| HISTORY |
| Schuylkill Haven is a small borough in the state of Pennsylvania, located about one hundred miles northwest of Philadelphia and fifty miles east of Harrisburg. It is located in the southern portion of Schuylkill County about four miles south of the county seat of Pottsville. One of the earliest settlements within the borders of the county, it is generally accepted that the first settler was John Fincher, a Quaker from Chester County. A warrant for 225 acres of land was granted to him on March 5,1750. The land facing on the Schuylkill River,taking in the curve of the river, is today the west ward and part of the south ward of town. It is this year that the borough celebrates as the official founding. |
| LAST UPDATED: JUNE 16 |
| OTHER HISTORICAL INFORMATION |
| In addition to historical information about the formation and early years of Schuylkill Haven, other unique and interesting news stories and facts will be offered here. |
| All rights reserved. |
| MAJOR FIRES IN THE BOROUGH |


| Articles describing various major fires in Schuylkill Haven are offered here. |
| Pottsville Republican of December 18, 1902 " In the midst of life we are in death" twas never more forcibly demonstrated then at Schuylkill Haven last evening when two young boys were plunged into the Schuylkill River while at play and were drowned without scarcely being able to raise a cry. It came so sudden, that those who had seen them but a short time before, were loath to believe it. The swollen river carried the bodies of the two coasters from sight in an instant and although searching parties were out all night, They were unable to locate the bodies. Joseph, aged eleven years son of Walter Bast, and Floyd, aged ten years and son of H. E. Bast were the two unfortunate victims. They were cousins and nephews of Jeremiah Bast, the well known knitting mill proprietor. After school the two boys, who were inseparable companions, took their sleds and went coasting on the hills. They romped about and were having a good time with their little friends until finally, a short time after five o'clock, they found themselves alone on the Berne Street hill, which has a very slight and easy grade. They had coasted down the hill several times and it is believed they were on what they intended to be their last trip before supper when the fatality occurred. Their sled went gliding over the hard crust with Joseph lying on his stomach and Floyd astride his back. When they came to make the turn they found that on account of the hard crust on the snow that the curve was too sharp to make and as the sled went sliding towards the river bank they threw themselves onto the ground. The momentum they had gained however was too great and clutching at the hard frozen snow, with desperate cries they slid to the edge of the river bank and with a plunge disappeared from sight. Edward Boyer, who was standing not far away, saw the terrible accident and after giving the alarm, rushed to the river side, but the angry rushing swirling waters had already swallowed their victims and carried them down the stream. In a short time the banks were lined with people, while others waded through the river further down where the water was not so deep and the channel wider. No trace of the little fellows could be secured, however until late in the night the search was continued. The river at this point is very much swollen and the current rapid on account of the rain and the melting snow the day before. The bed is mostly mud and it is feared that the bodies may be buried in this and never recovered. The sled did not go into the stream but was caught in a bush along the bank and held there. When the parents of the boys were notified, they were almost frantic and would not believe that their children were cold in death when they had seen them but a short time before, so jolly and full of life. Both little fellows were known to everyone in Schuylkill Haven and were very well liked and made much of by the older people as well as their playmates. A shadow seemed to rest over the town last night and this morning, the terrible tragedy being the sole topic of conversation and the only thought. It was a shock such as has not been felt in the town for many years and the sorrow of the parents was shared in a degree by everyone and they have the deepest sympathy of the entire community. |
| TRAGEDIES strike Schuylkill HAVEN |
| Pottsville Republican of February 7, 1900 SCHUYLKILL HAVEN MAN AN INVENTOR A party of prominent Philadelphia capitalists and experts who are interested in a new gasoline engine being built at Schuylkill Haven, arrived here on the eleven o'clock P and R express this morning. They were met at the station by P. D. Helms, of Pottsville, one of the promoters, and J. B. Losch, of Schuylkill Haven, the inventor of the new engine. The party was escorted to W. K. Boltz's knitting mill where a fifteen horse power engine of the new patent was placed yesterday. The engine was closely inspected by the men who appeared to be well pleased with its appearance and workings. After spending an hour at the factory discussing the merits of the engine the party had dinner after which they went to Mr. Losch's shop at Schuylkill Haven where another engine was examined. Mr. Losch worked on his first engine for five years before it was finally completed. This engine was constructed at his home between Auburn and Pine Grove. The engine is claimed to be superior to any gasoline engine in the country. The chief advantage over other engines is that it makes an impulse to every revolution while other engines make but one impulse to every two revolutions. The inventor claims a savings of about fifty percent friction and fifty percent in starting. The engine can be run with the cheapest of oil while all other engines require gasoline. There is no escape of gas whatever as it travels from the tank to the engine by gravity. In other engines a pump is used and considerable gas escapes. A four horse power engine is in use at Dougherty's Box Factory, Schuylkill Haven. A patent has been applied for and a company will shortly be organized to construct and place the engines on the market. |
| Pottsville Republican of July 22, 1915 $5000 TOWN HALL FOR SCHUYLKILL HAVEN It has now been definitely decided that Schuylkill Haven is to have a town hall to cost $5000. A special committee appointed by council held a meeting on Wednesday evening at which they discussed the ways and means. The committee which is composed of Robert Hoffman, George Berkheiser, Arthur Yost and Oscar Bast made reports regarding their visits to other places, giving as examples the town of Kutztown, with 3800 people, Tamaqua and Coaldale in this county, all three having nice town halls for about this figure. The council owns a plot of ground on the west side of Dock Street between Main Street and Paxson Avenue, and the town hall will be erected on this spot. At the present time Schuylkill Haven council meets in a room which is fifteen feet in length and fourteen feet in width, and it is too small to accommodate any taxpayers who might wish to be present at council proceedings. Besides this there is no downtown office for the light company, the borough jail is too small and in such a location as to be useless, and there are a number of other reasons why a town hall has been boosted for Schuylkill Haven. It is the intention of the borough to erect the building within the next few months and in all probability an architect will be employed at the next meeting to draw up a set of plans. Bids will be asked for and the contract awarded as soon as possible. The building is to be a two story brick one, according to present plans, and it will require only a short time to erect this. It will include offices for the borough officials, board of health officials, office for light, meeting room for council, an auditorium for small public meetings and also a borough jail. The authorities contend that it will cost less to conduct a town hall then paying rent for various buildings at the present. |
| Pottsville Republican of October 17, 1921 WORLD WAR ONE VET RETURNS HOME First Lieutenant Ivan Lautenbacher, whose body was brought home from France arriving at Schuylkill Haven last Wednesday was laid to his final rest in Union Cemetery, Sunday afternoon. The funeral was one of the largest which has ever taken place in that town. Many hundreds of people stood along the line to the Union Cemetery with bared heads as the cortege with the remains resting on an Army caissons drawn by four black horses passed slowly by. The body in its metallic casket lay in state all Sunday morning and until the time of the funeral under guard of honor and hundreds of people went in to view the casket, which was draped with the flag. At the head was a life size portrait of Lieutenant Lautenbacher and there were some beautiful flowers. At two o'clock with a short service concluded, the drums beat the roll and the body was brought out and the cortege started on its way to Grace United Evangelical Church. About 160 members of the Robert Baker Post American Legion in uniform were in line and they were commanded by Lieutenant Edward Mengle to whom Major Gangloff turned over the command after he had assembled them. Music was furnished by the Schuylkill Hose Company drum and bugle corps. All the military with the relatives and about three hundred civilians were able to enter but hundreds were disappointed at not being able to enter and instead journeyed to the cemetery to witness the military burial. Reverend F. S. Fasnacht, the pastor, officiated and Dr. Schlegle, Reading, presiding elder of the district, and who was a boyhood pastor of deceased at Williamstown, preached an eloquent funeral sermon. His text was 2 Timothy 2-4. His theme was the life of a Christian soldier and how his days should be spent. Mr. Brown, a friend of the family, read a touching poem. There was no singing or music. Because of the work on Centre Avenue, the cortege had to go by way of Jerusalem Cemetery which is on top of the hill and then journey back to the extreme lower end of Union Cemetery. The body was buried with full military honors. Lautenbacher was injured while acting captain of Company C, 316 Infantry, 79th Division near Mount Faucon. He was struck in the right shoulder, the bullet passing through his body and emerging on his left side. He was taken to the hospital in the rear and died five days later on October 2. He had been ill with the flu and had been tagged for the hospital but refused to go back as long as his company was on the firing line and would probably have recovered had it not been for his weakened condition. He was born at Williamstown and was a graduate of the high school there. At the time he enlisted for service at the Mexican border he was a student in the American School of Dramatic Art. He had remarkable success in home talent plays as he had much natural ability. Prior to his service on the border he had served several enlistments in the National Guard being a member of Company, made into an engineer company and was a member when they became Company C, 103rd Engineers. Later at a training camp he earned his commission and was assigned to the 316th Infantry, 79th Division and was sent to France in July 1918. Besides his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ivan L. Lautenbacher, two sisters, Ruth and Katherine, survive. |
| PLEASE NOTE: Articles on this page are now grouped by type and in chronological order. Newest articles are highlighted with a yellow background. Sections include Fires: listing major blazes or improvements to service in town over the years; Municipal News which shares articles about the town's growth; Tragedies notes sad tales within the town; Crime denotes incidents involving the law; The Great War documents Schuylkill Haven's participation in World War One; Other Notable Events covers items from early auto accidents to ghosts to inventors to odd and interesting stories of Schuylkill Haven of the day. |
| MARTIN DREIBELBIS |
| ELECTRICITY COMES TO SCHUYLKILL HAVEN |
| These two articles address the beginnings of electricity in Schuylkill Haven. |
| COMING OUT OF DARKNESS |
| Schuylkill Haven Declares for Electric Light |
| Pottsville Republican February 5, 1891 |
| A prominent citizen of Schuylkill Haven writes to the Republican as follows: The Schuylkill Haven Borough Council adopted the Thompson-Houston electric arc light at their regular meeting last Tuesday evening, and in our estimation it showed good sense and judgement in giving the citizens a good and superior light even if it would cost a trifle more then the Edison and Westinghouse. The committee appointed by Council, comprising Messrs. Weber, Moser, Mayberry, McGoey and Freed, to visit Martinsburg W. Va, Harrisburg, Pottsville, Mahanoy City, Shenandoah and several other places to inquire and inspect the electric plants of the Edison Westinghouse and Thompson-Houston systems, submitted their report to Council on Tuesday evening. The Edison Westinghouse and the Thompson-Houston companies were represented by Messrs. Meyers, Porter and Snow respectively. After some discussion it was unanimously decided to adopt the Thompson-Houston electric arc light as most suitable for the borough. It has been darkly hinted by several citizens of this enterprising town that the committee received boodle for making a more favorable report relative to the plant now adopted. The gentlemen comprising that committee are honorable and upright citizens in every sense, and their refusal of boodle offered by an agent of a different company showed the honesty and backbone that was in this committee and should be commended. We hope Council will immediately take steps to have the town lighted by electricity at an early date. |
| Pottsville Republican October 22, 1891 |
| SCHUYLKILL HAVEN'S NEW LIGHT |
| The Electric Plant Set in Motion Last Night by Due Ceremonies Our neighbors of Schuylkill Haven came in out of the darkness last night and set in motion its new electric plant and flashed before the astonished citizens forty-five glaring lights of the Thompson-Houston system. It is unnecessary to say that everyone was pleased even those who were first opposed to the cost of the plant to be erected by the borough, but the progressive council braved the storm of opposition and now every taxpayer can see the result and the advantages of well lighted streets. The light was turned on at 7:20 o'clock pm, by Clarence, the 12 year old son of President H. J. Moser of the Borough Council, under the direction of Superintendent Freed, Engineer Robinson, Machinists Wilson and Killian and Councilman Mulholland. The plant is located behind the Pennsylvania freight depot and has been erected by the borough at a cost of $12,600, and can be enlarged at any time as the demands and wants of the people warrant it. At present forty-five lights are used to light the streets and every one confess it is an improvement that will pay for itself in a few years. To vary the monotony of seeing a flood of light surrounding the town, a game of quoits was resorted to under the new light at Greenawalt's store, and created some amusement for the bystanders. At last accounts the advocates of the electric light were ahead and scored many "hobs" and finally won the game. Messrs. Moser, Felix, Reifsnyder and Mulholland inspected the lights last night in their official capacity. |


| NEWS OF THE GREAT WAR |
| OTHER NOTABLE AND UNUSUAL NEWS OF TOWN |
| Pottsville Republican of July 19, 1919 AIRPLANE LANDS BEAVER VALLEY;ENGINE TROUBLE An airplane flying westward had engine trouble while passing over the Beaver Valley, below Schuylkill Haven, Saturday morning and was forced to land in a field near the farm owned by Allen Sterner of Pottsville. There were three men in the machine and they were some time in making repairs, after which they hopped off and flew low over the valley in a westerly direction. While going through the valley they were not more then a hundred feet from the ground and the residents of that section had a fine opportunity to get a good view of it in operation. The damage was not serious and the pilot was able to bring the machine down easily, making a perfect landing. The big field afforded an excellent flying field for the aviators and they did not seem to be much perturbed by the unexpected descent. This is the first of the many machines which fly over the county to land in the county and fortunately no one was injured. One of the aviators of the western mail service was killed Saturday morning when his machine met with a mishap near Bellefonte, the first stopping place of the long flight to Cleveland and Chicago. * This event took place about one year after the first sighting of an airplane over Schuylkill Haven. |
| Pottsville Republican of May 19, 1917 SCH. HAVEN HAD GREAT PATRIOTIC OUTPOURING TO ATTEST LOYALTY TO FLAG AND COUNTRY With the tri-color of France and the British Union Jack marking a harmonious contrast to the thousands of American flags, over three thousand residents of Schuylkill Haven paraded the principal streets of that borough in a big outburst of patriotism that was enthusiastic as those for which the past month or more have awakened the entire county to the duty that it is being called upon to perform. The serious side of the demonstration was indicated by the presence of Company C Engineers, which paraded in full marching equipment, while the fact that the populace of the town would soon be called upon to give its sons, was brought home by the parading of a hundred of the new company of engineers. Eighteen bands and drum corps made the music for the pageant which took practically all the residents off the sidewalks and put them in the line of march. Secret societies, churches, railroaders, factory employees and even the tiniest school tot was in line. Probably the most impressive group in line was the school children of the public and parochial schools, which paraded with almost every member of nine hundred pupils in line. Next in point of contrast was the demonstration made by the Red Cross organization, which was newly organized a little over a week ago. The women paraded in twenty five automobiles, which flooded to the breeze hundreds of the red cross flags, the white field with the Swiss cross center. The high school made a pretty turnout, girls parading, white skirts and blue coats, red, white and blue hair bands. Practically the whole turnout of the school were attired in white with the American colors and neckties or hair bands. The Pennsylvania Railroad employees and the P and R Railroad employees, with over three hundred, paraded with the familiar blue diamond of the Reading, while the Pennsylvania were marked by a white field and a red keystone center. Many other groups, attired in patriotic colors filled the parade. Every business place in Schuylkill Haven, including the saloons, was closed. Every resident of Schuylkill Haven is in a patriotic mood and as early as one o'clock the formation of the various divisions started. Extra trolley service brought thousands of people into town and everything was closed tight from one o'clock until after the parade. It was a sight that will never be forgotten by the residents of Schuylkill Haven. |
| Pottsville Republican of August 20, 1919 SCHUYLKILL HAVEN SOLDIERS HONORED BY TOWNSMEN Saturday at Schuylkill Haven the three hundred soldiers of that town will have impressed upon them that their home folks are proud of them for the service they rendered to their nation in its time of need, as this is the day for which the preparations of the past weeks have been centering to hold a parade and a program of pleasure and enjoyment, which it is intended shall be one of the bright spots in the minds of the khaki clad boys of a year ago but most of whom are now back again in their peaceful pursuits with the war but a memory. Schuylkill Haven responded as few towns have done in sending her sons to the front. The town was represented very largely in the three Pottsville companies, particularly in Company C of the 103rd Engineers. Many of these boys won well deserved promotions to commissioned and non-commissioned officers, while on the other hand many of them gave their lives or sustained grievous wounds which they will always carry with them as long as there is life. The big parade, in the afternoon, will not be the only feature of the day by any means, although the procession is of a kind which will set a mark which will probably never be surpassed. The town will be in semi-holiday life all day Saturday, as stores will be closed, factories will suspend operations, and many of the industries in nearby towns will suffer because of the absence of Schuylkill Haven workers. The town intends to celebrate the occasion fittingly and to do this all hands intend to pitch in and do a share. In the morning a baseball game will be played on the Haven grounds between the Cressona and Mount Carmel Polish Giants. Those who follow baseball know that it would scarcely be possible to get together two teams more evenly matched to insure a good game. Following the parade, probably at three o'clock, the soldiers will give an exhibition of trench warfare and drills and also machine gun drill. At 3:45 o'clock the Tigers and the Giants will play the second ballgame of the day. While the ball game is going on, those who do not care to attend this sport will find chance for entertainment in the drills which will be conducted by the Boy Scouts on Saint John Street. This will be at four o'clock. The banquet for the soldiers will be held from six to eight o'clock and a fine menu has been prepared. Band concerts will be held from 7:15 until 8:15 o'clock at the Heim store by the Citizen's Band and at the Hotel Grand by the Bressler Band. At the public meeting to be held in the evening a musical program will be rendered. Then from 9:30 until 11:00 o'clock there will be the Block Party dance. It can be readily seen that the program is one that will give pleasure to all and will not leave an idle minute during the entire day or evening. But it is not to even end at midnight, for Sunday is to be another day of patriotic celebration. In the afternoon there will be a memorial service at Saint John Street beginning at 2:15 o'clock. All ministers of town will take part in these exercises. There will be one address. The program will open by a short sacred concert by the Citizen's Band. This will be followed by the memorial service. The band will render several selections during the service. Following the memorial service another sacred concert will be given on Dr. Rutter's lawn on Saint John Street. The Bressler Band will hold this concert and it will last from four until five o'clock. In the evening special church services will be held in all of the churches at the usual hour, to which the public is invited. |
| Pottsville Republican of March 14, 1888 Joseph Bolt, the well known blacksmith, of Schuylkill Haven, has for some months past been working on a new patent safety railway gate upon which he received a patent dated February 28, 1888. It is an ingenious device, preserving the utility of all former patent gates, but is pronounced by prominent railway officials far superior to anything of the kind yet presented to their notice. It can be operated by the wheels of the moving train at almost any distance; the speed in closing being regulated at will. Should a person or team be enclosed on the track the arms are so arranged that they can be pushed outward with a slight pressure, but cannot be pushed over the railroad. Mr. John F. Deibert has an interest in the new patent. Several offers of purchase have been made to them, but they will not sell, preferring to reap the rich reward which certainly awaits them. |
