fii 'i I Ti ni niii n t yiii 1) f
D wl IMP v w.
VOL 4?.
RLOOMSBVRG, PA., THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 1908.
NO, 39.
WHEN YOU WANT TO
Open a Bank Account Have a Check Cashed
Borrow Money, or Make an Investment
CALI, ON THIv OU) RELIABLE
The Farmers National Bank
OF BLOOMS BURG.
Capital, 360.000 Surplus 8100,000
C M. CltEVEMNG, Pres. M. MILLKISEN. Cashier.
DIRECTORS
J. L. Mover N. U. FYnk C. M. Crkvkmno C. A. Ki.kim
W. L. Whitr C. W. Rl'nyon Dr. J. J. Brown M. Miu.kiskn
3 Per Cent. Interest Paid on Time Deposits.
A Murderous Assault
Mrs. John Bent'lold Attacked
by Arthur Welliver and
Nearly Killed.
THE PRISONER CONFESSES
Valley townsbip, Montour coun
ty, was the scene of a murderous
assault last Saturday morning, Mrs.
John Benfield, widow of a former
associate judge of that county being
the victim.
Mrs. Benfield, who is 72 years of
age, lives with her sou and daugh
ter, Hurley and Miss Kmma Ben
field, on the homestead farm. On
Saturday morniug Hurley and Miss
Benfield drove into Danville on
business, .leaving their mother at
home alone.
About 8 o'clock J, D. Vognetz,
the Strawberry Ridge merchant,
came driving along on his way to
Danville. As he approached the
house he perceived a man, or rath
er a boy in appearance, leap over
the fence that surrounds the house
Casting a hasty look over his shoul
der as soon as he struck the ground
he took off his hat and dashed off
across the field as fast as he could
run.
Mr. Vognetz was startled by the
cry of "murder." Looking in the
direction of the souud he beheld
Mrs. Benfield standing near her
door and clinging to the fence for
support. Her hair was hanging
down while her head was covered
with blood, which was also stream
ng down over her clothing.
In a moment Mr. Vognetz was at
her side, She was barely able to
tell her story. Arthur Welliver,
she said, had attempted to murder
her.
He assisted her into the house,
and summoned help by telephone,
and word was sent to her son and
daughter in Danville, who hurried
home. Physicians were summoned
who dressed her wouuds.
Mrs. Benfield was able to tell of
the occurrence as follows: It ap
pears that the boy, Arthur Welli
ver, who is about seventeen years
of age, is an object of especial dread
10 tne Beuheld family. While she
was entirely alone to her dismay
Mrs. Benfield saw the fellow walk
by the house.
Owing to an alleged offense of a
very serious nature committed in
the past the boy had orders never
to place his foot on the Benfield
fsrm. As he approached the door
of the house Mrs. Benfield asked
him what he wanted and told him
to leave.
The boy told her that he would
show her what he wanted and
springing upon her he seized her by
the throat and threw her upon the
floor. At this juncture his eyes
fell upon a steel tube as thick as a
man's wrist and about two feet
long, belonging to a cream separa
tor, which lay in the kitchen sink.
Seizing this as a weapon he began
to deliver blow after blow upon the
defenseless woman's head.
She fought heroically and thus
managed to avert the full force of
many of the blows, but the blood
faca time the iron descended upon 1
her skull flowed from a fresh wound 1
and not onlv onvprpii hfr own hod v I
ui left its tell tale stains on the
would-be murderer's clothes. The
floor of the room where the strug
gle took place, with its pools of
blood, presented a horrible sight,
attesting to the desperate nature of
the struggle.
Mrs. Benfield pleaded with her
assailant. Once she said: "Why
you'll kill me." The reply, she
says, that Welliver made to this
was: ,,That,whatIintendtodo.,'i
THE BAR.
The Bar of Columbia County
may ne said to consist of fity-tvvo
members, but of that number there
are twenty who never opened an
office for practice, or who have since
admission engaged in other busi
ness. mis leaves imrty-two in
active practice, and they are The
Bar ot Columbia County.
