I
fa a.
VOLUME 10
McCONNELLSllUKG, PA.,-JULY J, !)()!).
NUMBER 41
THE "CHINESER"
WAS A JAP.
Automobile Man Tells Harrisburg Tele
graph of His Experience
IN FULTON COUNTY'S CAPITOL.
Last Friday morning the Chief
operator at Bedford on the long
distance phone, called up the op
erator, Miss Mabel Trout in this
place and instructed her to notify
the officers to be on the lookout
for a black automobile in whic'
wore two Americans and a China
iiuu the latter believed to bo
the murderer of Eisie Sigel. The
offners were notified, aud they
"looked out." The following ex
aggerated account of -what hap
pened in'the next few hours was
given in last Saturday eveniug's
Harrisbu rg Telegraph. The Tel
egraph says:
"A rumor in McConne'.lsburg,
Pulton county, that Leon Ling,
the Chinaman wanted in New
York city for the murder of El
sie Sigel, whose body was found
iq a trunk over a Chinese restaur
aut, caused three or four auto
mobile parties, pissing through
the county yesterday afternoon
to experience all kmds of inquisi
tion and suffer the delay of sev
eral hours until the excited coun
ty officialscould cool down and
get their brains in good opera
tion. William Siegfried, a former
resident of this city, but now liv
ing in Bethlehem, passed through
Ilarrisburg this morning with a
party of friends in an automobile
and told of the enforced halt in
the county seat of the county,
which has no railroads.
Siegfried, his wife, and auother
young married couple are on an
extensive motoring trip. Yester
day afternoon they rolled into
McConnellsburg for a light lunch
eon, intending to continue to eith
er Chambersburg or Harrisburg
before evening. Scarcely had
the automobile halted in the
square of the town, when an ex
cited deputy Bheriff climbed
aboard. i
"Whar's thet Chink?" he de
manded fiercely, rolling a huge
cud of tobacco in his mouth and
flourishing a pistol, which dated
back among the antiquities.
The women m the car shrieked
and Siegfried looked around for
help. He didn't know whether
it was a lunatic or a desperado he
was up against. The deputy
sheriff took the silence as an af
front. j
Majesty of the Law.
"Consarn ye, ain't ye got no
r'spect for the majesty of the
law.- I be the deputy sheriff,
be. Whar's thet Chink?"
"What Chink?" Siegfried ask
ed.
"What Chink? Why the one
thet's been ridin around in this
auteymobeel. Didn't we hear
thet youns was hidin' the yaller
cuss thet shot a girl in New
York?"
A great light dawned on Sieg
fried. "Oh, yon mean Leon
Ling?"
"Thet's it Leon Ling. Come
on now tell me whar youns hid
biro. You better listen for by
gosh this is Fulton county, and
we don't have no pity for evildoers."
Just then another automobile
rumbled into the square from an
other direction. Thedeputy sher-
iff dropped from the first car.
"Uere, Jim," he called to au as
sistant, who displayed a big badge
on tho lapel of ins coat (thedepu
ty sheriff had the insignia of of
fice pinned to his galluses), come
hold those here people. Maybe
he's In the other auteymobeeL"
Then the majesty of the law
chased across the square and
boarded the other car. Siegfried
saw the same occurrences hap
pen there.
The crowd of curious towns
folk was great. To see a mur
derer was enough to turn out a
greater crowd than would a three
ring circus, but to Bee a Chinese
wusderor, well the whole town
SEVERE ELECTRIC STORM.
William Mellott.near Webster Mills, Nar
rowly Escaped Being Killed by
Lightning Last Friday.
A heavy electric storm passed
across the Cove south of Webster
Mills about noon last Friday, dur
ing which time a number of trees
were struck by lightmng, some
stock was killed, and William
Mellott narrowly escaped instant
death.
Mr. Mellott owns the Roller
mill, formerly owned and operat
ed by Adam 0. Lauver, and lives
lrf the lanro mansion near the
mill, known to the older people as
the Benjamin Fisher property.
