THE CENTRE REPORTER. FRED. KURTZ, Eprror and Pror’r Centre Harn, Fa. Taurs, Fen 9, 1888, TERME One year, $1.50, when paid in ad vance, Those in arrears subject to previous terms, Advertisements 20 cents per line for 8 iuser tions, and & cents for each subsequent insertion. Let the taxes on whisky and tobacco stand but take them off the poor man’s necessaries off his food and clothing, That's the doctrine, that 1s what Presi~ dent Cleveland urges Congress to do in his message. He stands by the poor man every time. The idea that the tax~ payers have to pay the war rates on the necessaries of life at this date—twentyw three years after the war— is simply out- rageous and the voters ought to say by their ballots that they will stand it no longer. . A” ROY THIEVES IN CHICAGO. A large nomber of recent petty rob. beries in vicinity of Wentworth Avenue and Twenty ninth Street was ex- plained on Monday aight by the discov ery of the headquarters of a gang of boy thieves, located under a sidewalk, by two officers who, going to investigate a myss terious light under the sidewalk, found a small entrance to a cave in the ground, and on pursuing the search came toa spacions room guarded by a 13 year-old Jack Sheppard named Nimmie Rynes “Who goes there?” followed by the sharp lick of a revolver, greeted the officers as they were about to enter the cavern, and their quickness probably saved their lives, for on getting inside they found young Rynes with a revolver in hand and ready to uphold the dignity of the gang of which he was an officer, Inside a curious spectacle was present ed. Revolvers in great profusion hung about the papered walls, hacked up by a buge musket, which glistened brightly in the light from an old salamander stove in one corner. The walls were pictares- quely decorated with sensational prints, and notice signed in red ink related the fact that “Tough Jimmie” was captain of the crowd, and that “B-lly the Kid" of. ficiated as lieutenant. To the threats of suromary vengeance to traitors wassign- ed the hair-raising names of “Lightning Eddie,” “Peanuts,” “Jumbo,” “Oysters,” “Chumpy” apd “Dyng Do.” The youth- ful cave dweller in charge told the offi- cer he was awaiting the arrival of some of his comrades, but they failed to put in an appearance. At the station the boy finally confessed to a complicity in sev- eral robberies perpetrated by the gang of which he was a member. WHAT A BLIZZARD IS. In Centre connty we have snow storms, but the following description ofa Dakota blizzard, telis the difference’ A blizzard is siroply a strong, cold wind moving nnchecked over leagues of light, unpacked snow. It sweeps up that which has previously fallen, carries I away in the color of a vast shaken fleece, digiributes it so that each atmospheri atom has ita little particle, and drives along with a steady fory. Whether fresh snow is falling can seldom be determin- ed by people out in a real blizzard. As far as the eye can see upward, and that is but a little space, the hurry of minute pellets hurling through ether across an unrevealed sky prevails, and the harry ing sameness on every side is varied on- ly by occasional tall asd blending wraiths where the wind whir's in shift ing column. A confosion of the senges, comparable to none produced otherwise appa's one submitted to the enormous and blinding force of such a snow-filled wind and searcely a distinet thought re- mai os except that the awful cold forbids eronching for rest ang shelter, To our personal knowledge one in such a storm keeps with diffienlty upon a railway track lifted three fest above the surrrunding prairie, and may be lost by five steps the wrong way «fier stambling down from the embantment, which, being white, heeomes instant'y invisible, It is re corded on good anthority that teamsters halting with their horses have heer sn-wed over thirty fectdeen by blizzards and have snrvived hy heatine ont bresth ing chambers till the cessation of the storm enatled them to dig themeelves to upper air The formation of