a, Re, myn Bellefonte, Pa., Jan. 24, 1896. “T'o ‘0oBRESPONDENTS. — NO communications ublished unless accompanied by the real name of thewriter mat THINGS ABOUT TOWN & COUNTY . Caucus Meetings. The Democratic caucus for the West ward will be held at the WATCHMAN office Friday evening, Jan. 24th, at 7:80. Geo. HarMAN, Com. The Democratic caucus for the North ward will meet in the Arbitration room in the Court House on Saturday eve- ning, Jan. 25th, at 7 o'clock. J. C. Harper, Com. ——The Democrats of the South Ward will meet 1n caucus at the Regis- ter’s office in the Court House on Satur- day evening the 26th, at 7 o'clock. Jos. Wisg, Com. ——Philipsburg people are housing ice eleven inches thick. —— The Coleville Band gave a very enjoyable hop tthe band rooms, in Coleville, on Wednesday evening. —— The only work of the council at its regular meeting on Monday night was to approve bills amounting to about $100. —— Some liar representing himself to be from Bellefonte, has been furnishing the Philipsburg Journal with the news that sleigning is good about this place. —-Epgineer Tussey, of the Lewis- burg & Lemont rail-road, is ill at his home in Sunbury. His place is tem- porarily filled by engineer Martz. Mr. Allison W. Stine and Miss Dora Hummer, were quietly married at the residence of Rev. G. E Zehner, of this place, on Thursday evening last. ——Attend the primaries, voters. Don’t stay away and then blame the sult on somebody else, who had no more or greater interest at stake than yourselves. ——C. M. Bower Esq, entertained most pleasantly and hospitably the members of his Sunday school clase, of St. John’s Reformed church, at his home on Linn street on Monday eve- ning. xX —— The. death of Joseph McCaleb, well known down Nittany valley, is announced as occurring on the morn- ing of the 16th, inst. He was 79 years of age and highly respected by all who knew him. : ——The engineering corps on the Bellefonte and Clearfield rail-road, it is said hus found an excellunt grade as far as they have gone, and are now working on the mountain above Port Matilda. —— Rush township is reported to be without a tax collector. Robert Laws, who was appointed to collect the 1894 taxes, having completed his work, re- fused a reappointment to collect the 1895 taxes, and tbus far no one has been secured to do-the work, and the taxes remain uncollected. ——1Its either a big story ora gun with a remarkable bistory—the old one that is said to belong to Andy Harter down at Coburn, and which as the story goes, is 116 years old, bas killed 167 deer, 76 bear, and one panther. Its old flint lock is still good and the gun itself i8 in good condition and ready for use at any time. ——There is no question but that Mr. A. M. Mott, of this place, is mak- ing a success of his marble business. The car-loads of stock that comes to him, the wagonil ads of beautiful work that is hauled away, and tke bustle and business that is always noticeable about his place attest thie. The why of it is no secret. He does excellent work and deals honestly with the people. There is no fraud or deception about either him or the work he sends out. He is sure to succeed. ——The parade of Hi-Henry’s min- strels on Monday last was a fine show- ing up of good-looking, well dressed men, who made “better music on the streets than has been heard in this town for many vears. It pleased the people immensely and was largely instrumental in filling the Opera House in the éve- ning to over flowing with a crowd. that enjoyed the performance from beginning to end. Hi-Henry’s is away above the ordinary minstrel shows. pn is wishing for a good fall of snow. The young people want it for sleighing. The people who don’t want to look at ash- pits and all kinds of dirt want it to cuter up the eye-sores of a snowless winter. Scores of folks want it for the water it will bring, but above all the farmer wants and needs it. At present the fall grain is exposed to the high winds, and fears are entertained that the continued freezing weather will injure the crops in their present condition. Another cold wave may cause the wheat crop in many places to be a failure un- less snow comes. A DirrFicULT JoB.—It’s the usual custom of the newspapers, just before the nominating convention for local officers are held, to say to the public, “isee that you place good men upon your ticket.” This is an easy thing to do—much easier than for the public to pick out good men, or for the news- papers to indicate who, of all the citi- zens, would be the best to nominate. We have charity enough to believe that a large majority of those who take part in a electing local tickets ac- tually believe they are nominating and electing the best men they can get. The masses of the people are not schemers —the majority of them are not rogues —and while it is true that the schemers and rogues often get the better of the other fellows, it is also true, and in many if not more