VOLUME 5. McCONNELLSBUUG, PA., MARCH ), 11)04. NUMHEK 2 5 FROM CHARLIE POTMAN. Interesting Account of a Tour In Persia Last Summer. MEETS A FORMER COLLEGE-MATE. Glimpses bl His Life and Work as a Mis slonary in that Far-Oil Land, Likes the People Very Much. The many friends of Rev. Charles R. Pittman, who over two years ago, went from McCon nellsburg to Persia as i mission ary under the auspices of Board ot Foreign Missions of the Pres byterian church, will be glad to read the following letter written recently for the young peoples society of Christian Endeavor in the Presbyterian church in this place. Ed. Salmas Plain, Persia, Dec. 15, 1903. During the past year I have been absent from our station about nine months touring, but will only write particularly about a tour made last Hummer, which extended from May 18 to August 4. On that tour I traveled about GOO miles and visited several of the important towns and cities in our field. I was accompanied by two of our Syrian preachers, and we traveled on horseback, which is the usual mode of travel in this country. We spent five days among Kurds, visiting among others a Kurdish chief who was oaptized by one of our preachers seven years ago. He is the head of a large tribe which he estimates at 50,000. He is a man of peace, kind to his people and loved by ihem. When he comes out of his house the people of the village run ,to him and kiss his hand; an'u 1 saw several kneel down and kiss his feet. I was his guest over Sabbath and he invited me to dine with him, and we dipped our bread in the same dish of broth. This act is a pledge of friendship in this country, and makes significant the words of Christ concerning Judas, "He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish the same siall betray xne." - The Kurds are an interesting and attractive people. I enjoy living among tliem. They are true and faithful friends,but cru el and merciless enemies, if you stop in one of their villages as their guest they will honor and protect you while there and con . duct you safely to the border of their territory when you wish to 'go, while the verr same Kurds would probably rob you if they met you on the road. I never feel safer than when a guest in one of their villages and surrounded by twenty or thirty of them. Every man carries a dagger in his belt : it can be truly said of them that they are "dressed to kill." The Kurds of this district south of Lake Urumia are much more peaceable than the wild tribes on the border between Persia and Turkey. But the greater part of our work was among the Persians. We do not have formal meetings but find our opportunities in con versations with individuals or groups. Upon entering a town or village we first find a stopping place for the night, and the peo ple hearing of our arrival come to see us generally through curl- osity ; or we take a walk through the street and they gather about us and ask us where we came from and what our business is. This gives us the opportunity to give them the Gospel. The Moslems of Persia are di vided into so many sects that it id confusing, not only to us, but also to them. One of them said to me, "I am completely in the dark : our religion is divided into so many sects that each one points in a different direction and says, This is the way.' If I were to die at this moment I would die without any faith in any reli gion." I told him that we would bo, indeed, hopeless were tt not for the promise that all who seek ' the Lord with the whole heart ) shall find him. When J reached the city of FULTON COUNTY BOY WEDDED. Charlie Howk Wins the Hand of Miss Mary Miatke in Morrison, III. The Coleta (III.) News says : "Mr. Charles Houck was wedded to Miss Mary Miacke in Morri son Wednesday, Feb. 17, at high noon at the M. E. parsonage of that place. The pastor of the church officiated. The wedding was unattended. In the evening they returned to the home of the bride where a bounteous supper and a host of friends awaited the arrival of the happy couple. The bride was attired in white henri etta trimmed in white silk. Mr Houck is a trusty clerk now em ployed by Ackerman & Garwick He has a host of friends who wish him success in his future life. Mrs. Houck is a very fine young lady and is well worthy of the gentleman she has wedded. The young couple have the con gratulations of the community. Mr. and Mrs. Houck will be at home to their manyfnends soon after March 1. They will occupy the place now occupied by Gus tavo Winkey. They received ma ny beautiful and handsome pres ents. A kitchen shower was giv en in honor of Mrs. Houck on Monday at which time many kitchen utensils were given her by