Through the agitation of Town and Country and the friends throughout the Perkiomen Valley of Prof. H. BECHTEL, Coroner LIPPINCOTT, of Camden, N.J., was almost compelled to justify himself, to enter more definitely into the causes which led to the mysterious death which horrified our community two weeks ago, and as a result John S. SMITH, a detective of Camden, was sent to Pennsburg, on Monday to take up the case. The detective followed up various persons to obtain every possible information and later through the assistance of friends of the BECHTEL family prevailed on the aged mother of Prof. BECHTEL to have the body exhumed and a post-mortem held. After securing the desired consent, DIMMIG Bros., undertakers of East Greenville disinterred the body and removed it to the studio of the deceased. On Tuesday A. Haines LIPPINCOTT, coroner of Camden, accompanied by County Physician W.S. JONES, arrived at Pennsburg, and arrangements were made to hold the autopsy in the afternoon. Three of our local physicians, Dr. W.H. HUNSBERGER, of Pennsburg, and Drs. Henry BOBB and J.G. HERSH were invited to be present, as were a large number of friends of the deceased. Coroner's physician opened the skull and found the brain covered with blood but the skull did not show any fracture, and as a consequence, it was decided that death was due to cerebral homorrhages, or apoplexy. Still the mystery remains as to the producing cause. The seat or source of the effusion of the blood that was found in the skull can not be given in this article, but it is a well known fact that blood was found between the membrane called the dura and the boney tissue of the skull, and so eminent an authority as Dr. PEPPER states that if blood is found between the bone and the dura, it results almost always from traumatic causes, such as blows or other injuries, with or without fracture of the skull. On the strength of this undisputed authority, Town and Country is still disposed to assume that the unfortunate man met his death at the hands of ruffians, having probably been sand-bagged. This assumption is strongly re?????ed by the fact that a number of valuables are missing, indicating that robbery was the prime factor which led to fatal result. Since the third and this far, final certificate of death has been issued by the coroner, the people of our community are much better satisfied, as it now shows that an effort, even if perhaps futile, to ascertain the cause of the death of Prof. BECHTEL had been made. From the beginning no inquest had been held, the coroner, it is stated, simply viewed the body and issued a certificate ascribing the death to "alcoholism and exposure." Subsequently, after dissatisfaction had been expressed, another certificate was issued, omitting the word "alcoholism," still this was not satisfactory as it has been declared by witnesses who viewed the body before it was removed from the place where it was found that some blood was on the snow under the body and that no foot prints led to the place where the body was found. These facts and the missing of the valuables should have induced the coroner to hold an inquest and make a thorough investigation, including autopsy and all. Had this been done all courses for indignation on the part of the friends of the unfortunate man would have been at rest. Detective SMITH gathered all possible evidence while here as to the missing or stolen valuables and took the shoes of the deceased along for the purpose of fitting them into foot prints with the hope of clearing the mystery, and of recovering the money, watch, coat and hat that have disappeared. Lodge Investigates. The Knights of Malta Lodge No. 338, of Pennsburg, of which Prof. H.K. BECHTEL was a charter member, at their stated meeting held last Friday night, took up the death of their deceased Companion and being dissatisfied with the certificate which had been submitted to them, appointed Harvey SWENK and Charles F. SCHOENLY as a committee to go to Camden and make all possible inquiry. The Committee visited the place where the body was found, last Sunday and had a talk with farmers WHITEL and WARRINGTON who were first on the scene. They also visited Coroner LIPPINCOTT and expressed their dissatisfaction with the certificate issued. The investigation on the part of the Lodge in addition to the stand taken by Town and Country induced the Coroner to pursue the course which has since been taken by that official.
A four year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin HARTZELL, the tollgate keeper between Shimersville and Macungie, Lehigh County, had a narrow escape from burning to death on Wednesday morning. The father was at work and during the absence of the mother the child got up from his bed and came down stairs. He found some matches on a window sill and started to play with them. One of them ignited and set fire to his night gown. The little child became thoroughly alarmed and ran out of the house into the street, screaming at the top of his voice. When he came into the street he fell into a snow bank which luckily extinguished the flames. The child escaped a horrible death. A few slight burns are the only injuries received.
