NEWS: Items from the Morning Tribune, December 15, 1879, Blair County, PA

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Items from the Morning Tribune, Altoona, Monday, December 15, 1879

WRECKED ON THE COAST.
GALLANT RESCUE OF THE UNFORTUNATE CREW.
Seven Men Taken From the Rigging when Almost Exhausted - The Efficiency 
of the Life Saving Apparatus - All Rescued.

LONG BEACH, N.J., December 14. - The schooner Artie Garwood, from 
Philadelphia for Boston, loaded with coal, came ashore here this 
morning at 1 o'clock in front of the East End Hotel.  She has broken in 
two and both vessel and cargo will prove a total loss.  The rescue of 
the crew by life-saving crews was exciting in the extreme.  Seven men, 
composing the crew, were all in the rigging, four on foremast and three 
on mainmast, the sea breaking over the decks and dashing the spray over 
the men, who by signs showed that they were fast being overcome by the 
cold.  The line was fired by a mortar over the main mast and was soon 
made fast by those on board, and in a few minutes three were rescued by 
the Breeches buoy.  It then seemed impossible for those on the foremast 
to get over to the mainmast to Breeches buoy, so the life saving men 
launched a life boat and rescued them.  One man had to be taken out of 
the rigging and carried to the boat, and thence to the hotel, nearly 
overcome by the cold.  The rescue was witnessed by hundreds of people, 
notwithstanding the drenching rain, and never was life saving apparatus 
better or more speedily handled.  The crew were all cared for by the 
East End Hotel.

Murder on the High Seas.

BALTIMORE, December 13. - Abraham Annetta and Frank Adams, arrested 
last night, charged with murdering the officers of the schooner M. and 
E. Henderson, on the high seas, and attempting to wreck her at Kitty 
Hawk, N.C., November 30, have been committed to jail for a hearing by 
United States Commissioner Rogers.  This morning Marshal Hamilton 
arrested Santos Aquia Lopez, another sailor, who is charged with being 
concerned in these crimes, and he was also committed to jail.

Charged with Poisoning Her Sister.

LANCASTER, December 18. - Julia Hoover was committed to jail this 
morning for trial on the charge of murder.  She is supposed to have 
poisoned her infant sister, at Ephrata, by putting arsenic in cracker 
soup.  At the hearing yesterday Professor T. R. Baker, Professor of 
Chemistry at Millersville State Normal School, testified that he found 
arsenic in the stomach.

ELECTRIC SPARKS.
Telegraphic Flashes from All Parts of the World.

  John Henrie Bowles, well known in newspaper circles, died in 
Portsmouth last evening of Bright's disease, aged 67 years.
  Joseph Reber, of Harrisburg, a carpenter, employed by the Reading 
Railroad Company, was run over and killed near the New York Junction on 
Friday night.  He leaves a large family.

Cameron and the Widow Oliver.

WASHINGTON, December 13. - This morning Judges Wylie, Cox and James sat 
in general term to hear the case of Mrs. Mary A. Oliver against Simon 
Cameron - action for damages for breach of promise of marriage, etc. - 
in which, in the Circuit Court, a verdict was rendered for the 
defendant, on motion by complainant that her appeal be heard without 
requiring her to print the record, and on motion of the defendant to 
dismiss for want of printing.  Mr. B. J. Darneille appeared for 
plaintiff and Mr. Good for the defendant.  The latter, in support of 
his motion and in opposition to plaintiff's motion, referred to the 
affidavits that plaintiff was off lecturing.  Mr. Darneille replied in 
a brief argument, simply calling attention to the fact of the case and 
referring to the financial inability of the plaintiff to follow the 
rules, and argued that she was entitled to justice.  Mr. Cook intimated 
that there was some unseen influence paying counsel, and claimed that 
the affidavits filed did not show that the rule should not be enforced.  
The court, after consultation, said that they would grant the motion of 
complainant and suspend the operation of this rule.  The case was then 
continued to the January term, which will convene the fourth Monday of 
next Month.

