C0ttat : VOLUME S. McCONNELLSKURG, PA , DFXEMHEH 27. 1900. NUMBER 13 CROSSING THE ROCKIES. )r. Swartzwelder and Family Have Com pleted Their Journey, and are Now , on the Pacific Coast. SPENT A DAY SEEING THE GRAND CANON. Recdloy. Cal., ,' Dec. 15. We loft Galesburg, III., at 1 p. m;, Hli' nst , , in a tourist sleeper. The weather was tine and the sun shined nice and warm, an it did throughout our . journey. The scenery through tho Mississippi Valley is fine and the crossing of the river is one that we will not soon forget. Tho Mississippi is the longest river in the world, but the Amazon the largest body of water. The Mississippi runs thiough a level country. Milosbn .either side the land lies like a lloor, and -is low water mark is not many feet telow the surface, it is not strange that during high water that miles of that beautiful oountry is under water. Wccross (d the river at Fo t Madison and the width is nearly one mile, We crossed the Missouri river, which is quite different from the former as it is clear water and tho latter la niudd as our streams arc in Kulton county after a had rain, due to the conlinual changing of the river bed. It was gettiog daik when wo crossed tho Miss ouri river and dark when we run into Kansas City. Kansas City is a beautiful plr.ee, about one fourth the sizg of Baltiraoie, Md., but lies better and not so dense ly build. (I have been there bo fort). Alter leaving Kans-as City we took our berths lor ' the night and we-saw nothing, except in our dreams,' and when we awoke, which, was before day, we were close the Colorado line. The land ; in western Kansas, southeastern Oo'.orado, New Mexico, and Ari :Z )iia h a waste prairie desert. A distance of probably 1,000 miles. Occasionally you see a, herd of cat tle, sheep or goats, numbering from fifty to-five or six hundred 1 in each Hock, and a little rude hut made of plank, or an adobe house one sV ry high made of mud and poles ot mud alone,' with a mud llit roof. Some have two Hat roofs wUh asrauof one or two feet between. The upper one some larger to keep the scorch ing sun ofttha house. Th build ings either plank or adobe, are built about 10-feot wide, 7 high , and 20 to 30 feet long. 1 Each build lug has two apartments, one part or about one half of the building, I presume, is u ed as a cooking and rating department, and the other half, for sleeping. The two buildings are set some ten or more feet apart, and this space is covered by a continuous roof over both ouildings. I have seen some rude buildings in Fulton county, bu( none lo compare with these. These buildings are owned aod used by the Mexicans, which is their anciet as well a9 their mod ern method of building and liv ing. ' . In some parts of this desert re gion water is very scarce' and inu6t be hauled in by the carload for thfl stock as well as the people; and, therefore, it is bought and sold at prices from 35 cents to $1- per bbl. The towns through this country are composed chiei ly of Chinese and Mexicans. Our train carried no dining car from Kansas City, and those of us who took no food with us, had to stop Ht dining places along tho read Oar fi-t.t stop was at La Junta (La Honta), Col ; for breakfast. Mr. Fred llarvey, said to be worth seven million dollars, owns a sys tora of hotels from Kausas City to Los Angelef, which are run on the American plan; also, lunch counters. It is said to be the tin est eating system In the world, and I have fouud nothing better. Our next stop was at Trinidar', Co!., for dinner, aud a lunch for supper at Raton 'ass. Here the extreme altitude, which is nearly 8,000 feet above sea level, caused Mrs. Swartzwelder to get very - nick, aud I bad to put her to bed; but the next morning, she. wan better. The high climate was de lightful and invigorating, but t makes a cccd trary feitk, ?sj-cri ally persons having weak heart?. The Rocky Mountain scenery is tine. Tho mountain peaks are quite different from the Alleghen ies, or the eastern mountains The ascent is so gradual, and you pass up so easily, you scarcely know it; but those pcans stand up like monuments, and their summits seem to kiss the skies. The highest is Pikes Peak about 14,000 feet. They are nude of all vegetation, and their walls are nea ly vertical. The general lay of these peaks is, in a range, some are square, others round and ir regular, and seem to stand out alone. Tho highest are covered with snow tho wholo year. After leaving Riton Pass we took our berths for the night, and arose in the morning to take our breakfast at Gallup, New Mexico. The stop at each place for meals was from 25 to 30 minutes, which was ample time to eat and get a little stroll in the fresh air, which every one enjoyed. Our next siop was Holbrook, and we arrived at Williams, Arizona, about 3, p. re. Here we decided to take a side trip oi 00 miles up to the Grand Canyon t.t Bright Angel, Arizona The trip was