Doylestown Fire Co. fair proceeds to clear mortgage -

Doylestown Fire Co. No. 1 will clear the mortgage [on the Shewell Avenue firehouse, built in 1902] with the proceeds from the fair that concluded on Saturday. It is estimated that the fire company raised $2,100, which is more than the $1,800 remaining on the mortgage.

It was a big success each of the three nights, and the Armory was packed from early evening up until the auction started Saturday night. As before, the Kewpie dolls and fruit were the main attraction, and it was almost impossible to get close enough to the stands. Cakewalks and dancing were also very popular and it was no time before they were filled up.

Fancy work was a big attraction for the ladies, and some wonderful pieces of work were auctioned off very cheaply at the close of the fair. The cans of fruit and jelly brought large returns.

Chief Daniel G. Fretz remarked that he could not recall a time when people were more anxious to spend money than they were on all three nights at the fair.

Apparently, the fair offered just the kind of entertainment the people wanted. Money was spent like water and the crowds lingered until midnight every night. Not since the drive for money to pay for automobile apparatus has there been such enthusiastic support of the company. The drive for membership alone has helped greatly to put the company on its feet, adding a smug sum to the fund for general purposes.

"The members of the company are most grateful to all of the people of the community who so ably entered into the spirit of the fair and assisted in the effort to discharge the mortgage on the company's building. It appears the receipts will be sufficient for that purpose," said President Henry A. James.

Inexpensive houses urged for local workers -

Doylestown's housing problem was brought before the Chamber of Commerce on Thursday evening, and a committee was appointed to investigate a plan introduced by Wynne James by which businessmen would contribute toward the erection of some houses.

Mr. James offered to be one of 100 men to give $100 each--as a contribution, if necessary--to help finance the building of row houses costing $3,000 each, the cheapest contractors assured him houses could be built. This would raise $10,000, or $500 toward the erection of each of twenty houses, if that many can be financed. They would be six-room houses with modern conveniences.

Cheap houses must be built, he said, because the average laborer cannot afford to pay much over $15 per month rent. Mr. James made it clear that, in his opinion, employers of labor must enter into a movement of this kind if they expect to get help.

Robert L. Clymer, who is planning the building of several houses in partnership with C.S. Wetherill, said he could not figure that the $100 each paid by 100 men would be a loss. With such great demand for houses, he said, there is little doubt that the houses could be sold.

To investigate the housing question, President VanArtsdalen appointed a committee composed of Wynne James, Robert L. Clymer, George H. Miller, Dr. C. Louis Siegler and Oscar O. Bean.

Attending the meeting were few of the business men who are most vitally interested in the housing proposition, and only one or two of the larger employers of labor.

Town Council gives borough engineer a raise -

Doylestown Town Council decided Monday evening to fix the borough engineer's salary at $110 per month and his assistant at $95 per month.

This is an increase of $10 a month over the former salary arrangement. Each is to pay $15 a month rent and $5 a month for coal. Wages of the men on the street crew was left in the power of the street committee.

On another matter, Councilman Samuel A. Hellyer said the ambulance would be painted and in first-class shape by the first of April. He also suggested the purchase of new tires. This was left to the committee.

Councilman Robert L. Clymer said the police were badly in need of new uniforms, and the police committee was then directed to purchase the new uniforms.

Councilman George H. Miller reported a number of trees about town in dangerous condition. He was directed to confer with the Chief of Police and then notify property owners to remove the trees.

Councilman Miller also reported a balance on hand of $157.03, with $20,200 worth of bonds outstanding.

Council approved payment of the following bills: Bell Telephone Co., for Street Commissioner, Chief of Police, $4.25; Doylestown Agricultural Works, coal, $208.00; salary of librarian, Melinda Cox Free Library, $25.00; salaries of police officers, $129.20; garbage collector, $40.00; salaries at Water Works, $145.00; Oscar O. Bean, casualty insurance, $108.33; Doylestown Drug Co., supplies, $7.15; Doylestown Blacksmith Shop, sharpening tools, $6.55.

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Doylestown Nature Club discusses gardening -

The Doylestown Nature Club met at the home of Mrs. Henry Arnold Todd on Monday afternoon, with twenty-eight people present.

The day was ideal for walking, although the remains of the recent blizzard were ever present, and many of the members availed themselves of the opportunity of enjoying an outdoor, as well as an indoor, meeting.

