davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1909-11-11

On East Fifth street in Blooms
burg is grove of fine old trees
The grove belongs to the Blooms
burg Land Improvement Com .,any
1t formerly belonged to Nesbit anc
TIoyt.
On June 18th, 1886, The Oal
Grove Park Association was organ
lied under a charte-, with capita
stock of $Io, 900, "for the purpose
of purchasing or leasing grounds tc
be fitted up as park within the
Town of Bloomsbury, or in any
other portion of the county, to be
used for holding celebrations, pic
MICS and for any and all purposes
for which similar places are used. "
The incorporators were w. r.
Tubbs, Harman and Hassert, ]. R.
Schuyler, Buckalew Bros. J. c,
Brown, R. c. Neal, David Lowen-
berg. John f. Peacock, J. H. Mer-
Ger, J. w. Gibbs, l. w. McKelvy,
Jas. McCloskey, Geo. Z. Elwell.
John L Meyer, H. c. Grotz, C.
w. Neal, G.. w. Creveling, c. B..
Robbins. +. Jacoby, L. 7. Sharp
less F. P. Billmyer, L. E. Waller,
c. M. Creveling, Isaac S. Kuhn,
and c. w. Miller.
The Board of Directors consisted
of Messrs. Lowenberg, Kuhn, P.
S. Harman, Brown, Meyer, and
Miller. A lease was obtained from
Nesbit and the Hoyt heirs, for the
grove, and it was named Oak Grove
Park.
The company proceeded a once
to beautify the grove, and to put it
in condition for the purposes for
which they proposed to use it. The
grounds were cleaned up, walks
made, and high board fence built
around it. A large rustic dancing
pavilion was erected, a fountain
put in, kitchen and other build
ings and booths put up, with all
modern conveniences. A number
of swings were purchased, and ar
rangements made with the owner
of merry-go-round, who set his
machine up in the grounds. 1t was
an ideal spot, and was very liberal
ly patronized.
Many picnics were held there,
and the pavilion was often used at
night by dancing parties. For a
couple of years there were large
excursions run here over the Lack
awanna road, and the grounds were
free, the Park Company having an
agreement with the Railroad Com.
pany that the latter would pay
certain sum per capita for each
they brought to the
grounds.
Some of the excursions were run
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1909-11-11

will bave to be torn down.
The loss on the stock is probably
SIS, 900, with $50, 900 insurance.
The building was worth $500
and on this the insurance is S2o,-
900. All the new fall stock of
goods was in, and large line of
holiday goods had just been receiv-
ed. Besides the loss on goods and
building, Mr.. Purseps loss in trade
just at this busy season, and the
holidays approaching, will be heavy.
The Pursel store is one of the
oldest business stands in town, and
one of the finest in this section.
For many years it was the Nickel
Wy, Neal & Co. store, and for twen-
ty-hve years l. w. McKelvv's. In
1894 +. P. Pursel and 8. H. Har-
man purchased it, and at the end
of year Mr.. Pursel bought Mr..
Harman's interest. For the past
so years the store has had :he rep
utation of keeping the largest and
best line of goods in the county,
and has enjoyed a very large pat
ronage. Mr.. Pursel rebuilt the
building, making three story
building 46 by II2, instead of two
stories 46 by 60. The stock was
more than double what it was when
he purchased the business. The
employees in the store number
twenty-five.
Just what Mr.. Pursel will do at
once is not known. 1t has been
suggested that he may open store
temporarily in the Supplee build
ing, aud if so, it will not be long
before he does it. 1t is certain,
however, that the old stand will be
rebuilt and Iestocked as soon as it
is possible to do it.
FIRE NOTES.
During the Pursel fire sandwich
es and coffee were served to the
firemen by c. w. McKelvy, Frank
Bomboy, U. G. Morgain, and the
Exchange Hotel.
Amandus Sobers, Winona fire.
man, had his hands cut by glass,
and was bruised by falling down a
ladder. He was taken to the hos
pital.
Harold Meyer received scalp
wound from broken glass that fell
from a window.
More than dozen of the firemen
were cut on their faces or hands by
broken glass.
There was six feet of water in
the cellar, and this was pumped
out by the Friendship steamer.
The entire stock is complete
ruin.
Fire broke out at intervals dur
ing the day, the last one being at
about o:3o in the evening. "A line
of hose from the court house plug
was kept ready for use, and watch
men were OH guard.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1909-11-11
Bloomsburg's Worst Fire.
F. p PurseIs Large Department Store Totally De-
stroyed by the Fiery Element.
FIREMEN DID SPLENDID WORK.

