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VOLUME G.
McCONNELLSIiURG, PA.. FE1SKUAHY 8, 1 90S.
UMBER 21
1
RGV. GEORGE B. SHOEMAKER.
Has Not Forgotten His Coasting Days With
the Boys About McConnetlsburg.
Eldora, Iowa, January 27. De
cember aud January have brought
us'au abundance of snow, and
some quite co'd weather. On
Tuesday last, we had a very dis
agreeable day. The thermome
ter did not get above twelve de
grees below zero at any time dur
ing the day, and the wind blew a
gale out of the northwest; Not
much business was done that
day, and all trains on the railroad
were very late, or else abandon
ed. "What did you do to keep
warm ?" Oh, we shoveled "Black
Band" Virginia coal into the
Kound Oak furnace, opened up
all the heat pipes, and warmed
the whole house. In my study,
where a visiting minister and my
self spent part of the time, we
shut off the hea.t at times, be
cause we were too warm. This
is not a joke, but a fact.
The worst storm of the winter,
and, iudeed, for some years, came
on Tuesday following Christmas.
The cold was not so intense as it
was during the storm of this
week, but there was more snow,
and it was more ot a "blizzard"
thau a common blow. On this
day, we had the largest fall of
snow of the winter. It drifted
until on the business streets it
was six feet or more deep. The
air at times was full of snow.
The Court House, a large brick
building, stands in the public
square. The parsonage is about
as far from it as the Methodist
ehurch in McConnellsburg is
' from the Ball of Justice. Many
times through that storm we
could not see the Court Bouse be
cause of the snow in the air. The
wind blew the snow all off my
front walk; but, as if to get even
with me, it placed it in great
drifts iu my back yard. The
memory of the toil incident to
pxth making, lingers with me yet.
From my study window, I look
out upon the yard of my neigh
bor, who has two lusty boys. Be
alsohtis a hill or steep bank in
his yard. Bis bays own sleds.
Now, by some strange order of
things, that snow clad bank at
tracts his boys with their sleds,
and the fun they seem to have at
tracts other boys, until, at times,
the hill swarms with boys and
sleds, and boxes, and boards, and
stabs of brooms anything upon
which a boy can manage to slide
down the hill, and mirth and jol
it reign supreme. Theygodown
tho bank, past the barn, through
the alley to the street, where they
turn abruptly to the right, and
Ko down the street to the foot of
the hill. A wood pile, needing
attention, is for the time forgot
toe, and tho boys work longer
and harder at the coasting than
they ever have or will at the wood
. .sawing. And 1 say, "What is the
matter with the boys of to day ?"
But my criticism is cut short, by
the memory of the past. 1 see
the hill back of Eitamiller's barn;
aud the one just west of where
the postottice used to be; and
the tiold out by the old swimming
hole when the thick crust was on
tho snoV; and the hill from Dan
Foro's barn down on to the bus!
noss street; ' and tho ridge road
from about the place where the
"toll gate" .used to stand, down
around the curve, past the Peach
orchard read aud then on down
the straight run, over the oridge
ou to Bays' blacksmith shop,
awake to the fact that 1 am there
with tho other boys, and I very
much fear thero was a wood pile
that needed my attention; but
Hko the oue in my neighbor's
yard, it had to wait. I wonder if
any of "the boys" remember the
sled with cast iron runners own
ed by Nat Dulliold ? Bow we us
od to onvy him his pleco of desir
aoie personal properly, L never
see a company of boys and girls
coasting but I want to join them
But I must preserve my dignity
hence I do not. And that reminds
me: In my early ministry, m the
west, on a very warm day, I at
tended a township Sunday school
MISSIONARY WORK IN INDIA.
Miss Alice Wlshart Writes Encouragingly
of Prospects.
The following is abstracted from a
letter from Miss Alice to her mother,
and will be read with interest by Miss
WJshart's many friends Kditor.
