Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1855-02-08
Gitu Correspondence.
From Philadelphia.
Ceue.ponderce efae Democrat 3 Sentinel

Hau-A Haunted House. Precedence of Crime
"A serious Accide,,t-I'he Markets, &c.
PHILADELPHIA, february 4, 1855
The recent cold weather has completely frozen
over the Schuylkill to the great delight Of two
classes of the communicable ice gatherers and
the skaters The former are very industriouslya at
work and calculate upon storing fun crop this
winter. The latter are eagerly embracing the op-
portunity Of enjoying their favortc sport Skating
has always been very popular exercise here
The freezing up of the Schuylkill is anxiously
looked for by thousands of our athletic young
men, and when that event occurs, the skating
ground in the vicinity of the Fairmount Water
works is thronged throughout the day and evening
with from three to Ave thousand people, and it
has been estimated that many as fifty thousand
people such an occasion hare risited Fdiyzsouxt
in single day. Some of the skaters attain a
wonderful degree of proficiency, and can carve
their names on the ice with the blades of their
skates with the facility that they could do it
with pen and ink They not only excel in speed,
but in grace and ease display the very poetry of
motion
The skates now in use are neatly and elegantly
made, the material being altogether of the finest
polished steel with ingeniously contrived springs
fitting neatly to the boot. 1t not unfrequently
happens that our most respectable citizens con-
tinue to participate in the sport, until they have
passed the meridian of life. Col James Page.
formerly Post Master Of this city and Collector of
this port, who is now probably fifty years of age,
is one of the most expert and graceful skaters we
have, and whenever an opportunity occurs. he en-
tiers into the sport with all the zest and spirit of
lad of eighteen. Occasionally young ladies learn
the art, and their presence lends excitement and
enchantment to the scenes. They are, generally
speaking, far more graceful skaters than the men.
but then, confound them, their hearts are as cold
as the icy bed over which they glide. But ever
and anon they get a right :" skeet'' into the mat
rimonial moose. and before the next ice makes,
turn their attention to domestic duties.
A sad occurrence took place short distance
above Fairmount on Saturday afternoon. Hum
dreds of skaters and lockers on were grouped
about on the ice, and gladsome voices were heard
on all sides. 1t was beautiful sight-old and
young enjoyed the sport, and many was the loud
and merry laugh when some unfortunate wight
suddenly fell and raised bumps on his head which
are not described in any work on phrenology. All
"
deepest sorrow. A piercing scream was heard,
quickly followed by another, and the cry raised
60 they have broken in" Mr.. Samuel Shinn,
druggist at the corner of Broad and Spruce Streets
who was among the skaters, placed Miss ElzE
Russell on a chair on runners, and was playfully
amusing himself by propelling her in this manner
over the ice. Getting some distance from the
main crowd, he struck upon some new made ice,
which gave way under their united weight, and
they were both drowned before assistance could
reach them.
Mr.. Shinn once rose to the surface, when one Of
the members of the skating club, threw him the
end of shawl, which only missed his struggling
grasp by about four inches. The most intense ex-
the bodies recovered in few minutes, but all at
tempts to resuscitate them, were fruitless The
body of MIR. Shinn was hauled up from the bottom
by boat hook, and the body of Miss Russell was
recovered short distance from him under the ice-
The water where the unfortunate couple were
drowned, was only about five feet deep. 1t Is
supposed that Mr.. Shinn in his cagerness to save
tn, young lady, lost his presence of mind. Her
dress was tied around her ancles with a handker-
chief while she the fatal chair, or other
wise it might have buoyed her up. 1t was indeed
a sorry sight, and brought tears to the eyes Of
nearly all who witnessed it. They were both
young-Mr. Shnn being about 25 years. of age,
and Miss Russell about %. They were bctrothcd,
and few more days would have made them man
and wife. They are now welded in death, and
leave large circle of friends to mourn their sad
and untimely end.
The hotels of our city are rapidly becoming
filed up with strangers, and business is growing
quite lively. Our merchants are all on the qa
rire for customers and their clerks busy and pom
pous in the fulfllment of their great mission of
drumming up purchasers. The recent tight times,
however, have made them somewhat more pru-
dent, and they are anxious to do safe rather
than large business, and to sell few goods at low
rates and sure and speedy remuneration. rather
than many at high nominal profits and long cred
its
The building committee of the masons have
contracted for the erection of spire nlnety-six
feet high. 10 be placed upon the new Masonic Hall
recently erected here the present altitude of which
Is one hundred feet When completed it will be
one of the largest and handsomest buildings in
this CITY. Itiserectedon the site of their old Hail.
ON Chestnut street. between Seventh and Eighth,
but occupies larger space its front is brought
ont 10 line with the adjoining buildings.
A" haunted house, case is exciting some atten-
ton up town just now. Its former occupant some
time since committed suicide by taking laudanum.
and shoemaker who is decided anti-rentcr, now
lives in it. The landlord has several times served
ON him notices to quit the premises, but he pre-