Blair County Newspaper Articles
News, obituaries, birth, marriage and death notices, by date.
Items from The Morning Tribune, Altoona, Pa.,
Tuesday, January 4, 1881
William P. Furey Deceased.
Yesterday afternoon Mr. Ward, of the White Hall Hotel, received word that William P. Furey, late of this city, had died in San Antonio, Texas. Only two weeks since Mr. Furey started from Altoona for the warmer clime, believing that change of air would prolong a life which was being rapidly wasted with pulmonary consumption. About a year since the deceased came to this city and embarked in newspaper life as editor of the Altoona Daily Sun. He was a good writer and an unusually fluent speaker and was frequently called upon on public occasions to make presentation speeches, introduce a speaker, or make a speech himself and he always appeared at home. At different times in his life he has been connected with a number of newspapers and was at one time a clerk to a committee of Congress. When he left here he seemed slightly improved in health, but some fever seems to have set in which his frail constitution could not stand, and now a wife and little daughter are left in a strange land to mourn the loss of husband and father. It is not known what disposition will be made of the remains.
Family Reunion.
Mrs. Rebecca Alloway, an elderly lady living on Sixth avenue, between Twelfth and Thirteenth streets, had a most enjoyable family reunion on last Saturday, January 1. All her children living - one being dead - were present. Mrs. Alloway and her husband, from Chicago, the former a daughter, were present. All her grandchildren to the number of twenty were present, and from the oldest down to the youngest the day was one of rare pleasure and enjoyment. Rev. J. W. Miller and lady were also among the guests in attendance. A sumptuous dinner was prepared and enjoyed by all. It was a day long to be remembered by all the members of the family, and especially by the mother, who was thus privileged to have all her children with her at that time.
A Strange Incident.
Often in everyday experience there are things happen which it is very hard to account for, and such is one that took place in the house of H. Fettinger last week. Just as the hour struck at midnight which ushered out the old year the photograph of one of Mr. Fettinger's deceased daughters fell to the floor with a crash. The frame was broken to pieces, but the glass and photograph were uninjured. The frame hung by a ring on a good nail with a head on it, and the nail was not loosened, neither was the ring pulled from the frame. As the house was quiet at the time Mr. Fettinger is at a great loss to know the why and wherefore of the hour and the act.
Morning Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Tuesday, January 4, 1881, page 1
HOLLIDAYSBURG HAPPENINGS.
New Year's Day in Hollidaysburg - The Retiring and Incoming Treasurer.
On Saturday evening, Jennie, a 7-year-old daughter of Mr. Bernard Clark, died with scarlet fever.
Miss Delia Condron, a clerk in the census department, who had been home spending the holidays with old friends, has returned to Washington.
The Keystone Minstrels, a most excellent troupe, composed of young Altoonians, gave a concert in Condron's Opera House. Not being present we are not posted in regard to the amount of money that was in it, but as they were only posted one day many who were anxious to see them play did not learn of their coming.
THE NEW OFFICERS.
Yesterday, Mr. James P. Stewart, clerk of the court, swore into office the new county officers, viz: Associated Judges, Robert Gamble and Robert Stewart; Register and Recorder, J. S. Plummer; Treasurer, J. C. Akers; Director of the Poor, Eli C. Smith.
DISTINGUISHED VISITOR.
Big-hearted Jim Cramer, one of our citizens in the days of "lang-syne," received many a glad welcome from old friends on Saturday and Monday. Rumor says that one of the objective points of his visit was to procure "Damiana," as he was seen interviewing one of the physicians.
HOW THE HUNTERS FEASTED.
The Beaver Dam Hunting Club enjoyed their annual big feed at Reed's restaurant on Friday evening, There were sixteen of the mighty hunters who "gobbled" sumptuous feast, and shot deer, turkey and other game at long range. Editors Traugh and Oliver were invited guests, and did justice to the good things set before them. James H. Patterson, Esq., of Yellow Springs, was the life of the party, and made the supper a most pleasant occasion to all present.
THE OUTS AND INS.
