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Democratic Watchman, March 7, 1924, page 8
COAL GAS EXPLOSION CAUSED COSTLY FIRE
Decker Bros. Garage, on Water Street, Badly Damaged and Ten Cars Burned
"An explosion of coal gas in the furnace in Decker Bros. garage, on south Water street, Bellefonte, last Saturday morning resulted in a fire which badly damaged the building, destroyed four new automobiles and practically ruined six used cars, causing a total loss estimated at from $20,000 to $25,000.
The fire occurred about 8:30 o'clock in the morning. Workmen in the garage were busy making repairs to a car when they were attracted by the noise of an explosion of coal gas in
the furnace, which not only blew open both feed and ash doors but sent a shower of live coals hurtling out onto the concrete floor. The floor, of course, was covered with oil drippings and the entire shop was filled with gasoline fumes. The men attempted to smother the live coals but it was only a few seconds until a good portion of the workshop was in flames and the men were compelled to make their escape from the building. So rapidly did the fire spread that Miss Louise McClure, who had charge of the office, was compelled to abandon the money she was counting for deposit in bank in order to effect her escape in safety. The books and some valuable papers were saved before the fire reached the office.
Both fire companies were quickly on the scene but only the Undine went into action. Their suction pipe was thrown into the creek and thus there was ample water for as many streams as they could handle. In less than a half hour they had the flames under control, confining them to the garage, but they were unable to save any of the cars in the building. These included four new Chevrolets two of which were booked for delivery that morning. A car belonging to Harry Wagner, of Milesburg, who had left it there less than two hours previous for some minor repairs; a coupe owned by a Miss Campbell, and four second hand cars. Of course the biggest loss is probably on the parts and repairs carried by the firm. The building was insured and a blanket policy covered the new cars, so that their insurance will total in the neighborhood of $8,000. After the fire Mr. Decker recovered $110 of the money Miss McClure was making up for deposit, which he estimates was the greater portion of what was in the cash register.
The heat from the fire melted the big cable containing fifty sets of wires of the Bell Telephone company of Pennsylvania, which connected up with State College, Centre Hall, and the east, and the result was the service to those places was disrupted until the cable was repaired, which was not until late Saturday night.
Temporary repairs will be made at the garage to do until the owners can complete their new garage on Spring street."
Democratic Watchman, March 14, 1924, page 8
Beautiful Home of John McCoy Destroyed by Fire
"The beautiful and commodious home of John McCoy, on west Curtin street, was destroyed by fire last Friday evening, only, the gaunt and ghost-like brick, walls standing as grim sentinels over the ruins. The origin of the fire has hot been determined. Going out into the yard shortly after seven o'clock Mr. McCoy, was astonished to discover the roof of the house to ne on fire. It was only a small blaze at the time and he ran into the house and sent a call to the telephone exchange to send in an alarm.
In some way the alarm become misunderstood, as both fire companies rushed to the court house, believing that building was the seat of the fire. This. naturally caused a delay of five or ten minutes and gave the fire a good start. When the firemen learned where the fire was they made a hurried trip to Curtin street and quickly, coupled up to the fire plugs there. But, unfortunately, the pipe line there is only four inches in size and the pressure and flow of water was insufficient to feed the pumpers, so that they were compelled to shift their base of operations to Linn street, which necessitated the laying of several thousand feet of hose lines, and by the time that was accomplish. ad the fire had burned down to the first floor.
Catching on the roof enabled the family, with the assistance of a Large force of volunteer workers, to remove most of their personal effects and furniture, but the house is completely ruined. All the woodwork was burned and the walls so badly bulged by the heat that they will have to be torn down and rebuilt. While the fire supposedly started from a spark on the roof Mr. McCoy is confident that it did not come from the chimneys of his house, as his furnace fire was banked and very little fire in the kitchen range. His house was insured for $10,000 and his furniture, etc., for $5,000, which will cover the greater portion of his loss."
Democratic Watchman, April 4, 1924, page 8
Ku Kluzers Burn Fiery Cross and Hold Meeting
"Pleasant Gap residents had another vision of a fiery cross burned by the Ku Klux Klan last Thursday night, at the foot of the mountain above that town. The burning demonstration was the only indication of the presence of the Klan in that vicinity.
On Monday evening of this week a meeting was held in the Odd Fellows hall, in the Crider stone building, Bellefonte, in an effort to recruit members of the Klan. Cards of invitation were sent out to many people in Bellefonte and in the neighborhood of sixty men attended the gathering. Klan organizers were present from other sections of the 8tate and explained the object of the organization. Later pledge cards were passed around but how many these were filled out could not be learned. There is every reason to believe, however, that quite a number of Bellefonte men."
Democratic Watchman, April 25, 1924
"John Adriana of Allegheny County and Charles Henry Wasser, of Mercer County, escaped from the Western Penitentiary at Rockview, about 9:30 o'clock on Saturday night, and instead of heading direct to the mountains hot-footed it into Bellefonte, stole two raincoats from Oscar Zimmerman's garage and walking in South Water Street discovered a Ford Car standing in Front of Decker Bros. Garage. With apparent unconcern they climbed into the machine, started it and disappeared. On Sunday morning the car was found over near Reedsville where it had been abandoned because the gas supply gave out. Adriana was serving a two and a half to five years' sentence and Wasser a three to six years' term. The men escaped by cutting the wires of the stockade."
Democratic Watchman, May 9, 1924, page 8
Thirty Purchasers Have Bought 17 Lots on Halfmoon Terrace.
Haupt and Brown's real estate offering on Halfmoon Terrace, last Saturday, resulted in the sale of twenty-one lots, and quite a number of the purchaser, have indicated their intention to build houses thereon in the near future.