instances, that the honest part of the public elect thor- oughly conecientious men of good busi- ness abilities and who it is believed will make capable, careful and honest officials, bt who turn out to be of less use to the public, than even the pro- fessional schemer or” designing dema- gogue would. Years ago, not se—lang that it has been forgotten, the people of this town awakened to the fact that its financial management was loose, and that a gen- eral overhauling and straightening up of matters was needed. They elected three or four of the most responsible citizens, and supposed to be the best business men of the place, to council, and then felt that the interests of the tax-payers would be cared for and that all would be well thereafter. Imagine their surprise when a few months later: they discovered that this council of ‘‘business men’ had issued twenty year bonds at 7 per cent. for one hun- dred thousand dollars, and had paid a large premium in addition to the parties who disposed of them. These bonds had been issued without power to re- deem, and for twenty years we paid 7 per cent interest on our public debt, when other towns were paying but 8% or 4 on theirs. And this was the work of some of the most responsible business men and property owners in the town. But a few years ago one of our most honored citizens—honest and public spirited—and in whose independence and judgment, in local matters, the most implicit confidence was placed, was chosen to the council and the peo- ple generally congratulated themeelves that his knowledge of the needs of the town, with the influence he possessed, would direct our local law-makers in that way that would be most advan- tageous to the tax payer. Again were the people surprised on discovering that his principle work as a councilman was, a successful effort, to get the street upon which his property was located graded and McAdamized while the balance of the streets were left without money to make the usual repairs. In the present council are direct representatives of three of the largest estates in the town—estates having many properties to rent and whose in- terests are identical with the best inter- ests of the place, and yet with the ap- proval of these representatives, for the selfish purpose of one of these estates, the town has been done more injury, robbed of more of its beauty and the health of its citizens imperriled, than all the taxes that all of them pay would replace or repair: We refer to the per- mission given by council to divert the waters of Spring Creek and the Big Spring, from | their usual channel, in order that the Hale estate may profit by the sale of additional water rights. Principally among the great natural advantages and beauties that Bellefonte has always boasted of, is its magnificent spring, and the beautiful stream of pure, clear, cold water that flows from it, and after joining Spring Creek, through the town. Come and see them .to-day ! The spring is here but where the stream ? The channel of the later, dur- ing the day, a noisome, pestilent-breed- ing, uncovered sewer ; its sides lined and stinking with the filth of the town drains ; its slimy rocks and unwashed sewer mouths an eye-sore to the pub- lic and a disgrace to the town—an every day evidence of the incompetence or carelessness of a council that has per- mitted it to be made what it is. - ‘With such evidence of the work of men who should and do know better— of men whose business standing and personal interests would indicate them to be exactly the kind of men to be chosen for the positions they held ; men whose every interest depends upon the welfare, the beauty, the prosperity and the health of the town—is it to be wondered at that the people have be- come discouraged and scarcely know who to trust ur what to do in the mat- ter of nominations. We hope however, disheartened as our people may be, that both parties will be able to place in nomination to- morrow night, men who have ro axes the situation to have to grind other people’s axes, and who when elected, will have intelligence, independence and courage enough to care for the town and the towns best interests. Can such men be found ? It is almost too | much to hope for. of their own to grind, who are not in" ——Mill Hall is to have a soap fac- tory, an enterprise that will afford some of the Republicans down that way an opportunity to clean up once in their lives. —H. W. Worrick and G. M. Stover, have been elected, by the Clin- ton county Agricultural Society, as dele- gates to the State College, to the meet- ing for the election of Trustees. ——At a meeting of the State Board of Agricultural at Harrisburg, on the 16th, inst., Mr. Joel A. Herr, of Nittany valley, was elected one of the vice Presidents of that organization. —— Clearfield county has eighty-nine licenwad ‘hotels, thirteen restaurants, four wholesale liquor stores, one distillery, three wholesale beer dealers, and