The Plain Speaker from Hazleton, Pennsylvania • Page 1

THEPIAIN PEAK ERo ONE CENT TWENTY-SECOND YEAR. QAZLETON, SATURDAY AFTERNOON, DECEMBER 26, 1903. REPUBLICANS APPEAR VALLBY STOCKHOLDERS APPEA ID PRESERVATION TO Management Says It Wants To Husband Surplus Till Next Year. Stockholders of the Lehigh Valley Railroad are inquiring why no dividend is forthcoming. Certain influential minority shareholders have asked off! cers of the company for specific in formation bearing on that point, but have received little satisfaction.

At the annual meeting, which will be held January 19, it is expected that direct questions will be asked and equally direct answers insisted upon. For the first time in several years Lehigh Valley stockholders have before them an annual report which shows a surplus, and a large one at that. During the fiscal year ended June 30 an accumulated deficit of $6,209,355 was wiped off, and in its stead the profit and loss accounts of the Lehigh Valley Railroad and Lehigh Valley coal companies, taken together, show a credit balance of $3,322,363. To the extent of $7,000,000 that great change resulted from a revaluation of the equipment and coal properties, the book value of each being increased by But what Lehigh Valley stockholders are concerned in more presently is the big net income applicable to dividends. That was $2,007,508 for the fiscal year ended June 30.

Adding $2,645,552, which was the total net income for the four succeeding months to October 31, and a fund of $4,663,060 results. In cluding November and Decemher earn ings, there will be approximately by the end of the year. An officer of the company, when asked about the probability of a dividend, said: "The policy of the Lehigh Valley management will be to husband the large surplus and to finance the company's needs out of the funds in hand. In other words, the purpose Is to bank on the accumulated net in come, now amounting to about and so avoid the necessity of sell ing bonds until financial conditions are more favorable." A special meeting of the board of directors of the Lehigh Valley will be called by President Thomas for some date prior to the annual meeting. It is contended that a two per cent dividend, which would take only about $800,000 might be paid at this time without endangering the continued wel fare of the company.

Razing a Breaker. Workmen have begun the task of tearing down the abandoned breaker of the Lehigh Valley Coal Co. at No. 3. Cut Out Morning Trip.

Owing to the fierce snow storm that prevailed this morning the Beaver Mea dow bus did not make a trip from this city until 1 o'clock. Some Will Work. All of the collieries with the excep tion of those of the Silver Brook Coal the Beaver Brook colliery of C. M. Dodson Co.

and the A. 9. Van Wlckle estate at Coleraine will remain Idle for the next ten days. Check of $50 For United Charities. Secretary Whltaker, of the United Charities, today received from Eckley B.

Coxe, Drlfton, a check through the Markle Banking ft Trust Co. for $50 as a Christmas donation. Rev. Larned's Sister Dead. Mrs.

Courtright of Orange, Franklin township, In the upper end of the county, sister of Rev. O. M. Larned, ot Jed do, Is dead. Rev.

Larned left today to attend the funeral, which took place this afternoon. Tht 8lck. Conrad J. Krapf, driver for the United States Express who has been ill for a week past, is on duty again. Truant Officer Hunslnger, who had been housed with illness for the past few days, Is around again.

Family Sorely Afflicted. The family of Robert Reese, son of Conductor George Reese, of this city, is sorely afflicted at Brad dock, Pa. Mrs. Reese Is critically 111 with typhoid pneumonia and three of the children are confined to the quarantine bos- pita suffering with smallpox. Mr.

Reese was formerly traveling fireman on this division of the Lehigh Valley Railroad. DE AND DIVIDEND TO New Schedule Provides For Advance if 4 Cents In maximum Rate. The carpenters of this city, it is said, have decided upon a new schedule which will raise the maximum wage rate from 28 to 32 cents iper hour. The schedule will soon be presented to the employers and if signed will go into effect on April 1. Aged Lady Injured.

'Mrs. William aleCoy, of No. 3 Hazleton, fell and fractured her hip. Mrs. McCoy is 87 years of age and is in a serious condition as a result of the mishap.

Flesh Torn From Foot. Lowell Tressler, son of Mrs. Mary Treesler, of Conyngham, met with a painful accident while assisting to thresh. Hfe foot caught in the machine, tearing the flesh away from heel to toe. Will Enter Soldier's Home.

