The Mercury from Pottstown, Pennsylvania • Page 1

ED HILL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION VI Krd Hill Ravings Insured to 110,000 4 IvMl tu "nnum iwnM Pottstown VOL. 31, NO. 285 DIAL FA 3-3000 ASSOCIATED PRESS CENTRAL PRESS Mercury TRI COUNTY FUEL DEALERS, INC. MORNING. AUGUST 27, 1962 ASSOCIATED PRESS CENTRAL PRESS DIAL A POTTSTOWN, MONDAY Copyright, 1962, by Pottstown Daily News Publishing Company.

Rights of Republication of All Local are Expressly Reserved. Focal Point of Hunt 7c A COPY 42c A WEEK Does Ghost Roam Here? Believe in Ghosts? Weird Noises, Disturb Old Graveyard By PAUL F. LEVY (Mercury Staff Writer) Has the ghost of Capt. Washington Hood comp hack to haunt the people who have desecrated to the land purchased then agreed to go with hv (apt. father in Joan and her boyfriend that 1799.

'night. didn't believe it "It was pitch dark and we he said "We waited until it grave on Possom Hollow road were a little shaky," Wagner was dark, drove there and in Limerick township0 explained. "We even kepi the rd with the car lights out. Even the people who laugh atjwindows rolled up and the carl the idea of ghosts in the age of doors locked astronauts, however, admit that WHEN NOTHING happened however, for a few minutes, the young couple got braver They rolled the windows down three inches "About two minutes later we heard cowbells Wagner continued. "First they were saw." far away, then they were close.

One minute they were on onej JOAN, HER boyfriend and side, the next minute on the, her father sat tense other side something eerie on down there." For the past several nights strange phosphorescent tights have mysteriously flitted through the woods, clanking chains have rattled through the dark and sudden shots have shattered the midnight stillness. was deadly quiet for about eight minutes, then a light suddenly started glimmering out of nowhere. It had phosphorous quality no a light moving in and out of the trees. "It was like nothing I ever A monument, now chipped and weather-worn, guards the i family mausoleum built into the side of a The mausoleum was opened years ago and even the coffins torn apart. The bones, white against the cave's darknew.

were left to greet unwelcome visitors. few seconds later there were chains rattling, then a squeaky noise. Finally a dog started howling, the chains got louder and the cowbells seemed closer. 'We wait any long er. Jean Ayres, 16, and her boyfriend, Paul Wagner, 19, study the no trespassing signs and barbed wires strung around the monument to Capt.

Washington Hood and the now empty Hood family mausoleum. They visited the area In daylight Sun- Staff rhnto day after being frightened at night twice by Capt. Hood's ghost or at least sounds usually associated with ghosts. Other people report similar eerie happenings in the area. barbed wire Keeps us out," Wagner noted, It doesn't keep the ghost Area Educators Say Bible Reading Will Be Continued in Public Schools NOW the monument NEXT dav Jnan Capt Hood and a few strands of hfr fath victor Avres.

the barbed wire guard against tres- 5( He poo poohrd (or passers. intend to trespass," Paul Wagner. 19. of 1197 Riverside drive. North Coventry, explained after visiting the family graveyard with his friend, Joan Ayres, 16, of 1(M0 East Schuylkill road, Kenilworth, on Thursday night.

"We heard the ghost stories awl we wanted 'to see what was going on." Not that we believed Uiem. of Husband. Wife Both a few minutes later the hovering, fuzzy lights melted into the trees "Then, a few minutes later. Ayres, picking up the threads of the story, explained, "the cowbells started quiet and far away at first, then closer and closer and louder and was he continued, we managed to stay where we were for another few minutes. Then after the cowbells stopped (Contlnurd on Last CAR STRIKES MARQUEE, TWO ARE INJURED If Bible reading in public school place in schools." said Pottstown note that this is a positive state- classrooms is unconstitutional.

