The Mercury from Pottstown, Pennsylvania • Page 1

i -'7 1 7 5 3 A $35,000 BLAZE SWEEPS BARN NEAR COLLEGEVILLE Roofing Material Prolongs Fire William E. Koffell, of the Trappe Fire companj, trains a hose on still-blazing remains of a barn fire on the Grrmantowr. pike late last night. The barn, located on property owned by Wi 1 --ilercury Staff Photo by Eugene Orlando Thomas, CoIIegeville RD 1, was used as a warehouse for storing heating and roofing supplies. By ROBERT HOYEK (Xrrcury Staff Wntfr) Fire leveled a lightning- struck barn and destroyed healing and roofing supplies valued at 525.000 on College- viiie RD 1 property last Lightning struck the rear of the barn on the grounds of William Lord, Germantcwn pike, rA'o miles east of Evansburg, at 10:30 o'clock.

Flames lighted the a black skies for a ir.iie radiu of the barn esrly this morning. Prolonging the were lon of asphalt shingles and gallons of tar stored in the barn by -Thomas Lord, son of the barn owner, just 100 feet east of the ruined barn. A tiny Guernsey calf, just two neets old, died IB ihe roaring flames. The calf's mother a in pasture at the rear of the barn and v.as not injured. WILLIAM LORD, standing in his bare feet in the wet grass, shook his gray head and said, "1 tried to get the calf out of there, but it had such a good start I just couldn't make it His son who operates the Thomas Lord Heating and Roofing com- pany asserted, "I can't teli wha: the total loss will amoiin: to.

I have an bu'. I can't check now." Firemen estimated lo'al a a to the barn and supplies at 535, 000. Destroyed in slow-burning fire a 1944 I -j ton The Lord aid. "I had everthing in there. A-l i owned It had to be caused by couldn't ha-, been else." Chief George Keser of the Lower Providence Fire company, firs', fireman 10 throw v.

on the blaze, said. "1 savi and heard the thunder from porch about 10-30. The next thing I knew they called me oa the phone and said it was the Lord's p'ace go: here in about 10 minutes. The fire was by Evelyn Baumgartner, 13. niece of the roofing and boating contractor.

She IB a house on the property adjacent to the elder Lord. She was going to bed and, locking out the saw flames. She spread the alarm and families from three yards dashed out of their homes in the light rain. THOMAS LORD and his daughter called fire companies. Flames got their start in the rear of the 1W by 50-foot, stone and frame barn and spread to the south and front par's of the balding rapidly- Copper gutters, spouting, asbes- inijiition ard numerous kegs of damaged in the fire.

Fifty firemen Lower ol 1 i 11 e. Trappe and Graterford Rahjis fire companies battled flaises with eight pieces of equipment. Chiefs and G'jmar L. Rail bo. of Coiiegeville Trappe companies respec- oirecter operations for their companies.

When booster tank? v.ere emptied a was a from a swimming pool in the Lord's yard. TRAPPE firemen hauled water "rom the Superior Tube company to replenish the supply in the pool. Af 11:55 the fire flared up. and firemen hustled to keep flames under control. Twelve hundred feet of hose and four lines were employed by firemen.

The elder Lord said. just converted the barn into a warehouse for my son's business a coupie years ago." The younger Lord added, have insurance, but my company representative hasn't arrived yet. really can't say extensive 'he coverage is." A' 1 o'clock this morning fire- mea maintained a. vigil over the smoldering ruins which, fed by tar and asphalt, shingles, periodically leaped from the black rains. The fire visible for miles shortly after flames were Borough to Pay Bill For Towing Out Car The borough will cay the towing bill of a Wilson street motorist whose car bogged down in a water department, trench late yesterday afternoon.

When Phaon Bartlett," 218 Wilson street, near Lcgan street, came home from work early list night he parked near his home on Wilson street with the front wheels of his car over a freshly filled trench dug by the water department. Rain water from last night's two storms settled the fill in the trench and the car ripped in. Desk Sgt. Russel B. Hummel received a call from Bartlett.

He checked with Borough 5Lan- ager Horace B. Gulden to determine whether the borough -would foot the bill before calling Friedman Brothers two truck to the IRARD INVESTMENT LOANS Pottstowm's Oldest Loan Serrice Ztt HIGH ST. I 19 -V- HAXOVER ST. (2d Floor) Ph. (2d Floor) Fh.

i55i Pottstown VOL. 22. NO. 239 TH.SPHON-E 60CO ASSOCIATED PRES- CENTRAL PRE35 POTTSTOWN, FRIDAY Mercury IMKEN OIL HEAT CALL 73 SchuyikiU Valley Oil Co. Bcrfcs and Warfnut Its.

