Ambler Gazette |
Previous | 1 of 8 | Next |
|
small (250x250 max)
medium (500x500 max)
Large
Extra Large
large ( > 500x500)
Full Resolution
All (PDF)
|
This page
All
|
Loading content ...
The Ambl VOL. XVI.-NO. 38. NORRISTOWN LETTER. "Old Friend" Opens Up a Mew Line of Thought—Kvery Change Hot Always a Step of Pi-ogres*—Capital Punishment a Relic of Rarbariim—Democrats Active. "Take these hides tothe tanyarl, " my father wonld say j and I threw them across the horse's hack and galloped away. In due season we got our leather, had our boots and shoes made and always had a supply of substantial material for footwear constantly oa hand. How are things changed, I will not say improved, for much as I waa criticised for my incredulity in my centennial poem in 1884, I still do not believe that every change is a step of progess. Tanyards have gone out of fashion in our countv, but they are not out of use in the United States, for leather is tbe next most important industry to agriculture in our country. Tanning, like spinning, is almost a lost art in this community. There are old familiar places to me where piles of bark lined the roadside and side yards along the vast vats at King-of-Prussia, Kvansburg, Lower Providence, "Upper Providence, Trappe and Norriton, and all over the countv. and even in Norristown, yet today I'count all the tanyards in the whole county on the digits of one hand. Ambler and the tannery under A. D. Faust's Sons, still operates with prosperity, I am informed, and the proprietors may be able to explain why others of the kind have passed away with the lapse of time. It is a studv for the local political economist, and I refer it to your lyceum for discussion, if the bicycle and baseball clubs have not also superseded the good old-fashioned country debating societies. Wendell Phillips, who was not afraid to speak what he thought, in his great lecture on "The Lost Arts," taught us that the ancients were far advanced in the arts and sciences and that manv of the most important arts had been lost, as, for instance, the making nf malleable glass. which our long lost fathers made and could roll up like window curtains made of paper. Changes are being made, of course, and if the sermon on the mount were to be delivered today it would abound in figures and parables relative to existing articles of husbandry and arts of civilisation of the 19th century; and Moses in his commandments would have spoken nf politics and electric lights and would have had no allusion to tbe coveting nf mv neighbor's ox or his ass, for indeed I have not a neighbor in the world who owns an ox or an ass, nnd if I had he might keep, them without any envy on mv part. That men, do not fear death, but seek it for surcease of sorrow, pain and * trouble is proven every day; therefore I have maintained that speedy death is what tlie murderer seeks; hence I am opposed to capital punishment, not only aa a relic of barbarism, but as a release from punishment to tbe murderer. Ofenrlp* o. TJ.n iser. i***&*^j*pfl-lJment.p£--n*iy prediction' in my'letters that till three of the conspirators would commit suicide if thev could obtain an opportunity, carried out this purpose on Thursday afternoon hy cutting the veins in his wrists and neck. This ends another chapter in the bloody tragedy of Oct. 88, 1800, the evening that thia hypocritical man betraved his wife with an ostentations kiss in front nf his shop in Norristown when he started out to. take her a pleasant ride, as he would have her and tbe neighbors to believe, bnt really to meet James A. Clemmer and Lissie DeKalb,to kill her and obtain tbe insurance on her life. If I had seen him kiss her before they started and had been a police officer, I would have followed him, for I have no faith in the love of a man for his wife who has plenty of opportunities to kiss her in the sacred privacy of the home, but who makes a parade, of his prayers or his professions of devotion to God or woman in the public highway to be seen of men or beard and admired by the multitude. Christ saw so much of this that he was led to exclaim, "Take heed that you do not your alms before men, to be seen of them; do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do; and when thou .prayest be not as the hypocrites are; for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corner of the streets, that they may be seen of men.'' Was Clemmer standing near when tbat kiss was given? "Now he that betrayed him (Christ) gave them a sign , saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, the same is he; hold him fast;" then Judas kisssed him and betrayed him. ' From that bour honest people mistrust the man wbo kisses his wife to be leen of men. There will be a few more brief chapters in this bloody drama. The Democratic county committee was in session at Norristown on Friday last and many- candidates seeking nominations were on band to meet the members from the various districts. The committee met at the Rambo House, the Democratic headquarters for the last 50 years, and fixed on Sept. 30 next as tbe time, and the court house as the place, for the Democratic countv convention. Jesse Fronefield, of Norristown, and Jos. C. Beyer, of Norriton, candidates for sheriff, and L. B. Pen- nell, of Norristown, candidate for assembly ; Jacob V. Gotwalts, spoken of for judge, and others were in attendance. Neville D. Tyson has written a letter announcing his support of Weand to succeed himself as judge. Mr. Tyson, however, belongs to the gold wing of the Democracy, which has no strength in this county; but he expresses the sentiments of the members of the bar. Lawyers are more conservative in their sentiments than laymen. They believe in competency and fidelity iii officers. Laymen generally profess to have no faith in lawyers. The fact is they do not know the difference between a lawyer and a mere attorney; tbat is,theyareno respecters of persons, when in truth they should be. Men should respect qualifications in everv art, employment and profession; and not treat the pretender and tbe proficient with equal preferment. Did it ever occur to you tbat lawyers are made the ultimate and final arbiters in all matters in state and nation which are the subjects of litigation and legislation. The judges of the supreme court of tbe United