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3?HE ZTTSBTTEG- JDISPATOH," STXNTJAY, APEIL - IS89.
A DAT QF SETTLING.
The Great Annual Settlement Day at
Chambersburg Among
THE DUNKAEDS MD MEHHOHTES.
ill the Business Transactions for the
Whole Tear
COSSUMMATED IK TWENTI-FOUEHOUBS
tsrscux TELEaitiir to tex DisrATcn.1
Chambeksbueg, April 6. Xowhere in
the United States can be -witnessed such a
peculiar method of transacting business as
that which yearly occurs in Chambersburg
upon the 1st day of April, which is the
great settlement day, and has grown to be
such a remarkable and established institu
tion. Jn Lancaster county, Pennsylvania,
there is some approach to the practices here
observed, but the imitation is only partial
and more improved business methods are in
vogue there. The peouliar custom of crowd
ing the business transactions of the whole
year into one day, ot transferring thousands
of acres of some of the most valuable farm
ing land in the country, and making hun
dreds ol thousands of dollars change hands
in a few hour1;, is a spectacle which amuses
those acquainted with the business methods
observed elsewhere in the United States,
and has in it many quaint and interesting
features.
It is difficult to explain how the custom
came to be observed. As far back in the
history of the county as the oldest inhabi
tant can recollect it has been the practice
among the farmers here, particularly among
the Mennonites and Dunkards, two religious
Beets which are very strong in the county,
to so arrange their affairs that all their
transactions in money and land should be
consummated on April 1.
THE GREAT DAY OF THE TEAE.
All agreements for the sale of land are so
draw n as to make the title pass on that day,
no matter how far distant it may be from
the date of the agreement and all payments
upon the land are arranged so" that they will
fall upon the 1st day of April of the next
or succeeding years. Leases of farming
lands to tenants upon the shares are drawn
in the same way. This arranging for the
lit of April for a settlement day is not
onlv a universal custom as to the land trans
actions, but it is carried into money lending
and money borrowing in all its phases.
"When money is loaned and a judgment
given in security, the payments are all ar
ranged so as to fall upon April 1, and it
is the same case where mortgages are given,
sale notes for cattle and farming machinery
bought, and the public sales by farmers are
dated in the same way. Into the private trans
actions between one farmer and his neigh
bor across the road or across the fields, the
custom has also crept until it now thor
oughly pervades almost every form of busi
ness transaction the farmers ever have oc
casion to enter into.
As a result of this strange arrangement
the great settlement day is the greatest
day of the year to the farmer, his wife and
his family. It is dreaded by the attorneys,
court house officials and bankers, as well as
by those who have payments to make and
no money to meet them. Early on the
morning of the 1st the town begins to as
sume an unwonted aspect of business ac
tivity. A ET7SH OF BUSINESS.
From all points of the compass the farm
ers' teams arrive in quick succession and
overcrowd the hotels with guests. Tneir
wives and daughters, eager to make their
annual purchases of supplies, quickly fill
the stores and gladden the hearts of the
tradesmen, while the fathers of the families
make their-way to the banks, court house
and lawyers' offices and begin the active
business ot the day. The attorneys have
the deeds and title papers already pre
pared, the banks haye laid in a heavy snp
plv of currency and the county
officers have engaged extra clerks for the
great rush. The first act of many of the
farmers is to go to their banks and draw out
their deposits in cash. The average farmer
neither pays with checks nor accepts checks.
Uncle Sam's greenbacks are the only things
for which they'will hand oyer their deeds or
satisfy their judgments and mortgages.
They look with great suspicion upon a
check and haye a, decided preference for
greenbacks rather than for the yellow back
gold certificates or the silver certifi
cates. Many have disdained the use of banks
and hoarded up the money at their homes.
An old leathern wallet, tied around with a
knotted shoestring will often disclose thou
sands in large bank notes. In every nook
and corner parties of two and three can be
seen counting down their money, impro
vising a ti.ble out of a store box upon
the sidewalk, or any other convenient ob
ject. A CHAKCE FOB PICKPOCKETS.
Many thousands of dollars are openly dis
played and carelessly handled, and it would
seem to be a rich feast for pickpockets, but
somehow they have never invaded these
preserves. Homespun and plain jean cloth
ing, broad brim hats, overcoats with capes,
many with hooks and eyes instead of but
tons, give the wearers of the costumes a
quaint appearance. The plain clothes give
no sign of the great wealth in lands, stocks,
bonds and cash which some of them possess.
