davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Danville intelligencer. [volume] (Danville, Pa.) 1859-1907, 1906-03-30
SEVEN KILLED
NEAR SUNBURY

The most terrible grade crossing ac-
cident that has ever happened in this
vicinity occurred Saturday afternoon
just east of Sunbury on the p. & R.
railway. Six persons were killed in
stantly and a six-year- girl died
soon after she was taken to the hos
pital.
The dead are: George w. Neidig,
aged 65; Cyrus Neidig, a son, aged 36
Clarence Neidig, another son, aged Al ;
Mrs. Clarence Neidig, aged 80; three
children of Mr.. and Mrs. Clarence
Neidig, Blanche, aged 6; Mary, aged
and Gilbert, aged 2.
The elder Neidigs live on farm at
Augustaville, Rockefeller township,
about miles from Sunbury. The son
Cyrus resides on the farm adjoining
his fathers property. Saturday morn
ing the father, Cyrus and Ira Neidig,
the latter residing in Sunbury, had
driven to town. Mr.. and Mrs. Clar-
ence Neidig and the children, who live
in East Sunbury were accompanying
the father and Cyrus back to the old
homestead for visit when the appal-
ling catastrophe occurred.
The scene of the accident was at the
old pump station about az miles from
Sunbury, at place where the Penn
sylvania and P. & R. tracks run paral-
lei and about 25 feet apart. The party
were in covered spring wagon,
George Neidig driving. The track,
where the road crosses it at this point,
is obstructed from sight on either side
until one is almost on the rails neith-
er is there watchman stationed here
Passenger train No. 5, due at Sun
bury at :0S was 90 minutes late and
was running fast to make up time.
When but short distance from the
crossing, the engineer, Irwin Seider,
of Tamaqua, first saw the wagon i'm
movable ON the tracks, the driver
frantically lashing the horses to get
them away from the awful danger
spot. The animals, however, terrified,
refused to move. AS soon as the train
had struck the wagon the horses ran
away, neither of them hurt.
The only occupant of the wagon who
lived after the wagon was struck was
six-year- old Blanche Neidig. Her spine
was broken and she died 80 minutes
after arriving at the Packer hospital
Mrs. Neidig and her youngest child
were found wedged in the pilot of the
engine. All were frightfully mutilat-
ed. George Neidig's wife survives.
Danville intelligencer. [volume] (Danville, Pa.) 1859-1907, 1906-03-30
Death of Mrs. Harrison Shut.

Mrs. Sarah Shut, wife of Harrison
Shut, West Mahoning street, depart
ed this life about o'clock yesterday
morning.
About two years ago the deceased
sustained a stroke of apoplexy since
which time she has been in feeble
health. Two weeks ago she was taken
seriously i'll and from that time until
her death she was most of the time
bedfast.
The deceased was a native of Dan
vile. For many years she was an ac-
tive member of the woman's relief
corps of the G. A. r. and was very
widely known. She was fifty-four
years of age and is survived by her
husband and five children: Walter G.
and Rufus Shut, of Detroit, Mich ).
Harry Shut and Mrs. Charles Seitz of
Canville and Mrs. william Everhart
of West Pittston.
Danville intelligencer. [volume] (Danville, Pa.) 1859-1907, 1906-03-30
rIrs. Elmer Bower SURPRISED.

