NEWS: Items from The Cambria Freeman, December 16, 1904, Cambria County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Patty Millich Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cambria/ _________________________________________ Cambria Freeman, Ebensburg, Pa. Friday, December 16, 1904 Volume XXXVIII, Number 49 Local and Personal T. L. McNamara and family will leave on Saturday for Curwensville where they will spend the holidays. Later they will go to Kansas City, Mo., where they will reside permanently. Alvin Sherbine of Wilmore who has been in attendance at court this week was one of the jurors on the Fellows homicide case. A large sawmill belonging to H. E. Clark of Glen Campbell was burned to the ground one day recently entailing a loss of $5,000. Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Porch who have been occupying the Kaylor cottage in the West ward are now stopping at the Metropolitan. J. Dorsey Griffith formerly proprietor of the Vintondale Inn has leased the Mountain House in this place for a term of years. Mrs. George Bearer and daughter, Catherine, returned home Monday after a visit with Mrs. Bearer's mother, Mrs. Fenlon. Joseph Gutwald of Gallitzin was a business visitor to Ebensburg Monday and while here paid this office a pleasant call. Miss Mary Thompson left on Friday to attend the wedding of her friend, Miss Bessie Cornmesser of Bellwood. Master George Griffith entertained a number of his young friends at a birthday party last Friday evening. Rev. J. T. Jones will assist at the dedication of the Congregational church at Lindsay next Sunday. George H. and Miss B. J. Roberts will leave today for Philadelphia where they will spend the winter. Mrs. W. Milton Brown of Johnstown spent Sunday with her sisters, the Misses Lloyd in this place. It is understood that W. H. Prunner of Loretto contemplates taking up his residence in this place. Mrs. J. Milton Connell of Philadelphia is visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. V. S. Barker. Allan Barker who is attending a business college in Pittsburg is home for the holiday vacation. Miss Mary Lloyd, a student at the Maryland college near Baltimore, is home for the holidays. Conrad Reig of Carrolltown was transacting business in this place Monday. Miss Victoria Brown of Pittsburgh is visiting her sister, Mrs. Walter Bolsinger. Miss Tillie Denny of Altoona is visiting her brother, J. B. Denny and family. Dr. Murphy of Loretta was registered at the Mountain House on Wednesday. Frank Jones returned home Saturday from a visit with friends in Omaha. Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Barker spent several days this week in Pittsburg. Mrs. Jeff Evans who has been ill is now much improved in condition. Jno. A. Gray of Spangler was transacting business here this week. Miss Rachael Jones who has been ill with grip is improving. Wm. A. Scanlon of Johnstown spent Tuesday in Ebensburg. Wm. Davis, Esq., spent Saturday and Sunday in Johnstown. Jos. Hubbard of Patton was a recent visitor in this place. Dr. F. C. Jones spent Tuesday in Johnstown. Uncle Bill McClarren spent Sunday in this place. F. J. Parrish, Esq., of Gallitzin was in town on Tuesday. J. S. Killens, proprietor of the Barnesboro STAR was transacting business here on Friday last. Messrs. E. J. and J. E. Shield of Cresson were transacting business in this place on Wednesday. A. B. Clark and L. S. Jones of Hastings and B. F. Shires of Patton were in this place on Tuesday. The Hon. Michael Fitzharris, T. S. Troxell, O. J. Deemer, G. F. Ehrenfeld and Joseph Bengele all of Gallitzin were in this place on Tuesday having been subpoenaed as character witnesses in the Ponnek case. Bright News from Patton John A. Gunn was confined to his room several days last week by a severe cold. He has now recovered sufficiently to be at his place of business. Mrs. W. H. Denlinger and Mrs. M. G. Lewis were Johnstown visitors last Friday. Ruel Somerville, our stirring young barrister, transacted business at Glen Campbell on Friday of last week. Miss Eva Crain has returned to her position on the COURIER staff after a visit of several days at Altoona. Miss Bess Lingle went to Philadelphia Saturday, to be absent several days. Rev. J. Ellis Bell, Presiding Elder of this district, preached in the Methodist Church Sunday morning. Landlord Mullen is still further engaged in making the Palmer House more convenient and comfortable for his guests. This time it is storm doors which he is erecting at the main entrances. John Mahaffey, assistant freight agent, slipped away very quietly Saturday night with Clearfield as his destination and arrived home Monday morning. Of course he was out on railroad business but it strikes us as being funny that he would select Sunday for that purpose. Miss Susan McLaughlin returned Saturday from Punxsutawney where she had been visiting friends. It was just a little mean for Cecil Mitchell to send Albert Rumberger a bill for electric light when he knows that Albert is a border at the hotel and is always at home early. But perhaps Cecil knows more than we do about the habits and haunts of the young man or maybe it is because he is a competitor in the lighting