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| 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. S. 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 horsepower engine is in use at Dougherty's Box Factory in Schuylkill Haven. A patent has been applied for and a company will shortly be organized to construct and place the engines on the market. |
| NOTABLE NEWS |
| 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 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. |
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| 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 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 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. |
| 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 then 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. |
| 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 November 26, 1926 CHICKENS IN KITCHEN AND DOGS IN THE CELLAR 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 surprising conditions existing in one of a group of three frame dwellings on the side of the hill south of peculiar odor, nevertheless the officers found the home in rather an unkempt condition and rather Market Street. Mother was engaged in roasting wheat to be used in the making of coffee. This gave off a 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. le |
| 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 six by ten foot 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. 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. 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. 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 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 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, 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 at 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 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. |
| The Call of February 17, 1905 THE HORSE RAN AWAY 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. |
| 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. |
| 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 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 away. |
| 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. |
| 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 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. |
| 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 arrival of 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. Now Mr. Wildermuth has a cat, its first name is Jere. Jere was at the upper part of the yard, sitting on the 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. |
| 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. |
| The Call of September 1, 1916 LOCAL GIRL ALMOST CAUSES FAMILY SEPARATION A Schuylkill Haven young lady, who has not quite reached her majority, innocently came near causing the separation of a prominent Pottsville family and it required the efforts of Mayor Mortimer and Chief of Police Hoepstine of Pottsville, to amicably adjust the difference. There are two men in Pottsville by the same name, that is both the first and last names are the same, although they are no relation to each other. The one is married and has a family and the other is single. This Schuylkill Haven girl has been corresponding with the single man and written a number of very endearing letters. Unfortunately several of the letters arrived at the home of the married man and were opened by his wife. Immediately wifey decided that hubby was not true and had an affinity in Schuylkill Haven. Then followed the battle of words at home and the aid of the police. A copy of one of the letters was handed the officers with the girl's name attached. My Dear Darling George, This is Monday night and almost time for retiring. Although it was only a few hours ago that you were with me and held me in your lap, it appears as if it was many years to me. Each time that I look out of the window I think I must see you coming and really, my dearest, it seems a long time between Sunday evening and Wednesday evening. Don't you think that you could arrange your work so that you could spend every evening of the week by my side? If only you could realize how I crave for your presence and fond embrace and the sweet kisses that you alone can give. Were it possible for me to do so, I would climb to the highest peak of Mt. Vesuvius, and breaking a branch from the loftiest tree, would dip the same in the crater and write on the skies, where all the world could see it. "George dearest, I love you." George, the great love that I have hitherto expressed for you, increases daily. If you only would ask me to be your humble wife and thus make me the happiest girl in this wide world, I would care for nothing else. I hear the clock at the Trust Company striking the hour of eleven and must retire. I will look for your angel face on Wednesday evening at Hoy's corner. I will now close with millions of kisses and fond embraces. Your ever loving friend. |
| The Call of April 20, 1917 FIVE FOOT RATTLER ON SAINT JOHN STREET The sun was just peeping from over the hills near the storage yard and its bright rays were making themselves felt, when two weary railroaders, William Bolton and Irwin E. Mengle, were wending their way from the trolley car to their homes on Liberty Street, following a trip made down the main line. When just opposite the home of attorney George M. Paxson, the two men discovered a snake, a real live rattlesnake less then five feet in length. We can't say a great deal about Mengle, for he no sooner discovered this poisonous reptile crawling in his direction then he took to his heels and the last heard of him from his neighbors, was to the effect that every door in the house was locked and every window bolted and he was confined to his bed with exhaustion, due to over exertion in beating the fastest time ever recorded in history for a sprinter. "Dottzer" detests snakes and he don't care who knows it. Like a brave soldier, Bolton stood his ground and although he used every stone within a radius of several squares, he succeeded in dispatching his snakeship, one of the stones fortunately hit the snake on the head. While the excitement was at its height, women grabbed their children and ran indoors. Teamsters went in another direction and a number of family pets, cats, who had been unavoidably detained at meetings during the night and were wandering home leisurely, hastened their gait. Now the snake is dead. It was carried to the general store of I. B. Heim where it was viewed by the snake editor of the Call. The several rattles that it possessed were cut off by some unknown person. Just where the snake came from is not known but it is believed to be one of a number that was brought from Texas by a local soldier. |
| The Call of June 29, 1917 INSANE MAN WALKS OUT WITH GRAND JURY While the members of the Grand Jury were visiting the Insane Asylum last week and were leaving the institution, one of the patients mingled with the jurymen and walked along outside the building with them. Once out in the open, the fellow took to his heels and disappeared over the fields. The fellow was a foreigner and his home is in Saint Clair. At this writing he had not been apprehended. Allowed some freedom about the institution, another patient, an American, escaped on Sunday last. He was apprehended on Wednesday in Wilmington Delaware. Just how he got that far is not known but it is believed he walked the greater part of the distance. |
| The Call of March 15, 1918 EXCITING SUNDAY MORNING RUNAWAY An exciting runaway took place here Sunday morning when a horse owned by a party named Emerick of Seven Stars, and attached to a light carriage, dashed down Main Street. the carriage was occupied by a youth named Walter Scott, a neighbor of Emerick's. While the horse was drinking from a trough at Seven Stars, it took fright and started on its mad dash. Going down Main Street, it collided with the awning in front of Sausser Brothers store and pulled the posts loose. When near the Hotel Grand, the horse was caught. The youthful driver who stuck to the carriage and with no means of stopping the horse, as the bridle had slipped from its head, was uninjured. The carriage was but slightly damaged. |
| The Call of March 22, 1918 FAMILY OVERCOME WITH COAL GAS The members of the family of C. Reed of 3 North Berne Street, were almost asphyxiated early on Monday morning from sulphur fumes from a furnace in the cellar. The fire had been dampened off for the night and the family retired about nine o'clock. About two o'clock, Mr. Reed, who for the past two months has been ill, attempted to arise to procure some medicine. He stumbled against the wall and fell over. At four o'clock, Mrs. Reed arose and after walking a few steps, she also fell over in a faint and remained in that condition for several hours. A son, William, was unconscious when the daughter, Mrs. Katie Beaumont, arose and went to the room of her parents. It was then she discovered their plight. Dr. H. T. Ryan was summoned and restored the other members of the family to consciousness. Only for the fact that the daughter had her window open several inches, which prevented the room from being seriously effected and her timely discovery of the parents, the accident might have resulted fatally. |
| The Call of June 14, 1918 OIL TRUCK BREAKS COVERED BRIDGE The driver of the oil truck engaged in oiling the state road leading to Friedensburg had a narrow escape Saturday afternoon from going into the Schuylkill River. He was going through the covered bridge at Columbia Street and was about halfway through when he heard a cracking. He gave his machine more power and fortunately landed safely on the other side. He then stopped and made an investigation. It was discovered that nine stringers across the bridge were broken. The bridge was immediately closed to traffic and it was necessary for all vehicles and autos to detour via Cressona. Supervisor Huy and a force of carpenters immediately got to work and by three o'clock Sunday morning had the repairs completed. This Schuylkill River bridge is more then sixty eight years old. It was never built or intended to withstand the strain of the heavy auto trucks that pass over it and the County Commissioners would do well to at once take steps to provide a more substantial bridge at this point or be prepared to pay heavy damages for a mishap which is sure to sooner or later occur here on account of the weakness of this bridge. |
| The Call of April 18, 1919 SNAKE KNOCKED CHILDS HAT OFF Snakes within the past week or two are reported to have made their appearance in various parts of town in large numbers. From all sections we learn of snakes of various kinds and all sizes being discovered is due to the mild winter we have had. Recently neighbors in the vicinity of the Episcopal church killed twelve good sized snakes in one day. A pedestrian walking along Willow Street last week killed five. Some boys playing in the swamp along this street, discovered several nests of them among some fallen trees and sills. We have also learned of a snake that is alleged to have knocked a little boy's hat off. This happened the latter part of last week when children by the name of Longo were playing near some logs and a pile of railroad sills in the willows near Caldwell Street. The boys, it is stated, were seated on some logs when his snakeship suddenly made his appearance and with one leap knocked the youngster's hat from his head. Whether or not the snake wished to play tag with the boys could not be determined as the boys immediately put up an SOS call. Their screams were heard by shop men nearby and they hurried to the scene feeling sure the kids were being murdered. They hunted about but could find no trace of the snake. In the evening the father set a match to the tall grass in the vicinity and soon discovered Mr. Snake. After a battle it was finally killed and while it did not break any records as to length, being about three feet, it is said to have had a most unusual large sized and vicious looking head. |
| The Call of October 31, 1919 AEROPLANE ATTRACTS MANY PERSONS The aeroplane that visited our town Friday, Saturday and Sunday certainly proved a stellar attraction as thousands and thousands of children as well as adults were attracted to the landing field which was in the field near the brick plant. The owner of the machine was Audrey Stewart and the pilot was Lieutenant Bishop of the British aerial force. A number of local people enjoyed the sensation of flying over the town at one dollar per minute and all report enjoying the same very much. The biggest crowd of spectators was on hand Sunday. Not only did the Schuylkill haven people walk out to the fields but it is said there were several hundreds of automobiles and motorcycles coming from all sections that brought many more hundreds of persons to the scene. Only a few flights were made on Sunday on account of the heavy atmosphere. Among those persons known to have taken flights were: Frank Deibert, Mrs. Reuben Hoffman, Jacob Rudy, Earl Stoyer, Charles Oberley, Joseph Mulholland, William Schuckers and Miss Clementine Tobin of Pottsville. It is understood the aeroplane will pay this section a return visit probably this Friday and Saturday, the machine having been taken to Allentown for several days. |
| The Call of February 20, 1920 GOVERNMENT AGENT GOES INSANE An Italian giving his name as Dominick Pizzi, who for the past several weeks has been boarding at the Hotel Grand of town, was taken to the County Insane Hospital Thursday, suffering from an acute attack of insanity. Pizzi's identity for some time has been a mystery to hotel guests and businessmen in the vicinity of the hotel. Most of the people with whom he came in contact did not hesitate to remark that he was "bugs". No one had any definite proof and as he didn't pull off anything especially unusual, always appeared in tidy dress, had plenty of money, etc., etc., no one called the institution. Thursday he wandered into the court house and asked to see Judge Bechtel, as he wanted a reward for capturing a German spy. Questioning upon the part of the officials soon decided his case and Superintendent Bowers was given charge of the fellow. To enumerate all the peculiar things the fellow said and did about town would require a column. The peculiar thing about the case is that he always had plenty of money, in fact, rolls of it, had in his possession special cards permitting him to ride on the local trolley cars at special rates, special cards for railroad transportation on numerous lines and all kinds of credentials. He always maintained he was a Government agent and knew his business thoroughly. Several weeks ago it is understood he applied for citizenship papers in order that he might enlist in the army. |
| The Call of March 12, 1920 RAIN AND SNOW CAUSES HIGH WATER The rain on Friday with the large amount of snow on the ground caused damage in and about the town to some extent. Ice and snow blocked gutters were responsible for the overflow of a number of gutters in different parts of town which caused more or less easily repairable damage. The Schuylkill River by Friday afternoon reached an almost flood mark. It was a regular river, swiftly moving and pretty deep and ice cold. The noise of the swirling stream as it reached the rocks at the curve in the West Ward near the gas house caused a thunderous noise as does Niagara Falls. It could be distinctly heard in Spring Garden and along Dock Street to Main Street. While the river did not overflow the embankment along lower Main Street, the result of its having reached such a high point resulted in water in nearly every cellar of every house on both sides of Columbia Street from the river to Canal Street. Even cellars that cellars the water reached the floor. In others it reached a depth of several feet. At the Bittle store, by reason of the blocking of a sewer, the water backed over the pavement and to within two inches of overflowing into the first floor of the store. At the Losch garage the water from the Bittle dam and the Columbia Street gutters flowed into the garage, flooding the boiler and put the heating apparatus out of commission. At the Reider Shoe Factory the water backed into the basement necessitating closing down that part of the mill and causing damage to some extent. At the Schumacher store pumps were kept going in the cellar to keep the water from reaching the floor level. On Union Street a stranger would have thought the portion between Saint John and Saint Peter and then Saint John to Main were small sized rivers instead of streets. Blocked sewers and gutters were responsible for this condition. Out in Spring Garden the Nosedale Creek took a notion to flow in any direction excepting that prescribed by its banks. As a result the nearby fields, Garfield Avenue and Willow Street were very badly flooded. Considerable damage is reported to have been done to a number of cellars on Willow Street. The water backed in through the old lowlands in the flat and covered portions of the washery of John Sirrocco. The Harry Baker washery at the foot of Canal Street near the Old Guard lock was sunk. The end was staved in by a large piece of ice and as the water rapidly filled it, it went to the bottom. The Jacob Daubert washery located a short distance below the Baker washery was also staved in and one end of the same went to the bottom. During the week workmen were busy raising the same. |
| The Call of July 11, 1924 YOUTHS HAD NARROW ESCAPE FROM DROWNING Earl Unger of Paxson Avenue and a little girl by the name of Strauss from Spring Garden, had a narrow escape from drowning in the Bittle Dam, Wednesday afternoon. They were in the act of wading across the dam at a point where the ice machinery for the old ice plant had been operated. They were unaware that there is a depression near the center of the dam. The water was about five feet deep at the point on Wednesday afternoon due to the rain of Tuesday. Stanley Umbenhauer of Columbia Street, who was fooling but after their cry for help noticed their heads disappear under the water. Wasting no time he pulled off his boots and waded to the middle of the dam. He caught hold of both and dragged them to shore where after the usual methods they were out of danger but very badly frightened. |
| The Call of May 1, 1925 ANNIVERSARY SIGN SMASHED TO BITS The 175th Anniversary sign painted on the high board fence at the new building being erected by Paris Lazos on Main Street was smashed to bits about 9:30 this morning. The ton and a half ice cream truck of Ice Cream Manufacturing, Wertley of Hamburg ran away from in front of Frank Scott's store two squares away. The operators were in the Scott store at the time. The truck narrowly missed several cars in the upper end of the square. It struck the iron posts of the awning at Squire Moyer's property and ripped the roof out of position. The ice truck of Mr. Ney in front of the Michel residence was hit in the rear. It then mounted the pavement, crashed through the fence and was only stopped when it came in contact with a large pile of concrete blocks and the iron girders. A Ney boy lying in the back of the Ney truck narrowly escaped injury. Instead of jumping the boy remained in the truck and escaped. The Wertley truck was backed from the pavement and able to continue over its day's route. |
| The Call of January 30, 1925 RUNAWAY HORSE INJURES COASTER SUNDAY Sunday afternoon a runaway horse and cutter sleigh injured a son of painter Fritz of West Main Street and caused quite a bit of excitement as it dashed through the town. That more serious consequences did not result on its wild dash down the Schuylkill Mountain road was due to the alertness of the numerous coasters on the lower portion of the road. The horse was that of farmer Mintz. It took fright on the road on the top of the mountain and broke away and came down the mountain road. The accident to the youth happened in a peculiar way. The boy was "spragging" his sled to avoid striking or running into a horse and sleigh which was in front of him. The boy did not notice the runaway horse and sleigh approaching from the rear. The runaway horse turned to the side of the road to pass the horse and sleigh ahead of him. In doing so the cutter struck the coaster and is said to have passed over his neck. The boy was cut and bruised but not serious. The horse continued on up Columbia to Canal and to Main where it was caught near Hotel Grand. The cutter was somewhat damaged and the horse was somewhat cut about the legs and hooves. |
| The Call of July 31, 1925 LOST GIRLS HAD GONE SIGHTSEEING NEAR BY Helen, ten year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Yost, and Olga, eight year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Matonis, both of Schuylkill Haven went sightseeing Monday and for a time were thought to have been lost. They left Schuylkill Haven in the morning and were not found until Monday evening. They returned to town on the 9:30 car. The girls are close chums. When they did not turn up for the noon day meal at their home, the parents of each took for granted they were taking dinner at the home of the other, as was often the practice. Not until neither child put in an appearance for the evening meal was anything thought of their absence. Investigation was then made. Search was made over the town, the telephone was put to good use and the police at Pottsville notified. The girls were found at Garfield Square, Pottsville and placed on the above named trolley and arrived in town about 9:30. They were met by their parents and quite a number of persons who had gathered on Main Street and for an hour or two previous had been all wrought up with their disappearance. The sightseers walked the entire distance from town to Pottsville along the trolley tracks. They spent the time in picking flowers, taking a nap and at play. They arrived in Mount Carbon about four o'clock. Here they evidently solicited money and were given a dollar. They hurried on to Pottsville, intent on shopping. They visited the five and ten where they purchased some dolls and drawing crayons. They also purchased some food. The fact that they were unaccompanied and appeared to be lost excited the suspicion of persons residing on Garfield Square. They got into communication with the city police and found the children were the two lost Schuylkill Haven girls. |
| The Call of October 9, 1925 HUSBAND AND WIFE HAD LEGS BROKEN BY AUTO Mr. and Mrs. B. Frank Reider Sr. of Main Street suffered severe injuries when struck by an automobile on Main Street Saturday evening. Mr. and Mrs. Reider were crossing main Street at a point above the Dock Street intersection from the north to the south side. Just as they stepped into the street, the automobile to the street. Mrs. Reider was dragged along the brick street for a short distance. The accident attracted a large crowd and the victims were assisted into Dr. Detweiler's office where an examination showed the extent of their injuries. Sunday morning at 11:30 they were taken to the Fountain Springs Hospital. Mrs. Reider suffered a fractured leg above the knee and a number of painful body bruises. Mr. Reider suffered a broken left leg below the knee. His right knee is completely shattered and during the week he was told of the very sad news that it is hardly likely he will ever be enabled to use the knee again, but will be compelled to use a crutch. Mr. Reider is one of the best known shoe men in eastern Pennsylvania. He has been engaged in the manufacture of shoes for many years in different localities. Recently he with his sons began operation of the Haven Shoe Company. |
