The Columbian. (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, June 06, 1901, Image 1

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VOL. 36.
BLOOMSBURG, PA. THURSDAY, JUNE G, 1901.
NO. '23
MYSTERY
Surrounds Sudden Disappear,
ance of Atfred Low.
It is Generally Believed That
He Has Drowned
Himself.
The neighborhood out in the vicin
ity of Shatter's bridge, about one mile
and a quarter distant from Blooms
burg is wildly excited, occasioned by
the sudden disappearance of Alfred
Low.
Mr. Low has been farming the Dr.
E. W. M. Low property, the dwelling
of which is located near the bridge,
and Monday morning sometime, prob
ably about seven o'clock, he and his
hired hand, William Jones, went out
into a field which forms the north
western boundaiy of Fishingcreek, for
the purpose of planting some corn.
The two labored together until eight
o'clock, or thereabouts, when Low
after instructing his helper as to what
to do while he was absent, started in
the direction of the Company Dam.
The two men had been talking about
the damages recently done at a point
a short distance below the dam, and
when he started off William thought
it was to view and form some idea of
the injuries sustained.
The heavy rains of the past two
weeks has had the effect of raising
the creek and naturally increasing the
strength of the current. The bank at
this point and for several yards further
down is without protection, and the
water has washed out and undermined
it to such an extent that a person
attempting to walk on it would break
through and be precipitated into the
water. Many people entertain the
belief that this is the fate that has be
fallen Low.
Others scout the accident theory
and look at it as a pure case of de
liberate suicide. Limitless stories are
in circulation as to the man's object
in making away with himself, chief
among them being marital unhappi
ness. This rumor takes color from
the fact that Low and his wife had,
for a period been estranged from each
other, but a little over a week previ
ous to Monday she had returned to
her husband, and with her own mouth
on Tuesday informed the scribe that
her husband had welcomed her home,
and that a reconciliation had been
perfected. In the light of the reunion
this report appears to be without
foundation.
His wife, being unable to account
for his absence when the dinner hour
arrived, a search was at once started.
All the places where it is thought he
might have gone, were visited, but
none of the neighbors had seen him.
Everyone who chanced to pass were
notified of the man's disappearance,
and they nude inquiries from scores
of people. Neighbors and friends
were out all night Monday in quest of
him. The nearby woods were searched
and inquiry was made at various
points along the B. & S. Railroad.
His coat and vest, which he had left
in the corn field Monday morning,
were found, but no other trace of him
can be discovered.
The creek has been dragged, but
without succcess. The bottom of the
stream for a hundred yards has been
searched. It is quite evident' that
the body is not in that space, and the
searchers have continued their labors
further down stream. It appears to
have a peculiar fascination for people.
A good sized crowd lined the banks
all day, watching the men in the boats
trying to recover the body Dy means
of a seine. There were no tidings of
the man up to 'the time of going to
press, and it is possible that the cur
rent ot the stream has carried the
body further down than the searchers
have any idea.
If he has committed suicide, and
there don't appear to be any doubt
about it, six children are left father
Jess. Dynamite is now being used as a
last resort. The great energy of the
explosive it is believed, will bring the
body to the surface. If this fails in
its purpose, the search, in so far as the
stream is concerned, will be aban
doned. Men's Meeting'
The meeting at the Y. M. C. A.
Building, next Sunday alternoon, at
8:30, will be 'addressed by Rev. F.
M. Traub. A cordial invitation is
extended to all men" to be present.
HOY PEOPLE LOSE THEIR MONEY.
By concealing it about their persons j by stowing it away in
mugs, jugs and jars; by sewing it up in skirts and ticks; by tuck
ing it under the couches and carpets, m cupboards, bureau drawers
and trunks. These are some of the ways by which people lose their
money, and sometimes, Their Lives.
o
It is surely far better to deposit it in a good, reliable bank, hav
havmg ample J?iRr;i,AR Protection.
