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Community Corner

This Was Hatboro-Horsham, 1913

A look back at Hatboro and Horsham, 99 years ago this week.

From the Public Spirit, Week of March 22-28, 1913

Horsham woman's barn burns down -

The members of Willow Grove Fire Company were called into service about 12:45 a.m. on Thursday morning by the continual blowing of the whistle at the power house.

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Word had been received that a large barn in Horsham was ablaze, and the fire laddies at once started up the Doylestown pike to the place where the blaze could be seen.

The fire was on the premises of Mrs. Burley, on the Saw Mill road, near the Orthodox Friends meeting house, where her barn was being consumed. When the firemen arrived at the scene nothing could be done, as the building was all ablaze, and they directed their attention to saving the house, which stood nearby.

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A few chickens, a wagon and some corn fodder were consumed. The structure was reported to be insured by Mrs. Burley, the policy being held by a building and loan association.

Mrs. Burley, who is the main support of her children, is already in poor circumstances, and it is said that friends have been coming to her assistance. The husband is said to have deserted his family some time ago.

The cause of the fire is not known.

Hatboro Business Men hear about road improvements -

The Hatboro Business Men's Association held its March meeting in the borough building on Thursday evening. Vice president Robinson presided and Warren M. Cornell read the minutes of the previous meeting.

Howard Garner, solicitor, reported that the case which the County Commissioners are bringing before the court to decide whether they have the authority to build a foot bridge or widen the bridge that carries the York road over the Pennypack creek would come up for a hearing the first week in April. It is stated that the Commissioners are favorable to doing something for the borough providing they have the authority.

President Jones, of Borough Council, reported that the borough had macadamized the Jacksonville road as far as their line and had macadamized the County Line road a distance of 700 feet running west from the York road, which is all of that road that the borough has to look after. At the last meeting of council, an ordinance was passed on first and second reading to macadamize Moreland avenue from the York road to the county bridge at the borough line.

President Jones stated that the borough expected to issue $5,000 worth of bonds to pay for this and other improvements to the streets.

W.W. Wilgus reported that he and Howard Jarrett attended the good roads meeting in the Warminster hotel last week. He thought the sentiment of the meeting was to macadamize some of the roads in the township, one of which would be the Jacksonville road from the Street road to the County Line road. This is the portion of the road on which so much help has been offered by the residents living along the section to be improved.

He said there was some opposition but that the majority seemed in favor of good roads.

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Friends discuss education -

A meeting in the interests of education was held at Horsham Friends' meeting house on Saturday afternoon. Horsham, Abington and Byberry Friends' schools took part.

The program was opened by Marian Warner of the Horsham school reciting "Landalphon"; Edith Tomlinson of the Byberry school read "The Woodpecker"; a pupil of Byberry told what basket making meant to the Indians.

Anna D. Hallowell, a member of the committee of Horsham Friends' school, gave a paper on "What may be expected from the Rural School." She said sometimes impossibilities were expected from the teacher, and a home and school league would be a benefit to every school and neighborhood.

Anna M. Hallowell, also of the Horsham school committee, spoke on methods. She was in favor of less grades or more teachers, and thought there was too much home study.

Anna C. Mullin, another member of the same committee, spoke on the course of study. She thought there should be nature study and gymnastic work in connection with lessons, also vocal music.

Prof. Barrett, of Philadelphia, principal of Friends' Central school, then spoke of the influence of Friends' schools in a community. He said Friends' schools did more for the society that even the meetings, and where Friends' schools were laid down the meeting dwindled. He recommended that we make our schools the best, and while we may not be able to lead in all things, we could specialize and be leaders in some things.

Hatboro temperance group forming youth branch -

The Hatboro W.C.T.U. [Women's Christian Temperance Union] met in the lecture room of on Thursday afternoon.

Notwithstanding inclement weather, a majority of the members were present and a number of young people, who had been particularly invited.

Mrs. Florence C. Griscom read a paper which was full of uplifting thoughts and particularly helpful to the young lives present, who will be the men and women of the future. Her great desire was that they might be pure in thought, word and deed.

President Miss Sara Goentner announced that the W.C.T.U. was very anxious to form a young people's branch, feeling that such an organization would be most helpful. Frank Amthor was chosen temporary president and Marie Yerkes temporary secretary.

Arrangements were made to have a meeting at the close of school on Friday to see what could be done. A report will be made to the W.C.T.U. at the regular monthly meeting on April 17th.

The members of the W.C.T.U. have received an invitation to attend a meeting at the Old York Road Country Club on Wednesday, April 16th, at 2:30 p.m. to hear Stanley Howe of the Public Charities Commission.

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REUBEN HOCKMAN, Justice of the Peace... Affidavits, Acknowledgements and Depositions taken. Marriage licenses obtained without necessity of going to Clerk of Courts. Auto License blanks on hand...Hatboro, Pa.

Hatboro and Horsham Happenings -

Hatboro Health Officer Jarrett reports 37 families quarantined for measles at this time in the borough. The Sheldon house was the latest to be placarded.

Harry K. Stout has sold his farm of 77 acres in Horsham to Mary P. Whitmer for $7,000.

Mrs. W.S. McVaugh, of Hatboro, spent Monday with her sister, Mrs. Harry Rutherford, of Horsham.

A large crowd attended the combination sale at the Nash hotel, Horsham, on Thursday.

Harry Haffer, of Hatboro, is suffering with a carbuncle [skin infection].

A team of horses belonging to a farmer coming from market, standing in front of Emery's store, on York street, Hatboro, ran off last Thursday evening, but were caught at Gessler's hotel before any damage was done.

Mrs. J.W. Atkinson and daughters, Misses Irene and Freda, of Horsham, visited Mr. and Mrs. C.R. Rittenhouse, of Hatboro, on Wednesday.

Stephen W. Mason, of Hatboro, sold a very pretty runabout automobile to Ernest Jones. The car is a classy one.

LeRoy H. Forker, of Horsham, has been on the sick list for the last week with a sore throat.

A sale of cakes, candy and fancy articles will be held this Saturday afternoon at the home of Miss Blanche Downie on York street, Hatboro.

The house on the Paulhurst farm, Horsham, is being remodeled. Mrs. Craven, of Davis Grove, will move shortly to the house.

George J. Reiff and family, of Doylestown, have moved into their newly purchased property at the corner of York street and Montgomery avenue, Hatboro. Mr. Reiff will be conducting the blacksmithing business there, succeeding L. W. Yerkes.

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