NEWS: Items from the Altoona Mirror, September 14, 1899, Blair County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Patty Millich & Alice James Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/ _______________________________________________ Items from the Altoona Mirror, Thursday Evening, September 14, 1899 DOINGS OF THE CITY POLICE John Beers, charged by Mrs. Annie Treese with threats was discharged by Alderman Raymond yesterday. George Weir, charged with drunkenness was released last evening on leaving $5.80 as security for a hearing. Ed Kajay, colored, of Hollidaysburg, arrested for being drunk, was sentenced to twenty-four hours in the lockup yesterday afternoon. John Thorp was given a hearing last night before Alderman Raymond on a charge of assault and battery on Agnes Sullivan. Thorp was held for court. Dan McCune and Ed Williams, two hobos, were begging money on the streets and arrested by Officer Kolley at Ninth avenue and Fourteenth street last evening. Joseph Loibl went before Alderman Stephens yesterday and made information against A. V. Dively, esq., charging him with assault and battery in the defendant's office. D. M. Tate is charged before Alderman Stephens with assault and battery upon C. B. Clark and with interfering with Constable Snyder while the latter was conducting a sale. Information was made before Alderman McCleary yesterday by Ida Dean, charging John Kazmier and Louis Keller with selling liquor to a man known to be of intemperate habits. Patrolman Vaughn was sent last evening to disperse a crowd of loafers who were disturbing a religious meeting at Sixth avenue and Twenty- third street. As soon as they saw him, they left back over the hill. Patrolmen Weible and Elpern arrested Fred Black and Walter Wallace for vagrancy at 6 o'clock last evening, at Tenth avenue and Nineteenth street. A man named Kinney interfered and he was also arrested. F. O. Bee, who is accused of raising a Pennsylvania railroad check from 30 cents to $30, was given a preliminary hearing before Alderman O'Toole yesterday, and in default of $200 bail was locked up to await trial by court. Jerry Clancy, an Altoona Hackman, was arrested by Constable McGraw in Hollidaysburg yesterday for attempting to carry to and from the fair to the street cars, without first paying the necessary license. Clancy had been drunk earlier in the day and Burgess Van Allman had refused to grant him a license. Justice Lowry fined Clancy $5, which he paid. While Dave Frick, a railroader of Harrisburg was at "700" yesterday $10 belonging to him mysteriously disappeared. He accused one of the inmates of the place named Marguerite with stealing the money, but she denied it. Frick reported the theft to the police, and during the afternoon Officer Carney went to "700" to see if he could locate the money. He concluded to arrest Marguerite, but she resisted, aided by Sadie Darr, the proprietress. Finally Marguerite agreed to accompany the officer and went upstairs to dress. She did not return and Officer Carney went to see where she was but could not find her. It is said that the attic window at "700" is on a level with the attic window in the next house, and that a board is kept at "700" to bridge the short distance between the two buildings, in order to enable the occupants of one house to get into the other, in case there should ever be a necessity for doing so. Officer Carney believes that Marguerite used this board to escape. About 6 o'clock last evening Marguerite appeared at the mayor's office and was promptly locked up on the charge of resisting an officer. She sent for Sadie Darr, who put up her gold watch to secure the woman's release. Meantime Frick had sworn out a warrant before Alderman DoByne for the girl's arrest on the charge of the larceny of $10, and before she could leave the city hall she was arrested. She finally succeeded in getting a bondsman about 11 o'clock last night and was released from custody. A. H. Benner, the man with two cork legs, who was referred to in the Mirror's police items yesterday, has had quite an experience since he arrived in the city on Tuesday, from Saxton, Bedford county. He had considerable money when he arrived here and at once proceeded to paint the town red. Tuesday he had such a "jag" aboard that he fell through one of the windows of the barroom at the Altamonte hotel. He agreed to settle for damages and was not prosecuted. When he got broke, he pawned his watch for fifty cents to Emmet Dewey, as stated in yesterday's Mirror. Yesterday afternoon he