DANVILLE INTELLIGENCER VOL LXXVI. MASONRY WAS COM PLETED SATURDAY Caldwell. Barry aud Lard, who had the contract of building tlie abut ments aud piers for the uew bridge, have completed their work. The Imt atone nan placed on the north ahut lueut on Saturday evening, Deoembor 3, at 6:15 o'clook. The firat 112 one was laid ou Monday, September 1 at 2:15, the intervening tiuio being three inontlis less nine daya. Had the Hoiseheads Construction ooinpany, who Inn the sob-contract tor electing the iiou work,showed the sjuie zeal or a like hustle of "trying to do something" as did Caldwell, Barry & Leonard the bridge would have been nearly ready now for the 1 DM of the public. Bat they didn't and in consequence their part of the con tract is not near completion ; aud there are no positive indications as to when ir will bo finished. One span of the irou work is in posi tion, liot Chert) is any amount of rivet 111K and fastening of joints and girders in be done jet. The false work be tween the second and third pier was placed in position last Thursday,since which time most of the floor system lias been pat in. After getting start td ilio workmen promised to complete a>pinaweek. So fur that promise bit not been kept and at the present raie of Bpeed.tho Horsuheads Construo *:o:i Company will do well if it suc c««ds in finishing a span every two weeks. When it became known about town t;»» tiie last htoiiu on tlie ahatment WA- to be laid some lime daring Sat tidiy afternoon, quite a large crowd gathered on the shore to witness the cccro. They commenced to gather as isriyas 8 o'clock. Some became weary of w aiting,and didn't tarry lorg. Oth «ia remained steadfast on the ground until the end, bearing the extreme void nobly. That was no easy task. Mercary stood at a very uncomfort able point to say the least, ' aud the wind blew "big guns," whistling all kind of tunes into frost bitten ears, with the exception of "Good Old Sum mer Time." A group of boys huddled around a Bre built on the bank and by constantly revolving around the blaze they managed to keep their blood in fairly good circulation. When the last stone was finally lowered into posi tion by the big derrick the spectators trended away feeling thankfol that at least,the stoue work of the bridge was completed. Rural Delivery Growing. WASHINGTON, Dec. B.—Extension of the rural free delivery servioe has resulted iu au increase of 1,125 iu the Dumber of port offices discontinued during the fiscal year outled June 80, 1904, according to the anuuai report of J. L. Bristow, Fourth Assistant Postmaster Gene ill, rnadu public to day. Daring the year there weie 3,549 post offices established aud 5,587 dis continued. There was a decrease of 158 in the number of offices establish ed. The principal cause of the iucroase in discontinuance has beeu the exteu ■lon of the raral free delivery Bervice. The total number of discontinuances was 8,750 post offices, with a saving In salaries of postmasters aggregating 9171,131. At tho close of the fiscal year there were 71,181 post offices in the Uuited States—2slS fir»t class, 1,204 second class, 3,896 third class,and Ho,- 766 fourth class. Operation of rural mail delivery and the extension by private interests of rural telephone service has created a demand from patrons of rural routes' for the delivery of small packages of merchandise on an order to looal mer chants by postal card, telephone or otherwise. The value of such packages is small and the present rate of one oeat per ounce, the report says,is prac tically prohibitive. Mr. Bristow re commends that Congress fix a rate of three cents per pound,or any fraction al part thereof, on packages not ex ceeding five pounds,mailed at the dis tribute g post office of auy rural free delivtry route. If this special rate were established, Mr. Biistow says, it would be a great convenience to pat rous and become a source of revenue to the department. It is estimated that (500,000 will be needed by the department to continue the establishment of rural routes as fast as they are favorably reported and approved for the remainder of the cur rent fiscal year. It is likely that 1,200 route* will be reported within the next two months, and at this rate the ap propriation available will be exhaust ed about January 15, 1905. An appropriation of $3,000,000 for the establishment of new routes will be asked by the department for the fiscal year ondiug June 30, lUOU l'here are uow iu operation 28,073 route*. It is estimated that approxi mately 2,000 additions! routes can be established out of the appropriation uow available, making 