125 Years Ago

Herald of Aug. 18, 1899

Martinsburg Borough Council purchased an acetylene gas lamp and post and erected it at the intersection of Allegheny and Market streets as an experiment, with a view of putting in an entire light plant in town.

J. Ross Mateer, who formerly ran a drug store in Martinsburg but for a number of years was proprietor of one of the leading drug stores in Altoona, was seriously injured when a tank on his soda water fountain exploded while he was charging it. The head of the tank blew out and struck him in the pelvis, lacerating and bruising his body. His hand also was badly cut, and internal injuries were being feared.

A petition was being circulated in Roaring Spring asking the school fathers to lay an asphalt pavement around the school building, but the majority of the board seemed to think brick would be sufficient.

Oscar Snyder of Loysburg was elected to teach the Lafayettesville school in place of Oscar Horner, who resigned.