-o
We olTer you our services.
THE-
Blooms-burg National Bank
A..Z. SCHOCH, President.
n GRADUATES
From The Bloomsburg High
School
Now Ready For Active Life
Who the Graduates
Are.
The Tenth Annual Commencement
Exercises of the Bloomsburg High
School had their initial event in the
Baccalaureate Sermon, which was
delivered in the Methodist Episcopal
Church by Rev. V. M. Frysinger,
Sunday evening. The class, consist
ing ot twenty-three young ladies and
gentlemen, together with the members
of the School Board were present.
In concluding Dr. Erysinger exhorted
them to go forth and meet whatever
danger that may lie in the path of
duty fearlessly and with the resolve
that with the help of Him who is
omnipotent to bear witness to the
truth in daily life, and by so doing to
fulfill the real purpose of education.
The choir, under the leadership of O.
H. Yetter, rendered beautiful music.
The Junior entertainment and
second annual contest in oratory took
place in the Opera House Monday
evening. The faculty of the school,
the Board of Directors and others at
the head of School work were partic
ularly gratified at the large attendance
because it appeared to them as evi
dence that our people and particularly
parents are not indifferent to child
training and the matter of education.
The participants performed their
respective parts very acceptably, and
the program, which was quite lengthy,
was enjoyed throughout. The music
was rendered by the High School
Orchestra under the direction of
Master Ralph Schwarz.
The program in its entirety follows :
Overture In the Swim Claudur
High School Orchestra.
Reading.. .Aristarchus Studies Elocution
Music Come and Row Parker
High School Chorus.
Reading When the Moon Rose
Reading Aunt Elnora's Hero
Music Those Evening Bells King
High School Chorus.
Reading Van Bibber's Rock
Reading... .What William Henry Did
Violin Solo.... Hungarian Fantasie....Tobani
Ralph Schwarz.
Readinir The Real Hero
Waltz. ..The Spider nndthe Fly.. .Von Tilzef
Urchestra.
Tableau
f Vida liarton, Maud How
I nrd, Louise Lazarus, Lit
. iian Uuckalew, Mary Lew'
v,naratlc.. js, Carrie Harman, Julia
Richards, Vera Henung.
I way. Laura Kedcker.
March The Proposal Seller
Orchestra.
COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES.
The Commencement Exercises
took place in the Opera House Tues
day evening, before a large audience.
Preparations, quite extensive in ex
tent, had been made for the occasion
and when the curtain rolled up the
pretty stage scene delighted nearly
one 'thousand people. The stage
setting was a very pretty one. The
potted plants, which formed a promi
nent and bewitching part, had been
placed with an artistic hand, imparted
an added charm.
The music, as on the previous even
ing, was furnished by the School
Orchestra, and added materially in
making the affair a charming one
throughout.
After a selection by the orchestra,
Rev. G. II. Hemingway made the
opening prayer. The opening oration
Continued on Page 8 ad Col.
WM. II. IIIDLAY, Cashier.
DEATH, HIS CHOICE
Louenz Pflager Puts Bullet in
His Head Friday Morning.
Tragedy Occurs at the Ex
change Hotel.
Lorenzo Pflager, aged about fifty
years, was found in a room on the sec
ond floor of the Exchange Hotel a lit
tle before 2 o'clock Friday afternoon,.
stiff and cold in death, due to a
wound in his right temple. The hair,
near the injury, was singed which
would seem to indicate that the
weapon was held close to the head
when the fatal shot was fired.
Mr. Pflager had come to Blooms
burg the day before and had been
associating with friends. He dis
played no signs of mental derange
ment. He retired Thursday night
about twelve o'clock. At eight o'clock,
or thereabouts, Friday morning he
appeared at the door of his room and
signed for a special delivery letter.
This was the last seen of him alive.
