ET "Bellefonte, Pa., February 23, 1915. EE mE et RN P. GRAY MEEK, wie ie 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 A EIR, ADDITIONAL LOCAL NEWS. ANOTHER GooD MAN GONE.—The Hon. Henry J. McAteer, one of the most prom- inent Democrats of this section of the State, former State Senator from Hunt- ingdon county, and one of the most wide- ly and favorably known residents of Cen- tral Pennsylvania, died at his home in Alexandria, on Tuesday morning at five o'clock, of pneumonia. Mr. McAteer had been in excellent health up until last November when he was injured in an automobile mishap which occurred near Frankstown when Dr. Brallier, of Alexandria, was killed, and in which Mr. McAteer sustained a,broken rib and other injuries, since which time he has not been in the best : of health. He contracted pneumonia a few days ago but his condition was not regarded as serious until Monday. He was born in West township, Huntingdon county, January 4, 1838, and was seven- ty-seven years of age. He lived on a farm until he was twenty years of age. He received his education in the public schools. On May 1, 1859, he secured em- ployment with the Pennsylvania Railroad company and for ten years filled import- ant positions in the passenger service of that company. In the fall of 1869, he was elected to the State Senate from the District com- prising Huntingdon, Mifflin and Juniata counties. He served two terms in that body, becoming prominent as a Demo- crat and active and influential in State politics. In 1895 he was made Deputy Sur- veyor of the Port at Philadelphia, which position he filled to the satisfaction of his party during Mr. Cleveland's entire term. He was engaged in the coal business. Mr. McAteer was married to Miss Clara Houtz and had he lived until the coming October the couple would have celebrat- ed their golden wedding anniversary. Besides his widow he is survived by a daughter, Mrs. John Black, of Alexan- dria. Mr. McAteer was a man of the highest ideals of honor, the most generous im- pulses and one in whom principle and desire to do a favor, or to be of some use to his fellowmen seemed largely to predominate. No man worthy of aid or assistance or sympathy, failed to find a friend or assistant in Mr. McAteer, and no effort or movement for the better- ment of the individual or the community but was accorded his warmest support and most generous aid. He was a de- voted supporter of the Presbyterian church public thought or social welfare. moral and political forces of this sec- tion, and many men will pass before one to take his place in either church or party will be found. The funeral will take place at two o’clock this (Friday) afternoon, burial to be made at Alexandria. | | Cross.—Cornelius Allen Cross, well known in Bellefonte and throughout | Centre county, died last Thursday even- ing at the home of his sister, Mrs. Mar- garet Lloyd Robinson, of Philipsburg, after several month’s illness with cancer of the liver. Deceased was a son of William and Elizabeth Cross and was born at Boals- burg on October 25th, 1848, making his age 66 years, 3 months and 24 days. He was a laborer by occupation but since his residence in Philipsburg had been constable in the First ward, an office he he held at the time of his death. Mr. Cross was twice married, his first wife being Martha Jane Hartsock, of Buf- falo Run valley, to whom he was mar- ried on June 17th, 1875. They had one child, now Mrs. Meek, wife of Dr. R. H. Meek, of Avis. On May 17th, 1883, he was married to Louisa Jane Kauffman, of Warriorsmark, who died some years ago leaving two daughters, Mrs. Hugh S. Taylor, of Bellefonte, and Miss Della M., a nurse in training. He’ also leaves two sisters, Mrs. Robinson, of Philips- burg, and Mrs. J. L. Mulhollen, of Bell- wood. 5 Funeral services were held at the Rob- inson home at 8.45 o'clock on Sunday evening by Rev. R. P. Miller, of the Presbyterian church, and on Monday the remains were taken by train to Port Ma- tilda thence across the mountain for in- and an active participant in every movement intended to elevate the His death will be a serious loss to both the pb = & i E E g gz a BD & BR: 8 2 i g Oo e. 2 = +d E | = ot 3 .RoBB.—The sudden death of J. H.