Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, April 25, 1901, 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 I four*
9A. M.to 12 V 10* Mill St.,
1 P. M to U P. M Danville, Pa.
SIII'LTZ, M. D.
425 MILL ST., DANVILLE, PA.
of the Stomach and Intestines
a Specialty
JJK. \V. P. A.\ULK,
DENTIST
OFKU K: 218 MILL STREET.
eeth Extracted without l'ain.
Crown nud Bridge Work u Specialty.
Equipped wltli the latent and most improved
Instruments and prepared to execute the
inoet difficult work.
DR. C. H. REYNOLDS,
(FORMERLY OF CATAWISSA).
Offloe, Opposite Boston Store, Danville, Pa
Dentistry in all its branches. Charge
Moderate and all work Guaranteed
Established 1893,5
CONDENSED SEWS.
April is on the last lap.
From present indications there will be
a scarcity of flowers for use on Memorial
Day.
Mrs. Lafayette Kennedy, of River
side, is critically ill.
A warm weather bulletin would be
welcome now.
Culhane, Chace and Weston s Min
strels are coming.
The High School athletics are all
ready for their opening game of base
ball on Saturday.
If winter has really kidnapped spring,
then it is time to apply that anti-kid
napping law passed by our Legislature.
Culhane, Chace & Weston's minstrels
will give two performances at the opera
house on Saturday next.
Nelson Bird, of Riverside, is critically
ill of heart trouble.
J. H. Cole sells Burpee's Seeds.
The matinee prices for the minstrels
on Saturday will be: Children, 10 cents;
adults,2o cents to all parts of the house.
Miss Bertha Snyder, ot Klversiite, who |
has been very ill for several days past,
is improving.
A rare treat is promised all who may
attend the concert in the Y. M. C. A.
hall Monday evening, April 29tb.
The shirt waist letter carrier will add
a touch of color to the government ser
vice.
The letter carriers are already antici
pating much relief from the order
which permits them to abandon coats
and vests during hot weather for the
cool shirt waist. Now if a like privilege
should be granted the cop, that stern
body of vigilant officers would be equal
ly happy.
Work on the annex to the lleddens
House is progressing rapidly.
The next stated meeting of the North
umberland Presbytery will be held at
Northumberland in the fall.
WilliamsiKirt is preparing to extend a
cordial welcome to the Odd Fellows
next Friday. Danville will be well rep
resented at this pleasant event.
Antrim & Co. will open their store in
the Brown building on May Ist. A line
of dry goods, notions and women 's fur
nishing goods will be carried.
It's not a boom this time. It is a
gradual bettering of business conditions
with a still brighter future.
Well,a little warm sunshine now would
cause Nature to bud into life.
There is more activity in the building
trade this spring than we have known
for some time. People who have been
postponing needed repairs for a year or
two are now having the work done.
The river is high as the ie*ult of the
recent snow and heavy rain in New
York state.
Mrs. A. T. DeWitt, Riverside, who has
been nursing a fractured arm and other
injuries for the six weeks past, is able to
be out again.
The fragrant trailing arbutus is out,
and arbutus hunters will now make
daily trips to the woods during the next
few weeks.
It is probable that the second Arbor
Day, Friday April 26th, will be appro
priately observed in this vicinity.
Mrs. F. M Ootwalds is ill at her home
on West Mahoning street.
The startiug of the new shovel works
by the Bessemer company will be an
event for public rejoicing.
The East Danville band will accom
pany the Odd Fellows to Williamsport
on Friday.
A Hock of wild ducks some seventy in
number, which settled on the river yes
terday morning, afforded fine sport for
our local duck shooters. The birds
seemed to be unterrified by the hunters
and hovered about pretty much nil day.
By middle of the afternoon their num
ber was considerably thinned, several
of the gunners bagging as many as a
half a dozen or more.
To The Trade.
We have just arranged with B. K.
Shoemaker, of Danville to Handle our
line of Pure Medicinal Rye and Malt
Whiskies. We Guarantee their Purity
Rochester Distilling Co.
Duffy Malt Whiskey Co.
illontinir "ills American.
"THIS COUNTRY WILL NEVER BE ENTIRELY FREE UNTIL IT SUPPLIES ALL OF ITS OWN DEMANDS WITH ITS OWN PRODUCTIONS."
VOL. 4<i-->U> 17.
!J.)!. i.HKIUHT
PASSES AWAI
A Generous Mau Whose Death is Widel«*
Lamented.
A. M. Gearhart, whose critical illness
has been noted in these columns, died
last evening at 8:45 o'clock. Thus pass
es away one of our best business men, a
public-spirited citizen, a man widely
known, whose generous disposition and
genial sunny nature won him many
friends.
Mr. Gearhart's illness covered a per
iod of one year, the cause of death being
abscess of the liver. During the last
several months his sufferings have been
most intense and death literally came as
a relief.
