This Was Doylestown, 1929

Doylestown police chief arrests suspects in South Carolina -

After an 800-mile search that led him to a fair in Columbia, S.C., Chief of Police James Welsh on Thursday returned to Doylestown with two members of a trio of youthful burglars who are charged with robbing a large number of Doylestown homes and businesses during the last year and getting away with money and loot valued at $2,500.

Albert E. Harper, 20, a professional boxer who last Winter performed in Doylestown at amateur bouts, and James Clifton Hudson, 21, who has been playing the "half man and half woman" act in side shows at the various county fairs through the southern circuit, are the two Chief Welsh arrested. Both are in the County Prison awaiting a hearing before Justice W. Carlile Hobensack.

The third member of the trio, Leroy Trauger, was arrested last week in Doylestown in possession of a stolen automobile, and is now in the County Prison awaiting the action of the grand jury. The three are charged with felonious entry, larceny, burglary and receiving stolen goods.

Members of the trio are charged with robbing "," the home of William R. Mercer; the home of Charles A. Leibig; the American Store and Gehman's store, both on Court street; the Rexall Drug Store, Murry's Cut Rate Store, Histand's office on Hamilton street and several others.

Chief Welsh made a thorough search of three days through North and South Carolina in pursuit of Hudson and Harper, both of whom are from Rocky Mount, N.C. The men, who are first cousins, had been playing the fairs with different acts for some months. Chief Welsh traced the men from fair to fair until a final "tip" led him to a fair at Columbia, S.C.

Both Hudson and Harper were surprised when a husky Columbia officer plunged into their tent on the fair grounds, grabbed them by the neck, jerked them from their tent and turned them over to Chief Welsh. The trip home with the two prisoners was made by automobile. Hudson and Harper were placed in city jails over night.

Neither Harper nor Hudson have admitted taking part in any of the robberies with which they are charged, but Chief Welsh has been collecting evidence for some weeks that is expected to convict all members of the trio.

Hallowe'en quiet in Doylestown -

One of the most quiet Hallowe'ens in recent years was observed Thursday night in Doylestown. Youngsters at masquerade parties had a great time, but owing to the fact that the big street parade was postponed until Friday, the usual snap and merriment of the occasion was missing.

The usual number of pranks were played by boy "gangs," who in some instances became quite unruly. Several large windows in the business section were broken. Chairs were stolen and carried to various sections of the town and dropped. An automobile parked in the business section was taken as a "joke," and driven to another part of town and left there.

Business places were in gala attire. Store windows never looked finer in Doylestown.

The twenty-third annual masquerade ball was staged Thursday night at the Sixth Regiment Armory. This event attracted close to 500 people from every section of Bucks and adjoining counties and from Philadelphia. Chaddy Mack and his nine dance specialists furnished the music. The great mummers march started shortly after 11 o'clock.

Gorgeous costumes and many funny characters from the land of make-believe were on the dance floor, which was attractively decorated with Autumn leaves and appropriate Hallowe'en lanterns and colors.

Woman awarded $6,000 in civil suit -

After a trial that lasted five days in the civil court before Judge Hiram H. Keller, a Bucks county jury Wednesday deliberated two hours and awarded Mrs. Alma Shellenberger, of Doylestown, a verdict for $6,000, and her daughter, Mary, $500, in a suit against the Reading Transportation Company.

The plaintiffs were injured in a collision on the state highway west of Doylestown last year when a passenger bus operated by the defendant company and a sedan operated by Mrs. Shellenberger collided. In the accident, three occupants of the Shellenberger car were injured.

Mrs. Shellenberger sued for permanent injuries sustained to an arm.

After the verdict had been announced, Webster S. Achey, of Doylestown, attorney for the defendant company, made an application for a new trial. The plaintiffs in the case were represented by Thomas Ross, of Doylestown.

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Killer of police officer to be paroled -

The parole board of the Eastern Penitentiary on Friday recommended the parole of William ("Broncho") Miller, who on September 22, 1914 fatally shot Doylestown Officer Henry A. Kolbe through the heart as the latter was about to arrest him on suspicion of robbery and forgery.

Miller was sentenced in 1915 by Judge William C. Ryan to not less than 15 years nor more than 20 years in the Eastern Penitentiary [in Philadelphia]. He remained there until September 9, 1923, when he was returned to the Bucks County Prison because of the crowded conditions in the penitentiary.

Grant Myers, Head Keeper of the county prison, was sent a notice stating that the parole is to take effect on January 4, 1930, fifteen years to the date from the time Miller was sentenced. When informed of this early Saturday morning, the slayer, now 33, wept like a child.