business. H. P. Galer, for many years, manager of the Central Supply Co., has resigned his position and will go to Mahaffey January 1st and take charge of the Miles Wrigley Hardware Co., a new corporation. Mr. Galer has been a good citizen and successful in his business and we regret losing him and his family from our midst. We join with his many friends in wishing him unbounded success in his new undertaking. Mr. W. H. Denlinger went to Philadelphia Monday to meet by appointment some gentlemen of that city who are ready to close a deal for the building of the Trolley around the horn. Of course it depends upon the nature of the proposition they make whether it will be accepted or not. This line will be built sooner or later and the prospects are very bright for an early realization of our hopes in that direction. Harry Lansberry is one of the fairest, squarest and most successful horse dealers in this neck of woods. What he don't know about a horse is not worth knowing but Tom Graham was a little too much for him in a recent transaction and Tom hardly knows a horse from a mule. Rev. L. L. Haughwout, of Kishacoquillas, Mifflin Co., spent a few days in Patton this week, visiting his son and daughter, Rev. L. M. A. Houghwout (sic) and Miss Marion. Mrs. W. H. Sanford and daughter, Miss Rachel, were at Altoona last Friday. Celebrated Her Birthday The sixteenth birthday of Flora, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Dishong, of Jackson township, a few evenings ago was the occasion of a pleasant gathering of people. The evening was passed with the customary party amusements and when the guests went home, after partaking of a bounteous meal, they left behind for Miss Dishong a number of useful and handsome presents. The following were in attendance: Flora Dishong; Mr. and Mrs. George Dishong; Mr. and Mrs. D. H. Stevens of Vinco; Nora Kerr; Iva Shuman, Minnie Sharp; Izora Kerr, Katie Dishong, Sallie Kerr, Linnie Dishong, Ella Shuman, Hazel Kerr, May Stevens; Cora, Elda and Effie Dishong, Edith Eliott and Anna Empfield of Belsano; Nevin Gillen of Vinco; George and Bertie Kerr of Jacksonville; James Hess and Ralph Wissinger of Conemaugh; Charles Kerr, Howard Rose and Elmer Simmons of Dearmin; Thomas Hutchinson, Charles Stoltz and Mr. White of Nantyglo; Timothy Kerr, Oscar Dishong, George Shuman, William Rager and Simon Empfield of Belsano; Alex Rager, Sammie Rager, Jackson Dishong and Bertie Dishong of Jacksonville and Elmer Empfield of Belsano. Engineer Hurt at Lilly Alexander Thompson, a Pennsylvania Railroad engineer, residing on Ridge St., Pittsburg, was the victim of a serious accident at Lilly Monday. While he had his head out of the cab window of his engine, he was struck by a coke car passing on the adjoining track. His skull was fractured and he was removed to the Altoona Hospital, where it is said his injury is not believed to be fatal. Goes with Sechler John L. Sechler who last week became the proprietor of the Bon Air Hotel in Conemaugh has secured George Horton to assist him in the management of that place. Neat Sum from Schwab Charles M. Schwab recently became a resident of Cambria County. He did this for the purposes of paying his taxes on personal property. John A. Schwab of Loretto, father of Mr. Schwab, recently appeared at the courthouse in Ebensburg and declared his son's intention. The regular form of return showing a schedule of Mr. Schwab's investments was not made and the commissioners thereupon valued his property at $1,000,000. To this is added $500,000 as a penalty, making a total a million and a half. The rate of taxation on money at interest is four mills on the dollar. Mr. Schwab therefore will pay into the county treasurer the sum of $6,000 as "personal" tax. The county treasurer under the law will remit the whole amount to the State treasurer and that official will return to the county, for its own use, three fourths of the amount. This will bring into the county coffers the neat sum of $4,500. Miners Open Fine Home, South Fork, Dec. 12: Monday was a gala occasion for the local union of the U. M. W. of A., as the members and friends celebrated the opening of their new hall with a grand ball and supper in the building. The committee on arrangements was composed of George Matscone, chairman; Edward Fisher, Jos. Doyle, Thomas Baker, William Trevinen, Wm. Janles and John McCluskey. The hall was crowded and dancing was the most prominent feature, the music being furnished by Lindsay's orchestra of Johnstown. The building is a large one and the miners are being congratulated on their enterprise in having a home of their own. To Fight Smallpox, Bakerton, Dec. 13: A threatened epidemic of smallpox in the vicinity of this place has led the citizens of Carroll township to ask the Court for the appointment of an extra health officer. The Bakerton Land and Improvement Company offered to defray the expenses of an extra officer. Judge O'Connor appointed Joseph Ford. Spangler Inn Burned The Spangler Inn, one of the largest hostelries in Cambria County, was completely destroyed by fire early Sunday morning. The building, located in Spangler, could have been easily saved had it not been for the inadequate