This Was Doylestown, 1929

Henry Mercer re-elected president of Bucks County Historical Society -

Editor's note - Henry C. Mercer, born in Doylestown in 1856, helped Gen. W.W.H. Davis found the Bucks County Historical Society in 1880. Mercer became president of the society the year after Davis' death in 1910, and built a concrete castle-like museum, which he gave to the society, in 1916. Mercer remained president until he died in 1930.

At the annual meeting of the Bucks County Historical Society in Doylestown on Saturday, Dr. Henry C. Mercer was re-elected president.

During the business session, the election took place with the following results: President, Dr. Henry C. Mercer; vice presidents, B.F. Fackenthal, of Riegelsville, and Colonel Henry D. Paxson; secretary and treasurer, Horace M. Mann; curator, Dr. Henry C. Mercer; assistant curator, Horace M. Mann; librarian, Warren S. Ely; directors, B.F. Fackenthal, Warren S. Ely; Mrs. E.Y. Barnes, of Yardley; and John H. Ruckman to fill the vacancy left by the death of former Judge Harman Yerkes.

Four new members, George Hart; Findley Braden, of Doylestown; and Mr. and Mrs. Edward C. Wilson, of Yardley, were elected to membership during the business session.

A change was also directed to be made in the bylaws of the society whereby the annual meeting time will be changed from the third Saturday in January to the first Saturday in May. This change will not take place until May, 1930. It was the belief of members present that a better attendance will be secured in May than in January.

Dr. John B. Carrell, of Hatboro, thanked the members of the Bucks County Historical Society for the assistance they offered in presenting the successful program of the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Crooked Billet last Summer.

Librarian Warren S. Ely also spoke briefly on the death of former Judge Harman Yerkes, who died since the last annual meeting. Mr. Ely spoke of the interest the late jurist always had in the historical society.

Assistant curator Horace M. Mann presented a paper on the manufacture of solar salt, one of the most interesting presented to the society in several years.

For many years, Dr. Mercer sought to acquire a collection of tools used in the manufacture of salt, to fill a gap in the very valuable collection of "Tools of the Nation Maker," housed in the Mercer Museum. Finally, Thomas K. Gale, of Syracuse, N.Y., offered the society a complete set of everything used by him in the rendering of salt from brine.

The various tools used in the manufacture of salt at the Gale plant are now housed in the Mercer Museum, and are looked upon as one of the most unique collections in the museum.

School attendance back to normal -

The Doylestown School Board on Monday evening had a complete report by the supervising principal [superintendent] on the situation with reference to the epidemic of colds that had grown to such large proportions in December.

The average number of absences during the fifteen school days in December was 143. There were as many as 250 pupils absent on a few days immediately preceding the Christmas holidays, but the attendance is now practically normal. On Jan. 21, the number of absences was only 64. Nine teachers were ill, but are now on duty.

The report of the school nurse indicated how important this service has been during the epidemic of colds. The vigilance of the nurse is said to have helped to check the spread of the the disease. Through a carefully planned system of daily checking, all suspicious cases were sent home at once.

The board was informed that the school has purchased a new radio, which is being regularly used to give the children of all grades an opportunity of listening to the series of concerts being broadcast every Friday by the New York Symphony Orchestra under the director of Walter Damrosch. The machine was purchased out of funds earned from several activities.

The supervising principal also reported that the Doylestown High School has recently been admitted on the accredited list of the Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools of the Middle States and Maryland.

This is a highly coveted recognition on the part of high schools. Of the 900 schools that have applied for admission to the accredited list, only 50 percent have been admitted. Certain rigid standards must be satisfied before this recognition is granted.

Council to investigate dumping of sewage -

Borough Council was again confronted at Monday night's meeting with a renewal of complaints that some resident of North Main street is running sewage into the street.

Three proposals were suggested: Prosecution of the offender. Cutting off the special arrangement made to relieve certain properties, including the offender's, of surface water and some other refuse water which caused dry well trouble. Building an extension of the sewerage service so that all property owners could connect.

Probably all three measures will be necessary if the nuisance is continued, it was intimated. Meanwhile, Council is making an investigation.

Council favored extending sewers to large tracts of ground parallel to North Main street. Nearly all of the owners have indicated their willingness to give a right of way for a sewer line, and some have agreed to dedicate the necessary ground for a street which would ultimately end at the Dublin pike, paralleling Main street.

If the land is dedicated for the street and the sewer line is laid, it will be possible to give sewerage service for North Main street by gravity and avoid the location of a pumping station in that section. A sewer line could be run down an extension of Spruce street, if the land is dedicated to the borough, and would open up valuable lots for the land owners.

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Doylestown Country Club has prosperous year -

Another prosperous year in the history of the Doylestown Country Club was reported Tuesday night at the annual meeting held in the club house, preceded by an informal dinner attended by over 100 members.

