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Blair County Newspaper Articles

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

Items from The Morning Tribune, Altoona, Pa.,

Monday, August 2, 1880

ADDITIONAL LOCAL NEWS.

Saturday Night's Fire.

On Saturday night a general alarm of fire was sounded by the engine whistles and fire bells. It was caused by fire breaking out in the railroad company's Fourth street telegraph office, known as the "G. I." office. The origin of the fire is not known, but it is supposed it was started by a brakeman who was lighting his lamp and who threw a lighted piece of paper on a box filled with oil. This box caught fire all over, and it was thrown out the door by occupants of the office, but not before it set the building afire. In it was about ten gallons of oil. The building was totally destroyed, and as the company wires all ran through it they were burnt off. Five telegraph instruments were inside, and of these three were taken out. Quite a large quantity of clothing belonging to employes was burnt, and these are the persons who will feel the loss heaviest. The engines were all on the ground and did good work. A freight car caught fire but was not seriously damaged.

Decease of a Young Man.

On Saturday morning, at about 9 o'clock, Robert Loudon, a son of John Loudon, died at his parents' residence, Eleventh avenue, near Fourteenth street. Deceased was a young man, only 21 years of age, and was esteemed by many friends. His death was not unexpected, as he was suffering from consumption. The funeral will take place this morning in the First Lutheran Church, to begin at 10:30 o'clock; interment in Fairview cemetery.

The Cat as a Snake Catcher.

A cat belonging to Mr. John S. Laird, of Logan township, a short time since came to the house with a large snake. She held the snake in her mouth near its head, while its body was coiled around the cat's neck a number of times. She laid it down on the floor of the basement, when it immediately formed itself into a coil with its head sticking straight up ready for a spring, when Mrs. Laird despatched it with a club.

Morning Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Monday, August 2, 1880, page 1

CITY AND COUNTRY.
ALTOONA VS. PHILADELPHIA
Saturday's Game of Cricket - The Visitors Victorious by a score of 210 to 76.

On Saturday morning a party of Philadelphia gentlemen, attaches of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, arrived in Altoona, where they had agreed to engage in a friendly combat with an Altoona club on the cricket field. The Philadelphia eleven were made up of members of four Philadelphia clubs, and contained some excellent players.

The field at Seventh street, near the lower shops had been fixed up for the same and was in excellent condition. The wickets. were placed parallel with the avenue. On one side a stand was erected for the accommodation of the ladies and quite a number graced it with their presence. The game began about 10:30 o'clock, the Altoona club first taking an inning. At 1 o'clock they adjourned for dinner, and about 3 o'clock again began, closing at about 7 o'clock. The game was a new one to many of Altoona's citizens and very few of them understood it, although they soon learned enough to make watching it interesting.

The following is an analysis of the game:

PHILADELPHIA - FIRST INNING.

J. C. Sims, bowled by Meade, no runs.
T. H. Dixon, run out, twelve runs.
A. Bussier, caught by Pettit, bowled by Hopkinson, seven runs.
John Scott, bowled by Meade, nine runs.
F. M. Bissell, bowled and caught by Meade, five runs.
J. H. Murphy, hit wicket, bowled by Meade, no runs.
B. Taylor, bowled by Hopkinson, three runs.
J. A. Harris, run out, six runs.
H. Pinckney, caught by Forbes, bowled by Meade, no runs.
J. P. Green, not out, six runs.
D. Blancke, bowled by Meade, four runs.
Extras - Byes, three; wides, two. Total, 57.

SECOND INNING.

J. P. Green, caught Woods, bowled Hopkinson, ten runs.
T. H. Dixon, bowled Hopkinson, five runs.
J. C. Sims, run out, one run.
A. Bussier, bowled Hopkinson, thirteen runs.
John Scott, caught Fowle, bowled Hopkinson, eighteen runs.
J. H. Murphy, caught Pettit, bowled Hopkinson, thirty-five runs.
M. Bissell, caught Moss, bowled: Meade, no runs.
D. Blancke, caught Pettit, bowled Moss, twelve runs.
B. Taylor, bowled Pettit, nineteen runs
J. A. Harris, not out, seven runs.
H. Pinckney, caught Cloud, bowled Hopkinson, no runs.
Extras - Byes, thirteen; leg byes, seven; wides, thirteen. Total runs, 158

ALTOONA - FIRST INNING.