supply of water. The flames started in the lower portion of the house and were discovered in their incipiency. A bucket brigade was quickly formed but owing to the inability to secure water, the entire structure was destroyed. The building was occupied by Harry Anderson and Jesse Smelko and the contents which were owned by them were completely destroyed, entailing a loss of several thousand dollars, only partially covered by insurance. The building was owned by Patrick Whalen and was insured for $5000. The structure will probably be rebuilt at once. The case of the fire was not ascertained. Will Rebuild Convent The Sisters of Mercy have decided to rebuild their recently destroyed convent at Loretto and early in the spring, work will begin on the new building. The Sisters and the orphans in their care have been taken in by Father Kittell and occupy one half of the parochial residence where they will remain for the present. They have no intention of removing from Loretto. Letters Issued Estate of Joseph Croyle of Johnstown to Henry C. Miltenberger after the renunciation of the decedent's widow was filed. Estate of Samuel Cover, late of Conemaugh Township, will probated and letters issued to Louise and Ella Elizabeth Cover. Estate of John F. Smith, late of Munster Township to George W. Garrett. Estate of Richard C. Edelbute, late of Gallitzin Township to D. T. Edelbute, after the filing of a renunciation by the decedent's parents. Estate of James C. Hite, late of Johnstown, will probated and letters granted to Margaret E. Hite. Robbers in Bold Raid On Saturday morning William Leahey, paymaster of the Leahey Coal Company operating mines at Lilly, secured over $2,000 from the Central Trust company of Altoona with which to pay the employees at the mines, took it to the Altoona office of the Company, Room 12, Masonic Temple where he left it in a satchel in charge of Wilber Ale, a clerk employed by the Leahey company and at 11:13 went out to lunch. When he returned at 11:35 he made the starling discovery that during his absence, Ale had been bound hand and foot, gagged and tied to the safe and that the money had been taken from the satchel by unknown parties who had made their escape. Up to the present no trace of the bold robbers has been discovered despite the most unceasing efforts on the part of the police aided by the police forces of all cities along the line of the Pennsylvania Railroad and the railroad company's officers. Leahey cut the cords that bound Ale, removed the gag from his mouth and notified Chief of Police John N. Tillard. Chief Tillard immediately detailed the entire police force at his disposal to scour the city and surrounding territory. Ale, when he had recovered from the shock incident to the holdup, related his experience to Chief Tillard. He claims that Leahey's footfalls had hardly died away until he heard someone turn the knob of the door. He was under the impression that Leahey had forgotten something and had returned after it, and he opened the door. Instantly he was stuck over the eye by one of the bandits and knocked senseless. He was then dragged into the office and secured as above stated, after which the robbers took from the satchel the money, which had been placed in small pay envelopes and decampd. Ale can give no adequate description of the men, beyond that they were rather heavy set, saying that their features were entirely concealed by a black mask. He also remembered that one of them carried a revolver in his left hand and that one of them said that he should not make an outcry. The robbers did their work most completely, leaving not the slightest clue to their identity. The robbers had gagged Ale with a piece of muslin that had evidently been recently purchased and the police immediately set to work to find if possible where and by whom it was bought. Special Officer Bradley after making a tour of the stores finally found that a piece of goods identical with that used as a gag had been purchased by a one-legged man at Gable & Co.'s. Three salesladies were positive of this fact. As yet the police have been unable to learn the whereabouts of this one-legged man. The cloth, by the way, is the same that was used by the safecrackers at the Juniata post office last week. Ale has a slight bruise over the right eye where he received the blow that knocked him out. Otherwise he was uninjured. Fishing Cases Still On John Burke and Charles Hurd two men who live near Chest Springs in Clearfield Township were given a hearing before Squire Waters of this place recently on charges of having violated the fishing laws. Hurd pleaded guilty and paid $25 fines and costs. Burke is considering the advisability of doing the same. The prosecutions against Burke and Hurd were instituted by Fish Warden George Spangler of Upper Yoder Township who alleges that they took part in the Carle Dam affair in the north of the county a couple of months ago when some thousands of fish were illegally taken and many of them allowed to decay on the bank. Soon after the illegal killing many informations were made charging prominent people through the north of the county with having participated it the "fishing party" to which