DANVILLE INTELLIGENCER.
VOL. LXXVII.
PASSENGER TRAIN '
STRIKES WAGON
W. A. Heller, of this city, who re
turned home from a business trip last
evening, was a passenger on Lehigh
Valley jiassenger train No. 1, which
struck a wagon loaded with two tons
of dynamite and powder at Warrior
Hun yesterday afternoon. That lie sur
vived to tell the tale and that the j
whole train was not wrecked and,
blown into atoms is owing to a slight
circumstance—the dynamite was froz
en.
As the train, which contained along
with other cars some eight or ten pull
mans, was descending the mountain a
wagon heavily loaded with dynamite
and powder drove upon the railroad
crossing a short distance south of War
rior Run. Unfortunately something
happened at that point and the wagon
stuck fast squarely upon the track. The
driver knew the train was approaching
and without wasting any time in a
fruitless attempt to move the wagon
off the track he quickly unhitched the
horses, which, as though appreciating
the danger, rau swiftly away.
Meanwhile the train was approach
ing. The engineer saw the wagon j
standing on the crossing,but owing to
the steep grade and the momentum of
the train he saw it would be impossi
ble to stop. He may or may not have
known that the wagon was loaded with
powder and dynamite. At all events
realizing that lie could not stop the
train he decided to do the next best
thing and that was to put on all the
steam the engine would carry and if
possible to strike the wagon with
sufficient force to hurl the whole ob
struction far out of the way.
The train darted ahead striking the
wagon fairly, reducing it to splinters,
scattering the dynamite all about the
tracks and hurling many of the kegs
of powder a hundred yards or more.
The dynamite was frozen and in
stead of a dreadful explosion there was
a flash, a whirlwind of flame, which
in the brief moment while the locomo
tive dashed by envelojied engine and
tender burning both the engineer and
fireman, the latter very seriously. In
au instant all the track about was a
mass of fire. Owing to some cause,
probably to the bursting of an air hose
the train came to a standstill with
next to the rear car over the very spot
where the wagon was struck. In this
ear Mr. Heller was seated. None of
the passengers knew just what had or- 1
curred and no! dreaming of tlie con
sequences opened the door. Underneath
the cars the flames were roaring like a
furnace ; the fire was blazing up l»e
--tweeu the cars and darted in through
the open door, .the flames almost lick
ing the passenger's faces. ,
The passengers were thrown into a
dreadful panic while some tlyaughful
person slammed the door shut. Luck
ily at the same moment the train was
pulled ahead and the danger was over.
The entire train when it arrived at
Wilkes-Barre bore marks of the terri
ble collision with the explosives, es
pecially the eugine, which was expos-
Ed to the fiercest fire. It seldom falls
to the lot of a newspaper to cltronicle
a more thrilling even! and the escape
taking all the oironmstances into con
sideration is considered one of the
most remarkable 011 record.
Freight Wreck on the Pennsy.
A wreck which blocked all traffic on
this division of the Pennsylvania rail
road all night occurred Tuesday after-1
noon at 5 o'clock opposite Rupert.
At this point the Pennsylvania and
the P. &R. tracks cross each other.
A fast west bound Pennsy freight train
approached the crossing, but as a work
train on the P. & R. was also ap
proaching Jhe bridge and had the
rights of the crossing at the time, the
signalman in the tower set his signal
for the Pennsylvania train to stop,and
also threw open the switch which is
located about 200 feet from the cross
ing for use in just such emergencies.
The Penusy train was a heavy one,
however, and had gained such mo-1
men turn that the engineer could not!
bring it to a stop in time to save it
from running through the open switch.
The locomotive tender, and the first
following car went clear through the
switch off the track, aud toppled over
on their side. The engineer aud fire
man realized their danger in time to
jump from the cab to safety just as
the engine went over.
Wrecking crews were summoned
from Nescoperk aud Sunbury and af
ter a hard niglrt's work, the division
was opened again to traffic yesterday
morning about 8 o'clock. No one was
injured by the accident, but confusion
reigned on the entire division as a
consequence of the blocking of traffic,
especially at this busy seasou
Our Island Possessions.
A good sized audience was present
at the Imraauuel Baptist church* Sat
urday evening to hear Messrs Bailey
and Riggs' illustrated lecture on "A '
Visit to Our Island Possessions."
Mr. Riggs spoke about Cuba and,
Porto Rico and Mr. Bailey about the |
Philippines. Both had themselves spent!
some time ou the islands and had
brought back with them excellent views I
showing the different phases of the life I
there. The lecture was most interest
ing and greatly enjoyed by all present
Fred Linker on No. 2.
11. H. Stettler.the carrier on r. 112. d.,
No 2. made his last trip over the route
yesterday. Todajr Frederick Linker
will take charge of the route aud will
hold the position temporarily pending
the result of competitive examination.
