Alton Tver VOLUME (. McCONNELLSBURG, PA., FEBRUARY 1, l)0n. NUMBER 20 A BLEAK FEBRUARY Is Predicted By Rev. Irl R. Hicks, of St. Louis. PLENTY OF STORMS PROMISED Wl;h More Tlian The Usual Warm Spells ol Wea.her. Tbe Month Will Be Typi cal February. Rev.' Irl R. Lhcks, the St. Louis weather forecaster, manes the following predictions for Febru ary: The First Storm Period, Reg ular, embraces the 1st to the 6th, having its center in the 3d. The Moon in conjunction with Earth and Sun, or at new Moon on the ' 4th, and the Vulcan influence united, will bo chief causes of disturbance at this time. ProbablcResults: Falling bar ometer, risiugtemporature, shift ing winds to southward, and growing cloudiness will begin in western parts early in this per iod. As these conditions move eastward, rain, turning to snow over northerly sections, may be expected progressively from the 3rd to tho 5th. But by the time ""astern extremes have the storm conditions, all regions west of storm areas will have higher bar ometer and cold, clearing weath er. These anti-storm conditions will spread eastwi.rd to the At lantic before the oncoming of the next storm period. The Secoud Storm Period, Re actionary, is central on the 8th and 9th. The Moon on the celes tial equator and in apogee will , quicken and excite the Vulcan in- .tloence at this time. Probable Results: On and touching the 8th look for reaction to much warmer, with possible thunder aud rain southward. Rain will turn to sqalls of wind and snow in many sections by the 9th and 10th, followed in all western parts by rapid change to high barometer and cold. The Third Storm Period, Reg ular, is from the 12th to tho 16th, the Moon at first quarter and north declination, added ' to the Vulcan equinox, being the dis turbing causes. Probable Results: A marked atmospheric depression will start in the west early in this period, and along with this low barome ter look for the prompt vigorous storms of rain and snow to spreid eastward during trie 13th to 16th. A rising barometer and Febru ary cold wave will follow, touch ing most parts before tho anti storm conditions disappear to the east. The 4th Storm Period, Reac tionary, is central on 19th, 20th aud 21st. The causes bearing in it are, Earth's vernal equinox, Vulcan reactionary, and Moon at full, in perigee and on celestial equator. The moon will also be at an eclipse node on the 19th. Probable Results: The proba bilities are that the first of a ser ies of West India storms will ap pear in the waters adjacent to the gulf regions at this period. ' Let all concerned note this prediction. Gules aud 'violent tidal waves will fuch mauy coasts exposed to storms, in many parts of the globe. The barometer will drop to low readings over most parts of tho country, and general rain und snow will visit the country within sixty hours of 6 o'clock p. m. on the 19fch. High gales and a sweeping blizzard out of, and ovor the northwest, should be counted imminent probabilities, all followed by high barometer und far-reaching cold wave. ; The Fifth Storm Period, Regu lar, is central on tho 20th and cov ers the 2 1th to L'Hth. Earth andv Vulcan equinoxes, with Moon at last quarter and extreme declina tion, are the disturbing factor. Probable Results: By tho close of -February, conflicts be tween boreal and equinoctial fore en naturally produce weather 'ir ritations," constantly inducing spits and squalls of rain ' and snow. Such tendencies will be decidedly increased during the last four days of the month. The t A GOOD MOVE. Bill Introduced Last Week for Relief of Overburdened School Districts lion. Jno. P- Sipes, Fulton county's representative m the General Assembly last week of fered in the House a bill, which, if enacted into law, will relieve certain school districts from the extreme buraen imposed by the Teachers' Minimum Salary law of 1903.. The bill was referred to tho Committee on Education and pro vides, in substance, that where, n any school district of the state, tho tax, which shall not be less than 10 mills, levied and assessed for any school year, upon the tax able property in said district, and the minimum poll tax, together with the share of the district's general school appropriation, shall not be sufficient to pay the expense of keeping the schools open the minimum term, the de ficiency shall be paid by the State, and appropriates 25,000 for the purpose. It further provides that the president and secretary of the school boards of the districts claiming under the act shall furn ish proof in such form as to do tails as the State Superintendent of Public Instruction may require of the school tax rate, amount