Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, December 20, 1900, Image 1

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The circulation of this paper is in
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SUBSCRIPTION $1 PER YEAR
DR. IRVING H. JENNINGS,
DENTIST.
Office Hour*
9A. M.to 12 M. 104 MM
IP. M.to 4P. J/. Danville, Pa.
mum, m. u.
425 MILL ST., DANVILLE, PA.
Diseases of the Stomach and Intestines
a Specialty
W. P. ASIUL.K,
DENTIST
OFFICE: 218 MILLSTBKKT.
Teetb Extracted without Pain.
Crown and Bridge Work a Specialty.
Equipped with the latent and most improved
Instruments and prepared to execute the
most difficult work.
DR. C. H. REYNOLDS,
(FORMERLY OF CATAWISSA).
DKNIIBI
OSoe, Opposite Boston Store, Danville, Pa
Dentistry in ail its branches. Charge
Moderate and all work Guaranteed.
Established 1895 J.
CONDENSED IWS.
Santa Claus is tilling his sock.
Scrapple is at its best just now.
Only nine hours of day light.
Farmers report that all of the country
roads are in excellent condition.
The express companies are doing an
immense business. Many Christmas
boxes are already being shipped.
The housekeeper who persists in wash
ing pavements these cold mornings is
certainly endangering the lives and limbs
of pedestrians.
Wrap your hydrants carefully and
avoid trouble.
The children are impatient to hear, the
eleigh bells merry jingle.
Justice-of-the-Peace Hunter yesterday
afternoon married Alfred Swartzlander,
of Snydertown, and Miss Cora Heim, of
Quitman.
The water has practically been drain
ed from this level of the canal, all that
remains being pools in the low places.
The trapping Beason is now on and
the big and little boys iu the rural dis
tricts are earning some extra spending
money by the use of "dead falls" and
steel traps.
The idea of having a big night on the
eve of the new century is obtaining fav
or.
Both a severe and a mild winter is
predicted, but, whether agreeable to
prediction or not, we shall have to take
it as it cornea. So there's no use worry
ing.
The temperature yesterday was fifteen
•degrees warmer than on Tuesday. As a
result the ice in the river began to break
up.
Prothonotary Miller yesterday issued a
marriage license to Clark McMichael and
Miss Maggie Dye, both of Strawberry
Ridge.
The ice man will soon begin harvest
ing the crop for summer use.
The small boy is now slyly searching
for the Christmas presents that he
thinks his parents have bidden about
the house.
No more hunting can be done legally
this season.
Mill street was thronged with people
on Saturday evening and all the store
clerks were busy.
Nearly all the clear toys sold in Dan
ville this season are home made.
The members of the Mausdale Milling
Company purchased the Minnetonka
mill on North Mill street and two dwell
ing houses of the Heading Iron company
on Saturday. The purchase price was
$9,01K). The company expects to im
prove the property and operate the
mill.
Many young people are enjoying the
skating on the pond above the Bessemer
rail mill.
Diphtheria seems to be spreading in
many sections of the State.
Danville will be very lively during the
holidays.
The Eola, one of the long delayed toy
laden vessels from Germany steamed
into port at Philadelphia on Sunday
afternoon with its Christmas cargo safe
and sound.
Plenty of ice to be found about the
city now.
The membership of Sunday school I
•classes is right up to the limit these
days.
Many of the churches are preparing
'Christmas decorations.
Precocious youngsters are now trying
to figure out how "Santa" is going to
get his pack through the chimney and
stove pipe.
The reserved seat board for the Parry
concert,under the auspices of the Wash
ington Hose company, is uow open at
Lore's drug store.
Remember the suffering poor when
drear old winter threatens them.
Take a peep at the store windows as
you go along. They display many ar
ticles suitable for presents.
The last day of school during the pre
sent century will be held tomorrow. Af
ter that the school* will remain clos
ed until January 1, 1901.
If Danville is to have a midnight cel
ebration to welcome the 20th century, it
is time to take the matter up and make
the necessary arrangements. Co. F. is
ready to join with any of our organiza
tions for a jubilee.
xl Jit-.
3 * N ' |
"THIS COUNTRY WILL NEVER BE ENTIRELY FREE UNTIL IT SUPPLIES ALL OF ITS OWN DEMANDSWITH ITS OWN PRODUCTIONS."
VOL. I.V-NO 51.
WILL ASK HIM
TO REMAIN
Committees to Urge Mr. Laumaster to
Withdraw Lis Resignation.
It was expected that a successor to
W. I). Laumaster, as general secretary
of the Y. M. C. A. would be appointed
at the meeting of the board of directors
of the Association held last evening. In
stead, it was decided to make another
etfort to have Mr. Laumaster withdraw
his resignation, and nothing was done
about appointing his successor.