30,078 which will be in operation or ordered estab lished ty January 15, iao.">. Ferry Again Running. The ferry boat resumed operations yest rdav morning and made regular trips t>ll day. The ytream was practically clear of floating ice, hut the low stage of the water made it for the ferry* meu to keep a close walcii iu order to avoid running aground. That was the only serious difficulty they had to con tend with, but notwithstanding it, they made fairly good time in getting across. TURN ON THE STREET LIGHTS The matter of street lights is now attracting general attention and caus ing considerable talk throughout Dan ville, these short wiuter days when the sun is ou duty a few hours out of every 24. It is the result of tli« aro light* not being turned on until after dark in the evening and shut off before dawn. These hours of darkness exist at a time when the majority of the people iu town need light the worst. Persona ou their way to and from work or business, are compelled to feel their way through the surrounding black ness of the night or morning, at the | risk of life and limb by tripping on I dilapidated sidewalks or falling over au embankment. This nnpleaaant con dition of affairs fellows the steps tak en by the oity authorities some time ago, when they, in order to econo mize, deoreased the hours of lighting the streets from 13 aud 14 bours to 12. The city oontraot with the Stand ard Eleotrio Light Company for street lights, olosed on November 1. At that time the municipal light plant was expected to be in operation by December 16. The Standard Eleotrio Light Company for the short interven ing period refused to renew the oon traot with the city for the same price that the contraot for a year called for. Consequently the city was obliged to pay a higher rate, or be without any light at all during the following month and a half. So, in order to equalize things, or rather economize, the oity authorities adopted the plan of short ening the hours of burning the light. Orders were issued to start them at 6 o'clock in the evening and to turn them out at 6iu the morning, doubt less not taking into consideration the long period of .darkness the streets wonld be engulfed iu before and after turning on and off the ourrent. Had the question at issue been neoes sary earlier in the season, when the days were longer and the nights short er, it would have worked all right Now the situation is vastly different, and there Is too much risk at stake to permit the present condition of affairs to oontinue. Danville citizens are placed under great inconvenience. While the method taken to save the city a little expense may be a com mendable one on the part of those who brought it about.it is looked upon and referred to as false economy, pure and simple. Change the order of things. It may save trouble and untold ex pense. The little extra it will oost the city for the few hours more light de manded, won Id be small in comparison to a suit for damages. That would be an expensive lnxury, wfn or lose. Another reason jwhyjthe lights should burn longer, is because of the uncer tainty of the length of time that must elapse before the munioipal plant can be putin operation. One thing is sure. It will not be ready on Deoember 16. The Light Committee is having trou ble of its owu. It is relative to poles being delivered that do not measure up to the standard the specifications call for. They are being condemned right along,and many were in position that will have to be removed from the holes and replaced with others. Then, until that obstacle is overcome, there will be no munioipal eleotrio light plant in Danville That leaves but one way out of the present difficulty. Arrange for the present light to burn from the first shadow of darkness, to the first gleam of light the next morning. Progressing More Rapidly. The Horseheads Construction Com pany is certainly entitled to credit for what it has accomplished this week, relative to pushing the iron work on the new bridge along. The second span is up,the last piece having boon placed io positiou last night. Work was beguu on it on Sun day. and only four days cousomed in putting the many heavy seotions of iron together. That was the most rapid advaucemeut made by the company since operations were started, and if the present speed continues it will not be a great while that the public will be obliged to depend upon an un certain ferry to get aoross the river. The third span will be started as soou as the false work is in position, and will be pushed towards comple tion as rapidly as circumstances will permit. Every indication