Wanna Buy A Watch

Some time ago we wrote about old advertisements and in one or two occasions we commented about a few news items we found to be of special interest. We would like to devote this to news items which made the papers in the past century locally.

Hardly a day goes by that we do not read about some innocent person being fleeced out of their life savings by some slick conman. Very few are caught.

A very amusing incident happened in Bedford a number of years ago when local railroad travel was quite popular. Three well dressed men accompanied by two ladies arrived here on the morning train. All went to a local hotel for dinner. After the meal one of the men went to a livery stable and rented a horse and carriage. He then drove around the streets and in an apparent circus trained voice announced that a performance of sleight-of-hand would be given at the corner of Pitt and Juliana street.

At the appointed time the man arrived for his demonstration. A large crowd had gathered to see the show. After a few simple tricks he quickly got to his pitch. He sold a pair of cuff buttons. Some for a quarter and some for fifty cents. To get the crowd into a frenzy, he then bought back the buttons at double the purchase price, and to the amazement of the purchaser, he returned the buttons to them.

In his next act, he brought out a bushel basket full of watch chains which he offered for one dollar. As each customer handed up his paper money, it was wrapped around his chain. Both were laid aside for the moment. Each purchaser was certain he would have the same luck as the ones who bought the cuff links. Then the barker tied a knot in the chain about the dollar bill, and in turn wrapped both in a two dollar bill. Now the trap was set. A watch was added to each chain purchaser. The crowd almost mobbed the man to make purchases. Individuals who previously had no money to pay their creditors seemed to have suddenly found sufficient funds to make these purchases of the beautiful watches and chains. His next move was to offer the three items for $10.00. Here, he had no takers. Much to the amazement of everyone, he picked up a twenty-dollar bill and enclosed it in the case of a watch and then offered it for $10.00.

The carriage was almost overturned by the sudden urge to obtain this wonderful bargain. Watch after watch was now being sold. Some one in the crowd suddenly questioned this unusual bonanza. The two henchmen or assistants immediately challenged this remark, declaring that everybody saw this man place the money in each watch and that no one should doubt his honesty. The crowd immediately fell in with the two men and a small riot almost erupted. More and more watches were being demanded by the crowd. Some persons had gone home to get additional money, others were begging their friends to loan them money.

All this took place within an hour and a half. After a large number of watches were sold, the barker loudly announced that he was closing his sales. He had to go to the 'springs', but promised to return later that evening to offer the good people another chance to buy watches and chains. He then had the driver go toward the springs, but when they reached Penn and Richard streets, left turns were made and a hurried trip was made to the Railroad station in time to catch the departing train for Huntingdon.

In the mean time those who bought the watches and chains discovered they were brass not gold. The dial on the watches were only pasted pieces of paper, AND, there were no twenty-dollar bills inside. The artist had quickly substituted one dollar bills. The twenties had gone up his sleeve.

According to the newspaper, over three hundred dollars had been swindled from the gullible individuals. Later, it was learned this same group had fleeced the public of Somerset for about the same amount of money. Also it seems that those who did not fall victim to this scheme took pleasure in ribbing those who bought the brass merchandise.

There were other interesting items. One editor seemed to have his own opinion about the manner in which the young ladies were seeking husbands. He thought it was extremely vulgar for them to participate or take particular pains to impress the men with an idea of their ignorance of domestic affairs except sewing fancy lace or weaving a net for their delicate hands.

He warned them they could not find a husband by showing him how capable they were in doing nothing more than giving the piano or organ 'frantic fits'. The best way in his opinion, was to cultivate her accomplishments into becoming a good wife. This advice was given way-back in 1840. Wonder what his opinion would be if he were still editing newspapers today?

Owners of horses should be interested in the following- On November 26, 1874 a public sale was held in a nearby township. A brown horse was sold for TEN CENTS. A bay horse for fifteen cents, another brown one for $2.25; a dapple gray - $7.50 and a black horse for $12.25, a total of $22.25 for five horses.