The fact that he did not appear for
either breakfast or dinner excited the
curiosity of the proprietor. At the
time above mentioned Mrs. Irvin
Snyder took occasion to go to that
part of the hotel. Standing on a table,
which she secured from a room on the
opposite side of the hall, and looking
over the transom she was the first to
discover the body. The body was
lying on the bed, the right hand still
clutching a 32 calibre revolver, with
which the deed had been committed.
The stiffened condition of the body
indicated that the shooting had been
done several hours before, and this
too aftiims the statement of one of
the attaches of the hotel who had
heard a report of a pistol some time
in the morning, but paid no heed to
it. A short lime after the discovery,
Acting Coroner, Guy Jacoby, was
summoned. He empanelled a jury
consisting ot Eugene F. Carpenter,
J. R. Townsend, Thomas E. Sands,
J. M. Staver, C. B. Lutz, and W. L.
Eyerly. The verdict was in accord
ance with the facts.
Mr. Pflager had been foreman of
the Union Tanning Company, at
Jamison City, for nearly ten years.
He resigned his position with that cor
poration on March 1st, of this year,
and moved to New Paltz, New York,
where he secured a similar position.
It is rumored that the loss ; of this
latter position together with some
financial reverses, goaded him on to
commit the deed. The deceased was
of a pleasant, cheerful disposition and
appears to have been universally
esteemed. A jolly, good fellow was
the enconium of his many friends. He
was connected with several of the
Masonic bodies, and the remains were
removed to H. G. Supplee's under
taking rooms, placed in a casket and
prepared for shipment to his home,
under the direction of members of
that fraternity.
An investigation of his clothing was
made. In one of the coats was found
the registered letter, which had been
delivered to him at his room in the
morning. It contained a check for
$25.00 and a brief letter. The con
tents bad absolutely no bearing on
the crime whatever. After receiving
the letter he had apparently gone
back to bed, as he was clad in his
night-robe.
The body was ready for shipment
and would have been sent up on the
1 morning train, but word was received
from Coroner Shamless. at Catawissa.
to hold it, that a second inquest was
necessary, lie finally concluded that
it would not be necessary to have the
body. He empannelled a jury, con
sisting of L. C. Mensch, of Catawissa,
W. M. Robbins. of Liuhtstreet, and
II. G. Supplee, J. V. Eyerand Harry
Lhambcrlin, of Bloomsburg. the
inquest was held Monday morning, at
the office of Dr. Burner, on Market
street. The verdict was to the effect
that death was caused by his own
hand.
The sad news was telegraphed to
his wife, and it was expected that she
would come on and take charge of
the body, but a telegram from her re
quested that it be sent home at once.
The body was accordingly placed on
the 2:36 1). L. & V. train Saturday
afternoon and expressed to New
Pallz, N. Y.
The only survivors are Mrs. Pflager
and an adopted son, aged about ten
years.
Everyone had a good word for the
deceased. Why he ended his life is a
mystery which will probably never be
solved. The sad event has cast a
gloom over the spirit of his many
friends in this vicinity.
MEMORIAL SERVICES. "
Memorial day was appropriately
celebrated on Thursday with services,
under the auspices of Ent Post of the
G. A. R. The parade, the route of
which was considerably changed from
that of former years, was participated
iii oy the Veterans who wore the blue
in the days of the immortal Lincoln,
several secret societies and the
Bloomsburg Band. A number of the
Sanish-American War Soldiers also
paid tribute to their departed brethren
by joining the procession.
The graves of the heroes who are
resting from their struggles in Rose
mont Cemetery were strewn with
flowers and marked with old glory.
Rev. W. M. Frysinger opened the
services with a fervent prayer, after
which A. B. Black recited Lincoln's
Address at Gettysburg. The
Band rendered a becoming selection
while the members of the G. A. R.
made disposition of the flowers. The
exercises closed with the benediction
by Rev. Frysinger.
