The Ambler Gazette 19081231

              The Ambl
VOL.   XXYIl.-NO.   1.
AMBLER,   PA.,   DECEMBER   81,   1908.
«1.25 A YEAR
¦A1^,
EXERCISES.
Splendid Programs Rendered by the Sunday Schools.
ftplrti uf Chrliitinns Revealed In tilt lil- tcrcHtefl Audiences, Decorations of Orecna. Gifts to TeacherH and Pn|illfi and Special KxerclseM PrCNented.
ITALIAN MISSION.
The Italian mission, of Ambler,held its OhriBtiuaa eutertainmeut last Tlmrsday eveniog in the Keasbcy ami MattisoD readiDg loora. An iutere.sc iug and cre>)itabie progtam was len- dered, and the scholars were reiuen)- bered viiih gifts. TIiih mission was eg- tablished by Rev. M. U. Nicluila, pastor of the First Methodist Episco¬ pal ohnroli, of AuibUr, and has pros¬ pered under his snperiutendeucy.
UPPER DUBLIN LUTHERAN. Interesting Ohristnias exerciseK were given in Upper Dublin Lntheran obnroh by the Sunday school last Sun¬ day evening, when a large aadience assembled and participated in the well selected program. The platform was nicely decorated with Ohristmas greens, and the music of the choir and couEiegation were iu keeping with the event. An address was made by Rev. H. A. Oooke, the newly elected pastoi, anil gifts of boobs for regular attendance and candy and or¬ anges were di.stributed among pupils and teachers.
'ST. PAUL'S, FORT WASHINGTON. Ohriatmag exeroiteis were held Thursday evening by St. Paul's Re¬ formed Sunday school and the church, wherein the program was rendered, was well tillud with an interested jindienoe. Decorations of greens were tastily arranged about r,he edifice, whicli, together with tlie music, read¬ ings and recitations, all breathed the joyona Ohristmas apirit Au address was made by Rev. O. A. baulee, pastor. ' After the exercises gifts among teaclier and scholars were ex- ch.msed,    •
. AMBLER pftESBYTERlAxV. Oiiristmas plans had bpen uiuoh inter-' fered with among Ambler Presbyter¬ ians owing to Pastor Stearns being binder the neoeasiiy of entering the PeuiisylvaniU hospital fur an opeia- tion. However, the great evwut was not allowed to pass by unobserved, and last Weduesilay evBniu^' tliere was .a Sunday scliool gathering in the ehursh  \ ihn.c ,|fl),'ii;nnal service Was
Ko^ierv ..    N ^ :.iii   snjierft^Jea'cleot.
^ii,l •; rr '\.<. r', '! istriljntiou of gifts to pujiiis auti leai'iiorij. Mr. Braillny was remembered with an appreciated traveling case, and Mr. ,Iob was pre¬ sented with an umbrella A nurse 'amounting- to $^5 was subscribed for ^t. Stearns, and the same wa.-i handed to him Olinstmaa morning iu the hos- plital.
During Ins enforced .sciiy in the jiospital, Mr. Stearns has rememheied hia charge iu Ambler, and on each Sunday there have been appropriate letters read at the church and Sunday BOhool services from the pastor. The latest word from the bedside Is that the incision is healing satisfactorily, and there are no complications ap parent, it being anticipated that early next week the patient will be able to leave the hnppital On Saturday last he was able to get into a rolling chair and propel himself about.
On Sunday last Harold E. Hallman, formerly of Ambler.bnt now a student in the senior class of Princeton i'hoo- logioat seminary, preached morning and evening, and next Sunday Rev. Bsler, of Philadelphia, the evangelist, will preach.
AMBLER METHODIST.
The Ohristnias exercises of Jhe pri¬ mary and intermediate rooms of the Ambler 'Methodist Episcopal Sunday school were given in the chnroh last Wednesday evening and the large audience crowded the room to the doors. The church was appropriately trimmed with Christmas greens and plants, and the program rendered wats one of the best ever presented. Gifts were exchanged by teachers and pupils and all hands were kindly remembered. Rev. Nichols was presented with a anm of money, and Superintendent Posey yas also tendered an appreciated gift. Harry Lnkens presided at the organ, and the aeleotions by the choir were most creditably rendered. The mnsio this year was secured from Tnller and Meredith, New York.
