DANVILLE INTELLIGENCER
VOLUME 78.
GOOD ROADS 111
n par
The road supervisors of Derry town
ship have gotten the "Good Roads"
fever in earnest, having just sent in
to the State highway department 8 ap
plications for State aid in building
highway in that district, with an ag
gregate of 6 miles. They stand a good
chance of getting it, too, if the high
way department gets that $G,000,0i)0
appropriation that is spoken of iu an
other column of this issue.
The applications from Derry num
ber as many as have been received
from all the rest of Montour county
put together. Before these applications
from Derry were received there were
8 applications on file from this couu
ty, numbered between 1 and 8, inclus
ive. These latest applications are num
bered between 9 and 16, inclusive.
The pieces of road for which State
aid haw been asked are iinportaut
stretches of highway, and as such will
staud a good chauce of being speedily
cousiderert by the highway depart
ment The people of perry township,
as represented by their official*, de
serve great credit for the progressive
spirit they have shown.
The applications are as follows :
1. Beginning at the Strawberry
Ridge church, ou the Jersey town road,
lo Boone's bridge. Oue milo.
3. Beginning at Strawberry Ridge,
on the White Hall road, to the iron
bridge at the residence of George W.
Herr. Oue mile.
8. Reginniug at a point on the road
from Strawberry Ridge to White Hall,
near the residence of Charles Stamra,
thence ou the road to po'nt in same.
One-half mile.
4. Beginning at a point in the road
at Billmeyer's park, thence on the
Washiugtonville road, to a point in
the road near Washiugtonville borough
line. One mile.
5. Beginning at a point in the old i
State road and line of Washingtonville I
borough, near wagon maker's shop, j
thence on Money road, to a point near «
covered bridge. One-half uiile. <
6. li eg inning at a point iu the road <
at the Park hotel and Washingtonville I
borough line,thence on Danville road, <
to a point near the residence of Sam
uel B. Uresh. One mile.i
7. Beginning at a point in the road i
at the Milton bridge, thence ou Mil- i
ton road, to the line of Limestoue
township.uear the residence of George
B. Gresh. One-half mile.
8. Beginning at a point iu the road
from Strawberry Kidge to White Hall, '
at the residence of W. L. Snyder, i
thence on the Jerseytown road, to the
residence ol Charles Heilman. One- i
half mile.
Promotions in Guard.
Promotions iu the national guard
Kmove a little more rapidly for a
years, and there will be a great
ige in the list of general officers
le State troops if a bill introduced
Tuesday night by Senator Godcharles,
of Northumberland, is passed. The
measure provides that after a man has
served forty years iu thfrguard he may
apply for retirement, and that when
au officer reaches the age of sixty-four
years he shall be retired without fur
ther ado. Officers so retired are to be
advanced to the next higher grade,and
at the expiration of the commissions
held at the time of retirement they
may applv for new commissions at the
higher grade, which they will hold as
retired officers duriug good behavior,
which virtually means for life. Offic
ers on the retired list may be entailed
for any duty, except commanding
troops. "It in my idea to iutroduce a
bill which shall be for the good of the
guard as a whole," said Senator God
charles is speaking of the measure.
Senator Godcharles is conversant with
guard matters and needs, having serv
ed as inspector of rifle practice in the
twelfth regimeut until less than a
year ago.
Laying Pipe at hospital.
Up to the present the winter has not
been sufficiently severe to hold up out
of-door work ou the hospital grouuds.
Oue of the most important pieces of
work ever carried through during win
ter is approaching completion at pres
ent This is the laying of pipe to con
duct water from the pumping station
to the gate house, a distauce of fifteen
hundred feet. The work has been in
progress for some weeks past aud al
though rendered uupleasaut aud at
times difficult by the damp aud wet
weather it has suffered but few inter
ruptions. Three-inch pipe is being
laid.
A YEAH TOO SOON.
After all the glorious time the peo
ple of Ilazletou had at their "Old
Home Week" it does seem too bad
that a borough official should have |
discovered that they had it just a year
too soon. This dipcovery was in the
shape of a seal which very elearly
shows that 1857 wad the year of the
organization of the borough. The
Hazletou Standard says that now is
the time for anybody to come forward
who wants to engineer another re
union next summer.
Gray haired at 6.
Boyd Ertwine, a H year-old son of
John Ertwine. of Bloomsburg, who
had dark hair, is rapidly becoming
gray haired. Gray hairs were first
noticed about a year ago. He enjoys
goocj health and the cause of this per
uliarity Is a mystery.
