NEWS: Items from the Morning Tribune, February 6, 1878, Blair County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Jessica Orr 

Copyright 2006.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/
_______________________________________________ 

Items from the Morning Tribune, Altoona, Wednesday, February 6, 1878

CITY AND COUNTRY.
Special Car for the Penitentiary Birds.

  Mr. James Stiffler, High Sheriff of Blair county, was in the city 
yesterday consulting with Hon. John Reilly, Superintendent of 
Transportation, as to the feasibility of obtaining a special car in which to 
conduct the eleven prisoners who were sentenced to terms of different length 
in the penitentiary to their destination.  Mr. Reilly promised to send the 
car to Hollidaysburg when the Sheriff was ready, which will be on - well, it 
doesn't do for reporters to tell all they know!

Morning Tribune, Wednesday, February 6, 1878, page 3

HOLLIDAYSBURG DEPARTMENT
Little Facts and Fancies - Big Things Grave and Gay.

  Sleighing parties were numerous on Monday evening.
  The rolling mill at this place is now running on old car wheels, making 
from the same excellent iron.  She never turns out any other sort, in fact.
  To day is what they call "Directors day" at the almshouse.  There are 
twelve of these days in the year, when the directors meet for the purpose of 
transacting their regular business, and when those who are interested call 
for their little orders.
  A large party of young folks indulged in a sleighing expedition to the 
Summit on Monday night.  That sleighing trips this season have been 
rarities, added to the enjoyment of this one.
  B. M. Johnston, Esq., while interviewing matters and things at the rolling 
mill on Monday afternoon, was the victim of a painful accident.  One of the 
wheels of the small car used in conveying iron from the mill, came off just 
as Mr. Johnston was passing, and falling upon his right foot crushed the 
same in a painful manner.  It is a little singular that the same foot was 
injured in almost precisely the same manner about a week ago, and had not 
yet healed.  Mr. Johnston will be confined to his room for some days.
  A smile of sardonic glee parted his face from ear to ear as he ran against 
his "butty," shouting in his ear, "Go home - go home and get your sled.  
There's no school for a week, the sister's sick!  Whoop!  Hurra!"
  The powerful law of custom has given Young America that portion of 
Montgomery street which extends from the Diamond to the old canal basin as a 
coasting ground, and for the last few evenings that portion of town has been 
fairly black until a late hour of the night with merry, rollicking, shouting 
humanity.
  The court got rid of a very antique case yesterday in the Lune-Brotherline 
case.  Reminds one a little of the proceedings in Jardyce vs. Jardyce, and 
if it should happen to come back from the Supreme Court, whither the 
probability is that it will be taken, the resemblance will be all the 
greater.
  The three good looking County Commissioners were in session yesterday, and 
with them, in good health and first rate humor, was our patriarchal friend, 
Alexander Carollton, ex-Commissioner.
  I would rather have the consciousness that I have striven to deserve the 
kindly words of the Tribune than the fees connected with my office. - 
District Attorney Jackson.
  Hon. Samuel McCamant, of Tyrone, looked in on the Lune-Brotherline case 
yesterday, just about the time F. P. T. had reached the climax of his 
waspish eloquence.  The word "waspish" is not used to depreciate Frank's 
eloquence, but it is the only word which exactly describes it.
  "There's many a slip 'twixt the cup and the lip" is an old adage, which 
our good friend C. P. Banks proved to his own dissatisfaction yesterday 
morning.  And apples are not less than $1.25 per bushel.
  Some of the straight outs among the unterrified are disposed to revolt 
against the fusion ticket recently nominated, and are seriously considering 
the propriety of nominating a straight out Democratic borough ticket.  Pitch 
in, gentlemen, the more the merrier.
  John Christy, formerly of this place, now of the Land Office, Harrisburg, 
was in town Monday.
  Sleepy-looking, dull eyed, big-headed young gentlemen were rather numerous 
yesterday.  Which the same may be charged of the "beautiful snow" and the 
jovial party at the Summit on Monday night.
  James Reeder has removed his grocery from Bell's old building into Loutt's 
rooms.
  A runaway was one of the excitements in the Diamond yesterday.  A horse 
attached to a sled, driven by a young man named Ritz, became frightened at a 
loosed trace and ran away.  Serious consequences might have ensued had it 
not been for George W. Over, who ran out and caught the animal.
  Mayor Gilland was in town to day, interviewing, among other things, the 
almshouse.

