9
VOLUME 8.
McCONNiaLSBUUG, 1A., NOVEMBER 2, .joii.
NUMBER )
MYTHS ABOUT SNAKES.
Dr. Surface State Zoologist Say They
are Maligned, Abused, and
Misunderstood.
INTERESTING BULLETIN JUST ISSUED.
There is no other group of am
.als in Pennsylvania concerning
winch there is so much fear and
ignorance and toward which there
is so much cruelty almost uni
formly shown in a relentless and
uicjust warfare as snakes, accord
lug to State Zoologist Surface.
"Ignorance, mythology and su
perstition have combined to sur
round them with an atmosphere
of dread," says Dr. Surface, who
has ma.le a careful study of the
snakes of Pennsylvania. "It is
not only superstition, but also ig
norance and unnecessary fear
which have rendered it impossi
ble for any person to study them
carefully.''
For the purpose of exploding
many popular notiousaboutsnakoB
Dr. Surface has issued a bulletin
upon the reptiles of Peunsylvante
with a special reference to their
food and economic features. The
bulletin states that among the
myths, fallacies or folklore con
cerning serpents current in some
parts of Pennsylvania are the fol
lowing :
Snakesstingwith their tongues;
snakes iharra birds and people;
green serpents ate ve-iomous;
there is such a creature as a hcop
snake, which rolls hke a hoop;
"there is a horn snake, with a ven
omous horn at the end of its tail;
snakes are blind once per month
and regularly dui ing "dog days;"
snakes moult or shed their skin
each month; serpents can blow
out or spit poison; snakes chase
and attack people without provo
cation; snakes and other reptiles
are slimy; certain kinds of snakes
milk or suck cows; when snakes
are killed the tails do not die til!
the sun yoea down or until it thun
dors; kill a snake and turn it over
to bring rain; snakes spriug or
jump from the ground at their
victims; snakes strike from a
truly coiled position; when a tire
arm u pointed at the snake the
reptile draws its own bead, and
it is impDssible to miss it or shoot
it auywhere but in the head; the
yellow rattlers are female and the
black are males; a suako can be
made to put out it? legs by drop
ping it into fire, snakes lose their
venom by being deprived of wa
ter for six days or more.
Snakes are erroneously sup
posed to have medicinal pioper
ties, as fallows : Galls of snakes
recommended for their bite; tbtir
oil for rheumatism, baldness and
deafness; their skin worn for
rheumatism anA stillness; a
snake's heart, oil or blood for
consumption or other ills, its
llosh to be eaten for blood disor
ders or other troubles; a second
bite of the same snake in the
same place, to cure or counteract
Us tirst bite; the rattles of snakes
as clv.rms; other parts of snakes
for various cures, preveuives or
char ms.
Dr. Surface notes the following
as some actua) though qu;:er facts
about the Pennsylvania snakes.
Some serpents swallow their
young for temporary protection;
some snakes play "pjssum"or
act dead as a means of defense;
some snakes lay eggs, others
near young; fangs of serpents are
rouawed oi grow in again after
being extracted: the vounar black
snake is gruy and spotted, and
often mistaken for the spotted
aoaor, water suaice or copper
neaci; snaues can live a year or
mere without food: serpents of
ten eat one another: some annr-m
of snakes are benolicial as insect
eaters and others as destroyers
i mice ana ottier onnoxiusro
dents, as mice and rats- rum
headed snakes are not uncom
mon; snakes and other rentiln
are not "coldblooded, but are
me -temperature! of their sur
roundlugg.
Dr. Surface anuounces m his
bulletin, which was issued to day,
FARMERS AND FENCES.
Superior Court to Pass On Constitution
ality of Act of 1784.
A caso that is of much interest
to the farmers of this county and
the final disposition of which will
be awaited with interest, is that
in which Judge Woods handed
down a decision in Huntingdon a
few days ago. Henry Parks sued
three of his neighbors, all farm
ers, for damages for the trespass
ing of their cattle on his fields.
The defendants claimed that the
general fence law of 1HH0 did not
repeal the spec'r.l fence law of
1784, relating to the counties of
franklin, Cumberland, Bedford,
Huntingdon and other central
counties, ad therefore Parks
was bound to maintain a lawful
fence.
