Atom mm& VOLUME 3. McCONNELLSBURG. PA.. October 31, 1901. NUMBER 7. est n mm Rev. George B. Shoemaker's Letter. Iowa Falls, Iowa, October 22, 1901. Editor News: 1 have just been eating someConcord grapes, and, by a very natural chain of reflection, I thought of myself as a boy under the old grapo ar bor by the woodshed in my fa ther's yard in old McConnells burg. I fancy that the grape I just ate, tasted much sweeter.be causo, by memory, I had a boy's nppetito. I wonder, will any thing taste as good to me as it did when I was a boy? The grapes I ate some moments ago, were not a product of Iowa, though we do raise them here. These were shipped here from Westtield, N. Y., and were of the Concord variety. For a seven pound basket, (basket included,) I paid twenty-two cents. This, with us, is a very moderate price for grapes. Mrs. Shoemaker and I took a ride yesterday afternoon. We went up along the bank of the Iowa River about two miles, and came around by Siloam Spring, home. This spring is a famous one in this community. At. one time there was alarge Sauitarium near it, and many patients were cared for. Since the buildings burned down, no one has rebuilt them, and I judge by that, the venture was not a financial suc cess. The water of the spring ! heavily charged with iron aud other miuerals of a medicinal character. Not long ago, in out Sunday school, we had the lesson of the blind man who washed in the pool of Siloam. When I ask edj "Where did Jesus tell the blind) mau to go and wash?", oue little fellow, to the amusement of the entire adult school, sang out, "Siloam Spring." While on our drive yesterday we gathered brauches from the oak trees with such beautifully colored leaves. It is quite bluffy along the river, aud as wo looked at the hills, whoso trees were covered with their colored garments of the fall season, we thought of, and talked about, the mountains "round about" our old home. By this time I think they must be beauti ful. If I shall be permitted to visit the laud of my childhood again, I think it will be in the fall of the year. This is a beautiful clay. Pretty warm during the middle of the day when the ther mometer reached eighty-six de grees, but cooling now as the day declines. The fall in Jowa is, foi me, the most delightful part ol the year especially October and the fir st half of Novem ber. Mag nificent days, without a cloud oi a breath of air, and just comfort ably cool. Road dry, hard, and level as a floor, over which you can drive for miles and not strike a stone. The fields of corn an ripening and all nature striving in reach maturitv before the cold of winter well it is just be yond allTriy power of description. Since the invention of the corn harvester, we see field after field of corn cut up in the shock, some thing which was not thought ol t went-four years ago when I came to this state. I am delighted lo see the corn thus harvested. We are having some cases ol scarle1 fever, among the smaller children. There were so many new cases last week that the school board closed the lower erade of the school for a few days No others have been noted since, aud tho schoo s are all open now. The cases are all light, but the houses where they are, are held in strict quarantine, and we hope no more wul occur. The Upper Iowa Conforence.lo ' which I belong, hold a very pleas ant session at Vinton, and by the appointment of the bishop, with the concurrence of my presidin elder, and tho uuunim us request of my oMciul board, i nave been returned to Iowa Falls for the fourth year. This breaks the record for me. In a ministry of twenty-four years, I have uever stayed longer than three years am anxious, ut tunes, for the out come of' this year. I hope my people will not feel like the old darkey. He said, "Sam, wliat's dis yer conference wher all de preachers go to?" "Done you know what confer ence is?" quickly asked Sam with an air of superior intelligence. "No, what is conference?" "Wrhy, conference is whar all de preachers git togedder and swap sarmins." "Well, if dats de case we keep our preacher home after dis.case he gits wusted every time." The "News" comes to mo reg ularly and I read it carefully lo cals, letters, advertisements, aud everything in it. I am glad when you are glad, and sorry when you have cause to be. Good bye. Webster Mills. Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Glazier, Jr., are happy over tho arrival of a baby girl. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson Peck, of Johnstown, on their wedding tour, spent several days with Mr. Peck's parents in this place, and returned to Johnstown on Thursday of last week. Their many friends here wish them a long and happy life. James Hill and Jeff C Mellott, both of Belfast, visited our village last week. Hon. D. II. Patterson was in Philadelphia ou business last week. Among those who attended the institute at Rockhill last Friday evening were Miss Pearl Logue, R.Martin, Frank Duffy, Dan iel Comerer and Elmer Cooper. Abner McLucas, wife, daugh- ter.and son-in-law passed through this place last Sabbath enroute to church at Big Cove Tannery. Jeff Harris was exercising his colt in our village Monday even ing. The colt is looking better. Jeff knows how to care for a horse. Miss Myrtle Stouteagle and mother of McConnellsburg, are spending some time with Miss Stouteaglo's sister, Mrs. Conrad Glazier. The Warthin and Harris cider mill will be in operation Wednes day and Thursday only of each week. Sheriff Sheets was at Webster Mills last week. W. H. Nelson passed through this place on Monday evening en route to his farm. Our school of forty-two pupils is prospering under the super vision of our teacher, S. R. Mar tin. Blair Truax and S. R. Martin spent last Saturday at Mr. Tru ax's home in Belfast township. Married For Sure. It seems to be a fact that the genial grocer, Mr. G. I. Covalt, was married' this morning. At any rate he and a blushing young lady just from Pennsylvania, ar rived here from Charleston at noon and went at once to tho new residence Mr. Covalt purchased The bride s maiden name was Miss Etta Ev rts, and her home was Needmore, Pa., We under stand that she is a lady of many admirable qualities although u stranger to most people here. The groom is well known here as a young gentleman of honor and industry. He was a teacher for several terms, but of late has en tered business life in the Anuin grocery. It is needless to state that Mr. and Mrs. Covalt receive ' the hearty congratulations and best wishes of a host of friends. Oak land (111.) Messenger. Rev. II. S. Bickel, who has been located at New Grenada during the past two years, has been transferred to Camp Hill near Harrisburg and will begin work in his new field next Sunday Brother Bickel is a young man of fine ability, and is destined, if he lives, to reach a point of em inence and great usefulness. Mr. and Mrs. George Everhart j and soa Earl visited Mr. Ever- hart's parents.near Maddousville Saturday aud Sunday, Hancock Letter. (Which tncimftltenw swiped from the Han cook Star.) Dr. P. E. Stigers has placed an elegant new rubber tire vehicle on the street. He has also pur chased a pony cart for his daugh ters Kitty and Lucy. Mr. and Mrs. George Chesnut and daughter Miss Lucile and sister Miss Brubaker spent sev eral days last week in Hagers town attending the Fair. Quite an excitement was caus ed by the cry of fire about niue o'clock Monday morning. The house of Isaac Morgret in the East End, opposite the Potomac Roller Mill, occupied by Peter McCarty, caught fire from the kitchen stovepipe. The roof was ablaze but the flames were stay ed by the bucket brigade: By tearing off the shingles the inside of the house was badly damaged. But for the prompt assistance of the men near by, the" house would have been quickly consumed, it being an old frame house. One of the most elaborate social events in Hancock for many a day was the celebration of the silver wedding of Mr. and Mrs. E P. Cohill on the 23d inst A very sumptuous collation wasserved in their elegant dining room, the ta bles wore most beautifully dec orated with cut flowers and can dles. The historic old home rang with merriment, the young peo ple having their many friends with their parents, the house has been Mrs. Cohill 's home from childhood. During the Civil war was used as a hospital, so has been tho scene of sadness as well as joy, now is one of the most hospitable homes in the town, al ways an open house to friends far and near. Mrs. Cohill was the daughter of late Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Rinohart so well known here. A large number of persons at tended the Hagerstown Fair from this place. Nearly three hundred tickets were sold at Hancock Sta tion. The excursion train was inadequate to accommodate tho crowd on Thursday and on the return trip the crowd was so great that the spring of one of the coaches was broken. The receipts from general ad mission tickets at all gates, grand stand, and race money to the amount of $9,000 or more, for the four days of the Fair, were: Tues day, $1,357.60; Wednesday, $2, 588.10; Thursday, $4,647.70; Fri day, $673.00: total, 9,266.75. The grand stand receipts Wed nesday were $647.50, against $360.75 on Wednesday, 1900, and for Thursday $776.60, against $805,50 on Thursday, 1900. The total gate receipts will run from $800 to $1,000 more than last Fair, and probably $2,000 greater including the railroad coupons. The receipts from priv ileges sold foot up better than at first expected and they will be only about $600 behind last year's receipts. The total receipts from all sources, excepting the railroads, last year, were nearly $19,000, The railroads turned in from $8,- 