now points to a speedy completion of the bridge, the contractors having determined to finish it at the earliest possible mo ment. Funeral of Newton Reifsnyder. The funeral of Newton H. Reifsny der took plaoe from the residence of his brother Thomas Reifsnyder, Clin roll street. Tuesday afternoon at two o'clock. Rev. S. B. Evans of Saint Paul's Methodist Episoopal church officiated. The pall bearers were Jo siah Jobboru,Lewis Kesater, Benjamin Foulke, William Crotty,Arthur Freeze and Charles Sohuster. Interment was made in Fairview cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Reifsnyder, son John and daughter Rena of Altoona, attended the funeral. Tho Board of Health of West Ber wick in its report to the Borough Gonnoil Tuesday night estimated that there have been in all not leu than two hundred cases of measles in that plaoe. it is thought, has piett; well ran its ooarse. "PUEDOBB BUT TO TRUTH, TO LUUHHT AN» UW-M FAVOB SWATS US AND NO T>AB BHATJ. ATI" DAVNILLE, MONTOUR COUNTY. PA., FRIDAY, DECEMRER 9, 1904 MEETING OF COUNCIL Borough Counoil met iu regular ses sion Friday. The |tn9mbers present wer<>: Gceser, David Gibson, Vastine, Davis, Boyer, Fenstormaolier, Joseph Gibson, Lloyd, Deitrich, Swank aud Reifsnyder. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. The Borough Treasurer's report was read and accepted. It wag moved and seconded that the Reading Railroad Company be request ed to place a watchman at the Spruce and Center streets crossings. Motion oarried. On motion of Mr. Qibson the insui anoe on the Fire Engine Houses were ordered renewed with the companies which they are now insured. The Light Committee reported that a number of the poles for the municip al light plant are too small, aud have been condemned. Some that are in position will have to be taken oat and replaced with others. No poles under 7 inches at the top will be accepted by the Committee. Joseph Gibson stated that he had been informed that the Good Will Fire Company's building was being used for improper purposes; not by members of the organization but by outsiders who had seoured keys in some manner. On motion it wat decided to dis affirm the matter of the judgments en tered against property holders for non payment of taxes, aud ordered tho tax collector to collect the taxes. Mr. Watts who has charge of plant ing the new electric light poles desir ed to know if he would be compelled to put down 35 foot poles where he couldn't raise tnem on account of wires, or to use his judgment where such obstacles were encountered and cut them off. He was instructed to use his own judgment. The tax collector was exonerated from the taxes of 1902 aud IDO3. Mr. Burcliflehl.a representative of the Watertown Eugiue Company, who was in town a few days ago, stated to a Oonnoilman while here, that the en gine ordered for the electrio light plant, would not give satisfaction when ran with 65 poand pressure. It would aot last a year. .He advised that 85 poand prossure aud a feed pump be used on the same engiue. It was de olded to order the pomp from the Watertown Engine Company, and Oounoil to stand half of the expense. BOROUGH DEPARTMENT Regular Employes t 82.50 Standard Eleotrio Light Co. ... 469.21 Standard Gas Co 8.60 S. J. Weill ver 1.15 H. Prentiss 2.06 O. E. Lunger 1 00 John W. Karnsworth 15.00 Miles, Pelfer & Co 15.00 Franklin Boyer . 225 E. O. If eager 5.87 Labor and Hauling 52.58 George F. Keefer 74 50 WATER DEPARTMENT. P. & R. R. R. Co SIOO.BO Regular Employes 187.00 Labor and Hauling 84.90 Washington Fire Co 6.75 S.J. Welliver 1.20 Atlantio Refining Co 8.75 Boyer Bros 28.05 Franklin Boyer . 19.07 Standard Gas Oo 10.60 H. B. Pat ton 20.00 Death of Hrs. Harvey Rhodes. Mrs. Harvey Rhodes who was taken ill with typhoid fever about teu days ago, and was removed to the Mary Packer Hospital, Sunbury, on Friday last, died Monday evening. Mrs. Rhodes was forty-two years of age. Her husband, Harvey Rhodes,' it will be remembered was badly burned about five years ago by stepping into a pool of molten iron at the Bessemer Steel Plant. Mr. Rhodes was in Phil adelphia recovering from the ainputa tiou of his foot when the news reach ed him of the serious illness of his wife. Beside her husband Mrs. Rhodes is survived by two daughters, Geraldine of this city and Mrs. Ashley Knapp of East Danville ;also a sister, Mrs. Sarah Pegg of Bloomsbnrg.and two brothers, Charles Giger of Philadelphia and Morton Giger of Sunbnry. Smokers Take Warning. With the approaoh of Christmas, when the stores are crowded with shop pers and everybody's attention is giv en to buying and selecting