NEWS: Items from the Morning Tribune, February 19, 1878, Blair County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Jessica Orr Copyright 2007. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/ _______________________________________________ Morning Tribune, Tuesday, February 19, 1878, page 1 CITY AND COUNTRY The Tale of a Dog - and a Deed of Blood! Mr. Ewing, who works on the Mirror, has a mortal fear of small dogs, and at a house which he passes on his way to his boarding house is a very vicious canine. This snappy little animal conceived a particular aversion to Mr. Ewing - which was heartily reciprocated - flying at him and threatening to "chaw" him up, and probably would have done so had he (the "purp") been of less Liliputian proportions. Ewing some time ago obtained an instrument of destruction in the shape of a cane with the traditional "little hatchet" upon the end of it with which to destroy the vicious "dorg" should he make further hostile demonstrations; but he never got a chance to use it. This same animal last night flew at another citizen who was passing the house, and snapped and sputtered around till the frightened citizen puckered up courage enough to pull a pistol and shoot the unruly beast in the leg. This ended the irrepressible conflict - for the dog has been the sworn enemy of everybody in the neighborhood - for the time. The wounded canine was carried from the sanguinary scene, and then there appeared such an excited crowd as was never seen in the vicinity before, all showing up their torn pant-legs and congratulating each other on their miraculous escape from future destruction. Ewing says he is satisfied to bury the hatchet for the present, but he hopes the diminutive terror of the neighborhood may never recover his wonted friskiness. A Destructive Conflagration Near this City. The residence of John Brooke, at Brooke's Mills, on the Hollidaysburg branch railroad, was burned to the ground on Sunday last. At the time of the conflagration Mr. Brooke and his wife were absent from home. There was a hired man about the premises, but he was in the barn attending to the stock, and when he discovered the fire it had obtained too much headway, and he was unable to subdue the flames. None of the contents of the house except a few books were saved from the devouring element. There was an insurance on the building to the amount of about $1,500. Political Chips. It was rumored that C. B. McDermott had resigned, but the Republican City Executive Committee has not received notice of his withdrawal. W. B. Blake says Harry Husfield will be fooled on the German vote. Blake is a "confidence man," too, and thinks he could fill the Second district's aldermanic chair as well as anybody he knows of. Nous verrons! Although he has been nominated for Assessor in the Third ward by the Greenback-Labor party, Mr. James McIntosh wishes it understood that he is not the candidate of that or any other party, and is not desirous of votes. Morning Tribune, Tuesday, February 19, 1878, page 3 CITY AND COUNTRY. Accident to a Drunken Man. About four o'clock yesterday morning a drunken man was observed at the corner of Twelfth street and Tenth avenue leaning against a railing in front of the St. Charles Hotel, his body bent half-way across the sidewalk. He would not tell his name, and all inquiries were useless. He staggered about for a time and presently fell down a cellar way, bruising and cutting himself severely. Another Defaulter. Dr. C. L. Hart, who has been in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company for three years as receiver of the moneys collected at the Jersey City ferries for passengers and teams, left for parts unknown on Friday night. His accounts had been examined by an expert and a deficiency of $800 was detected. In addition to this it is alleged that he borrowed under false representations sums amounting to about $5,000. when this information reached the eats of Mr. Jackson, General Superintendent, Hart was suspended on Thursday. A Horse Bazaar for Altoona. Mr. Amandus Sink, President of Council, left last evening for a trip through the "dark and bloody ground" of stock raising Kentucky. Propositions have been made to Mr. Sink looking to the establishment by him of a horse market on the fair grounds in this city, and he will go to Kentucky for the purpose of examining horseflesh is that State, and if advisable purchasing. Mr. Sink assured a Tribune reporter that if horses were brought here and a market for their sale established none but the very best stock would be imported. He will be absent about a week. The establishment of a first-class