davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1905-04-13
ASSESSORS Begin
WORK TODAY

The Assessors throughout the county
will begin their work today. On Sat
urday the County Commissioners were
busy giving out the books, which with
but one or two exceptions were called
for by the officials.
The Assessors returns will be made
early In May. For the townships and
Washingtonville Borough the appeal
will be held on May 10; for Danville
the date OF appeal is fixed for May
18th.
Under the provisions of the school
law at present the assessor is obliged
to carefully obtain list of all the
children In the ward or township be-
tween the ages of six and sixteen
years. It Is very essential that no
omissions occur in the list of children
between the above ages, as it is upon
these, the number of teachers employ
ed and the number of taxables in a
district that the State appropriation Is
based on equal proportions. That er-
rors do creep in is evident enough, as
is frequently occurs that more pupils
turn up on the school register than
have been returned by the as essor as
between the school ages. Since such
errors are costly to the district the
necessity Of exercising care in this
relation ia obvious.
There is another column il the as
SCISSORS book which proves Invaluable
to the teachers and that is the one in
which is recorded the date of the pup
| IFS birth. When this column is prop,
eIiy filled out the teacher can at a
glance tell whether or not boy OIL
girl has arrived at an age which would
permit him or her to leave school,
while as 10 too often the case wher
there has been neglect and the date Of
birth has not been recorded, the teach
or may be imposed upon by pupils who
wish TO leave school before their time
and choose TO misrepresent their age
in order to gain the teachers acquies
cence.
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1905-04-13
Meningitis Still Spreading.

Although no cases of carebro- spinal
meningitis have yet developed in Dan
Vile since the outbreaks reported in
many other places the doctors OF this
city are watching the spread of the
disease. They are also studying nip the
peculiarities of the disease in order TO
successfully combat it if there should
be an epidemic here. None of them
anticipate such q condition, however.
Spinal meningitis or spotted fever
has made its appearance in Wilkes
barre and the hrst victim is a young
man named Lee Deming.
Sheppton, little town near Halle
ton, is in the throes of spinal mening-
tits. The first death has occurred and
another victim is in an extremely
critical condition. The sanitary con-
dition of the town to all reports is aw-
fol and owing to strike among the
laborers on the roads there is no like
lihood Of their being put in better con-
dition at present.
From the appearance of certain spot S
on the skin during the course of the
disease it has been called spotted few
er. This:name was given to an cpl
denio which prevailed in New Eng
land In 1907. The disease usually be-
gins with chill, followed by great
vertigo, violent headache, obstinate
vomiting, and muscular stiffness, which
soon passes into tetanus. The face is
pale, the pupils of the eyes dialted,
and the skin exceedingly sensitive.
The head is strongly drawn back, even
at the end of the first day A peculiar
eruption usually appears on the skin,
composed OF distinctly dark red or pur-
pie spots. somewhat larger than pms
head. They are not raised above the
surface, and do not disappear from
pressure somtimes they do not become
visible after death.
The members of the State Board of
Health advise strict quarantine in
cases of oerebro-spinal meningitis.
Precautions, such as isolation and
fumiRstion, will be taken in cases of
this disease In the future and when
the MALAY has a fatal termination,
private interment will be observed.
Although grown up persons are liable
TO the disease, it is more common
among children. who are very suscepti-
BILE to attack.
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1905-04-13
l. Letter From Norman Hostelley.

Alfred K. Hostelley is in receipt Of
man on board the United States Steam
Ship Kentucky, at Pensacola. Florida.
Norman enlisted in the United States
Navy two years ago, at the age of six
teen, and will serve as an apprentice
until he reaches the age of twenty one.
In the letter the young apprentice
speaks very Interestingly of his life on
board ship, and of the entertainment
afforded the sailors while on shore.
He is a shellman on the thirteen inch
turret. The Kentucky was recently
stationed at Havana. Cuba, and Mr..
Hostelley writes the following about
his experiences there:
I'VE have just cleaned up after a
week of fine times in Havana. The
people there gave US a banquet that
was grand affalr-we had verythinp
a hungry person cou ID wish for, from
roasts to cigars. There were five hun
dred of us at the table, and after the
banquet we had grand march in
which the young ladies of the city
joined. This was followed by q
dance "
Mr.. Hostelley speaks of their new
Admiral, Fighting Bob Evans" and
of his great popularity among the
sailors of the fleet.
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1905-04-13
Commissioners Joint Meeting.