John H. MOLL, a farmer residing in Upper Hanover township, near Hillegass, this week found a large chicken egg in his chicken house. The egg measured 6 1/4 x 8 1/4 inches. This was the largest chicken egg Mr. MOLL ever found.
I.G. RAHN, proprietor of the Eagle Hotel in Pennsburg purchased the Palm Hotel from N.H. LEESER. Mr. RAHN will take possession on April 1.
A.Z. LANDIS, a farmer of Steinsburg, Bucks county, on Monday evening had a trying experience with a cow which he purchased from M.O. GEORGE, of Coopersburg. Mr. LANDIS sent his son to Coopersburg to bring the cow to his farm, and when the cow had been driven about half the distance it fell on the ice and could not get up. The young man was in a dilemma for a time, at last he decided to go home and inform his father. The father and son then hitched two horses to a sleigh and drove there. With the assistance of several neighbors they placed the cow on the sleigh and started for home, but they did not get very far when the sleigh broke down. They were required to leave the cow there until the following day when another sleigh was taken there and the animal was brought to Steinsburg, on Tuesday noon.
Dr. SCHEINER, an oculist, who has offices on Northampton street, Easton, was arrested Monday morning, charged with carrying concealed deadly weapons. The complaint was made by Frank SCHEINER, a brother of the defendant. Dr. SCHEINER admits that he had the weapon but he claims that his brother grabbed him and that he only displayed it in self defense. The accused furnished $200 bail.
The new organ which was placed in the Trumbauersville Union Church by Mr. DURNER, of Quakertown, was on Sunday used with the regular service for the first time and it proves quite satisfactory. The trustees decided to dedicate the organ on April 2.
The Moravian congregation of Emaus, which is one of the oldest in Eastern Pennsylvania, recently welcomed Rev. Allen Eugene ABEL (picture), of Green Bay, Wisconsin, as their new pastor. Rev. ABEL, left a flourishing Moravian congregation, at Green Bay, to whom he preached his farewell sermon on January 29, in order to take charge of the congregation in Emaus who had tendered the able pastor a unanimous call. Rev. ABEL, is an eloquent pulpit orator, and a born Pennsylvanian. He was born at Nazereth, Pa., on August 9, 1866. In his early boyhood days, he attended the parochial and public schools of his native home. At the age of 16 years he entered the drug business at South Bethlehem, and after being in said business for two years he decided to take a College course, entering the Moravian College, at Bethlehem, where he later graduated with honors. In 1890, he graduated from the Moravian Theological Seminary, of the same place. He had hardly graduated, after which he accepted a Home Mission Charge on the prairies of Minnesota, at Hector. After working in this large field for six years he accepted a call to the Moravian church at Chaska, also in Minnesota. In 1900 he left for Green Bay, Wisconsin, where he was until a few weeks ago, when the Emaus people tendered him a call, which he promptly accepted, as both he and his wife, were natives from the Moravian settlements of this section. Rev. ABEL is married and has a family of four children, who will make their home in the parsonage recently vacated by Rev. Samuel H. GAPP, who accepted the call tendered him recently by the Nazereth Moravian church. The Moravians of this section built one of the earliest churches in the State. It was a log structure and was erected in 1742. They however were not organized as a church body until July 30, 1747, when there were only forty-four communicants.
INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT TAKES PLACE TODAY
President Theodore ROOSEVELT will today take the oath of office at Washington D.C. A long program for the day has been prepared and the gorgeous parade will start at 12.30 o'clock P.M. The Inaugural Ball in the evening will be the last on the program.
John JOHNSON, of Reading, hunted along a Berks County stream a peck of dandelion, which he sold at five cents a plate.
Thomas MARSTELLER, Sr., of Alburtis spent several days this week with his son Thomas of this borough.