States can decide upon all congressional enactments, and the judges of the supreme court of Pennsylvania upon the enactments of the state legislature, and all these judges must be lawyers. The profession of the law is a department of tbe government, made so by our constitution from the very foundation of the nation; and besides, 20 of tbe 24 presidents have been lawyers, and 18 of the vice presidents. McKinley and Hobart are lawyers; Reed, the speaker, and five members of the cabinet also. The expressed hope of the Democracy at this time in this county is that the Republicans, they believe, will have two complete tickets in the field. Tbe Republicans fixed the day for their convention too early. By _ the 13th they may not yet be reconciled. I suggested some time ago that there ought to be a rule like tbat in Philadelphia; a convention for each office. The contest for the legislature mav endanger the prospects of the candidates for the other offices. For if there be two Republican tickets they will both go down in defeat: any school boy can calculate that, when tbe Democrats are divided the Republicans win, and vice versa. But worse than all, in seditions bad men rise to honor. If one section should nominate a good man. that very nomination might destroy him in the estimation of the opposing* section and prevent his selection by both. If the convention of the 13th of September could be composed of statesmen we would have no fear of the issue; but if tricksters and demagogues are to dominate, with no voice of wisdom to control, with no seer to portray the consequences of fanaticism and frenzy, with no guide to control the cataracts and bring the contending elements into one common, compact and conquering flood, the power nf the Republican party will disperse and scatter in thia county and lose itself in the continuous woods where roll the orgies of ruin and hear no sound save their own ravings. Let them look at the consequences of the fight for senator in Maryland and take note. OLD FRIEND. Jarrettown. The list of vegetables available for marketing at this season of the year is quite large. Unfavorable weather conditions earlier in the year made the supply very short during July, but the prospects are that tbere will be plen y during thejiall months. Bartlett pears are very scarce tbis year. Some varieties, such as Seek el, Doyenne D'Ette, Clapp's Favorite and Kietfer, are more plentiful. A few potatoes have been harvested for present marketing, but the yield ia very disappointing. The turnpike from here io Maple G len is in good condition for wheeling. Whooping cough has made its appearance. Several children are suffering from this troublesome complaint. The school building has received a .thorough cleaiwns^iu readiness for the opening of the new term next 'Monday. The school board will meet the teachers of the district in the Jarrettown school on Saturday afternoon of this week to arrange the course of instruction for tbe term. The vertical system of pen manship will probably be introduced. Some instruct ion in , the elements of vocal music will also.be given. Mrs. Neal and Mrs. Samuel L. Fisher were quite unwell daring last week. M. J. Dillon unloaded a carload of I. P. Thomas' fertilisers recently. Watson T. Wood has been painting and trimming some wagons for Jacob TT Comly. He is also painting his bouse for him. Thomas H. Seal, secretary of the school board, has the tax duplicate ready for the collector to receive the school tax. The triennial assessment returned about the same value of taxable property in the township as in previous years. E. C. Williams has been unfortunate in losing two of his horses recently. One of them it is thought was kicked by another horse last Saturday night, breaking his leg. Miss Annie Megargee, who resided here when a little girl, has heen visiting relatives here this week. About 16 years ago sbe moved with her father, Augustus Megargee, to Martinsburg, Pa. Our hilly country sbe thinks very flat compared with the mountain region southwest of Altoona, where she resides. Mr. Beyer is taking a vacation. He has arranged for the various services of the church during his absence. Mr. John Rodemich will bave charge next Sunday morning. AMBLER, PA., Gazette GUST 25, 1898. 81.25 A YAER Some of our local fishermen had quite an interesting experience on the Perkiomen last week during the sudden rise of that stream, which caught a number of brother fishermen in a bad predicament, but they were safely rescued by one of the Narcissa club. Two of the Cold Point disciples of Isaak Walton and one from Narcissa tried it again on Friday, but found the stream high and muddy and returned borne at midnight with one eel and one catfish, but strange to say, this experience did not seem to dampen their ardor. Henry Rhoads, of Hickorytown, well known all over Plymouth and surrounding neighborhood, died suddenly last week. His remains were Interred at Cold Point cemeteay. Willie Ambler, of Plymouth, was taken to the hospital last week for an operation for appendicitis. At last reports he was improving slowly. F. J. Seltzer and daughter Ida have gone on a trip to Lewiaburg to visit relatives. Whitemarsh. Mrs. Laura R. Rickard has returned from a visit at Conshohocken. Rev. Samuel Snelling is abroad and will return by the 1st of September. Wm. Spence Harvey, Esq., has returned from the seashore. The tollgate on the Skippack is again occupied. Jos. Mehaffy's store came near being robbed last week, but the thieves were scared off. St. Andrew's Brotherhood club and reading room will be opened the 1st of next month. KAISER A SUICIDE. OrelHiui. f ,.;Mr. and Mrs. Wm. P. Albrecht spent Bus Convicted Wife Murderer Clients thetFriday last at Baltimore. Callow.—Cat Several Arteries and Tied /'-'-Miss Mary Jones, of Fort Waslling- a Sheet Around HI. Neck-Onietlv Buried [¥' "I*** Sunday in this town Visiting . ._.. __ Miss Rena Poole. r",st smui»y «■• Philadelphia. ij, Ireland M. I. mission Sunday school Charles O. Kaiser, Jr., the convicted will hold their picnic at the Oreland wife murderer, committed suicide baseball grounds on Wednesday, Aug. 31. Thursday afternoon in his cell in the A fruit supper will be served in the Norristown jail. He had cut several evening. All are cordially . Invited, arteries in his arms and had also made Tb< Ambler quartette of tbe M. E. a noose out of a piece of sheeting, and, wirch will be present and render val- placing it around his neck, the other ruable service. end was tied to the spigot. It is not .jjMiss Lottie Fell, who has been spend- yet certain whether he died of strangu- in* the past week here visiting Miss lation or of bleeding to death. IJtura Poole, returned iiome on Satur- Undeikeeper Wm. Lens discovered . <Sh[ >**t the body at 4.30 o'clock. 