Allahabad, India, Dec. 17. I'm
beginning your next week's letter
early as there is a little time, for
there will be none next week I
know, for letter writing. Bow I
wished for father to be here last
night. We attended the popular
meeting of the Presbyteriau Al
liance in Mayo Hall, which lasted
nearly three hours, but didn't
seem an hour, Representative
men of all the thirteen different
branches of the Presbyterian
church both native, European and
American were there; and one
could seldom have the pleasure
of seeing and hearing so many
really fine men. Sir Andrew
Fraser, not being able to preside,
fine old Scotcnman, Dr. Mc-
Kichan was moderator. There
were six speeches all in regard
to the union of all the Presbyteri
an churches in India; and what is
better, it has actually been ac
complished at this meeting of the
Alliance, and is a step toward a
united Christian church (native)
in India, otall denominations, and
the beginning of the final un.on
of Christ's church throughout
the world, it is hoped.
1 wish I could tell you all about
it, but it was too grand, and soul
inspiring to even try to express.
Miss Todd and 1 are invited down
to the Jam ma to meet these same
gentlemen this evening. Isn't
that lovely ! I've met more nota
ble people since I came to Allaha
bad then 1 ever dreamed of, and
and its a real inspiration to come
in touch with lives which count
for much in this world.
Ellen and I had a delightful
hour down at the Ewings meet
ing the Presbyterian worthies,
this afternoon. They preach in
the different churches to-morrow.
I'll send you programmes of
the Alliance meetings and organ
recital. Bow I wish they were a
huge bunch of our lovely Mar
asch Niel roses like I have on my
writing desk. We are having a
heavy rain just now.
Just a minute to scratch off a
bit more. As it was such a'nota
ble event in Presbyterian history
in India, I took two hours and
went down to the Jamna Monday
morning to see the first General
Assembly of the Presbyterian
church in India formed, with a
native, Mr. Chatterji as modera
tor. It was a meeting I shall al
ways beglad tohave been present
at.
I will try to get a report ot all
the meetings to send to father,
as he will surely be interested.
HUSTONTOWN.
A protracted meeting is in pro
gress in the M. E. church iu this
place. ,
Mi s Joseph Lohr spent part of
last week visiting relatives in Mc
Connellsburg. Albert Stoner and daughter,
Myrtle, of McConnellsburg, were
visitors in this place last Satur
day. They were accompanied on
their return trip by Mrs. Stoner,
who had been spending a few
days at the home of her brother,
John O. Hoover.
The Ladios' Aid Society will
hold au ."Envelope Social" in the
P. O. S. of A. Ball on the evening
of February 22. Music will be
furnished for the occasion by the
Buston town Cornet Band. Every
body Invited.
Ezra and James Beefner, of
Petersburg, were in attendance
at the funeral of their father,
David Beefner, Tuesday.
convantion. I was suffering from
the heat, and I said to a Udy near
me, "If it were not that I would
look undignified, I would take off
my coat." She looked me all ov
er, and then said, "Dia-nifled !
Why, you coul.d not look dlgnitied
U you tried." That was when J.
was, young. She would think
differently of me now. Very truly-
Gko. U. ShokMakek,
OUR LAWMAKERS.
Some of the Bills of Local Interest that
Were Ottered Last Week.
Not withstanding the zero con
dition of the temperature, aud the
exposure incident to the weekly
journeyings of our lawmakers to
and from the State capital each
week they manage to have a fair
ly comfortable time while in Har-
risburg; and if half the bills that
have been introduced receive tho
final signature of Governer Pen
nypacker, the next edition of the
"Pamphlet" Laws will be larger
than a twenty dollar edition of
the Revised Version of a family
bible.
There are 204 lawmakers in the
Bouse, to say nothing of the abil
ity of 50 others who sit over in
the Senate; and if it is not the
business of each oue to make
some new law, what is he put
there for,anyhow t
If the "News" were -o attempt
to given the titles of the bills al
ready offered it would bo neces
sary to issue a supplement; hence
we give a synopsis of those that
we think will interest Fulton
county readers.
Among the bills offered in the
House last week was one by Rep
resentative Wm. T. Creasy, pro
viding that counties and other
municipalities shall be entitled to
all license taxes, and that the
state shall get no share of them.
