NEWS: Items from the Altoona Mirror, September 6, 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, Wednesday Evening, September 6, 1899 LATE NEWS PARAGRAPHED J. H. Albright of Johnstown was in the city this morning. John F. McCormick of Lock Haven is at the Logan House. P. J. Little, a well-known citizen, is lying seriously ill at the residence of his son, R. W. Little, 120 East Fourth avenue. Mrs. J. E. Wingard and son, Archie, returned to their home in Columbus, O., last night after a very pleasant visit among relatives and friends in Altoona. Mrs. J. Kauffman and son left Sunday for a three weeks' visit among friends in Philadelphia and Atlantic city. Her many friends wish her a pleasant time. Couch & Morgan's genial carpenter, Bert Zolner, with his wife and two sisters, Rose and Frances, will leave this afternoon to take in the Carrolltown fair. Mrs. M. K. Collins, Mrs. M. D. Kittell, Miss B. Roberts, Miss J. Lemon, Miss F. Bevans and Mrs. C. Jones, all of Ebensburg were guests at the Logan House last evening. Mr. Samuel Patterson fell into the opening in front of the Imperial cafe this morning and slightly sprained his back. The place was left open all morning without any guard rails and several people narrowly escaped falling in. HELD UP AND ROBBED. Two Men Waylaid and Relieved of Their Money and Watches Last Night. Mr. W. H. Wallace, the well-known young street car conductor on the city line, was waylaid and robbed on First avenue, near Twenty-third street, last evening about 11:30 o'clock, by seven men. Mr. Wallace had worked yesterday, but had turned his money in to the company before starting home. The thugs evidently thought he still had the day's receipts on his person, which they expected to secure. When near the above named corner the conductor was suddenly grabbed and had his arms pinned to his side. Two of the men then went through his pockets and secured $2.40 in change and a gold watch. After carefully searching him, the men left him go and took to their heels, soon disappearing in the darkness. Mr. Wallace had no revolver and was perfectly helpless in their hands. It is doubtful if he could have used a shooting iron if he had one, so quickly did they come up to him. He is sure there were seven men in the crowd, but says he would be unable to identify any of them. FIRE DEPARTMENT NOTES. Phil Sharkey, of truck A company, is confined to his home with typhoid fever. Several members of No. 1 engine company are suffering with hay fever. The new hose wagon, ordered from the firm of Gleason & Bailey, Seneca Falls, N.Y., is expected to arrive about November 23. It will be for four horses and used by No. 6 company. It will cost $595 and be thoroughly up- to-date. The Fairview fire company is looking forward to a big time on Tuesday of next week, when the new chemical engine, purchased from C. T. Halloway & Co., of Baltimore, will be tested. For this latter purpose a frame building will be erected at Ninth street and Twenty-second avenue. In connection with the text a festival will be given on the afternoons and evenings of Tuesday and Wednesday. ALTOONA SOCIAL EVENTS A very pleasant party was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Burns, on Eighth street, Bell's extension on Monday evening to celebrate the forty- first anniversary of their marriage. Those present were Mr. and Mrs. Filer, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Burns, Mrs. Clark, Mr. and Mrs. Lasher, Mr. and Mrs. Hart, Mr. and Mrs. Beard, Mr. and Mrs. Weight, Mrs. Blyler, Mrs. Auston, Mrs. McHenry, Mrs. Bailey, Miss Sallie Burns, Miss Mary C. Burns, Miss Katie Burns and Miss Ella Burns. The presents received were many and beautiful. SMALL GIRL HURT Edna Little, a little girl, while playing near her home on Seventh street and Lexington avenue, last evening, fell and struck her head on a stone, cutting an ugly gash over an inch long in her forehead. She was taken to the hospital where the wound was dressed. A SERIES OF ACCIDENTS. Three Casualties Yesterday, One of Which Was Very Serious. Sydney Wilkins, of Newburg, was painfully injured while driving down Lakemont hill yesterday afternoon. The wagon was loaded with heavy planks, which extended behind the bed of the wagon, the other end being up under the seat on which was seated Wilkins and Frank Miller, of this city. In crossing a . . . . raised the seat and both men were thrown to the ground. Wilkins was rendered unconscious and the wagon wheels passed over his right arm, breaking it in two places and injuring his collar bone. He was given attention by Dr. Crosthwaite and afterward removed to his home. Miller escaped unhurt. HURT IN A FREIGHT WRECK. While a train of cars was being hauled over a "frog" at GD office, in the Altoona yard, yesterday afternoon, it broke, wrecking twelve coal cars. Augustine Steinmetz, a flagman, who resides at 620 Hamilton avenue, Harrisburg, in jumping to save himself, fractured his left ankle. He was taken to the hospital where his injuries were dressed. SUCCESSFUL FISHING TRIP John Thomas, the great angler, returned this afternoon from a successful fishing trip at Etna Furnace