a Adrift abotit a halted man, or horse, or sleigh, is semetimes wonderfully speedy; and the drift, once established, grows by vir- tue of its ohstroctiveness, In some well. authenticated cuses lost persons have been found by the deifts over them and dug oat alive; in others the spring has revealed corpses still unthawed among the Inst white relics of winter. In bliz- zarde people bave often been unable to see across the street of a Northwestern town, and sometimes men lose their di- rection in trying to reash the opposite side of a well-built way, Se le WS AN UNPARALLELED OFFER. ROPOMET......corsi..corconens BO ¥o.1The Centre Re rh a 5 a . soll 1 ow r Now 4 the OFF FOR A SIX DAYS' WALK, Start at Midnight of the Walking Match in Madison Square Garden. New Yong, Feb, 6.—The six days’ walks ing mateh, for which preparations hava been golng forward for some time, begun at midnight in the Madison Square Gar- den with forty-eight starters. The utmost interest was manifested by the 6,000 spectators. The pens in which the contestants will rest during their weary tramp were the objective points of all at first and the bosths afterward. Considerable betiing was going on, the favorites being Cartwright, Connors, Sin clair, Hart and Hughes, in the order named. A good many, however, pinned their faith on Ranhofer of New York, an ex-champion walker, who has always shown great stay- ing powers. He is in excellent condition. He stands tive feet eleven inches, As the contestants came out to take their positions the immense audience cheered. Campana, otherwise “old sport,’ was the first to come to the starting point at 11.55. Hart followed immediately and then came tho others in a bunch. The start,a good one, was made exactly at midnight. The first away was Field, followed by Cox, nud then came Hughes, Cartwright, Albert, Panchot, Herty, Guerrero, Brodio’s unknown, Hart, Sinclair, Elson, Hales, Heggleman, Strokel, Curran, Dillon, Cam- pana, Tilly, Callahan, Ranhofer, MeLaugh- lin, Belin, Paul, Dufrane, Keoslon, Call, Moran, Hoag, Johnson, Hoagland, Nawdart, Day, Burrell, Pettilla, Delrica, Lurkey, Swenk, RB _hards, Taylor, Munson, Stolpp. Thomas, Stout, Vint, Sullivan, Bird and Connors, who brought up in the rear, making forty-eight ali told. The leaders at the end of the first mile were Albert, Sinclair, Cartwright and Hart, who passed the scoring point in ex- actly five minutes. Thescore at the end of the first hour stood as follows: " Cartwright, 8 miles, 6laps; Guerrerreo, 8 miles, 8 laps; Golden, 8 miles, 6 laps; Albert and Hegelman, 8 miles, 6 laps each; Hart and Strokel, Smiles, 2 laps; Connors and Herty, 8 miles ; Sinclair, 7 miles, 5 laps; Hughes, 6 miles, 7 laps. Unable to Reach an Agreoment. Bosyox, Feb. 5.—The cigar manufactur- ers and their employes have as yel como to no satisfactory terms of settlement. A committees froam Union 87 met a similar committee from the manufacturers, for the purpose of arriving if possible at some con- clusion agreeable to both parties. The manufacturers, although feeling it neces sary to make a reduction in pay, were dis- posed to make some concessions in order to prevent a strike. The men were evi- dently inclined not to concede anything. They were given until Wednesday next to bring the matter before their Union. Although there are rumors that a strike may result, no action to that effect has yet been taken. A Church Opened to Dr. Fulton. BaterMone, Feb 6 ~The failure of Dr. Justin D. Fulton to secure a hall in which to deliver bis lectures against Romanisn in this city was the cause of considerable discussion among the Baptist ministers, who indignantly declared that it was ao attempt to throttle froe spooch. They therefore arranged to have him lecture in Emanuel Church, and gave him a public welcome, and 8 eat. Dr. Fulton made an address, and was announced to lecture on Monday and Tues- day evenings. Pullman's New Indostry. Cutcaco, Feb, 4. There are rumors that few weeks begin the construction of an motives, tives will now be constructed, capable of hauling from 75 to 10 loaded cars No de- tails are givem beyond the confirmation trem the officers of the company of the statement that they will certainly add the construction of locomotives to their present business, Army Orders. Wismixorox, Fob 6.