the members of the M. E. church." The groom is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Ephraim Houck or Ayr township. McConnellsburg Bov Won. In a literary contest at Ursinus College a few days ago, Mr. Ed Reisner son ol Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Reisner of of this place, won ten dollars on a prize essay among a large number of contesauts. Here's our tT Ed. Death of a Soldier's Orphan. At the Soldiers' Orphans' school at Chester Springs, Pa., on Friday, March 4, occurred the death from consumption of Wal ter Cuff, a colored boy, son of the late Wm. Cuff of Ayr township. He had been an inmate of the school since September 1902, but was a very frail boy owing to an attack of pneumonia from which he suffered before leaving home. He was confined to bed for sever al weeks and had all the attention that a skillful doctor and a faith ful nurse could give him, but ow ing to the nature of his disease his life could not be saved. In a message to Mrs. S. M. Cook, who placed him in the school, the su perintendent says, "He was a good, quiet little boy and never gave'any trouble." The body was interred in the St. Baptist church cemetery at Chester Springs on Sunday. Zenjan, which is on the main road between Tabriz and Teheran, and about 200 miles distant from each, I was told there was a for eigner there wishing to see mo, and, soon after, Mr. Euwer, .a missionary from Hamadan, walk ed into the room. We were friends at Princeton but had no idea when we parted over three years ago that our next meeting would be in Persia and under these circumstances. We spent a week together very pleasantly, and before separating we had a Communion service. There were only four of us the two preach ers with me, Mr. Euwer and my self. The 8malluess of our num ber in the midst of such a large city made it an occasion of earn est prayer that others might be led to partake of this spiritual feast. On the 16th of July Mr. Euwer left for Hamaden, and on the 20th I left for Ardabil, takiog one of my companions with mo and leav ing the other in Zenjan to labor there. Ardabil is about 120 miles north of Zenjan, and we were six day on the way. A description of one day's journey will give you some Idea of our daily experi ences. (Continued nan week,) MUST PAY TAX ON PARSONAGES. Cannot be Classed as Actual Places of Worship, Says Supreme Court. In a caso brought for trial be fore him, President JudgG Ross of Montgomery county, decided that parsonages are not places of worship in the sense that a church is, and not therefore, ex empt from taxation. The case was appealed, and the supreme court affirmed Judge Ross say ing. "Upon the most liberal inter pretation to be given to the ninth article, section 1 of the constitu tion, we do not think that a par sonage can be considered as an actual place of religious worship, though erected upon ground ap purtenant to a church but not a part thereof." PHILIPS GROVE. Miss Roxy Sipes has returned home. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Sipe spent Sunday at E. J. Wilson. Nevin S. Strait and J. Riley Sipe have returned from Wells Tannery where they spent a week among friends and relatives. Mrs. Delia Mellott is spending a week with her father, F. R. Sipe. Miss Cora Hoop is able to be out again. Miss Sadie Barber is spending a week with her mother. Dr. S. S. Hoop is kept busy now. Mack Fix spent Saturday with N. S. Strait. Mrs. Sadie Fix is spending a week with her father. The bridge across Pattersons Run is about complete. Nevin Strait and Miss Rox Sipe spent Sunday with G. B. Sipe. William Hoop is having a job of sawing done. G. C. Strait is able to be out again. Elias Deshong has sold his farm lately purchased from M.P. Sipe. Our supervisor, David Hann, has decided to go into the saw milling business. There has been much sickness in our vicinity during the last month colds, measles and diph theria. There has been in all, nine cases of diphtheria. R. P. Schooley was surprised the other day to find that his champion pumpkin was spoiling! He called in some of his nearest neighbors and cut it. Mrs. Elsie Sipe took a small piece of it and baked 22 pies. Although about one-third of the pumpkin was spoiled, there was enough left to make 125 pies. NEEDMORE. A. R. Bard and Miss Orpla Snyder were guests of W. F. Hart's family Sunday. Services were held iu the cnurch here last Sunday the first since it was repaired. Scott Pittman of Thompson was here Saturday evening at tending P. O. S. of A. camp. Director H. K. Hill spent part of a day in the school here last week and reports the school O K. J. C. Funk of Sylvan spent Sat urday and Sunday with