The exercises at the Market Street
Tabernacle in the evening were very
impressive. The audience filled the
spacious area. The program consisted
of several selections by the Y. M. C.
A. Quartette, prayer by Rev. J. W.
Bentz, of the Evangelical Church, a
recitation by Miss Martha Brugler, a
brief address by Elmer Wilbur. The
principal speaker of the evening was
Rev. G. H. Hemingway, He spoke
in a clear, distinct voice, and his
tribute to the old soldiers was most
eloquent. We would like to give it
to our readers verbatim, but lack ot
space forbids. Maj. I. II. Seesholtz
was the last speaker. His address
was greatly enjoyed.
.
Fred, a little son of dairyman
Millard McBride, who lives below
town, was attacked by a large
swarm of bees while playing about
the yard Saturday afternoon. The
ltttle fellow s cries brought Mrs,
McBride to the scene, but her
strength failed and she was over
come. As soon as she recovered
she carried her son into the . house.
His face, head and hands were
terribly swollen by reason of the
stings. For several hours the little
fellow suffered intense pain.
J. G, WELLS,
Successor to S. F. Peacock
& Co., Market Square.
The Strafford and Independent Bi
cycles for $16.20, guaranteed for one
year.
Just received Fine new line of
Penna. Lawn Mowers, Hammocks,
Fishing Tackle, Base Ball supplies,
&c.
J. OK WIEIl.ILSL
j General Hardware,
Ik
Hart,
Schaffner
& Marx
Tailor
Made
Clothes
JJ KS
f gmoammn ihi J
iJ hmt, murrain muur
"Whether it's vour funeral or someone else's
last rites.
You can't be "it" without a Black Suit.
The Black Suits we sell will make you look
dignified -and they look as though they cost
twice our price.
"We have- Blnck Suits in Clays, Unfinished
"Worsteds and Dress "Worsteds.
$8.50, $10, $12 and $15,
aie a few of the prices for these suits, and
when you see them you'll say, "Cheap enough.
I'll try one on."
BEE
mm
THE CLOTHIER.
The Leader Departmetit Store.
We tell you we have the finest line ol
Wash Goods, Shirt Waists and other season
able goods there is shown in this city. Our
customers tell us so, and tell their friends so.
Here is a point or two to consider. We don't
buy in car load lots, but we do buy in quantities
large enough to give us control of one of the
best known makes in the country. Then our
buyer selects with an eye single to what will
look tasteful and fashionable.
Here are a Few of Our Offerings.
TWO PIECE SUITS Madras, white ground
with neat stripes ot blue or black, fitted skirt
with deep flounces. Waist with tucked vest.
Revers trimmed with embroidery and insertion.
$2.75, and $3.00.
TWO PIECE SUIT Chambray, solid
colors, waist trimmed with embroidery and in
sertion. ' Fitted skirt with two ruffles, $2 35
and $2.50.
TWO PIECE SUIT Blue and White, Pink
" and White, and Black and White Lawn. Fitted
skirt two ruffles, waist full front with buttons
$2.00.
HOUSE DRESSES Fine lawn, full ruffled
skirt, lace trimmed, $3.25.
SHIRT WAISTS FOR $1.00 White lawn,
tucked front and embroidery and insertion.
SHIRT WAISTS FOR $1.30 White lawn,
front all over embroidery. Bishop sleeves, soft
collar.
SHIRT WAIST FOR $1.50 to $2.75 Fine
white lawn, tucked front and lace and insertion.
Bishop sleeves.
SHIRT. WAISTS 50c. to $1.75 Percale
Madras and lawns.
It
Won't
Cost
Yon a
Cent
to
Prove
What
we
Say.
The Leader Store Co., Ltd.,
Fourth and flarket Sts.
A
BLACK
SUIT.
A Black Suit is
always a necess
ity. Whether you arc
preaching or being
preached to.
"Whether you go
out calling or ex
pect callers.
"Whether you en
tertain or are entertained.