| Pottsville Republican of February 4, 1927 BLIND FOR YEARS, SEES To be able to see quite clearly for several days, after being totally blind for a number of years, was the experience of Frank Shollenberger of Garfield Avenue, Schuylkill Haven, and he is hoping that his sight may be permanently restored. During the World War, Mr. Shollenberger, who now conducts a little store in Schuylkill Haven, was working in a chemical plant in New Jersey, when an explosion occurred and he was deprived of the sight of both eyes. He went to Dr. Sweet, the eminent specialist, who has since died, and was told that there was no help for him but that a film or seal of some sort had formed over the eye. Dr. Sweet warned him not to allow any physician to operate and to be very careful not to touch his eyes in any way, for there was a possibility that this film might suddenly burst if let alone and he might be able to see. While working about his store last Monday, Mr. Shollenberger was astonished to find that he was able to see objects about the room. He had a severe cold in his eyes for several days and its believed that this aided in breaking the film. He was able to see very clearly for two days but then the swelling from the cold closed his eyes almost entirely and although he can still distinguish between light and darkness, he is trying not to strain his sight in any way, hoping that when the cold disappears, he will be able to see once more. His family and friends are all earnestly hoping that this may be the case. |
| Pottsville Republican of January 1, 1918 TOWN RAISES SERVICE FLAG A patriotic community watch service was held in the auditorium of the new high school building, Schuylkill Haven on Monday night, which proved to be a unifying force in that community. All the religious bodies of the town united in the service in the interest of the boys that have gone from the homes of the community. It was an inspiring sight, for as the names of the men in the service was called, representatives of their families arose and at the conclusion of the calling of the Honor Roll, the audience arose and the patriotic hymn, "America", was sung with renewed inspiration. The Service Flag, which was concealed behind the arch on the stage, was unfurled and called forth great enthusiasm. It is a regulation Service Flag, five by eight with one large star in the center of the white field, with white numerals on the blue star, indicating the 179 boys who are in the service of our country. One gold star graces the flag in honor of Robert Baker, sailor, formerly a mate on the United states ship Alabama, who died in October of blood poison. The program was carried through on schedule time. There were two guests present to lead in the interpretation of patriotism and the issues involved in the struggle in which our country has been called upon to take her part. Reverend A. O. Reiter, of Pottsville, was present as the special guest of the Ministerial Association of Schuylkill Haven, whose address was inspiring and helpful. Lieutenant Joseph A. Judge was the main speaker of the evening and proved to be a great unifying force in the meeting. His address was logical and convincing. The task before us was visualized and the audience was inspired and enthused. The auditorium was filled to capacity. Quite a large addition was made to the Red Cross enrollment. As the old year ended and the new year was ushered in the large audience arose and sang "The Star Spangled Banner" with the greatest devotion. In every way the meeting was a splendid success. |
| Pottsville Republican of June 7, 1922 FEAR HAVEN BOY DROWNED Lamar Moser, aged sixteen, son of Clarence Moser of Schuylkill Haven, is believed to have been drowned in the reservoir in back of the car shops at Schuylkill Haven, and a party of men were at once put to work at pumping the water from the reservoir to see if the body can be recovered. The young man, who is a popular high school student, went for a swim shortly before noon Wednesday and several hours later some children who were laying about the reservoir came back to the town and said that they had found his clothing on the bank near the reservoir, but no trace of the boy could be found. A number of men at once started out to search for him and although they searched the woods nearby, he has not been found, and it is feared that he is drowned. Up to a late hour his body had not been found. Several hundred men were at the reservoir pumping out the water, the boy's father, Clarence Moser, a fireman on the P and R Railroad, and the grandfather, H. L. Moser of Schuylkill Haven were on the scene and were nearly frantic with grief as all efforts to find the body were in vain. Several men were diving and grappling hooks were being used but with no results. The whole town was anxiously awaiting some definite news as the young man was a Boy Scout and was very popular. |
| Pottsville Republican of January 13, 1899 LODGE'S ANNIVERSARY The members of Carroll Lodge, Number 120, I. O. O. F. of Schuylkill Haven, last evening celebrated the sixteenth anniversary of its institution. There was a delightful program of exercises rendered, after which the members and wives and lady friends sat down to a most sumptuous banquet. The anniversary was celebrated at Metamora Hall, which was comfortably filled, altogether a number of the members were detained at home owing to illness. The exercises opened by the Eiler Cornet band rendering a choice selection. This was followed by prayer by Chaplain S. R. Hartranft, after which D. S. Byerly delivered an address of welcome. The address of the evening was made by Dr. C. Lenker, whose subject was "Odd Fellowship". Miss Bessie Dengler recited a selection which was well received. Speeches and songs were indulged in by others during the evening. The party dismissed at two o'clock this morning. |
| Pottsville Republican of November 30, 1904 NEW BANK IS THROWN OPEN Schuylkill Haven's new bank at the corner of Main and Saint John Streets which was just completed at a cost of $23,000, was thrown open for public inspection today, many hundreds of people availing themselves to the opportunity to see the handsome structure. The building is a two story structure, built of light brick with stone trimmings to match. Th bank will occupy the forward portion of the first floor of the building, while the rear of this floor and the entire second floor will be used as a dwelling by F. B. Keller, the cashier. The bank's quarters are divided into several apartments, consisting of a director's room, a consulting room and the lobby for the use of the general public. The bank has a tile floor and marble wainscoting, the fixtures being in dark oak and French glass. A combination steam and hot air plant heats the building. A large burglar and fire proof safe with time lock, and equipped with numerous small vaults for rental purposes, has been put in place. The writing shelves are of French plate glass with glass receptacles for the stationery. The guard is of handsome bronze design. McCauley and Company of Philadelphia were the architects, the contractor being Irvin Becker, of Schuylkill Haven. The bank is known as the First National Bank of Schuylkill Haven and was organized in 1889. It has up to this time occupied the property of Henry Saylor. The new building is on the Wiltrout corner. The officers are C. C. Leader of Shamokin, president; S. A. Mengle, Schuylkill Haven, vice president; F. B. Keller, Schuylkill Haven, cashier; J. A. Noecker, Schuylkill Haven, solicitor. The bank has a capital of $50,000 and a surplus of more then $25,000. It has paid dividends the past three years. Formal possession of the new building will be taken tomorrow. |

| At one time, banks issued their own currency. Above is a fine example of a ten dollar note issued by the bank noted in the article preceding the image. |
| Pottsville Republican of June 3, 1921 BOY WALKS FROM FLORIDA Paul Neyer, the sixteen year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Neyer, of Schuylkill Haven, who disappeared last winter, leaving his shoes on the bank of the Schuylkill River near the Schucker Garage, returned home last night. He is well dressed and in robust health. It was noted that he came home just before school closed and it was his dislike for school that sent him on his travels. At the time he left, the State Police everywhere were looking for him and the police in leading cities had a description of him. The boy says he has been in Florida for several months and that he worked in a potato chip factory, receiving $35 a week. He hit the state road when he left Schuylkill Haven, spent several days in Reading and walked every step of the way to Florida, except that he received frequent lifts in automobiles, sometimes riding for many miles. He took odd jobs along the road and received enough money to live, often existing on fruit and berries secured along the road. He never went near a railroad for several reasons. In Florida, he saved money but although he had a considerable sum in his pockets he walked all the way home, except as stated when he received lifts in autos. He says he liked Florida, but a desire for his home drew him back. |
| Pottsville Republican of April 6, 1914 ASK $15,000 BOND FOR CARNIVAL Schuylkill Haven Council at a meeting held on Monday evening decided that if the Citizens Band of the town intended to have a carnival they would be obliged to enter bond in the sum of $15,000. After about two hours of very lengthy argument between the Council members and the representatives of the band, a vote was taken by the council which resulted with seven of them in favor of having the carnival and five against it. The president declared that permission had been given them by the vote, but that the bond as stated must be furnished before they will be allowed to go on with their street carnival. It will be remembered that after the last celebration in that town Council passed a ordinance forbidding the use of the streets for carnivals no matter for what purpose. Messrs. Herbert Baker and Clayton Eiler represented the Citizens Band while Howard Stager was a representative of the Athletic Association of that town, in league with the band. This trio put up a stiff argument in favor of the carnival and it was though their explanations that the permission was granted. They explained how carnivals of this kind benefited the town and were of the opinion that another one would be a helping hand in their borough. The band representatives told how they were obliged to get funds to conduct their band that they had no contributors and they were obliged to earn in some manner money for their treasury. A visitor stated that he knew of one person at least who would contribute and both representatives of the band explained their past experience which showed perfectly that supports by contributions was out of the question. On the opposite side were petitions from the churches in that town stating that in their opinion these celebrations were detrimental to the town. The immorality topic was their plea and they contended that these celebrations did more to demoralize the entire community than anything else they knew of. These petitions were signed by some of the members of their churches, mostly women. After the hearings of both sides, the discussion began and it was one of the warmest arguments heard in any meeting for many a day. Both sides seemed determined to win and when the vote was taken on the proposition it was seen that the band led by the small majority of two votes. Schuylkill Haven is the scene of much argument today over the carnival proposition and while it was the opinion of many of the citizens that the band would be allowed to have the carnival, they did not expect to see such a fight on the part of the churches on this account. The permission is granted and that is what the band were fighting for and arrangements will begin in another week for holding the celebration which will be of one week’s duration. |
| Pottsville Republican of October 20, 1896 CONGRESSMAN BROSIUS! Delivered a Telling Speech Last Night - Schuylkill Haven Alive The Watchfires Ablaze and Patriotism Runs High for McKinley and Hobart and the Whole Ticket - Flags, decorations and Cheers Everywhere Schuylkill Haven tendered a cordial reception last evening to Honorable Marriotte Brosius, Congressman from the "Old Guard", once so ably represented by that illustrious friend of humanity, Thaddeus Stevens, and to whom the present Congressman is a worthy successor in line. The meeting was arranged on short notice through the energy of Candidate Losch in conjunction with the newly organized McKinley Hobart Club of that patriotic town with the official sanction of the Republican organization. During yesterday there were many busy hands engaged in the work of preparation. First a large American flag was thrown across the street from the Central Hotel to Metamora Hall in which the meeting was to be held. The hall was then handsomely decorated with flags, bunting and evergreens. The stage was set with potted plants decorated with life size busts of McKinley and Hobart, and in the evening, when illuminated by electricity, presented a picture of cheerfulness and almost indescribable beauty. At half past seven o'clock, Dr. Lenker, of whom Mr. Brosius was a guest while in town, accompanied by the local committee, S. A. Losch, R. H. Koch, esquire, the second speaker of the evening, G. C. Schrink, J. W. Whitehouse, Esquire (the latter two of whom accompanied the Lancasterian from Reading) and a number of others from various parts of the county, filed up from the rear entrance to the stage where they were greeted with a lively hand clapping. After being seated, Mr. Charles H. Cline, president of the Schuylkill Haven McKinley Hobart Club, called for order. The organization having been approved amid hear applause, Dr. Lenker announced the great pleasure it afforded him to introduce to a Schuylkill Haven audience, composed of his neighbors, who never thought themselves too wise to receive instructions nor too perverse to be willing to learn, Congressman Brosius of Lancaster. After apologizing for wearing the cognomen of "Congressman", Mr. Brosius at once entered heartily into the discussion of the current issues which confronted the people of this country today and in the course of his extended remarks of nearly two hours he skipped no facts nor spared no figures which were convincing that the Republican party, the party of honesty and sound money, the party loyal to American institutions, the party of patriotism and in favor of national integrity, was right in this great conflict as it had always been right on every great question that has confronted our national honor or threatened the nation's existence. Our only regret is that we are unable to present in stenographic report of the Lancasterian's speech in full. It was sound to the core and was received with unbounded applause throughout. It will bear good fruit in due time. At the conclusion of Mr. Brosius' remarks, R. H. Koch, esquire, was introduced and made one of the most eloquent concise speeches, which was in turn followed by Honorable Samuel A. Losch, candidate for State Senator, who was heartily applauded. The meeting adjourned with cheers and amid the utmost good feeling. It was one of the most orderly, enthusiastic and instructive meetings yet held in Schuylkill County. |
| Pottsville Republican of July 9, 1925 GIRL SWALLOWS FIVE SAFETY PINS While playing with a sewing basket at her home, Wednesday evening, Fern Renninger, two year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Renninger of Schuylkill Haven swallowed five safety pins which were removed from her stomach by an operation performed by Dr. H. C. Wallace. Her condition Thursday was reported favorable and it is believed she will recover. The pins, one of a large size, one a medium and the others of a small size were taken from the stomach a short distance from the intestinal passage and the fact that they were all closed probably saved the little girl from a horrible death. It is believed to be the first case of its kind in this section and the pins when found were all closely together showing that the child must have swallowed them at one time. It is a miracle that they did not lodge in the throat which would no doubt have caused her death by strangulation. Nine days later... Pottsville Republican of July 18, 1925 Fern Renninger, three year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Renninger of Schuylkill Haven, who swallowed five safety pins several weeks ago came home from the hospital Saturday and it is reported that her condition is satisfactory. |
| Pottsville Republican of April 24, 1915 SCHUYLKILL HAVEN FREE DELIVERY Postmaster Fred B. Reed, of Schuylkill Haven, is in receipt of three communications regarding the instituting of free mail service in Schuylkill Haven and according to these notices there will be no free mail delivery in that town until after July 1, the fiscal government year. The communications followed a petition by over 450 voters of Schuylkill Haven, asking the government to install free mail delivery there. The first letter received was from D. C. Roper, first assistant postmaster general at Washington, and it stated that the receipts at Schuylkill Haven fell off during the past six months, ending December 31 of last year, and he did not deem it wise at this time to install free delivery. The second one, from R. D. Heaton, in explanation stated that the government felt that they would not take up any matter of this kind at any place owing to the general fall off of post office receipts through the European war, and that it was very probable that this would be given first thought on or about July 1. The free mail delivery service was promised Schuylkill Haven about seven months ago. It was expected to have it instituted about January 1 of this year and then was delayed a month later and again thirty days more. In the meantime Schuylkill Haven residents got busy numbering their houses, and the council of that town expended some money in having the streets named and a sign posted at each street corner. It was seen that there would be no free mail service at once as there were no notices about examinations for positions and the voters then took the matter up, finally getting a series of petitions on the market. These were in the hands of popular citizens in that town and last week were turned in with over 450 voters names. Recognition was given these petitions and a very early answer was given the Schuylkill Haven citizens to clear their minds and to assure them that the free mail delivery proposition had not fallen through. |
| Pottsville Republican of May 31, 1932 BOY FELL OFF RAFT DROWNS Kenneth Shollenberger, six year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Shollenberger, Schuylkill Haven, drowned in Miller's Pond, near Schuylkill Haven, Monday when a raft from which he, his sister Fern and two companions were fishing, overturned. The other three were able to reach shore in safety but Kenneth sank. A short time later, A. A. Alleman, operator of a washery near the pond, recovered the body and made efforts to resuscitate the boy but life was already extinct. Dr. Lenker, the deputy coroner in Schuylkill Haven, who was summoned to the scene of the accident, pronounced the boy dead. When the child fell on the overturning raft, his head struck the edge and he was rendered unconscious, a large mark over the temple and forehead showed where he struck. The family are former Pottsville residents, where the boy was born, the mother before her marriage was Irene Reed of Tremont, and the father is a well known assistant in the Yost Meat Market at Schuylkill Haven. Besides his parents, the one sister Fern survives. The family are embers of Christ Lutheran Church, Schuylkill Haven. The funeral will be held from the family home on Thursday afternoon with services at the Union Cemetery with Reverend E. H. Smoll presiding. |
| Pottsville Republican of August 19, 1932 SCHUYLKILL HAVEN LEGIONNAIRE GOT MILITARY DECORATION Edward Mengle of town, who served in the World War with the 103rd Engineers, has received from the War Department the decoration known as the Order of the Purple Heart. The award reads "given for special military merit". Back in the Revolutionary days this order was founded by General Washington and was given to soldiers then for special valor in service. In memory of the Washington anniversary year, the War Department have again taken up the order and wounded men or men who have been cited for special acts of bravery are eligible for this honor. The citation is made by certificate and Mr. Mengle of town was one of the first men in this county to receive it. He is a member of the Baker Post of the American Legion of town and a member of the milling firm, Mengle Brothers, of Beckville. |
| The following three articles are related and tell a sad tale..... |
| Pottsville Republican of April 4, 1916 MISSING SCHUYLKILL HAVEN MAN FOUND DEAD After searching for Clayton Mengle, aged twenty one years, of Schuylkill Haven since New Year's, his dead body was found in the river to the rear of Bast's Factory near the covered bridge at Schuylkill Haven on Wednesday morning by a schoolboy named Noecker, of that town. Mengel was identified by means of some postcards that he had in his pockets and also by a scar on his face. The body was badly decomposed and by all appearances has been dead for many weeks. The authorities upon the finding of the body started a search for the body of Miss Helen Hepler of Cressona, with whom Mengle was supposed to have gone away with about New Years. The authorities think that perhaps her body may be in the river also, and while they have no special reason to confirm this belief, they are searching all along the river for her body. It will be remembered that about New Years Mengle, who is a son of Henry Mengle of Schuylkill Haven, disappeared from Schuylkill Haven and at the same time, Miss Helen Hepler, a daughter of Charles Hepler of Cressona, aged nineteen years, also disappeared. The two were friends and it was the opinion of the members of the families of the both that they ran away together. The state police have been working on the case ever since and twice they thought they had a clue in Maryland, where it was thought they had gone to be married. About seven weeks ago a suicide story was circulated about the pair but this was found to be untrue. The last heard of the pair was January 2 of this year, when residents of Schuylkill Haven claim to have seen them together. The authorities are puzzled over the finding of the body of Mengel. He has one mark on his head but otherwise seems unmarked. The suicide theory was advanced and it is the general opinion that this is the case. Dr. G. O. Santee, acting as coroner for Dr. Moore, who is out of town, seems to think that the boy committed suicide. Late Wednesday afternoon there were several state policeman and residents of Schuylkill Haven searching for the body of Miss Hepler. Besides his parents, Mengle leaves to survive him two sisters, Mary and Eva, wife of Evan Steinbrunn. |