PRQCCEDINCS
OF COUNCIL
David Kauk, Jacob Van Blohn,
Henry Moulter, Jno. Wilhelui ami Jo
seph Carpenter, residents of tlie fonrtli
ward, appeared before council Friday
night, to protest against the vacation
of Cross street crossing by the P. &
R. railway company.
The gentleman, all of whom with
one exception, reside on Cross street,
appeared on behlaf of the residents of
the fourth ward,who it is alleged, are
much inconvenienced by the closing
of the crossing. Men going backwards
and forwards to and from work object
to going out of their way to use the
undergrade crossing, which, it wasal
lged, is muddy and wholly objection
able. The committee claimed that peo
ple living iu the vicinity of Cross
street are iu a manner cut off, and to
reach the southern side of the railroad
it is necessary to travel the alleys. j
The committee was informed that
the ordinance vacating tlie crossing was j
duly published, when the citizens
should havftakeu advaurage of the !
opportunity aud made their objections !
known to council. The present, it was
urged, is too late a day.
Ou motion of Mr. Russell the award- j
ing of the contract for printing the |
book of borough ordinauees was post- j
poned nut i 1 next Friday night, when
a special meeting will be held to ex
amine samples aud award bids. Fred :
K. Miller, of Williamsport. who is a i
prospective bidder, was present at the j
meeting that night and explained to
the couuciiiueu the difference between j
a '"sewed" aud a "stitched" book, a !
distinction which was not well under |
stood here. The specifications call:
for a "sewed" book, which it wa3 j
learned,would add considerably to the
cost. The samples to be submitted next
Friday night are to contain both sew
ed aud stitched books and different
grades of paper, none of which are to
be below tho six cents grade.
At S*:.lo o'clock council went into;
excutive session for the purpose of j
considering the report of Burgess Rog-1
ers aud George B. Jacobs relative to j
their interview with President Trues
dale aud other officials of the D. L. & |
W. railroad compauy concerning the I
matter of piping the abandonod canal. [
au account of Which was printed iu
these columus last week.
The following bills were approved
for payment:
BOROUGH DEPARTMENT.
Regular employes $115.00'
Samuel Mills 11.60,
J. O. Lake 90.00
United States Tel. Co 18.00
Washington Fire Co 2.00
James Gibson 7-50
Standard Gas Co .75
Sweetou-Crossau Eleo. Co 8.50
Rumsey Elec Mfg. C 0... . . 93.65
State tax ou $-15,800 bonds 181.20
Harry B. Patton(Sec'y) 4.50
Labor aud hauling .... .. 57.51
Lahor ou sewer 26.25
Welliver Hdw. Co 15.54
WATER DEPARTMENT.
Regular employes $164.80
P. 11. Foust, Agt 101.60
P. & R. Coal & Iron Co 178.18
Friendship Fire Co . 25.86
Harry Ellenbogen. ... 808.00
Labor at water works 8.25
Standard Gas Co 8.28
Atlantic Refining Co 28.38
Boiler insurance 20.00
Oyster Dinner.
There are indirect as well as direct
benefits that accrue from rural tele
phones, as was shown yesterday, when
a large number of the subscribers ou
the Peoples system ou line No. it, gath
ered at the home of Jackson Balliet iu
West Hemlock township, and partook
of one of the finest oyster dinners that
was ever served in that section. The
pleasant affair lasted all day, aud ev
erybody had a fine time.
The guests were Mr. and Mrs. A. J.
Balliet, Mr. aud Mrs. Chester Balliet,
Mr. aud Mrs. Walter Shultz, Mr. aud
Mrs. T. J. Betz, Mr. aud Mrs. Lloyd
Bomboy, Mr. aud Mrs. J. W. Ande,
Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Wampole, Mr.
aud Mrs. J. H. Hartman, Mr. aud
Mrs. C. J. Deighmillei, Mr. aud Mrs.
W. Boyd Moore, Mr. and Mrs. W.
Parke Moore aud Mr. B. F. Crossley,
Mr. aud Mrs. D. C. Mausteller, Mr.
aud Mrs. B. F. Brobst; Misses Ella
Brobst, May Maustellor, Grace Mau
steller, Ethel Dcighmiller, Bessie,
Sarah and Edna Aude, Myrtle Shultz,
Myrtle Ande, Ivy and Mary Betz,
Hazel Shultz, Mildred Shultz, May
Wampole; Harry Hcberaud Paul Mau
steller, Truman Aude,Reginald Shultz,
aud Earl Wampole.
A Box Car Avalanche.
David Sluimau ami his family live
on a side hill near Maiuville, and the
P. & R. tracks run along the hill just
abov < their home. Yesterday as a
freight train was passing the spot, a
heavily loaded house car toppled over'
aud came rolling and bounding down I
the hill directly towird the Shuuiau .
home, stopping, however, about ten
feet from the kitcheu door.
The car was loaded with plows audi
other heavy farming implements, aud j
for a while it looked as if destruction
was die fate of the Shumans, but an
apple tree in the way diverted the
course of the car. When it stopped the
| roof of the car flew off and plows,har
rows aud other of the' contents were
distributed over the house and sur
rounding oouutry.
| It is well to be slow to auger when
the other man is the better fighter.
TLKDOKD BUT TO TRUTH. TO LIRJERTT AJTD LAW—NO FAVOR BWATB U8 AJO> WO WMAM BAU
DANVILLE, MONTOUR COUNTY. PA., FRIDAY, JANUARY 2r>, 19Q7.
■IIFES
ran
| The petitions of Liberty, Limestone
and Derry townships of Montour coun
ty, presented to court last week pray
ing that the system of working out the
road tux be abolished,were refused by
Judge Evans in au opinion handed
down Saturday, 011 the ground that
the proviso of*he act of assembly of
April 12, 1905, is unconstitutional and
void. Judge Evans' opinion is cl?*rly
in line with those rendered by several |
other courts in the State.
The questiou of abolishing the sys- j
tem of working out the road tax was
voted on in several of the districts of |
Montour county, but, with the excep- |
tion of Mahoning township, it did not j
carry. How the unconstitutionality j
of tlie act may affect tho latter town
ship, where tlie system of taxation for i
working the public roads has been j
changed to conform with the new law
romains to be seen. It was iu consid
ering the petition from Liberty town
ship that Judge Evans handed down j
his opinion, which of course applies I
to all.
The opinion is very clear and cou- j
vincing and makes the court's position !
plain. Omitting a few paragraphs,
where the views of other courts are
quoted, Judge Evans' opinion as hand
ed down follows :
The petition in this case sets forth
"That they are taxpayers of the said
township of Liberty, said county and
State aud as such desire to avail them
selves of the benefits of the act of the
general assembly approved April 12th,
1905, wherein it is provided, among
other things, as follows: That any
township may by a majority vote of
the electors thereof at the February
municipal election, after I Irty days'
prior notice thereto, chang llie sys
tem of taxation for working the pub
lic roads; such election shall be aut 1 !
orized bv the court of quarter sessi' «? !
upon petition of at lea*t twenty-., J
taxpayers of said township.
The portion of the act of general as
sembly of April 12th, 1905, P. L. 142,
which purports to authorize the court
to order aud direct an election to de
termine whether the system of tax
ation for working the public roads
shall be changed is found iu the third
proviso of section two of the act,
which provides as follows: "Provid
ed, however, that a township, may,
by a majority vote of the electors
thereof, at the February municipal
election, after thirty days' prior no
tice there if, change the system of tax
ation for working the public roads, j
Such electiou shall be authorized by
the eourt ot quarter sessions,upon peti
tion of at least twenty-five tax payers
of said township aud auy such town
ship which shall have abolished the
work tax, shall annually receive from
the State fifteen per centum of the
amount of road tax collected in Raid
township, as shown by a sworn state
ment of the board of township super
visors,furnished to the State highway
commissioner ou or before the fifteenth
day of March of each year."
Under this section of the act have
we the power aud authority to grant
the prayer of the petitioners? We think
not.
Under section 33 of the general road
law of A;.-.! loth, 1834, it is the duty
of the supervisors to give parties rated
with taxes full opportunity to work
them out, before proceeding to collect
them The act is meudatory aud must
be substantially obeyed. Otherwise
there is no power to issue a warrant
for their collection. Tho opportunity
to work out the road tax is a condition
precedent to collection by legal pro
cess.
~ Thus the law stood at the time of
the passage of the act of April 12th,
1905, now nnder consideration. The
legislature does not attempt to take
this right from the taxpayer by direct
euactmeut but delegates to a majority
of the electors of the different town
ships of the Commonwealth the right
to do so.
This, as we view it, is a clear de
legation of legislative authority. If
this petition were allowed and the
order made as prayed for, a majority
of the electors of Liberty township,
voting at the municipal election held
on the fhird Tuesday of February next
would determine whether or not the
taxpayers residing within said town
ship would have the opportunity to
work out their road tax lor the ensu
ing years. This would be a clear dele
gation of legislative authority to the
majority of the electors voting at said
electiou aud clearly offends against
sec. I articlo II of the constitution cf
Peuusylvauia, which provides "The
legislative power of this Common
wea'tli shall be vested in a general as
sembly, which shall cousist of a senate
aud house of representatives."
The tax payer, under the eeueral
road law of April 15th, 1834, without
au electiou, Ims the right to work out
his road tax. and of *his right he can
not be deprived except by positive en- j
actmeut of the law making power of
rii<' (Commonwealth.
Sec. 7, artvde 111 of the constitution
provides that, "The general assembly
shall not pass auy local or special law
regulating the affairs of counties,
cities, townships, wards, boroughs or
school districts." The act of assembly
under oonsideration clearly offends
; agaiust this section of the coustitu
| tiou.
| (Quotation of authorities confirming
the last paragraph).
We are therefore of the opinion that
the third proviso of sec 2 of the act
of April 12th, 1905, P. L 142 is clear
ly in conflict, with sec. 1, art I and
sec 7, art 111 of the coustitutiou.
We therefore hold that the proviso
of the act of April 12th, 1905 is un
constitutional aud void, and we have
uo power to order the election prayed
for. And now Juuuarv 18th, 1907 peti
j tion refined. By tin 1 Court,
CHARLES O. EVANS. P. J.
Gold Tied About Waist.
I Mrs. Margaret 11. Phillips, of Siia
mokin, who lived a sort of hormit
i lilo apparently in waut, died on Sat
? urdaj when it was found that she had
» tweuty |2O gold pieces sewed in little
- bags about her waist aud was also the
3 possessor of government bonds upon
- which the interest had not been col
lected.
j Reading has 22,180 buildings, of
which 18,839 aro constructed of brick.
In CITIS I
IEIIIJ FBI
; William E. Pensyl, wlio with J. H.
Et liworth aud Samuel Duumoyer, was
found guilty, Wednesday, of conspiracy
ot defraud J. M. Vouglit of a horse,
was on Saturday sentenced to one year
| in the county priswi.
I Pursuant to adjournment,court cou
-1 veued at three o'clock, Saturday after
\ noon, to hear argument on a motion
| for a new trial in Pensyl'a case. His
I Honor C. C. Evans and Associates
j Frank G. Blee and Lloyd W. Welliver
| were on the bench,
j W. E. Pensyl was brought down
from jail where he had been confined
! since his trial. At the court hous&-ho
j was met by his wife, who remained at
his side until the case was disposed
of.
William Kase West addressed the
I court at some length, setting forth
| various reasons why a new trial should
|be granted,the principal of which was
| that in the attorney's opinion Pensyl
j should have had a separate trial. Hon.
H. M. Hinckley, private attorney for
tlie prosecution, followed, sustaining
| the validity of the verdict, the court's
charge and the conduct of the case
throughout. Charles V. Amerman, at
torney for Pensyl,followed stating his
objections.
Judge Evans very promptly gave his
decision, discharging the rule aud
denying the motion for a new trial.
District Attorney Gearhart immediate
|ly move , .it sentence be passed on
the defendant. Pensyl was according
ly called before the court.
The seutence of the court was that
William E. Pensyl pay the oosts of
prosecution aud a flue of $25 to the
j Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for
j the use of Montour county and that he
j undergo an imprisonment in the couu
|ty jail of Montour county for oue
j year, to be computed from this date
j aud to stand committed until the seut
ence of the court is complied with.
I Ethworth and Dunmoyer with whom
Pensyl was convicted, were sentenced
to two years in the penitentiary last
Wednesday. Pensyl was reoomttiend
ed to the mercy of the court.
A PLEA FOR CLEMENCY.
Ralph Kisuer, Esq., addressed the
court in behalf of Mrs. Elizabeth
j Krebs and Mrs. Laura Harr, w ho plead
ed guilty to larceny aud were sentenc
ed to a year in the county jail.
He presented a petitiou signed by
143 persous, including the victims of
the shop lifters' theft aud others,
which prayed the honorable court to
recousider the seutence imposed upon
the two women aud to extend clem
ency.
Mr. Kisner in a stroug light set
forth the extenuating circumstances
alleged to exist. He repeated the story
printed in the News, as the result of
au interview with the women, to the
effect that they were doped and didn't
know what they were doing when
they purloined goods from the stores.
Mrs. Krebs, the attorney explained,
was taken ill on the train coming to
Danville, aud drank of some liquor
proffered by astrauger.whioh.immedi
ately caused odd sensations aud Anally
led to a condition in which all was a
blank. It was while in the latter state
that the woman's nature changed aud
she became a shop lifter.
Jndge Evans heard the attorney's
plea and then askod the latter how he
would explain Mrs. Harr's conduct.
Mr. Kisuer then stated that Mrs.
Harr had also partaken of the myster
ious beverage on the train.
Later in the Judge Evans
made an order refnsingthe application
for a modification of sentence.
Second Ward Primaries.
The Democrats of the second ward
held their primary election last night.
P. J. Keefer was chosen president and
Newtou Pursel, secretary.
The following nominations were
made: Couucilmeu, 3 years, Ira C.
Everhart; 2 years. William Moyer;
school director, P. J. Keefer; const
able, Jaoob SViuters; auditor, Graut
Gnlick; judge of election, Alex. Ash
ton, Sr ,; inspector, Samuel W. Wel
liver; overseer of the poor, Thomas
Welliver. George W. Loighow and
Samuel Welliver were chosen as dele- J
gates to the borough aud district con- )
| veutiou.
Will Take in Hard! Gras.
I Joseph Lowenstein and C. P. Harder i
. 1 will leave this morning for a tour of
• i the southern States,with Now Orleaus,
1 Louisiana, as the objective point
Mr. Loweusteiu aud Mr. Harder
, will time their trip so as to be in New
Orleans during the week of the world
6 famed Mardi Gras carnival. Their first
stopping place will be at Washington,
1 D. O. They will also stop over at
Atlanta, Georgia; Birmingham, An
' bama and many other southern citiet
j They will be away about six weeks.
Road Law Valid.