gifts it is well to heed the warning given against carrying lighted cigars into the stores. The habit is not only an injustice and a risk to the proprietors of the storeß, but is dangerous as well. No man would care to jeopardize other people just because of a desire to smoke and auy man would surely do without smoking long euough to make a purchase or accompany his wife or children on a shopping tour. When stores are crowded with goods it is a hard proposition for a man or boy with a lighted cigar to dodge around without coming in contact with the materials laid out for display and much of this material would ig nite easily and cause the proprietor a loss of thousands of dollars. The warning should be obeyed and all persons would profit by it. Dog Killed. Yesterday morning a dog in attempt ing to cross the trolloy track near the power house at Grovania, was struck by a oar and instantly killed. ELKS LODGE The impressive order ot exercises of the Lodge of Sorrow was carried oat by the Danville B. P. O. Elks iu the Opera House Sunday- afternoon be fore a large anl representative audi ence. It has never before been the good fortune of any great nomber of Danville people to witness this heauti fnl service and, the impression of sol emnity that the dignified mourning for the dead left npon the minis of those present is one that will not soon be forgotten. The services were of a cliaraoter that showed for what purpose this order exists, and those who were inollned to think that the sooial side of Eikdom predominates were not loath to change their opinion. As Exalted Rnler Charles Olialfant, opened the exercises and the officers responded' as to what were their several duties, the vast au dience was shown at once the real ob ject of the Lodge of Sorrow. Clyde O. Yetter.Esq. of the Blooms burg Lodge delivered the enlogy. Mr. Yetter said that the Elks had not come out of idle and morbid cariosity, but that it was considered a privilege to ooramone with the absent Ones, and that it was with feelings of sacred duty that a day in eaoh year had been set apart wlieu the members of the order might reoall the pleasant mem ories ot departed brothers. James Scarlet. Esq., delivered a magnificent oration. It breathed the spirit of true and pare Eikdom and at all times was clear iu its meauing. Mr. Soarlet has never been heard where he spoke with moie sinoerity and greatness of thought. His delivery was foroeful and he was eloqueut throughout. Mr. Scarlet spoke ot the objects of the B. P. O. Elks in general and of lie Lodge of Sorrow iu particular. ?We should write the faults of our de parted brothers upon the sands, but the beauty of their lives should be en graved upon the tablets of love and memory ; BO that the remembrance may be a help to the living. The social side of life, so necessary to a progressive existence Is exemplified by the Elks as by no other order. The objeots of the organization are benevolenoe, charity, justioe, brotherly love and fidelity, of these benevolenoe is the most signifi cant. It inoludes justice, courage, de votion and love ; It requires a moral and generous nature and promotes happiness everlasting. The musical numbers were remark- . able for their beauty, eaoh one being most appropriate to the oooaeion. Wyle's excellent orohestra was never heard to such good advantage. It num bered fourteen musicians, including a full complement of strings and the rendition of the "Bohemian Girl" ■election was faultless. Mr. Eugeue H. Miles played f this char acter. Walter Russell sang "But the Lord is Mindful of His Own" in a most ac ceptable manner. Mr. Russell is heard too rarely as hisvoioe is truly wonder ful. Volume, parity and depth are all there and should be taken advantage of. The entire program was rendered without a hitoh. The stage was set most appropriately. A large omblem atio board, with the letters "B. P. O. E " Illuminated with many colored incandesceut lights made a striking effect. The Blooinsburg lodge with their ladies attended the exeroises coming to Danville in two special cars. Mem bers of the order from Berwiok, Oata wissa aud other sorounding towns were also in attendance. The doors were closed at 2:15 sharp and the us ual disturbances arising from late com ers was entirely eliminated. Officers Elected. At the regular meeting of Lotus 0011- oalve, No. 127, Improved Order of Heptasophs, held last evening in Odd Fellows' Hall the following ofiioers were elected to serve for the ensuing year: Past Archon, Elmer E. Peters; Arohon, Edward W. Gibson; Provost, David E. Haring; Prelate, William K. Lunger; Seoretary, O. G. Cloud; Fin