DANVILLE INTELLIGENCER
V OL. LiXXVII.
AS TO NIHOGEN
CULTURE
M. S. Bond,the well known garden
er of Chulaskey, was iu town yester
day. Mr Bond's whole life has been
spent in experiment ami study along
the line of agriculture and his inind
is a perfect storehouse of useful knowl
edge ]>ertniuiiig to the cultivation of
the soil. He was one of the first of the
farmers hereabout to interest himself
in the " inoculation of the soil,'* or
nitroculture on crops of legumes, an
article on which subject was printed
in these columns last week.
Mr. Bond says that while the dis
covery is a most important one in
chemical science it has been much ex
aggerated and has been employed by
fakirs iu separating farmers from their
hard-earned dollars. The government
never intended the discovery to be
fanned out by pretended manufactur
ers for speculative purposes, as all the
scientific investigations couducted by
the department are for the advance
ment of agriculture free of expense. It
occurred, however, that unscrupulous
parties obtained some of the cultures
from the department and commenced
flooding the country with small pack
ages of inoculated cotton at two dol
lars each—sufficient (as they claimed)
to inoculate a bushel of seed.
Mr. Bond says that mauy attempts
to grow cultures from the dry cotton
prove failures. He pronounces the cot
ton package culture a fake and states
that the farmer that feels like throw
ing away his two dollars has a legal
right to do so but for his part, lie can
succeed with clover,and peas when he
supplies sufficient plant food in the
form of potash, phosphorus ami nit
rate.
Mr. Bond does not deny that some
soils lack the presence of bacteria be
longing to the different legumes and
states that he knows from observation
that they can be supplied At the same
time he says that tltcv inoculation of
the seed will not cause barren soil to
grow profitable crops iu the absence of
potash and phosphoric acid nor will it
benefit crops or soils where the leg
umes have been recently grown. The
culture that is necessary to iuoculate
alfalfa clover will not have any effect
on the red clover,peas or beans as each
requires the germ belonging to its own
species.
The worthlessness attribute*! by Mr.
Bond to some of the uirtogen cultures
sent out in cottou is attributed to a
mistake made in the manner of pack
ing the nitrogen for shipment. The
liquid culture was sent out by the de
partment in unsealed tubes,the mouth
of the vial being filled with cotton. It
was not realized that the cotton would
have any offect on the culture, but it
really proved responsible for a serious
deterioration iu the quality of the ma
terial.. The cutlure is uow being dis
tributed on a new basis and the de
partment will in a short time no doubt
succeed in redeeming itself iu the eyes
of the planters and gardeners who had
condemned its work in this direction.
Report for /larch.
According to the record of the local
registrar of the State board of health
and of vital statistics there is an im
provement in the public health over
the month of February, notwithstand
ing that the damp and inclement weath
er of March is supposed to be favorable
for the prevalence of sickness.
The report for Marcli shows as fol
lows : Diphtheria,seven cases ; typhoid
fever, five cases; pneumonia, four
cases; chickeupox, oue case; measles,
one case.
During the month only one death
followed from diphtheria. There was
also one death from pneumonia. The
other contagious diseases were not at
tended with any mortality. The whole
number of deaths occuriug during the
month were twenty-five.
In February there were six cases of
diphtheria, ton cases of typhoid fever
and five cases of pneumonia. The num
ber of deaths in February were twen
ty
The number of births for March have
not all as yet been turned into the
local registrar. It will probably be
the 10th of the month before the births
are all recorded. The returns made up
to yesterday show ten births for March,
but that is probably only half the
number that will be shown later. Dur
ing the past, since the new law has
been in effect, the births and deaths
have pretty well balanced.
The above report covers only the
borough of Danville, Mahoning. Val
ley, Mayberry, Liberty, Cooi>er and
West Hemlock townships. It embraces
the Hospital for the Insane.
Soloist With Sousa.
In the advance notices in the New
York papers of the engagement of
Housa's band at the Hippodrome, which
will begin April Bth., the name of
Ross Millhouse, coruetist, is mention
ed as one of the four soloists. The oth
er soloists who are classed with Mr.
Millhouse are Elizabeth Schiller, so
prano; Jeauette Powers, violiniste;
and Herbert Clarke, coruetist.
Lowrie—Knoble.
Miss Ella Knoble, of near Elysburg,
aud Mr. James Lowrie, an attache of
hospital for the insane, were married
by Rev. Joseph E. Guy, at the par
sonage of the Shiloh Reformed church
yesterday afternoon.
The Crest Minstrel Co
'ftae CveHt Minstrel Cmni.iuiy will
Kiveau entertiiiiiiiiHut in HtMlilenit' 11*11
at WaablnKtonville, Natm-ilm- evening,
April 7th.