The exercises by the main school will be given iu the church this Wednesday evening, when a moving picture en¬ tertainment will be given. Great care has been exercised' in the selection of the pictures, and these promise to be entertaining and instrtictive as well.
The Ohristmns mnsiu of the school was repeated Sunday evening at the ohnrch service.
OHALFONT IjUTHBRAN.
The Ohristmas service, entitled "Angels' Voices," was r'jndered by the members of the LuthecAU Sunday school, Ohalfont, on Ohristmas eve iu the charch. The program was as fol¬ lows: Singing,"Angela Herald Him," school; reapuusive reading, prayer, singing, "Forward to Uur King," school; recitation, Kitty Stoker; mo¬ tion song, primary class; singing, "Peace, Good Will to Men," school; recitation, Herbert Haldeman; dnet, "Nazareth," Misses May Riley and Emily RadcliSe; recitation, "Dolly Is Sick," Elsie Oouard; singing, "Lo,in Starry Spaces," school; recitation, "Keeping Ohristmas," Alfred Fansc, Walker Stoker and Chester Johnson ; BiDging, "The Birthday of the King," school; rooltation, "A Real Grandma," Ro'jert RadcliSe ; dnet, "Lead Us On" Misses Irene i^'aust and Edna Brinkar; exercise, "The King's Heralds," Kitty Stoker, Mable DetwUer,   Bessie  Pearsoii  and
Mildred Haldeman; singing, "Awake, the Sky Is Filled With Glory," school; solo, "Christ Is Born," Miss baora Faust; anthem, "Hark, the Angels Sing;" singing,"Angels.Strike Your Harps," school ;8liepherds' oruok drill, class of girla. The church tvas decorated with evergreen. A Targe tree stood back in the pulpit.
JARRETTOWN METHODIST.
The Christmas exercises by the Jarrettown Methodist Sabbath school on Sunday evening were attended by a large audience,and the program was well rendered. The church was de¬ corated with greens and with a nicely trimmed Ohristmas tree. Special parts in the music were taken by Misses Gertrude Lewis, Jennie Shaffer, Annie Lightkep, Annie Rotzell, Etta Engle, Mrs. Ramsey and by William Taylor. Raymond Smith. Miss Mildred Ty?ion, of Horsham, also sang a solo. Miss H. Josephine GrilHihs, teacher of the primary department,had charge of the exercises by the little folks. A pleas ant feature was the presentation of gifts, consisting of books and cnndips to the scholars. To the pastor. Rev. J. W. Simmons, was presented a .sum of monev from some of hia many friends. TRINITY LUTHERAN.
"Whom Wise Men Worship," was the service rendered by the Sunday school of Trinity Lutheran ohuroh. Fort Wasliingtou, Tuesday evening. A lafge attendance greeted the schol¬ ars' efforts and showed marked ap¬ preciation of the well-rendered pro¬ gram, which was dignified and in¬ structive. The exercises comprised choruses, recitations, readings, etc., and the interior of the church was beautifully decorate 1 for the happy oocasiou. After the program was rendered there came the distribution ul ulfts, and all were remembered. St. THOMAS', WHITEMARSH,
Tlie Christmas exercises of St. Thomas' Sunday school were held Tuesday afternoon and as usual were not only largely attended but well reuilereil. The exercises opened with enrols in tlie church, and tlie scholars then went to the school building, wliioh wn>i decorated with greens and a Christmas tree. Siinta Claua appeared 111 duo lima and distributed gif^s to all. incluilitig books,  candy, etc.
BOEHM'S, BLijE'.-pELL.
Roehiirs Keformed churSi, Blue Hell, was filled with ;i very^huge cnnfire gation on' Ohristmas eve. when tlie Somtay soliool rendered its Ohristmas si rvigp TJhe program, wiiicli consisted of mn's'c, recitations'and exercises by the primary and .iunior departments, was well rendered, and much credit ig duo especiiillv tiio children of the primary and junior departnmuls Mi- dresses., ..were- mari^ \)y Rev.   Lonoks
/»^hopi The pr iJ^^wPSSff^^ESw^A'.. was given by Mm iiiister. Allot the addresses wer6 listened to with marked attention. The pastor was presented with d beautiful diniugroom lamp,and the sexton and organist were also re- membeied The ohureli was beautifully trimmw).
