|
Written by Compiled by Terry A. Fye
|
|
Monday, 16 March 2009 |
(Considering the widespread interest in genealogy and local history, The Punxsutawney Spirit is pleased to share with our readers vignettes of our area's past that reveal the ways life has changed over the past 114 years.
These reprinted reports with their original headlines and spelling from back issues of the local newspaper highlight events, personalities, attitudes, and lifestyles that made the news long ago. This series will appear on Mondays for your reflection and amusement.)
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE
(March 27, 1895)
A MOTHER'S TERRIBLE DEED
A Two-Year Old Child Thrown into a Well and Drowned
Mrs. John G. Core, of Marion Center, Indiana county, committed a horrible crime on Monday morning, which consisted in the deliberate drowning of a two-year-old child. For some time past Mrs. Core has exhibited signs of insanity, being very reticent and melancholy, but her friends thought she would be all right in the course of time and very little attention was given her.
No one thought for an instant that any of her children would suffer, and as a consequence they were left in her charge. But on the morning in question things reached a climax.
Deliberately picking up her two-year-old child she went out to the well, and in spite of the protests of an older child, threw it into the water.
After having accomplished this act she went to a neighbor's house to visit.
The husband was informed of what had occurred, and the body of the little one was recovered. A warrant was then issued for the arrest of the mother. After her arrest she made no effort to conceal her guilt, confessing to the crime. The mother is now occupying a cell in the Indiana county jail.
•••
Just Out Twelve Dollars
A stranger who gave his name as Joseph Bontz arrived in Plumville one day last week. Bontz claimed to live at Punxsutawney and told the good people out at Plumville that he came there to buy stock. He was financially stranded, however, and made an effort to borrow some money.
Mr. Albert Weamer, a merchant at that place, loaned him $12 and Bontz gave his horse as security. He then suddenly disappeared and on Saturday another stranger called on Mr. Weamer and claimed the horse as his property.
He went before the justice of the police and was qualified that Bontz had borrowed a horse and buggy from him and that the horse in the possession of Mr. Weamer was his property. Mr. Weamer was compelled to give up the horse and money and the swindler is $12 richer. — Indiana Progress.
•••
A DETERMINED BURGESS
Finding Poverty Didn't Work and the Cash Was Produced
Three fellows were arrested Saturday night for being drunk and disorderly and were locked in the "cooler." A friend paid the fine for one of the men and he was given his freedom Saturday night and the other two remained in the lock-up until Sunday morning and paid five dollars apiece for their freedom.
They claimed to have only three dollars apiece and wanted off for that but Burgess Lattimer refused to accept that amount and authorized the chief of police to lock them up again, and the street commissioner was to put them to work on Monday morning in levelling off the snow along the sides of the street.
When the chaps saw that the Burgess was in earnest and would not come down on the fine, they preferred to pay five dollars rather than work five days on the street. The fellows that are "shy" the amount to pay fines had better be very careful how they conduct themselves if they don't want to work on the streets for the borough, for the Burgess will enforce the ordinance compelling those to work who cannot or will not pay their fines.
If they refuse to work a chain and ball will be attached to them and they will be compelled to stand on the street ten hours of each day until the fine is paid at one dollar per day. — Reynoldsville Star.
•••
(April 3, 1895)
An old-fashioned "scrap" took place on Mahoning street last Saturday night in which there was some biting and promiscuous slugging. A large crowd, apparently eager to witness something exciting, and the scene recalled the old days when street rows and dog fights constituted the sole amusement of the inhabitants.
|
|
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 17 March 2009 )
|
