NEWS: Items from the Morning Tribune, December 6, 1879, Blair County, PA

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Items from the Morning Tribune, Altoona, Saturday, December 6, 1879

CITY AND COUNTRY.
The "Lark" Enjoyed by Zack Endress and George Hooper.

  One day this week Zack Endress, the well-known butcher, accompanied by 
George Hooper, the equally well known barber, took a trip through the 
surrounding country in a buggy.  After visiting various places they brought 
up at the almshouse.  Zack and George alighted from the buggy and advanced 
toward the mansion of the unfortunate.  In answer to Zack's emphatic knock 
at the door a daughter of Steward Shinafelt appeared.  "Where is your 
father?" Zack impatiently inquired.  "In Altoona," replied the young lady.  
"Where is your mother?" Zack again queried.  "She's in Altoona, too," was 
the girl's reply.  "Well," said Zack, "I have a man here - indicating Hooper 
- "that I want a room for.  I have kept him chained long enough, and I want 
him put in here so that he will be out of the way!"  By this time the men 
had got inside the house, and in the reception room Hooper performed a 
variety of antics, such as would set an innocent girl wild with despair, in 
the endeavor to keep up the deception, to which he had gracefully "tumbled" 
when Endress began to talk.  The young woman could do nothing for them, and 
finally Zack, thinking that under the circumstances the joke had gone far 
enough, seized hold of Hooper and yanked him off to the buggy, into which he 
was bundled, and the two drove away.  On the homeward route they met Steward 
Shinafelt and his wife and told them the story.  The good-natured couple 
laughed heartily, and it is presumed that if there had been no ladies in the 
little company a little black bottle would have been produced.  As it was, 
however, this pleasure was overlooked, and Endress and Hooper drove home, 
tickled half to death at the fun they had and sincere in the belief that 
nobody would ever hear anything of the "racket" through the newspaper.

Blair County's Samson.

  Everybody knows that Hon. A. McAllister, of Springfield, is one of the 
finest-looking men in the State - a very stalwart in appearance.  The other 
evening he was returning home from an eastern trip in the cars, and feeling 
somewhat drowsy stretched his magnificent proportions over more than one 
seat.  His appearance attracted the attention of some astonished passenger, 
and either through admiration or fun he placarded the window alongside of 
Mr. McAllister with the simple word, "Samson."  Of course this sign 
attracted the gaze of every passenger, but the subject slept on unconscious 
of the fact that he was the lion of the hour and the fleeting miles.  A 
reverend gentleman, of this city, happened to pass through the car and saw 
the placard before he saw the victim who was just about assuming 
consciousness, and called his attention to it.  Mr. McAllister relished the 
joke played on him, and joined in a hearty laugh over it.  If Archie can get 
through this world, sleeping or waking, without being seen he will have to 
ensmall himself.  He is a man of mark.

Serious Injuries to a Workman in the Lower Shops.

  In the lower shops yesterday Howard S. Mazurie met with a serious 
accident.  He was employed at a circular saw in making flag staves, and a 
piece of timber that he held in his hand was forced backward from the saw 
violently.  The timber struck him on the left hand, and the knuckle bone of 
the index finger was broken and his hand split and gashed for the length of 
an inch.  His right hand also suffered injuries to the thumb and forefinger, 
and he was struck in the breast by the lumber, but was not much hurt.  His 
wounds were attended to by his fellow-work men and he was soon afterward 
conveyed to the office of the company's physicians, where his hands were 
dressed.  Mr. Mazurie lives on Hickory avenue, in Logantown.

Bold Attempt at Highway Robbery.

  About 7 o'clock on Wednesday evening Joseph and Robert Vaughn, sons of J. 
R. Vaughn, who keeps a grocery store on Eighth avenue and Twenty-first 
street were wheeling home to a customer a hindquarter of beef.  A short 
distance from the store they were met by a stranger, who took the 
wheelbarrow and the beef from them and made off.  The boys set up a forty-
horse power howl, which attracted to their aid two citizens, to whom the 
situation was explained.  They gave chase, when the bold highwayman dropped 
his plunder and made good his escape.

