State Library
Republican News Item.
VOL. XYI. NO. 37
THE ONLY PAPER PUBLISHED AT 'THE COUNTY SEAT OF SULLIVAN COUNTY.
I COUNTY SEAT
| LOCAL AND PERSONAL ;|
1 EVENTS BRIEFLY TOLD J.
Mrs. Carrie Borton called on
Mrs. Dotha Hackley on Sunday.
Mr. Nelson Lawrenson spent
Sunday at his home in this place.
Smith Bondman of Sonestown
transacted business in this place on
Tuesday.
Mr. and Mrs. Maddox walked to
Eagles Mere, and returned last
Monday.
Sheriff Cott transacted business
in Nordinont and Williamsport 011
Saturday.
Mrs. R. W. Mason and son re
turned home on Monday from
Austin, Pa.
Mrs. Ellery P. Ingham and son
Donald returned to New York
City 011 Monday.
Donald Ingham and Olga Crane
drove to Eagles Mere 011 Friday
and were calling on friends there.
E. J. Mullen and E. P. Ingham
accompanied W. W. Jackson in
his automobile to Towamla 011 Fri
day.
I). W. Pealer of Lopez, candi
date for Congress, was a pleasing
caller at the News Item office 011
Monday.
Miss Marie Petennan of Nord
mont, Jennie Hess and Clarence
Hess of Laporte Twp. are attend
ing school here.
The work 011 the State road is
now in progress 011 the Ingham
hill, the road is being widened and
put, in first class condition.
Miss Nellie Milliter of Nordinont,
who has been at Niagara Fall all
summer, returned on MOll lay to
resume school at this place.
Mr. E. W. Morgan and wife,
Rev. E. A. Ileim, wife and infant
daughter autoed to Laporte from
New Mildred, Pa., on Tuesday.
Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Angle and
daughters Etta and Pearl of lVnns
dale took dinner with Mr. Samuel
Mahaffey and family 011 Sunday.
FOB SALE—TWO lots situated 011
Main street and Spring Alley in
Laporte Borough, known as the
Wurllloin lots. Inquire F. 11.
Ingham.
Those who attended the dance at
Dushoro Saturday evening were :
Ida Hartung, Mabel and Francis
Mornn, Tresken and Anna lJuseli
hauscn, Olive Keeler, Alice Bahl,
Nelson Lawrenson and Prof. Leahy.
011 last Sunday the officers and
employees, with their families and
friends, of the Williamsport &
North Branch railroad held their
annual picnic at Lake Mokonia,
the event proved to be a great sue
t-ess and everybody had a very
pleasing day's outing.
At a meeting of the Senior Class
of the Laporte High School the
following officers were elected :
President, Samuel Kennedy; Secre
tary, Mabel Moran; Treasurer,
Olive Keeler. The other members
of the class are Nellie Hunters,
Margaret Draper, Iva Hess, Rex
Eddy and Clarence Hess.
The following enjoyed a corn
roast at the Lake, 011 Friday even
ing: Ida Hartung, Margaret Cros
sley, Olive Keeler, Helen Car
penter, Tresken Buschhausen,
Mabel and Francis Moran, Ellery
Carpenter, Alfred llelsman, Prof.
Leahy, Eugene McNellan, Tony
Murray, James Moran and Mr.
Cate.
CHESTER COUNTY FARMS
ALL SIZES, FREE LISTS
PAUL STANSBURY, COATESVILLE, PA.