Alexander Montgomery Gearhart was
born in this city on July 2(5,1840,and was
therefore 54 years of age. lie was the
son of Bouham K. and Elizabeth S. Gear
hart, the latter, who is 84 years of age,
still surviving.
Mr. Gearhart began his business ca
reer as newsboy on the railroad; later he
became freight agent on the Catawissa
railroad at this city. In 1873 he became
station agent of the I). L. & \V. railroad
at this place, a position he continuously
held up to some four months ago when
failing health obliged him to retire.
Mr. Gearhart served in the school
bo ird for six years anil was treasurer of
that body for thirteen years. He was a
member of the town council for three
years, serving'as president one year. At
the time of his death he was treasurer of
Danville Lodge, No. 127, Improved Ord
er of Ileptasophs.
The deceased is survived by his wife
and one daughter, Nellie, married to
William L. McClure, teller of the First
National bank of this city. The funeral
arrangements have not been made.
Water Rates Too Low.
The borough council held a regular
meeting last night,PresidentKemmeroc- !
cupying the chair. The following mem
bers were present: Goldsmith, Dough
erty, M. D. L. Sechler, Fetterman,Davis,
Vastine, George Sechler and Gibson.
On motion of Mr. Vastine the follow
ing resolution was adopted:
It having come to our knowledge that
water is being furnished by the Water
Department at A cent per thousand gal- ;
lons, which is 3J cents less than cost per
thousand gallons we are ioth to believe
that the Water Department is cogni- j
nnnl oFtkii ?..«► Hie >Valu OUUJ- |
mittee, would kindly ask you to inves
tigate if such are the facts.
By the Committee,
AMOS VASTINE,
M. D. L. SKCHI.EH. |
On motion of M. D. L. Sechler the
purchase of four rubber coats were or
dered for the Friendship Fire company.
Mr. Vastine of the Committee on
Streets and Bridges made a report stat
ing what disposition was made of the
matters reterrcd to the committee at last
meeting. John Keim, he said, had con
sented to fill up the hollows at the foot
of Foust and Cooper streets on the river
bank, caused by the removal of clay.
With reference to the complaint of Mr.
Welliver entered at last meeting, that
owing to bad drainage surface water was
thrown in upon his premises, No. 33 Ash
street, the committee decided that the
place being naturally low it would be
impossible for the borough to do any
thing in the matter. As to the gutter
on Ferry street, in need of cobbling,
which throws the water in upon Robert
Miller, it was explained that Mr. Mil
ler's gutter is below grade, while that of
his neighbors is above grade. Under the
circumstances it was recommended that
the parties interested get together and
settle the matter among themselves.
The report suggested some additional
repairs, which was left in the hands of
the committee.
On motion of Mr. Dougherty 'Andrew
Russell was granted permission to con
nect hi* restaurant with the sewer at
Lower Mulberry street.
Franklin Boyer appeared before coun
cil to complain of unjust treatment not
only from the Friendship Fire company
who, he alleged, will not divide the
sprinkling of llr< borough fairly with
him, but also from the Water Superint
endent, whom he accused of discriminat
ing in favor of the Fire company. Mr.
Keefer, who was present,ex plained that
the Fire company had complied with
the regulations by agreeing to pay the
annual water tax of #125, while Mr.
Boyer refused to come to terms. Harry I
Trumbower -spoke in defense of the
Friendship Fire company. It was the
sense of the members that Mr. lJoyer
and the Fire company should adjust
their ditlerences without the aid of
council.
The following bills were approved for
payment:
HOROI'GH DEPARTMENT.
Regular employes $99.50
Street work 33.05
Chris Hershey 1.80
H. Kupp 1.-5
WAT EH DEPARTMENT.
Regular employes |137.00
Work on repairs 71.05
11. B. l'atton 1200
D. L. A W. railway 1 00
P. & R. railway 14.01
Tendered a Party.
Miss Katherine Bauscli wns tendered
a party Monday evening by a few of her
friends at the home of her brother,
Charles D. Bausch, Railroad street. The
following were present: Misses Mae
Foust, Bessie Klase, and Rosa Oetz,
Messrs. Frank Kear, Roy Smith and
Harry Camp of this city, and Misses
Martha Ferris and Mae Croope, of the
Bloomsburg Normal school. A very
1 pleasant evening was spent
IMPROVEMENTS AT
READING WORKS
m ' Lrty New Boilers and Two Artesian
Wells.
The Heading Iron company is about
entering upon an important system of
improvements at its plant in this city.
The improvements, which include new
boilers for both the puddling and heat
ing departments, extensive alterations
about the roof and the sinking of two
artesian wells, will involve a cost of not
less than $l(K),t)(lO.
The boilers at the plant have been in
service many years. Two over heating
furnaces were replaced by new ones a
couple of years ago. This leaves nine
heating furnaces yet to be supplied with
new boilers in addition to the twenty
one puddling furnaces. Two of the new
boilers, intended for the heating fur
naces, have already arrived at the plant
and may be seen on the company's
switch at the rear of the office. They
are upright, water tube Coliill boilers,
monsters in size, of inch steel and 54
inches in diameter. The boilers over the
puddling furnaces will be replaced with
horizontal ones, containing two IS inch
(lues, a most approved type.
No time will be lost whMe the new
boilers are being installed. It will U- so
arranged that the work in progress will
affect but two furnaces at ene time
Thus by the time the thirty some fur
naces are overhauled summer will be
waning. Evidently work about the hig
plant for the next six months will be at
tended with much inconvenience, even
if delays do not occur.
The installment of the new boilers,
which are larger than the old ones, will
necessitate the raising of all the lower or
outside seetion of the roof covering both
mills. This in itself will represent a
great deal of work and may reasonably
be expected to furnish employment to a
large number of local mechanics.
The sinking of artesian wells to sup
ply the plant with water during the
months of July, August and September
is the only measure for the company to
adopt since the abandonment of the
canal.
It uiay interest our readers to learn
that the big plant requires 5,000,01)0 gal
lons of water per day to supply its sev
eral departments. The supply ordinari
ly is drawn from a dam in Mahoning
creek on the company's own land north
west of the borough. This source fails.
However, uunug me low water season.
It was then that the canal became an
indispensable factor and was drawn up
on for all the water used at the plant.
The dam will furnish the main water
supply as before. The artesian wells
will be relied upon to supply the defi
ciency. Two wells will be sunk, each 8
inches in diameter. These may be very
deep; there is no telling to what depth
they may have to be driven before a
vein of water is reached. Work on them
will begin in a very short time. Thomas
B. Harper, of Jenkintown, who will
have the work in charge, is already on
the ground.
Brought Home From Hospital.
James Ryan, Northumberland street,
who one month ago fractured his skull
by a fall down stairs and was taken to
St. Agnes' Hospital, Philadelphia, for
treatment, was brought home by his son
Matthew, on Saturday evening last very
much improved. Mr. Ryan's case was a
very critical one, as,it will be remember
ed, he lay in a comatose state for nearly
a week before he was taken to the bos
pital. An operation performed by the
hospital doctors resulted in the removal
of a piece of the fractured skull. The
patient has regained his reason, al
though he has no memory of the fall
and fancies that he has passed through
a siege of illness.
Apoplexy Rusults in Death.
George Keim, of Watsontown, died
on Sunday evening at 7 o'clock.
The deceased was 01 years of age. He
was a former resident of this city, re
moving from here to Watsontown eigh
teen years ago, He has many friends
among our residents, who with his rela
tives here are grieved to hear of his
death.
The deceased is survived by a wife,
three sons and one daughter—David,
Charles, Ilarry and L : zzie, all residents
of Watsontown.
A Farmer's Long Trip.
,larues Fenstermacher, of Mausdale,
will leave Saturday next for Pacific
Beach, San Diego county, California.
His trip will mainly be one of pleasure;
at the same time he will be on the look
out tor business opportunities and
should the country impress him favor
ably he niay'.decide to locate in Califor
nia. M r.'.Fenstermacher has relatives
in that state and may remain there all
summer. Meanwhile his family will
abide at the pleasant homestead on the
Washingtonville road just beyond Maua
dale.
Burned by Molten Iron.
Mont Knorr, of Riverside, a moulder
employed at the Stove Works, met with
an unfortunate accident yesterday after
noon. He was carrying a ladle of molt
en iron from the cupola when lie stum
bled and fell on the ladle. His left hand
came in contact with the red hot iron,
burning the skin entirely otf. The in
jury is such that he will be unable to
work for at least three months.
Will Install Water Power.
Bloch & Benzbach have decided to in
stall a water moter in their knee pants
factory, Mill street. This will increase
the product of their plant about one
third. Bloch & Benzbach employ some
seventy-five hands.
DAXVI \\K PA., Till litfDAY, APIUL H>ol,
PERSONAL
PARAGRAPHS.
Brief Mention of the Doings of Your Friends
and Acquaintances.
Miss Mary Holloway and niece, Miss
Katherine Rhodes, arrived home Fri
dayevening from a visit with relatives in
Richmond, Ya. They were accompani
ed by .Miss Margaret Burrows, of Nor
folk, Ya.
Miss Nellie Zaner, of Allentown,spent
Sunday at the home of her father, Charles
Zaner, Church street.
J«sse Milroy spent Sunday in North
umberland.
William Grove spent Sunday with
friends in Northumberland.
John R. Sharpless, Esq., of Hazleton,
joined his wife on a visit over Sunday at
the home of Mrs. Wilson M. Gearhart,
West Market street.
Miss Margaret Clark, of Williamsport,
is visiting her parents in this city.
Mrs. James I>. Barber, of Philadelphia
joined her husband Saturday at the resi
dence of W. A. Shepperson, on Front
street.
Miss Charlotte I'ersing is visiting
Bloomsburg friends.
Mrs. Martha K. Creasy, of Blooms
burg, is the guest of Mrs. W. 0. I»a*is,
Mill street.
Mrs. John Waite and daughter, Alice,
left Tuesday for a visit with Milton rel
atives.
Frank Buclier was in Catawissa yes
terday.
Rev. E. C. Armstrong, of Williams
port, was in this city, Monday, to visit
A M. ( rear hart.
Mrs. J. C. Lange returned to Scranton
yesterday after a visit with Mrs. George
Jacobs, Ferry street.
Mr, an>l Mrs. P. B. Ileddens, of
Bloomsburg, visited friends in this city
yesterday.
Mrs. John Ever and Mrs. Creasy, of
Bloomsburg, visited relatives in this city
yesterday.
Mrs. O. S. Kase and daughter, Miss
Rachel, attended a wedding in Snyder
town last evening.
F. E. Allen,representing the Philadel- '
phia Inquirer, spent last evening in this
city.
Mrs. (J. E. Yorks returned to Central 1
yesterday after a short visit with rela-
Misses Ksther (ieddys and Isabel Bit
tenbender returned to Bloomsburg yes
terday after a visit at the home of t'. V. j
James, East Market street.
liev. Adolph Meyer was a Blooms- '
burg visitor yesterday.
Landlord Moyer of Hotel Oliver was
in Catawissa yesterday.
John F. Tooley made a business trip
to Bloomsburg yesterday.
David Thomas left yesterday for l'hila- j
delpliia.
E. A. Imes, a prominent insurance
man of Wilkesbarre, transacted business i
in this city yesterday.
Miss Mensch, of Roaring Creek, re
turned home yesterday after a pleasant !
visit with Mrs. M. F. Gulick, Riverside. !
George Ho finer left for Sunbury yes
terday.
Mrs. Joseph Mertz, of Northumber
land, is visiting friends in this city.
Rev. Daniel Newson left for Milton
yesterday.
Miss Anna Davis is visiting in Wilkes
barre.
Mrs. James D. Kramer and Miss Clara
Smith have returned from Philadelphia.
Mrs. Elmer (limes, M. I). L. Sechler,
and daughter, Miss Ida, Mr. and Mrs.
Daniel Keim, and Misses Katherineand
Maine Keim attended the funeral of
(ieorge Keim at Watsontown yester
day.
Miss Katlierine Eckman spent yester
day with friends in Bloomsburg.
Mrs. Sarah Mowery and bon, John, of
Buckhorn, spent a few hours in thiscity
yesterday.
J. H. Sechler left for Baltimore, Md.,
yesterday after a short visit with his
parents on Front street.
Mrs. Jacob Deitz and son, Jesse, left
yesterday for a short visit in Sunbury.
Mrs. .Moses Bloch left yesterday for
Bloomsburg, where she will spend a
week with her daughter, Mrs. Lewis
Cross.
Mrs. John R. Sharpless, who has been
visiting her mother, Mrs. Wilson M.
(tearhart, West Market street, left for
Catawissa yesterday.
John L. Jones left yesterday for liar
risburg.
Mrs. William Cruikshank, of Berwick,
is the guest of Mrs. W ('. Davis, Mill
! street.
Michael Everett returned from llarris
j burg yesterday.
James I . Barber went to Philadelphia
j yesterday.
Mr. and Mrs. John Lawrence, of Will
iamsport, spent a few hours in this city
with friends yesterday.
Mrs. William Havery, of Nescopec,
| was the guest of Miss Ida Weaver yes
terday.
Miss Edna Sassnian returned yester
day from a visit in Sunbury.
Mrs. Marry Cobb will return to Mifflin
| burg today after a visit at the home of
William K. Lunger.
Ralph Kimbel, of Barnsville, is the
guest of Theodore Kimble, Riverside.
Mr. and Mrs. John Kline and daught
er, Mildred, returned to Northumber
land yesterday after a short visit with
1 friends at (irovania.
LAN ATTEMPT
TO MURDER
Stephen Moser Makes Confession Lent His
Revolver and Assisted in Plot.
The cold-blooded attempt to murder
I Frank Taylor, of liberty township, on
' Thursday night last, which sent a thrill
i of horror through the community, is no
j longer merged in mystery. At least one
jof the persons, if not the only person,
i implicated in the dastardly act has con-
I fessed his guilt. This our readers will
j nut be surprised to learn is Stephen
! Moser, the person committed !o jail
j Thursday night from the same township
for another offense, toward whom sus
picion pointed from the first.
Mr. Taylor, the intended victim, was
in this city Sunday and was interview
ed by a representative of this paper.