nothing remarkable in itself, but th'i Grand Canyon is one of nature's greatest won ders, and pen and words are lost in the description ot it. We ar rived at the Grand Canyon Dec. ITih at G:30 p. m. At this place is located t le El Tavar, the Bright Atgel, and the Cameron Hotel, and the Hepi House the last named, is an Indian souvenir house, cetupUdty Indians, end where wo attended ' an Indian dance. Tho El Travar is run on toe American plan, aud the rates are $4 a day and up. The Bright Angel is run ' on the European plau,: rates $1 for lodging and the meals whacyou make them, crf fee 10 cents a cup, and beefsteak 40 cents, &c. The Cameron is $2 per day cn the Ameucan plan. We took lodging at the El Tavar und after supper retired. The next morning my wife, family and father' in law decided not to go down the trail into the canon, but to take a drive of 14 miles toG rand View Hotel on the rim of the can yon. Myself, &nd eight others, took guides for the trail down the canyon. We left the hotel at 0:45 a. m. and returned at 5 p. m. The most simple description 1 can give of the canyon is, that it is a fissure or crack in the earth's surface, whose walls are perpen dicular in places to a depth of 000 feet or more. Thtt su rface of the canyon is between uuu ana nuuu feet above sea level. From the rim to the Colorado river, which runs at the botiotn of canyon, is 4405 feet. The river is 2430 feet above sea level, or nearly four times as high as Needmore (080 ) The distance by trail to the river is 0 miles, and the way to get there is either to walk or ride a mule. The width of the canyon at Bright Angel is thirteen miles We rode a mult?. . (The one I i ode was named "Monkey'' and one that a friend of mine rode "Car nation." They are good trusty animals and they puk their steps with caro. The whole trip is a hazardous one, and much of the way we had to walk and hug to the rocks, Villi our hair standing on end. Sometimes one mnleaud rider would be above the other, and a precipice below, of several hundred feet, and only a path ol two feet for mule and rider to walk on. The river at tho bottom is continually muddy on account of the great precipices over which it falls and the sandy deserts it passes through. I could write much more but my letter is grow ing lengthy and the editor may pass this to the waste basket. In summing up, it is a wonder ful freak of nature aud those who can stand th nerve strain should see it, and not forgot that the scenery Is the only great thing; but keep au eye to your bill I waa there two nights and one day or 36 hours, and my bill was tlx- REFORM LAWS DIE. Legislature Will Convene Next Week. Many Interesting Tilings to Consider. M'CLAIN WILL LIKELY BE LEADER. Legislature will convene in spo cial session in the now capitol on New Year's Day. It looks at this time as though the session will bo marked by many reform laws, and that Frank McLairi, "the RecTRoso of Lancaster," as ho has come to bo known, will be chosen to preside over its doing. Up to this time, the Lancaster man has had smooth sailing, and there are no storm clouds on the horizon of his prospects. McLain has been Republican tioor leader and is thoroughly conversant w ith legislative pi ocedure. Here are a few of tho most in teresting topics likely to luve prominent places in the discus sions of the assembly : A uniform two ct-ut rate pas senger fare bill. A bill permitting trolley and electric companies to carry freight. A jew pure food bill. An investigation of alleged "graft" in thececnon of the new capitol. A more vigorous child labor law. A bill to be introduced by Sou lier Fox for the extension of Capitol park. . A report from the committee appointed to investigate condi tions in . the state hospitals for the insatu with recommenda tions for relief. Bills increasing tho powers of the State Department of Hea'th, md ' iucreasiug the appropria tions of ,tho State Highway De partment to $3,000,OJO, and the State Armory Board to $500,000. A bill to amend the fish and sjame laws, and forbidding aliens to carry fire arms. A bill to regulate the granting of divorce and separation papers in Pennsylvania. Already there are indications that some of ,theso bills will have easy sailing. The two cent rate bill seems to be marked for early passage. The railroads may de cide to tight it, but there is no sign of this at present. Many of the legislators some' say two thirds stand pledged to support the two cent bill, and it is hard to see how the railroads could put up a successful 'light against it, even were they so inclined. Il is safe to predict that the day of the 'wo cent rate is near at hand. But it is different with the trol ley freight bill. The railrcads will probably fight that measure to tho la t ditch. Even now, it is understood, they are preparing to show how the passenger facili ties of the trol'ey roads would be hampered and traffic