The Tax Rate,
Nothing touches the individual so
much as tax-paying, He is always
It was a matter of economy for the
Democratic board of county commis
sioners to increase the tax rate in Cen-
tre county from three to five mills, be-
cause had this increase not been made
Centre county would be obliged to
have paid interest on an indebtedness
caused by the extravagance of a Re-
publican board of county commis-
sioners.
By raising the tax rate the Demo-
cratic board was enabled not only to
conduct the business of the county,
but pay the Republican debt inherited
and leave a neat surplus in the treas-
ury, which the auditors’ statement
now being prepared will doubtless
show,
Under present conditions—all debts
paid and a surplus on hand —the
present board of commissioners can, if
it wishes, easily reduce the millage
again to three mills, and by practicing
strict economy should come out even
at the close of three years. By doing
this on a three mill tax levy would be
no better financiering tian was done
by the board whom they succeeded.
————————— sans
Grange Fire Insurance Co, Reorganizes,
The Centre County Mutual Fire In.
surance Company, Patrons of Hue-
bandry, commonly called the Grange
company, was reorganized at the an.
nual meeting held last week in Belle
fonte. There were two changes in the
officers—Hon. John T. MeCormick, of
State College, retiring as vice presi.
dent, and James A. Keller, of Centre
Hall, as secretary. The boara at pres-
ent is constituted as follows : Presi-
dent, I. 8. Frain, Marion township ;
Vice President, George Ebnbs, Half
Moon township ; Secretary, David K
Keller, Potter township ; Treasurer,
George I. Goodhart, Centre Hall.
The business of the company was
very flattering. The changes made cn
the board were not on secount of any
disruption.
—————————
Service st Spring Mills,
The Christmas service rendered by
the Reformed Bunday School at Spring
Mills was well sttended. Two very
interesting numbers on the program
were a cantata, “ In search of the
King,” by Misses Gertrude Musser,
Jennie Huss and Laura Siegal. Two
beautiful songs were sang by these
young ladies, ** Heaven's guiding ray,”
and “ O, Holy night.” There was
also a dialogue, * Gleaming candles,”
by Class No. 3. Collection was lifted
by Misses Maud Auman, Laura Slega',
Ruth and Gertrude Musser, while the
organist, Mis: Rishel, was playing
* Meditation.” Dr. Wolf made sn
excellent address, after which the gifts
wer. distributed to the children. *.*
I A ——
Keith's Theatre,
Zelie de Lussan, prima donna, for.
merly of the Metropolitan Grand
Opera Company, is the headliner st
Keith's Theatie, Philadelphia, this
week. The Fadettes are giving their
second and lsst week of orchestral
music at this popular playhouse, An
Earopean novelty is Hugh Lioyd, the
- bounding rope wonder, One of his
feats consists in turning a somersanlt
on a taut rope while playing a violin.
“ A Night With the Poets’ is an sre
tist'c, musical and spectacular creation
by George Homan. Kaufman Broth.
ers, in Burlesque Grand Operas ; The
Comrades, comedy acrobats; Carson
and Willard, giving * The Dutch in
Egypt” ; Cooper and Robinson, the
best colored duo ‘In vaudeville,
other numbers of interest,
AA OO SH.
Odd Fellows Honor Ohlef,
C. W. Myers, of Harrisburg, grand
master of the Pennsylvania Odd
Fellows has been presented with s
handsome gavel and case by Oda
Fellows in the Eighth Allegheny
District. The gavel is composed of
200 pieces of seventeen different kind
of wood from as many different parts
of the world, and is the handiwork of
District Deputy Daniel E Bpangler,
of Hays.
A a a
It is not a great long time until the
caucuses will be held to nominate can
didates for the spring election. It is
of vest importance to every property
holder that sll local offices are held by
capable, honest and progressive men,
and in order that this class of officers
may be elected, it is necessary to place
such men in nomination. It is not
too early to look over the fleld, and
count the available timber,
—— A rf ——————
W. Gross Mingle offers at private
buggy, open Concord wagon, two sets
’ w . ok wo.
