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Subject: News from Pennsburg - April 23, 1904
Date: Tue, 27 Apr 2004 15:00:26 EDT
Ref: Town and Country Newspaper
Pennsburg, Montgomery County, PA
Saturday - April 23, 1904
WOMEN EATEN BY RATS
Ill, starving and helpless, Mrs. William DOWLING, an old woman, of Rockhill
township, Bucks County, was found partially eaten by rats, by friends, who have
since had her removed to the Bucks County Home. Mrs. DOWLING and her husband
came to this country from Ireland many years ago and purchased a small farm in
Rockhill, where they lived in a one-story house until eight years ago when
the husband died, leaving his wife the real estate and about $400 in money. She
tried to shift for herself, but five years ago Judge Harman YERKES appointed a
commission to investigate her condition, and she was removed to a Catholic
home in Philadelphia. But she refused to stay, wandering back to Rockhill, where
she slept on a board bed in the miserable hut. Neighbors did all they could
for the woman, but on account of her erratic actions she nearly froze to death
last winter. This week Mahlon H. MYERS, the Rev. J.O. LINDERMAN, the Rev. Mr.
EGGE and Mr. YERRICK, of Perkasie, organized themselves into a committee and
went to see her. The woman told the men that the rats were eating her up, and
upon investigation it was found that the big toes had been stripped of flesh to
the bone, and her feet badly mutilated. While the men were there a big rat
ran across the floor, as if to confirm the story. She was finally persuaded to
go to the County Home. Before she left her bed she got an old stocking from
underneath, which contained a couple of dollars that had been given her by
friends and handed it to a friend present and asked him to take care of it. Her
books, money and old cane were handed to her after she was placed in the wagon. On
her departure she remarked that she would never again see the eyes of those
present. Those who saw her condition and her surroundings could only think it a
miracle that she could have kept from perishing through the long cold winter.
YOUTH KICKED ON JAW HAD IT BROKEN
Thomas COLE, a Norristown youth was seriously injured at Downingtown, on
Thursday while taking a string of horses to that place. A mustang was among the
number who became unruly when an automobile passed him, and caused the entire
string to stampede. COLE was thrown from the horse he was riding and trampled
upon by the horses. One of the horses kicked him on the jaw fracturing it.
HIGHWAYMAN IN THE ASYLUM
Charles TAYLOR, recently convicted at Doylestown for highway robbery, was
removed to the Norristown Hospital for the Insane, having been adjudged a lunatic
by a commission. TAYLOR became insane in his cell last week and since Friday
he has been very violent. He gives vent to loud yells almost constantly and
demolished the water fixtures and all the furniture in his cell.
DIG WELL TO SECURE WATER FOR STREET SPRINKLING
J.H. WELLER, of Boyertown, dug a well on his premises at Shaner's railroad
bridge for the purpose of getting water for street sprinkling, which is supposed
can be connected in about 3 weeks. An engine will be placed in at the place
to pump up the water. The well is 12 feet deep and is expected to furnish water
enough for sprinkling the streets.
USED AUTO TO CATCH RUNAWAY HORSE
After a wild run of over a mile, chief of the fire department P.V. HOY, of
Norristown, succeeded in catching a runaway horse Monday afternoon in his
automobile. The horse had wrecked an awning and a bill board and was dashing up Ford
street when Mr. HOY gave chase. The animal finally got tired, but the machine
did not and the runaway was caught.
FALL FROM BICYCLE A SERIOUS ONE
Falling off his bicycle while going down a hill, Wilson BEAK, of Kempton,
Berks county, sustained injuries that deprived him of his speech.
RUNAWAY ACCIDENT
Thomas BOYER, a cigarmaker residing at Spinnerstown, met with an accident on
Saturday evening while driving from that town to Quakertown. Shortly after
leaving his home the horse started on a fast trot and Mr. BOYER held the reins
tight, which caused the bit to break in the horse's mouth. The animal then
started on a runaway gait and Mr. BOYER seeing the danger he was in, tried to jump
from the wagon. In his hurry to get out his leg was caught in the blanket and
he was dragged along the street for a short distance. The horse was soon
stopped by people living along the turnpike. As soon as the team had been secured a
search was made for the owner and when found he was unconscious and bleeding
from the wounds received by coming in contact with the rough ground. Mr. BOYER
was removed to his home and a physician summoned who found that his arm was
fractured and a large number of ugly contusions on his face and body. The horse
was not injured but the wagon was a complete wreck.
HORSE IS TAKEN SICK ON ROAD AND LATER DIED
A party of four young men from Souderton made a pleasure trip to Cressman, on
Sunday afternoon and when nearing the town they noticed that one of their
horses was not feeling well. They drove to the Spread Eagle Hotel, stabled him
and sent for a veterinary surgeon. The horse gradually grew worse and the
following morning he died. The animal was a valuable one and belonged to Joseph
HUNSBERGER, of Souderton.
FORMER PENNSBURG RESIDENTS WANT DIVORCE
Anna M. HUNSBERGER, of Ambler, formerly of Pennsburg, has made application
for a divorce from her husband, Harry HUNSBERGER. The former is a sister to Mrs.
E.H. SWENK, of this borough, and the latter is a son of the late Enos
HUNSBERGER, also of this borough. The young couple have lived apart for the past six
years. They are the parents of one daughter, about twelve years of age.
NEWS OF HUSBANDS DEATH KILLED HER
Mrs. Michael FRITZ, of Reading, died Friday. The day before her husband, a
fireman on the Reading Railway, died in the Phoenixville Hospital from a
scalding accident on his engine. The wife, who had been ill, was told of the
husband's death. The shock proved too great. A double funeral took place on Tuesday.
STOLE SMOKED MEAT
One night last week a thief entered the smoke house of Oswin D. REITER, of
Red Hill, and stole several hams. Mr. REITER wishes to inform the thief of the
fact that he need not call for the rest as he has removed it. He also wishes to
thank him that he did not take all the hams in the place.
DETECTIVE ROBERT LINDEN DEAD
Captain Robert J. LINDEN, formerly superintendent of police in Philadelphia,
and who became famous by his work in breaking up the notorious Molly MAGUIRE
gang, died in that city, Saturday night, at the age of 69 years.
RECEIVED $100 REWARD FROM COMMISSIONERS
John HUGHES, of Warminister, Bucks county, was awarded $100 by the Montgomery
County Commissioners for the capture of John COLLINS, who several months ago
murderously assaulted Constable William LOCKARD, of near Jenkintown.
BUCKS COUNTY'S SHORTEST WILL
The shortest will probated in the Register's office, in Bucks county, was
that of Mrs. Cyrus WHITE, of Newtown, filed on Wednesday morning, as follows: "I
will that Cyrus B. WHITE shall have full possession of all I own, to will or
otherwise do as he pleases."
EMPLOYEE SUES EMPLOYER FOR $10,000
Suit was instituted at Reading, on Wednesday, against Samuel BROBST, a well
known local contractor, for $10,000 damages by Richard R. FOLK, one of his
employees, for alienating the affections of the latter's wife.
A GOOD CHICKEN HATCHER
D.W. AMBLE, of Norristown, recently set a hen with thirteen eggs and in
twenty days he was rewarded with thirteen chickens.
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