This Was Newtown: 1915

From the Newtown Enterprise, Week of Oct. 16-23, 1915

Suffrage bell makes stop in Newtown

(Editor's note: In 1915, supporters of women's suffrage succeeded in placing a proposed amendment to the Pennsylvania constitution, granting women the right to vote, on the general election ballot. The amendment was rejected in the Nov. 2 election, both statewide and in Bucks County. Women in Pennsylvania did not get the vote until the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified in 1920.)

The women's liberty bell started from Doylestown last Monday morning with four automobiles in the party, making stops at Buckingham, where Adella Potter made an address, and at Wrightstown, where Dr. Mary M. Wolfe talked.

Proceeding toward Newtown, the party was joined upon approaching the tollgate at the end of Sycamore street by gaily decorated Newtown automobiles, which swelled the procession to quite a picturesque parade. It was about 12:15 o'clock when the bell arrived in Newtown.

At the trolley junction, a good-sized crowd had gathered, the streets being filled with people, automobiles and carriages. Adella Potter addressed the assemblage, making a strong plea for the adoption of the amendment designed to give the right of suffrage to women.

A luncheon was then served to the speakers at the Temperance House. At about 1:10 o'clock the procession started toward Langhorne, being joined by more automobiles outside of the borough, where a speech was made by Dr. Wolfe.

From Langhorne, the party proceeded to Oakford, Feasterville, Southampton and on to Hatboro. Many of the automobiles accompanied the bell to the county line.

Runaway horses cause excitement

Two instances of runaway horses caused excitement in the streets of Newtown.

Last Friday afternoon, as Mary Hicks and Edith Douglass were driving the Hicks pony down Liberty street, he frightened at the doings of some naughty boys and ran away. In making a short turn out Washington avenue, the cart was upset and both girls thrown out.

The cart body was left behind, but with the running gears the pony sped out Washington avenue and fell as he turned to go up Chancellor street, when he was caught by a trolley man who jumped from a car coming into town.

Both girls were hurt. Mary Hicks had a knee cap injured and her wrist sprained and has not- been able to get out since the event. This affair should be a warning to boys not to interfere with teams on the street, as trouble is likely to result from such conduct.

There was an exciting runaway on South State street Thursday afternoon. The team of H.G. Ettenger, of Northampton, geared to a rack wagon and tied up front of the Enterprise office, frightened at a passing truck, broke loose and ran furiously up the street.

In front of Calvin Tomlinson's store they ran into the milk wagon of William D. Harvey, of Upper Makefield. In making a turn, the tongue of the rack wagon was broken off and one of the horses thrown down. Thus ended the runaway. Harvey's wagon had one wheel wrecked and the dashboard broken.

Advertisement 

FIRE! FIRE!...Gun Shells - 20, 16, 12 and 10 gauge...Shot Guns - Single and Double Barrels, Also Hammerless Guns...NEWTOWN HARDWARE HOUSE, J.J. Burns...Rabbit season opens Nov. 1, closes Nov. 30.

Women's club hears talk on immigrants

A meeting of the New Century Club was conducted at the usual place on Wednesday afternoon, with the vice president, Mrs. Ruth Doan, in the chair, in the absence of the president.

A paper on "The Immigrant" was presented by Miss Emily I. Packer, who told the interesting tale of the aliens who have flocked to this land, which beckons them with its liberty and opportunity. She not only told why they have come, but how they succeed when here, who they are and what Americans are doing for them.

Immigration is not new, for even Abraham obeyed God's call to go to other lands, and through all ages immigration has been going on. But America is the only place in the world where people from all lands clasp hands as fellow citizens.

No foreign field holds greater opportunity for carrying the message of God to hungry souls, than is right here at hand. These foreigners come from their old lands of oppression with their faith shattered and with one ambition - to get rich.

Mrs. Jennie Y. Watson gave an outline of the work of the Traveler's Aid Society. Club members were given a very comprehensive idea of the great work which is accomplished by the agents of this society, who are located at most all big terminals of railroads and steamboat lines in large cities.

George School has busy week

Last Saturday evening, George School was entertained with a lecture given by Lucy Biddle Lewis on war scenes.

As she has been over to Europe several times since the war started [in August 1914], her speech was more than interesting. After the lecture, she showed quite a bit of lantern pictures, which portrayed fully the terrors of war.

The Seniors greatly enjoyed their trip to Trenton last week. Everyone had a good time and all received helpful points for the coming Senior recital. As dinner was over when they returned, Anne Russell invited them to her apartments, where a light supper was enjoyed.

Last Tuesday, the first team played the Princeton freshmen in soccer. The game was only of ordinary excitement, ending with the score 3 to 0 in George School's favor. This Saturday, the first team expects to go to Girard College. It is hoped that the finish will be favorable.

The boys have started to practice for the yearly minstrel show, which will be given earlier this year than usual.

Advertisement 

CHERRY BARK COUGH SYRUP, 25c and 50c, bottle...Old-Fashioned Wild Cherry & Horehound Drops, 5c, 1/4 lb....The Rexall Store...STRATHIE'S PHARMACY, Newtown.

Newtown Notes

It is again observed that small boys are out in force after school hours, and until a later hour at night, making use of frequented sidewalks for roller skating. This practice is a dangerous one to pedestrians and is a nuisance to property owners. It merits the attention of parents and borough officials in suppressing the same.

Another load of cattle was shipped to Philadelphia on Tuesday from Newtown station by Jacob Flum.

Henry Afflerbach, his wife and daughter motored to Lancaster last Saturday, spending the night with John W. Keener and family, who are now residents of that city.

The house of Miss Jennie Y. Watson is being painted by Albert E. Girton's painters.

The speakers at the suffrage meeting to be held in Newtown Hall on the evening of November 1 will be Prof. E.B. Pollard, of Chester, a member of the Men's Suffrage League of Pennsylvania, and Miss Anna MacFarland.

Warner Johnson has given up his position in Cobb's store and is now night watchman on the railroad.

A masquerade surprise was tendered Albert H. Vandergrift last Monday evening in honor of his 20th birthday anniversary.

A class of about 55 was confirmed at St. Andrew's Roman Catholic Church last Sunday afternoon by Archbishop Prendergast. Father Sheridan, of Fox Chase, and two other visiting priests assisted with the ceremonies. There was a large attendance.

Edward S. Hutchinson has installed an oil lamp along his lot on Washington avenue, between Liberty and Congress streets.

Frank C. Locke, formerly of the Newtown China Works, is making an effort to get rid of his debts by going through the bankruptcy court. The proceedings were held in Newark, N.J.

Very much improved from his injuries, Walter Scott, Jr. returned home last Monday evening from St. Francis Hospital, Trenton.

Another series of the stock of the Newtown Building and Loan Association has matured, and Treasurer Worthington has been busy settling with the lucky holders of the shares therein. There are 93 of these shares and their matured value is $18,600. Of this amount $10,375 had been borrowed, and the balance--$8,225--goes to the shareholders in cash.