greatly de layed if freight were io be made a part of their trailic. It is probable ' tha'. good roads legislation will be popular, and that Commissioner Hunter's io quest for $3,000,000 to tarry on his work will be granted. Every team in the country is engaged hauling pipe for tho new oil line. One dollar a pipe is paid for hauling. Ervin Fisher runs three and four wagons drawn by two traction engines and hauls 40 pipes at each load. Some teams go out with two pipes on. One man with one horso is hauling one pipe. Hancock Star. ty-five dollars; but it was worth it. The remainder cf our triptoReed ley is not . remarkable, except down tho Rocky Mountains where the scenery is beautiful as well as exc;tiug. The descent is more precipitous, and reminds me of running down an auger, mak:ng complete loops and pass ing through some 17 tunnels, and running along precipices several hundred feet high. With best wishes to my many friends. Dlt J. 8, SWAKTZWF.r.PICIt. ELECT OFFICERS. Those WI,o Will Direct the In. crests ol tlie Local Council During the Next , Six Months. At a regnlar meeting of Tusca rora Council, No. 1212, Royal Ar cauum, last week, the following persons were elected to manage tho affairs of the local council du ring the first half of PJ07 : Re gent, Hon. S. W. Kirk; Vice Re gent, Geo. B. Daniels, Esq ; Ora tor, Frank P. Lvnch, E-q ; Sec retary, B. W. Peck; Collector, M. W. Nace; Treasurer, George W. Reisnei ; other officers, Hon. J no. P, Sipes, W. II. Great head, S. A Nesbit, W. 14. Dickson, and Johu D. Smith. Asa fraternal and insurance orgnmzition, the Royal Arcanum stands among the very safest an 1 best in the world to day. A small sum paid iu every mouth will se cure your beneficiaries against want in case of your death. MINE WORKERS' Dili EARNINGS, Official Report Shows that Aviragc Year ly Pay h Nearly $759. Only Two Industries Pay More. New York, December 2(5 On ly two el'isses of labor iu l'ennsyl vania are -is highly paid as the mine workers. This fact is shown in the report of the Stale Seero tary of International Affairs giv ing the result of an investigation of the yearly earnings of .all the principal clarsts of labor. Itap pears from this report that it is more protttablo to work iu authra cite coal mines than in mills or factories, not only because of the higher , pay. received but on ac count of the loaer rents paid by miners. Last year the hard coal miners received, on au average, $UU0 34 each. The average amual wages of tho skilled and unskilled em ployes of 84 manufacturing in dustries, representing 710 estab lishments, were tabulated; in on 1 two of thtm, the tool steel and steel pump industries, did the wages of the anthracite miners although they are popularly sup posed to be underpaid. In 82 out of the 84 industries cited fhe average earnings of the workers fell considerably below tnose of the anthracite miners, and 42 pay their employes at least $200 less a year than the coal companies pay the miners. The Department of Internal All'airsulso learned the average annual rent paid by the employes of mc nufactunug industries in tho state. Tho statistics show that from his larger income the miner does not pay out a much iu rent as the manufacturing em ploye. The averago rent paid by anthracite miners last year was $78. Of 73 Industrie-: investigat ed the workers in ouly three of them paid less. Those employed in the other 70 paid - from $00 to $204 a year. Most of them paid as much as $140. The difference in tlie rent paid by the miuer and that paid by the manufacturing employe is ex plained by the fact that the latter usually lives in a city. The min er generally speaking lryes where go d houses can be had for less money, and the smallor rent does not Indicate inferior accom mod ltions. Tho sixth local institute was held at Webster Mills, last Fri day eveuing. Tho meeting was called to order by the teacher, Mary Huston, who appointed J. F. Johnson, president. The ques tions were well discussed by the five teachers present, others be ing absent on account of tho condi tion of the weather. Many s ngs u.d recitations were rendered by tho school, which added to the credit of both teacher and pupils. Lillian Bishop, secretary. During the last twenty years, v:cording to woll authenticated statistics, there have been over 30t)Q lynchinga in this country. From 1884 to 1904, tho averuge was 142 per year, or the 11 .'o yoara from 18(19 to 1004 It w is 107. .SHOOTS BACK At the Fellow Who Wrote' the Article on the Long Range Guns. NOT SAFE TO BE ON SAME MOUNTAIN. Di;au Rr'.ATiF.us : You paw in the columns of our loved Fulton County News, in the issue ot the 0th of Decern her, an article sign ed "lluuler. " I want to say right here that if he is a hunter, I would want to be on the other mountaiu. wheu ho is in the woods, and on the other sido of it too. . Iu Ins article he said that a fellow With one of those