VOLUME 4. McCONNELLSBURG, PA.. JULY 15, 1903. NUMBER 44 LAST SATURDAY'S STORM. Unusual Destruction of Property by Lightning. BARNS BURNED; "CROPS DESTROYED, Ruin Fell In Torrents. Three Barni Burned In Frinktln and One Man Killed. Freaks of Electricity at Win. Mlller'i. D. R. Mumma'i Stable. The stable on the property re cently purchased by D. R. Mum ma at Hustontown, was also, struck by lightning last Satur day. While the roof was slightly damaged, and the frame injured the building was not set all re. At Mack's. Lightning struck one of those big telegraph poles at the Mcll vaine house on Sideling HiU.shat tertng the pole, putting 43 wires oat of business for the time, and badly scattering the things arouDd in the office there in charge of our townsman, Thos. P. Sloan. Amos Clouser's Barn. - Amos Clouser's barn near Knobsville, came in for a share of attention in Saturday's storm. The lightning struck at the comb of the roof, ran down a rafter to the eaves and tore out a strip of shingles the whole length, per haps two or three feet in width. No further damage was done. Jacob Gordon's Barn. The barn of Jacob Gordon near Big Cove Tannery was struck by lightning during the electrical storm Mast Saturday afternoon and completely destroyed, to gether with all his crop of wheat and rye except about a dozen shocks of the latter, and a valu able horse which he could not get out of the stable in time.- This is a heavy loss to Mr. Gordon, as there was only fifty dollars insur ance ou the property. Trout's Porch. During a severe thunder storm a few days ago, Miss Bessie Trout went to a window at their home in Tod township to close the shutters, when a blinding flash of lightning, accompanied by a deafening crash of thunder, struck the porch, running down and shattering the corner posts. Miss Bess fell back into the room badly stnnned, but, fortunately, soon recovered from the effects. James P. Walti's House. During the storm last Satur day afternoon, lightning struck the chimney in the brick end of James P. Waltz's house in Tod township, tore boxing off one side of the' gable and a strip of the shingle roofing from comb to eaves about three feet in width, and shattered the first and third rafters into kindling. The fluid then descended to the kitchen, shattering the fire place and made its way through into the ground. The building is insured in the FneudsCove Mutual. In Franklin County. The destruction of property in last Saturday's storm was not confined alone to this county, for three barns were destroyed in franklin county. The large bank barn ou the 'arm of Houston Johnston about half a mile west of Mercersburg 'th this year's crop of wheat as entirely destroyed, William G'uck the tenant had just hauled to the last load of wheat shortly before the srorra. Insurance, 1,000 ou the barn and $800 on crops. At the same time, and not five joiles distant, the valuable bank barn on the Zook farm, with three '"ads of wheat, two large wagons good hay rake, and a good mower ero entirely consumed. The third, the large bauk barn belonging to Jacob Myers, near Brandt's church was totally destroyed with partof this year's CroPs. It was with great difficul ty the stock was saved. TLa uaru was one of the most substantial 'Q that section of the county. V Storm Causes 0m Death. Wing. In the road beside the bl yclo he had been riding, John Jyrd was found dead on the A TRIP ACROSS THE ATLANTIC. Rev. Henry Wolf Goes on a Visit to the Scenes of His Boyhood. Rev. Henry Wolf of Tod town ship left Tuesday morning for Now York where he sails at 10 o'clock to-diiy, Wednesday, on the S. S. Noordam, for the city of Kotterdam at the mouth of the Rhine river. There he will dis embark, take a steamboat, and go up the river to the junction of the Rhine and the Mein, a distance of three hundred miles. There he will land and travel by railroad a distance of but twenty milos when he will alight in the city of Darmstadt his old home, where he expects to spend a couple of months with his relatives and old time friends. The Fulton Coun ty News will keep him posted while in the Fatherland. Williamsport pike about a quarter-mile from Greencastlo last Saturday afternoon at 3 o'clock, says Public Opinion. He was found by his brother, William Beard, who was following him on a bicycle, William having stopped in a farm house while his brother rode on into Greencastle to seek shelter from the storm. Death is believed to have been caused by heart trouble resulting from over-exertion. Beard wa 22 years old. The brothers had been engag ed in harvesting at Mason and Dixon and meant to stop in Greencastle before returning to their home in Little Cove. The body was brought to Greencastle on a large wagon- load of straw which happened along the road heading for town. The sight was a pathetic one as the rain fell upon the unprotect ed corpse lying upon the large pile of straw. John Beard was a son of Eli Beard, the victim of a hunter's bullet in the mountain near his home over a year ago. Will Miller's House. On the third inst., lightning struck a chimney in the resi dence of William Miller, near Dublin Mills, and played a num ber of pranks without doing any serious damage. Striking the flue it ran down until it came to the cookstove pipe, when it left the chimney and went down to the stove part of the current reaching the floor by one of the back, and the other by one of the front, legs of the stove. Grand mother Berkstresser, Mrs. Mil ler's mother, was sitting near the stove piecing a quilt, she having her sewing basket in her lap. The current after leaving the stove went to Mrs. Berkstresser, ripping the carpet in its course. Mrs. B. had on her finger a thimble lined with brass. The fluid just separated the two met als, and in a moment she had two thimbles one brass the other steel the brass one on her fin ger, and the steel one rolling over the floor. A pair of shears in her sewing basket was warped so that the points which would not come together before were weld ed tightly together. The patches were scattered from the basket and thrown in every direction some of them adhering to the ceil ing for several days. The other current, after leav ing the stove, directed its atten tion to Richard Miller who fiat leaning back with his elbows on j the chair-board. Ripping its way j through the carpet, iteuteredhis shoe at the sole, tearing the shoe j off and burning his foot severely. ' It then went to the chair-board and tore that loose, running on until it reached Bomedampboards on the pump porch when it disap peared. Finally, just before this happened one of the little girls had brought a half drowned little turkey into the house and placed it beside the stove to dry. After the shock the little turkey was found lying on the stove its. body torn to pieces. , Aside from being badly scared there was no serious damage done. Mr. and Mrs. Millet wero absent at Gettysburg. i BUCHANAN MONUMENT. Mrs. Harriet Lane Johnston Leaves $100,000 for Monument. A long delayed monument to James Buchanan, the only Presi dent ever elected from Pennsyl vania, is provided for in the will of his niece, Mrs. Harriet Lane Johnston, whose death occurred on the 3d inst. Mrs. Johnston, the youngest daughter of James Buchanan's sister Harriet Lane, was born at Mercersburg in 1831. When James Buchanan went us minister to England Miss Har riet Lane accompanied hitn. She became a favorite with the Queen and the Royal family, and during her stay was one of the foremost ladies in the diplomatic corps at the Court of St. James. When James Buchanan became presi dent Miss Lane was the mistress of the White House. She presi ded when the Prince of Wales visited America and became Pres ident Buchanan's guest for five days. Mrs. Johnston in her will, which was probated in Washing ton, D. C, last Wednesday, sets aside the sum of $100,000 as the "James Buchanan Monument Fund," for the erection of a suit able monument at "Buchanan's Birthplace" near Cove Gap, a spot very well known by Fulton county people and frequently vis ited by picnic parties. It histo rical name is "Stony Batter." In 1791, when James Buchanan the future president was born tln.-ro were two cabins there, one occupied by the elder Buchanan, who was employed as clerk by a trader named Toms, who lived in the other. The packhouse trail in those days led through the Gap and thonso over the mountain through McConnellsburg and on westward. So wild were the sur roundsiugs then, as they are now that when the youthful James was let out to play he carried a bell about his neck to keep from being lost. Descendants of the Toms fami ly continued to live in that vicini ty many years. It has been less than a quarter of a century that the "Old Tom Place" an old tav em standing on the Mercersburg pike west of the Gap, where the toll-gate is now located, was de molished by the ravages of time. The spending of $100,000 on a monument at Stony Batter will mean, of course, that a good road will be opened for travel from the Gap to that point, to accommo date the large number of sum mer tourists that will want to vis it the spot where Pennsylvania's only president was born. ANNUAL SUMMER TOUR ON FOOT. Five Fannettsburg Ladies at the Fulton House Last Wednesday Night. Miss Myrtle Walker, Miss Lee Seibert, Miss Nell G. Seibert, Miss Minta Jones, and Miss Mar garet Seibert all of Fannetts burg, left their homes at six o' clock on Wednesday morning of last week for a tour afoot. Turn ing their faces westward they crossed the mountain to Burnt Cabins and followed on the State Road to Sheepskin Hollow, . there they turned south. Notwithstanding the fact that the girls were not accustomed to so much vigorous exorcise, and that Old Sol smiled down on them all day with a glow that was meas ured by 90 degrees in the shade they covered the distance of twenty miles and reached the Fulton House in McConnellsburg in a li tlb less than twelve hours in tine trim. During the evening a number of their young lady friends of town called on them. After a night's refreshing rest they arose bright and happy, and at an early hour Thursday morn ing started across the mountain to Morceruburg. Mrs. S. L. Baugher of Need intre.h spending a bout six weeks in Virginia visiting her parents uud those of her husband. IRON BRIDGE NUMBER TEN Will Be Built at Charlton's Fording near Warfordsburg. CONTRACT AWARDED LAST SATURDAY. Nelson and Buchanan, Who Have Built All but One of Our County Bridges, Take the Contract. In accordance with the date fix ed in their advertisement for pro posals to construct an iron bridge over the west branch of theTonol oway creek at Charlton's fording near Warfordsburg, the County Commissioners met at their office last Friday and opened the fol lowing bids : Wm. A. Gulick & Co., Phoenixville, Pa., $2460; The Canton Bridge Co., $2300; The Rochester Bridge & Const., Co., $2291; The Penn., Bridge Co., $2225; The Westbrook Bridge Co. , $2197; Nelson & Buchanan, $2100. The last named being the lowest, received the contract; and as their bid of $1050 was the lowest for the substructure (or mason work) they, also, got that making a to tal contract price of $3150. The bridge is to be of the Pratt truss pattern (overhead frame). 100 feet span, by 12 feet width, with carrying strength of 100 pounds to the square foot. The contract for the first of our county bridges was made in De cember, 1883, and the biidge was completed in the following sum mer. This was across Licking creek at Peck's fording. The length of the span is feet; the cost of the superstructure, $1750; and Messrs. Ryder & Robinson did the mason work at $5.50 a perch. We were not able, readi ly, to find what the total cost was. The bridge is a high truss. The second bridge is a high truss, and spans Tonolo way creek at Stigers' Mill, near Warfords burg. It was built in 1887 is 80 feet 2 Inches in length, and 12 feet in width. The superstruc ture cost $1325, and the substruc ture $990. The third bridge built was that at Gregory's fording across Lick ing creek in 1887. It is iron,(and we might just as well state here that all our county bridges are iron), high truss, and the span is 112 feet in length by 12 feet In width. The superstructure cost $1160 and the masonry $2.75 a perch. The commissioners in office at that time inclined strong ly toward the building of a wood en bridge; but when they found that what they might save in the superstructure would be more than expended in the additional cost of masonry, they abandoned the wooden bridge idea. Three bridges had thus far been built, and all in the lower end of the County. The upper end, however, now succeeded in getting the ears of the "powers that be," and In 1894 a low truss bridge was built across the Aughwick at Fort Littleton 60 feet in length, the superstruc ture costing $600, and the sub structure, $250. The next year, 1895, the ford ing at Waterfall across Sideling Hill creek came in for its share of attention, and a low truss bridge with a span of 64 feet was built at a cost of $750 for the su perstructure, and $250 for the substructure. Three years later, 1897, a low truss bridge was built across Tonoloway creek in Deneen's Gap, 67 feet in length, at a total cost of $1200 for the super- and sub-structure. Bridge No. 8 was built across Tonoloway creek at Weaver's fording in Thompson township, in 1899. The pattern is low truss, length of span 65 feet, and the cost of the superstructure and substructure combined was $1, 500. The same year a bridge was built across Brush Creek near Crystal Springs. The bridge is low truss, the span -- feet, the contract price for the superstruc ture was $1000, and for the sub structure, $4.50 a perch. On ac count of dissatisfaction as to the quality of the work, a settlement JENKINS GOT THERE. Bicyclist Reached Destination Ahead of Time and Won the Cash. We told our readers of George E. Jenkins, the bicycle tourist who passed through McConnells burg on the 10th of June enroute from York, Pa., to Clinton, Iowa. He made the trip in one day less than the fifteen allotted. The Clinton "Daily Herald" of Tues day, June 30, says : "Travel-stained and dust-begrimed after an over-country jaunt of 954 miles awheel, George E. Jenkins, of York, Pa., arrived in Clinton Monday afternoon, and is a guest of his sister, Mrs. Ma ry Willetts, of 1203 Prospect ave nue. "Jenkins departed from York, Pa., on the morning of June 15 on a wager of $50 that he could ride to Clinton In fifteen days, or bet ter. At first he rode leisurely, the. weather having been warm and the roads not any too good. The last 800 miles, however, he was forced to make better time In order to reach Clinton in time to win his wager, and he came in from Chicago at a pretty stiff clip. Jenkins traveled about 12 hours a day and accomplished 79J miles each day on an aver age." Elliott Barber, Dead. Samuel Elliott Duffield Barber, better known as Doc Barber died at his home in Licking Creek township on Saturday, June 27, 1903, aged 54 years and 6 days. Funeral services conducted on the following Monday by Rev. S. L. Baugher, and interment made at Siloam church. Mr. Barber was an honest and industrious citizen, and enjoyed the respect of all who knew him. Several months ago It was noticed that failing physical strength was accompanied by weakened mental powers, and during the latter part of his life, it became neces sary for his family to exercise constant watchfulness over him. He is survived by a widow and seven children, and by three brothers John, Thomas, and Amos, and by two sisters Mrs. D. H.. Myers, and Mrs. Catharine Price of French Landing, Michi gan. was made very much below the sum above named. A low truss bridge, with a span of 75 feet was built across Tonol oway creek at Maxwell's fording in Thompson township in 1902. Cost of superstructure, $1235; of substructure $650. The above statement of cost does not, of course, include cost of filling approaches, and the to tal cost of the masonry could not easily be obtained. Then, the fluctuation in the price of iron must be considered as the com parison of the different prices are considered. It will be noticed that there has been more differ ence in the prices paid for mason ry than for anything else as high as $5.50 a perch in the Peck bridge, and as low as $2.75 in the Gregory. The following are the commis sioners who built the respective bridges : James Daniels, Peter Morton, and George Snyder, Peck's lording; Lemuel Garland, W. H. Charlton, and John Wish- art th9 one at S tiger's Mill; the bridge at Gregory's, by Isaiah Layton, Z. Bland Barnett and D. T. Fields; Lee K. Cline, Amos Sharpe and A. M. Corbin built those at Fort Littleton and Wa terfall; John Stunkard, Albert Plessinger and W. L. Cunning ham, those at Denoen's Gap, Weaver's and Brush Creek; and A. V. Kelley, II. K. Mellott, and John Fisher, the one at Maxwells. Thus it will be seen that when the one at Charlton's is completed Tonoloway creek will have five county bridges; Licking Creek, j two; Aughwick, one; Brush creek one, and Sideling Hill creek one. Miss Lydla Mann of Saluvia spent a day with friends in Ever ett last week. 1 SURPRISE PARTY. Given Mrs. Amos Clouser near Knobs ville. Her Birthday Anniversary. The neighbors aud friends of Mrs. Amos Clouser in some way last week found out that she was about to pass another milestone in her journey through life; and while they had no intention to im press the fact upon the good la dy's mind that; she was an older woman than she was a year ago, they thought it a good opportuni ty to have some fun, and to show that they were glad Mrs. Clouser was living and glad that they, themselves, were living. So the word was quietly pass ed around the neighborhood, and on the evening of that anniversa ey day about forty people found it convenient to call at the hos st able home of Mr. and Mrs. Clous er, and a joyous good time was had. Among those present were J. W. Gunnells, wife and son; J. C. Tice and wife, W. H. Gunnells and wife, Henry Anderson and wife, A. L. Wible and wife, Sam uel Divens and wife, Vanvert Div ens and wife, Vanvert Kelso and wife, Mrs. Jacob Sharpe and daughter, Mrs. Bert Henry and sou, Mrs. Maggie Kerlin and son, Mrs. Elizabeth Sowers, Mr. John Clouser and Mr. John Walters both of Altoona; Mrs. Wm. Flea gle, Miss Lillie Anderson, Miss Mamie Fore, Miss Maye Clouser, Miss Nannie Mort, Miss Amy Fleming, Ira Fore, John Mackey, Joseph Sowers, Harry Clousor, H. O. Hamil, Samuel Kelso, and Paul Shiraer. After partaking of delightful refreshments, and staying until late in the evening, the company departed with the hope that Mrs. Clouser might see thirty-seven more anniversaries, and that all those present might help to cele brate them. HUNTING TROUBLE. Some One Pilfering About the Premises of Charlie Stevens Last Sunday Night. Last Sunday night about one o'clock Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Ste vens were aroused from their slumbers by the barking of small dog belonging to their neigh bor, Merchant Geo. W. Reisner. Going to the window which looks out upon their wash house at the rear of their residohce it did not take Charlie long to decide that there was some kind of a livin critter in the wash house and grabbing his shoe, he was just about letting it go at the door, when to his surprise a man dart ed quickly out of the wash house door, ran up the alley between his house and Patterson's store, sprang into the street, and disap peared. As nothing of value was missed it is supposed the visitor was dis turbed before he had time to car ry out whatever designs he may have had in making his call. ANOTHER NEW SECRET ORDER. A Printer Plans a Society Which all are Invited to Join. a public benefactor with a house of the fitness of things has devised a ritual lor a new society. It is as follows : "Persons wishing to enter a ! inting office at any time of the year should be governed by these rules : Advance to the inner door and give a distinct rap. The "devil" attends to the alarm. You can give him your name, jxtstollice address and number of years you are owing for the pa per. He will admit you. You will ndvance to the middle of the room aud address the editor with the following countersign : Extend the right hand about two feet from the body with the thumb and index finger clasping a bank hill, which drop into the extend ed hand of the editor at the same lime saying: "Were you looking for me." The editor will grasp your hand and the bill aud press ing it, aay, "Yea ! Thanks !" ABOUT PEOPLE YOU KNOW. I Snapshots at Their Movements, as They Come and Go. NAMES OF VISITORS AND VISITED. Home lor a Vacation, Away for an Outing, a Trip lor Business or Pleasure, You'll Find It Right Here. James Tritle of Loudon spent last Sunday among friends on this side of the mountain. Miss Maye V. Stiver, of Bed ford, is visiting her uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. B. W. Peck. Miss Beatrice Myers of Han cock, spent from Saturday until Monday with the family of her uncle George W. Hays, in this place. Aaron Garland, Clayton Desh ong, John Bard and Obed T. Mel lott were among those from Bel fast towndhip who spent Monday at McConnellsburg. Mr. and Mrs. Walter Hays of Hancock spent a few days during the past week with the family of the former's brother, George W. Hays of this place. Mr. Harry Reisner and family of Hagerstown came over last Saturday for a visit at tho homes of his brothers, J. G. and Geo.W. of this place. Misses Blanche and Jessie Un ger, who had been spending two weeks with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Unger, returned to Chambersburg last Saturday. Elliott Ray and son have leased ground down at the First Mill and will put up a steam cider mill and be ready to serve customers by the tenth of August. Mr. J. L. Miller and daughter of Pittsburg are visiting the fam ily of his brother-in-law, Daniel Mock, and other relatives and friends in this county. Mr. G. C. Fohner, a student in the Normal here this summer, has secured a position at Bed ford Springs, but will return in timo to teach a school in this county next winter. Mrs. George W. Cooper leaves to-day, and will be joined at Greeusburg, Pa., by her sister Mary, when the two will go to Peoria, 111., for a visit of a few weeks among friends. Rev. Lewis Chambers of Big Cove Tannery came up to town and attended preaching at the M. E. church Suuday and spent Sun day night the guest of Mr. and Mrs. A. U. Nace. Among the teachers just elect ed in Logan towuship, Blair coun ty we notice the names of Miss Fannie C. Lamberson, MissGrnce Mosser, Miss Bertha Madden, and George W. Ready. Lieutenant John Dawney, of the Chicago police force.is spend ing a few days among his friends in this county. John has been iu the Windy Citv about thirteen years, and now occupies a lucra tive and responsible position. Mr. and Mrs. Harry Dawnoy, who were injured by the falling of a pine tree near Hustontowu a few weeks ago, are improving slowly. Mrs. Dawney is able ! be up part of the time, and Har ry is not well by a good deaL Mrs. Melinda Logan of Daven port, 111., arrived here last Fri day and is visiting her sistci, Miss Rebecca Pott and Mrs. Cros by. Mrs. Logan's daughter, Mi.s Bess, a prominent teacher who had been in attendance at the an nual meeting of the National Teachers' Association at Boston, joinod her mother hero Tuos- day. Ed Croft of Licking Crook township, brought to this oflico on Monday some fine apples last year's crop. There is not, a speck of decay apparent, and if they were any place else than about a printing office, might lust another year. Ed says at Iim home they have not been without apples a minute in four yearn. While he doesn't know the nam of this variety, he says they ary good for use from fall uutil spring or as loug as they last
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