~ Robb, at the family home at State Col- lege on Sunday evening, was quite un- expected and quite a shock to his family and friends. Mr. Robb had been a suf- ferer, with tuberculosis the past year but as late as four o'clock on Sunday after- noon sat up in bed and chatted with friends, apparently feeling stronger than he had for some days. Shortly before seven o'clock he was seized with a coughing spell and died within a few minutes. John Herbert Robb was a son of Henry H. and Alice A. Robb and was born at Nittany on January 29th, 1884, hence at his death was 31 years and 23 days old. He graduated at the Bellefonte High school and shortly thereafter accepted a position with the Potter Abstract com- pany, of Pittsburgh, looking up titles to land in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. In the spring 1903 he resigned that posi- tion to accept a clerkship in the Centre County bank and after six years serv- ice severed his connection with that in- stitution to accept a clerkship with the Bellefonte Trust company. Mr. Robb was courteous and obliging in his deal- ings with the public and had many friends in Bellefonte and thrpughout the county. He held his position at the Bellefonte Trust company until about a year ago when he was compelled to re- sign on account of ill health. Surviving the deceased are his mother, Mrs. Alice A. Robb, of State College, and the following brothers and sisters: Nelson E., of State College; A. G. and L. R. ‘Robb, of-Alteona; Mrs. Samuel .Cole,. of Dayten, .Ohio;.. Mrs. J. A. Miller, of Franklinville, N. Y.; Mrs. S. T. Swartz, of Tusseyville; C. Edward and Mrs. W. Harrison Walker, of Bellefonte, and Miss Helen Robb, of State College. Mr. Robb was a member of the Presby" terian church and Rev. G. E. Hawes had charge of the funeral services which were held at the W. Harrison Walker home on east Linn street at ten o'clock on Wednesday morning, after which burial was made in the Union cemetery. | i FORTNEY.—John A. Fortney, a well known resident of Harris township, was found dead in bed at his home in Boals- burg last Sunday morning. He had not been in good health for several years but { was able to be around and look after his { farming interests. He retired to bed Sat- urday night feeling no worse than usual and Sunday morning when his wife called him for breakfast he did not respond. wrong and found him cold in death. He was born in Ohio fifty-six years ago but came to Centre county when a youth and learned the trade of a plasterer. {an Electrical She wert to his room to see what was | tect, and six newspaper men. ELECTROCUTION BUILDING. DEATH CHAIR AND SWITCHBOARD. CELLS FOR CONDMNED MEN. John Talap Suffers Death by Electrocution. Pennsylvania’s New Method of Inflicting Capital Punishment Tried for First Time on Tuesday. Eighteen Persons Witness the Electrocution of John Talap at New Death House. No Hitch or No Bungling. The new death house at the western | penitentiary in Benner township took its first toll of death on Tuesday morning when John Talap, a Hungarian, was elec- trocuted for the murder of his wife. It took three distinct shocks before the man was pronounced dead by the official phy sician in charge, though the first shogk would undoubtedly have caused’ death.” ? Eighteen persons witnessed the execu- tion. They included the jury which was composed of Aaron C. Hess, of Lancas- ter, the father of the Act of the Legis- lature providing electrocution as the means of capital punishment in Pennsyl- vania; John R. McLean Jr., and Silas Row- land, of Philadelphia; Dr. E. A. Kell, of Pottstown; Sheriff” Peter A. Johns, of Uniontown, and Jacob H. Hoy, of Belle- fonte. The physicians present were Dr. R. J. Campbell, resident physician at the western penitentiary at Pittsburgh; Dr. J. W. Crane, of the New Jersey penitenti- ary, and Dr. J. F. Corby, resident physician of the Centre county institution. The other witnesses were Maurice Broder- | ick and Gilbert S. Smith, of the Buchan- company, Philadelphia, who furnished and installed the equip- ment of the building; John Francis, rep- | resenting John T. Windrim, the archi- The | details of the electrocution were in charge of parole officer John P. Egan, although he was not a witness. Talap was brought to the death house he walked with lagging step and was sup- YEAGER.—Maurice Yeager died at his boarding house in Pittsburgh last Friday night following an illness of over a year with dropsy and heart trouble. During last fall and the early winter his condi- tion was so serious that he spent some weeks in the West Penn hospital but along about the holidays he improved sufficiently to leave that institution, and it was only a week or so before his death that his condition became critical. Deceased was a son of Henry and Em- ma Yeager and was born in Bellefonte on July 29th, 1869, hence was 45 years, 6 months and 21 days old. Most of hislife was spent in Bellefonte, at one time be- ing landlord of the Brant house and later a leading member of the Yeager Swing company. Of late years he has been a traveling salesman with headquarters in Pittsburgh. He spent several years in New York twenty or more years ago and it was while there he was married to Miss Mar- garet Cassel, of New York city, who sur- vives with three children: Fred, a stu- dent at State College; Margaret and Mary, living with their mother in this place. He also leaves one brother and two sisters, Harry Yeager and Mrs. Edward Harper, both of Bellefonte, and Mrs. J. O’Connell, of Cleveland, Ohio. The remains were brought to Belle- ported by the guards. The death chair fonte on Sunday morning and taken to stands close to the right of the