15 minutes' wenrge Aiman, accompanied by Miss previously he had had a talk With Kai I «"«' Sands, spent Saturday and Sunday ser. At that time Charles was reelining '«* at Atlantic City, on bis cot. It is now believed that! *ilbam Edsall, of Philadelphia, left when Lena was talking to him he wae '<"<# home on Monday last after spend- then bleeding to death. When the j fag two weeks vacation at Fwtwater- body was lifted up tbe bed clothing wag,! ___ saturated with blood. Kaiser had taken a small clock apart, securing the spring. This he used to cut the arteries in his arms. There were three gashes in his arms. At the time the suicide was committed the board of prison inspectors were holding ti meeting in the offlce of the prison to decide on the erection of the gallows. Kaiser was aware of the meeting, and i; is assumed that he was so wrought up over the matter that he took his life. Kaiser had told a, cellmate several months ago that he would never be hanged on a gallows. For th& past few months, however, he haj^ occupied a cell by himself. A deal watch had heen talked of by the prisT officials, but it had not yet been dec« ed upon. Since Governor Hastings fixed the day for the execution Kaiser bas been de| pondent and could not eat. Whin M went on the stand to testify again his accomplice, James A. Clemmer, lay June, the convicted murderer weighs 211 pounds. On Tuesday, the 18th, h| was put on the scales by Sheriff Johnspl and it was found that he had droppra to 177 pounds. When James A. Clemmer was ii| formed of the suicide of Kaiser he saidf "That don't surprise me; I had expect'-* ed it." The body of Kaiser was shipped t'?L Philadelphia Friday afternoon by Un-. | dertaker Hallman, having been claimed"' by the father of the murderer. The remains of Kaiser were interred cemetery ' on Sunday, held in Undertaker parlors, 1330. Poplar] Misses Habach Arnholt Dunn, of visiting was reported in as having ac- Henry Shaffer, 1 the offer and Mr. Harrison's in Mount Peace services being Pfeizenmeier's street. Kaiser was convicted of the murder of bis wife, Mrs. Emma O. Kaiser, on Oct 28, 1896. Kaiser and his wife len their store on West Main street, Norristown, for the purpose of taking a drive. They drove through Bridgeport and went as far as the Bird-in-Hand J hotel. Kaiser then drove in the direct^l ion of Bridgeport by way of-the' Crtok^-4 ed Lane road. They had 'not gone far' before Mrs. Kaiser was shot and killed; by a supposed highwayman. The bullet entered her brain and sbe was instantly killed. Kaiser stuck to the stray that he had been held up and robbed. Early next morning the police visited the scene and found a revolver and some jewelry hidden under a stone. They came to the conclusion that Kaiser waa the guilty party and placed him under arrest. He was tried and convicted and the case was carried to the supreme court. The decision of the lower court was affirmed and Kaiser was sentenced to be hanged. Governor Hastings on July 6 fixed Sept. 6 as the day of tbe execution. During the trial of Kaiser it was brought out that he had placed $10,000 insurance on the life of his wife. It was contended tbat he had two accomplices, James A. Clemmer and Elisabeth DeKalb. Tbey were not arrested until November, 1807. Mils DeKalb was captured in Trenton and Clemmer in Newark. Clemmer was put on trial here in June and was convicted of murder in the first degree. During the pro; gress of the trial Kaiser sent word to the district attorney that he wished to go on the stand and testify against Clemmer. He said that he wished to relieve his soul and did not want any clemency shown him for the part he took in securing the conviction of Clemmer. He tnen went on the stand and stated that he and Clemmer bad plotted to kill Mrs. Kaiser to secure the f 10.000 life insurance. Kaiser had agreed to the killing, and Lissie DeKalb, the notorious '' woman in black," had also been in the scheme. On the day of the murder the three conspirators had met and decided on the route to be taken. Kaiser also told of several other plots that bad been made to get rid of his wife, but everv time the scheme had been blocked. Clemmer was convicted principally on the testimony of Kaiser, and as the "woman in black" had already turned state's evidence, she escaped with a sentence of two years in jail and $200 fine. Charles O. Kaiser is not the first murderer to commit suicide in the Montgomery jail. In 1878 Heinriuh Walen committed suicide in his cell here by battering his brains out with the grating of the heating register. He was sentenced to death for murdering Max Hugo Hoehne, a young German who came to America to visit the centennial, and whose body was found at Elm station. Another suicide was a woman who was acquitted of the crime for whieh ahe bad been accused, but before the news of her acquittal reached her she was found dead in ber cell. Numerous others have committed suicide while in the jail for minor crimes. ilr. and Mrs. M. Collins am Minnie, Emma and Pauline were among the visitors at the mansion during the past week | Dr. Fell and Mr. and Mrs. Trenton, spent Sunday here Mf. and Mra. Poole. Daniel F. Stout, of this place, will be a candidate for delegate in Upper Dublin, West, favorable to the renomination of Jason Sexton. Edward Pierce, whe last week's " Gazette I [eepted a position under Horsham, has declined accepted a position at place. Glenside. Last Friday evening several of our Smug folks got up a straw ride in honor ffttv. Fell, of Trenton, who was the fuest of Miss Laura Poole for several lays. The party left the residence of It;- Wm. Poole, on Maple avenue, rant 7 p, m. tor North Wales, arriving jgiro about 10 o'clock, where they spent -jgeral hours in dancing and singing. Eur. Weber, who accompanied the fearty, rendered a fine solo on the cor- wf, assisted by