Peter HEBEL, a resident of East Greenville, for a number of years was on Monday naturalized by the court at Norristown. There were thirty-one others naturalized the same day.
Jacob HOFFMAN, an enterprising and successful business man, of Sassamansville, is a native of New Hanover township. He was born December 20, 1827. Mr. HOFFMAN was reared in his native township. He attended the Sassamansville schools for a period of about eight years. When fourteen years of age he started his trade as millwright with Jacob HARPEL, of the same place. He during this time assisted Mr. HARPEL in placing the machinery in mills through many of the western States. After working with Mr. HARPEL for fourteen years he started the business for himself, continuing it for several years. At the age of fifty-three years he started the milling business and in connection sold cattle. Then years later he quit the cattle business and devoted all his time to the milling business in which he is still actively engaged. During his life in this business he has on many occasions run the mill both day and night. In 1850 Mr. HOFFMAN was married to Miss Elizabeth FEGLEY, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry FEGLEY, of Douglass township, and their union was blessed with eleven children. Seven of which are still living.
Probably the longest married coupel in Eastern Pennsylvania are Mr. and Mrs. Daniel HORN, of Port Clinton, who have been married seventy years. Mr. HORN was born at Womelsdorf, and is 89 years of age. His wife was born in Reading, and is 90 years of age. Both are in the best of health. They were married in Schuylkill Haven. Ten children were the result of the union. There are 26 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren.
William ALLEBAUGH, the watchman at the County Home, who was beaten by the masked burglars who attempted to blow the safe at that institution a week ago, is still unable to work, but is slowly recovering from the injuries sustained. No clue to the thieves has yet been found.
John ROHRBACH, of Barto, met with a serious mishap one evening last week while driving from his place to Huff's Church. His horse became frightened at some obstacle in the road, became unmanageable and started to run away, while near the SCHOLL farm, a short distance east of Barto. The animal leaped over a ten foot wall into a drained dam, upset the vehicle and threw Mr. ROHRBACH out. He was rendered unconscious by the fall and after partly regaining consciousness he began to moan, which attracted the attention of the Abraham DOTTERER family, who lived close by. They went to the spot from whence came the moans and were amazed to find Mr. ROHRBACH in the dam. Mr. ROHRBACH was taken to the house and medical aid summoned. The horse and wrecked buggy were later found in a nearby field. The animal escaped injury, save a few scratches. Mr. ROHRBACH was later removed to his home where his injuries, which consists of scalp wounds and body bruises were dressed. He will be unable to attend to his business for several days.
While Peter ZIEGENFUS, of Bally, on Tuesday, was engaged by O.N. BECK, dragging timber from the woods to the road, the chain to which the horses were hitched broke, part of it striking him on the leg causing an ugly flesh wound. Dr. O.S. BERGEY dressed the wound.
A Chester young man quarreled with his wife before he left for his work, and when he returned in the evening there was not an article of furniture in the house - not even a chair upon which he might sit to reflect - only a note advising him to "go and join the Mormons."
Ever since the United States Oil company had laid their pipes, they did not work quite satisfactory. Now they are cleaning the pipes. The cleaner they send through the pipes became fast in Henry G. HUNSICKER's field, near Skippack. So four of the pipe line men dug the ground open and opened the pipe. They found two new pick handles and another piece of wood sticking in the pipe. By the time they had this out and the pipes closed again some 60 barrels of crude oil or petroleum came out. Henry G. HUNSICKER and Christian H. BEAN each filled a barrel of the same which they got for nothing. The rest of the oil the men set on fire. It caused a terrible smoke and quite a number of people collected, thinking it was a building on fire.
Alfred NASE, a Reading railroad freight conductor, was found Sunday morning badly wounded south of Jenkintown. He was taken to the Jewish Hospital, where it was discovered that his skull had been fractured and he had received severe injuries. It is supposed, while descending from the engine cab to the steps in front of the engine to get a message from the operator at Jenkintown, he slipped and fell from the engine. Little hope of his recovery is entertained.