Yesterday Alexander Rutledge, Esq., stepped down and out, after having handed over the keys of the County Treasury to his successor, Mr. Johnston C. Akers, who being "an honest, the noblest," etc., will guard well the people's strong money box. Mr. Akers' insurance business will be left under the charge of Mr. James H. Craig, a young man well qualified for the business, having been in the office for some time. He is perfectly familiar with the work and withal so gentlemanly that it is a real pleasure to pay him the last cent in one's pocket. Mr. Rutledge made many friends while he was acting Treasurer. He is a gentleman who always did his duty without "fear, favor or affection," and we hope that he may find some business opening in our town which will both pleasant and profitable. We don't want to let such men go.
THE NEW YEAR'S DAY WAS CELEBRATED.
Never before in the memory of "the oldest inhabitant" has there been a day when more noise and music combined was dispensed, blowed, tramped or thumped out of both human and mechanical machines than on New Year's day. In addition to our own blowers, the hundred or more pianos and organs in private and public houses that kept up a continuous sound, we had three bands from Altoona fully armed and equipped, viz: The Citizens Band, twenty strong, the Mountain City Band, and the Keystone Minstrel Band, and at night another larger and noisier band than all appeared on the street - the "Tin Trombone Band from Polecat Hollow." Their marching and time were excellent, but their music would make the hair stand straight up on a mule's back. Another set of strangers invaded our town and kept up a continual cracking of muzzle-loading notes from morning till night in the persons of the hundred or more marksmen who gathered in from Altoona and other places to shoot for a horse, a hog, a lot of turkeys and also money prizes. Again another and equally great and jolly a crowd were the skaters who covered and jammed the surface of the smooth, crystal ice on the river at the Gaysport bridge. Then again a perfect jam of sleighs and sleds, with their happy freight, kept up one continuous jingle of bells - all going to make New Year's day one of the most lively days ever seen in the old town of Hollidaysburg, and with all the noisy crowd there was nothing to mar the peace or disturb the harmony of the most thin-skinned man or woman in town. We hope this joyous beginning may continue to the end of 1881.
The sledding.
The hills are full of boys and girls who are sledding, and last night they had a very pleasant time. East Twelfth street and West Eleventh and Fourteenth streets were just filled with juveniles, and the older folks had as pleasant a time as the youngsters in watching them. A rather queer incident occurred on Fourteenth street hills yesterday. Two dogs got up a big fight when a couple of boys came along on a sled. They struck the canines with full force and one of them went flying through the air while the boys rolled into the gutter. The fight stopped instanter. On Twelfth street is the best sledding place in the city. The hill extends all the way from the city reservoir to the company shops and it is not so steep as to make the sport very dangerous.
A Miniature Symposium.
On Friday night quite a party of Altoona and Sinking Valley people gathered at the residence of Paul Hurn and wife, in the Kettle and, as one of the party expressed it, had a little symposium of their own. Frank Hostler and August Hurn were the originators of the scheme. With them were George Burket, Alderman Blake and a numerous following, including the ladies. Three fiddlers were in the party and the way the stout Alderman and his companions made the joists rattle as they did the "graceful" was wonderful. Mr. and Mrs. Hurn favored the party with vocal and instrumental music, which was rendered in such a way as to do credit to any drawing room. Daylight was streaking the east before the party quit.
Died.
GREEN. - On December 24, 1880, at the residence of her husband, Mr. Andrew Green, in Logan township, Mrs. Elizabeth Green, aged 67 years, 3 months and 10 days.
Though complaining for some time of not being well, her death was sudden and unexpected. On the morning of her death, while at breakfast, in the act of taking a sup of tea, she suddenly exclaimed "O, Pa!" and fell dead before any one could reach her. The deceased was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church from the beginning of Altoona, though once moving out of town, an on account of being totally deprived of sight was not able to attend church. For more than forty years had this beloved lady been deprived of sight, yet with all this affliction was always cheerful and happy, doing nearly all her household work, such as cooking, washing, milking, knitting, etc., without help, besides raising a family of seven children, who are well on in life. This affliction falls heavily upon her friends and relatives, since all looked upon her with much regard on account of her goodness of heart and mind, and her remarkable faculty of doing things, while not being able to see.
"Though nature's voice you must obey,
Think, while your swelling grief o'erflow,
That hand which takes your joy away,
That sovereign hand can heal your woe.
"And while your mournful thoughts deplore
The parent gone, remov'd the friend,
With hearts resign'd, His grace adore,
On whom your nobler hopes depend."
