NEWS: Items from the Morning Tribune, December 11, 1879, Blair County, PA

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Items from the Morning Tribune, Altoona, Thursday, December 11, 1879

ADDITIONAL LOCAL NEWS.

Kicked Up a Row.

  Hauser's mill, better known as the Mountain City grist mill, on 
Eighth avenue and Sixteenth street, had a miller yesterday, but now it 
is minus one.  A dissolution of partnership was made, and an attachment 
issued on the contents.  Yesterday the miller went to grinding, when he 
was shortly notified to quit and leave, as the goods could not go out.  
The mill was started again in the evening.

Going West.

  Every day about 2 o'clock there can be seen streaming into the depot 
a long train of emigrant cars.  Most of them are filled with big, 
stout, pleasant-faced Germans, each with his frau and several little 
ones.  Accompanying them are the pretty frauleins, with their red 
cheeks and black eyes; and every one of them smiles as she thinks of 
the land of her adoption, "the land of the free and the home of the 
brave."  Their attempts to talk to the newsboys and sandwich women are 
very amusing.  Occasionally they can understand a word, but all 
deficiencies are made up by broad good nature.  They make the best kind 
of citizens, mostly occupying farms which they clear themselves and 
fence.  The most of them settle in Kansas, tenants of the Atchison, 
Topeka and Santa Fe railroad, but the tide is turning toward the great 
fertile State of Texas, and its border ruffians are being pushed back 
into the wilderness.

STATE NOTES.

  Hon. Darwin Phelps, at one time prominent in the politics of this 
State, and the oldest member at the Armstrong county bar, died on 
Monday.
  The Huntzingers are making preparations to apply to the Court of 
Common Pleas of Berks county, for their discharge under the insolvent 
act.
  Mrs. William Zaesay, of Catasaqua, administered a thrashing to her 
10-year-old son a few days ago, and the whip striking the boy's pants 
pocket, an explosion followed.  Mrs. Zaesay now has a black eye and 
carries her arm in a sling, while the boy limps and has had a new 
pocket put in the pants.  He had a cartridge about him, hence all the 
trouble.
  The golden wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel E. Hartranft, the parents 
of ex-Governor Hartranft, was quietly celebrated in Norristown last 
week.  The only guests were the ex-Governor, who is an only child, and 
their grand-children.  Mrs. Hartranft was Miss Lydia Bucher, and Mr. 
Hartranft is a son of Leonard Hartranft, of Northumberland county, who 
died about 1842.

FROM HOLLIDAYSBURG.

A BLACKSMITH SOLD.

  The other evening a young gentleman working in the Gaysport foundry 
took a tool to the blacksmith to have it tempered.  The blacksmith 
placed it in the forge and when the other party came after it, he went 
to take it out but it was missing and no trace of it could be found.  
The blacksmith, Will Woods, says they won't fool him with any more lead 
tools.

PROTHONOTARY STEWART'S TIN WEDDING.

  The tin wedding of Prothonotary Stewart and wife, came off Tuesday 
evening as announced in these columns a few days ago.  It was, without 
exception, one of the most pleasant gatherings that has taken place in 
Hollidaysburg for a number of years.  All classes of our citizens were 
represented - the doctors, ministers, merchants, lawyers and laboring 
men, and even Tom Jackson was there.  About one hundred persons were 
present, and the presents were many and useful.  Mr. Stewart was 
dressed in military style, wearing a tin soldiers' cap, belt, epaulets 
and carried a tin sword, while Mrs. Stewart wore a tin belt, watch and 
chain, and a tin feather in her hair.  A number of persons from Sinking 
Valley were in attendance.  The present of Postmaster Lingafelt was 
both useful, ornamental and fragrant, and many were the complements 
passed thereon.  The refreshments were pronounced excellent, and 
everything that a person could wish for was to be found on the table.  
The confectionery and fruit came from Philadelphia and was pronounced 
the best selection ever brought to Hollidaysburg.  After refreshments 
the guests scattered throughout the house to converse and to join in 
the mazy waltz.  The dancing was enjoyed by both young and old.  A bevy 
of young ladies took possession of the stairway and made all the 
gentlemen slide down the banisters much to the amusement of those 
below.  The party broke up about half past 1 o'clock and will be long 
remembered by those who participated.  It is pronounced by all who were 
present as being the most pleasant evening they have spent for a long 
time, and many are  the wishes for a soon return of a similar event.  
Mr. and Mrs. Stewart were married in Altoona on the 9th of December, 
1869, by Rev. Wallace, former pastor of the First Presbyterian Church.  
Mrs. Stewart was a daughter of the late Johnston Moore, deceased.  The 
bridesmaid and bridegroom [best man?] were in attendance at the tin 
wedding, but the minister failed to put in an appearance.

FROM TYRONE.