along the Williamsburg branch road. He was so loaded down with fish, eels and baskets that he had some difficulty in persuading the Logan Valley conductor to allow him to get aboard the car at Hollidaysburg. Tonight he will give a fish supper to his friends. DOINGS OF THE CITY POLICE Patrolman Harlow arrested a fighter yesterday afternoon. Patrol Driver Marquette left for the east for his vacation Monday night. Charles Cook, colored, was arrested last evening charged with drunkenness. Edward Ryan will be given a hearing before Alderman Crampsey this evening on a charge of desertion and non-support, preferred by his wife. The case against Constable Detweiler of the Seventh ward for allowing a prisoner to escape from his custody in Johnstown come up for trial in the Cambria county court at Ebensburg today. Alderman Raymond is in attendance as a witness. Chester Dean was given a hearing last evening by Alderman Crampsey on an information sworn to by Ephraim Daughenbaugh who charged Dean with assault and battery, swearing, etc. The case was disposed of by each party being directed to pay half the costs, which was done. George Zanier and Nick George, two Arabian fruit dealers, had a hearing before Alderman Crampsey this morning on a charge of attempting to defraud Mr. Christ Noggle, an old farmer near Roaring Spring, out of the pay for some apples which he sold them. It seems the farmer sold the apples to Zanier, who was in charge of the fruit stand and who said he would pay for them next week. When Mr. Noggle came around the next week, Zanier referred him to Nick George, who told him he would pay for the apples the following week, but when Noggle called at the time stated, George said he did not buy the apples and would not pay for them. The farmer went back to Zanier again who pretended to be deaf and could not understand his creditor. At last the farmer became suspicious that he was being bluffed out of his money and went and made the information. After hearing all the evidence which showed a clever scheme to defraud the old man, the alderman held the men under $500 bond for court, in default of which they were locked up. A NARROW ESCAPE Charles Thompson, an axle turner, residing at 2706 West Chestnut avenue, had a narrow escape from being run down by a train on the Hollidaysburg branch railroad, just north of Margaret avenue last evening. He did not notice the Henrietta accommodation coming behind him on the track he was walking on until the train was within five feet of him. He made a desperate jump and succeeded in clearing the track. The fence at that place is barely fifteen inches from the track and he stood huddled against the fence until the train got by. One of the large engines would have caught him in this narrow place. JAMES F. DOVEY FOUND James F. Dovey, a prosperous business man of Blairsville, mysteriously disappeared from his home several weeks ago, leaving wife and family behind. His disappearance caused the loudest sensation. There were theories and theories as to the cause of his absence, but the deserted wife was the only one whose idea was right. She was satisfied that her husband's mind had suddenly become unbalanced when he wandered away. Saturday her theory was fully verified. That day she received a letter from her husband's mother, residing in Meriden, Conn.. The letter was dated Friday and says: "Your long lost husband walked into our home today at noon and you may know my joy. I could scarcely realize that it was my first-born. You can easily imagine how he would look after wandering all these weeks. He was travel-stained, footsore and weary - sick and distressed beyond power of words to tell, and his mind was almost an utter blank. I at once put him to bed and I think with proper care and nursing, he will come around all right in a week or so." VIEWERS MAKE THEIR REPORT In the Case of Mrs. Miller and the Railroad Company. The viewers appointed by the court to assess the damages caused by the Pennsylvania railroad company to the property of Mrs. Mary P. Miller, who resides near Kittanning Point, made their report today. Mrs. Miller owns about five acres of ground along the railroad near the Point, on a portion of which the railroad company is building a fourth track. The company first offered Mrs. Miller $600 as damages and afterward increased the amount to $1,000. She was not satisfied with the sum, however, and the court appointed viewers to assess the damages. They awarded Mrs. Miller only $322.50. She now wishes, no doubt, that she had taken the $1,000 tendered her by the company. KILLED BY WHISKEY Seven Year Old Boy Boozes Heavily at a Slavish Christening As a result of a christening held at the home of George Ontko in Spangler Monday of last week, his son, aged 7 years, lies buried in the Catholic cemetery, a victim of strong drink. The spree usually following a christening in a Slavish family began on Monday morning and during the day sixteen kegs of beer and six gallons of whiskey were consumed by the boy, George and his friends. About 7 o'clock in the evening, Dr. Halfrick received a call to the house, as the 7-year-old boy