Park's counsel denied this con
tention and alleged that the act
of 1889 repealed all special fence
laws. Oa the case stated the
court decided in favor of the de
fendants. The case will be ap
pealed to the Superior Court, anc1
if Judge Woods' decision is sus
tained, the farmers of Franklin
and Huntingdon counties, as well
as in the neighboring counties,
will be compelled to rebuild the
fences which they have abandon
ed since 1808, or run the r.sk of
their crops being damaged by
stray cattle.
Mary Jane Johnson.
Mary Jane, wife of James
Johnson, owner of the Brewer
Mill property in Thompson town
ship, died at their home Satur
day evening, November 24, 1900,
aged 54 years, 7 months ana 2
deys. Funeral on tho Tuesday
following, conducted by Elder C.
L. Funk, and she was followed to
tier lust resting place ia the did
Union Craveyard at Damascus
church by one of the largest fun
eral processions, seen for a long
time.
Mrs. Johnson had been in de
clining health for many months,
ind siuce last May it has been
evident that her days in this world
would soon be over. She bore
her sufferings with that patience
that is begotten of faith in the
promises that there is a house
not built with hands a home in
heaven, where suffering is not
known.
Mrs. Johnson was the third
daughter of the late Jonathan B.
Snyder, of Thompson township,
and besides her husband, she is
survived by three sons, namely,
Cal, Cyrus, and George.
TO BE A HARD WINTER.
Elias Hart'g Successor Hands Out Cold
Forecast.
Isaac F. Uemmig, aged 73, who
next to E ias Hart 5, the goosebone
disciple, is Reading's oldest
weather prophei, having been in
the business since 183H, issued
bis annual prognostication. Hem
mig makes his forecasts from
minute weather observations on
every November 23 and 24. He
declared that December, Janu
ary and February will be very
severe, and that it will be tho
hardest winter for years, follow
ed by a mild and early spring.
Miss Bertha Golden resigned
her josition as teacher of the
Franklin Mills school, Monday,
and the vacancy is being clloC by
Miss Olive Slusher, of the same
township.
that a second bulletin will be is
sued as sron as he completes his
investigation of the stomachs of a
large number of snakes, which
havo been sent to his office the
last six months. The second bul
letin will contain as much as can
be obtained from various observ
ers aud correspondents upon the
haunts and habits of reptiles of
Pennsylvania.
- The second bulletin will also
contain tables and charts, con
cerning their food and breeding
habits. More material Is needed
to advance these studies, and Dr.
Surface asks for notes or written
reports of observations, as well
as specimens.
FOREST HILL, MD.
Letter from Isaac F. V arncs, a Former
Resident of Belfast Township.
Reading a copy of your paper
receJily sent m ? by my sou in
law, I am reminded of clear old
Fulton county, iD which I spent
twenty-nine years ot my life. I
hold tho dear people of that coun
ty In fond remembrance. I loved
them, and must say iu the lan
guage of Dr. Swartzwelder, that
it brought tears to my eyes to
leave them. I was sorry to learn
of the Doctor leaving Need more,
lie was well liked there. Ho was
our family physician while we
hvjd in the county, and wo al
ways found him to bo a perfect
gentleman.
I left Fulton county fourteea
years ago last J uue. G reat chang
es from the timo I went there un
til I left. Many that were hviug
when I went there, have gone to
their long homes. Among others
that I could mention were Daniel,
Conrad and David Peck, relatives
of , ours, 1 suppose, and Elder
Correll mai.y times have 1 sat
under the sound of his preaching.
I lived neighbor to him all the
years that he lived after we mov
ed there. When I think of the
many dear ones living in that
community when 1 went there,
that are not there now, it makes
me feel sad. I, myself, was not
without my share of trial, for I
was called to lay away in their
last resting place, two as good
companions as man was ever
blessed with. None but those
who have been called to pass
through such trials can truly
sympathize with those who have.
Now, if you think this tit to go
into print, you can publish it; if
not, all right. 1 desire my dear
f rieuds there, one and all, to know
that I have not forgotten them,
and I want to thank them again
for their many acts of kindness
to me while among them.
The Insulted Subscriber.
