Ambler Gazette

              The Ambler Gazette.
 **. - ■'■
-    -
VOL.  XVIII.-NO.  11.
AMBLER,  PA.,  FEBRUARY   15,   1900.
$1.25  A YEAR
NORRISTOWN LETTEr..
Kvlls     of Technical    aod   Special  Laws-
Hoy's Valley Forge Hotol—Charles Mantel
—U.S.   Circuits—QuallflcatIon  of •   Witness.
Norristown, Pa.. Feb. 12,1900.
Technical and special laws are Uie
most prolific fountains of evil in < airland.
When we read tbe Philadelphia papers
we are convinced that frauds pievau to
a greater extent there than ra all the
tt.te outside. The cause ot thia il their
first-class city law,tlieir special charter.
80 is the publie wildings scandal. The
commission is the creature of a special
law. There never will be freedom, justice and equal rights at an election in
I'hiladelphia until we return to tbe
primal system of selecting judges and inspectors of election from the citizens well
known in each election diatrict or pre-
cinct. We must abolish Abe modern inventions and complications devised by
wicked men, ar indifferent legislators,
for the enslavement of tbe masses. I
know I am told ia the 37th Psalm
"Fret not thyself because of him who
prospereth in bia way because of the
man wbo bringeth wicked devices to
pass," b_t while 1 do not fret, neither
do I forget. Voting precincts should be
small and all of them governed by one
general law. Tbe people should be
free to vote as to worship, to nominate
as to petition. Our constitution say s,
"Elections shall be free aad equal and
no power, civil or military shall at any
time Interfere to prevent the free ex-
ercie'of the right of anffrage." This
is a plain precept and a wise provision.
Yet il tbe act of June 10, 1803, in
direct ooofll*- and restraint of tbii
liberty, "not more than one ballot shall
be given to a voter, "and that must come
from an election officer, ne it right or
wrong, genuine or fraudulent, be the
officer learned as unleared, honest or
dishonest. Is this • compliance with the
(onstitution or with common sense, or
justice and freedom? Must I get tbt
secretary of the commonwealth to prepare mv ticket for me? Why can I not
vote for whom I please, whether be
has nomination or nominative papers
or not. without following »he form prescribed at Harrisburg. 1 he ballots now
•n to be printed at public expense.
This makea work for the printers employed whether the voter wills it or not.
Is th* voting place a fitting school pf
instruction. And are election officers
proper teachers of tbe people how to
vote.' Let every voter say aye make up
bit ticket at his own house and
come prepared to cast his ballot for nil
friends, without dictation, without imprisonment In a cell with a sheet aa
large as a wagon cover and filled witb
scores of names of men for whom he
does not intend to vote. Tbe present
regieme is legerdemain, a slight of hand
performance, to catch the unwary, the
man of dim sight or defective education.
Tbe  whole faerie of  special  laws  ia
IUUIlrti.nl illl f-MHT'i mi'Ti 1 the mime, title
and delusive device to ensure honest
elections. Who docs not know that an
X can be made on any man's ballot
sheet that will reverse or annul hia intentions in an instant? Should rauli
power be given by a fair election law?
Would a judge trust to such machinery
to declare the decision of the court? It
was a special law that Incited murder
and outlaw in Kentucky, that entailed
an office for life on tbe building com-
miesionera of Philadelphia, and whicb
under 1 he.name of tbe '' Fugitive Slave
Law", embittered the noith against
the south in a fued, which grew
-till ended in a bloody four-year war.
And now again special lawa are being
enacted in the south not only to disfranchise   colored,   hut   white   Republicans
and to deny tbe right to office after
being fairly elected try the people.
' ft waa Joha %. Hoy's, not Hay's
hotet at Valley Forge, that tr Wrote
about last week, a celebrated hotel or
inn in the days when Washington and
his army ware encamped at Vallev Forge
and this inn was then utilized as a
hospital for the helpless, sick and
infirm ot tbe soldiers. It has been kept
by tbe Hoy family for tbe last century.
Bernard Hoy had it wben I wai a
bov. Hia grandson now la proprietor
of the Montgomery House, Norristown,
Peter V. Hoy, soli of the John I,. Hoy,
of Valley Forge. Your hives also make
ine lay''monopolies of puhiic commerce
carriers must be broken up." That is
true of commerce, of course,but I wrote
of common carriers, for the law of common carriers is settled by tbe common
law.
Charles Mantel created a sensation in
court on Thursday, wben hand-cuffed
and hobbled he was brought in and
compelled to stand up and take his sentence of 11 years in t.ic Eastern penitent iarv for 'burglaries on the premises
of John B. Hastings and others, for
which be wai tried and convicted in
June last, when be escaped on his way
to prison from tne custody of the officers and fled to parts unknown. Mantel
il peculiar in build and features, is
slim, ' and bis profile view whioh I observed, show a somewhat si menus face
and forehead, prxmenrire Arms and bia
countenance indicated Creole parentage
of that Hass in Spain and France des-
by Victor Hugo in his Toilers
Sea. A Creole in law ia the
States is one born pf European
in the American colonies 'of
pr Spain, or in the states which
were once such colonies, especially a
person of French or Spanish descent who.