Superintendent Havard E. Fos- mcnt the freedom to worship area school administrators are God as we choose not taking it upon to say so. Bible reading and the salute to the American flag will be con- nocht. "I feel this situation (in court) has been blown up beyond proportion. Until we get explicit directions to the contrary, we will continue to read daily verses and recite The Lord's Prayer." FOSNOCHT said, "Reading the Bible develops in the child a con- Jsciousnass of reverence.

It makes aware of his religious heritage. Teaching the Bible as a 'course is not as good because the teacher beliefs would interfere. The intent of the law is to avoid this, as public schools are not to teach religious doctrine." Bible reading will continue in the Pottsgroves unless and until jit becomes illegal, said Super ing Principal Jacob E. Dailey less than 200 later we are, in effect, saying that it is part of this freedom not to worship God. Unless I am in error, the 'r course," he added.

Waiting until darkness fell, the two drove up the single lane dirt road that PLANE CLIPS POWER LINES ON LANDING Pilot Comes in Too Low at Farm Jeffersonville State Police entered the Limerick "ghost on Sunday night after several calls that "eerie thinss" were! happening on Possom Hollow The police also recejved a jured Sunday afternoon from Kenneth Kehler, the car careened off the road farmer on the property in I i Washington Hood Are Seriously Hurt Two people were seriously in- Staff rhntn This monument to Capt. Washington Hood is the focal point of the now going on in Limerick township. People who have stopped at night near the monument and the mausoleum it guards report strange lights and eerie sounds. Several people also reported shots were fired Thursday and Friday nights. Bolton Will Recommend Four-way Stop Sign Sixth ard Councilman 45 opposed, ter Bolton said Sunday he willj Quccn Mreet onc way in recommend a four way 41 opposed, sign at Queen and Mt.

Vernon! streets to improve traffic con' direction ditions in the East End. The vote is closer on which the traffic should slammed into the concrete Washington may alw) on Steel support for the nd in' "or 15 traffic and The car knocked off huge chunks monument lo Capt. Hood. He noted, the rights of the minority (those against Bible reading) are important, I feel we should not deprive the majority of HAVARD E. FOSNOCHT tinued in all area public schools each morning, and most also hold recitation of The Lord's Prayer.

Most administrators see nothing wTong with Bible reading as part of the daily devotional exercises that open the school day. "I certainly think it has a Pellets Riddle Bakery Windows Scattering Glass Eight windows of a Pottstown bakery were riddled with an air rifle late Saturday night or early Sunday morning, the owner, Adam Szafas, of 242 Price street, reported to Pottstown police One of the walls of the building, which is located in back of Szafas' home, was also riddled with holes that may have been made by 22 caliber bullets, Motor while," said Boyertown Jointure Patrolman William McCann said. Supervising Principal Dr. Leon Szafas said there was no ap- Farrin. "We try to give them parent cause for the shots, which scattered glass throughout the bakery.

vis- i Founding Fathers were very positive in guaranteeing the freedom to worship God, not negating that freedom." of concrete and wrapped itself a 12-inch steel girder, rapping Richard Hafer, 38. and his wife. Betty. 32, of Reading. It took passing motorists several minutes to wrench open the doors of the twisted A small airplane clipped and "ut- power lines near Schwenksviile They were rushed to Memor- Sundav evening, leaving five 'a bulanee and given emergency homes without electricity until 4 blood transfusions, late at night.

The plane, reportedly piloted a. JmMAV. Iby Robert Krupp. HnsPl4al authorities sa.d both uas not damaged and success- condition with fullv completed a landing in a 'n'urles fractured field on the farm of Elwood rlbs numerous deep nits. Laume.

Sunset road, between Schwenksviile and Limerick. TRAPPE POLICE Chief The plane came in too low Ham Sprouse, who spoke to for the landing and clipped wires Hafer in the hospital, said the on its descent, a bystander said, cause of the accident "is still a Homes without electricity big mystery." until the lines were repaired by sald h(, has men of the Metropolis Edison n0 whv th, car company were Ruth Meyers. urn, off thp road William Hu Walters. Benjamin artrfrrf. Meyers, Henry Landis and Laume.

all of Sunset road. "When we arrived there were three cars filled with teenagers." Trooper Fred Rehrig said. When we asked them what they were doing, they replied: 'Hunting for "And they were his partner, Trooper Clarence Benko added. troopers disavowed any belief in they looked the area over carefully before leaving. Councilman Bolton started a poll of East Fnd residents last week after Police Chief Harold F.