Grange Legislative Committee,
Past Master Leonard Rhone, of
Centre county ; Past Master W. F.
Hill, of Huntingdon county ; Rev. H.
G. Leagarden, of Punxsutawney ;
John A. McSparran, of Lancaster
county { A. M. Cornell, of Bradford
county; 8. 8. Blyholder, of Armstrong
county, and Thomss BSharpless, of
Chester county, constitute the
Btate Grange legislative commit.
tee, which committee held a meeting
ia Harrisburg last week. This com-
mittee will prepare a bill to be intro-
duced in the state legislature asking
that the state pay thesalaries of public
8chool teachers, and will also prepare
a statement showing that rural com-
munities should be relieved of this
portion of the expense occasioned by
the public school system.
A ———
Will Begin Batchering,
Under the proper head is annodneced
the public sale of farm stock and im-
plements to be held by Clair G.
Stamm, of near Colyer, on January
29th, and shortly thereafter he will
succeed William Meyer, at Spring
Mills, »8 buicher, having purchased
his equipment and wusiness. The
Reporter wishes him success in his
uew undertaking.
rt ——————
Oda Fellows and Yebekahs Banquet,
The local order of Independent Odd
Fellows and Rebekahs will hold their
annual bacquet Friday evening, Jan-
uary 15th, in Grange Arcadia.
se ft sm—————
LOCALS
And what if a fire should occur in
‘entre Hall 7 Are we prepared for it ?
Mr. and Mrs. James B. Nef! have
moved from their ranch to Antonito,
Colorado.
John G. King, of Centre Hall, has
been seriously ill during the past two
weeks or more
Robert Glasgow will succeed Clair
(i. Btamm ss tenant on the 'Bquire
Housemso farm, near Colyer,
Rev. J.B. SBhallz is now located in
Pine Grove Mills and since the begin.
niog of the year is the pastor of the
Lutheran charge at that place.
Mr. snd Mrs. Samuel Durst, of near
Certre Hall, the latter part of last
week, drove to Mifflin county to visit
Mr. and Mrs. James Durst and family.
Joseph Ballor, of Reedsville, is
nursing a broken arm, baving received
the fracture by being thrown from a
horse. He is the husband of May
Kreitzer, formerly of Centre Hall,
B. D Brisbin & Company have set
up and put into operation » pew saw
mill on the Bartges lumber tract, east
of Old Fort. The mill was purchased
from A. B. Farquhar, the York man-
ufacturer,
Fred, the seven-year-old son of Mr.
snd Mrs. Arthur L. Blutterbeck, of
vear Tusseyville, has been a sufferer
fram inflammatory rheumatism for
the past five or more weeks. At pres
From Miliheim Journal,
Isalab Fiedler, of Fravklinville, N.
Y., spent some time recently with his
brother, H. N. Fiedler, at Madison-
burg.
Mr. and Mrs. J, Bpigelmyer spent
several days during the past week
with their daughter, Mrs. Charles
Bassler, at Freeburg,
Mr. and Mrs, J. Adam Bowersox,
of Benor, Pa., were guests of friends
and former acquaintances in this
section during the week,
Mrs. Emma C. Miller and daughter,
of Williamsport, spent several days
Inst week with relatives and friends in
this place.
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Koch, of Bun-
bury, spent several days last week st
the home of Mrs. Koch’s parents, Mr.
and Mrs, Stephen Meyer.
Gurney Boob, in company with
Charles Corman, of Smullton, spent
the holiday week at the home of Mr.
and Mrs. 8. A. Cole, at Newport.
F. B. Btover and wife, who were
visiting their daughter, Mrs. CO. F.
Garrett, left for their home at Han-
over, Pa, on Monday, and were ac-
companied by their granddaughter,
Miss Mary Garrett.
a A A A—————
Primaries Saturday, January 23.