101)11 ACCIDENT
IN RAILROADING
One of the oddest of all accidents
| that ever occurred on the rail took
place at South Danville yesterday af
ternoon, which demonstrates that in
nlilroadiug no matter how much care
is exercised it is imiwssiblc to detect
all the sources of danger and forestall
accidents.
In the first place it should be ex
plained that during yesterday owing
to the accident at Rupert Tuesday
uight there was a great freight con
gestion at South Danvillj. Two large
extras, east, were lying upou the sid
ing all day waiting tor orders to move, i
The entire siding from the lower end
of Riverside to the station was oocupi- !
ed, with the exception of a break of
some thirty feet at the crossing below
the freight house. Immediately above
the crossing stood the caboose of oue
extra aud immediately below the en
gine of the extra following after.
About half past three o'clock an ex
tra, west, drawn by engine No. 2673,
came down the track. Receiving ord
ers at the station it started off at the
usual rate of spQpd, and had probably
attained ten miles an hour when it
reached the crossing below the freight
house.
At that spot without the leant warn
ing the cylinder and steam chest broke
looge from the locomotive and fell to
the ground. The huge driving rod,
which clung to the wheels, struck the
ground with each revolution and in
an instant was bent into a corkscrew,
while the cylinder and steam chest
rammed in between the two tracks as
the moving train forced them along,
ripped up the inner rail of the siding
and damaged the road badly. Tiie es
caping steam was soon shut off and the
train brought to a stop without any
one sustaining injury.
The several crews of railroaders ly
ing at South Danville last night stated
that the accident was of a sort that
they ha<l uevor heard of in all their
experience. Had any one told them
previous to yesterday that such an ac
cident could occur they would hnve
laughed at him. It was a baro theory
with them that at some time the cyl
inder had received a bump, which had
caused a slight break that became larg
er and larger as time wore on.
Had it dropjxid ten feet farther east
ward it would have ploughed into the
caboose of the first extra, which was
filled with the waiting craw, wrecking
the car and no doubt causing loss of
life. Had it fallen ten feet further
westward it would have struck the en
gine of the second extra, no dcubt
causing much damage and throwing it
from the tract.
The railroaders could not help but
shudder when they reflected what
might have occurred had the steam
chest and cylinder fallen while the
train was rounding Blue Hill. Owing
to the want of room at that point there
could have been but one result—the
engine would have been thrown down
over the embankment into the river.
The locomotive that suffered the mis
hap is one of the largest on the road—
of the big "B—6, A" type. It was on
the siding at South Danville last night
while the cylinder and steam chest,au
immense mass weighing many tons,
lay on the railroad where it had fall-
Pastor Invited to Retnrn.
At the Fourth Quarterly Conference
held at. St. Paul's M. E. church Mon
day night, Rev. S. B. Evans, who has
been pastor there for the last two
years, was invited to return. A com
mittee was also appointed to attend
the annual session of the Central Penn
sylvania conference, which will con
vene at Altoona on March 28th,for the
purpose of looking after the interest
of St. Paul's M. E. church in the mat
ter of appointments.
There was a large representation of
the congregation present at the quart
erly conference. The utmost harmony
prevailed and the action taken relat
ing to Rev. S. B. Evans' return was
unanimous.
Those present expressed themselves
as highly gratified with Rev. Mr.
Evans' pastorate. In the matter of
making converts he has been especial
ly sucessful and has added a large num
ber of new members to the church,the
number of accessions surpassing those
of several preceding pastorates. Rev.
S. B. Evans was commended for his
zeal and hard work, his pastorate on
the whole being declared very effec
tive.
What changes the appointments may
show is uncertain. It happens to be a
year when more or less changes will
occur among the important charges of
the conference and these it is only na
tural will lead to other changes and
j there may be a general moving about.
In face*)f such conditions it is hard
to tell what effect such an invitation
as extended by St. Paul's may have
upon the Bishop making the appoint
ments and whether Rev. S. B. Evans
or any Other pastor in Dauville will
be returned or assigned to some other
charge.
hire Damaged Boiler Works.
The extensive plant of the E. Keeler
Company, one of the finest equipped
| boiler and smoke-stack works in the
, country,and one of Williamport's most
: important industries, was damaged
; thousands of dollars by a fire that
broke out in what is known as the new
part of the nest of buildings, at about
1:45 o'clock yesterday morning, and |
which for a time threatened the entire j
plant with destruction, so fierce were"
the flames. The fire department was
quickly on the scene, however, and
soon had the plant surrounded with
hose and streams playing on the flames
and the fire was under control by 2 :80
o'clock,although the firemen remained
on duty for several hours afterward.