Morning Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Tuesday, January 4, 1881, page 3
CITY AND COUNTRY.
Things Briefly Told.
There is not a vacant home in Tyrone.
The Eighth ward school house has been supplied with a fine new furnace.
The fast trains were yesterday well filled with Congressmen returning to their official duties.
Where is the Committee on the Printers' Annual Supper? It's about time for the yearly feed.
Miss Steichle, of the Kindergarten school, will leave on Wednesday for a three months visit to New York.
Letters held for postage at the postoffice: George F. McCay, Clarion, Pa., and one drop-letter without address.
The Catholic fair and festival in Tyrone closed on Saturday night, yielding a handsome sum to the management.
The large wax doll of Otto & Co.'s was chanced off last Saturday evening. The lucky number was 290, held by Miss Mary Bender of this city.
Judging from a stray missive picked up on the streets of this city there is likely to be a marriage in the Tussey Mountain Coon Club very shortly. We wish you happiness, Judge.
Mrs. Doctor Scott, of Philadelphia, and Miss Carrie Keesberry, of this city, are taking an extended visiting tour among their many friends and relations in Wheeling, West Virginia.
Representative Burchfield went down to Harrisburg yesterday afternoon, and was doubtless initiated last night into some of "the ways that are dark and tricks that are vain,"* politically.
[* From the Poem "Table Mountain, 1870" by Francis Bret Harte, 1839-1902. https://www.bartleby.com/102/200.html ]
George Hubbard, of the lower shops, offered to bet fifty dollars with another workman yesterday that he could beat him walking to Tyrone. They were to start at 6 o'clock last evening, but when the hour arrived George backed out.
The Church of God congregation of this city, of which Rev. J. W. Miller, is pastor, is making an effort to have him retained for another year, in which we hope they will be successful. Mr. Miller has proved himself an able and acceptable minister.
Philips Halton's wheelbarrow match did not take place on Saturday owing to the number of contestants not being sufficient to cover expenses. There was an impromptu match organized, however, and those present had lots of fun out of it.
The many friends of Mrs. H. A. Boggs in this community will be sorry to learn that she on Friday sustained a severe paralytic stroke while at her home in Johnstown, from the effects of which she is quite prostrated. It is to be hoped her recovery may be speedy and permanent.
Downs Adlum, a clerk in the shop clerk's office of the motive power department, and very well known in this city, has severed his connection with the company and will to-day start for Jersey City, where he has been offered an excellent position. We wish him lots of wealth and plenty of friends in his new position.
The quantity of coal and coke carried over the Pennsylvania railroad for the second week of December was 143,197 tons, of which 104,014 tons were coal and 89,183 tons coke. The total tonnage for the year thus far has been 6,936,748 tons, of which 5,223,381 tons were coal and 1,707,367 tons coke.
We notice in Baltzell & Rouss' show window a very large and life-like portrait, nearly life size, of Croasie Cline, deceased daughter of John cline, baggage master on the Pennsylvania railroad, of this city. This painting attracts considerable attention, and commands the praise of all lovers of the beautiful. It was painted by W. C. Holmes, of Greensburg.
Steward Shinafelt was in the city yesterday as happy as a clam at high tide. The board of Poor Directors meet to-day and reorganize and make their appointments for the present year. Mr. Shinafelt appears to be indifferent whether he is retained or not as steward. He has been a most excellent officer and the change from experience to inexperience is a question that must perplex the board.
An Executive Session.
At the close of the regular meeting of Council last night the President announced an executive session with closed doors. When all had withdrawn except those entitled to be present a New Year's gift from the city police force in the form of a handsome lunch was brought forth. It was supplemented with lemonade (strictly temperance) and cigars. After thoroughly discussing the matter the session closed with a vote of thanks to the force.
PROCEEDINGS OF COUNCIL.
The Councilmen Put Through Work in Short Order.
A regular monthly meeting of Council was held last night at which all the members were present but Messrs. Ball and Snyder.
The reading of the minutes was dispensed with and the petitions were taken up.
Petitions were received from various parties living on Seventeenth street who wished to be exonerated from paying tappage into the new sewer for various reasons. In the case of Joseph Burgart it was referent to the Committee on Exonerations, who were directed to report at the next regular meeting of Council. Another petition was referred to the Committee on Exonerations, and still another, that of Catharine Cawley, was referred to the Committee on Exonerations with power to act.
Some time since viewers were appointed to assess the benefits resulting from the opening of a sewer on Eighteenth street, between Thirteenth avenue and the old plank road. But they were never notified of their appointment and refused to go to work. On motion the Secretary of Council was directed to notify them to proceed with the assessment.
The Empire Hook and Ladder Company asked that as they had now purchased a team of horses they be allowed an appropriation of forty dollars per month. On motion they were granted the same privileges as the other companies.
The Vigilant Fire Company sent in a petition that their hose be greased. Referred to the Committee on Fire Apparatus.
A request was received from the Mayor that the city Aldermen, the Recorder and the members of the police force be each supplied with a copy of the city ordinances. The request was granted.
A petition was received from John B. Stehle asking that the Treasurer be instructed to receive his city tax for 1880 under the old ordinance No. 44 instead of under the New No. 40. The petition was granted.
The City Solicitor handed in a paper stating that liens had been entered against all property owners who had not paid their assessed sewer frontage in different parts of the city, that the suit of Spencer, McKay & Co. vs. the city had been held under advisement by the court, and that the injunction proceedings in regard to the opening of Fourth avenue, between Tenth and Eleventh streets had been held under advisement by the court.
The Mayor reported collections for the month of $83.43; John O'Toole, collector, $598.09; J. G. Herbst, $2,954.80, and the City Treasurer, $2,574.73.
The appropriate committee stated that they had examined the proof of the new city bonds for the sixty thousand dollars loan and had approved it. The bonds will be here in ten days. An order was passed granting five hundred dollars as a payment on them.
A communication was handed in stating that the coal in the city building was about exhausted. Mr. Endress made a humorous speech on the subject, which was received with considerable applause.
The Committee on City Lamps had been instructed to ascertain the cost of having the lamps burn all night reported that it could be done at a cost of three dollars per burner per month. No action was taken in the matter.
The following bills were then passed:
Mayor Howard, salary and expenses, $74.70
Police force, 309.50
Street Commissioner's pay roll, 175.00
Patrick Kelly, Seventeenth street sewer, 647.80
C. S. Cordes, fixing stove, etc., 14.95
Vigilant and Good Will appropriations, 80.00
City Engineer and Assistant, 21.00
Engineer Whitney, 88.71
Water works pay roll, 177.50
J. G. Kline, lumber, 6.78
G. W. Crawford, blacksmith, 25.35
Gas in city building, 19.40
Gas in city lamps, 90.00
City Solicitor, expense of filing liens, 31.25
E. B. Haines, printing, 12.75
Two bills were handed in, one from Patrick Kelly for hauling, amounting to sixty dollars, and the other from S. F. Rainey for a drain box, twelve dollars and seventy-five cents, of which the Council Committee knew nothing and which they refused to pass. The bills were laid over for further investigation.
The Chairman of the Committee on Fire Apparatus stated that they were about to purchase five hundred feet of new hose.
The Committee on Surveys reported that sewers might be laid on Chestnut, Green, Lexington and Howard avenues to drain into Ninth street sewer with perfect safety to the latter. The report was received and filed and work directed to be proceeded with as soon as spring should open.
Then followed a petition from Miss Kate Yeager in regard to the much-disputed question of opening Fourth avenue between Tenth and Eleventh streets. It appears that she has been awarded no damages and these she was asking for, but it was stated she had forfeited her right of damages by lapse of time. A motion was made to lay the matter on the table, but this was lost and it was then referred to the Committee on Claims and Damages.
S. C. Cherry was allowed the abatement in his city tax asked for by him.
Michael Cashling and Martin Kelly asked to be exonerated from certain taxes but Council declined to act.
The report of progress made by the Special Water Committee, as already outlined in the TRIBUNE from time to time, was made. The engineer requested that a test hole be now sunk at Kittanning Point, which request was granted, and the Water Commissioner was directed to attend to the work.