Mrs. Fell on the piano, "flip party then entered the dining h-botn of the Colonial inn, where they "indulged in ice cream, cakes and jbnado after which they returned gne. Nothing happened to mar the isure of the party until they reach- Is Springhouse on their wav home, pm a breast chain on one of the irses broke, which was speedily re- fred by Mr. Harvey Blair. The fob fng comprised the party: Mrs. Fell, h Laura Poole, Miss Ruth Blair,- 88 Annie Auchy, Miss Rena Poole, May Jones, Miss May Walters, Mr. [ey Blair, Mr. Daniel Stout, Mi Mr. Wn Weber Blair. md daughter spent Blair, Mr. and Mr. Wm. Alex Stewart ly" and Mondav in 'Norristown ng-friends. t.Charles Ravior, Mr. Charles iippand Mr. Harry Dickinson touk Be colored camp meeting at Wynd- H§KJI*f o^.Satnrday .night.. _ ■5"Mr. and Mrs.'G: F. Ely- spent Sun- May with friends at Langhorne. ' Isaac Walton and the postmaster were out fishing last Friday evening. Tbey returned with 16 large "muskeeter bites. The fish had an evening off and had hired 'tiie mosquitoes to do their biting for them. Miss Lilian Closson, who spent several Weeks in our town, returned to the city last Friday. Morris Clymer, night operator at this station, was transferred to Glenside station, and Edward Pennell, assistant agent at Fort Washington, was appointed night operator in Mr. Clymer's place. SprinchouKe. The Union Sabbath school held their -picnic on Wednesday at Chalfont park. The children were conveyed to the park in large wagons furnished by members and friends of the school, and the ride, as well as the dinner, was greatly enjoyed by all present. During the storm on Thursday noon a large oak tree standing >f 8f untie after- in Ihe I Dane- Irvin -Dr. J. I. speaking Terry, of Trimble, Tenn.. in speaking of Chamberlain's Colic, Cholera and Diarrhoea remedy, says: "It has almost become a necessity in this vicinity." This is the best remedw in tbe world for colic, cholera morbus, dysentery and diarrhoea, and is recognized as a necessity wherever its great worth and merit become known. No other- remedy is so prompt or effectual, or so pleasant to take. Sold by J. s. Angeny. aug woods on the property hower was struck by lightning Shearer, residing on the Kathleen farm, nearly lost a couple of his cows. They were pasturing in the field, and the water rose so rapidly it washed them between the trees and they were rescued with much difficulty. A thief recently entered the premises of Hon. Jason Sexton and stole 20 young chickens from a coop in which they were confined for the night. John Besson, of Philadelphia, was a I Sunday visitor at the}home of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel J. Fleck. Mr. Besson is the son of Linfield S. Besson, a prosperous merchant of Philadelphia and formerly a resident of this neighborhood. Mr. and Mis. Anion Geiger and sow. Warren, and Elizabeth Hallman, all of Norristown, were Sunday visitors at the residence of Samuel Danehower. Miss Amanda Fleck, of Altoona, is spending some time at the residence her brother, I. W. Fleck. Broad Axe. JUPITER PLUVIUS REIGNS. A Terrible Downpour of Rain Deluge, the Lowland.—Wl.Hahiekon Become, a Riti;- hitf Torrent—Highe.t Water for n Generation—Dammee to Property. The storm which broke over Ambler last Thursday afternoon spent the greater part of its force to the northward about North Wales and Lansdale. From Ambler the great black clouds could be seen gathering nnd arraying themselves to tbe northward like a great army arranging its forces for a mighty charge. Very little damage was done about Ambler except from the washing along the Wissahickon creek, which at 4.30 o'clock had not become muddy, but at 6 was a raging torrent and for several hours had encroached upon all the adjoining lowlands, sweeping', everything before it. Vast quantities of timber, earth and refuse were flooded down, lodging at all points the waters subsided. At the bridge on west of the boroug were insufficient to flood and tbe water road and meadows to itong the banks as Butler pike just line the arches accommodate the overflowed the about five feet, making one of the greatest freshets in a generation and probably the greatest in ita history at this season of the year. Those in Ambler having occasion to cross the Wissahickon at this point were delayed several hours until waters had subsided. John McClean, of horse paoturing in the the Wissahickon, and was washed down meadows, until Im hours until thl Ambler, had a meadows along in the freshet he under bridges, over i tinullv landed in a >f Price has been enjoying the af Atlantic City for the past Mr. E. Ti pleasures two weeks. Miss Madeline Ramee,of Brooklyn, is spending a few weeks with her friend, Miss Charlotte Haas. Miss Gertrude Hellings entertained a number of her friends at her bome on Tuesday evening. Mr. Albert Harvey, of Cheltenham, is spending some time with his brother, H. R. Harvey. A number of friends gathered at hto home of Wm. Horrocks on Thursday evening, in honor of his birthday. There were many absent, owing to the heavy storm. Those who did brave it spent a very pleasant evening. Vocal and instrumental music was well rendered and enjoyed by all. Mr. Charles Horrocks, brother of the host, presented to bim, on the nut of his children, an arm chair, which was received with and surprise. Refreshments, and laughter were indulged in, after which the guests departed, wishing Mr. Horrocks many such bappy birthdays. pleasure '■names ai clump of bushes below Ambler, more dead tban alive. After the water bad subsided he paddled through and on Fridav morning turned up at Mr. McClean's stables in Ambler. Considerable damage was done to Mr. Bergner's iron fence along Butler pike. The force of the rushing water had twisted and bent it out of shape and it will take a large amount of labor to repair the damage. The storm was like a cloudburst at West Point, while beyond, at Belfrv, scarcely any rain fell. Considerable damage was done to property. The Hoover family were holding their reunion at Zieber's park, and tbe exercises had to be stopped, owing to the severity of the storm. People who came over from Norristown found the water so deep at the village station that the road could scarcely be crossed. The water reached the bottom of the carriages. The pasS^ngers were kept as prisoners