Town and Country Newspaper
Pennsburg, Montgomery County, PA

These have been posted to the Pabucks mailing list by Deborah Hollowbush with permission to include on the Bucks Co Site. Many of these posting include people from the Bucks County area.

Ref: Town and Country Newspaper

Pennsburg, Montgomery County, PA

Saturday - April 2, 1904 

HORSE THIEF CAUGHT 

Gus. STETLER, the notorious horse thief, was again arrested for a similar offense at Pennsburg on Tuesday noon. He on Thursday afternoon spied a good looking team tied in front of Walker's sales stables at Norristown, belonging to Samuel TABAK, a wholesale liquor dealer of Bridgeport. Gus jumped into the buggy and drove away. When Mr. TABAK returned he missed the team and Chief of Police RODENBAUGH was notified. Suspicion was at once directed to STETLER, for the chief knew of his presence in town and his love for horses. The team was located at Pennsburg on Tuesday morning by telephone. The chief came to this borough and found STETLER and the team at the livery stable of John F. WEYAND, where STETLER had formerly been employed. He was arrested and taken back to Norristown, where he had a hearing and was committed to jail. With STETLER, horse stealing seemingly is a mania. Born of good parentage in Perkiomen township about 65 years ago, he early developed a passion for horses that was remarkable. He fairly loved the animals, and the trait, if carried on honorable business lines, would have made his fortune. He knew a horse like a book; it was to him what a picture is to the artist, the play to the actor, the intricate law problem to the lawyer. A glance would tell him the merits or demerits of a horse. But he preferred to steal, rather than buy or trade. And this preference became a mania that resulted in his spending possibly half of his sixty odd years behind the bars of the Montgomery county prison or the penitentiary. At sixty he is white-haired, white-moustached, dignified - apparently anything but the real STETLER. During the past few winters he has spent some time in the county almshouse. STETLER eveidently drove direct to Woxall after taking the team, and after leaving that place he stopped at Green Lane. Here he met Quintus KLINE, who traded wagons with him. After loading up on "booze" STETLER drove to Pennsburg, landing at John F. WEYAND's livery at midnight in a state of intoxication. He put his horse in the stable and lay in a stall over night, where he was apprehended on Tuesday morning. STETLER never intimated that the team was not his own, but after Chief RODENBAUGH had placed him under arrest he told him that he could not resist the temptation to steal a good horse when the opportunity presented itself. 

WEIGHTED DOWN WITH TWO TON LATHE 

John LUTZ, of Harleysville had a narrow escape from being crushed to death last Friday while assisting in unloading a two ton lathe from a wagon. The lathe was to be installed into Machinist Daniel TYSON's shop. While trying to take it from the wagon, the lathe slipped and Mr. LUTZ was caught under its weight but ere the machine pinioned him to the earth he slipped out from under it and saved his life. He was badly bruised and exhausted before he made the escape. He was unable to attend to his work for several days. 

DILLINGERSVILLE HOTEL NOT SOLD 

The Dillingersville Hotel was on Saturday offered at public sale at Allentown by the executors of the late Edwin BLANK of Allentown. There was not bid made for the property. 

FALLING STUMP FRACTURES MAN'S RIBS 

Jacob WELLER, a Rockhill Bucks County farmer met with a painful accident last week while he was cutting down a stump of a tree. It suddenly fell, and striking him, broke several of his ribs. 

COLLECTION TAKEN IN CIGAR FACTORY 

A collection was taken up in Eisenlohr's cigar factory at Boyertown among the employes amounting to over $16 for Vincent CLARK, one of the employes, who has been ill with typhoid fever for some time. 

PLOUGHED ON MARCH 24 

Allen WELLER, of near Boyertown, commenced to plow on March 24, in a field in which he had corn, and which he will now sow with oats. He is the first one in that community to plow in the year 1904. 

