| YEARS GONE BY ARCHIVES |
| Pottsville Republican of March 7, 1933 At the close of the monthly meeting of the Borough Council last evening, the solicitor, Vincent J. Dalton gave a thorough and most interesting report of the recent Borough Association convention. There were many helpful facts brought out which ought to help the local legislators. During the evening the solicitor was asked to define the duties of the Superintendent of the Gas and Water Department. He said there was no set rule to govern the conduct of the position and that there was nothing in the borough code but that he was under the direction of the department and that they were under the approval of Council. Mr. Yeich, who is the tenant on the borough farm in Panther Valley was present and addressed Council on the matter of a request that his lease be terminated. This matter was referred to the Water Committee. By a vote of eight to four, Council took a stand upon the question of men who are regularly on the Borough payroll paying their just debts. A bill and letter of complaint was received from a local merchant for money owed him by a Borough employee. This employee will be requested by the Borough secretary to pay his bill. The solicitor reported on matters left in his hands, namely the removal of the East Penn excess poles, the notice to the Borough tenant on his farm and the rate of charges for Borough pipelines over state bridges. All have been attended to and action secured. The Highway Committee reported that the streets were in a good condition and that satisfactory progress was being made on the improvement to the Schuylkill Mountain Road. Members present were: president Moyer, Messrs. Carr, Sweigert, Sharadin, Huy, Bashore, McKeone, Suits, Harner, Heisler, Martin and Brownmiller. Pottsville Republican of March 20, 1933 SCHUYLKILL HAVEN RESIDENTS GET READY TO PLANT GARDENS The local unemployment relief committee is ready to receive requests for garden seeds. The state relief board expects every family who is on relief lists to secure and plant vegetable seeds. During the summer, a garden of fruit and vegetables will materially aid those families. |
| Pottsville Republican of March 8, 1908 SCHUYLKILL HAVEN TOWN COUNCIL A regular stated meeting of Town Council was held on Monday evening with the following members present: Messrs. Bubeck, Caffrey, Heim, Lautenbacher, McKeown, Meck, Rooney, Schumacher, Thomas, Sterner and president Lessig. Solicitor Noecker, Superintendent Marshall, Burgess Baker, Supervisor Becker and Secretary Runkle were also present. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. Burgess Baker reported having notified the traction company to remove the snow which they did. Surveyor Butz in a communication asked for a return of the profiles and plans of proposed streets at the Episcopal church and near the Catholic church in order that he may complete the drafts. He also asked council to take up the matter of a pass over the Pottsville Union Traction lines usually allowed the Borough Surveyor which he had not yet received. On motion of Mr. Lautenbacher, a rising vote of thanks was extended to retiring President Dr. John O. Lessig. Council then adjourned and reopened to reorganize. Burgess Baker declared nominations in order for president. Mr. Lautenbacher nominated Harry Schumacher and Mr. McKeown nominated J. C. Lautenbacher. The first ballot resulted in Mr. Schumacher winning by a vote of seven to five. Mr. Lautenbacher reported great damage at various points during the winter by reason of gutters being frozen up and surface water washing out streets and pavements and causing floods in cellars and yards. He thought the Supervisor should keep the gutters open in the winter. Mr. Heim said the fault is with the property owners who do not keep the gutters open. Mr. Lautenbacher replied that the gutters were kept frozen full on account of property owners allowing hydrants to run to keep them from freezing. Burgess Baker reported that at the Baker farm there is a washout on the street. Mr. Bubeck stated that at David Oswald's property on Garfield Avenue, surface water flows through his yard and causes considerable damage. The box culvert on haven Street near Paxson Avenue was reported so inadequate to carry off surface water during heavy rains that upon two occasions the water has flowed over the street. Mr. Heim reported a similar condition on the public road at Bittle's dam between the bridge and Ney's. Mr. Meck moved that the Road Committee fill in the road at Bittle's dam. Mr. Lautenbacher thought that Mr. Bittle should make the repairs. It was referred to the Road Committee. Mr. Lautenbacher stated to the Council that the public has been blaming the Council for squandering the borough's funds. He said the borough's indebtedness amounts to about $17,000. He stated that a number of expenses and occurrences, over which the borough had no control, were responsible for the debt. For two years smallpox raged and cost the town $8000; as a result of a lawsuit growing out of a woman falling and breaking a limb, the borough paid out $3000; in the West ward a girl fell and broke her arm, which cost the town $600; a lady fell on the ice and broke her limb and the borough paid out $500; Driesbach's horse cost the town $200; then the Council committed a piece of folly by buying a swamp for a water right and paid for it $3500; all of those items foot up $18,400 which is more then the borough debt. Had it not been for these extraordinary expenses the borough would be free of debt. Mr. Lautenbacher hoped that the fault finders would take cognizance of these facts and give the Town Council credit that it is due. Mr. Meck suggested that the Building Committee see Mr. Yoder and have him change an exit door at the amusement place at his keystone Hall so as to open outwards. So ordered. Mr. Lautenbacher said that economy should be the watchword of this Council. Council should get after property owners and require them to do the work required of them such as putting in curbs, pavements, etc., as much money as possible should be saved for the purpose of paving streets and putting in a public sewerage system. Mr. Thomas said this evening opens up a new era in the history of this borough. The present Council can not help nor be blamed for the burden of debt it has assumed, but it's business is to economize during the present year. The people of Schuylkill Haven must be considerate. There is too much fault finding with Council. Few people are sufficiently acquainted with the town's business to be able to talk intelligently upon the matter. SCHOOL NOTES The School Board held its regular monthly meeting on Monday evening. It was a very interesting session and the business of the evening was transacted quickly and with the usual general good feeling. The board got down to work promptly at eight o'clock with Mr. Holton in the chair. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. Dr. Lessig arrived and took his place in the president's chair. Miss Raudenbush, Room 12, who was on the sick list for three weeks, resumed her work Monday. Fire drills are being executed. The Junior and Senior classes have agreed jointly to purchase a $390 physical cabinet to place into the High School as a memorial. The seniors have their amount of money on hand and the juniors expect to have theirs by the time the payment must be made. Commencement will in all probability be held Friday evening, May 29th. The class and principal desire the board to join them in asking for the use of Saint John's Reformed Church for these exercises. J. J. Smith, the newly elected director of the West ward, was appointed by the board to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. McGovern. At the suggestion of the Repair Committee, Mr. Minnig, its chairman, was directed to order coal for the North Ward building. Secretary Hoffman addressed the board with reference to the removal of Janitor Hoffman's household goods to his own house on Pleasant Row. Mr. Hoffman desires to live in his own house and if the board objected a new janitor could be elected in his place. In consideration of the unsanitary condition of the basement of the school building, the board approved the janitor's action and Mr. Hoffman is permitted to remove his goods and retain his position. The chancing of the diamond ring began on Friday afternoon and last Tuesday there were chances sold to the amount of $35. The boys and girls will try to see everybody but if they don't see you soon, send word to the High School. During school hours, the chances can be purchased at Bensinger's Drug Store. George W. Butz presented the sample High School pennant to the board. It has a fine appearance. This week it was on exhibition in the High School. By the end of the week it will be in some store window on Main Street. Look for it. Miss Eva Butz makes them and has them for sale for seventy five cents each. Give her your order. The following board members and others were present: Holton, Hoffman, Bast, Eiler, Berkheiser, Minnig, W. H. Heim, Reinhart, Lessig, J. J. Smith, Janitor Hoffman and Principal Heckert. Board adjourned at nine o'clock. Pottsville Republican of March 13, 1908 Dr. Dechert Suffers by Fire - Death of Samuel Siegfried Fire on Thursday night gutted the second story of Dr. Dechert's stable, which is located at the rear of the doctor's residence. The fire was discovered shortly before ten o'clock and so promptly did all three of the fire companies respond to the alarm and so rapidly and systematically did the firemen work that the fire was confined to the second floor of the building where it originated. The cause of the fire is believed to be spontaneous combustion from some hay that had been put in there the day before. The hay and the hostler's room and its furnishings were destroyed and the second story of the stable was badly charred. The damage amounts to between 4300 and $400. The doctor's fine horses, carriages, harness, etc., were all on the ground floor of the stable and were gotten out when the fire was discovered. The first floor of the stable suffered only from the water that was poured in on the flames by the firemen, the damage being slight. Dr. Dechert, who has been seriously ill, was not informed of the loss. The doctor is improving in health steadily and is able to sit up for an hour each day. His physicians predict his ultimate recovery. Samuel Siegfried, who has been driver for Dr. Dechert for many years, died early Friday morning. Mr. Siegfried had been suffering for several months with dropsy and several days before his death had to take to his bed. In order that he might have the best medical attention, he was removed to the almshouse hospital where he was under the care of Dr. Gillette, and was visited by Dr. Heim, who is attending to Dr. Dechert's practice. Mr. Siegfried was aged fifty four years. He was a widower, having lost his wife and only child a number of years ago. One sister, the wife of Henry Wessner, driver at the almshouse, and a brother, John Siegfried, of Nosedale, survive. Pottsville Republican of March 16, 1908 Mr. Paxson and Mr. Aldrich are now putting the finishing touches to the twelve houses they have built fronting on Paxson Avenue on their tract of land along Haven Street. The painters are at work and have already finished several blocks of the houses, which make a handsome appearance. Work will begin at once on foundations for another dozen houses on the opposite side of the avenue, and as soon as the frost is entirely out of the ground concrete pavements, curbs and gutters will be laid in front of the houses already finished, and shade trees will be planted, all of theses contracts having been let. After all of those improvements are made this will be one of the prettiest residential sections of the town and if Council will grant a street through from Dock Street to Haven Street, which project it is hoped will be consummated before next winter, this section will be as easy of access to and from the business section as any other part of town. The owners of Fairmount, formerly the old Boyer farm, are getting things in shape to open the spring campaign and will shortly make their announcement. This is the most desirable real estate proposition that has ever been presented to the Schuylkill Haven public and to the people in general and we miss our guess if the lots are not quickly snapped up as soon as the plot is thrown open to the public. The plot has been laid out into large lots, each fronting on a broad street and abutting at the rear on an alley and the lay of the streets is such as to secure the best drainage. The ground is all high and it is one of the finest parts of the borough and overlooks a pretty farming country. Every lot in Fairmount is within easy walking distance of the business center of the town and the railroad stations and the grade pf the streets is such as to make it easy of access at every point. For a number of years past, the town has been crowded for building sites, but the opening of this tract gives ample space for some time to come, while the prices asked for the lots will make it an incentive for purchasers to build. Schuylkill Haven needs a hundred more houses at the least calculation, and anyone who will put up desirable houses for rent can lease them before the homes are half completed, so great is the demand. The location here of the Pennsylvania Railroad car shops, which is said by the knowing ones to be a certainty, will make the demand for homes much greater. |