four brewery licenses. No one need go dry in that county. ——Somebody rightly says, that if a doctor makes a mistake he buries it ; if a merchant makes a mistake he never tells it ; if a lawyer makes a mistake he crawls out of it, but if an editor makes a mistake he puts it on a large sheet of paper for the world to look at, and in every community there are cranks who think they are models of wisdom because they occasionally dis- cover them. ——After an illness extending through many months Mrs. Mary Jane Hender- shot calmly passed from this life, at her home at Valentines Forge, on Sunday evening. The deceased was the widow of D. J. Hendershot, a member of 45th Reg’t. Penn’a. Volunteers, who died in 1863, at Milldale, Miss. She was a good woman, a kind mother and & most highly esteemed neighbor. Inter- ment was made in Union Cemetery on Tuesday afternoon, Revs. Young and Rue, officiating. ——Mr. M. Swavely, of Mackeyville, Clinton county, recently picked up a coin in his corn fleld dated 17568. The letters and figures ‘1 Shilling, 1768” on the one side, says the Lock Haven Dem- ocrat, can be directly seen ; the other side of the coin is black, but under the crust can be seen the shape of letters, The coin is nearly as thin as paper. The fisld in which the piece of coin was found has been tilled every season for fully 100 years, but it was not until a short time ago that it was picked up. ——T. B. Rupert an old and highly respected citizen of Walker township, died suddenly at his home near Zion, on Monday afternoon of heart disease. Mr. Rupert, came to this county while a young man from the state of New York, and began life here as a school teacher. He married a Miss McCalmont, and settled down as a farmer, which occupa- tion he followed almost constantly since. He was known as one of the most suc- cessful fruit growers in the county, and as an honest, upright citizen. He was 78 years of age and leaves a family of grown children. ——1t has always been as matter of great doubt among those conversant with the subject, whether the coal dust accumulating in bituminous mines was explosive or not. On Saturday last, in Eureka Mine No. 7, at Ramey, Clear- field county, an explosion occurred severely burning four men and setting fire to the mine. The fire was quickly extinguished, however, and no damage was done by it. Mine Inspector Knap- per, who has since investigated the cause, attributes it to the fine dust igniting directly after a shot had been fired by | dynamite, which, if correct, would go to’ prove that the bituminous mines of this section have the same dangers lurking within them, that has always made the Anthracite mines such death traps. ——Dr. Jas. M. Perdue, well known to most of our readers in the upper end of the county, and who has many rela. tives in that section, died at his home in Tyrone on Monday last, from general prostration resulting from protracted rheumatism, from which he has been a sufferer for many months. Dr. Perdue was born at Milesburg, seventy-four years ago. He was the son of Dr, Ed- ward Perdue, who practiced medicine in Half-moon valley for the greater part of a life time, and died in Stormstown some twenty odd years ago. In early life the deceased chose the dental pro- fession for his lifework, and continued in its practice until sickness called him from the chair a few months ago. He was married twice, his first wife, who was Miss Harriet Bare, died soon after marriage. He afterwards was married to Miss Susan Burket, sister of Dr. Geo. W. Burket, of Tyrone, to whom were born four sons and one daughter. He practiced his profession for many years at Stormstown and removed to Tyrone with his family about 18 years ago, where he has continued the busi- ness since that time. He was a mem- ber of the M. E. church for 57 years, joining the church when a boy of 17 years. He joined Post 172, G. A. R., April 28, 1888, and remained a member. An exemplary citi: n, a true christian, Poor Prospects For TrouT Fism- ING.—After all the money that has been spent by the State, and the time and attention that has been given by our people, to stock and protect the trout streams of this section, it is now almost a certanity, that for seasons to: come, there will be fewer streams in which trout will be found and fewer trout in those that do have any, than has been known since our streams were first fished. For years the streams of this county have furnished the best trout fishing to be found in the state, there being some thirty in all, from any of which a fair catch could be taken at any time during the season. But drought of last summer and the ex- treme cold weather already experienced this winter has ended this, A trip through the country shows that, not- withstanding the rains of the early part of the present month, two-thirds of the creeks referred to are, or were a week ago, frozen completely dry. In these, of course no trout will be found until