FIRE BREAKS OUT
AT KNITTING MILL
A fire, evidently the work of au in
cendiary, broke out in the outside ware
house of the Dauville Knitting Mills
about 8 o'clock last night,which caus
ed a lot of damage and for a while
threatened the destruction of the large
mills.
Fortunately the plant was j>artially
in operation last night. Mr. Delauey,
the superiuteudent, and the heads of
several of the departments, were in the
mill doing some extra work,otherwise
the fire would have gained such head
way as to have made it impossible to
save the building. The warehouse in
which the fire occurred,is a large one
story frame structure, situated some
seventy-five yards east of the mill.
Just about 8 o'clock John Kern,who
was on one of the upper floors of the
mill,happened to lookout of the wind
ow aud saw the flames climbing up
the outside of the building, at the
north-east corner. He gave the alarm
and soou all hands, assisted by the
residents of Bridal Row and others,
were at work trying to extinguish the
fire while the hoarse whistle of the
knittiug mill sounded the alarm.
At the very moment the fire was dis
covered the men dragged out the mill
hose aud iu a short time had a stream
of water playiug on the fire. Unfor
tunately the hose was about twenty
feet too short, aud the employes work
ed at a big disadvautage. The flames
ate through the weather hoards aud
soon the interior of the ware house
was a mass of fire. Meanwhile the
fire department responded, all four
companies arriving about the same
time. By this time the sceue was a
lurid oue, the flames with a vast vol
ume of smoke breaking out of the
building and threatening wholesale
destruction.
It seemed only an instant until there
were several streams of water playiug
on the fire and after that it was only a
few minutes until all was over. Nev
er was there a fire extinguished more
quickly, thanks to the perfect co-op
eration ami well directed efforts of the
firemen.
The building is partially destroyed,
but the greatest loss entailed comes
through the destruction of the con
tents. In the ware house was a large
quantity of box shooks.aml these were
all burned. In the huildiug also was
a large stock of yarn which represents
a good deal of money. A dozen or more
large boxes of raw material were roll
ed out of the buildiug before the fire
men arrived by residents living near
the mill. A good deal of yarn still
remained in the ware house aud al
though this did uot burn it was badly
damaged bv water.
The loss will be considerable. Mr.
Goeser last night stated that there in a
small insurance on the building and
contents, but he was unable to state
just what amount. He was pretty con
fident that it will not cover the loss.
Mr. Goeser feels sure that the build
ing was set on fire by some one. Those
who discovered the fire are also con
fident that it was the work of an in
cendiary. There was no fire or light
in the building and the fact that the
flames were discovered 011 the outside
seems to give color to the theory of
incendiarism
Judge Bvans Visits Danville.
His Huuor C. (J. Evans, the presi
dent Judge appointed b ernor
Peunypacker on Friday for the district
comprising Montour and Columbia
counties, paid a visit to this city yes
terday for the purpose of meeting the
Montour county bar and making ar
rangements for holding court hero.
Accompanied by his wife Judge
Evans came down to this city on the
11:40 Danville and Bloomsburg trol
ley car. During their stay in Danville
they were guests at the Moutour
House.
At 1 :tfO o'clock the new Judge met
the members of the local bar in the
prothouotary's office. Nearly an hour
was very pleasantly spent here in so
cial chat and in making arrangements
for holding court. Judge Evans com
bines with his scholarly attainments
and experience at the bar a good deal
of personal magnetism and dignified
and courteous manner, all of which
admirably qualify him for a position
on tho bench. Not a few of our towns
people yesterday had the pleasure of
meeting him for the first time aud all
alike were favorably impressed.
Judge Evans will hold iiis first court '
in Danville on Saturday, beginning at
:2K) a. 111. This is the regular date for
argumeut court. It seems, however,
that there are no cases ready for argu
ment so that the session will probably
not be a long one but will bo occupi
ed mainly by motions and matters of
that sort aud will afford an opportun
ity for all parties to get well acquaint
ed.
011 Thursday of next week the mat
ter of a receiver for the franviile and
Sunbury street railway company will
jbe argued before Juttee Evans in the
■ courthouse here. \V illiam Kase West
j will represent the petitioners and
( James Scarlet the trolley oom|iauy.
| The next regular term of oourt will
i begin on t he fourth Monday of May.
I Judge Evaus was informed yesterday
that there will*be two homicide cases
, lor trial. Qn Saturday a venire will
i he issued for drawing jurors for the
' Hay term. Si*ty will be required.
Soon will the snow shovel and the
ice pick give way to the grubbing hoe
and the garden rake.