The most destructive fire that
Bloomsbury has ever known was
that of Wednesday morning, when
the large department store of +. P.
Pursel on Market Square was burn
ed.
Robert d. Young noticed the
smoke as he left the M0rRing Press
office few minutes before six
o'clock. On looking further he
found it came from the store, and
he turned on the fire alarm. SAM
uel Metz noticed the smoke about
the same time, and going to the
west side of the building he saw
flames through the cellar window.
He says it was not near the fur
mace, but in the back end of the
cellar near the elevator shaft,
among some barrels and boxes on
the floor. This would preclude the
possibility of The fire starting either
from the furnace or from an cleo
trio wire.
Mr.. Young and several Others
ran for the Winona nose cart, and
soon had line of hose to the store.
The fire alarm rang but once, num-
Der Is. and it was little while
before all the other companies were
on the ground. Before long, how
ever, eight streams were being
thrown in the building, and hose
was brought from the Magee Car
pet Mill and Harman & Hassert' s,
and several more streams put on.
The steamer was brought out when
it became apparent that the force OF
the main water pipe was not suffic-
lent to drive the water from so
many lines to the roof.
The smoke was so dense that 1t
was impossible for the hremen to
enter the building, so all they could
do was to throw water through the
windows. In spite of their efforts
the fire gradually ate its way up in
the rear of the building until it
reached the roof. Creeping along
under the tin roof it finally broke
through the center, and at about 9
o'clock the roof fell in.
The third and first floors were
burned through and fell in later.
1t was a stubborn fire, and 1t
looked at one time as though the
building would be totally destroy
ed, but by splendid work and per-
sistent effort the firemen finally got
it under control. Flames would
appear in one spot and water turn
ed on it until it was subdued, when
it would break out in another place,
and SO it went for six hours, until
the fight was won, and the hre en-
tirely under control.
The entire contents of the build
ing are ruined. The damage to the
building is great, but its extent
cannot be ascertained until an ex-
animation shows whether the walls
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1909-11-11
DEEDS RECORDED.

The following deeds have recent
" been entered on record by Re-
corder of Deeds Frank w. Miller:
Mary A. John to Matilda B. Laz-
arus for property in Bloomsbury,
Claude c. Paden and wife to Er-
nest F. Paden for property in Ber-
wick.
Henry Detrick and wife to Steph-
EN- Kisner tor property in Briar-
creek township.
Henry Shaffef to Stephen Kisner
for property in Briarcreek town
ship.
John Kisner and wife to Stephen
Kisner for property in Briarcreek
township.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1909-11-11
COUNCIL MEETING.

The Town Council met last Mon
day evening, at which pavements,
sewer extensions, and additional
street flights were discussed. One
thousand feet Of fire hose was or
dered from J. R. Schuyler,
A bill of $500 was presented by
M. T. Greasy for the loss OF a
horse which he claimed died from
lockiaw on account of its stepping
on a rusty nail on East Seventh
street.
Several bills were ordered paid,
and Town Treasurer Campbeiis S
report for the past month was ac-
cepted.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-05

guitar accompanimenD, "The Preacher
and the Bear" Fred Paugh; Medley,
by entire company; star Spangled
Banner" Miss Marguerite Goodman, in
which the audience was requested to
join in the chorus.
The program closed with a rOusing
number by the drum corps. it being a
representation of the commencement of
an attack Five members of the drum
corps beat the long roll together, and
with the firing of guns and cannon the
effect was realistic.
The entire program was interspersed
with jokes, which were well received,
and it was difficult to say which num-
ber on the program was the most ap-
preciated, as the Veterans and AuXili-
ary were generous in their applause.
The committee on this entertainment
was Royal Stott and J. A. Medlar Of
the Sons of Veterans, Mrs. Alleen An
derson of the Sons of Veterans Auxili-
airy and Mrs. Marie Scott and Mrs.
Fannie D. Collins of the Daughters of
Veterans.
The success of the entertainment was
largely due to Mrs. Willis Marks (stage
name, Carol MarshalD, who conduct
ed the final rehearsals and made up the
company for the performance,
Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-05
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF
GOOD TEMPLARS