Morning Tribune, Wednesday, February 6, 1878, page 3

AS GOOD AS HIS WORD.

  When the jury went out in the last civil case tried last week, Mrs. Meehan 
vs. McClain, Sheriff Stiffler said he wouldn't like to bet that plaintiff 
would get much damages.  F. P. Tierney, Mrs. Meehan's counsel, said he would 
bet a three dollar hat that the verdict wouldn't be a cent under $20.  The 
Sheriff said he would take that bet.  The verdict, as our readers will 
remember, was $10.  On Monday Tierney came to time and handed the Sheriff 
the X, telling him to suit himself as to the hat.  The Sheriff didn't want 
to hold Frank to his bargain, but it was no go; he had to take the money.  
Here is another illustration of the wonder working power of that word "if."  
If John Brown hadn't gone across the river to cut grass Bridget Meehan would 
not have ordered him away, and Aug. McClain wouldn't have lost his temper 
and said naughty things, and Mrs. Meehan wouldn't have come to court for the 
sake of her character and Frank Tierney wouldn't have received a fee, a 
moiety of which would never have purchased Sheriff Stiffler a handsome new 
hat.

Morning Tribune, Wednesday, February 6, 1878, page 3

CITY AND COUNTRY.

Meeting of Stephen Potts Post, G.A.R.

  The regular monthly meeting of Lieutenant Stephen Potts Post, No. 62, 
G.A.R., will be held to-morrow evening at Odd Fellows Hall, corner of 
Eleventh avenue and Fourteenth street.  Business of importance will be 
transacted, and all the members are requested to be present.

The Committee to Investigate the July Riots.

  The legislative committee appointed to examine into the July riots, 
consisting of five members of the House and three of the Senate, came from 
Harrisburg on the Fast Line last evening.  They took supper at the Logan 
House and then proceeded to Pittsburgh.  Twenty days are allowed the 
committee in which to complete their investigations.  They will then return 
to the State capital and summon witnesses.

Interesting Law Suit.

  On Monday next, at Hollidaysburg, will be commenced the suit of Mrs. Pike, 
of Hollidaysburg - whose husband was a supervisor of the Pennsylvania 
Railroad Company in 1853 - for the ejectment of persons occupying certain 
pieces of ground in Logantown, Second ward, this city.  A number of 
witnesses have been subpoenaed who reside in the West.  Mr. George Harman, 
of the First ward, has also been subpoenaed as a witness for the defendants.  
The land was sold for taxes as far back as 1853 or 1854.

Consideration of the Claims of Applicants for Pardon.

  The Board of Pardons will convene at Harrisburg on the 12th inst. to 
consider applications for pardon.  Among the cases to come up is that pf 
Patrick Leonard, of Gallitzin, who was convicted in September, 1876, of 
murder in the second degree, for the killing of the Pennsylvania Railroad 
switchman at Gallitzin.  Several applications from Blair county will be 
heard - among them that of John Carroll, in prison for riot, and of Henry 
Baker, convicted of keeping a bawdy house.

Important Suit.

  An important case is being tried in Centre county this week, growing out 
of a suit tried once in the United States Circuit Court, that of R. F. Clow 
vs. Derby Coal Company.  The plaintiff getting a verdict in the Circuit 
Court, the case was appealed to the United States Supreme Court, and in 
order to take an appeal defendant was required to give a bond of $25,000.  
The bondsmen have the matter to pay.  They are John Anderson, ex-Governor 
Curtin and Senator Wallace.  Anderson is sued, and is said to be the only 
one who can be made suffer, as he gave a bond to secure Messrs. Curtin and 
Wallace.  Anderson, it appears, was in some manner interested in the suit 
originally.
  
Morning Tribune, Wednesday, February 6, 1878, page 4

Personal.