Hopkinson, hit, wicket, bowled Scott, no runs.
Rohrer, bowled Scott, no runs.
Meade, bowled Murphy, bowled Scott, two runs.
Gest, caught Murphy, bowled Scott, two runs.
Wood, caught Green, bowled Scott, two runs.
Pettit, bowled Scott, two runs.
Moss, caught Taylor, bowled Murphy, no runs.
Fowle, not out, four runs.
Fay, bowled Scott, no runs.
Forbes, bowled Murphy, two runs.
Extras - Byes, six; leg by, one; wide, 1. Total, 31

SECOND INNING.

Fowle, bowled Murphy, one run.
Meade, bowled Murphy, twelve runs.
Forbes, bowled Murphy, ten runs.
Hopkinson, caught Taylor, bowled Harris, one run.
Taylor, bowled Harris, one run.
Wood, bowled Murphy, four runs.
Moss, bowled Murphy, two runs.
Pettit, not out, eight runs.
Cloud, bowled Murphy, no runs.
Rohrer, bowled Murphy, no runs.
Fay, caught Taylor, bowled Scott, two runs.
Gest, caught Taylor, bowled Scott, no runs.
Extras - By, one; leg by, one; wides, three. Total, 45.

BOWLING ANALYSIS

A Brazen Thief Arrested.

Officer Westbrook, of Huntingdon, went to Johnstown last Friday in search of James B. Snowden, a young colored individual who recently departed that town after making a raise by the alleged stealing from the Pennsylvania Railroad Company of a number of "brasses" and a quantity of old iron. An information was made against him in Huntingdon, and a warrant for his arrest issued, but James got wind of the matter and dusted. It was suspected by the officer that Johnstown was the objective point to which the accused was traveling, so he went there and secured the assistance of Chief Harris in the search. They found him Friday night in the Wire Works, where he had been employed for a week or so past at the vitriol tubs, and he was placed in durance. On Saturday noon Officer Westbrook and his prisoner passed east on day express.

To Water Consumers.
Persons who have leaky hydrants are hereby notified to have them repaired without delay. The water supply is already rapidly failing and the utmost care must be taken to prevent a water famine. - JOHN A. BAER, Superintendent

HOLLIDAYSBURG HAPPENINGS.
Horse Killed by the Bite of a Snake - The Boys in Trouble - A Brutal Assault.

A fearful number of drunken men were visible on the streets on Saturday afternoon.

A brute in human form, one day last week, who had been fishing at the reservoir met a young lady on McCloskey's ridge and grossly insulted and assaulted her. Her clothing was torn badly in her effort to escape from him.

On Saturday three boys were arrested and brought before Justice Lowry, charged with entering the milk house of Mrs. Wise, at the Reservoir, and drinking all the milk and destroying a crock of butter. They were discharged after a lecture from the Justice on payment of costs.

On Saturday six boys from. 12 to 16 years of age were arrested for knocking down fruit and trespassing on the farm of D. K. Ramey. The prosecutor not appearing at the time appointed for the hearing the boys were discharged. At least one hundred and fifty boys blockaded the street in front of the 'squire's office while the trespassing boys were held in the office.

HORSE KILLED BY A SNAKE.

A few days ago a horse owned by Joseph Barnett, of Juniata township, was bitten by a copperhead snake. After all remedies failed the animal was shot to end its suffering.

A MONSTROUS BASS.

If the bass keep on growing it will be necessary to widen the Juniata for their accommodation. On Wednesday Albert Robeson caught a bass below the reservoir twenty-two and a half inches in length and weighing seven pounds eleven ounces. Mr. Robeson's statement is verified by Mr. George Ulery, who was present and saw it landed.

CANINE MADNESS.

The other day a young hound, owned by Lindsay Bros., tin and sheet iron workers, on Allegheny street, attempted to fasten his venomous fangs in the flesh of his owners while suffering evidently from an attack of rabies. Mr. Lindsay escaped from the yard where the dog was confined and immediately shot him.

WILLIAMSBURG WAIFS.
Baggage Master Harlin Happy - On a Serenading Tour, Etc.