| The Call of December 11, 1925 HAD PREMONITION OF HIS DEATH Walter J. Fisher, one of Schuylkill Haven's well known residents was found dead in his bed Wednesday morning, having passed peacefully away Tuesday evening. Mr. Fisher retired in apparent good health and the finding of his lifeless body upon his bed when he failed to answer summons in the morning was a shock to his family. Death was due to high blood pressure with which he suffered for some time. Deceased was a lifelong resident of Schuylkill Haven. He was forty years of age. For twenty years he conducted a green grocery business on Main Street. He was a member of the P. O. S. of A. and of the Junior Order of American Mechanics, both of Schuylkill Haven. His mother who is in her eightieth year has been confined to bed with illness for the past five weeks and the death of her son has greatly aggravated her condition. Deceased is survived by the widow. The death of Mr. Fisher while very sudden was not unexpected as he announced to his wife at the noon meal that it would be the last cooked meal he would eat with her. He had a premonition of impending death for the past three months and as a result had made numerous arrangements in business and family affairs. The funeral will take place Saturday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock from the family residence on Main Street. D. M. Bittle is the funeral director in charge. |
| The Call of January 14, 1927 PASTOR AND WIFE ALMOST ASPHYXIATED Reverend F. S. Longsdorf and his wife had a narrow escape from serious consequences Wednesday house reading had not noticed the presence of gas in the home until his attention was called to it about ten o'clock. Upon making an investigation in the cellar they found a considerable amount of gas but could not find any leak. They gave the matter no serious consideration until when preparing to retire both pastor and wife noticed they were becoming faint and weak. They made their way with difficulty out of the house and spent the night at the home of a neighbor. The Misses Auman, who live with their aged mother on the same street, almost directly across form the parsonage, also noticed the presence of gas fumes but remained in their home. In the morning they were quite ill. The Gas Department was notified and during the day the gas pipes were cut and the street opened along the main in an effort to discover the leak. About four o'clock in the afternoon Thursday, one of the department employees, Ezra Heilweg, who was working in the ditch was overcome with gas. Superintendent Mellon and his assistants worked over Mr. Heilweg for quite some time and at first it was feared the gas fumes had been fatal to him. He was finally resuscitated and sent to his home after having had a physician administer to him. One of two felines about one of the homes were found to have been smothered to death from the gas fumes. The leak is believed to be in the main a short distance above the home of Reverend Longsdorf. Other residents along this street retired Thursday evening after having taken all precautions in the way of keeping several windows open. |
| The Call of February 4, 1927 AUTOIST HAS NARROW ESCAPE ON HILL Painter Fred Reichert came very near figuring in a bad accident on the unprotected, dangerous and unused steep portion of Saint Peter Street Saturday morning. Automobiling was particularly dangerous Saturday morning on any street with or without chains by reason of the streets being converted into sheets of ice. Reichert came down Saint Peter Street from his home. When near the curve opposite the Meck home the machine skidded and made for the steep hill. The machine crashed into a pole near the steps and was thus prevented from rolling down over the steep incline. It would seem advisable for the borough to either close this part of the street or to post notices of danger and warning. Most local autoists are aware of the danger that lurks at this point and also know that it is practically impassable. Strangers however, at night may sometime miss the curve and plunge down the incline and the borough will surely be in for a suit of damage. |
| The Call of May 27, 1927 AUTOIST HITS BABY COACH BUT CHILD SLEEPS ON The infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Geary of Main Street had a narrow escape from injury on Friday evening when the child's coach was struck by the auto driven by Paul Mease. The accident occurred at the corner of Parkway and Schumacher Avenue. The child was in the baby coach in charge of the mother. An auto driven by Mr. Heffner was proceeding south on Parkway. At the corner of Parkway and Columbia, Mease, also going south on Parkway, attempted to skirt around Heffner's machine. As a result the hub of one machine caught the fender of the other and Heffner's machine was pushed up on the pavement striking the baby coach. The wheels of the coach were broken but through prompt action of the mother, the child was not thrown out. It slept on as serenely as if nothing had occurred. Mease has been placed under arrest on the charge of reckless driving. His hearing will take place Friday night. |
| The Call of February 24, 1928 FINDS BAG OF MONEY ON BACK YARD Shoe dealer Allen Klahr, while marking off spaces in his back yard the latter part of last week for the location of his onion and salad beds made an unusual and fortunate find. On turning over an old piece of board he noticed several pennies. Picking them up he discovered a few more and after he had picked these up he noticed more of them at the same spot. He began to pick these up and there were more awaiting discovery. He continued and by just a little scraping picked up four hundred and ninety one pennies and two dimes. It is believed a bag of the coin had been buried or lost by some persons unknown at this time. Nevertheless, Mr. Klahr claims ownership of the money and rightly so. |
| The Call of April 27, 1928 RAISED CHICKENS ON SECOND FLOOR OF HOME Complaints from neighbors have recently been lodged with the Burgess, the Health Officer and the Fire Chief of Schuylkill Haven concerning a number of homes and buildings in different parts of town. In some instances the complaint is on the fact that the building is a fire trap and in other places the complaint is that it is not only a fire trap but a menace to health. The officers referred to have begun an inspection and conditions when they are found to be as reported must be remedied or prosecution will be brought within ten days. Two particular cases brought out within the past week were the following: At the Schlachter home the cellar was found to be full of tin cans and rubbish of almost every conceivable kind. Outside the house was found an old mattress that was thrown from an upstairs window when it became ignited by reason of one of the children smoking cigarettes in bed. A large amount of garbage was found underneath the porch. The yard was filled with paper, rags and rubbish. The family was ordered to clean up immediately. A Swartz home on Willow Street was found unsanitary in part and that the tenant was maintaining a fire hazard on the second floor. Here the authorities found a partially open window through which the wind blew over an old oil stove that was burning in order to heat the room. In the center of the room was found a brooder and around it straw. Then imagine the surprise of the officers when they discovered about fifty or more little peeps. No one was about the home excepting two small children. The tenant was given twenty four hours notice to remedy conditions. The local authorities will be glad to receive reports of conditions where health and public safety are at stake. The authorities however do feel that complainants ought to first be sure of their contentions and not insist on investigations because of neighborhood scraps or the like. |
| The Call of June 15, 1928 HYDROPHOBIA SAID TO EXIST HERE During the week one of the children of Charles Dewald was bitten by the family pet dog. The dog was immediately shot by one of the local officers when the matter was reported. The child was given attention by a local physician. The matter was explained to a veterinarian who stated that by the actions of the dog it must have been mad and he added that this would not be unusual because of the fact that in examining another dog recently brought to him by a Schuylkill Haven owner, he discovered that the animal was afflicted with rabies. Under these conditions the public is warned to use every precaution and give immediate attention in the event that anyone is bitten by a dog. Up to this writing the State Department has dispatched but one Schuylkill Haven dog found at large on one of their recent inspections of the town. Attention of the public is also called to the fact that all dogs must wear a muzzle when outside the premises of the owner. This applies whether the dog is held on leash by the owner or not. There has been some confusion regarding this part of the requirements. The department however, definitely announced the above requirements. |
| The Call of April 26, 1929 LIKE THE TALE OF THE WOMAN WHO LIVED IN A SHOE The ordering by the Reading Company of the vacating of a small one and a half story frame dwelling at a point near the old locks near the extreme end of Parkway, Schuylkill Haven, brought to light surprising and somewhat deplorable conditions that existed for some time. A remedy had frequently been sought and efforts made in various ways to improve conditions at this home by the authorities, but they were powerless to act and court could not legally intervene it is said. The families ordered to vacate were those of Ben Ney and C. Lawrence. There were eleven persons who made their home in a one and a half story dwelling in which there were two rooms downstairs and one and about half a room upstairs. The occupants were: Mr. and Mrs. Ben Ney and one child, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence and four children, also two Kissinger children whose mother is dead and whose father is serving time in jail as being one of the wire thieves. Immediately upon learning of the order to vacate the premises and the completion of arrangements to move elsewhere, the Schuylkill Haven authorities as a distinct humanitarian measure, rounded up the three Lawrence children who are under sixteen years of age and the two Kissinger children whose ages are nine and eleven years. They were taken to Pottsville and placed in the Detention House upon orders of the court. The court on Thursday had the facts presented to it and ordered the children sent to homes where they can be properly cared for. The disposition of the children as above was desired in the interest of the children themselves as they have not attended school regularly, have not been required to do so by the parents, did not have proper clothing to do so, were ill fed and lacked almost any kind of parental care and attention. The relationship existing between the Kissinger children and the others was that of their deceased mother being a sister to Mrs. Ney and Mrs. Lawrence. |
| The Call of May 3, 1929 FIVE CHILDREN SENT TO PHILADELPHIA HOME As the result of a hearing before Judge Hicks this week at which time the complete details in connection with conditions of the Lawrence and Kissinger families of Schuylkill Haven were given, five children who had been receiving no attention, have been provided with a home where they can at least be given an education, proper food and sufficient clothing. The judge, after hearing of the sordid details, sent them to one of the institutions for homeless children. The three children of the Lawrence family are 4, 10 and 15 years of age and the two of the Kissinger family are 8 and 11 years of age. The case closed in this manner ends efforts of quite some time on the part of the authorities of Schuylkill Haven in the interests of the children. The situation from a legal standpoint was a complicated one and although it was known the proper care was not being taken of the children, the law could not step in and change it. The school authorities did not care to act because of the home conditions making the children almost menaces to the health of other children when they did attend school. Only after the adult members were ordered to move elsewhere was it possible to bring prosecution. The parents failed to put in an appearance at the hearing and made no protest whatever as to the disposition of the children. Two of the children are motherless with the father confined to jail. The case was an unusually sad and pathetic one. The general public would be glad to commend the police authorities for their action if but half the conditions in the case were known. |
| The Call of April 26, 1929 ALMSHOUSE INMATE KILLED BY AUTO George Rice, a patient at the County Almshouse, was struck and fatally injured by an automobile on the state road a short distance outside of the borough limits on Saturday evening about 7:30 o'clock. The patient was walking on the state road and was headed toward the institution. He is said to have been walking to the right of the center of the road. A machine driven by John Gilham of Shamokin going south happened along. Because of the rain the man was not noticed until too late. He was knocked down and suffered severe injuries. He was taken to the county hospital where he died at ten o'clock. The man was returning Saturday evening. The driver of the car immediately reported the accident to the Schuylkill Haven police and the Highway Patrol. He was released to await the further action following the verdict of the coroner. According to a number of persons who were nearby, the autoist did not have the slightest chance to avoid the man as he is said to have been walking along on the highway and crossed directly in front of the approaching machine. Mr. Rice was a former resident of Gilberton. Saturday he had been visiting friends and relatives in Gilberton and was returning to the institution where he was under treatment, when the accident occurred. |
| The Call of August 30, 1929 MAD DOG HERE BITES A CHILD AND A MAN BEFORE BEING SHOT A dog owned by Edward Costello of Pottsville, went on a rampage and for several hours created considerable excitement in Schuylkill Haven on Tuesday. After biting a number of dogs and a child and a man the animal was shot by Officer Deibert near the new building of the First National Bank. The wounds of those bitten were at once cauterized and the head of the animal was sent to the State Health Department for an examination. As early as seven o'clock the dog was noticed on Center Avenue where he ran up to several dogs and bit them and then scampered off. When he reached the center of town he snapped at a number of persons near the new bank building and tore the clothing of several men. The seven year old Matthew boy was bitten while near his home on South Berne Street, the dog having been chased down Main Street and over the railroad. Officer Deibert was notified and went in pursuit but coming down Main Street and in a few minutes the chief had sent him through for an unlimited period of time in dog heaven. Ralph Bowen, of Pottsville, a carpenter at work at the bank building, was bitten on the arm and had to have the wound cauterized. Reports have been coming in daily of many dogs about town that were bitten and pedestrians snapped at. A report received late Wednesday from the State Laboratory at Harrisburg was to the effect that the head of the animal was examined and a positive case of rabies discovered. The local authorities have been notified of the seriousness of the situation and all dogs bitten will be placed under a thirty day quarantine. Owners who learned of their canine being bitten unknown to the authorities are urged to take the proper precautions. If treatment is neglected death is assured within a ninety day period. The Matthew child will be subject to a serum treatment to prevent any serious results. Serum has been ordered by the local authorities from the State Department and Dr. L. D. Heim will administer the same. The local authorities intend to shoot all dogs roaming about not accompanied by their owner in an effort to prevent any spread of the condition. Immediate action will be taken, as with the opening of school next week, children would be endangered in coming in contact with dogs that may have been bitten by the mad animal. |
| The Call of August 30, 1929 FILTHY CONDITIONS FOUND IN APARTMENT HOUSE Conditions most unsanitary, filthy and dangerous to the public health were revealed the fore part of the week as existing in one of the apartments of the Fred Reichert building on East Main Street. The discovery was made by Health Officer Roan on Monday afternoon, who was asked to come to the building by one of the occupants to investigate a terrible odor. Upon entering the building the officer at once detected an odor which almost sent him reeling. Upon investigation in an unoccupied apartment, he found the conditions beyond description through the columns of a newspaper. Suffice to say that bathroom conveniences being out of order made little difference with the last occupants of the apartment as they were made use of despite the fact. In addition the bathroom itself was literally turned into a toilet. The owner of the building was summoned and was surprised to find things in this condition. He was ordered to clean up immediately. The health officer and several members of the health board made an inspection late Monday evening and found conditions much improved but with considerable evidence of the existence of the conditions set forth above. |
| The Call of September 20, 1929 PELVIS BONE BROKEN IN AUTO ACCIDENT William Umbenhauer of Schuylkill Haven suffered a broken pelvis bone and other bodily injuries in an auto accident on Sunday morning about one o'clock a short distance below the Long Run Hotel. Umbenhauer was taken to the Pottsville Hospital on Tuesday morning for an xray examination. Dr. Sterling Mengel is the physician attending. Others in the car were Lamar Boyer and Herbert Fehr of Schuylkill Haven; Canton Boyer and Palmer Boyer of Cressona and a Mr. Bressler of Beckville. Lamar Boyer was the driver of the car. He had a large portion of his thumb cut off. Palmer Boyer is believed to be injured internally and Herbert Fehr received a cut in the hand which required five stitches to close. The machine was a complete wreck. The car was being driven toward Schuylkill Haven when the driver was blinded by the lights of a machine going in the opposite direction. The car left the road, bounded over the culvert along side the road, knocked down a telephone pole and turned over in the field some distance from where it left the road. It is said the occupants of the machine were fortunate that they escaped with their lives. |
| The Call of December 13, 1929 DOG QUARANTINE ON SCHUYLKILL HAVEN FOR 100 DAYS Beginning today, Friday, a one hundred day dog quarantine has been placed upon all dogs in Schuylkill Haven. This because of the fact that the second mad dog within less than three months made his appearance about town last Saturday afternoon. The dog is known to have bitten several dogs in Schuylkill Haven and also bit a horse of farmer Barr of the Long Run valley. Getting over into the West Ward, the dog bit the child of a Mr. Fisher in the face, inflicting a painful but not dangerous wound. Finally the dog was shot by Joe Dallago. The authorities were appraised of what had occurred. The head of the dog was immediately dispatched by Mayor Scott and Officer Deibert to the state authorities for examination. Here within a few hours time word had been received here that the dog had rabies in a very advanced stage. The local authorities immediately upon being appraised of this condition got into touch with the Department of Agriculture and an inspector was sent to Schuylkill Haven. After making inspection of conditions and examining the bitten horse of Mr. Barr, he ordered the animal placed under quarantine, stating that the horse might be in apparent good condition for several weeks and sometime within a three month period might suddenly become "mad" and bite other horses. As a means of protection the Barr horse was quarantined. This means the animal must be kept in the stable for ninety days. One or two of the dogs in Schuylkill Haven known to have been bitten were placed under very drastic quarantine by the representative of the state. The owners have been notified to keep a very careful watch on them. Application was made to the Department of Agriculture for authority to place a quarantine on all dogs in Schuylkill Haven. The order was issued Thursday and as a result a one hundred day dog quarantine in Schuylkill Haven went into effect today. This quarantine means that all dogs, unless on leash or accompanied by their master, will be shot by the authorities regardless of whether the dog bears a license tag or not. This of course means all dogs at large. When in the yard or on premises of the owner they will not be interfered with. The quarantine is taken as a precautionary measure, principally to protect school children, as a mad dog does not always give evidence before hand of being mad. A mad dog does not stop to fight but merely runs along and nips human or beast, right or left. It is believed the dog that was shot on Saturday became mad as the result of being bitten by the mad dog shot here in October. |
| The Call of December 20, 1929 FOUR MORE DOGS SHOT BY POLICE The mad dog scare in Schuylkill Haven has assumed a more dangerous stage than was at first imagined it would take. Last week one dog which was found to have had rabies, was shot by the local authorities after it was known to have bitten several other dogs, several children and a horse. This week four more dogs were shot by the authorities. Although the dogs were found not to have had the rabies, nevertheless the dogs were shot because in the case of three, they had bitten children and in the fourth case the animal showed considerable fight. A collie dog was shot on top of the grade on High Street after it had bitten a boy at the school house. A dog that showed fight was shot on the Parkway near West Main Street. Another dog was shot in the West Ward after it had bitten a child and one was shot on Center Avenue after it had bitten a Walker child. As a result all owners of dogs are asked to cooperate with the authorities and keep them within or on the owner's premises or have them on leash or accompany them when off premises. While the authorities do not wish to go into the wholesale business of shooting dogs, some perhaps, valuable and all pets in a fashion of someone, nevertheless it has been found absolutely necessary in order to handle this situation and to prevent regrettable after effects to dispatch dogs running at large. |
| Pottsville Republican of November 26, 1884 A FAMILY NEARLY SUFFOCATED Yesterday morning when some friends called at the house of Jere G. Bast, Schuylkill Haven, the family were discovered to be still in bed and failed to respond to the loudest knocking. The suspicion of the neighbors were aroused and an entrance to the house effected. They were horrified to find that the whole family were prostrated and an investigation showed that they had been overcome by the inhalation of coal gas from a stove. Had assistance been delayed a little longer, the whole family would have been suffocated. A physician was sent for and Mrs. Bast and the children were restored but Mr. Bast was more seriously effected. He was very ill the entire day but last evening it was thought he would come around all right. Mr. Bast is mail agent on the Pottsville and Philadelphia train. His place was filled yesterday by Joseph E. Protheroe who will have to do double duty. |