After disposing of his household effects Aaron Kibler, of Fulton court, whose wife died recently, will enter one of the soldiers' homes to spend the remainder of his days. Debt Will Be Wiped Out The new trustees of St. Mary's Greek Catholic church held a meeting last night at which the remainder of the money for the payment of the churdh debt was subscribed for. A Family Re-union. There was a family re-union at the home of Jacob Schoebner on North Locuet street on Christmas Day.

The event was a memorable one. Mr. Schoehner has been married 37 years and came to America 52 years ago. True Aim Brought 34 Pound Bird. The 34 pound live turkey which was disposed of at a shooting match at the Saloon of William Pitten at BeaveT Meadow on Christmas Day, was won by David Phillips, of Coleraine.

There were eleven men in the contest, each man shooting at four pigeons. Phillips killed his four birds without any trouble. Sustained Fractured Arm. Thomas Carroll, who had charge ot the steam fitting work for Faith of Philadelphia, at the Jeanesville Iron Works, while stepping from a train at Rochester, N. fell and sustained a fracture of the left arm.

Mr. Carroll was returning from a visit to this city when he met with the accident. Granted Marriage Licenses. William Setwell and Catherine Min-nich and William S. Seiple and Effle Baltiet all of West Hazleton.have been granted marriage licenses.

H. Oscar Schwartz and Elizabeth Sweitzer, both of this city, were granted a marriage license today. Mr. Schwartz Ib the East Broad street tobacconist and a son of the late William Schwartz. James Dugan Dead.

James Dugan, a well known resident of Coleraine, died today after a week's illness with pneumonia. Deceased is survived by a wife and the following children: Charles, Nell, James, Joseph, Cormlck, William, Mary, Katie and Ellen. The funeral will take place on Tueeday morning at 9 o'clock. Interment in St. Mary's cemetery at Beaver Meadow will foe preceded toy a high mass of requiem in St Mary's church.

Meeting of National Board. There will be a meeting of the National (Executive Board of the United Mine Workers at Indianapolis Monday, January 4. P. O. Gallagher, of Free-land, the member from the Seventh District, will attend.

The objoct of the meeting Is to consider the coal strike in Colorado, where the miners have been out for some time. An effort will be made to secure conference with the officials of the Colorado Fuel ft Iron who own the mines where the strike was declared. Actors Hsvs Banquet After the curtain had been rung down on the latrt act of "For Her Children' Sake" at the Grand Opera House last night Manager E. H. Lester and the company of ten adults and two children repaired to the Palace Cafe, whore a banquet awaited them.

The banquet Is an annual Christmas event with Mr. Lester's company and last night's affair was not the least enjoyable of those that had preceded It Mr. Ivaufrhran, of tho Palace Cafe, had prepared a very palatable list of dishes. The trials of Christmas Day, which Is alwsys an occasion of double duty for the actor, were forgotten In the good cnenr that prevailed around the festive CARPENTERS AS increase 'S HEAD CUT OFF It 1. Accident Occurred Christmas Eve Snort Distance From Ashley Terminal.

Henry Courtright an aged resident of Wilkes-Barre, was killed on the Wilkes-Barre Hazleton Railway near Ashley on Christmas Eve, but whether he was first shocked to death by the third rail or struck by a car could not be ascertained. His body was badly mangled and burned. The car, which was in charge of Conductor Wagner, of this city, almost severed the man's head from the body, which was found lying along the tracks near the Sugar Notch reservoir about two miles from the Ashley terminal. As the mangled remains were being removed from under the wheels, the body came in contact with an electric current and the arms began to twitch as though life had returned. Mr.

Courtright was 69 years old and lived with his son at the county seat, where he was last seen at 4 o'clock on Thursday afternoon. It is supposed he wandered out to the woods, lost his way and climbed over the fence which guards the line. The body was removed this afternoon to the home of a daughter, Mrs. Edward Evans, at Wilkes-Barre, from which place the funeral will be held tomorrow. Meeting Place For Board.

It is probable that the meetings of th Conciliation Board in this city will be held in the hall In the Seager building adjoining th United Mine Workers' headquarters. Arrangements to that effect are being made. Able to Be About. George Chisnell, the veteran foot racer, is able to be about on crutches after being in the hospital for six weeks. He had his left leg fractured In two places while at work in Bernice, Sullivan county.

