NEWS: Items from the Morning Tribune, February 15, 1878, Blair County, PA

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Items from the Morning Tribune, Altoona, Friday, February 15, 1878

CITY AND COUNTRY

Emigrants for Texas.

  A large party of emigrants from England were on the way passenger 
train at 1.55 yesterday afternoon. A reporter of the Tribune inquired 
of an individual on the train as to where they were from, and he was 
answered that they were from Jersey. "I thought they were from 
England," said the reporter. "Well," was the reply, "they're from 
Jersey, or England, or somewhere!"

An Attempt to Rob Murray's Store.

  A burglar attempted to enter the store of William Murray, No. 1317, 
Eleventh avenue, about four o'clock yesterday morning. The attempt was 
made from the rear of the building. The burglar climbed up on the roof 
of the store by the side of the stable, and tried to enter the same 
through a skylight. Daniel Adlum, a clerk, sleeps in the store, and the 
noise the burglar made upon the tin roof and at the skylight awakened 
him, and he arose. This frightened the thief from the roof. He was 
afterward heard at the front door, when Mr. Adlum lighted the gas, and 
the thief desisted entirely.

Another Metropolis Survivor.

  A Tribune reporter, encountered on the way passenger train about two 
o'clock yesterday afternoon Benjamin Hoyt, on the survivors of the 
Metropolis disaster. Mr. Hoyt lives in Texas, and he was on his way to 
his home in that State, where corn planting has begun. He has been sick 
since his experience in the ocean disaster, and said he did not want to 
go any more. His idea was to go to Brazil to make some money. He has 
gotten bravely over that. His people in Texas he says are planting 
corn, and he prefers corn-planting he thinks to going "down to the sea 
in ships." The best indication of his aversion to a "life on the ocean 
wave" is the fact that, while he could have gone by water to Galveston, 
Texas, for about $15, he goes overland and pays about four times as 
much. From the disgust pictured upon his countenance, one would suppose 
that he would rather walk the entire distance than try it again on the 
water.

HOLLIDAYSBURG DEPARTMENT.

Little Facts and Fancies - Big Things Grave and Gay.

  Beef! Beef! Beef! The air is resonant with beef!
  Walter Hughes has become a fixture in the First National Bank.
  The candidates for local offices, singularly enough, are all 
confident of an election.
  Uniformity of text books threatens to prove a perplexity and an 
annoyance to some people we wot of.
  What a delightful thing a make gossip is as he comes buzzing into 
your ears the foibles and faults of his neighbors.
  The entire time of the court up to the closing of the mail yesterday 
evening was occupied in the trial of the M'Clain-Weston case.
  Hollidaysburg patrons of the Tribune are reminded that advance 
payment to the agent, A. Dobbins, will secure them the paper at the 
rate of forty cents per month.
  A shining new sign informs the public that our genial friend, W. 
Irvin Woodcock, Esq., has been appointed a notary public and is ready 
to transact business in that line.
  At the Wednesday night session of the Scotch Valley Literary Society 
it was decided that the local option law ought not to be reenacted. 
This accounts for the action at Harrisburg.
  A juryman who has been so unfortunate as to be caught on such a case 
as the M'Clain-Weston suit, goes home with new and enlarged ideas as to 
the meaning of the word "patience."
  Judge Smith, of Frankstown township, doesn't feel like bragging of 
the weight of his pigs, but he did slaughter a small one the other day 
which kicked the beam to the tune of 461 ® pounds.
  The African in the woodpile in the M'Clain-Weston case seems to be 
that if Mrs. Weston be proven a member of the firm of J. J. Boyer & 
Co., and then liable for the claim of M'Clain, she will also be liable 
for divers other heavy debts of the firm. The result, therefore, is of 
vital importance to the creditors of Boyer & Co., and to Mrs. Weston as 
well.

Africa on the Rampage.

  There was war in Africa on Wednesday night. There were hard blows 
given and taken, and in the fray James Knox and his better-half bore 
the chief part. There was some little domestic unpleasantness between 
these parties which bred ill-feeling. Then King Alcohol put in an oar, 
and James took by the throat the women whom he had sworn to love, 
protect and cherish. Several ear piercing screams sounded upon the 
night air, and the people began to flock to the scene of war, 
expecting, no doubt, to see visions dire. By this time the madam had 
extricated herself from the clutches of her loving husband, and seizing 
a poker she just made him more than fly. No arrests; and in the classic 
language of our excellent but reticent friend James Barber, "nobody 
hurt."

Belated Musicians.