There has been no admission of
a resident Attorney since April
1900, and it is believed there are no
registered students in the couuty
The oldest present member was ad
nutted April 1848 ; the two being
just fifty-two years apart. There
does not seem to be occasion for an
increase in the number, and the
Bar compares favorably with that
of surrounding counties.
in regara to tne Kind ot cases
now coining before the Civil Court,
there are, on the Trial List for the
September term, thirty-nine cases,
and it is notable that only seven of
them are against individuals, the
remaining thirty-two cases being
against municipalities or corpora
tions.
This shows how much the busi
ness aud the clientele have changed
within the last twenty years.
ine criminal court has over
fifty cases to be disposed of during
the sessions, to say nothing about
motions and rules and arguments,
and other multifarious business.
PAPER MILL SOLD.
At receiver's sale Tuesday morn
ing, the New York and Pennsylva
nia Paper Mills company, which
operates mills at Lock Haven and
Johnsonburg bought the property
of the Penna. Paper mill at Cata
wissa, free of incumbrances for
$35,600. The bid was made by M.
M. Armstrong, one of the members
of the firm.
If the property is found in good
shape after a thorough examination
next week, it is quite probable that
this company will operate it. In
this event, there is no doubt but
that the mill be run steadily.
Several properties of Charles
Chalfant of Danville are advertised
to be sold at sheriff s sale. Mr,
Chalfant is a son of the late Thom
as Chaltant. and formerly the edi
tor of the Danville Intelligencer.
Soon after this Mrs. Benfield
heard the welcome sound of Mr.
Vognetz's approaching wagon.
Welliver heard it also and it dis
concerted him for a moment. Mrs.
Benfield mauaged to escape to the
door and ran down to the front
gate. Her assailant, still carrying
the iron weapon m his hand, rau
out of another door and, by a cir
cuitous route and leaping over the
fence, caught Mrs. Benfield in front
of the house and renewed the as
sault. It was at this juncture that
Mr. Voenetz apieared in sight and
Welliver leaped over the fence and
ran away.
Chief Miucemoyer of Danville
was summoned, and a posse started
out to find the would-be assassin.
Welliver was found working in a
field, aud disclaimed all knowledge
of the affair, but alter a rigid ex
amination by Chief Mincemoyer he
became badly tangled, and finally
confessed. He was taken to the
house and fully identified by Mrs.
Benfield.
A warrant was issued and Welli
ver was taken to Danville where he
was given a hearing before a jus
tice. He waived a hearing and
bail was fixed at $2000. Not being
able to procure bail he was commit
ted to jail, to awaic trial at court
which begins October 18th.
Mrs. Benfield will probably recover.
1 0 fjf foome6urg
A Strong, Conservative and Well Equipped Institution
INVITES YOUR BUSINESS.
If you don't have a Bank Account you owe it to yourself to have
one here
3 Per Cent. Interest Allowed on Time Deposits
Wm. II. IIidlay, Cashier.
UUOD UKDH'K AT COLUMBIA
THEATRE.
The new management of the lo
cal theatre is determined that there
shall be good order preserved in the
house. The rowdyism that has
prevailed in the gallery will no
longer be tolerated. The following
regulations have been adopted, and
will be enforced:
Disorderly conduct of any kind
whatsoever, such as stamping,
whistling, etc., is strictly forbid
den. The spitting of tobacco upon
the floor of a public house is a filthy,
indecent practice, and contrary to
the law. Violation of these rules
and the law will meet with imme
diate ejectment from the theatre
and prompt prosecution will follow.
Any incivility or inattention on
the part of an attache of the thea
tre, may be conSdentially commu
nicated to the management, who
will be glad to summarily correct
the offense.
Physicians and others desirous of
being in immediate telephone com
munication will kindly leave their
seat numbers at the box office.
They will be instantly notified upon
receipt of any message for them.
Lost articles should be reported
at once to the box office, or by let
ter to the manager. Articles found
may be delivered at box ofBce where
a receipt will be given therefor.
NEW LAWS FOR CATHOLICS.
The fifth triennial synod of the
Roman Catholic diocese of Harris-
burg began its sessions in secret in
St. Patrick's cathedral last Thurs
day morning, about eighty priests
being present, Rev. J. R. Murphy
of this town being among the num
ber.
Previous to the private session
the Mass of the Holy Ghost was
celebrated. During the mass Bish
op Shanahan, assisted by Monsig-
nors Koch and Benton, presided at
the throne. The music, beautiful
ly rendered by the cathedral choir,
was a feature of the ceremonies.