A Hancock and English Club was organized here on Saturday evening.

The Tussey Mountain Coon Club do not intend having a picnic on the 25th inst., all other reports to the contrary notwithstanding.

Winfield Scott Hancock Harlin is the latest addition to the Democracy, and baggage master Harlin is consequently happy. Its weight is 11 pounds.

The Blue Juniata has never been known to be so low as at present. Cove forge had to suspend operations on Friday last on account of the scarcity of water.

Will Blackburn will arrive home to-day from Pittsburgh to spend a week with his friend, Will Fay, before his (Fay's) departure for Wyoming Territory.

Mr. M. Kinkead, the senior member of the great flouring and grain firm of this place, accompanied by his wife, spent the Sabbath at Martinsburg, a small village in the southern part of the county.

A 5-year-old son of Henry Crawford, who lives near Cove Forge, caught a four-pound bass on Thursday, of last week. He did not pull it out, but marched back until he dragged it on to the bank.

We are pained to be called again to announce that death has entered the family of Conductor F. A. Campbell, of the Williamsburg branch. It is but a short time since that his mother and a twin child died, and now the other twin has also died after a painful illness, aged 4 months and 10 days.

OUT SERENADING.

The Cornet Band - and we hope the readers of the TRIBUNE will pardon us for mentioning this excellent organization so often, but the fact is they are a source of so much pleasure and pride to our citizens that we cannot forbear - gave the citizens of Cove Forge an elegant serenade on Friday evening last.

A CONSCIENCE-STRICKEN TURKEY THIEF.

A man who resided in Williamsburg about sixteen years ago, was here recently on a visit, and during his stay he gave a gentleman of this place $2.50. The gentleman asked what it was for as he recollected no debt that the man had contracted with him, when he was informed that sixteen years ago he had stolen a turkey from him and that he thought it time to pay for it. If that gets to be the general practice some farmers about here will get rich.

Morning Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Monday, August 2, 1880, page 3

CITY AND COUNTRY.

Things Briefly Told.

Three car loads of emigrants on Saturday afternoon.

The Cambria county argument court will convene to-morrow.

Forty-eight persons have already joined the Eighth ward club.

To-day our citizens will decide upon the water loan question.

John Stehle is about erecting a brewery on North Eleventh street, it is said, for a prospective son-in-law.

The Empire Hook and Ladder Company contemplate the purchase of a pair of horses to haul their truck.

Misses McFarlane and Irvin, of Bellefonte, are spending their vacation with their schoolmate Miss Allie Morrow, of this city.

After their game of cricket on Saturday, the Philadelphia club paid a visit to Cresson and the next morning made the trip to Lloydsville.

Uncle Davy Crawford, of Sinking Valley, has a three-legged chicken. The bird is two months old. The deformity was only recently noticed.

Johnstown has what Altoona has not - an excellent market. For a city its size and under, Altoona has the poorest market in this broad land.

Mr. D. G. Hackett, for a number of years an attache of the Tribune office, will leave for his new home at Fort Wayne, on the Chicago express this afternoon.

A child named Annie Carroll, (?) whose parents reside at Ninth avenue and Seventeenth street, was lost early yesterday morning, and had not been found at dark last night.

"Cooney," of the McVeytown Journal, will run his "boss" soda fountain at the Juniata Valley camp meeting, and all the thirsty, he says, can get a cool drink, but not without price.

The grasshoppers in Sinking Valley have been and are yet very numerous. The corn fields show their ravages, the blades looking as though they had been riddled by a hail storm. The tops of the maturing ears are eaten square off.

Wilmore, Cambria county, has been frequently visited by burglars lately. On Friday the house of Mrs. John Evans was entered in her absence, but she returned while he was at work and frightened him away.

Notwithstanding the copies showers of rain that have fallen in this latitude during the latter part of last month, the ground is very dry and farmers find it difficult to play a stiff sod. They sigh for rain and plenty of it to enable them to make ready for the fall sowing.

A boy named Clark fell off a shifting engine, near the warehouse on Saturday night, and came near being made into mince meat. He reached back of the engine to uncouple a car which it was pushing, when the air brake was suddenly put on. The sudden jar rolled him off onto the track.