The County Commissioners of Mon
tour and Northumberland counties held
a joint meeting in the Court House
yesterday at which was taken import
ant action relating to the formal ac-
ceptauce of the river bridge when the
structure is completed and handed
over by the State.
At the joint meeting were present
Messrs. George Leighow of Danville; !;
O W. Cook, of Valley township, and
Henry Cooper, of Derry township,
Montour County Commissioners; John
H Beck, of Sudbury. aud A. H. Coon
er, of Wat Untowu, who represented
the NorthumheiIa Iaud County Board.
Attorneys " Ka>e West and Charles
f. Lark. were also present.
The Northumberland County Com
missjore-s arr we'd at South DansIlle
on the l0:l7 Pennsv vivania tram and
! returued on the 1 O'Clock e. Z
train Two sessions took place one in
the forenoon AMI the other in the af-
ternoon The first session WAS held af
ter looking over thr new bridge in a
body and was devoted exclusively TO
the consideration of right of way for
tel, phone. telegraph and ell ctlic light
wires.
In the afternoon the matter of suit
II On hn nc
taken up in case he should come to
| Danville on the occasion of the inspec-
| tion of the bridge a. has been reported
he intends 10 do along with a number
of other State officials. The Commits
sioners, how aver, were working wholly
| in the dark. as not only had they no
positive assurance that the Governor
would be present, but the date of
the inspection was also uncertain.
In order that no unnecessary work
might be done. on motion it was de-
cided that William Kase West, of this
city. and Charles @. Lark, of Shamok-
in, attorneys for the two boards of
| Commissioners, were directed to go to
Harrisburg and call upon the Cover
| nor to ascertain facts as to the in
whether or not he will posi-
lively be present and what kind of
proceedings would likely be in order
to mark the acceptance of the bridge.
| The Commissioners have modest
program in view, which includes a
speech from attorney Lark in response
to Governor Pennypack should the
latter make the address formally hand
| ing the bridge over to the County
Commissioners. Among others invit-
ed to be present would be the Repre-
sentatives of our own and Northumber
land county as we'll as the State SEN
| atOrs
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1905-04-13
CERTAIN FIREWORKS
ARE FORBIDDEN

A number of poles have already been
delivered on the ground in the vicinity
of Straw berry Ridge while an order
for five hundred more have been plac-
ed by the Peoples Telephone Con-
struction Company which is now ready
to proceed with the construction of
the two lines under contemplation.
The Company is also arranging for the
Purchase of several thousand pounds
of wire and other needed material.
The work of building will be given
| out by contract. Everything now is
in readiness and all that are needed
are the bidders. The lines assured are
as follows: One from Washingtonville
| to Exchange by way of Strawberry
Ridge, with two central offices, one at
Exchange and the other at Washing
tonvilIe. Another line will extend
from Jerseytown to Exchange by way
of White Hall. Success is assured by
the large number of subscribers that
have already been secured, while the
sale of stock still goes on merrily.
Daring an interview yesterday Mr..
Pettijohn said that the sentiment is
rapidly growing and that the outlook
is most encouraging. indicating not
only that they will be able to COM
plete the several lines through.
out the northern and central part of
the county originally contemplated,
but also to extend the system to Dan
Vile and even eastward and southwark
beyond here into adjoining counties.
The Peoples Telephone Construction
Company has received requests to
bring its system to Milton, to Hughes.
vile and to Millville. 1t is also as
sured of the hearty cooperation of the
United Telephone and Telegraph Com
pany and an agreement has been en-.
tered into between the two Companies
by which the rural system is TO have
the use of the poles of the United Tele-
pnone and Telegraph Company be-
tween Washingtonville and Danville,
all that is required being that the new
Company furnish its own wire.
The objections to rural line at first
encountered have been nearly over
come by the promoters. Some persons
thought that it might lead to the dis
placement of rural free delivery, while
others foresaw in the wires source OF
danger during the prevalence of thund
er showers. A little reading up ha:
convinced most people that in elthel
case fears are unfounded. In regard
to the latter every electric railway anc
every telephone system in operation
stands as an object lesson to show how
seldom if ever accidents occur either
from the electricity i'll use or from
the lightning when thunder storms
occur.
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1905-04-13
House LIFTED
FROM FOUNDATION