18 a native inhabitant of Louisiana, or of
one of the states bordering on the Gulf
of Mexico. The title originally belonged
to descendants of French settlers, but
the term Creole implied a certain excellence of origin aad so came efrlv to Include any nation of French or Spanish
descent by either parent, who was not
allied in any line of descent from tbe
negro slave race, hence the Creole was
entitled to social rank.
The commissioner of internal revenue requires documentary stamps of
the denomination of 10 cents or upwards
to be cancelled only by the initials and
date as formely, but by also cutting said
stamp "with three parallel incisions
lengthwise extending to with one-fourth
of an inch to each end."
Ia the North * sea is the island of
Heligoland, happy and prosperous, a
province now of Germany and formerly
cribed
of tiie
United
parents
France
rt Great Britain. It la their titetna
(ireen, out in the North sea 40 miles.
Here, on two days' residence, a lady
and gentlemen mav marry upon paying
£10, of wbieb tbe parson gets half, the
council .2,178. the chorch £1,8», state
official 1 la ami each of tbe two school
teachers, wbo conduct tbe iwvice (is. The
island has made ai much as £1000 yearly
in fees "quite apait from the money"'
spent by tha parties greedy for matrimony aad carelees of parsimony or any
other kind of money. All tbia was hy
virtue of the "F*rw.dentrauung,aa they
call the law of marriage of strangers.''
80 many people have visaed the peiils
of the sea to be married tbere that the
new German imperial code threatens
this ancient privilege, just as New Jersey
stopped the flood tide of revenue from
this state when our marriage license law
went into effect. It is well for the people In pursuit of matrimony under diffi
cnlties and exigencies of occasions that
our judges have not the same absolute
discretion that they hava ln granting
licenses to Innkeepers—they might require accommodations for man and beast,
and provisions for wife.as well ai beast,
which the law as now does not look or
ask for. Many a woman baa bad to support a beast without much recompense
from the animal.
Talking about licenses reminds me
that thy list for hotel is abont aa tongas.
usual and not even the Wheel Pump is
absent ttexa It. Mr. Br_un has
stepped into tiie shoes of RobertGordon.
Punctuation, as a means of' intwret-
ing a statute has been judicially Interpreted bv tba court of appeala of New
York la tbe case of Tyrrell va. tba
Mayor and citv erf New York,where It
a laid down tbat resort may be had to
those marka, which for centuries have
been in oommon UN to divide writings
into sentences aad sentences into paragraphs and clauses in order to make the
meaning clear,and the judge defines the
office of tbe colon, seniiofttonjUld tbe
comma. In the old English legislation
and in our own congress and state legislature 00 pause or punctuation marks
were allowed, uaed or permitted, so
fearful Were onr ancestor! that tba
meaning of a public law might be perverted' bv a skilful grammarian -with
tb* interpretation of a dash,dot or other
mark.
I see that Senator Teller baa Introduced
« bill to re-arrange the judicial circuits
of tha United States courts, now consisting of nine districts,to salt tha ulna
supreme justices, ours, tha third diatrict, being Pennsylvania, New Jersey
and Delaware, nad he proposes to add
to our district the larger portion of the
state of New York, now In tbe second
district. Many other changes are made or
proposed. Ihe eighth circuit embraces
11 states at present. Bot the eastern
states are more populous and have more
material enterprises. Tbere ought to
be a new circuit court especially devoted
to circuits, independent pf the supreme court of the United States, commensurate with the territory and the
number, population snd extent of the
states an.) territory  of the union.
The death of Benjamin I). Abrahams,
of Upper Merion, removes a conspi
cuons man from tbe midst ef us. He
was in bis day a congenial,good natured
neighbor and a most exemplary farmer.
He occupied tbe famous mansion of his
fathers on the Schuylkill, and during tlie
Revolution the dwelling was.uaed as a
retreat for the afflicted soldiers.
Many of your readers will regret to
bear tbat John R. Mayor, of Main
street, Norristown, will retire from
tbe dry goods business by the first of
April next. For 80 years he has been
in one location, two doors from DeKalb
street,and since 1834 has devoted his life
to the sale of merchandise. For many
years he had as hii partner tbe late
Robert Rambo. Through all these years
be baa ranked as our merchant prince
In principle, precept and example. No
ana against bim can, faring aught of
malice or false ehevisance in business
or private life.
In Pittsburg cm Thursday laat F.
O. Ncgly.a tipstaff of the court, undertook to instruct and did instruct a jury
as to tbe difference between a misdemeanor and a felony and the jury accordingly brought in a wrong verdict,
ludge Fraser, astertaining the fact, and
seeing tbe error reprimanded tba jury
for taking the law from such a source,
and rebuked the officer for his audacrly.