Mr. Creasy also offered one
provid'ug that nine-tenths of the
tax on money at interest, known
as the state tax on personal prop
erty, shall be retained by the
county.
Balcomb, of Luzerne, offered
one requiring bonds given by of
ficers of township boroughs and
school districts, to be approved
by the Court and kept in the of
fice of the Clerk of the Court; and
that reports of township and bor
ough auditors shall be made in
duplicate one to be filed with
the clerk of the court, and one
with the town clerk.
Truxell, of Lycoming, present
ed a bill making it the duty of ad
joining landowners, each to build
and maintain one-half ol the line
or division fences between their
properties. This is to change .the
present law of 1842 which is con
sidered defective. Also, one
authorizing township supervisors
to levy and colleen a special tax
for the payment of the debts of
the township.
Another bill offered in the Sen
ate makes District Attornies
salaried officers and provides the
amount according to population.
Should it be enacted into law the
District Attorney of Fulton coun
ty would be entitled to $400 per
year.
A bill extending for one year
longer the tax warrants of col
lectors who have let their war
rants expire, offered by Repres
entative Boke of Franklin county
was defeated on third reading.
Among the bills passed finally
in the Bouse, was one making it
a misdemeanor to destroy or de
face finger bonds erected by sup
ervisors.
Also, the bill requiring proof of
the burial of the carcasses of
sheep killed by dogs, before pay
ment by the commissioners of
the damages assessed.
SPRUCE CRIilK.
The people are very busy pack
ing ice.
Our three champion cat trap
pers, Howard - and Job Garlaud
and C. W. Plessinger are custom
ers for the fur purchasers.
The protracted meeting at Oak
ley is well attended.
We are glad to know that W,
F. Bart, our merchant, is getting
over his wounds caused by the
fi e and is again able to manipu
lato the yard siick.
The Need more school is pro
greasing well under die care of
Boward Mellott.
Oliver Plessinger passed
through our village on his way to
Baltimore.
. Benjamin, Wilds and wife, of
Fort Littleton, spout Saturday at
the County Seat.
ON THE EASTERN SHORE.
James 0. Kline and Family Went From
Franklin County.
Mr. James G. Klino and family,
formerly of this county, have re
moved from Franklin county to
tho Eastern Shore, "Md., and the
following letter from a member
cf thefamily willgive their friends
a little sketch of their trip.
"We left Mercersburg at 3:30
Thursday afternoon, January 2(i,
and reached Salisbury, Md., next
morning at 5 o'clock, accompan
ied by Mr. W. F. Trayer, of Mer
cersburg. "The weather man greeted us
with a blizzard and the mercury
was "way dowu" for this parVof
the country. We fouiul more
snow in Salisbury than there was
in Mercersburg when we left.
About six inches more snow fell
last night, and the roads are bad
ly drifted. The natives here say
they do not rememboi a winter
so severe as this.
"Our car with furniture aud
stock did not arrive until Satur
day noou, but everything was in
good shape. We have to haul our
goods four miles to the farm, and
expect to move thein in a dv.y or
two.
"Weenjoyedour trinvery much.
We have a beautiful home, but
poor accommodations just now,
for we have been without chairs
and beds since Friday. The good
neighbors are going to turn in
and help haul the furniture out
of town. Tho po:ple here do not
wait to be invited to help they
come and offer themselves, when
help is needed. We will get our
chairs on Tuesday, as our canned
fruit and potatoes had to come
first for fear of freezing.
Some of tho potatoes were froz
en iu the car; tho canned fruit is
not hurt very much. I will close
now by sending you a one-dollar
bill for the Nkwh.
Claua.
LEG BROKEN.
Hamsher Karper Slipped on Icy Sidewalk
in Fannettsburg Last Thursday.
Hamsher Karper, of Chambers
burg, one of the most popular of
the salesmen that visit the mer
chants in this county, was pain
fully injured while iu Fannetts
nurg last Thursday. He had been
to tho Ftuuettsburg postoflice
for his mail, and was on his way
to Elmer Walkor's store when he
slipped on the icy sidewalk and
was unable to rise.
