VOLUME 12 NUMBER 35 LOCAL HISTORY. Wells Township Schools, Houses, and Teachers of Sixty lo One Hun dred Years Ago. FOR THE NEWS BY M. M. IIORTON. CoutinuoJ from last week. In thoso days, boys and girls, in school, did not solve problems in aritlimotic. They worked sums. Ha boy encountered a sum which ho fould not work, ho was said to bo stalled. In such case, ho took tho troublesome sum and his slato and pencil to tho teacher who was expected to drop all othor work and proceod to work it. After working it he handed tho slato containing his work to tho pupil without any explanation many teachers could not explain their work and if tho latter could xseo the figures of tho "answer" as they appeared, in his book, after tho sum, ho went to his desk, copied tlio teacher's work, with tho re sult that tho figures of the an swer, as thoy wore in the book did not appear or if ho proposed to work tho sum after school when ho was not so busy, woe bo unto him. His proposition to do tho work after school was accept ed as conclusive evidence thnt he had a "Key" which ho intend ed to use in working the sum. lie must work tho sum when it was brought to him and get the right answer. Failing to do this, t'io report, that John Smith or Joe ISrown hud stalled the teach er in arithmetic, went into every home in that district that same evening, with tho result that many of the parents and all tho puniis lost all confidence in tho teacher as such. Only vicious conduct of tho worst character, on part of a teacher, could so ef fectually destroy his usefulness as to get stalled, in arithmetic. Once so stalled, or" said to be, his work, as teacher, in that district, ended with the ' term during which ho failed to get the answer. One of the most essential quali fications which the old time teacher must possess, was that of being able to make a goose (uill pen and to keep it in repair after it was made. The teacher made new pens and repaired old ones after or before school hours The closing hour of each school day saw the teachers desk cover ed with goose quills and dilapid ated pons. No steel pens were used in school. I saw the first steel pen, I ever saw, in 1S53, It was a clumsy affair mado to fasten on one end of a smoothly whittled stick which served as holder. Boys and girls, in those old time schools, studied their reading and spelling lessons nloud, each one trying to make more noise than any other was milking. This usually took place, at its worst, while the teacher was working a sum. Happily, much of the old time way of doing the wjrk, iu Wells Valley schools, was a thing of tho past when I became a pupil at Oibson's. At that time some progress had been made in the effort to secure uniformity in textbooks. Cobb's spellers, , old and new, and his readers, were m use and no others. There was but one arithmetic, Smith's and Pupils recited in classes in spell mg, reading and arithmetic at regular pei iods. The days of working sums were nearly gone. was not so with grammar. ANOTHER R. F. D. ROUTE. The Crops for 1911. The erovornmnnt crort ronort Needmore Posloffice the Distributing for May is generally regarded as Point, and the Service to Extend Northward. -Thompson, Bethel, Union, and ells township already have tho benefits of froo rural mail sor- conveyinga reliablo suggestion as to the probable wheat yield from lall seeded grain. Tho spring seeded wheat zone, which extends along the northern bord er n( t.lin TTmt.nd Sit'it.na in nnl vice, and soon Belfast township t iQ comltioll to bG"reported -..u.uhu, ,ur wuuavouuon upoQi The M rt ,MU(J(1 informed that on the first day of U1nn,,;ivnftortmnn lmll..nlna ,Unt ru win oe in operation tbe condition of wIntor whcat on irom xNeouraore. Tho schedule the first of the monlh was Qi3 mi( inn i 1 1 1 '..II I ' nn UUUIUUU Will UU 11H JOJIUWH .1 a l r,.l RECORD OF DEATHS. Persons Well Known to Many of Our Readers, Who Have Answered Final Summons. ALL SEASONS ARE THINE, 0 DEATH. Leave Needmore at 0:30 o'clock, of May lust ycar( tho conditmn a m., thence west to Cross Roads being a fraction better than tho at the old Clark place noar John I'lessinger's; thenco north along mountain road to the D. S. Mel- lott place, In Licking Creek town ship; thence east to Fernando Decker's on Pleasant Ridge; thenco south via Sideling Hill Christian church, Sipes Mills, and Mclvibbin, reaching Need more about 2:;J0, p. m. Tho present star route between Sipes Mill and Needmore will be dis continued, lnis will boanico job for somo one, ns it carries with it a Balary