Blair County PAGenWeb

Blair County Newspaper Articles

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

Items from The Morning Tribune, Altoona, Pa.,

Wednesday, December 31, 1879

LOCAL AFFAIRS.

Interesting Rent Case.

About September 1878, Forest Maguire rented the property of Mrs. Ann Tierney, situated on Seventeenth street between Eleventh and Twelfth avenues. Last night suit was brought before Recorder Greevy to obtain judgment to eject him. The facts of the case were as follows: He rented the house at a certain figure per month, thereby making him a yearly tenant. Three months prior to the end of the year he was notified to make a new agreement. This he failed to do. The owner then brought suit to dispossess him. On the eve pending these proceedings the owner, through her son, Dr. J. L. Tierney, offered him the house for another year at an increased rent. He accepted verbally, but refused to sign the article two days later. Since that time he has held possession, and paying rent at the rate for the first year. This being but part payment was received under protest. At the end of a month proceedings were brought for arrears of rent, but this failed. A suit, the present one, was brought as above. The owner proved the lease, the three months' notice, the non-payment of rent, and the serving of the thirty days' notice to dispossess for arrears. The recorder heard the case Monday night, at which the plaintiff established all the points save the last, which was defective on account of there being no copy produced. The recorder continued the case until last evening that the plaintiff might produce the missing thirty days' notice. This was forthcoming. The defendant endeavored to establish the fact that the postponement of the ejectment proceedings, by which he held over for about a week, gave him lawful possession for another year at the rate of the first year's rent.

A Lively Time in the Alderman's Office.

Yesterday at two o'clock was the time set down for the hearing of Thomas Duke, who is charged with beating his wife and doing divers other wicked things. To say there was a lively time around Alderman Blake's office is putting it mildly. There was a regular free circus, in which audience and all took part, and it was impossible to maintain order. It started by Mrs. Duke talking too much. She told Tom right out loud that she'd squeal on him in regard to some little irregularity if he did not behave. This angered him, and picking up a chair, he struck her a severe blow over the head with it. The Alderman and his assistants subsided him for the time being; but her tongue was the best illustration of perpetual motion we ever heard. Never a minute did she stop, and the powers that be gave her an opportunity to air herself on the sidewalk. But stay out she wouldn't, and all the court had to do was grin and bear it. But he was not through with Tom yet, and informed that gentleman that he might have his choice of paying one dollar fine or residing for a few days in the lock-up for contempt of court. His friends paid the fine. He was then put under bail on the other charge to appear at Hollidaysburg Quarter Sessions to answer.

UNDER THE HAMMER.

Sheriff Stiffler's Last "Going-Gone" Over the Unfortunate.

Sheriff Stiffler will sell the following properties at the Court House in Hollidaysburg, Friday, January 23, 1880, at 10 o'clock A.M.:

ALTOONA.

Property of Margaret Snyder and P. J. Malone, 8th avenue, between 17th and 18th streets.
Property of James Farrell, north side of 5th avenue.
Property of Peter Munday, in Lloyd's addition, on 5th avenue.
Property of Philip Call, east side of 7th avenue.
Three properties of Henry Elway, situate on the west side of Oak street, between 25th and 26th streets; northwest side of 7th avenue, between 21st and 22d streets, and 8th avenue and 9th street.
Property of Caroline Horlacher, now Hilter Schmidt, on 14th avenue, between 11th and 12th streets.
Property of John Rockett and F. P. Tierney, 11th avenue and 16th streets.
Four properties of F. A. Shontz, situate on corner 5th avenue and 15th street; 6th avenue and 20th street, and vacant lots on 4th avenue, between 14th and 15th streets.

TYRONE.