Once in tba history of our county,
wben Judge Chapman was presiding,l\e
was waiting patiently for a jury to return witb a verdict that ha might go
home to Doylestown, An officer was
sent up stairs to inquire of the Jury
if tbere waa any possibility of an early
agreement, as he waa ready to'adjourn
the court. The officer returned with
tha information with a verdict that
William Beate, the tipstaff, ta charge
of tbo jury, waa inside tiie iury room
engaged in an earnest address to the jura
as to their duty and bow to decide the
case. The lodge immediately aent foi
the jury and tipstaff and asked the jury
If they had agraed.and receiving a negative reply, and learning that it was the
fact that the tipstaff had beea making
a speech to them in tbe jury room, ha
immediately discharged both the Jury
and attendant. A Jury ahould know
that they must take the law from tbe
lawyers and ultimately and authoritatively from the judge, and officers and
clerks from the lawyers in the case.
Tbe Inquirer on Saturday had a
column aritcle on tha objection made
to the qualification of Mr. Fraser as a
witness, in which it ' is gravely stated
that the point raised by Attorney Drayton, is considered in legal circles one of
tba meat important courts have been
called upon to decide in many years.
Well, tbat reporter must have a limited
knowledge or legal circles. These object-
ions are made in all the courts of tbe
commonwealth and have been made in
nearly every session in our country
to my knowledge during the last 40
years. Wisely or unwisely it is our written and unwritten laws that an unbelieving in the true one aud only God
is disqualified to give evidence ip Pennsylvania courts, and every man is required to swear unless he has conscientious scruples against taking an oath,
wben he can affirm as tbe Friends have
alwavs done. OLD FRIEND.
NO MONEY TO SPEND.
Ambler Borough Council Holds a abort.Set-
sloo — Kmitlne Business Transacted V
Bon<ls Drawn — Few 11111b raid — Larger
Ones Held Over.
President Walker called the member*
of council to order last Monday evening
■t 7.40 and Clerk Davis called the roll,
there ueing present Messrs. Walker,
Kramer. Kaust,Craft, Rose and Knight.
The minutes of the last meeting were
read and approved. Tbe tall was read,
showing that the meeting was convened
for the transact ion of regular business.
Ia the report of the finance committee
Mr, Knight submitted the following
from tbe treasurer.
Tbe finance committee met ihe treasurer at his
ollice and drew the following bonds for redemption during the present current year: Loan of
1889—Bond No. _>. held bv Mary F. Carson, due
April 1; No. 52, held by Alfred Craft, du. April 1:
No. 5, held bv James L. Tyson, due April 1. Loan
of 18'HI—Bona No. 6, held by Eunice Jones, due
Feb. 1; Bond No. 15, beld br Mary T. Canon, due
Feb. 1. Loan of lays—Bond No. 15, held by John
H. Mathias, due Mav l. Loan of 1886—Bond No.
;!, held by Hannah Ambler, due July 1; Bond No,
17, beld by First National Bank of Ambler, due
July 1. Loan of 1897— Bond No. 2, held by Wm.
P. ftimiwon. due July 1.
Mr. Rose ,of the highway committee,
reported having made an inspection of
South Main street and that the work
dope ia satisfactory with a few exceptions and that Mr. Burl had been conscientious in the' discharge of hia contract in spite of the fact that the price
of labor had gone up during the period
of a year from the bid and the com
mencement of the work and that the
committee had seen ft to make some
changes in tba grade, putting Mr. Burl
to a greater expense. The siight bill
had bean graded and the bridge raised
two feet at f 10 per foot.   Owing to thli phan.''
30 cent per pound was paid for butter
fat for January.
Harry Keown has secured employment
witb George and Walter Corson. He
will remove to Cold Point in the spring
The next meeting of the Narcissa literary will he at 11. H. Rittenhouse',
when the .South African war will be
discussed by J. M. Williamson, Hev. K.
m. Tilton and D. L. Crater on the one
aide and II. K. Gilbert, Q. K. Brecht
and  Lewis Crater on  the other.
The funeral of Adam Stmt, whicb took
place nn Saturday afternoon, was largely
attended. While Mrs. Ed ward Mewhinney
and her mother were returning from
tba funeral, and only a short distance
from the church, the horse kicked and
threw himself, getting bis leg over tha
cross bar of tbe shafts and under the
shaft. After various ineffectual attempts to loosen the foot tba cross bar
waa cut, thus loosening the foot. Neither Mrs. Mewhinnev nor her roothei was
injured.
On account of the accident at Ogontz
to the the new bridge a great may passenger trains were run aver tba Fly-
mouth branch of the Reading road on
Sunday last. Tha track at Corson's
station was so blocked that travel on tba
pike was very much delayed, aome persons baying to wait a long time to get
across tha tracks.
The tin monev box belonging to Cold
Point Sunday school, which was stolen
some titoe since, Was found last week by
the trackwalker at the Cut-oil road
near Narcissa station and bas been returned to the Sunday school. It is needless to say that tha money waa taken out
Wa. suppose tbe proceeds went to feed
or qiieach   tha thirst of some lone "or-
raise tbe walls bad caved in and Mr,
Rose urged paying Mr. Burl $68,the expense as figured by Surveyor Gillin
after tha walls are repaired and the Street
rolled again. Mr. Rose also reported concerning tbe slippery streets and tbat lie
had requested the property owners tt
snrinkle ashes or saw dust on thi Ice
and thus do away witn tha dangers
resulting.. The alleys between If. in
street and Spring Oaiden and Spring
Garden and , Ridge avenues' are again
being made  the dumping   places  for
Tha Montgomery County Historical
society.#111 give a supper at ftorrist.wn
on the 22d. Mrs. D. L. Crater is tbe
committee at Narcissa to collect eatables.