■fUXgp BUT TO TBUTH, TO LIBKBTT Airo LAW—HO VATOB SWATS US AXD wo fIAI —ATA AW
DANVILLE. MONTOUI? COUNTY. PA., FRIDAY, APRIL (», 1900.
BARKS DESTROYED
BY FIRE
The general confusion incidental to
moving was considerably accentuated
Monday by the breaking out of afire,
which practically destroyed two hams,
communicated to two dwellings near
by and kept the fire department busy
for nearly an hour.
It was just two o'clock when the
alarm was sounded and a column of
black smoke visible from nearly every
part of town was seen pouring sky
ward south of East Market street near
the line separating the first and second
wards. The fire was found to be locat
ed in two frame barns which stood ad-1
joining on the premises of the Wil
liam C. Johnston estate and of Joseph
Ephlin.No. 321 and No. 328 East Front
street, respectively,and abutted on the
alley at the rear of Thomas .T. Price's
residence.
The Friendship, the Washington and
the Continental fire companies were
soon upon the ground and were play
ing upon the fire. One of the barns
was a mass of Haines when the firemen
arrived, while the other was also 011
fire and was apparently doomed.
The barn on the Wlliam C. Johns
ton estate was used by T. J. Price for
housing (he pony belonging to his
sou, Edward. The pony was iu the
barn when the fire broke out, but was
rescued just in the nick of time by
James Murray, who discovered the
fire. Mr. Murray was walking up
Cedar street when he detected smoke
just outside the barn. He investigat
ed and found the board fence which
separates the two lots and leads up to
the barn a mass of flames, which had
already communicated to the barn. He
gave the alarm and quickly proceeded
to take the pony to a place # of safety.
He led the little animal from the barn
just as the devouring flames seized one
side of the stall.
Joseph Ephliu, the owner of one
barn, is in Wilkes-Barre. Others, how
ever, including his mother, were iu
the house assisting to move his house
hold goods. All hands as soou as the
fire was discovered rushed to the barn
and with buckets filled from the hyd
rant fought heroically to quench the
fire, but to uo purpose. In an instant
the flames leaped over head and a large
quantity of hay took fire. From that
moment the barns were doomed.
On every side of the spot are wood
en buildings, some in close proximity
and all dry and inflammable. All that
was needed was a fire brand or a spark
to set them off. Fortunately there was
uo wind and the firemen while play
iug on the burning barn were able to
keep the fire from spreadiug. All three
companies worked heroically and not
withstanding that the two frame barns
were easy prey to the flames they suc
ceeded in extinguishing the fire before
either of the buildings were wholly in
ruins, although damaged to such an
extent that they will have to be torn
down. Soon after the arrival of the
firemen James T. Magill iu the face of
danger rushed into the barn and drag
ged out a set of harness, a box of oats
aud some other articles.
When the flames were extinguished
and the firemen were reeling up their
hose there was a cry of fire 011 East 1
Front street and it was discovered that
the roof of the fine residence of Mrs.
G. W. Myerly, East Front, and Cedar
streets a square away, was 011 fire at
two places and was blazing briskly.
The big crowd that had assembled
made a rush to Front street and were
repaid by witnessing some very ex
peditious and well directed work of |
the fire department, which in a short 1
time had the fire on the roof extin- '
guished. Two other buildings nearer
the burning barns were previously sot
011 fire by sparks and much damage
was prevented by the same effective
work of the fire department.
As to tiie origin of the fire it seemed
to be the consensus of opinion that it
was caused by the burning of brush in
one of the yards. The people assisting
to move Mr. Ephlin's goods did not
deny that they had burned some straw
in the back yard, but they declared
that it was at a safe distance from the
barn and that they stood by, carefully
watching the fire until the last spark
was extinguished. Mrs. Prout who
occupies the adjoining premises deni
ed that there was any fire at all on her
side, as she was employed eleswhere
and was not even at home during the
day,
BLAST FURNACE SITE.
The large hot water heater main
tained in connection with the blowing
engine that still remains at the Bes-"
semer blast furnaoe was loaded on the
j cars yesterday preparatory to being
shipped to Philadelphia.
The remains of the blast furnace that
still lie on the site do not present a
pleasing picture. Viewed from East
Market street, especially, the aspect
is positively dispiriting,one that might
not be calculated to give a stranger a
very high estimate of the town. A
gentleman in touch with the situation
states that by the first of June in all
probability the site will be cleared.
This is euoouragiug.even if a thorough
oleaning up can not he accomplished
earlier.
Hit by Cannon Ball.