That fateful time is now at
hand when tho country editor
once mo e reminds his delinquent
friend how badly, how sadly and
how madly he needs that dollar,
says the Lamar Democrat. He
fixes up his most urbane, polite
and apologetic note that he can
think of, puts it iu an office en
velope, and after risking 2 cents
for one of Uncle Sam's stamps,
he sends the humble, missive up
on its fateful errand. Pretty
soon the editor begins to notice
results. A subscriber comes in
at the door with a don't you opeu
your mouth to me expression on
his face, and in a voice that is ai m
ed to be built upon the style of
that of Jack o' the Beanstalk's
giant, when he says "I smell
bl oooood," he wants to know
how much he owes on this paper.
Tremblingly as an autumn leaf,
and as gently as a spring lamb,
the meek and lowly prince of the
sanctum looks through 'the lists
end haltingly informs the lordly
delinquent that the book shows
that ho owes $3. With the air of
an eastern potentate the aggriev
ed reader ot the "county's favor
ite family paper" hands over the
three plunks. Then tie squares
his shoulders, sticks out his
chest, and halts at too door.
"You can stop it," ho says, and
then ho walks out with tin uir ot
a man who has just received such
grievous wrong that ho fears to
speak for fear he'll lose control
of himself. The editor sits meek
ly down at his desk and writes
for the personal column, next
week: "Mr. John Hamos, oue of
the leading oitizens of Roaring
Prairie township, made this ollico
a pleasant call last week."
Last Saturday the Forestry
Academy basket ball team met
the Cumberland Valley StaUNor
mal team on the latter's grouud
and defeated them to the tune of
31 to 14. The captain of tho vic
torious team is our Roy Morton,
and his victory is all the mora slg
nal from the fact that the Nor
mal team is considered the crack
toam of tho Cumberland Valley.
TEACHERS' INSTITUTE.
Fortieth Annual Session Next Week
Everything Cut and Dry For i
Great Time. j
... . I
A STRONG ENTERTAINMENT COURSE. !
The fortieth Aouual Session of
the Fuiton County Teachers' In
stitute will be hold in the Court
House noxt week bogiuning Mon
day afternoon at 1:30 o'clock.
The day instructors have been
selected with much care and ate
a more than ordinarily strong
corps.
The evening Lecturers and En
tertainers are tho best that tho
money at the disposal of tho Coun
ty Superintendent coulJ buy.
They are just the samo people
that you would lincl ia tho insti
tutes of larger and wealthier
counties.
Tim following shows the gener
al make up of the week's work :
ORatNIZVTlON.
President, Charles E Barton;
vice presidents, Emery Thoma'-,
II. II. Bergstresser, Harry E. Se
ville; secretary, B. C Lamber.-on;
enrolling clerk, Lewis Harris;
door keepers, E B. OJino, l B,
Hill; ushers, L P Morton, Bus
sel Nelson, G rover C. Kirk, Frank
Daniels. Gilbert C. Mellott.
COMMITTttS.
ltKKOLUTJOXS.
, Emery Thomas, Gilbert B. Mel
lot, C. C. Kotz, Jessie Geingor,
M , rtle S evens, Ada Barton, S.
L, Wink, Etticl Hays.
lUiOl-'KSSrOX AL UKA!)1X 1.
B. C. Lamberson, llattia B
Kendall, Estella Loguo, Grace
Hixson, Bertha Golden, Quo'en
Lake, Lewis Harris.
ArniTiNC
E. C. Hendershot, Orpha Sny
der, Amos D. Poightol.
I'KUMAX KNT CKltTIl-'K'ATK.
Emery Thomas, Horace M.
Griffith, Miuuio Mock.
INSTRUCTORS.
Dr. J. C. Willis, Kentucky Un
iversity, Lexington, Ivy. Prof.
Chas. U. Alhert, Departmejt of
Science, Bloomsburg State Nor
mal School, Bloomsburg, Pa.
Prof. C. U. Gordioier, Dean of
Kee Mar College, Hagerstowu;
Prof. J. K. Stewart, Department
of Language, ShippeusburgState
Normal School, Shippensburg,
Pa.
MUSIC.
Director, Rev. J. V. Adams,
Nawport, Pj.;organi t, MissCer
trude Sipes, MoConnellsburg.
Every teacher should have u
music book. Excell's School
Songs will be used this year.
PHUQRAM.
MONDAY, DIOC'KMHKi: iJ, 11)0(5.