| Pottsville Republican of July 3, 1916 MAY BE BODY OF HELEN HEPLER What may be the last chapter in the famous Mengle-Hepler case turned on Monday afternoon with the finding of a body of a girl,decapitated, in the Schuylkill River near the washery at Landingville. It is believed to be the body of Miss Helen Hepler, the fourteen year old girl whose whereabouts have been unknown since January 2. Her father was notified by Coroner Moore about 10:30 o'clock and he viewed the body which is in a badly decomposed state. He was unable to positively identify the remains although he knew she wore a blue dress similar to the shreds of the one found on her and in the river. The buttons on the dress were practically the same he said and he agreed that she wore a locket, bracelet and ring similar to those found on the girl in the river, yet he would not positively say that it was his daughter. The mother was sent for at 2:30 o'clock and the body removed to Schuylkill Haven to await her identifying the body. Coroner Moore says that it is beyond doubt the Hepler girl and the state police are of the opinion that it is the girl being sought since January. The condition of the body and being minus the head made identification hard and the father and people who knew Helen Hepler said it looked nothing like her body. The father said that if it is his daughter, it bears out the statement made by him several weeks ago when he asserted that a train struck both his daughter and Clayton Mengle, the boy with whom she disappeared. In order to make identification a trifle easier, the blue shreds of a skirt found on her were washed by the authorities on Monday afternoon before the mother was brought to identify the body. An investigation is being made and an inquest will likely follow. It will be remembered that Miss Hepler and Clayton Mengle of Schuylkill Haven, who was her sweetheart, disappeared at the same time, the evening of January 2, and nothing was heard of either of them until April 4th, when a boy named Noecker found the body of Mengle in the Schuylkill River just below the covered bridge, at the point where the Bast boys fell in and were drowned some years ago. Up to this time the state police and authorities all over the state had been looking for the pair and had run down more then thirty clues all of which failed to give the police any information as to their whereabouts. It was rumored in Cressona that the girl had been seen by a policeman in Easton and later in Allentown and after this pictures of the pair were sent state wide in an effort to land them. Shortly after the funding of the body of young Mengle, a note was found in the Schuylkill River near Reading which read as follows, "We are tired of life and have ended our miseries together. You will find both our bodies in the river." The note was found in an old bottle shaped can was corked so as to be free from rain. The boys that found it turned it over to the police in Reading and the state police in town were notified. They at once started an investigation after securing samples of the writing of both Miss Hepler and Mengel, and finally concluded that the writing was neither that of Miss Hepler nor Mengle, although both their names were signed. The case then was just as deep as ever and the police started to work over some facts that had been brought out at the inquest conducted by Coroner Moore on the evening of April 11th. It was shown at the inquest that the Mengel boy, who was twenty one years of age, and pretty Miss Hepler, who had just passed her nineteenth birthday, were to meet in front of the hose house in Cressona, friends of the two having testified to this statement. The girl was seen to leave her girlfriends in Cressona and walk towards the Cressona road where she would reach the hose house, and likewise Mengel broke away from his chums and went to meet her. That was the last seen of either of them alive and since that time the authorities have had nothing on which to base any foundation and have been searching for the young lady, the finding of Mengle's body coming as a surprise to them. A hat belonging to the Hepler girl was found in the bushes near the railroad at Connor's Crossing and this together with other information regarding the pair, resulting in the decision of the girl's father that the two had been hit by a train and driven into the river. A railroad crew several weeks ago also remarked that they felt they had struck someone but were never able to give out any definite information. |
| Pottsville Republican of July 5, 1916 HEPLER GIRL BURIED TUESDAY After several hours investigation,. The body of the girl found in the Schuylkill River near the washery at Landingville on Monday afternoon, was identified as that of Helen Hepler and the remains were claimed on Monday night by her parents and were taken from the almshouse to the Hepler home, from where the funeral was held on Tuesday afternoon. The identification was made through a locket which was found on her neck. W. L. McLarren of Cressona, a merchant, sold it to Helen Hepler a week before she went away, identifying it as the same one that he sold her. It had a diamond chip on the top and a large stone setting in the middle, being of an odd figure and easy to identify. When the father saw the body he said it was not the body of his daughter and with the head not visible he was unable to identify it. He could not identify the bracelet, rings or locket as the property of his daughter although he knew she had some similar to those found on the body. He refused to claim the body and Coroner Moore sent the remains to the almshouse, from where it was taken after the father and mother were shown that the daughter had purchased this locket the week before she and Mengle left Cressona, from McLarren. The blue coat, blue skirt and red sweater were not identified by the parents although this description was given by them and other witnesses at the inquest and when the report of their disappearance was made. Coroner Moore stated on Wednesday that he would not conduct an inquest, that he was satisfied that nothing more could be learned then was brought out at the Mengle inquest. He says that in his opinion the girl and Mengel were struck by a train while on the bridge near Schuylkill Haven and that their bodies were both knocked in the river. Upon investigation of the body Coroner Moore found that the girl's right arm was broken and that the right arm of Mengle was broken, so that is plausible that the pair were struck by the train. There are many who consider the case a deep mystery and can not understand how the pair were struck by a train and the crew did not ever learn of it or feel the jar. One crew a short time after the pair disappeared said they felt sure they struck some object and when they alighted from their train and went back to investigate, they were unable to find a trace of anyone. |
| WHO TURNED ON THE LIGHT |
| THE COST AND LOCATION |
| Pottsville Republican of August 8, 1935 DRAG LAKE FOR MISSING BOY Lester Ketner, twenty, son of Harry Ketner of Schuylkill Haven, is missing from the bungalow at Sweet arrow Lake, where he visited friends. According to his friends, Ketner left the bungalow during a card game about eleven o'clock Wednesday evening and has not been seen since. When he failed to return to the house they started a search for him and continued to look about the woods and vicinity of the lake all night and Thursday morning, notified the youth's father of his absence. He had a machine but this was left at the camp, and it is feared he may in some manner have fallen into the lake. He was fully clothed with the exception of his coat, and his continued absence Thursday morning prompted his father to summon state and state highway police aid and shortly after two o'clock the dragging of the lake was begun. A machine wrecked along the lake front last night gave rise to the rumor that Ketner's machine had been wrecked and he probably drowned. It was not his machine. His father said that he was a splendid swimmer and as he was in perfect health no reason can be advanced for his disappearance. He left the bungalow complaining of an attack of indigestion. He had been employed as a driver for Ehly's bakery at Schuylkill Haven until a year ago and recently was selling cars for Gipe. The youth's mother died when he was an infant and his grandmother, Mrs. John Ketner, of Parkway, Schuylkill Haven reared him. Chief of Police Deibert, of Schuylkill Haven, accompanied the boy's father to the lake Thursday morning. Pottsville Republican of August 9, 1935 MISSING YOUTH RETURNS HOME; 'THUMBED' RIDE TO WASHINGTON Lester Ketner, Schuylkill Haven, Surprised to Find Police and Highway Patrolmen Dragging Sweet Arrow Lake for Body Lester Ketner, twenty, son of Harry Ketner of Schuylkill Haven, returned to his home late Thursday afternoon to find police dragging Sweet Arrow Lake for his body. Ketner, who had been visiting friends at their bungalow at the lake, left the house during a card game about eleven o'clock Wednesday evening. When he failed to return, a searching party was organized. An all night search of the woods and lake shore failed to reveal a trace of him. On Thursday morning his friends, thoroughly alarmed, notified his father. The father summoned the State Police and the Highway Patrolmen to aid in the search. Shortly after two o'clock the dragging of the lake was begun. Late Thursday afternoon, while three power boats were still engaged in dragging the lake and the woods near the lake were being scoured for him, police were notified Ketner was in Pine Grove. He returned to the bungalow a short time later. Ketner expressing surprise at the furor his disappearance created, told police he left the house and walked to the highway after leaving the card game. He "thumbed" a ride on a coal truck, intending only to go a short distance. He fell asleep in the truck, however, he said, and when he awoke he was in Washington. Ketner said he spent all day Thursday hitchhiking back to Pine Grove. |
| Pottsville Republican of June 13, 1936 DEDICATE SCHUYLKILL HAVEN POST OFFICE SATURDAY Today marked an unusual day in the history of Schuylkill Haven. The modern Post Office building recently completed by the government contractors was formally dedicated to the use of the Postal service business. At eleven o'clock a delegation of local businessmen and others headed by Mayor Roy A. Scott, journeyed to Pottsville where they met visiting officials. At Saint John's Reformed church a luncheon was served after which headed by the local band the procession marched to the post office building at the corner of Main and saint John Streets. There from a platform erected on the Saint John Street side, draped in the national colors, the Honorable Clinton B. Eilenberger, third assistant postmaster delivered the dedicatory address. Congressman James Gildea had been designated by the Postal Department to have charge of the afternoon meeting and the entire program was prescribed by the Department at Washington. Honorable Ralph M. Bashore, secretary of Labor of the state of Pennsylvania and Honorable Roy Brownmiller, Deputy Highway Commissioner, were honored guests. In addition to Postmaster J. Harry Brownmiller, who accepted the building, quite a number of postmasters from this section were present. Prior to the afternoon exercises the visitors were entertained briefly at the home of earl Stoyer on east main street and following it a formal reception was given at the extensive estate of D. D. Coldren in the Blue Mountains near Port Clinton Gap. This evening at six o'clock, the days program will close with a banquet at Saint John's reformed church which will be attended by more than 250 people. Mayor Roy A. Scott, who is chairman of the borough general committee will have charge of this event. He will formally welcome the guests and introduce Attorney V. J. Dalton who will act as toastmaster. In July, Roy Brownmiller received word from Washington that $20,000 was offered to build the new office. The preliminary survey was done in August 1934 and in March 1935 the contract was awarded to Oscar Weinstine of Wilkes Barre. In August 1935, the work of razing the old Hotel Grand property was started and in September the actual work of construction was started. Mild weather was extremely favorable to the work but the snows of the severe winter delayed the work. However the work was completed on time and June 1st was occupied by Postmaster J. Harry Brownmiller and his force of employees. The building is of colonial design, one story with a roomy basement. It is modern in every particular, is centrally located and is indeed a welcome addition to the borough. In 1830 the first postmaster was named for Schuylkill Haven. Up to that time the residents had to go to the county seat at Orwigsburg for their mail, brought up the Schuylkill Valley by stagecoach. In 1915, letter carrier service was instituted and later parcel post delivery was included in their work. A horse and wagon was hired for use of one of the men, as it was found impossible to deliver by hand with the increase in size and weight of parcels accepted. Later a motor truck was purchased by the government for this work. The local office is well managed and enjoys a high rating of efficiency. |
| The Call of October 8, 1892 A GHOST IN SPRING GARDEN Those of our readers who have never believed in an apparition, a spirit or ghost, may have the strength of their faith tried by visiting certain parts of Spring Garden by night. This invisible wanderer of the night breaks forth with frightful wailings, indescribable with hideousness. It has even been so close as to make its presence felt and then emit such an unearthly shriek dwindling away into more pitiful moans as if the restless spirit were suffering untold agonies. Though heard every night of the week, this unseen messenger is more peculiar to Sunday or the early hours of Monday. More hen a dozen fishermen at the docks and workmen returning to their rest have heard it. Some tell of how it has followed after wailing forth its pitiful sobs as though it had a warning to give and only ceasing its pursuit when the pursued had tightly barred the door against it. Who, thus affrighted, goes to his fellow lodgers with palled face and heaving breast, at which they start and wake, only to listen to the deathlike and spiritual wails of the ghost breaking the silence of the night or the outside. |
| Many new stories just added including: The New Insane Asylum is dedicated and a tragic death occurs. A cat wrestles a six foot black snake, a young man survives an errant gunshot and "Bags" Graeff stops a runaway. New stories of fires include a blaze at the Peale farm, a fire on William Street and two teachers fight a barn fire. Almost two dozen new crime stories including: Bressler Band members assaulted, German beggar arrested, a baseball bat attack, burglaries during the summer of 1916 and Constable Butz captures several criminals. |
| MUNICIPAL NEWS |
| The Call of November 13, 1913 HORSES PLUNGE INTO KITCHEN An exciting runaway occurred on Wednesday afternoon in Spring Garden when the sorrel team of James M. Brown dashed into the home of David Fenstermacher. The team, hitched to a dump wagon, was standing near the chutes at the Pennsylvania freight station, when a noise of some kind caused them to take fright and they made a dash to get away. Driver Ketner being off the wagon, assisting in loading same, could not reach the reins in time and the horses came down the steep grade at the Pennsylvania station at a terrific pace. The wagon swinging from side to side broke off the posts of the guard rail as if they were mere strips of thin wood. When the team reached the bottom of the incline, not being able to turn quick enough, they dashed into the kitchen of David Fenstermacher on the left hand side of the road. The contact was so terrific that the tongue of the heavy wagon was driven clean through the side of the building for its full length. The one horse was thrown neath the wagon while the other was pinned between the side of the building and the heavy wagon. The one horse was badly injured and it is feared his leg is broken. The other horse escaped with a few bruises. It was fortunate there was no one in the Fenstermacher kitchen at the time as the tongue of the wagon struck the stove pipe and knocked it down. Had the tongue struck two and a half inches lower it would have bowled over the range and injured any person who might have been in the room. Persons who were attracted by the noise of the runaway and arrived on the scene in time to see the team dashing down the incline state it was the most thrilling and exciting scene they ever witnessed. |
| The Call of August 8, 1913 TO BUILD BRIDGE ACROSS RIVER The efforts to have the county construct a bridge across the Schuylkill River at a point near the Roller Rink connecting with Berne Street having failed, the Grand Jury before which the matter had to be argued, deciding that the cost would be too great on the county at this time, a movement has been begun by residents of Berne Street to effect a quicker means of communication. A petition is being circulated for subscriptions to cover the expense of constructing a substantial foot bridge between Berne Street and lower Main Street. It is proposed to construct at least a six foot wide bridge. The approach on the west side of the bridge being at a vacant lot on Berne Street directly opposite to the back road to Cressona and between the properties of Daniel Phillips and William Luckenbill. The east side approach to the bridge will be about 150 feet below the Roller Rink. The distance across the river at this point will be 115 feet. The bridge is to be of wooden construction on concrete piers. The estimated cost will be $1000 to $1200. Messrs. Phillips and Luckenbill, the owners of the vacant lot on the west side of the river have agreed to give sufficient ground for the approach to the bridge off of Berne Street. An effort will be made to have the Reading Company grant permission to build an approach on the east side on their property. The petition was circulated for the first time Monday and we are informed that several hundred dollars has already been subscribed for the project. Businessmen and public spirited citizens will be asked to contribute and in this way the amount necessary can easily be secured. It is also proposed to hold a festival in the near future to assist in securing the necessary funds. If at all possible it is the intention of the Berne Street residents to have the bridge built this year and from the general and liberal response already given them it is quite possible that this may be accomplished. |
| The Call of November 26, 1926 CHICKENS IN KITCHEN AND DOGS IN THE CELLAR Investigating a peculiar and obnoxious odor which has permeated the atmosphere of Prospect Hill for some time, local authorities on Sunday evening, being summoned by residents, found somewhat surprising conditions existing in one of a group of three frame dwellings on the side of the hill south of Market Street. Mother was engaged in roasting wheat to be used in the making of coffee. This gave off a peculiar odor, nevertheless the officers found the home in rather an unkempt condition and rather unsanitary. Health Officer Roan had accompanied the officers and he issued orders to have the house cleaned up immediately. The men found a whole flock of chickens in the kitchen sharing the hospitality and good fellowship of the children of the home. Several of the chickens had been nesting on an old sofa in one of the rooms. Empty tin cans were strewn about in the cellar way and on one of the cellar steps a dog was found had made his home. Down in the cellar were more chickens and another dog keeping house amid great disorder and dirt. The officers were actually amazed that the family had permitted conditions to become so uncleanly and unsanitary. Another visit is to be made to the home to learn whether the orders for cleaning up have been complied with. |
| The Call of March 30, 1928 SCHUYLKILL HAVEN IS TO HAVE AN AIRPORT Schuylkill Haven will, according to information received, soon be numbered in the forefront with those communities having the latest modern asset, namely an airport. It is to be opened within the next week and will be in one of the open fields near the brick plant. Little change will be required in the contour of the land as it is almost perfectly level at this time. A hangar will be erected and operations on the same will soon be begun and rushed with all speed possible. The owners of the airport will be John W. Noble and George E. Williams. The first plane will be an Aaco Number 10 and this is expected to arrive Saturday of this week. At a recent test the plane took off in a space of four hundred feet and rose to an altitude of one thousand feet. Sunday passengers will be carried and perhaps at a later date a freight and passenger service established between Schuylkill haven and other towns. Cross country flights will also be made. The firm has placed an order for delivery of its second plane for May 1st. The owners were some time ago granted a charter by the state to operate plans for passenger and freight service and were also given a certificate by the Public Service Commission and the firm is classed as a public utility company. |
| NEWS OF THE BRESSLER BAND |
| The Call of July 6, 1928 The hundreds and hundreds of radio fans in Schuylkill Haven and this section of the county will make special efforts this coming Sunday afternoon to tune in on WMBS of Harrisburg to listen to the special concert to be broadcast by the Bressler Band of fifty pieces of Schuylkill Haven. This will be the first time the Bressler Band has been on the air and it is confidentially believed the band will make quite a hit. Bandmaster Bressler has chosen a program of splendid numbers of the classic and of the sacred character. The men were put through a hard and long rehearsal last evening in order to be as near perfect as possible. The experience will be a novel one for them and as it is the first they will make every effort to give of their best. Schuylkill Haven as a community will reap a considerable amount of good publicity by having its musical organization broadcast and is indebted to the Reverend Beittel, who was very instrumental in obtaining a period in the broadcasting program. Also to the bandsmen for their time and efforts given so willingly and without compensation, or even remuneration for the personal expense that will be involved. While it may be true that WMBS may be a difficult station for radio fans in this section to tune in on, nevertheless the program will be listened to by an audience of thousands of persons throughout the country. The band will be on between four and five in the afternoon and will broadcast the following program: March, Old Berks, Althouse, Overture, Barber of Seville, Mill in the Forest, Eilenberg, selection from Romeo and Juliet, Sextette from Lucia, Donizetti, Ballet Music and Soldiers March from William Tell, Rossini, and a grand selection of sacred songs. |
| The Call of July 20, 1928 The military career of the Bressler band has come to an end as the last rehearsal or drill was held the last Monday in June and by reason of the period of enlistment having expired for the most of the men, the instruments, equipment, and all uniforms have been turned in to the state authorities. The band has been succeeded by a unit from Allentown. The band served Uncle Sam for a period of three years and as the 213th Regimental Band was conceded to be one of the best of three regimental bands in the state. The two organizations considered above the 213th Band for concert work were musical organizations from Pittsburgh and from Philadelphia each composed entirely of professional musicians. On the march and for drill the Bressler or 213th Regimental Band was considered far above either one of the other two. The band as a military organization was composed of about thirty five members of the regular Bressler Band, with the addition of seven or ten additional members from either military units or not members of the Bressler Band. Ten or fifteen enlistments of the military band have not expired because they did not all enlist at one and the same date. These men will be assigned to the Allentown unit. It is understood at least another ten or more members of the Bressler Band were ready and anxious to reenlist but the majority did not wish to do so and as a result not any of the men reenlisted. The reenlistments would have been for a period of one year. The men as a military band were required to attend at least forty eight drills or rehearsals of from one and a half to two hours duration during the year. For this they received in remuneration from the government $1.00 to $1.80 each, depending on their rank. During the year they were also required to attend a two week camp at which time the rate of pay was slightly higher. |
| BRESSLER BAND TO BE ON RADIO |
| BRESSLER BAND NO LONGER A MILITARY BAND |