in the station for several hours. The streams overflowed their banks, and great volumes of water boiled and bubbled on every side. The Wissahickon rose 15 feet and flooded II. W. Moyer A Co. '8 hay baling establishment, Frederick's -planing mill, Heebner's feed mill, ana Vaughan's brick yard. Tbe damage at Allen Thomas A Sons' Ea\y mill, where {he Wissahickon, became a raging'forre'ttt, "fa" tAi.t~tt.im ssbme.' Much sawed lumber lying on the banks was washed down the stream. I Mr. Thomas' hog pen was floated from its foundations and went partly down the seething stream. Tbere were three hogs in the pen and all were washed down stream and drowned. The flood also swept several cows away, but they swam out. Septimus Davis, a farmer living near Lansdale, -had a thrilling experience. While be was attempting to cross the small branch of tbe Towamencin creek, which runs through hia place, the rapidly rising flood carried him down the meadow several hundred feet before he could regain the land. At tbe tollgate near Kneedler station everything swam. The waters of the Wissahickon broadened in their course, on the east side of the turnpike bridge, as far as Joseph Boorse's, and it was impossible to cross tbe structure. Many teams after reaching the bridge from either side turned back again, fearing to cross, owing to the swiftness of the waters of the enlarged stream. Mrs. Rhoads, the tollgate keeper, was compelled to flee to the upper story of the gatehouse to escape the rushing water, which completely surrounded the dwelling. In Lansdale the storm continued for two hours without abatement, during which time the rain came down in a perfect torrent, flooding the streets and cellars in every part of the town. The new sewer running east and west through tbe two wards was unable to carry off the water, and for a time a deluge was feared in tbe East- ward. The damage to the streets of Lansdale will amount to hundreds of dollars, while the roads leading out of town contain deep washouts, making them almost impassable. The street in front of the station was entirely under water. During the storm the lightning and thunder were terrific, but Tittle damage was done. At North Wales the storm was even more severe. The railroad track from Gwynedd tunnel to the foundry above the station was covered with water from two to three feet in depth. About 50 telegraph poles which lay along side the roadbed were washed along with the swift current and deposited at various places wben the flood subsided. Edward Reckless' express train, bound for Scranton, which left Reading terminal at 3 o'clock, was compelled to stop at the north end of the Gwynedd tunnel, owing to the numerous washouts and the flood covering the tracks. The crew was obliged to wade the water waist deep to remove the telegraph poles floating around and examine tne tracks. The train was delayed three-quarters of an hour. The streets of North Wales were badly damaged. The opening made in the top of Gwynedd tunnel, about 50 feet of which is being removed, formed a sort of funnel, through which the waters rushed in a whirlpool, completely submerging the railroad tracks. All trains moved very slowly through the passage, and both the northbound and southbound express trains were stopped at North Wales. The damage done to the railroad track between Gwynedd and Lansdale is estimated at $300. The Neshaminy also rose rapidly and overflowed its banks, and much damage was sustained bv property owners along Its banks. Early Friday morning there was a second downpour and at 8 o'clock the stream was rising rapidly. The water at Chalfont nearly reached the bottom of the covered bridge. At Newtown the electrical part of the storm was very heavy, but tlie wind was terrific for a short time. The wind blew down the large oak tree in front of the residence of Cyrus B. White, on State street. In falling the tree brought down three telephone wires and the trolley wire, breaking off the pole like a pipe stem. For about 20 minutes tbe street was strewn witn live wires, making travel of all kinds dangerous if not impossible. A large force of men were put at work and by (i o'clock the trolleys were running. The breaking of the Standard Telephone wires caused a slight flre in the exchange office at Mrs. E. Mitchell, on Centre avenue. One end of the broken wire struck the large bulk window in Walter R. Elliott's pharmacy, breaking a large pane of glass. The lightning also burned out a fuse in one of- the trolley cars, rendering it unfit for use. In Royersford great damaee was done. Great boles were washed in nearly every street in town. A large stone arch over a spring was completely demolished and the mad rushing water carried the large stones nearly 200 feet through a culvert and dumped them into the Schuylkill canal. In Limerick township one of the. streams swelled so rapidly that the water, hacked up and soon flooded the farmhouse cellars, barns and springhouses. At Mingo, about a mile above Roy era- ford, Mingo creek rose so rapidly* that the banks soon overflowed and the highways were covered with several feet of water, causing the farmers to drive about four miles out of tbeir way in order to reach town. The Schuylkill river rose about six feet at Manayunk. The water came up very rapidly in the afternoon and for some time tbere was apprehension among the mill owners along the river that there would be a freshet. The rising water came to a standstill about 0 o'clock, when the most of the Perkiomen and the other creeks had passed down. Tlie highest water ever known in the Wissahickon was in July, 1865, when one Sunday afternoon a heavy downpour of rain took place, and was general all through the lower end of the county. Tbe creek was thu highest at night. It rose 10 or 12 feet above normal, which is about four feet above the highest point ever known. The water stood 14 inches deep en the bridge in Whitemarsh township on the Skippack pike. The water seemed to come down as an immense tidal wave, sweeping everything before it. Hogs, cows, sheep, horses, fencing, plows, harrows, etc., were swept right out of tbe fields Thousands and thousands of feet of fencing were swept down and a Whiter fts-ffling ifbacfWthe -iMmc^fSfflgfl izing a nice profit. * Joaeph Detwiler, of. Ambler, deceased, aaid at that