A committee from the Ladies' Auxili
ary of the Association met with the di
rectors. They expressed the desire of all
members of the Auxiliary to have .Mr.
Laumaster remain. They stated their
belief that the Association work will suf
fer greatly if he leaves. They asked that
an etfort be made to have him remain.
After the situation was thoroughly
discussed, the directors decided not to
consider the question of a successor for
Mr. Laumaster, but act on the ladies'
suggestion.
The president was accordingly em
powered to appoint a committee consist
ing of four directors, who shall wait on
Mr. Laumaster together with a commit
tee of four ladies from the Auxiliary, to
see if they can prevail on him to with
draw his resignation. The president
will appoint this committee later.
Success of Firemen's Fair—Ladies Will be
Admitted Free.
The Friendship Fire company's fair
continues to be well attended, and the
sale of articles at the different booths
still helps add to the financial success of
the enterprise. It was decided last even
ing that hereafter ladies will be admit
ted to the fair free.
Ticket No. 6 last evening drew a fine
lamp that has been on exhibition through
out the fair. The holder of this ticket,
who is unknown, can have the lamp at
once by presenting the coupon. Much
interest was aroused at the "fish pond"
last evening when a young man canght
a live frcg.
"Hanukah'' Costume Party.
Mrs. Hannah Wyle gave a "Hanu
kah" costume paity to a number of
friends at her home on Cross Keys Place
on Saturday evening. Those present j
were: Mrs. Eli Rosenthal, Mrs. Samuel I
Bloch, Mrs. Julius Heim, Mrs. Isaac
Gross, Mrs. Herbert Wyle, Mrs. Harry
Ellenbogen, Misses GertriWe, Bertha
and Blanche Goldsmith, Gertrude Heim, j
Cora Dreifuss, Blanche Lowenstein.Sara
Gross, Clara Ellenbogen, Dora Meyer, j
Ida Goldsmith, Bertha and Ella Mey- J
ers.
Met With Mrs. Scarlet.
The Woman's Home Missionary society
of the Mahoning Presbyterian church
met yesterday afternoon with Mrs.
James Scarlet on Mill street. Mrs. \V. I.
Steans led the devotional meeting, the
subject being "The Older States and
Mountaineers." A letter was read from
Miss Stevenson, a missionary working
among the Southern mountaineers. Miss
Margaret Ammerman sang. Following
the business meeting a social hour was
enjoyed. Refreshments were served.
Married at the Jail.
Elizabeth N. Grimes and Charles A.
Baker, both colored, were married at the
jail Monday evening at 7:30 o'clock by
Justice-of-tbe-Peace Hunter. The cere
mony occurred in front of"the cage''
and Boyd Wintersteen and Harvey
Lamberson witnessed it. Several of the
colored friends of the bride and groom j
were present. The costs for Baker's
arrest and bringing him from Lock >
Haven have not been settled,so that the
groom was compelled to remain in jail
after his marriage.
Putting in New Boiler.
The work of installing the new boiler
at the Water works was begun Monday
under the direction of L. F. Nolan, of
Philadelphia, representing the Babcock
& Wilcox company. After the boiler is
in place the Annex will be ceiled, the
floor will be cemented and the side walls
will be plastered.
As soon as the new boiler is ready for
use, the old ones will be thoroughly
overhauled and putin good condition.
Wagon Was Turned Over.
While Charles Kase and family, of
South Danville, were driving on Sunday
evening, they had a narrow escape from
serious injury. Mr. and Mrs. Kase and
their two children were in their wagon
near Blue Hill, when the horses became
frightened by a freight train. Turning
suddenly they tipped the wagon over,
throwing all of the occupants out. Mr.
Kase clung to the reins and kept the
horses from running. The only damage
was a slight break in the harness.
"Santa" Had a Large Audience.
The appearance of "Santa Claus" in
the window of Murray's store crowded
the street at that place last evening. As
long as the genial old fellow remained on
exhibition, children of all ages crowded
around to laugh at his funny ways, and
grown up children appeared to derive
fully as much pleasure as did the young
er ones.
Mr. Morgan Much Improved.
It was reported yesterday that~Elliott
R. Morgan, formerly of this city, was in
a critical condition at his home in Kings
ton, as the result of a stroke of paralysis
suffered on Tuesday afternoon. It was
learned last evening that he was not as
bad as at first reported, and that he is
much improved. i
DAN VILLI:, PA., THURS DAY, * J JECEM BEI i 20, WVO.
! DANVILLE TO IUVE
NEW PARK
Mr. Hunter Preparing Dancing Pavilion,
Cottages and Picnic Grounds.