| Pottsville Republican of September 10, 1892 A MYSTERY While excavating for a foundation for a dancing platform in the grove a mile east of Schuylkill Haven, on Saturday a body was unearthed dressed in a Continental uniform. He had side arms and a flintlock musket, all in excellent preservation. The body was wrapped in a blanket, lined with some material supposed to be a tar cloth. The news was at once carried to Schuylkill Haven and a party of citizens had gone to the scene. "The Call" weighed in by stating that no explanation than that it may have been the resurrection of the last sad rites paid to the Grant Light Infantry by the Pottsville cadets on Monday, July 4th at that place. |
| The Call of August 13, 1915 BONES CAUSE EXCITEMENT - The Digging up of a Part of Human Skeleton While Harry Bowen, a resident of Saint peter Street, and at the end of William Street was cleaning up his yard he noticed what he thought to be tree roots protruding from the ground and upon pulling th eobject from the earth found it to be the shin bone of a human skeleton. Upon further digging he unearthed the thigh and hip bones perfectly intact. The finding of the bones for a time caused a great deal of excitement along William Street and people at once feared that foul play had been dealt upon someone and the body buried at this place as the story ran. It was when Moses Eveley, one of the town's old residents came upon the scene that light was thrown upon the finding of the bones. Mr. Eveley well remembers when the ground, now partly occupied by the Bowen home, was a burial ground. This plot and the burial plot on Dock Street at the Episcopal Church were the only cemeteries in town. He also remembers about seventy years ago, a Negro was buried just inside and to the right of the gate of the cemetery which was the place of the finding of the bones and which he thinks is the skeleton of the Negro. Mr. Bowen has saved the bones which have proven a great curiosity and viewed by many town people. He intends digging for the remainder of the skeleton. |
| The Call of November 18, 1921 $1400 FOUND IN WASTE BASKET An envelope containing $1400 in crisp bank notes was found in the waste basket at the First National Bank, Wednesday morning by an employee of the institution, Mrs. Wertman. Inquiry and investigation during Wednesday revealed the fact that the wife of a farmer residing near Pine Dale had lost the money. The woman came into the bank Tuesday afternoon and after withdrawing a sum of money from an account placed it with another sum of money previously withdrawn from a Pottsville bank. In some how or other she got several envelopes and papers mixed and threw away the envelope containing the $1400 in notes. It was the woman's intention to withdraw money from the Orwigsburg Bank also, but when she arrived at this institution it was closed for the day. The woman therefore, did not discover her loss until she arrived home. The news of the discovery of this sum of money during Thursday got badly mixed up as it went about town and there were various badly discolored stories put in circulation. it is understood Mrs. Wertman was given a reward of three dollars by the owner of the money. |
| The Call of September 2, 1927 TRIPLE AUTO ACCIDENT THURSDAY West Columbia Street was the scene of an unusual and triple automobile accident late Wednesday evening and Thursday morning. The damage done to the machines figuring in the accident was eyewitnesses, to be miraculous. About 11:50, Frank Bush of Llewellyn struck the auto of Henry Herring of Cressona, which was parked on the north side of West Columbia Street in front of the Heinbach home. Bush was headed toward Pine Grove. He then swerved across the street and crashed into the automobile of John Kraft. The car then mounted the curb, crossed the pavement and into a vacant lot. While the wrecked cars were being prepared for removal by the Stoyer wrecker, Joseph A. Reith of Pottsville, came east on Columbia Street from Pine Grove and crashed into the Kraft car and the wrecker, adding still more damage to the Kraft car and also damaging the Stoyer wrecker. Mechanic Webber was caught in the crash and was unconscious for a time. Dr. Detweiler was summoned and dressed his wounds. He was found to have sustained painful body bruises. The work of removing the Kraft car by the wrecker was proceeding with a searchlight and the rear guarded by proper lights. The burgess having been summoned stood in the middle of the highway and was waving a spotlight to warn the approaching machine. Despite these precautions the Reith machine crashed into the wrecker and the Kraft car. The noise made by the first auto crash and the succeeding ones was sufficient to arouse the entire neighborhood and for a time considerable excitement prevailed and despite the hour, attracted a number of persons. |
| The Call of April 20, 1928 DIES OF INJURIES IN AUTO ACCIDENT One Schuylkill Haven man, George Aacley, died from injuries sustained early Sunday morning in an automobile crash a short distance below Schuylkill Haven. Another man, Guy Reed, son of Mr. and Mrs. George W. Reed of Margaretta Street, is a patient in the Milliken Hospital with injuries sustained in the crash, that are feared may result fatally. The machine, a sedan owned by A. R. Saylor, was driven by his son Harold and was occupied by George Moyer of Philadelphia, Sylvester Hainley, George Aacley and Reed of Schuylkill Haven. They were driving north on the state road. When they reached a point midway between the McAdams farm and the Deibert farm, the machine swerved from the road and crashed into a pole. Autoists who happened along summoned the highway patrolmen. It was at once seen that Aacley was seriously injured and he was hurried to the Pottsville Hospital. Saylor and Reed had their injuries dressed by Dr. T. C. Rutter. The machine figuring in the accident was brought to the Gipe garage where it has been viewed by hundreds of persons during the week. It is quite a total wreck, the one entire side being torn away together with the top. The frame is bent, wheels, fenders, etc. broken and the car is practically beyond repair. Reed, who is twenty two, had his ear almost torn from the side of his head and also sustained a deep gash in the forehead. His injuries were at first not considered serious but Monday evening it was found necessary to take him to the hospital. It is believed his one lung may be punctured. His condition Thursday afternoon was considered serious. The injuries to Saylor are not serious. Monday morning Harold Saylor was given a hearing before Squire Kline on two charges brought by the State Highway Patrol, namely: manslaughter and driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor. On the first charge he was committed without bail and on the second charge held on $500 bail for appearance at court. The court later set the amount of bail on the first charge. This was furnished and he was not placed in jail. Examination of Aacley's injuries showed that one leg was badly crushed and almost severed above the knee. A bone in the other leg was broken and both arms were broken in two places. One of the arms was terribly crushed. He also sustained a deep gash on the scalp. Death is said to have been caused by the tremendous loss of blood from the injuries mentioned. It was first reported that death followed shortly after the accident. This was found to be incorrect, his demise occurring shortly after the noon hour. The deceased was a resident of Llewellyn. He was a resident of Schuylkill Haven several years, having made his home with his sister, Mrs. Jacob Daubert, of Liberty Street. He was forty four years of age. To survive he leaves his mother, Mrs. Louise Aacley of Llewellyn, two brothers, Albert and Edward and two sisters, Mrs. William Crowell of Llewellyn and Mrs. Daubert of Schuylkill Haven. The funeral took place Wednesday afternoon with services from the home of Mrs. Daubert. The services were conducted by Reverend Fetterolf of Pottsville. D. M. Bittle was the funeral director. Interment was made in Lykens. |
| Pottsville Republican of July 6, 1885 For the past few days, previous to "the day we celebrate", P. S. Kinsport exhibited in his drug store an immense fire cracker measuring twenty inches long and ten inches in circumference. Many of his customers thought it was the biggest shooting cracker they ever saw. It was announced that he was to set it off in front of his store, when neighbors warned him that it would shatter the windows and he would have to pay damages. Promptly at four o'clock a crowd had gathered to see that big cracker put off. Mr. Kinsport brought it out and set it in the street, when the crowd began to scatter, some going a square off and holding their ears shut while others looked on suspiciously. The fuse was lit and Mr. Kinsport ran away, presently a small cracker stuck in the bundle of newspapers exploded and the show was over with roars of laughter along Main Street for three squares. |
| Pottsville Republican of August 8, 1885 DEATH OF A VETERAN OF 1812 Daniel Small of Schuylkill Haven died last evening in the eighty sixth year of his age. He was a drummer in the War of 1812 and was of the well known family of Smalls of York County. A cousin of his, Samuel Small, died in York at about the same age a few weeks ago. Deceased was employed for many years as coal clerk for the Reading Company at Mine Hill crossing near Schuylkill Haven and was placed on the retired pension list of the comp-any some fifteen years ago and remained thereon until a couple of years ago when it became necessary to suspend the list of pensions. Mr. Small was also on the government pension list for service in the War of 1812. He leaves a wife, a daughter and two sons to survive him. A correspondent furnishes us the following additional facts: Daniel Small was born in York, Pennsylvania on January 1, 1800. He served as a drummer boy in the War of 1812 and as Deputy Surveyor General under Governor Porter's administration. He was also County Auditor at one time and served as President of the Schuylkill Haven School Board for a number of years. He was one of the founders and an elder of the of Schuylkill Haven for thirty six years. His funeral will take place on Tuesday afternoon next at 1:30 o'clock with interment at Schuylkill Haven cemetery. |
| Pottsville Republican of November 2, 1928 WOMAN HIT BY STRAY BULLET A heavy steel corset stay probably saved Mrs. Grant Morgan of Fairmount, Schuylkill Haven, from serious injury on Thursday, when she was struck by a stray bullet while out in the yard at her home. Owing to the opening of the hunting season, the residents of Fairmount had to remain indoors on Thursday because of the bullets whizzing around. Mrs. Morgan had delayed feeding her chickens until the afternoon because of the danger from bullets and while she was preparing to go into the chicken pen, a bullet struck her, badly lacerating two of her fingers and then striking her in the side, lodging in the steel stay. Although she suffered considerably from shock, she was not badly hurt. The injured fingers are responding to treatment and it is not thought that any complications will follow. |
| Pottsville Republican of September 17, 1887 BASEBALL AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN A famous game of baseball was played at Schuylkill Haven yesterday. The respective nines were under principal rule to be observed was that no man should have a glass of beer until he reached third base. It is unnecessary to say that not one member of the nines failed to reach the beer and it is equally remarkable that not one reached the home base. The fight for the championship that followed the game is not fully reported, but it is said the score was at least two or three runs. |
| Pottsville Republican of September 27, 1889 COLONEL ZULICK DEAD Colonel Thomas C. Zulick died at his residence in Schuylkill Haven this morning at one o'clock, aged sixty eight years. He had been suffering from general debility for over a year and recently contracted pyaemia, or blood poisoning, from a wound inflicted while paring a callous on his foot. Colonel Zulick was formerly collector for the Schuylkill canal at Schuylkill Haven and about 1870 when the canal was leased to the P. & R. Company, he was made superintendent. Several years ago he retired from active life and has been living quietly at his residence in Schuylkill Haven since. During the war he was one of the foremost in raising troops and caring for the families of the absent soldiers, for which offices of kindnesses the old veterans still retain a kindly feeling for him and his memory. He was married twice and his first wife was a sister of the late James Newell of Pottsville. His present wife, an estimable lady, formerly resided in Norristown. He left no children. |
| Pottsville Republican of October 2, 1889 COLONEL ZULICK'S CREMATION - An Authentic Account of the Incineration by a "Republican" Representative Without wishing to intrude upon the privacy of the grief of the sorrowing relatives nor belittle the solemnity of the occasion, the "Republican" has garnered a few facts incident to the cremation of the body of the late Colonel T. C. Zulick. The remains were placed on the 3:00 p. m. Pennsylvania train Monday, accompanied by a few male relatives, arriving at Chelton Avenue Station, Philadelphia, at dark, whence carriages were taken for East Washington Lane, several miles distant on the outskirts of Germantown, reaching the Philadelphia Cremation Society's works about seven o'clock. The body was at once taken into the preparing room and made ready for incineration by removing the outer clothes but leaving on the underwear, after which the whole was encased in an alum sheet, and when all was ready placed within the retort and allowed to remain there about nine hours till next morning, when the ashes were removed and all that was left of the mortal remains of our late friend and fellow citizen placed in an urn for future preservation. Previous to leaving the house at Schuylkill Haven, the full Episcopal Church service was read and in the language of one present "was the most solemn funeral service I've ever seen or heard". To give general information in regard to this method of disposing of bodies of the dead, the "Republican" can state that this aesthetic method of the disposition of our dead is highly endorsed by the professors of our medical institutions and eminent physicians and clergy. The Cremation Society is now in the third year of existence. The building erected on the grounds of the Chelton Hills Cemetery is the finest of its kind in the United States and the only one which contains a chapel with a seating capacity for three hundred persons. It has an extensive columbarium, with niches for the preservation of ashes of the dead and has the most approved apparatus for the incineration of bodies. The retort in which the corpse was placed was heated to a temperature of twenty six hundred degrees Fahrenheit and the confined heated air reduced the corpse to clean white ashes in about ninety minutes. This corrects a popular fallacy that the corpse comes in direct contact with the flames. In order to have the ashes clear and white it is best to use a shroud made of any white material. The charge for the incineration of one body is fifty dollars, but anyone can become a member of the society by purchasing a ticket of cremation for thirty five dollars. Services of any denomination can be held in the chapel, from the floor of which the body sinks unobserved to the crematory after the service. A receptacle for the ashes is furnished without extra charge. |
| Francis JuliusLeMoyne was a 19th century American medical doctor and philanthropist from Washington, Pennsylvania. He was responsible for creating the first crematory in the United States. Fearing that decomposing bodies in local cemeteries were contaminating the water supplies and making the citizens sick, Dr. Lemoyne set out to build the first crematory in the United States. The crematory was finished in 1876 on his own land, perched atop a location known locally as Gallow's Hill. The first cremation took place on December 6, 1876. In 1901, after 41 more cremations were performed (with Dr. LeMoyne being the third), the crematory was closed. It seems that is where the body of Colonel Zulick was taken, making him one of the first persons in the country to be cremated. The following two articles are interesting for their relationship to the history of cremation |
| Pottsville Republican of May 11, 1889 CYCLONE AROUND SCHUYLKILL HAVEN The storm burst upon Schuylkill Haven at ten minutes past four last evening. Its approach was plainly visible from the hills. A huge column of dust was seen moving east through Long Run Valley. Then the course changed slightly more towards the east. Much damage was done to the covered wooden bridge connecting the canal landings with the canal bank and used for passing both men and mules to their work, was blown into the dock. The iron bridge spanning the canal from Spring Garden to the Flat was also strained, the top being four feet out of line. It is claimed that the weight of the gas pipes alone saved it. Every farm has sustained considerable damage such as fallen trees, fences, and in some instances not two rails of the stake and sides or old worn fence pattern are in place. |
| Pottsville Republican of June 10, 1889 SCHUYLKILL HAVEN HELPS JOHNSTOWN FLOOD VICTIMS The good people of Schuylkill Haven have been at work the past week gathering and sending forward for the Johnstown sufferers articles of clothing, blankets, quilts, and nonperishable food such as canned goods, hams and dry beef to the amount of nearly 6,000 pounds. They will send forward by express on Wednesday, five hundred loaves of fresh bread. People of Schuylkill Haven will please deliver it at the Relief Room next to the Post Office by Tuesday evening. The cash contributions are coming in lively, a list of which we will have published in the daily when we send it off. |
| Pottsville Republican of October 19, 1891 CLAIMING ALMSHOUSE DEAD BODIES The Anatomical Board of Philadelphia have made a demand upon the directors of the Poorhouse of Schuylkill County for all dead bodies of pauper inmates not claimed by blood or marriage relations. The question is becoming an interesting one and at the same time critical to decide, so the directors have submitted the question to their solicitor, W. F. Shepherd, asking for a decision. In the meantime two clerical gentlemen of Schuylkill Haven have made a demand upon the directors for the bodies of members of their particular denominations who may happen to die in that institution. They are Reverend Smoll and Reverend Father Muldowney. The bodies are claimed by the Philadelphia Board under the act of 1883. The demand has caused quite a commotion among the paupers in consequence. |
| Pottsville Republican of November 7, 1891 SCHUYLKILL HAVEN GENIUS Joy For the Sick Room and Relief to the Family Physician More than a year ago the Republican proclaimed its pleasure in the announcement that our old and well known friend, Mr. A. A. Hesser of Schuylkill Haven, whose connection with the Reading Railroad Company in various responsible official positions for so many years past, has made an invention which would bring joy to every household and relief to every family physician. It is an old and trite saying that people never die so long as they keep their feet warm and moist. So many neglect this precaution that the graveyards all over the land are unduly daily increasing in population. Mr. Hesser, although not a physician, but a close student of human nature and anatomy has given his attention to the work of inventing a method by which the bedridden invalid may procure immunity from cold feet and consequent interrupted circulation of the blood. This is in the shape of what is commonly known as a hot water bottle. Articles of this kind are not uncommon but the effort of the inventors have seemingly been to preserve the bottle shape instead of attaining the real benefit to be derived from the hot water application. Such however is not the case with Mr. Hesser's invention. It is constructed more in a triangular shape and affords a perfect foot rest, as its name would suggest -"Upright Marion Water Bottle". It may be applied to the side of the limbs or body and its upright position is proof against wetting the bed or becoming displace, allowing the patient to hug it close or ease away at will. The bottle has received the endorsement and commendation of eminent physicians headed by Dr. Agnew of Philadelphia, who says, "its adaptability to every part of the body makes it especially desirable in the sick room." Our local physicians all endorse it and have adopted it in their practice. Dr. Biddle of the State Miners Hospital can find use for no others, while the demand already becomes general from one end of the land to the other. Indeed this demand has grown so great that Mr. Hesser has been unable to supply it with the promptness which he would like to do. It is in order now to establish a manufactory in Schuylkill Haven or Pottsville for their production. When the superior excellence of the article becomes known there will not be a household in this or any other land that can afford to be without an "Upright Marion Water Bottle". |
| An early ad for the product from Canadian Druggist in 1893. Click on ad to see detail. |
| Pottsville Republican of March 1, 1892 PULPIT CHANGES The pulpit of Saint Peter's Church in Schuylkill Haven is to be filled by Reverend A. S. Kresge. This appointment has been made by the Bowman Conference and it is feared trouble will follow, should Reverend Kresge attempt to enter Saint Peter's as Reverend Snyder of the Dubs Conference already has possession. The trustees are Jere F. Bast, Milton F. Pflueger, Daniel S. Deibert, J. P. Schwenk and Elijah Emrich, all determined men and as Reverend Kresge is a man of great strength, a conflict is looked for. |
| Pottsville Republican of March 2, 1892 SCHUYLKILL HAVEN THE SCENE OF A CHURCH FIGHT Wednesday morning an unknown mad clad in blue overalls, a fur slouch cap drawn over his face, with a huge handkerchief around his neck, armed with an axe, approached the parsonage of Saint Peter's Evangelical Church and at once battered in the door, entered and closed himself in an upstairs room. Trustee Elijah Emrich at once made information to Justice Helms, who issued his precept directed to Constable W. F. Stitzer. The constable at once proceeded to arrest the unknown man, which he succeeded in doing after some parleying. To the astonishment of the justice and constable, the unknown man proved to be the Reverend F. D. Geary, late pastor of the Saint Peter's Church, who had some months ago jumped from the Dubs to the Bowman faction. The reverend gentleman waived a hearing, entered bail for his appearance at next term of court in the sum of $500 with Charles Wiltrout and J. A. Bowen becoming his bondsmen. The new pastor of Saint Peter's is already in possession of this same parsonage and was yet retired when the door was battered in, therefore it remains to be seen how this unpleasant church difficulty will terminate. Of course there are two sides to every question and at the end the courts must determine. I have it direct from Mr. Bowen that the Reverend Geary was his guest last night and all the disguises he had was by him, Bowen, furnished, including the axe, which is now in the possession of the trustees. I predicted a conflict in my yesterday's letter but I believe it will soon blow over since the Bowmanites should see that they are not wanted in this strong and influential church. Geary, although a man of ordinary stature, certainly showed grit and partially outflanked his old war horses. |