Halfmoon Terrace, heretofore known as "Halfmoon Hill," was purchased from the late Thomas A. Shoemaker by G. Edward Haupt and T. Clayton Brown some years ago with an eye to the fact that some day it would make a very desirable spot for an addition to Bellefonte. A good portion of the Terrace is within the borough limits and it is the only really desirable ground open for building purposes. No particular effort was made upon the part of. the owners to sell lots until within the past year. Just about a year ago several people purchased lots and built homes and when it became evident that there was a demand for home sites Haupt and Brown had the hill surveyed and plotted with streets and alleys. The result developed the fact that they had in the neighborhood of two hundred and ftfty most desirable lots for sale, all of good size and admirably located.
Quite a number of people purchased lots at private sale so that up to this time just fifty-seven lots have been sold to thirty purchasers, which includes Saturday's sale. The purchasers so far and the street on which their lot or lots are located are as follows:
On west Lamb street:
L. Frank Mayes 4 lots;
E. R. Armstrong 4,
John Hess 1,
C W. Korman 1,
and Lyons & Witmer 8.
On Brown Avenue:
Alice Dawson 1.
On Railroad street:
Lloyd Stover 1,
John Plozner 8.
On Haupt Avenue:
Dr. M. A. Kirk 2,
Earl C. Musser 2,
E. R. Armstrong 1,
Fred Walker 1,
Samuel Irvin 1,
and Wil11am Sheeter 1
On Shoemaker Avenue:
Jacob T. Barlett 2,
Franklin Kern 1,
and J. D. Seibert 1.
On Halfmoon street::
Mrs. Clara Toner 1,
George Smith 1,
Steve Knopik 2,
Joe Kane 1,
Catherine Kane 1,
George Cunningham 1,
William Cunningham 2,
Ambrose Smead 1,
George Sager 2,
Elmer Sager 1,
John Lucas 1,
Joe Novosil 2,
Frank Torsell 10
and Mr. Boscanio 1
Democratic Watchman, August 15, 1924, page 8
AUTO THIEVES BUSY IN TOWN
Daring Attempts to Steal Cars on Monday Night Failed, but One Taken Tuesday Night.
"Some unknown person or persons made at least four daring and unsuccessful attempts to steal Bellefonte automobiles on Monday night. The cars of W. D. Zerby Esq., and Col. James G. Taylor were removed from in front of their respective homes but whoever took them were evidently unable to get them started for both cars were abandoned at the Lutheran church. The car of Hugh Wagner, the High street confectioner, was taken from the rear of his home on Thomas street and found down near Frank M. Mayer's mill. The car of James Furst Esq., was removed from in front of his home on west Linn street and found in front of Frank Sasserman's home on north Water street, and the person who took it and was compelled to abandon it because he could not get the motor started took a bicycle be-. longing to one of Mr. Sasserman's younger daughters. No trace of it has been found.
Bellefonte police are of the opinion that the attempts to steal the cars were made by one or more of the prisoners who escaped from the Rockvlew penitentiary on Sunday night, but this In mere speculation. It is hardly possible that any one of that gang would loitering in or around Bellefonte for a penbd of thirty-six hours. It is more likely that the attempts were made by somebody who was anxious to take a car ride, regardless of the consequences.
About half-past four o'clock on Tuesday morning Frank P. Hoag, manager of the Western Maryland Dairy, was awakened by a noise on the street In front of his home on north Thomas street and hurrying down stairs went out on the front porch to see what was wrong. As he did so a man jumped from his car and ran north on Thomas street.
While from appearance Mr. Hong was not able to identify the man as one of the escaped prisoners from the Rockview penitentiary, he yet feels certain that such was the case because, he argues, no Bellefonte man would attempt to steal a car at that hour in the morning. And the only reason he didn't get his was because it was locked and he couldn't start it.
Such was not the case, however, with Frank Crawford's car, as auto thieves got away with It on Tuesday night and at this writing no trace of the car has been discovered. With a tank full of gas when Mr. Crawford drove to his home on east Curtin street on Tuesday evening he left the car stand on the driveway in the rear of the house instead of running it into the garage. On Wednesday morning the car was gone without leaving a trace of its disappearance. Francis Crawford slept on the sleeping porch, which is in the rear of the house and not many feet from where the car was parked and yet he failed to hear the thief or thieves, evidence that they are experts at getting away with a car, especially when it is left out in the open, full of gas and the ignition key in place.
In addition to the above theft and attempts at stealing cars the owner of a private garage made the discovery on Wednesday that the lock on the garage door had been almost filed off, but whoever did the job was evidently frightened away before he could get inside.
Naturally car owners have cause to worry over this sudden outbreak, and Bellefonte authorities are taking steps to prevent, if possible, any further stealing. On Wednesday night, owing to the presence in town of so many automobilists, special policemen were put on to guard the cars, and so far as could be learned no attempts were made to steal anything."
Democratic Watchman, August 22, 1924, page 8
Ku Klux Klan Stage Public Initiation on Fair Grounds
The Ku Klux Klan staged a public initiation on the old fair grounds on Monday evening and while no public announcement had been made of the fact the grapevine telegraph or radiograph was evidently working satisfactorily as a large crowd of spectators, probably five or six hundred, were present to witness the demonstration. Th upper portion of the grounds were wired and electrically illuminated and members of the Klan not only directed the parking of automobiles but policed the grounds to see that there was no disorder and nothing stolen from machines.
It was close to ten o'clock when the explosion of two bombs announced the opening of the ceremonies and the reverberation was still sounding in the neighboring hills when a towering cross twenty feet in height burst into a glow of illumination with myriad of electric lights. Stepping in front of the
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