a Bellefonte, Pa., February 6, 1914. P. GRAY MEEK, Ciel liile EDITOR TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION.—Until turther notice this paper will be furnished to subscribers at the following rates : Paid strictly in advance - - $1.50 Paid before expiration of year - 1.75 Paid after expiration of year - 2.00 ——Being a man of good sense it is altogether likely that RUDYARD KIPLING is opposed to the exemption of American coasting ships from payment of tolls for use of the Panama canal. But it is quite as unlikely that he converted President WILSON to that view of the subject for our chief magistrate is also a just and reasoning man. —The latest political gossip in Demo- cratic circles is to the effect that A. MITCHELL PALMER is to be a candidate for United States Senator and VANCE McCoRMICK is to get into the running for Governor. An announcement to this effect was made yesterday in Washington after the party leaders had a conference with President WILSON. ——The death of Superior court judge JaMEs A. BEAVER leaves a vacancy on that bench to be filled by appointment by Governor TENER. Naturally there will be many aspirants for the position among the jurists throughout the State, and among the number who are already being boomed by their friends are Judge HAROLD M. MCCLURE, of Union county, and WILLIAM I. WoODCOCK, of Altoona. Both gentlemen are able jurists, but then there are a lot such in Pennsylvania. ADDITIONAL LOCAL NEWS. DoINGS OF BorouGH CouUNCIL.—In ad- dition to president Walker members Har- ris, Haupt, Naginey and Shope were present at the regular meeting of borough council on Monday evening, the absen- tees being Brockerhoff, Cherry and Lyon. There were no verbal nor written com- munications and under the regular reports from standing committees Mr. Seibert, for the Water committee, reported that he had been in communication with Col. W. Fred Reynold relative to the purchas- ing of a new turbine wheel for the Phoenix mill pumping plant, and the gen- eral repair of the basement and founda- tion of the building Col. Reynolds, who gave $250 toward putting in the new con- crete forebay at the dam, offered to give $150 more toward the above repairs and allow the borough the old wheel to dis- pose of for whatever it would bring. Mr. Seibert’s plan of the repairs 1s to put con- crete foundations under the big wooden posts, use steel girders in place of wood and put down a new floor. His estimate | of the entire cost was $865, and it was | Sudden Death of Gen. James A. Beaver. Former Governor and Superior Court Judge Died on Saturday. Complete Sketch of a Long and Brilliant Career. Prominent Men Attend Funer- al on Tuesday. “General Beaver is dead!” This was the startling announcement made last Saturday afternoon and it seemed almost incredible to the general public, as very few outside of his own family circle knew the gravity of his condition. But start- ling as the announcement seemed it was only too true, as he breathed his last at 2.40 o'clock that afternoon. (General Beaver made a brave fight and it was only his indomitable will and his unswerving interest in his church and public institutions, ever close his heart, that gave him the lease of life he en- joyed. Two yearsor more ago the General suffered an attack of the grip which re- sulted in a nervous breakdown which was the beginning of his illness. During the summer of 1912 he spent a few weeks at Atlantic City in care of a special- ist when the diagnosis of his own physician that he was suffering with degeneration of the heart dnd arteries, was confirmed. He was advised against violent exercise or emotion and told that his health depended upon proper treatment and care. He followed the doctor’s advice closely and his only trip away from home since that time was in March, 1913, when he attended the sitting of the Superior court at Harris- burg. The session was not a long one and he remained until its close, returning home feeling none the worse for the ex- ertion of the trip and court attendance. Since that time he had not been away from Bellefonte, but he took frequent carriage rides into the country during last summer and this winter, up to the deep snow and inclement weather of a few weeks ago. Since that time he had not been out of the house, but he was up and around and down to dinner every day until Thursday, when he was com- pelled to keep to his room owing to ex- treme weakness. From that time he grew steadily weaker but it was not until Saturday morning when the family fully realized that the collapse had come that could have only one ending, and that, death. General Beaver suffered little pain during the last days of his life and his end was calm and peaceful as a child