the fami ly of his father, Elder C.L. Funk. L. C. Kelly of Burnt Cabins spent a night last week at hotel "Peck" in this place. Mr. Kelly was around fixing up his legisla tive fences. Mr. and Mrs. Mack Litton of Timber Ridge spent Saturday evening and Sunday with the family of E. Sharpe and other friends here. The people of Pleasant Grove aud community are petitioning for a new mail route leading from Big Cove Tannery to Locust Grove, and the establishing of a new office on the line. S. M. Clevenger returned from Piney Grove, Md., last Thursday bearing the sad intelligence of the death of Peter Garland, who was well and favorably known in this locality. M.m.y of his old neighbors arid friends here would have liked to goto his fuueral, but could not on account of bad roads and high waters. ANOTHER OLD CITIZEN GONE. Mr. T. Riley Sipes of Licking Creek Town ship Died Monday Afternoon. After several years of failing health, Mr. Tobias Riley Sipes died at the home of his son Reamer about 4 o'clock Monday afternoon aged about 82 years. Mr. Sipes was born and spent his long life in the vicinity where he died. Many years ago ho was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Pittman, daughter of the late Richard Pittman, and to them were born, eight sons and three daughters, namely, V. Reamer, and George Mc. , of Licit ing Creek township; James, Filmore, and Herbert in the West; Oliver, Ab ner and Preston, dead; Clora, wife of David Strait, Sarah, wife of John Fix; and Delia, wife of Eph raim Mellott. The deceased was a member of the M. E. church from early man hood, and his body will be laid to rest at 10 o'clock in the little cem etery at Siloam church beside that of his wife who preceded him to that "better laud" several years -ago. In politics, Mr. Sipes was an unflinching Democrat, aud never missed going to the polls and vot ing a straight ticket, unless pre vented by sickness or other prov idential hindrance. Although iu feeble health he insisted on being taken to the late spring election; but his friends did not think it prudent that he should thus ex pose his health to tho severe weather. Of a genial generous nature, he was always compauionable and had a great many friends. The luneral services will be conducted by Rev. J. V. Adams of McConnellsburg. "ELLS TANNERY. Miss Clem ma Stunkard has gone to Kearney to stay a short time. Among the sick in our commu nity are Master Harry Swope, Miss Jennie Young, Mr. William Bivens, and Mrs. Harvey Wish art. Miss Jessie Mellott of Everett is visiting her aunt, Mrs. A. S, Greenland. Jessie thinks she will stay until the small-pox leaves Everett. It is almost impossible for us to secure a doctor when first call ed, as there is so much sickness. Every minute of the time of all doctors seems to be takeu. J. C. Kirk and family, who have lived in Everett during the past year, have come back to their home in tho Valley. We welcome them, and know they enjoy living among us or they would not have returned. Mrs. Jerry Sprowl and daugh ter, from the Sprowl mansion, spent a few days with her sister, Mrs. Bertlfa Dishong. Mrs. Dishong received a message one day last week from Langdondale stating that her sister, Mrs. Jas. Gibson, was very ill. We are glad to note that at this writing she is improving. Wells Castle No. 350 last Sun day attended the funeral of one of their members, Walter "Mor gret Assisted by Rev. Kennedy they conducted the services in Sherman Valley church in an im pressive manner. Rev. Kennedy based his remarks on this text, found in Amos 4:12, "Prepare to meet thy God." Mr. Morgret. was aged 21 years, was married to Robert Ford's daughter Mar garet, and leaves a widow and lit tle daughter and a large number of relatives to mourn his loss. Mr. and Mrs. Guy Logue of Pittsburg, aro visiting tho for mer's parents, Mr. and Mrs.B.W. Logue in the Cove. Lester, who had been homo a couple of weeks returned to Altoona, Monday. Miss Minnie E. Mock, who is teaching near Lemaster, spent from Saturday until Monday with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Mock of Tod township. Miss Minnie was accompanied by her friend Miss Mary Neikirk. MUTINY IN A SCHOOL. Patrons say Flag is Being Placed Ahead of the Bible. It is not often that the Ameri can Hug is turned down iu Ameri ca, says a correspondent to the Pennsylvania Hawk-eye, but that is what is being done over in Hun tingdon county. Not a greaJ. while since, the teacher of the public school at Stonorstown de cided to introduce a new ling drill in Lis school. The drill is noth ing more than a salute to the flag. There is a pretty movement ol the hands connected wilh it, the pupils