Mrs. Jacob MOYER of this borough is seriously ill at the home of her son-in-law John G. ORTT of this borough.
Joshua and John KULP, of this borough on Monday made a trip to Chalfont, Bucks county, where they secured an order for a wagon to be built like one shown them at that place.
Prof. and Mrs. Howard FREED of Lansdale on Saturday attended the funeral of Prof. H.K. BECHTEL.
Miss Anna TREXLER of Allentown visited relatives in this borough in the forepart of the week.
Mr. and Mrs. Howard ERB of Pottstown visited relatives in Pennsburg and East Greenville on Saturday and Sunday.
Miss Annie FREED of this borough is making a week's visit to friends in Philadelphia.
Albert RITTER, a student in a Veterinary College at Grand Rapids, Michigan, returned to his home at Pennsburg on Monday after completing his Junior course at that institution. He expects to go back next fall to complete his course.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles THOMAS of this borough sent the latter part of this week visiting in Allentown.
Charles ROEDER of East Greenville on Thursday evening attended the Masquerade Ball given by the Red Men Lodge at Northampton, Pa.
Dr. Fred WAAGE of Philadelphia was visiting his parents in this borough on Saturday and Sunday.
E.J. WIEDER Jr. of this borough spent Sunday and Monday at Philadelphia.
John BORCKEY, of Philadelphia, a traveling salesman for the grocery firm of Swenk, Slamaker and Hershy of Philadelphia was taken sick with the grippe about two weeks ago while on a trip through Clayton. He was compelled to stay in bed for several days at the Clayton Hotel and after spending ten days in doors at that place, he on Monday returned to his home in Philadelphia.
Melvin KLINE, tenant of tunnel watchman, Morris ERDMAN's farm, Vera Cruz station recently sold an old threshing machine to an Allentown Jew and when he came to get it on Wednesday Mr. KLINE was away from home so the fellow proceeded to take the machine apart of his own accord. In so doing he got hold of the wrong machine, an almost new one, belonging to Mr. ERDMAN which had only been stored there for the present. Mrs. KLINE saw the mistake and told the Jew he had the wrong machine but in spite of her pleading he insisted upon having that machine and kept on hammering away until a neighbor appeared and forced him to stop, but he had already knocked the machine almost to pieces. Mr. ERDMAN intends to prosecute the obstinate Hebrew.
Mr. and Mrs. Oscar SCHAFFER of Dillinger, while on their way to Coopersburg last Wednesday evening had the misfortune of upsetting their sleigh twice and came near having a bad accident. They had taken a lantern along which fell over when they upset and burned a few small holes in Mrs. SCHAFFER's dress. Had they not noticed this as soon as they did the accident would no doubt have been much worse.
A sad shooting affair occurred in the Minnehaha Chopping Mills, near Hillegass, on Sunday afternoon, which caused the death of John GAUGLER, an employee in the mill. Mr. GAUGLER and Harry ALLEN, hired man with farmer John DART, of the Minnehaha Dairy Farm, at the same place, spent Sunday afternoon in the office of the mill, which was also Mr. GAUGLER's sleeping room. Each one of the men owned revolvers and their conversation drifted to the subject of weapons and as a consequence the revolvers were produced and examined. The one Mr. GAUGLER owned was a 32 calibre self-cocking one and was loaded. It was handed to Mr. ALLEN and his was handed to Mr. GAUGLER. While examining the weapons the young men were standing only a few feet apart and when the self-cocking revolver was being handled by Mr. ALLEN, it exploded and the bullet entered Mr. GAUGLER's abdomen. The young men were now thoroughly frightened, but the wounded man first regained his wits, walked through the room to the telephone and himself called up Dr. W.H. HUNSBERGER, of Pennsburg and summoned his aid.