| The Pottsville Republican of February 18, 1893 FROM “SCHUYLKILL HAVEN SHORTS” A gray haired widower of this borough is apparently in love with another man’s wife on your East Norwegian Street leading to Port Carbon. This married woman’s husband is engaged away from home, but on unexpectedly returning a short time ago he found his wife with the widower both beastly drunk, so much so that the woman had broken her nose. The widower in the husband’s absence spends days at the house, sends the woman for whiskey and then the fun commences which resulted in the aforementioned mishap. Names in connection with the disgraceful proceeding will not now be designated, but since this villainy has remotely been referred to before, it might be well to add that if it does not instantly cease, an old army musket barrel full of red pepper will be awaiting for the cranium of the intruder. The strong arm of the law will also be resorted to and the cops placed on guard. guard. |
| The Call of August 17, 1928 COUNCIL BUYS TWO TRAFFIC SIGNAL LIGHTS A short meeting of the Schuylkill Haven Town Council was held on Thursday evening with all members in attendance. The Highway Committee recommended that traffic signals be purchased of the Attica Company at their bid recently submitted. The committee determined upon this company’s signals after tabulation and comparison of the bids on traffic lights of several other bidders. The total cost for the two proposed signal lights will be $600. The plans call for the placing of a traffic light at the corner of Columbia and Berne Streets. It will be a four way three light system and will be of a pedestal type mounted upon a circular concrete and cast iron base. The base of the light will be illuminated with a white light. The base will be about the same size as the base of the present beacon light which it will replace. The second light will be placed at the corner of Dock Street and Centre Avenue, and will be a three way three light system. This will be of a suspension mast arm type mounted upon a circular concrete and iron base and will occupy the same space and position as the present beacon light which it will replace. Upon the concrete base will be a master pole of steel and from this steel arm will extend an arm from which the signal light will be extended. With the purchase of the two traffic lights the borough will have on its hands two traffic beacons and the question arose following the adjournment of the meeting, what disposition was to be made of the two beacons. Some councilmen favored their being placed at dangerous street intersections. Others favored their sale as their use will mean a continual expenditure for the gas which they consume. The Highway Department also recommended that A. R. Saylor of Schuylkill Haven, be awarded the contract for the placing of the large sewer in the south end of the Parkway. His bid was $1225. The next highest bidder, Schaffner Maberry was $1263. $1263. |
| The Call of May 28, 1926 WOMAN KILLED IN AUTO SMASH UP SATURDAY Mrs. John Eichert, of Fairmount, a resident of Schuylkill Haven for less than two months, received injuries in an auto accident at the corner of Union Street and Parkway, that caused her death several hours later. The accident happened Saturday afternoon about 1:45 o’clock when the Ford touring, driven by John Eichert and going west on Union Street collided with the Oldsmobile touring of Elmer Ketner and driven by Charles, the seventeen year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Christ Schumacher, which was going north on Parkway. The two machines came together at a point somewhat north of the center of the intersection. Mrs. Eichert was thrown out of the auto and struck her head upon the curbing surrounding the Parkway. Mrs. Eichert was picked up and taken to the office of Dr. L. D. Heim and later to her home, by Charles Schumacher, in the Ketner machine. Her death occurred about 7:00 as the result of internal injuries and a fractured skull. She had been unconscious, with the exception of brief periods, since the accident. Both occupants of the Eichert car were thrown out but Mr. Eichert escaped injury. The Ketner car was occupied by the driver, Charles Schumacher and Mrs. Elmer Ketner. They escaped injury. The Eichert car was badly damaged. The Ketner car had the fenders bended and the lights broken. Deceased was fifty seven years, eight months and twelve days of age. She, with her husband, were residents of Schuylkill Haven since March 29th of this year. They resided in Washington Township for many years where they followed farming. Besides the husband, one son, William, of Friedensburg, survives. Two sisters, Mrs. Charles Burns of Schuylkill Haven and Mrs. Daniel Confehr of Deturksville and one brother, Milton W. Moyer of Beaver Valley survive. Deceased was a member of the Hetzels Church. Her funeral took place Wednesday morning at nine o’clock with short services at her late home and in the Hetzels Church by Reverend Charles Brown. The bearers were Charles Luckens, A. A. Ruff, Milton Reber, Charles Lutz, Howard Roeder, Harry Reed. The funeral director was William Zerbe. Zerbe. |
| The Call of October 26, 1917 FIRST LOCAL DEATH IN WAR Schuylkill Haven’s first real sacrifice in the world war was made this week when the first one of her fighting sons lay down his life for his Uncle Sam. It was Robert Baker, of the U. S. S. Albany who died at the Naval Hospital in Brooklyn, Wednesday evening, following an illness of several weeks. Deceased was but nineteen years of age. He enlisted in the Navy in the early part of the year. He recently returned from a trip across the sea to England, being of the convoy which guarded the U. S. transports. The exact cause of his death could not be learned, the death certificate giving the cause of his demise as “a complication of diseases”. It was intimated that a serious nerve disease or rheumatic fever was the cause. It is known however that upon his return from a trip across the sea he slightly scratched his arm. He began scratching it as it healed with the result that it became infected and it was necessary to have it lanced several times. This might have developed into blood poisoning. Little information could be obtained by his father from the hospital authorities. Mr. Baker was born in Schuylkill Haven and spent the greater part of his life here. He was of a quiet disposition, well thought of, and enjoyed a wide acquaintanceship. He served with Company C Engineers during the late Mexican affair on the border and upon the return of his company to this county was transferred to the Pine Grove company. He enlisted in the Navy on April 17, 1917. He was a member of Saint John’s Reformed Church and Sunday School. He was associated with several fraternal organizations in town. He is survived by his father, Guy Baker of Liberty Street. At this writing definite funeral arrangements had not been made. made. |
| The Call of June 22, 1917 TOWN MAN NOW COUNTY JUDGE Late Saturday evening, Governor Brumbaugh appointed Charles E. Berger of Schuylkill Haven as Judge of Schuylkill County to succeed the late Charles N. Brumm, deceased. The Call bulletin board gave the public the first inkling of the appointment and the Call was the first to inform the newly appointed judge of the fact. At noon Mr. Berger still persisted the news must be a mistake. Later in the day however, advice from the capital city informed him of his appointment. As the news traveled about town early Sunday morning, on every side were heard expressions of absolute satisfaction and predictions of most excellent results from his elevation to the bar bench. The commission from the Governor arrived in Pottsville Monday morning at ten o’clock. Mr. Berger will take the oath of office Saturday, July 2nd. Of course Charles E. Berger needs no introduction to the people of his hometown. For the past thirty years or more he has been most active in the interest of the Republican Party. He has ably filled the positions of County Solicitor and District Attorney. He is looked upon as being the most learned member of the Schuylkill County Bar. During his term as District Attorney, he fearlessly prosecuted all cases that came before him and his prosecution of the ballot box fraud cases before Judge Brumm in 1909 resulted in cleaning up one of the most despicable and most criminal practices in the county. He is a brilliant lawyer and his services were always in demand. He established for himself an enviable reputation as the most shrewd and distinguished lawyer in this section of the state. Mr. Berger accepts the appointment of judge at a great personal sacrifice. He did not wish to be appointed to his position and at no time sanctioned the efforts being made on his behalf to secure the appointment for him. His extensive legal practice compensated him more generously then will the judgeship salary. His sacrifice is all the more indicative of his honor. Mr. Berger immediately upon his appointment began to adjust his private practice. After taking the oath of office July 2nd he will leave for Wildwood where he will spend several weeks vacation. He will take up his labors as Judge of Schuylkill County on Monday July 23rd. The present appointment while only good until January 1918 will not effect his career as a judge. At the election in November 1917, he will most surely be elected for a full and complete ten year term. |
| The Call of December 5, 1919 WAR COUNCIL DISBANDED At the meeting of the war Council held at Town Hall, Thursday evening the business of this organization was wound up and adjournment made “Sine Die” or forever. This means that the War Council, which organization took charge and conducted the various loan drives and campaigns and other work of various kinds during the war, has ceased to exist. The Community Hall proposition which has been under consideration by this organization for some time was, after a discussion, dropped entirely. The Community Hall had been suggested as the manner and method to show the town’s appreciation of the deeds of the Schuylkill Haven soldier boys, to honor them, and as a memorial to those who lay down their life. The committees appointed some time ago to take hold of the matter reported that they felt the proposition too large to handle for a town this size. That the cost of construction would be between $50,000 and $60,000 and that a sufficient fund for maintenance each year would be most difficult to provide. The committee in charge of placing the Honor Roll in the Town Hall reported they would confer with the committee of town council in order to determine the exact place in the Town Hall hallway the same is to be placed and that the Roll would be moved the coming week. The committee having in charge the purpose of furniture for the American Legion reported having purchased two large couches, two tables, a desk, twelve arm chairs, three rockers and forty eight folding chairs. The money to be turned over to the American Legion would not pay the bill entirely but that the Legion would pay the balance. It was also decided to pay Mr. Yeich, whose horse was injured when the arch fell on it, twenty five dollars as damages. The treasurer reported a balance from the celebration of $408.31, with additional receipts of $5.92, making a total receipt of $414.23. Additional celebration bills paid $19.19, leaving a balance of $395.04. To the above amount was added $2.00 for lumber sold making a total balance of $397.04. Bills of the evening paid were: Mr. Yeich, for damages to his horse, $25.00; “Call” printing, $7.30; Leon Sterner, $4.00; A. R. Maberry, postage, $1.25; Dr. Driesbach, bill paid by Publicity Committee for veterinary services to Yeich horse, $10.00; miscellaneous, $1.00 for a total of $48.55. The remaining total of $348.49 is to be turned over to the American Legion. |
| The Call of December 2, 1921 LANDMARK OF 1816 BEING TORN DOWN One of the oldest of landmarks in Schuylkill Haven, a landmark associated with many events of importance in the early history of this section of the state is being razed to the ground. It is the B. F. Gehrig property on Centre Avenue that was sold to the Keystone Oil and Gas Company. On its site will be erected a concrete service station. The landmark was for many years a hostelry as hotels were termed in the early days. The first keeper or proprietor was Michael Freehafer, who opened it for business about 1815 or 1816 at which time the first road between Sunbury and Reading was built. The laborers who worked on this road often stayed here and for board at the hostelry they paid eight dollars per month. The road at this point followed a straight line north. The curves now in the road were made necessary when the Pennsylvania Railroad came through the town. Another early proprietor was Daniel Stager who also was postmaster, which post office was located in the same building. George Locks was the next proprietor and then followed in succession from 1842 when John Mackey took charge, John Charles, Israel Wentzel, Thomas Summers, Howard Heffner, George Fegley and J. Deitrich. William Gensemer then opened a saddler shop in the place and in 1891 B. F. Gehrig moved into the building. As was expected the place was of extra strong timbers and built in an unusual manner. Upon the foundation were placed heavy fourteen by twelve inch solid oak stringers. Extending crosswise, between the joists were placed boards and upon these narrow pieces of boards was filled in clay or plastering to the top of the joist, so that the space between the joists was entirely gilled in solid. Upon the joist on the first floor was fist put down an oak floor and upon this was a yellow pine floor. This construction was found in the room evidently used as the bar room. The walls of the building were planked and then plastered. The house was forty by forty feet and three stories high. Contractor Fisher purchased the building and is finding extra fine timber in it which will be used for other building purposes. The contract for the construction of the service station will be let shortly. |
| The Call of August 4, 1922 THE GOVERNOR PAID US A VISIT For the first time in the history of the town, Schuylkill Haven was honored with an official visit of an acting Governor of the Commonwealth. Wednesday Governor Sproul and his party, enroute to Port Carbon to officiate at the ceremonies incident to the opening of the Pottsville-Port Carbon Pike, was welcomed, honored, delivered an address and shook hands with a number of our residents. The Governor and his party were scheduled to arrive in town at 12:40 o’clock and as is the usual rule, arrivals of this kind are always later rather than earlier then the scheduled hour. While the Schuylkill Haven motorists, some twenty five in number, were gathering on Main Street preparatory to motoring to Friedensburg to greet the Governor and party, the Governor came to town. He was welcomed by long loud blasts from the whistles of the local industries and the electric light plant. This was a significant salute from the industries which have made this town famous as one of the largest industrial towns in the state. The Governor and party were met by the Mayor and Editor of the Call. Mayor Lautenbacher in a few words extended the official welcome of the citizenry and town. The Governor standing upon the Hotel grand steps responded. The several hundred persons gathered in the square remained remarkably quiet during his address. The Governor took occasion to remark that the town had become well known and prominent in official circles because of its industries and manufacturing achievements. He extended a wish for the future prosperity of the town and its residents. He then shook hands with many of its citizens. Following this short reception a number of local motorists headed the line of autos and escorted the party to the Country Club. Quite a large number of residents complied with the committee’s request to decorate. The town certainly did look good and by the way, this fact was personally conveyed to the Editor by one member of the Governor’s official party and one of the County Motor Club Committeemen. Those persons who decorated can at least know that their efforts were noted and appreciated. A number of local motorists accompanied the party to the Country Club and took dinner with the party. Others took in the ceremonies at the Country Club. There were few autoists however in the parade in Pottsville to represent the several hundred autoists of Schuylkill Haven. |
| The Call of June 9, 1922 TWELVE YEAR OLD BOY DROWNS IN OLD RESERVOIR Not in years has an accident, death or any other occurrence shocked and saddened this community as did the drowning of Lamar, the twelve year, eleven month and fourteen day old son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Moser of Main Street. The drowning occurred Wednesday afternoon probably shortly after the noon hour at the “Old Reservoir” above Caldwell Street. The discovery of the boys clothes made by companions led to the fear that the lad had drowned. His parents were summoned and upon their arrival immediately recognized the garments. Other boys in the meantime had gathered in answer to the alarm spread and identified different articles of property that they occasionally made use of such as a comb, key ring, etc. Efforts were made at once to locate the body and a dozen or more young men continued diving into the reservoir but without any success. Almost frantic with grief, the father and other relatives and friends urged haste that if perchance the body was discovered, there might be efforts made to resuscitate the boy. The water in the reservoir was between nine and ten feet deep. It was very cold, covered with grease and oil and not any of the swimmers could remain under water for any length of time. Finally the company authorities were appealed to and they ordered the water from the reservoir drawn off immediately. In the meantime Messrs. John and Mike Starr, by means of a plank and a rake, located the body about fifteen feet from the side of the reservoir and near the wire which was used by boys to get into the dam. A young man by the name of Bensinger succeeded in bringing the body to the surface where it was taken in charge of by undertaker D. M. Bittle and brought to the home of the grief stricken parents. The boy was popular with a host of friends, not only companions and children of his own age, but of adults as well. He was a bright and very active lad and won the admiration of his elders in many ways. He was an unusually bright scholar, a pupil of the seventh grade school taught by Miss Reinhart. He delighted in playing baseball and had developed a remarkable pitching arm as it were. He was capable of pitching ball accurately equally as well with the left as with the right arm. He possessed a wonderful memory and could recite in a pleasing way many readings of considerable length. The lad had also taken up the study of the violin and was making excellent progress on this difficult instrument. Just shortly before leaving home on the fateful afternoon he had finished his daily practice on the instrument. The public was concerned as to why the boy sought such a secluded and rather unattractive swimming hole and without companions. It is learned that he had expressed his intention of learning to swim and surprise his boy friends when they began taunting him about his not being capable of swimming. It is believed that with this intention he had visited the reservoir and after getting into the water found it entirely too deep, went to the bottom and because of the peculiar construction of the reservoir could not get out again, although he most certainly must have made every effort to do so. His sudden death not only broke the hearts of the parents and relatives but saddened everyone in the community who had been acquainted with him. Besides the parents, a sister Rose survives. |
| The following article relates the events of the Tumbling Run flood of 1850... |
| The Call of October 7, 1921 FLOOD WASHES AWAY BRIDGE The building operations under way for the new concrete bridge across the Schuylkill River at Columbia Street which necessitates the removal of the old wooden structure, has caused many people to query as to when this structure was erected. From Joseph Paxson of Oaklette Virginia, who at one time was a resident of this town, was received the following interesting article regarding the destruction of the bridge which the old structure now being removed, supplanted. Mr. Paxson does not give any exact date of the building of the bridge, but it evidently was during the year 1850 or 1851. His article is as follows: Some time in the summer of 1850 while my father, mother, five brothers and myself were living on the Edenbower farm situated on top of the Schuylkill Mountain (having moved there on April 1st, 1849 from Philadelphia), we had a heavy continued fall of rain and one morning we could hear the roaring of angry waters and we rushed to the edge of the mountain top and witnessed the great waters of the Tumbling Run dam sweeping nearly everything before it in the lowlands along the banks of the river. Our view was unobstructed, as at that time there was no growing timber on the mountainside, it having been cut off by Levan and Kaufman to be used in the wood burning locomotives, in sole use at that time. We could see wrecked buildings, canal boats, bridges and trees, horses and cattle floating. We could also see occupants of houses on the Dutch Flat waving distress signals from the second story windows and see men in small boats rowing around and rescuing families from houses that were still standing. We could see that the covered bridge close to Boyer’s Hotel was gone. It could not stand the great pressure of canal boats, wrecked buildings and other debris. The loss of life was small but the loss of property was very great. Many homes having been swept away, the canal for miles torn to pieces, the Pottsville turnpike, which was then a toll road was also torn to pieces and was not passable for many months. We were completely cut off from wagon travel to stores and Post Office but fortunately the railroad bridge which was stronger, stood the test and we could use that for foot passing. My older brothers, Isaac and Edward, were in the habit of attending the Pottsville market with the produce of our farm. If either one of them were living now they could help me make this more interesting, as they were obliged to seek a new route to Pottsville. The Pottsville and Cressona road was built or constructed a number of years afterward. Some time elapsed before a ford of the river was cleaned of big rock and stones, some one hundred yards or so south of the bridge. At that time there was no coal or culm in the bed of the river. The County Commissioners decided to erect another covered bridge at the same place, but with heavier timber and bulkheads. My father agreed to sell them heavy stones for the bulkheads at a very low figure, they to do the quarrying an hauling, and they were quarried from the east end of the quarry, which lies south of what we always called the Old Field. After the water receded, several of my brothers and myself went down to Boyer’s Eck and rummaged among the debris, which consisted of all kinds of broken furniture, utensils, clothing, etc. One prize we found was a hive loaded with the best of honey, the bees having left or drowned, so our table was supplied with good honey for a long time. A canal boat lodged there was afterward floated. |
| These two articles tell of the new Columbia Street bridge being built.... |