Banquetted His Employees. Manager Harry Richards, of the Adams Express tendered the employees of the local office a banquet after working hours on Christmas Eve in recognition of their efforts during the holiday rush. Many Christmas Trees Unsold. Many of the Christmas trees brought to Hazleton remained unsold, although the venders remained on Broad street until a late hour Christmas Eve. The trees that were not disposed of will be burned.

Similar conditions prevailed in many cities throughout the Lehigh Valley. Demand Fifty-four Miles. Passengers on the Pennsylvania Railroad are raising objections because the conductors on the trains between this city and Wilkes-Barre now reckon the distance from here to the latter point as 54 miles and abstract mileage to that amount from the books. Up to a short time ago the Penney reckoned the mileage between the two cities at only 50 miles. Theatrical News.

Mary Emerson was seen here this afternoon In the new play, "His Ma jesty and the Maid." This engagement is a notable one, presenting as It does both play and star new to our city. The supporting company Is a particularly strong one and Includes among others Max Aronson, J. J. Crowley, James Addison, Stuart R- Reebe, Wil-Hth Weston, T. P.

Donnelly, Charles D. Rice, Margaret Hatch and Susan Chis nell. The play was produced before a large house. It will be repeated tonight and a big audience should greet Miss Emerson and her well balanced supporting company. "The Village Postmaster," which ap peers here Monday night, seems to be a case of the revival of the fittest; while many rural dramas have come and gone, this play, one of the oldest of them all, goes on serenely and successfully and Is now playing to the largest business It has ever done.

The period of this famous play Is back In 1852 when Franklin Pierce was running for president and women wore modest cottage bonnets end shawls. Oddly enough the correct dressing for men and women of this period bad never been seen on New York stage till 'The Village Postmaster" was produced. "Over Nlagar Falls." a superb sensational scenic melodrama, which will be seen at the Grand Opera House on Tuesday evening, December 29, con tains some novel character, among them old Chief Starlight, a member of the Seneca tribe of Indians, and his daughter Bess. They show a side of the American aborlgne that has never before hcen depleted and are probably the toest Indian characterizations thst the stage has ever seen. Then- unique dressing, which Is historically correct, adds largely to the plnturesqueness of the various scenes.

A Were Arrainged Before Major Because They Transgressed Local Ordinances. Christmas brought gloom to the four prisoners who were arraigned before Mayor Reinhardt today, as their incarceration was due to the convivaltiee of the great festal day. The first offender) to be arraigned was an old man named Joseph Urich. He became so intoxicated yesterday that it required two policemen to carry him to the lockup. It took only one man to fine him, however, and the mayor did that to the tune of $5.50.

Urich is serving five days. "Pig Iron" Dougherty, of Harwood, received a gift of a bottle of whiskey from a friendly saloon keeper. Some one grabbed the bottle from Dougherty on South Wyoming street and dashed around the corner. "Pig Iron" followed the thief and on Broad street grabbed a man whom he thought had taken his gift. He belabored the fellow, who was entirely innocent, and the police put an end to the disturbance by arresting Dougherty.

The mayor (today fined him $3.50, which he could not pay. Paul Belinsky was one of eix.men arrested "by the police at Alter and Sixth streets last night for creating a disturbance. The prisoners all proved innocent except Belinsky, who was held for a hearing today. He was fined $5.50, which he paid. The last prisoner arraigned was Casper Shnndle, of South Pine street, who was charged with being drunk and disorderly.

Schundle, with his wife and two babes was on a Lehigh Traction Co. last night and got into a dis pute with a conductor over change. Schundle1 alleges he gave the conduc tor 25 cents and should have been returned 15 cents. The conductor claim ed the man gave him only 10 cents. When the car arrived in the center ot the city Schundle and his family went to the office of the railway company and created such a disturbance there that a large crowd of people gathered.

The police ordered the Schundles to go home and when they refused the hus band was arrested. His wife, with the two babes, followed him to the lockup and sitting on the steps outside the city building prepared to stay there all night. The police finally placed her and the children In a cell, where they remained until this morning. Schundle was given a hearing by the mayor today and fined $3.50, which he paid. Entertainment Tomorrow Night.

The Young Men's Hebrew Associa tion will hold an entertainment tomor row evening In the Levinton building on East Broad street. Car Jumped Track. A l.high Traction car jumped the track at Wyoming and Green streets last night and traffic was delayed for some time. Mother Now Critically III. Mrs.