Two men were walking direct
ly baci of Mr. Karper and wit
nessed his fall. They went to his
assistance and carried him to the
hotel conducted by Mrs. Skinner.
A physician was summoned who
found that the bone in Mr. Kar
per 's left log between the knee
and thigh was fractured.
Mrs. Karper was notified and
went to Fannettsburg Friday to
nurse her husband who will be
compelled to remain in bed for
several weeks, at le".st.
Stilly Clevengcr for Second Term.
We notice iu the Frauklin Re
pository tho announcement of our
friend, S. A. Clevenger, as a can
didate for the renommatiou for
the office of clerk of the cour.ts of
Franklin county by the Republi
can county convention of that
county. Of Mr. Clevenger tho
Repository has this to say, edi
torially: "There is the strong desire that
Mr. Clevenger serveanottiertorm
in tho office and there will be most
earnest work done for him by his
many friends.
Mr. Clevenger has made a most
capable clerk and is entitled by
virtue of this; more than by cus
tom, to a secoud term. As said,
his nomination is conceded and
there will be no serious contest
by any one to wrest the place on
the ticket from him, so that there
remains only the effort to give
him a big majority at the polls."
Stilly is a Fulton county boy
and a former student in one of
the editor's summer normals and
has a host of friends in this coun
ty who will join in wishing him
success in winning the nomination.
ENJOYABLE SOCIAL EVENT.
Crowd of Fort Littleton People Spend Last I
Saturday Evening at Hotel Hamil. !
Tho people of Fort Littleton do i
not hnve to go away from home
to get something good to eat, nor
to have a good time; si last Sat
urday evening wag setas the time, j
and Hotel Hamil the place, where
frieuds and neighbors might
spend a few hours together in '
social intercourse, and enjny one
of those suppers for which tins
hostlery is so justly famous
Tho necessary tip was given U
Barry and his wife; and when ev
ening came, everything was in
readiness.
At an early hour the guests be
gan to arrive, and soon the hum
of animated conversation aud the
bursts of laughter were eviden
ces that every one had left "dull
care" at home and that the big
spot on the sun had no chilling
effect on that crowd.
In duo time supper was an
uouDced, and McConnellsburg
people need not bo told what that
was like, for there was an abun
dauco of roast turkey with ell the
"trimmins," as well as oysters.
Ac, Ac, Ac.
Altogether it was a great suc
cess. Uncle Dan Fleck was there
with his fiddle, and Frank Bare j
could turn his hand to a part in
any kind of music; while Rev.
Chne and George Fraker direct
ed the amusements so carefully
th.it nobody was hauled up before
tho board cf stewards next day.
Those present wore: John W.
Fraker and wife. D. C. Fleck and
wife, Geo. W. Parsons and wife,
F. C. Bare and wife, Mrs. Bertha
Baie, Geo. O. Fraker and wife,
M. S. Wilt aud wife, Charlie
Fields and wife, Bon. S. L. Buck
ley and daughter Miss Annie, S.
R. Cromer and wife, Dr. and
Mrs. D. A. Hill, Rev. and Mrs.
W. M. Chne, Dyson Fraker and
wife, David F. alter and wife, It
I. Wilson and wife, and D. W.
Cromer and v. ,lo.
HOT AIR.
Subterranean Heat and Vapor Issuing From
Mountain Near McConnellsburg.
Is it a geyser, a young volcano,
a subterranean coffee pot, or what
is it, anyhow? TheHe are questions
that our local scientists have been
trying vainly to solve during the
past week. And it all comes about
from the fact that the attention of
a couple of fox hunters hint week,
when on top of tho Ridge, west of
tho Cove, and at a point directly
west of George Snyder's in Tod
township, wus attracted by vol
umes of hot vapor arising from
the earth. Notwithstanding the
zero condition of tho air and the
abundance of snow on the Ridge,
tho ground around the point from
which the steam issued was as dry
as a last year's bird's nest and as
warm as the business end of a
bumble bee.
