NEWS: Items from the Morning Tribune, January 31, 1891, Blair County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JRB Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/ _________________________________________ Items from the Morning Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Saturday, January 31, 1891 Court Proceedings. The Blair county courts re-convened at Hollidaysburg yesterday morning at 9 o'clock, Hon. John Dean presiding. Following is the record of business transacted. MOTIONS AND PETITIONS. Mervine - the bond of John O'Toole, esq., guardian of the minor children of William Kelly, late of Altoona, was approved. Same - The bond of John O'Toole, esq., administrator of Augustus Himpstead, deceased, was approved. Same - In the matter of the assessment of damages and benefits, for extending, layout out and opening Beale avenue, from Twenty-fourth street to Union avenue, in the city of Altoona, George A. Patton, John O'Toole, esq., and J. Levan Metzgar were appointed viewers. Andrews - Publication of the intention of Mrs. Anna M. Sheets, to become a feme sole trader, was ordered. Baldrige - Matthew Calvin, esq., was appointed auditor to distribute the share of Mrs. Kate Stoever in the estate of Valentine Sorrick, deceased. The trial of the case of David S. Gendell vs. St. James German Evangelical Lutheran church, of Altoona, occupied the day's sitting of the court. The plaintiff, an architect from Philadelphia, claims $892 for professional services rendered the defendant corporation in preparing the plans and specifications of a new church building in Altoona. The defense is that the church officers never contracted with the plaintiff for his services, and the real party liable is Mr. Andrew Meyers, the contractor and builder of the church. Hon. A. S. Landis and H. M. Baldrige, esq., represent the plaintiff, and N. P. Mervine, esq., the defense. The evidence closed last evening and the counsel will argue the case before the jury this morning. Court adjourned to meet in Saturday morning at 9 o'clock. In Other Counties. John S. Garrett, of Cassville, Huntingdon county, is dead, aged about 80 years. George Lockett has been lodged in the Somerset county jail, charged with shooting his neighbor, Joseph Sweitzer, the result of a quarrel inspired by jealousy. The extent of Sweitzer's injuries is not known at present. Samuel Thompson, of Allensville, Mifflin county, while recently assisting to take an engine from Lewistown, was accidentally thrown to the ground and so badly injured that his life was despaired of. He is now much better and will probably recover. Johnstown Tribune: A bottle was thrown through a window of the New York and Chicago limited Thursday night while it was passing Benscreek, a short distance east of Johnstown, and Mrs. McKeever, of Philadelphia, a passenger, was badly cut about the forehead by flying glass. Dr. Herron, of Penn avenue, Pittsburgh, was notified by telegraph and was at the Union station when the train came in. He put several stitches in the gaping wounds, and Mrs. McKeever proceeded on her journey. Local Brevities. Mount Zion Second Baptist church, of this city, extended a call to Rev. J. J. Lyons, D.D., of Brookville, Ill., who has accepted the call and will preach his introductory sermon on Sunday morning next. Rev. J. F. Moeller, of this city, who was called away by the serious illness of both his parents, who reside west of Cleaveland, O., returned Thursday evening and will occupy his pulpit as usual on Sunday. Mr. Moeller's father is much better, but his mother is still very low. On Atlantic express yesterday morning Mr. John J. Buch, the late superintendent of the city passenger railway company, left for his new home at Langham, Pa. Mr. William P. Hewitt has been appointed acting superintendent in his stead. Mr. Hewitt is a young man who has been assisting Mr. Buch for some years and is therefore familiar with the operations of the road. We congratulate him on his appointment and if not so large in bulk as the late superintendent, we hope he may be as successful in his management. A Move for Rapid Transit. At a meeting of the Altoona Driving Park association, held last night at the office of E. H. Flick, esq., general interest was manifested in the matter of an electric railway to and from the driving park. It was the unanimous decision of the members that a united effort be made at once, appealing to the citizens for aid in this direction by circulating numerous petitions for signature. It is hoped that the association will meet with success in this their united effort to secure rapid transit so essential to the advancement of the interests of our growing city, and also affording an economical means of transportation to and from the park. All that is wanted to make this improvement an assured success is the co-operation of our citizens and the grant of franchise from our city councils. The railway will be completed in the early spring. A Pleasant Event. An event of no ordinary interest took place about 8 o'clock on Thursday evening last when at No. 329 Sixth avenue, the home of our popular principal of the Eighth ward public school, a large company of friends and neighbors paid their compliments to Professor J. B. Bowles and his wife. The party consisted of Mr. T. D. Hughes and family, Mr. J. W. Bitner and family, Mr. James Black and wife, Mr. D. M. McCalister and family, Mr. Theodore Schlatter and family, Rev. and Mrs. R. H. Colburn, Mrs. Jennie Houck, Misses Annie Schuff, Lizzie Shuff, Annie Hughes, Mary Lynn, Rose Runyon, Sadie Hunter, Mamie Bitner, Messrs. John H. Keifer, Harry Kinch and Oscar T. Irvin. To the professor the affair was a complete surprise, and by him was heartily enjoyed. The evening was spent in social chat and various enjoyable amusements, after which a sumptuous supper was served by the fair ladies from the baskets prepared and furnished by the visitors for the occasion. To this all seemed able to do justice, which they did with real pleasure. Professor and Mrs. Bowles are a very happy couple. They enjoy life and are eminently worthy of this special token of respect, and fully appreciating the tribute, are saying in their hearts, "We're happier far to-day than we've ever been before." TYRONE TOPICS. On Thursday afternoon about 5 o'clock Mary A. Weston, an aged and well known lady, while descending a flight of stairs at her home, Logan and Ridge streets, caught her foot in the carpet and was precipitated to the foot of the stairway, suffering injuries requiring the attention of Dr. Rowan Clarke, who residing a few doors below on the same street, was immediately summoned and attended to the injuries. Although not serious, owing to her advanced age, they were of a painful character. Last evening she was resting as well as could be expected. The Pennsylvania Railroad Company's Tours to the Sunny South. There was a time, not many years ago, when the first cold snap drove the seeker after more genial climate to Florida, and this meant several days of tedious journeying; but to-day nothing is thought of it whatever, for, through the medium of the series of winter tours, under the personally conducted system of the Pennsylvania railroad company, Jacksonville and points even more southern are reached in comparatively few hours, while en route the traveler is enjoying the comforts and delights of a home. Already one of the tours has gone, and four remain to be run from New York to Jacksonville, as follows: February 3 and 17, March 3 and 17. Tourists will travel in Pullman palace cars in charge of a tourist agent and chaperon. A limit, as in the first tour, must necessarily be made in order to allow each passenger a double berth, and this limit has been made 150. The round trip rate, including Pullman accommodations and meals en route in dining car attached to the train, is $50 from New York, $48 from Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington. Tickets will be sold from all principal stations on the Pennsylvania railroad system to a connecting point with the special at proportionately low rates. For detailed information and descriptive itinerary application should be made at ticket office.