MORNING, JULY 3, 1953 TELEPHONE 6000 ASSOCIATED PRESS CENTRAL PRESS Je A COW ZSeAWEZK Cooling Off a CAUSES MISHAPS Flash Storms Smash Sizzling Heat Wave By NORM AND POIRIER (ATercury Staff Writer) Staff Photo These youngsters found that the Schnylkill river was the ideal place to beat the heat yesterday. Temperatures soared to 9.1 humidity--at more than percent at times--made the heat seem twice as bad. Two thunderstorms hit fast in the afternoon and sent the mercury tumbling, but the humidity remained high enough throughout the 5ay to let Pottstonians know they'd thro a muggy scorcher. she was being put on a stretcher the Bally Community ambulance which was sent to the mill. Two flash storms broke the The 39-year-old machine operator jback of a sizzling 1 heat wave a given dispensary treatment in i yesterday and jrave Poti.ton-; Pottstown hospital, then rested iians relief from one of the ther for sevetal hou before jmost uncomfortably mg id was first time days of the Summer.

she had affected each less than: by the heat in recent years. a half hour in duration, hit Most damage was caused not' after the a dj the heat but bv the two storms zoomed to 93 degrees and, a sent temperatures tumbling. an perce nT idit TMF' BOYERTOWN I 'lightning struck; a transformer near! i The high humidity mark ac-' the Boyertown Underwear Mill in counted for the fact that though a started a higher temperatures had been fire in psper rece ptacle in the corded in the borough during the a (See storv paJe 6 ipast month yesterdays heat was, sute PoUce reported receiving crippling and opgressive. ous calls abo.it trees having I Yesterday's heat one been struck by lightning and felled i woman in Ballv. 'h- That Hot Newslip May Bring Cash! If'that newstip is as hot as a firecracker, get rid of it--NOW! Not that you'll get burned if you keep it a secret, but you may miss a cash prize if you save it tili tomorrow.

So call it in to the Mercury-Pottstown 6000--today, right NOW. That front-page holiday feature in tomorrow's Mercury may there only because you provided the spark, as the most brilliant display of fireworks depends on someone to ignite it. The Mercury gives away $10 every week to the callers with the hottest--that is, prompt, accurate and interesting, newstips. So be the first to call us and you may be first in line for $2. S3.

or So nhen the prizes are handed out Just call 6000. It's as easy as that. SEEK TO AVERT TRAGEDY Lifeguard Offers Park Creek Duty A program to get lifeguards to protect youngsters who insist on swimming in the Manatawny in Memorial park on Fourth of July will be sponsored by the Red Cross, i This wai reported yesterday by (Ned, of the I safety services committee of the i Northern Branch, American Red Cross. He said Senior Hfesavers ire asked to Tolrateer a few of their time tomorrow. He said volanteers cma contact him or the Red office.

The plan is to have at least HOSPITAL PLANS Wafer Ban Expected CLUB INSTALLS HEARING FINISHl 0 1 NEW OFFICERS i Seen Ready by 28 i Despite Brief Storms I Yesterday's two brief keep Pottstov.n's a green but they weren't enough to 'solve the problem in the 'North End. Engineering specifications for Borough Manager Horace Gul- Memorial hospital's S120.000 addi-' den said that the a a i still most likelv go into effect eariv tion should be complelea by the noxt board of directors meeting July 28. This was reported yesterday by Charles R. Wylie. board chairman.

-who said that the next step after specifications are approved would fcbe submitting them to- contractors for bids. The hospital now has S89.PW in pledges and cash that was raised in a fond-raising drive that did not include any public appeal. May Heydt, Bario RD 1. passed out from the heat at noontime in Great American Knitting company's mill in Baily. Miss Heydt said that she was feeling dizzy as she returned to cleaning her knitting machine after lunch.