was dying. The information proved correct. The doctor found the lad unconscious from the use of whiskey and in a dying condition. Although every effort was put forth to save the young life, it proved unavailing. The doctor was informed in reply to inquiries that the boy had drank large quantities of whisky and "him lay quiet since 12 o'clock." When asked whether they gave the boy the whiskey, they replied: "Oh, no! Him just take it himself. - Spangler Sentinel. AT THE RECRUITING OFFICE Large Number of Applicants for Admission to the Army. Captain John S. Fair has so far been very successful in securing applicants for admission to the volunteer army. Up to noon today thirty-one applications had been received for admission to the army. Eight men have been examined, six of whom were accepted and sworn into the service. Others are being examined this afternoon. Those accepted will be sent to Fort Ethan Allen, Vermont, next Monday. What makes the applications so numerous is no doubt because the men are only enlisted for one year and eight months, and that they have an opportunity to take a trip around the world. One of the men rejected was Charles Bar, the printer. Bart's physical condition was all right, but he lacked one inch of being tall enough to go into the army. HOLLIDAYSBURG Royer Dibert, esq., is spending a few weeks at Saratoga Springs. Mrs. Thomas Jackson entertained a number of friends at a dinner at Lakemont last evening. Mr. John Dennison has moved his family to Altoona. Mr. Dennison will engage in the coal business. Miss Ada Campbell of Pittsburg is the guest of Miss Lile Smith. Miss Lucy A. Young returned on Saturday from Atlantic City. Rev. G. A. Joplin occupied the pulpit of the Presbyterian church Sunday evening, Rev. Barron, being still on the sick list. Mrs. William Kellerman, of Pittsburg, is a town visitor. Mrs. D. S. Morris and Mrs. J. M. Butz, of New Castle, are the guests of Mrs. Mollie Easton. Mr. and Mrs. Marley McLanahan, of Philadelphia are visiting Mr. and Mrs. J. K. McLanahan, sr. Mrs. Nettie Thompson has returned home from Pittsburg, where she spent the summer. Mr. and Mrs. Harry Treese, of Paulding, O., were recent visitors in town. Miss Inez Humes has returned home from Tarentum. Mr. and Mrs. Christ Mussleman, of Philadelphia, are the guests of Mr. and Mrs. John Mussleman. Miss Gertrude Hileman, of Scotch Valley, has taken her departure for Igrischo (?), Col., where she will labor as a Presbyterian missionary among the Indian tribes. Letters remain uncalled for at the Hollidaysburg postoffice, addressed as follows: Mrs. Ida Clapper, Mrs. Nancy Graffius, Mack Nash, Ettie McIntire and Mrs. W. J. Wilson. At the Methodist parsonage, on September 2, Rev. A. S. Bowman united in marriage George H. Haekman and Cora Osten, both of Pittsburg. Miss Margaret, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. P. S. Duncan, entertained twenty-five of her little friends on Saturday afternoon in honor of her seventh birthday. CURRYVILLE E. S. Latshaw and family visited at Isaac Latshaw's over Sunday. J. H. Summers, who was employed as brakeman on the H. & B. R. R. has resigned his position and is now at home. Miss Lena Nicodemus and Miss Katie Brown are visiting friends at Yellow Creek. Simon Snyder is having his farm house repaired. D. S. Burger has already found it necessary to build an addition to his store, and work on the foundation has been begun. Louis Mader (?), a Swiss artist of considerably ability, is again in our village, after an absence of nine years. About 200 barrels of cider have already been made at Zook's press. Mr. John Bechtel, of Mansfield, O., is visiting his father at present. John S. Frederick was kicked by a horse on Monday evening and severely injured. TYRONE NEWS ITEMS William F. Kobenschlag, Sr., of Harrisburg, a former resident, is looking up old acquaintances in the Central City. Dr. D. J. Appleby, of Loraine, O., is stopping in the Central City for a few days, on his return home from a business trip to New York city. W. Penn Noble, of Council Bluffs, Ia., a former resident, is visiting his sister, Mrs. I. P. Walton, 1041 North Pennsylvania avenue. Miss Ella Black left yesterday for Philadelphia and New York, to be absent several days and while away with her chief assistant, who is now in the city, will look up the latest styles in fall and winter millinery and purchase her supplies. ALTOONA SERVANT GIRLS. They Will Organize for Their Mutual Protection. The servant girls of Altoona are preparing to organize for their mutual protection. About seventy-five have so far signified their intention of joining the proposed organization. An office will be opened, which will be headquarters for the girls, and where persons desiring servants can have their wants supplied. A complete list of the members, together with their locations, will always be on hand. The characteristics of the girls to some extent will be matter of record, and their capabilities in any particular branch of work will be noted. The questions of references will be given some attention. The organization will want some references about employers. The