A report of tho discovery soon
spread and daily there are persons
visiting the place. An excavation
of two and a half feet was made
and the temperature tested with a
thermometer, which showed a dif
ference of thirty-three degrees
between tho outside temperature
and that at tho bottom of tho ex
cavation. . The vapor settling on tho sur
rounding objects covers thein with
a coat of frost that glitters most
beautifully iu the sunlight.
Tho top of the Ridge is serrated
and the steam issues from one of
tho low places. At a distance of
about eighty rods from tho open
ing already described hot vapor
issues forth.
Just what this may mean to tho
future growth of McConnellsburg
or to the future state of her in
habitants cannot bo safely predict
ed at the hour wo go to press.
The contracts tor carrying the
mails ou tho routes leading into
McCon uollsbn rg have boon award
ed 'ps follows: To Saluvia, John V.
Stoufceagle, $3'85; to Big Cove
Tannery, Scott Reoder, $165; to
Fort Littleton, George Wagner,
; to IV'ercersburg, John
SUeeti,
WILL THEY PASS IT?
A Bill Introduced Into the House to Allow
Trolley Lines to Carry Freight.
Representative Crea: y, of Col
umbia county, has just introduc
ed into the Bouse at Barrisburg,
a bill to allow trolley lines to car
ry freight as well as passengers.
No section of the State needs
trolley service worse than Fulton
county; and thoro are few more
nt tractive fields for the capitalist
interested in the building of elec
tric rouds. The steam compan
ies, who have practically owned
the Pennsylvania legislature for
many years, have been smart
enough to have a law passed pro
hibiting trolley lines from carry
ing freight, thus cutting their
earning powers down so Jow that
they cannot operate save in very
densely populated districts. This
is manifestly very unfair, both to
the trolley companies, and to the
general public. Should Mr.
Creasy 's bill become a law, it
would not be long until tho line
now built from Pen Mar to Green
castle would be extended on
through by way of Mercersburg,
to Mc Connellsburg, to the latter
of which places, they already own
the right of way; and the road
would, in all probability, be built
over the turnpike on through to
Everett. Another paying propos
ition would be a line from Three
Springs, via. Brownsville, Mad
densville, Fort Littleton, through
McConnellsburg oh to connect
with the Wabash road at the Po
tomac. Fulton county stands
ready to lend substantial support
to any company 'vho may choose
to take the matter up.
The bill is very popular in the
country sections all over the
State, which have a trolley ser
vice, but seems to be unpopular
in the Bouse. The farmers are
charging this is due to the rail
way passes and other favors ex
tended members of the legisla
ture. Should the bill bo defeat
ed through this influence, there
will be a lot of country legislators
who will have a serious account
ing to make to their irate constti-
utents.
STORE CHANGES HANDS.
Elmer Ramsey Purchases the Huston
Store at Clear Ridge.
Last Friday Elmer Ramsey
purchased from the heirs of the
late Thomas B. Huston, the stock
of goods in the Buston store, and
took possession at once. The
Huston farm was purchased last
fall by Cab L. Henry, and there
remains now only the residence
property of the family, which will
bo kept as a home for the heirs
as long as they may wish to re
main together.
DAVID IIEEINER DEAD.
Expired at His Home in Huston
town Last Saturday.
Another of Taylor township's
oldest and most worthy citizens
has been called to his eternal home.
fter an illness of only a few days,
resulting from a stroke of pa
ralysis, Mr. lleefner died at his
home in Huston town last Satur
day and was interred in tho ceme
tery at that place on Tuesday.
Rev. B. A. Salter, of tho M. E.
church, and Rev. A. S. Wolf, of
the U. H. church, conducting the
services.
Mr. lleefner was married many
years ago to Miss Lydia Laidig,
who, with eleven children.survives
the husband and father. Tho
children are Jeremiah, William,
George, Jesse, and David, in Tay
lor township, and Ezra and James,
at Petersburg, Pa., Sadie, wife of
Rev. Sparks, Mollie and Jano at
at home, and Barbara, wife of
Isaac McClainof Taylor township.