Work has been begun by Erw in Hunt
er on a new park that will add greatly
to the summer amusement possibilities
of Danville.
A few days ago Mr. Hunter purchased
from the Reading Iron company fifty
acres of land situated on the main road
between the fair grounds and Mausdale.
This tract is about a mile from the post
office.
The land is well suiie 1 for a public
park. Thirty acres of it is wooded and
can easily be converted into an attrac
tive grove. There are three springs of
excellent water which will be piped to
different parts of the ground.
Mr. Hunter expects to spend several
thousand dollars in fitting u;> the park
before next summer.
Work will soon be begun on the erec
tion of a dancing pavilion ">0 by 100
feet in size. Four cottages will be built
to rent to campers or tor any other use
desired. The grounds are leveled
off", and they will lie nicely urrauged for
picnic parties, with eating p;,viii.;iis,
cook houses, etc. In the spring iiovt r
beds will be set on , and the entire
grounds will be ui.ide «•> attractive as
possible.
Music will be furnished twice a week,
and attractions of different kinds will be
introduced.
A bus line will be established from the
central part of town to the park, the
fare being placed at five cents.
Arrangements have already been made
with several churches and Sunday
schools to hold their annual picnics at
this park.
Danville Musician Who Sang in Concert
With World Famous Artists.
A recent issue of the Paterson, N. J.
Call contains a long account of a con
cert, in which one of the prominent
parts was taken by a well known young
lady from Dauville. Among the other
musicians participating were Hobart
Smock, the celebrated tenor singer, and
llerr Kronald, whose fame as a cello
player is world wide.
Of Miss Harriet Woods, of this city,
the paper says:
"Miss Harriet Woods, soprano, with
a pleasing stage personality and an in
imitable Parisian gown, won the appro
bation of the audience by the brilliancy
of her methods of attack in several com- 1
positions which admirably displayed the
perfection of her vocalization, especially
in the higher register."
New Telephone Directory.
A new directory of the subscribers of
the Montour <4 Columbia Telephone
company has just been printed by Tin:
Morn'inq News job department, and is
being distributed to patrons of the com
pany.
The directory contains thirty-three'
pages,and in it are to be found not only j
the names of oversoo subscribers of this !
company, but a list of about 2,500 sub
scribers of other independent companies
whose lines connect with those of the
Montour & Columbia.
All patrons of this company can now i
converse with people in sixty Jillereut j
towns within a radius of fifty miles.
With many of these towns, free service j
is given to subscribers of the local com- ]
pany. The charges on the to}l lines are
much less than they were before the in- J
troduction of the independent service.
Gave a Pedro Party.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank G. Peters gave a
progressive pedro party at their home on
West Mahoning street Thursday evening
Prizes were won by Mrs. Leniger, Mrs.
Howe, Mrs. Sechler, Elmer Peters, Mr.
Jameson and Mr. l'entz. Those present
were: Mr. and Mrs. O. M. Leniger, Mr. j
and Mrs. W. A. Sechler and son Jay, Mr. j
and Mrs. F. W. Howe, Mr. and Mrs. VV. j
G. Pursel, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Jame
son, Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Sidler, Mr. and i
Mrs. Harry Ellenbogen, Mr. and Mrs. T.
J. Price, Mr. and Mrs. D. C. Jones, Mr.
and Mrs. E. 1). l'entz, Mr. and Mrs.
Elmer Peters, Mr. and Mis. Simon Hoff
man, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Vincent, Mrs j
Pierce, Misses Jennie Oberdorf. Lot lie
Divel, Laura Divel, Miss Curtis and A.
M. Peters.
To Organize a Basket Ball Team.
The members of the Danville High
school athletic association are talking
of having a basket ball team. So far the
foot ball eleven has occupied the atten
tion of this association, which was or
ganized this fail. Now that the foot ball
season is passed, it is desired to have the
basket ball team for winter work. If
the club is organized, games will be ar
ranged with teams in other towns in
this part of the state.
In the spring it is hoped to put a
strong base ball team in the field. This
would give the association a representa
tive sport for each season of the school
year.
Engiae Broke Down,
The spring hanger on the engine of
the Lackawanna train due here at 4:35
p. m. broke at Bloomsburg on Saturday
evening delaying the train over an hour.
The 0:10 train west was also delayed
about forty minutes.
Building the Annual Dam.
Division Foreman 11. D. Quick aud his
assistants Tuesday constructed a wood
en dam across the canal just west of the
Mahoning creek. Such a dam is con
structed each winter so as to turn water
into this level and hold down the dock
j during the high water in the Mahoning
[ creek.
PERSONAL
PARAGRAPHS.
Brief Mention of the Movement of Tour
Friends and Acquaintances.