FROM HOLLIDAYSBURG.

  G. W. Silvey, Esq., and his brother, who is visiting him, are the boss 
coon hunters.
  The painting of F. McCoy's residence is being rapidly completed.
  The Reed Brothers are doing a very neat job of painting at Morton's store.
  James P. Stewart, Esq., and wife will celebrate their tin wedding next 
Tuesday evening.  The invitation[s] are out and are very handsome.
  Two new signs have been placed beneath the windows of Snyder's drug store 
which are by no means attractive, nor do they add any to the exterior 
appearance of the store.
  Benson is still adding attractions to his tonsorial parlor.  He has a 
great variety of butterflies, bugs, snakes and all "sich" on exhibition.
  Letters addressed to S.H.S.Y.C.O., Altoona, Pa., and Miss Bell Meredith, 
Cambria county, PA., are held at the postoffice in this place for better 
directions, and one addressed to Messrs. A. T. Stewart & Co., New York, is 
held for postage.
  John H. Law's lady clerks were badly frightened yesterday afternoon while 
busily employed behind the counters by a Wolf that arrived on the afternoon 
train.  The animal remained over night and will pass through Altoona this 
morning on his way East.
  Major John Wighaman has arrived from the city with a large and elegant 
stock of tobacco, cigars, pipes, etc.  We understand that he will also carry 
on the stationery and toy business together with his tobacco store.  He has 
removed to the room formerly occupied as a drug store by J. Ritz & Son, 
three doors above his old business stand.

FROM TYRONE.

  We mourn and will not be comforted.  We weep and - where's the new iron 
bridge?
  The Ashtons played "Hidden Hand" at Flynn's Hall last night and to-night, 
at the same place, play "Uncle Tom's Cabin."
  D. B. Wilson, of the Herald book store, returned from the East yesterday 
morning with a large and well selected stock of Christmas goods.
  Mrs. S. G. Black is in Philadelphia at present purchasing holiday toys and 
solid presents with which to please our children during yuletide.
  And now Reed's victory is complete.  Having gone through with that trying 
ordeal and responsible undertaking of getting married on Thursday, his 
claims for the front parlor can no longer be a matter to be questioned.  It 
is the peace that succeeds the storm.
  D. C. Deen and wife are at Mifflin attending the funeral of their aged 
grandmother, Mrs. Rebecca Pannebaker, who died on Wednesday.  Mrs. 
Pannebaker was about 80 years of age.  She was the mother of the late B. F. 
Kepner, and had been afflicted for a number of years previous to her death.  
She was a believer in the Lutheran faith and was united to that church early 
in life.
  On Sunday last while hunting on the mountains Thomas Lightner accidentally 
shot his companion, John Seidlinger, a full charge of buckshot entering his 
right arm near the elbow.  Seidlinger's wounds, while painful, are not 
considered dangerous.  There being so many confused stories afloat about the 
affair it is difficult to get at the true one.  "Six days shalt thou labor 
and do all thy work; but the seventh" - it don't say anything about hunting 
deer.

FROM HUNTINGDON.

  The cupola of the new school house has not yet been embellished with the 
proper ornament to give it a finished appearance.
  Our young friend, Johnny Tim, has been appointed clerk in the postoffice 
vice Tommy Africa, who is promoted to railway mail service.  Johnny is a 
smart little fellow and will make an efficient clerk.
  Mr. W. W. Gary is now at Boston and will exhibit one of his railroad 
crossing signals at that place.  Our opinion is that Mr. Gary has a good 
invention, but may it not be overloaded, like his Gary motor?
  Some time ago a Miss Harvey and a young man named Nail ran away and, it is 
alleged, were married.  When last heard from they were in Tyrone.  The young 
lady's father proposes to his the Nail on the head when he catches him.
  Our town presents a business like appearance - in fact business is booming 
in this place.  Neal & Long find their business increasing to such an extent 
as will require them to build an addition to their storeroom.  B. X. Blair 
will shortly build an addition to his manufactory.  Several new houses are 
being built, and business of all kinds is looking up.  Even butchering is 
booming, notwithstanding the cutting down prices which prevails among the 
butchers.
  Captain W. H. Simpson, a former resident of Mill Creek, but now residing 
at Norwood, Ill, is visiting relatives and friends hereabouts.  He thinks 
the West the most delightful country he was ever in and would not migrate to 
the Keystone State under and circumstances.