The home of Mr.. and Mrs. Elmer
Boyer, Ash street, was the scene Sat
urday evening of a very pleasant sur
prise party, the occasion being Mrs.
Boyer's 26th birthday. One of the
features of the evening was delight
full graphophone concert.
The following were present from
Bloomsbury: Mr.. and Mrs. B. w. Jury
and son Ben, Mr.. and Mrs. +. j. Rich
ards and son Fred, Mr.. and Mrs. G. L.
Crist, Mrs George Martin, Mrs. Theo-
dore Scott, Miss Bess Crist The Dan
vile guests were: Mr. and Mrs. Wal
ter Gross, Mr.. and Mrs. John Everett,
Mrs. Elmer Mowery and daughter
Clemice, Miss Carrie Ward, Miss Alice
Gross, Miss Sue Gross. Miss Katherine
Foust, Mrs. Benjamin Cook, Mrs. @.
Herr, Mrs. Charles Nuss and SONS
David and John, Mrs. Harvey Livziey,
Mrs. Walter Gaskins and Mr.. Elmer
Herr
Danville intelligencer. [volume] (Danville, Pa.) 1859-1907, 1906-03-30
SCHOOL BOARD
IN SESSION

A case came up before the school
board last night relating to the spread
ing of contagious diseases, which is
giving the teachers and patrons of the
second ward schools great deal OF
anxiety. Mr.. Pursel designated fami-
ly in which there has been some two
or three cases of illness, all of sus-
picious nature, during the week or two
past and states that in all that time
other children in the family have been
attending school.
Neither the teachers nor the neigh
bors felt altogether easy over the mat
ter, but they were given to understand
that there were no infectious diseases
present. On Saturday, however, one
of the children died and it was buried
as a victim of diphtheritic Group and
a placard warning against that disease
was displayed ON the house. To make
the matter worse Mr.. Pursel stated,
the father is authority for the state
previously i'll had the same symptoms
as the one that died. Considering that
the schools all the time were exposed
by pupils of the infected family at
tending, Mr.. Pursel thought that ~
state of affairs existed that called for
immediate remedy. 1t has also de-
veloped that the law which requires
all cases of infectious disease to be re-
ported to the schools in "a hours is not
very closely lived up to-in fact it is
more generally observed in the breach
than in the observance. The matter
was discussed by the school board at
considerable length and it was the
unanimous opinion that something
ought to be done to oblige all parties
to observe the wise precautions laid
down by the school law. Several MEM
bers wanted to call the attention of
the State board of health to the ap-
parent neglect, but the matter was
finally dropped without taking any ac-
ton.
On motion it was ordered that as
much coal as is needed be hauled
from the second ward to the first ward
school building.
Harry Schoch, a member of the
graduating class of the high school,
appeared before the board asking that
the financial management of the COM
mencement be assumed by the school
board. After some discussion it was
decided that the management be re-
tanned by the class, and the board be
responsible for any deficiencies up to
$25.
Mr.. Nevius, of the third ward, ap-
peared before the board asking to have
his son, Edward, excused from regular
attendance at school on account of i'll
ness. Or motion it was decided that
leniency be shown.
Mr.. Pursel, chairman of high school
committee, reported that it was neces-
sary to change the date of the COM
mencement from May 3lst. to May
25th., on account of court, which will
convene during the week of May 2Sth.
The action was approved by the board.
The following members were pres
ent: Adams, Orth, Pursel, Burns,
Heiss, Fischer, Werkheiser and Trum-
bower.
The following bills were approved
for payment
u. s. Express Co. ....... IS SO
Remington Typewriter Co. &C.. 40
E. 4. Shultz ................ .35
Teachers and janitors .. 1870. 90
+. W. Magill. l............... 6.25
Danville intelligencer. [volume] (Danville, Pa.) 1859-1907, 1906-03-30
ElkS Elect Officers.