horse market in this city would be a desideratum, and would no doubt bring much money here and necessarily increase business. It is to be hoped that the idea may be carried to a successful termination. HOLLIDAYSBURG DEPARTMENT. A Coup d'Etat in Hollidaysburg Hollidaysburg, Pa., February 18. - It has just been discovered that the Republicans have set up a straight borough ticket except for school directors, and are now quietly circulating it. This treachery insures the election of the Greenback Labor ticket. Little Facts and Fancies - Big Things Grave and Gay. It will soon be Burgess Jones instead of Chief Justice Jones. If you haven't voted yet go right off to the polls and vote for the best men. There were a goodly number of parlor Christians in this section last Sunday. Rev. A. C. Ehrenfeld preached for the people of Frankstown on Sunday evening. Rev. D. L. Ryder, of the Lutheran church, preached at Duncansville on Sunday evening. Rev. R. M. Wallace, formerly of your city, preached for the Presbyterian people of this place on Sunday morning. Rev. M. Rupley, of Martinsburg, occupied the pulpit of the Lutheran Church morning and evening on Sunday last. Akers and Beamer, who both sustain a loss by the burning of Brooke's property, are mutually condoling with each other. The consolidated height of Matthew Calvin, J. Irvin Brotherline and Captain M'Cahan is seventeen feet eleven and one-half inches. Colonel Piper says there's music in the air, and by the time this number of the M. T. reaches the twin boroughs he will have the joke set up on Jones food. The candidates for constable are moving around lively. They are extremely courteous and suave in their manners. The candidates for the other offices seem to be resting on their oars. They will all know what hit them in less than twelve hours. "Diehl and Coates" made an effort to get a hearing on a writ of habeas corpus yesterday afternoon, but the Commonwealth, as embodied in the person of District Attorney Jackson could not be found, and the playwrights yet languish in McClure's bastile. Martinsburg's sporting young men are taking private lessons in dancing from Commedian Boner. The instructor says if he had his pupils in a good sized lot where they might exercise freely, all would be well, but the space between the counters is a little too small. There is a drought in town to-day to all but the initiated. Bar-rooms closed on account of the election. There are some people who think this thing of holding two elections a year and shutting down the drinks on a fellow is an outrage upon personal rights. Fire At Brooke's Station. On Saturday last the family of John T. Brooke, of Brooke's Station, M. C. railroad, some five miles from this borough, were absent from home, spending the day with a relative in Frankstown township. There remained about the premises a young man who was engaged in work about the barn. It is alleged that he kindled a fire in the afternoon and then went to the barn to attend to the stock. About five o'clock P.M. he discovered that the house was on fire. Without aid of any sort, with no fire apparatus, he was powerless to stay the ravages of the flames, and in a very brief space of time the house was burned to the ground. With it was consumed the smoke house, which adjoins the main building. Nearly all the furniture and household stores were destroyed with the house. The origin of the fire is a profound mystery. There was upon the dwelling and smoke house an insurance of $1,100 with I. I. Beamer & Co. J. C. Akers had $500 on the house and $900 on the personal effects. The insurance will cover the loss. Horse Thieves About. On Saturday night a valuable blooded sorrel mare, eight years old, white face, was stolen from the barn of Solomon Carner, who resides in the Loop, Frankstown township, four miles southeast of Hollidaysburg. The horse was tracked to this place, but no further clue has been obtained. Mr. Carner would pay liberally for a sight of the horse and thief. Our farmer friends should take proper precautions to secure their stock. Thieves are numerous and desperate. GAYSPORT POLITICS. They never get excited over in Gaysport until the day before the election. Following is the list of candidates being voted for in that little borough to-day. Burgess. Democrat. - C. B. Jones. Republican. - W. K. Piper. Labor-Reform. - C. B. Jones Town Council. Democrat. - Wm. Kellerman; G. W. Patterson. Republican. - J. Caldwell; John Titus Labor-Reform. - H. B. Smith; Wm. Robinson. School Directors. Democrat. - W. B. Smith; J. R. Crawford. Republican. - W. P. Smith; J. Hutchison. Labor-Reform. - B. Balsinger; E. C. Bell. Constable. Democrat. - J. A. Border. Republican. - S. C. Barr. Labor-Reform. - John