The ninth district lodge met in
Hulrs hall. Santa Monica, August ~
and 2S. Thirty members took the dls-
trict lodge degree and six took the
grand lodge degree.
Miss Myrtle b. Shaw of Pasadena
was elected to represent the district
in the next grand lodge w. L. Hun
was recommended as district lodge
deputy.
Discussions on educational Work,
lodge Amusements' and Good of
Order Programs" were led-by l.. A.
Swan, ]. K. Galbraith and Miss EN-
ma Riddell. Friday night Grand Chlet
Templar Irons spoke on the first SUD-
ject.
Friday evening a public entertain
ment was held in the First Methodlst
church Grand Chief Templar irons
of Los Angeles gave an address on
Shall We Trouble the Saloon When
the Saloon Doesn't Trouble Us? Inc
Saturday discussions were on "The
Model Lodge" and were led by W. l.
Hull of Santa Monica and j. H. 'HouI-
gate of Pasadena.
Election and installation of officers
took place. The officers are:
District Chief Templar, Miss Myrtle
B. Shaw, Pasadena; district counclilor'
r. Taylor, Los Angeles; district wee
Templdfs MISS EullH Col lCli"S'
Monica: district superintendent OF
Juvenile temples, Mrs. Swain, Bur
bank: district electoral superintendent,
A. Dobbins, Los Angeles; district sec
retary, Mrs. Rose Burness, Los An
geles; district treasurer, F. L. Mckib-
bon, Los Angeles; district marshal,
P. A. Peterson. Los Angeles; district
guard, Miss Effie POrtor, Norwalk;
district sentinel, II. A. Thorton, Ar
tesla: district messenger marshal,
Charlotte Newton, Norwalk.
The following officers were ap-
pointed. Chaplain, Miss Mary Bon
noff, Los Angeles; assistant secretary,
Miss Bertha Bonnoff, Los Angeles;
organist, Miss Edith Thornton Nor
walk.
Merrill lodge No. 299 gave lively
social in Eureka hall, l. o. o. F. build
ing, 22OA South Main street, Monday
evening
Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-05

The Hon Mrs. Meredith. sister of Sir
Everard .......... Mrs. Osmond Helping
Miss Una Foxwood, his daughter'. ;,:....,,.
..............,...... Miss Nlrgle hesldh
Mrs Vandervast. formerly Miss Grace
StranEcway, the only Juliet. t......., .
Mrs Margaret Mcconnell
Time-Act /, Feb. IA; act ,, july - aGl
3 July >. Scene-Sir Everard Foxwood :
house at Kew ... rt
Frank H. Trimble. stage electrician III
rection of Messrs, Ernst and Helping
After rendition Of play the floor Will be
cleared for informal dancing.
Angelus council, Young Mems insti-
tnte has elected the following named
officers: Chaplain, the Rev. Joseph
Barron: president, c. H. COREY; hrSt
vice president, Edward b. Henhessy'
second vice president, Joseph G. Rosso;
financial secretary, Rich W. Kelly 1r,;
treasurer, Clarence Collins; marshal
Emmet Cragin; speaker, Walter L..
Sowinski: inside sentinel, Clarence
Roth; outside sentinel, William Sexton.
The following committees have been
Executive-Parnoll Callahan, John
Joseph Haley. Jr.: Walter L. Sowinski
nVestigating-John S. Fleming, Rob
ert Zethmaier William Warboys..
Arbitration-Clem J. Hennessy, J. l..
Pico. L. A. Ghiotto.
Attendance-Frank Malloy, Harry j..
NJ. DoIan, Charles Trieber.
Membership-Dr. f. W. Hlhckle'
James McAuliffe, A. Kaufman.
Good of the order-Leo FRANKIE,
Clarence Roth. Elmer Odette.
Employment-C. H. Coffey, p. Gala
han, ]. Fleming.
Council deputy-A. J. Meth.
Pianist-R b. Schutten.
Manager ball team-Roy Murray.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-05

"ON. Charles E. Whelan, supreme
national lecturer for the Modern
IL Woodmen of America, is one of
the most eloquent speakers ON the
American platform. He has been in
the lecture field for many years and
has many admirers in every part of
the country who never lose an oppor-
tunity to hear him. At the present time
he draws much of his inspiration from
the more than a million satisfied mem-
bers of the great society to which he
is devoting the best efforts of his life.
He will speak for the Modern Wood
men of Southern California and their
friends in the auditorium in Venice
Monday. September 8, at 1:3O p. m.
Hon. j. o. Burgess, district deputy
for the eighth district, California, Will
be one Of the speakers of the day at
Venice, September g. Neighbor Burgess
is one of the big hearted, energetic,
tireless kind of workers who has the
society of the Modern Woodmen, the
greatest fraternal society in the world
always in mind. He never finds him
self too much fatigued to respond to
the call from the strongest or the
weakest camp in his district, and has
thus won the confidence and the hearty
cooperation of all the members Of his
district. The class OF work ne is 90
ing can be appreciated when it is un-
derstood that his district is RESPONSE
BILE for almost one-third of the new
certificates issued for the entire state
in the last six months, embracing al
together nine districts.
Hon. H. Rees is state deputy head
consul for California. He will be one
of the principal speakers at the picnic
at Venice tomorrow. NeighbOr Rees
has haG a rapid rise in the order of
Woodcraft as he is yet young man.
He occupied the position of deputy for
this district some years ago and has
many warm friends here who will be
glad to clasp his hand again and lis
Item to his MESSAGE. He is an able
Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-05