At it's regular meeting, held on Mon
day night, Danville Lodge, No. 754,
B. P. o. Elks. elected officers for the
ensuing year. The installation will
be conducted by Exalted Ruler Jones,
of Scranton Lodge, on Monday even
ing, April 9th.
The local lodge of Elks is now in a
most prosperous condition. During the
past year some 40 members were added
to the roll, making the total active
membership one hundred and ten. New
applications are. being received each
meeting night and the outlook for the
coming year is very promising. The
finances of the lodge are also in -four
ishing condition. Several of the social
rooms on the second floor of the Grone
building are being refurnished and
when this work is completed the Elks
of Danville will have one of the finest
homes in this section of the State.
The officers elected are as follows: +:
Exalted Ruler-W. w. Gulick.
Esteemed Leading Knight-Paul R.
Andrews.
Esteemed Loyal Knight-Simon Ell
lenbogen.
Esteemed Lecturing Knight-Scott
Ewes.
Secretary-Edward Purpur.
Treasurer-Ralph Kisner.
Tyler-J. Beaver Gearhart.
Trustee-J. Warren Robson.
Delegate to Grand Lodge-W. W.
Gulick.
Alternate Delegate to the Grand
Lodge-James N. Irland.
A number of the members of Dam
vile lodge will accompany the dele
gate to the Grand Lodge meeting to
be held at Denver, Colo. about July
18th next
Danville intelligencer. [volume] (Danville, Pa.) 1859-1907, 1906-03-30
Coroner's Jury Heard Testimony.

The coroner's jury on the grade
crossing accident at Sunbury met yes
terday afternoon at two O'Clock and
heard important testimony, proceed
ing then to the scene of the accident.
The jury will meet again today in
Sunbury to render its verdict.
The testimony of Engineer Seiders
and Luster Derr, an eye witness, was
substantially the same as given in yes
terday's News. Another witness whose
testimony was important was Charles
Dressler. He was walking on the tracks
about 600 feet from the crossing when
the accident occurred. He said he
heard Derr shout "Stop Stop!' while
the wagon was between the Pennsyl-
vania tracks and the Reading road, but
the warning seemed only to make the
driver the more anxious to get on the
other side of the P. & r. tracks. He
said he saw him whip up his horses,
and get upon the rails just as the train
reached the spot.
All the members of the train crew
appeared before the jury as witnesses.
Danville intelligencer. [volume] (Danville, Pa.) 1859-1907, 1906-03-30
A WOrkman'S Cold Bathe.

Samuel Sainsbury, one of the men
employed at the new suspension bridge,
yesterday received a ducking in the
waters of Mahoning creek. Mr.. Sains-
bury did not come near drowning; the
feature of the story lies in the manner
in which he happened to receive his
cold bath.
The bridge being practically COM
odds and ends of timber be removed
from the spot to the cinder tip whence
it could be conviently carted away. In
gathering up the material raft used
in crossing the stream during the first
stages of the work was employed. A
rope was stretched across the creek a
few feet above the surface of the wat
er, which the men held onto while
crossing backward and forward with
the raft. Mahoning creek rose con-
siderably during Tuesday night and
the current yesterday morning was
very strong, fact lost sight of by the
men.
Mr.. Sainsbury was making his first
trip. Standing upon the raft he was
drawing it along by means of the cable
or rope. All went we'll until he reach
ed mid stream and struck the strong
current, when in an instant the raft
was swept out from under his feet and
he was left with the cable for sup
port. His insecure hold, however,
proved poor thing to depend upon
and the man took plunge into the
icy water. The stream at that point
is ten feet deep and good deal of
concern was felt for the man who was
dressed in heavy clothing and rubber
boots. His presence of mind and agil-
ity, however, saved him for before he
was swept from the spot he grasped
the cable, which kept him from being
carried down stream until he was re-
scued.
Danville intelligencer. [volume] (Danville, Pa.) 1859-1907, 1906-03-30
VICTIM OF
ApopLEXY