April 10th is a pretty early date for
heavy thunder shower, but we had
one Monday of the regulation mid.
summer sort For awhile it was so
dark that lights had to be lighted in
dwellings, while the wind blew with
almost cyclonic fury and the rain came
down in torrents: the lightning was
binding and the thunder at times was
quite loud.
The shower covered wide area and
much damage is reported. AT Still
water, Columbia county. the barn OF
Dr. Stoker WAS struck by lightning
and burned to the ground. Two fine
horses and three head of cattle were
burned with the barn. along with NOW
ing machine, hay rake, cultivator and
large quantity of hay and grain. One
horse and ~ head of cattle were saw
ed. The barn was large one, 70x50
feet. There was small insurance.
The barn on the farm of g. M.
Shoop, situated about three miles from
Wsshingtonville was partly unroofed
| by the storm. Many fine trees as we'll
as fences were blown down at differ
ent points. At Brisroreek a number
of telegraph poles were leveIed to the
ground, and the service interrupted
/ for several hours.
| 10 ~
J. Messersmith's furniture warehouse
was unroofed.
At the Fourth Ward school build
ing, this city, the large flag pole was
blown down.
A very remarkable phenomenon in
connection with the storm was wit
messed in DanVille, which was nothing
less than gigantic wateTspout, that
formed on the river just above the
bridge and at nearly express train speed
went sweeping up the stream. Il seem
ed to be a column Of water Dearly
forty feet high and as it whirled along
in rapid rotation the water at its base
was violently sgitated and heaped ul
with leaping or boiling motion.
At the foot OF Iron street Benjamin
Sommons is building new house. q
two aud half story frame structure
some 25x40 feet. The sides are already
plsnked and the rafters in position.
Reaching a point opposite Iron street
the cyclone left the river and making
a bee line for Mr.. Sommons' new dwell
ling lifted il bodily from the ground
raising it several feet and then set il
down again on the same foundation.
1t was a most fantastic trick for the
elements to play, but the oldest part
of it is that none of the timbers OF the
house are broken, although the whole
building is out of plumb and the
foundation is badly jammed. It is a
question whether the house can not be
fixed up at little expense so that build
ing can resume.
The cyclone passed on aud after up-
roofing tree a short distance above
went out OIL the river where it grad
ually lost its force.
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1905-04-13
rlausdaIe rlan i'm Bad Upset.

Nicholas Overrender. who is employ
ed at Wise's Hotel, Msusdsle, wa,
painfully, and possibly Seriously, in
jured yesterday afternoon, by being
thrown beneath heavy cattle wagon,
that upset on the gravel bank near
the entrance to the old fair grounds
Mr.. Overrender was in this city VS.
terday, and upon starting nome was
able to catch q ride with II tarmrG.
who WAS taking a large cattle wagon
in the direction of Msusdale. Ne"
the grave bank school house the horse
took fright at a traction engine, q
bacoming unmsnageabl- dashed up
the steep bank that bo rders the road
at this point. The wagon was upset,
and Mr., Overreuder was thrown from
lis seat and fell beneath the heavy
vehicle, where he lay pinned to tht
earth until assistance could arrive.
Mr.. Overrender was taken to his
home In Mausdsle and DR.. Shultz was
Summoned from this city. He found
the injured man suffering greatly from
the shock Of the accident, and badly
bruised especially about the right hip.
Il TO possible that internal injuries
may develop
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1905-04-13
BURGLARS ROUTED
BY CONSTABLE