The primaries for the nomination of
candidates for local offices will be held
in the boroughs and townships in
Centre county, Saturday, 28rd instant,
i
LOCAL AND PERSONAL
Jobn L. Holmes represented the in.
terests of State College at a meeting of
the rallway commission st Harris
burg.
Miss Edith Royer, 6f Centre Hill, ia
at Flat Rock, Ohio, where she is mak-
log her home for the present with a
brother,
Asher Stahl killed a gray fox and a
raccoon, while ou a short hunting trip
on Nittany Mountain, the latter part
of last week.
James BR Hughes, principal of the
Bellefoute Academy since 1900, has
resigned. He will remain uotil the
commencement in June,
The MiMlinburg News, in its Vol-
ume 1, No. 34, stated that after Mon-
day W. H. Willis, of Philadelphia,
would have charge of the paper,
Mr. and Mre. J. O. Bloom, of Sioux
City, Is, who have been visiting the
former's mother, Mrs. W. E. Comfort.
at Btate College, for the past two
months, left for Washington.
If you have printing to do, bring it
to the Reporter office. The work you
will have done here will please you
Prices are down to the bottom con-
sidering the grade of work and ma-
terial used.
be established at State College. This
will greatly add to the mail conven-
lences of that” borough. There will be
two general deliveries, and one special
in the business section,
ent be is somewhat improved.
It is a pleasure to note that the new
subscribers to the Centre Reporter
continue to come in with a rush.
Subscriptions are being paid with
such promptoess that there will be
little left for the ** statement” msn
to do,
J. Herbert Ward, who for a number
of yeas has been station agent,
bageasge master, express agent and
general factotum at the Pine Grove
Mills station on the Bellefonte Central
railroad, has resigned his position and
sold out what other interests he had
in Pine Grove Mills aod moved to
Treverton, Northumberland county,
where he will keep a general supply
store.
log considerable attention, Apparent.
ly the suimal is not only unmercifully
beaten, but is also underfed. Abuse
of dumb animals should not be toler
ated, and those under whose observa-
tion the offense falls should promptiy
order the arrest of the hesrtiess man.
Constables who observe cruelty of this
Sori may arrest without warrant,
ring the year 1008 Register and
Recorder H. C. Burkett, of MifMin
county, issued two hundred marriage
licenses. In the preceding year, 1907,
two hundred and seventy-seven mar-
riage licenses were granted by the
same county official. Thus it will be
seen that Centre county is not the
only counly in which the females
failed to increase marriages by being
given privileges in the one year in four,
Messrs. J. B, Heberling and J, Paul
Rearick will enter Into ip
sod open a farniture store at Btate
College and in connection with it will
conduct an undertaking establishment.
J: Bamuel Rowe is
Mra. Mary Quinn, one of the oldest
women of Bellefonie, died at her home
there, sged eighty-four years. She
bad been an invalid for a number of
years. Bhe was the widow of the late
James Quinn, and was a resident of
Bellefonte for many years,
A A rt AAAS.
Potters Mills,
Mrs. Thomas Henney, of Latrobe,
visited her mother, Mra. Anna Hart.
man, a few days last week,
Harry Wilkinson and Earl Smith
spent Baturday with friends at Bpring
Mills,
Pat. Garrity had a bard fall on the
ice a few weeks ago and hart his ankle
However, he is able to be about again.