door in | his home on Bishop street where funeral the electrocution chamber and it was on- | services were held at ten o’clock Mon- ly a step and the guards seated him in | day morning by Rev. E. H.' Yocum, after This he followed most of his life and by from the Montgomery county prison on thrift and economy finally became the | Monday of last week and though he was owner of several fine farms in Harris | informed at the time where he had been township as well as a nice home in Boals- taken he was not told how long he had burg. He was a good citizen and held to live. Even as late as Monday morn- various township offices, all of which he ' ing he asked his guard how many days filled with the utmost fidelity. He was a ! member of the Reformed church from boyhood and a ruling elder in the same. On April 10th, 1880, he was united in marriage to Miss Jennie L. Dannley, of Pine Grove Mills, who survives with two children: George Dannley Fortney, of Harris township, and Miss Beulah, at home. He also leaves two brothers, Philip and James, of Indianapolis; and one sister, Mrs. Annie Patterson, of Boalsburg. Funeral services were held at his late home in Boalsburg at 10.30 o'clock yes- terday morning by Rev. S. C. Stover, after which burial was made in the Boalsburg cemetery. | | terment in Gray’s cemetery in Halfmoon RousH.—Mrs. Elizabeth Roush, wid- valley. ow of Henry Roush, died at the home | | of her daughter, Mrs. John Detwiler, at DixoN.—Following a general break Centre Hall, on Tuesday morning. She down in health Mrs. Eliza Dixon died at the home of her son Robert in Snow Shoe, last Saturday, aged 79 years, 1 month and 8 days. She was born in County Belamainy, Ireland, coming to this country in 1872, a year later she lo- cated in Snow Shoe and had lived there ever since. Surviving her are the follow- ing children; George and Thomas, of Clymer; Alex., of Nant-y-Glo; Mrs. Liz- zie Hodge, of Patton; James, of Glen Ritchey; Adam, Robert, and Mrs. Tenie Cooper, of Snow Shoe. The funeral was held on Tuistay, burial being made in had been a sufferer for some weeks with a complication of diseases. She was seventy-four years old last Christmas, and was well known throughout Nittany and Pennsvalleys. Surviving her are seven children, namely: Mrs. E. A. Shook, Spring Mills; James W, Roush, Aaronsburg; Mrs John Detwiler, Centre Hall; Mrs. I. A. Weaver, Salona; Dora Roush, of Lock Haven; Mrs. D. C. Duck, of Clintondale, and John F. Roush, of State College. The funeral will be held at ten o'clock this morning, burial RPE re wep to be made in the Heckman cemetery near Penn Hall... ion nvm he yet had but it is against the rules to give any such information. From the time he was taken to the death house Talap evinced a pronounced nervousness and restlessness, and slept very little at night. On Monday afternoon Rev. Anto- nio Ulanitzky, pastor of the Greek Catho- lic church at Ramey, went to the death house as Talap’s spiritual adviser. condemned man received him willingly and hearkened to his spiritual ministra- | tions. Monday evening Talap made a confession and afterwards ‘appeared less nervous. Father Ulanitzky remained with him during the entire night and about midnight Talap fell asleep and slept profoundly until awakened by the guard at five o'clock. He then got up, bathed and dressed in the suit in which he went to the death chair. the last rites of the Greek church were administered. By this Talap knew that the dread day had arrived but he had no knowledge of the hour or minute uwuritil at 7.14 o'clock when two guards stepped up and unlocking the’ door went in and slit lig legs to the kneesand then | the electrocutions will doubtless abate. | clipped his hair so that the electrodes at the base of his brain and on his ankles | would touch the bare skin. They then told Talap his time had come. Father Ulanitzky led the way holding the crucifix aloft that the condemned man could gaze upon it to: the last. Ta- lap lop supported .on; either side by a and though he did not break down | The | The crime for which he was electrocuted ! He ate rath- | er a hearty breakfast and at 6.30 o'clock | the chair. An agonizing shudder passed over his body while the electrodes were being placed on his. ankles and | i head and his wrists strapped in place: A b heavy leather mask was slipped over his face and one minute from the time he ‘entered the death chamber a guard waved a handkerchief and the electrician at the switch board a little to the right and rear of the chair pressed a button and 2,150 volts, 21 amperes, of electric fluid shot through the man’s body. There was a convulsion of the muscles plainly perceptible to the witnesses on the other ' side of the room, but no sound came | from the man’s lips. The current was kept on sixteen seconds then turned off | for about a minute. A second shock of 2,150 volts, 21 amperes, was given and continued for 12 seconds. When the current was turned off the