Mr. Mellott had been up the hol
low west of tho house chopping
wood, and seeing the storm com
ing, he swung his axe over his
shoulder and started home.
When near the house it occurred
to him that he would get a drink
at the spring, and upon second
thought, he concluded to tako
shelter under a tree about tea
feet distant from the spring and
"cool off" a little before quench
ing his thirst. There was a big
tree right at tho spring, and it
was by the merest chance that he
did not take shelter under its
brauches. He, however, had
scarcely sat down at the root of
the first mentioned tree, with the
axe between his knees, than a vio
lent crash occurred. The tree
at the spring had been struck,
three sheep near were killed, the
axe was hurled from Mr. Mellott
and he was stunned for a few
moments, ' when he recovered.
He has not since felt any ill ef
fects of the shock.
A big oak, two feet in diameter
standing at tha end of Lamber-
son's lane, was struck and rend-
ed to splinters.
Commissioner and Mrs. D. W.
Cromer, of Fort Littleton, spent
last Saturday at the County Seat.
SUPERINTENDENT'S
ANNUAL REPORT.
Educational Work in The Public Schools
Increasing in Intersst and
Efficiency.
RECORD OF DEATHS.
INCREASED PER CENT. OF ATTENDANCE.
was there and then some. The
deputy sheriff, acting under di
rections from the sheriff, was
busy swearing in a posse and
soon he had both cars complete
ly surrounded and the inmates
all prisoners. There was vague
talk of taking the entire party1 to
the county prison, but the sher
iff felt they would be safer in the
automobile.
Six Cars Held Up.
By this time Siegfried was be
coming exasperated but the ar
rival of another auto proved of
some diversion. Within two
hours no less than six cars were
being g'uarded in the square.
Headed by thedeputy sheriff,
a determined search was made
for the Chinaman. Under seats
and hoods, and even under the
cars, the searching party lo jked.
Army muskets, Civil war pistols,
swords of the Revolution and
pitch forks served as armament
for the posse and searching par
ty. Finally even the deputy sheriff
became scared at what he had
done. There were six automobile
parties each charged 'vith being
Instrumental in helping Leon
Ling to escape, and every one of
the six wero indignantly demand
ing instant release. The deputy
sheriff perspired and studied the
situation. Gol darn if I know
what to do," he muttered.
Just then the seventh automo
bile arrived. It was instantly
captured and then a whoop of joy
went up from deputy sheriff, and
posse. In the car eat a China
man. While the hand cutis were
being procured there were heard
cries of "lynch him." Then the
automobile owner managed to ex
plain through the noise that the
Chinaman was a Jap, who had
been In his employment for five
years, aud was simply going to
their country home with them for
the summer. Five minutes later
(even automobiles were speeding
through the outskirts of the town
pronouncing maledictions upon
the county officials, while a dis
coui fitted deputy sheriff saw
visions of a big reward melt in
the air aud vanish iuto thin smoke.
Persons Well Known to Many of Our
Readers, Who Have Answered
. Final Summons.
ALL SEASONS ARE THINE, 0 DEATH.
The following is our report for
the school year ending June 1,
1909.
The school work of the county
was steadily on the upward move.
The teachers were better quali
fied and more enthusiastic and in
dustrious than before. We have
made a special effort to hold our
best material and to get other
good material to take the place of
the drones. T !io gradual raising
of our standard in requirements
is having a desired effect. Some
of our very best work was done
by the younger teachers, while
some of our very poorest work
was handed out by those in the
work too long.
The attendance in our schools
shows an increase of from 5 to 8
per cent, in every township. Tho
whole number of pupils in at
tendance was considerably in
creased. Seven hundred eighty-eight
pupils attended more
than 90 per cent, of the term.
Two hundred sixteen pupils had
clean attendance card making
100 i er cent.