CHILD BURNED TO DEATH 

Francis BERRY, the 4-year-old son of William BERRY, of Bridgeport, sacrificed his young life, on Friday, in his eagerness to manifest child-like love for an older sister. While his sister was engaged in her household duties the child ran to her and embraced her, when a can of coal oil which she was handling was upset, and the fluid dashed over the child's clothing, a table and the carpet. While the woman turned to secure a cloth to wipe away the fluid, the little fellow ran in front of the kitchen stove, and immediately his saturated clothing caught fire. Francis immediately ran out through the kitchen doorway into the yard. The sight of the child ablaze drove the woman frantic, and following, she dashed a bucket of water over him; but it proved ineffectual on the oily clothing, and not until the child was horribly burned was help summoned by the woman's cries able to tear the fiery clothing from the little body. The child was taken to Charity Hospital, Norristown, where every medical aid possible was administered without avail. Death ensued shortly after five o'clock the same evening. Mrs. BERRY, the mother, was away from home at the time, and did not know the fate of her child until later in the day. 

ALLENTOWN HEN LAID A LARGE EGG 

Llewellyn A. BRAUSS, of Allentown, owns a Black Minorca hen, which on Saturday last laid an egg measuring 9 3/4 inches in circumference and 7 3/4 inches in diameter, and weighing six ounces. A business man on Hamilton street wanted to buy the egg from Mr. BRAUSS as an advertisement for a patent chicken food. 

TOSSED TEN DOLLAR NOTE IN FIRE 

Recently Mrs. Joseph A. ZEARFOSS, of Riegelsville, Bucks county threw a ten dollar note into the stove with some other papers. She discovered her mistake immediately, and the fragments were gotten out without delay. They were forwarded to the Treasury department, and two new five dollar notes were received instead. 

OWNS A VALUABLE HEN 

Charles DEESCH (DeEsch), of Sumneytown, is the owner of a hen which is more valuable than most hens are. He recently traded a fallingtop buggy on the hen. The hen was a setting one and since the deal was made it has depreciated in value to a certain extent for it refused to set on the nest which Mr. DEESCH (DeEsch) has prepared for it. 

TWENTY-FIVE CENTS FOR $150 BUILDING LOT 

Miss Laura SANDS, of East Greenville, won the building lot on Jefferson street which was chanced off by the members, of the East Greenville Base Ball Club. The price paid for the ticket which drew the lot was 25 cents and the value of the lot is one hundred and fifty dollars. 

WILL HAVE CHARGE OF ALLENTOWN HOTEL 

Frank H. KURTZ, proprietor of the Eagle Hotel, of Emaus, formerly, of Kutztown, has leased the Bellevue Hotel at Allentown and took possession yesterday. Mr. KURTZ has been a hotel man for the past twenty years and understands the business thoroughly. 

WILL REMODEL OLD HOUSE 

The administrators of the George SIESHOLTZ estate, of East Greenville, are at present having the old homestead in that borough opposite the toll-gate remodelled. The interior and exterior will be painted and when it will be completed John H. WEIL, of East Greenville, will move there. 

SOLD A COW FOR SEVENTY DOLLARS 

John REITER, of Red Hill, on Tuesday held a public sale with his farm stock and the sale was exceptionally well attended. His cows sold at from $45 to $70. Other articles also brought big prices. 

NEW MILKMAN FOR OUR BOROUGHS 

James TAGERT, a farmer residing near East Greenville, on Tuesday started a new milk route through the boroughs of Pennsburg and East Greenville. He serves the milk from his own farm.

PHYSICIAN HAS AN ACCIDENT

Dr. Vincent Z. KEELOR, of Harleysville, met with an accident on Tuesday night while out visiting a patient. The front axle of his carriage broke which caused doctor to be thrown out of the buggy. The horse then ran away. Dr. KEELOR escaped injuries but the horse was seriously injured and the probabilities are that he may die from the injuries.

BOYS CAUGHT LARGE FISH

Charles JACOBS and Grover BREUNINGER two young boys of Sumneytown, caught a carp in a pool of water on the banks of the Swamp creek on Wednesday. The carp measured 28 inches in length and weighed 10 pounds.

POSTPONED HORSE SALE

Charles E. SCHUBERT, of Shimersville, manager of the Excelsior Horse Company, had advertised a horse sale for Monday, April 4. The horses could not arrive in time for the sale on that day, and as a result it will be postponed. Watch this paper for the advertisement later.