long range repeating riUes, , begins to shoot at tho first thing he gets his eyes on, whether ho is sure that it is a deer or not, and bangs away as long as he can see a bush shake. Now, my dear reader, it is very easy to see that such men as he are not fit to hunt with a repeat ing rifle or with auy other kind; for he is only judging other peo ple by himself and he would be sure to injure someone. lie also slated that a hunter that shot at a deer more than two hundred yards, was only shooting to hear his gun crack. It may be that's what he would do, but a sports manthit would go a hunting would have heard tlie crack of a rills often ' enough, that he wouldn't have to shoot to get used to a rifle crack, or the lun of hear iug it crack. In hissuggestion to State Game Warden Kalbfus to use his inilu ence with the incoming legisla lure to limit tho number of deer to be killed by any one perso i n one season, to one deer, ind thai tho season for deer should bo re duced to ten days. We know by his' talk that he is not much ol a hunter, or : he would know that the law for'the last two seasous, has been that tho limit for any one person is to kill butono deer; and, also, that the season is onl 12 or 13 days. Now, do you think that' by cutting two or three off, would add much to the protection of game? An Owner of a Long Rcnge Repeating Rille. . ' Yes, Lilt Your Hat. - Man of the world, lift your hat as you pass the teacher of your children on the street. Of all the guardian angels of this great re public, she is chief. Next to the beneficent influence of its moth ers bless them hers isreatest of all. She takes your restive lit tie boy, fresh from the home nest, full of pouts and passions and weukuoss'is, a spoiled and ungovernable little chap who may be the tyrant of the household, and starts him in tin path of self restraint which no humau being may ever leave if he expects to succeed in this wrr'd. It is through her that he must get whatever ot culture and refine ment you may have neglected. To her, as much as to you, will he be indebted for those habits oi thought wbici afterwards crys tallize into character. Hers is the task of exerting for you, for him, and for posterity, that measure ofhurr.au mllueuce which even the best of homes canuot com pass. But oh tho cost ! What weary months of preparation, what schooling of the patience, what financial Bicrifice, whatexpensi of toil and peace of mind '. And the reward ? Only the solemn pride of having laid the best yrung years of her life aud her brightest talents upon the alt-r for human welfare, of hav ing sacrificed much for others, of heing God's instrument in the uplifting of a race from that ig norance wherein lies the way to slavery. Oaly that. Yet the healiug of the world is in these heroines whom its' history does not even mention. Yes. lift the hat as you pass her. You are in tho preseuoe of a superior, , Subscribe for the "News, 'only fl.00ayear . . ' GEORGE W. M0SSER DE VD. Former Resident cl Fulton County, Dies at Mis Home at Claysburg, Blair County. A telegram received by Dr. J. W. Mosser, of this place, last Sunday morning, conveyed the sad intelligence of the death of his father, which occurred at Claysburg, Blair county, early that morning, after a lingering illness. Mr, Mosser was boro iu Frank lin county, September 22, 1842. audcimeto this county when his father, John Mosser, moved to the farm now owned by A. J. Mellott, south of Webster Mills, more than a half century ago. George learned th e tra le of miller in the Hunter's Mill, at Webster Mills, with Elijih Bald win, and later had charge ' 'A one of the mills iu Bedford, and after ward lemoved to Blair county, where he si ent the remainder of of his life. Besides being a first class mil ler, he was an excellent Christian .ontleinau,' having been convert ed and j lined the M. E. church in Bedford under tho ministry of Rev. Pennypacker many years ago. Mr. Mosser served in the 21st Pennsylvania Cavalry in the Civil War, go:ng after the burning of Chambersburg D. T. Fields of th's place, aud B. F. Shives and John Harris of Ayr township, bo fig members of tho same regi ment. Mr. Mosser was twice married ;he first time to Miss Lizzie Be sore cf Ayr township, aud after her death, to a Blair county lady. Be is survived by his last wife and two children Marjorie and Ed. The children surviving by his first marriage are Dr. John W., of this place; Miss Grace, a teacher in Altoona; Frank, Mc Kees Gap; Sallia, wife of Martin Walters, McKees Gap, and Harry U Chambersburg. Funeral Wednesday. CHRISTMAS IN M'CONNELLSBURG. Weather Ideal, and All Other Conditions Combined to Make It a Day Long to Be Remembered. Conditions have never been more favorable for the enjoyment of a regular old fashioned Christ mas, than were those which at tended that greatest of holidays which was observed Tuesday. The year just closiug has been