| Pottsville Republican of March 25, 1892 RECOVERED HIS GOODS Reverend F. D. Geary Received His Goods by the Intervention of the Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Thomas O'Donnell went down to Schuylkill Haven yesterday afternoon, armed with a writ of replavin to serve on the trustees of Saint Peter's Evangelical Church, at that place, to recover the household goods of Reverend F. D. Geary, the late pastor of that church. When he arrived at the place it was guarded by constables, but when the sheriff made known his mission, the officers retreated at first fire and Mr. O'Donnell took possession for the purpose of getting the furniture of the late preacher. Mr. Geary asked for possession twice but was refused. The trustees are M. F. Pflueger, Elijah Emerich, J. F. Bast, Daniel Deibert, J. P. Schwenk, all siding or adherents of Bishop Dubs. Mr. Geary had been living with his father in law in Reading during the time he was without his furniture. He is now stationed at Norristown at the Cherry Street Evangelical Church and never, we are assured, wanted more than his furniture. Honorable J. W. Ryon is the attorney for Mr. Geary and the matter may not end quite so easily as Mr. Geary says the matter rests in his attorneys hands. More developments may be expected. |
| The following three articles follow the saga of a church power struggle in Schuylkill Haven... |
| Pottsville Republican of March 15, 1892 A NEW CADET COMPANY The young men of Schuylkill Haven are organizing a military cadet corps. The organization is well under way and the names of about forty young men are already enrolled. This organization is for the purpose of learning military tactics and a member of the National Guard has already been secured to instruct them. Several of the prominent citizens of town have also been seized with a military spirit and are assisting them to organize but all the citizens of the town should take hold of the matter and help the boys along in this useful and interesting work. As soon as the full quota is reached a committee will be sent to Harrisburg to try to secure arms and accoutrements at the state arsenal. A business meeting of the corps will be held next Saturday evening. |
| Pottsville Republican of November 25, 1892 A TELEGRAPHIC CONTEST An Interesting Affair Among Lightning Manipulators at Schuylkill Haven The telegraph contest and ball at Schuylkill Haven last evening under the auspices of the Telegraph Journal was a grand success. Operators to the number of two hundred were present from Jersey City, Philadelphia, Mauch Chunk, Tamaqua, Reading, Pottsville, Palo Alto and almost every place between Williamsport and Philadelphia. Invitations to the number of five hundred were issued and for some time past all hopes were centered on this "Thanksgiving Day". Pottsville sent the largest number of people, which probably numbered one hundred and fifty people. Philadelphia came next with thirty five and Reading followed with probably twenty five. The contest, which was to promptly begin at 8:00 o'clock, was delayed about fifteen minutes, on account of the nonarrival of a number of operators from a distance, who were unavoidably delayed. Hundreds of anxious waltzers were patiently waiting for the contest to begin, so it appeared to those not belonging to the telegraph fraternity, a dead issue. The contest was to last a space of five minutes and the operator sending the most words, good Morse, was to receive a gold medal, the second best, a silver medal. The judges, Mr. C. M. Lewis of Pottsville, E. E. Helms of Pine Grove and E. A. Kirlin of Schuylkill Haven began. There were thirteen contestants. After the contest was over, the judges announced their decision and in a short and appropriate address, A. A. Hesser of Schuylkill Haven presented the medals. G. C. Williams of Reading, having sent the largest number of words was awarded the gold and James Hoag of Mauch Chunk, the silver medal. Mr. Williams, about a year ago, was a successful candidate for a similar but more costly badge at Tamaqua. The contest ended, the sweet strains of Professor McCauley's orchestra were echoed and immediately the large hall was a scene of merry waltzing. Intermission was held several times. Before the ball closed, during which time the Brobst Brothers, both operators, late of Cleveland Minstrels, entertained the assemblage with songs and dances. There were two hundred operators present to witness the contest and many left on early trains as soon as the judges had decided. Superintendent E. R. Adams of the Philadelphia and Reading Telegraph Company furnished the keys and entire outfit for the contest. The Telegraph Journal, under whose auspices the contest was held, will net about one hundred dollars, which will be devoted to the improvement of their plant at Schuylkill Haven. The Telegraph Journal is a paper recently gotten up by several operators and devoted entirely to their information of the telegraph services. Its editor, E. E. Keiber, who took the responsibility of making the contest and ball a success, was ably assisted by Mr. Brobst of Pottsville and J. E. Stanton of Schuylkill Haven. The matter sent was a sketch of the life of the American inventor, Thomas A. Edison and was in typewritten copy. These contests are interesting and instructive for the past two years at least, one annually has been held somewhere throughout the Schuylkill Valley. The first of note was held in centennial hall in Pottsville some years ago, from which various towns have held successful tournaments. |
| Pottsville Republican of February 11, 1893 RAGING SCHUYLKILL ! The Lower Part of Schuylkill Haven Inundated - BOATS AND GUM BOOTS IN DEMAND The inundation of that portion of the South ward below the Schuylkill Canal was complete yesterday, causing much damage, annoyance and inconvenience. Not since the disastrous floods of 1850 did the water rise over South Main Street that extends along the Schuylkill River. It was at least one foot deep over said street, while on Saint James Street, it was a running stream from two to three feet. Every yard and garden south of Callowhill Street was filled, while every cellar had water up to the first floor. All the residences on the east and west sides of Columbia Street, as far up as John C. Goas, could not be reached without the aid of small boats or gum boots. Charles Graver, the proprietor of the Columbia House, next to the covered bridge, was denied access to his barn, and the residents of that vicinity had no communication with those beyond Saint James Street. The scene on South William Street beggars description and the premises of the Spindlers, Shoedlers and many others appeared as if on an island in the midst of a great lake. Hundreds of people flocked to the scene during the day to witness the wonderful change which was all caused by an immense ice gorge immediately below the Columbia bridge. At 7:00 o'clock in the evening the water fell and the residents retired with the assurances of no further immediate danger. |
| The Call of October 6, 1911 AUTO IN SMASHUP Sunday evening about 7:30 o'clock, with the rain descending in torrents, a smashup between the Shief automobile and a buggy containing Mr. and Mrs. Monroe Swartz and child, of Pottsville, occurred on Main Street in front of Hotel Central. It appears Swartz was drawing up Main Street on the left side preparatory to turning into the alley at Hotel central to reach the Brown livery stable. The auto was coming up the right hand side. Swartz turned sharp and before the car could be stopped it struck the buggy, breaking and throwing the box and top, containing the occupants to the street splintering the running gear, bruising the horse and tearing the harness. The automobile was somewhat damaged. The accident was considered by eyewitness, as one that had an unusually lucky ending, the escape of the occupants of the carriage without serious injury, considered quite miraculous. |
| Pottsville Republican of May 21, 1894 FLOODING DOWN THE VALLEY At Schuylkill Haven the rushing waters and false reports from up the river of breaking dams and reservoirs, terrorized the people whose homes along the flats and as far up as the Washington House on the Main Street were threatened with destruction. The North and west Wards suffered heavily. Cellars were filled with water and the thick, muddy element swept through the lower stories, carrying ruination to walls, carpets and furniture. The cruel alarm started by some heedless person capped the climax and the residents on the higher grounds began to prepare to "take to the hills" as they had not forgotten one other occasion upon which the Tumbling Run dam opened her breast and let a deluge of water down upon them with such direful results. |
| Pottsville Republican of August 10, 1894 OPPOSED TO A WATER DAM - To Prevent an Occurrence of Another Freshet About four weeks ago the lowlands of Schuylkill Haven were inundated by the heavy rains and several thousands of dollars of personal property and real estate were destroyed. A small stream of water runs through the northern part of that borough and empties into the Schuylkill River. The destruction of property was due largely to the bursting of a dam on this stream owned by William Killian. That gentleman has made arrangements to erect another dam. Some of the residents are opposed to its erection. This morning Judge Pershing in chambers granted a rule on Killian to show cause why a preliminary injunction should not be granted to restrain him from building a dam on that stream. The complaintant is William H. Bashore, who owns considerable real estate in what is known as the Bashore Addition to Schuylkill Haven. He is also the owner of the Mellot farm. He avers in his complaint that the creek running through the ravine oft times in rainy seasons overflows the banks; that the respondent is about to erect a dam which is to be poorly constructed of old railroad sills and earth, at a point about three hundred yards above his residence, which will be a menace to his property and the life of members of his family of children; that he is engaged in and has a large stock of lumber in his yard below the dam. He avers further that William Killian's farm is mortgaged to its value and therefore no recovery could be made from him by law for damages sustained in the event of the recurrence of such a freshet that occurred about four weeks ago, when he was one of the heaviest losers. He therefore asks for this rule which was made returnable on Monday next. |
| Pottsville Republican of December 7, 1894 FROM A WATERY GRAVE - Fortunate Rescue of a Cressona Boy Skater Last evening, Jack Achenbach of Cressona, in company with other boys, was engaged at skating on the dam between Schuylkill Haven and Cressona , when the boy broke through the ice and made a narrow escape from drowning. His companions immediately made an alarm upon discovering that the boy was making a desperate but unsuccessful attempt to escape. Watchman Rausch of the Reading railroad heard the startling cries, when he rushed to the scene and with the aid of the larger boys, succeeded after much difficulty, in rescuing Achenbach just in time to save his life. To effect the rescue, the watchman and the boys dragged a large number of sleepers to the dam and pushed them into the water. One of these was grasped by the boy which buoyed him up until a bridge was finally made, by which he reached terra firma safely. |
| Pottsville Republican of December 8, 1894 TYPHOID SPREADS - Case Reported to the Health Board in Schuylkill Haven Fears are now entertained by the citizens of Schuylkill Haven that the typhoid fever has taken hold in that borough. One case was reported to the Health Board the other evening by Dr. Gray of Cressona. The patient is a young woman named Reed who lives with her parents along side the Schuylkill River in the lower part of Schuylkill Haven. The young woman was employed in one of the factories of that town and had been complaining for some time. She, however, persisted in attending to her work until she became incapacitated by the disease and finally called for treatment. The Health Board of Schuylkill Haven is making strenuous efforts to extirpate the germs of disease and to that end has already inaugurated a system by which the board may learn the cause of the origin of this case. The citizens of the borough are being advised to practice the greatest precaution and to obey all laws tending towards the strictest sanitary measures. |
| Pottsville Republican of March 14, 1895 WORK OF A MAD DOG He Creates a Reign of Terror in Schuylkill Haven - One Man Bitten A small hound belonging to Shoemaker Honnes of Spring Garden, went mad night before last and has ever since been a terror to the neighborhood for miles around. When Mr. Honnes found out the condition of the dog, he tied him up. Yesterday the dog got loose and ran over to Cressona. Here he bit Samuel Reber in the hand. After biting Reber, the rabid beast went to Daniel Reichert's in Manheim Township. He chased another dog into the kitchen, but was himself chased off by the women folk armed with brooms. Frothing at the mouth the dog continued on his way of terror. At Nosedale he bit the dogs of Messrs. Wisner, Killian and Shappell. At Luckenbill's, a mile further east, he bit several dogs. Then he returned to Nosedale and attacked the ten year old daughter of Contractor William Bashore, who was on her way to school. The little girl tried to beat him off with an umbrella but was only saved from a horrible fate by the timely arrival of her brother. The dog is still at large and there are large parties out hunting him with shotguns. Last evening the Schuylkill Haven Town Council passed a resolution requiring all dogs to be muzzled or shot. |
| Pottsville Republican of April 10, 1895 TOO MANY INSANE - More at The Almshouse Than the Law Allows - Trained Nurses Poor Directors Dietrick, Day and Derr and Clerk John Gressang went over to Harrisburg yesterday to try to make some arrangements by which the overcrowded condition of the county insane asylum can be remedied. Dr. Gray, the new almshouse physician, was in town today and in conversation with a "Republican" representative stated that while the license of the institution calls for only seventy five insane patients, there are at present one hundred and four in that department. They have been coming in very rapidly of late and the authorities are puzzled as to how to dispose of them. Many of them are very violent, especially among the men and quite a number are kept locked up all the time and some must have the mufflers on most of the time. There is not so much violence in the female department. Among the men there are some who cannot be trusted in the yard and the yard itself is a very insecure place. The fence is rotten and a violent man could tear down enough in a minute to liberate all of his fellows, thus causing much trouble and perhaps, danger to life in the vicinity. If the Poor Directors succeed in getting permission to transfer some of the patients, the most violent will be taken away. The necessity for trained nurses in the hospital is being felt more and more every day and Dr. Gray has impressed their value on the minds of the Poor Directors. They seem to feel that there should be trained nurses there but they have not taken any action as of yet. |
| Alton Illinois Weekly Courier of March 5, 1853 SUICIDE IN THE PULPIT Just as we are going to press we learned that Mr. Charles Fultz, a shoemaker, resident of Schuylkill Haven, in Schuylkill County, committed suicide in a rather singular manner on Sunday evening last. It appears that for some time he had been an officer of the German Lutheran Church of that place, and on the evening referred to, had convened and opened a prayer meeting in the building belonging to that congregation. He went through the exercises in his accustomed manner and nothing unusual was noticed about his appearance. Upon the congregation's retiring, he was seen to unbolt one of the window shutters, left the building with the others and was discovered the next morning suspended lifeless above the altar! It is supposed he obtained ingress through the window referred to. |
| Pottsville Republican of November 30, 1895 SERIOUS RUNAWAY - Several Almshouse Officials Reported Injured A Pottsville businessman who came up from Schuylkill Haven at 2:30 this afternoon, said that a serious runaway had taken place near the first archway above Schuylkill Haven, and that four almshouse officials sustained serious injuries. Among those known to be hurt are Messrs. Gressang and Wachter, to what extent, however, could not be learned. The gentlemen further stated that pieces of a wrecked carriage were strewn along the public highway, indicating that the runaway must have been a serious one. It is also known that Mr. Gressang was under the care of the almshouse physician and that his wounds were being sewn up. Those who were questioned about the accident were inclined to be reticent and would say nothing about it. The carriage was a complete wreck and the horses were also badly injured. The occupants of the carriage were John F. Gressang, Peter Wachter, Wash Orme, Butcher Heffner and an almshouse employee named Reese. All of whom were more or less injured. It is said that several of Heffner's ribs were broken, and that Reese's head was badly cut. |
| Williamsport Pennsylvania Daily Gazette and Bulletin of July 10, 1905 FOUND BODY IN WATER - Edwin E. Heim of Schuylkill Haven Drowned at Brighton Beach Harry Clifford Cromwell, of New York City, while bathing at Brighton Beach today, discovered the body of a young man dressed in a bathing suit, floating in the water. He brought the body to the beach where it was identified by Joseph D. McCormick of Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania, as that of Edwin E. Heim, twenty three years old, also of Schuylkill Haven, a Princeton University student. Heim had accompanied McCormick to Coney Island for a day's outing. He said that he last saw Heim when he left him standing on the beach in his bathing suit, three hours before. |
| Williamsport Pennsylvania Daily Gazette and Bulletin of July 11, 1906 SNAKE HYPNOTIZES HALF A DOZEN WOMEN Monster Reptile Frightens Females, Three of Whom Swoon Six women who sat together on the front porch of the home of Daniel Sharadin of Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania, were completely hypnotized by a monster copperhead snake, which emerged from under the porch and coiled itself in front of them. Charles Detweiler saw the women sitting as if paralyzed with their eyes in the reptile. As he looked the snake uncoiled and started to glide toward one of the women. Detweiler rushed into the yard and struck the snake with a club, killing it. Three of the women swooned after the danger was over. |
| Washington Post of October 20, 1913 DIED AS SHE PROPHESIED - Fortune Teller Foresees Her Fate to the Very Month Madame Anna Bunn of Schuylkill Haven, who predicted a year ago that she would die this month, has just died very suddenly, thus fulfilling her prediction. Madame Bunn had wide fame as a fortune teller and was visited by people from all parts of the country. She was a woman of peculiar ideas and at times would not undertake the telling of a fortune without first lighting her pipe or feeding her three black cats. At other times she would not allow the telling of fortunes to interfere with her music, which she found necessary at times "to drive away evil spirits". |
| New Castle Pennsylvania News of July 9, 1921 ACTOR BOUGHT WIFE FOR $2500; HE NOW WANTS HER OR COIN John Miller, actor, who paid $2500 for his wife, wants to get his money back from his father in law in Chicago where he believes his wife is now living, he told his attorneys in Pottsville, Pennsylvania today. "I am satisfied Rosie will not stay with me and I might as well get my money back, but if they do not repay the money, I shall certainly demand the girl," he said. Rose is eighteen and posed as a gypsy carnival girl at a Schuylkill Haven carnival. Miller says it is nothing unusual among men in his calling to buy their wives. "I was married to Rosie Mitchell five months," he declared. "Then her father met her in an automobile at Johnstown, Pennsylvania in June and since then I have seen nothing of her." |
| Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada Herald of August 13, 1947 JUDGE CHANGES LUCKY STREAK A bearded, soot covered man, who gave the name of John Smith and said he was "sort of from Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania," walked with Lady Luck through a mile long railroad tunnel near Baltimore on Tuesday. Smith said he managed to sidestep five trains in the dimly lighted cavern. He was straddling a third rail when he came out. A railroad policeman said contact with the rail would have killed him. "Up to now you are the luckiest man I know," Magistrate Preston A. Paire told Smith when he appeared on a charge of trespassing. "But your luck is about to change. You're fined twenty five dollars and costs." |
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| This page contains a variety of news stories on the unusual, curious, newsworthy and interesting events of the day in Schuylkill Haven. |
| The Call of November 1, 1923 MISTAKEN FOR RABBIT, IS SHOT Harry Balseltia, aged forty, of Schuylkill Haven is in a serious condition at his home with gunshot wounds of the stomach, chest and face, inflicted when he was shot while out hunting, in mistake for a rabbit, by his brother in law, John Weber also of Schuylkill Haven, Thursday morning. The men left home at an early hour Thursday morning to hunt rabbits and were near Black Horse when the accident occurred. Weber had aimed at a rabbit and did not know that Balseltia was near but he came from behind a bush at that moment and received the full charge of shot in his body. He was taken to his home on Paxson Avenue and it is not yet known whether or not his injuries will prove fatal. |
| The Call of February 21, 1930 LOCAL FAMILY IN NEED OF FOOD Attention of The Call has been called to a number of children of E. F. Fisher of Quinn Street, Schuylkill Haven, being in much need of food. Investigation shows that in addition to the parents there are two daughters and five sons. All the children excepting the one year old girl and the five and two year old boys attend school. The father finds it difficult to procure work and he is said to be in poor health. The mother states they have had and have little to eat at any time. Since Sunday, the daily menu for each of the three meals has been nothing more than bread and coffee. For Thursday dinner the mother was preparing the last of the supply of coffee. Saturday last local persons supplied food for their Saturday meal. The local authorities have frequently been appealed to by the younger children to try and get them something to eat. Believing that Schuylkill Haven can well take care of its poor people without necessity of having the case in question reported to the Schuylkill County Welfare Association, or any other county organization, and believing that Schuylkill Haven people would prefer to do this rather than have the town held up to ridicule of not being able to take care of its unfortunate families, The Call takes this manner of giving publicity to the case. In handling this particular case, the fact must first be realized that the children can in no way be held responsible for conditions in the home. They are entitled at least to a chance in life and their health ought not be jeopardized by insufficient or improper food. Support has been given this particular family in the last several years by a number of local organizations, groups of persons and individuals, however, improvement in conditions does not seem to have been brought about, the children are in need of food. The mother states she will welcome prepared food or the foodstuffs. She will be glad to have excess quantities of food that may be prepared by different families and will send the children to any address to procure the same. Persons desiring to assist this family can readily and easily do so by calling 534, Miss Bottiglier, who will convey the message to the family above referred to. |