Three Ohristmas trees adorned the archway and the main .luditorium throughout was decorated with Ohrist¬ nias bolls and holly. Every person was inspired with the Christmas spirit, and it proved a very enjoyable and profitable service.
o'rELAND LUTHERAN. The Sunday school of Christ Luther an church, Oreland, Rev. Samuel F. Tholan, pastor, gave its Cliristmas entertainment last Sunday evening. The program, "Songs ot Praise,'" was well prepared and was rendered with much credit to the school, Mrs. Bab- cock was at the organ. The church was most beautifully decorated with the bay and the evergreen trees and with other decorations appropriat to Chris¬ tmas.' Everything was in harmony with the season and reflected the true Christmas spirit In front of the church was a large pine tree very tastefully- trimmed with Christmas ornaments. When the program was completed the pieseuts were distributed among the children, each receiving a book. Re¬ wards for good conduct were also given to their scholars by several of the teachers. The program wasoouclnd- ed by all singing "Joy to the World." The offering was for benevolenoe and was very creditable in amount. ST. JOHN'S. AMBLER. The Christmas entertainment at St. John's Lntheran ohuroh, Ambler, was given by the Sunday school Sunday evening iu the room in the opera honse building. The hall was filled to its uiiuost capacity. The parts were all well rendered, showing the efficient work ot the teacher. The program, "Angel's Voices," was under the direction of Oliver RoseDberger,a8siat- ed by several of the teachers. Miss Agnes Soholz was at the organ. The singing by the school was excellent. A special feature was the shepherd's crook drill by Miss Edingtou. The drill was given by 13 boys.The pastor. Rev. S. F. Tholan, spoke a few min¬ utes on "What if Christ Had Not Come." The hall was tastefully fes¬ tooned with laurel. A very pretty Ohristmas tree stood in front on the platform. Before the gifts were dis¬ tributed the audience was dismissed. Rewards were given to four scholars for frtitliful attendance,three of whom were present every Sunday of this year, except one iJabbath. The candies were then distributed by the teachers to their scholars.
TRINITY MEMORIAL. The Cnristmas exercises of the Sunday school of 'Trinity Memorial church were held Sunday evening in the ohnrch and comprised the nsual carol service. Addresses were made by the rector, Rev. G. Berkeley GriBHh, and U. G. Knight, Esq., superinten¬ dent of the school. On Tuesday evening the Ohristmas entertainment of iha school was held There was a large attendance. The program compiised re citations by the scholars and a little play, "Ou Christmas Eve." Santa CUns later appeared  and  distributed
NORRISTOWN IN LEAGUE.
Will Play In North  Penn Baseball in 1909.
.John F. KoitenliorBci- Klevted Seci-f-liii-y of League—LlniplreH to He Pntfl 8.", per (aiiiiie -- American Association ilnll Adopted.
A meeting of the North Penu liase- ball league was held Monday evening at the Treraont hoase, Lansdale, with President A. M. Jenkins, of Ambler, iu the chair.
Jolin F. Rosenberger was elected secretary of the league at a salary of $25 per annum.
'The American league ball was made the official ball for all league games This ball was used during last season by the clubs of the league and gave entire satisfaction.
Au application was received from the Norristown club for admission into the league, and on motion that club was unanimously elected to take the place of Jeukiutown, the latter club having voluntarily withdrawn. It was stated that the club was ready to post its deposit money of |I00 when called npon to do so, and is ^willing to sub¬ scribe to the bylaws and constitution of the league. It is underatood tliat some of tlios'.^ gentlemen at the head of the new club are some who lust year were actively identified with the Wildman club, which won the cIumh- pionship of the county seat last season.
The salary of league umpires was placed at .to per game, whieliis au in¬ crease of $'i over the sum paid lust year, and i;he increase vFas made only with the hojie and expectation that ^ more efTioieut class may be secured.    •>•
The schedule committee, whi(di w appoiiited   at   the   last   meeiiug, wii not report until February.
