NEWS: Items from the Altoona Mirror, September 20, 1899, Blair County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Patty Millich & Alice James Copyright 2007. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/ _______________________________________________ Items from the Altoona Mirror, Wednesday Evening, September 20, 1899 ALTOONA SOCIAL EVENTS Last evening a very enjoyable surprise party was held at the residence of Mrs. G. W. Benson, 1428 Tenth avenue in honor of Mrs. G. W. Benson's birthday. There were fifteen couples present. The evening was spent in playing various games. Last evening a very enjoyable birthday party was given at the home of Mr. Frank B. Greenleaf, 1023 Twenty-second avenue in honor of his uncle, Mr. George F. Jones of Philadelphia, who is visiting here. Music, card playing and various other amusements were indulged in until midnight when an elegant repast was served. Mr. Jones kept all in continual laughter by his original and comic actions. A very enjoyable party was held at the home of Frank McNolty, 1421 Seventeenth avenue on Monday evening in honor of the nineteenth birthday of his daughter, Mary. The evening was pleasantly spent in games, vocal and instrumental music and at midnight, a dainty repast was served. The young people present were Misses Bessie Deffbaugh, Ella Wilkins, Belle Stiffler, Florence Deffbaugh, Ella Dull, Elizabeth Wilkins, Regina Beck and Catharine McNulty and Messrs. Roy Baird, Theo. Eckard, Hugh Reffner, Daniel Stackhouse, Arthur Harrison, Sankey Delozier, William Marks, Carl Lockard and John Tobin. ALTOONA LADY HONORED At a meeting of the Ladies' Auxiliary of the Union Veteran Legion, held at Baltimore last Friday, Mrs. Mary Beighel of this city, was elected national president of the auxiliary by a unanimous vote. Mrs. Beighel has held the same office twice before, filling it with ability and to the satisfaction of the members. Her daughter will be national secretary. Tax Collector J. S. Elway must mean business. Notwithstanding the inclement weather he issued about 300 levies yesterday. There appears to be a determination on his part to close up the duplicates. SUCCESSFUL GOSPEL MEETING A very successful and enjoyable gospel tent meeting is being held at Fifth avenue and Sixth street, Juniata. It has been in progress for several weeks and there have been several conversions and crowded meetings. It will continue over next Sunday in charge of Evangelist J. E. Gearhart of Clearfield and E. A. Jennings of Indiana, Pa. Both are earnest workers and none who go to hear them are disappointed. All are invited. MYSTERY NOT YET SOLVED The Coroner Still Investigating the Death of an Illegitimate Child Coroner McCartney has not yet concluded his investigation in regard to the illegitimate child that was found dead in a residence on the east side early Monday morning. The name of the mother of the child is Sarah Stitzell, aged about 19 years. The reputed father of the child has not yet been arrested. In order to clear up the mystery, the coroner requires that a post mortem examination be made on the body of the infant to determine whether or not it was dead when born. If the child was dead, that will end the matter as far as the coroner is concerned. Coroner McCartney said this morning that he had been unable to get the two county physicians in the city to make a post mortem, they saying they were too busy. The coroner will not decide the question of holding an inquest until the physicians make the examination. The body of the infant is still at the undertaking rooms of J. P. Lafferty. It is said that a short time before the mother gave birth to the child Dr. McCarthy was called in to see her. Finding that he would not likely get paid for his services, he turned the case over to Dr. McBurney, the county physician for the east side of the city. When Dr. McBurney arrived the child had been born, although its mother, it is alleged, did not notify him of this fact. The babe was afterward found submerged in a basin filled with water. The mother insists it was dead when born. COMMON PLEAS COURT. Yesterday Afternoon's Session. The damage suit of G. V. Gardner vs. Juniata Borough, was continued as follows: J. T. Carnel?, a resident of Logan township, who had worked in the capacity of a miller at the Gardner mill, about three years ago, said that he operated the mill ordinarily from ten to twelve hours a day, and in the dry season from nine to ten hours. Robert Wilson, who operated the Gardner mill in 1877 and 1878, said: "The driest time in 1878 the mill was run from eight to ten hours, and it required all the water that came down the stream to operate the mill. There was no surplus water, excepting in the spring season." D. Cohen, who operates a chop mill at Eleventh avenue and Eighteenth street, Altoona, said