speaker and the association is fortu-
nate in securing his services FOR the
occasion.
The association met last night at
Golden state hall and made final ar
rangements for the picnic, all the
minor details being wound up and the
work completed so far as can be done
before the meeting in Venice tomor-
row morning. There the business OF
the association will be turned over
to Archie Newton, officer of the day.
and his aids, who will look after the
MANAGEMENT of the sports on Monday
and the competition drills on TUESDAY,
There will be no waiting for tardy
contestants on either day and those
not on hand ready to enter at the hour
appointed will be ruled out.
The Marathon race will be run from
First ard Spring streets. starting at
o'clock a. m The route has been
marked out and guides provided FOR
the runners. Entries can be made in
this race to one hour before the race
begins. The number OF entries made
so far fnr this race is very satisfactory
to the committee, but others VIII De
accepted should applications be made.
The other events promise great sport.
as there are plenty Of entries for all
of them Every camo has its tug-ot l.
war .earl. its relay race team, one
hundred yard dash men, claimants fer
the prizes II the sack race, hop race,
greasy pole climbing contest, swim
ming bouts ard all the rest.
Those who get their orders for villas
i'm early will be fortunate, for Mr. Nc
Carver. who mas the management of
the villa city, said yesterday that it
looked as il the company would have
tc move out to accommodate the
Woodmen, as almost every unoccupied
villa hal ALREADY been engaged end
orators were coming by the score. From
MI indications 4ha greatest crowd that
ever attended a Modern Woodmen
meeting will be present at Venice sun
day. Monday and Tuesday.
The official button that is to be
Worn by the Woodmen to gain admis-
sion to some of the pleasdrcs at the
seaside resort are selling rapidly and
the chances are that more will have to
bA r,ri1tC,i
Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-05

HVERYTHING is in readiness for
II Conaty councils high class enter
~ tainment and social to be given at
Elks hail. 291 South Spring street, next
Wednesday evening Rehearsals have
been going on for the last two months
and are now completed, and the repro
duction of Nat GoodWin's celebrated
play, "A Gold Mine, " will again demon
strate the progress of the Young Mems
institute in Los Angeles. In the orig
inal production of this play-same cast
"a tremendous success was scored, and
it has been the aim and object of all
interested to make its second presen-
tation still greater success. The male
characters are all assumed by mem
bers of Conaty council, and in view of
the capable and splandid acting done
by these same members heretofore,
comment is unnecessary in this re-
gard. The women in the cast are all
particularly well placed. Mrs Osmond
Helping as the Honorable Mrs. Mere
dith is admirably adopted to the part.
Mrs Margaret Mcconnell as Mrs Van
derVast the only Juliet, will surely re-
peat her former great success and fine
Interpretation of this amusing char
acter. Miss Virgie Keelan as Miss Una
Foxwood is perfectly at home in the
part and her conception of the same
will again be staged with full scenic
equipment and the costumes to be used
are as elaborate as heretofore The
proceeds of the entertainment will be
applied to the organ fund of st
Patriek's church. Louis j. Finn is
director of the choir and the members
will render an incidental vocal number.
Music by Brother l.. Wurffs orchestra.
The committee in charge extends the
usual invitations.
The program as announced is as
follows: -..
snas X Woolcott of Grass Valley, CAL.
.......... t'N w ". II '1
Gerald Riordan, MP, of Ballynocks-
lottery. Ireland. ,........J W. Fullerton
Sir Everard Foxwood, senior partner OF
Foxwood & Co, Change alley, Lon
Julius Krebs. his confidential clerk
Whose position is embarrassing) =.
................... fldiotu Aiat'Nt'
1,yf1.op tbn awkward butler. Ralph w. Dorm
Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-05
LADIES OF MODERN
MACCABEES