Charles Chalfant, ESQ.,, the we'll
known attorney of this city, and past
grand master of the order of Odd Fell
lows, sustained a bad stroke of apop-
lexy at his home, South Danville, yes
terday morning and lay in an exceed
ingly critical condition the remainder
of the day and last night.
Mr.. Chalfant arose at the usual hour
yesterday morning. He was stricken
just as he left his bed and fell to the
floor He attempted to arise, but be-
fore he gained his feet he fell the sec
ond time and lay struggling upon the
floor.
The stricken man was assisted to bed
and DR.. n. M. Smith of South Dan
vile was called, who diagnosed the at
tack as a stroke of apoplexy. Mr..
Chalfant's S left side was paralyzed, his
speech being likewise affected. At in
tervals he seemed conscious, but again
he lapsed into state of semi conscious
ness. DR.. Smith yesterday regarded
the case as II critical one and held out
but little hope.
The news that Mr.. Chalfant was
stricken caused much surprise in Dan
vile where he has his law office and
where he has held forth all his life.
Mr.. Chalfant is not yet on the shady
side of middle life. He was fine
specimen of physical manhood and the
picture of perfect health. On Sunday
he was in Danville and had pleasant
conversation with his old companions
all oblivious of the impending stroke,
which threatens to cast gloom over
the remainder of his days even if it
does not rob him of life itself.
Danville intelligencer. [volume] (Danville, Pa.) 1859-1907, 1906-03-30
STORES open
AFTER 6 O'CLOCK

The early closing of the stores for
the winter terminated somewhat un-
expectedly and housekeepers who up
to the present have been Obliged to
make their purchases prior to O'Clock
have been granted two hours addition
al for visiting the stores.
When early closing went into effect
after the holidays some Of the merch-
ants insist it was without fixing any
time limit. Indeed it is no secret that
many were looking forward to con-
tinuance of closing at six O'Clock dur
ing the year around.
At all events the merchants along all
lines now pretty generally find it to
their interest to keep open until 8
O'Clock. The department stores first
announced their intention of keeping
open. The grocery stores were dispos-
ed-to hold back and yet last night a
couple of well known establishments
had not fallen in line with the new
order Of things. Among the grocery
stores that had been closing early J.
f. Tooley was one of the first to keep
open. He had intended to begin on
Monday night, but owing to the dis
agreeable weather he closed at six
O'Clock. Tuesday night he remained
open. Others have been falling into
line since until last night Mill street,
with here and there solitary excep-
tion was lit up from one end to the
other. 1t was truly an agreeable
change from the dark, the dreary and
desolate appearance presented by the
> principal street of our town during the
long evenings of winter.
To say that the opening of the stores
is popular with many of the merchants
would be to overstate the fact. They
complain that there is not enough bust
nes after six o'clock to justify keeping
OPEN To protect their trade they have
merely followed the example of others
and beyond this are hardly able to ex-
plain how the new order has been
brought about.
The prime movers take the view
that the stores should be open until 8
O'Clock, but not beyond that hour.
Purchasers have got out of the habit
Of dealing after six o'clock, but the
view is taken that it will only be
few days until they will turn out in
the evenings as usual, making many
purchases at stores, thereby enliven-
ing the town and adding to the sum
total of business.
Danville intelligencer. [volume] (Danville, Pa.) 1859-1907, 1906-03-30
SEN.
SATlONAL ESCAPE

Persons living in the vicinity of the
hospital grounds yesterday afternoon
were startled by the appearance of an
odd apparition in the form of a nearly
nude man making his way down over
the long switch leading from the hos
pital to the D. L. g. W. railroad.
Among others who saw him soon af
ter leaving the hospital gate were
Clyde Swank and Theodore Poeth,
who were engaged in hauling hides
from Hoffmans slaughter house, near
by to the D. L. & w. station. The two
young men were returning with an
empty wagon and it required only a
moment for them to take in the situa-
tion and to realize that patient was
making his escape from the hospital.
They managed to get word to Harry
Phile, who was busy at the slaughter
house and then hurried to intercept
the man. Coming up to him they re-
quested him to stop, which he was
very slow to do. Mr.. Swank then
caught hold of him, but the unfortun.
ate man put up stout resistance. At
this juncture just as Mr.. Phile came
to their aid, William Kester happened
along, who assisted Mr.. Swank to hold
the patient.
Tho poor fellow was a bed patient.
who had escaped from the infirmary.
All that he wore was shirt and bare
footed and bareheaded he made his
way down over the rough railroad
track in the chilly March atmosphere.
He was really pitiable object. Mr..
Phile asked him what he was doing
thereand where he was going. He re-
piled that his family had sent for him
and that he was going home.
OF course he was taken back to the
hospital at once. He only feebly re-
sisted as he was loaded onto the truck
wagon and. hauled back to the institu-
tion.
just how the man managed to make
his escape could not be learned to a
certainty last night. According to one
story he escaped from the building via
the dumb waiter, which took him into
the basement out of which he could
easily pass unnoticed. Another story
had it that he broke one of the win
dows and forced his body out between
the bars. The latter story the men who
made the capture think is the most
plausible, as one of the bare limbs of
the escaped patient was cut or scratch
ed and was bleeding.
Danville intelligencer. [volume] (Danville, Pa.) 1859-1907, 1906-03-30
Farewell Banquet to Mr.. johnson