The physician accompanied by Attorney-at-law John R. KAUFFMAN, Jr., of Pennsburg, hurried to the scene of the accident. An examination was made and he ascertained that the bullet entered the unfortunate man's stomach. Arrangements were then made to take the man to the German Hospital at Philadelphia. Before GAUGLER was removed from the mill he made a statement in the presence of Lawyer KAUFFMAN, T.A. PYLE, Dr. HUNSBERGER and Harry ALLEN in which he exonerated Mr. ALLEN from all responsibility claiming that the affair was purely accidental. Dr. HUNSBERGER, on Monday morning, removed Mr. GAUGLER to the Hospital and in the evening he was operated up on by Dr. DEAVER, who found that the bullet passed through the stomach, in almost the same place where President McKINLEY was shot. The cavities of the abdomen and stomach were about half filled with blood. Dr. DEAVER dressed the injured stomach and sewed the parts together. For several days the young man's recovery looked favorable, but on Wednesday evening he gradually began to grow weaker and at 2.30 on Thursday morning he succumbed to the injuries. A message was immediately sent to Dr. HUNSBERGER and undertaker C.H. FRYER, of Pennsburg, on Thursday morning went to Philadelphia to bring the corpse to his parent's home. The hospital authorities refused to give up the body before an inquest was held, so Mr. FRYER returned to his home. Yesterday morning he, accompanied by Samuel GAUGLER, the young man's father and Harry ALLEN, went to Philadelphia to attend the inquest, which was held at 9 o'clock. After the inquest his body was allowed to be shipped to his home.
Mrs. C.H. STEIN, wife of Superintendent of the Perkiomen Railroad, of Pennsburg, on Sunday fell at her home and dislocated the third finger of her left hand. Dr. W.H. HUNSBERGER was consulted who attended to the injury.
Frank WRIGHT, who declared that he was a deserter from the Russian Army, and who had been employed for several week as a farm hand by Jacob LAMPERT, of Evansburg, this county, disappeared Tuesday night. About $216 and a watch and chain, belonging to his employer, are also missing. The money was taken from a chest, where it had been placed for safe keeping.
Mrs. William ???egler, of Lederachville, is the proud owner of a plant that at present has seventy-five nice bright flowers.
The wife of Dr. J.R. CARE, of Norristown, formerly of Worcester, was this week granted a divorce.
A mysterious shooting occurred Friday night in Allentown, which may result in murder. About 10 o'clock John EBERTS, a baker, was walking through the yard toward his house. He was shot three times. With a cry he fell. His family found him helpless. When carried into the house he said a man stepped up to him fired. Whence the assailant came and whither he went is a mystery. Doctors found one ball had broken the left arm, another the right arm, while the third had penetrated the small of the back and lacerated the intestines. Before he lapsed into unconsciousness, Mr. EBERTS stated to the officers and doctors present that the assailant was a tall man with a dark overcoat and slouch hat. Mayor LEWIS took charge of the police side of the case, and sent out forty officers to search the town and permit no suspicious man to depart unless he could prove an alibi. Robbers entered the house of a neighbor the night before and stole a revolver. The police believe that the thief may be EBERTS's assailant. EBERT succumbed to the effects of his wounds on Saturday evening at five o'clock. On Monday evening the Coroner's jury met at Mr. EBERTS home and examined a large number of witnesses. The jury adjourned and met again on Thursday evening. At one of the inquests it developed that Mr. EBERT, was the father of a son which bears his name but does not belong to Mrs. EBERT. This son is playing an important part in the tragedy. The son was born about twenty-five years ago when Mr. EBERT was a baker at the Lehigh county poor house. It is said that this son and his father had some trouble between them, but the extent of it is not known; but that is the line-up on which the police are working now.