One peculiar feature of the transaction is
the liquidation of many debts by a single
payment It often happens that a group of
six or eight farmers all have money owing
to or from one of the others. A owes B $500
and B has arranged to pay to C the money
he has received irom A, and so on. If the
first debtor is slow in paying, all parties are
put back, but when the exchanges once be
gin to be made they follow one another rap
idly and it is not uncommon to see three or
four thousands of debts paid with a few
hundreds in money. The business of the
banks is enormous. The transactions of the
National Bank in these payments on Mon
day alone footed up to nearly $1,000,000.
For years past efforts have been made by
the lawyers to divide up the business so as
to extend it over several days, but they have
been unsuccessful and every yearthe crowds
and the total of money transactions grow
larger. Strange to say, with all the hurry
and excitement, few mistakes are made, and
the farmers still regard it as the best and
easiest way of transacting their money
affairs for the year.
HORSFORD'S ACID PHOSPHATE,
The Best Tonic
Known, furnishing sustenance to both brain
and body.
SI. Last Month. SI.
April is positively the last month for $1
per dozen cabinets at Elite Gallery, 516
Market street, Pittsburg. Come early and
bring children, rain or shine. Use elevator.
Cloak department All the most popular
staple styles and shapes in great variety;
also many entirely new designs in hand
some imported garments for travel and gen
eral wear. Hugus & Hacke.
mwtsu
The best line of corsets, gloves, hosiery,
underwear and a general assortment of
ladies' and children's fine furnishing goods
in the city. Come to the -grand opening
to-morrow.
F. SchoestHAL, 612 Penn avenue.
Those who are not acquainted with the
various makes and stvles of furniture should
always deal with a firm that have but one
price, and who can be relied upon as carry
ing the very latest designs. Such a firm is
Bain & Daschbach, 111 Smithfield si
Have your watch repaired at Branch's,
ITo. 295 Fifth ave. Lowest prices. WFSu
I0DNG SOLDIERS IN COURT.
A Group of Gay and Giddy Frjzo Flshteri
Very Effectually Frightened.
Chicago, April 6. The twenty members
ofthe First Begiment, Illinois National
Guard, who were arrested last night while
witnessing a prise fight between two mem
bers of that organization, were arraigned in
the Police Court this morning. They stood
before Justice Scully snickering and hiding
heir faces "behind silk hats and perfumed
handkerchiefs until the Court was at a loss
to know whether he was fining school girls
or tennis players. Twenty pairs of rosy
cheeks, as soft and creamy as though they
had been bathed in clover dew every morn
ing, loomed up in line before the Court's
desk, and their owners acted as bashful as
so many young ladies in a broom drill.
The Court read the law to the young men
and a cold shudder ran through the crowd
when it was learned that every one was
liable to imprisonment from one to five
years in the penitentiary. "It was only a
friendly boxing contest," said one of the
men.
"Didn't Gaynor get his jaw broke?" asked
Officer Tyrrell?
"Yes."
"Didn't they strip and fight for a prize
a medal or something?"
"Yes."
"Didn't they go itjbr two rounds and
then stop because Gaynor could not come
to the scratch?"
"Yes."
"Well, if that is not a prize fight I'd like
to know it,"
The young men each paid $1 and costs.
i
ATULIi line of hosiery for ladies' and
children. Come to the grand opening to
morrow. F. SCHOENTHAL,
612 Penn aye.
"Wash Goods A bargain in embroid
ered zephyr and mull robes at $2 and 2 50
a pattern. Hugus & Hacke.
mwtsu
pOYAl
POWDER
Absolutely Pure-
This powder never varies. A marvel or pur
Itr, strength and wholesomeness. More eco
nomical than the ordinary kin ds, and cannot
be sold in competition with the multitude of
ow est, short weight, alum or phosphate now
ders. Sold only in cans. ROYAL BAKING
POWDER CO., 106 Wall St. N. Y.
oc5-m46-jrwrsu
Optical and Mathematical Instruments, Arti
ficial Eyes, Medical Batteries. All American
and European Patented Eye Glass and Specta
cle frames. Glasses perfectly adjusted.
KORNBLUM. OPTICIAN
NO. ft) FIFTH AVENUE.
Telephone No. 1686. ap7-83-nsu
OPIUM
sel4-n29-su
Morsnlne ana Whisky HitlU pals,
lesslj cured. Treatment rent on trial
free. Confidentially addren H. I
KKAMFB.BeeEoxatarjt,lmd.
NEW ADVERTISEMENTS.
I feel like laying
something BAD
BE WISE!
BOOTS AND SHOES DRESSED 'WITH
Wo Iff s AG M EBI acking
NEVER GET HRD AKB STIFF,
Almyalookneit. Eq.uIl7goodforMen'B,W6nien's
or Child's Shoes. No blacking- brush required, and
the polishing is done in three minntea without labor.
WATERPRO OF and warranted to preserve
leather, and keeps It soft and durable.
Bold by Shoe Stores, Grocers, Draggista, 4a.