Mr. Hoefuer was a representa
tive farmer industrious, intelli
gent, and generous, and reared a
large family, such as any parents
may be well proud of.
Most of the boys are well settled
ou farms of thoir own, while Ezra
and James are successful mer
chants.
Mr. lleefner was aged 75 years,
5 months and 2 days. -
ABOUT PE0PLllY0U KNOW.
Snapshots at Their Movements, as They
Come and Go.
NAMES OP VISITORS AND TISITED
Home for a Vacation, Away tor aa ObMInf, a
Trip for Basinet or Pleasure. You H
Fine- It Right Here.
W. Riley Bergstresser, of Wat
erfall, made a tript i McConnells-
burg, last Saturday.
Joshua H3eter and wife, of Fort
Littleton, are spending a-few days
in Trough Creek Valley.
George W. Decker, wife and
son, Master Verley E., spent last
Wednesday in McConnellsburg.
Rev. John S. Decker, of Mt
Pleasant, Iowa, in enclosing a
dollar to renew his subscription
says, "We cannot do without the
News."
J. A Whitfield, of Bethel town
ship, was an early caller at the
"Ne ws " offi ce las t Satu r day m or n
ing. Gu looks like the world
was using him well.
James A Mumma, of Saluvia,
spent a few hours in town last
Saturday and expresses himself
as being much pleased with his
recent trip to the Smoky City.
Mr. Jacob Winegardner, pro
pnetorof the Winegardner store
at Clear Ridge, spent Sunday
night in the home of his brother-in-law
James Henry, and was m
town on business early Monday
morning.
The hospitabla home of Mr.
and Mrs. James HGnry, north pf
town, was invaded by about two
dozen McConnellsburgers last
Friday evening, who spent the
time until near tho, hour of mid
night most enjoyably.
Martin W. Truax and Nat ha n
Truax, of Sipes Mill, were in
t jwn last Friday. Nathan spent
the most of the last two years
with W. F. Wink down on the
Eastern Shore, but proposes to
go to South Fork, Pa., about the
first of March.
MissLib V, Hessand her hLece,
Miss Bessie Vaucleve, who had
been visiting among their many
friends here, left town Monday to
spend a few days in the home of
Scott Tntle and wife in the Cove.
On Friday they expect to go to
Hancock for a few days' visit, and
then go to Iowa, where Miss Van
cleve is engaged very successfully
in the millinery business.
Mrs. Mollie Runyan Dixon, of
Pittsburg, in sending a remit
tance to advance her subscription
to the News, says it is just mar
velous the number of new dwell
ings that are being erected in
that city. She says, "We look on
and wonder when they will all be
occupisd; but it is but a short
time after they are completed un
til there is not an empty house
left. But a tew squares from our
home, one hundred and thirty
two houses are being built in one
row that will readily rent at sums'
ranging from $ 18 to $30 a month.
""burnt cabInsT
A. J. Fore and A. V. Kelly
made a business trip to McCon
nellsburg last Monday '
Miss Mamie Speck returned to
her home Monday evening after a
visit to Doylesburgamonfe friends.
Miss Bessie Villence and sis
ter, Nora, accompanied by Mr.
Levi Cordell, of Loudon, speut
Sunday with the former's aunt
Mrs. Harry Miller.
Rev. Finney, of Shade Gap, wus
in our town last Thursday.
Scott Miller and wife, of Slur
leysburg, visited the former's fa
ther and mother last Thursday
and Friday.
John Mock and family, of Met
al, spent ' Sunday at Thomas.
Briggs'.
Dick McGowan and wife-speul
Saturday night and Sunday with
frieudg at Orbisonia.
A merry' crowd of our good
people attended the social on
Tuesday night at Harry Fore
man's near Decor am.
Mr. Gamble, Mrs. A. P. Dor
an's mother, is very ill.
Uncle Jake Miller is slcll
ting aloes nlcc'y.