The American Republican & Chester County Democrat Abstracts (23 Apr 1867); Chester Co., PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Deneen Storm05@comcast.net Copyright. All Rights Reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ********************************************************* Tuesday, April 23, 1867 The American Republican & Chester County Democrat Estate of Thomas HOOFMAN, Late of the Township of Valley, dec’d. Notice is hereby given, that Letters Testamentary on the above named Estate, have been granted to the undersigned, to whom, all persons indebted, will please make payment, and those having claims to present them for payment. Amos G. WILSON, Parkesburg Tuesday, April 23, 1867 The American Republican & Chester County Democrat Estate of James PAINTER Late of the Borough of West Chester, deceased. Notice is hereby given that Letters Testamentary on the above estate have been granted to the undersigned, to whom all persons indebted will please make payment and those having claims against said state will present them for settlement. Betsy G. PAINTER, Executrix West Chester, Pa. Tuesday, April 23, 1867 The American Republican & Chester County Democrat Sad Accident – On Wednesday last, a serious accident occurred at the iron ore mines of Samuel COFFMAN, in E. Whiteland township. The edge of a shaft caved in, burying one of the workmen, Stephen DEAN. When rescued, it was found that his right leg was broken, and both bones protruding through the flesh for some inches; he was also very seriously bruised in other parts of the body. His wounds were dressed by Dr. GUNKLE, and is now in a much more comfortable condition than could have been expected. Tuesday, April 23, 1867 The American Republican & Chester County Democrat Fire In West Chester – Two Stables completely destroyed, and four houses partially consumed. – Between the hours of 10 and 11 o’clock on Tuesday night last, our little borough was aroused from its usually quiet attitude, by the alarm of fire. It proved to be a frame stable belonging to Hon. Wm. EVERHART, situate on Union street, west of Church. It being late in the evening, and the property located in a somewhat obscure part of the town not usually frequented by pedestrians in their evening rambles, the fire was not discovered until it had made considerable progress. Another frame stable, the property of Mrs. Brinton JONES, was situated in close proximity to that of Mr. EVERHART, and which was also soon enveloped in flames. Immediately in front of these stables was a row of two and a half story brick houses. The inmates of these dwellings had all retired to rest, and were not aware of their danger until aroused by the crackling of the flames, and the shouts of the firemen. The scene at this time was truly terrific. The wind was blowing fresh from the South, and great volumes of smoke were rolled up over the town, carrying with them millions of sparks and burning fragments. The heat from the burning stables was intense, and which soon communicated the flames to the row of houses on the opposite side of the street. The building that stood upon the corner of the alley, and which we are informed was the first to take fire, was owned by Montgomery KINNARD, and was in the occupancy of Mr. Thomas WALLACE. Most of the furniture was removed from this house by the citizens and firemen, but, as is always the case under such circumstances, was considerably damaged. Mr. W. is in delicate health, and a poor, industrious man. Whatever his loss may be, it is one that he can barely afford to bear. The adjoining house was owned by Enoch GIBBS. Enoch is a colored man, and he and his family were in bed when the fire occurred. The next house was owned by Mrs. Sarah JOYCE, a widow lady and her two daughters. The other house was owned by Mr. James MORAN. The family were all in bed, and were aroused by the heat and smoke. Two children of Mr. M’s were in bed in the third story, and when rescued, were still asleep. The damage to these several houses was not very serious, and we believe is fully covered by insurance. At the time of writing this article, new roofs have already been put on, and other necessary repairs are being made. We understand that there were some six tons of hay in the barn of Mr. EVERHART, together with some other property. There was a horse and cow in the barn of Mrs. JONES, but these, fortunately, were got out; it also contained a considerable quantity of oats and hay, which were consumed. The Firemen of our Borough were on the ground early, and by their energetic and skilful efforts, a large amount of valuable property was preserved from destruction. We regret to notice that the fire department