-Major William A. Maryse, Orduance Department, has been Springfield, Mass, for which Acting An sistant Surgeon 8 W. Bowles is Tespons- ible. Leave of absence for six months has been granted Captain Michael lLeshy, Eigh- teenth Infantry. One Armed Staggers Meet. Mnwirkee, Wis, Feb, 5.-Otto John son and John Geiger, two one-armed siug- gers, fought three ratiling rounds with, small gloves in Opera House Hall carly yestarday morning. Johnsos was knocked out. The men had only their left arms to fight with. There were four clean knock downs in three rounds. Hoth wore prety badly punished, Paralyzed at the Organ, Naw Haves, Conn., Feb. 6 While play- ing the “Te Deum’ at the morning servios was stricken with paralysis. He was car- ried home, and his recovery is doubtful of the best known musicians in the Blate Mrs, Clovelund Not Presenh Bosrox, Feb. 8. -A service of prayer was held yesterday over the body of Homer F, Harmon which was taken to Houlton, Me., last night for interment. Mrs. Folsom was present. Mrs. Cleveland decided at the last moment not leave Washington. Bhe sent 8 lottor of sympathy. Arming Postal Clerks, Wasntvorox, Feb 8.-The Post Office De- partment has resolved to arm, at the es pense of the department, all postal clerks west of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. This action i taken because of the frequent “holding up’ of mail trains by robbers ia that section. Murder st a Soldiers’ Home. Barn, N. Y., Feb. 4. Thomas Larny and William Lavery, inmates of the Buldiers’ Home, came to blows and fought savagely. Lavery receiving injuries from he died yesterday. A coroner's jury has found Larny gulity of murder sod he held on that charge. Farmours, Mass, Feb. 5.—The United yesterday in’ . Harbor. WONDERFUL LUCK. sm How George Prather and His Brothers Made a Royal Fortune, There died on a farm near Bear Lake, Crawford County, a fow days ago, a horse that in January, 1805, figured prominently in one of the most important operations in the history of oil development in Venango County--an operation by which the owner of the horse and his two brothers, without a dollar of capital, made, according to a Bradford (Pa.) correspondent of the New York Sun, a million dollars apiece. The horse was known as “the Prather horse,” and was formerly the property of the late George Prather, of Meadville. It was nearly twenty-eight years old. George Prather was one of three broth- ers——John, George and Abraham-—who stagted a country store in the village of Plumer, Venango County, in 1864. John Prather was married to the daugh- ter of an old farmer named Holmden, who lived on Pithole creek, seven miles beyond petroleum developments in 1884. In the fall of that year represanta- tives of on new corporation, known as the United States Oil Company, leased a part of old man Holmden’s farm and began putting down a well upon it. The era of bogus oil companies, which subsequently swindled the public out of millions of dol lars in a fow months' time, was then be ginning. Noone In the neighb whood of Holmdon'’s had any faith in the existence of oil thereabouts, but the Prather broth. ors thought that on the strength of the United States Company's having begun actunl operations on the farm, they might utilize the fact in a little speculation of theirown, They had no money, but John Prather, the son-in-law of the owner of the farm, made the latter an offer of §205,« 000 for the refusal of the remainder of his farm for sixty days. As $25,000 was more than ten timos the values of his pr operty, Holmden took the chances of the boys be. ing able to raise tha money, and readily signed the papers. bv the middle of November the drill on the United States lease had reached third sand, the sand in which oil had