ancier, W. L. MoOlnre ; Treasurer, Ed ward W. Wetzel; Inspector, Harry E. Seidel; Warden, H. K. Stetlar; Sent inel, Benjamin Sanford ; Trustees, W. O. Greeue, P. H. Fonst, W. B. Gear liart; Representatives to the Supreme Convention to be held iu Milwaukee, Wisoonsin, June, 1905, John Rilgns and W. M. Lloyd. m • i L Clean the Sidewalks. Iu many places iu Danville the or- ' dinance relative to oleaning sidewalks I has not been observed since the mow j storm on Monday afternoon. Quite a nomber of walks are covered with ice, making them dangeroot to pedestrians. Especially is this the oase at night, aud the obstructions should be remov ed. DANVILLE LAD'S DISAPPEARANCE The mysterious disappearance of Clarence 9. Carr, fourteen year old son of Joliu A. Carr of this city, from the home of a relative iu Allegheny City, came to light last evening when Mr. Carr sought the aid of the preßs in his endeavor to find his son.. Clarence Cair was employed at the Danville S'lk Mill outii some months ago, when lie went to reside with his aunt, Mrs. John Inness at Allegheny City. Early in November Mr. Carr re eeived a letter from his sou Baying that he was homesick, aud wanted to re turn to Danville. The money for his oar fare was about ready to be for warded when word was received from ll the wrongs are righted and the guilty ones suffer, but these climaxes come in their proper plaaes and wlieu the play is fiuished the general iinpres sion is that a most interesting story has been told. It is a play that leaves a most favorable impression. The sensational climaxes add strength to the story and none are overdrawn. There are many scenes that are real, including a wild dash of a locomotive across the stage, a court scene and other realistic effects. The comedy is original and pleasing aud the pathos strong. The compauy is a good one and the several roles showed careful study. Miss Mayme Hoff, as the cap tain's daughter, was attractive, grace ful and at times powerful. Eclith M. Cooke as 'Arabella," was a success aud Bertha Mordock as "Sister Celia" and Emma G. Field, iu the role of "ZollaSt. Mar," were ideal in their interpretations. Marie Nielson had a good part as 'Saliie Deau," aud did well. Bert Buck man as "John Ber trim," was a clever actor nud Jack Lawrence gave the role of "Percy Clifford" the proper rendition. The balance of the oast were np to the standard and reoeived many expres sions of approval from the audience." riay be Arabian Peddler. Hundreds of people continue to view the head of the the murdered man on exhibition at Farrow's undertaking rooms, Shamokiu, aud so far positive identification is no nearer than the first day of the finding of the head. It seems to be the general opinion, that the victim was an Arabian vend er of rugs aud shawls, who paid fre quent visits to Shamokin and vicin ity. The only difference peroeptible is in the color of the mnßtache, it be ing contended by many that the Ar abian bad a much darker mustache than the victim's. However the Ar abian has not been seen in the region since the mnrder, and is known to have been here just prior to the com mission of the heinons crime. No olaes of any merit have develop ed in the past week or ten days, and Lnpw it seems as if the bringing of the gbilty parties to jnstioe depeuds upon j ! entirely the identification of the head, i | Farmers' Hotel Changes Hands. i The Fanners' Hotel, Mifl street,has ohnuged hands,and former proprietor, J. O. Wenzel has removed to Suu bary. William Spade and William Snyder, formerly ot the cigar manu facturing firm of-Buyder & Fritch.aro to be the naw landlords. THE MOST VAL . UABLE CHURCH The Journal containing the proceed ings of the thirty-third Annual Con vention of the Protestant Episoopal church in the dioceße of Central Penn sylvania .held in Trinity ohurch Will iaiusport, Fa., June 14 and 15, 1004, is out. It shows reports from each ohnrch in the diocese, giving the number of baptized persons and commuc'sauts. The estimated value of all the ohuroh properties in the diocese is, also, in cluded iu tlia reports. The report from Christ church, this city, gives the estimated value of the chaich at 110)1,000. This includes the church building, rectory, ohapel and cemetery. In the formation of the uew, or the Dlooeue of Harrisburg, Christ oliuruh is the most valuable iu the new diocese. There is but one other churoh in the uew diocese that exceeds the valoation of Christ church by a few thonsaud dollars. That is St Janios chnroli, Lancaster, the total value of whioh is placed at |llO,- 000. This amount is in addition to the