An opinion has been handed down
by Judge McOlut'e, of Union conuty,
relative to the constitutionality of the
Sproul road law. which was called iu
t to question ill au action brought by
the taxpayers of Kelly aud Buffalo
j townships, that couuty. against the
electiou of supervisors in those towu
ships. Judge McClure's position oil
u the quostiou is entirely opposed to
those opinions which have been hand
ed down by other members of the
bench, iucludiug Judge Evans. Ho
if maintains that the law is oonstitu
c. tioual aud valid.
ram
WHINS
L. P. Wagner, of Washiugtonville,
left yesterday for a business trip to
| New York aud Philadelphia.
Mrs. I. Grier Barber returned yes
terday from a several days' visit with
her sou. Miles, at Wilkes-Barre.
Mr.s. Margaret Eyerly, who has beeu
spending several months with her sou
at Bloomsburg, has returned to reside
on East Market street, this city.
Mrs. Walter Fields and Mrs. Harry
Fields will spend today with friends
at Cameron.
Mrs. Samuel Frazier, of Scrantou.is
visiting at the home of her sister, Mrs.
W. H. N. Walker, East Market street.
*Wm. L. McCoy and R. E. Disque.of
Pittsburg,nrrived yesterday from State
college, for a visit at the home of the
former's parents, Mr. aud Mrs. John
B. McCoy, West Market street.
W. R Clark returned Monday even
ing from a pleasant vacation trip to
Philadelphia and Now York Citv. Mr.
Clark will this morning once more
take up his duties at the South Dan
ville station.
Miss Rea Johnson left, yesterday for
an extended stay in Philadelphia.
Miss Julia Argrave is visiting frieuds
iu Philadelphia and Chester.
Public Urged to Attend.
The s'jhool director's association aud
especially those who have charge of ,
the arrangement of the program, feel i
confident that the sessions iu the Y. j
M. C. A. hall ou Friday will be among |
the most interesting ever held iu this
city. For this, aud some other rea
sons, the News has been asked to urge
that as many of the people of Montour .
county as possible,both from towuand
country, attend the meetings.
This will be the fiist time that Dr. j
N. C. Suhaeffer, superintendent of pub
lie instiuotiou, has ever visited Mou
tour county. He is our foremost ed
ucator, a man of forceful ideas aud
possessed of the power to express them
clearly and interestingly. He will
speak at both the morning aud after- j
uoou sessions. D. L<\ Fortuey, Esq., of
Bellefoute, is also au able speaker. He,
is oue of the prominent school direct- I
ors at Bollefoute, ami has 011 a num
ber of occasions read papers before the
State directors' association at Harris
burg. Like Supariuteudeut Schaeffer,
he will speak both morning aud after
uoou.
Tnese two men will discuss subjects
pertinent to the oractical side of the
public schools. They will uotdoalwith
theories, but will get right down iuto
the pupil's seat, as it were, aud tell '
of things that they know to be true ;
from years aud years of experience.
There is a strong disposition, and
rightly so, too, uowadays, to advance
the standards of eduoatiou. New stud- s
ios are added (to the curriculum, high
er standing in class is demanded, aud
rules are being more strictly euforc- |
ed. It is nearly always the case, how- j
ever, that the directors are anxious to
advance further aud faster than tlieir
constituents will permit.
The directors, as a rule, have made
a more or less close study of the needs
of educatiou. They see the demand for
increased nctivily aud thoroughness in j
this age of progress.
Every citizeu should become by his
owu appoiutmeut a school director,aud
make it his business to study the needs
of the most important institution for
good that the country possesses. There
will te no better opportunity to be
come conversant with some of the
more important phases of public school
activity, tliau ou Friday, when Dr.
Schaeffer and Mr. Fortuey will ad
dress the directors of Montour couu
ty. The morning sessiou will convene
at 10 o'clock sharp, aud the afternoon
session at 1:80.
Annual Report.
At the last meeting of the trustees
of the Thomas Beaver free library a
report wis preseuted, which showed
that the circulation of hooks amount
ed to 20,449 during the year ending
with December 31st last. The largest
number issued iu auy mouth was dur
ing January—3,44o. During February
| the library most of the time was elos
| ed for repairs aud only 198 books were
I issued Iu March 3 283 books were tak
j eu out. From this ou as spring advauc
| ed the number of books taken out each
j mouth grew less. Iu August, when peo
| pie probably are uot iucliued to read
I very much but 1,423 books were issued,
j which is the smallest number found
jon the report. As winter approached
| the number began to climb again. Iu
j November the number of books takeu
j out numbered 2,768.
! During the year 303 cards were is
sued, which implies that that number
of new patrons were added to the list
of library readers. Fines during the
vear aggregated #79 47, a sum which
)-aid for more than one-half of the
required.
has Danville Any ?
I It is said that civil service men aro
; iu this vicinity for the purpose of se
i curing evideuce against some persons
who have been selling lottery tickets
which are said to be fake schemes.
