(May 27, 1896) A STRANGE ACCIDENT About one year ago Mrs. Eviline Means, widow of the late S.T. Means, who lives with her daughter, Mrs. Wm. Hickox, of Frostburg, had her leg broken by one of her grandchildren falling over it. She is afflicted with rheumatism, and is thus rendered almost helpless. On account of her age it required a long time for the fracture to unite. The peculiar part of it is that, last week, the same child fell over the other leg, and broke it also. ••• Excursion For K. of P. reunion at Clearfield this year, which by the way will be grander than ever before, the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg railroad company will run a grand special excursion train leaving Punxsutawney at 8:30 a.m., June 11th, 1896, stopping at all intermediate stations, arriving at Clearfield at 10:30 a.m. Returning train will leave Clearfield at 10:30 p.m. Fare for round trip will be $1.00. Tickets good only on day of sale. ••• A Fresh Joke A number of students went out one day to hunt rabbits. They took with them a youth who had never been hunting before, but who was a good scholar. They charged him that when he saw any rabbits he should keep quiet. Presently he saw a large number of them, when he exclaimed: “Ecce multi cuniculi!” (Behold many rabbits.) Whereupon the rabbits all scampered away. Upon being reproached by the others for not obeying instructions he replied: “Who the devil would have thought that those pesky rabbits understood Latin?” This story was often repeated by Sir Walter Raleigh at the expense of Sir Edward Coke. And the Lord Chief Justice used to remark of it then that it was like the origin of the common law, dating back so far that the “memory of man runneth not to the contrary.” ••• They are having a high old time over at the Indiana Normal. There is a feud between the Juniors and Seniors, and each side goes armed. Much feeling has developed, and the kids are going around with blood in their eyes and revolvers in their hip pockets. ••• (May 27, 1896) REVENGEFUL ROBINS They Persecute a Cat That Destroyed Their Nest
About two weeks ago a black and white spotted cat belonging to Harry Hastings robbed a robin’s nest. The parent birds witnessed the destruction of their home, and made a great ado about it, but the cat was abdurate, and proceeded quietly to feast upon the birdlings. But since that time that cat’s life has been a burden. She cannot show herself in the open air without being savagely attacked by half a dozen robins that seem to be watching for her. They chirp loudly, ruffle up their feathers, and fly at the cat with vicious fury. At first the cat attempted to defend herself, but her enemies were too active. They could give her a savage peck and be out of the way before she could spring or strike with her paw. Now she goes around like one who has nothing to live for. If she ventures out for a moment, and hears the savage chirp of a robbin, she will make a dive for her favorite hiding place under the barn. Other cats are not molested by the robins. But they seem to have made up their minds to have revenge on this one, and it is probable that she will never molest another robin’s nest. ••• We Need a High School We do not know how the school directors feel about the matter of establishing a high school in Punxsutawney, but trust there will be a unanimous vote in favor of the proposition. We are now turning out graduates 15 years old, just about the age a boy or girl begins to grasp the meaning of the word education. The advantage of giving our children a course of study that would occupy their time and cultivate their intellects for an additional three years after they have gone through the course now provided for, is too apparent to require any argument. As to cost, one genius that might result, who would otherwise be lost, would be worth more than the expense would amount to for a thousand years. Expense is not to be weighed against great men and women at all, Their price is above rubies. ••• There is a great factional contest going on at the Pittsburg convention between the straight Prohibitionists and those who favor a regular drag-net platform composed of everything that might catch a vote. ••• (June 3, 1896) LEG AMPUTATED John Wallace, a recent proprietor of the Palace restau-
rant, on Findley street had his left leg amputated above the knee at the Adrian hospital yesterday. Wallace left this town about two months ago and went to DuBois, where he was employed in a restaurant. He has been troubled for a long time with a sore foot, and the trouble growing worse, he was taken to the hospital a few days ago. Blood poisoning developed and the hospital physicians decided to amputate his leg as the only means of saving his life. The operation was accordingly performed, but owing to the condition of the patient, and the fact that he is about fifty years of age, his recovery is doubtful. ••• Frightened the Women Last Saturday night about 9 o’clock, an unknown man, who was perhaps under the influence of liquor, entered the house of Mrs. John T. Bell, and proceeded to walk through it. The woman were frightened and called for the police. Officer Palmer responded, but by that time the