John FRONFIELD, a well known aged resident of Collegeville, dropped dead at Main and Cherry streets, Norristown, on Saturday afternoon. He had scarcely fallen to the pavement when he was picked up and carried into the real estate office on the corner and medical aid summoned. When the doctor arrived life was extinct and the general supposition is that he had died as he fell. Deceased was a bachelor 79 years of age. A local undertaker took charge of the body and later in the day it was transferred to his late residence in Collegeville, the Coroner having been notified in the meantime. Deceased was a retired shoemaker, working for years with Mr. TRUCKSESS of Collegeville. He was rather eccentric and never married. He was well thought of and had many friends.
Henry F. REITER, of Trumbauersville, Bucks County, died on Friday of last week at 10 o'clock a.m. of pneumonia. Mr. REITER was only confined to bed for a little more than a day. He was a school teacher and taught school on the preceeding Wednesday. In the evening he complained with a severe cold, took to his bed and the next day a physician diagnosed his case as pneumonia. The following day he died. Deceased was 45 years of age. Mr. REITER taught school for 28 successive years and for the last 12 years he was principal of the Trumbauersville schools and also served as notary public for the last seven years. Mr. REITER was a member of Saucon Lodge F. and A.M., No. 469, of Coopersburg and Trumbauersville Lodge, No. 372, K. of P., which organizations both attended his funeral in a body. He also was superintendent of the Trumbauersville Sunday-schools for the past twelve years. President of the Trumbauersville Horse Insurance Company and President of the Trumbauersville Improvement Company. He was an active member of the Luther League and the church choir. His mother, his widow and one son Luther, also a teacher in Milford township, survive him. The funeral was held on Wednesday and it was the largest ever held in Trumbauersville. Rev. D. H. REITER officiated. Interment was made on the Trumbauersville cemetery.
Isaac STULL Sr., of Finland, died on Friday of Dropsy. Mr. STULL was a well known resident of that section. He was an old pump manufacturer and followed this business until overtaken by sickness. Deceased was 89 years, 4 months and 4 days old. The funeral was held on Monday at the Ridge Valley Church. Interment on the church cemetery. Rev. BENNER, of Trumbauersville, officiated.
John M. FISHER, an honorable and much esteemed resident of Pottstown, Pa., died on Friday morning. His illness was caused by a paralytic stroke and was of but few days duration. Mr. FISHER was born near Zeiglerville, this county, August 6th, 1816, and was therefore in the 85th year of his age. In his young manhood he learned the trade of a cabinetmaker which he followed more or less closely throughout his long life. When a young man he moved to Philadelphia and thence to Pottstown about 1858. He conducted the cabinet making and furniture business until about ten years ago, when he disposed of it to A.G. SHELTER & Co. He and his wife were married just sixty years ago last Saturday, November 9. The funeral was held on Tuesday.
An infant child of Clayton TRUMBAUER, of Green Lane, died this week. The child was only six months old. The funeral will be held today.
Warren M. LEAVER, son of Effinger LEAVER, and Miss Lizzie RITTER, daughter of David RITTER, both of Boyertown, were married Monday evening, at the parsonage of Rev. A.M. WEBER.
David BIELER, of East Greenville, met with a painful accident on Wednesday. Mr. BIELER was engaged making some repairs and while in the act of driving a nail through a plank in some unaccountable manner drove the nail through his finger. The wound was a most painful one and Mr. BIELER was unable to attend to his usual duties for several days.
The Globe Hotel of East Greenville was this week transferred to Titus H. BENNER, the proprietor, to Emanuel K. SHANKEL, of Pennsburg. Mr. SHANKEL gave in exchange two double houses at Shimersville and a consideration of money for the property. It is Mr. SHANKEL's intention to rent the hotel property before April 1 as Mr. BENNER will vacate at that time.
H.D. BOYER of Frederick township was tendered a surprise on Monday evening by his friends and neighbors. The surprisers took possession of his corn field and set lanterns in convenient places so as to give them light enough to husk the corn. They husked the balance of the corn which he had not yet been able to husk.
Adam F. GEISINGER, the butcher at Eshbach, has decided to move to Alburtis in a few weeks. He will engage in the butchering business with his brother James. Mr. GEISINGER has been in the butchering business at Eshbach for many years and his patrons are sorry to have him leave.