telegraphed to his home in Saxton for funds, which arrived in due time. Benner, with his fresh wad, proceeded to do more painting. He met John Daniels and Bert Irvin. He hired a team from Duke & Arthur and the trio went to Dell Delight to take in the sights of the fair. They took along with them a keg of beer. The fair was too tame for them and they started home, Benner and Daniels in the front seat and Irvin and the keg in the rear seat. They whipped up the horses to get home quickly. On the way out, Irvin was jolted out of the carriage near Lakemont. Some one in Hollidaysburg telephoned to Duke and Arthur that the horses were being badly treated, and when the rig arrived at the stable, on Green avenue, at 5:40 o'clock, Patrolman Orner was there and arrested Benner and Daniels. Both were locked up. After Benner sobered up, he agreed to pay for the team and any damage and was released. Daniels, however, found another charge against him. A salesman named Tompkins, discovered that Daniels was wearing a suit of clothes that had been stolen from his trunk, which was broken open at Huntingdon two weeks ago. Daniels says he purchased the clothes from a colored man for $1.00. He returned the suit to the owner. He was then in a nude state but City Electrician Burleigh loaned him a suit. The Altoona authorities have no charges against either Benner or Daniels, as there was no fast driving it in Altoona so far as they knew. Daniels was released this afternoon, no person preferring any charge against him. LATE NEWS PARAGRAPHED W. B. Prothero of Johnstown was a visitor in the city this morning. Mr. John Moran, wife and mother, left for Philadelphia and Atlantic City today. Joseph A. McCrory left yesterday to enter upon a course of study at Allegheny college, Meadville, Pa. Stationmaster Irwin who resides at Duncansville, says there was a heavy frost at that place this morning. Bert Irvin, charged with being drunk, was arrested at Eleventh avenue and Bridge street this afternoon. Stationmaster Charles Wilson, accompanied by his wife, left last night for a western trip. He will be absent two weeks. Miss Ella and May Snow gave an enjoyable taffy party to a number of their friends at their home on Sixth avenue last evening. Mrs. William Benz of 59 Bell avenue and her two sons left today for Dakota City, Iowa. They will be absent about five weeks. Mr. Joseph Sanders and wife of 1923 Fourteenth avenue will leave tomorrow for a visit among friends in Fairfield, Adams county. John Westover, proprietor of the Fifth Avenue hotel at Hastings was in the city this morning, calling on his numerous Altoona friends. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Rogers gave a lawn fete at their home, 710 Crawford avenue, last evening to four of the Sunday school classes of the Episcopal church. Mr. L. J. Weidner, P.R.R. ticket agent at Wilmerding, accompanied by his brother, Dewalt, of 1326 Eighth avenue, Altoona, are visiting in Philadelphia and New York. Harry Smith, the well-known cigar-maker, is now the possessor of two fine rabbit dogs, which he purchased at Coalport a few days ago. Their names are Viola and Hazel. William Major, the genial clerk in G. M. Metz's cigar store was scouring the mountains this morning after mushrooms. He brought home a few toadstools, thinking they were mushrooms Miss Lou Wilt of St. Augustine who had been visiting her cousin, Miss Mary Bender of 1507 Eighteenth avenue for the past week left this morning for Pittsburg to visit her sister, Mrs. John Woodburn. Mr. Fred Spielman of the Pennsylvania drop forging company of Pittsburg who has been spending a pleasant vacation with his cousin, Mr. Edward Spielman of 705 Sixth avenue returned home yesterday on Pittsburg express. Mrs. Lora W. Vandergrift and Miss Mae Turner returned home last night from their two months' vacation in the east. Mrs. Vandergrift will open her physical expression and elocution class on Saturday morning at 9 o'clock in the K. of P. armory, Eleventh avenue and Fourteenth street. LAST NIGHT'S FIRE The Warehouse of the S. S. Reighard Oil Company Destroyed, Together with a Large Quantity of Oil and Gasoline. The warehouse of the S. S. Reighard oil company at Ninth avenue and Nineteenth street, together with its contents was destroyed by a fire that broke out shortly before 12 o'clock last night. An alarm was turned in from Box 44 at Eighth avenue and Twentieth street and the firemen responded promptly When they arrived on the scene, the building which contained fifty barrels of gasoline, a number of