Members of Angel City hive, No $40,
Ladies of the Modern Maccabees, were
entertained by Mrs. Bertha Chrlsty at
her home, $50 West Forty-sixth street.
last Friday. Luncheon was served on
the lawn. The tables were prettily
decorated with red and white. Large
American flags were used for awnings
and otherwise, making the occasion
appear patriotic as well as fraternal
2 The afternoon was devoted to music
and guessing contests. Mrs. Edna
White won the first prize and Deputy
Commander Thompson the consola-
ton. The next social day will be with
Mrs. Roberts, 954 New Hampshire
street, October l.
The next business meeting of the hive
will be held September 10 at 2 p. m. in
Burbank hall. All members are re-
quested to be present, as important
business will be transacted.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-05

Gus contests. 1t will be an all-day sf-
fair, filled full of the interesting and
comic. There will be dancing in the
afternoon and evening in the big pa
vilion. A picture of the homestead
having the largest attendance will be
taken and presented to the winners.
One of the members has burst out
in the following;
$50, if you don't know what to do,
sister, l will tell you: Just take the
yellow GarVanza car and to Mineral
park you go. Get off at the bridge.
You'll find a little winding path that
will lead to where the fatted calf will
be served at half-past g.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-05
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF
ODD FELLOWS

Canton Los Angeles
%M-W will give grand ball at
49, ~ Goldberg -Bosley hall next
Thursday night to raise funds to de-
fray the expenses of the drill corps of
twenty-one members to the grand en-
campment at Woodlands, october 5-10.
Enterprise encampment will confer
the patriarchal degree and elect dele
gates to the grand encampment next
Friday night.
Goodwill lodge will confer the third
degree next Thursday night.
Los Angeles lodge will give instruc-
tions in the second degree next Wednes-
day night.
Silver Leaf Rebekah lodge, No 267,
meeting at the hall at Pico and El Mo-
limo streets, has postponed its enter
tainment from September to is. There
will be a good program, consisting of
comic songs and recitations, vocal and
instrumental music, mandolin and
guitar duet, a character sketch entitled
informing Glory Wins etc, and will
close with stereopticon views.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-05

SySS3AXA4N<< county nave ulilNOh WIN
" the Riverside and San
h< Bernardino county lodges
I$1sSN in a picnic project for
September 3 at Urbita
Springs This has grown
to be a yearly celebration,
and the enthusiasm as well as the
crowd grows with each event.A good
time is promised all who attend.
Thursday night, September 2, Los
Angeles lodge, No. l, formally enter
tanned it's escort team with an enter
tainment in the lodge room, and re
freshments in the banquet room. Inc
affair was a mark of appreciation OF
the laurels won by the team on the re-
cent Seattle trip.
Wednesday night, September 1, the
Association of Presidents and Past
Presidents held the regular quarterly
meeting in the Home Office building.
one of Mrs. Lanes suppers brought
out about thirty guests, who enjoyed
an hour or more at the festal board
and then adjourned to the parlors,
where election of officers and other
business took up another hour, follow
ing which some profitable time was
passed in discussing the changes IN the
constitution and laws. A musical pro-
gram was also a feature of the even
ngs entertainment.
The past week was a busy one So
cially in Fraternal Brotherhood circles,
and this week promises the same ac-
tivity.
San Diego lodge, No. Is, is very
proud of the furniture just purchased
for it's new hall, which it expects to
occupy about November l. San Diego
ranks sixth on the list of big ones, and
what has placed it there is some of this
very same ambition displayed in the
hail enterprise.
At the open meeting of Hermosa
lodge, No. 80, last week many We're re-
warded with a good program, including
dancing, games etc.
Lieut. Gen. G. S. Adolph passed last
week in camp with the u. r. K. of p.
at Santa Barbara.
can aboard for Redondo!" was the
slogan of the Los Angeles lodges dur
ing last week, eliminating in the pic
mic at Redondo Saturday. The neigh
boring lodges that were in the vicinity
of the beach availed themselves of the
opportunity to enjoy a day at the sea-
side. Games, races and the usual
sports were indulged in during the day
and dancing in the pavilion at night
concluded a pleasant days outing.
Commander-in-Chief James A. Fo-
shay and Lieut.. Gen. George 5. Adolph
and staff will be the guests of the four
companies of the uniform rank at a
| banquet September II. The affair Will
be given as an aftermath of the sue
cessful encampment at Seattle. The
different toasts are being assigned,
with Commander-in-Ch Foshay as
| toastmaster
La Grande lodge enjoyed a smoker
| last Friday evening, at which quite a
bunch were present. Brother Whitesell,
as usual, attended to the refreshments
and rewarded the successful card play
ers with boxes of cigars. The band
played industriously during the even
| ing. Brother Clements descended to
Redondo yesterday and engineered the
sports for the fraters and sisters there
! assembled.