Ref: Town and Country Newspaper Pennsburg, Montgomery County, PA Saturday - October 10, 1903 THE DEATH LIST Jacob GAUGLER, of Pennsburg, who was under treatment in a Philadelphia hospital for some time, died on Wednesday of consumption, aged 24 years, 10 months and 25 days. His remains were brought to this borough, where the funeral will be held from the residence of James H. BOBB, on Monday at 10 o'clock a.m. He leaves a widow but no children. Services will be held at the St. Mark's Lutheran church, Pennsburg, where interment will be made on the church cemetery. Susan SCHREIBER, wife of Franklin SCHREIBER, of Bath, Northampton county, died on Thursday morning at 2 o'clock, of pneumonia. She was a daughter of Dr. and Mrs. I.B. YEAKEL, of Bally. She will be buried on Monday afternoon at 1.30 o'clock, in the Union cemetery at Allentown. Relatives and friends who read this article are requested to accept it as a funeral invitation. Mrs. Sallie SHETLER, wife of Lewis SHETLER, of Pottstown, died on Tuesday from heart trouble, aged 58 years. Mrs. SHETLER is well known in this vicinity for she was a teacher at Perkiomen Seminary about seventeen years ago. She is survived by her husband, one son, one brother Rev. C.S. WIEAND, of Pottstown, and two sisters, Mrs. Dr. I.B. YEAKEL, of Bally, and Mrs. Wilson KRAUSS, of East Greenville. John GEISINGER, of Alburtis, died on Sunday evening of ailments incident to old age. Deceased was 82 years old. He is survived by the following children: Adam GEISINGER, James GEISINGER and Mrs. Harry MECKLEY, of Alburtis, and Jonathan GEISINGER, of Hereford. The funeral took place on Thursday afternoon at one o'clock, with services and burial at Huff's church. Rev. FRANTZ officiated. Charles WASSER, died at his home, near Macungie, on Sunday from cancer, aged 70 years. He leaves his wife and four daughters, Mrs. Edward NEWMOYER and Mrs. Lucas WARMKESSEL, of Upper Milford; Mrs. Benjamin OSWALD, of Emaus, and Mrs. William DANKEL, of Alburtis. The funeral was held yesterday at 9 a.m., with services and burial at the Zionsville Reformed church. Rev. O.R. FRANTZ officiated. Mrs. Daniel SMITH, who resided with her daughter, Mrs. Reuben CRESSMAN, of Harleysville, for the past seven years, departed this life last Thursday, of old age and general debility, at the advanced age of 85 years, 5 months and 1 day. She leaves two daughters: Mrs. Reuben CRESSMAN, of Harleysville, and Mrs. Elizabeth SNYDER, of near Boyertown, Berks county. She also leaves one brother and two sisters: Henry KEER, and Mrs. Urias SMITH, of Perkiomenville, and Mrs. Henry COPE, of Woxall; also five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. The funeral was held on Tuesday at the Old Goshenhoppen church, near Salfordville. BURIED IN HER WEDDING DRESS Agnes STRACHAN, of Allentown, who died from burns received at the party given in honor of her approaching marriage, was buried on Tuesday. It was one of the largest funerals ever held in that city, over 1000 people being present. Her shroud was her wedding dress. HARLEYSVILLE COUPLE WEDDED George SOUDER and Miss Deborah WILE, both of Harleysville, were on Saturday united in marriage by Rev. J.L. BECKER, of Lansdale, at Christ church, Mainland. ON TRIAL FOR MURDER The trial of John D. CRESSMAN, of Schwenksville, this county, charged with the murder of Sydney DeSOLMS, of Norristown, in Phoenixville, about six months ago, began in the Chester county court at West Chester, Tuesday. The defendant was a barkeeper at a Phoenixville hotel and DeSOLMS partially intoxicated, entered the place. He was ordered out by CRESSMAN, when a scuffle ensued. It is alleged that CRESSMAN pounded DeSOLMS over the head with a weapon and continued to hit him after he was ejected from the hotel. A post-mortem examination showed that death was due to a fracture of the skull. CRESSMAN is a young man, 33 years of age, slender of built, rather dark complexion. The indictment was read to him by the Clerk of the Courts, and he answered in a clear tone, "Not guilty." "How will you be tried?" asked the Clerk. "By God and the country," was his answer. The selection of a jury was then proceeded with. The challengers were numerous by both the commonwealth and the defense, and the Sheriff was compelled to pick a man out of the audience to procure the twelfth juryman. The case, which is attracting a great deal of interest, is being tried before President Judge Joseph HEMPHILL. Clyde HOUSER, a Phoenixville insurance man, testified that he was in the hotel when CRESSMAN struck DeSOLMS. He was not close to the deceased but heard him say "You come out here and put me out." CRESSMAN got a club and came from behind the bar, saying, "Somebody open the door." The two men grappled, but CRESSMAN loosened his hold and struck DeSOLMS several times about the shoulders and arms. DeSOLMS was retreating backwards and CRESSMAN repeatedly struck him. They then disappeared into the hotel yard, CRESSMAN returning in a few minutes and going behind the bar. On cross-examination witness said that DeSOLMS had evidently been drinking. Henry MILLER, who was tending bar with CRESSMAN, when the affair occurred, testified that DeSOLMS told him on that afternoon that he was working with a knocker. When CRESSMAN entered the room DeSOLMS pointed at him and said "there is the -----." He also called him some vile names and threatened to break his face if he came from behind the bar. He saw CRESSMAN strike DeSOLMS on the wrist after which both went into the hotel yard. DeSOLMS returned some time later and asked for another drink saying that CRESSMAN had hit him on the wrist and that he believed that it was broken. He also said that he was going to see a doctor. Mrs. Kate McADAMS saw CRESSMAN strike DeSOLMS on the mouth while they were in the hotel yard. Mrs. Melinda COLEMAN also saw the fight in the yard. She testified that CRESSMAN had struck DeSOLMS six times after which he said, "Now will you get out?" DeSOLMS answered, "Yes, yes, I'll go." She said that DeSOLMS did not strike at CRESSMAN but was continually backing away from him. Clement COLEMAN, a waiter at the hotel, proved a dangerous witness. He said that after the fight DeSOLMS told him that CRESSMAN struck him on the head with a club. In the judgment of the witness DeSOLMS was sober. The morning after the affair CRESSMAN told the witness that his man had "pegged" out during the night. He did not see the blows struck. The defence will attempt to prove that DeSOLMS came to his death from heart disease; that he was able to walk about town for several hours after it is alleged he had received the blow at the hands of CRESSMAN. PAPER MILL CHANGES HANDS The West Branch Paper Mill, situate near Bally, was on Saturday sold to Manassas TREICHLER, of Philadelphia, and Oliver STENGEL, of Bally, at public sale, for $2425. The sale includes the mill and contents, 17 acres of farm land and two dwelling houses. This mill along several years ago sold for $9500. Messrs. TREICHLER and STENGEL intend to operate the mill again and will take possession as soon as the deed can be conveyed to them. SERVICES AT THE SEMINARY Rev. Thomas H. LEINBACH, of Trinity Reformed Church, Spinnerstown, will preach in the Seminary Chapel tomorrow evening at 7 o'clock. Music by the Seminary Choir.