  The colored band of this place, though not an old institution, is a 
capital institution, and furnishes most capital music. It is asserted 
by those who pretend to know that the band came to the conclusion that 
they would go down to the school house, some six miles from town, on 
Wednesday evening, and serenade the Literary Society then and there in 
session. This was a good idea, but the boys seem to have been a little 
late in putting it into execution, for parties returning from the 
society exercises, alledge that they met the band some two miles below 
Frankstown at 11.30 o'clock P. M., trudging toward the school house, 
yet two miles distant. The reporter does not vouch for the truth of 
this story, but gives it just as 'twas given to him.

WHERE THE LIGHTNING STRUCK.

  "The two young women and the young man who have been carrying on a 
correspondence with each other ever since the opening of our meeting 
need not honor us with their presence at any of our future meetings," 
is substantially what the preacher said at the close of prayer meeting 
on Wednesday evening. "I do not know whether they can get together at 
their homes or not," continued he, pointing them out with his finger, 
"but they have been trying to keep up a written correspondence all 
evening. We can get along without their company hereafter." Probably 
the young man and woman thought the preacher was rather hard on them, 
but people who make such uses of God's house ought to be exposed in 
even a more summary manner.

CITY AND COUNTRY.

  Out of Prison.

  Miller and Ulrey, two of the Empire Hall rowdies, were released about 
three o'clock yesterday afternoon, having served out their sentences. 
Malone is still languishing within the dungeon.

Gone Into Bankruptcy.

  James K. Knap, of the firm of Charles Knap & Co., who do business at 
Roaring Springs, this county, has filed a petition for the adjudication 
of himself, and asked that his partners be included. Some of the firm 
live in Pittsburgh. The schedule is necessarily imperfect, but the 
assets, as far as given, show about $8,000 worth of property. Debts 
owing unsecured creditors aggregate about $40,000, and the secured 
creditors and the amounts are marked unknown.

The "Silver Walk."

  The "silver walk" at Moore's chapel last evening did not come off. 
The arrangements were all made, and tables of nice refreshments were 
set, but the audience assembled did not warrant the carrying out of the 
entertainment. The "walk" will be given every night this week, and we 
hope our colored friends will be patronized to the extent that they 
deserve. The beautiful silver cup that is to be walked for was on 
exhibition last evening, also the napkin rings, gold-plated jewelry, 
etc. Joshua Gilbert presided at the organ, and the few who were in 
attendance were entertained with vocal music by the young people 
present. The public, white and colored, are cordially invited to come 
to the walk.

Chips from City Politics.

  "To be-er not to be er" is the watchword of thirsty voters.
  The Democrats have Hurd that they will be successful, no matter How-
ard the Republicans work.
  There was no business of importance transacted at the meeting of the 
Democratic City Executive Committee last evening.
  Some municipal candidates are beginning to realize that securing a 
nomination and an election are two very different things.
  Some of the Republican candidates are singing to themselves:
  "Against hope, all human hope, Self-desperate, I believe."
  W. B. Blake, for Alderman in the Second district, although he don't 
"set up" the beer, gives a man who will vote for him a "chaw" whenever 
he wants it.
  C. C. Mateer, "the People's candidate for Council" in the Fifth ward, 
has his campaign posters out. They are surmounted by a screaming eagle. 
Mateer is making a big fight.
  The fellers what ride two "hosses" are hard at work to make the 
voters see into the beauty of the act. The ballot boxes next Tuesday 
will reveal whether the feat has been successful.
  It is said that that numerous man, City Treasurer-Chairman-Dem-Ex-
City-Committee-Galbraith has been set up by his "pal" for 
representative delegate to the State Convention, candidate for 
Assembly, Congress, County Commissioner, Poor Director, or anything 
else down to an old pair of boots, for the season, as they say in the 
horse bills. Major Elbow suggests that all the Democratic city 
candidates withdraw, and the numerous man spread himself out over the 
Democratic hat. Why not?

Reportorial Pick-ups by the Way Side.

  All political and transient advertising in the Morning Tribune must 
be paid for in advance.
  Mr. Alex. Dobbins is our Hollidaysburg agent, and is quite efficient 
in working up the circulation of the M. T.
  It is reported on credible authority that the Globe office is 
affected with the Rynder-pest! Farmers, beware!
  An engine which has been undergoing repairs was being tested in the 
yard yesterday afternoon. It was not numbered.
  At a meeting of the Keystone Building and Loan Association last 
evening at Logan Hall a constitution and by-laws were adopted.
  The mellifluous songs of the swinish multitude regaled ears polite at 
the depot last night. The Swedish Quartet and the Boston Philharmoners 
were nowhere.
  The Amateur Minstrels will give one of their pleasing entertainments 
at the Opera House on Saturday evening. The boys are clever performers, 
and they deserve a good house.
  Robert McMahon, drunk and disorderly, was locked up last night. He 
was making too much noise on Eleventh avenue, and officers Whittle and 
Coho scooped him up.
  The Franklin and Concordia Musical Societies indulged themselves at 
the hall on Ninth avenue last evening. The entertainment was of a 
social character, and "the good lager beer," the favorite German 
beverage, flowed freely.
  Adam Maus, who some time since was reported dead of small-pox at 
Huntingdon, was seen at the depot yesterday with a large tin box in his 
hand. He was asked what it contained, and he said it was full of small-
pox exterminator.
  Jim Flanagan distinguished himself yesterday afternoon at Mateer's 
drug store in a sanguinary battle with a large rat. The iron heel of 
Flanagan came down upon it when routed from behind a closet, and 
crushed the life from out the innocent.
  Mr. John M. Klink danced at the fair of the Good Will company last 
night with all the graceful abandon of a jolly tar who had not been 
shipwrecked. The ball was a success, and the fine dancing floor and the 
entrancing music drew out a goodly company of ladies and gentlemen. Jim 
McConnell's clear tenor kept the merry dancers in order.