It is not known how the fire started.
fLKDOKS BUT TO TBUTH, TO LIBSBTT AHl> LAW—WO FAVOB SWATS US AHB HO FKAB BHAT.I. AH"
DANVILLE. MONTOUR COUNTY. PA., FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1900.
NEW COUNCIL
The old council adjourned sine die
Monday and the council of 1906-7 ef
fected an organization. Contrary to a
persistent rumor in circulation during
a few days previous there was no
marked opposition to any of last year's
officers. Wherever any of the members
were at variance, they adjusted their
differences beftre coming to council
and they entered the meeting prepar
ed, with only one exception, to vote
as a unit. As a result the session was
harmonious and void of more than gen
eral interest. A large number of citi
zens were present at the meeting but
they found nothing sensational or out,
of the ordinarv
The council of 1905-6 convened at 1
7 :30 o'clock with the following mem
bers in their places: Gibson, Feuster
macher, Vastiue, Reifsnyder, Law,
I)ietz, Boyer, Magill, Sweisfort and
Hughes. The minutes were road aud
approved,after which the various com
mittees were called over. None had
any report to make with the exception
of the committee on fire,which report
ed that the pave wash at the Washing
ton hose house was out of order; also
that facts had been discovered relative
to the couplings belonging to disused
hose at the Continental hose house
which seemed to show that all could
be satisfactorily accounted for.
On motion of Mr. Boyer the pave
wash was ordered to be repaired.
On motion of Mr. Vastiue it was or
dered that the salary of SIOO be paid
to the borough solicitor; aud salary of
$l5O to the borough treasurer, repre
senting remuneration for the past year.
On motion of Mr. Vastiue the min
utes of the session were read, after
which couucil adjourned siue«die.
An interval of about fifteeu minutes
elapsed duriug which the oath of office
was administered to the iucomiug
members by Chief Burgess Rogers.
At 8 o'clock the couucil of 1906-7
was called to order by Chief Burgess
Rogers. The following members were
in their places: Vastiue, Sweisfort,
Russell, Boyer, Dietz, Bedea, Eisen
hart, Fiunigan, Gibson, Hughes aud
Angle.
Burgess Rogers explained a recent
change in the law, which provides that
the chief burgess shall call the new
council to order and preside duriug
the election of officers. He appointed
Harry B. Patton as temporary secre
tary, who called the roll. All were
present with the exception of George
B. Jacobs, who is detained at home by
illness.
The electioii of officers was next tak
eu up. Mr. Dietz nominated Dr. Sweis
fort to be chairman of council. T. W.
Bedea nominated Joseph Gibson. Dr.
Sweisfort declined to be a candidate,
after which Mr. Gibson was unanim
ously elected* From this on the elec
tion proceeded merrily. Harry Patton
was re-elected secretary and receiver
of water rents and Harry Elleubogeu
as borough treasurer,each without any
opposition.
Rumors had been abroad that there
would be a contest for the office of
street commissioner and market mas
ter, but the big crowd that had assem
bled was doomed to disappointment.
Mr. Boyer nominated Swartz Miller
tor this office; there was a moment's
silence and then on motion the nomi
nation was closed. Mr. Miller was
elected without a dissenting vote.
The ouly semblance of a contest was
when it came to the election of a chief
of-police. Mr. Boyer nominated J. C.
Mincemoyer for this office. The usual
viva voceTote was taken with the fol
lowing result:
Yeas—Vastine, Sweisfort, Boyer,
Dietz, Bedea, Eiseuhart, Finnigan,
Gibson, Hughes and Angle.
Nay—Russell.
J. O. Mincemoyer, however, receiv
ed the majority of the votes cast and
was declared elected as chief-of-po
lice.
Mr. Qibscu nominated as assistant
policeman John G. Voris, who was
unanimously elected.
On motion of Mr. Vastine Edward
S. Gearhart was elected borough so
licitor for the ensuing year.
As borough surveyor Mr. Boyer
nominated George F. Keefer, of Sun
bury, who was unanimously elected.
At this point the offices being filled
Chief Burgess Rogers retired and call
ed President Gibson to the chair.
On motion it was decided that the
salary of all the officers elected should
remain the same as last year; also that
the bonds required should remain un
changed in value.
Oil motion it was decided that- the
meeting nights should remain the
same—the first aud third Friday nights
of each month,convening at 8 o'clock.
The rules governing council during
previous years ou motion wero adopt
ed for the reguhitiou of the present
council.
Fire Destroys Bloomsburg Home, j
The home of Joseph Stookey, on !
Catherine street, Bloomsburg, togeth- '
er with most all the furniture and con ]
tents was burned to the ground by a
fire which originated about noon yes
terday.