| The Call of October 24, 1930 AUTOIST CRASHES INTO STORE FRONT Mr. and Mrs. Elias Liner and family of Pottsville figured in an auto accident on Sunday afternoon about 5:15 o'clock on their return to Pottsville from an auto trip. Their car, a LaSalle sedan, was being driven by their son, Bernard. In making a left turn from Dock Street to Center Avenue, the machine crashed into the curb on their right and knocked down the sign bearing Route Number 120. In some unaccountable manner, it headed diagonally across the street, knocking down the awning post and mounting the curb, crashed headlong into the storeroom of Howard Kimmel. Both large plate glass windows were broken and the framework of the window badly damaged. Mr. Kimmel estimates the damage to his property to be in the neighborhood of $200. None of the occupants in the machine were injured, although badly frightened and shaken up. A very fortunate feature in connection with the accident was the fact that there were no cars going east at the time or more serious results might have occurred. |
| The Call of November 28, 1930 LOST BOY FOUND ASLEEP HERE Harry Eckersley, eight year old child of Frackville, was saved from a probable death by freezing by being accidentally discovered about nine o'clock in the alleyway between the homes of Sam Bast and the Holmhurst apartment. Robert Keller Jr., on returning home, found the gate did not respond to his attempts to open it. Investigating he saw what he thought to be a large dog or bundle of some sort. Striking a match he found the bundle to be that of the youth lying on the cement walk. Had the boy not been discovered, he quite likely may have been frozen to death or contracted cold of such severity from the exposure that would have caused his death. Mr. Keller took the boy into his home, gave him supper and then questioned him. He was then taken to the home of Police Chief Deibert, who got in touch with a minister in Frackville and the news in turn reported to the parents of the child. It appears the boy became lost Tuesday afternoon while shopping with his mother and another lady. He readily answered all questions and his identity was easily established. He stated he waited in Pottsville until 7:30 for his mother and then determined to walk. He began to walk and evidently walked down the highway to Schuylkill Haven, arriving here about nine o'clock. He said he then became sleepy and decided to go to sleep. He was sound asleep when found. The father arrived shortly after being informed he had been found and took him to his home. |
| The Call of March 7, 1930 TO PROTEST AGAINST DUMPING GROUNDS AT SEVEN STARS A very important special meeting of the Health Board of Schuylkill Haven was held Thursday evening. At this meeting there was present a representative of the State Health Department. He was here in the interests of the health of this community. There were three matters on which he reported. The first was to the effect that the state was advised of some person or persons dumping garbage and rubbish on the water line of the Schuylkill Haven Borough at Cape Horn. The state felt that the local water department should protest against this condition and that the local Health Board should make formal protest to the water department on the condition. The above matter was discussed in council some time ago and at the time, Superintendent Mellon stated the dumping was not anywhere near the water line. Now comes the formal notice from the state to the effect that the dumping of garbage is on the water line. The Health Board will protest to the Water Department of the borough at once. Another matter of great importance was the propose dumping ground for Pottsville which is to be below Seven Stars at the old shooting grounds. The state man was of the opinion that this would greatly menace not only the health of the community but be most objectionable by reason of possible stench. The local Board will file formal protest with the State Department of Health and it is suggested that other local organizations take similar action at once , for in the event that a dumping ground for Pottsville were started at that place, residence in Schuylkill Haven would become most disagreeable, it is assumed. The state inspector visited a number of property owners in Schuylkill Haven who have been draining into gutters. He advised them of the importance and of the necessity of at once discontinuing this policy and also notified them that the State Department would back up the local department in having this practice discontinued all over town at once, regardless of whether there were any borough sewers on the same street or near to the premises. |
| LAST UPDATED: APRIL 30 |
| New stories from the 1950s just added including: Lightning strikes cause damage, child hit on Main Street, paper boy crashes through Lewis' window, pipe pins man to car in Saint John Street accident, Unger's delivery truck goes driverless and Hummel Buick's showroom has unwelcome visitor. |
| The Call of December 26, 1930 TOWN'S POOR FAMILIES TO BE TAKEN CARE OF This year in Schuylkill Haven there will be quite a number of organizations, charitably inclined, that will endeavor to supply necessities for less fortunate families so that they will have a little more Christmas cheer than they expect.In some cases it has been difficult to determine or learn the names and addresses of families that are actually in need in the way of clothing, food or coal. Neighbors are aware of the plight of these families but they fail to report facts to persons in position to help them. This is due too, to the fact there is no special directing head of charity in Schuylkill Haven. In the absence of such a definite organization for such particular purpose, reports should be made to the Schuylkill Haven Chapter of the Red Cross, Mrs. Ada Dechert, President. The Red Cross in turn will provide at any time of the year whatever it can and at this time of the year will give information to any organization desiring to assist in spreading Christmas cheer to the poor families. Last minute calls for Christmas assistance can be made at the office of this paper and in turn either one of the following organizations, of whom we have notice of intention to distribute food, etc., this year will be appraised of the fact: the Red Cross, the Girl Scouts, the Eastern Star, the Haven Club. Classes in several of the Sunday Schools will also assist. |
| The Call of March 20, 1931 UNDERTAKER SENT TO HOME AS JOKE About one of the meanest and lowest of character in jokes was pulled recently on undertaker Charles Wagner and the family of James McKeone of North Margaretta Street. That it did not result seriously was due perhaps to the timely intervention of neighbors. But the end is not yet, clues were recently discovered and prosecutions and perhaps a severe lacing for the perpetrators may result. Mr. Wagner was aroused from his slumber about eleven o'clock and notified a death had occurred in the family of James McKeone at the address given. Awakening his assistant, Mrs. Wagner, the undertaking ambulance was taken to the address. Fortunately, one of the neighbors returning home at the time of the undertaker's arrival questioned Mr. Wagner and learned of his mission. The neighbor realized Mr. McKeone had reported for work several hours earlier and that all members of the family had been about earlier in th evening. Realizing that if Mrs. McKeone were to catch sight of the ambulance in front of her house, conclusions would be reached that some member of the family had been killed and the shock might prove harmful. Accordingly a quiet investigation was made and all proved well and the undertaker was sent home. The telephone call, however, was traced to its source, a Main Street restaurant, but the proprietor could not recall who had used the phone at that particular hour. An attempted joke, but not quite so severe in detail, was attempted several evenings later when E. E. Willard was summoned to Minersville to drive a relative to her house in Summit Station. Somehow or other Mr. Willard detected the joke and did not motor to Minersville. |
| The Call of March 20, 1931 ESCAPES INJURY WHEN CAR PLUNGES DOWN MOUNTAINSIDE Gus Menas, proprietor of the pool room on West Main Street, escaped serious injury early Friday morning, when his automobile, a roadster, crashed through the guardrail and went down the embankment on the Schuylkill Mountain Road. The car remained in an upright position and came to a stop only when it became wedged between the trees at a point about sixty feet from the level of the road. The car was being driven down the mountain road. The accident occurred about midway between the road to the coal chutes and the bottom of the mountain road. Menas crawled up the side of the mountain through the snow in a dazed condition and made his way to the home of friends nearby, where his injuries were dressed. The Menas accident recalls to the minds of the oldtimers, a more serious accident occurring on this road about sixty years ago, when a team containing a Mr. Albright, his wife and child plunged through the guardrail, plunged down the embankment and into the Schuylkill River. The river bed at this particular point contained a deep hole and the three members of the family together with the horse were drowned. The point where the accident occurred is about two hundred feet below the point of the Menas accident. Another accident occurred some years later when Edward Boyer and his team went over the side of the road and down the embankment but were not drowned. |
| The Call of June 5, 1931 AGED MAN RUN OVER BY AUTO George Graver, aged seventy six, a well known resident of Schuylkill Haven, suffered injuries on Monday, May 25th, around one o'clock in the afternoon, when struck by an automobile, which injuries, for a time, were feared might prove fatal. His condition was explained to The Call man Thursday morning of this week, as being "somewhat improved but he was very low Wednesday". Mr. Graver was standing on the pavement portion near a display window at the Gipe Garage on West Main Street only a few doors from his home. He was struck by an Austin car driven by John Phillips of Schuylkill Haven, who was receiving his first lesson in the operation of a car from his instructor, John Gipe, who was seated at his side. In some way or other the car struck Mr. Graver upon the knee and knocked him down. One of the wheels of the car passed over his neck and side of the face. Fortunately, the car was one of the lightest in weight now on the market, otherwise it is believed death would have resulted. Mr. Phillips had purchased the car but a day or two previous to the accident and was being given his first lessons in its operation. Contractor Edwin Becker, who was also standing nearby, escaped injury by jumping to the side. Mr. Graver evidently did not realize his danger and could not move as quickly as Mr. Becker and therefore received the glancing blow. He suffered a hemorrhage before it was possible to remove him to his home. For several days his condition was serious. By reason of the veins of the neck being ruptured and the wound very painful, he was unable to partake of nourishment and very little medicine until late on Wednesday. In addition to the injury to the neck and the side of the face, the lower part of the knee cap had been splintered and crushed. This will require a considerable length of time to heal but it is not believed this injury will interfere with his walking. Mr. Graver had never been sick a day in his life and his confinement is quite a hardship. |
| The Call of June 10, 1932 INJURED WHEN AUTO CRASHED INTO WAGON Joseph Ebling, one of the very few owners of horses in Schuylkill Haven, suffered injuries Friday, when his team of horses was run into by an automobile near the new underpass. Mr. Ebling, seated on the seat of the wagon, was driving towards Schuylkill haven when suddenly he heard a crash and found himself with his wagon being lifted high into the air. In falling, he sustained several cuts about the forehead and many bruises about the body. The team of horses ran away and crashed into several automobiles on Centre Avenue. One of them sustained deep cuts and sprains requiring the services of a veterinarian. The auto, that of Dick Hinkle, driven by his brother, was badly damaged. Mr. Ebling, later in the day, was again on the job but the fore part of the week remained at home on his bed. |
| The Call of January 6, 1933 TOWN MAN GETS PATENT ON VAULT Welcome information comes from Clarence A. O'Brien, Washington D. C. patent lawyer, with regard to Robert C. Gehrig Jr., who has been granted United States Letter Patent upon a concrete burial vault. The patent was issued December 27, 1932. While it is a gruesome subject to dwell upon, nevertheless an efficient burial vault adds a little solace to the bereavement. Folks are inclined to conjure up horrible visions of the dead reposing in a terrestrial niche infested with a multitude of creeping and crawling things. You can't change the idea but the inventor alleviates the mental torture by the assurance of a burial vault sealed against the elements. With prudent planning, the vault is constructed with a hinged lid which eliminates bothersome labor connected with interment. All around the edges of the lid is a cleverly arranged groove to receive a waterproof seal that forms a perfect bond between the lid and the box. The praiseworthy feature of the invention is the peculiar construction that permits the seal to embrace and anchor the hinges of the lid to form an absolute bond. Mr. Gehrig expects to begin production on the vault immediately. |
| The ad for the new vault as it appeared in The Call. |
| The Call of January 5, 1934 SHOT IN HEAD WITH FLOBERT RIFLE Elsworth, son of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Michel of Margaretta Street, owes his life probably, to the fact that at the moment he was looking downward instead of upward. Tuesday afternoon, while at play, he was shot in the head by a flobert rifle shot. The ball pierced the forehead in its center and very close to the point where less than a year ago he had undergone an operation for an infection. The accident occurred about four o'clock in the afternoon. His mother rushed him to the Reading Hospital where xrays were taken immediately. By seven o'clock the pellet or ball from the rifle had been removed. He was put to bed and kept there for the possibility of developments from infection. He was brought home on Thursday. The flobert rifle was a gift from Santa Claus. Tuesday afternoon, Elsworth took the rifle and went down to the home of his friend, Bobbie Obenhouse on Main Street. They were playing with the same for a time. Little Miss Rose, sister of Bobbie Obenhouse, was standing by and during the play, the rifle, cocked, was handed to the little girl. It was while in her hands that it discharged, with young Michel not three feet away, looking toward the floor. Surgeons stated that had the pellet entered the forehead a fraction in either direction than what it did, or had the boy been holding his head in a natural position, the wound might have proven fatal. It will be remembered Elsworth spent several months in the Reading Hospital just about this time last year. His life for a time was almost despaired of. Constant attention by his mother, who remained at the hospital, and with medical skill, he recovered and had, during the past several months, regained his health. |
| The Call of September 7, 1934 DELIVERY TRUCK CRASHED INTO CEMETERY Shortly before ten o'clock Monday morning, residents in the vicinity of Paxson Avenue and Margaretta Street, were given a scare as the result of a meat delivery truck of Scholl's Meat Market of Orwigsburg, running away. The truck had been left standing on the brow of the steep grade on Margaretta Street. A youngster, not more than three or four years of age, was in the machine. The car began to move, evidently from the brakes loosening or shifting. In a moment's time, it was all over. The machine had sped wildly down the street and miraculously escaped crashing into buildings and property along its route. Most fortunately there were no persons or machines passing on Paxson Avenue. The truck crossed Paxson Avenue and went through the fence into the Episcopal Church Cemetery. The driver, in backing the machine out of the cemetery, narrowly escaped backing into the machine of Commissioner James Schucker, who happened along. The truck was driven up the steep hill and apparently was none the worse for the crash. It was again parked at most exactly the same spot as it had been on the brow of the hill and the little fellow again left in charge of the same while the driver went into a nearby home. Within a short time, however, the driver continued on towards Orwigsburg. |
| The Call of January 4, 1935 COAL TRUCK RUNS AWAY, CRASHES INTO PORCH Saturday noon, occurred in Schuylkill Haven, an accident which for plain good fortune or dumb luck, in that injury to persons or greater damage to property did not result, has anything wiped off the slate for some years. The empty coal truck of Jesse Templin, standing in front of the property of Fred Reichert on Market Street above saint Peter Street, started away in the absence of the driver. The brakes, it is said, loosened causing the car to move. As the truck reached Saint peter Street, it bounded over and continued toward the very steep incline of Market Street that ends on Saint John Street. As the car reached the crest of the steep hill, it gained considerable momentum. Crashing into the trees on the property of Reverend John Reber, it clipped them off and also tore away the front steps leading to the home. At the foot of the hill, it shot across saint John Street, missing the automobile of James Schucker, parked near his home, by the fraction of inches. It mounted the curb and crashed into the front porch of Charles Schucker, knocking out several of the concrete blocks from the porch pillar and breaking the railing and several of the floor boards. Outside of a broken axle, the truck was little damaged. As there is usually a considerable amount of motor traffic on Saint John Street, and pedestrian travel as well, at the noon hour, that a head on collision did not occur, or persons on the sidewalks injured, was considered remarkable in every way. |
| The Call of March 8, 1935 LOCAL MAN BUILDS HIS OWN COFFIN Occasionally, one hears of an individual making preparations for his funeral, selecting a casket, text, hymns, minister, undertaker and bearers. Sometimes the very intimate details are planned and provided for. There are many persons who purchase their casket and other items that are required for burial. However, it is very rare that an individual, looking toward his comfort and protection when cold in death, builds for himself, his own coffin or casket. There are mighty few persons capable of doing this. Schuylkill Haven, however, has one individual, skilled as a mechanic, who has been capable of doing so and has done this very thing. Mr. James Lash, one of the town's well known residents, has recently completed his burial casket and to say that he has made a good looking job of it is putting it mildly. While Jim, as he is better known, has no premonition of death at this time, he has built for himself this casket, as he says, merely to save money. Mr. Lash resides to the rear of South Garfield Avenue, near the Harry F. Loy Builder Supply Yards. In his bedroom on the second floor of the building, and right close to his bed, he has his casket. Aside from a constant reminder of death while in the room, one might consider the fact that friends some night, merely for a joke, might visit the home and Mr. Lash might wake up in the morning and find himself all bedecked with his burial casket. The casket is six feet, two inches in length and eighteen inches deep. The Call man expressed the idea that this was entirely too deep and much deeper than the average casket. Jim said that he couldn't change it now anymore and that anyway, he wanted lots of room. The coffin is built of pine boards carefully planed and squared and covered with copper sheeting. The casket is octangular and is fastened with large screws. The handles are made of iron and give the appearance of holding quite a weight. Around the edging of the lid is a finished board, octangular in size, set in the center with moulding about it, all finished in copper. Around the edge of the casket proper is also to be found a moulding that has been coppered. The finish is just several shades lighter than the copper and lends a proper contrasting and finished effect. The inside of the lid and the inside of the casket is lined with cotton flannel and covered with tapestry, a large portier or door curtain having been used for the purpose. A cushion of the same material has also been made and is found already in the bottom of the casket. Jim laughingly stated to The Call man that he at least wanted to be comfortable. His suit of clothing, underwear, shirt, necktie, shoes and socks have also been provided for. And so that future generations might know of his exact burial place, Jim has made his own grave marker. In fact, Mr. Lash for the past two years has been manufacturing an inexpensive and yet indestructible grave marker and has sold quite a few of them. The marker is made of galvanized iron and aluminum thus making it rust proof. It is about twenty inches square. Around the edges is attached round moulding, the whole making a very neat marker. Upon the marker can be attached with solder, brass letters for the name and the date of birth and death. In the case of Mr. Lash, he has already attached his name and date of birth. He expects to manufacture the markers on a large scale and can offer them at a most reasonable price. |
| The Call of June 14, 1935 AUTO ALMOST GOES INTO HOME Failing to make the curve at Columbia Street and Parkway, Wednesday evening around 11:45 o'clock, the auto of Charles D. Koch of Schuylkill Haven R. D. and driven by Martin Donnati and occupied by Pete Merlino, struck the porch of the property of Edgar Palsgrove at that point. The car mounted the pavement and crashed through the concrete block foundation walls of the porch, brought down the top of it and stopped just a few inches from pushing its radiator into the front room of the Palsgrove home. The crash awakened neighbors in the vicinity and soon there was quite a crowd of persons gathered. The autoists, however, when they found they could not back, pull or push the machine from the wreckage, made off and left the car. The police were required to call Harvey Moyer, garageman, to the scene. With the wrecker he raised the porch roof sufficiently to move the car. The car was then towed away not so very badly damaged bit sufficiently so to make driving impossible. Donnati and Merlino were found an hour and a half later walking up the pike. They were placed under arrest and several charges including reckless driving will be preferred against them. The corner at which the accident occurred has been the scene of several crashes, more or less of a serious nature, but all resulting in property damage. The corner is miserably protected with caution signs. The borough authorities should by all means demand that a larger reflector be placed at the point and that the said reflector be kept in repair. As this part of the highway has been taken over by the state, it is up to the State Highway Department to properly protect it. |