is very deficient in good hose; several section belonging to both the West Chester and Fame engine companies, burst almost at the commencement of operations, and the Chief Burgess of the Borough was compelled to take quite a considerable quantity of hose from the Good Will, in order that the other two Engines might continue in service. This not only delayed operations for some time, but enabled the flames to make additional progress. It also made it necessary for the members of the Good Will to return to their House for more hose, and prevented them from rendering any very efficient service until the flames had well nigh spent their fury. This deficiency in Hose should be remedied without further delay. If the Borough authorities have not the means to purchase new hose, let them call a meeting of the citizens, and have a special tax of two or three mills authorized for that purpose. We should be warned in time. Each company should be provided with a sufficient quantity of good hose to fill two reels, so that while that portion that has been in use, is being properly dried, another can be substituted, and thus at all times be in readiness for immediate service. When the house of Mr. PARKER took fire on Thursday afternoon last, we noticed that one of the Companies had their hose on the side walk drying, and were thus compelled to reel the same before answering the alarm. Fortunately their services were not needed, but that fact cannot be used as an argument in favor of the present practice. The Borough now contributes one hundred dollars per annum to each of the companies, to enable them to buy hose, keep their apparatus in order, repair buildings, provide fuel, light, oil, etc. When we take into consideration the fact that hose alone costs in the neighborhood of $2 per foot, it does not require a mathematical mind of any very great capacity to demonstrate that the sum allowed is entirely too small. It is a miserable, niggardly pittance, and fully explains why our Fire Department is in its present dilapidated condition. The late Council, with very commendable spirit, purchased last summer, and presented to each of the fire Companies in the Borough, about 100 feet of hose, and this, we are informed, is about all the really serviceable hose there is in the entire Department. We would not counsel extravagance, but the purchase of that which is positively essential to protect the community against fearful loss, cannot in any sense of the word be charged to that account. We must have the Hose, and if a special tax is necessary to secure it, let it be levied without unnecessary delay. Should the present council fail to move in the matter, we trust the fire department, as a united body, will. Tuesday, April 23, 1867 The American Republican & Chester County Democrat Another Fire – The alarm of fire in this Borough on Thursday last, was occasioned by the slight burning of the window frames in the attic gable windows of Mr. John J. PARKER’S dwelling, on High Street. They had been placed too close to the flue of the chimney, and from which they took fire. The Fire Department was speedily on the ground, and assisted in extinguishing the flames. The damage done was slight. Had the fire broken out in the night, the house would probably have burned down. There should be a law passed imposing heavy fines upon parties constructing houses where woodwork is placed in such close proximity to flues in which fire is used. Tuesday, April 23, 1867 The American Republican & Chester County Democrat Post Office Robbed – The store of Charles S. WELLS, in this borough, was forcibly entered on Thursday night last. The thieves effected an entrance by boring two holes through the back door, and then slipping the bolt. Mr. W. is also Postmaster. The principal object of the thieves seems to have been to plunder the Post Office, as not a single article of value in the store was disturbed. The letters remaining in the office overnight were broken open and scattered around the room promiscuously. It is not known how well they were rewarded for their trouble. A number of checks, made payable to order, were found the next morning in a lot some distance from the office. On the evening previous to the robbery, a stranger came to the Railroad Hotel with a carpet bag containing something like tools. He assumed to be drunk, and it is probably that the robbery was committed by this individual. The Cabinet Maker shop of Mr. KIRK was broken open the same night, and the bits carried off with which the holes in the door were bored. A pick was taken from a blacksmith shop. An iron safe that stood in the store was untouched, although it is said to have been unlocked. A few coppers, taken