that he examined the Gardner mill two or three years ago. He placed the market price of the mill property before the water was taken away, at from $13,000 to $15,000; afterwards it would be worth $7,000 or $8,000. Lloyd Lowther, who had been one of the arbitrators who awarded the plaintiff's damages, was called to place a market value on the property. Counsel for the defendant borough objected to the witness as incompetent, but his honor overruled the objection. Witness placed the market value on the mill property before the appropriation of the water by the defendant borough at from $12,000 to $13,000, afterwards at from $1,500 to $2,000. A number of witnesses were called from other parts of the county, and also from Huntingdon county by the plaintiff, to ascertain the market value before and after the appropriation of the water, but they were rejected by the court as incompetent, because of not having any knowledge of the market value of lands and mill property in the vicinity of Gardner's mill. T. T. Shirk, a millwright from Tyrone, estimated the market value of the Gardner mill property before the appropriation of the water in the neighborhood of $15,000. "Afterwards I don't think it has any value worth speaking of." The plaintiff's witnesses had not all been heard at the adjournment last evening. THIS MORNING'S SESSION. The trial of the damage suit of G. V. Gardner vs. Juniata Borough was resumed. A. M. Yingling, a resident of Altoona, a miller by occupation, was called by the plaintiff to testify as an expert as to the value of the Gardner mill property. The court rules the witness must have knowledge of the market value of mill property in the vicinity of the mill in question before he would be competent to estimate the value in a lump sum. Mr. Greavy contended that expert testimony was admissible in such cases as an element in estimating the value of the property and the loss sustained by deprivation of the water power, and cited numerous authorities to sustain his position. After the morning session had been consumed by the respective counsel citing authorities and giving their interpretation of the law on the subject in question, the court held to the unbending rule as laid down by the supreme court "that the true measure of damages is the difference between the market value immediately before the taking of the water and the market value immediately afterwards," and that the witness on the stand was incompetent because of not having knowledge of the market value of the mill property in the vicinity of the Gardner mill. MOTIONS AND PETITIONS. Bond of F. S. Snowberger, tax collector of Blair township, in sum of $7,500 approved. In the matter of the rule on M. A. Keough, to show cause why his license of the St. James hotel, Altoona, should not be revoked, two-day rule granted to take depositions. Time fixed to suit the convenience of Messrs. Patterson and Hare. Report of M. M. Morrow, esq., auditor to distribute funds in the hands of Minnie E. Griffin, Administratrix of the estate of Russell H. Griffin, deceased, confirmed nisi. W. H. Morrow, guardian of Fred Shaffer, minor child of F. W. Shaffer, deceased, is authorized to join with other heirs in deed of convenance of certain lands to James Robertson. DOINGS OF THE CITY POLICE Robert Brown, charged with being drunk, was arrested at Eighth avenue and Eight street this morning. "Foxy" Miller didn't whip the new Salvation Army captain as was stated in Monday's Mirror. He merely threatened to do so, but did no fighting. George Duchanan had a hearing before Alderman Raymond yesterday, on a charge of assault and battery preferred by Mrs. Eliza Kime. He was discharged. William Leaper, who, while drunk, acted in a disorderly manner and wanted to fight school children, was given seventy-two hours by Magistrate DoByne yesterday. Robert Brown, colored, was arrested at Eighth avenue and Thirteenth street at 1 o'clock this morning by Patrolman Shaffer. He is charged with being drunk and disorderly. The case against W. C. Fletcher, esq., before Alderman McCleary, in which he is charged with larceny as bailee, by W. H. Kelly, will come up for a hearing at 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon. William Snyder who is alleged to have stolen the bicycle from Joseph Plummer, which was recovered in Tyrone yesterday was arrested on a warrant issued by Alderman Crampsey yesterday and given a hearing at Tyrone and, in default of bail, was taken to jail at Hollidaysburg by Railroad Officer Swartzell last evening. George, alias, "Foxy" Miller and wife were arraigned before Acting Mayor DoByne yesterday afternoon, the former for being drunk and disorderly and the latter for being disorderly. Miller was given seventy-two hours and his wife was fined $2 and costs, but the sentence in her case was