Hahn and Mayor John B. Ilartenstine Jr. suggested limiting Queen and South streets to one- wav traffic. l.V) in favor of eastbound traffic on South street and 109 in favor of westbound. Storm Center Stalls Along There was no sign of skid marks on the road and witnesses said Hafer was not speeding when the ar veered across the oncoming lane of traffic and into the marquee.

Don't Miss Second School Edition Mercury brings another bonus. The second Back to School supplement will be included with the regular edition of newspaper. Like the first, it will be packed with stories and pictures about area schools new teachers and old, buildings, curriculum, schedules, plans and programs. It comes at no extra charge. Don't miss it.

Man Picked Up For Firing Gun To dale, an overwhelming! the 3n0 number of the more than 701 of Dayton street, Phoenix- percent who have answered the ville, Friday night for the poll have agreed with the newjond time in two weeks, iraffic plan With 22 more re-1 Jnhnson plies received on Saturday, the 304 i)avton lnt0 for questioning after he -215 in firCfj a shot into the air as his wife and daughter returned to their home. A shot passed through a window Aug. 12 in the nearby home of Mr. and Mrs. Frank ski, 324 Dayton street.

The bullet came within six inches of Mrs. head. Police said there is apparently results now stand: South street one way Local Woman Dies at Age 90 Mrs. Elizabeth (St rough) Shanley, 90. widow of Harry Shanlcy, 24 Walnut street, died at her home Saturday at 55 no connection between the shoot- p.

m. She was ill for the past ings. six months. Born in Chester county, she was the daughter of the late! LFON H. FARRIN its rights and wishes because of the minority." Bible reading and prayer are things that are well worth Francis B.

Wood, principal of Twin Valley High school, believes Bible reading "belongs CfirfArft Ctitt in the He noted, VvOM Hafer was driving west on have always done it and thought! Warm and bright was the Route 422 when the accident it a good thing I don believe weekend offering occurred. His car shot across anyone ever suffered from it. 11to Pottstonians. the road, sideswiped a Nineteen Pottstown area per- And the rain scheduled for bounced off a light pole, and sons were named as jurors Sunday evening never got swung around another large sign among 200 selected for the two as a storm center stalled alongjbefore cracking into the theater week term of Berks county civil the eastern coast Court Selects 19 Area People for 2 Week Jury Duty the respect and dignity they should have. I do not see that putting them in the classroom is an infringement of religious freedom." THE WEATHER Mostly fair and warm today, after early morning fog orj NORTH COVENTRY Princi- cioudiness.

High in lower 80s pal Harold Wynne believes that Tomorrow partly cloudy and intreprcting the Constitution as uarm negative in meaning is in error. He said, country was founded, among other things, to guarantee to each individual a freedom of religion. Please Mercury Low 83 Antics 67 TEMPERATURE EXTREMES Local temperatures yesterday and early thiis morning were: Clouds were around at dawn Saturday but they soon cleared and most of the day brought bright sunlight, sending the mercury to a high of 80. marquee. "The car traveled about 600 feet after leaving the road," Sprouse noted.

Woman Hurt In Accident court, starting Oct. 8. They are: Charles Hafer, Yellow House; Hoffman, Birdsboro; Helen Myers. Birdsboro; Melvin R. Schurr, Douglassville RI) Francis Smale, Birdsboro HD Lena H.

