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Democratic Watchman July 15 1904, page 5
"On the first inst., Mr. C. T. Gerberich and his son Harry retired from the management and operation of the old Hale flouring mill in this place, to give way to the new purchasers Messrs. Gamble, Gheen & Spigelmyer who bought all of the original property about a year ago. Mr. Gerberich began his life as a miller fifty years ago under John and Jacob Wagner. After learning the trade he left Bellefonte, but on October 20th, 1864, returned to form a partnership with J. M. Wagner and G. W. Scholl, now of Houserville, the firm name being known as J. M. Wagner & Co. Upon the purchase of the property in 1874 by Dr. E. W. Hale and Wm. P. Duncan, the firm name was changed to Duncan, Hale & Co. and remained so until 1882, when Mr. Duncan retired and it became Gerberich, Hale & Co. The mill was operated under this name until 1882 when Mr. Hale's property was bought by F. W. Crider, then Mr. Gerberich and his son Harry became the sole lessees. As a business man Bellefonte has few more successful ones. By careful management, strict attention to duty, fair dealing and courteous treatment of all he has retired with a nice fortune and the good-will of everyone with whom he came in contact in his business. We could not wish more for his successors."
Democratic Watchman July 15 1904, page 8
"The rooms in the Garman house formerly occupied by the Centre Democrat, have been rented by county chair Taylor for use as Democratic head-quarters during the campaign."
Democratic Watchman July 15 1904, page 8
HOLD-UPS BECOMING FREQUENT
"It is not often that high-waymen or foot-pads attempt to ply their villainous profession in this vicinity, but during the past week two attempted hold-ups have been reported to the police.
Both of them occurred along the road leading past the base-ball grounds near "Collins Row,'' on the way to Coleville. A if Smith and John Rote were going home when they were told to stop by two large colored men. They didn't stop, however, and were given a good hot chase to William Fore's home where they stopped and told their story. While there John Kreps, a night fireman at the electric light works, came along on his way to work. He was advised to leave his valuables at Fore's and it was lucky he did so, because the smae two fellows evidently tried to hold him up. Being fore- warned he took a good lead and got away from them. The police were unable to locate anyone answering their description, as all parties claimed they were colored.
On Monday night Mr. Battus, who has been here from Pittsburg, was stopped by four men at what is known as Conroy's corner. He says the largest one in the quartet tore his collar and necktie off in the effort to subdue him and in the scuffle his watch chain was broken. He was able to pull a revolver he carried and shot at the big fellow who immediately yelled: "My God, you've killed me !" He had no sooner said this than the other three opened fire on Battus who fled."
Democratic Watchman July 15 1904, page 8
"At the last regular meeting of council it was decided to build the new wall along South Water Street and the preliminary work has been begun already. It is the intention to take some of the big curves out of the creek line and grade the Street up higher."
Democratic Watchman July 15 1904, page 8
"The design for the Curtin memorial and soldiers and sailors monument was accepted at a meeting of the commission on Wednesday morning and the work of construction will be begun next spring. The Van Amringe Granite Co., of Boston, has been awarded the contract. It is to cost $33,000."
Keystone Gazette July 15 1904, page 1
SOLDIERS' MONUMENT
It Will Be Erected Within the Nest Year
"At last we see evidence of the Soldiers' monument for Bellefonte which for ten years has been the subject of public consideration. The committee met and decided on the size and awarded the contract to the Van Amringe Granite Co. of Boston, Mass.
The contract price of the Soldiers' monument and the Curtin memorial is $33,000 and when the grading is done and the walks laid it will cost a little more. The ground was staked off in front of the Court house Wednesday morning by W. B. Van Amringe and A. W. Poore of Boston, Mass. Although it is staked off work on the foundation will not be commenced until next spring and the unveiling will take place next September a year. It will be a massive structure will take nearly a year to complete it.
The monument will be built out of barre granite and will be 54 ft long, 28 ft deep and 11 ft high. It will be oval shape and cross over the pavement leading from Allegheny street to the Court house about 25 ft from the foundation. The Soldiers' monument will have twenty panels containing bronze plates which will hold from three to four thousand names of the soldiers of Centre county, the regiment and Co. they were in, together with the battles they fought. On each side of the panels will he columns running the full height and above each panel there will be an opening so that it will not entirely obstruct the Court house. There will not be a pretty arch but the space for the walk will be open clean up. In front of the Soldiers' monument will stand the Curtin statue which will be 18 ft high. The statue of the War Governor will be mounted a pedestal of the same kind of granite as that of the Soldiers' monument. On the pedestal will be given the history of ex-Gov. Curtin which is very interesting. Taking it as a whole it will make a very creditable appearance."
Keystone Gazette July 15 1904, page 8
"The only man still in business in Bellefonte who started here over fifty years ago is Frank P. Green, the Bush House druggist. When C. T. Gerberich, the miller, retired on the first of July it left Mr. Green the only man to claim this distinction. In that time over 100,000 prescriptions were filled in the store, and most of the work was done by Mr. Green himself. He is still a well preserved men and stands ready to fill as many more as can be brought to him. He has been a good citizen and when it comes to compounding drugs he is a safe man to deal with."
Democratic Watchman July 22 1904, page 8
AN ENGINE PASSED CLEAN OVER HIM
"Little Joseph Heaton, five years old, is lying in a state of coma at his home in Verona as a result of an accident he met with Tuesday afternoon.