Mrs. Mary Long, who had her leg
broken some time ago, is getting along
very nicely, considering her age,
There is quite a lot of sickness in
the communi'y, which keeps the
doctor busy,
Albert Zimmerman wishes to return
hearty thanks to a number of hie
scholars who presented him with a
lovely water set,
Baby Margaret Burns, who Is ill at
the home of Reuben Colyer, has been
very sick, but at this writing is much
better,
Michael Bmith and wife, of this
Spring Mills, are visiting their broth.
er, Luther Bmith, st Johvstown,
Willism Auman is becoming quite
feeble. He makes his home with his
daughter, Mrs. Blauser. His son,
Philip, of Johnstown, was to see him
last week,
John Btrong's sale Saturday
ALEXANDER SHANNON,
In the last issue of the Centre Re-
porter a brief statement of the death of
Alexander Bhannon, which occurred
in Bmith Centre, Kansas, December
26, was printed. The following is
clipped from the Smith County Pio-
neer, published in Bmith Centre :
The funeral cortege which followed
the remains to the burial grounds, wae
one of the largest ever witnessed in
the city. It was headed by three Ma-
sonic bodies, in the van of which
marched the Knights Templars in
uniform, their white plumes waving
in the soft breeze, followed by the
Royal Arch and Blue Lodge Masons,
Four children survive him, all being
present except Orris W., who is in
California and could not be- present.
Those who were here were John and
Sadie, of Bmith Centre, and Mrs. T. 8.
Terry, of Downs. Other surviving
near relatives is a brother, Rov, 8. G.
Shanvon, of Philadelphia, Pa.,, a
clergyman in the Evangelical Luther-
an church. Mrs, Bhannoon died three
Years ago
The following brief sketch of his life
was written by Mr. Bhaonon, in 1899 :
“I, Alexander Shannon, born May
<3, 1834, in Potter township, Centre
county, Pennsylvania, was raised on a
farm, receiving very limited common
school education. On the first day of
April, 1852, engaged with John Poor-
man, of Millhelm, Pa., as an appren-
tice to learn the trade of cabinet msk-
ing st the princely salary of $15 per
year, served two years after which
worked principally at the carpenter
trade,
March 20th, 1856, was married to
Isabells Royer by Rev. Robert Ham-
mil io the hotel parlor in Boalsburg,
Centre county, Pennsylvania. Con-
tinued to work at cabinet making and
carpenteriog until 1868 when elected a
Justice of the peace in and for Centre
ounty, Pennsylvania, also secretary
of the Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance
company of Centre county, Pennsyl-
vanis, io which capacity served until
April 1873, when both offices were re.
signed, haviog decided to remove from
the state and settle in the west. Daur-
ing the month of May ( same year )
moved from Pennsylvania, settling in
Lena, 111, where the manufacturing
of buggies was engaged in until the
fall of 1851 when that business wus
abandoned and that of life insurance
taken up for the Northwestern Ma-
sonic Ald Association of Chicago, IL,
a= a general agent, covering 8 number
of states, up to 1594 when that position
was resigned to take position with the
United States Masonic Benevolent
Associatin of Council Blufls, Iowa,
ss special agent. Served as such until
May, 1595, when elected one of the
directors and adjusting agent of the
company ; two years later was elected
their treasurer and second vice presi-
dent, am holding the above four po-
sitions at this writing, August 29, 1899,
March, 1885, bought a quarter sec
tion ( 160 acres ) of land near Bmith
Centre, Smith county, Kaus., to which
we, the family, moved in March, 18886,
with bat little of this world’s goods,
but a determination to (in this new
country ) carve out for us a home. As
to our success up to the present, the
casual observer ean judge,
* Religion, Evangelical Lutheran.
Fraternal, Masouic, Was made sa
Master Mason in Bellefonte Lodge No.
2S F. & A. M. December, 1568, Was
made a Royal Arch Masson in Belle
fonte Chapter of Royal Arch Masons
No. 141 in Bellefonte, Pa., September,
1872. Was created and dubbed a
Knight Templar in Constance Com-
mandery No. 33 in Bellefonte, a, in
the year 1572. April, 1875, the grades
of the Beottish Rite from the 4th to
the 320d inclusive was conferred upon
me in Freeport Consistory, 8. P, R, 8.
in Freeport, Ill. Have filled by elec
tion as well as by appointment many
important stations in the several
bodies of Masonry.”
