NEWS: Items from the Morning Tribune, November 22, 1879, Blair County, PA

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Items from the Morning Tribune, Altoona, Saturday, November 22, 1879

STATE NOTES.

  This from the Cambria Freeman shows pluck and energy: "Moses Yingling, of 
Allegheny township, this county, went to Altoona the other day and purchased 
thirteen pounds of nails and seven sets of window sash, which he wheeled 
home in a wheelbarrow across the mountain, a distance of fifteen miles.  The 
trip was made in eleven hours.  
  There having been some talk of the Huntzingers, the Pottsville bankers, 
being discharged from the Berks county jail on the 24th instant, when their 
term expires, Thomas F. Kerns, Prothonotary of Schuylkill county, protests 
against it, as they have not restored to him $24,000, which he had in their 
bank, and which is required by the sentence.

CITY AND COUNTRY.
News From Our Neighbors.

  The Treasurer of the Huntingdon county almshouse gets a salary of $160 a 
year.
  Mount Union shipped by express last Monday evening 34 boxes of poultry, 
the total weight of which was nearly 4,000 pounds.
  Scott Bolinger, a brakeman on the East Broad Top railroad, was caught 
between two cars while coupling and had his leg seriously crushed.
  By a disagreement the sale of the Matilda furnace property to Mr. Burt, of  
Philadelphia, has fallen through, and the lighting of her fires is as remote 
as ever.
  The Poor Directors of Huntingdon county want $11,000 to run the almshouse 
next year.  This is $1,000 less than the present year and from $4,000 to 
$5,000 less than a few years ago.
  The Rockhill Iron and Coal Company will build three miles of railroad, 
connecting with the Pennsylvania siding at Birmingham, and running to ore 
mines in which the company is interested.
  Mrs. Nancy Miller died in Miller township, Perry county, of apoplexy, 
recently, and her relatives found $1,200 in her bureau drawer after her 
death - back pension money she had received from the government.
  Lorenzo D. Civils, of Huntingdon county, died at the insane asylum at 
Harrisburg on Monday.  The unfortunate man was arrested and tried for 
assault on an officer last year and place placed in jail, where insanity 
developed itself and he was taken to the asylum last spring.
  On the 1st inst., while Dutton Lane and Alfred Wible were engaged in 
quarrying limestone in Springfield township, Huntingdon county, a portion of 
the rock overhead gave way, falling on the young men.  Young Wible had his 
thigh broken, but lane escaped with a few bruises.

FROM HOLLIDAYSBURG.

  The Beaver dam hunters killed a deer.  Christ McFarland made the lucky 
shot.  J. P. Stewart deserted camp to act his part in that soldier tableaux 
on Thursday night.
  We have been requested to correct our statement about Mr. E. W. Lewis 
claiming to be a lawyer.  In Mr. Lewis' letters no claim for such great 
honor was made.  It simply notified the boy's father that his son was 
confined in the Blair county jail for "fire" and if a postal order for 
twenty dollars was sent to him, in care of box 78, he would procure the 
boy's release and send him home.  We wish in this connection to say that 
none of our information in the case was obtained from Rev. Father Keib.

FROM TYRONE.

  Lewis Bender, an old resident, has been confined to his bed with dropsy 
and not expected to live for some time past.  To day he is reported much 
better, and his physician thinks he may get well.  Mr. Bender has been 
totally blind for a great many years.

TERRIBLE CALAMITY.

  John Briney is employed at Study & Co.'s ore mines, near Birmingham, and 
lives in one of the Huntingdon Furnace Company's houses, not far from the 
mines.  On Wednesday evening last his wife went out to gather some firewood 
preparatory to getting supper, leaving in the house three small children - 
one a baby a year old.  During the absence of the mother the building caught 
fire from some unknown cause, and before she could return the flames had 
obtained such headway it was impossible for anyone to get near the building.  
The two older children were rescued, but were badly burned.  The younger one 
perished in the flames.  In searching among the debris not a charred bone of 
its remains could be found.  Mr. Parks, recently married, had his household 
furniture stored in the house, getting ready to go to house keeping, and 
long with Mr. Briney's was all destroyed.

REMINISCENCE OF OTHER DAYS.

  A great many years ago, long before the Pennsylvania railroad was built, 
Hardman Philips, the founder of Philipsburg, Centre county, undertook to lay 
out and build a railroad running through where Tyrone now stands to connect 
Philipsburg with the canal at Water Street.  When his surveyors undertook to 
lay out the road they were driven from the ground, the people who then 
resided along the route thinking the surveyors with their instruments were 
old Satan and their crew, and what might have been of great advantage to 
this section and developed its untold wealth at a much earlier period was 
prevented by the superstition and ignorance of our early settlers.  Our 
indefatigable and go-ahead townsman, Mr. A. G. Morris, is building a 
railroad to connect his lime kiln, recently leased from the Tyrone Forge 
Company, with the Pennsylvania railroad, although not over three-fourths of 
a mile in length.  We understand he is meeting with the same opposition that 
prevented Philips from accomplishing his object.  Mr. Morris is made of too 
tough stuff to be scared by screech owls, and his road will be built.