Dr. W.H. HUNSBERGER, of this borough, and Jonas HARING, of Hillegass, narrowly escaped having a serious accident one day this week, while driving a young horse in the neighborhood of Dade. A short distance below the little village Dr. O.H. HEFFNER, of Pottstown, loomed into sight with his locomobile and the horse driven by the doctor began to show signs of fright. Dr. HEFFNER slowed down his machine but the escaping steam increased the animal's fright and it began to run about in the road in a dangerous manner. The locomobile was then brought to a standstill but the horse still refused to pass the machine. The doctor then handed the lines to Mr. HARING, who is an experienced reinsman, but after several attempts had been made and the carriage began to show signs of falling to pieces they decided to unhitch and lead the horse by the machine, after this was accomplished Mr. HARING started to lead the horse by the machine. This the animal refused to do and after several attempts made a jump, ran up a steep embankment, dragging Mr. HARING after him. Fortunately he escaped without injury and after the horse was given time to quiet down he was again hitched to the carriage.
Eva, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan BARTMAN, of Spinnerstown, fractured her arm this week. She was playing on the school grounds and while running she stumbled and fell. When she arose she noticed something wrong with her arm and she at once informed the teacher who sent her home. Dr. W.H. STETLER was then summoned who found that she had fractured her arm at two places. He then reduced the fracture.
Harry W. GANDER, of Rudy, this county, sent to this office a card beautifully ornamented with designs in pen and ink. The center of the card has the Lord's Prayer distinctly written in the space of a ten cent piece. The prayer was written with a lead pencil and each word is legible to the naked eye. The penmanship on the card is evidently the work of a master as each design is beautifully and artisticlly arranged.
George BARTHOLOMEW, the butcher at Powder Valley purchased a dressed hog from Samuel FETTERMAN, of Vera Cruz, that had a large needle inbedded in its tongue. It evidently lodged there while the animal was feeding and from its position must have been there for some time.
Picture - Spring House in Frederick Township
Probably one of the oldest landmarks of Revolutionary times is the old spring house situated on the farm of John STOUDT, in Frederick township, near Frederick post-office. The walls of this old building are now rapidly crumbling and it will only be a matter of a few years until this historic structure is a thing of the past. In the fall of the year 1777 Washington's army encamped on a large tract of land in that vicinity to replenish his army, who were foot-sore and almost destitute of clothing. From this old spring house, situated in the midst of the camp, the horses of the army were watered and many a battle stained warrior had his thirst quenched by its sparkling water. Washington's army after leaving this camp moved towards Philadelphia going into camp for a while at Schwenksville. After the battle at Germantown the army retreated and finally went into winter quarters at Valley Forge. During the winter Washington again spent several weeks at the old camp in Frederick township and it is reported that he visited the old spring house to again drink of its pure water. The farm upon which this historic old house now stands is better known as the Isaac BOTZ farm and is now tenanted by William DIEROLF. At the time Mr. BOTZ owned the farm it is reported that he kept it in good repair, knowing its interesting history.
The Case Of The Geryville Hotel Proprietor Who It Is Alleged Sold Liquor To Miners Will Be Tried In The Bucks County Court Next Week
The case of George S. CROUTHAMEL, proprietor of the Geryville Hotel, Bucks county, for the selling of liquor to minors will be tried at Doylestown during the coming week. The suit was brought about at the instance of Edwin H. ERDMAN, of East Greenville, who alleges that his son Villes, who is probably 19 years old, obtained liquor at the public house of Mr. CROUTHAMEL one Saturday night last summer. Young ERDMAN in company with a friend attended a sociable at Sumneytown and finding it a little tiresome there, started for Geryville to spend the remainder of the evening. From what can be learned young ERDMAN landed at Geryville considerably under the influence of liquor. A number of witnesses from East Greenville, who saw young ERDMAN at the time at Geryville, have been subpoenaed. From what can be learned of the to dispensation of liquor to this boy, the Bucks county court will decide as whether the young man obtained his liquor in Bucks or Montgomery County. This particular evening was an exceptionally busy one at the Geryville Hotel,as there was a social in the adjoining hall at the time. The bar room was filled with people and it would have been an easy matter for drinks to have been handed to parties in the room without the knowledge of the bar tender.
Mrs. Eli MILLER, of Dillingersville, is beyond a doubt the oldest lady in Lehigh county, who still is active enough to go out in a corn field and husk corn. She is 86 years of age and is as sprightly as many a woman twenty years younger. She could be seen almost daily in the fields husking corn during the past few weeks.
Wilson GEHRIS, of Morysville, engineer at the Union Manufacturing Works, Boyertown, lost part of two fingers of his left hand. They were cut off near the first joint while he was engaged in cleaning the machinery.
Reuben SHEALER, of Morysville, raised a red beet weighing 5 1/2 pounds and 25 1/2 inches long.
The Green Lane and Goshenhoppen Turnpike Road Company held their annual meeting at the Pennsburg Hotel on Monday and elected their officers for the ensuing year. One hundred and six votes were polled. The following officers were elected: President, Dr. J.G. MENSCH; Treasurer, William A. WELKER; Managers, Hiram SCHULTZ, John F. STEINMAN, L.G. SCHULTZ, George H. ZIEGLER, James TAGERT, Henry DIMMIG, Wm. A. WELKER and Nathaniel A. REED. The company will hold another meeting on Monday next, when the annual dividend will be declared.
The members of the Perkasie Fire Company are trying to induce the citizens of that borough to raise a fund for the purchase of a Hook and Ladder truck. There is no doubt but that their request will be complied with as the residents in that beautiful little village will certainly spend a possible $500 for such a truck, rather than have, perhaps, several deaths recorded as a result from a fire and an insufficiently equipped fire company.
Henry R. MINNER, of Hereford, raised the largest turnips this year than ever before in his experience as a farmer. He now has a number on exhibition at his home that measures twenty-four inches in circumference and seven inches in diameter. Many of the older farmers in that vicinity have pronounced them to be the largest raised in that neighborhood for many years. It is not surprising to know that they were raised on good old Democratic soil.
The large portable saw mill of DeLONG & SCHMOYER, near Zionsiville, was damaged by fire one night last week. Fortunately the fire was noticed by several nearby residents who extinguished the flames before the mill was greatly damaged.
J. Horace REIFF, a farmer residing near Salford station, secured a position as motorman in Philadelphia. He left for that city on Monday and upon his new duties the following day. Whether farmer REIFF can steer a trolley car as readily as a plow will be a question.
The dreaded contagious disease small-pox is now reported as being within a distance of three miles of these boroughs. A son of Augustus ADAM, who resides a short distance above Pleasant Run, is confined to the house with small-pox. Dr. Curtis HEFFNER, of Sassamansville, has charge of the case and has the house quarantined. It is also reported that another child in the family is affected with the dreaded disease. This is the first case reported in this vicinity and all precaution possible should be taken to prevent its spreading. Arrangements have been made by friends of the family by which they are supplied with the necessities of life as long as the house is under quarantine.
The citizens in this vicinity are beyond a doubt placed to much inconvenience by the many tramps traveling through the country. They are continually asking for food, premission to sleep in barns or out buildings, or begging for off cast clothing, if refused, often commit acts of degradation. On Friday night citizens in the vicinity of Hereford were surprised to learn that the large tract of timber land belonging to Justice of the Peace Jesse H. GERY, of Palm, located near Hereford, was on fire. People rushed to the scene of the flames to assist in extinguishing the fire. After several hours of hard work they succeeded in outing the fire. The fire was started by tramps, who had a resort, familiarly known as "tramp headquarters," in a ravine in the 50-acre woods, where they cooked their meals and did their washing. From such a fire arose the mighty flames, and, as they could not quench them the tramps forsook their quarters and fled early in the evening, and a posse of several hundred persons, after several hours' hard labor, succeeded in getting the fire under control after it had covered 15 acres of the forest. This will settle the tramp question for that section of the country, as they will not be allowed to abide in that woods any more, and as it was their only resort, it is thought they will quit for good. Mr. GERY the next day went to the forest again, and to his utter amazement found two tramps cooking at the same spot. They were greatly surprised when they found out that the owner was at hand, and quickly left. The proper officials will be notified to clear the rendezvous, and the most strenuous efforts will be made to obtain a clue to those who made the fire. Petty thieving has been going on there for some time.
Another hearing in the matter of freeing the Perkiomen Turnpike, which extends from Collegeville to Green Lane, a distance of eight miles, took place in court room No. 2 on Wednesday before John W. BICKEL, master. The jury consisted of W.C. STOKES, Abraham T. KULP, Henry WOLFORD, John C. MORGAN and W.L. STAUFFER. John B. PENNYPACKER, President; William WELKER, Secretary, and Enos SCHWENK, Treasurer of the company, testified. In 1847, when the road was built, the company borrowed $9855. This debt was extinguished in 1876, the sum of $3500, received from the Perkiomen Railroad Company for damages being applied to its payment. An annual dividend has been paid to stockholders ever since. The next meeting of the jury will be held on the 22d inst., when argument of counsel will be heard. County Engineer John DAGER reported that he had examined the road bed of the turnpike and valued it at $21,000.
The annual election for officers of the New Goshenhoppen Reformed Church was held on Sunday after the services. Those elected were: Deacons - Joseph B. DYSON and Frank HILLEGASS; Elders - Readon J. GERY and Henry HUBER; Trustees - David BIERY and Willoughby W. STYER. The newly elected officers will be ordained on Sunday, November 24.
A number of gunners from Hatfield spent several days with Daniel YEAKEL, of Sigmund, this week and one of them accidentally fell from the second story of Mr. YEAKEL's mill on Wednesday morning. He fractured a small bone in his right foot. Dr. A.O. GERY, of Chapel, reduced the fracture after which the sportsmen returned to their home.
John LETTERHOUSE, a farmer residing near Bally, raised an ear of corn which contains the largest number of kernels ever reported in that vicinity. The ear has eighteen full rows and each row contains sixty-four kernels, making a total of 1152.
A horse belonging to Amos C. BADMAN, of Woxall, became fast in the stable one night this week and in his endeavors to loosen himself he received injuries from which he later died.
The biggest real estate sale in the history of Allentown was brought to a successful conclusion last Saturday evening by Leisenring & Walker, when in the office of that real estate firm, the Grand Central Hotel property was sold by the Nuding-Neuweiler Brewing Co. to Hess Bros. The properties included in the purchase are Nos. 831,33-35-37 Hamilton Street. The purchase includes the hotel building and annex with a Hamilton Street frontage of 90 feet and 120 feet frontage on Court Street to where it extends at a depth of 230 feet. The hotel was erected on the site of what was formerly the old Black Bear Hotel, which stood for nearly 50 years, by the late Victor D. BARNER, who remained its proprietor until his death. Subsequently the property passed into the hands of the Nuding-Neuweiler Brewing Company. The new owners will take possession on April 1, 1902. The lease of C.D. STRAUSS, proprietor of the Grand Central, extends until April 1, 1903, but arrangements have been made whereby he will vacate next spring. A few days prior to April 1st next Mr. STRAUSS will sell his stock at public sale. Hess Bros. are being congratulated on all sides for their magnificent enterprise. It is understood they will use the entire property for an immense department store, which would be the largest store in town. All concerned refuse to divulge the price, but it is stated to have been in the neighborhood of $115,000.
The Perkiomen Turnpike Company asks thirty-six thousand dollars for the release of its rights. The matter is now in the hands of a jury and the citizens are anxiously awaiting their action.
A forest fire caused considerable excitement at Green Lane, on Sunday evening. At about seven o'clock a small fire was noticed by the residents of that village, in the John HANCOCK grove. The fire soon became larger and many people hurried to the grove. They found a forest fire in progress and for almost three hours a large number of men and boys were busy trying to extinguish the flames. At about 10 o'clock the fire was gotten under control.
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel BOWMAN, of Sumneytown, met with an exciting accident on last Sunday, but fortunately they escaped with but a few slight bruises. While driving towards Royersford a man by the name of SAYLOR came towards them with a young horse and as the two teams were passing the young horse shied and the shafts of his team ran into the top of Bowman's buggy and on the next plunge the entire top, seat cushion and Mrs. BOWMAN were carried off a distance of at least 400 yards. The top and seats kept intact on the shafts for that distance and the animal dragging the other buggy along. BOWMAN was thrown out and his animal ran away and was caught a distance of about one half mile from the scene of the collision. The SAYLOR horse broke loose from its carriage and then the top in which Mrs. BOWMAN sat dropped to the ground and Mrs. BOWMAN rolled over with very slight injuries. The SAYLOR horse then ran away and ran into a barb wire fence and was badly cut about the body and leg. Friends of Mr. and Mrs. BOWMAN soon came to their rescue and the top of the BOWMAN buggy was picked up and set back on the place from which it was torn. BOWMAN, who was thrown out escaped with only a slight cut on the leg while SAYLOR escaped without any injuries, but will have a bill of damages to pay.
Rev. Osville R. FRANTZ, of Old Zionsville, will preach for the Pennsburg Reformed Congregation in Odd Fellows Hall tomorrow forenoon. In the afternoon he will preach at the Old Goshenhoppen Reformed church, near Salford. Rev. J.L. ROUSH, of Pennsburg, will preach for Rev. FRANTZ's charges. In the forenoon he will preach at Huffs church and in the afternoon at Hubers church, Niantic.
The Keelers church was well filled with people on Sunday during every session of the day. The large new church organ was dedicated and in the afternoon there were many more people present than could gain admission. Mr. FREDERIZA, a Philadelphia musician served as organist for the day. This beautiful organ cost $1500.
Dr. J.H. FUNK, of Boyertown, has recently planted a seven acre orchard with peach trees. In all he planted 1100 trees. He is now preparing a piece of ground upon which he will plant pear trees. These two tracts, with what he has already in bearing, gives him an orchard of thirty acres, all of the finest fruit.
While the wife of Clayton ALDERFER, secretary and treasurer of Montgomery Trust Company, of Norristown, was returning from Lansdale last Friday, the spindle of her carriage broke. The spirited horse dashed wildly along the road, with Mrs. ALDERFER bravely clinging to the reins with one hand and with the other clutching the dashboard. She maintained this position for over half a mile, and then, at a turn in the road, she guided the horse into a fence. The horse had both hoofs torn loose, but Mrs. ALDERFER escaped injury.
The Bucks and Lehigh Mutual Horse Insurance and Detective Company, of Steinsburg, appraised 729 horses and four mules in four days. The horses were all appraised at Steinsburg, Coopersburg, Limeport and Emaus. The company lost thirty horses last year. This was one of the heaviest losses ever sustained by the company in one year.
The Allentown Call relates an interesting account of a criminal of Lehigh county, who was sentenced to three months in jail, in the following article: "The story of the fellow who tried to break into prison was almost equalled in this city Tuesday. At session of criminal court Walter MILLER pleaded guilty to two charges of larceny as servant. He was fined $5 in each case and was sentenced to three months in jail. The sentence was imposed just before the close of court, and, in the confusion, MILLER wandered away and escaped the notice of the officers whose duty it is to take sentenced people to jail. MILLER got into the corridor and looked for some one to escort him to the jail (Hotel Frey). No one appeared and young MILLER began to cry. Just then District Attorney GROMAN came along, and, seeing MILLER in tears, asked him what was the matter. "Why," said MILLER, "I've been sentenced to jail, and I don't know where the jail is." Then he again began to weep bitterly. Court Crier Dallas DILLINGER happened along at this time. The situation was explained to him. Mr. DILLINGER is one of the most obliging officials in the county, and, after assueing the weeping young man that he would perform the Good Samaritan act, took MILLER to Court street and sent him on his way rejoicing to the brown stone mansion which the county maintains to entertain those of its citizens who are in the habit of punching holes in the law."
Emanuel K. SHANKEL, the lower end butcher of this borough, sold out his butchering business on Monday to John M. HUNSBERGER, of Shimersville, Lehigh county. The sale includes the brick dwelling adjoining the slaughter house in which Mr. SHANKEL now resides. Mr. HUNSBERGER will take possession on April first 1902. He formerly was the proprietor of the Dillingersville and Shimersville Hotels. Mr. SHANKEL took in exchange two double houses located in Shimersville. He expects to devote his time to the brick business which he conducted in connection with the butchering business. Mr. SHANKEL expects to move into one of his tenant houses in this borough.
The second week in December will be the time during which the Civil Court of this county will convene. There are only twenty-six cases on the list for trial. One case will be of especial interest to this locality, because both, the plaintiff and defendent reside in this section. It is the case of the Farmers' National Bank of Pennsburg, against John K. HILLEGASS, executor of the last will and testament of Daniel HILLEGASS, deceased, of near Geryville. The following is the list of cases to be tried:
The eleven-year-old son of Emanuel WILL of near Hill Church fell from a fence near his home, one day last week and fractured his leg. The boy was crossing a field and while in the act of climbing the fence fell to the ground, his full weight upon his left leg. The lad was unable to walk to his home, but his cries soon brought aid and he was carried into the house. The family physician was summoned, who upon examination found the young man had sustained a fracture of the left leg and partial dislocation of the ankle joint.
The Boyertwon Democrat says: It was reported that M.A. MORY had sold his home, on Philadelphia avenue here, to his brother, Charles A. MORY. This is now confirmed by the record in the recording office at Reading, showing that he sold it already in 1899. Nothing has been heard from the missing cashier. The bondsmen have not paid over the defalcation as yet. The directors have not yet brought suit for the recovery of the same. No action whatever was taken in the matter at the board's last meeting.
I have again taken possession of the East Greenville Coal and Lumber Yards and will be pleased to see my friends and former customers again. I am ready to do business at the old stand and if you are in need of anything in my line give me a call. I have all kinds of Coal, Lumber, Flour and Feed. Orders sent by mail will be promptly attended to. Goods will be delivered to either of the three towns, Red Hill, Pennsburg, and East Greenville, free of charge. John S. KEPLER, East Greenville, Pa. 10-12-1yr.
Last Modified