suspended during her good behavior on account of a sick child. "Foxey" Miller again disturbed the Salvation Army meeting on Monday night and was taken in tow by the police. Yesterday a warrant was made before Alderman Raymond, charging him with disturbing a religious meeting. This is the second warrant issued for him for Alderman Raymond for the same offense. He will have a hearing when he gets out of jail. Laura Maize, who was arrested in the Plowden house a short time ago and ordered to leave town, was rearrested last night and will now serve out a ten-day jail sentence. Alderman Dobyne this morning committed Laura to the county jail for ten days. In doing so he caused the postponement of a wedding. Laura was to have been married this evening to James Carson, her colored lover. The girl is in a delicate condition. The assault and battery suit wherein Loeibl was the plaintiff and Attorney Dively was the defendant was argued before Alderman Stephens last evening. The case was continued for a few days pending a settlement. The morning papers said a lively time was indulged in at the alderman's and that the litigants nearly came to blows. The alderman says this report is entirely incorrect, the gentlemen both behaving themselves in a gentlemanly manner. Mr. Dively did not even cross examine the plaintiff. Alderman DoByne last evening heard two assault and battery suits. The first was James F. Criste vs. John Curry. Criste alleges that Curry struck him at Lakemont park station on September 14. The evidence was strong enough to warrant the alderman in holding Curry for court in the sum of $200. The second case was Curry vs. Criste. Curry charged Criste with throwing a stone and hitting Miss Daniels on the head. The evidence was insufficient to hold the defendant for court And he was accordingly discharged. LATE NEWS PARAGRAPHED T. Blair Patton of Huntingdon was a visitor in Altoona yesterday. J. Ross Mateer is again able to be about, although yet in a very feeble condition. Mrs. G. B. Colestock of East Tenth street left today to join her husband at Cumberland, Md. James P. Thomas, a prominent business man of Johnstown, was a guest at the Logan House last night. W. L. Shellenberger has assumed the business management of the Connecticut building and loan association agency in this city. Mrs. F. E. Walker and Miss Anna McFarland of Tyrone are visiting the former's sister, Mrs. O. R. Moore, 315 Cherry avenue. S. W. Arble, the genial engineer who, as reports say, was relieved of his purse in New York City says that if the report was true he earned the money on the square and not one dollar of it was a tribute from Italian labor. NEW CASE OF SMALL POX AT GALLITZIN Another case of small-pox has broken out at Gallitzin, the victim being Alvin Weston, son of Joseph Weston. Charles Conrad, a young man residing at Chest Springs is also afflicted with the disease. TYRONE NEWS ITEMS Mr. and Mrs. George Hull, of South Eighth street, who have been visiting friends at Salt Lake City, Utah, the past fortnight, returned home yesterday at noon. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander E. Patton, of Curwensville, were in Tyrone a short while yesterday morning, being on their way home from a summer tour throughout Europe. On account of the prevalence of malignant diphtheria at the Baughman settlement in Snyder township, the public school in that neighborhood has been closed for the present. Mr. and Mrs. John K. Ray of 814 W. Washington Avenue left on seashore express yesterday morning for Lewistown, Pa., and from thence they will take the overland by way of Milroy and the Seven mountains to Potter's Mill, Centre county to visit relatives. At the meeting of the borough council on Monday evening an ordinance to increase the borough debt $10,000, to provide funds for the purchase of Hundred Springs, was passed unanimously. Also an ordinance providing for submitting to the voters to increase the borough debt $25,000? for the purpose of establishing water works was also passed unanimously. It was directed that hereafter when street arc lights are not provided with globes they shall be counted nil, and a deduction from the bill of the electric light company be made to comply with this action. A suitable stove for use in the burgess' office was ordered purchased. The Heims' estate or South Logan avenue is required to lay new pavement. Solicitor W. L. Hicks stated to council that the equity case was discontinued by leave of court without prejudice. Orders were granted amounting to $145.13. EAST END ITEMS Rev. P. B. Clifford is the happy father of a young son which arrived last Tuesday. Messrs. B. C. Ross, Joseph Brown, Charles Ross and Charles Lacklon have all returned from Philadelphia where they attended the G. A. R. encampment. Frank Buchanan and wife are in