Anv one desiring to make a contribution can leave it at bar residence.
There waa one person baptised at Cold
Point on Bui day night. '"■■■- •**■<•_ _
it. Rev. William Coulston, formerly of
(Cold Point, was visiting the scenes of
bii boyhood this Week. He preached
It Frankford, Philadelphia, on Sunday.
C. A. Cox the lime burner, is reported
ashes ana other garbage. He had ordered -seriously ill at bia home ill Norristown
Constable Clemens to instruct the pro
perty owners to discontinue the practice.
Mr. Kramer, of the light committee,
reported no light on Jan. 20. Mr. Rose
stated that during the sleet storm a trans
The  article in  tbe   Philadelphia In
quirer   of last   Friday entitled "Money
will   go. to*two   neiees. Millions of the
Newton - brothers   claimed   by Pennsy I -
van ia   sisters," is   part ialy correct, bot
former had been burned out of the fuse Samuel Hagy'a wife was not a ncice. Her
at tha IVesbyt> rian ranch.   ; mottier ia o_e of tlu. lieices." From Mr.
Mr.   Faust,   of the fire committee, re Hagy I learned aome of the particulars,
ported every
pertinent and
good order.
The law and order, tha building
permit and the borough improvement
committees reported nothing.
The treasurer reported as follows:  I
'1900 PS.
Jan 1, cash bal. oa band	
"   2, K. A IS. permit „
"  •'*__. J. Harton, permit!
"  " .1, W. Craft, permit..	
"     WT. F. B» Yerkes, See., permit	
"   " Alex Knight, Jr.. permit	
" 11, B. E. Block.'license	
Feb. i, Jno. _ Buchanan, 160 loads dirt..
"   ii. Amliler 11. _ L. runt „
thing  altout the lire de-
the flre alarm system   in
...*S_1 _7
CR.
Jan.
Keli.
. mil ers gran to
, balance	
business Mr.  Rose
1 on
■* i ca
1 ■•»
1 oo
■*i 00
8 00
:m (10
-ISO Tt
9294 %
85 54
J380Z.
spoke
FARMERS ASSEMBLE.
Institute In I'rogreiot at Amliler Under tbe
Aiispiites of the Horsham l*_rmer»' Ctab
and the State Hoard ot Agriculture, Hon.
Jason Sexton   Presiding.
The Farmers' inatitute, under tbe
auspices of the Horaham Fanners' club
and the state board of agriculture, was
called to order in Ambler opera liouse
this Wednesday afternoon at 1.30 by
Hon. Jason Sexton, chairman, ana
members of the state hoard of agriculture from Montgomery county.
Ray. K. K. Valentine, paator of tbe
Mount Pleasant Baptlat church, offered
the opening prayer.
Mr. J. Watson Craft, of Ambler,
then welcomed the visitors in the following well chosen words:
.• Ladies and Gentlemen, members of the Farm
ei*s' Institute, of Montgomery county, and the
Horsham Farmers club: tt affords me great
pleasure to oome here to welcome you on this
important occasion. 1 do not understand why 1
was selected te deliver this address, unless because of my close business relations with the
farming community, or, perhaps, as 1 had acted
in a similar capacity on otber occasions, they
might have thought a was a specialty of mine.
But I am sure you will say when 1 am through
that 1 had better go out of the business. But before doing that 1 want to say further in behalf
of the citizens of Amliler that we do appreciate
your presence here and welcome you most heartily. We would be glad to see you every day iu
the week if you had time lo come so nfteii.
■ It was my good fortune- to have lieeu brought
upon a farm, and 1 look hack to il with a graft
deal of pleasure, and when I have driven oat
through this line fanning country around Amis
HV,* 1 have remarked that of all the vocations on
the face at this busy earth vours is about the best,
the happiest and the most fndeiieiutent. wait b
more beautiful, more pleasing to the eye, more
enviable as a place of alxsle than a ape farm,
with its buildings and fences all iu goad aider
and its fields and truck gardens under a state of
systematic cult i vat ion. Notb ing to m y in ind can
surpass it. lt is now about .its years since I leit
the farm for other pursuits, and I often think how
glad I was to |et away from it Md now I sometimes think 1 would just love 10 run I good farm,
Mid now I Imagine I hear a number af you say.
come and buy me oat, but I advise you not to
sell out unless >oii c»n afford to quit \iuilncss.
Just iicrsevere and keep everlastingly at it and
success is yours And now, fearing I liavc taken
too much of your time, I again extend to you a
hearty weieopie.
Tbe program follows.