A little excitement took place in April 1875 when a local resident began to build a foundation for a new house located east of the Lutheran church property in Bedford. A number of human bones were uncovered which were badly decomposed or decayed. It was believed they were the remains of an old settler because a shoe buckle and several metal buttons were found with the bones. (We have been told other skeletal remains have been discovered in other areas of the Borough before this date and also in later years)

A local news item dated August 25, 1881 commented that the most dangerous road in the county was located in the Narrows east of Bedford. The road was squeezed between the mountain and the railroad. Many accidents had happened in this section from the noise of the trains which badly scared the horses as they met in this ravine.

Many people will be surprised to know that the manufacture of glassware began in Everett in 1890.

Today, it is a common occurrence to read about robberies. Bedford County had a few in the past century. A robbery took place in Hyndman in which a store was entered. Approximately $60.00, revolvers, razors, cartridges and scissors were taken.

In 1884 burglars broke into the Valentine Steckman's Union Hotel. A sum of money and a pair of boots were taken.

The Borough of Everett also had its share of excitement from robberies in 1884. The freight station of the H.B.T. was burglarized three times within a year. Several trunks, and suitcases which were stored there were destroyed and their contents removed as well as a quantity of whiskey was carried off.

John Hafer leased the Bedford hotel and stage office in 1855. All stages coming to and leaving Bedford stopped at this place. His stables provided ample and comfortable space for the horses. (no mention was made about the traveler's comfort)

Many stories have been written locally about the various incidents of the Civil War. We found one item which we believe will be of interest, therefore we have copied it as it appeared in the Bedford Gazette issue of May 1, 1885–Bedford Man Sees Lee Surrender.

"The reminiscences of General Grant now running through the newspapers have later brought up the old question as to whether the famous interviews between Grant and Lee took place under an apple tree or in a house and whether Grant took Lee's sword. Lou Reed, who is spending his declining. years in Bedford, has settled both these questions and historians will now be able to go ahead and finish their work of telling the story of the war.

"I was right there", said Lou, "and seen the whole thing. Grant and Lee met under a weeping willow on the field of battle. They talked awhile arguing this way and that. "Grant wanted one thing and Lee kicked against it until Grant got mad and says that Lee must do so and so or go to jail. Lee, seeing as how things were all up with him, backed down and agreed to Grant's terms. He then unbuckled his saber and walked up to Grant and said: "General Grant, here's my saber". And General Grant straightened up and said "No General Lee, by the eternal you keep your saber". And that's how Lee surrendered".

Another amusing story appeared in the February 27, 1885 issue. At that time the musicians in the village of Pavia had formed a small band. The director of the band received a letter signed by a county political leader, inviting the band members to march in the inauguration parade of President Grover Cleveland with all expenses paid. Naturally everyone was thrilled over this invitation. However, one of the members seemed to have reservations as to the genuiness of the offer. Upon making a number of inquiries, it was learned someone had pulled off a big joke on the band. Some of the members remarked that if the identity of the writer were to become known, the community would witness a public hanging.

Very few homes today are without an electric clock. But eighty years ago they were quite a novelty. We found an old scrap book with the following account of a Bedford jeweler who secured a patent on this type of a clock, thus we are requoting it for the benefit of our readers- "J.W. Ridenour, the enterprising jeweler of this place, has secured control of the patent of an electric clock of Mr. Wubbler's invention. This is perhaps the most unique clock ever invented in that it is the only reliable electric clock running independently.

At a glance it resembles any ordinary eight-day clock, but upon inspection it is found that it has only three wheels-one for the second, one for the minute and one for the hour hands. These wheels with a magnet, a small weak battery and a pendulum, constitute the entire machinery of the time piece. It does not require any winding and needs no attention whatever, except that once a year the batteries ought to be renewed, which costs ten cents. But the greatest merit is its time-keeping qualities."

These are but a few local happenings which the public read about in the last century.