I-'OIUCXOOX.
The enrolling clerk, L3wis Har
ris, will bo in the Superinten
dent's otlico from (J till 12. Teach
ers should enroll as soon as pos
siblo after their arrival.
Al'TEUXOON, 1:.'I0 to 3:30.
Singing. Devotional exercises,
Dr. Win. A. West. Opening ad
dress, Prof. B. C. Lamber30u.
"The Ideal Teacher," Prof. J. K.
Stewart. Address, Dr. J. C. Wil
lis. KVKNINli KKKSION, 7:30,
"Representative Men," Dr, J.
C. Willis, Lexington, Ky.
"Dear Supt. Barton :
You have acted wisely iu
securing Dr. Willis. Ho was the
"Star" of our course lust year.
So well wore our people pleased
thai at their request I have again
secured him for this year's Insti
tute." J. J. Dkll,
Supt. Huntingdon County.
Oct. 0, 100(5.
TUESDAY, Dl-aJEMURK 1.
t'OKENOO.v, 0:15 to 12.
Devotional exercises, Rev. J. L.
Groye. Addross, Prof. Emery
Thorn 'is. "The Powers of the In
tollect," Prof. Stewart. "Habit
and Mind,"' Dr. Willis. "The
Fundamental Purposes of the
School." Dr. Albert.
AFTERNOON, 1:30 tl 4.
"The Necessities of School Li
KILLED V0UNQ BROTHER.
Sad Accident In Mami County on Satur
day Evening.
Several lo.uled guns and two
small bora supplied the essen
tials for a fatal iicci.lent at Table
Rock, A:lams county, Saturday
evening. The parents ot the chil
dren, Mr. and Mrs. AloortC.
Thompson, went on an excursiou
to Harrisbiirg. Alone iu the
house, tho boys found one of the
guns, and the older said he was
going to show his brother how to
shoot. Standing within ten feet
of the little lad. the elder fired
one barrel, killing his brother in
stautly. A I Crst lie said the deed
was dor.a by a negro, who ran
away, but ubseq'iontly confess
ed tin; ibove tacts. The coroner's
jury found a verdict f accidental
death, but severely censured the
father tor having loaded guns
within roach of the children.
tjranes," Prof. Stewart. "The
Two Appetites. PiiyMcal and Men
tal," Dr. Albert. "The Teach
er's Personality," Dr. Willis.
LVLXIXC, 7:3' t.
"How to Find Yourself," Dr.
1 hn Suape, Delaware.
"Dr. Suapo was ono of the
drawing cards at Find lay Lake
Chautauqua Assembly. Ho al
ways held hislistenersspeilbound
ind moved them from laughter to
mo-.ds of sentiment aud pathos
by his magic wit and eloquence."
Ass. Press Correspondent, Au
gust, l'.i.i.").
WKDNKSDAY, 1 iMT.M I'.r.K 3.
l-'OUKNOOX, 0:13 to IL'.
Djvotiou.J Exercises, Rev. J.
C. Crimes. Address, Prof. Har
ry Seville. "A Negative View of
Geography," Dr. Albert. "Pres
ent Conditions of Success," Prof.
Stewart. "Making a Will, " Dr.
Willis.
Al-TKUXOOX, 1:30 to 4.
"Some Rightful Demands of
Parent, Pupil and Teacher," Dr.
Albert. ''What- Makes the
Wheels Go Round," Prof. Gordi
nier. "The School aud the Com
munity," Dr. Willis.
kvenixc, 7:30.
"The Average American," Con
gressman Philip P. Campbell,
Kansas.
Hon. Philip P. Campbell is one
of tho youngest members in Con
gress. Tho Chicago Evening
Post of Feb. il, 11)03, said of lum,
"He is tho tirst representative iu
Congress who ri his tirst term,
ivoii fur himself in a single day a
placo wlnro he found the eyes of
the entire public focused upon
him. lie was a favorite before
lie had boon in the House a week.
Campbell may yet climb to the
presidency of the United States
over the corpse of the Standard
Oil Company."
THURSDAY, PKCKMUKK (5.
I'okkxoon, 9:13 to 1L
Devotioral Exercises, Rev. S.
II. Houston. Report of Commit
tee on Teachers' Reading Course.