| The Call of February 4, 1921 MAY BUILD NEW BRIDGE OVER RIVER IN SOUTH WARD Before the fall of 1921, Schuylkill Haven in all probability may be graced with a concrete bridge more pleasing in appearance and more capable of accommodating the ever increasing traffic then the present structure termed “The Schuylkill River Bridge”. It is understood the County Commissioners have under consideration the replacing of a number of bridges in the county this summer. The Schuylkill River bridge in this town is one that is on the list to make way for a more modern concrete structure. The new bridge is to be of concrete and on the same style and design as the concrete bridge in Pine Grove completed about a year or two years ago. It is known that the present structure is an ever present expense to the county as it is constantly in need of repairs. Being built on the old style design and of wood, repairs by reason of the heavy traffic that daily passes over it, it is not a source of constant expense but is dangerous and impracticable. Many collisions have been narrowly averted. On every occasion that a heavy touring car or an ordinary light weight truck passes over it the structure is shaken to the water’s edge. When a heavily loaded truck passes over it, it does a regular accentuated quivering stunt. From the rumors afloat it is evident the County Commissioners are aware of this fact and have also realized the need for a bridge that is more safe and more adequate to accommodate the traffic. A new bridge at this point will certainly be welcomed by the borough and it is more then likely that the council will be glad to place on the new structure the proper illumination. With a new bridge at this point, with the contemplated elimination of the large bridge at the Bittle Dam this coming summer and the putting down of pavements in this section, the erection of a number of houses, and the continued improvement to the section along the river front by the building of bungalows, the South Ward certainly will in a short time show a marked improvement in appearance and come into its former position of being the beauty spot of town. |
| The Call of July 22, 1921 COLUMBIA STREET BRIDGE BEING TORN DOWN Work of dismantling the Columbia Street bridge was begun Monday morning by a force of men under the superintendency of H. G. Dixon of the Concrete-Steel Bridge Company of Parkesburg, West Virginia. In its place will be built a two span reinforced concrete arch bridge. Each span will be sixty six feet in length. The plans call for a thirty foot roadway with a five foot sidewalk on the north side of the bridge. Efforts however are being made by Columbia and Berne Street residents to have two footways built on the bridge. A petition was last week circulated and signed by, it is said, every resident or taxpayer, excepting one, who refused to sign feeling that the building of another sidewalk on the bridge would increase local taxation. The petition was presented to the County Commissioners. Just what disposition will be made of the same could not be learned at this writing. The present width of the roadway over the bridge is eighteen feet. It is felt that another five foot walk could easily be built on the new structure without interfering with traffic. There are to be four electroliers with five light clusters placed on the same for illumination at night. There is to be a solid railing along both sides of the bridge with bush hammered panels. The roadway is to be separated from the sidewalks by a six inch concrete curbing. The bridge is to be finished in 150 working days. The Superintendent expects to complete the bridge in 120 working days. During the building operation the present bridge which will be moved further up the river will be used as a temporary structure. The foundations for the new bridge will be of concrete and stone and will set upon a bedrock foundation in the river. In order to accomplish this the pumps on the Sirrocco washery will be used in the excavating. Large coffer dams will of course first have to be constructed before it will be possible to begin work on the foundation. |
| The Call of July 21, 1916 HOW ABOUT A SCHUYLKILL HAVEN DAY During the week a number of local people have made suggestions for an event for Schuylkill Haven which the Call believes will have the approval and support of everyone. It is for a community picnic or community day out. How will the term “Schuylkill Haven Day Out” strike you, Mr. Reader? Remember what a big day and time Schuylkill Haven had at Adamsdale Park several years ago. Everybody present had a great and grand time. Almost everybody in Schuylkill Haven spent at least several hours at the park and joined in the festivities and merry making. Those in attendance were not only from Schuylkill Haven, but many were from the surrounding towns. And do you remember how the day was favorably talked about and thought of for many, many weeks? Do you believe the event had a tendency to promote a communal social spirit which was beneficial and helpful in giving Schuylkill Haven an impetus for better and bigger things? Yes, you say, and in the same sentence you add that the total cost or expense was but of a minimum and never before was so much enjoyment and pleasure at a general outing or picnic procured as on the particular occasion referred to. If Schuylkill Haven could hold a successful day out years ago, why cannot something of a similar nature be held in 1916? There is no question about it being possible to do so. It is realized that community affairs of this kind, where the public is brought together for a days outing, fun, and real merry making, makes for a better, livelier, stronger and healthier town. It prevents the town and the public spirit from growing dead. Every businessman will join in to make a day out a success. Every manufacturer will assist and will be glad to give the employees a day off. Altogether the idea appeals and will appeal to everyone. The persons who have already spoken of the matter are enthusiastic over it. All that is necessary is to get the ball rolling and if the weatherman can be bribed so as to send the proper quality of weather, the success of the big day out several years ago can and will be duplicated. The educational and welfare committee of the Industrial Association, we believe, would be the proper committee to proceed with the matter and stir it up. If this committee feels it is not proper for them to do so or hesitates in going ahead, then a citizen’s committee should take up the idea. A number of citizens will be too glad to lend assistance and take an active part and share the burden of a large amount of labor necessary for an event of this kind. The public will surely take an immediate active interest in the project and lend every aid necessary. Now altogether, let’s have a Schuylkill Haven Day Out this year some time in August. What do we hear? |
| The Call of October 15, 1898 DEATH OF SAMUEL SPINDLER The sad news of the death of Samuel Spindler soon after his arrival at Fort Monroe from Puerto Rico was unwelcome news to many of his friends here. The shock was indeed felt since many thought he would soon be at home and under the kind and tender care of his good mother and family. A short time after his company F of the 4th Regiment left Guayama, he was placed on board a relief ship, but the surgeon fearing his condition not strong enough to stand the voyage, he with others was taken off at Ponce, a distance of twenty five miles from their start. Here he was placed in the hospital, hence the reason of his whereabouts being in doubt so long. After gaining some strength at this hospital, he was brought to Fortress Monroe but the severe sea voyage caused a relapse and in his weak condition he failed to rally from its effect. His death came before his relatives could be informed in time to reach him. Arrangements were made for the shipment of his body home. Sam, so familiar with the boys of town was loved and liked by all. His kind, reserved disposition made for him hosts of friends. His parents have the heartfelt sympathy and condolence of the community. |
| The Call of October 22, 1898 FUNERAL OF SAMUEL SPINDLER His body laid to rest on Tuesday with Military Honors. At great expense and after weeks of worry and suspense by his relatives and friends, Samuel J. Spindler of Company F, 4th P. V. I. was brought here from Fortress Monroe, where he had landed from Puerto Rico and two days after landing died of typhoid fever. His body was examined at Undertaker Ziegenfus’s establishment by friends and relatives and identified. Tuesday noon our streets were crowded with out of town people who came to offer a last tribute to a fallen soldier for the cause of humanity. The Fourth Regiment Drum Corps, which was rated amongst all the regiments camped at Chickamauga in the early part of the campaign as the crack Drum Corps of the Army, so much so that General Wilson invited the leader, Sergeant Dewald, to instruct other Corps in the service, was here in full trip and number. The company, of which Sam was a member, came commanded by Lieutenant Bishop, Captain Dyson being compelled to meet other officers at Reading to arrange for the trip to the Peace Jubilee at Philadelphia. The Schuylkill Hose Company attended almost to a man, followed by many citizens. The schools were dismissed also to do honor to the first of our soldier boys who met death in this war with Spain. Corporal Warren Brown had command of the pall bearers. The firing squad of twelve were commanded by Corporal Mellon. Reverend Smoll officiated at the house and church, preaching both English and German. |
| These two articles note the death and funeral of Samuel Spindler, the first Schuylkill Haven casualty of the Spanish American war |
| INJURED IN A RUNAWAY While a two horse truck wagon was being loaded with goods at J. F. Bast’s Knitting Mill on Berne Street, Tuesday morning, the horses suddenly started on a run down the alley, and making the turn down West Columbia Street, ran at terrific speed out that thoroughfare. Thomas F. Bast, son of the proprietor of the mill, jumped on the rear of the wagon as the horses started and tried to check their mad speed but without effect. While the wagon was descending the steep grade below the mill, Mr. Bast took a leap to the ground and while in the act of jumping several of the heavy cases, weighing between 250 and 300 pounds fell from the wagon, striking and felling him to the ground. The cases rolled over him, one of the heavy boxes falling on his right hand and bruising and crushing a portion of it in a painful manner. He also sustained painful bruises on his back, chest and other portions of the body. Mr. Bast’s injuries were dressed by Dr. G. H. Moore. The runaway team was caught at the Long Run Hotel, both wagon and horses fortunately escaping without injury. |
| EXCITING RUNAWAY Two horses, one belonging to Mrs. Raudenbush, the other to Peter Rausch, of this place, hitched to a buggy, became restless while standing in front of Earl Witman’ s Hotel at Adamsdale on Tuesday evening and ran off. At the Pennsylvania Railroad bridge near Hoy’s, the animals tore loose from the buggy, which was later found lying by the roadside in a broken condition. The animals dashed into town and came down Williams Street at a terrific pace. After running the full length of Canal Street they turned up Main and wildly dashed into the safety gates at the railroad crossing, which were closed at the time on account of an approaching coal train. Two of the wooden gates were broken into splinters and the horses narrowly escaped being struck by the engine while crossing the tracks. The animals were caught near the stables and were uninjured. The driver, William Faust, returned home by trolley. |
| The Call of July 28, 1900 noted two runaway horse incidents in the same issue... |
| The Call of October 20, 1911 LOCAL MAN AN INVENTOR INVENTS WASHING MACHINE THAT WILL SAVE LABOR TO BUILD SEVERAL MACHINES AT ONCE Charles Ney, of Dock Street, has been granted, the right to manufacture a new kind of washing machine, the patent on the same being pending. The machine promises to be a great improvement over all other kinds of washing machines both in results obtained and labor saving. Mr. Ney is a man of considerable inventive genius. About nine months ago he began considering the improving or building of a new machine. During his spare time pondered over and worked out the details and the right granted him last week is the result of his work. Mr. Ney built for himself a model of the machine and took it to the Patent Office at Washington and after explaining the machine was granted the right to manufacture if he chose and was given pretty good assurance that a patent would be granted shortly. He will begin the building of a dozen machines at once. He already has orders for a number of machines and all housewives who see the first machine he made, in operation, are delighted with it and ready to purchase one as soon as he can turn them out. At present he will manufacture on a small scale and later will turn them out on a larger scale. The invention embodies a casing mounted so it will rock and is formed with bulging ends, constituting compartment adapted to receive water as the casing is rocked so that an air cushion will be formed in the bulging end of the casing toward which the same is rocked. The air in the bulging end of the casing is forced through the clothes by the force of the water. Apertured baffle plates in the compartments prevent the clothes from passing from end to end in the machine. The forcing of the air so compressed with the force of the water through the clothes thorough and very efficiently cleanses them. A desirable feature of the machine is the fact that the slower it is rocked the better the results will be. |
| The Call of February 13, 1925 RAIN AND THAW CAUSE HIGH WATER AND FLOOD The rain of Tuesday and Wednesday together with the deep snow in this section caused small sized floods and high water in most every part of town and in most every section of the southern end of the county. In Schuylkill Haven, many cellars were flooded. The Schuylkill River raised rapidly Wednesday and late Wednesday afternoon was within seventeen inches of the high mark it reached during the September flood. The swift moving churning current carried with it debris of all kinds together with chunks of ice that surely must have caused damage at points south of town. ROAD WASHED OUT As was to be expected the river again came through the washed out section of Broadway. A stream fully eighteen inches deep washed through the cutoff, washed away the temporary roadway that had been constructed by the borough and has left the larger portion of the West Ward completely cut off from communication. Some cellars in the West Ward were flooded. Men employed at the car shops found it necessary to return home via the railroad to Main Street Wednesday evening by reason of the washout on Broadway. The Spring Gardeners were required to walk around via Connor’s and the pike because of the high water at the Level and the Dock which covered their shortcut foot bridge at this point. WATER EXTINGUISHED FURNACE FIRES Willow Street property owners again suffered a considerable amount of damage by reason of the overflowing of the creek which flows through the vacant lots to the old Level. The creek bed, it’s said, has been filled up with all kinds of rubbish dumped into the stream at points near Centre Avenue and along Garfield Avenue. This debris causes a blockage with every high water and a flood consequently follows. Cellars on Willow Street were flooded to a greater depth on Wednesday then during the high water of September. Fires in some furnaces were extinguished by the water which became several feet deep in some of the cellars. Property owners are up in arms over this condition and are going to make a determined effort to have steps taken to deepen the channel of the creek to avoid theses frequent washouts. SOUTH WARD FLOODED Down in the South Ward many homes along Columbia Street had unwelcome swimming pools in the cellars. The river did not overflow its banks but as usual the water seeped through from the river. Water also backed up from “the Eck” to the rear of some Columbia Street properties. Had the rain continued for not more then six hours it is believed this section would have been flooded to as great an extent as last fall. COFFER DAMS WASHED AWAY The coffer dams under construction for the new bridge which will be used as a temporary structure while the railroad “Red Bridge” a short distance south of the town, is being repaired, were broken up by the ice and washed away early Wednesday morning. All the lumber that had been placed on the site for use in the reconstruction work was washed away. The loss suffered by the contractor will total $2000. TROLLEYS ARE BLOCKED Water from the Schuylkill River backed along the road bed at a point near the Bowen School or “Watering Trough” was covered with almost a foot and a half of water. The last car to pass over this section of the road was the car out of Schuylkill Haven at 6:30 Wednesday evening. evening. |
| The Call of October 22, 1926 AUTOISTS GO INTO COAL CELLAR Roy Wike, of Cressona, with several other occupants of an Oldsmobile had a narrow escape from serious injury on Thursday evening last when their auto went through the concrete block porch at the home of Herman Clauser on Berne Street. The machine mounted an eight or ten inch curb and struck the concrete block of the porch with such force that they were tumbled down and the wooden steps of the porch demolished. The impact was so great that the electric meter and wire connections in the home were disconnected. Not only did the autoists have a narrow escape from injury, but five or six children standing on the pavement but a short distance above the point where the accident happened, also had a close call. Wike is said to have been driving at a terrific rate of speed. He has been placed under arrest for reckless driving and will be given a hearing before Squire Kline this evening. The local authorities arrested the same driver on May 18th for reckless driving on the Parkway and it is likely that the revocation of his license will be asked for on this second charge. |
| The Call of April 16, 1926 STRUCK BY AUTO, SIX YEAR LAD DIES OF INJURIES Herbert, the six year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Epler of Margaretta Street, died at the Milliken Hospital Tuesday morning at three o’clock as a result of injuries Tuesday morning about ten o’clock, when run over by a small auto truck driven by Hobart Becker of Adamsdale. The accident was unavoidable and occurred as Mr. Becker was driving up High Street during the morning recess hour. It is understood children were on both sides of the street. One group of pupils had been playing with or jumping rope in the street. As the machine happened along, one of the children dropped the end of the rope so the machine could pass. It is said that the little boy not noticing the approach of the machine and believing the rope had been pulled out of his playmate’s hands, stooped to pick up and walk after the rope. He was struck by the machine and the wheels, from an examination of the body, evidently passed over him. Mr. Becker immediately picked up the child and rushed him to the office of a physician who was not in his office. He was then rushed to the office of Dr. Heim who made a careful examination and had him taken to his home. The child was unconscious when picked up and remained in that condition until death. Convulsions followed shortly after the accident. A hasty examination did not disclose any fracture of the skull. Monday afternoon the child was admitted to the Milliken Hospital where an x-ray showed a concussion of the brain. A more careful examination showed the lungs and liver of the child to have been badly crushed. There were few body lacerations. Besides the parents, one brother Samuel survives. The funeral will take place on Friday afternoon with services at the United Brethren Church at two o’clock. Mr. Becker, the driver of the car, deeply feels the sorrow of the fatal accident, and it is understood the parents have exonerated him from all blame in the matter. matter. |
| The Call of May 14, 1926 HIT AND RUN DRIVER KILLS SIX YEAR OLD James Franklin, the six year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Adam Tobias, died Sunday afternoon at the Milliken Hospital at three thirty o’clock from a fractured skull, sustained Saturday evening about 8:30 o’clock, when struck by an auto on Columbia Street. The little fellow was about to cross the street from the Umbenhauer store where he had gone for a cone of ice cream. The store is but one hundred and fifty feet from his home. The driver of the automobile that struck the child extinguished the lights on the car and drove rapidly away. An eyewitness to the accident, Attorney Vincent Dalton, quickly summoned the neighbors and the child was picked up by the frantic mother and carried into the home. Dr. Detweiler was summoned and gave first aid. The child was unconscious and remained in that state until death. An examination at the hospital, to which institution he was removed Sunday morning, revealed a compound fracture of the skull and all hopes of his recovery were given up. It is understood, at this writing, clues being followed may lead to the arrest of the driver of the machine, a Ford runabout with a small truck body, before the week ends. The machine went north on Columbia Street. The funeral of the boy took place Wednesday afternoon. Reverend E. H. Smoll conducted the services and C. G. Wagner was the funeral director. Beside the parents, four sisters and one brother survive, namely, Mrs. Oscar Butz, Esther, Carrie, Francis and Adam Jr. Jr. |
| The Call of April 16, 1892 OUR CORRESPONDENTS VISIT TO THE ELECTRIC LIGHT STATION As your correspondent was walking along Haven Street the other evening, complacently smoking one of C. B. P.’s two for fives, I thought I would drop into the electric light station and as I had frequently heard, the council had a great deal of trouble with the men and machinery, I thought I would investigate. And just by the way, I understand that council proposes to run the station with an engineer and a boy to act as fireman. The employees were very reticent when any questions were put to them, but after remaining for some time I came to the conclusion that two men experienced in machinery and firing would be necessary to run the station successfully. While there, they were compelled to shut down one engine on account of the packing in the cylinder having become loose. On several occasions I have heard it remarked by several citizens that the town was frequently without light, owing to the inexperienced persons employed at the station. Not to flatter these men, but I believe they understood their business thoroughly and if our citizens would go to the station when the plant is in operation, they would be convinced that the blame cannot be placed on the employees. Upon inquiry, I learned that they are compelled to hunt up the members of the light committee to order their supplies. Some times the committee evidently fails to order them in time, coal, oil, etc, for instance and consequently the town is in darkness until the supplies arrive. As council has elected a superintendent, all this could be avoided by giving that person the authority to order and place the station in his hands instead of the committee, who know nothing whatever about machinery. Council is continually experimenting with coal, which is used for steam purposes. The citizens often wonder why it is that they have a poor light some nights. As the secret of successful electric lighting may be placed in keeping up regular steam, and as so many changes are made in the fuel by council, you will readily see that it is impossible for the fireman to know the nature of the coal and successfully keep up the required amount of steam. I also noticed the absence of rubber matting at the dynamos, which are used as nonconductors and can always be seen in use at other stations. The station should also be supplied with a blower to keep up the fires, and the boilers should be cleaned out occasionally, which council refuses to do. Dirty boilers often cause explosions. Another defect, and a most dangerous one I noticed, was the tremendous shaking of the building while the engines were working. I was informed that the foundations on which the engines are placed are not large enough. I think if council does not remedy this defect, our citizens should take the matter in hand before some fatal accident occurs. Anyone visiting the station will readily see the defects and the great danger the employees are placed in. We give this to the public, in order that they may know the true state of affairs at the station. And, as council is failing in its duties, that the citizens may take the matter in hand. |