Twenty pupils passed the
Spring Examination very credit
ably. Better support was given the
schools by the boards of directors
in the selection of teachers, fur
nishing of supplies, books, A:c.
We hope for more systematic aud
regular visitation of schools by
representatives of the boards.
Eight of the township boards had
the regular monthly meetings at
which the teachers and directors
discussed practical educational
problems. We expect to see this
in every township at the begining
of the schools in 1909.
A more harmonious relation
ship existed between parents and
teachers which made our schools
better.
Great good was derived from
our local institutes. These were
attended better by our teachers
than ever befoi e. They are one
of our strong factors, and should
have the support of everyone.
We visited every school in the
County twice, with the exception
of four. Some we visited more
frequently, making, altogether,
188 visits.
Twelveexaminations were held;
98 applicants were examined, 23
of whom were rejocted.
Our Countv institute was one
of the best ever held in the Coun
ty. Every teacher but one, was
in attendance. The interest
shown by the general public in
these meetings was encoui aging
to both teachers und superintend
ent.
The Couuty Director's Conven
tion was not so well attended on
account of unavoidable conditions
but the work done was very good
i i i
oeiug practical.
As a whole, we feel that the
work done in, and for, the schools
was much better than last year.
We recognize that this was due
to the combined efforts of all
pupils, teachers, parents, friends,
directors, as well as those in
charge of the sanitary affairs of
the County and various town
ships. Fewer pupils were out of
school on account of sicknoss
than in former years.
We wish to express by this
means our appreciation of the in
terest taken by all friends of odu
cation in tho County. May you
continue to assist in the future.
To tho State Superintendent
arid his co-workers in the Depart
ment at Harrisburg, we are in
debted for help and advice.
Yours truly
IS. C. Lamheukon.
Mra. Mary v. Cromer spent
lust week very pleasantly among
friends in Mercersburg and
Chambersburg. '
Jonathan J. Clevengeu.
Jonathan J. Cleveuger, better
known as "Uncle Jimmie," died
at the home of his brothers, Ja
cob and Adam, in the East End
extension, McConnellsburg,
Thursday evening, June 121, 1909,
aged 77 years, 2 mouths, and 27
days. Funeral conducted by
Rev. Fassold, of the Lutheran
church, took place au the ISalur
day following, aud ttie body was
laid to rest in Union cemetery.
The deceased, many years ago,
was married to Mrs. Elizabeth
Albaugh, daughter of the late
I'aul W. Deshong, and they re
moved to near Johnstown, where
they raised their family, the
mother dying several years ayo.
During the past two years, Mr.
Clovenger has had his home with
his brothers in this place, and it
was only about four weeks ago
that he was attacked by gangrene
aud from that time on, his recov
ery was regarded as doubttul.
Uncle Jimmie was a member
of the Evangelical Albright
church for many years, aud serv
ed as a deacon in tho church. Be
was a man that dealt justly with
his fellow man. On the 29th of
February. 1804, ho enlisted in
the army for three years or dur
nig the war, and became a mem
ber of Co. I, 57th Regiment, P.
V., and served until the close of
the'war when he was hoi'.orably
discharged. The following chil
dren survive: Eliza A , wife of
Wm. Patrick, Twin Rocks, Pa.;
Frederic D., Johnstown, Pa.; Ja
cob D, Homer City, Pa; Henry
E. and Armina, wife of Wm. Mc
Donald, Bellzana, Pa.; John A.,
Cherry Tree, Pa.; Noah A., Indi
ana, Pa.; Emma, wife of John
Hohn, Hooversville, Pa. His
brothers, Jacob, John, and Adam
and his sisters, Sarah and Louise
all are living.
David R. Mellott.
David R. Mellott. an aged and
highly esteemed citizen of Lick
ing Creek township, died at his
home near Andover, Wednesday
June 23, 1909, aged 7b" years,
months and JO days. Funeral on
Friday. Interment in the ceme
tery at the Sideling Hill Chris
tian chnrch, after which Elder
Ahimaaz Mellott preached the
funeral sermon in the church.
Mr. Mellott was a member of
the Primitive Baptist church, and
an honest, upright citizen. Sev
eral years ago he was sent by his
political party to carry the elec
Hon returns to Lewistown, Pa.,
and on returning, was injured by
alighting from a train near Mount
Union, from which he never re
covered. He was a veteran of
the Civil War. He was twice
married the first time to MUs
Jemima Clevenger, and to this
union wore born eight children
Abram and Lawson, of Pittsburg;
J. Nelson, of Indianapolis; George
in Alaska and Harrison, whose
present place of residence is not
known to his home folks; Lydia,
wife of S. K. Pittman, of Ship
pensburg; Elizabeth, wife of Geo.
Cafderwood, Tyrone, Pa., and
Nancy, wife of John Wright,
near McConnellsbarg. Mr. Mel
lott's second marriage was to
Miss Elizabeth Mellott, and four
children were born, namely, El
mor, Veda, Orion and Rosa all
of which are at home.
CliAlU.l-S W. Mosser.
Charles W. Mosser, better
known -to our older people as
Wesley Mosser, and uncle of our
townsman, Dr. J. W. Mosser,
died at his home at Hendricks,
West Virginia, on the 15th of
Juno, of Brigbts Diseise. The
deceased was born on the farm
where Peter Mort m now lives,
uerr McConnellsburg, but lived
at Mann's Choice, Bedford coun
ty, where he waa engaged In the
KANSAS LETTER.
Mrs. Joel T. Palmer, Formerly from
Wells Valley Writes of Her Home
in the "Salt City" of the West.
APPRECIATES THE FULTON CO. NEWS.
To Tin; Fulton County
News: A near relatne in Ful
ton county had the happy inspira
tiou to place us on the subscrip
tion list of your valuable paper as
a Christmas present. To say we
have appreciated the gift very
highly is putting it lightly indeed
as it has been our most welcome
weekly visitor. It is as good as
a letter from home. Husband
and I drop everything else when
the postman brings the home pa
per, to hurriedly scan its pages
for any news or even mention
of our manyPennsylvaniafriends.
We read so many interesting let
ters in the paper from former
Fulton county residents, but nev
er any from here, so will add my
humble tribute if you care to
print it.
We came to Kansas in 177, and
have lived in Hutchinson, seven
teen years. We have a pretty
and a very live town of 17,000 peo
pie, and it is growing rapidly. It
is often called the Salt City, as
there is so much salt produced
here. The Joy Morton is the
largest plant in fact it is said to
be the largest in the world, and
there are seyeral good sized
plants. There are three ice fac
tones. Artificial ice is delivered
at our doors at 20 cents a hun
dred.
Among the newer industries
is a Soda Ash plant, and an auto
mobile factory was erected last
year. A straw-board mill is be
ing built. There are many dif
ferent lines of business repre
sented. We have four railroads
and an electric street railway
system. My husband, son Clif
ford, and myself, visited in our
native state in the summer of
1900. We enjoyed meeting old
friends more than we can tell,
and regretted that we were not
abla to accept all the invitations
showered upon us; but time would
not stand still for us.
Mr. Palmer and I exkect to
start in a few days on a trip to
the Pacific Coast. Our son Ross
V. Palmer lives in Tacoma, Wash
ington. We shall take in the
Alaska-Yukon Pacific Exposition.
With best wishes for the suc
cess ot the Fulton County News
and kindest remembrance of all
friends, I am
Very truly,
Mks. Joel T. Palmek,
Nee Ella Rachel Wallace of Wells
Valley.
HAPPY BRIDES.
ABOUT PEOPLE YOU KNOW
Last Installment of June Weddings tor
Nineteen Hundred Nine.
A LEX AN 1 )KU La k e.
Miss Phoebe E. Lake, of Hag-
erstown, aud Albert C. Alexander
of Aftooua, were married at the
home of the groom's cousin, M r.