of !)S0 tho first year and $1080 after the first year. It 1 Pi Mrkhara's, Ilart's and Smith's grammars were in all the schools. N Keography was taught fcvery boy and girl learning to write had a "copy" book made of foolscap paper. In those books the teacher "set" the copies to be mitated by the learner. That is, the teacher wrote, in his best style, a line at top of each page, ho pup,i copied on every lineo the bottom. These copies were, 8t" after or before school hours or ring the noon recess which the only recess allowed dur IContinuod on page four) Close Call. The undertaking establishment of William Stoner narrowly es caped destruction by fire last Friday morning. Mr. Stoner and his son Bruce were in the ton year average condition. The acreage in wintor wheat is 1,9 10, 000 acres greater than was hir- vested last year. When the significance of theso rations is worked out it means that tho present outlook is for a winter wheat yield about 50.000.000 bushels larger than was harvest ed last year. Tho outlook generally seems to bo for an abundant fruit yield, and tho farming industries in general aio in a condition to justify optimism in other branch es pf business which are largely dependent upon prosperous farm ing conditions. The Gettysburg Cattle. Gettysburg! Famed in song and story is an inspiration in name, memory and national des- finishing room trimming a casket tiny that will thrill souls for all for tho late C. P. Carmack, when time to come. a bale of excelsior standing in ono Gettysburg is more than a gi corner of the room became ig- gautic struggle of hugo numbers. nited, and in a moment the room Moro than a shedding of blood was all ablazo. Tho excelsior together with tho othor contents of the room was thrown into the streets, and tho tire brought un- for the glory of war. More than a fierce fighting against odds on . U - f.V i 1 . iiiu i' irsi uay. Aiore man one of tho most terrifying lights thn der control before it had damaged ever took place at, night in timber the building to any greater extent Moro than a stubborn charge and than the scorching of the paint, re-charge at tho whirlpool of tho Tho contents of the room were struggle. Moro than one of tho practically destroyed, andBruce's greatest cavalry tights over hands were so badly burned that waged. More than a fearful ar it will be some time before he is tillery duel that roared from tho able to work. i t Rescued. A few mornings ago "some- bO'Jy" sold a basket of eggs at George Hays's store. A short time afterward Miss Nellie, who assists her father ia the store. was passing the crate into which the eggs had been placed, and her attention was attracted by a faint little "chip!" "chip!" and glancing down at the egg crate, she noticed a little chick busy pecking his way out from an egg shell and piteously pleading for a breath of fresh air. This appeal was not lost on Nellie, and she promptly gave the little fellow the needed assistance, and the chick was soon warm under the tender care of a mother hen down in George's chicken yard, Cards of Thanks. Mrs. T. E. Fleming and chil dren of Clear Kidge desire to ex- throats of hundreds of cannons And moro than ono of tho mos spectacular infantry charges that was evei mado. Gettysburg stands for all this and more. Here oue of the do . i .,i .i i . cisivo uawes or ine world was fought and a great step forward was taken by tho human race Famous songs, grand orations and stirring paintings have mado it glorious. Tho national and state governments have made the most beautiful park in tho world. Georgo Linn Keefer, tho best informed Gettysburg Battle field guide will be in McConnells- burg at the Auditorium on Thurs day evening, May 25th, with 200 beautiful views and a thrilling lec ture. Admission 25 and 13 cents. Come and learn about tho strug gle that gave us the greatest na tion on earth. Nose Cut Off. We leirn from the Everett press thanks to all who rendered Press that while assisting in put- assistance ana sympathy Curing ting a new roof on tho lime kiln me uiness ana aeath or their at the West end of town last husband and father T. E. Fleni- Monday, Mr. Abram Wareham laa hfirl t.hrt mislnrt.nnn in Vtava tha Mrs. C. Martin and family tako end of his nose cut off by a piece this means of thanking their of the metal roofing which he neighbors and friends for tho was handing to persons on the kindness and sympathy shown roof of tho building. Ho was them during the illness aud death standing underneath a piece of of the husband and father C. roofing which he had handed up. Martin. when it slipped and m falline Mrs. CP. Carmack wish in struck Mr. Wareham m the face thank the friends and neighbors svenng the end ot his nose, for the many kindnesses and Whlle the injure is not a serious sympathy shown her in the sick- 0De li 19 very painful and will ness and death of her husband probably disfigure him for life, C. P. Carmack. Alex. Mayne, of Fort Littleton, and son Samuel, of Altoona, spent last Saturday in McConnellsburg Samuel closed out his hotel prop ' Recent Wedding. Strait Sipio. On Wednesday May 10th Mr Dawson Strait of Gracey and erty ,n Martinsburg, Pa., recent Miss Rebecca Sipe of Harrison- and 18 now living in Altoona, ville were united in marriage at an n'3 Wl6 are spending a the home of the bride by Rev.-W. few days with Samuel's parents M. Chne. 'The News joins their at tne oId home m Fort Littleton w i - - many friends in wishing this ex- 1119 father says he wants to keep cellent young couple a happy voyage through life. Subscribe lor the News, Samuel around until he gets his garden made, a cord of wood cut, hia pump fixed, and the spring work, generally, doiia, Ri:v. B. F. Stkvkxs. Ihe lvov. Benjamin btevons ono of tho best-known ministers in the Central Pennsylvania Con feronco of the Methodist church and for twenty years a resident of llarnsburg died Monday morning at 5 o'clock at tho home of his son, Dr. John C. Stevens L'lO South Thirteenth street, Doath was duo to old age. Tho Kev. Mr. Stevens was 80 years of ago. Mr. Stevens had been suffering from a general break down since November. The Rev. Benjamin F. Stevens was tho fifth son of Vincent and Martha (Denver) Steveus, and was born in Fulton County March 20, Kll. In his own lan guago ho "was reared on a farm and taught to do nil kinds of work and plenty of it." During the winter mouths ho attended puonc school. When a young man he taught tho home schoo! one year and then went to a select school for six months later teach ing lor five months, after which ho attended tho Seminary at Cassville, Huntingdon county. lie remained there (except a few mouths when ho taught) until he entered the miuistry in the spring of 1817). Ho began preaching in Frost L t f l i . ourg, Maryland, ana later came to Pennsylvania, preaching in Grcencastle, Shamokin. White 'Haven, Ashland, Jersny Shore, Northumberland, Williamsport, Clearfield, Dauville, Milllinburg, Stewartstown, Duncannou, Me chanicsburg and llarrisburg. In 188!) he became pastor of the Thirteenth street church llarris burg, and retired in 18'Jl, since which ho resided with his son, Dr. John C. Stevens. Rev. Stevens was an uncle of Thomas and Dr. F. K. Stevens of this place. Mollik Hexdkhsiiot. Miss Mary Ann flendershot, died at the home of her brother in law and sister, Mr and Mrs Ja mes R. Mellott, near Mercers hurg, on Tuesday evening of last week, aged about 0(3 years. The cause of her death was acute in digestion, and she had been sick but a very short time. Miss llendershot is a native of this county, and is survived by four brothers, Denton, Isaac, Carl, and Mrs, Mellott. The funera took place last Friday, and her Death of Mother and Daughter. Death exacted a double toll and within twonty minutes in a Cham Alice Rhodes, Blind Daughter of John bersburg homo on Wednesday Rhodes, of Ayr Township, Fell Down uuom noon, wnen a moiner ana her daughter wero summoned withoutoither know iilg that death had invaded their homo. simiislv un ABOUT PEOPLE YOU KNOW Stairway Last Sunday Morning. A distressing accident occur red in tho home of John Rhodes, Both were members of a family who lives 00 Part of the old" Fry- Snapshots at Their Comings and Goings Here for a Vacation, or Away for a Restful Outing. NAMES OF VISITORS AND VISITED long prominent. At 12:08 o'clock. Mrs. Annio Maurer entered into rest and eighteen minuteslater tho daugh ter, Miss Emily, peacefully pass ed away. Mrs. Maurer had been ill but one week with pnoumonia, man homestead in Avr township. In his homo Mr Rhodes has a 1rank Mellott of Needmoro daughter by his first wifo, about was ln tow" on Saturday. eightoen years of ago, who has boon totally blind for a long time. In addition to her affliction of blindness, shohasnouso of her but Miss Emily bad been ill with lower lmbs, tho result of an ac- a complication ef diseases for cidont to her spinal column when to town H. C. McGowan, a citizen of Burnt Cabins was m town on Friday. E. L. Fegley of near Dott, was an early Monday morning visitor three years. Both were uncon- a cniia iast Saturday night she scious for several hours before 8,cPt UP stairs, and Sunday morn death. lnSi ln some way, got too near Mrs. Maurer was tho widow of t'8 stairway, and fell. It was tho late B. Latrobo Maurer and before her marriago was a Miss Stegey, of Virginia. She came here with her husband before the war. Sinco then sho had mado her homo here. Her husband was a well known agent and local thought at first that hor neck was broken, but sho is still living, and it is thought that sho may recover from the fall. Jacob Strait of Hustontown was among the Saturday visitors to town. H. S. Daniels of Lxkirg l'r:vk township was a town visiter o:i Saturday. Charles and James Mellott of Saluvia were registered at tho City Hotel on Monday. II. E. and D. K. Chesnut of NtW GRENADA. Mrs. Nettie Fry, of Guilford C., 1.1 1.1. ....... i historian. Miss Emily was the . 1 ' lua 1 ,,BUB,,n wiuniy, visuea . iuK mw wi i wero business visi- only living daughter and was born l".,,ur om U,,U,B loWQ "ero a,I10nS ll,rs w lown on Saturday. ou tho day Chambersburg was burned in 180 1. Sho was aged 10 years and Mrs. Maurer was in her 78lh year. Both were active - the family of her mombersof tho First Lutheran church and leave no immediate relatives. Distant relatives re side in Los Angeles. Register. Don. Our farmers are all hustling to get their corn planted. Quite a numbor of our people attended May meeting at Need- more and Sideling Hill. I hoso that are on the sick list relatives and friends. H. Brum Burt. r r-.i George Shafer visited friends Springs was roLMsternd nt thn in Mount Union. Washington flonsn nn vw,i,r Id - w v... ,J , . . . . - V ..,-,1...., Ji I A IRK ,'lnn,lnl n. f .kl. TT: i. . ,1. , , " ,ul.,m. ut uu.uu, spuui, nisi eonesuay nlace is visftmr night in the home of his naronts. k-ii, r c.... ... ... x n r . , -. uiumci .ocui6 ninedoiiar, in 1. j. vuuiuugiiam anu wue. Everett Banner and Thomas Bishop, lumber dealers of Warfordsburg, wore guests at tho Fulton llouso Georgo Banks and Charles Thomas are treating John Thom as's house to a new coat of paint. Abram Ilershey, of Cross Roads, Taylor township, has bought tho Harry Gaster pro perty in New Grenada, and will tako possession of it next fall, Jacob Shafer and Gideou Du- vail, two rf Clay township's up. to dato in this community aro John x. . -,wc ..Buuuuuu:i.i hpre ;l8t Saturday. arrnlrrt' l To I llxii'rwu mith wlimimn- I 1 r V "l J"' Plummer and family. M n lfiii a n t n ui .."ova . ... ...uai.u o. xv.oUiVrF hap thJ . neuralgia, Jiaroid smith with on Monday last. Miss Hazel McQuado of this place, is visiting her undo and aunt Mr. and Mrs. Charles Mc Curdy in Mercorsburg. A. S. Brant, ouo of Taylor farmers, wero visitors tnw'lship's sturdy farmers, called at the Nkws oflico a few minutes while in town last Saturday. Rev. John Mellott wife and daughter Maggio and son Web ster an.i Rev. S. I. Brumbauirh representing of Saxton wore m town Tuesday. untuiiau iuui;e, uu uio uranu wr. and Mrs. Jamps Snvdor uouge oi wua renows. uur of Chambersburg wore guests veteran Odd Fellow, Past Grand of Mr. and Mrs. James W. Rum William Allowav got to thinking mel, of this place, nart of thi nunnav mnrninir arnnr. t.no crnnrt i n,nni. Xt 1 : ii m . o ..iia. xauu.u neas times that wnnlrl who has been spending several ung trouble. M rs. Blanche Spencer Lashley, of Davis, W. Va., is visiting her mother and friends here. remains were brought to Union cemetery in the Big Cove for in terment. Calvin P. CaumackT ' At tho age of 03 years, 10 months, and 2 days, Mr. Calvin P. Carmack died at his home in McConnellsburg, Pa., Thursday evening. May 11, 1011. The cause of his death was pneu monia, and ho had been sick only about a week. The funeral took place at 10 o'clock, Saturday morning and interment was mado iu the cemetery at Mercersburg, Pa. Mr. Carmack was a son of Simp son and Mary (Henry) Carmack, and was born at the old Carmack homestead on Clear Ridge. He is survived by lour brothers. William, of Huntingdon county; Samuel and Jesse of Clear Ridge, John W., residing m the state ol Washington; and James V., in Chambersburg. lie was married four times: 1. To Miss Elizabeth Bender, of Chambersburg. To this un ion, five children were born, three of whom are living: Harry, of Sixmilo Run, Pa.; William, Chambersburg; Alice, wife of Seth Houpt, Mercersburg. 2. Mahnda Peffley, of Salem Church, Franklin county. - Five children were born to this union, three of whom are living, namely, rank, Philadelphia, Minnie, wife! weeks with hor mother, Mrs, Adam Hess has returned to her lome at Komalty, Okla. Ira Hess had the misfortune to have his foot mashed one day last week. George Deshong entertained the loafers at Carnell's store last Friday evening with his violin Ilopoyou will come again, Gejrge, Frank Fisher has arrived home on account of the critical illness of his father. Born to Grant Bornhart and mes mn wouia oe going to Geo. Foreman f U'n. v-iw inis was Mr. Foreman's first Visit to town in t hn mof il, l, - ,,r-. , ' " i'uom unto juuij'injj iiiiu ins ouuuuji vears ,.! ... . m . , ..I" cioines no started lor Sixmile and the more he thought of it the more eager he was to be there. ! M Ma hud, a aisiance oi ion miles on foot, and took the train at that place, and is now at Wilkes barre along with the rest of them. Not so bad for a man up In the sixties. W. R. Berkstresser, of Taylor, visited in New Grenada, Sunday. Charles A. Mum ma of near llarrisonvllle was a pleasant call er at OUr OfliCO nn Mnndw Whilo here ho ordered the Nkws sent to his address. Mrs. M. W. Nace end littlo daughter Mary Logan are visit- last ing Mr NTace's Other's family in Chambersburg whero their Jittlo William William nr nmw no uauR'uer is Doing treated for an wife a daughter. It died the hfl Wft9 usualt ril,n.i wna nn affection of tho throat. neXt day. rWllaat. Knnrlnw mnrnmr, OUTOldfriend finhort. T7rnrto The Sunday school at Bedford twppn hl ,.nmo Bk vtu of Thompson townshm -na u and Woodvale. The coroner was town last Friday, and took timo notified and an inquest held, but 10 come lnto tlie Nrcws office for wo have not learned tho result. a c'm- Wlt'1 tho editor and advance his subscription another PLEASANT RIDUE. year. The Revival at the Pleasant Ed. D. Shi Chapel is progressing nicoly un der the management of Supt, Thomas K. Downes. oeverai ot our prosperous farmers are spraying their fruit trees this spring. We wish them success. Ira Hess purchased a tine large barrel sprayer and is accomodating several families. f orest f ires aro raging in Lackawanna, Lycoming, Tioga, Centre, Clinton, Cameron, Union, Elk, Clearfield and Pike counties. Over, 50,000 acres of State lands have been burned over. It is said that rain will be necessary to check the flames. tended, John G. Mellott and wifo spent Sunday at Rev. W. R. Truax's, Charles Mellott wife and daugh ter Myrtle spent Sunday at J. W. Truax's. Sunday school at the Brethren church is progressing nicely un- of Ehb AN enger, Shippensburg; der tho care of W. R. Truax, and Jacob, living in Chambers- Addison Collins and son Harry burg. , of Hancock, spent Saturday and Rebecca Reed, Franklin Sunday at Mrs. Martha Skiles county. Two children. Divorc ed. The Grand Lodse 1. O. O. F. of i " 4. Ilettie Briggs, of Franklin Pennsylvania is in session at county, who survives, together Wilkesbarre this week, ln his with four children; Russell, Floe, report the grand master says Max, and the baby. there has been an incroaso in the During the past five years Mr. membership of tho order within Carmack had been in tho employ tho past year of 1,800. of John Sheets & Son, as hack ariver, ana arove oetweon tnis A Khode island man was run place and Mercersburg. lie was over by an auto. He arose from a genial hearted, accommodating, the mud climbed into the car and careful driver, and will be missed gae the driver a beating. That by those who have been patroas will teach the driver not to run of the lino, over another man ln the mud. thn Ridge Brethren church began Republican, left on Mondav for Tuesday evening by Rev. S. 1. Wilkes-Barre. to attend tho Rsth Brumbaugh from Saxton. session of the Grand r May meeting at tho Baptist Odd Fellows of Pennsylvania a church last Sunday was well at- representative of McConnells- burg Lodge No. 74 1. Mr. and Mrs. William Corbm (Nell Johnston) and baby Eliza ot near Lewistown were calling on friends tn town on Mondav. w Mrs. Corbin and baoy have spent the past two weeks with Mrs. Corbin's mother, Mrs. J. W. Johnston near Cito. Mr. Lewis Yonker.Bethel town ship, and Jacob A. Powell, of Thompson township, were pleas ant visiters to our office on Mon day. Mr. Powell presented us with a couple "Grimes Golden" apples which were m a perfect state of preservation. Mr. John H. Wilt of Waynes boro, spent a few days visiting his son in law and daughter Mr. and Mrs. W. H. .Nesbit m this place, and greeting his many old time friends and neighbors in McConnellsburg. Mr. Wilt moved to Waynesboro from this place about twenty year a ago,
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