falling asleep. In fact he fell asleep to awake no more on this earth. With him at the last were his wife and two sons, Gilbert A., of New York, who had been summoned on Thursday, and Thomas, of Bellefonte. Both Mrs. Gilbert Beaver and Mrs. Thomas Beaver were also. at his bedside. James Addams Beaver was of German the sense of council that inasmuch as the | descent, his ancestors coming to this repairs’ as planned will be practically | country from Alsace, Germany, about the permanent Col. Reynolds should bear a | year 1740. His great grand-father fought larger portion of the expense and the in the Revolutionary war under “Mad matter was referred back to the Water | Anthony” Wayne, colonel of the Fourth committee to consult with Col. Reynolds | Pennsylvania battalion. James Addams and see if better arrangements could not | Beaver was the third child of Jacob and be made. The Finance committee presented the report of the borough treasurer showing ! a balance in his hands on February first ! of $7,385.51. Under the head of old business the | Ann Eliza Addams Beaver, and was born at Millerstown, Perry county, on Octo- ber 21st, 1837, hence at his death was 76 years, 3 months and 10 days old. His father died when he was three years old and he was taken in charge by his ma- ordinance abolishing the office of borough | ternal grandparents. In 1844 Mrs. Bea- engineer was read for the second time ver married Rev. S. H. McDonald and and passed finally, every member pres- | with them James went to Belleville, Mif- ent except the president, who was not | ing. Not being constitutionally robust called, voting for it. flin county, where he got his first school- Under the head of new business Mr. | he spent three years at home, tutored by Naginey, of the Fire and Police commit- | his step-father for an academic course. tee, presented a resolution in effect that | In the latter part of 1852 he entered the the chief fire marshall be directed to: notify the chiefs of the Undine and Logan | fire companies that the Undines were to | respond first to all alarms of fire in the! district south of High street and Logans to respond to all fires north of High | Pine Grove Mills Academy where he spent a little over a year, then success- fuily passed the examination for entry into the Junior class of Jefferson College, at Cannonsburg, Pa. He graduated from: that institution in 1856 and shortly there- street, the signals to be arranged for | after came to Bellefonte and entered as each district. In the event of a bad fire the fire marshall to have the authority to | order out the entire department. Mr. a student in the law office of H. N. Mc- Allister, one of the most distinguished lawyers of the State. So apt and readily Naginey stated that some of the firemen | did he assimilate the intricacies of the objected to the above arrangement and | he suggested that action on the resolution | be deferred until next meeting night in | order to give the firemen a chance to ap- | law that in January, 1859, he passed a very successful examination and was ad- mitted to practice at the Centre county bar, being then only a few months over pear before council and be heard in the | twenty-one years of age. matter. Mr. Naginey also reported that the. While reading law he joined the Belle- fonte Fencibles, a local military company Fire and Police committee had visited , commanded by Capt. Andrew G. Curtin. the Garman opera house and the Scenic and found certain changes necessary in order that they conform with the state laws for the safety and protection of life, and that the state inspector had been here and would make written recom- mendations .which would no doubt be complied with. Harvey Baney presented a bill for $10 for a suit of clothes; $20 for being out of work a month and $18 hospital bill, on account of a horse he was driving falling on an oiled street and injuring him. The matter was referred to the Street com- mittee. The signed agreement with Danenhow- er & Sons was presented and ordered filed. Mr. Naginey made inquiry regarding the rates now being charged by the | State-Centre Electric company, which he claimed were higher than those of the old company, and president Walker stat- ed that a satisfactory adjustment would be made in due time. Notes for $1,000 and $2,000 were re- newed for one year and bills to the amount of $1,430.63 were approved and council adjourned. He gave much attention to the study of tactics and an opening occurring he was made second lieutenant. With President Lincoln’s first call for troops after the (firing on Fort Sumter the Bellefonte | Fencibles volunteered for service and left for Washington on April 21st, 1861, Col. Fred S. Stumbaugh commanding. When their