000 to $9,000 last Fair. It is expected the profits of the Fair will bo between $5,000 and $0,000. Liast year they were about $5,000. What is it? Jacob Sharp of Knobsville had with him in town, a fewdays ago, the stuffed hide of an animal that was a stranger in these parts, and baflied tho knowledge of our hunters to name it. it was over three feet in length, about 18 inches in height, and evidently belonged to the cat tribe. A few weeks ago he discovered that something was killing his sheep, and one day he saw this animal in one of his fields, and shot it. Tho head is small, oars and tail short, and the color of tho back is that of a deer, while the .belly is nearly white with black spots. lion. Dallas liernharut and Mr. Sigel Ashman spent a day or two in town this week. METEORIC DISPLAY. Scheduled For Kovember Fourteen and Fifteen. Will the meteoric shower of 1799, 1833, and 1867 repeat Itself this year is a query now much in the minds of inquiring and ob serving astronomers. For two successiveNovember s manyhours have been filched from sleep that the wonder of a life time may be seen in the peacefulness of the night. A display of light and motion that far surpass in mag nificence and sublimity anything that the hand of man ever made. Waiting, watching, hoping in 1899, was repeated in 1900, but the stars and constellation march ed across the firmament in beauty and silence without a shower of meteors to detract from their beauty. The earth passed across the path of the Leonides without meeting these mysterious strang ers. It was tacitly agreed that the path of these meteors had shifted or these particles of a dead world had burned out and their orbit waa a vacant space in the universe and the wonder of many generations would no long er amaze and astonish the earth. At these periods we endeavored to give our readers a knowledge of them and an opportunity to see the sky filled with falling stars and witness a display of grandeur that neither tongue nor pen could describe. We told them all we knew about the me teors and much more, but they, like the rest of the globe, were disappointed and lost faith in hu man foreknowledge. We do not wish to raise their expectations and start them on another wild goose chase across the midnight skies, but we have learned some thing npw about these travellers of light and haved decided to ad vise them to brush up their mem ories and recall the stories of two years since and again get ready for a watch on the night of No vember 15, next. Prof. F. Mac Bennett, of Long Island City, New York, has been giving these disappointing visitors some at tention, and in the Scientific American states his reasons why we may look for the shooting stars next month. The period of their absence has been fixed at thirty-three and a quarter years and that would make their return in 1899. But the time consumed on their journey around their or bit has been more correctly esti mated by "Prof. McClune, of Philadelphia, who, with Prof. Herrick, of Yale, and a few oth ers correctly estimated the per iod in 1867, putting it at 84 years and 1 day, or to be more accurate 12,419 days. Thus, the first re corded shower was witnessed on the night of November 11-12,1799; the next on that of November 12- 13, 1833; the following one occur ring on November 13-14; 1867; so that the next becomes due on the night of November 14-15,1901 in a few weeks hence." If the earth were to stop at the point where it meets the Leonides we could witness their fiery pass age every night for three years. As they would come into view the first year the number would be few, since we would see it at the head of the stream, "where the swarm is thin." The second year the dense portion would pass by and the field of vision would be full of shooting stars, The third year would be a light shower. The earth finds nothing to obstruct its passage and since the planets pay no attention to courtesy, but keep on in the "even tenor of their way" it pushes across the path of the Leonides and our view of the beauty and sublimity of the scene is limited from six to eight hours, the time consumed in crossing it The weather, as these recurring periods of return has been sub ject to remarkable vicissitude. Prof. McBennett has been com paring the records and finds that in 1799 the mercury dropped 20 degrees along the coasts of Flor Ida and at other points from i CouMuued on (ourtn pgs. Saluvia. Mr?. Susan Austin, who had been spending the summer at this place, returned to her home at Saxton, Friday morning. Mr. and Mrs. William Roupe, of Birmingham, Pa., are visiting Mrs. Roupe's parents Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Sipe. Ex-County Treasurer John D. Smith, and daughter Miss Flora, of Emmaville. were euests of Mrs. Harris's family Friday night, and Saturday. Mr. Smith is one of Brush Creek's Sunday school workers, and at his ear nest request, the committee on location, recommended that the Sunday school convention beheld at McKeudrce M. E. church in Brush Creek township in 1902. Nevin Hockensmith, of Johns- towta, accompanied by Bryan Bowser, who had been spending their vacation with Mr. Hocken smith's parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Hockensmith, of Harrison villo, returned to their home last Friday. Fred Clevenger, of Johnstown, who had been visiting his father, J. J. Clevenger, of Harrisonville, has returned to his home. Mrs. C. B. Hockensmith is vis iting relatives at Johnstown, where she spent the years of childhood. Miss Fleming of Knobsville, was the guest of the Misses Dan iels,, several days the latter part of last week. Miss Fleming has been instructing a class of nine in instrumental music at Harrison ville. Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Metzler, of Burnt Cabins, attended the Sunday school convention at Green Hill, Saturday, and re mained over Sunday with his brother John G. Metzler. Rev. Chambers, of Big Cove Tannery, who assistod in making our convention a success attended services at the Green Hill Pres byterian church Sabbath morn ing. Bro. Chambers has a host of friends in this place who are al ways glad of an opportunity to open their homes to him. Michael Mellott, and Mrs. Mellott, of Johnstown, who have been visiting relatives and friends, in Licking Creek town ship will leave for their home this woek. Mrs A. W. Deshoug, who is suffering from an attack of can cer of the breast is very much worse at this writing. The remains of Mrs. Anna Fohner, relict of the late Wm. H. Fohner were interred in the Sideling Hill cemetery, Thursday evening. She died at the home of her son-in-law William Fagly. Her death was very sudden and unexpected. She died sitting in her chair in the absence of the family, who were engaged at their work on the farm. The report of Forest Dale school, R. R. Sipe, teacher shows an attendance of eleven every day, of an enrollment of 18. Samuel Fix, of Ohio, is visiting his fosterparents Mr. and Mrs. John B. L'ipe. Piper Barton, and Miss Hanks, of Brush Creek, were among those from a distance who attend ed the convention at Green Hill, Saturday. Mr. and Mrs. llartman Truax, of Pleasant Ridge, were welcome visitor at this place during the time of the convention. Miss Nell Daniels, of McCon nellsburg, was visiting relatives at Harrisonville, Saturday and Sunday. The first local institute of this season was held at Siloam, last Friday evening, and proved to be one of the most interesting ever held in this township. In addi tion to the ten teachers present, were Supt Chestnut, Dr. A. K. Davis, and F. R. Shoemaker, M. U, or iiustontown, who toon an activo part An address by the two Drs. at the close of the exer clses, was very interesting and instructive to the large number of patrons present, and our teachers were encouraged to a more active work. Convention Note& The most successful Sunday school convention in the history of the organization, waa held at Green Hill last Saturday. In ad dition to a large nu mber of veteran Sunday school workers from dif ferent parts of the county who did so much toward making it a success were Rev. and Mrs. Clare, of St 'Thomas, who, accompanied by their little son Alva Agee, ar rived Friday evening, and were entertained at the home of Miss Anna Speer. They have attended several conventions at this place, and we would have been sadly disappointed had we been depriv ed of their help at this one. They returned to their home after the night session. Among the en thusiastic Sunday school work ei a of the county, who took an ac tive interest In the convention, were Hon. S. P. Wishart, and Mrs. Wishart, Wells Tannery, M. R. Shaffner, Esq., Mrs. S. M. Cook, Rev. Dr. W. A. West, and Miss Anna West, of McCon nellsburg, Rev. Chambers, Big Cove Tannery, E. R. Mellott, of Pleasant Ridge and John D. Smith Esq., Emmaville. One of the impressive features of the afternoon session, was the baptism of the little son of Rev. and Mrs. Clare, by Rev. Dr. West Rev. Henry Wolf, of Tod township took an earnest active part in the convention and it is a pleasure to know, they have such an earnest christian worker in their midst The greatest part of the time of the evening session was occupied by Miss Anna West who gave a very interesting ad dress on her work in Japan, to a full house. Meed more. The dry weather has stopped the farmers from husking corn. They are also concerned about the wheat crop as the dry weath er is favorable to the "fly" in wheat Mr. Enoch Hart continues ill; improvement, slow. Mr. Wesley McKee is improv ing," and expects to be able to be out in a few days. Miss Cora Funk, Messrs Joe Funk, Johnson Truax and C. L Bard, are among those who at tended love feast in the Little Cove last Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Mr. Joshua Heeter spent a few days in our town last week. Miss Jessie Gienger, of Buck Valley, ia living with her grand parents, "Uncle John" and Mrs. Shafer, this winter, and is at tending school Miss Annie May Everts spent a few days last week visiting in the northern part of the county. Dr. J. J. Palmer and wife left for their home in Chicago on Monday. Miss Olive Hess spent Sat urday and Sunday at her home here. Miss Etta J. Everts started to Illinois on Wednesday. Mr. Gideon Covalt a former Fulton county boy, and one of our very, best young men, met her on the way. They journey ed to Charleston, the county seat of Coles county. 111., and were married on Thursday. Mr. Co valt is located in Oakland, 111., where they have gone to house keeping. They are both former school teachers of Fulton. Our very best wishes go with them for a long, happy.and prosperous journey. Dr. Sappington of Webster Mills was the guest of J. J. Pal mer on Sunday. George and Ted Wink are home for a few days hunting. Mrs. David Evans and Miss Irene were visiting friends in the Little Cove Saturday and Sunday. Mrs. B. F. Shives called at the News office last Saturday morn ing, and left us a nice pumpkin. From one seed planted in her garden last spring, she now has a crop cf twenty-four nice pump kins, the smallest not less than 10 pounds. She raised, also, this summer a sweet potato 17 Inches long, by 10i iu circumference. Personal. Mrs. JohnLaidigand daughter Misa Maggie of Hustontown are visiting Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Cutchall. Mr. and Mrs. L. A. Youso spent Saturday and Sunday with D. S. Denisar and wife near Burnt Cabins. Wilbur Grissinger Maynard' Sipes, and Misses Lottie and Lela Little spent last Sunday af ternoon In Mercersburg. Mrs. William Baumgardner and daughter Mary spent last Saturday and Sunday at her old home in Licking Creek township. Mrs. William Wilds returned to her home at Fort Littleton Monday after visiting her sister Mrs. Robert W. Cutchall of Ayr township. Mrs. W. R Bair of Greenhill, accompanied by her sister-in-law, Mrs. J. M. Bair of Coatesville.Pa., were pleasant callers at the News office Tuesday. Mrs. B. F. Cline and Mrs. Jno. W. Gunnells and son John, all of Knobsville, spent last Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. Gex W. Par son at Fort Littleton. Samuel Wagner, wife, and son Romeo of Maurertown, Va., are spending some time with his brother, Abram Wagner, and family at Knobsville. Mr. Walter Hays, accompanied by his niece Miss Bessie Myers, both of Hancock, spent from Sat urday until Monday with the family of Mr. and Mrs. George W. Hays of this place. W. Logan Sloan and his sisters Misses Marion and Jessie reach ed this place from Buffalo Tues day noon. Mr. Sloan is just re covering from several weeks' ill ness from typhoid fever. Abram Wagner and wife of Knobsville, and Samuel Wagner, wife and son Romeo, of Maurer town, Va., were visiting their sister Mrs. Katie Cowan at De corum, Huntingdon county, last week. Merchant Charlie Scott, Land lord Bare, Traveling Salesman Henry Hutton and Newton Divel biss, all of Fort Loudon, drove across the mountain last Sunday miming and spent the day in McConnellsburg. Mr. Howard C. Wishart, the popular ticket agent at Hunting don, for the Huntingdon and Broad Top railroad company, is taking a vacation of two weeks in the copper region of Michigan visiting his brother Harlan. Dr. A. D. Dalbey, George Rex roth, George B. Daniels, and Harvey L. Sipoa went over to Waynesboro last Thursday and helped to organize a lodge of Elks at that placeThursday even ing. Sixty-four persons were initiated. Mrs. S. M. Cook, Miss Mary Trout, Miss Mary Pittman, D. F. Trout and Miss Mary Hoke, Wells Greathead and Miss Cath erine Cook, Merril Nace and Miss Bess Trout, attended tho Anglo Boyd wedding at Upton last Thursday evening. Mrs. George W. Skinner and daughter Miss Mary drove over from Chambersburg Monday morning, took dinner at the Ful ton House, went down to their old home at Big Cove Tannery in the afternoon, and on Wednesday returned to Chambersburg. Mr. and Mrs. D. F. Denisar of Franklin county spent last Sat urday and Sunday among friends on this side of the mountain. M r. Denisar is on the Weber farm near Mercersburg. He says he had just one field of corn 42 acres, that will average 45 barrels to the acre. Mr. and Mrs. O. A. Stonjr and daughters Misses Ursa and Emily of Tyrone, Pa., recently visited Mrs. Stoner's mother, Mrs. J. H. Akers, at Akersvilie. From there, they went to Buck Valley and visited the family of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Stoner. Clarence has maay friends in the Valley, and his many friends there en joyed his hearty hand shake, again. fi
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