barrels of oils and three big iron tanks, two of which contained 160 barrels of oil each, was enveloped in a mass of roaring flames. The heat was intense as the tanks had not exploded and it was dangerous to approach the building and the firemen turned their attention to saving the Germania brewery and residences of John Kazmaier and George W. Shaw, and the office and coal sheds of J. H. Hughes. About 12:05 o'clock the first of the tanks, the one containing gasoline, exploded. This was followed shortly afterwards by the two inside tanks, containing oil. The explosions were accompanied by a dull and muffled sound and the effect of the bursting tanks threw oil high in the air and scattered the streams from the hose over the firemen and such of the spectators as were inside the fire lines. The outside tank did not explode. In the different tanks that exploded there were 400 barrels of refined oil and fifty barrels of gasoline. The heat was intense and the firemen were unable to get close to the fire. A second alarm was sent in at 12:10 o'clock, which brought out the entire department. By hard work the fire was confined to the oil warehouse, which was completely destroyed by 1 o'clock. The Germania brewery, Hughes' coal yard and John Kazmaier's house were close to the fire but were saved with only a scorching, the coal office and yard faring the worst and the brewery the best. A couple of cars on the coal yard siding were damaged but were pulled out before being destroyed. The oil warehouse was a one-story building built of corrugated iron and valued at $1,500. The loss on the building and its contents amounts to about $6,000, on which there is an insurance of only $1,000. The fire is supposed to have been of incendiary origin. There was no fire about the building, it being heated by steam. It may have been started by spontaneous combustion. This is, however, doubted, as the fire first started in the rear of the building. Mr. Reighard says everything was all right about the building at 5 o'clock when he left and that it is never opened after that hour. A CLEVER BICYCLE THIEF On Tuesday morning a well-dressed man went into H. H. Stratif's bicycle store in Tyrone and hired a bicycle for a couple of hours. He gave his name as W. A. Alexander of Houtzdale and showed letters addressed to him at that place. Mr. Stratif left him take the wheel and that is the last he saw of him or the bicycle. He must have disposed of the wheel between Altoona and Tyrone or in this city for when he arrived in Altoona he wanted to hire another wheel. He went to H. H. Lampe's livery at Chestnut avenue and Ninth street, where he asked for a wheel for two hours. He gave his name here as J. E. Turner of Lancaster and said he was visiting his parents in this city. He was given a wheel and has failed to turn up since. The clerk who hired him the wheel followed him as far as Tyrone yesterday but could get no further clue of him. In both instances the thief secured a new wheel. At Tyrone he secured a Lyndhurst, '99 model, 26-inch frame, green enameled, number 12,171. The wheel which he hired at Lampe's was a '99 Pennant, 24-inch frame, numbered 8,941. Mr. Lampe offers a reward of $25.00 for the arrest and conviction of the thief. Last night Charles Plummer of 806 Sixth avenue, reported to police headquarters that his wheel had been stolen about 8 o'clock. It is a black Heinz wheel, with three crown forks, handlebars and saddle low and an M. & W. string bell. HOSPTIAL NOTES Walter Heacock, a Pittsburg division brakeman, residing at Derry, was painfully injured at McGarvey's station last evening at 8 o'clock. While standing in the cabin, the engineer, to slow up the train, suddenly applied the air brakes, causing Heacock to fall, striking his left hip on the stove. He was brought to the hospital where an examination showed that his hip had been dislocated. OFF FOR THE WAR Following are the names of the recruits for the Forty-third regiment that left for Fort Ethan Allen, Vermont, on Philadelphia express at 9:05 o'clock last night: John S. Kellar, Richard Aiken, Roy F. Gearhart, C. F. Loucks, James S. Kinney, Claire A. Rickabaugh, William C. Mulhollen, Ira A. Hollen, Bertram G. Morgan, Wilbert Brickner, and Herbert E. Akers. The recruits were in charge of Calvin Weaver. The men of the first detachment sent from here who were rejected at Fort Ethan Allen were Philip A. Storm, Charles A. Elbey and Joseph A. Keyes. They are still at the fort and will be sent home in a few days. Two applicants for admission to the army