"Words," Prof. Gordiuier. "Map
Drawing Thi3 Why aul the
Ho. v." Dr. Albert. "The Cousti
tutionand By-laws of l.'eaith,"
Dr. Wilhs.
afticuxoox, 1:30 to 4.
"Pa. as a Typo Losson in Geo
graphy," Dr. Albert. "Tho Man
lu the Moon," Prof. Gordinior.
"Popuiar Education," Dr. Willis.
r:vi;xiN;, 7:30.
Concert, Boston Musical Five.
I'KESS COMMENTS.
UOSTON MUSICAL VlYK
Without doubt tho best enter
tainment ever given in tins city.
Poitsmouth Nows.
Tho entortainment was easily
tho best of the season. Albany,
N. Y.
Tho concert was pronounced
the musical treat of the season.
Fitchburg Seutiuel.
FK1JJAY, bl'X'KM HKI 7. '
FOUICNOOX, 0:13 to 11:80,
Devotional Exercises, Rev. J.
V. Adams. Reports of Commit
tees. Address, Prof. ( iordinier,
Address, Dr. Willis. 3euedic
turn, Rev. Adam j.
through oiiio.
OllUllll L.IIIII I I Mill 111. IWdl iAWblUVI L'l
scrlptioit il His Trip Fn.m Need
in rc to California.
We left Cla.ysville, Pa , Novem
ber 1st,., via Wheeling, Columbus,
and Cincinniti ar -iviug at Dayton
about 7 p. in. Having boon di
rected to stop at either the Aldine
or the Philip Hotol, we decided to
take the former and fortunately
for us that we did; for scarcely
had we retired, wlieu the Philips
caught tiro and was nearly de
stroyed the guests having to get
out in their night robes to seek
others quarters. I believe no lives
were lost.
Oar hrststop after leaving Clays
ville was Wheeling, W. Ya. We
had to change cars and wait one
hour. During that time my ob
servalion of tho city hd metobc
1 i e -'e i t a g rea t in a n u f ac t u r l n g c l ly .
It is situated on the Ohio river,
and surrrunded oy rugged'hills.
and shadowed by a continuous
cloud of smoke. Soon after leaving
Wheeling, we came iuto Ohio, the
eastern part of which is hilly and
resembles Pennsylvania; but as
wo ncared Columbus the country
became level, and as the weather
was clear and warm, the scenery
aud, trip were delightful. Wo had
lo change cars at Columbus and
wait two hours for our train.
Columbus, Cincinnati and Day
tou are large, beautiful, growing
cities with a great deal of wealth,
and a rich agricultural communi
ty surrounding them. We visit
ed my brother Clyde and my sis
tor Mrs. Porter Mevittin Daytou.
My brother is engaged in the
dairy business, and keeps a num
ber of tine cows. While visiting
my brother ar:d sister, we also
visited the principal places of in
terest in autl about the city. The
most noted is tho Soldiers' Home
and the plant of the National Cash
Register Manulacturing Com
pany. At the Soldie; s' Home, wo
secured the services ol a soldier
tiguule u over tho grounds, and
through the buildings. The Home
is a beautiful place, and I was
much gratified to seo the soldiers
havo such conveniences and com
fort during their last days. Ev
erything is done in the home re
lative to the soldiers living. There
is a kitchen withmassiveluruaces
for the preparation aud cooking
of food; a bakery, a steaui laun
dry, and a dining-room with seat
ing capacity for 1200. wo woro
permitted to seo them march to
dinner and take their seats but
not to dine with them. There are
nearly L',000 soldiers at the Homo.
1 hey havo a fine library and read
ing room; a theatre foramusement
seating 2,000; a hospital where
the fiick aud wounded are cared
for, with nurses and physicians
in attendance, aud last, but not
least, a cemetery for the burial of
the dead. We had the privilege
of seeing two old soldiers buried
uuder military rule, ttie corpses
were taken from tho hospital t
tho dead house, and placed in cas
kets, after which they were pi iced
on a four wheel wagon used in
military service is a patrol wagon
in which were hitched four white
horses, mounted with two soldiers.