Neighbors discovered the flames is
suing from the roof of the building
the fire evidently having its origin in
the attic, where a stove pi lie enters a
chimney. When the fire companies ar
rived the flames had gained such head
way that nothing could be done but
keep the fire from spreading to the ad
jacent buildings.
Very little of the furniture was sav
ed, nothing beiug rescued from the
upstairs. All of the family's cloth
ing was burned. Mr. Stookey carried
no insurance.
DANVILLE SCALPED
THE INDIANS
The Danville basket ball team scalp
ed the Carlisle Indians in the most ap
proved manner Saturday evening. The
game was a beautiful exhibition of the
finest kind of basket ball, well played
by both teams and intensely absorbing
and exciting throughout. Score, Dan
ville 38; Indians 23.
Tho contest was impartially summed
up by Sheldon, the Indians ' time keep
er, in a statement that lie made after
the game. Ho said, "The Danville
boys, individually and as a team, play
an excellent gamtyof basket ball—they
won on their merits."
I A great deal of interest win added
jto the occasion by the fact that the
Carlisle players are all full blooded
Indians. Hie visiting team is under
the management of Alfred M. Veune,
member of the Sioux tribe. The In
dians played a sharp.aggressive, though
sportsmanlike, game.
The first half was played under A.
A. U. rules, with Gardner (Carlisle)
umpire aud Rosenthal referee. During
the first part of this half the scoring
was slow, neither team seeming able
to get away from the other long enough
to score. About the middle of the first
half Danville put the score keejier to
work. Peters aud Russell divided the
houors, each playing almost faultless
ly. The Indians were able to score but
2 goals from the field to Danville's 8
in the first half, their lack of scores
heiug due to an iuability to locate the
basket, as they had plenty of tries for
goal.
In the first half 9 fouls were called
on Danville aud 5 on the visitors, most
of them being due to Danville's ignor
ance of the A. A. ". rules. The half
ended 19-12 in Danville's favor.
The second half was played under
National League rules, and the locals
proved themselves to be once more at
homo by scoring 15 seconds after the
play started. From this time on till
the final whistle blew it was a con
tinuous procession of fast, brilliant bas
ket ball,neither team having much the
better of the argument. The Indians
passed beautifully and located the bas
kets with greater accuracy than ill the
first half, while the Danville boys,
spurred on by their success in the first
half,played with a determination,that
showed they did not intend to lose the
advantage they had gained. The scor
ing in the second half was 17-11 in
favor of Danville.
The line-up:
Danville. Indians.
Peters forward . Mt. Pleasant
Bedea forward Archiquette
Sechler . center Libby, J.
center . Gardner
Johnson guard Wahoo
Russell . guard . Libby, A
Goals from the field—Peters 9, John
son 5, Bedea 1, Mt. Pleasant H, Gard
ner 2, Libby, J. 1, Wahoo 1. Goals
from fouls—Mt. Pleasant 9, Peters »i.
(iirl Commits Suicide.
Miss Carrie Foust, daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. Calvin Foust, of Milton,
committed suicide Tuesday afternoon
at the homo of Mrs. Peter Hagenbucli,
one mile west of West Milton, with
whom she had resided,as a companion,
for a number of years.
Miss Foust, was very well Known in
Danville having frequently visited rel
atives in this city. The grand father
of the deceased aud the late Philip
Foust, of this city, were brothers.
She was also a niece of Mr. and Mrs.
Joseph Weidman, East Market street.
Miss Foust had shown traits of mel
ancholia, though not of a pronounced
type. It was known to her friends that
for some time she was engaged to be
married, the wedding being fixed for
early spring.
Monday afternoon Miss Foust, when
she paid her insurance fee to the col
lector, declared that that would bo the
last time she would pay insurance.
Later she made other remarks that, in
the light of subsequent events, were
significant, tending to show that she
had in contemplation the taking of her
life.
At 4 o'clock Tuesday afternoon Mrs.
Hagenbucli went to the barn to gather
the eggs. She was gone about twenty
minntes. When she returned Miss
Foust was nowhere about, aud wlion
Mrs. Hagenbucli called she received uo
reply. Then going to the second floor
of the house she found the young wo
man in her own room unconscious on
the bed. An empty tumbler lay on the
floor, aud about it was the unmistak
able odor of carbolic acid. A doctor
was sent for,and though the physician
reached the Hagenbucli home in a lit
tle while Miss Foust was beyond hu
man aid. She died at 6 o'clock. A
vial that had contained the carbolic
acid was found on the grouud under a
window of the young woman's bed
room. She hud evidently poured the
poison from the bottle into the glass,
then tossed the former out of the win
i dow. She left no message,
i It was determined that uo inquest
was necessary under the circumstances,
the latter proving without question
the case to be one of self-destruction.
