1887 News

The Princeton Press, Sat., Jan. 8, 1887:     Moses and Mary J. Schenck have opened a new Restaurant in a building erected especially for their business, opposite their old Restaurant in Hulfish street. They furnish meals at all hours, and will give a good cup of coffee for five cents. Terrapin, Turtle soup, and Clam chowder to order. All the delicacies of the table in season. They invite an inspection of their restaurant confident of their ability to please. The Princeton Press, Sat., Jan. 29, 1887:     Moses Schenck celebrated his birthday, the 54th, and the opening of his new restaurant on Hulfish Street, on Wednesday evening, by a Dinner party. The bill of fair [sic] was elaborate:		Turtle Soup. Terrapin. Roast Turkey.   Cranberry Sauce. Sweet Potatoes.  Irish Potatoes.  Tomatoes. Escalloped Oysters. Beef a la mode.   Cold Tongue. Chicken Salad. Celery. Wine Jelly.            Ice Cream. Cakes, assorted. Fruits.         Coffee.
		The party discussed the Menu for two hours, decided that Mr. and Mrs. Schenck know how to keep a restaurant, and retired wishing them the best of good luck in the management of their business in its new location.
The Princeton Press, Sat., Feb. 5, 1887:     Fidelity Lodge No. 966, G. U. O. of O. F., of Princeton, will have a grand benefit in the Witherspoon Street Church, on Thursday evening next. Prof. Lewis of Philadelphia and assistants, will give a rendition of Belshazzar's Feast and Vision, followed by an Old Folks Concert. This Concert, we are bound to say, will be broken up by a Mysterious Ghost! It will cost just twenty-five cents to see and hear the Feast and Vision, Concert and Ghost.		The Princeton Press, Sat., Feb. 19, 1887:     A very enjoyable party took place at the West End Hotel, at Spotswood, on Tuesday evening. The proprietor, Mr. M. L. Behringer, is a good old veteran and knows how to please his guests. Prof. Moses Sc[h]enck's Orchestra furnished the music.
The Princeton Press, Sat., Feb. 26, 1887:     There will be a thanksgiving sermon preached in the Methodist Church, on Witherspoon Ttreet [sic], on the first Sunday in March, by Rev. Geo. M. Witten, before Odd Fellows' Lodge No. 966.		The Princeton Press, Sat., Apr. 9, 1887: THEFT AND PUNISHMENT     A half dozen valuable pen knives were stolen from Mr. Lavake's jewelry store a few months ago. He suspected James P. Scudder, a young colored man, who was cleaning up for him, of being the thief, but had no direct proof. The man denied it. Accidentally he found out that Scudder had sold one of the knives a few days ago, and a warrant was immediately issued. Scudder was committed in default of bail by Mayor Wright, and yesterday pleaded guilty in the Court of Quarter Sessions to larceny, and received a sentence of sixty days in the County Jail.
The Princeton Press, Sat., Apr. 16, 1887:     Public Installation of Officers of Fidelity Lodge 966 G. U. O. of O. F., will be held in Odd Fellow's Hall, Witherspoon Street, on Monday evening, April 18th. Admission free.
The Princeton Press, Sat., Apr. 23, 1887: A SIGN OF THE TIMES. MY DEAR MR. EDITOR:     In passing the jewelry store of Mr. Lavake last evening my attention was attracted to a large and handsome volume on exhibition in his window. On examining it, I found the following neatly printed upon the cover in gold letters: FIDELITY LODGE, No. 966 G. U. O. OF O. F. INSTITUTED MAY, 1850. PRINCETON, N. J. PRESENTED BY ELLA VOORHEES.     It was to me a peculiarly suggestive object, as indicating a revival of interest in a most worthy order, and especially as a sign of enterprise and progress among our colored fellow citizens in the promotion of each others' welfare. The Odd Fellows date back to the 17th century, but were simply a convivial society 'till 1813, when the Order was reformed at Manchester, England, on its present basis of religious morality, fraternity and benevolence.		The first Lodge was established in this country in Baltimore, on the 26th of April, 1819, so that next Tuesday will be the sixty-eighth anniversary. The history of this society has been as quiet and unostentatious as it has been beneficent. It stands out in marked and favorable contrast to many of the present day, which attempt to control the politics of the country, and which certainly are doing a vast deal to disturb its prosperity, and thus to injure the very working classes for whose benefit they are designed. Our colored friends may count on the sympathy and co-operation of this community in every effort to help themselves and to stand by one another. And we rejoice over the assurance that this admirable organization has passed through its temporary difficulties, and has entered upon a new career of usefulness and brotherhood. Mrs. Voorhees is deserving of great credit for getting up this presentation, and for the excellent taste displayed in selection of the beautiful and substantial Bible, which will henceforth be a central object and ornament of the Lodge Room.