tickets were sold for $2 apiece. A number of defendants were apprehended or went before Squires in their neighborhoods and paid the fine imposed upon them. The greater part of the suits by far, it is said, were never pressed although every now and then an alleged offender is hauled up. Squire Waters has more information charging the same offense. The defendants named in them have not yet been arrested. Routine Court Business Petition of residents of the second precinct of the seventh ward of Johnstown for the appointment of an Assistant Tax collector. Jacob Wallace appointed. George J. Reed was appointed to a similar position on petition of residents of the first precinct of the same ward. A subpoena to divorce was granted in the suit of Lizzie Cuppert vs. George A. Cuppert. Attorney Percy Allen Rose, master, filed his report in the divorce case of Mary H. Lefferd vs. John L. Lefferd. He recommended a decree. Offenders Face Court The present week of criminal court has bristled with minor cases. On Thursday the homicide case of Fellows of Barnesboro was reached. Outside of that case only matters of little interest were considered. Friday's Court On last Friday the court granted a compulsory non-suit in the case in which Margaret Burns of Johnstown, sought to recover $15,000 damages from the Johnstown Passenger Railway for the death of her husband. The three cases in which corporations were sued for damages which were tried during the week were all non-suited. The jury in the assumpsit case of the Simmons & Hall Shoe Company which claimed more than $400 from L. When & Sons, the Johnstown shoe merchants, for shoes which the defendants refused to accept after they had been stamped with their name and made unfit for the general trade, returned a verdict for the plaintiffs in the sum of $17. The When people claimed that the goods supplied there were not of the quality agreed upon. The defendant company originally tendered the plaintiff company $17 also. The verdict is really a victory for L. When & Son. The difference in opinion between W. A. Brown and W. B, Lehmier of Barnesboro regarding the cutting of lumber was aired in court in the evening. The jury gave Brown a verdict for $41.97. Saturday's Court Just before court adjourned for the week Marlis Tonos and his wife Margaret were brought in and pleaded guilty to selling liquor without a license to foreigners in Blacklick township near the Indiana county line. They were each sentenced to pay the costs, a fine of $5.00 and to serve three months in jail. In the trial of Tierney vs. Brown, the jury rendered a verdict of $220.80 for the plaintiff. The contention arose from the fact that John Brown of Cresson put a hot water heating plant in operation on February 16, 1904 in an unprotected dwelling without doors or windows or being plastered with the temperature 22 degrees below zero; the fire was stamped at 11:30 and at 7 o'clock the next morning the entire system was frozen up, destroying most of the radiators and pipes. Mr. Tierney had the plant substantially completed so far as it could be and was waiting to save the plaster to put on the house after the break. Mr. Brown procured another man to make the repairs and refused to pay Mr. Tierney the balance due on the contract, alleging improper workmanship. The jury rendered judgment for the full amount of the plaintiff's claim. H. W. Storey was counsel for Tierney and P. J. Little for Brown. The suit of S. E. Hammann vs. E. Langill, judgment opened, was continued by direction of court until the March term, 1905. Monday's Proceedings The principal item of interest in the court proceedings was the announcement of the postponement of the trail of Susie Banyo the pretty foreign woman from Johnstown who is accused of poisoning her husband in order that she might marry one of her boarders. Attorney F. P. Martin and J. P. Reese appeared in court and stated that they had recently been retained as counsel for Mrs. Banyo and as they had not sufficient time to work up their case, asked that it be postponed until the March term. The petition was granted by the court. The jury in the case of Charley Hamilton of Johnstown who was charged with assault and battery by Mary E. Loy created a surprise by bringing in a verdict of guilty. Mrs. Loy alleged that Hamilton had without any provocation kicked her son, aged ten years, and after knocking him down kicked him repeatedly, as the lad was looking in a photographic display case. Constable I. J. Har [remainder of name faded], Attorney F. F. Martin, Warden James Reynolds and others testified that they did not believe the defendant to be responsible for everything that he did and it was expected that the jury would bring in a verdict recommending an examination of the parental condition. Joseph A. Noel was sentenced to pay the costs and to enter into his own recognizance in the sum of $500 to keep the peace for a year in a case in which he was charged with waving a revolver on Martin Thomas, a road supervisor in Clearfield township. Mr. Thomas had been authorized to widen a road which passes Noel's place and the latter's reaction is what got him into trouble. Vincent Burke charged by W. H. Dougherty