Mrs. C. P. Hancock visited friends in
Bloomsburg yesterday.
Mrs. James Foster left yesterday for
a visit with friends in Scranton.
Mrs. William Geiger returned to Cat
awissa yesterday after a visit with Mrs.
S. Lormor on Pine street.
Mrs. <i Jorge Rossman visited relatives
in Sunbury yesterday.
I Dr. and Mrs. J. P. Holla, of Washing
tonvitle, spent yesterday with friends in
Dauville.
laaac Gtoss transacted business in
Bloomsburg yesterday.
William Andy, of Milton, was in town
yesterday.
li. D. Mag ill was in Bloomsburg yes
terday.
Miss Margaret Stuenger left yesterday
tor Scranton where she will spend the
holidays.
Mrs. William Ilarinan of C.ilawissa,
virited Dauyiile friends yesterday.
Dr. and Mrs. F. E. 11arpel retui lied on
Saturday from a trip to Philadelphia
and New York.
Miss Mary Newhard, of Sunbury, is
the guest of Miss Gussie Dosier, Church
street.
Mr. and Mrs. John Limberger, of Sun
bury, spent Sunday with Mr. Litnber
ger's parents on West Mahoning street.
Miss Blanche O'Neil, of Wiiliamspot t,
is the guest of Miss Clara Smith, Mill
street.
Miss I.ucinda I.eighow left on Satur
day evening for a visit in New York.
Edward Sayre Gearhart, Ksq., return
ed from Rochester, N. V., on Saturday
evening.
Mr. and Mrs. A. 11. Bloom,of Blooms
burg, spent Sunday with Danville rel
atives.
Miss Eila Moyer, of Berwick, is visit
ing friends in this city.
Theodore Angle, a student at the
Cheltenham Military Academy at Ogontz
near Philadelphia, is home for the holi
days.
The Rev. Mr. aud Mrs. J. F. Hower
are visiting friends in Lewisburg.
fhe Rev. A. J. McCann, of Ix>cust
Gap, is the guest of the Rev. M. I.
O'Reilly, on Ferry street.
Dennis Bright left Monday evening for
Florida, where he has several large
orange groves.
Mrs. Joseph Wright, of Berwick, and
Mis. Vincent Maym, of Brooklyn, N. V.
returned to their homes Tuesday after
a visit at the home of Angus Wright on
Upper Mulberry street.
Miss Cordelia Woolley,W. B. Rhodes,
Dr. J. B. Gearhart and Arthur Woollev
attended a dinner given by Mrs. Eliza
beth Jackson in Berwick Tuesday even
ing.
Dr. Ella E. Everitt, of Philadelphia's
visiting her mother, Mrs. E G. Everitt,
Centre street.
Mrg. U. M. Leniger left Tuesday
afternoon to spend several days in Nan
ticoke and Wilkesbarre.
Mrs. T. W. Henderson, of Philadel
phia, is a guest at the home of Robert
Morris, East Market street.
Peter Dietrich made a business trip to
Plymouth yesterday.
I
James Coyne, of I'ittston, will attend
the funeral of Matthias Klarsch today.
Maurice Guest, of Carbondale, is visit- j
ing his parents, Mr. tind Mrs. David !
Guest, Nicholas avenue.
Mr. Edward Kase, of Lebanon, is
spending several days in this city.
Charles Watson, of Philadelphia, is
spending a few days iu Danville.
Dr. W. C. Flakerty, of Scranton, call
ed on friends in this city yesterday.
Mr. and Mrs. Alex. Foster and
daughter, Helen, returned from a visit
in New York last evening.
Miss Nellie Zaner returned last even
ing from a trip to Philadelphia.
Mrs, K. J. Curtis returned last even- i
ing from a visit with relatives in Pitts
burg.
Howard Clark,a student at State Coll
ege's spending the holidays at his home
in South Danville.
Ilarmou Sechler was in Sunbury yes
terday.
Jacob Bloom transacted business in
Milton yesterday.
Miss Lizzie Vastine, of South Danville
visited Sunbury friends yesterday.
Theodore Hoffman, Sr., transacted
business in Bloomsburg yesterday.
Robert Gable spent yesterday with
Berwick Iriends.
Master Warren Johnson is visiting rel
atives in Bloomsburg.
The Rev. Adolph Meyer spent yester
day afternoon in Berwick.
Charles Fenstermacher, of Mausdale,
a student at State College, arrived home
last evening to spend the holidays.
George Hoke, of Sunbury, transacted
business in town last evening.
Henry Craig and daughter, Jennie, of
Lairdsville, visited friends in this city
yesterday.
Miss Amelia Phillips returned last
eveuing from an extended visit to Niag
ara Falls, N. Y.
School Board's Special Meeting.
A special meeting of the School Board
will be held this evening. The regular
meeting would come on Christmas eve,
and the Directors preferred to have the
( meeting tonight.
! HOUSE AND BARN
BURNED DOWN
I
Miss Hartman Rescued From her House as
the Roof was Palling.
The blackened and thoroughly roast
ed bodies of five cows and a horse and a
few twisted pieces of iron were all that
| remained Friday morning to mark
I the spot where a few hours before had
| stood tho barn of {Catherine Foust, at
| East Danville. Not even as much as
that remained besides the founda
lion walls, of the home of Miss
! "Teenie" Hartman, a few feet east of
the barn.
Miss Hartman, who is eighty years
old, is an invalid. Mrs. Ann B'oomer,
who cared for her, and she were alone in
the house. Shortly after one o'clock
Mrs. Bloomer awoke tn find the house all
in flames. She succeeded in dragging
the old woman out just as the roof was
falling in.
Before that Miss Foust awoke to dis
cover that her barn was nearly burned
to the ground.
It was some time before any of the
neighbors could be aroused; and then
all that could ba done was to form a
bucket brigade to extinguish the flames
on Lloyd Krum's house and other build
ings in the neighborhood.
Miss Hartman aud Mrs. Bloomer es
caped from the burning house with only
their night clothes. Neighbors soon
contributed articles of clothing to pro
tect them.
Nothing was saved from the house,
and a calf, badly burned, was all that
was saved from the barn.
The origin of the fire is not definitely
known. It started in the barn and is
supposed to have been caused by some
smouldering fire left by young men who
gavs a "belling" party early in the even
ing to a newly married couple living a
few doors from the burned buildings.
The serenaders were not permitted to
enter the house of the bride and groom,
and it is supposed that they went into
the barn to celebrate.
About nine o'clock Miss Foust heard
a noise in the barn that sounded like
some one driving the bung from a beer
keg.
No one, who had business in the barn,
was in the building after dark.
Besides the barn and live stock, Miss
Foust lost all of her hay and grain,wag
ons, farming implements, etc. Her en
tire loss amounted to SOOO or S7OO, with
no insurance.
Mists Hartman carried £7OO insurance
on her house and S2OO on the furniture,
which nearly covered the loss.
During the day Wellington Hartman,
a nephew of the burned-out woman,
took her to Grovania, w here she has
several relatives.
Sixty Cars of Machinery Sent.
A good share of the tearing out work
of dismantling the steel plant has been
accomplished, although less than half of
the machinery has been shipped away.
So far sixty car loads have been ship
ped. About five cars are now being load
ed each day and there are still eighty or
ninety carloads to be shipped.
This machinery is being sent in train
loads, the cars being held for a few days
after lhey are loaded, until there are
enough for a fair sized train, which
makes it possible to ship it right through
without having the cars side-tracked.
It is expected that the last of the ma
chinery will not be sent until the middle
of January.
Reception and Devotional Service at the
Mahoning Presbyterian Church.
No plans have yet been started for a
general celebration in Danville of the
close of the Nineteenth century, but
meetings will be held in some of the
churches on the night of December 31.
Acting on the suggestion made by the
general assembly, arrangements are be
ing made for a meeting at the Mahon
ing Presbyterian church on that even
ing. At nine o'clock a social will be j
held in the lecture room aud parlois.
Refreshments will be served and a pro
gram will be rendered, which will in
clude reports from all departments of
the church. At eleven o'clock a service
will be held in the auditorium, the first
part of the hour being devoted to a hymn
service by the choir, while the closing
minutes of the old century and the first
ones of the new will be devoted to a
prayer service.
Reception for Gen. Gordon.
The Y. M. C. A. directors are sending
invitations to a few of the business and
professional men of the city for an in
formal reception to be tendered the cele
brated Confederate leader, General John
B. Gordon, at the Montour House on
Friday evening, after his lecture at the
opera house. General Gordon has long
had many Northern admirers, aud he
has always been recognized as one of
the most able "wearers of the gray."
This will be a welcome opportunity for
Danville men to meet him.
Broke Bones in Foot.
George Stahlneeker, who is employed
in the dismantlement of the Steel Plant,
met with a very painful accident Fri
day afternoon. He was assisting in load
ing a car of rails, when one of them
slipped falling on his right foot, break
ing two small bones just above the toes.
Dr. Curry attended him.
Death of Wilfred Kimbel.
Wilfred, the tbree-years-old son of Mr.
and Mrs. William Kimbel, died at two
o'clock Tuesday morning at their
home at Riverside, from membraneous
croupe.