Property of John S. Purdue on Main and Blair streets.
Property of Porter Bateman on Washington avenue.
Property of Rosan Heverly, south side of Glenn avenue.
Property Charles McDonald, on Main street.
Property of Thomas McCann, southeastern side of Lyon street, East Tyrone.
Property of John Maloney, being lot F.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Property of Thomas Collins, in Logan township.
Tract of land, containing 48 acres and improvements, of John Troxell and D. B. Weaver, executors of Jacob Burkett, in Logan township, adjoining lands of Peter Good and others.
Tract of land of Peter Munday, containing 300 acres and improvements, in Allegheny township, adjoining lands of Baker's heirs and others.
Tract of land of David Hamilton, containing 13 acres and improvements, in Snyder township.
House and lot of Andrew Schroyer, in Millville, Logan township.
Tract of land of Robert Stewart, containing 278 acres and improvements, in Catharine township, adjoining lands of Mrs. J. H. Patterson and others.
House and lot of Joseph Sasher, in the Northern Liberties, Hollidaysburg.
Tract of land of E. B. Reese, containing 7 acres and improvements, in Logan township.
Tract of land of J. T. Brooks, containing 110 acres and improvements, in Blair township.
House and lot of T. W. Grabill, in Huston township.
Tract of land of Samuel Milliken, containing 160 acres and improvements, in Antis township.
Properties of James Stevens, consisting of house and lot in Martinsburg; 9 acres of land in North Woodberry township, known as the brick yard; the Joseph Kemp tract of 100 acres in Juniata township; tract adjoining the above and lands of Otho Sill and others, with improvements; 100 acres of land in Juniata township bounded by lands of C. Lingenfelter and others, with improvements, and tract of 161 acres and improvements in the same township, adjoining lands of Thomas Wilt and others.
Tract of land of William and Elizabeth Slogenhop, containing 7 acres and improvements, in Tyrone township, adjoining lands of Robert Morrow and others.

A Handsome Present.

Mr. John A. Lingenfelter was the successful competitor for a diamond horseshoe scarf pin, given to the agent who sold the greatest amount of the celebrated "Horseshoe Tobacco" during the past year. He had ten competitors, whose field of sales embraced the States of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, Maryland and Delaware. John distances them all, his sales running into more than a million pounds. The pin is a very handsome one, and he is justly proud of his success and premium. The "Horseshoe Tobacco" is the finest manufactured and commands ready and large sales.

Sprained His Foot.

B. B. Halfpenny, a gentleman from Bellwood, met with quite an unpleasant accident yesterday. He was riding around the streets of Altoona when he jumped from the wagon, and gave his ankle a bad sprain. He was taken to the White Hall Hotel, where a physician examined and dressed the foot. In the afternoon he was removed to his home in Bellwood.

A Card.

EDITORS TRIBUNE. - The name of Mrs. Harry Bowers has been unpleasantly connected with the accident which caused the death of Mrs. Thomas Woods. As the husband of the deceased, after careful research, I desire to exonerate the lady from all blame. - THOMAS WOODS.

FROM HOLLIAYSBURG.

Jesse Wingate slaughtered two 7-months-old pigs that made him 500 pounds of meat, lard and sausage.

Six young men were bound over by Justice Fleisher in the sum of $200 each, to answer at the next Quarter Sessions, for stopping the Christmas festival held in the colored church.

Master Briggs Brotherline found a small tortoise yesterday. It was as active and lively as if sporting in its natural element in the warm summer.

Mook Mckee is a dangerous man to put under the influence of gas. It only arouses the dormant lion that lies in his usually quiet breast, and makes him smash things generally.

On Christmas Mr. Harvey Campbell, the gentlemanly conductor on the Williamsburg train, marched his crew up to "Reed" and treated them to a first-class oyster supper, and wound up with a genuine Havana puff all around.

RESUMED OPERATIONS.

The repairs have been finished at the Gaysport foundry and machine works and work will be resumed in all the various department to- day.

SUITS SETTLED.

The suit brought against the party of young men who were engaged in the row at Greenawalt's saloon on Friday night was compromised, as also were the suits against Greenawalt for selling liquor on Sunday and to minors.

THE COMING MAN.

Dr. J. A. Rohrer appears to be the booming Republican candidate for Legislative honors on our side of the county. Should the Doctor get the nomination the "unterrified" may as well hang their harps on the willow, as he will be elected by an old fashioned Republican majority.

ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH.

Among the attractions of the festive week, the St. Michael's Church festival is proving one of the greatest. On the contest for the gold- headed cane we understand Mr. Andrew Beyers has the inside track, his friends having subscribed over one hundred and twenty-five dollars.

A RELIC OF THE REBELLION.

Mr. P. F. Bradley showed us a Confederate bond, No. 326, third series, issued under act of the Confederate Congress, February 17, 1864, payable on the 1st day of July, 1864, for $500 with interest at 6 per cent. To the bond are attached sixty $15 interest coupons, thirty of which are now due. The whole making a sheet 18 by 30 inches. It was engraved by J. Archer at Richmond, and printed by Evans & Cogswell at Columbus, South Carolina. A notable feature is a figure of Justice on one end and of Liberty on the other.

FROM SINKING VALLEY.

A wedding in the "Kettle" was the sensation on Christmas. Mr. Thomas White is a double man now.

James H. Wilson is the owner of a wee pig with three ears - two on the right side of the head. How is that for a curiosity?

Mr. John Smith walked from Arch spring to Union Furnace, distance two miles, in eighteen minutes by the watch. Well if John couldn't do it no other Smith could.

Mr. George Ermine burned a pit of lime, which panned out two thousand bushels of first class lime. This may be considered a large yield, but nevertheless it is correct to the letter, and he purchased the coal from James Hughes, of Altoona, to burn it with.

Watson Isett is the awfulest man to put away cider in this section. To see him drink you would wonder where it went to, as he is not a tall man but of a reasonable breadth, but his expansion is beyond limit especially when the cider is brought out. He enjoys the very best of health, but complains at times of feeling a fullness as if he was attacked with dropsy. 'Tis not dropsy, however, but whole tinfulls of cider that 'urts 'im.

SIGNS OF A HARD WINTER.

The indications for a hard winter are still booming. The muskrats, it is said, are lining their nests with cotton; the turkeys are having their lives insured; Major Fleck is having his shirt collars made long enough to button over his head; he has likewise had his mule's tail and ears done up in long straw, and has the pump carefully wrapped with a woolen blanket; the old bachelors are laying in a supply of feather beds, and the old maids - well, we hardly know what they are about to do, but suppose they will get married if a good chance should happen to freeze onto them; and finally, what fully satisfies our mind that the winter will be an extreme hard one, is that the ladies have purchased wee fur caps that cover about six hairs, and that right on the top of the head, and have hung their ears out to freeze early in the season, and then to have them thawed out by laying them close against the warm cheek of some nice young man. But such is life, and why not enjoy it?

BUTCHERING FROLIC.

Not long since we sharpened up four old and rusty knives preparatory to help James H. Wilson butcher. After partaking of a scanty breakfast - as we did not wish to crowd our limited space, but keep a good opening for dinner - we started for the place of carnage. It was not long after our arrival - for the boss butchers, Smith and Meadville, were on the sod - until we proceeded to business which was to slaughter five large porkers - three hundred pound fellows. Mr. Wilson, being the best workmen, was detailed to do the shooting, while we was to skirmish around and cut off the jugular. Captain John Smith, - not the same fellow that hugged Pocahontas - and Lieutenant Meadville was ordered to the rear, and the line of march was taken for the hogshead quarters. 'Twas not long until the mudlarks were all taken prisoners and hung with their tails pointing in the direction of the North start. Orders were received from headquarters that dinner was ready, so were we ready. After dinner the victims were cut down and placed in winter quarters, and we left the scene of carnage, each one taking with him about ten feet of dose sweet rolls of minced meat stuffed into a skin and most vulgarly called "sassage," which Mrs. Wilson had by some means or other securely tied up and placed in our care to take home to our baby and our frau. Days of such a nature do not come often, but when they do, and we are forced to be a helper, we could with no better enjoyment than to assist Mr. Wilson, butcher, as he never kills but the best of porkers. Fact.