A very pleasant gathering of four generations was held on Sunday at the home of John MILLER, 1333 Liberty St., Allentown in honor of his aged mother, Mrs. John MILLER, formerly of Lehigh county now from Weatherly, Pa. Those present were her sisters, Mrs. Solomon DRISSLER, from Dillingerville, Mrs. Wm. SCHOENLY, from East Greenville and a brother Henry S. FURRY, of Reading. Her children, John F. MILLER and Mrs. Morris STEPHENS. Her grand children Charles, Wilson, Misses Margaret, Jennie, Ellen MILLER and Mrs. John MOLL, Frank and Euna STEPHENS. Her great grand children, Arthur NOLL, Ethel STEPHENS, all from Allentown. Nieces Mrs. Nelson SHERER, from Chestnut Hill and son Wm. SHERER and wife, from Emaus, Mrs. Jacob ZEINER and two sons of South Bethlehem and Solomon DRISSLER, Mrs. John F. MILLER, Mrs. Frank STEPHENS and John NOLL.
Rev. Thomas W. DICKERT, of Reading, formerly of Macungie, published a book on the life of Rev. Calvin S. GERHARD, D.D., late of that city. Dr. GERHART was the late pastor of St. Stephen's Reformed church at Reading, and one of the most prominent ministers of the denomination. The book treats his active and useful life in seven chapters viz: Dr. GERHARD as a Man; as a Student; as a Christian Minister; as a Pastor; Dr. GERHARD and the Church at Large; as a Theologian; as an Author. The introduction is written by Rev. John S. STAHR, D.D., L.L.D. and the various chapters are written by representative men of the church; the preface and the chapter on Dr. GERHARD as an author being written by the editor.
The enterprising citizens of Trumbauersville have taken steps toward protection against fire by organizing a fire company. At a recent meeting, Trumbauersville Fire Co. No. 1 was organized with 54 members. The officers are: President, Morris WISLER; vice president, M.S. BOETTIGER; second vice president, Charles SHUP; treasurer, E.W. REITER; recording secretary, R.R. CROMAN; financial secretary, Henry BOSSERT; foreman, S.J. CROLL; first assistant, J.B. KLINE; second assistant, H.M. DETWEILER; trustees, J.W. REITER, L.P. CHRISTMAN and Wilson WISLER. A charter will be applied for in the near future, and equipments secured as soon as funds can be raised. The town has had no organized protection against fire and this movement therefore commends itself to the consideration and substantial support of the community. The Company has decided to hold a bazaar for the purpose of raising funds to purchase equipments. The bazaar will open on Saturday evening, March 4th in Croll's Hall. It is to continue every Saturday evening with the intention of closing on April 24th. The bazaar will be conducted in the usual manner by which many useful and fancy articles will be disposed of. Good music and special attractions will be provided every night. The Citizens Band of Quakertown will be present at the opening and several subsequent nights.
Coroner's Physician Dr. A.H. READ, of Norristown, on Tuesday afternoon conducted an autopsy on the body of Charles EVANS, the colored man, who died suddenly in jail on Monday. Relatives of the dead man identified the body. After doing so they informed the coroner that they would not claim the remains and as a result the man's body was taken in charge by the county authorities. EVANS was awaiting trial on the charge of attempted rape.
Assemblyman John REX, of this county went to Harrisburg on Monday, carrying the indorsement of nearly half a hundred leading manufacturers of the Schuylkill Valley favoring legislation for raising to 14 years of age at which children may be employed in factories. If this law is passed it will affect 1800 children in Norristown, Bridgeport and Conshohocken.
While Mrs. Henry BOWMAN, of Reading, was putting coal on the fire a large washboiler that stood on the stove tilted and fell over, the contents running over her six-month-old child, who was lying on the floor. The little one was horribly scalded, and died a few hours after being admitted to St. Joseph's Hospital. The entire body was blistered and the skin hung in shreds at some places.
Peter FEGLEY, the oldest resident of New Berlinville, Berks County died last Thursday after a brief illness. He was in his ninetieth year and was one of the most prominent citizens in that section of the county. He had never been sick two weeks in all his life. He was a son of the late Peter FEGLEY, of Congo.
Mrs. Mary Ann SCHNEIDER, aged 85, who died last week, in New Hanover township, had an authenticated record that she has never been sick a day in her life until within a week before her death. Her sight and hearing were unfailing during all her long life.