| The Call of February 21, 1936 SOUND PICTURES NOW AT HOSPITAL FOR INSANE Patients at the Hospital for the Insane at Schuylkill Haven will now be privileged to see and hear motion pictures. This through the consideration and efforts of Dr. W. G. Bowers, Superintendent. The first showing of the sound pictures took place on Tuesday evening in the large auditorium of the institution that holds over four hundred persons. A complete and most modern RCA sound equipment and new fireproof booth has been installed. Tuesday evening, the effect upon the patients of the sound pictures was watched with interest as it was the first time many of them had opportunity to witness and hear motion pictures. The effect was nothing out of the ordinary excepting that all of the patients appeared to have enjoyed the pictures very much and at the outset showed wonder and unusual surprise. Motion pictures have been shown to the patients regularly at the Hospital for the Insane since the year 1918. No pictures, however, were shown during the year 1935 during which time the new equipment was being placed. Pictures are projected from a Peerless Simplex machine which is also quite new onto an eight by twelve foot asbestos roll screen. The cost of the new equipment was in the neighborhood of $2400. Seven to eight reels of pictures will now be shown once a week. The operator is a licensed state operator, Mr. Foose of Schuylkill Haven. |
| The Call of April 3, 1936 UNKNOWN MAN LEAPS INTO RIVER Thursday afternoon about 5:30 o'clock a man, as yet unidentified, jumped over the guard rail along the river bank and landed at the edge of the Schuylkill river on his stomach. He was uninjured and taken to the Town Hall. He spent most of the night asleep but this morning up until eleven o'clock, he could not remember his name or whereabouts. The man came to the home of Officer Deibert on Saint peter Street and asked the question of where he was. He was told Schuylkill Haven. He then held his hands up to his head and said, " Help me." Officer Deibert told him alright and turned around to get his coat from the home. The man walked about twenty five feet from the porch of Officer Deibert's home to the guard rail of the river bank. Just as the officer came out of his home, he saw the man with his hands raised and about to leap. He could not be stopped. The bank at this point slopes toward the river and the drop is about thirty feet. The man evidently struck a part of the sloped bank in his leap and rolled to the river's edge. His one leg was in the river and the balance of his body was on th bank. A witness to the man's leap was Mr. Joseph Reber, who was standing in the alley several hundred yards above the point from where the man jumped. He states he noticed the man standing along the fence waving his hands and putting them to his head. He noticed him stepping over the fence and then assuming a position as about to make a dive. In a fraction of a second he had made the plunge. No means of identification of any kind were found in his clothing. He speaks good English and answers various sorts of questions but can not remember his name or where he came from. He is about thirty years of age and is fairly well dressed. He measures five feet and eight inches. He had a slough hat, dark blue suit, oxfords and checkered necktie. He has black hair and dark eyes. |
| The Call of June 26, 1936 TRUCK GOES OVER FORTY FOOT EMBANKMENT The fore part of the week the truck of Lewis Noecker of Schuylkill Haven R. D. went over the high embankment along Haven Street at the Harry F. Loy coal yards. The truck had been stopped at the office of Mr. Loy which point is fully forty feet above the level of Haven Street. Without warning the truck began to go backwards. It struck the fence along the top of the embankment and broke off the posts and guard rails and began its plunge down the embankment. The truck in its backward descent rolled over and landed four square on the wheels, on Haven Street, after bounding over a five foot high wall along the base of the hill, without as much as doing damage to any of the flower beds maintained by individual persons at this point. The ignition key was found on the hill, was inserted and turned and the engine started. Except for a burst radiator and some other damage, the truck was in good condition. However, had the truck been occupied at the time of the plunge, a more serious tale might have been written. Or in the event of an auto passing on Haven Street at the time, greater damage would have resulted by reason of a collision. |
| The Call of July 17, 1936 BUSINESSMAN HAD NARROW ESCAPE IN SWIMMING POOL Had it not been for the prompt response to the calls for help emanating from the darkness of night, Thursday, Schuylkill Haven might have been minus one of its prominent Main Street businessmen this morning. The weekly meeting of the Rotary Club was held at the summer home of Abe Maberry in Long Run Thursday. The home is located in the woods. Autos park on the highway some distance from the grove. A stream of water runs through the field that separates the two. Children this summer, built a small dam along the creek and used it for wading purposes. The pathway from the house to the roadway is unilluminated and takes a winding and devious course through the woods, across a wooden foot bridge and over the field to the highway. Now, in the darkness, if someone unacquainted with the pathway slightly wanders from the same, it may be too bad. Well that is just what happened to one Frank Lewis, newsdealer who after detouring around several obstructions and missing the pathway entirely found himself suddenly going down, down, down. His feet began to get wet, and putting out his hands, they too, touched something wet. Sinking further, he realized he had either walked into that dam or someone had put the dam in the pathway. And then that noise of nature all its own, a noise that is feared by most every man and beast, that noise that sets one sense is tingling and puts him on guard. Surely it was the noise of a rattlesnake! And then upon the stillness of the night rings out that call “hey Abe. Hello Abe.” And host Abe, just about ready to crawl into his bed, hears the call of distress. Quickly he sends his relative, Floyd Mattern Jr., with a flashlight. The plight of the unfortunate Rotarian is soon discovered. Ropes, chains, several planks and several rocks and a bar are procured and finally Mr. Lewis is pried loose from the bottom of the dam, directed to make but one step and he is on shore, safe and sound. He is also badly scared and fearful that his friends will learn of his narrow escape from a possible all night stay in a wading pool with no other companions then bugs and birds of the night. He declares that for all future outdoor meetings of his Rotary Club, wherever held, he will provide himself with a flashlight so that there will be no further horrible experiences such as that of Thursday evening. evening. |
| The Call of August 21, 1936 FISH IN LOCAL DAM POISONED For the past week, a regrettable site each morning is that of scooping dead fish from the Stoyer dam, formerly better known as Bittle's Dam. On one recent morning, one hundred and sixty dead fish a fair size were taken from the dam. On another morning, eighty, and, on the following morning, sixty dead fish were found. On Monday morning of this week, twenty five were gathered, on Tuesday about thirty five. At this rate, all the fish in the dam will soon be dead. Not only this, it will be a long while before the dam will be in condition to be habitable for fish again. Just what is causing the fish to die is not known. It is believed, however, due to the fact that some farmer residing in the Long Run Valley, and along the creek which flows into the Stoyer Dam, has been emptying the residue from his spraying tanks into the creek. This would surely result in death to the fish in the creek and the dam. The person, it is understood, has been advised or notified of this condition, but has not discontinued the practice. It is understood the Fish and Game Association will take immediate steps to prevent any further contamination of the stream and dam. During the week, The Call was unable to get in personal touch with Mr. Stoyer, owner of the dam, to learn what action he intends taking in the matter. He was out of town. It is believed when he returns and alarms of the condition that his action will be prompt and affect them. Mr. Stoyer has in the past several years put considerable money into enlarging and beautifying this dam. It's now resembles more of a lake than a dam. Boating is enjoyed to a certain extent. Fishing has always been fairly good at this place. Swimming, too, for the youngsters, is much enjoyed. This summer, Mr. Stoyer made special provision at one end of the dam for the youngsters, so that they believe he bathe to their heart's content without danger. Many youngsters have taken advantage of the opportunity. Fishing has been enjoyed by children and adults. It seems a crime that through carelessness or upon deliberate intent, something should be placed in the waters that would kill fish life and possibly make it dangerous or unhealthful to bathe in the waters. It is understood a similar condition existed some eight years ago when a considerable amount of fish were destroyed in a manner similar to that which it is believed is destroying the fish at this time. |
| The Call of October 1, 1937 CHILD SAVED FROM DROWNING Saturday afternoon, Herman Clauser, who is employed in the office of the Earl Stoyer Garage, while walking around the back of his car, near Stoyer's dam, noticed something in the water. Thinking it was a dog playing in the water, he went on. Something prompted him to look again and as he did, he noticed that the object had disappeared and small bubbles were forming on top of the water. Jumping in, to the place where he had last seen the object, he pulled out two and one half year old Peggy Ann Kramer, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Kramer. Peggy Ann wandered away from her home and had been walking along the edge of the dam when she fell and was struggling so unsuccessfully to keep from drowning, when noticed by Clauser. |
| The Call of July 26, 1940 LOIS RUNKLE SAVES SIX YEAR OLD CHILD FROM DROWNING Miss Lois Runkle, the twelve year old granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Neiman of Union Street, was swimming on Tuesday afternoon at Willow Lake, when she saw a six year old girl who could not swim going down for the second time at the deep part of the lake. Lois immediately dived into the water and got the little girl by the arm, who grabbed her body so tightly that it was only after a hard struggle to keep from drowning herself, that she brought the girl to the surface. The little tot's sisters stood by and watched the scene, screaming and crying. None of them could swim to help their sister. When the girl was brought to the surface, the sisters thanked Lois, but in the excitement the name of the little girl was not learned, nor her residence. |
| The Call of November 8, 1940 TWO INJURED WHEN CAR HITS FIRE PLUG On Sunday evening at 11:45, the car driven by Clifford R. Nichols of 208 Saint John Street, Schuylkill Haven, smashed into a fire plug near Main and Saint John Streets. Patrolman Clayton Bashore, after investigating the accident, stated that Nichols lost control of the machine as he rounded a curve at the intersection and the car mounted the curb at Stine's Drug Store and hit the plug. Mr. Nichols was not injured but the other two occupants of the car were taken to the Pottsville Hospital. They were John Reber, twenty of 412 East Main Street and Miss Ann Martin, twenty one of Broadway, both of Schuylkill Haven. Reber was badly injured about the jaw, nose and face while Miss Martin suffered lacerations of the face and a sprained foot. Both were removed to their homes where their condition is reported as good. Damage to the car was estimated at approximately $400. |
| The Call of November 28, 1940 SUNDAY MORNING ACCIDENT AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN An automobile collision occurred on Sunday morning about nine o'clock at the corner of Main and Dock Streets. The sedan owned by Mrs. John Bolton and driven by her daughter, Miss Dorothy Bolton, rounded the turn and in order to avoid a car stopping on Dock Street, turned sharply and collided with the sedan of George Striegle which was parked on the opposite side and which was driven back and into a tree. The left front and side of the Striegle car was damaged. The front of the Bolton car was badly damaged. The occupants of the Bolton car were Miss Bolton, the driver, Mrs. Bolton and her son Harry and John Doll and his two sons of Schumacher Avenue. They were all shaken up and bruised. The group were on their way to Sunday School. Officer Bubeck investigated. |
| The Call of November 29, 1940 NO FRAUD, ERROR FOUND IN LOCAL BALLOT BOXES For the first time in the history of Schuylkill Haven borough, petitions were presented to the Court of Schuylkill county asking that the ballot boxes used in two wards be brought into court and the ballots recounted. They are the boxes from the East and South Wards and were among thirteen brought to court in the Fourth Legislative District by the Democratic Party, whose petitions are said to have alleged fraud and substantial error in computation and return of the votes. Only slight discrepancy was found in the Schuylkill Haven ballot recount by the board appointed by the court. The change in the vote from that reported by the local election board was due to markings on several ballots made by the local board when the vote was counted on election evening. Ballots designating straight party votes are placed in piles of one hundred or twenty five to expedite the counting of the votes. A notation is made on the top ballot of a counted pile for the board's information. It was these few ballots, upon which a board member had written the number in the pile, that were thrown out by the recount board because of the marking son them. Recount of all thirteen ballot boxes in the Fourth Legislative District, including those of Tower City borough and Porter Township, which also were brought into court for the first time in the history of those two districts failed to disclose any evidence of fraud or gross error in computation or report of the vote. The recount did not materially change the vote of any of the candidates of either major party. Schuylkill Haven has always prided itself upon the honesty, fairness and ability of its election boards. They are men and women who can not be influenced by any party or individual to make a fraudulent return of the votes cast. The official count in court only proves to all the county what almost everyone in Schuylkill County believes, that the honesty and fairness of their election board members are above question. The petition in the South Ward was signed by Thomas A. Umbenhauer, William L. Collins and William Schumacher. In the East ward, Miss Dorothy McGovern, Margaret McGovern and John W. Freeman requested that the ballots be recounted. |
| The Call of July 25, 1941 FOUR INJURED IN CENTRE AVENUE AUTO ACCIDENT Three Pottsville men and one Schuylkill Haven man were injured in a two car crash which occurred on Centre Avenue, Schuylkill Haven on Wednesday morning at 7:40 o'clock. Those injured were Edward Lord, 39, of 509 North Seventh Street, Pottsville, the most seriously injured, suffered lacerations of the face and a deep laceration of the left arm. He is a patient in the Pottsville Hospital. Alex Zimmerman, 58, of 702 Laurel Street, Pottsville and Guy Warner, 30, of 731 Garfield Avenue, Schuylkill Haven were treated at the Pottsville Hospital for lacerations and sent home. Edward J. Poppert, 44, of 1814 West Norwegian Street in Pottsville was treated at the Schuylkill County Hospital for slight lacerations of the head and hands. Lord and Zimmerman, together with Warner, whom they had picked up in Schuylkill Haven, were on their way to the Ira Hurst coal washery at Landingville where they are employed. As they approached Mildred Street, a milk truck owned by the Bast Dairy stopped in the middle of the street to make a left turn. Mr. Poppert, who was driving toward Pottsville from his summer home at Deer Lake made a left turn around the truck, colliding head on with the Lord vehicle which was passing the truck on the right side of the highway. The three men were removed to the Pottsville Hospital by Willis Deibert, of 8 Centre Avenue, in front of whose home the accident occurred. Mr. Poppert was taken to the hospital by Dr. Heim. Both cars were considerably damaged. An investigation was made by Chief of Police Frank Deibert of Schuylkill Haven. |
| The Call of October 31, 1941 POLICE SEEK AID TO STOP SPREAD OF RABIES IN TOWN With eleven dog owners under a one hundred day quarantine and a twelfth under arrest, Chief of Police Frank Deibert today issued an appeal for citizens of Schuylkill Haven to help him wipe out any threat of rabies brought on by the mad dog that ran amuck here a few days ago. The dog, a brindle bull owned by Harold O. Seltzer of 429 Naffin Avenue, was shot by the chief of police Sunday morning and an examination of the head at Harrisburg definitely disclosed that it had rabies. Deibert made a special appeal for the identity of a young girl whose dog is believed to have been bitten T the Schuylkill Haven-Saint Clair football game last Saturday. The girl was at the game with her pet when the dog appeared and while spectators grabbed the pet and held it aloft it is feared that it was bitten before they reached it. The mad dog was beaten off. The identity of the girl is asked so that her dog may be kept under observation and so she may be protected should it develop rabies symptoms. Before the mad dog was killed after running at large for an afternoon and a night, it had bitten Junior Crossley, 12, and William Crossley, 16, on the hands. They are being given treatment by a physician. It attacked and killed a valuable coon dog owned by Dewey Ditzler and bit another dog in his kennel. It attacked a dog owned by Homer Ribkee of 315 Haven Street, which has subsequently been destroyed. It also attacked and killed another dog, the owner of which is unknown. Chief of Police Deibert, State Dog Law Enforcement Officer Charles T. Llewellyn of Saint Clair and State Motor Police are making an investigation in Schuylkill Haven to determine the number of dogs that may have been bitten. Yesterday they placed eleven homes under quarantine and arrested another dog owner who refused to admit them to her home and answer questions. She was given a hearing before a Schuylkill Haven squire Thursday night. A stray dog on the streets was shot and killed. They appeal to residents of the town who know of any dogs that have been bitten to notify Deibert. Dog owners are also asked to carefully examine their dogs for bites. |
| The Call of December 19, 1941 THREE GIRLS HIT NEAR ALMSHOUSE Three girl attendants at the county almshouse hospital were injured when struck by an auto while walking along the highway between the almshouse and Schuylkill Haven on Saturday evening at 6:30 o'clock. One of the girls, Elizabeth Sudick of Glen Alden, is in serious condition at the Good Samaritan Hospital with a fractured skull. She also received bad lacerations and brush burns of the body. The other two victims were Eva Lolinsky, stepsister of Miss Sudick, of Glen Alden, who received lacerations of the scalp and brush burns of the left arm and Eleanor Zeiler of Pottsville, who lost several teeth and received brush burns of the left hip. Both were taken to the almshouse hospital. Pottsville Motor Police report that the automobile which struck the girls was driven by Jack O'Connell of Pottsville. O'Connell says that he did not see the three girls because of the heavy rain until it was too late to stop. The girls were walking on the highway because of the icy condition of the pavement leading toward the almshouse. |
| The Call of December 14, 1945 RETURNED MARINE PAINFULLY INJURED, FOUND LYING ON ROAD Martin Casey Jr., who returned to his home on the Buffalo train early Monday morning after thirty six months with the Marines in the South Pacific, was found lying in the street near his home on Caldwell Street on Tuesday morning at 4:15 o'clock in a serious condition. Ed Zimmerman of town, an engineer on the Reading Railroad, was returning from work when he found Casey lying unconscious on the street. The local police were summoned and Casey was removed to the Good Samaritan Hospital by ambulance. His injuries consist of extensive lacerations and abrasions about the head. His nose was almost torn off, an eyelid was cut and other cuts were found above and below the other eye. The bone at the hip was badly scraped and an ankle is said to have a small bone in it broken. After Casey regained consciousness at the hospital, he was unable to explain what or who had hit him. A trainman who had traveled the road shortly after three o'clock said that the discharged marine was not on the road at that time, so he was hit some time between three and 4:15 when he was found. The field jacket worn by Casey bore tire tracks across the back and was spotted with old car grease. His shirt was smeared with grease too. These facts led Chief of Police Frank Deibert to believe that the young man had been hit with a car or truck and dragged underneath the vehicle, causing cuts and abrasions to his face and the injuries to his hip and ankle. The son of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Casey, Martin Jr. served with the Fourth Marine Division in the Pacific for thirty two months and then came home on a sixty day furlough. He returned to the Phillipines and began training for a proposed landing in Japan. The war ended before the plan was put into effect. He remained there for four months and then was returned to the states. He was given his discharge on November 28 at Great Lakes and visited with a friend in Chicago before returning home early Monday morning. |
| The Call of March 15, 1946 TWO MEN INJURED WHEN TRUCK STRIKES TREE ON CENTRE AVENUE Salem Barket of 612 Fairview Street, Pottsville, and his helper Thomas Elia of 1206 Oak Street in Reading, but residing at the Fairview Street address at Pottsville, were injured on Thursday at 12:50 when the 1941 Dodge eight ton truck, which was empty and driven by Barket, struck a tree at 18 Centre Avenue in town and then continued on to 26 Centre Avenue and knocked off a light pole and continued on and struck a tree at the same address. Both men were thrown out of the truck turned around facing Orwigsburg. Elia lay in the yard at 26 Centre Avenue and had both his shoes knocked off and Barket lay on the pavement and had one shoe knocked off. They were removed to the office of Dr. Fegley who treated them for leg and hip bruises. Total damage was $850, $625 to the truck and $225 to the light pole. |
| The Call of December 6, 1946 1892 BALLOT BOX FOUND IN ATTIC OF OLD BUILDING While cleaning the attic of the Pflueger building, which is being remodeled into modern offices and two modern apartments, an old ballot box was found. It was used for the last time Tuesday, February 3, 1892 at the local election in the East Ward. The box is not much larger than a shoe box, is made of wood, neatly mitered at the ends with a sliding end. There is a small hole in the top with a wooden cover which is sealed with the names of the election officers. At this election a vote was taken on the proposal to increase the public debt by $4500 for the purpose of extending the arc electric light system and to purchase the incandescent light plant to enable this borough to manufacture electricity for commercial purposes. The ballots are about three by four inches and all are stored in the box, strung on a piece of thread for safe keeping. The election was held in the side room of Peter Bauer's Central Hotel. The election board sat around a large table and ballots were received through a small opening cut in a board which was placed under the window sash. The box was s with the late Squire M. F. Pflueger as was required by law for safe keeping. It is believed that all of the named election officers and candidates for offices are deceased but they are remembered for their service to and their active lives in the community. The ballot box and contents may be seen at the Pflueger Insurance and Real estate office at 11 East Main Street. |