The funeral will be hold from the
home of the pureuts,in Milton, Friday
afternoon nt 2 o'clock.
I). of P. Friday Night.
The management has secured at
great? expense the University of Penn
sylvania teaifi to play here on next
Friday evening. This team is com
posed principally of players in the
medical department and is now play
ing under that name, as the iuter-ool
legiate schedule has been finished.
WAS IT A
CASE OF SUICIDE?
The bull terrier, which distinguish
ed himself by holding up a supposed
burglar in the dwelling of Franklin
Boyer, Honeymoon street, came to an
ignoble deatli by hanging Tuesday
night just one week after the exciting
event.
It is a curious episode. Nevor l>cforo
perhaps was there a dog that perform
ed a feat that was so widely exploited
in the newspapers—that figured insucli
absurd anil gross exaggeration. The
newspapers for a thousand miles or
nyjre told how the dog had mauled the
tramp—how he had chewed him—sat
upon him and delivered him over to
the officers.
The dog's name was Prince. He was
a year and a half old and weighed
about sixty pounds. He was a good
watch dog, yet withal,kind and gentle
aud fond of children. He did his duty
as he understood it and kept the
even tenor of his way without attract
ing notice until the last week of his
life, which was crowded with events.
Apropos of the foolish stories*ecite<l
in the newspapers Mr. Boyer yester
day described the part the dog really
performed in the capture of the de
mented Swede, who sought shelter in
the Boyer home. As soon as tho fam
ily became convinced that some one
was in the parlor they opened the door
and turned the watch dog inside. That
the dog did his duty there is uo doubt,
bnt there was nothing to show that he
bit the man or even took hold of him.
When the officers entered the Swede
was entrenched behind the sofa and
the dog was in front barking vigorous
ly aud keeping the fellow cornered.
Prince, like all valuable and well
cared for dogs, wore a collar and this
mark of care aud appreciation, it is
sad to relate, was the unconscious cause
of his death. Yesterday morning lie
was found suspended from the top of
a fence, his collar having caught on
one of the pales or pickets as he was
attempting to jump over. As ho failed
to clear the fence and fell back to the
ground the palo under the collar caus
od the latter to tighten arouud his
neck, preventing him from making an
outcry anil strangling him to death.
The above is Mr. Boyer's view of
the affair, although there are others
who incline to the belief that the dog
was chloroformed aud huug upon the
fence to disarm suspicion by jiersous
who would have good roasou for wish
ing the faithful watch dog out of the
way.
There are still others, who less ser
iously advance the suicide theory. If
there was ever a dog that was abused
by the newspapers and had good reason
to become despondent and wish to die
they take the view that it was this
particular dog.
The hobo who was captured through
the instrumentality of Prince had the
first fling at the faithful animal when
he said at the hearing: "Oh, the dog
—he no good; he not bite.'' However,
the watch clog may have felt over this
insult he soon recovered and nothing
unusual was noticed about him until
after the Bloomsburg correspondent got
in his work, which attributed to him
capers so insane and extravagant that
even a dog would be ashamed of them.
It may have only been a fancy, but
from that day on, it is said, Prince
seemed dejected.
May Strike.
The main topic of discussion among
the railroad men in this vicinity at
the present time is the trouble of the
conductors and trainmen with the
Delaware, Lackawanna and Western
Railroad Company, which may end in
a strike being declared.
-After four weeks of conference the
joint grievance committee of the Dela
ware, Lackawanna & Western con
ductors and trainmen on Tuesday con
cluded that they cannot reach an amic
able agreement; Superin
tendent T. E. Clarke, and they will
ask for his best ultimatum, prelimin
ary to reporting to the local lodges
that they cannot secure an adjustment
and asking for a vote as to whother or
not to order a strike. This was given
out Tuesday night by the committee
after a session at their headquarters in
the St. Charles Hotel at Scrauton. The
announcement was received with great
surprise in Lackawanna and other rail
road circles.
The grievances are mostly about
wages. The men are demanding a re
vision of the "constructive miloage"
schedule,more pay for through freight,
because of alleged additional labor en
tailed by reason of the laying off of
the third bralteman in each crew, and
increased pay for the roustabout and
other 12-hour crews. The action of the
joint committee has been approved by
the grand officers of both organiza
tions.
35,031 Rural Hall Routes.
The operations of the rural froe de
livery servioe up to March 1, 19(M>, are
shown in a statement issued by Fourth
Assistant Postmaster General De
Graw. Up to that time 02, petitions
had been received and referred. Of
these 18,772 were acted upon adverse
ly. The number of routes in operation
March 1 was 33,031, leaving 3,424 peti
tions still pending, of which 294 have
been assigned for establishment.
Charles M. Schwab May Die.