FROM ELDORADO.

Mr. Trevan Buck and family are visiting relatives in McKeesport and vicinity.

Mrs. McGraw is one of those good ladies of which every generation produces some examples, and of whom naught but praise can be spoken. As a cake baker she's hard to beat, and has our thanks for a specimen.

FAMILY REUNION.

The family of Mr. Joseph Burns purpose having a reunion on New Year's day, it being the thirty-fourth anniversary of their first dinner eaten in their present home. To see a family of twelve children, all together without the loss of one, is certainly a curiosity. This is one of the houses over which the angel of death has not passed. How many others are there in Blair county?

SLAIN BY CUPID.

Cupid's darts have been flying thick and fast, but only one victim seems to have been slain in this community. On Christmas eve, Mr. James McClosky led to Hymen's altar Miss Esther Miller, and the twain were made one flesh by Rev. Barron. May their bark be launched in a peaceful stream and moored without a ruffle in some beautiful haven. Who'll be the next?

Married.

ROOT - FLECK - At Tyrone, on December 25, by Rev. J. H. Walterick, Mr. Lemuel A. Root to Miss Ella E. Fleck, both of Blair county, Pa.

Died.

RINKE - In this city, on December 30, Philipine Rinke, aged 19 years and 6 months. The funeral will take place from the residence of George Boekel, Fifth avenue and Nineteenth street, at 2 o'clock P.M., on Thursday.

KEARNEY - In this city, on December 30, at 3 o'clock A.M., of hemorrhage, Thomas Kearney, in the 59th year of his age.

CITY AND COUNTRY.
Things Briefly Told.

Mr. George Mowery, an old citizen of Williamsburg, died yesterday morning at 4 o'clock. His funeral will take place to-day.

C. B. Sink, of Kent, Ohio, is visiting his son, Mr. A. G. Sink, groceryman, of this city. Mr. Sink Senior has but lately recovered from a severe accident.

The goose bone will hang high at the depot after to-morrow. "Cooney" is hard at work on it, mounting it for the master of the depot, so that the infallible weather indicator may be "known and read by all men." Call over 'Squire Hooper.

Sheriff Stiffler was seen at the depot yesterday, having in charge Sheriff-elect Bell - teaching him the ropes, we suppose. Jimmy will soon be an "ex," but it can be said of him that he has made an excellent official, a faithful servant, pleasant in his intercourse with all classes.

James Condron, who lives on Fifth avenue near Fifteenth street, is lying at his home quite ill. He will be remembered as building the bridges on the Williamsburg branch in connection with John Campbell. His friends, and he has hosts of them, wish Mr. Condron a speedy recovery.

Still Another Walking March.

The members of the Vigilant Fire Company have decided upon a walking match in the Opera House to take place upon February 23, the day upon which Washington's birthday will be celebrated. The proceeds are intended to be for the benefit of the horse fund. The walk will probably be a twelve-hour-go-as-you-please, and the prizes something entirely new in that line. It would be a good plan to have an extra prize for the man who made the greatest distance in the last hour; this would keep the interest from flagging as is too often the case at the close, and keep the men up to their work to the last.

Will Change Hands.

It was yesterday announced on the streets that the Altoona Call was about to change hands. Rumor also had it that the new owner would be Edward B. Haines, formerly of the Banner, of Williamsport. He states that the office will be refitted throughout and the paper run as a railroad journal. The new dispensation will take place on the 1st of January. Mr. Hackett will be retained as local editor and a first- rate one he makes, too. Mr. Buckingham will withdraw. We understand that Mr. Haines has purchased a half interest in the business.

Death of Thomas Kearney.

