davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1904-12-08
Y. Il. c. A. NOTES.

Mr.. /. l.. Pierce, secretary of the
Washton Association, has just return
cd from Cuba, where he took part in
the successful launching Of the "As-
sociation de Jovenes Cristiants" (The
Young Mems Christian Association of
Havana, Cuba). The organization was
formally launched at notable d H.
ner, attended by President Palma, of
the Republic, representative English
speaking residents, distinguished Cub
an statesmen, war heroes, the Mayor
of Havana, Postmaster General, Ad-
ministrator of Customs, Secretary to
the American Minister, American
Vice Consul, representative of the As
sociated Press, members of the Cuban
Congress. representatives of the Church
es, the proprietors of every English
and Spanish paper, presidents of lead
ing banks, and representative business
and professional men of the city. Mr.
Merchant, representative of r. 6.
Dun & Co.. presided. Mr.. Pierce read
a letter from President Roosevelt, in
which he said:
II am much gratifed to learn that
you are to start branch of the Y NJ.
@. A. in Havana. l know the excell-
ent work accomplished By your organ
ization in this country, and AIN glad
that it is now t o lie established in our
naighboring republic.
President Rooseyclt's letter was re
ceived with the greatest euthu iasm.
President Palma gave the movement
his endorsement, and said in part;
1T is for me Il tr~e pleasure To have
this opportunity to show my sympath-
les and the interest which | feel fer
this society, and the keen desire have
fer it to obtain the most complete sue
cess in Havana. A token OF sure sue
cess is the present gathering, i'll which
are representatives of the principal
classes of our nation. 1t is TO be eX-
pected that all who are present will
contribute effectively their energy and
influence, in order that tie noble pur-
pose of organizing among us this AS
sociation may be realized, for it will
offer to our youth of Havana various
means OF recreation in the intellect
ual, moral and physical life. "
The greatest enthusiasm for the new
organization prevailed in the meeting.
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1904-12-08
This State Leads.

Statistics show that during the sea
son which closed Wednesday, Novem-
ber 30, hunters in II counties of Penn
sylvania killed $50 deer. This is the
largest number slain for many years,
and the result places this state among
the first in the Union for deer hunt
ing. 10 the same period l3l bears were
killed and two deer hunters lost their
lives.
Woodsmen attribute the abundance
OF deer this season chiefly to the pro
lection that has been given them by
the law limiting the season to the
month of November and preventing
the running OF them by dogs. Anoth-
er factor which helped the deer, is the
fact that the hunter was handicapped
by the thick undergrowth which in
many counties has recently oVergrown
the timber land.
Center county leads the state in
point of the number of deer killed, 1873
having fallen there within 30 days.
Twenty-Five bears fell il that county.
Clinton county is second with 125 deer
slain and 80 bears
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1904-12-08
keep SIDEWALKS
FREE FROM SNOW

The citizens who, after the snow
storm on Monday evening, cleaned
their sidewalks, displayed commend
able zeal However. in some portions
of the city others did not show like
enterprise or consideration for the
safety of their fellow men. They were
negligent, and as a consequence the
pedestrian who forgets to exercise due
caution is apt to take tumble. There
should be no exception to the rule in
enforcing the sidewalk cleaning ordin
anoe, and though a disagreeable task
to enforce it, the Street Commissioner
will receive the grateful and unquslifi-
ed endorsement of all good citizens il
he enforces it TO the letter.
Section of the Borough Ordinance
on Pavements, Footwalks and Cutters
sets forth in effect that owner or own
ers, occupant or occupants of any lot
or property in the Borough shall be
obliged to keep the pavement. foot
walks or cutters free from snow and
upon their failure to do so for the
space Of six working hours after fall
OF snow, they shall be liable to fine
of SS per day or fraction of day il the
anne be permitted to remain. In case
OF refusal the Street Commisslone
must remove the snow. when the cost
will be collected from the derelict
owner or occupant according to law.
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1904-12-08
A Practical Invitation.