ROBBERS MADE BRUTAL
ASSAULT ON WOMAN
Two Negroes and White Man
Attack Mrs. Charles Miller
of Watsontown
ONE STRUCK HER ON
HEAD WITH REVOLVER
While Another Hit Her Ter
rible Blow With Fist —
Caught at Danville
Watsontown, Sept. 14.—While
Mrs. Charles Miller, who lives
about a mile out of town near the
plant of the Watsontown Brick and
Clay Products company, was work
ing in her kitchen Friday afternoon
ol' last, week she was interrupted by
the entrance of a squat, broad
shouldered man of about forty,who
premptorily demanded a drink of
water. She filled a tincup for him,
continuing her work. The fat man
drank the water, looked curiously
about the room and strolled toward
the open door with the tincup in
his hand. Mrs. Miller is not sure,
but she thinks he raised the empty
cup to his mouth as if drinking a
toast to someone on the railroad
tracks below the house. He then
walked back to the table and put
the tincup on it. As he started
toward the door a shadow length
ened out over the threshold and a
negro of magnificent proportions
strutted into the kitchen. Mrs.
Miller is a self-reliant woman, a
characteristic which has been rather
developed by her residence along
the lonely road which winds its
way south, out of Watsontown, but
the appearance and actions of the
men alarmed her.
The fat tramp smiled at the big
negro and again walked to the door,
tincup in hand drinking another
imaginary toast. The black in the
kitchen demanded a piece of broad
and butter. Mrs. Miller got it for
liim, wondering the while how she
might esca|>c from the room. The
Hat-headed negro took the bread in
his hand and as a step sounded on
the porch dashed it at Mrs. Miller's
feet. "I don't want your grub,"
he hissed, Mrs. Miller braced her
self and leaned against the wall.
Approaching her was a second
negro, larger than the ordinary
man. A few hundred yards away
was her husband at work in the
brick yards. But between them
was a peaked hill, an effectual bar
rier to sound, and immediate res
cue. As she reached for a straight
lucked chair for support, a shining
revolver was pressed against her
temple by the black just entering
the room. ''We don't want any
thing to eat. we want your money, 1 '
he said. She sobbed that she was
pooi and that her husband had
none. Her two-year old baby,
asleep in the next room, woke up
and started to cry. Before the lit
tle fellow's first wail for his mother
died away, the black, who had re
fused the bread struck her over the
head with his fist, while his con
federate, carrying the revolver,
struck her over the heart with the
butt end of the weapon. Both
swore at her as she fell in the. corn
er, stunned by the blows.
The white man, wBo seemed to
be the leader of the gang, stood
over the prostrate woman as a rude
gag was forced into her mouth and
her hands and feet tied with heavy
twine. Following a motion from
the chief, Mrs. Miller's body was
dragged into the next room, near
her baby's cradle, and a heavy set
tee dumped over on her. When
the sofa struck her she lost cons
ciousness.
It was about 3:30 when the squat
tramp entered the Miller home.
It was 4:30 when the mother, at
tracted once more by the sobs of
luir babe, strained at the bonds
which held her, but strained in
vain.
A few minutes later her son,
Charles, home from school, threw
himself into the room. In one
moment he saw his mother pinned
to the floor by the settee,in another
he had loosened her lionds and was
on his way to the brick yards to
get his father. When father and
son arrived she was able to give a
pretty good account of what had
happened. A half dozen men from
the plant started on the trail left
by the robbers, but lost it near the
river bank. Meanwhile word was
'phoned to the authorities in town.
LAPORTE, SULLIVAN COUNTY PA. FRIDAY, SEPT. 20, 1912.
Dr. H. R. Miller hurried to Mrs.
finding that her condition
was critical, made so by the shock
of her imprisonment and the heavy
blows dealt her. Alderman B.
Frank Fisher, who has charge of
the police investigations, 'phoned
word all the • way between Wil
liamsport and Harrisburg to the
authorities, at the same time en
listing the aid of the railroad police
of lw>th roads. Friday night 8
do/en men hunted through the
woods and along the river all the
way to Montgomery, but with no
success. They were able to trace
the trio to a boat east of the Mil
ler home, but here the clues ended.
An examination of the Miller home
after the holdup men left showed
that they had dug up a ten-dollar
bill from a bureau drawer and that
they had made free with a suit of
clothes, a pair of chickens and a
peck of newly dug potatoes.
