He VOLUME 3. Personal, lion. Geo. A. Smith, of Rogers villa, Tenn., is in attendance at court this week. Clarence L. Sipes of Philadel phia is visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. Nelson Sipes. D. V. Sipes, accompanied by Master Paul Ott, was in Cham hersburg last Friday and Satur day. Miss Annie Rumel, of Cham hersburg, is visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Rumel, west of town. Mr. William Black, accompa hied by Miss Alice Hamil, spent Saturday and Sunday in Cham- hersburg. Miss Stella Logue who is teach ing at Foltz this winter spent Sat urday and Sunday with Miss Mary Hoke. Mr. Henry Fost of Bethel town ship was an early Monday morn ing . caller. He came up as a grand juror. Mr. and Mrs. J. L, Grisinger, of New Grenada spent a few days among friends in this community this week. Our veteran friend C. C. Ker ling, of Dublin Mills, paid his re spects to the News office while in town Monday. Mr. Denton Peck of Thompson was among the number who made pleasant calls at the News office this week. S. D.Stevens the "Singer man" of Chambersburg, spent Satur, day in the lower part of this county on business. II. K. Stevens, of Shippens burg, was greeting his many old friend in Taylor township last Saturday and Sunday. i Mr. Aaron P. Garland, of Bel fast township, was in town Sat urday. He intends having a pub lic sale in a few weeks. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Hess, who have been in Washington for some time returned to Thompson township a few days ago. Miss Belle Stou teazle, who is teaching school in Franklin coun ty, speht Saturday and Sunday it her home in this place. Michael Mellott who has been in Washington for some time returned to this county last week. His family came some time ago. Mr. Morse Sloan who had been visiting his parents, Mr. and fyjrs. T, F. Sloan, returned to Parker's landing the first of the week. Mr. Clarence N. Trout, of this place, returned to the Philadel phia Dental College last Thurs day for another season's course of study. Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Metzler of near Burnt Cabins attended the Bedford county Fair last week and visited friends in Bed ford, Rainsburg, and West Dub lin. Dr. J. Grant Hanks, of Rays Hill, came (Jowa to town last Thursday. He was accompanied home Friday by Mrs. Hanks and their little daughter Helen who had been spending a week here. Miss Mary Patterson who had been spending several months among friends in the West is heme again. Among other places visited was Denver, and from Denver she made a trip into the Rockies. Miss Maggie Unger who went to Colorado a couple of years ago on account of her health is visit ing her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. p. Unger in the Cove. She has derived much benefit from her trip west. Mr. and Mrs. Abram G. An derson, of Wells Valley, came down on Friday and staid until Tuesday among relatives and friends here. They werq accom anied by their children Mary, Mabel, and Jordan. . Mr. George W. Cbesnut of Bethel dropped in Monday and made ye printer's heart glad by dropping some cash not only for his own subscription, but he had a pocket-ful that his peighbors had sent aloug for us. President Roosevelt's Pastor. A correspondent of the Hunt ingdon Local News says: The readers of the daily press have doubtless observed that President Roosevelt, in taking up his official residence in the White House, has been a regular attend ant each Sunday at Grace Re formed church, in Washington, D. C. This church, whose pastor is Re. J. M. Schick, is a modest, unpretentious structure upon one of the avenues of the Capital. It is likely that few of your readers know that Rev. Schick was pastor for several years, of the Reformed churches at Orbi sonia and Saltillo, during the '80s. He is a man who made a strong, wholesome impression upon the Ieople and he is remembered by a large circle of warm friends among all the denominations of that section of the county. When he came on the field he was el most fresh from college, vigor ous and ambitious. He found his denomination at Saltillo weak, both financially and numerically, and without a reerular church building, but with indomitable energy he began the structure for which he himself helped dig the foundation and lay the wall. Working side by side with the carpentors and other mechanics he had the satisfaction of helping complete an attractive place of worship. Members of other de nominations generously contrib uted subscriptions and he had the satisfaction of afterward ded icating his church free from debt. For several succeeding years he served the church, preaching al ternately in Pennsylvania Dutch and English. During the build ing he stayed with