Philadelphia where the former will receive treatment for his eyes. Seward Decker, wife and sister were called to his home near Spring Mills to attend the funeral of his brother on Sunday morning. Frank Fox of Indiana is visiting at the home of William Dibert. Mr. and Mrs. Owen Osburn drove to Huntingdon last week to meet their uncle, Lieutenant J. A. Osburn, of Nebraska, who is 86 years old. He was on his way home from Philadelphia where he attended the G. A. R. encampment. Mr. and Mrs. John Lingafelt and son, Carl, returned home last Tuesday from Baltimore where they attended the silver wedding of a friend. Miss Mary Lingafelt is visiting in Newry. Mr. and Mrs. Olive Brown of East End and Mrs. C. E. Mains of Logantown have returned home from a very pleasant trip to Pittsburg. The regular weekly prayer meeting of the Ray of Hope Sunday school will be held at the home of Mr. B. C. Ross on Thursday evening. Mr. Z. T. Riley is on the sick list. Mr. William Dumm and family of Patton are the guests of Mr. B. C. Ross and family. CURRYVILLE Mrs. May Yorner and family of Altoona were visiting at William Layman's Saturday and Sunday. Mr. and Mrs. John Zook attended the funeral of their nephew at Tatesville on Sunday. Mr. John Spanogle, of Roaring Spring, accompanied by some of that borough's finest ladies were callers to our village on Saturday. Mr. John Swany of Altoona accompanied by his family visited his brother-in-law, J. A. Replogle on Saturday. Elder George W. Brumbaugh of Clover Creek, preached to a large congregation at the Crossroads church on Sunday morning. On Saturday, September 23, at the residence of M. B. Stonerook, near Martinsburg, a reunion of the descendants of John Stonerook sr., will be held. Our school opened Monday morning with a fine attendance. Our teacher, Mr. George W. Gates is an able instructor and with the support of patrons' and pupils, he is sure to do good work. Mr. and Mrs. L. B. Stonerook of Clarence, Iowa are visiting friends at Drab, Larke and Williamsburg this week. Mr. Wesley Falknor a veteran of the civil war and a resident of Canton, Ohio, visited Grandfather Nicodemus one day last week. HOLLIDAYSBURG Mr. and Mrs. McDonald Parker, of York, Pa., were recent visitors in town. Mrs. Wm. Jack left Tuesday for Pittsburg where she will visit friends. Mr. Calvin Roller has entered upon a course of study at Bucknell University. Grocer O. J. Fay has purchased a handsome new delivery wagon and set of harness. Mr. Alexander Burge was badly bitten by a dog belonging to Mr. Wm. Berkheimer Monday. Mr. and Mrs. William B. Reed celebrated the eighth anniversary of their wedding on Sunday. Mr. Ward McLanahan has gone to Andover, Mass., where he will be a student at the university Wm. O. Dickey, esq., and bride of Huntington, W. Va., are the guests of Major and Mrs. John Wighaman. Miss Mabel, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Z. Kinch, entertained some of her little friends Monday in honor of her fifth birthday. Misses Lile and Elizabeth, daughters of Hon. And Mrs. Martin Bell, left today for Lewisburg where they will enter Bucknell University. The Hollidaysburg female seminary opened today. A graduate of Holyoke, Miss Elizabeth Shearer has been secured by Mrs. Bosworth as assistant principal of the seminary. A party of twenty-eight young people from this place will go to McLanahan's farm in Frankstown this evening where an old fashioned husking bee will be held. The party will be entertained by Mr. and Mrs. King Henry. MEETING OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS E. J. Harkness Awarded the Contract for Furnishing Organs for the Schools - Other Business Done. At a school board meeting of the Altoona school board held last evening, the contract for furnishing organs for the various schools was awarded to E. J. Harkness. The scavenger work was let to Geo. H. Jackson for $35 per month. On motion of Mr. McKee it was decided to receive bids for filling in the yard at the Penn building and covering with limestone. John Clingerman was elected delinquent tax collector. Misses Katharine Lynch and Clara McClelland were chosen supply teachers. The names of Misses Jean Ebert, Grace Shultz and Wilhelmina Kunzig were presented for the position of a regular teacher. Four ballots were taken and no choice made. On motion of Mr. Jackson, the election was postponed until next meeting. On motion of Mr. McKee it was decided to grant Mr. McAllister an allowance on the price of a fence he had contracted to erect on account of the rise in iron. HUMANE SOCIETY MEETING The Humane society held its regular monthly meeting last evening at 1416 Eleventh avenue. The humane agents report showed that eleven cases concerning children had been investigated. Three were sent to the almshouse and efforts are being made to have several