PRESIDING OFFICER—HON. JASON SEXTON
WK_ _Ml)AT, FKB. 14. 1900, 1.30 r. H.
Music, in charge of Mra. John Buchanan
Prayer, Rev. _. E Valentine.
Address ot Welco "pe, J. Watson CraSt
Response, Isaaa Parry, Bi-eadv»ville. Buo
Poultry tor Profit, Prof. 8. B. Heiges, Yori
Discussed by Mr. P. F. MecDonald,  Peitybflf 8u
irlTMMi
Under new
regard ing the proposed nvw streets as
submitted recently by Pr. U. V, Mattison and which the whole council waa
appointed a committee to view. He aaid
that he bad made a chart of tbe land of
Mr. Knight showing just how tbe property would be cut and Mr. Knight objected to the whole plan. Inasmuch as
tbe proposed streets concerned tbe property owners, Ih*. Mattison, Messrs.
Turner, Knigbt and Buchanan, Mr. Hose
suggested that it be left to tbem for ad
amicable settlement. He therefore moved
that the committee be'discharged and
the matter laid on tha table itidefi-
natelv, seconded by Mr. Kramer and
passed.
The follow ing; communication waa received from L. 8. Moore:
I tear Sir:—Wc beg to advise that a kmal tele
phone company is about to lie formed la A ratiler,
to be known as the Ambler Telephone co_u uiny.
but he said be did not know very
much about it,only th t these two brothers lived alone, keeping "bachelors
hall, " and that for 30 years they bave
bad no woman in the nouse at their
home in Portland, Ind. ib* aaid it was
true about tbeir bouse being bin nod and
tbat tbeir remains were found among
the, ruins.   William   is  tlu*  supposed
fjUionaici*,* John being worth only a
W hundred thousand. It'-s claimed
by the* lawyer, who is looking it up,
that their wealth will not be less tban
13,000,000 and .possibly much more.
William visited.' Philadelphia about six
years ago. Considerable of their wealth
is in oil wells nnd railroads.
John M. l.athshaw, a Comer resident
of Plymouth," who left about 22 years
ago, wae visiting Oold Point last week.
He cleaned and tuned both of tbe organs
at Oold Point cburch laat week. This
week be will be in the neighborhood
again to tune two others.
The insurance company represented by
Mr. Cassel,of Barren Hill, has settled
witb Gold Point church for the damage
done by the storm sometime since.
j_
Abington Friends'  Meeting.
meeting   of   Friends   of Abington
Quarterly meeting was held Fifth-day
va tbe Abington aaeeting bouse. Joel
Borton, a minister from VYoodstowh, _f.
■I.. answering the. self propounded query
'' Is Christanity a Failure?" aaid the
Christian religion, with all its imperfections, has been and is a great uplifting force. Nathaniel Richardson,of Byberry, expressed the sorrow felt by
Friends that the country of <«_»rge Fox,
.. Elisabeth . rv. John Bright and William
the object and purpose of which is to do a gene-j ts f;ia(iston_ i« . n. h. oil In a war twmn
ml telephone business in Ambler.and we, thet-for, **• "'sowone is engaged in a war upon
aak yonr honorable 'body to consider the ar.«>iiit-' " Weaker people, aim that our own con n-
Ing of a committee to consider the granting the | try ia in a simil iar position,
right of way over all streets and highways, the Uu.v .nrnrnnn of (iwinml,! ,,„,„».
committee to con-, r with the corporators ia or- *"rv r on man, or tiwynulil, enunir-
der to frame an ordinance for the craiuiiw *of the aged wor.ters who see no gooe come from
franchise. their efforts, by referring to the tapestry
In accordance with the request tbe ■ weavers, who carefully follow the pat-
matter was referred to the higway com- j tern through they only heboid the wrong
mittee. side of tbeir work.
' It wae derided  and   the clerk was      Elisabeth  l.lyod,   of  -New town, aaid
ordered in drawing  the warrant for tlie there  is need to-day of  men who will
constable to deduct for tbe three days tiead new paths in quest of truth.
he was absent from dutv during X<*v*m-     A business meeting followed the apir
ber. itual session, and was concluded with a
Mr. Walker reported that com ol ain t a prayer by J oel Borton.
had been made to him because of |
there being no paving over the driveway on Bidge avenue to the entrance to
Mr. F. A. Comlv's house,and the chairman of the highway committee was inst meted to notify Mr. Comly.
Mr. Rose moved that crossings he laid
across Maple street at Wissahickon avenue in south Ambler. Passed. The
January light hill was referred buck to
the company for correction.
An order was passed to S. A. Faust,
treasurer, for the state tax on the bonds.
Mr. Hose requested that the advisability of placing an electric light over
Mattison avenue at or abont Water
street he referred to the ligbt committee witb power to act, which was
done.