George KRAUSS, manager on the Fairview Farm, near East Greenville, raised some extra large corn this year. He found a number that he thought worth while showing to the editor of this paper. He brought six ears of corn here which measured from 14 to 17 inches in length. Mr. KRAUSS claims to be the champion corn raiser in this section until he hears of some one who can beat this. This corn was raised on Democratic soil, by a Republican farmer.
Carlisle Indian School of Pennsylvania is named as a beneficiary, along with several other institutions, in the will of Miss Mary P. ROPES, of Salem, Mass., who died recently, leaving an estate of $1,000,000.
Scarcity of eggs in the Pottstown market is attributed by John P. FREED, an Upper Pottsgrove farmer, to chicken thieves who have been making wholesale raids on poultry in that section.
William WALBERT, a farmer residing between Limeport and Lanark, Lehigh county, raised three thousand bushels of potatoes from a patch of nine acres.
The most prolific single potato vine that has grown this year was that of Jonathan WELLER, of Little Oley, Berks county. It yielded sixty-nine tubers.
Amos MECK, of Mertztown, Berks county, leads the corn farmers in that county, with a field averaging 80 bushels of shelled corn to the acre.
Samuel EISENHOWER, of Swartara, Lehigh county, raised an enormous potato. It weighed three pounds.
Strawberries as large as shellbarks are being picked from J.F. RHOAD's vines in Pottstown.
Bertha F. MILLER, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. MILLER, of Red Hill, died on Wednesday morning after a prolonged illness of consumption and other ailments. She was born April 15, 1888 and is 15 years, 5 months and 13 days old. The funeral will be held today, at the Rich Valley church, near Argus, at 11 o'clock. Interment will be made on the church cemetery.
Infant daughter, of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer BIELER, of near East Greenville, died on Friday, at the age of ten months. The funeral was held on Tuesday.
George MOCK, a well known and respected citizen of Pottstown, died last Thursday morning of a complication of diseases at his home. Six years ago Mr. MOCK had a stroke of paralysis and had been an invalid since. Two weeks ago he was taken very ill, and had since been confined to his bed. He was born in Upper Hanover township in 1828, and at the time of his death was 75 years, 10 months and 16 days of age. In youth he was engaged in farming and later in butchering. For a number of years he operated a grist mill on the West Branch creek. The deceased married Catharine HOFFMAN and ten children blessed the union: Horace W., of Pottstown; George P., of Allentown; John H., of Stetlersville, Lehigh county, and Ella May, of Allentown, the others are all deceased. The funeral was held on Wednesday. After short services at the late home of the deceased at 8.30 a.m., the funeral proceeded to the New Goshenhoppen church, near East Greenville, where services and interment were made. Rev. I.B. KURTZ, officiated.
Newton H. KEMMERER, the druggist of Emaus, died of liver complaint on Saturday after a lingering illness of over six weeks. He is survived by his wife, his aged father and one sister. He located at Emaus in 1876, and has since resided there. He was born in Monroe county, February 18, 1848. The funeral was held on Thursday.
Frederick H. STAUFFER, of Boyertown, died at his home on Saturday evening, at the age of 81 years. He was taken ill suddenly at the home of his nephew, Elmer E. STAUFFER, while making arrangements for the funeral of his sister, Mrs. ENGEL, at Boyertown. Deceased was a son of Hon. John STAUFFER, who for ten years, from 1840 to 1850, was one of the associate judges of Berks county. He was next to the oldest of a family of ten children, and is survived by his wife and one daughter, Mrs. E.C. EVANS, of Boyertown. Two sisters, Elizabeth, widow of Abraham SCHWENK, of Schwenksville, and Amanda, widow of Rev. A.L. DECHANT, of Pennsburg, and one brother, A.K. STAUFFER, of Reading, also survive. Mr. STAUFFER was present at the reunion of the brothers and sisters at the bedside of a dying sister, Mrs. ENGEL, at Telford, a few weeks ago, and was never in better health than at that time. The funeral was held on Thursday. Interment was made at the Boyertown cemetery.
George WENDLING, died suddenly last Tuesday noon, while he was unloading a load of feed which he fetched at Leidy SELL's mill. He fell over and was dead. His death was due to heart failure. He is survived by his wife and two daughters, Sallie and Emma and his aged mother who reside with him.
A.H. GEIST, a well known citizen of Gilbertsville, died suddenly on Monday, and will be buried today at the Sassamansville Lutheran church. He was a charter member of the Jr. O.U.A.M., at Sassamansville, and also a charter member of Gilbertsville Chamber, No. 55, K. of F.
Annie HAAS, daughter of Henry HAAS, of Finland, died of typhoid fever and was buried on Wednesday at the Ridge Valley cemetery. Rev. WAIDELICH officiated.
Noah LEISTER, of New Hanover, died on Monday evening, of heart failure, from which he had to complain for some time. The funeral will be held tomorrow. Interment at Sassamansville.
Death came suddenly to Albert LEISTER, a well known citizen of Gilbertsville, while he was talking to Postmaster MENSCH and two friends in the general stor e of Mr. MENSCH, Monday morning. Mr. LEISTER, who had been employed in the Gilbertsville creamery for the past twenty years, went to his work at 4 o'clock in the morning and to the patrons of the creamery he appeared to be in the best of health. He finished his work at the creamery about 10 o'clock and then went to Mr. MENSCH's store for his mail, according to his usual custom. He entered the store and had barely begun a conversation with Mr. MENSCH and two neighbors when he fell forward. Thinking Mr. LEISTER had been attacked by a fainting spell, Mr. MENSCH hastened to his assistance. Repeated efforts to bring him to consciousness failed, and Mr. MENSCH telephoned to Boyertown for Dr. RHOADS. When the doctor arrived he found that the unfortunate man's death had been almost instantaneous, and had been caused by apoplexy of the brain. His sudden death cast a gloom over the little community in which he lived for so many years, and where he was greatly esteemed. Mr. LEISTER was 50 years of age, and is survived by a widow and three children. He was twice married. His first wife was a Miss JONES, of Sassamansville, and his second wife a Miss ERB, also of Sassamansville. The children are: Austin LEISTER, a clerk in the post office department at Washington, D.C., by his first wife, and Minnie and Agnes, by his second wife. Mr. LEISTER is survived by six brothers as follows: Francis, of Norristown; James and Edward, of Gilbertsville; Frank, of Frederick; Alvin of New Hanover, and Noah, of Bechtelsville. He was a member of the Sassamansville Lutheran church, and will be buried at that place today. He was also a member of five fraternal organizations.
Samuel RIGLEY, aged 55 years, of Conshohocken, died suddenly on Monday morning, while driving cows near the Seven Stars Hotel. He was seized with heart attack and died on the roadside before medical aid could be summoned.
Another shocking tragedy has been added to the list of crimes which have occurred in Allentown within the past few months, when Mabel H. BECHTEL was found lying dead in the alleyway of her home No. 627, Cedar street, by her mother, at 6.45 o'clock on Tuesday morning. In the morning she dressed and went driving with David WEISENBERG, a friend of hers. During the night her body, wrapped in a blanket, was brought back by two men and placed in the alleyway. She was a worker in a silk mill and was admired by many. She however was engaged to be married to Alfred ECKSTEIN a furniture polisher of that city. Nevertheless the girl contrived often to be in the company of WEISENBERG. The girl was evidently struck on the head with some blunt instrument for the back part of her head was crushed in and the nose broken. There were also finger marks on her throat. WEISENBERG is a traveling cigar salesman and he left Tuesday evening for Newark, N.J., where he was arrested during the day. Alfred ECKSTEIN, the dead girl's promised husband, was arrested. The girl's brother John BECHTEL, and Alfred ECKSTEIN are held as important witnesses in the horrible tragedy. Miss BECHTEL has four brothers in Allentown, Thomas, John, Charles and Samuel and three sisters, Martha, who lives at home; Mrs. A.C. BROBST, of Allentown and Mrs. Jacob DAVIS, of Philadelphia. Her sister, Lizzie, committed suicide about 20 years ago in the canal at East Allentown. Later - Thomas BECHTEL, the dead girls brother, was arrested and placed in prison. On Thursday afternoon at 5.30 o'clock, he was found dead in his cell with his throat cut from ear to ear. He committed suicide. This act on the part of Mabel's brother shows his guilt and the police now have almost positive evidence that Mabel was killed in her home by her brother Thomas, in a fit of rage on Sunday and that her body was concealed in the house until the night when it was carried into the alleyway by members of the family. The entire family was later arrested.
Mrs. Elizabeth WERTZ, of Conshohocken, was on Sunday morning burned to death by an exploding coal oil lamp. Shortly after one o'clock that morning her fourteen year old daughter was awakened by her mothers screams. She ran to the first floor and was horrified to find her mother enveloped in flames. She tried to smother the flames but without avail. Mrs. WERTZ was burned to death before help could be summoned.
Many of the residents of Ironbridge and vicinity will be surprised to learn of the death of John GAMBLE, of Philadelphia formerly a resident of that town. He went to his room, turned on the gas, laid down and awaited death.
Howard SCHAFFER, aged 21, a native of Kresgeville, Monroe county, was killed at the works of the American slate quarry at Walnutport on Saturday a boiler rolling over him. The boiler was being placed in position, when the chain broke that held it.
A shocking accident occurred at about 3 o'clock Monday afternoon near Standard, Lehigh county, in which Annie, the 4-year-old daughter of Charles HEIL, received terrible burns which resulted in her death a short time later. The little one's parents were working in a corn field a short distance from the house when they were startled to see the child running towards them completely enveloped in flames. The father with much difficulty extinguished the flames, not however, before the child's body was completely roasted from head to foot. In some places the body was burned black. The child died before medical aid could be summoned. During the absence of the parents the child had secured her father's pipe and in imitation of him struck a match to light the tobacco when the flame came in contact with her clothing, setting it on fire. Coroner SCHEIRER held an investigation on Tuesday morning, but did not think a coroner's jury necessary.
The Neocosmian Literary Society of the East Greenville High School, was called to order by the president after which the opening exercises were conducted by the chaplain. Miscellaneous business was then transacted after which the following program was rendered: Declamations by Minnie GREISAMER, and Minnie GREULICH; select readings by Leah MOLL and Eva BIELER; essays by Lizzie HERBEING and Elwood MESCHTER; recitation by Lizzie HERBEIN; extempo speaker, Harold MILLER; debate. Resolved: "That Scott was a better general than Taylor," the affirmative speakers were Howard FAUL, Henry STAUFFER and Carrie FRANK. The negative were Willie KNETZ, Elmer ERB and Carrie LEHMAN. The judges Blanche SCHANTZ, Minnie GREISAMER and Howard ROYER decided in favor of the negative speakers. After general debate the house also decided in favor of the negative speakers. After a recitation by Howard ROYER and the critic's report the society adjourned.
A pleasant birthday party was given to Mrs. Mahlon SNYDER on Saturday evening. An elegant supper was given. The following were present. Mr. and Mrs. Mahlon SNYDER, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph SCHWOYER, Mr. and Mrs. Nathan ADAM, Mr. and Mrs. David SCHANER, Mr. and Mrs. Hiram SMITH, Mr. and Mrs. Frank SCHWOYER, Mrs. Susan SHADE, Mabel SCHANER, Gertrude SCHANER, Maggie SCHANER, Carrie SCHANER, Tillie SMITH, Bertha SMITH, Mamie SCHWOYER, Bertha SNYDER, May FAHY, Katie FRIES, Bessie GLEASON, Sallie SCHULTZ, Jane LUTZ, Mary ADAM, Maggie ADAM, Katie ADAM, Emma BUTTERWECK, Katie BUTTERWECK, Mary LUTZ, Manoah BUTTERWECK, Frank ADAM, Max MEYEROWITZ, John BUTTERWECK, Clarence BUTTERWECK, John SMITH, Harvey SCHWOYER, Willis SNYDER, Eugene SNYDER, Morris SNYDER, Nicholas ADAM, Joseph ADAM, Eddie SCHWOYER, Oswin PFLIEGER, Cyrus LUTZ, Daniel CARVER, Melvin KASE, Chas. GEHRIS, Frank MACK and Walter SCHWOYER.
Edward DORNEY, of Allentown, who recently tendered his resignation to the Dorney Park management, is considering an offer from George GOULD to take charge of his fish hatcheries on his preserves in the Catskills mountains. On the subject of the practical culture of game fish there is hardly a higher authority than Mr. DORNEY and his friends are congratulating him on his prospects.
The Meckville Creamery, at Meckville, Berks county, was robbed Monday night of forty-five dozen eggs and 240 pounds of butter. The robbers then broke into Mr. MECK's general store and got away with five breech-loading guns and five revolvers, in all valued at $150.
For injuries suffered in the wreck at Hatfield a year ago, suits for damages have been brought at Norristown against the Lehigh Valley Traction Company by Leidy EGOLF, William SPEIGELHALTER and Clara E. KRAMER and by the parents of Wallace CROUTHAMEL, who was killed.
Trying to be marksmen of the highest types and rest their Flobert rifles on their toes, young Kennet STAUFFER and Kenneth MOORE, of Norristown, pulled their gun triggers simultaneously and each drew up his weapon sufficiently to fill his own toes with lead and powder.
Mrs. Henry R. MUMBAUER, of East Greenville, met with a mishap on Friday afternoon which might have resulted in her death. She was cleaning the windows on the outside of the house and in doing this she stood on the roof of the porch. In some manner she slipped and fell over the porch to the ground below, a distance of about thirteen feet. In her fall she struck the edge of the boardwalk and on this she was mostly injured. Mrs. MUMBAUER's mother was standing at the window on the inside of the first floor and saw her fall. She hurriedly raised an alarm and assisted her into the house. Dr. W.H. HUNSBERGER, of Pennsburg, was summoned who found several ribs fractured and her foot near the ankle badly sprained.
Miss Amanda HEFFENTRAGER, of East Greenville, was injured on Saturday evening in a peculiar manner. She was visiting Mrs. John GODSHALL and upon her return when near the East Greenville school house she was run into by Clarence HERTZOG and John GODSHALL, Jr., and thrown heavily to the pavement. When she was picked up it was ascertained that a bone was broken for she was unable to walk. Dr. J.G. HERSH was summoned who removed her to her home and upon examination found the thighbone fractured. The boys are neighbors and it appears they were running a race from Main street to their home and when almost home they came in contact with Miss HEFFENTRAGER who could not get out of their way. The accident happened in a very dark place in the town, for the lamp posts are far apart in that particular locality.
George DESCH, a farmer residing at Macungie, Lehigh county, raised one thousand bushels of potatoes from three acres. This has been the most prolific crop from so small acreage in that county.
Harvey R. BAUS, a farmer residing near Geryville, this week found a corn stalk while cutting his corn, that measured twelve feet and two inches. He would like to hear of some one who can beat that on Republican soil.
The Lansdale Ice Manufacturing Company has filed a deed of assignment to Louis B. RUNK, of the same place.
Solomon SHEARER, of Fritztown, has stored 9000 bushels of apples, which he picked from his orchard.
By the accidental discharge of his gun while hunting squirrels Samuel SLATER, of Reading, received a load of shot in his foot.
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