William Grier, formerly of this city, who Is now located near Pitts burg, is critically 111. Her daughter, Mrs. Pancoe, died a short time ago. Will Attend Initiation. An exceptionally large delegation of the Hazleton Knights of Pythias will go to Beaver Meadow next Monday night to attend an Initiation at that place.

Buried at Beaver Meadow. The funeral of William, son of the late John arid Rose Martin, of Park View, who died Thursday, was hurled In 81 Mary's cemetery at Beaver Mea-dow this afternoon. Secured Work at Scranton. Henry Daniels, a reel fixer at the Duplan silk mill, has gone to Scranton, where he has secured employment. Mr.

Daniels came here from Elmlra, N. a year ago. Headquarters st 8cranton. The R. O.

Dun ft Co. Mercantile Agency, the greatest mercantile aeencv In America, has established district offices at 8cranton for their new dis trict In Northeastern Pennsylvania. The change was made this week, setting new boundaries to the district and making all the agencies In cities In this section of the state subsidiary to the office at Scranton. Former Jeanesvills Resident Dead. Mrs.

Johnson, a former resident of Jeanesville, Is dead at Scranton, aged 70 years. The deceased lived at Jeanesville for many years and about one year ago located In the Lacks wanna town. 5he Is the grandmother of Mrs. David Marshall, of Jeanesville, and mother of William Johnson, ot this city. The funeral will take place Sunday at Scranton.

0 BR GLOOMY CHRISTMAS iIEWHAT Surprising Scarcity Of Candidates For Ward Offices. Republicans of Hazleton are not ardent office seekers or else those who have political aspirations are planning to spring a coup on the City Committee tonight The time for the registration of can didates expires at 9 o'clock this evening. Not one candidate registered today. The only additional aspirant who came forward eince the last registrations printed in The Plain Speaker is C. A.

Smith, who is a candidate for re election as school controller from the Eighth Ward. Thu far there is but one mayoralty candidate in the field D. J. Houston, Fred L. Smith announced his candi dacy early in the week and sent out many letters to voters asking them to for support, hut he has not yet placed his name with that of the first regiatra tion for the office.

He Is expected to do so tonight. It looks now as though Messrs. Houston and Smith will be the only competitors for the place at die head of the ticket There has been a surprising apathy among citizens in regard to nomination for Councils and the school board and the minor ward offices. The City Committee, under the rules governing the Crawford county system, will be obliged to fill in the vacancies at its next meeting. New Outfit on Road.

James Yeager today placed a hand some new sled on the road. Piano as Gift Miss Carrie Ellis, of North Wyom ing street, received a handsome piano from her father, Harry Ellis, as a Christmas gift. Died at the Hospital. 'Michael Stuffan, who sustained a fractured skull at Fern Glen last week and who was admitted to the hospital, died at that institution last night. Condition of Accident Victim.

John O'Donnell, the West Hazleton young man who had a leg amputated at the State Hospital Thursday as the result of an accident at the Oakdale colliery of G. B. Markle Is get ting along nicely. Match a Tie. The shooting match between Alder man McHale and Thomas Pettlt on Christmas was declared a tie, each man killing the same number of birds.

They will have another match on New Year's Day, when each man will 6 hoot at twelve birds. After Alleged Bigamist A Plttson constable has been in this city for the past three days In search of John NKo, an Italian who Is wanted on a charge of bigamy. Nito Is In hiding, but the officer expects to capture him before he leaves. Nito's wife and children are In Pittston. He came here some time ego and, it Is alleged, married a young woman living on Diamond Addition.

No Trace of Elopers. every effort has been made to apprehend them, no clue of the present whereabout of John Canade and Jutla Capparele, who eloped ou Wednesday, has been found. The family ot the girl, who Is only 14 years of age. are much concerned over her disappearance. Constable De Angelo may go to New ork In the hope of locating her there.

Cava 8ervant Girl a Scare. The servant girl employed at the home of Harry Gerhardt on East Green street got a bad scare on Christ mas Day when she saw a man trying to enter the window of the cellar where she had gone to get a bucket ot coal. The man fled when the girl gave a frightened scream. The servant girl summoned the police and Chief Ferry made an investigation. The Gerhardt cellar is the place where a tramp made his quarters at night for a month by gaining entrance through a vacant apartment adjoining, and It Is believed that this it the fellow who tried to get In yesterday.

