Ref: Town and Country Newspaper Pennsburg, Mongomery County, PA Saturday - October 15, 1904 MERTZTOWN THREATENED WITH ANOTHER BIG FIRE The large new barn on the farm of Uriah BIERY, at Mertztown, which is tenanted by William BUTZ, was entirely destroyed by fire late Thursday evening. The fire was discovered at 10.30 o'clock having started apparently on the upper barn floor. It gained rapid headway and almost baffled the rescuers of the cattle, all of which, with the horses, were saved. A stiff wind fanned the mad flames and carried showers of sparks up-town. The rainfall of Wednesday had dampened the roofs of structures, however, and through this alone the fire's spread was prevented. Scores of citizens formed a bucket brigade and with a good water supply from a tank at the home of Uriah BIERY, which is but a stone's throw away, saved a few small buildings, Mr. BIERY's residence and the Hotel Biery which is just across the street from the barn. The barn which is a large Swiss structure, with very large farm crops, the farm machinery, a number of wagons, the wagon shed and a number of smaller outbuildings were completely destroyed. LABORER KILLED ON THE RAILROAD Lewis MOYER, a laborer, of Kutztown, was struck by a train on the Kutztown branch of the Reading Railroad on Tuesday morning. His right arm was completely severed at the shoulder and his body otherwise mutilated. He was discovered lying in a ditch, and was still alive, but died at Lyons Station on his way to a Reading hospital. He was 35 years old and leaves a family. MARRIED FIVE WEEKS, MAN VANISHES After being married five weeks Wm. BURNS, of Norristown, his dissappeared, and his young wife is unable to account for his strange absence. BURNS was employed as a driver with the Montgomery Hose Company. A week ago BURNS told his wife that he intended to take a walk before breakfast. He left the house and never returned. PHILADELPHIA BOY LOSES LEG ON RAILS Joseph KELLEY, 12 years old, of Philadelphia, lost a leg at Norristown, on Wednesday, while stealing a ride on the Reading Railway. He fell under a freight train, and the left limb was crushed so badly that it had to be amputated. It is not likely the boy will recover. CHESTNUTS QUARTER CENTURY OLD George SPOERHEIMER, of Salisbury township, Lehigh County, has in his possession a pint of chestnuts which he gathered on Lehigh Mountains, near Emaus, 25 years ago. The nuts are in a good state of preservation, and are not as wrinkled as chestnuts usually become after a year or two. FOREMAN OF CIGAR FACTORY RESIGNS Henry ZEPPENFELT, foreman for several years in the Sultzberg, Oppenheimer cigar factory, at Pennsburg, on Tuesday, tendered his resignation, which went into effect the next day. A Mr. SCHROEDER, of Philadelphia, is his successor. TEAM WAS STOLEN AT TRAPPE A team belonging to Arthur G. ASH, of Trappe, was stolen on Sunday at Evansburg. The team had been standing along the roadway and when the owner returned it was missing. BREACH OF PROMISE CASE AGAINST MINISTER The case of Blanche Gertrude KECK vs. Rev. Edgar J. HEILMAN, a breach of promise suit, in which a capias in assumpsit was issued on July 11, 1903, just a year and three months ago, was called before Judge SWARTZ at Norristown on Tuesday. Miss KECK claims $10,000 damages, alleging that defendant promised to marry her in September, 1902. At that time he was a student at Muhlenberg College, Allentown, and since has entered the active work of the ministry. In his opening address to the jury, Mr. DANNEHOWER stated that the plaintiff is twenty-four years old, and a daughter of Newton KECK. She first met HEILMAN at a Sunday school in February 1898. The attachment gradually grew stronger and ripened to an engagement to marry, made on Christmas Day, 1898. For a period of four years defendant was a regular caller, two or three times a week. On his graduation from college, defendant won a gold medal of honor, which he presented to plaintiff. Later he gave her an engagement ring and forbade her to have other company. The wedding was to take place on Christmas Day, 1902, or in June 1903. On October 11, 1902, just two years ago, defendant wrote to plaintiff saying he would not marry her but gave no reasons. Counsel for defendant announced that he admits the engagement and acknowledges the breach of promise to marry. Defendant came to the conclusion that Miss KECK would not make a suitable minister's wife and asked her to release him. She responded by bringing this suit for damages. Plaintiff was represented by Wm. F. DANNEHOWER, and Arthur G. DEWALT, of Allentown, while Montgomery EVANS and John Faber MILLER appeared for defendant. Mr. HEILMAN is pastor of Grace Lutheran Church at Wyndmoor, in this county, and has the moral support of his congregation in his refusal to wed Miss KECK. The jury found in favor of Miss KECK, to the amount of $3,000. The defense moved for a new trial, argument on which will be heard in November. In the meantime Rev. Mr. HEILMAN was compelled to give bail. NEWSPAPER ENTERS UPON THIRTY-FIFTH VOLUME For thirty-four years the Lansdale Reporter has furnished its neighborhood with news and other matter for reflection and is now ushered in on its thirty-fifth volume. It is a model local journal and Editor WOODMANSEE deserves credit for the thoroughness with which the news field is covered. Judging from its advertising patronage there is a large measure of success coming Editor WOODMANSEE's way, for which we are glad and extend greetings. ERECTED BEAUTIFUL TOMBSTONES Oscar F. BERNDT, the dealer in tombstones of Pennsburg this week erected two beautiful Quincy granite tombstones on the Pennsburg Reformed church cemetery. The one was placed over the grave of John J. WALTER and the other is a double one and was placed over the graves of Mr. and Mrs. Jesse ROTHENBERGER. BIT INTO HORNETS IN AN APPLE A.A. HENNINGER residing near Dillingersville, bit into an apple which had as occupants two lively hornets and as a result he had to consult an Allentown physician for treatment. His tongue and mouth were so badly swollen that he could not talk. FELL FROM WAGON AND HAD WRIST BROKEN Frank RICKER, of Macungie fell from a load of stone and received a fracture of the left wrist. During the past summer he fell from a load of hay and suffered injuries of his spine, and had not yet fully recovered from the effects. RAISED MAMMOTH SWEET POTATOES Ida MOREY, of Pottstown, raised a large sweet potato that weighed two and one-quarter pounds, and Emily PRIEST, of the same town, raised one that weighs two and one-half pounds.