The following letter, which will ex-
plain itself, is printed Tor the benefit
of any who may desire to accept an
invitation to attend service in New
York City:
New York, Nov IA. 1904.
Mr.. W. d. Laumaster The Young
Mems Bible Glass, John D. Kookefel-
ler, Jr., Leader. aud The Young
Ladies Bible Glass, [Dr. VIM. Seaman
Bainbridge, LEADER, of the Fifth
Avenue Baptist Church. to 8 West
10Th Street, New York City. gladly
welcome all young men and young
women who come to our city. Our
object is to bring them under good in
fuenoes and make them feel at home.
If you will from time TO time. send
TO the Corresponding Secretary of our
Glass, Robert A Shaw, 8 West 46th
Street, the names and address Of any
such young men or women who come
10 the city. some member of these
Glasses will call on them and invite
them to the Glasses and Church.
The Young Mems Bible Glass is one
OF the few.if not the only Bible Glass
having a Club House OF it's own where
members can meet evenings for social
intercourse and mutual helpfulness.
]. NJ. TROXELL,
President of Y NJ B. O.
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1904-12-08
EARLY HOLIDAY
SHOPPING

Merry Christmas, that haIlowed day
to which children and grown people
so longingly look forward with bright
and glowing anticipation OF what it
has in store for them, will soon be
here, with all its pleasing and sacred
associations.
One feels its approach in the air.
Everything denotes it. Nature 5 pure
white robe, emblematic of the Saviour
whose birth we celebrate, proclaims it 4;
the sparkling eyes and laughing voices
OF childhood reveals it, and all hu.
manity hears its steady advancement
and herslds with JOY the coming of
the festive holiday time, When Peace
on Earth, Good Will to Men," reigns
supreme all over this fair land.
This fact should cause all Glasses of
people to rejoice and give thanks that
this is an appreciative oountry.a a pros
| porous country, country that every
year demands more than it did the
year before, which proves it is a pro-
gesssive country.
A glance into any of the large stores
will convince the most skepti1al of
this. Enter chem, you look and marvel
at the scene presented. Nowhere is
the fact that the holidays are near at
hand demonstrated more clearly than
in the shops.
Visit those III Danville and prove
the assertion true. The show windows
will be sblaze with color. Silks, jew
els, new weaves and textures, cut
glass, paintings, marvellous pottery,
silver and gold effects are seen in Law
| ish confusion. Thousands have been
| invested. The utilities are there. The
things that people must have are to be
found in almost endless profusion, and
many more dollars have been expened-
ed in novelties that appeal to eye and
ear and comfort until one marvels at
| the business daring of these men Of
| the stores, who have so much faith in
SHOAA JNuSAAOhb VI "iiaG tHO ptOpLC
will buy that they have swept the
warehouses of the country. Every year
the demand grows. People want more
and better things to eat, to wear. TO
amuse.
The people have the money and the
merchants are going to interest them
and give them what they want and
will purchase.
Our merchants have done their part.
It is inconueivable that there could be
reasonable human want that the
stores of Danville could not supply.
This holiday season is marked by the
new things that await the public.
They show wealth of ideas and hu-
man ingenuity that should make the
average citizen proud of his race
And he should also be proud of the
fact that nowhere on the face of the
earth do the plain people enjoy great
er share of those good things that are
to be found in the stores right here.
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1904-12-08
FIREMBN
ELECT OFFICERS

The Danville Fire Department held
its annual election of Chief and as
sistant chiefs at the Friendship hose
house, Saturday evening. 1t resulted
as follows:
Chief, Edward Purpur Of tie Friend
ship Company first assistant, Willard
Fetterman, Washington Hose Com
pany second assistant, William Hes,
Good Will Hose Company; third as
sistant, John Ward, Continental Hose
Company; fourth assistant, Harry
Rupp, Friendship The board having
charge of the election consisted of
Chief Sherwood, Archie Hummer,
Thompson Jenki and John Waite.
The department at the beginning Of
the present year, starts out under
bright and favorable auspices. 1t Is
in a good financial condition and well
equipped for fighting the fiery ele-
ment, both as to the stalwart, willing
men of which it is composed and the
apparatus at ltS CCmnduu. vi tue me-
nen little need be said They are TOO
well known to require an extended d
eulogy. The record they have made
in the past is sufficient testimony of
their worth and ability. During the
year just closed they have responded
frequently to the call of duty and at
the risk of their own safety. saved
many thousands of dollars worth of
property from destruction. Not enough
can be said of such heroism. Men who
will, without thought of recOmIense,
save the pleasure it affords them to
know that they have faithfully per
formed their duties, voluntarily en-
dangered their lives by facing devOur-
ing flames and falling walls are com
posed of the metal Of which true and
unselfsh heroes are composed. II is of
such men that the Danville Fire De
partment is made. They are willing,
capable and experienced, and they new
er finch or hesitate when their ser
vices are needed.
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1904-12-08
DEATH CAME
SUDDENLY