EL PASO, Texas, March 7. —The
Rock Island train on which Charles M.
Schwab is going east reached here
twenty-six hours late. Mr. Schwab is
very low and it is expected that he
may die at any time.
GIRL ACCIDENTALLY
SIT AND MAY DIE
\ Jennie,the seveuteen-years-old daugh
ter of J. J. Smith, residing two miles
i west of White Deer, near Milton, was
accidentally, and probably fatally
| wounded yesterday morning at 10:30
■%' clock by John McCollum, the sou of
1 a neighbor. Dr. Hitmmel, of Watson -
town, who was summoned, found the
, youug woman in a critical condition.
A bullet from a 22-calibre target rifle
had penetrated her head above the left
eye, pierced the brain and lodged back
of the right ear.
Miss Smith, who is oue of twin siß- I
ters,was calling at the McCollum home |
which is about a quarter of a mile 1
from her own. Young McCollum was j
outside the door cleaning a target rifle.
He fired one shot, inserted another
cartridge,then, forgetting to lower the
hammer, turned and entered the house.
Miss Smith was but a few feet away
from him, when the rifle was accident
ally discharged aud the voung woman
fell to the floor with a scream. A
courier was dispatched for a pliysiciau
and a telephone message across the
river to Watsoutowu soon had Dr.
Hummel on his way.
McOollum, when he saw what he
had done, hurried to the home of the
justice of the peace aud gave himself
up. But tliis was determined to be
unnecessary,as the circumstances show
beyond question that the shooting was
accidental.
HUSTLING FOR HIRED MEN.
The farmers this year face a gloomy
outlook as far as securing help is con
cerned. For several years past while
good crops came as their reward there
was an increasing difficulty to secure j
hands and the farmer from early !
spring until late in the fall found him !
self head over ears in work, which
often made it impossible for him to
indulge in needed recreation, —to har- I
vest his crops without loss or to dis
pose of them when the market condi
tions were just right. During the
present winter the farmers began to
look around for help early and many
of them thought they were well sup
plied for the coming summer only to
find themselves disappointed at the j
last moment and obliged to make a
fresli canvass for hired men. The bus- |
iness conditions, which fiave kept
our industries humming even during j
the dull mouths, and affords an en- |
couraging outlook lor the future,is in J
110 «mall measure responsible for this I
state of affairs. There is a demand j
for hands at our town industries. It |
is easy to find an opening aud the |
farmer boy, who has always looked
longingly toward town with its short
er hours of labor, &c., does not have i
to wait long for an opportunity to try |
the experiment. That the boys of the !
farm are often disappointed in the j
change and aro willing to return to the j
country does not go very far in solv
ing the problem. The fact remains \
that (here is a general exodus of young j
men from the farm to town and that I
the question of farm help constitutes a I
problem not easy to solve.
A gentleman at the courthouse yes- j
terday, the owner of several farms in !
the county, was authority for the state j
meut that a large number of farmers j
are still without sufficient help for the !
coming seasou. He said that one of \
the first tliiugs to turn the head of the I
farmer boy is a trolley car and in
every community intersected by these
lines there is more or less uurest ;
among the youug men. While trudg- j
ing over the ploughed ground or per-1
spiriug uuder a July suu in the wheat j
fields the boy looks toward the flying i
trolley arc as something opening up i
a sphere where Hie is all pleasure.
With something akin to envy he re
gards the uniformed conductor and
motormau ; he decides to throw fann
ing to the dogs and to bend all his en
ergies toward securing a place on the
trolley. To accomplish his high aim
lie is willing to accept a place among
the construction crew with the-hope
of "working upward."
Experience is a great school and the
boys will sooner or later awake to
their delusion, but that has nothing |
to do with it. The farmer boys often j
look with longing eyes towards the j
trolley and sooner or later many |
of them are going to take a whirl on |
one of the many lines and that is all!
there is about it.
Appointment to be Made Soon.
The last delegation that will call
upon Governor Pennypacker in the in
terests of the pending judgeship ap
pointment visited Harrisburg J ■ iter- j
day in furtherance of the application .
of H. A. M'Killip, Esq., of Blooms
burg.
It is now expected that the appoint
ment will be made in a day or so. This
statement is given more credence when 1
it is knowu that the governor has been i
informed by representatives of all \
political parties of the urgency of giv- i
ing his early attention to the appoint- (
ment. He has been acquainted with
the fact that ill Columbin county court
can not be held at all on account of
the illness of Associate Judge Fox.
In conversation Tuesday Governor
Pennypacker stated that Wednesday's
delegation would bo the last received,
and also after that the appointment
would receive his prompt attention.
NATIVE OF MONTOUR.