Everett Foresmau, a four-year-old
boy who resided with his lmrents at
New Columbia, above West Milton,
was struck by the fast northbound
Reading passenger train known as the
"Cannon Ball," Monday afternoon
and received injuries from which he
1 died an hour later.
AN UNPLEASANT
SPECTACLE
It is superfluous to remark that
tramps are not fastidious. Iu the ex
tremity ol' their necessities they do
not object to seeking shelter in the
stalls with the cattle of the farm. It
remaiucd for Danville, however, to
afford an instance of a hobo who par
took of the food rejected by a dog—al
though he may not have been aware of
that fact.
Will (r. Brown, who relates the cir
cumstauce, owns a dog, which sub
sists ou the ofl'als from the table at the
City Hotel. Tuesday after the evening
meal a liberal installment of food was
carried over from the hotel to Brown's
repair shop iu which the dog is kept.
The dog took the food, picked out
what Jae wanted, but rejected three
buckwheat cakes, some potatoes and
some other remnants of food. These
Mr. Brown yesterday morning gather-1
ed up and threw out of the window,
where they remained during the day.
About five o'clock last evening a
wcebegone specimen of humanity came
meandering along the alley from West
Mahoning street. He was a typical
hobo, dirty and ragged and evidently
hungry. As he walked by Mr. Brown's
shop he spied the discarded food on
the ground. His face at once lighted
up; he hesitated only a moment and
then made a dive for the food, picking
up the three buckwheat cakes, which
he ate ravenously. Again he returned
to the food and devoured what remain
ed.
The spectacle was not a pleasant one
and none could believe that any but a
famishing human being would resort
to such an extremity. Several persons,
benevolently inclined, among them
ROT. Father Feeser, chaplain of the
Holy family convent, happened along
about the time of the occurrence and
learning of the affair had their sym
pathy aroused and they caused a dilig
ent search to be instituted for the man
but the hungry individual had sudden
ly disappeared and ho could nowhere
be found.
Injured in Runaway.
Howard, tlie nineteen-year-old sou
of Councilman .John L. Russell, met
with a bad accident about five o'clock
Monday afternoon and "upto a late
hour last night the full extent of his
injuries could iiot be ascertained.
Howard was engaged in driving
Murray's delivery wagon and was de
livering goods in the vicinity of the
P. & R. station when an accident of
some sort occurred, as the result of
which the young man was thrown out
of the wagon and the horse ran away.
Just what happened no one seems to
know. The horse attached to the driv
erless wagon was caught as lie was
ruuuing down Walnut street while the
driver was found lying near the depot,
only half conscious and unable to tell
what had taken place.
As soon as the horse and wagon were
returned to the store another driver
took them in charge and started out to
hunt up Howard. Meanwhile the lat
ter was carried into the station and
well cared for. When the wagon ar
rived he was placed iu it and taken to
t]je home of his parents,corner of Wat
er and Cedar streets.
He seemed to bo suffering vory much,
and hail no recollection of what had
occurred. Dr. Barber was called, who
made a careful examination hut was
unable to find any symptoms of con
cussion of the brain or other serious
injury. It seems pretty clear that in
falling out of the wagon he struck the 1
back of his head and his shoulder. Dr.
Barber was of the opinion that the in
jured boy was suffering from the shock
and that he would come around all
right in a few days if he remained
quiet. Four hours after the accident
last night the young man remaiuod iu
the same state, unconscious not JJouly
of the incidents of the runaway, but
also of all that, had occurred previous
ly during the afternoon.
Party Near Washington ville.
A delightful party was held at the
home of Jacob W. Mart/, near Wash
ingtonville iu honor of his birthday.
Various amusements were afforded
during the day. The pleasure of the
occasion was greatly augmented by the
fine graphophone music furnished by
Howard Billmeyer." Those present were
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Martz, Mr. and
Mrs. Charles Martz, Mr. and Mrs. Al
len Martz, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Bill
meyer, Six. and Mrs. John Reeder.Mr.
and Mrs. Charles Kniss. Mr. and Mrs.
William Moser, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob
Martz, Mrs. Allen Wertmau, Mrs.
Juliet Martz, Mrs. Susan Girtou,
Misses Laura Martz, Mary Moser, Eva
Philips, Helen Martz,, Vera Martz,
Miriam Wertmau; Messrs. William
Martz, Oliver Billmeyer, Roy, Stuart
and Lester Martz and Alviu Moser.
Four Months Fuel Stored.
The indications of a tie-up of the
anthracite and bituminous coal mines
of the country lias brought out uumer
| ous estimates of the stock on iiaud.