Hol-Mliuiii Ftlcnds' Astioeintloil.      w
Horsliam  Friends'   association   w»s lield   at   Horsham    Friends'   meetin'g house    on    First day   afternoon at .^ o'clock. In the iibsence  of   Dr. Frank WaiBon, Bible   reading  was   given hyf Su.san   H.    Jarret.    Win. H. Saiterth-. w*ite was   president   pro tern   iu   Ih^ absence of the president and vice presi¬ dent and Emma Kiusey acted us secrp- tary.    Elizabeth R. Wood read several exc'ellent extracts from noted writings'; Edward      Holling'Bworth     gave   "if Papa   Were   Santa   Olaua". Elizabeth HoUingsworfh, of   the   cutrenc topics' committee,gave many interesting hap peniuga sinoe the last meeting.     A re- citdtioii,'  "The      Snowstorm,"    was
fi'u b V Jfica iB^ Msjsd i t li'
5
WEDDED.
CAMBY S. TYSON.
Cauiby S. Tyaon, president of tlie National Bank of Gerinautowu.died at his home, i) School lann,Gei-niautown, Wednesday after an illness of three weeks. He was a director of the Mutual Life Insurance company,and treasurer of the Site and Relic society, of Ger- mantowu, and the the Ivy Hill ceme¬ tery.  He was 60 years old.
Mr. Tyson was horn near Willow Grove and while a young man entered the employ of the Farmers' and Mechanics' National bank. He t6- mained there till 1885, being advincey to the position of paying teller. Mr. Tyson is survived by a widow, who was Miss Newport, lie had no children.
HARSHBERGBR-GERHART.
Miss Lulu Margaret Gerhart, of Ambler, and Mr. Lloyd Frank Harsh- berger.of New Albany, Pa , were mar¬ ried last Wednegduy afternoon at 4 o'clock in Trinity Memorial Episco¬ pal ohnrch. Ambler, by Rev. G. Berk¬ eley Griffith, rector.
'I'lie wedding was a very ((uiet one, being attended only by the p'^rents of the bride and groom. Tlie bride was attended by Miss Eleanor Naschke, of Philadelphia, while Mr. Reginald Wigfield, of Philadelphia, acted as groomsman.
The bride is a daughter of Mr and Mrs. Cliailes Geihart, of Ambler, and tlie groom, wlio is a student at the dental department of the University of Pennsylvania, is a sou of Dr. and Mrs. Wilson E. Harshberger, of New Albany,Pa. The bride and groom will resitle in West Philadelphia.
HARVEY-WASSER,
On Chri6tuias eve at Salem Reform¬ ed piirsouage. Charles Elmer Harvey, of Now Britain, was joined in marriage to Miinul E. Wassor, of Olialfont. The couple was attended by MLss Alma I). Qar'er, ot Doylestown, and L Garner Wa-?.er, brother of tlio bride, of Olial- fun. The full ring Ciremouy of the Refonudd church was used.
u » iuiJBFiii^pTfisaitTfi"maunet,""^^11,0 Keeper of the Light, " from VuuDytie's "Ifuling Passion. " Isaac Parry road tin iuterefetiug ¦ paper on "Peace," which he had prepared for the peace meeting bel^l at Horsham Flr«t-daiy fchool Twelfth mbnth 30th. He dwelt on the great iiiflnenpes ,,eaMy traininjg has in the child in teaehing-him peace¬ able methods, and spoke ef the great responsibility of parents and teaclierl; not only in teaching the young w!:at to do, but what not to do. After r^ marks and sentiments the meeting v,a8 adjourned until the First month 3lBt at 3 30 p. n.	
ISnsket Uiill at Jeiiklntown-
Jenkintown easily defeated Willow Grove in a Montgomery County league basket ball game Saturday night tt Jenkintown by 51 to S8. Every one "if the victors shot two or more fie'd goals.
Glenside won another game iu the league tournament by winning from Ashbourne at Jeknintown Saturday by the score of 37 to 18.