Charles f. johnson, the retiring gem
eral secretary of the Y. M. G. A. was
rendered rousing farewell at ban
quet given by the Sinker club in his
honor at the City Hotel last evening.
The Sinker club has been organized
since Mr.. johnson has been at the
local association, and the boys realiz-
ing that it was his kindly influence
that has been largely instrumental in
making perfect the strong ties that
now bind them together, took this
means of showing their strong appre-
citation of his work among them.
About 40 members of the club sat
down to the beautifully decorated ban
quet table at O'Clock and discussed
the following elaborate menu that
Landlord Johnny Meyer had prepared :
Clam Chowder
Roast Chicken
Dried Corn French Peas
Mashed Potatoes
Gold Slaw
Potato Salad
Celery
Fried Oysters
Ice Cream Cake
Fruit
Coffee
After the banquet and while still
gathered around the board several i'm
promptu addresses were made. Harry
Peters acted as toast master and the
following.answered to toasts
"Sinkers' s''-Harry Peters.
"The Ladies' Robert M. Jacobs.
"Y. NJ. @. A. John Magill.
1.-The Minstrels Stock.
Farewell to Mr.. Johnson"-C. G.
Carpenter.
After the toasts Mr.. Johnson re-
sponded to calls for speech by few
appropriate remarks. He said it was
with feelings of profound regret that
he was leaving the pleasant acquaint-
ances he had formed in Danville. He
wished the boys much success and hap
piness in the future.
Danville intelligencer. [volume] (Danville, Pa.) 1859-1907, 1906-03-30
Celebrated 7lSt Birthday.

A large number of friends gathered
at the home of Mrs. Maria Amesbury
Saturday evening in honor of Mrs.
Amesbury's list birthday. Over fifty
guests were present. The party was
delightfully."- entertained by music by
the mandolin club, after which refresh
ments were served. Mrs. Amesblry
was the recipient of many handsome
presents.
Danville intelligencer. [volume] (Danville, Pa.) 1859-1907, 1906-03-30
Guardian Appointed,

A short session of court was held
yesterday morning with Associate
Judges Blee and Wagner on the bench.
Arthur Leighow was appointed guard
ian for his minor children, Benjamin
A., Mary j., William Elroy, Isaiah j..
and Amos Vastine Leighow.
Danville intelligencer. [volume] (Danville, Pa.) 1859-1907, 1906-03-30
Called to BIOofnsburg.

The vestry of st. Paul's Episcopal
church, Bloomsbury, yesterday extend
ed call to Rev. Riggles, rector at
Marietta, Pa, formerly rector of Christ
church, Berwick, to succeed Rev. r.
$. Nichols, who recently resigned to
accept the pastorate of the Newark,
N. j., church. Rev. Riggles has been
asked to begin his work in Blooms
burg the first Sunday after Easter.
Danville intelligencer. [volume] (Danville, Pa.) 1859-1907, 1906-03-30
WILL LEAVE TODAY.