second time Dr. Campbell examined the man and ad- vised a third shock. This was composed of 2,100 volts, 14 to 18 amperes, and was continued only five seconds. When the current was again turned off Dr. Camp- bell made another examination and turn- ing to the witnesses stated that “I offici- ally pronounce this man dead.” This was at 7.21, and with the announcement the witnesses left the death chamber. Straps were unfastened and electrodes disconnected and the body of Talap was carried by the guards into the autopsy room. It was posted the same afternoon and shortly after five o'clock in the even- ing the remains were taken in charge by undertaker F. E. Naginey and brought to Bellefonte, and at seven o'clock the same evening they were buried in the Catholic cemetery in this place. Father Ulanitz- ky, assisted by a priest from St. Mary's | read the burial service. Talap was born in'Hungary and was | thirty-two years old. His only relatives in this country are two small children. was the murder of his wife on August | 6th, 1913, while on their way home from Pottstown to Stowe. He shot her twice, afterwards claiming the shooting was ac- | cidental. It was the general opinion, L however, that the crime was actuated by : jealousy. - Talap was convicted on Octo- ber 11th, 1913, and applications for a trial and commutation of sentence refused. : ‘Naturally this being the dist electro- cution in Pennsylvania, and especially in which burial was made in the Union cemetery. ; . KELLER. mars: Margaret Keller, widaw of the late David Keller, died at her home in Boalsburg on Friday of last week of general infirmities. Her maiden name was Margaret Shoenberger, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Shoenberger,and she was born on September 23rd, 1823, making her age 91 years, 5 months and 16 days. She was the last surviving member of the Shoenberger family. When but eighteen years of age she was united in marriage to Mr. David Keller, of Boalsburg, and all their mar- ried life was spent on-a farm near that village. Mr. Keller died on June 27th, 1904, since which time she made her home with her daughter, Mrs. L. Mothersbaugh, the first few years on the homestead farm and since then in Boals- burg. Mr. and Mrs. Keller had six children who grew to manhood and womanhood, namely: William D. Keller, who died several years ago; Ephriam K. Keller, of Pleasant Gap; Kate, mu ed to Austin Dale, of Harris township, ‘who died a number of years ago; Elizabeth, wife of Leonidas Mothersbaugh, of Boalsburg; George S. Keller, of State College, and Dr. U. S. G. Keller, of Freeport, Ill. Mrs. Keller was a member of the Re- ‘formed church and Rev. S. C. Stover had charge of the funeral which was held at ten o'clock on Wednesday morning, burial being made in the Reformed cemetery, Boalsburg. All the living children were home for the funeral. | 1 HEBERLING.—Following a long illness : as the result of a paralytic stroke Mrs. Sarah Heberling, widow of the late J. G. Heberling, died at her home in Pine Grove Mills at noon last Saturday. She was a daughter of James and Mary Dun- lop and was born at Rock Forge on Oc- tober 3rd, 1839, hence was in her seven- ty-sixth year. Her father, Capt. James Dunlop was well known in military ‘circles during his life and for years was manager of the Rock iron works. In 1856 the family moved to Pine Grove Mills and on Thanksgiving day, 1867, “= 1 Miss Sarah was united in marriage to J. | George Heberling. With the exception | of two years in the west all their mar- : | months with heart trouble: | ried life was spent in Pine Grove Mills. the new death house in Centre county, it attracted considerable publicity. But | ‘now that the efficiency of the equipment i at the death house has been thoroughly | tested and the new system of capital pun- | ishment duly installed public interest in! The next electrocution will take place ! the week of March 1st, when James Boyd, ' colored, of Philadelphia, will be put to ! death. Others sentenced to die in the | electric chair are: Ruzzo Tassone, of Lancaster, duri ing the week beginning | March Sea; Oo ur Siposs, of Tioga, | during th reek of March 22nd, He! | Nicols Mord oy ayefte, during week of April 5t of ! Mrs. Heberling was a woman of many splendid qualities, a member of the ‘Lutheran church and a sincere chris ; tian. Mr. Heberling died in July, 1911, but surviving her are three children: James Benton and Musser Everhart Heberling; ; of State College, and Estella May, at home. She also leaves two sisters, Mrs. W. D. Port and Mrs. H. M. Stover, both of Altoona. Funeral services were held in the Lutheran church on Monday after- noon. Rev. L. S. Spangler officiated and burial was made in the Pine Grove Mills cemetery. °°: WiLLiAMS.