I Ml L VOL. 36. HKOOMSBUUG, PA. THURSDAY, JANUARY 8. 1001 NO. 1 A II lllll Four Barns Destroyed and Several Others Damaged. The Most Destructive Blaze That This Town Has Had For Many Years. Bloomsburg was visited by a most disastrous conflagration shortly after two o'clock Sunday morning, The fire occurred midway between First and Main Street, and started in a building owned by O. W. Sterner and occupied by W. F. Slagle. It was used as a carriage and farm repos itory. It was an unfortunate hour lor a quick response from the fire depart ment, and the flames consequently had gained great headway betore the companies reached the scene. By the time the hose carriages were on hand the devouring element hail enveloped the major portion of three buildings, the above and the barns of F. P. Billmeyer and W. A. Hartzell. -aud while the firemen worked hard heroically about all that could be to the building the aiacent tig where sev- cat was intense ui n of the wagons and .ifii.ements stored in the S air e uildine. which, in an ordinary fire mieht have esrnnpd without murli damage, was warped and twisted and rendered entirely worthless except as so much scrap iron. The origin of the fire is a deep mystery and battles the ken of every one. The theory of spontaneous combustion is advanced, but generally disbelieved. A consideration of the time of its occurrence and of the building in which it started points strongly to incendiarism. But ot this there is a lack of evidence to sub stantiate the belief, unless from a basis of pecuniary gain, and even this motive, when the life and property of so many was endangered, is hardly conceivable. Mr. Slagle and family were in Sun bury visiting relatives and came home the next day to realize the unfortunate occurrence. His loss will probably reach $4,000, but this, of course, is partly covered by insurance. He had something like twenty-five vehicles stored in the barn, besides a lot of robes,harness,ind other property. The house in which he Jived was damaged by the flames, and the furniture, most of it new, was rendered worthless. The barn belonged to G. V. Sterner. His loss of $3,000 is covered, or nearly so. by insurance. K. Woolsey, the confectioner, is a loser to the extent of about $300. He occupied the Billmeyer barn. His delivery outfit, consisting of a horse, three wagons and a lot of harness was totally destroyed. The animal was so badly burned that it died shortly alter it had gotten out of the barn. Mr. Wolsey had no insurance and the loss is a total one. Whether or not there was any insurance held by Mr. Billmeyer we have been unable to learn. W. A. Hartzell was a heavy loser. His livery stable, ten or eleven sleighs, a lot of harness and robes were con sumed, besides a valuable dog. He carried an insurance of $2,000 but this includes the entire property, hotel and all. So that the amount that he will receive by reason of the fire is quite insignificant. 1 S. Moyer and Son, tinsmiths, were the occupants of Mrs. James Barton's barn. This building was reduced to ashes. The entire loss is placed at $1,200; Mrs. Barton $700 and Moyer & Son $500. By the burning ot a small shed or outbuilding, near the Sterner barn, Louis Rosenthal lost a small amount. His household furniture was also slightly damaged by water. The other buildings damaged were the barns of C. B. Lutz, Mrs. Tustin, and G. M. Quick. Tt.n'a hv far the bicsest as well as the most destructive tire we nave u m.inv vears. and but for the had noble work ot the firemen ,;he losses would have been far greater tnan mey are.' There is excellent skating on the lade beyond Irondale. IN THE KRICKBAUM CASE. The proceedings in Quo Warranto against County Commissioner William Krickbaum, in an effort to oust him from his office, were started by Dis trict Attorney John G. Harman, on the lollowing information: Bi.(K)Msnuur,, Dec. 18th, 1900. To John G. Harman, District At torney for Columbia county: Whf.rf.as, I have reason to brieve that William Krickbaum, one of the Commissioners of Columbia county, is the holder or owner of stock in certain corporations engaged in furnishing supplies, water ard light for said county of Columbia, and while being such Commissioner is also one of the bondsmen for Jeiemiah Snyder, Treas urer for Columbia county, and that the said Krickbaum is individually in terested, directly or indirectly, in cer tain contracts entered into by the County Commissioners lor ' said county: Therefore, I request you, that in your otlicial capacity, you make the suggestion to the proper court of the county of Columbia of the above matter. T. J. Vanderslice. As stated in our issue of two weeks ago, on this information a petition was prepared and presented to the court, and Judge Little made an order directing service on Mr. Krickbaum, and fixed December 3 tst for a hearing on the petition. On that date many people were expecting that there would be a general hearing of the case, but at the appointed hour the Judge went upon the bench, and the following- i.Ti,I macie: rve now, l.VR m, iqoo, on appli cation of Grant Herring for relator, W. H. Rhawn appearing for respond ent in above, entitled case, a rule is granted on the respondent to answer, plead or demur to the suggestion filed in said case within twenty days from this date, or judgment sec reg. By tiik Court. In accordance with this order, Mr. Krickbaum