| The Call of October 31, 1947 PILOT, FORCED DOWN BY STORM, LANDS PLANE ON HIGHWAY The pilot of a two seater Luscombe plane, forced to seek safety on the ground during the violent thunderstorm on Tuesday evening, brought the craft down on the highway in front of the County Institution district without injury to himself or a passenger who was riding with him. The plane came down on the highway in a perfect landing but in taxiing, the right wing struck a railroad crossing sign, causing the plane to spin around and damage the landing gear and buckle the fuselage. The pilot of the plane, Vernon Schaeffer, 34, and his passenger, Elwood Angstadt, 33, both of Pottstown, were flying from Williamsport to Pottstown when they suddenly ran into the thunderstorm that struck here around six o'clock. Schaeffer was acquainted with the Schuylkill airport and attempted to find it but in the darkness he could not sight the unlighted field. An unsuccessful attempt was made to climb above the storm before Schaeffer decided to try landing on the three lane highway which was lighted at one point by the floodlights at the garage of H. C. Flail. After circling several times until the highway was cleared of traffic, the pilot made a perfect landing toward Schuylkill Haven on the glistening highway. Unfortunately he did not see the railroad crossing sign and the end of the right wing hit it, causing the plane to swing from the road. Damage to the plane consisted of a dented wing, smashed landing gear, broken propeller tips and bent fuselage. Damage was estimated at five hundred dollars. A large crowd of motorists was attracted to the scene and created a traffic tie up until the Harvey B. Moyer wrecker pulled the plane from the highway to the MYM garage a short distance away. The plane was dismantled preparatory to having it hauled to Pottstown. The pilot of the plane is a salesman for the Luscombe Aviation Corporation of Morrisville and is an expert pilot with both an instructor's and instrument flying rating. He was at one time an instructor at the Allentown airport. |
| The Call of December 2, 1947 TWO PERSONS OVERCOME BY COAL GAS AT DOHNER HOME Mrs. William Luckenbill was completely overcome and her brother, Robert Dohner was partly overcome Saturday evening at six o;clock when a blocked chimney caused an explosion when the flue entering the chimney blew out and coal gas seeped through the entire house. Mrs. Luckenbill, the former Betty Dohner, had relieved her brother Bob during the lunch period in Dohner's Shoe Store. However, Bob took only twenty minutes for lunch and upon his return to the store, he saw his sister lying outside in the flower bed, completely overcome. Not knowing the trouble, he carried her into the house. He then returned to the store and waited on Thomas Head who wanted arctics. These were all kept in the cellar and Bob started for the cellar and he got to the top of the steps when he collapsed, although still conscious. Realizing that gas fumes must be present, Mr. Head pulled him out of the store. Mr. and Mrs. Ray Fleagle and son and daughter, formerly of town and now living in Hamburg, were in the store at the time and had been waited on by Mrs. Luckenbill. Knowing something about first aid being a telephone man, Mr. Fleagle went to the house to render aid to Mrs. Luckenbill. Earl Jacoby and Walter Straub were leaving the Pepsi Cola warehouse and in passing by noticed something was wrong and investigated. Their thought was whether anyone was home in the apartment upstairs and upon going up they found Mrs. Louise Ney dizzy and brought her down from her third floor apartment. According to Mr. Fleagle, Mrs. Luckenbill had been unconscious about eight minutes, as she had been gone ten minutes by the time he went to the house to revive her. According to Bob, he had difficulty to keep the place heated and thought something was wrong. The plant was examined three times during the week but nothing was found and since the chimney had been cleaned out this past April, no one thought of checking the chimney. After the explosion it was found that the chimney was blocked twelve feet down to a thickness of eighteen inches and upon this water was standing which had frozen. They are unable to understand why the chimney would be blocked, but think that something probably was thrown in, in some manner or something was blown in it. Whatever it was, it was found to be heavy. |
| The Call of June 2, 1950 FOUR ESCAPE AS CAR RUNS OFF MOUNTAIN Four local people had a narrow escape from serious injury early Saturday morning when the car in which they were riding went over the steep side of the Schuylkill mountain. Occupants of the car were Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Dallago, Mrs. Harry Dolan and Edgar Deibert. Mrs. Dallago, driver of the car, in the heavy fog early Saturday morning, was following the guide posts on the outer side of the highway leading to the summit of the mountain. At the place where the road branches off to the left, leading to the old Paxson home, the guard rails follow the road that branches off. The car hit the steep embankment between the main highway and this road and was thrown over to the other side of the road and down over the steep side of the mountain. The car turned completely over, landing on its top and sliding down the mountain until it came to rest against a tree. Mr. Dallago crawled through a broken window and in the fog slowly made his way around the car to see if it was in danger of continuing its journey down the mountain. When he saw it was safely lodged against the tree, the other passengers, dazed but unhurt except for minor scratches, crawled through the window and made their way on hands and knees up the steep embankment to the road. |
| The Call of July 7, 1950 TRUCK COMES TO GRIEF IN SEWER The coal truck of John Spleen, 222 Haven Street, sank to the axle in a refilled sewer excavation in the street running between Hess Street and Naffin Avenue alongside the Alberta Knitting Mill on Thursday afternoon. The sewer line was laid there three weeks ago and backfill made without tamping. The heavy rain on Wednesday night caused the lower dirt to settle but left the top intact. The weight of the truck caused the ground to collapse under it and the sudden drop threw the weight of seven tons of chestnut coal against the one side of the truck body, ripping it from the chassis and destroying it, while spilling the coal out on the street and into the sewer hole. Charles Troop, superintendent of the construction work for the Berlanti Company, brought a bulldozer to the scene and helped push the truck from the collapsed trench. Numerous cases of trucks and automobiles breaking through the trenches were reported on Thursday and Friday. Streets in Fairmount and Union Street, open to traffic, had holes as deep as fifteen to eighteen inches. Early Friday morning these streets were still in the same condition. |
| The Call of August 4, 1950 CHILD ALMOST DROWNS IN SEWER DITCH Through quick thinking and action, Judy Brown, nine year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Brown of 409 Naffin Avenue and Jimmy Miller, nine year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Allen Miller of Pennsylvania Avenue, Donald "Bobby" Martz, three year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Serjin Martz of Dock Street, was saved from drowning recently. The children were playing on Lincoln Street near their home. Judy and Jimmy saw Bobby fall into an open sewer ditch, which was filled with approximately four feet of water. As Bobby was coming up for the second time, the children pulled him out, gave first aid to get the water out of his lungs and took him to his mother, who was unaware her child had left the yard of his home. |
| The Call of July 29, 1950 BOY IN SERIOUS CONDITION AS RESULT OF FALL Vincent Wisner, ten year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Wisner of Garfield Avenue, is a patient in the Good Samaritan Hospital, suffering with a concussion of the brain and body and face bruises, which he received when he fell from a tree while hunting horse chestnuts on Wednesday evening. He and several other playmates were hunting horse chestnuts in back of the Rainbow Hose Company hose house at about six o'clock that evening. The boys put pieces of lumber against a large barn adjoining the hose house and climbed on the barn and out onto a branch of a horse chestnut tree. The branch broke and Vincent fell about sixty feet, landing between a pile of wood and a large slab of stone. The boys rushed to their homes to tell their parents and Mrs. Wisner, who had been looking for her son to come home for supper, was notified that he had fallen and was unconscious. The boy was taken to the office of Dr. J. E. Conrad and was then removed to the Good Samaritan Hospital. His condition had improved last evening when he became conscious for the first time. However, the crisis is expected this evening, when his condition can be really determined. |
| The Call of December 1, 1950 FURIOUS WIND, RAIN STORM BLOWS OFF ROOFS, UPROOTS TREES AND FLOODS CELLARS The worst wind and rain storm in the memory of the oldest residents of the community struck here early Saturday morning and continued in fury until late in the day, causing widespread damage to buildings ans their contents. The storm began brewing Friday night and by early Saturday morning had reached "little hurricane" proportions. Trees were blown over in the eastern section of town and burned out a transformer at the corner of Main and Haven Streets, cutting off power in that section of town about four in the morning. Although heavy grounds were all over the electric system, it wasn't until about ten in the morning that the main cable leading from the plant burned off. A tree falling over Jacques Street pulled down a pole and wires. The main cable was repaired but the lines throughout town were checked and temporary repairs made where needed before the power was again turned on. Five trees and four poles fell throughout town and broke lines. Most of the town had service resumed by about four o'clock in the afternoon and the entire community was again receiving light and power by ten o'clock. An estimated five and one half inches of rain fell during the destructive storm. Rising water in the creek at the light plant threatened to flood the building. Two fire trucks were called and stood by for about three hours but sandbagging along the banks prevented the water from flooding out the light plant. The rapidly rising Schuylkill River soon caused cellars to be flooded in the lower sections of town and water began backing up and inundating the Penn Street section. About six o'clock in the evening, water was running into the homes and the occupants were removed in rowboats. Many homes on Dock Street, lower Main Street, Columbia Street and the flat sections along the river had flooded cellars and fire trucks were called upon to pump them out. Bittle's Dam at the Earl Stoyer garage rose rapidly and by early afternoon was overflowing onto South Berne Street at the southeast corner. Water also began accumulating on the street at the intersection of Columbia and Berne Streets and soon was above the height of the curb, threatening to enter the home on the northwest corner and came within inches of entering the Earl Stoyer showroom. A fire company pumper was used to get the water out of the basement. The VFW basement was also badly flooded. The most damage was caused by the high wind which ripped roofs from homes, blew down trees, chimneys, television antennas and shrubbery and smashed in windows. With openings torn in buildings, the rain driven by winds of a velocity estimated as high as seventy five miles per hour at times, caused great damage to interiors and furniture. The homes of Melvin Renninger and William Dewitt on Dock Street had the entire roofs blown off and extensive damage was done to the interiors and the house furnishings. All six rooms of the Renninger home were damaged. The show windows at the F. Y. Becker garage were blown in. At the Schuylkill County Institutional District, a barn on the old Luckenbill farm was destroyed and a piece of lumber was blown onto an automobile owned by Charles Brown, parked near the barn and damaged it. The Liberty Hose Company pumper was used to remove water from the basement. The storm gradually subsided Saturday afternoon and evening. rain changed to snow which fell to a depth of about an inch on Sunday morning. Snow continued falling intermittently until Wednesday. The Cressona fire companies were kept busy during the storm. Straw used to dry concrete on the new bridge at Connor's Crossing caught on fire and the Good Will Fire Company was called. |
| The Call of December 1, 1950 STORM CAUSED GAS VICTIMS Near tragedy followed on the heels of the terrific wind and rain storm on Saturday and four victims of gas were fortunate in escaping with their lives. The first indirect victim of the storm was Frank S. Lewis, local newsdealer, who went to his cellar to investigate water that was coming in and was overcome by coal gas from the furnace. With him were several newsboys, but no one realized anything was wrong until Frank staggered up the steps and nearly collapsed. He went outside to the entrance of his store and there collapsed. The community ambulance was summoned and the resuscitator used. He was removed to the Pottsville Hospital where he remained until the next day. He left on Tuesday for his deer hunting camp in the northern part of the state. It is believed that the high winds and heavy rains loosened soot in the upper part of the chimney, causing it to drop down and block the flue with the result that the fumes came into the basement and into the house. In the other case of persons overcome with gas, Francis Wenrich of East Main Street was overcome by gas seeping into his home through a broken gas line. He was removed to the hospital but later returned to his home. |
| The Call of December 8, 1950 HEAVY RAINS CAUSE FLOODS AND MUCH DAMAGE FOR SECOND TIME IN TEN DAYS For the second time within ten days, heavy rains resulted in floods to sections located near the Schuylkill River or to streams feeding into the river and flooded many cellars throughout the town. A heavy downpour Sunday night and all day Monday quickly brought waters to the flood stage and flooded cellars which had been cleaned out only a week ago. On November 25, a terrific rain and wind storm caused widespread damage throughout this section. Ten days later, Monday of this week, the rains returned in equal fury but this time without the fifty to seventy five mile hour gale and again caused heavy damage. Many of the homes which had roofs torn off or partly damaged were only temporarily repaired because of the shortage of roofing men available in this area. The steady downpour soon found its way into the homes through openings in the roofs. Locally the greatest damage was caused by flood water backing up from the Schuylkill in the Penn Street section. Here water rose to a height of three feet and flooded the homes located in that low area. Flooding of cellars was almost to as great an extent as it was o the deluge of November 25. Again fire trucks were put to work pumping out cellars. Sump pumps were quickly brought up where available but in many places they had to be taken out of the cellars because the water was raising fasterthan it could be pumped out and would soon have covered the pumps. Bittle's Dam at the rear of the Earl Stoyer garage on Columbia Street went over the bank and spilled over South Berne Street to make a wide stream running to the Schuylkill River. Damage also occurred in other neighboring towns. |
| The Call of March 23, 1951 CAR CRASHES INTO PARKED TRUCK, TWO MEN IN HOSPITAL The drivers of two vehicles are hospitalized as a result of a collision on Centre Avenue last evening about 8:45 o'clock. Lewis Kramer, 217 Paxson Avenue and Edward F. Higgins of Pottsville were taken to the Good Samaritan Hospital in the community ambulance. Kramer has a possible concussion of the brain, laceration of the forehead requiring two sutures, laceration of the nose and a bruised thumb. Higgins has a severe laceration of the knee which required five sutures and a bruised chest. According to Officer Clayton Bashore who was on duty at the First Reformed Church at the time of the accident, Kramer was coming from the direction of Orwigsburg and swung out of the line of traffic to pass a string of cars. Higgins, driving a laundry truck was traveling east and had just pulled to the side of the street to make a delivery when the truck was struck by Kramer's car. A third car, parked on Centre Avenue and owned by Alvin Reed was slightly damaged. The front left part of Kramer's car struck the front fender of the Higgins truck, causing damage amounting to an estimated $460 to Kramer's car and an estimated $350 to the truck. The left rear fender and hub cap of the Reed car were damaged. |
| The Call of July 13, 1951 WOMAN, 75, HAS NARROW ESCAPE Mrs. Elizabeth Uckele, 75, had a narrow escape from death yesterday morning shortly before noon when she fell down a steep, twenty foot embankment into the mud of the Schuylkill River behind North Berne Street. She was pulled form the river by Alvin Heffner and Mervin Ruth of the Heffner Motors and a driver of a truck at the Argo Mills. She suffered cuts and bruises about the head, face, arms and legs in her fall down the steep embankment but fortunately sustained no more serious injuries. Mrs. Uckele, who makes her home with her brother in law and sister, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Nagle at 83 North Berne Street, had gone to the edge of the alley behind the Nagle home to dispose of some rubbish. She evidently stepped too close to the river's bank for the bank gave way beneath her and she tumbled down the twenty feet to the river. The water at the river's edge is less than a foot deep but culm and mud are thick. Unable to get out of the mud and up the steep bank, she called for help. Across the river, Alvin Heffner of Heffner Motors had heard her fall and saw her struggling in the Schuylkill's mud. He and Mervin Ruth, an employee at the garage, went immediately to her aid. Because of the steep bank, Mrs. Uckele had to be pulled out by a rope tied around her. Dr. J. F. Matonis was summoned. A quick examination revealed no broken bones and she was then cleaned of the mud and a more thorough examination given. |
| The Call of October 27, 1950 TRUCK IN DITCH RESULTS IN TWO LEGAL HEARINGS Last Friday night a large tractor trailer truck loaded with baked beans broke through a refilled sewer trench on parkway and set off a chain of reactions that resulted in charges against the father of the driver on charges of disorderly conduct and charges of assault and battery being made against two local police officers. The accident occurred on Friday about 10:00 p. m. when Robert Leininger of Minersville, a former resident of Schuylkill Haven, in driving a cargo from the western part of the state of New York City, rode on the refilled trench and it broke through, causing the truck to sink to the axles and list heavily to one side. A broken water main on Parkway had undermined the trench and the heavy weight of the truck caused it to break through. With the assistance of Officer Roy Ebling, the driver put props against the truck, bracing it against trees on Parkway to prevent the heavy load from doing further damage to the trailer body. The truck remained in the trench until Sunday afternoon when the driver had it unloaded and lifted out of the ditch. Both the driver and Berlanti Company disclaimed responsibility for the incident. The Berlanti Company and local police stated that a barrier and a sign, "Danger Street Closed," were in position. Leininger claimed the construction company was liable and that he drove through because cars before him had driven over this section of Parkway. When the truck came to rest, all the wheels on the left side were mired in the ditch. After the truck was removed from the ditch, Officers Bashore and Bubeck asked the driver to produce the weigh slip for his load. Leininger refused to produce it and the police prohibited him from driving away. The difficulty of Harry Leininger, father of the driver, occurred shortly afterwards. According to the police, Leininger, driving his station wagon, approached from the lower end of Parkway at a fast rate of speed and headed straight for the officers who were standing near the truck parked in the middle of the street on the north side of the Union Street intersection. When he was almost upon the officers, they stated, he swerved out of the way, brushing Bubeck's uniform. He stopped the car and the two officers went over to it to charge him with reckless driving. A scuffle ensued. On Monday night the officers had Leininger arraigned before Squire Ernest Singer on a charge of disorderly conduct. Attorney Raymond L. Brennan represented Leininger. Singer heard the testimony and announced that he would make a decision the following night. Tuesday night he found Leininger guilty as charged and fined him $25.00 and costs. On Wednesday, Attorney Brennan brought charges against the two officers on charges of assault and battery and aggravated assault and battery. Bubeck originally was charged with surety of the peace and released under $500 bail on the two added charges. Bashore was released on $500 bail on the two charges. The case was heard before Alderman John T. W. Faulls of Pottsville. According to Attorney Brennan, Bubeck and Bashore struck and injured Leininger at the hearing and threatened his life during a discussion which arose Sunday evening when the son attempted to move his vehicle and the Schuylkill Haven police attempted to stop him to weigh the truck. He stated that the truck had a reported sixteen tons of canned goods within the legal limit for the vehicle. Attorney John S. Lewis, borough solicitor, represented the police during the hearing. The police pleaded not guilty and the case will be referred to court. Attorney James Gallagher, counsel for the Fraternal Order of Police will have charge of the defense. |
| The Call of March 23, 1951 DAMAGE SUIT FILED AGAINST BOROUGH A suit against the borough for $2928.65 was brought by Robert Leininger, formerly of town but now living in Minersville, for his claimed loss after the wheels of his tractor trailer truck sank into a sewer trench on Parkway on October 21, 1950. Leininger claims he was transporting merchandise from Pittsburgh to New York when the rear wheels and one of the front wheels of the vehicle sank four feet below the surface of the street, causing the truck and its cargo to list and damage the truck. He claims the estimated cost of replacing the trailer was $800, that the loss of replacing a fifth wheel destroyed was $63, the cost of temporary repairs was $135.65, the hire of eleven men to extricate the truck was $220 and the hire of two trucks to aid in extrication was $50. He also claims a loss of $460 in income because of interruption of business on a round trip between New York and Pittsburgh. The additional contention is made that he was forced to spend $1200 for hire of a substitute truck while the damaged vehicle was in the garage three weeks undergoing temporary repairs. He accuses the borough of negligence as follows: failing to maintain the street in a reasonably safe condition, permitting use of the street to traffic when apparent it was unsafe for use, failing to exercise reasonable supervision over the street and repairing it, permitting the borough Municipal Authority to dig up and excavate the street and refilling the excavation in a careless, unfinished and unsafe manner. |
