Ije jfttlton Cotttitg $tfem
VOLUME 10
McCONNELLSBURG, PA., OCTOBER 22, 1008.
NUMBER B
SCHOOL BOOKS ARE
SOURCE OF GRAFT.
"UP FROM THE FARM."
Dr. Schaeffcr Condemns Some Abuses
In His Annual Report on Slate
Schools.
Ilarrisburg, Oct. 1!). In sug
gesting new legislation in regard
to the purchase and abuses by
the school b xik trust, Dr. Schaef
fer, superintendent of public in
struction, says in his annual re
port :
"Although the expense involv
ed in furnishing free text books
is only half as great for the en
tire state as it was in the days
when the parents bought the
books, still there are defects in
the present system, which should
be remedied. Directors are sel
dom book experts. The teachers
who use the books should have a
voice in their selection. The con
ference between the directors
and the teachers is in many in
stances a mere form, if not a
farce. Sometimes more books
are bought than are needed. Oc
casioually there is complaint that
irresponsible book houses whose
agents sell on commission, charge
more than a just price for their
publication. When the teacher
or diroctcjr himself becomes a
book agent, the door is opened
for abuses which bring the school
system into bad repute. Legis
lation which will remove oppor
tunities for dishonesty in the
book trade is always welcomed
by the reputable publishing hous
es of the country. Room for hon
est competition is of course need
ed m order that the best talent
among the teachers may not be
deterred from the making of text
books, whilst the state publica
tion of school books has nowhere
been a satisfactory experiment."
Of the appropriation and salary
question, Dr Schaeffer writes :
"The increase of the school ap
propriation had a tonic effect up
on the entire school system. The
use of a part of the appropriation
to pay the increase of salaries
prescribed by the minimum sal
salary law was wise, because it
acted as a spur to greater effort
on the part of teachers. To the
holders of provisional certificates
if furnished an inducement to
strive after a degree of excellence
that would secure for them pro
fessional or permanent certifi
cates. It stimulated all the teach
ers in the direction of greater
proficiency, because those who
failed to get the certificate of pro
ticiency cannot claim the highest
salary specified in the law.
The minimum salary law o. 1907
increased the average monthly
salary of men teachers to 1661.28,
an increase of $0.74 per month,
aud the average monthly salary
of women teachers to $46.58, an
increase of $6 .87 per month. It
is gratifying to note that Penn
sylvania no longer belongs to the
states whose average salaries are
below the average for the whole
United (States, but it must be con
fessed that the compensation of
our teachers is still below that
of the western states and below
the wages which women earn" in
many of the vocations now open
to them.
Good schools cost money, and
a more liberal policy in teachers'
salaries would yield a aplendid
return in the betterment of the
public schools "
NEEDMORE.
We are having beautiful weath
er. There has been quite a fire in
Sideling Hill mountain for the
Past day or two. .
T. W. Peck has taken posses
won of the Runyan store.
0. W. Snyder expects to move
to the Pott place near Big Cove
Tannery soon.
hg Cove Tannery ball team
Pticts to cross bate with the
eedmore team next Saturday.
The new constable has had one
trip.
Subscribe for the Na ws.
Not Enough Farmers Sending; Their Boys
To Agricultural Schools and
Colleges.
How often we hear the expres
sion "Up from the farm" in con
nection with men who have en
tered other vocations aud made
more or less of a success in their
chosen work. The general idea
has been that the farm stands at
the foot of all human vocations
and that every young fellow who
leaves the farm and turns city
ward necessarily moves in an up
ward direction. His job in the
city may be to guide street cars
through crowded thoroughfares,
sell tickets at a five cent show, or
drive the hotel bus, no matter he
is ' up from the farm" and the
folks back home refer proudly to
"our son in New York," or St.
Louis or Boston, as the case may
be.
We are pleased to note a change
in the attitude of country people
with respect to this matter. The
idea that farming is a calling low
er than that of the business or
professional man is passing.
Farmers are today sending their
boys to agricultural schools and
colleges tc learn the science aud
art of farming, with no thought
other than that their sons are on
a par with students of scientific
and literary courses. Contrary
to the idea of many, farming has
always been a respectable voca
tion, but it is more desirable to
day than ever before because it
is no longer a simple question of
sowing and reaping, but an intri
cate problem calling for skill and
intelligence on the part of those
who would reap its rewards.
If any one baheves that only
the farmer is a drudge, let him
take the word of one who knows
both sides of the shield, that
there is no more sd called drudg
ery in the work of the farmer
than in that of the average city
man. r urtnermore, there are
just as great opportunities for
mental and moral development,
social distinction, or political
achievement on the farm as else
where. The trouble is, like Ah
Hafed in the story, people look
for their acres of diamonds far
away from home, instead of right
under their feet.