The announcement of the sudden
death OF Newton II. Reifsnyder, a
well known citizen Of this place. early
saturday morning was a shock to his
hosts Of friends The tidings were the
more startling because Of the fact that
re had been seen on the streets the
previous day, apparently in his usual
health He was found dead in bed at
the home Of Harry Fields, his partner
in the restaurant business, and with
whom he boarded, at 338 Mill street.
During the early portion of Friday
evening, he had been up town. He
returned TO the house, and retired at
about s 80, without having complain
cd Of feeling uuwell Between and
o clock the following morning, Mrs.
/ Fields called him to breakfast. Get
/ ting no reply after repeatedly rspping
( on the door, size entered the room and
found life extinct. a physician was
summoned, who after examining the
1omains. said that Mr. Reifsnyder had
been dead for several hours. Death
was due to heart trouble. with which
( the deceased had been afflicted for a
number of years Mr. Reifsuyder was
mOulder by trade, but last summer
he became engaged with Mr.. Fields in
/ the restaurant business. which was
/ still occupying his attention when the
grim destroyer overlook him. He was
Al years of age, unmarried and ma
( tive of Iamaqua When only boy he
came with his parents to Dsnville, and
/ continued to reside here ever since He
I is survived by three brothers and one
I sister-Thomas and George, of Dan
Vile; Alvin, of Altoona. and Mrs
Ellen G. Brause. of New York City.
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1904-12-08
MASONRY WAS COM
PLETED SATURDAY

Caldwell, Barry and Luo9ard, who
had the contract of building the abut-
ments and piers for the new bridge,
have completed their work. The last
stone was placed on the north abut-
ment on Saturday evening, December
3. at 5:l5 O'Clock. The first stone was
laid on Monday, September ~ at :15,
the intervening time being three
months less nine days.
Had the Horseheads Construction
company, who has the sub-contTact
for erecting the iron work, showed the
same zeal or a like hustle of trying
to DO something" as did Caldwell, J.,
Barry & Leonard the bridge would
have been nearly ready now for the
Use of the public. But they didn't and
i II consequence their part of the con-
tract is not near completion and there
are no positive indications as to when
it will be finished.
One span of the iron work is in posi-
tion, but there is any amount of rivet-
ing and fastening Of joints and girdeIs
to be done yet. The false work be-
tween the second and third pier was
placed in position last Thursday since
| which time most of the floor system
has been put in. After getting start
ed the workmen promised to complete
a span week. So far that promise
has not been kept and at the present
| rate of speed, the Horseheads Construc-
tion Company will do well if it sue
oeeds in finishing span every two
weeks.
When it became known about town
that the last stone on the abutment
was to be laid some time during Sat.
urday afternoon, quite a large crowd
gathered on the shore to witness the
scene. They commenced to gather as
early as O'Clock. Some became weary
of waiting, and didn't tarry lorg. 9th
ers remained steadfast on the ground
until the end, bearing the extreme
| cold nobly. That was no easy task.
Mercury stood at a very uncomfort
able point to say the least, and the
wind blew big guns" whistling all
kind of tunes into frost bitten ears,
with the exception of Good Old Sum
mer Time. " A group of boys huddled
around a fire built on the bank and by
constantly revolving around the blaze
they managed to keep their blood il
fairly good circulation. When the last
stone was finally lowered into posi-
tion by the big derrick the spectator:
trended away feeling thankful that al
| least, the stone work of the bridge was
completed.
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1904-12-08
Rural Free Delivery.