Mr. Tom Mulligan, an old Altoona boy, visited his friends in this city last week. Tom is now train despatcher at Renovo, and as he is a young man of decided ability, good judgment and excellent social qualities this is but the stepping-stone to something higher up, which he will get some of these days.

An accident of a serious nature occurred at Confluence, Somerset county, on Friday, to Mr. R. J. Voight, traveling salesman for Chambers & Son, proprietors of a woolen mill at Greensburg. The horse which he was driving took fright and ran off, when the occupant of the vehicle was thrown out. His injuries are considered very dangerous.

On last Sunday Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Hughes, living on Seventh avenue and Twenty-second street, followed to the grave an interesting little son, aged 9 years, and on Friday evening death claimed another child, a dear little daughter. Her funeral took place on Saturday afternoon. The sympathies of friends and acquaintances are extended to the bereaved parents and family.

Unfortunates Before the Mayor and Aldermen.

Four railroad trespassers were on Saturday morning arrest by Officers Jones and Corkle at the lower end of the yard. Alderman Rose sent them to Hollidaysburg jail for ten days each.

On Saturday a glib-tongued woman named Caroline Keegan, of Ninth avenue and Fourteenth street, was arrested and taken before Alderman Rose on a surety of the peace charge. She was locked up as she could not furnish bail.

Street Commissioner Rocket was on Saturday before Alderman Rose on a charge of assault and battery, preferred by a Mr. Cahill. There will a hearing in the case this morning.

Early yesterday morning a drunk was picked off of Tenth street by the night police and taken to the lock-up. The Mayor released him last evening.

Policeman Hamlin yesterday picked up a dirty little bootblack at the depot on the charge, as he expressed it, of "general orneriness." The boy was put away for a few hours, and as he was willing to behave himself in the evening was turned loose.

THE HARVEST HOME.
Annual Celebration at Arch Spring - Speeches, Music, Big Feast, Amusements and a Good Time Generally.

Upon the invitation of Uncle Davy Crawford and Mr. John A. Crawford, of Sinking Valley, a couple TRIBUNE representatives found themselves at Arch Spring on Saturday as guests at the farmers' annual harvest home celebration in connection with the Arch Spring Sunday school. There were somewhere between five hundred and one thousand persons assembled in the beautiful grove adjoining the Arch. Everything was in ample preparation for the amusement and refreshment of all present, and which was creditable to the kindness and hospitality for which Sinking Valley people are proverbial. Pending the speaking, and the serving of a sumptuous feast, the grove was made to resound with excellent music from a violin with organ accompaniment, skillfully manipulated by Miss Morrow. The long metre doxology was sung, which gave notice to the people that the praise and thanksgiving exercises which had called them together was about to begin. Rev. Dr. S. T. Wilson then made a brief, pointed and appropriate address, embodying in his remarks the marriage relation, the home, and agriculture, dwelling more particularly on the latter subject. He said Adam was a farmer, being placed in the garden with orders to dress and cultivate it. His ideas of the original garden had undergone a great change since his boyhood days, when he looked upon it in the light of an ordinary garden. The Edenic garden had expanded with his growth. Noah was a farmer, and cultivated the vine, which was all well enough, but when he expressed the juice of the grape and became drunken on it, it was not so well. From that day forward a great curse had been inflicted upon the world through the products of the vine and of the soil. Boaz was a farmer, and so was Elisha, who was called from the plow. Washington was an extensive farmer, so were other distinguished men whom he might name. In citing these cases the speaker's object was to show the nobility of agriculture from the earliest period of the world's history to the present.
We are met here to-day, said Mr. Wilson, as a company of farmers, of farmers' wives, sons and daughters, to celebrate this harvest home; to render to God praises and thanksgivings for the abundance with which He had crowned the harvest of the present year. The tendency of the young men to-day was to forsake the occupation of their fathers, abandon farming and rush into other pursuits which were beset with great dangers and temptations, and too often led to the destruction of their moral and social well-being, and blasted what otherwise would have been a peaceful, happy and contented life. He earnestly impressed upon the young men and boys the duty of sticking to the acres of their fathers. In tilling the soil they had the noblest and grandest pursuit - one, perhaps, that did not bring untold wealth the most rapidly, but brought it nevertheless most surely in a pure conscience, a peaceful mind and a solid competency. You are feeding the world. The TRIBUNE this morning tells you this. What more honorable position, what grander calling, what nobler duty than this of supplying bread to the hungry, and the perishing?