Destructive Fire with Loss of Life.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., December 14. - A two story brick stable of J. 
Gillis, and a cotton compress were destroyed by fire last night.  
Gillis' family were asleep in the second story, and all the avenues of 
escape being cut off they dropped their two children out of the window 
to the ground below.  Mrs. Gillis was suffocated by smoke, and was 
burned to death.  Gillis jumped out of the window and was picked up 
unconscious.  It is thought he is fatally injured.  Both the children 
were severely injured.  Ten horses, a number of carriages, and about 
100 bales of cotton were destroyed.  Loss $35,000.  A fireman was 
dangerously injured by falling down a stairway.

A Congressman in Trouble.

PHILADELPHIA, December 14. - A special says: "The Bergen county, N.J., 
grand jury has indicted Congressman Charles H. Voorhis, late President 
of the First National Bank, of Hackensack."  It is impossible to obtain 
the particulars of the nature of the indictment, except that the counts 
are three in number and are based on his transactions in connection 
with the bank.  The grand jury had before them Cashier Brown and Clerk 
Eckerson, of the bank, and it is reported that the indictment is based 
on complaint of Jacob P. Westervelt.

A Terrible Death.

SCRANTON, Pa., December 14. - Frederick Roach sent his 16-year-old son 
to Taylorsville yesterday, on horseback, for some oil of vitriol.  The 
bottom of the vessel in which the oil was carried broke and the fluid 
worked into the boy's flesh, burning him so badly that he fell from the 
horse, which galloped home.  When found, he had torn his clothing off, 
and soon after died in great agony.

Broke Down in the Harness.

MEMPHIS, December 14. - Rev. George White, rector of Calvary Episcopal 
Church, was stricken this morning with paralysis while addressing a 
Sunday school class.  He was removed to his residence in an extremely 
critical condition.  He is 82 years old and universally respected.

LOCAL HAPPENINGS.
Wanton Wickedness.

  A few days since Mr. H. Beckman, who keeps a tobacco store on Tenth 
avenue, between Thirteenth and Fourteenth streets, had a fine nickel 
sign in front of his place of business.  In the evening a party of 
young men came along and overthrew it, shattering it badly so that it 
is unfit for use.  Mr. Beckman's loss is about $45.

New Post G.A.R.

  On Saturday night a new post of the Grand Army of the Republic was 
instituted at Huntingdon.  The following gentlemen from Altoona were 
present and conducted the exercises:  Mahlon Valentine, Edward McClain, 
Theodore Burchfield, M. Fitzharris, N. A. Jones and D. R. Donneley.  
Twenty-nine new members were mustered in, and there is every prospect 
of a large and flourishing lodge.  The party passed a pleasant evening 
and returned home at an early hour on Sunday morning.  W. K. Crites was 
elected and installed Post Commander; J. H. Irvin, Senior Vice 
Commander; R. H. Westbrook, Quartermaster; J. H. Westbrook, Junior Vice 
Commander; Dr. Hotchkins, Post Surgeon, and Mr. Allen, Post Chaplain.

Deaths from Diphtheria.

  The diphtheria is prevailing to some extent in some quarters of the 
city, and may doubtless scourge us as severely as some of our 
neighboring towns.  Yesterday two persons were buried in Fairview 
Cemetery who died of the disease.  One a 5-year-old daughter of Mrs. 
David Ginter, whose husband was killed three or four years ago on the 
railroad near Barree station.  Another member of the family is very ill 
from the same disease.  The other funeral was that of a 13-year-old 
daughter of Mr. William Chase, who has but recently taken up his abode 
among us.  The bereaved families reside within the bounds of Eighth and 
Ninth streets and Ninth avenue.

Purchased an Old Memento.

  The old Latta Guard United States silk flag has, since the 
disbandment of the organization, been in the possession of George W. 
Burket, of Sixth avenue.  On Friday last it was transferred to Stephen 
A. Potts Post No. 62, Grand Army of the Republic.  The grand old 
standard will be carried by its new owners in the Philadelphia parade 
in honor of General Grant.

A Fine Literary and Musical Entertainment.