Jenkintown and Glenside are still tie for first place, with seven games won and one lost,while Ashbourne and Willow Grove are tie with one game won and seven lost.
Man Was Solicitous.
"Don't send me to jail, plea>H, mister. If yon do my cat will starve." This was the appeal that John Ross, of West Point, made to Burgess Roberts of Norristown, at Sunday morning's police oonrt.
Ross was picked up Saturday night ou the charge of being intoxicated. When arraigned he admitted that he had gotten a bit too much Chriatmaa cheer. "Well, I'll send you to jail for five days," said the burgess. It was then that Ross made the appeal. In explanation he said that he lives alone at West Point. His house was locked and the cat was inside. Ross said that unless he went to the feline and fed it, starvation would surely follow.The appeal had the desired effect, and the burgess ended the hearing with the remark, "Go home to your,oat."
Dv. Siiliaddluger Ilus Disappeared.
Relatives are said to  be   resiiousible
Sliwed AVay to Freetloni.
faking his escape from an insane asylum by sawing the bars of his cell window and picUiog the lock ot a .door, John McCanu went to ihe home of, his brother In Philadolpl'.ia, rtt;d from there to a hotel closely pursued, and was recaptured by li detective .Monday.
Ilie man was au iuiiiate of the Nor- tisiuwu iusane'a.sjlum. Early Monday heaav\eil the b,irs out of his oell win- flow. Iu order to teach the street it sva.i ii'^cessary for him to pick the lock ou a door, hut this he ac.coni- nllsl^d in n lew tninn^|j^^^^||^^iea re^^-heijl i-.ii'.i*del|i!i ;. .,i1
closely pur.slieil wiv "flig^ . i ..T„,i--f liOtrl at Fifteeuih iiao  i . leets,
Tlie brother saw him r.'gis;er j[nd ! go to hi.s room. I'heu tlie brothef^^l'^nt to the detective 'jureau ami told* of-, the man's'Cscape. Detective TuelgbP went to tlio hotel and placed M'cCailB' under arrest. He was sent buck to the Nor¬ ristown insti^utiou. •
for the report that Dr. Walter Shad- dinger, of Geruantown.son of John F. Shaddinger, who disappeared from hia home in Dovlestown some months ago is missing from his home and that his relatives do not know where he is at this time.
More than a year ago Dr.Shaddinger disappeared from hih home at Olialfont, and was missing for 10 months before Ills,father located him iu New York state. At that time the doctor explain¬ ed that he had been in a semi-comatose condition all the time he had been away. It is now said that Dr. Shad¬ dinger has been missing for more than a week from his address at 1220 East Clielteu avenue. Germantown.
When a reporter called at the homo of his mother, Mrs. John F. Shadding¬ er, on West Court street, Doylestown, Monday morning, it was learned that the family had been away for several days, and that Mrs. Shaddinger had said before leaving that her son had dis¬ appeared again No word has been re¬ ceived from John  F. Shaddinger, the
_-^   _rr          father, who  disappeared  mouths ago,
pr-isentB to all Ihe scholarB and  teaoh-  although there have been  rumors that ers. ' he is iu Texas.
Bo'iviiian Won 3Iatcll i^llool.
Aniericau association rules govern ed the live bird shooting matjii lield on the grounds of the Penu Square Gun club Saturday afternoon. Con¬ sidering tliat the birds were a very swift lot. very creditabe scores wore recorded. Davis, Bowman, Hart and Mommie shot the high guns with the following scores:
Five-bird event, purse, $25—Bavi.s, 5; Hart, 4; Nickleson, 4; Mommie, 4; Cressmau, 4; Bowman, 4; Mum- bower, 3; Chalk, 3; Ritteuhouse, 3; Jamison 3.
Miss and out,sweepstake.$2 entrance — Mommie, 4; Nickelson, 3 ; Hart, 3; Chalk, a; Hewees, 2; Cressmau, 3: Mumbower, 1; Bowman, 1; Jackson,!.
Match shoot, 10 birds—Bowman, 8; Mumbower, 6.
Live bird event, purse $25—Bowan, 6;.Davi8, 5; Mommie, 5; Oressmau, 4; Nickelson, 4; Hart, 3; Mumbower, 3; Chalk, 3; Rittenhou^e, 2; Harley, 2; Jamison, 2; Booker, 2; Yonugman, 2.