invaribly been found along Ol creck, but no oil was found. The drill was continued, however, to delay the day of failure and to give op- portunity for the placing of more of the company’s stock with eredulous specu lators. Cold weather came on and com- peled operations to cease for the time, just as the drill reached a fourth sand, some thing until then unknown, The Prather boys had not done any thing with the Holmden farm as late as Janmary, 18685, Then they concluded to push it in the market, as they believed a fow weeks more would ses the fallure of the United States Company's scheme. George Prather was sent East to find a customer for the farm. At Pittsburgh he interested C. B. Duncan, of the firm of Dancan & Kent, in the matter, and the two went on to Philadelphia to dispose of the property. Toward the middie of Jan. uary ths weather grew mild, and there came a break up. The superintendent of the United States Company paid a visit to the well, with the intention of drawing the tools and abandoning the work. His euriosity prevailed upon him to see what the character of the fourth sand was, and he fired up sod started the drill. It had taken but a few turns when it dropped eight feet in the rock and tapped the oil vein. The well was tubed, and it suddenly began flowing, spouting oil at a three -ban- dred-barrel rate. That was before the days of oll-well “mysteries,” and the news of the strike on the Holmden farm soon spread through the region. The farm st once jumped among the millions in value. John and Abraham Prather wors wild. Their broth. er George was in the East trying to well the farm, and, ignorant of the oil strike, might even then have disposed of it for a song. Telegrams were sent him at Pittsburgh and Pailadelphia, but he could not be found. There was as yot no railroad communication between Oil City and Pittsburgh. George Prather owned a very fest and strong young horse, and John mounted that horse and started for Pitteburgh. He did not leave the saddle until he bad made the entire distance, nearly one hundred miles, over the crooked and hilly roads along the Allegheny river. At Pittsburgh he toek the cars for Philadeiphis. If the train had been one minute late the Prather boys would have lost $100.00, for John met his brother George snd Duncan on the Girard House steps, as they ware on their way to close out the sais of the farm for £100,000, The three took the next train for Pittaburgh, and reached the Holmden farm the day before the sixty days’ re fusal expired. Pithole creak was then overrun with ex- cited ofl speculators, and almost any price was offered for land. The rise of Pithols City bad begun. Mrs. Holmden, the old farmer's wife, refused to sign the deed to the farm unless the price was put at $190,000 and a present of £5,000 in gold was given her. The $125,000 was quickly raised by selling a very small interest in the farm, but the whole property came the §.000 in gold. It was obtained through the banker Culver of Houseville just in time to save the property. The Prather boys and Duncan made $4,000,000 on the property, and all left Pithole before the fost their fortunes afterward is specula- tion. George died in Meadville. The horse that had carried his brother to Pitts. burgh on that eventful January day with the news of the oll strike at Pithole was used by him for several years, and after his death was sold to the farmer who owned it until its death. Long before the crash came at Pithole it was known that the capital of the United States Ol Company was fietitious, and that its venture on the Holmden farm was entirely of the wildeat order, made for the of seliing its stock. That i8 be came suddenly one of the wealthiest com: panies ever organized In the oil regions and was enabled to pay enormous divi dends, was to none so much of a surprise as to ita projectors themselves. It made the fortare of every dne connected with it, and is referred to still as the most success ful wild-cat venture in the history of any speciation. WER Lowly-Born