Try it on your Harnett.
WOLFF & RANDOLPH. Philadelphia.
MWTSU
KID CLOVES.
CAUTION!
Ed Gloves bearing imitations of
ottr Lacing Hooks are offered for
sale.
The genuine Foster Glove Hooks
do not catch in Fringe, Laces, &c,
nor accidentally unfasten.
All Gloves with genuine FoBter
Lacings are stamped
FOSTER'S PATENTS.
Demand them and see that you get them.
BEWARE OF IMITATIONS.
FOSTER, PAUL & CO.,
Manufacturers.
r 1
NEW ADVERTISEMENTS.
RUBEN
Introduces Another Handsome
Derby for Spring 1889:
Black and Hazel Brown,
51 60, 31 90, $2 20. $2 40, $2 90, $3 40.
this Derby differs from the others which we
have placed on sale this spring in having a
fuller crown, a wider brim and a generally
larger appearance. It Is a hat specially adapted
to stout gentlemen, on whom one of the nobby
shapes affected by yoang gents would look lu
dicrous. Ruben has any number of fleshy
friends, and we make it a point to top them
off with a stylish and becoming head covering.
By the way, we make a specialty of extra large
sizes. For instance, a gentleman with a Sena
torial cranium, measuring; 7, need not go to
the trouble or extra expense of having one
made to order. Ruben will give you a choice
of a dozen of that size to make your selection
from. Big men, come and see us by all means.
RUBEN,
The Hatter and Furnisher,
421 AND 423 SMITHFIELD ST.
ap7-wrsn x '
THE HOUSEKEEPER'S
GUIDE,
A monthly publication of
interest to every house
keeper. Gives the price of
every article we carry in
stock, interesting reading
matter, household recipes,
etc.
April number now ready.
Mailed on application.
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SELECT FAMILY GEOOEES,
18 DIAMOND, Market Square,
PITTSBURG.
mhSl-55vreu
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NEW ADVERTISEMENTS.
kW i mwSFEfa mm a! ik$
WE ARE READY
With an unequaled stock and
endless variety of Men's, Boys'
and Children's
NEW SPRING CLOTHING,
Its and Furnishings.
Come see what we have to
offer you and see if they are
not bargains.
Boys' Confirmation Suits
In every grade and quality. Confirmation
Hats, Confirmation Neckwear, Confirma
tion Shirt "Waists. Bring the boys around
and get our prices.
SPECIAL:
500 dozen Boys Shirt "Waists, worth 40c,
19c
Closing out Ladies' Jersey "Waists at half
price to quit this branch.
ETree music eyery Saturday night.
SALLER & CO,
Comer Diamoi and. MhMfl Streets.
ap"-Mwrsu
J. JIA3I02fD, Optician,
23 SIxtlx Street, nttstjurjar.
Spectacles and Eyeglasses correctly adjusted
to every defect of sight. Field and Opera
Glasses, Telescopes, Microscopes, Barometers,
Thermometers, etc
ARTIFICIAL EYES made to order.
Sr and warranted. Always on hand a
large and complete stock. jaovrrssu
jr&WEj Herbert Walker,
4s2$r EYE MAKER,
'ViuiSr' 65 NINTH ST.
ap7su
NEW ADVEKTISEaijEXTS.
NO TROUBLED DREAMS
-TO DISTURB TEXTS-
PEACEFUL SLUMBERS.
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Tlie above neatly furnished Bedroom, consisti ng of
Bed, Dresser, Wash Stand, Two Chairs,
One Rocker, One Center Stand,
One Pair Springs, One Soft Top Mattress,
20 Yards Carpet, Two Pair Lace Curtains,
Can be had for
$47 50, $15 down, $2 per week for balance
See our 7-Piece $22 Chamber Suit.
See our 3-Piece $18 Chamber Suit.
See our Elegant $30 Parlor Suit.
See our Substantial $10 Bed Lounge.
See our Reliable 20 Yards Carpet for $10.
EVERYTHING ON EASY WEEKLY OR MOHTHLY PAYMENTS,
HOUSEHOLD CREDIT CO.
405 "Wood S-biree-b.,
ACKNOWLEDGED CHAMPIONS OF LOW PRICES.
I.
We keep, show and sell -what, we advertise. Do not forget that
405 Is our number. ' ,
ap6-91-WSH
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AVffej Fv (1) Q GREAT
W ill sZf
(wfK
from: the loom: "to the cotjinter
KAUPMANNS'
CLOTHING
passes tssottgkh: ttxi&ttRfi? nA-irnDS.