Miss and out sweepstake,|2 entrance —Hart, 5; Mommie, 5; Cressman, 4; Mumbower, 4; Nickelson, 4; Davis, 3. Bowman, 3; Cbalk, 2; Rittenhoose, 2; Youngman, 2.
Boyer Was High C.un.
Harry K. Boyer carried off the hon¬ ors Saturday at the regular club shoot of the Highland Gun club at Edge Hill, and his score of 44 helped him materially towards the olnb's annual cup. On the No. 1 trap he miased only one of his quota, while on the more difficult No. 2 he made 20. Hamil and Greenwood shared the glory for high gnu of the day with 84 out of 100, the former getting a bad start,with a pcor score ot 17. In his last string,however, ho made a straight, the only one to be made over the No. 2 trap. Greenwood shot consistently and the targets he lost were mostly on dilJicult shots.
MERCER HOME A FAILURE?
The Heirs So Aver and Seek Posses¬ sion of Properly.
Proceedings Mlai'teil In Plilladelplila Coiii-t Xnegday—Court Is Asked to En- Joln Trniisfer of EZstate t«» .\ilyotie Save Uelrs.
After au experience of nearly 25 years the John O.Mercer home 9t Am¬ bler for aged clergymen of tlie Pres - byterian faith has proved a failure, according to a bill filed in court iu Philadelphia on Tuesday and the heirs of Auiie Jaie Mercer,the benefactress, seek a recovery of the estate placed in trust for the charity.
The proceedings were started by the trustees of the estate of Lydia I. Biddle. ii .fister of Mrs. Mercer, who died in 1881, bequeathing her estate at Mt. Pleasant, near Ambler.for the creation of the home for infirm Presbyterian ministers. A corporation was formed to maintain the home and $100,000 was placed iu trust for the charity.
The efforts of the managers, how¬ ever, to successfully carry on the char¬ ity in strict conformity with the pro¬ vision of Mrs. Mercer's will were un¬ successful and the purposes for which the home was created were not ac¬ complished.
During the 25 years, the bill expluim^. the homo received but 35 applications from ministers for admission. 1'^ of the applicants were refused hecaute they did not come within the class of beneficiaries designated by Mrs. Mer¬ cer iu her will, which providetl that beneficiaries must be widowers,infirm and must not use tobacco in any form. Of the 15 disabled clergymen accepted and taken into the home 10 left the place for various personal reasons iu uu way connected with the niauage- mont of the institution. Four of the imiiatos died and at the present time there is only one pairon. Rev. Wil¬ liam Jones, 01 the well meant charity, who is maintained by tlie home at Hoiel Wyndham in Ambler, the build iugs of the institution liaving been closed for more tliau a year.
Tiie luck of   patronage of the'home, the luauagers are couvinced, h;i3 hum percd them in their endeavors to carry out the wislies of the beuefaofress to a successful end.
The assets of the crrporatiou,the bill states, are the property of the heirs and next of kin of Auui' .lane .Ui-rcer, and the court; is suiil to enjoin tlie ttaiisfor of the estate to anyone save .them. It is couteudod that the charity
jii}»^tail6Aili0 heirr 'lento
¦'¦"     ' '  ' ¦ f I : astute
lohn McLauft Huniiltoii, Lucas and the Provident „il„ .,;. i Trust Company, trustee ot the estate ot X,ydia I Hiildie, are tlie oompluiuauis in the action. They are represented by Porter, Foulkroil & McCuUough, Towuscud, Elliott & Towusend ap¬ pearing lot the trust company
Mrs, Mercer, who was toe widow (d John <5. Meicer, uied April 5, 1886. leaving u vast estate. She lived at )S19 DeLaucoy jalace, ani iu luuuding the home she created a irus^ to her brother, the late John Hamilton, Jr , a lawyer of Bucks county. She btqueaih ed her summer home, "The Mount,'" near Ambler, this county, to tlie insti¬ tution, and al.so provided 86100,000 for its maintenance. The iustitation, iu addition to the property, now has in¬ vested funds of -$106,000.