time he had never seen the water so high before, nor had the previous floods of tbe Wissahickon done so much damage. Trees as thick .as a man's bodv were swent right over by the terrific force of the rushing water. At the Skippack pike in Whitemarsh, near the bridge; there was lodged after the waters had subsided a tree turned completely upside down, and among the roots was found tbe body of a black sheep. The carcass of a horse was found in Cleaver's meadow, and at the time the water rose into John Cleaver's house. Sandy Run, for the only time in the last 60 years, ran around the lower end of tbe old stone bridge on tbe Bethlehem pike. It flowed around the southern end of Conards' auger mill and was up to the window sills of the lower storv. There was immense damage done in Norristown by the waters of the Stony creek, which cleaned out several coal- yards. William Foulk, of Gwynedd, had just previously sold bis farm, and with his son had gone into the coal business in Norristown. The flood washed away his coal and even flooded his iron safe out of the offlce. Wentz's lumber yard was washed away and the proprietor nearly ruined by the loss. In lsyn there were high floods in both February and March, which swept away a lot of fencing, inflicting great loss to the farmers along the streams. The fence of Wm. T. B. Roberts in Whitemarsh was swept away twice. That from Cleaver's mill to the farm of Daniel Williams was also washed out twice, but was replaced by a wire fence, whicb stood last week's flood unscathed. Mlipl. have > Glen. commenced liggins Farmers potatoes. Horsham's supervisor has been at work on the roods over here. Evan J. Ambler, of Lambertville, spent Sunday at T. P. Conard's. Mrs. Belle Buckley and son, Leonard, of Yonkers, N. Y., are visiting at her aunt's, Sarah Ann Kenderdine. The regular monthly meeting of the Prospectville Y. W. 0. T. U. will be held at Thomas P. Conard's on Wednesday evening, Aug. 31. Full moon, everybody come. Master Jonathan Bright, of Norristown, has returned home after a 10 days' visit to his uncle, Thomas P. Conard. J. Paul Wilson, of Newtown, ■pent some time at the same place. On Mondav afternoon of tbis week O. Norman Beans met with what might have been a very serious accident, but fortunately no Bones were broken. While driving a two-horse cart the horses started suddenly, throwing him from the seat, the wheel passing directly over hie bead, bruising and cutting it severely. Drs. Yerkes and Reading were summoned and dressed the wound, which necessitates tbe wearing of a "night cap" for some time. Under Dr. Yerkes' care hopes of his speedy recovery are entertained Thomas H. Gamble is improving tho appearance of his place by grading and filling up the lane.
Object Description
Title | Ambler Gazette |
Subject | Newspapers -- Pennsylvania -- Montgomery County -- Ambler |
Description | A newspaper from the community of Ambler, Pa., this collection includes incomplete runs of the Ambler Gazette from 1897 to 1919. This is a weekly newspaper that reports news from multiple communities in Montgomery County. The local news reported in the paper is, in many cases, the only record of the development of the southern half of Montgomery County. The Ambler Gazette continues the Fort Washington Times. |
Publisher | A.K. Thomas |
Place of Publication | Ambler, Pa. |
Date | 1898-08-25 |
Location Covered | Ambler, Pa.;Montgomery County, Pa. |
Type | text |
Original Format | Newspapers |
Digital Format | image/tiff |
Source | Ambler |
Language | eng |
Rights | https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ |
Contact | For information on source and images, contact the State Library of Pennsylvania, Digital Rights Office, Forum Bldg., 607 South Dr, Harrisburg, PA 17120-0600. Phone: (717) 783-5969 |
Contributing Institution | State Library of Pennsylvania |
Sponsorship | This Digital Object is provided in a collection that is included in POWER Library: Pennsylvania Photos and Documents, which is funded by the Office of Commonwealth Libraries of Pennsylvania/Pennsylvania Department of Education. |
Description
Title | Ambler Gazette |
Subject | Newspapers -- Pennsylvania -- Montgomery County -- Ambler |
Description | A newspaper from the community of Ambler, Pa., this collection includes incomplete runs of the Ambler Gazette from 1897 to 1919. This is a weekly newspaper that reports news from multiple communities in Montgomery County. The local news reported in the paper is, in many cases, the only record of the development of the southern half of Montgomery County. The Ambler Gazette continues the Fort Washington Times. |
Publisher | A.K. Thomas |
Place of Publication | Ambler, Pa. |
Date | 1898-08-25 |
Location Covered | Ambler, Pa.;Montgomery County, Pa. |
Type | text |
Original Format | Newspapers |
Digital Format | image/tiff |
Identifier | Ambler_Gazette_18980825_001.tif |
Source | Ambler |
Language | eng |
Rights | https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ |
Contact | For information on source and images, contact the State Library of Pennsylvania, Digital Rights Office, Forum Bldg., 607 South Dr, Harrisburg, PA 17120-0600. Phone: (717) 783-5969 |
Contributing Institution | State Library of Pennsylvania |
Sponsorship | This Digital Object is provided in a collection that is included in POWER Library: Pennsylvania Photos and Documents, which is funded by the Office of Commonwealth Libraries of Pennsylvania/Pennsylvania Department of Education. |
Full Text |
The Ambl
VOL. XVI.-NO. 38.
NORRISTOWN LETTER.
"Old Friend" Opens Up a Mew Line of
Thought—Kvery Change Hot Always a
Step of Pi-ogres*—Capital Punishment a
Relic of Rarbariim—Democrats Active.
"Take these hides tothe tanyarl, "
my father wonld say j and I threw them
across the horse's hack and galloped
away. In due season we got our leather, had our boots and shoes made and
always had a supply of substantial
material for footwear constantly oa
hand. How are things changed, I will
not say improved, for much as I waa
criticised for my incredulity in my centennial poem in 1884, I still do not believe that every change is a step of
progess. Tanyards have gone out of
fashion in our countv, but they are not
out of use in the United States, for
leather is tbe next most important industry to agriculture in our country.