Rural free delivery comes high, but
the people must have it, and where 1t
has been introduced the public would
be extremely 10th to return to old con-
ditions and going a distance In storm,
muddy roads and discomforts OF the
various seasons, to the postottice, and
often finding no mail for their pains.
Postmaster General Wynne. in the cur
rent number of The Worlds Work,
giyos us some idea of the growth OF
free delivery in the country. In 1897,
on probation. $40, 900 was deemed uffi
cient for its trial. During the fiscal
year that ended June 30, 1904. nearly
$l3, 900, 900 was expended for rural
free delivery. For the fiscal year up
on which we have now entered $780,
Sl6. 800 has been appropriated for the
continuance and extension of the rural
mail service There were "a, $50 rural
routes III existence at the end of the
fiscal year on June Both last, 8, 466 new
routes having been put into operation
during the fiscal year. On October ]
1904, there were 81, 1876 routes establish
cd and the service was being extended
at the rate of 800 routes a month.
Taking 450 people as an average num-
ber served on each route "a moderate
estimate) the rural service in operation
October /, 1904, was bringing the mails
within easy reach of the homes OF IT,.
2l3, 750 residents of rural districts.
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1904-12-08
Sunbury Bridge to be Rebuilt.

1t is now up to the Comm issioners
of Northumberls county 90 build
the bridge between SnnburY and North
cumberland carried away by the ice last
winter, the property right in which
has been transferred from the Bridge
Company, its original owner,t to North
cumberland county, and through that
source 1t has been declared free.
The process by which this was
brought about commenced on May Cd,
when through Attorney Harry Knight
citizens petitioned for legal proceed
ing looking toward the freeing of the
bridge and the appointment OF view
ers to appraise the amount that should
be paid the company in consideration
of the property. The viewers upon ex-
animation Of witnesses reported in fav-
or of tree bridge, fixing the amount
to be paid by the county at Sl2, 500.
Their report was given to the Grand
Jury OF the September court, which ap-
proved and accepted 1t, and rs it was
required to lay over for term before
the action OF the Court, the matter
was prese sented to Judge Savidge on
Tuesday, who gave the final approval
in making the bridge free and render
ing the county liable for the rebuild
ing of one that was destroyed by the
ice. 1t is to be hoped that in the in
terest Of the public the Northumber-
land County Commissioners will be
prompt in the duty that has thus been
imposed upon them.
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1904-12-08
SERVICES Held
YESTERDAY

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Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1904-12-08
Successful Services.

The Evangelistic services that came
to a close on last Sunday at the Nal p
oning Presbyterian Church were the
most helpful and successful that have
been held in this church in a number
of years. Large congregations attend
ed the meetings and listened to the ex-
ceilent discourses delivered by the
Rev. }. R. Ziegler of Lock Haven aud
Rev. J. Il. Baker of New berry. SA
At the quarterly communion service
held last Sunday twenty five new m en-
bers were received into the member
ship Of the church. Since the Rev.
Mr. Hutchison came to Danville lit
tie over a year ago ninety members
have been taken into the church and
eighty-one of these by profession of
faith.
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1904-12-08
RAIN IS
BADLY NEEDED