—Following a brief illness with pnemonia Mrs. Samuel H. Williams died at her rooms in Tanner’s boarding house about eight o'clock last Saturday morning. She caught cold while attend- ing the evangelistic meetings in the ar- mory and pneumonia later developed. The attack was not a severe one but a weak heart resulted in her death. Her maiden name was Laura E. Ham- ilton, a daughter of James and Hannah Waddle Hamilton, and she was born on the old Hamilton homestead at Pleasant Gap on June 6th, 1846, making her age 68 years, 7 months and 14 days. She was married to Mr. Williams in 1882 and they made their home in Bellefonte during all their married life. Mr. Williams died three years ago but surviving the deceas- ed is one daughter, Marilla Williams, of State College. She also leaves one step- daughter, Mrs. A. L. McGinley, and three step-sons, Horatio C. Williams, John Har- ry and Willis E. Three sisters also sur- vive, namely: Mrs. E. D. Satterfield, Mrs. William Dawson and Mrs. John Noll. Funeral services were held at the Tan- ner residence at two o'clock Monday afternoon by her pastor, Rev. E. H. Yo- cum, after which burial was made in the Union cemetery. | 1 MCcCLELLAN.—Mrs. Eliza McClellan, widow of the late Joseph R. McClellan, died quite, suddenly at noon on Wednes- day at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Harry Frantz, at Centre Hall. She suf- fered a stroke of paralysis on Christmas day but was able to be around and her death on Wednesday was caused by heart failure. Deceased was a daughter of Judge and Mrs. Aaron Middleworth and was born at Beavertown, Snyder county, on De- cember 7th, 1840, makirig her age 74 years, 2 monthsand 17 days. She was married to Joseph R. McClellan in 1860 and most of their married life was spent in Centre county. Mr. McClellan died a number of years ago but surviving her are the following children: Rev. Wil- liam A. McClellan, of Rockwood; Mrs. Harry Frantz, of Earlystown; Robert H., of Linden Hall; Eimer A., Mrs. Cora J. Burchfield and Harry A., of Tusseyville; Charles E., of Millheim, and Frank J., of Centre Hall. She also leaves three broth- ers. The funeral will be held from the Frantz home at nine o'clock tomorrow morning. Revs. Kurtz and Jones will officiate and burial be made at Tussey- ville. | | SWEENEY.—MTrs. Susan Sweeney, wid- ow of George Sweeney, died early last Thursday morning at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Andrew Gregg, of Al- toona, after an illness of over three Her 'maiden name was Susan Bitner and she was born at Tusseyville on November 24th, 1840, making her age 74 years, 2 months and 24 days. She was married to George Sweeney fifty years ago and most of their married life was spent at Centre Hall. Mr. Sweeney died about five years ago since which timé Mrs. Sweeney made her home with her daughter. Surviving the deceased are four children, J. M. Swee- ney, of Rosedale, Kan.; Mrs. N. C. Yar- nell, Linden Hall; Mrs. G. W. Rowe, Boalsburg, and Mrs. Andrew Gregg, Al- toona. She also leaves one brother and a sister, William Bitner, of Tussey- ville, and Mrs. John Neyhart, of Cowan, Union county. Funeral services were held at the Gregg home in Altoona on Saturday morning and the same after- noon the remains were taken to Centre Hall for interment. ——Sylvester M. Parsons, of Tyrone, one of the best known engineers on the Tyrone division of the Pennsylvania rail- road, will be placed on the retired list on March first after forty-eight years service with the company. Mr. Parsons was born at Milesburg on February 18th, 1845. When but eighteen years old he came to Bellefonte and enlisted as a private in ° Company C, Forty-fourth regiment for ‘service during the Civil war and made a good record. He entered the service of ‘the Pennsyrvania railroad company in 1867 and has been in the company’s em- ploy ever since. CoUNTY CONSTABLES ORGANIZE.—The constables of Centre county formed an organization on Monday, at a meeting in the grand jury room, and elected the fol- lowing officers: President, Thomas J. McMahon, of State College; vice presi- dent, J. H. Maize, of Millheim; secretary and treasurer, H. R. Nash, of Philipsburg. A committee was appointed to formulate resolutions upon questions in which the organization is especially interested and report at the next session of court, when another meeting will be held. ——Announcement was made last week of the engagement of Walter B. Furst, of New Haven, Conn., and Miss Edith Whit- tier, of New York city. Mr. Furst is the youngest son of Mrs. Austin O. Furst, of Bellefonte, but since graduating from State College in 1909, has been private secretary to John T. Manson, of ‘New: Haven. Arrangements have been made for a June wedding. ——Prof. Crane, of the mining and engineering department of State College, gave an illustrated lecture Tuesday night on life in Alaska. Prof. Crane's. talk, which was based upon a personal experience of a fifteen months travel through Alaska, was given before the Layman’s club, at the Parish home of the Episcopal church, to a Mice} appre, -| ciative audience.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers