VOL. 33
A BRIEf HISTORY OP THE JUDI
OIARY OF THIS DISTRIOT
The following facts concerning the
Judges who have presided in the
courts of Columbia County since its
organization, are gleaned from
Freeze's History of Columbia County,
and other sources, and may prove of
interest at this time.
When this county was formed out
of part of Northumberland in 1813,
Seth Chapman became the President
Judge. He had been appointed
Judge of the Northumberland district
in 1811, and was a resideut of Bucks
county when appointed. At that
time, and up to 1851. the Judges
were appointed by the Governor.
While Chapman had not the brilliant
talents of many attorneys at the Nor
thumberland bar, "he was a better
Judge than many others we had in
Pennsylvania." He continued in
office for 20 years, until 1833.
Ellis Lewis of Lewisburg, Union
county, was appointed Judge of the
Eighth Judicial District comprising
the counties of Columbia, Northum
berland, Lycoming and Union, in
iB 33> by Governor Wolfe. He had
held the offices of Deputy Attorney
General for Lycoming county, mem
ber of the legislature, and Attorney
General of the state. He was a man
of great ability and was selected for
the office of President Judge because
of this ability, which he had exhibited
in numerous ways prior to his eleva
tion to the bench. In 1843 be was
appointed Judge of Lancaster county,
outside of his district, and in 1851
was elected Justice of the Supreme
Court, becoming Chief Justice in
1855. When he came to the bench
of this county he was as much a
stranger here as though he had come
from outside the district, and having
had no practice in this county, he was
able to preside in nil cases himseif,
without calliug on another Judge to
sit for him.
In 1843, when Judge Lewis was re
moved to Lancaster county, Charles
G. Donnel was appointed to fill the
place, and continued in office for
fourteen months, when he died. He
resided in Northumberland county, a
part of the district. But little seems
to be kViown of him except that he
was a lawer of ability, and presided
with great dignity. He too came up
on the bench of this county with noth
ing to prevent him from performing
all the duties of his office.
At the death of Judge Donnel, in
1844, Governor Porter appointed
Joseph B. Anthony of Williamsport,
President Judge of the Eighth district,
still composed of the tour counties
above named. Prior to his appoint
ment he was a distinguished lawyer,
and had held the office of State Sena
tor one term, congressman two terms,
and Judge of the court for the ad
justment of the Nicholson claims, all
of which he filled with honor to him
self, and with satisfaction to the peo
ple. He probably never tried a case
in this county before he went on the
bench.
In 1830 James Pollock was ap
pointed Judge of the Eighth District,
then consisting of Northumberland,
Montour, Columbia, Lycoming and
Sullivan. He resided in Milton. He
had held the office of District At
torney, congressman three terms, and
was a graduate of Princeton College
with the highest honors of his class.
He held the office of Judge until 1851,
when the amendment to the constitu
tion requiring the election of Judges
by the people, came into operation.
He declined a nomination, and re
sumed law practice. In 1854 he was
elected Governor and served one term.
In iB6O he was appointed by Gover
ner Curtin a member of the Peace
Congress, and in 1861 was appointed
by Piesident Lincoln, Director of the
U. S. Mint at Philadelphia.
In 1857 the Eleventh district was
formed, and consisted of the counties
ot Luzerne, Columbia, Wyoming and
Sullivan. In October of that year
John N. Conyngham of Luzerne coun
ty was elected President Judge of the
district. He had been President
Judge of the Luzerne district since
1839, and when that district was
changed, and Columbia, Wyoming
and Sullivan adde.., he was continued
in office by the people because he was
one of the best Judges the State ever
had. So far as this county was con
cerned it was the same as it it had
gone outside of the district, for it got
a Judge who had already been upon
the bench for twelve years, an upright
and able man, and one who had had
no practice in this county to prevent
him from presiding over all cases in
court; and one who had no political
affiliat ons or friendships or other in
fluenc to bias his judgment. He
Cxtltimbtiin.
did not seek the office ; it sought him.
He presided here, but lived at Wilkes-
Barre, until 1856, when the district
was again changed, and became the
26th, consisting of Columbia, Wyom
ing and Sullivan.
Upon the formation of the 26th
district, Warren J. Woodward was
appointed Judge in June 1856, and
in October of the same year was elec
ted for a term of ten years. He re
sided in Luzerne County, outside the
district, when he was brought here as
Judge, and was elected without op
position. In October 1861, Judge
Woodward was elected President
Judge of Berks county, and resigned
that office in this district. At the
end of ten years he was re-elected,
and in 1874 he was elected to the
Supreme bench. Of his distinguished
ability it is unnecessary to speak here.
In 1861 A. K. Peckham of Wyom
ing county was appointed by Gover
nor Curtin to serve until the next
election.
In 1862 William Elwell, then re
siding in Towanda, Bradford county,
was requested by a committee of the
bar of this county to allow the use of
his name as a candidate for Judge.
He consented, and Mr. Peckham re
fused to run and Judge Elwell was
elected without opposition. In 1872
and again in 1882 he was re-elected
without opposition. What his admin
istration was for twenty-six years, it is
unnecessary to tell the people of this
district.
Neither Conyngham nor Woodward
nor Elwell were office seekers. The
office sought them, and under their
administrations the people of the dis
trict knew that even handed justice
would be dealt out in the courts. As
to whether any of those before them
who held the office from within the
district, sought the office and got it
by political wire-pulling, we cannot
say, for we do not know. Conyng
ham, Woodward and Elwell were the
successive President Judges of this
district during a period of thirty-six
years prior to 1888. Not one of them
sought the office. How they presided
is a matter of history, and a matter of
pride to the State of Pennsylvania.
Prior to 1851 the Judges were ap
pointed by the Governor. From that
time they have been elected by the
people, and for thirty-six years the
Judges of this district were selected on
the recommendation of the members
of the bar, and it was by the action of
the leaders of the bar of those days,
M. E. Jackson, Joshua Comley, Ed
ward Baldy, Robert F. Clark, C. R.
Buckalew, Col. J. G. Freeze, and other
noted lawyers, that the services of dis
tinguished jurists from outside the di n
trict were secured for the the bench.
The memory of those who have passed
away needs no vindication tor such ac
tion at this late day. It is to their
credit that they stifled any personal
ambition that any of them may have
entertained for judicial honors, for the
best interests of the people.
The foregoing are the plain, straight,
indisputable facts. Apply them as
you willl
7 O'clook Closing-
We the undersigned merchants
of Bloomsburg will close our places
of business at 7 o'clock du.ing the
month of August except Monday
and Saturday nights.
H. J. Clark & Son,
L. T. Sharpless Co. L't'd,
S. R. Bidleman,
I. W. Hartman & Son,
Mifflin & Terwilliger L't'd,
J. W. Eyer,
John K. Pensyl,
Thomas Hickey,
D. Brobst,
G. W. Hippensteel,
The Leader Co. L't'd,
C. H. Sharpless & Co.,
Farmers' Produce Exchange,
John F. Hidlay,
R. R. Hartman,
A. J.-George,
N. W. Barton,
J. D. Armstrong,
F. M. Keiner,
P. K. Vanatta,
W. H. Moore,
H. R. Snyder,
The Broadway,
Hess Bros.,
J. F. Corser,
D. Lowenberg Clothing Store,
W. C. McKinney,
Louis Gross,
Bloomsburg Store Co., L't'd,
W. H. Brower,
Gidding & Co.,
J. R. Townsend,
W. C. Richart,
D. A. Creasy,
F. P. Pursel,
S. F. Peacock,
J. R. Schuyler,
J. E. Roys.
BLOOMSBURG, PA., THURSDAY, JULY 28 % 1898.
SPAIN WANTS PEACE.
The Spanish Government has
sued for peace, not indirectly
through the great powers of Europe,
but by a direct appeal to President
McKinley. The proposition was
formally submitted to the President
at 3 o'clock Tuesday afternoon by
the French Ambassador, M. Jules
Cambon, who had received instruc
tions from the Foreign Office at
Paris to deliver to the United States
Government the tender of peace
formulated by the Spanish Ministry.
At the conclusion of the confer
ence between the President and the
French Ambassador the following
official statement was issued from
the White House :
OFFICIAL STATEMENT.
"The French Ambassador, on
behalf of the government of Spain,
and by direction of the Spanish
Minister of Foreign Affairs, present
ed to the President this afternoon at
the White House a message from
the Spanish Government looking
to the termination of the war and a
settlement of terms of peace.''
This was the only official state
ment made public, but it sufficed to
put at rest all conjecture and to
make clear and definite that at last
Spain had taken the initiative to
ward peace.
Although peace rumors have
been current almost daily hereto
fore since the war began not one of
them had the shadow of foundation,
and until the french Ambassador
received instructions from Paris no
overtures of any kind had been re
ceived.
Court Proceedings.
A session of court was held Mon
day morning, with the two Associate
Judges on the bench.
Nelson C. Hartman vs. Nancy
Boone, with notice toFrank W.Boone,
Garnishee. Petition of Garnishee to
strike off judgment. Rule granted to
show cause why judgment shall not
be stricken off.
In re-account of F.lias Krebs, Com.
of Levina Dewitt. Petition to modify
order. Rule granted as prayed for.
Returnable August 8, 1898. x
Escaped the Spanish Fire, bat Contracted
Malaria Fever-
The following article is taken
from a Williamsport paper :
"Lieut. Edgar F. Collius, who
has been with Shafter's army at
Santiago, arrived in the city (Will
iamsport) Sunday night, in com
pany with his brother, Hon. Emer
son Collins, and was seen on the
streets this morning. Lieutenant
Collins came from Santiago to New
York on board the United States
transport Seneca, as a sufferer from
malaria fever, but has so improved
as to be able to be about.
In an interview Mr. Collins recited
many interesting incidents of army
life in the West Indies. He was in
the whole day's fight at El Caney
together with some of the minor
battles and skirmishes of the cam
paign and escaped without the
slightest injury from the Spanish
fire.
Lieutenant Collins will remain at
home until he has completely re
coveted when he will again join his
old comrades of the Eighth United
States Infantry. He is at present
at the home of Hon. Emerson Col
lius on West Fourth street."
The P. O. S. of A. excursion to
Glen Onoko on Saturday was a suc
cess in every way and all who accom
panied it had a royal good time. The
first train left Bloomsburg at 6:45 and
reached its destination at 10:30. The
train started for home about seven
o'clock and arrived here at 9:30. The
only disagreeable feature of the whole
trip was a fist fight between two
young fellows from Bloomsburg who
had been selling chewing gum. It
occurred on the train while returning
home. It appears the one was sell
ing his gum for cost price. This great
ly aggravated the other fellow who
stepped up and dealt his opposition a
stinging blow in the face. The occu
pants of the car were nearly all ladies,
and the disgraceful spectacle went on
uninterrupted until the one fellow
gave up. His face gives evidence of
the terrible bombarding it received.
But no one pities him, and he got just
what he deserved.
Rev. J. M. Martyn of Orange
ville, preached in the Bloomsburg
Presbyterian Church, Sunday even
ing, and Rev. G. H. Hemingway
in the church at Orangeville.
Columbia County Fair.
THURSPAY, OCTOBER 13, 1898.
2.37 Class, Trotting Purse $3OO
2.18 Class, Pacing " 300
2.40 Class, Pacing " 300
3.00 Class, Trot or Pace.
Horses owned in County
by farmers, at least 30
days " 150
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1898.
2.20 Class, Trotting Purse $3OO
2.24 Class, Pacing " 300
2.29 Class, Trotting " 300
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1898.
Free tor all, Trotting or
Pacing Purse $4OO
2.30 Class, Pacing " 300
2.24 Class, Trotting " 300
$5O purse added to the horse mak
ing the best time under the present
track record 2.14^.
National Trotting Association Rules
to govern except where noted.
All entries must be put in writing.
They must correctly show the name
and residence of the nominator, also
the name of the owner, the color, sex
and name of the horse, and give pedi
gree so far as known.
Kn trance Fee 5 per cent, of purse,
with 5 per cent, added to all purse
winners.
Division of money, 50, 25, 15, and
10 per cent.
Five to enter and four to start.
A horse distancing the field or any
part thereof, will*teceive but one pre
mium.
All races in harness, mile heats,
best 3 in 5.
Records made on and after Septem
ber 20, 1898, shall not be a bar.
Hay, staw and good stabling will be
furnished free during the meeting to
horses actually entered in races.
This right is reserved to change the
order of program.
Entries close Saturday, October 8,
1898 at 11 p. ni.
A LITTLE TOO MUOH-
Calithumpian bands are things that
may be tolerated when kept within
reasonable limits, but in this town the
business of "serenading" newly mar
ried couples in this way hai come to
be very much overdone. It is the
custom to keep up the racket for an
hour, or until the groom comes out
and buys them off. While the boys
are having fun with the .bride and
groom, everybody else in the vicinity
is compelled to suffer from the annoy
ance. We cannot see why this sort
of disorderly conduct should be over
looked by the police any more than
any other kind, and they ought to be
instructed not to permit it, at least
not longer than ten or fifteen minutes.
There is reason in all things, and if
there is anybody in existence who
is not satisfied with ten minutes of a
Calithumpian band, that person will
never know when he has enough.
John Fowler, son of Elmer Fow
ler, of Riverside, met with a shock
ing and fatal accident Monday
morning. He had climbed to the
top of a cherry tree to procure a tew
dried cherries that were still hang
ing fast to the limbs. Directly un
der the tree was an old harrow,
with its teeth protruding about two
inches above the beams. The lad
was at the top of the tree and was
reaching out for the fruit when he
fell, his head striking one of the
harrow teeth just above the right
ear, the steel penetrating his head
to the depth of five inches, shoving
his right eye' from its socket. Doc
tors were speedily summoned but
could render little or no help. He
never regained consciousness, but
lingered until about five o'clock
when death relieved his terrible
suffering.
The Mountain Grove Camp meet
ing begins this year August 2. Al
ready young people are on the
grounds occupying tents. The
Grove has been improved and is
unusually beautiful and attractive.
Special trains will carry passengers
as usual; tickets being honored
via Nescopeck or Catawissa. The
management promise an interesting
meeting, which will be in charge of
Dr. W. W. Evans.
Davy Dunkel, the base ball player
who pitched such phenomenal ball for
Sunbury last season, and who went
from there to join the "Phillies" has
been farmed out to the W ilkes-Barre
Club of the Eastern League. It was
his fine work against Bloomsburg and
the other towns of the Central League
last season, that brought him to the
notice of the big league. He was the
most promising young twirler on the
Phillies list, but it appears that he is
ineffective this y ear.
Take
Advantage
OF THIS
*►OPPORTUNITY<*
WHILE IT IS HERE.
YOU MIGHT REGRET IT LATER.
Hundreds of Suits for Men and Boys.
Hundreds of pairs of Fine Shoes for Men, Boys, Women
and Children.
Hundreds of Hats are here and must be sold out complete
ly, and at
ABSOLUTE COST.
$5, 6, and 7.50 boys Men's Suits that cost from $2
to $4. more at any other store.
$l-50 and $1.98 Buys Boys Suits worth from 75c.
to $l.OO more.
98c. and $1.98 buys Men's or Women's Fine Shoes,
retailing from 50c. to $1 more at any other store.
50c. buys $1 Percale Shirts, attached collars.
25c. buys 50c. Straw Hats.
Single pants to match up coats and
vests, beautiful kinds at
$1.50 and up.
CIDDING & CO.
THE WAR SITUATION-
Since the war began two months
ago, Spain has lost Montijo's fleet
at Manila, Cervara's fleet at Santia
go, 25,000 troops have surrendered
at Santiago, Gen. Miles has landed
at Porto Rico with a large force,
and Commodore Watson is ready to
sail for Spanish waters with his
fleet. The Spaniards have been
defeated at every point. A large
army has been transported to the
Philippines, and it is daily expected
that the Americans will be in full
possession of those islands. No
wonder that Spain sues for peace.
The remarkable thing is that she
didn't do it long ago.
A Barber Gives Notice He Is a Soldier.
A Weatherly barber closed his
shop a few days ago and posted the
following original notice : " To the
Public : This barber shop will be
closed for a brief period as the pro
prietor has gone to help a few of
Uncle Sam's barbers (better known
as soldiers) scrape the face of the
Western hemisphere clear of an ob
noxious growth of whiskers com
monly called Spaniards. I shall not
be gone long as Dewey and Samp
son are applying the lather and
everything points to a quick job and
a clean one. I wish to thank the
public for the past patronage and
on my return hope to have a share
also."
m '
Girls in this State are subject to
parents until twenty-one years of age.
That is at least the legal status of the
case, but as a matter of fact many of
the young misses frequently seen on
the streets seem to have escaped
parental restraint at a much earlier
period.
Prohibition candidate for Judge
addressed a large assemblage of
voters at Danville last Saturday
evening. Friday evening of this
week he will speak on the Y. M.
C. A. lawn at Berwick. He will
speak also at the following places
on the dates mentioned : Catawissa
Aug. 12th ; Millville, Aug. 19th ;
Benton, Aug. 26th ; Orangeville,
Sept. 2d. These meetings we un
derstand will all be held in the open
air.
NO. 30
JUDGE IKELER ILL-
Early Monday morning Judge E-
R. Ikeler was seized with sudden
illness, and for a time his recovery
seemed doubtful, but we are glad to
announce this morning that he is
much better. His trouble is con
gestion of the lungs caused by weak
action of the heart. The attending
physicians are Dr. H. V. Hower of
Mifflinville, and Drs. Bruner and
Brown.
Wandering Willie's Oirous Oatob
"Wandering Willie" Setley, the
man with the herky jerky moves in
the box, and who is known all over
the United States and especially in
Sunbury, is now twirling fine ball for
the Utica, N. Y., club. In a recent
game Setley was playing centre field
and the bases were filled with two out
and the score tied in the thirteenth
inning when a high fly was hit to
centre field ; Willie walked leisurely
under the fly, gracefully doffed his
cap to the crowd, turned and caught
the ball with his hand behind his
back, just to give the spectators an
idea of his accomplishments. An old
trick of his ; he has done the same
trick in this city many a time. Of
course, he accomplished his feat eas
ily, but he gave the crowd a chill,
likewise his manager, and Willie's
salary was minus a ten spot on pay
day. His only reply to the manager
was "This team is too slow to catch a
cold in an ice house.—Sunbury Daily.
Willie is also we'!-':nown in
burg and when playing on our team
it was a common occurrence for him
to catch a ball in the above described
fashion at a critical point in the game.
iiutheran Reunion.
Island Park, Sunbury Thursday
August 4th, 1898.
For the accommodation of persons
desiring to attend the Lutheran
Reunion at Island Park, between
Sunbury and Northumberland,
Thursday August 4th, the Penn
sylvahia Railroad Company will sell
Excursion Tickets from Lock
Haven, Bellefonte, Wilkesbarre,
Mt. Carmel, Lykens, Harrisburg
and intermediate stations, to Sun
bury and return, good on day of
issue, at Single Fare for the Round
Trip.