An evident attempt at burglary was
cleverly frustrated by Constable Bruce
McCracken at South Danville Satur-
day night.
Five men whose appearance was by
no means preDoss sing were observed
loating about South Danville Saturday
and for several dags previously. Dur
ing Saturday couple of the merch-
ants became convinced that the men
were crooks and called the attention
of Constable McCrscken to their pres.
ence asking that lie keep an eye on
their movements if possible.
About oclock Saturday night the
Constable. who l.. night operator at
the Pennsylvania station, stepped out
on the platform " hen he was informed
by man who came over from Dan
vile that some men were acting sus-
piciously in the vicinity of the sheds
at the approach OF the bridge where
the contractors keep their tools.
The fact seems to be that the men
were trying TO burglarize the tool
house and had pl Lced one of their num-
ber up on the railroad as a sentry. The
| Constable stealthi!y proceeded to the
spot and the first thing that he knew
| he was between tie man on guard aud
| the others at work at the tool house.
Mr.. McCracken taking in the situa-
tion, in quick succession fired several
shots over the would be burglars heads
who instantly took to their heels and
/ ran in the direction of the bridge. The
| Constable called o the men to stop
and fired several other shots after
them, but did NOT hit them. The last
seen of them they were scampering
over the bridge tiWard Danville.
An investigation showed that they
had broken open large chest and alb
stracted a valuable brass injector and
brass lubricator. On the bridge was
found large chi.el evidently dropped
by the men, which had been used in
forciug the chest open. Near the chest
were found the brass injector and lu-
brlcator lying Oil the ground.
Thara is little doubt bnt that the
men. had they not been frightened
off, would have had several burglaries
to their credit in South Danville be-
fore morning.
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1905-04-13
DELIVERING POLES
FOR RURAL PHONES

An act recently approved by Cover
nor Samuel W. Pennypacker, prohibit
ing the sale or use of certain fire.
works, fireoraokers, explosive canes
aud ammunition, and providing penal
ties for the violation of the same, is
the cause of quite a little comment
| among many of the wholesale and re-
tail dealers in fireworks. The dealers
feel that this new law will make ma
terial inroads upon their business on
the Fourth of July, but all are ready
to comply with it.
In this act only certain high explos-
ives are attacked. 1t will be unlawful
to sell fireworks and firecrackers con-
tanning pioric acid. piorstes; all ex-
plosive canes using chlorste of potash
or other high explosive ammunition {;
all explosive canes using blank cart
ridges; all blank cartridge pistols. and
all tablets composed of chlorate of
potash or other high explosive COM
pounds.
One portion OF the law seems a trifie
inconsistent, according TO the dealers
! from the fact that picric acid is used
in enormous quantities in all the dye
shops. This acid is used largely in the
production of fireworks that make a
whistlinR noise. such as whistling
bombs. The acid was considered dang
erous by those instrumental in passiug g
the law, for the reason that If the acid
gets into a wound or even the slightest
abrasion of the skin and the wound is
not Immediately given proper medical
attention it will cause tetanus, or
blood poisoning and in some cases it
| is known to have caused lockjaw after
only three days of instteution As
there are numbers of people injured
on the Fourth of July, one can readily
see wherein lies the danger.
There is one factory in Petersburg,
Va. that relies almost entirely on this
Acid in the production of its manufact-
ures. The concern has been doing an
enormous business in the State of
Pennsylvania, but with the passage Of
this new law the concern will either
be compelled to sell its product in
some other State or go out of business,
as it made a speciality of whistling
rockets and canes, and fireworks max :
ing q whirrinR, screaming and whlstl-
ing noise.
There is plenty of disappointment
among the patriotic enthusiasts who
get up in the small hours of the morn
ing of the Fourth and celebrate until
the last gun is fred. They will have
to oonfine themselves for awhile to the
use of display works. and the firing of
cannon and firecrackers. But new in
ventions and clever ideas will take the
place of the old and in future years
the pistol will be curiosity and will
be looked upon the same as the high
bicvcle is now.
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1905-04-13
Surprise Party at MauSdale.

A ~urp ise party was ten cred Mrs.
Willis II rr 1T her home in Maus dale,
Saturday. in honor OF her birthday.
Those present were: Mr.. aud Mrs.
Robert Farms worth and children, Laura a
aud Robert, Jr. Mesdames Levi Fensi er
macher, I. J. Luckenbi]l, Edward
Frazier an son Lake. +. p. Apple
man, J. A MeIrell and son Edwin,
q ,lbert Roup, f. E. Rem, A Snyder
aud sons Curry and Dennis, A. A..
Beyer, L. V. Boyer, Jesse Con-
way, T. H. Bennett and son Harvey,
n. O. Kin 1t aud son Clifton. W. s.
Lawrence, W. n. Cope and daughter
Clara. James Robson and daughter
Penina and Frank Sandel of Berwick
Misses Maize Fenstermcher, ,Christiana
Frazier, Lettie MerreIl, Mary Merrell
Maggie Thomas, Ada Ande, Mary Bey-
er, Rachael Fenstermacher. jennie
Kindt, Laura Fenstermacher and Ida
Moser, of Limestoneville.
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1905-04-13
PHILA q READING R. R.
MAY Pipe Bot
TOM OF CANAL