they are re-stocked and the fish have time to grow to the size at which the law allows them to be taken. With the exception of the Little Mo- shannon, Beech and Marsh Creeks. Penn's Creek, Logans Branch and Spring Creek, we doubt if, under pres- ent conditions, thereis a basket of live trout in all the streams of the county. The iacredulous sportsman, who has thought little and seen nothing of the condition of our creeks, will possibly doubt this, but the writer who has been over the ground and speaks only of what be knows and has seen, is certain that the worst predictions herein made will be verified next spring, when the hope- ful angler goes forth to bag his usual catch. Of the creeks that we have named as still being open there are miles and miles of most of them that are frozen asdry as are their tributaries. In the upper three miles of Marsh Creek, (which by the way has furnished the best trout fishing in the county for several years); and for five miles along the upper end of Beech Creek, you would not find as much water as a horse would drink. The Little Moghannon, is frozen dry for miles near itssource and even Spring Creek, from the Bear Meadow moun- tains, almost down to where it enters the valley above Boalsburg, is frozen to the ground. Even if the theory, that the great the i ——Over 1,000,000 feet of logs have been tied up between Lock Haven and Williamsport owing to the cold weath er. Whila all the logs along the Sin- mahoning Pine and other creeks, have been banked waiting until the spring thaw. A Fire ALArRM.—Just about the time that every body was most anxious to stay in bed, on Tuesday morning, the town was startled by the hoarse sound of the fire whistle, which brought people to their windows, and the few who were up out into the street, to inquire where the fire was. The firemea who never seem to sleep, or if they do it must i be with their clothes on, were on hand promptly and soon discovered smoke is- suing from the cellar in the basement of PrILIPSBURG Lona Ago. — Richard Plumber, E:q , of San Francisco, Cal., who was a resident of Philipsburg, this county, sixty years ago, writing to the Rev. F. J. Clerc, D. D, of early days in that town says: “I could furnish some additional points to the credit of the old place and its early history that the history omits. Such a fact to com- mence with as that a well maintained military volunteer company was started there as early as 1826, numbering 100 men, and kept up some years, com- manded by Capt’. John Matthias, who afterwards left Philipsburg in 1828, and became editor of the Blairsville Record. The organization of the screw manu- facturing company in 1822, was a pretty beginning for that early day, costing the residence of Mr. Emil Joseph on the | corner of High and Spring streets. It | was but the work of a few moments to extinguish the little fire that was found, caused, it is said, by the carelessness of a servant who gat a lighted candle upon a chair in the cellar and forgot it. When the candle, which was without a holdar, burned down it set fire to the chair and from that comunicated to some packing that was near by. The only loss sus- tained was the loss of sleep on the part of the people who were awakened by the alarm a few hours earlier than they are accustomed to be. Aunt MARY REESE.--The people in the vicinity of Valentines Iron works were shocked on Monday afternoon by the announcement of the death of “Aunt” Mary Reese, after and illness of but a few days. On Friday of last weak, she was stricken with paralysis but advanced age, and the severity of the stroke, lett no hope of even partial recovery, and the end came about 2 o'clock on the day named. She was over 80 years of age and known to al- most everybody within miles of her home, for her many kind acts, her neigh- borly efforts to assist those in trouble, and her attention and devotion to the gick. Until incapacitated by age she was the general nurse ot the neighbor- hood, and no matter whether rich or poor demauded her services, her will- ing bands and kindly disposition was ready to alleviate distress wherever found. It will be long years, before the memory of Aunt Mary Reeses’ good deeds, passes from the recollection of our people. May she rest in peace. body of trout seen in the smaller tribu- taries during the summer go down to, the deeper waters of the larger streams during the winter, is correct, it cannot apply to present conditions for the rea- son that most of our smaller streams were so low last fall thau the trout that were in them were huddled together in pools unable to get either up or down. In most cases these pools have since been frozen to the ground and are as dry as waterless streams can be. It is not a bright outlook for. the gportsman, but such it is and such it will remain. Those who doubt 1t, be- cause heretofore we have had fall drouths and winter freezes and no such general destruction of fish, have