must either plead, demur, or answer in twenty days. What the next step will oe after that, depends upon which he does. Should he an swer raising an issue of fact, testimony will be heard. Should he plead or demur, the case will come up before the Judge on argument as another preliminary step. It is one of those cases that can easily be protracted for a long time, and it is possible that Mr. Krickbaum's term will expire before a final decision is reached. The Sentinel gives the following as a reason for the bringing of the action: "The charge made against William Krickbaum, for his removal from of fice, is the outcome of the incom petency of the present Commissioners' clerk, Robert F. Vanderslice, son of T. J. Vanderslice. whom Mr. Krick baum, as County Commissioner, has found to be incapable of filling the position now held by him, and has said so time and again. His lather fearful of his removal evident'y took these steps to compel Mr. Krickbaum to still retain him." ELOOilSBUEG'S CENTENNIAL- Bloomsburg was laid out in 1802 by Ludwig Eyer, and was then known as Oyersburg. In 1902 it will be one hundred years old, and this event should be properly observed. Just what time in the year it was laid out we are not aware, but that could probably be ascertained. It is not too soon to begin to dis cuss the matter. The Board of Trade is already organized, and is composed of our leading business and profess ional men, and it would be proper for them to consider the matter. A com mittee should be appointed to formu late some recommendations on the subject, and report thereon. Don't postpone it. Ac, now. Topio Cards- A fine line of samples of Topic Cards for Christian Endeavor, Ep worth League and Baptist Societies are kept at this office. Committees should call earlv and make tnetr selec tions so that the cards will be ready by January 1st. This office can lur nish them as cheap as they can be ob tained ia the city. tf Volume Thirty -Six- With this issue, .The Columbian tnters upon its thirty-sixth volume, having been established in 1866. Since 1875 it has been under the man agement of the present owner. It will be our endeavor during the coming year to keep it up to its usual stand ard, and to make such improvements as are possible. rmin mr ninTmnnu Crowd3 Throng the Streets Until Nearly One O'clock. Bells, Whistles, Fire Crackers, Tin Horns, and Shouting Greet the Birth of the New Century. B'oomsburg was far from being asleep Monday night. Even a Fair day with its varied program of pleas ure never assembled the people of town in such large numbers. Main Street, in the vicinity ot the Court House was a veiitable sea of human ity. The people began to make their appearance as early as ten o'clock. Their objective point appeared to be Market Square. This was because it had been advertised that a bon fire would take place there. But, owing to a strong wind, it was deemed best to dispense with the bon fire. Then the crowd began to move toward the Court House. Finally the bell tolled the hour, which was greeted by a roar of voices, tin horns and revolvers. The Bloomsburg Band lent pleasure to the occasion by rendering patriotic and popular airs. To the Rescue Fire Company ol the Fourth vVard belongs the credit of keeping the big crowd in a happy frame of mind throughout the entire demonstration. Their appearance on the street headed by a donkey and a goat was the signal for an outburst of laughter and cheers. The make ups of the whole party were great. It was about an hour after the birth of the new year and century that the people began to disperse to the vari ous points of the compass, all seeking their homes and rest. Many of the residents had their dwelling houses illuminated throughout the evening. They're After the "Typo." Proprietor Ent of the Central Hotel this town, and Moyer, of the City Hotel, Danville, are alter Charles Adams, a tourist' compositor, who was a guest for a week and two weeks and left without settling. From all reports he is one of the undeserving variety, and by oft and continued violation of confidence placed in hitn has gained the name of a professional beat. He turned up in this town about three weeks ago, first at the Young Men's Christian Association. He was sent to Mrs. Phillips' board ing house for supper, lodging and breakfast at the Association's expense. The next morning he came to the CoLUMMAN office and asked for help. He was given work for several days during which time he displayed a lack of energy and utter disregard for the office rules. Upon a request from Mrs. Phillips the amount of his board bill there was held for her. He then went to the Central Hotel, and re mained for a week, when he suddenly (disappeared. Now the above-named gentlemen are alter him. When last seen he was wending his way toward Berwick. At Sunbury, where he also left an unpaid board bill, he gtve his name as Charles Porter, and at Danville Frank Allison. He was apprehended at Sunbury on Tuesday, brought to Bloomsburg, and lodged in jail to pwait trial at Court. A Oentralia Wedding. At one o'clock Thursday afternoon at the M. E. church at Centralia, Miss Gertrude Buckley, youngest daughter of Rev. J. W. Buckley, pastor of the Centralia church, was united in marriage to Mr. Hoyt, of Johnstown. The affair was quite a social event in the monntain town. The ceremony was performed by the bride's