Some of these lotteries are nothing
morn than frauds as no drawings are
- ever held aud no prizes awarded.
" 1
i) j Mrs. H. W. Muvett.of Wornersville,
• Berks county, has a cactus with 14H
flowers.
IUK MM
; SIB
Peter J. Keefer. superinteudent of
1 the water works, is just now battling
with the microbes aud from present
iudicatious it does uot seein that lie is
, goiug to get worsted.
As is uatural during high water the
river is dirty aud objectiouable iu the
extreme. What makes people more
thau usually dubious of its immunity
from germs is the fact that it is the
first flood of auy proportious since the
outbreak of typhoid fever at Scrautou,
* j Berwick aud other towus, the sewage
of which finds its way into the North
* branch. The cleansing out of the chan
uel, which has brought down an im
mense quantity of coal dust and dirt
? of other sorts from the coal region
i j towns, is not above suspicion of de
i positing ou our shores with the above
! waste matter the microbes that breed
typhoid fever.
fielioving; that the state of affairs
, forms an exigency that demaudsprompt
aud careful actiou, Mr. Keefer has ad
dressed himself to the task of briuging j
j the filter plant up to its highest de
gree of efficiency. Notwithstanding
that the crews at the water works are
careful and reliable the superintend
ent is giving everything his persoual
1 supervision, lie was busy as a nailor
' about the plant yesterday.
It was with a dubious shake of the
head that he watched the inflow of
! dirty water that foil into the settling
! tauk ; this, however, gave place to a
! smile of gratification as ho viewed the
I stream of crystal and appareutly pure
! water that poured out of the filter tub*
; into the reservoir, ready to be pumped
into the mains. Contrasting a glass ot
the later with the dirty water pumpod
j directly from the river he suggested
, the question whether it would be possi
ble for the process of filtration to
I eliminate so much dirt without taking
with it a fair proportion, if not all,of
the buoteria.
It is tine that the maximum of alum
is beiug used in the process of filtra
tion but no oue will object to the
greater uso of alum if it carries with
i it additional assurance that the bac
teria are eliminated.
i The filter tub that is being ro-equip
-1 pod with shaft aud gearing of larger
pattern will probably go into commis
sion today. While it was out of service
the plant has beeu laboring uuder con
siderable handicap, two tubs being
obliged to do the work that was form
erly accomplished by three. That good
results have been achieved speaks all
the better for the efficiency of the sys
tem.
/let Death Under the Cars.
* Wilham Martiu.sou of Mr. aud Mrs.
Frank Martiu, Spriug street, was kill
od uuder the cars at Schuylkill Haven
at 9:30 o'clock yesterday moruiug.
j The sad news reachoi this city a
short time after the accident and was
in the form of a telegram addressed to
P. H. Foust, P. R. statiou agent.
Details were lacking. All that could
be gathored being that William had
, met his death uuder the cars aud that
! he was instautly killed.
The deceased had beeu in the employ
of the P. & It. railway for several
years as brakemau. For a while he
i was fltgmau, but recently he was em
ployed as brakemau in the yard at
Schuylh-ill Haven.
He was oue of a largo family of sous
aud daughters of this place, his sur- j
viviug brothers beiug Johu, Thomas
and Frank; his sisters, Winifred (Mrs. '
James Dailey), Alice (Mrs. Harrv |
Ella '.Mrs. Robert Paugh)
, and Misses Mary and Maggie.
The deceased was in his twenty-sec
ond year and was a single mau. He
was popular aud was much beloved nor
only by the members of his own house
, hold, but by the wide circle of youug
people witli whom lie was acquaint
ed.
A visit to the Martin home.stead yes
terday found the family stricken with
grief; the aged mother especially could
hardly oriug herself to realize the
dreadful import of the telegram, which
had beeu received only a short time
before. William,it was explaiued,was
a kind brother aud a dutiful sou. lie
paid a visit to his pareuts the day fol
lowing Christinas aud that was the
last that ho was home. The family
thou, in view of the perils, tried to
persuado him to abaudou railroadiug
but he didn't seem to view the matter
iu a serious light aud continued ou as
brakemau.
Frank aud Thomas Martin, father
, aud brother of the deceased, loft yes
terday afteruoou for Schuylkill Haven
aud will returu this afteruoou accom
-1 pauied bv the remains. Duo notice of
i the fuueral will be given.
11l at Allentown.
Harold Heller, who is associated in
the electrical construction business
> with his father. W. A. Heller, in this
1 citv, is seriously ill with typhoid fev
> or at the home of his father-in-law at
Allentown,where he aud his wife went
to **isit about Christmas time.
Tlall Carrier Off Duty.
* Arthur Freeze, local mail carrier,
* was not able togo over his route yes
-4 terdav owiug to aiujured hand. Frank
5 11. Russell.regular substitute, filled tho
vacaucy.
I At Old Rush Baptist Church.