We welcome the new order of
things and commend the wisdom
of those far-seeing parents of ru
ral communities who are educat
ing their children up to the farm
and not up from the farm. From
The American Farm Review.
SALUVIA.
Our farmers are about done
seeding, and the grain looks well
considering the dry weather.
There has been an excellent
crop of buckwheat this year and
the weather was lavorable for
harvesting it; consequently, the
quality of the grain is good.
There were raised on the McDan
iel farm 583 bushels; Jacusou
Deshong had 380 bushels; Emery
Hessler, 152 bushels; H. E. Aus
tin, 85; D. E. Mellott, 97, and
most other farmers raised from
60 to 100 bushels each. It is
bringing a .good price, too, this
year, about $2.75 a hundred for
buckwheat Hour.
Sheridan Hann and daughter
Ettie were visiting relatives here
last Saturday and Sunday.
Among the lucky hunters last
week were John C. Deshong and
Jackson Deshong each of whom
succeeded in shooting a fine wild
turkey. Squirrels seem to be
plenty, and quite a number have
been killed since the season came
In.
Mrs. Scott Kegarise and
daughter made a trip to McCon
nellsburg last Saturday.
W. N. Stetlor is moving his
sawmill to Thomas Hollinshead's,
from whom he has purchased a
nice lot of timber.
Merchant F. C. Bare, of Fort
Littleton, went to Scranton last
Saturday as a grand juror to the
U. S. Court, and returned yesterday.
ROYAL ARCANIANS.
Had Special Meeting Monday Evening in
Honor qf Visiting Members.
The members of Tuscarora
Council, Royal Arcanun held a
special meeting in Clevenger's
Hall Monday evening. In addi
dition to the local members pres
ent, Grand Orator, Millard F.
Thompson, of Carlisle, C, T. Mc
Cullough, of Newville, D. W.
Faust, aud H. B. Atkinson, of
Mercersburg, were present.
After the regular business of
the council had been transacted,
the doors were thrown open,
and a number of the citizens of
town and vicinity came in, when
Mr. Thompson gave the assem
blage a most convincing speech
on the history and possibilities
of the Royal Ar :anum.
At the close of Mr. Thompson's
address, refreshments were
served by caterer George Smith,
aud a general good time was had.
While the Royal Arcanum is one
of the soundest business orgau
lzatious in the world, there is a
social side to the organization
that makes it very pleasant to be
a member.
The leading object of the Roy
al Arcanum is to furnish tc the
common people a life msurauce
at a cost that is not beyond the
reach of the poor man and it is
the poor man that, more than any
one else, needs to provide some
protection for his loved ones in
event of death. -As an example
of the cost if you are 40 yars
of age. it will cost you less than
4.V conts'a day to carry a thous
and dollirs, and if you are young
er, it will cost you corresponding
ly less. Ask any member of the
organization about it, aud you will
be cheerfully given any informa
tion you may wish concerning the
cost and the advantages arising
from oeing a member.
Are you in debt t Have you a
property that is partly paid for,
and that in case you should unex
pectedly die, might he takeu
away from your wife and chil
dren ? Why not provide a fund
tnat in case you should bo called
away, would be paid promptly to
your wife, or other heirs 'i How
many cases there are that you
know all about, right among your
own acquaintances, where life in
surance was the only thing that
saved the family from the great
est hardship. Think about it.
HUSTONTOWN.
David Heefner is home on a
short leave of absence visiting his
mother and sisters.
The Republicans of this place
have secured a very tine tiag pole,
which they expect to raise on
Tuesday, O ttober 20th, in honor
of their candidate for president
Wm. H. Taft. 1 wonder what is
the matter with the Democrats
Hurrah for Taft!
Chas. B. Hoover has returned
home from Brooklyn. Jimmy
expects to give the rabbits some
trouble.
The hunters of this place have
been successful in capturing sev
eral tine turkeys.
The farmers are busy husking
corn. They report a fairly good
crop.
J. E. Jones, with a mowing
scythe and broom-handle, clear
ed his lot the other day expect
ing to secure a tine rabbit. John
tells us the rabbits are a scarce
article.
A very enjoyable evening was
given to the members of the
choir, and Epworth League by
Rev. and Mrs. Chne at the par
sonage on October 6.
Dr. H. C. McClain made a Hy
ing trip In his auto to Hagers-
town last Thursday.
The long expected concrete
walk is about to become a reality
if the male portion of our town
turn out on Wednesday so says
Dr. A. K. Davis.
