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Subject: News from Pennsburg - January 7, 1905
Date: Wed, 2 Feb 2005 23:28:31 EST
Ref: Town and Country Newspaper
Pennsburg, Montgomery County, PA
Saturday - January 7, 1905
COUNTY IS SUED FOR COST OF NEW BRIDGE
The little $1730 stone bridge over the Pennypack Creek, recently erected in
Moreland township, near Hatboro, has been the source of all kinds of strained
relation, involving county officials, township officials, the builder and
abutting lands and owners, and as a result a suit at law was brought by the
builder, James SMITH, of Perkiomenville, against the county commissioners. The
suit will be an effort to compel payment for the erection of the bridge. In
support of his claim, Mr. SMITH will have the report of a jury of experts of the
county commissioners' own choosing who say that the bridge is a good piece
of "third class masonry." This jury was appointed after a jury appointed by
court found fault with the structure recommending, in view of the defects of
workmanship, that ten per cent be deducted from Contractor SMITH's bill, and
that the county commissioners be surcharged ten per cent, for not having a
better structure erected. The jury of experts appointed by the county
commissioners consists of John T. DYER, of Norristown, expert quarryman; Oscar E.
THOMPSON, of Phoenixville, a disinterested civil engineer, and Ephraim SLUGG, of
Bethayres, a practical stonemason of fifty years experience. The appointment
of a jury by the commissioners to controvert the findings of a jury of
inspectors appointed by the court is somewhat of an innovation and the outcome is
looked upon as likely to further involve the proceedings. After hearing the
contentions of representatives of Moreland township, the borough of Hatboro,
close to which the bridge is situated and Mrs. Frank COTTMON, whose abutting
land is to be encroached upon in order to shape the Pennypack Creek to suit the
bridge the first jury made a critical examination of the structure with the
result that it filed in court the report recommending the deductions from the
contractor and the surcharging of the county commissioners. Matter taken to
court. County Solicitor J.P. Hale JENKINS then obtained a rule in court citing
the contractor under the law of 1836, to "show cause against the report" on
this rule two courses were open to the contractor to answer the rule and be
heard before the Judges on the bench or to elect to bring suit against the
commissioners on the contract. He has decided to bring suit. The jury of the
commissioners' selection make seven answers to the report of the jury appointed
by the court. These seven findings are: First, inability to find any defects
in the foundations or want of proven depth to them; second quality of stone
excellent; third, plenty of cement mortar used, making strong even joints;
fourth, fifth and sixth, denials of cracks of any moment in the masonry;
seventh, that stones of proper size were used.
DIED AFTER BEING CAUGHT IN GEARING IN MILL
Mike LEUCKI, a Polander, aged 20 years, died in the ambulance while on the
way to the Allentown Hospital on Monday morning, suffering from mortal injuries
received in the Bonneville Cement Company's mills. LEUCKS was a repairman
and while making his rounds of inspection at 4 o'clock that morning reached
with his arm to oil the bearings of a large piece of gearing. Struck by a
passing belt his arm was drawn into the gearing and the left hand literally torn
from the arm. The bones of his arm were fractured and he was hurled to the
floor upon his head. He was hurried to the hospital and before he reached it he
had expired dying on the stretcher in the ambulance.
GUN EXPLODES AT SHOOTING MATCH
O.J. ENGELMAN and Elmer KRAMMES, of Steinsburg, attended a target shoot at
Spinnerstown, at, which Mr. ENGELMAN had bad luck with his new gun. On the 16th
shot his gun burst just where he had his hand. Fortunately he had a hand
protector on his gun, and this saved his hand. The force of the explosion threw
his hand back, but no injury was inflicted. A small piece flew into his face.
ROOSTER GOT DRUNK AND AMUSED SPECTATORS
Uriah SHULER, a clerk in a store at Walnutport, exhibited a prize rooster at
the Anchor Hotel at that place. A.G. LONG, in a spirit of fun, poured
considerable beer into the bird, which soon became intoxicated and amused the
onlookers. In its meanderings the rooster fell from the bar and fractured a wing.
Dr. S.E. KERN, the proprietor, fixed it up as well as best he could.
ATTEMPT TO BOARD TRAIN, COSTS A LEG
Henry WOLF, of New York, while attempting to board a Philadelphia and
Reading Railway train near Mill street, Norristown, Monday evening, fell under the
moving cars and a leg was so badly crushed as to necessitate its amputation
at the hip at Charity Hospital.
NEW OFFICERS
Monday was reorganization day in the county offices. Edgar MATTHEWS
succeeded John LARZELERE as Sheriff, Henry B. FREED, George N. MALSBERGER as
Treasurer; Conrad S. SHEIVE, Abraham H. HENDRICKS as District Attorney, and Joseph N.
KING, Dr. J.J. KANE as Coroner. The deputies appointed in the offices
included: Sheriff, W.W. OWEN, Grant KOONS, Treasurer, George ANDERS, John CALDWELL;
District Attorney, Theo. Lane BEAN; Coroner's physician, Dr. A.H. READ. Mr.
BEAN's acceptance of the Assistant District Attorneyship carries with it his
resignation as Burgess of Norristown, which event will occur before the next
term of the Criminal Court, in March, and there will be a big scramble for
the office, which is worth $700 a year. The Court will appoint for the unexpired
term of one year, and it is expected that the lucky one will also receive
the Republican nomination for the full term. Two other Burgess resignations
took place in this day's induction into office - namely those formerly held by
Sheriff MATTHEWS, who was chief magistrate of Rogersford, and Treasurer FREED,
Souderton.
AGED WOMAN FELL AND BROKE LEG AND HIP
Mrs. Jacob GEEHRS, an aged woman of Kutztown, fell down the cellar steps at
her home, during the absence of her daughter, who lives in the same house with
her, and broke her right arm and hip. She lay four hours at the bottom of
the cellar steps before she was discovered by her daughter. The aged woman was
carried up stairs and a physician summoned. When he tried to examine the
injury the woman fainted and not until the following day had she gained enough
strength so that she could be put under the influence of ether and the factures
set. The unfortunate woman is seventy-two years old and her chances for
recovery are slim.
BERKS' NEW SHERIFF MUST HANG WOMAN
Jacob SASSAMAN, of Boyertown, the new Sheriff of Berks county, will have the
distinction of being executioner of Mrs. Katie EDWARDS and Samuel GREASON,
the Stouchsburg murderers. The hanging will take place on Thursday, February
16.
PERFORMED MANY MARRIAGE CEREMONIES
Rev. F.K. HUNTZINGER, a Reading clergyman, married 139 couples last year and
said that while there was a decrease in licenses in Berks County, he did not
mind it, as he beat his previous year's record by 12.
ATTENDED SUNDAY SCHOOL REGULARLY
For eighteen years J.H. VAN REED has not missed a session as superintendent
of the Amityville, Berks County, Union Sunday School.
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