A NARROW ESCAPE.

  On Thursday afternoon a man, evidently a tramp, entered the restaurant of 
Henry Africa, on Railroad street, and asked for a dozen of oysters.  Mr. 
Africa asked him where his money was, whereupon the tramp pulled out a 
revolver and shot at him, the bullet just grazing his head.  It was a narrow 
escape for Mr. Africa, who, being a cripple, could not defend himself if an 
attack was made.  The tramp after doing the shooting made himself scarce.

CITY AND COUNTRY.
Things Briefly Told.

  Mr. H. L. Woods, late canvassing agent for the Sun, will henceforth occupy 
a like position on the Tribune.
  Rev. J. R. Decker, of Piqua, Ohio, will occupy the pulpit of the First 
Presbyterian Church Sunday evening.
  Rev. J. M. Titzel, the new pastor of the Reformed Church, will occupy his 
pulpit tomorrow at the usual hours.
  Jacob Snyder, merchant tailor, will be a candidate for the Republican 
nomination for City Treasurer.  Jacob has a host of friends.
  Confectioner Patton's mare received two bad wounds from a fork which was 
accidentally left in the stall with her on Thursday night.
  Groceryman McCullough is leveling up the sidewalks around his handsome 
dwelling, corner of Fourteenth avenue and Twelfth street.
  Mr. John B. Collin, of this city, has recently been granted two patents, 
one for heating railway cars and the other for supplying fresh air to cars.
  Mrs. Frances Parker, of Blairsville, was visiting friends in the city 
yesterday.  She went to her old home at Mifflin last evening on the Atlantic 
express train.
  Mr. S. B. Kingston, general freight agent of the Pennsylvania Railroad 
Company, died at his residence in Philadelphia yesterday morning of Bright's 
disease of the kidneys.
  Arthur Chambers and Billy Edwards, two of the short-haired fraternity, 
went to Johnstown yesterday on Pacific express, where they are billed to 
give a sparring exhibition.
  On Thursday evening the following gentlemen were elected officers of 
Mountain Royal Arch Chapter No. 189 for the ensuing Masonic year: H. P., J. 
B. Binaman; H., J. M. Pressell; S., W. D. Couch; Treasurer, William Stimer; 
Secretary, T. Davis.
  At the rooms of the railroad men's association last month there were 1,183 
readers and 4,703 persons in attendance at the religious meetings; 18 
cottage meetings were held, 37 visits made to the sick and 2,009 papers 
distributed.  We have no better institution in our midst than this one.
  The case of the Huntingdon and Broad Top railroad against Company D, of 
this city, the railroad company charging the military company with 
obstructing and interfering with trains on the occasion of a visit to 
Bedford some time ago, was settled one day this week by the payment of the 
costs by the defendants.
  Hiram Gardner is the man who claimed the deer shot by Messrs. Riling and 
Turnbaugh near Bell's Mills a day or two ago.  The case will come up for a 
hearing on Monday at the Recorder's office.  From the circumstances of the 
case many persons are of the opinion that Mr. Gardner's claim for at least a 
portion of the venison is just.
  William P. Patton, for many years a resident of Johnstown, died there 
about 11 o'clock on Thursday night.  Mr. Patton was 59 years of age.
  The Philadelphia papers state that "H. P. Davis, of Altoona," in company 
with a man who called himself Daniel Goodwin, were committed to prison on 
Thursday to answer for the theft of two pieces of silk from Sharpless & 
Sons' store.
  Hon. A. H. Coffroth, the Representative in Congress of the district of 
which Blair county is a portion, will be in town to-day.  It is expected 
that, as a great deal of interest has been manifested by our citizens in the 
proposed new postoffice and possibly United States Court building, that he 
will have a good many questions to answer.

Neighborhood Notes.