President Charles C. McKinstry outlined the work of the year and called on the various committee chairmen for their reports. All showed the club to be in a healthy condition. President McKinstry was supported in his suggestions to continue to improve the club in every way possible and make it still more attractive. During 1929, a number of improvements will be made to the course.

At the annual election, the following officers were elected: President, Charles C. McKinstry; vice president, William R. Mercer; treasurer, Walter M. Carwithen; secretary, Charles S. Worthington; directors, Charles C. McKinstry, William R. Mercer, Walter M. Carwithen, Oscar O. Bean, Henry A. James, Edward R. Kirk, W. Lawrence Mason, Wynne James, Dr. William J. Leattor, J. Carroll Molloy, Arthur M. Eastburn, Charles Radcliff, Frederic Blair Jaekel, Charles S. Worthington.

Among the issues for discussion and referred to the board of governors for action was a rule whereby a small charge will be made for the use of the club room for parties and meetings, improvement of the kitchen facilities of the club house, a locker service charge, and an improved lane leading to the club.

The financial report showed the receipts of the year to be $19,207.31, with about $1,000 in outstanding dues to come in. It cost $6,787.77 to remodel the club, and $1,600.24 for a new water main. The green fees received during 1928 amounted to $534.50. The payroll for the year was increased $977.67 over the previous year. The total expenditures for 1928 amounted to $20,139.26.

It was also reported that the club has 258 members, including 122 family memberships.

Doylestown township farmers discuss egg production -

Members of the Doylestown Township Farmers' Club, meeting at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Cramer on Sunday evening, engaged in a round table discussion on egg production, during which some profitable points were brought to light.

The discussion was opened by E.P. Rosenberger, who stressed the importance of feeding balanced rations in order to have a good supply of large eggs. He also recommended a good supply of alfalfa meal. He said if the eggs are hatched from good, healthy stock, the baby chicks will be healthy.

W.H. Wonder said he knew of a poultry man who kept his chickens in a dark house with no sunlight. These chickens were fed nothing but whole corn and the egg yield was quite good. Mr. Wonder said, however, he believes it pays to feed a balanced ration.

Crosby Sellick wondered why so many poultry men in this section send away for their chicks instead of obtaining them from the local hatcheries. He said the man who sends away for his chicks takes a chance on losing a large proportion of them by the time they reach their destination, whereas if he obtains them from the local hatcheries, he is not taking this risk.

Readings were given by Pearl Van Luvanee, Ivalavonne Woodward, Crosby Sellick and Mrs. Walter Tyson. Games were enjoyed and refreshments were served at the close of the meeting.

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Doylestown Town Notes -

A committee composed of members of the American Legion has made a preliminary survey of the places available in Doylestown where the name of the town could be painted on the roof in five-foot letters, for aviation purposes. Next week, the committee will make a trip over town in an aeroplane in order to pick out the best roof from the air. The sign will also contain a small compass under the word Doylestown, with an arrow pointing in the direction of the Doylestown Flying Field.

Miss Dorothy Thatcher has been quite ill at the home of her parents, Mrs. and Mrs. Nathaniel Thatcher, of Harvey avenue.

Rev. and Mrs. Charles F. Freeman of Salem Reformed Church entertained the members of the North Penn Ministerial Association on Monday at the parsonage on East Court street. Papers were read by Rev. Ohold, of Perkasie, on "The Quakers," and by Rev. Samuel E. Kirk, of Riegelsville, on "The Church in the World."

Cletus L. Goodling, dean of the National Farm School [now Delaware Valley College], left Tuesday morning for Harrisburg, where he is attending the state farm products show. Farm School cattle are competing for prizes in the state show.

William L. Kern, of Union street, who suffered a stroke of paralysis while visiting Irwin Swartley, near Lansdale, is still in a serious condition but recovering well. He was removed to his home after the attack.

Edward Holkey has taken a position in the composing room of The Intelligencer.

Mrs. Henry Schmeider and daughter, of Maple avenue, were discharged form the Doylestown Emergency Hospital on Thursday.

Raymond H. Huber was been awarded the contract for the electric wiring in the 15 or 20 houses to be built by Morris P. Corsner on the Wynne James, Jr. tract.

Mrs. James M. Black, who had been a patient in the Abington Hospital for several weeks as the result of a fractured arm, has returned to her home in Doylestown.

The Doylestown Nature Club will meet Monday at the home of Mrs. George M. Whitenack, on Broad street. The program will be "Commercializing Our Rivers," with a special feature, "A Half Hour at Conowingo," by Miss Gertrude Shearer.

Patrolman James Welsh, of the Edison Sub-Station of the State Highway Patrol, is confined to his bed because of illness.

Dora and Laura, twin daughters of Mrs. and Mrs. Jacob Stillwagon, were given a party on Saturday in honor of their 10th birthdays, when they entertained 20 little friends. The afternoon was spent in playing games. Later, the little folks were ushered into the dining room, where they were served refreshments. The girls received many pretty gifts.

From the Doylestown Daily Intelligencer, Week of Jan. 20-26, 1929