Miller Assessor. Democrat. - Hugh Smith. Republican. - John Lowe. Labor-Reform. - Hugh Smith. Auditors. Democrat. - F. Patterson; Alex Dobbin. Republican. - J. McCahan; H. Miller. Labor-Reform. - C. Hughes; W. M'Namara. Judge of Elections. Democrat. - J. G. Barr. Republican. - J. Cunningham. Labor-Reform. - Jos. Barr. Inspector of Election. Democrat. - Geor. Curtis. Republican. - R. Williamson. Labor-Reform. - D. Gildeay. Notes from the mines. A grand success - E. Wolford's patent combination padlock. Disappointed - Our young folks over the light snow fall. Our community boasts of the best violinist in Blair county. James McNally, who had his collar-bone dislocated by the fall of a stove some ten days ago is, we are glad to say, able to be out again. Our school, numbering some sixty scholars, is prospering under the control of Daniel Wolf, Esq. One of the questions among our school teachers and directors is: Who will be the next County Superintendent? We trust it will be the best man. As yet but one copy of the M. T. comes to this office, but it is read by a score. It is said there were fifteen hundred people at the sale of Casper Reesy's property on the 14th. The spring election is now troubling some of our patriotic citizens who are willing to suffer the burden of acting as supervisors, school directors, &c. Hope we may have competent men, as the offices are responsible and important. On Friday one of our "young bloods" received a challenge to mortal combat. The same has been accepted, and the weapons chosen are butcher knives. The time and place has not yet been settled on, but we shall report as soon as the preliminaries are arranged. No outsiders admitted. The butchering season has just closed with us. The porkers slaughtered numbered over ten hundred, with an average weight of 275 pounds. Our correspondent adds to the above that he is very lazy and cannot do any better this time. Let him continue to do as well and we'll cheerfully forgive him. Morning Tribune, Tuesday, February 19, 1878, page 4 CITY AND COUNTRY. Held for Postage. The following letters are held for postage at the Altoona post- office: Messrs. Jones & Co., Nassau, N. Y.; Joseph Freener, St. Augustine, Pa.; Martin Baird, Altoona, Pa. The Elections Returns To-night. Mr. W. C. Galbraith, Chairman of the Democratic City Executive Committee, has secured a room on the first floor of the Opera House - that used by the Logan Building Association - for the reception of the returns of to-day's election. The returns will be announced as sent in from the different wards. A Youthful Wanderer. Mr. Isett, the company's officer, picked up a lad lying along the railroad below the warehouse crying, yesterday, who said he wanted to go home. He lived in Pittsburgh. The officer took him to the Mayor's office, and it was found that he had a dollar. Chief Randolph then procured him a half-fare ticket and sent him on his way as far as Blairsville. Hose Company Officers Elected. At a regular meeting of the Excelsior Hose Co. No. 3, held Friday evening, February 15, the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: President, Isaac N. Eaby; First Vice President, J. B. Stahl; Second Vice President, Wm. F. Patton; Treasurer, J. Simonton; Secretary, J. H. Patton; Representative to the Board of Fire Department, J. W. Findley. A Horse Thief Wanted. Lockard, the thief who stole a horse near Martinsburg last fall and sold it to some one in Sinking Valley afterwards, stole a horse on Sunday last from a Mr. Samuels living at Pattonville, Bedford county. Neither Lockard nor the horse has been heard of since. Lockard is 6 feet 4 inches high, about 22 years of age, has a freckled, sensual face and always looks as if he were apologizing for ever having been born. The Girl He Left Behind Him. On the emigrant train yesterday afternoon were some nineteen emigrants bound for the West. The party were from Newry and vicinity. One disconsolate young man, as the train moved out of the depot, stood on the rear platform of one of the cars and whistled "The Girl I Left Behind Me" - at Newry. He then rested his elbow upon the brake-wheel of the car and laid his head upon his hand, assuming a most lugubrious expression. Never mind, bub; your popsy-wopsy can write you a nice letter when you are far away! What the Pennsylvania Company Does for Blair County. Blair county ought to consider herself one of the most fortunate counties in the Commonwealth. Notwithstanding the general business stagnation and universal cry of hard times - which, of course, affects