  Alderman McCormick is still unable to be about.
  Mr. Cessna, member of Council, is quite an agitator in his way.
  Revs. G. D. Penepacker and S. D. Middleton, of Bedford, were in the city 
last evening.
  Rev. W. J. Chichester, of the Second Presbyterian Church, returned from 
Baltimore last evening.
  Joseph Thompson, of Thompson, Fry & Co., dealers in fancy groceries at 
Front and Market streets, Philadelphia, was at the Logan House yesterday.
  Hon. R. Milton Speer, ex-member of Congress, of Huntingdon, registered at 
the Logan House last evening.
  Rev. Mr. Ormond will lecture on temperance in the Second Presbyterian 
Church tomorrow evening.
  Tyrone's "conundrum," William Riddle, high constable of that borough, was 
in the city yesterday.  He likes the Tribune.
  Samuel Marshall, of the lower freight shops, has been and gone and done it 
in Ireland.  He has returned to this city with his bride.
  Lieutenant Williams, of Company B (Curtin Guards), Fifth regiment, of 
Bellefonte, was in the city yesterday.  The lieutenant came here to 
negotiate for the uniforms of Company D, Latta Guards, which he would like 
to purchase for the use of the Bellefonte "sojers."  Lieutenant Williams 
will return to Bellefonte to-day.

Morning Tribune, Wednesday, February 6, 1878, page 4

A Young Girl Painfully Burned.

  Ellen Mulligan, about sixteen years of age, a nurse girl in the employ of 
Mrs. Bowman, of No. 1403 Eleventh avenue, arose from her bed about half-past 
six o'clock yesterday morning, and taking the cup of an ordinary lantern and 
lighting it proceeded to the cellar of the house to put some coals upon the 
fire in the furnace.  In order to feed the fire it became necessary for her 
to descend a couple of steps, the door being that much lower than the level 
of the floor.  In doing this she placed the lamp upon the highest step, and 
going down commenced her attentions to the fire.  She was dressed in a light 
calico dress and overskirt, and while in a stooping position her skirts 
swept over the flame of the lamp and took fire.  The first intimation she 
had of her danger was the warmth of her back, up which the flames were 
mounting.  When the girl discovered her perilous condition she screamed 
loudly, which was heard by Mr. John Doyle and Mr. Bowman, his brother-in-
law, who rushed to the cellar and then called Mrs. Bowman.  The gentlemen 
extinguished the flames with pieces of carpet, in the effort burning the 
ends of their fingers very severely.  The young girl's back was painfully 
burned, but Dr. Walker, who was called in, said the injuries were not 
dangerous.  Mrs. Bowman is very attentive to the wants of the injured girl, 
and she will probably soon be able to be about again. 

Morning Tribune, Wednesday, February 6, 1878, page 4

The Greenback-Labor People.

  The City Executive Committee of the Greenback-Labor party met at the 
Council chamber last evening.  Chairman Davis presided, and Mr. G. W. 
Amhiser was secretary.  Poll committees were appointed, and a vacancy for 
Assessor in the Fifth ward was filled by the selection of Mr. Henry Stewart.  
Chas. Curtis and Robert Smith were added as representatives of the Seventh 
ward to the Executive Committee.  The meeting then adjourned.
  A meeting of Greenback-Labor men will be held this evening at Walker's 
store to nominate a ticket for the Seventh ward.
  All members of the Greenback-Labor party interested are requested to 
convene at the Council chamber, at half-past seven o'clock on Friday 
evening, for the purpose of selecting a ticket to be voted for in the Third 
ward.

Morning Tribune, Wednesday, February 6, 1878, page 4

Sickness of Rev. Mr. Shearer.
  
  At the Second Lutheran Church on Seventh avenue last evening Rev. Mr. 
Baker, of the First Lutheran Church, filled the pulpit.  There were three 
persons forward at the anxious bench seeking forgiveness of their sins.  
There were two conversions on Monday evening.  Rev. J. F. Shearer, the 
regular pastor, was sick yesterday, and was unable to be present.  His 
physicians would allow him to receive no visitors last night.  It is likely 
that Rev. Baker will conduct the revival services until Mr. Shearer's 
recovery.
  The meeting at the Second Methodist Church on Eighth avenue closed last 
evening.

Morning Tribune, Wednesday, February 6, 1878, page 4

COURT PROCEEDINGS.