SIGNATURES OF
FAMOUS PEOPLE
An Interesting Autograph Collection at the
Y. M. 0. A.
A collection of autographs of promi
nent people of the world is attracting
much interest at the Y. M. C. A. The
idea originated with the young men of
the association, and they, as well as Sec
retary Laumaster, take great pride in
the two large albums that have been fill
ed with cards since October 1, when the
first applications were sent out.
These cards contain genuine signatures
of several hundred people,written especi
ally for this collection.
The signatures of William Jennings
Bryan, M. A. Hanna, Adlai Stevenson
and Thomas C. Piatt cause no trouble,
although they are all on the same page.
Several of the prominent artists and
cartoonists have decorated their cards
with small drawings, easily recognized
by people familiar with illustrated maga
zines. Among them are "Zim" and
Grant Hamilton,of "Judge," Pugheand
F. M. Howarth of "Puck," Frank
Beard, C. J. Bush, Charles Dana Gibson,
"Davenport," Frederick Remington and
E. W. Kemble.
Among the national statesmen repre
sented are President McKinley, Chief
Justice Fuller, Speaker of the House
Ilenderson,ex-President Harrison,Grov
er Cleveland .Thomas B. Reed,Chauncey
M.Depew. "Pitchfork" Tillman, Sena
tor Dolliver and Chairman of the Natio
nal Democratic committee Jones.
Other names taken at random through
out the collection are Gov. Roosevelt,
Governor Stone, John Wanamaker, Ad
mirals Dewey,Sampson and Schley,Lieut.
Richmond P. Hobson, Generals Miles
and Fitz Hugh Lee, "Fighting Bob"
Kvans, Captain Sigsbee,Duke of Argyle,
Andrew Carnegie, Helen Gould, Clara
Barton, Mrs. Julia Dent Grant, Mrs.
Frances Folsom Cleveland, Mrs. A. J.
Drexel, Walter Damrosch, Reginald
DeKoven and John Philip Sousa.
Several signers have included a brief
sentiment wishing success to the As
sociation or giving advice to young
men.
Danville Merchants Complain of Petty
Pilfering.
Tho holiday season is the time when
merchants always expect shoplifters to
be most active. A number of Danville
merchants say that this year they have
been bothered more than common by
"light fingered" persons.
It is not thought that any profession
al shoplifters have been in the city, but
the pilfering has been done by residents
of town, and frequently by persons
whom no one would suspect.
It is mostly articles of small value that
have been taken. In dry goods stores
handkerchiefs, pieces of ribbons, lace or
such small articles seem to have the
most, attraction for the pilferers. Most
of this kind of work is done by women,
who seem to be unable to resist the temp
tation to slip exposed articles under
their capes or jackets or up their sleeves.
Several people have been detected in
committing the thefts, and when spok
en to about it, they have readily given
up what they have taken, go that no
complaints have been preferred. In some
cases the clerks have said nothing when
they have seen women take articles of
small value.
One woman, who is well able to buy
any thing she wants, looked over all of
the articles on a counter of a Mill street
store, slipped a three cent toy under her
cape and went out. The merchant who
saw her commit the theft said nothing
to her. He says he hopes she is deriv
ing much satisfaction from the toy.
Even grocers and confectioners com
plain that they are losing too much in
this way. Some people succeed in slip
ping into their pockets or mouths more
than they purchase, while waiting to
buy half a pound of candy.
Death of Matthias Klarsch.
Matthias Klarsch died at 11 o'clock
Tuesday morning at the home of his
daughter, Mrs. Joseph Mayan, on C
street. He was seventy-four years old.
lie lias beeu in poor health for a year,
and for the past three months he has
failed rapidly. He was a well known
resident of this part of the state since he
came from Germany fifty-six years age.
Mrs. Klarsch died last May.
The funeral was held from St. Hu
bert's church this morning at nine
o'clock. Interment was made in St. Hu
bert's cemetery. Mr. Klarsch is surviv
ed by two daughters and five sons, Mrs.
John Frederick, of I'ittston;Mrs. Joseph
Mayan, of Danville; Anthony, of Cana
da; John, of Jameson City; Peter, of
Pittston; Jacob, of Mooresburg, and
Henry, ot this city.
Entertainment By Children.
The members of the Ladies' Auxiliary
of the Y. M. C. A. are busily engaged in
preparing for a Christmas entertainment
to be given in the association hall by a
number of children on Thursday even
ing, December 27. The program consists
of a tableau; Kindergarten exercises,
conducted by Miss Kase; song, by small
boys; recitation, "Grandma's Land"
dialogue, by three little children; Christ
mas song, by children; "The Singer",
Miss Russell; recitation, "Christmas
Dream"; motion song, by four little
girl*, tempeiance song, by children;
tableau, "Swiss Bell Ringers." The ad
mission for adults w ill be fifteen cents,
and ten cents for children.