turned up at the recruiting station in the Stehle block this morning. One of them will likely be accepted. Since the recruiting station has been open there has been a total of 150 applicants for enlistment in the volunteer army. Of this number forty-nine have passed the examination and been sworn into the service. The recruiting station will likely remain open the balance of the week. BLAIR ARGUMENT COURT This Morning's Session. This morning court reconvened at Hollidaysburg and passed upon the following cases: T. J. Trout and H. O. Kline, executors of Mary A. Trout, deceased, vs. Martin Turnbaugh. Motion to take off non-suit argued by Messrs. Greevy for the plaintiffs and G. M. Meyers for the defendant. Decision deferred. Joseph Grieff vs. F. Xavier Putz, motion for a new trial. Argued by Messsrs. Greevy for the plaintiff and H. C. Madden for the defendant. Decision deferred. The argument of the above two cases exhausted the list at 11 a.m. Court then adjourned until tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock. HOLLIDAYSBURG Miss Cora Port of Huntingdon is the guest of Misses Edna and Hattie Lewis. Mr. Edwin Hoopes left on Tuesday for Saltsburg academy where he will enter upon a course of study. Mr. Beresford Calvin, of East Pittsburg, is spending a week with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Calvin. The members of company F, Twenty-first regiment, will assemble at the armory in full uniform this evening at 9 o'clock, for drill. Mr. Daniel Morrell has gone to Lawrenceville where he will resume his studies at the academy. Mr. Benton Barr is spending a few weeks in Philadelphia and Baltimore. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Bell of Philadelphia are town visitors. J. Craig McLanahan, esq., has sold his quarries and hematite ore plant at Pinkney, Tenn., to a western syndicate for $215,000. Mrs. W. D. Libby and daughter, Miss Mary, of Williamsburg are spending a few days in town. Major John H. West and several members of company C, were practicing target shooting at the Ant hills this morning. On last Sunday morning the following persons were installed as officers of the Zion Lutheran church: Trustee, John M. Albright; elders, Phain Shellenbarger, C. F. Fleck, H. M. Hull; deacons, W. H. Stiffler, Robert C. Devine. Miss Alice Manning entertained twenty of her friends at her home in East Hollidaysburg last evening. The evening was spent in social conversation, dancing and vocal and instrumental music. Solos were rendered by the well-known vocalists, Miss Mary Ingold, Isabella Bunker and Katharine Manning. Miss Bertha Manning and Jean Manning added to the evening's pleasure by their musical and elocutionary talents. Elegant refreshments were served at 1 o'clock, after which the singing and dancing were resumed. Among the out-of-town guests were Miss Myrtle Wright of Altoona and Cora Port of Huntingdon. HENRIETTA. Regular Correspondence. The sacred cantata, "Esther, the Beautiful Queen," which was rendered in the Mt. Pleasant Reformed church last Saturday evening, was a success both socially and financially. The church was crowded to its utmost capacity. The following ladies and gentlemen participated: Leader, Prof. Elias Glass; organist, Miss Ellen Baker; King, Elias Glass; Queen, Miss Maggie Kensinger; Haman, David Brumbaugh; Mordecai, Harry Smith; Teresh, Miss Lizzie Glass; Mordecai's sister, Miss Nellie Smith; Prophetess, Miss Maggie Smith; Median Princess, Mrs. Maggie Falknor; Persian Princess, Miss Cora Kensinger; Scribe, J. C. Frederick; Beggar, M. M. Smouse; High Priest, L. K. Wineland; Herald, Reuben Ebersole; Jewish Maidens, Esther Smith, Susan Stoudnour, Maggie and Katie Glass, Nancy Smith, Viola Rhoades, Lola Stonerook, Flora Wineland, Susie Kensinger and Kathrine Nicodemus; chorus, Misses Elsie Smith, Hannah Glass, Anna Glass, Keutrah Stoudnour, Lizzie Ebersole, Mamie Burget, Esther Gates, Bertha Snyder, Maud Nicodemus, Bessie Brumbaugh, Nancy Ebersole, Messrs. Jacob Ebersole, Levi Falknor and John Kensinger. Mr. S. B. Stonerook, Sr., and wife, of Clarence, Iowa, were the guests of their brother-in law, Mr. F. N. Byers, and family last Thursday. Messrs. H. K. Stoudnour and J. E. Hagey are among the number from our town who will take in the fair this week at the county capital. Miss Mary Hartman of Altoona, visited her uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Hartman last Thursday. Miss Maggie Zimmerman of Philadelphia is spending some time with friends at this place. Mr. H. C. Smith left on Monday for the Lock Haven state normal school. Rev. Robert Crawford and family of Orristown are visiting Mrs. Crawford's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Adams. Miss Vera Bowser is visiting in Altoona. D. G. Benner, who spent his vacation with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Benner, returned to his place of business in Peoria, Ill., on Monday. Mr. John Beach and family moved from Rebecca to this place on Wednesday. TYRONE NEWS ITEMS Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Dougherty of Newport, Pa., were visitors in town yesterday. Elmer E. Melick of Philadelphia, a former resident, is a visitor in Tyrone. George Bucher Porter, esq. of 1201 North Lincoln avenue is visiting at Hollidaysburg. John King Miller, of John H. Miller & Co., of this place is in attendance at the annual convention of the State Millers' association which is in session at Chambersburg. THE THIRD WARD ALDERMANIC FIGHT. Although the nomination will not be made until next January, there are now three aspirants for the Democratic nomination for alderman of the Third ward. The candidates are Geo. DoByne, the present incumbent; President of Common Council Lewis Casey and ex-Councilman Robert Shields. Mr. DoByne was appointed alderman by the governor when John A. Doyle resigned that position. His term will expire the first Monday of next May. Mr. DoByne read law with Judge Bell and is well qualified for the position which he now holds. The people of the Third ward, irrespective of politics, are satisfied with his administration of the office, and he will most likely be nominated to succeed himself. The Democratic nomination in the Third ward will be equivalent to an election. MEMORIAL A tribute of love and respect from the teachers of the Jefferson school to the memory of the beloved mother of Miss Kate L. Moser who was called to her heavenly home on September 12 at 10:35 p.m. For years almost a constant sufferer yet she bore all patiently in submission to the will of her heavenly Father. Cheerful and hopeful, forgetful of self in her interests for others; a wise counselor and a kind friend, her Christ-like love and sympathy for those around her made her presence a benediction to all. Her last words were those of prayer and calling her children around her, to repeat the prayer of their childhood, as she had taught them at her knee in her earnest youthful days, bade them a last good night. . . . Mary Wise, Chairman INFRINGING ON THEIR PATENT. W. S. Hammond, esq., has been retained as counsel for the Overhead railway switch company, a company chartered in New Jersey, which claims that its patent, numbered 285,116, issued September 18, 1883, has been infringed upon. Nearly every butcher shop in Altoona uses a devise which is copied from their patent, as also does the Altoona rolling . . . . LOCAL NEWS BRIEFLY GIVEN W. L. Jacobs of 1716 Ninth avenue is rejoicing over the arrival of a baby girl at his home. The reunion of the Isenberg family will be held at Lakemont Park, Thursday, September 21. There will be good music, good addresses, good singing and a good time generally. W. H. Markley and ex-Chief of Police James Foust have formed a partnership to engage in the general fire insurance, real estate and loan business. They will have rooms in the Mateer building., The little daughter of I. Blaw met with an accident while riding a wheel at Thirteenth avenue and Twelfth street yesterday at noon. In endeavoring to get out of the way of a wagon, she ran into the curb, but escaped with a few bruises. At yesterday's session of the select caste, Ancient Order Knights of the Mystic Chain, at Lock Haven, among the officers of the general assembly, Degree of Naomi, elected and installed was Mrs. M. E. Murphy, of this city, for grand treasurer. On Tuesday, at Pittsburg, in the United States bankruptcy court, Isaac Robinson and Abe Hoffman, both of Bedford, were discharged from bankruptcy, and at the same time and place Harry C. Rohm, of Huntingdon, was adjudged a bankrupt. These cases were reported to the board of health yesterday: Typhoid fever: Bessie Wertz, Tenth avenue and Twentieth street; Annie Warebaugh, 532 Fifth avenue. Scarletina: Virginia Kelly, 1503 Third avenue; Sylvia Shellenberger, 227 Third avenue. Dr. D. K. Smith of Twelfth avenue and Fifteenth street yesterday morning received a telegram announcing the death of his youngest brother in Pittsburg. Dr. Smith had been at his brother's bedside on Tuesday, returning to Altoona on Tuesday night. He left again for Pittsburg yesterday