Mr. Knight asked for information
concerning the right and powers of the
ordinance governing the tearing up of
the streets and questioned if the water
company could not be compelled to replace the street in as good condition as
when they found it. After passing thc
following bills council adjourned:
Daniel Dowlin ?   .1 75
Elmer K. Clemens    J5 oo
8. A. Kaust, Treus,, slate tax    ... 107 20
Ambler Gazette .-      8 I'i
Say! Just a Moment.
you want to put yourself
If you want to "put yourself in touch
with tbe soul of humor, tbe acme of
magic, the king of my sti tiers, witness
tba performance Feb. 22, for tbe benefit
of St. Antnony's church at Ambler opera
bouse.
North Penn Traffic Blocked.
Through a slight and unforseen accident traffic
on one of the most ih] port ant arteries of the Philadelphia and Reading railway waa Sunday
blocked for over 20 hours. The accident occurred
at Ogontz, 500 yards -north of Elkins station, on
the North Penn railroad. An Iron bridge built
by the Keystone Iron and Construction company,
of Ueyeraford, and being put in place by Contractor J. A. Reiner over the Old York road, was
the cause of thc accident. While sliding on its
way into place tbe girders settled, dropping the
entire structure at least six iuches. The new
bridge has been in course of construction for three
months, and was lying on skids beside tbe old
I bridge, il being tbe intention of thc builders to
| slide it into place on Saturday night and Sunday
morning, The work of tearing down the old
bridge commenced at 11.80 Saturday night.
By 2 o'clock Sunday morning the new structure
was. ready to move. The blocking waa knocked
out from before it and tbe ponderous mass of iron
was started toward its lin at resting place. It
moved smoothly for 12 feet, when the centre girder on the north side sank into the softened
ground, lowering the whole mass of Iron. What
should have taken only 80 seconds in moving on
the well greased ways provided for it, by this
slight accident required thc labor of liO men in
replacing It nnd disarranged the well regulated
train service on one of thc chief lines of the Philadelphia and Reading rail way service.
Contractor Reiner said this was the tirst miscalculation which he ever experienced iu bis construction of large bridges. It was he who built
and afterwards moved in 50 minutes thc large
I bridge one mile long across the Schuylkill river
for the Pen nsl van ia railroad last summer.    The
I train service was greatly deranged and during tbe entire day NewYork and Bethlehem trains|
passed around tbe break in the lines by means of
the Norristown and Plymouth railroads. People
using local trains were required to get oil at Elkins and walk a quarter ot a mile across to where
trains were in waiting on thc north side. The
trolley line on the Old York road was kept open
all day aud but little of the trallic was interfered
with.'
sin H. Jairett, Horsham; Mr. Mcdbu
I.
Bucks Co.
Yorf'pa.
l.nJ&fljTl*
town;   Chas.' A.   Livzey,   Springhouse;   P.
Lewis Biddle. Ambln.
Clark, Broad Axe
"Our Expectations," Elizabeth S. Parry, Bread vs
ville, Pa.
Discussed by Mrs. Elizabeth B   Elv, Mis. Phillips,  Mrs.   Elizalieth H.   Wood,  Miss   Mame
(ieontner, "
Mrs. Elizabeth H. By, Jenkintown.
Muue.
Questions ready for Question Box.
Adjournment...
Wednesdav Kvkninu, 7.:to:
KIll*CATIONAI. SESSION.
Music. BIIL
Questions from Question Box.
Recitation, Miss Estelle Brinton.
Nature Studies, Prof. S. B. Heiges.
Discussed by Prof. Warren R. Rahn, Miss Mame
(ieontner.
Vocal Music,   Humorous Selections, Mr. J.  G.
Hayes.
Address. Hon. Thomas J. Phlllpps, At. len, Cbes-|
ter countv. Pa.
Discussed by Rev. Ti. U. Wolff, Blue Boll, Pa., S.
Powell Childs and others.
Vocal   Music,  Humorous Selections, Mr. J. 0.
Hayes.
Adjournment.
Till US DA y Morni.no, 9,3a
HAIRY  MISSION.
Music.
Prayer, W. R. Ridington, Ambler.
Music.
Questions from Question Box.
How to Put Mllk on the Market in the Best Condition, S. F. Barber, Harrisburg, Pa.
Discussed by Rev. .1. _. Hetrick, Howanl Jarrett,
Wm. J. Hallowell, s. Powell Childs,Hon. Thom-
J. l'liilipps.
Tuberculosis, Dr. Marv P. H. Hough, Ambler.
Discussed by Dr. E. Mnvhew Michener, North
Wales; Dr. 1). W. shelly, Amhler, and others.
Corn Fodder and Its B-Products, Watson Ken-
dei-iuc, LumbervtUe, Pa.
Music.
Adjournment.
TlICRSIlAY AtTEBNOON, 1.30.
(Ui.S'KltAI. FARMING SESSION.
Music.
Questions from Question Box.
t.cological and Chemical Characteristics of Boils.
Prof. S. H. Heiges.
The Public Roads from an Agriculturist's Standpoint, II. Warner Hallowell, I ryland. Pa.
Vocal Solo, Mrs. William C. Evans.
The Road Laws that Govern Our Present Road
Svstem, Jos. T. Foulke, Esq., Ambler, Pu.
Htudc
Adjournment.
Tiii'ltsHAY Kvkninc 7.:ill.