Ii is reported from all over the coun-
try that ground and water conditions
were never known to be in so deplor-
able condition for a freeze-up as now.
There is no water in the soil. Farm
ers in the West Branch Valley and ad-
jaoent territory are hauling water for
their stock, some of them drawing it
over two miles.
The towns of Remove. Lock Haven
and Watsontown are on the verge Of a
water famine. At the former place all
| the engines on the Philadelphia &
Erie Railroad are supplied with wat
er, but the supply is so curtailed that
every household is served with notice
not to use a drop of water unnecessar-
| lily.
In the Nippanose Valley, district
where because Of the phenomenal strata
of the rock all streams are under
ground, the wells have gone dry, and
cave-like apertures 20 feet deep have
been opened to afford access to the un-
derground creeks. These are very low.
! In many cases farmers teams are
not employed at anything else than to
handle water to keep the stock suppl
ed. II q freeze-up comes it is feared
that what water remains in the creeks
and few springs will be frozen solidly.
At Montoursville the mountain re-
servoir has gone dry. and the town
is being supplied from a big we'll. Ly-
coming and Loyalsock Creeks, both of
which are small rivers ordinarily, are
down to the volume Of small runs.
The entire output of McElhattan
Creek has been husbanded and forced
into the Lock Haven reservoir, yet
even this makes the supply so made
quate that the towns authorities are
getting ready to pump water directly
from the river or Bald Eagle Greek.
Altoona has had no such drought
since 1887 and everybody is compelled
to husband the water with the closest
economy. Wells and springs never be-
fore dry in the past 20 years have no
water in them now.
In Butler the salt water overfowing
fIom an oil we'll is one of the limited
sources of the reservoirs supply many
of the people have chapped hands and
faces, and many others have been un-
able to use any water for weeks for
laundry purposes
In five towns of Westmoreland Coun-
! ty, embracing so, 900 inhabitants, the
main reservoirs are exhausted and the
people are living from hand to mouth
on the product of small mining run,
so foul that every drop of the water
they get therefrom has to be boiled to
prevent plague.
In many of the rural districts wells
that have been in constant use for 20
years have dried up, and many farmers
have been obliged to haul water a con-
siderable distance for house and stock
supply. Springs that have heretofore
been never failing have disappeared.
Fields of grain planted THIS fall will
have to be replantsd next spring.
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1904-12-08
Rural Delivery Growing.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 3.-Extension
of the rural free delivery service has
resulted in an increase of l. 1.125 in the
number of post Offices discontinued
during the fiscal year ended June 30,
1904, according to the annual report
of J. L. Bristow, Fourth Assistant
Postmaster General, made public to-
day. During the year there we've 2,549
post offices established and 5,5S7 dis
continued. There was a decrease OF
15S in the number of Offices establish
ed The principal cause of the increase
in discontinuance has been the extern
sion of the rural free delivery service.
The total number of discontinpanCes
was 3, $50 post offices, with saving
in salaries Of postmasters aggregating
Sl71, 121 At the close Of the fiscal
year there were II, l3l post offices in
the United States-256 first class, l. 204
second class, 3, Sg6 third class, and Co.,
766 fourth class.
Operation of rural mail delivery aud
the extension by private interests of
rural telephone service has created q
demand from patrons of rural routes
for the delivery of small packages Of
merchandise on an order to local mnI
chants by postal card, telephone or
otherwise. The value of such packages
is small and the present rate Of one
cent per ounce, the report say, Is pTac
tically prohibitlve. Mr.. BrstOw re-
commends that Congress fix rate of
three cents per pound, or any fraction
al part thereof, on packages not ex-
ceeding five pounds, mailed at the dis
tributiug post Office of any rural free
delivery route. If this special rate
were established, Mr. Bnstow says, it
would he a great convenience 10 pat
rons aul b come source Of revenue
to the department..
II is estimated jhst 5000 600 Will be
needed By the department. TO continue
the establishment of rural routes as
fast as they are fayorably reported aud
approved for tie remainder If the cur
rent fiscal year 1t is likely t!iat POO
routes VII be ported within the next
two months, and at THIS rate the ap-
rropriation available viii be exhaust
ed about January Is, 1908.
An appropriation of $1,000, 900 for
the establishment of new routes will
be asked by the department for the
fiscal year ending June 30. 1906
There are now in operation 2S, ,073
routes. 1t is estimated that approx
mately 1900 additional routes can be
established out of the appropriation
now available, making 80, ,073 which
will be in operation or ordered estab
lished ty January 10. 1905.
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1904-12-08
Mummers Effect Organization.

About twenty citizens who are in
terested in having fine showing in
the Mummers parade on New Years $
day met at the Washington Fire Com
pany's house last evening and effected
an organization by electing D. G.
Williams chairman aud A. @. Roat,
secretary.
1t was decided to meet again next
Monday night at the Second Ward
Engine House, and an invitation was
extended to all citizens interested in
the movement to be present; the fire
companies being especially urged to
send representatives.
During the meeting many excellent
suggestions were offered, bat no definite
action was taken, as it was thought
advisable to wait until next Monday
when it is expected a larger number
of citizens Will be present. Many of
Danyille's merchants have signified
their intention of Offering prizes 10
the Mummers who EXCEL in certain
lines.
Those who have the movement in
charge are entering enthusiastically
into tire work of making this New
Years celebration better than any
thing that has been attempted in pre-.
vious years. Ore innovation that will
be vast improvement over former
parades is that marshals are to be ap-
pointed who will have charge of the
different sections, and Will keep the
fantasies in line and maintain the
proper distance between the marchers.