Ref: Town and Country Newspaper Pennsburg, Montgomery County, PA Saturday - July 25, 1903 FIRE DESTROYS BARN The storm on Monday marked its wake by fire in Upper Salford, near Salfordville. At about half past five a bolt of lightning struck the barn of Alfred P. STYER, while the family were partaking of their evening meal. Flames at once burst out and as there were no means at hand to extinguish them the building was doomed. Mr. and Mrs. STYER at once rushed to the burning building and succeeded in rescuing the live stock, consisting of eight cows, three heifers and three horses. By the time these were removed to a place of safety the fire had gained such headway that it was impossible to remove the farming implements. The entire building with the machinery and the crops of this season were destroyed. The out buildings were saved by the timely arrival of neighbors who organized a bucket brigade, obtaining water from a near-by well. The dwelling of Mr. STYER was not at any time in danger as the wind was favorable. The barn was built twenty-eight years ago and was owned by Mr. STYER who estimates his loss at $3000, partly covered by insurance in the Union Mutural Insurance Company, of Norristown. BITTEN BY HALF SNAKE, CURED BY CHICKEN While William SLEIGH, of Gerhartville, Centre county, was picking huckle-berries he met a rattlesnake ready coiled to attack him. He cut the snake in two with a small hatchet that he carried but before he could withdraw to a safe distance the part bearing the head fastened itself on the thumb of SLEIGH. After considerable difficulty he pulled it off and hurried to a nearby residence. A chicken was secured, cut into halves and the parts applied to the snake bite and kept there until cold. This process saved the man's life as he is declared to be out of danger. AIR CURRENT PULLED GIRL UNDER TRAIN Martha OLECKFAK, of Cementon, was run over by a train on Thursday and killed. The girl, who was 11 years old, was standing in the door of a box car looking at a passing express train on an adjacent track. The passing train created a current of air through the freight car. Her dress was drawn out and caught on the passing train. She was pulled from the car, hurled on the tracks and crushed to death. A BIG DAY'S WORK BY OLD TIME METHODS Persons who know how to handle a grain cradle for an entire day are not plenty these days, and few cradlers remain to boast of their tales in the harvest field. William HECK, of Lorah, who is 74 years old, cradled in one day five acres of wheat which he says reminds him of the days 50 years ago, when all the wheat was cut in this manner. BODY TURNED BLACK Edward F. HUNTSMAN, of East Stroudsburg, died from a disease that puzzled the doctors for a long time. Three years ago HUNTSMAN went to South America, returning six months ago a wreck physically. Black spots appeared on his body, with a hardening of the flesh. All efforts to check the disease failed. Two weeks ago his body began to swell and slowly increased until he died. His body gradually hardened, turned black and grew to twice its natural size. The disease is known as Venezuela malaria. A wife survives him. FOUR HUNDRED DOLLAR PLACE GOES BEGGING The postoffice at Academy, Lower Merion township, will probably be discontined today. For six months the office has gone begging for a postmaster. John H. DOLAN resigned the postmastership in January, and has since kept the office open for "accommodation only," and in the hope that the vacancy might be filled. No one wants the $400 a year place apparently, and the Postoffice Department has given notice that if there are no applicants for the vacant postmastership by July 25 the postoffice will be closed. HORSES DOCTOR IN TROUBLE William H. GREEN, colored, formerly of Pottstown, living at Coventryville, was arrested last Friday on the charge of practicing veterniary surgery without a license. His special line was the filing of the teeth of horses. It is claimed that the "doctor" also prescribed for sick horses and at times secured money under false pretense. HICCOUGHS FOR WEEKS After weeks of intense suffering, Wm. DAMPMAN, of Reading, has found relief from an attack of hiccoughs. The attack began June 17 as a result of stomach disorders, and although the best medical aid was called in consultation the hiccoughs were not checked until Thursday. The attack lasted from several days to a week at a time. Once they continued eight days and nights. Death was momentarily expected. For several weeks he was unable to partake of any nourishment and food had to be injected into the stomach. When admitted into the hospital he weighed 120 pounds. He has been in the hospital a month and lost 50 pounds. ARRESTED FOR NON SUPPORT Constable A.J. DRESSLER, of this borough, went to Reading last Saturday to arrest Thomas KEELOR on oath of his wife for none support. The fugitive was not in the city at the time and Constable DRESSLER gave the warrant into the hands of a detective with instructions to arrest KEELOR on his return. On Sunday morning a telegram arrived asking Constable DRESSLER to come to Reading at once and fetch his prisoner. The constable returned with the prisoner on Sunday afternoon and took him to the office of Justice H.J. SMITH, where he was given a hearing. Mr. KEELOR and his wife adjusted their difficulties and together went to their home.