afternoon. The board of health was obliged to card the Pross residence, 127 Seventh avenue, yesterday morning for diphtheria, after the patient, Magdalene Mary Pross, had been dead some fifteen hours. The reason for this is that the case had not been diagnosed until Tuesday afternoon and the doctor's report of the case did not reach the board's rooms until yesterday morning. PURELY PERSONAL ITEMS. Arrivals, Departures and Other Facts Concerning People Known Here. Mrs. C. A. Harris and C. F. Harris of this city are at the Staiger hotel, Atlantic City. Miss Mary Bowers of Altoona, is visiting Miss Mabel Hall. [Lancaster Morning News] Foreman Thomas McKiernan went to Pittsburg yesterday afternoon on a business trip. Mrs. William McLaughlin and little daughter are visiting friends in Ehrenfeld and Johnstown. Miss Jennie Jeffries of Bellwood is the guest of Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Bush, of 1311 Third avenue. Mrs. S. A. Hendrickson of Philadelphia accompanied by Mrs. Lee is visiting her brother, Mr. George F. Jackson. Assistant Yardmaster William Copely is in Philadelphia where he will take in the opening of the exposition today. Miss Ida Cox of 1807 Fifth avenue left yesterday for a five weeks' visit among friends in Lock Haven, Renovo, Erie, and Buffalo. Mrs. E. E. Bodenhorn and son, of Annville, Lebanon county, arrived in the city last evening on fast line and will be the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Lane of Eleventh street. J. E. Applebaugh and wife, of Wooster, O.; J. L. Applebaugh and wife of Cape Charles, Va.; and Mrs. M. A. Bingaman of Wilkinsburg, Pa., are visitors at the home of C. E. Applebaugh in Juniata. Mr. G. A. Boyden, head of the firm of Boyden & Co., patent attorneys in Baltimore, Md., stopped over at the Logan House yesterday, on his journey from Derry to his home in Mt. Washington, Md. He was accompanied by his brother-in-law, the veteran P.R.R. engineer, Willis Ringle, of Derry, who was busy shaking hands with his old companions of the throttle in the city this morning. AN ENTERPRISING FIRM. Kline Bros. Have Built Up a Big Business in Altoona. One of the most successful and enterprising business firms in Altoona is that of Kline Bros, the wholesale and retail dry goods merchants, whose store is at Eleventh avenue and Fourteenth street. It has only been a little over a year since the firm began its business career in Altoona. During that short period the firm's business has grown so rapidly that it was found necessary to enlarge its quarters several times. On August 6, 1898, Kline Bros. opened a store in the room formerly used as an office for the St. Lawrence hotel. Their motto was, "Money returned to purchasers if not satisfied with goods." Three months later the firm's business had increased to such an extent that it was compelled to secure the room 1004 Fourteenth street, which adjoined the store, and an archway was made to connect both places. In December they rented the room at 1331 1/2 Eleventh avenue, for storage purposes. Even with the storage of goods outside, the business outgrew the store, so the room at 1331 Eleventh avenue, was made a part of the store, and connected by two large archways. This gives the firm twice the capacity of the former store and thirty feet additional frontage on Eleventh avenue, which makes a total of fifty feet frontage. With their enlarged space Kline Bros. are now better prepared than ever to carry larger stocks and more varieties to cater to the wants of their numerous and increasing patrons. The storage rooms of the firm are now at 1013 Fourteenth street, just opposite the store. These rooms are packed with a large and varied stock of dry goods, ladies' coats, etc. The success of Kline Bros is something remarkable for the short time they have been in business in the city. Their honest and straightforward methods in conducting their establishment has built up for them a trade that has exceeded their most sanguine expectations. Their store now contains one of the largest and best stocks of dry goods in the city, the best that cash buying and experience can find in the markets of the world. Besides its retail trade, the firm also does a big wholesale business. The firm is composed of Ignatz and Henry S. Kline, both young and energetic business men. The firm was started in New York in 1877 by Nathan Kline. They have a number of stores in different parts of the country. The New York office of the firm is at 83 Walker street, and the Philadelphia office at 21-23 Bank street.