father. The happy couple left on an afternoon train for an ex tended trip. They will take up housekeeping in Johnstown. Calenders- For some unexplained reason the Calendars for 1901, which we ordered some time ago, have not arrived. They are expected soon, and one will be given to every subscriber in arrears who pays for a year or more. Those who have paid in advance can get one by calling at the office. We shall have none for general distribution, except to our patrons. a This is inventory week with many of our merchants. THE RECORD BEATEN. During tho Past Year "The Columbian Office" Surpasios itsolf In It') Job Printing Department. In 1899 the CoLUMMAN Office turned out 1233 jobs of printing, entirely independent of the newspaper. That was a good year, the best the office ever had, and we supposed that if was up to its limit, but 1900 has far surpassed it. The records show that there have been completed, from January 1st to December 31st 1900, the unprecdented number ot 2243 johs of printing. We closed the year with eighteen unfinished orders on the books. This patronage we ascribe to the fact that we aim to accommo date our patrons, and to keep up-to-date in our outfit. The work is well done by com petent hands, and at reasonable prices. Mr. Geo. C. Roan, who learned his trade in this office, and has been constantly employed here for more than twenty-five years, is the Superintendent ot the mechan ical departments, and it is largely through his efficiency and skill that ihe office is enabled to turn out such good work and so much of it. To our many patrons we extend the greetings of the season; and desire to express our appreciation of their liberal and continued pa'ronage. We are better prepared than ever before to do fine work, or special work, and invite all to visit our plant before ordering printing from out of town. . - - . -.... SHESIFF BLACK RETIKE3- On Monday next Sheriff William W. Black's term of three years in the Shrievalty of Columbia county will ex pire, and he will vacate, and become once more a private citizen. Sheriff Black has made a careful, conscient ious, and efficient officer. The busi ness of his office has been transacted promptly and intelligently, and yet with as much leniency for unfortunate debtors as was consistent with the re quirements of justice. He has been ably assisted by his son, Bruce, whom, we are glad to state, will remain in the office as Deputy sheriff under the new official, Daniel Knorr. The Sheriff and his family have made many warm friends in Bloomsburg, and the feet that they propose to reside here will be good news. Mr. Black has rented the B. F. Davis property on the corner of Fifth and Iron streets, and will move in there next week. Baptist Church. Next Sunday will be the anniver sary of my pastorate in Bloomsburg. Let us make it an occasion of re joicing and renewed consecration to the services of God. A sermon, ap propriate to the occasion, will be preached in the morning, lollowed by the celebration of the Lord's supper. I desire very much to see every mem ber of the church and congregation present. The public also are invited to worship with us. J. D. Smith Pastor. Tor Sale. Three town lots on Ninth street above Catharine, 33 feet front each, and running back to the canal. Will be sold on easy terms. Inquire at this office. 10-4 tf. J. G WELLS, Successor to S. F. Peacock & Co., Market Square. Skates and Sausage T- CK "WELLS, General Hardware, buffers SPECIAL REDUCTION SALE ! COMMENCES FRIDAY ON WINTER S Hits an Overcoats. All broken sizes, half price. Oth ers, at one-third and one-quarter off. All staple goods, no reduction. 1352 Come in and see ua The Leader Department Store. Diamonds. A writer, in one of the daily papers, said that among the "upper ten," those who are accustomed to "six fig ures," it was not considered the proper thing for a woman to receive as a present anything which was to be used in house famishing. That the proper gift for her royal highue3S the American woman was diamonds, expen sive furs, or other "trifles." Now, this may be all right for those who can afford to spend $1,000 where we can spend $1.00, but we're old fashioned enousrh to believe that one of the most suitable gifts is something which will make home more comfort able and more beautiful. So we want to talk to you about Rockers and Rugs. ROCKERS. Our Btock has been carefully picked. First, we take into consideration the comfort to bo ob tained out of the chair. They having made selection on this basis, we choose the prettiest of the most comforta ble. That gives us the right kind of goods. Come down and try them. Sit in them, and think how much comfort such a present will bring to your friend. We have all the popular finishes and colorings, and the high est price is $10.00, from that down to $125. RU(iS. A good second to tne roccer. in iacr, n reallv takes first place, for it is older, and the magnate of the Orient counts his wealth in magnificent rugs. We show some of the finest products of the American looms. . The colors are artistic and the designs chaste. We show these in prices from $1.00 to $10.00. We will be glad to have you look these over. Toys. Well displayed and all kinds, for all price?. I LEADE FOURTH AND II JANU ARY 4, we'll treat you right. CO., LTD., MARKET STS., BLOOMSBURG. PA. STORE
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