Friday night the station at White
Deer was broken into, entrance be
ing gained through a window. The
thieves found nothing to steal. It
is thought likely that the black and
white trio are responsible for both
crimes.
Captured at Danville
Danville, Sept. 14.—The trio of
desperadoes who bound and gagged
Mrs. Miller at Watsontown Friday
were arrested here this afternoon
after a chase that had several sen
sational features. Chief of Police
Minceinoyer got a telephone mes
sage from Milton shortly liefore
noon that two negroes and a white
man believed to be Mrs. Miller's
assailants, were on a Reading
freight train headed for Danville.
Accompanied by John McCloud as
deputy the chief went a short dis
tance beyond the borough limits
where he awaited the arrival of
the train. After boarding it he in
structed the engineer to stop at the
North Mill street crossing.
Evidently the trio had seen the
chief climbing onto the cars and
when the train stopped they made
a dash for the hills, with the chief
and deputy McCloud after them.
The officers drew their revolvers
and fired several shots after the
fugitives, calling to them to sur
render. The sing of the bullets
over their heads had the desired
effect, the three men stopping and
holding up their hands as a sign of
surrender. One of them offered
some resistance when the officers
came up but he was quickly sub
dued.
In the meantime Chief of Police
Bixlea, of Milton, had started
toward Danville in an automobile.
He arrived here after the arrest
was made and the prisone s were
given into custody. They will be
taken to Watsontown and given a
hearing at once.
Mrs. Miller Identifies Assailant
Watsontown, Sept. 16. —Edward
Stoddard, colored, has l>een positi
vely identified by Mrs. Charles
Miller, of this place, as one of the
three men who assaulted her at her
home here, Friday, following his
capture, along with two other men,
at Danville, on Saturday. Mrs.
Miller could not identify the other
two men and they were subsequently
released. »
Stoddard attempted to offer an
alibi that he had been in the county
jail at Williamsport at the time of
the attack, but the jail authorities
at that place stated that no colored
man had been discharged Saturday
morning, at which time Stoddard
claimed he was liberated.
A description of the two men,
who have not yet been apprehend
ed, has been given by Mrs. Miller
as follows :
White man About 18 oi* 19
years old; not over five feet tall.
Fiery red hair, face covered with
freckles. Quite well dressed, and
has fairly good appearance. Wore
light gray suit with fine stripe.
Yellow-brown cap with wide brown
stripe. Black half-shoes.
Negro—Very black. Big and
heavy. Light pants, covered with
dirt, black coat, black slouch hat.
black shirt.
Wagner—Snyder
On Monday morning, at 10:20 p.
m., Squire Caven at his office in
rear of Court House, united in mar
riage William Curtis Wagner of
Columbia county and Miss Jennie
Frances Snyder of Ricketts, Sul
livan county, in the presence of
Ira Cott and N. C. Mabin.
j FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF LAPORTE
* * * * * <j( *
THIRD ANNIVERSARY
[SHOWS SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH
Elsewhere in this issue may be found there
: port of tht condition of the First National Bank of
| Laporte, a careful perusal of which gives ample
; evidence of its continued growth and general
; prosperity.
112 Possibly the appended figures taken from there-
I gular reports to the Comptroller ol the Currency, show-
I ing the amounts ol Deposits, Loans, Surplus and
[ Undivided Profits, and Assets, each year since organiz
ation, may be of interest to the many Iriends of the
\ institution.
'• Surplus and
I Undivided
\ Date Deposits Loans Profits Assets
\ Nov. 16, 1909 - - 11,464.37 - - 8,679.50 - - 106.82 - - 38,263.69
\ Sept. 1, 1910 - - 33,776.28 - - 37,393.99 - - 1,042.91 - - 66,069.19
[ Sept. 1, 1911 - - 35,201.78 - - 42,487.28 - - 2,097.65 - - 87,574.90
; Sept. 4, 1912 - - 52,945.17 - - 55,333.06 - - 3,819.92 - - 106,801.58
\ The Facilities of the Baud and its new and conveniently equip
! ped building with the fire proof vault and burglar proof safe,
| together with its steady increase in business, augur well for its
\ future success. This Bank considers it part of its business to ac
! commodate it customers in every reasonable and legitimate way.
; Corporations, Firms, Merchants, and Individuals are offered
> every service and facility consistent with SOUND BANKING
112 METHODS.
ALLEGED BOAT
THIEF CAUGHT WITH
STOLEN PLUNDER
William Walters, of Athens, Pa.,
said to be known under the alias
of Joe Smith, also as Walker, was
arrested at Harrisburg on Friday
by Joseph Ibach, police detective,
on a charge of stealing a skiff from
Carroll F. Lamn, of Williamsport,
and of robbing a dozen cottages
and club-houses along the river on
his way to the city in the boat.
Walters has lieen living there
lately, the police say. It is sus
pected that he has made a business
of river pirating. It is believed
that this is the fellow who stole a
1111111 IKM- of boats in Sunbury and
vicinity.
Lamn missed his boat last Wed
nesday. He got trace of it, and he
and Horace Hanna, also of Wil
liamsport, obtained a boat and
started after the thief. They found
themselves always just missing him,
so Friday they telegraphed to the
local police at Milton and went
there by train.
Ibach caught Walters in the act
of selling a boatload of goods of all
sorts. Walters was arrested and
his merchandise seized. Lamn
identified the rowlioat positively.
Letter From James T. Ailman
Thompsontown, Juniata Co., Pa.
September 12, 1912
Mr. Editor:
As a Democrat I am not suppos
ed to be particularly anxious to up
hold the Republican majority in
the Legislature. Yet I believe in
giving every man his just dues. If
Sullivan county is to be represented
in the next session by a Republican
she can do herself credit by return
ing the Hon. Mandus W. Reeser.
As a member of the Legislature
in 1911 he was found almost with
out exception at his post and the
records will show that his vote, as
a rule, was cast for the best interests
of the people he represented with
out regard to who introduced the
bill or who championed it.
Respectfully,
JKROIIET. AILMAN.
Note —Mr. Ailman was the
minority leader of the House of
Representatives in 1911.
EAGLES MERE.
Eagles Mere lias beeu getting
some very interesting information
in regards to China and Japan from
a polished and experienced speak
er, who has triveled extensively in
the "far East."
An unknown woman teacher was
instrumental in converting one
Chinaman to Christ. This China
man prove 1 to be a great or anizer..
The speaker Rev. Frederick J.
Stanley, D. D., L. H. D., compar
ed a l>ody of Chinaman with our
hoys at Washington which was not
much to our credit (but never mind
we will get there yet, according to
Holy Writ.)
Hotel Eagles Mere was a e< ntre of
attraction for Heaven's Artillery a
few weeks ago. Mr. Alfred
Newhart, the "clerk" has such
a winersome an 1 fun rolicking
way with him that almost
everybody calls him "Alfred."
"Alfred" had a very lame ankle
but quicker than you could say
"Jacl' Robinson" the ankle was
O. K. of course son e glass bulbs
were put out of commission. But
all is well that ends well, and tlia
popular Landlord is all ready to
greet his many friends. R. D.
Kelirer "the John Wanamaker
of Eagles More" received a little
of the heavens fire.
Miss Sulie F. Dreisbach wh' se
many kind acts as woll as words,
has made for her a host of friends
(Rich and Poor) had one light
burn.nl out, but now everything
looks brighter than ever,and bread,
cake, candy, ice cream, etc. is 011
deck in good shape. Diregs.
Woman liyured in Leap
From Runaway Carriage
Picture Rocks, Sept. 16.—Leap
ing from a carriage in which were
Mr. and Mrs. S. B. Foster and Mr.
and Mrs. E. S. Burrows, of this
place, and Frank Artley, of Wil
liamsport, when the team of horses
ran away, while returning to this
place from Eagles Mere, late Sun
day afternoon. Mrs. Foster re
ceived severe scalp wounds while
the rest of the party escaped with
minor bruises.
The party had been visiting at
the home of Mr. and Mrs. Frank
Little, at Eagles Mere, and about
5 o'clock started to drive to this
place. While descending a steep
75C PER YEAR
C. S. DAUBERMAN, EDITOR
grade, a part of the harness on oue
of the horses gave way, causing the
team to speed down the hill, Mr.
Foster was driving and after racing
along for some distance managed
to turn the team into the woodß,
stopping them without injuring any
of the occupants.
After repairing the harness at
the home of J. S. Courson, about
four miles from this place, they
again started to drive here, Mr.
Artley holding the reins.. After
proceeding but a short distanc the
harness again gave way, frighten
ing the horses, which plunged
along at a rapid gait. Fearing a
repetition of their thrilling ride
earlier in the afternoon the occup
pants leaped out, Mrs. Foster,
however, being the only one to re
ceive serious injuries. The horses
were later caught. Dr. C. C. Coon
er, of this place, was called to at
tend the injuries of the party.
NORDMONT.
Messrs. Willie Dietrick and
Harry Woodward of Wilkes-Barre
are spending a few days visiting
friends here.
Messrs. Horace Edgar and Bers
Sniner autoed to Dnshore Wednes
day.
Mr. Walter Beck of Picture
Rocks was a business visitor in
town on Wednep vy.
Miss Olive Peters of Williams
port is spending a few days with
her parents, E. C. Peters and
family.
Mr. Chas. Wesley, wife and son
speut Tuesday in Williamsport.
Mrs. Philip Peter man visited
friends at Muncy Valley Wednes
day and Thursday.
Mr. Clyde Shipman of Hughes
ville was in town Thursday.
Mrs. Nora Hunter and daughter
spent Thursday at Picture Rocks.
Messrs. Harvey Hess and Wil
liam Kern drove to Sonestown on
Friday.
Mr. Ellery Horn and family of
Sayre are visiting K. C. Horn and
wife here.
Mr. S. McHenryof Benton spent
Sunday with friends here.
Miss Nellie Hunter returned
home Friday from Niagara Falls.
MUNCY VALLEY
C. J., Greenya of Williamsport
was in town a few hours Tuesday.
M. E. Hughes of Bloomsburg
transacted business in town Tues
day.
Mr. and Mrs. J. O. Miller and
son Grant, and Will Moran autoed
to Catawissa Friday.
Mi's. C. R. Grimes of Catawissa
spent Sunday with her parents.
Mi's- Thresa Donovan is visiting
her son at Newberry.
Mrs. J. Brady Bigger and child
ren of Bingham ton, N. Y., spent a
few days last week with her brother
Will and family.
Miss Phoebe Worthington is
spending some time at Renovo.
Death of Mary Shrimp
Mrs. Mary Shrimp, of Forks
township, died Thursday, Sept. 5,
at the age of 90 years, 9 months
and 11 days. Mrs. Shrimp was
a daughter of Jonatahan Shaffer,
who was born in Northumberland
county and came with his family
to Sullivan county in 1834, locating
on the farm in Cherry township now
owned by George Shaffer and son
She married Henry Shrimp and
with her husband located on the
homestead in Forks township.
Mr. Shrimp died about 13 yean
ago. Mi's. Shrimp is survived by
two sons, Phillip Shrimp and Man
essji Shrimp of Forks township;
three daughters Mrs. George Litx
elman and Mrs Joseph Ritchlin, of
Forks, and Mrs. D. H. Epler, of
Quaker town Pa.; one brother,
George Shaffer, of Dushore and one,
sister, Mrs. Henry Fulmer: of
Dushore. the funeral was held
Monday interment taking place in
i Peace cemetery, Cherry towmhip.