church building, Yeates School, Bish op Bowman's home and St. James Orphanage. Tho estimated value of Trinity church pud Christ church, Williamsport, is f77,ooo~aud |(i0,000, respectively. Iu the old diooese or Central Penn sylvania Christ chuicli, Oauville, was oousiilerod the handsomest and most complete church building iu the dio oese and there are none to exceed it iu the new, a fact'that should cause the members of the local parish to fesl prouder of it than ever. Dr. Hanning Undecided. The Rev. Dr. Manning, the uewly elected bishop Of the Harrisburg dio oese, has not yet announced his decis ion as to whether he will accept or de cline his eleotion to the head of the uew diocese. Tuesday the committee appoiuted at the Lancaster conven tion, comprising .Tames A. Lambertou, Esq., of Harrisburg; Rev. Edward Henry Eckel and the Rev. George Foley, of Williamsport, aud the Rev. Mr. Breed, of Lancaser, called on Dr. Manuing at the vicarage of St. Agnes, iu New York oity,and offlaialiy notifi ed him of his eleotion as bishop of the new diooese. IC'was about 1 o'clock in the afternoon when the committee called on Dr. Manning, and the oon fereuoe lasted far iuto the evening. After the conference it was announc ed that the Rev. Dr. Manning will re ply to the invitation within a few (lays, though he has three weeks in which to deoliue or aooept the bish opric. The general impression uow is that Doctor Manning will accept, though his large and influential con gregation of St. Agues's chapel will eudeator to retain him as their lead- Great pressure from without the oity ig being exerted upon the Rev. Dr. Manning that he accept the oall to this important new diooese. Telegrams and letters urging his aoceptauce have been received at the parish hoose from mauy influential churchmen from bishops, rectors aud laymen. At the same time many prominent members of the New York diooese are petition ing the dootor to remain in the great parish of Trinity, of which St. Agnes holds an important place. The salary iu the now field ie $4,000, while the salary at St. Agnes is 17,000. Williamsport's Board of Trade. H. R. Laird, the hustling secretary and business manager of the ever ao tive-go-ahead-and-stop at 110 obstacle Board of Trade of the oity of Will iamsport, has issued his last quarterly Board of Trade Bulletin for the year of IDO4. It pat io ail appearance at the office of the Morning News last night, and as usual, it is filled with interest ing statistics showing what has been ac ooraplished by the Queen City's Board of Trade during the paßt three months. The Bulletin, to quote from its own pages,is "sufficient to convince every body that while the rest of the oouo try has been bewailing the existence of a depression, Williamsport has bf.en "doing things." And it was through the untiring efforts of the Board of Trade that so muoh has been aooorn plished for the welfare and growth of the metropolis of oentrpl Pennsyl vania. "the ideal city for lips.o or business, "as her oitizens love to say. By following the example set by the Williamsport Board of Trade other Boards of Trade might greatly benefit the oities or towns in whioh they are interested. A little activity on their part might instill some life and vigor into the inhabitants of the municipal ities tliey represent, and the two bod ies acting together a 9 a unit, as they do in Williamspoit,might work wond ers. It might even result in a boom. Return Engagement. Dauville favorites, the always wel come Murray & Maokey Big Comedy Company will ba at the Opera Hooae for three nights commencing Monday, December lath, with all new plays. Monday night "Heart of the Blue Ridge," Tuesday night, Mrs. Leslie Carter's version of "Duchess Da Bar ry," Wednesday matinee "East Lynue," Wednesday night "Aoross Ithe Desert." parties' 20 oeut tickets opening night, if reserved before 5 p. in. Monday. Tilings are getting in readiness for the January thaw. Perhaps that an- I nual event will break the drouth. THE POLES TO BE REMOVED There was a meeting of the Light Committee of Council Tuesday night, at which there were, also present Burgess Pursel and V. A. Lippiucott aud L. W. A. Rumsey. The latter two represented the Rumsey Electrical Light Company. They met with the oity authorities with the view of going over matters pertaining to the muni cipal eleotric light plant, and to take steps looking toward the adjustment of the then existing dissatisfaction felt by the Light Committee couceruiug poles, eto. The case at issue was oare fully gone ov6r, the city officials in forming the representatives of the Rnmsey Electrical