YOUNG MUSIC STUDENTS ORGANIZE A CLUB

Several of the younger music pupils, met in Prof. BECHTEL's studio, East Greenville, on last Saturday afternoon and organized a music club, to be known as The Young Musicians Perseverance Club, and adopted for their motto, "If at first you don't succeed, try, try, try again." Resolved, that every member of the club practices in obedience to the motto. Howard FAUL was chosen recording secretary. After the distribution of class questions the following impromtro program was rendered: Piano duet, Bessie HARTZELL and Foster HILLEGASS; "The Wayside Chapel," Edith ERB; Flute Solo, "Young American," Robert SCHANTZ; "Pearls and Laces," Marvin ERDMAN; Superlative Polka, Howard FAUL; piano duet, Eunice ESHBACH and Edith ERB.

GOOD WALKER AT FOUR SCORE YEARS AND TWO

Henry MOLL, Sr., formerly of Pennsburg, is within one month of 82 years of age and on Wednesday, he walked from Palm, to his son, Joseph MOLL's place at Red Hill. This is a distance of almost five miles and the aged man covered it in a short space of time. Mr. MOLL is exceptionally hardy for one having passed the eightieth mile-stone of life.

KNITTING MILL FIRM DISSOLVES PARTNERSHIP

Samuel WAFFINGTON, of the firm of the Pennsburg Knitting Co., has sold his interests to his partner John F. WEYAND. He left for his home yesterday. Mr. WEYAND will continue the business under the same firm name. He has engaged a Mr. SCHLEGEL as foreman of the mill.

RAISED A LARGE PARSNIP IN THE GARDEN

A parsnip weighing four pounds and a half was dug up in the garden of John HEIMER at Delphi.

HORSE KILLS GROOM

George WHITE, of Quakertown, died on Sunday morning from the effects of a kick in the abdomen received from a horse in the stables of Seth FISHER the horse dealer of the same town, with whom he was employed. Mr. WHITE did not know that the animal was a vicious one and when he was about to enter the stall he kicked him. Mr. WHITE was conveyed to his home and a physician was summoned, but despite the efforts of the physician to save his life, he died from the effects of the kick. Mr. WHITE was 41 years of age and was born in Allentown and learned the butchering trade. He followed that occupation at Quakertown for several years. After selling out he engaged in training race horses and for the past two years he was following that business at the same time assisting Seth FISHER in handling western horses.

BOYS TORTURE PONY

A triiplet of East Greenville boys last Thursday afternoon entered the stables of Dr. John G. HERSH, of the same town, during the absence of the hostler Preston KERN, against whom they had a spite, and literally turned everything in the place upside down, even going as far as placing the doctor's pony in the same position. The first place visited was the sleeping apartments of Hostler KERN and after making this room look as though a cyclone had struck it, they entered the harness room. All the harness were taken apart and thrown in the dirt, as well as some horse and cattle powder which Mr. KERN prepared and had ready for sale. The horse stable was then entered and the pony was their next mark. They placed the harness hindforemost on the animal. The collar was placed on its neck upside down and then fastened to the dividing pole between the pony and the next stall. During the excitement the boys scared the pony and he reared and plunged and was thrown to the floor. The boys then left the premises. About fifteen minutes later the hostler returned and he was amazed to find the pony in such a position with blood flowing from its nostrils. After considerable trouble he succeeded in loosening him. Had the pony not been found until ten minutes later, he would have been strangled to death. After the work of getting matters into shape in the stable had been finished, Mr. KERN made inquiry and found out that the evildoers were Eugene FLUCK, Howard MOLL and Alvin STAUFFER, all of East Greenville. He accordingly had a notice sent to the boys' parents by Esquire KELLER, asking that the boys call at the stable at a given time. The two former were there but the latter failed to come. So he had a constable bring him to the office of the 'squire on Saturday evening, where a hearing was given him. After agreeing to pay for the cattle powder destroyed and the costs of the prosecution he was discharged. The other two boys had made settlement with Mr. KERN at the previous meeting.

NEW HOTEL FOR ALLENTOWN FAIR GROUNDS

The building committee of the Lehigh County Agricultural Society met in the office of Secretary SCHALL and awarded the contract for erecting the new hotel and pavilion on the fair grounds to C.H. EDWARDS & Co., at $10,040.45. The hotel will be a two-story brick structure 50x31 feet, and the pavilion 181 feet. The hotel will have all the modern improvements and a bar space of 766 feet. The hotel will have a parlor and a guest room on the second floor, and four bed rooms.