from one of the drawers, are supposed to be all that was secured of any value, by the robbers. Tuesday, April 23, 1867 The American Republican & Chester County Democrat Fire – Early on Saturday morning week, volumes of smoke were seen arising from the tope of “South Hill”, about one mile from the Borough, in the woods owned by Wm. DOWLIN, Sr., and Joshua KAMES, & Co. The wind being fresh, the flames spread rapidly and extended over some eighty acres of sprout land. The young wood was badly injured besides some $400 worth of fence destroyed. How the fire originated, is unknown. Tuesday, April 23, 1867 The American Republican & Chester County Democrat Improvement – James HUMPRHEY, Esq., is about to enlarge his residence by the erection of an additional building, that he may better accommodate his numerous clients. Tuesday, April 23, 1867 The American Republican & Chester County Democrat Lime Depot – Mr. Garrett STRADDON has re-opened the Park Limestone quarries, at Chester Valley Depot. This is an old quarry and has not been worked for a period of fifteen years. Tuesday, April 23, 1867 The American Republican & Chester County Democrat Mr. George WILLS has entered into co-partnership with E. ZOOK, in the lime- burning business, at the first toll-gate, on the horseshoe turnpike. Tuesday, April 23, 1867 The American Republican & Chester County Democrat Changes – Mr. CLARK, Clother and Tailor, has removed from opposite the railroad hotel to the house formerly occupied by John MULLIN. Mr. MULLIN has taken possession of the Gallagherville hotel. Mr. SAGER has moved from RINGWALT’S mill to one recently purchased by him in Radnor, Delaware County. A gentleman by the name of Cox has taken possession of the mill vacated by Mr. SAGER. Tuesday, April 23, 1867 The American Republican & Chester County Democrat Purchased – Capt. Wm. R. DOWNING has purchased from the heirs, the real estate of Charles DOWNING, dec’d., in the Borough of Downingtown. Price $20,000. Tuesday, April 23, 1867 The American Republican & Chester County Democrat Sad accident – Deborah BRADLEY, a girl about 10 years of age, and daughter of Caleb BRADLEY, of this place, met with a sad accident on Friday, the 12th inst. She was jumping rope on a small bank in the front yard of her father’s residence, but accidentally tripped and fell, breaking her right arm just below the shoulder. Dr. STONE was called in, and dressed the wound, and the little sufferer is now doing as well as could be expected. Tuesday, April 23, 1867 The American Republican & Chester County Democrat Sales – Messrs. MENDENHALL and HARLAN have sold three lots on Main Street, to Reese DAVIS, Esq., of West Chester, and two on Union Avenue to Charles GAY, and John DESMOND. Tuesday, April 23, 1867 The American Republican & Chester County Democrat Fire – A fire was discovered in the woods belonging to Mr. Jos. BAKER, near Thorndale, on last Friday morning, about 12 o’clock. Two men built a fire in the outskirts of the woods to cook their dinner, and the leaves being dry, it soon spread, and before it could be extinguished, had burned over several acres, destroying a large quantity of wood. Tuesday, April 23, 1867 The American Republican & Chester County Democrat Suicide – A correspondent informs us that William HARLAN, an esteemed citizen of Newlin Township, committed suicide on Sunday, by cutting his throat from ear to ear. No cause can be assigned for the terrible act. Tuesday, April 23, 1867 The American Republican & Chester County Democrat Marriages MILTON – BICKING – On the 16th inst., by Rev. James TRICKETT, Mr. Job G. MILTON, to Miss Mary E. BICKING, all of West Chester. Deaths PENNOCK – Died, at his residence at Howellville, Del. County, on the 16th instl, Dr. Casper W. PENNOCK, in the 68th year of his age. BOATE – On April 9th, in Reading Pennsylvania, of scarlet fever, Sally, daughter of Geo. G. and J. A. BOATE, aged 6 years 2 mo. And 3 days. Other Chester county papers please copy. WOODWARD – At her late residence, on West Gay St., West Chester, on the 16th inst, of consumption, Catherine WOODWARD, wife of Jefferis WOODWARD, in the 42d year of her age. “May our last end be like hers.” MILLER – On Tuesday April 16th, in Bloomington, Ill., Mary H., daughter of Wilmer W. and Anna C. MILLER, aged 2 years and 6 months. Farewell Mamie, thou hast left us, All thy little plays are o’er. Although death has thus bereft us, Thou art only gone before. Thou hast crossed the misty river, And joined the angel band; Thy tiny hands outstretched toward us, Invite us to the better land. Sorrowing hearts have borne thee homeward, From the Prairies of the West, Gentle hand have laid thee down Amid thy kindred here, to rest.