Thomas Kearney, one of the oldest citizens of Altoona, died at his residence on Fifth avenue, between Fifteenth and Sixteenth streets, at an early hour yesterday morning. He was a man of nearly sixty years of age and had retired from active business some time before. His death was caused by hemorrhage. Mr. Kearney was born near Creeslough, county Donegal, Ireland. For more than twenty years he has been a resident of Altoona, leading a quiet, unobtrusive and dignified life. He was well known to old residents of the East side, and they all knew that no man could truthfully speak ill of him. He was one of those rare men who never allowed an unpaid debt to rest on their conscience. His years of patient industry have provided a sufficiency of this world's goods for his family. On Sunday the holy communion was administered to him, and also his brothers, James and William, his sister, Mrs. Moore, and his wife. He died with an unclouded faith in his Redeemer and his church. May eternal light shine upon him. The remains will be at his late residence until 2 P.M., on Thursday. The funeral services will be held in St. Luke's church, at 2:30 P.M., the same day.

Retired to Private Life.

James Hansom a resident of Eleventh avenue, does no more walk the streets of Altoona, but reposes in durance vile at Hollidaysburg. It is said of James that he walked into the Brant House and struck Martin Tighe in the face without provocation. For this little eccentricity Alderman Rose held him in default of $200, and Constable Dougherty escorted him to the county's free boarding house over the hill. It was not a hansom act, James.

Accounts Filed With the Prothonotary.

The following accounts have been filed in the Prothonotary's office and will be presented to the Court of Common Pleas for confirmation on Wednesday, January 28, 1880:

The final account of Fred. Vogt, assignee of Israel Miller, of Tyrone, Pa.

The final account of James C. Hughes, assignee of Henry Herr and Arabella Herr, his wife, of Altoona, Pa.

The final account of M. E. Buckley, sequestrator of the estate of Mrs. E. A. Fitzgerald, widow of Maurice Fitzgerald.

Punished for Throwing Stones.

Ellsworth Mitchell and John Kuntzman are two little boys who were arrested for throwing stones through the windows of Professor Davis' Business College. The stones came in while the school was in session and created quite a surprise. The boys were taken before Recorder Greevy, who committed them to the lockup.

Notice. [Advertisement!]

As three of the family of Mr. Lance Hammers, on Ninth avenue between Tenth and Eleventh streets, were poisoned by drinking green tea purchased at a grocery store in this city, we feel it our duty again to advise the public in general to buy good uncolored teas such as are generally kept by the American Tea Company, No. 1329 Eleventh avenue, Altoona, Pa. Signed by several physicians.

Increasing Railroaders' Wages.

The Philadelphia Ledger is gratified to note, as another proof of the improving condition of our business interests, that the Pennsylvania Railroad Company proposes in the early spring to advance the wages of its employes. When it is remembered that the panic of 1873 forced upon the different corporations a systematic reduction of compensation of all employes, it is evident that there can be no more striking proof of a turn in the tide than the fact that a company controlling over 7,000 miles of railroad now inaugurates a general advance of wages. Such action on the part of the management of our large corporations must service to strengthen and perpetuate the kindliest relations between employer and employes, as it assures the latter that those who are in authority intend to guard with equal care the interests of the stockholders and those of the men under their control. Concessions in rates that were absolutely necessary to keep the manufacturing establishments of our State in operation during the last six years have prevented the railroads from realizing, until this time, any considerable increase in their net revenue. But it is believed the business of the winter months will show greatly improved returns, and enable the policy above indicated to be pursued with entire justice to all interests.

Fast Running on the Pennsylvania Railroad.

The Cincinnati express on the Pennsylvania railroad leaves New York at 6 o'clock in the evening and reaches Pittsburgh, a distance of 444 miles, at 8:30 on the following morning, and Cincinnati, 757 miles, at 3 P.M., of the same day. The rate of speed, including stops, is about thirty miles an hour between New York and Pittsburgh, and twenty-nine miles an hour between New York and Cincinnati. The distance between Harrisburg and Pittsburgh, 294 miles, is run in seven hours and thirty-five minutes, with three stops, or about thirty-three miles an hour. The fast line to Chicago leaves New York at 9 A.M., Philadelphia at 11:50 A.M., and reaches Chicago at 7:30 on the following evening. The distance is 912 miles, the time thirty-four hours and twenty minutes, and the rate of speed is less than twenty-seven miles per hour.