The weekly prayer aud praise ser
vice at tho old Rush Baptist church
, will be held this evening. Preaching
« sorvioe will be held Sunday morning
at 10:30. All aro cordially iuvited.
IlElffl FOR
HORSE SHI
G. H. Lewis, who stated that he
lives OD "The Widow Vastiue's farm,
uear Boyd's statiou," drove iuto towt
with a horse and buggy yesterday af
teruoou, bent ou a trade. He got iutc
a horse deal at the White Horso hotel,
North Mill street. There weromanv
couflictiug stories concerning the
terms of the trade but the outco'me of
it all was that Mr. Lewis got arrested
ou the charge of horse stealing, aud
was put to auy amount of trouble.
The heariug took place before Jus
tice of the Peaco W. V. Oglesby at 8
o'clock last uight aud attracted au
enormous crowd. The information was
made by Charles Beyers, chargiug the
accused with stealiug a horse, which
lie described as a "sorrel, with white
face aud three white feet."
The testimony of the complainant
I was to the following otfoct: Lewis
came to the White Horse hotel aud
soon let the fact be known that lie was
open for a deal. In no time Mr. Bey
| ers, the landlord, aud Lewis had ef
I fected a trade of buggies. Mr. Lewis
then indicated that he wanted to get
rid of his horse aud set the pirce at
fifteen dollars. Mr. Beyer was willing
to give ouly ten dollars. Later it was
decided to split the difference and a
price of $12.50 was agreed upon, the
money beiug paid over in the presence
of a witness.
The question theu arose as to how
the mau from Boyd's station was to
get to his home. At the suggestion of
the laudlord it was arrauged that Mr.
Lewis was to bo permitted to use the
horse aud the road buggy obtained
from Mr. Beyers on the homeward
drive; he was to be accompanied by a
second party who was to ride the horse,
hack to Danville.
Before the time arrived for starting,
however.it was alleged that Mr. Lewis
broke open the stable, abstracted the
horso aud the top buggy, both now the
property of Mr. Beyers,aud by a rapid
drive by way of Ferry street, soon
struck the river bridge. Mr. Beyers
alleged that he detected Lewis just as
lie ,was starting ou the oirovritous route
homeward aud saw him thrash the
horse to get a good start.
I Mr. Boy ers ran up Mill street and
caught the horse ou the river bridge.
The horse and buggy were hauded ovqr
to the chief of police, while Mr. Lewis
fell into the hauds of OlHcer Voris.
The heariug was very amusing. The
man from Boyd's station denied that
there was anything like horse stealing
about it; it was ouly a trade, ho said.
He denied everything that had been
testified to, aud was disposed to dom
inate the situation. The oliief of pol
ice was endeavoring to throw a little
light ou a disputed point when Mr.
Lewis told him to keep still, that
he-had nothing to say iu tho matter.
Justice Oglesbv dismissed the case.
The mau from Boyd's paid the costs.
Mr. Beyor aud Mr. Lewis settled all
differences,the former taking the horso
aud the top buggy and gavo the latter
the road buggy, as his share.
It was nearly nine o'clock by the
timo Lowis emerged from the squire's
office aud begau to devise some means
of getting home with his horseless car
riage.
A Social Dance.
One of the largest and most pleasaut ,
dances of the season was held on Mou- j
day evening at the home of Mrs. (
Augusta J. Maus, Valley towuship, iu :
honor of Charles Maus, J. Blaine Hart- j
man and Jacob S. Tanner. During the j
evening elaborate refreshments were ,
served. Delsite brothers furnished the j
music.
Those present were Mr. aud Mrs. j
Albert Hartman, Mr. aud Mrs. Hiram
Shultz, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Kitchen, 1
Mr. aud Mrs. Matthew Maus, Mrs.
John Tauner, Misses Florence Wilson,
Blauche Pursel. Mary Fry, Carrie
Flick, Bessie Aude. Mary Orim, Lib
bio Pursol, Flora Fruit. Annie Turner,
Bessie Wilson, Naney Fruit, Blauche
Wilson, Lillian Gleams, Edna Aude
and Margaret Gable; .Messrs. Walter
Wilson, Peter Saudel, Wellington Purs
el, Hoy Shultz, John Fruit, Spencer
Arter, Joseph Bryant, Freeman Rob
bins, William Davis,Charles Johnson,
Harry Bousiuger, Purdy Arter, Frauk
' Fry, Elwood Crossley, Raymond Pur
sel, Charles Crim.Roy Vought, Harry
Hawkins, William Gable, Frank Tan
ner, Samuel Laubacli, David Tauner,
Lloyd Umstead, Albert Tauuer,George
Betz aud Thomas Aude.
Funeral of Hrs. Newham.
The remains of Mrs. Mary Newham,
who died at Denver, Colorado,ou Fri
day, arrived in this city last evening
ou the Pennsylvania's 5:55 tram The
fuueral will take place tnis afteruoou
at 2 o'clock from the residence of
Mrs. William Shepperson Sr., Fast
Front street. Interment will be made
in the Episcopal cemetery.