Now a word to the fathers. Open your houses, fathers. Don't close the blinds of your parlors, or shut them up in darkness. Don't close them. Bring in your sons and daughters. Open them up. Make them bright places. Don't be afraid the sun will take the bright colors out of the carpets. Better these come out, than the brightness of your children should perish. Fill your parlors with good books and newspapers like the MORNING TRIBUNE. Open them up. Bring in music. Without something to amuse them at home, they seek companionship at the village store, and find amusement in forbidden paths. Soon they lose the restraints of home and find company which leads them into habits detrimental to their usefulness and happiness. Bring in music. Keep them at home; afford them home amusement. Music is an element that binds them to home. I desire to bear my testimony to a home in the country. If I had my choice to-day I would prefer the home-life of a farmer to one of the richest palaces in any of the metropolitan cities; yea, a home on a farm in Sinking Valley with my boys in preference to any place in this great and prosperous country.

Rev. M. N. Cornelius, of the First Presbyterian Church, of this city, followed Mr. Wilson in a very brief, humorous speech, intended particularly for the "small boy." He told them something about a "cowcatcher," but the reporter could not catch his remarks, and evidently the speaker designed that he should not, for he manifested secret satisfaction at the reporter's discomfiture in the attempt. In his concluding remarks he showed pretty conclusively what was uppermost in his mind - something to eat, for he advertised Si Fries, who was present, and told them he could furnish them with cooking stoves, pots and pans. He appealed to the "small boys" if they did not know him, and know also that if he did not like to get out among the farmers. He could always get something good to eat among the farmers of Sinking Valley, and he was going to come to Sinking Valley to get it whenever he got hungry. At this the speaker cut short his remarks, for he steadily kept an eye in the direction of the place where the ladies were making preparations for the feast. The moment they were finished the speaker collapsed. He had no stomach for words but great capacity for refreshments. The Sunday school was formed in procession and marched to the tables, which were laden with an abundance of good things such as the farmer wives and winsome daughters of the valley know how to provide. The repast was all that could be desired, of which every one partook with downright satisfaction. The remainder of the day was spent in playing croquet, pitching quoits, social conversation and music, while others improved the time in visiting the arch, the cave and the punch bowl. In the latter there was plenty of water, but it was too far down in the earth to get any of it. On one side of the bowl the side of the rocky wall rises perpendicular from one hundred and fifty to two hundred feet. Along the water course there are many attractions and curiosities of nature, and are visited daily by summer tourists and sightseers. The farmers of the valley think of opening their houses for summer boarders, so that they may not only enjoy the healthy atmosphere but drink in the beautiful scenery and visit its wonderful natural curiosities.

One of the most amusing scenes witnessed in the grove was the game of quoits between Uncle Davy Crawford and the venerable Robert Morrow on the one side, and those youthful bloods, Dr. Thompson, of Spruce Creek, and John A. Crawford, of the Arch, on the other. It was closely contested, and often exciting, and spiced with a vast deal of humor - of which Uncle Davy was the head centre. For old men, Davy and Robert pitch a quoit with a steadiness and exactness which younger men might well envy. Dr. Thompson is also a good hand, and his skill was often severely tested by the venerable Morrow. The game was one that had a tendency to settle the good dinner all had enjoyed, by the roars of laughter caused by the humors of the content.

In closing this sketch the thanks of the writer is due to Mr. John A. Crawford, of the Arch, for many acts of kindness. He made his Altoona guests feel at home, and most unerringly did he read Mr. 'Si Fries' weakness when he took him to the spring house behind the mill and dosed him with buttermilk. To the farmers, their wives, and sons and daughters the TRIBUNE tenders thanks, and may they all live long to enjoy many returns of their grand harvest home celebrations.

The Burket Abduction Case.