H.B. SEYLER, of Reading, last week was out gunning in the vicinity of Lobachsville, Berks County and he shot a hawk. When the hawk was picked up it had a squirrel in its mouth. The bird measured four and one-half feet from tip to tip of wings.
The mill property of J.B. OBERHOLTZER, situate in the borough, of Bechtelsville, Berk County was on Saturday sold to Alfred SEASHOLTZ, of the same place. Mr. SEASHOLTZ will take possession on April 1.
Because he was thrown aside by his girl, who refused to return to him, Robert BITTING, of Allentown, on Saturday afternoon hanged himself on the hay loft of the former Cross Keys Hotel stables, where his father, Cyrus BITTING, owner of the cab and transfer lines has his horses. The body was found by Robert YEAKEL, a driver, who had gone up stairs with a bale of hay at feeding time, 6 o'clock. Mr. BITTING was down stairs at the time and YEAKEL informed the father of it. The latter satisfied himself of the fact that the body was hanging there and went for assistance. Alderman MERTZ was one of the first ones there and cut down the body. Coroner SCHEIRER did not deem an inquest necessary. Saturday was BITTINGs birthday, he having been born in Macungie on February 25, 1875. He is survived by his parents, a brother, Thomas, and two sisters, Minnie and Maza. He was in the cab and baggage business nearly all his life, assisting his father for the most part, but engaged independently several times. In the dead man's pockets was found a letter addressed to Mayor LEWIS in which he attempted in a rambling way to give the reason for his act. It is known that his relations with his common law wife, Emma ALBRIGHT, of near Seiple's Station, have been strained latterly. For some time past they lived at 17 South Eleventh street. Six weeks ago she left him to take employment in a Macungie hotel, but returned every Saturday and Sunday. BITTING objected to this, especially when the woman told him that a rich widower was paying attention to her. Fearing to be displaced in her affections he demanded that she remain away from Macungie. Friday two weeks ago she left him after some squabble about the furniture in the house. He tried to have her return and went to see her Friday at Seiple's Station. He returned early on Saturday morning, with the woman's brothers James ALBRIGHT. He did not go near his home. To different people he hinted that he had "quit the cab business for good" and to others he said he was going to hang himself. It has been learned that he received assurance from the ALBRIGHT woman that she would come to the city on Saturday. Disappointed at her non-arrival he committed the deed.
J.M. SHIVE, the merchant of Fagleysville, purchased the stock of John P. KLINE, receiver, of the Chas. G. HEIST bankrupt estate. Mr. SHIVE has leased the building from the mortgage holder and will take possession of the store as soon as the appraisement can be made and the sale will be granted by order of the court. Mr. SHIVE is a young man and has good business qualities, and will without a doubt made a success of the business.
Aged Mr. KUNZ, of Bergey, this county who was removed to the Insane Asylum at Norristown, several weeks ago, died at that institution on Monday. Undertaker H.B. SHISLER, of Harleysville, on Tuesday removed the remains to his son B.W. KUNZ's residence, at Harleysville, from which place the funeral will be held.
The funeral on Saturday afternoon of Prof. H.K. BECHTEL, of Pennsburg, was one of the largest held here for many years. A large concourse of people had congregated at the New Goshenhoppen Reformed church to pay their last respects to the deceased. The church was filled one hour before the funeral cortege arrived and by the time the mourners were in the spacious building there was no standing room. Many were only able to view the body as it lay in state in the church vestibule. There were about thirteen hundred people in the church who heard the funeral sermon. The remains were viewed by about two thousand people during the day. The floral tributes were numerous and beautiful. The Citizens' band of which he was the teacher presented a beautiful floral lyre. Many other bouquets were from his pupils. The Perkiomen Commandery Knights of Malta Lodge of Pennsburg, of which he was a member and the Citizens' band, of East Greenville, attended the obsequies in a body.
As Herman BECK, a Sioux City, Iowa, farmer, was unloading 3000 quail at the railroad station Monday, the State Game Warden seized the quail. The fine for having quail out of season being $10 a bird, BECK is required to pay $30,000. BECK was fined.
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