  The court convened at nine o'clock yesterday morning, and the trial of the 
case of William Wilson vs. D. & C. Moore, reposted in yesterday's issue, was 
resumed.  The morning session was entirely occupied with this case, which 
was given to the jury at noon.  The defendants claimed that the contract was 
made with the son, whose hand sealed the article of agreement; that the 
young man had not been discharged but had quit of his own accord, and that a 
tender of the amount due at the time of quitting had been made but refused.  
The jury returned shortly after three o'clock P.M. with a verdict for 
plaintiff in the sum of $84.43.  W. Lee Woodcock for plaintiff; A. A. 
Stevens for defendant.
  John Brotherline vs. James Swires.  This was an action of assumpsit, 
originally brought to January term, 1855, against James Swires and Alexander 
Anderson, doing business as Swires & Anderson for the undivided one fourth 
of the undivided one fifth of that portion of the land which was conveyed to 
Jacob C. Kinsell, as trustee, by Magdalena -----, by deed of ----- 1837; and 
further, for the whole of the sixty-seven acres and seventy two perches 
devised to Anna Maria Kinsell by will of George ------, bearing date ----- 
1820.  This verdict subject to decision of the Court on points of law raised 
by counsel.
  Mr. Anderson having died the case stood against Swires alone for some 
years.  Then he swore to have gone into bankruptcy and the suit as tried was 
against his assignees in bankruptcy.  Plaintiff claimed a balance due him, 
with interest, of over $1200, the items consisting of a stove and two 
boilers furnished, and amounts paid various firms for the use of Swires & 
Anderson.  Defendants admitted $42.64 of the amount claimed by plaintiff, 
but emphatically denied the balance of the claim.  Not only this, but it was 
claimed that instead of defendant being indebted to plaintiff the truth is 
that there is due defendant a balance of $106.11, which amount was claimed 
with interest.  The case was given to the jury at 5.10 o'clock, and they 
have not agreed upon a verdict as our report closes.  [----- = unreadable]
  M. Alexander vs. S. M. Woodcock, James Kearnan, Michael McCullough and 
John Rodgers. This was an action of ejectment, brought to recover possession 
of a lot of ground fronting on Fourteenth avenue, this city.  After the case 
had been stated for the plaintiff there was a long and fruitless search 
after an article of agreement, an important paper in the suit.  Without 
proceeding further in the case court adjourned until nine o'clock this 
morning.

Morning Tribune, Wednesday, February 6, 1878, page 4

SOME TROUBLE SAVED

  Late on Saturday night last Officer Whittle found a party of young fellows 
on Eleventh avenue, between Tenth and Eleventh streets, making entirely too 
much noise for an hour so near to Sunday morning as the time was, and 
ordered them to desist.  They told him that they were not the guilty ones, 
and walked off for the distance of a square.  A person passing them on the 
way came up with the officer and told him that the fellows were tearing the 
palings off a fence near where they were.  The officer then followed and 
told them that unless they came to their senses and settled the matter 
information would be lodged against them.  The parties were before the Mayor 
yesterday and compromised by paying a fine and costs and by having the fence 
repaired.

Morning Tribune, Wednesday, February 6, 1878, page 4

A HORSE TRADE

  Yesterday a horse jockey came along Seventh avenue to Andy Gamble's store 
with a fine large black horse which he wanted to trade.  As is known, Mr. 
Gamble had a very bad little bay, which has been in the habit of running 
away and playing hob generally wherever the opportunity offered, and he 
wanted to get rid of the animal.  A trade was affected, and Mr. Gamble now 
rejoices in the possession of a splendid looking horse, and thinks he has 
secured a bargain.

Morning Tribune, Wednesday, February 6, 1878, page 4

A TRAMP WHO HELPED TO BUILD THE LOCK-UP.

  There were three tramps in the station house last night.  One of them was 
a Dutchman who formerly resided in Altoona.  "You can't tell me nodings 
apost dis blaze," he said on entering the room, "I help for to make him."  
He was a carpenter, and had worked on the lock up during its construction.  
He had plenty of friends in the city, he said, with whom he could have 
stayed, but he did not want to go to them last night.

Morning Tribune, Wednesday, February 6, 1878, page 4