term of enlistment expired in July of the same year Lieut. Beaver was largely instrumental in organizing the 45th regiment P. V. I. of which he was made lieutenant colonel. During the ensuing year the 45th was quite ac- tive in the Virginia campaign and in September, 1852, Lieut. Col. Beaver 1e- signed his commission to accept the ap- pointment of colonel of the 148th regi- ment. With his new command he joined the Second Army Corps where he servad almost two years, save when absent re- covering from wounds received in battle. He was engaged in some of the most im- portant campaigns and battles of the Army of the Potomac. At Chancellors- ville he gallantly led his command into a hand-to-hand conflict with the Confed- erates, where he fell, as was then believ- ed, mortally wounded. The ball passed THE LATE GENERAL JAMES A. BEAVER. [Photograph by the Mallory Studio. ] clear through his body, but skillful sur- gical treatment brought him through, and he rejoined his command and was actively engaged at Bristow Station and Mine Run. In the spring of 1864 Colonel Beaver was conspicuous for gallantry at Spotts- ylvania, North Anna and Tolopotomy. At Spottsylvania he was struck by a minie ball, but was saved from a danger- | ous wound by a memorandum book. At | Cold Harbor he was also struck, but not seriously disabled and he maintained his position on the field at the head of his command. In the first assault before Petersburg Colonel Beaver was struck by a fragment of a shell and suffered severe internal in- juries and a terrible flesh wound in the side. He was again compelled to linger fretfully in the hospital while the last battles for the Union were being fought from day to day. He left the hospital before he was able to ride his horse, and proceeded in an ambulance to the field, and reached it just as the army was preparing to go into battle at Ream’s Station, on August 24th, 1864, and he at once assumed command of his brigade. He was only a short time on the field when he was shot in the right leg close to the hip. He lay on the field of battle an hour or more and finally by waving his hat attracted the attention of Sergt. F. F. Rohm, who conveyed ! him to the rear where he was placed in | an ambulance and sent to the hospital. | (Sergt. Rohm is now a capitol park po- licman at Harrisburg and was in Belle- fonte for the General’s funeral on Tues- day.) His wound was such a serious one that it necessitated the amputation of his leg at the hip and this ended his mil- itary career in the Civil war, he being honorably discharged at his own request on December 22nd, 1864. Previous to his discharge, however, he had been brevetted brigadier general “for highly meritorious and distinguished conduct throughout the campaign.” Returning to Bellefonte General Bea- ! ver resumed the practice of law with his preceptor and partner, Hon. H. N. Mc- Allister. On the death of the latter he formed a partnership with J. W. Gephart | and later John M. Dale was admitted to the firm. In the practice of his profes- | sion Gen. Beaver was a forceful advocate | of the law. He was a close student, had a thorough knowledge of Blackstone and | and always advocated his case in a way | that carried conviction to the court and jury. Gen. Beaver was a staunch Republican | and when a young man took a deep in- terest in politics. This resulted in his election as burgess of Bellefonte in 1865. Theffollowing year he was given the Republican nomination for the Legisla- ture. At that time the county was nor- mally Democratic by over 1,000 majority but Gen. Beaver was defeated by less than 150. votes. In 1868 he declined to allow his name to be used as a candidate for Congress and in 1869 he declined to be a candidate against Governor Geary for a second term. In 1878 the Republi- can convention of Centre county endors- ed him for Governor but no effort was made to secure him support in other sections of the State. In 1880 he was elected a delegate to the national Repub- lican convention and was made chairman of the Pennsylvania delegation. He held the delegation solid for Grant, in accord- ance with their instructions, and when the convention finally nominated James A. Garfield the Pennsylvania delegation tendered him their support for Vice Pres- ident. Other delegations North and South did likewise, but he declined to consider it, as he did not want an office in which there was so little opportunity for activity. Had he accepted and been the nominee instead of Chester A. Ar- thur, of New York, he would have filled the President’s chair after the assassin’s | bullet dealt death to President Garfield. In 1881 he was prominently mentioned in connection with the United States Senatorship, but as there