Run school house, August 22, for Juniata.

Barn Burned.

The barn of Mr. J. F. Williams, near Martha Furnace, Centre county, was burned about 8 o'clock on Thursday evening. Mr. Williams had just housed a large and valuable crop, which is wholly destroyed, a deplorable ending to a whole year's labor and care. It was the work of an incendiary, and our only regret is that the miscreant was not captured and incinerated with the building and crop.

A Leg and an Arm Broken.

Horatio Riddle, of Lockport, was standing on the railroad track at Derry on Saturday evening engaged in coupling freight cars. He got his right foot fast in a "frog," and by the time he was enabled to extricate it a car came upon him and threw him down. He was not run over, but his left leg and right arm was broken.

The New Silver Dollars.

For the present the following named national banks in Pennsylvania will be furnished by the treasury, upon their application, with the new silver dollars from the mint free of expense: First National of Allegheny, Altoona, Erie, Franklin, Philadelphia, Reading, Sunbury, York; also, the Keystone National at Erie, the Farmers' of Lancaster, the Centennial at Philadelphia, the Corn Exchange at Philadelphia, the Tradesmen's at Pittsburgh, and the Second National at Wilkesbarre.

Dwelling House Destroyed by Fire.

Last Monday week a dwelling-house belonging to Joseph Cramer, and occupied by Mr. John A. Fleck, near Warriorsmark, Huntingdon county, was totally destroyed by fire. Beyond a few articles nothing of consequence was saved from the conflagration, Mr. Fleck not even securing a change of linen. The pipe from the stove ran out at the roof, and it is supposed a spark started the fire. There was no insurance either upon the house or contents.

Altoona Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Thursday, August 1, 1878, page 3