Ref: Town and Country Newspaper Pennsburg, Montgomery County, PA Saturday - June 3, 1905 APPLIED FIRE TO GET MONEY Three men entered the residence of James BLACKWOOD, of near Erie, on Tuesday morning, seized him and lashed him to a bed post with wire after which they applied burning brands to his feet to compel him to tell where his money was hidden. After divulging the secret hiding place of the money they kicked BLACKWOOD, one blow knocking out his teeth. The robbers secured about $700 and decamped, leaving their victim bound and gagged. BOMBS IN BONFIRE In stirring a bonfire on Memorial Day to make it burn brighter, there was a sudden explosion, followed by an eruption of small stones, earth and fire, seriously injuring Stanley HEISLER, the 11 year old son of Rev. T.F. HEISLER, of Allentown. It is thought that some stray bits of dynamite found their way into the rubbish and caused the explosion. SEMI-CENTENNIAL JUBILEE The Pennsylvania State College will this year, in connection with its annual commencement, celebrate its sem-centennial jubilee, from June 11 to 14. Commemorative addresses will be made on Monday, June 12. The graduating exercises will take place on Wednesday, June 14. Hon. Wm. T. HARRIS, U.S. Commissioner of Education will make the commencement address. THIRD TRIAL OF LEAR IN JUNE United States District Attorney THOMPSON is preparing a schedule of cases which will be called for trial at the June term of the District Court in Philadelphia. The sessions open June 12, and will be presided over by Judges McPHERSON and HOLLAND. On the list is the case of Henry LEAR, who will be called for trial the third time charged with wrecking the Doylestown National Bank. ENTIRE FAMILY POISONED The family of Samuel KOCHER of Allentown was taken ill after partaking of supper on Friday evening. A physician was called in and said that the trouble was probably due to some canned eatables which were served at the meal. None of the family suffered seriously. ARRESTED FOR BREAKING SIGNALS James CROWLEY, of Conshohocken, was arrested on Tuesday for breaking signals on the Philadelphia and Reading railway. EX-OFFICIALS ARRESTED Newton P. WEST, Frank E. SHARPLESS and Joseph McALDON, who recently resigned as Poor Directors, of Delaware county and returned $1522 to the county, said to have been retained out of the county funds, were arrested on the charges of embezzlement, keeping fraudulent books and accounts while in office, and conspiracy to rob the taxpayers. Each of the three men entered $1500 bail for court. ROBBER ROBBED Michael ANDERDON a 14-year-old Slavic boy, of South Bethlehem, stole $86 from his mother and with five companions started out to have a good time. They stole a ride on a coal train to Mauch Chunk and then entered an empty freight car to get home. While on the way home, two men also illegal car riders entered the car and at the point of a revolver compelled him to give up the money. SLEEP ABRUPTLY ENDED Stanley SWOYE, aged forty-five, a peddler, went to sleep on the railroad track of the Kutztown branch of the Reading Railway, Saturday night, and was struck by a passenger train. He was hurled about forty feet, but strange to say, escaped with a few slight scratches. GRAITING CHESTNUTS George A. UPDEGROVE, of Shenkles, Chester County, has had over 1000 chestnut grafts placed on his trees in a piece of woodland. PANAMA CANAL EMPLOYES RETURN Because of unhealthy climate, William BUTLER has returned to Royersford, after a brief stay in Panama, where he worked as an engineer, and William WAGNER, another Royersford resident, is expected back on the next boat. READS WITHOUT GLASSES AT NINETY-THREE Joseph OTTEN, of Reading, aged 93 years has such keen eyesight that he can still read without glasses. One of his daily customs is to smoke the pipe before breakfast. DROWNED IN CANOEING Steward HAMMER, of Reading, aged 15 with three companions was taking a ride on the Schuylkill River on Decoration Day. The canoe capsized and young HAMMER who was unable to swim, was drowned. IN JAIL FOR SHOOTING FROGS ON SUNDAY Frank PEARL, of Reading, was fined $25 for shooting frogs on Sunday. In default he was sent to jail. ONE OF A FAMILY OF 33 Mrs. Polly, widow of Joseph ANDREWS, died at the home of her son, Harrison, at Little Gap, aged 86 years. She was the oldest of a family of 33 children and was born and reared in the neighborhood in which she died. BERRY WILL LAUNCH BOON IN LEHIGH The Democratic candidate for State Treasurer, Mayor W.H. BERRY, of Chester, will open his campaign with a speech at the Democratic County meeting of Lehigh, to be held at Laury's on Saturday June 10. LARGE BRICK CONTRACT A contract has been awarded to B.H. BOWER, of Kulpsville, to furnish the bricks for 25 new houses along the North Penn Railroad. It will require 850,000 bricks to fill the contract.