The murder of Officer Kolbe created much excitement in the borough fifteen years ago. Miller was suspected of having stolen $48 from the office of Harrington H. Rosenberger and having forged a check for $75 on J. W. Stilwagon & Son. On the morning of the murder, the youth went to the train station, where he attempted to get a $10 note cashed.

Suspicions of Assistant Agent William Keller, Jr. were aroused. He told the youth to wait and in the meanwhile telephoned Office Kolbe, who appeared in a short time and placed the youth under arrest.

They then started toward the Bucks County Prison. In front of the residence of Judson Brunner, West Ashland street near Clinton street, Miller whipped out a .38-caliber revolver and shot the officer through the heart. Counsel for the defense claimed that Miller was subnormal and that the shooting occurred in a struggle.

Editor's note - Miller was paroled as scheduled on Jan. 4, 1930, according to an article in the Intelligencer. In 2010, the Bucks County Police Memorial Committee provided information on the murder of Kolbe, who actually was a constable, to the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund. Kolbe's name was added to the national memorial to police officers killed in the line of duty, at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. Kolbe was the last Doylestown lawman to have been shot until during Hurricane Irene by fleeing homicide suspect Leonard Egland.

Doylestown participants win prizes in Perkasie parade -

Marching units and persons from Doylestown made a fine showing in the Hallowe'en parade in Perkasie on Monday evening, sponsored by the Hartzell-Crouthamel Post of the American Legion.

It was estimated that at least 2,500 persons were in the line of parade, while a crowd of about 10,000 lined the streets to witness the spectacle, which was said to have been the best of its kind ever staged in Perkasie. Approximately $800 in cash prizes were distributed to persons from Bucks, Montgomery and Lehigh counties.

In addition to the mummers, there were several musical organizations in the line of march. The Drum and Bugle Corps of the , Doylestown, captured $50 for the best drum and bugle corps. The National Farm School Band won $25 for the best musical organization.

Walter V. Rutherford of Franklin street, Doylestown, received a special prize of $5 for the most original costume. Little Lillian Mae Miller, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Norman Miller of Doylestown, won $2.50 for having the best decorated express wagon.

One of the largest prize winners in the parade was the "Time to Retire Club," which was composed of approximately 50 female employees of the Crouthamel clothing factory in Perkasie. The girls, all attired in their nighties and all carrying candles, won $60.

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Doylestown Town Notes -

The Doylestown Church Bowling League has been organized. The headquarters of the league will be at the Odd Fellows bowling alleys in Lenape Hall. Teams from six local churches will start the season next Monday night.

Mr. and Mrs. S. Anson Walton returned to their home in Edison on Monday evening after having spent about two months abroad. Mr. and Mrs. Walton visited a large number of countries during their stay.

Two very attractive reels have been received by the Rev. Eaton B. Freeman for the moving picture program Friday afternoon at 4 o'clock in the Recreational Hall of the First Baptist Church. One of the reels describes the picturesque Winter scenes and sports of Quebec, Canada. All the boys and girls of the town under the age of fifteen are welcome.

Doylestown Girl Scouts, Troop No. 2, entertained Troop No. 2 of the Camp Fire Girls at a Hallowe'en party in the Social Centre Building.

William H. Satterthwaite, who has been confined to his home for a week because of illness, is much improved.

The first doses of anti-toxin will be administered Wednesday afternoon between two and four o'clock to anybody desiring to receive it at the Doylestown health center.

The sale of the residence of Ira E. Trauch on North Main street, and four adjoining building lots, to E.H. Kloss, of Maplewood, N.J., has been made through the office of Wynne James, Jr. The purchaser will occupy the property in the near future

Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Campbell and family moved Tuesday from West Court street to East State street.

A Scoutcraft meet for the middle Bucks district will be held next Saturday at the Doylestown High School grounds at 2 o'clock. Every boy in Scouting is looking forward to the meet as the opportunity for his troop to compete with his neighboring troop, and possibly be so successful that his troop may win the Bucks county Scoutcraft championship.

Mr. and Mrs. Steve M. Arcade and daughter returned to their home on East State street on Sunday after having spent five months in Italy with the former's parents.

A bridge party was given Wednesday by the Doylestown League of Women Voters at the Doylestown Country Club.

The office of the County Treasurer had issued 5,800 gunning licenses as of noon Tuesday. There was a long line formed in front of the several windows of the office at noon, composed of hunters applying for licenses. Sportsmen report a large number of pheasants and rabbits, but much of the territory near Doylestown is posted against gunning, unless permission is granted by the owner of the land.

From the Doylestown Daily Intelligencer, Week of Oct. 27-Nov. 2, 1929