OBITUARY.
JAMES FORSYTHE.
James Fnrsythe, an aged resident ot Upper Dnblin, died very suddenly on Sunday morning. He had beeu in rather poor health for some years, but liad been able to be about. Ou the morning of his death he liad assisted as usnal with the chores at the barn,but shortly after going to the honse was seizeil with heart failnre and quickly passed away. The deceased is survived by big widow, two sons and a daughter. The funeral will be held this Weduee- day afternoon at 1.30.
ALBERT G. RILE.
The remains of Albert G. Rile.who died ou Dec. 23, were interred Satur¬ day afternoon in Boehm's cemetery. Blue Hell, services being held in the ohnrch.
Deceased, who was in the 73d year of his age, was the son of the late Charles Rile, who lived in Whitpain township, on a property ou Morris road, near Franklinville, the place be¬ ing now owned by J. Watson Craft, and which .several years ago was tenanted by   Mr. Rile The   luttetr
married Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Fleck,, who then resided on the later W. O. B. Merrill place, near Springliouse.Two children were horn: Annie and Ella, the latter of whom is the wife of Edward Preston, president of the Manayuiik National bank.
After the death of his first wife,Mr. Rile married Mary, daughter ot Jacob and Elizabeth Graft, who then resided ou the present Frank Honstou property, north of Ambler. Three children were born: Bertha, wife of Lewia Stauuard, of near Broad Axe; Charles, of Philadelphia,and Ida, wife ot Charles Hanscll, of Germaiitowa. Mrs. Kile died iu 1898.
Since then Mr. Rite has resided iu and about Ambler and Penllyu. For .some time, however, he lias been ail¬ ing, and death resulted from a com¬ plication of troubles.
Tlie Wharton Gift.
Made Wite Denjr Marriage.
Russell Wipred, of Jenkintown, was committted to Doylestown jail on chaigea of desertion and non-support preferred by his wife, who declared that he had threatened to kill her un¬ less she declared that he was unmar¬ ried, so that he might oontiune his courtship of a young woman of Doyles¬ town. ¦ Wiprftd went to Doylestown a few months ago and almost immediately bqcaiiie attentive lo a young woman. Her mother recently heard that Wipred Is married and demanded that he bring the woman who claimed to be Mrs. Wipred to deny it if it was untrue. Wipred consented, and after taking Mrs. Wipred within a half square of the place he told her, it is alleged, that it she did not deuy being hia wife he would kill her before she left Doylestown. Fearing death, Mrs. Wip¬ red did as directed, but on to Philadelphia wrot^ aud mother the troth.
A Christmas gift was presented to all the people of Philadelphia last week by Joseph Wharton, the wealthy iron master, who resides on the old York road, at Branohiown. To Mayor Rebyuru he tendered for pnblio use a 25 acre plot of richly wooded and pioturesQue parkland, valued at |I00,- 000,on the simple condition that he be given assurance that it was welcome to the city and that it wonld be main¬ tained as a park for public use. Mayor Rebyuru, expressing pleasure over the good example set by Mr. Wharton, announced that the gift wonld be ao cepted by the city.
'The Wharton gift involves a piece of woodland the city has long desired to secure. As tar back as June of 1907 Select Councilman Edwin S. Ward offered an ordinance in councils for the purchase ot what he believes is the identical piece of ground now given by Mr.  Wharou.
It was desoribed as bounded by Sixth street, Spencer street, Nedro avenue aud the North Penn branch ot the Reading railway, containing about 25 acres. On this ground there are old, native trees, and through it a little water course wanders, most picturesquely. Champloat avenue, as ou the city   plan, bisects the tract.
The City Parka association has re peatedly recommended the purohasa of the property, aud ihe residents of the neighborhood recently addressed a lengthy petition to co'incila asking that it oe secured.
Di-ntli Again Visits Matlier Quartet.
With the death of Rebecca Michener, at Jenkintown, lute Thursday night, mother of the famous Mather quartet of brothers and sisters is removed, leaving but one of the original four. The (juariet iu 1907 probably stood alone as the oldest four members ot any one family in tlw) entire country; In that year the total of their ages was innre than 350 years.