railroads as well as other enterprises - the company in Blair county alone employs over four thousand men, and pays to these employes each month about $160,000. in addition to this the taxes paid by the company in this county annually amount to about $14,000, and besides this thousands of dollars are spent every year for material purchased within her limits. The Result of a Fight at Spelling "Skule." At Oak Grove school-house one day last week the country lads and lasses resolved to have a spelling bee. The village of Bell's Mills contains - or did contain - a couple of young "roosters" named William Kellerman and David Burns, who are for showing their spurs upon the least provocation. If there is no provocation, all the better pleased are they. These two young fellows must needs go to the spelling "skule" at Oak Grove with the avowed determination of knocking the nose off any denizen of the Grove, who gave them "taffy," or "eye water," or any thing of that sort. The young fellows went at their work with a will, and succeeded in beating a young man named Behm, son of Nicholas Behm, pretty severely. But in the end, to use a slang expression, they "got left." Constable M. C. Forrester, of Bell's Mills, arrested the young pugilists on Saturday, and they had a hearing before 'Squire John Campbell, at Hensheytown, who committed them. Constable Forrester took Kellerman to Tyrone and locked him up there until yesterday morning. Burns' father took charge of his son and delivered him into the custody of the constable at Bell's Mills yesterday. Mr. Forrester then proceeded to Hollidaysburg with his prisoners, where they will remain in durance until the April court. Reportorial Pick-ups by the Wayside. J. H. Speece is the new policeman at the Opera House. At the United Brethren Church revival meetings have commenced. The Amateur Minstrels will give another performance on Friday evening. The outgoing incumbents of office are the least disturbed of anybody to-day. Voters, put on the coat - if you have more than one - with the strongest buttonholes to-day. The Day Express east yesterday had on board a big black bear from the Rocky Mountains. Police matters were dull yesterday. Everybody was on good behavior previous to the election. Many candidates wandered about the streets last night looking as though they had lost something. At the Second Lutheran Church on Sunday evening thirty-one persons were taken into the membership. Have you laid in your supply of "bug-juice," ye thirsty politician? The grog-shops are closed to-day, you know! The anniversary of the Railroad Men's Christian Association will be held in the First Lutheran Church next Sunday evening. Ye independent voter will be out in force to-day. Look out for him, for he is a promiscuous "shootist" of paper bullets, and recks not who he hits. The remains of Ellen Mulligan were interred at St. John's Catholic cemetery yesterday morning. The sodality of the church attended her funeral. We never want a lawyer as a friendly correspondent. We know of one unfortunate young man not in town who is afflicted with such a correspondent, and he will presently receive a letter of fourteen pages. Poor young man! Josiah Fries, Dr. Sellers, J. G. Davis, J. Eaby and F. Hesser went to a farm in Mudtown on Saturday afternoon and indulged in an hour's practice shooting at Bogardus glass balls. Fifty five balls were used, and forty five broken. Twenty shots were allowed each man. A couple of fair damsels tried the cheap plan at the depot last evening and indulged themselves with a cup of sidewalk coffee. They evidently did not like it, for they soon entered the spacious hall of the Logan House, as one of then said, to "get a clean bite!" The Nebraska Colony. Mr. R. R. Randall, of Burlington, Iowa, delivered an address at the Amateur Minstrels' room before the Nebraska colony on Saturday evening. Some two hundred persons were present. The speaker began by referring to the fact that from time immemorial it had been the custom to emigrate. He mentioned as an instance the wanderings of the tribes of Israel from one place to another, and cited the fact that the Pilgrim Fathers had also left the lands of their nativity to seek freedom and tolerance in a new and wild world. He went on to explain to the meeting the advantages the State of Nebraska presented to emigrants, and lauded its fine crops and its excellent people. He permitted the audience to propound to him any questions relative to the country that they might desire, and answered them all in a satisfactory manner. Those in attendance were much pleased with the speaker and his views, and paid him