Clippings from the Pennsburg Town and Country newspaper, Saturday, May 17, 1902

INCENSED WOMAN COMMITS SUICIDE

Miss Emma Malinda WENTLING, of Upper Hanover township, near the New Goshenhoppen Reformed Church, committed suicide this week by taking paris green. Miss WENTLING resided in her own house within 100 yards of her brother's place, and Oswin WENTLING, her nephew, had rented a portion of her house. On Monday morning the two worked in the garden and Oswin made a remark to his aunt at which she became offended. She at once left the garden, entered the house and went to her bed room. Nothing was thought of this as she did this on former occasions. Shortly after the dinner hour Oswin's wife heard a peculiar noise issuing from Emma's room and she informed her husband who went to the house and investigated. He found the door of her room locked and when he called her he did not receive a reply. The suicidal idea flashed into Oswin's mind at once, as she had on previous occasions, when in a fit of rage, threatened to take her life. He at once summoned his brother-in-law who lives with his father and another effort was made to have Emma open the door, but without avail. In a short time Emma's brother Levi came home from a trip to the mill and he was advised of the condition. He went to the house and heard the peculiar noise issuing from Emma's room and he was satisfied that something was wrong. He went to the door and tried it but found it locked. He pleaded with his sister to open the door but without avail. As a last resort he told her that if she did not open the door he would force it in. This caused Emma to open it and when they entered she lay on her bed in her night clothes writhing in pain. The room was darkened by her, every shade being down. After scrutinizing the room they found a cup of paris green standing on the window and the chamber indicated that she was seized with vomiting spells after swallowing the deadly poison. It also appeared that she took a bath before she took the poison and put on clean underwear. This fact shows that she evidently thought the poison would kill instantly and she should be found dead in bed. Miss WENTLING evidently did not know the nature of the poison she took, else she would have taken a different kind or more, as paris green in small doses will only cause a chronic arsenical poisoning. As soon as it was known that she had taken poison Dr. W.H. HUNSBERGER, of Pennsburg, was summoned. Dr. C.T. WAAGE was also called in consultation and the doctors tried to apply antidotes but she refused to take them. The woman was rational up to the last few hours. On Tuesday evening she would for the first time take any medicine and after that she took the medicine regularly but the poison had done its work by then. She was pulseless for almost two days. When the doctor was with her alone he questioned her and she told him why she took it and that she took about a teaspoonful but wanted to take more but could not get it down. She died on Wednesday afternoon after suffering from the effects of the arsenical poison. The woman was a daughter of the late Solomon WENTLING and was despondent at times. She brought her age to 52 years, 2 months and 1 day. She is survived by an only brother, Levi. The funeral will be held on Monday at the house at 9 o'clock. Interment will be made on the Huffs Church cemetery. Rev. HUMBERT, of Bowers, will officiate. Miss WENTLING had her life insured in the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, of Philadelphia, for $500. The beneficiary is her nephew, Levi WENTLING, Jr., of Philadelphia.

DECHANT FAMILY REUNION WILL BE HELD TODAY

The DECHANT family will hold a reunion today at the old DECHANT homestead in the central part of Pennsburg. The widow of the late Rev. A.L. DECHANT has spent almost a year at Lisbon, Iowa, with the family of her son Rev. Abner and today she will return to her home in this borough accompanied by her son Abner. The other children will also come to this borough and the annual reunion will take place.

FOUR GENERATIONS OF ONE FAMILY

Four members [picture] of one family, representing as many generations, are living in the borough of East Greenville and under the same roof. They are Mrs. Susan SCHANTZ, Mrs. Henry R. MUMBAUER, Mrs. Abner LACHMAN and little Alda, daughter of the last named. Almost three-quarters of a century represents the period included in the difference of age, between the younger and oldest members of the quartet. Alda is six years old and her great-grandmother in her 77th year. Illness, up to within a few weeks, was unknown to any member of the family. Several weeks ago Mrs. SCHANTZ had a spell of sickness but she has again completely recovered. She seems well and active again and she daily attends to minor household duties. Mrs. SCHANTZ is the widow of the late Enos SCHANTZ, of Trumbauersville. She is a daughter of the late Samuel FREED of near Pleasant Run.