  Major John Thompson, a well-known citizen of Ebensburg, was stricken with 
apoplexy on Wednesday afternoon.  His condition is critical.
  Mrs. W. H. Hawn, of Mill Creek, has long been a sufferer from disease of 
the hip joint.  Three physicians on consultation opened the joint with 
prospective good results.
  P. M. Bare, of Hill valley, while handing down sheaves to a man feeding a 
threshing machine fell through a hole in the mow to the floor beneath 
receiving severe injuries.
  Last Saturday night last William Wilson, of near Milesburg, was killed by 
a freight train between the latter place and Bellefonte.  Wilson was 
intoxicated and had laid down on the track and fell asleep.
  Miss Melissa Burley, teacher of the Morrisdale mines school, was twice 
knocked down last week by a female scholar.  It put Miss Burley to bed and 
her assailant under bail.
  New York capitalists will, it is said, take charge of the Ardenheim terra 
cotta works.  Huntingdon county has plenty of capital, yet to her discredit 
has no public spirit and depends on others to develop her resources.
  An accident happened to John Sidlinger, of Tyrone, last Sunday afternoon, 
by which he came near losing his life, but fortunately escaped with three 
buckshot wounds to his left arm.  Mr. Sidlinger and Tom Lightner had been 
out on the mountain hunting for deer, and on their way home were passing 
through a dense thicket of underbrush, Sidlinger in front, when the hammer 
of Lightner's gun caught a twig, discharging a part of the contents into 
Sidlinger's arm.

Why 'Squire Myers Missed His Ride.

  On the night of the late election in Gallitzin township, Cambria county, 
'Squire Myers offered to bet five dollars that Thomas Griffith, Republican, 
was elected Sheriff.  Mr. Thomas Koontz, Democrat, said he would accept the 
bet, but had not the filthy lucre to put up.  Instead thereof he proposed 
that in case Mr. Griffith was elected he would wheel Mr. Myers in a 
wheelbarrow from Dawson's school house to Bentle's hotel in Loretto, a 
distance of over three miles, and if Nagle was elected Mr. Koontz was to get 
the ride.  Nagle was defeated, but as yet old 'Squire Myers has not got his 
ride.  'Squire says that if he had lost the bet he would have wheeled Mr. 
Koontz if it would have taken him a whole week.

Mr. Tyler to Take Charge of the Mountain House.

  Colonel E. J. Unger, proprietor of the Pittsburgh Seventh Avenue Hotel and 
Superintendent of the Mansion House, the popular summer resort of the 
Keystone Hotel Company at Cresson, has resigned the latter office after a 
service covering several seasons.  Mr. W. D. Tyler, Superintendent of the 
Logan House in this city, will have charge of the Mansion House hereafter.  
Colonel Unger will retain his position as Superintendent of the Union depot 
restaurant in Pittsburgh.  His resignation has been in the hands of the 
company for a long while back, and was caused by his desire to devote his 
entire attention to his own hotel.  Colonel Unger was in the city at the 
Logan House last evening, accompanied by Mrs. Unger, and the arrangements 
have been completed for the transfer of the hotel to Mr. Tyler, under whose 
management it cannot fail to retain its well known reputation.

Death of a Catholic Sister in Wisconsin.

  Sister Eulalia, of the Order of St. Agnes, who had charge of the Catholic 
school at Indiana, Pa., until a month or two ago, died on the 27th of 
November, at Fon Du Lac, Wisconsin, where is located the convent and home of 
the Mother Superior of the order above named, in the 27th year or her age 
and the tenth year of her religious profession.  The disease which caused 
her death was a malignant form of cancer.  Early last spring Dr. St. Clair 
amputated one half of her hand, but that did not prevent the spread of the 
dread disease, and just prior to her return to Wisconsin he amputated the 
arm above the wrist.  But the disease had taken a firm hold upon her system 
and could not be checked.

Accident at Springfield Mines.

  Yesterday morning, at Springfield mines, Mr. James Greenwood met with 
quite an accident.  He was caught in a fall of earth, breaking his left arm, 
right thigh, dislocating his left ankle and otherwise bruising his body.  
The fractures were reduced by Dr. J. M. Brown, and the injured man was made 
as comfortable as possible under the circumstances.