He had been out on the green with his uncle watching some cows, until he and another little boy wandered down onto the Nittany Valley rail-road track to play. They were in a cut just below Verona, where the steep grade down into the Nittany furnace yards begins. All unsuspecting of danger because there had been no trains over the road since the furnace was banked several weeks ago, the little fellows were suddenly startled by the shrill whistle of a locomotive.
The furnace yard engine had been over to the C.R.R. of Pa. shops undergoing repairs and was being returned to the furnace under its own steam by engineer William Royer. When he discovered the children on the tracks he reversed and did every thing possible to stop his but so many weeds had grown up along the rails that bending over crushing under the wheels they made everything so slippy that neither brakes nor sand would hold. Swiftly the engine was bearing down on the two little boys when one of them scampered off the track and up the side of the embankment. The other one tried to run to the end of the cut ahead of the engine. He did not make it and was struck in the back and knocked flat on his face between the rails, the engine passed entirely over him.
Billy Royer was horrified at the thought of a little boy being run down, and has not recovered from the shock yet, but he couldn't stop his engine until it had slid clear to the bottom of the hill. Then he returned to the scene and the little fellow was carried into his home where it was found that his skull is probably fractured and he is suffering from concussion of the brain.
He is a son of Emerick Heaton, who is employed by George Thompson at Alto."
Democratic Watchman, July 22, 1904, page 8
The Historic Old Academy in Flames
For awhile on Tuesday morning it looked as if the historic old Bellefonte Academy, that has stood silent sentinel on the crest of lime ledge for more than one hundred years, and has been the seat of learning men of affairs scattered all over the globe, would be reduced to smoldering blackened ruins, but just when conditions seemed hopeless the work of the firemen became most effective and the building was saved before it was beyond the possibility of repair.
The fire was discovered shortly before 7 o'clock in the morning by persons who saw smoke curling out of the belfry tower. An alarm brought the department to the scene promptly but the first lines of hose were attached to the plug at the end of Bishop Street that is supplied, by a two inch main and the force was scarcely strong enough to throw a stream to a second story window. When an engine was added to it there was not enough water and by the time lines of hose were laid from plugs on Spring Street the fire had gained such headway as to require most desperate fighting.
All the flames were confined to the roof and the heavily timbered trusses supporting the third, or dormitory floor. When the building was remodeled, some years ago, every inch of space was utilized and there were so many angles and alcoves as to make the location of flames both perilous and uncertain work, so that a great deal of destruction was wrought by water as well as the pick-ax.
The entire third floor and roof are in ruins; entailing a loss on the building alone of not less than $8,000. The students rooms, only recently refurnished, carpeted and papered are completely wrecked, together with practically all of the bedding. The classrooms on the second and first floors are badly damaged by water and will have to be repapered, with new plastering for some of them. The primary department room, especially, had just been remodeled and put in beautiful condition for the fall term. It is in a sorry state of dilapidation now.
Rev. James P. Hughes was off on a driving trip in the country and headmaster James R. Hughes was in Williamsport on business when the fire occurred. Both of them arrived home by noon and it was really not a surprise to discover that neither one seemed discouraged, for they have such indomitable faith in the Academy and so much hope in themselves that they looked upon it as a blessing in disguise.
Mr. James Hughes said at one "The school will open at the usual time in the fall." And that means that such will be the case.
As to the origin of the fire. Monday evening it was noticed that during the severe electrical storm lightning seemed to play around the tower, lighting it up as though there were illuminants inside. As all the electric wiring for the building entered through the tower it is supposed that a short circuit occurred, setting the insulation afire and it smoldered away until morning before breaking out. In fact it must have been the wires for when Mrs. Hughes attempted to turn on the electric light in the residence Monday evening they could not get none and at once telephoned to the station, but a man could not be sent to see to the trouble. It is possible that had an investigation been made then there would have been no fire later.
The Trustees Meet
At 4 o'clock Tuesday afternoon the board of trustees met and considered the matter in a general way. It was the sense of all present that now that they have the opportunity a new third story of brick or stone should be added to the building, and the interior remodeled in the most modern fashion possible.
Accordingly a committee composed of F. W. Crider, Frank McCoy and Harry Keller was appointed to meet the insurance adjusters and consult with an architect at once about plans.
Keystone Gazette July 22 1904, page 1
A Good Investment
"The sewer about completed in the West ward is about the best thing the council has done for some time. It is just t he thing that has been needed there for a number of years. At first it was only intended to take the waste water from the bath rooms in the houses along that thoroughfare, but it has been so constructed that it will take all the surface water that comes down off Half Moon Hill, which before ran all over the street creating an expense every year. Besides that, many of the cellars in that vicinity filled up with water during a heavy rain. The sewer will relieve the taxpayers of this great nuisance. It is money well spent, not withstanding that the properly owners helped to foot the bill."
Keystone Gazette July 22 1904, page 1
The Pruner Will
"There is some rivalry among officials as to where the will of the late E. J. Pruner shall be filed. In Blair county they insist that is the proper place. In Centre county there is a disposition among heirs to have the will put on record here; at the last session of Tyron's boro council a resolution was adopted opposing the recording of the will in Centre county as Mr. Pruner was a citizen of that town. Thus far nothing definite has been done."
Keystone Gazette July 22 1904, page 1
The Hastings Monument
"Mrs. Hastings, wife of the late Ex-Governor D. H. Hastings, of Bellefonte, is having quite an elaborate and expensive monument erected in the Union cemetery to the memory of her deceased husband. Besides the monument there will be a mausoleum, and in it will he four vaults. The size of it will be twelve feet square. It will be built of granite and will be something new in Bellefonte in the line of markers for the dead."
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