At the conclusion of the mass the
auditorium was closed and the bus
iness session of the synod commenc
ed with Bishop Shanahan 111 the
presiding officer's chair.
The object of the meeting was to
enact laws tor the government and
discipline of the diocese. The syn
od considers the relations of one
pastor to another, enacts laws on
diocesan morals and statutes relat
ing to disciplins in the diocese1,
These laws have all been previous
ly submitted to the priests in cau
cus, and they will be officially pro
mulgated to the different congrega
tions by their pastors.
DIETRICK'S CASE.
The fourth trial of Peter Dietrick
for the shooting of "Corky" Jones
at Danville two years ago, was held
in Wilkes-Barre last week, where
it had been removed on a petition
for a change ot venue from Montour
county.
It resulted in a verdict of volun
tary manslaughter, the maximum
penalty lor which is imprisonment
in the penitentiary for twelve jears.
The Danville iewt says that the
total cost to Montour county for
the four trials will foot up $5000.
A WELCOME RAIN.
The long-hoped-for rain came at
ast on Monday, beginning early in
the morning and lasting nearly all
day at intervals. While it was a
great blessing, and gave much re
let, it will require considerable
more water to soaic ine parcneu
earth, aud fill up the streams.
QWionaf Q&anft
NOW.
A. Z. Sciioch. President.
COURT PROCEEDINGS.
The regular fall session of court
opened on Monday morning, Hon
C. C. Evans, President Judge, and
Associates Krickbaum and Yeager
on the bench. There was a large
attendance.
Thornton T. Freeze occupied the
position ot court crier.
Constables called aud returns
taken.
The constable of Briarcreek town
ship returned that Antonio Cocco,
of that township, was selling liquor
without license, and the constables
of Cleveland, Scott, Pine, Hemlock,
Jackson, Catawssaand Beaver town
snips returned that several roads
were in bad condition and index
roads not up as law directs. These
returns were all given to the Dis
trict Attorney with instructions to
inform the supervisors that unless
the same were repaired indictments
would be sent to the grand jury.
Grand jury called and sworn and
charged by the court-
Win. Chrisman Esq, presented
the return of sale in the estate of
David Shaffer, deceased, which was
confirmed nisi. A petition to con
tinue the order of viewers in the
matter of vacating and relaying a
road in Mifflin township. In the
estate of Hiram Crouse, deceased,
the exceptions to the account of the
administrator having been with
drawn the same was confirmed ab
solute. In the equity proceedings of
George B. Atlee and Co. vs. Ber
wick Consolidated Gas Company,
Mr. thrisnian hied an amended
bill by permission of Court.
W H. Rhawu Esq, presented a
petition for the appointment of in
spectors of the county bridge in
Roaringcreek township; also the re
port of inspectors of a couuty bridge
in Hemlock township for confirm
ation nisi.
A. W. Duy Esq, presented a
petition which set forth that quite
a number of tax liens had been
entered against the Catawissa Coal
Company and that a scire facias
was about to issue on each of them.
The petition asked that they be
merged and cousolidated and one
scirefacias issue on all in order to
save costs. He presented a similar
petition in the Commonwealth vs.
Davis Bros, and Company.
C. E. Kriescher Esq, presented
the following: In the estate of
Albert Witchey, deceased, proceed
ing in petition: rule for the heirs to
come in and accept or refuse the
real estate at the valuation fixed by
the appraisers. Reports of sales in
the estates of Ada Trexler and
Catherine Bower confirmed nisi.
The report of the auditor in the
estate of Mary Creasy, deceased.
Robert Howell, Esq., presented
a petition for a re-view of a public
road near the residence of James
Shew in Scott township. On his
motion John G. Freeze, Esq., was
continued as master in case of Rob
ison vs. Robison.
II. Mont. Smith. Esq., stated
that this was the time fixed for the
taking of testimony in habeas cor
pus proceedings of Yetter vs. Yet
ter, but desired the hearing contin
ued for one week, which was allow
ed. Fred Ikeler, Esq., presented the
return of sale in the estate of Mil
lard O. Bowman which was con
firmed uisi. He also presented a
petition which set forth that in
September, 1894, a proceeding was
commenced to set aside real estate
to the widow in the estate of John
Sweeny, deceased. Appraisers were
appointed by the Court but the rec
ords did not show that the appraise
ment was ever held. He desired
that permission be given to the ap
praisers to now go ou and hold the
FALL SHOWINGS
IN ALL LINES OF
CLOTHING.