I These vary from forty to seventy mil
; lions. Conservative coal operators say
I that the stocks of ooal on hand through
i out the country amount approximately
to tous, of which 80,000,000
tons are bituminous and 530,000,000 tons
'anthracite. This stock is sufficient to
, meet all demands for a j»eriod of four
' months,
Painting Letter Boxe%
The mail boxes and posts supporting
. the same iu the borough are all receiv
ing a coat of groeu paint,Charles Rob
| son being the artist employed. The
| painter took Mill street, yesterday af
ternoon and that ho made a good job
' of the work all seem to agreo.
POLICEMEN MAKE
TEN ARRESTS
There have been developments about
town during the last few days which
would seem to indicate that the noise,
profanity and general disorder which
digraees our principal street after
dark,especially Sunday nights, is about
to be brokeu up. The police have re
sorted to extreme measures ami since
Monday have made no less than ten
arrests.
The hoodlums who cause nil the
trouble constitute a big crowd. Some
are wholly bad aud are entitled to uo
consideration; others may be merely
giddy or thoughtless aud their prin
cipal offense may consist of the fact
that they are prone to seek bad com
pany.
To all intents and purposes, how
ever, they are »U in the same category
aud they prove a great nuisance, not
to say a disgrace, to the town.
It is the custom of this crowd, on
Sunday nights, especially, to loiter
about Mill street, forming groups in
front of cigar stores or at street cor
ners where they make themselves just
as objectionable as they know how.
Time and again the officers disperse
them, but as soon as the police turn
their backs the hoodlums practically
own the street. Their language ?s
shocking, in point of profanity and ob
scenity reaching the extreme limit.
Add to this their swagger aud bravado,
their crowding and jostling on the
sidewalk and we have conditions more
in keeping with a town on the frontier
than an old municipality like Danville
where the blessiugs of civilization are
supposed to manifest themselves in
general quiet and orderliness.
On Sunday night the hoodlums did
their worst ami they have been paying
the penalty ever since. One group took
possession of the sidewalk in front of
Udelhofeu's tobacco store and another
the street corner at J. H. Cole's hard
ware store. At either point their con
duct was such as to oblige podestrians,
especially ladies, to take the opposite
side of the street. At a later hour the
hoodlums took possession of Bloom
street and their conduct along the
thoroughfare caused a great scandal.
Chief Miucemoyer decided to adopt
drastic measures and the two officers
got busy at once trying to discover the
names of the offenders determined to
make an example of them. So dilig
ently and to such good effoet did they
work that by yosterday the officers had
discovered the identity and caused the
arrest of no less than ten and still
there are others. Some of the boys were
arraigned before Justice Oglesby aud
others before Justice Daltou. At neith
er place was the fine for disorderly
couducf imposed, but the boys were
let off with a reprimand after paying
the costs in the case amounting to two
dollars. In consideration of the fami
lies the names of the boys arrested are
withheld at this time. At the hearing
they all promised to abstain from such
disgraceful couduct iu the future. It
remains to be seen whether they will
live up to their promises or fall back
into their evil ways. Should the lat
ter occur they may rest assured that
there is another arrest iu store for
them,when there will be no remitting
of fines and they may expect to receive
the full measure of newspaper notor
iety.
Working Hodel Installed.
William H. Rishel, whose iuveu
tion, the boltless rail chair to take the
place of splice plates was recently de
scribed iu these columns, has complet
ed a working model and has installed
it on the track of the D. L. & W. rail
road here; where it seems to fill the
bill very nicely.
Mr. Hisliel's device is iustallcd on
the siding about midway between the
i station and the stove works. It was
very easily placed in position by re
moving the fish or splice plate and in
every respect it seems to bear out the
theory of the inventor, holding the
rails firmly on the ties and keeping
them perfectly even so that the car
wheels run over them without the
least jar.
The model, which had to be ham
mered out in a blacksmith shop and
consists of several different plates
riveted together, presents a somewhat
crude appearance and hardly does jus
tice to the invention. If the boltless
rail chair becomes a success it will be
perfectly feasible to roll it in one
piece ; and there will not be a bolt or
a rivet employed. In this way it can
be very cheaply manufactured.
It is a well known fact that the rail
road companies are looking for a de
vice of this sort, which will obviate
the uuevenuess of surface at the joints
of rails and do away with the bolts
which add much to the cost of rail
road construction and are unsatisfact
ory in other respects. Mr. Rishel there
fore, was vory readily granted per
mission to use the D. L. & W. track
in giving his invention a trial and
there is no doubt but that the railroad
people are watching the result of the
test with quite as much interest as the
inventor himself.
200 niles of New Road.
1 State Highway Commissioner Hunt
j er expects to build more than 200 miles
of good roads in Pennsylvania during
the present year.