of tax levied and the cost of keep ing the schools open for the min imum term. The bill is all right. At least one township in this county Licking Creek has tho tax rate up to the limit 13 mills and yet it is said they will fall short two or three hundred dollars in hav ing funds enough to pay their teachers. The Philadelphia F ?s in an editorial last Friday f an old dusty school report d --before the minimum salary law was en acted tries to make it appear that Fulton wants the State to bear the whole expense of her public schools, and her citizens go scott free of a local tax. The Press is not familiar with the facts as they exist now. If the Press had to pay a cash sohool tax of seventeen mills 13 for school and four for build ing as is done in Licking Creek township, and then at.te up seven teen mills more for county and other purposes making a tax of thirty-four dollars on every thous and of assessed valuation, it would not think there was much of a joker in the bill. Licking Creek is not an isolated case. The niinimun salary law makss the tax burdensome on several other districts in tins county, as well as districts in oth er counties of the State. We are not kicking about the salary of teachers being too great; but we do say that when the State cakes the matter of fixing the sal aries out of the hands of the di rectors, it ought to put up tho cash when it over reaches th abil ity of a district to pay. barometer will fall, and wide storm areas of rain and snow will make transits over the country, during the 26th, 27th and 28th. While these storms are still iD progress in central ana eastern sections, high barometer and clearing, cold weather will be pressing on the rear out of the west and north. General Advice and Caution: All our readers should shun the exposure caused by thawing and freezing, the breaking and gorg ing of ice, and tho consequent floods and overflows naturally to be expected at this season. Al most every February more or less disaster is encountered, from the breaking and gorging of ice floes, along rivers and narrow valleys. All those whoso lives or posses sions are jeopardized by such possibilities, should keep watch on the first indications of such breakups, crushes and overflows. Ghanges of , temperature and downpours of rain are almost sure to precipitate danger in many localities. BENJAMIN PITTMAN. Native of Fulton County Dies at Sterl ing, Illinois. Prom the Sterling (Ul.) Standard of Jnn. 191 h. Benjamin Pittman, one of the earliest pioneers to Whiteside county, died Monday evening at 8:30 o'clock at the Keefer hospital in this city; death resulted from exhaustion which followed an op eration for gall stones performed Sunday, January 8th. Up until the last twenty-four hours of his life ho rallied from the operation, when his constitution, worn by the many early hardships exper ienced in his efforts toward the developing of this county, gave way under the strain and his death came as a relief. The funer al services were held Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the home of the deceased's brother, David Pittman, west of the city. The Rev. E. Lee l leek, pastor of St. John's Lutheran church officiat ed. Tho body was shipped to Goman, Kansas, for burial. Bemjamin Pittman was born in Fulton county, Pa., January 23, 1831. In 1847 he and his parents moved to this State. They went from their home in Pennsylvania to Pittsburg where they took a boat down the Ohio river, to the Mississippi, and from there up to Albauy this county. The early part of his life in this county was spent.in the following of his trade that of a carpenter. The county was young then, and there was a great deal of building as many people moved here every day. The deceased was one who wit nessed tho growth of the county and Sterling, and he could tell a great deal of the early history of each. About twenty years ago he pur chased a farm in Kansas and since that time he has resided alternately in that state and this. For the past two years he has resided ou his farm south of Tampico. He leaves three bro'h ers, William and David Pittman of Sterling, and Abraham of Ok lahoma, and one sister, Miss Sarah Pittman who resides with her brother David in this city. The deceased was a member of the Methodist church. He was a typical pioneer. He was ready at all times to help the needy, was kind hearted and there are many people in this county who will re call his life with memories of kindness done, Friends of the family extend sympathy. NEEDMORE. Zero weather is becoming very common. Ira Peck is very dangerously ill. Mrs. J. C. Mellott is in very delicate health. Rev. Powers commenced pro tracted services at Oakley, Mon day eveniug. The series of meetings held by Eld. Garland at this place Satur day and Sunday was well attend ed and order excellent. D. R. Evans and Eld. Palmor attended services here Sunday the first for many weeks. Alexander Mellott moved to his new home on tho Geo. W. Sipe farm last Monday. Aaron Garland and wife spent Saturday and Sunday with Mrs. Garland's mother near the pike. John D. Mellott sawed out ti frame for, and raised his new house last week. At that rate he might soon be a resident of the town. Our village was thrown into quite a ripple of excitement Sat urday afternoon by the discovery of smoke pouring out from above the door and windows of , the school house. The door was soon burst open and by prompt action of the bucket brigade the fare was quickly under control. Tho fire is supposed to have originated from an ash box with no fire In it. The accidents are always caus ed by the empty gun. The dam age consisted of a bole In the floor one desk burned, and a consider able number of book destroyed among them the dictionary. MRS. SLOAN ATTACKED. Knocked Down by Highwayman and Rob bed. Within a few doors of her home in Buffalo, N. Y., on Monday eve ning of last week, Mrs. Margaret L. Sloan, wife of the late Charles T. Sloan, former Superintendent of the Buffalo Natural Gas Com pany, and brother of Thomas F. and William A Sloan of this place, was accosted by a desperate young highwayman, who demand ed her money. Before Mrs. Sloan could make a reply the thug struck her a stunniug blow ou the side ot the lace, knocking her down and rendering her uncon scious. When she came to her pocketboolc containing $0 was gone and so was tho holdup man. Duzed F.nd weak from the ef fects of the blow, Mrs. Sloan reached her home and gave the alarm. Her face and forehead were badly bruised and swollen and a physician was called to at tend her. Later the police were notified. Mrs. Sloan said she had just left the car at Allen street and Elmwood avenue and had started to walk towards her home when the highwayman stepped out from behind a tree and demand ed her money. Mrs. Sloan was unable to furn ish the police with a description of the highwayman, other than to say that ho was young-looking. He was dressed in black and was without an overcoat. CLEAR RIDGh. Harry E. Huston, L. II. Grove, and Chas. Henry spent Monday at the County Seat. A. W. Brown's moved in their new house last Wednesday. Luther Myers has come homo from Sixmile Run, where ho has been working. Ephraim Anderson and sister-in-law, Mrs. W. J. Henry and Mrs. George Myers spent Mon day at J. D. Stevens' at Fort Lit tleton. The mechanics baud will hold an oyster supper in the hall on Friday night. Miss Nellie Kelso is visiting her sister, Mrs. Gilson Kerlin. James Appleby and family of Decorum, were visiting friends here Saturday and Sunday. Grant Baker, wif3, son and mother and Miss Myrtle Kelso, all of Knobsville, spent Sunday with the family of T. E. Flemiug. J ..-in K. Woodcock, one of our oldest citizens was pretty badly used up last week by the cows running over him. Mrs. N. B. Henry and sons Charles and Smyth, spent a few days last week with her daughter at Decorum. Mrs. M. M. Boor. Mrs. M. M. Boor, formerly of Buck Valley, had a paralytic stroke on the second of Decem ber and died at her home at Arte mas, Bedford county,ou the third aged 57 years, 10 months, and 14 dayp. Interment at the Christ ain church in Buck Valley. Her maiden name waa Divelbiss, and she was boru in Bethel township, where a uumbor of her relatives reside. She is survived by her husband, who was in W. Virginia at tho time of her death, three sons and throe daughters. Mrs. Boor was a member of the Christ ian church and an excellent worn au. WEST DLB1.IN. Lewis Harris, of Burnt C ibins, passed through this vicinity Sat urday on his way to Wells Valley. Rev. Salter began protracted meeting at Fairviow last Monday evening. Tho rough weather prevented meeting a few nights. The high winds of Thursday drifted the roads very much in some parts of this township. The Republicans held their nomination, Jan. 21, and the Dem ocrats, Jan. 28. We have not learned the nominees of tho lat ter party. Tho former party has nominated capable men for the oflices. TO AMEND INTESTATE LAW. A Bill to Allow the Wife Epual Chnnce at Personal Property. Married women will feel that they have one friend, at least, in the Pennsylvania legislature. Last week Representative Sipes introduced a I ill, which, if it be comes a law, will give tho wid ow a more equitable share of her husoaud's pc i -oual proper.' ,y. The law, as