was some op- position withdrew and helped to nomi- nate Hon. John J. Mitchell, who was elected. His activity in politics at that time made him a logical candidate for Governor in 1882, but owing to the man- | ner of his nomination the independent Republicans nominated John Stewart and in the three cornered fight Beaver was defeated and the Demccrats elected Robert E. Pattison and their entire state ticket. In 1886 Gen. Beaver was again nomi- nated for Governor and was elected by over forty thousand plurality. He was inaugurated on January 18th, 1887. He served the people most faithfully for four years, and while his adminsistration was not characterized by any very bpro- nounced legislation, it was clean and hon- est, and a number of measures were ad- vocated by the Governor that have since been enacted into laws and proven the wisdom of his suggestions. It was dur- ing Gov. Beaver’s administration, on May 31st, 1889, that occurred the Johnstown flood and his able handling of that de- plorable situation is still well known by many WATCHMAN readers. Governor Beaver retired from office in January, 1891, and returning to Bellefonte resumed the practice of law. In 1895, during the first year of Governor Hastings’ admin- istration the Legislature passed an Act ' creating the Superior court and Gen. ' Beaver was one of the seven judges ap- pointed by the Governor on July lst, 1895. At the November election the same year he was chosen to fill the office for a period of ten years, and was re- elected in 1905, holding the office at the time of his death. After his elevation to the Superior court bench he took no active part in politics, though then as formerly, he was always loyal to the Re- publican organization. Maimed though he was on the field of battle Gen. Beaver never lost his interest "in military affairs and in 1872 Governor Geary, in an effort to reorganize the state militia, appointed him a brigadier gen- eral, a position he held until he was him- self elected Governor and took the office in 1887 when he naturally became the commander-in-chief. He was in com- mand of the second brigade during the big strike and railroad riots of 1877 and had as much or more to do with sup- pressing both as any other man. While ‘he was Governor he appeared at the head of the National Guard at the Con- ~ stitutional Centennial celebration in Phil- adelphia in 1887, was chief marshall of the inaugural parade of President Benja- min Harrison in Washington on March 4th, 1889, and the same year led the National Guard at the centennial of Washington’s inauguration in New York. Although he lost one leg during the Civil war Gen. Beaver was a good horseman and made a splendid appearance in the saddle. In addition to his professional and political life Gen. Beaver had also a number of business interests. His unfor- tunate investment in the Bellefonte nail works is recalled by many people, and when the company failed the General stepped unhesitatingly to the front and made good every obligation. He was also interested in coal operations in Cam- bria county and for a number of years was president of the Blubaker Coal com- pany. But aside from his church and his home The Pennsylvania State College was one of his greatest concerns. He was elected a member of the board of trustees of the College almost forty years ago, when the institution was struggling along on a mere pittance and the student body was about aslarge as the Bellefonte AAS IPI High school. But he had faith in its fu- ture, though it was not until he became Governor that he was able tosee the pos- sible fruition of his ardent dreams. In messages to the Legislature he advocated more liberal appropriations and recogni- tion of the College and it was practically through his own personal endeavors that he succeeded in getting for the in- stitution the biggest appropriations it had received up until that time. And in the years since he was Governor he never lost a whit of his interest in the College. In fact it might almost be said that it was his one great hobby, as there was nothing gave him greater pleasure than a visit to the College and a chance to counsel “his boys,” as he loved to call the students. He was elected president of the board of trustees in 1898, and held the position until his death, being re- elected on Tuesday ot last week. Dur- ing the year 1907 he served as president pro tempore of the College after the death of Dr. George W. Atherton and before the election of president Edwin E. Sparks. Just how much good he did for State Col- lege will probably never be known, but it was his interest in that institution, his church and other public affairs that was his inspiration and hope during his pro- tracted