| The Call of November 25, 1927 FAMILY OF TEN EVICTED FROM HOME The Witman family, heretofore residing in the Dallago house on Broadway, was on Wednesday morning evicted from the premises by a Pottsville constable, and until Friday the furniture of the family was parked on the pavement in front of the property formerly owned by Mrs. J. E. Stanton. The family consists of ten children, the youngest a small babe. Neighbors took care of some of the children Wednesday evening and Thursday evening while others were compelled to use the gas house of the borough, it having been generously offered by Superintendent Mellon. Efforts to procure a home or house were unavailing until Friday morning, when after Superintendent Mellon had procured work for the head of the family with the contracting company putting in the new pipeline, owners of houses were more reluctant to rent. Witman however, has been working almost steadily every day. Somehow or other mismanagement in the home results in obligations not being met as they ought to be. It was in the interests of the children that the local Red Cross and other local persons interested themselves, the matter being called to their attention Wednesday afternoon about five o’clock. The children could not be gotten into the County Home and no one was willing to rent a home to them. to |
| The Call of January 7, 1916 HORSES WENT THROUGH DISPLAY WINDOW No little excitement was caused Monday morning and the business section of the town and the businessmen who were complaining about the day being Blue Monday, found quite a change with the noise of splintering wood and breaking of glass. The cause of it all was that the team of horses of milkman Guldin dashed into the display window of J. M. Gipe on Main Street. That the horse escaped with but a few scratches seems quite miraculous. The wagon was damaged somewhat. The team standing on Saint Peter Street took fright when the automobile of Jacob Reed came down over the steep embankment at the Meck residence. The auto in some way or manner started off while the occupants were in a nearby residence. Coming to the edge of the embankment it made the steep descent and smashed into the pavement near the Guldin team. The horses dashing wildly down Saint Peter Street were unable to make the turn at the corner at Main and Saint Peter and naturally ran over the pavement and into the display window. The tongue of the wagon coming in contact with the inside wooden partition of the window brought the team to a stop with the one horse almost entirely in the window. |
| The Call of June 1, 1917 TWO SERIOUSLY INJURED IN EXPLOSION Two men were seriously injured and two others had narrow escapes from similar injury about nine o’ clock Friday night in an explosion of dynamite on the premises of Philip Drumheller, on East Railroad Street, town. The two seriously injured men are Edward Potts and Norman Peiffley, both about forty years of age and married, residing in Orwigsburg and near Orwigsburg respectively. The two men who escaped a similar fate by a hair’s breadth were Nelson Sterner and Philip Drumheller. Potts and Peiffley took the contract to dig a cesspool on the Drumheller premises. They had made repeated blasts with dynamite during their work and each blast went off producing the desired results. They had attained a depth of nearly twelve feet and were making their last charge in order that the work could be completed and they could catch the last car for Orwigsburg. A charge of dynamite had been placed and the cap and fuse attached. All four men who had been down in the hole came up and the fuse was then ignited. When it refused to go off, after a length of time, Potts and Peiffley went down the hole, Drumheller was on the ladder near the top and Sterner on the surface. The two men were alleged to have been using a pick when they struck the dynamite and caused the explosion. Potts was the closest and received the full effects of the charge. Both of his eyes were blown out, the lower jaw partly blown away, the flesh was torn from the bones while particles of stone and gravel lodged deeply in the flesh. He bled profusely. Peiffley had his face, arms and portions of his body badly lacerated. No time was lost by Drumheller and Sterner in getting the men to the surface and into the Drumheller home. A local physician was in the neighborhood at the time and hurried to the aid of the two men. Mrs. Ellen Weston and Norman Hendricks were also in the Drumheller home at the time and assisted in dressing the injuries of the two men. While the injuries were being dressed, both called repeatedly for water until finally it was denied them. Members of their family were summoned from Orwigsburg and later they were removed to the Pottsville Hospital, four hours after the accident occurred. Immediate operations were necessary upon both men. Potts is a brother of Mrs. Drumheller while Peiffley is reported to have had about twenty years experience with explosives. The one man is the father of five children and the other a father of six. During the excitement Mrs. Drumheller fainted several times and had to be given attention. |
| The Call of May 18, 1917 ALMOST DROWNED IN DEEP CESSPOOL Miss Emma Deibert, of Union Street, had a miraculous escape from drowning on Tuesday noon on the Sausser premises on High Street. Miss Deibert was assisting Mrs. Sausser with some household duties and had occasion to go into the yard with some old newspapers. Not being familiar with the yard she accidentally tread upon some rotten boards that covered a cesspool. In an instant she was through the boards and into the cesspool which is nearly fifteen feet in depth. Her screams for help were heard by neighbors and the employees of the R. J. Hoffman Knitting Mill. Messers. Harry Goas and Reuben and Newton Hoffman were among the first on the scene. By means of a ladder, Mr. Goas went into the cesspool and placed a stout rope about the victim. The Hoffman brothers pulled on the rope and assisted by Mr. Goas safely landed the unfortunate victim of the accident on terra firma. By this time she was almost in a semi-conscious condition. Miss Delbert was wrapped in a blanket and removed to her home nearby. A physician was summoned and found that she was not suffering with any serious injury. Miss Deibert is more then grateful to those who rescued her and assisted her in her predicament. |
| The Call of October 26, 1917 HORSE ELECTROCUTED HERE WEDNESDAY MORNING The horse owned and driven in the dairy team by Mrs. Benjamin Shappell met instant death by electrocution Wednesday morning about 8:30 o’clock when it came in contact with a live electric wire on Dock Street in front of the store of Harry Sterner. Mrs. Shappell evidently did not notice the end of the wire hanging from a telephone guy wire. The head of the horse came in contact with the same and was instantly killed. Over 2300 volts passed through its body. Mrs. Shappell was greatly surprised and shocked when she noticed her horse fall over and did not realize at once what had happened. Persons who came to her assistance unthinkingly grasped the horse and had narrow escapes from being electrocuted. When the horse fell, the wire in some way or other got beneath its body. The wire was finally worked from underneath by means of a rope. The wire was one of the lines of the borough electric light department and was torn during the high wind storm of the early morning. One end dropped over a telephone guy wire and it was this end that came in contact with the horse. The broken wire was discovered only about two minutes before the accident and word was being telephoned to the plant about the broken wire when the accident occurred. |
| The Call of January 11, 1918 WANTS $250 FOR HORSE Solicitor Noecker reported not having as yet arrived at a settlement with Mrs. Shappell for the horse electrocuted on Dock Street some time ago. It is known that Mrs. Shappell admitted the front part of the wagon was closed on account of the rain and that she did not see the dangling wire and that she was out looking for the trolley and that there is no dispute as to what killed the horse. The only difference of opinion is as to the value of the horse. Mrs. Shappell insists the horse is worth $250 and refuses to settle for anything less. Mr. Noecker stated he consulted with different persons capable of judging horse values. One person said the horse was worth $150, another $160, another $175, another $200 and another anywhere between $175 and $200. The horse was nine years old and could be used anywhere. Councilmen expressed their opinion as to the value of the horse. Saul and Mill thought it wouldn't pay to go to the Court and fight the issue, that with the costs of litigation the borough would have to pay more than $250. Moore thought that if the persons consulted varied as to their estimates of the horses value from $150 to $200 and not any of them above $200, that if the borough would offer her, Mrs. Shappell, $200 she should be satisfied with the amount. Mr. McKeon thought $200 would be a good price. Rooney said horses were pretty high just now and that recently he had to pay $300 for one. The matter or discussion was finally ended by McKeon and Saul making a motion to instruct Solicitor Noecker to settle the case for $200. |
| The Call of May 10, 1918 TRUANT LIVING IN HUT NEAR RED BRIDGE Somewhere near what is known as the Red Bridge on the outskirts of the borough limits is located a hut entirely surrounded by water and in that hut is living a youth by the name of Harvey, about fourteen years old. On Monday night last, relatives of Harvey appeared before the school board and stated that the boy had run away from home and was beyond their control. They further stated that they refused to have the responsibility of his welfare resting upon them. Truant Officer John Butz started an investigation with the discovery of the boy in the hut. Harvey makes trips to land but has a raft for this purpose. At night he ties the raft near the hut while he sleeps. A rowboat would therefore be necessary to procure the boy. Just where he is obtaining his eatables is not known, but it is supposed that other boys are assisting him. The matter has been taken up with the Probation Officer. Just as soon as word is received from the officer, extraordinary efforts will be made to apprehend him and have him committed to some institution. The boy refuses to attend school. |
| The Call of January 12, 1917 A HAUNTED HOUSE Somewhere in this section there is a haunted house, at least that is what is being claimed. The house is occupied, but nightly the peaceful slumber of the occupants have been disturbed by strange sounds. Not only this, but the chickens have refused to lay, frequently the shutters on the windows refused to either remain closed or would refuse to open. Milk placed in the cellar would turn sour within a very short time. Those are only a few of the many things that are blamed on the innocent hex. Everything possible was done to locate and remove or destroy the cause of the unpleasantness of the household. The entire trouble was placed on the shoulders of a resident who, it was believed, possessed the power to haunt and to hex. During the week the cause was discovered and undoubtedly removed. A pigeon was discovered making its home in the garret of the house and with a well pointed shot from a gun that had been loaded with only thirteen small shot, the pigeon was killed, one of the shot having penetrated its neck. The following day a certain resident was noticed wearing a bandage about their neck. The supposed hex is not truly a resident of Spring Garden, but a person who lives on the outskirts of the borough and who daily makes trips to all sections of the town. "Exit the hex for evermore." |
| The Call of February 16, 1912 FAMILY ALMOST ASPHYXIATED A triple tragedy was narrowly averted here the fore part of this week by the timely awakening of one of the trio who would undoubtedly would have been asphyxiated in another hours time. The awakening of Mr. C. Reed, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Reed, who reside in what is known as the "Eck" or the southern portion of the Flat, Monday morning about 4:30 o'clock, who discovered his room and the entire home full of deadly gases coming from the kitchen stove, probably save not only his own life but that of his aged parents also. As was his custom, Mr. Reed arose early to prepare for work, being employed at one of the coal collieries north of the mountain. As soon as he awoke he discovered the fumes and felt himself becoming overpowered with them. He fought off the dreadful feeling and crawled to a window in his room. The cold fresh air soon revived him sufficiently to make his way to the bed chamber of his parents. Here he raised a window also and attempted to wake them but they had already become stupefied. Hastily working his way downstairs and to the nearest neighbors he gave the alarm. Being rather early, prompt response to his alarm was not possible. Neighbors however responded and after working with the aged couple finally brought them to consciousness. Medical skill was summoned and from latest reports all who figured in the occurrence have about overcome its effects. Mr. and Mrs. Reed, from information received by this office, are sixty and sixty five years of age. Both are in ill health, the wife being an invalid, and in needy circumstances, their only support being that of their son, who is forty years of age and is greatly handicapped in his efforts to make a livelihood by having but one leg, the lower portion of his other limb having been cut off in an accident years ago. |
| The Call of July 5, 1912 RUN OVER BY AUTOMOBILE A distressing auto accident occurred here Thursday afternoon about five o'clock when the auto of Frank Runkle ran over a number of people congregated on Main Street. The crowd at this point was very large, all waiting for the bicycle racers to finish. Mr. Runkle came out Saint John Street and accidentally stalled the engine, he got out of the machine to crank it, but forgot to take the clutch out and when the engine was started the car went off before he could jump in and plowed its way through the crowd, knocking down and running over a number of persons before the machine could be stopped. That the list of injured is not more lengthy is due to the fact the machine is a light one and went at a slow rate of speed. The accident caused the ire of the crowd to raise and both Mr. Frank Runkle and his brother George, who was in the machine, were roughly handled. Had not the Burgess and State Police arrived on the scene promptly and drove the crowd back they would no doubt have been seriously injured. Mr. Robert Defen of reading was the most seriously injured, sustaining a badly sprained shoulder and was taken to his home in Reading Friday morning. Mrs. J. Guy Zulick of Philadelphia was badly bruised about the face, arms and shoulders. Miss Elizabeth Abbot of Pittsburgh sustained a slightly sprained ankle and bruises of the arms and body. Charles Werner of Pottsville had body bruises. Elwood Thomas of town sustained a number of severe bruises and deep cuts about the arms head and body. A Mr. Fidler of Cressona was also injured about the body. Quite a number of other persons had their clothes badly torn. |
| The Call of September 15, 1911 TWO STRUCK BY AUTOMOBILES - Step in Front of Machines, Escape With Body Bruises- ESCAPE OF YOUTH MIRACULOUS Elmer, the seven year old son of Mr. and Mrs. William Krammes of Berne Street (Schuylkill Mountain Road) had a narrow escape from being killed Thursday evening about five o'clock. The lad returning from school stopped but a moment in front of the store of Charles Bittle to allow a team to pass by and then attempted to cross the street. He stepped directly in the path of an automobile coming in the opposite direction and before the machine could be stopped he was struck by it and dragged along the street for a short distance. He sustained a number of body lacerations and had his clothing torn. His escape from serious injury is said to have been miraculous. The machine was that of Edward Kline of Pottsville. The accident was unavoidable as the driver of the car did not see the lad until he stepped directly in front of the machine. The parents release the autoist from all blame in the accident. George Hunter of Dock Street, in attempting to cross Main Street on Thursday morning about nine o'clock was struck by the auto of Samuel Rowland and dragged along the street for several feet. He was somewhat bruised and had his clothing torn. Eyewitnesses said Mr. Rowland was driving slow at the time and it is thought Hunter became confused on account of many teams on the street at this point and stepping out of the road of one team stepped into the path of the auto. |
| The Call of February 22, 1918 GERMAN ALIEN CAPTURED HERE A man giving his name as James Pennypacker and his age as eighteen years, although he looks considerably younger, was placed under arrest and locked up at the town hall on Wednesday afternoon by Constable John Butz. No criminal charge was lodged against the man at the time of his arrest other then the fact that he was a German alien and had neglected to register under the German Alien Registration law. Pennypacker was interviewed by a "Call" representative while awaiting his transfer by the State Police to Pottsville. He stated that he was a German and glad of the fact, he having no reasons to deny the same. He was born as a subject of Germany on territory acquired from Denmark in the year 1864. Practically all his life was spent at sea. When war broke out between Germany and the United States, he was in the West Indies. His last trip was to Liverpool England. That was one year ago last Christmas. Owing to ill health he quit the navy and for a while was employed in a paper mill in New Jersey. Later he was employed as assistant manager at a café at Camp Dix, New Jersey. November 19th last, he was discharged and since that time has not worked. Several days ago in conversation with a stranger, he was told he could procure employment at the Insane Asylum here. His reason for wanting to get away from the city was a German had a hard life if found working near a munition plant or where munitions were kept. He arrived here on Tuesday afternoon and registered at the Spring Garden Hotel. Here he was placed under arrest. He was committed to the county prison where he is being held pending instructions from Washington D. C. |
| The Call of August 9, 1918 TWO LOCAL SOLDIERS WOUNDED BY HUNS Wilmer Crossley, a member of Company C, 103rd Engineers, has been injured in France. Tuesday of the present week, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Crossley, received a letter telling of the accident. The letter was written by the victim on July 18th and stated that several days previous to writing the letter, he had been shot. A piece of shrapnel three inches thick, had struck him in the fleshy part of the hip. He had submitted to an operation, which was very successful, but was still very nervous and weak from the effects. He gave great credit to the Red Cross Society and the doctors for their care and attention and stated they were the best part of the army. Soldier Crossley promised to write again after he had more fully recovered. Thursday morning a letter was received by John Fenstermacher, from his son Kimber B. Fenstermacher, a member of Company D, 103rd Engineers. The letter was written on July 20th. The writer stated, "I am in a hospital at present but hope I will soon be out as I don't like to be in bed. I am slightly gassed. I am getting along fine at present. The Yanks are keeping the Germans pretty busy just now. I have not much to write as news is not plentiful at present. France has some of the finest wheat crops that I expect ever to see." The government informed the father this week that the soldier was severely gassed in action of July 16th. According to the victim's statements, he was only slightly gassed and is doing nicely. |
| The Call of August 23, 1918 FIVE TOWN SOLDIER BOYS ARE WOUNDED Word of the injury to five more Schuylkill Haven boys, all members of Company C, 103rd Engineers, was received here by their parents on Monday evening. The boys injured were Hugh N. Coxe, Milford D. Klahr, Harry E. Reber, John A. Knarr and Harry M. Keller. The telegrams all read alike and stated that the five were officially reported as being injured, the degree or the extent of the injury being undetermined. These telegrams were probably the first of their kind to be received here and elsewhere stated that "officially reported seriously wounded". It is the opinion of many, that neither one of the quintet has been seriously wounded or the telegram would have so stated. |
| The Call of October 11, 1918 SOLDIER BOYS WOUNDED IN FRANCE During the week, word was received by the parents of a number of Schuylkill Haven soldier boys, that their son was wounded in action. No details as to the nature or extent of the injury were given in any case, the telegrams being identical and all stating the injury or wounds were sustained on September 5th or September 8th. From letters received by the parents of several of the boys listed as wounded, which letters were written on various dates, September 13th, 15th, and 18th, the boys state they were only slightly wounded with shrapnel and others state they were gassed. Several letters were received by parents informing them of their having been gassed long before the government telegrams were received. The casualty list as given by the War Department as effecting local boys, as per telegrams received during the week is as follows: Corporal Eugene Holtzer, son of Mrs. Sarah Holtzer of 61 Centre Avenue, Private James R. Mellor, son of Mrs. Alice Mellor of 510 Main Street, Lester S. Bast, son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Bast of Berne Street, Warren E. Burket and Isaac E. Burket,both sons of Mr. and Mrs. Adam Burket of 216 Saint John Street, Corporal William J. Christ, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Christ of 122 Dock Street, Kimber Confehr, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clinton Confehr of Center Avenue, Sergeant Hobart Becker, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Becker of 223 Canal Street, Albert W. Straub, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Straub of 600 Railroad Street and George C. Kramer, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Kramer of 219 Columbia Street. |
| The Pottsville Republican of August 24, 1933 DAMAGE AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN The Schuylkill River rose alarmingly in Schuylkill Haven and vicinity and at three o'clock this morning broke through the wall below Columbia Street and a three foot rush of water inundated the low lying land and flooded the homes. The trucks of the Headquarters Battery, with the Army truck and a Bittle and Confehr truck were held in readiness all night and when the wall broke families were removed to safety. The water rose to such heights on James and Penn Streets that a boat had to be used to bring the residents to safety when the water rushed into the homes and flooded the first two stories. This section of the town is very low and has no protection against the river. Two residents refused to leave their homes and at nine o'clock the water around them was three feet deep. There was considerable damage to cellars and stocks of knitting mills and shoe factories were damaged; the Schuylkill haven Paper Box Company building was surrounded but the water did not quite reach the floor level. Water flowed through the Huling Garage on West Main Street and flooded the Reider Shoe Company and Meck Knitting Mill. All the woodwork on the bridge to the ball grounds was washed away and the river broke through the dike and flooded the diamond. The creek along Long Run Road overflowed the road into Schuylkill Mountain and all washeries along the Schuylkill were abandoned and several boats carried away. |