Next Basket Ball Game.
A game of basket ball between the
Danville team and the Frankford Athle
tic club will be played at the Armory in
the near future.
ESTABLISHED IX 1855.
till DECISION
REACHED YET
Hope to Continue to Operate the Danville
Plant on a Reduced Capital.
It was expected that the directors of
the Danville Bessemer company would
decide this week whether to continue to
operate part of the plant in this city,
after the machinery sold to the Canadi
an company is removed. Instead the
decision has been postponed, as ex
plained in a statement issued to the
shareholders. It was expected that Mr.
Barber, assistant to the president of the
company, would be in this city yester
day, but a telegram was received saying
that he will not come for several days.
In the statement to the stockholders,
the directors say: "Investigation has
been pursued as to whether those por
tions of your plant which still remain
could by the addition of such modern
machinery as would equip the plant in
an up-to-date manner manufacture skelp
so as to show a profit upon a capital re
duced to proper proportions.
"The importance of deciding til's
question correctly caunot be overestimat
ed. The necessity for the gathering of
expert opinions on the future market
conditions, and reports on the probable
results of our embarking in either one of
the several branches of iron manufac
tures to which our remaining plant may
be adapted is apparent to everyone.
Notwithstanding the fact that no time
has been wasted your management do
not at this writing feel that the inves
tigations made and the data gathered
warrant them in calling you together at
this time, hence this letter. It is hop
ed, however, that within s-ixty days we
will be able to lay before you well di
gested plans of operation. These plans,
if found feasible, will include not only a
continuance in business .upon a reduced
capital, with assurance of dividends,but
also a distribution of such a portion of
the cash on hand as will be gratifying to
you and at the same time leave the com
pany sufficient to carry on its business
with good credit. In the meantime ex
penses have been reduced to a minimum
and you are given the assurance that
the integrity of your property is being
carefully preserved.
Mr. Byerly's Christmas Candy.
Officer Lewis Byerly is certain that he
will receive at least one Christmas pres
sent this year. It will be the same piece
of candy that he has received fourteen
times before during the past thirty years
and the donor wiil be Henry Search, of
Ash street. Thirty years ago, Messrs.
Byerly and Search were standing in a
store on the day before Christmas,when
Mr. Byerly said : "Henry, give me a
Christmas present."
Laughingly, Mr. Search broke a stick
of striped candy in two and gave half of
it to his friend. The next year Mr.
Byerly gave back the same piece of
candy, and the next year it came back
to him. So for thirty years the candy
has spent one year in the possession of
one man, and the next the other has
had it. There is now less than an inch
of the candy stick left. For years it has
been carefully tied and preserved in a
small box ready for its annual exchange
of owners.
Elected Officers.
Washington Camp No. 304 P. O S. of
A. is recognized as one of the strongest
and most influential lodges of this order
in the state. The camp now has 104
members.
At the annual election of the camp
held Tuesday evening,Laac Dreifuss was
elected president; Frederick Wendell,
vice president; Stephen Nevius, master
of forms; H. H. Allen, recording secre
tary; J. V. Wilson, financial secretary;
Isaac Gross, treasurer; H. G. Wagner,
conductor; C. E. Beyer, inspector and
guard; A. Childs, outer guard; Fred
Henrie, trustee; Fred Henrie, 11. H.
Allen, Alex Mann,lsaac Gross and Isaac
Dreifuss, delegates to the district con
vention at Berwick on February 22.
Social and Watch Meeting.
The members of St. Paul's M. E.
church are planning to see the old cen
tury out with a fitting service. From
nine to ten o'clock on the evening of
December 31, a social will be held in the
lecture room under the auspices of the
Epworth League. This social will also
be observed as a reunion of the families
of the church. Light refreshments will
be served.
From ten to eleven o'clock a musical
and literary program will be rendered.
The last hour ot the century w ill be ob
served by a prayer and praise service.
The pastor, the Rev. H. C. Ilarman,
will also give an address, reviewing brief
ly the events of the passing century and
the possibilities of the new one.
Costly Stone Throwing.
A large plate glass window is wanted
in the front of Bloch's store on North
.Mill street, because of the prowess of a
small boy who "tired rocks'' not wisely
but too well. On Tuesday three small
boys playing in front of the store be
came engaged in a quarrel, because two
of them took away the toy of the third.
The youth in the minority promptly
tried to even matters by throwing a stone
at his comrades. The boys were not hit;
but it will cost quite a sum to replace
the glass through which the stone went.
Under Auspices of Epworth League.
The A and T. Biograph Company, of
Bloomsburg, will give an entertainment
in the opera house ou Tuesday evening,
January 1, under the auspices of the
Epworth League of St. Paul's M. E.
church. The proceeds w ill be used to
defray the League's subscription to the
church improvement fund.
JOB PRINTING
The office ol the AMERICAN oeing
furnished with a large assortmen
of job letter and fancy type and job
material generally, the Publishei
announces to the public that he is
prepared at all times to execute in
the neatest manner
JOB PRINTING
Of all Kinds and Descrption.
our prices before place
your orders.
ARE .41.1. USES
REPORTED?
Board of Health Becords Show Only five
Cases of Diphtheria.
A meinb-r of the Board of Health was
yesterday asked concerning the reports
about diphtheria in this city. He said
that the records of the Board show only
live cases of that disease to exist in Dan
ville at present These records also show
that during the past month only two
deaths have resulted from the disease in
this city.
When his attention was called to the
fact that several other deaths have been
reported to the newspapers as having
resulted from diphtheria, he said that if
those statements were correct, there has
been negligence on the part of the at
tending physicians in reporting the cases
to the Board. The same was true, he
said, in regard to the number of cases in
the city at present, if there are as many
cases as have been unofficially stated.
According to the reports that have
Keen made to the Board, there are fewer
cases of diphtheria in the city now than
for any time for two months past. The
Health official said, however, that he
believed that some cases have not been
reported to the Board that should have
been.
In regard to the difference between
diphtheria and membraneous croup, a
prominent physician said yesterday that
many physicians make no distinction,
and that membraneous croup is just as
contagious as diphtheria.
Improvements at St. Josephs Church Near
ly Completed.
The workmen Tuesday began taking
down the scaffolding that has been used
during the decorating of the interior of
St. Joseph s Catholic church. It is ex
pected that the improvements to the
church will be completed before the
Christmas services. A little touching
up of the side walls and painting the
seats is all that remains to be done,
This work will add greatly to the in
terior beauty of the church. The ceiling
has been painted in distemper colors. In
the center is a painting of the "Imma
culate Conception" ten by seventeen
feet in size. At the four corners are the
four evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke
and John. The side walls have been
painted in oils, with ornaments over the
windows. The paintings of the "Nativ
ity' and "Annunciation" have been
completed, and will be placed over the
side altars this week. Over the organ is
a "St. Cecelia." The columns have been
dressed in imitation marble. The sanc
tuary has been nicely decorated, and
the interior of the church has been im
proved.
The regular services of the church have
not been interrupted while this work
was in progress. The contractor for
these improvements was F. Baraldi, of
Philadelphia. The artists who have
done the work are also from Philadel
phia, and are A. Loeffier, Philip Erbach
er and Joseph McDonough.
Salute for Century's Close.
The members of Company F have de
cided to do their part to give the old
century a "send ofi" and welcome in the
new one. Since they have made a start
they are desirous of having other organ
izations of the town join with them and
make the celebration general.
Captain J. Beaver Gearhart and the
members have decided that on Monday
evening, December 31, the company will
be divided into several firing squads,
which will be assigned to different parts
of town. Just at midnight, these squads
will fire salutes.
The company members hope that
plans can be consummated to make this
part of the program simply the finale of
more extensive ceremonies. The officers
suggest that if other organizations will
join with them, a parade might be held
earlier in the evening ; to which music,
torches and fireworks would add inter
est.
What other organizations are ready
to assist Company F. to make this a
celebration worthy the birth of a new
century?
Christmas at St. Joseph's Church.
Masses will be celebrated at St. Jo
speh's Catholic church at 5:30 and nine
o'clock on Christmas morning, and a
seryice will be held in the evening at
seven o'clock. The children will sing
the special Christmas music at the nine
o'clock service. A children's entertain
ment will be held some evening during
Christmas week, the exact date not hav
ing been fixed.
In Good Financial Condition.
At the business meeting of the stew
ards of St. Paul's M. E. church on
Monday night it was auuounced that
the church is in excellent financial con
dition. If all of the subscriptions pledg
ed for different departments of the
church were paid, all of the debt and
current expenses could be met, and S3OO
would be left in the treasury.
Married at M. E. Parsonage.
David Hull, of Bloomsburg, and Miss
Margaret Ilile, of Lewisburg, were mar
ried by the Rev. H. C. Harman at the
Methodist parsonage on West Market
street at 7:30 o'clock Tuesday evening.
Deitz -Merrill.
Louis C. Deitz, of Danville, and Miss
Viola J. Merrill, of Mausdale, were mar
ried at Mausdale by the Rev. C. D. Lerch
at eight o'clock Tuesday t veiling. The
bride and groom were attended by Peter
Fry and Miss Laura Pursell.
Christmas shoppers were out in large
numbers last night.