marked attention. Upon the conclusion of Mr. Randall's address a business meeting of the colony was held. Six or eight new members were enrolled. There is room for twenty-five or thirty more. It is not at all probable that the colony will emigrate in a body, as some twenty- five people will leave about the 15th of March. These will comprise parties who have not the need of government aid. Afterward those who can stand along - figuratively speaking - will depart in small bodies, until all that can go pending congressional action will have got away. Tickets to Lincoln, Nebraska, can be obtained of Mr. Wilson, at the Opera House restaurant, for $23.70. Another meeting of the colony will be held at the usual place on Saturday evening. Personal. Hon. W. W. Ketchum, of Luzerne county, was at the Logan House last evening. He came to town to meet his family. Alderman "Poff" was away from his office for two days last week. He evidently was awake at train time on that occasion. Senator Fisher and that prince of good follows, Joe Watson, of Huntingdon, dropped in to see us yesterday. Call often, gentlemen. Alderman Griffin will go to Michigan between the 1st and 10th of April. He will not take his family, as he is not positive that he will locate in that State. We hope the Alderman will conclude to remain among us. A Billiard Man in the Role of Employer. Homer Vaughan was yesterday engaged in papering a room adjoining his billiard room on Tenth avenue. A tramp came along, and needing some assistance Homer employed the peripatetic gentleman. Feeling the need of some plaster of-paris to stop up some of the abrasions in the wall, he sent the tramp after some of the plaster, giving him half a dollar out of which to pay for it. The fellow mistook a gin mill for an establishment that kept plaster of-paris, and did not recognize his error until the half-dollar was gone and he was gloriously drunk. Vaughan did the balance of the work himself, and the last seen of the tramp he was holding up a railing at the corner of Twelfth street and Tenth avenue. Robbery at the Depot. Box 84, belonging to a news agent on the road, was discovered at 12.05 o'clock this morning lying inside the railing in front of the Logan House broken open. It is supposed to be the work of thieves, as the contents were scattered around promiscuously, and cigars and books to the value of $25 were missed. The box was picked up and taken into the baggage room. COURT PROCEEDINGS. Fifth Week. Judge Pershing's Court convened in the arbitration room at 10 o'clock yesterday morning, and at the same hour the session of the fifth week was opened by Judge J. C. Bucher in the main court room. Then we had the uncommon spectacle of two courts in session at Hollidaysburg at one and the same time. In Judge Bucher's court the following business was transacted. R. Alexander vs. Wm. H. Ake. Continued. M. McWhinny & Co. vs. D. M. Klefner. Settled. J. H. Christian vs. S. A. McAteer et al. In this case a jury was sworn, when defendants confessed judgment in favor of plaintiff in the sum of $369. Lloyd, Caldwell & Co. vs. James E. Bell and wife. Continued. Samuel Sharer vs. A. McFadden. Settled. William Lightner vs. J. S. McCahan. Continued. in Judge Pershing's court the time was occupied with the trial of the case of Joseph Irvin vs. Pennsylvania Railroad Company, previously reported. Neighborhood Pickings. A case of small-pox is reported at Saxton. Only one case of varioloid was reported in Huntingdon on the 17th. Mother Ehrhart, of Miles township, Centre county, died recently at the age of ninety-six years. Huntingdon argument court will be held to-morrow, at which time forty-four cases will occupy the attention of Judge Dean. Rev. John D. Brown, the well-known missionary to India, died at his home in Harrisburg on Sunday morning, of paralysis. One of the iron pillars supporting the roof of the depot in Huntingdon was broken, it is supposed, by a heavy mail bag thrown from a car. And now Thomas McGovern, a school teacher of Shade Gap, was not killed on the East Broad Top railroad the other day, but is alive and kicking. Good! Mr. Daniel E. Lowrie left his home in Huntingdon county last Saturday to go to Allenville, Mifflin county, and on the way lost his pocket- book containing $340. The Huntingdon Local News says the real and personal property of Messrs. Lyon, Shorb & Co. will be sold at trustee's sale on Friday, March 29. the land is located in Blair, Cambria and Huntingdon counties, consisting of 40,000 acres, having thereon the Tyrone and Colerain forges, Pennsylvania furnace, four grist mills, one hundred and thirty-six tenant houses, etc.