| The Call of August 16, 1901 HOSPITAL TORN DOWN - Pest House to Isolate Smallpox Patients Razed Erected by Schuylkill Haven Board of Health on Private Property - Rebuilt on Site Donated by County The Borough Board of Health on Monday commenced the erection of a hospital in order to isolate and properly treat the smallpox patients in the borough. The site selected was just back of Boyer's woods on the grounds of the estate owned by the late Martin Bowen. A force of eight carpenters were employed and the building was well underway by evening. During the night, a force of men at the direction of the executors of the estate, it is said, took the building apart very carefully in sections and carried the lumber from the grounds and deposited it within the borough limits. The members of the Board were apprised early in the morning of the razing of the building, but they expressed no surprise, knowing the structure had been erected on private property. The property is advertised to be sold next Tuesday and the location of the hospital on the premises might seriously have affected the sale. The officials of the Board of Health immediately conferred with the county authorities at the Almshouse and were granted the use of a tract of land on the south side of the road leading to Orwigsburg. It is located near the Pennsy cut and is about two hundred yards distant from the former location on the Bowen estate. Work was started at once and the building was completed on Wednesday. It is twenty by twenty four feet in dimensions with a kitchen annex. |
| The Call of February 1, 1901 STRUCK IT RICH - Oscar Hershey's Valuable Claim in California A Former Schuylkill Haven Boy's Luck as a Gold Miner He Is Now Rated at $500,000 Wealth Pouring In Oscar Hershey, a former Schuylkill Haven boy, has struck it rich, mining in California, and may be a millionaire within the next year. Hershey was quite a hustler when a boy and graduated at the head of his class in the high school at Lebanon, where the family resided some years after leaving here. He got the "gold fever" and when the first rumors began to be circulated about the new gold field in the mountains of Northern California, Mr. Hershey started for the scene. Part of the way he traveled on snow shoes, carrying a small supply of provisions with him. He staked a claim in the new El Dorado which is proving a veritable bonanza. It is yielding ore assaying $1000 to the ton. Experts say it is one of the most valuable gold mines on the Pacific coast. Hershey has a partner and they are already rated as worth $500,000 each, with a million for each in sight. The claim is located near Abrams in Trinity County in California. When a boy, Mr. Hershey was a resident of this borough, his father then being pastor of the Evangelical Church on Dock Street. |
| The Call of December 7, 1900 EXCITING RUNAWAY YESTERDAY An exciting runaway occurred yesterday shortly before noon. A team belonging to Milton Deibert of Auburn, loaded with butter, eggs and other produce was left standing in front of John Murphy's residence on Saint Peter Street, while Mr. Deibert delivered some goods at the rear door of the Murphy home. The children were passing the place n their way home from school at the time and it was supposed that the noises made by them frightened the animal which darted up the street and turned onto Union Street from thence to Margaretta Street. While dashing down the alley between Market and Union Street the wagon top caught at Jere Sterner's lumber shed and was torn from the wagon box. The animal continued his mad flight and in rounding the corner at Saint Peter Street, opposite Charles Meck's residence, the wagon caught at a tree box. The wagon was totally demolished and the sudden jar threw the horse to the ground. Before he could scramble to his feet he was seized and firmly held by two men who happened to be near. The eggs, butter and other articles were found scattered along the road and were a total loss. There are reports of several school children having narrowly escaped being run over by the runaway team. Mr. Deibert was given the use of another vehicle by Mr. Adam Moyer and he made his journey home in that. |
| The Call of December 20, 1901 STORM DAMAGE IN SCHUYLKILL HAVEN In our town the storm caused damages that will amount to thousands of dollars. The Schuylkill River rose steadily and overflowed its banks on Willow Avenue near Charles Street. A body of water as large as the river itself rushed madly through Charles Street and spread over the entire lower portion of the town. The people had been warned earlier in the night and many of them took their carpets and furniture out of the lower floors and some left their homes for more secure places. At the home of M. M. Meck on Columbia Street, the water rose to the first floor. At the houses farther down it rose halfway to the second floor. The persons who remained at home had to stay there until late Monday morning, as the water had not receded enough to allow them to depart. The water rushing through the streets tore up pavements and fences, washing deep channels in the street, carried off coal sheds and other outbuildings. Much livestock, chickens, etc., were drowned. The water broke through the bank above the baseball ground and flowed over it all night. The grounds are covered with coal dirt and are ruined. The forty foot wall back of the home of Dr. Lenker was undermined by the swift current and a general landslide ensued. At several other points there were landslides. The substantial foot bridge to the ball grounds and two bridges across the dock were washed away. Water flowed across Berger Street and everybody in that part of the town had their cellars full of water. Even the oldest residents say this was the highest and most destructive rise in the Schuylkill River for many years. Every resident in the low lying portions of town suffered to a greater or less extent from the flood. |
| The Call of January 3, 1902 BITTEN BY A DOG – William Paxson and William Moyer Jr. the Victims Mr. Paxson Seriously Injured-Has Gone to New York to Undergo the Pasteur Treatment, Moyer Slightly Hurt William Paxson, son of Isaac Paxson, who resides on the Paxson farm on the top of the Schuylkill Mountain is now at the Pasteur Institute in New York City undergoing treatment for a dog bite. On Monday, as Mr. Paxson was on his way up the mountain road that leads from Schuylkill Haven to his home, just as he reached the little settlement the other side of Bittle’s Dam, a dog came running along the road, snapping and snarling as it ran. Mr. Paxson made an effort to get out of the way but the savage brute rushed at him and sank his fangs deep in the calf of the left leg, inflicting a very painful injury. Mr. Paxson made his way home and later with his brother, George M. Paxson, esquire, went to Pottsville where they consulted with Dr. Farquhar and other physicians who had charge of Pottsville’s hydrophobia patients last summer. Upon the advice of these physicians, Mr. Paxson left on Tuesday morning, accompanied by his brother, George, to undergo treatment at the Pasteur Institute. When Mr. Paxson left town his left leg had swollen considerably and the wound was giving him considerable pain. Just before Mr. Paxson had his exciting experience with the savage dog, William Moyer Jr., who lives with his father William Moyer, on his farm on the other side of the Schuylkill Mountain, had a similar encounter with the dog. Young Moyer was half way up the mountain when the animal suddenly rushed upon him from a bypath. Moyer jumped aside and as the dog bit him on his leg he seized it by the collar and held it out at arm’s length, the beast meanwhile snapping and snarling in a vain endeavor to bite him. Moyer had nothing with which to kill the dog but he made an effort to dash out its brains by throwing the animal forcibly against a rock. The brute was not even stunned by the blow but as soon as it landed on its feet ran down the road before Moyer could make another attempt to kill it. Moyer considers that he had a very lucky escape. The dog’s teeth did not penetrate his clothing and the skin on his leg is not broken. The dog’s bite was severe enough to make his leg black and blue, as though bruised. The dog is believed to have bitten quite a number of digs along the road. It is not positively known if the animal is mad. The dog is a hound and it is said has been running wild for some time. A number of persons have been searching for the dog to shoot it, but at last report it had not been found. |
| The Call of October 3, 1902 SHOCKING FATALITY – William Gehrig Found Dead in Theodore Naffin’s Cellar The Men Had Spent the Evening Together and Had a Glass of Beer and Several Glasses of Wine Considerable excitement was occasioned Sunday morning by the finding of the dead body of William Gehrig in the cellar of the home of Theodore Naffin on Centre Avenue near Garfield and only a few doors away from Gehrig’s own home. Gehrig and Naffin were warm friends and on Saturday evening had been together. On the way home they had a glass of beer together and when they arrived at Naffin’s home he asked his companion in to try some new wine. Together they went into the cellar and had several glasses of wine. The wine being new, and not having completed fermentation, quickly made both men drowsy and Gehrig fell to the floor in a stupor while Naffin managed to crawl to bed. Early Sunday morning Mrs. Naffin went to the cellar to get food for breakfast, when she discovered the form of Gehrig on the cellar floor. She went to awaken him and discovered he was cold in death. Although terribly frightened she managed to give the alarm and her husband and several neighbors at once made an investigation and when satisfied that Gehrig was dead, summoned Deputy Coroner Dr. Daniel Dechert. Dr. Dechert empanelled the following jury: John Butz, John Mengel, Robert Shappel, Harry Sterner, Lewis Reed and Walter Moyer. They viewed the body and the scene of Gehrig’s death. The remains were lying on the cold earthen floor of the cellar in the position of a man in slumber. There was no trace of violence on the body nor indications of any kind of a struggle in the cellar. The jury subpoenaed a number of witnesses and at 2:00 p. m. Sunday met at Dr. Dechert’s office and took testimony, afterward rendering a verdict of death from exhaustion super induced by exposure. The remains were taken in charge by the Ziegenfus undertaking establishment and prepared for burial. The unfortunate man was the son of Mr. and Mrs. B. F. Gehrig. He was a native of this town and a laborer by occupation. He worked for some time for Joseph Meyers and William H. Mellon. For the past several months he has been working for Shickram, the green grocer. He was about thirty six years of age, tall and athletic build, was very popular among his circle of friends and acquaintances. A widow and six children, whose ages range from eight months to ten years, survive. The news of Gehrig’s death was quite a shock to the community. The bereaved family have the sincere sympathy of all. |
| The Call of February 3, 1905 AN EXCITING RUNAWAY Dr. John Lessig, the dentist, had quite an exciting runaway on Sunday afternoon. While driving up Dock street toward Centre Avenue and in endeavoring to turn out to avoid another team a runner of his sleigh caught in the trolley tracks and the sleigh tipped sufficiently to throw him out. The doctor pluckily held onto the lines and the frightened horse dragged him on to the pavement where the doctor took a turn with the reins around a telegraph pole. With a sudden plunge the horse jerked the reins from the doctor’s grasp, severely squeezing his hands and dashed out Dock Street and Centre Avenue. As the thoroughly frightened animal dashed past the doctor’s home, a pet dog, recognizing the team, jumped into the sleigh and enjoyed a wild ride as far as the Halfway House where the horse was captured. The horse escaped uninjured and the sleigh was not damaged. |
| The Call of October 16, 1903 TERRIBLY SHOCKED – Telephone Lineman Otto Reese’s Narrow Escape From Electrocution To the several hundred horror stricken spectators certain death appeared Otto Reese a United telephone lineman on last Friday afternoon. Reese and Walter Daniels were putting a new phone in Mrs. Alice Seidel’s millinery store and were stringing a wire. It was about five o’clock and Reese was just descending from a pole in front of Greenawald’s feed store when he came in contact with one of the borough electric light wires Daniels attempted to rescue him but could not get in a position to do so without exposing himself to the deadly current. A crowd soon formed in the street and gazed in horror at the awful plight of a fellow being whom all seemed powerless to help. Finally Lineman Daniels rushed up to the Telephone Exchange where Miss Zulick, the operator, phoned to Ehly’s Bakery and Mr. Ehly ran over to the power house and had the current cut off. To the crowd it was apparent that if the current was not shut off the man would be electrocuted and when it was cut off it was feared he would fall to certain death on the street below. To the surprise of all, when the current was shut off, Reese descended to the ground unaided and walked into Dr. Lenker’s office where he was given treatment. Not withstanding his terrible experience Reese was at work again on Saturday and finished the installation of Mrs. Seidel’s phone and the stringing of the wires. |
| The Call of June 30, 1894 HORSES IN THE CANAL There was a lot of excitement in town last Sunday night. A horse and carriage in the canal was the cause of the excitement. The accident was caused by the collision of two teams near Motzers on Canal Street. A single team containing Charles Berger and William Semmet, of Cressona, was being driven toward the Reading depot. A double team containing Mr. and Mrs. Frank Eiler and Mr. and Mrs. Clayton Eiler, was being driven in the same direction, and the driver attempted to pass the single team. The teams collided and the horse of the single team reared and backed into the canal and horse and carriage stuck fast into about two feet of black mud. In a short time, several hundred people assembled at the scene of the accident. Landlord Yoder, who is the owner of the horse that was stuck in the mud, appeared and with the assistance of a number of young men, he succeeded in liberating the dumb animal. |
| The Call of June 29, 1895 A WARNING NOTE To those whom it may concern, who have license to sell drink in certain wards in the borough of Schuylkill Haven. It is a well known fact that those saloon keepers sell on Sunday as well as on weekdays. All you have to do is go in the back way and you will get all the drink that you wish or desire. This does not apply to all, but only to certain individuals. Let them take warning and stop this Sunday selling, for if they do not, their licenses will be broken. How can any man or woman who goes before the bar of justice and takes an oath that they will not sell drink on Sunday, allow it to be sold in their houses. If he is a man or a father of a family who sells drink, he conceals himself in this manner, he will not sell, but his wife or any other member of the family can sell all they have call for. In this manner does a woman act. She takes an oath that she will not sell on Sunday, but her children or her relatives can sell all they have trade for. Such is the way in which saloon keepers trifle with justice in certain wards in Schuylkill Haven. Let this be the last warning for those persons, for the first one of them that is hereafter found out to sell on Sunday, either in the house or to have it carried out of the house, their license will be broken. Let them dare not sell drink to minors at any time. The same thing can be applied to those who are living on the border of this borough. Let them beware; there is one watching them. |
| The "Call" puts illegal liquor sellers on notice... |
| The Call of October 16, 1897 EXCITING RUNAWAY On Tuesday afternoon the team of E. B. Peale, containing his son, R. B. Peale and wife and Mrs. Dr. Carrier and son, were frightened at the noise of escaping steam from an engine near the P and R depot and became unmanageable, dashing down the streets of the lower part of town, badly wrecking the carriage and causing the occupants to narrowly escape serious injury. Near the covered bridge, Mrs. Carrier, with her son in her arms, attempted to leap from the carriage, and was thrown to the ground. She was uninjured beyond a few bruises, while the child received a severe gash on the forehead. His injuries were dressed by Dr. Dechert. This is the second time the team has run away endangering the members of the Peale family. |
| The Call of November 9, 1900 MISSING INSANE MAN FOUND DEAD "Tony", the insane Italian who escaped from the Almshouse on Tuesday of last week, was found dead under a tree in the woods nearby on Saturday morning by William Yost, of Dock Street, this place. Mr. Yost was out hunting for rabbits when he came across the body, which apparently had been lying there for several days. His neck was broken and a broken limb of the tree under which the body was found suggested that he had climbed the tree and then fallen down landing on his head. He was about twenty eight years of age and had been brought to the institution from Honey Brook. |
| The Call of October 12, 1900 RESCUED FROM DROWNING While Augustus Luckenbill was walking near the docks in Spring Garden on Wednesday night he heard splashes in the water and through the rapidly fading twilight he could discern the features of a man struggling in the water. A line was thrown to him and he was pulled ashore. He was found to be a middle aged man, heavily built and refused to give his name, but stated he was a miner from Shenandoah, had a family of five children and was out of work on account of the strike. He claimed poor eyesight and on account of this he fell into the water while walking along the bank. No cries for assistance were heard and this helps to make the case a puzzle. In all probability the man was despondent, brooding over his troubles, and attempted to "drown" his sorrow. |
| The Call of April 18, 1902 EGGS-TRAORDINARY PRODUCER - A Spring Garden Hen that Smashes All Previous Records There are eggs and eggs and the hens which produce them are sometimes blamed with doing some eggs-traordinary things such as becoming non producers when egg prices soar skyward. But Reuben Luckinbill, a farmer near Spring Garden Junction, has the hen that takes the record. She evidently determined to make up for lost time by producing two perfectly formed eggs at one time, one egg being within the other. Last Saturday, Mrs. Luckinbill picked out the largest egg in the basket and cooked it for her daughter's dinner, the latter being employed in a factory in Schuylkill Haven. At the noon hour the young lady proceeded to partake of the egg. She carefully removed the shell from about one half of the hen fruit and took a bite. Her teeth struck something hard. She investigated and found on the inside another perfectly formed egg, slightly smaller than the average egg, but nevertheless perfectly formed and with a hard shell. She took the egg home and Mr. Luckinbill is now searching for that one peculiar hen, for if she can be found she will be given the best in the feed market, in the hope that she may keep up her determination to become a double producer. The egg is on exhibition at Klitsch's Café, where Mr. Luckinbill's son in law, Edward Foulk, has it preserved in a jar of alcohol. |
| The Call of July 5, 1901 SUPPOSED COAL DISCOVERED IN TOWN Quite a little stir was created in town on Tuesday when announcement was made of the discovery of an article supposed to be coal while digging a well on the lot of James Schaeffer on Centre Avenue, opposite Jerusalem Church, where he is erecting a new dwelling house. Inquiry disclosed the fact that he report was not entirely unfounded. The substance dug out, however, instead of being pure coal is of the nature of "croppings" usually unearthed before coal is reached. This material was first reached at a depth of seventeen feet and continued, even improving as to quality, to the depth of twenty two feet when work on the well was discontinued, an abundance of water having been reached. Persons who have visited the spot and who claim to know are of the opinion that a good quality of coal would have been reached t an increased depth. |
| The Call of April 1, 1899 A PLUCKY BOY Two brothers, Oscar aged about thirteen years and Martin, about eleven, sons of Washington Maberry of Haven Street were getting kindling wood at the P and R landing along the dock last Saturday. As they were crossing the foot bridge, the younger one lost his balance and fell into the water which is about ten feet deep. The older brother, afraid to plunge in from the bridge, ran in to the shore and left himself into the water gradually and swimming out, caught his brother just as he was sinking and took him to a pier of the bridge, which they clung to until they were pulled out by John Burkett, who happened to come along. They are suffering no ill effects from their icy bath. |
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| CRIME |
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| The Call of February 17, 1905 THE HORSE RAN AWAY While driving down Main Street on Tuesday evening the runner of Jackson Wortz's cutter caught in the trolley tracks, the sleigh upset and Mr. Wortz and his son were thrown out. The horse took fright and dashed down Main Street at a mad gallop as far as Hotel Grand where he collided with Harry McGeoy's grocery team. The shock threw Mr. McGeoy out of the sleigh, but he escaped unhurt, as did also his team. The runaway horse was bruised and the sleigh was rather the worse for banging around on its side on the icy street. Mr. Wortz and his son landed on a soft spot, on top of their buffalo robes and were unhurt. |
| The Call of February 3, 1905 ANOTHER SLEIGH UPSETS Mrs. Philip Moyer of South Manheim Township, was driving through town on Saturday morning with a load of produce. At the corner of Main and Saint John Streets, owing to the great heaps of snow thrown to each side of the street off the trolley tracks and cleaned off of pavements, she was obliged to drive on the tracks with the result that one of the runners caught in the track and the sleigh upset. Among the contents of the vehicle were fifty dozen eggs, about half of which were smashed. The fact that they were packed in straw saved the other half. This same corner has been the scene of several mishaps, among them the upsetting of a cutter containing a young couple from Pottsville. The sleigh was badly wrecked and the horse took fright running out the Long Run Road almost to Friedensburg. |
| The Call of December 16, 1904 YOUNG COASTER INJURED The first serious coasting accident of the season happened on Saturday afternoon. Horatio, the seven year old son of W. H. Underwood, manager of Doutrich and Company's store, while coasting down Saint John Street lost control of his sled. Coming at considerable speed he dashed into the wagon of Warren Brown's grocery, which was being driven down Saint John Street. The boys head crashed into the wagon wheel and he was rendered unconscious by the blow. He was carried into I. B. Heim's store by Frank Heim, who witnessed the accident. Dr. Heim, who lives just across the street, was summoned and dressed the wound, after which the boy was removed to his home on Saint John Street, where Dr. Heim sewed the wound up with four stitches. The little fellow is able to be out again and suffers no ill results of his injury. |
| During this time frame, the Call had an editorial section called, "The Chatterbox". This particular item deals with the timeless issue of loitering youth' |