Mr. Shannon will be kindly remem-
bered by many of the readers of the
Reporter although not a resident of
Centre Hall for the past thirty-four
years,
He had been a sufferer from kidney
trouble during the past three
and both he and his family were aware
that the end of his life was near at
hand,
Within the past six weeks death &
almost wiped out the elder generation
of the MuMay fimilies, one so well
known in Sustra county. (no Novem.
home in Philadelphia, and in Decem-
ber his brother, Joseph T. Muffley,
died in the same city, and last week
MaMey,
the government
Neb,
Joseph Wendell
after his birth. At the breaking out
of the Civil War he was among the
first to enlist from this section, going
as a private in Company B, 146th regi-
ment, in command of Col. James A.
Beaver. His regiment participated in
most of the hard battles of the Vir.
ginla campaign, and at Gettysburg he
was wounded by a spent shell, During
the leave of absence then granted to
him he was married to Miss Mary
Baker, of Howard. At the close of
the war he with his wife and child
went to Des Moines, Towa. Beveral
years ago Captain Muffley wrote the
history of the 145th Pennsylvania
Volunteers, which is now accepled as
a0 authority on the campaigns of that
regiment,
R. AUSTIN KRAPE.
The death of R. Austin Krape oc
curred in a state institution at Harris
burg, to which place he was taken
about three years ago after a prolonged
illness. His age was/ about thirty-
eight years,
Interment will be made at Centre
Hall this ( Thursday ) morning, ten
o'clock, the body having been shipped
toarrive on the train from the esst.
Services will be held ja the Reformed
church, Rev. Daniel Gress and Dr. D.
M. Wolf to officiate.
Deceased was the son of James
Krape, formerly of Ferguson town-
ship, and is survived by a sister, Mrs.
G. Calvin King, of Spring Mills, and
three brothers, George, John and Best.
Also a widow, nee Mattie Geary, and
a daughter, Edna, aged about twelve
Years,
The death of Bamuel A. Bell, occur-
red very suddenly at his home in
Bellefonte, Thursday of last week.
Apparently in good health, he hed
been engaged in building a family
vault in the Stewart lot in the Union
cemetery. While on the way to the
cemetery on the afternoon of the day
mentioned he became suddenly ill and
died about three o'clock from heart
disease Mr. Bell was born in Aarons
burg, bis age being almost seventy-
four years. About 1868 he was mar.
ried to Miss Priscills W, Hall, who
survives as do the following brothers
and sisters : Mrs. Webb, of Texas ;
Charles, of Huntingdon ; C. C., of
Altoons, and Mrs, Hull, of Asronsburg,
JONATHAN DINGES,
Jonathan Dinges disd at his home in
Penn township, of diseases Incident to
old age, he having attained the age of
eighty-three years, ome month and
eight days. He leaves to survive s
widow, four sous and three daughters :
Alfred, of Freeporf, Ill ; Milford, of
Kalamszoo, Mich. : Cloyd, of Coburn :
Frank, at home ; Mrs. Alice Cain, of
Bellefonte ; Mrs. J. L. Whitmyer, of
Akron, Obio, snd Mrs. C. H. Breon,
of Millheim. Interment in the Union
cemetery st Millbeim,
PETER A. CONFER.
Peter A. Confer, an aged and respect
ed citizen of Millheim, died at his
home Monday morning of last week of
cancer, aged eighty-one years, two
months, twenty-five days. He leaves
to survive a widow and the following
children : Mrs. Lavina Nearhoo 1, of
Aurora, Ill ; P. F. Confer sod John
Confer, of Millheim ; Emanuel Confer,
of Penn township, and Edward Con.
fer, of Chicago.
Mrs. Ellen Mattern, wife of Jacob D.
Mattern, sud one of the best known
women in Buffalo Ran Valley, died
after a year's illness from heart trouble
and a complication of diseases. She
was a daughter of John and Mary
Waseon, and was born at Centre Fur
nace, her age being seventy. four years,
eight months, Her husband and one
adopted son, Albert Mattern, of Bootia,
survive. Bhe was a member of the
Presbyterian church and Rev. W, K.