Berkley Sipes' new home is
nearing completion.
Our school is progressing very
nicely under the care of W. H.
Ranok.
Local Institute.
The second local institute of
Dublin township was held at
Mud Level, Friday evening. The
house was called to order by the
teacher, Jessie Henry, after
which the president, A. E. Desh
ong, took charge. The following
topics were discussed: 1. Ef
fects of teachers' personal ex
ample. 2. The recreation period.
3. How do you deal with pupils
who have a special aptitude for
one branch?
The topics were fairly well
discussed by the eiht teachers
present. Dr. Buckley and Clinc
took part in the discussions.
The institute was enliveued by a
number of recitations and dia
logues, by the school. Institute
adjourned to meet at Ft. Little
ton, Oct. 30th. Levi P. Morton,
Secretary.
brush cm.
The farmers of our valley are
busy husking corn and hauling
apples to market.
S. W. Kirk, wife and son, of
McCounellsburg. and Boyd Jack
son and wife, of Everett, spent
Sunday with Mrs. E. H. Lodge
aud family.
E. D. Akers and wife spent
Sunday with the latter s parents
Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Truax.
Mrs. M. J. Hixson is visiting
friends and relatives in Everett
and Altoona this week.
Ernest Hixson and wife spent
Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. A. M.
Hixson.
Mrs. Geo. W. Hixson is spend
ing a few days with friends in
Buck Valley.
Russel Carbaugh spent Satur
day and Sunday with H. N. Bar
ton and family.
The local institute at Kmmavdle
was well atteuded. They ad
journed to meet at Buffalo, Oct.
30th.
Claud Smith and Geo. Miller
spent Sunday afternoon at H. N.
Barton's.
Sadie and Lida Barton spent
Sunday aftornoon with Clara and
Ivy Hixson.
A surprise party was held at
the homo ol U. N. Barton in cele
bration of his 37th birthday. Mr
Barton was busy seeding aud
when he came to the house at
noon found a number of friends
assembled. Those present were
Mrs. Sarah E. Barton, Mrs. John
Lidge, Mrs. E. H. Lodge, Mrs.
Frank Lodge, Mrs. Geo. Hixson
Mrs. Jerry Hixson, Mrs. Doyle
Hixson, Rhoda Barton, I. M. Bar
ton and wife, E. w. Barton and
wife, M. E. Barton and wife, Mrs.
J. C. Barton; Misses Clara and
Ivy Hixson, Olive Hixson, Lulu
Mills, Sadie, Lida, Celia, Gwen.
Ada, Ella, and Olive Barton, Stel
la Spade, Sarah Clark; Messrs.
John and Marshal Ijodge, Walter
and Christopher Spade, Grant
Spade, Ross Hixsou, Mprshal
Hixson, Ross, Bruce, and Tal-
mage imrton. All had a very
pleasant time and departed wish
ing Mr. Barton many happy re
turns of the day.
NEfcDMORE.
Oct. 14 The Association held
by Elds. Gore and Mellott on Fri
day, Saturday, aud Sunday, was
largely attended.
Dennis Morgretand wife spent
several days with friends here
last week.
Miss Eva Bernhardt spent sev
eral days last week with her un
cle Jno. McCioilan.
A number of our young people
are attending the Hagerstown
Fair this week.
Edward Hendershot was a visi
tor in the home of Eld. C. L.
Funk last Sunday.
Dr. D. E Fisher has been hav
ing a serious time with a boil on
Irs band.
Needmore crossed bats with
Big Cove Tannery last Saturday,
but had to postpone the game af
ter one tuning, on accouutof rain.
, Rev. A. 6. B. Powers com
menced a protracted meeting at
Oakley, Sunday evening, to con
tinue all week.
We will expect perfect, order
hare now, since H. M. Snyder
has been appointed Constable.
MRS. OREENOU0H DEAD.
Another Octogenarian Gone. She Was a
Popular Teacher Sixty Years Ago.
Last Member of Her Family.
Mrs. Elizabeth McKalipGreen
ough died near Harrisonville
during the after part of last Fri
day night, in the 88th year of her
age. Her funeral took place last
Sunday, the services being con
ducted by Rev. Luther McGar
vey, of the M. E. church, and her
remains were laid to rest in the
family lot in the little cemetery
at the Greenhill Presbyterian
church.
Notwithstanding the meagre
facilities offered in thecouutry
schools when she was a little girl,
she early showed a fondness for
books, and by close application,
she acquired such an education
as made her services sought as a
teacher as soon as she was old
enough to manage a school, and
for many years she taught in
Harrisonville, Hustontowu, Wells
Valley, upon Broadtop, and many
other places. Of course, she
early identified herself with the
church, and possessing a desire
to learn only that which would bo
elevating and enable her to be
more and mure useful to her pu
pils, she raad only the best au
thors, and consequently, in her
later life, her ability to quote the
best thought from all the best
writers, made her a companion
whose conversation was at once
educating and uplifting.