incorrigible girls sent to reform schools. Peter Webber was ordered by the court to pay $8 per month for the maintenance of his wife and child. Seven cases of cruelty to animals were investigated, two dogs and one horse shot. Jacob Reed of Logan township, was fined $10 for cruelty to his horse. The agent, Mr. H. A. McGraw, was commended for his faithfulness and ability in performing the work of the society. HELD AT THE POSTOFFICE Letters held at the post office, improperly addressed: J. Hane, Eighth avenue; Charlie Parson, 1106 Eleventh avenue; Charles F. Lamer, 1337 North Thirteenth street; G. E. Price, 301 Third avenue; George Jones, 2111 Seventh avenue; Ben Lippman, 1331 Sixteenth street; Mrs. L. McDowell, 1110 Packer street. LOCAL NEWS BRIEFLY GIVEN The Isenberg family and the Hileman family will hold reunions at Lakemont Park tomorrow. The cards are out announcing the wedding of Dr. Charles McBurney and Miss Lizzie M. Rhine, on Sept. 26. David Jones, a Collinsville boy, while tussling with a companion on Monday evening, fell and fractured his arm. In the common pleas court No. 2 in Philadelphia on Monday, a decree was made divorcing Helen C. Furbay from Harvey G. Furbay. They were at one time residents of Tyrone. The stores of Fay, Hutchison & Co., on Green avenue and J. D. Fay, on Eleventh street were closed today and will remain closed until Saturday on account of the death of Samuel D. Fay. The members of Altoona lodge No. 473, I.O.O.F. will meet at their hall in the post office building tomorrow afternoon at 1:30 o'clock to attend the funeral of their deceased brother, D. B. Pancake. PURELY PERSONAL ITEMS. Arrivals, Departures and Other Facts Concerning People Known Here. Miss Gertrude Spielman has gone to Wilson college at Chambersburg to resume her studies. Mr. Wm. Shomberg and son, Wm. T., sailed to Cherbourg , France, last Saturday on their way home. Messrs John D. Bowman and A. M. Grady of this city are registered at the Hotel Lafayette, Philadelphia. Mr. and Mrs. Chas. W. Moore of 1511 Twelfth avenue are visiting in the west. Last evening they arrived at Cleveland. Miss Edna Hartman, daughter of Rev. and Mrs. J. F. Hartman left yesterday to enter the Moravian seminary at Bethlehem. Mrs. F. O. Rishe of 609 Fifth avenue, left today for Juniata county where she will visit friends for the next three weeks. Mrs. Edward M. Baker and her sister, Mrs. J. Barton Wise are visiting relatives and friends in Philadelphia, their former home. Mrs. John Soyster of 421 Sixth avenue is recovering nicely from the effects of a serious operation which she submitted to on Friday last. Mrs. Wm. Talbot has returned from Pittsburg where she had undergone treatment at a sanitarium the past month. She has been greatly benefited. Mr. and Mrs. J. D. McCord of 707 Fifth avenue are going on a trip to Buffalo, Niagara Falls and other points of interest on the lakes and in New York state. Miss Irene Smith and her sister, Lavena, of 822 Eighth avenue left this morning for Mifflin, Juniata county to visit their grandfather, G. W. Smith and other relatives. Alonzo J. Isenberg and wife of Toledo, O., and Alfred J. Isenberg and wife are in the city to attend the Isenberg family reunion at Lakemont Park tomorrow. Both the gentlemen are former Altoona boys. MEETING OF PHYSICIANS The regular semi-monthly meeting of the Altoona Academy of Medicine and Surgery was held yesterday afternoon in Library hall. The following members were in attendance: Drs. John Fay, D. K. Smith, S. P. Glover, A. S. Oburn, J. U. Blose, J. W. Rowe, O. H. Shaffer and S. L. McCarthy. In the absence of the president, Dr. Oburn, the first vice president presided. Dr. Rowe spoke on the subject, "Domestic Remedies and the Treatment of Children." This was followed by a general conversation on the theme. After the discussion of cases of interest to the profession, an adjournment was taken until the first Tuesday of October. J. MERVIN LOWER PROMOTED. J. Mervin Lower, local superintendent of the International Correspondence schools of Scranton, has been promoted to the position of superintendent of the Tennessee district, which includes the whole of that state. On Monday evening a number of friends at the Belvidere club gave him a remembrance in the shape of a silver match safe. Mr. Lower left on western express to assume the duties of his new office. He will be located at Nashville. Mr. Lower will be succeeded by H. S. James, of Johnstown. THE PRESBYTERIAN PARSONAGE SOLD Dr. J. M. Sheedy has concluded negotiations for the purchase of the First Presbyterian church parsonage, Twelfth avenue and Fifteenth street. The Doctor intends to erect on the site of the parsonage a handsome new residence, with a commodious office in the front part of the house. The work on the proposed building will be commenced early next year.