STOLEN HORSE RUNS AWAY

Frightened by the noise made by two stolen turkeys, a horse that had been stolen from Franklin BOWER, near Lyons Station, Berks county, ran away from the thief and was recovered on the farm of Dr. U.S.G. BIEBER, in Maxatawney.

HAS CONTRACT TO FURNISH TIES

E.E. BILLINGER, of Adamstown, Pa., has a contract to furnish 800 poles and 20,000 ties for rebuilding the Adamstwon & Mohnsville Railway, which will be converted into a trolley line and connect with the Ephrata road.

AN AGED MAN TORTURED

With a box of cayenne pepper and a gag in his mouth, his feet seared by hot irons, his limbs bound so tightly that his blood could scarcely circulate, William MCNEIGHT (McNeight), of Reading, endured five days and nights of torture and starvation until Samuel MILLER, happening to call at the house on Sunday, released him. MCNEIGHT (McNeight), who is 74 years old, is a junk dealer, reputed to be wealthy, lives alone in a little house near the river and just out of the city. Three masked men broke into his home last Tuesday night and demanded his money. MCNEIGHT (McNeight) declared, truthfully, that he keeps his funds in bank. The intruders would not listen to his protestations, and in the fight that ensued he was overpowered. After binding MCNEIGHT (McNeight) securely, the robbers seared his feet with a poker and soldering irons, heated in the kitchen stove. Finally they filled the old man's mouth with red pepper, thrust the box in after the fiery powder, and applied a gag. After administering blows and kicks they departed, having obtained nothing of value. For five days and nights MCNEIGHT (McNeight) lay there, and pain from the pepper in his mouth and the burns on his feet nearly driving him mad, the gnawings of hunger adding to his torture. The weather was cold and the thongs cut like knives. MCNEIGHT (McNeight) says he had counted the day as his last, when MILLER happened to come to his rescue. Unable to see their faces or recognize their voices, MCNEIGHT (McNeight) cannot name his assailants.

STANDING COMMITTEE WILL MEET MONDAY

The Democratic Standing Committee of the County will meet at the Rambo House, Norristown on Monday, for the purpose of selecting a county chairman as the term of the present incumbert Charles D. MCAVOY (McAvoy), of Norristown, expires. Mr. MCAVOY (McAvoy) wants to succeed himself and it is reported that Ex-Chairman Wellington ROSENBERY, of Lansdale, would again like to take hold of the reins during the Presidential campaign.

OLD GANDER AND HORSE ON ONE FARM

A gander 15 years old, claimed to be the oldest goose in Berks county, and a horse 35 years old are owned by William S. KUTZ, in Kutztown.

NEW BANK WILL OPEN FOR BUSINESS

The new Emaus National Bank will open for business on April 5, with John E. YEAGER as president and Borough Treasurer E.F. LORENTZ as cashier.

FELL FROM ROOF AND FRACTURED ARM

Simon SMITH, son of Contractor Wm. SMITH, of Hillegass, fell from the roof of a barn and broke his arm. He and his father were placing a shingle roof on the barn of Isaac SMITH, of Green Lane, when the accident happened. Young SMITH was about to pull a heavy bundle of shingles through the lathes when he lost his balance and fell to the ground, a distance of about twenty-five feet. He fell on some old singles which eased his fall. It was at once noticed that his arm was fractured. He was conveyed to his home and Dr. W.H. HUNSBERGER, of Pennsburg, summoned who reduced the fracture. The young man's father was within ten feet when he fell and saw the accident.

LITERARY SOCIETY MEETING

The Hosensack Literary Society was called to order by the President Elmer ROEDER. After the singing of a hymn, the minutes were read and approved. The following program was then rendered: Declamations, Jennie HILLEGASS and Annie ROEDER; select readings, Flora ROEDER and Annie HANGEN; Essayist, Lydia ROEDER. The question, Resolved, "That the love for money is greater than the love for women," was discussed affirmatively by Jennie HILLEGASS and Elmer ROEDER negatively by Mamie HANGEN and Elmer ROEDER. The judges decided in favor of the affirmative side after general debate the house decided in favor of the negative side. After the reading of the budget and the critic's report the society adjourned.