one of exceptional prosperity to tha masses of the American peo ple, and the home gathering of ab sent members of families, the ex changing of gifts, the family din ners all tended to make it a sea son of peace and good will. The displ jy of Christmas goods ia the windows of our merchants was unusually fine, and the holi day trade has never been more satisfactory to our people. The Christmas tree for the chil dren received its full share of at tantlon, aad iu miny hom3s the display was simply grand, and the toys so abundant and varied that the children hardly knew which toy to play with first. While McConaellsburg has no poor people, in the sense in which reil f ovorty is used, the less fort unate home), and the homo in which there were sick, were not overlooked, and basket contain- in toys, candies, and fruits for the children, and tempting viands for the sick, were carried in, and everybody was ma3e to feel the genuine spirit of tho day. While the ground was covered with snow-uot enough for sleigh ing tho day wasclear and bright, the air crisp, and the woather ideal for Christmas. About three o'clock iu tho afternoon,' the Mc Connellsburg baud appeared on the principal stroots, aud added to the enhveumcnt of tho town by playing a number of splendid selections. Wiiilo our stores have not quite arrived at tho polut of closing on Christmas, then was hot much dome, and the time is probablv not far dis'ant when every busi ness house will be closed on I Christmas same a.i on Sunday, ABOUT PEOPLE YOU KNOW Snapshots at Their Comings and Goings Here lor a Vacation, or Away (or a Restful Outing. NAMES OF VISITORS AND VISITED Miss Mollie Seylar, ol Pitts burg, is the guest of her siste.1, Mrs. S. M. Cook. Ri.bert N. Shinier, of Harrh- burg, spent Christmas day with friends in t'.is place, Dr. J. W. Mosser, left Monday noon to attend the funeral of his father at Claysburg, Wednesday. Miss Emma Sloan, principal of the schools a5 WestFairview, Pa., is home for her Loliday vacation. T. W. Walker and wife, of Mer- cersburg, spent Christmas in the home of the lattor's parents, W. A. Sloan aud wife. Miss Dixie Robinson, of Balti more, is visiting her parents, El- itor and Mrs. S. M. Robinson iu this pia e. Scott Alexander, of McKeeport, Pa , is visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. K. Alexander at the toll-gate east of town. Miss Rlanche O. Peck, of Lan caster, is heme for the holidays with her parents, Jonathan Peck and wife at KuDbsvillo. Harvey A. Black and wife, of Johnstown, are spending the hol iday season among their friends and relatives in this place. George Speer and wife, of Chi cago, are spending their holidays in Cuba. Mr. Speei" is a soj of tlie late W. A. Speer, of Saluvia. Nathan Everts, who is employ ed at Harrisburg, is spendinghis holiday vacation with his mother, Mrs. Ed SLimer, in this place. Mrs. Annie E. Metzler,' ot Do corum, who has been visiting her daughter,' Mrs. H. C. McGowan, at Mt. Union, has returndd homo. Mr. and Mrs.' Clarence Wilson, of Chambersburg, spent Christ mas day with the lattor's parents, Mr. and Mrs- E. A. Largent, in this place. William W. Largonl, an em ploye in the Times office. Tyroue, Pa., is spending the holiday week in the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Largent. Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Iloikes and little daughter Dorothy, of York, Pa., are spending the holi days in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Clevenger. Sophia Uohman and Jessie Ma son, students at the Indiana State Normal, are spendinglheholidays at their respective homes in this place. John Spangler, a student in the Pennsylvania State College, is spending his holiday vacation in the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. S. Spangler, on North Second street. T. W. Greathead, wife, and their little son Arthur William, spent a few days during the past week in the home of the former's parents, Mr. aud Mrs. J. W. Greathead. Clarence Conrad and W. L. Motter, both of whom hold nice positions with tho Frick Manu facturing Company, at Waynes- ' boro, aro spending the holidays at their respective homes in Ayr township. Master George L. Ruisnor went down to Harnsburg Monday to speud a few days tho guest of the Jennings boys, sons of W. W. Jennings and wife, who spent their summer 'acation in Mc Counellsburg last summer. Frauk Kaufman, of Pittsburg, , accom panied by his nephew Ja men Fix, who had been visitingfrionds in Pittsburg, drove fiom -that city starting Tuesday and reach ing the home of Daniel Fix ou Friday. They eujoyod ;he drivo very much. At a Christmas family dinner given by the Misses Dicks'm, Senator Alexander announced the marriage engagement ot his niece, Miss Nellie Dickson R b luson, of this place, and Mr, Wil son H, Eider, of Baltimore, orm. erly of Chain boraburg. f
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