D. M. Wilson, who died at Blooms
burg last week and was buried at
Nauticoko on Monday was a brother
of J. V. Wilson, this city. He was
born in Liberty township about two
miles this side of Pottsgrove on what
in later years was known as the Hen
dricksou homestead.
'COUNCIL
Ij PROCEEDINGS
The last regular meeting of the coun
i cilmanic year wan heldFridaynight ;on
i Monday night of next week the new
council will organize. Tho following
i members, who will retire, last uight
for the last time wore eutitled*to a
place in the cirolo of councihneu:
First ward, George Reifsnyder; sec
ond ward, Grant Feustermacher; third
ward, John Goeser aud Joseph Law:
I fourth ward, J. T. Magill.
Borough Electrician Samuel H. Jones
presented a report of the light depart
j meut for the month of February: Teu
arc lamjw were reported out duriug
1 month ; incandescent lamps, one. Cost
|of material, $27.79; labor, 165.00; 72
tons of coal at $2.50, $180.00; total,
$272.79. On motion tho cleotricau's
report was accepted by council.
Mr. Vastine reported that pursu
ant to action at the previous meeting
the committee on streets aud bridges
had proceeded to select a site for the
foot bridge across Mahouiug creek ren
dered necessary by the removal of the
canal aqueduct. Ho proposed a site a
short distance below tho aqueduct aud
suggested the kind of bridge that
should be erected—oue of inexpensive
pattern, in which quantities of second
baud wire,easily procured at the Read
iug Iron Works, could be used to great
advantage. Council adopted the rec
ommendation of tho committee on
! streets aud bridges and on motion it
was ordered that the street commis
sioner in conjunction with P. J. Keef
er proceed as soon as possible to erect
the foot bridge.
Street Jommissioner Miller reported
that he had removod three sections of
worn out hose from the Continental
hose house to the water works. Mr.
Diet/, asked whether all the conplines
were attached. The reply showed that
the couplings were missing. The coupl
ings of two sections were partially ac
counted for and on motion of Mr.
Dietz til® whole matter was referred
to the committee on tire for investiga
tion.
Mr. Dietz reported that tho spraying
nozzle of the Washington hose com
pany was out of order aud he asked
that it be repaired. On motion this
likewise was referred to the commit
tee on fire.
Mr. Dietz raised the question wlieth
ler the enforcement of the ordinance
! prohibiting the erection of frame
j buildings within 150 feet of Mill street
j should not be more closely looked af
ter. He moved that the policemen be
empowered to make necessary investi
gation to see that the ordinance is
not violated and frame buildings er
ected within the 150 foot limit. His
motion prevailed and on ayoaand nay
vote it was decided that the duty of
determining whether a building per
mit in all cases has been procured be
left in the hands of the policemen and
street commissioner of the borough.
Mr. Dietz reported that the citizens
of the upper end are of the opinion
that a dyke should be erected above
tlio borough to protect the town in
times of flood. He asked whether un
der the present law assistance is not
due from the State. The matter was
discussed at some length, but no ac
tion was taken.
The following members were pres
ent : Gibson, Fenstermachor, Dietz,
Btiyer, Reifsnyder.Vaßtine, Sweisfort,
Mag ill and Hughes. G. F. Keefer,
borough surveyor, of Sunbury, was
present at the meeting. Borough So
licitor E. S. Gearhart also met with
couucil.
The following bills were approved
for payment:
BOROUGH DEPARTMENT.
Regular employes 1115.00
Jacob Byerly ..... .50
Robert J. Pegg 3.15
Standard Gas Co 25
S. J. Welliver 85
Thomas Reifsnyder. 3.42
Frauklin Bover 11.30
B. B. Brown 23.25
Harry B. Patton 20.00
Sarah McCuen .. . 3.00
Labor and hauling .... 37.38
George F. Keefer 96.00
WATER DEPARTMENT.
P. & R. R. R. Co $ 48.95
Regular employes 122.40
D. L. & W. R. R. Co 209.59
Curry & C 0.... 282.75
3. J." Welliver *1.44
Atlantic Refining Co 1.88
Standard Gas Co 3.90
Joseph Lechner 58.80
Franklin Boyer... .. 11.72
Ellis Rank 11.94
Entertainment at White Hall.
A delightful entertainment was giv
en Friday evening by tho pupils of the
White Hall school. A large audience
was present and the success of eacli
number on the program was attested
by the frequent applause. Among tne
most pleasing features was the singing
of several songs by the school and a
very pretty solo by Miss Mary Cox,
"I'll Remember You Love in My
Prayers.''
Numbers that deserve espeoial men-
I tiou were "The Joker in Disgrace"
and the "White Hall Fisherman" a
j very funny burlesque. Tho recitations
j were excellent.
During the intermissions the time
was taken np most acceptably by Mr.
Lloyd Confer and his graphophone.