Engineer G. H. Doughty OF the ID.
L g. W. Railway Company, with an
assistant, was in this city yesterday
surveying the bottom of the canal for
the purpose of determining whether
or not it would be feasible to sink
pipe in the abandoned waterway for
the purpose of carrying off the water
which at present accumulates with
every rain and lies until it becomes
stagnant.
The engineers visit was in response
TO several communications from the
Board of Trade of this city. in which
the bad state of affairs was shown up
and in which it was suggested that
the only remedy lay in piping and I'LL
ing up the canal within the borough
limits. Bad as the conditions are
down town still worse state of affairs
exist in the Second Ward. where dur
ing the summer, especially, the water
throws off foul and stagnant odors and
becomes a veritabe disease breeder.
Time after time the residents there
have brought the matter before Coun-
Gil. The latter body IN order to re-
lieye the situation did the only thing
feasible, which was to dig trench
along the bottom of the canal. There
was not enough fall, however, and the
ditch generally failed of its purpose.
1t is thought. however, that pipe
of proper dimensions If rightly laid.
might prove capable of carrying of
the wttyr. TIE engineers we're nj
here for the purpose of determining
whether such u pipe could b. hid III
the canal with sutfic ent pitch 10 make
il at ali efficient. They arrived here
during the forenoon and soon perfect
ed the survey. A glance at the old
ditch convinced them that theT faced
a pretty ugly proposition. The bot
tom OF the canal is a mass OF soft mud
and pipe could be sunk only with the
aid of cribbing. 1t is pretty evident.
too, that the three culverts with wat
erWays conforming with the bottom of
the canal might complicate matters
some what. What report the engine ers
may make will not be known until
later
1t is the opinion of some that the
step taken by the d. L. G. W. Railroad
Company in laying pipe indicates that
it has filling up of the old ditch in
view, whether this important detail is
to be left to the Borough or will be
done by the D. L. & W. Company at
its pleasure being one of the facts
which may develop later. Nothing
more essential in the line of improve
ment could be conceived of than a
total obliteration of the old canal.
Offensive and an eyesore at best it is
rendered doubly unsightly by the
ashes and the miscellaneous articles
which accumulate In back yards that
have been dumped over its banks. Any
measure, therefore which will effect
drainage and prevent the possibility
of making a spot in the center OF the
Borough a dumping ground for ashes
and articles of worse description is to
be hailed with pleasure by our citi-
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1905-04-13
Death of Peter Bright.

Peter Bright. one of Sunbury's best
known citizens, died about one O'Clock
Satur la7 afternoon. About two weeks
ago Mr. Bright Suffered a stroke of
paralysis ANA although every thing
known to medical skill was done to
relieve his condition he gradually grew
worse until death ensued at the time
above stated. For many years Mr..
Bright was one of Sunbury's most
prominent merchants, conducting a
shoe store located on Market street,
and always took an active interest in
the progress and welfare of SunhuIy.
Several years ago he retired from busi-
ness. He was descendant of one Of
Sunbury's most prominent families.
He is survived by his wife, one sou,
B. L. Rri2ht, Jr., assistant train mast
Ell on the Sudbury division, two daugh-
tsrs, Ms. George Neff. of Sunbury,
and the second daughter, formerly
Mrs. Yeager. now resident of Wilkes
barre.
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1905-04-13
City Planting a Forest.

Los Angeles, Gal, has 5000 acres OF
brush and land called Griffith park,
which it intends to convert into a
commercial forest. This will be done
as the first instance OF city in the
United States creating forest Tn
practice is quite comm II in Edr pc,
whers the forest parks have not oily
contributed To the pleasure of tn" CO.
pie, but have been more than ,elf--up-
porting through their timber outpur.
Under Its cooperative effort, the
Bureau of Forrestr, had last summer
at Los Angeles four OF its experts max
ing q comprehensive planting plan for
the forest The plan was completed at
the end of September
What adds to the interest in the
above proposition is the fact tHat Mr..
Griffith, who presented the above
magnificent park to Los Angeles, was
nanville boy and lived here for
many years.