FROM HUNTINGDON.

  We regret to say that Miss Nettie, daughter of our townsman, William 
Bricker, is seriously ill.
  Mr. B. X. Blair has housed a medium-sized Gordon press in the job 
department of his book store.
  On Wednesday as Mr. Ed. Showalter was wheeling a kettle the kettle tilted 
up, seriously cutting his nose.
  Mr. John Richardson is slowly recovering from the injuries he received by 
falling off the roof of the almshouse.
  Rev. A. N. Hollifield has been confined to his residence for some time by 
illness.  We wish him a speedy recovery.
  Joseph Wingate, of the Pennsylvania railroad wrecking crew, was slightly 
injured by a "jack" falling upon him at a wreck near Mill Creek on Wednesday 
evening.
  Our young friend, Tonny Africa, has been promoted to route agent in the 
Pennsylvania railroad mail service between New York and Pittsburgh.  Tonny 
is an expert in the handling of mail matter.
  A fox hunt, to which everybody and their dogs is invited, will come off on 
November 28, on Warrior Ridge, between Williamsburg and McConnellstown.  
This hunt is under the management of Bob Westbrook and Scott Hewitt.

FROM WILLIAMSBURG.

  W. A. McCormick has returned home from a trip to the Quaker city.
  The Ladies' Mite Society met in the lecture room of the Presbyterian 
Church on Thursday evening.  Their motive is to raise money by needle work 
to send to the missionary.  We hope the ladies will continue in this good 
work for they will accomplish great good.
  A dance was held at the home of David Rodkey, situated about one mile from 
town, on Thursday evening.  After dancing for a time they seated themselves 
to a bountifully supplied table and did justice to the same.  They all came 
home well pleased with the evening's programme.  The question arises, "Where 
will the next be held?"

CITY AND COUNTRY.
Things Briefly Told.

  They call Clem Hickey "pap" now.  It is a girl.
  A letter addressed to "Miss Beckie Corty, College of St. James," is held 
at the Altoona postoffice for better directions.
  It is reported that Robert L. Gamble, Esq., of this city, will contest for 
the next Republican nomination for Register and Recorder.
  Hon. A. S. Landis, of Hollidaysburg, was in the city yesterday.  Mr. 
Landis was apparently in the best of health and as vigorous as ever.
  Mr. Allen McGlathery, of this city, will leave this morning for a short 
visit to his son in West Virginia.  We wish our excellent friend a safe 
journey and a pleasant time.
  It is rumored that Chief of Police Holtzman will be a candidate for the 
Mayoralty nomination along with ex-Chiefs of Police Randolph and Howard.  
And it is also reported that ex-Chief of Police John B. Harnden will contest 
for the prize.  So the contest promises to be well policed.
  Mr. A. K. Buoy, well known in this city, was in town last evening for the 
purpose of removing his family to their new home at Harrisburg.  His friends 
will be gratified to learn that Mr. Buoy is doing well, and is employed by 
the railroad company as a brakeman on the Philadelphia division.
  Chief of Police Holtzman won a pair of boots at a 25 cent raffle on 
Thursday evening.  The Chief put his pantaloons in the new tops and after 
proudly surveying them as they encased his shapely feet he remarked, "By 
chiminy, I go righd avay off and get my picters taken for dot Nie Yorick 
baper.!"
  The political prophets who most do congregate about the depot have 
discovered a new Democratic candidate for Mayor in the person of Joseph 
Luther, "ex-Mayor of Mudtown," who is determined to "fix" delegates in this 
city so as to carry off the brilliant prize in February.

Mrs. Brimmer Relents and Her Husband is Set Free.

  Samuel Brimmer, the individual whose arrest was chronicled in the Tribune 
yesterday morning on a charge of ill-treating his family, who reside at the 
west end of Eleventh avenue, was before the Mayor for a hearing yesterday 
morning.  Mrs. Brimmer was present and swore that her husband had threatened 
to shoot her and the children, directing his threats particularly toward his 
oldest son.  He also had announced his determination to turn the family out 
of the house.  The Mayor required the accused to furnish bail in $3400 and 
he was remanded to his cell to await transportation to jail.  Mrs. Brimmer 
returned to her home, and about noon Brimmer was sent a change of clothing.  
He declined to put them on, and sent word to his wife that he would like to 
see her and arrange to have the case compromised.  After Brimmer's father-
in-law had been seen and had agreed to enter security for his good behavior 
Mrs. Brimmer relented and withdrew the prosecution, and her husband - who 
expressed a desire to resume work to-day and in future behave himself - was 
released.

A Large and Valuable Deed.

  By far the largest single deed ever filed for record in Cambria county 
reached Recorder Lake's hand last week.  It is the deed given by the State 
of Pennsylvania to the Pennsylvania Railroad Company for the old system of 
internal improvements known as the "public works," the consideration 
involved being $7,500,000.  It is written on parchment, with here and there 
illuminated letters, and throughout displaying splendid penmanship, and the 
whole instrument is bound up in a book of 32 pages.  It was brought to 
Ebensburg by three custodians, and after it had been spread upon the record 
by Deputy Latterner was brought to the Pennsylvania railroad authorities in 
this city on Wednesday morning last, under special charge of John E. 
Scanlan, Esq.  The document is esteemed of much value by the Pennsylvania 
railroad.

Accident to Mr. Samuel H. Lemon.

  We learn from the West Chester Record that on Monday night last Mr. Samuel 
H. Lemon, the contractor at Oakland station, Pennsylvania railroad, while 
walking along the railroad near Oakland, unthinkingly walked upon ties of 
the bride, which caused him to fall, resulting in a very severe cut on the 
left leg and an abrasion of the skin on the right side of his face, besides 
causing a very severe sprain of his body.  We are much pleased to chronicle 
his fortunate escape from falling through the bridge to the ground, a 
distance of thirty feet.  He is, however, able to be about, although 
suffering somewhat from his injuries.

Opening of the Kindergarten.

  This institution will open its first session on next Monday morning at 9 
o'clock in the school room at the Episcopal Church on Eighth avenue.  The 
new enterprise will be conducted by Miss J. Steichle, of Columbus, Ohio, who 
is specially trained for this celebrated Froebel system, and will be 
assisted by Miss J. Bussman.  Children from 3 to 7 years old will be 
admitted.  Each child should be furnished with a small basket containing a 
lunch and a napkin.  Terms of admission, $3; strictly in advance, per month.

A Brakeman Killed.

  About 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon, on the tram road, near Houtzdale, a 
small engine used for the purpose of hauling in the trucks loaded with logs 
jumped the track.  A brakeman, whose name we could not learn, was caught and 
crushed beneath the logs, which rolled over him.  He was about 25 years of 
age and leaves a wife and two children, residing at Ramey & Co.'s mills, to 
mourn his untimely death.

OPENING CITY STREETS.
Michael McCullough's Triangular Property - The Twelfth Avenue Question.

  Some time ago viewers were appointed to view Sixteenth street, from a 
point at Twelfth avenue to a point on the Dry Gap road, near the City Hotel.  
The street, which was never opened, comprises the Dry Gap road, and has 
always lacked about seventeen feet of the regulation width.  The property 
that would be damaged by the opening is a triangular strip on the east side 
of the street, and not a great while ago it was purchased, by articles of 
agreement, by Michael McCullough from John A. Wright.  McCullough claimed 
damages to the amount of $900, and the strip of land, were it "squared off," 
would make about two and a half lots.  There was a hearing of the matter 
before the viewers at the office of the City Engineer yesterday.  Mr. James 
G. Flanigan, City Solicitor, represented the municipality, and Mr. S. M. 
Woodcock and Colonel McMurtrie appeared for McCullough.  There was quite a 
lengthy conference, and the estimates by the viewers of the "damage" were 
many and various.  Toward evening the question was practically settled.  A 
Tribune reporter saw one of the viewers last evening, and while the 
gentleman stated that the amount had been agreed upon he did not deem it a 
good plan to mention what sum of damages had been allowed until the result 
of the conference had been reported to the court.  However, the full claim 
of McCullough was not allowed, and the amount granted would be collected 
from the property holders in the vicinity who will be benefited by the 
opening of the street.
  The viewers recently appointed by the court to attend to the opening of 
Twelfth avenue, from Sixteenth to Nineteenth streets, met yesterday and 
after complying with the duties of their appointment adjourned to meet on 
December 8.  The City Solicitor instructed the City Engineer to make a plot 
of the proposed avenue, the opening of which will necessitate the removal of 
a portion of the White Hall Hotel, a portion of the property of John 
Pfeiffer, part of two properties of John Hanley, part of the property of 
George Crawford, and of a couple of others.  The value of the properties 
"damaged" amounts in all to about $6,000.  Those affected are naturally 
generally opposed to the opening, and the opinion is expressed in some 
quarters that the avenue will not be opened.

Mrs. Mateer's Sufferings from Paralysis.

  Mrs. Annie M. Mateer, of Martinsburg, was brought to this city yesterday 
and is now at the residence of Councilman C. C. Mateer, her son.  Some time 
since Mrs. Mateer had a paralytic stroke, which has paralyzed one entire 
side of her body.  She is here for medical treatment.  Mrs. Mateer is 73 
years of age, and her sufferings at time are reported to be intense.  Mr. 
Mateer's intention is to take his mother to Philadelphia and place her under 
the care of the best medical men in the city.  Her many friends are sincere 
in their wishes that the aged lady may speedily find relief from her 
sufferings.

Gallagher, the Desperate Man from Chambersburg.

  The man who called himself John Gallagher, arrested by the night officers 
in the Logan House office on Thursday evening, having in his possession a 
"seven-shooter" revolver, was arraigned before Mayor Hurd yesterday morning.  
No charges were preferred against Gallagher by the hotel management.  
Officer Fettinger, however, preferred charges of carrying concealed deadly 
weapons, and on this under city ordinances he was fined $8.  Gallagher paid 
his fine and said he would shortly hie him to his Chambersburg home, where 
policemen cease from troubling and the weary commercial traveler (such as he 
claimed to be) is at rest.