The Method of His Drunkenness.

  A Sixth Warder went home the other evening pretty well "slewed" as 
his wife thought. He had bee out with the "politicianers," playing "be 
er not to be er," he said; and the "loikes of sich a toime bate the 
devil hisself." After being in bed awhile he told his wife that he 
could not sleep, and that he must get up. And so he did, partially 
dressing himself, taking his boots in his hand and descending the 
stairs. The wife began to be concerned about his vagaries, and turned 
out to look after him. She peered into her sister's room and found that 
empty. Then she went below and found her liege lord and the method of 
his drunkenness. She caught the truant husband and her frail sister in 
flagrante delictu, and then ensued a scene which the following more 
than portrayed:
  "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned."
  And she went for that sister with all the vigor of a McDermott, 
pitched her out of the house, then sent her bag and baggage after her. 
The recreant husband coolly took in the situation, and in reply to the 
hair-inspiring and scalp lifting threats of vengeance from his devoted 
and virtuous spouse, said: "My dear, you need not take it on so; you 
and I were there before we were made one." This was the climax, and the 
enraged woman yelled "murder," "fire," "police" until the whole 
neighborhood was aroused to witness that con infernal scandal.

Personal.

  Hon W. L. Torbert, State Senator from Schuylkill county and member of 
the riot commission, was at the Logan House yesterday.
  Lincoln Smith will appear at the Amateurs' entertainment on Saturday 
evening. He thinks his hand will be sufficiently recovered to permit 
him to take his part in the usual gymnastic performance.
  Robert Pitcairn, Esq., Superintendent of the Pittsburgh Division, was 
in the city yesterday. He did not forget the M. T. office. What R. P. 
don't know about railroading can't be found in Webster's Dictionary or 
Appleton's Encyclopedia.
  Hon. L. W. Hall, of Harrisburg, was to be seen on our thoroughfares 
yesterday, as familiar with them and the people as of yore.
  Wm. H. Schwartz, Esq., is said to have the inside track for the 
County Superintendency. If so, Blair county will secure an officer as 
efficient and competent as he is worthy.

A Beautiful Collection of Art Studies at the Presbyterian Supper.

  The supper for the benefit of the First Presbyterian Church was well 
attended last night. The refreshments served to its patrons were 
deliciously gotten up, and the fair ladies in attendance wore their 
most bewitching and enticing smiles. A very remarkable feature of the 
entertainment is the "art gallery," the idea of which was conceived and 
carried out by Messrs. N. C. Barclay, J. A. Keesbery and J. W. Fries. 
Some of the most wonderful, enchanting and life like views that ever 
emanated from the aesthetic fancy of an artist can here be seen. A 
handsome and natural work of art is the portrait by (essentially) a 
home artist of one of Altoona's most distinguished citizens. "Ruins in 
China" and views of Havana and a square in Brussels are peculiarly 
edifying, and even the hypercritical can see nothing in the whole of 
the very numerous collection but calls forth the most unqualified 
praise and spontaneous admiration.

Miss Ella Ragan Wins the Silver Cup.

  At the ball of the City Council Band in Empire Hall last evening an 
interesting time was had. It had been previously announced that to the 
best waltzer last night a handsome silver drinking cup lined with gold 
would be presented, and a large assemblage of ladies and gentlemen 
gathered to witness the contest. The dancing continued until about 
eleven o'clock, the time fixed for the prize dance. Miss Ella Ragan was 
adjudged at the conclusion to be the most graceful tripper of the 
"light fantastic," and to her the cup was awarded. Her partner was Mr. 
Baund. The trophy was presented to the lady by Mr. C. C. Mateer, 
Greenback-Labor candidate for Council in the Fifth ward, who made a 
neat presentation speech. There were five judges, and the unanimity of 
opinion which existed among them as to Miss Ragan's dancing is shown by 
the fact that she received the whole vote, and then the judges 
congratulated her.