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Subject: News from Pennsburg - April 2, 1904
Date: Tue, 13 Apr 2004 15:06:34 EDT
Ref: Town and Country Newspaper
Pennsburg, Montgomery County, PA
Saturday - April 2, 1904
BOYS TORTURE PONY
A triiplet of East Greenville boys last Thursday afternoon entered the
stables of Dr. John G. HERSH, of the same town, during the absence of the hostler
Preston KERN, against whom they had a spite, and literally turned everything in
the place upside down, even going as far as placing the doctor's pony in the
same position. The first place visited was the sleeping apartments of Hostler
KERN and after making this room look as though a cyclone had struck it, they
entered the harness room. All the harness were taken apart and thrown in the
dirt, as well as some horse and cattle powder which Mr. KERN prepared and had
ready for sale. The horse stable was then entered and the pony was their next
mark. They placed the harness hindforemost on the animal. The collar was placed
on its neck upside down and then fastened to the dividing pole between the pony
and the next stall. During the excitement the boys scared the pony and he
reared and plunged and was thrown to the floor. The boys then left the premises.
About fifteen minutes later the hostler returned and he was amazed to find the
pony in such a position with blood flowing from its nostrils. After
considerable trouble he succeeded in loosening him. Had the pony not been found until
ten minutes later, he would have been strangled to death. After the work of
getting matters into shape in the stable had been finished, Mr. KERN made inquiry
and found out that the evildoers were Eugene FLUCK, Howard MOLL and Alvin
STAUFFER, all of East Greenville. He accordingly had a notice sent to the boys'
parents by Esquire KELLER, asking that the boys call at the stable at a given
time. The two former were there but the latter failed to come. So he had a
constable bring him to the office of the 'squire on Saturday evening, where a
hearing was given him. After agreeing to pay for the cattle powder destroyed and
the costs of the prosecution he was discharged. The other two boys had made
settlement with Mr. KERN at the previous meeting.
NEW HOTEL FOR ALLENTOWN FAIR GROUNDS
The building committee of the Lehigh County Agricultural Society met in the
office of Secretary SCHALL and awarded the contract for erecting the new hotel
and pavilion on the fair grounds to C.H. EDWARDS & Co., at $10,040.45. The
hotel will be a two-story brick structure 50x31 feet, and the pavilion 181 feet.
The hotel will have all the modern improvements and a bar space of 766 feet.
The hotel will have a parlor and a guest room on the second floor, and four bed
rooms.
STOLEN HORSE RUNS AWAY
Frightened by the noise made by two stolen turkeys, a horse that had been
stolen from Franklin BOWER, near Lyons Station, Berks county, ran away from the
thief and was recovered on the farm of Dr. U.S.G. BIEBER, in Maxatawney.
HAS CONTRACT TO FURNISH TIES
E.E. BILLINGER, of Adamstown, Pa., has a contract to furnish 800 poles and
20,000 ties for rebuilding the Adamstwon & Mohnsville Railway, which will be
converted into a trolley line and connect with the Ephrata road.
AN AGED MAN TORTURED
With a box of cayenne pepper and a gag in his mouth, his feet seared by hot
irons, his limbs bound so tightly that his blood could scarcely circulate,
William MCNEIGHT (McNeight), of Reading, endured five days and nights of torture
and starvation until Samuel MILLER, happening to call at the house on Sunday,
released him. MCNEIGHT (McNeight), who is 74 years old, is a junk dealer,
reputed to be wealthy, lives alone in a little house near the river and just out of
the city. Three masked men broke into his home last Tuesday night and
demanded his money. MCNEIGHT (McNeight) declared, truthfully, that he keeps his funds
in bank. The intruders would not listen to his protestations, and in the
fight that ensued he was overpowered. After binding MCNEIGHT (McNeight) securely,
the robbers seared his feet with a poker and soldering irons, heated in the
kitchen stove. Finally they filled the old man's mouth with red pepper, thrust
the box in after the fiery powder, and applied a gag. After administering blows
and kicks they departed, having obtained nothing of value. For five days and
nights MCNEIGHT (McNeight) lay there, and pain from the pepper in his mouth
and the burns on his feet nearly driving him mad, the gnawings of hunger adding
to his torture. The weather was cold and the thongs cut like knives. MCNEIGHT
(McNeight) says he had counted the day as his last, when MILLER happened to
come to his rescue. Unable to see their faces or recognize their voices,
MCNEIGHT (McNeight) cannot name his assailants.
STANDING COMMITTEE WILL MEET MONDAY
The Democratic Standing Committee of the County will meet at the Rambo House,
Norristown on Monday, for the purpose of selecting a county chairman as the
term of the present incumbert Charles D. MCAVOY (McAvoy), of Norristown,
expires. Mr. MCAVOY (McAvoy) wants to succeed himself and it is reported that
Ex-Chairman Wellington ROSENBERY, of Lansdale, would again like to take hold of the
reins during the Presidential campaign.
OLD GANDER AND HORSE ON ONE FARM
A gander 15 years old, claimed to be the oldest goose in Berks county, and a
horse 35 years old are owned by William S. KUTZ, in Kutztown.
NEW BANK WILL OPEN FOR BUSINESS
The new Emaus National Bank will open for business on April 5, with John E.
YEAGER as president and Borough Treasurer E.F. LORENTZ as cashier.
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