  It seems to be a settled fact that Tyrone is to have another 
Republican weekly paper in the spring.
  "Uncle" Will. Caldwell, of Altoona, was down yesterday galavanting 
our streets and meeting old friends.
  Mr. Daniel P. Ray, Sen., was severely hurt yesterday morning by a 
step ladder giving way and precipitating her to the floor.
  Orlando Swoope, formerly in the hardware business here, left for 
Philadelphia on Tuesday night to open up the same business in that 
city.
  Some of our teachers are strongly in favor of the course of 
instruction pursued in the Quincy, Massachusetts, schools, i.e., the 
kindergarten plan.
  Miss Ella Bollinger, of Hollidaysburg, is visiting her brother, Mr. 
J. W. Bollinger, the courteous baggage agent of the Pennsylvania 
Railroad Company, at this place.
  "Down you go," said Conductor Furey yesterday as, for the fourth 
time, Colonel Pruner tumbled into the cellar of his building on Main 
street.  Fortunately the Colonel sustained no injury.
  The coal oil cart, originally pushed around town by Tim Barnacle, an 
ex-conductor on the Pennsylvania railroad and named by him "Engine No. 
1," has a new engineer.  What has become of Tim?

NEW RAILROAD PROJECT.

  A narrow gauge railroad from Stone Barn Siding, near Birmingham, to 
the Shoenberger ore mines, a distance of three miles, is our latest 
enterprise under way.  Proposals for the grading and masonry will be 
received until Tuesday noon, December 16, 1879, by the Rockhill Iron 
and Coal Company at Orbisonia.  It is proposed to haul the cars to and 
from the mines with mules.

DWELLING BURNED.

  The residence of Andrew J. Patterson near Huntingdon Furnace was 
entirely destroyed by fire on the evening of Friday,  the 5th, with all 
the contents.  The building was leased and belonged to the Huntingdon 
Furnace Company, and was the only one of all their property in that 
neighborhood that was not insured.  Mr. Patterson had his house hold 
goods insured in the Springfield Fire Insurance Company of 
Massachusetts in Caldwell's agency at this place, and as the loss will 
be a total one, it will come very handy to Mr. Patterson, who had but 
lately gone to housekeeping.  Mr. Patterson was absent at the time 
attending a meeting of the Farmers' Club of Franklin township, and his 
wife went over to his father's house to spend the evening until his 
return, and in consequence, no one was present at the time the fire 
caught, and nothing was saved.

CITY AND COUNTRY.
Things Briefly Told.

  Robert Irwin, of Hollidaysburg, is closing out his store business 
preparatory to a quit.
  Mr. John Donnelly, of this city, was visiting his old Derry home last 
Sunday.
  Misses Mary and Lizzie Denney, of Blairsville, will make Altoona 
their future home.
  William T. Knox who died recently in Denver City, Col., was a 
brother-in-law of Thomas S. Rice, the hatter.
  Mr. John M. Stonebraker, we learn, will be candidate for the 
Republican nomination for Mayor.
  Mr. George S. Eby is about to erect a new frame tin shop on Eighth 
avenue.  Messrs. Booth & Mackey are the contractors.
  District Attorney Jackson's contribution to Prothonotary Stewart's 
tin wedding was a tin sword.  "The ruling passion is strong in death."
  Mr. S. Verner has been appointed supervisor of Division No. 4, 
Philadelphia division, vice Wilson C. Brown transferred.
  Fillmore Clark, of Fremont, Ohio, desires to hear from Jack Clark, or 
William Anderson Clark, if they are in or about this city.
  The train which took Superintendent Provost, of the middle division, 
Monday afternoon, from Mifflin to Harrisburg, made the distance 49 
miles in as many minutes.
  Mr. D. H. Lovell, of this city, assistant supervisor at Brinton's 
Station, has been transferred to the assistant supervisorship of the 
Altoona yard.
  Alderman O'Toole has an old Bible which has been kissed by plaintiffs 
and defendants for three generations.  The Alderman and two 
predecessors have used it.  Judging from appearances quite a layer of 
kiss has stuck to it.
  David Bailey and Theophilus Crecher, on Monday were buried to their 
necks by a fall of slate in Dougherty's coal mine in Dean township, 
Cambria county.  They fortunately escaped without injury, and 
extricated themselves without much difficulty.
  Jacob Snyder, merchant tailor, will be a candidate for the Republican 
nomination for City Treasurer of Altoona.  Mr. Snyder is a native of 
this vicinity, and served his apprenticeship in this place.  His old 
friends would be pleased to see him handle the shekels of Altoona. - 
Huntingdon Globe.
  Rev. J. F. Shearer yesterday morning received a letter from the Chief 
of Police at Harrisburg, stating that Clausen, the swindler, had a blue 
overcoat, with velvet collar, in his possession.  This answers 
partially the description of Mr. Shearer's coat, and that gentleman has 
written the Chief further particulars concerning the garment and 
contents of pockets.
  The happiest man in the pain shops now is John Wertsberger.  It's a 
boy.
  Mr. George A. Patton, of Eleventh avenue and Eleventh street, is 
confined to the house by illness.
  Yesterday William Leeper's team ran off on Eleventh avenue and 
Twelfth street.  It struck the pavement and threw around the mud 
lively.
  William Cherry, a day or two since, shot a very good deer near 
Tipton, and yesterday brought it home to Altoona.  It dressed 140 
pounds.
  J. J. Hoblitzell, in company with a number of others, is engaged in 
prospecting in the vicinity of Moorefield, W.Va., for iron ore.  He is 
out in the interest of the Cambria Iron Company and others.
  Every shop of the Pennsylvania Railroad is fitted up with a fire 
department, including Babbcock extinguishers, hooks and ladders, and a 
steam fire engine, of which the city also has the use.
  The way a Modoc engine can pick up a freight train is a caution.  One 
passed up the mountain last evening with thirty loaded cars with as 
much ease and rapidity as if two ordinary engines were attached to the 
train.
  The Brotherlin heirs will shortly erect a large store building at the 
corner of Eighth avenue and Ninth street.  It will combine dwelling and 
store.  A building, it is stated, will also be erected on the opposite 
corner.
  A number of men are practicing for a walking match at the Altoona 
bazaar on Eleventh street, near Eleventh avenue.  They have a good, 
firm track of thirty-four laps to the mile.  Some are at it every 
evening, although no one is allowed to see them.
  Some of the bad holes in the mud on Eleventh avenue, between Ninth 
and Eleventh streets, are being filled with broken stone.  Apropos of 
streets it might be well to mention that Seventeenth street, between 
Eighth and Ninth avenues, is almost impassable.  It has been badly cut 
up by teams hauling dirt from Sharp's new building.