''I went over to one of the girls to tell her I was going home but I don't know whether I told her or not." She regained consciousness as I Pottstown i i i transformers in front of Spicer's on 'South Keim street, shutting off, wer in that plant and in Bethle-, hem steel company. Philadel-j hia Electric company service su-l erintendent said the power restored to Bethlehem's, where the (Continued on Fifteen) The a committee will hold a meeting Monday night to discuss the borough's water situation. i the ban. they'll discuss--with represen tatives of Brookside Coiintry club--the club's offer to trade a lot on thrir property for im- pro-iemeats to Adams street. The lot has been discussed "as a possible site for the erection of a 500.000 gallon ater tank, to be erected next vear.

that would keep "We should be getting a little the North End supplied with water. more in after construction actually gets underwa," Wyhe asserted. THE A chairman said "oriS-- probably would be completed early next he added. The addition, which will form the South wing of the i a will Pottstown Optimists Hold Ceremony at Brookside Country Club Picture on Page 18 Officers for the coming year were installed by the Pottstown Optimist club at ceremonies at the Brookside Country club last night. The installation was conducted District Lt Elsworth R.

J. Diven. York, and William Feld man. Ailentown. immediate past ernor.

The new officers are Brnce A. Lessig. president; Harold Eschbach, Stanley Jones and Sianley vice presidents: Rollin T- Brauch, secre- tarv, and Clyde Miller, treasurer. The new board of governors includes Brauch. Elwood Angstadt.

Lerov Kevser. Harrv Hunsberger Salvation Army Serves Prescription 'Cheer' to Valley Forge Hospital GIs The practice of medicine is not, exactly in the Salvation Army's! line. But each Monday evening' they dispense 2 form of therapy at Valley Forge Army hospital which works wonders on a i i ga on of coffee a as morale drinks: ice cream; cigarets- prescription is a fairly a cakc; fruit and g)fts for a weekly visit are al mixed 0 and war widows. They come 1 frow Pottstown. Philadelphia, a XorristowB, Chester and Lansdowne.

Of course. 2000 sandwiches; 80 le one to each of the 28 wards in the prescriptions too. The patients find rambling buildings i he -m di i very- easy to take' have eight rooms for patients, with himself from serious bath and other faculties. Quick Action Saves Driver From Serious Injury in Car Crash Bitten Battle With A easy war wounded: a few kind woras; an occasional bit of counselling THESE WEEKLY visits of the and plenty of smiles. SaNation Army to Valley Forge The "doctors" more than Army hospital began 1943.

1M women are from church shortly after the hospital was built. groups, women's clubs, and 0 one week has been missed some are Gold Star Mothers since then vrith the exception of the short period following World War II closed. Preparations for the trips begin riinC Mail RAVAf earl a Monday morning 25 rKill meet at Salvation Army S''x mail a in Philadelphia and Freak 3-Way Crash 6 Mail Boxes when the hospital was SPIEZIO I I MINUS LICENSE: Placed in Lockup To Await Hearing Frederick, A. Spiezio, 21-year-old motorist freed ot rwo charges by Pottstown police this past Feb- was committed to the bor- i lough lockup early this morning 'for operating his lemon vellow i convertible under suspension. Spiezio picked up by Patrol, man i i a A.

Mars and Motor Patrolman a shortly after midnight ai the home of his father Arthur Sizer 966 North Hills boulevard A hearing probably will be held tonight before Second Ward Justice of the Peace a C. KeIIe. Spiezio arrested i pasi Feb. 14 by Sgt. Thomas A Lawler a and Kins streets and charged u- disorder! conduct assauit and battery by automobile.

OX FEB. 24 Kelley dismissed the charges against SDICZJO The justice contended disorderly conduct had not been show in the cae. Angry police argued in the hearing room after the charges Here (Continued on Thrfr) ALBERT OUDHEUSDEN A quick thinking driver saved when two and a car nignt. W. Wunder.

56. Phila- 93 Mercury 72 Antics TEMPERATURE STRESS Local temperatures yesterday Myerstown RD. Lebanon count, and early this morning hurtling toward him. 1 WiaKier realiie4 fce was far Mt om UM pall hick and that be week) be hK im front if he stayed where he was. He tromped down on the accelerator.

The met, awl Winder's was xnishrd in injury last A nyg-jear-old youngster discovered for himself jesterday that animals are most dangerous de phia. intending to go east, was hen cornered pulling his car out from a driving Henrv -n of range parking area below Lake- Mr and jotxrt. Henry. Lin- side inn on Route 422 when he den apartn nts, was playing in the spotted a west-bound car driven vard a noon lth severa i by Joseph S. Oborholtzer, 20, of her i m.

m. fi a m. a a m. ft. a.

in i 12 2 3 75 73 p. p. p. rr. 72 7 p.