The time limit for making applica
tion for this year's appropriation for
State support for the building of roads
expires on April 30. Blanks have been
| sent by Commissioner Hunter to every
township in the State.
GROUND BROKEN
AT STOVE WORKS
The Danville Stove and Manufactur
ing company has broken ground for
the new fire proof building, in which
are to be housed the patterns used at
the plant. The fine collection of pat
terns belonging to the works repre
sents quite a hundred thousand dollars
iu money and probably could not be
replaced for that sum should they be
destroyed, to say nothing of the delay
that would be sure to ensue while uew
patterns wore being made. It will be
recalled that the recent fire at the
Stove Works broke out in the wing of
i the building in which the ]>atterns,
were stored—that some of them were
damaged by fire and smoke and that
the whole collection escaped destruc
tion by the narrowest possible margin.
To bettor protect the patterns it was
at once decided to erect a new build
ing at least approximately fire proof.
The work was necessarily delayed un
til the snow disappeared and the frost
passed out of the ground. The build
ing being erected is east of the plant
at a safe distance away. It will be of
brick 120 feet long and 3f> feet wide,
12 feet to tlio squaro.. There will not
be a window in the building,light be
ing admitted through twenty sky
lights in the roof. The door will form
the single openiug iu the structure.
About .one hundred thousand brick
will bo required for the building and
these are already on the ground. The
stone, also, which are from the dis
mantled blast furnace, are delivered.
The work is in charge of J. F. Mon
tague, the veteran carpenter of the
stove works, who has superintended
the construction of all the buildings,
that have been erocted in connection
with that plant for many years past.
George Beyers has a contract for the
stone and the brick work of the new
building. The work will be rushed
along very rapidly and it was stated
yesterday that by the last of May the
new pattern house would bo completed
and iu use.
Preliminary Survey Made.
There is no doubt but that the re
coustructiou of North Mill street un
der the Sproul good road act of May
1, 1905, will be one of the early im
provements set on foot in the borough
this year. The second preliminary step
in the actual procedure was taken on
last Saturday when Borough Survoyor
Georgo F. Keefer assisted by Street
Commissioner E. S. Miller made a
survey of the street.
From this survey a blue print will
bo mado, which will be sent into the
State highway department and will
form the basis for further proceedings
as prescribed by the act. The survey
shows that some excavation will be
necessary iu reconstructing the street,
especially near the northern end, but
the cutting and tilling will be much
loss than was expected.
The committee of council composed
of Amos Vastine, Jacob Boyer, John
Hughes, Georgo Jacobs and T. W.
Bedea, accompanied the borough sur
veyor Saturday and from now on will
keep closely in touch with tho succes
sive steps of the work. They are de
termined, they say, to take advantage
of every moment of time that can bo
gained and that if their efforts count
for anything by tho Fourtli of July
the work will bo well under way.
The visit by the full committee Sat
urday seems to have decided the ques
tion as to whether the whole street
shall be paved or a portion of it mac
adamized. All now are iu favor of a
pavement from Center street to the P.
& H. railway crossing, even if not be
yond on the couple hundred feet of the
thoroughfare that lies between the
railroad crossiug and the Mahoning
township line.
APRIL SHOWERS.
Four days of April sunshine were
followed with gentle April showers
last evening which settled the dust
that was becoming an unpleasant fact
or and moistened the earth so as to
start the tender blades of grass.
Except along the fences on the north
em slopes of land the snow has already
disappeared. There was no frost in the
ground and as fast as the snow melted
the earth dried off. The country roads,
which up to last week, were perfect
quagmires, aro already drying off and
&t a few places the highways are get
ting dusty.
An occasional robin is seen about
town and there seems no reason to
doubt that spring has come to stay.
John Keim the brick manufacturer,
has everything in readiness at his
yards to begin tiie making of bricks.
He will likely commence moulding
next Monday, if not before.
The farmers are not discouraged at
the lato spring. A well-known agri
culturist the other day explained that
in a season such as the present the
crops are likely to mature just as early
as when spring opens up in March. In
the event of the latter a certaiu amount
of cold unseasonable weather is likely
to follow in April, which retards the
growth of crops.
A very favorable circumstance the
present year lies in the fact that ow
ing to the absence of frost in the
grouud the late snow in melting sank
iuto tho eai th, which is now saturated
witfi water to an extent that could not
have been attained under any other
circumstances. Under the growing
crops everywhere will lie u groat res
ervoir of moisture, which will hurry
along the crops during this motith and
next when drought conditions in some
degree are likely to prevail.
Tho snow heaps are growing heauti
ully lens.