Attempt to Enter.

  Last night, about 9 o'clock, two men attempted to break and enter the 
house of Mr. G. W. Warfel, who lives on Thirteenth avenue, between 
Fourteenth and Fifteenth streets.  Mr. Warfel was sitting in the house 
and heard two men, apparently drunk, talking loudly.  In a few minutes 
they came up to the side door of his house and demanded entrance.  The 
door was immediately locked, when the men threatened to break it down 
if it was not unlocked.  They said a man named Adams lived there and 
they wished to see him.  Mr. Warfel told them to go to the front door.  
Before they arrived there he was outside with a heavy poker in his 
hand.  They swore at him considerably, but he started out and chased 
them down the street.  They both escaped.  The men were both white, but 
they could not be recognized.

Fire Committee Meeting.

  Last night a meeting of the committee of firemen on the parade of 
July 4, 1880, was held in the Empire hook and ladder house.  The 
meeting was called to order by W. W. Smith.  The following companies 
were represented: Vigilant, Empire Hook and Ladder, Good Will, 
Excelsior Hose and Altoona.  The officers are all elected and they are 
now ready for business.  The following officers were elected last 
night: G. F. McNulty, Treasurer; Augustus Clement, First Vice 
President.  It is under good headway now.  Sub-committees will be 
appointed in every ward for the purpose of collecting the necessary 
funds.  We would call on our citizens to subscribe liberally for the 
project as it is deserving of aid.

DISASTROUS FIRE
The Barn of Simon Snyder, in North Woodberry Township, Burned.

  Our efficient Martinsburg correspondent writes: The barn belonging to 
Simon Snyder, of Woodberry township, about three miles south of 
Martinsburg, was totally destroyed by fire last night about the hour of 
midnight.  Mrs. Wineland, residing on the adjoining farm, happened to 
be awake, and peering out into the midnight darkness observed a small 
flickering light in the distance similar to that of starlight, but 
recollecting that the heavens were covered with thick black clouds knew 
it could not be a star.  On going to the window and gazing intently 
into what seemed to be unlimited space as the light grew brighter, she 
discovered the outlines of a building.  Her husband was aroused, and at 
once concluding [sic] it was the barn of his neighbor.  He hurriedly 
dressed and speedily hied across the fields.  When he arrived at the 
barn the heat was so intense that the cattle were bellowing piteously.  
Hastening to the house he found the inmates in the embrace of sweet 
sleep, totally oblivious of the raging flames which were then licking 
the skies.  The folks around hurried to the conflagration in time to 
save the stock.  The entire stock of farm implements and paraphernalia, 
except one spring wagon, together with the fruits of the entire year's 
labor, were destroyed, consisting of 900 bushels of corn, 500 bushels 
of wheat and 500 bushels of rye, oats, clover seed, etc., together with 
hay, straw, fodder, etc.  Estimated loss $3,000; insurance $1,500.  Mr. 
Snyder is one of the most thrifty, enterprising farmers, and is the 
possessor of one among the best farms in the Cove, and is an honorable 
upright man and good citizen.  The cause of the fire is unknown, unless 
started by tramps.

Luscious Nature - Bovine Triplets.

  Mr. George A. McCormick, of this city, has a valuable Aldernay cow at 
his farm near Latrobe, which recently gave birth to three calves.  The 
calves are now three weeks old and doing remarkably well.  He intends 
raising them and will bring the mother to his premises in this city as 
soon as the triplets can be weaned.  Mr. McCormick is very proud of his 
bovine family.

Will Remove.

  Mr. Charles Spring, who has been a heater for the last three years at 
the Altoona rolling mill, severed his connection with the firm 
yesterday.  He removes to Pittsburgh and will take a position in the 
Pittsburgh Forge and Iron Company's mill in Allegheny.  His wife and 
family already reside there.  Since he has been among us he has 
ingratiated himself into the good graces of all whom he met and carries 
their best wishes for his success with him.