D. F. Conners, at ii57 Salem Av
enue, Hagerstown, on Wednesday
afternoon. June If, 1909. The
ceremony was performed by Rev.
E. G. liartman, of the United
Brethren Church, in the pres
ence of a few relatives of the con
tracting parties. The groom is
a brother of Ex-ShentT Alexan
der, of this place, and the bride
is a daughter of Ephraim and
Mary Uarr Lake, both natives of
this county.
The happy couple are excellent
young people, and have the
hearty-congratulations of their
many Fulton county relatives and
friends.
Immediately after the cere
mony they went to Altoona where
the groom had a newly furnished
hDuse in readiness for his bride,
and they are now at home in that
city to their friends. The groom
is an employee of the Pennsylva
nia Railroad Company in Altoona.
B EK K STH ES Ell Fit A ZEE.
On June 20th, 1909, at Crest
line, Ohio, Mr. Johu Berkstres-
ser, formsrly of Waterfall, this
county, was married to Mis Li
enor Frazee, of Creshne, Ohio.
Mr. aud Mrs. Berkstresser spent
several days last week with Mr.
Bt'.rkstresser's sister, Mrs. Eh
Largent, in this place. They
will make their home in Gallon,
Ohio, where Mr. Berkstresser is
employed in a large boiler mak
er shop.
M ELLOTT SOUUEIIS.
At the residence of the officiat
ing minister, Rev. A. G. B. Pow
ers atNeedmore, on Wednesday,
June 23, 1909, Wilton A. Mellott,
and Miss Deborah F. Souders,
both of Ary township, were unit
ed in marriage. The contracting
parties are excellent young peo
ple und have the., best wishes of
their many friends.
Mr. William T. Lesher, of Phil
adelphia, spent several days dur
ing the past week with relatives
in the Cove, and in town. Mr.
Lesher la a son of the late Abram
Lesher. William left the Cove In
1859, went West, but during the
last twenty-two years 1 has been
residing In Philadelphia.
milling business. While in Bed
ford county, he was prominently
identified with the P. O. S. of A.
serving as District President, and
as State Master of Forms. At
the time of his death he was geu
eral manager of the Dry Forks
railroad, and was regarded as a
very efficient man. He is surviv
ed by his widow and seven chil
dren. His body was interred at
Manns Choice.
, Ten ley.
Brinton Sylvoater Tenloy, a lit
tie more than a year old son ot
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Tenloy, died
at their home at Sixmile Run,
Bedford county, on the 19th of
June, ot cholera infantum. The
funeral took place cu the 2pih.
The deceased waa a half brother
of Minnie Carouthora and her
brother a, Frank and Merrill, who
make their home with their un
cles,' John and Uezekiah Summers.
Snapshots at Their Comings and doings
Here for a Vacation, or Away
for a Restful Outing.
County Sunday School Convention.
The twenty ninth Annual Con
vention of the Fulton County Sun
day School Association will be
neld in the Presbyterian church,
McConnellsburg, Tuesday aud
Wednesday, July J3th aud llth.
lnadditionto the large number
of earnest and capable home
workers, there will be present
W. G. Landes, Secretary of the
State S. S. Association; Miss Al
ice Wishart, of Allahabad, India;
Miss Maude E. Baumgardner, of
p.ttsburg; Rev. Charles Pittman,
of Tabriz, Persia, and others.
Each Sunday School in the coun
ty is entitled to two delegates in
addition to the pastor and the su
perintendent, who are requested
to go to the Presbyterian church
and register, whether they ex
pect to be entertained by the
Committeoor by personal friends.
All delegates are expected to
come prepared to take some part
in the periods devoted to confer
ences. it is important that del
egates who expect to be enter
tained by tho Committee, shall
send their names to Miss Mary
Sloan, McConnellsburg, Pa., in
advance of their coming to the
Convention, so that the necessary
provision may be mad 3.
Charlie Pittman Home.
Rev. Charles Pittman, who
went from this place as a mission
ary to Persia in 1900 under the
auspices of the Presbyterian
Board of Foreign Missions, reach
ed McConnellsburg on his return
Tuesday evening. He is home on
a leave of absence of a year, and
brings with him his wife, who,
although an American lady, he
married in Persia she at that
time being a missionary in that
country. Rev. Pitt man is a broth
er of Miss Mary Pittman pf this
place, and son of the late Jacob
Pittman of Ayr township,
NAMES OF VISITORS AND VISITED
t
.f
W. H. Peck and son Raymond,
of Gem, spent a few hours in
town last Saturday.
Assessor A. V. B. Souders, of
Ayr township, was in town on
official business Monday.
Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Bricker.of
Chambersburg, spent several
days during the past week at the
Fulton House.
Mrs. J. Ed. Grissinger, of this
place, spent several days la
week visiting in the homo of her
sister, Mrs. Samuel M. Glass.
Chambersburg.
Miss Alice Hays attended the
commencement exercises at Shin
pensburg last week and is now
on an extended visit to friends
in Chambersburg" and Waynes
boro.
Mrs. C. W. Bryner and little
son Leon spent several days very
pleasantly visiting at the homo
Mrs. Bryner 's mother, Mrs.
Mary Kirkpatnck at Shirleys
burg, Pa.
Mr. and Mrs. Albert Mellott
and three children, and Mrs. E.
K. Darr and son Roy s 11 of Ev
erett, spent a few days in the
home of Mrs. Joseph Mellott at
Saiuvia.
Miss Sadie Michaels has been
reelected teacher of tho first
grade in the Everett public
schools. Miss Michaels has filled
that position with great satisfac
tion to her patrons for several
years.
J. Nelson Mellott, ot Indianap
olis, Ind., was in town Monday
and took dinner in the home of
his uncle, Judge Peter Morton.
Mr. Mellott was called to this
county on aecouut of tho deatli of
his father, D. R. Mellott.
I. D. Thompson, of Philadel
phia, spent the time from last
Friday evening until Monday in
McConnellsburg. He brought
his little sou Frank up to spend
a few weeks with his grandmoth
er, Mrs. M. A. Thompson.
Mr. and Mrs. Howard Sipes,
wife, and son Raymond, of Rey
noldsvillo, Jefferson county, spent
a few days very pleasantly visit
ing in the home of the former's
parents. Rev. and Mrs. M. L.
Sipes at Tatesville and his sister,
Mrs. C. P. Ott, at Everett.
Mr. Charles H. Hess and his
mother in law, Mrs. J. U. H. Lew
is, of Bethel township, made a
trip to McConnellsburg, Monday.
Charlie has an oak tree standing
at the watering trough on his
place that measures 19 feet and 7
inches in girth, one foot above the
ground.
Benson Hanks.
Mr. Uonson lianas died at his
home in Emmaville, this county,
Friday, June 25, 19C9, aged 74
years, 0 months, and 1 day. Ho
is survived by one sister, Mrs.
Jemima Messersmith, of Charles
villa, Bedford couuty, and by his
widow and the following children:
Mrs. J. F. Carns, Fayette county;
Annie, Bedford county; Rachel,
Buck Valley, this county, aud
Gustie, Maggie, Harry, and Ja
son at home. The children living
were all present at the funeral
except Mrs. Carns.
Mr. Hanks had been in declin
ing health Bince last fall, but was
able to go about until three days
before his death.
Mr. Hanks was a good citizen
and will be much missed by his
neighbors and family. He was a
veteran of the Civil War, being a
member of Company IS, 87th reg
iment, P. V., and waa eu rolled
on the 3d day of June, 1801, and
honorably discharged June 23,
1865.
With the exception of the time
he waa m the army, he practical
ly spent his eutire life within a
mile of the place on which h
was born.