it now stands, is briefly: Where a wife die leav ing no issue, tho husbaud inher its all her personal property; bu . where the husband dies, similar-' ly situated, the wifegets butoiv: half of his personal property. Now, Mr. Sipes' bill aims ' amend the original act so as to make the wife get ail of her hus band's personal prrqierty, instead of half. The law as it now stauds is e very old one in a period of time when the husband was consider ed the whole push, and women had few rights that men were bound to rospect. At that time, it w j thought well enough to ed ucate the boys; but, if the girls learned to wash the dirty clothes, bake bread, knit socks, make the clothing for the family, spade the garden, plant it and work it through the summer so that a generous supply of vegetables came to the t.blo, mnk the cows, make tho butter, besides learning general housework and assisting in the care of the younger chil dren, her m.ssion in life was ful filled, and if she was fortunate enough to possess any property at time of death it, of course, be longed to her husband if tore were no lineal descendants. There has been a gradual change in public soutimeut, and eferi succeeding year finds the claims ot the gentler s x more fully recognized; and she ha& proven that where she has been given equal advantages, she is tlu mentally a. id niorilly of her equal brothers. AND0VER. J. W. Deshong and family, Geo. Wink, Reynolds Forner, Mack Chesnut and wife were visitors at Geo. R. Hoop's last Sunday. Geo. C. Deshong, wife and daughter Len ia, visited Ephraim Skiles last Su day. George Win" visited his grand mother Mart) A. Deshong last Sunday. Geo. R. Hoop and family visited Lewis Mellott last Sunday. Some of the people at Andove. are putting upie ?. There was a party at W. Mel lott's Saturday night. There wus quite a crowd, and a fine time. Mrs. Brad Mason's little girl Pearl has been sick, but is some better. Martha A. Deshong is visiting her son G. C. Deshong. Early Saturday oveniogayoung man went down tho Ridge riding horse back with gears and bells on his horse. The hurry he was in, ihero must have been some thing wrong. James and Scott Mellott haul ed wood for Lewis Mellott last Thursday afternoon. Miss Pansy Moore spent last week with her cousiu, M rs. 'Mary A. Hess. The party at Wm. Mellott 's Saturdav night was well attend ed. James Hess, wife aud daugh ter, Mary, and Pansy Moore call ed at John Lake's Saturday after noon. Edward Swopo spent Saturday uight at Charles lless's. The people along tho Creek a busy putting up ice, Russ Swope and James Fegloy called at David Strait's Sunday Dogs were among Luciuia Mel lott's sheep ono day last week and did bad work. . Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Steele aud family spent the past week in Everett,, where they had gono on account I of tho illuoss of Mr. SteeU's toother. Fulton's Big Trees. Recently a request was made through the Nr;ws th it any one knowing of big trees in this coun ty should take the girth measure ment live and a half fe.;t above the ground aud report same with tho kind of tree, location, A-j., to t is office. Tho lii ,st report says that there is a Svump Oak growing on the larm of Thorn: llolhr'-i-h"nd, one milo south of Harrison ville, that measures 12 fee', 8 inches in circumference, Si feet above tho ground. Now, for the next. , WELLS TANNERY. The people of Wells felt as though they lived out on the wild prairia Thursday last, us no moil could tVe carried through the Val ley, and no daily papers for three days. J. H. Allen of tho firm of Clip piuger iVr Alien of Chambeiaburg, spent two dViys among us last week for the reason th it he could not get awav K.now drifts. Mrs. W. 11. ! i.uunngardncr vis ited Mrs. James S V'fder, in Ever ettt, last Tuesday a cd Wednesday. Clarence Stewart, who is assist ing his brother James to run a store and postoftice, spVnt -Sunday with his mother, Mrs. G. A. Stewart. Mrs. John Lockard is visitmg her daughter, Mrs. AndorsoiK of Pittsburg. , Mrs. Glover, of Columbus, ():., who has been visiting her daugh ter, Mrs. E. A. Iiorton, for six months, returned to her home last week. W. 11. Baumg'irdDer attended the settlement of the Bedford & Fulton Telephone Company in Everett ..ist Friday, lie reports a very favorable settlement. Mr. and Mrs. DovJe Ilixson, of Crystal Springs, a e visiting their daughter, Mrs. Nathan liortou. Miss liildah Worthing, of Sax- ton, is visiting friends here. among her giri The recent blizzards caused our roads to be impassable for one day, and gave tho mail man a one day vacation. A number of our talented young men met on last Friday evening