  The meeting of the First Methodist Episcopal Sunday School lyceum and 
sociable on Saturday evening was well attended and fully sustained the 
high reputation which it has hitherto achieved in the way of fine 
literary entertainment.  The music was enchanting and the reading 
excellent.  The lyceum was opened with singing and prayer, after which 
Dr. Hamlin, President, introduced Professor Davis, the previously 
announced orator of the evening.  The Professor, after indulging in a 
brief eulogy of Altoona as a dwelling place, remarked that he would 
call on Dr. Hamlin to take his place as orator.  The Doctor filled the 
bill in his usual masterly manner.  Misses Mazie and Laura Ake sung a 
duet - Beautiful Moonlight, which was followed by a wonderful effort in 
the way of an essay by Mr. James Baer, on "The Horse."  It was a 
veritable hit, being of a character totally unexpected, and read in a 
characteristically funny manner.  Mr. James Falls read a decidedly good 
selection - "The Rosebud."  Misses Laura and Mazie Ake and Messrs. 
Woodcock and Pennock sang a quartette - "One Step More."  A brief 
intermission devoted to the social interests of the meeting, followed 
the singing, and was well approved.  The reading of the "Quiz" - the 
lyceum paper - was interesting and showed that the editors - W. Lee 
Woodcock, Esq., and Miss Lizzie Snyder - had attended to their duties 
in a careful manner.  The contents were varied, consisting of 
contributions, communications, editorials and pleasantries.  Singing 
followed by the benediction closed the exercises of the evening.  The 
lyceum is becoming a fixture and is well sustained by the members of 
the Sunday school and church, which is at it should be.  We hope to see 
a lively interest taken in this new departure "which has for its object 
the improvement intellectually and morally, of the young people of the 
Sunday school, by giving an opportunity for the development of latent 
talent.  Such commendable efforts deserve to be encouraged.

Meeting of Fairview Literary Society.

  A "Visitor" sends the following to the Tribune: The Fairview Literary 
Society met on Friday evening.  The exercises of the evening consisted 
of select readings, declamations, essays, referred questions, general 
debate and lastly the reading of the weekly paper, the Examiner, edited 
by Mr. W. C. Reem.  Taking the exercises as a whole they were highly 
creditable.  A referred question with regard to dancing formed quite a 
lengthy discussion.  The speakers, Messrs. Sloan, W. C. Reem, D. D. 
Coleman, Mr. Owens, Lemuel Root, Martin McCartney and Mr. Anderson, 
acquitted themselves admirably.  The grace exhibited by the parties on 
both sides was a subject of remark.  They were very graceful.  Those 
who did not engage in the innocent amusement claimed to be as graceful 
as those who did.  We have to admit the most prominent speaker on the 
negative side was very graceful.  We shall not personate the gentleman, 
as he is supposed to be somewhat bashful.  Several new members were 
added, and were obliged to take the oath of mutual friendship one 
toward another.  An essay, by Miss Ada Glunt, subject, "Man," also 
deserves mention.  The spicy little paper edited by the gentleman 
before mentioned deserves special mention.  He is the proper person for 
editor.  We also commend the President, Mr. J. D. Weyandt, for order 
during the exercises and Mr. D. D. Coleman for the condition of the 
room.  The society adjourned to meet at 7:30 o'clock on next Friday 
evening.  May success attend it.      VISITOR

FROM HOLLIDAYSBURG.

  Alex. McKnight mourns the loss of a valuable bird dog which some 
villain spirited away when the owner was absent.
  Samuel H. Lemon, Esq., left to day for Chester county to finish up 
ready for the grass sod the embankment of the railroad recently 
completed by him.
  Mrs. B. M. Johnston started on Saturday evening for Philadelphia, 
where her husband, senior member of the Hollidaysburg rolling mill, 
lies dangerously ill.
  Rev. Ryder, pastor of the Lutheran Church, and Rev. King, pastor of 
the Baptist Church, exchanged pulpits on Sunday evening.
  Our young friend Samuel Houck, has gone to Spruce Creek, having 
obtained a situation as clerk in Law's branch store.  Sam is one of the 
smart gentlemanly boys that our citizens feel proud to own as a 
representative of our town.
  Rev. H. C. Pardoe, of Sunbury, formerly pastor of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church at this place, has published a small book of sermons 
suitable for holiday presents.  The name given this model book is "The 
Gospel Among the Boys and Girls."
  S. Fleischer, Esq., has been tendered a very tempting inducement to 
locate in Pittsburgh and take the general agency of an insurance 
company.  The probabilities are that our borough will soon lose one of 
its best German citizens, a competent Justice and a true sportsman.