H. Goldman, who has been in busi-
ness in Danville four years, will leave
ON the 12 IA train today for Baltimore
whence after some three weeks he will
proceed to Pittsburg where he will be-
come a member of the Belgium Wool
len company, a new firm which was
organized about January lst. Mr.
Goldman is fair lealing and enter
prising business man and during his
stay in Danville he made large num-
ber of friends.
Danville intelligencer. [volume] (Danville, Pa.) 1859-1907, 1906-03-30

At this writing the outlook for peace
bewteen the bituminous coal operators
and miners looks less hopeful than at
any time during the pending trouble.
1t is an old saying that the darkest
hour of the night prceedes the dawn.
Danville intelligencer. [volume] (Danville, Pa.) 1859-1907, 1906-03-30

Cleanliness is not only next to godli-
ness, but it Is necessary to public
health. 1t is time for citizens to clean
up the Winter accumulation of rub
bish about their premises, if any ex-
istS
Danville intelligencer. [volume] (Danville, Pa.) 1859-1907, 1906-03-30

Russia. intends to spend 800. 900, 900
on anew navy in the next two years.
What's the use. The Gar first needs
the imam behind the gun" Between
mutiny and bureaucracy, and poor
gunneIs, Russia needs to spend her
money in other directions than battle
ships.
Danville intelligencer. [volume] (Danville, Pa.) 1859-1907, 1906-03-30

Those who are constantly complain
ing of having no place to go ON Sun
day are reminded that our churches
are all we'll heated and furnished with
nice, comfortable upholstered seats,
Danville intelligencer. [volume] (Danville, Pa.) 1859-1907, 1906-03-30

The operators and the miners have
to the end of the present week to ad-
Just their differences and then, if they
fail, the helpless public can prepare
to bear the brunt of the industrial
warfare.
Danville intelligencer. [volume] (Danville, Pa.) 1859-1907, 1906-03-30
Funeral of r1rs. Shut.

The funeral of Mrs. Harrison Shut
will take place Friday afternoon at 2
O'Clock from the family residence
West Mahoning street.
Danville intelligencer. [volume] (Danville, Pa.) 1859-1907, 1906-03-30
Marriage License,

A marriage license was granted yes
terday at the prothonotary' office to
George James, Of Danville, and Miss
Maud Laycock, of Bloomsburg,
Danville intelligencer. [volume] (Danville, Pa.) 1859-1907, 1906-03-30

Three companies, C,of the Twelfth; ;
d, Of the Fourth and l, of the Thir-
Jeenth, had but one man absent and
six companies, B, of the Fourth; A
and d, of the Thirteenth; H, of the
Eighth F. of the Ninth, and A, of
the Twelfth. had but two men absent.
The largest number of absentees in
any one company was 10 in Company
ii, of the Twelfth.
Danville intelligencer. [volume] (Danville, Pa.) 1859-1907, 1906-03-30
Attendance at Spring Inspection.

The inspections in the Third brigade
N. g p, were concluded in Tamaqua
on March nth, when Company B,
Eighth Regiment passed before the in
spectors. This company was to have
been inspected in February, but owing
to the smallpox epidemic it was neces-
sary to postpone it, The attendance
was an Improvement over year ago,
the absentees heinp as follows.
Danville intelligencer. [volume] (Danville, Pa.) 1859-1907, 1906-03-30

Eternal vigilance will be necessary
to compel more strict enforcement of
the cigarette law.
Danville intelligencer. [volume] (Danville, Pa.) 1859-1907, 1906-03-30

twenty companies, including Co. +,
of this city, presented the minimum
for inspection and secured the coveted
100 per cent, but Company B, Eighth
Regiment, was the only company to
actually have every member present
and in uniform. The companies at
tanning 100 per cent were distributed
rs follows:
Danville intelligencer. [volume] (Danville, Pa.) 1859-1907, 1906-03-30

Rubber shoe days have arrived at
last.