LAMES' SSiSSION IN THE INTEKEST OF OCR HOM ES.
Mario.
Questions from Question Box.
violin Bolo, Miss Sue M. Carpeuter.
Recitation, Miss Edna A. shirk.
Music, Male Quartet.
How to Make u Countrv Home Attractive, Mm.
Ellen It. Phillips. Ambler.
Dismissed by the Ladies of Horsham Farmers'
Ctab.
Chants.
Suffrage for All, Miss Arabella Carter, Byberry,
Pa.
Discussed by the Ladies of Ambler.
"Wbat Shall the Harvest Be." Mrs. Florence C.
Grlsbom, of Philadelphia,
Recitation, Miss Edna A. Shirk.
Music.
Adjournment.
Owynedd,
A copy of the agreement between the
taiperviBora of Lower Gwynadcl township
and the officials of the Inland Traction
company is at the residence of Supervisor Kibblehouse. Be deaires any taxpayer of the township, who ia interested
in the matter to call at his house and
lie will be pleased ta show thete the
agreement. Also those who are interested
and think the am li tors' statement of hia
accounts incomplete, will have everv
opportunity to examine his books and
accounts by calling on him.
A boy was born to Mr. and Mrs.
Fritz Busso last Thursday. Both
mother and child are doing well.
PenUyn.
Election nest Tuesday. Be sure and
go and vote for the best man. Hiram
Duds will make a good judge of elec-
I tion.    Vote for him.
Wilmer Whittock has rented the house
of Wiley Clair in the village.
Mrs.   Arthur   Bidille and  Mr. C. E.
Ingersiill were visitors last Saturday.
_   Mrs. Kalph Sparks, whose handa were'
badly burned  trying to save her child,
we arc glad to say, is improving.
Mr. HollingHWorth expects to move
away from Penllyn.
William  Nolte  has taken the paint
shop. Send binrynur wagons for a good
job.  Also do not forget to call on Kile,
line makea a specialty of shoeing interfering' horses.
** J. L. Brown has three cars of ice on
the track. Ha has handled several hundred tons this winter.
Patrons Of the Sunday papers were
disappointed  on   hot  receiving them.
AMBLER B. AND L.
Hnccessful Tear Closed on   Keb. to — Oltl
ears Elected -Tbe tin uncial Showiiis—|.tk
Tears of Kilstanre.
On Saturday, the 10th inst, the Ambler Building A Loan  association   dosed
another    successful    year's   operation,
being   the 26th  of its existence.   The
following  officers were  elected to servo
for the ensuing   year: President, J. W.
liiitz, contractor,Penllyn -vice president,
Kdward H.   Johnson,*contractor;   treasurer,   Wm,   A.    Davis,     teller    First
National Bank ;seeretary Win. 0. Walker.    Directors:  Samuel A. Faust, .1. K.
Leech,   John   !t.   Rue,    Benjamin, J*.
Wertsner,   Hillery  Vandegrift,   George
W. Knch, of Amhler;  Edwin G. Ford.
Fort    Washington;  Tener Langstroth,
Penllyn; Joseph Shoemaker, Blue Ball;
Frank Shuggard,   Three Tuna.   During-
the  year  $19,281.74   were  received a.
dues, interest, tines and rent, and $32. -
800.   as repaid loans.     $17,000. ■ were
paid out  for mutual   si i a res  $14,4.'_)..")_
on withdrawn  shares and $16,700.   on.
loans to members, tbe maximum premiums being 6 per cent.Considerable real
estate   was    disposed,   of notably   tin
Springhouse hotel property, for $1H.A00,
against which mortgages' were held liv
the association for $1(1.500. 18 series, ar
in existence at present with a total of
2184 shares.    A new    series was   issued
at   thia date,   about   200  shares being
taken, making a  grand total of   nearly
2400 shares. _ Tbe total gain on capital.
invested   during   tbe year amounted to
a bo ut  7 per cent.
The association extends its ojieration
into otber states, having done considerable busineaa in New Jersevand recently
application was made by parties from
New York state for shares in tba aeries
last issued. Since the organization ot
tlie society more than$400,000 hare bet»
loaned to its members for various pur—
-loses. The demand for loans has annually been greater than tbe society
could supply, thus showing a healtby
condition of ita finances.
Prospects for tha present year are good
To persons holding shares in the series
to be matured the present year the
directors decided to pay the amount
laid by them aa dues with interest for
the full time at rata of 7 par cent.
This proposition applies to those who
desire their money before tha shares-
mature. Shares in the last series may
be obtained aa late as tbe March meeting. 	
Jarrettown.
Mrs. Seal's funeral on Thursday last was I'm (rely attended. The interment was at Rose Hill
cemetery. The deceased was well and favoralil v
known to a large circle of -icquniiitiiiices. llcr
last illness dated from Christmas week and at
times she rained and hopes were entertained for
her recover}'; but gradually disease wasted Iter
strength and Monday evening, Feb. fi, she passed
away. The family wish to extend their thanks,
to neighbors and friends for sympathy nnd assistance during her Inst illness and during their hour
of bereavement.