REPAIRMEN ON RAILROAD RESIGNED

William SMITH and William SMOLL, of Pennsburg, repairmen on the Pennsburg section of the Perkiomen railroad, both tendered their resignation on Saturday to foreman William HERSH. The former will begin farming at Kratz Station and the latter has secured work with butcher Harry R. BREY, of Pennsburg.

INJURED BY A FALLING TREE

Henry MACK, of Bally, was injured by a falling tree while he and Jacob KELSH, of the same place, were cutting down trees in Mr. MACK's woods. He was removed to his home and a physician was summoned.

STOLE MARCH AT NIGHT

Acting for the township of Worcester, Attorney Edwin S. NYCE, of Norristown, on Tuesday morning filed a bill in equity against the Souderton, Skippack and Fairview Electric Railway Company, to restrain the defendant company, by injunction, from further building of road in Worcester township, and to compel them to tear up and remove 150 feet of track already laid. It appears that an agreement entered into between the township of Worcester and the officials of the Electric Railway Company expires on April 1. The company desired a continuance of the agreement, but the township declined to enter into such under old terms, while the railway company declined to make a new agreement under new terms. On Sunday evening, the projectors of the road, it is said, caused building material to be hauled to a stretch of survey in Worcester, where they had secured right of way, and hurriedly laid, by workmen, about 150 feet of track, by moonlight. Hence the equity suit to restrain them from acting further. The plaintiffs allege four reasons, namely: 1. That the company has not secured consent from Lower Providence, through which the proposed line is expected to be built. 2. That the company has not secured right of way over all the route proposed in Worcester township. 3. That the company is not beginning the building of the road in good faith. 4. That the company has not secured consent of all property owners over whose lands they intend to pass. The bill is made returnable Monday, April 4, at 2 p.m. E.S. MOSER, of Collegeville, is president of the company, and B.W. DAMBLY, of Skippack, secretary.

ORGANIZED A SUNDAY SCHOOL

The energetic citizens of Morwood and vicinity held a meeting on Thursday evening for the purpose of organizing a Sunday school. The following officers were elected to serve for the ensuing year: Supt., Rein G. GODSHALL; Asst. Supt., Jerome BOWMAN, J.B. CLEMENS; Music Directors, George R. SWARTLEY, J.B. CLEMENS; Organist, Lillian FREED; Asst. Organist, Barbara MOYER; Secretary, Harry G. RUTH; Asst. Sec., John M. MOYER, Treas., P.S. WILE; Janitor, Enos HUNSBERGER. It was decided to open the Sunday-school tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock.

THIEVES VISIT HEREFORD SCHOOL HOUSE

A gang of thieves gained entrance to the Hereford school house, on Monday night. They broke the lock on the door of the library and took a lot of lead pencils and a tin cup along. Out of the Hereford Literary Society's library they stole several volumes of Emerson. They later visited the residence of John BAUER and H. Winslow FEGLEY. At the latter place they made a noise and aroused Mr. FEGLEY who then frightened them away.

WOMAN TRAMPLED UPON BY COWS

Mrs. John SWINEHART, of Schwenksville, was on Wednesday morning severely injured while milking. The cow she was milking kicked her, and she fell under another one, which frightened both, and they began to trample her. The unfortunate woman would have been killed had not her husband been near and rescued her from her perilous position. Her face and nose were badly cut and she was painfully bruised all over her body.

PURCHASED A FARM AND MILL PROPERTY

Elmer CAMPBELL has purchased the farm and mill property of his father-in-law Samuel FOCHT, about a half mile below Milford Square and formerly known as SCHOLL's mill, for $6,500. Mr. CAMPBELL has for a number of years occupied and successfully operated the mill.

CANDIDATE FOR NATIONAL DELEGATE

J.B. LARZELERE, Jr., of Norristown, announces that he is a candidate for delegate to the Democratic National Convention at St. Louis. His is the only name mentioned as yet.

ADJUDGED A BANKRUPT

Isaac ROEDER, a farmer, of Lower Milford township, Lehigh county, was adjudged a voluntary bankrupt. Liabilities, $17,279.31; assets, $9,611,10; referee, John D. DIEFENDERFER, of Allentown.

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