| The Call of October 12, 1906 CHATTERBOX We often wonder why it is, so many young men can be seen loafing upon our streets until a late hour of night. Many of them are from our best homes. The fathers of these young men, many of them at least are numbered among our best citizens. If their sow or their horse or even their favorite dog was away from home after dark they would be out on a search, but their own children can roam the town all night with apparently no effort being made to find them. The boy seems to be turned loose at a tender age to wander at will into the paths of sin and vice and then we wonder where all our tramps and worthless specimens of humanity come from. It is a regrettable fact that too many of them come from seed germinated in good homes and then sown in a careless manner upon our streets and back alleys. Reader, is your boy wasting his time upon our streets? If so had you not at least look after him as carefully at nightfall as you would your horse and cow. We do not intimate that this evil exists to a greater extent in this community than in our sister towns but the evil seems universal and increases in magnitude as the years roll by. |
| The following three articles attest to the ingenuity of two Schuylkill Haven men who had three patented inventions in 1913 alone. Of note, one of them, Albert Geary, has special meaning as he is my late wife's great great grandfather. |
| The Call of July 18, 1913 LOCAL MAN AN INVENTOR J. C. Lautenbacher, one of our pioneer and most prominent manufacturers, has launched into the inventing business and has applied for a patent on a device that is positively the invention of the age. It is a nonrefillable bottle. The patent officers at Washington and those of his friends who have seen the device are all decided in their opinion that Mr. Lautenbacher has the desired ans much sought after invention, a real nonrefillable bottle. By reason of the fact that many manufacturers of high grade liquids, such as liquors, patent medicines, sauces, dressings, etc., continually are having their goods misrepresented by persons refilling the original bottles with inferior goods and passing them off as the real concoction, this nonrefillable bottle, which will prevent occurrences of this kind, will be eagerly sought after and be a most valuable device for them. Several large manufacturers have from time to time offered large sums of money to the person who could invent a positive nonrefillable bottle. Bottles of this kind have from time to time been invented but all have proved a failure. The bottle invented by Mr. Lautenbacher promises to fill the bill to the minutest detail. The device is tube shaped and naturally fits in the neck of the bottle. It is in seven separate parts. When the device is once placed in the neck of the bottle it can not be gotten out without breaking the bottle. By reason of its peculiar construction liquid can positively not be forced into the bottle either by pressure or any position the bottle may be made to assume in the liquid. When the bottle is filled it is emptied by the air getting in and forcing out the liquid, same as any other bottle, but when the liquid is once out none can be put into it because as soon as the bottle is in a position where liquid could be put into it, the device in a sense locks itself. In emptying the bottle with the nonrefillable attachment a better flow is obtained, regardless of the position it is held in, than a bottle without the attachment. Many bottles held in certain positions will choke themselves and retard the flow of liquid. This nonrefillable bottle will not do so. The invention is a very practical one and is admitted to be such by patent agents. It is a device that will fill the bill in every particular. The purpose of this article is not to advertise the device as Mr. Lautenbacher does not intend manufacturing it himself, but will dispose of it to any manufacturer who desires to make use of it, on the royalty system only. Mr. Lautenbacher has been hard at work on the device for the past several months. He was ably assisted in perfecting the same by Albert Geary, a well known and very capable machinist of our town. 4/7 |
| The Call of September 5, 1913 LOCAL MEN INVENTORS Jere C. Lautenbacher and Albert Geary have recently perfected an invention which will no doubt meet with ready sale when placed on the market. It is an appliance to prevent the skidding of automobiles. The device it is claimed will also enable automobiles to ascend and descend the steepest grades in all kinds of weather and road conditions. The device is controlled by the driver's foot and can be applied to any machine. Messrs. Geary and Lautenbacher have applied for a patent on this device and as soon as same is granted will place the same on the market. This is the second invention of note and worth these gentlemen have perfected within several month's time, the first invention being the nonrefillable bottle. |
| The Call of December 5, 1913 INVENTED SHOCK ABSORBER Mr. Jere C. Lautenbacher and Mr. Albert Geary have invented a most satisfactory automobile shock absorber. Models have been made of the same and patent papers applied for. Autoists who have seen the novel device claim that it will mean added pleasure to automobiling. It will prevent the jar and shock so prevalent in all autos. The absorber works on compressed air. It is a simple device. There is nothing to wear out, will prolong the life of an auto several years by reducing the wear and tear by jarring. The absorber can be made in a number of different sizes to suit the different size and power machines. Messrs. Lautenbacher and Geary have a number of other excellent inventions which will be made public very shortly. |
| The Call of May 2, 1913 MOVED BUILDING WITH AUTO Wednesday morning pedestrians along South Main Street were treated to the novel sight of an automobile moving a house. He automobile was none other than the famous and renowned car of Dr. A. H. Detweiler. Charles Faust was engaged in moving the frame building of Charles Schumacher from its location near the railroad to a site next to the Perry and Bowen Theater. The doctor happened along just as the work of moving was about to be commenced. He made the remark that he could pull the building and the bystanders immediately took him up. Ropes were attached to the building through a pulley and to the machine. At this stage of the game it was seen that some means had to be used to hold down the rear of the machine. Heavy Harry Moyer was at once on the job. The signal was given and away goes both the auto and the house. Three times the same method was employed, the entire distance which the house was moved was about one hundred yards. Quite a crowd collected during the performance. The building weighed about eight tons. The doctor certainly has some car but he says if Dock Street is not soon paved and he is compelled to continue to drive his machine over it in its present condition, it will soon be utterly ruined. |
| The Call of November 24, 1911 FALLS 50 FEET TO HIS DEATH – Charles McFadden Thrown When Girder Twists SECOND FATALITY AT NEW ASYLUM The second fatal accident at the new asylum being built occurred Tuesday evening when Charles McFadden, of Allentown , boss iron worker, fell about a distance of fifty feet, receiving injuries from which he died several hours later. The accident occurred at three o’ clock when McFadden attempted to walk across on of the iron girders, the girder not being bolted, twisted and threw him. As he fell, he struck a number of beams and when the body reached the ground, blood was oozing from a number of injuries. He was picked up by fellow workmen and rushed to the hospital nearby and everything possible was done for him. His skull was fractured, a number of bones broken and his body badly lacerated. He died at 5:30 o’clock without regaining consciousness. Several days prior to the accident, he was struck by a heavy piece of metal and suffered a deep gash on his head which required eight stitches. Guy Baker, of town, was standing near the unfortunate man when he fell. Mr. McFadden resided in Allentown . He is survived by the widow and four children. |
| The Call of September 8, 1911 FALLS 30 FEET TO DEATH – Lad Dies of Injuries Received at County Building FIRST DAY AT THIS KIND OF WORK Henry T., the seventeen year old boy of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Wessner of Haven Street, met his death in a distressing manner Thursday afternoon about three o’clock. He was employed on the construction of the new County Insane Building and was wheeling a barrow of mortar on two planks across the iron girders of the second story. The wheel of the barrow slipped between the planks and threw him to the basement of the building, a distance of thirty feet. In falling he struck the iron girders with his head and fell into a ditch, striking with a sickening thud a large pipe in the ditch. The wheelbarrow with its heavy load of mortar crashed on top of him. He sustained a crushed skull and a number of internal injuries. Fellow workmen rushed to the scene and tenderly carried him to the County Hospital nearby. Dr. Gillette, the County Hospital physician, upon examination, saw at once that he could not survive. He died at 4:30 o’clock , being unconscious from the time he was picked up. Mr. Wessner’s father was summoned as soon as the accident occurred and arrived at the hospital shortly thereafter. Both the boys father and mother are prostrated over the sudden death of the oldest of their children. The body was removed to the sorrow stricken home, from whence the funeral will be held Sunday afternoon. The boy had been employed on this work for several weeks but Thursday was the first day he was put at work on the second story. He had previously been employed at the Walkin Shoe Factory and as barber for J. Mengle. He was well known and liked by all. The news of the accident was a shock to his many friends. The family has the sympathy of the community. |
| During construction of what is now known as "The 1912 Building" at Rest Haven, two tragic deaths occurred. It has been said the building is haunted. Perhaps these two poor souls still walk the halls. |
| The Call of January 19, 1912 TROLLEY HITS SLEIGHING PARTY Considerable anxiety was felt here Tuesday afternoon about 4:30 o’clock by a number of parents when it was learned that a sleighing party composed of school children had been struck by a trolley car near Adamsdale. It was at first thought in of the many sleighing parties including, several of the public schools from town which left on this afternoon figured in the accident. The party struck was the second section of a sleighing party of school children of the Glenworth schools taught by Miss Emerich of town. As the second sleigh reached the crossing known as the Filbert crossing, near the Peale residence, the 4:30 car out of Schuylkill Haven came into sight and before the driver of the sleigh could cross, the car struck the horses knocking them down. The jolt caused the children to be thrown out of the sleigh into the snow. None were injured, excepting one girl, Vera Wagner aged twelve years, who in some manner was caught between the car and the sleigh and was squeezed. The horses were somewhat bruised. The occupants of the damaged sleigh were brought to Schuylkill Haven and left for their homes on the 6:40 P and R train. It appears that the driver of the team that was struck had his ears covered with the laps of his cap and did not hear the whistle of the approaching car. As a high embankment hides the car from view until it is within several feet of the crossing , no blame can be laid against either the driver of the team or the trolley company. |
| The Call of April 5, 1912 EXCITING RUNAWAY An exciting runaway occurred Thursday morning about 10:30 o’clock when the double team of Charles Seager, a former resident of town, now a farmer living at Summit Station, dashed madly down Main Street with harness trailing. In front of the Trust Company Building one of the horses slipped on the trolley track and fell to the street, but was pulled along over the brick street by the other excited animal for a distance of fully thirty feet before the other horse stopped. Bystanders took charge of the team. The horses became frightened while their owner was delivering farm products on North Main Street . The tongue of the wagon broke in rounding the corner and the harness was quickly torn. The wagon was but slightly damaged. |
| The Call of August 2, 1912 THREE BOYS SKIP FOR THE WEST The boys, namely Wildermuth, Hartranft and Sattizahn, whose ages are 16, 15, and 17 respectively, last Saturday decided they would set out to see some of this great and broad land of ours. In order to be fully prepared for the trip, it is alleged they appropriated their parents cash. Sattizahn securing $57 and Hartranft $8. In order to throw any person who might accidentally want to follow them up off their they purchased tickets at the local station for Hamburg and left last Saturday afternoon on the 1:59 train. After their presence was missed from their homes and when the parents learned that sums of money were missing, a search was begun. It was learned they left for Hamburg but they were not located in that town. Police fliers were sent out and early in the week word was received from Pittsburgh that the trio were caught in that city. The chief of police was at once notified to hold the boys until an officer could be sent for them. It is expected the prodigal sons will be brought home very shortly, none the worse for their pleasure trip. It is thought they intended on making for the west, there to seek their fortune and return home in time well heeled in cash. |
| The Call of February 27, 1914 CAUGHT RUNAWAY TEAM Charles Graeff, better known as "Baggy", proved himself quite a hero by his daring act of stopping a runaway horse Thursday about 12:30 o'clock on Prospect Hill. The horse was going at a good clip when Graeff made a leap for the bridle. He was dragged for some distance but pluckily retained his grip on the bridle and finally brought the horse to a stop. The horse was owned by Mr. Walter Meck and family. Mr. Walter Meck was driving on Dock Street when the sleigh caught in the trolley tracks, upset and the horse ran way. 6/16 |
| The Call of October 2, 1914 SHOT IN HEAD ACCIDENTALLY Ralph Sattizahn, while acting as trapper Saturday morning for a number of shots at a shooting match near the Almshouse and along the Pennsylvania Railroad tracks, narrowly escaped having his head blown off. He was in the act of setting the traps when the gun of Charles Auchey was accidentally discharged. Immediately Sattizahn was heard to utter a cry and seen to drop to the ground. He was hurried to the home of his brother Harry near by. Dr. A. H. Detweiler was summoned and after working about two and one half hours in removing about twenty shots from his dead, pronounced him out of danger. He was removed to the home of his sister. The news spread about town that Sattizahn had the top of his head blown off and had died from the effects. For a time The Call has been kept busy contradicting the report and giving out the exact facts of the affair. 6/16 |
| The Call of September 8, 1916 AUTO CRASHES INTO HOUSE An auto accident that came near resulting seriously, occurred Saturday evening about eight o'clock on Saint John Street when the Ford machine of Edward Culbert of Pinegrove, dashed down the steep hill on Market Street and ran into the fence at the home of Harry Goas on Saint John Street. The collision with the fence caused the front axles to be broken and thus brought it to a standstill. The auto had been stopped at the top of the hill for a few seconds to allow Miss Marjorie Bressler to get inside. After the young lady had been seated, Culbert was about to crank the machine when the brakes gave away and throwing Culbert to the side, started down the hill. Miss Bressler, seeing the machine starting off without a driver had presence of mind to jump and thus escape injury. Culbert sustained a number of bruises by being thrown. In its mad dash, this car narrowly escaped hitting another passing auto. A number of people were on their porches at the time and ran, fearing that the machine would catch fire and explode. The peculiar incident connected with the accident is the fact that the car turned the corner and started out Saint John Street towards William Street before mounting the curb and running into the fence. It was towed to the Losch garage for repairs. 6/16 |
| The Call of October 13, 1916 BLACK CAT KILLS 6 FOOT SNAKE The season for fish and snake stories has about closed and the snake editor of The Call had pigeonholed the few remaining stories he had until the next season. During the week he was stopped by crossing watchman Lewis Wildermuth and informed of the following story: The time was on Saturday evening last and the place of the Wildermuth homestead on Liberty Street. It will be recalled that it was somewhat warm on last Saturday and this had a tendency to call forth from their winter quarters, snakes of every size and description. This snake was slightly over six feet in length. Now Mr. Wildermuth has a cat, its first name is Jere. Jere was at the upper part of the yard, sitting on the back yard fence, conversing with one of the neighbor's cats, over the coming election and arguing in the cat language, that Hughes would be the next president and that Boston would win the World Series. Suddenly the attention of Jere was attracted to a moving object in the grass and jumping from the fence, Jere discovered it was a snake. Just how long the battle between Jere and the snake continued could not be ascertained, as the neighbor's cat refused to give any information. However, when Mrs. Wildermuth went up to attend to the chickens, Jere had bitten the snake into three parts. He head and about two feet of the body were still moving around when Mrs. Wildermuth called for her husband and he with the aid of a hoe, sent the remainder of the snake to snake heaven. Mr. Wildermuth refuses to take any amount of money for Jere and states he is not for sale. 6/16 |
| The Call of December 1, 1916 CONCUSSION OF BRAIN FROM ACCIDENT Running from behind a trolley car going south directly in front of the auto of groceryman Howard Oswald, Hiram Fisher, aged six years, son of Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Fisher, of Main Street, was knocked down. The accident occurred on Friday evening in front of the home of Dr. L. D. Heim. Before the machine could be brought to a standstill it has passed over the body of the child. A stitch was necessary to close the wound in the lower lid of one of the eyes, the upper lid of the other eye was cut, and a slight concussion of the brain resulted from the fall to the brick street. Mr. Oswald stopped the car and picking the child up in his arms, took him into the office of Dr. Heim. Bystanders claim that the accident was purely accidental and placed no blame on the driver of the car. It is surprising that this is probably the first accident of its kind to occur in Schuylkill Haven, as frequently people alighting from a car, especially women, cross the street from the rear without looking for a vehicle coming in the opposite direction. 6/16 |
| The Call of October 31, 1913 NEW INSANE HOSPITAL OPENED HERE Schuylkill County's new $600,000 hospital for the insane, located at Schuylkill Haven, was dedicated with appropriate exercises Thursday afternoon in the presence of thousands of people from all parts of the county. The program of exercises were of a simple yet interesting nature. They were held in the chapel, second floor of the main building. The room was far too small to accommodate the large audience that was desirous of listening to the remarks of the speakers. The result was considerable disturbance and annoyance was caused by persons jamming their way into the room and in a short time pressing their way through the crowds again to get out. Promptly at 2:30 o'clock the Third Brigade band, which occupied the front right corner of the chapel struck up the opening march of the program. The program as given in these columns last week then followed. It was completed and brought to a close about 4:30 o'clock by the audience standing and enthusiastically joining in singing America. For hours prior to the exercises, during the same and until five o'clock, the entire building was inspected by thousands of persons. The County Commissioners must be commended for the excellent arrangement and provision of the details for the handling of the visitors. Attendants were stationed in many parts of the building and directed the public through the same, explained the different portions of it, various kinds of apparatus, etc., and answered the many inquiries in a courteous manner. From all sides was heard expressions as to the wonderful building which has been erected, delightfully located, modernly equipped, conveniently and comfortably arranged in all its appointments and with a capacity to accommodate 600 to 700 patients. Schuylkill County sure can be proud of one thing and that is that it possesses the most uptodate and thoroughly scientific institution for the care of the insane in the state. Judge Brumm in his address struck the keynote of the entire days program when he stated the cause, in his opinion, of the present number of insane and the rapid increase of the number, throughout the country was the cigarette. He stated that he had ascertained to his complete satisfaction that there are more weak minded boys, more imbeciles, eventually lunatics, bred in this country of ours today from the effects of the cigarette then there is from the effect of alcoholic spirits. He further stated that parents should see that their children are not permitted to use cigarettes. That during his career on the bench there has not been a single instance where he examined the fingers of boys and young men brought before him for trial that he did not find the stain on their fingers of the cigarette. He said he hoped every man and woman would take some step to prevent the use of the cigarette and also to punish the villain guilty of selling them to their boys. Handsome souvenir booklets containing valuable information covering the new institution were given to all persons. 6/16 |
| The Call of July 3, 1914 CHILD FOUND IN MANHOLE Some excitement was caused about town on Saturday evening and Sunday by the announcement of the discovery of a dead three year old child in a manhole of a steam pipe line at the County Institution. From the details at first obtainable the affair looked like a case of murder, but an investigation satisfied the Coroner that the child met death accidentally. The child was that of Theodore Warnisky. The father being in the county jail and the mother an inmate of the County Almshouse. While out walking Friday afternoon with its mother it became lost. Search was made during Friday evening and all day Saturday. Saturday afternoon one of the State Police made the discovery. The manhole in which the child was found is that leading to the steam pipeline between the power plant and the Insane Building. It is about ten feet deep and four feet square. The iron opening of the manhole is about twenty inches in diameter. A tin cup, such as is used at the institution, being used for soup, etc., was found in the manhole. It is believed it belonged to the child and the child while playing near the manhole pushed it over and it dropped into the hole. The child in looking down at the cup, lost its balance and fell into the manhole. A post mortem examination was mad by Dr. Lessig Saturday evening. The manhole being filled with steam pipes, the temperature was between 120 and 140 degrees and the child was suffocated and literally roasted to death as its little body was quite brown and shriveled. A feature that led one to believe that the child met with foul play was the fact that on Monday, June 29, the child was to be taken to a state home of children and it was thought the mother instead of caring to part with it, had caused its death. Investigation by the coroner did not bring to light any evidence that would cast suspicion on the mother. 6/16 |