Last Thursday's rain brought nil the frost ont
of thc ground and the condition of thc unstoucil
-roads has been something terrible. Those portions of the roads which have licen stoned by our ■
supervisors in recent years are now a permanent
argument in favor of continuing thc good wor_. .
Watson T.   Wood  has rented  Mrs.   Greaves
house in Horsham township,   lie has bcetmliving   -
here during the post four years in Wa. l,_!u
ken's house on Mondock road.
The Jarrettown teachers visited Amblen ]iul>li_
school Wednesday last.
Rev. Mr. Hi .ling, of ProspectvillaMt E.churclr. .
preached a very helpful sermon nn the subject of
prayer last Sunday morning at. tbe Methodist
church of this nlncie,
Mrs. Kingslej' organized a young men's HU. .
class in the Sunday school last Sunday.
|    George Erb has rented the Carr property on
Mondock road,
L. S. Whitcomb, agent for George \V. Stout, of
Summit avenue, Fort Washington, has sold the
property to Misses Mary A. aud Ennnu E. <'leaver, of Upper Dublin. Possession will be given
April I.
The subject of vacating n portion of Susquehanna street in this township continues to (imitate our citi/ens.
Broad Axe.
Misa May Moyer has been laid up* with" u bad
cold.
The Broad Axe Gun club nil) hold a shoot for
a set of harness and sweepstakes at live birds
Thursday afternoon.
Mr. C. wi Horn lias been invited to attend the
wedding and reception of Mr. Walter X, Mattis
to Miss Marv J. Archer, of Philadelphia, on the
evening of the 21st. Mr. Mattis was a former
resident of Ambler and for yean an employe o£
the "Gazette."
Mr. Perry C. Clark will take part at the Fanners' institute to be held this week.
Mrs. George W. Groves visited her sisler Mra
Weiss last Sunday.
Mrs. Henrv Stout atteuded the funeral of vlam
Rtout,of Cold Point, last Sunday.
Wm. Chew has bought several tetters which
can do some line speeding.
Mrs. Ettie Hinkle. Mrs. Lewis Smith and
daughter, of Whitemarsh, were the guests of Mrs.
Horn on Sunday.
School Board Maatiag.
Tbe regular monthly meeting of the \\ l_
marsh school board was held on Wednesdav sf_.
uoon at ths board room, Barren Hill aa____-
Messrs. Teakle, Lookwook, lay. Taggart, Ca_ftv
bell and Boilie were present. The routine business of the board was attended to. Orders for
teachers' salaries were passed amounting to ffitin.
Mr. Lockwood reported that the fire insurance
on the Lafayette school had been adjusted satisfactorily, and that William C. Hamilton and sons
have offered to exchange ths old site for a more
desirable one in the village. It was agreed that a
special meeting be held at Lafayette on Tuesday
afternoon to seh-ct a site.
William P. Ely reports that the state appropriation for thc year ending J une 30th, 1899. hss been
received .amounting to S27li9.tll William B.Rhoads,
of Fort Washington, was present and secured the
i eleasc from tbe board tor the Inland Trolley
cempany, who want to occupy the road passing
| Fort Washington' school houae, There being no
other important business the board abjournedf
Conferees Appointed.
The Itepiit ilicun conferees of Bucks and Montgomery counties wilt meet at the Bingham house;
Philadelphia, on February 21. to decide upon the
time and. place for holding the Seventh District
conventions.   One convention will be to select a
i':inrlldnl-    f,»i- iyin.iwKm.n    ._I,tl„ f 1,_  .., I..,.. ...:,,
. Jandldate for congressman, while the other will
elect two delegates to the national convention.
( _unty Chairman Solly on Thursday **
these  conferees: 8. Powell Childs,
I Joseph   W.   Hunter,   Jenkintown;    Benjamin
i Thomas. Bridgeport; John 0. 1'rizer, Schwenksville; Charles W. Humphreys, Bryn Mawr.
worthy to note tbat of the five conferees
county, two are active antl
Prlser and Hunter.
appointed
Pfymoutii:
_ It
for th
■Quav men,  Messr
Heath
Th.
Barned to Deatli Making Scrapple.
Mrs. Klmer Eieholtz, aged 22 years, of t'piiui
1 Prcvidcnec township, near t ollegeville, was s_
badly burned Wednesday afternoon that death
resulted two hours after the accident,
woman was engaged in making scrapple
smoke house, wben her dress came in contract
with a hot coal. The next Instant the was a mass
of flames, she rushed toward the house and foil
on the floor in a faint. Harry Con ell went to
the woman's assistance and succeeded in extinguishing the flames, but too late to save her life.
Many School Children are Sickly.
Mother Gray's Sweet Powders for Children, used
hy Mother Gray, a nurse In Children's Home, New
. ork, Break np Colds in ai hours, cure Fever, linens, Headache, Stomach Troubles, Teething Disorders, and Destroy Worms. At all druggists .'.**<•
Sample mailed FREE. Address, Allen s Olmsted* LeRoy, N. Y.