Company of the present condition of things and what was expeoted of them as contractors. Many of the poles had been condemn ed because they had not been what the specifications called for. Some of these had been placed iu the ground. They would have to be removed and replac ed by others. The trouble couceruiug the length of time it takes to get the engine and dynamo here was also gone over, and Mr. Rumsey stated that he would use his best efforts to have both in Dan ville at the earliest possible moment. Regarding the poles an agreement was reached wherein the Rumsey Elec trical Company is to replace all oou demned poles, remove those planted and put others iu at the expense of the company. This extra work and ex pense will, it is estimated, cost the Rumsey Eleotrical Company about #IOOO. Yesterday morning, the Light Com mittee, Mr. Lippinoott aud Superin tendent of construction Watts took a trip over the liue and marked tho poles that are to be removed. Situation Grows Alarming. The soaroity of water is becoming alarming. Throughout the vast area drained by the North and West Branch es of the Su'auehanna aud the Bectiou of country below where the two streams form a junction at Northum berland, the drouth is steadily becom ing more severe. Already there is much hardship because of dry wells, and the end Is not yet unless a change occurs soon. Streams are drying up slowly but surely, and if they are not suppli ed in the very near future muoh suf fering will be oaused. Complaints oome from all seotions of the surround ing conntry, and grave fears are being felt regarding the outcome of the pre sent oondition of things. Iu various seotions of Lyooming county the mills which depend on water power have been oompelled to shut down. Some of them have been idle for three weeks. Nearly all the streams of the county, inoluding the river, and Pine aud Loyalsock creeks, are lower thau fo many years at this time. George Hyde, of Mifflin township,a well known farmer, says that a spring on his farm has dried up, (for the sec ond time since he has lived there. He ;b sixty years of age, and does not re member such a drouth before. This farm is about three miles from Sal ladasburg, where the drouth is very Bevere. The mill at that place has been shut down for some days, and many wells and springs are dry. The Money Creek valley seems, to a oertain extent, to have escaped muoh of the drouth. The creek, while low, is not unusually so. and most of the good wells aud streams are still doing well. This county iu places is feeling the effects of the drouth. All streams are unusually low, river steadily falling, aud oisterns and wells are dry. Farm ers in some of the townships are com pelled to haul water a long distance for household and other purposes. The people in certain localities of Dauphin, Perry, Cumberland aud sur rounding oounties have become so greatly alarmed about the soarcity of water, that special prayers ate being offered for rain. As in this seoliou of the State many wells have gone dry aud farmers are hauling water from the river and smaller streams with which to Bupply their needs. The re cent snow has done little to relieve the conditions. It is generally feared now that a freeze up will come before a rain. Should such be the case, there would be much suffering all winter, or until a general break-np oocurs. The slight suows have done no good,aud a gener al rain of many hours duration only thing that will relieve the situa tion. Painting Dynamo Room. The large room at the Water Works iu which the dynamo for the new munioipal light plaut will be plaoed, is being repainted. The ceiling will be a blue and the walls white, with a brown base extending from the floor to a height of ft feet. When completed the room will present a bright appear ance. Butchering in the Kitchen. After responding to a still alarm aud extinguishing a slight chimney fire at the residence of Paul Shumat. an Italian, the members of Williams port Eugine Company No. 1, Sunday afternoon, found a number of Italians butchering hogs in the kitchen of the house. The Harrisbnrg Star-Independent o December 8, speaks in the highest terms of"In tbe Shadow ol the Gal lows," the play to be given at the Opera House tonight. NO. 4 AGAINST FEBB RURAL DELIYEBY A concerted movement against the continuance of the rnral mail delivery system in its present character has been started by organizations of busi -1 nesß men and merchants all over the 1 country. The men in these organiza tions will protest to Congrejp against 1 the extension uf the present system and will advooate its curtailment along