The caskets were draped with the
national emblem, and was follow
ed to their last resting place by
tho minister frionds if any a
number of detailed soldiers aud
the military band the latter play
ing the dead march, At ter tho
caskets were placed ia the graves
and the usual religious services
wore held, a military salute of six
guns of three volleys each, was
tired, .followed by the bugle call
in tho distance, which caused a
solemnity in tho hearts of tnose
even uot related to tho deceased.
Tho burial of the dead is a daily
occurronce one to two deaths
daily.
The National Cash Register
Company is one of tho largest of
its kind in the world. They make
a machine which nearly every
business man uses, in keeping;jan
acoouut of thq sales and cash re
ceived id tho transaction of busi
ness, and may be seen in most
any store. They make L'85 regis-
ABOUT PEOPLE YOU KNOW
Snap?hat3 at Their Co ni:ijj a.iJ O iinj
Hrre for a -Vacation, or Away
for a Restful Outing.
NAMES OF VISITORS AND VISITED
Howard Martin raid wife, of
Covalt, were in town Monday.
Our townsman, A. U. Nuco h
been laid up for a couple of weeks
suffering from an attack of rheu
matism. Wm. Soiling, teacher of Oak
Grove school ia Whips Cove, re
signed last week, lie is succeed
ed by George LoJe, of Emma
ville. W. M. Cunningham, l'itoairn's
big policeman, with His wife, is
spending a few days v, siting
among their Fort Littleton
friends.
A union Thanksgiving service
will be held in the rresbyterian
church, Thursday morning at 10
o'clock. Sermon by Rev. Win.
A. West, D. D.
Jocob Yeaklo aud Miss Ann
Powell, both of Thompson town
ship, were married at Hancock
last Friday, by Rev. Charles E.
Sh.lw, of the Episcopal church.
Rev. J. C. Grimes, M. R. Shall'
uer, Fq , Bank Cashier M. W.
Nace, Supt. Chas. E. Barton, and
Dr. J. W. Mosser left Wednesday
morning for ahttletriptotho State
Capital.
Mac Litton, one of Thompson's
leading farmers, called at tho
News office Monday to entwine
digits with tho editor. Mr. Lit
ton has divided his farm, and is
getting ready to erect a set of
new buildings on the portion
stricken off for the use of Ins son
ters daily. To make these ma
chines aud to conduct their busi
ness doaieticand foreign they
e m )lny abou 1 0.000 person s. They
employ nearly 0,000 persons iu
one building with its annexes.
Each person has a cert nn piece to
make, or work to do. They do all
the work fro me the crude mater
ial to tho finished product. Il is
simply immense a mass of Ji
ing machinery and humanity,
(this is uot good English, but ex
presses my idea
From Dayton we visited Mr.
and Mrs. Jack Hixson at Pleas
ant Hill, twenty miles north of
Dayton, they are both from Ful
ton county, Mrs. Hixson being a
daughter oT the late Israel Hill.
They lately purchased a farm of
71 acres for something over jwooo
and have since been offered twice
that. It is as tine a farm as I havo
seen, and I want to tell you they
live at home too. Our next stop
is Republic on tho B. &. 9. II.
R. and surrounded by a happy
colony ot Fulton county people.
I will name those with whom wo
havo been most intimately associ
ated ou our visit, vz. William
Weaver, whoso wife was Elizabeth
Mason; Freeman Neikirk wife,
Delia Mason; Calvin Keofer wife
Alico Peck; William Fuuk-.vife,
Martha Powell; Charles Funk
wife, Susan Yarnos-.NewtonJLVck
wife, Elizabeth 1 Funk; Oliver
Garland wife, Ella Pecic, aud
Dwight Mason wife, Neikirk.
1 seo my letter has grown
leugthy aud if I should speak of
each personally I might give you
au attack of indigestion, so I will
say to their many friends ia Fill-.
tou county that it would do their
hearts good to go out aud see this
beautiful country and see how
well their friends are gettiug
along, I knew those people per
sonally before they camo here,
they were poor people; but with
out compliment or injustice to
them, one half of thoso I have vis
ited would bo considered rich iu
Fulton county; and tho other half
not poor, by any mcaus. They
have shown us a royal good timo,
and it you don't beliovo it, just
take "Greeley s advice" and o
and see. Wo will leivo here to
morrow morning for Hartford
City, Indiana.
J. S. SwAU'mvKi.ni' '.
Republic, O.
Nov. 10, lK?G.
i