		OBSERVER.
		PRINCETON, April 20, 1887
The Princeton Press, Sat., May 21, 1887:     Fidelity Lodge No. 966, Odd Fellows, will hold a reception in Mercer Hall on Wednesday evening, May 25th, at which music and refreshments will be provided.		The Princeton Press, Sat., May 28, 1887:     The Fidelity Lodge reception, Wednesday evening at Mercer Hall, was a grand success, financially and socially. The attendance was large and everything passed off pleasantly. This Princeton Odd Fellows Lodge is in a prosperous condition. Prof. Moses Schenck's orchestra furnished excellent music for this their 37th anniversary.
The Princeton Press, Sat., Aug. 6, 1887:     The Rev. Geo. M. Witten, our late pastor of the A. M. E. Church, was the sole eye witness of a double murder in Camden on Monday afternoon. He was in the office of Justice E. Spencer Darr, colored, when the wife of William Willshire came in and asked for a warrant for the arrest of her husband, for assault. Willshire followed her to the office, and after a word or two pulled out a heavy self-cocking revolver and shot his wife. She threw up her hands, when he instantly shot her again, felling her to the floor.		The Justice by this time had arisen from his seat, but a well directed bullet from the murderer killed him instantly. Willshire walked from the office, about half a block and then put the pistol to his head and shot himself, causing instantaneous death, in full view of several persons who were attracted by the firing. Mr. Witten says neither the Justice nor himself had time to prevent the murderer from accomplishing his purpose, it was executed so quickly. If Willshire had so chosen he could have killed Mr. Witten with the others, but he did not seem to notice his presence.
The Princeton Press, Sat., Sept. 3, 1887: CENT A WORD COLUMN. OYSTERS.--FRESH EVERY DAY. Can be had by the 100 or less. Stews to order at reasonable terms, at MOSES SCHENCK'S Restaurant, Hulfish street, Princeton, N. J.		The Princeton Press, Sat., Sept. 24, 1887:     James P. Scudder, a young colored man of Princeton, was sentenced yesterday to 90 days in county jail, for stealing a watch. He pleaded guilty. This is not his first offence in this line.
The Princeton Press, Sat., Oct. 1, 1887: A CORONER'S INQUEST.     Coroner Jewell held an inquest on Monday, concerning the death of the child which died at Stony Brook last week, under suspicious circumstances. A jury was impaneled, and occupied the Council Room during the day. County Physician Lalor was in attendance. From the testimony, it appears that the child's mother is Annie Bowen, the daughter of a laborer, living near Chambersburg, a mere child, who lost her mother a year ago. The father is Richard Nixon, the big colored musician, well-known hereabouts, where he formerly resided, although of late his home has been in Trenton. His wife is said to live in Princeton still.		The girl-mother went to Asbury Park with Nixon this summer and the child was born there. The child was taken to Mrs. Brown's, at Stony Brook, a sister of Nixon, to be cared for. The County Physician does not suspect foul play as causing its death, but attributes it to lack of nutrition, and inexperience of its mother. The jury brought in a verdict implicating the mother and Nixon and the former was committed to the County Jail by Marshal Ambury on Thursday, he keeping her under surveillance at his house until that time. Nixon has fled, but will probably be apprehendeded [sic] and brought to trial.