saying "We give our head. and our hearts to our country," and concluding with the words "One country, one language, oue flag." It appears that some of the Stonerstown people who have children in the school objected to the drill on tho groud that it was contrary to the religion in which they believed. These are Seventh Day Adventists and have taken in to their heads the notion that the flag was placed ahead of tho Bible. Of course, this is mere nonsense, but it has proved impossible to get tho Seventh Day Adventists to see tho matter in that light. The trouble was begun by one man and inside of a week he had stirred up half a dozen families. Thus reinforced, tho principal objector began to make thing. merry for the teacher. The chil dren of the people, feeliug that they had the support of their pa rents, manifested a decidedly in dependent spirit. In fact it was seen that mutiny was brewing and that unless prompt steps were taken to check it it would break out in a serious form. This caused tho directors to take action. They called a meet mg at the school house and had the children go through with the drill. They saw nothing wrong with it and decided to let it stand Then the school had its Washing ton's birthday exorcises and the drill was publicly presented. This raised a bigger hubbub than ever and it becamo necessary for the directors to a&ain step in, which they did by telling the school teacher to go on with his drill and they would stand by him. So there the matter stands. What the next move will be re mains to be seen. FORT LITTLETON. Katharine Cromer spent a few days with Mrs. Sadio Frakerlast week. Miss Sue Orth and Cora Frakor spent Friday afternoon with the family of Beui. Wilds. David Frake.-, wife and daugh ter Jessie spor t Sunday with the family ot No' nan Henry. Maggie Laidig spent last Tues day with the family of Mr. Amos Sipes. "Look out, Clarence." Bert Fraker passed through our village yesterday enroute to Knobsville. What's the attraction Bert? The people of this place pres ented their pastor, Rev. j. V. Adams, with a purse containing $10.00 iu cash' as a token of grati tude to him. Mr. and Mrs. Lomuol P. Kirk are visiting their daughter, Mrs. F. C. Bare. KNOBSVILLE. Prof. A. E. Maulev took dinner at Daniel E. ForeVTon Sunday. Mrs. D. LI. Foro is visiting her sistor, Mrs. E. M. Gelvin, near Fort Littletou. The "chickouswollon" at B. F. Wiblo's last Wednesday nicht was a fine affair. All present en joyed themselves, and woro sor ry when tho time came to go homo. The following persous were thoro: Mr. and Mrs. Will Gunnells, Mr. and Mrs. Amos Clouser, Misses May Clouser.Sa- die Shurpe, Mamio aud Mabel Fore, Katio Fore, Lucy and Amy Myers, and Lillian Anderson. and Messis. Charles Tico, Harry Clouser, John Campbell, Joseph Sowers, Levi Hockensmith, Wm. Naugle and Roy Myers. SURPRISE PARTY. I : In Honor of Another Birthday Anniversary j , of Mrs. W. H. Gunnells. j A number of the friends of Mrs. W. H. Guunells "conspired together" to give that lady a gen uine oldtime surprise on last Sat urday evening, with tho result of having a most delightful time. Early in tho evening, there as soiii bled at the Gunoells home the following persons: Mr. and Mrs. Amos Clouser. Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Wiblo, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Wible and their three little sons Bruco, Reed and Oscar; Mrs. C, K. Spaugler, Misses Dora and Boydo Sherman, Maye Clouser, Delia Ashwell, Katie Fore, and Messrs. Harry Clouser, Cyrus Wagner, John Mackey, L M. Hockensmith, W. J. Naugle, H. O. Hamil, John Campbell, Jacob Clouser of Big Cove Tannery, and Miss Bess Irwin of McConnells burg. At nine o'clock plenty of ice cream,cake and other good things were served, after which the ev ening until eleven o'clock was spent in playing flinch and other innocent games, and in genuine sociability. This was followed by the sing ing of a number of selections, led by Mrs. C. R. Spangler, closing with tho good old hymn "God be with you till we meet again." Mrs. Gunnells was the recipent of many useful presents for which she was most appreciative. WEST VIEW, tho March wind How does blow ! Miss Maggie Charlton who has been in Baltimore, for some time has returned home. W. L. Shaw is visiting friends and relatives in York county. Mrs. Thomas Manning spent one day last week with Mrs. Isaac Culler of Timber Ridge Miss LydiaTruxel spent Fri day afterncxm with Miss Blanche Shaw. Miss Anna Weaver is visiting friends at Franklin Mills. Elmer Sensel is proud over the arrival of a son. Elmer needed a wood chopper. Harry Hill of Round Top, ex pects to move to Tonoloway in a few