At Greensburg on Friday a hearing came off before Judge Hunter in the cases of Davis, Peters, Rose and Marks, who were the first arrested in the Burket abduction case. After listening to the evidence which was offered in the matter, and to the arguments presented by counsel for the commonwealth and for the accused, the Judge concluded that there was not sufficient grounds for holding them, and they were accordingly discharged from arrest. Sheriff Kyle, of Somerset county, was in waiting to receive them, however, on a warrant issued out of his bailiwick, and immediately took them into custody, when he escorted them to Somerset. It is not alleged that these four individuals assisted in perpetrating the revolting crime which is scored up against some ten or twelve of the circus attaches now in the jail of the county, but they may be able to throw some important light on the matter when their testimony is required at the ensuing term of court.

Matters Political.

On Saturday the Republicans stretched their fine new flag across the street in front of the Opera House. They also decorated the building with a big banner on the outside.

The First and Seventh ward Republican clubs held a meeting in the Opera House on Saturday evening which was presided over by Major George F. Dern. About the time that it was definitely decided to call the Executive Committee together on this, Monday, night an alarm of fire was given and the meeting broke up. Another meeting of the club will be held this evening and all the members of the Executive Committee are especially desired to be present.

Thievish Swedes.

Captain Clark keeps a pretty sharp lookout on the Swedes employed in the Clearfield coal region. On Friday a pair of them left Houtzdale and in a very short time several of the coal company's blankets were missed. The Captain started after the travelers and came up with them at Osceola. He searched their bundles and soon found the blankets. The men said they had bought the blankets and as it was probable that they had been sold by some of the employes they were turned loose on giving up the stolen property.

What of Our Water Supply?

EDS. TRIBUNE: Will you please give space in the columns of your paper to the following which it is hoped will be thought apropos to the subject of the new water loan to be voted on to-day. In the consideration of this subject the first question presented, as proper, to be answered is, What is the present condition of our water supply? In answering this question our safest guide is the light of our own experience. What was it last summer? Very frequently during the past summer scarcity of water rendered it necessary to cut off the supply. Work in some of the shops was interrupted, and nearly all of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company's engines were directed to stop and take water at other points, thus entailing, at the same time and by the same cause, serious loss and forced idleness to workmen in the shops, loss to the railroad company in having to stop work and in being compelled to take water supplies at inconvenient points, and loss and great inconvenience to every consumer in the city. Many of our citizens who pay water taxes have now no water conveyance to their dwellings and of course no water, other than such as may be obtained from a filthy well or a distant hydrant. It would be simply justice to furnish them with water, and this much they have a right to demand. Our sanitary condition is not such that we may tempt Providence, and water is indispensable to keep this in a proper state. About three hundred houses have been erected since last summer, nearly all of which draw water from the reservoir. Our shops are running to their full capacity and therefore a much greater quantity of water will be required for the coming and following seasons. Our present reservoir is badly in need of repairs such as cannot be made until we have another one. Now, from all this, to what may we look forward? Not a repetition of the inconveniences and losses of the past, but much greater ones of the same kind instead. A fire - the possibility of which approaches probability - that would be beyond the control of our firemen, and which, if it does not destroy the city, will be certainly followed by a water famine such as the citizens of Altoona have good cause to dread. An impediment to the further growth and improvement of our city; for who will erect either dwellings or manufactories without a sufficient water supply and without water protection. Shall we have no more improvement? If our progress as a city is to be controlled by our inadequate water supply improvements should have ceased three years ago. Will the increase make us pay higher taxes? No, but it will give us increased security and prosperity. The loan can soon be paid out of the water rents. The increase of rent which will arise by supplying those who want water and are not now supplied has been estimated at $4,000 annually. This sum itself would in a short time pay for all the pipes that would be laid. An increased supply of water is an absolute necessity. Many are the reasons for it, of which these are a few, and few are those that can be urged against it. - CITIZEN.

The Logan House Concerts.

Below will be found the programme prepared by the Logan House quartette under the leadership of Mr. Praetorious. Exercises will begin at 11:30 A. M.:

March - "En Avant," Gungl
Overture - "Pleasure Trip," Suppe
Silesian Songs, Bilse
Selection - "Frefschutz," Weber
Waltz - "Morning Journals," Strauss
Selection - "Lucrezia Borgia," Donizetti
Cello Solo - "Air de Russe," Kummer
Golop - "Nur Fort," Strauss

Morning Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Monday, August 2, 1880, page 4