Tanning, like spinning, is almost a
lost art in this community. There are
old familiar places to me where piles of
bark lined the roadside and side yards
along the vast vats at King-of-Prussia,
Kvansburg, Lower Providence, "Upper
Providence, Trappe and Norriton, and
all over the countv. and even in Norristown, yet today I'count all the tanyards
in the whole county on the digits of
one hand. Ambler and the tannery
under A. D. Faust's Sons, still operates
with prosperity, I am informed, and the
proprietors may be able to explain why
others of the kind have passed away
with the lapse of time. It is a studv
for the local political economist, and I
refer it to your lyceum for discussion,
if the bicycle and baseball clubs have
not also superseded the good old-fashioned country debating societies. Wendell
Phillips, who was not afraid to speak
what he thought, in his great lecture on
"The Lost Arts," taught us that the
ancients were far advanced in the arts
and sciences and that manv of the most
important arts had been lost, as, for instance, the making nf malleable glass.
which our long lost fathers made and
could roll up like window curtains made
of paper. Changes are being made,
of course, and if the sermon on the
mount were to be delivered today it
would abound in figures and parables
relative to existing articles of husbandry
and arts of civilisation of the 19th century; and Moses in his commandments
would have spoken nf politics and electric lights and would have had no allusion to tbe coveting nf mv neighbor's
ox or his ass, for indeed I have not a
neighbor in the world who owns an ox
or an ass, nnd if I had he might keep,
them without any envy on mv part.
That men, do not fear death, but
seek it for surcease of sorrow, pain and
* trouble is proven every day; therefore
I have maintained that speedy death is
what tlie murderer seeks; hence I am
opposed to capital punishment, not only
aa a relic of barbarism, but as a release
from punishment to tbe murderer.
Ofenrlp* o. TJ.n iser. i***&*^j*pfl-lJment.p£--n*iy
prediction' in my'letters that till three of
the conspirators would commit suicide
if thev could obtain an opportunity,
carried out this purpose on Thursday
afternoon hy cutting the veins in his
wrists and neck. This ends another
chapter in the bloody tragedy of Oct. 88,
1800, the evening that thia hypocritical
man betraved his wife with an ostentations kiss in front nf his shop in Norristown when he started out to. take her
a pleasant ride, as he would have her
and tbe neighbors to believe, bnt really
to meet James A. Clemmer and Lissie
DeKalb,to kill her and obtain tbe insurance on her life. If I had seen him
kiss her before they started and had
been a police officer, I would have followed him, for I have no faith in the
love of a man for his wife who has
plenty of opportunities to kiss her in
the sacred privacy of the home, but
who makes a parade, of his prayers or
his professions of devotion to God or
woman in the public highway to be
seen of men or beard and admired by
the multitude. Christ saw so much of
this that he was led to exclaim, "Take
heed that you do not your alms before
men, to be seen of them; do not sound
a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites
do; and when thou .prayest be not as
the hypocrites are; for they love to pray
standing in the synagogues and in
the corner of the streets, that they may
be seen of men.'' Was Clemmer standing near when tbat kiss was given?
"Now he that betrayed him (Christ)
gave them a sign , saying, Whomsoever
I shall kiss, the same is he; hold him
fast;" then Judas kisssed him and betrayed him. ' From that bour honest
people mistrust the man wbo kisses his
wife to be leen of men. There will be
a few more brief chapters in this bloody
drama.
The Democratic county committee was
in session at Norristown on Friday last
and many- candidates seeking nominations were on band to meet the members
from the various districts. The committee met at the Rambo House, the
Democratic headquarters for the last
50 years, and fixed on Sept. 30 next as
tbe time, and the court house as the
place, for the Democratic countv convention. Jesse Fronefield, of Norristown, and Jos. C. Beyer, of Norriton,
candidates for sheriff, and L. B. Pen-
nell, of Norristown, candidate for assembly ; Jacob V. Gotwalts, spoken of
for judge, and others were in attendance. Neville D. Tyson has written a
letter announcing his support of Weand
to succeed himself as judge. Mr.
Tyson, however, belongs to the gold
wing of the Democracy, which has no
strength in this county; but he expresses
the sentiments of the members of the
bar. Lawyers are more conservative in
their sentiments than laymen. They
believe in competency and fidelity iii
officers. Laymen generally profess to
have no faith in lawyers. The fact is
they do not know the difference between a lawyer and a mere attorney;
tbat is,theyareno respecters of persons,
when in truth they should be. Men
should respect qualifications in everv
art, employment and profession; and
not treat the pretender and tbe proficient with equal preferment. Did it ever
occur to you tbat lawyers are made the
ultimate and final arbiters in all matters
in state and nation which are the subjects of litigation and legislation. The
judges of the supreme court of tbe
United States can decide upon all congressional enactments, and the judges
of the supreme court of Pennsylvania
upon the enactments of the state legislature, and all these judges must be lawyers. The profession of the law is a department of tbe government, made so
by our constitution from the very
foundation of the nation; and besides,
20 of tbe 24 presidents have been lawyers, and 18 of the vice presidents. McKinley and Hobart are lawyers; Reed,
the speaker, and five members of the
cabinet also.
The expressed hope of the Democracy
at this time in this county is that the
Republicans, they believe, will have
two complete tickets in the field. Tbe
Republicans fixed the day for their convention too early. By _ the 13th
they may not yet be reconciled. I suggested some time ago that there ought to
be a rule like tbat in Philadelphia; a
convention for each office. The contest
for the legislature mav endanger the
prospects of the candidates for the
other offices. For if there be two Republican tickets they will both go down
in defeat: any school boy can calculate
that, when tbe Democrats are divided
the Republicans win, and vice versa.