and organized a comedy club. Unbounded success to you, boys. This shows that' our young men will not let their talents decay for vant of development. C. L. Stewart, who has been employed by the Son man Store Company, Sonman, Pa., spent Sunday at tho home of his par ents. From last week's Republican it seems that old Wells can boast of at least ono poet. Well, if we do not get good roads they have been of some good that of in spiring one to become a poet. Mr. Ord Childers is moving to West Virginia. Alex Foreman is moving into the house icated by Mr. Childers. Miss Nora Griffith visited at the homo of her parents, Mr. aud Mrs. A. O. Griffith last Sunday. IIUSTONTOWM. Lewis Harris, of Burnt Cabins, passed through hero last Satur day on his way to Wells Valley. T. S. Shoemaker and mother spent a few days last week on the old homestead near Saltillo. Geo. Iloefnor and wife of near Gracey, and Miss Dora Speck visited tho ioimer's parents in this place last Sunday. B. II. Shaw, Esq., spent Satur day und Sunday in Saxton, Pa. At the Democratic Primary held in Taylor township last Sat urday the following ticket was nominated : judge of election, Martin Laidig; inspector, Berk ley Sipes; justices of the peace, S. C. Gracey, and Jolm F. Johnson; school directors, M. L. Kirk and Daniel Laidig; supervisors, N. II. Alloway aud Samuel Ilocken smith; constable, A. J. Comerer; overseer of the poor, Michael Laidig; auditor. W. NR. Fields; clerk, C. J. Bartou. ABOUT PEOPLE YOU KNOW. Snapshots at Their Movements, as Tbcy Come and Go, NAMES OF VISITORS AND VISITED Home (or Vacation, Awajr for an Omlng, a Trip lor Business or Pleasure. You'll rind It RlgM Cere. D. G. Slaves, Michael Mellott and Lewis Mellott came over to town Monday in a sled. J.W. Pott, of Crestline, O., is visiting his mother, Mrs. Amanda Pott at Big Cove Tannery. Mrs. Albert S toner is spend ing a few days with relatives in Fort Littleton and Hustontown. K. M. k'euda), J. F. Johnston and W. C Patterson, of tho Cove, alit odeda meeting ol the State Board of Agriculture in Ilarris burg last week. Miss Minnie Reisner, who is teaching in Bedford ccunty this winter, spent tho time from Fri day evening uutil Sunday after noon in tho home of her parents, J. G. Reisner and wife. Mr. Morse Sloan is (.poncing some time in the home of his jur ents T. F. Sloan nnd wife of this place. Morse ha: been mil, on the "lh.e," and if wo may j i l-e from his increased avoirJuLs fresh air agrees with him. Edward F. Davis, one of Mod ford county's most iutIILriM)t and progressive farmers, was a welcome caller at the News i (vice Oast Saturday. Ed is inters -.i.'d ifi school affairs; and either he, ,r hi . u icle Will Davis both' of whoci livfl in the same ho,n, whi'''i is usually the hoine of tho "chooiyteacher, and of the cc u;.iy superintendent when in that sec tion haNj. been ou tho s.-.li l board for several years. Dr. W. a West, who is now a resident of Pith Valley, drove ov er to McConm ;llsbtirg last Friday evening and returned Monday, accompanied by Miss Grace J hn ston, who took advantage of tho opportunity to go over to the Val ley to visit her sistor i Hanche Mrs. W. W. Keggcries. Jr. West preached two excellent sermons in the Presbyterian eh.urch last Sunday and received a. warm greeting from his old congrega tion. Mrs. Jas. S. Morse. The su bject of this notice whos . : i t 'i i , iiiaiueu name was ivune, ana WHO has relatives iu this county, die at her home in Bedford count ou the twelfth of December, ag aj years, nne is survived bwa sister, husbaud, and three silis and five daughters. Intermnt Fairview. THOMPSON. Mr. Archio Winger died on Monday of last week of a compli caiion of diseases. Interment at the Methodist church in Little (love. Joseph Shives has been criti cally ill. Reason Younker's wife is sick. .Mrs. Dennis Morgrethus I cen very poorly for several days. Dr. Johnson of Berkley Spi n gs is her atteuding ' physiciau. Mr. Morgret has a very sore hand. Calvin He wett had the misfor tune to get caught is a rapidly re volving circular saw, which lacer ated one hand and arm very much. J. C. Comerer is spending a few days in Hagorstown. t , Loin Gordon camo up from Hancock last Saturday. There must be some attraction up tl is way, Lem, or you would uot have turned out in such cold weather. The members of tho Uehobotu church are having their churo'i remodeled. They are adding an other rail, putting in row carpet, raising the flue, and getting now chairs. They will hav3 a nice place to worship when tho u im provements are all mathj. You can have the whole year for a C " NEV 1
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