JUSTICE COURT.

  At Justice Leet's court on Saturday a Blair street female named Mrs. 
Emmerick was arraigned, charged on oath of Mrs. Marks with assault and 
battery committed on a small child belonging to the Marks household, 
although there were no marks visible on the child yet the Justice 
thought there were marks enough about the case to require Mrs. Emmerick 
to pay the costs, but the lady very peremptorily declined to ante up, 
and defiantly walked out of the office, telling both Justice and 
Constable that they could mark up their costs to somebody else's 
account.

THE GRANT BOOM.

  This Monday evening William G. Murray Post No. 36, G.A.R., will 
depart on the 6:45 train for Philadelphia, to participate in the 
Keystone's boom to General Grant.  Fifty of our old veterans expect to 
be in line and do honors to their chief.

THE VALUE OF REAL ESTATE.

  On Wednesday last the real estate of the late Thomas Buchanan was 
appraised.  The valuable homestead farm adjoining Y switches, 
containing one hundred and seventy acres, was valued and appraised at 
fifty-eight dollars per acre.  This is one of the most desirable farms 
in the county.  The Reed farm, containing one hundred and seventeen 
acres, between Newry and Catfish, was valued at twenty-three dollars 
per acre, making a total valuation of the two farms of some twelve 
thousand five hundred and fifty two dollars.  Messrs. John Musselman, 
James Funk, Joseph Hutchison, Christian Kephart, David Spielman and 
Frank McCoy were the appraisers.

FROM HUNTINGDON.

  Mr. E. B. Swayne, who edited the Home Monthly in this place, has a 
position on a journal published at Longmont, Colorado.
  What has become of Mr. Gary and his rail road crossing signal?  They 
must have been Garyed off by somebody.
  Our type friend Parson Crawford will shine on the daily Sun, he 
having accepted a position on that paper.
  A child of Jacob Eckard died of diphtheria on Thursday night last.  
This is the second child which has succumbed to this dreadful disease.
  
GOING THROUGH DAD LEWIS' GROCERY.

  For some time past, Mr. William Lewis, grocer, has been missing 
flour, provisions, etc., and could not account for it.  There is an 
alley leading from the grocery, and a man was seen coming out of the 
grocery and going up the alley with a sack of flour on his shoulder.  
His name was ascertained, and on Thursday his residence was searched 
when it was found he had a small grocery in his house, which had all 
been stolen from Mr. Lewis.  So far criminal proceedings have not been 
instituted against him.

FROM HOWARD.

  Mrs. Sallie A. Gibboney, of Tyrone and her two little boys who had 
been visiting her brother-in-law, Rev. J. Benson Akers, of Howard, 
returned to her home on Saturday.

THE WORLD BURNING UP.

  That conflagration that is to consume the world has begun it is 
believed by many residents of Reading, Pennsylvania.  While some 
gentlemen were shooting on the farm of Henry Miller, near that city, 
one of the party killed a partridge, which fell in an adjacent field.  
To the surprise of the gentleman his dog refused to fetch the bird, and 
he went for it himself, but at the point where the bird had fallen he 
suddenly sunk several feet in a bed of fire and ashes.  The burning 
track is a square in length and half a square in width.  Miller says 
the fire began burning about three weeks ago, and travels several feet 
a day.  It emits no smoke, except now and then when a tuft of grass is 
being consumed, or when trees are burning, but the heat is intense.  
The fire has extended into a green wheat field, which is gradually 
being destroyed.  The roots of oak trees burn off, and some trees two 
feet and a half in diameter fallen over.

CITY AND COUNTRY.
Things Briefly Told.

  F. A. Ward, clerk at the White Hall Hotel, is recovering from a 
severe illness.
  August Dougherty, who was so severely pounded last week by some scamp 
is recovering, under the care of Dr. Weaver.
  J. T. Ward, of Eleventh avenue and Fourteenth street, has been quite 
ill for a number of days.
  Miss Overcash made a fortunate escape when she did not marry Harry 
McCallister.  His conduct shows him to be as dishonorable as he is 
vile.
  We are authorized to say that J. M. Stonebraker, Esq., of the Third 
ward, will be a candidate for the nomination of Mayor at the coming 
spring election of the Republican party.
  Mr. T. A. Geist, the east side cigar manufacturer, has removed to 
Johnstown where he will open a factory.  He will visit Altoona once a 
month to receive orders and supply his old customers.
  Dr. J. H. Weaver, who formerly resided in this city, but subsequently 
removed to Claysburg, has again returned to our midst.  He likes his 
first love best, and we hope he may thrive.  He is building up an 
extensive practice.
  Charles McDermott, who will be remembered as committing an assault on 
Harvey Lias a few days since, was captured in the Farmer's Hotel on 
Saturday.  He was bound over in the sum of $250.  Charles thinks he 
must have been drunk when he did it.
  Mr. J. D. Rynard, well known to many of our citizens, is now 
sojourning to Wyandotte, Kansas, but in a few weeks will take up his 
abode in New Orleans.  He will be glad to hear from any of his old 
friends, either by letter or by sending him copies of the city papers.
  Messrs. William Hughes, Nicholas Curns and another yard employe left 
yesterday on day express for Charlestown, West Virginia, to take 
positions under Superintendent Sands.  They have leave of absence for a 
month, and if they like their new abode they will remain; if not they 
will return here to their old occupations.
  Patrick O'Connor's wife, it is supposed, has loved somebody better 
than Patrick and has fled from his protection in the direction of 
Pittsburgh, leaving him the care of several small children.  She did 
not forget to take along with her $50 in money belonging to her 
husband, and has the cheek to request him to send after her a sewing 
machine.  She will be a wiser woman after a while, and wish she had 
never treated her legitimate lord so outrageously mean, or else the 
history of all such adventures are at fault.
  Between twenty five and thirty members of the Masonic fraternity met 
on Saturday night at Nixdorf's saloon, near the Twelfth street bridge, 
and enjoyed a fine supper set out in the best style.  The tables were 
very prettily arranged.
  That handsome wreath mentioned in the Tribune several days ago, made 
by Mrs. Porter Orner, and on exhibition at Mateer's drug store, was 
chanced off on Saturday evening, December 13, at 1 o'clock P.M.  It was 
drawn by J. H. Trimmer, telegraph operator in F. A. office, 
Pennsylvania railroad yard.

SATURDAY'S ACCIDENTS.
A Man Probably Fatally Injured.  Another Burned and a Boy Loses Two 
Fingers.

  On Saturday morning John Woods, who lives near the red bridge, below 
the city, was very seriously and probably fatally injured by being 
squeezed between two cars he was trying to couple.  He had only that 
morning secured employment as extra brakeman in the yard.  The cars 
were loaded with lumber, some of the long pieces of which projected 
over the ends of the cars.  These caught the unfortunate man, squeezing 
his head so that the blood ran out of his nose and ears.  His hand was 
caught and had two fingers taken off, and two of his toes were also 
crushed.  The man retained his consciousness through it all.  After 
being attended by the company's physicians he was taken to his home on 
one of the small engines.  He is a laboring man with a large family 
depending on him, and is well worth the substantial sympathy of the 
charitable.  His recovery is very doubtful.  When visited by the 
physicians yesterday Mr. Woods was found to be greatly improved.
  A boy named Stull, residing in Logantown, while manipulating a corn 
cutter, Saturday morning, managed to feed his fingers into the machine 
instead of the fodder.  The result was that two fingers on his right 
hand were severed.  He will not want to palm off fingers for food on 
animals again soon.  Dr. Wm. M. Findley dressed his wounds.
  John Bowser, employed in the wheel foundry, Saturday afternoon placed 
a piece of damp iron in a large ladle of hot metal.  This caused the 
metal to fly in all directions, some of which struck Mr. Bowser in the 
face and left eye burning him quite severely.  A company physician 
attended to the burns.
  A brakeman, whose name we could not learn, on the Pittsburgh division 
met with an accident between Gallitzin and Cresson, which might have 
proved more serious than it did.  He was putting on a brake when it 
gave way precipitating him to the track.  His head struck the ballast 
when he was thrown over upon the other track.  Here he lay in an 
unconscious condition until the ballast train came along, picked him up 
and brought him to Gallitzin.  After receiving medical attention, he 
recovered sufficiently to be sent to his home at a point further west.

About the Ely Family.

  A copy of the Tribune containing the rumors about the Ely family 
having reached a former citizen of Altoona, now a resident of Salina, 
Kansas, he takes pains to deny them in toto, in a letter to his 
brother.  He says he "has seen Mr. Ely and family in the last week, and 
finds them all alive and enjoying ordinary good health.  As to young 
Joseph, I do not know that there is anything of the 'Border ruffian' 
stripe about him, and consider him a good, honest, sober, industrious 
man.  He has taken a homestead of 160 acres of land about 17 miles from 
Salina, and has built himself a house and is about to move his family 
there.  Joseph K. Ely, Sr., his father, lives about one mile and a 
quarter from Salina and is doing well; likes the country, and will, 
very likely, end his days there.  But neither he nor his family are 
dead yet."  The same gentleman in speaking of Mifflin farmers says they 
"have the prettiest houses of any of the farmers, and the finest farms 
you ever saw.  They are all doing well, and among whom you can be and 
are always hospitably entertained.  This is a glorious country, and a 
man is foolish who cannot be happy here if he has good health."

AN ELEGANT RESIDENCE.
A Credit to the City and an Honor to the Owner and Architect.

  Mr. William Hare, popular butcher on Green avenue, has erected for 
himself an elegant residence at 909 Chestnut avenue, of which he is 
justly proud, and well he may be.  It is one of the best, if not the 
best, appointed dwellings in the city, in artistic appearance, finish 
and convenience.  Entering the basement, the laundry room is the first 
thing that attracts the attention of the visitor, which is neatly 
arranged and has all the modern appliances for furnishing hot and cold 
water for laundry purposes.  Adjoining this room is the apartment for 
an immense heater, constructed on the most approved methods for 
furnishing heat and hot water to all parts of the building.  Ascending 
from the laundry we enter the kitchen, which is supplied with a cooking 
range of handsome design, and a small pantry with stationary sink, and 
hot and cold water.  On the west side of the kitchen is the dining room 
and pantry, into the latter through an opening the victuals are passed 
from the kitchen, thus preventing all smell of cooking in the dining 
room.  This latter is elegantly finished with a patent cornice, in 
plaster Paris, running around the ceiling.  The centre piece of the 
same is fitting for a dining room scene, being a representation of 
fruits, such as grapes, peaces, pears, pine apples, etc.  Passing from 
this room we enter the sitting room, furnished pretty much in the same 
style, the centre piece being a flower scene with birds perched among 
the twigs.  From the sitting room we pass through the hall into the 
parlor finished like the sitting room, in both of which are very 
handsome marbleized slate mantels.  The sitting room, parlor, dining 
room and hall can be all thrown into one for the accommodation of a 
large company, which we presume Mr. Hare will have on the event of his 
house-warming the last of the present week, when he takes up his abode 
therein.  The second and third floors are cut up into well appointed 
bed-rooms, wardrobes, bath room and water-closet.  Each bed-room is 
supplied with stationary wash stands with hot and cold water.  The 
windows are filled with the best French plate glass.  That in the 
vestibule is cut glass of beautiful design, showing a vase containing 
flowers with birds perched on the branches.  The parlor can be supplied 
with fresh air, by means of a cold air flue in the chimney, without 
opening the windows or doors.  The house was planned by Mr. George W. 
Rine, the contractor, who has certainly completed his contract in a 
manner that will in the future be a good advertisement for him, and in 
time, too, without having to pay rent on his labor.  His work will 
commend itself for neatness and the perfection with which it is joined 
together.  The cornice and mouldings in plaster Paris were executed by 
Mr. Charles Rable, of York, and are very creditable to his skill and 
genius.  When Mr. Hare removes the old house on one side of the lot his 
dwelling will stand on a space 98 feet front by 120 in depth.  The 
exterior presents a massive yet handsome appearance, and when the 
surroundings are fixed up as Mr. Hare intends they shall be to comport 
with the building he will have the most attractive private residence in 
the city.