Snyder, Boyertown. Frances M. Steele, (ireen Lane; Helen G. Wurtz, Douglass- Young Boy Stumbles In Yellowjackel Nest Wallace Lightcap, 7, suffered stings on his legs and arms Sunday when he stumbled into a yellowjacket while playing near his home at 316 North Evans street. The son of Mr.

and Mrs. Robert Lightcap, he was treated at Memorial hospital and released. ON THE MAIN DRAG fair condi- ville RD Edward P. Brumm, Sunday was clear throughout and the thermometer got to. A woman was in 4 jtion at Pottstown hospital early Barto RD James A.

hurch, this morning after being involv- Birdsboro; Jean E. lcmmer, ed in a "mysterious" accident Douglassville RD 2 Washington township MRS. ELIZABETH SHANLEY TODAY, TOO, will after some early be fair morning I cloudiness Look for a high louer 80s. Anna Austin. 51.

Tomorrow should be cloudy but continued warm. of Liberty, Y. was admitted to the hospital with possible fractures of The dear weekend weather the right knre rjght hip and was pical of much of the na- shoulder and a brain con- tion. the U. S.

W'eather bureau reported. cussion. .........714 p. 81 5 a m. .........715 pm.

81 fia m. fi p. m. .81 7 a m. ....67 7 m.

83 8 a m. ea 8 m. 80 0am .........70 ...79 1 m. 72 P- m. ...77 Ham 7411 12 .72 1 2 m.

.........80 2 a. 3 a. 8 Year Old Girl Suffers Deep Cut HAROLD M. WYNNE RieharJ early Deeds, Birdsboro RD 1 Frank Y. Dill, Gilbertsville RD 1: Robert M.

Eshbach, Bechtelsville RD Raymond A. Glass, Gibraltar; Melvin C. Schultz. Hereford; Thomas C. Seidel, Geigertown; Leanna Shane, Boyertown RD and Florence L.

Weller. Boyertown. am sure many got something very good out of it." Joy Kncpp, 8, of Glen Moore TT 4 decision on Bible reading RD 1, was treated at Pottstown prayer should be left up to hospital early Sunday afternoon each school board, said I pper for a deep cut on the left leg. Perkiomen Supervising Principal Her father, Harold Knepp, said she fell on a broken jar. She was released after treat- "Each community should have ment.

town decision." Proprietor of Pub Suffers Finger Cul Stanley Chaplin, owner of Coventry Pub on Route 100, was She was rushed to the hos pital by the Boyertown am- bulanee after the car she HOSPIldl DlICnflrQCS was a passenger in slam- med into several guard rails. Earl R. Strange Samuel and Annie (Fryer) Strough and lived in most of her life and made her home at 24 Walnut street since 1936. She was a member of Salem FI church and the PO of A. Survivors are two daughters, Viola, wife of Newton 507 Walnut street, and Mrs.

Helen Freese, with whom she resided; two sons, Harry Hoffman, 510 Walnut street, and Leon Hoffman, also of 24 Walnut 10 grandchildren, 19j and one great great grandchild. Funeral services will be Wed-i and nesdav at 2 m. from the Reidinc State police, how-; Justice of the I eace treated at Pottstown hospital1 ever, were unable to locate the school teacher Lari R. Strange, I Houck Funeral home, 112 Noith Saturday afternoon after cutting driver of the automobile or geti1161 Beech street, was dis Washington stieet, it i ie Floyd Boyer. "Conditions vary his left index finger hile sharpen- anv further details on the acci-1 charged Sunday from Pottstown; Rev.

John L. Smoker i pasUu with each area," he explained, ing a knife. dent. hospita! after undergoing Salem EUB church, of It took two stitchcs to close. Trooper Jack Bender was as- surgery.

He was admitted to the ficiating. Interment will be in the wound. to the case. ihospital Aug. 14.

Zion cenicteij'. JOANNE BI TER about the dust. JOHN I NDERCOFFLER the group early. LAMAR YOUNG a grand entrance. JOHN KA the "champion" a lesson at pool.

GEORGE WELLER purchasing a new and more powerful motor for his boat. ALMA WYNINGS lost on a dead end road. DAVID BORINER back from a vacation with a bad case of sunburn. JACK WOLF around a "Teddy bear." ANN FRY her floor and walls with ugh mustard. JOAN IHLBERT foolish questions over the telephone..