with aggravated assault and battery pleaded guilty and was ordered to pay the costs with further sentence suspended for the present. Dougherty contended that Burke had no right to throw him out of an election booth if he was drunk. The court announced that the following cases had been continued: Charles Leap, et al, assault and battery, Priscilla Myers; S. A. Myers, et al, riot, William Inman; Edward [name cut off], surety of the peace, Paul [name cut off]; D. P. Fetterman, adultery, Mary E. Varner; Edward Conners, assault and battery, Mamie Woods. On Monday night the one case to be dumped into the scales of justice was the one in which Mary Dunn charged with aggravated assault and battery and simple assault and battery. The case comes from Seldom Seen and the court in his charge suggested to the jury that he was beginning to wish the place was "Seldom Heard From." Although the place is hardly large enough to be called a village, yet the neighbors in that community have been airing many weighty matters in court here recently and this case was but one of the regular quarrels between the women of Seldom Seen. Alice Hughes is a very pretty little lassie of about "sweet sixteen" but in the case in question she used Mrs. Mary Dunn as a target for a miscellaneous assortment of empty tin cans and a good-sized stone which Mrs. Dunn claims struck her upon the arm, injuring the same considerably. When Alice went on the stand she admitted throwing several missiles at Mrs. Dunn but justified the fact by relating to the court and jury some of the very uncomplimentary remarks which Mrs. Dunn made concerning herself and her then sick mother. The usual delegation of "neighborhood women" appeared on each side anxious to enlighten the court and jury as to the details of the fight and the social standing of themselves and the litigants at Seldom Seen. All were given a chance to tell what they knew. The admissions of the defendant however, practically admitting her guilt as to a simple assault, reduced the work of the jury to a mere matter of form. After a brief explanation by the court, the jury retired and were instructed to bring in a sealed verdict at 9 o'clock the next morning after which the court adjourned. The jury returned a verdict of guilty Tuesday morning and the court directed Alice to pay the costs with further sentence suspended. Wednesday's Proceedings Lewis McIntosh, the former P. R. R. Employee who is alleged to have placed a chain on the tracks near Gallitzin and then flagged a train in order to pose as a hero at the night session of court was given one year and three months in the Western Penitentiary to think the matter over. The trial was not the least sensational and there was very little evidence assisting the defendant until he took the stand when he became confused under a right cross examination and practically convicted himself. The charge was malicious mischief and the prosecutor was S. A. Parrish, a Pennnsy officer. It will be remembered that in the fall, McIntosh flagged a train stating that he had discovered a plan "to wreck it" and led the way down the tracks to a place where a chain had been stretched across the rails. Officers investigated the matter and a day later the "rescuer" was arrested as the guilty person. Ex-Constable Thomas Burke of Johnstown was on trial the greater part of the evening and was found guilty on two indictments, one of assault and battery and the other larceny by bailee. On the first charge he was given sixty days in the county jail and on the second charge eleven months in the same institution. Additional Court News Tuesday's Court Michael Burgan of Blandburg pleaded guilty in the morning to furnishing liquor to a minor but owning to mitigating circumstances of the case the Court let him off with the costs. Warlock Canfor who pleaded guilty in the morning by defrauding Mike Spcouck (sic) of a board bill was directed to pay the costs with further sentence suspended provided he paid the debt as soon as possible. The case of John Cesa accused of a similar offence by Mary Kaysko was treated in the same way. Charles Griffith accused by James Crompton with nuisance failed to appear when his case was called in the morning and Court ordered his recognizance forfeited. Charles J. Mayer of Johnstown was on the bond. The principal case today was that in which Julius Pannek of Gallitzin, a well known business man was charged with larceny by John W. Wenzlacz. It was alleged by the latter that Pannek had misappropriated the note that he had given to him to send to the old country. Pannek claimed that one day while he was absent from the store, Wenzlacz entered and gave his, Pannek's daughter, a $50 note to send to his relatives. This was done, the money sent of course, being in the script of the man's country. About two weeks afterward it was discovered that the $50 bill was an old confederate bill. Some time later Wenzlacz again brought in money, this time, $80. Pannek kept $50 to reimburse himself for his loss. Despite the fact that Mr. Pannek brought forward many witnesses to testify to his good reputation he was found guilty. Motion for a new trial was made by Attorney R. S. Murphy.