Cardinals. The death is announced in Upper Aus: Frederick Ganglebauner, only brother of Cardins! Ganglebauer, Arch. bishop of Vienna and Primate of the Em- sowing his flelds. Cardinal vimate of the Kingdom of the son of a village cobbler, mother T A Merry New Year !! y A . Old Fathnr Time, like the Harvester, annually gathers in the crop and 1887 like its predecessors has been stored away for reference only. 1888, in its gay and youthful attire is upon us, and with it brings new resolutions, inspiration and vigor. We enter the New Year with the best of wishes tow- ards all and kindly solict a share of your patronage’ MARPER & KREAMER'S STORE, Centre IFlall, Penn’a. When buying presents, always select something Handsome, Elegant and Durable, And it will be appreciated. Before buying, see our stock of jewelry : Gold Watches, Silver Watches, Ladies’ and Gents’ Watch Chains, Gold Watch Charms, Gold Bracelets, Gold Pens and Pencils, Rings, We handle reliable goods. and guarantee every article, a om Silverware ! Silverware) We bave a fine line of Bilverware, which has just been table service: 0-—CASTORS, CAKE DISHES, CUPS, PICKLE DISHES, KNIVES Also a fine line of Hanging and ~tand Lampe. gee our fine line of Xmas goods, received, suitable for FORKS, Cutlery a specialty. SPOONER, ETC, wes Come and BUSHMAN & KREAMER. » A cCORMICK BBOS, | Noor MICK BROS whe | H2:E | - DEALERS IN ALL KINDS-— --FURNITURE -:- Bed Room Suits, Parlor Suits, Side Boards, Lounges, Tables, Bedsteads, Wood and Cane-Seat Chairs, j KE T BR E i NT R KE A Trndertaking a Specialty. oy for Infants and Children. ——————— “Castoria is mo well adapted to children that i recomend iL ae SUPETIOr WO 807 proaci pion known to me.” H A Ancwes, B.D, 111 Be. Oxford 88. Brookiys, KN. Y. Onstoria « Bossy te Cras pent hoe, Bark sud prom Pum fF Kills Wor a, gives sleep, me Ee SUL . § Wiha injurious mediostion 172 Poulton § Tas Corravs Coursry reek. X.Y BOOKS, THREE CENTS EACH! Ths follow [ae And tow hed 18 any literature of tie ated 4 #4 fre Wd pel past i fon repdatls frye on pond 1 & the theapest books ever pab serure the best cont many MEGTIRE LF Tx Wonders of The Foreollint Robles. 4 oval, By 3 T. Carvon “Toe Old Oakes Chest. A Bored, BpBvivasant fe The Pearl of the Bopan. & Sow By Osatin ATReinTa, follow Ash Hall A Nove yy Renssnwy Buoy str aied fife owes, A Novel. Fy Pers WW Pivsce Under the Lilacs A Fowi. Fr the sumer of © the World, Wavomes tain dew + asd liusfetioes & wo ben’ seater aid of man, Very i= Wonders of the Boa 5 #88 baad Gangs Teand sl the baa Toa weir wil otk “8 Plossnre Erevilon™ and liga Arsene Wire” A saltsctios § remedy Pulay | Theothe Shots by 18 mat Pepiint Boaauerous wives ol he Sag { The Mamond Heraoelet The Aunt Kestah Papers, by Ouena Avsnsvs, asther | Woon, Finer aid of “Tos Bagg Docwimesis % meres vidigniveny fees dost | The Lawyer's Soopel, A Bevel, By Win ¥ ¥. Pasvoon, wii away way susan OWilew Bede" | The strange Onse of Pr. Jekyll and Me. Hyde 4 Chrictonss Sorlen, br Cranies Dreaes Bowel. Bs BruvaEeos, ramine of Le poor! charming Christapas sie POA Wiched Gipl. A Bowel Pr Many Dpeee Hay By the grostent writer who sve fived. Peaches Beoompiom Lady VYalwerth's Plamondes. A Novel Br “Tun Round the Evening Lemp. A book of stories pictures, | Promise ™ puerto and Fame, Bor Ube Little We 8 ome {| Between Twe Sina. A a Pepuiar Keettations snd Balague, bummons, drome. | hts Se ANontt. Tpit Punsun a ei mad eg of Wokern Himes Gost: | Raghay Kprrames Brot BY oar Weneas. Shlie and Mageaghint of tamneus 0001 Sade Amer leans, Fein Vie A Leow Marriage. A Suv, hy Sn Mes ox. Iles Ho Peli § present ved, BY tre Corsing Vamiliar tens. Costaitiog fhe erighs sod ssther. | A Bowel By Pooseecs Hansver, hip of many wees fregeentiy seek i8 reading end sen eRe swel, By Now Besnt Woon ten, A Taledie work of relrenos ny ¢ Petters A Bowel, By Moe. Asxuawown, Tow Life ta New York. A series of vield gon plet tons | Fuvight’s Daughton A Novel Showtng the dark side of 10% in The prent eit, Sibetrated i