The experience of being shot at,
although missed, is one that a man is
likely to remember for awhile and it
was not without a shudder, yesterday,
that Mr. Taylor recalled the thrilling
details of the affair. He Hays the shoot
ing occurred between 9:30 and 10 o'clock.
He was seated in the kitchen with his
wife and an employe on tlie farm named
Daniel Morgan. Mr. Taylor occupied a
position at the side of the window, lean
ing back against the wall. Either his
wife or Mr. Morgan would have been a
target, but he himself was out of range.
Finally, the hour for retiring arriving,
he changed his position, leaning for
ward as if in the act of removing his
shoes. This move brought him within
range from outside and the first thing
lie knew there was a report of a revolver,
the sound of broken glass and a bullet
whizzed by his face. Mr. Taylor says
that no one but those who have passed
through such an experience has any idea
of what it is like. First of all there is
the sense of extreme peril—the dread of
tlie second shot. lie sprang to his feet
and as quickly as he could recover him
self he directed his wife to flee to the
other room, in which there was no light,
the door opening near where she stood.
Mr. Morgan took this advice, but Mrs.
Taylor was too apprehensive for her
husband's safety and too much excited
to do anything. Ultimately the light
was extinguished and the family with
drew up stairs, but not to sleep. An
attempt had been made on Mr. Taylor's
life and failed. It seemed perfectly
plausible that tlie blood thirsty enemy
plish his purpose. All night long they
kept watch, lest an attempt be made to
burn the dwelling or steal in upon
them unawares.
The next morning the bullet —a 32
calibre one —was found lying on the
floor along with a lot of plaster dislodged
as it struck the solid wall on the side of
the room opposite the window. On the
outside approaching the window strange
footprints were discovered in the mud.
At some distance from the barn a horse
had been tied and from the impressions
left bv the hoofs he had stood there for
a considerable time. After the shooting
the evening before Mr. Taylor did not
see a man mount the horse and ride
away, as reported. He states that be
even did not see the horse. lie was
totally absorbed by thoughts of his
safety about that time.
Mr. Taylor thinks the shooting was
delayed by the presence of Mr. Morgan.
The latter occupies a tenant house on
the farm and the would-be-assassin was
no doubt waiting for him to retire to his
domicile. On Thursday night,however,
his wife was absent, and at the invita
tion of Mr. Taylor he was spending the
night at his house. After waiting in
vain for him to leave it would seem that
the murderous intruder decided to take
his cnances and fired the shot.
Stephen Moser was charged with the
larceny of chickens by Mr. Taylor and
if any credency is to be given to bis con
fession his motive for the attempt on
Taylor's life was hatred and a desire to
escape prosecution. He was arraigned
before 'Squire Kerswell, of Washington
ville, some three weeks ago. He was rep- 1
resented by K. S. Ammerman, Esq., of :
this city, while the prosecution was with j
out counsel, and the result was that the
defendant was discharged. .Moser was •
arrested again on last Thursday and was
to have a hearing before '.Squire Robert
Auten on Friday.
The bullet, Thursday night, failing to
do its work Mr. Taylor, represented by
YV. 11. Hackenburg, Esq., of Milton,was
on hand Friday to press the prosecu
tion, Moser again being represented by
' Mr. Ammerman. The defendant was
I held for court. His father, Peter Moser,
, went his bail, but later withdrew and
i Moser was committed to jail.
Before being brought to Danville he
i was confronted with evidences of bis
complicity in the shooting. He was tak
en to the Taylor farm where his shoe
i was found to fit the foot prints left by
' the wretch who tried to kill Mr. Taylor,
j while by measurement the hoofs of one
! of the horses in his charge was found to
correspond with the marks made by the
horse tied near Taylor's barn Thursday
night. Moser, however, denied that he
had any knowledge whatever of the
| shooting.
While in town Sunday Mr. Taylor
accompanied by \V. 15. Startzell, called
i upon Moser in the jail. Mr. Taylor
! again confronted the prisoner w itli evide
nces of his complicity in the shooting.
Moser finally atfected to yield and de
tailed the part that he played in the
dastardly plot. He implicated as the
ring leader a very reputable citizen of
the locality, whose name is withheld,
j According to Moser's story this man,
whom he also accuses of being implicat
ed with himself in a scheme of chicken
1 (Continued on page four.)
BESSEMER CD'S
NEW I'LANS
Shovel Factory May be in Operation by
July.
James L. Barber, a representative of
the Danville Bessemer company, arrived
in tiiis city Friday anil was interviewed
bv a representative of this paper.
It seems to be the policy of the company
to give as little publicity as possible to
its plans relating to the new industry it
proposes to establish here. Upon learn
ing, however, how greatly are citizens
are interested in the matter Mr. Barber
consented to give out a few general facts
for publication.
He confirmed the stories printed in
these columns relating to the plans of
the Bessemer company. It is true that
the company proposes to equip the plant
and enter upon the manufacture of a
variety of articles, the initial feature of
which will be a full line «of shovels and
scoops. The manufacture of other arti
cles, the names of which are withheld.it
was explained, will be taken up from
time to time as adjuncts. The number
of men employed will eventually approx
imate a hundred or more.
The new industry will be housed in the
upper plant formerly known as the plate
and rail mill along with the "chair fac
tory'' on the opposite side of the I). L.
it W. tracks. With the exception of the
plate mill, which will require some
modification, for the work on hand, new
machinery,all of a special type,will have
to be installed. The men employed in
the plant at present are experts, busy
in designing the new mills.
The plant will not be ready for opera
tion much, if any, before the Fourth of
July, although all the preparations are
being actively pushed forward. A cer
tain part of the work will require skilled
workmen. Several of these with their
families have already moved to town
while others will follow between this
and the starting up of the plant. In this
connection, however, Mr. Barber ex
plained, that local workmen as far as
practicable will be given preference.
According to the plans of the com
pany at present no use will be made of
the steel plant structure. It is true a
force of men have been busy for several
days past around the building cleaning
up, grading, <kc., but their work, it
seems, signifies nothing beyond an at
rnVngs. *
An important item of information giv
en out during the interview was that the
Danville Bessemer Co. contemplates
starting up its blast furnace here. But
little could be learned as to when it will
be blown in or anything relating to it
beyond the fact that its operation will
be entirely independent of the com
pany's other industry here.
Improvements at DeWitt's Park.
I >r. A. T. DeWitt, who with there- i
currence of each spring since the open- |
ing of his park at Riverside has added j
some new feature as an attraction to the ;
resort, will this spring continue the im- j
proveiiieuts- by electing an annex to the
already large pavilion. The addition,
which will add 000 square feet more
to the pavalion, will include two
dressers, one for ladies and the other
for gentlemen. The dressers,which will
answer as a receptacle for wraps and en
able picnickers to change their costume,
will be an accommodation much apprec- |
iated by those who patronize the park. ,
A force of uien are quite busy about 1
the paik cleaning up the grove and mak- :
ing the usual spring repairs,' which in- j
elude a regrading of the bicycle path and j
driveway. The base ball and foot ball
grounds are also being putin shape. J
The merry-go-round will be installed ,
within the next month.
Dr. DeWitt is looking forward to a
very busy season. The reputation of >
his park as an attractive and healthful |
resort is widely known and in addition |
to home patronage he expects to book a j
number of picnics from our neighboring
towns.
The Danville Gun and Ritie club has j
leased ground lor another year, and the j
bi-weekly shoots of the club will be a
feature of the amusement at the park.
The first attraction of the season at I
the park will tie the base ball game be- (
tween Danville Iligh school and Lewis-1
burg High school on Saturday next.
Dr. And Mrs. Wintersteeii.
Mr. and Mrs. John Heim last evening
gave a reception in honor of Dr. and
Mrs. T. B. Wintersteen, of Danville,
j who were married at that place 011
Thursday evening, and stopped here on
their tour. Dr. Wintersteen is a rising
young physician of Danville, and his
bride is a daughter of ex-Judge Henry
Divel. The reception last night was in
the nature of a surprise, as they had
been led to believe that they were going
to the Mask and Wig performance,
j About forty guests were present, and
! spent a very pleasant evening. The
Stopper and Fisk Junior orchestra ren
dered delightful music and Mrs. S. V.
Border and Mr. Heim favored the com
pany with vocal selections. A part of
! the surprise to bride andgroom was the
presence of Mrs W. L. Sidler and
: daughter. Miss Margaret Divel. a sister
of the bride, and Mrs. Anmiernian, of
Danville, who arrived on the evening
! train Excellent refreshments were
served. It was a very enjoyable occa
sion Saturday's Williamsport Sun.
Kelly—Huntington.
Miss Emma Huntington, daughter of
j Mr. and Mrs. James Huntington, and
William John Kelly were married at the
bride's home on Chambers street yester
j day afternoon at four o'clock. The Rev
N. E. Cleaver performed the ceremony.
ESTABLISHED IN 1855.
CAPS AID tOWHS
ABANDONED
Ladies of the Graduating 'Class Will Dress
in White.
The school board held a regular meet
ing Monday night with President Jacob
Fischer in the chair. Members were in
their places as follows: Orth, Barber,
Burger, Werkheiser, Black, Fenster
macher, Keefer, Lunger and Curry.
Superintendent Houser presented his
repcfrt for the month ending April Bth,
from which the following points were
gleaned:
Total number of different pupils en
rolled to date—males, (>72; females, 664,
total, 1336. Number in attendance dur
ing the month—males, 503; females,s7s,
total, 1138. Average daily attendance,
989. Total percent of attendance 90.
Number of pupils ill during month, 133.
The showing this month is quite an
improvement on last month's report,
which in the matter of absentees and
tardiness was the subject of much un
favorable comment by the board. The
Superintendent and faculty have been
hard at work during the past month in
an endeavor to effect several reforms in
the high school and are meeting with
good success. The present report shows
684 absent as against 750 last month;
230 pupils tardy as against 288 last
month and 433 cases of tardiness as
against 544 last month.
On motion of Mr. Lunger two months'
tuition fee was refunded to Kev. F. S.
Vought, of Riverside,who recently mov
ed to York.
On motion of Mr. Fenstermacher the
question of purchasing an encyclopedia
for the high school was laid over until
the end of the term.
The High School Committee present
ed the following recommendations:
That the high school commencement
be held on the evening of June 6th. ad
mission to be fixed at 10 and 15 cents to
cover cost of exercises.
That ten invitations and ten tickets
be granted to each member of the grad
uating class.
That programs and decorations be
furnished at the expense of the board.
That the Penn Social Club orchestra
be employed to furnish the music.
That a soprano soloist be engaged for
commencement.
That James Scarlet, Esq. #)
liver the address to the graduating
class.
That an order be issued prohibiting
the presentation of tiowers or gifts in
any form to the graduating class while
on the stage.
The recommendations of the committee
were adopted with the exception of the
clause granting each member of the class
ten tickets, which was lost on a yea and
nay vote.
The committee also reported that the
graduating class has decided to abandon
the caps and gowns worn at commence
ment for several years past. Tbe ladies
of the class will wear white gowns.
The following bills were approved for
paynaeut:
W. E. Young, $5.00
Montour American 2.00
Ilenry Rempe, 5.50
Joseph Lechner 5 46
Frank Schram, 35
Free Concert in Y. M. 0. A, Hall.
The concert to be given in the Y. M.
C. A. hall next Monday evening will be
greeted by a large audience.as those tak
ing part comprise some of Danville's
best talent. No admission will be charg
ed except the usual basket offering. The
following excellent program will be ren
dered:
Overture "Bridal Rose" Lavalee
Penn Social Orchestra.
Marches a—"The Ameer". Herbert
b—"The. Viceroy."
Orchestra.
Intermezzo "Cupid's Dream"
Orchestra.
Reci t at ion Select ed
Miss Russell.
Medley of Southern Plantation Songs
Orchestra.
Piano solo-.a —"Prelude". .Rachmanioff
b —"Scherzo". .Beethoven's
2nd Sonata.
Miss Gertrude Heitn.
I Waltz song "Delight" Luckstone
Miss Margaret Ammerman.
Marches a—"A Coon Town Band
Contest."
b—-"A Frangesa."
Orchestra.
An Ancient Timepiece.
John G. Brown has an old clock in his
store, Mill street, which is quite a cur
iosity both as to pattern anil age. It is
a Schwartzenwald clock known to be
at least ISO years old, which as an anti
que antedates the style of timepiece
known as the "grandfather's clock,'' it
self something of a relic. it is con
structed on the same scale as the large
old fashioned clock, but the only resem
blance it bears to it is the dial. It is
without any case,the works and weights
are exposed to view, the pendulum
swinging to and fro without any protec
tion whatever. Mr. Brown gave the old
timepiece a complete overhauling, fast
ened it to the wall and set it going.
Since Saturday last it has kept perfect
time. The old clock is one of a very
few of such kind in existeoce.
Death of A Well Knowu Lady.
Mrs. Henry Lazarus, of Giovania.died
Sunday night at 12 o'clock after a six
weeks' illness of grip, aged t>(> years.
The deceased is survived by a hus
band and two daughters Elizabeth, Mrs
George 1. Mowrey, anil Lydia Sophia,
Mrs. Calvin I). Garrison, both of (irov
ania.
JOB PRINTING
The office of the AMERICAN oeing
furnished with a large
of job letter and fancy type and job
material generally, the Publisher
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.
MISSIONARY
CONVENTION
The Eighteenth Annual Meeting Danville
District.
The Woman's Foreign Missionary
Society of the Methodist Episcopal
church, Danville District, Central Penn
sylvania conference, is holding its eigh
teenth annual meeting at St. Paul's M.
K. church, this city.
The convention began'at 2:30 yester
day afternoon, Mrs. M. E. Purdy ofSun
bury, District Secretary, presiding.
A greeting of welcome on behalf of
the local Auxiliary was given by Mrs. S.
Y. Thompson. A greeting on behalf of
I St. Paul's M. E. church was extended by
the pastor, Kev. H. C. Harman. Mrs.
P. P. Strawinski, District-Secretary, pre
sented the greeting of the Williamsport
District. A response to each was made
by Mrs. K. H. Gilbert, of Berwick.
The question: "What dol most need
to Learn at this Convention?" brought
several delegates to the ttqj?r, the re
sponses without exception revealing a
great deal of interest in the work.
The president called for the reports of
the various Auxiliaries represented.
These show the year just past to have
been the most successful in the history
of the [Danville District; more money
was raised, and a larger number of new
members added than in any of the eigh
teen years past. •
At the close of the afternoon session
Tuesday the following delegates had
arrived:
Mrs. Keenan, Mrs. Vandling, Miss
Lide Bucher, Miss Maggie Speakman,
and Mrs. Shure, of Sunbury; Mrs. Mac
key, Mrs. Breisch, Mrs. Longenberger,of
Mainville; Mrs. Wertz, Miss Ella De-
Moyer, of Northumberland; Mrs. Blatch
ley, Mrs. Laura Spear, Mrs. Knt, Miss
Bittenbender.'Miss Gladdys, Mrs. Gear
hart, Mrs. Wilbur, Mrs. Spencer, Miss
Letsin, Mrs. iCreasey, of Bloomsburi;;
Mrs. 11 eavener, Mrs. Ludwip; Mrs. My
ers, of Neseopec; Mrs. Gilbert, Mrs. Van
Hoten, Mrs. Mendenhall, Miss Maud
Groh, Lynn, of Berwick; Mrs.
Tubbs, Mrs. Adkins, of Shickshinny;
Mrs. Hoover,|Mrs. Francis,of Shamokin;
Miss Dodson, of Town Hill; Mrs. Char
rington, Miss Cleaver, of Rhodes.
The President.announced the follow
ing committees: ■
Mrs. Myers, Mrs. Keenan.
Press —Mrs. Gearhart, Misis DeMoyer,
Mrs. Wilbur.
Enrollment —Miss Mr9. Van
dling. i
Place of Meeting—Mrs. Mackey, Mrs.
Hoover, Mrs. Vandling, Mrs. Creasey.
The evening session was opened with
invocation by Kev. H. C. Harmau. Mrs.
G. E. Wilbur, of Bloomsburg.Jiad charge
of the meeting.
"The Junior Battle Hymnl' was sung
by the Junior League with good efiect.
A quartette by four little ,boys also
sounded very nicely. Miss Ethel Glad
dys, of Bloomsburg, gave a jrecitation,
entitled, "Is it Nothing to You ?" Miss
Marguerite Kvans with a chorus of live
little girls rendered a solo, "Jesus Loves
You." "Good news from a Chinese
Maiden," was the subject of a recitation
rendered by Miss Isabella Bittenbender,
of Bloomsburg. "Nine Reasons Why 1
am Glad lam Not a Heathen" was an
interesting number. Nine little girls
standing in a row each stated why she
would rather live in our civilized and
Christian land than in Cbintj. "Tom
my's Prayer" by Miss Ethel Woods, of
this city, was a charming recitation. A
solo, "I am Going to Try" was rendered
by Miss Madge Saunders, President of
the Junior League.
A paper entitled, "Why do we fail to
Interest Young Women in Mission
Work?" was read by Mrs. G. Yandling,
ofSunbury. A solo, ''The Gates of
l'aradise," was snng by Miss Blanch
Leston, of Bloomsburg. An address on
"The Twentieth Century Thank Of
fering," by Mrs. I'. I'. Strawinski, of
Williamsport, concluded thp evening
program.
The closing session of the Woman's
Missionary society at St. Paul;s M. E.
church, last night, was attended by a
large audience. Mrs. M. E. l'urdy, Dis
trict Secretary, presented her report.
An interesting letter from l)r. Benn, a
lady missionary in China, was read by
Mrs. S. Y. Thompson. It gave a thril
ling description of life in China during
the recent uprising. It pictured the
perils the missionaries were forced to
face and told how they made themselves
useful during the long siege.
The address of the evening was made
by Mrs. Spencer, of Bloomsburg, a re
turned missionary from Japan. Mrs.
Spencer, 18 years ago, accompanied her
husband, a missionary, to Japan. She
has been employed chietly in teaching
and has been brought in close contact
with the Japanese in their private life.
Her discourse conveyed avast amount
of instruction on life in Japan, the na
tive religion, and the progress of mis
sionary work.
The morning scssiou yesterday began
at 8:45 o'clock. At 9:15 reports of Aux
iliaries and Young Ladies' societies and
bands were presented. The subject,
"How can we obtain best results from
our monthly meeting*?" was then taken
up. It was discussed along the several
lines by the following persons: Spiritual
ly, Mrs. U. K. Wilbur; intellectually.
Miss PeMoyer; socially, Mrs. H. Hoover;
practically, Mrs. J. J. Meyers. A pa|er
entitled, "Our literature" was read by
Mrs M. K. (iearhart, of Bloomsburg.
The Mite Box organizations made
their report yesterday afternoon, after
which a paper entitled, "I he Mite Box
iu the Home" was read by Miss Dodson.
(Continued on page four.)