| The Call of March 23, 1951 CAR CRASHES INTO PARKED TRUCK, TWO MEN IN HOSPITAL The drivers of two vehicles are hospitalized as a result of a collision on Centre Avenue last evening about 8:45 o'clock. Lewis Kramer of 217 Paxson Avenue and Edward Higgins, 349 Sanderson Street in Pottsville, were taken to the Good Samaritan Hospital in the community ambulance. Kramer had a possible concussion of the brain, laceration of the forehead requiring two sutures, laceration of the nose and a bruised thumb. Higgins has a severe laceration of the knee which required five sutures and a bruised chest. According to Officer Clayton Bashore, who was on duty at the First Reformed Church at the time of the accident, Kramer was coming from the direction of Orwigsburg and swung out of the line of traffic to pass a string of cars. Higgins, driving a laundry truck was traveling east and had just pulled to the side of the street to make a delivery when the truck was struck by Kramers car. A third car, parked on Centre Avenue and owned by Alvin reed, was slightly damaged. The front left part of Kramers car struck the front fender of the Higgins truck, causing damage amounting to an estimated $460 to Kramer's car and an estimated $350 to the truck. The left rear fender and hub cap of the Reed car were damaged. |
| The Call of August 10, 1951 AUTO ACCIDENTS CONTINUE, CAR PLUNGES INTO RIVER Another spectacular automobile accident was added to the alarmingly increased number of auto crashes that have occurred in the last few weeks, when a new Lincoln car plunged down over the bank into the Schuylkill River early Saturday morning. The car hit a block divider in the new four lane highway near Earl Stoyer used car lot on the Pottsville highway and was thrown over into the guard rails and over the bank into the river. John Suender, 19, of Mahantongo Street in Pottsville, was traveling south and had just passed a car driven by Joseph Higgins Jr. of Deer Lake when his expensive car struck the divider. The car shot off to the right side of the highway and clipped off seven guard rails before it plunged over the embankment. It rolled over several times and came to a stop in the river in about a foot of water, with the car on its wheels facing north. Higgins and William Shugars Jr., a friend of the injured motorist who was driving behind him, assisted the injured man to the highway where he was placed in a car and taken to the Pottsville Hospital. All day Saturday, Sunday and Monday cats stopped along the scene of the accident and created a dangerous situation with people crossing the thoroughfare while cars whizzed by on the highway. |
| The Call of August 10, 1951 CARS COLLIDE AT PARKWAY INTERSECTION An accident occurred at the intersection of Parkway and Columbia Street on Sunday afternoon at 1:15 o'clock involving the cars driven by David Hoff of 3807 Duane Street in Detroit, Michigan and Oscar Freeman of 844 Burmont Road in Drexel Hill, Delaware County. The local police said as Hoff was driving his car across Columbia Street, it struck the rear left wheel of the Studebaker car, causing it to turn around twice. However, the car did not upset. Damage to both cars was about $100. Mr. and Mrs. Freeman and son George, former town residents, came to Schuylkill Haven to attend the Moyer Reunion at the Summer Hill Church grove. Mrs. Freeman was in the car at the time of the accident and they were on the way to the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Freeman of Centre Avenue, where their son was at the time. Later both families attended the reunion. |
| The Call of October 4, 1946 TRUCK AND AUTO IN $300 COLLISION A truck and an automobile were involved in a collision on Center Avenue on Sunday afternoon with a result of $300 damage to the vehicles and an injured ankle suffered by one of the occupants of the car. The truck owned by Russell Polischeck of Port Carbon was being driven east and attempted to turn into the alley leading to Zulick's Mill when it was struck by a car owned by Clarence P. Moyer of Reading, traveling in the opposite direction. Mrs. Rose Moyer suffered an injury to her right ankle. She was given first aid treatment by Dr. Heim. The Moyer car was damaged to the extent of $200 while the damage to the truck amounted to an estimated $100. |
| The Call of October 5, 1951 SOLDIER REPORTED WOUNDED IN ACTION IN KOREA Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Schaeffer of 31 Fairview Street, received a telegram on Wednesday telling them their son, Sergeant Robert B. Schaeffer, 23, was slightly wounded in the left arm while in action in Korea on September 11 and is now in a Korean hospital. They also received a letter from him last week telling them he was wounded. He is a commander in heavy tanks with the 7th Army. He has been in Korea a little more than a year and was expected home soon on the rotation system. Before going to Korea, he was stationed in Japan for a year. Sergeant Schaeffer enlisted in the service January 30, 1949, received his basic training in North Carolina, then was sent to Camp Stoneman, California and from there went to Japan. He attended the local schools and before entering the service was employed by Orval Walter. Two brothers and a sister, Glenn, Bruce and Elaine all were in the service during World War Two and another brother, Claude, enlisted in the Navy in May and is stationed at Bainbridge Maryland. Sergeant Schaeffer has seven brothers and eight sisters. |
| The Call of June 20, 1952 RESCUE SQUAD GETS ANOTHER CALL FOR HELP The Schuylkill Haven Rescue Squad, better known as the Rainbow Hose Company, responded to another call for assistance on Saturday morning but this time their help was not needed. Walter Staller, who lives on the top floor of a building at the corner of East Columbia and Parkway, gave the cause for excitement last Saturday when he had a narrow escape from death. He and a nephew, Glen Reichert, were placing a television antenna on the roof of the building and had it laying down extended over the edge of the roof when it touched a live wire. Mr. Staller was unable to let go of the antenna for several minutes and when he did he fell off the edge of the roof and landed on a small ledge extending around the building. Mr. Reichert and Mr. Fenstermacher pulled him in through a second story window. In the excitement someone turned in a fire alarm and the Rainbow Hose Company responded. |
| The Call of November 28, 1952 HEAVILY LOADED COAL TRUCK ENDS JOURNEY ON PORCH Attempting to avoid crashing into an automobile, the driver of a large tractor trailer loaded with coal mounted the pavement, demolished a concrete wall and crashed into the porch at the home of Councilman Ralph E. Hartenstine at the corner of Center and Garfield Avenues. The accident occurred shortly before three o'clock Saturday morning. Miraculously no one was injured. Donald F. Adams of Pottsville, driver of the new Mack diesel tractor and trailer, and Gerald Haas, driver of the automobile, escaped injury. Mr. and Mrs. Hartenstine were sleeping in a front room about fifteen feet from where the truck finally halted. Mr. and Mrs. James Firth, occupants of a second floor apartment in the building, arrived home only a few minutes before the accident happened. A brother brought them home in his car, letting them out on Garfield Avenue and then pulled away from the intersection only minutes before the crash. Damage to the large tractor trailer is estimated at $7400. Damage to the Haas car, a 1950 Hudson, will be between $300 and $500. No estimate has been made of the damage to the Hartenstine property. According to the report made to police, Adams was driving to New Jersey with a full load of coal. Haas was driving the car in front of him and approaching the intersection pulled to the right before attempting to make the turn off Center Avenue onto Garfield Avenue. Adams, not anticipating the turn, swung to go around the car and when it swung in front of him, swerved to avoid hitting it broadside. The tractor struck the side of the car a glancing blow and ran up on the Hartenstine property, narrowly missing a utility pole on which was a large transformer. It smashed a three foot high wall of concrete about a foot thick and came to rest on the porch. One of Harvey B. Moyer's cranes was required to remove the huge tractor trailer. |
| The Call of May 29, 1953 TWO VIOLENT STORMS CAUSE DAMAGE, LIGHTNING STRIKES HOME AND BUSINESS PLACE Heavy thunderstorms late Friday night, early Saturday morning and Tuesday morning caused considerable damage in this area. Although the first storm was heaviest with the greatest amount of thunder and lightning, damage was limited to flooding of basements and washing out of gardens and streets. In the second violent storm Tuesday morning, lightning struck two places in town. Damage estimated at between $1500 and $2000 was caused at the Haven Hardware Company on Saint John Street when water backed up in the new sewer and came into the basement of the storeroom through floor drains. Grass seed, fertilizers and other garden supplies in addition to electrical and other supplies were ruined by the water. The place was flooded during both heavy rains. Other business places damaged by water in the basement through backing up sewers were the Crossley Jewelry Store and the Schuylkill Haven Trust Company. One home on Dock Street and another on Penn Street also reported water damage during the heavy rains. The home of Esther Frehafer on High Street was struck by lightning Tuesday morning. The bolt struck one of the high towers and knocked a large hole in the peaked roof and emerged through the weatherboards farther down the tower. Miss Frehafer was at work at the courthouse when the lightning struck about 10:00 a. m. and was summoned home by a neighbor, Mrs. Cora Zimmerman. There was no fire. Lightning at the Schuylkill Haven Provision Company during the same storm gave proprietor, William V. Young, and his employees a harrowing experience. The lightning followed wires into the building on Margaretta Street and knocked out a stove that was standing between tow of the employees, Miss Ethel Hill and Win Moyer. A large ball of green fire traveled through the building between Mr. Young and his son, Ronald, who were cutting meat. Another employee, Robert Yazujian, was in the large meat locker when the crash occurred followed by the ball of fire and the extinguishing of the electric lights. No fire occurred and damage was limited to the burned out stove and burned wires and switches in the building. The TV Cable Corporation suffered no direct damage to any of its main equipment but had to spend a day renewing AC switches and replacing fuses along the line of cable installation. Strong winds brought down the television antenna at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Allen A. Heller on Avenue B. The rain Tuesday boosted the total rainfall for the month to a reported 4.98 inches. Four inches is normal for the month. |
| The Call of July 1, 1954 CAR UPSETS; STAR HALFBACK INJURED Robert Drey, 17, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Drey Sr., Liberty Street, was injured Saturday at two in the morning when his car upset about a quarter mile south of Schuylkill haven on the Adamsdale Road at Miller's Pond. Drey, who was unconscious when removed to the Pottsville Hospital in the Schuylkill Haven community ambulance, suffered from a possible fractured skull, body bruises and lacerations. Xrays show that Bob's head injuries were not too serious and the star halfback of the 1953 Schuylkill Haven championship football team is expected to be discharged from the hospital this week. Damage is estimated at $350. |
| The Call of November 11, 1954 FOUR INJURED IN THREE CAR CRASH ON CENTER AVENUE Four persons were injured as the result of a three car collision on Center Avenue Sunday at 6:05 p. m. The accident occurred in a line of traffic about fifty feet south of the railroad underpass. A car driven by Edward Gannon of Philadelphia, coming from Pottsville to Schuylkill Haven struck the line of stopped traffic, smashing the car of Florence Gaffney of Landingville, into the rear of a car driven by Earl S. Rickard of Bartram Village, Philadelphia. Mrs. Nellie Rickard, a passenger in the Rickard vehicle, was taken to the Pottsville Hospital in the community ambulance. She suffered a concussion, contusions on the right side of the forehead and an injury to the right knee. Andrew Bonnonis of Connorton, a passenger in the Gannon vehicle, was taken to the Pottsville Hospital dispensary for treatment of head injuries. James Gaffney, 74, father of Florence Gaffney, was taken to his home in Landingville and later removed to the Good Samaritan Hospital. He suffered a back injury. Florence Gaffney suffered a leg injury but was not hospitalized. As a result of the collision gasoline and antifreeze were spilled on the highway. A fire started in the Gaffney vehicle but was extinguished by the rainbow Hose Company before it could spread. Damage was estimated at $600 to the Gannon car, $300 to the Gaffney vehicle and $250 to the Rickard vehicle. The cars were towed away by Harvey B. Moyer. As a result of the impact of the crash, the Gannon and Gaffney cars had to be towed away together. Chief of Police Frank Deibert and Officer Goetz investigated the accident. They were assisted by State Police Phil Melley and Mike Tourick. |
| The Call of February 10, 1955 SIX NARROWLY ESCAPE DEATH BY GAS FUMES Fumes from broken gas mains in two sections of town this week seeped into three homes and only timely discovery prevented possible tragedy. Fumes escaping from a broken gas main seeped into the Luckenbill and Otterbein residences on Dock Street Sunday morning. The occupants were made ill but timely discovery prevented any serious results. Victims were Mr. and Mrs. Guy Luckenbill, George and Benjamin Luckenbill of 412 Dock Street and Miss Grace Otterbein of 416 Dock Street. Guy Luckenbill and his father Benjamin, discovered the fumes seeping into the cellar and notified the gas company. A repair crew traced the leak and repaired it temporarily Sunday afternoon. The excavation was left open until Monday to allow the fume to completely evaporate. Shortly before five o'clock yesterday morning, Mrs. Mae Moore of 126 Columbia Street awoke to find her home filled with gas fumes. Although very ill, she awakened Mr. and Mrs. Howard Sampson who make their home with her. The borough authorities were notified and repairs were made. Mrs. Moore was taken to the home of her son, Eugene, on Washington Street. Mr. and Mrs. Sampson went to the home of the latter's sister, Mrs. Lester Ney on Berne Street. |
| The Call of June 16, 1955 RUNAWAY WHEEL HITS PARKED CAR ON LOT A used car parked on the Earl Stoyer lot on Columbia street fortunately was the only victim in a freak accident Wednesday morning shortly after nine o'clock. The left front wheel of a passing Pepsi Cola truck broke loose from the truck and traveled about fifty feet on the highway before striking the high curb at the parking lot. When it hit the curb, the wheel bounced about ten feet in the air and crashed into the windshield and corner post of a 1954 blue Plymouth sedan. It bounced from the car and rolled slowly across the street again. A motorist driving behind the truck and seeing the accident was able to bring her car to a stop as the tire rolled in front of it and came to rest against the curb. Damage to the parked car was estimated at $200. The truck slid across the street on the brake drum for a short distance before being brought to a halt. |
| The Call of July 14, 1955 LIGHTNING SLIGHTLY DAMAGES FOUR FAIRMOUNT HOMES, HITS TV CABLE TOWER, BURNS SET The almost rainless thunderstorm Sunday afternoon about one o'clock brought unusual damage through one powerful bolt of lightning. The bolt bounced around the Avenue E and Second Street area, causing slight damage to four homes, the TV cable and telephone service. At the home of Joseph Eubanks, the lightning in following the spouting entered the home on the point of the second floor where the downspout is attached to the house. It blackened a small area around the fastener on the outside and on the inside wall of the bedroom produced two burn marks and knocked pieces of plaster from the wall. Telephone service was knocked out. Next door at the Charles Deibert home, all the electrical fuses were blown. When the fuses were renewed, a short circuit in a fixture near a window set a curtain on fire. Mrs. Deibert, who was in the room at the time, quickly extinguished the fire. At the Knecht home next to Deibert's, bark was knocked off one of the large trees and a wire burned on the television set. To the rear of the three affected homes, the lightning entered the home of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Ossman and knocked out an electric clock in the kitchen. In the same freak storm, a bolt of lightning hit the tower of the Schuylkill Haven Trans-Video. It melted fuses and blew open the door to the fuse box. It burned out several power units along the transmission cable. Repairs were hampered because the telephone also was hit and put out of commission. Cable service was resumed in all parts of Schuylkill Haven except the Avenues in the Fairmount section by 3:30 p. m. It was found that the cable box on Second Street had been struck. Service was resumed in the area at 8:30 that evening. At the home of the Reverend Mal Kerr on South Berne Street at the foot of the Schuylkill Mountain, the lightning burned out the television set as well as the cable connection box. A heavier thundershower visited this area late Sunday night and rain fell heavily for a short time. The amount of rainfall gave only slight relief to parched fields and gardens. |
| The Call of February 23, 1956 RUNAWAY TRUCK HITS APARTMENT BUILDING A panel delivery truck driven by Ralph Fertig, 209 Parkway, and owned by Elmer Unger, 128 Columbia Street, ran away when its brakes failed to hold at 9:15 Saturday morning. Fertig had the truck parked at the corner of Margaretta and East Main Streets. He told Officer Lorin Honicker he had set the hand brake before leaving the vehicle to make a delivery. The runaway truck went down East Main Street to Dock Street, made a right turn and halted against the Dewald apartment building. Jamming of the vehicle between two trees saved the building from damage. The truck traveled more than 125 feet and crossed one of the main intersections before coming to a halt. Damage was estimated at about $125. |
| The Call of March 8, 1956 DRIVER CLAIMS DIDN'T KNOW CAR HIT CHILD What was thought to be a hit and run accident Friday night turned out to be a case where the driver involved claimed he did not know he was responsible for the accident. Little Betty Jean Bessa, two year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lambert Bessa of Norristown, was knocked down by a car on Main Street near High Street Friday about 9:15 p. m. She is said to have darted out into the street from the pavement in front of the home of her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Sol Reed, 119 East Main Street. She was knocked to the street and suffered brush burns of the face aggravated by the cinders that were on the street. She was taken to the office of Dr. Herman Zwerling and then to the Pottsville Hospital in the community ambulance driven by Ken Heiser. She was returned home the next day when examination revealed no severe injuries or broken bones. The driver of the car involved, Evan W. Arndt of Tamaqua RD, claims that he stopped his car beyond the scene of the accident after he heard someone scream. He walked back and saw the little girl lying in front of an automobile and assumed the car in back of him was involved. He became concerned when it was reported that it was a hit and run accident. When informed by police that it was his car involved, he explained the circumstances and went to Norristown to see the parents of the little girl. Officers Lorin Honicker and Clyde Manbeck investigated the accident. |
| The call of August 30, 1956 CYCLIST THROWN INTO PLATE GLASS WINDOW Thirty five stitches were required to close a long cut on the shoulder and arm of Kenneth Umbenhauer, fifteen, that resulted when he was thrown from his bicycle into the plate glass window at the F. S. Lewis store on East Main Street. The accident occurred last evening about 8:00 o'clock. Kenneth was riding down the pavement and applied the brakes at Lewis'. The brake locked and the youth was thrown from his bicycle into the window. The plate glass shattered and a sharp edge cut into his arm, shoulder and shoulder blade. He was taken to the home of Dr. John Shantz on Orchard Avenue who closed the wound with thirty five stitches. This morning Kenneth was taken to the Pottsville Hospital where x-rays are being taken to determine whether the shoulder is broken. Kenneth, son of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Umbenhauer of Broadway, is employed as a carrier by the Lewis agency. At the time of the accident, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis were not at the store. A sister of the accident victim, Mary Alice Umbenhauer, was working in the store as a clerk. |
| The Call of June 13, 1957 PIPE THROUGH BODY PINS ACCIDENT VICTIM IN CAR Robert Buery of Duncott narrowly escaped death early Sunday morning when the car in which he was riding crashed into the pipe railing on Saint John Street and a section of the pipe drove through the door of the car, penetrated his side and continued on through the back of his seat. He remained pinned in this position until Dr. Herman Zwerling was summoned and supervising the job of sawing off the pipe so that it could be removed from his body. The pipe entered his body on the left side of the abdomen, just inside the outer layer of skin. It barely missed the stomach and caused no serious damage to any internal organs. Had it been an inch farther to the right, it undoubtedly would have killed him. He was removed to the Pottsville Hospital in the Lion's community ambulance by Kenneth Heiser. The accident occurred at 1:55 a. m. Sunday when the car driven by Dale Pisher, twenty two, of Lancaster skidded out of control on the old trolley tracks and crashed into the guard rails on Saint John and Liberty Streets beyond the Williams Street intersection. Eugene Gibbes, 128 West Main Street, was also a passenger in the car but neither he nor the driver suffered any serious injury. Local police officers Clyde Manbeck and Larue Mengle investigated. |
| The Call of September 5, 1957 CAR CRASHES INTO HUMMEL DISPLAY ROOM Extensive damage to the new Hummel Buick show room amounting to approximately $3,000 resulted early Sunday morning at 1:30, when a McKeansburg motorist failed to make the curve on Center Avenue and crashed into the plate glass front. Arlin Kimmel, a McKeansburg soldier home on leave, suffered only slight bruises in the crash while causing his car to be badly damaged at the front end. The car struck a supporting pillar between one of the large plate glass display windows and the modern glass and aluminum entrance. Glass was showered all over and caused damage amounting to $1,200 to the three cars in the display room. Flying glass ruined the paint, shattered windshield and windows and damaged chrome strips and bumpers. The entire entrance was smashed, one large plate glass window shattered and the flooring badly damaged by the glass. A temporary plywood front was constructed at the garage on Monday. |