SAD DEATH OF
DANIEL F. ROSS
Daiiiel Foster Ross succumbed last
evening at 8 :30 o'clock to the compli
cation that followed the slight iujury
he received about ten days ago wheu
he wrenched his leg oil a loose board
just outside his home.
The abscess that set iu on Sunday
kept the young man iu the most ag
onizing pain, that lasted almost until
the end. Yesterday morning the phy
sicians in attendance gave up all hope
of recovery, but the sufferer remained
conscious until about 4 o'clock yester
day afternoon.
Dauiel Ross had a large circle of
friends among all classes iu this vic
inity. He was a member of Montour
Castle, No. 18«, Knights of tlie Gold
en Eagle and of the A. A. of I. S. &
T. Workers. He was employed at the
Reading iron works, and with liis fel
low workmen as well as with others
of|our townspeople he was respected
and admired for his quiet and pleas
ant manner and for his pleasing per
sonality. He is probably remembered
best by a number of Danville people
as the captain of the naphtha launch
that he operated on the river after the
old bridge was swept away.
The deceased was twenty-six years
of age, and is survived beside his par
ents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Ross, by the
following brothers and sisters : Mrs.
William Coinmou, Mrs. Charles For
ney, Frauk. Susan, Etta, Tillie and
Elsie.
Feast of the Passover.
In common with Jews all over the
world the congregation of B'nai Ziou
is making preparations to celebrate the
feast of the Passover, which will be
gin on Monday evening next and con
tinue seven days. The Passover ser
vices will be held iu B'nai Ziou tem
ple on' Monday evening at 7p. m. At
10 a, m. Tuesday Rabbi Zeisler will
deliver a Passover greeting.
The feast of the Passover will bo
celebrated the world over by the Jews.
The Passover lasts seven days from the
eve of the fourteenth day of the month
of Sivau until the eve of the 21st of
the same mouth. During all these
days no Jew oats leavened bread, and
in celebrating this feast,they eat mat
zos, known as unleavened bread, as
their ancestors did after their miracul
ous deliverance from bondage in Egypt
and on their march through the Red
Sea. §
The feast of the Passover called Pas
sacli is celebrated in commemoration
of the deliverance from Egypt where
the Jews had been oppressed by the
Pharoahs. To the credit of the Jews
it is stated tlfat they were the first of
all the nations who had the courage to
assume the burden and to take upon
themselves the responsibilities incid
ental to going out into the wilderness
and starting a uew home rather than
to remain in bondage, where while
heavy burdens were imposed on them
their material wants were all suppli
ed.
Not all of the seven days of the
Passover are holy days in the strict
sense of the term, only the first and the
seventh day, as it was only on these
days that the bible prescribes holy con
vocation in the respective houses of
worship.
All Jewish citizens have supplied
themselves with a sufficient quantity
of matzos and as to opportunities for
religious uplifting during the Pass
over it is not saying too much that
Rabbi Zeisler will conduct the ser
vices «in a befitting manner and make
very impressive.
Northumberland Presbytery.
The regular spring meeting of the
Northumberland Presbytery will be
held at Montgomery on Monday and
Tuesday, April 16th and 17th. The
meeting will convene at 2:30 o'clock
on the afternoon of the first day. The |
opening sermon will be delivered by
the retiring moderator, the Rev. Geo.
H. Hemingway,D. D. ,of Bloomsburg.
Among the more important matters to
come before the meeting will be the
reports on the condition of the church
es, aud the state of religion by the
Rev. William Charles Hogg, of the
First Presbyterian church of Williams
port. *
Surprise Party.
A pleasant surprise party was held
Saturday evening at the home of Mr.
and Mrs. William Wertman,Grand and
Honeymoon streets, in honor of Mrs.
Wertman's twentieth birthday. Music
and games helped to pass the evening
after which refreshments were served.
Those present were: Mr. and Mrs.
George Wertman, Mr. and Mrs. Jon
athan Baylor, Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin
Cook, and children Charles, Stella and
Anna, Harry Wertman, Miss Amelia
Lehman, Wesley Cooper aud children,
Grace, William and Walter, Miss Ida
Moser and Miss Isabel Snyder.
F. P. Angle Manager.
The Minstrel Association of Lehigh
University has disposed of funds in its
possession raised by the students in
dramatic performances by giving SIOO
to the base ball team, $25 to the la
crosse team and sls to the University
Y. M. C. A. The association elected
F. P. Angle, manager; F. V. Bechtel,
assistant manager; J. W. Stair,music
al director,and L. Thomas, stage nian
agor.—Philadelphia Press.