weeks. Mr. Aldolphus Dickens spent last Sunday with Mr. John W. Truxel. Jake Myers, who has been vis itiug in Fulton county, for some time, has returned to his home in the West, PIGEON COVE. Gordou s school is progressing very nicely under the instruction of Miss Zoe Mason. Messrs. Geo. and Job Detrich of Franklin county, were visiting tho families of II. P. Palmer and Joseph Fisher. Miss Lenore Downs spent last Sunday afternoon with Misses Olive and Lula Slusher. Miss Kittie Kirk spent Satur day and Sunday with Miss Cath arine Golden of Franklin Mills. Quito a number of the people from the Cove attended revival meeting at Cedar Grove last Sat urday evening. Miss Gertrude Foreback is vis iting her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Mellott. Mr.Lee Charlton is singing "A charge to keep I have." It's a boy. Misses Jessie Lewis and Anna Weaver visited Gordon's school last Wednesday afternoon. J. II. Daniels and C. A. Palmer made a brief call at P. H. Kirk's last Sunday afternoon. Zoe Mason and Laura Runyan spent Sunday eveuing with the family of J. S. Kirk. Mr. Reedo Downs (spent Sun day evening at Joseph Runyan's. Miss Dora Divelbiss was visit ing her brother, Mr. Wm. Divel biss. Mr. Jeremiah Golden has been quite ill for some time, but is im proving slowly. Mr. Edward Goldeu and family are visiting relatives in this section. ABOUT PEOPLE YOU KNOW Snapshots at Their Movements, as They Come and Go. NAMES OF VISITORS AND VISITED. Hem for a Vacation, Away for an Outing, a Trip for Basinets or Pleasure, Yoall Find It Right Here. Miss May McEldowney of Gem spent a few davs last week with Miss Dora Peck and other friends in this place. Mrs. Mary A. Kelley of this place, spent the latter part of last week among her friends inThomp son township. Mr. and Mrs. O. B. Dunlap of St. Thomas, were circulating among their Fulton county friends part of last week. Mr. and Mrs. Howard Skipper of Licking Creek township, called at this office a few minutes whilo in town last Wednesday. W. S. St. Clair formerly of tho Cove, but now a resident of Frank hn county, spent a day or two on this side of the mountain last week. Robert I. Huston of near Clear Ridge, was in town last Wednes day. He will change his post-office address to Dublin Mills April 1. Jere Laidig of Huston town call ed at this office a few minutes last Wednesday and left $1.75 for the News and the Thrico-a-Week World a year. Mr. Dora Yeakle ot Thompson township, has been helping his brother Sam through a rush of work in the latter's blacksmith shop here. Misses Marion and JessieSloan who had been spending a few weeks with their brothers in But falo, N. Y., returned home last Wednesday night. Mr. William Conover employed at the Everett furnace was bitten by a mad dog last week. The dog was soon thereafter killed, but it is known that several other dogs were bitten. Mr. and Mrs. George C. Sipes of Cross Roads in Belfast town ship, spent a few hours in town last Wednesday. They wdl move to the Big Cove in a few days and take charge of D. M. Kendall's farm. During the thunder storm last Thursday the barn owned by Wil liam Ritchey just east of Everett, was struck by lightning ana burn ed to the ground. All the feed and one colt were burned. The barn was nearly a new one. Mr. J. L. Cowan of Bell wood, spent a few days last week visit ing his mother Mrs. Catharine Cowan of Tod township. Jim call ed at the News office long enough to advance his subscription and to bring us a new subscriber. Mr. George W. Sipes, a pros perous citizen of Silver Plume, Col. spent a day or two in this place last week. Mr. Sipes is a native of Licking Creek township, but has been absent from this county during the past twenty years. A burglar or burglars eutered the business places of Tax Col lector Wolf, Druggist Kubn and Saddler Bert Smith at Mercers burg, one night last week, and took all the cash they could get their hands on, besides damaging property. Captain John D. Hook, a well known citizen ched at his late res idence at Hancock, ou the 28th ult., aged 87 years. Capt. Hook was born at Jefferson in Freder ick county. In 127, but he had lived at Hancock for many years. He was formerly engaged in boat ing on the Chesapeake and Ohio canal and had the distinction of ta king the first boat to Cumberland upon the completion of the canal. Capt. Hook once owned and oper ated the Rockdale flouring mills in Hancock. He was interested in the Round Top Cement. Works near Hancock, in the early days of the industry and was superin tendent of the plant for a num ber of years after Bridges fc Hen derson acquired it .
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