The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1885-07-04
Correspondence Baltimore County Union.
LETTER FROM NORRISTOWN pa
A Beautiful Little City-A Newspaper Ed
itor as Farmer-A Beautiful
Charity, Etc, Etc.
NoRRIsrowN. Pa. june Doth !,

NoRRIsTowN, Pa, June 10Th, 1885.
Editors Union A short and very pleasant ride
from Philadelphia, along the romantic Schuylkill,
brings you to Norrstown, one of the most thriv
ing little cities of Pennsylvania. tits delightful
ly located the left bank of the Schuylkill. The
population of the place is something over $4,000
and is composed mainly of retired farmers Man
ufacturing, however, is carried on quite extensive
ly. The name of one of the Norristown frms-is
well known to nearly every Baltimore cosnty
farmer. 1 refer to the Norristown Binder Works
Their binders have gained for them an almost
worldwide reputation. They shipped aconsign-
ment of their goods to South Africa this spring.
Heber, Sons d Co., another agricultural imple-
ment firm, is also located in this county. The
Hebers have recently been granted the right to
manufacture the Syracuse pillow.
The wheat crop in this vicinity is very poor, as
elsewhere. The grass is also light, owing to the
lateness of the spring and the long spells of dry
weather.
Norristown has good wa!er supply, paid fire
department, and the streets are all supplied with
electric lights. The latter means of illumination
is also in general use in the stores. There are
many elegant residences in the town and vicinity
Ex-Gov Hartranft makes his home here and occu-
pies splendid mansion on Main street. VIM. NJ
Singerly, editor of the Philadelphia Record, has
very handsome place about five miles from Nor
ristown. His farm contains about five hundred
acres and is model in every way. He has one
of the handsomest barns l have ever seen. 1t is
considered the finest in Montgomery county. He
has q very fine herd of Holstein cattle, which has
been awarded premiums at both state and county
fairs.
Near Amber there is another beautiful estate,
owned by widow-Mrs Mercer. She is com
mon sense philanthropist. She busies herself in
procuring work for the poor. But nearly all are
given employment on her large farm. In this
way she helps them to help themselves. Besides
this she has built handsome church and school
house. She pays the minister's and teachers
salaries. The children at expense what
ever. Here is sensible charity and it is hardly
necessary to say that she is almost worshpped by
the people around her.
Speaking of schools reminds me of the recent
act passed by the Pennsylvania Legislature
They have required that the county School Boards
shall adopt by 1887 physiology in the public
schools which treats at length upon alcohol and
its effects upon the human system. This may be
interesting to the temperance people in Baltimore
county. The enactment of such law by the
Maryland Legislature light be productive of good
results. 1860
1 don't know how the marriage license law,
which is about to 60 into effect in this State will
strike those who are contemplating an economical
beginning to their married life by coming cover
the line" to have the ceremony performed. Never
mind. They still have the District of Columbia
convenient and the fare to Washington is cheap.
The people here are all jubilant over the pros
pective entrance of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail
road into Philadelphia The B. & O. is a great
favorite in this locality, and they care very little
for the Pennsylvania Railroad. I think the re-
verse is the general opinion in Baltimore.
You might have spared some of the deuge on
Sunday last to the farmers in this locality. No
rain has fallen here of any consequence for some
weeks. The dust the roads is intolerable.-
Owing to dryness and the intense heat the grain
is ripening too fast. I noticed farmers cutting
their wheat to-day.
The voice of the cicada septendecine is growing
faint. We had very few in this locality and no
damage whatever done by them. Indeed, it
is very hard to find locust outside of the woods.
r.t .r PLANETEs.