There are some of
the Most Beautiful
styles and pattern?
this season that we
have ever seen.
Come in and look
over the models.
This store is lull
of the season's styles
and you will be sur
prised how cheap you
can buy here.
TGOH
CORNER.
appraisement so as to perfect the
title. The petition was granted.
E. J. Flynn, Esq., presented the
return of the widow's exemption in
the estate of James McHale, de
ceased, and a petition for the sale
of real estate for the payment of
debts in the estate of Wm. Burke,
deceased.
A. L. Fritz, Esq., presented the
petition of John Belles, guardian of
Isaac Gould, for the allowance of
$80 to pay expenses incurred dur
ing illness 01 ward, which was
granted.
James L. Evans, Esq., ptesented
the report of viewers on a bridge
and a road in Briarcreek township
which were confirmed absolute. He
also presented a petition for a sub
poena in divorce on the grounds of
desertion in case of Wm. R. Lutz
vs. Florence M. Lutz.
Clinton Herring, Esq., presented
the report of viewers in favor of a
bridsre over Spring Run in Madison
township which was confirmed nisi.
He also presented a petition 01 u.
Battin which represented mat
P. K. Patterson, his son-in-law,
had been absent from his home for
years and it was supposed he was
dead. The petition was for per
mission of Mr. Battin to take out
letters of administration in the es
tate of Patterson. A rule was
granted returnable the first Monday
in December.
The trial list for next week was
called over. Out of the forty cases
on the list only ten were marked
for trial.
W. C. Tohnston, Esq., presented
a petition for the discharge of Mer-
us E. Edwards, guardian 01 eruce
Edwards, Cora Edwards and oth
. , 1 i i
ers. A rule was grameu 10 snow
cause why he should not be dis
charged, returnable at next term.
Iu the case ot Ellis iwes an.i
Bros., vs. James L. Whitmire, Mr.
ohnston presented a petition that
the sheriff proceed and make the
mcney on the writ. The prayer of
the petitioner was granted.
Iu the estate ot jonas Kantz tne
time of the filing of the auditor's
report was continued until next
term.
Mr. Tohnston presented a petition
asking that a subpoena in divorce
be awarded in the case of Guerney
Lyons vs. Ida Lyons on the ground
of desertion.
Register of Wills and the Pro-
thonotary presented the accounts
&
W ffi'l
J and widows' appraisements which
had been filed in. their offices and
they were confirmed nisi.
A petition was also presented
asking for the sale of the real es
tate of Christiana Shuman, debas
ed, situated iu Main township,
which was allowed by the Court.
Upon petition presented Agnes
R. Shuman was appointed guar
dian of Robert, Howard and Flor
ence Gunter.
Wm. Chrisman, Esq., presented
a petition to declare Chas. Ester
brook sane aud discharge his com
mittee. After hearing the petition
Court fixed the first Monday in
November for the hearing of the
matter.
OPENING OF THE NEW THEATRE.
A refined audience, not as large
as it should have been, was present
at the Columbia Theatre last Fri
day night, when the popular play
entitled "The Devil" was present
ed by an excellent company. The
stage was beautifully set, and the
gowns of the ladies in the play were
exquisite.
The leading part was enacted by
Joseph Kilgour, and he fulfilled
every expectatiou.
The management have planned
to give Bloomsburg a better class
of attractions than have been given
heretofore, and it remains to be seen
to what extent their efforts are ap
preciated. HOSPITAL BUYS LOT.
A lot of ground adjoining the
Joseph Ratti Hospital has been
purchased from Mrs. J. L. Dillon
by the managers of the hospital.
The demandi upon the institution
are such that an enlargement of the
building is very much needed. This
additional land will provide for the
addition, as soon as funds are avail
able.
DIED FROM INJURY.
William Smith who was injured
while . riding on a freight train at
Rupert 011 September 15th, died at
the hospital last Saturday. He
was riding on the top of a car
and his head struck the bridge,
fracturing his skull. He never en
tirely regained consciousness. His
wife and five children snrvivet
fxwmo. wot f lL 11
SEIKO'S
1