one of his country parishoners, often com ing and returning on the bare back of a mule. Apparently ob stacles redoubled his energy. Many interesting anecdotes have been told of him. One of these is that while making a pastoral call he found the head of the house fitting stovepipe together after house cleaning. The pipe did not go together well and the member, becoming exasperated, said, "Brother Schick shall I swear?" "No," said the minister, "I will help you." Finally both became impatient over the poor fit. Standing aside and surveying his. blackened bands the reverend said, "Now, Brother B , you can swear. " Need more. Quite a number of people pass ed through here on their way to the County Capital to attend Court. Our farmers are almost .done seeding and getting ready for corn husking. Wesley McKee who had an at tack of fever has a relapse and is dangerously ilL Dr. J. S. Swartzwelder's wife is quite ill with fever. Our other sick folks are im proving rapidly. This is the first scourge of fe ver our village has ever suffered. A careful examination has been made to find causes. We find it is raging in different sections of the county so we are not the only afflicted. Mrs. Henry Truax and son Leo, who have been visiting in Clearfield, have returned home. Messrs. Sam Martin, teacher at Webster Mill?, and William Peck, teacher at Blackoak, spent Saturday night with Prof. B. N. Palmer. Messrs. E. N. Akers and S. L. Wink, of Sipes Mill, were seen in town Saturday evening. Miss Olive Hess, who is teach ing at Franklin Mills, spent Sat urday and Sunday at home. A number of young folks accompa nied her to school on Sunday af ternoon. Mr. Euoch, Hart is on the sick list Miss Ollie Hess was a pleasant caller with Miss Annie May Ev erettson Sunday. Mr. William Funk, manager of the mills on "Pufllnberger Row," is suffering from an attack of Perldyepivitonitis, caused by tl e Pasturing herds nearby. We ope for his speedy recovery. HER GRANDMOTHER'S LIFE AMONG THE INDIANS. Rebecca Regina Walter, Who Was Captured by the Red Men Near ly ISO Years Ago One of Her Descendants Died in Read ' ing a Few Days Ago. Mrs. Hillegass, whose death is reported below, was a sister to the mother of Mrs. James G j-iyon, oi layior township, ana a sister to the mother of the Sproat cnnaren, iormerJy oi Brush Creek township. Eeitor. With the death of Mrs. Mary Statler Sproat Hillegass thero was removed one of the last links that bound the early days of this section to the present era. Mrs. Hillegass was a grand daughter of Rebecca Regina Walter, whose experience as an Indian captive and her subse quent restoration to her home and friends is one of the most noteworthy incidents of the early days of Pennsylvania, when the red men roamed the plains, wan dered through the forests and paddled on the river of this state. Tho story, according to tradition and history, is as follows: " The great-grandfather of Mrs. Hillegass was Joseph Walter, who sailed from Rotterdam in the ship "Robert and Mary, "and arrived in Philadelphia Decem ber 30, 1740. Some years later he settled in the Conococheague, Antrim township, Franklin coun ty, Pa. His name appears in the list of taxables in the township for 1751. After the defeat of Gen. Brad- dock in July, 1755, the French and Indians overran tho entire province west of the Susquehan na river. On November 2, King Shingas and Captain Jacobs, two Shawnee Indians, started out from Kittanning on a marauding expedition. r They killed many of the settlers in the Great Cove and in the Ton oloway settlement. They then crossed the Tuscarora mountain anddevastatedtheConococheague settlement. 1 It was during this expedition that Joseph Walter and several members of his family were kill ed and others carried into cap tivity. Rev. John Steel, a Presbyter ian minister, was preaching at the White Church, in the Conoco cheague settlement, at the time. He stepped into his pulpit and hung his hat and rifle behind him, and this was also done by many of the congregation. On Sunday, while Mrs. Walter was at cnurch, the Indians stealthily approached the Walter home. He was reading the Bi ble. The children were playing in the yard near the house. They observed the Indians and scream ed. Mr. Walter grasped his ri fle and walked to the door. There was a sharp report and he fell dead in the doorway, being shot by one of the redskins. The marauders thon killed a neighbor who happened by and scalped some of the children. Then they set fire to the house and barn and left, taking Rebecca Walter and two younger brothers with them. When Mrs.Walter returned home from church she found her home desolate. Rev. White and many of the paiishioners undertook to pur sue the Indians, but to no avail. After leaving the burning dwell ing and barn the Indians com pelled Rebecca to carry her little brother, but after going some distance, they grew tired of the child and one of the Indians kill ed him. They were about to kill her al so, but a sqaw who had taken a fancy to her saved her life. The agony and suffering endured by her on the journey of over 200 miles was -beyond description. She was compelled to walk the entire distance to Kittanning. Some years later the Iudians were worsted in a conflict and tii tribe moved to Ohio., Here Rebecca an1 her brother remain ed. , Rebecca was a captive for seven years when under a treaty made with the Indians she was releas McCONNELLSBURG, PA., October to, 1901. ed.- This occurred at Carlisle on December 81, 1764. Col. Bouquet who conducted tho negotiations, had notified all persons who had lost children at any time by hav ing them stolen by the Indians to come to Carlisle. All the former captives were huddled together on the bleak and wintry day. Most of these had been taken captive when quite young and had forgotten all save Indian language and cus torn. Mrs. Walter walked up and down the line but could not rec ognize her child. She told her sad lot to Col., Bouquet, and men tioned that many years before she sang to her daughter a hymn of which she had grown quite fond. "Sing it, " said the colonel, Then Mrs. Walter began singing in German the old familiar lines. She had scarcely finished the first verse when a girl came rush ing out of tho ranks and fell weep ing into her mother's arms. It was Regina. She was .now 14 years old, having been past 6 when captured. The reunion of the mother and daughter was a most happy one. Some years later Rebecca mar ried Casper Statler, who was one of the first settlers in Somerset county, coming from Franklin county. He traded at Greencas tie and on several occasions was forced to leave his new home owing to the hostility of the In dians. He was a genial and whole-soul ed man and for many years kept an inn. He was licensed in 1778. Ho died in May, 1778. His wid ow lived until 1826, when she died and was buried at Schells burg, Bedford county. Mrs. Hillegass, who died a few days ago at the home of C. H. Hillegass, in Reading, at the age of 93 years, resided at New Bue- na Vista, near Schellsburg, until 7 years ago when she removed to Reading. Although quite advanc ed in years she always maintain ed a jovial spirit and was fond of meeting people. She enjoyed the friendship and esteem of many persons and was able to entertain them by the hour by relating incidents of her early life. She was an expert with the needle and did all her sewing without the aid of spec tacles. She was never ill a day in her life, save until a month prior to her demise. Must Pay For "Pufta." An Oklahoma editor, who is a deep thinker, has fixed a table of rates for running things "not as they seem," says the Jefferson, Texas, Jimplecute, as follows : "For calling a man a successful citizen when everybody knows he is lazier than a government mule, 12.74; referring to a deceased cit izen as one who is sincerely mourned by the entire communi ty, when we know that he will only be missed in the poker cir cles, $1.08; referring to some gal livanting female as an estimable lady whom it is a' pleasure to meet,. when every business man in town would rather see satan coming, hoofs, horns and all, than seeing her coming towards them, $3. 19; calling an ordinary pulpit pounder an eminent divine, 90 cents; sending a tough sinner to heaven with poetry, If 5. " Hagurstown Fair. During the week of the Hagers- town Fair, October 15th aud 18th the Cumberland Valley Railroad will sell excursion tickets to Ha- gerstown including admission to the Fair Grounds and good to re turn day following date of sale at rate of $1.25 from Mercersburg, and at correspondingly low rates from all other stations on the road. Excursion tickets not in cluding admission,' good to re turn until Saturday October 19th will also be sold from October 12th to 18th inclusive, at reduced rate's. Ample train service will bo provided to accommodate ex cursionists. October frosts are bringing down the leaves. Dealing by Telephone. As a result of a horse sale by telephone, made by a Shippens burg man to a citizen of Carlisle last Thursday, and subsequently a refusal on the part of the form er gentleman to turn over the animal to its alleged new owner, the courts will probably be asked to determine whether or not such a bargain is binding. The novel purchase is said to have been witnessed or heard by several gentlemen in Carlisle, who will testify as to what transpired, and will also assert that the prospect ive buyer had $500 in his hand to pay for the horse when the tele phone talk was held. The ship- pensburg man admits holding the conversation, but refused to part with the horse; said he had changed his mind, and that such a sale would be illegal. Plum Run. Mrs. Bub Snyder and Mrs. Shade Truax who have been hav ing a siege of typhoid fever, have reached the hungry stage, and are now improving rapidly. Mr. Michael Mellott and Mr. Jake Hess arrived last week from Washington. Mr. Wm. Hendershot is lying very ill with typhoid fever at Mr. Wm. Sigei's. Mrs. Mary Snyder spent part of last week at the home of her son Jesse B. Snyder. There will be a gathering of young people at Mr. Anson Well-' er's for a merry time next Sat urday evening. Mr. Andrew Souders, our en terprising butcher, is doing a thriving business these days. Ho built a new barn this summer and expects to build a new house next summer. The house in which he is now living is one of the oldest houses in this part of the couutry, being built some time during the 18th century. Mr. Grant Mentzer and fam ily have moved to Waynesboro. While going to Millstone Point last week, Mr. Moses Mellott invested a goodly number of mighty dollars in some hogs and a diminutive colt. On being asked whether he brought them home in a sack, he replied, "No, I put the hogs in the wagon and led the colt." But the colt became home sick and decided to return South to a more congenial climate. Mr. John Douglass, standing outside the store, heard a fearful racket on the public highway, and being quick thoughted, like Baron Munchausen, caught the small cyclone and turned it into the barnyard to ruminate. In a few minutes; a man looking like Mo ses, appeared, wild eyed and breathless. Upon seeing the de linquent safely caged in the barn yard, he relieved his feelings by a heartfelt, "You little black bug ger!" and departed with the tri umphant assertion that the dim inutive was "not a dummy any way." Better watch him closer next time you graze. turn him out to Brother Chambers added an other to his long list of marriage ceremonies last Wednesday. This time he united the hearts, hands and lives of Mr. Daniel E. Desh- ong of Belfast and Miss Mary A. Carbaugh of Ayr two estima ble young people. A proclamation has been issued by Dr. Nathan C. Schaeffer, state superintendent of public instruc tion, designating Friday, October 25, as Autumn Arbor Day. The superintendent requests the teachers and pupils of the public schopis throughout the state to observe the day by the planting of trees and by other suitable ex ercises. ' According to the report of the chief inspector of the postoffice department for the last fiscal year, no less than 1,635 postof flees were robbed, 87 stagecoach es were held up and 650-mail pouches were stolen. In a small er country these figures would evidence an epidemic of crime against the mails, but this is a big country and the statistics given are not so startling as may appear at first glance. Josie Demfng Dead. The many friends here of Mrs. Josephine Doming were pained to learn that she died at her home in Madison, Wis., on Tuesday evening of last week. Mrs. Deming was a niece of the late Aunt Rebecca Hoke of this place, and was here at the time of Mrs. Hoke's death, and remained for, perhaps, a year afterward; and three or four years ago she spent a few weeks among friends here on her return from a trip through Europe. Mrs. Deming, whose maiden name was McMurrain, was mar ried several years ago, and after a few months of most happy wedded life, her husband died. She possessed a most lovely christian character, and spent most of her time in charitable and other forms of christian work. Pleasant Ridge. The farmers are busy seeding. Mr. Pittenger spent Saturday evening at Michael Bard's. C. M. Dixon has been with us for some time. Joe W. Lake, who has been ill, is getting better. Logue Shives and wife are spending some time with Mr. and Mrs. Frank Shives. Uriah Kline thinks some one likes honey, as one of his bee caps disappeared one night. You will be caught yet; too much stealing. Misses Winifred and Katharine Metzler spent last Sunday with their friend Miss Linna A. Dosh- ong. John Bard and wife and Miss Anna Deshons and eentleman friend spent Saturday evening and Sunday at Knobsville. Mrs. David Kline is still very ill. Miss Ella Kline is visiting her sister, Mrs. Hershey, of Laidig. Miss Irene Hockensmith, who had been visiting in Buck Valley, has returned home. Mrs." Susan Kline and daughter Ella, and Mrs. Florence and Jen nie Wink spent Saturday at Wm. Wink's. Mrs. Rash, who has been sick, is some better. Mr. Aaron Garland and wife spent Sunday in Licking Creek township. Miss Sadie Barber is employed at Joseph Deshong's a couple of weeks. Miss Linna A. Deshong accom panied Rev. Pettinger and wife to their home this week, and to see her aunt at Waynesboro. Mrs. Martha Strait is visiting her sister Mrs. Rebecca Truax this week. William Hockensith is employ ed at Aaron Garland's. Miss Martha' Bard and her friend spent Saturday and Sun day at Knobsville. Mrs. Eliza Decker. Mrs. Eliza Decker, wife of John J. Decker of Bethel township died at a hospital in Baltimore, October 4, 1901, and was interred at Warfordsburg on Sunday October 6. Mrs. Docker was a daughter of the late John H. Fisher of Bethel township, aud was mar ried to' John J. Decker May, 28, 1871. The husband and five chil dren, namely, Mrs. Wm. McKee, of McKees Gap; Roy, of Republic, Ohio; Miss Cora of York, Pa.; and imiu, auu iiowara, at no me, sur vive. Two sisters, survive, Mrs. H. P. Palmer, and Mrs. Wm liooth. Her aged mother is also living. Eor thirty years Mrs. Decker had been a consistent member of the Christian church, aud was beloved by a large circle of frien ds. About a year ago, some thing like cancer Sarcoma, it is called made its appearance in her side, and caused her much suffering. Some three weeks ago, she was sent to a hospital at Baltimore, an operation was performed, and in a few days thereafter she died. A S. Sheldon, representing Earl Bros., of Chicago, III, spent Sunday at tho Green Hill House. NUMBER 4. Personal. Mr. and Mrs. E. R. Mellott of Pleasant Ridge spent Tuesday in town. Mr. Cornelius Doyle of Harris burg is visiting friends in town this week. - " Dr. George M. Robinson re turned to Washington, D. C, Wednesday. Miss Emily Virginia Great head of this place is visiting in Clearspring, Maryland. Misses Ada B. and Etta R. Mellott called at the News office while in town Tuesday. Mr. and Mrs. C. D. Houpt of Altoona spent last week among friends in this county. Mr. J. Frank Sloan of Wilders, Indiana, is visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas F. Sloan. Miss Katharine Horner Cook spent part of last week with Miss Blanche Patterson at Webster Mills. Rev. McCloskey of the Meth odist Episcopal church of this place has been quite ill for sev eral days. Mr. A. U. Nace, Horace Nace and wife, and Miss Dixie Robin son, all of this place, were in Chambersburg Monday andTues day. Bedford's leading jeweler, J. W. Ridenour, and that town's most skillful physician, J. A. Clark, spent Tuesday night in town. G. W. and J. D. Mellott last week drilled for Isaac P. Hender shot in the Cove, a well. When down 85 feet it all at once became a gusher. Isaac now has a pump for sale. Miss Mollie Mellott, who a few months ago returned from Wash ington, came up to town with her granduncle Mr. Runyan of Need more, and spent Tuesday night with Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Runyan. The Presbyterian congregation of McConnellsburg had the priv ilege of listening last Sabbath to two excellent sermons from Rev. Thomas H. Robinson, D. D., of Pittsburg. Dr. Robinson has been a warm, personal friend of the pastor ever since their days in the Western Theological Sem inary, Allegheny, Pa, For thirty years Dr. Robinson was pastor of Market Square church, Harris burg, and since then has been professor of Sacred Rhetoric, Pastoral Theology and church Government in his Alma Mater until last May, when he resigned . on account of impaired health. Rev. W. A. Stevens, D. D., of Carlisle, Secretary of the Twen tieth Century Thank Offering Fund of the Methodist Episcopal church, preached last Sunday morning at Fort Littleton, at Knobsville in the afternoon, and at McConnellsburg in the even ing. Twenty millions of dollars is the sum proposed to be raised and the portion raised by this conference will be devoted to tho four following objects, namely, Dickinson Seminary at Williams port, Dickinson College at Car lisle, M. E. Hospital at Philadel phia, and the Preachers' Aid So., ciety. Dr. Jesse D. Bucher,of Bridge water, Va., and his brother-in-law W. H. Abbot, of Saltillo.Pa., were very pleasant callers at the News office Saturday morning. Dr. Bucher spent his boyhood days on the farm in Tod township on which Mr. Nat Rotz now lives; but left that place about thirty-six years ago, and cast his lot in Vir ginia, first teaching in the public schools, and later organizing and conducting normal schools. Like many other teachers, he felt that he could not afford to spend his entire life working for glory, so he took a course in dentistry.and is now a successful practitioner. His mother.at the age of 82 years, is living near Shirleysburg. Dr. Bucher and the Editor of the News were school mates at Prof. Frank Davis normal in this place in. 1864. How many of the eld boys and girls remember tha outing we took to Roaring Run? i (
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers