Gustave A. CLOSSON, a Swedish resident of Morrisvile, Bucks county, 64 years old, is in jail at Doylestown, accused of putting to death by poison his half-witted son Walter, who died suddenly on May 19. The detectives who worked up the case and who put the prisoner through the "third degree" Monday after his arrest, over that he has made a confession of the crime, giving as his reason the boy's feeble minded state, and declaring that he was best out of the way. The motive for the murder was that both boys - the eldest but 14 while the dead lad was but 11 - were feeble-minded. The story of the subsequent events is best told in CLOSSON's own words: "Crushed by a yoke of debt that seemed hopeless, I determined to do away with one of my idiotic sons, who was of no use to himself or to me. I took a package of rough on rats which I had secreted in a tool chest and made a paste of it by adding a little water. This I carefully spread on two slices of bread making a sandwich of it and commanded the older boy to eat it. He became desperately ill, and although the housekeeper insisted on calling in a doctor, I refused to allow her to do it. Henry grew alarmingly worse, but toward evening he rallied, and I then learned that I had given him an overdose of the poison. "Determined to profit by past experience, I concluded to try the experiment on the younger boy, Walter, so two days later I bought 10 cents' worth of beer in Morrisville and took it home with me. I poured the remainder of the powder into a teacupful of beer and gave it to Walter to drink, which he did. I then gave him a penny and told him to go to a nearby store and buy a stick of candy. "I thought he would be stricken away from home, and in the meantime I prepared to leave home for Tullytown, where I worked. Walter arrived home, however, before I left and was taken violently ill. Again the housekeeper insisted upon sending for a doctor and again I opposed it. I learned that the boy was dead. I then thought that my troubles were at an end, and with the $250 I expected to collect from the insurance company I could readily pay my debts and have a snug sum left."
Powder hidden in a stick of fire wood exploded in the kitchen stove of Mrs. William BAILEY, of near Jersey Shore, on Tuesday evening. The stove was shattered to pieces, the fire scattered and Mrs. BAILEY was thrown through a door into the next room. It is not known whether the explosion was the result of an accident or if some one made an attempt on the woman's life. The powder was taken from the stone quarry near the house. The end of the kitchen was torn out and the clothing of the woman and the house set on fire, when neighbors arrived they found the unfortunate woman in an unconscious condition.
Wilson E. DERR and Clayton CONRAD, of Temple, Berks county, were arrested by United States Deputy Marshal, of Philadelphia, charged with obstructing the public highway and preventing the passage of the rural free delivery carrier, G.D. MOYER, of Temple. Through the interferance of the men the carrier was delayed in the delivery of the mail. The men were given a hearing before Commissioner MALTZBERGER and held in $500 each for the United States District Court in Philadelphia.
"Look out, fellows; I'm going to have some fun!" exclaimed Henry WIEDER, of near Kline's Corner, Berks County, as he tied firecrackers to a dog's tail and ignited them. The dog ran up the road a short distance and right under Mr. WIEDER's horse, which he had tied to a post. The horse had on a new harness and was attached to a brand-new $250 carriage. When the runaway nag was captured, several miles away, the carriage was a wreck and the harness beyond repair.
A farmers' picnic will be held at Gablesville, Berks county, on July 29. Addresses will be made by Dr. J.H. FUNK, State pomologist, of Boyertown; Attorney Peter D. WANNER, of Reading; Assemblyman Thomas J. HOUCK, of Boyertown, and others. A big parade will be one of the features.
Class '05 Perkiomen Seminary (picture). Sue D. SCHULTZ, Clayton, Pa.; Willis W. HACKMAN, Brunerville, Pa.; Andrew S. SCHULTZ, Niantic, Pa.; Rufus E. KERN, East Greenville, Pa.; Alvin H. RICK, West Leesport, Pa.; Owen S. GERHARD, Clayton, Pa.; Herbert T. MOYER, Lansdale, Pa.; J. Virgil SHULL, Perth Amboy, N.J.; Stanley SHOENBERGER, Slatington, Pa.; John H. FAHRENBACH, Bernville, Pa.; Otto H. STROUSE, Fretz, Pa.; John W. WIEDER, Pennsburg, Pa.; Daniel SCHULTZ, Philadelphia, Pa.; Emma J. SEIPT, West Point, Pa.; Walter R. HARTZELL, South Perkasie, Pa.; Lillian M. HENDRICKS, E. Greenville; Stanley H. POWNALL, Lansdale, Pa.; Ida O. HERSH, East Greenville, Pa.; Edwin C. REBER, Millville, N.J.; Theo. A. COOK, Phillipsburg, Pa.; Ada S. DeHAVEN, Lansdale, Pa.; Markley C. ALBRIGHT, Hatfield, Pa.; Jeanette McDOWELL, York, Pa.; Clarence L. GERE, Brooklyn, Pa.; Magdalene SCHULTZ, Niantic, Pa.; Frank C. LAUBACH, Benton, Pa.; Rosa C. MERSHON, Morrisville, Pa.; William H. LANDIS, Perkasie, Pa.; John W. ROTH, Red Hill, Pa.; L. Pearson SCOTT, Summit Hill, Pa.; Della KRATZ, Green Lane, Pa.; Edgar NONNEMAKER, Bedminsterville; Raymond I. HALL, Mill Hall, Pa.; Geo. W. KESSLER, Sac City, Iowa; Ruth E. BROUGHTON, Tunkhannock, Pa.; Frank C. MYERS, Bermudian, Pa.; Ethel A. CROASDALE, Fallsington, Pa.; Wm. T. MELCHOR, Springtown, Pa.; Chester A. GARRATT, White Mills, Pa.; Chas. K. PHILLIPS, Dauberville, Pa.; Lucy A. SCHOLL, Pennsburg, Pa.; Rafael CORTES, Havana, Cuba; Andrew ANDERS, Kulpsville, Pa.; Clara SCHULTZ, Hereford, Pa.; Catalena PENDLETON, LeRaysville, Pa.; Alverda MILLER, Red Hill, Pa.; Amy KLINE, Red Hill, Pa.; Irene M. SCHWARTZ, Pennsburg, Pa.; Ernestine THORNTON, East Greenville; Nellie G. STOVER, Tohickon, Pa. What the graduates expect to do next year.
The following will go to College: Princeton, Frank C. MYERS, Chas. K. PHILIPS, Willis W. HACKMAN, Daniel SCHULTZ, Markley C. ALBRIGHT, Clarence L. GERE, Frank C. LAUBACH, L. Pearson SCOTT, Geo. W. KESSLER, Wm. RICHARDSON; Lafayette, Stanley SHOENBERGER, Stanley POWNALL; Lehigh, Theodore A. COOK, Edwin C. REBER; Swarthmore, Ethyl A. CROASDALE; University of Pennsylvania Law, Chester A. GARRATT, John C. BECHTEL; Architecture, Rafael CORTES; Drexel, Lucy A. SCHOLL; Medico Chirurgical, Andrew ANDERS, Otto H. STROUSE; Cornell, Andrew SCHULTZ, Emma J. SEIPT; Muhlenberg, Rufus E. KERN, Edgar V. NONEMAKER; State, Alvin H. RICK, Wm. LANDIS; Hahnemann Medical, Herbert T. MOYER; Baltimore Medical, J. Virgil SHULL; Franklin & Marshall, Sophomore Class, Walter H. HARTZELL, John W. WIEDER, John H. FAHRENBACH; Freshman Class, Woman's College, Frederick, Md., Ida D. HERSH; Jefferson Medical, John W. ROTH; Weslyan University, Raymond I. HALL; Oberlin, Ruth E. BROUGHTON. The following will teach: William T. MELCHOR, Township High School, Springtown, Catalena PENDLETON, at LeRaysville, Sue D. SCHULTZ, at Clayton, Ada S. DeHAVEN, at Lansdale, Elsie M. FIRST, Perkiomen Seminary, Clara SCHULTZ, Nellie G. STOVER, Owen S. GERHARD, Jeannette McDOWELL, Magdalens SCHULTZ, Rosa MERSHON and Lillian HENDRICKS will remain at home. Alverda MILLER, Amy KLINE, Irene SCHWARTZ will continue their work in music at the Seminary. Della KRATZ will teach music at her home. Ernestine THORNTON will continue her studies at some Normal School.
A valuable race horse belonging to Councilman L.D. RITTER, of South Bethlehem, was found in his stall Wednesday with one of its hind hoofs in its mouth. The shoe was caught so firmly in the flesh of the lower lip that a veterinary surgeon had to work for some time with the aid of heavy ropes to pull the leg forward far enough to permit the hoof's removal. How the animal succeeded in getting itself in such a position is what puzzled the surgeon and owner.
Applicants for positions as schoolmams in the Tamaqua public schools who will not set forth their true age will get no positions. This is the substance of an edict issued by the School Board at its July meeting, when three applicants refused to tell their ages.
Thrown from his sulky while speeding a colt on the Phoenixville track, Mahlon LUDWIG, a well-known turfman, was severely injured.
Confessing that he killed his wife and then burned down his home in order to wipe out the evidence of his crime, Alfred LOOZ, of Pine Grove, is in jail at Pottsville, on the double charge of murder and arson. He can assign no reason for his action, and it is believed he has lost his reason.
Andrew ARNOLD, 30 years old, of Harrisburg, a brakeman on the Reading Railway, was killed late on Wednesday night while riding on top of a car. His head struck an overhead bridge at Franklin street, Pottstown, and he was hurled under the wheels.
Henry BILLGER, of Tylersport, met with an accident last week on returning from taking a load of hay to Philadelphia. The horses ran away and the wagon passed over him, breaking one of the bones of the leg above the ankle.
G.M. CARL who has been Station Agent, at Schwenksville, for the past 14 years, resigned and has been succeeded by Allen E. BORTZ, of Zeiglerville.
A pleasant surprise party was tendered Miss Maria LANDIS at the home of her sister, Mrs. Henry GERHARD, near Palm, on the evening, July 3rd. Those present were as follows: Mr. and Mrs. Alfred MOLL, Lucy, Henry, Lizzie and Edna MOLL, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel GERHARD and daughters, Mahala and Stella, Mr. and Mrs. Emanuel RAUDENBUSH, Mrs. Henry GEHRING, Lizzie MOSER, Freeda, Katie and George GEHRING, James and Weldon GERHARD, James SCHELL, Frank SCHELL, Wm. MARKS, Victor SHERER, James WEISS, James SHERER, Edward WEISS, Edwin KECK, Homer SCHULTZ, Charles HUBER, Elmer KRAUSS, Charles SCHULTZ, Martin LANDIS, Samuel GERHARD, George EDWIN, John and Wilson GERHARD, Levi FETTERMAN, Harvey HUBER, Horace HEISTAND, Claude HUBER, Misses Stella SALLADE, Sallie KRAUSS, Mabel FETTERMAN, Cora SCHULTZ, Stella HUBER, Sallie HIESTAND, Katie GERHARD, Minerva KRIEBEL, Tevillia GERHARD, Mary KRIEBEL, Amanda, Adlaide KRIEBEL, Anna RAUDENBUSH, Sallie KNETZ and Mabel WANNER.
A surprise party was tendered to Miss Sallie HUFF, of Shimersville, on Friday evening in honor of her birthday. The evening was spent in playing various games suitable to the occasion. The guests were served with a splendid spread out on the lawn at about 10.30, after which the evening was spent in dancing. The guests returned home at a reasonable hour, after wishing Miss HUFF many happy years. The following were present: Mr. and Mrs. Barton KLEPPINGER, Misses Sallie HUFF, Katie HUFF, Marie HUFF, Emma HELD, Anna STICHTER, Ruth HUDSON, Millie FOSTER, Lizzie STICHTER, Irene WEIDNER, Stella DELLICKER and Jennie M. KERN; Messrs. Chas. BORGER, Stanley URFFER, Howard DELLICKER, Horace STAHLER, Monroe GEISSINGER and Allen BORGER.
While shooting at a mark placed on a telephone pole opposite the Amercian House, Pennsburg, Claude BICKLE was shot in the thigh by Matthias RUMMEL on Tuesday forenoon. A number of young men had congregated at the Hotel and in token of their patriotism they used a twenty-two caliber rifle to shoot mark, the number taking successive turns. While the shooting was going on Matthias RUMMEL came along and expressed a desire to try his skill, Mr. BICKEL, the day operator at the Pennsburg station, whose home is at Reading, slipped a cartridge into the rifle and handed it to Mr. RUMMEL. After passing the rifle to Mr. RUMMEL, BICKLE turned to talk with a companion and the report of the rifle was simultaneously with a sting in his left thigh. On investigation it was found that the discharged bullet found lodgement in that part of his body. Dr. J.G. HERSH, of East Greenville, was called to dress the wound. The doctor probed the wound to the depth of several inches but failed to locate the bullet.
The bullet made an opening sufficiently large for a 38 calibre bullet to enter but as no artery was cut and no organ injured, Mr. BICKEL resumed his work after the wound was dressed. Thumb Shot Off. In celebrating the fourth at Niantic, on Tuesday evening, a gun exploded in the hands of Andrew SCHULTZ and tore off one of his thumbs. The served member was not found till next morning.
At first it was feared that it would be necessary to amputate the entire hand but later it was found that the hand could be saved. The unfortunate youth is a promising young man. He was a member of the class of 53 that graduated at Perkiomen Seminary last week and was one of the Commencement speakers.
With the issue of this week, under date of July 4, the "Bauern Freund" and "The Perkiomen Valley Press," both published at Pennsburg, the former in the German language and the latter in English have been consolidated into one paper. The paper as now issued consists of a nine colum four page edition, pages one, two and three are printed in German, while page four is printed in English. Both papers were owned and edited by Henry A. KNEULE, the present editor and proprietor of the consolidated paper. The idea is a novel one and it is hoped that the consolidation may prove of mutual advantage to the proprietor and his subscribers.
Judge SOLLY, in Orphans' Court, at Norristown, on Wednesday, made distribution of the $98,902.50 estate of Edward F. KANE, an attorney of Norristown, and former Democratic county chairman. The widow is awarded $32,317.50 and each of the three children $21,545. The payment of $1000 to the Academy of the Visitation at Fredericktown, Md., and $1000 to Miss Alice M. KANE, a sister of the deceased, two bequests authorized by the will, were indorsed by the Court.
When Dr. D. George KNECHT left his home at Allentown, for Pennsburg where he has a dental office, on Wednesday morning, his child was showing symptons of sickness. Later in the day he was called home by telephone message, stating that the child had developed into a dangerous case of diphtheria. It is likely that Dr. KNECHT may not be able to meet his many patients in these towns for several weeks.
Dr. HOEFFER and Miss Mame ZIMMERMAN, young society leaders of Pottsville, who were married on Thursday evening, were forced to make the trip from the bride's home to the railroad station perched high on the seat of an old-fashioned fire engine drawn by a score of friends. With the fire bells madly clanging, a concourse of people blocked all the approaches to the depot, and the couple were of necessity unloaded at the freight station.
Having seen her older brothers celebrate the Fourth with fire and noise, five-year-old Mabel KLINE, daughter of Mrs. Katie KLINE, of Allentown, began her own celebration by starting a bonfire in the back yard. Her dress caught fire and she was burned to death.
Public school alumni organizations in all parts of the county are arranging to attend the annual outing and reunion of the Montgomery County Alumni Association, on Thursday, July 13, in Plymouth Park. In the morning at 11 o'clock the business meeting will be held, and at two o'clock in the afternoon a musical and literary program will be presented, the chief feature being an address by Chas. H. PENNYPACKER, the unique Burgess of West Chester. During the two years that he has been Burgess Mr. PENNYPACKER has attracted almost as much public attention as his cousin, the Governor. He is a gifted orator, and his quaint sayings, striking epigrams and unconventional wisdom have been quoted far and wide, and have caused the newspapers to bestow on him the title of the "Sage of West Chester." His address at the Alumni outing will be his first speech in Montgomery county. Plymouth Park is situated on the Chestnut Hill and Norristown trolley road, a short distance east of Norristown.
Early on Tuesday morning a party of ten, composed of George H. HEVENER, Victor STECKLE, Dr. W.H. HUNSBERGER, Oliver SCHANTZ and Alfred WELDNER, of Pennsburg; Francis SHELLY, Alfred SCHANTZ, James KRAUSS and Levi MESCHTER, of East Greenville; Lewis BITTING, of Philadelphia, and Marcus STECKEL, of Siegfrieds, left Pennsburg on an extended automobile trip. The trip include the following places: Geryville, Spinnerstown, Milford Square, Steinsburg, Locust Valley, Coopersburg, Centre Valley, Lenark, Lehigh Mountain, Idle Wild Hotel, Montainville, Allentown, Helfrich Springs, Mickley's Church, Hokendauqua, Coplay, Northampton, Siegfried, Cementon, Laurys, Cherryford, Treichlers, Lockport, Walnutport, Slatington, Emerald, Best Station, Germansville, New Tripoli, Lynnville, Syberlingsville, Heynemansville, Seipstown, Fogelsville, Trexlertown, Macungie, Shimersville, Zionsville, Treichlersville, Hereford, Palm and East Greenville. Dinner was taken at Walnutport and supper at Macungie. The entire trip of about 90 miles was made without any mishap to anyone of the three machines.
