Ref: Town and Country Newspaper Pennsburg, Montgomery County, PA Saturday - July 30, 1904 LUTHERAN RALLY A Lutheran Rally under the auspices of the Lutheran Congregations along the North Penn will be held in Menlo Park, Perkasie, July 30th. A principal feature will be that the inmates of the Lutheran Orphans' Home and Asylum for the aged, at Germantown, will all be present at the expense of the congregations and will have share in a large part of the program which consists of recitations, songs, drills, etc. Addresses will also be made by Rev. Dr. J.A.W. HAAS, president of Muhlenberg College, on "Education;" by Rev. A.S. FICHTHORN, of Philadelphia, on "Foreign Missions;" and by Rev. Dr. G.C. BERKEMEIER, of Mt. Vernon, N.Y., on "Orphans' Home." Rev. FICHTHORN spent a year as missionary in India, and is well qualified to speak on the subject. Dr. BERKEMEIER is Superintendent of the Lutheran Orphans' Home at Mt. Vernon, N.Y. BLACKBOARD SHIELDS COOPERHEAD What Benjamin F. BECKER, a carpenter of Fogelsville, thought was the nest of a mouse, behind the old schoolhouse blackboard at Kuhnsville, was the hiding place of a copperhead snake. Mr. BECKER jokingly remarked to his fellow employee, Mr. KUDER, "Watch me bring out a nest full of young mice." To his utter astonishment a copperhead snake sprang out and made a frantic attempt to fasten its poisonous fangs into the frightened man's hand. The reptile was killed. The men are engaged in putting up a new schoolhouse at Kuhnsville and wanted to take down the blackboard in the old building when the snake tried to interfere. Mr. BECKER was so frightfully scared at the unexpected appearance of the snake that he was almost prostrated. ASSAILED BY CHICKEN THIEVES Jonathan SCHANZENBACH, son of Preston SCHANTZENBACH, residing near Seislove's Mill, between Emaus and Macungie, was held up by highwaymen between Macungie and the toll-gate on the turnpike leading to Shimersville. Young SCHANTZENBACH had taken a hired team back to Macungie and when returning to his home ran into a gang of men who were after chickens in that neighborhood. They chased the young boy back to Macungie, badly scared, after relieving him of his cash. He has no idea who his assailants were. EIGHT HURT IN COASTING ACCIDENT On the scenic railway at Chestnut Hill Park, on Sunday night, a car became blocked on top of a steep incline, and another coming on close behind ran into it. Other cars came rushing into the first two and men and women were thrown in all directions, some falling to the ground thirty feet below. Eight of the occupants of the cars were seriously injured and taken to the Germantown Hospital. Many of those in the crash were treated on the spot by nearby physicians and removed to their homes. EMULATING WESTERN BANDITS Three young men, of Phoenixville, banded themselves together to emulate the young Chicago bandits that were recently hanged. Of late the trio has been robbing cars, shops, stores, factories, etc. and hiding the plunder. Samuel F. MEICHNER, aged 22, was arrested on suspicion and confessed, implicating two others, one of whom is a member of the militia and is at Camp at Gettysburg this week. DEAD FROM PLAYING CIRCUS Joseph COOPER, aged 14, employed in a Reading Department store, accidentally hanged himself in a cloak room on Saturday. The boy when found, was lying on the floor with a twine around his neck. He had suspended himself to a clothes hook and the twine broke. Investigation shows that the boy met death while playing "circus," and that it was entirely accidental. ENDS LIFE AT 103 Mrs. Mary NIXON, of Bryn Mawr, died on Sunday at the age of 103. The aged woman was born on Christmas, 1800 and has always enjoyed good health until a few weeks ago. She is survived by 18 grand-children. MEETING OF THE WORKERS At the call of the chairman of the Standing Committee, Charles MCAVOY, more than one hundred of the prominent Democrats and party workers of the county assembled at the residence of the chairman on Thursday afternoon. An executive committee was organized and plans formulated for the purpose of carrying on a lively campaign. The chairman detailed some of his plans and all are assured, that if aggressively executed the county can be carried. The date, August 30, has been set for the holding of the County Convention. This meeting will be very largely attended and the candidates will be the choice of the party. Many candidates have this far announced themselves and from the list a ticket will be selected that will appeal to all voters regardless of party. The county ticket headed by the electors of the standard bearers, Parker and Davis, will consequently be one that every voter can support and there is every possible indication that the Democrats will carry the county. No slate has been arranged for the voters to support and the candidates who will be named will be the choice of the people. Among those who are most prominently mentioned for county officers are District Attorney John EVANS, Esq., of Pottstown; Sheriff J.M. LEWIN, of Royersford; County Treasurer, George N. MALSBERGER, of Pottstown; Coroner Dr. J.J. KANE, of Norristown, and Director of the Poor, Josiah FREAS, of Plymouth. There are numerous candidates mentioned for Legislative honors.