Tim four members of this interesting fiimilv were Isaac .Mather, "the grand old man of Chelteu Hills," hisi brotlier. Charles Mathtr, of .Tonkins town, and the two sisters,Ann Mather aud Mrs. Rebecca Michener,
The first break iu the quartet was early in 1907, when Ann M.i-her died. She was past iiar Siliu year, hen Isaac ". '-¦-^¦-   ¦¦¦;' a-ivay'«(;   .: .'-.e cavJ--'it-^
01 . oars. I'iirs. &,'• fcheuer, ,.;..J ,:;... iinri; lay ujght, was jast a few mouths short 01 91) years pf age. Charles Matfier, tiie auiviviug mem¬ ber, is about 85 years cf age.       .,
The Matliers were nieniLers of an ol^ and distinguished Quaker family, of staid aud regular habits, and utri- buted their long leases of life to th'eir methods of living and the beuefloeuti effects oJ fresh eonuiry air, food and water. The Mather komostead,' sftll siaudiug ou Washington lane, a half- mile from .Jenkintown burough, is on a tract of land, part of a direct grant to ancestors of the present family from William Penn.
Charles Mather, the only one ot tho four remaining, at 85 years of age, is the secretary of no fewer than four organizations, aud still iiiaintaiua regular business hours at his office, in West avenue, Jenkintown.
Wedded .Since Jnne i;i.
Daviil S. Heebner, of Lansdale, and Miss Ahhea Fry, ot Mouiogmery Square, gave their parents and frieuda a surprise for a Christmas treat in the form ot a marriage announcement.
The young people confess to a wed¬ ding coremonv having been performed in Wilmington, Del.. June 13,1908, by Rev. H. A. G. Westerfield, of the As- bury M. E. church, of that city.
The groom is a sou of Isaao I). Heeb¬ ner, of East Main street, Lansdale. The bridd is the social belle of her vi¬ cinity and the daughter of a prosperous Montgomery township business man. The parental blessing has beeu given. The couple have taken up residence at the home of the groom's parents in Lansdale.
Blue  Bell.
1^! Rev. B. V. Loncks will' meet his catechetical olassea, junior and senior, in the Sunday school room ot Boehm'a Reformed church on Saturday next at 2.30 o'clock.
Annonncments for Boehm's church for Jan. 3: Sunday school at 9.15; communion, 10; Christian Endeavor, C45; home missionary-service, under the direction of Woman's Missionary society, at 7.'30.
Mrs. Eugene W. Slifer has returned to her home in Long Island City after a tour weeks' stay at Alexander Mil¬ ler's, Blue Bell.
Abrani Valentine has been suffering with a sore eye,a thorn having pierced the member.
Mr aud Mrs. Henry O. Drayton are spending the holidays at their oonniiy home
returning
told  the      The  so'iools  of ioloeed this^week.
the  towusbip][are
'WlUon Qrove.
Thieves broke into the residence of David Newport, on iho Welsh road, near Abingtou corner,on a recent Sun¬ day night. They effected an entrance by chiseling out the woodwork about the window sash and getting in through the large hole they made. Nothing of any consequence was tak- en, the most valuable article being a gold stick pin.
In Ihe bankruptcy court at Philadel¬ phia Henry Kuuz, of this place, was last week discharged as a volnutary bankrupt.
The Chriafnias exericses of the Wil¬ low Grove public school on the Davia- ville road, were held on Thursday morning. The pupils in each of the three grades and in tho high school held a package party, at which gifts were presented to the pupils. In the primary rooms there were singing aud recitations. The loiul number of ehildieu attending this school is about 110.
Mrs. Goss, the wife of Herbert Gass,a motormanof the Ra^iid Transit company, who had been a patient iu the Jewish hospital, having recovered her health sufficiently to allow ot her being sent home, was brought up on a special car on Wednetday. and sent toiler husband's home at Nesham- iny. 	
—The Saylor farm at Eagleville of 90 acres, wiili fair improvenieut.'*, has been sold lo Otto Roeiiiger lor 13378, or 137.60 per acre. Reediiier is b<ci miug one ot the largest property holders lu the township.and now owns 160 acres.
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