She was the last of a large
family, and the only near rela
tive left is her niece, Mrs. Thos.
S. Metzler, of Harrisonville, and
her nephew. Howard P. Skipper,
of Waynesboro.
Fine Fruit Sent to Ilarrisburg.
Mr. G. B. Shore, the expert
apple producer of Three Springs,
in the southern part of Hunting
don County, has sent a box of
tine apples to Prof. H. A. Surface
State Zoologist, Harrisburg, and
upon examination the Zoologist
replies that he finds them to be
among the best that can bo pro
duced in any State, of tirst-class
quality, and almost without any
blemishes whatever. He finds no
San Jose Scale marks upon them
nor Codling Moths in them. He
advises Mr. Shore that it is evi
dent that his soil is well adapted
to the production of apples and it
will pay him to specialize in this
subject, as there will always be a
market for such fruit. This
contribution of choice fruit was
much appreciated by the office
force of the division of Zoology of
the Department of Agriculture.
D. W. Cromer Hurt.
Mr. D. W. Cromer, one of the
Republican candidates for Coun
ty Commissioner, met with an
ugly accident Tuesday morning.
In company with his brother in
law, J. H. Covalt. of Thomnson
township, he left the latter s
home to go across the Ridge into
Pigeon Cove. Meeting Harry
Hill on the way Mr. Cromer went
to get out of the buggy in which
he and Mr. Covalt were riding to
speak with Harry, when his feet
becume entangled in the lap robe,
and Mr. Cromer fell headlong to
the ground, fracturing one of the
bones in his right forearm. He
at once started for Dr. Palmer's
office. Not finding the Doctor at
home, he went on to Webster
Mills to find Dr. Sappington, but
the latter, was away from home
on professional business, so Mr.
Cromer came on to McCounells
burg, suffering much pain all the
way, and went to Mr. Mosser,
who happened to be in bis office,
and who promptly fixed up the
injured arm.
Judge Swope Hurt.
While driving from Littlestown
to their home in Gettysburg oue
evening last week, Judge and
Mrs. S. Mc. Swope, wee thrown
from their carriage. Both re
ceived more or less serious in
juries, and it was at first thought
that the Judge was very serious
ly hurt. They were, run into by
another team.
NOT ENOUdH FUNDS.
Appropriations For Borough High Schools
Must Be Cut.
The State Department of Pub
lic Instruction has fixed the ap
propriation rate for township
High Schools at ninety per cent,
and the rate for borough High
Schools at fifty-six and one fourth
per cent.
This means that in townships,
High Schools of the first class
will receive $720 from the State;
second class, $5 10 and third class,
$300.
Borough High Schools will re
ceive somewhat more than half
these amounts, according to the
respective classes, schools of the
first class getting $450; second
class, $337.50; third class, $225.
The maximum amount which
may be appropriated to schools
of the first class either in town
ships or boroughs, under the
law, is $K00; second class, $600;
third class, $400.
The last Legislature appro
priated $137,500 to township High
Schools and appropriated the
same amount to borough High
Schools; that was the first time a
specific appropriation has been
made to borough Hu?h Schools.
The Department of Public In
struction, however, finds that
the appropriations are not suf
ficient to give each school the
maximum sum allowed by law
and the prorata percentage has.
therefore, been fixed in each
case.
The several High Schools are
now being classified: distribu
tion of the appropriations, will
be started as soon as the classifi
cations are finished. It has been
found by the High School inspec
tors that some of the schools are
not entitled to position in the
class which they claim and these
differences are being straighten
ed out.
Schools of the first class, eith
er borough or township, are
those which have a bona fide
four-year course above the Gram
mar grade; second class those
with a three year course, and
third class those with a two-year
course.
ABOUT PEOPLE YOU KNOW
Snapshots at Their Comings and doings
Here lor a Vacation, or Away
for a Restf ul Outlng.
NAMES OP VISITORS AND VISITED
MAYS CHAPEL.
Oct. 9. The farmers were all
pleased to see the rain which fell
last Saturday afternoon.
Miss Aura Fisher spent a few
days last week with her sister
Mrs. S. O. Deneen.
Messrs. Harry and Frank
Crist left Monday morning for
Lewistown.
Mrs. M. E Deneen will leave
for Cumberland next Tuesday
where she expected to spend a
few days with relatives.