80 9 74 0 71 11 rr 7-1 12 p. 74 92 73 93 2 ii 73 II 1 in ,71 The ffroup spied i hot; aM started after k. They caraered aa4 ftarted eiwrt it with sticks the and nipped Tom- left hand. He was 'treated at Pottstown hospital for the sm.iil cut and dis- 1 charged, his big game hunting ipedition over for ihe day. street and Farmington a late yesterday afternoon.

There was heavy a a to the three vehicles. The escaped uninjured. Involved in the freak accident were Charles R. Janes, 234 Jefferson avenue, ing a track, Francin Foiey, 1178 nreet, driviajc; a tMpe, Richard B. Eitfle.

RD 1, a trvek. James tolrl a a Paretti hn traveling south on Farminglon and at the intersection touoe, traveling west on TIww) items are donated by the Architect for Joint School i School boards of Upper Hanover. East Greenville and Red Hill v-ill tonight to pick an architect, an addition to the Red Hill; school. I The building serve when completed as the joint elementary school for the three districts, a Once they reach the hospital spokesman said. ithe women move quietly and effi-j The meeting tonight will be held iciently to their wards--the same the Upper Prrkiomen High 1 women usually handle the same i loo a 30 o'clock.

The regu-i wards each week. a of a 5 Green- 1 i board will be held immrdi- MEANWHILE, there has been i before (he joint meeting, for jnoticeahle a a i reason it wji postponed By the tine everything i ready it 15 p. m. and time toad the twn Sal- xatioH Army that jpearhearf the weekly caravan. Theve are Mtowed by a 'Salvation Army aad private earn.

Violent Winds Tear Huge Meeting Tent Of Evangelist Team A huge tent which housed a traveling evangelistic mission throughout the Eastern US and Canada ruined in a storm near Kulpsville at 4'30 o'clock yesterday afi-, ernoon. The tent, i could shelter 6000 persons. ripped from iron posts to -tthicn it has been chained. No one in it al the time. It was flipped and torn so badly by a violent gust of wind which accompanied the storm that it a believed it could cot be repaired.

The tent was ouned by the Bruak brothers team. The brothers, George evangelist, and make their headquarters in Den high. Va. THIS the last week of a revival meeting a been conducting on Route 6T. near Kulpsviile.

Some 1000 persons came out to attend the 7:,10 o'clock meetings gathered for services in the Souderton Mer.no~;te church. The remaining ser- vices, which conclude OB Sun- day, will go on ai scheduled rt an open field near where the tent stood. i The tent was first used at meeting two years ago near Sou-' derton. Since then, it had been used at meetings in Ohio, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Canada. is two lifeguards on duty throughout day, to prevent the holiday (from being marred by a drowning jsuch as occurred there the past 'June 19.

i obtained approval of the plan from Dr. J. Elmer Friedberg, district Red Cross chairman; i.L Max Creswell, Pottstown Rec- 'reatin commission chairman, and i Carroll D. Bechtel, president of (Memorial Park association. One Pottstown man with life- training already has volun- He is Albert Oudheusden, North Warren street.

Although he. is busy moving this week, he ssid he would give up several hours tomorrow to safeguard youngsters in the park. The safety chairman emphasized that, in sponsoring efforts to protect swimmers there on the Fourth, the Red Cross was not encouraging i i (Continued on Paje FTvr) Two Overseas Veterans To Get 30-Day Furloughs Two Potts'own area men have arrived at Ft. Meade. from Camp Stoneman.

to start 30-day rotation furioaghs a service vsiiii the Far East command. They are Pfc. Charles D. HoHo- Jr, 17 West Fourth street, and Sgt. Joseph S.

Zachwieia Pottstown RD 3. At the end of their they will return to Ft. Meade for reassignment. THE. MAIN DRAG STARS EXPECTING HOLLYWOOD, July 2 and Tony CurUs announced tcxiay via her studio, MGM, a they expect (heir first child February.

CurUs is in Hawaii making picture. The couple, married in June, 1951. i REV. K. G.

SEALS a church schedule. KATHY WTXDELL --resting up after a vacation. DICK SMITH --scraping paint off a board. ALLEN YOHX --visiting a neighbor. RALPH BIEBER --getting ready for a.

loaf train ride. OSCAR YERGEY --working late. ART HEIMBACH --telling a fish story. MRS. LILLIE --sweeping htr FRANCIS YERGER --bouncing over a spol in a ploughed field.

MRS. BERYL LANDM.