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Subject: News from Pennsburg - October 15, 1904
Date: Fri, 26 Nov 2004 00:51:52 EST
Ref: Town and Country Newspaper
Pennsburg, Mongomery County, PA
Saturday - October 15, 1904
MERTZTOWN THREATENED WITH ANOTHER BIG FIRE
The large new barn on the farm of Uriah BIERY, at Mertztown, which is
tenanted by William BUTZ, was entirely destroyed by fire late Thursday evening. The
fire was discovered at 10.30 o'clock having started apparently on the upper
barn floor. It gained rapid headway and almost baffled the rescuers of the
cattle, all of which, with the horses, were saved. A stiff wind fanned the mad
flames and carried showers of sparks up-town. The rainfall of Wednesday had
dampened the roofs of structures, however, and through this alone the fire's
spread was prevented. Scores of citizens formed a bucket brigade and with a
good water supply from a tank at the home of Uriah BIERY, which is but a stone's
throw away, saved a few small buildings, Mr. BIERY's residence and the Hotel
Biery which is just across the street from the barn. The barn which is a
large Swiss structure, with very large farm crops, the farm machinery, a number
of wagons, the wagon shed and a number of smaller outbuildings were
completely destroyed.
LABORER KILLED ON THE RAILROAD
Lewis MOYER, a laborer, of Kutztown, was struck by a train on the Kutztown
branch of the Reading Railroad on Tuesday morning. His right arm was completely
severed at the shoulder and his body otherwise mutilated. He was discovered
lying in a ditch, and was still alive, but died at Lyons Station on his way
to a Reading hospital. He was 35 years old and leaves a family.
MARRIED FIVE WEEKS, MAN VANISHES
After being married five weeks Wm. BURNS, of Norristown, his dissappeared,
and his young wife is unable to account for his strange absence. BURNS was
employed as a driver with the Montgomery Hose Company. A week ago BURNS told his
wife that he intended to take a walk before breakfast. He left the house and
never returned.
PHILADELPHIA BOY LOSES LEG ON RAILS
Joseph KELLEY, 12 years old, of Philadelphia, lost a leg at Norristown, on
Wednesday, while stealing a ride on the Reading Railway. He fell under a
freight train, and the left limb was crushed so badly that it had to be amputated.
It is not likely the boy will recover.
CHESTNUTS QUARTER CENTURY OLD
George SPOERHEIMER, of Salisbury township, Lehigh County, has in his
possession a pint of chestnuts which he gathered on Lehigh Mountains, near Emaus, 25
years ago. The nuts are in a good state of preservation, and are not as
wrinkled as chestnuts usually become after a year or two.
FOREMAN OF CIGAR FACTORY RESIGNS
Henry ZEPPENFELT, foreman for several years in the Sultzberg, Oppenheimer
cigar factory, at Pennsburg, on Tuesday, tendered his resignation, which went
into effect the next day. A Mr. SCHROEDER, of Philadelphia, is his successor.
TEAM WAS STOLEN AT TRAPPE
A team belonging to Arthur G. ASH, of Trappe, was stolen on Sunday at
Evansburg. The team had been standing along the roadway and when the owner returned
it was missing.
BREACH OF PROMISE CASE AGAINST MINISTER
The case of Blanche Gertrude KECK vs. Rev. Edgar J. HEILMAN, a breach of
promise suit, in which a capias in assumpsit was issued on July 11, 1903, just a
year and three months ago, was called before Judge SWARTZ at Norristown on
Tuesday. Miss KECK claims $10,000 damages, alleging that defendant promised to
marry her in September, 1902. At that time he was a student at Muhlenberg
College, Allentown, and since has entered the active work of the ministry. In
his opening address to the jury, Mr. DANNEHOWER stated that the plaintiff is
twenty-four years old, and a daughter of Newton KECK. She first met HEILMAN at
a Sunday school in February 1898. The attachment gradually grew stronger and
ripened to an engagement to marry, made on Christmas Day, 1898. For a period
of four years defendant was a regular caller, two or three times a week. On
his graduation from college, defendant won a gold medal of honor, which he
presented to plaintiff. Later he gave her an engagement ring and forbade her to
have other company. The wedding was to take place on Christmas Day, 1902, or
in June 1903. On October 11, 1902, just two years ago, defendant wrote to
plaintiff saying he would not marry her but gave no reasons. Counsel for
defendant announced that he admits the engagement and acknowledges the breach of
promise to marry. Defendant came to the conclusion that Miss KECK would not make
a suitable minister's wife and asked her to release him. She responded by
bringing this suit for damages. Plaintiff was represented by Wm. F. DANNEHOWER,
and Arthur G. DEWALT, of Allentown, while Montgomery EVANS and John Faber
MILLER appeared for defendant. Mr. HEILMAN is pastor of Grace Lutheran Church
at Wyndmoor, in this county, and has the moral support of his congregation in
his refusal to wed Miss KECK. The jury found in favor of Miss KECK, to the
amount of $3,000. The defense moved for a new trial, argument on which will be
heard in November. In the meantime Rev. Mr. HEILMAN was compelled to give
bail.
NEWSPAPER ENTERS UPON THIRTY-FIFTH VOLUME
For thirty-four years the Lansdale Reporter has furnished its neighborhood
with news and other matter for reflection and is now ushered in on its
thirty-fifth volume. It is a model local journal and Editor WOODMANSEE deserves
credit for the thoroughness with which the news field is covered. Judging from
its advertising patronage there is a large measure of success coming Editor
WOODMANSEE's way, for which we are glad and extend greetings.
ERECTED BEAUTIFUL TOMBSTONES
Oscar F. BERNDT, the dealer in tombstones of Pennsburg this week erected two
beautiful Quincy granite tombstones on the Pennsburg Reformed church
cemetery. The one was placed over the grave of John J. WALTER and the other is a
double one and was placed over the graves of Mr. and Mrs. Jesse ROTHENBERGER.
BIT INTO HORNETS IN AN APPLE
A.A. HENNINGER residing near Dillingersville, bit into an apple which had as
occupants two lively hornets and as a result he had to consult an Allentown
physician for treatment. His tongue and mouth were so badly swollen that he
could not talk.
FELL FROM WAGON AND HAD WRIST BROKEN
Frank RICKER, of Macungie fell from a load of stone and received a fracture
of the left wrist. During the past summer he fell from a load of hay and
suffered injuries of his spine, and had not yet fully recovered from the effects.
RAISED MAMMOTH SWEET POTATOES
Ida MOREY, of Pottstown, raised a large sweet potato that weighed two and
one-quarter pounds, and Emily PRIEST, of the same town, raised one that weighs
two and one-half pounds.
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