man had gotten away. He caught him, however, and took him before Burgess Mundorff, who fined him $12.50. ••• Got His Pension J.H. Rager, of Flora, was recently granted a pension of $6 per month. Mr. Rager served four years in the war, and saw hardships. He was thirteen months in Andersonville, Florence and Libby prisons, and was wounded in the head at Plymoth, North Carolina. He escaped from prison once, and was recaptured with blood hounds and taken back. Mr. Rager was a good soldier, and has many friends who will be glad to know that he has received a pension. ••• Fast Freight Service The Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg railroad has just inaugurated in connection with the Philadelphia & Reading, a fast freight service between New York and Philadelphia and this place. The run from the former city will be made in three days and that from the latter city in two days. Solid cars will be made up each day for this place at Wiley street, and all freight for Punxsutawney, Brockwayville, and other adjacent points will be distributed from DuBois after the arrival of the car which will come to this point unbroken. This service will be a great convenience to shippers to whom expedition counts. It is in line with the usual custom of the B. R. & P. to give its patrons
the best service possible. — DuBois Courier ••• (June 24, 1896) WE HAVE A HIGH SCHOOL Tax Rate Reduced and the Schools to be Improved Last night the school board held a regular meeting for the election of teachers for the coming term and for the transaction of other important business. Twelve teachers, including the principal, were elected as follows Prof. J. L. Allison, principal, salary, $95 per month E. H. McHenry, room 11, salary, $45 H. D. Condron, room 10, salary, $40 Hope Lewis, room 9, salary, $40 Mollie McDowell, room 8, salary, $40 Maud Adams, room 7, salary, $40 Olive Jenks, room 6, salary, $40 Wm. Streamer, room 5, salary, $40 Carrie Williams, room 4, salary, $40 May Rodgers, room 3, salary, $40 Laura Bruce, room 2, salary, $40 Mary Wilson, room 1, salary, $40 Scott Adams, janitor H. D. Condron, Hope Lewis, and Miss Mollie McDowell are new teachers in Punxsutawney. All the others taught in the schools here the past term. The most important business transacted was the unanimous decision of the board to establish a high school for the coming term, and it was decided to receive applications from teachers for the position at the next regular meeting to be held July 14, the salary to be $70 per month. The tax levy for 1896 will be 5 mills, 1 mill less than for 1895. The establishment of a high school and the reduction in school taxation, both at the same time, is two moves that will doubtless be heartily endorsed by every person. ••• A Fatal Mistake Last Friday night Mrs. P. E. Greisner of DuBois, gave her little daughter aged two years and five months, a dose of carbolic acid in mistake for cough medicine. It was sometime before the mistake was discovered, and medical aid summoned, but it was too late. The child died before midnight. The mother of the child is now crazed with grief, and was unconscious all the
8 - Way Back When, The Punxsutawney Spirit, November 2012
••• (May 13, 1896) PLENTY OF POTATOES A recent press dispatch from Bellfonte says: “Center county farmers have on their hands thousands of bushels of potatoes, which now are such a drug on the market that they cannot dispose of them at any price. They are offering them for 10 cents per bushel, but find sale slow. The acreage in this county last year was the largest ever known, and owing to the low price in the fall and winter many farmers held their crop for higher prices. The rise in the market did not come, and now they are suffering the loss of entire crops. Harrison Kline, living near here, has 500 bushels which he will give away to anyone who will go and get them, while others are feeding the tubers to their stock as the best means of getting them out of the way.” ••• (May 20, 1896) Circus Day This is circus day. John Robinson and Franklin Bros. combined circuses and menageries are here to-day in all their gorgeousness. It is a big show, and is conducted by gentlemen who are genial and accommodating. Boys who carry water for the elephant to obtain admission will not be turned coldly away with the crushing words, “I know you not,” but will be greeted with the comforting words, “Well done, good and faithful servant — enter in and see the monkeys.” ••• Fooling a Gypsy “I believe,” remarked Jimmy St. Clair in a matter of fact tone, “that I will slip up to the Gypsy camp with an old plug of a horse and cheat the eyes out of them in a swap. I have a horse that looks — good an excellent horse to foola gypsy.” He went and submitted his horse. A lank gypsy man gave the horse a searching look — a “penetrating glance,” as we say in romance. Then he told James more about his horse than he ever knew himself. Then Mr. St. Clair, said he didn’t care to trade, and came away. “Did you make a trade?” asked a friend when he returned. “No” he replied reflectively. “You see that fellow looks through your horse with the X rays, and a man who hasn’t the new light is at a disadvantage.” •••