sweeping lines. It is understood that the system has never been pronounoedly popular with business men, aud opposition against it has become more pronounced than ever reoontly on account nf the expos ure of some (if the uses to which it has been put, nnd especially sinue the publication of Postmaster Oenerai Wynne's estimate of the oost of the extension authorized by Congress for the coming year. The olass of business men who are supposed to be the most direotly hurt by the rural free dolivery system are the country merhauts. Through the operation of the system they are said to be more than ever exposed to the competition of the mail order houses, and they declare that in many sections the farmers have stopped coming to town to buy since the establishment of the free delivery routes. This, of course, reacts on the jobbers and wholesalers in the large oities.and the esult is that the trade of both city and country has suffered severely. Mr. Wynne's estimates show that in order to carry out plans authorized by Congress there will be needed an ad ditional appropriation of more than {(1,000,000 for the extension of the rural frtfe delivery system alone. This will make the total cost of the servioe about $27,000,000, which,it is estimat ed, is a cost of abont 12.35 a head for the beneficiaries of the system. Mummers Effect Organization. About twenty citizens who are in terested in having a fine showing in the Mummers' parade on New Year's day met at the Washington Fire Com pany's house last evening and effected an organization by eleoting D. C. Williams chairman and A. C. Koat, secretary. It was decided to meet again next Monday night at the Seoond Ward Engine House, aud an invitation was extended to all citizens interested in the movement to be present; the fire companies being especially urged to send representatives. Duriug the meeting many exoeilent suggestions were offered,but no definite action was takeu, as it was thought advisable to wait until next Monday when it is expected a larger number of citizens will be present. Many of Danville's merchants have signified their intention of offering prizes to the Mummers who exoell in certain lines. Those who have the movement in charge are entering enthnsiatsioally into the work of making this New Year's celebration better than any thing that has been attempted in pre vious years. One innovation that will bo a vast improvement over former parades is that marshals are to be ap pointed who will have charge of the different sections, and will keep the fantastios in line aud maintain the proper ditsauce between the marohors. Owns Booth's Bed. Johu W. Vogel, whose minstrels bear his name, is the owner of one of the fiuest private cars used in the theatric al business. It is very large and fitted up with all the comforts aud conveni ences that are found in a most luxur ious home. One piece of furniture of which Mr. Vogel is particularly proud, is a bed. This is of the folding style, made of solid cherry and provided with the best and most expensive springs and mattress. This was the bed used by Edwin Booth on his last tour through out this country when he and Lawr ence Barrett woro starling jointly. The Booth-Barrett combination, of course, had its private car and after the death of the eminent tragedian the car was taken back to its builders and sold, the company removing most of the expensive fittings. When Mr. Vogel was having his car built he noticed this bed, and not knowing its hißtory made the remark that it would be a niae piece of furniture for liis car. When the traveling home was deliver ed the minstrel owner was astonished to find the coveted bed in place and theu the builders told him its history. Vogel's Minstrels will appear in Dan ville on Saturday. Danville Boy's Success. It will be gratifying to the friendi of Charles R. Shelhart, son of David Shelhart, of this city, and who left Danville about two years ago and located in Pittsburg, to learn that he is meeting with groat suooese as a gospel singer. He is now doing evan gelistic services,and his ability in that direction is highly praised by both press and people. Possessing a fine, rich tenor voioe of rare power and sweetness, lias made him a favorite wherever he has. appeared in pnblio. Mr. Shelhart was educated in the schools of Danville, and for a year prior to his leaving here, he was as sistant secretary of the Y. M. O. A. Expected Soon. The dynamo for the new eleotrio light plant is expeoted here in about three weekß. It will probably take another week to set it up and get it in shape for operation. ' 1 .s. *, • » l > ' ■>