illness. He never lost faith in the College and its future and always worked with a certainty that his aims would be accomplished. In his church life Gen. Beaver was as consistent as it is possible for humanity to be. Raised in an atmosphere of purity and sanctity he imbibed the doctrines and faith of the Presbyterian church from boyhood. Religion to him meant tar more than mere attendance at church and the discharge of church duties. - It was the highest ideals of christian manhood and he always lived in accordance with the doctrines he loved to teach to others. A member of the Presbyterian church of Bellefonte from young manhood, a ruling | elder for years, and for many years su- perintendent of the Sunday school, his whole life was one worthy of emulation. During his long and arduous life he was never too busy to respond to a call to say a word in the Master's cause. He was elected vice moderator of the Gen- | eral Assembly of the Presbyterian church and was the only layman to ever preside over any of its sessions. He was a regu- lar attendant at all the meetings of the Huntingdon Presbytery and for many years was chairman of the Committee on Sustenance. He was also greatly inter- ersted in the Young Men’s Christian As- sociation and freely gave his time and his money for the upbuilding of the as- sociation throughout the State. Aside from his home General Beaver will be missed more in his church, Sunday school and Y. M. C. A. than in any other walk of life: In 1910 Gen. Beaver was a delegate to the World’s Missionary conference at Edinburg, Scotland, and : his talks in that great body of men were | given profound consideration. At that time the University of Edinburg confer- , red upon him the degree of Doctor of Laws. He also held degrees from Dick- inson, Washington & Jefferson and one or two other colleges. Gen. Beaver was a member of Gregg Post, G. A. R,, and for years president of the Centre county Veteran Club. While not a brilliant orator he was a forceful talker, whether on the political platform, presiding at some public func- tion or in the interest of religion, and he always held the closest attention of his audience. General Beaver probably made more speeches on various topics throughout Pennsylvania than any other of Bellefonte’s prominent men. In 1865 General Beaver was married to Miss Mary Allison McAllister, daugh- ter of his preceptor and partner in law, the Hon. H. N. McAllister. To this union were born three children, Gilbert {A,now a Y. M. C. A. secretary in New York; Hugh Mc., who died over twenty years ago, and Thomas, of Bellefonte. The two sons with Mrs. Beaver survive. He also leaves two half sisters, Miss Catharine McDonald, of Lewisburg, and Mrs. Annie Eckels, of Millerstown, Pa. General Beaver’s home life was an ideal one. A kind husband and loving father the Beaver home was always a cheerful place. Hospitable to the utmost degree friend and stranger alike were welcomed across his threshold. Gen. Beaver was frankness personified and a man most easily approached, whether it was in his Governor of the Commonwealth, and he never failed to grant a favor to anyone asking it if it were possible to do so. Pages could be written of his life and his work, but nothing can more truly tell the story than the fact that he was an hon- est, honorable, upright christian man. General Beaver was never a man for pomp or show and in deference to his oft-expressed wish the funeral on Tues- day morning was as quiet and unostenta- tious as it was possible to have it. The remains were taken to the Presbyterian church shortly after nine o’clock in the morning where they lay in state until ten o'clock. Hundreds passed by the bier to take a last look at their dead friend and comrade but the time was too short for everybody to view the remains. | The church was crowded to the doors and hundreds thronged the street out- side. In the crowd were a number of | old soldiers who had served under Gen- | eral Beaver during the Civil war. Dr. George E. Hawes had charge of the serv- ices, which were very simple. Following the scripture reading a quartette sang | the General’s favorite song, ‘‘Lead, Kind- - ly Light.” The impressive burial service own home or when in the high office of: | plication of diseases. was read, Dr. Hawes offered up a prayer and after the singing of another favorite hymn the pastor pronounced the bene- diction. From the Presbyterian church the re- mains were conveyed to the Union ceme- tery where interment was made in the family burial lot, and thus marked the passing away of the last of Bellefonte’s three Governors, Curtin, Beaver and Hastings. There were no honorary pall bearers but eight State College students carried the remains to the