AN AFFLICTED FAMILY

The family of J.C. RICE, the Emaus butcher, is sorely afflicted. Four children in the family are seriously ill with typhoid fever, and Henry RACE, a brother, who met with an accident a few weeks ago, is also confined to the house.

THE DEATH LIST

Reuben BUCHER, an aged citizen of Boyertown, was found dead in bed Sunday noon by his sister, the widow of Aaron YERGER, who kept house for him. He had been stricken with apoplexy. His age was about 80 years. His wife died several years ago. He leaves no children and only one sister, who lived with him. All his brothers preceded him in death. The funeral will be held today at the Swamp Reformed Church. Revs. A.M. WEBER and J.W. ROTH will officiate. Interment will be made on the church cemetery.

Mrs. Henry KEHL, of Bechtelsville, died on Saturday morning of grip after a weeks' illness. She was 74 years of age. She was an esteemed woman and was a member of the Church of the Most Blessed Sacrament, at Bally. She is survived by her husband and the following children: John KEHL and Mrs. Allen KEMMERER, of Bechtelsville; Samuel KEHL, of Eshbach; John KEHL, of Reading, and Mrs. David COVELY, of near Treichlersville. The funeral was held on Thursday at the church at Bally.

Edith BERGSTRASSER, the one year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George BERGSTRASSER, of Old Zionsville, died on Monday evening, and will be buried today at 2 p.m. at the Zionsville Lutheran church. Rev. I.B. RITTER of Emaus, will officiate.

Mrs. Sallie RUMMEL, relict of Matthias RUMMEL, died on Sunday morning at the home of her son-in-law George M. MACK, of East Greenville. Her maiden name was BUSSERT and she was born December 14, 1821. In 1846 she was married to Matthias RUMMEL. Her husband preceeded her in death by about seven years, and since his death she made her home with Mr. MACK. Her death was due to apoplexy. She had several strokes, but about eight weeks ago she was rendered lame on her right side and speechless. She brought her age to 88 years, 4 months and 27 days. She is survived by the following children: Jefferson, Diana, wife of George M. MACK, Carolina, wife of Jacob R. KOFFEL, all of East Greenville; Mary, wife of Charles YOUNG, of near Pennsburg; Matthias, of Pennsburg; Emalinda, wife of Milton CHRISTMAN, of near Niantic, and Lamuel, of Fruitville. Two sisters also survive, Mrs. Samuel BAUS, of East Greenville, and Mrs. Henry JACOB, of Fruitville.

Hannah A.V. GOTTSHALL, daughter of Rev. and Mrs. W.S. GOTTSHALL, of Schwenksville, died last Thursday of whooping cough, aged 8 months and one day. The funeral was held on Tuesday. Interment was made in the Mennonite cemetery.

COMMITTED SUICIDE

Henry H. FREAS, aged 62 years, a resident of Plymouth township, committed suicide Monday morning by hanging. Mr. FREAS appeared rather despondent on Sunday, but his relatives did not see anything unusual about his actions. He arose about five o'clock Monday morning and went to the barn to attend to the cattle and poultry. At 6.30 o'clock his daughter, Miss Laura FREAS, called her father to breakfast. Mr. FREAS did not respond, and after waiting for about fifteen minutes, Miss FREAS went to the barn. She called several times, but not receiving any answer, went into the hay mow. She was not long in discovering the body of her father hanging from the rafters. A neighbor was immediately summoned and he cut down the body. It was evident, however, that Mr. FREAS had been dead for an hour before his body was discovered. He had evidently climbed upon the rafters, and after making the rope fast, placed the noose about his neck and let himself drop. When found his feet were within six inches of touching the floor. Death was due to strangulation.

PENNSBURG, EAST GREENVILLE AND IMMEDIATE VICINITY

Mr. and Mrs. Samuel MUSSELMAN and children Sallie and Paul, of Perkasie, spent Saturday and Sunday in this borough with Mrs. MUSSELMAN's father Samuel B. KEPLER.

Emanuel P. HILLIARD, who has been a resident of this borough for a number of years resigned his position at the planing mill on Monday. He left the next day for Erie, where he has accepted a similar position. Mr. HILLIARD has made many warm friends since his stay here, who were sorry to see him leave.

Daniel HERSH, of Philadelphia, spent several day in this borough this week with his son-in-law William BITTING.

Rev. J.L. ROUSH, of this borough, has been confined to his bed for several days this week with a severe attack of the grip. He was unable to officiate at a funeral on Saturday and on Sunday he had no services at his different charges.

A tally-ho party from Allentown passed through this borough on Sunday. They took dinner at the Eagle Hotel.

Charles ENGELHART, of Allentown, spent Sunday in our boroughs visiting friends. He was formerly employed at the J.O. HENDRICKs brewery, Green Lane.

Dr. J.D. CHRISTMAN and daughter, of Allentown, visited the formers parents Mr. and Mrs. William CHRISTMAN, of this borough, on Sunday.

John G. COVELY, of East Greenville, resigned his position as clerk at the Globe Hotel and accepted a position in the Otto EISENLOHR & Bros. cigar factory.

Mrs. Thomas HOFFMAN of East Greenville, has been critically ill for the last few days.

Frank KEHS, of this borough, resigned his position as teamster with Baker Thos. MARSTELLER and accepted the position at hostler at the American House. Joseph KOCH, the present hostler also resigned to accept a position in the Eureka Silk Mill in this borough.

An opening of the Globe Hotel, East Greenville, will be held on Whit-Monday. The proprietor will have a musical organization there for the occasion.

Rev. Abner S. DECHANT of Lisbon, Iowa, formerly of this borough will preach tomorrow afternoon in the Pennsburg Reformed Church, and his brother Rev. J. Frank DECHANT, of Philadelphia, will preach in the same church in the evening at 7.30 o'clock.

Miss Ada WAAGE of Philadelphia visited her brothers and friends in this borough during the week.

Fred WAAGE, a student in the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania, is spending a brief vacation at his home in this borough.

Harry HILLEGASS, of Mantua, New Jersey, visited his uncle Chas. Q. HILLEGASS, of this borough, on Saturday.

Harvey HARING, of Hillegass, received a carload of cattle on Thursday at Pennsburg Station and one of cows was seriously injured, so much so that a veterinary surgeon was called and the cow was unable to be removed to his stable until the following day. She died after being loaded on a wagon to be moved.

Carriage Painter George FOLTZ, of Pennsburg will to-day deliver five wagons which he repainted for Quakertown people.

Evan SNYDER, of Spring City, who attended the funeral of Mrs. Mathias RUMMEL, of East Greenville, on Thursday took sick with cramps at the home of George M. MACK and was unable to return to his home. Dr. HERSH was summoned who administered the proper medicines and it is expected that Mr. SNYDER will be able to return to his home today.

About fifty of the sixty cigar makers in the Sultzberger, Oppenheimer cigar factory of this borough went out on a strike yesterday forenoon. Shortly after dinner they went back to work after the foreman promised to supply them with better material to work with.

Senater John A. WENTZ, of Fort Washington was a visitor in this borough yesterday. While here he visited the public schools and made an adress to the pupils on Civil Government.

A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Clarence HUNSBERGER, of this borough on Thursday morning.

A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Alvin MOLL, of this borough on Wednesday morning.

Isaac RAUDENBUSH, of East Greenville, this week had an addition built to his residence on Main Street.

Rev. ZENDT, of Allentown, will preach in the St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Pennsburg, tomorrow evening. Services will begin at 7.15 o'clock.

Rev. O.T. MOYER, pastor of the Evangelical Association of the Milford Circuit will hold services at Hendricks this evening at 7.30 o'clock. At East Greenville tomorrow at 10 a.m. and 7.30 p.m. Milford at 2.30 p.m.

Rev. O.T. MOYER, of East Greenville, returned from Kellers Mills, Monroe county, when the Quarterly Conference of the Evangelical Association was held. He officiated at the conference in the abscence of the Presiding Elder, Rev. T.L. WENTZ.

Rev. ZENDT, of Allentown, will teach the bible class in the St. Marks Lutheran Sunday school tomorrow forenoon.

NIANTIC

Mrs. Jacob F. STEYER made a business trip to Philadelphia, and has since received a large assortment of hats and bonnets, all of the latest style.

The Niantic Dairymen's Association paid its partrons 40 cents a pound for butter fat.

Christ Lutheran Sunday school of this place will hold Childrens' Day services on June 8 at 7.30 o'clock p.m.

The senior class of Fegleysville Grammar school and Douglass township schools were examined by Co. Supt. R.F. HOFFECKER on Friday and Saturday, May 9th and 10th. The following from Douglass passed successfully - the first graduates of the township: Magdalene SCHULTZ and Andrew SCHULTZ, of Niantic school; Annie H. SELL, Green Hill school; and Addie E. HOFFMAN, Sassamansville school.

Elhannan MACK is confined to his room suffering from conjunctivitis.

Our merchant A.L. BAUMAN has been much concerned for the last two weeks as to the whereabouts of the man who used to come around and dig his garden for him. Lately however he was informed that the missing man, "having been caught among the ravens," is confined in the Montgomery County prison.

Services here tomorrow at 9.30 a.m. Rev. O.R. FRANTZ, pastor.

FINLAND

Aug. SCHULER is on the sick list.

H.K. TRUMBAUER and wife and Mrs. A.F. DRY were the Sunday guests of Jesse KLINE and family at Salfordville.

Henry SCHANTZ, Jr., of North Wales, visited this place on Saturday and Sunday.

Henry GERHART who was ill with typhoid fever is slowly improving.

J. TRUMBAUER & Son paid their patrons at Finland, Limeport and Trumbauersville creameries 34 cents per pound for butter fat for the April month.

Some of our people attended the dance in Hoppenville on Saturday evening.

Emanuel HARTENSTEIN and family, of Geryville, were the Sunday guests of Mrs. Ella PFAFF and family.

H.S. TRUMBAUER, Lewis PFAFF and Miss Sallie PFAFF attended the band concert at Morwood on Saturday evening, given by the Germania Band of Philadelphia.

Schuler's Cornet band will furnish music at South Hatfield on Decoration Day and evening for P.O.S. of A. Lodge.

Don't forget the cake walk and dance in Ander's Hall, Trumbauersville, tonight, given by Schuler's Cornet Band.

Wm. HILLEGASS, of Quakertown, conducted the band on Thursday evening.

Isaac B. STULL made a new fence around his house this week.

Our supervisor is repairing the roads at this place this week.

Justus RENNINGER, of Lansdale, was home with his parents Jesse RENNINGER, over Thursday.

MILKMAN ROBBED

John REITER, of Red Hill, the milkman who serves the residents of Red Hill, Pennsburg and East Greenville with milk was robbed on Saturday evening after he returned to his home after serving his customers. It has been his custom since he serves milk, to carry a cigar box in his wagon in which he puts the money which he receives while delivering milk. On Saturday evening at about 10 o'clock he returned and his son assisted him in unhitching. The son took the horse to the stable and Mr. REITER placed the wagon into the shed, but before doing this he as was customary for the past twenty years placed the cigar box with about $15 in change on a bench alongside of the shed so that he could then take it along into the house. After the wagon had been put in the shed Mr. REITER returned to the bench for the box but the box was missing and nowhere to be found. Only about three minutes were consumed by Mr. REITER in putting away the wagon which shows that the thief was on guard and grabbed the box as soon as Mr. REITER was in the shed. The next day Reedon GERY found the empty cigar box in one of Mr. REITERs fields about two hundred yards away from the barn. Suspicion rests on the culprit and an arrest may be made at any time. On the Saturday evening before Mr. REITER missed a $10 gold piece from the same box and he now is positive that the same thief picked that out the week before instead of stealing the entire box.

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