Pleased With New Cart. Tne Pioneer firemen are greatly pleased with the new hose cart that has been added to the equipment ot tho department. The cart Is a handsome and substantial vehicle. On the front of the foot board Is a brass plate on which are engraved the names of the chairmen of both branches of Councils andpe members of the Fire Committee, painting of a pioneer Is an appropriate decoration on the side panels of the cast The vehicle le equipped wlJh a rotary grmg. 1 APATHETIC What Sportsmen And Farmers Can Do To Keep Birds Alive During Winter.

The hunting season having closed, the Hazleton Game Fish Protective Association appeals to all sportsmen to assist in the preservation of the game that remains in the woods. The fol lowing appeal was issued by A. J. Feeley on behalf of the association to day: "There is no sport to equal the fol lowing of a well broken pair of setters or pointers on the scent of grouse, quail or woodcock or listening to the music of a few good hounds chasing the bunnies. In order to enjoy this great pastime we must do away with the enemies of game the fox, catamount, weasel, mink and skunk.

They hunt 365 nights a year and cause greater ravages among our game than all the hunters combined. "Let every true sportsman buy a small bottle of strychnine its cost te a trifle and if he will insert in a piece of old meat or the carcass of any dead domestic animal just as much ox the poison as will go on the small blade of a pen knife, and place the 'body In the woods, he will assist most mater ially In preserving our game and making It plentiful next year. The killing off of the predatory beasts ot the forest will also protect the farmer's poultry. "We should pay farmers something to feed quail and other wild birds, whose haunts they know, eo as to keep them alive until the snow leaves the ground and they can get subsistence themselves. Shocks of wheat or buck wheat placed where the quail can easily get it will save the lives af many of these birds." At the next meeting of the local game association an effort will be made to raise money for the purchase of quail for stocking purposes in the sur rounding forests.

They can be secur ed at $6 a dozen. Rabbits may also be Imported next spring providing funds are available. Wedded at Pittston. Miss Levina Heale, of Pittston, a sister of Mrs. Abner Smith, of West Hazleton, was married In Pittston to W.

Wilson, of that place. Both are well known to many Hazktonians. Pastor and Wife Remembered. The members of Salem's Evangelical church presented their pastor. Rev.

James E. Beam, with a valuable black overcoat, a silk muffler and a purse, and Mrs. Beam with a quilt containing 648 patches and over 600 names. Carnegie to Give Another Organ. The trustees of the Methodist Epis copal church of Tamaqua have received a communication from Andrew Carnegie In which he offers to contribute toward the payment of a pipe organ.

Badges For Firemen, At the last session of the State Fire men's Association at AUentown an official badge to be worn by the members of the association was adopted. The first Installment of the badges has been Issued. The badge is of solid gold about the size of a quarter of a dollar. Surmounting the upper rim Is a miniature fireman's hat On a semi-circle of purple enamel Is the word "Member," while in the centre of a white enamel keystone are the letters A. S.

meaning the Firemen's Association State of Pennsylvania, the title unler which the as sociation la chartered. Each fireman In the state who is a member in good standing of any fire company In good standing in the State Association, is entitled to wear one of these badges. Early Delegate Conventions. Next year being a presidential year the politicians of Luzerne county will begin to play their game a little earlier than UBual. The fact that the national convention will be held In Juns and the stateconventlon the month pre-cedlg will make It necessary to hold the conventions in the legislative districts for the election of delegates to the state convention the latter part of Atfril or the beginning of May.

This will start tho political ball rolling earlier than In several years and the result will be a whole spring and sum-mre of political maneuvering. Very little Interest will be taken In tbs state convention, there being no places to be filled that will cause a contest. As a rule, Luzerne Republicans are not favorable to eany conventions, the burden on the candidates being too great. The probabilities are, therefore, that separate conventions will be held for the election of state delegates, April being deemed too early to nominate legislative candidates. The dates of the state and national conventions do not affect the county Drill Corps Fair.

The fair of the Knights of Father Matthew Drill Corps was opened In Hazle Hall Christmas afternoon. It will continue until and Including New Year's night The fair Is for the benefit of the new C. T. A. U.

Regiment, recently organized. A first class vaudeville entertainment will be given at the fair every evening. The door prize last night was a silver watch. Nlcket No. 458 won the prize.

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