only to remember that never before in the history of the county has such a severe drouth as that of last fall been followed by freezing weather before the drouth was broken or the streams fairly filled. If this fact will not satisfy them let them go and see the condition of our streams themselves and understand, that for years to come, there will be fewer ‘speckled beauties” taken from the streams of this county than has gen- erally been the case. AN Op CiTizEN GoNE. — Worn out by old age and full of the honors that follow a well spent life. Mr. Alex- ander Kerr, one of the oldest, if not the oldest citizen of Potter township, peace- fully passed from this to the life to come on the 21st inst. Mr. Kerr was in his 9lst year at the time of his death. Most of this long period had been spent in the town- ship in which his remains will be laid to rest this, Friday, morning. He was a plain, unasuming, honest man. One of the kind that makes a community respectable and influential. Of more than ordinary intelligence and with the purest motives he always commanded the respect and; esteem of all who knew him. For years he filled the position of county surveyor, and for one term was county auditor, accepting the latter place under protest, but performing its duties impartially and conscientiously, as he did every duty imposed upon him. Politically he was a Democrat, and was frequently importuned to accept the nomination. for important county offices but steadily refused, preferring the qui- et life on a farm to the turmoils and ex- citement incident to political life. In his party faith he was as unswerving as he was in his sturdy integrity, and unti) prevented by physical ailments, always took an active part in the councils, and work of his party. He leaves two sons William and David, and one daughter, Mrs. Mary Odenkirk. '——Huntingdon is having a kind of a kind neighbor a clean, pure, man, he leaves behind , only a record of good deeds and kind acts. Mgrs. Rute BRuce PorTER.— From j the Brookville Democrat, we get the i following announcement of the death of a former resident of this county and who, doubtless, is still remembered by the older residents ot Penns Valley : ‘Mrs. Ruth Bruce Potter was born in Penns Valley, Centre county, Pa., in 1811, and died December 29th, 1895, at her late home on the turnpike, in Clar- ion township, Clarion county, Pa. Her early years were spent in Centre connty, where she was married to J. F. Potter about 1837. She was one of a large family, and was the last to pass away. In the spring of 1838 she and her hus- band came to Clarion township, Clarion county, where ‘they traveled together the pathway of life until 1882, when the husband was called away to his long home. Since then she has continued to live at the homestead with her daught- ers, who have helped to make her last days her best days. In early life she united with the Presbyterian church, and was 8 consistent member of the New Rehobeth church, near Strattan- ville, at her death. For several years past she was not able to get out to the sanctuary, but her interest in the church of her choice hever failed, and she delighted to hear of prosperity com- ing not only to ber own church, but to the whole church of Christ. At her request services were held occasionally at her home by the pastors of the nearby churches.” TRE TREE, News Purely Personal. —W. B. Mingle Esq., Penns Valley’s popular banker, spent part of Tuesday in town. —Register Rumberger has been visiting in Philipsburg singe our last issue and came home, no doubt, feeling that that end of the county would be solid for his re-nomination and election. —Editor Kurtz of the Reporter who don't get over to town as often as he usea to, found time to spend afew hours here on Friday last and looked when he left, as if he would like to stay a little longer. Mr. J. C. Hoy of Lemont, and one of the bright young men of the county who knows a good thing when he sees it, was a welcomg caller on Monday. The WarcnmMan will reach him regularly hereafter. —Ex-Representative W. K. Alexander of Millheim, who had the misfortune to have the barn on his farm in Harris township burned a short time since, was in town on Monday pleasant snd unconcerned as ifhe had met with no such loss. —Mr. Fred Bottorf the wide-awake Fergu- sou township farmer and earnest Democrat found time, while in town ou Wednesday, to run in and assure us that Ferguson Demo- crats will do better at the coming election than they did last fall, although at that time, they polled every vote they had except three. Mr. and Mrs. Orlando Beck former residents of this place, but for thirteen years citizens of Miles city Montana, are visiting relatives and friends in Half-Moon valley. Mr. Beck was in town on Tuesday, looking but little if any older than when he left this county for the a mid-winter fair this week that closes this (Friday) afternoon with a general street parade