There is plenty of evidence seen
daily between the teeth of minors to
prove that the cigarette law is still be
-1 ing violated.
NO Li)
EXPRESS BUSINESS
IN DANVILLE
The removal of Adams Express office
into separate quarters, which will take
place early this week, has turned the
thoughts of many of our older resi
dents back to a time when the express
business hero was on altogether a dif
ierent footiug. In conversation Satur
day Robert Adams, who was connected
with the express office here for forty
three years,gave au interesting descrip
tiou of the beginning of express busi
ness in Danville, of its development
and the various chauges that have af
fected it.
E. W. Conkling was the pioneer of
the express business in Danville. Thi
first express company to do business
here was Howard & Co. In 1854 when
the Catawissa railroad was completed
as far as Catawissa Mr. Conkling ran
a wagon from Catawissa to Danville
daily. When the railroad was finished
as far as Danville the express business
li#re properly commenced, Mr. Conkl
ing being the agent of Howard & Co..
A couple of years later the Interna
tional Express Co. secured exclusive
privileges for its business on the Cata
wissa railroad. Howard & Co. then
retired but did not leave the road.
They continued paying railroad fare
of messenger daily, who used a carpet
bag carrying small packages and mon
ey. Howard & Co. took the case to
the courts and received a decision set
tiug fortli that common carriers must
give equal facilities to all as far as
they are able.
lii consequence of this decision How
ard & Co. again went on the railroad,
the two express companies occupying
it together. This did not continue
long, the International giving up the
contest and retiring.
After a few years Howard & 00.
was merged into the Ceutral express.
The latter company also did the ex
press business on the Lackawanna &
Bloomsburg railroad, but withdrew
from the latter road after it was acquir
ed by the Delaware, Lackawanna &
Western company, which did its own
express business for a time. Eventual
ly discovering as other railroads in
the East have done that the express
business is more satisfactory carried
on by an outside corporation, the D.
L. & \V. Co. gave the United States
Express Co. the privileges.
About 1871 the Suubury & Hazleton
railroad was completed and the Cent
ral Express Co. secured the express
privileges over it, which company was
merged with Adams & Co. oxpress that
continues to occupy said road. Adams
& Co. succeeded the Central on the
Catawissa railroad. After the latter
road was controlled by the P. & R.
railway company Adams & Co. held
privileges until the P. & H. people
organized their own express company.
In 1887 Adams & Co. purchased the
express business from the P. & R. rail
way company and operated on said
road for about two years. Then find
ing that the business could be reached
at nearly all important points by the
Pennsylvania railroad Adams & Co.
threw up the contract with the Read
ing and have since dono all their busi
ness here over the Pennsylvania rail
road.
Mr. Coukling continued to bo agent
here up to the time of his death in
1887, at which time Robert Adams was
appointed agent of Adams & Co. ex
press. Mr. Adams, who was connect
ed with the business from its inception
continued as agent until 1897, when he
resigned and A. 11. Grone was ap
pointed agent. Mr. Grone continued
in charge of Adams & Company's busi
ness up to the present. As previously
stated he will be succeeded by William
M. Sechler, after the office is remov
ed.
The express business in the early
days was something entirely different
from what we are accustomed to at
present. Said Mr. Adams :
"At the time the Catawissa railroad
was started there were no fast freights.
Freight trains as a rule were very
irregular,sometimes not arriving from
Philadelphia ofteuer than twice a
week. In consequence a great deal of
heavy freight was shipped by express.
I recall one time when Waterman &
Beaver, who owned the company store
and an individual known as Cheap
John, who conducted a store, got into
a rivalry in the sale of blankets; at
that time it was no unusual thing to
unload half a car load of big boxes
sent by express. An extensive business
was done during the war of the rebel
lion, not only in sending boxes to the
hundreds of boys in the army, but also
in shipping goods to George McAlpin,
a sutler, who received great quantities
of provisions from Neal McCoy of
Jersey town.
Has Removed to Riverside.
Rev. Charles Barnitz, former pastor
of St. Peter's M. E. church, River
side, now retired from the ministry,
has moved to South Danville and tak
en up his residence in Mrs. S. K. *
Hummer's dwelling 6n Gearhart street
near St. Peter's church. It was twelve
years ago that Rev. Mr. Barnitz was
pastor at Riverside. He liked the
place and formed attachments there,
however,and now having retired from
the ministry he has decided to make
his home there. Rev. E. T. Swartz,
the pastor, being too ill to officiate
Rev. Barnitz will occupy the pulpit
at St. Peter's M. E. church on Sunday
next, morning and evening.
The pure food law does not define
| the status of Limberger cheese, but
I fortunately the cheese is able to speak
1 for itself.