The subject for the day was "Creating an Interest in Gardening." Miss Elizabeth K. Moore gave a very concise paper on garden arrangement and illustrated it with an original diagram. Miss Moore also read proverbs from Victor Hugo's "Toilers of the Sea."

Mrs. Isaac VanArtsdalen read a delightful paper on her perennial flower and vegetable garden. Mrs. Malcolm H. Shermer had written an amusing original poem on her experiences in gardening after studying the different catalogues, and in her absence the poem was read by Mrs. Todd.

Mrs. William R. Mercer, although on her way to Jamaica, had prepared an excellent paper on flower arrangement in the garden, which was read by Mrs. Todd.

Miss Bella Geisse gave an illuminating talk on the artistic arrangement of flowers, showing effective color combinations at different seasons of the year, and also giving a list of proper containers to bring out the best effects.

Miss Haines, chairman of gardening, spoke of the generosity of Philadelphia seed firms as well as John R. Andre, of Doylestown, toward the nature club. Again this year, splendid prizes will be offered for the fruits, vegetables and flowers to be shown at the nature club garden show in September. Early in April, a list of these prizes will be published to interest the women and children of the community to plan their future gardens.

Doylestown High basketball team defeats Hatboro -

Doylestown High School's basketball team won a very exciting game against the Hatboro High School team Wednesday evening in the Armory, by the score of 32 to 19.

It was more exciting than the score shows, for when the first half ended the score stood at 13 to 9 in favor of the local team.

Doylestown cagers Martin, Hellyer and Gulick played the best floor game put up by any team seen here this year. Rufe broke up many plays and slowed the ball very cleverly. Stultz, at forward, played a fine game and caged two field goals despite the close guarding by the visitors.

The guarding by the local team could not have been better, as Hatboro was held to a single field goal made by Allen, the Hatboro forward, in the last five minutes of play.

The foul goal shooting of Doylestown's Brady was accurate. He caged 17 fouls out of 22 tries, which is a credit to any team. Stultz also was on the job, caging 14 out of 28, after failing to locate the basket the first few tries. After that, his work was very good.

Martin and Gulick each caged a long shot very nearly from the center of the floor. Martin put over another field goal after dribbling the ball the length of the floor and then making a difficult shot from the side.

The local team should prove to be one of the best high school teams in their class next year, as every member will be in the game, and the experience of playing together this year will be a great help.

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Doylestown Town Notes -

Mrs. George W. Ott was obliged to have her horse, "Babe," killed Wednesday, as it was suffering from an incurable disease.

Mr. and Mrs. Wynkoop Cornell, of Edison, were taken unaware Thursday evening by a party of neighbors and other friends who arrived at their home to help them celebrate their fifteenth wedding anniversary. An enjoyable evening was spent, and the hostess received may fine gifts.

Paul Weirbach has taken a position with John R. Andre at his flower store on State street.

Mrs. Philip Kratz, of North Main street, suffered a dislocated hip in a fall from a chair on which she was standing while washing windows.

Directors of the Doylestown Building & Loan Association held a meeting Wednesday evening and passed a resolution not to receive any more applications for loans for the present. It is believed that new loans will not be granted unitl after the maturity of a stock series in August.

The Doylestown Maennerchor will hold a mock turtle supper next Wednesday evening.

John Rossell has resumed his position at the Doylestown Agricultural Works after being ill for some time with the grippe [flu].

Rev. W. H. Boswell, of Philadelphia, has accepted the call to become rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Rev. Boswell, who was rector at Ambler for a time, has been filling the rectorship of St. Paul's for some time. He succeeds Rev. William T. Edwards, who resigned about eight months ago on account of ill health.

The war veterans of Doylestown will play the Doylestown High School basketball team next Tuesday evening in the Armory. A dance will follow the game.

Mr. and Mrs. James R. Gunagan, of Doylestown, announce the engagement of their daughter, Mabel Elizabeth, to Jesse Histon Morgan, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Morgan, of Jamison.

Miss Eva Black has taken a position as operator for the Bell Telephone Company.

It is rumored that Asher R. Lear will challenge anyone for the shuffleboard honors in the near future. He especially wants to challenge Dr. Percy Musgrave.

From the Doylestown Daily Intelligencer, Week of March 7-13, 1920