The Princeton Press, Sat., Oct. 15, 1887:     The reception given by the Fidelity Lodge, No. 966, Grand United Order of Odd Fellows, at Mercer Hall, Thursday evening, was a success. Morrelli's orchestra furnished sweet dancing music.		The Princeton Press, Sat., Nov. 5, 1887:     The many who have been interested in the new movement among the colored people of the town in starting a Y. M. C. A., will be pleased to know of its remarkable progress since the last report. Largely through the energy of the young men themselves, a suitable building has been rented on Witherspoon St., where regular meetings are conducted, and where a modestly equipped Reading Room has been established, which is open to young men at any hour. It has been the policy of the founders of this Association to encourage the young men themselves to bear a large share of the work and yet during these first weeks the burden of the responsibility has been very heavy, and a great need is felt for more workers from among the College students. Especially do we want those who could assist us at the "Social Meetings," which are of a general character and designed to draw those who could not otherwise be reached--as well as to increase the interest of the members. These meetings are held every 2 weeks, and contribute very largely, we are sure, to the success of the enterprise. Any who may be willing to devote a part of their time to this work, or could assist us by gifts of books, papers or furniture, will please address    YOUNG MEN'S ASSOCIATION,       Lock Box 113, Princeton.
The Princeton Press, Sat., Dec. 10, 1887: [FOR THE PRESS.]     Twelve Princeton members of the Union Social Club held their annual meeting at Princeton, Nov. 24, '87. Previous to this there was a great deal of shaking of hands, a renewal of old club men, and a display of brotherly feeling toward one another. H. Simpson, as president of the club, called the members to order and soon began to elect new officers, which resulted as follows :-- President, R. Williams ; Vice-President, Benjamin Davis ; Secretary, Herbert Simpson ; Treasurer, Peter Richmond. H. Simpson then invited the club to partake of the supper that was prepared for them at sharp ten o'clock. After a great many remarks from the members of the club we then closed by singing and playing of Home Sweet Home. P. Richmond was presented with a medal from the club as a good marksman of the game which we partook so freely off [sic]. Jessie William, Caterer, for the festive event.       HERBERT SIMPSON, Sec'y.
The Princeton Press, Sat., Dec. 17, 1887: G. A. R. NOTES.     At the last muster of Maj. Gen. David Hunter Post, No. 105, the following officers were elected:     Com.--Geo. S. Walker.     Sr. Vice.--Wm. H. Knoxen.     Jr. Vice.--James Schanck.     Surgeon.--George Cudjoe.     Chaplain.--Martin L. Sumersett.     Q. M.--Aaron S. Truehart.     O. D.--Charles Lambert.     O. G.--Peter K. Hoagland.     Delegate to Dept. Encampment.--Jonathan Stives.     Alternate.--Ira S. Bergen.     Adjt.--Aaron Lake.     At the next regular muster of the Post, on Wednesday, Dec. 21, Assistant Inspector T. W. Lavake will be present. All comrades are requested to be present, uniformed as far as possible. Come one, come all, and let us have a lively muster. ADJT. .  .  .  .  .  .		The Princeton Press, Sat., Dec. 17, 1887:     The colored Y. M. C. A., which was organized in this place a short time since, is a gratifying success. Its rooms, on Witherspoon and Jackson Sts., are commodious and inviting. Its membership is constantly increasing, and much interest is shown in its Tuesday evening prayer meetings. It has, however, a few needs, which, when known, we hope the Christian public will gratify. Its reading room is too small for the holding of prayer meetings ; and the association, being yet in its infancy, has not been able to procure a stove for its larger adjoining room. It therefore needs a stove. The library of the rooms is yet quite insufficient for the demands of its members and visitors. Any of our good friends who desire to contribute to this good cause, either a stove, or reading matter, as books, papers, or magazines of a moral nature, can give great encouragement to the work. Its treasury is also open to the contributions of its good friends. Any desiring to assist in any way will please address W. A. Carrington, box 229, Princeton, N. J.
The Princeton Press, Sat., Dec. 24, 1887:     Annie Bowen, the little white girl who charged Prof. Nixon with the paternity of her child, and who has been in jail since its death, was released last week upon a motion to discharge her made in the Court of Special Sessions by ex-Assemblyman Hutchinson. Efforts to apprehend Nixon have failed.

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