Bewanps. TUwerrared. The Road to Wenlth, Bot ss asvwbising eirosias, | Falr bat Falen, wy the author of * Dare werk, pointing evi a way BF i Ta i 2 Bead : * Gune Handred FPopsier won tigentte |, palhelly | Flwerrarcd i : and nomic, My woot of She Sarerites, new and a 2Jisrence Teinglon's Oath. A Novel. ip, A Wowsl, § Wes #% kowes Foamivs. . Pawan sw. Fibwetrated. A Rin. A Kovet: Er Hamon Banawn, " ake Woman Hater. A Bowel, By Dr. J. 0, Bawiweon, - A Fowl, By LE ad a Frarnens, The Collfersia Cabin. A Bowl. By M. ¥. Ganon, We will send any four of the abors books mai] port paid npen sereiptof only 18 Cente; aay fon for Bae doy to A 5 Cents Agr dies books} Tor 35 Cents the sutire 11a bound in boards as back, for 81,1 Thisis the DASEALS |B books ever . Pewmot fail totake advantage of iL, we 1 thor poised © Nee : n ean Sadren ol ietters: LB the veiling sud lnstrastive A Esai viggieon of the any wands? dans of the vosnn, with | FT Cibeor Bhrtohen Fr Pore 4 Lowel Ty Bre Beene Coxtalne & oy weer wren Pr the suther of “ Dore Br Baw, Arvin A Xowel, By Bre, B.V. Yeorea By Wen, Masry dakeg for Leach one of a dollar. As to our reliability, Tikewise to Commervia] Agencies, All tied by N, Publisher, No 08 Murray Sircet, New York, of ives its literature of lasting inten) | and beautifully 0g) ready Seautify J 8.cst and value. it is ful GEE) illustrated and has a more than national circulation ‘exceeding 125.000 copies monthly. X HA A AS A A A A&A CENTS A NUMBER: $3°° A YEAR A LL a A ET ness rs. | arles Scribners Sons the Publishers enable us § to offer SCRIBNER'S MAGAZINE with the N*¥ PLAINING MILL, At Loeust Grove,near Grove and Woif's Faw Mill. IBA BARGER, has just opened a new mill st the above pla og rderso SASH, — and and is prepared 16 111 al een DOO RE, nen FLD IR Gr, res MOULDING BRACKETS, or auything elie in his line, Hales as reasonable as elsewhere, andsatisfaction gusraniend UNDERTAKING, » . . 4 in all its branches, attended to, and an elegant hearse for fu nerals. iRA T. BARGER, Gfebly Bpring Mills . ELMO HOTEL, A Nc. 817 & 819 Arch Street, Philadelp? Roduced rates to $200 per day traveling public will still find at thi tel the sume liberal provision comfort, Itislocated in the immedy contres of business and places of an went and different railroad depots as all parts ofthe city, are sasily accersil by Street Cars constantly pase dnors It offers speecinl inducement to those visitingthecity for bus plessure. Your patronage rospect 11y saliciia JOB M. FEGER Pr ry v.06 ng Tools, and d CONN. TING ARMS CO. NCHESTER REPEA oa BY THE f all kinds, 0 Ammunition HAVEN, MANUFACTURED WwW Shot Rifles, Rel INCHESTER Send for 76-Pago ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE MENTION THIS PAPER. EXNEYLVANIA RAILROAD — (Phisd and Erie Divisioni-—on snd after B WESTWARD. ERIE MAIL leaves philas iphis..... . - : | BE ns - Jersey Bhore...... " Lock Haven... - Benowo. cn arr at Erie... . NEWE EXPRESS leaves Philadelphia... - « Harrisburg Montandon " Williamsport “ srr af Lock Haven NIAGARA EXP.leaves Philadelphia . - Harrisburg " - Mentandon .. » arr at Williamsport - - jack Haven : - ROBOT... curren ines oi - BABE .cnncrinrisnm BBD AST LINE leaves Philadelphia........... 11 " . HarriabuIR...c.onmisn = 4 - Montandon ... - Willian eport.. cus. 7 - Lock Haven. arr at Renovo (Bundsy Train. SUNDAY MAIL leaves Fhimadeiphin - " - Harristarg. - Mountandon.. - Willismsport - Tock Haven... 01 3 arrives Bebovh. eo. wll EASTWARD poREDRY tye epusaenY B ESB EE © st 43 8 8 el ug 3 gpSEEgEN EEEEES Jersey Bhore.. - Willlameport... Mon 8... Ratiighung pt Philadelphia a $8 - - arr at CEH U UTTER ETRE EEEPHES CUEEEREDBREEEBEBEBUE or » t he - Lock Haven... - Willismeport.... gt Harrisburg «eee Philadelphia - 5d Philadelphis....... Sunday Train--RENOVO Accomm i on Sunday. : ERIE MAIL leaves Erie....commmnn - Rewoy OYTO - Look Haven... Williamsport... foniandon Ereveses ge wd de RS wt va 8G am BRURESS sespuyy Weel, an at Lock Ha connect at Krie with with B. Pa g 5% ; WERE ey I EESEEEENBNEEERSLSBuE” we