Friendship's Annual Inspection.
The annual company inspection of
the Friendship fire company will take
place at the regular meeting on Satur
day oveuiug. All the company prop
erty. including uniforms, etc.,will he
inspocted by the foremau aud his as
sistants.
i Underwent an Operation.
j Mrs John Krieger, of Suydertowu,
I uuderweut a serious operation at Sha-
I mokiu on Monday, when a large tumor
| was removed from her abdomen. The
: . operation was successful aud unless
complications set in she will recover.
NUMIiER 17
It lEEK OF
;| fpiSK
i j The meeting booked for this city on
| February 7 for the purpose of orgauis
iug the township supervisors,at which
State Highway Commissioner Hunter
i will be present, is being looked for
ward to with a good doal of interest
not only by the supervisors,but also by
all those interests 1 in good roads and
the methods to be employed to obtaiD
them.
There never was a time when more
eulightenmeut was needed. The alleg
ed unconstitutionality of the proviso
of the act of assembly of April 12,
1905, will form a subject of discussion
aud the townships whose petitions to
change the system of taxation have
beeu turued down by the court will be
glad to hear the views of such au emin
ent authority as the State highway
connn'ssioner.
The State highway commissioner
will also bo asked to throw a little
light ou tho status of affairs relating
to tho two sections of State highway
constructed iu this county, which are
sTill incomplete after the lapse of a
year or more. The whole matter is in
explicable both to the county and the
two townships in which tho roads were
reconstructed. The first and most im
portant stretch of highway liea iu
Mahoning township, between the bor
ough liue and Valley township This
was partially constructed in 1904. The
contractors did some additional work
on the highway duriug the fall of 1906
—but loft it iu a coudition that did
not meet the approval of either the
coquty or the towtiship. The county
paid s<>oo aud Mahoning township
made a small payment, but both re
fused to pay their full allotment until
the road was made to conform to the
specifications. To iuquire into the
state of affairs, State Highway Com
missioner Hunter visited our county
aud after inspecting the road is alleg
ed to have agreed that the highway is
not finished according to specifica
tions.
It was thought that the result of all
this would be that the road would be
speedily finished in a way to meet ap
proval, but, although some work was
done in 1905, duriug last summer the
coutractors did not appear on the
ground.
The section of highway between the
valley township line aud Wise's hotel
at Mausdale constructed during the
summer of 1905, is also alleged to fall
short of specifications. It was thought
the contractors would reappear last
summer and complete the work, but
like the contractors on the other prop
osition, they seemed utterly uucoucerii
ed iu tho matter.
Neither Montour ouuty nor Valley
township has paid ouo cent for the
secoud section of tho highway. Moan
while, it is true, the townships have a
fairly good ioad, where a very poor
1 road existed before, at tho outlay of
ouly a nominal sum iu oue case and
the expenditure of no money at all iu
the other.
What puzzles the most is to under
stand the secret of the contractor's in
difference ; have they beeu paid for
their work? This is one of the points
I that the local road makers will seek to
| bo oulighteued ou. All will be glad to
learn why tho State submits to such
dillydallying and whether or not it in
tends to bring the contractors to time.
Meanwhile tho county as well as the
townships are firm in their resolution
not to mane auy payment on the high
way until the work is completed ac
cording to specifications.
Zero Weather.
The second spell of zero weather
that we have experienced this season
came aloug yesterday morning. At
5:45 o'clock,according to tho Montour
house record, mercury stood at 2 de
grees above, but the the coldest hour
had not beeu reached; at 7a. m.the
mercury stood at the zero point. Dur
ing the forenoon, although the sky was
cloar aud the suu shone with brilli
ancy, it remained very cold. The best
that mercury could do by 11 o'clock
was to climb to degrees above zero.
It was ou December 19th that we
had our other aud first taste of zero
weather, mercury on that date going
down two degrees below. That night
was a trifle colder, but the weather
warmed up somewhat duriug the day
following. Outside of these two dates
the only approach to really cold weath
er was ou Monday, December 24, when
mercury was six degrees above zero.
The most of the time this winter mer
cury has been considerably above 80
degrees. On Tuesday, Jauuary Bth,the
thermometers stood at 52 degrees
above.
The ice men are again taking heart.
The pouds are already covered with
ice, but whether there will be a har
vest worth gathering will depend up
on whether or not the cold wave will
ooutiuue a week or more, or as in the
past this season it will be speedily
followed with a thaw.
Will Stop Smoking.
The Bloomsburg school board is de
termined to break up the praotioe
which has been prevalent for some
time of the studeuts smoking on the
school grounds and on the way to and
from school. This fact was emphasis
ed at a meet iug of the board last week
when they approved the action of Sup
erintendent Steruer in suspending two
boys who had been caught smoking.
The boys were present at the meeting
aud wheu promising that they would
refrain from smokiug they were allow
ed to return to 6ehool.