But worse than all, in seditions bad
men rise to honor. If one section
should nominate a good man. that very
nomination might destroy him in the
estimation of the opposing* section and
prevent his selection by both. If the
convention of the 13th of September
could be composed of statesmen we
would have no fear of the issue; but if
tricksters and demagogues are to dominate, with no voice of wisdom to control, with no seer to portray the consequences of fanaticism and frenzy, with
no guide to control the cataracts and
bring the contending elements into one
common, compact and conquering
flood, the power nf the Republican party
will disperse and scatter in thia county
and lose itself in the continuous woods
where roll the orgies of ruin and hear
no sound save their own ravings. Let
them look at the consequences of the
fight for senator in Maryland and take
note. OLD FRIEND.
Jarrettown.
The list of vegetables available for
marketing at this season of the year is
quite large. Unfavorable weather conditions earlier in the year made the
supply very short during July, but the
prospects are that tbere will be plen y
during thejiall months. Bartlett pears
are very scarce tbis year. Some varieties, such as Seek el, Doyenne D'Ette,
Clapp's Favorite and Kietfer, are more
plentiful. A few potatoes have been
harvested for present marketing, but
the yield ia very disappointing.
The turnpike from here io Maple
G len is in good condition for wheeling.
Whooping cough has made its appearance. Several children are suffering
from this troublesome complaint.
The school building has received a
.thorough cleaiwns^iu readiness for the
opening of the new term next 'Monday.
The school board will meet the teachers
of the district in the Jarrettown school
on Saturday afternoon of this week to
arrange the course of instruction for
tbe term. The vertical system of pen
manship will probably be introduced.
Some instruct ion in , the elements of
vocal music will also.be given.
Mrs. Neal and Mrs. Samuel L. Fisher
were quite unwell daring last week.
M. J. Dillon unloaded a carload of I.
P. Thomas' fertilisers recently.
Watson T. Wood has been painting
and trimming some wagons for Jacob TT
Comly. He is also painting his bouse
for him.
Thomas H. Seal, secretary of the
school board, has the tax duplicate
ready for the collector to receive the
school tax. The triennial assessment
returned about the same value of taxable
property in the township as in previous
years.
E. C. Williams has been unfortunate
in losing two of his horses recently.
One of them it is thought was kicked
by another horse last Saturday night,
breaking his leg.
Miss Annie Megargee, who resided
here when a little girl, has heen visiting
relatives here this week. About 16
years ago sbe moved with her father,
Augustus Megargee, to Martinsburg, Pa.
Our hilly country sbe thinks very flat
compared with the mountain region
southwest of Altoona, where she resides.
Mr. Beyer is taking a vacation. He
has arranged for the various services of
the church during his absence. Mr.
John Rodemich will bave charge next
Sunday morning.
AMBLER, PA.,
Gazette
GUST 25, 1898.
81.25 A YAER
Some of our local fishermen had quite
an interesting experience on the Perkiomen last week during the sudden rise of
that stream, which caught a number of
brother fishermen in a bad predicament,
but they were safely rescued by one of
the Narcissa club. Two of the Cold
Point disciples of Isaak Walton and
one from Narcissa tried it again on
Friday, but found the stream high
and muddy and returned borne at midnight with one eel and one catfish,
but strange to say, this experience did
not seem to dampen their ardor.
Henry Rhoads, of Hickorytown, well
known all over Plymouth and surrounding neighborhood, died suddenly last
week. His remains were Interred at
Cold Point cemeteay.
Willie Ambler, of Plymouth, was
taken to the hospital last week for an
operation for appendicitis. At last reports he was improving slowly.
F. J. Seltzer and daughter Ida have
gone on a trip to Lewiaburg to visit relatives.
Whitemarsh.
Mrs. Laura R. Rickard has returned
from a visit at Conshohocken.
Rev. Samuel Snelling is abroad and
will return by the 1st of September.
Wm. Spence Harvey, Esq., has returned from the seashore.
The tollgate on the Skippack is again
occupied.
Jos. Mehaffy's store came near being robbed last week, but the thieves
were scared off.
St. Andrew's Brotherhood club and
reading room will be opened the 1st of
next month.
KAISER A SUICIDE.
OrelHiui.
f ,.;Mr. and Mrs. Wm. P. Albrecht spent
Bus Convicted Wife Murderer Clients thetFriday last at Baltimore.
Callow.—Cat Several Arteries and Tied /'-'-Miss Mary Jones, of Fort Waslling-
a Sheet Around HI. Neck-Onietlv Buried [¥' "I*** Sunday in this town Visiting
. ._.. __ Miss Rena Poole.
r",st smui»y «■• Philadelphia. ij, Ireland M. I. mission Sunday school
Charles O. Kaiser, Jr., the convicted will hold their picnic at the Oreland
wife murderer, committed suicide baseball grounds on Wednesday, Aug. 31.
Thursday afternoon in his cell in the A fruit supper will be served in the
Norristown jail. He had cut several evening. All are cordially . Invited,
arteries in his arms and had also made Tb< Ambler quartette of tbe M. E.
a noose out of a piece of sheeting, and, wirch will be present and render val-
placing it around his neck, the other ruable service.
end was tied to the spigot. It is not .jjMiss Lottie Fell, who has been spend-
yet certain whether he died of strangu- in* the past week here visiting Miss
lation or of bleeding to death. IJtura Poole, returned iiome on Satur-
Undeikeeper Wm. Lens discovered . |
Tags
Comments
Post a Comment for Ambler Gazette