All credit for the entertainment is
due to the teacher, Mr. Mont. Derr,
and the people of White Hall and vic
inity greatly appreciated his untiring
efforts.
Umbrellas and over shoes were in
use yesterday.
NO 5*4
LBGISLATDBE WILL
HfITJsHICALLED
Tlie Governor will not reconvene the
extra session of the Legislature to pass
legislation enabling trolley railwajg
to carry freight and fixing the rate of
passenger travel at two cents a mile.
Resolutions to this effect were passed
by the Legislature aud sent to the Gov
ernor on the day before adjournment,
aud the Governor yesterday in deign
ing to pass upon them simply sajs
that "both requests are declined.
The Governor also vetoed the con
current resolution sent him by the Leg
islature instructing the Attorney Gen
eral to make inquiry aud if he shall
find any railroad company violating
that section of the constitution which
forbids it to mine or sell coal to pro
ceed against it;and the concurrent res
olution creating a committee to ex
amine into the books aud records of
certain companies aud mako report to
the Legislature. The Governor thinks
that these are not germane to any of
the subjects designated in the pro
clamation calling the extra session.
The Governor also vetoes the act to
provide for the assessment of poll taxes
in cities of the first aud second classes
for the reason that the entire purpose
of the bill is not expressed in the title.
All of the bills have now been dis
posed of except the Philadelphia "rip
per" repealer, and it will become a
law without action on the Governor's
part.
Truant Officer lias Trouble.
The brow of Truant Officer Young
I yesterday bore a troubled look He
had two children, he said, who had
no shoes and lie was puzzled to know
how to supply them with the needed
foot wear. These were not the officer's
own children, it is true; nevertheless
he was in a measure responsible for
them. They were on the list of ab
sentees and it was his business to get
them back into school. But he was
up against the time worn excuse:
"No shoes."
The officer has heard this excuse so
often that it begins to haunt him in
his dreams. Every month when he
presents his report to the school board
there are always a few pupils absent
from school because they are ill along
with a less number who are actually
truants, but the report always winds
up with a number who are detained at
home "for want of suitable clothing"
and that means '' shoes.''
These of course are the children of
poor and necessitous families. The
latter can't purchase the "suitable
clothing" and that is all there is
about it. Meanwhile the school law
relating to attendance says that all
children within the proper age limit
must attend school and it doesn't say
anything about "clothing" suitable
or unsuitable.
The truant officer is the man left to
wrestle with the difficult proposition
—to get the children back to school
which means to get them clothing. It
is fortunate for our district that we
havo a truaut officer as faithful to his
trust as Mr. Young, otherwise more
children might be out of school.
He has wrestled witli the problem
of clothing month in aud mouth out.
Occasionally the poor authorities come
to his relief, but just as often they
conclude that it is not right for them
to purchase clothing in such cases and
they rofnse assistance. At other times,
when means are available the Benevo
lent Society comes to his relief. The
preseut unfortunately is one of those
times when a deaf ear is turned to the
truaut officer on all sides aud as above
stated he lias two children to provide
with shoes. Incidentally two child
ren are out of school, who according
to the school law have no right to be
absent. Hence the brow of the truant
officer bears a troubled look.
Obviously here is a fine opportunity
for persons philanthropically inclined
to accomplish far reaching good with
the expenditure of only a little money
A Wonderful Meerschaum.
Charles Haag, clerk of the Montour
House,is exhibiting to his friends with
pardonable pride a present in the form
of a meerschaum pipe, evidently the
finest ever seen in Danville. The gift
is from Jacob Alebom.of Nauticoke, a
nearly life-long friend of Mr. Haag.
The pipe is of the purest meerschaum,
the stem or mouthpiece being of am
ber. The bowl is one mass of most
faultless carving in which are repre
sented in high relief a hunter and hound
pursuiug game. The whole thing is of
exquisite beauty and although more
than twice the size of an ordinary
pipe, owing to the purity of the meer
schaum it is almost without weight.
The fine, white 'clayliko substance
forming the pipe after taking on the
delicate tints that comes with use. will
be a rarity and a marvel of beauty.
The handsome meerschaum came direot
ly from Germany and a gentleman at
the Montour House yesterday who is
an authority on pipes stated that at
the lowest estimate Mr. Haag's gift
cost 475» probably SIOO.
Supper for Men's Classes.
A supper will be given to the mem
bom aud ex-members of the men's
gymnasium classes at Y. M. C. A.
hall this evening at 8:80 o'clock. The
menu will include oysters in all
styles, celery, olivos, cheese, pickles,
coffoe aud ice cream. This event bids
fair to eclipse anything along social
lines yet attempted by the association.
The committee have the assurance of
between sixty and seventy members
and ex-members being present.