girls will have to furnish them, not through the employers, but direct to the association headquarters. In this way it is hoped that girls will be saved from families who are harsh and ugly with their domestics. It will also save girls unfamiliar with the city from seeking employment in houses of bad repute. Girls who secure a place through the association will be charged a nominal fee, 25 cents, to be paid when most convenient. A small membership fee will be charged and an assessment levied quarterly. The question of raising the wages of domestics will be discussed after the association is on a good footing. LOCAL NEWS BRIEFLY GIVEN Patrick W. Finn and John McNevin, of this county, were discharged from bankruptcy by Judge Buffington at Pittsburg on Monday. About 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon some old rags took fire in Dr. Crosthwaite's residence, 1303 Twelfth avenue, and No. 1 hose carriage was called to the scene by a still alarm. The services of the firemen, however, were not needed. The damage was slight. The congregation of the Grace Lutheran church, at Curwensville, Clearfield county, will lay the cornerstone for a new church on Sunday, September 17. Rev. Isaac Krider, of Duncansville, chairman of the Northeast conference missionary committee, under whose auspices the work is undertaken, will preach the sermon. Rev. B. S. Dise, formerly of this county, is the pastor. PURELY PERSONAL ITEMS Arrivals, Departures and Other Facts Concerning People Known Here. A. G. Sink, of the Altamonte, is in Pittsburg. Mr. Albert McLaugling, of East End, Pittsburg, is visiting friends in this city. Miss Maude Sands and mother, of Chestnut avenue, went east on day express today. City Solicitor George B. Bowers returned home from Wilmington, Del., last evening. Mrs. D. Isard is a pleasant guest at the home of Mrs. J. B. Tate, 1525 Fourth avenue. Miss Ray Sherlock of Altoona is visiting friends in this city. - Lock Haven Express. Misses Carrie Weissinger and Annie B. Myers are enjoying a visit of two weeks with Carrolltown friends. Mrs. James Sullivan left last night for her home in Paterson, N.J. She will also visit friends in New York. H. O. Temple of Allegheny is spending his vacation with his parents, W. M. Temple and wife, 419 Sixth avenue. G. W. Krelitz, of Williamsburg left this morning for New York where he will purchase an immense stock of goods. Miss Anna Watson of 1005 Third avenue has returned home after an extended trip to Atlantic City and Philadelphia. Miss Bertha Hayes has returned to her home after a pleasant visit with friends in Tyrone and Altoona - Bellefonte News. Mrs. Andrew J. Arnold of Croyle township and her sister, Mrs. Wilson of Altoona, were in the city today. - Johnstown Tribune. Mr. and Mrs. Stansberry Geesey and Miss Gertrude Peterson of 325 Crawford avenue, left this morning on a trip to eastern points. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Stewart and their son, Willie, have returned from Atlantic City. Mr. Stewart is janitor in Superintendent Wallis' office. James A. Gracey and wife, formerly of this city but now of Philadelphia, are visiting his brother, George E. Gracey at Third avenue and First street. The Rev. E. C. Harmon of the Chestnut Avenue Methodist church, accompanied by his wife, left at noon yesterday to attend a reunion of the Harmon family in Columbia county. Mrs. William M. Fraser, wife of the county surveyor, accompanied by her daughter, Pauline, returned last night from a visit to friends in Houtzdale. They also spent a few days at Atlantic City. William Ginter of Duncansville is home after serving fifteen months with the Tenth Pennsylvania volunteers in the Philippines. He arrived a few days ago and does not seem any the worse for his long stay in the tropics. Miss Lena Sherrer, for the past seven years employed at the Brant House, left yesterday morning for New York, where she will be married the coming week to a young man from Jersey City. Her many friends here are sorry to part with her. COMPANY A ELECTS OFFICERS. At an election held by company A, Fifth regiment, National Guard of Pennsylvania, at Huntingdon, Monday evening, First Lieutenant John Dunkle was elected captain and Second Lieutenant H. J. Goodman first lieutenant. There were two candidates for the second lieutenancy, Sergeant Ernest M. Newell and Crawford Roscoe Wright. No choice was made, as the vote resulted in a deadlock. The election was continued until a future time. THAT CELLAR DOOR QUESTION. Mayor Giles Says the Ordinance Will be Enforced. Mayor Giles emphatically denies the statement in a morning paper that he consented to allow cellar doors to be put down in front of Thomas Magee's restaurant on Twelfth street. He says that if an attempt is made to put the doors there the parties doing the work will be arrested and fined according to the provisions of the ordinance. The mayor says that as soon as the cellar is cleaned out and repaired, the opening made in the sidewalk must be closed up and put in good condition. Mayor Giles intends to enforce the ordinance in regard to cellar doors unless councils order otherwise.