and county band contest. oma far west, and seemingly highly pleased with the present and future prospectsof the coun- try up along the Yellowstone. some $60,000, then considered a rather large outlay, and which employed quite a large. number of persons, and was of much assistance in developing the town “and locality. It{failed, owing the fact ‘that England could supply eerews cheaper, there being no tariff duty at that day on them, and though a worse article, wero preferred in the market be- cause of cheapness. - I am told that the factory burned down some years ago. It will perhaps surprise the coal pro- prietors and miners of the present day to learn the price at which coal was su pplied the town in early times. My father got his supply for years from Squire Line who owned a coal bank just across the Moshannon on the old Kylersville road, at the rate of 3 to & cents a bushel delivered and which was the general price. Men were low in those days, $10 per month and board, ra ted at $2 per week was the figure, and all matters of domestic production wefe comparatively low. Dry goods and foreign groceries were high ; common low price calicoes were worth 20 cents, and very common cotton muslins the same and up to 40 cents for fair shirt- ing. Most people wore their own wool* en clothing in those days and bought few store goods. The best beef was sold at 3 cents per pound and pork about the same, mutton about 2 cents. Flour wa’ generally worth about $2 per 100 and buckwheat not so much, upon which the country people mostly lived. Good maple sugar was worth some 8 cents, while common brown imported sugar brought 16 cents, tea and coffee quite high, butter and eggs only worth 4 to 5 cents per pound and dozen.” WorTH TRYING.—A friénd up along Buffalo Run told us the other day that he has marketed double the quantity of eggs this winter usual with him, and attributes it to the fact that he feeds his hens every day one meal of boiled pota- toes, warm. As potatoes are plenty and the cooking of them would not be much trouble the expariment might be worth trying by others who have chickens. For SALE. —A team of heavy draft horses, 8 years old. Will weigh 1600 lbs. each. T. B. BUDINGER, Snow Shoe, Pa. HAaYWANTED.-—Have you a car-load of good timothy hay you want to sell for cash. If so, write or telephone T B. Budinger, Snow Shoe, Pa. Sale Register. For the benefit of thuse who contemplate making public sale during the coming season. We will keep a register of all sales within the county as fully as possible, examination of which will be free to all. Persons having their bills print. ed at the WATCHMAN office will secure notice of sale in this column free of charge. Marca 4th.—At B. F. Blair's, 1 mile north of Fillmore, 5 horses, 16 cattle, 25 sheep, sh oats, Advance Mower, Champion Binder and complete line of farm implements. Sale at 10 a.m. Wm. Goheen auctioneer. Bellefonte Grain Market. Corrected weekly by Go. W. Jackson & Co: The following are the quotations up to six o'clock, Thurs evening, when our paper oes to press : i WHERE crreerscrrsestsenirensresss esesesaneensers 65 Rye, per bushel.....c.ceeeese sesesessessssssess erases 45 Corn, shelled per bushel......cceveeeeienenane 30 Corn, ears per bushel......ccccuuereree vee vunenes 15 Qats—new, per bushel 18 Barley. pe: ushel..... 35 Ground laster, per to! 9 60 Buckwheat per bushe .- 40 Cloverseed, per bushei.... $6 00 to $7 00 Bellefonte Produce Markets. Correctea weekly by Sechler & Co Potatoes per bushel ; Onions....eecese-. Lard, per pound.. CountryShoulders.. Sides...cceeee Hams...... SwhownST8 Tallow, per pound. Butter, rn pound... The Democratic Watchman, Published every Friday morning, in Belle- fonte, Pa., at $2 per annum (if paid strictly in advance); $2.50, when not paid in advance, and $3.00 if not paid before the expiration of the year ; and no paper will be discontinued until all arrearage is paid, except atthe option of the publisher. Papers will not be sent out of Centre county unless paid for in advance. A liberal discount is made to persons adver- jisjng by the quarter, half year, or year, as fol- ows : 8PACK OCOUPIEL. |3m | 6m ly Oneinch(121limes this type $5 (88210 TWO inCROS.ccceererrsreeerass 7T(10( 16 Three inches...c.cusereeenn 10 (18 | 20 uarter Column (4}4 inches).......| 12 | 30 | 80 alf Column ( 9 inches) 20 | 86 | 60 One Column (19inches)............... 36 | 65 | 100 Advertisements in special column 25 per cent. additional. Transienc advs. per line, 8 insertions...... 20 cts Each additional insertio line . 5ets wocal notices, per line... 25 ts | Business notices, per lin .10 cts Job Printing of every kind done with neat ness and dispatch. The Warommax office has been refitted with Power Presses and New Type, and everything in the printing line can be executed in the most artistic manner and at the lowest rates. Terms—CASH. | "All letters snonld be addressed to ; P. GRAY MEER, Proprietor.