Harnish officiated at the funeral.
—
Mrs. Cornelius Kane died at ber
Lome in Howard after a lingering ill.
ness from stomach trouble. She was
aged about seventy-six years, and is
survived by the following children :|
Mary, of Bryn Mawr ; Mrs,
burg ; Minnie, of Spring Lake, N, J,
John, of Ridgway ; James, of
’
Zion,
and Annle, at home, ;
TOWN AND COUNTY NEWS,
HAPPENINGS OF LOCAL INTEREST
FROM ALL PARTS.
Eilis Shaffer, manager of the Ward
House, Tyrone, was at Madisonburg
last week,
Joseph Myers has sold his house in
Millheim to John DD. Keen. Con-
sideration $600, :
Daring the year 1908 only 294 mar-
riage licenses were granted in Centre
county againet a former yearly aver-
age of 340,
Monday morning John D. Meyer
began his duties ae tremsurer of the
Blair County Title and Trust Com-
pany, in Altoona,
License was granted the Brant
house, Bellefonte, James N COnAD, pro-
prietor. The license had been held up
by the court for a short time.
Announcement has been made of the
engagement of Miss Jennie Harris, of
Bellefonte, and John Van Pelt, of
Barneaboro, the wedding to take place
in February.
Thursday night was the coldest dur-
ing this winter, the thermometer hav-
ing registered five degrees above zero,
The lowest mark previous to thst date
was nine degrees,
Andrew (I. Rote, of Farmers Mills,
tenant on the McClintic farm owned
by I. J. Zabler, was a caller Friday.
Mr. Rote will remain on the farm he
now tills, being contented with his lot,
Frank Shutt was disabled from
blacksmithing for the past ten days
owing to an injury received while
shoeing a horse. The animal threw
the blacksmith, and in falling his
shoulder was injured.
F. F. Wetzel has sold his milk route
in Millheim to Charles F. Stover, Mr,
Wetzel has been delivering milk in
that place for the past twenty-two
years and on account of ill health was
obliged to quit the business.
The Reporter has. an abridged re
port of the address of Col. 8. L. Btiver,
of Bunker Hill, Illinois, delivered be-
fore the Peansylvania Bociety, in Bt,
Louis, Missouri, and will print the
same in its columns in the near future,
The well-known implement agent,
F.T. Baker, is now register and re
corder of Union county, and conse
quently will no longer make his usaal
trips through Centre county, but will
be found st the Union county court
house,
From present indications horses
will be as high priced next spring as
ever. The conditions ard® surely in
the seller's favor. Cows and young
cattle, especially the former, aré up in
price, and no doubt will be worth even
more money io March than at present,
Mayor Stephens, of Lock Haven, is
after one of the fire companies in Lock
Haven, and recently fined a bunch of
them for drinking beer on a Bunday
afternoon in the fire company’s
quarters. The offenders are opposing
the payment of the fines and as a con.
sequence things in Lock Haven are
generally mixed up,
The term of imprisonment in the
Western Penitentiary imposed on
Jacob From, of Centre Hall, expired
Inst ,» but he was unable to return
home on account of sickness. He has
been confined in the prison hospital
for some weeks owing to a severe
attack of typhoid fever. As soon as
he recovers sufficiently he will be set
free,
It appears I. J. Zubler will move
from his farm, west of Spring Mills, to
the property purchased by him from
Mr. Wise, at Spring Mills, during
April, and that Cleveland Eungard,
Mr. Zabler’s son-in-law, will after that
time conduct the farm. There will be
no public sale of stock and imple
ments, Mr. Eungard having arranged
to take over the stock,
William Groh Hoffer, for a number
of years editor and proprietor of the
Willshire Herald, in Willshire, Ohio,
sold his y printing plant and
real estate in that town to E. G. Spade,