grave. They were Eugene E. Miller, C. A. Keyser, W. P. Troxell and Miles Horst, of the class of 1914; H. T. Hill and J. R. Mathers, ’15; G. E. Hesselbacker, ’16, and H. A. Clark, '17. Among those who attended the funeral were Governor John K. Tener and his private secretary, W. R. Gaither; Adju- tant General Thomas J. Stewart and staff ;§Robert McAfee, Secretary of the Commonwealth; J. H. Morris, deputy Banking Commissioner; Superior court judges Charles E. Rice, George B. Orlady and John B. Head, George Pearson, clerk of the Superior court and Beaver’s pri- vate secretary when he was Governor; general superintendent George W. Creighton, and Supt. J. K. Johnston, of the Pennsylvania railroad; J. Gilbert White, New York; Joseph Rounsley, of Millerstown, a cousin of General Beaver; Mr. and Mrs. Reed Thompson, of Milroy; David Ahearn, of Philadelphia; A. B. Berger, of Pittsburgh; Judge Harold M. McClure, of Lewisburg; Judge Thomas F. Bailey, of Huntingdon; Charles J. Reiley, Clarence L. Peaslee and N. M. Edwards, of Williamsport; John Francies, of the western penitentiary; Dr. E. E. Sparks and a number of the faculty of State College and many others. Neither W. A. Stone, Samuel Pennypacker nor Edwin S. Stuart, the three living ex-Gov- ernors was present. A meeting of the Centre County Bar association was held on Monday at which committees were appointed to take ac- tion on General Beaver’s death. Anoth- er meeting was held after the funeral on Tuesday morning. Judge Orvis introduc- ed Judge Rice, president of the Superior court, and requested him to preside. He paid a brief tribute to his dead associate. D. F. Fortney Esq., read the minute pre- pared by the committee of the bar asso- ciation, which was quite lengthy. N. M. Edwards Esq., presented a resolution of the Lycoming county bar association and Charles J. Reiley Esq., seconded their adoption, both gentlemen speaking with considerable feeling of tke dead they had met to honor. Others who spoke brief- ly were Judge Harold M. McClure, of Lew- isburg; Judge George B. Orlady, of the Superior court, and Judge Thomas F. Bailey, of Huntingdon. At the same hour on Tuesday morn- ing that the services were held here me- morial services were held in the audi- torium at State College, which were at- tended by the entire faculty and student body. | ] KunN.—Following an illness of two years John E. Kuhn died at his home at Canton, on Monday. He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. A. G. Kuhn, of Axe Mann, and was born in Benner township on June 13th, 1872, hence was 41 years, 7 months and 19 days old. He was a car- penter by occupation and also farmed on a small scale. His wife who prior to her marriage was Miss Irma Woomer, died two years ago, but surviving him are the following children: Ernest, John, Andra, Fred, Jennie and Ethel, of State College, and Kenneth, of Marble Rock, Iowa. He also leaves his parents and the following brothers and sisters: Bessie, at home; Mrs. John Lohr, of Marble Rock, Iowa; Dr. Frank V. Kuhn, of Maplewood, Wayne county; Gardner, of Escondido, Cal.; George, of Canton, Ohio; William and Dale, of Pittsburgh, and Clement, of Blanchard. The funeral was held from the home of his parents at ten o’clock yesterday morning. Revs. Frum and Shuey officiated and burial was made in the Shiloh cemetery. HOUSER.—Mrs. Eliza Houser, widow of the late Jacob Houser, died at her home at Houserville at seven o'clock yesterday morning of diseases incident to her ad- vanced age. She was born at Oak Hall on April 6th, 1821, hence was 92 years, 9 months and 30 days old. , Practically all of her married life was spent at Houserville, her husband being one of the founders of that village. Surviving her are one son, Dr. M. L. Houser, of- Baileyville, and one daughter, Mrs. Her- bert Ailman, at the old home at Houser- ville. She also leaves two brothers, Ab- ner Murray, of Boalshurg, and John E. Murray, of Lemont. Mrs. Houser was a remarkable woman and up until quite recently was in full possession of all her faculties. She was a member of the Lutheran church all her life. The funeral will be held at ten o’clock tomorrow (Saturday) morning. Rev. J. I. Stonecypher will officiate and burial will be made at Houservilla. | | HILDEBRAND.—Mrs. Christine Hilde- brand died at her home at State College at three o’clock on Saturday afternoon after an illness of some weeks of a com- She was sixty-nine years of age and was born in Germany, having been a resident of State College only about a year. She is survived by her husband and three children, all of State College. The funeral was held on Wednesday morning, burial being made in the Pine Hall cemetery. .
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers