ltm VOLUME 5. McCONNELLSBURG, PA.. OCTOBER 28, 1903. NUMBER ( $vmtn ABOUT THE PHILIPPINES. Interesting Information by One Who Has Been There. MR. CHARLES HENRY WISSNER WRITES Will Tell About the Natives, Their Hiblti, Religious Customs, and Gener al Social Condition. It is our intention to publish a series of letters or, rather, essays by Mr. (Jharles Henry Wissner ou various subjects of interest in connection with the Pilippine Is lands. Mr. Wissner has been in McConnellsburg on various oc cusious, and no doubt a short ac count of his interesting adventu- duction to the articles that will follow. This gentleman was born at Fredericksburg, Va., in 1867. When 18 years of age, he gradu ated first in his class at Hampden Sidney College, Va. The follow ing September, he became prin cipal of a school at Middlebrook, Va., marrying during that year. The following year he took a spec ial course in Oriental languages at Union Theo. Seminary, going the fpllowing year to the Univer sity of Va.; from there to Yale, and from Yale to Leipzig, com pleting his work at the last named place in 1891. During his stay abroad, he vis ited every country in Europe, Palestine, and Egypt. After his return to America, he entered the ministry of the Presbyterian church, and preached at various points until 1897. In the spring of that year he came to McCon nellsburg and between July and October prepared himself for ad mission to the bar. In October, he passed a brilliant examination; in fact the most brilliant exami nation ever passed at this bar. During the winter of 1897 and 1898 he traveled in the West, re turning here in April 1898 at about the time of the outbreak of the Spanish American War. Mr. Wissner added considerably to the life of the town during the first weeks of the war by print ing a daily bulletin giving the lat est telegraphic news from the front. His war zeal became aroused and on June 13, he enlist ed in Company C. 8th Pa. Vol., serving until his discharge, in March, 1899. After a few weeks in McConnellsburg, Mr. Wissner went to Harrisburg and enlisted in the regular army for service m the Philippines. Upon the ar rival of his regiment in the Islands he was detailed for special duty as interpreter of Spanish and na tive dialects. He saw hard ser vice in the campaign of '99 and 1900 on the island of Cebu, having charge of the native coolies and laborers that accompanied the army; but at the close of that campaign, he was assigned to duty.at various headquarters and as interpreter upon court mar tials, doing good work until his discharge in April 1902. While in lloilo Mr. Wissner started the "lloilo Times," the first American paper published outside of the city of Manila. This paper he sold out in May of that year and went to Manila, where he became connected with the Mauila Freedom, and at the same time acted as interpreter in the courts. In June of that year he went first to China, and then to Japan, returning to San Francisco in July. Between the months of July and October he traveled through the southern states, reaching Fredericksburg, Va.,in October, where he remain ed until his return to this town on court week, he having been summoned here as a witness in the Dr. Trout-Turnpike case. Mr. Wissner daring his career has been four times in Europe, and has visited almost every part of the world, except South Afri ca and 'Australia; and, .judging from his past, we feel we can safely predict that be will also v visit those countries. He in a good mathematician and a linguist who baa at hi COMMENDABLE WORK. Annual Meeting of the McConnellsburg Branch of the N. W. 0. of America. The McConnellsburg branch of the Needlework Guild of Ameri ca held their anuual business meeting at the home of Mrs. R. Sharpe Patterson Saturday aft ernoon, when the members made a return of the new garments se cured during the year for free distribution to hospitals and oth er charitable institutions. The number contributed was far in excess of the number required (110) to maintain a branch organ ization ; and the society is to be commended for the good work it is doing and for the interest the directors and members are taking in the organization. The Object of ihe Needlework Guild of America is to collect and distribute new, plain, suitable garments to meet the great need of hospitals, homes,, and other charitable institutions, and to ex tend its usefulness by the organ ization of branches. The garments collected by the McConnellsburg branch will be forwarded to the Deaf and Dumb Institute and the West Park Hos pital forWomen, both of Philadel phia. The following officers were elected to serve the ensuing year: president, Miss Mary Patterson ; secretary, Miss Jessie Sloan ; treasurer, Miss Mary Sloan. Any one interested . in this work, and desiring to identify themselves with this branch, can obtain full information by ad dressing the secretary or the Na tional Office, 1227 Arch St., Phil adelphia. WEST VIEW. Mrs. James Johnson spent Sunday at John May's. Still Kirk spent Sunday with his sister, Mrs. John Pittman. Miss Lula Truxel was the guest of Bertha Shaw last Sun day. Minnie Roser spent a couple of days last week with Miss Emma Weaver. Miss Louise Barney of Clear- ville is spending a few weeks at John Pittman's. Tom Manning is having his house plastered. Grant Brakeall is doing the work. John Truxel and mother spent Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Bair of Round Top. . Frank Skiles of Pleasant Ridge passed through this neighbor hood last Saturday. Misses May Mason and Anna Weaver spent Saturday evening with Mrs. Abner Weaver. Edward and Maggie Charlton of Baltimore are visiting their pa rents, Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Charl ton. Surprise Birthday Party. A surprise party was given on the evening of the 19th inst. at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Will GunnelU at Kuobsville, in cele bration of the 21st birthday anni versary of their son Daniel. The surprise was complete, as he did not know anything of it until the guests had arrived. Among those present were Mary Long, Dora Sherman, Amy Fleming, Ella Tice, May Clouser, Boyd Sher man, Sadie Sharp, Mrs. John Tice, Mrs. Amos Clouser, Mrs. Jacob Snarp, Bert Fraker, Cy rus Wagner, John Makey, Ira Fore, and Harry Clouser. Daniel received many presents. At 10 o'clock refreshments were served. The guests report a pleasant time, and extend their thanks for the hospitality shown. Uncle Jake Miller of Burnt Cabins spent a few hours in town on Monday. Although in his 78th year, he looks hale and hearty. command thirteen languages.- While his life has beep adventu rous, be is by no means an adven turer ; and we have his promise to furnish for the columns of the News a number of articles that will be highly interesting and in stiuctive. i A FRATERNAL VISIT. Installation of Officers at Harrisonville Lodge, and Initiation of New Member. D. D. G. M., J. V. Deavor, as sisted by L. H. Wible, Esq., and Henry Comerer of McConnells burg Lodge, and by Dr. A. K. Davis and B. H. Shaw of Fort Lit tleton Lodge, installed the follow ing officers of Uarrisonville Lodge No. 710, I. O. O. F., last Saturday evening: N. G., L. I. Deshoug; V. G., Bert Hann; treasurer Hiram Clevenger; R. S. to N. G., L. J. Hockensmith; warden, W. C. Mann; I. G., L. M. Hocken smith; R. S. to V. G., J. W. Lake; L. S. to V. G., Prof. N. E. M. Hoover. The installation was followed by the initiation of Wm. H. Hock ensmith, and by remarks by the visiting brethren. Prothonotary George A. Har ris of Harrisonville Lodge ac companied by the following mem bers of McConnellsburg Lodge were also present: M. W. Naco, Dr. F. K. Stevens, and John Com erer. Harrisonville Lodge is in a prosperous condition, and appre ciates the help and fraternal vis it of the above brethren. Nathan R. McClaln. Nathan R. McClain, a well known citizen, died at his home in Conemaugh, Pa., at 9 o'clock in the evening, Oct. 22, of cancer, aged 40 years, 9 months and 22 days. He is survived by his wife and three children Curtis L., Harry H., and Louella all at home. Funeral services were held at his home on Friday night. On Saturday morning, the family started with the body for Clear Ridge, Fulton county, and on Sunday afternoon interment was made in the cemetery at that place, funeral service being con ducted by Rev. J. R. Melroy, a very large congregation of rela tives and friends being present. Deceased was born and lived in this county until the spring of 1887. when he moved his family to Conemaugh, where he was al ready employed as brake man on the P. R. R., on "Local Freight," a position he .filled with credit for several years. Then he was pro moted to that of conductor, which position he held until about four months ago, when the rapid growth of cancer in right-side of his face compelled him to stop work. He was a Christian man, and when he received orders to be transferred to the next world, he was ready to answer in that famil iar sentence; "All right." WELLS TANNERY. Miss Isabel Pettigrew of Ever ett, visited Miss Alice Wishart fromjSaturday until Monday. James Stewart, who is employ ed at Galitzin, is spending a few days at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. A. Stewart. .Mrs. W. H. and Maud Baum gardner were in Everett on busi ness Thursday. Hayes Bivens and John Sheafer drove to Everett Sunday evening to attend the burial of Mrs. Geo Crook's child, Monday. Harry Thomly of Philadelphia, Is visiting relatives here. Harry looks as though life agrees with him. Walter Metz moved from our town to Meredithtown. George R. Sipe moved into the house va cated by Metz. Hon. S. P. Wishart a few days ago made a narr jw escape from what might have'' been a very serious accident. He was cutting a little wood on the woodpile, and the ax he was Ubing caught on the clothes line, and came down on his head, inflicting an ugly wound and rendering Mr. Wish art unconscious for some time. J. R. Kirkpatrick and wife, D. K. W. Dnlanlain onil wife unA j Mrs. S. J. McCauslin all of Phil . adeloiiia. have'hnnn anondinv t.ho , ' o ;artt week at the Washington j House. ABOUT GRAPES AND WINE. More Observations Made by Henry Wolf While In Germany. NOT ALWAYS A VERY SURE CROP. The (lathering the Drapes, Extracting tht Juice, Making, Curing and Market ing the Product. As the weather gets warmer and the danger of frost is past, other agents of destruction make their appearance in the shape of moths and insects of various kinds, which feed upon the vines and sometimes upon the fruit it self; also, bacteria of various names cause the decline of the vines and ruin the vintage. Un favorable conditions of tempera ture and humidity in blooming season cause couture the pre mature falling of grapes. All these things must be met by the winedresser. The vines must be examined daily; every suspicious leaf which might harbor the en emy must be removed and dei stroyed by fire. Sometimes in sects must be picked off by hand; other times spraying must be done. When July is past and a good vintage is really in pros pect, a too cool August may cause the quality of the wine to be so inferior that the vintage may be an unprofitable one. The pres ent season is threatening to be such. June and July were cool and wet in Germany, yet the vines were full of fruit. A vint ager told ime that it required a hot August and many sunny days to ripen the grapes properly that "the sun shone the fire into the wine." In order to facilitate the ripening, many of the leave and small branches are removed from the vines in August (as I have stated in a former letter) to give the sun a better chance. Now, to a novice it would ap pear a risky enterprise to at tempt to raise wine, yet it is a very sure source of income. A vintager told me that if there was a first class vintage in every four or five years, it would well pay for all the hard labor during the unprofitable years, as the price of the wine of such a year is fab ulous. When the fact is estab lished that the vintage will be a good one, the vintner inspects the vineyard, calculates the value of the crop, buys it and pays the money right down. He will then at the proper time come with his outfit and gather the grapes. Down at the foot of the hill in the road stands the wagon with two big vats on it. These vats have very fight-fitting movable lids. Up among the vines are the grape pickers, picking only the nicest and most perfect bunches to make the highest quality of wine, not a decayed nor dis eased berry must be used. Now, there comes a man with some thing on his back that looks like a barrel It is flat on the side to his back and has straps for the shoulders. He puts it on the ground, takes out ol it a queer looking stick of wood. This is the grapo masher. Now come tho pickers and empty their bas kets of grapes into it, and he mashes them as fast as they come till the barrel is full. He then carries it down the many high steps to the wagon and emp ties it into the vats until they are full. They are then conveyed to the press. After the first quality of grapes is gathered, the second grade is gathered in the Bame way. But there still remains a third grade of fruit which the contractor does not want at all, so the owner usos them the best for his own drink, the rest for vinegar. The press is so located that a pipe carries the gi ape juice right to the wine vault into big vats, where it remains until it has pu rified itself by fermentation. Through with that process, it is drawn off of tho lees and put into carefully purified casks which are labeled with date when made and locality where grown. These casks are stored away in BOLD BURGLARY. A. L Wlble's Barber Shop at Knobs ville, and Entire Outfit, Looted. On Monday night of last week tile barber shop of A. L. Wible at Kuobsville, was entered by means of a false key, and practi cally, his whole barber outfit, consisting of twelve razors, five razor boxes, one pair barber shears, one. pair clippers, and several brushes, was carried off. The supposition is, that someone jealous of the success of Mr. Wible as a tonsorial adect, led them to thus attempt to injure him. Mr. Wible offers a reward of $25 for information which will lead to the arrest and conviction of the guilty party or parties. A cordial invitation is extended to the persons to try again, as a new outfit has been procured; but let them understand that the conse quence of such an attempt will mean trou ble. What makes the outrage most dastardly is the fact that Mr. Wible has, by persistent efforts to accommodate and please his many customers, and, in fact, everybody, made him popular and successful, especially his three years service at Walnut Grove camp meeting, where his success was flattering. We hope that the guilty may be brought to justice soon, and an example be made. which may put a stop to such work. "X." BURNT CABINS. Charles Coplen of Johnstown, spent a week at J. E. Speck's. Miss Elsie Richie is ill with fever. Frank Henry of near the coun ty seat spent last Thursday and Friday with A. J. Fore. He was out looking for game. Josephine Doran and Esther Naugle are poorly with tonsilitis. Mac Webb is all smiles. It's a girl. Mr. L. K. Cline has been ailing with rheumatism for the last week. Mrs. G. W. Mcllnay, who has been visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. G. S. Doran left for her home at Spring Mills, Center county, last Friday. Mr. Herman Heefner and fami ly of Martmsburg, W. Va., came to Mr. A. V. Kelly's last Thurs day in their automobile. Mrs. Hannah Todhunter of Fort Littleton, who is visiting her daughter Mrs. Samuel Reese, has been poorly for a few days. Listen for, wedding bells in our town. Miss Lilian Fleming of Clear Ridge was in our town last Sat urday. Curtin Peterson and wife of near Shade Gap, spent Sunday with John Baldwin's. Misses Lizzie, Mary, Carrie, Alice and Esther Welch called on Grandma Finley Sunday after noon. W. R. McGowan seems to be the champion hunter here, as he shot two wild turkeys Saturday. Miss Margaret Reese of this place, is spending a few davs at Cbambersburg. Mrs. Wm. Gallaher went to McConnellsburg Saturday to see her mother Mrs. Mort, who is in sane. Miss Mary Brandt of Newport, Pa., but now a student in the Cumberland Valley State Normal at Shippensburg, spent from Fri day evening until Monday morn ing in the home of bor brother-in-law and sister, Superintendent and Mrs. Chas. E. Barton. the wine vault to' ripon, as new wine is considered unfit for con sumption. Now, the time it takes to ripen has no limit, as the older it gets the better its quality and, therefore, it pr be, Here it would be in place to state that those men who superintend the wine making have had, as a rnle, a technical education and are adepts in their lino of business, having a process of their own which they keep a secret. ' " A COOL BATH. Axle Broke In Fording at Franklin Mills. Passengers Wet and Buggy Damaged. One ot the worst fordings in this county is that at Franklin Mills. Last Friday evening as Mr. J. Clayton Hixson wus re turning from Hancock with his brother-in-law and family, and when he was in the midst of that fording, with the water up to the hubs, one of the rear axles bro;:c, dropping the bed and its occu pants into the chilly water. The clothing of the lady, and their baggage, was completely soaked. The bed of the fording is full of ugly stones which caused the break. If some of those who op pose the building of county bridges could be doused into the cold water at those fordings a few times, their minds would change in regard to the necessity of bridges. NEW GRENADA. Mrs. Sarah Schenck and Mrs. Belle Gracey of Wells Tannery visited Richard Alloway's. Thos. Gibson of Cambria coun ty spent a few days in Wells vis iting his mother and friends. John A. Black, one of the staunch Democrats of Taylor, is seriously ill with dropsical affec tion. Mrs. Elizabeth Crider is ill at her home in Clay township. She has been a sufferer for a iong time. James F. McClain, Wm. H. Fritchey, and John Bergstresser are building William Bergstress er's new house. Mias Scynthia Keith, who had the misfortune recently to cut her foot badly with an axe, is yet confined to the house. Miss Pearl Keith has gone to Altoona, probably to remain. Pearl is a bright girl,and her ma ny friends were sorry to see her leave our valley. Protracted services have been held at Zion during the past two weeks by Rev. Singer, but up to this time no impression seems to have been made. George Wilds of the "Fort" was in New Grenada last Satur day on business, and was as jolly as ever. George doesn't get old, if he does get gray. Daddy Bender was here shak ing up the dry bones and fixing fences. ("J ust help a man to rise up in this world, and your kind ness be is sure to return.") The corn crop in Wells is short and of poor quality. The apple crop is good, and cider plenty. It is estimated that there are 3000 bushols of picked winter ap ples ready for market. Misses Leona and Leota Shore of South Dakota, who spent the summer months in our commu nity, left on Friday for their home. 1 hey will stop a few days with Dr. Rowe McCIain's family at Mount Union. Mrs. Mary Edwards, assisted by Waterfall Lodge No. 773 I. O. O. F., recently placed a nice mon ument at the grave of her hus band, George J. Edwards, in Bethel cemetery, which is cred itable to all concerned. Bertie Ueeter, who boards in Richard Alloway's family, had an unfortunate experience a few evenings ago. The circumstan ces, as nearly as we have been able to gather them, are about as follows : Mrs. Alloway possesses the secret of making the finest pumpkin custards in all this re gion, and on this day had bf!en unusually successful in turning out a baking that would have tempted the most exacting epi cure. Because it was convenient she placed a few nice ones on the back ball stairs to cool, and that evening as Bert was going up that same stairway in tho dark to bed, he didn't do a thing but plant one of his- number tens squarely down on Mrs. Alio way's finest pie. That was the i last of the pie. Miss Maggie Oakes went to her home at Elimsport last Thursday for a visit among friends. ABOUT PEOPLE YOU KNOW. Snapshots at Their Movements, as They Come and Go. NAMES OF VISITORS AND VISITED. Home lor a Vacation, Away for an Outing, a Trip for Business or Pleasure, You'll Find It Right Here. Harvey Strait of Saluvia spont Saturday in town on business. Samuel Reese of Burnt Cabins was in town on business Satur day. Mrs. M. II. Trout spent a cou ple of days in Cbambersburg last week. James A. Stewart of Harrison ville was an early Mondav morn ing caller in town. U. K. Stevens of Laidig was in Chambersburg on business Wed nesday. M. D. Matthias and Dr. A. K. Davis of Hustontown spent a few hours in town last Thursday. Merchant J. W. Lake of Pleas ant Ridge was a business caller at this oftice one day last week. Mr. and Mrs. Philip li. Melius of Saluvia, were pleasant callers at this office one day la&t week. Miss Ella Shimer of Frank ford, Philadelphia, is visiting her Barents, Mr. and Mrs. R. N. Shi mer, in this place. Mr, David Strait and his moth er, Mrs. Jacob Strait, of Huston- town, spent a few hours in town last Friday. The Misses Mariou and Jessie Sloan entertained a number of their lady friends at tea last Fri day evening. James A. Doran, one of Taylor township's best citizens, was a business visitor at McConnells burg, last Friday. The Bedford Gazette is author ity for the statement that Bed ford county sports a debt of about seventy thousand dollars. Mr. W. R. lierkstressor and son Master Ernest Harold, called at the News office a few minutes while in town one day last week. Charley Mock of Coleta, 111., shows his appreciation of the News by sending us a five dollar bill to advance his subscription into 1907. A bouncing big baby boy was born last week to Mr. and Mrs. Morrow B. Kendall, and the name James will oe perpetuated in the Kendall family. Miss Elizabeth Patterson who had been spending several weeks with her sister, Mrs. Frank W. Eitemiller, in Camden, N. J., re turned to her home at Webster Mills last week. Miss Lena Dunlaji of Shippens burg, and Miss Pearl McDonalg, of Chicago, were guests of Hon. and Mrs. W. Scott Alexander from Friday evening until Mon day noon. Lieut. Leonard Brahni and wife of Fairmount, W. Va., are visiting the former's sister, Mrs. R. N. Shinier, of this place. Mr. Brahm is a native of McCounells burg but has not been a resident since 1857. Mr. S. S. Hann of Fultou coun ty, a veteran of tho 22d Pa. Caval ry, was m town Tuesday. Ho was ou his way to Winchester, Va., to attend tho reunion of lus regiment. Mercersburg Jour nal. Mrs. T. G. Shirk of Curwens ville, and Mrs. Sheridan Hann of Saluvia, were pleasant callers at this office last Thursday. Mrs. Shirk and her husband, and daughter, Mrs. R. M. Decker, and the latter 's little daughter, are spending some time among friends in Licking Creek town ship. Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Staley, who had been spending a fow days with the latter's parents, Mr. and Mrs. D. V. Sipes, left Monday for their home in Alle gheny, where they will, at once, go to housekeeping. While Mr. Staley was a stranger here our people found him a very plcaaaut I gentleman.
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