Ex-Congressman C.J. ERDMAN, of Allentown was the victim of an unfortunate accident on Monday morning in which his jaw was broken and it is feared his skull was fractured. In crossing Hamilton at the intersection of Sixth street he had to pass around a big trolley car. A coal team came along at a rapid gait, the horses of which had been scared by two automobiles and the exploding of some fire crackers, so that the driver lost control of the team. Mr. ERDMAN could not get out of the way on account of the obstructing car and was knocked down, the rear wheel of the 2000 pound wagon passing over his head. Mr. ERDMAN was picked up in an unconscious condition and on examination it was found that his jaw was broken and on the right temple, where the wheel had struck, there was a lump larger than an egg, filled with blood. It is feared that the skull is crushed at that point. There are but slight hopes entertained for the unfortunate man's recovery.
Igel VINO, an Italian of Pittston who sold his wife for $5, was arrested because the woman refused to fulfill her part of the transaction. A few months ago VINO was married. He soon tired of wedded life, and agreed to sell his wife to John SANDY, who had long been in love with her. SANDY paid the money to VINO, but his wife refused to be sold. SANDY had VINO arrested for the purpose of recovering his $5. VINO refunded the $5 to SANDY, paid the cost in the case and was discharged.
Mrs. Ida M. ZIEGLER, of Altoona, who had sent a comic valentine representing a long-tongued woman to her next door neighbor, was on Thursday directed by the court to pay a fine of $20 and the costs, the judge having refused to accept the plea of the license of St. Valentine.
F.W. ZOLLERS, of Philadelphia, proprietor, of a South Bethlehem gorcery store, was arrested on a charge of selling chocolate coated cakes containing oxide of iron and coal-tar dies, by Pure Food Agent SIMMER's. ZOLLERS and his manager entered bail in the sum of $200 each for appearance at court.
Two well-known Berks county men committed suicide by hanging on Saturday. M. Luther PATTON, a prosperous farmer of Caernarvon, was found hanging in the barn on the old PATTON homestead, near Joanna Furnace, about two and one-half miles northwest of Morgantown. He was secretary of the Caernarvon School Board, and took an active part in erecting the large new High School at Morgantown. It is said that there was objection to the cost of the building. Mr. PATTON was one of those who favored a large building. The contention over the matter preyed on his mind, it is said. Frank KILMER, near Stouchsburg, hanged himself with a half-inch rope, which was fastened to the upright ladder of a hay wagon. The vehicle was loaded with hay and stood in Mr. KLIMER's barn. He had been despondent for some years because of the protracted illness of his wife.
Charles JANEY, aged 26, a colored man died in jail at Norristown from pulmonary complaint. His wife took charge of his body and removed it to Virginia. JANEY, it is claimed, was responsible for the death of James BRISCOE, a negro, and was convicted in June, 1904, of involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to eighteen months. As three months and fifteen days had been deducted from his sentence on account of good behavior he would have been released from jail in August.
When Mrs. Herbert DOUGLASS, of Upper Merion, arrived at the cradle to ascertain the cause of her infant daughter's crying, she discovered a big rat gnawing at the child's right hand. The rat fled and almost immediately the child's hand began to swell. Blood poisoning quickly developed and her condition is serious.
John C. GROOME, of Rosemont, has been appointed superintendent of the State Constabulary. Mr. GROOME is captain of the First City Troop, of Philadelphia.
While John BANDAS was showing companions how to explode a dynamiate cap at Shenandoah it exploded and blew the fingers off his left hand, and John DANKS standing close by, may lose the sight of one eye.
Schwenksville has the honor of raising the largest strawberries in the Perkiomen Valley. Fifteen were picked in the patch of Nathan UMSTEAD, that filled a quart berry box.
In falling and catching in the crotch of a cherry tree, William ENDY, of Pottstown, tore all the ligaments of his arm so that he can never use that member again.
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