The weaver, the inspector, the designer, the cutter, the tailor and the salesman all must understand their business thor
oughly. Couple to these facts our own careful attention to the wants of our customers, a watchful eye on the markets, skill to
plan and energy to execute, and you 'know what sdves us our matchless Clothing1 matchless in quality, matchless in style,
matchless in fit, matchless in priceryes, and the last named in particular, as the subjoined bargains, which we have decided to offer this week, will readily prove. Read
them carefully and remember that the goods they represent are genuine, tailor-made garments (every one of them) and no trashy slop-shop work, made irom shoddy
materials that you so frequently meet with in certain first-class (?) Clothing stores in this city.
m
Men's Fine Spring Suits,
consisting of elegant sack and frock styles; cut,
trimmed and made like custom work, suitable for.
business or for dress, in the very latest patterns and
choicest materials. The same class of goods never
was sold in previous seasons for less than $18. We
have all sizes, and you can walk right in and take
any one, and any style and pattern for just 12, but,
remember, this offer is good for
THIS
WEEK
ONLY.
$12
$10-
$10
GREAT
SPECIAL
SALE.
Men's Spring Overcoats,
every garment being a marvel of the tailor's art, and
made from thoroughly reliable and extremely stylish
materials only: Light-weight Meltons, Scotches,
Broad Wales, Covert Cloths, Crepes, Venetians,
Corkscrews and the-never-to-be-downed Cassimeres.
Put one of these garments on your back, and no
man in the world will suppose it to be a 10 coat.
Don't hesitate, however, if you want one, as they're
offered for
THIS
WEEK
ONLY.
$10
$i
81
GREAT
SPECIAL
SALE.
U
Boys' Long-Pant Suits,
including a fine line of Confirmatibn Suits, made from
fashionable and exquisite imported materials exclu
sively. These Suits are for Boys from 12 to 19 years
old (the very period when a boy is most fastidious
and particular about his clothes) and will come up
to the highest expectations as regards fit, style, make
and patterns. They're well worth 12 and 13, but
we have concluded to let 'em go for $8
$8
THIS
WEEK
ONLY.
$S
GREAT
SPECIAL
SALE.
j5
Boys' Short-Pant Suits;
embracing the most select and finest domestic and
imported novelties of the season Suits that'll make
the Boys look like "little gentfemen." If you come
to-morrow you have an unbroken assortment to
select from the cheapest suit in the entire line be
ing worth 7. Of course we have plenty 'of suits at
$2, $3 and $4, but, knowing these 5 Suits to be the
most wonderful bargains ever shown, we lay particu
lar stress on them. They will be offered during
$5
THIS
WEEK
ONLY.
$5
GRAND DISTRIBUTION OF HANDSOME PRESENTS IN OUR BdYS' DEPARTMENT.
For a few (a very few) days longer we will continue to give our wonderful Puzzles, "Pigs in Clover" and "Cows in the Corn," as well asour very amusing Calliopes and Crack Shots free of
charge to purchasers of Boys' Suits, and to every purchaser of a Confirmation Suit, who will leave his caddress with us, we will send a costly and magnificent Easter present We already have over
400 addresses on our list; don't fail to leave your name, when getting a Confirmation Suit
MEN'S and BOYS' HATS.
All the new and popular styles of Men's Stiff and Spft Hats at exceed
ingly moderate prices; and in little Boys' Hats and Caps we have a
brilliant and endless variety of spring novelties. Then we save
our patrons from 25c on a low-priced Hat to $2 on an ele
gant article. That's how we haye built up our colossal
Hat trade that's the wonder of the Hat world.
. V SPECIAL SALE OE WHITE AND EANCT DRESS SKIRTS. V
As usual we are now selling lots of the best made and best fitting Shirts. We have all sizes neck-bands, from 13 to 18 inches,
and with each fraction of neckband three or four lengths of sleeves, so that the tall and short, the large and small may be nicely and
comfortably fitted. Fancy Shirts in all the latest stripes, dots and figures, pleated or plain bosoms, with or without collars attached.
White Shirts in good to finest muslin and pure Irish Linen; well stayed and hemmed, plackets on sleeves, and elegantly laundried. The
prices are:
75c each, or U 25 half dozen $1 each, or $5 50 half dozen. $1 25 each, or 7 half dozen.
$1 50 each, or $8 50 half dozen. $1 75 each, or $10 half dozen. .
aat
SHOES FOR ALL.
f 00,000 invested in Shoes, and not one shoddy pair among them alkj
It's" a well-known fact that we sell our solid' leather Shoes for lesaVJ
money than many dealers ask for tbeir leatherette (imitation; yf.
leather) goods. The result is. seen in- our large and daily s -j
increasing trade. If you've never tried" our Shoes, do
so now. You'll profit by it, rest assured.
B-
KAUPMANNS
J
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ICFTIH: -AVIEJlsrTjriE!
-AND-
SMITHFIELD STREE
H&H
KAUFMANNS
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