Mr. Job Mann spent Saturday
and Sunday in the home of his
daughter Mrs. Webster Jordon.
Mr. and Mrs. Ottis Booth and
Miss Mary Booth spent last Sun
day in Buck Valley.
Miss Fern Crist visited her
brother B. O. Crist recently.
Messrs. Lewis Stahle and
Scott Crawford were seen driv
ing through our vaoimty last
Sunday.
Our school is getting along
nicely under the good manage
ment of Miss Katherine Kirk.
Miss Blanche Bowers of Mar
tinsburg, who has been visiting
her sister Mrs. Joseph Martin
roturned home Monday.
A young son arrived at the
homo of Jacob Schultz Sunday;
also a daughter at Wm. Lane
hart's. A crowd of people spent Sun
day evening at the home of P. O.
Crist, wh. were as follows, Mr.
and Mrs. Wm. Hiles and family,
Mr. and Mrs. S. O. Deneen and
daughter, Mrs. M. E. Deneen,
Mr. Wm. Truxell, Mr. Jacob
Powett, Mrs. Gilbert VVigfleld
and Miss Maude Booth.
Scott Unger, of Altoona, has
been spending several days visit
ing among his Fulton county
friends. Scott is one of those
who has been lucky enough to
hold his job down in Altoona dur
ing the slack time.
Mr. and Mrs. Samuel W. Bass
and son, Blair, were in town last
Saturday.
Mr. and Mrs. N. H. Peck, of
Belfast township, spent a few
hours in town last Saturday.
Miss Katheryn Hoop, was a
pleasant caller at the News office
while in town shopping last Sat
urday. Mrs. J. G. Alexander and Miss
Bessie Motter, of this place, are
visiting among friends in Thomp
son township this week.
Bert Alexander, one of the
Pennsy's trusted employees in
Altoona, is spending his vacation
among his friends in this county.
Mr. William Hershey and son
Walter and daughter Ethel, of
Taylor township, were interest
ed callers at the News office last
Saturday
Mr. and Mrs. Harry Mock, of
Altoona, are visiting the latter's
mother Mrs. Rebecca Snyder
and other relatives and friends
in town and in the Cove.
Clarence R. Akers. of Akers
ville, and E. Norman Akers, of
Sipes Mill were among the visi
tors to the County Seat Tuesday.
Clarence is the candidate on the
Republican ticket for the legisla
ture, and is looking up his politi
cal fences this week.
We had a very pleasant call
Monday morning from Editor
Wm. O. Heinly, of the Hamburg
Item, Hamburg, Berks county,
Pa. He made a trip over to Ful
ton county's capital last Sunday
with Ed Shollenberger in the lat
ter's Maxwell runabout, and
greatly enjoyed the ride.
J. W. Steach, of Altoona, is
taking his annual vacation of four
teen days, and has been spending
part of it visiting his daughter
Jessie at Camden, N. J., and
friends in Baltimore. He came
over to McCounellsburg Monday
evening and stayed until Wednes
day with his father and brothers.
Mr. and Mrs. Ernest R. Mc
Clain, of this place, left last Sun
day morning in their automobile.
They intended to drive as far as
Lancaster, and from that city go
on to Philadelphia and New York
by rail. 1 hey were accompanied
as far as York bv Miss Marv
rf
Trout, who intei.ds to visit her
brother Dr. C. N. Trout at Red
Lion, Pa.
Mr. Oliver Peck, of Thompson
township, was the guest of Mr.
and Mr 8. P. P. Shives for dinner
Monday. Oliver says that our
old friend Martin Bishop fell
about two weeks ago and dislo
cated one of his hips. Mr. Bish
op is about eighty years of age,
and this accident coming at this
time of life is likely to perma
nently disable him.
Miss Sailie Hoop, of Harrison
ville, was a pleasant caller, at tho
News office last Thursday. Miss
Sallte was formerly one of this
county's successful toachers,
who lelt it her duty to relinquish
her profession to stay at home
on account of her invalid mother.
We are pleased to state that her
mother is improved to the extent
of being able a few days ago to
go on a little visit to the home of
of her daughter Mrs. Bearner
Or ess.
Mr. and Mrs. Philip Rote and
their little sou Harold, returned
to their home in Tod township
last Thursday evening, after hav
ing spent three weeks very pleas
autly visiting among their friends
in the Middle Western states.
During that time -they visited
friends at Decatur, 111 ; Dayton,
O,; Hunteville, O, and stopped at
Pittebur$. They had a very en
joyable time, and Philip is much
pleased with the state of Illinois.
They visited the State Fair at
Spriugiiold, and saw ftime tfri
stock there.