On motion of Mr. Taylor, Mr. Harris, at present employed by the railroad company, was elected City Engineer for one year, to attend to the work in the city and assist Mr. Whitney at the new reservoir, and his salary agreed upon at one hundred dollars. This relieves Mr. McDonald of all further duties connected with the office. The motion was carried as follows: Yeas, Messrs. Bartley, Brannan, Endress, Geesey, Kerr, Line, Maxwell, McCartney and Taylor - 9; nays, Messrs. Flanigan, Keogh, Miller and Molloy - 4.
Mr. Taylor stated that the Altoona Telephone company had been granted very important privileges in the city without expense or restriction. In the Mayor's office there was a telephone put there at the cost of the city police. He moved that in view of the first mentioned facts the telephone company be requested to keep the telephone in the Mayor's office without further expense to the force who still pay the rental.
Clerk McNevin stated that he had been notified that a city note for $10,000 in bank was about due and that the January coupons on the city bonds were due. On motion all money in bank was directed to be applied to the payment of these.
The matter of a new Street Commissioner was then taken up, but there was no action in the matter and Council adjourned.
THE G. A. R.
The Programme for To-night's Open Installation.
An event looked forward to with some interest by those fortunate enough to hold invitations, is the open installation of Potts Post No. 62, in the Opera House this evening. The exercise will begin at 8 o'clock by the installation ceremonies conducted by Post Commander Harris, of Bellefonte. The following programme will then be carried out:
Music - "Red, White and Blue," Junior Greys Band.
Song - "America," Glee Club.
Address - "Order of the G. A. R.," Post Commander W. D. Hall.
Song - "Marching Through Georgia," Glee Club.
Recitation - "Barbara Freitchie," Comrade J. W. Reeber.
Music - "Rally Round the Flag," Junior Greys Band.
Address - "War Reminiscences," Comrade Robert Johnson.
Song - Glee Club.
Recitation - "Sheridan's Ride," Comrade J. W. Reeber.
Description Song - "Grandma's Old Arm Chair," Comrade M. Valentine.
Address - Comrade J. B. Young.
Music - "Star Spangled Banner," Junior Greys Band.
The Waif Dropped on the Railroad.
The inhuman mother who dropped a baby through the water closet on a Pennsylvania railroad train, at Larimer station, refuses to own it. She is in a Pittsburgh Hospital. Mr. and Mrs. Brinton, of Larimer station, have the child and it bids fair to live, although it lay in the snow for three-quarters of an hour and had one foot frozen. The girl is accompanied by her brother. They are on their way from Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, to the home of an uncle in Michigan. The girl was a domestic in the home of a wealthy land owner, and his son sent her and her brother to this country to get her out of the road and to cover up a scandal in which he would have been called on to bear a part. They left Germany on the 29th of November. The girl denies being a mother, but her denial will not likely do her much good should the child die.
Parting With a Good Citizen.
A North Woodberry correspondent writes the TRIBUNE that "L. S. Horton, now in charge of Curry station, will leave there soon." We are sorry to note this, for we are loath to give him up, as he is an excellent gentleman. His strict integrity, intelligence and close application to duty has won the respect and confidence of all in the community. He has done excellent service at this place. Any one securing his services will have a trusty, sober, industrious and refined gentleman, and as such he has no superior." Mr. Horton is a brother-in-law to Professor Keith, of this city.
An Anniversary Celebrated.
The Parsonage of Christ Reformed Church was the scene of a pleasant gathering on New Year's evening, it being the first anniversary of Rev. J. M. Titzel's pastorage. It was quietly arranged to celebrate the occasion by a donation visit. Accordingly about 8 o'clock in the evening a goodly number of the members of the church called at the parsonage, bring with them a considerable amount of groceries and other valuable articles, which they presented to the surprised pastor and his wife as an expression of their regard and good will. The presentation speech was made by A. V. Dively, Esq., in his usual happy manner. Rev. Titzel responded, warmly thanking all present for their generous manifestation of love and esteem. An hour was then spent in pleasant social intercourse, after which all returned to their homes, no doubt well pleased with what had been done. Such occasions do good both to pastor and people, and are promotive of the interests of the Church of Christ.
The Mountain City Band.
The Mountain City Band has been quietly getting into first-class order lately and is now doing considerable practicing. Charles Haberacker, who lately moved here from Osceola, has charge of the bass horn, and there is not a man in the city who knows its mystery better. The band now has the full complement of members.
Morning Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Tuesday, January 4, 1881, page 4